by M. J. Haag
“I'm sorry, son,” I overheard the blacksmith say. “I haven't seen him since he left. The wheels were good. The axle as well. If he's delayed, I don't believe it's because of wagon trouble.”
Atwell’s shoulders sagged.
I cleared my throat lightly, hoping to improve his mood, and the pair looked at me.
“Hello again, Mister Smith,” I said with a bright smile. “I'm here to collect the discs for Elspeth.”
“I told you, miss. It's just Smithy or Randall, whichever you prefer.”
“Thank you, Randall.”
He walked away to fetch my order, and I looked at Atwell.
“Hello again,” I said.
He frowned slightly and gave the barest of bows.
“Forgive me, miss. Do I know you?”
“You probably don't recognize me.” I lowered my voice and stepped closer. “My appearance was a bit different the last time we met. If you recall, I used a chamber pot to bash someone over the head.”
Recognition lit his eyes, and his gaze swept over my face again.
“Margaret?” He didn't look like he believed it was me.
“Yes. The true Margaret. I apologize for how I looked before.”
He frowned.
“No, I apologize. I don't have time for childish games. Excuse me.”
He moved to step away, and I caught his arm. He immediately stopped and looked down at me.
“It wasn't a game,” I said quickly. “It was a desperate attempt to save myself from something I didn't want. I am truly sorry if I offended you.”
Some of the annoyance faded from his expression.
“Not offended. It is good to see you again, Margaret, however I really must go. I'm looking for my father.”
I nodded and released him.
“Perhaps we'll see each other again soon.”
With more than a little regret, I watched him walk away.
The blacksmith returned with flattened discs so thin one bent in the palm of my hand.
“Thank you, Randall,” I said.
With the gold protectively wrapped in a piece of leather, I started back for the cottage, but not before I grabbed our meat pies. Mine didn't make the journey home. I was too hungry, and the little meal was too warm to resist. Because it was already finished, I was able to take over the stirring the moment I walked in the door.
“I can't believe how thin he managed to pound this gold,” Elspeth said, inspecting what I had brought back.
“Given that you told him he could keep any remaining gold, I'm sure he spent time pounding it as thin as he could manage.”
As I started stirring, I watched Elspeth layer the gold between the discs of wood. When she was done she wound the layers in twine until three ovals dangled from separate strings she tied to a single twig.
“It looks like you're going to make candles.”
“It does. However, once we dip these into the potion, they should come out looking nothing like they do now.”
I studied the three wooden discs now covered in twine and wondered what exactly they would look like when she was finished.
It took several hours more before the potion turned a vibrant green. I stopped stirring, and Elspeth immediately dipped the twine balls into the mixture. Together, we chanted the words she’d made me practice repeatedly over the last two days.
“Elder to gold, protect and hold. Gold to Ash, glow bright and flash. Ash to gold, magic controlled. Gold to oak, hide and cloak. To twine wrapped round and round, all magic shall rebound.”
The potion, which had long ago cooled, began boiling anew, and a bright flash of blue light filled the room. When I could see once more, the pot was empty except for three glittering, green ovals, each the size of a gold piece. If a gold piece were oval shaped.
“Did they turn to emeralds?” I asked as Elspeth lifted one.
“No. Stones of protection. Hold this.” She set one in my palm and immediately slapped me.
“Ow! Why did you do that?”
“A test.”
“Of my patience or my complexion?”
“Of the stone.” She moved away and grabbed one of her pre-made vials. “Hold still.”
Before I could object, she threw the vial at my feet. A dark mist rose up, and the stone in my palm glowed brightly.
“Do you feel anything?” Elspeth asked.
“No. What should I feel?”
“Nothing if the stone is working. If it's not working, incredible pain eating its way up your legs.”
I looked at the glowing stone. Green lights whirled within the green orb.
“It seems to be working,” Elspeth said. “Grab your cloak. It's time for us to meet the king and queen.”
Chapter Four
We approached a side gate guarded by two cloaked men. Listening to the direction of the guard who’d visited Elspeth, she and I had our hoods down low, covering as much of our faces as we could. When we reached the guards, Elspeth spoke first.
“I’m Elspeth, a magic caster, summoned by the queen.”
“And who is she?” the guard asked nodding to me.
“My apprentice.”
The man nodded and motioned us inside. Another guard escorted us around to a gated entrance. We never saw any servants or prettily dressed people once we were through the gate, which was how I’d imagined life in the castle. Instead, it was just the guard who escorted us down a narrow hall and up several staircases.
The guard stopped in front of a very plain door in the middle of one of the narrow hallways. I glanced at Elspeth, wondering why we were in what appeared to be a servant’s wing. Had she misunderstood who we would be meeting?
The man rapped sharply twice on the wood panel then turned to us.
“Stay here until you’re summoned.”
As soon as he disappeared from sight, Elspeth looked at me.
“Remember your place. You're an apprentice. You'll be in the presence of the queen and king. Do not speak unless I give you permission. Do you understand?”
“Do you really think we’ll meet the queen? This doesn’t seem very queenly,” I said with a quick glance at the hall.
“Our type will never see the main halls, imp. It’s the servants’ entrance for us. Always.”
Understanding and a little awe dawned as I nodded, trying to suppress my giddy excitement. It wasn't every day a person met royalty. Some waited lifetimes without even sighting anyone wearing a crown. Yet here I was, not only about to see our kingdom’s rulers but to hear them speak. Possibly have a conversation with them. It didn’t matter if I was entering through the servants’ entrance or not.
“What is going through that mind of yours? Spit it out quickly.”
“It's nothing but excitement. I won't speak. I know my place.”
We didn’t wait too long before the door opened, and a maid bade us to enter.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to walk into, but it wasn't the bedroom in which we found ourselves. Although the large bed was hung with heavy drapes and silks, ornately decorated with embroidered leaves and stags, and the rich creams, golds, and greens made it seem a forest bed from fairy tales, it was still a bedroom. Did the king and queen often entertain in their sleeping chambers?
Pulling my gaze from the bed, I quickly considered the rest of the room. There wasn’t anything in the room to suggest it was a common place to greet guests.
“Her Majesty cannot be bothered with charlatans and false promises,” the woman said, drawing my attention. “You can demonstrate to me whatever trinket or potion you think you have that will help.”
Ignoring the woman's abrupt attitude, I looked at Elspeth. Another demonstration didn't bode well for me. My cheek still felt a little tender.
“I have three amulets to protect against magical influences.” Elspeth withdrew the amulets from her cloak along with three vials.
“These vials are potions meant to cause the victim pain. When thrown to the ground, anyone in the vicinity will
become affected. I do not sell these. They are far too dangerous.”
She held out her hands, offering the vials to the maid.
“Choose which one of us should wear an amulet and which one should go without so you can see the results.”
I looked sharply at Elspeth.
“Your friend doesn't seem to like your idea,” the maid said noting my look.
“My apprentice helped test an amulet before arriving,” Elspeth said. “She wasn't prepared for the unexpected pain.”
I frowned at Elspeth. She was making it sound like she had used a vial on me when in fact all she’d done was slap me. Every word she said was true though. I hadn't been prepared for the sudden slap.
“I see,” the woman said. “Your apprentice can wear an amulet, then.”
Elspeth handed me an amulet, and I took it reluctantly. As much as I wanted to be the courageous pupil and refuse to spare her pain, she’d purposely done what she had in the cottage to ensure I’d wear the protection. And there had to be a good reason for that.
“Make sure the amulet is touching your skin,” she said.
I put the charm around my neck so the maid could see it while still allowing the stone to touch me. Without warning, the woman threw a vial at our feet. A white vapor rose, crawling up our skirts. On my chest the amulet began to glow blue.
Elspeth cried out and fell to her knees while I felt nothing. And, it wasn't just pain she was feeling. Red marks appeared on her skin, visual proof she wasn't faking.
The maid took a few hasty steps back and watched us as Elspeth continued to writhe and make horrible pained sounds.
Unable to bare another moment, I leaned forward to try to help Elspeth. The amulet fell forward, breaking contact with my skin. The mist felt like a thousand coals being racked over my skin. With a strangled cry, I straightened. A hint of red dotted the skin along my arms.
Standing straight, I used my skirts to fan the vapors. It took several moments for the mist to clear. Even once it cleared, Elspeth continued to breathe shallowly. Her skin was mottled with blisters and deep, angry burns.
The maid clapped her hands loudly and several of the doors leading to the room opened.
“Fetch these women chairs and something to eat and drink,” the maid commanded.
Several of the maids who entered curtsied deeply and bowed their heads. With a sinking feeling, I looked at the woman before us again.
I had done what I had resented so many of my class for doing. I had judged the woman based on how she was dressed. I should have known to look deeper. Her rigid posture. Her regal demeanor. We had just been tested by the queen.
“How long will the effects of that vial last?” she asked.
Elspeth struggled to stand, and I hurried to help her up. She hissed when my hand came in contact with a burn on her palm.
Once she was standing, she answered the queen.
“Until I heal, Your Majesty.”
The queen looked down at the two vials in her hand.
“Why bring three vials?”
“I made three amulets. Three vials to test each.”
I looked at Elspeth in shock. She couldn't endure more vials.
The queen seemed to think the same.
“I think it is unnecessary for you to endure another vial. Perhaps your apprentice?”
I’d had a taste of the pain and knew it wouldn’t be easy. But I couldn’t allow Elspeth to endure another vial. I nodded my acceptance to the queen even as Elspeth shook her head.
“I will endure,” Elspeth said.
“I rather believe you would,” the queen said.
The maids returned with chairs, and I helped Elspeth sit. Once she was comfortable, and the queen was seated, the questions began.
“Tell me how the charms work,” she said. “And be sure to include all the cautions and pitfalls.”
Elspeth lifted her hand and gestured at me.
“Speak for me until I catch my breath,” she said.
Although Elspeth had spent the last several days teaching me about the amulets we made, and I was more than capable of repeating that information, it worried me that she deferred to me. Her continued shallow breathing told me of her pain. We needed to return to the cottage so I could care for her. There was a salve she made that could help ease the pain from the burns.
Knowing her suffering would remain until the queen was satisfied, I spoke quickly.
“The stone protects against all magic, good and bad. If you try to use a spell to enhance your beauty, it won't work,” I said bluntly with another quick glance at Elspeth. She didn't even look like she cared what I was saying, a true indication of just how much pain she was enduring.
“Do you have any willow bark tea? It might help Elspeth.”
“My maids will bring something for her shortly. Please continue.”
“As you saw, in order for its protection to work, it must be touching your skin. The stone itself is fragile and should be protected. Although it works against magic, non-magical means can still hurt you and destroy it. A direct blow could crack the stone and end its protection.”
“If I wear it against my skin, inside my bodice to maintain contact, how will I know when magic is being used against me?”
“There is no way, other than the glow, to know when magic is being used against you.”
“I see. It makes it hard to identify if someone is trying to hurt us when we don't know when we're being hurt.”
“The stone is designed for protection. It is not meant to tell you when someone is trying to hurt you.”
“Margaret,” Elspeth said sharply. “Recall to whom you are speaking.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
“Don't apologize,” the queen said. “You're speaking truthfully, and I appreciate your honesty. With what is happening in Turre, I’m trying to prepare for the same. Now, will the magic in the stone wear out?”
“No. Each amulet was made with a moonflower. It will endure any magic so long as the stone remains unbroken.”
“Any magic made,” Elspeth said. “However, it can only endure a limited amount of blood magic.”
“Blood magic?” the queen asked.
I took over the explanation as this part of magical lore had interested me from the moment I’d learned of it years ago.
“Magic is nothing but a person's attunement with their surroundings and their ability to manipulate the energy in every living thing. Every man, woman, and child is born with a certain amount of ability. The majority of us have the barest trace and are unable to do any magic. Those who can are considered casters. Some casters have more ability; others have less.
“While rare among the people, casters are the most common type of person to use magic. The less common are those who have more than an attunement with their environment. They don't just manipulate the energy around them; they share it. The very energy of everything around them is in their blood. We call those enchanters. It's extremely rare.”
“I don't understand why the stone would deflect endless caster magic but only limited blood magic,” the queen said.
“Because the amount of magic a caster can send your way is limited. A caster can be exhausted, which disrupts the attunement with their source of energy. An enchanter is connected to their source of energy, and because of that, they will not tire.”
“You need not worry about blood magic, though,” Elspeth said.
A door opened, and maids walked in. We stopped speaking as they served Elspeth some tea. My mentor drank greedily and remained silent until the doors closed once more.
“Why do you think I shouldn’t worry about blood magic?” the queen asked.
“The use of blood magic cannot be hidden,” Elspeth said. “It will perverse the environment. It will cause changes that will be noticeable by all. The Dark Forest is a good example of what happens with the use of blood magic. Too much energy was drawn from the area. The plants and creatures are no longer the same.”
&n
bsp; The queen nodded slowly, and I thought of the woods they mentioned. Running from the mountains several weeks’ ride to the north, to the waters to the south, the swath of trees completely separated the two kingdoms. Unnatural, deadly creatures called the Dark Forest home, and I was glad for the barrier that kept them there.
“The forest was created centuries ago, during the wars,” the queen said.
“Precisely,” Elspeth said.
The queen continued to quiz us for another hour. When she seemed satisfied with the answers, she slipped one of the amulets around her neck.
“I will allow you to take your mentor home to rest. But I ask that you return as soon as she's fit. I will have more questions by then.”
Elspeth paused on the dirt path. It was well after midnight, and our journey home had taken far longer than anticipated.
“Is that someone in front of my door?” she asked.
I peered toward her cottage, trying to see through the gloom. A large, dark shape unfurled from the ground near the door. It took a moment for me to discern arms and legs.
“Your eyes are better than mine,” I said. “It does look like a man.”
Elspeth straightened and started walking toward her home.
After my late-night run in with the two men several nights ago, I was more hesitant to greet a faceless shape in the dark. However, when I saw the face, I couldn't help but smile.
“Atwell? What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I need help.” He looked at Elspeth. “I know you do spells. Can you help me locate my father?”
I frowned, not because I didn't want to help him but because I wasn't sure Elspeth could. Not in her current condition.
“Come inside,” I said, opening the door for both of them. “We can discuss this by the fire.”
It took me a few moments to rekindle a flame in the hearth. Once a cozy heat emanated, I started brewing Elspeth some more tea to help with the pain and the healing.
“Why do you need to find your father?” Elspeth asked when she’d caught her breath again.
“Before news came from Turre, my father left with a supply laden wagon. He trades there once a month. It usually takes him four days. He's been gone eight. Nine now,” Atwell said, looking at the dark window. “It's not like him to be this late, and with the news…”