Sorcery, Schemes and Skelt: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol II Read online

  “I’ll check with Nerek,” promised Justin with a laugh as Eric entered to start class.

  “Good morning,” said Eric. “We’ve talked about how advance planning can help you win a battle with fewer casualties and damage in general. How do we feel about booby-traps, snares, and other traps?”

  “I think they sound like a good idea,” said Brent, lounging in his chair. He always looked amazing. Again, Lucy wondered how she hadn’t noticed him before. Lucy also wondered why Maya hadn’t dated him. Then again, perhaps she had before Lucy arrived. Lucy didn’t pay much attention to Maya’s conquests. Brent didn’t seem like the kind of person who became a conquest. He was the conqueror. Perhaps that explained it.

  “Why?” asked Eric.

  “It’s a good way to take out lots of enemies without harming our allies. I’m all about traps all the time. Works for hunting,” Brent shrugged nonchalantly.

  “I disagree,” said Lucy. Everyone looked at her. She generally listened a lot and spoke little in class. “I think it’s an unnecessary risk and the gains are uncertain. If you set traps up between your army and the opposing one, the set up itself could be dangerous. If the enemy starts to retreat before tripping all the traps, it puts your army in a dangerous position. After the battle, the whole area is hazardous and potentially unusable.”

  “I agree with Lucy’s point,” spoke up Petra. “Taking that into consideration, I think there is a time and a place for that kind of thing. Sadly, I think the situation that calls for traps and snares is one in which you are terribly outnumbered in the first place, and unlikely to have a chance to achieve forward movement. Or, perhaps, when preparing for a siege. I understand the value of arable land, but it does you little good if you are going to lose the castle.”

  “I’m not sure of their effectiveness in battle, but I like the idea of harassing an army on the move. Drawing pieces of an army into a trap could whittle down the odds against you,” Nate added his thoughts with his head tilted to one side.

  “Is there a right answer to this question?” demanded Brent somewhat perturbed.

  “No,” responded Eric, amused. “It’s something I want you all to think about. It’s good to bounce ideas off each other. At some point, it will probably be suggested and it’s good to know where you stand in that kind of situation. It’s a good discussion to have. Otherwise, Brent would be magically digging holes and then groaning in despair when he realizes his army could not use momentum in their favor and advance. Rulers will often look towards magic users for ideas on how to fight. A general might not know the best strategy for how you can use your magic. If you have ideas of what you are and are not willing to do, it helps.”

  “Justin’s been quiet through this. Thoughts?” asked Brent. Lucy wasn’t sure why, but it seemed like Brent was trying to get under Justin’s skin.

  “I think traps of any kind are fully situational. If you are hunting, snares are useful. It doesn’t matter if you are hunting rabbits or trolls. However, snares are only effective if you set them for what you are hunting, bait them correctly, and avoid setting them off yourself,” responded Justin.

  “Naturally, but how often do you hunt an army?” scoffed Brent.

  Justin shrugged, “Not often.”

  Justin smiled in a slightly predatory way that Lucy had never seen before. She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but it certainly made Brent pause for thought. Had Justin hunted an army? Who hunts an army? Lucy was daunted by the thought and more curious about Justin’s past.

  Luckily, at that point, class was over. Lucy wasn’t sure it had been the most educational lesson, throwing fireballs at straw dummies had been more helpful on the practical side of things, but it had been thought provoking. What would she be willing to do if she found herself involved in a battle? Perhaps more importantly, what wouldn’t she be willing to do?

  Chapter 7

  Eric gave them their one week warning. Lucy felt ready to go again. She loved being at school but after traveling around Kinowenn, school seemed very small. Perhaps small was the wrong word. It was certainly large and there were many people she had never met and probably places she had never seen. She loved to ride Ash around the seemingly endless grounds. However endless they seemed, they did not offer the natural variety of Kinowenn. She was sure she could travel for days around the school grounds and the landscape would stay the same. Beautiful, safe, woods and fields. There weren’t any mountains that she could see. She had never come across snow, a jungle, or a desert. Not that she particularly wanted to, but it started to feel odd and less real after a while.

  She was sure she could travel for days and only meet people associated with the school. There were no inns filled with strangers, ale, laughter, fighting, food, and smells. There were no farms or crops or herds of sheep. In fact, there were few animals of any kind. Birds, butterflies, squirrels, and rabbits were plentiful enough. Nothing big. No deer, bears, lions, elephants, sloths, or anything else. Apparently, all the animals were in the zoo or infirmary. Most of the time, Lucy was fine with this. Sometimes though, it felt odd. Safe, but odd.

  Lucy was in such a good mood about leaving she even let Maya take her shopping for some new travel clothes. They had fun, even though shopping was not Lucy’s forte and she had to argue with Maya when it came to practicality. Maya loved fashion. Lucy liked being prepared. If you couldn’t travel or fight in it, she didn’t want it. Maya kept trying to convince her they would be spending a portion of time in cities and needed at least some formal attire. Lucy argued that the cities and their respective people could accept her in travel clothes. Maya sighed. Lucy was sure Maya was going to pack some less practical clothing for her.

  Maya helped Lucy carry her packages back to her room. Lucy invited her in. They chatted about this and that as Lucy packed her purchases. Lucy asked Maya how she liked having short hair. Maya loved it and figured she could lengthen it magically if they ever traveled where short haired women gave the wrong impression. Maya went so far as to suggest Lucy would look cute with short hair. Lucy wasn’t ready to give it a try.

  “What other types of classes are there? I feel most of what I take is battle related. I met Mary and it made me curious,” said Lucy changing the subject to something other than hair.

  “I see. Yes, there are tons of classes to take here. Your talents and interests lend themselves to adventures and quests, so your curriculum tries to prepare you for anything. You know I’ve taken voice, instrument, dance, and politics classes,” responded Maya.

  “I know about those. Do we have wool carding classes?”

  “We do. I’m sure Eric didn’t think it hit the top of your priority list. Are you interested in wool carding?”

  “No. I think I’ll take my Combat Life-saving class instead, disturbing as it is. I think I’ll need to know that information before I’ll need to be able to card wool. It made me curious to know what else is available.”

  “That makes sense. Never too soon to think about retirement,” Maya teased. “Besides the carding, there is spinning, dying, and weaving. The school offers lots of Introduction classes to find where your talents lie, then, you can pursue them further. There are classes in candle making, basket weaving, pottery, wood carving and furniture making, blacksmithing, weapons and armor forging, becoming a jeweler or a cobbler. There are even classes on how to run your own general store or inn. The options are endless. If there is something you want to do that we don’t have a class for, arrangements of some kind can be made.”

  “Would they bring in a new teacher or apprentice you out in another land?” wondered Lucy.

  “Either option is possible. It depends on your language skills and what it is you want to do. I don’t think there is anyone here studying medieval dentistry. However, the perfume section is rather new and popular. Setting up a perfume empire in a magical land could be lucrative. Not to mention, you’d always smell good.”

  Lucy laughed. “Learning to make perfume could be fun. However, I think
I would use magic on a toothache before seeing a dentist. Or have Justin heal it.”

  “Speaking of Justin, I’ve seen Brent watching you,” said Maya.

  “Watching me? How?” wondered Lucy.

  “In the way he tends to study women before going in for the conquest. I thought you should be warned,” said Maya with a shrug.

  “That’s good to know,” said Lucy. “He’s in one of my classes. He’s gorgeous, of course, but acts like Petra and I might be worthy to date if and when he gets around to it. We might or might not be next on his list, but there’s something about him that implies if we were next on his list, we’d be forgone conclusions. I’m not sure I like the idea of him watching me.”

  “I see,” said Maya laughing. “You’re insights are always amusing. I’m not sure he’s ever been turned down by a girl.”

  “Does that mean he hasn’t asked you, or you didn’t turn him down?”

  “We tend to stay away from each other. He knows I wouldn’t tolerate that kind of behavior from him and he’s not sure I wouldn’t turn him down. He likes to break hearts, not have his broken. I pity the girl he really does fall in love with.”

  “Pity?”

  “Well, she’ll either see Brent for what he is or be blind to his flaws. I’m not sure either scenario would be a healthy relationship,” Maya shrugged. “He is gorgeous though.”

  “He doesn’t seem fond of Justin,” commented Lucy.

  “That was the other reason I was warning you. Justin tends to enjoy annoying certain people when he gets the chance. He likes to show up Brent from time to time in class, but always quietly and subtly. Justin never takes the bait when Brent attempts to needle him back. I’m sure Brent would love to take you away from him. He’d relish watching Justin squirm while he used you and dropped you. Hurting you would hurt Justin. Brent knows that.”

  “I have no intention of leaving Justin.”

  “Brent is many things, but he’s not stupid. No matter how he looks at you, he’s not completely sure of himself, or he would have tried something already. For now he is watching and learning and waiting. The minute you and Justin look like you’re unstable, he’ll be right there. I thought you should know.”

  “Wow, you’d think he’d have better things to do than tick off Justin.”

  “He does. That doesn’t mean he’ll pass up the chance if it lands in his lap.”

  They chatted a bit longer. Eventually, Maya had to go pack herself and bid Lucy goodnight. They were going to Taran’s cabin the next morning and Lucy was ready to go. She took a long shower, not sure when she’d get to take her next one, and put on her pajamas, comfy shorts and a tank top. Then, she was at a loss of what to do. She didn’t have any homework and she wasn’t tired. She stared around her room for a while. Then, she shrugged her shoulders, got up, and left her room. Justin was also busy preparing for the quest so Lucy hadn’t seen too much of him lately.

  It was drafty in the halls and Lucy wondered if she should go back and get a cloak, but decided against it. She wasn’t cold and didn’t plan on wandering the halls all night. She knocked on Justin’s door. He opened it shirtless and barefoot.

  “Hi,” said Lucy brightly.

  Justin stood aside and gestured her in distractedly. He was obviously in the middle of packing. His things were strewn all over the floor. Lucy found a place on the bed and plopped down cross legged. Justin frowned slightly and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Sorry, should I move?” asked Lucy noticing his expression.

  “No, you’re fine. Lucy, did it ever occur to you that walking around the school at night in your pajamas is not a good idea?”

  Lucy looked down at herself, shrugged, and said, “I guess I didn’t think about it.” Now that he mentioned it, this probably wasn’t the best idea she’d ever had. She felt safe enough here at school and confident she could fight her way out of any negative situation. He did have a point though. Why invite trouble? She couldn’t imagine the scene that would arise if Darren had seen her.

  “If you plan to make a habit of it, I can arrange for us to share a room,” said Justin nonchalantly, one eyebrow raised.

  Lucy looked around, “I think it would be a bit crowded. The rooms are small and you seem to have a lot of things.”

  Now Justin looked surprised, “So, you’re okay moving in together provided the room is bigger?”

  “Oh no, I was simply commenting on logistics. I don’t intend to make a habit of wandering around the halls at night in my pajamas.”

  “Pity,” commented Justin, “I like you in your pajamas.”

  “How’s packing going?” she asked. She felt the other conversation would only continue in circles.

  “Fine. I take it you’re finished?”

  “Yes, do you want some help?”

  “No, I like to make sure I have everything. You’re welcome to stay though.”

  “Thanks,” said Lucy.

  Justin stared at her for a moment, and then continued packing. Lucy paged through a book of maps on Justin’s bed while Justin carefully folded and packed socks.

  “Does the school allow that?” asked Lucy.

  “Socks?” asked Justin confused.

  “Cohabitation.”

  “Do you mean allow, encourage, or ignore? Believe me, there are students cohabitating as we speak.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “It’s not common. Students who are serious about each other tend to choose the same world to go to and go there. Once there, they tend to get married, or whatever the equivalent is in that land: consorting, hand-fasting, legally binding merger of all past, present, and future worldly possessions. Most students don’t do a lot of back and forth traveling like we do. I’m sure Eric would be accommodating if we asked…” Justin left the comment open ended, but Lucy didn’t seem to notice. She continued looking at the book of maps. Justin shrugged again and continued folding tunics, placing them next to the socks. He tried to concentrate but it was difficult. Lucy looked quite appealing sitting there quietly on his bed. It was somehow much more distracting than Lucy chatting would have been.

  “One tent or two?” asked Justin.

  “One is safer, I think. Otherwise you wouldn’t know if Maya and I were being attacked. You would never hear us over Gavin’s snores.”

  That wasn’t exactly what Justin meant, but he let it go. It probably was safer all together in one tent. Justin finished packing and set his pack in the corner by the door.

  “Do you want me to escort you back to your room?”

  “Can I stay here?”

  “Of course, but then you’ll be sneaking back to your room in your pajamas in the morning.”

  Lucy grimaced, “Good point. Walk me back?”

  Justin smiled and slipped on a tunic and boots.

  Chapter 8

  Lucy woke up earlier than usual the next morning. She was too worked up about traveling to fall back to sleep. She thought it might be a good idea to say good-bye to Ted. That way he would know not to expect her for the next few weeks. She got dressed, grabbed her pack, and made her way to the apothecary. Ted was already there. Lucy wondered if he ever left. Did he sleep in the back somewhere or did he have a room he went to at the end of the day? Did he have a family? A pet? A hobby?

  “Good morning,” said Lucy, entering the apothecary and inhaling the unusual combination of cinnamon and sage. Ted was at the counter sorting through what looked like different types of octopus tentacles. Or perhaps there were multiple live octopi tangled together, considering how the mass of tentacles was undulating. Lucy was glad she was not supposed to be working today. She did not want to participate in whatever today’s activity involved. Ted looked up but kept his hands amid the squirming mass.

  “Tomorrow. Today is not tomorrow. I thought you were not coming back until tomorrow,” said Ted, blinking at her in confusion.

  “I’m supposed to come in tomorrow, but I won’t be here. I’m going on a quest and thoug
ht I should tell you so you wouldn’t worry when I didn’t show up” explained Lucy.

  “Good. Polite thing to do. Thank you. Not good to cause worry. Worry causes indigestion and all sorts of other nastiness. Quests though, those are not so good. You could get hurt, you may not come back, you could get killed, you might get turned into a tree. Dangerous things, quests. I’d rethink this if I were you. It’s much better to stay here at school. Safe. Although, perhaps being a tree is safe. Not sure about the process, but once you’re a tree, it might be peaceful. Do you know where I put the nutmichkers?”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t,” replied Lucy. She had no idea what nutmichkers were. If they were at all involved in that tentacle situation, she was doubly glad she was not going to be participating.

  “Well, that’s no good. I must find out what I did with them. Good luck on this quest thing. Quests are such silly things. They rarely go as one expects. The item is rarely where one expects it to be and often not at all what one expected it to be. Lots of running around and getting into trouble for very little gain. Sleeping on the ground and what have you. Sure to be damp. Dampness makes my leg ache. Very silly things. I was sure I had them yesterday. The nutmichkers that is, not the damp,” with that, Ted walked off into the back room still talking and trailing slime behind him.

  Lucy took that as her cue to leave. She didn’t want to be late because she got caught up with gosh-knows-what at the apothecary. She made her way to Eric’s office where Gavin, Maya, and Justin were already assembled. Eric wished them good luck, gave them each their travel ring, and sent them out his door. They walked through it and into Taran’s backyard.

  Lucy liked Taran’s cabin. It was small, but felt sturdy and comforting. The flower beds and herb gardens always looked well-tended. Lucy recognized adder’s tongue, betony, wintergreen, cinquefoil, dill, honeysuckle, lavender, saffron, sage, parsley, rue, violets, many she did not know and, of course, roses. Lucy felt that every garden should have roses. Tendrils of smoke curled up from the chimney. Taran often had a pot of stew simmering on the fireplace. She supposed that made sense. It could feed any number of people that did or did not show up, took little effort to make, and smelled wonderful. Considering the time of day though, it was more likely breakfast. Although, she was sure Gavin would eat anything for breakfast, including stew.