The Elementalist (The Kothian Chronicles Book 1) (9 page)

He moved closer to the window, and peered through, and could see movement from within. Walking around the back again, he took a deep breath, before making himself visible again. He rapped gently on the dark painted wooden door, and waited. He had decided if an unfriendly showed his face, he would vanish again before they had chance to get him. Feeling his heart pumping he heard a fumble at the lock, and the door opened.

"Aileen!" he said pleased to see the old lady was okay, as she quickly gestured him inside. Before he could ask what had happened she started telling him, the moment she pushed the door closed. The soldiers had arrived just after they had escaped, and Stanton had managed to keep Linus out of it, by clumping him on the head again. Karl however had managed to get a hand free, and reach for his cross bow. Danton took a sharp intake of breath, expecting bad news.

Karl was just about to fire as the first of the soldiers burst in. The bolt fired and hit Stanton in the arm, and as it happened, it could not have been timed better. Aileen afforded a smile, "Don't worry he'll live, He's had worse." With the soldiers seeing Karl firing the cross bow, they had dragged the man outside. "I then told them that Karl and Linus had tried to rob us, only Stanton had caught them unaware and hit them with the saucepan from behind." Danton looked at her, "They believed that?" he asked. Aileen nodded, "They must have done, they arrested the two of them and dragged them away."

Danton asked about what they did when they had not found magicians here. She told him, that she and Stanton had no knowledge of such a thing, and that Karl and Linus must have made it up. They walked into the main room, where Stanton was sat on the chair, nursing his wound, and noticing Danton's looks of concern, the old man waved it away, "I am fine."

Stanton told him that the soldiers had bought the story that Karl and Linus had planned to rob them and kill them, then probably use the rumour that magicians were on the loose so as to deflect any blame. "With them witnessing Karl shoot at me, I guess that was all the proof they needed." Danton looked at the old man's injury, "Melia can help you with that," he said.

Whilst Aileen decided it was time to make them all something eat, Danton asked if they minded the others coming back. "We just need to collect our things and we'll be on our way," Danton added, not wanting to burden the old couple any more than he had to. He went over to the window facing southwards and created a magical orb of light. He had no worries about the old couple seeing him use magic, they had probably guessed the rumours to be true.

"Our son could do something similar to that," Aileen said watching him, before Danton turned to her, surprised at the words. "They took him away and hung him without so much as a chance," Stanton added sadly.

"I am so sorry," Danton said, genuinely feeling their pain.

"It was a long time ago," Aileen said, "You just make sure you get those poor children to safety."

"I will try my best," Danton replied.

He peered out of the window for a while, until he could see the others sneaking back towards the house. "They are coming now," he said turning his attention back to the elderly couple, who had seated themselves at the table. "Where are you going to take them?" Stanton asked him. Although the location of the magicians was supposed to remain a great secret, he figured telling this couple would not matter.

"We have an old castle, which we are still currently repairing for our needs, at the foot of the White Mountains; a place called Pitford. It was mainly destroyed in the last war, but we call it home now," he told them. What came next was something Danton had not accounted for. Stanton and Aileen sat side by side each holding the others hand, "Would it be possible for us to come with you?" Aileen asked. It must be said that for the first time in his life, the young man was stunned to silence.

"What of your farm?" he asked them. "We must leave as soon as possible. The others are not safe until I can get them to Pitford. Maxim especially..." he uttered under his breath.

"Aye! Something about that one," Stanton said as if he knew what he was talking about.

"The farm is too big for us now, and we have no heirs to carry it on when we are gone. The only men we trusted to run it have proved to be...well a bit of a let-down," Aileen said putting it mildly.

"We can be packed in an hour. We have two good horses and a cart to carry all your stuff as well, so as not to burden your own horses," Stanton added trying to persuade Danton it would be a good thing.

"And we know another way across the river, further south it can be forded if you know where to cross," the old man added.

Danton smiled, "How can I refuse such an offer." The old couple quickly stood, "Oh thank you Danton," Aileen said, "I promise you won't regret this." Stanton quickly shuffled out of the room and headed for the staircase. "He's going to start packing our things," she said, "I'll get us some breakfast, and then I'll start loading some supplies on the wagon."

As Mikel rather cautiously put his head around the opening in the door, he was greeted by Danton. "Is it safe?" he whispered. Danton nodded the affirmative. "Did they kill the old codger and his crone wife?" he asked.

"No we are still here," he heard the voice of Aileen shout back.

Mikel stepped through the door, his face suddenly much redder than it normally was. Aileen looked at him sternly, hands placed on hips as if she was going to say something. Instead, she just smiled, "Oh I how miss the candid remarks of the young," she said breaking into a chuckle. "Come on in you lot, sit yourselves down. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes." Mikel did not need offering twice, and after giving Aileen a rather apologetic look, scurried past her and sat down. Maxim and Zack were quickly followed in by Melia.

"Oh you poor little thing," Aileen said to Melia. "You look half frozen to death," she added rubbing her hands on the young girl's arms. Melia looked toward Danton, as if to say what was going on. He just shrugged, and she assumed he would tell them all in a minute.

Chapter 8.

After a good breakfast of bacon, sausage and egg with as much bread as any of them could eat, they all sat around the table. Danton had told them all of the elderly couple's intentions to travel with them. Only Mikel, unsurprisingly, showed any sign of disagreement, although to his credit he did keep his opinion to himself.

Whilst they had been eating, both Stanton and Aileen had managed to pack their wagon although only after Melia had woven her magic, by healing the crossbow wound to the older man's arm. They had watched on as trunks, sacks, cases, baskets, pots, pans and just about anything else that was not fixed down, went out of the door. "I thought you said they were travelling light," Zack whispered, as they watched the old lady carry another basket outside. Danton could only laugh, and just shrugged.

True to their word, the old couple were ready within an hour. Wrapped up in their winter woollens, and their wagon loaded with as much as their stuff as they could carry, they sat waiting. Danton and the others had to ready their own horses, and this naturally meant somebody having to help Maxim. Zack of course was on hand to help, explaining where each bit went, and how straps needed to be fastened and checked. "Don't worry, stay close to me Maxim, and I'll talk you through riding. It's quite simple really, and Danton has got you the perfect horse for a beginner."

Maxim patted the mare on the side of the neck and she nodded her head forward as if in greeting a new friend. "See she likes you already," Zack said watching his young colleague familiarise himself with the creature. "You will have to think of a name for her," he added as he checked the stirrups. "Her name is Mist," Maxim replied almost immediately.

"Oh okay, that did not take you long to think of," Zack said a little surprised.

"I didn't think of it, she did," Maxim said as he patted Mist once more on the neck.

Zack stopped what he was doing for a moment, a little unsure of what he had heard. He thought about questioning the matter, but decided to let it drop.

As they all mounted up, Mikel turned immediately to look at Maxim, "I wager you a silver crown he falls off within the first ten minutes," he said to nobody in particular.

"I'll wager you ten gold crowns he does not," Zack said trotting up beside him.

"You don't have ten gold crowns," Mikel said in reply.

"How do you know what I have and don't have?" Zack replied with a grin. "Fine I'll bet you your silver crown Maxim does not fall off," he added as Mikel looked sternly at him.

Melia just trotted past, "Boys..." she mumbled as she did.

Mist stood perfectly still, allowing Maxim to climb up without any mishap, and after shuffling a little in the saddle to get comfortable, he took the reins. Without even a nudge or kick, Mist started trotting forward, and Zack gave Maxim a smile and a wink as he watched him pass by. "I think you are going to lose your silver crown Mikel," Zack chuckled looking across at the older lad.

"Give him time," Mikel said with a little more concern on his face than he had a few moments earlier. He had hoped the horse would have moved when Maxim tried to place his foot in the stirrup, but the stupid creature had stayed perfectly still.

With the wagon now joining them, they all followed the road south, now that the plan to cross the river via the bridge at Fordham was no longer feasible. Instead, they now followed the line of the river south and slightly westwards of where they actually needed to be going. Stanton had told them he knew a different, less travelled route, and as a result Danton bowed to the man's better geographical knowledge, and let him lead the way.

The only drawback as far as he could tell, would be the length of time it took to get Maxim to Pitford. As long as things remained calm, and Zack was on hand to help, he hoped the red-haired young man would not lose control. When they had been at the house earlier, during the time Karl and Linus held them captive, Danton had gone invisible. This always allowed him to see the auras given off by magicians. That strange glow around the others was always constant, but around Maxim, it was almost blinding to the eye, and he thought it had only been Zack's calming words, that had stopped Maxim from losing control again. With the power emanating from the youngster, it was clear he would need more than calming words in the future. If Maxim lost control again, he dared not think of the damage he might cause. The youngster needed guidance and tutoring, and this was available at Pitford; it just seemed everything and everybody seemed intent on stopping him getting there.

After an hour or so riding, it was clear to Mikel, Maxim was not going to fall off, and begrudgingly he handed his only silver coin over to Zack. "Here..." he said sulkily. 

"Perhaps in future Mikel you will not be so keen to judge others," he said with a certain arrogance to his tone.

Zack looked at the coin in the gloved hand of the older boy. "Keep it, just promise me you'll stop being mean to Maxim," he said trotting his horse forward a little away from Mikel.

Mikel did not need offering twice, as he quickly withdrew his hand in, and replaced the precious coin back in his purse, amongst the few coppers he had in there. Melia trotted up beside him, "You deserve everything you get," she said. "It is a pity you are not as kind and generous as Zack," she added lifting her head up all snootily. Mikel just shook his head, what was it with everybody?

Danton rode at the rear of the group, watching how they reacted to each other. He could already tell Zack had taken an instant liking to Maxim, but it was Melia and Mikel's behaviour that had probably changed most since Maxim's arrival. Just in that short space of time, he thought how less confident the older boy had become, as if he was no longer the main attraction, and was slowly alienating himself from the others. Melia had always shown an interest in Mikel, but since Maxim's arrival, that appeared no longer the case. If Danton was not mistaken, her eyes were now firmly fixed on Zack, something he was certain was not going to be reciprocated. Although he could not understand what had happened for the change to take place so quickly.

Danton trotted forward a little so his horse moved alongside that of Mikels. The pace they travelled was not particularly fast, the track itself saw to that. The wagon leading them lumbered along, creaking and rattling every time it hit a rut; and there were plenty here to hit. Despite the sun's appearance in the almost clear sky, it remained bitterly cold, "Will we take much longer getting to Pitford?" Mikel said keeping his eyes front.

"I'm not sure," Danton replied, "I do not know the route we are going."

"This means we are going to have to camp out tonight doesn't it?" the youngster asked.

Danton had thought the same thing a little earlier, "Yes probably. I must confess I am not looking forward to it either."

After a short silence, Mikel spoke again, "Makes you wonder how Maxim could ever have survived living in such conditions," he said sounding very philosophical. If Danton was not mistaken, he could almost detect a touch of admiration in those words. "He certainly already is an amazing young man, and the potential is there for him to be a great one," Danton eventually replied. Just as he thought the conversation had ended there, Mikel diverted topic.

"Why does Melia no longer like me? Before Maxim came along, I thought she did...Now...well I guess she thinks he's some kind of god...," he let the sentence drop. Danton looked over to the crest fallen young man.

"I am certain Maxim is not the target of her affections Mikel," he said trying to sound like he was giving good advice. "Besides which, you appear to be pushing her further away with your remarks and comments."

Danton heard Mikel sigh heavily, before saying, "I don't know why I say half the stuff I do...It just sort of comes out."

"Well, perhaps try being nicer to Maxim and Zack, and Melia will see the side to you she liked before," he replied.

By early afternoon, Stanton pulled his wagon to a stop, before he stood up and looked down at the river running parallel to their position. He pointed to an area where the river narrowed slightly, "We cross there," he shouted back to the others. He also warned them to take the horses in slowly, so that the sudden chill of the water does not kill them. "Stick to where I go, and we'll be across in the bat of an eye. Don't veer off...," he warned as he started turning his wagon to make his approach into the water.

The two horses pulling the wagon were clearly uncertain of venturing forth into the chilly waters, as Maxim patted Mist and trotted forward beside them. He leant over and did likewise to the uneasy looking creatures at the water's edge. The others watched on as without further instruction they slowly submerged themselves pulling the wagon in behind. The water went up as high as the underbelly of the horses but no further, and Maxim followed behind as if it were an everyday thing to do.

The others just looked in awe, "This is another one of those moments isn't it?" Mikel asked over to Danton, who was as clearly surprised as the others.

"I think so," he replied nudging his horse forward.

Mikel just shrugged and followed, although he was glad he had the taller horse, else his boots might get wet.

Once on the other side, Stanton dropped down from the wagon, and rummaged around under one of the covers. He pulled out a couple of large pieces of towelling, "Best rub the cold water off the horses," he said passing one up to Maxim. "Thank you," the youngster said, gingerly stepping down from Mist.

Maxim had never had a horse before, but thought what amazing creatures they were, as Mist stood perfectly for him, as he rubbed her vigorously with the cloth. He turned his head to see the others emerge from the cold waters behind him, and gave them a smile before handing the cloth he had used, to Zack. His friend's horse was not quite so understanding as his, as it fidgeted around constantly. "She's not happy about you not asking her Zack," Maxim said, "Although she will forgive you because she likes you," he added before remounting Mist and trotting away slightly.

With the River Fyle finally crossed, at least now they could head the direction they needed, although just how many days they still had to travel before getting to their destination, was as yet, unknown. As they left the slow lumbering waters of the river behind, they joined a narrow track. Once more, it was heavily rutted, barely wide enough for the wagon, and the further they travelled the more wooded the area around them became.

"Do you know where we are?" Zack asked Danton.

"Not a clue," he replied.

"I hope Stanton does."

"He seems to know Zack...at least that's the impression he is giving."

Zack thought this as good a time as any to tell Danton what he had done back at the cottage. As it happened it had not worked, but he had tried to order the soldiers away. By doing so, he had revealed his true identity. Now it played on his mind, that perhaps his actions would have consequences for his uncle, "Who else knows?" Danton asked.

"Just Melia I think. I don't think Maxim heard me, unless she has told Mikel," Zack replied.

"No I don't think she has," Danton said thoughtfully. Strangely, it was not the position of the king being accused of having magic in the family that first came to mind. Instead, he now realised why Melia was suddenly much more interested in a younger boy, she had barely, as much acknowledged before Maxim's arrival. Was it the thought that Zack was a member of the royal family, which had suddenly drawn her to him?

Realising Zack was probably waiting for some kind of reassurance; he tried to think of a suitable response. "Your uncle is already risking much by having us at Pitford. I am certain a few rumours about his nephew will not burden him too greatly," he eventually said. Although if he were truthful to himself, it was probably an extra burden, the king could do without. Danton was more than aware of the problems surrounding the power struggle, between the monarchy and the government. Such information, would likely be used to blackmail further powers from the throne.

As the sun started disappearing below the horizon, the temperature started dropping still further, and the group needed to find a good place to camp for the night. Although the mere thought of spending it out in the open, was not appealing to any of them.

As the last light of day faded away, Stanton pulled the wagon to a halt. Just off the side of the track lay a ruined building. It had no roof, but parts of the wall still remained, as did the stone fireplace along one of the walls. "There used to be an inn here many years ago. When I was just a boy, my pappy and I used to stop here from time to time," Stanton told them as he gingerly climbed down from the wagon.

"Hope it was in better condition back then," Mikel quipped.