62

"Where was I? Oh yes, Bromney. Well, Tatyanna was an evil sorceress that took Ahabs castle by force for herself. Bromney had been her pupil before she showed that she was evil. Power hungry, vain, malicious, the whole thing. Bromney loved her. His behavior when the order took her out, was more that of a lovesick schoolboy than anything else. Wizard temper-tantrums are not cute. Since then, he's seemed like he's adjusted well enough, but one can never be too sure." He looked at her with a hard look as if she was supposed to know what he meant. She didn't. "It was shortly after that when he took on your father as an assistant. My sources say that Bromney's vision for you came when your father was still a boy, and that's why he took him on. It is rare that those visions come so early, but they do often come years before the child, so it's possible. It's been rumored that Bromney was also responsible for your mother's death. But we're not certain. The facts are that Bromney took your father on as an assistant at a very young age. Your mother died days after you were born of a mysterious magical accident. And Bromney refuses to give you your name." He stopped and stood up. Les was perplexed, and found her voice.

"All this may be true, but none of it tells me why I am here." He held out his hand for her.

"I'll explain while we walk." 

61

Les sat there trying to take in everything Grant was saying. While he paused in thought she too, turned inward and mused on the things he said. She still didn't believe that her not having a name was of such importance that it should bring her here to this secret society in a castle long forgotten. She was startled when Grant stood and started pacing. He seemed to have forgotten that she was there, and he had been speaking to her. Then he paused looked around, and then darted up a spiral stair in search of a specific book. Les wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She remained where she was. Eventually her mind trailed back to think about what Grant had said again.

Grant, after having looked chaotically about for his book, finally found one and was reading it to himself. Then he laughed and slammed the book shut. He leaped over the railing again and lowered himself to the floor. "I've got it!" He proclaimed. Then strutted back over to his seat, smiling wide.

"Do you know what this means? Of course you don't. I haven't finished telling you why you're here. Forgive me." He cleared his throat. Clearly giddy with excitement at whatever his discovery was.  

60

"You're probably asking why it is you are here, and what all that has to do with you. We are getting to that. You see, it was my grandfather's great great grandfather who inherited this castle. His father married the first daughter of king Ahab. Her brother who was to become king, but was not of the same mind as all of his proceeding family, he was power hungry and wicked. He married into another royal line from afar, hoping to gain that realm for his own as well. That didn't work out quite as he had hoped, for he died in a struggle to hold the power of both. His sister was given this castle by his widow in the aftermath, when they built that other castle in Ahabs honor. But all that aside, this castle was them entrusted to my family for safe keeping and houses the Order of the Scrawl.

"So, why are you here? It is my understanding that you are without a name. It has come to my attention that there is one wizard who refuses to give you your name. Which is puzzling. I'm sure you know by now that a wizard doesn't make up your name, it's given to him in a vision. Every wizard receives names in visions, usually locally, with a few exceptions. But no two wizards receive names for the same child." He paused, thinking. "We have had our eye on Bromney for some time. His connection to Tatyanna was most disagreeable. He does such strange things. But so far, those things have not been a danger to anyone..." He trailed off.

59

"There had always been kings. But they didn't always rule. There was a time when the magical persons of the realm held and fought for power over the people. Some of them were good, and didn't abuse their power, but many, over time, became quite evil and the people suffered. There were laws that forbade the sort of cruelty that the wizards and sages dealt out, but there was none to uphold it. Until the great King Mawr came along. He broke the curse that was put upon his family that held them passive for generations. He stirred up an army to march with him against the many evil doers in his kingdom, of both Magical and non-magical persons. With their help he was able to wipe out the evil and fear that plagued the land for so long. He was able to put down laws that brought peace to his people. It was from this army that was created, also, a secret society. Started, with his most trusted allies, he issued to them to uphold the laws that were set into motion that day. Over time, war came from other fronts, but our land had remained united against them, the society helping to hold it together from their place unseen. Even when King Mawrs line died out several generations ago, the society is still there pulling the strings, and keeping to peace."

58

"Um, you're welcome." Les almost asked it. She was at that place again, where she didn't know what to ask first. "What?" was all she could get out. Grant leaned back in his seat and laughed at her.

"Yes, I suppose that does about sum it up. I'll do my best to explain things." He adjusted his seating position and rang a small bell. Les didn't think that had explained anything. Then a door opened and Master Gilroy brought in a tray bearing drinks and served them. Grant thanked him and took a drink. Les held her glass in her hand and studied Grant as he drank. There was so much about him that did not make sense. His hands were rough as someone's might be from manual labor, but they also bore the ink stains of a scribe. His hair was short, but still shaggy and he wore a tunic with trousers much like her own. It was at noticing this that Les suddenly felt inadequately dressed to be in his presence. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, so she drank her drink to hide it. Grant set down his glass and stared off into space, oblivious to what Les was doing. Then he began his tale.  

57

Les was confused, and knew that confusion was clear on her face as she watched the man move around her and prop himself up on the furniture. When she finally found her voice most of her questions abandoned her as they had at dinner. Forgetting herself and everything Gilroy had told her, she blurted.

"Wait, You're the lord of the house? But you're like, a child." He faked a hurt look then smiled again. Clearly pleased with himself.

"Actually, I am not much older than you, but older than you, I am. I am also wise beyond my years, incredibly talented, shockingly good looking, and so very humble." He smiled again then stood. "I am kidding. But where are my manners? My name is Velimir Grant Moore, I am the Lord of this household. You can call me Grant. Please, take a seat." He waved in the direction of a set of chairs and couches so she went around and sat. He had a kind face, and was not anything she had expected. "I'm sure you have many many questions for me. And I must apologize for the secrecy, and thank you for your willingness to come. In this realm of magic, even the trees have ears, and you never know when there might be a spy nearby.

56

As she waited, she looked around her as best she could without actually moving. The walls were lined with bookshelves and paintings there were couches on either side of her and a great desk at the far end. As she looked up, she noticed how high the shelves went, there was a spiral stair that led to a balcony and the books continued up. There were a few ladders as well to reach books in higher places. The entire room was filled with the smell of these books.

"Do you like it?" A voice said. Les spun around to see who had spoken. Behind her, on the balcony above the door stood a young man smiling down at her. He didn't wait for her to answer, he lithely swung over the railing and catapulted himself onto a nearby ladder then slid down to the floor. He sauntered over, close to where she was and leaned on the back of a couch. Les must have had a stunned look on her face because he laughed a little bit. "Did I scare you?" She shook her head. "Bet you weren't expecting me." He circled her. "Bet you were expecting a crotchety old man with a bad temper." He stroked his bare chin as he joked. "Sorry to disappoint." He sat atop the desk and shrugged his shoulders.  

55

Les followed Master Gilroy back through the halls to a room on the first floor. She hoped that meeting whoever this Lord was would answer her questions. Or that he would allow her to speak and ask them. Mostly the burning question was, Why am I here? Though Les was almost glad that she hadn't started asking questions yet. Things hadn't gone poorly yet, she was eager to see what was in store. They finally stopped at a large double door, but before going in, Master Gilroy turned to her. He cleared his throat again. Les wondered if he was sick, or he did it for attention.

"You will enter the study and go to the center of the room. You will bow or curtsy. You will not approach unless he bids you to. You will not speak unless asked to. Nod if you understand." Les tried to keep a neutral face and nodded. He nodded in return and gave her a long hard look. Satisfied, he turned back to the doors and opened them. Then stood aside for Les to enter. She did and Gilroy pulled the doors closed behind her as he left. At the center of the large room was a huge round rug, with a design on it that Les couldn't make out. She walked and stood at the center of it, holding her head high, willing herself to not be afraid or nervous. She didn't see anyone else in the room.  

54

Les was not comfortable with the girls trying to wash and clean her, she felt exposed and violated, even though she knew they were only doing their job. Les knew that some people with servants were treated this way all of the time, but it was not something Les had ever experience before. Eventually, they were able to get her washed, but Les insisted on dressing herself. That is, until she saw what had been laid out for her to wear. Les argued with the girls, that there had been some mistake, but they insisted that the clothes were meant for her. Les had never worn trousers before. When Les asked any other questions of the girls, they refused to answer. They didn't say why she was to wear the trousers and tunic instead of a dress. They didn't say why she was there. They also didn't say anything at all about who the Lord of the house was. If one started to answer, the other would shush her, and their response when pestered was something along the lines of 'It's not my place'. When Master Gilroy returned to collect her, one of the girls was finishing pulling her hair back into a long and intricate braid. He cleared his throat and the girls went to back to standing as they had when they'd entered. Gilroy thanked them, said they'd done a good job, and they were dismissed.

53

Les followed Master Gilroy through the halls, up a flight of stairs, down some more halls and finally to a small room. Through this room was a large bedroom suite. Les figured it was about the size of her entire house. She tried not to gape at it, but failed as she looked around. It was here that Gilroy stopped. Two young girls dressed in the same uniform entered from a side door stood waiting. Gilroy cleared his throat again. And addressed the girls.

"Please have our guest cleaned and pressed, and ready to see the Lord of the house in two hours. She needs to be presentable." At this he gave Les a sidelong glance and a small sneer, insinuating that she was the opposite of presentable. Les smiled nervously. He then turned and headed back towards the main door, pausing for a moment next to Les as if he was going to say something, but continued on his way instead. The girls stood waiting, expectantly, then sprang into action as soon as the door clicked shut behind him.