10: Understanding the World
The scent of arriving spring felt heavy in the crisp mountain winds. The snows were not completely melted in the lingering shadows. Nor was the temperature warm enough to signal emerging buds to bloom. But the lengthening days did encroach upon winter's territory and when the breeze blew up from the south, Rowena swore she smelled flowers from England. It was the last few days for her to wish her farewells and best prospects upon her two friends before they left for the wilds of the north. She wished with all her heart to join them, but there was too much planning, forcing her to remain here. It wouldn't be so terrible. By the time her gentlemen returned she would have a firm grasp as to what should be built on the land.
Today though she rode out with Helga to see many of their students off to their families for the spring planting. Many had left days before and these were the last who had to return. Several older boys stayed to continue their studies under a particular instructor. A couple of them were to replace Godric and Salazar as the men had expressed interest in traveling abroad to gain further distance between the accusations against Salazar and the Ravenclaw House. Though Rowena understood the reasons behind the journey, she regretted the loss of her friends for such a long period of time. There were many dangers out there that could prevent them from ever returning to her.
Their farewell had been quiet. Early one morning she heard horses in the courtyard and rushed to see what caused the disturbance. Though she had known they would be leaving, somehow the actual day had eluded her. Godric had given her the expected careless grin and bear hug in parting. He was certain their journey would end well. She still carried reservations however much she desired the expansion into more private woods.
vVv
"Face it, we're lost," a young man complained from where his horse plodded along behind the leader. "We've been following this river for days and there is no sign of that village."
"He insists it is here. And who are we to distrust Lord Landray's word of the location, Aknot. He was quite insistent about a clan that preferred these hills." Godric was undeterred. He continued directing his horse along the River Orrin. The small following had no choice but to join him or make their own way.
From the back of the party, Salazar shifted uncomfortably on his horse, parchment stretched out before him. "Admit it, Godric. You have absolutely no idea where we are."
"I beg to differ. I did not survive all my adventures by getting lots."
"Perhaps not, but I wager you had at least half of your adventures because you got lost." Salazar lowered the parchment just enough to eye Godric's back as if to see if the young adventurer would take offense. "How else do you find dragons?"
"And I suppose you know where we're going, Salazar," the fiery young knight shot back.
The older wizard shrugged carelessly and returned to his parchment. "No, I have no idea. I just know what Lord Ravenclaw was looking for in a location for his fortress."
"I thought we were doing this for Lady Rowena?" Elias questioned from behind Godric. He twisted in the saddle to look at Salazar as he spoke, but it was Godric who answered.
"We are doing this for Rowena," Godric quipped. The red headed young wizard seemed far too satisfied in his response. "Salazar just doesn't want to give up his loyalty to the old man. And he isn't quite sure what his feelings towards Rowena are. So, it's much easier for him to speak of Lord Ravenclaw's plans and forget that Rowena is creating her own."
"Godric! No one asked you for your outrageous commentary." Salazar's outburst was followed by quiet fuming from the back. It was no surprise that Salazar did not appreciate Godric's sense of humor after such a long journey. More than once the younger men commented on how the arguments between the older wizards grew pettier as they drew closer towards their destination. Salazar's irritation seemed to stem from his discomfort on horseback for long hours of the day. It was always later in the day when jokes turned to insults. Aknot usually was the first to notice when humor turned to temper and currently he motioned to the others not to get involved or they would loose their focus out in this wilderness. At least Godric never seemed to be bothered by Salazar's annoyances. He took it all in stride and good humor.
Thankfully for Salazar, Godric left the words to a minimum. He was instead focused on something in the distance. The other two young men, Clovis and Jona, gripped their swords in response to the heightened awareness of their party's leader. The three master duelists of the party made the remaining two young wizards nervous. Elias and Aknot glanced to Salazar as if to judge the severity of the situation. The older wizard was calming replacing his scroll of parchment as if to signal that he now needed to focus on the surroundings.
From the shadows of the surrounding woods, movement in the branches opposing the wind had the duelists easing their swords from their scabbards. The remaining three gripped their wands in anticipation. There was no sense in revealing their wizarding heritage if it could be helped. Even this far north the fears of magic were emerging. With the decline of the druids there was a need to believe in something and the burgeoning Christians filled the vacuum quickly.
A man stepped onto the slender animal trail, blocking their way. Godric's sword was halfway from its sheath when Salazar called, "Do not engage."
"Why not?" Godric called back annoyed and with a certain amount of petulance. Sparing a glance behind him, he saw three strange wizards with their wands drawn though not particularly aimed in a threatening manner. "Oh. Well… Guess it's to be one of those battles." The redhead grinned as he slid his sword home.
Salazar had other plans and removed his hand from his wand completely. With open hands he tipped his head towards the nearest wizard. "I suspected there would be a welcome party. Surely Lord Landray informed the surrounding tribes a group of strangers would be arriving this season."
"Aye, he did." Though these locals were horseless, they did not appear uncomfortable in the supposed position of disadvantage. In a battle of swords they would be pressed hard, but with wands they were the more maneuverable. Especially in this wood. The wizard who spoke wore a thick fur cloak with his head covered by fur of the same kind of animal. The other two wizards wore standard wool and no cap. Their hair hung free down to their shoulders. One black, the other ash blonde. They were very similar to Godric in build and appearance. Godric though continued to wear the pointed wizard's cap despite how unusual it looked against his well-made garb. With the wizard in fur capturing everyone's attention, he continued. "You may call me Aerok. Those other two are Cadman and Drostan. We're of the village Lord Landray said was to be included in the land offering. However, while we have nothing against the plans he told us about, we do take issue with the giving over of our village. Before you is Gamout, leader of the clan. It is his decision whether the agreement goes peacefully or not." Aerok motioned to a large muggle with a broadsword across his back. As far as muggles went the man was impressive and made Godric seem small in physical stature.
Heads turned towards the muggle as they judged the situation. If despite Landray's decision this village chose to retaliate, then it might be best to avoid the area completely and search for land elsewhere. They all knew Rowena wanted to avoid any confrontation possible. Salazar moved first, dismounting and approaching Gamout respectfully. With a shallow bow, though more than most wizards would give a muggle, Salazar greeted the man as diplomacy dictated. "Please forgive our intrusion into your lands. We merely wish to survey the lands Lord Landray suggested to Lady Ravenclaw. Allow me to introduce, Lord Godric Gryffindor, envoy from Lady Ravenclaw. Perhaps we can come to a compromise regarding your village."
"They send a knight to talk?" Gamout interrupted, staring straight at Godric. His eyes clearly saw a challenge on the battlefield and completely doubted any chance at negotiations. "How ridiculous."
"Oh come on, Gamout," Godric called as he dismounted. "You don't expect us to send a lady up here without knowing what to expect." Carelessly he tossed the reigns of his horse to Salazar as he approached. The older wizard caught the leather straps with a restrained sigh, no doubt wondering why Godric had to be so straightforward. Though it did make sense to have both hands free if it came to fighting. "I'll admit to not being the best at diplomacy, but I suspect you and I will be able to work something out. I guess the first question is do you mind if we at least use your village as a base to survey the lands Landray mentioned? As you see, three of us know how to fight and the other three are scholars. You can't blame us for wanting to protect those with knowledge as well."
Gamout eyed Godric's party, picking out the warriors from the scholars. He nodded when it became clear who might pose the greatest threat. "So it would seem. Did you expect to encounter a war on your journey?"
Salazar couldn't have decided if Gamout was serious or joking when he said this, but Godric laughed heartedly regardless. "You never know. If you prepare for a war you see nothing. If you prepare for nothing you find a war. I'd rather be prepared than dead."
To this Gamout laughed uproariously. "Well come on, young Gryffindor. Let's share a drink. Your name has even reached this far north. Your battles with the Vikings are worthy of song." Together with Godric, they started off down the animal trail, leaving the remaining wizards to follow in bewilderment. There were times when one just could not understand what went through the heads of warriors.
Salazar led the way, leading two horses. Eventually the remainder of Godric's expedition followed suit. Walking was preferred by Salazar, who had not grown up around horses. And it gave him a chance to stretch his legs and back, which had become cramped and sore from the long days on horseback. Though the Celtic wizards initially remained behind to follow the visitors, Aerok appeared beside Salazar not long after they turned down a side trail.
"Your young Gryffindor will likely gain agreement with Gamout, but I suspect you are the one with the knowledge of what is needed," the fur capped wizard said without pleasantries.
"And I suspect you are the voice of reason in matters of magic and strangers. The warriors will exchange stories and drinks and eventually become friends, but you do not trust outsiders." Salazar glanced beside him towards the Celtic wizard. He knew where the power of the tribe lay. "You dislike Lord Landray's decision."
Aerok gazed out into the woodlands. "This place was supposed to be our safe haven. Gamout and his tribe allowed us to stay. We have become part of their tribe even though we have built a village. I do not want his tribe affected. Hengist wouldn't either."
"Hengist?"
"He was the first wizard to take refuge among Gamout's people. He also was the one to bring us here. He brought witches and wizards from all over the Isles and the Continent. Anyone who faced torment at the hands of muggles."
"Then I don't understand why you dislike the idea of the building of the school. It is the same goal as Hengist."
"For wizards. Why protect the wizards at the expense of the muggles? We have decent relationship with the muggles here. I do not want to have that ruined by wizards who believe they are superior to muggles."
Salazar nodded. "Lord Landray would not suggest this place if endangered muggle life. The question is, which is more populous in your community? It might be painful to think of the future, but it won't always be this way. Wizards or Muggles eventually dominate the space." Salazar paused while Aerok thought on the answer. When three wizards and one muggle approach as the representatives of a clan, Salazar had to wonder about the proportion of wizards within the group. Pure wizard communities were rare, but in isolation it seemed that it could be possible. "We do not wish to interfere with your village."
"But you will. It is unavoidable. If you use the surrounding lands, even within a day's run, you will still affect the clan. They might not notice at first. They might not object at first. But any major construction will have an affect."
Salazar only nodded in response. Off in the distance they listened to the laughter from the two warriors as they traded tales. Behind them the general chatter of young men filled the air. The two middle-aged wizards walked silently as they considered the possible futures. "Tell me, Aerok, what is your desire? What do you want from this meeting?"
"Preservation. Above all else I want our home to remain in tack."
"Just remember, times are changing. It might not be possible to remain as you are."
X
"Come on, Salazar! At least give it a try," Godric pushed the flagon towards the older wizard.
"Look at you. You're drunk. So are the boys. Someone needs to keep a sober head on this journey." Salazar explained once again and pushed the drink back towards the knight. He sighed exasperatedly. Godric could go too far.
"You never have any fun, Salazar. Loosen up. Have a drink or two. Flirt with the girls. Dance or something. You act like one of those Christian monks who have given up everything fun in life."
"I have not given up everything fun. I just don't see the point in having all of us suffering from hangovers and regret in the morning."
"Oh get over it. Even those wizards you were talking to have gotten into the spirit of things." True enough, Godric pointed to where Aerok was dancing wildly with a young lady. The other wizards were also somewhere in the circle of revelers. "Don't you want to celebrate too? It's great. We've found the best site. The village will not be touched. They'll even prosper from the construction that will come. And it is very welcoming to wizards. This is the best place possible."
"Yes, that is all well and good, but it doesn't solve the problem that you're going to have a massive hangover tomorrow and not want to do anything. The same applies to the boys we brought along. I am perfectly content with making your morning after intolerable." Salazar grinned at his younger friend.
"Aw, come on…"
"Sorry, Godric. It's much more fun to see you hung over while I'm sober." As Salazar returned to watching the revelers, he missed Godric's intense gaze studying him. If he had known his friend was trying to figure out why he kept refusing, he would not have continued to contemplate the future. His own future to be exact. In just a few short months he would be a different man.
"Alright, Salazar. Spill it. What is more important than enjoying the moment? You only wear that expression when you're planning something." Godric plopped himself beside the older wizard, his intensity even while drunk was almost overwhelming.
Salazar couldn't help but attempt to stifle a smile as he thought more clearly about what was going through his head. He didn't know if Godric should know now or wait. Eventually he would have to tell his younger friends. It was only right. And come to think of it, Godric would be accompanying him to the Continent so Godric would likely be present. "What makes you think I'm going to tell you?"
"Because you always tell me. One way or another, Salazar, I am going to find out."
"I suppose you are. Then, It is going to sound odd, but I will be wed soon."
"What? You're getting married!"
"Not so loud, Godric. I don't want the whole world knowing."
"But this is great news, Salazar. You've got to share it! Well this definitely explains the beard. Our Salazar is finally becoming a man." Godric laughed loudly at his own joke. The black haired wizard might be older by eight years, but because he was clean shaven and unmarried it was easy for the Germanic descended red head to joke about Salazar as an unbearded boy.
"Godric… I'm warning you." There was no true malice behind those words. Salazar was even grinning as he reached out to pull Godric into a headlock. The younger wizard laughed broadly as he drunkenly pulled his larger frame out of reach of the leaner, taller warlock.
"Here I was thinking you had just been to busy to remember to shave. Though now I know why you never bothered with growing it out before now. It is rather scraggily."
"That's it. Just because I was raised to only grow a beard once married does not give you the right to make fun of it." Salazar left his seat to chase after the redhead. It was true. His beard was not a full on mane that covered half his face. The black strands would eventually grow into a long cascade of hair. "At least I don't have a bird's nest hiding in all that fur." He was laughing now. He was going to be married. Perhaps Godric was right and it was time to celebrate. This past year had been nothing but trouble for him and things were finally starting to turn around.
Later that night, pleasantly warm from the alcohol, Salazar lay back against a grassy knoll, watching the stars cross the sky. He traced the patterns with his mind, curious about the future they all held. He seldom believed what the stars showed, but was insatiably curious about the world. Most events in the stars were epic and far into the future. He would leave the common fortune telling to witches needing to make a living. The stars were curiosities. The centaurs were masters at understanding the flow of the flickering orbs. One thing thought that continued to elude Salazar was finding where he fit in the grand scheme that was Ravenclaw's dream. He could see the far reaching consequences a school of magic could cause. He could see the dangers the Muggles and Muggle-borns would create. He knew the school would last a thousand years. But he could not see how he would shape the school.
"So? Contemplating how married life will change you?" Godric dropped himself beside his older friend. "Who's the lucky girl?"
Salazar glanced to his inebriated companion and chuckled. "You probably haven't met her. Her name is Diana. We grew up together, more or less. Her parents work for Lord Docilus. Every time I returned to London I always found a way to see her. Even a few moments was better than returning without seeing her smiling face." Salazar sighed as his eyes glazed over in memory. "Married life won't be much different. Not with my obligations here and hers in London. That's the way of things."
"Nonsense. She will be welcomed up here. You will bring her to the Manor right? There's no reason why you shouldn't be with her." Godric seemed satisfied in his reasoning, which only served to make Salazar laugh.
"How little you understand, Godric." The older wizard rolled to sit so he could stare down at the young redhead. "Unlike you I cannot just steal my wife from her home to come live in mine. First of all, I do not have a home for her to reside in. And second I do not need to resort to such brutish means of obtaining my love."
"I do not steal women," Godric protested. His anger slurred by the drink. "And I certainly haven't found a wife."
"I know. But when you do, I bet you will take her home without hesitation. Just as your barbarian ancestors did."
"And what about yours? Didn't the Romans steal their brides in much the same way?"
"You forget. I'm not Roman."
"How careless of me." Godric took another swig of whatever drink was in the wineskin. "Then what's going to happen?"
"We'll marry on the Fall Equinox. We might spend a few weeks together then we will have to go our separate ways. After all you and I have business on the Continent." After a moment Salazar returned to lying back on the grass. Since the stars didn't hold his future he would just have to make do with what he came across. "You'll join me at the ceremony, won't you?" He hadn't meant to ask that, but since it came out Salazar decided he had to be drunk as well.
"I'm invited?"
"Of course you're invited. It might just be a ritual, but I want one man there I can trust." Definitely drunk. He was admitting to Godric how much the younger man meant to him.
"What about Rowena and Helga?"
"What about them?"
"Aren't you going to invite them?"
Silence separated the two men. "I don't want them to know yet. I haven't decided on how I will tell Rowena."
"You're going to have to tell her. She'll want to know. And she loves you too."
"Godric!" Salazar sat up suddenly, unsure of where the conversation was heading and wanting to be ready to bolt should things turn sour.
"It's the truth isn't it? No matter what you have been telling yourselves, she feels just as strongly for you as you feel for her."
"It will never be."
"What are you talking about, Salazar? You're prefect for each other. Intelligent, creative, obnoxiously right. How can you deny the way she looks at you? Even I can tell she would like you to open up more."
"Even if I wanted to marry her, I couldn't live as her husband. I don't want to be chained to a title but have no authority. Besides, for Rowena to thrive she must keep her heart and head separate. I am content to keep her intellect occupied."
"That's where I think you're wrong. Rowena isn't like you in that respect. Her heart is very integral to everything she does. She would be happy if you gave your heart to her. But you should at least tell her if you are just going to runaway."
"I am not running away."
"Sure you are, coward. You're too afraid to face what you think people will say. You've always been afraid to face the world and do what you wanted."
"Godric, stop it."
"And you're afraid that if you can't handle what people will say, Rowena won't be able to either. Well, Rowena is willing to do what she feels is right regardless of rumors and naysayers. It's no wonder you slink away and hide in the shadows, coward. You can't stand the thought of taking a risk."
"Shut it, Godric!"
"Come on. When was the last time you risked something. All your planning aside. When have you risked anything? Staked your life on something? You're nothing but a yellow bellied, snake in the grass!"
"I said, SHUT IT!" Salazar's fist flew hard and fast into Godric's jaw. Godric collapsed onto the grass as Salazar stared in shocked horror at his own fist. The words hurt more than he expected. But they were true… He didn't have the guts to break through tradition and follow his own ambitions. It just wasn't his lot in life. Salazar shifted his eyes to his young friend, a man who believed anything was possible. The redheaded knight was staring at the stars, rubbing his jaw through the thick curly beard. The man was drunk; there was no doubt about that. But strangely he didn't seem angry. "Godric… I'm sorry…" Salazar said quietly, unsure of the words as they fell from his mouth.
"Naw," Godric dismissed the apology with a wave of his hand. "I deserved it. I shouldn't have said those things. Not that way…." Salazar nodded and turned away from the other wizard. So even the young man thought Slytherin was nothing more than a low-life coward. However Godric surprised him by continuing, "Though I wish you would stand for your dreams. You can't keep pushing old Ravenclaw's plans on poor Rowena. She has her own desires for this place. And I know you do too. So figure out what you want and go for it. You can't hide behind someone else's dream forever."
Salazar turned sharply at this, wondering when Godric had become so insightful. The man was taking a huge swig from the wineskin without a care in the world. Angrily Salazar snatched the leather pouch from Godric's hand and took his own mouthful. It wasn't as if he wanted to suppress his ambitions. He just understood the world far better than Godric. "You've been talking to Helga, haven't you?"
"Don't get mad, Salazar. She didn't say anything until after I told her about everything I suspected, which turned out to be close to the truth."
Sighing and taking another long drink, Salazar tilted his head up back to the stars. There was no way to change the patterns of the stars. And if he had been in those patterns, he was at least a thousand years to late to see them. "Godric… I'm not doing this because I want to see Lord Ravenclaw's plans for protection of all magic kind to prevail. At least not only because of that. I believe in his plans. I have seen what muggles will do to witches and wizards in this new era. I want to see magic continue far into the future until the time comes when it can once again be practiced in the open. We have to hide for now, but one day it won't matter. I want us to be prepared for that day. Then it won't matter where in society you were born or what strange powers you might have. All that will be needed to gain respect is ability and charisma." Finally Salazar dropped back to the grass. "Protecting magic is what I want to do with my life."
"That's well and good, but how are you going to do that when you hide in other people's shadows?"
"Hide? Well I can see how you would call it hiding. But I am not influential nor am I rich. I simply do not have the power to do what I want alone. That is why I must associate myself with people who already lean towards my goals. If I can help them reach their aims, I can get closer towards mine. And sometimes the right words will push them closer towards my desires."
"You are a snake in the grass." Godric grinned at the older man. "But I guess that's the only way you know how to work."
"Quite so. Unlike your brash, rampaging lion." Salazar chuckled. Soon they were sharing the wineskin freely and laughing over the whole incident.
"Damn!" Godric complained as he yawned. "That punch of yours hurts like hell. Remind me never to get into a fistfight with you. How come I never knew you could fight like that?"
"Because all our duels have so far been solely with wands. I've seen no reason to continue into an all out brawl." Salazar grinned at the younger wizard. "For all your sword work, I could still beat you in hand to hand."
"Wait a minute! I thought you were the scholar!" Now Godric was full of tired laughter.
"So just because I'm smart means I can't know how to fight? What does that make you? A giant moron?"
Godric's face scrunched up in something between rage and dumbfounded humor. "Damn it, Salazar. One of these days I'm going to get the last word."
"In your dreams, Godric. You'll never defeat me with words." The easy smiles returned as well as the pleasant sleepiness that followed heavy drinking. Salazar grinned as he turned to watch his friend drink the wineskin dry. "You know we're going to have to get up early to finish surveying the land north of the loch. If we don't get the whole area mapped out by fall, Rowena will have our heads."
"You worry too much. We have weeks until we have to return. Just enjoy the celebration and sleep in for a change." Godric yawned widely, rubbing his jaw yet again. Soon his snores filled the night air. Perhaps the young wizard was right and they could enjoy the moment. The world could wait.