Amelie: Wizards of White Haven

by Frances Howitt

  While Rupert filled the hopper, Freddie climbed down a ladder beside it until he was in position to reach the metal bar beneath the hopper. He waited until Rupert and Johnny had taken the empty box back to the thresher and returned to watch, before he pulled the opener. Getting a face full of dust and chaff he hastily clambered down out of the way. He watched the grain flowing out of the hole in a thin steady stream. The evening wind was a little strong but the heavier grain was being caught by the tank. It was astonishing to see just how much rubbish was being blown off the grain; what a large proportion of the load was inedible.

  ‘Sometimes you can see the plumes of dust for miles,’ Mrs Daily remarked watching with satisfaction and not noticing the men’s exchanged glances. ‘The bags are over there. You’ll need to sew them shut,’ she added wondering if they were up to needlework, even of such coarse stitches. But they simply nodded and got back to work, two of them at the thresher and one supervising the winnower and then bagging the grain. She left them to it, returning to the house to prepare sleeping places for them in her sons’ old rooms.

  It was late before Freddie called it a night. But he was happy with what they’d achieved. Field to sack in a single day. Not the whole field of course, and not all processed either, but excellent progress nonetheless. All being well, he expected they’d be finished late tomorrow, then they could head for home. They only took long enough to wash hands and faces, before falling into their hostess’s blankets.

  Dawn wasn’t early this time of year, so they were breakfasted and working before the sun crept above the horizon. There had been a bitter frost overnight, so they were happy to continue in the barn until they’d processed the bulk of yesterday’s harvest. They closed the big barn doors until they were ready to winnow; the breeze was icy fresh and very brisk, knifing through their clothes. But as they got working, they quickly warmed up. The savage breeze was actually handy, for it winnowed the chaff effectively, once they’d got the doors arranged suitably. Just as importantly, the wind kept the dust from hanging in an obvious cloud just outside. For as soon as the stream of dust left the barn’s shelter, it was slammed and scattered. The main downside was that the breeze didn’t stay where it was needed, but swirled around the thresher too; creating thick eddies of mildewed dust that stung their eyes and made them cough. They quickly fitted an empty feed nosebag to their horse to filter the choking dust from her nose and tied cloth about their own mouths and noses. None of them needed that toxic stuff filling their lungs and making them sick. Once it was properly daylight they left Johnny in the barn to continue processing as best he could, while Freddie and Rupert returned to the field to continue scything.

  Lost in the mindless weary monotony of swinging the scythe, Freddie didn’t notice the horsemen approaching until his ears picked up the sound of their hooves and jingling creaking tack. He froze, but they’d been seen and were caught completely out in the open without cover.

  ‘Keep working,’ Freddie told Rupert quietly. ‘We don’t want to look guilty. We have every right to be here,’ he reminded knowing how hot-headed Rupert could become under threat. Approaching soldiers triggered every instinct in both of them to either fight or flee. ‘No-one’s going to think we’re deliberately armed, but these scythes are damn sharp,’ he added and Rupert’s breathing steadied.

  The five soldiers jogged towards them at a brisk pace. Four rode easily, whilst one did not. That poor rider looked furious, his gaze boring into them as they continued to work.

  ‘Good morning,’ Freddie said calmly to the leader of the group.

  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ the angry one demanded before his Captain had even had a chance to speak.

  Freddie noticed the censorious glance the Captain passed to the angry one, even if he did not. When the Captain merely raised his brows at Freddie inviting him to answer anyway, Freddie mentally shrugged; he’d never have tolerated such rudeness or insubordination. ‘As I am sure you realised at first glance, we are harvesting this field for Mrs Daily. I see you recognise her horse and wagon,’ Freddie added. ‘Are you perchance one of her sons?’

  ‘He is. I am Captain Donald. Who are you? You’re no farm labourer.’

  ‘I am Freddie and this is Rupert. We work at White Haven School,’ Freddie told him and noticed wary surprise cross his face. ‘The school placed an order with Merchant Foster for some grain. Grain is apparently in short supply this year, but he knew of this field going to waste and that Mrs Daily could use the money. For expediency we were volunteered to see what was salvageable.’ He shrugged, aware the Captain was eyeing them both keenly; he was sharp but thankfully not overly aggressive. ‘She’s in the house if you wish to verify this with her,’ Freddie added. He was tempted to back up his story by insisting they speak with Mrs Daily, although they didn’t seem interested. He could even show them the wagon emblazoned with the school’s crest, but that was in the barn with Johnny. Johnny taken by surprise by mounted soldiers was likely to attack first and ask questions later. Inciting the wrath of one of Lord Aubrey’s patrol captains was to be avoided, especially as they wanted to appear less dangerous than they truly were.

  ‘You need to come with us,’ Captain Donald announced, his eyes on Freddie and his soldiers quickly moved to surround them.

  ‘Rupert. Cool it,’ Freddie ordered sharply aware he’d stepped back and raised the scythe up defensively as a weapon. The soldiers had halted warily and were eyeing them both suspiciously. ‘Go with you where? We are under orders and have a job to do here.’ Freddie added sparing a glance at Rupert to be sure he’d obeyed. Threats, even perceived ones to a wolf’s alpha, tended to call all their protective and defensive instincts to the fore. He again wished he’d been able to bring Dustin. Dustin was his Beta, his second; he’d have been useful many times already, not just as an extra pair of hands. He could have relied on Dustin’s cool head to keep Rupert and Johnny out of trouble in his own absence. Unfortunately, Dustin’s natural dominance was also necessary for enforcing discipline and good behaviour of Clan at White Haven. His other role, which he had to shoulder alone in Freddie’s absence, was to keep watch for any external threats to the Clan. That was a little more important than acting as a labourer. Also, so far, Johnny remained undetected. He would notice their absence and was free to aid them later.

  ‘To Cedar Castle, of course. Both of you,’ Donald added. ‘Put those scythes down before someone gets hurt.’ The way the one introduced as Rupert had brought the implement up blindingly fast into a ready position, suggested military training and certainly a familiarity with weapons. The fact he’d then obeyed Freddie without question, was also telling. Freddie, whilst appearing relaxed, had also held his scythe in a position that could instantly be turned defensive. The confident way he held himself and his direct, unflinching gaze, also spoke volumes. This was a man used to command. Donald also suspected anyone the wizards chose to employ would have hidden depths and certainly be a versatile competent type. He’d faced men in battle wielding scythes and knew just how deadly such a blade could be to a man on horseback, but most especially in a warrior’s hands. Both scythes were well-worn but the long curved blades gleamed wickedly, advertising their sharpness. If someone was hurt, it was likely to be one of his men, he suspected. He ordered his men back in formation so they were less threatening and the scythes were placed on top of the cut crop where they were clearly visible. He watched Freddie walk the few yards to the horse and wagon and pull a bundle of cloth off the seat. Freddie tossed part to Rupert and they both shook out and swung matching black cloaks about their shoulders. The cloaks were clearly marked with the White Haven crest, but they also covered the two men’s grubby field garb, instantly transforming their appearance into soldiers. Since it appeared they were prepared to obey the summons and weren’t trying to arm themselves, there was no need to bind them. He knew that if they truly were working for the wizards, he’d get it in the neck for any mistreatment. So, he indicated they walk flanked by h
is squad and they fell in without comment and kept pace easily. He kept the pace to a steady walk however, seeing no need to make things more difficult for men on foot. Keeping pace with a horse’s naturally faster stride was taxing enough for most without forcing them to run.

  About four miles later, they came over the brow of a small hill and beheld Lord Aubrey’s keep above. It was perched on a crag atop the next hilltop and above a forest of cedars. Cedar Castle was not large; there wasn’t the space, but as they got closer, they noticed it was impressively fortified and well maintained. They clattered over a long wooden drawbridge connecting two spars of rock and had a dizzying view down into the precipice between. But then they were back on solid stone and passing through a gracefully arched tunnel gateway and into the castle’s lower keep. They quickly left the outer areas, where there seemed to be a multitude of soldiers either in the practice yards or working on their weapons and equipment. Were they preparing for war to reach them, or did they always have so many men on hand? Many curiously stopped to watch them pass and Freddie was glad he’d thought to cover their dirty labourer clothes with the cloaks and splash the grime from their faces when they crossed a handy stream. Jim was right, first impressions did matter. Climbing up series after series of steps they entered a stone archway and were led to a door on the right. They passed through a large guardhouse and were taken through the mostly empty mess-hall. Peering out the windows as he passed, Freddie noticed a wide expanse of manicured lawns and realised they fronted the entry of the main residence itself. Why had they been brought so close to the house? Would Lord Aubrey wish to see them personally?

  ‘Wait here,’ Donald said and left them. They heard the click as a key was turned in the lock; but at least they weren’t in a dungeon. The room they’d been shown into was small and almost bare, but clean. The single window was large, barred and overlooked the mess room rather than outside, but at least that meant they had some light. They were conscious they were being watched and that anything they said could be overheard. There was a long wooden bench just wide enough to sleep on and a small table with a jug and beakers on it. Freddie sniffed carefully before pouring them both some water. They’d been up before dawn and working hard for many hours already and they were tired and hungry. At least they could sit and quench their thirst while they were alone.

  ‘Why do you think we’ve been brought here?’ Rupert asked quietly.

  Freddie shrugged uneasily. ‘We’re strangers. They probably just want to check we are who we say we are.’

  ‘But what if..’

  ‘Hush,’ Freddie cut him short. He had plenty to be worrying about without Rupert saying something to make the man outside their door suspicious. Whilst they’d been speaking in whispers, they had no idea if someone else with more acute hearing might be listening. They could smell people everywhere in this crowded place. Someone could easily be hidden to spy on them and they’d not know.

  ‘Mrs Daily would be bringing us sandwiches about now, and cider,’ Rupert murmured wistfully.

  ‘Will you shut up about your belly,’ Freddie groused, aware his own belly was growling. ‘Did you notice the facilities we’ve been provided with?’

  ‘A bucket? Eww, no,’ Rupert groaned spotting the covered pail discreetly hidden under the bed, all thoughts of food vanishing from his mind. He hoped they weren’t going to be kept in here long enough to have to use that.

  Hours passed and their anxiety increased. Who was coming to talk to them? Had someone realised they were animus? Or had they been recognised as being from Clan Green Bear? Were they now trapped awaiting an Inquisitor extermination squad?

  ‘Jim, we have a problem,’ Drako said from the office doorway.

  ‘Close the door,’ Jim suggested, noticing one of the men they’d sent with Merchant Foster on Drako’s heels. ‘What’s happened? Johnny, isn’t it?’

  ‘Freddie and Rupert have been taken by soldiers,’ Johnny blurted. ‘The day before yesterday.’

  ‘Were they hurt?’ Jim asked.

  ‘I don’t think so sir. I didn’t see it happen; they were in the field, while I operated the thresher in the barn. The machine was too noisy to have heard them, even if there’d been a fight. But I looked at the tracks. There were no signs of a scuffle and no blood. The scythes they were using had been placed neatly on the cut crop and not dropped.’

  ‘Mounted men?’ Drako asked and received a nod. ‘How many?’

  ‘I should say five mounted men. The soldiers didn’t dismount, and whilst they did surround them it looked like Rupert and Freddie walked to one side of the squad when they left, so I doubt they were roped. Their cloaks were missing from the wagon. We weren’t wearing them to work in the field.’

  ‘So either Freddie was able to put it on, or someone took it. Either way, they have the school’s insignia to mark them by,’ Drako mused.

  ‘My cloak was with theirs,’ Johnny remarked and pulled the heavy fabric around him so he could silently show them his had been deliberately left behind. ‘I don’t think they were forced.’

  ‘Where were they taken?’ Drako asked.

  ‘I tracked them to Cedar Castle; Lord Aubrey’s keep.’

  ‘What do you know of this lord?’ Jim asked Drako noticing he’d suddenly sat back pondering. He also didn’t seem very surprised. Clearly he knew something about the man and since White Haven was in Lord Aubrey’s territory, Jim supposed he really ought to remedy his own lack of knowledge. Whilst Jim was officially answerable to the wizard’s guild alone, he was also nominally a subject of Lord Aubrey’s, now he’d taken up residence at White Haven. He’d been so caught up in getting to grips with running the school, that he hadn’t paid much attention to the outside world. Now he was no longer just passing through, but would certainly be here some months, he ought to get a handle on who, and what else, was likely to have an impact on the school.

  ‘Edmoston is Lord Aubrey’s county, as you know,’ Drako began slowly. ‘He’s renowned for keeping a tight rein on his people and holdings. But actually it’s because he has a real interest in his people’s wellbeing. He’s strict but fair,’ Drako summarised.

  ‘You know him personally?’ Jim asked.

  ‘At sixteen, my family fostered me out to work as his squire. I was with him for nearly a year,’ Drako admitted. ‘I learned a lot from him. It was hard work, but rewarding and I was happy there. He was more shocked than I, when the King’s decree reached us, that my family had been deposed and evicted from our lands. He understood the ramifications better than I at the time of course. I wasn’t just an ordinary animus; his whole household knows that Lord Trent is my father. He had little option but to immediately send me away. He told me he feared an assassin would get me or that I would be arrested and held, to force my father’s compliance, if he delayed. He secretly helped get me back to my father, and my family will always be grateful for that. My father is not one to take any affront lying down. He was understandably furious with the King’s decree and retaliated by reviving the old Clan Green Bear warrior name, and our proud warring heritage. Our people defiantly rallied to us and we fought many battles. They showed no mercy though, but killed rather than captured, even those who had surrendered. Old greybeards, our honoured elders and teachers, were cut down like vermin for trying to defend their wives. They killed so many of our children too. Seeing their broken bodies is one of many sights no-one should ever have to carry. We thought we’d eventually be able to win back our lands, but the forces sent against us kept coming and were overwhelming. We had no choice but to run. Our allies were the next targets; beaten down and severely punished, one after the other, for daring to shelter us. I know Lord Aubrey did not agree with what had been done to us, but he had to be seen to tow the line. Then the King went a stage further decreeing that none of the lords could legally employ or keep animus people in their households. Loyal staff, of whatever age, or health, were turned out of their homes penniless, everywhere. I know Lord Aubrey would have been angry to hav
e to obey that ruling, but he’d never be cruel about it. He preferred to act in his own way before his hand and options, was forced.’

  ‘That army on your tail, when you first arrived, never came back,’ Jim commented.

  ‘I know. I’ve been wondering if Lord Aubrey forced them off his lands. We’ve hardly been troubled by the wizard led Inquisitor squads either.’

  ‘It strikes me that he knows where you are and is actively hiding your presence in his county,’ Jim remarked.

  ‘I hope not,’ Drako frowned. ‘Any interference in the Crown’s troop operations will be reported and draw attention rather than deflect it. He’d be running quite a risk of reprisals.’

  ‘You said, when we first met, that you kept an eye on the school. Presumably you could say that because you stayed in or near this territory regularly?’

  ‘I’ve always felt safer here. Lord Aubrey has never allowed crown squads or troops to be billeted in his lands. They are expensive to provision and he doesn’t like troops outside of his control interfering with his people, and believe me, they do. He reserves the right to police and discipline his people how and when he sees fit. Fortunately, this is not a new stance, but something his grandfather instigated and which has been in place ever since. He keeps more troops than most and uses them to patrol on regular sweeps and maintain order. It does help the people feel safe and protected. I’ve always thought he turned a blind eye to us when we visited. In return, we paid our way and abided by his laws, causing no harm to his people or livelihoods. We also kept a low profile, so as not to force his hand.’

  ‘You respect one another,’ Jim summarised. ‘Ok, so is he likely to kill or harm Freddie just because he’s animus and that’s what’s widely expected?’ Jim asked in distaste.

  ‘I doubt it. He knew what I was and used to have a small troop of animus soldiers. I’ve no idea if he still secretly has them, but he liked their versatility and respected them as men. My main concern is that he might have had enforcers foisted on him now, in lieu of allowing Inquisitors free rein. He may have his hands tied as to what he can or can’t do.’