by Sharon Green
“Yes, it wasn’t logical havin’ them attack now, when we’re headin’ for their more involved trap,” Vallant agreed with a headshake. “We’ve got to stop those fools before someone gets really hurt.”
“One of those men would have lost his sight if not for us,” Lorand said from where he and Jovvi rode ahead of Tamrissa and Vallant. “That’s hurt enough as far as I’m concerned.”
“Which means we really do need to find a way to stop this sniping,” Jovvi turned around to say in agreement. “Let’s put our minds to it as soon as the ceremony is over.”
There wasn’t one of them who disagreed with that, so they continued on to the amphitheater in silence. Rion racked his brain trying to think of a way to apprehend that miscreant Ayl, but they reached the amphitheater and he hadn’t thought of a single idea. There were small crowds here as well, so Rion shielded them all again until they’d ridden through one of the wide doors leading to the interior of the amphitheater.
“That attack could well have been a distraction, meant to make us think we’re safe now,” Vallant said just before they all began to dismount. “I know we checked this place again this mornin’, but let’s still be alert and really careful. If they arranged one distraction, there could be more.”
Rion considered that good advice, as did the others, so they were all extremely alert when they handed over the reins of their horses and began to walk toward the people waiting for them. Lavrit Mohr stood with a group of men and women who weren’t all familiar, but ranged around and behind those people were the Blending’s link groups and associate Blendings. That made Rion feel fractionally better, but not entirely so.
“Excellences, please excuse the observation, but you’re late,” the man Mohr exclaimed as they neared, stepping out in front of his companions. “Is everything all right?”
“It wasn’t, but we took care of it,” Tamrissa answered for all of them, her tone still far from friendly. “Is there any chance at all that someone with Fire magic is in the mood to offer a challenge?”
As his sister deliberately looked around with those words, Rion could see flinching in all directions. It had been wise of her to let people know what sort of mood she was in, an effort that ought to avoid unnecessary trouble. The members of Tamrissa’s link groups – and the Fire magic users of the other Blendings – all began to study the high ceiling above them with complete attention, and the gesture wasn’t lost on those who didn’t have Fire magic.
“With all due respect, Excellence, we don’t seem to have anyone with suicidal urges in our group,” a man they didn’t know commented, trying to hide amusement. He was a rather large man, burly with dark hair and light eyes, and his clothing was on the shabby side despite the fact that he sounded like a scholar. “I’m Tolten Meerk, and I’ll be conducting the Seating ceremony.”
“Meerk,” Jovvi echoed as Tamrissa’s attention turned sharply to the man. “Were you by any chance related to Alsin Meerk?”
“He was my brother,” Tolten Meerk replied, a sad smile now turning his mouth. “I was told that he lost his life bravely, defending your lady of Fire, and I appreciate having that memory of him. He always seemed determined to give his life in some cause or other, and I’m just glad that he found a worthy one.”
“Please understand that we share your grief,” Jovvi told him gently, stepping forward to put a hand to the man’s arm. “Alsin was a close associate and a good friend, and we all miss him quite a lot. So what will we have to do during the ceremony?”
“Not all that much,” Meerk answered, immediately joining in changing the subject. “I’ll present you to the people, and ask if there are any challenges to your being Seated. Since there won’t be any, you’ll all sit in the chairs that have been put on the platform for symbolism. After that the people will cheer, and then we can all go home.”
“Obviously, the public Seatin’ ceremony was nothin’ but a time-wastin’ formality for the nobility,” Vallant commented with a shake of his head. “We’ll have to see about changin’ that, startin’ with the ceremony next year. If the people have to live under a Blendin’s rule, they ought to be able to feel that they had a hand in makin’ it happen.”
“What ceremony next year?” Meerk asked, glancing around with narrowed eyes. “Did someone tell you that you’ll have to go through this again in a year’s time? That doesn’t happen to be true, not when a reign is supposed to last for twenty-five years.”
“Dom Meerk, the idea is ours,” Jovvi told the man soothingly, adding one of her loveliest smiles. “The competitions have been controlled for so very long that we now want to add as much fairness as possible. We’re putting off the next competitions for a year, so that any Blending that wants to participate will have a chance to practice and grow strong. Only under those circumstances will the Seated Blending truly be representative of everyone.”
“And you can also tell everyone that classes in the use of talent will be started immediately,” Tamrissa added, her tone no longer quite so belligerent. “In a few weeks, once everyone has had a chance to attend those classes, the people who are interested will then be taught how to Blend. Even if they’re in no position to compete in the challenges, they’ll still be taught.”
“Either you’re more than very sure of yourselves, or you’re the answer to our prayers,” Meerk said, looking around at each of them, his expression odd. “I sincerely hope it’s the latter, but in any event it’s time we got on with the ceremony. Ah … may I ask why all those other people who apparently know you are here? They aren’t part of the group from the city, I’m sure, and there’s really no place for them in the ceremony.”
“Then I suggest we make a place for them,” Rion couldn’t help putting in. “Those are the people who made it possible for us to survive long enough to reach this point in time. Their suffering has earned them the best place we can provide, so we would appreciate your help in creating that place.”
“The ceremony would hardly be complete without them there,” Jovvi added as the others all nodded their agreement. “A word or two on our behalf indicating our appreciation would certainly be enough. Our full thanks will be shown them in a private, more fitting way.”
“As you wish,” Meerk agreed with the calm that seemed to be a part of him. “The representatives of the city groups will join us on the platform, but only as witnesses. Is that all right?”
“That’s fine,” Lorand agreed for all of them. “Now I think we’ve kept those people out there waiting long enough.”
“But that doesn’t go for everyone out there,” Tamrissa said under her breath as people began to move in all directions. “It would not bother me in the least if Ayl’s idiots died of old age waiting. But I do want to see the look on their faces when they find out what we did.”
Rion smiled at Tamrissa’s comment, understanding exactly what she meant. Ayl’s people had weakened the platform so that when their Blending sat in the heavy chairs which would be provided for their use, the platform would collapse. The collapse was meant to throw some if not all of them onto the hilsom powder-laced sand, and then, presumably, the men with bows in the stands would find it possible to murder them.
But that morning their Blending entity had taken possession of the watchers left by Ayl, and had used the men to reinforce the platform against collapse after destroying every speck of hilsom powder. Then the entity had made the men forget what they’d done before allowing them to return to their posts. The men would report that everything was as it had been left by those working the day before, but anyone waiting for the collapse – and a general loss of talent - would be sadly disappointed.
“No, I’m afraid that can’t be left for another time,” Rion heard Lorand saying to Meerk, the two men having already reached the wide doorway leading to the sands. “If you can’t find another chair like those five, take them away and bring out any six chairs. If you can’t find six chairs that are the same, then we’ll all stand for the Seating ceremony.”
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br /> “But I was told that you’d agreed to hold off with doing something that will upset everyone,” Meerk persisted, his tone disturbed. “It’s really too late for you to change your minds again, so – “
“You’re missing the point,” Lorand interrupted as the remaining members of the Blending reached the doorway. “We never changed our minds to begin with, so whoever told you that we had was lying. Please make whatever arrangements you have to about the chairs, and then we’ll want to know who gave you that false information.”
By then Rion was able to see that only five chairs had been placed on the platform in the middle of the sand. The sole thing that kept him from exploding in anger was the fact that Lorand had already made their position absolutely clear, and was also clearly holding down his own anger. For that reason Rion controlled himself as Meerk called over a young man who was probably his assistant. Meerk gave the young man rapid instructions, and when his assistant dashed off at a run, Meerk turned back to Lorand.
“There are additional chairs of the same sort stored on the side of the amphitheater that used to be used by the nobles,” Meerk informed them all with continuing calm. “We’ll have another chair out there in just a few minutes, and then we’ll be able to begin.”
“And the name of the person who told you that we’d changed our minds about how many of us would be Seated?” Lorand asked, the question downright curt. “I’m not asking just for form’s sake, or because I mean to go through all sorts of accusation scenes. We made our stance perfectly clear to everyone, but someone still wants to do things his or her own way. We’ll have enough trouble with problems that can’t be avoided. There’s no need at all to add in someone who wants to rule in our place without first challenging and defeating us. Now please give me that name.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know the man’s name, and I don’t even see him here any longer,” Meerk responded after turning to study the group of city leaders. “He was a thin man of average height, and he spoke with such casual authority that there seemed to be no reason to disbelieve him. He also suggested that if you changed your mind again, just a little coaxing would change it back.”
“Are you sure that Relton Henris had nothing to do with it?” Tamrissa asked Meerk, her annoyance having returned. “Only some thin man who isn’t here any longer?”
“No, I can honestly say that Relton Henris had nothing to do with the matter,” Meerk assured her, adding a warm smile. “It’s fairly obvious that the man is unhappy about something, but he never mentioned what that something might be. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll supervise the placing of that sixth chair.”
It was just possible to see, across the sand and behind the chairs already on the platform, that the doors on the other side of the amphitheater were being opened. Meerk performed a small bow before striding off toward the platform, and the buzz of noise from the thousands of people in the stands broke off for a moment. Everyone seemed to be watching as Meerk made for the platform, and when he reached it the crowd noticed that there were three men struggling with the chair they’d just carried outside. That observation renewed the babble of conversation, only a bit more intensified.
“Meerk was lying,” Jovvi said softly to Lorand, her voice reaching only the six of them. “Did you notice that as well?”
“Yes, it so happens I did,” Lorand admitted, his gaze on the man they discussed where he stood on the platform. “He does know who told him that story, but he won’t give the name to us. But I’m certain that that someone wasn’t Henris.”
“So we have yet another player in this game,” Vallant said with something of a sigh. “Callin’ Meerk on the lie probably won’t do any good, and if we insist or force him to tell us, we’ll most likely just make another enemy. There was a time when I really hated the idea of controllin’ everyone around us, but now…”
“Now it’s starting to look like the best way to save our sanity,” Tamrissa agreed with her own sigh. “It’s a good thing for these people that we have more self-control than that.”
“For the moment,” Lorand said, his headshake obviously filled with annoyance and frustration. “How much self-control we’ll have left after the ceremony is over remains to be seen.”
And that, unfortunately, was a sentiment Rion had no trouble understanding fully.
Chapter 12
It wasn’t very long at all before the sixth chair was placed on the platform, the noise from the stands getting louder by the minute. Tolten Meerk ignored the waves of questions and comments, giving all his attention to having the newest chair properly placed, and then he sent his assistants away and just stood waiting.
“I have a feeling I’m not going to like this man as well as I did his brother,” I muttered, the annoyance I’d been feeling all along increasing again. “He’s all but demanding that we come out now because he thinks it’s more than time we did.”
“It’s amazing how close you’ve come to interpreting his feelings without having Spirit magic,” Jovvi commented from where she stood beside me, also staring at the man. “He seems to have decided not to ‘waste’ any more time, so he’s not going to be coming back in here. And he’s also trying to avoid being questioned again.”
“I flatly refuse to dance to that man’s tune,” Rion stated, and I had the impression that he was almost as annoyed as I’d gotten. “No matter how much work we have waiting for us, I’d rather waste an hour standing right here doing nothing than walk out at his command.”
“I’m surprised at my lack of patience, but I feel just the same,” Lorand put in, his expression filled with exasperation rather than surprise. “I’m getting very tired of everyone around us trying to make us do things their way.”
“Either by tellin’ us or tryin’ to lead us,” Vallant put in just before he stepped out into the path of the group of city leaders accompanied by Lavrit Mohr. “Excuse me, folks, but where do you think you’re goin’?”
“Why, we’re going out to join Dom Meerk on the platform, Excellence,” Mohr answered for all of them, his expression showing confusion. “Isn’t the ceremony about to start?”
“Not quite yet, so why don’t you and the others hold on for a bit,” Vallant answered, and then he turned back to our group to speak in a murmur. “Refusin’ to go along with that man out there may look childish, but that’s the only thing I’m in the mood for. So how are we goin’ to do it?”
“Let’s go over and tell the link groups and other Blendings what’s happening,” I suggested at once. “That should waste a few minutes, and then we can all stroll out together.”
“And we can’t let Dom Meerk speak for us,” Naran said suddenly as the others were agreeing with my suggestion. “If we do, things won’t go well at all.”
“Which means another tradition bein’ thrown out,” Vallant said with a shrug. “It’s a terrible shame, but I think I can live with it. Let’s go talk to the link groups and other Blendin’s.”
Our people were murmuring among themselves, and when we walked over to where they were standing each link group or Blending sent someone to meet us. We explained about Meerk’s behavior to this smaller group, and a lot of them looked scandalized on our behalf.
“So we’d like all of you to range yourselves around the city leaders, and we’ll all go out together,” Jovvi finished up. “I’m fairly certain that we’re supposed to walk out alone, but we haven’t quite earned that great honor yet. If and when we ever accomplish something entirely alone, then we can think about it.”
“As far as everyone I know is concerned, you’ve earned anything you care to claim,” a woman from one of the link groups said with a smile. “I wasn’t with our army long, but even half the time would have been much too long. You’re the ones who got me out of that, made me feel like a human being again, and gave me something to do that more than needed doing. I now have my dignity back, and I’m all for anything that gives you the same gift.”
“Everyone in my Blending thinks you’re
all crazy for putting up with even a small part of that nonsense they’ve been pestering you with,” Wilant Gorl stated without showing a smile. “Those people are doing it because they have no real idea what you’re capable of, but that’s beside the point. If you’re finally tired of going along with that garbage, we’re behind you.”
Everyone else in the group made noises of agreement with both stated opinions, which was an incredible relief. It made me remember that there actually were people in the world who saw things the way we did.
“Thank you all,” Jovvi said with her own smile as she looked around. “We value your good opinion and hope we’ll never do anything to lose it, but we really should get things moving now. If you’ll bring everyone else up to date on what’s happening, we may get home before nightfall.”
People chuckled at that comment, but the group did break up to go back and do as Jovvi had asked. The rest of us walked over to where the city leaders waited near the opened doors, and Jovvi smiled at them as well.
“Thank you for your patience, my friends,” she said, looking around at them. “Everyone will be ready to go in just a few more minutes, and then we’ll all walk out together. Our being here was a joint effort, after all, so that’s the way we’ll present it.”
“And there’s been another small change in plans,” I put in myself. “We’ve decided that having Dom Meerk speak for us would be much too pompous, so I’ll do the speaking for our group. We intended to explain that when Dom Meerk came back in, but since he hasn’t come back he’ll have to find it out when it happens.”
“As you wish, Excellences,” Mohr said with a bow as some of those around him looked disturbed. “This is, after all, your Seating ceremony, so it ought to be conducted the way you want it to go. The nobles certainly did it in their own way, and they did nothing to earn having their say.”