Spellbound Chapter 9.

Chapter Nine.

 

Naeve’s Family.

 

By midafternoon, they reached Cornford, where Naeve told them she used to live.

“But I don’t remember it looking like this,” she said.

“It will have changed after a hundred years,” Grace pointed out.

They came to the centre of the town, where there was a large mansion. “I think this must be the Kingsman’s place,” said Calzone.

“This is where my home was,” said Naeve, “But that is not what my home looked like.”

They were welcomed into the house. The Kingsman introduced himself as Lord Dalbard.

“My father was Kingsman here,” said Naeve. “Our name was Edging, not Dalbard. This house is nothing like my home used to be.” She burst into tears.

Calzone explained that Naeve had been under a spell for a hundred years.

The elderly Lord limped across to the fireplace and pulled on a bell cord. “The old house and most of the town were destroyed some time back when the Wraiths and the Outlaws were fighting the king. We rebuilt the town once they had been beaten. Sadly, all the records of who lived here before that were burned. My secretary, Walter, may be able to see if there are still any people called Edging living here.”

Walter shook his head. “There is no one of that name in the town,” he said. “I am very sorry. There should be copies of the records at the Palace though. Perhaps you could find out what happened to your family from them?”

Naeve sat down heavily on a nearby chair. “I really do have no home or family then,” she said. “I did not really believe it until now.”

“We could go and look at the Palace records,” said Beldan eagerly, looking at Calzone. Then he stopped and shook his head. “No, I gave my word that I would go on this search, and I will keep my word.”

“Good boy,” said Calzone.

“Naeve could come with us. I assume that we will eventually go home,” he said.

Calzone sighed. “Yes, I suppose so.”

“But I have no clothes other than this party dress,” said Naeve. “What am I going to do?”

“There is a very good dressmaker in town,” soothed Lord Dalbard. “I am sure that she would be able to find some suitable attire for you.”

“But I have no money or anything,” wailed Naeve.

“Tell the dressmaker to send the bill to me,” said Lord Dalbard. “I will see that it is paid. And talking of clothes, a messenger arrived this morning with parcels of clothing for Prince Beldan and Prince Mardan.”

“Thank goodness for that,” said Mardan. “These ones are getting a bit threadbare.”

“There was also a book in the parcel for you,” continued Lord Dalbard. “Are you interested in books?”

"Very, "said Calizone.

Mardan grinned.

“I have a large collection,” said Lord Dalbard. “If you’d like to see them.”

Mardan looked at Calizone.

“Go on then,” she said.

Mardan hurried away.

“I could do with a walk,” said Grace. “I’ve been sitting on my wagon forever.”

“We have a fine rose garden, my lady,” said Walter. “I could show you.”

“Lead on,” said Grace, taking his arm.

“I’m no lady,” she added. “Just a Traveller.”

“And I’m only a secretary who grows roses,” said Walter.

Calizone watched them go. She turned to Lord Dalbard. “I know your name from somewhere.”

“Please, sit,” he said, settling into a high‑backed chair. Calizone lowered herself carefully, wincing as her knees protested.

“We met long ago,” he said. “My father was Kingsman in Barford. You put a spell on the town so no one could get in or out. I was a child, but I remember it.”

Calizone nodded. “Yes. I did some bad things in those days.”

“It ended well,” said Dalbard. “I remember your great jet‑black horse.”

“He was a fine animal,” said Calizone softly. “Long gone now, like many things from my past.”

“If I may ask,” said Dalbard, “why are you travelling with the heir to the throne?”

Calizone explained her search for someone using witchcraft.

“There are hedge witches near here,” said Dalbard. “One makes a potion for my gout. Could she be the one?”

“No,” said Calizone. “If there is a new witch, she’ll only just be discovering her power.”

“And you want to find her before she becomes dangerous?” asked Dalbard.

“Yes. Power builds up. If she doesn’t learn control, it will burst out, like a pot with a tight lid on a hot stove.”

Dalbard nodded slowly.

“And if she exists,” he said, “she’ll become the Witch of the Dark Forest?”

Calizone nodded.

“Many witches have been unpleasant,” Dalbard said.

“True.”

“And you want to find this one before she ‘explodes’.”

“I do,” said Calizone. “Or as soon afterward as possible. That’s when she could turn to evil, or not. I want to help her choose.”

A footman entered. “Afternoon tea is ready, my lord.”

“Excellent,” said Lord Dalbard.

The next morning they left Cornford and travelled south along the coast.

Lord Dalbard gave Naeve a horse. Her new clothes were modern, but she still moved like someone from another century. She rode behind the wagon, with Beldan close beside her. Mardan rode a little way back, trying to hide the book he was reading from Calizone’s sharp eyes.

Calizone nudged Grace. “For once, Beldan is putting someone else first.”

Grace smiled. “A hundred years ago, girls wouldn’t have been allowed out alone, certainly not driving a carriage. I think our Naeve was a bit wild.”

Eventually they reached the hot sands marking the edge of the Fire Demon’s realm. Calizone lit a small fire and pointed at a burning twig. It lifted from the flames and scurried across the sand, still smoking.

“That should bring the Fire Demon to us,” she said.