‘That’s as much as we can do here today,’ Jim said to the horse-master.
‘You have accomplished far more than we ever expected. Thank you sir,’ Blake said gratefully and watched the new Headmaster wrap an arm about the tall young woman constantly by his side and return to the house.
They were certainly more than ready for lunch. Jim noted the serving dishes seemed more numerous than usual; the cook had obviously listened to his recommendations. He also noted the dining hall was quiet to begin with, everyone concentrating on eating rather than talking. Platters all went back empty and he, along with everyone else, welcomed the hot apple crumble and custard to finish. Only then, when students were almost full, did the noise level dramatically increase as the achievements of the morning were excitedly discussed.
‘That was amazing work over at the stables,’ Max said. ‘You’ve got them all a buzz.’
‘So, did our visitors leave before breakfast?’ Jim asked.
‘They must have. They did set up their tent overnight in the arena as you suggested they should. But we checked the wood thoroughly and they were gone before you started your work at the stables.’
‘Good,’ Jim said with satisfaction. ‘I didn’t want them to be able to see just how shabby everything is in the light of day. They are an animus warrior clan; they will prize their horses and notice how we treat ours.’
‘Ah, I see,’ Max said in relief. He’d been wondering why Jim had made the stables, so irrelevant to their security, such a priority.
‘Besides, I needed the plans for the wall defences to be properly thought out and considered. It’s taken Terry and Bruno all morning to come up with some plans and that was with help. We’ll concentrate on closing the holes in the wall this afternoon.’
‘Oh, is that all?’ Max said shaking his head. ‘What’ll you have left to do tomorrow?’
Jim pulled the list from his pocket. ‘I don’t know what else Vako did, but he was quite good at lists. Anyway, I need a nap before we tackle the wall. See you later.’
Virtually the whole population of the school turned out that afternoon to watch what was planned to repair the hole in the wall.
Jim spent some minutes examining the detailed sketch Terry had done for him. ‘Max, I’m going to start by seeking that hole in the wall up by the training ground. Can you go up there and watch; make sure I sort it properly. Oh and stay back from the wall though while I’m doing it.’
‘No problem,’ Max said and changed into his owl.
‘Places everyone,’ Jim called and Amelie, Vako and he turned to their teams and merged them. Jim took control quickly and sent his senses blasting along and through the wall, seeking weaknesses and smoothing the wall faces completely. Minor holes restored themselves without slowing the flow. Through the meld’s powerful infusion of magic into the wall Jim picked up Max’s animus signature a mile away. He’d never thought a wall could give him such information, extending his senses so far from his body. The wall here pinged “wrong” because of the hole in it, breaking the ribbon of stone. He concentrated on pulling the fallen stones together and asking them to find their places, to join their family in the wall. Soon the wall hummed “right” and he coated it too in the smooth seamless finish the rest of the wall had. He pushed his senses on, faster now, smoothing and strengthening the ribbon of wall all around their five mile perimeter. At the front gate he made it jump to the wall on the other side. The spell rushed on back towards him until it reached the big hole he stood in front of. He released the meld then, breathing heavily. It’d taken an hour to check and repair the perimeter wall; an hour of intense concentration.
‘Now the only hole in the wall is here and nothing can climb in elsewhere without a good ladder,’ Jim said in satisfaction. He’d disliked the hole hidden in the forest. At least if anything came through here they had a chance of seeing it. He could hear the comments of those admiring the smooth glossy white wall, but also the ones wondering what he would do next. He shut them out and rested until he’d caught his breath and calmed his mind. The wall spell had been fast, requiring quick adjustments and intense concentration. The people gate construction was going to be completely different. There was nothing here physically to copy or replicate. He was going to have to clearly visualise a finished three dimensional building from a two dimensional line diagram. The plans were detailed but he’d never worked from them before and it would take some figuring out and adjusting to. He paced out the space checking how wide the gateway had been designed and if it was going to work. Then he measured out the narrow flanking towers. Abruptly he cursed, his eyes closed.
‘What’s the matter?’ Amelie asked.
‘We forgot the materials for the gate. I’ve got plenty of stone to build the gateway but no metal to craft the gate itself.’
‘Maybe you should make it out of wood,’ she suggested. ‘That’s what the front gate is.’
‘Good thinking. Max, we need sufficient wood to make the actual gate. Can you find me some planks? Even fire wood will be fine as long as it’s sound wood and there’s enough of it,’ Jim said and watched Max obligingly fly off again.
‘Ok folks,’ Jim said coming forward. ‘Let’s get this hole sorted out.’
It was slow going asking the scattered stones to assume a new pattern, fitting the image he held in his mind. Two narrow rectangular towers created themselves to flank the gate. Each had an interior spiral stair and linked together to create a small room over the gateway where someone could keep watch in safety. The arched roof above the gateway was about nine feet high allowing sufficient headroom for someone on horseback to pass, but it was only four feet wide, so single file. The towers were only twice the height of the wall, but twenty feet high ensured a good view over the cleared area sloping away to the forest beyond. Jim stepped inside and climbed up the narrow spiral stair, looking out of the first arrow slit positioned well above ground level reach even from horseback. He then carried on up to the watch room. Max returned with Bruno, a horse and cart in his wake. Max flew in the open doorway of one of the new little towers making the gateway, and up the staircase, joining Jim in the watch room. ‘Well this is just the job,’ Max commented to Jim. ‘You didn’t waste any time did you?’
‘I wanted to get it done.’
Max had changed into human form so he could inspect the place and look through the arrow slits properly. He heard someone climbing the stair and hastily turned back into his owl to cover his nakedness. He was glad he’d done so quickly, as it was Amelie who came in.
‘Someone’s brought some snacks over,’ Amelie announced whilst looking at what they’d achieved in just a few short hours. She twined her fingers through Jim’s and looked at his pale face searchingly. ‘Come down now. You need to rest. Can’t we do the door tomorrow?’
‘But the gateway is still open. The tower doorways are too,’ Jim objected.
‘So? There’s been a massive gaping hole here for months. Now at least it looks more secure. No wagon can get through and anyone approaching will wonder if there’s an archer up here. Also, the gateway is in deep shadow because of this room above. It’s not going to be obvious if it’s open or not. Come on love, you’ve done enough today to shock everyone as it is.’
‘She has a point,’ Max said from where he’d been watching enviously. If only he too could find a partner to share his life with. He flew down to the wagon then realised he couldn’t partake of the refreshments without changing. He was not about to stand in front of the majority of the school’s students, quite a few female, naked. Besides which it was damn cold and what man looked his best then? ‘I’ll see you back at the house,’ he said and flew back.
Jim watched Amelie’s small smile at Max’s departure. ‘What?’
‘An owl can hardly sip tea and I didn’t see a bag of clothes round his neck.’
‘He changed to have a look round,’ Jim commented and then realised Max had changed back to his owl form on hearing her approach. Was he a bas
hful owl? Jim shared her smile then walked down to assess the students. Most looked like they’d been in battle and barely had the strength to stand.
‘That’s it for today,’ Jim announced. ‘We’ll sort the gate tomorrow. Thank you for your help. This wouldn’t have been possible without all of you pulling together.’ He turned to the cart and took a slice of cake from the tin, poured a mug of tea and sat in the grass. The students too were glad to have the snack here and now to regain some strength, despite the cold. Using magic seriously sapped them physically, and eating was the quickest cure. It also gave them a chance to talk and admire what they’d all helped to create.
Bruno unloaded the wood, stacking it under the spiral staircase in one of the new towers where it would be protected from any rain. He had a good look round, smiling at the new features. Then he turned and took horse and cart back to the stables.
The noise level rose markedly after dinner, but the mood and spirits were high. Everyone felt real progress had been made. Jim had certainly made a huge impression on everyone on his first day in charge. But what had be got planned for tomorrow?
18
Drako
At breakfast Jim suddenly raised his head, going very still.
‘What is it?’ Amelie asked, drawing everyone’s attention to his pose.
‘Two people on horseback have just come through the People Gate,’ Jim said and went to the window. The gate was about half a mile from the house so they had plenty of warning. The horses were walking directly and openly towards the house, the riders scanning their surroundings in all directions.
‘That looks like Louis,’ Amelie said having joined Jim at the window.
‘The more impressive individual must be Commander Drako in that case,’ Jim commented. He watched the approach from the window then went out onto the front steps to meet them. The approaching men saw him appear and stopped glancing around them so much, concentrating on him instead. Jim went down the steps and Louis jumped down from his horse quickly and came to meet him. He noticed Louis look past him and realised virtually everyone had gathered at the top of the steps behind him. Jim smiled aware Louis looked nervous.
‘Louis, welcome back,’ Jim said.
‘Thank you, Wizard Jim. I take it you are now in charge here?’
‘I am,’ Jim confirmed absently, his gaze on the other man, who was just dismounting.
‘Please meet Commander Drako of Clan Green Bear,’ Louis said formally allowing Drako to take his place.
‘Welcome Commander Drako. Won’t you come inside?’ Jim invited courteously.
‘Thank you,’ Drako said inclining his head to this sharp eyed young wizard. He glanced again at the crowd of students and the exotic young woman just behind Jim.
‘To classes everyone,’ Jim said loudly and the students reluctantly went inside, their teachers having to chivvy them. A stable lad appeared to take their horses but now Drako was alongside him, Jim felt an additional although weaker, animus presence. He stepped sideways from Drako’s aura and scanned the horses. ‘A moment,’ he said to the lad about to lead both horses away. Jim turned back to Drako, ‘would your horse prefer the stables or to Change and join us?’
Drako noticed Jim’s small smile and heard the challenge in the polite enquiry. Abruptly he laughed. ‘Gerald spends most of his time as a horse. He’s prettier like that.’
The chestnut stallion stamped his hoof and snorted, his gaze on Drako. Drako went to him and removed saddle and bridle. ‘I hope you remembered your clothes this time.’
Gerald the horse grabbed a saddlebag in his teeth for answer. Tack removed, he shimmered and a naked man crouched beside his bags. He wasted no time dressing and rose to his feet, glad only one woman had witnessed his change rather than the whole populace present a few minutes ago. The stable lad took his tack and Louis’ horse and disappeared.
Now the horse animus had joined them Jim turned. ‘This is Amelie. My lady,’ he added. He was aware all three men were looking closely at her and he had to calm his immediate jealous feelings. He wished he was as physically impressive as this Drako. He felt rather young and almost a fraud, posing as the head of an academy like this. What did he know of this country, its people and customs?
‘Welcome gentlemen,’ Amelie said smoothly. ‘Won’t you come inside?’ She was aware Jim was suddenly a little nervous. Not really surprising, considering that Drako was a tall broad shouldered animus warrior, assured and handsome in a darkly brooding way. He was also eyeing her with a great deal of interest, a fact Jim had not missed. She turned and led them swiftly to the privacy of the headmaster’s office which was equipped with some comfortable armchairs near the fire where visitors could relax. She opened the door and waved them inside, then returned to the dining hall to ask for refreshments to be brought for their visitors. Once back in the office she realised they only had four armchairs, now all occupied. She was also concerned that Jim would be able to cope on his own with the three animus strangers, should they prove aggressive. She dropped her hand to Jim’s shoulder silently asking if he wanted her to stay.
‘Why don’t you take Gerald to the animus class? I’m sure he’d be more interested in that,’ Jim said to her. He was fully aware just how protective she was feeling. But with Drako looking so predatory, he’d rather she was out of his sight.
‘Would you like to meet the animus class?’ Amelie asked Gerald and smiled that he jumped up eagerly. Drako looked like he’d rather come too but she left the room quickly, with Gerald on her heels.
‘You are not worried about him alone with her?’ Drako asked.
‘No,’ Jim said blandly. ‘Or are you worried about his continued health? Because I assure you, if he, or anyone else for that matter, upsets her then they’d have to run far and fast.’
‘From you?’ Drako asked.
‘Well that too,’ Jim grinned mirthlessly. ‘But I meant from her.’
Drako saw the steel in this young man for the first time. He was definitely possessive of her but respected her strength too. Certainly a panther indicated a strong personality and would overcome a horse. ‘I see you’ve made some changes and put in a gatehouse. The wall also looks different somehow.’
‘Yes. I built the towers and people gate yesterday, and fixed all the other holes in the wall. I’d planned to make a proper gate today.’
Drako coughed on his tea. ‘You did all that in a day?’
‘Yes. The students helped of course. It was rather too much to do alone. I wasn’t happy having such a massive hole in the school’s defences. The one Louis used was even more important to rectify, as it wasn’t in such an easy place to monitor.’
‘I thought Louis had been found quickly?’ Drako asked.
‘Fairly. I wasn’t in charge yet and hadn’t known there was another hole in the wall. But no-one can enter the grounds unnoticed now.’
‘But your gateway is still without a gate,’ Drako pointed out.
‘Yes. But it now has triggers on it so I know if someone passes through it. Since you smashed such a big hole, the school has been without the most basic of defences.’
‘We have been keeping an eye on threats to the school,’ Drako said.
‘So I understand from Louis,’ Jim said. ‘We thank you for that, but of course you are the ones who made the school truly vulnerable. There is of course the issue that your clan are hunted and have to keep moving. With the best will in the world you cannot be around to counter every threat.’ He paused to consider Drako. ‘You have to understand that no-one here knows of the pact made with your grandfather or what terms were agreed. Perhaps it is time to work out a new alliance? I am sure it would need updating in any case, to be relevant to both of us today.’
Drako eyed him in surprise but hope leaped in his chest. ‘I understand why we might seem untrustworthy given the recent contact between us, which incidentally wasn’t me, but my father. We need to regain your trust. I agree a new agreement is the sensible way forward. I will have to g
ive it some thought.’
Jim nodded. ‘Exactly. Forgive me, but I don’t know much about your clan or what the ramifications would be of openly allying with yourselves. We are dependent on the students’ parents believing they will be safe here and that we will not do anything to draw trouble to our door. We should keep our discussions to ourselves for the time being.’
‘You are frank about your reservations. I will try and answer them,’ Drako said, appreciating his blunt honesty and determination not to rush into anything. ‘Many of your questions can only be answered by spending time with us and seeing for yourself who we are.’
Jim inclined his head. ‘Perhaps you’d care to meet some of the students and have a look around?’
Drako rose immediately and noticed Jim’s amusement at his eagerness.
Jim led the way to the closest classroom. ‘This is Terry, our Tactics Master. Class, this is Commander Drako,’ Jim announced and noticed they were gathered round the big sand-table. The landscape was still as he’d left it after he and Amelie had done the re-enactment. Damn.
‘Sir, have we got the camps in their correct places?’
Jim glanced at Terry unhappily; he would have preferred not to have given Drako any more background than was necessary. But Drako hadn’t been there; hopefully he wouldn’t recognise the place and battle. Jim approached more closely and frowned at the placements. ‘No, that isn’t quite right,’ he murmured. He waved his hand and repositioned the enemy camp further back. Then he re-set the troops in the forest, adjusted the cavalry and finally the other camp’s main tents.
‘You were there?’ Drako asked having watched the adjustments with keen interest.
‘Just observing,’ Jim said with a shrug.
Amelie: Wizards of White Haven Page 29