For a moment, there was absolute silence, then Borim reached out and rested a hand on her right shoulder. “Initiate Beatrix. What rite have you chosen?” This could get out of hand very quickly.
The redhead answered without thought, or as if she had given it great thought. “I am going to perform a summoning rite.”
Interesting. Borim thought with a furrow of his brow. “What are you going to attempt to summon? Will it be a minor fae, or a local spirit?” He glanced around, watching the other Masters and gauging their expressions. Patryg looked concerned for not only the people in the ritual, but for everyone in the caravan. Eva and Larena were wondering if there were enough Shroud Knights to control a minor spirit. Garan was whispering to several of the Crown Knights, planning out exit strategies, and ways to defend the caravan.
When his eyes fell on Jaymes, he was just a bit surprised to find the newly inducted crown knight staring at his fellow initiate. What is he thinking?
I hope you know what you are doing, Beatrix, Jaymes thought as he started scanning the area, his mind already preparing contingency plans and looking for places to make a stand, in case he needed to fight for his life. There was no doubt in his mind that Beatrix could summon up a spirit, it was just a matter of what kind of spirit she would summon. *If we were back in the keep, there would be ward upon ward surrounding that summoning circle. But here, all we have is our weapons and our wits. Let's hope it's enough. *
When the redhead caught him looking at her, she had the good sense to blush slightly and nodded at him. 'Tell me to stop, and I'll do it.' She mouthed to Jaymes. 'You know that I will.' Her answer was a slight shake of his head. No, he won't tell me to stop. He knows that I've made up my mind and won't stop, can't stop. She thought to herself. 'Thank you Jaymes,' she mouthed silently, receiving a slight nod from him. * Now, it's up to me. * She thought as she turned to find Borim watching her.
“I will attempt to summon a local spirit.” She directed toward the Shroud Knight's Master, drawing a slight nod from him. She could see the set of his mouth and knew that he was very concerned with her choice, but like Jaymes, wouldn't stop her.
The Shroud Knight drew a slow deep breath, then with a calmness that he didn't really feel, replied. “Very well. Prepare your summoning circle, Initiate. You may begin when ready.” * Please, Father and Mother Creator, let us be safe and survive this. We can't afford any deaths. * With one more glance at the redhead, he took five steps back and started drawing on his reserves of inner strength and prepared himself for what was going to happen next.
. . . .
If you are enjoying the "Journey" so far, feel free to follow it. If you know of someone who would like to share the "Journey" with us, feel free to resteem it to them. If you feel it is worthy of a reward, feel free to upvote it and drop a tip in the jar. The Knights can use all the travel funds they can get.
. . . .