Clariel (Abhorsen 4)

‘Yes.’

‘You would prefer to be alone, than to be in company?’

‘Yes …’ said Clariel slowly. ‘But I do not feel alone, not in the Forest. I feel part of it, though I may have no company save the beasts and the birds. But in this city … I feel surrounded, and seek solitude. Or I would, if anyone would let me!’

Kargrin’s brow furrowed slightly as he took Clariel’s hand and helped her stand. She felt weak and a little dizzy, and had to sit on the bench. It was the one she had a dim memory of throwing, now back in its place. But how could she have thrown such a heavy piece of furniture, which must weigh three times what she did?

‘Free Magic often appeals to the solitary, those who wish to order their lives without the constraint of others. The rage is similar, in that it throws off the constraints of your normal self, your normal physicality, rationality and emotion. In fact, it is possible that the berserk state is itself a form of Free Magic, or is derived from some ancient effect of that magic.’

‘I never really understood what Free Magic actually is,’ said Clariel. ‘Our teacher just said it was evil, something to fear, and warned us to seek help should we ever encounter any. Not that she told us how we would know.’

‘You would know,’ said Kargrin. His teaching voice was coming on again, and he gestured with his huge hands. ‘Free Magic is not necessarily evil as such, it is merely unconstrained, though this difference may be hard to understand. It is a raw power. It resists consistent ordering and may be shaped and directed by will alone. Most so-called Free Magic constructs or entities are relics or leftovers of an ancient age, things that for various reasons were not subsumed in the making of the Charter. They tend to see anything of the Charter as their enemy, which is to effectively say all life. To make it worse, over time many such entities have become impressed with a limited range of human feelings, usually the baser ones, without any counterbalancing better nature. But it is their desire for total freedom, regardless of others – including other Free Magic creatures – that leads them to kill and wreak havoc.’

‘I don’t want to kill or wreak havoc,’ mumbled Clariel. ‘I just want to live in the Forest and be left alone.’

‘Yes,’ said Kargrin. ‘But how far would you go in order to live as you want to, alone in the Forest?’

‘Not very far, obviously. I wouldn’t even be here if I wasn’t so obedient!’ snapped Clariel. ‘I’d be in the Forest already.’

‘Yes …’ mused Kargrin. ‘That does indicate you have some measure of control over your anger and your desires. Perhaps, with some training, it will be enough.’

‘Enough for what?’ asked Clariel.

Kargrin’s nose twitched, and he rubbed it thoughtfully, but did not immediately answer. Clariel repeated her question.

‘Enough for what?’

‘I suppose you need not remember this, if necessary,’ said Kargrin. He spoke quietly, almost to himself, but Clariel caught the implication very clearly. For a brief moment she felt a shock of sudden fear, that he would kill her if he thought it was required. Then she realised that as an accomplished Charter Mage he was talking about erasing part of her memory. This did not greatly lessen her fear. Memories were part of what defined a person, and who knew what might be taken away with a memory?

‘I am in the habit of keeping secrets,’ she said quickly. ‘We do not talk much in the Forest.’

‘Very well,’ said Kargrin. ‘There is a possibility that you might be able to assist us … to assist me … with a particular problem that has arisen in the city.’

‘What kind of problem could I help with?’

‘There is a Free Magic creature in Belisaere,’ said Kargrin flatly. ‘And we need your help to find it.’

‘What! But … how? I thought that the aqueducts kept out the Dead, running water …’

‘Running water does protect against the Dead, and some lesser Free Magic beings,’ said Kargrin. ‘But there are things that can pass under the aqueducts, or even cross a great river like the Ratterlin. Creatures with power to remain unseen, save by careful scrutiny of Charter Magic. We suspect one such entity is here, within our walls and aqueducts.’

‘But how can I help?’ asked Clariel.

‘Like many of the Abhorsen line, you have a strong affinity for Free Magic, and great potential to wield it,’ said Kargrin. ‘The rage is one indicator of that, and there are other signs within you. Like seeks like, and once it becomes aware of you this creature will seek you out in order to augment its power. It is the nature of such things that they must test each other, and the lesser fall under the will of the greater.’

‘Like seeks like …’ said Clariel. Her thoughts immediately went to her experience of the hunt. ‘You mean to use me as bait? Tethered like a goat for a wolf-hunt?’

‘Not tethered,’ said Kargrin. ‘But that is the general idea. You are also well suited for another reason.’

‘Which is?’

‘We … I suspect a connection between the creature and Governor Kilp,’ said Kargrin. ‘But until we find the creature, we cannot prove it, and as Kilp has grown very powerful these last few years, we cannot move openly against him. But you will be able to look where we cannot, since Kilp has chosen you to marry his son –’

‘What!’ exploded Clariel, standing up so quickly that she almost fainted and had to quickly sit back down again. ‘Me? Marry Aronzo?’

‘Ah,’ said Kargrin. ‘I thought you were cognisant of that plan. It is part of some overall scheme of Kilp’s to seize power and replace the King …’

He paused as Clariel stared at him, her jaw partly open and a look of total disbelief upon her face.

‘You don’t know any of this?’ asked Kargrin. ‘Didn’t Belatiel tell you?’

‘Oh,’ said Clariel. ‘He wanted me to meet him after the last

class. I forgot.’

Kargrin shook his head.

‘Bel was not born to be a conspirator. He talks too much when he’s not supposed to, and clearly not enough when he is.’

‘What was he supposed to tell me?’ asked Clariel. ‘Because I need to know and I’m really tired of being a … a game piece moved about by my parents, or Kilp, or you and your … conspirators!’

‘We’re not absolutely sure,’ said Kargrin, suddenly defensive. ‘But from what my rats have been able to gather, and other sources, we think Kilp intends for you to become the Queen –’

‘What!’ shrieked Clariel, leaping to her feet, swaying and having to sit down yet again.

‘If you keep interrupting I’ll never be able to explain,’ said Kargrin. ‘And you’ll pass out. The rage is always followed by weakness, you should know that. Now, Kilp can’t just put anyone on the throne, it has to be someone of the royal blood, who can assume the wardenship of the Great Charter Stones … though the bigger question is why would a Free Magic creature want to help Kilp set a puppet Queen upon the throne. What would it gain from that … What?’

Clariel had raised her finger questioningly, not wanting to stand again.

‘What are the Great Charter Stones?’

‘Didn’t your mother teach you anything?’ said Kargrin testily. ‘You know the rhyme, don’t you? You must have learned it as a child!’

‘Oh, you mean the one about the five Great Charters?’ asked Clariel. ‘I guess I never thought it meant anything.’

‘Never thought it meant anything!’ exploded Kargrin. ‘What is the world coming to? The Great Charter Stones in the reservoir beneath the Palace are part of the physical embodiment of the Charter, created by the Wallmakers and infused with their power. They are a foundation for the Charter, along with the Wall and the bloodlines of Clayr, Abhorsen and the royal family; surely you must know this?’

‘I suppose I must have been taught something about it all sometime or other,’ said Clariel doubtfully.