“Thanks, Vane.”
“If you want me to, I can bind your power. Erase it completely.”
Francie’s back tensed up, almost like a cat. “You can do that?”
“Would you like me to?”
“You know a spell to do that? I’d have to leave the council, no?”
“The king would insist,” said Vane. “He can’t change his rules of eligibility.”
Francie let out a long, noisy breath. “A week ago,” she said, “I would have been tempted. I would have let you cast that spell without a second thought, but now.... The meeting we just had, the proposal you have for His Majesty.... I’m meant to do this work, Vane. I have to do this work, for me.”
Vane tried to be as delicate as possible. “As long as the work’s for you, Francie.”
Her cheeks reddened, but she insisted, “It’s entirely for me. I swear to that.”
Vane smiled. “You swear on Teena’s chickens?” They had always sworn important things on Teena’s chickens as children. Francie was the only one fast enough to run after the fowl when they escaped the barn.
Francie confirmed, “On Teena’s chickens.” With that solemn word they shook hands, and Vane left the room reassured.
That evening Vane presented the school idea to Rexson, who listened in silence with an unreadable expression on his face. When Vane had finished, all the king could say was, “You and Zacry kept busy in Traigland, didn’t you?”
“But what do you think?”
“It stays within the council budget if you add tuition payments and some minor fundraising?”
“Fundraising won’t be a problem. The Enchanted Fist….”
“They’d support this, if the Quins asked them. They’d prefer enrollment be limited to the magicked, but they’d compromise. You budgeted salaries for instructors, and groundskeepers and cooks? Livable salaries?”
“We included all those costs. We’d be hoping to hire most of the staff from Carphead, as there’s no room to house the workers in the mansion, not with the students there. Carphead’s a poor village, Your Majesty. This school would vastly improve its standard of living. Some of those we hire would earn double what they do now.”
“It works,” the king conceded. “I think it works. I agree with Casandra: security’s the main concern, and not just the perception of adequate defense. You cannot play with children’s lives, Ingleton.”
“We’ve no intention to. Zacry’s taking the blueprints to an architect in Traigland, and I’ll fix up the mansion before word about the school gets out. We’re talking a year before people even hear about it, and double that to hire staff and a director, furnish the rooms, find academics to prepare a program of studies. That’s three years before students set foot inside the place. If at that time it’s just too risky, we’ll scrap the entire project before we jeopardize a single child, you have my word.”
“This school’s why you came back, isn’t it?” said the king.
“This is worth attempting, Your Majesty. Bringing magicked and non-magicked children together, openly…. If nothing else, the potential makes it worth attempting, please tell me you see that. If I could make this happen for my own sons or daughters and others like them….”
“It’s worth the attempt,” the king agreed. “As long as you don’t expect my children….”
“I would never expect or entreat them to set foot in that building again.”
“Then you can tell your council they have the crown’s approval.”
“Thank you,” Vane told the king. He shook the monarch’s hand in earnest and fell back into their usual, comfortable informality. “Rexson, you have no idea what this means to me.”
“Why do you care so much about this school, Vane?”
Vane cared because he had killed to preserve a life for himself and August. He had killed, at least in part, for the chance to work for a better Herezoth. August herself had made him see that, and he never would have thought someone other than his wife could understand the mandate under which he now labored, but as he returned Rexson’s questioning gaze, he realized he was not alone in having taken human life.
“How many men did you kill? To claim your throne?”
Rexson nodded in comprehension. “Too many. I lost count. I killed at least two or three the day of the coup when I fled this building.”
“Did you really?”
“There’s a difference between killing and murder, son. You’re not a murderer. You never will be. You were publicly exonerated.”
“I know I was. I still feel sullied.”
“Bloodshed’s an awful act, one not to be taken lightly, and one you never would treat as something trivial.” Rexson patted Vane’s shoulder. “You resemble your father more each day, you know. This was one similarity I’d been hoping you’d avoid.”
Vane’s throat turned scratchy. “My father killed?”
“A guard who attacked him, when Zalski was taking the Palace. Defense, like your killing. He came to find me right after.”
“I knew he’d alerted you. I had no idea he had to….”
“That’s exactly the point: he had to, as did you. You’re guiltless in Amison’s death.”
“I could have bound the man, or frozen him, like Zac did his accomplice. I had multiple spells at my disposal to keep him away from August. I wasn’t forced to kill, and I couldn’t help but think before your boys found those record books it would serve me right if we never learned his motive, if my name was never cleared and I couldn’t come back.”
“You didn’t hunt the man, Vane. He hunted your wife.”
Vane continued as though the king had not interrupted. “If I’d frozen him and he’d lived, you could have questioned him, see? He might have revealed what spurred him to bleed Bennie like a hog.”
“You’re being too severe with yourself.”
“I killed him out of hatred, Rexson. For revenge. It was a conscious choice.”
“The fiend knew August was pregnant and deliberately tried to stab her in the stomach.”
“That’s why I killed him, myself. No judge was going to do it. That man wasn’t going to die by someone else’s hand, not with the satisfaction of knowing he’d slain me.”
“Valkin Heathdon, there’s not a husband or father alive who would not have acted precisely as you did.”
“Perhaps. Either way, I’m learning to live with the choice I made, and the school’s become a part of that. When August told me what Amison said about forcing me off the council, out of Herezoth…. I need to make my presence here count for something, considering I killed over it. Considering Bennie died too. You of all people can understand that.”
The king clapped Vane on the back. “I, of all people, could not understand more.”
And Vane realized that, quite possibly, he knew of one other person who could empathize with his decision to kill, with his justifications and even with the guilt that now plagued him, had she lived to confront her own. Something he had read:
The Giver pardon me, I abhor that woman. Every fiber of my being detests the mere thought of her, her besmirching those walls….
The Palace walls. A reference to Zalski’s wife.
Laskenay’s son held Rexson’s gaze while he said, “I know Malzin Forzythe killed my mother. They killed each other. Kora told me that much, and I didn’t want to ask more details, not of her. Rexson, who struck the first hit? Do you know?”
“Malzin fought dirty, as Bennie once described it. She stabbed Laskenay first, and Laskenay, well, she wasn’t going to let her sister-in-law die by someone else’s hand after that.” Vane nodded, and Rexson assured him, “You are no more a murderer than Laskenay was.”
“I know that, Rexson. I do know that. One day, I imagine, I might even believe it.”
* * *
Vane took August to Partsvale’s prison the next morning, following some brief investigations into the work schedule of the director who, back in March, had gone for a reporter. This was Augus
t’s first visit since that day—the day after her wedding—and she told Vane she preferred to see her sister alone this time.
Ursa’s skin had turned leathery from a summer in the quarry, and she had gained back any weight lost at her arrest. Her arms were toned, her air vibrant.
“You’ve been gone a while,” Ursa accused when August took a seat on one of the visiting room’s benches.
“Yes, well, some things have been going on.”
Ursa glanced at her sister’s stomach. “I can see that.”
“They’re twins, I think, but that’s not all.”
“Samson sent me the papers, August. They printed the trial here, the whole transcript, even if it wasn’t the next day like down in Podrar. Amison happened back in June, though. You had two months before then to get your butt here. What happened? Hubby refuse to bring you?”
“He asked me every week if I wanted to come. Every week. I’m the one who refused. I didn’t know if I could face you, after what I called you and what you did for me in spite of that.”
“You talkin’ ‘bout calling me a classless lout? I wasn’t far off, so don’t feel bad. Listen, I’m glad you’re all right. And I’m glad hubby-boy took the bastard out for you. If that maniac got away, I’d have had to break outta here to kill him myself, an’ that would have caused me a slew o’ problems.”
“I’d really just like to forget it.”
“Can’t, though, is that it? I won’t tell you I told you so, but….”
“You did tell me so. From the very start.”
“So why did you take up with that boy, of all people? Was it to get back at me?”
“No offense, Ursa, but you’re not a motivating factor in my life. He found me alone and frightened, and took the trouble to reach out to me, that’s all it was. He was a friend from the start.” And August smiled. “Well, after he realized I wasn’t you, he was.”
“And you’re happy with him? Don’t you lie.”
“As happy as a frolicking puppy. It hasn’t been all fun and games, and I won’t deny we rushed things a bit, but I love him. I wouldn’t risk what I went through for just anyone. He’s worth it. What I have with him is worth it, all right?”
“He did save you, didn’t he? An’ he don’t mind bringin’ you to see me, when he knows you couldn’t come otherwise. I ain’t no admirer of his, mind you, but he can’t be all bad. As long as you’re happy, that’s all. I want you to be happy.”
“I appreciate that. And I understand how you might think my marriage was a slap in your face, but I swear to you, it wasn’t. That was never my intention. You’re the only sister I’ve got.”
“The only real one,” Ursa clarified. “Were you as close to that Esper woman as you let on? I knew her, you know.”
“You knew that seer charade she put on, and weren’t fond of it. The real Bennie, you’d have liked her even less than the fake one, but yes, we were close. She was quiet, and she lived simply, and….”
“Why didn’t you tell me you paid her visits?”
“After what she did to rescue the boys? You hated the woman, Ursa. It was best I didn’t mention her. Don’t pretend you wouldn’t have stormed at me.”
“Prob’ly would have. But I’m sorry you lost her.”
August was not convinced of that, but she acknowledged Ursa’s rare tact in showing support. She told her sister, “I came to let you know I have plans for the mansion. The king just approved them.”
Ursa seemed pleased enough to learn about the school. Talk of improvements and renovations was less to her liking, as August knew it would be, but Ursa had given her the building with no conditions. She said not a word against August’s decisions, and when August had laid everything out she offered, “I hope all that goes to plan.”
“It does sound a bit ambitious of a project. Well, if a school like that can work anywhere, Carphead’s the place.” August sighed. “I’m trusting you to keep this quiet, Ursa. I told you because the mansion came from you and you have the right to know what I do with it, but it’s too early for news to get out, much too early.”
“I’ll keep my mouth sealed then.”
“You certainly earned my trust in that department. It’s good to see you, I mean that. I should probably have come sooner, but…. Are the women giving you problems at all? Because of Val?”
“Are you kiddin’? They treat me like a queen. Terrified if they spurn me he’ll show up an’ do to them what he did to Yangerton there.”
“You know he wouldn’t.”
“Well, I prefer them thinkin’ he just might. He told me I could throw his name around, didn’t he?”
“He said he would get the troublemakers transferred, Ursa. That’s different.”
“You try livin’ in a place like this. You wouldn’t last two days.”
“I know I wouldn’t,” August agreed. “And I don’t claim otherwise.”
“Listen, I don’t make no open threats in his name. I know better than that. I just don’t correct their little misperceptions about how close you an’ me are.”
“Well, we’re closer than we were, aren’t we? And I do want the babies to meet you, though that will have to wait a while. I can’t bring them here before they’re two or three years old.”
That was more than Ursa expected, and though she tried to conceal how touched she was by the gesture, a smile gave her away. “Well, that’s right nice o’ you, August. I don’t get much to look forward to nowadays.”
“They should know their Aunt Ursa. They wouldn’t be here without you, after all. I’d never have met their father.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
New Beginnings
New Year’s Eve that year was white. Snow started to fall late in the morning and picked up in the afternoon, so that by early evening, Thad and Carlina’s carriage got stuck in a drift. They took half an hour longer than usual to get to Oakdowns. When they found themselves at last inside the manor, Vane’s butler offered to show them to the parlor.
Carlina said, “We know where it is, in the Giver’s name! How’s the duchess?”
“Resting, madam, and thus indisposed at the moment. She’s in perfect health.”
Carlina repented of her tartness after the butler delivered good news, and she asked more calmly, “Would you please inform Ingleton we’re waiting in the parlor?”
“I believe he’s already there,” said the servant. With that, Carlina ran down the wide, carpeted corridor at the end of the entrance hall, her husband right behind, nearly tripping her. They came to an abrupt halt before the parlor’s double doors, for they assumed they should not jar them open. Sure enough, when they stepped inside they found Vane on a settee with two newborns in his arms, one baby asleep, both wrapped in blankets and wearing knitted hats.
“It’s about time you got here.”
Thad defended himself, “We aren’t all sorcerers, Ingleton. Some of us must actually brave the winter. The carriage got stuck.”
“Guess I should teach my girls to transport early, then. Then they at least can be punctual.”
Thad tried to send Vane an annoyed look, and failed dismally. Vane told him, “This is Esper Lynn. She came first, a whole five minutes older.”
Carlina pushed Thad aside to take the sleeping baby.
“And her sister, Luce Laskenay.” Thad took the yawning, stretching one, while her father explained, “Luce was August’s grandmother’s name. The one who raised her.”
“Identical?” Carlina asked, looking back and forth between the newborns.
Vane told her, “Down to the mark on their right ankles. But that’s no surprise.”
Luce stared at Thad through heavy but startlingly clear eyes, eyes so purely blue he could almost see his face reflected in them, as off the surface of the frozen lake out back. “Where did she get those?” he asked.
Carlina said, “Her grandmother.”
“Laskenay?”
“Yes, Laskenay. I swear, even for an ogre you are the most unobser
vant….”
“I was four when I last saw the woman!”
“Her portrait is in front of your face.”
And so it was: Vane’s one portrait of his parents. Thad looked up from Laskenay’s granddaughter to her son. “Didn’t Zalski have eyes like…?”
“We’re going to say they came from her.”
“Good call,” Thad approved.
Carlina began, “The butler said August….”
“August is wonderful, no scares at all. She’s sleeping while she has the chance. The queen was here for everything, only left fifteen minutes ago. My aunt’s here too, sewing quilts she didn’t quite finish in time.”
“They’re beautiful girls,” said Carlina. “They’re so beautiful, Valkin.”
“Somehow they are, Ingleton, despite having you for a father. Good Giver, now my wife’ll want one. Have you any idea the havoc an ogre-hag cross would wreak?”
Vane laughed. “Can’t say I do.”
“Well, my problems aside, it’s been quite a year for you, hasn’t it?”
“Not exactly the language I’d use to describe it,” said Vane.
Thad replied, “It’s ending on a high note, you can’t deny that. So, how are we feeling this evening?”
“Overwhelmed,” Vane admitted. Thad shifted Luce, who had shut her ice blue eyes, to one arm and clapped Vane on the back.
“You’ll be fine. You’ve got it easy: they’ll keep each other occupied as kids. When they’re older, if they start arguing over some gallant lad or other, you’ll just have to warn him to stop coming around. Something tells me the suitors who would want to anger Papa Bear will be few and far between.”
Carlina pleaded, “Oh, Valkin, can I keep this one? You do have a spare.”
“I’m afraid Esper’s mother might protest,” Vane told her. She slid the child back into his arms.
Thad argued, “Now that’s right selfish, that is.”
“Let me hold Luce,” Carlina told her husband.
“You just had Esper.”
The Magic Council (The Herezoth Trilogy) Page 49