Within The Keep
Prompt 088: Wood
Author's Ramblings: Hi there, I might be deleting this story (not sure if I will yet) and rewrite the whole origin thing. Step into my profile, I have a poll going on and need some advice, thanks in advance! Happy Reading/writing!
Por que te quiero, como el mar a su verano, como el dolor a su amigo el engaño…
– Palabras para Paula, La oreja de Van Gogh
When Veronica had first arrived at the Keep Balthazar had been thirteen.
She was nothing but a small bag of skin and bones, thin and weak but there was potential, even Balthazar could tell. Magic loved her the same way nature loved her children, so it was always moving about her. Then she'd gotten sick and had everyone worrying over her, making every single soul in the Keep realize how dear the little girl had become in less than a fortnight. Soon after growing stronger, Veronica had bonded with both boys calling them brother, trying to play with them, finding the things they liked and trying to join. Both Horvath and Balthazar were touched, and their hearts soon warmed to the simple thought of having a child prodigy as their fellow apprentice. Balthazar, been the oldest apprentice usually ended up having to go to town for supplies; ink, scrolls, parchment, things they would need for their studies. He was well known in town, and sort of respected for his position.
That particular day Merlin had ran out of ink, and hastened to order Balthazar go fetch some more, while he and Horvath had a particular private lesson. While getting his stallion ready, Balthazar saw Veronica running towards him. Her hair had been cut, so it would grow healthier, and it bobbed amusingly around her pale complexion, "Brother! Balthazar! Wait, wait!" She cried, her little dress moving with the wind as she grew closer. Balthazar pulled his stallion out of the stable and smiled at the girl, crouching to receive her with open arms. "Where are you going? Why are you leaving without saying goodbye?"
"I will be running some errant in town for Master I shall be back before the day is out." The mention of town had her eyes widening.
"Oh please brother! May I go with you? I have never been to town and Horvath said that gypsies are parading these days!"
"Only if Master approves, you know I can only follow Master's orders." At least when she was involved.
"Then I shall ask him, but please wait for me!" He watched her go smiling. She was still small, but so full of life, and so stubborn. Been five years older, and having grown as tall as his master, Balthazar had to actually crouch or kneel to be face to face with her. Veronica found it amusing apparently and was constantly asking him to kneel so they could talk face to face. But she'd be growing soon, Merlin had told Balthazar that she might be as big as Greta and the head maid was a few inches short from Balthazar's height. Soon enough, as he walked his horse to the gates, Veronica hurried towards him, wearing her cloak and pointy shoes. Merlin was behind her, nodding at Balthazar to take her.
"Master said I could go! He even game me a coin to buy me some trinket!" She said innocently, as Balthazar picked her up and placed her over the horse's back. "I have never been to town, is it beautiful like Horvath says?" She asked happily, as Balthazar climbed to the horse behind her, picking the reigns.
"You shall see, hold tight to me and keep your eyes open, alright?"
"Yes brother!" And the horse started trotting, Veronica couldn't help herself and turning started to wave at Merlin's figure, who waved back. On the journey to town Veronica asked how Balthazar led the horse, and he showed her how to pull at the reigns, how to cluck her tongue so the horse will knew when to keep moving or stop. He then handed her the reigns, allowing her to lead for a while. Soon they were making their way through a busy street, and the deeper they moved the more people they say what had Veronica looking all over the place, eyes wide and overjoyed. "Brother look!" She said pointing from side to side, at anything that might surprise her. He would comment on some of the things she pointed, at others he might only nod.
They made their way through the crowd and finally found the usual stables where Balthazar was allowed to keep his stallion's while in town; the church's. He greeted the priest, who blessed the child walking with Balthazar, and then they moved into the market place, an even busier place that Veronica didn't enjoy much because it was loud and muddy. Master had asked her to keep clean after surviving the fever, so she was adamant and careful of obeying the orders. She did like the musicians at the far end of the market, who played several songs she liked and had heard the maids at the Keep singing. She even joined them to sing some, receiving a crown of flowers that one of the performers had been carrying. It was too large for her head, but it fit perfectly around her neck.
Never did she leave Balthazar's sight, her hand always in his while they walked through the busy street. She wanted to try some pine nuts candy, and Balthazar bought them for her, and with the coin Merlin gifted her she bought herself a little wood hair pin in the shape of a butterfly. There were gypsies in town, and although Veronica liked the shows they were putting, Balthazar was been careful with them. Gypsies were known for their strange magic, the way they could ensnare the senses and steal whatever they could from any given person. And with Veronica it wouldn't be the simple comb or candy, even a blind sorcerer could see the way energy waved around her, how magic loved her.
Balthazar took Veronica to a small store where they had a quick snack, about to leave for home, when the parading gypsies and their music made them turn to the street. People had gathered around, watching the merry performers and dancers in their shiny clothing and exotic moves; Veronica couldn't see very well, so Balthazar lifted her, sitting her over the wood railing that served as a division from street and decent shop. Veronica quickly drank everything in, clapping at the beat of the music. For a while all seemed nothing but an innocent entertainment, and Balthazar allowed Veronica to delve into the music and enjoy herself.
Until he turned and saw a man dressed as a buffoon moving about the children, offering trinkets and giving them little things to eat. He frowned as the man touched a child's hand, with both of his, energy emanating from him as the child giggled and took whatever gift he offered… He was marking the children capable of doing magic, with a spell that literally sucked the energy from them. The man saw Veronica, and Balthazar turned to his little sister. As the buffoon neared her, moving quickly through the street eyes glowing yellow and licking his lips Balthazar lifted Veronica from the wood railing, pulling her out of harm's way, the girl quickly wrapping around his neck, hiding her face, a second before the strange clown touched the girl's hand. A crooked smile left the clown, as Balthazar gave him the most murderous stare he could produce, before whispering to Veronica that they were leaving. He didn't listen to her protest, and grabbing his packages from the table they had eaten at, he hurried to the stables.
"Master! Master; Look what I bought with the coin you gave me!" She said, placing the item in her short hair as she stood before her master, who was quick to complement her choice of hair pin. "Balthazar bought me some sweet pine nuts, and ginger bread."
"Did he? I hope your appetite won't be spoiled because of it, we are having venison stew and fresh bread for dinner tonight." The girl rubbed her belly in delight, that was her favorite things for supper or lunch, and Merlin was sure that if allowed, for breakfast too. "Go find Horvath, he was the one to hunt today's meal."
"Alright!" She hurried away, calling for Horvath, probably to show her new pin rather than thank him for their dinner. Merlin watched Balthazar walk towards him, having been too busy handing his stallion's reigns to the stable boy, and carrying the packages to his master. Merlin frowned.
"What happened? Why so gloomy?" Asked Merlin softly, as the boy offered the packages. Balthazar sighed, and offered his master a walk through the gardens. As they walked, Balthazar still wearing his cloak and traveling items, the apprentice retold everything that happened in town.
"He knew who Veronica was, who I was; and still he was willing to risk everything just to get to her."
"Some evil out there won't care who you are, or what you can do; evil is evil and will do what is necessary to survive, Balthazar. You must understand this now so little can surprise you in battle or life." The boy nodded, still angry, and his master padded his shoulder. "You pulled Veronica out of harm's way, I must thank you." Balthazar shook his head.
"She's my responsibility, as is Horvath. I… I got so angry, when he was heading towards Veronica a million things ran through my head; and the only thought was to keep her safe. The second I pulled her back I wanted to send a plasma bolt to his face." Merlin laughed.
"Is normal for a brother to feel anger against those who threaten your brother's safety. Still we cannot allow Veronica to be taken captive by the spell, so no more visits to town for a while, and keep a sharp look out. That being might try to find Veronica."
"I shall reinforce the wards around the Keep, but most specially around Veronica's room."