Jim kept his magic use to a minimum in case he might need it later. Until the replacement soldiers arrived, he was their main line of defence. So, he tasked the builders with clearing the wreckage of the fallen barn roof while the carpenters worked to create the rafters necessary to replace it. Watching how craftsmen worked was quite enlightening and he watched in fascination.
‘Where should we put this old wood? Do you plan on using it for something?’ one of the builders asked Jim as they pulled rotted timbers out and then wondered where to put them. The wizard had detailed plans for the site and the area around the house and the main barn was due to be built on, hence rubbish just pulled outside the barn walls would be annoying dumped just where it would have to be moved again.
‘We’ll use it up on the funeral pyre,’ Jim told him. ‘Put it near the tarp.’
The builder nodded, seeing the sense in that. The old wood wasn’t of much use except for burning. It didn’t mean any of them were comfortable with those orders. Thankfully the wizard had covered the dead from view, but they all knew what was there and there was certainly no disguising the smell.
Jim noticed his unease but left them to get on with it. Having heard the orders, another man simply dragged a broken beam over and dropped it only a pace away from the tarp. He appeared completely unaffected and that attitude galvanised the others to follow suit. Remarkably quickly the tarp was mostly hidden from sight behind a ragged pile of scabby timber and the men seemed to relax as a result.
With everyone hard at work, he supposed he really ought to be checking out the site as a whole and revising the plan as necessary. So, he walked the site taking measurements. His sketch of where the various buildings could be built, needed to be clear and easy to follow, as he would be passing it over to these men to interpret.
With a sparse forest at the back of the property, Jim fashioned a back entrance directly into it from the garrison end. That way the troops could come and go without being seen crossing the open fields at the front. They could also keep their section locked up tight that way. With a dividing defensive wall, running along the back of the stone farmhouse and barn, security could be assured. A secret gate in that wall would link the two sections together unobtrusively and facilitate daily access, but equally could be closed off from either side if it became necessary. With bandits still a potential threat, he planned to build with defensive strength in mind. Whilst a wooden palisade surrounding the settlement was understandable and acceptable in such an isolated spot where wild bears roamed, it was not proof against a determined attack, or fire. Equally, a stone wall surrounding a farm would be a conspicuously expensive feature that would draw suspicion. Therefore, only the key fall back buildings, would be built like the farmhouse, from stone.
Once he’d figured out what amendments to the plan were necessary, he called the team leaders over. He took them over the site, explaining the positioning of the buildings the plan conjured. Whilst the men were rather wide-eyed at his methods, they also seemed relieved by the detailed images he provided. Nothing was open to interpretation as was usually the case with a line diagram. He created images they could walk though and see the detail of, even down to the placement of windows and what walls were to be wood and what stone. The buildings he’d envisioned were spacious and ingeniously designed to interlock, back to back, to hide the garrison structures. But each building would have plenty of space, so that they could be customised inside as required.
Tomorrow the big wagons would head back to Cedar Castle to collect the next loads. With plans finalised, he could leave it to the builders to take over. They were the experts and could better plan the build. It was for them to decide in what order to ask for goods to be sent and when they needed more help.
Since the builders were all hard at work and now had two strong buildings to take refuge in if the bandits returned, Jim went for a walk along the river. It made sense to know what other features, or indeed dangers, were in the area immediately around the farm so he headed away from where he’d already been.
Cresting a small rise, he was surprised to discover the river fed into a lake not far away, which had formed where the land dipped into a bowl. A wide stretch of marshes lay at the far end of the lake before the river cut a clean channel out once more. Well that wasn’t what he was hoping for in terms of locating a site for a bridge, but lakes and marshes attracted water birds, larger fish and all manner of land animals. This then was a good place to find additional food.
He had taken the precaution of going for his walk armed with a bow and grinned when he brought down a low flying goose. He was sure cook would appreciate this addition to the larder.
The light was fading by the time he got back. Glancing around he noticed the tools and materials had been packed away and the horses had disappeared. Ah, the horses had been put into the as yet unfinished barn. It was likely to be a warm evening and the horses wouldn’t mind that the roof above their heads was just a mass of beams and joists. They had solid walls around them, along with a large solid gate to keep them secured.
Jim entered the busy kitchen and noticed a bunch of new faces and fresh uniforms; ah, Aubrey’s soldiers were here at last. Good. He probably just had time to show them the dead, in case any could be identified, before darkness fell completely.
Once that chore was done he was free to incinerate the bodies. Those bandits might have been the enemy, but it felt wrong to dishonour them in death. Casting a quick spell, he covered them in the gathered timber and noticed Aubrey’s troop leader watching with clear approval. They might have died simply identified as bandits, but many had probably been good citizens once, with families. Only they knew what had brought them down to a life of dishonour and thievery. A funeral pyre was at least a clean and fitting end to a man’s life. When the flames were high, casting a wide pool of light, he was surprised to realise everyone had come out and stood with him in silent and sombre vigil. The pyre’s flames would cleanse their earthly remains, granting each the respect they probably hadn’t known in life and gifting each a dignified and proper send off.
Tomorrow he would head back to White Haven where Amelie and his daughters waited.
***
At dawn, Jim was not the only one up and about. He ate a good breakfast, checked once more on the wounded, now being loaded onto the cushioned bed of a wagon, before making his farewells. Drako, Jack and Freddie would return with him, and since they each had their own horse, knew they’d make far better time than the outward journey.
‘Hold on a minute,’ Jim called a couple of hours later. ‘Where does this track come from?’
‘It leads to the cliff path you carved,’ Freddie told him. ‘By the looks of how well trodden this path now is, it’s obviously proving a popular shortcut.’
‘Ah, I wondered if I was remembering where we came out of the wilds correctly,’ Jim responded thoughtfully. ‘It seems different.’ He’d been exhausted at the time and flicking in and out of consciousness. After being cornered by an army of bandits, he had made their escape possible by carving a path down a cliff face for his party and their horses. He’d passed out from the strain, leaving poor Freddie to get him out of there. He’d been rather out of it for hours. He didn’t remember there being any kind of path, let alone this distinct one, until they reached the banks of the river and were forced to turn and ride along side it.
‘It is. I’m not surprised you don’t remember details though, you were barely awake,’ Freddie added. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘That this looks to be the most convenient place to build a bridge.’
‘You’re right. In an ideal world we’d cross here and that’d cut hours off our journey,’ Drako agreed. ‘It’s wide and deep though.’
‘Yes, but no more than anywhere else. In some respects, because it is deep here, it’s less likely to flood its banks than shallower places. I’m of a mind to put a temporary bridge across now, so we can get home. Building something permanent probably needs Lord Au
brey’s permission.’
‘Now? You haven’t any tools or materials,’ Jack said.
‘There’s plenty of wood just here,’ Jim replied scanning the forest all around them. The trees grew fairly close to the water on both sides of the river.
‘What are you thinking of doing? You don’t have any plans drawn up to work from, either,’ Drako pointed out in puzzlement. Jim rarely built anything without being able to refer to a plan.
‘I know, but for what I have in mind that wouldn’t help me anyway,’ Jim said with a shrug.
‘Surely you’ll need wizard help to create something as substantial as a bridge?’ Drako added eyeing the expanse of swift flowing water anxiously.
‘I’ve got you three if I find I need more power,’ Jim said with a negligent shrug. He rode slowly along the bank his gaze flicking between the trees on this side and those on the other, until he found what he was looking for. He took his time choosing the right trees, since even though there were plenty in the forest to select from, what he had in mind would work best with a matching pair.
‘You’d best lead the horses a little distance away,’ Jim said to no one in particular as he dismounted and abandoned Nugget. He hoped someone would get the hint to take him away too. Now, without the distraction of controlling a greedy animal that was constantly tugging on the reins, more interested in heading off into the undergrowth to graze whatever was available than standing still, he could fully concentrate on the job at hand.
‘What do you need us to do?’ Drako asked as Freddie took their horses further down the track.
‘Stay close, but behind me. I don’t yet know if I’m going to need help.’
‘Fair enough. Don’t be shy to holler if you do,’ Drako said, joining Jack in position behind Jim. He knew from Cassy that Jim was wary of asking anyone to merge with him in case he took on more power than he could deal with. After his battle with the wizard battle squad, he’d been fundamentally changed. He could now take on power far more quickly than before. It meant he had to keep physical contact with other wizards to a minimum and be as brief as possible.
‘Thanks.’ Jim reached out so his fingertips made contact with his chosen tree and concentrated. The trunk began to vibrate and almost painfully slowly it began to rise out of the ground. Thick sturdy roots became exposed, which in turn pulled finer ones into sight. Soon the pale fine white roots began to wriggle free, lifting into a tangled growing mass around the base of the trunk. Only once the tree had pulled loose all of its roots from the ground did Jim pause, ensuring the tree was balanced on its ball of roots before he released hold of it.
‘Now the more difficult bit,’ Jim murmured. He went to the edge of the bank and reached towards a tree on the other side of the river. Persuading that tree to give up its grip on the soil was indeed far more difficult when he couldn’t touch and therefore directly affect it. Slowly however, his will prevailed and the second tree also now stood with its roots exposed. He stopped then and ate a sandwich he’d made from breakfast leftovers.
Somewhat refreshed he began the next and trickiest step. He pulled both trees closer to the bank, but only to the front line position of the other mature trees. Judging by where trees had remained standing long enough to mature was probably a safe position for the bridge anchor points. Keeping control of both trees simultaneously was difficult as they were thirty foot trees and heavy. He was determined however that they would fall towards each other slowly and therefore be less likely to crash and snap.
The two trees met, slightly offset to one another. Their branches snagged together slowing their fall. Jim’s spell made the branches unusually pliable aiding the trunks in their slow falls, their branches slipping against and around one another, mostly without breaking. When the trees had created a low, almost horizontal arch, Jim decided the shape was good enough. He urged the branches to weave together thickly beneath the trunks to support their joint weight and also around the sides. Soon, a pair of wall like barriers of twined branches formed, reminiscent of a plaited cut and laid hedge.
Next, he urged the huge tangled mass of still exposed roots to all dig down into the soil from their current position. That was far neater and healthier for the trees than to leave some sticking out to die in the sun. The height the thicker roots had been protruding would have been quite an eye hazard to anyone passing too. The way they now slithered, and burrowed like snakes, was weird indeed. Slowly, the whole bridge settled lower as the tangle of roots unravelled and dug deep. The roots vanishing into the earth now anchored the whole structure at each end, tugging it into a strong rigid hold.
‘So, what do you think?’ Jim asked turning to face Drako and Jack. Both men were wide eyed, staring as the trees continued to subtly move.
‘That was freaky and I’ve seen you do some spooky stuff,’ Drako admitted. ‘Are they alive now?’
‘Trees are living things. They aren’t sentient now, if that’s what you mean. Don’t worry; I’ve stopped the spells, so they should quieten soon.’
‘Good, because seeing branches plaiting themselves is just freaky. When will they stop?’
‘Once they settle their roots in securely, so they can take in sustenance again, I’m sure they’ll stop moving,’ Jim said reassuringly, but he was watching closely too. ‘Remember when Amelie turned woven panels into a growing hedge, well this is the same spell. The hedge grew thickly at first as it established its roots, but soon reverted to a usual plant pace of growth.’
‘This is the same spell? Ok, good,’ Drako muttered, willing to be reassured.
‘Well, that was an impressive display,’ Freddie greeted, having just brought their horses back to them now all appeared safe and the spell casting finished. ‘That is one very different but pretty bridge. I can’t believe you got the branches to part so the trunks are clear enough to walk along. Is it safe to cross yet?’
‘I was just waiting for the roots to finish wriggling quite so obviously,’ Jim told him and approached closer now the mass of tangled roots had mostly disappeared into the earth, leaving a neat base to the trunk. Since these were still quite young trees their girth was actually quite slender. Jim had no difficulty stepping up onto the trunk. Whilst there was space to walk normally, without putting one foot in front of the other, it was undoubtedly only a foot bridge. The woven wall on either side gave a comforting feeling of solidity however, with less possibility of slipping off the side into the river. He walked across with no sensations of unease at all.
‘How is it?’ Freddie asked.
‘A little bouncy in the middle, but feels safe enough,’ Jim responded having rejoined them.
‘You’re going straight onto it with your horse?’ Drako asked, staring at Jack who was immediately stepping forward with his reins in his hand.
‘I know wood. These are strong young birches and he’s left them living and in a way that they’ll become strong again. Their structural integrity hasn’t been cut into either. Today is the weakest they’ll be unless something compromises them.’ Jack gently tugged his horse forward and surprisingly the animal stepped up without complaint and followed him across.
‘Well, that proves things, doesn’t it,’ Freddie chuckled whilst leading his horse forward immediately Jack stepped off the other side. ‘I must admit I do prefer the option of staying dry. This is a wonderful convenience Jim.’ He and his horse eyed the dark water rushing beneath them, but they felt safe enough and crossed without incident.
Whilst the big heavy wagons and teams of huge horses would still need to go around, this bridge gave everyone else some options. Being sited in a convenient spot and capable of taking a horse, was a huge benefit and meant it was a true answer to the river crossing problems everyone usually faced.
Jim might be tired from his magical exertions but he was happy. That accomplishment was one more thing to tick off his list. When his people needed to gather supplies from the farm it would be easier and safer for them, whatever the weather. The garrison troops woul
d now find patrolling both sides of the river easier too. And also, when he and lord Aubrey needed to meet, it would lessen the journey markedly.
Only time would tell, however, if this bridge survived when all others had failed. The trees needed time to become fully established and strong. He hoped the months between now and autumn’s heavy rains would be long enough for them to settle in and anchor themselves strongly enough to withstand the coming onslaught. Fingers crossed!
12. Sir Cyril
‘Come in,’ Jim called in response to the knock on his office door. He could sense the agitation radiating from the animus at his door, even before he hurried into the room.
‘Sir, there’s a party at the gate asking to see you,’ Rupert blurted, breathing fast from his sprint up from the main gates. ‘Sir, it’s the warrior wizard Sir Cyril!’ he added anxiously.
‘Let me see?’ he asked and Rupert stepped forward within reach, tacitly giving permission. Jim scanned Rupert’s memory of how the party had approached the gates and the manner of their request. He also picked up Rupert’s recognition of the Standard one the four guardsmen held, that of a swooping eagle, talons outstretched, on a field of green. The object of Rupert’s nervous regard had been a silvery haired gentleman with a perfectly groomed and shaped handlebar moustache in the same dignified silver. He had sat back quietly watching as his man made the request. Jim could see, as Rupert had, that the man might be of advanced years but his dark eyes were shrewd and sharply alert.
Forging Alliances: Wizards of White Haven Page 18