by L. S. Gibson
Even though he was ready after thirty minutes, Ninian decided to give Jhond more time. He imagined his young friend needed to get a grip on his emotions before he faced his family again. Ninian had been very aware of how difficult Jhond had found it speaking to his mother and siblings and he sensed it would be even harder for Jhond to face his father.
Deciding an hour was long enough, Ninian knocked on Amired's door and when the captain opened it, Ninian was pleased to see he had donned his best clothes, too.
Amired smiled and said, "You felt it, too."
"Felt it?"
"The need to look one's best."
"Ah, yes. I felt decidedly under-dressed."
"I admit, I was rather intimidated when I saw the type of lifestyle Jhond comes from."
"Didn't he tell you his family is close to the king?"
"I think that tidbit of information slipped by me," Amired said, with a twist of his lips.
"Let's go find Jhond."
"Third door on the left," Amired commented.
"I know."
Amired frowned. "Now why don't I think that's because you bothered to check which room he went to."
Ninian smiled. "Because I didn't."
Amired harrumphed and led the way to Jhond's room. He was about to knock when the door opened. Jhond smiled as he looked at both of his friends, though Ninian noted the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm glad to see you've dressed for the occasion," Jhond commented. "I had meant to mention my mother's partiality for correctness."
Amired laughed. "Not sure it needed mentioning."
"Come on. Let's join the family."
Jhond led the way downstairs and into the drawing room. Jhond's mother was already there with his sisters and even as they took their seats, Tiran and Rhou entered.
"You look better after your short rest," Lady Narissa began, only to be interrupted by a sharp voice as the door opened.
"Blanel told me that--" The voice stopped as abruptly as it had started. Lord Girau stared at his son, eyes widening as a faint smile graced his lips. "Jhond," he murmured, stepping forward, hands outstretched, reaching for his son, only to fall to his side before touching him. "Jhond," Girau repeated, his voice louder, but somehow less steady, "it's so good to see you again."
Ninian heard the unspoken, "I feared I might never set eyes on you again."
* * * *
Jhond stared into his father's eyes, seeing joy swiftly replaced with uncertainty, even a hint of fear. It was clear from what his family hadn't said to him that his father had kept his secret. Jhond had no wish to hurt his mother and the rest of his family by revealing it now and he knew to avoid confusion and any resulting questions he needed to quash his own resentment at his father. He had already hesitated long enough; he saw the frown that crossed Rhou's features and the question in his mother's eyes.
He moved closer to his father. "It's good to be home, Father," he said quietly, reaching out a hand, which his father grasped tightly in his two-handed grip.
"I can't tell you how grateful I am to see you well. I've been so concerned. Rhou had tried to find some trace of you, but it was as if you'd disappeared."
"Jhond has a story to tell us, Father," Rhou interjected, "but he wouldn't speak of it until he'd spoken to you first."
"Come...we will go to my study," Lord Girau said.
"Let me introduce my friends first, Father. They are very much part of my story." He introduced Ninian and Amired, and though Lord Girau was polite, his curiosity was obvious.
"Shall we wait? Dinner will be served shortly," Lady Narissa commented.
"I'm sorry, my dear, but I cannot eat without knowing what happened to Jhond." He glanced around at his family. "You have your meal and, Narissa, if you would ask the kitchen to keep ours until later?"
Jhond followed his father into his study, trailed by Ninian and Amired. He felt strange to be close to his father again. At one time, he'd never expected to see the man again. Now it appeared he had more important things to concern him than his father's misdeeds.
Once they were all seated comfortably, Jhond began by asking his father to please hear him out before asking any questions. "I know it will be difficult because what I have to tell you will seem unbelievable, but if you start interrupting, querying this or that... Well, please, Father, bear with me."
Lord Girau frowned, but he nodded.
Jhond started speaking, slowly at first, until he relaxed as his words took him back to those days, which now seemed so long ago.
* * * *
Girau listened to his son's description of what had happened to him, hardly daring to believe what Jhond had gone through. Occasionally, Ninian or Captain Amired would add a little information to the tale, not that it needed any embellishment. Girau did as Jhond asked and didn't interrupt to ask any questions, but his mind was spinning with the need to understand--and accept--what his son claimed, though he baulked when Jhond finished by explaining they had needed to return to search the Reeve library.
"It sounds as if you wouldn't have returned home otherwise," Girau stated.
Jhond stared at his father. "No, I wouldn't."
Girau paled and sucked in a breath.
"I'm sorry, but it hurt to come back here," Jhond added.
Girau squared his shoulders and said, "I listened carefully to all you said, though, you can understand my skepticism about some of it."
"Yes. Believe me, it was as hard for me to learn the truth." Jhond glanced at Ninian.
"I hardly know what to say," Girau commented. "It's just so...so..."
"Unbelievable?" Jhond questioned, his voice tired, perhaps even a little defeated.
"I didn't say I don't believe you, Son, but you must admit it's a lot for me to accept. You are the Eynan, the...the person we have awaited for so long that the very idea has become nothing more than legend, even a legend many of our people have forgotten?"
"I know you believe in some of the old legends, Father. You can't have grown up with Papa Marvek and not done so."
"True, but knowing of such possibilities and believing my own son is the Eynan..."
"Would perhaps a demonstration help you to accept?" Ninian asked.
Girau felt his eyebrow rise as he turned to the man--the mage. "From you?"
"If you wish, but I meant from Jhond."
Girau swallowed as he looked again at his son. "Would you think less of me than you do now if I asked you to show me something?"
Jhond looked at his father. "No." He paused, chewing his lower lip, then added, "And I think it better if we put our past behind us. To continue our...disagreement solves nothing and only serves to put stumbling blocks in our way."
Girau knew this was no answer to their problem, but he also accepted it was probably the best he was going to get and, if he accepted Jhond's offer, perhaps their relationship could begin again. "I am more than willing if you are, Son."
"Very well. A demonstration." Jhond glanced at Ninian.
"Perhaps something simple to begin with," Ninian suggested. "The jewelite."
Jhond nodded and slipped a hand into a pocket, bringing out a tiny gem. He laid it in the palm of his hand and stared at it. After a second or two, the jewel slowly rose into the air and almost at once it began to glow, faintly at first, but as it rose higher, it became brighter. Jhond walked toward the fireplace and the glowing gem hovered in the air scarce inches from his head. Jhond held out his hand again and the jewel dimmed and dropped back into his palm, where it was just a small gem again.
"Clever, but that could just be a very special jewel," Girau said. He didn't truly doubt his son, but neither was he going to simply accept what he had been told. For all he knew, Jhond could have been fooled by these two men. Jhond obviously had complete trust in them, especially the one called Ninian, but that didn't mean he should.
Ninian smiled and turned his gaze on Jhond, who silently moved to the center of the room. Jhond closed his eyes, and Girau saw his mouth move, but could
hear no words. One by one, books rose from the shelves and moved into a circle around Jhond, where they began to spin and dance around him, faster and faster in an intricate pattern. From Girau's desk, a paperknife rose, and a crystal paperweight joined in the dance. Girau was nervous at the sight of the sharp knife whipping through the air so close to his son's head. He rose to his feet as he watched the knife shoot up above Jhond's head and hover there, its blade aimed at Jhond's scalp. Ninian's hand on his arm stopped him and he switched his gaze to look at the other man.
Ninian whispered, "Don't disturb his concentration."
Girau licked his lips and looked back at his son. The books had ceased their dance and were creating a neat pile in the air beside Jhond. The paperweight gently settled on the top of the stack of books and then, with a speed Girau couldn't follow, the paperknife shot down and slammed into the top of the paperweight, its blade clearly visible in the center of the heavy crystal.
Jhond turned to face his father, a question in his eyes. Girau stepped up to his son. He met his gaze for a moment before looking once again at the spectacle still hovering beside Jhond. As he watched, the paperweight floated back to its place on his desk, the knife held tightly in its grasp, and the books returned to their places on the shelves. Within a matter of seconds, it looked as if nothing had taken place in the room, except for the knife embedded in the paperweight.
"I still don't know what to say," Girau murmured.
"Do you still doubt my ability?"
"I don't doubt you have some...skill I can't explain, but whether that makes you the Eynan, I cannot say."
Ninian came closer. "How much do you know of the history of the Reeve family? Of its involvement with the Council of the Magi? Did you know that the Doyen of the House of Reeve was the last council major? Or that your son is the present Doyen of the House of Reeve?"
Girau took a deep breath. "I admit I know less about it than Jhond. My youngest son was the only one ever really interested in the old library. He spent a lot of time there with his grandfather, too much I often thought. My father was very interested in the history of our family, and I know he believed many of the old stories, the legends of mages and powerful magic, but growing up, I always thought they were just stories for children and gullible old men.
"I admit I did temper my opinion as I grew older and came to understand there was some truth in the stories. I know the mages truly existed. Exist." He glanced at Jhond before returning his gaze to Ninian. "It was through my father that he gained his obsession with the Temple of the Magi at Tandera. I have, of course, heard of the title, Doyen, though I didn't know my family had been so involved in the old times, and I don't understand what you mean by saying my son is the present Doyen of our House."
Girau listened as Ninian explained in detail about the power of the magi and the importance of the doyen of each of the major houses. He talked of the last days when the magi council prepared for the retreat from the world of men and the preparations for the future when the magi would be needed again. Girau still found it hard to believe that his quiet, studious youngest son could be this long-awaited savior, a powerful mage who would help bring peace and understanding back to the world.
He was still trying to come to terms with it when Captain Amired's stomach reminded them all that they had still not eaten. Girau was about to suggest he send for Blanel to provide some food when Ninian spoke up.
"Leave it to me," he said, as he took a small, flat stone from his pocket.
He placed it in the palm of his hand, and Girau wondered what was coming next. Ninian passed his other hand over the stone, muttering under his breath. The stone changed texture and a small column of smoke rose from it. Girau backed away nervously. The smoke coiled in the center of the room and when it cleared, there was a small table in its place, covered with food.
"Now we can eat," Ninian said calmly, sitting at one of the four chairs surrounding the table. Jhond and Amired sat without comment. Ninian smiled at Girau, saying, "Aren't you hungry?"
Girau sat down. "I think I'm too bemused to eat."
Chapter 24
Patinus called on Rhou at the Ministry of Information on the pretext of discovering the up-to-date situation regarding the threat of the Illurian Empire. His real purpose was to try to find out if Rhou had any more information about the whereabouts of his brother, Jhond. Instead, almost as soon as Rhou welcomed him, Rhou was excitedly telling him that his missing brother was no longer missing. Jhond was home safe and sound. Now Patinus didn't know what to think, how to feel.
He tried to concentrate on what Rhou was telling him, something about how Jhond simply turned up the previous day in the company of two men, who, though strangers to the Reeve family, they were now close friends of Jhond. Apparently, Jhond had quite the story to tell.
"Really?" asked Patinus, his interest quite definitely piqued now. "And may I hear this story?"
Rhou shrugged. "It's not my story to tell, and I'm not even sure if I believe all of it." Rhou smiled and added, "My brother did spend far too much time in the library listening to our grandfather's tales."
Patinus frowned. "Are you suggesting he made up this unbelievable story?"
"Dear me, no. I have reason to believe everything he told us. Now I'm giving you a bad impression of someone you've never even met."
"I've heard a fair bit about him, though," Patinus said. "Opinions vary it would seem, but I've never heard it said that he was a storyteller."
"Well, perhaps when you meet him, you can form your own opinion."
"Is that likely? I mean with..." Patinus paused. "I'm not sure how Gallia will feel about meeting him again. I've never learned the story from her side, but I gather they parted under less than favorable conditions."
"I have little light to shed on that subject either. I think the only other person besides Gallia who knows the truth of their situation is my father. As far as I am concerned--and my family, too, I know--Gallia will always be welcome in our home, and as her husband, our doors are open to you, too, Patinus!"
"To be honest, I would like to meet"--he lifted an eyebrow--"my 'rival.' I will speak to Gallia."
"Tell her you've been invited to visit for lunch tomorrow."
"You aren't suggesting I don't tell her and just spring a surprise on her?"
"Goodness, no, that would be unkind to both of them. I was thinking if you tell her along with the invitation, her curiosity might make her accept."
Patinus laughed, but with little humor. "More likely she would accept out of anger and want to give the young man a piece of her mind."
It was Rhou's turn to frown. "You think she is still angry and hurt? I thought perhaps with your marriage she might have let go of the past. You seem happy together."
Patinus didn't answer right away. He didn't really know what to say. He caught Rhou staring at him curiously and thought perhaps the truth was not only easier, but safer. "I suppose I can't really say exactly how she feels about your brother; it's something she refuses to discuss. She does seem content in our marriage now, but if I'm being honest, I will admit I wish she cared for me as much as I do for her."
Rhou cocked his head to one side. "Thank you for being so open with me, Patinus. That can't have been easy for you." He smiled. "I did think you cared for her greatly and I've seen how much more comfortable she has become over the last few weeks. Perhaps Jhond's return might be for the best and she can finally put their past behind her."
"If I may ask," Patinus said, "has your brother given any indication of his regard for Gallia?"
Rhou looked uncomfortable. "He only referred to her in answer to a question from our mother and said little more than that he was aware of her marriage."
Patinus was sure more had been said, but it was obvious Rhou was uncomfortable revealing anything further; Jhond's personal feelings were hardly any concern of his. He made his farewells, citing he wished to speak to Gallia sooner rather later, especially as he wanted to gain her agreement to
attend lunch at the Reeve house the following day.
* * * *
Ninian looked around the secret archive hidden inside the Reeve library, and even though he'd expected something special, he hadn't been prepared for the number of books lining shelf after shelf.
"Wow," Amired said, echoing Ninian thoughts.
"Yes, I admit I was surprised by the size of this library when my father showed it to me after my grandfather's death. I knew of its existence before then, but my imagination couldn't match up to the reality."
"And just where do we start looking?" Amired asked.
"Is there a catalogue of some sort?" Ninian queried.
"Yes. In the information passed on from Papa Marvek were strict instructions to keep up the catalogue if I gathered any new volumes."
"Papa Marvek?" Amired frowned.
"Ah, my nickname for my grandfather. He didn't like Grandpa or other such nicknames and I came up with that for him when I was child. He liked it; it stuck. Even my father called him Papa Marvek." Jhond smiled at the memory.
Jhond walked over the small desk in the center from which the various sections of shelving spread out. He opened the central drawer and pulled out a leather-backed volume. As he opened it up, Ninian and Amired gathered close to look over his shoulder.
"What was that phrase again?" Amired queried.
Jhond quoted: "To find the key, search the library in the House of the Doyen."
"Not exactly informative," Amired said.
"I suppose it needed to be vague in case it fell into the wrong hands," Ninian said.
"True, but did it have to be so vague I've no idea where to start looking?" commented Jhond.
"Is there any reference to an actual key?" Amired wondered.
"I doubt it, but I suppose it's as good a starting point as any."
They searched various references--key had been useless--though there had been lots of records for crystal and many more for magi, but very little about the Eynan, which Jhond had found surprising, though Ninian felt that was to be expected.