Fury of the Crown, page 8
"Because people that travel there often remain."
"So they live in the forest?"
"No, they die there and their souls linger."
The man's face turned ashen. "And we're going there?"
Hayley chuckled. "Not directly, no. The estate is just outside of its borders."
"Thank the Gods for that."
"Ouch," said Hayley, turning her attention to Gryph. "Do you mind? Those are my fingers."
"He's a voracious fellow," said Sam.
"So he is."
"It will pass, in time," said Uzrath. "The wolves of the Black Arrow are similar in nature."
"How many wolves does the tribe have?" asked Hayley.
"About two dozen. They are stalwart hunting companions."
"I'm surprised you don't use them in the rangers," said Skulnut. They are quite useful at tracking."
"True," the High Ranger replied, "but we spend a lot of time in cities, I'm not sure their presence would be welcome."
"What about the army?" asked Ayles. "Ever thought of using them in battle?"
"Albreda has occasionally used them," said Hayley, "but they're better suited to tracking and stalking."
"Yes," agreed Sam, "unlike those Kurathian Mastiffs."
"I wonder what Tempus would make of Gryph?" said Gorath.
"I think they'd get along," said Hayley. "Tempus may be big, but he's honestly just a big softy."
"A softy that can rip your throat out," said Ayles.
"Only if you upset him," added Albreda.
Seven
Weldwyn
Spring 965 MC
* * *
Anna slowed her pace, allowing Gerald to catch up.
"You're in a hurry," he remarked.
"It's not every day I get to visit my in-laws," she replied. "And without the inconvenience of a long carriage ride, I might add."
"The magic circles do have their advantages. Is Alric coming?"
"Of course, I could hardly visit his parents without him."
"Where is he then?"
"I sent him on ahead. Aubrey had to take Kraloch anyway, in order for him to commit the Summersgate circle to memory. Alric thought it expedient for him to accompany them, that way he can announce our arrival."
"And now they're back?"
"Well, Aubrey and Kraloch are. My husband will remain there to help his parents prepare for my arrival."
"You seem to have everything thought out."
She smiled, "Thank you, it's what I do."
"You've always been a planner."
"Something I got from you," she said.
"Me? I'd hardly call myself and expert in such things."
"You wouldn't call yourself an expert in ANY thing, but you're the finest military commander in the history of Merceria."
"I'd hardly call myself that."
"No," she agreed, "you wouldn't, but I would."
A bark echoed down the corridor and then the heavy footsteps of Tempus followed, the maid, Sophie, rushing to catch up.
"Is he being trouble again?" asked Gerald.
"No," Sophie replied, "he's just full of energy. Do you think he knows we're going to Weldywn?"
"No, I expect he's picking up on the queen's excitement."
"Well why wouldn't I get excited," said Anna, "after all, it's not every day that we get to visit a foreign kingdom."
Gerald laughed. "I suppose that's true. Is everyone else ready?"
Beverly will meet us at the casting circle, along with some guards."
"And Fitz?"
"I shall be leaving him behind this time. With Hayley away I need someone I can trust to run the country."
"We'll only be gone a few days."
"True, but I shouldn't like to return to find trouble has been brewing in my absence. The nobles trust the baron, and I know he can keep them in line."
"It's too bad Albreda isn't back yet, she could keep him company."
"Aldwin will be here to help."
"I thought he'd be going with us."
"Why would you think that?" asked Anna.
"He's Beverly's husband."
"He is, and ordinarily I would agree with your reasoning, but he's been doing something for me."
"Which is?"
"If you must know, he's designing the next magical circle."
"And where will that be going?" he asked.
"I haven't decided yet. I thought Eastwood, but Kingsford might be a better choice. Eventually, of course, I'd like to have one in every town and city in Merceria but we can't very well bankrupt the realm to do it."
"A valid point, I hadn't considered that."
"That's what I'm here for. You take care of the army and I'll take care of the rest."
"Suits me," said Gerald.
They halted, waiting as the guards opened the ornate doors into the casting room. Inside stood Aubrey and Kraloch, along with a series of chests and boxes.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," said the Life Mage.
"Aubrey," said the queen, nodding her head and entering the room. "Master Kraloch, so good to see you."
The Orc bowed, looking awkward in his ceremonial attire.
"I see you've decided to wear your formal robes," said Gerald, using the tongue of the Orcs.
"I have," replied the shaman, "is it not proper to do so?"
"It is, I'm just not used to seeing them outside of your village."
"Indeed," said the Orc, "I had to go through the gate to retrieve them." He glanced at his feet, which extended some distance beyond the bottom of his robes. "It seems I have grown somewhat since last I wore them."
"Never mind," said Anna, "If this becomes a regular thing I'll have some new ones sewn up for you, providing there is no objection, of course."
Kraloch bowed. "I would be honoured."
"We took the liberty of taking some of the chests on our first trip," said Aubrey, "I'll return later for the rest."
"I never realized how much baggage I've acquired," said Anna. "Things were so much easier in the old days."
"Don't worry," said Gerald, "if we do this often enough, you can just leave clothes there."
"A good idea, we shall have to set up an embassy, much as Leofric did here."
"I'm sure he'd be amenable to the suggestion."
"Lady Beverly is here, Your Majesty," called out a guard.
The red-headed knight entered, resplendent in her metal armour. She bowed. "I have brought the guards," she said.
Behind her were eight warriors, each in the heavy armour of the Guard Cavalry.
"Excellent," said the queen. She moved closer, examining each guard and chatting amiably. Gerald marvelled at her easy manner, she was a queen that had earned a deep devotion from her people.
Finally done, she turned to Lady Aubrey. "You're in charge of this travel," she said, "how would you like to split us up?"
"I'll take you, Gerald, Sophie and Tempus first. Kraloch will follow shortly thereafter with Beverly and the guards."
"You're sure he can accommodate that many?"
"Of course," said Aubrey, "and the lack of horses makes it so much easier. Would you care to step into the circle?"
"Of course," said Anna. She shifted her position, calling Tempus to her side. Moments later Gerald took his own place, along with Sophie.
Aubrey moved to stand in the very centre of the casting circle, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. Words of power tumbled form her mouth and then the runes inlaid on the floor began to glow.
Gerald was looking at Kraloch and Beverly. They were outside the circle along with the guards, watching with great interest as the magic began to build. The last rune lit up and then a cylinder of light erupted from the floor, obscuring his view. The next moment the air changed, then the bright light faded from view. They were inside the Grand Edifice of the Arcane Wizards Council of Weldwyn, better known as 'The Dome', and instead of Kraloch and Beverly, a trio of mages was waiting to greet them.
Tyrel Caracticus, their self appointed leader, stepped forward, bending at the waist in a bow. "Your Majesty, welcome to Weldwyn."
"Thank you, Master Caracticus," said Anna. "Would you care to introduce your companions?"
"Certainly," the mage replied. "This is Aegryth Malthunen, the Earth Mage," he paused, waiting as the woman bowed. "And this," indicating the second, "is Osbourne Megantis, a Fire Mage."
"I prefer Pyromancer," the man added.
Gerald noted the man's lack of greeting but said nothing. He had heard that Weldwyn Mages were notorious for being rude, although in truth he had met few. His main experience had been with the healer, Roxanne Fortuna, and she had been almost as polite as Aubrey. Perhaps that reflected the fact that she was a fellow healer?
"So pleased to make your acquaintance," said Anna. "We aren't blessed with Pyromancers in Merceria. Perhaps you'd care to visit one day?"
"I should think that unlikely," the man responded, "my studies keep me quite busy, but I do appreciate the invitation."
"This is Gerald Matheson," said Anna, "Marshal of my army and my very dear friend. In addition I've brought Lady Sophie," she waited as her maid bowed, "and of course my dog, Tempus."
"Ah, yes," said Tyrel, "the famous Kurathian mastiff, I've heard much about him. I understand he caused quite a stir on his first visit?"
"He did indeed," said Anna.
"The king is expecting you," said Tyrel. "We'll send word to the Palace once the rest of your party arrives. In the meantime can I offer you some refreshment?"
"That would be nice," said Anna. They cleared the circle, taking a seat at a nearby table as they waited. The doors opened, admitting a bevy of young men and women, each carrying food and drink.
"Servants?" said Gerald.
"In a sense," said Tyrel, "but they're actually students that have come her to learn magic."
"You seem to have quite a few of them."
"It is quite out of necessity, I can assure you."
"Necessity?"
"Yes, they're all eager to learn the craft, of course, but many of them will lack the potential to become spell casters."
"A pity," said Gerald. "If only you could tell which ones had that power?" He looked at Aubrey, but the young Life Mage remained silent.
Anna lifted a chalice. "To your health, Master Caracticus."
"And your's," replied the Water Mage.
They each took a sip, then Gerald reached across, selecting a tasty looking pastry from a plate. "This reminds me of the ones back in Uxley, do you remember?"
Anna's eyes lit up. "I do," she said, reaching out to pick one up." She took a bite and let out a soft exclamation of satisfaction. "Mmm, this is delicious."
Tyrel Caracticus looked quite pleased. "It is a favourite of ours," he said. "Studying magic is an exhausting past time and diversions such as this are a welcome respite."
"I may have to take some of these back with me," said Anna.
"I'm sure that can be arranged."
The room was bathed in light as floor runes began to glow.
"That must be Beverly and the others," said Gerald, selecting another morsel.
"Careful there, Marshal," said Anna, "you want to leave some room for dinner."
"It would be discourteous of me to refuse the hospitality," he countered.
She laughed. "You're becoming the quite the diplomat, at least when it comes to food." She held out a pastry, allowing Tempus to take it in his mouth. The action elicited a gasp from Fire Mage, something that didn't fail to escape the queens attention.
"Do you not like dogs, Master Megantis?"
"Arcanus Megantis," the man corrected her, "and no, not particularly. I find them to be rather unclean beasts, useful for little outside of guarding cattle, perhaps."
Gerald let out a guffaw just as a cylinder of light shot up from the floor. He had meant to offer a reply, but the impending appearance of the rest of their party threw all such thoughts from his head.
The light dimmed, revealing Beverly, Kraloch, and the guards.
"Now that you're all here," said Tyrel, "I shall send word to King Leofric. Would your guards like something to drink while we wait?"
"Certainly," said Anna. "I assume you've already met Kraloch?"
"Yes," said Tyrel, "he arrived earlier in order to examine our magic circle."
"This is Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam," she continued, "Knight Commander of the Order of the Hound and my personal bodyguard."
"It is an honour," said the mage, "your fame precedes you."
"My fame?"
"Yes, everyone has heard of your part in the Battle of Norwatch."
"I wasn't the only one there," she protested.
"True, but you are a woman warrior, a rare thing in these parts."
"Rare indeed," agreed Anna, "Perhaps I shall speak to King Leofric about changing that."
"That is, of course, your prerogative. Would you like a tour of the Dome while we wait word from the king?"
"That would be nice," thank you.
"We are currently on the topmost floor," explained the mage, "with a circular corridor that runs around its perimeter. Beneath the casting circle is our primary library."
"Primary? You mean you have more than one?"
"We do, three to be exact."
"Why three libraries?" asked Gerald, "do you have that many books?"
"No," said Tyrel, "but the primary library is used by our students, we don't want them getting into more advanced topics till they're ready."
"I take it the others are kept locked?" said Anna.
"They are, Your Majesty."
"Fascinating." She turned to Gerald. "We must do something similar in Hawksburg."
"Hawksburg?" said Tyrel. "I don't believe I'm familiar with that place."
"It is my home," offered Aubrey, "and the future site of a magical academy."
The mage wore a look of surprise that was easy to see. "A tremendous undertaking," he said, "and one I wish you only the best of luck with, but I fear you shall quickly become disillusioned."
"Why would you say that?" said Aubrey.
"As I mentioned earlier, very few students hold the true potential to be a mage."
"Do you have any idea what the actual percent is?"
"Less than one in twenty, I'm afraid, and you must remember, we only take students that we feel carry the magic in their bloodlines. What of yourself, was your mother a mage?"
"No," said Aubrey, "but my great grandmother was."
"Ah, there you have it then. You would have been sought out as a student had you lived here in Weldwyn."
"I managed well enough. Of course I didn't know magic was in my blood. That didn't come out till well after I'd been apprenticed."
"Might I ask who discovered it?"
"It was actually Beverly that noticed my affinity." She turned to the red-headed knight. "Cousin?"
"Yes, that's right," said Beverly. "I went to Hawksburg to stay for a while, that's when I noticed her ability with her hands. She did very fine needlework, you see, and was an avid reader."
"And so you assumed she was a mage?" asked Tyrel.
"Not at first, no. It was only later, when I was travelling with Revi Bloom that he mentioned how busy he was. I asked him why he didn't have an apprentice, but he claimed he had no time to train one."
"I'm afraid I don't see how that led to Lady Aubrey learning the arts."
"Oh," said Beverly, "I haven't finished yet. I asked Master Bloom about magic and he revealed that those with power often manifest certain traits."
"Ah, I see now," said Tyrel, "he mentioned mental discipline and dexterous hands."
"Is that how you seek out new students?"
"It is, or at least its one of the ways we do it. We also research family trees and investigate reports of unusual events."
"Such as?" said Gerald.
"Oh, the usual things."
"Yes," added Aegryth. "I was discovered because of my affinity with animals. It's very common amongst Earth Mages."
Gerald looked at Osbourne. "What about you? Did you start setting fires at an early age?"
"I beg your pardon?" said the Fire Mage.
"You know," pressed the marshal, "to show your affinity for fire, I mean."
He received a stern look in response. "I most decidedly did not. I'll have you know my family has been using magic for generations."
"How nice for you," said Gerald, biting his tongue.
"Come," said Aegryth, "Let's show them the library, shall we?"
"Of course," said Tyrel, "it's this way, if you'd like to follow me?"
"Lead on, Grand Master," said Anna.
"Yes," said Gerald, quietly, "before this fellow sets the world aflame."
Out into the corridor they went. There were windows spaced at regular intervals here, large enough to let in light, but with shutters to close up during inclement weather.
Master Caracticus led them down a rather ornate stairway, one of two, he told them, that allowed access between floors. They passed by at least a dozen students, each appearing to be in their teens.
"Have you no older students?" asked Aubrey.
"Older?"
"Yes, surely there are many potential users of magic that might have aged?"
"While that is true, our history tells us that they seldom make good students. Too set in their ways, you see."
Gerald scoffed.
"You disagree with that?" asked their host.
"I train soldiers," said Gerald, "it's usually the older types that are easier to deal with. You just have to know how to communicate with them."
"I should hardly say magic is the same thing. Any old person can be taught to poke a spear."
"Is that what you think we do? Hand a spear and say go sick the other end into the enemy? I'll have you know that soldiering is difficult profession. We take it quite seriously back home in Merceria."
"I did not mean to give offence," said Tyrel, "I merely meant that fighting is a more physical endeavour while magic requires a higher level of concentration."
Gerald opened his mouth, about to argue the point, but Anna gripped his arm.
"Tell us," she said, "how many actual mages do you have in Weldwyn?"
"I am one of five greater mages, and we have another seven in the various stages of their training."
