Enlightenment

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Carefully, Prin collected her treasures from the table. She now had a possible explanation for them, if not the truth, it sounded like it may be. That was more than yesterday. Maude allowed Brice back inside. He didn’t act as if he knew he’s been excluded and forbidden to enter the house while they had talked.

Brice said, “I think I’ve got it. Look at my head.”

The three of them crowded around him, and none could see the telltale shimmer that identified an unprotected mage. Maude announced a victory breakfast would be served in his honor. As she mentioned it, Prin smelled enticing aromas of frying sausages and bread.

During their meal, Maude outlined their plans, including having him sail with the Merry Princess. Prin watched for any sign of reluctance, prepared to adjust or abandon the ideas, but he seemed to almost rejoice at the adventure in them.

Brice listened, then said, “The ship doesn’t sail for more than a month. Do you think you can teach me to control myself better? Maybe I can learn a few spells?”

Maude chuckled and said, “Mages do not cast spells. They transform.”

“That still confuses me,” he said. “Can I learn to transform something?”

“Forget what you think you know,” Maude told him. “Just learn this, and we’ll work on the rest later. A mage transforms things. By that, I mean he might condense or expand an item to make it smaller or larger. He takes fire and stills it until he needs it, which is a transformation from active to passive. He concentrates air and releases it at his enemies to knock them down with its power.”

Brice said, “I think I’m beginning to see. A mage can take a small wave at sea and make it large enough to sink a ship.”

Maude said, “If he knew the correct incantation and how to manipulate the sea, a mage could do that. Or, he might concentrate the wind and blow down the ship’s sails. But I think you’re getting the idea.”

Prin said, “Do you know any of those things that you can teach Brice?”

“I do have a few in the writings I’ve managed to collect over the years. One, in particular, intrigues me, and I believe I can teach that one to him, but cannot perform it myself, of course.” Her eyes drifted to Prin as if accusing her, or daring her to speak.

“What is it?” Brice asked, breaking the sudden tension.

Maude said, “It is a way for you to use the air and make it move along a line. With it, you can build a barrier around yourself, so others have a hard time seeing you. Oh, they can if they concentrate, but most will simply not see through it.”

“My father did that when we set up our camp. From the road, things in our direction were fuzzy or hazy.”

“That is the sort of thing I can teach, perhaps,” Maude said. “However, no matter what else you learn, we will work on hiding your abilities and protecting you. Then, I will try to locate a mage who will teach you.”

If Brice’s smile widened any larger, his face would crack.

Prin said, “Now, I’m confused. Evelyn, another sorceress, gave me a powder that we called a no-see-me spell. When it was placed on my head, people looked anywhere but at me. That’s the same spell for a mage and sorceress.”

“My, you are going to be a challenge,” Maude said, placing a hand on Prin’s shoulder as she smiled. “One person rides a mule up a hillside to the top. Another walks up there. They achieved the same result, but got there by different methods. Remember?”

“I guess I can see a difference.”

“Yes, we sometimes duplicate the end results, but do so in different manners as you told us last night. However, there are many things a mage can do that we cannot, and the other way around.”

Prin said, I’m still feeling responsible for our ship, and we should send for the crates we have in the cargo hold. I was thinking of going down to the harbor and trying to explain.”

Maude turned to her. “Then, think again. The port is the place that is watched most heavily. Your enemies know you were elsewhere, so to be here, you must arrive by ship. Even allowing Brice to go there and return here is a risk, because if those who are after you are as intelligent as they seem, and the search as widespread as you suspect, they will know a girl your age arrived on that ship—and disappeared. That alone is suspicious.”

“But Brice was not with us on the ship. He came on another,” Prin said sternly.

“Do you believe no eyes watched you arrive? That nobody followed you, or that they are not watching the comings and goings of any who visit your ship? Or any others with young girls aboard? Let me put it another way, dear. Are you willing to wager your life that none of those things are true?”

Sara said, “You know she’s right.”

Prin said, “Is this what it’s like to have a mother?”

All three of the others broke into laughter as Prin sat alone and looked from one to the other. Finally, they finished eating, and Maude said, “I would like to say one more thing on the earlier subject. The things you have in those crates on the ship may be of such importance that I sent a messenger last night to speak with your captain, and he has agreed that the crates will be delivered this morning, so sending Brice is not a danger—to you or himself.”

“What if someone follows them here?” Prin asked.

“They won’t. Who would follow cargo?”

“You think of everything, Maude,” Sara said.

“Not everything, apparently. I also own all the houses and property that surround this one and rent them at very affordable rates to people I trust. They are my watchdogs. I’ve heard from three already. There are men, soldiers, who are patrolling the road outside.”

“Soldiers?” Prin asked.

“Do not be alarmed, yet. I have the means for us to escape, but I may have misled you, and apologize. While they are soldiers, they are not from any of our local militias or are not massing for an attack. I believe there are only three, but they walk past as if they are uninterested. After walking a short distance past, they either circle around or return.”

Prin said, “If they’re not local, where are they from?”

“I do not know. They are new to Gallium, but they wear a uniform of sorts, and they wear swords, so we must be wary.”

Sara was already at the front window watching the few wagons and pedestrians on the street. She said, “Just ordinary people so far.”

Prin said, “Should we leave now before they call in more and attack your home?”

“I am confident of my defenses. Nobody will enter this home without my permission, not even the most powerful mage will circumvent my spells. Well, that may not be true, because he might spend half a lifetime trying and finally succeed, but long before that we will have left and will be in another home far from here.”

“Have you ever been attacked?” Brice asked. “Is that why all the defenses?”

Maude still sat on the sofa, a teacup and saucer held ready high, ready to sip. She said, “Politics change. First, we sorceresses are trusted, and people seek us out, then we are called witches and demons, and others seek us out. One day we’re bread fresh from the oven and the next stale crumbs.”

Prin said, “So you prepare for either.”

“When times are good, I prepared for when they are not.”

Sara sat up straighter and called, “Prin, look!”

Prin leaped to the window. Outside, a soldier walked past, wearing a familiar gray shirt and pants, but also carrying a sword with the blade bare. While it was on his other hip, the one turned away from the window, she had no doubt there would be an iron ring holding it. “How do they know about us?”

“You recognize him?” Maude asked. “I’ve seen a few of them in recent years, but always avoid being around because of stories I’ve heard.”

“They guard us. We’ve met a few, and they all seem to know me, and they accepted my gift to their Order of the Iron Ring. Ever since they watch over me.” Prin turned to Maude.

Sara said, “They’re decent people.”

“There are also untrained mages, or boys who never discovered to have the talent, much like Brice. Oh, they sometimes have a few abilities they share, but they lack the intense education and dedication it takes to become a true mage.” Maude still sat with her teacup and had not ventured to look out the window.

Prin said, “I think they are here because of Sara and me. Can I go speak with them? For just a moment?”

Maude stood and placed her teacup aside. “If I mention Brice, that means I’m not satisfied with something, and we will all return inside. It is like a codeword. Agreed?”

When they reached the edge of the road, none were in sight, so they waited. After a short while, one approached, his eyes averted as he strolled the street. He made no indication of being aware of them. When he was closer, Prin called softly, “Sir, may I speak with you?”

He angled closer and came to a stop a few respectful steps away. His eyes flicked to each, then in a soft, well-modulated voice said, “May I be of service to you or to Mistress Sara?”

“You know us?” Prin asked. “Have we ever met?”

“I believe you supported our order in Indore. As friends, we also watched over you in Donella, and here there seems to be a danger to you, so we are patrolling unless you wish us to stop.”

Sara said, “But you know us?”

“We recognize all our friends—and enemies.”

Prin said, “I only gave a few coppers.”

“The size of a contribution does not matter. You provided support to our cause without expectations or because of being coerced. You gave from your heart. What more can we ask?”

Sara said, “There are evil men after us. If they see this house is guarded, they may want to investigate why, and find us here.”

“We would not allow them to enter. However, perhaps this is not the time to be conspicuous. Would you prefer a less obvious watch? If the need arises, the watcher can contact our order quickly. There are times when a show of force is better—and those when it is not.”

“I think that would be better,” Prin said.

He turned to face Maude. “Perhaps you would allow one of us to work as a gardener at one of the nearby houses you own? Any of them would provide the surveillance required for your protection.”

Maude said, “Nobody knows I own those houses.”

“And more houses, closer to the center of Gallium. You are a wealthy sorceress.”

“You seem to know a lot about me for people I’ve never met or seen.” Maude’s voice contained more puzzlement than anger.

A trace of a smile appeared. “Thank you. If we’re not noticed, we can be more efficient in our work. Your association with Sara and Prin has been noted and shared, and if you ever require blades for protection, ours are at your disposal.”

He turned and walked away.

Maude watched and said, “I didn’t give him permission to work in my gardens. Do you suppose he’s going to, anyhow?”

Prin and Sara shared a look. Sara said, “You didn’t refuse him permission either so he will do it. If you watch the gardens of your other neighbors, those able to best see your house, one of them will have a new gardener working there.”

Maude shook her head in disbelief. “You come into my home seeking asylum, and a day later provide protection. How do I donate to them?”

Prin said, “They are all authorized to accept donations.”

Back inside, Maude went to a teapot with water just beginning to boil. It was always just ready to boil when she approached. She poured more tea and wandered back into the kitchen, her eyes focused on nothing. Finally, she said, “Brice, why don’t you and I take a short walk while I try to get you started on a few basics of becoming a mage.”

Brice leaped to his feet and started for the door to the back, then paused. “Oh, you want to go out front.”

“And look for gardeners,” Sara said.

“As well as doing a little shopping, too. Prin and Sara, you stay here and wait for your crates to arrive.”

After the door had closed, Sara said, “You know? That was fun to be a step ahead of her, if just for a while. I think she’s impressed.”

Prin said, “She scooped coins out of the dish on the table beside the front door. I think she may buy some things, but the rest will be a donation to the order.”

Sara said, “She’s right about you, you know.”

Prin said, “You and I still share a secret that must remain only between us.”

“Maude will not find out your royal standing from me. But, I suspect she will.

“Find out? How?” Prin asked in a huff.

Sara smiled the sly smile that she sometimes used when she knew an answer and Prin didn’t. “Because you will tell her.”

“Will not.”

“Will too,” Sara squealed as she made a weaving motion with her hand and disappeared before Prin’s amazed eyes.

Prin darted forward and hugged empty air while hearing Sara off to one side laughing uproariously. Prin lunged at the laughter, only to miss again, and the laughter came from behind her. She whirled and spread her arms as if sweeping Sara into them. She shot forward and felt Sara brush her left hand. She paused, “Learned a new spell, huh?”

The tap of a finger on her shoulder told her where Sara was. Sara said, “Imagine the fun we can have if we both use this at the same time?”

“We can pretend there’s nobody in the room. Is it a spell Maude gave you, or is it one you found and cast?”

“Maude helped me with the details, but this is one from the journals Angelica left us, one of those she translated from old scrolls.”

Prin found it difficult to have a conversation with someone she couldn’t see, let alone follow the expressions and body language. “Can you make it stop?”

“I should, anyhow. The spell uses much more energy than I think it should. I’m already feeling weaker.” Sara glittered into existence a few feet away. “I must have done something wrong.”

Maude stood in the doorway, wearing a firm expression. “You did.”

Sara turned, “What? I thought I followed Angelica’s instructions correctly.”

“You used a spell without knowing all the details, the nits, and gnats. You might have blown up my home, or yourself. You could have made yourself invisible for the rest of your life, or injured little Prin.” She stamped a foot hard enough to echo in the room.

Sara said, “I didn’t mean to do something dangerous or wrong. It won’t happen again.”

“Damned right it won’t,” Maude snapped. “Sorry about the language, but we all need to understand that magic is not about having fun and hiding from each other. When I was young, I took an oath to use it to help people. I will expect the two of you to do the same.”

“And me?” Brice asked, looking over her shoulder.

“And you. There is plenty of time for humor and play, but when it comes to your studies, I expect and demand your full cooperation.”

“Holy crap!” Prin said.

Maude stiffened. “It is not that much to ask of you.”

“Not that,” Prin said. “I just saw Jam on the street.”