Haunted Tree (The Magus Family Chronicles Book 1)

by Scott Robert Scheller

  “He paid the village a visit today.” Oren told what took place. “There is much hatred and evil within him. He would have enjoyed killing Marc. Wanted to, in fact.”

  Garrett’s gaze centered on Marc. Many thoughts churned within the leader’s eyes, the last of which seemed to be a guarded relief. Marc had seen that same look the year before when a group of men tried to steal their food in the middle of the night. The thieves ran from home to home, hastily searching everywhere, but were driven off before finding any of the caches secreted away.

  “That would have been tragic,” Garrett said, his expression suddenly hardening before turning back to the wizard. “Why did you not kill him?”

  Marc felt a stab of vertigo as his breath caught in his throat. That look on Garrett’s face clearly revealed the man knew something, something secret and dangerous.

  Oren returned the look. “It was not Thaddeus’ time.” He nodded toward Marc. “Nor Marc's.”

  Garrett relaxed some, giving the elder a slight bow of respect. “Thank you for protecting him and the village in our absence.”

  Oren waved off the compliment. “You should thank the magic. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to walk around and visit with everyone.”

  As Oren departed, Garrett turned to Marc with a warm smile. “Your father would have been proud of you for defending Sean like that. I know I am.”

  “Me, too,” Sean said. “I’m amazed how well he handled his staff. He killed that wolf with one blow. Marc has become a good hunter.”

  Marc felt his face redden. “I didn’t do anything special. I saw the wolf and swung. Just good luck, that’s all.”

  Garrett shook his head. “No, there’s more to it than luck. You have improved. Tonight I intend to declare you as one of the men.”

  Marc staggered back a step in disbelief; this was the honor all of the boys wanted. “Sir, I—”

  “You deserve it. The same goes for you, Sean. The men and I feel the time is right.”

  “What about Donald, sir?” Sean asked with a careful neutrality.

  With a little quirk of a frown, Garrett said, “Not today.” Giving Marc a pat on the back, Garrett walked away leaving them in a daze. Suddenly smiling, Sean punched him in the shoulder. “Congratulations, Sir.”

  Laughing, Marc tried to return the favor only to have Sean duck at the last moment. “That’s not fair.”

  “Hardly the behavior of two men,” Valeria said sternly from behind them. They stopped their horseplay and pretended to act more mature. “You’re not fooling me.” Suddenly grinning, she ran up to Sean and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Congratulations.” Turning to Marc, she gave him the same followed by a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Still locked in her embrace, he gazed deep into her hazel eyes and went all weak inside. Why did she affect him that way? It was not simply lust, for while he experienced that at times for her, this felt different. Her eyes called to him, seemingly drawing him into her soul. And more than anything, he wished he could go there.

  His thoughts abruptly changed to the images of her swimming naked in that pond, but this time he watched from a more distant, ground-level viewpoint, hidden behind some bushes, knowing full well his actions were wrong. As his dream-self became embarrassed, she rose halfway out of the water, revealing the beauty of her nakedness, then looked directly at where he hid and smiled. “Marc?”

  Blinking his eyes, Marc said, “Uh, yes?”

  “What happened?” She wore an expression of concern.

  He couldn’t tell her. He just couldn’t. “Happened? Uh, nothing.”

  Cocking her head, she gave him a cautious frown, the same frown she used the week before when he tried to avoid telling her of his trespass into the Forbidden Vale. “It wasn’t nothing, You stood as still as stone.”

  “I did?” It must have happened during his daydream.

  “And your face is red. What happened?”

  Marc prayed she could not guess the nature of his thoughts. The shame would too much to bear. “Just... thinking.”

  Sean glanced around furtively, then quietly asked, “Feel something again?”

  Valeria leaned toward Sean. “What do you mean, again?”

  Sean rolled his eyes apologetically, giving Marc a sorrowful look, but that did little to undo the damage. Still, Marc was grateful for Sean’s slip as it let Valeria think his daydream was about something else. With a sigh, he led them to a more private spot and told her the full story of their day.

  Valeria held his hands the whole time. “Incredible. Those wolves seemed to actually obey you.” Her expression turned more serious. “I thought you weren’t ever going near the Vale again? The first time there you almost died. This time it was Sean who barely escaped. What’s going to happen the next time?”

  “Don’t be upset at Marc,” Sean said, his tone heavy with regret. “It was my fault. I talked him into it. I thought we could catch a rabbit or two there.”

  “And we did, so it would seem.” Marc nodded toward the wizard across the way.

  “I suppose Oren knows we were close to the Vale.” Sean looked worried.

  Marc shrugged. “I just hope he doesn’t know about last week.”

  The returning boys caught their attention. Donald soon passed by them with the bag of birds, but he looked only at Sean, deliberately ignoring Marc and Valeria.

  “Thirty eight,” he boasted.

  Sighing, Marc smiled at his two friends. “Let’s go pick a nice place to sit for dinner while there’s time.”

  “Somewhere close to Garrett,” Sean said with a wink.

  “And far from Oren,” Valeria added.

  “But in view of Donald so he can see us men after the ceremony is complete,” Marc said with more than a bit of spite.

  Valeria took his and Sean’s arms as they walked. “It serves him right.”

  Sean laughed. “That it does.”

  — o O o —

  The three of them remained near the common house central fire until it was time to eat. While Sean busied himself entertaining his younger brother, Valeria and Marc quietly watched as the old wizard went from person to person, talking with the adults and performing some feat of magic for the children. Seeing how his face lit up when the little ones giggled and laughed made Marc realize that despite Oren’s great power and serious manner, inside him lived a gentle man.

  The meal turned out better than Marc expected. Even so, wolf-rabbit-bird stew would never be a favorite of his. Afterward, Garrett asked that he and Sean recount their hunt, as was the custom. Rising in place at the table, they took turns telling a simpler version of their day, one wisely omitting their nearness to the Vale and how it affected Marc. When Sean acted out with great enthusiasm how Marc’s skill with the staff had killed the wolf, Marc did his best not to blush. As they started to retake their seats, Garrett motioned for them to wait. Ascending the talking stone, Garrett spoke to all.

  “Marc and Sean, come forward.”

  With his heart in his throat, Marc turned and followed his equally nervous friend toward their leader. Glancing back, he saw Valeria now sat next to his family. The four women watched with unabashed pride as he took his place before the village. He needed every bit of his willpower to keep a silly grin off his face. After all, this was a serious moment.

  Garrett gazed at both of them, his countenance as stoic as granite, and yet Marc spied the smile that could not be hidden within the man’s eyes. Looking out over the people, Oak Creek’s leader waited until the room was silent and every eye had turned his way, then spoke with conviction and purpose. “Marcus. Sean. All here have witnessed your deeds. You have worked hard to feed us, to protect us, to keep us strong. You have proved yourselves able-bodied and brave, as men, not boys. Do each of you swear, on your honor, to always put the good of the village before that of your own, to share what you have with all, to keep us in your hearts and minds as brothers and sisters?”

  “I do,” Marc and Sean said
together.

  Garrett smiled. “Turn and face your village.”

  It was done. He was a man now. With new eyes Marc looked upon the people he knew so well. All were happy except Donald, whose displeasure seemed to press against him like a foul wind, his eyes blazing with anger and resentment. Though younger than Donald, Marc was now in a position of authority over him. For a moment that pleased Marc, but then he realized it was wrong to think that way for it made him no better than his former friend. Marc let the childish thought go.

  Garrett stretched his arms out wide, palms facing inward as if embracing the crowd before him. “Citizens of Oak Creek, it is our great honor to welcome these two men into our village.”

  A great cheer arose from the crowd, filling Marc with a humble sense of pride. Grinning ear-to-ear, Garrett shook hands with him and Sean in the manner used by the men of the village—a warrior’s grip, hand to forearm. Engulfed by the throng, Marc gladly received the many hugs and handshakes from his newly extended family. Once things quieted back down, he and Sean returned to their seats as Garrett stood before the village once more.

  “Tonight we are privileged to have Oren the Wise among us. Without his wisdom and magic, many of us would not have lived this long.” Garrett gave the wizard standing to his left a respectful nod. “Even today he protected us from three of the King’s men. Let us all welcome his words.”

  Marc felt a sense of foreboding come over him as Oren took his place upon the stone, the nearby fire illuminating him in a most unusual way. His gray hair had an eerie glow about it and the contrasting shadows of his features made him appear all the more imposing. The crowd stared expectantly.

  “Thank you for those kind words, Garrett, and thanks to all of you for sharing your meal with me. Today I came by for more than just a visit. I am in need of someone to help me at my home for a year’s time. Of course, I will pay for these services.”

  Marc wondered what kind of help a powerful wizard might need when Sean suddenly stood. “I will help, Master. You need not pay me. Your aid to our village has been payment enough.”

  Oren acknowledged him with a gracious nod and indicated he should sit. “Most kind of you, however I need someone who can read and write.”

  Seeing his friend’s face fall, Marc gave him a supportive look. Donald then rose.

  “I can read some, wise one, and I’m a hard worker.”

  Marc could easily guess Donald’s intentions. By working for Oren he would gain higher status within the village as well as earn the favor of the wizard. Marc suspected he also wanted to learn the old man’s magic. Fine. Donald could do that for all he cared.

  “Thank you, Donald, but I need someone who can read well. Besides, you are needed most here.” Oren scanned the crowd. “Anyone else?”

  Marc wondered who he would pick. There were several in the village who could read fairly well. Then, he felt a warm jolt as Oren’s gaze stopped upon him.

  “How about you? I know you can read and write.”

  “Me?” What did Oren see in him? There had to be somebody better.

  “Yes. You have skills I could use.”

  “Like leather work?” Marc wondered what good that would be given the current shortage of animals.

  “That, and others.” Oren regarded him for a moment, then frowned. “If you would rather not—”

  Marc felt a sudden twinge of regret over his thoughtless, almost rude, response. Only a fool would deliberately insult a wizard. “Oh, no, Master Oren. I’d be happy to serve you. That way I could repay some of my debt. I only worry about who will look after my family.”

  Garrett raised his hand. “I will assume that responsibility in his absence.”

  Ethan stood. “As will I.”

  Soon all the men pledged their support.

  Oren nodded gently. “Now are you willing?”

  “Yes,” Marc answered, momentarily bowing his head. His mother seemed both sad and pleased while his sisters had yet to understand what his departure meant. The disappointment in Valeria’s eyes gave him the only real reason to stay.

  “Good. I need one other, an artist preferably.” Several people volunteered and Oren thanked them but indicated that there was someone better suited for the position. “Valeria. How about you?”

  Marc’s heart leapt within him. As to why, he was not certain.

  With a little squeal of delight, Valeria turned to her parents who encouraged her to accept. “Yes, wise one. I would be honored to serve.”

  “You are still skilled with the needle, are you not?”

  “I am,” she said proudly.

  “And how is your hand with the quill?”

  Her enthusiasm ebbed some. “Fair to good. I read better than I am able to write.”

  “Well, you will have ample time to improve.” The villagers responded with gentle laughter as she reddened. “Many thanks to the rest of you for offering your help. May you all sleep well tonight.” Stepping down from the stone, Oren approached Marc and motioned for Valeria to join him. “Gather your belongings tonight. We leave at first light.”

  Chapter 5

  Despite the morning chill, Oren moved surprisingly fast for a man of his years. Marc initially assumed it would take at least half a day to walk to the wizard’s house, but at their current pace he figured the entire journey would take about three hours. Although he had never been there, he knew its general location. Many in the village did as well, but few found reasons compelling enough to disturb the mighty Oren the Wise.

  Ever since last night, many thoughts ran through Marc’s mind. Like what the wizard wanted with him and Valeria. Chores were mentioned—probably chopping firewood, fetching water, hauling ashes and such—but why was he so interested in their ability to read and write? Maybe the old man’s eyes were getting too weak. That made sense. Marc also worried about all he had left behind—his mother, sisters, Sean and other friends. Subtle pangs of homesickness told him he would even miss the village itself. Now that he was finally a man, it seemed unfair he would be unable to serve as one. For the next year, anyway.

  But, more than anything else, Marc thought about magic. Now that he would constantly be near a powerful wizard, it made him very uneasy to think there was some all-powerful force surrounding him, watching him. Would it interfere in his life, or that of the people he knew and cared for? That unknown bothered him a great deal. He wished he could avoid magic altogether, but for some reason it relentlessly shadowed him since he encountered the haunted tree.

  As they climbed a small hill, Marc noticed a faint warmth lightly caress his right cheek and neck. Looking that way, he saw a dim, circular outline part way up the eastern sky. Stunned, he stopped dead in his tracks and stared at it. Was it real? Did his eyes play tricks on him? Yesterday he thought he saw someone in the shadows before the wolves attacked, and yet no evidence of the man could be found. No, this seemed real. Quite real.

  “Master. Val,” he said, uncertainty making his voice waver. “The sun. I can see the sun.”

  Halting, Valeria followed his gaze and gasped. “Praise God. It’s been so long.” She glanced at the wizard. “Is this a good omen, Master?”

  Oren calmly faced them without looking upward. “It is not an omen, only a sign things will continue to improve.”

  Marc did not understand why his master seemed so unaffected by this miracle. “Why are you not excited about it?”

  “I foresaw the sun’s return.”

  “You knew this would happen?” Valeria asked while still marveling at the hazy orange disc.

  “Yes.” Planting his staff, the wizard turned and continued down the path. “Come. There is much to do.”

  Puzzled over Oren’s indifference at the good news, Marc fell in behind and glanced repeatedly at the sun, remembering how different his life was the last time he saw it. Then he was warm and well fed. His father and grandmother still lived. He, Valeria, Sean and Donald were the best of friends. And no one named Thaddeus had ever tried to kill hi
m.

  Turning his thoughts from the past to the present, he inwardly rejoiced that his prayers had been answered. Seemingly overnight the evidence of their deliverance sprang up everywhere. As Marc made his way up the slope, the tips of young grasses tickled the sides of his feet. This wondrous carpet of green covered nearly every inch of soil within view. Tiny specks of pink, white and yellow peppered the trees and bushes, blossoms just beginning to awaken from their long sleep. Soon the air would be filled with their heavy perfume. He could hardly wait.

  Cresting the hill, he glanced left and saw the haunted tree in the distance, exactly where he knew it would be. Although he did his best to ignore it, the disquieting presence of his invisible and silent companion had grown stronger all morning. Tapping Valeria on the arm, he held a finger to his lips and pointed toward it.

  Her eyes widened with surprise. Leaning close, she whispered into his ear, “Do you feel it?”

  He nodded.

  “You may talk openly about the Great Tree,” Oren said without breaking stride. “I know you have been there, Marc. Such things cannot be kept secret from the magic.” Marc and Valeria shot each other a worried glance. “There is no need for concern. You are not in any trouble over entering the Forbidden Vale.”

  His spine stiff, Marc stared at the back of his master, wondering how much he really knew. Without him intending to, the thoughts in his mind found a voice. “How do you know all this?” Realizing he may have spoken too boldly, he respectfully added, “If I may ask?”

  “Of course you may. How else are you to learn? Both of you may ask me anything, but you may not always receive an answer you like. Now, as for your question, what do you think the answer is?”

  “I know it has something to do with the forces of magic, Wise One. What I meant was by what means do you know this?”

  “Ah, let this be your first lesson: when chosen correctly, words possess great power.”

  Marc wondered what he meant by first lesson. “Yes, sir. I will try to speak more clearly.”

  “Good. The answer to your question is not an easy one if you do not understand how magic works.” Oren stopped and faced him. “Stand still. Close your eyes.” Marc did so. “Tell me about the world around you.”