Passages

by Passages (epub)

  “What is that smell?” Izli demanded as she came into the kitchen. Behind her was Simon, and behind him came the man from the platform, Reyis. Up close he was nice to look at. His eyes were dark brown and very expressive.

  “Merelyn,” Reyis said. “Who is your new cook?”

  “She’s not a cook! She’s staying here while her horse is reshod. This is Imra. Imra, this is Reyis Loraqen.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Reyis’ hand was warm and calloused. “Is it possible to get some of that stew I see in that pot. Oh, and some of that bread.”

  “And apple pie!” Izli gushed over the still steaming treat. “Mother! Did you cook all of this?”

  “She did,” Imra said.

  “With instruction from Imra. And, yes. Simon, would you like some too? You know you never—” She turned to the stew to find Simon bent over the pot with a big wooden spoon. “Simon Dod!”

  And he dropped the spoon in the stew.

  Merelyn laughed as Imra and Izli helped dish out bowls, broke bread, and poured cups of weak ale.

  No one spoke until the pie was cut and shared, and a man wondered into the kitchen. He asked about a room and a plate of whatever that wonderful smell was. Izli and Merelyn jumped up to immediately accommodate their new guest, leaving Imra and Reyis alone.

  Suddenly nervous and hearing Sae’s voice in her head, urging her to make conversation, not awkward silence, Imra grabbed two mugs from the sink, filled two tea strainers and poured hot water into both. Reyis stirred his own tea, dunking the strainer into the steaming water a few times.

  “This smells as wonderful as everything else. Is this new? Merelyn rarely makes tea.”

  “I brought this with me. I used to make it at—” She stopped herself, before she said “the Collegium.”

  “At?”

  Imra shrugged it off. “So, the speech.”

  “Oh, that.” Reyis sighed and hung his head. “I’d held in my frustration as long as I could at Connak’s declaration. And when I found out he’s been out of town since having his lackeys hammer that notice up—”

  “Who is this Connak?” Imra interrupted, and then felt her face grown warm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even know this place existed until today, so I don’t know much about it. I don’t know what kind of government you have, who the leader is, or how this place came to be.”

  “You say that as if it was a failing.”

  “I—” she hesitated. “I used to travel a lot. To think this place was here—”

  “Oh, we’re not hiding ourselves,” Reyis stirred his tea and set the spoon to the side. “Or we’re not trying to. We have things to sell and need a tourist trade. The way the we do things now is we ship to Polsim and sell there. But it would be easier if they came here.”

  “So why don’t you advertise? Have the name of the town placed on road signs. Word of mouth—or word of Bard?”

  Reyis held up his tea in front of his lips, the steam curling into his bangs that stuck out from his forehead. “Because Connak insists we’re better off keeping the village secretive and closed.” He laughed. “He would hate to know you’re here.”

  Imra sat up. “Why?”

  “Because you’re an outside influence. Like I said, we’ve had the occasional traveler, but they’re ushered out of town quickly. The only difference with you, the only reason I even stuck my neck out and got on that podium, was because the son of a donkey isn’t here.”

  “Where is he?”

  “His henchmen said he went to Haven to beg the Queen for a Herald. The surface irrigation has become an issue, and he believes a Herald can assure the villagers he’s right that we need to tax its use so that we can keep the town thriving. It was a Herald that originally set up the system several years ago, back when we had that bad drought. And those same conditions are coming up again. Only thing is, no one was prepared for him to actually shut off the water.”

  “He shut it off?”

  “Yeah.” Reyis sipped his tea, smacked his lips and sipped more. “This is good.”

  “Keep going. This is getting to my original question. Who is this Connak? How did he shut it off?”

  “I’ll answer that in reverse order. He shut it off by secretly building stopgaps on the channels. And he keeps them shut off by hiring muscle to prevent anyone from removing them. As for who he is—” Reyis shrugged. “He’s one of the remaining descendants from the Hold that built this village. The original family had the name Carnei, but Connak doesn’t. The family’s always been in charge of governing the village even after the Hold lost its fortune and those inside moved to seek new lives here. The Hold’s still there, and the other relative is there. They’re a recluse, and no one ever sees them. Merelyn still sends supplies to them because she’s also a relative, but it’s a distant one.”

  “Is there no actual governing body? Like a council or eldership?”

  “Oh, yes, there is a council of seven, with Connak being that seventh member. He breaks the ties, and pretty much controls the votes. He has the most wealth in the village, and in truth he has done a lot for us, including brokering the deal that allows us to sell our wares in Polsim.”

  Imra rubbed at her chin. “That sounds a bit . . . fishy.”

  “Don’t it?” Reyis grinned. “But what are you gonna do? He has the majority.”

  “So why don’t the people, if they feel that strongly, just vote in a real mayor or leader? Someone not connected to the family or wealth? Someone that would more easily unite the village instead of divide it?”

  “Because,” Merelyn said as she and Izli came into the kitchen. Izli moved to the stew and started putting together a tray for the guest. “The town hasn’t carried a vote since Connak took over.”

  “So only the council makes decisions?” Imra looked from Merelyn to Reyis.

  “Yes,” Reyis sipped more tea.

  “And who votes in the council?”

  Merelyn broke a loaf into fourths and placed a piece on the tray. “Connak. The council changed when he came in and announced his place. He displaced the ones the Herald set up with his own loyalists.”

  So he went to get a Herald to back up his demands? The man would have a rude awakening. Any Herald would insist on seeing the original agreements the previous Herald set out as voice of the Queen and would see the events of the past years had become a power grab. There was no reason for Connak to bring in a Herald, because they could actually unseat him.

  She said as much. Izili delivered the meal and came back to listen.

  “The Queen has called in as many Heralds as she can,” Imra said. “There’s no way that even if he sent in a request, one would get here in time to sow the seeds.”

  “You know a lot about the court,” Reyis said. “Are you from Haven?”

  “I—” Imra swallowed. She shrugged. “I listen. It’s just about all I’m good for these days.”

  “I’d say that’s a big fat lie,” Merelyn said, making Imra look at her sharply. “Look what you did for me and this room.” She gestured around. “In one day, you showed me this kitchen is not my enemy, but it’s a room where I can build wonderful food. Yes . . . it’s still going to take time for me to learn and understand spices and baking chemistry, but I’m not afraid of it anymore.”

  Reyis lifted his tea. “Here, here. There has never been a better meal come out of this kitchen. And if she can repeat it tomorrow, and the day after, this inn’s food will overtake the popularity of the tavern.”

  Izli laughed. “I hope so. Connak owns that place.”

  Imra pursed her lips. “You said there was still someone at the original Hold? Do they see visitors?”

  Izli answered first. “She does.”

  “And how do you know that, young lady?” Merelyn asked sharply.

  “Because I visit her all the time. Oh, don’t be like that, Mother. Sh
e’s nice, and I do things around the place. It’s just her and a single servant.” She looked at Imra. “If you’re ready for a bit of a walk, I can introduce you.”

  “Lead on,” Imra said, winking at Merelyn before she followed the girl out of the kitchen.

  * * *

  * * *

  They were met at the door of the old Hold by a stooped man Izli called Goat. Imra thought at first she was being rude, until he said it was indeed his name—and that the lady of the Hold was expecting them.

  The place had definitely seen better days, Imra was sure. Izli explained that parts of the place were closed off. Only those Aerus and Goat lived in were open.

  Aerus. Why was that name so familiar?

  Aerus Carnei was a small, frail-looking woman. Her shoulders were rounded with age, and her white hair was neatly groomed into a braid that draped over her left shoulder. But strong determination twinkled in her eyes. She greeted them with a warm smile and insisted they sit with her by the fire while Goat fetched them tea. She commented on how nice Izli looked today, then turned her attention to Imra. “You look very familiar to me.”

  “Your name rings a bell for me as well,” Imra replied. It might be that she had met Aerus in Polsim or Endercott during her many travels.

  Aerus dismissed the familiarity with a wave. “So, have you finally come to ask for my help?”

  Imra glanced at Izli. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Well, it was only a matter of time before that scoundrel decided to make a profit off the channels. And I must say, that Herald’s idea was quite the talk for a while, though the original plan was for the irrigation to be used on my lake and not his.”

  Imra frowned. “You have a lake?”

  Izli nodded. “It’s actually larger than Connak’s.”

  “And it was that lake the original documents agreed upon. But after the Herald continued on his way, Connak seized the opportunity to cement his claim to being the town leader. He volunteered his own water supply and became a hero to the villagers. But you see, that wasn’t going to last because the rat’s got one very big problem.”

  Imra smiled. “He’s a gambler.”

  Aerus opened her mouth, then closed it. “Yes. Seems you know my grandson better than I thought.”

  “Grandson?” Imra’s jaw dropped.

  “I don’t claim him most days. Please, tell me how you knew?”

  “Because he said he was going to Haven to ask the Queen’s assistance. But he didn’t go that way, or I would have seen him on my way here. The only travelers heading to Haven now are Heralds. He’s gone to Polsim.”

  “Or Devin. Either has areas of ill repute. He’ll come back with even more debt and some sob story about the Queen refusing him, or maybe even putting him in charge.”

  “That would be a lie.” Izli stomped her foot.

  “Since when did that stop Connak? And the bad thing is, everyone in that village seems to think it’s somehow preordained, since he’s a descendant.”

  “But you carry the name,” Imra said.

  “Only by marriage. My dear sweet Vincent died a few years ago, not long after the Herald left our little village. As long as he lived, he was the leader. And when he died . . .” she looked past them into the fire. “A part of me died too. But by the time I awoke from my sadness, my grandson had bullied his way into taking my husband’s place. I know about his people on the council. They were not voted in, but bought in. And as long as they allow their fear of him to rule over them, he always will.”

  She rose and walked to a chest in the corner, opened it, and took out a roll of parchment. The act seemed ceremonial to Imra as Aerus turned and offered it to her. It was still sealed by wax, pressed with the icon of a tree.

  “What . . .” Imra began.

  “This is the original document signed by the families of the town, and by my husband, willing that lake to the village and her people. All the preparations were made to start construction on the irrigation channels—the lake is a high enough elevation to permit fast travel and an ease for valves. The only thing it needs is someone to lead them to the lake and guide them to complete the work.”

  “Oh . . . I can’t—” Imra tried to hand the scroll back.

  “Take it. Give it to Reyis, if he’s still around. He was the only one with the balls to stand up to Connak. If you can’t lead them, then use what you have to support him.”

  Izli pulled on Imra’s arm. “Let’s go and find Reyis. Connak’ll be back soon. There’s not much time.”

  “I don’t think I can—” Imra said.

  “When people invest in something that is theirs—and that piece of parchment says the lake is the town’s—you’d be surprised how hard they’ll fight for it.” Aerus patted Imra’s hand and yelled, “Goat! Get them a horse. We have no time to spare!”

  “Yes ma’am,” came the reply.

  Izli ran through the door. But Imra hung back and stared at Aerus, feeling a hidden strength there. Something she no longer had. It surprised her when Aerus wrapped her hands over Imra’s. “I lost myself for several years, little one. While the world around me lived and changed and went on without me. She would not want you to give up on life, not when you still have the gifts those Chosen have.”

  It took Imra a minute to understand that Aerus knew, somehow, that she had been a Herald. Maybe she finally recognized her from some visit to a neighboring city. Regardless, the acknowledgement was enough for her to pull Aerus to her and hold her tight beside the fire.

  “Fight,” Aerus said. “Fight for what is right, fight to bring people together. The Queen gathers her Heralds because there is danger coming, and all of us will have to move as one.”

  Imra brushed back tears as she turned to hurry from the great room of the Hold. Goat brought them a horse of darkest brown, and together she and Izli made their way back to the village.

  * * *

  * * *

  Once Reyis had the document in his hand, had the town notary witness him open it and read it out loud, it took him no time to call a town meeting that night, much to the protests of most of the council—the ones on Connak’s payroll.

  The meeting was held in the inn. The place was packed, not just because the village seemed to have grown excited at the prospect of solving their own irrigation without having to pay to use the water, but also because a few who tasted the stew and pie earlier couldn’t stop speaking about it. It seemed Merelyn had magically learned to cook!

  It became obvious to Imra that her dreams of a nice bath and a good night’s sleep were far away. Not only was Merelyn going to need help in the kitchen, but Reyis was going to need a bit of guidance navigating the fine print of the agreement. She gave assignments to Merelyn and Izli, drafted a young woman nicking a piece of bread into serving with the promise of free food, rolled her sleeves up and dove into the meeting among the heads of the families who crowded around. She took turns in both places and by the end of the evening, well after midnight, the family heads had drawn up plans for a work schedule to begin digging new channels.

  One of the men involved suggested they save time and join the irrigation channels already in place from Crown lake below where they travel out of Connak’s border. Reyis agreed it was a nice idea, but it would be something they’d need to include Connak in. He wasn’t going to be too happy about the village working around his tax idea. Imra had to agree—though what they planned was legal and fair, Connak struck her as someone who would not be too pleased about losing control.

  Reyis and a group of five would head up to Aerus’ Hold early in the morning to talk with her and see the lake and discuss the preparations that had been previously started, then they would report back to everyone else. Imra and a few others helped clean up the main room as well as the kitchen, and once finished, Imra gave Merelyn and Izli a hug before she went upstairs.

  With it lookin
g as if the town had found its footing again, Imra decided she would leave the next day once Telidji was reshod and continue her journey to Devin. She hadn’t thought that in less than twenty-four hours she would have become so attached to a place and its people. She hoped they would find success in their choices and wished them luck.

  * * *

  * * *

  Imra was surprised to find Izli in her room when she returned from the privy the next morning. The girl was still in her sleeping gown and seated on the bed, her hands in her lap, staring at the floor. “You’re going to leave. Mother guessed it.”

  “Yes.” Imra moved close to her. “It’s time I moved on.”

  Izli looked up at her. “Is it because you’re secretly a Herald? If you are, can you show me your Companion? Please? I’ve always wanted to see one up close. I hear they can talk to you—Imra? Why do you look like that?”

  Imra hadn’t realized she’d backed away from the child until she stood against the wall. Her heart thundered in her chest, and sadness and anguish pushed their way up her spine and settled once again on her shoulders. “How—” Was this possible? She’d said nothing about the Collegium, or even mentioned having once been a Herald at all. How did Izli even know? Why would she suspect?

  But then the child stood, her expression one of worry and fright as she went to one of Imra’s bags and slowly retrieved the set of Whites. Izli held them with reverence as she placed them on the bed. “I—when mother told me to take your bags up to this room—I was going to sort your clothing. And then I saw these, and I knew. You were sent here by the Queen in secret to end Connak and his wicked ways.”

  “Izli—”

  “And I waited to see your horse, but it never came, and then it happened. You made Mother’s cooking good and the town has a purpose again. I heard stories about the Herald that saved us. And now you’re here.” She came close to Imra. “Please, show me your horse. I want to see it.”

  The look of longing in the child’s eyes touched Imra. She saw Heralds and their Companions as magical beings. Perhaps, in some sense, their Companions were. Imra’s only gift outside of being a Herald had been a slight ability to influence people. She had used it to teach, to help students see the solutions, whereas before they blocked their minds from opening. Just as Merelyn had blocked her ability to cook. Just as Reyis had blocked his ability to see a simple way through a problem.