by April Taylor
“I do.”
“Do you come hoping for God’s grace and help in the work you must undertake?”
“I do.”
“Philippa Garrod, I will say the five tenets of the Creed of Initiation. If you are willing to serve God as an elemancer, you must say ‘As God wills, Amen,’ after each. Do you understand?”
“Aye.”
“Will you swear to work only for the good of the universe, using your powers and the elements?”
“As God wills, Amen.”
“Will you swear to apply yourself to your learning and progression as an elemancer with a diligent and obedient heart?”
“As God wills, Amen.”
“Will you swear to keep to the path of light, being aware of the malus nocte, but never surrendering to it?”
“As God wills, Amen.”
“Will you swear to work for the good of all, by the grace of God?”
“As God wills, Amen.”
“Will you swear never to reveal the existence of the Guild to an outsider?”
“As God wills, Amen.”
As each tenet progressed, Luke saw that Pippa’s face grew paler, as if it was only now that she comprehended the gravity of her vows. He waited until she looked up at him before continuing.
“Repeat after me.” Luke split the oath into phrases, pausing after each one to allow the girl to repeat what he had said. “I swear in the hope of God’s grace...that I, Philippa Garrod...promise by oath and pact...sealed with blood...to uphold the balance of the universe...invoke the elements to my aid...be sister and pupil...giver and receiver. I will listen when you speak to me in visions...I will support and protect all true men...with wisdom and honesty...and this is my solemn covenant with God.”
Luke held out his hand for the orb and laid it back on the cloth. Then he mixed more powders and oils. These he poured over the short blade of a knife and, taking Pippa’s left wrist, he made two swift cuts in her forearm, one across the other. He held tightly on to her hand as the blood flowed and then staunched it by pouring on the wound some of the mixture he had used on the blade. The cuts immediately sealed into two red lines with no sign of blood. She looked even more terrified.
Part of him wanted to reassure the frightened child he saw, but he knew he must not interrupt the ceremony, so he contented himself with a smile of encouragement. The perfume from the initiation oils had brought back the memory of his own initiation, when he had been just as nervous as Pippa, but trying to hide it.
He took from the sheet a blue tabard embroidered in silver and slipped it over her head, kneeling to fasten it at the side. Then he poured the remaining oils over her hair, touching her mouth, nose and ears.
“With the anointing oil of Empedocles, I initiate you into the Guild of Elemancers.”
He picked up a thin silver bangle from the tray, held it between both hands and muttered an incantation. He placed the bangle in Pippa’s hands and enclosed them in his own.
“I pronounce you acolyte elemancer. You will wear this bangle until your dying day as a symbol of your promise to work through God and the elements for the good of all.”
He slipped the bangle on her wrist and squeezed the clasp shut. She winced as the metal bit into her skin. “The ceremony is now over. Welcome to the Guild, Mistress Garrod.”
Pippa examined her forearm. The lines from the two crossed cuts looked like veins under the skin, and already the silver bangle had molded to the contours of her wrist in one unbroken circle.
“You can’t remove it,” Luke said. “It’s there forever, but only another elemancer will see it for what it is. To everyone else, it will look like a scar.”
She looked at his wrists. “Where’s yours?”
Luke held out both wrists so that she could see the thin lines round each wrist.
“Why do you have two and I only one?” she asked.
“Because you are an acolyte. You may choose to remain at that stage, but although the Guild will not publicly acknowledge you, you are permitted to study to reach the level of journeyman. If that happens, you will have another bangle added. You can recognize the level of the elemancer by their wrists, but as most are covered by clothes, this is not always easy.”
“What levels are there?”
“Three before the highest. Acolyte and journeyman are sufficient for most elemancer’s needs. Dominus is the next and then Elemagus, the highest. And there can only be one Elemagus in each shire.”
She nodded and looked down at the rich blue and silver of her tabard. “Do I keep this?”
“Aye. But you only wear it on certain feast days and then only behind closed doors. As you know only too well, rich embroidery is not permitted for the likes of us. You may wear it on the day of Our Lord’s nativity, on the day of His resurrection and the day He rose to heaven.”
“I had better take it off, then.”
“Not yet.” He handed her a cloth bag. “In here are the items you will need to perform those spells permitted to an acolyte. Coins, a wax candle, charcoal and different colored ribbons. Keep them all safe.”
Pippa tipped the contents of the bag into her hand.
“Do you use these?”
“Not now, but I did. When you become a journeyman, you will add a ceremonial knife. It is blunt, its only purpose to cut energy. Sunderers have a sharp one to cut flesh. I also have a few crystals for specific spells and concoctions. There is one more thing.” He held up a collar of soft blue leather, the same color as her tabard and with the same design embroidered upon it in silver. “Hold this and wait here.”
Opening the kitchen door, Luke slipped out into the yard. He came back a minute or so later, carrying the bundle he had collected earlier. He held it out to Pippa.
“This, also, is yours.”
She put the bundle on the table and undid it, jumping back and exclaiming with horror at what looked like a gray-skinned stone rabbit. It did not move and Luke read her thoughts as clearly as if she had spoken.
“No, it is not dead, and you do not have to perform some horrific ritual over it. Place it on this cloth. Only you may touch it.”
She looked up at him with wide eyes and he had to gesture toward the table. Her distaste showed in the twist of her mouth, but she picked up the object and laid it on the cloth.
“It is so cold. What is it?” she asked.
He made no answer, simply added some blue powder to a bowl of water and heated it with his hands. Then he pushed the bowl over to the girl.
“Wash your hands. Good. Now scoop out the liquid and let it fall on the creature. Use all the liquid in the bowl. Excellent. Now, close your eyes and hold your hands over it. Centralize your concentration as you did before. Tell me what you see and hear.”
There was a silence for some moments. “Rocks,” Pippa said in a hesitant voice. “It is very hot. The rocks are hot. A path. There’s a gorge below me. Two men. Swords. I can’t see...helmets. Are they wearing helmets? Voices. Shouting. Ajax?” She opened her eyes and looked at Luke. “Ajax?” she questioned.
“Don’t look at me, girl. Call your dog.”
Pippa looked down at the creature on the table. “Ajax?” she said, looking up again at Luke. He nodded.
She clicked her fingers. “Ajax, come to me,” she said. In an instant, the creature grew. Legs stretched from the puny body and the body itself expanded to take in a great draught of air. Long ears flopped at either side of the head and white-and-brown fur began to cover the whole body as if someone had taken a paintbrush and applied color to it. The fur grew long and a whippy tail sprang out from between its back legs. Ajax stretched and yawned. Then he opened his eyes, looked directly at Pippa and staggered to his feet. Unsteady legs and a wagging tail propelled him across the table to her waiting hands. She looked up at Luke in delight.<
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“He’s beautiful.”
Luke grinned, seeing the joy in her face as she hugged her greyspring. The bond was already there and her love apparent. Ajax was probably the first creature she had ever been able to call her own and he would not only serve as her helpmeet, but put any thoughts about Geoffrey Peveril out of her head. Ajax yawned and they both laughed. Luke tickled him under his ear.
“He’s a pup as yet, but within two or three days, he will be full grown. Put on his collar. He will grow into it. That, too, is only for ceremonial days. Ajax will be with you for as long as you live, Pippa. When you die, he will revert to what he was when I brought him inside, except that he will truly be dead. Look after him. You may be sure he will look after you, guard and protect you. He will answer to none but you, although he will protect another elemancer if he or she is threatened.”
Pippa put Ajax on the floor where he was immediately greeted by Joss. Luke’s greyspring sniffed the newcomer all over, her tail wagging in a gentle arc, unlike Ajax’s, which knocked over several jars and pots standing near the fireplace. Luke had never heard Pippa laugh with joy and happiness before. He smiled. He would give her tonight to ponder on the ceremony, her new responsibilities, and play with her puppy. Tomorrow would be time enough to tell her about the move to Dufay’s house.
Chapter Fifteen
“What do you mean I have to go and keep house for him? I’m your housekeeper.”
“Master Dufay is the head of the Guild of Elemancers, Pippa. You should feel honored that he has offered to take you under his wing and teach you. He will make a far better job of it than I would.”
“But I want to stay here.”
Luke sighed. All his misgivings about troublesome women came flooding back, but it would not profit him to show the exasperation he felt.
“We are not put on this earth to do what we want. We are here to help and serve where needed. Master Dufay is the Elemagus, the highest level an elemancer can reach. I thought you would be pleased. And, what’s more,” Luke continued, talking over the girl’s protests, “his offer coming just after you saw your cousin is a clear sign from God. The house is a fair way from the palace, near Hampton, so there is no danger of Cecily seeing you.”
“I still don’t see why I can’t go to his house for lessons.” Pippa had left off preparing breakfast and was playing with Ajax. The puppy had grown considerably during the night, but it would take another day or so before he was fully mature, and until that time, he would have to be out of the public gaze. A dog that goes from small puppy to mature adult in two days cannot have that process take place in public view.
Luke glared down at her bent head. It had not taken long for the exhilaration he had seen last night to be replaced by her usual argumentative manner. He would feel sorry for anyone who took this one to wife, even Geoffrey Peveril.
“Really, girl. Last night, you promised to be obedient to your lessons and here we are, not even begun your training, and you are already caviling. Master Dufay is offering a mark of high esteem and you dismiss it out of hand. You are now an acolyte elemancer. You have sworn an oath. You will do as you are told. Now are you going to stop playing with your dog and get me food? Besides, I am sure that if you do not fit in with Master Dufay’s ways, you will be back here soon enough. You won’t find him as patient as me.”
For a few minutes her face was set into lines of sullen discontent, but before the end of breakfast, she had recovered her good humor, for which Luke sent up a prayer of thanks. “You must take your ceremonial robes with you, of course.”
“I thought I was not permitted to wear them except on certain days?”
Luke deliberately kept his voice even. “It is the rule. Do not question it.”
“If I am at Master Dufay’s house, how shall I take a message to the Princess Elizabeth?”
“I will find a way.” Luke smacked his brow with the flat of his hand. “I’d forgotten the perception charm. I shall need some of your nail clippings and one hair from your head.”
Pippa looked up. “What for?”
“Use your wits. When you go to the Princess, you may wear the green gown Mistress Paige left for you, but you must not look like you. The spell will change your facial appearance as far as others are concerned. If you look into a glass, you will see the face you have always seen, but nobody who has seen you as you are now will know you. Have a care and be aware that the spell is only effective for three hours. After that anyone familiar will identify you. If Mistress Garrod, housekeeper to the local apothecary is where she should not be, dressed above her station, it will be fatal to us both. I must bottle the spell for you to take with you to Hampton.”
“You mean I will be able to go into the heart of the palace and nobody will know that it is me?”
“Have I not said so? You could meet your cousin and she would not recognize you. I will formulate the spell this morning, and you must memorize the instructions for its use. I do not know when Master Dufay will come for you, but you must be ready.”
Pippa wrapped her few belongings into a bundle, which she carried on one arm. Luke was glad to see that she had her face under control. He was sure that Dufay would be able to control her volatile temper better than he could. Even Pippa should feel some awe in the presence of the Elemagus. Ajax sat quietly at her side as she stood in the kitchen waiting to be summoned.
Luke was surprised to find his relief at her imminent departure was tinged with sadness. He knew that without her in his house, his life would be much calmer, and he hankered after that lost tranquility, but he had to admit he would miss her domestic skills. And perhaps her lively temperament, his inner voice added. However, much better that she should go. He had made up a goodly amount of the perception spell oils, knowing that Robin would need some, too. As soon as Dufay and Pippa had left, Luke determined he would go and fetch the boy. He must be very hungry by now.
Luke poured the last of the spell into a small phial and gave it to Pippa. “Master Dufay will know you have this, but not why. If he asks, say that I have instructed you to keep silent on the matter and he must come to me for an explanation. Do you understand?”
She nodded but still looked confused.
“Will I be taking a letter in for the Princess or do I have to memorize the report?”
“It will become clear—do not fret. Hush, here is Master Dufay. I will speak to him. Now, remember your promises. Work hard, be obedient and use your powers only on the side of light.”
She nodded, her eyes huge in her face. She looked so anxious that, despite his irritation, his heart twisted in sympathy, but there was no time for reassurance. As Roland Dufay walked into the shop, Pippa kept her eyes lowered. A sprig of laughter flared in Luke, but he quashed it. If she really thought she could deceive the Elemagus as to her true character by this show of obedience, she would soon learn the truth.
Today, Dufay, who usually left Hera outside on guard, allowed her inside the shop. Luke smiled as the three greysprings circled and sniffed each other, tails gently wafting from side to side.
“Is she ready?” Dufay’s voice was crisp.
“Aye, Master Dufay. Philippa has been initiated.”
“Good. I will take over from here. I must shield the new dog from public view.” He turned to Pippa. “Whilst I perform the spell, Mistress Garrod, perhaps you might bring some ale?”
Pippa curtsied and vanished into the kitchen. Luke, anxious to speak to the Elemagus, cloaked his inner thoughts and burst into speech.
“Sir, for reasons I may not explain, I will need Pippa from time to time to run errands for me. May I have your permission to send for her?”
“What errands?”
“I most humbly beg your pardon, sir. I may tell you that it is nothing dishonorable or unworthy of an elemancer, but that is all. I have given my word.”
/> “And who swore you to this secrecy?”
“That, also, I am not permitted to say, sir. I have instructions to send Mistress Garrod alone when these errands are required.”
Dufay gave him a long, considering stare. Luke could not read his thoughts and hoped that the hasty mind-cloaking spell he had invoked had concealed his own sufficiently well. However, he was not so foolish as to think the Elemagus would not perceive his action. He deliberately maintained eye contact, and it was Dufay who looked away first.
“Very well, Master Ballard.” He paused, “Tell me, how long have you now been a journeyman?”
“Four years, sir.”
“You are more than ready to progress to Dominus.” Luke’s surprise at the abrupt change of subject disturbed his concentration, and he knew that Dufay read his confusion easily. “I think you are somewhat past the journeyman stage,” Dufay added with raised eyebrows. So, he had seen the mind-cloak and, judging by his reference to a Dominus, had been unable to penetrate Luke’s thoughts.
Luke couched his answer with care. “It is a matter of confidence rather than a lack of intent, sir. As you know, since I became a journeyman, my duties as an apothecary have increased greatly. It is time and diffidence that prevents me from taking the next step.”
Dufay’s stern expression never altered. “Come, Master Ballard, it is the duty of all elemancers to progress to the level of their competence.” His eyebrows lifted, but his eyes never left Luke’s face. “Is it a question of money?”
“No, sir. I have a little put aside. My wants are few.”
“Then I suggest you stop prevaricating. Come to see me and we will put the next part of your training into effect.” He turned away and proceeded to work the shielding spell on Ajax.
Accepting this direct instruction, Luke dared do nothing but bow his compliance. Pippa returned with two jacks of ale. Dufay waved a hand to indicate that he was not thirsty. Had there been something else that he had wanted to say before Luke aired his request for Pippa’s assistance? Or mayhap he had decided before today that Luke must begin his training as a Dominus. If that were the case, why was he so unwilling for Pippa to hear it, too? Why send her into the kitchen for ale he did not want? Surely Dufay must know that it would settle the girl down if she thought that someone who had already reached a level of skill she could only dream of still needed to study? If truth be told, Luke was more than willing to become a Dominus. It was that deadly sin, sloth, tinged with diffidence, rather than lack of time or money that had thus far stopped him.