Amelie: Wizards of White Haven

by Frances Howitt

  ‘The top floor dormitory.’

  ‘They were in the house? But you didn’t call for a cleaning crew. I’d better send some people right away. That must have been awful.’

  ‘Don’t worry; I sorted all that last night. I couldn’t have them sleeping in the tool sheds. Max suggested it as being the one place big enough not already in use.’

  ‘What do you mean exactly by “sorted it”?’ she asked sceptically.

  ‘Broken windows, cracked casements, dust, damp, vermin and mildew aren’t nice in a bedchamber. So I fixed them.’ He noted her shock and shrugged ruefully. ‘It was certainly a mess in there. But they could still do with more beds if there are any spare. Too many had to share a single bed. They are probably short of pillows, linen and blankets too. I didn’t bother with that aspect because I thought most would have their own sleeping pallets. Perhaps you could check on that and whatever else they might need. Goodness knows when they last had a chance to wash any of their gear either.’

  ‘Leave that to me.’

  Jim felt an animus presence and glanced round. ‘Drako,’ he called and the tall man glided over. ‘You've perfect timing as usual. This is our housekeeper Mrs White. She looks after all the staff and supplies.’

  ‘Pleased to meet you Mrs White,’ Drako responded glancing around him.

  ‘Can we be of help setting up?’ Jim asked her; aware of a hive of activity everywhere he looked.

  ‘No, you needn’t do that sir. The tables are up. It won’t take long to get the chairs brought through and cleaned. Please, you have a guest.’

  ‘Did you sleep well?’ Jim asked Drako moving over to the relative peace beside the windows.

  ‘Too well; I forgot where I was,’ Drako admitted. ‘My people will eat with yours?’

  ‘Is that a problem?’

  ‘No, I was just surprised.’

  ‘Did anyone come down with you just now?’ Jim asked.

  ‘No. Why?’ Drako asked.

  ‘I need to talk to you and we’ve got some time now. We just need to let your people know when to come down.’

  ‘How do you normally tell everyone?’ Drako asked certain something was in place.

  ‘A bell is rung 10 minutes before each meal. Many don’t get out of bed until they hear it! Then a second bell calls time to be sitting down. The rings are different so you’ll know which is which.’

  ‘Simple. Give me a minute and I’ll let them know.’

  Jim followed to the corridor and watched Drako running up the stairs two steps at a time. He returned just as quickly, caught sight of Jim watching him and slowed to a less reckless and dangerous pace.

  ‘I’m surprised you didn’t slide down the railing,’ Jim commented.

  ‘There’s a big pointy bobble on the end,’ Drako responded quickly, having indeed thought about it.

  Jim laughed, led the way into his office and closed the door. He sat down and eyed Drako, noticing he suddenly looked far younger under his thick black beard. Laughter had eased some of the heavy burden from his features. Jim suspected Drako wasn’t much older than he was. ‘I’ll be blunt,’ Jim said slowly. ‘Do you have a safe place to take your people for the winter?’

  ‘There are places we can go,’ Drako admitted, choosing his words carefully, ‘but no, none of them seem very safe anymore.’

  ‘Here, we have animus students happily living alongside wizard students. At some point, those chasing your clan will seek them too; just as they sought to kill Amelie yesterday. I intend to make a stand for them here. You’ve seen the fortifications I’ve begun already. My point is this. Join us, if only for the winter. Let your people rest and live normal lives, warm, fed and sheltered in these inclement months. We have the space.’

  Drako stared at him in shock. ‘You’re inviting my whole clan to join you? Not just our warriors?’

  ‘All of you,’ Jim confirmed.

  ‘What do you mean by join? What will you want from us?’

  ‘Apparently everyone here expects me to be able to singlehandedly defend them from any attack. I’m no warrior, but you are, and so are your men. With the best will in the world, I cannot defend a place this size alone. Neither can you evade your pursuers indefinitely. At some point they will corner and destroy you and your clan. Divided we fall, but together we have a chance of giving our people the hope and will, not just to survive, but to live full lives. Max tells me there are no truly safe places left for an animus to live openly. I met Amelie in jail where she’d been imprisoned underground for three years as a teen simply for having animus blood. I think Max would welcome full classrooms again too.’

  ‘How would we live here? This is your place,’ Drako asked.

  ‘That depends on how you want to live here and whether it’s short term or not. That room upstairs could be converted into a number of private apartments for those wishing to join our support or teaching staff. You have children and young people who could join our students. They would then move into the dorms on the second floor. Down by the stables we have some cottages for the grounds and stable staff. One is currently empty and we could always build more. Your people are individuals with separate needs, skills and wishes. At this point I’m simply extending an invitation for comment. You will obviously need to talk it over with your people and they will have their own preferences.’

  ‘So you would employ my people?’

  ‘Yes, well some of them at least. Not with cash, but work for food and lodgings.’

  ‘You’re not simply being charitable?’ Drako asked. He had his pride and the idea of living on handouts worried him.

  ‘No. You’ll almost double our population. We’re going to need extra staff to help cook, clean and even teach. You’ll double the number of horses on site. We’ll need extra hands to take care of them properly. All of you will need feeding, so hunting parties will be one of your priorities, as well as horticulture. Both people and horses will need accommodation; which will need to be designed, materials collected and then built. No, I’m not being charitable. Taking you on will mean a great deal of change and work. But I happen to think it’ll be worth it.’

  ‘You mentioned teaching?’

  ‘You’re warriors. You could certainly teach those skills. I think it important everyone, including the girls, knows how to defend themselves,’ Jim said.

  ‘Don’t you have a teacher?’ Drako asked in surprise.

  ‘It used to be Vako but he really hasn’t the strength anymore. Bruno, our swordmaster, is a capable man, but he’s not wizard or animus, and obviously can’t teach those aspects. Besides, if everyone needs tuition, he will need help and the fewer students in each group the better the tuition can be tailored. Anyway, there’s the second bell. I’m sure I’ve given you plenty to be thinking about,’ Jim said and they went out into the corridor already thronging with people heading for the dining hall.

  ‘Where do we sit?’ one of Drako’s warriors asked.

  ‘Anywhere Freddie; apart from the head table,’ Drako amended. ‘We’re here to mix and make friends.’

  Freddie eyed Drako closely making sure there was no subtle signal or hidden meaning in what he said. He breathed a small sigh of relief. Drako looked relaxed and at the same time excited about something. He was keeping his eyes open, but didn’t seem anxious in any way. They would take their cue from Drako, as usual. The clan sat down quickly wherever there was a space, tempted by the smells of hot food that greeted them. Drako himself sat up at the head table beside the headmaster and his deep laugh rang out several times.

  ‘Would you like some more Drako?’ Amelie asked.

  Drako glanced round realising a disproportionate number of empty bowls surrounded his plate. A flush crept up his face. ‘Sorry. I’m full. It’s just that I’ve been hungry for such a long time.’

  ‘I know how that feels,’ Amelie told him quietly.

  Drako stared at her. The light touch on his arm was friendly and supportive, but she was also sending him a wave of emo
tion from her mind that was quite dizzying. She released his arm immediately, but he was left with a warm feeling of acceptance and concern that eased his heart. There was nothing flirtatious in the touch; she was simply being sincere in her welcome. He sighed softly to himself wishing yet again he was not alone. He glanced round the room, noting which of his people had spread themselves amongst the student tables. There were also a few of the resident students on clan tables and he recognised some of them from the animus class. However there were others he was sure he hadn’t met and so were more likely to be wizards. Unless of course there was another animus class he hadn’t met. The thought had him scanning the room with additional interest.

  ‘Looking for someone?’ Jim asked.

  ‘Always.’ Drako grinned ruefully. ‘Do you have a second animus class? Or are those friendly wizards?’

  Jim followed Drako’s gaze. ‘Guess you’ll have to figure that out for yourself.’

  ‘Point taken! Thank you for sharing your meal so generously. I’ll go and speak to my people now,’ Drako said rising.

  Jim watched him gesture and the whole clan obediently rose from the tables and followed him back up the stairs to the privacy of their dormitory. Jim took the opportunity of briefly letting the other teachers know of his invitation, before they heard about it from someone else. He was glad to see most approved. Those who had doubts were mainly concerned at the effect that taking in fugitives might have on the school’s reputation.

  ‘I think,’ Max interjected, ‘that once it becomes known we have strong new leadership, some of the damage to our reputation will mend. Parents only need come here to see obvious structural and security improvements.’

  ‘Drako’s clan, should some or all choose to join us, will do so on an individual merit basis,’ Jim said. ‘Their presence, assuming they integrate, could breathe new life into the school.’

  ‘How do you propose they can possibly integrate with us?’ Vako asked.

  ‘They will work for their keep on the same basis everyone else does around here.’ Jim said simply. ‘They will almost double our numbers so every department will need additional staff. We’ll need cooks, cleaners, stable hands, ground staff and even teachers. Animus people tend to be strong, fit and versatile. They’ve been enduring hardships no-one should ever have to. Women and children driven from their homes, constantly hunted and watching their families murdered. Persecution and intolerance ends here. I want to teach the next generation to celebrate our varying gifts, to know their value. I have no intention of turning this school into an animus only school. This has always been a school for those gifted with magic. Yesterday we were wizards, with just a few animus students. Tomorrow we could see the balance evening up. I’ve no idea yet what they’ll decide, or indeed how many will seek to become students. We just have to bear in mind they have only survived these last few years by not giving their trust easily. So don’t be upset if putting any of them on the spot causes unexpected reactions. In fact, I’d advise against testing them, certainly until they’ve settled in and found their place.’

  ‘You mentioned them being teachers?’ Vako asked sceptically.

  ‘Yes. I don’t know what other skills they might have but they are certainly experienced warriors. They are bound to have many practical skills they could teach us. All students, even the girls, should be able to defend themselves. In these unsettled times we can’t possibly guarantee a woman might not need to fight at some stage. I’m not suggesting we force anyone to become a serious warrior, but I will be insisting on basic self defence classes for everyone. Any questions?’

  ‘Where will they all live? That room isn’t appropriate for men and women to share with other couples,’ Vako said.

  ‘I agree,’ Jim acknowledged. ‘But once we know if they’re staying we can begin to assign jobs. Then we’ll know where to make additional accommodation, which they can help to build. Some of course will become students and join the dorms. But in the meantime, it is at least a civilised indoor room with beds. It’s better than a tent, especially this time of year. I doubt they’ll be complaining. Or if they do, they know what to do about it!’

  Max wasn’t the only one to nod approvingly.

  ‘Right, your students have lounged around trying to eavesdrop, long enough,’ Jim announced and let the teachers gather up their students to begin usual classes.

  Jim headed for his office knowing there were things that required immediate attention. But he’d also noticed in passing a drawer full of large rolls of paper, which he hadn't had time yet even to glance at. There were signs they hadn’t been disturbed for some years. Jim had noticed, when scanning the horse master’s memory, images of the original headmaster working from plans to build the stable block. Jim wondered if other projects had been designed but never built. He’d thought it odd that there was such a large gap between the house and the training ground. He wondered if Caruthers had planned other buildings or uses for the space as and when the school had grown.

  Weak wintry sun was shining outside. Jim put down his pen; the stack of “to do” was now largely dealt with. He now felt he could spread out the first roll he came to. This one he recognised as being for the house’s foundations and plumbing. The next was a detailed schematic for the house exterior. Another plan depicted the interior layout, showing walls, doors, fireplaces and the like in fine detail. Jim was amazed, impressed and rather daunted by the work that had gone into planning this building. The fourth roll was of more immediate interest; this was the plan for the stables. He realised that the designer had planned for the place to be enlarged piecemeal as demand for space grew. On the plan was an identical building to the existing stable, positioned directly across the yard facing it. The hay barn’s position, offset on what was now revealed as the second side of the square, made perfect sense, with the main walkway and paddock gate on the fourth side. Thought of the stables reminded him of the horses up at the training ground; had they been attended to?

  He pulled on his jacket and went outside. The air was crisp but the sun shone on grass glinting damply. He looked more closely and realised it was not dew but frost coating the blades of long grass. He buttoned his jacket and walked briskly up the track to the training ground. Near the stalls was the school’s little cart still hitched to the patiently waiting horse. The cart was empty but showed wisps of hay. Two horses stood tethered to the fence and he then spotted two men in the empty stalls, mucking out.

  ‘Good morning sir,’ Blake the horse master greeted him, coming out of a stall at his approach. The second man working in the next stall he didn’t know but his well-worn and rather battered clothes indicated he was one of Drako’s clan.

  ‘Just thought I’d check the horses had been seen to,’ Jim said.

  ‘David came to find me earlier to ask for hay and a mucking out fork so I thought I’d come up and lend a hand. Apparently he’s the one usually responsible for their feed and general care. What are we going to do with them all? They can’t stay up here indefinitely, but the barn won’t take them all.’

  ‘I know. But until I hear how many folks want to stay I can’t do any specific planning. So,’ Jim added lowering his voice and drawing Blake further away, ‘would you want this guy on your staff?’

  ‘He seems quiet but conscientious and to know what he’s doing. His first consideration was the horses,’ Blake mused, considering the stranger. ‘What had you in mind?’

  ‘I’ve found the original plans for the stables and they were laid out with space for a second block opposite. There is one spare cottage left. I know it’s rather rundown at the moment but that should be reasonably easy to sort. So,’ Jim added briskly. ‘Given this number of extra horses, do you need more than one extra man?’

  ‘If all were staying I’d ideally prefer two men. The other lads can do a few more without trouble. We wouldn’t have so much time for general exercising though.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that aspect. These are dangerous times and I intend to get
the students more physically active. Are they assigned a particular horse at the moment when they need one?’

  ‘The few that do combat manoeuvres have a particular horse. Obviously neither all the students nor horses are gifted or trained in combat,’ Blake said quickly, wondering exactly what this new headmaster had in mind. Everyone seemed to be running to try and keep up with him. The place was certainly a more vibrant and positive place since his arrival.

  ‘We will need more to be trained. Perhaps horse and student would do better learning together. I always feel a horse responds better to a single master rather than having many different riders,’ Jim commented.

  ‘That’s true and is what we try to do where possible. So, there were plans drawn up for a second stable block?’

  ‘Yes. Caruthers was quite forward thinking. If our population does decide to double overnight the plan will be very useful,’ Jim added aware that David was tentatively approaching.

  ‘Good morning sir,’ David opened, copying Blake’s form of address. He was slightly disconcerted by those pale blue eyes fixed on him, but also to realise just how young this headmaster was. ‘Sorry, I couldn’t help hearing you say something about a second stable block? Do you mean up here?’

  ‘No. If your people and thus these horses, decide to stay, then the only place for so many horses to be properly cared for is where all the hay, straw and equipment is stored. I would build a second stable block opposite our existing one for these extra horses.’

  ‘You would do that, for us?’ David said in awe.

  ‘Yes, of course. Its winter and they’re shivering. The horses would be first on my list,’ Jim said easily. ‘I already have plans available and their needs are quite straight forward. Have you decided yet whether you wish to stay here, or move on?’

  ‘Where could I stay?’ David asked.

  ‘There is an empty cottage alongside the stables. That’s where all the other stable and grounds-men live. It will go with a stable hand job. Do you have a family?’