Spirit of Magik (The Dothranan Chronicles Book 1)

by Richard Cluff

  She allowed the cries of outrage to dim before continuing. “Wizard Jenner arrived today to confirm my findings and witness these proceedings.”

  The tall man stepped forward beside Ari. He was as tall as she was and had his gray streaked brown hair closely cropped. His mustache and goatee were neat and well trimmed. Thorel could see him use a small thread of power just as Ari had. When he spoke, his speech was broadcast over the large speaking stone as well.

  “I am Wizard Jenner, and I have come to assist the Great Lady Dothranan in judging this crime. I have confirmed the Great Lady's findings. This holder, Megan Valor, has willfully betrayed her oath to House Dothranan. She did place the Detonation stones that resulted in many deaths among your people. I will now stand witness to Great Lady Dothranan's judgment.”

  The crowd roared their angry approval. Thorel looked at this woman, and could feel sympathy for her. But he knew she would have taken the same oath he did. What could have driven her to do such a horrible thing? He wondered.

  Ari spoke coldly when the din died down. “There is no defense for Megan Valor's betrayal. The judgment is death by hanging.”

  The gathered holders erupted into cheers. Two of the men put their heavy shields down and opened her cage. They pulled her out roughly while a woman bound her hands. They marched her to the waiting noose where a man wearing a black hood put it around her neck.

  Even from this far away Thorel could see tears streaking the woman's face. He knew this was justice since she was a traitor and murderer. That knowledge did not make him feel better about the reality of what was about to happen, but he was determined to see this through. He would not look away. The crowd quieted in anticipation.

  The Mistress simply nodded to the hooded man, who pulled a lever. The woman fell through the floor of the gallows with wide eyes. Suddenly she stopped with a jerk and sickening snap that filled Thorel's ears. He still heard it even when the roar of the gathered holders rose to deafen him.

  The woman's body spun slowly beneath the gallows. Something inside Thorel began spinning as well. Without a second thought, he began pushing through the crowd of cheering onlookers as quickly as he could. He ignored the angry protests of people he pushed past as he felt his stomach lurch.

  Fortunately, he reached the edge of the crowd before his stomach revolted.

  * * *

  A few hours later Thorel felt better physically. Inside though, he knew that Megan Valor's death would haunt him forever; even though he knew her crime was heinous, he had felt horrible when he saw her die. He tried telling himself over and over that it was right, but it still felt wrong to him.

  He'd returned to the Manor after the execution. He had needed to clean up after vomiting like that. He was sure Korin would have been embarrassed by his weakness. Thorel was so ashamed he felt like his only claim to the title of man was age alone now. No one else in the crowd had been sickened by the execution that he could see.

  He finished putting his fresh clothes on. They felt good after the bath he had taken. He decided he was going to go find Nigel and Eliel, then get himself good and drunk. This was a day he didn't want to remember.

  He opened the door to leave and saw Siri standing there, with her hand raised to knock.

  Errol. Thorel remembered suddenly. Perfect way to end this day, he thought gloomily. It was time for him to face the consequences of what he'd done. He saw a pair of guards with her and another man with a case similar to Siri's.

  “Mr. Tangarth. May I came in?” She asked politely.

  “Of course ma'am,” Thorel stepped aside as if he had been prepared for company. But he was fully prepared to be punished for his foolish lack of control.

  “Wait here,” Siri said to her entourage. They did so without comment while she walked in and closed the door.

  “Have a seat, Mr. Tangarth,” she gestured to a nearby chair.

  Thorel sat without thinking. Her tone had changed when she said that. It wasn't a request and he knew it.

  “Before I go further, I would like your impression of what occurred with Mr. Errol today,” she said looking at him intently.

  Thorel looked to the ground for a moment, to avoid Siri's penetrating gaze. “Ma'am, I was in a bad mood. I was upset over other things, and I felt he wasn't teaching Hannon so much as mocking him. It upset me, and I struck him without thinking. I'm sorry, and it won't happen again, ma'am.”

  “Very well. It may interest you to know that Mr. Errol's sternum was cracked. The doctor confirmed it. If you had struck him harder, you could have killed the man, even with his practice vest on; this conversation would have been very different if that had happened,” Siri said in a deadly serious tone.

  Thorel's eyes widened. “Ma'am, with respect I didn't hit him that hard. I've hit my guardian, Korin, harder than that when we would mock fight.”

  “The Mistress told me about your guardian, Mr. Tangarth. I can assure you that most young men do not have a Hero at their disposal to train them. Stand up, and show me exactly what you did.” There was no mistaking the command in her tone this time.

  Thorel stood, but was taken aback by what she said. A Hero? Korin was Korin to Thorel. He hadn't considered how others would view him before now.

  Thorel recalled the situation with Errol. “Well ma'am, he was right in front of me, and I-”

  “Show me the strike you used, Mr. Tangarth,” she commanded.

  Thorel just did it. He struck out with his palm as he had with Errol. The tone she used was exactly the same as Korin's when he wanted something done now. He hadn't even considered not doing what she'd asked of him.

  “Excellent form,” she said while setting her case on the table. “Now strike my palm the same way,” Siri held her hand out for him.

  That is the same way that Korin would test my strikes, Thorel thought. He breathed in and struck during his exhalation as Korin had taught him. Her palm moved with the blow of his, just as Korin's would have.

  “Perfect,” Siri said. “Your hips were lined up correctly, and your torso rotation increased the impact. Your arm was relaxed until contact was made, and you connected with the palm heel only. Excellent, Mr. Tangarth.”

  Thorel had not been expecting a compliment on how he had struck the man. He could only say “Thank you, ma'am,” with some confusion.

  “You're welcome, Mr. Tangarth. I have had many students who could not demonstrate such a mastery while I taught at the Legion Officer's Academy. If I recall correctly, there was a Korin Quedesham in one of my classes. He was a good student if memory serves,” she said seriously.

  Thorel just blinked at that. Had Siri taught Korin? Don't feel bad boy, my teacher put me on my ass the same way. Korin always said this when he'd put Thorel on the ground. Try as Thorel might though, he could not imagine this woman being able to do that to Korin.

  “Ma'am-” Thorel started.

  Siri cut in. “I'm sorry to interrupt Mr. Tangarth, but I have to tell you that such a blow can be easily used to break wood, stone, and bone. One can even dent a steel plate with it if you have the strength, which I estimate you likely do. Mr. Quedesham should have told you this.”

  “Um, ma'am he only told me not to use it unless someone attacked me. I shouldn't have struck Mr. Errol. It was just automatic when he jumped in front of me like that. I didn't even think about it, ma'am. I'm sorry,” Thorel said, abashed. Now he truly understood why Korin had always told him that.

  “Very well. Your judgment of threats needs to be addressed in that case. Fortunately, after speaking with Mr. Errol and the other witnesses, it is very clear what you told me was true. The Mistress ordered that Mr. Guithenus is to be properly trained so that he may lead his house well when the time comes. I will address Mr. Errol on this,” Siri said with a nod.

  “Um... that's all, ma'am?” Thorel was astounded. She had walked in here and told him he'd nearly killed a man, and this was his discipline? He'd been prepared for a lashing, or hard labor, and a fine.

  �
��Yes. I will remind Mr. Errol that he may wish to consider carefully how he deals with you. You are an apprentice Wizard to our house under the Mistress's personal tutelage, after all,” she said.

  Thorel didn't know what to say to that. He hadn't even considered that his position might grant him more respect than another Holder. He was just an apprentice, after all.

  Thorel suddenly saw Megan Valor's body slowly spinning in his mind again. He closed his eyes hard trying to get rid of the image.

  “Is there something else bothering you, Mr. Tangarth?” Siri asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Well, honestly I was disturbed by the execution, ma'am. You wouldn't understand,” he said automatically. Then he groaned inwardly. He needed to learn to control his mouth; he wished he hadn't told her that. Now she would think even less of him than she already did.

  She looked at him seriously, and her voice lowered. “That was the first time you had seen someone die, wasn't it?”

  “Yes ma'am,” he answered simply. No use trying to hide it now.

  “That is very normal, Mr. Tangarth. In fact, in Legion training the Officers note all of those who like such things. It is a sign of an unfeeling and cruel person that will likely abuse their authority with the common person. Such soldiers, when identified, are never given positions of authority. They make ideal executioners though,” Siri said.

  “Really?” Thorel asked, surprised. He had never considered that. It did make good sense though when he thought about it.

  Siri nodded positively to him.

  “Ma'am, Korin said many times when he would put me on the ground that his teacher did the same to him. That couldn't have been you, could it?” He asked incredulously. Thorel could not imagine this woman, no matter how skilled being able to do that to him. Korin weighed more than two of her would have, easily. Thorel had only been able to equal Korin's strength in wrestling in the last year.

  Siri smiled knowingly. “Mr. Tangarth, it looks as if you were getting ready to leave. If you do, I would advise you to be back by midnight so you may be well rested. The Mistress wants you to join us for breakfast tomorrow.”

  “Of course ma'am,” Thorel said wondering why she hadn't answered him.

  Siri tapped the thick oak table with her palm when she picked up her case. She walked to the door in her gauzy white dress and opened it.

  Looking over her shoulder she said, “Have a good evening, Mr. Tangarth. I will have household staff bring you a new table.” She wore the same smile she had before.

  What is she talking about? Thorel wondered as she closed the door.

  Thorel jumped as the tabletop split in two and fell to the floor with a heavy thud.

  * * *

  Nigel and Eliel sat at the table drinking their ales. They had been at the tavern for hours, drinking and talking. Eliel had decided to drown her sorrows in drink instead of wasting a trip to Dothranan Hold today. Nigel was more than happy to join her, of course.

  Taking a carriage to Dothranan hold was a lot more coin than it would be to get both of them good and drunk. And she knew it was likely Thorel would be busy with that bitch of a Noble anyway. Eliel worked hard to put thoughts of him pleasuring her out of her mind. When she did, it was replaced by a mental image of that beautiful little bitch holding her pregnant belly with Thorel looking adoringly at her. Eliel drained her mug angrily trying to wash the image away.

  Nigel's voice broke her out of her depressing thoughts. “I've thought about it a lot, and I'm going to take the job,” he slurred drunkenly.

  “What? What job?” Eliel asked as she paid the barmaid for more ale.

  “Cooking in the Dothranan Kitchens! My stipend is less than half of what I got for one meal. Hell, it only took me an hour to make, and I didn't even have to do the dishes!” He threw his free hand up for emphasis.

  Eliel felt stupid for having forgotten.

  “What changed your mind, man?” Nigel had told her he wanted the job, but he was wary of the oath that went with it. She was wary of the woman that went with it, herself.

  “BEING BROKE!!!” He shouted. “That changed my fucking mind! I should be able to take you out and treat you to drinks! But I'm out of coin!” Some other patrons looked their way with irritation plain on their faces.

  “You could always be a whore,” Eliel said with a smile. “I'm sure there would be plenty of big strapping men for a cutie like you.” She tipped her mug back.

  “HA! That'll be the day!” Nigel said and finished his mug. Eliel was starting to think it had been a bad idea when she challenged him to keep up with her drinking. She was getting pretty pickled, but not like he was.

  The barmaid came up and whispered to her, “Honey, I think your friend has had a few too many. He's annoying the other patrons. Finish your round and go.”

  “Okay,” Eliel said and slipped the woman a copper mark. She gauged the mood of the surrounding patrons with a glance, seeing several angry scowls directed at their table. Yes, in her professional opinion it was definitely time to go.

  Nigel was completely oblivious to her exchange with the barmaid.

  Eliel smiled and said, “I betcha can't do this!” She took her mug of ale and drank the whole thing in one steady pull before she put it down empty.

  “I betcha I can!!!” Nigel said and tipped his mug back. He did alright at first; then ale started spilling from his mouth onto his clothes. He choked and put the mug down, not quite finished.

  He wiped his face with his sleeve and said, “See! I did it,” with an improved slur.

  “Good job!” Eliel clapped playfully. “Let's go,” she said and grabbed his arm to haul him up. She noted the bouncer was watching them closely.

  “But I don't wanna go yet!” He yelled.

  “You don't have any coin, man. What are you gonna buy drinks with?” She asked.

  Nigel fumbled with his pouch as Eliel guided him to the door. He grabbed on to the bouncer as they went by and said loudly, with much spittle, “Someone stole my money!!!!”

  The man cringed from his breath and spray. He pushed Nigel away from him hard with his cudgel in both hands. Eliel spun with him quickly to keep him from falling.

  “Sorry!!!” Eliel called to the bouncer as she ushered him down the ramp.

  “She's pretty. Do you think she likes me?” Nigel asked.

  Eliel couldn't contain her laughter.

  * * *

  It was near the twenty-third hour, and they still hadn't found a carriage. The first one shut his door and refused when Nigel spilled his dinner just outside.

  “Oh no, not in MY carriage!” The man said vehemently.

  That had been about a half hour ago. The best place to get a carriage would be by a tavern at this time of night, so they were walking to the nearest one. Hopefully, Nigel would walk his drunk off some too, but she doubted it. He was passing out while she walked with him. She had to elbow him awake every few minutes. She tried talking to him, but he would quit talking back after a bit, and then he would start walking slower. That was when she'd elbow him again.

  “Gotta stay awake, man, I ain't gonna carry you,” Eliel said.

  “I'm awake,” Nigel slurred, but he did move faster.

  Eliel was a lot drunker than she'd been in a long time. She wasn't in very good shape to walk, let alone trying to walk the little man too, but she owed him for getting his parents to put her up in their home.

  A tall light-brown haired woman came up alongside her. She looked familiar to Eliel.

  “Hey, don't you go to the Academy?” Eliel asked her.

  “Yes I do, you stupid whore,” she said with venom.

  Eliel opened her mouth to say something and instead the wind left her as the woman's fist drove straight into her belly.

  She let go of Nigel, who promptly fell over the next uneven stone and lay there peacefully.

  Hands grabbed both of her arms, and a tightly wrapped towel was pulled over her mouth from behind.

  The three women pulled her
quickly into the nearby alley. In the combination of dim lamplight and moonlight, she could see the girl she'd stoned waiting. The small blonde wore an ugly smile, made uglier by the scabbed bruise on her cheek.

  Eliel couldn't do anything; she had never been so helpless before. The girl behind her held the towel pulled over her mouth with both hands. The tall light-brown haired girl was strong for a girl, and the other was akin to her own strength. Kicking didn't help. They pushed her forward to her knees, and the girl behind her put her knee into Eliel's back.

  “You know, I'm an artist,” the small blonde said pulling a small knife from her belt. “I've been thinking all week long about what I'm going to carve into your face. You'll be so ugly when I'm done with you, your customers will put a bag over your head before they fuck you.”

  Eliel screamed, but it was muffled. The girl behind her chuckled, “I'll bet my dad still thinks we're all in my room.” “Be quick about it!” The girl on the left hissed.

  “Hold her still!” The blonde fiercely said as she came towards her with the knife. They tightened their grips; Eliel's struggles were useless.

  Eliel's eyes closed, and her muffled scream grew louder as the blonde's blade pierced the flesh of her forehead. She sliced lightly and sliced in again. Eliel had never been so terrified in her life.

  Eliel heard a man's voice shout, “You there! What are you doing?”

  “Shit, Legion!” The tall girl said quickly and released her.

  Eliel's eyes opened, and she could see the light from the other end of the alley. The other girls released her as well. Eliel heard their fleet steps running the other way.

  The small blonde seemed to be in shock, wide-eyed and frozen. Eliel fixed that for her. Her fist shot out and crushed the cunt's small nose into her face.

  Her knife fell to the ground with a clatter. She fell backward onto the stones of the alley.

  The men came up quickly and drew steel. One kicked the knife away. The other went to the other end of the alley.