A Raire Gift

Chapter 6

I awoke in my old room. I had set up my bedroll and let Lina take the bed. The first thing I noticed was that my and Lina's clothing had been unpacked, and washed.
I quickly found my mother's not so subtle nudge. Our breeches and tunics were neatly folded on the top shelf just out of reach, while the few dresses we brought had been ironed and hung neatly.
I pulled out an old stool and brought out the plain long tunic and loose breaches I had worn for the last year. Lina was beginning to stir, so I asked if she wanted me to do the same for her. The answer was as expected, and we dressed quickly.
My mother did not seem pleased to see that neither of us wore dresses, but she said nothing on the matter.
We checked on the horses, we had left them in a fenced area where my mother kept a mule. Then I led Lina through the village, we stopped at the florist before moving to where Loreal had been buried.
I laid down a small bundle of lilies I had bought. And rested my hand atop her gravestone for a moment, before standing and moving toward the Inn.
It was early, but not as early as when we first began our walk. Now we were attracting attention, it was strange to see a girl here, —much less two,— wearing something other than modest skirts.
For a moment I regretted not wearing the dress. But then I lifted my head high, and stared back at them, this had been my home and I was not going to hide any more than I had to.
When we made it to the inn, I was relieved. Lina looked more comfortable as we approached the stables. I saw the mare I had used to borrow at every chance. I walked towards her, she seemed to recognize me, and I felt suddenly calmer.
She was dark dray, with a black mane and tail, and lighter gray spots dusted her left flank.
Lina came to stand beside me, reaching toward the mare and lifted a hand out, the mare sniffed at her hand before nudging it gently. "She's gorgeous," Lina said, sounding almost bewildered.
I laughed, I felt relaxed in her presence, even after not seeing her in over a year. "She is, isn't she. This is the horse I mentioned on our ride, the one I used to borrow. I'm thinking of buying her."
Lina nodded, still mostly focused on the mare.
I heard a sharp voice behind me "You don't want her young sirs, she's bitter to almost everyone, and the girl who could tame her left."
I spun around, happy to see Nanya, the innkeeper's daughter. She stared, a confused look on her face, and then she grinned and walked over to us. "Well Audrey, I hadn't heard you'd returned. And dressed like that, no longer hiding them under skirts I see."
I laughed, I couldn't help it. "Nanya, this is my friend and roommate, Lina." I gestured to the suddenly very quiet girl beside me. "And Lina, this is Nanya. The innkeeper's daughter."
Nanya had wavy auburn hair that when loose hung to mid-back, but she was from a proper family and kept it pinned under her cap. She had a small button nose, and her full mouth was pulled into a smile. Her golden eyes rested on Lina, calm, and considering. Lina's own eyes stared back, her own considering Nanya just as calmly.
I was suddenly reminded of Nanya's less than ladylike interest in other girls and had to hide my smile. I had never asked Lina, but by her sudden silence, I had a good guess.
Then Nanya held out her hand, and Lina shook it. "So, Lina, do you have any interest in horses like our friend here?" She nudged me slightly.
Lina took a steadying breath before speaking, "I do. Horses have powerful spirits, and they're intelligent."
Lina was watching Nanya's face, and to her credit, she hid any surprise she may have felt over Lina's lisp well.
I sighed, "I'm gonna try to find your father, see if I can go for a ride." Nanya smiled at me, but Lina looked at me with slight worry. I smiled reassuringly, before walking toward the inn's stable entrance.
I found Nanya's father, Mr. Saren, at the check-in desk that doubled as a bar. It took him a minute to recognize me, the same as his daughter. But when he did he gestured for me to sit with him.
He was a rough-looking man and lacked the sophisticated way of talking that both his wife and daughter had both mastered. But it suited him.
"Well, lady wizard, ye look happier than ye did last I saw ye."
I smiled, "I'm not a wizard yet, not for a few years. Only training."
He seemed a little irritated with my response. "Well, ye can wield magik can't ye? And a sword too, from what I hear. Whether ye be training or not, I say that makes ye a wizard."
I knew not to argue with him, he was stubborn and it would only take up unnecessary time. "I was wondering if I could take the mare for a ride? I'm also considering buying her if you'll part."
He looked at me thoughtfully, "I would part with her willingly. How much is in yer budget? Truth be told I'd take as little as ten gold coins."
I was surprised, the mare was stunning and well kept. Ten gold would practically be stealing her. "I can pay more than that, she's worth more," I argued.
"Lass, she bucks anyone who tries to ride her besides you. All she's done is cause trouble for the stable boy, and cause injury to my customers, which causes injury to my wallet."
-
In the end, I paid the ten gold, and three more for the needed tack, which had barely been a third of what I won from Herl's bet. And soon after I returned to the stables to saddle her.
When I got there, Lina and Nanya were nowhere to be found.
I approached the mare and opened the gate to her stall "Hey there, I get to keep you. What do you think, would you be alright with sticking with me?" She butted her head against my shoulder lightly, and I took that as a yes. "It also means I can officially name you. How about stardust?" She butted my shoulder again and I couldn't contain a small, happy laugh.
-
We rode down a trail that wound through the fields and gardens that provided for the village. Before it circled back to meet the main road. We went through the path twice, before I led her back to the inn's stables —Mr. Saren had given me permission to house her there until I left— before heading toward my mother's house.
-
When I walked into my old room once again, Lina was sitting on the bed, seeming troubled. "Lina, are you okay?"
She looked up but it was almost as though she didn't see me. She shook herself, "Yeah, I'm alright. I've just been thinking." There was something odd in her voice but didn't press her. If she wanted to tell me she would.
The next days were much the same. I rode Stardust, while Lina was off doing whatever it was she'd been doing. But the day before we were set to leave, she asked to talk alone.
Lina was pacing the room, tugging at her hair. She was clearly distressed. "Audrey, I don't know what to do, I'm feeling things I've never felt. And I don't know if it's right."
She rubbed her neck, stopping in front of me. Her eyes were so earnest, but there was fear there too. The fear of a girl, a child, who had no idea what was happening.
I watched her, thinking. "Do you mean Nanya?" I asked softly. And she flinched slightly, which was answer enough.
"She wants to come with when we leave. She said she could be useful, but I had no answer." She hunched her shoulders. "I want her to come with us. But really why should she? She's a gentle person, if we let her come, it wouldn't matter how helpful she could be." She lowered her eyes, helplessly. "No one besides those teaching and those being taught are allowed to stay in the dorms."
I took her hand. Stopping her nervous movements, which were beginning to make me nervous in turn. I watched her face, which seemed more alive than I had ever seen it.
Could I take that look from her? Could I discard a solution I knew?
I sighed. I couldn't. "Lina, we could hire her to keep our rooms clean. It wouldn't be unacceptable." I closed my eyes for a moment, calculating. "I have enough money to pay her fairly for several months. I get money from my mother every other month as well, and should be able to keep paying her fairly from that."
Lina was looking at me, with an odd, but relieved expression. I had the feeling I knew nothing of what I was getting myself into. "Audrey, you have hung the sun." She smiled, brilliantly. But the fear and worry were still there, just behind the joy.
-
Nanya was a good rider, I knew that and wasn't surprised. But what did surprise me was that her father let her come. I sighed at the two young girls, who were riding side by side behind me.
They seemed to be having an extremely interesting conversation, although I was certain it was more who they were talking to that they each found interesting.
They were young, but it was not uncommon for girls aged as young as twelve to start courtships. I tried to wish them the best, but they were young. Nanya was barely thirteen, and Lina would be thirteen a few weeks from now.
As the sun began to set, Lina grew serious. Watchful. She and I had had safe travels through the woods the first time we came but had no illusions about there being any less danger.
We camped under a large tree, the clearing was almost completely hidden and a good place to rest.
I did not rest, I sat propped against the tree, holding my sword. Lina and Nanya were asleep on either side of me, and I was taking the first watch.
I glanced down at the pocket watch my mother had given me. And three hours later I woke Lina. Even after she was well awake and alert, I couldn't sleep. I lay there, trying, but found that consciously trying to sleep was very counterproductive.
I sighed and began to think of other things. I thought about the two girls beside me, and what difficulties they might bring up if their relationship progressed any further.
And before I knew it, Lina was shaking me, it was my turn to take watch again. The last watch was only about an hour, we would leave soon after dawn.
Lina didn't bother with trying to sleep again, instead, she slung her quiver over her back, and left.
She returned a short time later with two rabbits. Carefully she built a fire, creating a simple but effective barrier of energy that would prevent the smoke from rising outward, and instead would disperse to the sides.
As she skinned the rabbits I began stretching. With both of us awake it was easy to relax a bit. We both had an eye on our surroundings, but there was no need to sit stiffly, ready to spring up at the snap of a twig.
After a little over a half-hour, I woke Nanya. When the rabbits were done cooking over the fire, Lina packed one away in an oiled cloth while I cut the other.
We ate quickly before leaving off, and again the two dropped behind, even if Lina checked her surroundings I worried. I shook it off, fixing my focus on the road before us.
It was nearing noon when I first saw it. A smudge of something, and then it was gone. Each time I relaxed I saw it, a flash. Two hours later I began hearing things. A snapped twig, a strangled gasp.
I knew now that we were being followed.
I slowly, almost casually drew my sword wiping at some imaginary smudge, before tapping the back of my saddle twice, as though in thought. I heard lina laugh, and I didn't need to turn to know she had pulled the bow from her back, examining the string as though she thought it needed tightening.
The sun had nearly set when the first man stepped out of the forest to stand in front of us. He was unarmed, long-haired, and disheveled. I took a double-take, not he, she.
The girl, who was now walking towards us, hands spread out, began to speak. "There are bandits in these parts of the woods, girls. It is not safe for any young woman, much less three to travel through." Her mouth twitched, as though to acknowledge the irony in her words. "I know a safe path if you would be willing to follow me."
She knew we had been aware of being followed, but I still feigned an expression of surprise. "Well, lucky for us we're traveling with two wizards, isn't it?"
Her slight smile faltered, and she slightly folded one pinky, quick, barely noticeable. I ducked, just as several arrows flew overhead. I glanced behind me and was reassured to see that Lina had done the same, pulling Nanya with her.
I dismounted quickly, running at the woman. But before I could do anything someone stepped in front of her, blocking my sword. The man I fought was much bigger than I. I had learned from my practice with Herl that my smaller size could be used to my advantage. I ducked and dodged until I saw my opening. I drove my sword into the shoulder of his own sword arm. He fell. Without a second thought, I flicked my empty hand toward him, sending a binding in his direction.
There were others, guarding the woman as though it was their sole purpose. I knocked them out or dealt immobilizing, non-deadly wounds, before binding them in magik.
Until finally, I stood in front of the bandit woman, who watched me with more caution than she had before. "So little girl, yer a spell weaver are ya?" The accent was loose, each word sounding drawled and casual.
She was circling, I turned in a steady circle, watching her. In a moment she had a knife in hand, I hadn't seen her draw it but it was there. A long knife, as long as her forearm. She didn't run at me, she waited, moving slowly, imperceptibly closer. She knew what she was doing, laughing, and talking to keep me distracted from her movements. She flashed out, in reach now and I twisted out of the way, catching her wrist and bending it back. I swung her body until her back was against my front, and my sword against her throat. She hadn't dropped the knife in her left hand, but her grip had loosened. She had been easy to defeat, easier than it seemed she should have been. Her wrist was frail and thin, and her torn clothing seemed a size too big and hung from a bony frame. There was a rattling in her chest as she breathed, and it suddenly became clear how ill she must be.
I sighed, we had them bound and huddled in a group. They were all sick. All suffering some illness that seemed to cause frailness, and they looked starved.
There was a good four days ahead of us, and we had no time to turn back, no way to bring them with us. If we released them they would go after whoever next passed.
I sighed, massaging the space between my brows, there had to be something I could do. What was the punishment used for bandits and thieves? A pickpocket lost his hand but that seemed unhelpful.
And then I remembered that no, not all pickpockets and thieves lost their hands. In smaller villages like my own, there was no better way, no powerful enough magik user nearby. But in the cities it was different. I scrambled through memories of the many lessons I had taken until I grasped at the thought I was looking for.
I smiled to myself, "We will release you, with enough money to seek treatment for whatever ails you. And you will swear to no longer steal" I glanced over the haggard group, and amended my statement. "If you live that long."
The bandit woman looked at me thoughtfully before replying, in light tones. "And just why, little girl, do you think any of us would stick to that?"
Despite being battered, she looked proud, grinning as though the world were a joke. But there was tiredness behind her eyes. "I think you'll stick to it because it'll be a soul oath."
The grin melted away from her face, "That's tricky Magik yer talking about. Look at yerself, yer a child. No child can wield that kinda spell."
A soul oath was simple in nature but difficult in execution. It was a spell that bound the oat taker's very essence to what they swore. If they break it, they die, but the soultaker ignores their wandering souls, refusing to bring them through the gates of the bone city of the dead.
They are cursed to wander through the living world without being able to interact with it.
"Luckily for you, it is one of the most common punishments in the cities. All wizards-to-be learn it near the end of their first year." My smile broadened.
The woman looked at me, before slowly nodding. "If ya succeed, then I guess we have our chance at livin,' and if ya fail, well the soultaker had us in his arms already." The smile returned to her face, this time seeming almost mocking in nature, with a calm sort of resignation.
I released her bindings and took her left hand in my own. I sent my magik through my veins and into hers, she shuttered. "Do you swear by our agreement, to no longer thieve, rob, or harm another unless in self-defense? Do you swear to keep an oath by soul, and leave this place to find one of healing for you and yours?"
She looked pale, but she still grinned when she spoke. "My men and me swear by our souls, little girl." I smiled back, feeling the magik recede into it's well within me.
I handed her a third of my remaining coin. I would still have enough if I needed, and at least there would be more chance of their survival. The woman bandit swept a comical bow, before tucking the silver and copper into some hidden pocket or other. She signaled to her men, and they left. More than a few limping.

"You didn't have to do that. You've never performed any real spells, and anything could have happened." Lina remarked, sounding as neutral as one could be.
"Think about it, there was no other way. If we left them they would starve. We could have killed them but what would that accomplish? And there had to be some reassurance that if left alone, they wouldn't go after the next poor travelers." I knew what I had done was unnecessary, but it felt like the right thing to me.
The rest of the ride was more cautious, with Nanya staying between Lina and me. There was no more idle chatter between the two. We rode quickly and made it to the academy and the connected dorm within four days.