A Mother's Secrets

by Tuppence Van de Vaarst

He chuckled at her alarm. “There is no one at this moment, daughter. I would have seen them. Your secret and position are safe.”

  Vinet had a suspicion he did not mean ‘seen’ the way she would have used the word.

  “Your wisdom is sound, though.” Kinaevan continued. “I am, in fact, the ambassador from the Faithful to Saemar. That is my purpose for being here, but I could not keep myself from coming to this place once I was shown that you were here.”

  He began to walk forward, leading them back to the estate. "Given my position here, in this very moment, I cannot accept your invitation to Ninaeva despite my fond memories of that place."

  "Ambassador? Then I will see you on a regular basis, as I am a member of the ruling council." She frowned as a question occurred to her. “But why an embassy now?”

  “There is a darkening tide coming. We must be ready. Mount Halon stirs.” He met her eyes. “You have seen the signs.”

  She shivered. Without elaboration, she knew what he must be speaking of: the scout, the mark… her shoulder blades ached.

  The estate’s outbuildings came into sight and Vinet slowed her walk. "Before we meet anyone else... you mentioned something you called the Sight. I have had some... interesting experiences. Is there a way…" she paused, trying to figure out how to phrase her question. "I need to learn how to use it, or, at the very least, control it. Is there a way you could teach me?"

  "I could be there for you as your Sight develops, but I cannot teach the control. For that you'll need to see the Lady, though she has been in shadow of late."

  Vinet swallowed, remembering her experience with AeresThonEsia. Hopefully this Lady was kinder than she. "Will you tell me about the Lady, then? This is the first I've heard of her, and I want to know more about your... our… culture and heritage."

  Kinaevan smiled. "I am glad to hear it. The Lady is our guide, often called goddess by the ignorant. She does not, however, coerce and demand from her people like divinities. She gave our people numerous gifts, marking us as blessed via ear and eye."

  Vinet instinctively reached to touch her own ear. Round to most people, but if one touched it there were angles to it that shouldn’t have been there, not on a human, at least. "That's what you meant by the gift of eyes," she said.

  Kinaevan nodded. “I am, and you may yet become, an Eye of the Lady. We are closest to her, blessed by her. She gives us the Sight to see, and the Swaying.”

  “The Swaying?”

  “The ability to use magic,” Kinaevan’s voice seemed distant. He looked at her. “It is… costly, the Swaying.”

  Vinet remembered Dannan, his rants against magic, and her suspicions that he had once been a mage. She nodded in understanding.

  “The Thorns also serve the Lady,” Kinaevan continued. “They are our warriors, our hunters, our protectors and providers.”

  Vinet nodded. “Those were the three with you?” she asked.

  Kinaevan smiled and nodded.

  Her lips twitched, remembering the situation. “I’m sorry Lady Pellalindra threatened you,” she said.

  Kinaevan laughed. “They were in more danger than we. The Thorns are highly skilled. If I had been truly threatened, they would not have hesitated.”

  Some part of her should have been worried that someone had that kind of strength, but she couldn’t be concerned when it was in the hands of her father.

  “Is the Lady the only one you serve?” she asked. “Is there a… an elven government, or kingdom… or…” She stopped as she couldn’t think of what else there could be.

  Kinaevan smiled. “We are few, but there is a kingdom. There is our Lord, the Lord of Life and Loss, but he is not…” he paused. “He gave us other gifts. Long memory, long life. But he is not spoken of.”

  “Why?” Vinet couldn’t conceal her curiosity.

  “Curious child,” Kinaevan said. He shook his head. “Not yet. The Lady…” he winced.

  Young in the Sight, Vinet remembered. She wasn’t just young. She was a bare beginner, with no knowledge of anything.

  “We near the estate,” Kinaevan said. He glanced around. “I will rejoin my fellows, rather than intrude on Lady Pellalindra’s hospitality. I will see you in the capital, my daughter.”

  Vinet smiled and blinked. She leaned forward to embrace her father again. “I will see you there,” she promised.

  **********

  Vinet thought she would have a chance to find Gwyn, sit down, and explain, but she got no such opportunity. The hunt seemed to have come to an abrupt conclusion, with many of the main hunters arriving back disappointed or elated with their prizes. They bustled about, getting in her way as she searched the hall for Gwyn.

  Gwyn found her amidst the confusion and bustle. “Niara’s playing with Percival and the MacTir children,” she said. “Vinet, what in Mazda’s name just happened?”

  Vinet made sure there was no one in earshot “He is my father,” she said in a bare whisper.

  Gwyn’s eyes widened. “Your,” she cut herself off and stared at Vinet. “You’re sure?”

  Vinet nodded. “Absolutely,” she said. “I saw…”

  “Lady Vinet!” Vinet looked up and suppressed a curse. The nobles had returned.

  Pellalindra made her way over, a smile on her face. “Coming to the feast? Where is the mysterious elf?”

  “He went to rejoin his fellows,” Vinet said, trying to keep her voice calm. “He did not want to intrude on your hospitality any longer.”

  Pellalindra seemed disappointed. She looked around and drew nearer. “I need to ask. Is everything… alright? Nothing happened? Niara is safe?”

  Vinet felt a surge of affection for Pellalindra at her concern for Niara. She shook her head. “Everything is fine. From what I gathered, Kinaevan arrived just in time.”

  Pellalindra’s worried expression didn’t fade. “These elves... have they been in Saemar long? We never see them in the kingdom and now this...”

  Vinet shook her head. "Kinaevan has not been here long, no. In fact, he was on his way to the capital. He is an ambassador for his people. They call themselves the Faithful."

  “So, he came from the southwest?” Pellalindra frowned. “I do not see how else he would have come through Duskryn lands.”

  She had to deflect Pellalindra’s concern about the southwest. She didn’t want anyone to associate Kinaevan with the missing scout. “I am afraid he didn’t reveal the location of his home,” she said, keeping her voice light. “His origin is as mysterious as your Lord Auriel’s.”

  Pellalindra gave a light-hearted groan. Unfortunately, she was not distracted. “He seemed quite interested in you. Do you think he already knew who you were? You and Niara?”

  Vinet braced herself. “I don’t know how he would,” she said. “He only met Niara because she went wandering in the woods. Why do you ask?”

  Pellalindra sniffed. “He appears unannounced and uninvited on my lands, and then pays me no heed. Instead, he only speaks to you and ignores every noble there except for Lord Auriel. What am I to make of that?”

  Tension flared in Vinet’s shoulders. “Perhaps the manners of the elves are not like our own,” she said, fighting to keep her voice level. “You will have your chance to ask him when he is officially introduced as ambassador.”

  Pellalindra gave her a long, penetrating look, and Vinet forced her expression to stay neutral. Pellalindra’s affection for Niara might have softened Vinet’s feelings, but she still remembered the manipulation. She was not about to hand Pellalindra anything that could be a key to her secrets.

  “Are they connected to the assassins that came after you in any way?” Pellalindra’s voice was hard.

  Vinet felt some of the tension ease out of her shoulders. “No,” she said as steadily as she could. “The Faithful are enemies of that group. They name the ones who tried to assassinate me Unfaithful.”

  Pellalindra raised an eyebrow. “What else did he tell you about his people? Who are they faithful to?”

&n
bsp; Vinet paused, choosing her words with care. What Kinaevan told her and what she told the Council would be two different things. “They are faithful to a figure they call the Lady,” she said. “She is not a goddess. I am not certain what she is.”

  To her relief, Pellalindra let that rest. “And would you trust that elf?”

  Vinet felt a flare of amusement. She asks if I would trust my own father. My father, my flesh and blood. “I would,” she said. “That may be surprising, considering my recent encounter with elves, but… Lady Pellalindra, may I be frank?”

  Pellalindra blinked. “Of course.”

  “We are going to need allies soon,” Vinet said, keeping her voice low. “Against the Unfaithful, if no one else. We have no idea what their motivations are or why they tried to target me. They could have been working with Jyria, and sought to cause chaos by eliminating a Saemarian noble. They may have some other plot entirely. Having one ally who has any idea of their motivations would be invaluable. And…” she hesitated. “If something from the southeast threatens…” The other reason they would need allies was tingling in the back of her mind, sending a stabbing pain through her shoulder blades. Whatever Mount Halon was, it would do no good to mention that to Pellalindra until she had more information.

  Pellalindra nodded slowly. “I see your point,” she said. “Very well, I will welcome him as Lady of the Council at the next council session. And perhaps explain to him proper Saemarian manners.”

  Vinet let out a laugh and relaxed. “If you do that, I would be prepared to receive a lecture on elven customs in return.”

  The look Pellalindra gave her was one of incredulous disbelief. Vinet shook her head. “But you’re missing your own feast, Lady Pellalindra. Surely you have other guests besides me to attend to?”

  A reluctant smile crossed Pellalindra’s face. “I do. We shall speak again, I am sure.”

  Vinet nodded as Pellalindra left. As soon as she was out of earshot, she gave a sigh of relief. She turned to Gwyn, who had stood silent at her side during the entire conversation.

  “Congratulations,” Gwyn said. “I almost believed that you had no idea what Kinaevan wanted.”

  Vinet rolled her shoulders, wincing at the tension. “I hope no one else thinks to ask me about him. I had to think on my feet there.”

  Gwyn raised an eyebrow. “It won’t be the last time you have to do that,” she said. “If your father has arrived, things are about to get very interesting.”

  Chapter 8: Family

  Vinet found no time to explain about her father to Gwyn on their journey back to Ninaeva. She knew Gwyn was concerned, but she couldn’t do anything about it surrounded by their escort of guards. And Niara.

  Niara, of course, was in high spirits. She was full of questions about elves, about the Lady, and about pointed ears. Vinet answered as best she could. Her heart tightened every time she looked at Niara. Her daughter had come so close to danger without realizing it. And more danger was yet to come, if Kinaevan was to be believed. Niara would share Vinet’s gift.

  Upon their arrival at Ninaeva late in the evening, Niara was packed off to bed, and Vinet fled to her study. It only took a few minutes before Gwyn slipped into the intimate room. Vinet looked up from her chair with a slight smile.

  “I was expecting you,” she said. “What’s bothering you?”

  To Vinet’s surprise, Gwyn shifted uneasily. Instead of answering, her friend and bodyguard walked over to the small window and looked out. It didn’t offer a very good view, being more of a slit for light than anything else.

  Vinet stood up and followed her. “What’s up?” she asked.

  Gwyn spoke. “I failed you, back there in Duskryn.”

  Vinet’s mouth dropped open. “How can you say that?” she exclaimed. “You have never failed me, Gwyn.” She placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Ever.”

  Gwyn shook her head. “I should have been closer to Niara. If I had, then that wolf would never have snuck up on her. If the elves hadn’t been there…” she shuddered.

  “Oh, Gwyn…” Vinet pulled Gwyn into an embrace. “You couldn’t have done anything more,” she said. “And Kinaevan was there. Everything worked out.”

  “But will he be there next time?” Gwyn demanded. She pulled back to look into Vinet’s eyes. “Niara’s going to run off like that again. And what if I must stay near you? What if there are no other guards, like there were at the hunt? I can’t leave you undefended! But it would kill you to lose your daughter!”

  Vinet stilled. That word had been unspoken between them for years. They’d both deemed it too dangerous to talk about. That Gwyn used it now…

  Gwyn pulled out of Vinet’s arms. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice now a whisper. “I know we said…”

  Vinet shook her head. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “There’s no one here but us.”

  “But there could be.”

  Vinet couldn’t stand it, this doubt and fear in her friend. She grabbed Gwyn’s hand, the one that bore the scar from years ago. She held her own next to it so that the matching scar was visible.

  “Gwyn,” she said, her voice sincere and soft. “You’re my sister. We swore, remember? You could never fail me. You’ve saved me more times than I could count.”

  “You’ve saved me too,” Gwyn was blinking rapidly. “If you hadn’t…”

  If Vinet hadn’t. If she hadn’t been an impetuous eight-year-old who wanted a friend, then who knew what would have happened to Gwyn, a ragged girl on the streets, whose mother worked in a brothel.

  “You would have done fine for yourself,” she said forcefully. “That’s not the point.”

  “No, the point is that I can’t protect both you and Niara,” Gwyn said. Her eyes darkened. “And I have to protect both of you in order to protect the other.”

  Vinet reached out and grabbed Gwyn’s shoulders. “You can protect both of us. But you can’t be in two places at once.”

  Gwyn looked up. “What are you getting at?”

  Vinet hesitated. “There needs to be two of you,” she said. “One for me, one for Niara.”

  Gwyn frowned. “You mean, get Niara a bodyguard of her own?”

  Vinet nodded.

  Gwyn bit her lower lip. “Who?” she asked.

  Vinet smiled. “You know all the guards in the keep. You know who’s to be trusted, who has the potential, the patience. I leave that judgment in your hands.”

  Gwyn’s expression was alarmed. “But, Vinet… I…”

  “No buts,” Vinet kept her voice firm, but softened it with a smile. “I trust you, sister.”

  Gwyn shook her head, but Vinet could see the small smile start to form. “Idealistic fool.”

  “Always,” Vinet chuckled. “Now, who do you have in mind?”

  Gwyn thought a moment. “Well, there is one guard,” she said, measuring her words. “She accompanied us to Venia and on this last trip to Duskryn. She’s got six younger siblings of her own, so she knows how to handle younglings.”

  “She sounds perfect,” Vinet said. “Bring her with us the next time we go to the capital. That can be her trial period. If you’re satisfied, we’ll introduce her to Niara and make it official. What’s her name?”

  “Evalynna,” Gwyn said. “I’ll see to it.”

  **********

  Vinet kept a close eye on Evalynna during the next trip to the capital. Evalynna was calm, quiet, observant, and evidently fond of Niara. She was a sharp contrast from Gwyn, but that wasn’t a bad thing. Gwyn was strong, outspoken, and couldn’t hide in a crowd if she wanted to. Everyone knew Vinet had a bodyguard, which was partly the point. Evalynna was the opposite. Calm, with mousy brown hair and a soft, round face, she would probably make people think she was Niara’s nursemaid rather than bodyguard. Vinet made a point to watch Gwyn and Evalynna practice once, though. Anyone who underestimated Evalynna was going to get a deadly surprise.

  As they rode through the streets of the capital, Vinet noticed with del
ight that one of the buildings on her street had been refurbished. The front garden now had a lovely array of trees and vines unlike any Vinet had seen, and the entire place looked graceful and pristine.

  There was the usual rush of servants collecting luggage and greeting their lady as they arrived at Vinet’s townhouse. Vinet sent Evalynna to help Niara settle in and went to her study. She needed to see if there was another message from the Council. She’d barely been there a quarter of an hour when there was a loud knock on the front door. She looked up, curious as to who would be visiting so soon after her arrival. She didn’t have long to wait. Gwyn entered the study, trailed by the high priest, Ellil. He was dressed in his formal regalia, with the sun of Mazda emblazoned prominently on the front of his robes.

  She rose in respect. “Your radiance,” she said. “What can I do for you?”

  He bowed stiffly to her. “You can start with an explanation.”

  She blinked, entirely taken aback. An explanation of what? That she hadn’t officially visited him at the temple? She had her own priest in Ninaeva for the necessary rituals, so it couldn’t be that.

  She gestured at the seat across from her desk. “Please, sit down. What can I explain?”

  “You can explain why there is now a gathering of heathens not one block away from you, with a man who purports to be an ambassador actually receiving an invitation to the palace, despite his heathen ways. Did you know those elves don’t worship Mazda?”

  Vinet blinked. So that new building was the embassy of the Faithful! She suppressed a smile. She was pleased that could just walk down the street if she ever wanted to see her father.

  First, however, there was Ellil to deal with. “I didn’t think they would,” she said, keeping her voice calm. “The worship of Mazda is not universal, after all. The light still needs to spread throughout so many lands.” There, that was diplomatic.

  Ellil’s expression darkened. “The light spreads throughout all four corners of the world. It is only the heathens who do not accept it.”

  Well, apparently that wasn’t diplomatic. She frowned. “Why do you think I can explain their presence?” she offered.