She heard footsteps behind her, and all the woman’s eyes went wide. Warna glanced back to find the trio advancing on her.
“What is this?” Kalynn’s voice was like a knife as her glare raked over Warna’s cloths and the rags in her hand.
“Kalynn,” Warna started her greeting, but froze as Kalynn spun on her heel, and confronted Verice.
“You were to care for her, claimed she was under your protection,” Kalynn snarled. “And yet what do I find?” Fast as lightning, her hand rose, and she slapped Verice. “Humans are not slaves!”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Warna gaped at Kalynn, conscious all the while of the gathering audience. She glanced at Verice and Wolfe.
Wolfe snorted and rolled his eyes. “And people think I have a temper.”
Verice stood there like a stone.
“Caged, dressed in rags, scrubbing out barracks,” Kalynn’s outraged voice was low and controlled but somehow managed to bounce off every wall and into waiting ears. “I took you at your word.” Kalynn’s glare was aimed directly at Verice. “You told me you’d offered her protection. I should have known that your own biases would—”
Warna couldn’t believe that Verice was just standing there, his face grim and rigid, his cheek red where Kalynn had slapped him. Frustratingly silent, offering no defense as the seer spewed her anger.
“Kalynn.” Warna grabbed her arm, and pulled her around. “Kalynn, you’re wrong.” Warna met her glare for glare. “You know nothing about what’s going on here, and you are making something—”
“Really?” Kalynn folded her arms over her chest. “Where did you sleep last night? Beside some hearth?”
Warna flushed and just managed not to look at Verice.
“Ha,” Kalynn exclaimed, taking Warna’s silence as some sort of affirmation.
Warna straightened, lifting her chin. “Seer Kalynn, you are wrong. All who stand here with me know that. Lord High Baron Verice has offered us shelter, safety and the utmost courtesy. Something which you lack, Seer.”
That shut her up. If Warna had slapped her, Kalynn could not have looked more shocked.
“This land is at war,” Warna continued. “And we,” she put emphasis on the word. “are working to restore, preserve and thrive in Tassinic. Did you expect to find me in ruffled silks and fine linens?”
“No,” Kalynn shook her head. “Not that. But—”
“There was an attack,” Warna pointed out, ignoring Kalynn’s protest. “We’ve people to house and feed, and little daylight left. Your visit is unfortunate, for we cannot offer you hospitality at this time. If you wish to speak to Lord High Baron Verice, please to keep it quick. There’s work to be done.”
“Warna,” Kalynn’s tone was apologetic but Warna was in no mood to hear it.
“Offer your apologies to Verice,” Warna snapped. “That’s where they’re owed.” She turned on her heel, and stomped back to the third barracks, where the woman huddled, with fear on awe on their faces. “Ladies.” She tried to keep the anger out of her voice. “Let’s be about it, shall we?” She walked through their midst, and right through the door, her stomach in knots.
It wasn’t until she’d set every able body to work, wasn’t until she was on her hands and knees, scrubbing a non-existent spot on the floor, that she was willing to face the real reason she still felt sick.
“Warna, get the humans into the—”
Verice stood silent, his cheek burning from Kalynn’s blow.
“Verice.” Kalynn reached out to him, her hand hovering over his cheek. “Verice, I am sorry. I thought that...it looked like…” She sighed, and dropped her hand. “I fear that I overreacted.”
“Really?” Wolfe said.
Kalynn glanced at him in irritation. “Verice, I am sorry. I apologize for—”
Verice lifted a hand. “While you may have misread the situation, there is still a truth to your words. A hard truth perhaps, but true nonetheless. Warna is correct, however. We had a village burnt to the ground by the Usurper’s forces, and I—” Verice rubbed his cheek. “I have much to do. It would be best to have your say, and depart quickly.”
“I’m sorry, lad,” Wolfe said. “Kalynn and I will be traveling for a time, and I wanted you to know that we were leaving. Charrin is at Valltera, at the Royal Court, and I’ve secured the Tower, no worries there. You have the cat.” There was a trace of malicious satisfaction in his voice. “It will be some time before we’re back in touch.”
“It’s been years since you’ve left your home,” Verice said. “How long will you be gone?”
“Months,” Wolfe shrugged. “Maybe longer.”
“That long?” Verice raised an eyebrow.
“I have seen,” Kalynn said softly. “There’s a task needs doing.”
“And we must pursue it,” Wolfe said. “The places we must go, we can’t use any portals.”
Verice gave his mentor and friend a long, steady look. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Wolfe quirked his mouth. “So much, lad. So very much.”
Kalynn looked over her shoulder at the barracks. “I’m going to speak to Warna,” she said
and started off in that direction.
“How bad was the attack?” Wolfe asked.
“Bad enough,” Verice said wearily. Yet another failure to place at his door.
“Will you retaliate?” Wolfe’s voice was soft but his eyes were sharp.
“No,” Verice said grimly. “We pursued them to my borders, and then stopped. I can’t hope to take on the Usurper’s army and win.”
Wolfe pursed his lips and nodded.
Verice looked at the wiry old man, “But you could.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Wolfe stiffened.
“You could end this,” Verice said in a low, urgent voice, not afraid to plead.
Wolfe gave him a quiet steady look. “You think so?”
“I know so,” Verice said. “With your powers, you could portal in, kill the Usurper, and portal out.”
“Perhaps.” Wolfe looked after Kalynn. “After all, I did it once before, did I not? Why shouldn’t I do it again? Blaze a bright trail of destruction from your door to his as the Chaosreaver once more stalks the land.”
Shame flooded through Verice and he suddenly felt like the apprentice he’d been so many centuries ago. “Master, I—”
“Except that the last time I took such an action, the repercussions were far worse than the evil I thought to end. Innocents paid the price for my arrogance.” Wolfe looked at him and the laughter in his bright blue eyes was gone. “Still pay the price, from what little I know.”
“Forgive me, Master.” Verice lowered his head.
“Answer me this, Apprentice,” Wolfe’s voice was a lash. “If the Usurper is struck down, who will fill the power void? Who will claim the Throne of Palins?”
“I don’t know. One of the High Barons, perhaps.”
“You?”
“No, Master.” Verice shook his head.
“And if I don’t like what actions the new sovereign takes?” Wolfe asked, still standing stiff, radiating anger. “Where does it end, Verice?”
“I do not know, Master,” Verice said, his anger cooling.
“I’ve no time to enter ethical debates with you,” Wolfe growled. “Kalynn has seen. We are needed elsewhere.”
Verice closed his eyes.
“You are under duress,” Wolfe took in a deep breath. “Or you would never have asked this of me.”
“True enough,” Verice said, glancing to where Warna had disappeared into the building.
Wolfe followed his glance and snorted. “But that’s not all that has your head and heart in chaos.”
Verice stiffened.
“Please,” Wolfe rolled his eyes. “I don’t have to be a Seer to see, Verice.”
“You are not my master in this,” Verice said sharply.
“As if I am going to give you advice about women,” Wolfe barked
out a sharp laugh. “But it’s best for all concerned if you face the truth of it now. Before it goes much further.”
Kalynn found Warna inside, on her hands and knees, scrubbing at one of the hearths. “Warna,” she started, regretting her outburst. “I’m so sorry.”
“Did you apologize to Verice?” Warna asked tiredly without looking up from her task.
“I did,” Kalynn glanced around, but none of the other women were in earshot.
Warna sat back on her heels, and stared up at her, eyes filled with pain and questions. “Why would you even think that of him?”
Kalynn knelt down to look her in the eye. “I am sorry. I have never had reason to think that Verice holds humans in contempt, or treats them as slaves. I saw you at work, and it brought back—” she cut off her words as sorrow rose up in her chest.
Warna waited.
“Memories,” Kalynn forced out. “Of a time long past.” She swallowed hard.
“And how does Verice normally treat humans?” Warna asked, her brown eyes intent and serious.
“Like delicate flowers,” Kalynn said, forcing a smile. “That bloom and fade, and bloom again, if tended well.”
Warna looked at her hands, at the rags and the soap and the floor. She snorted out a weak laugh. “Little he knows,” she said.
“He’s never been around them enough to know better.” Kalynn rose. “I regret this, Warna. We’ve a journey to make, and I’d only wished to say goodbye. Wolfe and I will be away for some time. I do not wish to be parted from you on this note.”
“As if I’ve never regretted a hasty action or a harsh word.” Warna stood, dried her hands on her skirt, and pulled Kalynn into a hug. “Safe travels, Kalynn. May the Lord of Light and the Lady of Laughter both be with you.”
Kalynn hugged Warna back. “And the skies be with you, Warna.”
Warna watched Kalynn go and returned to her scrubbing. As much as she’d like to see Wolfe and Kalynn take wing on the backs of their airons, she’d no wish to speak to Verice just yet.
She had some thinking to do.
The chatter and clatter of the other women was both familiar and strange. How many months had it been since she’d worked with her mother, talking as they’d sorted silks and spices? The familiarity of it made her heart ache for her family and home. The strangeness reminded her that there was a world outside the walls of the castle. A normal world, filled with regular truths. Where something so extraordinary as an elven Lord High Baron caring for a simple human woman was not to be considered. Not even to be contemplated.
“Warna, get the humans into the—”
She paused in her scrubbing, listening to his words in her head. He hadn’t said ‘get them to safety’ or ‘get the women to safety’…
“…get the humans…”
Warna knelt back on her heels, staring at the stain without seeing it.
Verice had stirred when she’d left the bed, as she’d slipped out from under the blankets. He’d reached out, searching, turning his head toward her. She’d whispered reassurances, and he’d settled back to sleep, never fully waking.
Her lips tingled at the memory of his kiss.
But that was part of the illusion he’d wrought, wasn’t it? Verice had isolated the castle from the world, cutting himself off from friend and foe alike in the guise of safety. Cutting her off from what was normal, sane, and true.
The irony being, of course, that she’d set herself the task of pulling him back, of setting the castle to rights. And now it felt like the mundane, the normal routine was returning, only to expose the nature of her folly.
“It’s as clean as it’s likely to get, to my way of thinking.” One of the older women was peering over her shoulder at the stain.
“I’m thinking you’re right,” Warna sighed.
“They’ve brought round soup, and kav, and sticky buns for the little ones,” the woman said. “The work will wait.”
“Thank you.” Warna got to her feet. “I’m sorry, I can’t remember your name…?”
“Lottie,” the woman offered.
“Lottie,” Warna dropped her rags in the bucket, tired of thinking. “You’re right. Let’s see to that kav.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
The women had gathered round the tables, ladling bowls of soup to the children, who eyed the waiting treats in the baskets of sweet rolls. Warna saved a bowl about to spill from tiny fingers. She smiled at the little girl who stared at her with big eyes.
“What’s your name?” Warna asked.
“Lily,” the blonde girl whispered.
“Let me help you,” Warna whispered back, sitting on a bench and pulling the girl into her lap.
She sat in their midst, and listened to the talk as the children ate. There was no discussion of their plight, not with little ears listening. The women focused on the food, making sure that the soup was actually eaten before handing out the sweets.
Lily managed the entire bowl, and half the bun before she was full. Warna smiled, hugging the child close. “Done?”
The tiny one nodded, her blonde curls falling in her eyes.
“Then outside with you,” one of the women said. Warna opened her arms, and Lily slid from her lap to run through the door. Around her, the women were herding the children outside to play.
“We’ll have a bit of peace with our own meal,” Lottie ladled out another bowl of soup. Warna took it and gave Lottie a grateful nod of thanks.
There was a clatter of heavy boots in the outer hallway. “Is that our men?” Lottie asked, looking toward the door, ladle poised over a bowl.
“It is,” An older man stepped in, and greeted her with a kiss. “Is there enough for us?”
“Oh yes,” Lottie said. “We’ve been well provided for.”
“That’s good,” He settled in at the table as others followed him into the room.
“The children are all playing,” Lottie said. “No better time for news. What says the Lord High Baron?”
“You’re the Lady Warna?” The older man focused on her as he settled on the bench opposite.
Warna nodded. Around them, the other men began talking to their womenfolk, taking up bowls of soup and settling at the tables.
“Well enough,” he said. “I am Mayth.”
“What news?” Lottie said sharply, placing soup and kav before him.
“Can’t I get a bit of food first?” He grumbled, then reached up to stroke Lottie’s cheek. “Patience, wife. The Lord High Baron sat with us a good long while, and we talked options. We’ve decisions to make, true enough, and we’ll do that tonight, with all of us gathered.”
“Options?” Lottie settled next to him.
“Aye,” Mayth sighed. “He’ll aid us if we wish to rebuild, but none of us are sure that’s wise. He’s offered to see us relocated, but that brings its own pain. In the meantime, he’s offered shelter here, and time for us to decide.”
Lottie let out a breath, and closed her eyes in weariness. “Mayth,” her voice was just a whisper of pain.
“I know, sweetling,” Mayth leaned over, and put an arm over her shoulder. “Eat something with me, eh? Put the heart back in you.”
Lottie nodded against his shoulder, then straightened her back. “Only if you do the same.” She nudged his elbow.
Mayth picked up his bowl.
“If Lord Verice made that suggestion he did so with your best interests at heart,” Warna said quietly.
Mayth shrugged. “Still bitter on the ear, to hear that you must leave the village and land you were born to.”
“Change always is,” Warna said with a sigh. “But I’d think he’d only say that if it was true.”
Warna excused herself to fetch more bread and kav, and returned, settling herself down to face them both. She placed the bread before them, and poured kav, giving them a moment to eat. “What’s it like?” she said casually, taking some of the bread. “Living among the elves?”
Mayth raised an eyebrow at her.
/> “Warna’s of Farentell,” Lottie said. “She wouldn’t know.”
“Ah,” Mayth grimaced. “You are one of the few that escaped, then.” He took up bread, and reached for butter. “They say you’re the Lord High Baron’s ward. Under his protection.”
Warna nodded, wondering what else had been said. But that wasn’t what she wanted to know. “I’m told he treats humans differently,”
“I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but that is not true.” Mayth looked her in the eye, serious and intent. “I’ve lived in Tassinic, in Birch Cove all of my life, as has my father and his father before him. Lord High Baron Verice is equal handed to all, no matter the point of the ear or the slant of an eye. No man can complain of less than fair dealing at his hands.”
Warna’s shoulders eased, and she let out a slow breath.
“But if she’s staying, building a life here,” Lottie spoke up softly. “Then there’s a truth she needs knowing.”
Mayth said nothing for a long moment, concentrating on his food.
“In Tassinic, we have a saying,” Lottie said softly. “The ears have it.”
Mayth snorted in agreement. “Aye, there’s that.”
“The ears?” Warna asked.
“Say you’re in the market, and there’s two stalls of bread side by side, one baker a human, the other of elven blood,” Mayth said. “No difference in the bread, mind, or the quality of the baking. But in Tassinic, the honest truth is that the one with the ears will be thought of as better.” He shrugged. “It’s not deliberate, if you know what I mean. But elves, the pure ones, mind, they’re such perfectionists, that everyone just assumes they’ll be better. Whether or not they actually are.”
“If you have lace woven by an elven blood and lace woven by a human, even if the human one is finer by far, the elven one will always be better,” Lottie said. “And they always buy the elven-blood one, every time.”
“Didn’t I just say that?” Mayth asked.
“But that’s not right,” Warna said.
“It’s wrong, certainly, but it’s so common no one even sees what they do as wrong or offensive, you know?” Mayth shrugged. “Even humans will do the same and not think twice.”
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