Birth of a Wizard

by MJ Schutte

When nobody spoke she quickly added, ‘Everyone is invited.’

  Brighton received nods from Brac and Peter.

  ‘We accept your invitation, thank you,’ Brighton answered.

  ‘Good. James will fetch you at your house and bring you to the inn where I’m staying,’ Lady Jaclyn smiled.

  Chapter 6

  LADY JACLYN PACED up and down in the private backroom of the town hall. Asdargh entered and started the formal greeting. Lady Jaclyn stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face.

  ‘How dare you use yellow berry juice on your sword?’ she screamed.

  Asdargh open his mouth but Jaclyn landed another slap on his cheek.

  ‘How dare you defy my orders?’ she shrieked at the elf.

  Asdargh put both his hands over his face.

  Jaclyn shook her head and said, ‘Why do elves think they can do as they please and then simply apologise?’

  Asdargh slapped his hands to his face.

  ‘Stop apologising, it irritates me,’ Jaclyn snapped at him.

  Asdargh dropped his hands.

  ‘Sometimes I think elves are about as clever as goats,’ Jaclyn sighed.

  She walked to the chair and sat down. Asdargh turned his palms upward in a questioning gesture.

  ‘Do I have to explain everything?’ Jaclyn frowned.

  When Asdargh did not drop his hands, she sighed again and said, ‘You were supposed to injure Luke so that I can heal him. I cannot heal a dead man. Lucky for you, Brac interfered when he did.’

  Confusion remained on the elf’s face.

  Jaclyn shook her head and mumbled, ‘Now I know you are as stupid as a goat.’

  More clearly, she said, ‘I need to constantly remind people that I am an angel. It is the only way I can maintain control over the three kingdoms. Why do you think I took an interest in the Warrior Trials? It provides me the opportunity to do good deeds and win the love and affection of everyone.’

  Asdargh dropped his hands and nodded.

  ‘Now listen carefully. You will win tomorrow’s fight; I will make sure of that. Act like you are going to kill him. I will command you to stand down and declare you the winner. If I save his life, I will gain his trust. Do you understand?’ she said slowly.

  Asdargh nodded.

  ‘Lady Jaclyn?’ he said hesitantly.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Brighton, wizard?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, Brighton is a wizard. Do not be concerned, I am more powerful than he is. Come to me just before the fight tomorrow,’ Lady Jaclyn answered.

  Asdargh bowed his head and quickly left the room.

  ‘He is not a wizard,’ Robyn said from the corner of the room.

  ‘Of course he is, just like I’m a sorceress,’ Jaclyn snapped.

  ‘One day you’re an angel or a god, the next day you’re a sorceress. It is all a lie! We both know you have a special ability but it does not make you better than anybody else. Magic does not exist,’ Robyn replied.

  ‘You are the one who started this, three thousand years ago! You made people believe that you are a witch and now you want to criticise me?’ Jaclyn countered.

  Robyn did not argue. She knew what Jaclyn said was the truth. She made up her mind to have a conversation with Brighton.

  A question burned in her mind: Who is more powerful? Jaclyn or Brighton?

  A beautiful horse carriage, drawn by four black horses, stopped in front of the house. James got off and walked to the door. Just before he knocked, the door swung open.

  James introduced himself to Peter and then said, ‘Sir, Lady Jaclyn’s carriage is ready to take you and your friends to dinner.’

  Peter called over his shoulder, ‘We should go!’

  Brighton and Brac appeared immediately, each carrying a child.

  ‘Where are the women?’ Peter asked irritably.

  ‘Feel free to go hurry them along,’ Brac said as he walked up to the carriage.

  Peter shook his head and said, ‘I’d rather fight a black panther.’

  ‘Good decision, Peter,’ Brighton chuckled.

  ‘James, it looks like we will have to be patient,’ Peter sighed.

  The young man nodded, trying to hide a small smile spreading across his lips. He returned to the driver’s seat of the carriage while the other three men admired the horses.

  ‘Magnificent animals,’ Brighton commented.

  Peter had a good look at the four animals.

  ‘Are these Northern tribe horses, James?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes sir, pure bred,’ James answered.

  ‘Some might argue with me on this, but I believe the Northern tribe horses are by far the best,’ Peter commented.

  ‘Why?’ Brighton asked.

  ‘Notice how big they are, easily two hands higher than any of my horses. Also, look at their bodies. Very muscular and powerful. These horses can run for a long time without tiring.’

  ‘Don’t you think the Erostan horses, with their lighter, more agile bodies, can run faster?’ Brighton asked.

  ‘Yes, probably,’ Peter replied.

  ‘So it seems that both breeds have their strengths. These ones might be powerful but the Erostan breed is faster. It depends on what you’re looking for in a horse,’ Brighton surmised.

  ‘Speed does not help you a lot in battle. If I’m on one of these and you’re on an Erostan horse, I would have the advantage. The bigger, stronger horse would run the smaller one over,’ Peter argued.

  ‘That may be true, but to run the smaller horse over, you have to catch it first. On the faster horse, I could outrun you,’ Brighton countered.

  As Peter opened his mouth to continue the argument, the three women came out of the house. The old man stood staring, mouth still open. All three women wore long dresses, but that’s were the similarities stopped.

  Nicky’s dress was a deep purple colour and had short sleeves.

  Adri’s dress was yellow and had no sleeves or shoulder straps, leaving her shoulders bare.

  Brac let out a low whistle and said, ‘What is holding that dress up?’

  Adri laughed and said, ‘There is a leather draw-string sewn into the top. It’s tied at the back.’

  Before he thought it through, he said, ‘So your breas…uh…sorry.’

  Adri giggled and said, ‘Yes, my breasts are holding the dress up. Do you like it?’

  Sheepishly Brac nodded. He could not take his eyes off her.

  Lilian wore a white dress that had thin straps tied behind her neck and hugged her body perfectly. The back was cut very low, almost down to her bottom. Her long blond curls were decorated with tiny pink ribbons halfway down and at the bottom. Brighton walked to her, slipped his free hand around her tiny waist, and said, ‘You look stunning.’

  ‘Tunning,’ Thomas tried to mimic his father.

  Lilian giggled and said, ‘Thank you.’

  Brighton’s hand slipped down her naked back and found her bottom.

  ‘If you’re going to do that, go inside,’ Adri complained good-naturedly.

  ‘Perhaps we should go. We don’t want to keep Lady Jaclyn waiting,’ Peter suggested.

  He opened the carriage door and held his hand out to Nicky.

  ‘Thank you, darling,’ she smiled as she got into the carriage.

  Peter assisted Adri and Lilian as well and then the men climbed in. The carriage was big enough to seat six people comfortably. James made sure everybody was seated and then took the reins. The six people in the carriage felt like royalty as they travelled through the streets of Fenton.

  All too soon, the carriage stopped in front of the best inn Fenton had to offer. James quickly jumped off and opened the door, offering his hand to the ladies. As soon as everybody was off the carriage, James rushed to the inn’s front door and opened it.

  The group entered a large dining hall. There was nobody except them. A single, large table stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by eight chairs.

  ‘Lady Jaclyn and Miss Robyn
will be with you shortly. Make yourselves at home,’ James said formally and then rushed off.

  The group stood around, feeling slightly uncomfortable in the fancy dining hall. One of the side doors opened and Lady Jaclyn casually strolled into the hall. She was wearing a long green dress that was cut very low in front. A long slit ran up the side of the dress, almost up to her hip, exposing her shapely leg as she walked.

  ‘Welcome, my friends,’ she greeted.

  An elderly woman followed her.

  When everybody had greeted her back, Jaclyn said, ‘May I introduce Robyn, my travel companion.’

  Greetings were exchanged again.

  ‘Please, sit down. Brighton, as the guest of honour, you may have the seat at the head of the table,’ Lady Jaclyn said.

  She directed everybody else to their seats as well, before sitting down at the other end of the table, directly opposite Brighton. Clarissa sat with her mother and Thomas was on Adri’s lap. She was to Brighton’s left and Robyn to his right. A servant brought some wine and offered to fill up their mugs. Everybody except Brighton accepted the offer. He asked for water instead.

  ‘Brighton, how do you feel about tomorrow’s match?’ Lady Jaclyn asked.

  He shrugged and said, ‘It’s just another match.’

  ‘But do you think you can win?’ Lady Jaclyn pressed.

  ‘Yes, I believe so,’ Brighton replied.

  He did not really want to talk about the Warrior Trials but Lady Jaclyn carried on.

  ‘You are certainly very popular with the locals and seem to be the favourite. I think you have an excellent chance of being victorious. You have, after all, beaten two elves already, including the defending champion,’ she commented.

  Brighton just smiled and nodded.

  ‘You have my full support. It would be good if someone other than an elf wins the Warrior Trials for a change,’ Lady Jaclyn continued.

  She turned her attention to Peter.

  ‘Peter, I’m told that you are a former champion,’ she said.

  Adri kicked Brighton under the table. Brighton immediately understood what she wanted. He slipped his hand under the table, pulled up his pants slightly, and pressed his leg against Adri’s. He established an energy link between them.

  Adri? He pushed his thoughts into her mind.

  Jaclyn is lying, Adri’s thoughts travelled into his mind.

  Why do you think so?

  She is surrounded in a black cloud of deceit. Robyn knows this, she is very ashamed.

  Brighton gave Adri a slight smile and broke the link. He looked at Lady Jaclyn closely. She was in conversation with Peter about the Warrior Trial he won sixty years ago. He could not see any signs of deceit, but trusted Adri’s talent. Next, he looked at Robyn. She looked back at him and smiled. He pushed his leg against hers, quickly established an energy link between them and pushed a thought into her mind

  Robyn, do not be alarmed. It is Brighton.

  Robyn smiled as her thoughts travelled back to him.

  I know how this works. I have been meaning to talk to you. This is a good opportunity.

  Brighton was slightly surprised by this.

  Have you communicated like this before? his thought travelled into Robyn’s mind

  Yes, many times, with Jaclyn. Where did you come from?

  We come from the other side of the boundary, Brighton answered.

  Robyn was looking at Lilian as the next thought entered into Brighton’s head.

  Who are Lilian’s parents?

  Brighton was slightly confused but answered, Seth, the Supreme, and Martha, a woman from Clareton.

  He thought he saw a tear forming in Robyn’s eye as she thought, I can see so much of my mother in her.

  Who are you? Brighton asked.

  I am Robert and Evangeline’s first born.

  Brighton struggled to hide his shock. He broke the energy link. Robyn looked at him with questioning eyes. Brighton quickly established a link to Adri.

  Watch Robyn closely, he pushed into her mind. He broke the link to Adri and re-established the link to Robyn.

  Who are you?

  I am Robyn, daughter and first-born child of Robert and Evangeline, Robyn thought again.

  Brighton looked at Adri. The young woman gave him a slight nod. She did not know what Robyn had said, but knew it was the truth. Brighton looked at Robyn again.

  Impossible! Seth was their first-born.

  He had to concentrate hard to keep his composure.

  That is what Seth had everybody believe. It was easy for him since I never lived with them. I came to this part of the world at a very young age. People on the other side who knew me forgot very quickly.

  Again, Brighton looked at Adri. She gave him another nod. Robyn was still being truthful.

  Why do you keep looking at the young lady? Robyn asked.

  That is not important. What is important is that we find some time to talk. I would like Lilian to know that you are her aunt, Brighton answered.

  A tear rolled down Robyn’s cheek. She quickly wiped it away and checked to see if Jaclyn noticed. Jaclyn was still engrossed in the conversation with Peter, so Robyn looked back at Brighton.

  I would love that. I thought that my entire family had turned evil. This is clearly not the case. I can see that you and Lilian are good people.

  Brighton smiled at her.

  I wanted to ask you about Jaclyn, he thought.

  Brighton, do not…

  ‘What do you think, Brighton?’ Peter asked.

  Brighton quickly shifted his leg away, breaking the contact between him and Robyn. Lady Jaclyn was looking at them very suspiciously so he did not want to maintain the energy link. He wished he had time to hear what Robyn wanted to say, but the opportunity was gone.

  ‘Think about what?’ he asked Peter.

  ‘What do you think about bringing an archers competition into the Warrior Trials. Lady Jaclyn and I have been talking about it, weren’t you listening?’ Peter said.

  ‘No, I’m sorry; I was caught up in my own thoughts. I think an archers competition is a great idea,’ Brighton answered.

  ‘We will try it tomorrow before the final match,’ Jaclyn declared.

  Peter looked shocked.

  ‘I thought we were talking about sometime in the future,’ he gasped.

  ‘Why wait? We can get some archers tomorrow and have a small competition. If the people like the idea, we will incorporate it into the Warrior Trials permanently. Brighton, can you shoot with a bow?’ Jaclyn answered.

  ‘Yes, I have shot a bow before,’ Brighton answered.

  Only Brac, Lilian and Adri knew how good Brighton really was with a bow and arrow. They all smiled at Brighton’s modest answer.

  ‘Will you enter the archers competition?’ Jaclyn asked.

  ‘Yes, I will,’ Brighton smiled.

  A servant came up to the table and waited for Lady Jaclyn to give him permission to speak. She turned to the young girl and nodded.

  ‘We have a choice of goat or beef. Both are served with vegetables and bread. Please inform me of your preference,’ the servant announced.

  The young girl looked at Lady Jaclyn expectantly.

  ‘I will have the beef,’ Lady Jaclyn said with a smile.

  The servant made her way around the table, asking everybody else for their preference. As she walked away, Brighton thought he saw an energy link between Lady Jaclyn and the servant for a brief moment. The group continued making small talk until the servant started bringing their food.

  Lilian frowned at the plate in front of her.

  ‘Excuse me,’ she said to the young girl.

  ‘Yes, ma’am?’

  ‘I asked for the goat,’ Lilian said.

  Confusion showed on the girl’s face as she looked at the beef on Lilian’s plate.

  ‘I’m…uh…I’m sorry ma’am. I will change it for you,’ the girl stuttered.

  Lilian smiled at the girl and said, ‘No need. I’m sure
the beef will be delicious.’

  The servant bowed her head and rushed off.

  ‘I’m sorry, Lilian. Sometimes the servants make mistakes,’ Lady Jaclyn apologised.

  Adri kicked Brighton again. He knew it meant that Lady Jaclyn was lying again. For the rest of the evening, Lady Jaclyn engaged Brighton in conversation constantly.

  He did not have an opportunity to continue his “conversation” with Robyn.

  After dinner, the group sat talking for a while longer until Brighton said, ‘I think we should go home. Tomorrow is a big day and I want to get a good night’s sleep.’

  Lady Jaclyn looked disappointed but nodded and said, ‘As you wish. Thank you for joining Robyn and me for dinner.’

  Brighton got up and took a sleeping Thomas from Adri. Robyn got up as well and made her way around the table towards Brighton.

  ‘He looks so sweet,’ she said, looking at little Thomas.

  Casually she placed her one hand on Brighton’s arm while stroking Thomas’s face gently with the other. Brighton immediately established an energy link between them.

  Tell Lilian to meet an elf called Theodor, at the back of the town hall before the match. You must keep Jaclyn occupied, her thoughts travelled to him.

  She stepped away from Brighton and made a show of giving Clarissa some attention too. The group followed Lady Jaclyn to the front door. She turned to Brighton, smiled, and said, ‘Good luck with the match tomorrow.’

  Brighton smiled back and nodded his thanks. Jaclyn bid the rest of the group farewell and watched them get into the carriage. As soon as the carriage was out of sight, she turned to Robyn.

  ‘What was going on between you and Brighton?’ she demanded.

  Robyn smiled and said, ‘What makes you think there was anything going on? Perhaps your obsession with him is making you see things that are not real.’

  The old woman did not wait for an answer; she turned and headed for her room.

  Brighton desperately wanted to tell Lilian what he had learnt from Robyn, but could not say anything while they were still in the carriage for fear that James might overhear. The journey home felt like an eternity to him. He did not hear half the things Peter was saying about the new archers competition. Eventually they reached Peter and Nicky’s house. James opened the carriage door and assisted the women again. Peter was still monopolising the conversation as they went inside the house.