Misthaven: The Complete Trilogy

by J Battle

  Chapter 15 Teddy

  Teddy was close to collapse as he reached the little cottage, just this side of the reservoir.

  'Why, lad, what's the rush?' said the Lady Alice, as she stepped out into her garden.

  'Me Lady…' gasped Teddy, suddenly bashful at the way her pretty eyes studied him, and he knew that she wasn’t very old, despite her ladylike ways.

  'Catch a hold of your breath there, before you try to speak. A drink of lemonale will do you fine, I should think.'

  She smiled at him, and then she turned and walked into the cottage.

  A moment later, she was back with a long cool beaker.

  When he'd drunk his fill, and then some, he started to speak.

  'Miss, Lady…my Pa said to tell you…'

  'Come inside, lad, and take a seat, for, if you've a story to tell, we may as well be comfortable.'

  Sitting comfortably, he began.

  'My Pa said to tell you there be strangers in the land, and you would know what best to do about it.'

  'Strangers? Are you sure?'

  'Seen 'em with my own two eyes, Lady, and that's the truth. And I heard them speak. They stepped out of the mist as bold as anything, then they settled themselves down and smoked themselves a pipe, they did.'

  'Well, they don't sound very threatening, do they? But how did they get into the valley? Does this say something about the waning power of the Wellstone, or perhaps Mage Anders? Or is something else at play here?'

  Teddy had no answer to her questions, but he could have spent his life just listening to the gentle flow of her words, and she smelled so nice.

  'Well, there is naught else we can do but tell the Mage, though I admit to being concerned at his possible reaction. If there is a weakness in the Magic, then this could be serious for the valley, and all who live there.'

  'Yes miss, I guess you be right.' offered Teddy, just to be involved.

  'Who knows the right of this? Or the wrong of that, for that matter?'

  She stood up from her chair, her slim figure dressed in a plain brown dress. She picked up a tiny silver bell and gave it a little shake.

  A dark shadow emerged from a side room.

  Teddy looked up, and then he looked up a little higher, for this was the biggest man he'd ever seen.

  'Oh, Brawn, I didn't realize you were in there, otherwise I wouldn't have rang the bell. Come, we have business with the Mage, and I'd like you close, just in case.'

  'Yes, ma'am. If you say so, ma'am.' His voice was deep as a canyon floor, and seemed to vibrate the very bones of Teddy's body.

  'My…you's big,' he whispered, all agog.

  'Indeed he is, lad. Indeed he is. Now, you are Frenk's son, I believe, and that makes you Tedward, does it not?'

  'Yes, M'lady, or Teddy, if you like.'

  'Well, then, Teddy, we three shall take a walk and find ourselves soon enough outside the Mage's palace. There you will tell the Mage exactly what you have just told me, and then there will be long discussions about what is best for us to do. You will not want to be bored by that, I should think, so I will ask you to return back to my home here, and perhaps take a doze or two. You are not to return to your own home. Do you understand me, Teddy? This is very important. You will be safe here.'

  'But, what about my Pa? He's all alone up there, if there's any danger.'

  'I should expect that he will not be alone much longer, if I'm any judge of the Mage, and I should be, after all the argument and strife we’ve had over the past few years.'

  'Can't you just tell him what I said? He don't need to see me, does he?'

  'He'll want the story at first hand, Teddy, and that means you. There may be questions he'll want to ask, or just more detailed descriptions. Nothing for you to worry about.'

  'He won't be turning me into something strange, will he? With his Magic, like? I don't want to be strange.'

  'As do none of us, Teddy. But no need to worry. I believe that the last person he turned strange was himself, and that was many years ago and Magic had nothing at all to do with it.'

  Together the three of them left the cottage and began to walk north and a little east, towards the tallest building in the valley; the palace of the Mage; sometimes named Anders the Unbridled, sometimes named Anders the Ill-considered, and other, more secret times, simply Anders the Slow.

  **********

  ‘How’s it going there, then? With the bread like?’

  Aarvarn looked up disconsolately.

  ‘I can’t find no fire, and I reckon I need fire to turn this lump of crop into bread. And I can’t find where they keep their fire. I’s looked under them there beds, and in them sheds, but I can’t see that they keep their fire anywhere, which is a mystery to me, ‘cause I seen them using it more than once or twice.’

  He stared down at the pot of grass in his meaty hand, and shook his head. ‘Don’t think I’m going to get me any bread this way.’

  ‘Well now, I’ve got news for you, and it’s all good, ain‘t it? Just you see. We’ve found where they left the food; just like that time last year, in a pile outside the village,’ Raarvan said as he rubbed his more than generous belly. ‘I reckon them little men want us to eat it all up and be on our way.’

  ‘Come on then. Why didn’t ye tell us first? Instead of all this jabbering. It’ll all be gone now, you big fool.’

  ‘No it won’t, ‘cause I did a mighty clever thing, and I thought it up all on me own, I did.’

  Aarvarn dropped the pot without a thought and turned to his old friend.

  ‘What did ye do that was so clever, then?’

  ‘I only told them fool Giants that the food was poisoned, and that we mustn’t eat it less we sicken and die, and I was going to tell you all about it.’

  Aarvarn face was crestfallen. ‘Oh no. How did it get poisoned?’

  ‘I only told them it was poisoned; it ain’t poisoned really, you old fool. I was just making fools of them, so’s they wouldn’t eat it all up when I came to get ye.’

  ‘That be mighty clever, Raarvan, and that’s no mistake. Come on, let’s fill our bellies, and when we’s finished, we can tell ‘em it weren't poisoned at all, and that ye made a mistake.’

  The pair trundled from the field, rushing as far as any Giant was capable of rushing; into the village and back out again on the other side.

  They came upon the rest of the Giants, milling around and complaining to anyone who would listen to them about their hunger.

  ‘What be that smoke, Raarvan? Ye never said there’d be smoke.’

  ‘There weren’t, before. Just food.’

  ‘I’ve been clever, Master Raarvan and Master Aarvarn,‘ said a tall, and quite skinny (for a Giant) individual, who’d left the crowd and rushed to join them. ‘I knew that, soon as ye turned your back, these stupid Giants wouldn’t be able to control their hunger, and they’d eat this poisoned food, and not think about what might ‘appen to ‘em. So, I thought, I’ll find me a tinder box, and I’ll start a fire.’

  ‘You know how to make fire?’ There was awe in Aarvarn’s voice.

  ‘Yes, look. I did that. I set the food afire so no fool Giant would eat it, and get himself all poisoned.’

  ‘Ye burnt all the food?’ Raarvan’s face was beginning to get a little red. ‘Ye burnt all the food?’ he repeated, as if his brain could grasp no other thought.

  ‘He’s got fire,’ said Aarvarn.

  ‘But all the food’s gone.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that poisoned food, Raarvan. He’s got fire, and I’ve got the crop to make bread, and we’ll find a cow, and squeeze it for butter, and it'll all be fine.’

  Chapter 16 Anders

  The palace was tall and glowed brilliant white in the early afternoon sunlight.

  Once a simple home for the valley’s Mage, it had been extended and redesigned by the current incumbent of that role, and now there were three slender towers and a drawbridge, but, alas, no moat.

  Teddy was quiet as they wa
ited for the door to be lowered. He didn’t want to have to talk to the Mage, and he was certain that the Mage was just awaiting his arrival, before he turned him into something strange.

  ‘Just tell him what you told me,’ said the Lady, reassuringly, ‘just pretend you’re retelling the story to me, and you’ll be more settled.’

  ‘I don’t expect he’ll be as pretty as you,’ said Teddy, before he realized what he was saying.

  ‘Oh, you sweet boy.’ She touched his cheek briefly, and all of a sudden, he felt very hot.

  Then the door was fully lowered and Anders the Ill-considered was staring down at him, and Teddy’s heat was replaced by a chill.

  ‘Lady Alice? Are you here to be tiresome again? I’m not sure I can face your tedious insistencies, and righteous and discourteous anger.’

  ‘We have important and immediate things that need to be discussed, Anders.’ There was a sterness in her voice that made Teddy certain that he wanted to be somewhere else.

  ‘And you’ve brought the lumbering Brawn and a child to support your arguments?’

  ‘The boy is a witness to the presence of strangers in the land, and they didn’t come through Hesselton.’

  Anders’ unlined face frowned, and he bent a little to examine Teddy.

  ‘And who might you be, child, and what is this nonsense about strangers?’

  Teddy stood up straight. ‘My name is Tedward, sir, and I am the son of the Ward of the North, and I speak the truth, sir.’

  ‘Well done,’ whispered the Lady, making him blush.

  ‘You’d better all come inside, I suppose,‘ said Anders as he took a pace backwards, ‘but wipe your feet, there, Brawn; I don’t want you trailing a mess through my home.’

  Brawn grunted, unable to resist the temptation to check his boots.

  ‘Would you like a drink? A tealeaf perhaps, or maybe something stronger?’

  ‘I think we should all remain clear of mind as we discuss what must be done,’ answered the Lady, firmly.

  ‘That’s very sensible of you, My Lady, but, forgive me if I allow myself something to relax me; bad news can make me tense, and destructive.’

  He rang a little bell and a young woman rushed in to answer. She was dressed more for the bedroom than for public display.

  ‘Anders! He’s only a boy! Get her to cover up, at once.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t think he minds; not at all. Those are breasts, young lad, in case you were wondering.’

  Teddy found that he was unable to say a word, or take his eyes off the items in question.

  The girl was dark-haired and voluptuous, and she took no notice of the Mage’s guests as she poured him a drink from a tall green bottle.

  When she’d completed the task, she turned and slowly left the room, with three pairs of male eyes following her all the way.

  Anders smiled and sipped his drink. ‘She’s very hot, you know. Can’t bear to keep her clothes on.’

  ‘Tell him your story, Teddy. Decisions have to be made.’

  ‘I was… I saw these men… strangers, they were, and for sure. I was chasing a drsill and they just walked out of the mist, just like that, and I hid and heard them talking, and I ran to my Pa, and he said come and tell the Lady, as she’d know what best to do, and so I did, and she said to come here and tell you, so here we are, sir.’

  Teddy’s legs were shaky and his mouth was dry.

  ‘Well said, Teddy,‘ said Lady Alice, smiling, ‘very succinct and to the point.’

  ‘You say you heard them talking; what did they say?’

  ‘Don’t know for sure, Mr. Mage. I sneaked off to tell my Pa.’

  ‘Shame. We might have learned something useful.’

  He rang the bell again and the girl rushed in.

  ‘Yes, sir?’ She asked, her voice all breathy and excited.

  ‘Nothing for the moment. I just thought the boy deserved a treat.’

  ‘Anders! How many of those have you had?’ asked the Lady, rising to her feet.

  ‘Not enough,‘ laughed Anders, knocking back his drink, ‘but you are right; of course you’re right; you’re always right. We need to do something decisive to find out what they are doing here, and how they found their way here. The Magic is still strong, and they should not have been able to get through the mist.’

  ‘Are you sure the Magic is not weakening? Perhaps you’re distracted by…your guest?’ Lady Alice settled back in her seat.

  ‘Nonsense! The Magic is as strong as it has ever been, even though we are only a few days from the new moon. I will send Aavtaar to investigate and capture these men, whilst I prepare for an early renewal of the Magic, just to be on the sure side.’

  ‘If you send Aavtaar, you are hardly likely to have the opportunity to question the strangers.’

  ‘Oh. I’ll tell him to be gentle, though I might have to explain what the word means.’

  *********

  ‘Well, now Frenk. You have our thanks for your help in this matter, and it’s time we were on our way, off down to see your Mage.’ Cavour picked up his bag and threw it over one shoulder.

  ‘I’d come with you, Mr Cavour, and that’s the truth and all, but I’m still feeling a bit groggy after that punch from yonder lad, and I’d best find meself somewhere to sit and rest until I feel more like meself.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Frenk, we’ll make our own way and I’m sure that we won’t get lost.’

  ‘And make sure ye say that the Ward of the North judged ye, and gave ye free passage through the valley. That’s important, that is, so no-one tries to stop ye.’

  ‘Thanks one more time, Frenk, and mayhap we’ll see you again before we leave. Come on, lad, let’s leave this good man to his rest.’

  Frenk groaned as he settled himself against a rock beside the road, and watched them on their way.

  ‘Nice folks,’ he said to himself as he wriggled a little to get more comfortable, ‘though that young lad strikes a fearsome blow for a little fella, and that’s the plain and honest truth.’

  ‘So, we’re going to walk right up to this here Mage and say, ‘can we have your Wellstone, please and thank you kindly, sir?’’

  Cavour glanced at BobbyJ.

  ‘Not exactly; but mayhap it will be something of that manner. But I expect there will be little more sterness and one or two threats to go with the pleases and thank yous.’

  They left the region of young woodland behind them, and the winding road took them between fields bursting with life and color, nestling up to the steep slopes that led up to the multi-colored barrier of mist that surrounded the valley.

  ‘Them crops will need harvesting soon,’ said BobbyJ, as they walked, ‘though it be early in the season for them to be so full.’

  ‘Ay, and that’s proof of Magic in itself, and they may have three rounds of crops each year, though there are few enough people about to do the hard work.’

  ‘Here comes someone now, but he don’t look like no farmer to me,’ said BobbyJ, slowing.

  Coming towards them was a man so wide that he almost filled the road, although he did not appear especially tall. With a shaven head and a full black beard, he marched towards them. In one hand, he held a heavy axe; his other arm carried a large round shield.

  ‘Same as before, Mr Cavour?’ whispered BobbyJ.

  Cavour nodded.

  ‘Stop, and give yourselves up to the will of the Mage.’ The newcomer’s voice was as coarse as his image, and there was a snarl on his face.

  ‘You represent the Mage? That is good news to us, kind sir, and no mistake. For we have business with his good self and you can save us good time in finding him.’

  As Cavour spoke, BobbyJ edged to the right, smiling all the while.

  ‘Whatever business ye think ye may have with the Mage, it be nothing to him, as he has his own business with you.’

  ‘He knows that we are…’ Cavour took half a step to his left.

  With amazing speed for such a large individual, the strange
r spun to his left and swung his shield, clubbing BobbyJ to the ground. At the same time, he jabbed the blunt head of his axe into Cavour’s stomach and pushed him easily over.

  ‘You think to fool me so easily? You be the fools, for I am Aavtaar, and I be the Mage’s champion in all things.’

  He leaned over the groaning figure of Cavour and grabbed the front of his robe in a massive fist. With no visible effort at all, he pulled him half off the ground.

  ‘I’ll take one of you along with me, to see the Mage, for he wants to have a word, like, but I’ll leave the other lying in the dirt, broken and bloody, for that is my way, and he knows that, and that’s the truth and all. So which will it be? You skinny one, or yonder youngster…’

  He threw Cavour back to the ground in anger as he stared at the spot where BobbyJ had fallen. The only evidence that he’d been there at all, was a few broken stalks.

  ‘Aargh!’ Aavtaar took a couple of steps into the field, and then he stopped, for there was no sign of BobbyJ’s passage.

  He turned and stomped back to Cavour, who was halfway to his feet and fumbling for his sword.

  Aavtaar stopped.

  ‘Go on then. Pull your sword man, for my blood is up, and only your blood with calm it.’

  Cavour stared up into his dark, angry eyes, and knew that he spoke the truth.

  He dropped his hand from the hilt of his sword and stood upright, trying not to wince at the pain in his gut.

  ‘I’ll not fight you, sir, for you are clearly a warrior, and I am but a merchant. I will come with you in all peacefulness to meet with your Mage, which will fulfil the instructions which I believe he has given to you.’

  Aavtaar glared up at him for along moment, as if trying to decide if he could kill him without repercussions. At last he sighed and slipped the handle of his axe into a loop in the belt that strained against his great belly.

  With his hand now free, he struck Cavour a concussive blow to the head with his fist.

  As he bent to pick up his unconscious captive, he muttered. ‘At least I don’t have to listen to ye prattle along the way.’