“Oh, Jack!” cried Ellie. “Leave Jenny alone! A woman can do most jobs that a man does. She’s even better at certain tasks! What you’ve got to remember is that Tom’s job often involves helping people and making it possible for them to live their lives without fear—something to which a woman’s well suited.”
“I want to be a spook!” Mary cried out. “Want to talk to a bog!”
We all laughed, and I smiled at Ellie. More than once my job had brought danger into their lives. It had scared Ellie, and I knew that she preferred it if I wasn’t around the farm after dark. But it was nice to hear her talk about my job like that. It made me feel that she appreciated what I did.
“Why don’t we let the girl speak for herself?” Jack wiped up the last of his gravy with a big slice of bread.
“A woman has to make her way in the world as well as a man. There aren’t that many jobs she can do to keep the wolf from the door,” Jenny said, meeting Jack’s eyes. “Like Tom, I have special abilities that make me fit for this line of work. Of course, one day I would like to have children, but having a family doesn’t stop you from working. Your mother was a healer and a midwife, perhaps the best in the County. She raised seven sons and yet found time for other work. I hope to do something similar.”
Once again, I was stunned by all that Jenny knew. She must have asked around to find out about Mam. Or maybe Mam had visited her village . . . she’d been well known and respected throughout the County.
The table became quiet at that. What Jenny had said was quite true, but it made us think of Mam and her absence from the family table. She was sorely missed.
“Is this just a family visit, Tom?” James said, breaking the silence. “Or have you got spook’s business in the area?”
“No, things are fairly quiet at the moment. I was just passing nearby and took the opportunity to visit you, that’s all. But have you heard about any problems around here? Has anyone gone missing . . . ?” I didn’t want to alarm my family, but I was worried that other Kobalos mages might be loose in the County; I had to ask.
“There’s been nothing untoward in these parts,” Jack said, frowning at me. I knew he would probably be annoyed at me saying that in front of Ellie. He didn’t want her scared.
“Nobody’s said anything to me,” James agreed. “They travel to my forge from miles around and always give me the latest gossip while I work. The thing that seems to be bothering everybody is nothing to do with the dark. It’s the weather. We’ve never known it so cold at this time of year, especially at night. It looks like winter’s on its way early, and my fear is that it’ll be a bad one. But of course that’s just Mother Nature—it doesn’t concern you in your line of work.”
I smiled at James and nodded, but his words filled me with foreboding. Until now I hadn’t given much thought to the unseasonably cold weather, but I suddenly remembered that the Kobalos came from a land of ice and snow far to the north. They thrived in cold conditions. Their god, Talkus, had been born and would now be growing in power, strengthening their mages. Could their magic even be changing the climate? I wondered.
We set off back to Chipenden in the afternoon. Ellie said good-bye to us at the gate.
“Lovely to see you again, Tom—and wonderful to meet you, Jenny!” she exclaimed. “I wish you all the best in your new job. Taking you on as his apprentice is one of the wisest decisions Tom’s ever made!”
Jenny grinned so widely I thought that her face was going to split in half.
With that, I headed off up the hill again. Jenny followed at my heels, carrying my bag.
On the way home, I thought through all I would now need to do. I must begin Jenny’s training in earnest. I needed to supply her with a temporary staff and a notebook. She could have my old spook’s bag—I had started using John Gregory’s, as it had a certain sentimental value and, being of good-quality leather, had many years of use left in it. She would also need a cloak; I would order one for her from the village tailor.
I realized that with Jenny to do some of the chores, such as collecting groceries, I was likely to have more free time. Perhaps I should write something to add to the library—a book that would advance our knowledge; part of my legacy to future spooks. . . .
It was something to think about.
Jenny Calder
14
Mother and Daughter
WHAT I have dreamed of for more than a year has finally happened.
At last I am a spook’s apprentice!
My master has given me a notebook, in which I write up the theory that he teaches me, and also the practical work that we do in dealing with the dark.
But he has also given me another little book, in which to tell the story of my development during my training and the dangers we encounter. He did the same while being trained by John Gregory. So much is lost from our memories as the years pass, and he says that it helps to record such events and review them later. We learn from the past, and so avoid repeating our mistakes.
So here is my first account. It will tell the story of how I came to become involved in what Tom Ward calls “spook’s business.”
I chose my future job after the day that changed my life forever—the day I met my true mother.
I’ll never forget that afternoon. I was hurrying away from the market with my groceries when an old woman approached me. She wore a shawl over her head even though the day was sunny and warm, and walked with slow, shuffling steps.
“Good day to you, daughter,” she wheezed, looking up into my eyes. “Would you be willing to listen to me for a while?”
I smiled at her, wondering how best to get away without offending her. I was in a rush to get back and make the evening meal. I’d stayed at the market too long, and my father got very angry when his tea was late. Although it was more than a year since he’d last taken his belt to me, I was still scared of him. The previous week he’d trembled with rage when I simply dropped a spoon, clenching his fists so that the veins on his arms bulged in purple knots.
“You’re not too old to feel my belt, girl!” he’d roared.
I had decided that if he hit me again, I’d leave home. But to think it was easier than to do it. Where could I run to? I’d no relatives to offer me shelter. How could I pay my own way in the world?
“I’m afraid I have to get home,” I said to the woman apologetically. “Perhaps we could talk next market day?”