Holtsclaw, page 18
part #3 of The Master Mage Chronicles Series
There was a gasp from all the others. “A hand-fist? Of gold crowns? That’s an impossible amount of coin! He could never ask such an amount. It’s more than a king’s ransom!” exclaimed Wilhelm.
“He will, especially if encouraged by a certain mind-mage we all know.” Moriah shot a glance at Melania. “He likes Marcus, but is determined we not marry. So he will set an impossible bride-price to prevent it. But Marcus, can you extract that much gold in the few seven-days we have before the conference of kings?”
“Why before then?” asked Corinne.
“Because Marcus wants my father to demand my bride-price in front of the other kings. In that way he cannot retract the agreement. Right, Marcus?”
“Exactly so, Moriah.”
“What can we do to help?” asked Melania.
“Actually, there is something you all can do, if you are willing. It takes just as much time to melt and cast the gold as it does to extract it. If you were to come with us, us being Wilhelm and me, one group could be doing the extracting while the other the casting. I’m confident we could get it all done within a seven-day by working together.”
“Camping?” said Corinne, echoed by both Moriah and Melania.
“Hey, camping is fun!” said Wilhelm, with obvious enthusiasm. “I camped every night, well, all three of them, when I last traveled from here to my home in Agnium.”
“And I camped for four full turnings on my travel from Iber. It is quite enjoyable if you know how to hunt, fish and cook. And if the weather cooperates. I can’t do much about the last, but I am certainly well-practiced in the others. We would need some clothing and camping supplies. These are easily obtained. But we only are asking, not demanding your help. It is for you to decide to go or not.”
The three women put their heads together in a huddled conversation. Melania finally raised her head. “We’re in. When do you want to go?”
CHAPTER
NINE
M arcus knew exactly what they would need. Equally important, he knew where to find it in Holtsclaw village. They stored their packs in the stable with Max, Wee and Rex prior to departure. It was the first time the girls had met the animals. Rex seemed partial to Moriah, Max to Melania. Wee didn’t seem to have a favorite.
The term formally ended on a seventh-day. Everyone easily passed the end-of-turn exams. The new moon would occur after the mid-day meal on second-day. Early on first day, Marcus opened a portal to the ruins of Athenis. They stepped through to fresh green grass, a vivid blue sky, and a stiff breeze. They sought shelter in the lee of massive stones, fallen from what was once the castle keep. Although they had brought provisions for a two-day, Marcus thought fresh meat might be better, both in taste and adventure. He set the girls to setting up camp, after a bit of instruction. He asked Wilhelm to collect burn-wood and create a burn-pit. Using mind-touch, he located a small herd of wild pigs roaming within the ruins. He quickly harvested a moderately-sized piglet, cleaned it, and removed its hide before returning to camp.
Lunch was composed of freshly-grilled pork and local vegetables. It was a good meal, and there was plenty remaining for last-meal. They took a wind-blown tour through the remains of what was once a great castle. Nature had reclaimed many of the buildings, though foundations and some of the stone structures could be clearly identified. Sadly, many still bore the dark scars of burning, even after more than a hand-fist of turns.
“According to the account in the Chronicles, the city was pillaged and raised by the attacking armies. The women were not spared in the brutality. Nor were the children.” The abundant evidence of that distant war brought anguish to them all.
“These were my people who died here. These were their homes that were brutally destroyed. They were a peaceful people, not inclined to war.” He spread his arms, taking in all the ruin. When he spoke it was with great emotion. “This, all this, for the fear of a single man. A master-mage. My grandfather many times removed. Marcus Aurelius the First.” He pointed to a small hill in the center of the castle complex. “It was here, driven from room to room to this redoubt, he gave himself over to the combined forces of the other four kingdoms. Solely for the sparing of the people. The king, with great resentment, accepted the terms of surrender. It was death or exile. He caused his mage-friend to be buried with honor, then began what my fathers’ chronicles described as the great trek of tears. With difficulty, and much additional loss of life, they fled to Iber. Life there is harsh. In the hand-fist of turns since, my people have never prospered in numbers or wealth.”
Marcus continued after a reflective pause. “I know that those who did this have long passed away. Still, I cannot help but be resentful. Your father, Melania, asked if it would be my, or our, intent to rebuild this castle and recover the kingdom of Athenia. I thought not, at the time. But being here makes me think otherwise. We would have the power to do so, if that were our choice. Justice demands we try.”
The others stood silently, feeling his pain and sorrow. Moriah was the first to speak. “I would stand with you, should that be your choice. “
“As would I,” whispered Melania. “As would I.”
There was s sudden flash of bright light, much like lightening. “What was that?” asked Wilhelm. No one knew. Marcus suspected the fata had approved their decision, but kept that impression to himself.
They returned to the campsite and reverently consumed last-meal. By then, night had fallen. They turned into their bedrolls and drifted off to a somber sleep.
----- o0o -----
They all arose with the rising of the sun. It was another beautiful day and the wind had died to a whisper. Beyond the castle ruins lay the city of Atimia. The sounds of bustling commerce could be heard in the distance. The ruins themselves were vacant and quiet.
“They say this place is haunted by the anguished spirits of those who died here,” said Marcus. “Thus, the locals stay away.”
They ate a first-meal from the provisions they had brought from Holtzclaw. Marcus, remembering the trauma of his initial encounters with the river of gift, advised them to rest all morning and eat lightly at mid-day. Or perhaps skip the mid-day meal entirely.
“I alone have the power to pull gift from the great river of power, but you should all feel its presence. We must be in firm contact with the ground, so we will have to remove our boots and stockings. Moriah, Melania, you will stand behind me, your hands on my shoulders. If I am right, the power I draw will pass through me to strengthen us equally. Corinne, Wilhelm, I do not know how this will affect you. Place your hands on the shoulders of the other two. If, at any time, you feel like gift is about to overwhelm you, simple break contact. The flow to you will stop. The flow should start rising shortly. It builds to a peak, remains for a short time, then declines rapidly.”
They stood around, feet bare, until Marcus announced the flow was commencing. They took their assigned positions. Melania and Moriah put firm hands on Marcus’ shoulders. Corinne and Wilhelm stood behind them in a similar position.
“I am starting to pull, even though the flow of gift is far from its peak. Tell me what you are sensing.”
Moriah was first to speak. “I feel the flow of gift, though it is small. Melania?”
“Yes, I feel it too. It seems to be growing. Corinne, Wilhelm?”
“I do not feel anything at all,” said Corrine, echoed by Wilhelm.
“Get ready, the surge approaches.” Marcus pulled with all his might. The effect was greatly amplified by the power of the others. He knew the power he drew would have overcome him alone. But much of it passed through him to the others. He could hear heavy breathing and groans of discomfort. Then it was over.
They all collapsed on the ground. Melania, lying on her back, rolled over, and voided her stomach. “Glad first-meal was small, and that we passed on the mid-day.”
Moriah, flush and shaking, did the same.
“Corinne, Wilhelm? How are you doing?” asked Marcus.
They were both gift-burned and sweating. “I’m well. Just shaken a bit. I’ve never felt that much power before,” moaned Wilhelm.
“Nor I. I know we just got a bit of overflow from the rest of you. Even so, it was more than I thought possible. And look at us! We are all red-flushed, as though we have been standing too long in the mid-day sun!”
“Will it always be this, this dramatic?” asked Moriah.
“My grandfather likened it to a goat’s bladder. If you tie off one end, you can blow into the other and it inflates. When you release the trapped air, the bladder returns to its original shape. Almost. Except it becomes a wee bit larger. Since I have done this many times before, my capacity to contain gift has grown, so this flow had but little effect on me. It will be easier the next time we do it. And subsequent times will be easier still. By the way, this again was a particularly strong flow. As practiced as I am, I do not believe I could have absorbed its full power without pain. Having your reservoirs parallel to mine made a difference.” He thought for a moment. “Perhaps with my connection to you, I was able to pull with greater strength. If that is the case, our future ability to draw power will be even greater.”
“What next?” asked Wilhelm, with a weak voice.
“I think it’s best you remain here the rest of the day, recovering. I have a few errands to tend to. I should return well before last-meal. In the morning we break camp and go in search of yellow metal.”
The four picked up their bed-rolls and dragged them into the shade of great fallen stone, and were soon fast asleep. Marcus remembered gift-sickness having the same effect on him. Fortunately, their cases were mild.
----- o0o -----
Marcus had been puzzling over the concurrent use of gift, particularly tiemp and puert. Could he port while he was suspended in time? If so, he could port without detection. He chose a spot some five-hand paces away, one he could clearly see. He invoked tiemp, then attempted to port to the spot. The portal would not form. He returned to normal time. Next he created the portal and immediately invoked tiemp. He walked through the portal to the other side and released the portal, still suspended in time. This worked perfectly. The portal had only been open for a brief instant. He returned to normal time, satisfied with the result.
Using his new-found strategy, Marcus ported directly to the interior of the Caldonian mint building. No one noticed the opening and closing of the portal. He went to the waiting area and sat. A moment later, the same worker who helped him the previous two times saw him. He gave a start.
“Oh, forgive me! I didn’t see you enter. Please, come here to my window. How may I help you? You have more gold to exchange, yes?”
“Not yet, but soon. I have a strange request. I have a large quantity of wild gold and would like to cast it into bars for transport. I am thinking that if I had a mold such as the ones you use, I could create bars of a familiar size and shape. Would it be possible to borrow, say for a seven-day, a pair of molds? And an appropriately-sized melting pot? And handling tools?”
The clerk thought for a moment. “Yes, I believe that would be possible.” He closed his window and asked another man to cover his absence. “Come, follow me.”
He led Marcus through a door at the rear of the office, into a work area. Men were sweating over forges and coin-presses. He summoned one of the workers and explained Marcus’ request.
The worker turned to Marcus and gave a nod. “So yuh be the one what brought us all the wild gold last couple of turns! Well, that was mighty fine ore. That it was! Some of the best we’ve ever received. He says yuh be bringin’ more? We’ll gladly take whatever yuh ‘ave. Now, what kind of molds yuh be lookin’ for? We got plenty. Small and large.”
“What’s the biggest mold you have?”
“Biggest? Well, let me think.” He paused. “We ‘ave a few big ones, fist-sized. But I can’t imagine yuh be needin’ anythin’ that size.”
“How many of them do you have?”
“Yuh be serious? We h’aint cast a fist-crown bar in turns. I ‘spose we have as many as yuh be wantin’.”
“How about three, with a melting pot big enough to fill them one at a time.” Marcus had been observing men casting silver bars next to the forge. They had two iron tools, one to hold the pot, the other to tilt and pour. “And a pair of tools, such as those men use? Them as well?”
The worker shrugged, left, and returned a short time later. He carried a coarse-cloth sack containing the molds and tools. Marcus promised a prompt return.
“No hurry on those,” the man chuckled, referring to the molds. “Who knows, we might be needin’ ‘em again sometime in the next turn or two!”
----- o0o -----
Marcus returned to the campsite in Athenis to find his companions still sleeping. He quietly put down the bag containing the casting implements and went in search of game. He found a covey of plump quail feeding on a stand of wild white-grain. He suspended time and walked up to them. He broke the necks of five before turning back in the direction of camp. He dressed and skinned the birds and prepared them for cooking, rubbing them thoroughly with salt and spices.
The smell of roasting flesh awoke all but Melania. A gently shaking brought her awake as well. Except for the redness, all were in good spirits. As Marcus expected, they were hungry. The quail, though of generous size, disappeared quickly. The bones were cast into the burn-pit.
“Delicious!” said Moriah. “Nearly to my father’s standards. And he is, as you have seen, very particular about his food.”
“Where did you go this afternoon?” asked Corinne. “I awoke briefly and saw you were gone.”
“I went to the Caldonian mint for these.” He pulled over the sack containing the tools. “Official casting molds. There is the Caldonian crest in the bottom. So when we cast and remove the bars, they top will be of certified size and weight.”
“What about purity?” asked Wilhelm.
“It will not be a problem, I’m sure. They consider wild gold from the Isor mountains some of the best they receive. They certainly remembered the gold I brought them in turns past.”
“How many times have you done that?” asked Corinne.
“Twice. Once for myself and another to benefit the Iber treasury. The second trip produced much more than the first. Ten and two bars of two-hand crowns each.”
Wilhelm gasped. “That’s over two hand-fists. Of gold crowns!”
“And you did this on your own?” asked Melania.
“The second time I had the help of a friend, Greta. She was an acquaintance of mine from my training days. She has become a confidant and protector of the royal family. The Iberian treasury was in dire straits. Fortunately, the coin we recovered was able to stabilize the kingdom’s affairs.”
Marcus did not fail to notice the brief, jealous glance that passed between Melania and Moriah.
“Greta? She is more than a hand older than I. And a strong adherent to royal propriety.”
----- o0o -----
The next morning, early, they ported to the Isor Mountains. Marcus chose the last site he had worked. It was higher on the mountain side and less accessible by foot. The surroundings were relatively unchanged from his last visit, even the burn-pit he had created was in usable condition. They set about making camp while Marcus went in pursuit of food. This time he found, slew and prepared a young doe. He quartered it in camp, wrapping three of the four in broad leaves for future meals. Marcus had shown Corinne which plants and bulbs were edible. By the time the meat was cooked the vegetables were ready as well. It made, again, for a satisfying mid-day meal.
Marcus had been giving considerable thought to finding gold. He knew that the gold he had been collecting had been carried downstream from its source in the mountain heights. He also knew that it took considerable gift-power to pull the ore through soil, sand and stone. It was unlike water that simply flowed in, around and through. Could he not combine his earth-gift of flame with the pull of gold? And move the molten metal to his point of collection? And could he use his other tier gifts to locate the mother source? He decided to try the first before searching for the second.
“I withdrew much of the gold from this area the last time I was here. I propose that Wilhelm and I go in search of a different site, perhaps higher up on the mountain. The gold that collects in here, washes down from above.”
Marcus took a few moments to pan-sift a small quantity of gold from the stream, the others watching. “I need a sample of gold to focus my power on what I want to draw.” Concentrating on those few flakes, and much to the amazement of the others, he pulled a hand-full more from the stream. “Now we need to convert this into a more solid form.” Using tier he hollowed out a small depression in a nearby, fine-grained stone, into which he poured the dust. He motioned for Moriah and Melania to cast heat. The dust melted, leaving a small button of pure gold in its place as it cooled.
Marcus and Wilhelm began a climb up the mountain side, scrambling from boulder to boulder. Marcus, on a whim, decided to access his earth-gift and look for any deposits of gold that might be nearby. To his surprise, his senses were turned strongly in the direction of farther up. He looked in the pulling direction and saw a great white crack in the mountain stone. It was several hand-paces above the place they stood. It was not easily accessible.
“Let’s try here,” said Marcus. He knelt by a small stream that trickled between the stones at their feet, disappearing between larger stones farther down the mountain.
“But there’s nothing but rock here. It seems, from what you’ve told us, gold would be very difficult to pull through this stone.”
“Yes, you are right, Wilhelm. But I’m going to try to melt the gold, and see if it will simply flow to us as water might. Casting heat is a small expenditure of gift, wouldn’t you agree?”
He was answered with a shrug. “For you, perhaps. For sure.”
