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

by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

“That I will, and gladly,” she said, and took another long sip; the cup was now half-empty.

  “Did any of you see Yulko Bihn during the Shadowshow?” Ninianee asked, looking around those seated at their table.

  “Why? Do you suspect him of something?” asked Hoftstan Ruch.

  “No. But I was told he was out of the Great Hall. Perhaps one of the reasons Erianthee had such a Shadowshow – visions and other surprises – was that Bihn was performing some kind of spell to make it more his control than hers. It would certainly explain why he and his companion were out of the Hall. But I can’t imagine why he should do such a thing.”

  The other exchanged uneasy glances, and Erianthee began to scowl. “I know when someone is interfering with what I do. I can feel it. I had no such impression while the Shadowshow was going on.”

  “Of course you can perceive any manipulations,,” said Merinex. “You have a keen sense of spells.”

  Erianthee didn’t like his tone, even though he agreed with her, so all she said was, “I didn’t know what was to be done. If there were an attempt to make me show certain events, then it was so subtle that I could not feel it. I had an uneasy feeling before I began to form the Shadows, but I did little more than wonder what the Shadows were doing; I didn’t suspect anything more.”

  “You had good reason to wonder,” said Ruch. “Had you been alerted to the possibility, no doubt you would have discerned not only what but who was working against your intentions.”

  “And the spell-hounds bayed,” said Merinex, his face showing his increasing worry.

  “So they did,” said Ruch, and looked at Ninianee. “What did you notice, Duzna?”

  “Only that my sister was having one of her prophetic Shadowshows. We haven’t seen one for at least three years.” Ninianee coughed discreetly. “I saw the object of our inquiry when the performance was about half-done, and at that time, he didn’t seem to be interfering in any way. I assumed he and Dinvee had completed their – ”

  Hoftstan Ruch tapped the table-top. “I saw the same fellow at the end of the Shadowshow. I had the impression he was surprised.”

  “And worried,” added Merinex. “I saw him, too.”

  “Why should he be worried?” asked Erianthee, her voice rising.

  “I don’t know,” said Ninianee. “But I do think what he saw perplexed him.”

  “Yes,” said Ruch. “That’s it. He was perplexed.”

  “Why should he be perplexed?” Erianthee asked.

  “Who knows? But he was perplexed, true enough,” Merinex chimed in.

  Kloveon spoke up from where he stood, half in shadows. “He didn’t seem to be a man worn out by making spells.”

  “No, he didn’t,” Merinex agreed.

  “What do you mean?” Ninianee asked.

  “You know how any powerful magician has to rest after doing such a spell as the one that overwhelmed the Shadowshow would have to be. Well, from what I saw, Yulko Bihn wasn’t displaying any of the fatigue or debilitation that such magic imposes. He has been keeping close company with his apprentice, so I doubt he has power enough left over from her to support such commanding manifestations as the Duzna produced. I thought that he had the kind of satisfaction that some men feel when others are in difficulties, but nothing that would make me think that he was the cause of those difficulties. In fact, I think he was as astounded by what he saw as the rest of us were.”

  “Then who is doing this?” Kloveon kept his voice low to avoid bringing attention to their discussion, but his urgency was apparent.

  Erianthee said, “I don’t know. I may be doing it myself, you know.” She stood up. “Something must be done to get Maeshar and his company off to bed. They’ll be leaving in the morning.”

  “So will Bihn,” said Hoftstan Ruch.

  “Are you sure?” Erianthee asked.

  “He has ordered his carriage for the morning,” said Hoftstan. “The grooms are setting out the harness tonight.”

  “He wants to get to Court before you do, and that is not because he wants to praise you,” Ninianee said firmly, looking directly at her sister. “What about Maeshar. Do we know they’ll all be gone?”

  “He has told General Rocazin he and his men will be gone as soon as they have broken their fasts and their horses can be saddled. They haven’t had enough hunting, or so he claims.” Hoftstan said.

  “Did he suggest what hour that departure might occur?” Ninianee asked.

  Erianthee made herself laugh. “Given his present condition, he may need to sleep until mid-day.”

  “My very thought,” said Ninianee.

  Merinex pulled thoughtfully at his beard. “I could enforce a waking spell, for the hour after dawn, if you like.”

  “The spell-hounds might object,” said Hoftstan.

  “They might,” Kloveon seconded unexpectedly. “So perhaps they could be set to guard the break in the defenses. They’ve done their work here, inside the castle.”

  “Or so we hope,” said Erianthee. “And assuming there is no one under this roof other than Heijot Merinex, who might work spells tonight.”

  Merinex shrugged. “I am willing to try.”

  “Better wait an hour or two,” Ninianee suggested. “Just in case any of them has a talent for detecting spells.”

  Three of the group nodded, but Kloveon said, “You should alert your Captain of the Night Guard. He needs to know what you are planning.”

  “Senijer ae-Miratdien is already planning to spend the night at the break in the wall. The Night Guard will be on duty in full number until dawn. No enemy will breach that break, not with magic or with men-at-arms.” Hoftstan lowered his voice as if to ensure only they knew how thinly the guards would be spread.

  “All right,” said Merinex. “Assuming ae-Miratdien agrees, I am willing to do my utmost.”

  Ninianee rose. “Then let us make all the necessary arrangements before Maeshar’s companions become any more rambunctious than they have been. We have seen more than enough of their antics.” She saw Doms Guyon motion to her from his place at the end of the next table, and she looked away from him. “Maeshar and his companions are difficult guests.”

  Erianthee also got to her feet, saying a little faintly, “I fear I must retire. This has been a very demanding evening. I will need to sleep a long time tonight, and may not rise early.” Before she could move, Kloveon was at her side, offering his escort with an abbreviated respect. After a moment of hesitation, Erianthee stepped to his side.

  “I must see General Rocazin and Captain ae-Miratdien,” said Ninianee. “If you will accompany me, Guyon?”

  “Certainly, Duzna,” he said, and came toward her, his loose-limbed stride covering the distance between them quickly.

  As they set off down the hall, Ninianee did her best to make conversation., “A difficult few days.”

  “That they have been,” said Doms.

  “They aren’t over yet,” she added, a quiver going through her composed both of tension and vexation.

  “Very likely not,” said Doms.

  “With Erianthee leaving for the Imperial Court, there is much we must arrange before she can depart without – ”

  “Duzna Ninianee,” Doms dared to interrupt her, “if you have need of any skill of mine, it is yours to command.”

  “Very gracious of you,” said Ninianee, trying not to blush.

  “Very sincere,” he corrected her.

  She kept on walking, unable to summon up the words to speak with him without feeling like an awkward girl. This would not do, she told herself, and hoped, as she often did in his company, that he could not read her thoughts.

  * * *

  General Rocazin was pacing in front of the collapsed section of wall, her face set in disapproving lines. “This is most distressing,” she said without any customary courtesies as Ninianee and Doms Guyon came up to her. “Captain ae-Miratdien is posting the night-guard. He has pointed out that the greatest danger tonight may not be magical but ordi
nary.” She kicked at one of the fallen stones. “We must send word to Valdihovee for masons and stone-workers to begin repairs tomorrow.”

  “Yes, indeed,” said Ninianee. “I’ll dispatch a messenger within the hour.”

  “I’ll carry it for you, Duzna,” said Doms. “I know the head of the Masons’ Guild.”

  Little as she wanted to entrust such an important request to Doms, Ninianee said, “That is much appreciated. Thank you.”

  A slight smile flickered over Doms’ face, gone before Ninianee was sure she saw it. “It is an honor to do this for you.”

  She stiffened, and bit back the sharp retort that rose to her lips. “You will be up all night,” she said in place of the rebuke she would have liked to deliver.

  “I suppose you will be, too,” he said, offering a respect to Senijer ae-Miratdien as he came up to them.

  “Duzna. General,” he said, respecting the two women before giving a half-respect to Doms. “I have the guard posted: twenty-four armed men and six look-outs in the towers.”

  “Do you have any idea who did this?” Ninianee asked before General Rocazin could speak.

  ‘No,” admitted ae-Miratdien. “I thought perhaps one of Maeshar of Otsinmohr’s company had done it for an amusement, but I soon noticed signs that tools and muscle had worked this collapse, not magic, so I have had to change my thoughts, and so far, I can think of no one who might be inclined to make such an attack.”

  “That is most distressing,” said Ninianee.

  “The stones resist magic, you said?” Doms prompted.

  Captain ae-Miratdien coughed discreetly. “Yes. Merinex tried to make repairs for the night, but without success. The same for Krunn Howei.”

  “You called the magician from Valdihovee to attend to this?” General Rocazin exclaimed, very near giving vent to her temper.

  “I did.” The Captain stood very straight.

  “And he actually came?” Doms sounded dubious.

  “He is still here; I am going to escort him back to Valdihovee as soon as the spell-hounds are at their posts,” ae-Miratdien declared.

  Ninianee held up her hand. “Very well. But Doms Guyon will accompany you, carrying a message for me.”

  It was General Rocazin who broke the stunned silence that greeted this information. “If you think it wise, Duzna.”

  “I do,” Ninianee said, and was startled to discover it was true.

  “So do I,” Doms added, and went on with a hint of mischief in his voice, “I serve no master but myself, and my rank is high enough to spare me from having to answer to the demands of any but the highest. No one will keep me from my duty, not even the Emperor’s obnoxious cousin.”

  “What do you mean?” Ninianee asked, hating the new suspicions that rose inside her.

  “You need not fear that your message will be compromised. It will not be; not by me.”

  Baffled, Ninianee stared at him. “You are from the Drowned World. How can you say – ”

  Doms smiled at her, so smoothly that she almost missed the hard shine in his icy eyes. “My father is a noble of the fourth degree by birthright, and that still has some meaning in the Drowned World. Our name is not so well-known as many are, but it is among the oldest of the Families.”

  “You are a Yaonoi?” Ninianee could barely get the word out.

  “No; I am a Yaolaj; I am my father’s heir.” He paused. “Not that that means much in the Great World, except that only the highest nobles can detain me or demand answers of me.”

  “Why did you never say anything?” Ninianee asked, astonished and infuriated at once.

  “There was no reason. Now that you are to entrust a message to me, one that bears on your safety, you should know how much protection I can provide.” He studied her for a dozen heartbeats. “Will you accept my assurance?”

  Nonplused, Ninianee did her best to answer. “I suppose this is the truth, for not even you would venture such an outrageous lie,” she said, and saw General Rocazin cover her mouth in shock. “If a Yaolaj is willing to be a messenger for a Duzna, who am I to protest.”

  “You are such a pragmatic lady,” said Doms, shaking his head in amusement. ‘As soon as you hand me your message, I will be at Captain ae-Miratdien’s service.” He offered them all a fine respect and stepped back to allow them to make their arrangements for the night.

  * * *

  Toward dawn a shudder passed through Vildecaz Castle, not a shudder of the world, but one of magic; it touched the Castle and everyone inside it with tweak of malaise, and the sense that there was undiscovered danger about them. Most of those asleep under the Castle’s roof shook themselves and drew themselves up in their beds; those on watch shivered and stared intently out at the darkened land, limned by the waning moon.

  In her chamber, Ninianee sat up, straining to make out any unfamiliar shape in the room, but to no avail. Troubled, she rose and pulled on her night-wrap, then carefully let herself out of her chamber only to find Doms Guyon leaning against the wall, half-awake. He looked up as she muttered, “Bontaj.”

  “At least,” said Doms.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Guarding your door, of course,” he said.

  “You’re as bad as Kloveon,” said Ninianee, doing her best not to yawn.

  “Probably worse,” Doms agreed.

  “How long have you been here?” She wanted to yell at him but dared not speak above a whisper.

  “You went to bed at end of the second hour after midnight,” said Doms. “I took up this post half an hour later, as soon as I returned from Valdehovee.”

  “You didn’t need to return tonight,” said Ninianee, not knowing how to account for the emotions that swept over her.

  “But I did,” he said.

  “Why?” She began walking down the hall as much to be active as to reach any specific destination.

  He took her question seriously, staying with her as he answered. “Someone has been trying to get into this Castle, or to make you think he or she has already done it. It might be so.”

  “And you are prepared to defend me?” She wanted to sound sarcastic, but heard the plaintiveness of her question.

  “I am – and well you know it.” His disarming smile was engaging.

  Gathering up her courage, she said in a rush, “Are you really a Yaolaj?”

  “You don’t believe me?” He sounded amused.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “It’s possible that you are, and it’s possible that you aren’t.”

  His tone changed to one so direct that she stopped walking and stared at him. “Of course I am. My direct ancestor founded the Cantonment of the Tail. He established the Yahmah and his son established the Mirkalin on Zegul-Gnax. My own holdings are on Tirin-Dzur, and four other small islands.”

  “But . . . why aren’t you there?”

  The amusement was back in his eyes. “There is so little to do on Tirin-Dzur, these days. The Cantonment is secure, and the Yahmah has excellent administrators. I have four brothers, so there is little reason for me to remain there, poisoned with boredom.”

  Ninianee resumed walking. “I see.”

  “And you believe me?”

  “Very likely,” she admitted. “But I have to consider all you’ve told me. I have to get used to it.”

  “Fair enough,” he allowed. “Where are you bound?”

  “I’m not sure. Something woke me.”

  He made a sign of agreement. “Something like a dog shaking itself?”

  “Yes. Something magical.” She folded her arms for the night was cool. “But the spell-hounds haven’t keened.”

  “No, they haven’t,” Doms agreed, studying her face in the dark.

  “Perhaps I should ask Erianthee if she has noticed anything?” She did not want to disturb her sister at this hour, but she could not shake the pervasive sense of unease that had taken possession of her. “She may have a suggestion . . . ” Before she could change her mind, she started off toward
Erianthee’s apartments.

  Doms fell into step next to her. “Would you like me to talk to the Night Guard? Captain ae-Miratdien should be on the wall near the break.”

  “No. Not yet. I may be making too much of this.” She rounded the bend in the corridor and took the left branch that led to Erianthee’s rooms.

  The lighting-spells that made small pools of light along the main corridor were beginning to fade, and the secondary corridors were all dark and sinister in the wake of the disquieting perturbation that had brought Ninianee so edgily awake. Most of the Castle was filled with sleep, but that sleep was restless.

  “It is possible,” said Doms, thumbing a sulphur-stick into sputtering light.

  “No magic, just simple tools?” Ninianee asked as Doms held the sulphur-stick aloft.

  “Why use magic when this works as well?”

  Ninianee considered his answer, admitting its good sense to herself. She was about to tell him so when she caught sight of Kloveon of Fauthsku dozing on a bench in front of Erianthee’s door. “What in the name of Dandolmaz – ”

  The sound of her voice, though hardly more than a whisper, brought Kloveon sharply awake. “Duzna! What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, perhaps. I don’t know,” said Ninianee.

  “There was a disruption in the castle a short while ago,” Doms explained, keeping the sulphur-stick high in order to light their faces.

  Kloveon nodded. “I felt it; a troubling interruption.”

  “Yes,” said Ninianee. “Do you know if my sister is awake?”

  “No,” said Kloveon. “I haven’t been in her rooms since she retired. She’s worn out.”

  “Hardly surprising,” said Ninianee. “Still, let me take a look in on her. If she’s awake, she and I will talk. If she is asleep, then I’ll leave.”

  “You are Duzna here,” said Kloveon, and stood aside as Ninianee let herself into Erianthee’s rooms.

  The darkness was so dense it was almost palpable. Ninianee made her way carefully toward the place she assumed Erianthee’s bed was. As she went, she conjured a spark to give her a little light, holding the glow in her cupped hand. Even with this slight illumination, she nearly banged her shins on Erianthee’s bed frame. She managed to keep her balance, then held her spark over the bed and saw that her sister was sunk in deep slumber. “In the morning,” she promised in a half-voice, then retreated from the room, letting herself out as she extinguished the spark-spell. “I’ll return later. As you said, Mirkal, she is very much asleep.”