Under the Ashen Banner

Chapter Three: Training Begins (Part 3)

https://www.littlebrownhousepro.com/

Errigal, the red-haired girl with the pointed hat covered in star charts, took Neil's hand and led him out of Clyde's tent. A squirrel scurried past the two of them, bounding up into a nearby tree and perching on one of the branches. Taking his other hand in her own, Errigal turned to face Neil, standing close enough to make him nervous. It was not merely that she was a girl who was acting so familiar with him, though that certainly did not calm his nerves. Rather it was that after his mother died, the only times people got this close to him was when they were about to punish him for something.

Errigal gave a giddy giggle and swung his arms left to right. "I'm so happy! Today I get to teach someone about magic. Oh, you're going to love it! Magic is the best thing in the whole Cosmos. Better than cooked mutton with saffron sauce. What do you know about magic already?"

Her reference to saffron was still stuck in Neil's mind when she asked the question. The spice was so rare that only royalty and those close to them got to taste it. He was still wondering what sort of life she led before coming to the Ashen Banner.

"Hello?" she said, leaning her face in uncomfortably close to his. "I asked you a question, sirrah."

The title she chose for him further hinted at her heritage. No one called peasants sirrah except for nobles. "I... I'm afraid I don't know much," he answered at last. "I know that you can curse people by writing their name and the right runes on a lead slate, and you can write counter-curses on silver or gold plates."

"On precious gems too," she said. "Do you know why the runes work like that?"

Neil shook his head.

"Then you have a lot to learn, boy." Errigal released both of his hands and pressed a finger to her own lip. "Let's see... how to start. Well, magic isn't just about making things happen. It's about spirits and how you can influence them. The sort of... back and forth between what we want and what they want. Runes work because they are written in the spirits' language. Often there are spirits who want to do bad things or good things to people, but they cannot act without permission. Writing on slates gives them permission to do what they wish under certain circumstances. Does that make sense."

"I guess." Neil shrugged. "So, is it demons that handle the curses and angels that handle the good spells?"

"Oh, there are far more than just angels and demons in the spirit world," said Errigal.

Two magicians passed by the two of them, carrying on a conversation about local politics.

Errigal clasped her hands together. "Why don't I show you what I mean? Would you like that?"

Neil scratched the back of his head. "I suppose. If it will help me learn."

"I'm sure it will." Errigal took his hand once more and dragged him off toward another tent in the camp. Once they were through the flap, she said, "This is my home."

On the ground sat several small cushions, all in a circle around a firepit filled with kindling. Stitched dolls resembling stuffed animals all sat at the foot of a cot, and a pile of lead and silver tablets lay in one of the corners.

Errigal gestured to one of the cushions on the floor. "Have a seat."

As Neil did what she told him, she retrieved a clay pot and brought it over to the fire pit. She laid a single log on top of the kindling and tossed a handful of dust from her pocket onto it. Instantly, the kindling caught fire, and the flames surrounded the log.