by Janet Woods
Azarine gently caressed his face. ‘Did you suffer much in the time of knowledge, my brother?’
‘You know I did, for you were there when I needed you.’
‘I remember very little of it.’
‘There’s a fine line of pain on your forehead. Not discernible to anyone with eyes less keen than yours,’ he hastened to add, ‘and it will be gone in a day or two.’ He traced his finger along it. ‘We shall talk of the gaining of knowledge another time, and in private, if we need talk of it at all, Azarine. My companions are hungry and tired.’
‘Who is the fine fellow with the sharp eyes who stands tall at your shoulder, Laek? He looks more like a courtier than a soldier.’
Falcon answered. ‘He is Tighe, son of Saire, a mystic, and training companion to your son and his friends.’
Laek slapped him on the back. ‘Tighe is also a true friend who I’d trust with my life.’
Tighe slid him a smile and stepped forward with a quiet tread. His breeches and tunic were immaculate. His hair was drawn back into a braided queue that emphasized the angles of his cheekbones in the lean contours of his face.
Laek gazed suspiciously at him. ‘When did you find time to pretty yourself up, Tighe?’
Tighe shrugged, and bowed elegantly over Azarine’s hand. ‘I would not do a lady injustice by appearing before her looking beggarly. Well met, Lady Azarine. The pleasure in meeting you is all mine.’
Azarine laughed. ‘You have a glib tongue, Tighe.’
‘And a fine line in patter,’ a young woman who’d been silent until then, muttered. ‘Mystic indeed ... Hah!’
Tighe gazed at her, and smiled with great charm.
Laek knew that smile. It meant that Tighe was in a mood to tease. ‘Danea ... we meet at last.’
She gave a suspicious sniff. ‘At last? How do you know my name when we’ve never met?’
‘I know a lot about you.’ He closed his fist and held it out to her. ‘Touch my hand and wish for something.’
A few minitix later he opened his hand and revealed a creamy flower. He smiled when she cupped it in her hands and inhaled its fragrance. ‘It’s so pretty.’
He said quietly, ‘You could have wished for riches or power, but you wished for the simple beauty of a desert lily and the affection of a man.’
Danea blushed.
Jon, who hadn’t been able to take his eyes off Danea, elbowed Tighe out of the way. ‘Tighe is full of tricks. I daresay he picked the flower in the desert and hid it in his sleeve in case he needed it.’
Tighe folded his arms and slid his hands into each sleeve, laughing as he said, ‘He’s only saying that because he has no magic himself.’
Danea had a blush on her face and confusion in her eyes. ‘Jon, I didn’t see you there. How good to see you again ... did you enjoy your training?’
‘It was rigorous, but I had no problem with it ... I forgot to tell you that you’re as beautiful as the flower Tighe gave you.’
When Tighe chuckled, she scolded, ‘Oh, you’re teasing me, too, Jon,’ and she turned and hurried off into the privacy of a shabby tent.
Azarine frowned at him. ‘That was not kind of either of you. Danea is sensitive.’
‘Not kind?’ Tighe looked bewildered. ‘Danea misunderstood, I think. She has a kind and beautiful heart, and I’d be grateful if you would inform her that my remark was sincerely offered. Excuse me, my lady, I have not been in female company for some time.’ He turned and strode off into the darkness.
Laek, who had never seen Tighe in such a huff, found him later. He was seated on a ledge, his peregrine feathers fluffed up around him.
‘Are you going to sit here and sulk all night, my fine feathered friend?’
‘I’ve made myself look a fool. And it seems as though I’m trying to oust Jon from Danea’s affections, when I’m only trying the strengthen her resolve.’
‘They have known each other since childhood. Come, Tighe, lose your feathers, lest one of the troopers shoot you from the air and roast you for supper. You’d look even more foolish rotating on a stick over his fire.’
‘I admit it would be and uncomfortable position to be in.’ Tighe shimmered and a feather drifted down. ‘I will find some way to apologize.
‘Danea is not used to compliments and you took her by surprise, so she scolded. You were far too personal.’
Tighe assumed his normal self. ‘Did Danea say she was sorry?’
‘No ... but she was embarrassed by all the attention. You’re not used to the ways of women. You’ve shown no interest in them before.’
‘There is a woman who engages my heart and owns my mind, and I need no other ...’
He shrugged when Laek gazed at him with some interest and asked, ‘Oh ... where is she?’
‘She waits for me ... in Karshal I understand. But you must forget I said so.’
For a moment Laek gazed blankly, thinking he might have forgotten something. He shrugged. ‘Danea is cooking us a fine supper, you know ... young goat in a sauce flavored with wild herbs.’
‘Will I be welcomed at the feast?’
‘She’d feel slighted if you didn’t come ... eventually she’ll come round. Perhaps you could compliment her on her cooking. Laek remembered a tale told about his sister. ‘I believe Danea had a nurse called Neeva who taught her how to read and how to study the stars. When it was discovered, the woman’s tongue was removed and she was sent away to die. Danea hides her intelligence now. I’ve heard that the nurse was rescued by the followers.’
Tighe’s eyes gleamed at that snippet. ‘How do you know so much about Danea?’
‘She’s my half-sister ... at least, I thought she was. Lord Cynan fathered her with his first wife.’
Tighe gazed at him.
‘Cynan’s never been a father to Danea, and hardly knew she was alive. Serica ... that’s her mother nagged her incessantly when she was growing up, because she was plain. Nobody has ever shown her any affection, and she is defensive because she’s been turned down for every marriage her mother tried to arrange for her.’
‘Why haven’t her parents suggested a joining between your sister and Jon?’
‘I’ve never really thought about it.’ Laek brought them to a halt. ‘Tighe, there’s something I must say to you. Despite our friendship and the vow we took, I want you to know that I still regard Danea as my sister and I value her welfare. Jon has always been fond of her, and has never quite found the courage to approach her. I don’t want her hurt in any way and I believe she will respond to him in time.’
‘You cannot shield her from hurt and there’s something about a relationship between Danea and Jon that troubles me.’
‘What it?’
‘A feeling ... I cannot say. I will be kind to her, Laek. She needs kindness.’
And no matter how hard he tried, Laek could get nothing more out of Tighe.
* * * *
During her absence Danea had brushed her hair out. She tucked Tighe’s flower behind her ear and smiled at her reflection in the pool. No, it wasn’t his flower it was her own because that was what she’d wished for.
She didn’t look Tighe in the eyes as she ladled out the stew, but she was aware of him and conscious of the fact he was watching her. She was more aware of Jon, who gazed adoringly at her. She gave him the tenderest portion of the meat, and the thickest piece of bread from a loaf she’d just lifted from the ashes. As well, she dribbled extra honey on the berry pudding to make up for her rudeness to him.
As he murmured his thanks she absorbed his smile and a blush rose to her cheeks. For she had the feeling everyone was watching any exchange between them.
To discourage it, she retreated into the rough branch hut she used for sleeping in, and she listened to their voices. The men were bringing Azarine up to date.
She couldn’t believe how much Laek had changed. He was fit, and well-muscled, his voice deep, as though he was sure of himself. Jon and Iago, too. They were alike, but Jon was less
boisterous than Iago. Their gingery hair had thickened, and the color had deepened to a reddish brown thatch.
Her ears pricked up when Laek said, ‘I heard from Jynx, Lady Mother. Her brother Remy has joined the mystics and is no longer with her. She’s in the follower’s tower, in Karshal.’
‘The followers have created a chimera in the middle of Karshal city? How wonderful. Jynx will be safe there, though the restrictions of living with the sisters will not sit well on Jynx.’
Tighe chuckled. ‘No doubt she will find a way around them.’
Azarine gave him a puzzled glance. ‘It sounds as though you know Jynx, Tighe.’
Tighe’s eyes hooded slightly. ‘Apart from what Laek has told me I know her not at all. Yet sometimes I feel as though I do, because she always seems to become a part of every conversation.’
‘She and Remy have been condemned by their parents. Emrys is tracking them, I understand. I’m worried for her. Jynx is headstrong and she might leave the tower. I’ve said I’d get to her as soon as I can. She will be safer with us.’
‘I’ll rescue Jynx when I take Karshal,’ Falcon said. ‘She’ll come with me.’
‘But Falcon ... I’ve promised her ...’
I was obvious to Azarine that Laek had a need to prove his mettle where Jynx was concerned, and just as obvious that Falcon intended to prevent it, when he said, ‘Enough! You can’t be everywhere at once, Laek, nobody can.’
‘I wouldn’t be too certain about that.’ Laek murmured, shooting Tighe a glance, and clearly disgruntled by being told what he could and could not do.
Tighe nearly choked on his drink, which earned him a thump on the back from Iago.
‘You’ll be escorting your mother to Arles. You’ll take half the troopers and the trimarine, while I liberate Karshal with the others. Jynx will not come to any harm, I promise. Only her patience will be stretched.’
‘What will I be doing?’ Tighe’s voice was low and calm like a current of water gliding through a bed of water weeds.’
‘You’ll be trying to find a way through the fire-mountains and will bring me back a report of what’s on the other side.’
‘You think I can get through, Falcon?’
‘From my observations you’re probably the only one with the ability to. I’ve been there once, but it was when I was an infant and travelling with Orish. I remember snatches now and again, like a dream. I recall I was feverish from the wound in my side, which had become infected. But enough of me,’ and he smiled at Tighe. ‘I’ve heard you’re a wonderful teller of tales. Will you offer one to those of us around the fire before we follow Danea’s example and retire for the night?’
‘Of course,’ and Danea heard a smile entered Tighe’s voice:
* * * *
‘A long, long time ago, when the world was still young, a small star lost its way and entered our universe. It was a sweetly natured star, and beautiful. All the other stars were jealous of it, and they threw mud and sticks at it. The star’s heart was bruised by the criticism, and she began to believe that everything they said about her was true. Eventually the little star grew a thick skin around her, and she became as dull and uninteresting as she thought she was supposed to be. She thought that if nobody could see the beauty and goodness inside her, then they couldn’t tease her about it. Instead, the other stars became jealous of her goodness, and tried to cast her from amongst them.’
‘Then one day, along came a comet ...’
Tighe’s voice was almost hypnotic, and Danea drifted on it into a dream. She found herself standing on the top of a mountain and the stars were a silver blaze in the cradle above.
The shadow of a large hunting bird flew across the moon and settled on a branch nearby. Head cocked to one side it gazed at her, and she could see her reflection in its sharp eyes.
‘I can show you the stars, if you would but climb on my back,’ he said, and although she wasn’t sure she should trust him, the thought of being amongst the stars was irresistible.
Safe amongst its feathers, Danea soared into the sky, where the song of the breeze was as silvery as the glow from the stars.
‘Which one is the little star?’ she whispered.
The bird flew to where the dullest of the stars hid itself, and he took it up in his beak. He dropped it into her palm.
Danea felt sorry for the star. Tears came to her eyes and fell on the dingy surface. The star began to shine as she polished it with the hem of her skirt. It warmed in her palm, then shot from her grasp and was propelled across the sky before falling to earth.
Somebody handed her a kerchief to wipe her eyes with, and Jon was there. Circled in his arms she felt secure as they stood and watched the universe revolve around them.
‘Close your eyes,’ he said, and when she did he took her face in his hands and gently kissed her forehead, evoking such sad tenderness in her that she wanted to cry.
She wanted Jon’s love, but something – something was keeping it from her heart.
* * * *
Danea woke with a jerk, to discover the morning had come, though the sun had not yet risen. She’d missed the ending of Tighe’s story by falling asleep. A gleam of sunlight touched on something hanging from her fist. It was a star shaped crystal threaded on a beaded leather thong, and it was warm and vibrating against her palm. She turned it over and gasped when she held it against her eye and watched the colors it contained twist and turn.
‘How pretty it is,’ she breathed.
She picked her way around the sleepers in their camp and made her way to the pool, where she was greeted from the top of the tree by the harsh cry of a bird. She gazed up at it and smiled, for it reminded her of the bird in her dream.
‘Greetings to you hunting bird. It’s a pity your squawk isn’t sweeter.’
Danea hastily bathed, aware that others would soon need to use the facilities. She made a face when she saw how dusty her clothes had become and began to braid her hair. It was soft from washing, and slid through her fingers like silk.
‘Allow me,’ a gruff voice said from behind her.
She whirled round, her heart pounding. ‘You should not sneak up on people like that, Jon. I didn’t see you at the camp.’
‘Were you looking for me then?’
‘Certainly not. Where did you come from?’
Jon bowed, and his eyes were alight with laughter when he straightened. ‘Are you always such a scold, Danea? I was keeping watch over you from the top of that tree, and I simply dropped down.’
‘You are light on your feet.’
‘Aye.’ He took up the length of her hair, his work-roughened fingers expertly braiding it. Securing it at the back of her neck with a thong he took from his pocket, he turned her round to face him and asked. ‘Do you care for Tighe?’
Her heart skipped a beat. ‘Why do you need to know?’
‘I was just making conversation.’
‘I like him. He’s funny and interesting, and ... charming.’
‘Not a clod like me then.’
‘No ... he’s nothing like you. He’s complicated, and you’re not. Thank you for your help with my hair.’
‘You have pretty hair, Danea.’
She ignored the compliment and continued with her scold. ‘The only thing on top of that tree was a hunting bird ... though you seem to have scared it away.’ She smiled at him. ‘I dreamed about that very bird last night. It took me into the sky. The bird gave me a star only it flew away from me. ‘Yet I found this in my hand this morning.’
He spared it a quick glance and then his eyes gazed into hers. ‘It fell from the sky and hit me on the head and I thought you would like it. See, I have a dent on my head.’
She brushed back his hair and gazed at it with a faint smile. ‘I can hardly see it. Stop being a baby and close your eyes.’ Hardly believing what she was doing she brushed a kiss across the small scar, as though he was a child
His glance came down to hers and he laughed. ‘Tell me, what else h
appened in your dream?’
She blushed as she remembered being kissed by him. Tearing her eyes away from his gaze she denied what she thought she knew, and couldn’t bring herself to believe it. ‘Nothing. I must go and check our stores. With four extra to feed I might have to gather some fruit and make an extra loaf.’
Jon ran a finger over her mouth, and then turned towards Tighe, who was standing not far off. Glowering, he snatched his hand away and lowered his voice. ‘You won’t let Tighe turn your head, will you Danea?’
She shrugged. ‘Why should you care? It’s my head.’
‘He’s full of magical trickery.’
Tighe approached them a grin on his face. ‘I have a gift for you, Danea. Make your hands into fists.’
Whatever he was up to she decided to go along with it, and scrunched them into the tightest fists she could make. He placed his own hand above hers and waved it across.
Her palms began to tickle.
‘Open them.’
When she did tiny butterflies emerged to flutter around her wrist. She exclaimed with delight before gazing suspiciously at him. ‘How did you do that?’
‘Do what? Look again.’
The butterflies had become a rainbow-hued crystal bangle. Tighe looked pleased with himself. ‘Perhaps you’ll think of me every time you look at it.’
‘Hah ... and perhaps I won’t bother to go to the effort of thinking of you at all. It’s very pretty though. The trinket won’t disappear when the wind blows to the north, will it?’
He laughed. ‘No, but you can take it off if you don’t like it.’
‘I do like it, but the butterflies should be set free. My mother said nothing would enhance me.’
A pass of Tighe’s hand and the butterflies flew towards the nearest flowers. ‘Your mother was right. You have no need of artificial enhancement for your skin is perfect and your eyes and hair–’
‘I will buy you jewels,’ Jon offered.
‘Oh, hush, Jon. You’ve given me a star, and that’s the only jewel I need. And that’s enough from you, Tighe. You’ve been in the desert too long. Will you tell me the ending to your story? I fell asleep.’
