A thin chain dropped around Ancel’s neck to rest on his chest. From it hung a pendant. He took it in his hand. An exact likeness of his mother’s face, intricately wrought in silversteel down to the shining gray blue gems for her eyes, stared back at him. Ancel gawked, but the only words he could find were, “I promise.” Tears welled up in his eyes.
“Thank you for being a wonderful son,” his mother said before she squeezed his shoulder and returned to her seat.
Still dumbfounded, the small talk that followed about his day at school and the preparations for the trip washed over Ancel. Several times, he touched the charm before he glanced at his mother. She graced him with a serene smile every time.
“Oh, I forgot to mention,” Stefan said. “You will be taking Charra with you.”
Ancel’s eyes widened. In the past, his father had banned Charra from leaving the Whitewater Falls area. Now he wants me to bring him to Randane?
“Don’t ask why,” his father said before Ancel could utter a word, “Take him. Oh, and should you wish to partake in some of the entertainment Randane has to offer, please remember we Dorns have a family name to maintain. In fact, I would suggest you take a peek at The Dancing Lady. I doubt anyone would recognize you there.” His father shrugged at Mother’s stern look before they both resumed eating.
Thoughts swirled through Ancel’s mind. His father’s sword, Charra’s recent behavior, his mother’s gift, strange beasts in the Greenleaf Forest and the mountain clans’ feud were foremost. This was compounded by the upcoming meeting with the Dosteri, his trip to Randane, and his father’s command to take the daggerpaw. Calestis’ words in Discipline class came back to him.
When several separate events occur at an opportune or inopportune time, people call it coincidence. Coincidence, my students, is nothing more than the birth child of intricate planning.
Ancel lost himself in his ponderings hardly tasting the food.
CHAPTER 13
Evening had come by the time they sat at Eldanhill’s southern outskirts. The day had raced by in a whirlwind of preparations, and Ancel and his friends were allowed to skip their studies as they gathered the necessary supplies. Danvir spent most of his time at the tailor making sure he obtained quite a few outfits for their planned revelry. Both he and Mirza attempted to convince Ancel to take clothes other than the black he favored recently. He’d settled on a sky blue coat, a matching shirt, a tan cloak, and tan pants. All his other clothes were either dark gray or black.
Ancel’s horse whickered in response to Charra’s impatient coos and pawing at the ground. Charra stared off behind him, but Ancel’s attention remained on Eldanhill as he played with the charm around his neck. Far north, beyond the town, the last vestiges of sunlight swathed the Kelvore Mountains in purple and orange hues. Ancel hadn’t found the time to say goodbye to any of his other friends, but the worst part was that not having the chance didn’t bother him. Doubts crept into him about how much he would miss his home. Charra cooed once more.
“Gods, I’m glad they let us ride these beauties this time,” Danvir said, patting his white mare. The horse’s coat shone with the waning evening sunlight.
Ancel smirked. “I’d much rather if we were on dartans.”
“I’m sure you would,” Danvir replied. “But there’s nothing more beautiful than a well-groomed horse. Why else would they be the status symbol for nobles all across Granadia? Seriously, if you want to tout your beloved dartans so much, then move to Ostania. I’m sure the savages over there would encourage your love for those massive beasts.”
“I don’t see why you insist on saying Ostanians are savages. Not when some of our own folk were descended from them,” Mirza said. “Who knows, maybe you are too.”
Danvir’s mouth upturned with loathing and his large ears reddened. “I doubt that very much. At least those of Ostanian heritage here don’t eat horseflesh or feed horses to dartans like their ancestors.” With each word, his face matched his ears, becoming as red as his jacket. Since he’d lost a few of his stock to a raid from one of the mountain tribes, he often became enraged when discussing his beloved animals. “If they did, I’d move to a more civilized town or even Randane itself.”
Ancel shook his head. “You really need to calm down. I never said I didn’t like horses. None of us did. And I’m not one of the Seifer or Nema, nor am I Ostanian. But for all a horse’s grace and beauty, dartans are faster, offer a smoother ride, and when fed well, they can gallop for hours and hours nonstop.”
“Because they’re fat on fucking horses,” Danvir snapped, teeth showing.
“Come on, stop it,” Mirza interrupted before Ancel flashed a response. “And that’s not fair, Dan. None of our own has ever done that. Especially not Ancel. You know the Dorns keep some of the best horses in Eldanhill. Burning shades, man, he gave you a few ponies from his best stock just months ago.”
Danvir’s face softened, as much as a rugged cliff miner’s face could. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Ancel. You know I get beside myself when we talk about horses.” He rubbed his mare’s neck.
Ancel waved him off. “That’s an understatement if I ever heard one. You go berserk. Anyway, you’ll need to change your attitude when you become a Dagodin.”
“I know,” Danvir said, crestfallen. “Then I’ll be surrounded by the beasts.” Muttering under his breath, he shook his head, his face twisting into a disgusted mask.
Still annoyed, Ancel kicked the stirrups of his bay and walked to where he could get a better look at Eldanhill. His hand itched to reach inside to his pocket and remove Irmina’s letter. Resisting the urge, he pictured her and the smell of her flowery perfume. The letter’s words came unbidden.
My dearest Ancel,
There’s no easy way for me to put this, but there is another.
Whatever you felt for me cannot be. Being with you would only become a distraction, so I’m forced to cut you free. The time has come for me to move on. You must forget about me and live your life. My duty may not see me back in Eldanhill for years to come if at all. By then, who knows where my heart, or yours, will be.
Life and love are brutal teachers. Learn, adjust, and survive. Or die. Those are your choices. I choose life.
One day, after you complete your studies and pass the trials, your time will come. Then, you’ll understand.
Your ruffian, Irmina.
She left a red lip imprint using the paint he loved to see her wear. The mark was a mere smudge now, but he didn’t care. He kissed those lips at least once every day.
Charra’s low growl jolted him out of his reverie, making him aware of the slow clip clop of hooves on the dusty Eldan Road. With Danvir and Mirza on their mounts a few feet away, Ancel knew who the rider approaching from behind had to be. He didn’t bother to face him. Instead, he prepared himself for what was to come. At least the Headspeaker hadn’t waited until they were well on their way.
“What’s troubling you?” Edwin Valdeen asked.
“Nothing really.”
“Really?” Edwin raised a bushy eyebrow. The Headspeaker’s abundant facial hair contrasted with his shiny, bald head. “I would think that much is on your mind. After all,” he gestured behind them, “The caravan is already moving down the road, yet here you are staring home. And those two,” he nodded to where Danvir and Mirza waited, their horses stamping and tossing their heads, “look about as impatient as suckling babes.”
“It’s nothing much, Master Valdeen,” Ancel said with a little more confidence. The last thing he needed right now was to let Alys’ father know he was thinking about another woman.
“Missing Irmina again, aren’t you?”
Ancel deflated. Had his feelings become that obvious to everyone?
“I can tell you a thing or three about women, young man,” Edwin said as if he had not seen Ancel’s expression. “They can never make up their minds about what they want. You can never please them. But love them the right way, and they’ll give you their all.”
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“Or snatch your heart from your chest,” Ancel replied in a glum tone, mouth downturned.
“There is that. I’ve been with my share of women. Alys’ mother was not my true love, but she’s the one I ended up with. She stood by me when I needed a hand and someone to lean on. She’s been with me ever since. In the end, that’s what matters. I’ve heard stories about your, shall we say, appetite?” Edwin’s voice hardened. “I won’t have my Alys mistreated by anyone, not even you. I would’ve thought your father would teach you better.” He gave his beard a quick stoke. “Then again he himself has been known to lead a merry chase or three.”
Ancel did not meet Edwin’s piercing eyes, instead choosing to focus on Eldanhill once more. The town’s lamps winked on one by one along the streets and lanes that carved paths like branches flowing from the Kelvore River to Eldanhill’s east. “I’m not trying to mistreat Alys. I do care for her. But…” He didn't quite know how to say the next part to the Headspeaker in a way that wouldn’t make the man furious.
“But?” Edwin repeated.
Ancel steeled himself and turned to meet Edwin’s eyes. “I still love Irmina. I think about her daily. At the same time, I’ve promised to never allow myself to be hurt that way again. To be honest, Master Valdeen, the women, they soothe me. They keep my mind from thinking about what could’ve been. They keep me from charging off to go find her. Alys plays a big part, but I cannot tell you what future there may be between us.”
The Headspeaker’s face had reddened with each sentence, and his jaw worked. He gave a few nods and caressed his beard again, his hand tightening at the end of each stroke. Finally, he said, “I’m glad you’re honest with me, boy. I can understand this foolishness in a way. I’ve promised Alys not to interfere, but one way or another, you’ll need to make a choice. I won’t stand for my daughter crying the way she does since she fell for you. You have until the Soltide Festival.” The warning in Edwin’s words was clear.
Ancel opened his mouth to reassure the Headspeaker, but his words fled him. He couldn’t bring himself to promise more than he could offer. Edwin gave him one last sharp look before wheeling his horse to follow the caravan.
“That could’ve been worse,” Danvir said as he and Mirza rejoined Ancel.
“I think it went bad enough,” Ancel said.
“Think on it like this,” Mirza chimed in. “He could’ve threatened to bring the question of his daughter’s honor before the Council.”
Ancel groaned. Another complaint like the ones already leveled against him wouldn’t go over well. Not even his father’s position could save him then. He could see it now. His father having to pay great debts to make good to the parents who said Ancel had sullied their daughter’s reputations and chances to land a good dowry. “Well, it’s not as if I didn’t make it clear what my interests were,” Ancel grumbled. “Most of those girls had their petals plucked long before me anyway.”
“Further sullying their names will gain you much sympathy.” Danvir shook his head.
“Now I know why the courtesans make such good business,” Ancel said, “No complaints, no attachments, maybe-”
“If you think your father’s upset now, imagine if you took to them. Although,” Mirza gave a mischievous grin, “What he doesn’t know couldn’t hurt.”
Danvir smiled, but the prospects didn’t lighten Ancel’s mood. Nothing thrilled him more than the chase and well, the working women didn’t offer much for sport.
“Just promise us one thing,” Mirza said. “Promise to wipe Irmina from your mind for this trip. It’s going to be your naming day. Start fresh.”
“I promise,” Ancel answered. The lie came rather easily. He was sick of everyone’s advice.
A breeze swept past them, carrying with it the chill from the Kelvore Mountains. Charra growled and fixed his gaze on the Greenleaf Forest and its darkened contents to the west. The daggerpaw stood stock-still. His bone hackles flexed before rising upright into hardened, knife-like protrusions. Each row swished into position and clicked. His golden eyes glowed.
“What’s his issue?” Danvir followed Charra’s massive head.
“I don’t know. He’s been this way lately. Restless and snarling at the slightest things.” Ancel attempted to act as confused as Mirza. His bay pranced a bit, and he snapped his reins and used his legs to keep it under control.
“Well, something has him spooked good.” Danvir peered in the same direction as everyone else, his brow furrowed.
“You think it could be…them?” Mirza asked.
Ancel stared at him. Danvir’s raised eyebrows and his eyes shifting from Mirza to him spoke for themselves. Ancel sighed. Their friend wouldn’t give up until he felt they no longer hid anything from him.
“I’m sorry,” Mirza said, his expression meek.
“So out with it then,” Danvir said.
Ancel told him what happened in the Greenleaf Forest. Danvir’s eyes grew round with the telling. By the time Ancel mentioned what his father had begun to say about wraithwolves, Danvir’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
“Gods be good. What do you think they were?” Danvir asked in a low voice.
“My Da says the tracks they found belonged to mountain wolves and daggerpaws.”
Mirza gave Ancel a dubious look. “What about the green eyes?”
Ancel shrugged. “He says it was the resinbuds playing tricks on our sight.”
“You never mentioned resinbuds,” Danvir chortled. “Those damned flowers do have a way of changing colors.” Relief washed across his face. “Think on it, if it were wraith-” he glanced around, “Two of you would be dead with your hearts torn out.”
“I guess you’re right.” Ancel gave a weak smile.
Mirza’s doubtful expression hadn’t changed. “Well, whatever they were, I’m not sitting around here if they’re what Charra is sensing now. I think it’s past time for us to catch up to the others.” With that, Mirza shook his reins and sent his horse trotting after the dwindling caravan.
Ancel felt the same way as Mirza. He’d seen Charra kill wolves before. His daggerpaw’s slobbering jaws and the glint in his eyes spoke not only of an intent to kill but of fear. Ancel could think of nothing Charra feared.
Ancel rode after the others, Charra loping next to him, his gaze focused on the Greenleaf Forest.
CHAPTER 14
Shin Galiana Calestis leaned on her staff after each step up the wide stairs to the Dorn’s townhouse. She used the white balustrade and its pillars to help her climb.
Stefan stood on the landing above her dressed in the crimson uniform of a Dagodin. The five gold knots of his Knight Commander rank stood out on his right breast. Above them shone a pendant depicting a sun with lightning bolts striking in front of it-The Lightstorm insignia. It had been a long time since she last saw the emblem. Stefan’s dark cloak ruffled in the chilly breeze that reached down from the Kelvore Mountains. The sword on his hip fit him like a soft, fox fur glove. Years had passed since she last saw him wearing a weapon. Lines creased his forehead as he gazed toward the Eldan Road and Eldanhill’s southern exit.
She couldn’t help but think how much of a young Stefan lived on in Ancel. If not for the slight difference in height, the white streaks in Stefan’s hair, and his pointed beard, it would be difficult to tell them apart.
“I see you have taken well to wearing your uniform once more,” she said as she gained the landing. She shuffled over to stand next to the older Dorn and took in the great Streamean temple, its clock tower, and the blue lights reflecting from the town’s streets and buildings.
“It suits me as well as yours does you,” Stefan replied with a nod toward her own red dress with its white-striped silver sleeve.
Galiana chuckled. “I have so become used to my role as Teacher, I forgot this is what I once was.”
Stefan gave her a wry look. “No one can forget being an Ashishin, Galiana. The world won’t let you.”
Nodding at his statement,
she asked, “How did Ancel handle the news of the trip?”
“He’s happy enough. How could he not be?” Stefan shrugged. The breeze died down. His cloak came to rest above his calf high, brown leather boots. “He’s with his friends. He has his parents’ blessing. And he will be able to skip classes for a few weeks while chasing women.” A hint of bitterness carried in his soft-spoken yet firm voice.
Across from them the same blue lamps of Soltide that lit up the town adorned the few homes on Tezian Lane. A dog barked from one of the gardens.
“You would do well to worry less,” Galiana said.
Stefan turned to regard her. The festive lights at the front of his home and the three pillars lining each side of the stairs enhanced his emerald eyes. His gaze reminded her of the breeze, biting and cold. “How can I? His power manifested yesterday.”
Stomach churning, Galiana kept her face a blank mask. “And what happened?”
“Thania suppressed it. Then I stressed to him to remember his training and to control his emotions.”
“Good.”
“Good?” Stefan’s face darkened with anger. “How so? He needs supervision. You said yourself he’s lost his focus. Yet you asked to allow him to go to Randane. To be away from those who can train him. To be away from those who can show him the path he needs to take. Away from those who can protect him.” The tight lines about Stefan’s jaw eased, and his eyes shone wetly. “I’ll not lose a second family, Galiana.”
“Sometimes, the best course of action is inaction. Sometimes, the best way to guide is not to guide.”
Somewhere in Eldanhill, a smith’s hammer clanged. Someone had stayed up late to finish their work.
“Quotes from the Disciplines?” Stefan snorted. “I’m no longer your student.”
Galiana smiled. Stefan had always been stubborn. “You will always be my student.”
“I doubt you understand.”
“Oh?”
The cold breeze picked up, rattling a wind vane. Galiana pulled her cloak tighter, huddling into its comforting folds.
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