CH8

That morning she woke up early before anyone else. She snuck out in the light of predawn. She wanted to see the city and even as much as she liked Bran as a tour guide there were places he wouldn't take her for many reasons. She was nervous by herself but she also wanted to be alone with her thoughts. She walked back to the main road with the mist swirling around her feet. Above her the braziers still glowed. She passed by the market as she went deeper into the city. Even so early there was activity. She passed it by. Wanting to see more.

Coming up there was a bend in the river and a large stone bridge arched over it. She stopped at its peak and looked down. It was a good thirty feet to the water. The river was also wider than where she had seen, and amongst barges being pulled along the river were smaller pleasure boats. Crossing over was a sort of park. It was a flat treed area with open lawns of grass. She turned off into the area. She passed under the tree canopy and sighed. Moving deeper she sat under a tree at the edge of a clearing. There were a few other people there, but they paid no attention to her. Leaning back she watched the dawning sky change colors. Then she noticed two pointed spires interrupting the horizon. It was the tallest structure she had ever seen.

The idyllic picture was disrupted by the call of guards. Three of them moved by the river bank. She gasped as she realized they were pulling a dead body from the waters. She didn't want to know the cause and hurriedly got up. She wasn't out for sightseeing anyways she was out to see where the wizards were. She left the park and moved towards it.

Closer to the dark towers she caught a woman peeling potatoes "What is that place?"

"Oh that's the Green tower, that's where them magicians go to study. Don't mess with that place."

She thanked her and wandered closer. From what one of their wizards did to Bran she didn't trust them. She still wanted to know more about the place. She weaved her way through the streets to get closer. Nearing the area, very upper crust fancy buildings overtook the less decorative common homes. Then she found the place. The stone was dark with a definite green cast, and the top of each window had a green circle of glass inset. It was a long building running the length of a block. The spires segmented the base evenly into three. The spires more specifically were maybe eight usable stories tall with rounded bumps for each floor. She moved up to the low wall surrounding the courtyard. She peered into the windows and there was no discernible movement. She wanted to see what kind of magic was there, but who knew what kind of precautions they had. She decided against it. It felt sinister and she had no desire to run in and announced her presence.

She was about to leave when two figures rounded the corner. She could tell they both were highly trained magic users. But only one wore A green robe. The other was dressed like a civilian in brown. They were shrouded with hoods pulled low over their faces, but she could hear them speak.

"What are we going to do now that they know we took it?" said the brown one.

"Nothing, stick to the plan, preparations are far enough along they won't stop us." Replied the green haughtily.

"Are you sure? Only a few have matured, if they come now they could overpower us."

"I doubt they even know their companions are missing yet, even for people such as them traveling from Fauthe takes time."

"Haha, you do not know. They could be here in a matter of days if they wanted to."

"They will not come."

"Still I am …"

They disappeared out of earshot, but she didn't need to hear more to know she could never be part of the green tower. If the conversation wasn't enough an all too familiar blue sash with its arcane hugh flapping out from under a brown cloak confirmed her fears. Despite her hammering heart, she remained looking at the tower. They weren't looking for her. They were planning something. It sounded like they had stolen something from the Fion, but what. She needed to find out. A Fion might even come here. She had never met someone from her fathers homeland.

If she lingered could she meet one. Whatever the blue sashes were up to didn't sound good. She needed to know what they were saying. She hurriedly backtracked to the closest alley to wrap around to the side of the towers they were on. Then once seeing their backs to her drew closer again.

"How are things progressing?" said the blue man.

"We are behind schedule."

He sighed disgusted, "I am helping you because I expect results."

"You will get them," said the green man, "But we must be cautious, you choose me for that reason. Now I have to go, I am expected soon."

The two parted abruptly without so much as a goodby. The blue sashed man watched the wizard return to his tower. He spun away in anger straight to face May. She jumped at his recognized those eyes, they were the eyes of a fion. She started walking like she had a destination and prayed he didn't follow.

She mindlessly paced away from the Tower. When she finally felt safe enough to stop, she had no idea where she was. She wasn't necessarily lost. Even in her panicked mind she knew if she found the river she could get back. She still didn't know if he was following her. She could go back yet. She wandered at a slower pace. Then she caught a familiar smell, half a block away was a wooden sign titled the mortar and pestle. It was an Herbalist shop. She went in. It was a comforting smell. the fresh pungent herbs, it didn't matter if she was months away from home it would always remind her of her mom.

"Hello there, can I help you?" A small man with a large straight nose asked from behind the counter.

"I'm just looking"

"Just looking eh, no remedy I can help you with?"

She thought of the many proprietors that sold themselves as miracle men, but I could see he was trained in magic. A witch probably. "No," she said, then remembered specific herbs she needed "but you wouldn't have sorcha would you?"

A glint caught his eye "Sorcha? One moment." he went behind the counter and popped back up and placed three bundles down. Each was very similar but only one was sorcha. Incompetence was unlikely with the organization of the rest of the place. She knew it was a test.

"Thank you, but perhaps you should better organize your stock." pushing the two aside "you left Bergamot in with sorcha."

He smiled "Witch?" she nodded "I know a good witch when I see one."

She picked up the sorcha "how much?"

"How about an exchange, free herbs for potions."

Why would he need potions, "what do you want?"

At that moment the bell rang as a woman bustled in "Albin, it's an emergency. Tommy fell down the well again. Now he has a broken leg and a fever. Dian Cecht help us."

"Calm down Glenna, we will get him fixed up." He mixed two bags of herbs too fast for her to see the ingredients. But no potions. "Give this as a tea and this as a compress on the bone."

"Thankyou," she snapped the bags out of his hands and put down 2 silver and dashed out.

"I think perhaps a bone mending spell."

She smiled remembering the spare vile in her dress pocket. Pausing, she weighed the possibility that the potion was flawed from Bran's reaction. However, she trusted it was correct. It was such a simple spell she successfully brewed it as the first real potion she learned. "I happen to have one on me."

"How fortuitous," he took the vial, sniffed it and tasted a tiny amount. He nodded satisfied. "Deal"

"Do you know the dosage?"

"Yes, this can be potent." he seemed impressed "Perhaps we can come to a more long term agreement. Go on through the back, I don't keep the herbs you want up here."

She went through a curtain into a store room full of herbs. It was a good collection and she took her time selecting. She thought the offer was good. She was getting a stronger feeling to hide any magic use. If she helped him he wouldn't rat her out, hopefully. The only thing was she had no idea the value of potions or the herbs to make them for that matter. She could easily be swindled, but since she wasn't putting in any money she could take the risk. Maybe it could be an alternative to the storm. She wasn't sure she was sold on the storm. Selecting hard to find herbs, or ones rare to her she got the three main ingredients to a potion she had never tried before. But it was good quality and enough for several tries so she thought it was worth getting. She was ready to trade.

A familiar voice came from the front. "Excuse me, I am looking for a girl." It was the blue man.

"Looking in the wrong place sonny, try the place next door."

He sighed, "not like that. She is in her late teens or twenties, dark hair, a few inches shorter than you,"

"Are you sure it's not that?"

"No, don't test me. She has information I need. Have you seen her?"

"No, now are you going to waste the rest of my day looking for your dream girl, or can I get back to work."

"Yes, get back to work in your empty store." the bell rang as he left.

She clutched the herbs to her chest. She nearly screamed when Albin stuck his head through the curtain. "You are one of the most interesting people to walk into my shop in a long time." she looked down and hoped the dim light hid the true color of her eyes. He laughed, "I should have known you were new letting me know you're a witch so willingly."

"Is it illegal?"

"No, but the good ones keep hush for a reason."

"The Green Tower?"

"Yes, the last Witch in my employ got nervous and had to leave the city. I can give you a discreet place of work if you wish, for now let me show you the back exit."

She tried to hand back the herbs but he had her keep them and showed her to a back alley. She looked down the long Alley. As soon as it was empty he wrapped her scarf around her head and picked up a loose wicker basket hiding her herbs in it. She would return it when she could. She traveled as far south as the alley would take her. Forcing herself to take a normal speed, she acted with as much purpose as she could until she found the river. She then walked along the banks for many miles eventually reaching a familiar territory. The wooden bridge and the cutout wharfs were a welcome site. She took a circuitous route looking out for the flash of mail. She didn't see any and figured that if she was wrong others would stop him for other reasons. It was a release to be safely inside the warehouse.

"May," Bran said, "where have you been?"

"What."

"You kind of disappeared."

"It's a long story."

"You might want to tell us now," Tam said looking at Geoffry who was now approaching.

"Maybe we should sit down."

"Yes, miss mage there are a few things about Richosia you need to learn."

"Maybe first what happened, you look upset."

"Well, I woke up early so I thought I would see the city. I walked maybe a little too far. I ended up by the Green Tower, and then a man saw me and thought he recognized my eyes." Bran half stood, "I thought he was just curious but he followed me so I kept walking around random places till he gave up. Then I came here. I was careful he didn't follow here."

Geoffry's eyes were intent "I wish he would have followed, do you know his name?"

"No,"

"From now on if you leave the lower districts you must have someone with you."

"If I must."

"You must, but I will ensure there is always someone available if you need one." her displeasure was evident "but you said you needed a place to practice and I think I have one for you. The basement of this building is not used. You can have the whole thing, you will be surrounded by stone and dirt and no one will disturb you there."

He was a little scared of her. She had never inspired that emotion before. "That sounds perfect."

"I also thought you would want to live there, for the time being it would be safer."

"Live in the dungeon?" Bran said.

"Yes, would you rather a guard follow her home?"

"Do you really want to live without windows again?"

She didn't but she didn't want that guard going to his home and scaring his family "I can go outside now it won't be so bad."

"I'll get your things then."

"I'll show you down," said Tam and the group dispersed.

We went down a strange stairwell that skipped the ground floor and went down farther than she thought was needed. Basement or dungeon as Bran aptly called it was dusty and black. The corners of the large undivided space were not lit by the single lamp Tam held. She took the time to cast a light that fully lit the room. It pretty much matched the footprint of the building above. Solid stone columns supported the arched ceiling. For the most part the expanse was empty. Small piles of forgotten rubbish dotted the room with the largest concentration in the back corner. The whole place was covered in a layer of fine dust and it dulled the chipping paint on the walls.

It was not a homely place. Tam gave a sympathetic look and started straightening the nearest pile. She started dusting. "Are you alright being down here?"

"Sure, this is the perfect place to practice."

"Yes but we can find a better place to live."

She shook her head, "staying here, I will feel less like I am being watched."

"The man is long gone."

"Not by him."

"I'm sorry you didn't sign up for this, You know I won't go back and report to him."

"I know."

"He just doesn't want to lose his new prize. I should have known you would be different from a new recruit."

"It's ok, I saw the green tower today and this is a better fit."

"Really,"

"I was taught to respect magic, everything I have learned about that place they don't. They use it unfairly against people."

"You won't be any hero of virtue here."

"No but Geoffrey doesn't know what I can do, I won't hex a person into a beast forever like Bran or black magic."

"The green tower does?"

"The first one at least."

"I know you have been told we are smugglers and for the most part that is the truth, but other things, worse things are required to maintain the situation here. You may be asked to help with some of those things."

"Like what?"

"It doesn't matter for now like you said he doesn't know your skills and as long as you are lucrative you will never know."

"But shouldn't I."

"I think you already have an idea and know that it would happen with or without you. Your presence may even stop some of it."

"Really?"

"Like you said the green tower does some nasty stuff, everyone knows to respect a wizard."

"Even Geoffry?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't test it too much. He is not a lord of the underworld for no reason. I am sorry you have become a pawn."

"I realize there are very few places I wouldn't be." Looking back now even her parents were, Lord Lwellyn had used her father to gain much clout. Her dad had left for almost a year at court with the noble family and when he returned the lord's lands had grown and Alestra had been betrothed. "I guess that is one price of magic. Why didn't you push for me to come more, surely this has helped you."

"Yes but I could live without it. I just don't want anyone else to be trapped by the same mistakes that I was."

"And am I being trapped?"

"Not yet, as much as he wants your power he fears it. As long as that is true you will be free."

"I don't want to kill anyone."

"Then don't no one can make you do anything. Know I put my crew above my loyalty to Geoffry."

"Nothing has even happened yet."

"No but you need to know before it does, one of Geoffry's best skills is getting people to do things they don't want to without them knowing it, but he is a fair enough boss he will never hurt you and he is probably the only person in the city that can and will actively protect you from the Green tower."

"Would they try to take me?"

"I don't know but there aren't any caster's outside of it, if they can get you out of the city. Back to sudeland if you want."

"I can't go back."

"Why?"

"The same reason I chose to be locked up for so long."

They continued to move through the room cleaning. Among the trash were useful items. A rickety lounge she could use for a bed and a few other bits of furniture, a big cast iron pot, a dressing table set of pitcher and basin were enough to make the semblance of a bedroom. It was all tucked in a corner and the rest was left open. Tam left to get out of the city before the gates closed.

She finished the last of setting up and thought more about the existence of this room. They were a block from the river. This low should be flooded, but the room was bone dry. There also was a ventilated hearth with no smokestack visible from outside. On closer inspection the stone was different from the warehouse stone. Out of curiosity, she cast a spell to attune her eyes to magic. There was a maze of warding crisscrossing the room. They were old. The person who placed them was long dead, but the magic remained. Many structural wards kept the ceiling up and the water out. There also was a massive amount of shielding. This was a more perfect place for her than any of them knew. The lattice of magic comforted her.

She started to practice. She ran through the hand movements of a new spell as she mulled over the events of the day. Had he recognized her or was he just going after her because it looked like she might have heard something. She practiced casting with the protective cap. Everyone was telling her different things to do. She didn't know who, if any, she should listen to. She released the spell, disintegrating a pile of rubble. And what was the storm she still didn't know what she had gotten herself into.

She looked up at the sound of footsteps. Bran came in tottering carrying a massive pile of blankets. He put down quilts and her bags and held up a parcel. "My mom made you dinner."

"Thanks." she started eating

"Did he know that you're fionn?"

"No"

"Are you sure?"

"No, I don't think he saw my eyes clearly, and if he did he would have hunted me much further."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember the people that came after my parents? He was one of them."

"Did you recognize him?"

"Well not the specific people that were after them but part of the same group, and they are working with the green tower, or at least some of the wizards in it."

"I knew they were dirty."

"Of course they are, they turned you into a dog. Anyways, I don't think that he knows who I am. He just came after me because he caught me staring."

"So if he just thinks you are a random woman he'll just let you go," he picked up the herbs."What are those?"

"I hid in a shop and it had nice stuff so I got ingredients to make a new potion."