Chyfe turned from examining the bottle and cast a grin at Bart. “Good!” he exclaimed. “I’m tired of hanging around here all the time.”
“Well, if we’re heading south,” Riyan said, “we’re going to need supplies.” Then he glanced out the window to the tower and added, “Someone better go and tell Kevik what we’re doing.”
Kevik was more agreeable to the planned trip than Riyan had anticipated. He had thought for sure he would have wanted to remain locked in his tower working on spells.
“This may afford me the opportunity to practice a few of the spells I have been working on,” he said.
“Such as?” asked Riyan.
“Oh, nothing earth shattering to be sure,” he replied. “Watch.” He stepped back, made a hand gesture then spoke the words of a spell.
Riyan was surprised to see a shimmering form in the air between them. “What’s it supposed to do?” he asked.
“It should prevent arrows and other such projectiles from reaching me,” replied Kevik. He moved his hand and the shimmering moved with it. “I can move it in whatever direction I need.”
“Can you do that for everyone?” Riyan asked.
Kevik shook his head. “No,” he replied. “Just me I’m afraid.”
Riyan gave him nod. “That could still prove quite useful.”
The shimmering field disappeared as Kevik canceled the spell. Grinning at his accomplishment he asked, “When are we leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning if the weather holds,” Riyan replied.
“Excellent,” said Kevik. “That may be just enough time for me to finish working out another one we may need.”
“Another one?” Riyan asked.
Kevik nodded. “There’s always another one,” he said. “This one produces a cloud which will put to sleep anyone caught within it.”
“Alright,” Riyan said, as he started for the stairs. “You keep working on them.” Before he even reached them, Kevik had already forgotten he was there as he returned to his work.
Later that evening when the sun was all but to the horizon, they gathered in the front room of the manor house. A fire roared in the fireplace keeping the cold at bay. Even Kevik had emerged from his workroom to be there.
“While the rest of you were in town today buying supplies for our trip,” Riyan announced, “I found out a few things of interest.” In his hand was the book Stryntner had given him just before their earlier trip to Catha. The book was a history of the Moran Tribes.
“Like what?” questioned Chad.
“Like the Tribe that controls the northern territory just south of Kendruck is known for its wines” he explained. “Called the Orack Tribe, it holds a prominent position in the country’s ruling body. A city by the name of Hylith is mentioned as being where those who rule the Orack Tribe live.”
“Did it say where to find Hylith?” Bart asked.
Shaking his head, Riyan said, “No. But I’m sure we can find that out once we get to Kendruck.”
Chad had the bottle of wine out and poured each of them a mugful. He had met Alicia in town earlier at the market and told her he would call on her later this evening. Which was why he gave everyone a mugful now, her father wished to know if there was a market. But more importantly, was whether Kevik felt magic users would find favor with it. He brought Kevik a mug full of the fruity wine and awaited his reaction.
Kevik sniffed it first and then nodded at the fruity aroma. He and the others knew the reasoning behind Alicia’s father giving Chad the bottle. Glancing to Chad he asked, “Is there much alcohol in it?”
“I don’t think so,” replied Chad. He watched expectantly as Kevik raised the cup to his lips and took a sip.
“Very flavorful,” he said.
“Do you think other magic users would care for it?” asked Chad.
Kevik nodded. “I know I would like more of it,” he stated. “Whether others would or not would be determined on the alcohol content. A trace wouldn’t bother them, but anything more than that would turn off many.” Taking another sip of the wine, Kevik delighted in its flavor.
Chad glanced questioningly over to the twins for their reaction.
Seth had a thoughtful look. “I might buy this for a lady friend,” he said. “But I prefer ale. This is a bit too sweet for my tastes.”
Soth nodded. “Mine too,” he said. “But don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad. It’s simply wouldn’t be my first choice if I was out drinking.” The others nodded their agreement.
“Thanks for trying it,” he told them. “I’m sure Alicia’s father will be interested in what you say.”
Soth drained his mug and handed it forward for more. “No sense in seeing it wasted,” he said with a grin.
For the next half hour they discussed the trip south. The prevalent worry was whether the weather would remain sunny and clear, or if another system would move in. Should they be caught out in the open during a storm as had just passed, it could prove bad. But with clear skies and many small villages in which they could hole up should the worst happen, they decided the risks were worth it.
Later on that evening, Chad left to meet with Alicia and inform her father of his friend’s reaction to the wine. Taking his horse and a lantern, he made his way under a night’s sky so brilliant, it seemed as if every star held added luminosity. Only a slight breeze blew across the landscape, nothing like the night before.
It was a very cold Chad that rode through the streets of Gilbeth. The lack of cloud cover allowed the small amount of warmth the sun had provided during the day to escape. He grinned when he saw Erin’s face staring out from the window again. Waving to her as he rode past, he brought his horse around to the rear of the townhouse. There he put it into one of the four stalls of the small stable. Two of the other three stalls were already occupied.
Leaving the saddle and tack on his horse as he didn’t figure to be there long, Chad was soon heading to the door at the back of the townhouse. It opened as he was leaving the stable and Alicia appeared, silhouetted by the light coming from inside the house. When she saw him, she hurried from the doorway and met him.
“I’m so glad you came,” she said as she wrapped him in her arms.
Chad returned the hug. “It’s hard to stay away from you,” he replied. She turned her head to press her lips to his. Chad was about to complete the maneuver when he saw a shadow obscure the light coming through the doorway. He stopped short of meeting her lips when he saw her little sister Erin standing there watching them. The last thing he wanted was for Alicia to get into trouble on his account.
“What?” she asked when he failed to meet her lips.
“Erin’s watching,” he said.
Alicia glanced back and saw her in the doorway. Then she turned back, grabbed his head and pressed her lips to his.
“Mama!” they heard Erin cry as she turned and raced back into the house. “Alicia and Chad are…”
After almost a full minute, Chad broke off the kiss. Chuckling in spite of himself, he snaked an arm around her waist and they headed for the doorway.
“My employer is leaving in the morning,” he said to her as they entered the house. He saw a tightening around her eyes as she closed the door.
“Are you leaving too?” she asked.
“We all are,” he explained.
“For how long?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “May not be back until spring.”
“Spring?” she exclaimed unhappily.
He nodded. “At least I was able to come tonight to say goodbye,” he stated.
She turned back to him and wrapped him in her arms. Laying her head on his chest just below the chin, she stood there silently and held him.
“Ahem.”
They turned to see her father standing there at the entrance to the front room. “Nice to see you again Chad,”
