Author's Note: Sorry for the long time between updates - work, etc, has been cramping my style. :P So, not as much action in this chapter as originally planned, but I hope you still find it interesting. The majority of the next chapter will be action, I promise! And things will start to move faster overall.
If my description of Helmbarte daggers is as confusing as I think it is, just look at them on the wiki before you get that far.
"The Hearthstone soldier hasn't abandoned her after all," Mason reported. "He had a letter delivered to her room, assuring her of his support and directing her to people who can help develop her skills."
"Are you certain?" asked the man he was reporting to.
"Quite. The man who carried the letter is one of my informants, and he read it," Mason smiled.
"So her training will continue. This is good news, if she truly is the next Arisen," said the man, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "And does she, in fact, have magick?"
"Possibly. She never appeared to before, but she did carry Salomet's Grimoire for a time. She was seen near the Black Cat earlier today, and according to the letter that means she is probably finding out as we speak."
"Keep an eye on her, and report what she discovers."
"Let us try again," said Aleena, taking a deep breath inward and closing her eyes. Ceileigh did the same, tapping her fingers on her knee impatiently. The two women were sitting cross-legged on the floor, facing one another. Ceileigh didn't know how Aleena stayed so calm. The red-haired healer sounded like she'd said 'let us try again' for the second time instead of the twentieth. Aleena was trying to help Ceileigh tap into the magick that was now a part of her, but Ceileigh was struggling.
"How am I supposed to find it if I don't even know what it feels like?" Ceileigh asked irritably with her eyes still closed.
"Turn your thoughts inward, delve deep into yourself…you'll recognize it," Aleena said soothingly.
Ceileigh sighed, tilting her head back, and opened her eyes briefly to roll them. After a few minutes she snapped them open and rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Nothing's coming to me."
"You must be calmer. Be aware of your mind and body. Go slowly. After the first time, it will be much easier."
Ceileigh gave a frustrated huff and closed her eyes again, but Leandor could see her forehead wrinkling in that way it did when she was upset, and he didn't think she would last much longer. He was sitting to the side of the fireplace, on the low stone barrier surrounding the hearth. He went back to inspecting and cleaning his sword, about the only useful thing he could find to do at the moment. He considered how difficult it would be if he had to think his weapon into existence each time he wanted to use it. Surely the Arisen could manage it though; her will drove legions of pawns after all.
"Rrrgh, I can't find it!" Ceileigh burst out, standing up with clenched fists.
Aleena opened her eyes and shook her head. "Countless people before you have managed to. Perhaps I am not explaining things clearly. Or, perhaps accessing magick is more difficult for those who aren't born with it. It is certainly not usual for someone to gain magick from an outside source later in life." The healer shrugged. "Either way, calming yourself is key. Until you can do that, you will get nowhere."
Leandor rose and gestured toward the door that lead to Aleena's small back yard. "Should we train for a bit, master?" he suggested. It always seemed to take her mind off of her problems, at least for a little while.
"It would be a nice break. I can clear my mind and we'll get back to it afterward. Would you mind?" Ceileigh asked Aleena, and headed out when she gave them permission.
"I wish I had my new boots on," said Ceileigh as Leandor dodged her kick to his head. "I need to get used to how they feel during a fight." She ducked his punch and rolled toward him, intending to pop up and tackle him around the waist. Unfortunately he jumped back and her fingertips only grazed his leg as she fell forward. They smiled at each other and Ceileigh chuckled.
"This is the first time we've practiced together one-on-one since the encampment," she noted, standing up. "I'm not used to sparring with you anymore - you're so fast."
"Most pawns are faster and stronger than most humans, master. And I have trained regularly since we set out together."
"So does that mean I'll never best you?" she asked him with a smile, cocking an eyebrow as she twirled one of her daggers.
Leandor shrugged, then pointed to the dagger as they circled each other. "You are very fast for a human, master. And this is supposed to be hand-to-hand."
She hadn't even realized she'd drawn a weapon. Must be second nature by now. "You're right," she said, dropping the dagger and rushing him with no warning. She tried for an elbow to his gut but found herself instead lifted over his head and dropped to the ground behind him in one smooth movement. She landed in a crouch, facing away from him, and immediately pushed into a flip, kicking hard into his back as she went over. He staggered a few steps, but recovered quickly and whirled to meet the weapons-free scarlet kisses attack she was already coming at him with.
They worked their way across the yard, meeting each other blow for blow until he grabbed the back of her neck and tried to knee her in the stomach. She spun out of his grasp and jabbed at his face with the heel of her hand as she came back around. He caught her wrist, stepped to the side and pulled her around behind him so they were back to back with her arm stretched painfully over his shoulder, forcing her to stand on tiptoe to stop her elbow from bending the wrong way.
"Okayokayokay, let go!" Ceileigh gasped. He released her immediately and she rubbed her arm, grimacing.
"I apologize, master. I did not mean to cause you real harm," said Leandor contritely, eyeing Ceileigh's arm as she flexed and swung it.
"Just for that, I won't let you win next time," she joked, and he smiled. "But really, I'm fine. That was a great move." She picked up her dagger and put it away.
"Are you ready to continue, then?" Aleena asked from the doorway.
Ceileigh sat, again, cross-legged across from Aleena on the floor, concentrating. She felt a lot more relaxed after that sparring match, even though it had been a relatively a short one. It had still been fun and it let her release some energy. Ceileigh breathed evenly and pictured the skin covering her body, then the muscle, then the bone underneath that. Perhaps if I simply picture the magick as one more body part… In her mind's eye she traveled up her arm bones, inward along her shoulders and collarbone, down her ribcage, to the organs packed inside her torso - minus her heart, of course. Suddenly, in the pit of her stomach, she felt a faint pulse and a glowing red sphere appeared there, continually shifting and reaching out with small wispy tendrils. This is definitely it! She tried to contain her excitement, afraid it would make her lose contact. She kept her eyes closed and raised her hand slowly. "I found it."
"Looks like I'm right on time then," said a man's voice from the front doorway. Ceileigh jumped, opening her eyes with a slight frown, and Leandor stood up, sword in hand. Aleena rose as well.
Damn, I just had it! Ceileigh thought, turning to look at the newcomer with open irritation. He was over six feet tall, muscular in a lean way, with short, slightly curly dark brown hair and a tan face full of dark stubble. He had a friendly face with a natural smile and big gray eyes. He was dressed in work clothes, boots and gloves, but Ceileigh didn't recognize what job they were for. He looked like he spent a lot of time outside.
"Hello, I'm Jenner," he said with a big smile and a nod, moving forward to shake Ceileigh's hand as she stood.
"Hello," she replied, shaking his hand, then he moved past her to shake Leandor's hand while the pawn eyed him critically, quickly assessing his threat level.
"Ceileigh, Jenner is a friend of mine who I asked here to help you use your spells," said Aleena.
"I thought that's what you were doing," Ceileigh replied.
"I showed you how to access your magick, but no born mage has the ability to use it the way you can now. I don't even know the intonations for the spells you'll be using. Jenner here does, however. He is a sorcerer, and while he does not share your abilities either, he has made a study of such things."
"Neither mages nor sorcerers are born with your specific abilities, if they are what I think they are," Jenner joined in. "They can only be given to and used by…non-magickal persons, for lack of a better term. You are so fortunate."
"Am I?" Ceileigh asked skeptically, wondering if using her magick would be as much of a pain as finding it in the first place.
"You're joking, right? I would be over the moon to be able to use those spells!"
"Jenner is a bit of a weapons enthusiast," said Aleena, smiling and shaking her head at him.
"Not a soldier, though?" Ceileigh asked him, gesturing to his outfit.
"Oh! No, I'm a gardener. Unfortunately, people with magick aren't allowed into the Duke's army, or any legal military outfit. So I taught myself to fight and I practice as a hobby. Staves and swords mostly, but I sometimes fiddle with daggers and such too."
"Well, you can all use the back yard again if you wish. I have work I must attend to, but you can stay as long as you need. Just try not to destroy my property," Aleena half-joked as she headed out of the room.
Jenner ducked out the front door to pick up a large bag full of equipment, then they headed out back. He took a very basic, small wooden man out of his bag and stuck it into the ground at the very left side of the yard. He looked through the weapons he'd brought and handed Ceileigh two silver daggers engraved with a beautiful white swirling pattern.
"These are casting daggers. Even though I can't use them myself, I'm still a collector. Let's start with some basics. I have the intonations that should work with your magick right here," he said enthusiastically, pulling off his gloves and producing a small notebook from his shirt pocket. "Now, can you find your magick again?"
Ceileigh was surprised at how quickly she could. It really was very easy and natural after just one time. In her mind's eye she saw that glowing ball and held it at the ready. Leandor leaned against the rightmost wall of the yard, watching with interest.
"Now move closer to the wooden man, maybe halfway down the yard," Jenner directed her, staying where he was. "The first spell is called sunburst. The intonation is 'igneus talea'. You must face your opponent directly, speak the spell, then drive both daggers into the ground. A pillar of fire should spring up under or near your enemy, depending on your distance and aim. Ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready," Ceileigh said, crouching low to the ground and readying the daggers.
"Igneus talea," she said, plunging the daggers into the ground somewhat tentatively. She felt magick rush down both arms, then her eyes went wide as a three-foot-tall cylinder of flame burst out of the ground a few feet in front of the wooden man. "Amazing!" she yelped, springing to her feet. She turned to Jenner with an excitement that now matched his. "Let's try that again!"
The three of them practiced without letup until dusk. They paused only briefly to gulp down the water and later the food that Aleena brought out, with hurried thank-yous. Leandor helped Ceileigh practice a move called shadowpin, letting her immobilize him by trapping his shadow within a circle of magick that looked like a thundercloud blanketing the ground. Ceileigh also learned a spell called scension, which used holy magick to sap the life force out of monsters, and a type of jump called a double vault. The latter enabled her to briefly solidify air in the middle of a jump, giving her a near-invisible platform to kick off of so she could launch herself even higher.
They finally headed to the inn after Ceileigh thanked Jenner and Aleena and promised to get in touch soon for more practice. "I can't wait to use these techniques in the field!" Ceileigh exclaimed as they made their way between houses and shops. "I hope Madeleine hasn't been waiting too long," she added with a cringe, knowing she was late to meet her.
Madeleine was indeed waiting at one of the inn's tables, but she was happily occupied with two men who sat on either side of her. When she saw Ceileigh she excused herself and came over. "Where have you been?" the blonde peddler asked in mock reprimand, grabbing her arm and leading her to another table.
"Oh, I got caught up - I was training," Ceileigh said apologetically.
Madeleine wasn't upset at all and instantly started chattering away about the men she'd been talking to and how her business was going. They ordered food and by the time it came, Ceileigh was telling Madeleine how she'd gotten magick and explaining that there were three strengths to each dagger spell she'd learned.
"As I learn to control and focus my magick better, I can start using the stronger spells," she said.
"Can you heal yourself now? That would be so helpful! Though I wouldn't be able to sell you as many curatives," Madeleine laughed.
"I asked about that, but apparently healing ability doesn't automatically come with having magick," Ceileigh lamented. "I guess I thought anyone with magick could heal, but only born mages can. They all can, no matter what their affinity or what other skills they have. My abilities only pertain to weapons and fighting. Since I use a bow and daggers, I'm called a magick archer. If I used a sword and shield, I'd be a mystic knight."
"You should ask to see that grimoire again and make your pawn a mystic knight," said Madeleine. "Another advantage can't hurt, right?"
"It doesn't work on pawns, only humans. Our magicks aren't the same. One of my former pawns told me they have different origins, but I don't know the details."
After another hour or so of conversation, Ceileigh received her goods. She'd ordered large quantities of potent greenwarish, mithridate and scarlet angelica, mushrooms, bringbout and a variety of nuts.
Finally! Leandor thought in relief when Madeleine left and they got up to check the notice board. Ceileigh found a request from a Ser Bryan, who needed an escort to somewhere called Warrior's Departure. She had a message sent to him, asking for a reply by the next day if he wanted her help.
"I'm glad I met Madeleine, I think I do see a friend in her," Ceileigh told Leandor as they hurried to Caxton's, hoping to catch the armorer before he closed for the night. "What do you think of her?"
"She seems nice enough, master," he replied neutrally.
"I hear a 'but'," Ceileigh said, eyeing him curiously.
"I am glad you have found a friend, but…she talks so much. I am certain she uttered more words tonight than everyone else in this world combined, ever."
Ceileigh doubled over with laughter, both at his accurate description and this vehemence from her usually stoic pawn. "I admit she is one of the most talkative people I've ever met!" she said, still laughing. "We all have our quirks for others to bear, but I'm sorry that she annoys you."
"I will endure somehow," he said with a smile, glad to have made her laugh.
They made it to Caxton's just in time to buy a pair of Helmbarte casting daggers. The armorer said the blades were from the ends of polearms, but had since been repurposed into daggers and enabled to channel magick. Instead of being a handle with a blade at one end like most daggers, these ones had a wide, axe-like blade affixed to one side of the handle, with a nasty spike at the bottom. Ceileigh found them most impressive and couldn't wait to try them out.
A letter from Ser Bryan had been under their door bright and early the next morning, asking if they wouldn't mind setting off that day around eleven. Ceileigh, Leandor and two new pawns had met him by Gran Soren's south gate, and now they were heading toward the canyon below Moonsbit Pass once again.
Ceileigh retrieved her arrows from the bodies of goblins on the side of the road, wrinkling her nose at the smell of the ones her mage pawn Elyze had killed with fireballs. Ceileigh backed away quickly to avoid spatter as the bodies dissolved a second later.
Ser Bryan glanced uneasily at the other new pawn, Boris. Boris was shorter than most warrior pawns, compact yet muscular, with a perpetual scowl and bushy red hair that met an enormous red beard like a wreath of flame. One of his eyes was damaged and had a permanent white film over it.
"How do you handle these things following you around all day?" the young soldier murmured privately to Ceileigh as they fell to the rear together. He hoisted his travel bag higher on the shoulder of his royal uniform.
Ceileigh laughed. "I know, it seems like monsters are everywhere I go! I suppose the bright side is that it gets me lots of practice and keeps my skills sharp!"
"No, I mean the pawns," he corrected her, his dark brow wrinkling in consternation. He had skin as dark as Mason's but spoke with a Gransys accent. "They're so strange and…creepy. I can't help thinking of them like living dolls animated with some profane magick, mimicking humans but never quite getting it right."
Ceileigh was taken aback. "Oh? I don't find them creepy at all!" she said with a surprised laugh as they turned into the canyon. "'Tis true they come from a different world and don't think exactly like us, but, well, my main pawn Leandor is one of my closest friends. Pawns serve a noble purpose. They at least deserve some respect and gratitude, even if their nature disturbs you."
Before Bryan could reply, Ceileigh stopped short and held out one arm. "Someone's up there," she whispered, motioning him back. She drew an arrow and nocked it silently, taking careful aim at a bandit ranger who was perched on a high ledge, watching for unwary travelers. A moment later he toppled forward with her arrow in the side of his chest.
"Oi! Wot 'appened to Jethro?!" came a faint cry. More voices joined in and Ceileigh sighed.
"Usually this canyon's empty, but it looks like we got lucky this time," she said. "Let's go!"
They crept around the bend to see a small band of criminals inspecting their fallen comrade, with one already going through his pockets. The men jumped and shouted in surprise as Leandor and Bryan charged them. They engaged the first two while Elyze froze a third and shattered the top half of his body with the butt of her silver staff. Boris barreled through the rest, knocking men aside like they weighed nothing. He turned back and crushed two of their heads with his war hammer. Ceileigh ran past him and used sunburst to knock the last two back, setting them ablaze. They rolled screaming on the ground before Bryan and Leandor silenced them for good.
Ceileigh wiped blood and something she thought might be brain matter from her face with her shirt sleeve and crouched to see what she could scavenge from the bandits. She snagged the archer's arrows for herself, though they were a bit big for her bow. She and her pawns took whatever money the dead men had in their pockets, along with their curatives and a shackle she assumed they must have used to confine travelers they took prisoner.
As they climbed up the stone stairway where the far sides of the canyon and Moonsbit Pass met, they heard a rippling of wings and shadows wheeled over them.
"'Tis a harpy, Arisen!" Elyze called out, freezing one in midair. It crashed to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"Beware the harpy's voice!" said Boris as he bashed another out of the air with an overhead swing of his hammer. Ceileigh remembered reading about that in her tactical guide. If harpies started singing to you, you were as good as dead. You would become more and more drowsy until you fell into a deep sleep, leaving yourself completely vulnerable. That's why she now carried bringbout - if you chewed a bit before falling completely asleep, it would snap you awake so you could keep fighting.
Ceileigh saw a few more winging their way up the canyon toward them and quickly felled them with arrows. Leandor sprinted over to the desperately flapping, shrieking creatures and ran them through before they became airborne again. Their bodies were still dissolving when three goblins came running around the bend, drawn by the noise of the fight.
"You die now!" they shrieked, baring their pointy teeth and swinging their weapons as they charged. Elyze hit them all with ice, freezing two in place and slowing the third down considerably. Leandor shattered the head of one and kicked another in the stomach, breaking it to pieces. Ceileigh kicked the half-frozen one down and slit its throat.
They made it through the waycastle, where they spoke briefly with the guards, and a fair way down Manamia Trail with no more trouble.
"Not much farther now," said Bryan, then paused. "I must apologize for what I said earlier. I think I will always feel a little ill at ease around them, but I am indebted to these pawns now. And what you said earlier is true, they are an important part of protecting us from the dragon."
"It's alright. Perhaps spending so much time with them has made me forget how foreign they really are, but I am glad you can see the good in them," Ceileigh replied.
"Here we are, this is Warrior's Departure," Bryan said, leading them left, to a piece of cliff that jutted out over the sea. "'Tis a place of reflection for soldiers. I would offer a prayer here for my fallen brothers-in-arms."
Ceileigh and her pawns stood a respectful distance away, keeping watch as Bryan knelt at one of the graves and spoke words of prayer, then left a small trinket as an offering. Ceileigh didn't openly inspect the item but it looked like some kind of good-luck charm.
The sun was most of the way across the sky as they headed back to the capitol. A small pack of wolves surrounded them in the canyon but were defeated quickly. They were in the final stretch on the road back to Gran Soren when Ceileigh noticed a lone figure hobbling along a little way ahead of them. They caught up quickly due to person's slow pace, and Ceileigh saw it was a man loaded down with travel bags, burlap sacks and belt pouches, limping along painfully as he clutched his right leg.
"Are you alright?" she asked him.
"Oh! 'Ello," he greeted her, stopping with a hand to his chest. "I thought you might be a bandit come to rob me while I'm injured. Although you'd make an odd bandit, now I see you're with a royal guard," he laughed. "The name's Alon, I'm a trader. I've just come from the old quarry, do you know it?"
"I'm not familiar," Ceileigh told him.
"Ah, well it used to be a major trade route, a shortcut between east and west Gransys. Recently it's fallen into disuse, but I thought to see if I could still cut through. Turns out it's full of monsters now, and I injured my leg running away from them," he said somewhat ashamedly. "Caught my foot between some rocks and cut my leg on a jagged piece of wood when I fell."
Reopening an important trade route from the capitol would surely get the Duke's attention, Ceileigh thought, seeing an opportunity. "Monsters just happen to be our specialty, friend. Let's get you to the city. My mage pawn can heal you, then we'll talk about how we can help."
Author's Note Take 2: Well I hope this chapter was worth the wait, please let me know what you think! If anyone's curious, I stole and cobbled together the intonations for Ceileigh's spells from Latin. The three levels of sunburst are 'igneus talea' (burning rod), 'igneus culmen' (burning pillar), 'igneus propugnaculum' (burning tower). Try saying that last one properly in the heat of battle with your enemies bearing down on you... ha ha I'll explain the other intonations when they get used in the story. :)