“Kind of you to ask, but I’ll be fine. All the commotion of the past week must finally be catching up with me.”
“And, after all you’ve been through, who could blame you. You stay right there, and I’ll get Eloise to bring some water. Veronique dear, if you could, please try to get at least some of the relevant details.”
Verone drew up a chair. “Does he always have visions when this happens?”
Amanda looked pained. “Don’t tell me he’s got you believing his nonsense, too?”
“Well, you must admit, his wedding prediction was pretty impressive.”
Amanda shook her head. “I’ve seen this sort of thing with him before. He gets something in his head and keeps spouting it over and over until people actually start to accept it. This wedding situation was like that, too—you don’t seriously think it would have happened if he hadn’t put the idea in your father’s head, do you?”
“You may have a point there, but even then, it’s uncanny.”
“Well I certainly hope for your sake that you didn’t agree to marry him for his awesome powers as a seer, because even I can predict how that would end.”
Rayen became suddenly restless. Amanda resumed rocking, her brow furrowed in concern.
“Is he coming ‘round?”
“I’m not sure,” Amanda said. “Usually he just wakes up.”
“Looks like a bad dream. Should you wake him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Here, let me try.” Verone leaned over and gently shook Rayen’s shoulder. “Rayen, it’s time to wake up.”
Rayen shuddered, and his hand shot out and took hold of Verone’s wrist. Verone recoiled, her eyes wide with revulsion. Steeling herself, she tried delicately to withdraw her hand, but his grip was vise-like.
“You can’t have her,” Rayen cried. He shuddered once more. His breathing became labored. Suddenly, he sat bolt upright, his eyes open, but still unseeing. “And only the taint remains,” he said sadly, almost wistfully.
Verone finally lost her nerve and wrenched her wrist away. The shock of it finally brought him to himself, and he looked with surprise into the dubious eyes of his bride-to-be. He sighed contentedly. “Once again, you’re here for me.”
Verone rubbed her wrist. “Isn’t that what fiancés are for? What did you see this time?”
“I’m sure he’s exhausted from his ordeal,” Amanda said. “It would probably be best if he got some rest.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” Rayen said.
Amanda put her hand to his forehead. “You’re not well. You might even be feverish.” She turned to Verone. “I really think I should take him up to the guest room and tuck him in until he’s feeling better.”
“I’m just a little tired. It will pass.”
“You have others to think about now. You can’t afford to go and get yourself sick—it would ruin all the plans. Is that what you want?”
“No, of course not, but—”
“All right then, let’s get you upstairs.”
Verone finally weighed in. “Amanda’s right. We wouldn’t want to risk anything interfering with the wedding, would we? Tell you what—I’ll help her get you up there, and once you’re safely tucked in, then, if you’re feeling up to it, you can tell me.”
His disappointment was plain. “If you say so.”
“Oh, you don’t have to trouble yourself,” Amanda said. “I can handle this—I’ve been doing it for years now.”
“It’s no trouble,” Verone said. “Besides, it would probably be good for me to learn what I should do if something like this happens when you aren’t around—don’t you agree?”
“But you have all that planning to get done and so little time—and really, I don’t mind.”
“Not to worry, Mum has all the planning covered. She just loves that sort of thing. In fact, my opinions generally end up just slowing things down. Since I have the opportunity, I think I’m better off spending a little quality time with my man. Don’t you agree Rayen?”
Rayen beamed. “That would be delightful.”
“There. It’s settled, then. I’ll take his right arm, and you take his left, and together we’ll get him upstairs and taken care of.”
Amanda wavered for a moment, then nodded.
Even though Rayen was recovering quickly, Amanda insisted they take the grand staircase with exaggerated caution, fussing over his health at every opportunity. Despite her delays, it was only a matter of minutes before he was safely tucked into the guestroom daybed.
Once there, Verone turned to Amanda. “And now it’s your turn.”
“Someone has to stay here and keep an eye on him. What if he has another seizure?”
“Don’t argue with me. You’ve had a trying week so far, and the rest of it is unlikely to be any easier. Rayen and I will need you in top form for the ceremony”
“But I’m not tired.”
“That is the single least-convincing lie I’ve ever heard. Now off to bed with you. I’ll see to it Rayen has everything he needs.”
“But—”
“If you don’t go this instant, I’ll be forced to sic Mum on you.”
Despite her protests, Amanda really was too exhausted to truly argue. And besides, Rayen was already half asleep. The temptation finally convinced her—against her better judgment.
“I suppose I could use a tiny little nap.”
“Now you’re talking. I’ll find a book and sit right here with Rayen until you come back. If there is any change, I’ll let you know right away.”
“You really are too kind.”
Verone squeezed her hand. “Sweet dreams.”
The instant Amanda was out the door, Verone sat next to Rayen’s bed and leaned in close. “Rayen?”
Rayen started. “Oh, I’m sorry, I must have drifted off.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you. I was just seeing if you were up to telling me about your latest vision.”
“You won’t think it’s nonsense?”
“Of course not. After all, you foresaw our wedding, didn’t you?”
“Well, some things are clearer than others. Sometimes everything doesn’t make sense right away.”
“I promise to keep an open mind. Was it disturbing? You seemed like you were having a bad dream.”
“It was far more menacing than usual. It was dark, and the walls were all closing in. I couldn’t breathe.”
“What else did you see?”
“I think I have it mostly prepared.”
“What do you mean?”
“No one expects a true seer to just spout random bits and pieces of visions. The idea is to distill them down into their essence—you know, let the poetic form lend structure and meaning to the experience. Without that, they’re no better than someone’s random nightmares. Don’t you agree?”
“Fascinating. I had no idea.”
“Fortunately, I have rather a knack for this sort of thing.”
“I’m sure you do. Now that I better understand the artistic element, I’m more eager than ever.”
Rayen sat up and cleared his throat:
As Chervil beckons kin-to-be, before the final gasp,
The frantic throes awaken she who flits outside his grasp.
Enshrouded by a fair facade, yet deep beneath the paint,
She stirs once more, malevolent, and redolent of taint.
She weaves a web of bitter tears—she sings the siren’s cry,
She conquers houses, topples kings—bleeds even allies dry.
The doppleganger’s secret trove could obviate the threat,
But use of it involves a choice the user may regret.
For it shall bring no accolades to expurgate this ghost.
And as was true in ages past, those closest suffer most.
As he recited his masterpiece, Verone’s initial reaction was to frown and raise her eyebrow, but by the time he finished and looked to her for approval, she was all smiles.
“Bravo. You’ve
really outdone yourself.”
“You’re not just saying that?”
“Well, I don’t pretend to be a great judge of poetry, but it sounded very skillfully crafted to me. I still can’t say what it means though. It isn’t about me, is it?”
“It’s hard sometimes to know for sure, but that wasn’t my impression. What made you think that?”
“Given our wedding is under a week away, I would have thought that conclusion inescapable from the words ‘kin-to-be. I certainly hope you’re right, though. My schedule is full up—I don’t have time to add being beckoned by the death god.”
Rayen scowled at the suggestion. “Like I said, I’m not always able to figure everything out right away. Promise me you’ll be extra careful.”
“A wise man once told me there was no escaping fate.”
“I certainly hope for his sake he’s not always right.”
“He might prefer it if he was. After all, if I’m so tainted and malevolent, wouldn’t he be better off if Chervil took me?”
“Only if he would be better off inconsolable. Besides, I’m almost certain those words have nothing to do with you.”
“You might be surprised.”
“Well, no more than they apply to any other woman, then. What I mean is that the word ‘taint’ in these things usually arises from a very specific impression, and I’ve never had that feeling about you before. It must be someone else.”
“Oh really. Not even married yet, and already dreaming about other women?”
“It’s not like that at all. Usually when I have that impression, it’s connected in some way with my niece.”
“You mean Dona? She didn’t seem all that tainted and malevolent.”
“I don’t normally think of her as malevolent either.”
“But you do think she’s tainted?”
Rayen stole a glance toward the door. “I probably shouldn’t be talking about this. Amanda will flay me alive if she finds out.”
“Dona is going to be my niece, too. If there’s some dark family secret lurking in the closet, don’t you think I have a right to know?”
“I doubt Amanda would see it that way.”
“I certainly hope you aren’t suggesting that Amanda is going to have veto power over how we choose to conduct our relationship, because that would be a very good way to start off on the wrong foot.”
“It’s not that—”
“Then what would you call it?”
Rayen began to pale again.
Verone waited a few moments longer and then patted his shoulder. “I don’t mean to pressure you into things you don’t want to do. If you don’t want to tell me, it’s all right. I was probably just being naïve in thinking we were really starting to connect as a couple. If you feel like we’re rushing into things too quickly, I’ll simply tell my father we aren’t ready and that we are calling the whole thing off.”
“But won’t you lose the estate, then?”
“Probably, but better that than rush into an ill-fated relationship.”
“But it’s not ill-fated. I knew we were going to be together before we even met.”
“That doesn’t mean the time is right. Lots of men struggle with the idea of commitment. Particularly under these circumstances, if you need more time, I completely understand.”
“I don’t need more time. Really, I don’t.”
“Your reticence to talk about your family seems to say otherwise. Commitment is based on trust, and I don’t think you’re there yet.”
“But I do trust you. I just don’t want to offend Amanda.”
Verone shook her head. “Amanda again? I really don’t think you’re ready.”
“It’s not that big a deal. It’s just a little family legend.”
Verone held up her hand. “No, stop right there. I don’t want you to tell me—not unless you are absolutely sure you’re comfortable with it.”
“Amanda wouldn’t want a little thing like this to come between us. I’m sure of that.”
“Well, so long as you’re sure.” She folded her hands in her lap. “All right—tell me.”
“I was very young the first time I ever heard of it, just a lad—too young to really understand what was going on. All I knew was that my grandmother was coming. She was a small woman, but she had tremendous presence. I was more than a little afraid of her but found her fascinating—this tiny woman who could order even my parents around. We had a game where I would hide when I knew she was coming, and I would wait to see how long it would take her to ask after me, and then I would surprise her by jumping out and shouting out ‘here I am Grandma.’ But this time she arrived with several other women who also seemed old to me—I think they were her sisters. All of them were very sad.”
“Was there a funeral?”
“I don’t think so. They brought with them a great dome-top trunk, which they presented to my mother. I remember my grandmother telling her the duty had fallen to her to safeguard the legacy—that Grandfather had been taken and all that was left to the rest of them was the sacrifice.”
Verone perked up. “The sacrifice? Are you sure?”
Rayen shrugged. “I was very young—it’s possible I misunderstood. Anyway, my mother wept, and even though there were tears in my grandmother’s eyes as well, she admonished her to stay strong like the others in our family who had inherited the taint.”
“What did she mean by that?”
“I never had the opportunity to ask. After seeing my mother crying, I was too afraid to come out of hiding. It took my father an hour to find me. We left our house that very night, never to return. I brought it up several times, but my parents acted like I made whole thing up. Later, I suspected others in our family might have been seers like I am, and maybe that’s what she meant, but now I’m not so sure.”
“Why is that?”
“There came a day a few years after Dona was born that I had a particularly intense vision. In it I heard my mother’s voice calling out to me over and over: ‘Dona has the taint. Dona has the taint.’ I was concerned for her, of course, but I couldn’t help being ecstatic that someone else I knew might actually understand what it’s like to have the Sight.”
“Is she prone to seizures as well?”
Rayen shook his head sadly. “If she really did inherit the Sight, she’s never shown the slightest sign of it. But then, it didn’t come to me until I was in my teens, so I guess it’s possible it may come later to her.”
“I take it Amanda would not be thrilled by that?”
“She doesn’t understand. She thinks the Sight is a terrible disease. The whole idea that Dona might have inherited it scares her to death. She’s forbidden me to even bring up the topic—she has a fit if I so much as mention Dona and taint in the same sentence. That’s why I hesitate to talk about it.”
“What happened to the trunk?”
“My mother kept it locked and hidden away, but when she died, my father had it sent to Amanda. I have no idea what she did with it—I haven’t seen it in years.”
A smart rap came at the door.
Nathalie poked her head in. “How’s our patient doing? Eloise has brought water.”
“Bless you,” Rayen said.
Nathalie gave Rayen a polite nod but didn’t let him distract her from her mission. “So, have you made any progress finding out the relevant details?”
Verone sighed. “I’m afraid we aren’t going to get any rest until she gets a start on those invitations.”
“I am sorry to be such a nag. I don’t know what’s gotten into me—it’s not like we have a deadline or anything.”
“Well, Mr. Magnificent,” Verone said. “The time has come to fess up. Who are you really?”
Rayen chuckled. “I have no idea how we could possibly have gotten to this point without a proper introduction. I guess when we met, I felt like we already knew each other.”
Nathalie crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “The name, if you please?”
&nb
sp; “Oh, sorry. It’s Theratigan—Rayen Theratigan.”
. . . . .
Taking the well-worn path back toward the commissary, Princess Celeste was relieved to see an older man striding purposefully in her direction.
“Come quickly. Michlos says Vane is stealing the Eye. He’s trying to stop him but may need help.”
“Stealing the Eye?” the man said. “Are you sure?”
“I’m just repeating what he told me.”
“Any idea why he thought that?”
“Didn’t you hear the bell?”
“I did. In fact, that’s why I’m here. The Provost asked that I come check it out—you know, make sure nothing is broken, or that the students aren’t meddling where they shouldn’t. I’m Magister Treust, by the way.”
“I’m Princess Celeste.”
He winked. “Had I not already known, I would have surmised as much from the crown. Where is Michlos now?”
“After we heard the bell, he told me to come get help and went into the church. He was concerned the situation might turn dangerous.”
“I certainly hope he doesn’t intend to force the issue.”
“What do you mean?”
“Vane is built like a bull. If I were Michlos, and if I truly suspected Vane of stealing the Eye, the last thing I’d want to do is confront him about it alone.”
“Who is this Vane, and why would he want the Eye?” The Magister scratched his beard. Then his eyes widened. “Ah, I think I see the reasoning now. Michlos expects Vane to use it as a replacement.”
“Replacement for what? Why are you people always so obtuse?”
“There’s no time to explain. If Michlos was right, I’ll just have to hope my title still carries some weight. You said he’s in the church?”
“Yes, and I came straight here.”
“Find the Provost. Tell him Vane may have stolen the Eye. Ask him to send armed backup, just in case.”
“You have armed backup here?”
“It’s possible he may have to improvise.”
. . . . .
From the commissary’s front stoop, Newcomb saw the Princess approaching. He scooped up his plumed hat, slammed it on his head, and sprang to attention. “Is everything all right, Your Highness?”
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