by M. S. Verish
“Arcturus. Hawkwing.” The man gave them each a courteous nod before approaching Kariayla. He bowed gracefully, lifted her hand, and kissed it. “Bill at your service, my dear.”
“Kariayla,” she said, blushing.
The wizard straightened and turned to Jinx. “I can see that you are most impressed with my collection of moths.” He strode to where the thief stood, bewildered, and withdrew a book from the shelf. “You have a fair eye for this sort of thing, I can tell.” He opened the book, and a dozen colorful moths fluttered off the page and wandered toward the fire, where they immediately fizzled in the flames. “I should have seen that coming.” He tossed the book aside and held out his hand. “The name is Bill.”
“Jinx,” the thief said. “And this is Ruby.” He gestured to the ground, where the imp was tracing the veins in the marble.
William scratched his head. “You’re not related, are you?”
“No….”
“Ah, good, because there is no resemblance whatsoever.”
Arcturus cleared his throat. “I wonder if you are through with the entertainment…unless you need to tend to your loom.”
“The loom!” William gave a whistle, and there was a scurrying of tiny claws upon the floor. A sausage-shaped rodent smaller than a loaf of bread darted to his feet and looked up at him with beady black eyes. “Might you tend to that?” William asked, gesturing to the ajar door from which he had appeared.
The creature scratched behind its ear with it hind leg and then scurried through the door, which promptly shut behind it.
“What was that?” Jinx asked.
“My cavy,” William said, as though the answer was obvious. He waved his hand and the room brightened, though the fire remained unchanged. “I understand you must all have traveled a fair distance to be my guests.” He plucked a yellow string from his shirt and cast it to the floor, where it inched away like a caterpillar. “I will allow you to freshen up, and then we will dine.”
Arcturus’s stomach growled none-too-discreetly.
William smiled. “I will show you to your rooms.” He headed for another door across the atrium, opened it, and gestured them through. There was a short hall upon the other side. “Choose your chamber,” he said. “You will find my taste in décor impeccable.”
“Or eccentric,” Arcturus mused, poking his head inside the first room. “I expected stairs inside a tower.”
“For a bit of exercise?” William asked. “Of what use are stairs? But if you so desire—”
“No, no,” Arcturus said warily. “Do not misread me.”
“When have you ever known me to do that?” William grinned. “Anyway. Off with you. I will announce dinner shortly.”
13
An Evening with a Wizard
“How old is this?” The words slowly poured from the Markanturian’s lips, just as he slowly poured another glass. He had nearly cleared his third heaping plate, but just how many glasses of wine he had consumed, Kariayla lost count.
“Why? Is it to your liking?” William asked.
“It is very good, though not as good as some. But those ‘some’ cannot be bested.”
William smiled. “You are likely biased, but then again, I have never had the pleasure of sampling the wine of your people.”
There was a pause in which Jinx’s open-mouthed chewing could be heard, though the thief scarcely seemed aware of the din. Ruby was no better, grabbing every morsel within reach—which included what was on Jinx’s plate—and shoving them into her mouth.
Arcturus made a face. “My boy, might you make an attempt at some semblance of proper etiquette?”
“Are those on that dish? I ain’t tried the ettikets yet,” Jinx said.
Kariayla withheld a smile. This was hardly a formal meal—at least by comparison to the feasts she had seen in Belorn’s castle—but it was the best meal they had had since they had begun their journey. The food was warm, delicious, and abundant. Jinx and Ruby had been the most eager to indulge. Kariayla was fairly certain Jinx had never been fed this well, and to watch him marvel at the plates and silverware made her appreciate what little she had had at the castle.
Arcturus, by contrast, took every bite with great care and appreciation. She found she grew weary just watching him, though between the Markanturian and the thief, she could not say who had consumed more. For the first time in a long time, everyone seemed comfortable. They had clean clothes and rooms of their own, and now their bellies were full. Though she knew next to nothing about William, she could with confidence tout that he was quite the host.
“You say you are a thief?” William asked, leaning toward Jinx.
“Yeah,” he said, his mouth full. “Mostly ‘cuz I gotta be. But I don’t go stealin’ all the time from everybody. I mean, I’m not like that. I just take what I need when I need it, but it ain’t been a while since I needed nuthin’, ‘cuz Arcturus and Hawkwing’ve been pretty good to me.”
“I’m sure they have,” William said. “I am only curious, but have you ever stolen anything other than what you need?”
“Whaddaya mean?”
“Something valuable,” William said, gesturing vaguely with his fork, “like a gold watch or a sapphire necklace.”
Jinx shook his head. “Nope. My buddies wouldn’t let me try. There’s a reason they call me Jinx.”
“Perhaps they did not realize your full potential,” William said. “How could they assess your abilities without allowing you to attempt a bigger prize?”
“Do not encourage him,” Arcturus interrupted, though his tone was lazy.
“I really am unlucky,” Jinx admitted.
“Your little friend might disagree,” William said. Ruby, sensing their eyes upon her, stopped eating and shrank back in her modified chair.
Jinx smiled and rubbed her head. “She is my best friend since I hadta leave Scorch behind.”
“Might I ask how you two became acquainted?” William asked.
“How we met?” Jinx smiled at the memory. “I caught her at the market. She was being chased by this big guy with a stick. I kinda stuck out my foot and tripped him. He went flyin’, and Ruby hid in the alley. When I went to get her, she was shakin’ like Old Man Horton after a few drinks.”
William poured another cup for him, then reached under his spoon and produced a cookie for Ruby. “That isn’t the end of the tale, is it?”
Jinx’s smile faded. “Well, no. The big guy got up, and he wasn’t too happy.” His gaze fell to the mark on his hand. “I been in trouble lotsa times, and this time they let me go with a warning. I went to find my friends, and Ruby must’ve followed me. She’s been with me since.” He tried a sip of the drink, and his eyes widened. “This is really good! What is it?”
“A little confection of mine I call ‘hot chocolate,’” William said.
“And what if the rest of us should desire a sample of this ‘hot chocolate’?” Arcturus asked.
“It does not blend well with wine.” The wizard did, however, discreetly slide a cup to Kariayla. “And what of you, young lady? How did you end up in the company of my former pupil?”
She felt her face heat immediately, setting the cup down before she could take a sip. What would she say? That she was a runaway slave who begged Arcturus’s companionship along the road? That he had taken pity on her because she had nowhere else to go?
“Kariayla assisted me in the library of Belorn’s castle,” Arcturus said.
“You are a scholarly sort,” William commended. “We are all a scholarly sort around here.”
Kariayla breathed a sigh and gave the Markanturian an appreciative nod. He winked at her and downed the rest of his glass before asking the wizard, “What, exactly, is here?”
“How did I neglect to mention?” William asked, cracking his knuckles. “I started my own school for the magically gifted.”
“You mean to say you left Mystland to create your own secret city and school?” Arcturus asked, incredulous. “A secret s
chool, hidden in the mountains.”
“Near the haunted Plains,” Jinx added.
“Before you question my practicality,” William said, “you should know that I choose who is invited to attend.”
“I still question your practicality,” Arcturus said. “How do you invite students to attend your secret school? Do you employ an invisible pigeon to carry an invisible invitation written in invisible ink?” He stood to fill his plate a fourth time, but he rose rather unsteadily and had to grip the back of his chair.
“Now you are being facetious,” William said, resting his elbows upon the table. “Hawkwing delivers my invitations, and he guides my students here.”
There was a moment of silence, when all attention turned to the tall man quietly finishing his meal. Kariayla thought she glimpsed the corners of his mouth upturn, but the expression was too fleeting and too subtle to be confirmed.
“Well,” Arcturus said at last, returning with another small mountain of food, “I, for one, sympathize with any who undergo your tutelage.”
William laughed. “Oh no, Arcturus. I do not teach them. I merely select the students and manage the school. And on occasion, I host guests in my humble abode.” His brow suddenly furrowed. “What were you doing in Belorn?”
“Research,” Arcturus said.
“In Belorn.”
“Yes.”
William drummed his fingers on the table, studying the Markanturian.
“Arcturus, ain’t you kinda old to be Bill’s student?” Jinx asked.
“James, do not speak with your mouth full,” Arcturus returned.
William immediately brightened. “That was many years ago, lad, but I appreciate the compliment.”
Conversation remained light, and Kariayla took to listening, as was her custom. Before long, Jinx sat back in his chair and groaned, and Ruby looked as though she would fall asleep at the table. Arcturus’s last meaningful bites were coupled with a final glass of wine and a few slurred words. Hawkwing stood and excused himself, and Kariayla watched him leave, wondering at his silence. It was then she noticed William’s full attention was upon her.
“And so ends the feast,” he said, rising and pushing in his chair.
“It was delicious,” Kariayla returned politely. “Thank you.”
“I have my doubts in the condition of our fellow diners, but you, Miss Kariayla, seem reluctant to deem this evening concluded.” He had rounded the table to stand beside her and held out his hand.
She blinked.
“I would be honored if you would join me for a bit of entertainment.”
“I….”
“By all means, my dear,” Arcturus said, his eyes half-closed. “William is a master of diversions.”
“Thank you,” William said. He turned back to her, his eyes sparkling. “Well, what say you, milady?”
Her face afire, Kariayla took his hand. She had no idea what to expect, spending an evening alone with a strange man—a wizard, no less—whom she had just met. But if Arcturus trusted him, then so would she.
As if he had read her thoughts, William said, “Do not fret. I will have you back to your room before midnight.” And he escorted her from the table, leaving the others with their empty plates.
*
Kariayla did return just moments before the clock tolled the midnight hour. For as tired as she was, she truly had enjoyed herself, and she could honestly say that she had never ventured anywhere with the intent of being entertained. She crossed the threshold of her room and immediately fell upon the bed, too weary to change into the nightgown she had discovered in the wardrobe.
She had not been there a few minutes before a voice reached her through a crack in the door. “Hey—you awake, Kariayla?”
She debated whether or not she should answer the thief, but then her conscience nagged at her. “Yes, I’m awake,” she said. She heard the door creak open, and she forced herself to sit upright. Jinx plopped down across from her on the floor. Ruby was nowhere in sight.
Kariayla indicated a chair. “You do not have to sit on the floor.”
“Eh, it’s alright,” he said, fidgeting with the knife in his hands.
“Is Ruby—”
“Sleepin.’ Jedinom’s Golden Sword, I never ate so much.” He patted his belly. “I like this Bill guy. Hard to believe he’s friends with Arcturus.”
Kariayla stifled a yawn. “Aren’t you tired?”
“Nah. It’s strange, but it’s kinda hard to sleep in a fancy place like this. I’m afraid I’ll open my eyes, and none of it’ll be real.”
She could admit that the same thought had crossed her mind as well. Before she could say a word, however, he continued.
“So I was just wondering what you guys did. Just wanted to make sure you had a good time and all….”
Kariayla watched him toy with the knife, struck by the fact he was concerned about her. No longer quite as tired, she eased herself off the bed and sat across from him on the floor. “William took me to a garden.”
“A garden? It’s a little cold don’tcha—”
“An indoor garden. It was amazing. We went to a building made of glass, and inside the air was as warm as in the spring. It was like a forest, but the plants were so different from any I’ve seen. There were leaves bigger than you, flowers that smelled like rotten meat, and fountains and pools with little fish of every color. If you stood still long enough, birds would zip by your face, and butterflies would land on your shoulder.”
“Maybe Bill will show the rest of us,” Jinx said, impressed. “I don’t usually care about plants, but that sounds like something I gotta see. And Ruby would love it.”
“This is a very strange and mysterious place,” Kariayla said. “And I have the feeling that there is more to our visit than a good meal and new clothes.”
He nodded. “I was thinking that too. Why’d we come all this way just to visit? There’s gotta be a reason.”
Kariayla wondered if he remembered that they had never actually been invited. “The answer might just be between William and Arcturus. They are old friends.”
“Maybe.” He did not seem convinced. “Hawkwing was kinda quiet at dinner. I bet he knows something. He ain’t said much since Arcturus yelled at him.”
“Will you try and talk to him?”
Jinx shrugged. “I did. I couldn’t find him, and this place gets me all turned around. It’s gotta be magic.”
“I think that all we can do is wait and see what happens,” Kariayla said. “I’d like to think Arcturus will tell us if there is anything we should know.”
His face twisted in a funny expression. “Well, we’ll be waiting a bit. He was pretty drunk when me and Ruby left the table. He might still be there now.”
Kariayla sighed. “At least he was in good spirits.”
Jinx laughed. “He sure was! ‘Good spirits.’ I get it.”
She did not withhold her yawn this time. “Maybe you should try to get some rest.”
“Yeah, I guess. If breakfast is as good as dinner, maybe I can dream about it.”
She watched him head for the door and bid him goodnight. While she was relieved to know Jinx shared her observations, both of them were still without any insight. But seeing as the future was as uncertain as it was for her, she did not mind narrowing her sight to the present.
*
“Eruane is angry.” The words were whispered everywhere in the temple. Whether the spirit of the storm had spoken to any of the temple oracles, there had been no rain in weeks. It was the height of the growing season, and the crops were failing.
Kariayla walked through the torch-lit passage to the congregation hall. Perhaps if no one else, Eruane would speak to her. The temple seemed unusually empty, though she suspected at this hour of the morning, everyone had just set to their daily duties. The hall opened up into a vast space, where firelight from the great hearth and the torches flickered off the columns and across the stone floor. Just before the hearth was the effigy of th
e spirit of the storm, standing as tall as five men. Her wings were spread wide, her eyes staring, impassive. The light behind her silhouetted her features in an almost sinister mien. Kariayla knew that, like any spirit, Eruane was capable of great benevolence or great wrath. If the spirit was angry, some transgression had been committed to make her so.
Kariayla bowed low before the statue and knelt in prayer. She cleared her thoughts so that the spirit could reach her. Please speak with me, she thought, believing she had a special connection to Eruane. It was the spirit of the storm, after all, who had gifted her with her magic. But the longer she sat, the more she became aware of the pressing silence. The silence was not the only encroaching feeling. There was something more—a sense that nagged at her instincts, an anxiety she could not explain. Then she heard his voice. He uttered her name, and she shivered at the softness of his tone….
*
She awoke with a start, her subconscious delivering her from the dream and the truth of it she could not face. The memory had been lost to her, buried, where it should have remained, but sleep was a gateway to the past and all truth and fiction woven therein. There would be no more rest for her this night, but Kariayla was not sure just how early it was.
Rather than lie awake, she decided on a whim to see if Arcturus was still at the dinner table. She slid her feet into her slippers and quit her room for the hall. She could hear the Markanturian before she could see him, his deep snoring filling the dining hall like ceaseless thunder. His thick form was slumped back in the chair, his hands resting upon his belly, his head having fallen forward. She wondered how anyone could sleep in such a way. Then she spied the half-empty wine glass at his side.
The sound of cheerful whistling reached her ears, and she froze, uncertain if she should stay or hide. Not that she had cause to hide… She decided to wait, fairly certain it was William who was headed her way. Sure enough, the wizard strolled into the dining hall, a glowing orb floating ahead of him. He paused to bow to her. “Miss Kariayla, I would’ve thought you asleep by now. I see you’ve come to check on our Markanturian.” He patted her on the shoulder and winked. “I wouldn’t fret over Arcturus. His habits are ingrained deeper than the roots of an ancient oak. He will arise as soon as he catches the scent of breakfast.”