Travelling the Undine Run

Andrea was the first to reply: "Where you go, I shall go. I'd have been dead before now but for you. And you shouldn't feel responsible for passing on the lycanthropy to me. It was my own fault for arriving in the valley ahead of schedule." She did not mention a second, possibly stronger, reason for not being left behind: that she still feared and mistrusted Belboz.

Then Simon spoke: "I might not be as young as I was, but I am not so old as I look. If I were to shave off my beard, I might look more like the fifty- seven that is my true age. You have seen for yourself that I am very fit. And I have a strong feeling that you may have need of my abilities before we return here."

Frederigo simply said: "Don't be silly. I'm coming with you." How else can I make sure that I don't miss an opportunity to betray you, he thought, but of course he did not say that aloud.

Astra looked pleased at the responses she had received. She had not looked forward to making the journey alone, but she had felt honour-bound to make the offer.

As the party prepared to leave, Belboz spoke to Andrea: "Lady Andrea, may I have a brief word with you in private, please?" Andrea was both surprised and slightly alarmed, but when Astra gave her an almost imperceptible nod she allowed Belboz to lead her into another room. Frederigo was uneasy. What was the old fool going to tell her? Surely he would not dare to reveal Frederigo's secret?

"I can tell that you fear me," Belboz told Andrea, in a low voice so that the others would not overhear. "That is quite unnecessary. I knew when I turned to necromancy that it would have a bad effect on my reputation, but I had not appreciated just how big that effect would be. Since you fear me, you are unlikely to take up the offer I am about to make to you, but I do not make it lightly, so please hear me out.

"When you were here before, I realised that there was something out of the ordinary about you. Somebody had been teaching you magic - yes, I saw you set out your warding circle - not a skill one would normally expect to find in a daughter of the nobility. And it was an unusual magic at that. [3890] Sometime you must tell me about that - but not now.

"I sense that in the short time you have been away, your magical power has somehow blossomed. It could be a blessing to you, or equally it could be a curse. You need an experienced mage to teach you to control it. When you come back from your expedition, I would like you to stay with me as my apprentice. It would be good for you, and it would be good for me - for I have long been looking for someone to whom I could pass on my knowledge. I know you are unlikely to accept, but if you do not then you should seek out some other mage and become his student, for imperfectly controlled magic is a very dangerous thing. Think on my words."

Andrea had been looking at Belboz with wide eyes. Now she turned and, without a word, dashed out of the room to rejoin the others. Frederigo relaxed when he saw her. Whatever Belboz had said had clearly alarmed the girl, but that alarm did not seem to be directed in his own direction. It seemed that his secret was still safe.

The two women trod carefully for the first part of the journey, as they had on the last part of the journey the previous day, for the path was rocky and they did not wish to cut their feet. It was more of a worry for Andrea, for Astra had done enough walking in bare feet for her soles to be considerably toughened. Once they reached the foot of the mountain and set foot on Undine Run, the way became much easier. The path ran beside a stream, but they saw no sign of the water spirits that gave it its name. Perhaps the spirits were just a legend.

As they walked a little behind the two men for the time being, Andrea took the opportunity to ask Astra: "What can you tell me about the Fey Wood? The thought of going there seemed to alarm the others." "I was hoping that you could tell me. You are the local after all. Don't forget that my home is many hundreds of miles from here. I've heard of Aethir MacFionn, but only as a legend full of brave deeds. But if Frederigo, Simon and Belboz think that we are going to a very dangerous place, then I have to take heed." "My old nanny told me lots of strange stories, some of which terrified me as a child - like the tale of the Ergot mushrooms - but I don't recall her ever mentioning the Fey Wood or MacFionn. But Frederigo mentioned him. [7247] He said he was a member of the Four Winds, along with Simon, Belboz and Frederigo's own father." "Somehow I don't feel that now is the right time to ask Frederigo or Simon about it. Perhaps for once we will be lucky, and nothing untoward will occur."

Then she changed the subject, and asked: "So what did Belboz want to talk to you about?" Andrea hesitated for a moment, wondering how much to tell Astra, then said: "He said he had detected a magical ability in me, and asked if I would become his apprentice when we got back." Astra gave a whistle of surprise. "Did he, indeed?" she said. "And are you going to accept?" Andrea made a face. "What do you think?" "Well, I can't say I blame you. I no longer believe that Belboz is evil, but to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere with an old man is no sort of life for a young woman, however skilled a mage Belboz might be."

They lapsed into silence, and Astra found herself wondering about Frederigo's strange rudeness to the mage. It was not like Frederigo to be rude to anyone. After all, courtesy to all was supposed to be one of the knightly virtues. And to be rude to Belboz - of all people - seemed highly unwise, and foolishness was not a trait that she associated with Frederigo. Andrea had been correct: there was something not quite right about him. Was it the strain of his experiences? Could he be ill? Or was he under some subtle enchantment? As if I didn't already have enough to worry about, she thought.

The day passed uneventfully. At the end of it, they made their camp for the night still several hours' journey short of the Fey Wood. Frederigo, Astra and Simon took turns to keep watch, but nothing occurred to alarm them.

1. However, Andrea had a very strange dream.
2. In the morning they breakfasted and then resumed their journey.
3. Those who do not reject the beast within themselves are liable to suffer the consequences, especially if they possess magical power. In the morning, Andrea found herself subtly changed - and not in a way which she could undo.

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