As she’d said to Tovrik, she did not feel it would be a permanent departure, rather it would be time shared between here and the outside world. She felt that it would make sense to visit the Great Henge and from there to Lakehaven, where ever her thoughts turned when she considered her task. There was a certain method to this thought for Lakehaven was the largest city in all the Lands of the West by some margin. If ever a wizard wished to hide themselves in a crowd it would be thence they would travel. Likewise, as the trading and financial centre of the West it would naturally draw all sorts of commerce, including those that were aided by magic. Moreover, when Caleigh had reached out with her thoughts on hallow’s eve, she was sure that one of those she had seen resided somewhere in Lakehaven.
All this she explained to Tovrik the following day, using the ‘God’s Eye’ to illustrate her point. For his part, Tovrik did not appear to object or try to turn her from this path, instead choosing to nod or tilt his head in diligence through her reasoning. “Do you think I am wrong to do this?”
“No, not wrong, my concern is for your safety alone.” He waved his hand over a town about thirty miles on from the Great Henge. “If you tarry a few more days then we will be able to go with you as far as the royal hall at Sotherbury. It is time we met with King Aethelwine. After that there are no more ley points all the way to Lakehaven. No doubt it will be possible to furnish you with horses or to board one of the trade caravans heading south.”
“How far is it between the two?”
“Something short of fifty miles or, to put it another way, two days journey by cart and perhaps one on horseback, if you are in haste.”
“How long would you have me tarry?”
“Not long, perhaps a day or two. Afore that we should come to a matter that has been sorely neglected thus far.” Tovrik reached into his robe and produced a pouch from which he brought forth a piece of cloth wrapped around something held within. “Happy Birthday, Caleigh.” He said handing her the bundle. She opened it up and found her gemstone affixed to an amulet on the end of the golden chain she won in the lily pond trial.
“Is it today? I lost count.” Caleigh laughed. “This is wonderful.”
“The gem is bound with the strongest protective wards I could contain. If ever your defences are breached this should provide you with one final chance to repel any hostile spells. Further, I have linked that chain to this God’s Eye and to my chambers. Should it be forcibly broken I will know at once and will be able to trace from whence the alarm travelled. So be careful not to catch it unwitting or you may have all of Elevered rushing to your side for the sake of a mishap.”
“This will be a great comfort to me. I am touched by the efforts you have gone to.”
“I was not alone. Master Aldred aided me in the labour.”
“Then I must thank him also. Do you need me for anything more today?”
“No, this is your day. You should do as you will.”
“In that case I will go to thank Master Aldred at once.”
“Go not alone, short trip though it may be.”
“I’m sure Bryn will want to see his old master too.”
“Yes, I will send others too. I pray, do not leave until they join you.”
“As you wish, I will wait by the standing stone for any that you send.”
By the time Caleigh had found Bryn, explained her errand and brought him to the standing stone, Vaughn, Ellie and Penric were already there. At once she tried to put aside images of them giving into abandon by her art during the Wintersday feast and act as though all was as it should be. “I am honoured to have such a guard for so simple a task.”
“Ha, this is the very minimum Tovrik would concede to limit the party to.” Vaughn returned. “I just hope poor Aldred has enough warm brews for all of us.” He added, wrapping his cloak tighter and looking at the swirling clouds overhead.
At the other end of the ley line hop the weather was just the same covering the tree lined trail up to Aldred’s cottage in deep gloom. In the clearing the cottage stood unlit, no fire flickered through the window, no smoke rose from above the hearth and the outdoor forge lay idle. Rain had begun to spit and their boots sunk in the grass in the trudge up to the front door. Vaughn knocked, once, twice, thrice and no answer came from within.
He pushed the woodwork with his finger and with a creak it surrendered inward. “Maybe he stepped out.” Vaughn pushed open the door tentatively. “Hail, Aldred are you there?” The others followed Vaughn within. “It’s dark in here.” Feeling their way around the dining table they pressed into the room. “This is senseless.” Vaughn pulled out his wand and with a flick the walls glowed brighter as though the light from the window was now of a summer’s day. “Oh, sweet mercy!” Where before there had been shadow a slumped frame became clear, head rolled on one side, shoulders drooping to the left.
“Master Aldred!” Bryn cried darting forward to the motionless figure. “Wake up, master!” A deep weight set into the guts of everyone present and in a moment a chill gripped their hearts. “Oh Gods! Blood! Blood everywhere!”
“Let me see!” Vaughn bundled closer. It was true, there was blood aright, a great trail of it running from the ground up to the back of Aldred’s head. Passing behind him Vaughn let out an involuntary exhale. A moment later everyone else did likewise as the light shone over the deep circular hole carved into the craftsman’s skull. Caleigh put her hand to her mouth to stifle the escaping whimper; Ellie turned away in horror unable to look at the gruesome sight or able to bear to watch Bryn slowly sinking to his knees in inexpressible shock.
“Someone did this!” Penric growled. Meanwhile, Vaughn’s eyes skitted hither and thither over the walls of the room.
“Bryn, tell me, is anything out of place here?” Bryn could not respond. “Bryn! This is urgent! Grief will have to wait. Is there anything here that’s not where it should be?” Bryn looked up with red tinged eyes.
“What?”
“Just tell me.” Bryn turned his gaze over the room then pointed to a pair of bellows hanging over the hearth.
“That, that’s usually outside.” Vaughn tore the bellows away from the hook and there behind it was a design of an ovoid open eye surrounded by an etched ring carved into the mud and stone. Without hesitation Vaughn turned his wand on the shape and caused the defaced section of the wall to collapse into a swirling eddy.
“Get outside now. Stand away from the shadows!” Penric stumbled back through the door with Ellie and Caleigh close behind. Bryn shambled after her half pushed by Vaughn who was smashing open every window pane and blasting holes in the roof as he left.
“What is happening here?” Caleigh demanded when he joined them.
“There’s no time to explain fully. Aldred’s been murdered by our direst enemies and we must leave at once. Watch the shadows with care, if you see something start to move back away at...”
“What’s that?” Penric cried. The party swivelled as one to look to where he was pointing. Under the shade of a tree beside the path to the main road to Minerva a shape moved out of the blackness and into half-light of the drizzling ice cold downpour. It was a man, as best as they could make out, cloaked and garbed from head to foot in black with only a small gap around his eyes left naked to the air.
“Run!” Vaughn shouted. The man began to move with rapid step covering huge swathes of ground with only a few strides. Red light flashed at him from Vaughn’s wand and faded to nothing and in the next instance he was airborne somersaulting high above the ground. This time Vaughn dragged his wand in a figure of eight, disrupting him in his flight and forcing him earthbound where he landed in a splayed stance. Behind Vaughn a dagger thudded into the framework of Aldred’s door sent off target by the disruption. The party did not need more prompting and all but Vaughn were already passing through the cottage to the back door by the forge. With a whipcrack sound Vaughn hit him again this time with a shock to the legs and once again there was no discernible effect and in a might
y leap the assassin was over his head and dancing across the rooftop of the cottage.
The rest of the party broke into a run emerging from under the sheltered covering over the forge but the black clad man was amongst them landing between Caleigh and the rest. There was a rasp of drawing metal and a gladius style sword flashed from his scabbard and stabbed towards her forcing her back. The attacker span drew out a second identical blade with his left hand this time slashing towards her throat. Using all the agility she could muster Caleigh flung herself backwards and with one hand managed to support herself on the forge’s anvil so that she did not fall flat then mustering every reserve of dancing skill she possessed just about held herself there well enough to draw her wand with her left hand and send a jet of steam through the raindrops into her assailant’s face.
He did not cry out: the crossed blades raised before his face intercepted the boiling droplets. Still he was momentarily unsighted and this gave Penric the chance to swing at him from behind. Metal clattered upon metal as the assassin blocked him over his head then turned to slash his other sword across Penric’s shield and coming on still forcing him to unbalance. In the opening Ellie stabbed for him but with astonishing swiftness he guided her blade upward and kicked her knee out from behind knocking her onto her back and causing her to scream in pain.
“Bastard!” Bryn cried picking up a hammer from the forge and swinging it at the assassin. This time, distracted by Penric and Ellie, the blow made contact though it did not stop him and turning he knocked the hammer from Brian’s grasp and floored him with a heavy kicked to the chest in one motion.
“Bedazzle.” Caleigh called out. The air around the enemy shimmered yet still he came on with murderous intent. In doing so he did not note Penric’s rapid surge from the floor. The squire attacked him with a backswing, which was parried, and then with a hook from his shield, which made contact with the assassin’s jaw and sent him reeling in a spray of blood and teeth.
“You felt that one.” Penric declared and moved to follow up. Unexpectedly, the assassin did not swoon from the blow instead he moved right back at him and with his two swords cut across him at the knee and elbow forcing him to drop his sword and fall earthward. In a twirl he reversed his grip and made to stab down at the stricken squire when a fireball interrupted him by bursting over his back. Though no real harm was done he did turn to face Vaughn and lost his right sword as a spark hit him on the hand and then lost his footing altogether as both Caleigh and Vaughn hit him with stunning bolts. For a moment he swayed and then pitched face forward into the mud.
“Do not tarry.” Vaughn warned lifting Ellie to her feet and supporting her injured leg. Caleigh likewise helped Bryn and together they continued their flight.
“Penric, can you move?” Caleigh asked.
“Yes.” He answered rising his feet and limping forward. “We’re not going to leave him here are we?”
“Do not tarry!” Vaughn repeated. Penric sheathed his sword and slung his shield over his shoulder then with his left hand picked up the assassin’s dropped sword.
“I’m not letting you survive to boast of this.” He staggered over to the prone assassin and plunged the sword into his back. It sank two inches before it was knocked away by the assassin rolling face up. “By the Gods!” Penric slammed his foot onto his chest in desperate panic and bounded almost on one leg to try and escape. In a mass of twigs and leaves the party crashed through the trees towards the standing stone dragging every sinew of strength they had to reach it.
“Get close to the stone.” Vaughn urged, beginning the incantation. Their heads turned as one, high in the branches the assassin near floated onto the track behind, where he stopped suddenly still. “He cannot pass within the wards.” The world began to swirl from view, through blurred vision they saw the assassin take a dagger from his belt and make to throw but it and he were too late.
…
The returning party crashed into the main hall and laid the injured out on the tables. Penric, who at first had seemed only lightly wounded, had fallen into a deep swoon and of the three seemed most in peril. Dana and Diarmund were by his side immediately, cleaning and examining the wounds. “Can you help him? Gods, please say you can help him!” Caleigh pleaded. Tovrik placed his hand on Caleigh’s shoulder reassuringly.
“Fear not, we know this poison of old. Diarmund knows what to do. Let them do their work.” Caleigh turned to Ellie and Bryn. Rosamund stood over Ellie lightly cooling the air around her hurt knee while Gideon had his hands placed on Bryn’s chest checking for breaks. Finding none, Mabon took over the task of tending to him.
“What is happening? That thing, it was like a monster. We couldn’t stop it. Oh Gods, it murdered Aldred. Aldred is dead. Why are they doing this?” Caleigh blurted. Tovrik breathed deeply as one measuring his words.
“Tonight you have met with our most implacable foe; the Society of Shadows; they who support the rise of the Beast and would slay every one of wizard kind who is not in league with their dark master.”
“What was that thing that attacked us?”
“Hard as it may be to believe, that was a man, a mere man.”
“But he was like some kind of demon.”
“That may very well be true. The assassins who work for the Society are men who have sacrificed their souls and all their free will in return for prowess in battle, and most particularly, prowess in battle against wizards.” On cue Sir Marc, Sir Ceol, Leofric, Baldir and Tamric came before Tovrik. Gideon and Vaughn moved over to join them.
“We leave now.” Sir Marc announced. “We shall return hither directly with the murderer, if he still be present.”
“I will see you soon.” The group exited the room in haste.
“Are they going after that thing? But they could be killed.”
“Trust in them, their mettle is great and they will overcome this foe.”
“Penric struck it about the face, stabbed it in the back and trod on its chest and it did not stop. Bryn hit it with a hammer and it did not pause.”
“That does not mean it was not injured. The assassins of the Society are powerful because they have made a powerful trade. The complete surrender of a soul is a great sacrifice and sacrifice of that kind can render great magic. They are gifted with swiftness and a strong resistance to spells, an extraordinary tolerance for pain and capacity to recover from injury but they are not, and I assure you of this, they are not invulnerable or immortal.”
“Why would anyone make that sacrifice?”
“Mayhap the ends to which they are used suit their disposition. The world has more than one murderer who would happily dispose of his conscience.”
“That is a terrible thought.” Caleigh moved over to Ellie who was having her bare knee examined by Rosamund. “Is it bad?”
“It will be sore for a while but there should be no lasting injury. Ellie was very fortunate that nothing broke or tore. By the looks of it that was some hefty kick.”
“Nothing I have trained for prepared me for that.” Ellie confessed. “I couldn’t even fight it.”
“Do not admonish yourself, Ellie. You helped keep Caleigh alive and survived an encounter with a Shadow Assassin. Many cannot say the same.” Tovrik commented.
“It’s true. If it hadn’t been for you, Bryn and Penric, Vaughn and I would probably be dead.” Caleigh turned back to Tovrik suddenly. “It was going for me first. It broke off from Vaughn and came after me. Could they know about our quest?”
“I do not think so. It is more likely that they came for you because they saw an easier chance of a kill. These assassins first aim is to kill as many as they might. That is easier if they start with the most vulnerable.” Penric coughed from nearby, brought back to consciousness by the anti-venom poured down his throat. “We should move our hurt friends to the infirmary.”
“I’m well enough.” Protested Bryn “I just want to be around when they bring that bastard back here.”
“Poor Aldred, that he ha
d heeded our call to join us here.” Tovrik shook his head. “There can be little doubt that the game has changed.” The firelight flickered over Tovrik’s cheeks and for the first time Caleigh noticed that he had not shaved for several days. The goatee was joined by a dusting of silver white stubble. Likewise, the daft hat had been absent for a time. In all Caleigh fancied that beneath the guise of Tovrik the real Caerddyn was beginning to reassert himself. Such was for the good for they needed Caerddyn the mage more than Tovrik the performer now.
Though she was in the infirmary when the others returned she could sense them right away and sped to the main hall to join the commotion. First and foremost she counted them back in desperate hope that none had fallen. Sir Marc strode at their head with Vaughn and Gideon. Ceol came close behind with a black clad form slung over his shoulder. Baldir, Leofric and Tamric followed after carrying another by the arms and feet. Thank the Gods that was all of them.
Ceol dumped the body heavily on the stone floor while the others deposited the second face up on the table. Caleigh noticed that Ceol’s armour was streaked with blood and ran to him in concern. “Ceol, are you hurt?” He looked at her in confusion then after a second looked down at his armour.
“Still your fears, ‘tis not my blood.”
Enchantress Awakening: Part One of the Book of Water (The Elemental Cycle 1) Page 35