Post by pat673 on Sept 7, 2008 5:18:12 GMT
Authors Note: This is my fanfiction set in the universe created by Isobelle Carmody and in such books as Obernewtyn, the Farseekers, Ashling, The Keeping Place, the Stone Key and the Sending. Also note that I mainly did this for my own enjoyment and is my first foray into using first person while writing. Feedback would be nice
Backstory: When the world we know is destroyed by a nuclear holocaust known as the Great White which changes the very shape of the Earth, a loose affiliation of farmers form the Council years later after civilisation returns to the Land. A religious sect known as the Herders who worship the Almighty Lud (God) a new people make themselves known. They are referred to as Mutants or Misfits because of their paranormal mind abilities, such as being able to speak to beasts, read minds etc. and as a result were hunted down and destroyed by the Council and Landfolk.
After realising their mistakes, the Council send the Misfits to the Councilfarms to harvest a nuclear substance known as Whitestick to help the Herders in their unknown work. This is where we meet the protagonist of the original Chronicles: Elspeth Gordie, a powerful Farseeker (ability to talk through minds and send out scrying probes) Coercer (ability to manipulate minds) and Beastspeaker (ability to speak to animals)
When people learn of her abilities, she is sent to Obernewtyn, a apparent refuge for people like her. When the no good master is overthrown and the real master of Obernewtyn, Rushton, takes his place, the Misfits establish themselves. Years later the oppressive Council is overthrown by the Rebels with the help of the Misfits and this is where the current story is set...
The first of the sun’s rays peeked over the tall battlements of grey stone and towers of Obernewtyn, while the mist blanketing the fields and woodlands began to dissipate now that the thaw had well and truly finished. The green grass and moss that covered the ground was wet with dew, plants were beginning to bud and flower with the approach of Spring proper, a bay of a lamb and tweet of birds echoed within the valley, it seemed as though I was the only one up at this time in the morning. I absently began to pluck at the grass surrounding me as I sat with the warmth of the sun on my face; I smiled to myself, an intense feeling of belonging and serenity washing over me.
As the time slowly passed, I began to hear shouts and the clanging of the barn doors opening as the residents of Obernewtyn woke to the first day of Spring. I gazed off into the distance, remembering with disturbing clarity how I had came upon the Misfit refuge deep within the northern mountains of the Land: My parents were proud seditioners, always trying subtly to begin a movement which would bring about the Rebellion. Unfortunately, they never had the chance. The oppressive Council, the rulers of the Land in conjunction with the Herder Priests, fanatics following the words of Lud their god, burnt them at the stake for their crimes, with me and my sister watching.
My sister and I were labelled as the children of seditioners and while my sister was taken under the wing of a Councilman in Darthmoor, I was shipped off to the bustling metropolis of Sutrium. There I lived in a military orphanage at the age of fourteen, where I would learn the art of war until such an age that I could be recruited into the ranks of the Council’s army to serve and protect them. By then I already knew I was what the Council labelled as a Mutant, a person able to use their minds in ways never thought possible. But because of my strict and harsh training with the Soldierguards, I refused to use my Talents, lest I be sent to the Councilfarms away to the North.
On my sixteen birthday a group of young men and women came and sought me out, saying that they were like me, Talented, and called themselves Farseekers. At the time I was both anxious and terribly frightened to leave, if I was caught it would mean certain death, but if I got away I would be safe. The Farseekers told me of a place high up in the mountains, named Obernewtyn, a refuge for people like me. The first few years at Obernewtyn I relished, but as I grew and became larger, so did my responsibilities. I had ties not only to Obernewtyn, but to the Land itself: the oppressive rule of the Council-Herder Alliance had to be stopped.
As my Talents began to grow and strengthen, I knew I was needed elsewhere. My father had a hidden cache of Beforetimer books, the people that lived with inconceivable technology before the holocaust known as the Great White wiped them out, and had learnt several forms of Beforetimer Martial Arts and tactics of War.
I had trained in this prior to my parents death and I had made the journey to what remained of my home and found the cache of Beforetimer books and studied them and over time learnt and created my own form of Martial Art, one that I trained at Obernewtyn to all those who were willing.
A subtle mind brushing against mine brought me from my reverie and a familiar feminine mindvoice sent, “Cameron, firstmeal is starting within the half hour...You’d better get your arse over here.”
I sent a mental image of my lopsided smile as I picked myself up from the ground. The speaker was a Misfit named Bethany, a strong Farseeker and Beastspeaker and a long time friend of mine. Our relationship had grown somewhat stronger of late despite me being away from Obernewtyn and I had begun to wander where it might lead.
“I hear you, Beth,” I farsent back as I began my walk back to the Keep of Obernewtyn. “Just don’t let Javo give my share out to someone else like last time.”
She sent the mental equivalent of a laugh, “That was your fault for turning up late, Mister. It was you or Gavyn, and he was the hungriest.”
I scoffed in return, “That Javo just has it in for me is all. Ever since he caught me licking my fingers after I had finished that pastry...”
“Well maybe you shouldn’t have stolen the pastry, hmm?” She sent back, cutting me off. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Whatever, Beth. I’ll be there in two minutes. See you.” I replied, passing through the one of the many back doors into the Keep.
“Okay, see you there.” I sensed the link cut as Beth disengaged herself from my mind. Another familiar mind engaged itself with mine.
“Yes, Guildmaster?” I asked, recognising it as Gevan, the Guildmaster of the Coercer Guild.
“Sorry to intrude, Cameron, but people want to know what time Training has moved to and where?”
“Nothing to it, Gevan. Um, next to Sindy’s new veggie patch at eleven.”
“Okay, see you at Firstmeal. Oh, and Cameron, we have something to discuss at Guildmerge.”
I only nodded, knowing that I shouldn’t bother asking the obvious question of what about. I felt the Guildmaster disengage himself from my mind as I opened the doors to the Dining Hall, a wave of warm air, candle and firelight and the general hubbub of noise washing over me. There was a squeal of delight as Beth saw me enter and proceeded to jump from her seat into my arms, pecking me on the cheek.
“Geez, Cameron. First you’re away for months on end down in Darthmoor and Guanette and then you come home in the middle of the night and the only way I learn about you coming back is from Avra?” She almost shouted, bringing a few amused looks from those seated nearest.
I hugged her back before placing back on her feet; her head only now level with my chest. I looked down at her with my keen emerald eyes: she was a petite and pretty thing, with dark brown hair tied up into a single plait at the nape of her neck, she had pronounced cheekbones and full lips below a pixie-like nose and stunning blue eyes, although her tanned skin hinted at an ethnic heritage.
“There wasn’t much I could do about it, Beth. Away on official business,” I stated, adopting a professional like tone.
“Ye gods, man, yer back! How is me sister down in Darthmoor, did yer talk to ‘er?” came a voice from across the table belonging to a fellow Coercer, a Highlander named Mavrick.
I leant over the table to shake the man’s rough hand before nodding eagerly, “Yes, she’s fine, Mav. She’s had a bit of trouble since your mum moved away, but she’s coping alright. She says that she’s began a bakery business.”
“Bless yer, Cameron,” replied Mavrick, relief evident on his face. I had been stunned that such a strong Talent such as Mavrick’s sister had preferred to live among unTalents in Darthmoor than among her own kind here at Obernewtyn. I smiled in reply to his thanks before turning back to Beth, finding her beaming her infectious smile at me.
“So what were you doing down there anyway?” She asked, sitting back down at her spot.
I looked around the Dining Hall, offering a bob of my head in greeting to some of my other friends and fellow guildmembers before replying, “I told you I had business to attend to.”
“Now that’s no proper answer to give, Cameron,” she said playfully, poking me hard in the chest. My face instantly sobered at what I was really doing: searching for my own sister.
Beth lost her smile too as she came to the realisation I had been covering my tracks with smiles and pointless jokes. She began to stammer an apology before I cut her off, “It’s okay, Beth, don’t worry about it.”
The air hung with a slight tension before she asked with a small voice, “So...did you find her?”
I shook my head, feeling a stab of anguish before recovering. I sighed, “No, but I found something that may interest Garth.” I replied eventually, thinking about the Beforetime map I had found amongst a pile of junk from the abandoned Herder Cloister in Darthmoor and how it would interest the Teknoguild Guildmaster.
A Teknoguilder a few seats down from Bethany piped up and said in a nasally and shrill voice, “Oh yes? What is it?”
I rolled my eyes at Beth, having a slight dislike for the over-eager Misfit who always seemed to be talking through his nose. His voice alone sent my teeth on edge, only showing that even though we were both Misfits and belonged to Obernewtyn, not everyone was as equallably likeable as most people here, I thought.
“Just a map,” I replied casually, grimly waiting for the squeal of delight it would probably bring from the man.
“Just a map?” the man echoed just as I thought he would. “Do you have it with you? May I see it?”
I sighed irritably and looked down at the simple clothes I had donned for the morning, along with a pair of dull black boots. “Well, I don’t see any bags on my shoulders or anything in my pocket, so I would say that I left it in my room, where it should be.” I replied sarcastically.
The Teknoguilder looked positively downcast and turned back to his meal, pushing around the contents of it with obvious distaste.
Javo came up beside the man and rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon, bringing a screech of fright and pain from the Teknoguilder before Javo went on about how he laboured over the meal since sunup. I returned the warm smile of Javo as he left for the Kitchen, promising me something hearty to eat.
I took a seat next to Beth and began to pick at her food inconspicuously as she turned to talk to a fellow Beastspeaker about the latest happenings. I decided I was bored and returned the greetings of several people half-heartedly. My stomach rumbled and my mouth watered as Javo came back out of the Kitchen several minutes carrying a steaming bowl of vegetable soup and bread and butter enough for three people.
I thanked the man warmly before wolfing down the bread and beginning on the soup. I sensed rather than heard someone come up behind me and turned with a spoon full of chunks of vegetable in my mouth to find the Master of Obernewtyn, Rushton looking down at me with a weak smile.
“Good to see you back, Cameron.” He replied, almost grimly. I had of course heard the stories about Rushton being taken captive by the Herders in my absence, but there was nothing that could prepare me for the change in his manner and the pain that I saw behind his eyes.
I hurriedly wiped soup from my mouth with the back of my sleeve before swallowing and replying, “You too, Rushton.” I said slowly, as if something too loud or overzealous would insult him. There was an awkward moment of silence between us, Rushton staring at me with his cool grey eyes and I just staring back, not having anything I wished to add.
He eventually nodded before giving my shoulder a squeeze and setting off. I noticed a woman I instantly recognised as the Farseeker Guildmistress, Elspeth, follow Rushton’s exit with longing evident in her eyes. I set my spoon down and turned to Beth, “Are they, uh, going through some rough times?”
“Who?” she asked, having not witnessed the conversation.
“Rushton and Elspeth,” I explained, rolling my eyes at Bethany’ typical lack of awareness.
“Oh,” she exclaimed and nodded eagerly, ever the gossip girl. “Yes, quite a bit actually as far as I know.”
I nodded, taking another mouthful of soup as Beth began to fill me in about the latest news and gossips of Obernewtyn. I listened intently, occasionally laughing or guffawing at some piece of news or another when Elspeth looked directly at me, as if knowing what we were talking about.
Immediately farsending to Beth to quiet, I changed the subject casually to my martial art training and if Beth was interested in learning a few more moves since I had got back. I cringed physically as Elspeth’s mindvoice entered my own, “You’re back, Cameron,” she stated simply as she made she made herself busy with tying her latest pair of boots, glancing at me from across the room.
“Yes, Guildmistress,” I replied formally, trying to juggle the voiced conversation with Beth and the unspoken one with Elspeth. “Though I did not find what I was looking for...”
“Your sister?”
I sent a mental nod in reply, “There is still no sign of here, not even in Darthmoor. I fear I have tarried too long in trying to track her down...she could be a slave in the Red Queensland by now.”
“Don’t speak of such things,” came Elspeth’s sharp reply. Then she added a little more gently, “You will find her, Cameron. Have hope.”
“It is hard, Elspeth,” I sent, discarding my formal mindvoice. “I don’t know where to look: with the breaking of the Council, who knows where Alyce was taken...or left.” I added grimly.
Elspeth by now had finished tying her laces and so returned to her meal and changed the subject subtly, “I overheard that you have something important you want to give to Garth?”
“Yes, I found a Beforetime map in Darthmoor’s abandoned cloister. It’s in fairly good condition as well, so I was hoping to seek him out tomorrow.”
“Well tomorrow is the only chance you will get,” she explained. “The day after tomorrow myself, Garth, Zarak, Kella and a few others are journeying south to Sutrium.”
“For the elections?” I sent, genuinely interested in the politics of the Land. It seemed that while the Rebellion had overthrown the Council, there was still a string of people who did not welcome the change to the Land, and more importantly our apparent rise to power.
“Yes, although I lament leaving, it will be a nice change of scenery...though I am told that Dragon must come with us...”
I nodded in understanding, “I heard what had happened when you had to bring her out of her coma. I’m sure she will heal in time. So, is there any chance of me coming on this little expedition?”
Elspeth laughed a little, “You have only just got home, Cameron. It is your time to relax a little, take care of the Guild, train people.”
The Farseeker Guildmistress was right on all accounts, but I relished being in the middle of the action. “Gevan said he wanted to talk to me about something important at Guildmerge, have an inkling what that is about?”
Elspeth didn’t reply at first before sending a clear laugh, “Yes, actually. He means to make you Ward of the Guild, don’t tell him I told you. In Domick’s absence, the position has been left open for some time now and he feels you are the most able to take on the position.”
I couldn’t help but grin at myself, becoming Ward of any Guild was both a high achievement and praise. “I think I will take it...although, it means that I will be grounded at Obernewtyn for some time before we have established ourselves once more. The splintering of the Guild with the Magi and the Knights has not been an easy thing for any of us in between.”
“I understand,” Elspeth sent in reply. “Although it will be a good experience for you I am sure. But look at me, I am Guildmistress and still manage to find myself leaving for another adventure somewhere.”
“Yes, that’s true,” I replied, pushing my empty bowl of soup back. “Anyway, if you are interested in having a bout to polish your skills, I am holding class at eleven this morning and just before lastmeal until I can establish a good timetable.”
“I might have to pass, Cameron,” she explained solemnly. “I must prepare for the journey, not to mention look for Maruman.”
I laughed aloud, having found a fondness for the old, battered cat. “I’m sure he’ll turn up in time for you to leave.”
“He had better,” she replied, standing and waving at me from across the room. “Anyway, I had better leave. I will see you later, Cameron.”
“Bye, Elspeth. Travel safe,” I disengaged myself from her mind and turned back to a confused looking Beth and I realised I had stopped talking to her some time ago and had been staring at my soup bowl.
I grinned at her and bobbed my head toward Elspeth in explanation. Beth only nodded in understanding before turning to the Beastspeaker beside her and resumed her conversation.
“I’ll see you in class,” I farsent to her before taking my bowl to the kitchen and leaving the stuffy Dining Hall. I walked the halls of Obernewtyn alone until I came to the Coercer Guildhall, where I lived and spent the majority of my time. I waved in greeting and received a few warm welcomes from my fellow Guildmembers who were not at Firstmeal before turning to the door that led upward to the Turret Chambers and dormitories of the Coercer Guild.
Backstory: When the world we know is destroyed by a nuclear holocaust known as the Great White which changes the very shape of the Earth, a loose affiliation of farmers form the Council years later after civilisation returns to the Land. A religious sect known as the Herders who worship the Almighty Lud (God) a new people make themselves known. They are referred to as Mutants or Misfits because of their paranormal mind abilities, such as being able to speak to beasts, read minds etc. and as a result were hunted down and destroyed by the Council and Landfolk.
After realising their mistakes, the Council send the Misfits to the Councilfarms to harvest a nuclear substance known as Whitestick to help the Herders in their unknown work. This is where we meet the protagonist of the original Chronicles: Elspeth Gordie, a powerful Farseeker (ability to talk through minds and send out scrying probes) Coercer (ability to manipulate minds) and Beastspeaker (ability to speak to animals)
When people learn of her abilities, she is sent to Obernewtyn, a apparent refuge for people like her. When the no good master is overthrown and the real master of Obernewtyn, Rushton, takes his place, the Misfits establish themselves. Years later the oppressive Council is overthrown by the Rebels with the help of the Misfits and this is where the current story is set...
Chapter One:
The first of the sun’s rays peeked over the tall battlements of grey stone and towers of Obernewtyn, while the mist blanketing the fields and woodlands began to dissipate now that the thaw had well and truly finished. The green grass and moss that covered the ground was wet with dew, plants were beginning to bud and flower with the approach of Spring proper, a bay of a lamb and tweet of birds echoed within the valley, it seemed as though I was the only one up at this time in the morning. I absently began to pluck at the grass surrounding me as I sat with the warmth of the sun on my face; I smiled to myself, an intense feeling of belonging and serenity washing over me.
As the time slowly passed, I began to hear shouts and the clanging of the barn doors opening as the residents of Obernewtyn woke to the first day of Spring. I gazed off into the distance, remembering with disturbing clarity how I had came upon the Misfit refuge deep within the northern mountains of the Land: My parents were proud seditioners, always trying subtly to begin a movement which would bring about the Rebellion. Unfortunately, they never had the chance. The oppressive Council, the rulers of the Land in conjunction with the Herder Priests, fanatics following the words of Lud their god, burnt them at the stake for their crimes, with me and my sister watching.
My sister and I were labelled as the children of seditioners and while my sister was taken under the wing of a Councilman in Darthmoor, I was shipped off to the bustling metropolis of Sutrium. There I lived in a military orphanage at the age of fourteen, where I would learn the art of war until such an age that I could be recruited into the ranks of the Council’s army to serve and protect them. By then I already knew I was what the Council labelled as a Mutant, a person able to use their minds in ways never thought possible. But because of my strict and harsh training with the Soldierguards, I refused to use my Talents, lest I be sent to the Councilfarms away to the North.
On my sixteen birthday a group of young men and women came and sought me out, saying that they were like me, Talented, and called themselves Farseekers. At the time I was both anxious and terribly frightened to leave, if I was caught it would mean certain death, but if I got away I would be safe. The Farseekers told me of a place high up in the mountains, named Obernewtyn, a refuge for people like me. The first few years at Obernewtyn I relished, but as I grew and became larger, so did my responsibilities. I had ties not only to Obernewtyn, but to the Land itself: the oppressive rule of the Council-Herder Alliance had to be stopped.
As my Talents began to grow and strengthen, I knew I was needed elsewhere. My father had a hidden cache of Beforetimer books, the people that lived with inconceivable technology before the holocaust known as the Great White wiped them out, and had learnt several forms of Beforetimer Martial Arts and tactics of War.
I had trained in this prior to my parents death and I had made the journey to what remained of my home and found the cache of Beforetimer books and studied them and over time learnt and created my own form of Martial Art, one that I trained at Obernewtyn to all those who were willing.
A subtle mind brushing against mine brought me from my reverie and a familiar feminine mindvoice sent, “Cameron, firstmeal is starting within the half hour...You’d better get your arse over here.”
I sent a mental image of my lopsided smile as I picked myself up from the ground. The speaker was a Misfit named Bethany, a strong Farseeker and Beastspeaker and a long time friend of mine. Our relationship had grown somewhat stronger of late despite me being away from Obernewtyn and I had begun to wander where it might lead.
“I hear you, Beth,” I farsent back as I began my walk back to the Keep of Obernewtyn. “Just don’t let Javo give my share out to someone else like last time.”
She sent the mental equivalent of a laugh, “That was your fault for turning up late, Mister. It was you or Gavyn, and he was the hungriest.”
I scoffed in return, “That Javo just has it in for me is all. Ever since he caught me licking my fingers after I had finished that pastry...”
“Well maybe you shouldn’t have stolen the pastry, hmm?” She sent back, cutting me off. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Whatever, Beth. I’ll be there in two minutes. See you.” I replied, passing through the one of the many back doors into the Keep.
“Okay, see you there.” I sensed the link cut as Beth disengaged herself from my mind. Another familiar mind engaged itself with mine.
“Yes, Guildmaster?” I asked, recognising it as Gevan, the Guildmaster of the Coercer Guild.
“Sorry to intrude, Cameron, but people want to know what time Training has moved to and where?”
“Nothing to it, Gevan. Um, next to Sindy’s new veggie patch at eleven.”
“Okay, see you at Firstmeal. Oh, and Cameron, we have something to discuss at Guildmerge.”
I only nodded, knowing that I shouldn’t bother asking the obvious question of what about. I felt the Guildmaster disengage himself from my mind as I opened the doors to the Dining Hall, a wave of warm air, candle and firelight and the general hubbub of noise washing over me. There was a squeal of delight as Beth saw me enter and proceeded to jump from her seat into my arms, pecking me on the cheek.
“Geez, Cameron. First you’re away for months on end down in Darthmoor and Guanette and then you come home in the middle of the night and the only way I learn about you coming back is from Avra?” She almost shouted, bringing a few amused looks from those seated nearest.
I hugged her back before placing back on her feet; her head only now level with my chest. I looked down at her with my keen emerald eyes: she was a petite and pretty thing, with dark brown hair tied up into a single plait at the nape of her neck, she had pronounced cheekbones and full lips below a pixie-like nose and stunning blue eyes, although her tanned skin hinted at an ethnic heritage.
“There wasn’t much I could do about it, Beth. Away on official business,” I stated, adopting a professional like tone.
“Ye gods, man, yer back! How is me sister down in Darthmoor, did yer talk to ‘er?” came a voice from across the table belonging to a fellow Coercer, a Highlander named Mavrick.
I leant over the table to shake the man’s rough hand before nodding eagerly, “Yes, she’s fine, Mav. She’s had a bit of trouble since your mum moved away, but she’s coping alright. She says that she’s began a bakery business.”
“Bless yer, Cameron,” replied Mavrick, relief evident on his face. I had been stunned that such a strong Talent such as Mavrick’s sister had preferred to live among unTalents in Darthmoor than among her own kind here at Obernewtyn. I smiled in reply to his thanks before turning back to Beth, finding her beaming her infectious smile at me.
“So what were you doing down there anyway?” She asked, sitting back down at her spot.
I looked around the Dining Hall, offering a bob of my head in greeting to some of my other friends and fellow guildmembers before replying, “I told you I had business to attend to.”
“Now that’s no proper answer to give, Cameron,” she said playfully, poking me hard in the chest. My face instantly sobered at what I was really doing: searching for my own sister.
Beth lost her smile too as she came to the realisation I had been covering my tracks with smiles and pointless jokes. She began to stammer an apology before I cut her off, “It’s okay, Beth, don’t worry about it.”
The air hung with a slight tension before she asked with a small voice, “So...did you find her?”
I shook my head, feeling a stab of anguish before recovering. I sighed, “No, but I found something that may interest Garth.” I replied eventually, thinking about the Beforetime map I had found amongst a pile of junk from the abandoned Herder Cloister in Darthmoor and how it would interest the Teknoguild Guildmaster.
A Teknoguilder a few seats down from Bethany piped up and said in a nasally and shrill voice, “Oh yes? What is it?”
I rolled my eyes at Beth, having a slight dislike for the over-eager Misfit who always seemed to be talking through his nose. His voice alone sent my teeth on edge, only showing that even though we were both Misfits and belonged to Obernewtyn, not everyone was as equallably likeable as most people here, I thought.
“Just a map,” I replied casually, grimly waiting for the squeal of delight it would probably bring from the man.
“Just a map?” the man echoed just as I thought he would. “Do you have it with you? May I see it?”
I sighed irritably and looked down at the simple clothes I had donned for the morning, along with a pair of dull black boots. “Well, I don’t see any bags on my shoulders or anything in my pocket, so I would say that I left it in my room, where it should be.” I replied sarcastically.
The Teknoguilder looked positively downcast and turned back to his meal, pushing around the contents of it with obvious distaste.
Javo came up beside the man and rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon, bringing a screech of fright and pain from the Teknoguilder before Javo went on about how he laboured over the meal since sunup. I returned the warm smile of Javo as he left for the Kitchen, promising me something hearty to eat.
I took a seat next to Beth and began to pick at her food inconspicuously as she turned to talk to a fellow Beastspeaker about the latest happenings. I decided I was bored and returned the greetings of several people half-heartedly. My stomach rumbled and my mouth watered as Javo came back out of the Kitchen several minutes carrying a steaming bowl of vegetable soup and bread and butter enough for three people.
I thanked the man warmly before wolfing down the bread and beginning on the soup. I sensed rather than heard someone come up behind me and turned with a spoon full of chunks of vegetable in my mouth to find the Master of Obernewtyn, Rushton looking down at me with a weak smile.
“Good to see you back, Cameron.” He replied, almost grimly. I had of course heard the stories about Rushton being taken captive by the Herders in my absence, but there was nothing that could prepare me for the change in his manner and the pain that I saw behind his eyes.
I hurriedly wiped soup from my mouth with the back of my sleeve before swallowing and replying, “You too, Rushton.” I said slowly, as if something too loud or overzealous would insult him. There was an awkward moment of silence between us, Rushton staring at me with his cool grey eyes and I just staring back, not having anything I wished to add.
He eventually nodded before giving my shoulder a squeeze and setting off. I noticed a woman I instantly recognised as the Farseeker Guildmistress, Elspeth, follow Rushton’s exit with longing evident in her eyes. I set my spoon down and turned to Beth, “Are they, uh, going through some rough times?”
“Who?” she asked, having not witnessed the conversation.
“Rushton and Elspeth,” I explained, rolling my eyes at Bethany’ typical lack of awareness.
“Oh,” she exclaimed and nodded eagerly, ever the gossip girl. “Yes, quite a bit actually as far as I know.”
I nodded, taking another mouthful of soup as Beth began to fill me in about the latest news and gossips of Obernewtyn. I listened intently, occasionally laughing or guffawing at some piece of news or another when Elspeth looked directly at me, as if knowing what we were talking about.
Immediately farsending to Beth to quiet, I changed the subject casually to my martial art training and if Beth was interested in learning a few more moves since I had got back. I cringed physically as Elspeth’s mindvoice entered my own, “You’re back, Cameron,” she stated simply as she made she made herself busy with tying her latest pair of boots, glancing at me from across the room.
“Yes, Guildmistress,” I replied formally, trying to juggle the voiced conversation with Beth and the unspoken one with Elspeth. “Though I did not find what I was looking for...”
“Your sister?”
I sent a mental nod in reply, “There is still no sign of here, not even in Darthmoor. I fear I have tarried too long in trying to track her down...she could be a slave in the Red Queensland by now.”
“Don’t speak of such things,” came Elspeth’s sharp reply. Then she added a little more gently, “You will find her, Cameron. Have hope.”
“It is hard, Elspeth,” I sent, discarding my formal mindvoice. “I don’t know where to look: with the breaking of the Council, who knows where Alyce was taken...or left.” I added grimly.
Elspeth by now had finished tying her laces and so returned to her meal and changed the subject subtly, “I overheard that you have something important you want to give to Garth?”
“Yes, I found a Beforetime map in Darthmoor’s abandoned cloister. It’s in fairly good condition as well, so I was hoping to seek him out tomorrow.”
“Well tomorrow is the only chance you will get,” she explained. “The day after tomorrow myself, Garth, Zarak, Kella and a few others are journeying south to Sutrium.”
“For the elections?” I sent, genuinely interested in the politics of the Land. It seemed that while the Rebellion had overthrown the Council, there was still a string of people who did not welcome the change to the Land, and more importantly our apparent rise to power.
“Yes, although I lament leaving, it will be a nice change of scenery...though I am told that Dragon must come with us...”
I nodded in understanding, “I heard what had happened when you had to bring her out of her coma. I’m sure she will heal in time. So, is there any chance of me coming on this little expedition?”
Elspeth laughed a little, “You have only just got home, Cameron. It is your time to relax a little, take care of the Guild, train people.”
The Farseeker Guildmistress was right on all accounts, but I relished being in the middle of the action. “Gevan said he wanted to talk to me about something important at Guildmerge, have an inkling what that is about?”
Elspeth didn’t reply at first before sending a clear laugh, “Yes, actually. He means to make you Ward of the Guild, don’t tell him I told you. In Domick’s absence, the position has been left open for some time now and he feels you are the most able to take on the position.”
I couldn’t help but grin at myself, becoming Ward of any Guild was both a high achievement and praise. “I think I will take it...although, it means that I will be grounded at Obernewtyn for some time before we have established ourselves once more. The splintering of the Guild with the Magi and the Knights has not been an easy thing for any of us in between.”
“I understand,” Elspeth sent in reply. “Although it will be a good experience for you I am sure. But look at me, I am Guildmistress and still manage to find myself leaving for another adventure somewhere.”
“Yes, that’s true,” I replied, pushing my empty bowl of soup back. “Anyway, if you are interested in having a bout to polish your skills, I am holding class at eleven this morning and just before lastmeal until I can establish a good timetable.”
“I might have to pass, Cameron,” she explained solemnly. “I must prepare for the journey, not to mention look for Maruman.”
I laughed aloud, having found a fondness for the old, battered cat. “I’m sure he’ll turn up in time for you to leave.”
“He had better,” she replied, standing and waving at me from across the room. “Anyway, I had better leave. I will see you later, Cameron.”
“Bye, Elspeth. Travel safe,” I disengaged myself from her mind and turned back to a confused looking Beth and I realised I had stopped talking to her some time ago and had been staring at my soup bowl.
I grinned at her and bobbed my head toward Elspeth in explanation. Beth only nodded in understanding before turning to the Beastspeaker beside her and resumed her conversation.
“I’ll see you in class,” I farsent to her before taking my bowl to the kitchen and leaving the stuffy Dining Hall. I walked the halls of Obernewtyn alone until I came to the Coercer Guildhall, where I lived and spent the majority of my time. I waved in greeting and received a few warm welcomes from my fellow Guildmembers who were not at Firstmeal before turning to the door that led upward to the Turret Chambers and dormitories of the Coercer Guild.