The Study Series Bundle

by Maria V. Snyder

  A plan formed, making my heart buzz with the possibilities. If I hadn’t been so drained of energy, I would have started preparations that night. Instead, I mapped out the steps I needed to take to return to Sitia.

  I hovered at the entrance to Dilana’s workroom. The Commander’s seamstress sat in a pool of early-morning sunlight, humming to herself as her deft fingers repaired a pair of pants. Her soft curls glowed like fresh honey. I hesitated, not wanting to disturb her.

  My need for information, though, spurred me into the room. She glanced up in surprise and my heart stopped. I braced myself for her reaction, guessing hate and anger ranked at the top of her list.

  “Yelena!” She jumped to her feet. “I heard you were back.” She pulled me into a warm hug then released me for inspection. “You’re still too thin. And what’s this you’re wearing? The material is far too light for Ixia’s weather. Let me get you some proper clothes and something to eat. I have a fresh loaf of cinnamon bread.” She moved away.

  “Dilana, wait.” I grabbed her arm. “I ate breakfast and I’m not cold. Sit down. I want to talk to you.”

  Her baby doll’s beauty hadn’t dimmed with time or grief, but I could see a touch of sadness in her eyes despite her smile.

  “It’s so good to see you again.” She rubbed a hand along my arm. “Look at how tan your skin is! Tell me what you’ve been doing in Sitia besides sunning yourself.”

  I laughed at the fantasy of me lounging in the sun, but sobered. She wanted to avoid the subject. Avoid the reason I thought she might hate me. But I couldn’t go on without saying anything. “Dilana, I’m sorry about Rand.”

  She waved the comment away. “No need. The big oaf got himself mixed up with Star and her nefarious deeds. Not your fault.”

  “But he wasn’t her target. I was and—”

  “He saved you. The dumb ox died a hero.” She blinked back tears threatening to spill over her long eyelashes. “It’s a good thing we didn’t get married or I’d be a widow. No one wants to be a widow at twenty-five.” She took a deep breath. “Let me get you a slice of bread.”

  Dilana left before I could stop her. When she returned with a plate, she had regained her composure. I asked her about the latest gossip.

  “Can you believe Ari and Janco are working with Valek? They were in here last month trying on their new uniforms and preening in front of the mirrors.”

  “Do you know where they are?” I asked.

  “Some mission with Valek. I had to make a sneak suit for each of them. I used up all my black fabric to cover Ari’s muscles. Can you imagine that big lunk sneaking around?”

  I couldn’t. Ari didn’t strike me as the assassin type. He was more of a one-on-one fighter. Same with Janco. He wouldn’t feel right killing someone without a fair fight. So why were they with Valek?

  Dilana continued to chat. When the subject returned to uniforms, I asked her about getting an adviser’s uniform. “The Commander has asked me to stay and I feel like I stand out in these Sitian clothes.” Not an outright lie, yet a pang of guilt twinged in my chest.

  “Even though coral is a beautiful color on you, you’ll be warmer in a uniform.” Dilana bustled over to her piles of clothes. She picked out a black shirt and pants. Handing them to me, she shooed me behind the changing screen. “Try them on.”

  I fingered the two red diamonds stitched on the shirt’s collar. The last time I had stood here, I had been exchanging my red prison gown for the food taster’s uniform. When I pulled my shirt off, I saw my snake bracelet. Round and round, it hugged my arm. I suppressed the sudden laughter bubbling in my throat. I’ve come full circle, but this time I put on an adviser’s uniform. It fit better than my food taster uniform, molding to my body like a second skin. The Commander wanted me to help him, while the Council wanted me dead. About a year ago, the opposite had been true. This time I allowed the hollow snort of laughter to escape my lips.

  “Something wrong?” Dilana asked.

  I stepped out. “The pants are a little big.”

  She grabbed the waistband and pinched the material together, marking it with chalk. “I’ll have these fixed by lunch.”

  I changed, thanked her and headed out to visit Kiki and the horses. The Commander’s stables were located next to the kennels. The animals shared a training ring and there was a pasture for the horses along the castle’s walls.

  Kiki dozed in her immaculate stall. I checked on the other horses. Their coats gleamed in the sunlight. They seemed content and well cared for. I complimented the stable boys and girls, who nodded and resumed their work. Their demeanor reminded me of adults and I wondered if they had any fun.

  On my way back to the castle, I spotted Porter, the Commander’s Kennel Master. His dogs never wore leashes and their obedience to him was uncanny. I paused and watched him work with a litter of puppies. He had hidden treats in the training yard and taught the pups how to find them. Being puppies, they frequently forgot what they were supposed to do, but once Porter caught the attention of a dog, he touched its nose and said, “Go find.”

  Energized with its mission, the puppy scented the air and made a beeline for a treat. Impressive. Porter noticed me watching and gave me a curt nod. He had been good friends with Rand, and I recalled a conversation I had had with Rand about Porter.

  Rand hadn’t believed the rumors about Porter’s magical connection with the dogs. Since there was no proof, Rand stayed true to their friendship when everyone else avoided contact with the Kennel Master. As long as Porter continued to be useful and did not draw attention to himself, his job for the Commander was secure.

  I wondered about the magic, though. If he had magic and could use it without getting caught, then there might be others in Ixia doing the same thing. Porter had worked for the King many years before the Commander’s takeover, giving him plenty of time to learn how to use and hide his power. Perhaps communicating with the dogs was all he could do.

  One way to find out. I pulled a thread of power and made a mental connection with one of the puppies. Her energy and enthusiasm jumped from one smell to another. When I tried to communicate with her, she either ignored me or didn’t hear me. Her nose filled with the scent of soft laced with a sharp hint of squish, and she dug into the ground seeking a worm. When a voice of warmth and caring called, she left her task and ran toward Porter.

  He gave all the puppies a rawhide stick to chew and filled the row of bowls with water. I moved my awareness to him, sensing his surface thoughts. They were focused on the tasks for the day, yet uneasiness lingered. Why was she here? What does she want?

  To help Ixia, I said in his mind.

  He jerked as if bitten in the leg and glared at me.

  You hear me, don’t you? The rumors are true.

  He strode toward me. I checked the empty yard. Although I knew how to defend myself, his tall muscular frame reminded me that, despite the gray hair, Porter remained a formidable opponent. He stopped mere inches from me.

  “You’re here to help Ixia?” Porter growled. If he had hackles they would have been raised. “You can help by leaving us alone.”

  He didn’t mean him and the dogs. I caught a brief image of other Ixians.

  “There must be something I can do?”

  “Like you did for Rand? No, thank you. All you’ll do is get us killed.” He turned away, but his words, or enslaved, reached me.

  A cold splash of fear drenched me. Was there someone in Ixia using magicians against their will? Why was I surprised? Magic and corruption went hand in hand. Would it corrupt me as well? I’d been using my magic without stopping to think about the consequences. Connecting with Porter could get him killed, and I did it just to satisfy my own curiosity. If I was so blasé about using magic now, how would I view it in the future? Would I crave it like an addiction? I began to think it would be better not to use magic at all.

  Before I could return to the castle, I heard Kiki’s whinny. I hurried back to the stables, but Kiki had already open
ed the door and met me in the walkway.

  Foot hurt, she said.

  She followed me to the training yard and bent her front right hoof back for me to inspect the underside. A rock was lodged in her frog.

  When did this happen?

  Night. Didn’t hurt then.

  Out in the sunlight, she didn’t appear to be as well groomed as I had thought.

  She snorted. Lavender Lady take care.

  You wouldn’t stand for the stable boy?

  Too rough. Wait for you.

  You’re spoiled rotten.

  I left Kiki in the yard, and fetched my pick and brushes.

  She lifted her leg and I dislodged the stone then pulled the shedding blade through her copper hair. After a while, I removed my cloak. When I finished, clumps of horse hair clung to my sweaty clothes.

  You’re beautiful and I need a bath, I said to her. Pasture or stall?

  Stall. Nap time.

  And what about your snooze before I groomed you?

  Pre-nap.

  Ah, the life of a horse. I made sure her bucket held fresh water. On my way out, I bumped into Porter.

  “You’re good with that horse,” he said.

  I waited, sensing he had more to say.

  “Maybe you can help us.” He scanned the area. A few lads worked nearby. He lowered his voice. “There’s a meeting tonight in Castletown. Forty-three Peach Lane rear door. Come during dinner. Don’t let anyone know where you’re going.”

  22

  HE STRODE AWAY. TONIGHT I had planned to be on my way to Sitia. A visit to Porter would delay me, but it seemed too important to ignore.

  After my jaunt to the stables, I arrived back at the doors of the guest suite at the same time as a messenger. The Commander wanted us to meet him in the war room this afternoon. Inside, Tauno paced the living area like a trapped animal, prowling next to the windows.

  “Why don’t you go outside?” I suggested to him. “The soldiers run laps around the castle complex for exercise. You can join them if you want.”

  He stopped in surprise. “I can leave this room without being escorted by an adviser?”

  “The advisers are a courtesy provided by the Commander to help you find your way around the castle. If you go out on your own, you’ll get some suspicious looks, but as long as you stick to common areas, no one will bother you. Just make sure you’re back for the meeting.” I told them about the message.

  Moon Man sat next to Marrok on the couch. Marrok stared at us with an intense expression as if he tried to decipher our conversation.

  “Interesting how you see the advisers as a courtesy, while Tauno sees them as guards,” Moon Man said.

  I ignored the Story Weaver’s comment and gave Tauno directions to find his way outside. Even with my assurances, he still pulled the door open as if he expected to be accosted.

  “Has Marrok said anything yet?” I asked.

  “No, but he is understanding more and more. Unlike you.”

  I scowled. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Moon Man refused to answer. My plan to leave my companions in Ixia so I could travel faster through Sitia became more appealing as time went on. The Commander would keep an eye on them and I wouldn’t have to worry about being betrayed.

  I looked around the room. “Where’s Leif?”

  “In his room,” Moon Man said.

  Judging by the monosyllable response through Leif’s door, I guessed he was still upset with me. I told him about the meeting then retired to my room.

  A quiet group followed me to the Commander’s war room. Tauno had returned, seeming more settled since he had burned off some of his energy. Moon Man’s calm demeanor returned, and Leif frowned at the world at large and me in particular. My brother knew how to pout.

  The Commander had a surprise waiting for us. Valek, Ari and Janco sat around the circular table. My emotions flipped to joy at seeing them.

  “Valek was just informing me on the state of affairs in Sitia,” the Commander said. “Continue.”

  “I found the situation to be rather ah…unique.” Valek leaned back in his chair. He scanned my companions with a thoughtful purse of his lips. The sharp features of his angular face would soften only when he smiled.

  “Unique is putting it mildly,” Janco said. He rubbed the scar where the bottom half of his right ear used to be. A sure sign of his worry.

  “Try alarming,” Ari added.

  Panic began to simmer under my heart. Ari tended to counter Janco’s exaggerations with cool logic. His steadying presence helped keep Janco in check. Opposite in appearance, Janco’s wiry build reflected his quick wit and lightning-fast fighting style, while Ari’s strength could outmuscle most others.

  “Alarming would work,” Valek agreed. “Taking out the Council wouldn’t result in better leaders. In fact, it would have inflamed the citizens to all-out war. And they have some new players who could potentially tip the battle in their favor.”

  “Players? Try creepy men. Scary magicians. Evil demons.” Janco shuddered.

  Valek shot Janco a warning look. “I need to obtain more information before I can assess the true nature of the threat and determine the best way to counter it.”

  “Why have you returned?” the Commander asked.

  Another glance from Valek, but this time he aimed it at me. “I require more help. Things were getting a little too hot even for me.”

  So much for my plans to travel to Sitia alone.

  The room fell quiet as Commander Ambrose considered. “What do you need?”

  “A few more men, Yelena and her brother.”

  I had suspected Valek would want me. By Leif’s grunt of shock, I knew his surprise matched my own when hearing his name.

  “She hasn’t agreed to be an adviser yet so I can’t order her to assist you,” the Commander said.

  “Then I will have to ask.” Valek looked at us.

  “Yes,” I said the same time Leif said no.

  “I’m a Sitian, remember? I can’t aid Ixia in overthrowing Sitia,” Leif said.

  “I don’t want to take control of Sitia,” the Commander said. “I just don’t want them to invade us and I will take preventative measures to stop them.”

  “By helping us, you will also help your country,” Valek said.

  “We can do it on our own. We don’t need you or Yelena.” Leif turned to me. “You could never have been a true Liaison, little sister. Ever since we’ve been in Ixia, you have revealed your true loyalties.”

  Outraged, I asked, “Is that what you believe?”

  “Look at the evidence. At the first sign of trouble, you run for Ixia. We could have returned to the Citadel, and explained everything to the Council.”

  His accusations stabbed me as if he held a knife.

  “The Council will not believe us. I told you what Irys said.”

  “But what if you lied? You know I don’t have the power of mental communication on my own. You don’t trust us so why should we trust you?”

  First the Council had turned on me and now my brother. “Believe what you want, then. Valek, can we do without him?”

  “We can.”

  The Commander stared at Valek. “You will tell me your plans before you disappear again.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. You’re all dismissed.” The Commander stood.

  “What about us?” Leif gestured to Moon Man and Tauno. “Can we return to Sitia?”

  “Consider yourselves a guest of Ixia until this unfortunate incident is resolved,” Valek said.

  “What if we no longer wish to be guests?” Moon Man asked.

  “Then you will be our first prisoners of war and your accommodations will not be so luxurious. It’s your choice.” The Commander left.

  Leif glared at me and I wanted to laugh. His current reaction mirrored the first encounter I had had with him after fourteen years of being apart. Another full circle. I felt dizzy. Perhaps this was a sign I should stay in this sp
ot to avoid having to exert time and effort to go around again.

  Valek turned to Ari and made a slight movement with his hand.

  Ari nodded and stood; his blond curls bounced with the motion. “We will be happy to escort you to your quarters.”

  A gamut of emotions flowed over my former companions’ faces as they followed Ari from the room. Leif barely contained his fury, Tauno looked worried and Moon Man appeared thoughtful.

  Janco brought up the rear of the procession. He flashed me an inviting smirk. “Training yard, four o’clock.”

  “You need more lessons?”

  “You wish.”

  My smile faded when the door closed. Valek remained on the far side of the table, his face serious. I felt awkward and uncertain.

  “Is it that bad?” I asked.

  “It’s a situation I’ve never encountered before. I’m worried.”

  “About Ixia?”

  “About you, love.”

  “Me?”

  “I’ve always been amazed at how you can draw unwanted attention and ire from powerful people. This time, though, you managed to get a whole country upset. If I was the Commander, I would wait out the political strife in Sitia and then offer you to the victors in trade for Ixia being left alone.”

  “Good thing you’re not the Commander.”

  “Yes. And we should leave Ixia before the Commander figures it out. What were you planning?”

  I tried to look innocent. “Me? You’re the one with the plan.”

  “And the adviser uniform you had Dilana size for you? You weren’t thinking of sneaking off to Sitia without me, were you?”

  Another betrayal. “Did she tell you?”

  “I had ripped a hole in my favorite pants. When I dropped them off, she asked me to deliver your uniform and gifted me with a leer. I would guess the servants were already betting how soon one of them would spot us together.” He sighed. “If only intelligence information worked through my corps as efficiently as gossip flowed through the servants, then my problems would be minimal.”

  In one fluid motion, Valek stood. He walked over to me, his smooth stride graceful as a panther. Powerful energy coiled in his body. He leaned on my chair’s arms, bringing his face inches from mine. His black hair hung to his shoulders; his expression was lethal. “I’ll ask you again. Your plans include me, correct?”