Bronze Magic (Book 1) Read online

  The woodfolk were seated comfortably around the firesite as the guardian of the forest rose to his feet. A hush fell. Tarkyn towered over them and let his gaze sweep across them.

  “My friends, many of you have been dreading this moment, the moment when I decide to take control.” His voice resonated uncannily around the dark edges of the firelight. With some satisfaction, he watched the woodfolk freeze with shock. “It will not be for long, I promise you. Do not reach for your arrows. I will only put up a shield. If I choose to use it, with or without the oath, my power is far greater than your combined force.” Looks of consternation swept his audience. “I have not tricked you or misled you. I have no intention of ruling you or making anyone else take the oath. I came here in good faith and I have had no greater joy in my life than being accepted as a member of the woodfolk.”

  Tarkyn put up a hand to quell the mutterings of confusion that broke out. “This morning, I tried to work with you to prepare for the coming dangers. I tried to be accommodating and diplomatic but it hasn’t worked. Too many of you are unwilling to accept what I have to offer you as forest guardian. Those of you who know me, will know that I am a man of little patience. I have no intention of spending precious days and weeks winning over the doubters. So tomorrow morning, I will be leaving to continue on my trek to find Falling Rain. Anyone who cares to accompany me, may do so.”

  “What about your oath to protect us?” growled Raging Water.

  The forest guardian began to pace slowly around the firesite. “I have not forgotten; and I will do everything I can whenever I am needed. However, I do not see the value of staying here, watching my presence sow seeds of dissension among you.” He paused, “Before I go, there are some things I need to say.”

  The prince turned to Tree Wind and her cohort. “Firstly, you people have sworn an oath to honour, serve and protect me. Nothing I have seen today has honoured or served me. I have no doubt that somewhere the forest will be suffering for your efforts to undermine me.” As he spoke, the woodfolk looking surreptitiously around the clearing, realised that leaves had fallen from the nearby trees, well in advance of the end of autumn and blotches of unhealthy fungi were marring many of their branches. He stopped before them and glared down at them. “More than that, you dishonour yourselves and all woodfolk when you betray your oath.”

  Watching him, Waterstone was shocked. Never before had Tarkyn used the oath as a weapon of control. If anything, in the past, he had abhorred its existence.

  The prince paused, “One more thing, and this applies to everyone. If something important is being discussed, I wish to be included. I was deeply offended by being excluded from all conversations at lunchtime. In a time of crisis, you play games like that at your own peril.” Without letting his gaze linger on any one group, he swept his eyes around the assembled woodfolk. “I know it is hard to include one who does not mind talk. But if the legends of the forest guardians are true, then my actions may determine your people’s future. If I act in ignorance, you place your future in jeopardy.”

  Tarkyn continued his pacing until he stood before his own group of woodfolk Waterstone shifted a little uneasily, wondering what was coming. Tarkyn made sure he had the full attention of his audience then indicated his home guard. “I would like you all to take a careful note of these people. These are the woodfolk who, alone out of those who took the oath, have had the courage to stand by me when they did not know how I would treat them. They are the people you can thank for still having a forest guardian. And in the coming times of conflict, they are the people who will be the lynchpin of any action that the woodfolk may need to take. They will be the line of communication between all of you, and me.” Tarkyn’s eyes glinted in the firelight. “I would not like to hear again that their opinions were not being respected by their fellow woodfolk.”

  Tarkyn moved on around the fire until he was standing before the oathless woodfolk.

  “Although you have not sworn the oath, if you care for your future as woodfolk and for the future of the forest, then you owe me allegiance as your guardian of the forest. I do not know what lies ahead of us but whatever happens, I would expect your support as you can expect mine. I know I already have it from many of you.”

  The prince began his slow circuit of the fire again. “In general, I am assuming that you will organise you own actions. However, because I am not prepared to enter into a debate that will be based more on whether I should order you around, rather than on the issues themselves, I will stipulate some basic guidelines.”

  He ticked them off on his fingers as he talked. “Firstly, I think you should increase the number of lookouts you have and rotate them more often so that they don’t tire. Secondly, some woodfolk need to keep a constant guard on the encampment of sorcerers and make regular reports. Make sure you stay downwind of the wolves. If the encampment is too far away for mind talking, you will need to station people along the route to transmit information. Thirdly, we need a group to keep surveillance on the people travelling through the woods to find out what is happening to them and if there is any connection between the brigand attacks and the encampment. Fourthly, all woodfolk should make sure they can contact all other woodfolk. So you may need to set up other communication routes. Finally, make sure that there is a minimum number of woodfolk together at all times in case there are more wolf attacks.”

  The guardian of the forest spread his hands and gave a courtly bow and a smile. “Thank you for your attention. That is all I have to say. I am now relinquishing control.”

  Tarkyn walked back over to where he had left his wine glass sitting on a stump. Ignoring everyone, he retrieved it and refilled it from an earthen jug. Then he made his way back to his home guard and sat down among them. For a few long minutes there was a stunned silence. Tarkyn buried his face in his glass and smothered a smile.

  Slowly, around the firesite, the odd conversation started up and soon the air was filled with animated chatter as the woodfolk digested what had just happened. Once there were other conversations to mask their own, the prince’s home guard finally regained the power of speech.

  “Stars above, Tarkyn,” breathed Waterstone, “You really have been hiding your light under a bushel, haven’t you? No wonder you’re used to people standing up when you walk into a room. That was awe-inspiring.”

  “Thanks.” Tarkyn finally let his grin take over. “I’m glad the silence didn’t go on for too much longer. I might have started laughing.”

  “Your Highness, that would have ruined the effect,” rumbled Thunder Storm with mock severity.

  “I know,” said the prince, grinning broadly. “That’s why I managed to control myself.”

  Summer Rain frowned at him reprovingly, “Sire, I do not think your levity shows respect for these woodfolk.”

  “That’s why I hid it, Summer Rain.” He explained patiently. “And if they had shown me respect in the first place, I wouldn’t have had to make that speech.”

  It was not long before they were joined by Rainstorm and Ancient Oak.

  “I think I’ll revert to my first impressions of you and then some,” said Ancient Oak as he sat down. “Stars, if I hadn’t spent the day with you, I’d be quaking in my boots by now.”

  Rainstorm was jubilant. “I can’t believe you actually did it. Every last one of them shut up and listened to you from start to finish. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”

  “Why, thank you, my friend,” said Tarkyn laconically. “It’s a pity I didn’t make a bet with you. I never doubted for a second I could do it.”

  As the night wore on, more and more people plucked up the courage to come and speak to the prince. Gone were the mutterings of the afternoon. Tree Wind’s oath-bound woodfolk had been effectively silenced, since no one wanted to be a party to damaging the forest or betraying the oath. All the other woodfolk realised their worst fears had already been and gone, and they were still free.

  “Sometimes people just need to know where they stand,” sa
id Tarkyn, in an aside to Waterstone.

  “Spoken like a true despot, my lord,” replied the woodman with a grin.

  Tarkyn laughed.

  “Young man,” came a scratchy old voice. Tarkyn turned to find Ancient Elm addressing him, “You have a very persuasive turn of phrase.”

  “Why thank you, Ancient Elm.”

  “I also wanted to thank you for showing us your journeys with the birds,” the old lady continued, “although I now have a nasty bruise on my hip which I suspect was really owed to Tree Wind.”

  Tarkyn was instantly contrite. “I’m sorry. You’re right of course. That was thoughtless of me. I didn’t think of anyone getting hurt. Is Dry Berry all right?”

  “I think so. She hurt her wrist a bit but she’ll get over it.”

  The forest guardian shook his head. “No. That’s not good enough. Where is she? I will have to sort this out.”

  “Hello young man. Looking for me?” cackled another familiar dried up old voice. “What do you have to sort out?”

  “Your wrist.”

  Dry Berry lifted her scrawny arm and waggled her hand. She gave a slight wince but said stoically, “It’s just a slight sprain. I’ve had a lot worse in the past. It’ll heal in time.”

  Tarkyn looked at them both. “Would you let me heal you please? After all, you wanted to see a forest guardian at work…and I really don’t want you going around telling everyone that I hurt you and then did nothing about it.”

  The two old women looked at each other, then back at him. “Go right ahead,” said Ancient Elm.

  “I’m fairly new at this. So we’ll just have to see how it goes,” said Tarkyn, belatedly realising he hadn’t actually tried to heal anyone but himself before. “Now, close your eyes and focus on the injured part. I will send you a little of my esse and you must direct it to the part you want to repair.”

  The forest guardian placed a hand on each of their shoulders, closed his eyes and focused down inside himself to the seat of his power. He drew it up and out along his arms, through his hands and into the two bony shoulders. After a minute, Tarkyn opened his eyes and took his hands away.

  “How’s that?” he asked hopefully. “Any better?”

  The two old woodwomen opened their eyes and experimentally rubbed the relevant parts of their anatomies. Then their faces wreathed in smiles.

  “Well done, young man.” Ancient Elm stood up. “I appreciate that. I have a long way to travel tomorrow and I’ll be more comfortable now on the journey. It has been a pleasure to meet you and I hope we keep in touch.”

  Dry Berry frowned at him. “For a minute there, I thought you were going to go back on your word and meant to make us all take the oath. But I have now realised you can get exactly what you want without the oath. You’re a dangerous young man but I think you’re honest. I’m glad I met you…and I’m glad you are one of us now.” She gave a little cackle. “To be frank, I wouldn’t want you with the opposition.”

  Tarkyn gave a short laugh. He stood up to say goodbye and performed a small bow for them “Unless I mistake the matter, you two were gatekeepers for the decision to allow me to join the woodfolk. That being the case, I owe you a debt of gratitude and will not forget you.”

  As they walked away, he heard Dry Berry whisper to Ancient Elm. “See what I mean. Not much passes him by. Dangerous young man, indeed.”

  “Oh stop fussing, Dry Berry. You always think the worst of people….” Their last words were lost as they disappeared into the darkness beyond the firelight.

  Tarkyn turned back from watching them to find Raging Water waiting to speak to him.

  “Tarkyn, my boy, the legends of the forest guardians make hard acts to follow. But from what I have seen of you, you are well on your way to outstripping them all. Masterly performance this evening. Masterly.”

  Tarkyn put his hands on his hips and looked quizzically at the gnarly, old woodman. “Raging Water, I am not an actor. I meant every word I said.”

  The woodman smiled knowingly. “I know you did, my boy, even if it did strike you as amusing afterwards. But I also know you would no more kill a woodman than kill yourself. Mmm. Perhaps that’s a bad example, after the other day, but you know what I mean. You didn’t say ‘Listen or I’ll kill you.’ You just pointed out that you had more firepower.”

  The prince grinned. “True. Anyway, I could hardly threaten to kill anyone when I’ve promised to protect you all, now could I?”

  “Precisely. Anyway, it was clearly the best thing to do. You weren’t going to be listened to properly while all the factions were fighting it out.” He hesitated a moment and lowered his voice. “By the way, I saw how you healed Ancient Elm and Dry Berry. I think your older brother could do with bit of that. Nothing serious, you understand. But I think he’ll be a bit stiff and sore tomorrow without it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll see what I can do, now that I know I can do it. It’s more a matter of whether he’ll let me.”

  Raging Water nodded understandingly before giving the prince one of his hearty thumps on the back. “Well my lad, I’m sorry you’re going. I would come with you but I’m getting a bit old for travelling long distances. We forestals aren’t such great ones for travelling anyway. But I think Falling Branch and Rainstorm may be going with you. I’ll keep in touch with you, never you fear.” He leaned in towards the prince. “Try not to get too melancholy. You have a fine bunch of woodfolk there who are travelling with you. I can see why you wanted to get on well with them.”

  “I have you to thank for that.” Tarkyn smiled and sent him a wave of gratitude. “I’m not sure why you did it but I know it was you who organised everyone to consider having me join the woodfolk.”

  Raging Water raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you know? After all you had been willing to sacrifice; I couldn’t bear to see you so resigned to being lonely. It just didn’t seem fair.”

  Tarkyn frowned. “How did you know I felt like that? I didn’t tell you.” The woodman just looked at him and smiled.

  “Oh no.” said Tarkyn, turning a delicate pink as realisation hit. “Oh, that is so embarrassing. My blasted feelings! It’s this forest guardian thing. I can transmit feelings intentionally but sometimes they seem to transmit themselves without me even knowing it’s happening. Oh dear. Did anybody else notice?”

  Raging Water laughed. “I am tempted to lie to you to save you further embarrassment but I won’t. The entire community noticed. Everyone stopped and watched you help Autumn Leaves across the stream.”

  “Oh stars!” groaned Tarkyn. “That’s why everyone was suddenly so friendly.”

  The woodman nodded. “You see? We’re a kindly bunch, really,” he said, grinning.

  Tarkyn lifted his head and sighed. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t tell me this until after my performance, as you call it. I don’t think I could have stood up there and been so forceful, knowing I’d made such a fool of myself.”

  “It’s not foolish to feel like that.”

  Tarkyn looked at him derisively. “Perhaps not. But it is foolish to shout it out to everyone in sight.”

  Raging Water shrugged. “What can I say? I don’t think you’re foolish. If I had, I wouldn’t have helped you to become a woodman. I think you’re strong, courageous, very clever and just a little emotionally volatile; perhaps call it passionate. Does that sound better?”

  “It sounds,” said Tarkyn slowly, “like a euphemism, which is exactly what it is.” The prince straightened his shoulders. “Anyway, forget it. It can’t be undone. Thank you for your kind words and your kind deeds. I am glad there will be someone in this neck of the woods with sound common sense. I promise we’ll keep in touch.”

  abBA

  ny plans for an early departure were thwarted by a howling gale that lashed the trees, bringing down branches and thrashing leaves off slender stems. Driving rain found its way through any chinks in the

  shelters, and sodden woodfolk could be seen from time to time streaking across the cleari
ng seeking cover in more fortunate, drier shelters.

  Tarkyn sat cross-legged in one corner of his shelter listening to the rain drumming on the roof. Sparrow was sitting beside him, constructing a complicated series of forest paths in the hard dirt of the floor.

  He leant over her creation, frowning, “So where is the big road we crossed?”

  “Down there,” explained Sparrow patiently.

  “Why is it there? We should be on that side of it, shouldn’t we?”

  The little girl rolled her eyes. “Tarkyn, you are hopeless with directions.”

  The prince shook his head and smiled. “I know, Sparrow. I wasn’t brought up in a forest like you were. So why is the road down there?”

  Sparrow frowned at him. “Because when you left us, you went straight back over the road we had all carefully crossed the day before.”

  “Did I? I didn’t even see the road.”

  “Oh well done!” replied Sparrow with the awful sarcasm of the preadolescent. “And luckily you went in completely the wrong direction.”

  Tarkyn burst into laughter. “And now I have no idea where we were, where we are now or where we’re going. So, start again. Where are we on your map?”

  The little girl pointed to a spot about ten miles north west of their previous campsite.

  “Right. So where were we and where are we going?” Tarkyn studied it with a frown of concentration. “Well, it could be worse. At least we’ve come a bit to the west.”

  Sparrow’s eyes twinkled with laughter. “Yes, about six miles west. Marvellous! And only eight miles too far north. Daddy told me.”

  “Well,” said Tarkyn in a thoughtful tone of voice. “When it all comes down to it, I think you should blame the owl. He’s the one who chose to bring me to these particular woodfolk when I was looking for people who hadn’t sworn the oath.”

  Sparrow frowned at him severely. “I think you’re being naughty again. I think Dad would say you’re trying to get out of it.”