When they reached the farm, both Vatar and Boreala went straight back to the bedroom Vatar and Thekila shared, barely pausing to greet Elaria, who was watching the children in the front room. Thekila was in the bed. Quetza got up to give Vatar her place beside Thekila.
Vatar held onto Thekila’s hand and concentrated on his breathing exercises, fighting to keep calm. He had to make this easier for her if he could. At the very least, he couldn’t make it harder by panicking. Part of him really wanted to panic, though the strange calm seemed to be holding. He had to hang onto that. Breathe. Breathe in and out slowly. Stay calm at all costs.
He was aware of Boreala making her preparations. He knew when she shooed Quetza out of the room. That must mean it would be soon. He continued to sit by Thekila and struggle to stay calm.
Boreala tapped him on the shoulder. “You, too, Vatar. You need to leave, too.”
Thekila gripped his hand tighter. “No. I want Vatar with me.”
“Thekila, trust me, men don’t handle this well,” Boreala said.
Thekila shook her head against the pillow. “This is different, Boreala. Vatar and I are bound.”
Vatar bit the inside of his mouth as another pain sliced through Thekila. “I’ll feel it all, whether I’m here or in the front room. I might as well be here.”
Boreala let out her breath in a long sigh. “If you feel you can’t deal with it, Vatar, make it easier for Thekila by leaving the room.”
Vatar continued to hold Thekila’s hand, even when she squeezed his painfully, sharing his strength and calm with her. As the pains came faster and stronger, he had to fight to keep control. He could not panic and make things harder for Thekila. But sky above and earth below, how much of this must she endure? Vatar gritted his teeth and held onto that calm with every ounce of concentration, trying to make it even a little easier for her, trusting Boreala to handle the birth.
After what seemed forever, Thekila relaxed. A moment later, Boreala handed a squirming baby boy to Thekila. “You have a son. What will you name him?”
Thekila looked at her son in wonder and then at Vatar. “My father’s name was Jadan, but I know your son has to have a Lion Clan name. I’d like to name him Jadar, if that’s all right,” she said.
Vatar put his hand out to gently touch his new son. “It’s a strong name.” The Dardani ritual acceptance of a male child by its father.
He sagged in his seat, spent from the concentration he’d had to use to maintain his calm, to try to help her. His forehead was nearly as sweaty as hers.
As soon as she had cleaned up, Boreala quietly left the room, leaving the three of them alone.
Thekila’s eyes were glued to their son as if she’d memorize every inch of him. “I told you it would be all right.”
Vatar smiled. He ran his hand over the reddish fuzz on the baby’s head. “I’m very glad that you were right. He’s beautiful, Thekila. He’s going to have your hair.”
The side of Thekila’s mouth quirked up further. “And your eyes.”
Vatar’s heart expanded in his chest until it threatened to cut off his breath. He’d felt something similar when Zavar and Savara were born, but this time it was doubled. He was feeling not only his own wonder, but Thekila’s too. He’d missed that before, even on the more limited basis of the unbound. He’d loved the twins since the moment he first saw them and held them, but he’d never been able to share that with their mother. With Thekila and Jadar, he could. And it made everything just that much more special.
After several minutes, Thekila said, “We should tell Veleus.”
“You’re right.” Vatar concentrated on Far Speech. “Father?”
“Yes?” Father sounded tired.
“You have a new grandson. His name is Jadar.”
“How is Thekila?” Father asked.
“I’m well,” Thekila answered. Their bond made it possible for them to share this, too. “And Jadar is . . . amazing.”
It was almost possible to feel Father’s smile as he answered. “I’m sure he is with you two for parents. I’ll come to see him tomorrow.”
A few at a time, the others started to filter in to see the new baby. Quetza carried Savara in first, Zavar and Theklan following behind.
Vatar smiled at them. He pulled Zavar into his lap. “Come here, meet your new brother. His name is Jadar.”
“He’s beautiful!” Quetza said.
Thekila smiled up at her. “Isn’t he?”
Thekila gestured Theklan to one of the chairs and let him hold his nephew for a moment.
“Wow! He’s so little,” Theklan said.
Thekila laughed. “I’m glad he isn’t any bigger.”
“All babies are that size, Theklan,” Boreala said. “I imagine you weren’t much bigger than that.”
“Smaller, actually,” Thekila said. “He was almost a month early.”
When everyone had gone, Thekila lay back with a sigh. “I hope things calm down for us at least for a while. So we can just enjoy this.”
“They will. For us.” Vatar answered and he kissed her very softly. “You’re beautiful, too. And I love you very much.”
Thekila smiled. “I know. I can feel what you feel, now. And you were right, too. You did help me.”
“I’m glad. There was a moment there when I was afraid I was going to make it worse.”
“I know. I felt it. That was a little strange, wasn’t it? Was that the voice you’ve been so worried about? It doesn’t seem threatening at all.”
He’d almost forgotten. “Yes. That doesn’t matter right now. You matter. Jadar matters.”
Chapter 52: The Voice Speaks
The first thing Vatar did once things had returned mostly to normal was to repair the gate that had been broken by the Temple Guard. This time, he made the gate of iron, worked with a charging lion embedded in the center—the symbol of the Lion Clan and also Vatar’s master’s mark in the Smiths’ Guild.
Arcas looked it over as they prepared to hang it from the reinforced gate posts. “This is a very unique gate.”
Vatar grinned at him. “Now no one can mistake who lives here. And the Spirit of the Lion will protect our families.”
Arcas looked back toward the house. “I hope that’s true.”
“It is. I sang it as I worked the iron. This gate won’t break so easily. And there is security sung into every inch of it.”
Arcas grunted as he picked up his end. “After this, I suppose we’d better start on that hut Trev said he’d need for your exorcism. It can’t be much longer before Uncle Danar and the others arrive.”
Vatar turned to look at the quiet, grassy corner of the expanded courtyard selected for the hut. “Might as well. I’ll get the shovels.”
Arcas had already laid out the correct diameter when Vatar handed him his spade. Vatar drove his own shovel into the turf to cut out the first block of sod to be stacked up around the circle and form the lower walls of the hut.
Don’t do this. Please.
Vatar nearly dropped his spade. He hadn’t heard the voice since the day Jadar was born. It had been helpful, then, but that didn’t entirely make up for the day when the voice had seemed to take over during his archery practice. I have to understand what you are. Who you are. I can’t trust myself or my own decisions until I do, he thought back.
I’ll tell you what you want to know. Just don’t do this.
Vatar swallowed. Who are you?
After a pause the voice answered. You would call me Taleus.
Vatar blinked. He’d heard that name somewhere before, hadn’t he? Of course. Taleus, the twin brother of Tabeus? He died almost six hundred years ago. How are you still here? What do you want with me? He drew in a deep breath. No. Wait. Don’t answer that yet. Vatar drove his spade into the turf and turned to Arcas. “I want to talk to Thekila about something. I’ll send Theklan out to help you.”
Arcas grunted as he lifted his block of sod out of the ground. “It’ll be good practice for him.”
Vatar took the steps up to the guest house two at a time. Thekila, Quetza, and Theklan all looked up as he burst through the door. Vatar drew a breath. “Maybe Theklan should go help Arcas dig the new hut for a few moments.”
Thekila could sense Vatar’s agitation. She nodded. “Go ahead. We’ll continue your lessons after the noon meal.”
Theklan didn’t wait to be told twice. Vatar sagged into a seat as soon as the boy had gone.
“What is it, Vatar?” Thekila asked.
Vatar drew in another deep breath. “I’ve heard the voice again.”
“What did it say this time?” Quetza asked.
“It offered to tell me what I want to know—if I don’t go through with the exorcism. It says it’s Taleus—the Taleus who was killed by the sea dragon more than five hundred years ago.”
Thekila tapped her finger against her lips, eyes narrowed. “That . . . makes a certain amount of sense.”
“What?” Vatar asked.
Thekila shrugged. “It would explain how he knew about your shield before any of us did—even you.” She smiled mischievously. “It might even explain that little shiver of fear you get whenever you see Quetza’s wyvern shape change. He was killed by a dragon, after all.” She frowned. “Do you believe it . . . him?”
Vatar shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to believe. How could it be Taleus after almost six hundred years?” No. Don’t answer that now, he thought. “It . . . he . . . clearly didn’t want to answer any questions before. And he obviously doesn’t want me to go through with the exorcism. But . . . would he say anything to stop it? How can I know if he’s telling the truth now?”
“But you think that this voice has helped you, sometimes,” Quetza said.
Vatar sat back a little. Yes. He was almost sure the voice had helped him stay calm during Jadar’s birth. Maybe other times, too. It might be foolish to throw that kind of help away. That didn’t quite offset the memory of Vatar’s last archery practice. “I think so.” He looked across the table at Thekila. “What do you think? Should we go ahead with the exorcism? Or not?”
Thekila reached out to place her hand on his. “From what I’ve seen, I think he means well. But we don’t have to decide right now. In the end, it’s up to you.”
Vatar stared down at his hands, uncertain.
“Trev and your family must already be on their way across the plains,” Quetza said. “We couldn’t stop them now if we wanted to. Maybe Trev will have a way to know if he’s telling the truth.”
Vatar blew out his breath. “Yes. Trev will know—or know how to find out.” He stood up. “In the meantime, we might as well finish the hut, just in case.”
~
Vatar’s Dardani family, along with Trev, arrived a few days later. Mother and Kiara went inside with Thekila to admire little Jadar.
While Pa, Arcas, and Theklan set about roofing the hut with the hides Pa had brought, Vatar took Trev aside. “I’ve heard the voice again recently. It . . . he offered to explain himself if I didn’t go through with the exorcism.”
Trev cocked his head to one side, considering. “He? Who does he say he is?”
“Taleus. He was the twin brother of Tabeus.”
“Ah. And how do you feel about this?” Trev asked.
Vatar let his breath out slowly. “I don’t know. I know . . . I’m pretty sure he helped me stay calm during Jadar’s birth. I think he’s done that before—helped me when I really needed to stay calm. If I was sure he’s telling the truth, I’d . . . I think I’d be all right with it. But . . . he refused to answer for so long. And he so clearly doesn’t want me to go through with the exorcism. I’m not sure whether I can trust what he says now. I was hoping you had some way to be sure.”
Trev rubbed his chin. “I can perform the exorcism without severing his connection to you. Then this Spirit can be questioned in a way that will not permit him to lie. If, in the end, you are satisfied, you need only bid the Spirit return to you. If not, I can sever the link.”
Vatar smiled. “Good. I was hoping for something like that.”
Chapter 53: Exorcism
Father arrived the next morning with Boreala and Cestus.
Vatar and Orleus hurried forward to meet them.
“How’s Miceus?” Vatar asked.
“He’s recovering well,” Boreala answered. “I think the injury will trouble him less than it would Orleus. Miceus, after all, doesn’t need to swing a sword or spear.”
“That’s good to hear,” Vatar said. He turned to greet Father, but Father looked past Vatar, staring toward the door of the guest house. Vatar turned to see what he was looking at. Mother stood there, gazing back at them.
She smiled slightly and walked toward them, stopping just beyond arm’s length. “It’s been a long time, Veleus. The years have been kind to you.”
Father appeared rooted to the ground. “You, too. You’re as beautiful as ever.”
Mother shook her head, smiling slightly. “There’s no need for flattery between us, Veleus.”
Neither of them had taken their eyes from the other. Vatar felt like an intruder. At the same time, he couldn’t seem to look away from the scene before him.
One side of Father’s lip twitched up in a smile. “Flattery implies that I was insincere. I don’t claim you look the same as you did more than twenty years ago. Just that you’re still as beautiful. You look as if the years have brought you happiness.”
Mother chuckled softly. “They have. Yes, I’ve been happy. And you?”
“I’m . . . content. I’m very glad to hear you found a man who could make you happy.”
Mother turned her head to where Pa was busy hanging the hide across the door of the newly-built hut. “He found me. I’m glad he did.”
Just then, Trev emerged from the new hut and beckoned them all to join him. Elaria cast Arcas a frightened glance and hustled the children into the main house. Quetza remained in the courtyard, watching.
Vatar swallowed hard against the clenching of his stomach while he waited for Trev’s signal to enter the hut. He trusted Trev. He was surrounded by family who would protect him. But the idea of an exorcism still sent a chill down his spine. And, if he wasn’t afraid enough of the ceremony itself, there was always the question of what it would reveal. Why did he have to know so badly? No sign of the prickly warning feeling between his shoulder blades, though. He tried to take comfort from that.
Trev met them at the door. “Vatar, you go in first. Sit opposite the door.”
Vatar blinked as he took his place. Four lamps had been placed around the inside edge of the hut—one in each of the cardinal directions—but they couldn’t match the brightness of the sun outside. Bundles of grasses and herbs filled a large iron pot in the center of the circle.
Trev motioned for Father and Mother to go in next. “Sit on either side of Vatar, please.” He sent Boreala and Kiara in next. “Kiara, next to your mother. Boreala, next to your father, please.” Then he sent Arcas in to sit next to Kiara and Orleus next to Boreala. Theklan and Cestus followed. Finally, Thekila sat next to her brother and Pa next to Cestus.
Vatar felt a slight jolt at seeing both of his fathers in the same room. This could get confusing. He was glad at any rate that he called one Pa and the other Father. At least they’d all know who he was talking to when he addressed either of them.
Trev came in last of all and sat with his back to the door. “Blood guards you against anything that may rise in this hut. Heart guards the door, that no evil may enter.” Trev lit the bundles of grass in the iron pot and then threw several bundles of herbs onto the fire. A sweet, fresh smell filled the hut. Trev made no incantations or gestures. He merely sat and waited. As the smell of the burning herbs became pervasive, he pointed to a cup set near the fire in front of Vatar. “Drink that.”
Vatar picked up the cup and sipped cautiously. It was bitter, with no trace of the fermented apples he’d expected. Nothing intoxicating, then. He drew a
deep breath and finished the cup. Trev threw one more bundle of herbs onto the fire, this time humming something under his breath.
Vatar blinked. Maybe that drink had been stronger than he thought, because he certainly felt strange. Was it his imagination or was a thin mist rising in the hut, flowing out of Vatar himself. From the way the others watched, it wasn’t his imagination. The mist gathered in the center of the hut, right above the fire and slowly took shape. Trev smothered the fire, leaving only the four lamps to give any light. A specter hovered in the darkened hut, a long, misty tail still connecting it to Vatar. It looked almost like Vatar himself. Thekila gasped. Other than that one sound, there was a hushed silence in the hut.
No one dared speak, except Trev. “Who are you?”
The spirit twisted around almost as if it were in pain. It stopped its spin facing Lucina. One spectral hand reached out towards her, but seemed to hit a barrier inches from her head. It tried again with Arcas with the same result.
Vatar wondered what was happening. Was the spirit trying to possess some other member of his family? When the specter reached out to Kiara, it seemed to meet no resistance. When the wispy hand rested on her temple, Vatar and Trev moved at the same time. Trev’s hands closed and he intoned some unfamiliar words in a droning voice. The wispy spirit pulled back, hissing, to hover over the extinguished fire.
“Who are you?” Trev asked again.
“You would call me Taleus.” The answer was almost a whisper.
Vatar looked across at Trev. The shaman nodded. Impossible as it sounded, the specter was telling the truth. It was the same voice Vatar had heard in his head, but he had never heard so much anger in it before. Vatar could almost feel the frustration as the specter turned back to him.
Father gasped. “Why are you here? Your body died hundreds of years ago.”
Taleus continued to look at Vatar, ignoring the question. The frustration seemed to drift into sadness.
“What do you want?” Vatar asked.
The Voice of Prophecy (Dual Magics Book 2) Page 34