Sorceress
Disclaimer: TP owns everything.
A/N: I apologise for keeping the end of this story waiting for SOOOO long! Also, special mention must go to Tortallan Rider who has reviewed every single chapter of this fic so far – thanks heaps! But now, onto the next chapter!
Chapter Six:
With Sari in tow, Sir Aaron and his squire Feln rode for three days until they reached the edge of Lake Tirragen, taking turns to double the Bazhir maiden on their horses. They settled at an old Tirragen camping site for the night, and made a fire. As they sat around the fire, Sari noticed Aaron and Feln exchanging dark looks.
Eventually, Sari's curiosity got the better of her.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Sari, I, uh, I . . . . . ." Aaron began.
He looked briefly at Feln, then continued.
"Sari, I have been in contact with my father. There have been some troubles at home. We have been raided. Tirragen is now no place for a young maiden to be, I'm sorry."
Sari looked downcast, the first maidenly sign shown by her since Aaron and Feln met her. The Knight stumbled on with his explanation.
"Sari, Feln and I have been on a quest to find something that will bring hope to Tirragen, and to Tortall. But my father told everyone he could about what we were searching for, and that we found it." He fished in his belt pouch. "Sari, we found a map for the Dominion Jewel."
Sari knitted her eyebrows together in concentration. "The name is familiar . . . . I think"
Aaron glanced at Feln and nodded.
"The Dominion Jewel is said to bring great honour to whoever can claim it for themselves. But it is a dangerous mission, and the map is the only way anyone can find it (except those that already know where it is)," Feln explained.
Aaron nodded. "We have been in great trouble for many years, Sari. Tortall has a weak king, who cares naught for anything but peace. Slowly our realm is surrendering its boarders to its neighbours. Roald cares naught for his people, but would spend time with his new Queen. May the Goddess bless our kingdom with an Heir soon."
Aaron and Feln made the sign of the Gods on their chests. (A/N: I can't remember if they do that in the Alanna books – I don't have them with me so I can't check!)
"The raiders have burnt our fief down; they are searching for the map so that they can get the Jewel first. We must hurry there so we can help our people to rebuild their lives before winter comes. I am sorry, Sari. You cannot come with us any further." Feln paused and glanced at Aaron, who nodded and turned to face Sari full on.
"Sari, it is not safe for me to carry the map any further. My father has told me to hide it, however I do not think that would be a safe way to protect the map. I think it would be best if I gave the map to you, for safe keeping. I have the gift, I will be able to track you when it is safe for the map to come back to Tirragen."
Sari shook her head. "What if I am found? What if, if you do not make it?"
Aaron smiled gently. "You will not be found, Sari. I will blanket you so that you may only be found by those who you allow. You are gifted, you will be able to lift the spell once you are ready. And if we do not make it . . . ." he paused. "If we do not make it, then I'm sure you will know what to do. It is said that the Jewel finds its seekers, and brings them to it, not the other way around."
He stood and beckoned Sari to come to their horses. They walked to Aaron's horse, and he rummaged through his saddle bags, while Feln kept watch over their dinner. He pulled the map out at last, and waved a hand over it. He murmured some words under his breath, and Sari could feel herself lighter, almost as if the no longer held sway over her body. Aaron completed his spell, and closed it with a soft "So Mote it Be".
He looked around for Sari, who had vanished from his sight. "Sari," he began. "You must allow me to see you. Will it with your gift, like I showed you."
Sari concentrated hard on allowing Aaron to see her (including Feln as well – she felt it might put him slightly out if he could no longer see her, and things were awkward between them as it was). Slowly, she began to materialise in front of Aaron's eyes. He smiled broadly.
"You've done it!" He began to clap her arm, then remembered that she was a Maiden (NOT a fellow Knight, or his Squire), and relocated his hand to grab hers, and gently kiss it. "Well done, Sari."
Sari blushed, and took her hand from his grasp. She looked down at the scroll that was now in her hand, and tucked it into a loose fold in her Burnoose. Following her eyes, Aaron frowned.
"Come," he said. "We must find you some different clothes!"
-------------------------------------------
The next morning, Sari stood dressed in simple breeches that she had modified to look like a skirt and one of Feln's shirts (Aaron's had been MUCH too big for her), the map tucked underneath. She tied a scrap of cloth from her burnoose around her hair to hold it back, then watched as Feln broke camp and destroyed all evidence of their even being there.
Aaron came up behind her, and spoke softly. "It has been an honour riding with you, Sari, and I am sorry that we must part. We will see you soon, though, I promise." He nodded in Feln's direction. "Feln will miss you a great deal."
Sari smiled. "I will miss him . . . and you . . . a great deal too." She turned to face him. "Thank you for all you've done, Aaron. I hope we will meet again soon."
Feln, having finished breaking camp, came up to stand beside them. "Shall we leave, my lord?"
"Of course, Feln. I was just bidding our Mistress Sari a pleasant trip."
Feln bowed to Sari. "Farewell, Mistress Sari. Best of luck and may the Gods shine upon you!"
"Thank you, Feln. May the Gods shine on you as well. And you, Aaron."
The burly Knight and his squire walked over to their horses, and mounted. Turning to wave to Sari, Aaron called out,
"Farewell, Sari."
As she watched them ride away, Sari gathered her meagre belongings. She stood for a while, watching the dust settle, and then began to walk away from Lake Tirragen, and towards the hills.
-------------------------------------------
A/N: Well, that's another chappie folks. Hope you liked it! Please press that little button down there and tell me what you think! I noticed the other day that I had almost 400 hits for this story, and only ten reviews! Reviews make me happy, people, and a happy Skysong updates faster! Until next time, though, adieu!