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Laylamunger, the high witch, considered the likelihood that she was wrong about the girl. She had never known one of the bloodline to have dormant witch genes. That the girl was special, she had no doubt, but that could merely be the dragon blood in her veins. That she could also be a descendent of Malass was highly unlikely, but she smelled the magic in her and her nose was very rarely, if ever, wrong.
The dog yapped at her feet and she bent to pick him up by the scruff of his neck but kept her eyes on the visitors.
‘He has a name?’ she asked.
‘Sam,’ Astra replied. ‘Please don’t hurt him.’
‘I don’t hurt indiscriminately,’ she said, matter-of-fact. ‘I’m offended that you would believe otherwise.’
‘My apologies. I meant no disrespect, and I didn’t mean to offend you.’ Astra held out her arms and the witch handed Sam over to her. ‘Thank you for allowing us to land on your planet.’
Laylamunger shrugged and turned her attention to the others in the party. ‘Who are you, and why are you here?’
‘We seek temporary refuge,’ Bill said. ‘And, perhaps a ship to take us to Icarrion.’
‘Refuge from whom?’
‘Those who would harm us... those who want to stop the true heir to Aggerron’s throne from staking her claim.’
‘She is your child?’ Laylamunger looked from Bill to Astra. ‘This girl... you sired her?’
‘Yes. I am her father.’
‘And, you?’ She looked to the Icarrion guards. ‘You are her protectors?’
Each of the guards nodded.
‘Very well. I will give you refuge, but I will have to ponder the question of the ship.’ Laylamunger wanted time to study the girl and was in no hurry to see her leave. ‘I will have quarters prepared for you in the temple.’
Cauldronia entered, as if summoned by a silent command, and led the group to their allotted rooms.
Laylamunger met with Hannass and he immediately agreed with her decision to give sanctuary. Icarrion was an important planet with many witches in its population and Aggerron had always been a true friend. Neither Laylamunger nor Hannass wanted to see Aggerron’s wishes thwarted. Astra was her choice for queen and, if the girl was as powerful as Laylamunger suspected, then it would bode well for everyone if they befriended her and gave support and succour.
‘Perhaps you should make enquiries as to the state of play on Icarrion,’ Hannass suggested. ‘Determine what skulduggery is afoot?’
Laylamunger thought for a moment. ‘I could influence things,’ she said. ‘I could use magic to make the girl’s way safe and clear.’
Hannass shook his head. ‘That would be going too far. Magic has a way of creating its own level. There would be uncertainty.’
‘You don’t give me enough credit, Hannass. My magic is never uncertain.’
‘But, it wouldn’t just be your magic. I know how it works, Laylamunger. You would be dependent upon the magic of others and I don’t have faith in every witch.’
‘Then, you would have me do nothing?’
‘As I said... you could make enquiries.’
‘That would be all well and good, but what if the outcome of those enquiries gave us pause? Would you really have me stand by and do nothing?’
‘I am not the keeper of your conscience. You will do what you believe is necessary. I only prescribe caution. Remember, momentum is always difficult to slow. Don’t start what you may later fail to stop.’
Hannass was wise and Laylamunger would always consider his advice before drawing her own conclusions and making her own decisions. There was a reason why Gobbleskypes were the political rulers of Malass and not the witches or the fire breathers. Gobbleskypes were able to see all sides of an argument. They were able to discern the right way to maintain harmony and to ensure the wellbeing of every creature on the planet. They advised and counselled, but never dictated. They engendered respect and, most times, their advice was always followed.
Laylamunger would never make the mistake of not heeding the good advice of a Gobbleskype. She said, ‘I could awaken the magic in the girl. I’m sure that it’s there.’
‘To what end?’
‘It would make her better equipped to defend herself. She may have the gift of second-sight and that could prove invaluable... make her less defenceless.’
‘Are you guessing, Laylamunger? Are you seeing and smelling what isn’t there?’
Laylamunger replied honestly. ‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘The dragon blood obscures things.’
‘She would require training... if she does, indeed, have the genes. To awaken the magic and then leave her to her own devices would be cruel and dangerous.’
‘I agree.’
‘So?’
‘I could send Cauldronia with her to Icarrion. She would make an excellent tutor and she could give the girl an extra layer of protection.’
‘An excellent suggestion.’
‘But, if I’m mistaken...?’
‘You should still send Cauldronia with her. Even if the girl isn’t a witch, we must still consider the benefits of offering her additional protection.’
Both Hannass and Laylamunger shared a distaste for the pretenders to the Icarrion throne. Petross’ progeny, and their exploits, were well known on Malass and the thought of any one of them winning the throne was abhorrent. However, to interfere in the destiny of another planet was a dangerous thing to contemplate. Their first loyalty must always be to their own planet and their own people and neither would take any action that would endanger them.
‘If the pretenders discovered Cauldronia with the girl there could be consequences,’ Hannass pointed out.
Laylamunger nodded her agreement. ‘We must disguise her. I think a cloaking spell would be in order.’
‘A wise precaution.’
‘It’s agreed, then?’
‘It’s agreed.’
*
‘I DIDN’T THINK SHE would be so ugly,’ Bill said. ‘She almost reminded me of the ancient pictures of witches on Earth with their black pointy hats, long noses and warts. Did you notice how the shape of her head resembled those witches’ hats in the picture books you had as a child?’
‘I didn’t think her ugly,’ Astra returned. ‘I thought her quite beautiful.’
‘You see beauty in the strangest of things, daughter.’
‘There’s no shame in that,’ Darius put in.
‘Perhaps not,’ Bill said, thoughtfully.
‘Sam liked her,’ Astra said. ‘That’s a good sign.’
‘He didn’t like her,’ Bill said. ‘And, he didn’t appreciate being grabbed by the scruff of his neck.’ He absently stroked the dog. ‘He didn’t growl at her, though, so I guess he didn’t altogether dislike her.’
‘Do you think they might provide us with a ship?’ Mavick asked. ‘I’m anxious to be on our way.’
Bill shrugged. ‘Your guess is as good as mine.’
‘They won’t see us trapped here,’ Astra said. ‘They’ll give us a ship.’
‘Let’s hope that you’re right. We don’t have enough oxygenating pills to last more than a few days.’ Darius shook the pill bottle to emphasis his point.
Darius had a morbid fear of suffocating and, if the pills ran out, he knew that his death would be excruciating. He’d much rather die at the point of a sword than to asphyxiate.
‘We’d better get some sleep,’ Bill said.
Astra dropped down into a chair and sighed. ‘I’m starving. I wonder what passes for food here?’
‘Let’s find out.’ Darius approached the communication device attached to the wall, pressed a button and waited.
A disembodied voice asked, ‘How can I help you?’
‘We’d like something to eat and drink,’ he said. ‘Can you help with that?’
‘Of course. I’ll send someone to you with a selection of dishes.’
The selection of dishes turned out to be bowls of a watery soup, raw fish - of a species unknown to any of them - and spicy roots.
‘I think I’ll pass,’ Bill said. ‘I don’t fancy any of that slop.’
‘It’s delicious,’ Astra said around a mouthful of roots.
‘At least there’s ale.’ Bill poured himself a large mug of the frothing alcohol and then handed the jug to Darius.
Once they had ate and drank their fill, Bill took Sam for a walk and a pee and Astra was left alone with the guards.
‘We should stay together,’ Mavick said. ‘Make ourselves comfortable in the one room. I don’t trust that witch.’
‘She seems amiable enough,’ Darius pointed out. ‘If she wanted us dead, I suppose we’d be dead already.’
‘She may want something from us,’ he eyed Astra. ‘Her, for instance.’
‘Why would she want me?’ Astra screwed her eyes up in confusion.
‘Because you’re the heir to one of the most important planets in the universe.’
‘I wouldn’t go so far as to claim that,’ Darius said to Mavick. ‘Icarrion no longer holds any sway with the Coalition.’
‘Perhaps not, but it holds a strategic position in the quadrant. The witch knows that much.’
Darius shrugged. ‘You see trouble where none exists. I’m sure she would much rather have the new queen of Icarrion as a friend rather than an enemy.’
‘Did you see how she looked at her?’ Septor put in. ‘She almost ate her up with her eyes.’
‘Astra is beautiful,’ Darius said, then blushed when he realised what he’d just said. ‘I mean...’
‘We know what you meant,’ Mavick laughed.
‘I wish you wouldn’t all talk about me as if I wasn’t here.’ Astra said with more than a little irritation. She glanced at Darius and returned his blush. He said that she was beautiful and that embarrassed the hell out of her.
Darius looked away and, shoulders slumped, his mouth now set in a grim line, he began to clear away the dishes. He was mortified beyond belief and hoped his words would soon be forgotten.
‘I still don’t think we should trust her... the witch.’
Astra glanced at Mavick sharply and shook her head. ‘She’s offered us her hospitality. She’s done nothing, said nothing to warrant your distrust. I say we give her a chance to prove herself. If she gives us a ship, then she will prove herself an ally.’
‘And, if she doesn’t?’ Mavick said mildly. ‘What, then?’
‘Then, we’ll know and take the necessary action.’
Darius had just finished clearing away when Bill returned with Sam.
‘This temple is huge,’ he said to the group. ‘There’s more than a thousand souls inhabiting it... witches, fire breathers and Gobbleskypes – all going about their business in perfect harmony.’
‘Does that surprise you? There are many species on Earth who live without squabbling.’ Astra bent to lift Sam into her arms. ‘Perhaps Malass is much like Earth?’
‘Malass is nothing like Earth. For a start, Earth isn’t infested with witches.’ Bill spat on the floor and threw himself into a chair. ‘I don’t trust witches.’
‘Funny you should mention that,’ Mavick said. ‘We were just discussing that very thing.’
‘We don’t have a choice,’ Septor interjected. ‘We have to trust them.’
Bill gave a raw snort of a laugh. ‘What a predicament to be in... assassins to our left and a horde of witches to our right.’
‘We mean you no harm.’
No one had heard her enter. Laylamunger stood framed in the doorway looking at them with a hint of amusement in her eyes. ‘You need not fear anyone on Malass.’
‘That remains to be seen,’ Bill grumbled.
Laylamunger looked from Bill to Astra and the smile she gave her was warm. ‘Have you had your fill of food?’ she asked.
‘Yes, thank you,’ Astra replied. ‘It was delicious.’
‘We eat simple food. Our digestion is complicated.’
‘Simple, but delicious,’ Astra reiterated.
Laylamunger hesitated, then said, ‘I need to speak with you. Will you come with me?’
Astra looked at her with surprise. ‘You want to speak with me?’ She glanced at her father who had just pulled himself to his feet.
‘You can speak to her here,’ he said to the witch. ‘She’s not leaving our sight.’
The three guards advanced and surrounded Astra and Laylamunger stepped forward until she was within a step of them.
‘I promise to return her unharmed. My words are private... only for her ears.’
‘No,’ Bill said. ‘I won’t have it.’
Astra felt no fear. For some reason, she trusted the witch. ‘It’s all right, father. I’ll go with her.’
‘No,’ he repeated. ‘You stay with us.’
Laylamunger looked Bill directly in the eye. ‘You run a cargo business?’ she asked, her words – so out of context - taking him by surprise.
He nodded. ‘What of it?’
‘Malass does very little trade with outsiders. I can include you in many of our commercial arrangements. I could be a good friend to you.’
‘In exchange for what?’
‘In exchange for your trust.’
Bill thought about it. She was effectively asking him to put his daughter’s life in danger in exchange for the possibility of earning enough treasure to secure his future.
Laylamunger pushed him. ‘Aggerron is a dear friend,’ she said. ‘She trusts me. You can trust me with your daughter.’
Bill told himself it wasn’t the thought of trade, or the riches that would fall into is hands as a result, that made him nod and offer his child to her. He told himself that he could trust the witch, but he didn’t think he would be able to look himself in the mirror ever again.