by Janet Woods
She turned and melted into the crowd before Sybilla could stop her, heading for the city gates. Beyond them she’d find those who were not welcome in the city, the beggars and those accused of crimes ... the sick and the maimed, and those waiting to petition Falcon Darkwater. Usually, only the older and more experienced healers ventured there.
She found a vacant stall and seated herself. Soon she’d attracted a queue and was busy treating boils and scabs. Someone came, a woman in a stained gown, and with a dark veil over her face.
Jynx drew it aside and gasped. Her face was criss-crossed with barely healed scars and her eyes were swollen and crusted. Yet Jynx knew her. ‘How did you get these injuries?’
‘Someone used a whip on me, and rubbed sand in my eyes. They have taken my sight, I think. My family has disowned me.’
‘They?’
‘Esbel ... the elvish maid, though it was carried out on Lady Azarine’s orders. She said no man would ever look at me again and it would serve as a lesson to others who challenged her will.’
Jynx was surprised to learn that Azarine had been so cruel. ‘Hush, someone might overhear and accuse you of treason.’ She closed the flap so they had some privacy, noting that two sisters had appeared and set up the stall next to them. The queue shifted to them.
Still shocked at such a revelation Jynx set to work with soothing salve. There had been something familiar in the girl’s voice. ‘What did you do to deserve such treatment?’
‘I was familiar with Lord Cynan, but it wasn’t my fault. I seemed to be under a spell and found him too attractive to resist.’
Jynx knew that feeling and her face warmed.
‘Lord Cynan forced himself on me and treated me brutally. My family tell me I’m unclean. They know Lady Azarine will not allow me into the city so my family has cast me out, hoping to give themselves a better chance at serving Falcon Darkwater.’
Tears trickled from Jynx’s eyes as her fingers soothed across the scars. Taking a flask of water from her hip she filled a small dish and added some soothing oil. ‘I’ll clean you up and see what I can do, Helise.’
Helise’s hand covered hers. ‘You know my name and your voice is familiar. Who are you?’
‘Your sister ... I’m one of the followers now.’
‘Jynx?’ Helise gave a small cry and her hands covered her face. ‘I’m ashamed for you to see me like this.’
‘Don’t be. I’ve seen worse.’
Sybilla scuttled through the crowd to join her, her face as cross as a spider crab. ‘Must you keep running off, girl?’
‘Wulf told me I was needed. I think he sensed that my sister needed help.’
‘This is your sister?’ Sybilla placed her hand against Helise’s forehead. ‘You will need help with this one, Jynx. Helise has a fever and her eyes are all but ruined.’
‘You should go back to the city, Sybilla. This damage was ... political.’ Lowering her voice she quickly explained why.
Her mentor shrugged and seated herself in the meditation position. ‘Nobody will challenge the followers; they’re scared of our combined force. If you need me, touch my hand.’
Helise barely made a whimper as Jynx bathed the crust from her eyes. Apart from being inflamed, both of them were cloudy and scratched.
‘Can you see anything?’
‘Light and shadow.’ Helise began to tremble. ‘I’m cold.’
‘Your infection has given rise to a fever. I’m going to put some drops in your eyes, and they might sting. After that I’ll see to your face.’
‘I have wounds on my body too ... and I think ... I think I might be with child. A fortune teller told me I will produce a son.’
It seemed a waste of time asking who’d fathered it, and Jynx’s blood ran cold. What if Azarine found out? If anyone discovered that Cynan had fathered a son on Helise this infant wouldn’t live to celebrate its natal day. ‘You must keep the circumstances of this infant quiet, else it will be in danger.’
‘I don’t want it anyway ... it was forced on me.’
‘Someone will kill it before it sees daylight, and you along with it.’
Sybilla said, ‘The sky is darkening. We must head back to the protection the city walls afford.
Jynx touched Sybilla’s wrist. ‘Leave me here, Sybilla. I’m going to stay with Helise.’
‘You can’t Jynx. It’s too dangerous. Your healing powers are not yet totally developed and the needy will drain you of them as they seek shelter from the bats in the stalls. Here, allow me to help.’
Sybilla placed her cupped hands over Helise’s eyes. After a few moments she sighed and removed them. Taking Jynx to one side she lowered her voice. ‘The elvish maid has strong magic of the harmful kind. She’s used wasp venom and by now it will have entered your sister’s blood stream. I don’t know if we can save her Jynx.’
‘I’m not leaving her here alone, and I have Wulf to protect me.’
Sybilla sighed. ‘We might be able to ease her suffering.’
‘But they won’t let her in.’
‘I’ll find a way.’
Sybilla turned to Helise. ‘Can you walk if we support you?’
‘I think so.’
‘Good.’ Sybilla took a faded brown robe out from under the bench and dressed Helise into it, pulling the cowl down over her forehead. They headed for the city gates, gathering followers all the way, so they were surrounded. Jynx wasn’t sure where they were all coming from. By the time they reached the gates there was a sizable crowd of them.
The trooper scratched his head as he looked over the crowd of chattering, brown-robed women milling about the gate. ‘By the time I’ve finished processing you all it will be morning.’
Sybilla smiled. ‘There are only thirty-six of us.’
‘Hands out.’ He began to use the true-blood pressure test. Helise was swaying between two sisters.
‘What’s the matter with her.’
Sybilla exposed a portion of Helise’s ruined face. ‘She has a fever ... but I don’t think she’s infectious, that’s if you’ve been immunised against the effects of wasp venom. We’re going to place her in isolation.’
Somebody at the back of the queue shouted out, ‘She shouldn’t be allowed out in public, especially amongst children.’
‘The followers are surrounding her. You’ll be all right if you don’t come into contact with her.’
There was a panicky scream from a woman and the queue began to push and shove. Helise had the wit to cough, and at the same time held out a trembling hand. The trooper withdrew his in a hurry and beckoned them through, all but shovelling them inside. ‘Go on, all of you, otherwise I’ll be here all night.’
* * * *
Emry’s had managed to petition Falcon successfully and Cynan’s former advisor and his wife had sworn allegiance to Falcon. They moved into Emrys lodgings, a small, sparsely furnished cottage in the middle of town.
Greer was unhappy with her accommodations. ‘We would have been better off staying in Arles.’
Emrys shrugged. ‘Not if Cynan decided to have you killed. Be thankful for a roof over your head when you could still be outside the protection of the city gates.’
Yegan nodded. ‘Helise will not last long on her own.’
To which suggestion, Greer shrugged. ‘If Azarine sets eyes on her she will not last at all.’
‘You said that about Remy and Jynx.’ Emrys gave his father a faint smile, well aware that parental love towards the Colban offspring was shallow by nature. They would not give Helise another thought unless she could be of some use to them. ‘The pair managed to elude and outwit me. I have since learned that Remy’s powers are such that he’s been taken into the brotherhood of ancients as an apprentice. We will never get to him there. As for Jynx, I’ve seen her with my own eyes and I know she has great healing powers. The wolf still guards her; the animal will not let anyone near her.’
‘Then we’ll have to wait for the opportunity to arise when it can be disp
osed of.’
‘It never strays far from Jynx and I’ve been unable to learn where it originates from. She has friends amongst the hierarchy of both Arles and Karshal, though she chooses to live with the followers. If she learns that her sister is alone and in need she’ll being her in ... if she hasn’t already.’
‘Then we’ll go to the followers lodgings and ask to see her. It might be a good idea to bring Jynx back into the family. Where do these followers live?’
‘They have no lodgings that I can find. They just appear and disappear while you are not looking, and sometimes when you are. One minute they are there, the next they are not. They have stalls in the market place where they practice their healing and come and go when they please and often without challenge. I have made a friend of Falcon Darkwater’s bodyguard and have let it be known that Jynx is no longer in any danger from us.
‘That might make Jynx drop her guard,’ Greer said.
‘Why do you want Jynx back when she’s living her own life now?’
Greer smiled. ‘Despite her calm exterior Azarine is vindictive and she has never liked me. She enchanted Cynan and did the same to Helise, using our daughter for her own ends, because she didn’t think she was good enough for her precious son. She would have had us killed, along with Cynan, Penn and their families if we’d been in the manor.’
‘Hush ...’ Emrys said with some alarm. We’re living amongst the blue bloods, and you have sworn your allegiance to Falcon, who they are fiercely protective of. You must guard your tongue against treasonable talk.’
Greer shrugged. ‘Azarine always looked favourably on Remy and Jynx. I think she encouraged the oddness in them. I’m thinking ... perhaps she might consider Jynx as a suitable wife for Laek, or as a wife for Falcon Darkwater himself.’
‘I’ve heard a whisper that Jynx has seen enough of life in court and has turned her back on it. She wishes to remain with the followers. Besides, I understand that she’s refused both of them.’
‘Refused them. That’s not possible. I will not allow it!’ Greer sounded scandalized.
‘Laek and Falcon are civil to each other, but it wouldn’t take much to disturb the balance of power. Jynx is a possible bone of contention between them. Azarine intends to step in, I think.’
‘How can a girl of Jynx’s age know what she wants? She needs a mother to advise her ... not a bunch of dried up old women she’d never met before.’
Bitter laughter huffed from Emrys. ‘Do you think she’ll trust any of us now? She has parents who were willing to euthanize her because of political convenience, and a brother who tracked her down with the intent to kill?’
His father scowled. ‘If you’d found her sooner she’d no longer be a threat. The wretched girl will be the downfall of us.’
Emrys hadn’t often stood up to his father, but now he had the upper hand, he did. ‘You’ll bring about your own downfall if you’re not careful. Falcon Darkwater is not the savage Cynan was, and he is not as vicious as Servish, but he won’t tolerate treason. As for Jynx, I knew as soon as I caught up with her that I’d never kill her, since I saw no reason too. She is now amongst her peers, and anyway, there is the wolf to consider. He guards her well.
* * * *
At the moment Azarine had given Cynan the kiss of death a minute drop of the eel venom had been flicked to the back of her throat. She’d felt the power of it enter her blood and slide through her veins as though her blood had become slime. She’d triumphed in its dark power.
Esbel had exchanged a glance with her at the moment Cynan died and her smile had been one of triumph. Now the two of them were joined in their need.
Azarine was beholden to Esbel, who brought Azarine the eel blood with which to sustain herself and calm her cravings. She grew stronger by the minute ... and she awaited the coming of the eel and the impregnation of her body. Soon she would be ready. Already she could feel the stimulation of her body that had her writhing and crying out wantonly in her sleep, and soon she would be satisfied. The wait was almost unbearable, but Esbel had reassured her that her needs would be attended to when the moon turned its face to the dark side.
* * * *
Laek had noticed the change in his mother ... the coarsening of her voice and the thickening and darkening of her features. He couldn’t quite identify it though. ‘Are you well, Lady Mother?’
‘Of course I’m well. See ... Esbel brings her clan to serve me.’
Laek tried not to shudder at the small scurrying creatures that danced attendance on her, like worker bees around a queen.
‘Come and sit beside me, Laek. Tell me what’s been going on. I see so little of Falcon.’
‘I’ve heard that Helise is in the city.’
‘Helissse!’ Her voice almost a hiss, Azarine straightened. ‘How, when I gave orders for her to be left outside?’
‘I believe she came in disguised as a follower. She was covered in badly infected whip marks and fevered, I hear that Jynx is caring for her.’
‘Then we must have the followers accommodations searched.’
‘Why are you so against Helise, surely not because she was taken into Cynan’s bed? You once considered her good enough to become my wife.’
‘She was never good enough for you. She thought too much of herself, had a bold manner and flaunted her looks before men.’
‘She was like any young woman, guilty of vanity.’
‘She will no longer be guilty of that, since I’ve marked her. I was thinking that Jynx might do for you, since it would be sensible to keep her skills within the family.’
‘Jynx is a true and loyal friend who loves me as a sister would. I adore her, but there is another man who claims her heart.’
Azarine’s eyes narrowed and something shifted in their depths. ‘Who is he, Laek?’
‘I think it might be Hal, because Jon is involved with Danea, and Iago is very much occupied with a dancer from the street theatre at the moment.’
‘Hal?’
Laek’s smile was wry. ‘That was his name when he was travelling with the ancient called Orish, I believe. Jynx and Remy travelled with them before the time when Hal went into the ancients retreat and became Falcon Darkwater.’
‘Ssso.’ And once again there was a sibilance to the word. ‘Our little Jynx aims her sights high if they are on my brother.’
‘Not so Lady Mother, and I won’t hear a word against her. Falcon told me Jynx doesn’t want to be tied to the formality of court life. She’d prefer to live as one with nature and experience any adventures that might come her way. She has turned him down.’
Azarine’s eyelids flickered and she laughed. ‘The little madam cannot please herself who she will wed. I’m sure we can find her some adventure in the future.’
‘Falcon believes that, although the man he once was holds her heart, another, who has not revealed himself yet will claim her body and soul and steal her heart for all eternity.’
Once again there was a shifting in the depths of her eyes. ‘I see. I will invite the girl to visit me ... I would test her healing powers for myself.’
‘She is under the chaperonage of Sybilla, who leads the sisterhood on the followers. I think Jynx will find an excuse not to come.’
‘She will come, for I’ll invite her to the joining ceremony of Jon and Danea.’ She gave a small shrug. ‘I might invite Helise and her parents to attend, as well.’
‘They would be uncomfortable together.’
‘I know, and they will squirm, and it serves them right for plotting against me in Cynan’s court. However, it will be seen as a gesture of reconciliation. Yegan and Greer will be grateful for the recognition.’
‘I’m thinking of returning to Arles and taking up my position as Lord, after the joining.’
‘Arles will be razed to the ground, the people dispossessed and the name of the city wiped from the records. There will only be one leader, and that will be Falcon Darkwater, who has been ordained since he left the womb.’
/> Anger flared in Laek’s heart. ‘And who decided that ... my uncle?’
‘No ... I did.’
‘It’s not up to you, mother. I’ve been trained to govern Arles since I was an infant. Is it your intention to start another war so soon?’
‘You are as arrogant as your father was reputed to be. Would you go to war with your uncle over Arles?’
Laek’s hand went to his sword and the dark lightning glittered along the blade. ‘Perhaps ... I can fight well and have followers.’
‘But you will not have the backing of the people, because they think you’re Cynan’s son. If anything happened to Falcon not even the Karshal would accept you as leader, for they despise all Cynan stood for.’
‘I have no intention of challenging him for the position.’
‘Good. Falcon is the Lord of Karshal. First he was a martyr to his family’s cause, then a legend. Now he walks amongst his subjects as a reality, risen from the grave. You can’t compete with that.’ She laughed. ‘Come and sit here, Laek ... I have other plans for you.’
‘Which are?’
‘When that hesp friend of yours comes back from his journeying, having found a way over the fire mountains; the land beyond will be yours.’
‘What makes you think Tighe can find a way through?’
‘He has a way with him that makes me trust him. You’re lucky to have made her loyal friend of him. Tighe will stand by you through thick and thin.’
‘Don’t let his quiet exterior fool you, Lady Mother. Tighe is clever. He has a mind and a will of his own. He doesn’t follow anyone blindly. In fact, I sometimes wonder if he follows at all. If he is a hesp I’ve not been able to see if he bears scars. Why are you interested in the land beyond for me? It might be a wilderness.’
Her eyes gleamed. ‘I looked at some old records. The land once belonged to Lord Kavan and his lady, Tiana. Jynx carries her genetics, as you carry those of the warrior Lord Kavan in your blood. What a fitting, and popular marriage that would make. You wouldn’t object to Jynx as a wife if I could persuade her that’s where her interest lay, would you? She has always worshipped you a little.’