Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1) (23 page)

The arrow flew through the air as he let it go. It whipped through the thicket until it met its target and struck true. Jack had watched the rabbit as it huddled in the undergrowth. It had been further than he’d thought but he’d been lucky. He’d accounted for the breeze that ruffled the grassland around him. He wasn’t used to the bow anymore, but the lessons he’d been taught as a child had served him well and he’d eat tonight. He walked over to the rabbit and picked it up, and although he felt sorry for the creature, he had to eat. It’d been three days since his last decent meal and he’d survived on the rice and beans he carried with him. Four more days and he’d be home, back in Canameer, to be reunited with his family.

He placed the rabbit inside the canvas bag he carried with him and strapped it on his horse. His sword hung in a leather holder on his back and made for easy access when it was needed. Since he’d left the army, he’d had no reason to draw the sword and it had remained safely ensconced in the leather.

Jack had decided to leave the army in Alberdez and travel back to his family. After he’d been away for so many years, he’d realised that no matter how good a swordsman he’d become, he’d never defeat the Antrobus army on his own. Jack had organised other soldiers, who he’d become friends with, to travel down in a few weeks and meet up with him in Canameer. They, too, had become disheartened with the constant grind in a battle which dragged them further away from their southern roots.

Jack’s childhood fantasy over the years had dwindled and the truth had come to light.

In the army he’d trained hard and travelled up through the ranks to become a Captain before he’d left. He’d finally come to accept that there were no plans for the army to travel south and help the people of Solencia. The army of Alberdez had no interest in the south and pushed north to obtain land and wealth where the climate was temperate.

Many years ago the people of Screin had been pushed from their homelands. They were cast out and wandered the deserts in search of a new homeland. After many years they’d settled in Alberdez, where the people had welcomed them and over the years they’d rebuilt their army. They were now a force that invaded, conquered and took back the lands that had been stripped from them. The people the army encountered were treated well and it didn’t take long before they came to accept the Screin as their own. King Siobian was far more generous than the previous rulers and the people were happy to live within his rule. This King was fair and just.

Jack found a place to camp for the night and lit a small fire. Then he prepared the rabbit for his evening meal. The rabbit smelt good as it roasted on the spit over the fire, and he turned it often to make sure it was cooked through before he placed it on a rock to cool. After he’d eaten his fill Jack settled down for the night next to the small fire. The days were warm and the nights were cold and soon the winter would come.
Not long now,
Jack thought, as he lay near the fire for warmth and he’d be home in Canameer with his father and sister. He’d thought of them often, over the years and had sent money when he could. The fire burnt down and the stars seemed brighter. Contented, Jack slowly drifted off to sleep.

As Henry and Eleanor spent time with their family ensconced within the Keep for winter, Arnak and Athena watched as the snow fell and the people of Reist lined up outside the gates just as Arnak had predicted.

They waited to see the Lord and plead their case. Their families were hungry and there was no way they could feed them. Some young men offered themselves in exchange for coin to feed their families and some wanted a warm bed and food each day. Others had no choice but to give one of their sons to the army to save the rest as their hunger grew with each day that passed. And so every day more lined up outside the gates and waited to be paid in exchange for one of their own.

Athena stood to the side of her brother as he saw each family in turn. The contracts were drawn and ready to sign as each stepped forward. If the family’s son was of a good age and looked healthy then the Lord would pay the price offered with no question. But if the son was too young to train or was too thin, the Lord would haggle the price. Most accepted what was offered and only a few turned and left with their family intact. Arnak knew they’d be back later that winter and he’d then offer them less.

As money exchanged hands the son offered would step forward. If he were old enough, he’d mark his name on the contract and be forever beholden to the army of Reist. If he were too young, then the head of the household would sign the contract. Some people could write and read, others marked their names as best they could and hoped they’d only sold their son. As they stepped forward Athena sealed all contracts with magic. She took their hand and bound them to Arnak for a thousand years. She tested the men and boys’ inner souls to see if they carried any taint of evil. If they did she’d drain from them one year’s worth of their life. The enchantment she cast upon them would make them do the Lord’s bidding, whether they wanted to or not.

So the bargains were made and sealed and the army began to grow and they’d continue to build it through the long winter months. The army would train in the spring, but for now these newcomers would work within the grounds and build weapons and carts to take to war.

Joseph Gala and his sons, Peter and James, had been up at the Ridge for the last few days. After several trees had been cut down they’d used the horses to drag them down to the Meer River and float them down stream. Workers waited down river near the wood-yards, ready to drag the logs in to the edge of the banks. Then, horses were used to pull the logs from the water and stack them to dry and be split later.

Christopher arrived at the Gala’s campsite. He removed his gear from his horse before he turned her out into the makeshift pen near their tents. He’d seen his friends not far from where he entered the campsite and strolled off to catch up with them.

‘Afternoon, Christopher,’ Joseph said as he saw him approach. ‘What brings you out here?’

‘Thought I might come and lend a hand until you finished this evening. Needed to have a word with your lads when you’ve finished for the day.’

‘Aye, lad. Well grab an axe and help James over there to bring the old girl down safely.’

Christopher nodded and went off to fetch an axe. He knew there’d be no time to talk until after the day’s work, but he’d already known this before he’d set out for the Ridge. Christopher needed a good work out to soothe and balance himself before he talked to Peter and James that night. He chose an axe and wished that he’d brought his own. If work was slow with his uncle, Christopher would often travel with Joseph and his boys when they felled trees before winter.

As Christopher sauntered over to James, he greeted him and James nodded in return. Christopher moved around to the opposite side of the tree where they’d work in tandem. James had already sliced a wedge into one side of the trunk, which would dictate where the tree would fall, and now all they had to do was cut into the wedge from the opposite side, slightly higher, and she’d lay down exactly where they wanted her to.

James was warm, but he slowed his pace until Christopher was ready. One by one they cut into the same patch of the tree. It wasn’t long before Christopher was ready and James set the pace. Their axes flew in rhythm in a constant barrage against the tall trunk. They chipped away at the tree’s girth until they sliced into the wedge on the other side.

As the tree creaked and groaned James and Christopher stepped back. James called out and all around stopped to watch, as the giant began her descent. Safety was paramount for all in the area as these trees could crush a man even with the smallest of its limbs. The tree cracked and shifted its weight as the top-heavy canopy toppled. James was pleased. She’d fall exactly where he’d planned. Her giant canopy led her descent and as she fell James and Christopher cleared away from her base. There was the ever-present danger that the trunk would shift and kick out to the side as her limbs and trunk crashed to the floor.

Now the tree was down their task was to cut her into manageable sized logs. All other wood, not suitable for the carpenters, was cut into firewood and would be taken back to the village. They were careful which trees they took and managed the land well. After the soldiers had invaded, many trees and forests had been ransacked, hacked for their limbs and then left broken and battered to rot in the weather. Joseph and his sons had set out to restore the lands where they could and when they’d cut all the wood they needed, they would replant the area so it could rejuvenate. They never took the trees from the same place and always rotated their areas of work.

Armed with the long saw, Christopher and James worked on the length of the trunk. As they cut the trunk into logs, the horses would drag the logs down to the river. It was a long afternoon and as the sun began to set, James and Christopher packed up their tools and wandered back to the camp.

Joseph had finished work earlier and had lit a fire to prepare the evening meal. Peter took care of the horses as Christopher and James returned to the camp. The horses needed to be brushed and have their hooves picked out before they were fed for the night. James carried buckets down to the river to fetch fresh water for the horses, while Christopher and Peter brushed each of them in turn. Peter asked about Christopher’s sudden visit and Christopher briefly explained to him about his grandfather’s visit.

‘I really don’t want to say too much just yet, Peter. I know we’re the best of friends but I feel it would be rude to tell you before your father hears the news, especially because I have to ask him to do me a great favour.’

Peter knew Christopher was holding back, but he also knew Christopher respected his father as if he were his own, so he let the subject drop. James returned with the water and helped feed the horses and settled them for the night. Hot water had been left in a pot for the boys to wash and Joseph stirred their evening meal; he could make any food taste good. As a young man Joseph had been the camp cook for a lumber crew until he’d taken up an axe.

The men filled their mugs and sat down to wait for their dinner. They talked and joked about events of the last few weeks. Joseph’s boys had spoken to him about the armoury stashed in Jimmy’s barn and they were told a slightly different version of the truth. Joseph had said that One would come to unite the people within the towns and villages and when that happened the people needed to be ready. The boys questioned their father on the matter and Joseph had then held his tongue. The time wasn’t right just yet and he’d asked them to let it be, for now. Joseph and Albert were close and they too shared information between themselves and they planned to assist the One when the time came. They’d sent out feelers and made associations in many other towns and villages and they too built their own pockets of resistance.

After they’d eaten, Joseph turned the conversation to Christopher. ‘Well lad, what brings you out here? I know your uncle has plenty of work for you at the moment.’

‘Yes he does, sir, but I had to speak with you all, and I couldn’t wait until you returned home. I’ll be gone by the time you get back.’

‘Gone? Gone where?’ Peter asked worried. Christopher hadn’t mentioned this earlier.

‘My grandfather wishes me to travel with him to Canameer,’ Christopher said.

‘What! What grandfather, lad? You better start over and fill us in from the beginning,’ Joseph said, concerned. He’d never heard Albert mention Christopher’s grandfather before. Never in all the conversations they’d had was he mentioned. Joseph had treated Christopher as one of his own. Their families had always been close, even before Christopher had arrived to live with Albert and Rose. When Joseph’s wife had died it was Albert and Rose who rallied around the Galas and helped Joseph and his boys through those troubled times. Christopher had fit in with their family from his first visit and the boys had become close. They never bickered, and Christopher’s love of the world had rubbed off on Joseph’s boys, which Joseph was grateful for. This harsh life and the loss of their mother could’ve seen them turn bitter towards life, as Joseph had seen in some.

Christopher retold his grandfather’s story. From his life at the Keep to their escape to Canameer and the binding of his powers, until the time that Henry had left him in Albert and Rose’s care.

They were astonished. They’d always known Christopher was special, but they’d never expected this.

‘How soon before you leave with your grandfather?’ James was amazed. He was younger than Peter and Christopher and he’d always been in awe of them.

‘I want to leave by the end of the week. That should give me enough time to help my uncle prepare some of his work. I don’t expect to be away too long.’

Joseph stared into the flames that lapped at the wood. ‘So, Christopher, what have you decided? Will you lead a normal life as you’ve done so far under this evil suppression, or will you choose your heritage and unite the people of our country? It’s a heavy load to bear, this choice you have to make. Is there anything we can do to help you, son?’

‘I came to ask permission to have Peter and James travel with me to the caves.’

‘That I can’t permit,’ Joseph said. ‘They need to make this decision themselves. It could be dangerous, but whatever they decide they’ll have my support. You all do.’

‘Well what do you think, lads?’

James grinned. ‘If you hadn’t have asked us we’d have been cut for sure,’ he said and Peter nodded his unconditional agreement.

‘It’s decided then,’ Joseph said. ‘We’ll finish up here tomorrow and head home.’

‘What about the rest of the work?’ Peter knew they were far from finished.

‘We’ve all that we need. Other things are sometimes more important. Now off with you three. I expect a hard morning’s work from all of you before we pack up and head home.’

True to his word Joseph worked them hard the next morning before they headed for home, their wagons loaded with wood for the winter. Down river they’d haul the last of the wood on to the banks to be stacked. There’d still be plenty of work to do before the first snow fell.

When Christopher arrived home he went to see his uncle. Albert was busy in the workshop when Christopher walked in and he helped Albert move the lengths of steel.

‘How was your time away?’ Albert asked as he dabbed the sweat from his brow.

‘It was hard work as it usually is,’ Christopher said. ‘Uncle, I’ve decided to leave by the end of the week but don’t worry, I’ll have the work sorted before then. I shouldn’t be away too long.’

‘Don’t promise things that are out of your control, Christopher. You don’t know what lies ahead of you. I’ll be fine. The work will carry on while you’re away. Just take care of yourself. Take the time to think about what you want. Once decided, you may not be able to change your mind later. Be sure, lad.’

Christopher thought upon Albert’s words. ‘I’ve asked Peter and James to come with me. I feel I may need friends beside me.’

‘What did they think of the idea? Probably can’t wait to get out and about. Their heads will be full of adventure, but make sure you take care. Dangers lurk where you least expect.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ll take care and so will the lads. We’ve no intentions to seek out trouble.’

Albert wasn’t so sure of this. While Christopher may not actively seek trouble, he wouldn’t stand aside and let some innocent be victimized. It just wasn’t in his nature to turn a blind eye to one person’s persecution of another.

They worked on through the afternoon and as the sun began to set, they packed up for the night. There was plenty to do tomorrow and the family had much to discuss.

As they sat around the table that evening, Christopher announced he’d make the journey with his grandfather at the end of the week. This would allow plenty of time to get to Canameer, see Clarence, visit the Caves of Choice and return before the following week’s end.

While Henry was pleased Christopher would make the journey, he wasn’t sure of the time frame. ‘Why are you so sure we’ll be back within the week? What if something should happen while we’re away?’

‘I don’t see why anything should happen. We’ll visit your friend and then head to the caves. No one else knows where they are. There shouldn’t be a problem?’

‘No, no you’re right, everything should be fine.’ But he wasn’t convinced. It made him suspicious when something seemed too easy. Yet when all parties had a different expectation of the outcome, there usually was a catch. He said no more on the matter, and was happy to have the chance to show Christopher his heritage. He hoped Christopher would recognise the strength that lay within him to lead the people to freedom.

It was done, nothing more would be said. Rose sat in silence and said nothing of her fears for their journey. She knew it would happen with or without her consent.

The week dragged for Christopher. He’d made plans but still needed to see the rest of his friends to let them know he’d be away for a week with Peter and James. Christopher told them only what they needed to know so he wouldn’t put them in harm’s way. Then with the rest of his time he organised as much of the work as he could for his uncle and assured Albert he’d be back soon to help him with the work.

After they’d packed their horses with supplies, Henry, Christopher, Peter and James set off.

As they stood by the little house that Christopher had grown up in, Rose, Albert and Joseph wished them a safe journey and watched as they rode off to Canameer.