Medice Ceres

Chapter 16

"We have a business proposition for you, Duke Sarne." Waithe stood upright before the polished wooden desk of a scowling grey-haired man. Several leather-bound ledger books filled a wooden bookcase behind him. "One that would recover the production and profits from your land. Before you stands a Lady of the Order of Medice, the one that would purge this foul Taint from your land."

The Duke's bushy eyebrows came together in one long line across his forehead as he cast his gaze at the nervous Ceres. He intimidated her, especially after his guards forcibly dragged her before him, at least at first. Once they noticed the mark of the Order on her neck, they showed much more respect. Eira held tightly onto Ceres, almost hiding behind her.

Sarne studied her for a moment. "This is true? I have no time for false promises. Even Overlord Hagen's Chief Shaman failed at this."

Ceres replied, "Aye, Sir. I have done this many times and..."

Waithe interjected, "Sir, there be no risk to you. If she fails, you owe us nothing. But if she succeeds, the benefits to you would be great."

Ceres jumped back into the conversation. "And if so, you only need pay us what you think it worth."

Waithe choked back a groan. With the Duke so tight with his purse, as evidenced by the condition of the buildings and the way he regarded his workers, it would have been much better to have agreed on a price upfront. He made a mental note to discuss negotiating strategies with her in the future.

Sarne thought for a moment. "Very well. Make your attempt." He motioned to one of his burly guards, and with that, they were dismissed.

Ceres led the group beneath a towering oak tree that rose in solitude from a nearby meadow. The tree was nearly stripped of its greenery. A feeling of sorrow came to Waithe that such a stately tree would have so much of its dignity taken by the Taint. The dried leaf litter and wilted grass crunched and crackled under their feet as they reached the trunk. The tree offered what little shade it could to the visitors who gathered below it.

Ceres sat down cross-legged and scooped up a handful of dry soil. She let it trickle out between her fingers and watched as the breeze separated the fine dust from the coarse grains. She turned her eyes up to Waithe. "The Taint is not so deep that it cannot be purged."

With a head tilt, she invited Eira and Waithe to sit beside her. Eira pushed herself close and Ceres wrapped an arm around her.

Ceres spoke to the little girl. "Eira, would you help me call the Spirits? Phy, of course, and I think Anu as well." The little girl nodded.

Ceres closed her eyes and began to hum softly. Eira observed this and copied the actions. Within a moment the two spirits appeared, first Phy's green light and then Anu's silver light. They circled slowly above. Waithe noted that Anu appeared to behave better this time. While not a Shaman, he could nonetheless feel the presence of both Ceres and Eira in the Magic.

The two guards that had accompanied them backed up a few steps with open mouths as shimmering sparks of light enveloped the tree. The Duke abruptly straightened his stance as he watched from a mansion balcony. To Waithe, the lights seemed brighter than in previous Magic encounters. Was Eira actively participating?

The shimmer spread across the land as the Spirits widened their circling flight. Soil, plants, and trees sparkled with the Magic. Dark mists began to rise from them.

Waithe closed his eyes in joyful anticipation. Again, vivid visions of a happy time appeared.

Little Aala clung tightly to the thick rope that hung from an overhead tree branch. She sat on a small wooden plank through which the rope passed, a large knot below holding it in place. Her father gave her a small push and she swung forward, just a bit, in the direction of her grinning mother. Her eyes opened up wide at the sensation. Her mother gave her another small push back toward her father. A smile emerged on her face, this was fun! Back and forth she went, each time higher and faster. Glee radiated from her face.