by Sharon Green
"Even if he were telling the truth, it's highly unlikely that he has much standing, either politically or socially," Rion commented. "One of my mother's peers, for instance, would sooner die a bloody and painful death than be caught driving a wagon. And as for having a job somewhere rather than a career or business interests, even if it isn't really a job ..." He shook his head. "No, he can't be of much importance at all."
"Alsin thought he was very important, since the man had certain information that we wanted," I replied with a type of smile I knew wasn't particularly nice. "He made the fool understand that he would die in quite a lot of pain if he didn't answer the questions put to him, then he listened to those answers with his Middle strength in Earth magic. Only someone with a stronger talent could have lied to Alsin and gotten away with it, and the man didn't qualify.
"But what he did do was assure Alsin that Jovvi and Lorand have to be in that convoy. All drugged Highs are sent out of the city in the same way, and the previous convoy left three days earlier. He knew in particular that our people are with this convoy, because the noble in charge had complained about having three members of the strongest challenging Blending so close to each other for so long. If something went wrong and they came back to themselves,
they could end up being more trouble than all the rest combined."
"I don't like that phrase, 'for so long,' " Rion said with a frown. "It suggests that they'll be separated once they reach wherever they're going, which won't be of help to us. And while we're discussing it, what is their destination?"
"The man didn't know, which supports your theory that he isn't a very important noble," I said. "He usually has someone with him who feeds and cares for the captives, but picking them up in the first place and then transporting them to the convoy is much too important a task to trust to an underling—according to him, at any rate. Personally, I'd say they wanted to limit the knowledge of commoners, so they limited the participation of those who aren't their own."
"And now we're going after the convoy," Naran said, actually looking eager at the idea of leaving our safe hiding place. "How soon will we get started? And while we're waiting, is there any chance we can have the use of a bath house?"
"I asked those very same questions," I replied, more than aware of how ... well used my clothes and body felt. "Alsin said he'd be back with the coach as quickly as possible, probably within the hour, and this warehouse has no actual bath-house facilities. We'd have to go elsewhere, and that would be dangerous as well as time-consuming. We'll just have to wait until we reach an inn along the way."
"I'm in need of a bath as well, but our clear priority is following those who hold Lorand and Jovvi captive," Rion said, looking more determined and ... dangerous than I'd ever before seen him. "If we all consider the problem, we should find it possible to free them before the convoy reaches its destination and our people are separated. Right now, however, there's something you must know about another of us."
"Another of us?" I echoed, wondering what he could be talking about. "I don't understand. Who—"
"Yes, I mean Valiant," he confirmed when he saw my sudden grasp of what he'd said. "I told you he still seemed to be tired, but that wasn't the truth. He told Naran and me that—that he was no longer able to touch the power. I believe he's still in shock over the discovery, and may well decide against accompanying us. We mustn't allow that."
If he thought Valiant was in shock, he should have felt my mind. I sat staring at my teacup, not quite able to remember its purpose, mentally groping for something solid to anchor myself to. Those people had been right after all, and Valiant's ability to Blend with us was gone forever?
"If you'd heard him, your heart would have shattered the way mine did," Naran added in a rough whisper, holding to Rion's arm and obviously trying not to cry. "He said that if certain people considered him pitiful and useless before, now they certainly would. Who do you think he was talking about?"
I shook my head, having no idea whom he could have meant. It was ridiculous to think that there could be someone around so blind that they would believe those things about Valiant, but that had nothing to do with my position. Yesterday Valiant had clearly and definitely ended things between us; now that he was almost a different man, would he change his mind? And remembering how his pushing me away had hurt, did I really want him to change his mind?
But those questions were personal, and there was another much more important one: would Rion and I be able to free the others all by ourselves? We certainly had to, but... could we?
Fifteen
"Tamrissa, can you suggest the proper way to deal with Valiant now?'' Rion asked as gently as possible, seeing how horribly upset the girl looked. "If we commiserate, is that likely to make things better or worse? As Naran pointed out, our groupmate now feels pitiful and useless. If we offer sympathy, isn't that apt to make him feel even worse?"
"I really don't know," Tamrissa responded, sounding bewildered and almost as devastated as Valiant had. "I, personally, would probably hate having everyone around me oozing sympathy, but—I just don't know."
"I'm inclined to agree with Tamrissa," Naran said, obviously deliberately ignoring the other girl's shocked confusion. "If I were in Valiant's place I'd hate sympathy as well, especially since we don't know if his talent really is gone for good. Lorand isn't a trained physician, but I'll wager that if he works on Valiant, whatever is wrong will probably stop being wrong."
"Why, Naran, you're absolutely right," Tamrissa said, suddenly pulling away from the numbness which had held her. "Lorand is the best, so we've got to get him to Valiant as quickly as possible. As soon as Alsin returns with a coach, we'll have to catch up to that convoy as fast as we can."
"And do what to stop them?" Rion asked, hating to deflate her enthusiasm but realizing that it was necessary. "The answer to that question has to be carefully considered, as you and I will find it extremely difficult to handle the guardsmen you mentioned as well as the wagon drivers. Unless we kill them all, which we could probably accomplish. Was that what you intended for us to do?"
"I—no," Tamrissa said with a violent headshake after a very brief hesitation. "Possibly if there was no other way, but not without trying other things first. Most of those guardsmen probably have no idea what they're guarding, so killing them would be—wrong. And what about the rest of the poor victims in that convoy? Can we free Lorand and Jovvi, and simply leave the rest to their fate?"
"I hadn't even considered the point," Rion admitted ruefully. "Once put into words, however, there's no denying that we simply can't turn our backs on our own. But where did so many other High talents come from? We were told, were we not, that all testing and qualifying was done for the year?"
"Alsin asked the same question," Tamrissa said after taking a deep breath and a sip of her tea. "Apparently all qualifying was done for the year, but testing is another matter entirely. There's a constant stream of potential Highs coming to Gan Garee, and at this time of year they're given a much less ... stressful test than we were. If they fail, they're turned out and sent home as the Middles they are. But if they pass, they're drugged and put into a convoy and taken—somewhere.''
"To keep the city as free of High talents as possible," Rion said with a nod. "If one attempts to think as our enemies might, it makes considerable sense. After all, what benefit would there be in having people walking about who have stronger talent than the current Seated Blending?''
"But not stronger than the new Seated Blending," Tamrissa pointed out with a thoughtful look. "When we faced them, there was no doubt that they were High talents even though they weren't as strong as our own Blending. Lanir and his friends weren't happy about having to deal with them, so I wonder what made the nobility change tactics and let them win instead of the Middles they'd been using until now?"
"I'd say we were what made them change tactics," Rion reminded her. "That first Blending we faced, the one which died becaus
e it was composed of no more than Middles— that was undoubtedly the Blending they meant to have Seated, and were forced to support the others simply because they were the only noble Blending remaining."
"Which means we were right to believe that that group was using us for their own ends," Tamrissa said in agreement. "We eliminated their most important rivals ourselves, and most of the rest of our common Blendings took care of the others. I wonder how long they'll be allowed to run around uncontrolled?"
"That all depends on how frightened the others are of them—and how well they've planned for the time after the competition." Rion shook his head, hating the feeling of ambivalence now touching him. "It's difficult to decide which group to pin my hopes of victory to: the group which used and betrayed us, or the people who betray everyone as a matter of course, but are now being forced to support that first group."
"I know exactly how you feel," Tamrissa agreed with a smile which Naran echoed. "I can't—Wait, there's Alsin."
Rion turned to look toward the doorway behind him, and saw a large, rugged-appearing man striding toward them. An air of competence and authority surrounded him, and when he reached their table he nodded to them.
"We're all set," he announced without preamble. "The coach is in an alley two streets from here, and there's a wagon unloading downstairs right now that will take you to the coach without your being seen. The alley is actually a minor through street, so we'll be able to set off without the notice that backing out and turning around might bring. Are your belongings ready to be loaded?"
"As far as I know, none of us has unpacked anything," Tamrissa replied, looking to Naran and Rion himself for confirmation. "Their nods tell me I'm right, so that won't be a problem. What is, though, is Valiant. How is he supposed to walk through these corridors to reach the wagon downstairs? And even if he does, what about whatever you plan to do to disguise our presence in that wagon? Will he be able to stand it?"
"Since you'll be completely covered up, probably not," the man Alsin replied, now looking thoughtful. "Your friend will probably be best off going out through that window in his dormitory, using the pulley rope to reach the ground. Do you think he's up to it?"
"I'm sure he is," Rion put in at once when Tamrissa hesitated. "What's more, I've decided to join him in that. The ladies and our baggage can be taken out in the wagon, but Valiant and I will walk."
"I'll send someone to steady the rope for you, and then he'll guide you to the coach," Alsin agreed with a nod, eyeing Rion's clothing. "That outfit is plain enough so that no one ought to notice it, but if I recall correctly your friend is wearing the same white shirt and gray trousers. One of you ought to change the shirt at the very least, to keep you two from looking as though you're in uniform. If you agree I can supply a shirt from my own possessions, which I'm now on the way to pack."
"Does that mean you're going with us?" Tamrissa asked, looking surprised. "What about your family and your work here in the city?"
"My real work here in the city consists of trying to find a way to loosen the grip the nobles have around our throats," the man answered candidly. "Since the best way to accomplish that is to help your group, I certainly am going with you. And as far as a family goes, I don't have one. Would you like to come with me now, Dom Mardi-mil?"
"Certainly," Rion answered, rising to his feet after giving Naran's hand a parting kiss. "Valiant and I will see you ladies in just a little while."
Both Tamrissa and Naran nodded, so Rion followed Alsin out of the eating area. The direction they took was the one in which Valiant's room lay, but Rion's guide stopped at a door only half a corridor away from the eating area. Leading the way inside, Alsin went directly to a small, plain wardrobe and opened it, reached to the bottom of it, then turned with what he held.
"Try this on," he suggested, handing over the silver-blue shirt he'd chosen. "I've never quite found the occasion to wear it, so it can't be considered used. It should distract any observer from noticing that you and Dom Ro are wearing the same sort of trousers."
"Are there likely to be a large number of people riding or walking about looking for us?'' Rion asked as he began to remove his own shirt. "Tamrissa and I each made an effort to discourage my mother from sending anyone in pursuit of me, but I'm not certain how successful we were. The noble who held Tamrissa should certainly have been found by now, and we were told that Valiant's absence has already been noted. How much of a pursuit does that make?"
"Less than you apparently think," Alsin replied as he busied himself with putting clothing and toilet articles in a large leather bag. "We've had observers at your mother's house and at Lord Lanir's, specifically to let us know when to expect the pursuit you mentioned, but so far there hasn't been any. As of an hour ago no one has left either place, nor have guardsmen been called there."
"But that doesn't hold true in Valiant's case," Rion said as he settled the new shirt on his frame. It fit much better than he'd been expecting it to, and the fabric was finer than the plain cotton he'd been wearing.
"Actually, there hasn't even been a flurry of activity connected with Dom Ro," Alsin replied, turning to look at Rion now that his packing was apparently done. "The man I questioned was convinced that Lady Eltrina had simply decided not to release Dom Ro, and that was what he'd reported to his superior. The superior decided to handle Lady Eltrina himself, so the man I questioned had dismissed the entire matter. And as far as that man himself is concerned ... once he walks back to the city from where my men are now taking him, he may decide not to report the incident to save himself embarrassment."
"You should be warned that anger and vindictiveness may well overcome possible feelings of embarrassment," Rion said after tucking the shirt into his trousers. "All members of the nobility are constantly encouraged to report even the slightest indication of disrespect on the part of commoners, and being kidnapped after being threatened and questioned is a good deal more serious. But hopefully we'll be gone from the city by the time he returns and makes his report. And thank you for this shirt. I appreciate your parting with something this fine."
"Clothing is meant to be worn, not to lie about gathering dust," Alsin returned with a deprecating gesture. "I'll take the shirt you removed along with my own things, and return it to you once we're out of the city. If you know your way back to Dom Ro's dormitory, I'll go and find someone to hold the pulley rope and guide the two of you to the coach."
Rion assured him that he did indeed know the way to Valiant, so they left the room together and parted company. Alsin returned the way they'd come while Rion continued along the corridor, and a few moments later he reached the proper door. A knock brought no response, so Rion opened the door and went in.
"We'll be leaving here in a short while," Rion said to a Valiant who still lay on the cot by the window, pretending there was nothing wrong with the man. "Jovvi and Lorand are indeed being taken somewhere away from this city, and we're prepared to follow and free them."
"How will we do that?" Valiant asked slowly and with difficulty, obviously fighting to pull himself out of the depths. "And why would you need me along? I can't even face the idea of leavin' this window, never mind walkin' that corridor outside or doin' somethin' to help. I'm the one who needs help, but I'm not likely to get it."
"We won't be leaving this place by the corridor, but by that window you've become so attached to," Rion responded lightly, ignoring the rest of what had been said. "We'll slide down that rope, which, I'm told, is as easy as falling off a log. That analogy may prove to be a shade too accurate, but escaped criminals such as we are should be fearless. Simply because I've never done anything remotely like this before is no reason to picture myself broken and bloody on the ground below."
"It really isn't as hard as it sounds," Valiant offered, finally struggling to a sitting position as he stared at Rion. "But you don't have to do this, you know. You have no reason to use a window instead of leavin' the way you came."
"
But of course I have a reason," Rion disagreed, walking to the window to watch for the one who would come to assist them. "My good friend has an adventure before him, and I wish to share that adventure. Never having been allowed such a thing before makes the undertaking even more special, and I eagerly look forward to it."
Valiant made no reply to that, but peripherally Rion was able to see a peculiar expression fleet across the man's face. Then Valiant had forced himself to his feet, to shake his head hard before running his hands through his hair.
"I could use some bathin'," he muttered as he rubbed his face. "Not to mention a shave. Just how soon are we leavin', and where are we goin'?"
"We're leaving as soon as someone arrives to hold the rope for us, and we're going to the coach which is waiting to take us west, after the convoy carrying Jovvi and Lorand. On the way, you might like to join us in trying to think of a way to rescue our groupmates without needing to kill every guardsman and driver and noble in the convoy. So far Tamrissa and I haven't been able to formulate such a plan."
"If Jovvi and Lorand were with us, we could put them all to sleep," Valiant said, moving heavily to join Rion at the window. "Or at least the rest of you could do that... Does Tamrissa know what's happened to me?"
"I broke it to her as gently as possible, but she was still shocked," Rion responded, turning his head to study Valiant. "Naran recalled your comment about being pitiful and helpless, but none of us was able to imagine who would regard you in such a way. I think that if Tamrissa hadn't been so shaken, she would have been furious at the idea of someone discounting you so easily."
"Really?" Valiant asked, blinking in obvious confusion. "She would have been furious? But that—that's not possible. I didn't get to rescue her, she had to rescue me. How could a woman feel anythin' but contempt for a man who has to be rescued?"