‘Hueryx came to Tobazim, revealed Dretsun’s plans. We went to stop –’
‘That’s what he meant?’ Aravelle gasped in horror. ‘And I betrayed him. He’ll never forgive me.’
She was right. Imoshen caught Ronnyn’s eye. ‘Take your sister up to my cabin.’
Several brotherhood warriors had climbed aboard while they were speaking. Ronnyn and Sardeon avoided them, as they guided her to the far set of rear-deck stairs.
Aravelle had betrayed her all-father to the sisterhoods. Imoshen didn’t know what she was going to do with the girl. Malaunje had been executed for less.
‘Gently,’ Tobazim said.
Imoshen turned and spotted him, guiding the sling into place as a wounded man was lowered onto the deck. She knew it was Ardonyx. Still alive, but…
She looked around for Reoden.
The healer dropped to her knees at Ardonyx’s side as the sling was removed.
Imoshen knelt beside her secret bond-partner. Reoden ran her hands over his wound. Imoshen reached for Ardonyx’s hand at the same time as Tobazim. He beat her to it and didn’t even notice that he had, his attention was so focused on his shield-brother.
Imoshen felt the healer’s gift at work on Ardonyx’s injury. After a moment, Reodeon’s power eased.
Tobazim looked up. ‘Will he…’
Reoden nodded and left them to see to others. Someone came by, distributing blankets and Tobazim gently tucked one around Ardonyx. Imoshen wanted to weep with relief, but she had no right to intrude. Tobazim met Imoshen’s eyes across Ardonyx. She should go before he began to wonder.
‘How is he, Fray?’ Reoden asked and Imoshen spotted them with Sorne.
Frayvia knelt over him. She’d been listening to his chest, now she lifted her head. ‘He’s breathing and his heart is beating, but only just. There’s not a mark on him.’
As Imoshen joined them, Reoden rubbed her hands together and ran them over Sorne. She pulled back. ‘I recognise this. Valendia was in the same state when Graelen died.’
‘But Sorne isn’t a devotee,’ Frayvia protested. ‘He would never –’
‘Then someone forced their gift on him.’ Reoden wrinkled her nose. ‘There’s so much residual male gift, I can’t tell…’
Imoshen opened her senses and grimaced. ‘It was Dretsun. I know his taint.’
‘Dretsun’s dead,’ Tobazim said. He was helping Ardonyx to sit up and lean against the ship’s side. ‘Hueryx executed him. He’d broken his vow and betrayed Egrutz’s trust.’
‘How can you be sure?’
Tobazim gestured to her choice-son, who was over near the mast with Saffazi. ‘Iraayel can taste the truth.’
‘But he’s a gift-warrior,’ Imoshen said, then heard herself. She, of all people, should know a T’En could have more than one gift.
‘Imoshen.’ Frayvia caught her arm. ‘You have to save Sorne.’
‘She’s right,’ Reoden said. ‘Only a powerful infusion of the gift will bring him back.’
‘But then he’ll be my devotee,’ Imoshen said. ‘He’d hate that.’
‘He’d hate being dead,’ Frayvia snapped. ‘Do it now, before it’s too late.’
Imoshen hesitated.
Frayvia took her hand and placed it over his heart, palm to skin. ‘Do it for me.’
‘Let’s try this.’ Imoshen removed her hand and replaced it with Frayvia’s. Covering her devotee’s hand with her own, she gift-infused Sorne through Frayvia until she thought she’d pass out.
‘Will that prevent him from becoming your devotee?’ Reoden whispered.
‘I’ve no idea,’ Imoshen admitted.
But Sorne did not stir.
They knelt in silence, watching for any sign of consciousness.
Finally, Frayvia took Sorne’s shoulders and shook him as she berated him. ‘I told you not to do anything brave. How could you –’
Sorne woke, rolled her under him, pinned her and reached for her throat, before he registered who she was. ‘Fray?’
He slid off her, stunned, and she came to her knees to embrace him, weeping with relief.
Imoshen glanced to Ardonyx. He leant against the ship’s side, watching the gathering. Thankfully, Tobazim was not with him.
As she approached Ardonyx, he gestured behind her. ‘Looks like you’re about to hold an impromptu all-council.’
She saw Egrayne, Reoden and Athazi making their way towards her from one quarter, and Tobazim and Paragian from another. Hueryx had just climbed aboard.
The all-father appeared tense. Her gift surged as she read him: he was furious. Someone must have told him Aravelle’s part in all this.
‘It’ll be a small council with three all-fathers missing,’ Ardonyx said and tried to get up.
She helped him, then turned just in time as the others reached her.
Paragian gave the obeisance of contrition. ‘Causare, I swear I knew nothing of Saskeyne’s plans.’
His emotion was transparent to her gift.
‘I know,’ Imoshen said. She gestured to the three all-fathers. ‘I want you to go to the three brotherhoods that lost their leaders tonight and ensure there’s a smooth transition of power. Then come back here with the new leaders.’ They hesitated. ‘We have to be organised, if we are to make the most of sanctuary.’
‘Sanctuary? The Sagoras have given us sanctuary!’ Reoden hugged Egrayne, then Athazi.
Imoshen smiled, but the three brotherhood leaders didn’t and she realised they expected her to exact retribution for the attempted coup. ‘Tell the new brotherhood leaders; if they come with contrition in their hearts, there will be no punishment. There have been too many lives sacrificed on the altar of stature and ambition, both ours and King Charald’s. We must look to our people’s future.’
‘Causare T’Imoshen.’ Tobazim gave the deep obeisance, then lifted his head. ‘I’ll see to Abeliode’s brotherhood.’
He strode off, calling for his hand-of-force.
‘And I’ll see to Saskeyne’s brotherhood, Causare T’Imoshen,’ Paragian said and headed off.
‘I guess that leaves Dretsun’s brotherhood,’ Hueryx said, turning to leave.
‘Wait…’ Imoshen met his eyes. ‘I owe you a debt. You made a choice tonight that went against tradition. You chose the T’Enatuath over the brotherhoods. This required both vision and bravery.’
He inclined his head, but his expression remained grim.
‘You should be proud of your Malaunje daughter, Hueryx. She chose the causare over her all-father.’
‘She should have trusted me.’
‘Have you given her reason to trust you?’
He went to say something, hesitated, then squared his shoulders. ‘She betrayed me, and my warriors know it. Soon everyone will know. I must disown her.’
Or he would lose the respect of his brotherhood. He gave Reoden the obeisance of supplication. ‘Will you take her in?’
‘Of course. I’d be honoured.’
Hueryx nodded once, and walked off abruptly.
‘What a rude man,’ Athazi muttered. ‘I want to talk to you about Melisarone’s survivors –’
‘Not now, Athazi.’ Imoshen cut her off.
‘When, then?’
Reoden swept an arm around the small all-mother’s shoulders. ‘Imoshen’s exhausted. Come with me.’
As the healer led her off, Egrayne said, ‘You’ll have to hand Mel’s sisterhood over to her eventually.’
‘I was thinking of letting them choose.’
Shocked, Egrayne went to protest, but glanced to Ardonyx. Clearly, she was uncomfortable discussing sisterhood business in front of a brotherhood’s voice-of-reason.
‘Later, Egrayne,’ Imoshen said. ‘I need to discuss the T’Enatuath’s future with my fleet commander.’
‘Why do we need a fleet now?’ Egrayne asked. ‘The Sagoras have given us sanctuary.’
‘We need wealth to establish our new home. I’m going to send Captain Ardonyx on a tradin
g mission to the Lagoons of Perpetual Summer. One successful voyage would go a long way towards setting us up.’
Egrayne’s eyes widened and she appeared shattered. ‘Of course. I should have seen –’
‘You can’t think of everything.’ Imoshen felt for her voice-of-reason; things were moving too fast for her. She slid her arm through Egrayne’s, and led her away from Ardonyx. ‘Right now, we need to organise a celebration: food, spiced wine and music.’
‘HE’S DISOWNED ME?’ Aravelle repeated.
The healer’s devotee nodded. ‘You no longer belong to All-father Hueryx’s brotherhood. Reoden sent me to say she’s taken you in. You’ll be the choice-daughter of her all-mother’s-voice.’
Aravelle hesitated.
‘There’s no point pleading with your all-father,’ the devotee said. ‘He’s not even on the ship. He’s gone to settle things with Dretsun’s brotherhood.’
As soon as the devotee left, Aravelle turned to Ronnyn. ‘I have to go back to the Victorious. I have to get Itania. If you don’t help me, I’ll do it myself.’
‘Vella.’ Ronnyn shook his head. ‘How can you doubt me?’
She felt a wave of relief.
Ronnyn turned to Sardeon. ‘You don’t have to come.’
‘I know. I should talk you out of it. But… someone has to keep you out of trouble.’
They found the mid-deck full of T’En and Malaunje, and the celebrations well underway.
‘How are we going to lower the boat without anyone noticing?’ Ronnyn muttered.
Aravelle went to the side and spotted a rowboat. Two Malaunje rowers were waiting.
She tugged on Ronnyn’s arm. ‘Come on.’
They simply climbed in and told the Malaunje to take them to the Victorious.
The night-watch were surprised to see Aravelle being escorted by two lads, but Hueryx had not been back to the Victorious, so they believed her when she said she was running an errand for the all-father.
Ronnyn and Sardeon waited on deck as she went down to Charsoria’s cabin. Stomach churning, she crept up the passage and slipped into the cabin. She needn’t have worried; the women and children slept.
Stepping over them, Aravelle reached Itania and picked her up, blanket and all. Her little sister stirred, then snuggled into her arms.
As Aravelle made her way back to the door only one head lifted. Nariska blinked sleepily.
Aravelle lifted a finger to her lips. The other girl nodded and said nothing.
After that, it was a matter of watching for Ronnyn’s signal, then passing Itania up to him, and scurrying across the deck before the night-watch returned.
Itania woke as they passed her down to the rowers, but settled again when Aravelle took her.
Back on the Resolute, they crossed the mid-deck, where everyone was celebrating. They’d almost made it as far as the hatch when Cerafeoni stopped them.
‘What’s this?’ As she took in Ronnyn and the way Aravelle held the toddler, her eyes narrowed.
Aravelle’s heart sank. She searched the deck for the causare or the healer, and spotted them together near a trestle-table laden with food.
‘If that’s your little Malaunje sister, Ronnyn, you’ve overstepped the mark. You too, Sardeon,’ Cerafeoni said. ‘You can turn right around and…’
Aravelle ducked behind Ronnyn and ran across the deck, weaving through the dancers. Itania whimpered and held on. If she could just reach the causare…
Someone caught arm, swinging her around. Aravelle clutched Itania to her chest.
‘How could you?’ Saskar demanded, mulberry eyes brilliant with hurt and anger. ‘How could you betray us, Vella?’
‘I had to.’ Tears stung her eyes. ‘I had to do the right thing, no matter what it cost.’
‘Here, you. Malaunje.’ Cerafeoni gestured to Saskar. ‘Hold her.’
Aravelle glanced over her shoulder and saw the hand-of-force ploughing through the crowd. People parted for her.
Desperate, Aravelle turned back to Saskar. ‘Please let me go.’
He hesitated.
She could wait no longer. Aravelle pitched her voice to carry over the music. ‘Causare Imoshen, Healer Reoden, I claim sanctuary for my sister!’
The hand-of-force caught her just as Imoshen and the healer reached her.
‘I claim sanctuary for my sister,’ Aravelle repeated.
Before they could tell her this was impossible, Aravelle let the blanket drop and pulled Itania’s nightdress off her shoulder to reveal the bruises. ‘I’m not taking her back. She deserves better than this!’
‘Fetch a lantern,’ Causare Imoshen ordered.
‘Bring her over here.’ The healer led them to the nearest table, and pushed plates of food aside.
Aravelle stood Itania on the table and undid the drawstring. Ronnyn arrived with a lantern. Itania’s chin trembled, but Aravelle held her little sister’s eyes, willing her to be strong.
As the two powerful all-mothers inspected Itania’s back and upper arms, Aravelle looked for Saskar. He stood back, watching, and she knew this would all be reported to Hueryx and his seconds. Good.
Imoshen and the healer were shocked and distressed by the story written on Itania’s pale skin. Their outraged comments were everything Aravelle had hoped. This close, she could feel their roused gifts. Female power was different, but not unpleasant.
‘Who did this?’ the causare asked, eyes glinting with anger.
‘All-father’s-voice Charsoria. And Itania’s not the only one she mistreats.’ Remembered pain made Aravelle shield her breast.
‘Why didn’t you go to your all-father, child?’ Reoden asked.
Aravelle found it hard to explain. Why had she failed to protect Itania? She felt terrible. The causare’s gift surged.
‘It’s all right,’ Imoshen said, touching Aravelle’s arm and easing her pain. ‘You’ve come to us. We’ll deal with Hueryx and Charsoria.’ She noticed Reoden rubbing her hands together. ‘Don’t heal her yet, Ree. Hueryx needs to see this.’
THERE WAS A moment between dealing with sisterhood business, Ronnyn’s abused sisters and preparing for the all-council, when Imoshen spotted Ardonyx standing alone at the ship’s side.
As she went over to him, she wanted to pull him into her arms and give thanks for their escape. But tonight she’d discovered the true nature of his gift, and it changed everything. ‘You lied to me.’
‘Yes. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. You would never have let your guard down, if you’d known.’
He was right, but… ‘I’m still angry.’
‘How can you be angry? Look at what happened tonight. Two brotherhoods united against three all-fathers to save you, Imoshen the All-father-killer. We would have said this was impossible only a year ago.’
He was right. They had come a long way but… ‘I still can’t acknowledge you as my bond-partner. Brotherhoods still have to give up their T’En children to the sisterhoods. And T’En choice-mothers still have to declare the lads they loved for seventeen years dead to them –’
‘It’s a start.’
‘It’s never enough. And now I have to hold an all-council to explain the conditions of our asylum here.’ Imoshen sighed. ‘Most of our people think sanctuary means going back to what life was like before, but it will never be like that. And I haven’t even told them about the Sagoras’ Sensitives.’
‘One problem at a time, Imoshen.’
She wanted to acknowledge him as her bond-partner, right now, right here in the open where everyone would see. She wanted it so much, she had to walk away; she didn’t know if the feeling sprang from her heart, or if he had planted the compulsion, playing on her dreams for their people.
RONNYN WAS FINALLY happy. His family were back together, and his gift had returned. He was the male equivalent of an empowerer. As a summoner, he would have high stature. He’d be able to protect his brothers and his sisters.
Aravelle and Itania had stretched out on the bunk, in th
e secret nook where Sardeon used to live. He was proud of Aravelle, and also a little in awe of what she’d done tonight.
‘What?’ Aravelle whispered.
‘Nothing.’ He pulled the blankets up and kissed her forehead. ‘Sleep. You’re safe.’
As he drew back, she caught his hand, squeezed it then let go.
He took the lamp and turned to leave, only to find Sardeon leaning against the panel, grinning.
‘What?’ Ronnyn whispered.
‘I’ve grown.’
‘We’re still the same size.’
Sardeon rolled his eyes. ‘You’ve grown, too, you idiot.’
‘How do you know?’ Ronnyn asked.
Sardeon straightened up and pointed to the panel.
Ronnyn lifted the lamp. All he could see was a scratch at about eye level. He shrugged. ‘So?’
‘That’s the mark I made the day we came aboard. That’s how tall I was.’
Ronnyn glanced at him and Sardeon nodded, then grinned again. Ronnyn thumped his arm. He thumped back. They wrestled.
‘Careful of the lamp,’ Aravelle muttered. ‘Boys…’
AS SORNE WATCHED Frayvia dress, he marvelled at his good fortune. She was his and he was hers, and this time he did not have to leave her and ride off into danger. From the mid-deck, he could hear music and laughter, which seemed appropriate.
She sank onto the bedroll beside him. ‘Are you hungry? I’ll fetch some food.’
‘No. I’ll come out. Just let me hold you for a little longer.’
‘How can I argue with that?’ She snuggled down next to him and spoke of sanctuary, the Sagoras and her hopes for the future.
He did not have the heart to tell her, when Imoshen’s power poured through him, he’d had another vision.
Epilogue
IGOTZON PACKED HIS notes away and made sure the lids were tight on his ink bottles. ‘Are you ready?’
‘I’d be ready sooner if the noise hadn’t kept Soihana up all night.’ Masne finished rolling her small bundle and tied it off. ‘Now she’ll be asleep all day.’ She slipped the baby into the sling and adjusted the infant across her body.
Igotzon added Masne’s bundle to their pile, then helped her to her feet.
As they stepped out into the sunshine on deck, he was already planning how he would describe this day when he wrote of it in his journal.
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