“So, all the other young women flock to that seller and buy whatever it is she’s selling?” Sara asked. “It does not matter if it’s real or fake.”
Maude nodded and continued, “The failures are blamed on the girl not using the potent correctly, or a conflicting spell from another woman, or that the potent will not work on an ‘evil’ man, one who will someday beat his wife or some other lie. The gypsy protects those she sells her charms to, with that added protection at no additional charge.”
“But, she takes full credit for any successes—and for the failures.” Sara crossed her arms over her chest and her eyes glazed as she considered the information.
Prin decided to confront Maude directly on the size of the house and garden, as well as a few other items. She passed a look to Brice and Sara that she hoped would keep them quiet before saying, “Your home is much larger inside than out, and your garden is also much greater.”
“Finally noticed that, did you? Good for you, girl. It’s a complicated spell I learned when young that I call a stretch spell for lack of a better word.”
Prin considered the explanation and found it almost easy to understand. “Can I duplicate that spell?”
“With training, of course, you can. But, do not be deceived, your home and garden cannot really stretch. That would violate all the natural laws. We just believe it is larger, which serves the same purpose.”
Prin changed tact. “Earlier, you said all spells wear out. Hot tea becomes cold.”
“All true,” Maude agreed.
“What about the stretch spell?”
Maude giggled like a child, her hand covering her mouth. “I knew you were the one that would test and question all I say. You’re the girl who says, prove it.”
“But, what about the stretch spell?” Prin asked again, refusing to be pushed aside from her question.
“The spell is simple enough once learned and memorized, so casting it is almost as automatic as drawing a breath. As I enter a room, I stretch it, and the same with my garden. It shrinks back to normal after I leave, but I don’t care. While I am there, it is larger—unless I’m cleaning.” Maude cackled and looked right at Prin. “It is so easy to clean a tiny room.”
Prin found herself laughing because the same subject had been discussed earlier, but not explained. “So, you can cast the spell in reverse and make a room smaller.”
“Oddly enough, I didn’t know that for years and stumbled on it in the journals of a sorceress who passed on well before I was born.”
Sara turned to Prin and silently asked for permission to speak. When she had it, Sara said, “We also have the journals of a sorceress from Donella who recently died, along with much of her equipment. Her husband insisted we accept it.”
Maude leaped to her feet. “Really? Oh, dear. I must see it. There is so much to learn, and the journals of our sisters often contain information lost through the years.”
Sara said, “So, it’s valuable?”
“Much more than gold. Usually, a sorceress provides for who it will pass on to, but to find a new cache from another land is something I never expected to see. Where is it?”
“On our ship, safely in the cargo hold,” Sara told her.
“Then, we must make arrangements to retrieve it before the ship sails.”
Sara said, “We can do that. Send Brice to the ship with a note, I guess. But there is so much that we can’t possibly study even a small portion in one month.”
Maude was pacing, wringing her hands in anticipation when she pulled to a stop. “One month? Did I not make it clear that I have accepted the task of teaching the three of you?”
Prin said, “Yes, you said that?”
“Did I fail to make it clear that the minimum of what you require will take years? At least three and probably more?” Maude’s face held reserve and sorrow. “Oh dear, I thought you understood.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sara turned to Prin. “Three or four years? You think we’ll be here that long?”
Maude said, “Perhaps longer. There is so much to learn, and you are so innocent. We have much of your lack of educations to make up for, and then there is all the rest you must learn.”
Prin readied herself to object, but Sara wore a strange expression that halted her. She looked to Brice, who seemed oblivious and contented—as if he didn’t understand anything of what had been said. She glanced at Maude and understood Brice had been removed from the conversation.
Prin said, “What’d you do to him?”
“The boy doesn’t need to hear or pass on any of what we talk about. He’s welcome to stay, and I’ll instruct him on some basics of how to care for himself and conceal his powers from those who might hurt him.”
“But, he is not one of us, so you’ve omitted him from our conversation?” Prin asked as she heard her voice rise in indigitation.
Maude’s tone grew stern. “As I said, he is welcome to stay, but he cannot be allowed to know certain things, or he may bring danger to all of us.”
Prin ignored her. “Back to the subject of three or four years. We were hoping to impose on you for a month.”
“That is completely understandable, dear. I should have been clear from the beginning when you asked if I would teach you. Teaching takes time.”
Prin turned to look back at Brice. “This is not acceptable, not what you’re doing to him.”
Maude said, “He is in no pain, in fact, the opposite. He will not remember any of our private conversation, but you must understand that he is a mage, a related field, but not the same at all.”
“It doesn’t seem right.” Prin stood her ground, even though she felt the subject slipping away.
“Perhaps I should explain my intentions for him,” Maude said. “I cannot teach him to be a mage any more than a cat can teach a dog to be a cat. What I can do, is that I can provide him with some basic knowledge and then send him on your ship to Indore with instructions to do your bidding. I may also locate a mage to train him, but that will take time, perhaps months or years.”
“Go on,” Prin said.
“He can seek information about those who are searching for you, dispatch others to your land of birth to gather more information about current events, and return it to you by the next voyage. You have valuable secrets to keep, young lady. And you have dangerous enemies. He can locate people to help you.”
Prin said, “I admit I need information about when it is safe to return to Indore, and we have a friend or two there who can provide that information. My plan was to visit on a ship now and then until we can return, but your idea is better.”
“And your homeland? Wren?”
“For that, he will need gold. I have a little.”
Sara said, “Your spies need only to cross the mountain pass and go to the inn where we bought the horses and ask. I’m sure Brice could easily make that trip, and as far as they’re concerned, you’ve already paid them with the coin you left in the bottom of your cup.”
“So, Brice would set up the network of spies, and when his ship arrives in Indore, he collects the information and brings it here. I like it,” Prin said. “As long as Brice will do it.”
Maude said, “There are more things we can add to the list, but one is that when he finds someone he trusts, Brice can ask them to slip an enchanted ring onto their finger. I have the ingredients and spell, and can have it ready before he sails.”