The Banishing

CHAPTER 2

There were none to greet Jon at the landing on the Isle. Walking the jetty to the path up the hill he felt both apprehension and an odd feeling of coming home. He stopped just short of the dirt path liking the feel of the wood and the slight movement the jetty carried from the sea. The feeling of being watched came as no surprise. It would have been stranger had he not been. The slight mental tingle of a tenuous ward and the attentions of a man on the hillside caused him to smile. He continued up the path.

Ellish watched the boy as he saw him to be. He used his Madge power of the other eye to study this new entrant to the Isle of Wizards. What he saw gave him pause. The boy radiated power but beyond that outward manifestation there was nothing. The breadth and depth Ellish should have been able to perceive was simply not present. Ellish peered closer. Ah, no, not missing but hidden, almost completely in a manner Ellish had never seen before.

The boy paused on the track before turning slowly in a complete circle; he stepped off the track and walked directly toward where Ellish sat without looking up.

Ellish looked to his own dampened emanations and wondered how he had been so clearly seen: It was the first of many questions.

The Skein, the Isle’s ward against intruders had raised no alarm. No feat of magic had enabled entry to the Isle for that would have been noted by many. No, somehow the boy had been allowed entry by some deeper level of the balance. Ellish sighed, so much to learn if one has the wit to look. He smiled to himself.

Ah! A young lad I now see, a traveler, not a boy. Ellish mused to himself and nodded in greeting as the lad walked up and stood for a moment looking down at the ancient sitting at ease on a rock.

The warm sun and fitful breeze in the shelter of the trees, the background wash of magic coming from further up the hill, the ever present Isle’s ward all combined to tell Jon that this was a very special place. Jon looked again at the robed man. The white hair, unlined face, and vivid blue eyes with a cant for amusement and the muted aura of power that sat easily about him gave Jon a feeling of coming to a sanctuary.

Jon nodded in return and sat on a near rock and looked out to the west. He looked to the mountains of home, distant in so many ways, faint on the western horizon. Ellish saw a pained expression cross Jon’s face.

Here is a story here to unravel in time, Ellish thought. "I am Ellish, one of the teachers.” He said. “I am in charge of this place.” He awaited response.

Jon wrote his name on the side of the rock he was sitting on. Ellish nodded his head in acknowledgement. “And what brings you here Jon?” Ellish asked while using all his arts to understand what could be read from Jon’s arrival.

Jon looked bleak and troubled for a moment and turned away from Ellish. How do I answer this stranger? He thought. The weight of a childhood of fear and loss threatened to overwhelm him.

“I have a power within.” Jon said at last and a blast of wind shredded leaves from the tree in front of them although the words were softly spoken.

Ellish stood a look of surprise and concern crossed his face. Ellish placed a hand on Jon’s shoulder.

“You have come to the right place.” Ellish said at last and then sat. “We need to learn about this power you have and thence come to understand how you may control it. Magic has rules, though we know not all of them. So we will both be students in this.” Ellish smiled at Jon.

Jon looked again at the man and understood he was in a place of acceptance. In an odd way that in itself was both good and unsettling.

Ellish watched as Jon turned away to wipe his eyes. So this is the lad of rumor, the boy who speaks death. Ellish thought. What a terrible burden for one so young and without support and training. It is a wonder he has managed to survive. That explains the tension and difficulty speaking. Ellish sat waiting to see if Jon had anything else to say and collecting his thoughts. A change of environment and some physical exercise I think. Ellish thought.

"Well Jon, lunch awaits us." Ellish said gathering his robes and starting off through the stand of Nellock trees without looking back, Jon followed. The path Ellish chose was the steeper of the two and longer.

The Ancient, as Jon still thought of Ellish, moved at a surprising pace. Jon was pressed to keep up though mountain born and used to hard trails.

Stepping through the forest verge Jon wondered at the size of the unexpected single street village before him. The building central within the vast clearing was a singularly wondrous thing. Built of great slabs of stone piled in what seemed like confusion. Yet as a whole, taking in the windows, gardened balconies and massive wooden double doors it was beautiful. Jon smiled to himself it is massive and beautiful but also a fortress for all the flowers he thought.

"We change it from time to time, as the mood suits." Ellish smiled, pausing a moment to gauge Jon’s reaction.

Jon could not help but smile at the offhand reference to such a task. He felt a lift of elation, realizing that only magic on a grand scale could accomplish such a feat, and a feeling of acceptance he hardly dared admit to feeling.

They entered the wide door way directly into a great chamber with vaulted ceiling and paneled walls hung with tapestries of sylvan scenes. Scattered seemingly at random were trestle tables and bench seats. Perhaps a hundred people were at lunch chatting and eating or calling for food or drink. Some looked up and watched as Ellish steered Jon to a table. Ellish waved to gain the attention of a serving boy, not that he seemed to need to do so for in moments plates and cups and utensils were placed before them. The sight and smell of food made Jon’s mouth water and he realized how desperately hungry he was. The food was simple; cold meat, salad, bread, cheese, fruit and water. It was the best meal Jon had eaten in many a day. Ellish introduced him to others at the table.

“This is Jon, come to us today. Before you start firing questions he does not speak, though I know he can.” This said with a questioning look from under bushy white eyebrows.

Jon nodded assent. He was quietly greeted by others at the table and nodded to each.

Ellish spent the early afternoon showing Jon the basic layout of The Hall, as the edifice was named.

Jon was allocated a room and bedding, told the chimes that called meals and meetings and the basic rules. Ellish also gave him a slate and a soapstone pencil. Jon immediately drew a rudimentary smiling face and wrote thank you. A room of his own, a place to be safe. It was larger than the whole cottage he grew up in and warm and clean. With a look of wonder he stood in front of a bookcase and stroked the books’ bindings. Ellish nodded to himself and watched with interest as Jon’s fingers hesitated over a book titled The Control of Power.

Ellish also introduced him to a short, very freckled, moon faced youth who seemed unable to stop grinning and requested Jon be shown around.

“He be Batt. He will answer questions you have. I have classes to take but I will see you at dinner.”

Batt turned out to be the perfect guide. He talked incessantly and had opinions on everything from the weather to the temperament of anyone they happened upon.

Lying in his own bed after dinner Jon took stock. He got as far as acknowledging he was where he was meant to be, that he was safe and warm, and that he had writer's cramp before he fell into exhausted asleep.

* * *

The young Witch woke in a frisson of angst from dark and jumbled dreams. She shrank further down into the lambskin covers. She listened but there was only silence. Not even the distant sea reached to comfort her. She threw the covers aside and scooped a hand full of pine needles from the box by the hearth. She scattered them over the still glowing coals. Light and aroma bloomed in the one room cottage bringing a sense of warmth and normality. The light showed her to be slim with long unruly gold hair and her blue eyes wide with angst. Then came a sound as a distant wind, a massive frightful thing, she thought. It passed Northing toward the Long Sea, leaving the Southern Isles behind. She returned to bed shivering. Kareea Neet had heard a call, keening, faint and desperate within that awful tumult. She was agitated and it was long hours before sleep came.

* * *

Far to the north of the Southern Isles Jon slept fitfully. Fragments of past trials and fear, fleeting images not to be held finally brought him awake. Urged by he knew not what, he dressed quickly in the dark and made haste to the rooftop. The only sound was his own breath which plumed white in the chill fitful breeze and he turned facing south and scanned the horizon.

Something dark grew there. He felt the hair at the back of his neck and arms rising. Not for the first time he felt the warmth of the earth in the soles of his feet in spite of being three stories high.

Awareness came to him that this growing dark was not a natural thing, but a magic thing, an amok thing, an echo of an awry casting on a massive scale.

The warmth in his feet reached his heart and head and a power filled him as never before. Elation borne of certain knowledge that he must counter this awful echo and now had the power to do so swept over him head to toe. He raised his staff and cried with all his might the word no in the tongue of the mountains. Then the awry spell hit shattering merlons on the southern side of the roof. Jon’s last impression before he lost consciousness was of a green shield springing from the flagstones at his feet.

In the Hall below many Witches and Wizards were startled from study or sleep. The guardian Skein had been broken and in the village the alarm bell began to toll.

It was full day when Jon woke, weak and disoriented, hungry and with a deep feeling of angst. He tried to sit up but a small cool hand on his forehead restrained him.

"This is Meena, a healer, she has a talent for fixing what ails you,” Ellish’s face came slowly into focus. “When you are able I would like to hear what happened last night,” Ellish looked grave.

“First food, talk later,” was the cryptic response from Meena.

Jon liked the voice and tried to turn toward it but his neck hurt. He shivered, his head was pounding and his ears were ringing. He felt as though he had not had a sip of water in days.

Meena, moved toward the door. “I will bring food.” The door closed quietly.

Jon struggled to focus his thoughts. He whispered, “an awry spell.” The curtains over the window moved as if a stiff breeze swept the room although the window was shut. Ellish patted his arm.

“Talk can wait and in a more suitable place me thinks. Meena will bring food in a moment. I will come back later.” Ellish left Jon with an impression of urgency.

Jon struggled to a sitting position and wondered vaguely how he had got to bed. His left hand was swathed in bandages. He remembered none of that either. He felt too drained to attempt getting up.

His staff was propped in its place by the door, round its middle was a hand print scorched into the wood. His bandaged hand throbbed in response. I hope I did no damage. Old fears momentarily rose to career across his thoughts but a soothing warmth came like a fog drifting and lifting to reveal a morning sun. Jon sighed at its dissipation of his reawakened angst yet under its influence questioned it not. Who sent that awesome thing? What would prompt such malice? That line of thought was interrupted by Meena's return. The smells coming from the tray she carried made his mouth water. Jon reached out for the tray but she ignored him and put it on the side table.

“First you must rebuild." She sat on the bed facing him and took his hands. He started to pull away.

"No", said Meena who shook her head and squeezed his hands. "Close your eyes and think of the sea."

Meena’s hands were surprisingly warm. He did not know how he felt about holding hands with an unknown person but did as she suggested. The warmth of contact moved slowly up his arms fading in measure as it progressed. When it reached his shoulders it paused and seemed to build in intensity. When it finally reached his head he was amazed to see Meena’s face clear, and wide dark brown eyes. He was astounded, because his eyes were still shut.

Instantly contact was broken. Jon looked up at her his eyes still unfocused and unused to the light. Her look of astonishment was quickly hidden. Meena rose, abruptly placed the tray of food in his lap and left without a word. Jon found his headache was gone and his ears had stopped ringing and although still weak felt very hungry.

Meena burst into Ellish’s rooms without knocking. "He saw me! He could see me plain. He is..." She paused to draw breath realizing Ellish had company. Ellish smiled a half smile.

"Not unexpected but interesting among other things. I'm glad you told us." The tall woman standing by the window spoke while turning and the sun woke silver and gold in her hair. "We felt something too," the woman said. "Do not be alarmed. He is untutored. Go back to him but be gentle and keep your mind private Meena." She shook Meena's shoulder gently. "Go now. Do what you can for him, he is drained and you are the best of us at restoring." Meena bobbed her head.

"I will do what I can, thank you Marta."

Marta then turned to Ellish.

"We must understand him, what his capabilities are, especially after last night. There is power there the likes of which I have never seen." She said.

As the door closed behind Meena Ellish stood and walked to his desk. "Apart from the damage, which is minor considering," he grinned at Marta, "have a look at this." He pointed to an open book, and stepped back. She cast him a questioning look and leaned over the desk. After a moment she pulled the chair to her and sat continuing to read.

Ellish watched her, Marta the untouchable, one of the originals, came in the first group to the Wizard's Isle when it was just deeded by the King. She was the best of scryers and a wonderful tutor. He smiled a wry smile and the best of friends.

Marta looked up. "You suspect this?"

"After last night, yes; what he accomplished was not possible for one person no matter how talented, learned and powerful. There must have been intervention and that leaves only one possibility, Gaia herself." Ellish sat on the corner of the large desk. “That the Goddess herself intervened is the only explanation I can think of.”

Marta sat forward looking up at Ellish. "He must come to this understanding on his own. We cannot interfere if this be true. By the Lady, in my lifetime a Terrazard! A wizard who bridges both worlds," Marta sank back in the chair. "We will help him. He will not be alone." She sounded almost pleading. “Both the Wizard’s realm and the Witch’s earth powers will be open to him. He will be more alone than we could ever imagine."Marta looked forlorn. Ellish gently squeezed her shoulder.

“We are all alone,” Ellish said. Marta uncharacteristically pressed his hand and held it.

Meena found Jon wolfing down the last of the food. “You made short work of that.” He looked up a little sheepishly. She removed the tray and sat on the bed. Jon presented her with the slate.

I am sorry to have frightened you. I have power but know nothing about it. I have no control at all over what I have in me. Mostly it comes from my voice. So I don't speak.

Meena passed the slate back. “Perhaps you could try whispering very softly.” Jon looked dubious. “Go on.” Meena leaned forward her face neutral.

“It frightens me, the power.” The curtains moved only slightly in sympathy with his words.

“See! I knew you could do it.” Meena smiled.

Jon grabbed the slate and scrawled. My head hurts even whispering. He passed the slate. Meena nodded.

“Hands,” she ordered putting down the slate.

Again, he felt the warmth moving slowly up his arms and fading at his shoulders. Meena smiled, and then came the first tendril of contact. Jon tried to let go of Meena's hands but she held on gently and he relaxed. He looked into her eyes and away quickly, surprised to have seen her eyes searching his. The tendril wavered and then settled to a warming glow that spread to his whole body. Again he relaxed his hands and again came the gentle pressure to remain, and their eyes met. He likened the feeling the warmth brought to a filling up of spaces he did not know existed. Slowly the tendril strengthened. Each began to see fragments of the other but the pervading soothing, almost urgent warmth, calmed them into acceptance of this meeting of minds.

Tears tracked down Jon's cheeks, never in his life had he been so close to another. Without opening his eyes he saw Meena, in total, for the first time and she him. He could not think of the moment he had closed his eyes. He felt as if he should be afraid of such closeness but again the soothing agency intervened. Slowly the event passed and they finally separated. Yet never till life’s end would either be alone again.

"That was Gaia". Meena whispered, she wiped her eyes and then Jon's with the end of her sleeve. "We are consorts to each other and Gaia. The Goddess of Earth herself has touched us." Jon nodded and scrawled on the slate then cast it aside, and whispered. "I am at peace in me and you are beautiful." Meena's tears renewed and the curtains were unmoved and they hugged till the tears stopped and only smiles remained.

They went together to Ellish's rooms. Ellish greeted them at the door. Marta was still engrossed in the book.

"Marta." Ellish called, “we have visitors.” Marta looked up and slowly stood. Before them were two very different looking people.

"Well, we have some things to discuss I would think." Ellish smiled gently as Marta came round the desk toward them.

"What has happened?" Marta looked sharply to the two young people and then to Ellish.

"We are us, us and Gaia." Jon's voice though just above a whisper reverberated round the room. Curtains fluttered and papers on the desk slid to the floor. A breeze scented of earth and forest filled the room. They turned to each other and back to Ellish and Marta. “We have been tasked by Gaia: But of our own free will.” Meena said. Hand in hand Jon and Meena turned and left, the door seemed to close itself.

"What a day. I wonder what tomorrow will bring." Ellish smiled an odd enigmatic smile. Marta thumped him on the arm.

"Explain to me what that is about. I see the overt affections, they… they look hand fasted. Both are barely of age even for this place."

"Oh this is but the beginning and is not as appearances….." Ellish was cut off by a heavy knock on the door promptly opened by a large woman all in white. She swept into the room like a ship in full sail bringing the smell of the sea with her. She swept long wind tangled black hair from her face.

"I am called to here; and a bodknockington journey it was. I am Galena Matsaris of the Lee Isles. Why am I called to this place?" All three looked at each other with total loss. Then another figure appeared, a slim girl with unruly gold hair who stopped just inside the doorway.

"And who might you be?" Ellish asked. "Please come in."

"I be Kareea Neet. I come from the Southern Isles." She walked unsteadily to the nearest chair and sat down. “Gaia called me; called me to this nexus: This place, for reasons I do not know.” The two Witches looked at each other.

"I will request refreshments." Ellish stepped smartly past the three women and out the door. He did a little dance in the corridor on his way to the kitchens. We will have two more guests and right soon I expect. ‘And eight will be the number. And seven will light the night. And seven will see the light of day. And they have lit the light’. He stopped and stood dead still. That's a posy not a prophecy. But history warps much. He continued his way to the kitchens alternately smiling and scowling. The uniting thread in all of this is Gaia; Gaia, Jon and the Witches. He paused in the passage way. And an evil connects them all. And again no warning from the Skein: The Master of Wards and I shall talk. There is more than the ordinary flux of energies in the offing, with strange results.

Jon and Meena found themselves on the rooftop. It was littered with shards of stone and part of the southern balustrade was missing. The space where Jon had been standing was clear of debris.

"What do you think it was?"

"A big spell gone wrong I think." His sandals crunched on shards as he walked to look at the ruined balustrade.

"But why would it come here?” Meena spun in a circle arms out stretched, head back and dark hair streaming. Jon watched her looking amused at the antic.

He waited for her to stop. She bent forward and shook her hair out and straightening flung it back clear of her face. She looked very pleased.

“That thing with Gaia,” said Jon.”Was more than just us meeting. Much more I think. All magic is clearer and more ordered for me. It’s not like I know more, just I know where to look for what I want.”

"We should go and talk with Ellish…I can talk normally!" Jon had a look of wonder and then smiled.

"And I can now do this." Meena pointed at a larger piece of masonry. "HAH!" The call knocked the rock several feet. They both played the game for several minutes and went down to Ellish's rooms looking very pleased with themselves. The hubbub coming from Ellish's rooms gave them pause.

"Ah there you are." Ellish hastened to them and with an arm round each escorted them to the center of the group and made introductions.

Marta held back from the group still reading Ellish's book at the desk. Galena and Kareea stood with the two newcomers, Tarrish op Norn from Eastland and Melli Takk from the mountains. They chatted and laughed. They were asking questions and barely awaiting answer, sizing each other up and establishing a pecking order as any new group does.

Muddlenutts! Thought Jon, like a flock of starlings. Meena dug him in the ribs. I can hear you, talking in your head. I can hear your thoughts. Guard them. She looked earnestly into his eyes, then jabbed him in the stomach not quite gently. And I don't have sleepy eyes. He grinned at her and rubbed his stomach.

Kareea flashed them a look her head slightly on one side as if trying to hear before she looked back at the others. Marta also looked up but only for a moment and returned to the book. Ellish turned from the Witches and came over to Jon and Meena with a smile.

"There is tea and sweet pies, not much, think of it as an early lunch," he grinned. "We will all get serious later, when this lot talk themselves down." He grinned again then looked seriously at Jon and Meena. "A hornet’s nest has been poked by yesterday’s event. No, it's not your doing. Well in

part perhaps." He said looking at Jon. "It’s more about the thing itself and its origins." He turned away in response to Galena grabbing him by the arm.

Afternoon brought a clear day and the sun had a promising bite, harbinger of a warm spring. Jon sat by himself on the rock in the little clearing where he had perched when meeting Ellish for the first time. That old Witch Morek was right. I am in the right place. He looked to the west as he had done the first day meeting Ellish and the mountains of home seemed distant in a different way. Since the event of meeting Meena and the amok cast preceding that much had changed. Gaia was much of his source of power and through Meena’s understanding of magic he had learned enough to be able to question Ellish at length. All together a lot had changed, not the least being able to control at last his own innate gift and more; Gaia was a constant comfortable presence in the background of his mind. Light and tranquil it seemed, yet within there was a depth, a quiescent power the limits of which he did not question nor felt the need to do so. Gaia had given him a title, that of Gatekeeper. He did not know the full import of this but from some deeper understanding knew the knowledge would be available when needed. I am no longer just I. I am me, me with Meena and Gaia and Gaia is the…Jon searched for the word. Gaia is the force that binds. The thought pleased him.

He smiled thinking of Meena but the import of last night intruded. There is an evil mind out there with the name of Marcule Toise. From what he understood from Ellish, this Toise hated everyone. Gaia, the Witches and perhaps more so, everything the Wizards Isle stood for. Perhaps in spite because they threw him out. Exiled really, to no one knew where, by a petition to the King from the conclave on the Wizard’s Isle and on the King's orders. Well, it seems he is out for revenge.

Jon smiled to himself. Meena was coming. He could see her; it made him feel whole. She sat on the stone opposite and slipped off her sandals wriggling her toes into the leaves and grass. The smells of earth and forest and the hint of sea on the breeze assailed him. He understood that Meena was appreciating the same feelings and as their feelings intertwined the joy of the moment enveloped them. This, in part at least, was how he imagined Gaia saw the world. Joy was a very new thing for Jon, a very precious and important thing. He remembered something that Kareea had said, the balance must be kept. It physically hurt to realize that somewhere there was joy in the destruction of what he had just experienced. Meena kicked him not ungently.

"You are sending like shouting. Look or think of me and ‘talk,’” she smiled. "Better. Now we are just us".

"It’s like talking down a tunnel, but one just for you." He held up a hand. "I made it your color."

"What’s my color then?"

"Forest green, many greens really but the combination is just yours." Meena nodded.

"I like green."

"Do you do it differently?"

"Sort of, I just think of you as being at the other end...like sending a letter as you write the words."

Meena nudged him with a toe but looking down, long dark brown hair covering her face. "This is a closeness I never thought to have." She looked up. Jon understood that this was a question.

"I have never experienced closeness. Not even as a child that I remember, except with the dogs. Dogs don't care that you are different. They just know if you like them. Birds can be the same but it takes longer. With you it is not just an understanding. It goes deeper than that for me. I hope it is the same for you. I can see you almost as I see myself. It’s a bit frightening to be like a book, to be read even as you write it. That's the best I can explain." Meena's face was neutral. “But something I cannot deny wants more. Wants to bring you..." Jon got no further. Meena kissed him, very gently, and hiding behind her hair twined her fingers through his.