‘He knows it.’ Cain glanced over to where Saul was lacing his boots, his face white and drawn.
Phantasm frowned, ‘You know him better than any of us Cain. Tell me this is over between them now. Only I wouldn’t cross Mage De Winter again. I’ve seen him kill a man for less.’
Cain looked up, his blue eyes guilty, ‘I blame myself. We all had manticore potion before the race yesterday. I think it gave him foolish ideas.’
Phantasm shook his head sharply, ‘Manticore potion or not, she’s never going to be his! What does he think he’s risking his life for?’
‘Don’t ask me, she’s a nightmare!’
Phantasm looked down at the sleeping Mistral and hid a fond smile, ‘Yes, she can be … sometimes.’
‘So!’ Xerxes demanded in a stage whisper, flourishing his tatty piece of parchment in the air. ‘Who’s going to win this one then?’
The flatly chorused reply was unanimous.
‘Grendel.’
‘Damn him!’ Xerxes scratched his name down on the parchment then looked up with a frown. ‘Where is he anyway?’
Brutus smirked, ‘Three guesses.’
Xerxes scowled darkly and bent his head over the piece of parchment again.
‘It’s unbladed today. What weapons are you all taking?’ Cain asked conversationally while he secreted the small pair of knives up his sleeves once again.
‘Officially?’ Brutus asked, sliding a knife down the inside of his boot.
Cain looked up with a grin, ‘And unofficially.’
‘Right, well, I thought escrima sticks for the official weapons, with a dagger in each boot for the unofficial, oh and I bought some knuckle dusters yesterday from this great stall. I thought I’d try them out too.’
‘Nice!’ said Cain, admiring the brutal looking implements on Brutus’ hands.
‘How about you?’ Brutus enquired.
‘Quarter staff.’ Cain replied, twirling the short, heavy staff with one hand. ‘And two daggers, one on each wrist. Oh, and I’ve got armour on under my shirt.’
‘Good idea! Back in a minute!’ Brutus vanished back into the tent, swiftly followed by his brother.
‘Saul?’ Cain enquired lightly. ‘What are you taking?’
‘Me.’
Cain rolled his eyes, ‘It’s a tournament brother, not a suicide mission.’
‘I have nothing to live for.’
‘I don’t believe I’m hearing this! What did you expect? They’re Bonded Saul! It’s not like she even has a choice about how she feels! And she certainly couldn’t just switch all that weird joined-soul stuff to you simply because her Mage wasn’t around!’
‘She’s all I’ve ever wanted.’
Cain stared at him in frank disbelief, ‘Mistral? Are you joking?’
‘No.’
‘Oh brother! Please don’t be so ridiculous! Come with me to the nymph tent later and I’ll show you something with a nice body and a smile to go with it! You’ll get over her! Wait, let me re-phrase that. You have to get over her! It’s only because you can’t have her that you want her so much!’
Saul shook his head stubbornly, ‘You don’t understand.’
‘No, I don’t think I do!’ Cain said angrily. ‘Her Mage will kill you if you so much as look at her the wrong way again! Don’t waste your life over an obsession!’
Saul spun round, his usually gentle gaze angry, ‘It’s not an obsession Cain! From the moment I met her I felt like I’d always known her. I know she feels the same about me –’
‘Don’t be stupid!’ Cain hissed. ‘What you feel is just the Ri brother-sister bond. We all feel it! But we don’t proposition each other at every opportunity!’
Saul’s eyes flashed, ‘Don’t laugh at me Cain! I know he’ll let her down. It’s Mage De Winter for crying out loud! Sometime he’ll get his comeuppance for all the lives he’s taken and I’ll be there –’
‘And you think she’ll want to begin some happy new life with you after she’s lost her Mage do you Saul? Then think again, because I’ve seen her when she’s been facing the prospect of him dying and all she wanted to do was drink the contents of my potion kit! She doesn’t want you. Just face the truth and get on with your life.’
‘She is my life.’
‘Then get another one!’
Saul and Cain glared at each other across the glowing embers of the camp fire.
‘Ready to go brothers?’
Xerxes strode out of the tent buttoning up his shirt to hide the chest plate of his armour and looked from Cain to Saul with an enquiring expression.
Saul broke eye contact with Cain and nodded tersely, abruptly striding away down the avenue of tents towards the arena.
‘Right, whatever strategies you had in place are now null and void.’ Xerxes said quietly, watching Saul stalking away. ‘We protect our brother – agreed?’
‘Agreed.’ Cain threw a brief glance in the twins’ direction before hurrying after Saul.
‘Ready brother?’ Xerxes asked when Brutus appeared from the tent, tugging his trouser leg down to hide the hilt of his dagger.
‘Born ready!’ he grinned and slapped Xerxes on the back.
Xerxes waited until Brutus had moved out of earshot before turning to the twins, ‘You will protect Saul? In any way you can?’
Phantom and Phantasm nodded as one, ‘We will.’
Xerxes’ voice dropped to a hard whisper, ‘Never repeat this conversation! What I’m asking you to do would get the Ri disqualified from the festival! There’s cheating, then there’s a step beyond. And using your gift is definitely that.’
‘Our lips are sealed.’ Phantasm murmured.
Xerxes continued to hold his gaze then left, striding quickly after his brother.
The twins glanced down at the sleeping Mistral and then at each other, sharing a resigned look.
‘Asleep, and still causing trouble.’ Phantom muttered incredulously.
Phantasm sighed, ‘It’s a gift.’
They busied themselves with preparing breakfast while Mistral slept on, talking quietly between themselves until Fabian returned.
‘Thank you,’ he said quietly and gazed at them expressionlessly until the twins realised they were being dismissed.
‘Charming!’ Phantom grumbled under his breath while they walked along the avenue of tents.
‘Come on brother, would you really want to be around when Mistral wakes up and realises that she’s missed the melee event?’
Phantom pursed his lips thoughtfully, ‘Not within striking range, but I’d like to hear some of the names she calls her Mage for letting her sleep through it.’
Phantasm smiled grimly, ‘I’m sure the air will be blue. However, as Xerxes pointed out, our gift is required to prevent Saul from martyring himself in the cause of unrequited love this morning.’
‘Another Mistral related crisis to deal with. How refreshing.’
Fabian watched the twins hurry away. When they were gone from sight he turned to look down at Mistral. She was still deeply asleep, her dark hair fanned out on the saddlebag she was using as a pillow. He knelt and gently stroked a finger down her cheek. She sighed and stirred, the slightest touch from him waking her more easily than any of the morning’s noise.
‘Good morning.’ Fabian smiled at her sleepy expression.
‘Oh! You are here! I didn’t dream it after all!’ she smiled happily and stretched. Pushing his heavy cloak off she sat up and yawned, then looked around with a puzzled expression. ‘Where is everyone?’
Fabian sat down beside her and passed her a plate of cold meat. Taking a piece for himself he chewed on it thoughtfully before answering.
‘Not here.’
‘I can see that.’ Mistral frowned, ignoring the food in front of her. ‘Where are my brothers Fabian?’
‘The melee,’ he said simply, avoiding her gaze and tossing a piece of cold rabbit to Prospero.
‘Oh, of course.’ Mistral picked up a piece of meat. ‘I’d forg
otten that was this morning.’
Fabian glanced at her, ‘Don’t you want to compete?’
‘Not in the mood.’ Mistral shrugged then gave him a long look from under her eyelashes. ‘I’d rather spend the time with you.’
‘Good.’ Fabian smiled, his eyes roving over her sleep dishevelled hair and crumpled shirt. ‘But I think you should change before our first appointment of the day.’
‘Sorry. Have I missed something here?’ Mistral frowned sharply. ‘Only I already have a full schedule of fun weapons-related stuff, not dull sounding “appointments”!’
‘Imperato is not dull Mistral.’ Fabian reproached, reaching over to brush a stray lock of hair off her face.
‘Imperato?’ Mistral echoed flatly. ‘You’ve arranged for me to meet Imperato? You come back in the middle of the night and re-organise me without even asking?’
‘Yes.’ Fabian smiled when her eyes widened in fury.
‘You –’
He quickly bent his head and kissed her, silencing the angry tirade before it began.
‘One day you will no longer have that effect on me, and I will stay angry with you for longer than five seconds.’ Mistral warned, somewhat breathlessly.
May that day be a long time coming.’ Fabian murmured, tracing the blush that had flared in her cheeks.
After breakfast and a change of clothes, Mistral and Fabian left the tent and walked hand-in-hand along the avenue. It was eerily deserted. Everyone was down by the Arena, either competing or supporting their champions, their joined voices a distant roar. By the time they reached the crowded arena their shouted encouragements had grown to become a deafening cacophony. Mistral glanced wistfully at the Arena while Fabian pulled her past. She could just make out Grendel’s distinctive bulk in the middle of the broiling mass of fighting bodies. He seemed to be struggling with a swarm of goblins armed with what looked like a large net.
‘Looks like a good event.’ Mistral sighed, resisting Fabian’s iron grip on her hand to stop and watch.
‘Hmm.’ Fabian didn’t look over and moved her on with a sharp tug. ‘However, I feel it would be rude to keep Imperato waiting.’
Mistral tossed her head, pulling back again, ‘Time is irrelevant to centaurs Fabian! Imperato told you that himself. You just don’t want me competing in the event!’
Fabian turned to look at her, ‘You are absolutely right. Because if you did, I would be unable to stop myself from leaping in to protect you and Bryden would have me forcibly removed; dead or alive, for violating our agreement.’
‘You’re too overprotective Fabian!’ Mistral complained. ‘In fact, I think you’re worse than Prospero!’
‘I don’t have fleas.’ Fabian said drily and pulled her on again.
‘Neither does he!’ Mistral snapped, dropping a hand to rest defensively on her dog’s anvil-sized head.
Fabian laughed quietly and shook his head, ‘Would you believe that I am occasionally jealous of that dog?’
Mistral gave him an amused look, ‘Why would you be jealous of Prospero?’
Fabian turned and looked at with her, his black eyes lit with an emotion that instantly made her pulse quicken.
‘Because he is permitted to do all the things I want. He shares your bed every night and he even swims with you –’
‘I’m not stopping you from doing any of those things,’ she whispered.
‘No, I am.’ Fabian said shortly and pulled her on at a brisk pace. ‘Which is precisely why we are going to see Imperato.’
Mistral sighed and allowed herself to be dragged away from the noise and excitement of the melee, towards what she could only assume would be something far less interesting, possibly, she decided gloomily, even dull.
Fabian and Imperato greeted one another respectfully at the edge of their camp while Mistral hung back, uncertain of how to behave around the intimidating tribe of centaurs. They seemed to have quite firm ideas on how they expected their female tribal members to behave and she was acutely aware, once again, of her too tight trousers.
‘Seer.’ Imperato greeted her solemnly. ‘Join me.’
Inviting her to walk beside him with a quiet gesture Imperato turned and strode away towards the back of their camp where the tents gave way to the steep rise of the Vale wall. Mistral hesitated and glanced at Fabian, seeing his smile of gentle encouragement she drew in a deep breath and hurried after Imperato, catching up with him at the edge of the encampment where he stopped and gazed up at the azure blue of the summer sky.
‘See.’ Imperato entreated her in a profound voice.
Mistral obediently followed his gaze and stared up at the cloudless sky, seeing nothing but the vaguest wisp of white clouds around the bright sun. Wondering if she was missing something obvious, Mistral stole a glance at Imperato out of the corner of her eye, but his trancelike state offered her no clues.
‘Er … what am I looking at?’ she eventually asked.
‘The stars.’
‘But … it’s daytime!’
Imperato turned his timeless gaze onto her, ‘Just because you cannot see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there … look … see –’
Mistral looked back up at the blue sky while Imperato began to point out the stars hidden by the blinding light of the sun. She listened to his wild voice, rich and sweet as honey, naming the constellations and describing their cycles. Lost in a world that made no sense, she could only gaze in wonderment at the vast empty space above them and feel awed by the depth of Imperato’s knowledge. She found herself struggling against an overwhelming sense of insignificance, a complete unworthiness to possess the gift that destiny had foolishly bestowed upon her.
‘Why me?’ she asked in small voice while Imperato gazed silently up at the deep blue above them. ‘I don’t have your knowledge or wisdom. A Seer should be someone like you, not me!’
Imperato turned his head slowly to look at her, ‘It is not for us to question destiny but embrace the challenge it offers and strive to fulfil the role that we are given. Do not fear your fate. Accept it willingly and begin to live your life.’
Mistral gazed wordlessly back, thinking only of Fabian and how much she wanted a life with him. After that, being a Seer easily fell into second or maybe even, third place. She was abruptly filled with powerful yearning then sighed, realising too late that Imperato had read every thought more clearly than if she had spoken them aloud.
‘Do not be ashamed of what you desire, Seer, for the two are inextricably linked. We do not choose who we are Bonded to. Our souls instinctively join with those strong enough to walk beside us along the path of destiny. I see your impatient nature and I know how much you resent the shackles you feel your gift has placed upon you, but you must alter your perception. Only when you master your gift will you truly be free.’
She frowned then gave a half-nod, ‘I understand – sort of.’
Imperato suddenly smiled, his wild face glowing with a pride that was both pleasing and slightly puzzling.
‘And now Seer, I think that you have learned enough for today.’
Imperato walked her back to where Fabian was waiting patiently with Prospero sat by his side. He turned and studied her for a moment then nodded.
‘You will See, it is written.’
Then he was gone and Fabian was taking her hand, leading her away from the centaur camp.
‘How did your meeting fare?’
‘Well, it was … different.’ Mistral muttered back.
‘Imperato has lived a long time Mistral. He has much knowledge of gifts such as yours. We must be grateful he has taken a personal interest in your destiny.’
‘Yes, mustn’t we.’ Mistral gave a roll of her eyes. ‘But on a lighter note it’s only just past noon and the duelling event won’t have started yet. If we hurry I can still enter –’
‘No Mistral. We have other plans.’
‘Unless they involve you and me eloping to some distant land where nobody cares about my damned gift then I
don’t think I’m particularly interested!’
Laughing softly, Fabian pulled her against his side and steered her firmly away from the Arena.
‘Who are we going to see this time?’ she demanded grumpily, casting a sour look over to where she could see her brothers practising by the edge of the Arena.
‘The elves you spoke with the other night. I have a strong suspicion that there is more to be learned from them.’
‘Then you’re going in the wrong direction because they’re over by the Arena.’ Mistral pointed to where the five tall elves were also practising their duelling techniques.
Fabian looked across and frowned, ‘That’s unusual. Forest elves aren’t known for being particularly good with swords.’
‘Probably can’t resist the chance to have a go at the twins.’ Mistral said, affecting concern. ‘I’d better get over there and enter. They’ll need my help –’
‘Entering this event might be a little difficult without your swords.’
Realising that her swords were still back at the tent, Mistral spun round to scowl at him, ‘You made me leave them on purpose! All that “arriving armed will be offensive to the centaurs” talk! It was just a ploy so I wouldn’t have my swords with me!’
‘Would I be so devious?’
‘Yes! But never mind, I’ll just borrow yours.’
Fabian frowned regretfully, ‘Sorry Mistral, I don’t appear to have mine with me.’
‘Fabian! You never go anywhere without your sword!’
‘Well, it certainly looks like I have today.’
‘Doesn’t it just!’ Mistral snapped.
‘Would you be content to just watch with me?’ he enquired, an inviting smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
Mistral glared into the soft darkness of his eyes and sighed, helpless to prevent herself from echoing the smile on his face.
‘I guess I’ll just have to be, won’t I?’
While Fabian went to speak with the elves Mistral hurried over to talk with her brothers, all busy preparing for the event.
‘Hey Mistral! I’ll practise with you!’ Brutus called, brandishing a gleaming new sword. ‘I’m looking forward to trying this out. It’s forged by a tribe of fighting elves in the Northern Range. They’re famous for producing good steel.’
The Assassin's Destiny (Isle of Dreams) Page 44