Chapter Twenty One; The Gate.
Alanna jumped off Moonlight's back as soon as she was in the yard of the Dove and called to a boy standing by the stables, who she vaguely recognised, leaving her mare with him. She hurried across the yard, leaving the orders that Moonlight should be given water and saddled if time, but not removed from the yard. she had barely broken into a sweat on the way down so she didn't need to be rubbed down, just have a cloth thrown over her and a drink.
Alanna burst into the inn. Rispah was sitting in one of the cushioned chairs with George's mother, Eleni Cooper.
Eleni was one of the few women Alanna respected, Rispah was another. They were strong women who stood up for themselves before men and knew how to use the common weapons; the dagger and bow. They had taught Alanna 'women's magic', Rispah was an expert in thread magic while Eleni was the best healer in Lower Corus. The two did not halt her with any greetings or questions, they took one look at the girl, her hair thrown about by the wind and speed of her riding and boots only tied loosely, as if she had pulled them on without bothering to tie them, after kicking them off. All in all, she looked as if she would not waste any time on trivialities.
"Where is George?" Alanna asked, her head snapping around to Eleni and Rispah after surveying the room.
"In his chambers with a couple of men." Mistress Cooper answered, as calm and unruffled as ever.
"Who?"
"Marek, Scholar.." Rispah began to list
Alanna cut her off,
"So I can interrupt. I will have to. This is far too important to wait." The older women rose, but she gestured for them not to bother, bowed ironically then raced to the Rogue King's rooms.
Alanna paused slightly at the door to knock, but then, without waiting for a reply barged straight in to the room. All the men leapt to their feet, weapons drawn. She dodged a dagger thrown from Marek as she flung the door open.
"Check who is there before releasing." She chided, without really looking for the guilty person. "I apologise for breaking up your meeting, but I must speak to George. Now." At a nod from their King, the thieves left, bowing slightly to him and their princess.
"What's the matter 'Lanna?" George sat, concern showing in his hazel eyes.
"I found these in Duke Roger's rooms." She unwrapped the books and placed them on the table. "They list his past plans but sadly, only his future ones in little detail." She began to pace the room as George scanned the books. He whistled in admiration
"Alanna, me girl, you surprise me more with every day that passes."
"Look in the red one." She pointed, "And I guarantee I'll surprise you more yet." George picked up the indicated book
"I don't know the language."
"We need to find a mage who can read it. And who will put a protection spell on them."
"Or else his Lordship'll try and find or destroy them." he finished for her.
"Exactly. Know anyone?"
"No. Mayhaps Mother will know some."
They clattered down the stairs to ask her. Eleni gave them the address of a sorcerer in eastern Corus who might help them. Conscious of every second ticking away, Alanna rode instantly for the address, books closeted firmly in her arms. By unspoken agreement George let her go, to follow as soon as his own mare, Beauty, was led out.
Men, women and children all scattered and ran from their path as the two galloped unchecked through the streets of the cite. Alanna had thrown her dark blue cloak on and the hood as up to conceal her distinctive hair. When they arrived at the house, they spotted the sign of a mage upon the door; a crossed willow wand and oaken staff.
Alanna jumped down from Moonlight's back and tied both her's and George's reins to a nearby post, giving them enough slack to fight back if any horse thieves came looking.
George was already at the door, hammering at it for all he was worth, as she came up the short path. A small, wizened old man answered his knocking
"Yes? What do you want?"
"Master Raquel?" George asked.
"Yes. That is me. May I help you?" This time Alanna answered
"Mistress Eleni Copper told us that you would help us."
"Eleni?" He arched a grey eyebrow "Oh yes, I will help you for Eleni's sake." Alanna nodded her thanks and entered the house after George, pulling the door firmly shut behind her. She whispered in his ear when she was sure the older man could not hear her.
"Remind me never to ask." Her foster father nodded wholeheartedly in agreement.
The mage turned the face the pair when they were inside the main room.
"How may I be of assistance to you?"
Alanna brought the books out from under her cloak.
"Can you put cloaking and protection spells on these?"
"Certainly. " He began bustling around in a small area partitioned off from the main room. "How strong?"
"As strong as you can make it." George said firmly.
"Amulets then."
They sank into chairs as the man worked. Luckily for them he worked swiftly, when he was finished, he approached the books and began to chant, placing an amulet onto each one. With a sound like the rushing sea, each metal shape sank into the cover as if it was mud. The mage then repeated the procedure with different shaped amulets on the other side. Finally, face slightly grey, he turned to face his visitors.
"They are as strong as my power can make them. I have an old pupil in the City of the Gods who is far more powerful then I, as a favour for you, I shall ask his to place a firmer spell upon these items. He is the youngest master of the Mithran Light in history."
"Thank you." George was the first to rise to his feet, offering a purse to the mage. He accepted it readily. Alanna however remained seated.
"You are a Mithran priest?" She queried.
"Yes I am."
"Can you read any runic alphabets?"
"Of course. Why do you ask?" Alanna opened the red book and showed him the letters. The mage bent over and looked at them closely.
"This is an older version of the Gate of Idramm. It will open the Gate." He slammed the cover shut.
"What is it master?" George sat back down next to Alanna
"You do not know?" Seeing their blank faces he continued.
"A normal Gate of Idramm summons all magical beings, like spirits, demons, monsters and elementals towards it, within a certain distance. Unless limits are placed upon this spell, that spot will become ruinous from just the sheer power of the spell. This variation," He laid a hand on the cover of the journal, "will bend reality and summon beasts from the mystical realms as well."
"Great Mother." Alanna breathed.
"Aye." George agrees. "We are going to have to work fast them. Alanna girl, you are going to have to tell them you trust at the palace." She nodded and turned back tot he mage, who watched them curiously
"Master Raquel, is there any way the break the Gate?"
"Only by disrupting the symbols, but the backlash from that would be colossal."
George stood.
"Thank you Master. I don't have to tell you to remain silent about this do I?"
"No sir. If you need any help come to me. I don't know, nor want to, who is causing this, but he has put limits upon the spell. Not on distance, but on those entities he is summoning. And they are the ones a human mage, if he has the spells and pure will power, can bend to obey his orders."
"Thank you." Both Alanna and George rose, as she followed him out, she added over her shoulder.
"We may need your help in future."
"I will be glad to be of service." He bowed. She nodded slightly in reply, then hurried out the door, fastening her cloak tighter.
Now the books were safely hidden from magical eyes, and back underneath Alanna's cloak, the two rode more sedately.
"They've a right to know." George said steadily. Alanna sighed
"I know. But do I have enough proof for them? Jon loves his cousin and thinks he can do no wrong."
"Is there any more proof you can find?" He asked shrewdly
"Possibly. There is a banquet tonight, in honour of the last day before midwinter. I'll search his rooms once more."
"I thought you said you couldn't get in though?"
"Not magically. But I know where the key is. So I am going to do a bit of good, old fashioned, pick pocketing."