The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise

by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

  “How can I tell?” the woman responded, ending on a gasp of pleasure. “That’s very good. Very, very good.”

  Curious and wary, Ninianee froze in place, all her attention on the conversation coming from the grotto.

  “You should know,” said the man, his tone a little more abrupt. There was a whisper of fabric discarded and a long, sensual sigh.

  “He’s stubborn,” said the woman, and fell silent for a long moment. Then, her words trembling, she went on, “I haven’t . . . had . . . time alone . . . with him.”

  The man’s response was a guttural moan of satisfaction.

  Ninianee moved nearer, and saw Yulko Bihn lying back on a stone bench, Dinvee ae-Semilgai straddling him, her lithe, naked body moving exquisitely, beautifully as any dancer could. Gradually, her slow movements became faster and more frenzied until she collapsed on his chest, panting and half-laughing, sliding over his body as if her bones had softened.

  For some little while, both of them were still, then Yulko Bihn disentangled himself from Dinvee, and handed her the garments she had cast aside. “Cover yourself, woman,” he said with strange primness. “Anyone would think you a courtesan.”

  If Dinvee found this slight insulting, she said nothing; smiling she pulled on her guin and then her gaunel, saying only, “If you dislike my body so much, you have a most unusual way of showing it, Magsto. You have allowed my flesh so many ways to serve you.”

  “You should guard your tongue, my student,” said Yulko Bihn, setting his own garments to rights.

  “Only with you would I speak my thoughts,” she said with an intensity of devotion that startled Ninianee. “You want to see Vildecaz brought into the Empire and the Duz to be deprived of position and power. Very well. I will do my utmost to bring that about, but I will not engage in meaningless seductions. I have my own powers to train, and – “

  ”I will teach you all you need to know,” said Yulko Bihn. “I will make you the most enthralling seductress since Wyrenthee, and I will uphold your power for as long as I live.”

  Dinvee offered him her most melting look. “I know how to show my gratitude.”

  “Yes, for which I am profoundly grateful,” said Bihn.

  “But, of course, I will want my share of your reward for bringing Vildecaz into the Empire.” None of the loveliness was gone from her features, but there was a coldness in her eyes that almost transfixed Ninianee as she watched.

  “Of course. You are doing much to further my cause, and you will have your reward for it.” Bihn stood up and smoothed his garments. “I hope you will be able to bring Hoftstan to your bidding before we must depart. If he cannot be made to serve our interests, then our task here will be more difficult.”

  Dinvee’s laugh was liquid music. “He will succumb. If I can only contrive to have an hour with him, alone, I will bring him to heel, I promise you, and tell me every one of Nimuar’s secrets. He will grovel at my feet before I am finished with him.”

  “Is there a chance he has a protective spell about him, to spare him from temptation and corruption?” Bihn suggested as he began to pace the confines of the grotto.

  “He might,” said Dinvee, her lower lip suddenly protruding. “I haven’t tried to detect spells about him.”

  “Perhaps you and I should study him. The spell-hounds in the castle will not respond to such spells, or I would try to bribe the handler – what is the fellow’s name?”

  “Lomcoz Terichovee,” Dinvee supplied. “I have only spoken to him once; there was desire in his eyes and I thought he was eager to know me better.”

  Ninianee decided she would have to speak to the Master of the Mews in the morning, to put him on his guard.

  “Would there be any point in seducing him?” Bihn asked. “Has he enough knowledge or talents to make his support useful?”

  “I don’t think so,” said Dinvee. “He is Keeper of the Mews, and that is all he wishes to be, or so it is understood of him. He has held his position from his father and has never sought advancement. He has some reputation for breeding and training superior spell-hounds, which seems to be sufficient to his aspirations.” She leaned against him briefly, a movement of such stunning erotic intent that it seemed as if he had penetrated her again.

  “How fortunate for him, and vexing for us,” said Bihn, caressing her arm before taking a step back from her. “Then it must be Ruch.”

  “And it will be, as soon as I can be with him for an hour,” said Dinvee, sounding a bit less compliant.

  “See that you arrange your assignation soon. We must have his aid, or I will have to delay my vindication for another year, and we may not have so fine an opportunity again. We must know where he’s hidden that treasure of his.” Dissatisfaction made his voice harsh and he scowled down at the stream chortling through the grotto.

  “It would be easier if you knew what it is,” said Dinvee with a long, languorous sigh. “The night is still young. We needn’t go in yet.”

  “We’re probably being watched by one of the servants. We can’t linger.” There was a suggestion of regret in his voice.

  “Very well. If you insist.” Dinvee stretched, sinuous as a cat, as she adjusted her clothes. “With Nimuar away, there isn’t much you can do to him, even if Hoftstan Ruch were sworn to your cause,” she remarked, and offered him her most melting smile.

  “He will not escape me, nor will his treasure. I should have destroyed both years ago,” Yulko Bihn declared with an emphatic wave of his arm; his gesture caused a limb on a Cazboarth pine to break and fall, nearly striking Ninianee, who leaped away into the trees, striving to keep to the deepest shadows. “What was that? Who was listening?” he asked loudly. “Show yourself!”

  Dinvee’s laughter was delicious. “It was only a deer. You’re too – “

  ”Little you know.” Yulko Bihn cut her off. “You cannot take anything for granted in Vildecaz. In this place the very trees may be listening.”

  “Then start a fire and destroy their . . . “

  Ninianee heard nothing more as she hurried away into the most distant reaches of the outer gardens.

  * * *

  Doms Guyon sat on the edge of the wall next to the broken section, thinking that Erianthee would be doing another of her Shadowshows in the Great Hall. All his finery had been set aside for simple garments of a dark-mauve color that blended with the shadows. His coronet and collar had been removed, and he wore only a single, silver ring with the device of a bridge incised on it. He was sorry to be missing the performance, but he wanted to be sure the Castle was safe from all intruders. He had noticed that the break in the wall had been done by tools, not magical spells, and that he found reassuring. If only he could find out what had taken Ninianee away from the entertainments, and why she so resolutely refused his help.

  The sound of a stealthy footfall caught his attention, and Doms moved to lie along the top of the wall, close enough to invisible to ensure he would not be readily noticed. He had a small sword with him, and this he kept covered so that the moonlight would not shine on the blade.

  “Can we get in?” a voice asked in a rough whisper.

  “It isn’t repaired yet,” said a second voice.

  “We’d best be quick. We’ve got to put the two caskets in place tonight or we won’t be paid.”

  Doms was surprised to hear this: the men were planning to bring something in to Vildecaz Castle, not take something out.

  “Why not use spell?” the first asked.

  “They have hounds for that,” said the second as if the inquiry were a foolish one.

  He nodded his personal agreement, and edged a little nearer, hoping to get a look at the men.

  “But two spell-mummies . . . ”

  “Don’t argue. We’ll be paid well for doing it, and no one from Cazboarth will have to answer for the mummies.” The second man chuckled. “Who’d think Cazboarth cares what happens in Vildecaz?”

  The first man muttered something.

  Suddenly a
loud gong sounded from a short distance away, and from farther down the wall came the shouts of guards.

  Doms Guyon dropped off the wall into the protective shadow of tall-growing herbs where he lay still as he listened to the two men try to scramble away. Cazboarth, he thought. Cazboarth. Why would anyone there be sending spies to Vildecaz? He remained hidden for half an hour while the guards pursued the two men into the forest, then, when he was certain the way was clear, he returned to his quarters and changed back into his elegant formal garb, complete with the heavy gold chain that proclaimed his status, and went back to see the end of the Shadowshow, all the while missing Ninianee, and troubled about where she might be.

  6. Hazards

  Kloveon of Fauthsku stood in the bow of the central window of Erianthee’s private apartments and stared out into the moonlight, his handsome features now showing lines of concern. He had changed from his elaborate feast-garments into a simple jalai of Mozh-cloth. “Aren’t you concerned for your sister at all?”

  Behind him on her wide bed, Erianthee stopped brushing the burnished gold of her hair and thought about his question, then answered, “No. Wherever she is, she must be safe. I would know if she weren’t.” It was almost the truth, and close enough that she said it confidently.

  “Her waiting-woman said she was going to keep to her quarters,” Kloveon pointed out. “Yet you say she is looking for your father.”

  “She didn’t say so specifically – it’s what I would expect of her,” said Erianthee, doing her best to remain composed.

  “Because she doubts your father is at the Library of Duz Kinzyrach? Or that the scholars there know more than they told you?” Kloveon asked, turning toward Erianthee; his eyes were luminescent with desire, but nothing else betrayed his longing.

  “Both of us share that concern,” said Erianthee, her face gone pale.

  “Because we didn’t see him for ourselves?” Kloveon guessed aloud.

  “That, and – there are other reasons,” said Erianthee evasively. How much she wished she could trust Kloveon, for she found his attention reassuring and his gentleness almost enough to crumble all her defenses; only her fear that this was his intention kept her from accepting the comfort he offered her, and telling him the whole of her fears.

  “Are you going to join her, on her search?” Kloveon asked.

  “I don’t know. It depends on what she tells me in the morning,” said Erianthee. A faint aroma of tsinwaj flowers wafted through the room – she suspected it was conjured by Kloveon’s magic, since the tsinwaj only bloomed in early spring. “It is very awkward, having both my father and my sister unable to help entertain our guests just now.”

  “Do you have a spell that might help resolve the mystery?” Kloveon sounded almost bored, but his eyes glittered with interest.

  “Nothing that would locate Papa, no; nor one that would assist Ninianee.” She bit her lower lip. “I miss Papa and I – ”

  Kloveon’s smile flickered in the night. “I wish I could tell you that I’ll take their place, but sadly, I cannot.”

  “No.” She stared down at her bed, her face studious. “You don’t have to remain here, you know.”

  “I am worried for your safety, Erianthee.” He took a step toward her, his hands lifting as if to embrace her, but he managed to curb his impulse. “If you’d rather be alone, I will leave you to your rest, but I’ll keep watch outside your door; I will not leave you unguarded.”

  “What would the Porzalk Emperor think of that?” She hoped he took this as teasing.

  Kloveon’s answer was utterly serious. “I don’t need his permission to watch over you. I don’t do it in Riast’s name.”

  The breath almost caught in her throat. “Senkei is patrolling the halls. I’m sure he’ll be protection enough.”

  “A spell-hound has many uses, but I would rather he do the work he was bred for, and be spared the task of guarding you; I am better-equipped for that task,” said Kloveon. The lamp-light suffused his face with a lovely glow, so that his features became more compelling – softer and more clearly delineated at once. “Whether you believe it or not, you are in danger.”

  “I do believe it – I have believed it from the first; even if my Shadowshows did not have warnings in them, I would sense it. If the danger increases, then I may well decide to post guards, to keep watch.” she said, and was startled by her own candor.

  “I will take care of that: I told you.” He managed not to snap at her.

  “If my own guards will not protect me, I would not want to put you at risk.”She continued more smoothly, “I am touched by your . . . concern.”

  “But that isn’t your decision to make: I am willing to take the risk,” Kloveon countered, his tone growing more somber. “Your Castle is full of guests, not all of your choosing. You shouldn’t be alone tonight, and since you have no official suitor to stay with you – “

  ”And you are not my official suitor,” she reminded him, wishing she didn’t sound so breathless.

  “Truly; I am not,” he said and offered her the flash of his smile. “Not for want of trying.”

  “Mirkal!” She intended it as a remonstration but instead she thought it sounded as if she were encouraging him. “This is no time for banter.”

  “I am not bantering,” he said softly.

  Erianthee flushed and could not continue to stare at him. At last she said, “Mirkal, you – “

  When she did not go on, he interjected, “What, my cherished Duzna?” He was lightly taunting, yet also caressing. He came another step nearer, his smile promising so much more than his words, and the way his gaze moved over her body, he might as well have been touching her. “You are the most wonderful woman I have ever known, and I tell you now that no matter what else I may do, I will not willingly hurt you.”

  “But you have vows to uphold, Kloveon, and you may have duties put upon you that would superseded any claim I have on you. Willing or not, if your duties required you act against me, you would.” She hated having to say this, no matter how truthful she knew it to be. “You are not free to ignore your oaths in my favor.”

  “No oath is as compelling as my devotion to you. Little though you believe it, I would set aside my position for your sake. Not even the Silent One could compel other fealty from me, Erianthee.” He was at the foot of her bed now, and his eyes shone with purpose.

  She held up her hands. “Don’t tempt her,” she warned him. “No one and nothing can escape the Silent One.”

  He folded his arms. “Listen to me, Erianthee: it is true that I have duties to perform and oaths to honor, but you are of greater worth than any of them. If I cannot show fealty to you, then any other oath of mine is worthless. I would place you above all other allegiance, and thank Agnith for the privilege of doing so.” He waited, then added, “I wish you could find it in your heart to believe me.”

  She sighed, resisting the urge to touch him. “I wish I could, too, Kloveon – you can’t imagine how much.”

  He took a step back from her, speaking as if nothing more than mild pleasantries had just passed between them. “Go on – sleep. I will keep watch.”

  Feeling that it was woefully inadequate, she said, “Thank you,” and lay back on her pile of pillows.

  * * *

  Dawn was marked by a heralding chorus of birds, the first odors of cooking in the kitchen, a loud bray from the household trumpets, and Ninianee’s hurrying into the stables to don the clothes she had hidden there – dolaj and brikes and high, wide-topped boots – while the horses watched her with unfrightened curiosity and whuffled for their breakfasts; the chestnut gelding in the next stall had an image in his mind of the courtyard piled high with crimped oats, which made Ninianee laugh as she fumbled with dressing. She emerged from the stable shortly thereafter, looking as if she had spent the night in a hayloft; she made her way back to her apartments in the castle and changed to somewhat grander and more appropriate riding togs, then hastened to Lomcoz Terichovee’s quar
ters to warn him of what she had overheard regarding him. That done, she hied herself along to Erianthee’s rooms, eager to tell her sister all she had learned.

  Kloveon greeted her at the door with a respect and a gentle inquiry as to how she was doing this morning. “You were missed last night, in spite of the excellent entertainments Doms managed to provide. I hope you have recovered from whatever possessed you.”

  “I am well-enough,” she answered, doing her best to seem at ease. “Is Erianthee awake?”

  “I don’t know. I would suppose so,” he answered, and tapped on the door. “Duzna. Your sister is here.”

  From inside the room, Erianthee muttered a response, and then there was the sound of footsteps and the door opened a crack, revealing a wedge of what seemed to be living light – Erianthee looked out at Ninianee; she was beautifully dressed in a gaunel of deep-lavender Garzine satin over a guin of ice-blue linen. Although she had not yet donned her coronet, she wore rings on her fingers and a pectoral of blue topaz on a broad chain of gold. “Nin! Agnith be thanked! I worried half the night!” she exclaimed softly, tugging the door wide. “Come in, come in. Tell me everything.” She took hold of Ninianee’s shoulder and pulled her into the room, shutting the door behind them before Kloveon could slip into the room with them.

  “Kloveon of Fauthsku guarding your door?” Ninianee remarked as they crossed the room. “That’s a bit provocative, isn’t it?”

  “He insisted upon it,” said Erianthee. “I was afraid to tell him no, for fear he would become more – ”

  “No doubt he would,” said Ninianee, frowning.

  “He is my escort to Riast’s court,” Erianthee reminded her gently. “Or part of the way, in any case. I wouldn’t be wise to offend him.”

  “No, probably not,” said Ninianee with a twinkle in her eyes. She stretched suddenly, as if her own body felt unfamiliar, which it did. “I found out something last night.”

  “Something important?”

  “I think it is,” said Ninianee thoughtfully. “After my Change, I stayed in the outer gardens, as – “