Marked For Magic

by Daisy Banks

  “I’m ready, just waiting for you.” She turned to the door, draped the scarf around her neck with a flourish, and stepped over the threshold.

  He swallowed hard before following her along the short hallway. The sway of the gown, the ripple of the fringes of the scarf, only emphasized her curves.

  To allow her to stroll on the path before him would be beyond endurance and could lead to only one thing. The image of her, naked beneath him in the dappled shade of the forest, filled his vision.

  That was not what he should be seeing this day.

  “I thought you were in a hurry?” she called.

  He forced his mind back to the task he must complete as he strode outside, slammed the door, and turned to lock it. “You walk behind me. Please, stay quiet.”

  She gave a loud sigh as they took the forest path in the opposite direction of the village.

  Chapter 8

  Cassandra monitored the careful actions of the servants who swept the room and cleaned the crystals before they laid a fire in the marbled hearth.

  Everything must be perfect.

  Her two acolytes worked at the long marble-topped table to prepare the incense mix. They then set out all the Mage would need. When Thabit arrived, the room would be ready.

  She sighed. Before the Mage scried for her brother, she must tell him of the visions plaguing her this last week. Each night, the sense of impending danger grew to new heights. She had only waited to discuss this with him because he would visit today. If her brother had not asked the Mage to attend the castle, she would have ridden over to the tower in the woods to seek his advice.

  “Cecile, please make sure the central floor panel is well polished.”

  The fair-haired girl nodded in response as she moved away from a large, silver tray of incense.

  Cassandra turned back to the huge mullioned window. She looked down over the greensward beyond the lake and to the forest where the Mage’s tower stood. Since his arrival a year ago, he had come here several times. Her initial uncertainty had given way to… Well? What could she call it? A kind of fondness.

  The fault wasn’t Thabit’s. Her brother believed only a male seer could give him the answers he wanted. Moreover, Thabit had been truthful enough with Ranulf, telling him in detail when the campaigns would fail.

  Thabit read the signs with great skill, although he said he didn’t. One of his most endearing qualities remained his humility.

  She did wish her brother would reward the Mage’s skill more amply. Thabit’s existence at the tower must be frugal. She would be pleased if he should enjoy the temporal satisfactions more coin would bring. She would speak to Ranulf about it again.

  A splash of color broke her thoughts as a troop of the garrison rode over the green plain beyond the lake. The fiery star of her brother’s standard played out behind the lead horse. Saddened, she shook her head. The mail-clad youths, ardent in their daring and skill, full of bluster and bravado, strutted and swaggered in the castle hall. Each one the same, until fate dealt them a blow, and they returned injured for her and the young ones to heal their wounds. Then, she and the girls always heard a different story. Thankfully, the last battle had been months ago. No patients needed their care at present.

  However, if her visions spoke true in the last days, soon there would be many to nurse, but not due to war.

  Strange niggles of irritation, such as she rarely experienced, invaded her calm. For some unknown reason, she grew very cross, with no adequate idea of the cause.

  “Tab, my dear,” she called over to the girl who polished with Cecile. “Get me a cup of wine, something sweetened with honey. Yes, I feel I need the sweetness.”

  The girl moved quickly and hurried to do her bidding, but waves of irritation slid over Cassandra as she sat by the window.

  What was wrong with her today?

  * * * *

  “You didn’t say it would be this far. Can’t we stop? My feet hurt.”

  This was the second time she had called to stop, but they had no time for rest breaks. “Sparrow, be quiet, unless you want to fly to the castle.”

  “You wouldn’t, not because my feet hurt.”

  “Try me. If it drains every ounce of my strength, I would do it to gain peace.” He glanced back and wished he hadn’t. Her pout made him want to kiss her until it disappeared. He longed for another taste of her sweet lips.

  This was a nightmare, worse than he’d first dreaded.

  His only hope would be to persuade Cassandra to take her. Perhaps in a year or two when she had improved, he might think about his Sparrow again.

  What did he mean? He had to stop thoughts about her, but the girl had command of his senses. There was little left for anything else.

  “Please, Thabit, can’t we rest, just for a while?”

  He spun around. She hobbled along, looking footsore, indeed. Before the autumn, she would need a pair of boots. He ran his hand over his hair. “Very well. Sit, rest, and be quiet.”

  She flicked her long lashes at him with a small smile as she sank down in the shade of a tree. “Is there any water?”

  “No. We will be there before noon if we do not stop too often. You can drink your fill at the castle.”

  She frowned.

  In an effort to shove her back into the place she had occupied in his world the day she arrived at the tower, he rebuked her. “This is not a romp through the woods, girl.”

  “You said you wouldn’t call me that again.” The pout appeared to torment him.

  “I was mistaken. Are you rested now? Can we go on?”

  “Just a bit longer, please.” She sidled closer and reached for his hand.

  He must stop this. “When we are at the castle, I want you to do a very important task for me.”

  Her gaze grew rounded and she blinked. “What task? Anything and I’ll do it.”

  “After scrying, there are times when I am much weakened. The mushrooms can leave me disorientated because my spirit wanders. I want you to help Lady Cassandra brew the drink to strengthen me.”

  “Yes, I’ll do whatever you want. But if what you do makes you ill, why do you do it?”

  “I do it to help Lord Farel. He requires specific information and believes his sister, Lady Cassandra, who is a far more skilled seer than I, cannot give such detail. Sheer arrogance and folly, of course, but Lord Farel rules this land. Therefore, I do what I can, and he pays me.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “Yes, oh. There is coin involved. Now, you must get up, and on we go. I want to get to the castle before noon.” If only she wouldn’t bite her lip so hard, it made her mouth redder, and those lips were temptation enough.

  “But, Thabit—”

  “No more, Sparrow, not now. Later.” He grabbed her hand to yank her up. The swell of her resentment pushed at him, but it didn’t matter.

  The following half-mile or so she stayed quiet. When he glanced behind him, she walked on the grass where she could, not the dusty, narrow path, and mostly, she kept up. The flickers of her irritation shot out at him, but he didn’t pause, only slowed a little to make sure she wouldn’t fall too far behind.

  When the castle came into view, as they rounded the path, she exclaimed, “Oh!”

  He couldn’t tell whether the sound was thought or spoken, and turning back to her, he stumbled over a lying branch. She grabbed him before he hit the turf.

  “Thank you, and yes, we are nearly there.”

  Her smile radiated through him like spring heat after winter, and her battle was near won, for he was lost to her charms. Like a fox on the run, he lengthened his stride so she fell farther behind.

  The sound of horses dragged him from his thoughts. He looked around. Two well-armed riders approached along the path from the west. He waved and the riders slowed.

  Sparrow hurried toward him, sprightly on her sore feet.

  Hmmm.

  The first rider pushed back his helm an
d the second nodded. “Greetings, Mage. Are you on your way to the castle?”

  “Greetings. I am.” He inclined his head. Now was the right time to introduce her. The word would spread swift enough if he did.

  A little breathless from her dash, she stood at his side.

  “This is my new apprentice. I wish you to tell the rest of the garrison her name is Nin. She is fair to look upon.” Though he heard her swift intake of breath, he did not look down at her blond curls. “Should any of your compatriots find her in the forest, she is not for their sport. If they so much as offer a vulgar word to her, they risk my wrath.”

  The first rider gave him a knowing smile, and the second, who lifted his helm for a better view, did the same. Open-mouthed, the young soldiers stared.

  A flicker of his irritation rose. They showed the same manners as spring bears at honey.

  “Of course, we’ll do as you say, Mage.” The first rider gave him a wink. “It can’t be all bad this working with magic, if you ask me.”

  “I did not.”

  “Would you care for the loan of the horse? I’ll double with Perry here if you like,” the second rider asked with a smile for Nin.

  “No, thank you. We will be on our way,” he said.

  She gave an irritated sigh.

  “Do not open your mouth,” he murmured and took her arm.

  The flashes of her annoyance grew. They swelled through her, sparking as she walked beside him, but she had improved in her efforts to block her thoughts.

  “Do you really think I am fair to look upon?” she asked.

  “Only when you are asleep. No more. I need to think.”

  * * * *

  Cassandra waited on the dais in the great hall. Today, a few of the troops lounged at their ease, and only one or two servants hovered. Her students had gone to sit in the sunshine in the herb garden. She looked up with pleasure when the great, polished doors swung open and Thabit entered. The unusual irritation had grown despite the wine she drank earlier. But with the arrival of the maiden in the red gown, who walked barefoot behind the Mage, she knew instantly from where the sensation stemmed. Her hand outstretched in welcome, she stood from her formal seat. “Thabit, it is good to see you, come in. I know you will take no wine today. Perhaps water would be welcome, and for your companion?”

  “He’s mine!”

  The words blasted through her as strong as a physical blow. Taking a step backward, Cassandra thumped down into her seat.

  Thabit spun around toward the maiden who sank down on a bench behind him. “Behave! Be quiet or you wait outside.”

  The girl’s eyes widened and her cheeks flushed bright as her gown. She nipped at her lower lip.

  “There is no need to be so severe, Mage. Your companion is welcome, and perhaps she will enjoy the company of my students.”

  Thabit sat at the table she indicated. The poor girl glowered.

  Oh, there was a bond between them. She smiled down at the teary-eyed young woman with a small shake of her head as she took the steps down from the dais. “No, my dear, I do not love him, though perhaps if my vow of celibacy had not been taken to enable me to teach, I might have done.” The voiceless words left her in an effort to quell the maiden’s fears, as well as to show her how to communicate privately in thought.

  Biting her lip, the girl got up from the bench and slid into a curtsey.

  Village bred, but with a special quality about her. Cassandra stood still to concentrate, and the memory of a fair-haired child came to her. On one of her visits to the village on the forest borders she had noticed the child. This maiden was older than she looked, must be in her late teens or early twenties by now. Thabit would not have brought her here today if she were only a wench he bedded.

  The sudden realization of what may have happened struck. The maiden was one whose gifts came later than normal. She had read of such things, but they were noted as rare occurrences. The young woman lowered her lashes.

  Cassandra continued her study. Waves of irritation smoldered, but also fear, longing, and an immense amount of passion emanated in ripples from the slender form. All of it brewed and bubbled like fast fermented ale.

  Poor little thing. Thabit was not one who gave his feelings free rein. This maiden would need a great deal of courage if she had given him her heart.

  She clapped her hands and beckoned to the dark-garbed servant. “Bring water for our guests and fetch an escort to take this lady to the herb garden so she may meet my students.”

  He bowed and left.

  The young woman beamed at the order, and now her sweet smile charmed.

  Cassandra glanced to Thabit, who did not look up, but it was there, though he wanted it hidden. He was interested in this girl for more than one reason.

  “My companion is Nin,” he announced.

  The water presented, Thabit sipped while Nin drank. Cassandra waited until Nin had finished and put the cup down before she beckoned the servant. “Our guest is ready. Please take her to the herb garden. Please inform my ladies she is to be shown the grounds we tread.”

  Nin dipped again. This time the curtsey was good, with a little elegance about her movements, but the bare feet looked painful.

  Men were such fools sometimes, and this young Mage no better than any other. No wonder the girl was in pain. The journey was a fair ride from his home, let alone a walk, barefoot on the hard earth of the path.

  She smiled. “You will like my students, Nin. I am sure you will have much in common with them. Go now, and I will seek you later. I must talk with the Mage.”

  Nin nodded with a quick glance to Thabit, but her expression appeared apprehensive. Thabit arched an eyebrow at her, then gave a brief nod as he shooed her away with his hand.

  Thabit followed Nin’s every move as she walked with slow steps after the servant. She only looked back once, which considering the level of her distress, was admirable.

  Once Nin had gone and she understood the source of her irritation, Cassandra blocked the uncomfortable sensation and sat with Thabit. She leaned her elbows on the table, lifted her fingers to her chin, tips touching, and smiled. He looked as defensive as the girl.

  “So, Mage, a little of the world seems to have found you at last. Tell me of your companion. She has a considerable, shall we say, voice.”

  He slid a palm over his forehead, and at his helpless look, she stifled her amusement.

  “They sent her from the village. The old nonsense—she has the witch’s mark. And yes, I have found her loud. She has hardly any idea how to control the skill or use it to good purpose.”

  These words were not all he meant. When his glance dropped to the cup on the table, her surprise grew. “There is more?”

  “Since she came to the tower, she has drained me of energy. I wish to ask if you would accept her here, to train with your other students. I cannot train her. It would be impossible.” His low words did not hold the strength she so often associated with him.

  “Tell me in more depth, why do you wish me to take her? I’ll speak with her, but Mage, I find it hard to believe you are unable to train the girl, at least in the basics. Should she wish to specialize in any of the arts, perhaps she could come here then.”

  He lifted his head in response.

  The moment she met his gaze, she knew. No worthy or noble knowledge shone in his eyes. Before he spoke, she held up her hand. “No, the problem is yours, not the girl’s. She came to you in innocence, despair, and pain. Your problem with her is your own. Only if you tell me you truly cannot trust yourself with her, will I take her. I think she is a useful lesson.”

  “But, my lady?”

  “Yes, I know you desire her.” She shook her head to still the rest of his request. “You can’t blame her for your need. The gods have sent you a trial, and you must learn from it. I am certain you understand this. You will train the girl in the basics, in all honor. I will take her after Samhain, and we will see how we
ll she blossoms here during the winter.”

  His shoulders sagged.

  “Don’t tell me you won’t be able to keep your hands off her until Samhain?”

  “I cannot help it, from the first second I saw her—”

  “Then cultivate a little patience and perhaps some self-recognition. You are not a lecherous man, but abstemious by any standards. Perhaps it may be you are falling in love with her. Had you not thought of such a thing?”

  He bowed his head.

  They had spent enough time on the simple problem of his inability to recognize love when he found it. He could ponder on the power of love after the scrying. “I have one other thing to speak with you about before you see my brother and deal with his requests.”

  He glanced up, straightened his shoulders as he lifted his head, and the cloak of power settled.

  Oh, he was good.

  Even when cornered, as he had been over the maiden, he could still drag up the grand performance. Cassandra remained glad such a public part of the task was not hers. “My dreams of late are filled with darkness, sickness, pain, and death.”

  “Mine, too, my lady.”

  She relaxed. “You know what must be done? How we must prepare?”

  He nodded, and waves of comfort rolled from him offering peace, where for days she’d found none. “I know. I have seen it. There will be suffering among both the high and low. I have not seen a way to prevent it. At present, I believe we can only attempt to ease the pain and deal with the consequences. I have seen nothing to make me doubt this evil will come.”

  “I agree.” She laid her hand on his sleeve. “There is one more thing, Mage.” Now she had no qualms to give him the title. “Beware for yourself. Not sickness, but another threat lurks to haunt your steps. Be careful.”

  His smile shared the warmth of the afternoon sun. “With all my heart, skill, and mind, I will. Now, my lady, take me to Lord Farel. I must listen to his requests.”

  She got up with him. “And while you talk with my brother, I will go speak with your little maiden. She has something most interesting about her.”