Stoc (A New Druids Series Book 3)

by Donald D. Allan

  Nadine screamed in rage but I remained calmly sitting. I cared nothing for politics. Nadine hated people who took on airs and found a target in the Baron. "You insolent child! You were a peevish little brat when you were twelve and you've not grown to be anything more than a blustering entitled fool. You've been told again and again what the draoi are. Why won't you believe?"

  The Baron looked furious and Steve rose beside him ready to intervene. Franky stood up beside Nadine, but I remained seated and waited. I was strangely calm inside. I had come through my anger to a realisation that none of this mattered. My knowledge of my powers was enough that I knew Nadine and I could easily keep anyone from being hurt. We could stop them from moving if we wanted to. I realised unlike the faith of the Church of the New Order, people would always require substantiation of our power. Soon the world would know what the draoi were capable of and proof would always be needed.

  I snorted and Steve shot me a look. "Sorry, it's just that everyone always asks that we prove ourselves with demonstrations. That's what's pissing Nadine off more than anything. Trust me. It's not enough for us to say who we are. Always there will come demands of proof. I can see that now. But that's the idiocy I need to change in this world. When a draoi says he or she can do something people should believe it." I looked up at the Baron and saw the confusion in his eyes. "You want proof? I will show you but I want to be clear. I do this because the draoi believe that all should benefit from our power. Regardless of whether we like them or not. But in this case I will undo what we change. I want you to remember this. You come here with no respect for my draoi and yell at my wife in our home. You sit at the head of our table and make demands of my people when you have no right. I will never forget that Baron Andrew Windthrop. Are you ready?"

  The Baron looked about for support but found none.

  "Your eyes are weak are they not?"

  The Baron looked surprised but nodded. "Yes. And getting worse. A common ailment for men my age. I can't see very far and my men need to read my documents to me. I have spectacles but I always seem to misplace them."

  "Then we'll fix that," I clasped Nadine's hand for show and drew our combined power. In a moment, we corrected his eyes.

  The Baron blinked and looked around at all the faces in the room. He rubbed his eyes and then looked around at all the chairs, tables and ornamentation in the room. "It's a miracle! By the Word! I can see so clearly. All your faces, I can see every little mark. By the Word!"

  I drew my power and braced myself. I focused on his eyes and undid the corrections. I tensed waiting for the pain to descend. When it did it was so slight as to be barely noticeable. I looked to Nadine in confusion and saw hers reflected back. Gaea should have punished us for using her power to harm. Perhaps this time she approved?

  "What did you do?" cried the Baron. "Bring it back! Bring back my vision!"

  "I don't think so. You have your proof. Enough of this, Lord Windthrop. We've heard your demands. Made from ignorance of what we are. You demand obedience or what, death? What you must come to realise is Nadine and I are rebuilding the draoi. We have craobhs, students still that you saw outside and refused to register. We are bringing them back from a slaughter. The Purge. Once they are ready, we will send most of them out into the world, with some remaining behind to teach others. The time has come for the draoi to be known in the world. To take a more direct role and work with all the people of the land and teach them how to nurture the land and each other. I hope they will cherish us. Welcome us. More importantly, they will learn not to fear us. The Purge can never be allowed to happen again. Too many lives were lost. Like Peter. And my mother.

  "The draoi answer to no one but Gaea. We are outside the political games of the realm. We have higher and more important goals and roles to play. Nadine says I outrank you. That's not true. This is not about rank, it's about roles and my role is to answer to the demands of the land. All the land. Not Turgany, but all of Belkin. Then more, perhaps. You can play kingmaker and I wish you luck. The draoi are not your tools."

  The Baron shook his head. "You are part of Belkin whether you like it or not. You have to pick a side because the future hinges on that. If the Lord Protector is allowed to continue his tyranny, many people will suffer. If you are so determined to heal the land then surely that means preventative measures. You are naive, Will Arbor. You can't just come out and declare yourself to the world. People aren't ready to see magic. Once people see what you can do, they will fear you. Panic will set in. Then distrust. They will strike you down by that same fear and justify doing it in the name of anything that suits them. The last time it was the Church. This time they may not need something to name."

  I absorbed the words. There was a ring of truth in them and it spoke to the doubts I carried. Nadine and I had spent the months debating what it was the draoi should do to announce ourselves. Nadine understood what it was I wanted, but she remembered the Purge and horror. She was caught between wanting to have the draoi remain as they once were and embracing the vision of the future I painted. She was uncertain and if she wasn't sure then I would continue to doubt myself.

  In the silence that followed the words of the Baron, Nadine sat back down and took a sip of her tea. It was cold, and she grimaced. "I've been saying that but he won't listen. I've been fighting Gaea on this very issue as well. She wants it all at once. She agrees with Will."

  Some of the tension in the room evaporated, and the Baron sat and did not look happy. Steve and Franky sat as well and looked uncomfortable. The Baron pursed his lips and then seemed to deflate a little. "Will and Nadine, I apologise for my words. Steve warned me to treat you with respect, but I didn't listen." I could see by his aura he was not being sincere, and I gave him a wry look. I sensed a layer of deceit about him. He was being duplicitous. "I admit that you have powers. I formally acknowledge you are the Freamhaigh and the Cill Darae of the druids, but that doesn't hold power over me, my men, or this country."

  "I beg to differ," said a feminine voice behind me and I knew without looking that Gaea had appeared.

  I sighed. "Hi Gaea," I said by way of introduction. She ignored me.

  The Baron backed up in fright and knocked his chair clattering to the floor. He gasped for breath and pointed at her. He tried to speak but nothing escaped his large mouth. I could see the others were taking Gaea's appearance rather well, and I was pleased with that. Steve and Franky's eyes were a little wide, but they remained calm. She needs to get out more. I turned to look at her and she shot me a dirty look.

  Gaea stepped between Nadine and I and placed a hand on each of our shoulders. "These two people represent me in this world and have my full authority. They are tasked with restoring the harmony of the world. Belkin is but a tiny island on this world, Andrew Windthrop. Your grievance with the Lord Protector is petty in comparison.

  "Nadine speaks correctly, and perhaps a little rudely. The Freamhaigh and the Cill Darae are my vassals, not yours. They answer to no one but I. I can see how you would have difficulty with this. Nonetheless, rest assured they seek no position of authority in this realm. Nor do they voice that despite your fears. But I see you still do not believe, you stubborn little man-child."

  Gaea stepped away from us and moved toward the Baron. Between one step and the next she transformed into a simple dressed man with mousy hair shot with grey.

  Steve gasped. "Peter!"

  The Baron whimpered and stared at the apparition of his old friend.

  "Andy, relax," said the figure of Peter.

  "It can't be," whispered the Baron.

  "It's me, love."

  "No!"

  Peter stepped up to the Baron and pulled him into an embrace. He whispered in his ear and the Baron's whole demeanour changed in a heartbeat. The strength left his legs, and he nearly collapsed, but Peter held him upright.

  "I love you, Andy. Now stop being an overbearing ass and listen. If you want Will's help--and you will need it--then work with him, not against h
im."

  The Baron twisted his face to stare up into Peter's. "How Peter? How can you be here?"

  "I am part of Gaea now. I am part of a whole you cannot imagine. You trusted me once. Now trust Will. He doesn't know it yet but he knows the way to what you seek."

  "I-I don't understand," he stammered. "But I trust you, Peter."

  "Good man. Do you still have the stone?"

  "Of course. It's always with me."

  "Like our love, enduring. Timeless. I miss you, Andy."

  Peter leaned his head down and kissed the Baron. The Baron froze for a second and then melted into the embrace.

  Nadine and I shared a knowing look. I could see that Steve was looking away disgusted. Franky looked oddly interested and looked from Steve to the couple and tapped her lower lip in thought. The kiss went on for a long time until they separated.

  "They hurt you, didn't they?" asked the Baron.

  "Yes. Very much so. But it was my thoughts of you that kept me strong until the end. Thank you, my love. I'm sorry I left you so soon."

  "I miss you, Peter. Don't go. Don't leave me again."

  "I have to Andy. I'm part of the world now and I have work to do."

  Peter stepped back and nodded to Steve. Steve hesitated and nodded back.

  "Hi, Franky. Looking good as usual," he said to her and winked.

  "Don't I always?" replied Franky.

  "Got to go," said Peter and then vanished.

  Three

  Rigby Farm, Early May 901 A.C.

  THE BARON REQUIRED several minutes alone to recover. We moved to the kitchen to give him some privacy and stared at one another. No one knew what to say. Dempster ignored us and washed dishes in the sink. When the Baron emerged, he had composed himself but looked a little ashamed. For a moment, I thought I had seen a flash of anger. He stopped in front of Nadine and then hesitantly gave her a brief hug. He then shook my hand and apologised for his behaviour. I could sense he still didn't mean it. He shook Steve's hand and Steve seemed to relax and even smiled at Franky with some amusement.

  Steve then got our attention and spoke. "Okay, folks. I think I understand your position, but I would like to show you our plan first. Perhaps you'll see things differently. We've set up a command centre in the barn. Shall we head over?"

  The Baron smiled. "Capital idea! The table should be set up by now."

  Nadine beamed at him. "Why not?" With that she grabbed my hand, stuck her tongue out at the Baron, and pulled me out of the house and outside. The others followed behind with Franky laughing out loud.

  I sent orders to the draoi to return to their studies and I sensed their joy at being released. I had them waiting nearby to meet with the Baron should he decide to be civil. That was clearly not going to happen. Nadine stopped pulling me and we walked over to the barn. We looked around and gawked at the changes made to the farm grounds. Military tents now stood on the fallow field in varying states of assembly. The Baron's people were running about pulling guide wires and lifting canvass. It looked like chaos but I could sense a well-practiced pattern to it. We approached the wide doorway to the barn and the guard standing there moved aside only when he sighted the Baron behind us. I scowled at the man.

  We entered the gloom from the bright late afternoon sun and immediately spotted a new large table established central to the building. A wide beam of sunlight streamed down from the overhead open bale doors. We could see right away that the table was covered with a raised feature map of Belkin. It was beautiful and made to scale with mountains rising high off the surface. It was a replica of the land and it appeared accurate. Franky whistled in appreciation and reached out to touch a mountain.

  "Don't touch," demanded the Baron, and he walked around to stand to the south side of the map. "It's fragile. Gather round everyone."

  Steve moved beside the Baron and Franky took the south-east corner not far from him. Nadine and I stood beside West Port and I looked longingly down at Jaipers. It was just a small circle beside the river but I knew it was more than that. I looked out over the entire rectangular table. It was made of four tables pushed together and measured a total of twenty by thirty feet. I felt like a bird looking down at the world and I admired it. All the towns, cities and rivers were painted in exquisite details. Forests, rocks and plains could be made out. It was a work of art.

  "It's beautiful," I said in admiration.

  "Thank you," replied the Baron and looked pleased. "It took me years to make."

  "You made this?"

  "Yes, a hobby of mine. I have models of all the major cities, too. I haven't brought them out yet. They're still being unpacked. They fill two carts."

  "Why make this?" asked Nadine.

  "Why for war, dear woman," The Baron spread his arms out over the table in a sweeping gesture. "Information is power. The more I have the better chance of success. What the enemy doesn't know is to my advantage. This map is one, small part of that advantage. I study it and plan."

  He reached under the table and pulled open a wide shallow drawer. I looked over and saw it was filled with miniature soldiers and horses. "In here I have pieces that represent the military forces." He started pulling them out and setting them on the table. I saw that they were different colours and styles.

  "Help me out, Steve," he ordered. Steve opened another drawer and pulled out more carved miniatures. Little men with bows, little crossbows on wheels, ships, horses, men on horses, soldiers, and other strange shapes. They pulled them out and began the process of sorting them by type and colour. All the while they discussed where they should be placing them on the map. The Baron produced a long pincer tool to place some of them beyond his reach. It looked like they would be at it for a long time.

  I sensed one of the craobhs enter the barn and Nadine and I excused ourselves and walked over to meet her.

  "Freamhaigh, Cill Darae," she said beaming a smile.

  "Hi, Heather," I replied, grateful for the interruption. "What's up?"

  "I would like to administer to the Baron's injured men and women. They are in the red tent the chirurgeons have set up. We can sense their pain."

  "Of course, why ask?"

  Heather looked down shyly. "I wasn't sure you would approve."

  I took her hands, and she looked up at me. "Heather, we are draoi. It is what we do, surely you remember the teachings. We help all who require aide regardless of who that may be."

  Heather bit her lip. "It's just... it's just that this will be the first time, won't it? The first time we openly use our magic and expose what we can do. I didn't want to be the first one. I thought you or Nadine would like that honour."

  I looked at Nadine and she appeared a little surprised. I felt the same. I nodded to Heather. "I see, take us over."

  I looked back to the others busy at the table. "Baron, Steve, Franky. We are going over to tend to your people, Baron. We'll be right back."

  The Baron lifted a hand and waved dismissively, lost in his work. I doubt he heard us. Franky was now helping, but she was stealing pieces from Steve, much to his annoyance. We left them and walked out of the barn.

  Outside, Heather guided us over to where the tents were being set up. The Baron's men scurried everywhere doing one task or another. Heather led us directly to the large red tent and we ducked to pass inside the opening. I wasn't surprised to see our two other draoi, Chris and Joshua, standing to the side and looking around unhappily. They were a family each strong in healing like Heather. I nodded to them and they looked relieved to see us.

  "Hi," I said. "What's wrong?"

  Chris pointed his chin toward the back of the tent at the two chirurgeons making noises with a patient lying on a cot who was clearly in a lot of pain. The smell of alcohol and burning incense was very strong in the tent and my eyes burned. I looked around and identified a dozen or so other patients sitting or lying down throughout the large tent. The sunlight through the canvass painted everything with a red, bloody hue. I shuddered despite myself. I moved
closer to where the chirurgeons were working and saw a snapped femur extending through the thigh of the poor man lying on the cot. He was in agony and the second chirurgeon was holding him down with force. I quickly used my senses and scanned the room and examined each patient. I grimaced. These two were working on a man with a broken leg, with little to no bleeding while the poor woman in the back corner needed immediate attention.

  I moved next to the chirurgeons. "Afternoon, gentlemen, I am Will Arbor, Freamhaigh to the draoi. I have Nadine Arbor, my wife, and Cill Darae to the draoi. With us is Heather, Chris and Joshua, all craobhs and highly skilled in healing. We are here to help your people."

  The chirurgeon holding the man down scowled up at me. The other one, who I assumed was the head chirurgeon, looked up in surprise from where he was pushing the flesh around the exposed bone with dirty, bloody fingers. "What's that? Who are you?"

  "As I said, I am the head draoi. Or druid if you prefer. Through Gaea, the Earth Mother, we have been granted the power to heal. I am here with my healers to offer our services. We have a duty to see to their injuries that we cannot ignore."

  "Healers? Power to heal? You must all be daft. You aren't chirurgeons. Get out." The man turned back to the fractured femur and started poking it again.

  I glanced at Nadine and she gave me a wry look. I reached out and tapped the man on the shoulder. He scowled up at me.

  "Can't you see I'm busy? This man is in pain and needs our attention."

  "Yes, he is and does. I can help you with that. Have you not determined who needs help first? That woman over there..."

  "You are interfering with our work and are to leave at once! You can't possibly understand the complexities of the human body. It takes years..."

  While he spoke, I reached out to the poor man writhing on the cot and blocked the pain from his leg. He froze for a moment and then collapsed in relief on the cot and stopped struggling.