by M. Gregg Roe
“Our current house is no prize. And I’m still not that great a cook. I’ll start working on Hagen tonight.” She frowned. “I wonder if he knew about this.”
Medea could see that she was serious. “I didn’t. To be honest, I thought that Ermizad would pick Piran.”
“I wish she had,” confessed Carlinda, pursing her lips. “I’m not really qualified.”
“I used to think that too. The only real qualification is that Ermizad thinks she wants you on the council. Just try not to fall asleep during the meetings.”
Carlinda smiled. “Then I’ll do my best. Is it awkward for you when Mardan attends a meeting?”
“No. We’re still friends, and he’s all business when he attends. Aren’t you part of his volunteer army?”
“Yes, I am. I get an entire silver piece every three months for agreeing to be on call.” She raised her eyebrows. “Did he ask you?”
“Of course, but my fighting days are over. I gave Gabriel my giant-slaying sword.”
“I heard about that. He’s become quite the warrior.”
“He takes after his father. Will you still be helping out at the Temple of Arwon?”
“Yes, and I’m still training Saxloc.” She shook her head. “Draymund seems to have forgotten anything that’s not useful for killing dragons. He made a mess of Saxloc’s training.”
“Daragrim told me that Saxloc would be better off focusing on spell-casting.” And she secretly agreed with that advice.
“That’s probably true, but I’m still going to make him the best warrior he can be. Saxloc may have a job now, but he is still going to go on adventures from time to time.”
Gabriel certainly would as well, but she had faith in her son’s abilities.
As they continued to walk, Medea talked about Marryn, and Carlinda told her about how Hanna and Danhelm were doing. They weren’t her children, but she was effectively their second mother. She and Tilda frequently exchanged letters about them.
Medea remained at Witch’s City Clothing until Tobias closed the shop for the day. In fact, she was planning to work there part time. That would be helping both Tobias and her daughter’s business. After locking up the shop, the two of them walked together to her new home.
41
‡ Zag ‡
Gabriel squared his shoulders. “I regret that I cannot accept such a promotion so soon. It would not be seemly.”
“Then you’re fired,” said Captain Hagen. “Turn in your surcoat.”
“I …” Words just wouldn’t come. He had never expected such a response.
Hagen chuckled. “I knew that would get you.” He pointed at a chair. “Sit down, Corporal.”
“Yes, Captain.” Gabriel hurriedly seated himself, but his mind was still reeling.
Hagen leaned forward and clasped his hands together. Smiling genially, he said, “Gabriel, you needed to spend time patrolling in order to familiarize yourself with all of this city, including the seedy parts. You now have a better understanding of the kinds of things that go on our streets, and of the people that live here. But that is over now.
“Because of your background, you have expertise far beyond that of nearly all of your colleagues. As a sergeant, you will still occasionally go on patrol, but the bulk of your time will be spent here. You will serve as both a combat instructor and a role model.”
Gabriel did enjoy teaching others. And many of his fellow guards were woefully deficient in their combat skills. It would also give him more opportunity for combat practice. He hardly ever even drew his sword while on patrol, let alone used it.
“Very well. I accept the promotion to sergeant.”
“Good, because we’ve already prepared an office for you. It’s the one just past Ilia’s.” Hagen snapped a salute, and Gabriel returned it smartly. “Turn in your surcoat for a sergeant’s uniform.”
Gabriel rose to his feet. “Yes, Captain. Thank you, Captain.”
“You’ll thank me less when you discover how much paperwork is involved. You’re dismissed, Sergeant.”
Gabriel went straight to the supply office, but he ended up having to stand in line. He passed the time by thinking about his new living situation. Accepting Kora’s invitation to move in had been natural. The two of them had similar inclinations and got along superbly. And it had freed his mother to finally move out of the Witch’s Castle, something he knew that she longed for.
When he finally reached the front of the line, he handed over his (neatly folded) old surcoat to the taciturn woman behind the counter. In return, he received both a new surcoat, with three diagonal stripes, and a smart-looking black-and-silver uniform for when he wasn’t wearing armor, which would be most of the time from now on.
Opening the door to his office, he found it had two desks crammed inside, one of which was occupied. Peri waved at him. “This is only temporary. I’m in charge of training new spell-caster recruits, so I’ll eventually be getting my own office. Well, more like a converted closet.”
“Congratulations on your promotion, Corporal Periwinkle,” he said, then winked.
“Thank you, Sergeant Gabriel. We’re both moving up in the world.”
They really were. After changing into his new uniform (while Peri stood outside), he sat down at his new desk and began to familiarize himself with it. His promotion was an opportunity to help shape the lower ranks and guide them down the proper path. And as always, he would do his best.
Romee was still clueless, but Ilona and Iris weren’t so easily fooled. After saying that she was going to use the ring as little as possible, Audrey kept disappearing in the evenings. The twins had figured out that something strange was going on, but their theories were off the mark.
“Does Audrey have some kind of secret escape tunnel?” asked Iris, walking to Saxloc’s left. “We’ve seen the ones under the mansion,” added Ilona from his right. Unlike Romee, they never wanted to hold his hands.
“Not that I know of,” he answered, then received frowns from both sides.
“Maybe she can make herself invisible,” said Iris. “Can her gauntlet do that?” asked Ilona.
“Not that I know of, but it is possible.” With Albert, you never knew. “Maybe it lets her fly,” he joked.
After that, their speculations became steadily more ridiculous as they tried to top each other. He joined in too. “Audrey has learned to disguise herself as a bush,” he said, flicking his gaze nervously around. “She could be watching us right now.” Both girls began giggling as he continued to pretend to be fearful.
They had already passed the new cottage. It was still unoccupied, but there was already a plaque next to the door that read “Daragrim av Torgrim”. Saxloc’s grandfather wouldn’t be moving in for another month or so, but it was certain now. That would make a total of eight people living in or around the mansion, quite a change from the days when it had been just him and his parents.
Saxloc suddenly realized he was walking alone. He looked back and saw the two girls some five yards behind him, staring in the direction of the nearby wall. “What is it?” he asked as he walked up. “Is one of those bushes Audrey?”
“It’s the wall behind the bushes,” said Ilona. “It’s …” She glanced at Iris, but her sister simply shrugged.
“Show me,” he ordered, and they glanced at each other briefly before nodding.
Saxloc walked forward with the twins following. He led them through a gap in the bushes that was invisible when viewed from the path. There was barely room for all three of them to stand in front of the tall stone wall.
With her eyes wide, Iris stepped forward and held out her left hand toward the wall. “It’s … a door?”
Saxloc motioned Iris aside. After making a complicated gesture with his right hand, he pushed lightly on a specific spot on the wall with his left hand. A section of the wall about a yard wide and two yards high pivoted smoothly outward and to the right, revealing the alley outside. He had expected gasps of surprise, but when he looked b
ack the girls were facing each other scowling.
“I told you it was magic,” said Ilona. “You said we were sick.”
“I said there might be something wrong with us,” retorted Iris, gritting her teeth.
Saxloc closed the door before someone noticed. “Congratulations,” he said, “you both have the gift. You can become spell-casters. How long has this been going on?”
It was Ilona who answered, smiling slyly. “Since yesterday. We went to bed early because someone thought we were sick.”
“Enough!” he snapped, before Iris could reply. He smiled slyly. “Who do you want to tell first? You only get one chance to surprise people with this.”
Still staring at each other, they both said, “Audrey!” Then they took off running.
Saxloc queried the mansion. For once, Audrey was actually home. He raced after them, desperate to see her reaction to the news.
He wasn’t disappointed. Audrey was absolutely delighted. She hugged the girls. She hugged him. She hugged the girls again. But then the twins departed, desperate to tell someone else their big news.
“This is going to be a problem,” said Audrey, no longer smiling. “Romee will be jealous.”
That hadn’t occurred to him. “She keeps begging us to teach her how to use a sword. I’ll speak with my father about beginning to train her.”
“That should work.” She gestured. “Now chase after them. I’ll be over later after I’ve finished cleaning.”
“The ring can’t do that?”
“Ha. Ha.” She pointed at the still-open door. “Go.”
Saxloc went. He made it just in time to see his mother’s reaction. It was entertaining to see her so befuddled.
Hankin thought about what Jessia had just told him. “Do I know the father?” he asked, then stepped back before she could poke him in the chest. She did that frequently when annoyed with him, and it hurt.
“That’s not funny!” she exclaimed, jabbing a finger at his face. She let her arm drop. “We need to talk about this.”
It must be early in the pregnancy because he hadn’t noticed any change in her body. But she had been complaining about not feeling well lately. The thought that a baby they had made together was now growing inside of her was making him feel strange. He had assumed that he would eventually marry and have children, but probably not until he was in his thirties, not while he was still technically a teenager.
“Did you forget to take AP powder?” He immediately regretted asking the question.
“I don’t think so,” she said, not looking angry. “I take it every morning because it’s easier that way. But the priestess who examined me said AP powder doesn’t always work.”
“What do you want to do, Jessia?” he asked, as serious as he knew how to be.
Strong emotions worked their way across her face. “I want to keep them, but only if I can stay here. I can’t afford it otherwise.”
“Them?” he asked. He hadn’t really heard anything after that surprising word.
Jessia’s smile was proud. “Twins—one of each. It’s what I always wanted, and I only have to go through one pregnancy.”
Hankin liked to plan things out in advance, but he also prided himself on his adaptability. Their house had three bedrooms—one large and two small. Jessia was currently sleeping in one of the small ones, but that could easily change. Eventually each child could have their own bedroom. For that matter, the house could be expanded if necessary.
Having a wife and children wouldn’t necessarily impact his job at Novox. He could still go on business trips (but maybe not long ones). Even going on adventures wasn’t out of the question.
“What about the first day of the new year?” he asked casually.
Jessia looked puzzled. “That’s when they’re having that festival in Rohoville. I would like to go to it.”
That wasn’t what he had meant, but he could work with it. “Then we will go. And while we’re there, we can ask King Danj to marry us.” Ceremonies weren’t actually necessary, but most people did something.
He had never seen someone look so relieved. “That’s perfect. And what about naming them after your parents?”
The suggestion floored him. He rarely thought about his parents. For years, he had resented them, even though they had died in a fire, not deliberately abandoned him. But that was typical of children who found themselves living on the streets. He had been one of the lucky ones, taken in by Celebern against all odds.
“No,” he said finally, shaking his head. “Let’s come up with something together. We still have …”
“About seven months,” she completed. “Can we go over and tell Gabriel and Kora?”
His children might well grow up playing with Gabriel’s children. Who would have ever thought it? “That’s fine,” he said, then tenderly kissed the woman who had captured his heart and would soon bear their children.
Siljan regretted letting Audrey go first. Compared to what she had just heard, her own news seemed minor. Hankin a father? Ilona and Iris spell-casters? An all-female Witch’s City Council? Ermizad pregnant? Celebern married? And she had missed all of it. Even worse, she was going to have to pretend to be surprised when a caravan finally brought them the news of all those things. That was annoying.
“Have you met Jessia?” asked Siljan, now desperately curious.
“A couple of times, but I don’t really know her.” Audrey hesitated. “She’s kind of odd.”
And they lived next door to Gabriel and Kora, who she had a feeling would also be married before long. And Saxloc would probably end up marrying Tabitha. It made her feel old.
“So what’s your big news?” asked Audrey, swinging her legs back and forth over the sheer drop. She definitely seemed happier than the last time Siljan had seen her.
“I can’t meet you here ten days from now, because I’ll be living in Glasston.”
Audrey blinked. “Permanently?”
“No, just for a month. Then it will be Isadora for a month, and after that Alessandra. The town is providing a small house for us to live in. Whoever is there will be responsible for Fisherton, Glasston, and Millton.” It made sense because Glasston was located between the other two towns.
“So it’s like an auxiliary temple?”
“Something like that,” said Siljan. “While I’m in Glasston, Isadora and Bianca will be visiting Maratana and some other villages nearby. Alessandra and Rosalind will stay at the temple.”
Audrey scrunched up her face as she thought it over. “And then you rotate?”
“That’s the plan. But the festival in Rohoville might interrupt that temporarily.” Siljan was looking forward to it even if she did have to work again.
“Conrad and I are talking about going. I just stayed in the castle last year.”
Siljan had yet to meet the mysterious Conrad. “You mean the Royal Stone Thing?” she joked, causing Audrey to chuckle.
“Has there been any news about Fern?” asked Siljan, thinking back to the previous festival.
Audrey shook her head. “The last I heard, she still hadn’t regained her memories. Birchbark came to visit about a month ago, but he didn’t bring Fern. I’d like to go visit them, but I’d have to tell them my secret.”
“Draymund could probably fly you there.”
“Actually, I can fly too,” Audrey confessed.
Of course she could. It still rankled Siljan that she had never been able to learn any air magic. But that’s just how it was sometimes. And besides, she had just learned something far more impressive: She could now raise the dead. Top that, Audrey!
“Maybe I’ll come visit you in Glasston,” mused Audrey. “But I’ll be sure and enter through one of the gates.”
“I’ll be there with Julien.”
“Then maybe I’ll see you both.” Audrey stood up. “I should get back. Ilona and Iris are driving everyone crazy. They don’t want to wait to start learning spells. Take care, Siljan.”
Siljan op
ened her mouth to reply, but Audrey was already gone, leaving behind nothing but a slight gust of air. She was soon treading the downhill path that led to her temple, hoping that the dark clouds above held off until she made it back. There was nothing worse than cold rain.
Even after being rejected, Siljan still hadn’t given up on Julien, the soft-spoken man that had been her first lover. A month together in Glasston might change his mind about her, especially if she channeled Gina. Or maybe it would just lead to a whole lot of meaningless sex. That sounded good too.
She reached the back of the temple just as the first drops of rain began to fall.
As Romee ran through the parlor waving around a small wooden sword, Almera closed her eyes and groaned. The girl was even more out of control now. She chattered constantly about her sword-fighting lessons. It was an improvement over her complaining about not being able to “do magic,” but only marginally.
Ilona and Iris were also eager to learn, but Almera’s father had addressed the issue by burying the two in books to read. Now they had to be dragged out of their suite for meals. Their formal education would start next year after Daragrim had moved into his cottage.
“Romee! Stop that!”
It was her husband’s voice, and she could hear the exasperation. He continued to speak, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying from what was probably the kitchen. Hearing someone enter the parlor, she opened her eyes and looked over. It was Draymund, and she watched as he walked over and seated himself next to her.
“How can she never run out of energy?” he complained, shaking his head.
“It’s because she is young. What were you like thirty years ago?”
“Not that wild, although Celebern was.”
That was a surprise. “I am considering hiring some live-in servants,” she said, then paused to watch Romee run up the right-hand staircase still carrying the sword, but at least not swinging it.
“A nanny?” he asked, perking up noticeably.
“A young and patient nanny,” she clarified. “And perhaps a cook, because I find it trying to cook for so many people.” But she still planned to supervise.