Nature's Servant

by Duncan Pile

  “I like it!” Gaspi exclaimed. “And I reckon you can still be my scarf,” he said. Loreill playfully scampered up his arm and wrapped his long body round his neck. Gaspi laughed as his neck was warmed by the thick, silky fur.

  “This is the best thing ever!” he said. Loreill seemed to agree.

  He got out of bed and went looking for Heath. He didn’t have to go far, as the druid was in his chair, carving a length of wood with his hunting knife. He noticed the fire had gone out, probably because the fire spirit didn’t need it anymore, and the doe’s carcass had been set aside for skinning.

  “You’re awake,” the druid said, placing the wood on the ground and rising to his feet. Gaspi looked around for the other spirits, but couldn’t see any.

  “I see you’ve found Loreill,” Heath said, smiling at the sight of the elemental draped around his shoulders.

  “Where are the other three?” Gaspi asked.

  “Loreill wouldn’t leave your side while you were asleep,” Heath responded. “The other three are getting used to their new bodies.” Gaspi hadn’t given that any thought, but on reflection, he supposed it must be very odd to have a physical body for the first time.

  “Do you think they mind?” he asked. Loreill didn’t seem to mind, but they had a special bond.

  “I really couldn’t say,” Heath answered. “They knew what they were committing themselves to, so I wouldn’t think about it too much. More importantly, there are a few things you should know.”

  “Oh?”

  Heath sat down again. “Grab your chair,” he said. Gaspi did as he was told. “I haven’t explained the full implications of the spirits’ sacrifice,” the druid said. Gaspi felt a thrill of apprehension. What troubling piece of information had Heath left out?

  “Elementals are basically immortal,” the druid said. “They are tied to the health of the land, and perhaps if the land sickened enough, they could die, but no druid has ever known it to happen.” Gaspi nodded, not wanting to interrupt.

  “But these four spirits are now vulnerable,” Heath continued. “Being in bodily form preserves them from the discomfort of being out of their natural environment, but it also makes them susceptible to physical harm. They can be hurt or even killed.” Heath gave him a moment to take this in before continuing. “They have to eat and drink and sleep like any other creature while in bodily form too, though they’d be unlikely to starve to death. If they can find a place where their spirit form is at home, they could just transform and they’d recover quickly enough. But if someone stuck a spear into them while in bodily form, it’d kill them just like it would kill you or I.”

  “Sheesh,” Gaspi said, shocked by the sacrifice the spirits had made. They were willingly risking their immortality to go back to Helioport with him. He could feel Loreill’s assurance that this was what they wanted, but that didn’t stop him struggling with the enormity of it all.

  “I’m glad you don’t underestimate the sacrifice they’re making,” Heath said approvingly. “You will need to make sure each elemental gets to transform to its natural state at least once a month. Taking bodily form saves them from pain when out of their element, but they have to return to spirit form from time to time, or they will dwindle away and die.”

  “But how?” Gaspi asked. “How can Loreill transform in the city, or the others? It won’t be their natural environment.”

  “They only need a small area that is comfortable,” Heath reassured him. “You’ve seen how the fire spirit preserved itself from discomfort by staying in the flames of our small cook fire. All you need to do is make sure it occasionally has access to a fire. The air spirit can transform and soar up into the winds pretty much anywhere, and will be the easiest to look after. As for Loreill and the water spirit, is there a garden or river they could transform in?”

  Gaspi brightened. “There’s the garden I meditate in every morning, well…most mornings. It’s got trees and grass and a small stream. And there’s the Orangery, which is full of plants, and outside the city there’s a river and fields and everything.”

  “There you go,” Heath said. “Don’t worry too much. The spirits can look after themselves and they haven’t given up their immortal lifespan, so long as they don’t get hurt in bodily form. If there’s danger around, get them to switch to spirit form straight away, even if it’s uncomfortable for them. They can stand it for brief periods.”

  “Can they still do elemental magic in bodily form?” Gaspi asked.

  “No,” Heath said. “They are essentially magical creatures and retain some basic powers but the true strength of elemental magic can only be released in spirit form. If they need to use magic, they’ll have to transform.” Heath glanced over Gaspi’s shoulder. “If you turn around, you’ll be able to see the forms the other three spirits have chosen.”

  Gaspi spun around and saw two creatures emerging from the trees, the first of which looked very much like an otter. It had light brown fur and waddled on feet that looked to be designed for paddling rather than walking. Its sparkling blue eyes were a dead giveaway - it was the water spirit. A loud flapping sound from high in the trees caused him to jump, and a pure white hawk flapped down from the branches, landing next to the water spirit. It plucked at an errant feather with its curved, cruel-looking beak, and looked at him with fierce eyes the colour of a winter storm. It could only be the air spirit.

  Gaspi couldn’t help but be impressed by its striking bearing, but in comparison to the final spirit it looked almost ordinary. At first glance, the fire spirit looked like a large, black lizard, its scales shiny and chitinous. But its features were delicate and pronounced, its eyes were the colour of glowing coals, and it had two leathery wings folded against its back. It opened its mouth and a small lick of flame curled around its teeth, escaping up the side of its snout with a puff of smoke.

  “Wow!” he said breathlessly. “A dragon!”

  Heath smiled indulgently. “Well it’s not really a dragon, any more than Loreill is a ferret. But yes, it certainly looks the part.”

  Loreill scrambled down from his shoulders, scratching him with sharp claws in his eagerness to join his fellow spirits. Gaspi looked at the four elementals - ferret, otter, hawk and dragon – and shook his head in amazement. He could probably pass Loreill or the water spirit off as an unusual pet. The air spirit could stay in the skies in spirit form most of the time, so that shouldn’t be too difficult, but what the heck were the good people of Helioport going to say about a dragon?

  …

  Gaspi was up early on the day Hephistole was due to arrive. He knew the chancellor wouldn’t be there until the afternoon, but he was far too excited to sleep. He sprang out of bed and washed as quickly as he could, returning to the clearing before Heath had even got up. He set about cooking breakfast, waking Heath with the clanging of pots and pans, and didn’t even attempt to meditate.

  He was excited for several reasons. Firstly, he was going to be able to use magic again! After three months of staying away from what druids thought of as forceful magic, he was itching to let the raw power of nature magic flood through him once again. Secondly, he was going to see Hephistole. He couldn’t wait to see the look on the chancellor’s face when he showed him the transformed spirits. Thirdly, and most importantly of all, he was going to be reunited with Emmy. He’d missed her like crazy, and couldn’t wait to see her. He felt a certain amount of nervousness, hoping she wanted to see him as much as he wanted to see her, but he’d learned to banish those thoughts as insecurity some time ago, and did the same thing that morning as he contemplated seeing her again.

  Heath assigned him all kinds of chores that morning, which Gaspi suspected was an act of mercy designed to make the time go swiftly, and by the time lunch came around, he’d pickled ten jars of vegetables, skinned three rabbits, weeded the garden and preserved a haunch of wild boar. Lunch was a simple meal of meat, cheese and vegetables, and once it was eaten, Heath cleared the plates and sat down with him to talk. />
  Despite his excitement to leave, Gaspi realised this was his last chance to talk to the druid, and to thank him for all he’d taught him, so he shelved his impatience and settled down in his chair.

  Heath raised a bushy brow at him. “Ready to leave?”

  “Yeah,” Gaspi answered honestly, unable to hide his excitement and hoping it wouldn’t offend the druid.

  “We’ll set off as soon as we’ve finished eating,” Heath said.

  Gaspi cleared his throat. “Heath,” he started, feeling suddenly emotional. “Thank you for letting me come here, and for everything you’ve taught me.”

  Heath smiled slowly. “You’re welcome,” he said. “I hope you think that what you’ve learned has been worthwhile.”

  “Are you kidding?” Gaspi asked incredulously. “I learned to cook, to skin, to preserve stuff, to garden. All that’s been amazing, but then there’s the elemental magic too. I’ll never forget what you taught me about forcefulness. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever see things in the same way.”

  Heath’s coughed gruffly, clearing his throat before speaking, and when he did, Gaspi was stunned to realise that the druid’s voice was hoarse with emotion.

  “You couldn’t have said anything that could demonstrate more clearly that you understand the essence of druidry.” He cleared his throat again. “I want to explain something to you. Something about me. When you first arrived I was doubtful this would work out, but the spirits were insistent that you be given the chance to learn.”

  “My experience of other people has been…painful, and for reasons I won’t go into, I chose to be a druid and leave it all behind. You are the first person I’ve allowed myself more than the briefest contact with in over twenty years, and despite my fears, you’ve proven that there is always hope, and that some people are still kind and good. So you see, you are not the only one who has grown. On balance, I think it’s a fair exchange.”

  Gaspi didn’t know what to say. The druid had revealed a side of him that he normally kept well-hidden, and seemed strangely vulnerable.

  “Thanks Heath,” he said in the end, breaking the pregnant silence.

  “I think we understand each other,” the druid said, and then clapped his hands together with force. “Well there’s no time for sitting around. Finish up your lunch and we’ll set off.”

  …

  After Gaspi had gathered his things, Heath led him back to the exact place where he’d last seen the chancellor. Gaspi could barely contain his excitement. He kept thinking he heard the rumblings of Hephistole’s wagon, only to discover he was imagining things, but then finally, the thudding of horses’ hooves and the creaking of wagon wheels heralded the chancellor’s arrival.

  When the wagon rounded the last stand of trees, Gaspi left Heath’s side and ran over to it with long, bounding steps. Hephistole had dressed with his usual flair, wrapped in sunflower yellow robes tied with a thick grey belt.

  “WHOAA!” he cried, pulling on the reins to bring the wagon to a stop. An impossible grin hijacked his finely structured face as he hopped down to the ground and snatched Gaspi’s outstretched hand in his long, slender fingers, pumping his arm up and down enthusiastically.

  “Gaspi my boy!” he enthused. “It’s truly a pleasure to see you again.”

  “And you Heppy,” Gaspi said with equal enthusiasm, smiling broadly at the chancellor’s infectious personality. It was like he was bursting at the seams with excitement!

  Hephistole looked him up and down. “You look so well,” he said. “You’ve broadened in the shoulders you know.”

  Gaspi looked at each of his shoulders and shrugged. “Really? I dunno”

  “Heath must have been making you earn your keep,” Hephistole said with a wink. “Well don’t keep me standing here! Let’s say hello and goodbye to your host.”

  Gaspi led him over to the edge of the forest, where Heath stood in the shade of the last line of trees. Hephistole stopped in front of him, taking care not to step across the boundary into the forest itself.

  “Greetings to you Heath,” he said, extending his hand. Gaspi noticed that Heath’s face was closed and inexpressive, much as it had been when he’d first met him. He barely recognised him as the man he’d spent the last three months with. Heath stepped out from among the trees, briefly taking Hephistole’s hand.

  “I trust Gaspi has been a good guest,” Hephistole said.

  “Gaspi has done well,” Heath said gruffly. “As for the details of his time here, that is for him to tell you. I am not comfortable with company, chancellor,” the druid continued. “I apologise for my abruptness, but I must go.”

  “No apology needed,” Hephistole said gently. “Thank you for the chance you have given Gaspi.” Heath nodded and made to leave. “If you ever need my help,” Hephistole added, “you only have to send a bird.”

  Heath stopped in his tracks. He looked long and hard at Hephistole before nodding once more. “Safe travels,” he said. He looked at Gaspi one more time, and Gaspi could see some of the warmth return to his expression. “Remember what you’ve learned.”

  “I will, and thanks,” Gaspi called in response at the already retreating druid. Within moments, he’d disappeared into the trees.

  “Interesting fellow,” Hephistole murmured to himself. “Right, let’s get going,” he said briskly, spinning on his heel and walking back to the cart.

  “Wait!” Gaspi called, and Hephistole turned back, raising a delicately sculpted eyebrow questioningly. “We will be taking some friends with us,” Gaspi said with unnecessary mystique, enjoying the theatre of the moment. “Loreill,” he called, beckoning for the elemental to come out from the protective shadows of the forest. Gaspi remembered the shyness the elementals had displayed when he’d first come across them in the clearing, and he wasn’t sure how they would act now they were in bodily form. Loreill’s furry face emerged tentatively from the shrubbery. He looked left and right, sniffing the air, and then looked at Hephistole, who looked about as inquisitive as a person could get. Emitting a soft squeak, he ran up to Gaspi, climbed swiftly up and around his leg, over his torso, and wrapped himself round his shoulders, peering at the chancellor uncertainly.

  Hephistole took a careful step forward, staring intently at the elemental’s tell-tale eyes. “This is no ordinary creature,” he said, his eyes not leaving Loreill’s for a moment. Suddenly the normally playful chancellor was deadly serious. “Gaspi, is this an…”

  “An elemental,” he interrupted, “in bodily form.”

  “Bodily form?” Hephistole asked, taking another careful step forward. Gaspi could feel Loreill tense.

  “You’d better not come any closer,” he said. “They’re very shy.” Hephistole stopped. “I’ll explain everything on the journey,” he added. “But first you need to meet the others.” As if on cue, Loreill made a small, chirruping sound, and the other three spirits came out from the safety of the forest. The snow-white hawk swooped down from the branches and the otter-like water spirit ambled out from under a bush. The dragon flew out last, rising and falling with each lazy beat of its long, leathery wings.

  “Incredible,” Hephistole said breathlessly. “Never did I think to see this.”

  Gaspi was gratified by the chancellor’s reaction. The elementals were amazing and Hephistole’s astonishment was appropriate. “Let’s go back to the cart. I’ll tell you all about it as we travel.”

  “Right you are,” Hephistole said, leading the way back to their vehicle. Gaspi was concerned about the horses’ reaction to the spirits, but they paid them no notice as they clambered and flapped their way up onto the bench. Loreill remained curled around his shoulders, but the other three huddled together in a cosy hillock of brown, white and black, taking some kind of comfort in each other’s company.

  “Shall I tell you what this is all about?” Gaspi asked, knowing the chancellor was dying to hear.

  “In your own time,” Hephistole said with feigned patience. They both burst out
laughing. “Okay get on with it,” he said. “I have to confess to being really very curious.”

  Gaspi told him the whole story from beginning to end as they travelled. Hephistole interrupted him countless times with further questions, and he did his best to explain elemental magic to the ever-curious chancellor. Hephistole seemed particularly interested in the difference druids perceived between forceful magic and elemental magic, and made him explain it several times. When he got to the bit about the elementals’ belief in his destiny, and their choice to take bodily form, Hephistole stared at him in amazement.

  “And how do you feel about that?” he asked.

  Gaspi grimaced. “I took it pretty badly at first,” he admitted. “It felt like a burden, but then I worked out that if all of this talk of destiny is true, then someone must be doing the destining, and it’s their job to make all this work out. All I have to do is my part.”

  Hephistole frowned as he processed that, and then broke into a smile. “That’s a profound statement, and a very encouraging one!” he said.

  Gaspi shrugged off the compliment. “It just felt right,” he said. He really couldn’t explain it any better than that.

  “So much to think about,” Hephistole muttered to himself, glancing thoughtfully at the elementals. They rode in silence for a while, and Gaspi’s thoughts turned to Emmy.

  “How long will it take us to get back?” he asked.

  “Ah yes,” Hephistole said, rousing himself from his musings. “You are not the only one who’s been busy. Since you’ve been away, I’ve been experimenting with transportation, and I’m glad to say we’ve made some significant advances. Remember last year when we fought the large warg in the Observatory and he used a device to transport out of the city?”

  “How could I forget?” Gaspi said with a frown. It wasn’t the most pleasant of memories.

  “Well I have something in here,” the chancellor continued, patting a small pocket sown into the breast of his robe, that will take us straight back to my office.”