Grim nodded. "It's there."
"When you reach it, turn left. We have perhaps an hour ride before we reach Razyan's Keep." The horses did not enjoy the downward slope, but they survived. Once on the road, the companions mounted their horses. Jingles was the exception as he had no horse. A fact that seemed to make him happy. Grim took point on the one wagon wide road. On the other side of the road, the mountain slope continued before dropping into a steep cliff. Far below, he could see the twinkle of a river.
The companions followed behind Grim in staggered pairs. Jingles walked next to Grim's horse on the side of the road nearest the rising slope. In the rear was Jewel. Sleepless circles framed her eyes. She gazed after the others before looking out toward the vistas. She knew that Grim was worried for her. She shrugged him off because the problem were only reoccurring nightmares every night. She saw no point in worrying Thomas over simple nightmares. Besides, it was those same nightmares that fed her images of her beloved. A tear touched her cheek before she whipped it off. She turned her mare to follow after the others. She wondered if it was possible for the Child of Light to be, in fact,her daughter? The prophecy had been the reason why she and Gawin had married so quickly. They would have married anyway because of their love, but the fate of the world had made it possible to stand before the alter sooner than they had hoped.
Could it be that Gawin and the baby were now just coming through the portal? She had searched for them for centuries without luck. She had thought that was because they were in Pershara, but could it be? Could it be that the portal had transported them to this time and this place?
Hope was a beautiful rose that had often made her bleed in the past. It was the fear that she was wrong yet again that kept her in the rear. She didn't want the rose's thorn to prick her again, but she wanted to hold the rose for as long as she could...
Chapter Thirty-Two - Razyan's Keep
From a distance Razyan’s Keep was magnificent. Up close it was beyond words. Terana could not help but tremble. It was intimidating. She had been born and raised in Plarn; a town that by the look of it, could fit comfortably in Razyan’s Keep with room for another. There were guards upon the wall above the gate. One smiled and waved to Kadrean. Kadrean returned the smile. The companions traveled through the gate.
Tivi’s hooves made clopping sounds atop the stone of the outer courtyard. The stone of the courtyard walls were a light gray with a golden kiss. Cobble stones of rich warm browns, earthy reds, blue touched gray, and moss green were laid out in a circular pattern. Glassy white marble outlined the designs and gave attention to the grand doorways. There were many cracks in the glassy finish. It also was the substance of the five stairs leading up into the palace. There were windows with wide sills that looked out upon the court yard. People in red robes with various colored belts sat on some of them. Others stood talking to them. There was a pressure on the back of her neck.
It suddenly occurred to Terana. There were so many students and she would have to spend more than a night with them. She would be living with them and she knew none of them. She gazed at them in wide eyed wonder and trepidation. Many of them, on the other hand, were too busy to spare her much more than a passing glance. Others stared at her and whispered among themselves. She suddenly longed for the sighing forests. They were the only places where no one stared. She swallowed and tried to not stare at them. How would someone act in this situation? The continuous pressure was not helping.
And people were staring. But not at her, she soon realized. They were staring at Russy. Russy was looking about like Liam and her. It took Terana a second longer then Kadrean to realize what the problem was.“Terana,”She looked up at him.“We forgot to put a collar on him.”Terana winced. Russy’s head turned toward them quickly. His amber eyes caught hers.
“Collar? Please tell me that I miss heard.” Terana didn’t have an answer for him.
Liam, picking up the thread of conversation, murmured“I’m so used to him being quiet and tame that I forgot till now that he is a wolf.”
“I didn’t.”Zeeve remarked from between Tivi’s ears. There was something smug in his tone. Russy’s gaze narrowed at him. Zeeve warded the look off with both his hands.“You are not helping your case, Fluffy. You are making yourself look dangerous right now.”
Russy snorted and looked away. He leaned his shoulder against Terana’s leg. Instinctively she buried her fingers into his ruff. She glanced at the staring spectators. Their fearful gazes transferred to her. A few seemed to be wondering if she was in danger. A few others seemed to be wondering if they should be avoiding her like the plague. Kadrean raised an eyebrow at them. Softly to Terana he said“They are just students, Terana. They probably don’t know that some mages can have an affinity with animals yet.”
Terana gave him a startled look.“I didn’t know that.”At his raised eyebrow she flushed.“Okay, there is me, but I didn’t know it was common.”
“It isn’t that common, but it’smore common than shapeshifting or being a drainer.”
“So is that my gift? Talking with wolves and hearing what they say?”
Kadrean blinked.“Hold that thought.”He murmured. Turning to the spectators, he said“Stop staring, did your parents not teach you manners? Besides, you see strange things every day, go put your eyes somewhere else. I'm sure your studies would like to be admired." A few students groaned at that. Kadrean raised an eyebrow at them. "Or I could find you something else to do." Several of the students got up and headed to the doors hurriedly. Several stayed behind. "You don't have classes right now?" Kadrean asked. They shook their heads in response. "Alrighty then, would one or two of you be kind enough and take my horse to the stables? The bags you can send to my rooms.”Two students nodded and, taking a wide route to avoid Russy, took Tivi’s reins.
“Since it is too late to test the Keep Stone, I’ll make sure they take care of him right.”Zeeve remarked.
“Ah, and miss dinner too?”
“Dinner?”Zeeve quickly perked up .“You are on your own, horse.”And with that he slid down Tivi’s neck and leapt onto Kadrean’s shoulder.
“I thought that would be your reply.”Kadrean chuckled. He gestured for Liam, Terana, and Russy to follow him through a door to the inside of the Keep. He turned back to the lingering students and said.“Quit staring.”At his authoritative voice the people in the court yard looked away. Though that didn’t stop them from sneaking looks. Terana wondered, with a little bit of dread, what studying with them would be like… Kadrean brought her out of her musings of Plarn like class rooms.“So you can understand Russy? Not images, but actual words?”
“Yes”Her voice was hesitant. She watched him for a moment. He seemed intrigued.“Is that not what you meant by‘an affinity with’?”
“Sort of. Those that I heard who have a similar gift could only pick up vague images or feelings. Not actual words.”He glanced at her.“I really can’t wait to know what your gift is.”He sighed in frustration.“But I will have to. Come, dinner is waiting for us.”The group followed after him as he led them through a hall. As the walked, Terana started to massage her neck, trying to relieve the pressure. Kadrean noticed.
"Slightly unpleasant, isn't it? Especially here where it is so concentrated." Kadrean said. At her look he mimicked her massaging gesture.
" What is it? "She asked.
"Magic. It causes that telltale sign every time it is used."
The stone was the same in the hall as the court they just left. There were many great arches that they passed by. One of which drew Terana’s gaze. For a brief second she saw a dark stone imbedded in a pedestal.
Next to the room with the dark stone were grand stairs that climbed up into the higher reaches of the Keep. Across from them was another arch way. It was this that Kadrean led them through. There was a long hall way with doors on either side. At Liam’s glance Kadrean replied that they were class rooms. And a closet. Kadrean opened the closet and pulled out a length of rope which he ha
nded to Terana.
“I know he doesn’t like it.“Kadrean said apologetically“But to keep too many people from panicking just tie it loosely and have him stay by your side.”Terana nodded and knelt before Russy. Russy’s eyes were irritated.
“Do I have to wear that?”He whined.
“Sorry”She whispered to him. She looped the rope about his neck in a very loose collar.“Just stay next to me, okay?”
The wolf snorted.“Like I would wonder away in this rock nest…”He took his place at her leg as they continued on their way.
At the end of the hall was an archway that actually had doors. They opened into a room that was equal to the first sight of the Keep that Terana had seen. The room was like a cathedral. Strong beams looked delicate in their patterns. Filigree vines threaded their way around marble columns. One wall was almost entirely windows. Metal filigree outlined the different panes. It gave the window watcher the impression of looking out through silver trees. There were many round tables around the hall. At the far end was the head table. The head table was settled upon a marble dais with silver threads running through it. There were many adults there; some men, some women. Terana wondered which one was Razyan.
“Come, friends, let’s eat.”Kadrean led them to a table that had room for diners. Russy slumped down next to Terana’s chair. He rested his nose on his forepaws with a soft groan of misery. Liam sat on the other side of Russy and bent to stroke the wolf’s head. Russy glanced at him with his amber eyes. Terana could faintly hear the thought behind them. Liam didn’t, but he must have known that there was an idea that the wolf wished to communicate. He gave the wolf a sorry look and glanced up to Terana.
“What does he say?”His voice was soft and only she and Russy could hear him.
Terana met Russy’s eyes then said to Liam“He doesn’t like the collar. And he is hungry.”She turned to Kadrean.“Kadrean, can we get Russy some meat?”
Kadrean glanced at the wolf and gestured to a youth in a gray robe. The youth smiled and greeted Kadrean with respect and nodded when asked to get some meat. He seemed surprised though when Kadrean asked for it to be raw. Kadrean chuckled at the lad’s expression.“It isn’t for me. It’s for my friend’s companion.”He indicated Terana who nodded. The lad nodded slowly and hurried off to fetch the meat.
“Great, so fluffy mutt gets to have special orders.”Zeeve muttered.“What about us. More importantly, what about me?”
“You had your feast of honor, Zeeve.”Kadrean replied dryly.“Now you get to eat with the rest of us. Besides, I don’t think Russy would like dinner tonight.”Zeeve gave him a puzzled look then grinned.
Terana raised an eyebrow at their conversation, but most of her attention was on the area just before the doors. On the way in Terana had noticed a basket with cords of different colors. Now there was a woman dressed in blue robes with a green cord about her waist. She was small in stature with long flowing blond hair. Coming in the doors were a bunch of youths of various ages. The youngest looked to be eight while the oldest appeared to be about sixteen. They were all dressed in clean red robes. A white cord about their waists.
Kadrean leaned to whisper in Terana’s ear.“This is a sorting ceremony. Those youths there have already been tested by the Keep Stone.”
“What exactly is the Keep Stone?”Terana interrupted.
“I guess you could call it the master of all kadelle. The main difference is not only can it tell that one has magic, but also what that mage’s talents will be.”
Terana barely heard the last of what he said. Mostly her attention was on the fact that it was a kadelle, a stone that had a history of melting on her. Would this Keep Stone melt too? Kadrean was unaware of her moment of trepidation for he was continuing his description of the ceremony.“There are several branches of magic taught at Razyan’s Keep. Those branches are represented by the color of the cord. There is healing which I am, forest magic, field, and animal magics. There are those with scholarly gifts, basically magic in writing. There are the elemental mages, like Blaano, and then there are war magics.”Kadrean grimaced.“Basically magic used with brute force and very little talent, if you ask me.”
Liam raised an eyebrow.“What about my gift?”
“I hadn’t finished the list yet, my friend. There are seers as well.”
Terana blinked as Liam nodded.“Seer? I thought you were asking about being a drainer.”
“He’s the one who told us where to find you. Anyway, in the order that I listed them, the branches are represented by these colors; blue, green, gold, brown, purple. The elements are, let see…silver for air, orange for fire, light blue for water and gray for earth. War mages wear the red. Seers wear black. Now that is just the cords. There are levels of talent as well. That is also told by colors. This time it follows the temperature colors of a star. Everyone starts out wearing the red robe, for that is the coldest. After the red robes learn and pass the basic tests they are given the color that matches their magic’s strength is given to them. The order is this; red, orange, yellow, white, blue, blue-white.”
“Are they taught more after the basic tests?”Terana asked
“Oh yes, they learn what is within their talent and interest.”Kadrean chuckled.
The group watched the red robes receive their cords and take their seats. As the last red robe was seated, the youth returned to their table with a slab of red meat on a platter. He handed it to Terana, obviously too nervous to give it to Russy himself. Terana smiled her thanks and handed the platter down to Russy. The wolf had sat up when he smelled the food coming. He waited patiently for Terana to put the plate on the floor. Then, with a decency that surprised her, began to eat.
More youths with platters came. There were several dishes set down on each of the round tables and on the head table. They were piled high with things Terana had never seen before. Kadrean handed her a platter with these red stick things that connected to each other. They were jointed and looked like large spider legs…Terana wrinkled her nose at their smell. They didn’t smell right. There was a tang to them. She glance back a Kadrean who was spooning black shell-like things onto his plate. In them, were tan snot-like blobs…
Growing increasingly ill, Terana handed the plate of weird legs over to Liam, who actually took one.“What are those things?”She asked of Kadrean. He was busy cracking some of his red legs. The sound was like crunching bone. Again and again. Each crack caused Terana to wince. He pulled the shell apart and revealed white flesh…that had no blood in it. It did not look at all right.
“These,”Kadrean said, forking out the white meat and dipping it into melted butter.“are crab legs.”
“And those?”Terana asked, pointing at shells with their slimy looking snot balls.
“Oysters. Also very good in butter. And slide wonderfully down the throat.”Kadrean added blithely.
Terana gagged and buried her head in her hands.“Is there anything…edible, to eat?”She asked hesitantly.
Zeeve made a slurping sound before saying“What Terana? Don’t like seafood?”
“I used to be hungry.”Terana muttered weakly.“I’m not really anymore.”
“You should try some, it isn’t that bad, different yes, but not that bad.”Liam replied.
Terana glanced at him through her fingers. He was actually eating the alien things.“I really don’t think I can force myself to eat that. Those things. They just don’t look like food.”
“There are some potatoes there.”Kadrean said pointing to a bowl full of round, red skinned potatoes. Terana gratefully reached for those and spooned a heap onto her plate. There were some green beans which she also partook of. Next to the green beans were these red and white curled things. There were definite fan tails at their narrowest point.
“Do I want to know?”She asked.
“Shrimp.”Zeeve said picking one up and dipping it in the sauce provided for that purpose. Terana turned back to her own little plate in a hurry. Zeeve chuckled, obviously enjoying her dis
comfort. Terana dug into her potatoes and beans and tried really, really hard to ignore the crunching, cracking, and slurping that was going on around her.
Still hungry for edible things, Terana looked up to see where the potatoes and green beans had gone. As she was reaching she noticed movement by the doors. A group of five people entered the room and sat at an empty table. Terana glanced away long enough make sure she wasn't making a mess. Done serving herself more food, she looked back up to watch this newest group. Terana had found that, since leaving Plarn, that she liked the sport of people watching.
This newest group had two women and three men. All of them wore travelers cloaks. One woman had long red hair flecked with silver. Next to her was a large, well muscled man with long, dark hair. To Terana's eye, there was a noble quality about him. On his other side was a lithe woman with long dark hair that fell in waves down her back. A simple, yet elegant fan-like hair piece kept the hair from falling in the woman's face. Next to her sat an older man whose face had Time's signature written all over it. He looked almost like a gentleman, use to command. But he had kindly eyes as well. On the other side of him was a much younger man with sun darkened skin and black hair tied back. Golden earrings winked in the light from the younger man's ears.
A soft snort distracted Terana from her amusement. She looked down beside her. Russy was staring in the direction of the newcomers. "What is it?" She whispered softly enough that Liam didn't notice. Russy glanced up.
"I smell cat." The wolf replied.
Terana was not expecting to hear this. Her surprised response did not make it to sound. But Russy heard her anyway.
"Yes, a cat. It smells just like those creatures that you would not let me chase because they belonged to someone." The wolf sighed. "I've always wanted to chase a cat..." His mental voice was filled with longing as he gazed at the newcomers.
The Ways of Mages: Starfire Page 28