‘I’ll find out. Bruce should remember who made it before for him. Since time is of the essence, how do you want to go about creating this?’ Darius asked. He watched Jim look around the small clearing critically.
‘I suggest you mark the trees blocking the most direct wagon route to the village and get people felling. It makes sense to use logs in the construction since that is what’s most readily to hand. Leave the bark on the trees so the buildings will blend in. The shed will need to be of a reasonable length to accommodate the Portal at the back, store planks to either side inside and then have a screen of rough logs meant for the fire in the front. The cottage and shed could be one building, with the shed as a lean-to. That will give us most scope. I think what we need to achieve though, is something that doesn’t look overly large, important or sophisticated. Otherwise people will be curious as to why we expended unnecessary effort in a building few will ever see.’
‘It would be useful for additional castle workers to be able to bunk here,’ Darius mentioned.
‘Yes, that is a worthwhile consideration. Perhaps an extra set of rooms above the shed would work best. I’ll have to do some sketches.’ He stood beside the Portal, at the rear so it wouldn’t activate and made some notes of its measurements on a scrap of paper. Then he paced out the size of the clearing; it was small.
‘Do you want us to clear any trees here?’
‘Not yet. Until I’ve got a design I won’t know what will need to go. I’ll have to think about it. I’ll pop back later when I’ve got something to show you and to see how you’re getting on. You never know, it might be possible to do some building this afternoon, but only if we have something to work with. I’ll tell Drako, if you like, so he can send some people up.’
‘That would be very useful, thank you.’
Darius watched Jim disappear back into the dripping gloom and then laughed. ‘Well damn! Guess our day just changed course,’ he remarked to his two companions, who simply nodded.
Jim wasn’t entirely surprised to see Cassy and Natalya enter the library and approach him at break time.
‘Told you he’d be here,’ Natalya said, spotting him at a table across the room. There was no surprise on his face to see them however, just a gleam of satisfaction. Uh oh, why?
‘Of course you knew; you can sense his location,’ Cassy responded rolling her eyes.
‘Hello ladies. I take it you’ve been looking for me?’
‘As you knew we would,’ Natalya responded.
‘Indeed.’
‘So what’s this plan you’re cooking up with Darius?’ she added, a little uncomfortable with the speculative glance he was favouring both of them with. ‘It’s something you’re planning to foist off onto us isn’t it?’
‘Foist? No, you’re the ones rushing up to me demanding answers and involvement. Of course I am happy to oblige you,’ he smiled. ‘This is what we’re doing,’ he added planting his finger on a library entry in the opened book before him, entitled charcoal making. ‘Cassy, you should take a look at these illustrations of the various forms of kiln. Whilst I’m not planning on building that for them we do need to be aware of what space such an object will require when planning the size, position and style of the hut and barn I am planning to build. Obviously a kiln doesn’t want to be too close to the house, trees or other flammable things.’
‘Should we be discussing this here?’ Natalya asked quietly, noticing a pair of students entering the previously empty library and glance across at them curiously.
‘Come down to my office,’ Jim said, closing the book decisively. Once in the privacy of his office, he opened the book again and while Cassy read, with Natalya looking over her shoulder, he collected a large sheet of paper and spread it out on the table.
‘Drako said this work was to do with the Portal,’ Cassy said. ‘What are we really doing?’
‘What we are really doing is building over the portal to camouflage it from student’s notice. There are paths to the portal now and as the weather improves, students are going to be more inclined to explore and find it. It also makes sense to disguise the traffic travelling to the castle amongst people working at a legitimate trade.’
‘Can you show us what you have in mind?’ Natalya asked noticing the paper. Cassy had shown her the plans that she and Jasper had created to design the village buildings, so she recognised what had to happen. She’d never seen how it was done however.
‘I can try, but it might surprise you to know I’m not very good at making something up from scratch. That’s why you’re here, Cassy,’ he added. He placed his hand flat on the paper and closed his eyes. Under his hand a log cabin slowly emerged. The portal blinked into detailed existence beside it and then more slowly, a shed grew around it. ‘See, that’s not good enough to cast a spell with.’
‘What’s this area?’ Cassy asked.
‘Darius would like space for his castle workers to sleep. I thought if it’s above the shed, then it could be a large hidden area. Feel free to amend this Cassy,’ he added and watched curiously as she immediately came to take his place. Under her direction, the plan for the hut came to life. A spacious kitchen with dining area took up the front half of the cottage, which would be able to accommodate large numbers. A dividing wall led to a cosy living area at the back, with a staircase up the middle. A door from the kitchen led out to the shed so that castle workers could enter and exit from the portal without going out the front door and perhaps be seen. Natalya gazed at what turned into a three dimensional model as she looked at it, and had some further suggestions, like enclosing the portal in its own room, so the door could be locked and also serve to mask the portal’s glow when it was activated. She also suggested being able to get out of the hidden room through a trapdoor down into the portal room.
‘Now you know why I wanted your help,’ Jim remarked as he looked at plans he knew he could now work confidently from.
‘You didn’t ask,’ Natalya pointed out. Drako’s questions had actually brought them here.
‘Ok, but I will need your help to turn this into reality. With Amelie as well, we ought to be able to do most of the work between us. I’m going to show Darius these plans now and see how he’s getting on. Tell Drako to meet us there if he wants to have a look too,’ he added to Cassy and knew by the small hum of energy around her that she was contacting him. If he knew Drako, he’d already be there!
‘Do we have to go back to class?’ Natalya asked.
‘Yes. Your lessons are most important,’ Jim told her. ‘You can visit the site after lunch if you wish, but make sure you’re not followed.’
‘Of course not,’ Natalya responded, rolling her eyes.
‘This is serious. Every time I see you now you’re surrounded by the boys from your class,’ he added. ‘Just make sure you’re alone before you decide to come. We won’t be doing anything until all three of you ladies are finished classes for the day anyway, so you won’t be missing anything important.’
‘Ok, we’re going to class,’ Cassy responded, tugging a slightly more rebellious Natalya with her. Both were highly curious and their partners even more so, since it affected them too and Jim had not talked to them about what he and Darius were proposing.
‘Freddie!’ Natalya exclaimed, noticing him leaning against the wall outside of the arena. ‘Eww, you’re all wet,’ she added having wrapped her arms around him. She pulled back slightly, looking him over visually and then with their link. ‘You’re soaked to the skin,’ she observed with a frown.
‘That’s what happens when it rains continuously for hours,’ he said with a shrug. ‘Your admirers are waiting,’ he added privately, aware her classmates were watching closely.
Natalya threaded her arm around his waist and they began to walk, joining her classmates on the road back to the school and lunch. She grinned, feeling him jump as her spell instantly dried his clothes, making them go hot and slither against his skin. ‘Better?’
‘I’m sure you ca
n tell that it is,’ he responded although it had felt very weird. ‘Thank you.’
‘Ok, now tell me what’s been happening. Are we going to the site right now?’
‘We can eat first. In fact Jim said you weren’t to skip lunch. Why would he think you would?’
‘It was a thought I had,’ she admitted. ‘He must have heard me think it. I do know better, honestly. I’m not going to have enough strength later if I don’t eat now.’
‘Exactly and now I’m not feeling quite so uncomfortable I might be able to stand joining the students in the hall for lunch. They are loud.’
‘You need your strength too.’
‘Do I?’
Natalya laughed softly at his flirtatious raised eyebrow. She glanced round and noticed the guys were watching with considerable curiosity. She realised they knew she and Freddie were privately talking and they felt left out. ‘Were you watching us practice?’ she asked Freddie aloud. ‘I’ve gone up a grade in my sword play.’
‘Have you? Well done,’ Freddie responded. ‘I only saw the last few minutes, but yes, I’d say you have improved a great deal. So has Jason,’ he added honestly, catching Jason’s eye. Jason had been her sparring partner today and probably was frequently.
‘Thank you sir,’ Jason responded. Praise from such an accomplished swordsman meant a lot to him. ‘Will you consider coming to spar with us some time?’
‘You want to spar with me?’ Freddie asked in surprise.
‘I’d like to learn from the best. Without a shadow of a doubt, that is you,’ he added.
‘Not above flattery, Jason?’ Freddie asked with amusement.
‘Whatever works,’ Jason shrugged. He knew how to appeal to an alpha wolf’s nature. Wolves were often very generous and protective, but you didn’t challenge them or their authority with impunity. Natalya was an alpha and she had responded to his friendly overtures and seemed to welcome his company because he never flirted. He knew Freddie tolerated him close to his lady, but that would change if he crossed the line.
‘I’ll see what I can do,’ Freddie assured him and Natalya hugged him closer in silent thanks. Freddie knew Jason had seen her reaction; the lad didn’t miss much. Jason’s father had been highly respected and alpha of the dog pack. Jason had all the makings of becoming a leader too; there was no question he was smart and courageous. He’d have made a good wolf.
‘Thank you,’ Jason replied. ‘So, you’re joining us for lunch today?’
‘Yes. We got back in time.’
‘Where are the others?’
‘We all got soaked through. I imagine they’ll be at home now getting warm and dry,’ Freddie remarked.
Jason nodded, aware Freddie had indeed looked dripping wet but was now dry thanks to Natalya’s magic. Her happiness at his presence was obvious. It was little wonder Freddie sought her out at every opportunity rather than sit alone at home.
Natalya noticed Jim already sitting at the head table with Amelie. He met her eye and nodded. Reassured they were all taking this break, she settled down to take her share from the platter as it passed her place before the men swiped it all. She was hungry and knew she’d need her strength, although what might actually be required of her she still wasn’t sure.
Finally the meal was finished and they were allowed to leave. Freddie took her hand and led her out. She glanced back to make sure they were not being followed and noticed Jason hadn’t moved from the table but was sitting watching them leave. She hadn’t had to say anything or come up with any excuses; Freddie’s presence had wordlessly deterred them.
As they neared the portal clearing Natalya sensed an animus presence. ‘Do you have people standing guard on these paths?’ she asked Freddie quietly.
‘Yes. You sense someone?’
She reached out with her senses for more information and felt a familiar presence. ‘Dustin’s on this path,’ she said, speaking at a normal volume so he would hear them. Moments later Dustin stepped out of cover to meet them. ‘Hi Dustin,’ she said warmly.
‘My lady,’ Dustin greeted. He frowned in puzzlement as she reached out to touch his shoulder but didn’t move away. Under her touch his clothes unexpectedly turned hot, a tiny cloud of steam came off him and then his garments were suddenly dry. ‘Ah, thank you,’ he murmured, distinctly unsettled, not only by the strangeness of what she’d done, but that she would expend her energy simply for his comfort. She patted his cheek gently and he suddenly felt her affection come through the contact. He also sensed she felt protective of him; she was a true alpha, concerned for the welfare of each member of the pack.
‘Any problems?’ Freddie asked amused by Dustin’s bemusement.
‘None,’ Dustin responded straightening. He glanced at Freddie’s clothes and wasn’t surprised he’d been similarly dried. ‘What is it my lady?’
‘Jim’s coming,’ she told them and walked on. She noticed a crowd of people in the clearing already and that all looked up when she appeared, then they glanced to either side of her and she realised both Dustin and Freddie were standing beside her. Most went straight back to work. She frowned at the portal’s odd appearance for a moment before realising it had been draped with a large dark tarpaulin. Well, someone clearly had some sense, since that made it completely unrecognisable and with the people working at chopping down trees and other loud tasks, this was the most likely time to be discovered.
On the far side of the clearing was a new open space and she walked over to have a closer look. A wider path was being cut into the dense forest that would accommodate a wagon. In this new space the felled trees had been trimmed of their branches and the resulting logs stacked in readiness. Men were still hard at work further along the path felling trees to clear the route to the meadow and subsequently to the village. Teams of horses dragged the fallen trees out of the way so other men could trim them of branches before taking the new logs nearer the clearing ready for use.
She was surprised to note that one of the lumberjacks was Drako. She didn’t distract him while he wielded an axe with powerful blows. She couldn’t deny he had the build and musculature to be a very effective axe man. The tree fell and Drako stood back breathing heavily while someone else took his axe and took over the trimming work. Clearly everyone was taking a turn sharing out the labour of an exhausting project.
‘Hey. Is it lunch time then?’ Drako asked, turning and spotting Freddie, Natalya and Dustin.
‘Certainly is,’ she responded.
Noticing Natalya’s gaze drop he recalled he’d taken off his shirt when the rain had made it stick to him and restrict his movements. He picked it off a branch and wrinkled his nose at the dripping thing. He wearily wrung the cold water out of it, knowing it was going to be unpleasant against his skin.
‘Shall I dry that before you put it back on?’ Natalya asked, watching him. She noticed his surprise but then he glanced at Freddie.
‘That would be most welcome,’ Drako admitted and held the shirt out. He noticed she didn’t touch him, but only the material. Freddie and even Dustin had been dried top to toe so he hadn’t been singled out. Pulling on a warm dry shirt was infinitely preferable to a sopping wet one. At least the rain had stopped, although he suspected it would resume later.
‘You’ve certainly been busy,’ Natalya remarked as they walked together back to the portal.
‘I know how Jim works,’ Drako said. ‘He hates waiting once he has plans in his hands to work from. I understand you had a hand in them?’
‘I merely had a few minor suggestions,’ she admitted. ‘You’ve seen them then?’
‘Yes,’ Drako said. ‘Doing this work will give us a number of benefits. Jim said Darius came up with the idea?’
‘Jim approached him with the idea of camouflaging the portal with another building. Darius came up with the charcoal maker guise,’ Natalya clarified. ‘Where is Darius?’
‘He’s taken a wagon to fetch some hardcore for the foundations,’ Drako said and glanced back the way that
they’d come. ‘It’s still awkward to get a wagon along there, but the tree I brought down was the last major obstacle. Once the branches are cleared out of the way he should be able to get through.’
‘Do you two work together?’ Natalya asked. She’d heard they were not close and had actually fought over Cassy, although she didn’t know any more detail than that.
‘We know we work better separately and with our own men. He has his loyal followers and I have mine,’ Drako admitted with a small shrug. ‘It works because he has always been separate and now he has the castle to concentrate on, while I have White Haven.’
‘I see that. You are different characters and attract similarly minded followers,’ Natalya mused. Drako’s people were peaceful, content to put the past behind them, work and make the best of their new home and circumstances. Darius in contrast was a warrior in spirit and prepared to run risks in trying to retake his birthright, even though it would inevitably have to be fought for. His followers believed in that cause and many harboured deep resentments at being driven from their homes and for the many losses of friends and family they had suffered in the intervening years.
Jim, Amelie and Cassy appeared from behind the portal where they’d been assessing the space available against the plans and they moved to join them.
‘Do we have enough timber cut now?’ Drako asked Jim gesturing at the logs rather haphazardly stacked behind them.
‘Drako’s been cutting trees down,’ Natalya remarked to Cassy and saw her frown and look at him more closely. His shirt was only partially buttoned; a clear indicator he’d been working hard enough to have removed it. Cassy wrapped an arm about him and Natalya grinned at his startled reaction as his trousers suddenly steamed dry. That was definitely something rather personal she had not been about to do to someone else’s husband!
‘To be honest, I’m not sure how much we’ll need until we get started,’ Jim admitted. ‘I don’t want to make it overly large but I doubt any cut wood will go to waste with all the projects ongoing. Lord Aubrey expects us to build an Inn sometime soon too,’ Jim added with a glance at Cassy since it had been her idea.
Natalya: Wizards of White Haven Page 31