Story 2. Sun Holiday.
"So is it really as beautiful as you say?"
"Oh, you have no idea, mum!" – Gryvon told excitedly forgetting his cooled soup. "Everything's so fantastic, so shining! So… Spellbinding!"
The next morning after the holiday Gryvon's parents were listening attentively to their son's report about being at the castle. Of course, everything was wonderful, everything was great, very beautiful and apparently very tasty, because Gryvon wasn't going to have supper. Instead he was running and hoping through the house, nearly waking the nearest neighbors and colliding with two clay pots (luckily, both were empty) and shouting out the fragments of his impressions: "…there's such a huge fireplace!", "so many sweets…", "the stairs, I wish you'd saw the stairs!".
Aaron, who was able to catch one of the pots, didn't scold his son but caught his freshly washed shirt during one of the turns.
"Hey, kid, that's enough. Let's make a deal – you calm down and go to bed. In the morning your mother and I are to listen to everything you say".
Of course, Gryvon, overwhelmed with emotions, said he didn't want to sleep. But Aaron's raised eyebrow and "such a lovely day shouldn't be spoiled with naughtiness" cooled boy's enthusiasm.
Anyway he went to bed, but couldn't sleep for a long time, holding the shining Eyestone and repeating the day events mentally, coming back to the castle and doing every step once again…
… During the morning Gryvon wasn't himself, he either ran near the house looking at the both sides of the road and listening to every single sound, or pestered his mum with endless pleas to give him his festive clothes. Knowing that there's too much time until the evening, when Spellbinders come and before that moment Gryvon was able to be hooked, to fight, to become dirty, to wrinkle or to tear the clothes plenty of times, Malie wasn't in a hurry with giving it. That is why Gryvon played up and pestered even more.
"You'd better go to the river and help your father with fishing", - the woman offered nearly giving up.
"I don't want!" – Gryvon said stubbornly. "The Spellbinders may come and I won't be here".
"You think about the Spellbinders too much", - Malie sighed. "There's plenty of time".
They really had plenty of time and it passed slowly. When Malie, tired of trying to busy Gryvon with something, understood that the day turns into the evening slowly, she gave in to the stubbornness and happy Gryvon put on a grey-blue shirt, pants of the same colour and a long knitted vest.
And then suddenly time went faster as if it decided to have pity on everybody. In the distance the horse was heard and then a rider in the powersuit appeared. It was an unknown young man with curly black hair and the broad smile.
"Good evening, Spellbinder", - Malie and her son bowed.
"Greetings, Malie", - the rider nodded and looked at the boy. "You are Gryvon, right?"
"Yes, Spellbinder" – he answered.
"If so, Gryvon, I am here to take you to the castle", - the man smiled again. "Give me your hand".
With one movement he pulled the boy up to the horseback and showed the leather ledge of the saddle.
"Hold on to the pommel". – He then turned to Malie. "We'll come back at night".
The way to the castle didn't take too much time. The Spellbinder knew the road and rode at gallop. But even during that short period of time curios Gryvon was able to ask many questions and hear many new things. Lans, the black-haired man, answered him willingly and told about himself. Yes, he's been being a Spellbinder for a long time, yes, he pilots the flying ship and it is very interesting. No, it's not difficult. Yes, the castle is great and he, Gryvon, is to like it for sure.
"Why do you call this day the Sun Holiday?" – the boy asked at last.
"Because today is the longest day of the year, - the Spellbinder answered, - the sun nearly doesn't sleep and the night is the shortest one. Well, here's the castle".
The trees stepped back suddenly and Gryvon was able to see the castle for the first time – the place where Spellbinders and Regents lived. A place that nearly became a legendary one within the village stories.
Seeing the Spellbinder on the spur bridge the guards bowed and opened the gates. Gryvon turned his head to both sides while they were riding through the stone arch on the way to the courtyard. Isn't it a dream and he did really come to the castle? Could he really be so lucky and get such a smile of fortune?
The courtyard was big and entangled. Everywhere he could see green branch plants covering grey stone walls, stairs, towers, narrow high windows. And people were everywhere – Spellbinders, Apprentices, guards and servants. Apparently the day was and exemption when the first and the second ones didn't were traditional two-colored uniform but had a freedom of choice. Women wore long dresses, men – dark pants, high boots and short embroidered jackets.
Lans dismounted and helped Gryvon to get down. A guard came closer immediately, taking the horse.
"To the castle?"
"To the castle", - Gryvon nodded happily, following the Spellbinder through the courtyard. Then they saw Gareth walking towards them quickly.
"Oh, Lans, Gryvon, at last! I waited for you. Come with me, Gryvon, I'll show you the castle and then I have to talk to Lukan and Tark. Lans, - he addressed the black-haired Spellbinder, - leave the powersuit in your chambers and join us. And order the gurds, please, to close the gates".
Bowing, Lans left.
"Who are Lukan and Tark?" – Gryvon asked, trying to keep up with quickly walking Spellbinder and to see as much as possible at the same time.
"They are Regents like me, - Gareth clarified, - we three are the Council of Regents which rules this country".
"Why three?" – The boy asked.
"Because our opinions may vary and together we may find perfect solutions, with which everyone will be happy.
"And how one can become a Regent?"
Gareth laughed.
"For it you should work hard and try to become deserving".
That very moment the stairs and corridors were left behind, both entered the great hall, rich and magnificent. The cleanness was the first thought of Gryvon. Some inaccessible cleanness. Of course, Malie, his mother, cleaned the house and the boy got used to consider his house as a model one. But here he saw a different cleanness. It was great and unreal. And the room entered by the Spellbinder and the summoner's son was exactly the same – great and unreal one. Gryvon's jaw almost dropped. The floor, the walls, the ceiling which went so high above it seemed impossible – everything was shining and everywhere he looked he saw some glitter. The walls decorations were shining, the long wooden tables along one of the walls were shining, the dishes on these tables were shining, so shining it was difficult to look at. People were walking everywhere, reflected in the clean shining floor. And these people seemed so coruscating – their clothes, faces, walking. Spellbinders and their Apprentices. There, in Clayhill, they had been so distant, so private. People from some other world. And tonight… tonight he himself was entering this world and still couldn't believe he was so lucky.
"So what do you think?" – the Regent asked, looking down at the boy.
"It… It makes me crazy!" – Gryvon exclaimed outright, looking at the man passing by with a shining cup in his hand. "Oh, sorry, Spellbinder".
Gareth laughed.
"I was waiting for something like this. Don't be afraid, Gryvon, everything will be all right. Now I have to go and see the Regents. It's not a secret; we are going to talk about you. And I suppose we can change your future".
"Really?" – Gryvon shouted nearly jumping.
Gareth nodded.
"Of course you are very young and there are many things you do not know. But if they don't make you an Apprentice right now, I'm sure, you will be allowed to visit the castle from time to time".
"Great! – Gryvon exclaimed. - Regent, does it mean that I can be a Spellbinder one day?"
"I am sure once you will, - Gareth confirmed, - right, and now I leave. But before that we have to find someone. Oh, there she is. Ashka, come here", - he called someone, looking above.
Familiar name… The boy looked where Regent was looking and saw a young girl standing at the top of the stairs. Seeing them, she started walking down. She had a complex hairstyle, and Gryvon, looking at a lot of intertwined braids realized suddenly this was the Apprentice who came with Gareth to their house.
Tonight the girl Gareth called Ashka was in a dark green dress with high collar and long sleeves. Gryvon, who could view her properly for the first time, noticed to things. Firstly, that dress suited Regent's Apprentice. And secondly, the Apprentice was extraordinarily beautiful. Of course, Gryvon was only nine and not too capricious with beauty definitions. There had been many beautiful girls and women in Clayhill. His mum, for example. Who dared to disagree? Or Carah, the old healer's daughter. What was it everyone said about her? "A marriageable girl"?
He could name some more examples but the girl coming downstairs suddenly made him forget them all. She was rather tall and very graceful. Pale skin that looked even paler because of the dress, thin nose, sharp cheekbones. A thick dark-ginger hair plait on her shoulder seemed to heavy for a high neck. The beauty of this girl was irregular, wild and pristine. And one thing could be said for sure – the ones who saw her could never forget her.
"You called me, Spellbinder?" – Ashka reached them, bowing her head in greeting.
"Oh yes, - Gareth nodded, - Ashka, this is Gryvon, the boy I told you about, the son of Clayhill summoner. Gryvon, this is Ashka, my Apprentice".
Gryvon bowed quickly, looking at the beauty with admiration. The girl apparently wasn't impressed by the meeting at all, she viewed the boy from head to toes and then looked at the Spellbinder.
"And what does it mean?"
"It means I finally have to see Tark and Lukan, which were kind and allowed me to be busy with urgent issues during the holiday, - Gareth pushed Gryvon lightly to Ashka, - that is why I go and talk to them and during this time you look after our little friend, right?"
The Apprentice tried to save her face but it seemed she was horrified.
"Me? To look after a kid?" – her voice trembled, cause she could hardly imagine Gareth to be so treacherous.
"Well, Ashka, he's already nine, - Gareth smiled, - he's quite mature and won't give you any problems, I am sure. Right, Gryvon?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically, looking at the Regent and his Apprentice.
"Then see you".
With these words Gareth turned and went upstairs quickly, before he could get the possible objections. Gryvon looked at Ashka again, smiling happily. However, she wasn't as happy as he. Knitting her thin eyebrows, the girl viewed Gryvon as if trying to understand what it is and how to behave with it.
"What a punishment, - the Apprentice mumbled, then her skills and composure won and she addressed the boy, - tell me, do you want to drink?"
"No, thank you", - Gryvon answered politely, still admiring her.
"Perhaps you want to eat something?"
"Yes, please", - the boy said willingly.
The Apprentice led him to the wall where some massive wooden chairs were placed and then went to the table.
"Tell me if you need something else, - she said coming back with a lovely shining plate where there were two small ruddy rolls, a pear and an apple, - soon the fire will be lit up, the hall will be very warm".
Gareth, leaving for a talk with Regents, didn't say how long it is going to be. However, such a situation was apparently provided for, more and more people appeared in the hall, they walked, talked and laughed, treated themselves with various refreshments. Then suddenly a music was heard from some nearest room and people, wandering through the hall slowly, started moving strictly and synchronically, making the pairs. Dancing started.
Gryvon, who saw before that day only rural holidays, looked at the dancers with interest. It was something absolutely different from Clayhill roundelays and fast dancing. Here it looked much more difficult. Pairs followed one another very slowly and accurately, and always in time, as if they were able to read the thoughts. From time to time some dancers were reaching the tables, the Spellbinders were passing by the two near the wall, looking at the boy with amusement and asking where he's from. Gryvon, who got so many emotions from the evening and who considered a girl next to him almost as a fairy, stood up immediately for another polite bow and greetings, making the Spellbinders smile.
Ashka who had to answer all the questions, didn't share his delight. Fiddling a cup with some water, she looked at the dancers, following the figures with her eyes and listening to the music. It was obvious she longed for joining the pairs but the Regent's order was an obstacle.
"Beautiful Apprentice, would you like to dance with me?" – someone's clear voice was heard near them. A tall short-haired man reached them and stretched out his hand.
"I'd love to, Emerick, - the girl pursed her lips gracefully, - but it seems I'm to be a nanny tonight. Gareth asked me to look after the boy".
Emerick looked at the silent Gryvon next to her and laughed.
"Well, I suppose one dance won't give anything serious. He looks as a real serious man!"
Ashka looked at the "serious man" cautiously.
"Listen, will you be able to sit hear for a while, not to do anything and not to run anywhere?"
"Sure, Apprentice!" – Gryvon exclaimed outright, clutching the chair with his hands and showing that he's going to be very obedient.
Happy that it was so easy, Ashka put her hand onto Emerick's palm and went to the center of the room. Gryvon was left near the wall, viewing the dance and the dark-green dress, appearing among other bright dresses. She moved gracefully and smoothly, like the man next to her.
"Gryvon! – someone called him from the stairs. - oh, here you are! Come on, I'll introduce you to the Regents".
Gareth moved downstairs quickly.
"And where is Ashka? – surprised, he looked at the empty chairs and then at the dancing pairs. - Oh, I see. Well, I'll give it to her after we finish. Are you all right?"
A nod.
"Then come with me".
Gryvon, running two steps at a time, followed the Regent.
"Spellbinder, don't punish her, please".
"What?" – Gareth stopped, shocked, almost losing his footing at smooth stairs.
"I…, - Gryvon hesitated, - I wanted to ask you not to punish your Apprentice, Spellbinder. She was always next to me and left nearly before you came".
He was shocked by his own insolence and bravery. And for a moment he felt sorry these words were said. But it was too late to feel sorry any longer.
Regent looked at the boy thoughtfully.
"We'll see", - he said at last.
"And what did the Regents say? Did they allow you to become an Apprentice?"
"Aha. But they told me I have to wait and grow up a little", - Gryvon answered, finally remembering the soup.
Malie and Aaron were sitting next to him, waiting for the story to be finished. Gryvon put the empty plate on the table, smiling happily. Yesterday, when Gareth and he went to the room where two other Regents were waiting, the talk was almost finished. And bothe the men – dark-haired Lukan and grey-haired Tark were rather tired of it. The future of a possible Apprentice had been discussed for a while.
"Gareth, it seemed we have already decided, - Lukan wiped off his forehead tiredly, - you can not teach him, somebody else should do it".
"The boy is too young", - Tark said stubbornly.
"But he's a perfect candidate", - Gareth intervened, - "in Westfield the children are too small, and there are the girls only. There are some youths in Easthill but they are not good for being Apprentices. So think what we do. It is easier to train and teach the boy".
"Of course, and it's you who should know it", - for Gryvon it seemed that a wipe was heard in Lukan's voice.
Gareth sighed, standing behind Gryvon.
"Dear Lukan, I understand what it's all about".
"Really?" – the Regent raised an eyebrow.
'Yes. And I am aware of my responsibility for this boy to his father, the summoner of Clayhill. You said about the person who could teach him? Right, in a year or two Ashka is to become a Spellbinder, so he'll be her Apprentice".
Lukan and Tark looked at each other.
"Are you sure this is the right decision? – the grey-haired Regent asked. - Ashka is impatient and impulsive, she will hardly pay the necessary attention to the boy".
"In this case, - Gareth threw up his hands, - we make circles. You see there are two ways: either me, or Ashka. Time will show everything, I say it again. After her initiation I will be free and able either to concentrate on country issues properly, or two take a new Apprentice".
"I'd prefer the first option, - Lukan interrupted, - Gareth, during some last years you've always been playing a role of a good old Spellbinder. You become sentimental and flippant".
"Really? And I hoped so much no one will notice, - Gareth played along to him, sighing artistically, - being serious once again, I ask you about an immediate decision, Regents. The boy's family will be waiting for the answer. And besides, - with these words he pattered Gryvon on his shoulder, - I think the boy likes Ashka. Isn't it so, Gryvon?" – he looked down at the boy.
"She… she's very beautiful, - Gryvon said, trying to stand Regent's look but blushing, - she's like a fairy".
Lukan smirked, rolling his eyes. Tark laughed silently.
"You heard everything, Regents", - Gareth said imperturbably, looking at them.
"All right, all right, we got it, - Lukan nodded, - let it be so. We'll see if the Apprentice can be the master. But it's your responsibility, Gareth. And anyway, Tark is right, the boy's very young. He's allowed to visit the castle but he has to wait for his initiation…
"…So it's true? You will live in the castle?" – Malie asked one more time, not able to believe her son will really become an Apprentice.
"Yes, - the boy answered calmly, as if he was speaking about some silly things and not about all his dreams coming true, - I'm allowed to visit the castle. But I have to wait a little before I am a true Apprentice…"