Scent of Magic

by Maria V. Snyder

  She nodded, as if expecting that answer. “Good.” She left.

  I rounded on Ryne. “Why did you insist on a guard? You know he can’t protect me from Jael, and if Tohon’s soldiers get this close, we’re done.”

  “It’s for my peace of mind.”

  “About what?” I asked.

  “That you won’t take off, for one.”

  “That makes no sense. Where would I go?”

  “What if there’s news of Belen? Someone spotted him in enemy territory. Would you stay here or go search for him?” He saw the answer in my expression. “We can’t risk you encountering Tohon’s soldiers again, Avry. You’re too valuable.”

  I’d heard that before. “And your other reason?”

  “Tohon’s spies. They’re here, and we’ve no idea who they are. When Tohon learns the truth, you’ll be too tempting for him to resist. The way this camp is set up, a couple men wearing Estrid’s uniform can easily get to you.”

  “They can try.”

  “And they’ll know all about your defenses. Why take the chance?”

  “All right, I’ll stay put for now, but Flea—”

  “Stays with you. I agree,” Ryne said.

  “Hey!” Flea said. “I’m not—”

  “Going to let anyone sneak up on Avry,” Ryne finished. “I need you to protect her.”

  Flea stared at Ryne as if seeking his true intentions. I also wondered if Ryne really believed Flea could guard me or was he protecting the boy from battle. Despite his reasons, I was glad for Flea’s company.

  “But I faint at the sight of blood,” Flea said.

  Then again... “Nice try, but I know better. You helped with Belen. His blood was everywhere, and you didn’t even flinch.”

  The boy pouted. “Why can’t Loren or Quain baby...er...guard her? And I’ll stay with you.”

  “Because you know when she’s in trouble,” Ryne said. “If you didn’t wake me...” He didn’t need to finish.

  But his comment reminded me about Flea’s touch. Striding to the doorway, I glanced out, looking for eavesdroppers. Satisfied we had enough privacy, I returned and pulled Ryne and Flea close to me so they’d hear me.

  I explained about the energy from Flea and how I’d thought Kerrick had returned. “The Death Lily said Flea had potential, so he might be developing magical powers.”

  Ryne frowned. “But you said you fed Flea to a Peace Lily.”

  “Not that Lily. The one that tried to eat him before.”

  “The one you saved me from?” Flea asked.

  “Yes.”

  “But magicians are born with their powers,” Ryne said.

  “Except healers. He could become a healer.” I paused as another thought bubbled to the surface. “If you think about it, Flea’s resurrection can be considered a birth, so he could become a mage.”

  “Well then, there’s another reason to keep you two together,” Ryne said. “You can figure out what’s going on.”

  Flea’s pout had turned thoughtful. “I don’t feel any different.”

  “Did you experience anything when you touched me?” I pointed to my neck. “Skin on skin. It doesn’t work through clothes.”

  “I...” He bent his head so his hair covered his eyes. “I dreamed you were in trouble, and when I woke up, I couldn’t breathe.” Flea played with the bottom of his nightshirt. “But I knew exactly where you were. Now that I think about it, that’s really weird.”

  “What type of magician has that kind of power?” Ryne asked me.

  “I don’t know. Not a healer or a forest mage, as we’re inside a building. An air magician? Perhaps he was drawn to Jael.”

  “Ugh, I hope not,” Flea said.

  “She did kill you. Perhaps her magic stayed with you,” I said, thinking about how Tohon’s magical taint must still be lingering inside me.

  “Can you move the air?” Ryne asked Flea.

  He lifted his head and scrunched up his nose. Nothing happened.

  I mulled over what he’d said about knowing my location. “What did you feel when you touched me?”

  He shrugged. “Your skin was cold, but I felt your pulse and was relieved. Other than that...tired.”

  When two magicians shared energy, both felt the exchange. One was strengthened while the other weakened. Usually the link could only be between two of the same magicians, but Kerrick and I could share. This puzzle would have to wait. My head ached, and my throat burned from Jael’s attack.

  “Ursan might be able to sniff out his magic when he returns. In the meantime, we can do a few experiments.” I rubbed my neck. “But not now. I should grab breakfast before reporting to the infirmary. Flea, do you want to meet me there after you get your stuff?”

  “I guess. Where is it?”

  “I’ll show you,” Ryne offered.

  “And can you extend my...regrets to Lieutenant Thea and her sergeants?” I asked Ryne. I was already missing the sergeant’s fire.

  He agreed, but before he left, I asked about Belen. “When do you expect him to return?”

  “Soon. Don’t worry about Belen.”

  But the flash of concern in Ryne’s brown eyes was hard to miss.

  * * *

  I spent the rest of the day working in the infirmary, reacquainting myself with the staff and the layout. Most of the staff remembered me. The young woman in charge of the caregivers, Christina, took a little more convincing. She tucked a strand of long black hair behind her ear as she eyed me with suspicion. I had to demonstrate my magic in order for her to cooperate.

  Only a few patients occupied beds. I visited each one, assessing injuries and sicknesses. All would heal on their own.

  Satisfied no one needed me, I scanned the infirmary. Estrid had converted a ballroom to take care of her soldiers. The four long rows of beds would hold a significant number of injured. She also spared no expense with the supplies. The cabinets were well stocked with clean bandages, basins, sponges, needles, thread and medicinal herbs.

  My pleasure at returning to my job was tempered with the fact that these beds and supplies would be needed in three days if Ryne was right about Tohon. Plus worry for Belen, Ursan, the jacks and especially Kerrick never faded from my heart.

  Flea’s arrival distracted me from my morbid thoughts. We moved a bed into the small room next to the infirmary. Flea insisted it be stationed along the right wall near the door so an intruder would have to trip over him before reaching me. My trunk had already been delivered. It sat at the bottom of the other bed in the back left corner. The room also contained a desk, chair, night table, couch and an armoire. I offered the armoire to Flea since I had the trunk.

  He touched the sword he had taken from the ambush. “Aside from this and the trio of juggling stones, I’ve nothing but the clothes on my back.”

  “Well then, tomorrow we’ll go—”

  “No. Prince Ryne told me to make sure you stay in the manor.”

  “It’s just into town to buy you a few things. Surely there won’t be any danger at the market.” I sensed a softening. “And we’ll take along Saul or Odd.”

  “No. We’ll send one of the caregivers with a shopping list,” Flea said.

  “Hey, that’s...”

  He waited.

  I huffed. “A good idea. But don’t be so smug. You’re not going to win every argument.”

  “Oh, yes, I am.”

  “Oh, no, you’re not.”

  Flea straightened to his full height. When did he get so tall? He rested his hands on his hips. “I am. Prince Ryne trusted me with the task of keeping you safe. And I’m not going to disappoint him.”

  I crossed my arms. “You sound like Kerrick.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Uh-huh. You do know I disobeyed almost all of his orders. Right?” I suppressed a grin.

  “I do. But I’m smarter than Kerrick.”

  “You are?”

  “Oh, yes. I know the magic word.”

  “And that would be?”<
br />
  “Please.”

  * * *

  Over the next two days, I worked in the infirmary. The injuries I treated were mostly minor. The first day, I healed a soldier who had sprained his ankle because it would have taken him weeks to recover, while it would only take me a couple days.

  Liv and Wynn visited me on the morning of the second day. They hovered in the doorway, eyeing the room as if seeking evidence of an ambush. Flea juggled for a young patient who had hit her head. She giggled as he pretended to lose control of the stones and pratfell into another bed.

  I limped over and waved them in.

  Wynn pointed to my ankle. “What’s the matter, Baby Face? Can’t hack it without us?”

  “It’s one of the perks of my new job,” I said. “So what can I do for you?”

  Liv held out her right index finger. “I’ve got a splinter that I can’t get out. It’s killing me and affecting my duty.”

  “Uh-huh.” I examined the minuscule speck that could be dirt. “Let’s go into my examination-slash-treatment room.”

  They followed me to the alcove that had been built for a full-sized orchestra back when the owners of this house had hosted balls. I was in the process of converting it into a place where I could heal without everyone watching. Flea had rounded up a number of privacy screens that I had used as walls. But the best part was the oversized windows that allowed in the bright sunlight.

  I washed Liv’s hand, taking care of the problem.

  She rubbed her finger. “Wow, you’re a miracle worker, Baby Face.”

  “Did Lieutenant Thea send you to check up on me?” I asked.

  “I’m insulted that you’re unsympathetic to my pain,” Liv said with a smile.

  I patted her shoulder. “Poor baby.”

  Wynn looked around. “Nice digs. Do all the rooms in the house have their own entertainer or are you just special?”

  “I’ve been blessed by the creator.”

  Liv snorted. “Just don’t let the Purity Priestess’s goons catch you, or you’ll be begging his forgiveness in a two-by-four foot cell in Chinska Mare for the rest of your days.”

  “Now I’m insulted.” But her comment reminded me of Melina. Too bad I couldn’t do anything to help her right now.

  “Are you saying I’m wrong? Maybe I should go find Miss Purity...” Liv stood.

  “Sit down,” I said, laughing.

  But she remained on her feet. Concern filled her eyes despite her smile. “If I leave the infirmary, could you follow me?”

  Ah, the real reason for their visit. “Of course. I’m here because this is where I belong.”

  Liv and Wynn glanced at each other.

  “We get that you’re a healer, Baby Face,” Liv said. “But you’re also a teacher. We’ve already learned so much from you. Why can’t you do both?”

  I gaped at her. I’d never been called anything other than a healer. But as I thought about it, I realized she had a point. I could do more than heal. How nice to have another skill. Another purpose.

  “Uh, Avry? We’re waiting.” Wynn swiped her hand in front of my face.

  “Sorry. I could do both, but you don’t need me anymore. Odd’s taken over the silent training, and Ryne’s teaching that skull jab.”

  “But what about your healing knowledge?” Liv asked. “It’s not all about magic. I’ve heard there are plants that can help. I’m sure you know all about that.”

  “I do, but there’s not much time.”

  “True.” Liv sat. “There have been more skirmishes along our front lines. It’s like Tohon’s testing our defenses. And reports have been coming in that more of Tohon’s patrols have been spotted before they disappear. Poof!” She snapped her fingers.

  “Creepy,” Wynn added.

  “Is there a magic that can turn them invisible?” Liv asked.

  “A forest mage can camouflage them, but as far as I know, Tohon doesn’t have one.”

  I considered the nine other magical powers—earth, water, fire, air, life, rock, death, moon and sun. Tohon’s army included a death, fire, rock and earth magician. Of those four, I knew the most about Sepp’s death magic and how he could freeze life in a fake death. If I ever encountered Sepp again, that pompous traitor would wish for death by the time I was done with him. However, what little I knew about the others hadn’t included invisibility. Could an earth magician also camouflage them, as well? Even before the plague, magicians had kept the extent of their abilities to themselves for fear of kidnapping and coercion.

  Another round of giggles erupted from the infirmary followed by Flea’s chuckle. From the tests we’d tried so far, Flea hadn’t been able to influence air, water, fire or heal anyone. Strange talents did manifest from time to time. But the only thing Flea could do so far was give me energy. We needed to do more experiments.

  “Do you know if the soldiers that disappeared wore neck armor?” I asked Liv.

  “Yeah. A couple sergeants reported seeing them. And one guy said he spotted ones that had been painted green.”

  “It makes sense to camouflage them,” Wynn said. “We’ll be fighting in the woods.”

  Thinking about the dead soldiers, I tried to figure out what would be the best way to employ them in a battle. They didn’t need food or water or sleep or air. They mindlessly followed orders. They were disposable. Tohon could have been hiding his dead soldiers all around us for weeks or months. I straightened in alarm.

  “What’s wrong?” Liv asked, staring at me.

  I needed to talk to Ryne to see if I was way off base or not. If he agreed, Estrid’s troops would need to be warned. But would they listen? They had learned the skull jab, but not because they truly understood the nature of the enemy. Unless Belen arrived with proof.

  Instead of answering her, I asked, “Have Ursan and the jacks returned?”

  “Not yet.”

  “What’s wrong? Come on, Baby Face, spit it out,” Wynn said.

  “It’s crazy, and I doubt you’d believe me,” I said.

  “Hey, we’ve been with you from the beginning. And we’re here with you now,” Liv said.

  True. In a low voice, I explained my suspicions.

  “It’s not crazy,” Wynn said. “It’s insane!”

  “And just the thing to catch us completely off guard.” Liv rubbed her hands over her face. “Lieutenant Thea and Major Granvil might understand, but our company is just one of many.”

  “It’s impossible, Liv!” Wynn said. “Even assuming they’re camouflaged and able to sit still for days, one of our numerous patrols would have stumbled over at least one of them. It’s statistically impossible!”

  She made an excellent point. We sat in silence for a moment.

  “Ulany is an earth magician, and she’s working for Tohon,” I said. “Perhaps she can do more than find good soil for crops and worms.”

  “You think she buried them?” Liv asked.

  “Not possible. We’d have seen the signs,” Wynn said, dismissing the idea.

  I wondered if her resistance to this line of thought stemmed from fear or her skeptical nature. “Magic is woven into the fabric of our world, Wynn. I’ve seen what a forest mage can do with his powers, and it’s impressive. And I think anything is possible, including the ability of an earth magician to conceal soldiers in the dirt.”

  “All this speculation isn’t getting us anywhere. Wynn and I can ask around, see if any of the patrols have spotted Ursan. Everyone’s already on edge because of the skull jab and rumors that Tohon is going to attack on midsummer’s day. We can keep that energy up just in case Tohon has another magical trick up his sleeve.”

  “I’ll talk to Prince Ryne and have my workers put together care packages,” I said.

  “Care packages?” Liv asked.

  “It’s your idea. I’m going to have my caregivers put together a few medicinal herbs that might come in handy when the squads are out on patrol or after a battle.”

  “See that?” Liv punched Wynn on the
arm as they headed out. “I helped. And you said I wouldn’t amount to much.”

  “No. I said you talk too much.” Wynn swatted her on the shoulder. “You never listen to me.”

  After they left, I checked on my patients and asked Christina to have her staff fill pouches. “Put the crushed herbs in the ones made of oilskin to protect them from getting wet, and include a set of quick instructions.”

  “We’re not going to have enough pouches or herbs,” Christina said.

  Since I’d been working with her, I’d learned she had been born in Quaia Mare near the southeast coast of Ozero. Her honey skin tone and cat-shaped brown eyes matched the others from that region.

  “Then send someone to the market,” I said.

  “Uh, the High Priestess must approve all purchases.”

  “Not if I give you the money.”

  Since I’d been a soldier in Estrid’s army, I hadn’t needed to buy food or clothing, and Kerrick had given me more than enough. A pang of longing hit me. I allowed an image of him smiling at me to fill my thoughts for a moment before I retrieved the coins for Christina.

  Once I was satisfied with the progress Christina and the others were making, I headed toward the door.

  Flea blocked my path. “Where are you going?”

  “To talk to Ryne.” When he didn’t move out of my way, I added, “It’s important.”

  “Send him a message.”

  “Too risky, I need—”

  “To stay put like you promised Prince Ryne. I’ll send a message to the prince, requesting his presence in the infirmary so you can talk to him.” Flea kept his expression neutral, but a smugness gleamed from his eyes.

  Not much I could do. “As long as you stress to him that it’s vital and time sensitive.”

  “Of course.” A hint of a smirk curled as he turned to find a messenger.

  “Flea.”

  He looked over his shoulder. “Yes?”

  “Kerrick would be proud.”

  I was rewarded with one of his full-blown smiles before he hurried away.

  * * *

  I helped pack herbs and write instructions while I waited for Ryne. With every slight noise or scrape of a boot, I glanced at the entrance. What was taking him so long?

  When he finally arrived a few hours later, I couldn’t miss the commotion that heralded his approach. At first, I thought a fight had broken out in the hall. Flea pulled his sword and stood by the door. Voices called, and a big group of men burst into the room followed by Ryne, Thea and Major Granvil.