The Watchers in Exile

by Barbara V. Evers

  Montee exchanged an alarmed look with Joannu, and the two jumped up to follow the queen.

  Adana reared her head back when Joannu blocked her from running out into the street. Her voice sparked with fury. “Allow me through.”

  Montee took hold of Adana’s arm and drew her back toward the center of the room. Adana battled each step. She fought like a wild animal.

  Montee blocked Adana from the door. Whatever was happening with the giraffes, the queen was there, not here. She needed to break into her vision. If she used force to stop this sudden outburst, she might hurt the queen. She sidestepped as Adana sought an exit. “You can’t rush out there.”

  A quick glance toward the door showed Montee nothing. She nodded to Joannu. “Check the street.”

  Joannu slid past Adana and stood just inside the doorway. She peered into the street, checking the surroundings before stepping out onto the porch. Jerold followed her.

  Montee grasped Adana’s shoulders. She peered into her eyes. “What is it? What is wrong?”

  The girl’s nose flared in determination. Her feet pawed the ground like a raging bull’s, forcing Montee to tighten her hold.

  “I must stop them. Danger. Wrong.” Adana twisted in Montee’s grasp. “Let me go.”

  Joannu returned. She shook her head. “There’s nothing out there.”

  Adana still struggled against Montee. What was happening with the giraffes? She considered sending Joannu to check on them, but the earlier gathering of angry villagers stayed her decision.

  Montee took hold of Adana’s arms, holding them close to her sides. “Does Am’brosia need help? What do you see?”

  Adana froze, her mouth turned down. She blinked at Montee, but her sight remained distant.

  Behind Montee, Talia’s voice rose in command. “Fire’s breath. What new trouble have you brought? I agreed with the villagers not to trust another Watcher. I break that agreement, and reap this catastrophe.”

  Montee turned to reprimand the innkeeper, but Elayne reached the woman first.

  “Her Majesty is experiencing a communication with the royal giraffe.” Elayne’s soothing tones dropped to a whisper as she pulled Talia away. “Feel honored you are here to witness it.”

  Montee still held Adana. The queen stood before her, body rigid and eyes focused elsewhere. The rank smell of fear rose from her.

  “Help Am’brosia from here,” she said. “Tell us what you see.”

  Adana swung her head and choked out in alarm. “Armed men.”

  “Soldiers?” Joannu hurried to the door and scanned the street again. “No one is there.”

  “No one?” Talia yanked her arm out of Elayne’s grasp and stormed toward Montee and Adana.

  Whip-fast, Elayne grabbed Talia’s arm. Her fingers turned white at the knuckles as she held tight to the woman’s arm.

  The innkeeper struggled against her. “Unhand me!”

  “When you are calm.” Joannu approached the two. Arms crossed, she stood in front of Talia. “I’ll watch her.” She jutted her chin toward the street. “See if you hear anything.”

  Elayne hurried to the queen’s side, ignoring the innkeeper’s confused response. “Of course, she hears this outburst. We all do.”

  Joannu advanced a step closer to the innkeeper. Montee focused her attention back on Adana. “You see soldiers? Where, Your Majesty? How many?”

  In reply, Adana started to pitch her head around wildly, again.

  Elayne stepped from Adana’s side. Her head tilted one way and then the other. She shot a menacing look at the innkeeper, who kept up a stream of grumbling comments. Jerold remained at the door, watching the street.

  With careful, measured steps, the Listener approached the doorway as if dragged by her right ear. Montee watched out of the corner of her eye while keeping an eye on Adana, who still swung her head around in confusion and alarm. She shot an occasional glance toward Joannu and Talia. The innkeeper must know something. Montee bit her tongue and prayed for Elayne to hurry. If she ever found the Watchers responsible for this reaction to their presence, stripping them of their rank and throwing them in a dungeon of darkness would be lenient.

  After a few more breaths, Elayne returned to Montee and whispered, “It sounds like an angry gang. More than before.”

  “How far? What about metal?” Montee thought for a moment. “Clanging?”

  Elayne shook her head. “Not far. No metal.”

  Montee sought Adana’s wild gaze again. “Adana, please.” She gave her arm a slight squeeze. “What do you see?”

  Adana slumped against Montee. “Surrounded. Angry.”

  “Will she be all right?” Elayne dropped her voice lower as she spoke to Montee, an obvious attempt to prevent the innkeeper from hearing.

  Jerold had followed Elayne to Montee’s side. “Am’brosia must have panicked. The bond must be strong and close.” He cocked an eyebrow at Montee. “Am’brosia’s emotions have overwhelmed the queen.”

  Montee understood Jerold’s confusion. At her age, Adana should dominate the connection and not let the giraffe’s emotions overcome her. One more problem combined with impending war for her to correct. Her attention returned to the queen as the fight seeped from her. She fell against Montee, who settled her into a chair. Despair poured from the young queen’s eyes.

  “Watch her,” Montee said to Elayne and Jerold.

  Withdrawing, she turned an angry glare on the innkeeper. “What have you done?”

  Head shaking back and forth, Talia backed away from Montee.

  “Unless I miss my hunch, those are your villagers out there.” Montee took a step closer.

  The innkeeper’s back straightened. “We have to protect ourselves.”

  Grabbing Talia’s arm, Montee shoved her toward the door. “In the name of your queen, call them off. Now.”

  “But—”

  “Now.” Montee glared at her. “And beware,” she shoved her face up close to Talia’s, “no harm better come to the giraffes. None.”

  * * *

  Adana watched Joannu escort Talia to talk to the mob. The moment they reached Am’brosia, the image of the two women filtered along the bond. Talia, looking much plumper than she actually was, walked beside Joannu, who looked twice as tall as normal, and the crowd surrounding the giraffes backed away in deference to the innkeeper.

  She breathed a sigh of relief. “They’re there.”

  The chair beside Adana scraped the floor as Montee sat beside her. “What do you see?”

  “The villagers stepped back for Talia. She spoke to them, and no one appears to object. They hold her in high regard.”

  “Are you sure?” Montee leaned forward.

  Fighting a desire to lay her head down on the table and rest, Adana sent the image of looking around through the link. In moments, Am’brosia was showing her the people surrounding them.

  “That man. Clart is frowning, his arms crossed.” She scanned the rest. “The others show no tension in their faces or shoulders. Some are staring at the giraffes like trainees do.” Adana smiled at that image. As much as Moniah honored the giraffe, every year, several of the Watcher candidates greeted a giraffe up close for the first time. The awe on the villagers’ faces resembled the trainees’ reactions.

  The image from Am’brosia flickered with amusement, and Adana perked up. “Ah. It appears Talia has noticed Clart’s anger. She’s shouting in his face just like Kassa used to do in training exercises. He’s backing down.”

  The air stirred as Montee rose from her chair. “Good. How many are there?”

  “Close to thirty. Then, of course, Veana and Sinti and Glume.”

  The information appeared to satisfy Montee who left Adana’s side and wandered toward the door. Quiet settled over the inn.

  The scraping of chairs on the floor drew Adana’s attention to Elayne. She wandered through the common room, righting the few chairs knocked out of position. Most ladies wouldn’t think to straighten chairs, especially in an i
nn. Odd.

  Her curiosity evaporated as the presence of Am’brosia drew closer. With a glad cry, Adana ran to the window.

  The royal giraffes, Am’brosia and Bai’dish, ambled into the village of Roshar. Neither appeared any worse for their mistreatment. Glume walked between them, his head bent in consternation. To either side of the giraffes walked Sinti and Veana. Talia led the villagers, and Joannu followed them, her posture tense and alert.

  Montee came to stand beside Adana but turned back to address Elayne and Jerold. “Remember, no one must know about Adana. These are not Bai’dish and Am’brosia; these are extra giraffes from Moniah’s herds.”

  “What if someone already said something?” Elayne whispered.

  Adana glanced her way. “They won’t. It’s part of Watcher training.”

  “What about Glume?”

  Montee shook her head. “He rarely talks. I guarantee you he has not said anything to these people, except to chastise them for harassing the giraffes.”

  She turned toward Adana. “Have you communicated your wishes to Am’brosia?”

  “Yes.”

  In public, Am’brosia was trained to spread her forelegs and lower her head toward the ground whenever she greeted Adana. Today, she must not. Adana noticed a twitch in the giraffe’s jaw muscle, a distant tremor from Am’brosia’s scowl of disapproval over the command.

  Despite her displeasure, the giraffe would comply, but she had been quick to relay her own order to Adana. Bai’dish must be taken to Kiffen. Glume had agreed to accompany him.

  Shock raced through Adana’s mind at the implication of the vision. How did Am’brosia know what Glume would do? Could this be another gap in her knowledge of the bond?

  Maternal superiority flowed from Am’brosia. Although Adana could not describe how she knew it, Am’brosia was trying to tell her she had a lot to learn about their connection.

  Montee led the way into the street. Am’brosia played the role well, never even looking at Adana. Instead, with a hint of amusement skipping down the link, she butted her head against one of the villagers who had attempted to draw close.

  Beside Am’brosia, Bai’dish stood tall, his neck extended its full length as he looked over the crowd, his stare so intent, the entire throng of people turned to see what had captured the giraffe’s interest.

  A cluster of Teachers of the Faith approached from the other direction, a man of about thirty years in the lead. As they stopped before the Watchers and Sir Jerold, the townspeople stepped back, deference reflected on their faces. Even Talia gave way to these representatives of the Creator.

  The teacher in the forefront was a muscular, tall man. His sandy-brown hair hung to his shoulders and covered his face in a bushy beard. He regarded the group with serious, brown eyes until his gaze fell on Adana and Elayne. It flicked between the two and then settled on Jerold. When he spoke, his deep voice carried a friendly tone. “The Temple welcomes these Watchers to our small home. Would you join us there?”

  Jerold turned to Montee. “What is your preference?”

  Both glanced back at Talia, who appeared to agree with the teacher. Maybe she’d had enough excitement for the day.

  Montee inclined her head in thanks. “We accept your offer.”

  “Excellent.” The teacher smiled and nodded toward them, but Adana felt his gaze settle on her, again. She noted a flicker of awareness lighting his eyes, and her stomach, unsettled as it was, lurched. “I’m Brother Honest. The Teachers of the Faith in Roshar are honored to host you. Our temple rarely receives visitors.”

  Adana held back before following the man and the others. This teacher, a man unknown to her before, lived in her dream. He was the teacher who held the branch out to her as the river carried her away.

  * * *

  The temple was small, but, to Adana’s surprise, the grounds surrounding it encompassed a small estate, with a high stone wall encircling it. She followed her companions as the teachers led them down a wide corridor through the living quarters. The walls of this building reminded her of home, the sandstone reflecting the light shining through numerous openings cut into the walls. The teachers who greeted them broke off from their assemblage as they passed various corridors, until Brother Honest and a young boy were the only ones accompanying them. Brother Honest entered a room near the center of the building.

  “Our solarium provides a peaceful place to rest and relax, especially during the heat of midday.”

  Potted trees and plants scattered around the room created a garden-like atmosphere, and the sweet perfume of late-blooming flowers permeated the air. In the center of the room, several cushioned chairs sat around a circular table with an unlit brazier in the center. Adana glanced up and noted a covered hole in the ceiling. She glanced at Elayne. What would a Listener notice in this room?

  The lady’s head tilted to her left, a smile spreading across her face. She glanced toward a corner. Adana followed Elayne’s gaze and spotted a tiny fountain. Its gurgle sounded hushed in the large room.

  As they settled into soft chairs, Brother Honest sent the boy to ensure the giraffes were provided shade, feed, and water. After the boy trotted away, Brother Honest turned to the group and smiled. “We’ve had a giraffe paddock for many years. I’m glad giraffes will finally inhabit it, even if for a short time.”

  He walked back to the large, wooden doors and shut them, closing out the sounds of the servants and teachers going about their daily duties. His gaze drifted back over to Adana and Elayne. Her skin prickled as he studied them intensely. After a few seconds, he approached and knelt before Adana.

  Adana swallowed at the man’s recognition, and a ripple of surprise ran through their group.

  “Your Majesty, I am relieved to find you alive and in my humble order. The Teachers and I will assist you in any way necessary.”

  Adana struggled to remember if she had ever met this man, but her only memory came from the prophetic dream. Every time she woke from the dream, she wondered who he was. Now, he knelt before her. Should she trust him? Even if she only knew him through her dream, she doubted a man who tried to save her would cause her harm. She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Arise, Brother Honest, and tell us how you come to know me on sight?”

  The man smiled before standing. “Mother Sariah describes you well. I’ve seen your likeness in her painting.”

  “Sariah!” Adana sat forward. “Is she here? Is she well?”

  “No, Your Majesty.” His shoulders sagged. “We have heard nothing of Mother Sariah.”

  “Oh.” Adana sank back into the seat. Disappointment, mixed with overwhelming fatigue, enveloped her.

  “I had hoped you might bring news of the Protector.” Brother Honest glanced around the group. “And I’m hoping your being alive means the rumor of your father’s death isn’t true, either.”

  Fighting the despair his words wrought, Adana said, “No, I’m sad to confirm the news of my father’s death.”

  “And King Donel?”

  She nodded.

  Honest backed up to a chair and sat. The pleasant expression his face had worn moments earlier turned tortured. “I am sorry for your losses, my queen. If I can offer any comfort, I am at your disposal.”

  As much as she desired comfort, Adana denied herself that, especially from one of the Creator’s teachers. Too much stood at stake for her to find time to mourn more than she’d already done. She glanced around the room, noting the pallor of sorrow settling on each person. As queen, she must move them forward.

  With a deep inhalation, she sought energy. Am’brosia complied with a jolt through the link. First, she must learn more about how he recognized her.

  “You said Sariah paints? You have seen my face in her paintings?” She shared a look with Montee. It might prove difficult to keep her presence a secret if many had seen the paintings. “Who else might recognize me due to these paintings?”

  “No one, save me. There’s only one painting. The Mother told me she painted
it for my eyes only. She assured me I would need to know your face some day. I thought she meant because you would be queen.” He regarded her, wonder in his gaze. “It seems Sariah knew more than she told me.”

  “They usually do,” Adana said under her breath. A painting of her resided in this sanctuary for the teachers. Adana couldn’t recall ever seeing her likeness in a painting. “I would like to see it.”

  “Of course.”

  “We both would like to see it, but for now, I must ask you,” the First Vision nodded toward Elayne and Adana, “how you knew which one was Queen Adana?”

  Honest smiled. “I hesitated for a moment. No offense to you.” He nodded toward Elayne. “The queen has a royal demeanor. She holds her head like a queen. Anyone familiar with Watchers couldn’t miss her stance, either. You,” he hesitated as he turned toward Elayne, again, “must still be in training.”

  Adana thought about her mother’s bearing. Did she really carry herself with such confidence? Did her stance give away her Watcher training? She glanced at Elayne who had opened her mouth to speak.

  Montee interrupted. “You have keen eyes, Brother. Were you raised among Watchers by any chance?”

  “Yes.” His mouth stretched into a sad smile. “My mother died fighting Maligon. She was young, not fully trained.” He settled into a seat. “War sends them into battle, no matter the experience.”

  The mention of war crowded other thoughts from Adana’s head. She faced some of the same obstacles her mother had, but with less training or capability. And Honest’s words caused her to recall Montee’s warning that Watchers earned their promotions on the battlefield. Could she prevent this from happening, again? The pain of losing her parents too early created a hole in her core. One she doubted would ever heal. She didn’t even know which of her Watchers had young children. “What rank was your mother?”

  “My mother was an Archer when the war started. She moved quickly up the ranks and earned her Watcher rank when she died.” His gaze softened. “Queen Chiora visited me, along with Father Tonch, soon after. Your mother was a gracious and great queen, Your Majesty. I’m sure you will be just as she.”