A Mother's Secrets

by Tuppence Van de Vaarst

  As if in answer to her greeting, she began to hear sounds from the garden. The soft lilting of birds flitting about, singing their songs. A cricket. In a tree next to AeresThonEsia’s bench, a small, tiny woman with wings was singing gently.

  AeresThonEsia gestured and a branch grew out from the tree, a shallow in it filled with water. “Drink, curious child. Drink and breathe. You are in Sanctuary now, though there are,” she seemed to chew over the next word, “easier ways to get here.”

  She managed a small smile and took another deep breath. “I would have taken one of those if I knew how.”

  “Curious child.” AeresThonEsia stood up and moved over to Vinet. She dipped a hand into the water. Vinet couldn’t help but note that all her fingers were now present. Cupping her hands together, she filled them with water and took a long drink. The water did not seem diminished in any way.

  “Drink, Elfsdaughter.”

  Vinet watched AeresThonEsia for a long moment. She wasn’t a crone, but nor was she that other Vinet had caught a brief glimpse of, that of a maiden. She seemed almost… motherly.

  She closed her eyes and forced herself to relax. Mimicking AeresThonEsia, she cupped her hands and took a long sip of the water.

  Instantly, she felt refreshed, even elated. Then her emotions settled and she felt as close to at peace as she ever had. The animals were gone, as well as the little woman, but she didn’t care.

  AeresThonEsia took Vinet’s hands in her own and led her to the bench. Vinet followed, unresisting.

  “Did you learn anything from your experience, mother’s daughter?”

  She managed a short, breathless laugh. “To be honest with you, my lady, I don’t think I’ve had time to process it yet. Other than the fact that I have no idea what I’m doing.” She looked down and tried not to wince. “I want, no, need, a teacher. Or my curiosity will get me somewhere where there is no escaping from.” Despite her own critique of her curiosity, she glanced sideways at AeresThonEsia. “The voice… back there in the tunnel. Was that my… my father?”

  "Yes, Elfsdaughter. I'm as surprised as you are. Well, maybe a little less so." She didn't laugh, but the garden took on an atmosphere of mirth. "Curiosity is the best teacher."

  Vinet smiled. "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back," she quoted. It was one of her favorites, though it was always misquoted.

  AeresThonEsia laughed delightedly. “I like that!”

  Vinet looked at AeresThonEsia again. "May I ask you some questions, lady?"

  AeresThonEsia placed her hands in her lap and looked Vinet in the eyes. “Ask away, dear.”

  It seemed to Vinet that out of the corner of her eye she could see a white cat wandering around the garden, clearly curious. She shook her head, banishing the vision. “What is this place? And how did I get here? Can I do it again?” the questions came pouring out of her. She shivered. “And that skull… what is it? I saw it in a vision, before, and then it was a tattoo on a scout, and it… it frightens me.” She swallowed and lowered her gaze, aware that the rush of questions could be construed as impoliteness.

  "This place. It is anyplace it needs to be. Now it needs to be the calm. A sanctuary. As it often is when the Labyrinth wanderer survives." She paused, processing the second part of the questions. She then raised Vinet's face with a gentle hand, her touch warm and soothing. "Child, speak clearly now. What skull?"

  Survives? Vinet swallowed. "I've seen it three times. In a vision, the first time. Then it appeared tattooed on one of Lady Duskryn's lost scouts. And just now, in the labyrinth." She shivered. "It is a skull, surrounded by rolling eyes, that seem to look everywhere and nowhere. In the labyrinth, it had three tongues, and it screamed..." she took another breath to calm herself.

  A certain darkness seemed to briefly flicker through the garden, but then the birds and bugs and fairies started singing again.

  "That's a new form for the monster of the Labyrinth. One you took with you into that place. Normally, it is the loss of a loved one. Once it was a rabbit! But this...this is disconcerting." AeresThonEsia rested her left hand on Vinet's back, just between her shoulder blades. "Ah. Yes. Disconcerting." She winced. “You brought it with you.”

  Vinet winced as well. "Yes," she nodded. "I was thinking about it when I opened the book. I wanted answers. I didn't... I had no idea what would happen."

  "I know. I was watching." AeresThonEsia stood up and walked a few steps away, an old woman again. "Mortals playing with immortality." She turned back to Vinet. Her eyes were kind, pitying almost. "You've been marked, child. Marked, mother's daughter. Know you what I mean?"

  Vinet shook her head, bewildered. "Marked by who? And for what?" she asked.

  "Had she been swifter quicker smarter in the Labyrinth, Lord of mine. If only. If only." A hand gestured in the air. An index finger was missing from it. The sanctuary began to flicker. "By Manyu himself, mother's daughter. By Manyuanmazda itself!"

  Vinet stared at AeresThonEsia in shock. “By Manyu…” her voice trailed off to a whisper. She got to her feet and walked over to AeresThonEsia. “What can I do?” she asked.

  AeresThonEsia shook her head. “Better she had stepped through one of the other mirrors than now.” She sighed. “Come, Vinet. Support an old woman?”

  Automatically, Vinet offered her arm. AeresThonEsia took it, leaning on her. “I will protect your soul, mother’s daughter.” She sighed. “Walk slowly.”

  Slowly, they stared walking forward. Vinet couldn’t tear her eyes away from the old woman.

  “We cannot harbor your dreams, though, girl. There he will walk and know. You must practice your focus. Lessss… bro- broad curiosity. Concise,” AeresThonEsia coughed, “thinking.” She shook her head. “The sanctuary will not permit talk of this kind. We have yammered and yimmered long enough, yes yes yesssss.” She coughed again. “Nor can I stop Manyu’s mortal plaything.”

  Vinet stared at her, trying to take in every aspect of her words. As she did, the sanctuary disappeared around her. For a moment, they seemed to walk in starlight and shadows. Then they were back in the marketplace, behind the book stand. In front of her stood Gwyn and Dannan.

  Vinet gasped in relief. All serenity from the garden was gone, and she was shaking. She nearly ran forward, pulling Gwyn into a long embrace. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured.

  She could feel Gwyn shaking as she returned the hug. “Don’t you ever do that to me again,” she breathed.

  A cough drew her attention and she pulled away, suddenly remembering Dannan’s presence. Why on earth was he, of all people, here?

  He nodded at her. “Lady Vinet. How goes your investigation?”

  She forced herself to nod politely back, even though she was still shaking. She could see AeresThonEsia fade back into the shadows of the book stand.

  “All vague, and nothing comforting,” she said, taking a deep breath.

  He looked at her, his eyes flashing. “Magic rarely is.”

  Vinet winced.

  Dannan looked directly at Gwyn. “Take your lady home. Be sure she has tea or drinking chocolate. It will help.”

  Gwyn nodded and tugged on Vinet’s arm.

  Vinet forced herself to steady. “Wait,” she managed. She turned to look at Dannan. “I know… you and I have not seen eye to eye, Lord Dannan, but you must know. That tattoo is dark magic. Manyu’s magic.”

  Dannan stared at her a long moment, then nodded slowly. Their eyes met in perfect accord.

  Vinet nodded shakily. “If you could tell our fellow councilors I’ll be resting a while, that would be greatly appreciated, Lord Dannan.”

  Something could not wait, however. She turned back to AeresThonEsia. “Thank you,” she said, relief evident in every bone of her body. “If I can ever do anything for you, please, let me know.”

  AeresThonEsia’s voice was low and amused. “I will, my lady.” Her voice rose as Gwyn started leading Vinet away. “Mother’s daughter! Remember these words. Stone and hair. Blood
on the rose. Gentle paths there, dear.”

  A vision passed before Vinet’s eye, that of the gemstone from earlier. She knew in that moment that AeresThonEsia had just given her the key back to the garden.

  Vinet barely made it back to the townhouse. Gwyn hovered next to her, trying to help, but Vinet refused. Appearances. Why were appearances so damn important?

  Once they entered the doors, however, Vinet collapsed against Gwyn. Gwyn started shouting orders and nearly carried Vinet up to her room. There, she began to help Vinet undress.

  “Gwyn,” Vinet protested. “Get a maid to do that.”

  “They’re drawing a bath.” Gwyn retorted. “You are going to be in it as soon as possible.”

  Vinet subsided. When Gwyn used that tone, there was no arguing with her.

  She froze as her gaze passed over her bed. The familiar, black leather-bound book that had gotten her into all this trouble was resting there on top of the blankets.

  “Gwyn,” she managed, indicating the book. “Did you carry that back here?”

  Gwyn looked up, and Vinet felt her freeze as well. “No,” she managed.

  Vinet tore her gaze away. It had to have been AeresThonEsia. Whoever she was. Whatever she was.

  The maids bustled in, filling a large tub with hot water, as Gwyn continued to strip Vinet down.

  Vinet felt Gwyn freeze as she unlaced her shift. “What?” she asked, turning to look over her shoulder.

  Gwyn stood frozen, not saying a word. Vinet reached for her in confusion. “What, Gwyn?”

  Gwyn shook her head. She waited until the maids had left the room, then stalked over to the bed stand and grabbed a small handheld mirror. Without saying a word, she held it so Vinet could see her back.

  Vinet looked hesitantly, then blanched. There, between her shoulder blades, was a familiar scar. A skull, surrounded by eyes. Around that scar, however, was a tattoo, of green thorns and red rose petals intertwining.

  Vinet stared at Gwyn in horror. “Marked,” she said. “AeresThonEsia, she…”

  “She marked you?” Gwyn’s voice was furious.

  Vinet shook her head. “No. She… protected me.” She stared at the mirror again, then pushed it away. She couldn’t bear to see it the skull and eyes. The mark of Manyu. Of Manyuanmazda, according to AeresThonEsia.

  “Is this going to cause lasting harm, Vinet?” Gwyn demanded.

  Vinet turned towards Gwyn, her best friend and confidant. Her eyes were haunted. “I don’t know.”

  Chapter 4: Venia

  Fire. Blood. Unearthly screams. Vinet tried to run, tried to fight, but she couldn’t. The earth was shattering around her. A piercing shriek rent the air, and a dark winged creature rose up in front of her. She stumbled backwards, trying to shield her face from the dust.

  “Mama!”

  Her eyes widened in horror. Niara was screaming, thrashing, trying to fight as she was carried off into the sky. The black figure that carried her had no face and said nothing.

  “Niara!” She tried to scream, but nothing came out. Her mouth was dry. She couldn’t move. Her feet were held in place by huge roots that moved, dragging her further and further down into the earth. She struggled, trying desperately to keep her head above the ground. Her hands grasped roots only to have them slip away. She flailed. She couldn’t breathe!

  Vinet’s eyes flew open and she stared at the sudden, silent darkness. She was drenched in sweat. She took several deep, gasping breaths as she oriented herself. The area between her shoulder blades burned. She was at her townhouse, at the capital. It had just been a dream.

  Somehow, she couldn’t convince herself of that. The pain on her back was a reminder of the events of two days ago. The day she’d been marked by Manyu. AeresThonEsia had said something about not being able to protect her dreams.

  She took another shuddering breath and pushed off the blanket, swinging her legs off the bed and fumbling for the candle. It had gone out, hours before, before the dream had started. She couldn’t find the flint. Gasping, she reached down, inside, to a trick she’d learned ages ago. She snapped her fingers, and a tiny spark leaped out and caught the wick. She sighed in relief as it started burning.

  It was still pitch-black outside, far too early for morning. Still, she couldn’t sleep anymore. Without stopping to think where she was going, she grabbed a shawl and slipped her feet into slippers before picking the candle up and padding softly down the corridor. She found herself in the library. For a long moment, she stared blindly at the rows of bookshelves. It was too dark. Her one small candle barely illuminated enough for her to see the shadows of the books, dancing in the wavering candlelight.

  She shook herself. This was nonsense. The maids should have left kindling and logs in the fireplace before they went to bed. It would be easy to light it. She made her way to the fireplace mostly by memory. Carefully, she knelt. She had been right, the firewood was ready, needing only a small spark to bring it to a blaze. She didn’t feel strong enough to replicate her trick from earlier, so she resorted to the candle. The kindling caught easily, and she blew gently on it to encourage it to burn. It crackled and sparked as the logs caught, finally dancing high in the fireplace. The fire was a balm to her soul. The warmth sank into her bones, banishing the memory of the nightmare.

  Vinet sat there for a while longer, staring at the flames. What had the dream meant? Was it a warning, threat, or just something delving into her darkest fears?

  These were questions she couldn’t answer. And for some reason she doubted AeresThonEsia would, either. The woman… the women? Vinet wondered. They had been unwilling to speak any more about the being that had placed their mark on Vinet’s back. The protection during the day seemed as much as she would, or could, do.

  Numb legs warned her she had to move if she wanted to avoid her legs falling asleep. She shifted, wincing as pins and needles attacked her calf. The sensible thing would be to try and go back to sleep. She didn’t think she could face that.

  Well, she was in the library and she had plenty of research to do now that the Council had voted. She hadn’t told any of the councilors about her experience, only that the scout’s mark was one of Manyu. What Dannan guessed, she didn’t know.

  Nevertheless, the knowledge of the mark’s origin hadn’t been enough to sway anyone except Conn and Ellil toward healing the scout. The rest, including Vinet, had voted to help Venia. She closed her eyes as she remembered. She had presented her arguments in a logical manner. It would benefit Saemar the most to consolidate Venia as part of the kingdom, and to stop Jyria from swallowing up all the city-states under its rule. Jyria couldn’t threaten Saemar at the moment, but only if they took steps to keep it that way. By taking Venia, they would also block Jyria’s expansion to Hillsdale, adjacent to Vinet’s lands. That had been her argument, anyway. That, and the fact that they would now have a seaport. But in truth, all she had wanted to do was stay as far away from whatever had marked the scout as possible.

  No one would believe that of her. She was the curious one, the one whose curiosity led her blindly and happily into danger. No one would believe that she had avoided investigating something out of fear. It was a reputation she’d built, to explain any research that might lead to others suspecting her secrets.

  She opened her eyes and stared into the fire again. Well, if no one believed she would back down from fear, that was all to the good. It had allowed them to help Venia. And that was what she should research now. All they knew of Venia was what came through the merchants. If they were going to integrate Venia as part of Saemar, they needed to know more about it.

  Vinet kept hold of the candle as she stood up. She started pacing the shelves, trying to recall if she had anything on Venia. Had there ever been a merchant agreement, a treatise, or a traveler’s journal? She couldn’t recall. She would have more luck if she was using her main library at home. Nonetheless, she continued searching. Finally, she found a small pamphlet. It was nothing much, just the description of a
ball hosted by one of the Venia nobility. She sat down in her chair in front of the fire and sighed. It told her there were nobility in Venia, but nothing else. There would probably be more in her main library back home.

  She glanced up at a sound from the door. In the firelight, she could see the glint of steel as Gwyn entered the room, her sword held in her hand.

  “It’s me, Gwyn,” she assured.

  Gwyn lowered her sword. She was still dressed for bed, her long blonde hair flowing unbound her back, and only a simple shift providing any modesty. But she held her sword with the ease of someone who would use it.

  She would, too. Vinet had seen it.

  “I heard something. What’s up? You’re not usually in the library at this hour.”

  Vinet shrugged, her stomach dropping uneasily. “I couldn’t sleep,” she said. “Nightmare.”

  Gwyn gave her a sharp glance and Vinet swallowed. They didn’t have secrets from each other. That had been their earliest pact, when they’d sworn blood-sisterhood.

  “Nightmare?” Gwyn asked slowly. She sank into the chair next to Vinet’s. “Want to talk about it?”

  Vinet looked away. “Not really,” she said softly. She felt herself shudder. “I think… I think it was because of… of what happened the other day.” She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

  “When you were marked,” Gwyn had no such compunctions. She sighed. “Mazda’s light, Vinet…”

  Vinet shook her head. “We’ll deal with it,” she said. “Just… not right now.”

  Gwyn stared at her a moment longer, then nodded. “Alright. But don’t take too many more risks like that, please.”

  Vinet managed a low chuckle. “Believe me, I don’t intend to.”

  “Good,” Gwyn sat forward, ready to stand up. “Anything else?”

  Vinet stared at the report in her hand. “What would you say to a detour on the way home?”