Rodrigo Zacara and the Mirror of Power

9. The Premonition

The days passed and Rodrigo and Oliver soon became accustomed to their new life at the fortress. Spring was approaching and, although there had been a large amount of snowfall that had covered all the courtyards and farming fields in a white blanket, it was followed be several days of sun that enabled them to enjoy the snow before it melted completely. Even still, the tasks they were assigned occupied the majority of their time. Every few days, they had to plough fields, sow seeds and harvest crops, given that Lady Iradis had the power to accelerate the growth of plants. That resolved a question that had been playing on Rodrigo's mind since he'd arrived at the fortress as he'd always wondered how just a few small fields could feed so many people.

Rodrigo enjoyed their archery classes the most, despite Aisha always managing to get more bull's-eyes than anyone else. Horse riding lessons were different: it was Oliver who was well ahead of the rest but that was because he would play tricks on them and whisper to the horse he wanted to order. However, none of them particularly excelled at sword fighting. Sir Donegan continued to torment them with his absurd lessons where he wasn't teaching them anything, merely criticising their errors.

As far as controlling their powers went, they all tried to practise as Balkar had instructed but the only person who managed to improve at all was Vega, who could now read the first five pages of a book without opening it. Oliver and Aisha continued at the same level and Rodrigo still hadn't discovered any special ability.

The chore he liked the least was probably serving food and cleaning up the tables because he had to suppress his own hunger until everyone else had eaten. One day, however, they had to serve the knights' table, fortunately on a full stomach, as the adults had dinner an hour after them. The knights were all sitting around a large table in a room adjoining the dining hall. Balkar, the grand master, spoke jovially to a severe-looking woman who had to be Mirena, the nurse. Harim, the expert horseman, seemed to be explaining something to Toravik who had his bushy beard full of noodles. From the snippets of conversation Rodrigo overhead as he served the wine Harim was trying to convince the smith that no horse could run for many leagues with a similar weight on its back. He didn't manage to catch what weight he was referring to, but he imagined it to be an enormous hammer that would split a varblin in two. That was the kind of idea that normally passed through Toravik's head.

'Have you seen old Erold?' Darion asked when they gathered in the kitchen. 'What a tale he's telling Donegan, who isn't saying a word like always. He looks as though he's going to crumple intp his plate at any moment.'

'I can imagine,' said Oliver, imitating the frail voice of the old man. '"Here, Donegan, have I ever told you about the party we had for my two hundred and fortieth birthday? I needed over half an hour to blow out all the candles. It was such an effort that it brought on three heart attacks but as I'm immune to sickness I recovered straight away. I remember it well because I have it written down in my diary. I think it's on page thirty-four thousand five hundred and one."'

'How would you feel if we made fun of your gift?' Aisha asked him, unsuccessfully trying to contain her laughter. 'Would you like us to remind you of the day you told your horse to turn round and it rolled over and put its legs in the air?'

'No, Aisha. Don't remind me. My ribs still hurt. I have to learn to choose my words wisely when I'm talking to horses. They carry out my instructions to the letter.'

They all laughed before they were interrupted by shouts from the dining hall. It was a woman. Her pained voice couldn't conceal her total terror. Rodrigo moved to see what was happening. It was a woman with very curly blonde hair that reached her waist. Rodrigo had seen her before but he had no idea what her role at the stronghold was. He had never come across her on any of his chores.