Flesh and Bone

by Robin Lythgoe

  FLESH AND BONE

  The Mage’s Gift: Part 2

  Robin Lythgoe

  Copyright © 2018 Robin Lythgoe

  Cover art by Boyd Lythgoe and Robin Lythgoe

  All rights reserved

  Printed in the United States of America

  No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system or data system, or transmitted in any form without prior permission from the author. All rights are reserved.

  First Electronic Edition

  Flesh and Bone is a work of fiction. Any similarity between real names, characters, places and events is purely coincidental.

  DISCLAIMER: No actual humans were harmed in the writing of this novel!

  Please visit the author’s official website:

  http://robinlythgoe.com

  or follow Robin on Twitter:

  http://twitter.com/robinlythgoe

  Contents

  Previously, in Blood and Shadow…

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Chapter 71

  Chapter 72

  Chapter 73

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Pronunciation Guide

  Also by Robin Lythgoe

  Previously, in Blood and Shadow…

  Blood and Shadow opens with the mage Bairith Mindar attempting a sacrifice to break a magical barrier keeping him from his kingdom, people, land, and wealth. He fails. Worse, the child upon whose magic so much depended dies in the debacle.

  Sherakai dan Tameko, youngest of Jansu Tanoshi’s four sons, lays out his plans not to become a warrior like his father and older brothers. He dares his best friend Chakkan to take a particularly risky dive. Chakkan, frustrated with Sherakai’s lack of responsibility, leaves. The older brothers arrive in time to witness the dive—with varying reactions. After some discussion, the brothers, horsemen all, race home. Sherakai wins, then discovers his much loved oldest sister has arrived for the upcoming wedding of the middle sister. His brother-in-law, Bairith Mindar, introduces a thread of tension regarding the subject of Sherakai’s Gift. Tameko, Sherakai’s father, tells him that Bairith wishes to take him to foster, to teach. His parents decide to send him to the College of Magic in Kesurechi instead.

  Sherakai refuses to go. His father explains the dangers of being a “squall”—an untrained mage—as well as the dangers of magical power. A proctor from the college arrives to test him. To fail the tests is to fail his father. Much to Sherakai’s surprise, he likes the man. Later, he declines an invitation to go hunting from his brothers in favor of flirting with some of the wedding guests.

  While his brothers are gone, Sherakai visits his sister Mimeru, who is sickly. She encourages him with the story of her own youth, then intimates that her husband’s healer healer is doing more harm than good. Later, Sherakai finds his parents in a private meeting, during which it is revealed that the bride is expecting a child, his brothers are missing, and the wedding is in danger of being cancelled for political and military reasons. Feeling shocked and betrayed, Sherakai flees to the stables, where he attempts a location spell. He fails, but feels he must touch the place where one of his brothers had last stood.

  Later, He visits Mimeru with his mother, and his sister reveals that her husband Bairith only wants her to give him an heir, and he is not as kind as others believe. The wedding proceeds. Sherakai sickly recalls the loss of his oldest nephew some years ago when the boy wandered away and was never found. During the festivities afterward, he coerces Chakkan to agree to help him get out of the keep. Before they can act on their plan, a special box arrives for the newlyweds. When it is opened, the dismembered body of Tasan, Sherakai’s oldest brother, falls out.

  At Tasan’s funeral Sherakai struggles under the weight of all the emotion around him, then finds a way to comfort his mother. It draws Bairith’s attention. His journey to Kesurechi is postponed until his remaining brothers are found. Lessons in the practice ring increase. After a session, he again broaches to Chakkan the topic of finding the place his brothers were taken. He has a new plan.

  Sherakai and Chakkan traverse the hidden passages, passing the keep’s double moats to emerge in the countryside, only to be caught by his father’s men when they emerge. Sherakai is subjected to lessons in strategy, warfare, economics, politics, weapons training, fitness exercises and, of course, magic. He is kept from riding his beloved horses. News arrives of the death of the king, who was Tameko’s friend. Tameko leaves to attend the funeral. Sherakai is tasked to act in his place. When a violent storm hits the district, Sherakai wavers, but ends up performing well. Captain Nayuri, his father’s friend and trusted advisor, praises his skill.

  Fazare is the next brother to be returned when his body is dragged to the keep behind a horse. Shortly afterward, Tameko returns from the capital. Within the secret passage outside his father’s office, he overhears a conversation between Tameko and Bairith, in which the latter bargains for Sherakai’s life. Tameko informs his son that he’ll be leaving in the morning—for the college by way of the capital where he will gain further protection from his uncle.

  Under the guise of a common soldier, Sherakai leaves Tanoshi Keep. A roundabout route is planned to keep the company out of sight. The role of guardsman presents new challenges. The weather thwarts them. The enemy tracks and traps them. To their shock, the enemy is none other than Bairith Mindar. Sherakai is captured, the Tanoshi guardsmen killed. Nayuri is the last to die. He tells Sherakai he has a true Gift, and that he must not lose sight of the One. Sherakai is taken to a tent and, badly wounded, he is tended by a healer. Shortly afterward, he is put on a horse and begins the trip to Bairith’s keep.

  Upon his arrival, Sherakai is taken to opulent tower rooms, bathed, and dressed. At dinner, Bairith plays the genial host and introduces him to izaku, his favorite wine. Returned to his quarters, Bairith brings in two terrible creatures, Fesh and Teth, who are to be Sherak
ai’s guards and attendants. He binds them to him magically.

  Bairith blames Tasan for misunderstanding a request and instigating the battle in which he was killed. He assures Sherakai that the men responsible for the hideous wedding “gift” are no longer breathing. Sadly, Fazare killed himself. He says nothing of the last brother, Imitoru, and Sherakai hopes he still lives. Bairith claims he has only tried to help House Tanoshi, and he will take over Sherakai’s tutoring rather than allow him to go to the college of magic.

  Twice, Sherakai attempts to escape. He nearly succeeds the second time, when he hides in a wagon going to supply troops. The demons find him. Iniki takes Sherakai back to the keep where the healer Tylond mends him and makes him swallow a potion. Afterward, he is introduced to the Hole.

  He wakes in his room with Mimeru by his side. She tells Sherakai that Bairith wants him to be his war master. Suspicions about Bairith’s other experiments—including his brothers—begin to fall into place. Bairith delivers the news that Sherakai’s uncle and family was killed during riots in the capital. Denying complicity, he reasserts his wish to help and declares that he and Sherakai will be partners. He has natural talent, and Bairith can “fix” the rest.

  Mimeru watches him take a beating in the practice ring. She advises him to use all the training he is given, all the knowledge he can glean to defeat their captors. She offers encouragement when his faith in himself wavers.

  Bairith offers Sherakai the entirety of the Westlands for his own.

  Bairith hosts a party at which Sherakai is displayed like a prize and the carefully selected guests are manipulated to discredit Tameko’s “mad” claims and further his own agenda. Any notion Sherakai might have to rebel is curtailed by a knife at Mimeru’s throat where she sits on the balcony, unable to join the guests. Apologizing for how the conversation must upset Sherakai, he has him escorted away.

  As incentive for Sherakai’s cooperation, Bairith locks sickly Mimeru in one of the cells. She advises and encourages him. At practice, Iniki soothes Sherakai’s anger and offers a conundrum. He’s to teach Sherakai how to best his enemies. What Sherakai does with that knowledge is out of Iniki’s hands.

  Sent to Tylond for mending again, Sherakai is measured for alterations and insulted. Afterward, Bairith uses blood magic to create a bond between them. Bairith begins teaching Sherakai magic skills. He practices magic on Fesh, influencing confidence, but is interrupted by the arrival of the nameless woman who once tended him. She warns him that he cannot steal Fesh and Teth. He tells her that many people will die unless she helps him stop Bairith—who happens to arrive in the middle of Sherakai’s temper. Bairith sends her away and reminds Sherakai that he can never break the magic that joins them.

  The nameless woman approaches him. She has yet to decide whether or not to help him, but warns him to be careful for his path his dangerous and it frightens her. She does not know which way is right. She agrees to help Mimeru.

  Deishi dan Arunakun arrives to help Sherakai progress with his skills. He is handsome, talented, and charming. Sherakai is resentful. Deishi is a water mage. Ironically, he has been afforded the best weapons tutors his father could afford, but is forbidden the military career he dreams of. Deishi is polite and kind. Sensing Sherakai’s discomfort, he offers his help.

  Deishi hears Sherakai’s story, then asks what he will do. Sherakai can trust no one. Deishi tells him the story of Tameko coming to the keep with his men, and the fight he lost. Tameko returned with a mercenary company, which was driven back. Complaints have been lodged with the new king. Lawyers are dragging things out. Sherakai fears for his father and his House.

  Bairith requires Sherakai to use his magic on Deishi in order to judge his progress. His hatred for Bairith increases tenfold. Using his Voice on Bairith, he insists that Deishi is healed completely. Bairith gives instructions on how to heal—and insists Sherakai attend to Deishi. He fails. Sherakai advises Deishi to leave the keep. Later, Deishi does not even remember the incident. Sherakai is stunned, but plans to be gone before Bairith demands repayment.

  He drugs Deishi and the beasts. He must focus on remaining calm and thinking of mundane things to deceive Bairith. The nameless woman provides a parcel of clothes for him and gives him the bleakstone bit. She instructs him that he must do whatever it takes to get away, even if it means killing. The future depends on his escape.

  Fearing a trap, he makes his way to the room where Mimeru will be waiting for him. She is there, dressed for travel. A fight leaves a stablehand fatally wounded. Sherakai coaxes three of the Children of the Wind (magical horses) to help him. Mimeru fears his cold attitude. They make their escape through a secret tunnel hidden in the stables.

  Weather and lack of sleep take their toll. They are followed by a whirlwind of white that slowly gains on them. Sherakai realizes it is a single man, a mage. He urges his sister to run for Tanoshi Keep for help and prepares himself for battle.

  The mage is not Bairith, but Iniki. He walks beside Sherakai. They talk about the horses and Tasan. Sherakai whirls on him. Pressing the bleakstone against Iniki’s skin severs the mage’s connection to magic and gives Sherakai a split second to cut Iniki’s throat. Shocked and horrified by what he has done, he can only think of going home for help.

  Mimeru comes back for him. He tells her he killed Iniki and she is broken-hearted for him. Finally, they see Tanoshi Keep. Mourning banners flow like golden tears from the rooftops. Sherakai resolves to go take them down…

  Chapter 1

  A soft, warm wind melted the snow and transformed the road to mud. Sherakai dan Tameko didn’t mind. Home lay just around the corner and up the hill. He’d have run the distance if not for his sister. How Mimeru had come so far, sick as she was, astounded and worried him. The horse she rode stepped carefully, and Sherakai dared not set a pace that might upset that wary balance.

  The mare he’d convinced to carry him had turned her pretty nose up at the blood on his tunic and refused to let him mount. The other two horses avoided him as well. He was glad they'd brought them this far. It was much to ask of the Indimi-o per'la Tojitu—the Children of the Wind. He dared not put aside the bleakstone to call upon the magic. While it had not prevented Iniki dan Sorehi from finding him, Bairith Mindar had not yet done the same. For his sister's sake, and his own, he chose the protection.

  “You’re thinking about Mage Iniki again, aren’t you? His death wasn’t your fault, Kai. You’re still you.”

  “Am I?” He wiped his hands on his pants yet again. He'd washed the blood from them, but not from his memory. Not from his senses. He could still smell the metallic tang.

  She chewed on her lip the same way he did when he thought. “You’re a little older, a little wiser now, but that doesn’t change your heart. Promise me something.”

  Mimeru’s earnest expression tugged at a slender strand of hope. “Anything.”

  Her mouth turned down in exasperation. “First, never agree to anything ever until you understand what is wanted. Second, promise me you will stay true to yourself.”

  “What if I don’t know what—who—I am?”

  Silence followed them for a short distance. Then, “You are what and who you decide to be, no matter what others might do to you. Bairith might take your freedom, Iniki might shape your body into a warrior, Tylond might fill you with drugs that do awful things, but they can only change your heart if you let them.”

  Night and day their actions and their words chafed him. They rubbed at who he was until the friction threatened to set him on fire. Bairith, his own brother-in-law, treated him with callous brutality—and expected Sherakai's gratitude for his awful 'gifts.' Tylond Corlyr, whose Healing Gift should have provided relief from pain and fear, was a sadistic monster. Iniki dan Sorehi drove him so hard it made his old weapons master look like a nursemaid. Only Iniki had any honor. And Iniki was dead. “What they do—what they did wears on me.”

  “I know, dear one. I know…”

  “I’m sorry.” D
ismay swept through him. He shouldn’t complain so. Straightening his shoulders made the skin across his back burn, a reminder of the other body he’d left behind. The stable hand whose only crime was to be in the wrong place. “My troubles are nothing compared to yours. How did you survive? You haven’t changed. You’re not bitter.”

  “Can you walk closer?” she asked, and he eased a little nearer to wrap one hand around her booted ankle. The mare swiveled her ears and swished her tail. One dark eye rolled at him, but Mimeru murmured soft words and patted the horse’s neck until she settled. “I know you don’t wish to be a warrior.” Her lips tightened as she hesitated. “It is a state, a conviction that has to happen in your heart as well as your head. Still, if you had not learned what you needed to do to stop Iniki, we would be on our way back to Heaven’s Gate now.”