"Never," Electra insisted, "I have no time for those silly children."
Seemingly satisfied, Serafina handed the object to Electra.
Electra opened the gift carefully, trying not to harm the beautiful floral wrapping. She took out a heavy crystalline globe, almost transparent, but not quite. As she peered into it little cloud shapes appeared, then drifted away to recompose again and again, endlessly.
"How wonderful," she gasped. "A crystal ball. Oh thank you, Mother, It is the best gift in the world!" She put the ball down carefully in the basket and threw her arms around Serafina.
"You are pleased," Serafina said, trying not to show her own emotion. "Perhaps there is hope for you after all. Shall we see what it has to tell us?"
Serafina took up the ball in one hand and held it in the glow of the fireplace. "Come close, and tell me what you see."
"I see little white shapes that shift in the light, and… I see feelings in the way they twist and turn, sometimes slow, calm, and sometimes angry, turbulent," Electra said. She looked up hopefully at Serafina.
"Excellent," Serafina said.
Electra tried to meld her mind with the shapes of the clouds in the ball.
"Relax your mind," Serafina said, "allow the shapes to speak to you."
"Where will I find fresh mandrake root?" Electra asked the globe. She watched as the cloud shapes shifted. She thought of a place in the forest made lush by a stream. She saw a bend in the stream where the water was quite deep.
"I will look by that deep bend," she said aloud.
"You do well for a beginner," Serafina said. "Keep asking questions."
They continued until well past bedtime.
As they made ready to sleep Electra said, "Look Mother, Bella has laid an egg."
"Fortunate for her," Serafina said, and they both drifted off to sleep.
In the days that followed, the little house by the swamp was alive with activity. Electra used the crystal ball to aid in gathering the ingredients for the charms that Serafina concocted. As always, as spring neared, men and women clamored for love potions for themselves and hexes for their competitors. Some came alone to the cabin late at night, under cover of darkness, to tell Serafina and Electra those secret things they could not tell their families, exchanging coins for charms to make their dreams come true. When Electra had a minute free from gathering and making potions she practiced with her crystal ball.
One night Serafina saw Electra turning the crystal ball first one way and then another. Serafina continued work on a half-finished hex as she watched the girl.
"Do you see something interesting?" she asked.
"I keep getting a feeling that someone of high rank is trying to make contact with me," Electra said. "It makes no sense to me."
Serafina held her breath and steadied herself, then said calmly, "Let me look."
She peered over Electra's shoulder and saw what she dreaded most. They had finally come to find the girl. But this was not King Geoffrey, someone younger… a son. So they had a son, not much younger than Electra, fourteen or fifteen perhaps, and two others traveled with him. A spy, of course, and a powerful man, but old. She composed herself before turning to face Electra.
"Probably any one of those hot-blooded young men in the village, full of himself, wanting to own you," Serafina said harshly.
That night Serafina slept badly and dreamed darkly.
Chapter 3
South of Fernland
Prince Avor gazed at the stars as he lay wrapped in a saddle blanket beside the campfire ready for sleep. He saw the constellations clearly in a sky left dark by a thin crescent moon. King Geoffrey had sent two men along with his son to search for Electra, Old General Pommell and Muller the Spy. For fourteen days they had journeyed south and lately there were rumors of a powerful sorceress still farther south in the region of Seachase. Avor knew the chances of the sorceress being Serafina were slim but they had only rumors to guide them and had followed up on each one so far to no avail. Muller the Spy had been gone three days, scouring the countryside for leads.
General Pommell, pulled from retirement for this mission, lay silently beside him, watching as a shooting star flashed above in a southward arc.
"Did you see that, lad?" General Pommell asked.
"I did. Do you think it an omen?"
"Ah, omens. Never trusted them myself. Could be a good omen, could be a bad omen. How's a body to know?"
King Geoffrey’s story came again into Prince Avor's sleepy thoughts. His sympathies lay with his father, of course, but he could understand the hurt and hate Serafina must have felt. To fall in love with her sister after their wedding had been set. Should his father have kept his promise to Serafina even though he loved her sister? What might his own life have been to have a sorceress for a mother? What must Electra's life be like?
"Do you remember when my father broke his engagement to Serafina?" Avor asked.
"Oh yes. It caused a huge uproar. Serafina and your mother came from a powerful family. Their father was the war minister back when Geoffrey was young and had his hands full fighting old King Blackwell of Henge in all-out war. Young Serafina loved to sit and listen while her father spoke to the generals. Course, I wasn’t quite a general back then, but I managed to slip into a few war councils."
"When did she become a sorceress?" Avor asked.
"Probably born to it. She would come up with things…; we called it second sight or prediction. Maybe just good guesses, but wherever her ideas came from, she was usually right on the mark. It got so her father brought her into the councils, asked her advice. She had as much say as any one of the generals. King Geoffrey fancied himself in love with her but maybe a little scared of her as well. Between her and her father they laid out a plan of war that finally succeeded in a big victory over old King Blackwell of Henge. We took back the land he had taken and then some. It was quite a battle. Old Blackwell lost his leg in that battle; almost died. He turned over power to his son after that. Course by then the engagement was off and Geoffrey had married your mother."
"Do you think she foresaw that my father would break the engagement?" Avor asked.
"Funny thing that. You would think with all her powers she would have seen it coming. I suppose that when it comes to matters of the heart, a good mind isn’t much use. At the time she didn’t make any fuss about it. I guess that’s why no one suspected her when Electra came up missing. It wasn’t any surprise that she would leave around that time. Her father had just died and there wasn’t much after that to keep her in Fernland."
"Why wasn’t anyone new appointed to the post of War Minister after her father died?" Avor asked. "I’ve always wondered about that."
General Pommell laughed. "All the old generals were at odds over which one of them should be the new minister. Finally your father just abolished the post. And it was about then, when nobody was paying much attention, that those renegades from Helsop started sneaking over the border, shooting game in our forests, taking hostages for ransom and causing havoc where they could."
"That rabble from Helsop should be dealt with once and for all," Avor said.
"They’re rascals, that’s for sure. But to be fair, they’re between a rock and a hard place sitting where they do smack between Fernland and Henge. Every time King Geoffrey and Blackwell go to war, Helsop is right in the middle of it and usually takes the brunt of the battle."
"They should choose their friends more wisely," Avor said, repeating an oft heard quote from his father.
"Yes, it is true their headman, Dagon, sides with the Blackwells of Henge, but that’s because Blackwell gives Helsop a little in the way of food and trade to encourage their raids in Fernland. Blackwell the Younger is no fool. He would rather have Dagon of Helsop do his dirty work than put his own precious army at risk."
"They’re all of a feather," Avor said, dismissing both Henge and Helsop. He turned his thoughts back to the
quest for Electra. As more questions formed in his mind, he heard his companion’s breathing begin to slow. He realized the general was falling asleep and asked a question quickly. "Do you think, General, that my sister is a sorceress?"
"Be interesting to find out, won’t it?" General Pommell mumbled.
Prince Avor wanted to ask the General if he thought they were in danger from Serafina but he couldn’t decide how to phrase it so that he wouldn’t sound as though he were afraid of her. He decided to ask the General if he thought Serafina would be angry that they had come to take Electra home, but as he opened his mouth to speak he heard a raspy snore coming from the old warrior. Before long Avor was fast asleep beside him.
Chapter 4
Village of Chase Bound
As Serafina neared the Travelers Camp she heard the sound of mandolins and drums. The brightly colored wagons formed a half circle at the northern circumference of the camp and several tents were pitched on the southern rim of the circle. She kept to the shadows of the painted wagons until she could see the campfire clearly. The large fire pit sat in the center of the clearing within the circle made by the tents and wagons. The fire burned brightly throwing sparks high into the air. Women and children in colorful clothes danced, laughing and clapping as they stamped and twirled in time to the music. Most of the men sat a little away from the fire eating a spicy smelling soup from cups that they refilled with a ladle from a large communal pot. They tore off pieces of bread from large loaves to dip in the soup as they joked and talked among themselves, gesturing enthusiastically with their hunks of bread.
Serafina searched the dark line of tents surrounding the campfire until she saw the young gypsy girl she sought. The girl sat outside a tent, watching the dancers. Avoiding the light from the campfire, Serafina moved toward the tent.
"Angelica," she said.
The girl turned. "Serafina, you got my message. Come in quickly. I don’t want my father to see you."
Serafina entered the tent behind Angelica. "Your message said you had information."
"Remember when you told me to watch for any strangers asking questions about you and Electra?"
Serafina stiffened slightly and nodded.
"There was a man here this morning, asking questions."
"What did he wish to know?" Serafina asked.
"If we knew of a person who could make him a love charm."
"What did you tell him?"
"That we could make him a love charm, of course," Angelica said smiling. "He then asked if we had ever heard of someone called Serafina."
"And…?"
"We told him nothing. He said he would be staying at the Inn in Chase Bound if we thought of anything that might be useful. He hinted he might pay for information. Of course we knew you would pay more for our silence."
"Of course," Serafina said. "Describe the man."
"He looked quite ordinary. One who would fade into a crowd, of medium height and girth with brown hair and keen eyes. An attractive fellow."
Serafina smiled and held out two gold coins "One for you and one for the men’s silence." Angelica took both and slipped one into her yellow sash.
Serafina watched the girl carefully. "You thought him attractive?"
Angelica flushed a little and shrugged her shoulders.
Serafina looked out the flap of the tent towards the campfire. She saw Angelica’s father clapping in time to the music, his fiddle by his side. He took a wine flask from his pocket and held it high above his head, laughing. He tipped the flask and caught the liquid stream in his mouth, wiping the drips away with his sleeve.
"Are you still bent on running away?" Serafina asked.
"I am," she said with an upward tilt of her chin. "My father’s only thought now is of drink. He will demand both coins if he sees you here. If I stay…" Angelica paused and her dark eyes flashed an angry message, "he will find ways to use me to get more wine."
Serafina studied Angelica’s face and height. At a distance she might pass for Electra. "I will come for you tomorrow," she said, "be ready to leave just before dawn."
Serafina disappeared quickly into the darkness outside the tent before Angelica could ask more questions.
The sorceress took a shortcut through the swamp and was soon standing in front of the Wayfarer’s Inn and Tavern in Chase Bound. She saw the spy through the brightly lit windows of the tavern. He sat in the back corner, sipping a glass of ale, watching any patrons who came through the door.
She walked through the narrow alley beside the inn to the back of the tavern and stepped through the door into a dark storeroom. Only a curtain separated her from the rear of the tavern. She recognized the big voice of the Innkeeper, a hearty welcoming fellow with a bright red beard.
"How’re ye keepin’ there, Mate?" he asked the spy. "It’s getting’ on ta’ night; will ye be wantin’ a bed?"
"I suppose I’d better," Muller said, "I’ve an important day tomorrow and I’d best get a good rest."
"Oh, are ye on yer way to some special occasion then?"
"About as special as a day can get," Muller said, "I plan to ask my girl to marry me."
"Well, now," the Innkeeper said, taking the seat across from Muller, "Ain’t that a day fer sure."
"I just wish I had something…, something magic that would give me a little edge on getting the answer I’m hoping for," Muller said.
"If it’s a love charm yer after ya’ should get one from Serafina; she’s the best isn’t she?" he said.
"Serafina? Yes I’m sure I’ve heard of her. Has a daughter I’m told; what was her name?" Muller asked.
"That’d be Electra, a real up and comer, she is, followin’ in ‘er Mother’s footsteps."
"How would I get to their place of business?"
"Their cabin ya’ mean. Well, there’s the short cut through the swamp, but fer me and my feelin’s fer swamps, I’d take the long way ta’ South and then cut over Witch Hill. You’ll see the path easy in daylight. It’s well worn." The Innkeeper wiped his hands on his wine-stained white apron and reached into his pocket for a room key.
"Thanks for the help," Muller said, taking the key the Innkeeper held out to him.
Serafina pressed the curtain aside to glimpse the spy as he ran up the stair steps, two at a time. Then she was out the door and on her way back to the swamp.
Chapter 5
Village of Chase Bound
The next morning Muller awoke and stretched out happily. He had slept comfortably in a clean bed for the first time since leaving Fernland in search of Princess Electra. He smiled to himself as he remembered how easy it had been to get the information he needed. He pushed his pillow aside and threw back the covers. "Sometimes a spy just gets lucky," Muller said aloud. Today he would report to General Pommell and his work here would be done. He needed to get back to Fernland, to his job of gathering intelligence on Dagon of Helsop and the northern infiltrators.
Muller followed the smell of cooking meat downstairs and waved to the Innkeeper as he sat down for breakfast. The Innkeeper brought him a hot breakfast brew that smelled of herbs and apples.
"Saw the sorceress this morning. May be too late to get the ‘thing’ we spoke of last night," the Innkeeper said with a wink.
Muller tried to stay calm as he responded. "Oh? Why’s that?"
"Saw the two of ‘em leavin’ town earlier."
"What makes you think they were leaving town?"
"They was carryin’ bags, you know, like they was plannin’ to be gone awhile. Kind of strange now I think on it, they kept lookin’ around like someone might be followin’ ‘em. Anyway, I’m sure your girl will say yes. You don’t need no charm."
"I was sort of set on it," Muller mused, "maybe I’ll try to catch up and see if they have a spare one. Which way were they headed?"
"South, looked like."
"Seachase?"
"Ain’t much else to South. Likely goin’
ta catch a trading ship ta somewheres or other."
"I’m going to give it a try," Muller said, "when was it you saw them?"
"Just sun-up, maybe an hour ago."
Muller dropped a few coins on the table. "Book me for another night, I’ll likely be back." He clapped the innkeeper on the shoulder and rushed out the door.
Outside the inn Muller cursed softly. "I should have known. She’s a sorceress. She has second sight. What was I thinking? She knows we’re here. I should have been watching her cottage all night, not sleeping in a bed." He ran to the stable to retrieve his horse. If they are on foot I should be able to catch them, he thought, and this time I won’t let them out of my sight.
Chapter 6
Port of Sea Chase
Serafina and Angelica pulled the bags Angelica had brought with her from atop the sacks of potatoes and thanked the farmer who had stopped to give them space to ride on his cart. He waved them off and hurried to begin unloading his vegetables.
The docks at Seachase bustled with activity. Southern Cross, a 90 foot two masted schooner, bobbed and creaked alongside its pier. Farmers and herders jammed their carts of produce and livestock as close to the ship as possible to unload. Crates of squawking chickens and ducks, pigs, cattle, horses, wine barrels, produce, household goods and crafts of various kinds made their way up the ship’s gangplank. Overhead, seagulls shrieked and circled, diving for scraps of food.
The ship’s purser stood on the dock to the side of the gangplank, listing the cargo as it came aboard and selling passage to the people lined up to board the ship. Serafina and Angelica joined the line of people waiting to board, checking the contents of their bags to avoid conversation with others in line. When they reached the purser, Serafina paid for Angelica’s passage to Manoa with gold coins.
"Will you be traveling alone?" the purser asked. He flashed his most beguiling smile at Angelica.
"I’ll be accompanying my daughter," Serafina said sternly, "I already have my voucher. It is in my baggage."
"Very good," Ma’am," the purser said. "I’ll have a steward see to your bags."
"We prefer to see to them ourselves," Serafina said.