After everyone was safely inside the Tower, and the burdens unloaded from the hand cart in the stable, the gathering took on festive undertones as introductions were made all around. By the time Teine returned from the stable and settled in, all the travelers were mingling and telling their stories of the day. The Aoife commoners were merchant vegetable farmers from just beyond Solmurry's border, Nardo and Davora Bobwhite. They and their family had walked for the better part of four hours in the screaming winds to arrive at Madric's Tower after the roof had blown off their house earlier that day. Prolific beyond words, the couple had three of their own children, and the fourth was a nephew staying with them for the holiday while his parents travelled. Also travelling with them were Davora's mother and aunt, and Nardo's mother. Although old, the elders were all strong, healthy, and deferential, thanking Madric and his staff profusely for the hospitality. In return, the Bobwhites received many compliments on their large, healthy family from the Rangers and Madric's staff. It was highly unusual to see more than two children in an Aoife household. Two, even, was a blessing, and three was practically a miracle. It made Teine think of the standard opinion that commoners had an easier time breeding, while the nobles were not just less prolific, but less hardy overall. Certainly these four youngsters, or even their grandparents, were none the worse for wear after their forced march. The memory of Marne hiding behind couch cushions, heavy golden bracelet clunking around on his frail wrist made Teine wonder if his own young Master would fare that well, even on a good day with fair weather.
Far more interesting than the prolific farmers, the contingent of Rangers proved to be nearly as intriguing as their mounts. It took Teine only a few minutes of watching them interact with Madric before the stunning realization came to him: these rough-looking, battle hardened Aoife men were at least as well-bred as the courtiers that slavishly followed the Doyan Prince and availed themselves of the hospitality at Solmurry's Demense. In fact, now that he looked at the heraldry, some of these Rangers might have been their siblings. Some of the bluest blood in the Empyrean lounged in the greatroom that evening. Teine couldn't help but wonder what offense these lads had committed, to earn themselves a post in the forested wilds of the coastlands. Who had they displeased to be banished so? The Prince? Or did they come to their posts by choice?
All questions aside, Teine had to admit that Madric certainly seemed to be in his element. He was comfortable with these people and it showed. From his seat in the kitchen, Teine occasionally stole glances at Madric and his cohorts as they lounged in front of the fireplace in the greatroom.
The youngest Bobwhite child, tugged at Teine's sleeve. He was a towheaded boy who seemed to be about Marne's age. "What are you doing?" he asked, looking up at Teine with big curious eyes and pointing at his sketchbook.
Teine would have thought that the sketchbook itself would have made the question unnecessary. Then, the realization struck him like a jolt. This Aoife child had next to nothing in common with his young Master. Marne was a hundred years old, and for all his youthful appearance had at least forty more years and a lifetime of study over this common Aoife child. Once again, the strangeness of Marne's situation- the secrecy, the mystery beyond his retarded aging- leapt to forefront of Teine's mind, but he squelched his uneasiness to answer the dirty-faced farm urchin in front of him.
"Drawing pictures, " He'd chosen to draw, because working on his project with Leis took up too much of his thought process, and he wanted to be able to enjoy himself and socialize at the same time. "Do you want me to draw something for you?"
Suddenly, as if by magic, Teine was surrounded by Aoife children, all squealing in glee.
"Now you've done it," chuckled Mr. Bobwhite. "Looks like you get to be the entertainment for the evening."
Teine shrugged. "Really, I don't mind."
He drew many pictures for the four children, burning through the pages in his sketchbook with abandon as the adults chatted amiably around the kitchen table with the Human residents of the Tower. Stuck neatly between the ages of the adults and the ages of the children, he gravitated naturally toward the children. Teine enjoyed working with an audience and a time limit. He did some of his best drawing under pressure, and gleefully took request after request. Madric even managed to produce a pack of wax colors, and soon the children were busy at work coloring the masterpieces Teine produced for them. The gathering, even with the howling winds and sleet hissing against the windows, had taken on the festive air of a party. Madric and some of the Rangers had drifted in and out of the kitchen, mingling and visiting. But, even though Teine looked, he didn't see Hamoni anywhere.
Just as the kitchen staff were about to serve dinner, there was an exceptionally loud crack coupled with bright lightning, and the lights went out. "I'd wondered when that was going to happen," Madric said from the other room. "We can't count on it to come back on any time soon. Let's break out the oil lamps." The Human staff scrambled to do as he asked. Moments later, Hamoni came down the stairs holding a candle.
"Lights are out," she chirped. Twirling the golden bracelet around a finger, she caught the wizard's eye. "Madric, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Certainly." Rising to his feet, Madric excused himself from the Rangers, then he and Hamoni ducked into one of the side rooms and closed the door.
Teine immediately wondered what they were speaking about that would require a closed door between Madric and his friends, but he didn't have time to ponder it long. The elderly cook lady was standing over him with a ladle in one hand and a frustrated expression on her wrinkled face. "Dinner's up. Do you want to carry trays or fill oil lamps?"
Teine closed his sketchbook. "Which would you rather me do?"
"That's a good boy," she told him, her smile revealing surprisingly good teeth for someone of her age. "Fill the lamps, then, whilst I make up a tray."
Teine's next half hour was so filled with bustling around, he had time to think of nothing other than pouring wine, prepping and lighting lanterns, and bringing trays of rich roast and mashed potatoes with gravy to the Rangers. But the next thing he knew, Hamoni was catching his eye and beckoning him into the room where he could see Madric still waited.
Both of them looked flustered and slightly angry, as if they'd been arguing, but Teine had a hard time imagining what they could argue about. Madric was clearly the Master, and therefore his word was law. Puzzled, he went into the room, hoping he hadn't inadvertently done something wrong.
"Teine, we-"
"After a momen-"
Both Madric and Ahamoni spoke in unison, then stopped. Madric glared purposefully at the girl. "Sorry," she whispered. "You go."
"Teine," Madric repeated. "We've discussed things and think you should spend a little time with Marne this evening."
From the intent stares he was getting from the pair of them, Teine was a little apprehensive. Why would his spending time with his rightful Master require such an intense debate between the two of them?
His confusion must have shown on his face, because Hamoni spoke next. "You can bring him his dinner and a lantern. Perhaps if he feels well, you could play a game of cards or something. But, the bottom line is that we think you're ready-"
"Ready?" Teine asked, growing even more puzzled by the moment. "What's to be ready for?" He looked to Madric for reassurance, but the Aoife seemingly had none to give. His lips were a thin line of worry.
"We think it's time," Madric told him, his features giving nothing further away.
"You've proven you can be trusted," Hamoni added, examining the bracelet she still carried. "And really, we don't have any choice, at least not for the moment."
Blinking, Teine nodded. "You can trust me, though I don't see why you're so concerned. I'm good with children," he assured them, hoping he could make them feel better. "I've gotten good marks on my nursery studies and am rated to care for both Human and Aoife infants on up. You can see I've gotten my mark. See?" He pulled the neck of his shirt down, trying to expose the sigil markings on his chest that showed he'd indeed passed the class and gotten his rating.
Madric and Hamoni only glanced at each other, and then back at Teine.
Unable to control his curiosity and his growing fear, Teine couldn't help himself. He broke training. "Exactly what is going on here?" he demanded, stepping in closer and lowering his voice to a whispering hiss.
"Don't be afraid," Hamoni consoled, placing her slender hand on his arm. "You don't have to be afraid at all. It's just Marne. He's just-"
Madric interrupted, cutting her off with a scowl. "Teine, please take him his dinner now. And behave with some discretion, when you return. If you need to speak to either of us at that time, we'll answer any questions you have privately."
"Any we have answers to, rather," Hamoni added. Her smile was placating and apologetic as she ignored Madric's glare.
Teine did the only thing that seemed reasonable. Bowing formally at the waist, he turned to face Madric. "Yes, Sir. I'll see to it right away."
To read the next chapter, Chapter 12, "Secrets by Candlelight"... click HERE!
The Gilded Shackle is the first book in The Evermancer Saga, a series of online serial novels. Go go right to the most recent chapter, go to www.evermancer.com.
To read the whole story, starting at the beginning, click HERE!
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