The Knowing One

by Lexy Wolfe

  "You know Ash is willing to learn," Mureln countered, getting to his feet to join her, putting his hand on her right shoulder reassuringly. He hesitated, blinking as he felt the heat from the silhouette tattoo of a diving eagle that marked her as Githalin Swordanzen. He dismissed that to focus on the topic of the moment. "Learning is the essence of every fiber of Ash's being. His people will follow his lead because he is the Knowing One's chosen mortal servant. It is no different than it is for Desanti with you being the Raging One's chosen mortal servant."

  Storm shook her head once sharply. "He will never understand what it means to be Desanti. He will never accept who and what we are. He feels guilt and shame for what his ancestors have done. He wants to 'fix' things not because he wants to help, but to make himself feel better and allow his people to ignore the consequences of their dishonorable attack on us." Her hands clenched into fists, shoulders trembling with pent up fury. "We are flawed and worthless to Forenta. Only those with magic are acceptable. Their ancestors ensured we will never be their equals because of the hole they ripped into our very souls."

  The bard pressed his lips together, letting his hand drop away. "Have faith, Storm. Ash does not show it, but it pains him that he cannot make all the past suffering go away. That he cannot fix the horrible mistake of what was done to Desantiva." He offered in a conciliatory tone, "At least he wants to try to mend his people's error?"

  "So I should be ashamed of what my people sacrificed, what we suffered, what we accomplished in spite of our flaw?!" Storm demanded. "For countless generations, we have followed the patterns that the Totani taught us. They are harsh, but the treewalkers taught us without doubt that life is harsh, and we must be strong enough to face it until our last breaths. In the desert—"

  "But you are not in the desert," Mureln pointed out firmly. "You are in Forenta." He took two hasty steps backwards when she lashed out in frustration.

  "It matters not! The desert does not need to be around me because is in me! Are you any less Vodani being here?" she demanded, stepping close enough to jab her fingers against his chest over his heart. "Do you not still know the taste of its air? The sounds of its waves? The feel of its currents?" Mureln closed his eyes, looking away at the surge of homesickness her words brought him. "Desantiva was green once. But it was no less fierce. No less demanding. And Desanti were no less a part of Desantiva then as they are now.

  "This place." She spat to the side, surprising the Vodani. For a Desanti to spit was the pinnacle of insults, a waste of precious water. "It is too complacent, too docile. It has forsaken the wild spirit to suit the people who demanded obedience. What Forenten cannot control they crush or banish." He looked up sharply to meet her eyes as she stated, "As they seek to do to me and Skyfire."

  "You are strong," Mureln responded automatically. "You and Skyfire are both strong. The Forenten and eventually even the Sevmanen will learn to accept you for what you both are."

  "We are strong, but they will never accept us. It is not in them to accept anything different than what is perfection in their own eyes."

  Mureln studied her closely. "Just as you refuse to accept anything different from yourself?" He grimaced as he endured her gloved hand across his face, slowly raising a hand to touch the corner of his mouth, tasting blood. Meeting her eyes unflinchingly, Mureln stared back into Storm's furious gaze until she finally looked away, returning to her mat. She snatched it off the rough rock, shaking it out. "Do you wish to be alone?" he asked after a moment, voice neutral. "I can leave you in peace if—"

  Storm froze for a moment, gritting her teeth. "No," she said finally. "Stay. Please."

  Mureln nodded and returned to sit down on his mat, crossing his legs. She laid her mat out again, and settled back onto it. Several minutes passed before she spoke again, resuming teaching him as if the argument between them had never happened.

  Chapter 16

  In a clearing near the house, Storm and Skyfire trained, both using their two-edged swords. Lyra watched the pair with wide-eyed fascination. At the sound of approaching footsteps crunching through dried leaves, the young woman turned and offered a deep bow to the Illaini Magus. "Master Ash," she greeted.

  "Miss Lyra," Ash returned simply. He glanced at the young woman who had returned to watching the two Swordanzen with wide-eyed awe. "They are incredible to watch, aren't they?" The faintest of smiles touched his lips to see another Forentan with an honest admiration for the two Desanti.

  Lyra nodded eagerly. "Oh, yes, Master Ash! I have never seen anyone able to move as fast as they can. It is like poetry in motion!"

  The mage made a positive sounding noise, watching the two Swordanzen critically. Having seen both at their best, Ash could tell they were not anywhere near peak form. He frowned a little, noticing Storm falter, Skyfire compensating for her slip. The flash of irritation on her features reflected her awareness of what he did. Skyfire's own expression mirrored hers, as she did the same for him.

  Lyra looked over at the mage with an expression of uncertainty. "Master Ash, I was going to go gather some herbs for Miss Kelafy before the snows cover everything, but Master Skyfire and Mistress Storm both insist they must escort me."

  "Escort you?" Ash blinked, looking at Lyra. "Why do they believe you must be escorted?"

  The reason became evident to Ash even as the young woman gave it voice. "They fear I am in danger from those who hate foreigners, especially Desanti, because I willingly serve the Desanti, even though they are the Dusvet Guardian's students." Glancing at the two Desanti, she looked back to Ash. "It would be okay, wouldn't it? For them to go with me?"

  Ash arched an eyebrow at the young woman. "You know how to find your way back home, Lyra. The Swordanzen are not restricted to the house, they are just not familiar with the area. They do not need anyone's permission to do anything. Most certainly not mine."

  He looked back to the Swordanzen, watching them step back from each other. Ash could see their exertions were wearing on them, but neither was going to stop until they were ready to drop. "But you will have to make do with only having Skyfire accompanying you this afternoon." Lyra looked bewildered. "Githalin Swordanzen Storm il'Thandar!" Ash called during a pause in their routines. Both turned to look at the mage. "Would you join me for a walk?"

  Storm frowned slightly, studying the mage a moment before nodding once, sheathing her sword. Skyfire joined Lyra, watching Ash and Storm disappear beyond one of the giant trees. Lyra put a comforting hand on his arm. "I worry about them, too." He only nodded as she tugged his arm to go the opposite direction from Storm and Ash.

  Neither Storm nor Ash spoke as they walked deeper into the wilds around Ithesra. He watched Storm from the corner of his eye. "Are you all right?" he finally asked quietly.

  Storm shrugged, her eyes remaining on the path they walked. "The cold here is different from Desantiva. Especially when the wind blows, it goes right through me." Tugging her gloves on, she tucked her hands under her arms. "I cannot get warm."

  "I know the cold bothers you both. There is not much to be done but adjust for it." Ash reached out to put a hand on her arm, stopping her. "I was not speaking about the weather, Storm."

  Sighing, she looked away, unable to meet the open worry for her in his eyes. "The poison is purged finally, I think. The injury that nearly killed me is gone and there are no others that will plague me similarly." Storm grimaced faintly, her shame at her weakness apparent. "But it will be at least until the greater moon hides her face before I am back where I should be."

  Ash frowned faintly, but said nothing more on the matter of her health. Since it was now a matter of time alone for her to recover fully, fussing would only hurt her pride more. In a more, but not completely, formal tone, he stated, "The ceremony to name the new Se'edai Magus will be in five days. Acting Se'edai Magus Ellis feels your presence would bring the matters from your first visit full circle, so you may witness the healing begin as you witnessed our suffering." She said nothing, waiting for him to c
ontinue. "Would you accompany me?"

  Storm flinched at the simple question. "After what happened? After what you did nearly killed you?" She looked pained. "You want me to enter that vipers' nest again?" Her discomfort was readily apparent. She turned to stalk away. "I would rather be poisoned again."

  The mage could not help but smile, hands clasped behind his back as he joined her. "I often feel the same about the Academy, to be honest. There are very few of my own people I can trust with a rock much less my life." He looked over at her, studying her profile. "I would like to have at least one person I can trust watching my back." He added blandly, "And having a 'savage' standing at my side as an equal will annoy the narrow minded idiots to no end."

  Storm's lips twitched. "And we must annoy the narrow minded idiots, of course."

  "Of course."

  After several minutes more of silence, Storm finally agreed, albeit reluctantly. "Only because I do not trust them anymore than they trust me. I will insure you are safe."

  Ash smiled inwardly, pleased she did not suspect his reasons for asking her were so he had reason to spend more time with her, and so he could watch over her. The fact that she agreed so she could protect him touched him. "Thank you, my Swordanzen."

  "There is no need to thank me. You are Lord Almek's student. It is my duty to protect you—" He caught her hand as he stopped walking once more, pulling her towards him. "Ash," she protested softly. He took heart that she only offered a token resistance; only curious puzzlement was in her eyes, none of the fury he was so familiar with.

  "Shhh." Putting his hand behind her head, he pressed his lips to her forehead a moment before folding his arms around her, holding her close. "Just give me a moment to reassure myself."

  "Reassure yourself?" Hesitantly, she put her arms around him, her body taut with uncertainty.

  "That you are here. And alive. And getting stronger." He held her tighter. "Please, don't risk yourself unnecessarily. I could not bear to lose you."

  "I will not risk myself unnecessarily." She slowly relaxed into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. "You will not be rid of me so easily. I promise." They stood holding each other in silence for a long time.

  Chapter 17

  The heart of Ithesra was the circle of five great trees. Looking up from the forest floor, the network of branches and bridges that connected things looked like the web of a giant, schizophrenic spider. Wide platforms built into the crook of branches framed with heavy railings sported several tent stalls of vendors come to sell their wares. More established merchants had sturdier structures built along the sturdy bridges, wider branches, or even against the great tree walls themselves. In the cavernous maws in hollow portions of the great trees, the tavern-like Hollows or inn-like Rests served as anchors to the city. The largest tavern, Visitor's Hollow served as the waypoint for most visiting foreigners, staying in one of the accompanying Rests.

  Not all foreigners needed the benefit of one of the few shelters afforded to non-Forenten visitors. Every season, a different caravan of gypsies called Ithesra home, and this season was no different. Children crowded around the ground-level gypsy encampment to watch the industry and teamwork required for the many wagons to settle in. Wagons were circled, animals were corralled with a web of rope, and protective canopies were erected with swift accuracy. The dark-haired, swarthy caravan leader known as Etaio was directing a canopy being raised when a pair of shadowy figures approached from behind. The smaller of the two growled forebodingly, "What do ye think yer doin' here, scruff?"

  The man merely arched an eyebrow as he turned, crossing his arms. "Earnin' my keep, ye road rat." The scowls evaporated as the two men embraced in greeting, laughing heartily. "Emil! Ye scoundrel! What are ye doin' up here?" The man gripped Emaris' huge arm in a warm greeting. "Ye keepin' this rogue out of trouble, Emaris?"

  The huge man shrugged noncommittally, earning a guffaw from Etaio and an eyeroll from Emil. "Thanks fer nothin', ye big lunk," Emil said dryly, but could not help but grin. "I dinna know ye were comin' up from Ganessi, too, Etaio. When did th' Morlaiz clan change their winter haunt t'Ithesra?"

  Etaio snorted softly. "Ye dinna ask me, neither. But since we heard ye joined up wi' th' Dusvet Guardian from here, we negotiated wi' their last winter clan t' take their place." He looked over Emil's head towards the tangle of bridges in the Market Circle. "Was surprised they were willin' t' let it go. We do a fair bit o' business up here with th' Forenten over th' winter, surprisin'ly. And th' Sevmanen and few Vodani who come up here prefer t' deal with us. Ain't as warm as goin' down south, but it certainly be profitable."

  "As snooty as th' merchants get here sometimes? Kenna say as I blame th' Sevmanen or Vodani any." Emil sidestepped a pair of gypsy children chasing each other in play before looking back to Etaio. "So, ye ha' anythin' t' drink? Emaris an' I are drier than a highborn's humor."

  "Really?" Etaio's mirth vanished at the oblique message in the otherwise irreverent request. "Fer two o' the Morlaiz's sons, we got anythin' ye need." He called to one of the other men. "Finish gettin' the tarps up so we ken be ready fer th' mornin', Berrik!" The younger gypsy waved in acknowledgement, turning to bark orders.

  Leading Emil and Emaris to the largest wagon, Etaio shooed everyone out. The three men sat on trunk lids across from each other. Etaio pulled out a bottle wrapped in woven reeds, blowing dust off and uncorking it to pour three cups worth of the potent liquid. "What news have ye, then?"

  Emil knocked back his drink, then toyed with the empty cup in his hands. The atypical lack of request for a refill surprised Etaio, the leader looking between the pair of grim, wayward sons. "Ye heard 'bout th' attack on th' Dusvet Guardian?" he stated more than asked.

  "At the Blue Rose Inn down in Ganessi? All th' clans heard 'bout that." Grimly, he said, "We watchin' out fer th' Ganessi lord. Don't doubt he'd turn on th' clans if he turned on Fortress."

  Holding out his cup, Emil said unhappily, "There was another one. Just 'cross th' border into Forenta. Damned near killed Almek an' the mage. Then! Th' Illaini mage's snit of a journeyman betrayed 'im an' done tried t'kill the Desanti woman."

  Whistling, Etaio said, "Had heard 'bout a ruckus. Dinna hear ye were involved in it." He looked worried. "The Dusvet be all right?"

  "Aye. Been some other stuff that I think be wearin' on 'im. But right now, yeah. He be all right." Taking a drink, Emil stated, "Their council o' mages they call th' Edai Tredecima be broken."

  Etaio looked curious. "I did hear something 'bout that, but try getting these tree lovin' snots t' explain anythin'. Wondered why they were more riled than usual." He leaned closer. "What have ye heard 'bout it?"

  "Heard? Hells, we was there!" Etaio's eyes went wide as Emil elaborated on the revelation of the darkling Se'edai. "That Swordanzen woman. She got some power behind 'er, let me tell ye. Not sure who ye want t' cross less. Her or the Illaini Magus."

  Etaio mused, crossing his arms. "I hear th' two of 'em are..." He made a crude gesture indicating copulation.

  "Feck, if they were, they might relax," Emil grumbled sourly. "I seen nervous felines less high strung than them two."

  Etaio chuckled, adding more drink to all three cups. "Well, I know one thing," Etaio stated. "Th' Swordanzen had definitely drawn the ire of the Ganessi lord fer confounding that attack at th' Blue Rose. Dinna realize 'til now that he must have had a hand in that border attack on ye. Now I understand why. If ye ever be goin' t' Ganessi, ye best watch yer backs." He said in a low voice, "Lord Anton Ganessi lost a lot of credibility wi' the faceless sorts, if ye catch my meaning. Large sums o' money were lost tha' he owes."

  Emil and Emaris traded unhappy looks before looking back at Etaio. "Ye know who they were? The ones who are wantin' t' kill a Guardian?"

  "We gypsies have our ears out, but it not be one of them things that be talked about directly. They be mindful of all th' ears around 'em. Might e'en be Shodwyn, but gots no proof one way or th' other." Etaio sighed, shaking his head. "Not m
uch help, but it be all I have."

  "Feh, it be plenty," Emil replied. "If ye hear anythin' of the sort wantin' t' make another attempt on 'em, get word t' either the actin' head mage Ellis Avarian or th' guardsman captain called Nolyn Lirai, if ye kenna reach th' Dusvet Guardian or Illaini mage. They can be trusted."

  "Good t'know." Etaio's gloomy expression brightened as he leaned back casually. "So, ye ready t' settle down finally? There be a few pretty lasses who came to us from one of the southern caravans that ye might take a shine to. Be about time ye brought a few young'uns into th' world." Emaris and Etaio guffawed loudly at Emil's expression.

  Chapter 18

  While the others were scattered around Ithesra on various errands or mere sightseeing, Almek relaxed in the warmth of Ash's library. Sitting in the master chair by the hearth, Almek glanced over from his reading as a small tray was slid onto the table next to him. He looked up as the headwoman poured the tea into a cup for him. He closed the old book carefully, accepting the drink gratefully. "Miss Kelafy, I know you are quite busy. You really need not serve me yourself."

  Kelafy set the teapot down, then put her hands on her ample hips, offering a warm but chiding look. "Dusvet Guardian, it has always been a dream of mine to serve the most powerful. I will not share the privilege any more than necessary. And I would be remiss if I did not ensure you were resting and taking care of yourself. Master Ash trusts me to stand for him within his home." She paused a moment. "Besides, I would like to hear you speak of your travels. You must have some fascinating stories."

  The man chuckled quietly. "Ash is fortunate to have you, Miss Kelafy."

  The woman sat down on a stool, facing between the hearth and Almek. "Please, feel free to call me just Kelafy, Dusvet." Pouring herself some tea, she said, "I find in my old age that I enjoy the occasional escape from social propriety."

  "Very well, then, Kelafy. But only if you will call me simply Almek," he responded kindly. "I quite agree with your sentiment. After a few hundred years, formality gets quite old."