School in Hastelan, chapter 55.

Here we are. Forgive me, I'm ending this one on a cliffhanger of sorts. I might try and write a Halloween tale, I give you warning in advance. For now, please enjoy.

There were many - almost countless. Rank upon rank of knight in bright gleaming armor stood in closed ranks, their horses held close beside them to their right in silent display facing us. Even more behind, as footmen and men-at-arms stood in closed ranks by the dozens, their own eyes facing the streets behind us.

The liveries shown, the houses represented, were many. Not only our own knights, those placed closest to the carriages, but the crests of dukes and earls, counts and marquis, were all represented.

It was a true army, gathered solely for us. For me alone, in essence.

Lady Matrona turned and smiled gently down to me. "Our carriage is that one," she told me, pointing to the one at the center of the mess just outside our gate. The most ornate and sturdily constructed carriage present in the midst of it all.

The number, the staggering expense of it all... it had been less than four days since we discussed this, and now it seemed as if we were invading! There were even more, men trained to hunt in the most dire wildernesses, prowling the city, hunting human prey among the crowds gathered to watch the spectacle we had created. Lady Matrona thought the knowledge would be a balm to my soul.

It was not. All this, it was too much. Too much by far for a few people, let alone only one.

A flick upon my forehead brought my attention back to my teacher in the way of things. "None of that, now. You are worth all this and more, as are any of us. What is all this for, save to protect each other? We all will do the same and more for any of us, and in time, so will you."

I would. "You have the right of it. I will protect all of us myself, as best I know. Once I've learned how, of course."

Being able to make a snake of earth move was hardly a trick that would work well for saving lives, after all. I would do my best.

"For now, however, you should not hesitate. Alight the carriage so we may begin; it would be best if we settled this matter today."

Even so. I moved, and two statues moved as one with me: trusty Sir Conrad and stalwart Sir Philos stood to my side, keen eyes focused afar and shields in hand, a stern guard against missiles of all kinds. With their assistance, I made it to the carriage, and a footman I did not know, dressed in mail, helped me inside.

There was stout wood surrounding metal cladding in this carriage; I'd never ridden in it before, and it promised to be warm, even in the chill of the day. I had been told in muted whispers the night before that it was proof against some siege engines, and I believed it might be.

Lady Matrona and I were to be the only ones riding within; Sir Philos and Sir Conrad would both be to either side, their steady hands and keen eyes offering further protection. My friends would also be coming, with some of our other sisters and their instructors, in the carriages both in front and behind us.

There was some small time to wait, as lady Matrona settled in beside me, and the others were escorted by the knights to their own carriages, in the same manner I was.

No chances were being taken; if my life could not be sought, then others might in my stead.

Then, with a jolting lurch and a rattle, we were off; all sound clatter and jangling all at once. the sharp strike of horseshoe upon stone and musical notes of harness and mail bouncing.

It was easy to imagine the army in their hundreds strong, marching along with us, forcing distance and awe alike as we moved. I would not move the curtains aside to look, as that might place me at risk in some way, even though the windows were inset with iron bars and shutters.

Some slings and darts might yet reach me should I look, I was told. I had my doubts, yet I was told by those who knew more than I to resist such temptations, and so I would.

The entire street had been cleared for this procession, and two others besides. The amount of lost activity, of lost coin, would be colossal. Would the improvement of the docks make up for the lack? I should have to make certain that it did; I knew from my first trip there that some furtherance could be made.

Even so, the straight trip was lengthy, and I had little choice but to wait with ill grace.

Then we stopped and waited, while the sounds betrayed others shifting around us.

And waited.

And waited yet more.

Lady Matrona spoke as I was to: "We need to wait with patience and decorum. The streets, houses, and places of business are being cleared around us by the knights, who are working with diligence to ensure our safety before either of us step into sight from this contraption. Our job is to wait, and we shall do it well."

There was naught to say to that: "Yes, lady Matrona."

We waited yet more, and I amused myself with the finger games of my childhood while lady Matrona read from a small tome she brought forth from her robes.

At last, after some few games of cat's cradle, the door rumbled with a thunk; it had been locked?

Sir Conrad stood at the other side, his shield at the ready, his eyes cast out beyond. "Please step down, my Lady."

The footman was there, a hand out, paying no attention to the pageant beyond. He held me steady as I alighted with a show of supreme confidence. Sir Philos yet waited, and I was all but smothered in shields as we walked. Behind, the footman helped lady Matrona, who had other knights to protect her.

The docks were before me, just visible from between the walls of polished steel. Not the part that I had done before, but the next part; I could feel as much at a glance, even if my eyes could not see enough to make certain with my eyes. My gift told the tale all on its own.

I could begin, even as I walked forward, and so I did. Taking note of the tent to which I was being led and the waters beyond, I strengthened the stone under our feet, sealing it back together as proof against rain and wear. I could even feel the work others had done well before my time and improve upon it.

The last one, whoever she had been, had not my range; I could reach deeper, and strengthen crumbling bedrock, which might become a desperate problem in the fullness of time.

A simple adjustment, should I tell the truth. Should anyone ask.

All before I reached the tent. The richly appointed tent, replete with couches, a table upon which wine, bread, and even cheese rested, and even a small bed! What use would we have for a bed? I would not like to sleep as others wait upon my pleasure; the mere thought felt deeply wrong.

Lady Matrona seemed to have no such reservations; she swept past me to sit at the table, and poured herself some wine. "You should take what you may; this is primarily meant for the quality to rest, should they deign to join us in this venture, and is paid for by them."

Ah, the order had not paid for all this, then. Only the parade that lay outside behind us.

I joined my teacher at the table, and grabbed a second goblet. The wine would not go amiss, so long as it were at the behest of someone else, and I was able to do many things while focusing on my gift now. The intimate use of my gift had granted me some level of mastery, at least in the more brutish uses of it. I would be a fool to think I ever approached mastery; that would not be for many years yet.

The wine was exceptional; a true vintage that was well beyond those I had tasted before, even at the party hosted by the royal family! Lady Matrona smacked her lips in appreciation and gave the label a long look.

"This must have been from the Duke's own cellars. That man always had more coin than sense."

She must mean Duke Xavanti? That was the only duke here in the city I knew of.

I focused, strengthening everything possible within my range. It took almost no time at all; barely half the wine drunk at all.  "We can leave at any time. I've finished such strengthening as I can here."

Lady Matrona raised an eyebrow. "Truly, your talent is astounding. You have become most hare-like in your gift now."

"I've had much practice," I rejoined. She was correct, yet I could only attribute such to hard work.

"You are far too demure; it is alright to recognize talent, and you have more than most. I shall not be offended, nor shall the other sisters."

"I am sorry?"

Lady Matrona sipped and shook her head: "There is no need to apologize. We are all most happy for your talent and indeed, your existence. One such as you is a joy to teach and even support, even after you grow into your own."

Should I ask? I should. There would never be a better time than now. "Lady Matrona, have I begun to... change, according to the will of the Goddess?"

Her response was immediate. "Of course you have. Such begins the moment you reach for your gift for the first time. Yet you mean more, do you not?"

I nodded into her cocked head; she continued: "Then the answer is yes, there are some small changes in your nature even now. Truly, such should not be happening so quickly, yet your growth has been most swift in all you do, and so even in this. Still, I should not worry, were I you. The Goddess rules all such things, and even at the speed with which you become as you should, it will be another year, another four seasons, afore you should stand ready beside her in spirit."

There was time, then, even now. Should I need it. Did I need it?

If I felt the question, then I had the answer. I did need it, and with that, relief became palpable. "I stand ready to do as the Goddess wills, Lady Matrona, and yet...."

Lady Matrona broke into my fumbling words with her own, stronger ones: "Yet it is a heady thing to know. To know the Goddess is working upon you even now, molding you as one might clay. I understand completely. We have all been where you are now."

It was moving that the Goddess or my fellows would not think less of me for any such questions or even doubts. I did not doubt, of course, yet with time and understanding, it might come - and that gave me fear, as naught else could.

"We should go. We have much yet to do."

Lady Matrona sighed. "Finish your wine first. It would be a crime for the vintage to go to waste."

Hmm, I should... yet it would not do to simply guzzle the fruit of the vine; my earlier lessons were clear on that point. I sat again and sipped, making as much of a show of the act as the Lady beside me.

A thought came to me. "Where are my friends?"

Lady Matrona smiled a sunny smile. "Finally remembered, did you? They are working, even as you are. They stand as sentries aside our best knights, ensuring you remain free from harm. It is good refinement for them; the Goddess oft demands such duties of us in wartime, and while this is not such a time, the acts are the same."

The voice of lady Nells came from outside the tent in that moment: "We can hear you! Feel no fear, for we are with you!"

Lady Matrona raised her own voice in answer: "Sentries are best seen and not heard. You hear nothing save any that do not belong, and see nothing but the unusual."

Lady Nells wisely stayed silent.

Lady Matrona finished her wine, and so I mimicked her. She stood with grace and allowed: "Now we may go."

I followed her out, and immediately ranks were closed around me; not only the knights, all whom I knew, but my friends as well, standing next to those knights and under cover of the shields, their sharp eyes scanning the streets, the horizon beyond, and even the clear and empty water to the other side for such threats as may show themselves.

Did lady Serapis think someone might swim as a mermaid, and so approach us that way? Was such even possible? The good lady was most understanding of all things, and so it might.

Truly, I was in good hands, and could commend my safety solely to them. I began the work anew as we walked. I could cover the docks entire from the middle of the empty road, from the houses where goods were stowed to the sea itself.

I could keep my pace with the others - I was mayhap a touch slower, though none present said a single word outright.

Lady Matrona was keeping an eye upon me, and she nodded as my gaze crossed hers. She knew and approved my actions.

There was another tent some distance away -  this one just as large, yet less brilliant; made of darker cloth and with a muted device upon it, showing the proud colors of marquis Keithen. A worthy I'd helped before, as a portion of his estate had fallen to ruin. He had asked my assistance with its repair, and both I and lady Matrona had agreed.

There were no doubt more beyond, placed there for our respite. I was quite certain that I would have no need of them.

My friends - this activity agreed with them, far more than any frivolity. Even lady Nells looked grave... and strong. As if she could take on all who opposed us herself.

They looked as if one could trust them, and I did.

The stone mended, as it was wont to do; truthfully I did not need to exhort it much, I was sure now that all stone knew what it wanted to be better than I. Only the Goddess might know the stone more than itself. For All I knew, the Goddess might be whispering truth to the stone even now, and I was merely the medium through which the process was started, my will as known to her as the stone itself was to me now.

I could reach the docks entire from here; could I do as much the last time I was here? I remember more walking, to and fro. Had my gift grown so much in such a short time? Surely not.

Lady Serapis was casting glances my way, some few steps along. The others were doing as they might, yet she was taking note of me, learning as she might. She strove for a face of the stone itself, yet she seemed troubled.

We reached the tend, and lady Matrona went inside without hesitation. I felt no need, yet the sign was clear; my friends and those knights peeled away, taking positions at the corners and door while I went inside.

This tent had a table and chairs, yet no bed, and the furniture was temporary, as one might find in a camp. On of the chairs was occupied, by a small man with small beard that came to a sharp point; he looked as if he spent a full turn of the glass trimming it every morning. A servant did, more like.

Even so, I knew him. It was none other than marquis Keithan himself, alone in the tent save now for us, a bottle of wine before him and four glasses upon the small table. Only the one before the man himself held any of the red liquid, and the marquis remedied that himself, pouring wine for us both as lady Matrona reached him.

"I say, marquis, if I did not know better, I would say it seemed to be your aim to get us befuddled with drink."

The man did not smile; it even seemed he may not know how, as I could not remember him doing such the last I saw him, but his lip twitched. "Aye, I am ever the troublemaker. I'm afraid I cannot offer a vintage so fine as the Duke's, yet you will no doubt find it agreeable. Come, rest a spell, and regale with with tales of what the Goddess wills of you."

Lady Matrona smiled for both of them, taking the proferred goblet. "You've heard all my stories, Denil, and shared in no few of them yourself. I advise you not to mention those in the presence of my young charge here, or I shall have to have you clapped in irons for evil influence of one of the chosen."

The man waved her off, as if such a serious charge was of no moment. Then he held a freshly filled goblet to me, all but forcing me to take it. I sat in the empty chair, now consigned to spending some time here. "You know I'd never corrupt one of the clergy, good lady. Have a heart, if you please."

Lady Matrona scoffed, and beheld the man with clear fondness. "My heart lies with my charges, as you well know. Even so, I can spare some time for you. How have you been, Marquis? Have the rains caused flooding among the your plains again? How are your people?"

This time, the man smiled, and it looked as if it might crack his face. It did not, in any way, belong. "The floods were light this year, and I've been well. A slight illness in the spring, as oft happens, yet I recovered quickly. Dermoi is well, and shall join the list of squires in the spring. He grows, even as the weeds in the field."

"Such is the way of children," lady Matrona answered. "They outgrow all of us in time."

The marquis glanced my way, as if noting such changes himself upon my person. "Even so. How do you find the wine, my lady Katerine?"

"It is most agreeable, thank you Marquis Keithan." I sipped again to show the truth of my words.

"I am most pleased to hear such words. How goes your work, if I may ask? The stones beneath us shifted some time ago; was that your doing?"

How fast could I be about things, he meant to ask. Could I please hurry and thereby spare us all the massive expense of this venture?

"I stand guilty of the dubious crime, Marquis. Your own senses are astounding to sense the small shift I could not entirely hide. As for the stone, it is completed. Should you strike it with weapon or even engine of war, it shall be proof against it; the wear of centuries has been reversed, and one such as I shall not need to do such again for a number of generations."

Of course, in the next score of years, any others of my gift would be here, making certain I had done as I said, as those present could not determine the truth in my words.

Unless those who managed this venture recalled some of the few sisters of my gift present in the kingdom. It would be sound to do so - I would do my best to recall the other I knew of who could do as I did in order to make certain of the work of what to the powers that be in this world would consider a barely proven student at best.

In fact, why did she not do this some years before, when she had the opportunity? The shape of the stone here was not so desperate; the kingdom could wait another generation or even two for it; yet here I was, and not my predecessor. Why?

Was it related to the strength of her gift? Or mine? Surely not, as lady Matrona had told me in the past that she did the work I was currently being trained for; even should my gift prove the stronger, she should be capable of this?

The Marquis seemed aghast. "Truly? You have completed the strengthening of what lies under us already? You have grown, even since you helped me a month before."

"The Goddess wills my growth, good Marquis. I stand in humbled awe over her might and majesty."

The man's face closed off like a portcullis, slamming down even as lady Matrona gave a light laugh. "Even so, lady Katerine, even so. Your humility is a beacon to all."

"Indeed," the Marquis seconded. "I stand in awe of the Goddess, working through you. Truly, it is a miracle, and with your speed, we may be done with this venture in a single day. The last time this was done, many days were spent ensuring all was well. You feel no fatigue? I have been informed by those I trust that work using your gift is akin to running a full days drills in the best armor a knight can don. How do you feel?"

I felt no such thing. "I feel as if I could, even now, run such drills. I've no armor, however, and never donned such, so I know not how that might affect the outcome."

Of course, the armor would make all such activity worse, but how much worse? I had no means to judge.

The good Marquis laughed and drained his goblet. "Splendid! Some few minutes more to ensure that carries on, and we shall go to your next stop together. I should like to feel more of the stone writhe under my feet; it is a most curious sensation, and one such as a man could not feel often. Even a man such as myself."

"In this Marquis, our interests align. I shall do just that." I drained my own goblet and stood, and lady Matrona did likewise, though with another loud sigh aimed in my direction.

"Indeed, let us go, as daylight is ever fleeting," she added while turning, matching steps to words.

Lady Matrona kept careful watch upon me for this leg of stonework. For my part, I did my best to ever so slightly enhance the stone rippling as it healed to it's full potential. She must feel most able to do so, as my friends and the knights curled up around us once again.

"How far down do you reach?" The Marquis asked, even as he performed some form of dance among the rippling rock.

"You see the end of the dock? About half again as far as that, down, Marquis."

I could, of course, reach all the stone holding the piers from here, and so there was no need to move to and fro; the noble understood immediately. "Impressive then, your range and speed. Seems when you did such work for me, you lacked such power."

I had, of course; I was growing rapidly.

"Most of the lack is confidence," lady Matrona said. "As she grows more certain, young lady Katerine gains much. Why, next week, she might be able to reach the castle from the drawbridge."

An eyebrow went up. "Truly? Such distance would...."

Then the worthy cut off. "Yes, I can understand now why we were called for support."

Truly? The distance was great, yet I did not understand. At least some of us did, or at least claimed they did so. I wonder if I could count lady Matrona among their number.

"Let us know if you start to feel tired. The weakness of those using a gift can come suddenly, so you should not hesitate, even if you only feel a little."

Did lady Matrona think that I would not? "Of course. I have always done so before, have I not?"

From the time of the first house, I had always let lady Matrona know of my moods, just as she asked.

Lady Matrona sighed again, most loudly. She was clearly putting both of us on. "You do, yet still I worry. Children, even the most level-headed, can oft ignore the warnings."

I had never done so, and I told her so.

Just as that, we had crossed the distance to the next tent. This one was more plain still than the last, and the device upon it.... lady Matrona entered at once with a smile, even as my friends once more peeled to the corners.

I knew this device. This was the crest of the Countess Lirisphine, one I considered a steadfast friend even now. A welcome surprise, as her last letter had come to me just some days ago and given her location as her own lands. She must have rushed here in order to arrive in time for this.

And indeed, she was here,. waiting at a table like the one the Marquis used, wine at the ready. Wine seemed to be the oil of these doings, and the Countess had two bottles at the ready.

"Lady Katerine, it has been some time. Welcome! Marquis Keithan, Lady Matrona, you are also most welcome; however, I should like some time to discuss events with my young friend, should you both be so willing."

The marquis bowed: "I am always willing to grant you an indulgence or two, or mayhap even three, Countess. It is good to see you once again; a year is too long without your presence."

The man was most skilled at the talk of nobles. Of course, he must be by nature.

Lady Matrona simply bowed her head, for her part. It was clear the Countess was the stronger among them, whether through temporal or spiritual power.

This proved a point of law I suspected, yet did not know.

I sat, and brought the wine already waiting for me to my lips. Normally, I should wait for the elders here to sit first, yet the Countess had invited me personally, and so the normal rules of hospitality could be ignored.

The Marquis sat beside me, appearing not slighted in the least. Such a sight emboldened me. "So how have you been, Countess? Have you done much of import since we parted company?"

The good Countess shook her head. "Management of affairs in my territory. Some very boring numbers, and ensuring the gathering of our crops."

The wine was... passing good, yet it was clear that the Countess had little access to the cellars of either the Duke or even the Marquis. Either that, or little interest in wine at all, which did not match what I knew of my friend; she was closer to lady Nells than I in that respect.

"So much as I, then. Learning more. Learning more numbers, more letters, and my gift. I can read books entire now." Of course, she knew that from the letters, but I had little else to say - much of my time was just as lacking of import as hers.

For a moment, the Countess widened her eyes. Then she laughed with a sparkle dancing in them. "Only you would compare your own life these last months as like numbers and crops. You have had some excitement, have you not?"

Somewhat. "There has been some excitement around me, yet I am not the cause."

The good Countess rolled her eyes. "If you are at the heart of events, you bear witness even if you are not the cause. Others choose their own way, of course, and yet this leaves you free to tell me of all that has befallen you rather than leaving out any such details from your letters and simply writing 'all is well here', as you have clearly done."

She took paper - my letters - from her bodice and waved them before us all in order to make her point.

I must defend my honor. "I did admit some of the recent events in those letters. It is only the early ones in which I might have omitted certain things. I had no desire to worry anyone offering me succor."

Political backing was far too important to waste on something as simple as an assassin, at least when others were more near and could serve the same purpose.

"Yet you informed Count Warren most promptly."

"The Count was in the city, and he asked. I informed him by letter of some information after he offered knights to see to my safety."

She was... the Countess remained bright, yet she was unhappy. There was little I could do to remedy this, aside from bow my head. "I am sorry, Countess. I shall not do such things in the future."

The worthy's smile returned to brilliant, and she nodded her own acceptance. "Thank you. Now, how does the day find you? Are you exhausted yet? I have a couch upon which you may rest if so."

I was not. "Why does everyone around me think I should be weary? I feel fine. As if I could run a field, even now."

"Do you not remember when you first started using your gift? You could only impose your will upon the earth and stone that made a single house, and doing so fatigued you. Now, you stride among an entire dock made of stone and the bedrock underneath, and will it whole as you walk. Your talent is given, yet your stamina thus far is nothing short of staggering," lady Matrona said.

The other two present nodded in response, clearly agreeing with her words.

They were not wrong; I did remember. "I see. Yes, you are correct to ask then, in that instance. Can you not do the same yourselves, with your own gift?"

The Countess answered: "If either of us attempted to impose our will as you have upon our elements, we would both be using my couch, and cursing the other for it."

That was... an interesting image. The Marquis laughed. "I should like to see that," he all but shouted, looking from one to the other of my seniors.

"You may yet, in the fullness of time," the Countess said... and the Marquis's laughter ceased abruptly, the merriment cut off by some thought or other he chose not to air.

"Even so, I feel naught as yet," I assured one and all. "I may go yet another leg of this journey at any time."

In truth, I was feeling somewhat warm... However, I thought the culprit of such might be the wine.

The Countess stood immediately. "Then let us go! You may regale me with tales of your life since we last met along the way."

Ah, that would not do. "In truth, my life has been filled with tedium. Surely you would not like to hear such tales - or any beyond those I've written to you of."

I stood as straight and tall as I was able; it took some little effort more than usual.

Lady Matrona noticed. "Mayhap we should leave the wine in the bottle, next tent?"

I nodded, even as we stepped outside into the sun.

The Countess went from jovial to sharp-eyed in an instant, her gaze as piercing as the knights that closed ranks around me. She even stepped outside their circle, allowing them to block even the light around me.

"Are you safe there, Countess?"

She did not turn to me, but I could hear the smile in her answer. "As safe as ever, lady Katerine. I am proof alone against most who would do me harm; you need not worry."

She said as much, yet how could one avoid worry? Assassins lurked around every corner here, or near enough!

As if summoned by the thought, there was a commotion ahead.