Spellbound Chapter 13.

Chapter Thirteen.

 

The Land of the Wraiths.

 

When Naeve heard the word wraith, she squeaked. “I thought wraiths were just pretend monsters to scare children,” she said nervously.

Mardan shook his head. “I’ve read a lot about them. They’re not monsters.”

“And yes, they’re real,” said Calizone. “They’re peaceful, gentle, and very honourable. Long ago, an evil witch did them a favour. When she reappeared, they felt bound to obey her. They don’t understand lying, so when she told them humans would attack, they believed her and tried to defend themselves. When they realised it wasn’t true, they stopped and went home.”

“No one has seen them since,” said Mardan. “The witch was furious and put a spell on their valley. It keeps them in, and keeps everyone else out.”

“I’ve met one,” said Calizone. “Some live deep in the Dark Forest.”

Naeve shook her head. “It’s all so confusing. Not long ago I was driving home to my parents’ house. Now my parents are gone, the house is gone, even the town is different. I met an evil witch who put me to sleep for a hundred years—”

“And a day,” said Grace with a grin.

“And a day,” Naeve agreed. “Now I’ve met a friendly witch, turned down a demon, ridden behind a Traveller’s wagon with two princes, and heard about things I thought were stories. It’s too much.”

“Don’t get upset,” said Beldan gently. “When we reach the palace, Mardan will dig through the records. He’ll find out what happened to your parents, and whether you have relatives.”

“I always wanted to travel,” said Naeve. “But girls didn’t go driving around the kingdom. I was being naughty that day, I’d gone out without my chaperone.”

“Well,” said Grace, “you’re certainly not on your own now.”

“I just wish I’d got home,” said Naeve. “My parents must have been heartbroken.”

She was close to tears.

No one spoke for a moment. Then Calizone nudged Grace. “We won’t reach the wraiths by sitting here crying over spilt milk.”

Grace nodded and flicked the reins. “Talking of home, we pass mine on this road. Could we call in?”

Calizone nodded. “I think so. Your husband Josiah must be missing you.”

“No,” said Grace softly. “He won’t. He doesn’t know who I am anymore. His mind has gone. My daughters look after him.”

She glanced at her clothes. “I could do with some new ones.”

Grace’s daughters welcomed them warmly. Mardan was amused to see the youngest girl reading a mathematics book.

“Like you,” said Grace, “she never has her nose out of a book. Bethan prefers learning from pages rather than the world around her. The school and library your grandmother founded have a lot to answer for.”

“Oh no,” said Mardan, smiling. He led Bethan to a bench. Grace overheard him say, “I’ve read that book. Have you seen Andrews’ work? He has interesting ideas.”

Grace sighed and took the others inside. “We won’t see them for a while.”

The next morning, Calizone took Grace aside. “If you want to stay now you’re home, we can manage.”

“No,” said Grace. “It’s too painful seeing Josiah as he is. The girls are happy to care for him. And I’d love to go into the mountains and see a wraith.”

Mardan seemed reluctant to leave. He kept looking back at Bethan, who waved until they were out of sight.

“You may have gained a son,” said Calizone.

“That would be something,” said Grace, smiling. “A Traveller marrying a prince. This trip has been different for me, comfortable inns instead of my wagon. Most places would have turned me away if I weren’t with you and the princes. Travellers aren’t welcome in many towns. And it’s been nice not having to fortune‑tell to earn money.”

“Being a witch or a prince does have its good side,” said Calizone.

With Calizone’s magic helping, the journey to the mountains didn’t take long. Eventually they reached a point where Grace’s wagon could go no further. They left the horses with a friendly farmer and continued on foot.

“Have you noticed anything about Calizone?” Beldan whispered to Grace.

“No,” she said. “Why?”

“Look at her feet.”

Grace looked, and giggled. “She’s floating. We’re puffing up this slope and she’s gliding along.”

At the head of the valley, the path narrowed between two large rocks. Calizone sat on one of them. “That was hard work. The wraiths’ home is just beyond.”

Beldan choked. Calizone frowned at him. Grace turned away to hide her smile.

“Now we wait until night,” said Calizone. “Make yourselves comfortable.”

Naeve shivered. “It’s cold. Can we light a fire?”

Beldan immediately shrugged off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Here, you’re freezing,” he said gently. 

“No fire if we want the wraiths,” said Calizone. “Firelight keeps them away. They’re creatures of the dark. We put up with the cold.”

Mardan nodded. “I read they came from the darkness before the sun brought light.”

“Exactly,” said Calizone.

“We’ve met something made from absolute cold, something made from heat, and now something made from darkness,” said Mardan. “I wonder if there are beings made from light.”

“Possibly,” said Calizone. “But we wouldn’t see them, and they’d move too fast.”

“You mean they could be around us now?” asked Naeve nervously.

“They could,” said Calizone. “But if they are, there’s nothing we can do. Worry about things you can change.”

“Can’t we go into their valley?” asked Beldan.

“You try,” said Calizone.

Beldan walked between the rocks, and stopped. He stepped back and tried again. He couldn’t move forward.

“It’s like an invisible wall.”

“The spell keeps them in and us out,” said Calizone. “Even I can’t undo it. We wait. Let’s hope for a moonless night.”

When darkness fell, Calizone tapped a stone sharply against one of the boulders, “If a wraith is close, that will bring them.”

A shadow appeared behind her.

“Why you here?” said a voice.

Naeve gave a tiny gasp and clutched Beldan’s arm before she realised what she was doing.

Calizone turned. “Wopnik. It’s good to hear your voice.”

“Calizone welcome,” said Wopnik, “but why you bring soldiers with bright sharp swords?”

“They protect me from wild animals and bandits,” said Calizone. “They won’t harm you.”

“Long time since last we speak,” said Wopnik. “Why you come now?”

“I’m getting old,” said Calizone. “I’m looking for someone to become the new witch of the Dark Forest. And you don’t need to tell me time hasn’t treated me well, I know.”

“Wopnik not know how humans change when old,” said the wraith. “There is witch in valley not far.”

“What kind of witch?” asked Calizone. “A charmer?”

“Janik put on Citspal cloak and took son to collect herbs. Not enough food here. We go outside for food.”

Calizone nodded. “I remember, the wraiths made a cloth that lets them pass the spell. I have a dress made from it, but didn’t bring it.”

“Citspal good cloth,” said Wopnik. “We still make.”

“So Janik and his son went into another valley?”

“Boy clumsy. Fell. Broke leg. Witch healed him. Leg good as new.”

“Just a healer then,” said Calizone.

Grace’s eyebrows lifted. “A healer? In these mountains?” she murmured. “I didn’t know anyone lived here.”

“Strong witch,” said Wopnik firmly. “Wraiths feel magic. Girl very strong. She not know it. We watch her, see if she good or bad.”

Calizone’s eyes shone. “Which is she?”

“Wraiths not know. Calizone go and find out. We not like bad witch. Valley other side of ridge.”

He pointed down the valley.

“Thank you,” said Calizone. “We’ll find out if this girl is truly a strong witch, and whether she’s good or bad.”

“She very strong,” said Wopnik. “I go now. Moon coming out.” As silently as he had appeared Wopnik disappeared into the shadows.        

Grace turned to Calizone and let out a slow breath. “I didn’t mean to read him,” she murmured, “but I caught a little of his feelings. He’s… ancient. At least as old as the Ice Queen and the Fire Demon. Like a shadow left over from the world’s beginning.”

Calizone nodded thoughtfully. “Wraiths are like those two. They do not die. They can be killed, though. Come, we have a valley to find.”