Something in the grey shade of the apprentice’s face and the strange cool feel of his flesh caught in Josiah’s throat and stole his voice. He backed away, staring down at his friend’s still form, unbelieving.
Sar and Elkan were there, gold light spilling from Elkan’s hand. It brushed Nisi for a moment and faded. Elkan’s arm went around Josiah’s shoulders and drew him gently away. “I’m sorry, Josiah. There’s nothing we can do. The Mother’s power can’t bring back the dead.”
“But, but…” Josiah stumbled after Elkan. He shook his head, trying to clear it. “I didn’t see any blood, or anything…”
“He cracked his skull when he fell. No, don’t go back. We’ll tend his body later. Look, we’re here. I need your help. Josiah?”
Josiah couldn’t quite focus on Elkan’s words. He and Nisi had been throwing rocks into the stream together just a few minutes ago…
“Wizard! Come over here! We got Zai out from under the rocks, but he’s bleeding…”
“Can you help, Wizard? I don’t see any wounds, but she’s not responding…”
“No, don’t touch it! Wizard, help me—” The voice broke off in a cry of agony.
Josiah forced himself out of his daze, pushing the memory of Nisi’s broken body from his thoughts. “What… what do you need me to do?”
“We’re going to check all the wounded before we start healing. The ones who must wait, speak with them, explain why, comfort them if you can.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
A brief warm pressure on his shoulder answered him.
They plunged into their work. Elkan and Sar moved from person to person, the Mother’s gold light reaching out to envelop each in turn. Wizard and familiar looked at each other, silently sharing their observations and laying their plans. Josiah moved behind them, repeating over and over, until his throat was dry and his voice hoarse, “Stand back. Elkan will get to everyone. Wait your turn. Give him space to work. No, stay back, he’ll get to you and your friend in a moment. Elkan will get to you when he can, be patient. Stand back…”
There were a great many wounded. Only a few dead, for the cave-in here had not been as extensive as at the blast site. But a multitude who might die soon, from blood loss or shock or suffocation, if Elkan didn’t help them quickly.
Once they’d sorted out their priorities Elkan and Sar set to work, pouring out energy into one damaged body after another, patching as much as they had to and moving on. The most senior of the miners without incapacitating injuries asserted his authority and organized those who were mobile into work parties, shifting rocks off those still trapped, moving the dead to a quiet area off to the side, exploring the extent of the cave-in.
Hadara appeared after a while, Whiskers nestled in her arms, whole but very subdued. Elkan looked up from the woman with a crushed foot who he was tending and pushed his hair, matted with blood and dust, back from his face. “Noadiah?”
Hadara gave a small shake of her head. Elkan closed his eyes, then set his mouth in a grim line and turned back to his patient. Hadara went to the next waiting patient, stroked Whiskers’ small head, and sent golden light spilling over the ragged gash in the man’s leg.
Josiah finished explaining for the third time why a journeyman miner’s ripped off fingernail would have to wait. The man’s eyes were a little unfocused, his voice high and irrational in his insistence on immediate treatment. He gestured wildly, blood from the injured finger flying out and spattering Josiah’s face. Josiah shrank back, wondering if the man might resort to violence. He was greatly relieved when one of the man’s friends came over, put a restraining arm around his shoulders, and drew him away, speaking in a soothing voice.
Luckily, the rest of those waiting seemed resigned. Josiah looked around. Most of the dust had settled now, and most of the lamps and torches had been found and lit, so it was much easier to see. He set out on a circuit of the room, just in case any wounded had been overlooked.
He found one crumpled form lying against a far wall. He was afraid to approach until he caught the slight movement of the man’s breath lifting his chest. A quick check showed he had a head wound, like so many others. Josiah went back to report his presence to Elkan.
The wizard was crouched over yet another patient, trying to force his hand to stay steady over her slashed face, though every now and then it shook and scattered golden light in a spray against the wall. Sar leaned against him, sweat soaking his flanks, head drooping almost to the floor. Elkan spared only the briefest glance and nod in response to Josiah’s news of the additional patient before he focused again on the woman under his hand.
Josiah continued his circuit. He stopped briefly by Meira, who lay curled on her side, Ravid huddled against her. Retana had bound her leg as best she could with strips torn from her cloak. Meira assured him she was holding up well, though Retana glared at him and refused to speak.
He poked into the farthest corner, even though he was fairly certain no one had been back there. Sure enough, he found nothing. He skirted wide around the blast area. They had explored it thoroughly before, and he couldn’t bear the thought of confirming Master Noadiah’s fate or facing Nisi’s body again.
Elkan and Hadara were both still hard at work. Kalti was there, having regained consciousness, holding down a writhing man while Hadara tried to focus the Mother’s power on him. Josiah started over to help, but before he could get there Hadara succeeded, and the man quieted under the soothing gold light.
Josiah continued past them. The tunnel entrance just beyond was choked with rubble. A few dozen feet down rocks blocked it completely. The uninjured miners were gathered there, moving rocks by hand or with tools they’d had with them at the time of the disaster. There were enough cracks that they were able to carry on a shouted conversation with the miners on the other side, who were likewise laboring to break through the barrier.
“It’s not bad,” the miner in charge informed Josiah. “They’ve already cleared a few other spots further on. Another hour or so and we’ll be through. Unless the wizards can help?”
“No.”
“Ah, well. In any case, they’re assembling donkeys and stretchers on the other side. Once we’re through they’ll be ready to start moving the wounded. Half the town’s out there now, they say.”
Josiah nodded, glad of the additional help that would soon be forthcoming. He went back down the tunnel to the room.
It was quiet. The injured and those who tended them sat or lay, speaking only softly. He spotted Hadara, slumped against the wall, fast asleep. Whiskers slept sprawled in her lap. Kalti hovered protectively nearby.
A faint gold glow came from the far wall; he followed it and found Elkan with the last of the wounded, the one Josiah had discovered. The Mother’s light was a pale imitation of its usual robust glow. Elkan knelt, braced against Sar’s foreleg, eyes closed, hand resting on the man’s head. The last faint flicker of the Mother’s power died away. Elkan took a deep shuddering breath and opened his eyes.
He looked vaguely from side to side. “Is that… all?”
Josiah hurried to crouch beside him. “Yes, that’s everyone. Hadara is already sleeping. You should, too.”
Elkan batted at the hair falling in his face. “No. Meira… got to help…” He put both hands on the floor in front of him and tried to push himself up, but wavered.
“Here, be careful.” Josiah lent Elkan his shoulder, and the wizard lurched to his feet, leaning heavily on Josiah. “She’s over this way.” They staggered the short distance. Sar stumbled behind them, barely lifting his hooves.
“Elkan!” Meira exclaimed, shocked. She was sitting propped against a large rock with her mother supporting her. Even Retana seemed taken aback by Elkan’s condition. Ravid slept in Meira’s arms.
Elkan breathed deeply for a moment, straightened, and forced a smile. “I’m fine. Really. Now let’s look at that leg.” He couldn’t maintain the pretense for more than a moment, however, and Josiah had to catch him to keep
him from toppling over as he knelt.
“Check Ravid first. He’s so deep asleep…” Meira grimaced and drew in her breath in a little gasp as she shifted Ravid for Elkan’s inspection, but shook her head when Elkan frowned at her. “Please.”
Obediently, Elkan stretched his hand toward Ravid, moving as if all the rocks that had fallen weighed his arm down. He groped blindly for Sar. With a great sigh, the donkey folded his legs and lowered himself to the ground. Elkan wrapped his arm around his familiar’s neck. A dim wash of gold flowed from his fingers and enveloped Ravid, slowly concentrating to a glow around his head.
For a long time Elkan held his position, gradually drooping lower, then pushing himself erect, only to droop again. At last he slumped against Sar, the light dying. “There. All healed. Now leg.”
“No, you’re exhausted, you’ve got to rest.” But Elkan ignored Meira’s protest, the light once again spilling from his hand.
This healing took even longer than the last, and by the end the light was so faint Josiah almost couldn’t see it in the dim lamplight. Finally Elkan let his hand fall. “Not enough. But maybe it won’t hurt so much when they move you.” He rubbed at his face, pushing his hand into his hair and leaving it there as if he’d forgotten what to do with it. “Sorry…” He slumped over and pillowed his head on his arms on Sar’s back. His eyes closed and his face relaxed into sleep.
“Will he be all right?” Meira rubbed her leg and flexed her foot, brow furrowed with worry.
“I think so.” Although it was possible for wizards to burn themselves out. He didn’t think Elkan had gone that far, but…
“Mother told me Master Noadiah was killed.” Meira swallowed. “Do you know who else?”
“Not too many. I don’t know their names.” Then Josiah remembered. “Except… Nisi.”
Steeled as she had been to face the deaths of her friends and guildmates, this shocked Meira. “Nisi? That’s not—He just started his apprenticeship this spring. It’s not right. Couldn’t the Mother have spared Nisi, at least?” She began to shake and buried her head in Ravid’s hair, sobs tearing from her.
Retana wrapped her arms around her daughter, glaring at Josiah. “How could you be so cruel, telling her like that with no warning? Leave her alone.”
Josiah felt terrible, but how could he have known the always calm and sensible Meira would react like that? He slunk around to the far side of the sleeping Sar. He would rather have distanced himself much farther from Retana, but he couldn’t leave Elkan, so he sat down beside wizard and familiar, leaning against Sar. He closed his eyes, just for a moment, just to rest them…
The next thing he knew, shouts and movement and a great deal more light invaded the cavern. He jumped to his feet, almost panicking, but then saw with great relief that it was the rescuers at last.
It did seem as if half the town at least had come to help. Dozens of eager hands loaded the wounded onto stretchers, or donkeys if they were well enough to sit up. Elkan slept through the noise and commotion, but when Josiah laid a tentative hand on his arm and whispered his name, he woke. He refused a stretcher, but after he saw Meira safely loaded on one and borne away, he consented to ride a donkey up out of the mine. Sar, who seemed a bit more recovered from their exertions, plodded alongside stoically.
Josiah was tired enough by the time they climbed the last stretch of ramp and emerged from the mouth of the mine that he wished someone had offered him a donkey to ride. He blinked, eyes dazzled by the bright sunlight. Amazingly, it seemed no later than midafternoon. Surely they’d been down there far longer than that?
A numb daze settled on Josiah and carried him through the journey back to town. He could only pick at the meal the anxious innkeeper served them, though Elkan and Hadara devoured great portions and sent their plates back for more. Elkan even asked the innkeeper to provide oats for Sar. Whiskers got his own plate and ate more than Josiah. All four of them looked gaunt, as if they’d gone months with too little to eat.
Finally Elkan led the way upstairs. Josiah felt like he needed sleep almost as much as the wizard. He pushed into his room, wanting only to sink into his bed.
He staggered under an assault of warm breath and fur as Tobi bounded up and twined about him. “Hello, girl.” His voice felt dry and dust-choked. Tobi lolled her tongue happily and pushed her head under his hand for petting.
Josiah dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her neck. “Oh, Tobi…” He wanted to pour out the story of everything that had happened, but he couldn’t speak past the tightness in his throat. Blood, dust, broken bodies, Whiskers’ mangled form, Master Noadiah trapped beneath crushing rock, the coldness of death beneath his fingers and Nisi’s grey and lifeless face…
Josiah buried his face in Tobi’s fur and wept.
Nineteen
Josiah…” Elkan seemed uncharacteristically hesitant. Only now was he losing his gaunt look. For the first few days after the disaster at the mine, he, Hadara, and their familiars had eaten ravenously, slept deeply, and gone out to pour all their newly regained energy into fulling healing those they had been forced to leave with only stopgap measures. Then they returned to the inn to repeat the process. But now almost a week had passed since the last of the injured were fully restored, and the wizards had mostly recovered from their exertions. Still, Elkan’s bowl of breakfast porridge was twice as big as Josiah’s.
“Hadara and I have been talking…” Elkan looked to the other wizard for support.
Hadara nodded. She fed a nut to Whiskers. The little raccoon was no worse for his ordeal.
“I know this will be very difficult for you, but we both agree it would be best.”
Josiah set down his spoon, a chill settling in the pit of his stomach. Nothing good could possibly follow when an adult used that tone of voice.
“You know Kalti is in her third year of training and will bond with a familiar next Springtide.”
Kalti looked up at the mention of her name. She’d been less hostile toward Josiah since the cave-in. She seemed to feel a grudging respect for his conduct during the emergency, along with a measure of fellowship from the shared ordeal. You still couldn’t call them friends, though.
Josiah frowned. What could Kalti’s bonding have to do with him? Unless…
Suddenly Josiah knew exactly what Elkan meant. The wizard’s next words confirmed it.
“Tobi will be choosing a bondmate at Springtide, and Hadara and I both think—”
“No!” Josiah couldn’t let him finish. “Tobi’s coming with us, just like always.”
“Josiah, think about it. You and I will be leaving the mountains soon. Hadara and Kalti will be traveling through Tobi’s own territory through most of the winter. She’ll be much happier if she’s able to roam instead of always having to stick close. And Tobi will be able to get to know Kalti better, to see if they’re a good fit—”
Josiah jumped to his feet. “Tobi’s—” He bit off the word “mine,” because she wasn’t, and could never be. “—used to me. We understand each other. Until she bonds, I’m the best one to take care of her. I know what she needs; she listens to me.”
Elkan ran a hand through his hair. “Josiah, Tobi is Mother-touched. Her destiny is to serve the Mother. No matter what our personal feelings may be, we have to support that.”
“I do! I know she’s going to bond to someone next spring. Maybe Kalti, maybe someone else. I wouldn’t… wouldn’t want to stop her, even if I could. But until then… It won’t change anything, who she travels with…” To his shame, Josiah felt his eyes threatening to tear. He blinked furiously to prevent it.
Hadara glanced at the animal in question, stretched out to her full impressive length in front of the fire, dozing, oblivious to the argument. “Elkan, perhaps we should reconsider. The boy feels so strongly about it—”
“No.” Elkan’s face took on the hard quality that Josiah knew meant it was useless to argue. “This is a matter for the Wizards’ Guild. Josiah, I may not tech
nically be your master, but you’re still bound to obey me. I’ve decided that Tobi will accompany Hadara and Kalti when we leave tomorrow, and that’s final.”
Stiffly, Josiah nodded. He pushed his bench back and left the table, not daring to look at the blissfully sleeping Tobi. He held himself to a walk until he reached the inn’s front door, but as soon as he was through he broke into a run.
Behind him he heard Elkan calling his name, but Josiah ignored him. He ran blindly until he was out of sight and earshot of the inn, then slowed to a walk. He didn’t know where to go. Not up into the mountains toward the mine, and certainly not down by the river, where new graves dotted the cemetery, blessed by Elkan and Hadara together just yesterday. The busy Firstday market filled the square in the middle of town, and the streets were crowded with people it had drawn from the outlying areas. Eventually he ended up circling around and taking refuge in the inn’s stable.
No matter how hard he dug the brush into Sar’s side, the donkey leaned into his strokes with pleasure. The innkeeper’s apprentice had already brushed him once this morning, and his coat was smooth and free of tangles, but Josiah went over him twice nevertheless. Then he moved on to Hadara’s mule for good measure. By that time he had calmed enough to think clearly.
Elkan was right, he knew. He had no claim on Tobi, none, except whatever friendship might give him. Despite his impassioned words to Elkan, he wasn’t even sure Tobi would care whether she was with him or Kalti. The mountain cat was so cheerfully single-minded in her pursuit of food, warmth, and sleep, and so indiscriminately affectionate, that he couldn’t tell, sometimes, whether she regarded him as anything other than a friendly warm body and a hand providing meals.
Josiah scrubbed his eyes with the back of his sleeve. He’d never expected the relationship to be more than temporary, after all. Tobi wasn’t his pet. The decision had been made, and he’d have to live with it, resent it though he might. He dismissed, reluctantly, the fantasy of running off with Tobi into the mountains. Even if he could live that way, she couldn’t, not being Mother-touched. Eventually her instincts would drive her to seek out wizards again.
The Fuller's Apprentice (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 1) Page 27