“I should be happy, that was the first time I have performed that spell with success and yet instead I am on the floor again. Why did my shield fail?”
“It did not fail. You are not sprawled and dazed. It did not succeed wholly either because your magical power far outstrips your control of your defences at present.”
“I have a feeling this will be a lesson long in learning.” Caleigh sighed rising to her feet.
“Which is why we must give you more than one line of defence.” Gideon gave her enough time to resettle herself before resuming. “This time I shall attack you and you will have no shield. Use your wand to block.”
“Anivate.” The shudder spark shot out from Gideon’s wand; Caleigh put up her wand to stop it. For a moment she felt her wrist shuddering and fingers start to twitch. “Force it into the wand.” The wand vibrated for a fraction of a heartbeat then slipped out of her fingers onto the floor.
“I couldn’t control it.”
“Not this time. It will come with practice and we shall practice for a while longer yet but more importantly when you leave here you must continue to train your mind.”
“How can I do that?”
“Remember our first lessons when I told you to clear your mind?”
“Yes, do I have to start again?”
“No, I want you to remember that sense of peace despite distractions around you.”
“Can you give me an example?”
“Try not to laugh the next time someone amuses you.”
“That doesn’t sound fun. Must I learn dullness?”
“Not at all, the skill is not to divest yourself of the enjoyment but to sever it from your outward reaction. I am by no means suggesting that you do this forever, just once or twice.”
“Very well.”
For the following days Caleigh tried various ways to divorce her expressions from her feelings with varying degrees of success. Stifling her laughter was possible, stifling her laughter without losing the fun was somewhat harder because part of the fun of shared amusement was that it was shared. She could prick herself with a knife point and not yelp for which there seemed to be neither gain in the cause nor the end since she had no other occasion to perform this trick. What she needed was a real test of her resolve by means of her powers and in Elevered she always felt protected from being overcome like she had been in Minerva.
The solution came to her when trying to learn the fundamentals of charms in potion form with Rhiannon. “With the right ingredients could I make potions that carry the charms I can perform?”
“Yes, if you assisted me with the enchantment then it would be much easier than if I did it alone.”
“I am happy to help.” Caleigh gave her an encouraging hug around the hips and watched her smile. Even a couple of weeks away from the cruel regime of the priestesses had worked wonders on her. Her bruises had faded and her skin was cleaner having been relieved of working next to pipes every day. She had gained a tiny bit of weight and already looked the haler for it. Rhiannon was naturally on the waifish side and would never be full of figure. Nonetheless, just a little bit of care had enabled her fragile prettiness to really shine through. “What would happen if I consumed a potion of my own charisma charm whilst performing the charm at the same time?”
“I do not know rightly, maybe that you would feel the effect twofold.” Caleigh wondered at this, would a double dosage of her charm test her control enough to make a breakthrough with her defensive spells?
Her practical defence sessions were increased from three to six times a week with Mabon taking the alternative lessons to focus purely on improving her shielding while Gideon continued teaching her about absorbing and blocking spells. Mabon, as she expected, did not have Vaughn’s learn-by-doing approach nor Gideon’s mix of philosophy and experiment. He believed in the discipline of extensive study supported with thorough preparation. For the first few sessions they did not perform any spells, focussing instead on memorising how the human body was put together and the names for all the rocks and metals that lived within the earth. Although grateful for the new knowledge Caleigh could not help but feel the main aim of these exercises was to turn her mind to mush. Mabon hinted as much might in fact be the case. “Magic is the supreme act of creativity. There are only two real defences once it has been turned in your direction; one, immense willpower and two, rigid mental discipline. In short, that burst of creativity must be met with a wall of dreariness and disbelief.”
“How may I disbelieve in magic when I know it to exist?”
“That does not mean you should permit it to fool you.” The trouble was magic did take her in; it fascinated her and teased her senses. In Elevered of all places it seemed an impossible task to remain down-to-earth, particularly as every other day Gideon would demonstrate its wonder with typical flair. Though she enjoyed these lessons more she did not feel she made any more progress in them. The end of October reared into view and the sudden waxing of her powers she felt during her trip to Minerva started to look like a distant memory.
“That is the main reason why it is so important to teach you how to learn control.” Gideon answered when she shared this concern.
“What do you mean?”
“It is important that you learn how to defend yourself from other wizards, it is true, but most of the time while you are in Elevered that is not our first concern. What troubles us most is the danger you may pose to yourself if your powers continue to develop beyond your control. Vaughn told me what happened to you the first night you stayed at Minerva?”
“Everything?”
“He told me that you were almost killed trying to perform the phoenix charm.”
“I was not trying to do it.”
“Then that is all the more concerning. Have you studied that charm in detail?”
“I have read a bit about it since I’ve been back.”
“Then you should know that through study no wizard would attempt that spell until they had first learned how to protect themselves from heat and charmed the fire so that it does not burn themselves and everything within touch.”
“Can you teach me that then? If this is the control I need.”
“Yes, it compliments what we have done so there is no conflict. It is better we do it in this room where you cannot be harmed than anywhere else. I should confess I can only help you so much. The phoenix charm in its full is a spell only Enchanters can perform.”
“It matters not, as you said, it is the parts before that I need to learn.”
“Can you bring it forth?” Gideon stepped back to allow room. Caleigh tried to make the flame appear to no avail. Closing her eyes she tried to picture herself washing before all the bathers in the great bath room, her moments with Vaughn and with Gideon and all the rush of desires that swam her way that night in Minerva. Still no flame appeared.
“I cannot do it.”
“Hmm, maybe that is well. Perhaps you will be able to come to it through study this time.”
“That’s not what I mean. I can do it but not here where I feel safe and protected.” Gideon frowned thoughtfully. He tapped his palm then spoke words of a tongue unknown to Caleigh. Fire flared forth around his hand lapping hungrily up into the air. With a flex of his fingers the fire vanished and he turned back to his student.
“It appears I come to this spell from a different direction to you. We shall have to think on this.”
Caleigh was not too disheartened and had initially found some success in protecting herself from heat until the reality of being burnt broke her concentration and caused the spell to break with it. The reason she was not too disheartened had little to do with that, however, the cause for her pleasure was that the charisma potion was nearly ready. Having spent several days with Rhiannon demonstrating the spell and after going through sheaf after sheaf of the library scrolls and what they had taken from Minerva, Rhiannon was able to find the necessary ingredients from the castle stores.
Sunday was a welcom
e relief; today she had no punishing practice sessions and after the evening meal she would get to try the new potion. Rhiannon came directly to Caleigh’s chamber as they were not sure what effect it might have on bystanders. The potion was in a small phial and was of glowing pink, swirling like something halfway between a mist and liquid. “How much should I drink?”
“A full mouthful should be enough...err, I think.” The pair exchanged nervous grins then Caleigh swigged back enough liquid to fill her cheeks.
“I’m not sure what to exp...” The room swirled out of focus and she was watching Aethelbald furiously beating his rod with the memory of Caleigh’s nude form firmly etched in his head. Caleigh smiled inwardly at the thought she had retained his interest. Various scenes from the village below flitted past her never pausing for long enough for her to identify any of the couples in congress. Then she was with Penric, also attending to himself while imagining walking into a bath house to see herself, Ellie and Rosamund all naked and awaiting him. Be not greedy Penric. Penric was gone and Ellie was before her instead, kneeling on all fours atop her bed with Tamric entering her from behind. Ellie, you little harlot! Think of Penric! A voice echoed in her head, a voice calling her name. Her room snapped back into focus and she was lying on her bed looking up at a concerned Rhiannon leaning over her and clearing her hair from her face.
“Caleigh?”
“Fret not, Rhiannon.” Caleigh said putting a hand to her cheek reassuringly. Rhiannon smiled and continued to stroke her hair. “The potion appears to work.” They both laughed Caleigh looked over at the other girl. She was very pretty and seemed even more so than usual tonight. There was something in the smile that followed the laugh, her lips seemed to part slightly and loom closer. Before she knew what she was doing Caleigh moved her hand behind Rhiannon’s head and pulled her into a deep and tender kiss tasting her with her lips, mouth and tongue. This was no friendly peck; it was a kiss as she would kiss a man, no, it was different to that. There was an incomparable softness that was deeply erotic.
They parted with a nervous laugh. “Forgive me, you looked so beautiful and I...” Rhiannon blurted.
“Hey, be calm.” Caleigh soothed. “There is nothing to forgive.” Rhiannon smiled unsurely so Caleigh kissed her again no less passionately, albeit for a briefer time. “You see?” Rhiannon nodded.
“Caleigh...”
“Yes?”
“You are a wonderful kisser. Nobody has ever kissed me so well.” Caleigh smiled warmly and sat up straight by the headboard next to Rhiannon and drew her into an affectionate cuddle.
“Have you kissed many?”
“There were a couple of boys before I went to the temple and then once a bather cornered me and forced a kiss on me before Rolf pulled him away.”
“Was that unpleasant?”
“Yes, I did not like to be forced but...”
“Go on.”
“In a way, it was pleasant to be noticed as a woman.”
“There are better ways, trust me.”
“Of course, I merely meant...everyone there treated me as a slave, like an animal.”
“That is over now.”
“Yes, I’m so glad of that.” Rhiannon cast her eyes downward. “Was it wrong for us to kiss, I...I enjoyed it but...”
“I enjoyed it too. You are a very good kisser yourself; far too good for young boys and molesters.” They both laughed at this.
“But was it wrong?”
“It did not feel wrong. Yes, I am sure it was not wrong.” Caleigh’s eyes suddenly went wide with delight and she took Rhiannon’s face between her hands and kissed her excitedly once more. “Thank you Rhiannon!”
“What for?”
“I think you may have taught me how to do a spell I very much need to learn.”
“Show me.” Gideon bid, gesturing to the burning brazier brimming with red-orange flame.
“Temperate”. Caleigh said pointing her wand left-handed at the palm of her right hand before plunging it into the midst of the whipping fire. She held it there calmly turning this way and that to prove that the charm held.
“Very good, take your hand out now.” Caleigh did so.
“The charm was working.”
“Oh yes, but that charm only protects you from heat it does not stop you burning altogether.”
“Will it save me if I accidently cast the phoenix charm?”
“It will help, no doubt and may well keep you alive long enough to do something else but, ultimately, you must learn to extinguish the flame at your command. It will not help you much if by the time you have control you are trapped in a blaze. Nonetheless, very good work, how did you find the way to make this work?”
“It came to me. In my art fire is desire so learning not to be afraid of the flame meant I had to accept the desires that afflict me without feeling shame for them.”
“How very interesting and, of course, sensible when you think about it. When I learnt this spell I already felt I had control so for me the task was to embrace the element of chaos.” Gideon chuckled to himself. “This should help us considerably from here.”
Caleigh thought back with great satisfaction on her successes of the day when she retired to her room that night. “Thank you Rhiannon and thank you, Sir Potion” She said picking up the vial and uncorking it. “I wonder if you can tell me what I could not discern from Ellie.” This time she drew the phial back twice and planted herself on her bed waiting for the effect. Saving that mayhap I’ll get to watch something exciting, who would I like to see...?
A large room revealed itself, every surface made from yellow-orange stone or so it seemed in the torchlight. Other ways led off from this room and she realised she was in a wide corridor. Ahead a man in a loin skirt was talking to a taller woman with her back to her. The woman had light-brown to dark-blonde hair coiled around her head with gold wire then falling back in a single thick braid over her uncovered shoulder blades. Her slender back too was uncovered all the way to the top of her firm rump where a slender golden chain worked round her hips. Everything below was covered by fine white cloth that hung between the woman’s drooping arms clipped into place by a series of bracelets. On her feet she wore thronged sandals, also, gold that wrapped up around the backs of her long calves. Two conclusions reached Caleigh, the first came rapidly and that was that this woman had an incredible body, the second followed not soon and was the more startling. “Yes, I will be thither forthwith.” The woman said to the messenger who then scampered off. That is Loreliath! Caleigh moved closer so that she behind her swaying hips as she climbed the set of stairs in front of her. Quickly a third conclusion became clear, this was not a vision where she could make her presence felt. A further gold chain was around the back of Loreliath’s neck and she wondered how much was covered to the front. If the rear view was anything to go by Loreliath had to be near naked. Caleigh hoped wherever she ended up there would be room enough for her to see.
The chamber they reached was indeed spacious. A handful of attendants made way for Loreliath and Caleigh quickened her pace to keep up with the long-legged stride of the Summoner. In the centre of the room, there was a large bed surrounded by pillars and drapes shielding those inside from general view except from the side. There were definitely people inside as she could hear two voices apparently in the throes of passion.
Loreliath moved to the opening and Caleigh was able to get the view for which she had longed. The chain that went round her hips linked to a triangle of gold baubles that hung down over her crotch and covered naught else. Her torso was completely uncovered save for the gold chain that draped over her chest. From the chain a curtain of gold droplet shaped links drooped down designed to cover the breasts of the wearer. This designed failed on Loreliath for her breasts were too full and firm to be covered by this veil, instead parting the droplets so that they pooled into her cleavage. Caleigh stood stunned seeing Loreliath like this, seeing her perfect, large breasts and flawless body complimenting her astoundingly
beautiful face. There was no doubt that this was the most beautiful person she had ever or would ever see.
The cries of the couple partially broke Caleigh’s reverie and she moved round closer to Loreliath so that she could see her and what she was looking at. The couple were a bald man and dark haired woman with deeply tanned skin. She looked back at Loreliath and though she seemed darker than she did normally she was still paler than these two. The man was leaning back on his knees with the woman, who was both younger and more attractive than him, straddling him and supporting her weight with her arm on the mattress as he pushed into her with furious speed. She screamed with pleasure and he let out one long moan releasing into her then collapsing on top.
With surprising energy after her exertions the woman slid out from under him and crawled over to Loreliath at the side of the bed. Lorelaith placed her hand on her stomach and after a long pause nodded her head to the great joy of both the woman and the man. It was no surprise to Caleigh when she woke the next day that she found her nightgown thoroughly soaked through.
25. All Hallow’s Eve
It started off as a typical day breakfast then to the library to study protective barriers. “A shield is a start, what you need now is to form a barrier that you can wrap around yourself like armour.” Mabon had said and, this being Mabon, that meant more study. Not that Caleigh resented him for that. She was learning and was improving and to that end she was grateful for the extra tuition. Aethelbald was also in the Enchantment wing, albeit less buried in scrolls than his contemporary. When reading more felt it would make her eyes bleed Caleigh turned to him with newfound curiosity.
“Aethelbald.”
“Yes, Caleigh?”
“Can you form a protective barrier?”
“Not as such.”
“Then what do you do when someone casts a spell at you? I’m sure there must have been times when Rosamund tried to hex you.”
“And Vaughn, and Mabon, and Diarmund.”
Enchantress Awakening: Part One of the Book of Water (The Elemental Cycle 1) Page 27