The Knowing One

by Lexy Wolfe

  Sadly, Storm pulled her hands free of his, lightly resting one hand on his shoulder. "You must care, Ash. You are your people's Illaini Magus. I am my people's Githalin Swordanzen. Neither Forenta nor Desantiva are... they are not ready for there to be more. An alliance is already more than some will be willing to endure." Leaning forward, she put her other arm around him, tucking her face against his neck. "Though in my heart, I wish it could be more. But, duty to our divine parents... to Lord Almek... must always come first."

  The mage held the Swordanzen woman tightly, feeling her trembling with nothing to do with the lingering tree sprite poisons. Reluctantly, he released her, pressing his lips against her forehead. "Sleep. Heal. There are no harpy vultures here." He caressed her hair as he murmured, "You are safe in my home. You and Skyfire." With a nod, Storm only kicked her boots off, lying on her side still wearing swords and all. He only smiled a little, shaking his head as he tucked a blanket around her before leaving with a lingering look back.

  Chapter 4

  As the evening deepened, the darkness beneath the gradually denuding branches was illuminated by scores of lanterns hung outside of entrances and along the major bridges of Ithesra. With the weather turning colder, there were few people outside of the shops, homes, Rests and Hollows where most congregated to share warmth and company. It was the time of year Ash loved most, for it allowed for quiet reflection with less chance of someone seeking him out for some matter or another.

  Approaching Naveene's Rest on one of the main bridges, Ash paused to lean on the heavy rail to regard the warm lights illuminating the ancient giant tree. His eyes were drawn to the shadows of the high balcony where his and Storm's sleeping areas had been. The haunting memory of nearly succumbing to the morelmi, the magic draining spell he'd used as Amelana's punishment for her crimes, chilled Ash. Only when he was poised on the edge of death could he feel Storm's fierce strength sustaining him, drawing him back despite her people having had the magic ripped from them in the ancient war, much as he had ripped it from his former journeyman.

  He closed his eyes, turning his face downwards as he remembered the moment he realized how far Storm had neglected her own welfare out of worry for him. He had laughed inwardly in relief when she raged at him for frightening her, then saw the blood on the floor from a cut across her palm that had not healed. The mage realized nearly too late what was wrong and reached her just in time to keep her from falling down the stairs when she swooned from blood loss and hunger. He could not help but feel a mixture of humility and guilt for his part in Storm's decline. And another emotion he could not name for her fierce protectiveness of him.

  "I don't think I had seen that look in your eyes since we were boys," a voice said quietly from behind Ash. Ash looked over his shoulder and nodded in mute greeting to Nolyn. Running his hands through his light brown hair, the guard captain moved to join Ash, leaning on the rail beside him . "What has you so pensive?"

  The Illaini Magus did not reply immediately, returning his gaze to the balcony. "Just remembering the way things had been. It is hard to believe it has been less than a year since I left Forenta with Master Almek. With some exceptions, nothing had ever changed in Forenta, and then in the space of these past few months, it feels as if my life has been upended."

  "Mm." Skeptical that Ash answered him truthfully, Nolyn followed Ash's gaze, then looked back at Ash for a time. "Not as much has changed as should have after Amelana's trial for the crime of using forbidden magicks. It is far too easy for people to fall back into the worn paths of habit." The guard captain looked annoyed. "There are some who claim the Desanti you brought back with you were at fault for breaking the Edai Tredecima. Never mind the fact Ysai Oberlain was really a darkling that had been in power for likely longer than either of us has been alive."

  Ash sighed, shaking his head as he looked down into the mists that hung delicately in the air below them, obscuring the forest floor. "I wish I could say I was surprised, but change is not something that happens easily for our people." He looked at Nolyn sideways, voice bitter. "Let me guess. It's the Oberlain family being most vocal."

  "Of course. Their brazenness utterly astounds me, given it was their own head of house who had been possessed by a darkling. They and several of the other Houses with members on the Edai Tredecima are being rather vocal about the delay to replacing the Se'edai Magus," Nolyn confirmed dourly. "The ones that were selected after the Oracle Stone aren't silent, at least, which is all but I think two of them. They're displeased Acting Se'edai Magus Ellis Avarian has not put the selection of a new Se'edai Magus to a vote. And they are not afraid to let their displeasure be known. Often with rather bluntly direct methods."

  Ash frowned at the news, standing upright abruptly. "Has Master Ellis been harmed?"

  A little surprised none of Ash's normal acerbity towards Ellis was present in his voice or demeanor, Nolyn shook his head. "Ellis is unharmed, but he has not been untouched by threats. Of course, the old man is well able to take care of himself. Right now, the Oberlain family and others are more bark than bite while most are trying to build alliances to their positions. There are a considerable number of discussions behind closed doors going on presently. No doubt they are impatient for the vote to happen so they need not maintain their 'promises' for long. But if the Se'edai is not replaced before they've gotten through all their wrangling, I expect he will have to defend himself against more than just words."

  "A vote for the Se'edai Magus." Ash shook his head. "It goes against the Edai to vote for a position that should be filled by divine judgment."

  Nolyn shrugged. "I'm not disagreeing with you, Ash, but She has not spoken through the Oracle Stone for decades. Which has not helped to draw people back to Her, but I suppose the Knowing One had Her reasons to be silent all this time."

  "She had, but it is better not to wait on Her to help us. We are well capable of doing for ourselves, at least to keeping Ellis protected."

  Nolyn made an inarticulate, agreeable sound. "I've already assigned some of my guardsmen to watch over Master Ellis and his home. But until the Edai Tredecima is healed, the people are afraid and willing to believe anything that anyone says that might return the sense of security they had grown accustomed to." He looked at Ash for a moment. "I have also assigned a rotation to watch your home."

  The Illaini Magus stiffened, azure eyes flashing in irritation as he ran his fingers through his black hair irritably. "Do you think I am incapable of protecting my own home? Have you, of all people, lost faith in me?"

  "Oh, stop bristling at me like a grumpy, old lupine," Nolyn chided. "You know I don't think you are at all incapable. But you've foreign guests at your home, several who have specifically drawn the ire of those same vocal families, and you will be away at the Magus Academy more often than not, no doubt. Not even you can be everywhere at once." Nolyn put a hand on Ash's shoulder. "After you all were attacked on our soil, I would rest easier knowing I and my people are on hand in the event something untoward happens."

  "I suppose you have a point," Ash conceded reluctantly, thinking about Storm and Skyfire's currently weakened conditions. "Thank you, Nolyn."

  As if reading Ash's mind, Nolyn asked quietly, "How long will it be until the Desanti are fully recovered?"

  Ash narrowed his eyes, looking sharply at Nolyn. "You were watching my house when we returned," the Illaini Magus stated accusingly, more angry with himself for not being more observant than for Nolyn witnessing the group's return and the Desanti's conditions.

  "Of course. Ellis asked me to stay nearby and await your return," Nolyn replied. "He did not trust anyone else to remain discrete, but he wanted assistance available to you if it were necessary." Concerned colored the depths of his eyes. "If pain were light, the Swordanzen woman would have blinded me. The man was little better, much as he tried to conceal it." He put a hand on Ash's arm. "Ash, what happened? Ellis didn't indicate your journey was to have been so dangerous. Everyone looks to have endured a horrible
fight. You included."

  Memories of the forest sprites' attack on the Desanti in the glade, of Storm and Skyfire's near deaths, and the shadow monster attack on the goddess herself brought a swell of emotions that threatened to overwhelm Ash's self-control. He took a deep breath and said, "Ask me again when we're alone in my study and I've restocked with the stronger spirits."

  Nolyn's concern did not let up. "Hells, it was that bad?" Ash simply nodded, jaw clenched. "I see." Nolyn sighed, standing straighter. "I need to get back to my duties." He held out his right hand, palm upwards, a star-shaped scar glowing softly. "You know if you ever need me, my spirit brother..."

  Ash managed a half smile, holding up his own right hand with a matching scar before clasping Nolyn's hand in a brotherly gesture. "The same if you ever need me," he replied quietly. "Goddess watch over you, Master Nolyn."

  Nolyn snorted softly. "Watch over me? She's busy enough having to keep an eye on your backside, Master Ash." With a wink, he climbed onto the rail, jumping up to catch a rope to pull himself up to one of the higher branches, disappearing into the darkness of the approaching dusk. Ash watched after Nolyn for a time with a small smile on his lips before finally heading for Naveene's Rest.

  Chapter 5

  As usual, Naveene's Rest was bustling with the evening meal. Masters, members of Forentan high society and other well-to-do individuals filled all the tables. The expressions turned towards Ash when he entered ranged from mild interest to pleasure at seeing the Illaini Magus, outweighing those disdaining or outright hostile. Ash was pleased to note the shift in attitudes towards him were more positive. He made a mental note of who comprised the hostile group, particularly several members of the Oberlain family, but otherwise ignored everyone, searching out Naveene. He stopped short when a familiar young woman was suddenly in front of him unexpectedly.

  "Master Ash!" Lyra greeted, shifting the tray of empty plates and glasses to her hip to offer the man a careful curtsey. "It is good to see you have finally returned." The young woman could not help but glance around him, as if looking for others accompanying him. "Will you be wishing the rooms for you and the others prepared? Naveene was very adamant that we not be caught short again for the Dusvet Guardian or yourself and has taken many to task for thinking they had more position than you in demanding space when of course they do not, being the Illaini Magus, he said."

  The man smiled inwardly at the Rest's zealous owner's penchant for enforcing social propriety on those who would only hold to it for convenience's sake. "Thank you, Miss Lyra, but we will not be requiring the rooms. The Dusvet Guardian and his students will be staying at my home for the winter to rest from our journeys." He looked up to scan the room, missing the crestfallen expression of the young servant girl. "Would you inform Naveene that I am in need of his services, please, Miss Lyra?"

  Lyra's eyes lit up and she smiled brightly at the request. "You wish to have servants? Finally?! Please wait right here, Master Ash. Don't go anywhere!" Before Ash could answer, the girl ran off, disappearing into another room. Even before the dignified man Ash sought emerged from the room Lyra had disappeared into, Ash could see the news spreading to the other servers, excited anticipation rippling through them as they looked towards the two men.

  Ash was keenly amused at how the news passed between the servants, like a flame on dry tinder, many with sincere, hopeful expressions following in its wake. That so many hoped to be chosen to serve him touched him deeply. "And I thought the grudging willingness to serve me before was because of the onus of serving a lowborn," he murmured thoughtfully. "They are wiser than I am in some things." He could not help but chuckle as one of the senior servers chided the rest back to their duties.

  "My people unwilling to serve the Illaini Magus?! Perish the thought!" Naveene took the mage's offered hand and bowed low to him, touching his forehead to the back of Ash's hand in a flamboyant and extremely formal gesture of greeting. "Illaini Magus, I am so very relieved to see you again. All sorts of rumors to your demise have abounded... But I believed none of them!" Turning, he waved grandiosely towards the back room. "Come, come! Let us adjourn to my office where we can speak privately. The very sight of you here, seeking the servants you so deserve finally, is distracting my people horribly. Youth, you know, are so easily drawn to change."

  "Of course, Naveene, my thanks." Following the man, Ash could not help but arch an eyebrow, finally responding to the earlier words once they were away from the public area. "Rumors about my demise?" He glanced back towards the drape that separated them from the main common room with a faint frown. "I imagine you hear all the rumors of Ithesra coming through here."

  Naveene waited until Ash was seated, pouring the man a glass of wine before sitting across from him. "All the good and bad Ithesra has to offer." Naveene heaved a put upon sigh as he sat back in the chair languidly. "So few know the worth of the servant class," he lamented. He wagged a finger at Ash. "You may not have realized it, but you have been highly sought after by many of those I have trained, so you know. Not simply because you are the Illaini Magus, either. Everyone knows you as a fair man who does not take social hierarchy into account for whom he protects."

  Ash inclined his head graciously, a little unsettled the man knew of one of his private self-doubts. "It is my duty as Illaini Magus to protect all of Forenta," he pointed out mildly. "Highborn and lowborn are equal in Her eyes."

  Naveene leaned forward, his voice low and serious. "And so it is the duty of all mages, Master Ash. But not all put their whole being into it as you do. Some prefer to use their skills more for selfish gains than for their duty to Her." Sitting back in his chair, the man made an airy gesture. "It is utterly disgraceful. If they had been my own children, I would bend them over my knee, no matter how it might bruise their pride."

  Making a thoughtful noise, Ash shook his head. "I would like to discuss this matter further, but the Dusvet Guardian wishes to winter here in Ithesra and my home is..." Ash coughed. "Sorely lacking. Especially as Dessa is gone now."

  Silent for several heartbeats to remember Dessa's loss, Naveene bowed his head, eyes closed. Sitting up, he clapped his hands on his thighs and pushed himself to his feet. "Say no more, Master Ash," Naveene stated briskly. He used the excuse of reaching for one of his thick books to avoid witnessing the flash of grief in Ash's eyes. "Just say what supplies you require and which of those here I have trained whom you wish to have serve you, and I will inform them of their new duties." Thumbing through the book, Naveene made a pleased sound. "I should have enough to provide an initial stock of two days suitable for the Illaini Magus and the Dusvet Guardian and the Guardian students until everyone's settled and your senior servant can make arrangements with the market merchants. If you do not mind not having an expansive choice."

  Ash chuckled with some chagrin. "Ah, Naveene, I have never been here enough to get to know your charges. Or what I would need for a household of more than myself and two students. Dessa was all I needed before." Pushing memories of the dead woman back, he was bemused. "I never paid much attention when Masters Bennu and Ellis took me in." Both men looked up when the door curtain was moved aside.

  An older woman peeked in from the other side of the curtain and tsked at Naveene. "The Illaini Magus should not have to worry about such mundane things." The woman's chiding was affectionate, the man inclining his head and bowing in deference to her wisdom. She accepted Ash's hand in greeting, bowing and touching her brow to the back of his hand as well. "Pay no attention to Naveene, Illaini Magus. I would be honored to assist in organizing your household."

  Naveene looked at the woman and smiled patiently. "Illaini Magus, this is my assistant Miss Kelafy. She's a good woman, if you don't mind being taken to task occasionally."

  Ash smiled faintly as he studied the woman who reminded him very much of Clarissa, headwoman of his former master who had been as much a friend as a mother figure in his youth. "Of course not, Naveene. In fact, I prefer my people to have a mind of their o
wn. As my duties will take me away often and for long periods of time, I need someone I can trust to speak on my behalf." He met Kelafy's eyes for several moments. "Have you made a study of me, then, Miss Kelafy?"

  "Indeed I have, Master Ash. Ever since you made journeyman at such a young age, Master Ash," the woman replied easily. "I could see greatness in you back then and I'd long had hopes of gaining the honor of serving you the day you returned to us as Illaini Magus.

  "It was terribly distressing when that Avarian girl was attached to you to think anyone would have to endure that worthless creature. Imagine our relief to learn none of us would ever need serve her when she disgraced herself and was stripped of—" Speaking with great animation, she made a decidedly dismissive gesture. "But! That is unnecessary history! Back to matters at hand... You said the Dusvet Guardian and his students will be staying with you as well?" The woman's eyes all but danced with eagerness.

  "Indeed, Miss Kelafy." Ash sat back, observing her as he spoke. "We are planning on departing for Fortress in the spring. I do not know how long I will be gone for once we depart, but—"

  "Hardly matters, hardly matters," Kelafy stated. "A household requires tending, whether the master is home or not, and we cannot have the Illaini Magus so neglected any longer. You may be the most self-effacing master mage in all of Forenta, but it is simply not proper! No, not proper at all!"

  Taking a sip of his wine to hide his smile and smother laughter, Ash cleared his throat and said, "I shall defer to your wisdom, Miss Kelafy."

  "Good! There is too much to attend to for us to waste time educating you on proper social etiquette for household staff." Kelafy took a pad of paper from her pocket, scratching notes only she could understand. "I took an accounting of Dusvet Guardian Almek's students as well, in the event they would be here longer than a mere visit as well. The needs of foreigners are quite different from normal people." Ash merely arched an eyebrow, but said nothing to interrupt the woman.