Techromancy Scrolls: Adept (8 page)

He pulled a section of the fruit away from the rest and popped it into his mouth, and deftly dropped the peel in one of the little brass trash cans at the end of each aisle. He saw me watching him and he paused and tore another section of fruit off. “Tangerine?”

I looked at him then the fruit. Then up at Celeste, “I've never had one, is it good?” I trusted her opinion. Hell, I trusted her, period.

She nodded and said, “It's like a small orange.” I screwed up my brow in confusion, then she said softly, “It is an exotic citrus that grows near Far Reach, near the southern most part of the habitable lands.” I knew citrus, they used lemons from Far Reach in the bakery to make special tarts for the nobles. They were supposed to be very sour.

I timidly reached out and accepted it, then smelled it. I pulled back and my eyes almost watered at the pleasant, acidic, and pungent smell. Then I took a bite, it was like it was made half of water like a grape, and moisture and tart sweet flavor exploded in my mouth. My eyes went wide and I popped the rest into my mouth and smiled as I chewed and swallowed. “That was amazing.” I looked at the bowls of fruit at the tables, wishing I had tried one instead of an apple.

The father and daughter seemed pleased with my reaction and he said absently, “Again, I forget...” Then we were in motion again heading into the G section. I knew what he was looking for now, and dragged along the Techno Knight who had attached herself to my arm.

I pointed at a row. “G8.”

Donovan paused and cocked an eyebrow, “You read?”

I nodded, “Some. My mother gave me and Jace lessons.”

He nodded in appreciation, then he counted down the units of bookcases, quickly eating the rest of the... ummm... tangerine. He licked his fingers as he stood at a twenty foot ladder and then pulled some soft calfskin gloves from a stack on a little platform suspended under the ladder. He handed Celeste and me a set then put his on. I looked to my Lady. She whispered, “You never touch the old tomes or scrolls with your hands, oils and...” She grinned. “...juices can accelerate the deterioration of the old parchments”

I quickly put mine on. Good lord, I would have just started grabbing them and looking at them. I felt like a barbarian. Donovan went up a ladder then after some rummaging on the proper shelf came down with a little tome in his hand, not much larger than the hand that grasped it. He held like it were priceless, like it were made of solid copper.

He hustled us to one of the long tables at the end of the row, explaining as he had us sit to either side of him. “When I was but a young Techromancer apprentice. I remember my master giving me this tome to file away with the other conveyance tomes. This was before we had our dear Emily to keep things straight for us. I remember getting frustrated at not finding the proper stack in all the chaos. I will always remember the cover because I felt guilty for days after I slid it under the nearest stack in my frustration when he wasn't watching me.”

He grinned. “Your postulation that the wizards of the Before Times named their conveyances after horses made me remember the name of that ill fated tome, as it is forever burned into my brain.”

He prompted, “Your emblem?” I took it out of my pocket, rubbed my finger across its surface, it felt muted under the glove, then placed it on the table. He smiled and pushed the little battered and crumbling tome to me as he said, “Shall we test your hypothesis with additional empirical evidence young Squire?”

I looked at the dilapidated cover but there was a picture of a mechanical conveyance. It was red and the realism of it had me amazed at the abilities of the artist who had painted it. Their skill was phenomenal. Oh, to have lived in such a time as that. I looked at the faded letters on the bottom of the cover. Then my eyes went wide and I grabbed my emblem and held it in one hand and looked at the tome in my other.

I read out loud, “Charger!” Both horses proved out my guess! The next word was... “Owner's? I know 'owner' but I don't understand the symbol before the s. I only know of the four prime punctuation marks. The period to end a sentence, question mark is self explanatory, the exclamation point for emphasis, and the crono mark for tense.”

He nodded, “That mark, the apostrophe, changes an S from plural to make something possessive, indicating ownership.” I nodded, I had seen them in a couple of mother's tomes but I never asked because I understood the meaning of the sentences. I was learning! In the Library of the Techromancy Scrolls even! I was hyperventilating at the thought and was getting overly warm.

A hand rested on my shoulder and a sweet voice said, “Laney. Control it, don't let it control you.”

I glanced at her and calmed myself down and I could feel energy in my eyes dissipating. “Sorry, this is just so exciting.” Then I looked at the last word, sounding it out in my head then furrowed my eyebrows, “Manual? But the machines were powered.”

The toothy grin Donovan gave me made me feel silly. He said, “It is another word that had multiple meanings in Old English. It also means, instructions, or orders.”

They looked at me as I put it all together. “So this tome explains how to operate one of the conveyances?” He nodded and I looked away when I saw pride in his eyes.

Then Celeste said, “Well done Laney. Now this new piece of information can be shared with the other scholars. Every tiny piece of information draws a better picture of the world from the Before.”

Donovan took his gloves off and put them on the table, Celeste did the same. I went to put the tome back but Celeste laid a hand on mine, stopping me. Donovan said, “Just leave it for Emily. She blusters about people not putting things back, but she truly enjoys doing it herself. She doesn't think I know, but she checks after each person leaves that they placed an item back where they got it from. She doesn't trust anyone not to mess up her system.”

I blinked at the fact that someone so high up in the noble ranks cared what those below them thought. I nodded and took off my gloves and went to pocket my emblem but hesitated then offered it to Donovan. “As a thank you for allowing me to see the library, and for entertaining my silly theory.”

He looked sad as he cupped my hand in both of his. Did I upset him? Then he nodded once and took it. “Thank you child.” He grasped it, rubbing his thumb on it as he started leading us toward the main doors. “As a Squire beholden to a Knight of the Realm, you have free access to the library any time Laney. As long as you follow the rules, and not upset our Emily.” He grinned at the last part.

I would have smiled back if I had not been stunned that he had just given me a gift greater than I could ever have imagined. I looked around at all the worlds of possibilities, and limitless knowledge around me, and fought back a tear, just nodding.

We looked back to see Emily skittering over to the table where we had been, like the chipmunk I imagined earlier. She picked up the tome in a gloved hand and looked at us as we reached the door. She shook a scolding finger across the library at Donovan but she had a smile on her face telling me that the Prime Techromancer was right about the woman.

As we made our way back to his office he said, “I will have a writ sent to the lord of the keep, requesting the squireship today. Tomorrow is the Holy Day so he will approve it on First Day. When he reads of what we have discovered of your gift, he would be a fool not to.”

He grinned then continued, “As soon as you are beholden to Celeste, you can move your family into Castle Quarters. The head Maid, Earnestine, matron of the castle, will see to it. She runs the castle staff efficiently for the nobility, her word is as binding as any Lady.”

Then he paused at his office door and his tone got serious. “Then I wish to participate in your training in all things not under the purview of my daughter. Your magics have such potential.”

Celeste was dragging me down the hall away from him. I heard him murmuring as he stepped into his office, “Two Adepts in our realm in the same century...” I looked up at a grinning Celeste then back at her father's office. We hadn't even said goodbye.

She brought me through a maze of corridors. Servants, knights, and even some nobles bowing or lowering their eyes as Lady Celeste passed. I looked back and most were staring back at us with looks of curiosity painting their faces.

We finished our apples along the way, I pocketed my core for a treat for Goliath later. We burst out of a door into the evening air with her chuckling at my bemusement. I was lost in the castle with all the twists and turns, for all I knew we were stepping out into the middle of Hawktail River. We were in the courtyard by the castle livery. I saw the wagon, cleaned up and scrubbed down, and smiled at Goliath, his black coat shiny in the last rays of Father Sol. He looked to be brushed out again and his mane not so wild, like it had been trimmed. There were violet and emerald ribbons tied in his mane at even intervals.

A stable hand ran off when I stepped up to my horse and I ran my hand along Goliath's flank. He even smelled cleaner. I glanced at Celeste and she shrugged at my amazement and said, “The castle livery does this for all visitors, it is lauded throughout the habitable lands.”

I turned back and patted the Percheron's neck, “You're such a handsome boy.” Then tuned to my Lady and glanced at Father Sol again. “I have to get back home, the doctor will be there at seven and I told Jace I would be home at sunset.”

She nodded and moved in and it looked like she was about to hug me and I stiffened. She looked undecided and clapped her hands down on my shoulders gently. Then asked, “Will you be at church in the morning?”

I got lost in her gently glowing eyes and nodded dumbly. She smiled a toothy smile. “Grand, Verna and I will be attending. Goodnight, Laney. Stay safe.”

I blushed and nodded and she helped me up onto the wagon, not that I needed any help. I admit I loved the way she seemed to take care of me though. As I urged Goliath to start forward I called to her, “Goodnight Lady Celeste. Stay safe. Thank you.”

She waved and watched me until I turned off of the Lord's Way and onto the Crossbar toward Cheap Quarter. I know because I kept glancing back. Her smile was burned into my mind and I realized I was smiling too as I started whistling the Herder's Refrain.

When I pulled up at the cottage, Father Sol had just dipped below the horizon and the world faded into twilight with the pale light from the Three Sisters casting a silver glow on everything. I glanced at them. Freya had just started her traverse in front of Athena as they did their weekly dance in the sky, orbiting each other as they trailed after Mother Luna in a timeless chase. Freya would be hidden from view in a couple nights.

I started unhitching Goliath when the door swung open and little Jace came running out to hug my waist then all his attention was on Goliath. His eyes wide in amazement. I led my horse under the firewood overhang where we stored the wagon after we sold Tulip. Jace threw some hay down then he helped me put up the rail to keep Goliath penned in. I pulled the apple core out of my pocket and gave it to the big guy then turned to Jace. “Remind me to fill the trough for Goliath in the morning squirt.”

He nodded and started excitedly telling me of his day and the sweets he purchased. Rock candies. Then he noticed my tunic. “Hey that's new!”

I smiled and reached into the wagon and threw him his new tunic that was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, he caught it and almost dropped it. He was blessed with the same terrible coordination as me. “You got one too. You've been such a great help to me little brother.” He tore the package open and tore off his threadbare tunic and put on the new one. Dyed a dark maroon.

I dusted his shoulder, “Very handsome.”

He smiled then he appeared to think of something and his face got more serious than a little boy's ought. “Did you get enough for mother's medicines?”

I placed my hand on his cheek and nodded. “And enough for the doctor. He'll be out in just a half hour. So be a good lad and help tidy?” He nodded and I reached into my pocket and produced the tangerine for him.

He took it and looked at it with cute confusion. I hoped I didn't look like that in front of Celeste. He said, “What is it? It feels like leather but looks like fruit.”

I took it from him and dug my thumbs into it, sprays of that stinging pungent juice squirted out. I tore the peel off of it and tossed the rind into the hog pen then pulled a segment off for Jace and handed it to him. He sniffed it and pulled it away blinking. I said, “Go on now.”

He took a bite then his eyes lit up, “It is sweet and tart at the same time. It's like candy.”

I handed it to him and said, “It is called a tangerine. They just gave it to me in Castle Wexbury today, and a peach for mom.”

He looked pleased at that but didn't say anything as he was busy trying to stuff all of the segments of the entire tangerine into his mouth at the same time. I chuckled and grabbed my tool pouch and mom's new nightshirt, then gently cuffed Jace's shoulder and we went inside.

While Jace tidied, I gave mother a sponge bath and had her change into her new nightshirt, it was white as the driven snow. I gave her the last of the stew then showed her the peach. She lit up at it but she was at the end of her strength, “Maybe tomorrow my Laney.”

I helped her into bed and told her the doctor would be around. That agitated her and she looked nervous. I just wish we knew what had sapped her strength so much, it just got worse and worse over the months. The last doctor grumbled about only treating the symptoms and prescribed the medicines. But after a while, the medicines could not keep up until she was confined to bed.

It hit me like a hammer to the chest when the day came months ago, that she passed on going to church on Holy Day. Since then Jace has been a godsend. I don't think I could have kept things running around here and provide for him and mother without his help. He may be tiny but even at seven, he is physically almost as strong as me.

I ran to the well and worked the hand pump and got a fresh bucket of water. The street lamps started flickering to life. Then I ran the chamber pot to the road and dumped it in the iron grates they had in the long stone ditches along each road. I had always thought them ingenious. In the morning before the village awakens, they open floodgates at the Hawktail River where it enters the city, for fifteen minutes, the water fills the channels and washes away the waste into the keep's sewer tunnels that served the castle. Modern conveniences.

I saw a black carriage pulled by two horses and a lantern on a hook coming down the lane. I darted back inside to put the chamber pot in the corner and straightened Jace and my tunics as I said, “He's coming.”

A minute later there was a tapping at the door. I opened it straightaway and there was a tall lanky man who looked as though he belonged in a corn field somewhere, scaring off the crows. He looked exhausted and I wondered if that made his long, drawn face look older. I was guessing the man to be in his thirties. He was impeccably dressed but his clothing was wrinkled and the sleeves of his long shirt were rolled up, indicating a rough day. He carried one of those the big black bags one always associated with doctors.

I bowed my head to the man and asked even though it were obvious, “Sir. Are you the doctor?”

He patted my shoulder like we were old acquaintances. “Yes child. It has been a long day and this is my last stop. We can dispense with any formalities. I'm here to check in on...” He looked at a slip of paper hanging out of his bag. “A Margret Herder. Are you she?”

I ushered him in and Jace shut the door. “Margret is my mother.” I led him over and mother was asleep. I remembered her teaching me to always be a good host. I quickly asked, “Where are my manners. Would you like a cup of water sir, fresh from the well just now, we have some chicken jerky if you like.”

He was setting his bag down beside the little stool we had by the bed and pulling a stethoscope out from under his shirt as he looked at me with a compassionate smile. “No child but thank you. What is your name. I'm Doctor Maxwell, but everyone just calls me Doc.

I nodded and said, “I'm Laney and this rascal is my little brother Jace.”

He nodded to both of us then turned toward mother. He paused and looked down at the electric heater at his feet that was blowing toward mother and smiled. “This is positively antique and it still works?”

I know he didn't expect a reply because he was already gently shaking mother's shoulders. “Margret? I'm Doctor Maxwell.” Mother woke and looked nervously at the doctor. He squinted. “You look familiar, have I treated you before?” She shook her head. He shrugged and went about asking a lot of questions as he examined her. He referred to the notes frequently. He seemed upset about the notes.

Then he took some of her blood with a needle and put it on some paper. It changed color and he harrumphed and muttered something about imbeciles. Then he sighed and spoke to all of us though he looked at mother. “You seem to be having problems absorbing a hormone our bodies naturally produce called insulin. Plus the iron in your blood isn't carrying enough oxygen to your cells. There are many syndromes that cause this. Coupled with your other symptoms I believe you suffer from Wasting Syndrome.”

I cut back tears, we had always thought she had Wasting Syndrome. It would get worse until she didn't have the energy to even wake up. Then she would simply pass away.

He sounded mad as he continued, “My prior colleague was a lazy man. He only treated your symptoms instead of coming to a proper diagnosis. Just because a patient isn't a Lord or Lady, doesn't excuse this sort of incompetence.”

But then he brightened. “Lucky for you, I finished my journeyman rotations in Castle Wexbury's infirmary to become a master healer, where they have come up with a new treatment that has been showing great success when coupled with the traditional treatments.”

He dug around in his bag and came out with one familiar medicine, but then pulled out two others. He showed the brown glass bottle and said, “Take this as you always have.” Then he showed us a blue glass bottle of pills. “This will absorb the toxins produced by your body due to the Syndrome. Take one in the morning when you wake, one at noon and one when you go to sleep.”

Then he showed us the red glass bottle. I had once asked why all the medicines had different color combinations of bottles and lids. It was because most of the people in the village could not read, so they color coded everything. He said, “This... this is new, it is an oral insulin supplement. It boosts your insulin levels so that your body can adsorb enough to stabilize your blood sugars.”

He seemed happy with that and said. “Now, there is no cure for Wasting Syndrome. But these will stabilize you and prevent it from progressing. You should gain back most of your old vitality within a week or so. But you will be on these medicines the rest of your life. People we treated with these, increased their quality of life and live a relatively normal life span.”

I was blinking through tears. Mother would not die? He saw the hope in all of our eyes then he cautioned, “Only if you respond to the treatment. One out of every thirty people do not respond. But I think those are pretty acceptable odds.”

He finished up and gave me a script for her new medications and I blanched, they were almost twice the cost of the others. I'd have to step up my scavenging. But then I thought, if I really became Celeste's squire then it would be taken care of by the realm when we moved into our servant's quarters in the castle.

I thanked him all the way to the door then followed him out to the buggy and said, “Doc, wait a moment please.” I ran to the coops and gathered as many eggs as I could that were laid during the day and I put them in one of our straw baskets and ran back out to the waiting man.

I thrust the basket at him. “Here Doc, please accept this gift. We don't have much, but you gave us so much hope tonight.”

He blinked at me and looked down at the eggs then slowly took the basket, studying me. Then he cocked his head. “Are these the blue eggs they serve in the castle proper?”

I nodded and he beamed a smile that looked so nice on his face, it washed away the fatigue weighing down his features. “Yes sir. We trade them to the House of Lords there. And the Nobles along Lord's Way.”

He smiled at that and inclined his head in thanks. “They are the most sought after eggs in Wexbury, so rich tasting, and the odd blue shells they say only come from a rare type of chicken.”

He paused and looked back toward the house and murmured, “Margret.” Then he shook his head and looked at me. “Your mother looks so familiar but I just can't place her. Maybe from when she traded eggs at the castle.”

I shrugged, to my knowledge, mother has never been to the castle proper. She avoids it. The only public places she would ever go are the church and the market. She spent more time trading to the farmers and proper herders outside the keep walls in Wexbury Minor. The small town on the horizon that was protected by the knights of the realm.

They were the workers that kept the keep supplied with most of the meats, grains and vegetables. Us minor herders and gardeners like old man Warren, inside the walls, were few and far between. Not many had the space in the village. We had a double lot.

He had a genuinely thankful look on his face as he hugged the basket to himself and said simply, “Thank you, Laney.” He shut the carriage door then his driver gave the horses some rein and they trotted down the lane.

I spun in place, there was hope for mother. I sprinted inside and made her take her medicines and wash them down with a cup of water. Then we all retired. I thought I wouldn't ever get to sleep with all of the events of this most hectic day of my life winding down. But I was fooling myself because I never finished the thought.