Legacy of Arcane Blood. Secrets of the Past. Chapter 4

Chapter 4. Alaron's arrival at Emmiral's Cauldron.

CHAPTER FOUR.

A mountain of man jutting from the earth, that thought crossed his mind every time he looked at the dark stoned behemoth. Stones the size of coaches lined the walls, battlements stood tall and imposing in the setting sun. This was no school, no place of learning. Its a fortress, a bastian of power thats what Emmiral's Cauldron said to him. The wagon waund up the coastal road, horses bellowing streams of heat into the cooling air. Cliffs sat to their left, a sheer drop to the surf bellow. Endless waves turning to froth as they crashed against rocks bellow. A central tower stood reaching for the sky, taller than any he'd seen before. The roof ended in a knife point as it encircled the towers stone walls. A single window at the very top hinted at a fire burning within.
"Gods protect us" Mirima whispered.
A grin played on Bertie face, "If you ask me the Gods had a hand in building this place"
The gate was tall and wide like the main gates of Tansend, yet felt far more ominous. His eyes darted from shadow to shadow as they passed through the archway. He felt eyes on him, burning into he very being yet he couldn't see a soul
A simple stone courtyard stood before them, bathed in shadow and a redish tinge from the setting sun. A large set for wooden doors with giant iron hinges stood at the top of rows upon rows of smooth stone steps, at the far end of the enclosed courtyard. Other smaller door littered the courtyard, leading into the belly of this beast. The wagons wheels rubbed against the solid stone floor and creeked under the weight of its load, sound echoed around the eerie space calling to all with.
As if responding to the desperate moans of the aging wagon one of the large doors slowly began to creep open. A short figure stepped through the now open doorway. A ball of light hung above, casting him in a soft blue glow.
He's the shortest man Alaron had ever seen, possibly even shorter than Mouse.
He felt a stabbing pain in his chest at the thought of her, he hoped she was ok.
The man wore a black robe concealing his small frame, a cleanly shaven face and rimmed glasses resting on top a bulbous nose. With a wave of a concealed hand he send the ball of light floating above the courtyard, where it grew larger and brighter. "Welcome" he said in a shrill voice. "Welcome to Emmiral's Cauldron, we was not expecting anyone at this late hour."
"Sorry my Lord" Bertie answered in the now lit space. "Have a shipment from Dragon Horn Traders, and new servants from House Torvic."
"Ah good" the small man replied. "Put you wagon in the stables and come inside, that can wait till tomorrow. Come... come" he continued as he stepped back through the open door.
The ball of light illuminating them flickered and slowly began to beminish.
"Quick boys before we loose that light" Bertie said nodding at the fading orb of blue. "Unbound the horses and get them bedded down, we'll stow the wagon and meet you inside."
Even through their too and throw Alaron could hear the gental hum of the ball high above. Magic... He thought, that has to be the first magic he's ever seen, If you don't include Lord Torvic's Scalehound.
Bertie and Mirima made for the open door first, moments later both Sylvie and Alaron followed their lead.
Alaron ran his hand along the grain in the massive wooden door as he followed Sylvie inside. It was cold and hard like stone, yet had the strangest feeling that life still flowed through it. He froze instantly as he tried to take in the space beyond. Three other mammoth sets of doors, to his right, his left and another ahead of him. Two long winding staircases flowed to the upper floor and places unknown. What shocked him the most was the sheer size of the room. High above hung a large intricate candleholder, candles as thick as his arm. The floor, smooth and polished marble. A small door to their right lay open, and a warm glow from the room beyond.
"Come on now... don't dawdal" the small man's voice said through the doorway. Alaron couldn't see Mirima or Bertie, so assumed they'd already entered.
"Sit... sit" the small man now sat behind a large wooden bench, it seeming larger for him being sat there. This room was well lit and warmed by a fire burning the harth.
In the light Alaron could get a much better look at the small man. Boney fingers drummed against his desk, what he thought was a robe now in the light appeared as a oddly long waistcoat and a red scarf. His ears pointed and long, much longer than any Elf's, they leaned away from him struggling to hold their own weight.
A simple wooden chair stood on the other side of the desk while others lined the walls.
As Alaron sat Mirima kicked his shin, stop stairing her eyes told him with no uncertainty and a disapproving look.
"So tell me... What sort of tasks did your master have you do?" Asked the man behind the desk.
Mirima looked at us both before answering, "Well my Lord... The boys cleaned and managed his stables. I spent most of my time in the kitchens."
"Good... good," he replied. Elbows now resting on the desk, palms together and fingers touching their opposites. "We're always in need of cooks, once the school year starts there will be plenty of cleaning to be done. These Lordlings are a messy bunch." He continued as he removed a scroll from his desk. "What are your names?"
Sylvie answered him first, "Sylvie sir, that's Mirima" pointing to the side of him. "An this is Alaron, Sir"
"Thank you" he replied while writing on the scroll with a quill that appeared from a large pocket in his waistcoat. "I must as you not to butcher the common tongue while you are at this school, and do stop stairing." He added looking at Alaron. " Have you never seen a Gnome before?"
S... Sorry sir, no sir!" he replied quickly as he felt his face heat.
"I know we are not commonly seen in this part of the world," he said with the slightest hint of a smile, and warmer eyes than Alaron had expected. "This school is home to many races, please do try not to stare." That said he rang a small brass bell resting on the corner of the table before fixing his gaze on Bertie. "What do you have for us in this shipment, Bertie?"
"Duvil has sent you twenty two rolls of fabric, in white, black, red and blue. Five rolls of white satin and..." He Bertie answered before being interrupted by a wrapping at the door.
"You called Ponti" a young woman asked, sticking her head through the half open door. Her dark reddish brown hair was short, barely touching her shoulders. Clear pale skin and freckles scattered across her cheeks. Blue eyes,the colour of the ocean and full of life. She wore a dark blue dress thick and made to last, with a brown apron.
"Ah yes... Jenny I did." He replied looking up his long round nose. "Take these three and get them bedded in" he added with a wave, "and let the House Matron know the new servants have arrived."
"Ok... follow me" she ordered but with a kind and cheerful voice. "If we're quick there'll still be some grub left, bet your starvin" she spoke quickly yet moved quicker. "Don't let that old windbag catch you speaking like me, ah. Hates it... He dose" they travaled down hallway after hallway, portraits hung randomly on the wall, and countless doors leading god knows where pokemarked the bare stone. Eventually they arrived at a plain wooden door, "These are our quarters," she said as she swung the door open.
Inside was a large camunal room wood and fabric chairs and bookcases filled the room, a massive harth burnt against one wall with small glass windows ether side. The opposite side of the room stood a long wooden table with benches ether side. There was three other door that lined the walls.
Jenny must have seen the look on their faces. "Heard about ow they treat you in this kingdom, f*****g wrong it is, well you won't av that here. They don't got no say what happens here." She said smiling warmly. "So what am I to call you."
"Thank you" Mirima said seemingly saddened by the realisation that all her life she'd been treated so poorly. "Mirima, and these are Alaron and Sylvie" she added pointing at us both in turn.
"Don't mention it," Jenny replied. "I'm from Maidenhead in the Diamond Isles, Our own Kings brother married an Elf, If it's good enough for them folks it's good enough for me." She added, "cryin shame how they died though, Orcs... bad way to go that. Anyway I'll introduce you to the others later, let's eat" she said with a grin.
They ate and talked into the night, introductions made whenever someone new joined them. Alaron would be sharing a room with Sylvie, all that space just for the two of them, more amazing still was the fact they had actual bed and sheets to sleep in.
Alaron couldn't sleep, although Sylvie didn't seem to have the same issue, he snored loudly. The comfort of the bed, his bed, was simple too comftable, too discomforting for him to settle. The room was simply decorated, other than the two small beds and small trunks the room was empty.
Early the following morning, as the new days sun began to rise. Alaron sat at the table, stirring some Oats as they cooled.
"Alright kid" a middle age man said. He was Human a with early signs of age on his dark skinned features, around his eyes and mouth. Dark hair, cut short to his scalp. Rubbing his dark brown eyes. It's Toby, they met him last night, and is the Head grounds Keeper at the school. The man has a son back home the same age as Alaron.
"Matron said your with me today." He added as he scooped a bowl of Oats. "You mate this?" He asked as he sat opposite him.
"Yeah" he replied still spooning his Oats, now an unrecognizable slop. "Thought I'd best eat before the day starts."
"Ah well since we're both up early, mite as well male a start" Toby said looking suspiciously at the still full bowl in front of him. "We have a felled tree to move, came down last week in the storm, Serial wants it in his workshop by the end of the day." He added between mouth fills.
Alaron simply nodded in understanding.
"You met him yet?" Toby asked. "Don't recall seeing him last night, baffoon probably fell asleep in there again," he continued. "Wood Elf's love that kinda stuff, carves grate big animals with it... he dues, good guy though you'll like him. I reckon he's a druid my self, he says he's never been tested though."
And so his task has been set. A day of back braking labour that ended with a good meal, and full belly, and mercifully a good night's sleep. The days passed as he learnt the ebb and floor of his new home.
On the fifth day however as he swept the stone courtyard. An intricately designed coach made it's way up the winding road. Pulled by four white horses, lead by a well dressed horseman. The coach had glass windows, very rare from what he knew, and the wood painted a beep blue and a polished white with gold trim. Since he'd been told by Ponti to ring the large bell next to one of the side doors if newcomers should arrive, he did just that.
Moments later as the coach pulled into the square Ponti appeared wearing a finely taylered blue waistcoat and trousers, he stood on the bottom step of the main doors waiting patiently for the coach driver to release his passengers.
Two young women climbed from the red velvet interior, both seem a little younger than himself, If he had to guess, he'd have said nineteen or twenty. Jenny told him that some first years could be as old as thirty or as young as fifteen, so they could be fourth years for all he know. But the look in their eyes was unmistakably, first years without a doubt, and early too.
"Welcome... welcome." Ponti said, a pitch higher than normal. Your Highness welcome to Emmiral's Cauldron," He continued. May I call you Elina? He asked with a dramatic bow
"You could if I was Elina," she said with a playful grin. "Katrina... nice to meet you" she corrected, lowering to offering her hand.
Long auburn hair fell around her, in long curling waves that brushed gently against the floor bellow. She wore a pale blue elven draws, it suited her he had to admit. Her figure flatter by the elegance of the fine silk, even her face appeared as soft as silk, cheeks lightly reddend from the cool morning air.
"Oh..." ponti replied reddening at the embarrassment. "Apologies, I was told her Highness Princess Elina Borne would be arriving soon.
"Oh she's here" Katrina added smiling was to ear, as she diverted his attention the the other women.
She wore a bashful smile. "I'm sorry about my cousin, she thinks she's funny"
"Oh come on now, you found it funny," Katrina protested with an overly dramatic pout. "You know you can't lie to me," her pout quickly replaced with a grin that made her eyes sparkle with life.
The princess also wore an elven dress, this one a faint green almost white, although she lacked the carve of the other. Long golden hair ran over one shoulder, and between her bussom. Her eyes, like emerald on a bad of snow, told of a woman unsure of the world and her place in it.
"And yes please just Elina" she told Ponti, "just call me Elina.
Ponti offered her a polite bow, "greeting my Lady Elina. I... am Ponti, the schools Admissions Clerk. I'm afraid you are early, the new year won't start for another month, and you yourself was not scheduled to arrive for another two weeks.
"The winds were good to us, Mr Ponti," she replied. "We'll be finding lodgings in Tansend, but thought we'd come see the Magemaster since we are here early."
"There's no need for that Miss Elina, I believe your rooms have already been prepared. I will also have someone take you too the Magemasters Office." His eyes met Alarons "Alaron please take Miss Elina and Miss Katrina to the Magemasters Office."
"Yes Ponti" he replied as he placed the broom gently against a courtyard wall. "Ma'am, ma'am" he said with a slight nod to the girls. "If you would follow me."
They followed him through the main doors and up one of the curving staircases to the second floor.
Alaron could hear them whispering their amazement as they walked.
"Wow, look at the size of this place" one said.
"I know... I know, it's so much bigger than I'd thought it would be," The other said.
"This is going to be amazing" the first said her voice filling with excitement, with every word.
Alaron had a strange nagging feeling he'd seen them somewhere before, but where he couldn't say. As he led them dawn the long corridor to the Magemasters Office, the thought simply wouldn't pass, like something scratching in his mind trying to get out.
"This is the Magemasters Office, please knock before you enter," he told them.
"What's he like?" Katrina asked. She was so close, he could smell the scent of Yuka blossoms, a sweet smell of summer that followed her.
"I'm afraid I couldn't tell you my lady, I'm new myself and haven't met the man." He replied. Alaron quickly turned and began to walk away as they knocked.
"Thank you" one of the girl said as he retreated.
He turned a moment later to offer a nod and a smile, but they were gone. Their disappearance made something click in his mind. The dream... The one he had on the road, the road to Tansend. He remembered them clearly now, they stood in the line again... that horde. When his other self joined the fray he stood between.

Author's Note

Any and all comments welcome