Storm Glass

by Maria V. Snyder

  * * *

  After breakfast the next morning, Ulrick and I found Kade sitting on a bench outside the dining hall. A small child giggled as the Stormdancer created a tiny whirlwind. Dead leaves and dried grass swirled around the girl. She held her arms out and let the air flow through her chubby fingers.

  Pure delight shone in the girl’s eyes. Eventually her mother came looking for her and Kade let the whirlwind dissipate. The child had wandered away from the kitchen. She was so unrepentant and defiant, I guessed this wasn’t the first time she explored on her own, nor would it be the last. Her mother would have her hands full until the child was old enough for school.

  A half smile lingered on Kade’s lips as we strolled to the market.

  “The girl will have quite a story to tell her friends,” I said to him.

  “Why?”

  “Since I’ve been here, a Stormdancer has never visited the Keep, and usually the students and magicians are too busy to entertain the staff’s children.”

  “That’s a pity. Adults are so jaded when it comes to magic. Nothing compares to seeing a child’s wonder and delight over simple tricks. Makes me appreciate my skills and reminds me not to take them for granted.”

  When we arrived at the market, Kade and I talked to the sand merchants while Ulrick kept watch. Fisk appeared to see if I needed anything, and he led us to two more dealers I didn’t know about.

  The morning progressed with little success. None of the suppliers had filled an order for lava flakes in the past year. Kade would need to visit the merchants in Mica and Fulgor.

  As we navigated the crowded square, a blacksmith hailed Ulrick. The jacks we’d ordered for the glass shop were ready. Kade and I waited outside while Ulrick inspected the tools.

  “You both are happier today,” Kade said. “Did you settle your differences?” He kept his tone neutral.

  “We did.” I studied him, looking for any sign he may be unhappy. Any indication that his reasons for coming to the Keep included seeing me.

  “Good. You’re well matched.” His demeanor remained impartial.

  Again I remembered Pazia’s criticism. Perhaps I had been the one to keep my distance from him. I took a chance. “We do have a lot in common. Same hometown. Same enjoyment from working with glass. But he lacks a certain... spark.”

  Surprise touched Kade’s eyes for a moment before he resumed his bland manner. “Sparks are similar to lightning strikes and are harmful if you get too close. Also the problem with thunderstorms, they move with the wind and have other...ah...obligations. It’s best for you to bask in the steady sunshine.”

  It was as I suspected all along. No interest in me other than dealing with the current problem. Even though I could rationally explain to myself how it was for the best, I couldn’t stop the brief stab of pain deep inside me.

  When Ulrick returned, we walked to the Keep’s entrance. Kade wanted to talk to me in private. Ulrick scowled.

  “Don’t worry,” Kade said. “On the off chance Tricky is lying in wait in the Citadel, I’ll be able to brew a strong gale. The weather is unsettled today.”

  Apprehension and reluctance filled Ulrick’s eyes, but he left to deliver the tools to the almost-finished glass shop.

  “I’ll catch up with you there,” I called.

  He waved.

  Kade was bemused. “He’s protective, a good quality in a bodyguard, but he needs to learn how to trust.”

  “He just met you,” I said.

  “I meant you. Trust you. You managed to escape Sir and Tricky without harm, so you do know how to take care of yourself.”

  We sauntered through the southeast quadrant of the Citadel. The cold air kept most people indoors, and there were few citizens on the streets.

  “You followed me last night, trying to protect me,” I countered.

  “True. But you didn’t know about Indra and Nodin then. Now that you know, I expect you to take extra precautions.”

  “Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “No. I had a chance to speak with Master Cowan this morning. She explained a few more details of your escape from Tricky. She wanted to know if I’ve heard of any Stormdancers who could pull another’s magic into an orb.”

  “Have you?”

  “No. But I wondered when you helped me with the storm, why didn’t my magic transform into glass raindrops?”

  I thought back and reviewed the series of events. “Perhaps it didn’t happen because you were pulling in a real substance, while Tricky’s spiders were illusion.”

  “A possibility. Once this mess with Varun and the orbs is settled, I’ll see about assigning one of my Stormdancers to help you with your experiments.”

  Another jab of disappointment pierced me. I berated myself, thinking of Ulrick.

  “The reason I wanted to speak to you alone is...” Kade hesitated. It was the first time I’d seen him uncertain. “I have a favor to ask.”

  Intrigued and a little uneasy, I encouraged him to continue.

  “It’s about my orb. I didn’t want to leave it with another Stormdancer, yet I don’t want to carry it with me on this mission. It could be used as a weapon in the wrong hands. Will you keep it for me?”

  “Of course, but why didn’t you give it to Raiden?”

  Kade fiddled with the sleeve of his cape. “Raiden would send it off to be used to fuel one of our factories. We’re short of orbs this year and he threatened to stop indulging me in my ‘maudlin behavior.’ The orbs are vital to the Stormdance economy, but I’m not ready to part with it just yet. And I knew you would understand why.”

  The orb was his last physical connection to his sister, Kaya.

  “Is that why you asked me? Because I’ve lost a sister, too?”

  “No. Because I trust you.”

  * * *

  As we talked, Kade and I had wandered into the main section of the Citadel. Although a few people still shopped, most of the market stands were closed for the day. Twilight cast a pall on the marble walls. Strident voices pulled my attention to an alley on my right. Two men engaged in a verbal argument.

  Kade and I were about to walk past when the snick of a switchblade reached us. I shared a look with Kade and he strode down the alley without hesitation. I followed.

  “Excuse me,” he called. “I’m in need of directions. Can one of you gentlemen tell me where the Council Hall is?”

  The smaller man tried to step away from his companion, but the other grabbed his shirt. “Go ask someone else. We’re busy,” he said.

  The voice sounded familiar. I peered at the bigger man. In the weak light, the raw gash on his lower lip oozed black. Bloody Lip. My hands grasped the handles of my sais.

  “Sir, do you need help?” Kade asked.

  “This man is trying—”

  “Shut up,” Bloody Lip growled. He raised his knife. “Leave now and I won’t hurt you.”

  “We could say the same thing,” Kade replied.

  A wind gust blew through the alley, sweeping trash into the air. I pulled my sais and held them in the ready position.

  Bloody Lip met my gaze and pushed the man down, turning all his attention to us. “I know you. You’re that student who cost me my job.” His other hand moved and with another snick he brandished a second knife. “You won’t surprise me this time.”

  He advanced. Another gust flowed around us. It whistled and slammed into Bloody Lip, but the air around us remained calm. He kept his feet as the litter in the alley shot past. The victim huddled low to the ground.

  A banging noise sounded behind me and I turned in time to avoid a couple of barrels rolled by the wind. They hit the edge of a cobblestone and launched into the air, connecting with Bloody Lip. He tumbled to the ground, cursing as a knife skittered out of his han
d.

  The wind stopped and Bloody Lip crawled to his feet and ran away. Kade helped the victim to stand.

  “Thank fate you came along. That man was trying to rob me,” he said. His voice quavered with a shaky indignation.

  “Do you want us to escort you to the Citadel guards to report him?” I asked.

  He flinched and attempted a smile. “No. No time. I have a delivery to make. Can you accompany me to the store? It’s not far.”

  “Sure,” Kade said. He moved aside to let the man lead.

  “My name’s Chun. Who do I have the pleasure of thanking for rescuing me?”

  We introduced ourselves. Chun chatted about nothing in particular and once again thanked us when we reached his destination.

  The storefront was unremarkable, but I recognized the place as belonging to one of the many black market dealers Pazia and I had visited. Chun’s reluctance to talk to the authorities was now understandable. His delivery was probably of black market goods.

  We left and headed back toward the Keep. Two blocks away I made the connection.

  Stopping in midstride, I said, “Chun entered Bloody Lip’s place.” I explained about Bex and Bloody Lip’s attempt to strong-arm me and Pazia into buying fake diamonds.

  “Do you think Chun and he worked together?” Kade asked.

  “No. Bloody Lip mentioned getting fired.” I thought it through. “Let’s go back and see where he goes.”

  We found a small alcove near the store and waited. My attention tended to wander. The air between me and Kade felt as if a mini thunderstorm brewed within the narrow gap. A sudden desire to grasp Kade’s arm and share his energy swelled in my heart. I stifled it with difficulty.

  Chun finally exited after the lamplighters had finished lighting the street. An errant gust had blown the lamp near us out. From Kade’s grin, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence.

  Before Chun could move away, the door swung open and a man stuck his head out.

  “I forgot about the midseason festival,” he said. “Bring us ten more crystals. The tourists will snatch them up. Everyone loves a bargain.”

  They shared a chuckle, and I wondered if the crystals he mentioned were the fake diamonds.

  Keeping a half-block distance back from Chun, we followed him to the Citadel’s north gate. He stopped at the public paddock nearby. Each of the Citadel’s entrances had a place where you could stable your horse or store a wagon. A convenience for those who only came for the day. The paddocks were run by the government and every large town in Sitia had one.

  Chun hitched a dilapidated wagon to a brown horse. Spokes were missing from the wheels and the broken back gate was tied to the sides with knotted and frayed ropes.

  “If he’s selling the fakes, he certainly isn’t putting his money into transportation,” Kade said. “Then again, what better way to avoid robbers on the roads.”

  “Zitora didn’t seem as concerned with the fakes, but we should know who is producing them.”

  We watched as Chun spurred the horse and drove through the north gate. Once he was out of sight, we questioned the paddock manager.

  “Comes in twice a season,” he said, checking a ledger. “Nice guy. I know he’s a member of the Moon Clan because he told me about the troubles they were having with bandits and how he was unhappy with their Councillor.”

  “Do you know why he comes?” I asked.

  “Deliveries, I think.” The man shrugged. “Must be small because the wagon’s always empty. He pays his bill on time and never leaves anything behind. Wish I could say the same for everyone.”

  I thanked him and we left his office.

  “I bet he’s supplying the black market with the fake diamonds,” I said. “I wish I could follow the wagon.”

  “I can,” Kade said.

  “What about Varun?”

  “There are sand suppliers in Moon lands.”

  “And the lava flakes are shipped down from the Emerald Mountains.”

  “Then I can interview the suppliers for clues to Sir’s whereabouts and follow Chun.”

  A moment of regret consumed me. I had hoped he would stay a few more days, but it made sense for him to go. “What about your pack?” I asked.

  “Keep it for me. I only have a change of clothes and my orb. I can buy what I need on the road.”

  Kade rented a horse from the paddock manager. I wrote him a list of sand suppliers in Moon and Cloud Mist lands. To avoid traveling in the Avibian Plains, he would have to come back this way to reach the rest of the clans.

  “I should be able to follow Chun. I’ll send word if I learn anything,” Kade said.

  “Use the glass messengers. Every large town has a magician with one of them. Just tell him you have an important message for Master Cowan and he should deliver the information right away.”

  “I could always threaten him with a hailstorm.” Eagerness laced his tone.

  “That could land you in jail.”

  “Not for long.”

  I laughed at his boast. “Can wind unlock iron bars?”

  “No, but metal gets very brittle when it’s cold.”

  “And you know this from experience?”

  “Let’s just say I have a stormy past.”

  I groaned at the pun as he swung up on the horse.

  Kade paused before leaving. His playfulness gone. “Be careful.”

  “You, too.”

  * * *

  Back at the Keep, I wrapped Kade’s orb in a blanket and stored it under my bed. Over the course of the next few days, I would be overcome with the need to unwrap the orb and sit with it in my lap. The magic trapped within the glass sphere pulsed through my body as I listened to its song and watched the swirls of color inside. At night, even through the thick covering, I heard the orb calling Kaya’s name.

  I missed Kade, yet I was enjoying Ulrick’s company. My dual emotions unsettled me until I realized those mixed feelings occurred all the time. I longed for my family, but was glad for Mara’s presence. I even wished for Aydan’s company, missing his gruff commands and kind gestures. My missing Kade was all part of being his friend. Nothing wrong with it. No hidden meanings in it at all.

  Equipment for our glass shop arrived. Ulrick, Mara and I assembled and installed the various pieces. My excitement grew as we planned the first set of experiments and recruited helpers from the Keep’s students.

  “Just need the kiln and we’ll be good to go,” Ulrick said.

  We snuggled on the couch in my quarters. A fire roared in the hearth. The white coals from Gid had been delivered, and I was testing how long the coals would burn so I could determine how often the kilns would need to be fed. Once the kiln reached the correct temperature to melt the sand, the best course of action was to always keep it hot.

  “I’ve managed to convince Seften to help us next week,” I said. “His magical illusions are very good.”

  “You’re hoping to duplicate what you did with the spiders?”

  “Yes.”

  “What is he going to send after you? Snow cats would be useful or necklace snakes. No one would bother you if you had a snow cat following you.”

  I laughed. “I think we’ll start with something a little smaller.”

  * * *

  The day of meeting with the jeweler arrived. I joined Pazia in Zitora’s office.

  “We’ve been watching the store, and have followed a few people,” Zitora said. “We think we know who Elita’s main supplier is, but we’ll know for sure today. I want you to arrange to buy all his diamonds over ten carats.”

  “All?” I swallowed. The cost would be unbelievable. Even Pazia paled.

  “Yes. All.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “So he knows you’re serious buyers. And
when you ask him for more, he won’t hesitate to go straight to his source.”

  “Why don’t you just arrest him and extract the information from his mind?” I knew there were a few powerful mind-reading magicians at the Keep.

  “As soon as he’s arrested, word will spread and the source will disappear. Also only Third Magician Irys is legally allowed to obtain information that way, and she’s still in Moon lands.” Zitora handed Pazia a large money bag. “Make sure the diamonds you buy are real then return to the Keep. I’ve assigned another magician to follow the supplier.”

  With no need to disguise ourselves, Pazia and I set off for the meeting. Ulrick hadn’t been happy about staying behind at the Keep.

  “She’s no friend of yours,” he had said. “If you get into trouble, she’s going to protect herself first.”

  Good thing the conversation had been interrupted by the arrival of the kiln from Booruby. Distracted, he had skipped his lecture on safety, settling for a promise from me to be extra careful.

  My thoughts centered on trust as we hurried to Elita’s store. She had said to arrive before the lamplighters lit the back alley. The troop of lighters was already out on the streets, shimmying up the posts with their flaming sticks.

  The door opened after our first tap. Hustled inside, we entered the same room as before. Elita waited with a man of average height and weight, although I would never forget him. His pure white hair was buzzed close to his head and was in stark contrast to his midnight skin. Elita introduced him as Mr. Lune.

  Six diamonds sparkled on the velvet-covered table. They ranged in size from a thumbnail to a cherry. We all hunched over them as if they possessed a magical attraction.

  “May I?” I gestured to the stones.

  “Certainly. They’re as genuine as the mountains they were mined from,” Mr. Lune said.

  “The Emerald Mountains?” Pazia asked.

  “Nice try, sweetheart. I’m not stupid enough to tell Vasko’s daughter where I found my diamonds.”

  I picked up the smallest one. It was a round stone with the bottom cut to a point. Numbing cold soaked into my skin where the diamond rested on my palm. My mind’s eye filled with a frozen and flat wasteland.