Into the Abyss

“Oh yes,” replied Lenamare with an answering smile. With that he turned and slowly made his way back up the sloping passageway that led to the main stables. As he left, Jehenna returned to inspecting the work of the packers. Satisfied that everything was correct on her wagon, she took the book, quickly weaving a Spell of Unnoticing around her wagon. She then placed the book beneath the driver seat, no one the wiser.

Dispelling the glamour a few feet away from her wagon, Jehenna noticed the senior student Jenn passing by. “Jenn,” she called. The girl halted and turned to face her. She nodded respectfully, but Jehenna did detect a slight bit of trepidation in her eyes and movement; good, she thought. “You, my dear, have been selected to ride in my wagon with me.”

A look of surprise quickly crossed the girls face, but then she quickly replied, “Thank you ma’am, I’m grateful for your consideration.”

“Think nothing of it, in times like these, we women must stick together.” Jehenna replied confidently and with a slight air of condescension.

∼

Right, thought Jenn with a small amount of despair. The bitch didn’t care anything for female camaraderie, she just wants someone who is in her party, aside from her that knows healing spells in case of trouble. Lucky me. As Jehenna turned back to her business, Jenn took her few possessions, which she was carrying and placed them into Jehenna’s already crowded wagon. The woman seemed to literally be taking everything she owned, furniture and all. She found a place for her clothes satchel under a small night stand, and her bag of herbs she placed in a basket near the seat. Her diary however, presented a problem, there didn’t seem to be any more secure places to put it. Carefully she rearranged a few things, and finally found an opening that revealed some extra storage space under the front bench. Bending the little leather book slightly she squeezed it into place underneath the seat, and then replaced the few things she’d moved.

Next she went looking for the kids; Sidney, Rupert, Gloria and Chass had been assigned to Jehenna’s team. Jenn had been going to sit with them and keep them company, but now it seemed they’d just have to be content with Master Trisfelt. Actually, they should be safe with him, the pudgy master always looked out for the students. In fact, it was odd that their group should have two masters, one of the other groups had Master Elrose, and the rest only had senior students. Master Hortwell had not yet returned, and for some unknown reason Lenamare and Jehenna had insisted on having another master in this group. Which was somewhat surprising, since while not quite as egotistical as Lenamare, Jehenna was not exactly modest when it came to extolling her own powers.

She found the children in the third wagon back from hers, Master Trisfelt had just loaded them and was scurrying off on some last minute detail. Gloria and Chass seemed to be a bit frightened. Sidney was professionally rearranging things in the wagon for his own convenience and Rupert was staring around with his intent little stare. As she approached, Rupert’s eyes fixed on her.

“Does Mistress Jehenna have the binding ring for the big demon?” he asked her.

What a strange question, thought Jenn with surprise as she came up to the edge of the wagon. “I don’t know, I’d assume either she or Lenamare, and Lenamare wouldn’t bother to use it, so probably. But why do you ask? If you’re afraid she might call on it and let it get out of hand, don’t worry,” said Jenn, trying to calm her own fears on that matter as well as the boy’s. “Jehenna is a first class wizard, she could control it without the ring, and with it, there can be no problems. Plus both Master Trisfelt and I will be here to help her.”

“Afraid? of it?” Rupert actually looked a bit puzzled, “no, I was just hoping I might get to see it up close sometime, that’s all.” Rupert actually seemed to cheer up at her news.

Good Goddess, thought Jenn, what a twisted little kid, probably wants to specialize in demonology. She smiled though, twisted or not, at least the child was holding up well under the pressure of the situation.

Seeing her hesitant smile, Rupert quickly added, “Besides, if we’re pursued, we want to have all the help we can get.”

Holding up extremely well, thought Jenn. “Well, you’re certainly right about that. How are the rest of you doing?” Jenn asked as she turned her attention to the other three kids.

“This is going to be a miserable trip, this wagon is extremely uncomfortable. I don’t like it,” stated Sidney. Gloria simply sniffled.