A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) (14 page)

We sat there for a little while longer before Robert showed up with three pouches. "There you two are, shall we do this minor work?" He sat down and handed the amulets to me. "You will have to cast two spells on the stone. One to provide a small amount of magic to power the other spell. The second spell is the one that hides your skills from others." He pointed to the spell paper, "It is actually a simple set of spells. I brought a few old amulets for you to practice on. I can always sell these, even if it is not perfect." He pulled out an old bag full of amulets of all shapes and sizes, however none were as beautiful as those for us.

Raven stood up, "I will be back in a bit. Since I am not directly involved I might as well do something productive." She pulled out some of her knives and set down a little bit a ways and started to sharpen and oil them.

I grinned and then turned my attention to the amulets and spells. Robert was right, the spells were fairly simple, yet they had the ability to become very dangerous very quickly. "Shall we get started?" I asked him as I picked up one of the practice amulets.

***

"Very well done!" Stain exclaimed as I walked up on him. "I would never know you possessed magic."

I smiled and ducked my head at his praise. "The spells were simple enough. It was getting them to work together and in a reliable manner that was difficult."

Robert grinned, "He only destroyed a few cheap amulets. I will have a few to sell also. So a good day of enchanting." He took the pouch of enchanted amulets he kept for himself and walked out of the campsite.

Ruth watched him go and smiled gently, "He is a good man. My girl is lucky."

Tulip poked Ruth, "You are right." She turned to Stain, "I think we have done all we might be able to reasonably do." She looked around and nodded, "This will provide both a deterrent and a warning." She walked back into the campsite and I could hear her wagon door open.

"What all did you three do?" I asked Stain as Ruth wondered back to the fire.

Stain grinned. It was that grin that meant he was about to teach me something, "Look around and see if you might tell what we did. I will answer your questions later, after you look and bring your observations back to me." He followed the same path as Ruth and Tulip, settling in at the fire. He took a large drink and started talking to Raven.

I looked around and realized that whatever protections had been laid would require mage sight. Focusing I allowed my mage sight to flood into my vision. The world became a haze of magic, some so strong it stood out like beams of sunlight in a darkened forest. I spent some time looking closely until I had a good idea of what all the traps, snares, and warning spells might do. It was a complex labyrinth of spells that would catch or trip up anyone who wished harm to those inside the campsite. It would also send out a large sound. The sound would draw attention to any that might choose to cross into the campsite in the wrong manner. I took a little more time to look at the complex puzzle of spells. No single spell would prevent a recurrence of the damage done, however the hope was that by having such a system someone would have to be very desperate or crazy to broach the defenses. I headed back to the fire and sat down.

"So, did you figure it out?" Stain grinned.

"Just the overall idea. It is very complex." I stated this as I grabbed a piece of fruit.

Stain nodded and grinned, "Both ladies are exquisite workers of magic."

Raven grinned at the tone of Stain's voice. "It sounds as if you might enjoy working with them again."

Stain looked at her with a wry look, "But of course. They are both very experienced mages." Seeing the sneaky look on Raven's face he grinned. "It does not hurt that both women are attractive and pleasant company either."

Raven giggled gently, "I bet that is nice."

Stain laughed, "It is. I would much rather work magic with a beautiful woman than with an old goat of a man, especially if she is a better mage than he might be. Which both Ruth and Tulip are better than many."

I just grinned. I enjoyed watching Stain and Raven talk. Many times it reminded me of when I spent time with my father, sitting at a fire and talking about the day. I worked on getting dinner ready, as it was my turn to cook. Working quietly allowed me to think and to listen to everyone talk. Raven and Stain talked the most but I could occasionally hear Tulip talk to herself as she worked in her wagon. It occasionally rocked as she moved something heavy around. At moments of quiet I could even hear others from outside our campsite making noise. The sound of families and animals drifted on the wind, never enough to know what was being said but enough to know that people were there. It was a nice sound to hear.

"So, is food ready?" Tulip asked, she was leaning out her wagon door.

"Almost. I just have to add a few last seasoning's and it will be ready." I picked up my powdered herbs and shook a few into the pot. It bubbled and smelled delicious.

"Should be get Ruth and the other two?" Raven stood up.

Tulip stepped down from her wagon, "Ruth will most likely be here in a moment. As for the other two, they will be eating with Robert's family tonight." She grinned broadly, "They do not approve of me, in general. So Robert try's to keep the peace by making sure to spend equal time with them as he does with Ruth and myself."

Ruth walked up about that time. "They are a bunch of snobs is what it is. Just because they think they are special does not make it so." She pulled her skirt aside and sat on a log. "Bunch of annoying people, the lot of them. The only good thing is they do try to be good people and did a good job of raising Robert."

I smiled and handed out bowls of the stew. Each person took a bowl and a piece of bread. I handed Mophar a bowl of fruit and made sure that Pat had his bowl of food also. Sitting down I sighed.

Everyone suddenly looked at me and grinned.

"What?" I looked around and realized they had stopped eating and were all staring at me with bemused expressions on their faces. "Is there something on my face?"

Stain grinned, "That is one of the most contented sighs I have ever had the pleasure of hearing."

Tulip nodded, "I would say you are happy with the world at this very moment." Ruth grinned and nodded as she started eating again.

Raven put her hand on my shoulder, "Happy tonight?"

I nodded and covered her hand, "We are sitting here, safe and protected. We have enemies but for now we are safe. There are things to do, but nothing that has to be done right now. Everyone is busy but spending time with those they care about. We have good food and friendship. Tomorrow we start work on an amazing new wagon that will protect us and be a home for us for many years to come. Things will get busy and we have a long journey ahead of us but we are heading towards our destination with resources and friends. We could be fighting for our lives, having to struggle with no supplies, or even captured. So yes, very happy."

Stain nodded, "You have the right of it. Let us enjoy our moments of peace while we can." He looked around, "Now I feel like we need music."

Ruth grinned, "I will be right back. We need to introduce your group to a few more people." She stood up and headed out of the campsite.

Tulip smiled, "It has been a while since I enjoyed good music. I never had the ability but I do love a beautiful song."

"I learned when I was younger. My master felt it was a good idea to develop a wide range of skills, if for no other reason than to understand the work that others put into their craft." Stain grimaced. "Some trades I would have rather avoided being exposed to at any time."

Now I was curious, "What trades?"

Stain frowned, "Tanning was one I never practiced again. Too many nasty things used. I disliked it and anything involving animal parts. Being a butcher is very hard also. The worst one was being a public scribe. The things people need written down is so very boring." He shuddered and shook his head, "I would rather heal a thousand warriors than sit through another day of writing letters for people. I was bored to tears. The letters had to be done, no harm in that. I just can not sit there and do it. I respect those who have the patience to do so."

Tulip smiled, "I also dislike any kind of work like that. Having to write for long periods of time is a chore. I would much rather work with my needle all day long than write."

Raven grinned, "It is good to know there are things you dislike doing. It makes you seem more normal."

Stain laughed heartily, "My girl, I am far from normal. But thank you. I understand what you mean."

Ruth walked into the campsite about that time, "I found them. I had to bribe them, but they came." She was followed by a small group of people, all carrying musical instruments. Some I recognized, others were strange to behold. "You will enjoy this." She stated with feeling as she sat back down.

The group formed up on the far side of the fire. They even carried stools that folded up, which they used to get comfortable. After shuffling around and adjusting their instruments a man, who seemed to be the leader, made some introductions. "We are the Jovial Banshees. Thank you for inviting us to your fire and allowing us to entertain you tonight. Please enjoy our performance." He turned and made a few motions. The players started to play, a haunting melody that seemed to come alive. The music played a moment before one of the players started to sing along. The song was about a long lost land, the yearning for a place to rest, and a heartbreak. Tulip shed a few gentle tears after the song.

"That was beautiful." She commented into the silence. The leader of the group nodded his thanks as they started playing a more energetic song. This one danced and jumped. A different player took up the singing and sang of a wondrous time. This continued far into the night. Different people singing, taking turns or even singing in a chorus. Finally they set their instruments aside, some tucking them into cases. They moved closer to the fire and sat down. The leader nodded at Stain and Tulip.

"Again we thank you for inviting us to your fire. It has been an honor to play for you." He smiled as he stated this.

Stain handed out drinks, "It has been our honor. I have not heard playing like that in many years."

"My name is Chuck. I am the appointed leader of this group of crazy people." He looked around at them. "We all used to perform by ourselves, however we now travel together and enjoy performing like we did tonight." He took a deep drink.

Some of the other players were talking to themselves, some were sitting quietly enjoying the fire and conversation surrounding them. All of them looked tired.

"It was amazing!" Raven commented.

Chuck grinned, "Thank you, young Raven. We are glad you enjoyed it."

Raven blushed that he knew her name, "How did you know my name?"

Chuck laughed gently, "Everyone knows about your group. Stain, the master healer. Ott, his apprentice. Raven, his guard and apprentice in some healing. The animal companions and pack animals that travel with you. A betrothal and in-grafting to occur. There has been much gossip around all the campfires recently about your group." He grinned and looked at Stain, "I am glad to hear that some of the stories are false. I fail to see how you could be an evil warrior come to corrupt us or how you enslaved these young people to do your bidding."

Stain laughed at these, "I have heard worse. People have a way of making up things to fear, even when there is nothing to fear."

Chuck nodded, "This is true. Of course this same creative spirit helps create beautiful things, like music. So I can not bring myself to hate them." He poked on of the other players, "Were you going to ask your question?"

The player looked surprised and blushed, "I guess I could. I never thought to actually ask." He was young, a few years younger than myself. He looked around and smiled gently, "I was wondering if you, Master Stain, would be able to heal my foot? I have heard rumors that you are a great healer." He blushed much worse, turning nearly purple in the firelight.

Stain frowned, "What happened to it? What harm has occurred?"

The boy hesitated, "It was long ago. All the other healers claim there is nothing to be done." He bent down and pulled his boot off of his foot. His foot was twisted in a horrid fashion, it must be painful to walk on it for any length of time. "It was set wrong and never healed correctly. They have tried to break it and allow it to heal straight, but it just gets worse." He seemed suddenly fearful. "I understand if you can not do anything. Every other healer I have talked to has assured me that nothing might be done." He seemed frustrated. "I have to ride between camps. Walking long distances is simply impossible."

Stain kneeled next to the boy and looked at the foot. "The biggest problem is that the bone broke part of the way through before it healed. When it healed it did so in a crooked manner. Each break after caused the crook to get worse." He pushed gently on the foot and nodded. "The bones have grown together. I imagine that when a storm is approaching you are aware before most people?"

The boy nodded, "It hurts so bad then. Putting any weight on it is agony."

Stain looked around at all the players, they looked on expectantly. He looked over at me, "Ott, perhaps you should look at it?"

Chuck looked worried, "The apprentice? Surly the master should do such a work?" He even stood in his concern.