by A. S. Etaski
*Did she send him?*
*She must have.*
I didn’t argue, but I wasn’t so sure. At least I knew that Qivni had witnessed my attempt to disengage from the Sathoet, that he had attacked me first, and that I didn’t stab him when I had the chance. Qivni might be tightly-wound and did not appreciate my “quirks,” whatever they may be, but I knew she wouldn’t lie to Rausery about what she’d seen.
My Collector motioned with her head for me to follow her, and we moved in the opposite direction Kerse had gone. We entered a tunnel where we’d be less likely to run into wandering attendees in the halls. I could also speak quietly as Qivni walked in front of me.
“What about the Worship Ball?” I asked.
“It is over. Lunent Agalia will manage as I make sure you return to the Cloister without disappearing.”
It couldn’t be that bad already, could it? I barely knew anything.
“What would you do about this in my situation?” I asked her.
She turned her head and blinked in surprise. “I wouldn’t have tried to overbear the will of a Sathoet in the first place.”
“Too late for that.” I frowned in confusion. “And you just did.”
She huffed a short laugh and shook her head. “Not quite. It’s an approved spell. It makes them leave under their own power. However they came, and it hurts if they resist.” When she glanced at me and easily read my next question, she repeated, “You can’t learn it.”
“Why?”
“Don’t act dumb. You’re not a mage.”
“It’s not only you in the entire Sisterhood who can wave off a Sathoet if needed, is it? What if you die?”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked again out of her periphery. She answered grudgingly. “No, it’s not.”
“Then what do the other Sisters do?”
“Mostly watch them and avoid them. But seeing how one is watching you and you cannot seem to avoid it…” She shook her head. “I will leave this to your Elder. You obey her, whatever she says.”
“No recommendations at all? Nothing to suggest to Elder Rausery?”
Qivni was outwardly agitated with my questions. “That will be between her and me. Be silent, Sirana.”
“But—”
“Keep talking, and I’ll convince Elder Rausery your training requires a solitary fight with a Drider,” she seethed.
My Collector was so much fun.
Gaelan somehow caught up to us. As she closed the distance in a very quiet sprint, I could see she had been actively searching for me. “What happened?”
“You should be helping Agalia,” Qivni reproached.
My Sister straightened and saluted with respect. “Lunent gave me leave. The Nobles are staggering back to their rooms, they have it under control.”
Qivni narrowed her eyes, and the same thought which probably passed through her mind struck me as well.
D’Shea’s orders regarding me would supersede either Agalia or Qivni.
“What happened, Lead?” Gaelan asked again. “Why are you escorting Sirana back now?”
Rausery’s Lead shook her head, her usual frown stuck in place. “She drew attention she shouldn’t have. Let her explain it to her Elder.”
“I didn’t draw attention, Lead,” I murmured. “He stalked me.”
“Save it for your Sorceress, novice.”
Gaelan signed for me to let it go, her own interest in events willing to wait. She stayed with me as Qivni led us both back through the secondary passages to the Cloister as deliberate as if she thought we would both get lost without her. I still could, if I wasn’t paying attention, but I would also have Gaelan’s experience. Qivni could walk there blind; I only needed to follow her boot steps, so my focus suffered as I was lost in thought along the way.
Qivni was sure Priestess Wilsira had sent Kerse just now, while I wasn’t convinced. Either way, this was a result of my first trial to become a Red Sister. It seemed at first that anything I’d done during the tests shouldn’t count against me, given my ignorance and lack of instruction, but the next moment I dropped that flavor to the order of things. That was for a female Noble who was pretending it wasn’t real.
If nothing counted in the tests, it implied a Priestess cooperating to give the Sisterhood full ownership of her Sathoet for a while—something I didn’t see possible. Besides, while Jaunda had confirmed the fighter from my trials was already dead, I could poke around for the invisible wizard to see if I could find him. Furthermore, Elder D’Shea had stated she was doing some investigation herself on why that Consort I’d met had been where he was when I saw him, for that hadn’t been planned.
And Kain.
I shied away from recalling my dreams of late; Qivni herself said they would get tiresome quickly if I drew too much attention there as well. She and Gaelan had already witnessed me making noise in Reverie, which was troubling but about which I knew not what I could do. If they didn’t fade or get worse, such a flaw could get me killed if I had to sleep somewhere predators of the Deepearth could hear me screaming.
I could not afford to think that any part of my trials did not count. There were consequences to everything, even if they were arranged or contained, and the aftershocks might be going on for some time.
We entered the eerie dimness of the Cloister where all the stairs disappeared, and we weaved our way toward Elder D’Shea’s quarters. She was present—we knew from the mark she had left by the “testing” part of her protective Ward—and Qivni jangled that mark with her finger to let the Sorceress inside know she was there.
I had received some training on breaking simpler Wards of protection, but this one was far too strong to even consider that. Instead, its temporary suspension sucked and pulled at my inner ear for a moment—which could make a Davrin dizzy if they were caught unprepared—and we heard the Elder’s voice.
“Enter.”
Lead Qivni brought us inside, closed the door behind us, and the Ward went back up. My Elder was at her desk and wearing her robe again, as the first time I’d seen her after taking the black bag off my head. Since then, I had not gotten the impression she was always like this, or at regular times but seized the opportunity when she could. She enjoyed her finer things more than anyone else here. If Rausery’s Lead judged her for it at all, it was completely hidden.
Elder D’Shea scanned us and smiled, her eyes landing on Qivni. “This must be interesting.”
My Collector lifted her chin. “I would reconvene with my Lunent soon, Elder, but I escorted our youngest back, else she may have disappeared.”
The Sorceress’s white brow lifted in an elegant arch. “Mm-hm. You may do so, Lead, but first, say what you will before you go. I’m listening.”
Qivni tried to smooth her own agitation. “Only that Priestess Wilsira hasn’t forgotten, Elder.”
“She never does. I take it Sirana is capable of giving me a full report.”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Thank you. You may leave to more pressing matters.”
Qivni took her up on this and left without hesitation—the Lead wasn’t eager to denounce my failings in front of my Elder—and soon enough, it was just the three of us: Gaelan and me with our Elder D’Shea, who nodded to the elder between us.
“Your report, Gaelan.”
Gaelan glanced briefly at me but backed up before jumping to where we stood now. “No incidents in the Grand Hall that required interference from the Sisterhood, Elder. It was a peaceful and successful Worship Ball, as planned.”
D’Shea nodded. “Did the Valsharess speak to either of you?”
Gaelan shook her head. “No, Elder.”
“Any of the Priestesses?”
Gaelan said, “Not to me.” And looked at me.
I cleared my throat. “No Priestess spoke to me, Elder.”
“Not one?” D’Shea’s smirk turned wry as I confirmed it again. “I see. Hold that thought, Sirana. Gaelan, from previously discussed, was t
here anything unexpected in how and to whom the Consorts were doled out?”
“No, Elder, it was as you estimated. The new buas went to the highest Houses, while all fifteen of the older ones went lower than they had been.”
Elder D’Shea nodded and looked at me. “What about your Consort, Sirana? Where did he go?”
I swallowed, almost denied the implication of attachment, then answered the question. “The former D’Verin Consort went to House Itlaun.”
“Ah, did he? Hm.”
If Gaelan had been watching the relative age of the males and linking with status, it was quite a drop for him—from Fourth to Tenth—although I didn’t know why. If the Priestesses had known about my attack on him, he probably wouldn’t have been “re-gifted” at all, or maybe went even lower, into the Twenties. He also wasn’t that old, I didn’t think. Older than Gaelan and me, sure, but much younger than Jaunda.
My Elder asked, “Was Curgia there?”
“She was, Elder, but she directed her younger sister to the Altar to accept him.”
“As expected, then.”
“Yes, Elder.”
Gaelan didn’t seem to be in on what Jaunda and I had witnessed about that House. Not yet. She waited patiently while the Sorceress studied me, and our Elder tugged out a blank piece of parchment and set it with a soft lead stylus at the far edge of her desk.
“Write down your notes, Gaelan,” she commanded. “Concentrate while I ask your Sister why she might have disappeared tonight.”
Gaelan obeyed, but I hesitated as the Elder hadn’t quite asked yet, even if that was splitting hairs.
“What happened that Qivni had to escort you back, Sirana?”
There we are.
“Kerse accosted me while I was on patrol at the fourth end, farthest from the events,” I said.
D’Shea tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “He was alone?”
I nodded. “He’d been cloaked with magic. Not invisible as when bending light, but Dark Sight camouflage that mimics the energy waves around him.”
“I’m glad you can recognize the difference already. Where was his Mother?”
D’Shea wasn’t surprised to hear that Kerse could vanish from view. I wished I knew what else she knew of his abilities. I considered her question from all angles.
“I don’t know. The last of the Consorts had been awarded already, and the entire Grand Hall was in lust. At that time, the Priestesses were still present but were no longer confined to the platform. Wilsira could have been anywhere, and I wouldn’t know.”
“But you didn’t sense another in the hall with you.”
“No. Kerse also said she was busy.”
My Elder did not look pleased. “He spoke with you.”
“Yes. And he wouldn’t return to her when I told him to.”
“What else?”
“He wanted sex.” I considered. “I told him Wilsira hadn’t sent him, and he said she did, but I… don’t know if I believe him. But he wanted me again. Was willing to ‘fight’ for it.”
“And what did you say? What did you do?”
“I refused, and I called Qivni with a message pellet.”
D’Shea clearly approved of my choice, and I relaxed a bit. “What happened next?”
“Qivni didn’t arrive immediately. I stalled a bit and kept distance. I’d drawn weapons to warn Kerse off, but it didn’t work. I sheathed them and tried to walk away. He charged me from behind, and there was a very brief fight. I almost stabbed him, but that was when Qivni interfered and used the…words that hurt him if he didn’t leave. He got off me, re-cloaked, and retreated.”
D’Shea sat still as if picturing it; Gaelan was writing down whatever details she recalled about the rituals but struggled a bit with distraction, glancing at me once or twice.
“Anything else?” my Elder asked.
There was. “He never roared. He was trying to be quiet.”
“And you find that significant.”
I nodded. “Yes, Elder. He didn’t want to draw attention.”
D’Shea stared hard at me, her gaze unwavering. “Are you saying that you believe he’s stalking you free of Wilsira’s will, Sirana?”
I stared back. “I’m saying he was quiet, Elder. For whatever purpose. What do you think? Would he make that effort if Wilsira had really sent him?”
D’Shea looked to make a mental note but didn’t answer my question. “And Qivni? What did she do after interfering?”
“Started leading me back here. She wouldn’t give me any advice, though I asked. Just told me it was too late and that I should obey your word on this.”
The Sorceress’ expression didn’t change at all; she was placid, if not at ease with my report. She had me recite the encounter to her again from the beginning, getting all the little details and confirming the order of events. Finally, she seemed satisfied and looked to Gaelan.
“Let us back up. Gaelan, did you speak to anyone at the Worship Ball?”
My Sister nodded. “As you instructed, Elder.”
“Who?”
“Rowena of House Kelnic.”
“Why her?”
“She is the Aunt of Curgia and Tulia through their sire, and neither Matron Itlaun nor the First Daughter attended. I was told that they had other pressing matters and sent the three of them in their stead. Uncommon, but at least they chose the higher House to represent their Matron. I think Curgia and Tulia’s Mother may be ailing.”
“Hm.” D’Shea glanced between the two of us. “And now the Consort who knows both of you has been assigned there. Very fortunate. We have an easy way to watch these strands of the web for the next decade.”
Gaelan was curious; her eyes flicked to me and back. “Sirana knows why this is significant, Elder. What would you have me know?”
D’Shea smiled at the direct cooperation. “Wilsira owns that Consort, he reports to her.”
Fuck me. Him, too? Just how powerful was this Priestess?
My Elder chuckled at my expression but spoke to Gaelan. “She is also planning to break Curgia this same turn, to control her, who will help her control Tulia. The Priestess must already know their Matron is weakening, and that something is curious about the First Daughter. We shall find out more than she wants us to.”
“Break her this very turn, Elder?”
“Yes. Curgia is likely pregnant by Kerse.”
My Sister’s jaw was slack, her eyes wide, but she caught herself up quickly. “That explains a lot of what I saw this eve, Elder.”
“I figured it would. And I believe I see more of Wilsira’s plans.”
I cleared my throat. “Elder, what if Kerse had been acting on a…misinterpretation of his Mother’s desires? Not on his own, but not exactly what his Mother planned this eve?”
D’Shea was quiet for a moment and granted, “Possible, Sirana. Noted.”
I nodded, satisfied with that acknowledgment yet I prodded farther. “Say she knows everything. How does a Priestess try to punish a Red Sister for a personal slight?”
D’Shea shrugged. “Mostly just through undesirable missions.”
“What about forcing her to catch? To put her in the Sanctuary.”
My Elder’s fingers tapped her desk, and her eyes fixed on a point at the side wall. “Curious to hear you go straight there, Sirana. Where did this come from?”
“Elder Rausery told me what happens if I get pregnant, Elder,” I said. “Do Priestesses ever try to orchestrate that? Do they get away with it?”
“On occasion. But forcing you to catch by Kerse makes no sense in that circumstance. Any Priestess would prefer a Red Sister catch a pure Davrin.”
“Yes, and you said the Valsharess doesn’t allow births sired by Sathoet. So, is he or is he not acting on his own wanting to fuck me again?”
The Sorceress narrowed her eyes, annoyed at my verbal trap. “Inform me immediately of any more contact the Sathoet, of any more infor
mation you learn about him. Rest assured you’ll be watching House Itlaun and all its connections as if your place in the Sisterhood depends on it, Sirana, because you are making the case that it does. Be prepared to learn quickly.”
I bowed a wordless apology and acceptance in one. “Are there ways to simply prevent catching, even if I am forced to take fertile seed like Curgia?”
D’Shea’s eyes looked sharped enough to cut skin. “That’s where we get into politics, Sirana. It shall wait. Use what Jaunda and Gaelan have taught you to avoid being forced in the first place.”
I wasn’t any happier with that answer than she was with me. “Yes, Elder.”
D’Shea returned to our report. “Gaelan, did you speak to anyone else?”
A shake of her head. “No, Elder.”
“Very well. Sirana, did you speak to anyone else besides Kerse?”
Oh, fuck.
“My former Matron, Elder,” I admitted, and she nodded. I realized that she already knew; maybe I was predictable like the Prime.
“Who approached who,” she demanded, “and who spoke first?”
“I did both, Elder.”
“What did you say to her?”
“I offered a blessing, of her state honoring the festival.”
D’Shea smirked. “Her… ‘state’?”
I nodded. “She is a full turn through a pregnancy.”
“Ah. I take it occurred to you that she caught well before you entered the Sisterhood, and she did not send a message to you at Court.”
I shrugged at the jab. “It doesn’t matter now, Elder.”
Her dark eyes still bore into me. “Doesn’t it? Why did you speak to her at all?”
“To make my new allegiance clear, Elder. To let her know without doubt that I was no longer part of her House. She acknowledged it without contest or regret. That was all. I walked away.”
D’Shea watched me a tick longer then nodded. “Anyone else you spoke with?”
I sighed inwardly. “A battlemage named Callitro who stood with his two Tower-brothers. I approached him after he smiled at me from a distance.”
“Tell me about that conversation.”
“All flirting. Callitro wanted me to know he was at my disposal at the Worship Ball, I had only to ask. I knew I could not use him for anything then, but he told me how to get in touch with him later at the Tower if I so desired.”
