Bazza'Jo

Chapter 11

"Well, I'm no veterinarian,  Septimus sighed, "But I think I Cast out most of the poison. The little guy might live, but I don't think we'll ever know. As soon as he wakes up - if he wakes up - he'll run off, as animals do. Either to escape us or to hide someplace to die in peace."

Raina nodded. Ibli stood next to her, quiet and still. It had been barely an hour since she'd left them to meet Kal.

Something in Septimus's countenance alarmed Raina. Ibli saw it too. Raina felt her standing close to her side, as she did when she was frightened. Raina had the urge to wrap her arms around her sister and give her a protective hug. Ibli must have sensed this too, because she took Raina's hand.

Septimus's eyes were focused inward, as if he were thinking intensely. His welcoming stance had become apprehensive, like it had the first time Kal had visited the cabin.

"I won't lie to you, Raina." He said after a long moment's silence. "What you have told me is upsetting. This sort of disregard - well. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." He drew a deep breath. "As if it weren't bad enough, them coming here and clearing the trees, draining the forests and moving the people. As if these creatures wouldn't have died soon enough without their woods and their homes!" Septimus balled his hand into a fist crossed his arms tightly over his broad chest. "But to Cast such corrupt filth to speed up their murder of the land - bah! No task too cursing small for Bazza'Jo."

The name jarred Raina.

"Bazza'Jo? But..." on the posters and labels, Bazza'Jo was always shown as a tall, thin man with sparkling blue eyes and a magical smile. He was the best Caster the world had ever seen, and the company bearing his name brought Baz to everyone. He was none of the men Raina had seen in the woods that afternoon. She grasped for a different interpretation of her uncle's words. "...you mean the poison? That was a Bazza'Jo Baz?"

"You said yourself Raina. Isn't all Baz Bazza'Jo Baz? The poison was Bazza'Jo. The men work for Bazza'Jo. The whole cursing plan would be hatched out of Bazza'Jo. Everything is."

"But you- you grow Baz. Maybe someone else-"

"Don't be obstinate, Raina." Septimus pursed his lips, exasperated. Raina was momentarily taken aback, and Ibli squeezed her hand. "You're a bright girl, whatever cursing nonsense your father has filled your head up with. This whole town exists by the grace of Bazza'Jo and every time a tree is felled, a plot is planted or a lamprat is shot, it's ultimately for his ends." Septimus fixed Raina with a piercing look, and smiled a little. "Come. We're going to have this talk now. I'll make us some tea."

*

Ibli and Raina were seated on the couch with tea, a little intimidated and a lot curious. Kal had left, sensing family business and making an excuse about how he had to go on patrol. Julia had also excused herself to take a basket back into town for Lalia. Septimus nursed tea in an armchair across from them.

"Your aunt would rather I didn't talk to you girls about this, yet. She - we - felt you were too young yet. But that was before we moved to Fort Arnisson. I'm proud to have found instead that you girls have inherited the Ratherham brains, hey? Back in Keizer my brothers and I - even your father - were known for our talent. My father was one of the greatest Bazza'Casters in the Empire. Physician Primary of Culberry College. He specialized in healing. I don't suppose they teach Keissarian history much in your schools - hush, Raina, whatever they teach you isn't our history, I'll tell you that. As his sons we were educated at Culberry and wherever else we liked - at least at first. Even if we weren't his sons we'd have earned places. Talent was thick in our blood. At your age we'd already have been acing our secondaries. Oh girls, it was a different time then. It was before Bazza'Jo."