The process of measuring theurgy is known as the blooding. An individual of no theurgic ability is therefore naturally known as an unblooded.
âCorthair's Compendium of Theurgy
1
â THE GIRL ACROSS THE SEA â
Freehold of Cannersly, Elingar
the year 337 pos forma
Sir Edric's land was rich in soil and colour. A vineyard terrace cratering into a wide moat and Cannersly Hall at its centre. In harvest, it would be plump with greens and reds, just begging to be plucked. Now it blushed with the last touch of autumn; a sea of leaves in every shade of the sunset they were riding into.
Isla breathed in the air, rolling down the vineyards in their wagon, wind rushing through her hair. She loved their home, but it was small and their city cramped. Everyone in Cannersly, by contrast, seemed so free they may as well sprout wings and fly away.
The land could not have held more than a hundred serfs and members of Sir Edric's own household combined, but the entire estate had united in preparation for the crown prince's visit. The drawbridge was abound with supply carts and crofters. Barrels were unloaded, crates wheeled through the towering doors with much song and chatter.
It was amidst this confusion that a steward found Noi and Isla and escorted them within.
'Remember,' whispered Noi as they followed across the grand vestibule. 'Once we bring Haana home, there is room no more for you to slip.'
Yes ... that was her name. Soon, they would take her away from the sun-kissed colours of Cannersly, and into the grey drab that was Beltaer; from the glamour and comfort of Sir Edric's estate into their own genteel poverty. Even the hallway they now crossed was wider than the bedchamber their new ward would later must share with Isla. But surely a paddler's used to such conditions.
'Do you hear me?'
Isla refrained from sighing. 'I'm not a child. I've stopped having hiccups long ago.'
'Even so. It does good to take extra precaution.'
'Have I not been cautious all these years?'
'Yes, but things change, little miss, when you start taking care of someone else.'
'I've never â' The rest of Isla's sentence was interrupted by a shriek, for at that moment a great beast swooped upon them, missing Noi's head by a flight feather.
'Whitebill!' Aldir's voice boomed along with his fists on the table, but the erne had already fled down the hallway. 'Did he catch you?'
Noi fixed her topknot, stunned of words. It was Isla who asked, 'What was that about? He's usually well-behaved.'
'Wise Father only knows. He's been agitated of late.'
Isla led Noi to the table. 'I'm sure he meant nothing by it.'
'He could've done great injury, regardless. It will not happen again.'
'Isn't it his mating season? If you'd only allow him to winter with his flock â'
'Bonded creatures no longer have such needs. Something else troubles him, but that is no excuse.'
'I am fine.' Noi waved their worry away. Isla suspected she only wanted peace for Sir Edric's sake, who was already circling the table to meet them.
He carried his back straight, despite the limp that seemed only to grow more stiff with age. 'Noi, Isla. This is no fair reception on my part. The evening meal will be served shortly to make up for it.'
Noi flustered. 'Ah, there is no need to trouble yourself forâ'
'After this favour you've agreed to? It is the least I can do. Please, sit.'
Aldir stowed their maps and papers, stopping to embrace Isla. Noi's lips thinned. She never did like their small acts of impropriety, as she called it. Never mind Aldir was like a brother to Isla.
'It's been a while,' he said, drawing a seat for his guests.
'Two whole months since you've come to Beltaer.' Isla sunk into the cushion. 'More.'
'To my utmost regret. We've been occupied with preparations for the royal visit. On top of that, when we received Osmer's note ...'
Isla's eyes roved the hall. Apart from their two hosts and the steward by the door, no one else occupied it. Certainly not the subject of Osmer Stirling's note. One of Sir Edric's closest friends and confidantes, it was Captain Stirling and his ship that brought her and Noi to Elingar eleven years ago.
Then six weeks ago a girl was caught aboard his vessel. All the stowaway would say was that her mother had told her to board The Abundance and tell its captain to bring her to Sir Edric.
'If but two months ago I was told I'd be a father, I would've laughed him out. Now not only do I have a daughter, but already an adolescent one at that!' Sir Edric poured them all a drink and took a seat across the table, chuckling to himself. 'Had I known much earlier, I could be better prepared ... but it is not too late yet to make other arrangements, or for you to reconsider. This is no small favour we are asking, taking up my daughter, so I would beg you to think upon it carefully.'
Isla smiled into her cup. There was nothing in the world they could deny him in good conscience, no matter how risky.
'We have considered it, sir,' said Noi. 'Though in earnest ... this news ... I beg pardon but, ah ... how do I say... I have my worries of its truth. This girl ...'
'We have more than her word for it,' said Aldir. 'She fits the age, for one. Fifteen.'
Isla shook her head. That made little sense. 'Sir Edric came to Surikhand ... it must've been a year before Noi and I left. So that would've been twelve years ago.' And I never recalled him having any romantic trysts during his stay, either.
'No, Isla. She claims her mother is ... well, that we share the same mother.'
'So she's your sister?' As well as half-cousin? She would have laughed aloud if it were not at Sir Edric's expense.
'Half-sister, but yes. I told you already what became of my mother.'
Banished, for his father's infidelity. Isla did not need a reminder. Aldir was the spitting image of his father. Tall, with jaws strong and square. Even his skin had taken his father's colour; shades far too light for a native Surikh.
'My uncle took her in once my father's ... betrayal ... became evident and roused Lady Mirida's wrath. Sir Edric was the only one who showed my mother any semblace of kindness during those days. I was nine when Lady Mirida decided even Cannersly was no longer far enough and sent Mother back to Surikhand. But apparently it's possible she crossed the sea bearing ...'
'Bearing my child,' Sir Edric finished for him. 'I did not know, of course. Fifteen years ago she left. We never heard from her since.'
'Now her daughter comes wearing this.' Aldir held a ring to the candlelight for all to see. Silver, bearing the sign of a three-headed dove. 'The crest of House Faralay. My father gave this ring to my mother, back when he still claimed to love her.'
'If it weren't so dangerous for Haana to remain with me ...' Sir Edric faltered. 'But with Dariel's impending visit, the risks ...'
Of course. The girl was a paddler â come without permits or papers. While it would be dangerous for her anywhere in the realm, remaining in the same vicinity as its crown prince would be foolish. 'But how would she take to the news that you're handing her over to us? I imagine the last thing you'd want is to make her feel unwanted.'
'She understands the circumstances, and that it'll only be temporary,' said Aldir. 'Besides, it was her who brought up the idea of staying with you when she heard of the potential problems her presence here might bring.'
'She knew about us?'
'Considering how often my nephew speaks of you and Noi, it will be no surprise if everyone in Cannersly does!' Sir Edric laughed, slapping Aldir across the back. 'It would do Haana good to spend some time with you. I hoped you might be able to help her get used to things here. She misses your food, your people ...'
Isla glanced at her handmaid. Noi, too was homesick. It was much easier for Isla to adjust to their new home, young as she had been when they arrived. But there were times Noi would tell her tales of Surikhand, and Isla never missed the longing in her eyes when she spoke.
'But I will be forthright with you.' Sir Edric nodded at the paper piles Aldir had cleared to one side of the table. 'There is also a selfish component behind my request. You are familiar with my work. The reason behind my court-martial. We still fight very hard to allow fugitives safe and legal refuge in Elingar. An illegitimate, foreign daughter would provide fuel for any of my political opponents.'
It would undermine their entire movement. Isla sipped from her cup. Ironic how the undoing of his political efforts could be a member of the very community he so passionately fought for. His very flesh and blood, no less.
'You need say no more, sir,' said Noi. 'It will be our honour to care for your daughter.'
'We're taking care of her permits. It'll take some time to falsify,' said Aldir. 'I'll bring them to you as soon as Prince Dariel takes his leave of Cannersly.'
'One of his social calls?'
Noi jabbed Isla under the table. Not your business, said her glare. But Sir Edric did not seem to agree. 'He likes to check up on me. Ensure I haven't grown fat after years of disuse.'
'Court-martialled or no, my uncle's still sharp. The prince often seeks his opinion over one matter or the other.'
'Sadly, he never seems to listen.' Sir Edric laughed, but his brief gaze upon the wall was telling. It was where he kept the remnants of his time as Knight Protector. A shield and two swords beneath, blades still gleaming. 'Haana must be gone before he arrives.'
'What's the plan on getting her to Beltaer?' asked Isla. 'Without permits, she'll be held at the gates.'
'Not something that could be shared over courier, much as I trust my men.' Sir Edric motioned for his steward, who bowed and started towards their table. 'I have a shipment of coffee beans for you. Haana can be slipped amongst them, with Noi's assistance, of course.'
The handmaid's eyes widened. She had never done anything so daring in her life. Noi was so averse to risk, Isla had to adhere to a strict curfew and none of her outings were made without approval. She opened her mouth to speak, but Noi was faster. 'I understand, I think, what you mean. You have very important work. It has come so far; we can allow nothing to damage it ... not even your own daughter.'
'I'm glad you understand. I've never been a father. I didn't intend on becoming an absent one.' Sir Edric rose and addressed his steward, who now waited beside him. 'Will you escort Haana to dine with us?'
'How long has she been here?' asked Isla once the steward closed the door behind him.
'A little more than a turn of the month,' said Aldir.
'And how does she fare, your half-sister?' Isla wondered how the news affected Aldir. As a child, she always had mixed feelings for her own sister. They fought and argued and her parents had always indulged their younger daughter.
'Well enough. Still infirm from the voyage. A girl of her stature, travelling alone for so long ... she was delighted when we told her you agreed to hosting her.'