Bamawm SF and Fantasy

First draft only.
Wellmark .

The beginning

Magder was up to her elbows in soapsuds. The remnant smell, if that was the right word, of magic irritated her nose and the skin under her finger nails. Washing for the Wizards Guild Hall made good money, much needed with another mouth to feed.

Baby Wellmark snoozed in his cot under the window. Magder smiled remembering Belton's exclamation of joy at the birth of his first son. Her smile lingered thinking of the affinity the two seemed to have. An image came to mind and she paused to lean on the washtub. Belton's large smithy's hands smoothing the frown from Welmark's forehead. There was nothing not to love about the gentle giant. Magder hauled the washing into the rinsing tub. I have luck she told herself.

Entering the cottage from hanging out the clothes the smell of new baked bread on the table made her mouth water bringing thoughts of lunch. But first the last batch of washing. Magder bent to the task. Wellmark stirred in his cot. At two and a bit years the active boy needed his naps.

Magder heard Wellmark sit then stand in his cot. She glanced across, he was holding on to the top rail with one hand and pointing toward the table, his blonde hair shining in the sun from the window. She returned to pummeling the washing listening to the I want noises coming from the restive child.

A shadow crossing the rough tiled floor caught her eye. Drifting across toward the cot and Wellmark's outstretched hands was the loaf of new baked bread. Magder froze. Wellmark bit down on the still warm crust with a growl of satisfaction.

My son is a Wizard. The phrase repeated in Magder's mind. He has magic. She knew not how long she stood there, wet arms dripping on the floor.

'Well, and a fine day to come home to a lunchless house'. Belton's deep voice tinged with humor broke Magder's trance.

'He...he....'. She pointed wordless to Wellmark.

'Has my lunch to the look of it'. Belton, hands on her shoulders turned her to face him.

'Out with it Maggs, what's got your tongue'.

'He 'ported it! Himself! I saw!' Belton grinned lifting her up in a great bear hug.

'I will talk with Diron Ma. He will help us train him'. He reached out in time to intercept the water jug teetering across the table and burst out laughing.

That evening null magic zones were placed on the fireplace and the cook stove, much to Magder's annoyance. 'Tinder boxes are a bother'. She grumbled. Belton squeezed her hand.

After dinner Wellmark was awake and bouncing in the cot under the window. Belton was softly singing one of the metal working songs his father had taught him. Diron Ma was entranced to hear the 'old' magic. Shadows from the fire and the candle on the table rippled on the walls. Magder dozed in her favorite chair. Softly sung, Belton's deep voice filled the room with unseen power. Belton pointed to the table as candle light flickered in the room and Diron Ma turned to see the candle drifting slowly toward the cot. Wellmark, hands outstretched stood a look of concentration on his smiling face.

Diron Ma laughed and waved the candle gently back to its place on the table. 'You are going to need a minder for the little one. I have been privileged to see him use his talent. That candle base is a weighty thing. He has power, beyond anything I have seen or heard of' for one so young.'

Belton frowned. 'Magder will be hard put to protect both him and.....' He waved a hand vaguely encompassing the house.

'I will send an apprentice in the morning. No, no there will be no payment. The work will be good training, for both of them.' He grinned. ' I have just the one in mind. I will bring her tomorrow.' Belton held out his hand.

'My thanks and my family's thanks. This house is now haven for you'. Belton used the old word 'Turnot' Diron Ma mused on his way home. In the old tongue it meant 'seat of peace and welcome'. He smiled to himself.

*******************

Wellmark's fourth birthday was two days away and Magder had preparations to make. She returned home from the village store to find the house in chaos. As she walked in the front yard a thin wailing came from the kitchen. On opening the door she saw Tirrin the apprentice Witch hovering over the kitchen table. Wellmark standing one arm outstretched palm up pointed at Tirrin was busy poking the fire with the poker. The appalled beseeching look Tirrin gave her was explanation enough.

Magder waved Tirrin toward the floor. No result. Magder turned to stare at her son apparently concentrating on poking the fire one arm still pointing at Tirrin. Magder motioned toward Tirrin again using more power to neutralize Wellmark. Nothing. No result at all and the boy showed no reaction to her interference.

'Wellmark! Let Tirrin down now.'

'I don't want to. She won't let me do things. Bossy, bossy.' He dropped the poker and turned to Magder accusingly.

'You made it hot'. He licked his fingers. There was a crash as Tirrin landed half on and off the table.

Magder picked the boy up. 'I think we need to talk with uncle Diron Ma'.

'He lets me do things'.

'Yes he does. But only when he is there to help. It was not kind of you to treat Tirrin like that.'

Wellmark looked over his mother's shoulder at the young girl.

'I'm not hurt.' Tirrin rubbed her ribs on one side. 'That was scary tho'.'

'Sorry'. Wellmark said in a small voice and ducked his head. Magder put him down.

'Go and play outside'. She shooed him out the door and turned to Tirrin.

'I said no to playing with the fire. He just floated me. I'm top of my class. I can 'port my own weight....and he ...' Tirrin burst into tears, hiding behind her hands and blonde hair.

Magder hugged the girl. ' He does not yet understand his power or how to control it. You know this.' Magder gave Tirrin a little squeeze. ' I will speak with Diron Ma and....'

'No. He will censure me. I failed.' Tirrin burst into tears again. Magder wipe the girl's eyes with the end of her apron.

'He will understand and you have done well with the boy. He is not easy even for us.' Magder smiled. Turning to the stove she began to make tea.

A loud hammering accompanied with cries of rage came from outside the cottage door. Tirrin opened it wide revealing a very angry Herder with Wellmark struggling under his arm.

'This youngen just 'ported me dogs.' He said with much restraint. ''Ported 'em clean away.' He almost threw Wellmark into Tirrin's arms.

'Master Herder.' Magder stepped through the door and closing it behind her. 'First let us find your work dogs and then I will explain.' She brushed past him and walked to the front gate. Belatedly the Herder followed.

Magder stopped abruptly at the gate and breathed deeply, calling up the Witch's quiet of mind. The Herder sensing something hung back and kept silent. Magder holding cupped hands to her mouth whistled softly the cadence of come to me and then as if rolling the sounds into one hand she threw them into the morning breeze.

'I am sorry for the trouble. My son is but very young.' She said turning to the Herder. Distantly they heard the barking of dogs and saw them break from the trees on the far side of the field opposite and heading directly toward them.

'Ye be a Witch then and a powerful one.' He looked Magder in the eye.' I thank ye for ma dogs. And I think ya might be needing all yer magic to keep that little man in step.' He smiled stepping past her and through the gate closing it gently. 'No harm done it seems.' The dogs burst through the deep grass on the far side of the road and milled round his feet. Without further word he walked off down the road toward the flock of sheep foraging the verge.

Magder sighed and walked back to the cottage.

Diron Ma was waiting for her at the kitchen door.

'I heard a call.' He smiled at Magder's dower look and stood aside and followed into the kitchen. Tirrin was making busy with the washing.

'Tirrin, you have no need to feel anxious. The little man is extremely strong, stronger than most trained adults. You should be commended that you have been able to curb his ambitions for so long.'

Diron Ma smiled at Tirrin's wan smile and turning called Wellmark to him.

Wellmark was watching a sand timer and making the sand flow upwards into the timer's top chamber. He made no response. Diron Ma called again to the boy. Again Wellmark made no response.

'We have a little education to do in obedience and respect it seems.' Diron Ma stood and opening the kitchen door wide 'ported an astonished Wellmark out into the back yard and floated him just off the ground. The kitchen door swung firmly shut. Tirrin giggled.

'I have never seen such a look of astonishment.'

'Nor I.' Magder peered out the side window to watch her son and his Mentor.

Diron Ma settled himself on a handy wood block and looked up at Wellmark. The boy, frowning mightily, stared back. in silence.

'Do you want to know how I do that? Would you like to learn to do it too?'

'I don't like you any more. Put me down. Down now!' Wellmark slowly became red in the face but did not break eye contact.

Suddenly his attention shifted as the well bucket drifted into his line of vision. The bucket fell, bounced and rolled on the grass at Diron Ma's feet. But what held Wellmark's eye was the water, a shimmering bucket shape of water floating in the air between them.

'Teach me that. I want to do that.' Wellmark's frown was gone replaced by a look of rapt attention.

'Only if you make me a promise. A very important promise. One that you will always keep.'

'What if I don't want to. If I don't like it?'

'Then I will not teach you. I will not share my secrets. I can't share without a promise.'

'That's not fair.'

'Have you ever seen a fair? What does a fair look like? Diron Ma looked questioningly at the boy who was now sitting cross legged in the air before him. Wellmark was frowning again.

'What promise?' Wellmark looked down.

'Not to hurt or frighten anyone.'

'What if they hurt me?'

Diron Ma stood up looking eye to eye with the boy.

'This is not a game of question and answer. This is serious between you and me. If you want to share my secrets you must promise. Promise not to hurt or frighten anyone.'

Slowly Wellmark floated lower and lower till he was siting still cross legged on the grass beside the bucket.

'I promise.' He said and looked up at Diron Ma. 'I promise not to hurt or frighten.' He stood and walked to the Wizard and hugged him.

With a gentle hand Diron Ma tousled the blonde head.

'And I will make you a promise.' He knelt down to look Wellmark in the eye. 'I will teach you my secrets. But first there is something you must do. You must tell Tirrin you are sorry for frightening her.'

Wellmark grinned and smiled and ran to the cottage. He stopped at the door and turned to Diron Ma.

'When I want things. I want them now. Not always but mostly. I don't mean to be bad.' Diron Ma had never seen this serious side of the boy.

' Talk to Tirrin.' He smiled and nudged Wellmark toward the door.

*******************

Mistress Lardner leaned heavily on the window ledge while surveying the school playground.

'They are not a bad bunch of five years. A couple of erratics.' She paused turning to Diron Ma. 'And Wellmark off course. And Posey. Rare ones those.'

Diron Ma caught the wry humor well disguised by the weight of responsibility nurturing the first years. 'A couple of the bigger boys tried a bit of bullying. They won't try it again.'

'What happened?'

Mistress Lardner smiled a rare smile.

'Sat them on the chimney pots. One on each. The Groundsman got them down.'

'Wellmark didn't take them down.?'

'No. Kept saying they would not promise, whatever that might be about. So he refused.'

Diron Ma laughed.

'Remind me to tell you the story attached to that one day. I must away.'

Mistress Lardner grunted. Wizards had their own timetables but grudgingly she admitted to herself Diron Ma was at least a civil man who gave of his time as he could. She trudged out to ring the bell for end of play.

Wellmark was standing behind a group of boys playing marbles. Tors, the big marbles, were not allowed in the rules decided on. They were bickering amicably about one slightly larger marble than its fellows and should it be allowed in the game.

Wellmark smiled to himself and shifted position to a clear view of the offending sphere. Very gently he extended a subtle line of force to surround the marble and reordered its internal structure, gently altering its size to equate with the others. Job done he moved again quietly away from the boys.

'You have a very gentle touch I see.'

Wellmark jumped in surprise.

'Diron Ma. I did not see you.'

'Nor were you meant to. I felt you moving magic and wanted to see what little prank you might be up to.'

'No prank.....just a fun thing. It will change back to its own size in a while. See, two tricks in one.' Wellmark beamed a smile to Diron Ma.'Now they have nothing to argue about and later he will have his marble back.'

'If you do these tricks often enough they will see who is responsible. Then what? What will your answer be? Perhaps it will be best to make these tricks a seldom thing.....do you think?'

Wellmark nodded. 'But it is fun......'

'Like bending the nib of Grandi's pen. Tying shoelaces together and tripping people.'

Wellmark looked at the ground. 'Sometimes they deserve it.'

Diron Ma laughed. 'I have no doubt that may be true. But are you the constable and judge? He nudged Wellmark to look up. 'You are taking advantage of others that do not have your abilities. Do you feel that is right?'

Wellmark looked away to the boys bickering and back to Diron ma. 'Am I the same as a bully then?

Even if I don't hurt?

'The same yet different. I will explain it like this. You are learning the rules of magic. Very well I might say. But everything has rules. Games, school and how you treat both friends and others. If they do not know the rules you are using how can they trust you? How can they be a companion or friend? Ah! Diron Ma held up a hand to forestall a reply. ' I am saying you must behave so that you are trusted, that is all.' He held Wellmark's shoulder. 'I will tell you this. Every action has a reaction. Think on this.'

Wellmark watched the Wizard walk away as the bell rang. Every action has a reaction. The phrase rolled in his mind. He liked it It was neat and simple. I have a new rule. He thought and ran with the others to the school door.

*********************

Magder watched her son trudging through the spring grasses toward the cottage. Late home from big school again. Half way across he stopped looking up. Magder saw the hawk circling high over the field. Wellmark was rummaging in his school bag and came up with what looked to her at that distance a piece of paper. What is the boy doing she wondered and then saw the paper fluttering ahead of the hawk.

What followed was one of the most splendid aerial ballets. The hawk swooped, dived and climbed determined to catch the interloper. Always the paper fluttered just out of reach. A second hawk joined the chase and finally they caught it and triumphant dived away toward the far trees.

'An interesting exercise in dimensional play.' Drawled a quiet voice behind her. 'He has a most subtle touch.'

'Oh! Diron Ma. You must get louder shoes.' Magder turned to smile at the Wizard.

'Then I would miss out on many interesting snippets of gossip.' He joined her leaning on the back gate.

'A question. What is that odd little structure by the rabbit hutch?

'One of Welmark's jobs is to water the rabbits.' Magder turned to look at the arrangement of wooden troughs leading into the rabbits water bowl. 'I don't even see him do it but he 'ports water from the well I guess and runs it to the rabbits.'

Tirrin came out to join them. 'Where is my exercise for the day?' She was grinning in obvious anticipation.

'You have something planned?' Diron Ma grinned back at Tirrin. A seldom expression that took years from him.

Magder looked at the pair of them and saw something she guessed that even they were not aware of.

There was a static, a drawing of delicate earth forces between them that only a Witch might see. They will come to realize love these two.

Wellmark came up to the gate and Tirrin opened it for him. He nodded a greeting to Magder and Diron Ma and hand in hand he and Tirrin walked to the cottage.

Magder looked to the Wizard. 'I swear those two are talking. She has taught him Witchspeak!' This said with more than a little wonder. 'I should have known that.'

'You berate yourself. He has learned to shield his thoughts. Learned well. I sense you are right. There is the faint echo of an exchange but nothing more.' He chuckled. A surprising sound from the usually dower man.

They heard faintly the sounds of hammer on metal from the smithy and both could feel the movement of magic being directed with power. For a moment Diron Ma thought he could feel the impact of the hammer faintly through the soles of his boots.

'I am surrounded by things I have incomplete understanding of.' Magder said in a distracted sort of

way.

'That is life. Too few reach even the beginning of that thought. It frightens them into accepting how they are and cuts short what might be.' The Wizard sounded somewhat sour.

Belton joined them in silence. Put a large arm round the shoulders of each and together they walked toward the cottage. The sight that greeted them entering the kitchen made them stop short.

Tirrin and Wellmark sat crosslegged in mid air at each end of the kitchen table. Between them suspended two small wobbly spheres of water. The spheres dashed,swooped, side-slipped each endeavoring to be the one to engulf the other. For a moment the game froze. Then both spheres floated to the sink and the combatants to the floor.

'That was fun. Thanks Tirrin.' Wellmark turned to Magder. 'Whats for dinner?'

********************

Although it was well into spring, nights were still chilly and Belton had lit the main fire. Diron Ma sat meditatively swirling wine in his glass. Magder had gone to bed. Tirrin had taken her leave after dinner to catch up on school work.

'You have a problem Belton.' The big man stirred comfortably on the couch before the fire.

'Not a problem as such. A conundrum.' He threw the dregs of his glass into the fire. 'I have a piece of metal. An odd piece. The man I bought it from said it came from the stars. Other metal he called it. Said it could not be worked.' Belton paused and sat forward. 'It can be. But slowly. It seems to want to form its own shape.......very strange shape.' He looked at Diron Ma as if expecting and answer.

'I have heard of such metal. There are small pieces in the library on display. They are called meteorites. Some act as lodestones and if suspended on a fine thread always settle the same way. Perhaps your piece would do the same thing. But I know no more than that.'

'Come and look.' Belton rose and lead the way to the smithy. He spoke the word Varlomos on entering and several lamps lit.

'You have unusual magic. I did not know a smith could work other than metal! The Wizard looked impressed.

'We all have secrets.' Belton indicated the work table. 'See, I tried to form a simple rod. This is what turned out. It was an irregular ball when I started.'

Dull silver in colour, a twist of metal shaped an incomplete figure eight with the ends did not quite meeting lay on the bench.

'May I try some other magic on it' Belton grunted asscent and stood back. watching Diron Ma closely.

From a sleave pocket the Wizard drew a slender blackwood wand and tapped the metal lightly. A soft discordant tone sounded. Diron Ma considered the result with a questioning tilt of his head. Again he tapped the metal piece uttering the words Tam Uanos. Instantly a scintering blue fire errupted from the metal which began to vibrate and slowly writhe on the bench. The wooden bench began to smoke and Diron Ma 'ported the writhing metal to the sandy floor. Momentarily the blue light flickered then went out. Gingerly the Wizard touched the metal piece then picked it up.

'Very strange. It is stone cold.' He turned it over in his hands. There appeared to be a grip at one end and he held it by that. The figure eight was now complete but with the grip at the botton of one loop. And it was now flat in cross section.

Belton leaned closer over the Wizards shoulder.

'I know that shape. The only one with one face and one side. A geometric oddity. But the grip. That is an artifact, but, what does it do?'

Diron Ma passed it to Belton who turned it over running a finger along its side till it came back to the starting point.

'Artifact perhaps and I would be very careful handling it until you know more. There is a power in it. A power I have never encountered and a lot of it.' Diron Ma slipped his wand back in his sleave. ' I will be interested to know what you discover.'

Belton placed the device on the workbench. 'It is no toy of that I am certain.'

Diron Ma nodded and led the way out of the smithy.

********************

Belton took care not to wake his wife climbing into bed. He lay relaxed but sleep eluded him. The artifact loomed at the edges of his thoughts as did Diron Ma's obvious interest in the scope of a smith's magic. We are more than mere metal workers. Those of us of the Fraternity of the Forge are masters of old and elemental magics and we pool our knowledge. Something it seems that wizards do not. Well most did not he amended, thinking of Diron Ma.

The images of the artifact returning to its true form under Diron Ma's influence flared again in his minds eye. He sat bolt upright in bed. Magda muttered a complaint and turned over stealing blankets. Belton grinned at this but got out of bed. He dressed quietly and returned to the smithy. He muttered Varlomos on entering to waken the lamps.

Distantly the words of his first instructor spoke to his inner ear as he regarded the artifact anew. The shape of things help define their purpose. This is a key concept in design. Belton smiled at the memory. His eye was drawn to what appeared to be a handle.

This is a device rather than artifact. This is meant to be pointed. But to what end? Belton turned and rummaged under the workbench and removed a dusty wooden box. This he dusted of and opened revealing a soft felt lining. Into this he placed the device, closed the lid and fastened the hasp. Pausing then hands still on the box he thought of the nature of Smithy magic. We are wakeners. We waken materials to their usage, be it art or function. He placed the box high on a shelf and returned to bed feeling much relieved.

**********************

On waking the first thing to rouse Belton's senses was the smell of frying bacon. Pancakes, with bacon and treacle. The best way to start a sixday. Belton gave his wife a hug and tousled Wellmark's hair before sitting at the head of the table.

The kitchen door was open to air the house. Spring sun shone in warming the room.

'You are wearing you traveling clothes.' Magder remarked.

'I had in mind to visit my father. I would like to get his opinion of a device Diron Ma and I discovered last night.'

'I would like a family day. We haven't seen them in a while. Should we take lunch?'

'You always think of the little things. Yes. And don't forget an extra couple of jars of jam for Willmet.'

'And you don't forget you brother either.' Magder smiled to herself going to the pantry to collect the necessaries for the day. She liked Willmet, Belton's elder brother. Also a smith but crippled by an accident repairing a windmill. Even the Grand Madge had been unable to restore full movement to his damaged arm.

Both Wellmark and Magder loved trips. Especially when Belton chose to take the gig. Wellmark loved the big wheels and the softer ride given by the springs Belton had made between the axle and the body of the gig. Much better than the pony trap they usually took.

Wellmark waved to Posey as they passed her cottage at a smart trot. Magder looked to see what Wellmark was laughing about to see him clutching a double handful of wildflowers.

'Posey is a 'porter too, and a good one it seems.' She nudged Belton. They both joined Wellmark laughing.

They had just rounded the corner into Kargon road where when the left wheel fell off the axle. Belton managed to quieten the horse.

'At least we are not far from Willnet's house.' Belton grumbled. Busy checking to see that the devise had survived the mishap. Magder started to gather their things from the back of the gig not relishing the thought of a lengthy walk.

'Back up a bit Magder. Let's have a look at the damage first.' Belton squatted to survey the end of the axle.

'The wheel is here Dad. It looks the same.' Belton went and joined Wellmark to retrieve the wheel. They both scoured the ground and grassy verge but could not find the wheel washer.

'I can fix this but first I must find a way to hold the gig up.' Belton scratched his head.

Magder who was standing holding the reins stilled the horse as the gig lifted to an even keel.

'I can hold this for a while Dad but not too long.' Belton turned to regard his son who stared fixedly at the axle. Grinned at his son and fitted the wheel with ease. He was pleased to see it turned freely and true.

'Let it down son, gently mind..' Belton then cut and trimmed a small branch to fit the peg hole at the end of the axle and rammed it home with the but of his large work knife.

'That will see us to Willnet's. There we can do a proper fix.

Wellmark kept a careful eye on the peg as the gig moved at a slow trot With no washer to protect the peg the wheel wore at it constantly but the sap wood held up well.

Magder looked to her husband. 'How much would the gig weigh?' Belton smiled at her.

'A bit. Perhaps fifteen stone. Perhaps less. The boy's powers expand by the day. Strong as me soon I have no doubt.' Magder heard the pride in his voice.

A warm spring day, light breeze, Belton was at peace with his world. Topping the slight rise in the road they saw three riders strung out across the road.

'There are no King's men this far out.' Magder sounded slightly anxious.

'Just travelers not wanting each others dust I'd think.' Belton felt under the gig's seat and loosened the sword stored there, feeling the better for its presence.

Of late there had been a spate of robberies from isolated cottages and herders had reported a trickle of strangers on the roads. Usually they were men returning home from their turn of duty in the Boarder Watchers.

The riders had stopped still strung out across the road.

'Hmmm! Now we will see what's afoot.' Belton muttered smiling a smile Magder had seen once before and hoped never to see again. All the hairs on Belton's arms were raised she noticed and the muscles of his arms lifted and bunched as he held the reigns.

They looked a grimy lot, travel worn and unsmiling. The larger man in the center signaled them to halt. Belton reigned to a stop a short distance back.

'Can we help you.' He called.

Wellmark had climbed into the luggage tray and stood at his father's back.

'They are bad men Dad. They want our things.'

'Stay where you are son and hold on tight. We might move suddenly Belton spoke quietly.

'He is right.' Magder said tight lipped.

The three men on some unseen signal drew swords and started their horses forward. Belton reached

under the seat and stood a Broad Sword flashing in the spring sun. As the central brigand reached for the their bridle he seemed to flounder in the motion and his horse frightened by the strange behavior sheered away into the rider on the right. The tableau froze for a moment. The floundering figure drifted higher screaming oddly and the other riders struggled to control their horses and succeeding fled, hooves pounding the dirt of the road.

Belton got down from the gig and motioned to Wellmark to lower the man to the ground. He must have been trained well the man, he still held his sword. Wellmark held him feet just off the ground.

The speed Belton's Broad Sword swept to the man's throat was astounding. The brigand dropped his sword.

'That is the first smart thing you have done today.' Belton kicked the sword into the grass. 'Who are you?' As if to lend weight to the question the man lifted a little higher and squirmed in response.

Magder tied the gigs' reins securely to the front rail and went to catch the brigands horse browsing on the verge. Poor thing skinny and ill used he looked with several scars of recent wounds. He came to the Witch call readily.

They entered Willmet's farm with the brigand in tow secured to his horse. Hollow cheeked, under fed and dirty with dark circles under his eyes he said not a word as Belton stood him on the ground.

Wellmark, Magder noticed moved to keep a clear view of the man but well back.

Magder took the horse and tied it to the rail of the horse trough and removed its saddle. She fondled the horses ears and watched Belton.

Willmet came out of the house as if shot from a cannon. A great gray grizzled bear of a man. Game leg and all he moved with surprising speed.

'Caught one of the bastards. Makes my day. They trashed Fiddler's farm and had a bit 'o fun with one of the girls yesterday.' The brigand quailed before him.

'Cut the bastard loose and give him a sword.' Willmet reached under the gig's seat and drew the Broad Sword. The man fell to the ground and writhed against his bonds mouthing strange sounds.

Belton put an arm across his brother's chest. 'Stay. There is more to this. This man is made mute. He has no tongue. Belton grabbed the man's right arm and pulled back his sleeve. There was the mark he sought. The Broken Arrow. The man was a deserter.

Distantly they heard the sound of many horses and the jingle and clash of men in armor. Over the tops of the field wall hedge they saw the King's flag flying. A troupe of Lancers turned into Willnet's farm.

They pulled up in parade order and the Sargent At Arms dismounted pulling off his gloves.

'Master Willmet.' The two greeted with much back slapping and hugs. ''Tis many a year Bear. Has been too long, even by a soldier's reckoning.'

'Bear! I haven't been called that in years.' Willmet turned to Belton and Magder. 'This seeming stranger is Bothing Tull. Went to school we did. Almost in another life it seems.'

Two of the lancers had dismounted and taken the brigand into custody and stood awaiting orders.

'Ye be free to camp here if you will.' Willmet indicated the clearing next to the barn.

Tull ordered the troupe to dismount and set up camp.

'There have been some troubles of late. Caught the other two by the way. Not the first nor the last be my guess. Before you ask, Fiddler's girl was pushed around and frightened half to death but not damaged. They can't you know....can't that.' Tull looked away from Magder's eye. A hard cast to his expression.

'Well come inside. Seems we have a bit to catch up on.' Willmet turned toward the house. 'Gurner is over at Fiddler's helping put the place to rights.' He said to Belton over his shoulder, referring to their father. 'Be back round supper.'

'We will see to the horses and join you.' Belton walked the horse and gig to the barn and began to remove the traces. Wellmark followed his father but could hardly take his eyes off the Lancers and their shining livery and polished weapons. Belton noted this and also with a smith's eye, the patina of service and usage the weapons bore. This was the King's own Lancers and front line troops. So what might they be doing here, fifty leagues from either the borders or the Palace.

Gurner sank back in his chair before the fire. 'Trashed the house they did. Nothing to find at Fiddler's. All his wealth in in the fields. Played 'push me' with the daughter but ya can't do naught with half a cock.' He stretched his stockinged feet toward the fire and wriggled his toes.

Tull stirred in his chair. 'This won't be the last of them. Things are getting stranger by the day on the front. Nothing you can put a finger on......just things happening. Its been a long winter and a hard one.' He finished his beer and stood. 'Gurner, Bear, Belton, Mistress Magder, I bid you goodnight. We will be away early but a short chat in the morning would be in order.' He left to see to his men closing the door quietly.

'Bad doings but its good to see Tully again. A good man that.' Willmet rested his chin on his arms on the table.'What do you make of it all Belton?'

'I've got more questions than answers and the more I hear the more questions I have.' He looked sour.

Magder had listened to the men talk and said little. Wellmark lay asleep across her lap. Her little man had done wonders today. Between helping with the gig and the brigands and him not yet six years. She smoothed the hair from his forehead. And she had felt it......that oddness her Witch sense told her was about. It showed in changes in the seasons, changes in attitudes of people to each other, a drawing apart of old bonds was how she saw it. Its a time of change. But what the new might be she knew not and this bothered her.

*********************

Wellmark watched the Lancers with avid eyes as the troupe moved off toward the road.

'They make a grand sight eh lad?' Gurner patted the boys shoulder.

'They look strong and together.' Wellmark nodded his head. 'Not like other people.'

Gurner looked down at the boy. 'Can you show me some of your lifting.' He pointed at a stack of firewood.

'Do your own work Dad.' Belton's voice had laughter in it.'He did more than his share of lifting yesterday.'

Wellmark considered the wood pile with furrowed brow. Both men turned to watch him. He took a stance of feet firmly planted shoulder width apart. With palms up most he held his arms out before him and smiled.

'Ah now that's something.' Gurner spoke low in his throat. The whole pile lifted. Moved ten strides toward the house and lowered to the ground.

'That is me done. You can do the rest.' Wellmark turned and walked a little unsteadily toward the house with his hands on his head.

'There are four cart loads in that lot. Must be six ton or more.' There was a look of wonder on Gurner's face. Belton just stood there transfixed.

'Diron Ma said he had talent. Never thought......'

'Ya pair of pusketts! You dumb bastards! What have you done to my boy?' Magder stood before them in full fury. 'I've had to put him into Witch sleep. Stretched him past himself to show did he? And you just stood like the pair of numb pusketts that you are.' Magder rounded on Belton. 'Get us to Diron Ma now. Now!' She stormed off toward the house.

'What in the name of Theron was that about?' Gurner turned to Belton who looked more than a bit taken aback. 'I'll get the house carriage. That gig of yours won't see you home.' He started for the sheds.

Belton headed for the house.

'Oh Belton, it frightened me to see him. He was near to empty as I've seen. If he was sick I would think him dying.' She burst into tears and he simply held her saying nothing.

With a clap of thunder and a shock wave that knocked petals from the roses by the door Diron Ma and The Grand Madge Sturlmon materialized on the house path.

Belton pointed to the front door. With barely a nod of acknowledgement they entered the house Magder at their heels.

Sturlmon bent over the boy with his hand on the pale forehead. Tall and distinguished, a svelte and

graying man of later years he looked the part of his station. He looked up.

'The touch of a Witch has saved this boy much agony. And nicely placed and in balance with the taxing he has taken. You are a Mistress of your talent. I could do no better.' He smiled and stood up smoothing his hair all a fly with static from their transport.

'How did you know. And find us here?' Said Belton with wonder. 'And I thank you for the effort.'

'The use of magic makes waves and carries a signature. Wellmark has a very clear and unmistakable print. The use of such magnitude makes very big waves. What in Theron's name was he doing? The Grand Madge looked in askance from Magder to Belton and Gurner who had just arrived.

'I said he could help with the wood. Asked him to show me some lifting. 'Twas a trifle.' Gurner braced himself under Magder's furious eye. 'Then he lifted the whole stack.'

'May I see this stack?' Sturlmon moved toward the door. Belatedly Gurner held the door for him and they all trooped out to the wood pile.

The Grand Madge lifted a hand and raised it slightly at the pile which shifted and resettled as though stirred from within. He turned to Diron Ma.

'I would be pushed to move that on my best day. The boy is a conduit I suspect. Foster him well.' He turned to Magder. 'Rest him till he no longer has head pain. He will heal himself with no damage.' With a vague wave of a hand and slightly disconcerting popping noise the Grand Madge vanished.

'Always the same. Comes and goes as he pleases. Very busy man.' Diron Ma turned to Gurner. 'You have had the King's men here it seems. What is the tale behind that.?'

Magder left the men talking and went back to see to Wellmark. What had the Grand Madge said? I would be pushed to move that on my best day! She saw the fields with ripening grain stretching into the distance and moving gently in the breeze pushing distractedly at the drapes by the kitchen window. We live in a wonderful and peaceful place. I hope it can sustain the changes coming. Magder went to Wellmark and stooped to feel his forehead. The boy was cooler now and the pasty look had gone. She sighed and sat beside him on the couch.

*********************

Belton hammered at the replacement washer for the gig humming quietly an old work song of his father's.

The lad is stronger than even the grand Madge imagined. And kids will try the impossible. I did and survived. But this is a different thing. Dangers that can't be seen. I must learn more of this.

He paused to throw the washer into the forge fire to reheat.

'Deep in thought Belton. Certainly there is a lot to think on. Seldom does the Sturlmon take a personal interest.' Belton turned the washer over in the fire and pumped the forge bellows several times. A wave of heat washed the smithy.

'Its not what he did or said. Its what he did not say that bothers me.' He gave Diron Ma a hard look. 'And the same goes for the Lancer Sargent Tull, an old friend of Willmet's. Just vague hints.'

'Hints of what?' Diron Ma looked very interested.

'That things are changing. A hard winter on top of strange happenings but didn't say what.'

'Say on. There is more on your mind.'

Belton removed the washer from the forge fire and quenched it in the water bucket. 'Magder has been talking about changes for a while now. Just little things.....about people mostly and how they relate and larger thing like the weather, well the seasons really.'

He retrieved the cooled washer and moved to the vice, set the washer firmly and began to file one side smooth. Belton stopped in mid stroke and rested the file on the vice.

'When I think about it even metal has begun to change in small ways. Reacts differently even with our magic. Not a lot, just little things.' He took the washer out of the vice and held it up. 'I have never known one of these to break......till now.' There was a look of odd dismay on his face.

'The Guild has noted these changes and others. Even magic has begun to go awry in small ways. We guess the root cause but have no certain answer. But we will.' There was a certainty in Diron Ma's voice and Belton took heart from that.

**********************

The following morning Wellmark roused as usual and ate a hearty breakfast on the veranda but avoided the sun. Said it hurt his eyes.

'And magic nothing young man. Nothing at all.' Diron Ma was adamant. 'You will be rewarded with the worst headache imaginable if you do.'

'So its good to have a visit and a timely one at that as things turned out but you usually have a reason.' Gurner being his usual direct, dry self.

Belton made no reply but went to the gig and returned with the box. He put it on the veranda table in front of his father.

'Open and look. I need your opine of what it might be, or do.'

Gurner lent forward with Willmet leaning over his shoulder.

''Tis a fancy thing and shapely made.' Gurner smoother a fingertip along an edge. Much as a wine glass resonated the device gave a mellow tone.

Wellmark's hands flew to his head.

'Touch it not! That is a breaking thing.' He backed away from the table.

'Its an instrument to be sure and has energy of its own but more I don't know.' Gurner looked at the boy. 'I felt nothing, only the sound.'

'Sound has power. One of the songstresses at the Guild can break a fine glass goblet with her voice.' Diron Ma sat forward in his chair. 'I would like to try an experiment or two but not anywhere near the house.' He frowned at the device. 'I think the boy has seen a possibility. It is designed to be pointed.' He indicated the hand grip.

'Well keep it away from my windows then.' Gurner was very proud of his windows. 'Glass and its transport do not come cheap.'

'So to the old quarry then.' Belton closed the box. ''Tis not far, we can take the gig.'

Grass and a few short scrubby bushes covered most of the flat base of the half amphitheater quarried out of the hillside for slate. The men stopped the gig on the entrance roadway. Belton brought the box and placed it on a flat topped rock and opened it. They all looked to Diron Ma. The horse snickered sending echoes batting back and forth.

Diron Ma picked up the device by the handle. Pointed it toward the back of the quarry and sang one clear note.

A forward facing bowl of violet light sprang from the device and shot at incredible speed to the back wall and shattered. A whip crack louder that a hundred thunders bashed back knocking them all to the ground. The horse bolted back down the road. Rock shards and splinters bounced all round. A cloud of rock dust drifted over them.

Diron Ma was the first to stand. He retrieved the device and put it back in its box and firmly closed the lid. He then proceeded to brush himself down.

'Well! Now we know one of its capabilities. And I think it should remain a secret.'

Belton looked shrewdly at Diron Ma but nodded agreement. They had only just started the walk home when Magder and Wellmark came up the road with the dray.

'I guess the horse made it home.' Belton grinned at them.

'The horse yes. The gig no. Well part of it anyway.' Magder did not look impressed.

They found one of the gigs' wheels and part of the axle on the way home.

As the dray pulled into the house yard Gurner muttered something about a strong drink and headed straight for the house.

'And I want a strong talk with you.' Belton saw she had her “I will have answers” face on. Wellmark was very quiet. Willmet followed his father.

'You will have what answers we can give Magder.' Diron Ma placed the box on the ground. 'As Wellmark suggested one of its capabilities is that of a weapon. But it may well have other capabilities. Its existence must remain a secret.'

'Take it to the guild. My thoughts would be destroy it if that be possible.' Belton, his hand on Diron Ma's shoulder was most earnest. 'Such a thing is a world changer. In the wrong hands it would enslave all.'

'The Grand Madge will be the only person other than us who will know of its existence. That I promise.'

Magder smiled a small sad smile. 'You Wizards understand much and nothing. Every Witch on the planet knows of its existence. You cannot throw so big a rock into the pool without effect. That......that thing.....it makes waves in the Earthsense. Waves such as we have never known. The whole of Witchdom will be searching for the source of that disturbance.' She cast a sorrowful look

at Diron Ma. ' You have opened a box that has no closing.' She saw the look on his face and held up a hand.

'I will keep this secrete.......in the hope that the device can be destroyed before it is found.' There were tears in her eyes as she turned and walked to the house. Wellmark followed rubbing the back of his head.

'She has the right of it.' Belton began to unhitch the horse. 'I wonder if the man that sold the metal to me knew just what it was.'

'I will leave now. I will tell you what transpires.' With that Diron Ma picked up the box and vanished with a faint pop.

**********************

'I have never asked much about Witchcraft. Too caught up with all my own stuff. What is Earthsense? Belton rolled on his side to better see his wife. Magder pushed the bed covers back and sat up in bed.

'At first I was glad you never asked. I took it as your acceptance of me, of who I am. But I must admit that over the last while with the coming of Wellmark that has changed. I have begun to feel that you know less of me, of who I am than I would wish.' Magder used the corner of a pillow case to dab her eyes. Belton held his silence.

'I am no ordinary Witch by any guage. But first things first. I have never deceived you. But I have told you or rather not told you my full story. I ....' Belton held up a hand.

'I know the Magder I have taken to my heart and life. If there is more to the tale, that will not change who we are.' He squeezed the hand lying limp on the covers. Magder ran gentle fingers down his cheek. He felt her trembling.

'You have never met my family and never questioned that they could not come to our wedding. I was grateful for that at the time but it has been weighing on me.' She shifted on the bed to face him.

'I am the Damina's daughter.' She looked directly into his eyes. 'I am a White Witch. One of four of the most powerful members of the Inner Circle. My mother is Saynellisan.'

Belton sat with a small smile that touched his eyes. 'Your mother is the Queen of Witches, then you are a Princess.' The small smile changed to serious. 'You will always be Magder to me.'

She sprang then and pushed him , not altogether gently into the pillows and they snuggled. He could feel hot tears on his shoulder and held her, stroking her back.

After a while he said. 'You still have not answered my question.' She rolled off him and got back under the covers and faced him.

'Earthsense. Every living thing, and some others, give of an energy that a Witch can feel. This earth, this land also has its own influence. Taken all together it is Earthsense. But there is another aspect to it. In its own way it has its own volition. We believe the earth is sentient, alive, not in the usual way of thinking but alive none the less. Witches derive their power from that and is it freely given provided the seeker is true of heart and it is given according to the capacity of the seeker.'

The candle on the side table guttered and went out. Against the half moon light from the window he saw her raise a hand. A snap of fingers and a small ball of misty light appeared above their bed.

Belton had heard what she said as if it was part of a lecture, and he drew back to focus fully on Magder's face lit by the Witchlight.

'That explains much.' Said Belton thinking also of their verdant garden and vegetable patch. Of the usual cuts and scrapes a smith and robust boy encounter but never became infected. The enormity of what blessing lay beside him enfolded him and he pulled her gently to him and the Witchlight dimmed and vanished but he did not notice that.

***********************

Two days in this boring place. Wellmark kicked a stone, it skipped and rolled erratically bouncing of others in the driveway. Everyone is grumpy, and I can't 'port. He could still feel an odd emptiness behind his eyes and knew instinctively that it would hurt to try. But the strange absence was 'filling up'. Another two days and I will try a little something. I miss Diron Ma. I wonder what he did with Dad's thing. I hope he broke it. Wellmark walked toward the smithy. He could hear Belton working on the gig.

He stood in the doorway and watched. Belton was fitting the repaired axle to the gig frame. Belton's big hands made the tools look small. Wellmark smiled watching Belton stretch for a bolt just out of reach. 'Porting would be a good trick for Dad.....I wonder if you can teach it.

'I'll get that Dad.' Wellmark hurried to pass the bolt. Belton grunted thanks and continued working.

'Smiths have their own magic don't they Dad,. How does it work?

'Now that's an interesting question. I don't know that I can answer it how you would like.' Belton stopped working and lay back under the gig. 'Can you explain to me how you 'port?'

'I thought about that....wondered if I could show you. But showing isn't telling you how to make it work. I just sort of can. Sorry Dad.' Wellmark scuffed his feet on the floor. 'But I'll think about it more.'

'Smithing is much the same. I can show you how to do it, but the magic just is.' Belton smiled at his son.

Willmet strolled into the smithy. 'Just got a bit of news from some passing Lancers. Seems there is a sizable party of stragglers headed this way. They asked if they could billet here tonight. Said yes please. If there's riffraff about a few metal heads would make good company.'

Belton laughed. 'Metal heads! Don't let them hear such talk. Tully would not be best pleased to be called such.'

Willmet grinned. 'But I might just have a look at the armory just for fun. Can still hold a bow you know.' He turned on his heal and headed for the house.

Belton finished the fix on the gig and set to tidying up the workspace. Wellmark helped by sweeping the floor.

Magder came in as they were finishing. 'Heard the news? Belton nodded.

'Seems there are more Lancers around and some are camping here tonight. The gigs finished but it might be best to stay off the roads for a while. Safer here I think.'

Magder smiled acceptance and with an arm round each of her men they walked to the house for lunch.

**********************

Magder nestled comfortably with her back to an apple tree in the far bottom corner of the garden. A small roll of green silk ribbon held in cupped hands in her lap.

Earthsense pooled languidly in the background of her mind and she called a tendril and bent it to her will. Weaving it into the fabric of the silk was no great or complex task. She paused then to reorder her mind and cast a simple call me spell to waken on the proximity of a person unknown to her. The Earthsense was willingly obedient to her request Task done she settled back to enjoy the interplay of dappled shade and the warmth of the Spring sun.

Later in the afternoon Magder and Wellmark walked the boundary of the farm. Every so often Magder tied a snippet of ribbon to a branch, fence post or other unobtrusive thing.

'You are setting a fence aren't you Mum.' This a statement from Wellmark.

'Yes. But how did you guess? She looked sidelong at the blonde tousled boy beside her.

'There is a something in each of the ribbons. A something thats a part of you.' This said very matter of fact.

Magder was astonished. Even a Witch would be hard pressed to see that connection. 'How do you know that?' She asked keeping her voice neutral.

'People have a color. Well not a color exactly but something like it. It, they, have your color.' He indicated the remnant of the ribbon in her hand.

They walked on in companionable silence back to the house.

Pleasant surprise, Diron Ma was there to greet them.

'The Guild thought I might be of use here. There are things afoot that behooves the Grand Madge to look to his borders.' Magder saw that his eyes strayed to the ribbon still in her hand.

Am I transparent to all that my smallest move is seen. She stuffed the ribbon into a pocket and hurried to the kitchen. An elderly cook and a young apprentice were busy making the evening meal. Magder fitted seamlessly into the kitchen routine with smiles of gratitude from the workers. Distantly she heard the movement of men and horses. The Lancers had returned.

Situated as the farm was, close to two main roads and a river, it was a convenient place for the Lancers to station. She wondered what news Tully might bring.

The kitchen windows faced south toward the river. The distant line of trees beyond the farm boundary marked its journey westward to the sea. Shadows were lengthening and the smells of a coming dinner tantalized her. The sound of boots on the veranda and men's voices filled the house with a sense of urgency. Magder went to the veranda.

Tully was bloody but seemed uninjured. Two injured Lancers lay on the boards. Magder went to collect the necessaries.

'They bounced us by the ford. Archers mostly. Fled them back into the trees. No good for horses there. 'Tis more open country here. Messengers have been sent. The plodders will be here by early morn.' He used the slightly derogatory term for foot soldiers. He slumped onto a bench. The kitchen maid bought tea and fruit cake piled high in a tray.

The Lancers by the sheds had started a cook fire but none of the horses were unsaddled. A couple of lancers were seeing to their feed and water while another checked hooves and for injuries.

As Magder went to the kitchen for hot water she saw a pair of Lancers ride toward the west boundary at good speed. At another time she would have stopped to admire the ease and flow of their movement.

Neither of the Lancers were badly hurt but one had lost a lot of blood. Wellmark was nowhere to be seen she noted

Belton was busy in the smithy sharpening swords and repairing tackle with Willmet. Gurner was close with Tully and she could not see Diron Ma. All in all the day had gone to shit. Magder used the word with a deal of feeling. Her Earthsense sent a thin frisson of energy down her spine and she knew one of the boundary wards had been triggered. Magder stood to talk to Tully as Diron Ma with Wellmark in tow rounded the corner of the house.

'The west field has been fired. The breeze is moving it this way. There is a body of men moving under cover of the smoke.' Diron Ma was carrying his staff. 'Wellmark will stay with me.' He said to Magder and the two went back round the corner of the house.

Gurner hurried to the irrigation channel and fully opened the stops. They could all hear the rush of water headed for the west fields. The Lancers had mounted and formed up with Tully at their head.

'Line abreast. Fast trot till I give the order, then full gallop. We will take them through the smoke and run till clear. Then wheel to the right and reform. Clear? A chorus of Sir! Rang out. The Lancers passed through the field gate in double file and moved at a trot to line abreast. On an unseen signal they moved to a fast trot.

'By Fantus Balls thats a rare sight.' Magder had never heard Gurner give voice to such emotion before and had to agree. As they watched the troupe moved to full gallop and a momentary hedge of lances swung to horizontal. They disappeared into the smoke.

Distantly they heard the clash of weapons. The cries of men and the dreadful scream of injured horses. Moments later the troupe reappeared, still in line abreast but two horses short and three empty saddles.

Magder heard Wellmark yelling from the rear of the house. He and Diron Ma were standing face to face by the apple tree she had sat under that afternoon

'I can see them. I can. I must.' He was shaking with emotion and facing Diron Ma.

She could not hear what Diron Ma said but Wellmark turned, holding his arms out toward the smoke and approaching horsemen. Three dark objects came at speed through the smoke and landed gently on the grass in front of the house. All three were alive but sorely injured. Magder hurried to

tend them. She could hear Wellmark crying and Diron Ma's quiet voice.

In short order the troupe returned. Tully was busy with the men and horses assessing their condition. A corporal came across to Gurner and company on the veranda. We have routed them. They have retreated to the river. We will keep and eye on them and pickets will be set tonight.' He returned to the troupe. Belton and Willmet stayed in the smithy making repairs.

Tully joined them for a late dinner. Magder took dinner to the men in the smithy. She could still smell smoke from the fire but Gurner, escorted by two Lancers reported back that the water had put and end to it though it still guttered on some of the check banks. He turned the water off. Gurner grumbled through most of dinner about the loss of half the west field. And grumbled even more about where to bury the dead.

The two Lancers were buried on the Long Hill, next to the family plot. Belton had worked into the night making suitable markers for their graves. The troupers formed a guard of honor and Diron Ma told the rites to ease the spirits of the men to the Next Place. Magder set wards on the graves that they should not be disturbed and on the grave of the one trouper she had the moment to speak with planted daffodil bulbs at his feet. Tully was well pleased and the men seemed lifted in spirit that their brothers should have been cared for.

Gurner in an unprecedented change of style opened the wine cellar and broached a keg of cider for all. Half way through the Morn Feast....the cook had done them proud.....the pickets returned from the west field to report the intruders had retired across the river. Tully set new pickets and sent a pair as messengers to the foot soldiers who were somewhere on the village road.

The messengers returned in short order. The foot soldiers were less than a mile away. Tully was in a huddle with them for some minutes and the trio returned to join the feast.

Gurner allocated the hay paddock as camp site. His farm had become a military staging post overnight it seemed. Some six hundred souls in all including a contingent of Rangers. They are a dour lot was Tully's comment. And if things get sticky they would be my choice to watch my back.

The Major, Felstead by name came and was introduced to Gurner and Willmet.

'Well things are moving rather quickly it seems.' Diron Ma seemed pleased.

'Well out with it man.' Belton took another graft of cider and sat back at ease.

'It turns out that the news is not all good. This is one of several companies in this area. But that is because news has come that there are several thousand renegades including others from over the border headed this way. The Grand Madge thinks they are directed in some fashion. This is not the usual behavior of stragglers. The Wizards Guild Hall appears to be their aim. We know not why.' Diron Ma smiled oddly.

'But why there? What do they hope to accomplish.' Belton asked.

'Well there must be a why, and what did you mean when you said they were directed. Even a mob has a leader.' Magder placed a tray of cakes on the veranda table.

'That is the Grand Madge's surmise. I agree with him. There are strange eddies, I have no better word, in the sphere of magic. This interference seems to have a point of origin and that point appears to move behind the interlopers.'

They all turned as a crash of metal and other objects landed on the driveway.

'What the Fantus is that now!?' Gurner stood bumping the table and spilling drinks. Wellmark came

round the corner of the house looking very pleased with himself and stood in front of a pile of swords, spears, water bottles, backpacks and other military paraphernalia.

'I can look-see. Then when I know where stuff is I can 'port it.' He indicated the pile behind him.

'And when did you learn look-see Wellmark? Diron Ma inquired casually.

'Ages ago. When you 'ported the bucket of water from the well. The day I floated Tirrin.' Wellmark paused, still looking very pleased with himself. 'I watched you with my other eye.' He turned and began to investigate the pile.

Diron Ma was smiling and shaking his head.

'What is this look-see? Magder asked with a tell me now voice.

'It is the ability to look for something that is out of sight. An extension of dowsing is the best explanation'

'And how did he learn this.'

'You will have to ask him. Not from me by the way.' Diron Ma smiled at Magder. 'The question I will ask him is what is this other eye. That interests me very much indeed.

Willmet grunted and went down to join the boy.

'Done well you have. Let's sort this lot out. Swords over there.' He threw a sword starting a new pile. 'Spears there and packs over there.' Together they started to sort the stuff out.

Tully joined them but concentrated first on looking over the assortment of swords then on emptying all the packs and sorting through the content. He brought two things back to the table. A hand drawn map and a sword with its scabbard.

'Never seen the likes of this.' He withdrew the sword from its scabbard. The sound was of silk and metal. Belton sat up.

'I'd like a closer look at that if I may.' Tully passed the sword hilt first.

'This is a Darger Knights Sword. There are no longer any Darger Knights. Died defending their king at the fall of Theben at the end of the Four Lands war. That was over five hundred years ago.' Belton turned the sword over in his hands several times. 'I would treasure such a thing. The metal work is amazing. Look.' He took a strand of Magder's hair. The sword cut it cleanly.

'How old this is would be a guess and it still has its edge. And there is more if I remember right.' He twisted the pommel and pushed it in. There was a loud click and the pommel sprang open revealing the hollow handle. What fell out onto the table was a glittering blue crystal. It spun several times and oriented pointing toward Diron Ma.

'Touch that not!' Diron Ma threw a napkin over it. 'That is a seeker crystal, an assassins tool, and its live.'

Willmet leaned over Belton's shoulder and pointed to an element in the intricate scroll work etched into the blade just below the guard.

'What are you pointing to? The pigeon?'

'And what kind of bird is that?' Willmet asked quietly. 'A homing pigeon if I am not mistaken.' He sat down looking pleased with himself.

'So what. Nice work though. Good as I have ever had the pleasure.' Belton continued to inspect the blade.

'That sword is a Homer. Combined with the crystal it will pass from hand to hand by any means it can to get to its target. I said before, its an assassin's tool.' Diron Ma picked up the crystal and wrapped it securely in the napkin. 'Do not replace this within the sword. They work in concert.'

'So who might the target be? Is there a way to know? It was pointing at you Diron Ma.' Tully had a wry smile.

'Think more of the direction Tully. What lies to the east-north-east? Diron Ma had a sour look again.

'The village....the Wizards Guild? Tully sounded a little skeptical.

'The lineage of the current Grand Madge is long. Very long. Beyond the fall of Theben. Back to the rise of the Darger Knights a century before.'

'You are saying the sword has traveled half a continent and a thousand years to get here?' Tully was incredulous.

'Well that is certainly the case. But what we don't know is when the sword was activated or by whom. For that matter, how long it has been here.'

'Well as maybe. But who was ...is the target and why would be of interest.'

'Ah Tully to the nub as usual.' Willmet looked to Diron Ma. 'Any ideas?'

'Only the tenuous one with the Grand Madge but that is not likely. I would know more of why these renegades are headed in this direction and who or what is behind it. It is possible the sword is an unrelated thing.'

'Ah! The usual muck. The more we learn the more questions need answers.' Gurner was back in grumble mode. 'Take the damn thing to the smithy and turn it into something useful.'

'I will second that.'Said Magder with some force.

'Somehow I doubt that would be possible. That thing has been in existence unblemished for a very long time. I would guess it is protected in a very strong fashion.' Diron Ma was most emphatic. 'Good thought though.' He smiled.'Would that it would be so easy.'

**********************

Wellmark kicked stones on the driveway. Then flicked a few using 'port. He aimed at a fence post some twenty strides away and had the satisfaction of hearing a solid thunk of stone on wood. With a little practice he could fire several in quick succession with perfect accuracy.

Beside the smithy, somewhat overgrown with grass was a pile of broken firebricks from the forge. Wellmark 'ported several good sized ones to the roadway. Selecting one of several pounds he fired it at the fence post target. Both post and brick shattered with a resounding crack.

'Impressive that.' Diron Ma looked anything but impressed. 'But what is this experiment meant to show Wellmark?'

'I might need it some day. Those people are coming aren't they? He looked defiant.

'Perhaps. It is well to be prepared for any eventuality.'

'Whats an event...evantu.....?'

'Something that may happen. Eventuality. But thats the army's problem.'

'No its not. Its everybody's. We met three on the road. I don't want to be that close. That close to nasty people.' Wellmark looked scared. Diron Ma put an arm round Wellmark's shoulders.

'Well that is an excellent argument. Everybody's responsibility. Wellmark you are quite right. But now you are prepared we can let others deal with the problem.' The Wizard gave the boy's shoulder a squeeze.

'There is more I think about. Lots more really.' Wellmark looked up at Diron Ma. 'The place where magic lives feels different. Its getting foggy. It used to be clear. You could see anywhere easily. Now its not.' Wellmark kicked a stone.

'Can you see where the fog comes from?' The Wizard's voice was quiet as though he was listening for something.

Wellmark pointed westward. 'From over there...a long way. A long, long way.' He was emphatic. 'And the smell of it gets stronger.'

'What do you mean the smell?

'Thats my word. Everyone's magic has their own smell. Smell or color. Its like a smell or colour. I can pick Mum's from anywhere. Yours too and Tirrin. The fogs smell is one person mostly and its stronger.'

'Tell you what. I bet I can do something that you can't' Diron Ma picked up two stones. 'Watch.' He 'ported one stone almost straight upwards, and 'ported the second to hit it. The stones ricocheted off in different directions.

'Can too.' And Wellmark did the same.'See!'

'Time for afternoon tea. There will be cakes I hope.' The Wizard set off for the house. The look on

his face belied the casual voice.

The fog's smell is one person mostly. The phrase turned over and over in Diron Ma's mind. The boy can see that. Knows that. We suspect much but this changes everything. I will speak with The Grand Madge.

Two days later a King's messenger arrived early in the morning with an escort of four Rangers. In the chill of sunrise the horses breath and bodies steamed. Gurner and Willmet greeted them.

'Granson. King's Messenger.' The small and wiry man, impeccably dressed in full uniform dismounted and bowed to them. He passed a scroll sealed with the King's seal to Gurner.

'I am instructed to await your reply.' The four Rangers led their chargers to the watering trough and took the messengers horse with them. Gurner retired to the veranda table and snapping the seal began to read.

'Willmet. See to the hospitality if you please.' He waved to Granson and indicated he should sit at the table. 'This will take a while to digest. There are things here that I will needs discuss with my family and others as you may appreciate.' He returned to reading the document.

Willmet followed by Diron Ma came to join Gurner and Granson at the table. Shortly the young kitchen maid delivered them tea and toast with butter and honey.

Gurner finished reading and passed the scroll to Diron Ma. He scanned the document briefly and leaned back in his chair looking thoughtfully at Gurner.

'So. My friend Gurner mon Dale. Your lands have been commandeered. You have been titled Suzerain over these lands and will be compensated with a consideration of one thousand gold Shillings per year. Ha, and there is more. As Suzerain you have the powers of Magistrate and Troupe Marshall.' Diron Ma paused to sip tea. 'Further you have the right to commandeer troops and hire such staff as your position needs which will be compensated.' He smiled a rare smile. Then burst out laughing and stood facing Gurner and bowed.

'Count Gurner mon Dale.' He turned to Willmet. 'And you.' He bowed again.' Carry the title of Viscount.'

There was stunned silence round the table broken by the sound of a heavy leathern bag dropped on the table. Granson stood and bowed to Gurner and Willmet.

'I have your answer it seems. I will take your leave upon your signature on this document. A receipt for one thousand gold shillings.' He passed an open scroll to Gurner who grimaced.

**********************

'Well Honorable Sir. How does all that sit with you?' Magder snuggled into Belton's shoulder. 'Never thought I would be a Madam.' Belton twisted her on top of him and pulled the bed covers round her shoulders.

'You have always carried the title tho' you knew it not.' Magder wriggled slightly down Belton's torso.

'Madam seeks to please her Lord?

'Naa! Madam seeks to be pleased.' She brushed gently the hair from his forehead and kissed him. Belton blew out the candle.

**********************

Wellmark lay in bed playing with look-see, searching for objects magical. The ribbons Magder had placed glowed a muted pale blue pinpricks on the farm borders:The old quarry a muted haze of faded orange. The Darger Knight's Sword hanging in the armory flickered a luminescent blue. He reached further afield.

To the north-east lay the Wizards Guild, an impenetrable dome of gray mist covered it completely. East and round to the south lay a myriad tiny dots. It seemed even the meanest of cottage contained something of magical property. So much to discover, to investigate, Wellmark was enthralled. This was like another land. I wonder if Diron Ma knows about this....or perhaps he sees it different. Wellmark turned his attention to the west and recoiled.

The fog of the west was a dirty dull purple, with streaks, no tendrils, of red winding through it. And the tendrils seemed alive. Wellmark was revolted. Such a thing, for it seemed to him a singular thing, was unnatural and wrong. For the moment he paused to look it appeared that the tendrils oriented toward him, oriented and were aware of him.

With that animal instinct inherent in children he knew he had become in that instant, prey. A door he did not know existed he slammed shut with all the force he could muster. In imagination or reality he could not tell which it seemed the whole house was bathed in a crimson glow which vanished the instant he saw it.

In the after glow of dusk Wellmark hastily dressed and was pulling on his socks when there was a knock on his door. It creaked slightly on opening and Diron Ma stood there framed by the light from the house fire and lamp on the commons table.

'Thought you might be awake. A short talk might be in order. Something of interest has occurred and I would welcome your thoughts.' The quiet of the voice and an odd tension in the tone told Wellmark he was not in trouble but had perhaps caused something.......' He hastened to finish dressing and followed Diron Ma into the commons.

Magder put an arm around his shoulders and lead him to the couch. Diron Ma pulled up a chair and sat facing them. Behind him was the Grand Madge Sturlmon and several other Wizards he had never seen before. Belton stood in the doorway to the kitchens leaning on the door frame.

'You have done no wrong Wellmark. You are not in trouble. However something happened just now that we do not understand. We know that you were in the center of an event and that you used magic with extreme force. Could you tell us what happened?' Diron Ma had a look of earnest inquiry and Wellmark could sense an underlying deep concern.

Wellmark explained as best he could what he had been doing and what had happened and then Magder took him to the kitchen and made tea and toast for him and Belton.

'I think it would be wise for you not to use look-see again for a while. At least until Diron Ma has found what is making the fog and removes it. But I need your promise in that.'

'Yes Mum. That scared me lots. But I shut it out. But I won't go there again. I promise.' Magder hugged her boy. And that in itself was scary for Wellmark because he had never felt fear from his mother before.

'So what has this child done? Beyond it seems, doing what we cannot.' Sturlmon waved a dismissive hand. 'Like firestone in a napha pit. Certainly lit up my world and from a deep sleep. We have a evil on our doorstep. Powerful in ways we do not understand beyond knowing that it overmasters us. Oh, we could perhaps hold it at bay but a stalemate is not a position I am willing to settle for.' He turned to face Diron Ma.

'What is this Look-see.....what is this Other eye? And, what in the name of any deity you might like to call upon is this child capable of?

Diron Ma laughed quietly, almost as though he was laughing to himself.

'Neither Look-see nor Other eye are spells or charms. They cannot be taught or learned. They are abilities. His unique abilities. I strongly suspect that the Witches may have closer answers than I. Wellmark could be what has been named in the old tongue a Terrazard. His powers come in part from the earth itself. More I cannot say.'

'Cannot or will not?' This from the elder of the Wizards behind Sturlmon.

'Will not.' Diron Ma replied, standing and facing them all. 'Will not because there is more to this that I would know and I seek not to mislead. I will fully inform the Grand Madge when I have more information.'

With a series of pops and a faint chill in the air the Wizards accompanying Sturlmon departed with bad grace.

'It would be wise perhaps to not antagonize your peers, unless you have good reason.' Sturlmon looked anything but displeased.

'There is much more to this event than the profligate usage of power. Although that is a matter in itself considering the child is six years. There has not been a Terrazard in living memory.' Diron Ma held up a hand to forestall a reply. 'I know it has not been proven but that is the only explanation I

can offer.'

'There is more behind your reticence than you are saying. Out with it man. What do you suspect.'

'One event is just what it is. Two events are a coincidence. Three events are extraordinary. Four events are a pattern; and a pattern requires either of two things. A planner or a prophesy. It appears that we have both the planner and the prophesy.' Diron Ma sat at the table and blew gently at the candle. 'There is one other thing that need consider. Whether the planner is carrying out the prophesy or is the originator of it.'

'A boy with power, an unknown evil, an old sword, and an exercise in unrestrained magical usage gives rise to this.....this fabrication? When you can present me with evidence I will reconsider.' Sturlmon vanished. Diron Ma smiled. And the fifth element is Belton's device. Even without that there is a play unfolding. He sat for some moments thinking then went to the kitchen to join Belton and his family.

**********************

Later that night prompted by a whim Diron Ma went quietly into the kitchen and filled a large mixing bowl with water. This he carried into the empty commons and set upon the table. He gathered three candles, lit them and placed them behind the bowl. He seated himself and looked into the water still rippling gently and waited. When the water was still he softly began the chant for scrying.

Slowly the bowl appeared to fill with mist. Within, vague formless shapes slowly moved. Diron Ma bent his will toward the west by slow increments. He brought his focus down the the ground and searched for life there. A fox crossed his path, nose to the leaf fall following a scent. Higher up in the trees and owl glided past and he followed it till it turned from the direction he wanted to go. Past rivers and hills, encampments of men, into the rolling hills of the Westlands he went. Skimming the great forest he noticed it first. A haze in the distance that foiled his vision. Slower now he descended again to the forest floor but there were no animals to be found. The normal denizens had vanished. Even their tracks were beginning to be overgrown.

He sought a vantage point, a hill, a rocky place and found by chance instead an ancient building of immense size. Much reduced from its original grandeur but still magnificent in its sheer presence. A building of the Elder Days, from a time so distant in the past history and myth mingle to confuse the truth. I will return to this place. He fixed the location firmly in memory and continued on to the borders of the haze.

The closer he came the more solid it appeared as though his mere presence, though only in mind, caused this to be. Tendrils of mist swayed toward him and he retreated. But faster yet the mist came on. More solid now and distant in its depths colour could be seen. Dirty orange and purples and a thin harsh red swirled seemingly ever closer.

Diron Ma turned from this strange miasma and willed himself home but the mist surrounded him a solid wall through which he could not see. But he knew with every fiber of his being that he was being seen and constrained. He bent his will and did a thing he had never before imagined possible. He lit Madge Fire and it spluttered and failed. The mist pressed closer.

A blinding flash of pure white light obscured his vision. A tearing sensation wrenched his mind.

I am undone, came a small thought that he recognized as his own. But I am. Slowly sounds impinged on his consciousness and he came awake to a ring of faces staring down.

'He wakes.' Magder's voice sounded very far away.

Hands lifted him and he understood that he had been lying on the floor. He was sat on the couch. The room was not as he remembered. The solid oak table was a splintered wreck, the bowl broken and water on the floor.

'You were scrying.' Magder sounded accusatory. 'What happened?'

But Diron Ma slid down on the couch unconscious.

Magder turned to Wellmark sitting on the floor by the door holding his head and sobbing.

'I had to pull him Mummy. I had to pull him really hard. It was going to hurt him. It was, I could tell. Did I hurt him? I didn't mean to but I had to get him away, and I did.'

'Shhhh. Shhh. You did not hurt him. That was something else. Does your head hurt again?'

'Yes. But it will be better soon. I know how to fix it now.' Wellmark screwed his eyes shut tight and held his breath for a moment.

'There, thats better. Still goes bump with my heart but its all right.'

Magder soothed her son stroking his hair. I have been remiss. There is so much I do not understand. I will talk to the coven. Magder continued to sooth Wellmark who was soon asleep.

Grand Madge Sturlmon prowled his chambers. The magical dome protecting the Guild Halls was just another annoyance. It intruded on his mind like tinnitus. Diron Ma was right. Right to say nothing. And I all but negated our friendship out of political necessity. Damn the conservative Elders and their clique. But we will need their powers before this is over.

Sturlmon paced to his desk and opened an ancient book of leather bound fine wood pages. The writing was the old script incised into the wood and filled with what looked like charcoal and read.

One shall come in obscure form

Another shall oppose

Dominion is but means to an end.

But the earth shall choose.

And t

The rest was indecipherable. Fresh gouge marks of a knife or other sharp instrument had obliterated the script. Sturlmon passed his hand over the page. It briefly sparkled and the words stood out and faded again. Nothing hidden there. He closed the book. And placed it back in its protective box. Mandlaman's prophesies. Revered for its age rather than content. Yet in some measure a thing to be taken account of. Someone had taken account of it and recently at that. The damage was new.

Sturlmon drew the drapes back from the windows and stared out into the starry night. We have a spy in our midst. But for whom .....or what?'

Diron Ma woke to find himself in a very comfortable bed. It momentarily disoriented him that it was not the usual guest room. A blur of memory fragments slid across his consciousness. A building, a monumental building swam into view and he held the image fast. He tracked backwards from that moment and found memory intact back to scrying in the commons. He used the image of the building to go forward. The mist, he saw it clearly in his minds eye. Its odd unhealthy colour and the dangerous red tendrils within came back with a clarity that startled him with its accompanying feeling of deep unease. He remembered his wand failing and then white light. The all pervading wrenching white light. He sat up in bed too quickly and felt sick from the movement. He waited the nausea out and moved slowly getting dressed.

His Wizard's sense of place and direction placed him in Gurner's house. It also located the Elder days building forty leagues or more to the west. Forty leagues! Only one person had the possibility of power to do that. Wellmark. Oh that he is untouched by that....that what....that evil. He shivered although it was a warm and seemingly pleasant day outside. He walked unsteadily toward the kitchen.

'Just in time for lunch if you are up to it' Magder took his arm and led him to the table.

The smiling kitchen maid set a plate of fried bacon and mushrooms with eggs on toast before him and a large mug of tea. He made a vague gesture of thanks, his attention taken by the steam curling up from the hot food and tea. He blew gently at the stream and it billowed away. Then the smell reached him and Diron Ma fell to eating with a will.

'Mum. Mum, look what Willmet and I made.' Wellmark proudly offered a crude horse shoe. His hand fell as he saw Diron Ma.

'You are well.' He said with some surprise. 'Did I hurt you?' Diron Ma smiled and held up both hands to the boy.

'Thanks to you I am fine. But I must ask how did you know?' Wellmark looked down. Looked up at his mother then back to Diron Ma.

'Was playing look-see round the house with the barn cats. They can see you you know, cats can.' He looked defensively toward his mother. Magder held her face neutral and said nothing.

'Then I saw you. You were moving very fast and getting faster and going along the ground and in the trees.' He looked at his mother again. 'I followed I wanted to try to talk to you.' Wellmark stood there and shuffled his feet looking down.

'Then there was that mist again and it was all angry and it cut you off from .....from....life. It cut you off from what makes us, us. So I pulled you back but it didn't want to let you go so I pulled with everything I could find.' Wellmark burst into tears and hugged Diron Ma. The Wizard held him until Magder came round the table and took Wellmark round the shoulders and sat him on her lap next to Diron Ma.

'Well. I am very thankful that you did. I needed every bit of help I could get and I am very pleased you were there.' He offered his hand and Wellmark shook hands.

'I nearly couldn't but she came and helped.' Wellmark said in a small voice leaning on Magder's shoulder.

'Who is she?' Magder asked quietly holding eye contact with the Wizard.

'The she that is every where.....I think she is a she......she feels like a she. Like you do Mum.' He turned to look at his Mother who had tears in her eyes. Magder hugged her son.

'I am crying because I am happy and I am proud of you.' She stood him up and smacked him smartly on the bottom. 'Now back to the forge with you.' Wellmark left with a skip and a grin.

'Your son is a Terrazard.'

'I know.' Magder looked uncertainly at Diron Ma but he only heard certainty in her voice. 'He speaks of Gia. I have never spoken to him of the earth in that way. I presume you know of what I mean?'

Diron Ma smiled.

'Oh yes. The wizarding world knows of the concept. Myself I have a more generous view. Not to say thankful.' He grinned. 'I would thank Gia if I could for my salvation.' Magder looked hard at the Wizard with all of her considerable attributes but saw nothing but truth in the man.

***********************

Tully settled deeper into the leaf mold behind a fallen tree and waited. Waiting was easy for him. Time to be alone with your thoughts. The troupe was strung out hidden along the road side. A couple of mounted riders within signal distance also waited.

Tully listened, no sound came from the troupe and after the disturbance of their arrival the forest sounds had returned. Distantly came the sound of a cart in dire need of grease. The forest had dampened the sound for the cart came in view quicker than Tully had estimated. A farmer with a load of firewood piled high. The horse was lame Tully noted and underfed.

As the cart drew closer he could see recent wounds and saddle marks on the horse and whistled the signal to block the road. The signal barely given when Corporal Hadder signaled urgently and pointed back up the road behind the cart. Hadder held up five fingers and opened and closed his hand four times, then indicated the path of the incoming unknowns.

Tully hand signaled a platoon to split off and withdraw to the side away from the road. He signaled the road block to let the cart though and waited. His sword came quietly from its sheath and he laid it across his thighs.

Hadder signaled again that the group coming toward them had stopped and spread out line abreast.

Tully smiled to himself. Plodders with no leadership it seemed. He could see Hadder signaling to others. A faint double click indicated a Lancer approaching and Grimdall slid down beside him.

Grimdall grinned and fished in a pocket and withdrew a pocket mirror. He held it up over their log.

Grimdall counted five on his fingers and rolled to a kneel. He quickly assembled a horn horse-bow and strung it. From a thigh quiver he withdrew several arrows and stood them point down into the ground. He notched the last one and made a test draw then peered carefully over the log. He flashed a grin at Tully.

'Fifty strides and slow.' He whispered. 'Count five.' He ducked down. Tully watched the Lancer's fingers tapping softly and smiled to himself. Grimdall was counting strides.

'At thirty give me a sign.' Tully rolled to a kneel and looked to Hadder and signaled attack on my signal.

Grimdall whispered. 'Now.'

Tully signaled.

Grimdall counted down to one and stood making a full draw on the bow at the same time. The thrum of the bow string coincided with a clash of arms to the side. The platoon had engaged. Tully stood and moved to the side of Grimdall and heard the bow sing a second time. The remaining three men were beginning to move toward the fight to their side.

Hadder joined Tully with the second platoon and on Tully's signal they charged swords drawn.

Confronted with thirty Lancers in full cry. Seeing several of their number hit with arrows they threw down their swords and axes.

'Hadder capture the cart.' Tully ordered. Hadder seconded three Lancers and set of at a run. Tully turned to the sullen group surrounded by Lancers.

'Do you have a leader?' He asked quietly. Heads turned and Tully addressed an older slightly stout man dressed in the remains of a Western style uniform.

'Your name?'

'It be bon-Teer. I be advisor to these men. I......' his voice trailed off and he began to shake and spasm. Men moved away from him and several made the sign of the evil eye toward the stricken man. With surprising speed bon-Teer leaped at the closest man, snatched a dagger from his belt and with a scream slit his own throat.

'No questions. Do not speak with the prisoners. Disarm them all.' Tully ordered. 'Scouts out. I want a back-trail. Move the prisoners to the road. Wounded to the cart. Arms to the cart. On the road in ten.'

Tully turned to Grimdall. 'You just got promoted. I want you to train the men in your idea of timing. And I want you to commandeer more of those horse bows and train those with aptitude to shoot. I want them able to assemble those bows blindfolded. Quick as you like.' Tully strode off toward the road. He could hear the troupes' horses there already. Grimdall grinned and followed Tully.

**********************

Rainy day, Wellmark stared out of the commons south window. Rain spattered on the glass. Without thinking he wiped it clear of water and created a shield so he could have a clear view. I love doing magic. Its so fun useful. He turned to see Diron Ma walk in from the kitchen with a cup of tea.

'May I talk with you about the she that is everywhere? He offered the boy a sip from his cup. Wellmark wrinkled his nose in distaste.

'There is no sugar in it.' Wellmark turned on the window seat and looked out at the leaden sky and rain drifts crossing the fields. 'She is everywhere. Like the rain and wind. I wonder what she looks like.' He turned to face Diron Ma.

'I think she looks like Mum when she wears her long dresses and makes Dad smile.' He grinned at the wizard who had the grace to smile back and nod.

'Does she have a name?' The Wizard waited. Wellmark had a faraway look for a moment and then made eye contact.

'Mum calls her Gia. She likes her too.'

'Do you speak with her, with Gia?'

'No. You don't speak. You wish. You wish with your heart. I don't think she speaks. I have never heard her speak, but you can feel when she is there.' He looked out of the window again and the Wizard noticed that Wellmark's window was clear of rain and wondered again at the accomplishments of this strange, yet so everyday child.

'And the Other eye. What is that? Can you tell me about it?' Diron Ma found himself sitting slightly forward in his chair.

'Its how to see when you are not there. Its like dreaming but real. Its.....I can show you if you like but you have to..... to...hold my hand and close your eyes and think as though you are looking at me.' Diron Ma took Wellmark's hand and closed his eyes.

Later Diron Ma tried to sift through his impressions of that moment. It was one of the strangest yet most natural of things. The picture in his mind of Wellmark seemed to shimmer and shift and steady into a view that he knew he was seeing but with an inner eye he did not know he possessed. It was totally different from scrying where time could change without one noticing so that it was hard to distinguish between past, present and future. This was totally in the moment. Anchored in now but you could go where you willed. He was awestruck. This was one of the most powerful of capabilities and he had never heard of its like before. And he could not do it by himself. No matter how he tried, it eluded him.

*********************

Magder sought solitude in the usual place, leaning back against the apple tree at the bottom of the house garden. From a little embroidered leathern draw string bag she withdrew a small round stone of uncut ruby. It was her grandmothers and passed down to her. A conversation piece she called it. Magder remembered the moment she was gifted this. Conversation piece indeed. It was a sending stone. All the more treasured that it came from such a wise and gentle person so close to her. Magder bent her thoughts toward her mother and the full compliment of the White Court responded.

When the contact was closed Magder took a while to return to the normality of simply sitting under a tree. The smell of almond blossoms drifted past. She felt for a moment that she could almost see the scent on the breeze. A vague sadness possessed her that she was so removed from family. No that is wrong, her family was here. She shook her head impatiently. I am mistress of my world. I will.....the thought trailed, replaced with thoughts of husband and son, images flickering in no special order.

Magder stood and walked slowly back to the house. She paused by the walnut tree and leaned against it. I must be all that I am. I hope it will be enough to see me,us, through what is coming.

Magder looked up into the canopy above. A wisp of witchsense wafted, almost unnoticed across her consciousness. A longing for peace and the strength to reach it rose within her. As a cloud uncovers the sun a frisson of wellbeing and wholeness filled her. The great tree itself seemed to lower protectively above. Tears sprang unbidden. I, Magder, have been touched by Gia. I am not alone.

Magder dried her eyes and walked to the house.

The tension was almost palpable as she opened the door.

'Ye cut another tree on the King's Road and I'll take a sword to ye. Me granddad planted them. More 'n a hundred year old and ye'd turn 'em into firewood over my dead body.' Gurner standing face to face with a shocked Major Felstead. 'And there be a hand count of other things we be talking about while we clear the air.' Willmet and Belton, standing either side of Gurner each placed a hand on their father's shoulder. The implications could not be clearer to the Major.

'I be Suzerain, Count by title and Troupe Marshall. If I tell you to cut the grass with scissors I will see it done. Can I make m'self plainer to ye? Felstead stepped back and gave a small bow.

'I will see that your wishes are carried out.' He bowed stiffly a second time and brushing past Magder hastened down the steps.

'Building up I can understand. Tearing down what can;t be replaced I wont abide. Not here. Not anyplace. I would have some tea if there's a wit to make it.'

Magder burst out laughing.

'And glad I am to see a man with a thought for the world he lives in. Happier still to see you in fine form this morning.'

'Then perhaps you be the one with wit to get a man his tea.' Gurner smiled lopsidedly to Magder.

Belton rolled his eyes at her and she grinned heading for the kitchen.

Tully with Hadder and Grimdall in tow walked their horses across the ford where the King's road crossed the Border river. He felt exposed slipping on water worn rocks with the waters tugging at his legs. The ford was wide and shallow but the water ran fast. He heard Hadder stumble and curse softly. There was still a hint of mist rising from the water in the early dawn.

They mounted under the shadow of the trees on the far bank and proceeded down the road to the west at a slow trot. Diron Ma had given them a rough map. Their mission was to scout the area west for at least a days ride. Tully wondered that they had this mission rather than the Rangers and suspected Felstead had an ulterior motive. The reason eluded him. There were no signs of passage on the road.

'I smell smoke.' Grimdall moved his horse off the road and into the trees to the left of the road. He led them down a wide game trail some two hundred strides before calling a halt. Tully grinned to himself. He had tasked his men to assume leadership and both Hadder and Grimdall were naturals. He had no qualms that in a scouting role either would excel.

They hobbled the horses and following Grimdall moved parallel to the road through sreadily thickening trees. A nutmonk whistled alarm to its fellows from high in the canopy. Grimdall hand signaled halt and squatted down. He brushed leaves softly away to clear a patch of dirt. With a twig he scratched a cross and then an arrow with the sign for wind direction. Another arrow pointing west and the number two hundred with another cross. Next to the cross the sign for fire.

Tully took the map from his vest and spread it out. Some old ruins were marked that coencided with Grimdall's mud map of the location of the fire. A trail was marked east west from the road, through the ruins and off to the south. They set off again quartering to the south west aiming to reach the trail to the south of the ruins and approach the source of the smoke from that direction.

Hadder sigaled a halt and pointed toward a thinning of the trees slightly to the north. They could just make out the broken tops of stonework over scrub in the distance and smoke rising with the breeze.

It took the men the best part of two hours to circle the ruins. More than a thousand men and horses in good order were encamped there. On several occasions they dodged pickets from the camp. They ate a hasty lunch as they walked back to the horses and spoke little. Tully had used his spyglass from the vantage of a tree on a slight rise. Several wagons he had seen carried barrels with no taps. Not water then, but what? And why, what was in them? He decided to give this information only to Diron Ma and then decide if it was a matter that Feldman should know.

**********************

Wellmark was in the smithy watching Willmet shoe a horse. The man was akward in his movements hampered by his old wounds. As Wellmark watched from a vantage point on top of a crate, he understood that some muscles in Willmet's arm were wasted and not working. Wellmark on impulse tuned the Other eye and concentrated on Willmet's wasted arm.

Thin red lines flickered up and down the arm but there were blank spots. Wellmark looked closer. Where some of the flikering red lines ran the channels, as Wellmark named then, were broken or twisted. He looked at his own arm and the lines were smooth.

He looked again at Willmet's arm and closer still till he could discern the manner of the blockage. Wellmark pushed at a twisted blockage and gently moved a tiny piece of a channel to a clearer place. Absently Willmet rubbed the arm and continued working. Welmark watched the red lines where he had moved the channel and saw the red flikering had moved further into a blank area. As he watched it moved further and further again. Encouraged Wellmark moved several more channels and found that if he concentrated hard enough and looked very closely he could connect bits that were broken.

Willmet cursed. Dropped the hammer and stepped back from the horse and rubbed his arm. He opened and closed his hand in wonder.

'Fantus be praised. Look at this!' He turned to Wellmark who was smiling.

'You done something. Ya did. I know your face.' This said with accusatory wonder. 'Me bloody hand works. Aw son ya did something wonderful.' Wellmet with tears in his eyes lifted Wellmark from the crate and held him close.

'You can put me down now.' Wellmark said softly. Both surprised and a little frightened and pleased.

They walked hand in hand to the house the horse shoeing forgotten.

'Could ya maybe look at ma leg sometime. That would be a something.' He squeesed Wellmark's hand.

***********************

Bamawm SF and Fantasy

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Bamawm SF and Fantasy: Wellmark- Book one of the TOLK Trilogy

Friday, February 24, 2012

Wellmark- Book one of the TOLK Trilogy

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