“Welcome back, my lady.” The Peddlers’ Guildmaster bowed low. “I trust your abrupt departure had a fruitful ending.”
Liara tried to decipher what his posture and the lack of emotion in his voice meant. “We were successful.”
“What news do you have about the rest of the land?” the head of the Woodworkers asked.
Liara studied the man. Did he know one of his Council members planned to steal members from his guild? “The stronghold of the wizards lies in ruins. Their treasury has been found. The Master wizards are dead. Many of those they corrupted have been saved.”
“What do you mean?” The woman who ruled the Clothiers’ Guild glanced at her fellow Council members.
“As we said. Most of the wizards are either dead or mind-blasted.” Valmir placed his hands against the table. “Some have recovered but their talents are blunted.”
The Guildmaster of the Minstrels leaned forward. Her dark eyes filled with curiosity. “You must give me a full report of the incident. Even now, our members work on songs and stories about the battle between the White and Black Jewels. Are you sure the wizards who held the most power are gone?”
“A few of the lesser wizards escaped their lair and at least one is now dead,” Valmir said. “These evil men remain as a threat but in time all will face justice.”
Liara met the gaze of the head of the Peddlers’ Guild. “What reports have you from your journeymen?”
“Only one or two have returned. Most will arrive after the equinox.”
She noticed the way he kept his face and voice tightly controlled. “I would like to see those reports.” She gestured to Gladir. “Reports from all Guilds will be present by each Guild to the Council’s scribe by the end of this lunar.”
Anger flashed in the peddler’s gaze. “The queen never bothered with reports. She trusted us to let her know if we encountered problems with the people.”
Valmir half-rose. “This queen expects them now.”
Liara lifted the list Waner had given her. “Scribes are gathering the reports that were once presented to the queen. Copies of the form to be followed will be given to you and you will use them. Now I must ask some questions.”
One by one the Guildmasters answered her questions. Gladir wrote down their answers. Twice Liara’s Jewel heated and told her lies had been spoken. Though she wasn’t surprised at the source of the falsehoods, learning the reasons would take time.
Once the reports ended, she cleared her throat. “In the next few lunars, a number of new guilds will be established. The number of Council members will increase. The six Holders and their Chosen will also be members.”
The leader of the Peddlers glared. “Though I understand the Holders should be among your advisors, by what right do you have to invent new guilds.”
Liara pressed her hand against the Jewel. The insulting tone of his voice brought the urge to use the Jewel against him. She wouldn’t. There was no proof he was a traitor. “There is a need for these guilds. Scribes, Healers, Queen’s Guards should be part of the rule.”
The Guildmaster of the Metaliers nodded. “Perhaps some of the present guilds can be divided. I would gladly see the Jewelers with their own.”
The head of the Clothiers smiled. “My guild would gladly find a place for them.”
Valmir cleared his throat. “We thank you for the suggestions and we will consider them.”
Liara turned to Gladir. “Read the petitions.” When the scribe finished, Liara spoke. “The petition from the Peddlers’ Guild to take the wagon makers into their guild is denied. As for the rest, think about them. When we next meet, each of you will present suggestions for a solution.” The scribe handed each of the five copies of the petitions and also an example of the reports Liara wanted to see.
The woman from the Clothiers’ Guild leaned forward. “Will you leave Pala again?”
Liara shrugged. “At the moment, no. The six Holders and their Chosen are on their way to join us. When they do, other changes will occur. The land has suffered under the rule of the Black Jewel and the influence of the wizards. During my travels, I saw deserted farms and heard reports of how the wizards’ creatures slaughtered entire families. I met men with talents who had been torn from their families. I heard tales of healers who had harmed instead of healed.”
Valmir placed his hand over here. “During the next five days, we will visit each Guild House. You are dismissed.”
Once the five left, Liara turned to Gladir and Waner. “Return to your duties.”
Gladir bowed. “Do you really mean a guild for all scribes?”
“One is needed again. Call a meeting of the ones you know and have them pass the word. Bring them to the palace and have them look at the scrolls that speak of the former guild. One thing I wish is for the scribes to establish schools for all children.”
‘What about those on farms or isolated villages?” Waner asked.
“Find scribes who are willing to travel,” Valmir said.
Gladir nodded. “How soon can we meet?”
“In two tendays,” Liara said.
Valmir circled his arm around her waist. “Are you agreed about the visits to the Guild Houses? I could go alone.”
“We must both go.” She grinned. “While I speak to the Guildmasters, you can talk to the students and servants.”
He laughed. “And make note of complaints and rumors.”
“Just so.”
* * *
The next four mornings found them at a different Guild House. Afternoons were spent in an intensive search of the many rooms of the palace beginning with the vast labyrinth of attic rooms.
On the fifth day, they paused outside the gate of the Peddlers’ Guild. Liara carried a scroll containing the number of guilds the Peddlers had absorbed in part or entirely. The Spicers, Herbalists and the Gem Dealers were among the numbers. The ties to the Clothiers were strong. All new products from the farms passed through the Peddlers. Was the Guildmaster tied to the wizards? Was there a way to learn without raising his suspicions?
Valmir grasped Liara’s arm. “Let us hope today we can learn the truth.”
She nodded. “Be careful. My Jewel warms.”
“Is there danger?”
“Or lies. If we are cautions, we should be safe.”
The gates opened. Liara, Valmir and two Queen’s Guards entered. Liara walked to the house. Valmir smiled at the gatekeeper. Though he walked through the gardens where servants worked and entered several classrooms, he heard little gossip and no complaints. The servants seemed wary and the students focused on their lessons. Finally he returned to the garden and waited for Liara.
When she appeared, he caught her hand. “How did thee fare? I learned very little.”
She laughed. “The Guildmaster was polite. My Jewel heats in his presence. I believe he isn’t what he seems, but I’m not sure what he wants.”
“So we continue to be wary.”
One of the Guards edged closer. “We must hurry back to the palace. There are rumors about the hidden wizards and how they have gathered and scheme to regain their rule.”
Valmir put his hand on the hilt of his long knife. They strode past the walls sheltering two other Guild Houses. As they passed an alley opening into the lane, a pair of dark-clad men rushed toward them.
Valmir tried to push Liara behind him. More men rushed from the alley. He was slammed against the wall. For a moment he couldn’t breath. Pain rocketed through him. As one. He sent the order on the inner path. He grabbed one of the attackers and pushed him into the one who tried to drag Liara away. She jerked aside.
A scream sounded. Valmir knocked a second opponent to the ground. What had happened? The attackers ran. Valmir saw Liara’s opponent. His arm had blackened. He thrashed on the ground.
Valmir grabbed Liara’s hand. “Run before they regroup.”
With the Guards at their backs, they raced down the street toward the palace. Once inside the gates, they stopped and gulpe
d deep breaths of air. Other Guards arrived.
“See if you can identify any of our attackers,” Valmir said.
Liara reached for his hand. “Who set them on us?”
“There’s no way of knowing unless someone knows who they were.”
Liara sighed. “I wish the others would come. We are just two against a band of desperate men.”
“We have the Queen’s Guards.” He turned her to face him. “When our friends arrive, they will have their threads. We have avoided our quest long enough. We must search until ours is found.”
She nodded. “Now we know what happens when someone who isn’t bonded touches one of the Jewels.” She shuddered. “He grabbed the Jewel and burned. Look at the web of gray lines in the gem.”
“But thee were protecting thyself. Why should such an act be considered evil?”
“The Jewel killed whether by my will or by its own.” She sighed. “We must discover how good and bad are determined.”
“Come to the library and see what the scribes have learned about the origin of the Jewels.”
When they reached the library, the record keeper and the scribes placed a number of scrolls on a table. Valmir and Liara read the marked passages.
As he read the last one, Valmir groaned. “They make little sense. One scroll says one thing and the next contradicts.”
Liara nodded. “They are fables not the truth. What can we do?”
“We’ve spent days searching the palace for hidden places. The servants have helped. We’ve found many things including the queen’s treasury but not our thread.”
Liara gasped and grasped the Jewel.
“What?” he asked.
“A brush on the inner path. Lend me thy strength.”
He clasped her shoulders and joined his search to hers. He heard a faint response that grew louder.
“Did thee hear?” Liara asked.
“Disa and Brader.”
“They’re on the way with Nalor and Stilenta.”
“They have their threads.” He kept the path open to seek the others but all he could hear were faint whispers. He opened his eyes and turned Liara to face him. “Time grows short. We must search the old queen’s quarters no matter how little thee wish to go there.”
* * *
Liara shuddered. She had to enter these rooms. Dread built until she wanted to scream. Valmir was right. The entire palace had been searched except for this suite. When they had arrived here after the battle with the Black Jewel, the steward had shown them this suite. The evil done in these chambers had seemed to permeate the walls. She had bolted and sought other rooms.
She sucked in a deep breath. Valmir’s hand on her shoulder helped lessen the dread. She reached for the metal knob and opened the door.
“I’ll go in first,” he said.
She stepped aside. He pushed the door so hard it banged against the wall. Liara jumped. A musty odor greeted her. The gloom made the furniture into menacing shadows. Valmir lit the sconces on the wall on either side of the door and moved around the room lighting the others. Even the glow of a dozen lights failed to chase the shadows. The stale odor brought a fit of sneezing. Liara hurried to the windows and opened the heavy shutters.
“Where do we begin?” Valmir asked. “Here or in one of the other chambers?”
“Since we’re here.” She tapped the wall beside the windows. Valmir examined the stones of the floor. They searched the furniture. In several secret stashes, they found pieces of jewelry.
They moved to the dressing room. A panel in the wardrobe slid open to reveal stairs leading to an empty room on the lowest level of the palace. The bathing room yielded no hiding places.
Finally they entered the sleeping chamber. What if they found nothing? Liara had no idea where they could search nest. As she stepped over the threshold, her Jewel warmed. “I think what we need is here.”
“Can the Jewel guide thee?” Valmir asked.
“I hope so.” Slowly she moved forward. As she neared the huge canopied bed, the heat grew. She touched one of the bedposts and jumped back. “Here.”
“Let me.” Valmir dragged a stool to the bed. In a cloud of dust, he freed the canopy.
Liara ran to open the shutters. She slipped on a smooth stop on the stone floor and grabbed a bedpost to steady herself.
Valmir removed the pointed spire of the post. Then he turned the fat center section. A grating sound rose. As he lifted the post several metal cylinders crashed on the floor.
Liara picked them up and carried them to the window. She opened one and drew out a scroll. As she read, she laughed. “We have our thread.”
“How do thee know?”
“When the time comes to end a tyranny this is what must be done.” She looked at him. “This can mean nothing else.”
He put his arm on his shoulder. “What’s in the other two?”
She returned the first scroll to the tube and opened another. On the parchment was a drawing of a circle. In the center, a smaller one was drawn and six others surrounded the central one. “I have no idea what this is.”
Valmir peered at the drawing. “Neither do I.” He opened the third tube and removed another scroll. Bits of fragile parchment broke off. He read the title. “Of how the Jewels came to Earda and were made to blight the land.”
Liara picked up the pieces that had fallen. “We need to read this, but first it must be preserved. The record keeper will know what to do.”
Valmir nodded. “Perhaps this contains more than a legend and we’ll be sure of what must be done.”
Liara walked to the door. “We must destroy the Jewels. I don’t think we have a choice.”
Chapter Eight
The Hidden Wizards
Seven hundred lunars ago, a great ball of fire sailed across the skies. In a trail of flame, the star thudded to the earth. Noxious fumes spread from the impact, searing the plains. Seven lords who had talents rode into the hills. Along with them rode their consorts. In a cavern they found an orb broken in three pieces and had pierced holes in the dome. One circle and two crescents led the seven to believe the sphere was a gift of Mother Sun and Sisters Moon. Within the broken orb, they found the Jewels of Earda. Many were the gems in all shades of seven colors. To the men’s surprise, they couldn’t touch the Jewels but their consorts could. Each of the women took one of the colors. They became the first Holders. Of the men, only three remained and the success of the women angered them. In a rage, they abandoned the women.
At dusk Mara pointed to an inn. “Let us stop for the night, have a meal and visit the baths. I’m too tired to cook and our supplies are low. We need to make some purchases.”
“In the morning,” Lajin said. “We’ve coins to spend and spices to sell. Baths and a meal. If we stay a second night, we could have our clothes washed.”
Mara turned her horned horse into the inn yard. “See to the rooms, I’ll tend to the steeds.” She dismounted.
Lajin slid to the ground and handed her the reins. He lifted their packs and blanket rolls and strode to the inn.
With the help of the stable hand, Mara cared for the horses. She walked to the inn where Lajin waited. “Room’s this way. Baths are two, men’s and woman’s so we won’t have to wait. Leave our dirty clothes outside the door and servants will take them.”
“That’s good.” Mara followed him down the hall. They gathered their laundry. Mara laughed. “At least I have one clean set. We should do this more often.”
He nodded. “We can afford the cost.”
As she soaked in the water, one of the serving women entered and placed a stack of toweling on a shelf. Mara saw the dark bruises on the young woman’s face and how she favored her right side. Mara reached for the soak. “You’re hurt.”
The servant shrugged. “A bit.”
“I’ve some herbs in my room and can mix a poultice that will help heal the bruises. Who did this?”
“I displeased a guest.”
“Does he have a nam
e?”
The young woman stared at the Green Jewel Mara wore on a chain around her neck. “Holder.”
Mara repeated her question. “His name will stay with me.”
“I never heard his name but he looked a bit like the man you travel with. He was bigger and scowled.”
Mara straightened. Water splashed over the edge of the tub. “Is he still here?” If so, she and Lajin were in trouble.
“He left three days ago. Him and the black robe.”
“Did you hear where he was going?”
“Pala. That’s where they mentioned. Wizard said he knew a safe place there.”
Mara finished her bath and dressed. She went to the common room where Lajin waited. “I’ve news.”
“Good or bad?”
She shrugged. “We’re lucky. Tomon and a wizard stayed here. They left three days ago and are headed to Pala.”
He filled his mug with ale. “We must let Jindera and Corin know. I’ll try to reach them tonight.”
“What about Liara? Surely she’s in Pala.”
“I can’t reach that far on the inner path, even with thy help.”
She sighed. “Do thee think thee can speak to thy twin?”
“I hope so.”
Mara dug into her food. Though every night, Lajin searched for his sister he had been unable to reach her.
That night for an instant, Mara thought she heard Jindera, but any words were faint and garbled. “So we try again tomorrow.”
He looked up. “Maybe we should leave then. Tomon and his companion get further ahead.”
“We know where he’s going.”
Several days later just after they halted for their midday meal, Lajin’s eyes widened. “Help me.” Mara grasped her hands. Was Jindera trying to reach them? He opened his eyes. “She reached me and then faded.”
“Soon then,” she said. When they finished their meal, they mounted and rode. As the sun neared setting, Mara saw a dark shape in the distance. The formation seemed too regular to be hills. “Do thee think we’re near Pala?”
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