“Sure, I know him. He looks a hundred years old. Always muttering to himself, wiping his nose on that robe. Claims he’s a healer.”
Oberin leaned forward. “Where’s Georsi?”
“Is that his name? He’s probably with his Mannite friend; the Elementals take them both,” Okan said. “We gave them a bit of our poppies. Old tattered Robe helped with some cough and rheum and cleaned wounds. But the younger one is too much trouble, quick with his hands, but haunted-looking. He makes my flesh crawl.”
A second man? Who would be traveling with Georsi?
Kendall and I exchanged looks. If Hirschi had stolen the Book of First Naming from Shandon, and Georsi had been skulking around our camp, perhaps the old man had known it was there. They seemed unlikely allies, but they had the Book in common.
I hoped they hadn’t destroyed it already.
“Does the other Robe have ashen hair he wears tied back and a wiry build?” she asked.
Okan looked intrigued. “What is he to you?”
“They’re Mannites. We’ll take them both,” Oberin said, without hesitation.
“Not sure they want to see you, my friend. We only know the younger one is a Mannite because he can make things appear and do other magic tricks. He wears no Robe. I suspect he wants nothing to do with your banned cult.”
Kendall was at the bandit’s side in an instant. “Okan, we need them, and we need them now. Tell us your price.” The sensuality had vanished from her face, replaced by hard eyes and a stern mouth.
Okan took it in stride. “How does ten silver talons sound?”
“High,” Oberin said. “Let’s talk terms.”
CHAPTER 40
The Western Wilderness, Luca
With two weatherbeaters and five men left, Luca slogged toward King Gale’s wood on foot. As the weeks passed, he tried to assuage his conscience about the loss of Danilo. Journeys like this often suffered a casualty. At least it hadn’t been Calio, who had two children at home. He found himself avoiding Aeran, though.
When they were finally in sight of the forest where the Elders once lived and the mysterious King Gale might be found, he called a halt and presented the plan.
Mak spoke, as Luca had requested him to. “We will explain the use of our weapons to this Ally when the time is right. The underwater suit is difficult to hide, but my guess is he will not realize what it can do. The same goes for the pearl and extraction device made of iron. Magical creatures are so invested in their own power, it does not occur to them that through the study of the laws of nature, humans can also achieve a mastery of forces.”
Revel looked skeptical. “Magical creatures are irascible and mercurial. Remind me why this meeting is in the best interests of Vendrisi?”
“The trade winds. He’s willing to give us a spell to influence them,” Luca reminded him. “Since we have no interest in entering that cursed Forest of Bones, it is best if we give the Ally the means to do so.”
“He commands magic. What makes you think he has any interest in our devices?” Yuvio challenged.
“If he does not, perhaps he can inform us of other interested parties. The entire Heartland is endangered. Surely somewhere on this continent there is a fighter willing to face her soul snares.”
Aeran spoke for the first time since they had broken their fast. “I would do it. I would welcome the chance.”
“Your mother would hold that against me,” Luca said ruefully. “I know you yearn to fight. We’ll find a better battleground for you.” He and Calio exchanged glances, both knowing that Luca had told a white lie. Although the navy chased down pirates and burned their vessels, there was little actual warfare. Vendrisi had expanded its reach with judicious alliances, and the coin saved on vainglorious military expenditures was put to use in making life comfortable for its citizens, alleviating social unrest and increasing productivity.
“No chance for glory?” Revel said, softening the challenge with his ironic tone.
“We have faced danger, and the creature we will meet presents challenges of his own. As for the glory of Vendrisi, our cunning will attest to the glory of our scholarly tradition.”
“Not to mention the fire powder we’ll get from Princess Illenn when Luca returns from his successful mission.” Calio smiled at Luca, who did not smile back.
Mak sighed. “I know you’re not happy with that engagement, old friend. When we return from our visit to your monster, we should talk.”
“The Ally is not a monster,” Calio cautioned. “It would behoove you not to make such jokes. He could be listening to us even now. Who knows what powers he has?”
“We’ll camp tonight on the outskirts of the forest. When morning comes, we’ll look for him,” Luca said.
* * *
The sun sank down to the horizon, rays slanting past the thick boles of the trees. The company settled in, tired but excited. Yuvio and Calio built a fire to cook their grain ration, while Luca and Mak saw to the weatherbeaters, staking them alongside a small stream where they could drink. Mak took the opportunity for some private talk.
“I’ve been wondering. Why didn’t you make love to the young Krill woman?” he asked.
“Why don’t you and Yuvio do what’s clearly on your minds?” Luca asked defensively.
Mak colored slightly. “That’s a private matter.”
“Well, I’m private as well. I don’t choose to couple in full hearing of my company.”
“It’s more than that, though, isn’t it? It’s Illenn.”
“Illenn has no objection, as long as it isn’t someone who threatens her status.”
“Yuvio and I were talking,” Mak began, then looked away. He gathered his courage and continued. “Princess Illenn is not so young these days. If she can’t bear you more children, the situation will become complicated. Women are willing for a Prime to seduce them, but when he’s married, it’s another matter.”
“There are always willing women. In the worst case, I can have a child with another woman and Illenn and I will raise it.” There was historical precedent for that arrangement.
“I’m not sure she would agree to that. She’ll want her own child in a position of power. Besides, that’s not my only objection to Illenn. Though she might share the secret of the fire powder, there is no guarantee. I am not convinced she has your best interest at heart.”
Luca chuckled. “She has the interests of her nation at heart, just as I have the interests of mine.”
“Do you love her?” Mak asked, his dark eyes intent.
“How can you even ask that with a serious face? My father’s choice of my mother was not a love match either.”
“Your mother was a kind and gracious woman, and your father grew to care for her.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Yuvio, calling out with excitement. “Luca, come look at this.”
* * *
A handsome bird had caught Yuvio’s attention. It was a little larger than a seagull, a resplendent purple, and it looked somewhat like the parakeets back home. It perched above the stream, cocking its head. Yuvio had his colored pencils out, sketching in his leather-bound volume, when it flew off, alighting on a nearby branch.
He rose, following it with the abstracted air he got when he discovered a new plant or creature.
“Wait,” Calio cautioned. “The company stays together.”
“I’ll go with him,” Mak said. Luca eyed the slight man and shook his head. Luca had promised Vulla to keep her nephew safe. He would accompany Yuvio himself. He couldn’t take more of Aeran’s accusatory looks anyway.
“Hurry,” Yuvio plead. “That bird won’t wait forever.”
* * *
Luca intended to go just a short way, but the bird always seemed to be a bit out of reach. The wood closed around them. The air was gloriously brisk and the smell of pungent resin filled it. Every time he intended to tell Yuvio that they should turn back, the bird came tantalizingly close.
Finally, when Luca feared
getting lost, he put a hand on Yuvio’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, but we need to return. Perhaps we’ll see it again tomorrow.”
Yuvio smiled. “The trees here. Have you ever seen the likes of them?” He pointed at one. The straight trunk was wider than the breadth of Luca’s arms and the canopy towered far above. The leaves were multicolored, some a soft bronzish-pink and some ocher. There were no seeds to be seen; the forest floor was covered in mosses and soft grass. Luca guessed the trees were an entirely new species.
This place had the reek of enchantment.
The bird cocked its head at them inquiringly.
“We go back right now,” Luca commanded. “And quickly.”
Yuvio raised his pencil for one last stroke, and Luca snatched it away. “You’re from a family of mages. Can’t you see what’s happening here?”
“Yes, but it seems eminently harmless.”
Luca looked around for the purple bird. It had vanished. “We all need to stay together,” he said roughly. “We left the others.”
“I wanted to see you alone,” a deep voice said.
CHAPTER 41
Berona
The next morning Okan dragged Georsi and Hirschi to the Inn of the Sleeper himself, perhaps anticipating a chance to tarry with Kendall. He pushed the bound culprits into our common area. They stood there, eyes glazed, to all appearances a pair of lunatic beggars.
The innkeeper looked with dismay at the newest additions. “Okan is bad enough.” He hissed, stealing a glance at the lusty bandit who was attempting to pull Kendall onto his lap. “But these two are the dregs of the washing water. What kind of a house do you think I run?”
“They’re in no condition to travel. You’ll just have to make do. We’ll keep them out of sight,” Oberin answered imperturbably.
“You’re Mannites. I’ve got enough trouble on my hands with the bandits, and you don’t even bother to hide your Robes when you’re inside,” the innkeeper moaned. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“Then don’t incite any.” Oberin turned to look at Hirschi, who had fallen to the floor and was bellowing a drinking song. Rheyna squatted next to him, tapping special points on his forehead to ward off lunacy.
Good luck.
“Here.” I gave the innkeeper a few coppers. “Stop your moaning. This should make up for any lost business. Now bring us boiling water; our Green needs to make infusions.”
The innkeeper trudged away, only slightly mollified, saying, “I’ll give you a few moments to move everyone upstairs and avoid further gossip. People can hear you down here.” He locked the door.
Hirschi was still singing. We wouldn’t get answers from him.
I moved to Georsi’s side in time to hear Oberin say, “Hirschi stole the Book of First Naming from Shandon, didn't he?”
The old man grinned, showing yellowed teeth.
Of course. Somehow Georsi had known it was there, though we hadn’t suspected.
I crouched down in front of Georsi. At our first meeting, there had been some acknowledgment from him, some interest in me. Perhaps he would talk to me again.
“How did you and Hirschi end up together?”
“I came for the Book of First Naming. I couldn’t get into the camp because of the wisps, but the fire gave me a chance. I already had it and was on my way when I saw Hirschi. I couldn’t let him be captured.”
“What was he doing?”
“Just standing there. He didn’t know where he was. Or who he was.”
“Did you burn the Book as you intended?” I asked, scarcely daring to breathe.
“I changed my mind after what the Demon did to Hirschi. I won’t do anything to help her.”
“And what did you do to Hirschi?” I demanded. Hirschi was so addled he couldn’t even talk.
“I sought to ease his pain and dim his memory. He did not wish to betray you. The Demon can force him to do things, but only if she concentrates all her power on him. She’s left him alone since he’s been with me.”
The formerly daunting Sidewinder was not much use now, I guessed. I winced. I’d fantasized about killing him for what he did to Shandon, but I couldn’t hurt the broken man in front of me.
“Where’s the Book then?” I said. Georsi looked away, not meeting my eyes.
“We need it,” Oberin told him.
“Hirschi, can you tell us?” Kendall demanded.
Hirschi and Georsi didn’t answer. The odor of piss reached my nose.
Rheyna frowned. “I need to know what they took. What does Georsi use?”
Kendall and I recited the list of substances. “Breath of the Kalahari, Valerian from the Ducat Wood…”
Rheyna considered, peering into Hirschi’s eyes. “His pupils are pinpoint. This looks like plain moon poppies to me.”
Kendall whirled, facing Okan. “Why did you give them more?”
“I had to bring them here quietly. The younger one can fight well when he wants to. Doesn’t even need a weapon. His hands are fast.”
Kendall gave him a halfhearted smile. She had work to do. Okan was in the way.
* * *
That night, we locked Hirschi and Georsi into the men’s sleeping quarters. Moab shared Rheyna’s cot. Oberin took over Kendall’s bed while she continued to bunk with Okan. Kilgad had to move to the back of the kitchen and get a pallet there because the inn was full. We took turns watching our prisoners, hoping to get more information. They were in the grips of an ague—first sweating, then chilled. Hirschi babbled deliriously about a dark embrace.
Our mission was pressing, but so was the need to find out more about the Demon’s soul snares. Had she used one on Hirschi to make him biddable? And what of the Book of First Naming? Though Kendall’s cousin had visited us in the meantime and granted us a writ of safe passage, we agreed to stay at the inn another night or two. We hoped to persuade Georsi or Hirschi to talk. That would give us a chance to try to find the Book of First Naming as well.
The next day, Moab and I went hunting on Okan’s lands and brought back a deer to supplement the innkeeper’s dinner. He had been throwing us dark looks, and we hoped he wouldn’t report us to Amur’s Chosen. For a prize like me, they might brave bandit country.
Once the deer was dressed and the meat brought to the kitchen, I relieved Ilse on watch. I’d had a whole day’s respite from Georsi’s nonsense, so I unlocked the door and went inside. The room was dark and close and stank of sweat.
Georsi snored in Moab’s former bed. I strolled over to Hirschi, stretched out on Oberin’s pallet like a broken doll. The guttering light of the torch painted unforgiving shadows under his eyes. He seemed to be asleep too.
What happened to the warrior I’d once admired, even preferred, over gentle Shandon, with his complicated discourses?
“Berona?”
I flinched at the sound of Hirschi’s pitiful voice. He was a tool of the Demon’s, and I feared what he might reveal. Last night I’d dreamt that Kea suckled at her breast. I’d called him and called him till he turned, but his eyes were blank. A black liquid trickled from his mouth.
Hirschi squirmed.
I leaned forward to see if he was loosening his bonds. “Stop moving around.”
“My bones hurt so much. I feel sick.”
“Rheyna left you some more boneset and comfrey tea. I’ll hold the cup for you if you want to drink.”
“Those milk thistle seeds she gave me earlier…I can’t stomach more herbs.”
“Then don’t take them. You deserve some pain.”
He looked at me more closely.
“Do you remember what you did to Shandon?”
He closed his eyes, as if overcome by memories. Then he opened them again. “I swear I didn’t kill him. I’m sure of that. I stabbed myself rather than hurt him.”
“And Kea? You’re responsible for that too,” I accused.
“What happened?”
“The Elementals carried him off after Amur’s Chosen attacked our camp. You must have told t
he Chosen where to find me.”
He rubbed at his eyes, looking bewildered. “I do remember talking to some soldiers, but I don’t remember why.”
“You’re the Demon’s tool. Perhaps you know her plan for Kea?” I leaned in close, itching to manhandle him.
“Rheyna bought more moon poppies from Okan, didn’t she? The Mannites like to keep them for those fallen in battle.”
“And did you fall in battle?” I needled him. Stinking traitor.
He looked at the floor.
“Where’s Kea?”
“I have no idea,” he said, voice as dull as his eyes.
“What about the Book of First Naming?”
No answer.
I dug my nails into my palm, willing myself to calm down. It would be wrong to hit him while I was angry. Oberin had withdrawn to do a sending. As soon as he was through, I’d tell him Hirschi had emerged from the delirium. He’d know how to make him talk without resorting to blows.
The moon rose, spilling cold light into the chamber. Hirschi stayed quiet, eyes greedy. He wanted poppies, which meant we had a way to bribe him. But if I fetched Oberin or Kendall, it would mean leaving Hirschi unattended. Too chancy…though I could sever his Achilles tendons. He wouldn’t get far.
“You’re staring at me like you want to hurt me.”
I shook my head to clear it. What was I doing, considering crippling an unarmed man? “You betrayed us. You helped the Demon kill your best friend.”
He hunched his shoulders. “I’m only here sometimes. Other times I’m back in the soul snare.”
Was that how she’d gotten to him? I moved closer, smelling the metal scent of his fear. “What’s that like?”
“It feels nice. Then afterward, when you realize what happened, you feel so empty. So guilty and small. It’s the worst thing.”
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