Elf Sight

by Avril Sabine

  “Sir.”

  “What?” Dore snapped at Shadow.

  “Why does Jurn’s father watch us while he’s magic hid?”

  “Where is he?” Dore growled. “Exact location without staring at him.”

  Shadow nodded and with a glance from the corner of her eye did as she was ordered.

  “Tell me if Hurrin moves.” Dore readied his crossbow that had been slung on his back. “Well?”

  Another quick glance. “Still in the same location, sir.”

  Dore fired his crossbow and a bolt embedded itself in the ground at the wizard’s feet. He turned to Shadow. “Well?”

  “He’s leaving sir.”

  “Good. Now start practicing.” His eyes fell on Jurn. “Both of you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Jurn walked beside her. “Did I ask for that?”

  “It wasn’t for you.”

  “Who was it for?”

  “Me. It was distracting all that glitter in the air.” She threw the needle at the target and glared as it fell far short. She almost cheered when Dore finally told them to use crossbows. But that was the last time she felt like cheering. After their meal break Dore paired her with Jurn for sword practice and he wasn’t giving any quarter. Four times her sword landed in the dirt. The fourth time she did too. When she rose from the dust it was to see the entire squad watching her.

  Her gaze narrowed and she picked up her sword and held it ready. This time she concentrated on defence. There was no way she could attack with the mood Jurn was in. He seemed out for blood and hers looked to be on the top of his list. There was no way she could draw blood with her sword, but there were other ways to wound.

  “When did you first pick up a sword?”

  “You don’t seriously wish to talk right now.” Jurn looked at her in disbelief, his sword barely slowing.

  “Oh, I see, it’s a secret.”

  “How would I know? I was little. Maybe five. Six. Something like that.”

  “That long ago? Huh, I’d have thought you’d be better than that then.”

  It was Jurn’s turn to narrow his eyes. “You’re the one who lost four times today.”

  She blocked. Barely. “What do you expect? I only picked up a sword two months ago and most of my training’s been with a dagger.” She almost laughed at the renewed speed of his attack. At least she would have if she’d had the energy. Her sword landed in the dirt again, Jurn’s at her throat. She met his gaze. “Only five times.”

  There was an unreadable flicker in Jurn’s eyes and he turned away. “Can’t I be paired with someone more my level. Sir?”

  Dore stood watching with the rest of the squad. “Fall in.” He waited until they were lined up, Shadow collecting her sword before she joined them. “Just because tomorrow’s a rest day doesn’t mean I’m not still counting it towards the seven days. I’ll see you all the day after. Dismissed.” His finger pointed at Shadow. “Not you.”

  She nearly groaned. Now what. She managed to hold back that comment. “Yes, sir.”

  Dore waited until the squad had moved away. “When was the first time you used a weapon?”

  “Two months ago, sir.”

  “And you think you can outdo one of these lads.”

  “Who are the three best at the crossbow amongst us?”

  “That isn’t the only ability I’m judging. You lost your sword five times.”

  Shadow could have happily remained silent, but that had never helped her. Only kept her serving at the bar. “Against Jurn. Who’d you say is the best at sword fighting in the squad?”

  “Don’t back talk,” Dore growled.

  “I expect a fair chance. Against each of them. On the seventh day we should be tested against each other. With the amount of bets I hear are riding on the outcome you wouldn’t want someone to claim the outcome unfair.”

  “I don’t need you telling me how to do things, girl.”

  Shadow nearly smiled. He sounded like her Pa with the way he said girl. Annoyance, exasperation and probably a desire to clip her across the ear. She wondered if he’d roar too when she ducked out of the way.

  “Dismissed.”

  Shadow nodded and turned away before she ended up in more trouble. She should skip jogging today for the same reason. She spotted Vin and Jurn arguing. Heading towards the castle, she wandered closer to them so she could hear.

  “I can’t,” Vin said.

  “You want to fail?”

  “You know I-”

  “Forget it. You can fail for all I care.” Jurn turned away from Vin.

  “Jurn-” Vin broke off at the gesture from Jurn.

  Jurn sent a glare towards Shadow before he looked around. Vin looked between them, Shadow having stopped to watch, before he ducked his head and hurried away.

  As soon as no one else was close enough to hear, Shadow said, “He’s not here. Or anyone else magic hid.”

  “I wasn’t looking for him.”

  Shadow shrugged. She was tempted to call him a liar, but she was surprised by the relief in his eyes. She watched him a moment longer before she continued towards the castle, wondering what was going on. She was nearly at the castle entrance when she saw the crowd. Krisa was amongst it, fawning over Brisa. There was no way she wanted to get caught up in that drama. She headed towards the gardens, stopping to sit on the edge of a fountain. Her fingers tingled against the stone and she let the vision come.

  It was night, a lantern casting dim light over the fountain, creating shadows out of the two figures that stood there. Both were hooded. “It’s too soon.” The voice was a harsh whisper. “Tell our mutual friend it’ll take time to plan again.”

  “He’s running out of patience. With both princes. You’ve been no help in finding out what the army’s doing and you know what he’s like when he runs out of patience.” The second hooded figure’s voice had a slight accent. Shadow couldn’t place it.

  “Don’t threaten me. I’m stronger than the two of you. You can barely hide yourself let alone do anything more powerful. I’ll let you know when it’s time to set a new plan in motion. But it’ll be soon. Before they have time to fully recover from the last attack.”

  “You know where to find me.” The man started to move away.

  “Yes. You better remember that.” There was no mistaking the threat.

  Voices dragged Shadow back from the vision and she cursed, words she’d learned from the soldiers. She headed further into the gardens, not wanting to encounter anyone. She needed to see Thornton. That vision was too insistent for it to be old, a night or two at the most.

  Taking a circuitous route, she made her way inside the castle and after asking several servants, finally found Thornton. He lounged with two other men, sipping from goblets and talking.

  “My lord, could I have a moment of your time?” Shadow’s eyes begged Thornton to agree.

  “Surely you could have washed the dirt of the training grounds from you before bursting in here,” one of the other men said. “Soldiers have no sense of propriety.”

  Thornton rose to his feet. “As many moments as you’d like, my lady.” He smiled when she glared at the way he addressed her.

  Shadow nodded and spun on her heel, heading for the door. She heard Thornton tell his companions he’d be back later and then he was beside her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She waited until they were clear of anyone who might hear. “Where did they kidnap you from?”

  Thornton came to a stop, pulling Shadow back to him. “What’s this about?”

  She shook her head. “Where?”

  He stared at her a moment. “My suite.”

  “Can you show me?”

  Thornton grinned. “You love making the rumours fly, don’t you?”

  “You dine in my room regularly, what’s the difference?”

  “Never mind.” He shook his head. “When?”

  “Whenever you’re ready.”

  Thornton nodded. “How about n
ow?” He leered at her. “I can’t wait to drag you back to my room.”

  She laughed. “Bull.”

  Thornton escorted her to his suite, his guards remaining outside. They walked through a sitting area and into a bedroom, a large bed dominating the room. She crossed the room, resting her hand against the smooth covers of the bed. When her fingers started to tingle she closed her eyes. An image of Thornton, limbs tangled with those of a smiling blonde filled her mind. Her eyes flew open as she quickly pulled her hand back, heat filling her cheeks. Her gaze met Thornton’s.

  He took a step back, a hand held up. “Look Shadow, I don’t think this is a good idea. Why don’t we-”

  Shadow shook her head, firmly putting the image from her mind as she interrupted Thornton. “Where’d they come in?”

  He gestured to floor length curtains. “The balcony.” When Shadow strode towards them, he continued. “There’s always two guards out there now.”

  She nodded, pressing her hand against the door before opening it. Night had fallen while she’d been looking for Thornton.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Ignoring the guards, and Thornton who trailed behind her, she wrapped both hands around the balcony rail. The smooth stone was cold to her hands and she slid them along until she felt a tingle. Closing her eyes, she was drawn into a hazy image of four magic hid, black clad men sliding down ropes from above. Within seconds they were going through the balcony doors then returning with Thornton, his body wrapped and struggling. Two of the ropes were tied around him and he was drawn upwards, magic hid figures climbing up the other two ropes, which were hanging down.

  Shadow opened her eyes and turned to face Thornton who had followed her. She pointed to the castle walls rising above them. “What’s up there?”

  “More rooms.” He shrugged. “Are you finished here?” He returned inside.

  Shadow followed, frustrated by his answer. She glanced towards the bed before she stepped closer to Thornton and lowered her voice, conscious of the guards on the balcony. “You can do better than the blonde.”

  It was Thornton’s turn to have a flush spread across his cheeks. “You saw?”

  “Now tell me, what’s on the floors above you.”

  “How did you see? And what’s all this about?”

  Shadow shrugged. “I’m not completely sure, but I see things.”

  “I know. Magic hid things.”

  “No. Things. Visions.” She glanced behind her to the balcony doors, wondering how safe it was to speak here.

  Thornton nodded and led her to another door that led off his room. He closed it behind them. “What did you see?”

  Shadow glanced around the room, noting the many garments hanging along one wall and the large tub waiting for Thornton. She took a deep breath and told him about the episode at the fountain and the one on his balcony. “So they’re still here, whoever kidnapped you. And they’re wizards.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t see a face? Or hear a name?” When Shadow shook her head Thornton sighed. “I can’t lock up every wizard in the castle. There must be several dozen of them.”

  “Who are the most powerful?”

  “That doesn’t help. He only has to be more powerful than the other two. Which wouldn’t take much for the one who can barely hide himself.” He swore. “I’ll have to tell my father.”

  “Does he have to know about my visions?”

  Thornton grinned. “He won’t believe I’m the one having them. Why didn’t you tell us earlier you could do this?”

  “I only did it for the first time when I was trying to find Irlan. That’s how my Gran started, one of her siblings wandered off. Something has to trigger it. And I’ve been using it a lot lately so I guess they’re coming through easier.”

  “Why’ve you been practicing?”

  “I haven’t exactly.” She glanced away.

  Thornton laughed. “You’ve been spying on my brother. I hope he’s been behaving himself.”

  “He knows.”

  “How?”

  Shadow shrugged. “What are we going to do about your kidnapper? I can’t exactly go around touching every inch of the castle hoping to figure it all out. Things that are handled by too many people don’t work. And the longer ago something happened the less clear it is.”

  “I’ll have a talk to my father and see what we can figure out.”

  Shadow nodded. She looked towards the door. “Do you think you can have someone show me to my room? I don’t know how to get there from here.”

  Thornton nodded and had one of the servants hovering in the hallway outside his suite show her the way through a maze of hallways and staircases.

  With a nod to Radler, Shadow stepped into her room. She smiled when she saw the bath and food. She started to put the pattern in her chest, then hesitated. She thought of the expression on Jurn’s face and was about to return it to her belt pouch when her fingers tingled. She sunk into the vision, gasping when she saw Jurn’s father hit him.

  They were in the training grounds and Hurrin was magic hid. Jurn closed his eyes, trying to hear the blow before it hit him. He had no luck. He landed on the ground, picking himself up and slowly turning as he tried to anticipate the next attack.

  “You’re a disgrace to the family. Stay away from the girl. Do you hear me? She’ll drag you down with her.”

  Jurn faced his father’s voice. “I know why you don’t like her. Elf sight.” He doubled at the blow to his stomach. Straightening, he grinned. “You can’t hide from elf sight. Ever. You’re powerless around her.”

  Hurrin rained several blows on Jurn. “I am never powerless. Remember that. You fail and I’ll cast you from the family. Failure will not be tolerated. If you’re the one thrown from the squad don’t bother coming home.” Hurrin turned and walked away.

  Jurn continued to stand there, looking around like he expected another attack.

  Shadow dragged herself from the vision, pushing the pattern into her pouch. She flung the door open. “Radler, can you get me a small jar I can put bruise balm in? One small enough to carry in my belt pouch. I need to go out.”

  “You’re going now? Without your dinner? Or bath?”

  Shadow nodded.

  “I’ll meet you in the main hall with a small jar of bruise balm, Lady Shadow.”

  “Thank you.” She hurried away, to pace in the main hall as she waited for Radler. People gave her a wide berth and she was relieved. She wasn’t in the mood for conversation. There were too many unanswered questions. When Radler arrived he handed her a small jar and with a nod left as silently as he’d arrived. Shadow tucked the jar into her belt pouch and strode towards the training grounds. Once again Jurn was furiously training.

  He spun to face her. “What are you doing here?” He glanced around before his eyes returned to Shadow.

  She tossed him the jar of bruise balm. “Use it. I wouldn’t want you to say I took unfair advantage of whatever fight you got that bruise in.” She pointed towards his jaw that was colouring quickly.

  “Who says I want to train with you.” Again he looked around.

  Shadow slowly checked the area. “It’s only us. Magic hid stand out brighter than someone normally hidden to me.”

  Jurn stared at her a moment before he sheathed his sword and applied the bruise balm to numerous places including his stomach and jaw. He tossed the jar back to her once he was finished. “What are you doing here?”

  “Training. I thought that was obvious.”

  “And the bruise balm?”

  “What about it?”

  “Convenient.”

  Shadow grinned. “You’d be surprised what I have in my belt pouch. Are we going to stand around all night or train?”

  Jurn pulled out his dagger. “Didn’t you say this is what you’ve trained in the most?” When Shadow nodded Jurn spoke again. “Come on. I wouldn’t want you to say I’d taken unfair advantage of you.”

  She laughed at hearing her words thrown back at her. �
��Fine.” She pulled out her dagger and prepared to eat dirt.

  Surprisingly she didn’t eat dirt as much as she’d expected and even managed to land Jurn in the dirt once. Eventually they both stood there, exhausted. Jurn’s stomach growled in the quiet night.

  Shadow returned her knife to her boot. “Dinner?”

  “What?”

  She glanced upwards. “Maybe it’s supper by now. I wouldn’t have a clue what time it is.”

  “You’re inviting me to eat with you.”

  “You do eat, don’t you? Normal food, not poached babies or something equally strange. My Pa always said wizards were demons masquerading as humans and probably ate poached babies. So, do they?”

  “I’m the wrong person to ask. I have no magic. At all.”

  “You live with a wizard, don’t you?”

  “No babies were served that I know about, but the demon part’s probably right.” He stared at her a moment. “Why are you here?”

  “Training.”

  Jurn shook his head. “No. Trying to get into the army.”

  “It’s where I belong.”

  Jurn stared at her again before he nodded. “Me too.” He was silent a moment. “I can’t be seen anywhere with you. I still live under my father’s roof.”

  Shadow nodded. “Keep me in sight then.” She headed for the castle and her room. Once she arrived she sent Radler to bring her a new meal, this time for two.

  Jurn arrived at her door once Radler had left. “They really don’t like you, do they?” He stepped into her room.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “This room.” He waved a hand. “These rooms are farthest from everything and the smallest ones available. Most people are given suites. And they’re not even close to running out of suites.”

  Shadow shrugged. “This is better. I don’t want a room near everything. I’d be tripping over people all the time.” She went to answer the knock on her door and took the plates from Radler, not letting him enter.

  “Is there anything else you’ll need tonight, Lady Shadow. Maybe the room across from yours prepared?”

  Shadow turned to Jurn with a question on her face. He shrugged and she turned back to Radler with a nod. “I don’t want a big fuss made about it, Radler.”