“Very good. You two get started now, and I’ll send others shortly.”
As Nirel trailed Nalini back to the former cleaner’s, she thought about what she’d overheard. Another month before the Marvannans attacked. Two for the message to reach the Armada, and two for them to return. She expected Davon wouldn’t order the Faithful to board their ships and depart until he was absolutely certain they wouldn’t have to face the wizards. They couldn’t win that fight. He might even wait until the Purifiers carried out their plan and killed the Matriarch, putting her Purifier cousin in power. The Purifiers had agreed to let the Faithful leave in exchange for their help seizing power—and a large payment.
So call it six months. Time to learn a lot from Nalini, if she worked hard. Once armed with healing skills, she’d never have to worry about being relegated to cooking and cleaning again. The Faithful would need her too much.
* * *
Nalini pushed the curtain aside and ducked into the rear section of the tent. “Anybody home?”
A large cobra slithered from under a pile of boards. It regarded Nalini with unblinking yellow eyes.
“It’s clear,” a voice reported. The curtain behind the boards stirred, and the three Ramunnan wizards emerged from their hiding place into the large area the inhabitants of the tent used as their main living space.
Keeper Vigorre Emirre, their leader, eyed her cautiously and raised a hand to brush the golden eagle perched on his shoulder. “What do you want?”
Nalini flopped onto one of the battered couches. “I overheard something you might find interesting.”
Kevessa Navorre, daughter of Nalini’s research partner, seated herself on a chair opposite Nalini, smoothing her wide skirts as a squirrel scampered up them to take its place in her lap. “From Elder Davon?”
“And his Purifier contact.”
Borlen Tironna, formerly one of the Matriarch’s soldiers, settled cross-legged on the floor and stroked the snake as it slid into his lap. “Have they contacted Marvanna yet?”
“One more week. Davon hinted his contact is high in the Autarch’s court, but he didn’t drop a name. He expects them to attack about a month from now.”
Vigorre frowned as he did mental calculations. “That means the Tevenarans will have to hold out against the Armada for at least three months.”
“Can they?” Nalini stretched tired muscles. She should have made the blasted Faithful do more of the work, but they hadn’t appreciated how important it was to get every last corner spotless. Except for Nirel. She’d worked almost as hard as Nalini.
Kevessa fondled the squirrel, staring into space. “They’ve got ships, and several hundred wizards. Elathir is very open, though. No walls, and no natural defenses except the sea.”
Borlen scowled. “It depends on which has the greater range, the Mother’s power or the Armada’s secret weapon.”
“You think it may reach farther than a thousand feet?” Vigorre frowned at Borlen. “The Armada has a fearsome reputation, but if their weapon is that powerful, I’d think the Matriarch would have tried to invade Marvanna by now, not just defend against them.”
“She’s too terrified of them capturing one of the weapons and copying it for themselves.”
Vigorre looked thoughtful. “I wonder where the secret weapon came from in the first place? Father always maintained the official explanation, that it was a gift to Ramunna from the Mother.” He quirked a wry grin at the eagle. “That seems less plausible now than it used to.”
Borlen snorted. “It’s what her soldiers are told, but none of us took it literally.” He lowered his voice. “I heard rumors that the last Matriarch got wind of some scholars at the University experimenting with dangerous forces, so she seized them and sent them to a guarded stronghold deep in the mountains. She forced them to develop the weapon by threatening them and their families. Even after they were successful, she never let them go, for fear the Secret would leak to Marvanna. I think the Matriarch feels she owes it to her mother to protect it as ruthlessly as she did.”
Nalini made a face. She had her differences with the rulers of Giroda, but the Ramunnan Matriarch far surpassed them in cruelty. It was a good thing Marvanna lay between her homeland and this savage place.
Vigorre paced across the tent. “You’ve never seen the weapon used?”
“Only those who serve with the Armada have. I aspired to someday be assigned to a ship, but—” Borlen shrugged and gave a lopsided grin.
In a practical tone, Kevessa said, “Master Elkan and the others will have to deal with it one way or another. The question for us is, can we use this information to help them somehow? Can we intercept Davon’s message to his contact, perhaps?”
“Do we want to?” Vigorre asked. “If Marvanna doesn’t attack, the Armada will remain in Tevenar until they’re certain all resistance is subdued.”
“Or until the wizards drive them out.” Kevessa toyed with the squirrel’s ears. “They might, you know.”
“Maybe, but it’s not very likely.” Borlen watched the cobra glide from one of his hands to the other. “The Matriarch wants to exterminate us.”
All three wizards sobered. Nalini had passed on news of the Matriarch’s frenzied public denunciation of the wizards. The only reason she hadn’t hunted down these three was because she believed they’d fled on Ozor’s ship with Elkan and Josiah. Nalini knew they hated staying hidden, unable to use their powers to their full extent. They could only do a certain amount under cover of the Girodan healers’ tent shows.
“All right,” Vigorre said. “Since it will benefit Tevenar for Marvanna to attack Ramunna, can we make sure it happens? Help Davon’s message go through, or encourage it to be acted upon promptly?”
“I don’t see how,” Kevessa said. “We don’t even know who he’s going to contact.”
“And it would be treason,” Borlen said, clenching his fists. “The Purifiers intend for the Marvannans to kill the Matriarch. Davon’s going to provide information that will help them.”
“She already believes us guilty of treason,” Vigorre said grimly.
“But we’re not!” Borlen said hotly. “We chose to stay in Ramunna because it’s our home. Because this is where the Mother needs us to serve. Do you think she would approve of us conspiring to overthrow our own government?”
“When it’s as corrupt as the Matriarch’s? She might.” Vigorre glared at him.
“I didn’t renounce my loyalty to Ramunna when I accepted the Mother’s call to become a wizard. I won’t participate in any attempt to help Davon and the Purifiers.” Borlen thrust out his chin and stared defiantly at Vigorre.
“Even if it’s the only way to protect the Wizards’ Guild, here and in Tevenar?” Vigorre demanded. “I’m afraid that’s what it will come to. Unless you can think of some way to prove Nirel and Yerenna lied about the child and change her mind about us.”
“You’re the one who was in league with the traitors. Why don’t you—”
“Wait!” Kevessa sat up straight. “Maybe we can.”
Both of the other wizards looked at her. Nalini raised her eyebrows.
“I doubt we can convince her about the baby. At least, not at first. But maybe we can change her mind about wizards.” She licked her lips. “We know the Purifiers plan to give the Marvannans information that will allow them to infiltrate the palace and assassinate the Matriarch. Right?” She looked at Vigorre.
“That’s what Keeper Yoran told Davon.” Vigorre looked wary.
She whirled on Borlen. “Do you have any idea what information they might pass on? Any weaknesses they think the Marvannans could exploit?”
Borlen’s brow creased. “There are a few things. Passwords, hidden passageways. If there are Purifier agents among the guards, they might know about them.”
Kevessa’s eyes brightened. “We can use windows to spy on the Purifiers, watch for when they meet with the Marvannans, hear what they tell them. If we stop the assassination attempt, she’ll have to acknowledg
e we’re not her enemies.”
“How are we supposed to do that? There’s only three of us. If all the Matriarch’s guards can’t protect her, what makes you think we can?” Despite his protests, Borlen’s eyes lit with hope.
Kevessa waved her hand. “We have the Mother’s power. And the Marvannans won’t be expecting us.”
Borlen’s eyes narrowed. “We could tip off one of my friends in the guard. Or hide outside the palace and intercept whoever they send—”
“No,” Vigorre said. “It will have to be spectacular. A dramatic use of our powers, right in front of the Matriarch. She has to see us save her life with her own eyes. Nothing less will persuade her.”
“You have a point,” Borlen admitted. All three of them fell quiet.
After a moment Kevessa turned to Nalini. “What do you think?”
She shrugged. “I think it’s a ridiculous, foolhardy scheme. It’s quite likely to get some or all of you killed. But I also think it’s probably the only plan that has a chance of getting you out of this tent and back into the Matriarch’s good graces. If you ever hope for wizards to practice openly in Ramunna again, you’d better give it a try.”
Vigorre nodded grimly. “I agree. On all counts.” He leaned his head against the eagle for a moment, then turned to the other wizards. “Nirre approves. I’m in. What about you?”
Borlen and Kevessa looked at each other. Each bent to commune with their familiar in the way that always made Nalini uncomfortable. She far preferred to think of the familiars as exotic pets. These reminders that they were something more sent shivers creeping up and down her spine. A creature with a direct link to the Mother inside your mind, watching you, judging every thought and action, always prepared to condemn you if it found you even a little bit wanting… No power in the world was worth that.
“Nina and I are willing,” Kevessa said.
“And Shadow and me.” Borlen nodded sharply. “Now we just have to figure out how to do it.”
“I’ve got some ideas,” Vigorre said. “Nalini, can you smuggle one of us into the Quarter? It sounds like your new clinic is close enough to Davon’s shrine for a window to reach. We can watch his meetings with the Purifiers and learn their plans.”
She tilted her head. “That might be possible.” Despite her reluctance to become involved, her mind began to play with various scenarios. This could prove entertaining. She wouldn’t mind seeing the high and mighty Matriarch forced to eat her words. And despite the cynical disdain she maintained in their presence, she really would like to see the wizards free to wield their healing power openly again. She was a healer, too, after all, if nowhere near as naively idealistic as they were.
Still, it wouldn’t do to appear too eager. “On one condition.”
“What?” Vigorre asked, wary.
“That you choose one of the Girodans to become a wizard. Not me.” She shuddered. “But one of the others. I want to take the Mother’s power to Giroda.” The idea had been growing as she’d watched the wizards work. She pictured how it would be. The Magistrates would fall all over themselves to honor her. The crowds would flock to receive healing from the one they used to scorn. Her family would welcome her back with wondering joy.
“We can’t promise that,” Vigorre told her. “Only the Mother chooses who will become a wizard. We think she wants to send her power to Giroda eventually, but we don’t know how she plans to accomplish it.”
“Then promise one of you will go with me if she doesn’t find any of us suitable.”
Vigorre bit his lip and looked at the others, then at his bird. “All right,” he finally said. “We promise.”
“Excellent.” Nalini leaned toward them. “I know how to get you into the Dualist Quarter without anyone suspecting.”
Eight
Master Herder Odmun shook his head. “I’m sorry, son. I want to go to Korisan and help fight off the Ramunnans. Believe me, I do. But I can’t take so many of my guild members away from our herds, not when the farmers have decided to stay. They’re sneaky. I know it’s hard to believe of such upstanding-seeming folk, but there you are. I could tell you tales that would curl your hair.” He blinked at Josiah. “More than it already is. If we go off for months, we’ll come back to find fences shifted, you mark my word. It’s happened before, and the Wizard’s Court refused to rule in our favor. They’ve sown our pastures with nightshade, too.” He bobbed his head. “Oh, yes. Dozens of head of cattle dead, and more sickened, with never a bit of justice from the wizards. They claimed they found no evidence. The evidence was all over, growing out of the ground! Anyone with eyes could see it.”
Josiah tried to break into the old man’s monologue. “Sir, I understand, but if the Ramunnans—”
He narrowed his eyes at Josiah. “And of course, there’s what happened with my Yeda. It tore her up to lose that babe. Never got justice for that, neither. Not even an apology. Oh, the wizards were so sympathetic, so compassionate, but did they admit they were in the wrong? Not a bit! They kept saying how Tevenar needed that wheat. That’s a pile of manure, if you’ll pardon the expression. The farmers needed that wheat! And the wizards were bound and determined to give it to them, no matter what it cost the rest of us.”
“If you go to Korisan, you could speak to Master Elkan about your complaints. I’m sure he’d—”
“I could give him an earful, that’s certain.” For a moment Odmun looked wistful, but then his expression hardened. “Not as long as those farmers stay. I’m not taking my people to shed our blood while they cower at home.”
Josiah forced his hands to stay limp instead of clenching into fists. “But if I persuade the farmers to go, you will, too?”
Odmun gave Josiah a long, searching look. “I might, boy. I’d be a fair bit more likely to consider it, that’s for sure.”
“All right.” It wasn’t much, but it was better than no concession at all. “I’ll go talk to them. I’ll let you know when they agree to leave.”
The herder chuckled in polite disbelief. “You do that, son.” He wandered over to poke at a pot bubbling over a campfire.
Josiah swallowed hard and turned toward town. The sun was halfway down the sky. He was going to have to spend the night in Jevtaran. He’d wasted a whole afternoon he could have been traveling arguing with these stubborn folk.
He stopped to question a passerby, who directed him to Master Ilman’s house. The farmer was youngish and nervous-looking. He opened his door at Josiah’s knock, but neither invited him in nor stepped outside, just stood on the threshold, fidgeting with the door handle. “Can I help you?” He gave Sar an apprehensive look.
Josiah assumed his best professional demeanor. “I understand you’ll be leading the volunteers from the Farmers’ Guild to Korisan?”
Ilman’s eyes shifted uncomfortably. “That was—I mean, some farmers had tentatively decided to respond to Master Elkan’s request, and they talked about me taking charge of the expedition. But recent events…” He looked past Josiah toward the herder encampment. “People have reconsidered whether it’s wise to be away from their farms right now. I’m sure you understand.”
Josiah fought the temptation to raise his voice. “Actually, I don’t. Maybe you’re not aware how serious the situation is. More than fifty ships are moored around Elathir. They’re armed with powerful weapons unlike anything we’ve ever seen. The whole city has been evacuated. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of Ramunnan soldiers have come ashore to occupy it. For the moment we’ve fooled them into believing we’ve surrendered and there aren’t enough people in the rest of the country to mount a serious resistance. There are, but only if everyone unites to fight them. Tevenar needs your farmers, Master Ilman. Their participation could make the difference between defeat and victory.”
Ilman swallowed and looked away. “You make a convincing argument. If it were up to me, I’d see what I could do. But I can’t force the other masters to abandon their land. Not when the herders are always so quick to take advanta
ge of the slightest lapse in vigilance.”
Anger bubbled up in Josiah, but he forced it down. “You’re the guildmaster for the region, right? It is up to you.”
“In theory, yes. But in reality…” Ilman grimaced and glanced furtively around. He leaned closer to Josiah and dropped his voice. “Frankly, son, my guild’s a strong-willed lot. I was the only candidate inoffensive enough for the masters to reach a consensus on. I could call for them to accompany me to Korisan in the morning as planned, but if Kireh and Alsine and Nolen objected, there’d be nothing I could do to change their minds. My position is shaky enough without exposing myself to that kind of defiance. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is.”
“But the Ramunnans—”
“Will need farmers, if they succeed in taking over. They won’t be foolish enough to harm the ones who grow their food, not if we agree to deal with them as we’ve always dealt with the Wizards’ Guild.” Ilman’s jaw set in a stubborn line that Josiah despaired of budging.
Everyone was so used to the hands-off, sensible policies of Dabiel and her predecessors they couldn’t imagine how bad things might get under less benign rulers. Josiah could talk until he was hoarse about the things he’d seen, the Beggar’s Quarter and the Matriarch’s dungeons and the Armada’s weapons, but they still wouldn’t understand.
Silently fuming, he tried one more time. “I think I can convince the herders to send their volunteers as planned. If they do, will the farmers agree to go as well?”
“I expect they would. At least, that seemed to be the consensus yesterday.”
Josiah inclined his head. “I’ll let you and the other masters know as soon as the herders decide to do their duty.”
“I won’t wait up.” Ilman swung the door closed in Josiah’s face.
Josiah stared at the wooden panels before turning away. “That was rude,” he muttered. Blast it, Sar, what do we do now?
What can we do, except continue to Shalinthan in the morning?
We can’t! Even if we manage to build a working weapon with Meira’s help, it won’t be enough unless we have people who can fight the Ramunnans hand-to-hand. Elkan’s making his plans based on everyone in Tevenar contributing. I’ve got to figure out how to make both groups go.
The Wizards' War Page 10