Chapters six
The Castle was abuzz with excited students as the Schools end of term feast heralded their return home for the vast majority of them. Callian too found himself swept up in the joyous atmosphere, even Harry was walking with a lighter step as they found themselves dragged by Adria and Hermione down to the Great Hall instead of their usual hiding spot in the Kitchens.
While things had quietened down considerable since Halloween, they were still hounded by the more desperate students seeking to gain the attention of Callian's grandfather. Even under the supervision of the teachers, they were still pestered by requests.
Taking their seats at the Ravenclaw table, no one questioned Adria or Hermione joining them as most had gotten used to the sight of the four of them together.
That and many were afraid to annoy two very competent young Magi.
For once they were left alone and as such the four excitedly chattered about their plans for the winter holidays, Penny once more joined them as she overheard their conversation. It seemed the Clearwater family was having a big family get together, which resulted in the two cousins bemoaning their less than savoury kin. Even Hermione joined in with gripes about her own family she would no doubt be forced to interact with. Callian however out striped all of them with tales of past Solstice Festivals with the rowdy Dwarves of the Stormanvil Clan, causing Harry to look somewhat alarmed now that he was to spend the next two weeks in their company. Before long they were all overly stuffed with hearty food and waddling back to their dormitories where they could collapse into their beds before an early train back to London awaited them in the morning.
The train ride back was uneventful and the foursome soon found themselves standing on the crowded station platform, to the surprise and joy of both of the Clearwater cousins and Hermione their parents happily waved at them as they stood beside the tall, elegant form of Amerytha Blackwood.
Running to their parents the two younger girls all but threw themselves into their waiting arms while Harry and Callian and Penny walked at a more sedate pace, Hermione was the first to speak as she pulled back to stare up at her parents with a wide smile.
"Mum! What are you doing here and where's dad?! I thought that you would have to wait on the other side of the barrier."
Hermione's mother brushed back her daughter's wild mane of hair as she smiled down at her." Lady Blackwood brought us with her. After she sent us a letter on Halloween we have been keeping a regular correspondence, Lady Blackwood has been more than helpful in answering any question we have about the Magical world."
Amerytha smiled warmly at Mrs Granger as she graciously bowed her head, "Evelyn, I have told you many times to call me Amerytha. I think we can safely say that we have no need for such formalities between us."
Evelyn Granger smiled shyly, to Callian's eye the woman seemed unsure of herself around his mother.
Amerytha however was not done as she turned to smile at the small woman hugging Adria to her side. "I messaged Beverly not long after I started to message Evelyn, it seems that while the Clearwater family is well versed in dealing with the Magical world thanks to young Ms Penelope there was still much that they did not know."
Beverly Clearwater nodded her head as she pulled her niece into her other side, a wide smile growing across her face as she looked at all of the children around her.
"That is why Amerytha has invited us all to attend a festival at Castle Blackwood, a chance to get a better understanding of the world you all are living in and it's also where your fathers and my sister-in-law currently are. It seems they have all taken a liking to the Dwarven Ale Belor gave them."
Callian gave a little sigh at hearing this, he knew his Dagün well enough to know that he and his fellows had probably dragged his friends' parents off to several of the many taverns of the dwarven hold.
Giving a mental shake at his father's actions he turned his thoughts to the other things Adria's mother had revealed, he knew her well enough to know that she never did anything without thinking it through from a dozen different angles, but try as he might he could not see what she would be gaining from inviting non-magicals to their home. Turning to stare at his mother and managing to catch her eye he sent a mental probe reaching out asking just what she was planning.
He felt a return probe reach out to him, he heard his mothers voice sound within his mind.
~Later.~
He gave a slight nod of his head as he held her gaze before she turned back to face those gathered around them with a dazzling smile.
"I have invited your parents to spend the weekend with my family at Castle Blackwood, It will also be a chance for them to see some of the Magic that you are learning at Hogwarts."
Hermione looked confused, however before she could no doubt ask her multitude of questions Adria beat her to the mark. "Lady Blackwood, we were informed that we could not perform magic outside of Hogwarts. I do not think the Ministry will approve of four first years and a Prefect breaking the law."
Amerytha just smiled knowingly at all of them. "Ms Clearwater, you have nothing to worry about from the Ministry. The restriction for underage magic allows you to perform Magic in the presence of a qualified instructor, as I am currently registered as a private tutor for both Harry and Callian this puts us all safely within that confines of the law."
Having said that Amerytha leaned conspiratorially toward them. "Also the amount of Magic that is performed within the walls of the Castle would surely hide anything that you were to do."
Callian snorted quietly in amusement at that. The Ministry has long been trying to pry into just what Magic Grandfather has at his disposal, they hadhad to repeatedly fend of envoys from the ministry who had been sent to spy on the goings-on of Castle Blackwood. He knew from overhearing his grandfather and his apprentices that many of them, past and present had been approached with offers to divulge the goings-on of his home, but much to their frustration all had remained loyal to his House.
Soon their party was moving, following after Amerytha as she cut a path through the crowd. Callian realised they were heading towards the warded chamber that housed one of his grandfather's many portal circles, stopping near the entryway Amerytha paused as she held up a hand.
"We will be taking one of my father's portals back to the Castle, if you will all grab hold of each other I will bring you safely through the wards."
Hermione looked at Amerytha in confusion, "Portal? I didn't think that we could make such things."
Amerytha merely smiled at her as she held out her hand for the girl. "My father has discovered many secrets that most could only dream of, I am sure you will see many of the marvels of House Blackwood during your stay."
Without preamble, Amerytha led them through the wards protecting the chamber, once everyone had gathered inside she ushered them to stand well clear of the intricately inscribed circle on the floor of the chamber.
"Normally I would just activate the circle and pull us all through to the master circle in the Castle. However there are more of us than I can safely manage using the brute force approach, so I will open a gateway from here to home..."
She trailed off as she caught sight of Hermione nearly vibrating with excitement as the girl watched what she was doing with a focus that she had seen so often on her father and sons faces.
"Ms Granger, would you like to help me? I'll show you how to activate the gateway while I connect it to the other side."
Almost eagerly, Hermione ran forward with a bright smile on her face at the prospect of learning new magic.
"To connect to a corresponding circle you must activate the gates sigils in the correct sequence." Pointing out the evenly spaced marks in the stone at her feet Adria channelled a gentle flow of power into them causing them to spark to life with a purple hue.
"So each portal has its own address like a password?" Adria inquired as she looked on with interest.
Amerytha smiled at Adria. "Exactly, without knowing the correct sequence to a corresponding portal circle you will not be going anywhere."
Callian smiled at his friends, each of them was listening carefully to his mother as she explained the basics of using the portal circles. "There are also circles that are permanent two-way portals, bound together they only need a trace of Magic to power them. We have many dotted about the Castle. I'll show you how to make an activation rod for your parents when we get home." Callian offered as the non-magical parents looked a little put out by his words.
Amerytha pulled their attention back to her as she guided Hermione through the process of activating the gateway.
"Place your wand against this sigil." She said as she indicated the large symbol that broke the outer ring. "This sigil acts as a syphon, it will pull in your Magic and funnel it to the rest of the circle. Now slowly channel your Magic through your wand until the gate activates."
Hermione adopted a look of concentration on her face as she did as instructed. Slowly the circle began to glow, spreading from the sigil Hermione was focused upon until the entire thing was alight with the same purple hue they had seen before.
Suddenly a swirling mass appeared hovering several inches off the ground, easily as tall as a man it filled the chamber with its purple light before it suddenly cleared to reveal a simple wood-panelled room alight with the warm glow of torchlight. Hermione pulled her wand from the sigil and seemed to waver on her feet, Evelyn seemed concerned as she moved to her daughter's side. "Are you all right sweetie?" She asked worriedly.
Hermione offered her a grin as she shook her head to clear it. "Yeah I'm fine, that just took more Magic to do than I realised."
Amerytha placed a hand on her shoulder after she had spoken to her mother, " You did well Hermione. It is why I had you channel your magic slowly, the sudden drain could have left you feeling quite out of sorts. As your strength grows you will be able to do what you just did with only a thought, but that will be a few years off yet I think."
Offering the young witch a proud smile she directed everyone through the portal, as soon as they arrived they were met by one of the Apprentices who was assigned to guard the circle chamber. They were informed that Belor and the rest of the guests had joined Denevan in one of the guest sitting rooms, it seemed Callian's grandfather had taken an interest in what the men had to say of the non-magical world.
Callian fell into step with his friends as they followed him out of the chamber and could not help but grin as their gasps sounded on either side.
Before them lay a narrow stone bridge of pale white stone, only as wide as five men abreast it ran for nearly a hundred metres atop a sliver of rock that arched the great divide to the castle proper. In the distance the pale stone of Castle Blackwood glowed in the morning light, its tall pennants catching the wind as they fluttered for all to see. The castle itself stood proudly on a large granite island that stood separate from the larger body of the hill, several hundred meters below the forest spread out like a vast green ocean stretching for as far as the eye could see.
The keep with its four great towers and vast tiered lower halls proudly displaying the banners of his House as they rose above a thick defensive wall that towered thirty feet into the air as it ringed the Castle, behind that they could see more towers looming higher.
Stepping out onto the bridge Callian turned back to look at their stunned faces as they stood gaping at the sight before them.
"Welcome my friends to Castle Blackwood, my home and the ancestral seat of power of my House."
Adria was the first to break the silence as she breathed. "It's beautiful..."
The rest could only nod silently as they began to follow after their parents who had already moved ahead to walk along the bridge.
A laugh from up ahead seemed to pull them from their stupor and Callian looked over to see Beverly Clearwater smiling amusedly as she walked arm in arm with Mrs Granger.
"We had the same looks on our faces when Amerytha brought us here yesterday, I thought I was dreaming when I first looked at the castle."
Callian knew what she meant, from the end of the bridge the entire castle seemed to glow with a light of its own as it was bathed in the winter sun. With the clear blue skies at its back, the Castle seemed to be floating, tethered to the earth by the narrow bridge alone as if to hold it back from simple disappearing into the heavens.
Shaking himself from his musings Callian put a hand to Harry and Adria's backs as he urged them forward.
"Come on, I'll introduce you all to my grandfather and the Dwarves then show you to your rooms. You can leave your trunks there and I will give you all the grand tour."
Hermione seemed not to have heard him as she stood perfectly still staring at the castle ahead, but a call over his shoulder to remind her of his families great libraries soon had her pulling them along as she rushed to catch up with the adults.
With a laugh the three allowed themselves to be pulled along and soon they were passing under the great gate of the Castle.
They quickly found themselves standing in a large courtyard before the crimson stone of the entrance hall, the walls about them a stark contrast to the pale white of the keep proper. Callian smiled fondly as he looked at the walls that seemed to flow up from the ground, made of a single piece of granite the walls had been shaped by magic leaving them smooth and unblemished without any mark made by tool or hand.
The heavy oak doors of the keep were closed to them revealing a circular design with the crest of House Blackwood made of a dark metal embedded into the timbers, Hermione slowly reached out to run her hand over the metal and she let out a startled yell as she received a light jolt as soon as her fingers touched upon it.
Amerytha smiled down at the girl as she explained to them just what the design was.
"This is a warding placed upon the doors by my father many, many years ago. It is a more robust and lasting form of protection than you see performed these days, if you look carefully at the metal you can see intricate sigils etched into it. These are in essence physical forms of magic, carefully arrayed they can be used to perform incredible feats. This warding is designed in such a way to only allow those who have been invited to pass through these doors, as such every apprentice that learns from my family is gifted a ring that allows them to come and go as they please. While you are here my father will present you with a similar pendant to prevent any...issues."
Hermione looked shocked at Amerytha's explanation but more than that everyone could see the look of interest in her eyes as she learned of a new piece of Magic that was unknown to her.
At his mother's instruction, each adult took hold of one of the children and walked them through the door, where they were once more amazed by the beauty and wealth on display within the Castle.
Black marble tiles spread out in a sea below their feet, broken only by the white veins running through their midst. Rosewood panels ran around the entire entrance hall, as beautiful ornate tapestries hung detailing in incredible detail heroic deeds from myth and legend. Paintings of beautiful vistas, some clearly magical while others remained static showed them the skills and talents of the various artists that had painted such realistic displays. High overhead hung an ornate bronze sphere and within its depths, a miniature sun of bright golden light shone down on them.
Callian looked up at the cage of roiling light with a fond smile, it had only been a few short months before he had left for his school that he alongside several of the apprentices had helped his grandfather in relighting the sun sphere. The combined Weaving he had been a part of had been intoxicating and he had been left giddy and stumbling for several hours afterwards.
He felt a hand on his arm pulling him out of his memories and he found Adria gaping up at the sphere overhead. "It's a Sun...How is there a Sun in your entrance Hall?!" She asked incredulously and Callian could only smile at his friend as she looked between him and the fiery orange ball overhead that was currently imitating a coronal mass ejection.
"It was a pet project of my Grandmothers, she had a fascination with astronomy and decided to create this." Callian waved a hand towards the ceiling before he put a hand to Adria's back and ushered her onwards. "Come on Adria. Let's meet my Grandfather and then I will give you all a tour. Believe me, there is more to see than just one sun sphere. I promise you won't be disappointed."
With one last look at the wonder above them, the four Hogwarts students followed after the retreating forms of their parents.
Using several of the small portal circles it only took a few minutes for them to reach their destination, stepping into the room they were immediately greeted with the sight of a slightly worse for wear group of people. All save for his grandfather and the Dwarves looked rather haggard, Callian could only smile knowing they were all suffering the after-effects of the copious amounts of Dwarven ale they had no doubt imbibed. He had seen many of the new apprentices suffer similar fates, Tyrna had called it a typical dwarven greeting and had regaled him with stories of his grandfather and his first meeting with the Stormanvil Clan.
Another round of introductions followed and Callian was introduced to the other half of his friends' parents. Hermione's father was a tall, whip-thin man and it was clear to see that while she favoured her mother in terms of look she had gained her prominent front teeth from Douglas Granger. Adria however was clearly an even mix of her parents, while she had the blonde hair and shorter stature of her mother she took her broader frame from her father. Stephen Clearwater was a quiet man, yet Callian could easily see the keen intelligence behind the man's eyes. From the little he could hear of his conversation with Belor the man was a capable engineer of some kind, the two seemed to be engrossed in discussing the benefits of varying methods their respective race used.
Callian's fellow students were soon granted their own small pendants to allow them safe passage through the wards and were quick to follow after him as Callian led them to the guest chambers, now free of their belongings he was soon leading them on a tour of his home.
He was careful to leave the vast libraries of the Castle until last as he knew Hermione and Penny would disappear amidst the maze of towering stacks, so he led his friends through the many halls and chambers of his home. They were awed to the point of silence as he led them through the Hall of Sky, a room enchanted to appear as if the floor was floating high above the world its walls and ceiling enchanted in the same manner as the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Usually, the Hall would be used for formal balls and banquets, but he knew several of his grandfather's apprentices used the halls enchantments to view the heavens to aid them with any astrological queries that plagued their studies. He led them through the work halls, where he introduced them to a few of his grandfather's apprentices as they witnessed some of the incredible feats of Magic and artifice that were being created.
A loud boom startled the foursome as thick white clouds of smoke billowed out of an open doorway leading into one of the numerous workshops that lined the walls, loud coughing could be heard coming from within as a figure wearing a soot-stained grey robe stumbled into the hallway.
Callian smiled widely as he recognised the figure bent double as they gasped for breath.
"Jastor?!" He called, a huge grin splitting his features as the wild-haired wizard looked alarmed by the call and spun about only to be met with a flying tackle as Callian launched himself at the man.
A loud wheezing laughed escaped the wizard as he tumbled backwards, the two landing in pile to the nervous chuckles of his friends.
"What are you doing here, Scapegoat?! I thought you due back a few days before the solstice?"
Callian could only laugh at the nickname the older wizard had given him when Jastor had repeatedly used Callian to avoid several reprimands for explosions in the work-halls. "Jastor, the Festival is in two days. Just how long have you been down here?"
The soot-stained wizard looked up in slight alarm before he asked Callian. "Two days? W-what day is it?"
Hermione was quick to answer as she rattled off a reply. "It's Friday the twentieth, Sir."
"Twentieth...Twentieth. Oohhh!" With that, the wizard turned about and darted back into the smoke-filled room. Loud coughing could be heard before a cry of "Damned thing! Where did you go?" Could be heard.
Several loud crashes followed the cry as Callian tried to peer into the chamber, Harry sidled up to him and joined him in staring into the smoke after the seemingly crazed wizard.
"Is he...OK?" Harry asked in concern as another loud crash sounded from seemingly far deeper into the chamber than they had thought possible.
Callian could only grin widely as a triumphant shout sounded from the smoke-filled room. "Jastor is...unique. He's been by my grandfather's side for years, the man may seem a bit crazed but there are fewer more knowledgeable when it comes to the creation of new enchantments. My mother reckons he may even surpass my Grandfather and the headmaster when it comes the subject, although I will never admit that I said that should my grandfather hear of it."
Harry could only give a nervous chuckle as a happy exclamation sounded within the smoke clogged room, they could just make out the wizards form as he shuffled along holding a large crystal pulsating with an ominous red hue.
The old wizard paid them little heed as he shuffled off cackling as he headed towards the main heart of the Castle.
Adria watched him go with a look of alarm clearly written upon her face. "Should we tell someone about the crazy man and his crystal?"
Callian just shook his head as he led his friends onwards. "Don't worry, Jastor know not to get too carried away after the last time."
"Last time?!'' Three voices asked simultaneously, they shared a startled look before directing their gaze back towards Callian.
"He may have...slightly damaged the eastern wall with his attempts at a better portal construct." Once more his friends shared a concerned look that only grew when Callian continued. "Well, that and the strange squid monster he conjured from the gods only know where."
As if hearing his words they could hear a wet gurgle sound within the smoke before the door of the chamber slowly closed seemingly on its own, they wasted no time in hurrying to follow after their retreating friend.
Callian could only shake his head once they reached the main library at the insistence of his friends, they had been amazed by the sheer size of the place as a dozen floors of the northern tower have been filled with row after row of floor to ceiling bookshelves. As they stood in the open doorway they had been shocked into silence as they watched a few grey robes figures carefully place several volumes back into place before disappearing further into the maze of shelves with more tomes in hand, Hermione had even let out a little squeak before she had taken off at a jog into stacks. Penny had followed almost immediately after and Harry hadn't been far behind.
Callian fell into a soft leather chair under one of the large windows of the library, Adria joined him as they waited for their friends to return. He knew from experience the towering shelves were a maze of wonders, often one found themselves losing track of time as they walked through one of the greatest and most complete collections of Arcane lore within the British Isles.
"Cal?"Adria's soft call pulled his attention back towards his friend.
Once it was clear that she held his attention Adria wasted no time in getting straight to the point.
"Penny and I have been speaking about your offer of becoming Vassals, I think that's part of the reason your mother invited us all here." She stared off into the maze of towering shelves as she spoke. "We have been sending letters back and forth with our parents for some time and it stands to reason that they have been asking your mother about it."
Adria seemed suddenly nervous as she spoke and Callian looked at her in concern.
"What's the matter, Adria? You're never normally this nervous."
She seemed to hesitate as she struggled to find the right words, idly playing with the leather arms of the sofa she took a deep breath to gather her resolve and began to explain.
"Penny and I...We never really thought much about the nobility and social class', in the Muggle world you hear a bit about the royal family on the news but that's about it. Here though it's everything, I spoke to a few of the older years and I know Penny has done the same with the Ravenclaws and we've both searched the library for answers. Everything comes back to your position in the pecking order and while Penny seems to think that it is not quite as bad as people are making it out to be, I am not willing to take that risk. My mum wants to talk to yours and your Granddad about it all before we go home." Again she seemed unsure of herself as she tried to find the right words.
"...I don't know how to go about this, but I am willing to become a vassal of your family or House or whatever you want to call it."
Callian stared at her for several long minutes, before he gave her a small grim smile.
"When I mentioned to my grandfather about you becoming a Vassal to our house, he was at first unwilling as he assumed you to be unaware of just what it would mean to serve our House. He thought you would be lost amidst the politicking that will surround you once you take your oath and while my family's reputation will protect you it will not stop everyone from looking to cause trouble. Even more so given who your parents are, many will look to make an example out of you due to what they see someone of lesser standing being given favour over them."
Adria could only nod her head at his words. "Believe me I know. I've already had to deal with a few insults from the older Slytherins and I know Hermione has as well, Some of my Housemates have even been attacked on the way to the common room by a few of them because they are mere Mudbloods. I even had one Gryffindor say I was little better than vermin when I asked him how to get to one of my classes during the first week of school."
Callian frowned at that and he felt a sudden protective surge towards his friends, had he known of their treatment at the hands of others he would have done...nothing.
It hit him then like a bolt out of the blue, there was nothing he could do unless he was with them all hours of the day. Their friendship had no doubt caused some of the weaker students and those wary of angering his family to stay away but the older bigoted families like the Flints and Montagues and all their allies would care little about that.
The two fell into simpler conversation as they waited for their friends to return from the maze of bookcases. Despite himself, Callian could not help but dwell upon the discrimination his friends faced and despite Adria's best attempts they fell into an awkward silence as they waited.
Soon Adria grew tired of waiting and went to fetch her wayward cousin and the rest of their party, although Hermione dragged her heels when they were making their way back towards the residences.
The day passed quickly as his friends wanted to see every facet of his home, he found it increasingly hard to pull Hermione away from several of the smaller libraries they came across and in the end, he simply gave it up as a lost cause and left her in one of the those close to the guest quarters along with Penny who would make sure that the girl would not spend her entire stay in there.
As the day came to a close Adria left them to find her parents who had retired to their rooms, after her talk with him while they were in the library Callian had noted his friend seemed lost within her own thoughts. He was somewhat ashamed of himself for having missed the difficulties his friends had faced when Harry had noted his bad mood he had used his one of his own phrase against him which had broken him from his thoughts enough to slug him playfully in the shoulder.
Explaining what had been bothering him seemed to plague Harry just as much as it had him, although they didn't have long to dwell upon it as Callian saw the familiar sight of his mother waiting for them as they made their way into the family solar. The warm smile she sent towards them brightened both of their faces as they joined her at the small dining table where several covered platters of food awaited them.
"Your grandfather said not to wait for him, he has gone to meet with several of his apprentices and is unsure of when he will return."
With that the two boys wasted no time in digging into the meal, happily falling into easy conversation as Amerytha asked after what they had been up to all day.
Soon the meal was finished and they had moved to sit in the cushioned chairs before the hearth, the crackle and pop of the dancing flames in the grate the only sound as the three of them relaxed just enjoying each others company.
Callian found himself nodding when Harry softly spoke into the silence. "What's the plan for the next few days, I know we talked about the festival back at school but just what can I expect?"
Callian grinned at him. "Ironmane has told me that the entirety of Kar Zurent has been preparing for the next few days, there will be everything you could imagine possible on display. Merchants will be out in droves, there will be fireworks and feasting and just wait until the Dwarves break out their ale. But that's not even the best bit."
Callian shared a smile with his mother as she began to explain. "The solstice is a time of powerful magic, it marks the changing of the seasons. A time of renewal and awakening, as the world begins to shed itself of winter's grasp and the days begin to lengthen after the long night. My father will lead his apprentices in a Gathering, a ritual where they pool and combine their Magic into potent spells and great working of Magic."
Callian watched as Harry's eyes widened in shock, but he merely offered his friend a grin before Amerytha continued.
"When I told my father of my plans to invite your friends along for the festival, I explained to him that it would be good for you all to join in with the Gathering. If you choose to join us, we will help guide you all into the joining and from there my father will lead the ritual."
Harry looked momentarily shocked before he smiled widely at Amerytha. "It's the chance to see more Magic than the simple spells that they teach us in class, I would give my left hand to learn more than a levitation charm."
Amerytha looked between the two boys before her and could only shake her head as she muttered under her breath. "Now there's two of them!"
Callian shared a smile with his friend at his mother's exasperated tone, it was not long before Amerytha retired to her private chambers and the two boys set about their usual evening routine of practising with their Magic. Soon they to headed for their chambers, Callian fell into his bed with a sigh and the familiar warmth of Faenir as the dragon curled about his head and the sense of contentment he felt at being home had him asleep in mere seconds.
The day of the solstice arrived and Callian couldn't help but feel excited as he eagerly awaited the evening's festivities, as soon as his friends had enough time to eat their breakfast he dragged them out into the forest where they made their way to a truly gigantic meadow neatly bordered by a wide river. Their breaths fogging in the crisp winter air they watched a steady train of Dwarven carts coming up the road from their holdfast in the hills to the south, soon they were surrounded by the sounds of the rattle and clank of the dwarves as they set to work unloading the wagons as they began to erect stalls and pavilions where merchants were already setting up their wares. He could smell cinnamon and the sweet caramelised scent of toffee apples on the air as he walked amidst the chaos, he found himself salivating as he smelt the spiced meats and warm golden bread cooking over a portable stove.
A gentle splashing had him looking towards the river and he was amazed to see the lithe forms of several merfolk as they dragged huge buoyant sacks onto the gentle incline of the river bank.
"Are they mermaids?" Harry breathed as he looked on in fascination, the merfolk were carefully unfurling their sacks to reveal a wide variety of intricate and delicate jewellery and ornaments made from shells, stones and bits of polished Bone.
"I'm sure a few of them are lad." A gruff voice sounded behind them and they turned to see Belor Stormanvil looking at them with a smile. "Yer Grandaddy and I sent out invitations to the Merfolk and Centaurs clans, these are just the first to arrive. Traders from the south if I'm not mistaken."
Belor looked at all of them, and Callian noted the mischievous glint in his father's eye as he pulled a pouch of coins from his belt. He carefully pulled out a handful of glittering golden coins, smaller than a galleon and each stamped with the visage of a square-faced dwarf. Handing one to each of them he grinned as he said. "Why don't yeh go buy yer parents a gift from the Mer," he suggested much to their surprise.
Harry and Hermione thanked the dwarf and quickly set off to do just that, Callian just managed to grab hold of Adria's arm to halt her as the others approached the party of Merfolk.
The shrieking, wet gurgle that greeted them from afar had them wincing as they quickly covered their ears, but the look of horrified surprise on the faces of the others soon had them gasping for breath as were bent double laughing as their friends quickly back-pedalled away from the aquatic merchants.
The Merish merchants themselves seemed to find the situation just as funny as several of them gave a burbling gurgle that seemed to pass for laughter among them.
Belor was soon walking towards the group, leading Callian along by the shoulder. As they approached, one of the Merfolk pulled themselves further up the bank toward them. This one was clearly male and his arms and shoulders were crisscrossed with an intricate pattern of scars.
Belor offered his hand towards the Merman who grasped the dwarves forearm in turn, Callian did the same and received the same greeting while Belor introduced them both.
"I am Turghulma, First Spear of the White Cliffs."
Callian was amazed that the so-called Turghulma could speak English even if it did carry a distinctive watery gurgle to it, he had not known the Mer were able to do so. As the heir-apparent of these lands Callian gladly welcomed the Merfolk to his home, Turghulma nodded his head in appreciation before he informed them that a good portion of his clan was on its way behind their chieftain and that he had been sent as a herald of sorts.
Belor grinned widely at that. "It's been nearly twenty years since I last saw Khurlmor, he was little more than a young 'un back then and had only just taken over as chieftain from his father...Packed a mean punch though." The Dwarf grinned as he rubbed his jaw in remembrance of times long past.
That earned another gurgle of laughter from the Mer about them and Callian found himself smiling along with them, before long he and Belor returned to Harry and the others. His friends were still looking at the Merfolk in wonder and Callian couldn't blame them, most never got to see one of the elusive Mer in their entire lives yet here stood a dozen of the legendary beings with more soon to follow.
Belor left them soon after and the foursome returned to exploring the many stalls that had begun to pop up, they spent the rest of the morning in each others company amidst the towering trunks of the forest and had been joined by several of the young dwarflings that had ventured up to the surface with the merchant carts.
Their day passed with laughter and joy and they had become a familiar sight to the merchants and performers that had slowly started to arrive as the day wore on.
Shrieking cries found them soon enough as two missiles of crimson and white descended in a mass of feathers, scales and batting wings, it seemed the Harry and Callian's familiars had decided their human counterparts had been enjoying themselves far too much as they dive-bombed the two young wizards much to everyone's amusement.
As the day wore on a long piercing note was heard causing everyone to look to the paths out of the meadow. There in the distance, they could see several forms moving rapidly amongst the trees, huge equine bodies galloping towards them their neighing cries echoing out clearly in the frosty afternoon air. From the river they a second horn sound as a huge host of Merfolk poured out of the water in a flood of scales, fins and polished shell-like armour.
A loud answering call went up from the Castle and Callian watched as his grandfather's party quickly approached on their own mounts or in several large open carriages. Leading his friends towards their parents they quickly fell into step beside them as they dismounted and walked towards the approaching hosts of Centaurs and Mer, the galloping of hooves grew ever louder as more and more of the horsemen streamed from the forest's edge.
At a signal from Belor, they slowed to a halt. Slowly the Centaurs began to circle in a great herd about several figures clad in half cloaks of vermilion and earthy browns that slowly made their way out of the tree line. To the water's edge, they could hear the clamouring screeches of the Mer, as several spear-wielding guards surrounded a giant member of their race as they looked on with wary eyes at the charging Centaurs.
A hand upon his shoulder had Callian looking up into his grandfather's grim face as the older wizard stared resolutely ahead.
"I want you all to listen to me very closely." He said, his deep voice seeming to grab their focus and refused to let it go. "I want you to beware what you say from here on out, Centaurs are prickly at the best of times but they will kill over any perceived insult to their Elders. The Mer only slightly less so, speak only when spoken to and be on your best behaviour. There has not been a gathering of the races like this since before the founding of the Ministry."
Callian nodded along with his friends but he saw the non-magical among them staring in open-mouthed awe at the mythical beings before them.
Slowly Denevan and Belor led their respective parties forth and at some unseen signal, the Mer and Centaurs parted to allow their leaders forth. Callian looked from his grandfather to Belor, each was accompanied by several trusted guards. Ironmane and Tyrna stood with Belor while his grandfather had two of his more competent apprentices who Callian knew were students of combat Magics.
He could not help but feel a sense of nervous excitement as he looked on at this meeting of notable dignitaries, he could feel a sense of something when he looked upon them as if he was watching the beginning of something great unfolding.
Denevan slowly walked across the no-mans-land that had formed between the four races, to his right he could see Belor, Ironmane and Tyrna, each of them was aware of the potential for things to go wrong here but they had agreed with his hasty plans to try and reforge the old alliances that had existed back when he had been only a young wizard just beginning his forays into the mysteries of Magic.
At his back, he heard Isson Gravius, an Italian Wizard that had joined him a decade previous utter. "Mentore, are you sure this is wise? There are children here, if things go wrong there is much that could go badly."
Denevan did not look back towards the man, but he did give a slight barely perceptible nod of his head. "We have little choice in the matter, events are in motion that threatens all that we have built. I have sent word to all my Apprentice, they will begin to gather resources and make preparation as soon as we are done here."
Gravius faltered in his steps slightly but quickly hurried to catch up, "Just what is coming Mentore? I have never seen you like this before."
Denevan finally slowed his approach as they neared the others.
"War. Unlike any that we have seen before. I fear that our world will not survive if we leave it unprepared."
The snorting huffs of one of the cloaked Centaurs silenced any further conversation as it stamped its hooves at their approach, Denevan could not help but marvel at the sheer size of the ancient creature. It loomed several feet taller than Denevans already large frame, the Dwarves looked ridiculously small in comparison their heads barely reaching the underside of the barrel of the Centaurs chest.
Wasting no time in getting to the heart of the matter Denevan took a single step forward with arms open wide to greet the newcomers to his lands.
"I bid you welcome to my home, Lords of sea and forest. While you are here you are under the protection of my House. No blood will be shed within my borders, nor words spoken in hate. My hearth is lit and my table laden, I welcome you to join me at both."
A faint burbling chuckle drew Denevans gaze towards the gigantic form of Khurlmor, as the Mer chieftain looked at him with a fond smile.
"Is there truly a need to sound so formal my old friend? Without you and Belor, my clan would be nothing but chum in the water. It is not many that could stand up to the Watcher in the Deep, or return one of the ancient ones to its slumber." Denevan felt his spine crawl at the mention of that hideous beast that dwells in the deep oceans of the world, rarely had he ever faced something so purely driven to destroy. Its intent had been so potent and full of malice that even his prodigious talents were little more than an irritant before its fury. It had taken the combined might of himself, all of his Apprentices, Belor's Runesmiths, and over a dozen clans of Merish shamans to put the beast back into its eternal slumber and even then he had been unsure if they would manage such a feat.
Khurlmor was not finished, however. "For that, you will always have the respect of myself and my people. If you had been born of the sea I would have made you my chief advisor, but alas it seems as if you were not blessed to be of the line of Triton."
Belor snorted at the Mer's words, he fondly remembered a younger Mer chieftain that had been thrust into a position of leadership after his father had fallen to the Watcher in the Deep. Back then Khurlmor had been a rash brute, not the refined and dignified warrior that stood before him. He distinctly remembered Belor and Ironmane brawling with the Mer and his guards over some petty issue when they first met, more to do with actually getting Ironmane into the sea than anything else if he was not mistaken. That had all changed when they had actually faced the beast and the foul Goblins that had awoken the titanic creature, the damned greenskins had been trying to steal the fabled treasure trove the Watcher had accumulated and it had only ended in death and destruction. They had all saved each others' hides more times than he could remember in the maelstrom of churning seas, bloody gore and the powerful workings of Magic that had followed.
Looking up at the giant Mer he offered his old friend a grim mile. "You may change your mind after I tell you the reason we called you all here."
Belor let out a loud harrumph from his right and swatted at Denevans legs with one gnarled hand. "Ignore the Wizard, he's just got a bee in his bonnet over something he learned a few months back. We called you here because we remember a time when our people were united in friendship before those damn long 'uns in the Ministry started to ruining everything that made our peoples great because of their damn laws." The Dwarf broke off with a stinging tirade of curses in the Dwarven tongue
Khurlmor looked taken aback but before he let out a truly horrific gurgle of laughter. "You have not changed a bit have you old friend?"
Belor gave the Mer a toothy grin in return. "Me Gods carved me people from the heart of the mountains, we're as solid and steadfast as the stone that birthed us."
Denevan could only shake his head at the antics of these two however, a harsh snort from one of the gathered Centaur Elders quickly put a stop to the merry atmosphere.
"Enough of this foolishness! We have not led our people here for nothing. Dark omens mar the stars and Mars burns brighter than we can ever remember."
Denevan frowned as he watched the Centaurs paw the ground, a few even cast their gaze towards the skies as if searching for the signs that only they could see.
"I know of the danger you speak of, I have seen it with my own eyes. I invited you here so that we find common round to stand against what is coming and make no mistake, what you have foreseen in the stars will come to pass."
He had all of their attention now, the joyful atmosphere of mere moments ago had been well and truly shattered.
Denevan watched as Khurlmor looked between them all in concern, but remained resolutely silent as he waited for an explanation from him. His old friend had long since grown out of making hasty decisions in his time as chieftain and the longer he watched the Mer the warier he seemed. He knew that the Mer had escaped almost unscathed in the last several wars, very few Magicals regarded them of much worth and even less considered them a threat. Yet he has seen first-hand their prowess when it came to warfare, even more so the incredible underwater communities far from the surface world they call home. They had resources and men, both of which would be desperately needed in the dark times ahead.
He had long ago informed Belor of what he had seen and learned from Albus, the Dwarf may appear unconcerned but several lifetimes of friendship let him see just how worried he truly was. Especially so considering Callian and the Potter heir were at the heart of things, his daughter had already forced his hand into getting involved and if he was going to be forced to deal with this then he would make every preparation he possibly could.
Denevan watched as one Centaur among the gathered throng moved forward, in its passing the others stopped their braying and stomping to bow their heads in deference.
This one differed from the others, a large black eye had been embroidered into its cowl. Even from where he stood Denevan could feel the strange echo that lingered about the Centaur. To his eyes, the horseman appeared to be a wizened old crone, stooped with age and the weight of guiding its people yet he felt something was hiding behind the ancient facade he saw.
He could not resist the temptation and drawing upon his Magic Denevan reached out towards the Elder, as soon as he touched the Elder with a thread of power his mind was immediately assaulted by a dizzying onslaught of images, fragments of time bombarded him with such intensity he felt his mental shields strain and for the first time in centuries nearly fail him. Despite his formidable skill in the mind arts, he could do nothing to halt the onslaught. Time seemed to become meaningless as he struggled to pull back from the flood of images.
There was so much that he could only focus on a few fragments of the maelstrom of visions, but more often than not he saw his grandson and Lily's son standing side by side, a bulwark against a darkness that threatened everything that he held dear. He desperately tried to focus on Callian's image but the visions slipped through his mental grasp like smoke, the need to hold back the press of image hindering him more than he would have thought possible.
Suddenly he felt another reaching out to him and the onslaught died as quickly as it had started.
The sudden absence of the visions he found himself with was almost as jarring as the onslaught had been, taking a moment to gather himself Denevan found that the presence had not retreated and now he was staring at the mental avatar of the Centaur Elder.
Here in this place outside of the material world, the Elder appeared in his prime. Strong and healthy with arms and a huge barrel chest rippling with muscle yet still clothed in the same vermilion cloak. Slowly the creature leaned down until its long, handsome face was only inches away from his own.
"You have seen much Denevan, Son of Melatus. More than any of your race." Denevan could detect a sense of wry amusement from the Centaur.
"Your kind are not open to the fates as mine are, we see all that has been and all that could be. You have caught a glimpse of the countless possibilities that lay before us all and have not been driven to the point of madness, for that I admit a grudging respect but should you deign to enter my mind again without my consent I will leave you to your fate."
With that Denevan found himself abruptly hurled away from the Centaurs mental presence and back to the waking world, stumbling slightly he managed to keep himself upright and a quick look about him revealed that no one had noticed his mental absence.
Turning to look at the Centaur Elder, Denevan bowed low before the creature.
"I apologise, Lord. I acted without thinking."
Denevan could only curse his own foolishness, he had told his grandson and the boys friends not to act rashly and as soon as he gets the opportunity he does exactly that.
A gnarled hand gripping his shoulder made him look up, the Centaurs face was once more only inches from his own. Despite his age, the Elder still had a grip like iron and he all but dragged Denevan upright.
"Stop your bowing Wizard, I have not travelled nearly six hundred miles to stand in a field and banter petty words. As you are well aware, I have seen the threat you spoke of and I will not allow my people to fall to it! Only by working together do we have a chance to weather the storm."
A roar went up from the rest of the Centaurs at the words from the crone and one made to grab the Elder, however, before anyone could react the crone braced itself before it lashed out with its hind legs driving its fellow back into the rest of its cohorts with a cacophony of cries of pain and protest.
A ragged bellow from the crone had the others falling silent before he spun on them with fury upon his face.
"None of you has seen what I have seen, do not seek to confuse potential futures from educated guesswork garnered from the heavens." The crone tore at his cloak, holding up the embroidered eye for all to see. "I alone of our Council have the True Sight. I alone have seen the darkness that will swallow everything we hold dear, the fires that will burn our homes and children alike. I will not allow you to hide our people in our forests and cling to your falsehoods of superiority any longer."
Silence fell across the meadow, no one dared to move or speak as the Centaur Elders stared at the lone crone in the middle of their gathering. The moments dragged by and Denevan carefully reached for his Magic in case things took a dangerous turn, then one by one the Centaur Elders slowly prostrated themselves before the crone, forelegs stretched out as they bowed their humanoid bodies low.
A sharp command from the crone had them standing once more as he turned to look at Denevan with eyes that seemed to burn with an intensity that few could match.
"We have come to listen to you, I have seen your heart, I have seen your fate and I judge you and those who will follow after you worthy."
Denevan said nothing as he stared at the Centaur eventually, he bowed his head low and the Crone did the same before the Centaur placed a hand to his heart.
"I am Magthen, son of Magnar. Seer and Elder of the Gerrdenal Clan, I formally greet you as an ally of my people."
Denevan held his hand towards the Centaur, a small grim smile pulling at his lips. "Then I welcome to my home, Magthen, son of Magnar. You and your people are welcome within my halls."
Magthen did not hesitate as he clasped Denevans arm and Belor's soon after, Khurlmor was soon to follow and the giant Mer issued a loud bellow that caused an even louder cheer to erupt from the rest of the Mer in the meadow.
Many of the Centaurs danced skittishly at the outcry but eventually, they settled down, from their small group Denevan watched with a small smile as the four races slowly started to mingle and spread out among the stalls and pavilions. He had to hope that the alliances that were being forged here would pave the way for a better outcome than the previous War, he would never forget the years of hardship and suffering that come about due to the maniacal machination of one man and his pursuit of power at any cost.
A look towards his grandson and he vowed that he would do everything he possibly could to protect him from those horrors. However, unbidden he thought of the visions he glimpsed in Magthen's mind and knew that Callian, Harry and all who would follow them would face hardships unlike any he had known.
