Chapter 4
Logan glanced down over the vast forest of Graymalkin from where he and his small party stood on the top of a mountain that stood several hundred feet over the forests they would have to travel through. A sense of foreboding seemed to swim along the air, and from where he stood he could see the forest floor was thick with mist. "Doesn't seem right…" he uttered coldly, he frowned, glancing across the forest.
"Don't tell me you're scared…" one of his party snorted. His name was Sean Cassidy, and he was a tall handsome man, with ginger hair and honest green eyes. He was broad, and strong, and was not afraid of hard work. He'd come in from some other land, a land Logan had never heard of before. The man's brogue was thick and extremely foreign to him.
"I never get scared," Logan replied hoarsely, he used one knee to go down upon the ground, resting his arm upon the other knee, he touched the soil near his feet, "ground looks like we're not the first to be here. Air is thick with the stink of sweat."
Sean moved over and knelt beside him, "I smell nothing," he replied, "but you seem to be accurate, this soil has been walked upon before, and here…" he pointed to an obvious hoof-print, "horses…seems like there's been more than one person."
"Probably just another party on their way to the north. We are not the only ones travelling there, do not forget," another of Logan's party added in, he stood nearby adjusting his backpack. His name was Henry McCoy. A large well built gentleman who had been well educated. He'd been travelling from the nearest town to Bayville, a place called Bast, he'd been what he claimed a 'scientist' there.
Logan did not know much about science, but he knew a trustworthy face, and sensed Henry – or Hank as he liked to call himself – would be a useful addition to the team. He had several concoctions – healing potions and other such things and any man who was willing to share what little food he had in his backpack was worth having along.
Logan looked at Hank, and frowned, "I'd assume so, but somethin' doesn't feel right…trust me on this."
"We could go the long way – around the forest…but that's six more days walking than we'd need."
"If we cut through the forest we could do it in two," Logan said, "we go in…" he said, making himself the self appointed leader, "but we stay on our guards…" he glanced over his back to see the rest of the party, some local farmers and such from Bayville. Half of them looked barely strong enough to wield their swords, several of them had seen too many winters in their lives. Gnarled fingers clutched weakly at their heavy backpacks and shields, and weak legs would stumble upon the hard earth.
"Who are we battling?"
Logan turned, not recognising the voice nor the particular accent. The large boy of around eighteen stood at the back of the party, his blue eyes piercing. He now remembered. This was the stable boy of a wealthy household in the exclusive section of Bayville. His name was Piotr, and he'd come to Bayville from some other land. He had not spoken a word in the eight days they'd been journeying together, but he'd never complained or dithered once. He worked hard, he journeyed without problem, and he was as strong as an ox.
"No one knows," Logan replied, "All we know is we were sent for by an Asgard messenger, they are under attack."
"Asgard?" Piotr asked quietly, his voice deep but soft.
"Asgard and Bayville have an allegiance to each other. The distant kin of the King of Asgard founded Bayville," Sean replied. "I believe that the right hand – the kings personal guard – was a resident of Bayville. Until he died a year ago in battle.
"Carmen Pryde," Logan nodded, "I watched him die, there was little I could do to stop the bleeding," he sighed. "Considering you've only been in Bayville for two years, Sean, you know your stuff."
Sean gave a slight smile, "I made it my duty to learn about the history of Bayville – how can I battle for it if I don't know what I'm battling for?"
"Good point," Logan got up and slapped Sean's arm amiably, "let's go. We have some miles to cover before it gets dark."
Lady Katherine Pryde gazed at herself in the mirror as she tucked her long hair into a twist behind her head and pulled on the muffin cap that matched the plain grey tweed dress she was wearing, some clothing borrowed from one of her female servants – actually, she'd slipped into the girl's room and taken it without permission, but she'd return it. She hated the thought of going out dressed like a peasant, but she felt she had little choice in the matter.
Leaving the family mansion after darkness fell was dangerous in Bayville and there were several reasons why. Thieves tended to roam the streets in the dark, slithering in the darkness like the snakes they were. They preyed only upon the wealthy, and Katherine knew that by dressing in simple peasants clothes she might have a better chance of getting through the streets unnoticed.
Apart from thieves, she had the fear of being recognised, it would severely dent her reputation as a lady of quality if she should be seen out on her own at night. Several villagers would assume she'd been up to no good with men, alcohol, or both.
There was the added fear that just maybe some of the Law Enforcers would be watching her moves, and she had to be discrete if she was going into the town square at night
I look too clean, she thought. Cleanliness was something many peasants didn't have, half of them could barely afford soap, and several just didn't bother to wash. If she wanted to go by undetected by anyone, She walked over to the large stately fireplace twelve feet south of her bed,
I can't believe I'm going to actually be dirty willingly, she made a face and pressed her fingers into the ashes on the hearth, she dusted her fingers with it and then patted her cheeks with it, then rubbed it in a little, she glanced back to the mirror.
That's it, she nodded at herself satisfied, but cringing. She promised herself a hot bath when she returned. She slipped the scroll with her unsigned statement into the garter of her stocking under her skirt, grabbed a shawl she'd also stolen, pulled it over her, and headed off on her way out of the mansion. She took a servants tunnel, and luckily ran into no one from her staff. She thanked the gods, and continued.
It was easier slipping out of the mansion without being seen than she had expected it to be. Soon, she was slipping through a servants gate at the back of the estate, and walking along the cobbled path in shoes that were a size too big for her dainty feet.
Katherine hated walking down the long road from her Mansion to Bayville. There were no lights at either side and the only light that showed her the way was the moon above. Lines of trees stalked at each side of the road, and their branches cast shadows upon the damp cobbled path, seeming like long black tenacious fingers reaching for her.
Soon, she was in the village itself. At night Bayville was incredibly frightening. Although the village was full of cosy little homes with their warm fire and candle light seeping out of the latticed windows, the streets were still dark, and unnerving. Strange flickering shadows would dance along the streets from lanterns hanging on porches. A light snow was drifting over the village but a biting chill swept all around.
Eventually, after her long walk in the dark, she found herself outside the Magus's house. His house was actually a tower above a small weavers store. In the dark, the tower looked over the square, and Kitty shuddered, it made her very uneasy. She forced herself to press on, and approached the front door. She had a key, and she slipped the key into the creaking lock and twisted it hard, hearing it click loudly. The door groaned as she pushed it in and slipped into the dark hallway. She began to go up the winding stone staircase that lead to the Magus's chamber.
"Magus?" she asked softly, she knocked upon the door. She hated to enter without knocking, always remembering her manners.
"Come in, Katherine."
Katherine stepped in slowly, and closed the door behind her. She'd never seen the Magus's chamber at night time. Several candles were lit, and the fireplace was roaring, the warmth welcoming. "I'm sorry to bother you so late in the day, Magus, but I had to ask your counsel."
The Magus was sitting upon a hand woven rug in the middle of the floor, his legs crossed, his position composed yet relaxed. Katherine had never seen him sit anywhere other than that large wooden chair of his. It seemed odd to see him sitting somewhere else. He had on his fine deep red robes with gold piping, and a shimmering gold turban with a glimmering jewel upon his head.
"Sit…" the Magus offered, patting the area in front of him, he seemed hardly fazed by her sudden appearance, almost as if he'd expected her.
Katherine slipped her bonnet off, it had become soaked with the snow. She placed it – along with her damp shawl – in front of the fire to dry, then approached the rug and knelt down.
Magus Xavier smiled, "close your eyes…" he said softly.
Katherine closed her eyes, just as she was told, she knew what he was going to do before he had said anything else. He was going to use his magical powers of the mind to find out what was troubling her.
"Concentrate on your troubles, my lady," Magus Xavier requested, he placed his fingertips lightly on each side of her face, his thumbs pressing against her temples.
Katherine did so, everything coming back so vividly to her, the look on the girl's face, the blame, what Chief Kelly had said…everything.
When the mind reading was over, the Magus moved back from her, placing his hands lightly upon the lap, "you blamed the girl when your own powers had been the cause of the incident."
"I didn't mean to…it just came out," Katherine explained softly, "I'd been thinking about other things…and we ran into each other…kind of…"
Magus Xavier nodded solemnly, "I know, I saw it in your mind, my lady. However, now, this girls life is in your hands…something must be done…"
Katherine blushed, "can you look away for a moment?" she asked.
The Magus turned his head, and Katherine raised the skirt of her dress and pulled the scroll free from her stocking. She smoothed the dress back down and reached over with the scroll.
"They want me to sign this," Katherine said as the Magus took the scroll from her. "Chief Kelly seemed insistent on it, and wants me to do it quickly. I told him I needed to have this overlooked by an advisor."
The magus unrolled the papers and read the text within quickly, "You must not under any condition sign this…" he said, "under the law, they cannot execute her until you testify magic was used against you. As long as this is unsigned, they cannot do anything but keep her locked away in that dreadful prison."
Katherine nodded, "that's what I thought," she nodded, "But what do I do now? I can't hold it off forever, and sooner or later Chief Kelly will want it back signed…and if I don't sign he's going to question why…and then he may guess I caused this…not her."
"I think it's time to advance your knowledge, Katherine," The magus said, and he paused in thought for a moment, "Yes, yes, I think it is time…"
"For?" Katherine asked curiously.
"I think it's time to teach you the Somnus spell."
Katherine raised an eyebrow, "the WHAT?"