Page 3 of The Seventh Swan
"He was only seventeen when we were cursed," Althaus said quietly, idly poking his porridge with his spoon, swirling around the jam that had been scooped atop it.I was twenty-seven, the twins were twenty-five, on down the line all roughly two years apart.And there is not so great a difference between seventeen and nineteen, and yet all of us have managed in the years since, and he has not, and I can only think it is because of his youth."
That was not at all the reason why, but Saveli did not say that because it would sound like a reprimand, and that would help nothing."What makes him happy?"
"Swimming, I always see him swimming, though you'd think he'd be sick of it after all this time," Althaus said."My sister says he must miss it, being in the water so easily, but I can't imagine why."
The sister sounded wise, but this was a woman who had not been able to speak for five years, and spent two of them entirely alone.He looked at Lady Celina, who looked like she agreed with the sister, but also like she did not want to say so for the thousandth time.
"What else?"Saveli asked.
"He likes being outside, sunshine or rain.He likes puzzles, reading.Sometimes he will agree to come and play cards or chess or some other game, but not very often.We try to get him to attend parties, or dinners, but unless it's something important to Celina or Agathe, our sister, he won't do it.He wouldn't even come to my birthday party, though he did leave a gift."
Saveli's magic stirred."What was the gift?"
"A bracelet, made from bone and shell and stone."Althaus abandoned the porridge he wasn't eating, shoved up the sleeve of his right arm, and unlatched the bracelet there, handing it over across the table."You seem particularly interested."
Saveli laid the bracelet flat in his left hand and ran his fingers over it lightly with his right."Rabbit bone for swiftness, shell for longevity, stone for strength.It's crude, but made in earnest, and sometimes that is all magic needs.It's a protection spell, Your Grace.Your brother loves you and wants you safe.He probably feels guilty that he cannot be the 'old self' that everyone knows, and that only makes the trauma harder to overcome.Amongst other things.But he does love you and tries to show it."
He returned the bracelet."Instead of inviting him inside to play cards, try going outside to swim with him.Invite him to a race, or to see who can touch the deepest bottom of the pond first.Just because you cannot imagine something does not mean it isn't true."
Althaus's brow furrowed, and Saveli left him to puzzle it out, thanking Celina for breakfast and extending further thanks to the servants who had done all the work before heading back to his room.
There, he finally unpacked his trunk, setting up the spinning wheel where so much of his magic was wrought.
Now that he had the shape and feel of the magics he would be working, he could secure the materials he needed.
Dressed in breeches, boots, and a sweeping cape of deep scarlet embroidered with beads in a diamond pattern, he braided his hair, secured the end with a scarlet ribbon, and headed out.
His horse was happy to be out of the stable, though he'd not been still even a day.A fierce black stallion, retired from a life of battle, happy to spend his days riding about and eating the wide variety of treats an entire continent could offer.
Saveli traveled through the countryside, examining many farms before venturing up into the foothills where he found precisely the sort of sheep he was seeking."Boy," he called to the dozing youth minding a flock of sheep with golden wool."Who owns these sheep?"
The boy startled awake, nearly toppling himself over, then stared open mouthed at Saveli until he repeated the question."Uh, my father, of course."
"Where might I speak with him?"
The boy pointed back down the mountain."Green house with the yellow shutters.My father hates them, the shutters, but my mother adores them."
"A tale as old as time, to be sure," he replied with a smile, and flipped the boy a small coin just to see him cheer with joy, causing the sheep to bleat in annoyance at all the ruckus.
He reached the green house with the charming yellow shutters as a couple came out bickering congenially about what they would be purchasing in town the next day.Like their son, the couple stared at him in shock, but Saveli politely ignored it as always."You are the ranchers who own the golden sheep on the hill minded by a boy with curly red hair?"
The man drew himself up."That is us, my lord.What need have you of sheep?"
"A fleece, the finest one you have, at least four clicks in weight, if possible, washed and prepared for spinning, delivered to the Althaus manor no later than tomorrow night.I can pay in coin or magic."
"Come and have your pick, then," the man said."We just finished preparing several last night, ready to be taken to market tomorrow.We have seven of a quality that would please you, I think."
Saveli dismounted and removed his leather riding gloves."Show me, then, please."
They led him to the barn, where at least fifty fleeces were neatly arranged in stacks that seemed organized according to quality.One stack was covered by an enormous sheet, and this they removed before stepping back so he could examine them.
Soft, the softest wool to be found, with a fine gold color that made the fleeces highly prized—and high in cost.These seven had a faint, barely-there rainbow sheen as well, making them all the more valuable.Once long ago, only royalty were allowed to wear this wool."Do you get people who buy this often?"
"Not often, no.We have more use for the generic wool that goes to hunters and woodsman and others who must brave foul weather.We were astonished to get these seven."
"I will take them all," Saveli said."One to the manor, the other six I would like shipped to my home."They gasped as he gave the address, which was so very far away, and bowed low.He handed the man several gleaming coins and the woman a small packet of seeds."In spring, plant these in the window boxes of your home, all four sides, and no harm shall ever cross your threshold.I thank you for the wool, gentle folk.Blessings upon your hearth."
He left while they still stood gawking and sputtering, mounting his horse and riding off for the forest to gather more of the components needed.Strawflower, cheerful and bright in their meadow, two bundles.Anemone, six perfect blooms, sweetly fragrant, the violet of a sky just beginning to turn twilight.
