I push myself to remember the night that the Sorcerer came and took us. We were all under his spell. He brought us to the trees. Left us with the fallen fae, trapped in our cruel prisons. I start to shake. There was one. One white, twisted creature. One with a red slab that sent promises and commands. I could never see the writing, but I could see the gold light. I could see the reactions of the one who read its words. Anger. Sadness. Fury. Defeat. Cruelty. A fateful word. Sunset. The dread it carried with it. Then it goes black, as though nothing happened after.
Next, I’m climbing the towers. Lighting fires. Swimming to a ship.
“It’s better if you don’t know, Tib.” Meyvn says. “Trust in me. Trust in our agreement.”
“You told me to do all of those things,” I murmur.
“What things?”
“Burning the towers,” I whisper.
“That was your idea,” he says with the same careful, gentle tone.
“Why?” I ask. I’m not sure I want the answer.
“To avenge Zhilee and your nan. To stop the Sorcerers from hurting anyone else. You came up with it.”
“To avenge…” I shake my head as the realization stabs me like a knife through the heart. “They’re dead.”
“Dead.” Mevyn whispers, shaking his head. “It’s just you and I left. We’re the last. The only remaining.”
I think of the cruel white creatures that bound us in our root prison. How they were commanded by words on a stone. Ordered by Sorcerers who made promises and didn’t keep them. Sorcerers who turned them against each other. I remember the screams. Animal. Guttural. Savage. White and bony. Fighting. Slashing. Sapping each other until there was nothing left. And Mevyn, who tucked himself beside me. Whispered ways to keep us both safe until it was over. And when it was over, he’s right. No one was left. Just us two.
I bury my head in my knees and sob so hard I fear I’ll fall off the edge of the wall. I remember Mevyn doing the same as we sat on the edge of the empty bowl that was once his people’s Wellspring. Magic given freely by fairies, and drained by the greed of men. Reaped and ravaged by those who only wanted more power. These words. Are they my own? Are they Meyvn’s? This grief, is it mine? Is it his? I can’t tell. I don’t know.
“The last.” Meyvn sighs. “Unless…”
“Unless?” I look up. Wipe my nose on my sleeve.
“If we could get to Kythshire, they would help us. My kind flourish there. I’m stronger now. We could make the journey together.”
“They would help us?”
“Yes. There are ways. Ways to restore the Wellspring. To guard it from Mages and Sorcerers. To revive my people. We could put an end to the oppression of Zhaghen. Free those gripped in its clutches. Make it a city like this one. Like Cerion, where babies laugh and no child is motherless. No one would have to suffer a fate like the one suffered by you and your departed family. We could live in harmony.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if Sunteri’s Wellspring remained empty?” I ask. “Then nobody could use the magic or fight over it. If it stayed dried up, the Sorcerers would be powerless.”
“Not so,” Mevyn says gravely. “They would only move on to another spring and grow more ruthless. They tried already. They were almost able to overtake Kythshire’s Wellspring, thanks to your sister. They were stopped. Thwarted, by the knight Azaeli.”
“Azaeli,” I remember the short knight in the procession leading the prince out of the city. Meyvn’s voice in my mind, telling me to take note of her.
“They will go on, the Sorcerers of Zhaghen, until they are defeated once and for all.”
“Weren’t they? I thought I heard…”
“Not all. Even with the towers burnt, they survive. They spread out over the land like a sickness, leaving our oasis wasted. Ready to reap and drain and gain more. Stepstone and Elespen and Haigh. Hywilkin and Tunvidel. All of these places are threatened. War, Tib. War and death will follow in their wake, and only you and I know. Only you and I can stop them.” I stare at him, wide-eyed. Terrified.
“What can we do?” I ask. I’m only a boy. I couldn’t fight Sorcerers. Hide from them, maybe, but not fight them.
“We must go to Kythshire and petition for their help in restoring Sunteri’s Wellspring. Together with them, we can determine a way to stop the spread of Sorcery. You and I cannot do it alone, Tib. We need allies.”
“Allies,” I say, nodding.
“Now, as I hate to do, but as I always do with your permission, I will clear this moment from your memory. For my protection and for yours. Do you understand why?”
I frown and stare down at the rushing water below. How many of these conversations have we had? How many times has he wiped them away? Why me, I wonder. But then, who else could he have trusted? Not a man, a grown man. No, he needed someone unremarkable. Someone who could slip in and out of situations unnoticed. He’s right. We’re the last. We’re in this together. The last of our families.
“I understand,” I say. “But wait, when will we go? Do we have to go alone?” I think of Saesa. She’s always talking about adventures. She’s good with her sword, surprisingly good. I’ve watched her training these two days. I don’t see why Raefe has discouraged her. She beats any opponent they put her against.
“We shall go when the time presents itself.” Meyvn says. “Who would you bring? For what purpose?”
“Saesa. She can fight. She’s my friend. I don’t want to leave her.”
“Perhaps.”
Yes, perhaps. The word echoes in my mind as I look up at the stars. My thoughts wander to the manse and to Nessa and Saesa who care about me. They’re probably sleeping soundly in their beds. I wonder how long I’ve been sitting here. Quiet. Thinking. It feels like hours. It’s so peaceful and open here that I doze off, and when I wake it’s not yet dawn. Something is closed in my fist. I move my fingers and feel the coins slide together inside them. I look. Gold. Two gold. My heart races as I immediately think of Saesa. Bren. Feat. One gold thirty-two. That was the last tally.
I scramble down the wall and race through the streets, faster than a city boy could. Quieter, too. Unheard. Unseen. No one is up, anyway. It’s too early. Even the sea market is deserted. My heart is pumping, maybe from the run, maybe from my excitement. Saesa will finally buy Feat. Then she can come with me when I go. Where, I don’t remember. But I know what’s meant to happen.
My shutters are still open. I climb up the trellis and slip into my room. Inside it’s silent. I creep through the hallway and stop at Saesa’s door. Listen. Breathing. She’s asleep. Cautiously I tiptoe to her bed. Push the coins under her pillow. Go back to my room. Doze off again.
Saesa’s squeal wakes me. I roll out of bed and rub my eyes as I go to the door. She’s in the hallway, rushing toward me. Her eyes are bright. She casts a glance over her shoulder before she skips into my room and closes the door.
“Tib!” she whispers excitedly. “I don’t know how, but look!” She opens her hand to show me the gold. I try to look surprised and puzzled. I hope it’s convincing. She’s too excited to notice, anyway. “They were under my pillow! Where do you suppose they came from? Oh, it doesn’t matter, does it? Now I can get Feat!” The last part she whispers as a knock echoes from outside. Not on my door, but down the hallway.
“Saesa,” Raefe calls. “You okay?”
Saesa tucks the gold into her pocket.
“Get dressed,” she says to me. “I want to go before breakfast.” She’s too distracted to realize I already am. I grin as she jogs to my door to answer her brother.
“Over here,” she says. “I’m fine.” She goes out.
“I thought I heard you—”
“I was excited, that’s all. I thought of something.” I hear her door close, and I peek out into the hallway. Raefe has already gone downstairs. I follow and get my cloak from the cupboard. An insistent knock on the main door makes me jump.
“Who in the seven stars…at this hour of the morning?” Maisie mutters a
s she brushes past me in her morning coat with Garsi toddling behind her, squealing happily. Maisie opens the door. I can’t see much. Chain mail leggings. The butt of a spear resting beside heavy boots. I slink back, tucking myself into the corner beside the cupboard where I’m sure not to be seen.
“City guard,” a deep voice booms. Nessa rushes down the stairs. She sees me as she scoops up Garsi, and gives me a quick, reassuring smile. When she turns to the door, her smile brightens sweetly.
“Why, Freland,” Nessa says with surprise, “won’t you come in out of the snow?”
The boots hesitate. Stomp on the mat. Clomp inside.
“Thank you, Lady Ganvent.”
“Of course,” Nessa says graciously. “What can we do for you? Something warm to drink, perhaps?”
“No m’lady. This isn’t a social visit. We’re sent to find a boy. Around twelve, thirteen. Black hair. Sunteri features. A few around the city said they might’ve seen him going around with your Saesa.”
“Oh?” Nessa asks. Saesa comes out from her room and peers over the railing. She meets my gaze, her eyes wide with fear. Quickly, she changes her expression to that of mild interest as she turns her attention to the scene at the door.
“He’s suspected of a crime,” Freland says gruffly. “Need to question him. Can’t say any more than that. Have you seen him? Do you have him here?”
“Maisie, won’t you get my silk purse? It’s in the cupboard, there.” Nessa says. Maisie opens the cupboard door. She glances at me and I give her a pleading look. They can’t take me. Not now. I have something important to do. I wish I could remember what. Maisie presses her lips together. She gives a very slight nod toward the door beside me. The dining room. It leads to the kitchen. The kitchen has a back door. I look up at Saesa again. She’s careful to keep her eyes on the guard. She won’t give me away. Neither will Nessa, apparently.
“Sorry, m’lady. I won’t take a coin for this one. My orders are from the captain himself.”
“Freland!” Nessa admonishes. “I would never presume to bribe you. How could you even suggest it? Never mind about the purse, Maisie.” Maisie chuckles and closes the cupboard. She turns her back to me but stays in place. Blocks the guard’s view of the dining room door.
“Is the boy here or isn’t he, Lady Ganvent? I would hate to have to call in a search.”
“Need I remind you,” Nessa’s voice is low now. Firm. “That your captain ranks beneath my husband, whose house falls under sanctions that prevent such a search?
“Under the circumstances, I’m afraid it’s warranted.” The boots turn. The door opens again. Freland calls to others. Saesa runs down the stairs. Outside, I hear more boots. Maisie waves her hand at me behind her back.
“Run.”
Yes, run. I can’t wait for Saesa. I duck through the dining room to the kitchen where Bette, the cook, is working hard at breakfast. She smiles at me as I streak past and throw my cloak over my shoulders. She’s used to children clambering around the kitchens, sneaking food. She doesn’t think twice about it. I don’t take anything, though. I just skid out into the alley and close the door quietly behind me. Outside, everything is covered in a thick blanket of white. I’ve never seen snow before. Great fluffs of flakes fall from the sky, swirling and floating and settling peacefully onto cushions of itself on the ground. I step down and it comes to my ankles, almost over the tops of my new boots. As enchanted as I am by the powdery soft snowflakes that cling to my cloak, I’m also aware of the problem it creates for me. Tracks. No one else has come down here. When the guards do, they’ll see my footsteps in no time. I scowl.
“Just go.”
Yes, just go. Just run. Quickly. I dart off into the alley. At first I don’t know where to go, but then it hits me. Saesa will go to Bren’s for Feat, I’m sure of it. I’ll go there. I’ll wait for her. Say goodbye. I glance behind me and see there are no footprints in the snow. As I run, I watch my feet. The snow pushes down and springs back up again as though untouched. A strange shimmer hovers over my boots. It reminds me of something. The air beside the Mage’s head in Nessa’s sitting room, maybe. The wind gusts around me and the snow is so thick that I can barely see the buildings on either side of the narrow cobbled road. I finally reach Bren’s and duck inside.
Hopeful as ever, Bren leans to greet me as the bell rings. When he sees it’s me, I get his usual forced smile.
“Master Tib,” he says. “You’re here early. And no Saesa?”
“She’s coming,” I reply as I shake the already melting snow from my cloak. I try hard to seem calm, not like a boy being chased by city guards. I’m glad it’s cold so my shivering doesn’t seem suspicious. “She’s buying Feat today.”
“Is that so?” He invites me to come around by the forge to warm and dry myself and then he goes out the back door and comes back in. Putters around the shop, arranging things. We talk some, but not much. I don’t know how to drive a conversation like Saesa does. When I begin to lose hope that she’s coming, the bell at the front door rings.
“Ah, Miss Saesa,” Bren says with a hint of relief. “We were expecting you.”
“We?” She rushes to the counter. Sees me. Gasps with relief, and then catches herself as she glances at Bren. She hides her surprise quickly with a laugh. “Tib, you were right!” She turns to Bren. “He said he could beat me here. He’s good at a foot race, even in the snow.” Bren grunts and smiles as he ducks beneath the counter to retrieve Feat.
“Tib says it’s your big day,” he says as Saesa lovingly unwraps the sword. She nods her response. Her eyes are teary as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out the two gold pieces.
“Well, well. Someone’s caught a windfall.” Bren takes the tally sheet from its pin as I come around the counter to Saesa’s side. He writes PIF across the marks. “Got enough there for a scabbard and belt, too, if you want ‘em,” he says to her.
“What about a knife for Tib? He needs something,” she says with a worried glance at me.
“Aye, I’ll throw that in,” Bren says.
As the weapon smith strides around the tiny space collecting her items, Saesa moves closer to me. She’s holding back from saying anything at all to me, I can tell. Afraid she’ll give me away. Bren comes to her side and fits her belt. She slips the sword into its case and sniffles, grinning.
“I can’t believe it’s mine,” she whispers.
“And for you, Tib,” he says. He gives me a good knife. Nothing fancy or special. I’ve never had my own knife before, though. I feel a little taller as I thread it onto my belt. “Be careful with it. Both of you.”
“Thank you!” Saesa cries and throws her arms around Bren, who pats her shoulder a little awkwardly.
“Don’t be a stranger, you, now that you’ve got what you wanted,” Bren says.
He glances toward the door nervously. That’s when we hear it. Marching outside. Raised voices. Saesa turns to me, alarmed. She pulls her furs tight around her arms. My heart thumps. Bren looks toward the door. His jaw clenches. He tips his head toward the back door.
“Best go out that way,” he says. Neither of us thinks. Saesa grabs my hand and we dart outside. Into the snow. Right into the pair of guards standing there, waiting for us. One grabs Saesa, the other grabs me, pinning my arms.
“Thanks for the heads-up, Bren. Your reward,” the guard holding me says. He tosses a pouch of coins to Bren, who’s standing in the doorway, watching. He catches the pouch. He doesn’t look at us. Beside him on the door frame hangs a signal flag with Cerion’s crest beside a plain strip of red. The color sets off memories. Emotions. Anger. Fear. Helplessness. I snarl. Elbow the guard in the gut. Reach for my new knife. Struggle.
“Be calm.”
Yes, be calm. I feel the command settle over me like the blanket of snow. Peace. The guard grabs the knife from my belt. Stows it somewhere. Clamps his hands around my arms.
“Let’s go,” he says.
“Bren,” Saesa sobs, “how could you? I though
t you were our friend!”
Bren pauses. Eyes the scene. Clenches his hand around the pouch of reward money.
“You didn’t say nothing about the girl,” he says. The guards exchange glances.
“He’s right,” mine says. “We’ve no orders to take her in.”
“Right.” Saesa’s guard releases her with a shove. “You look like a nice girl. Go home. Make better choices in the future, eh? No more going around with this sort.”
Saesa plants her feet in the snow. Her new sword is buried under the thick fur of her cloak, but I know she’s got her hand on its hilt. The guard tightens his grip on my arms painfully. I try not to react. I try to be calm.
“Don’t do anything you’ll regret, you two,” Bren warns. “I don’t want any trouble out here.” He hesitates, and then goes inside and closes the door behind him. The guards march me forward, but Saesa stands firm at the mouth of the alley.
“Go, Saesa.” I say. “Go home.”
The guard shakes me, “Nobody told you to talk, did they? Just walk.”
“We’ll get you out. We’ll fix this, Tib. I promise. I know you didn’t do anything.” Saesa’s faith in my innocence makes me feel worse than I do about the guards finding me. She doesn’t know about the towers. I’m sure if she did, she’d never be my friend. Never make promises to help me. Saesa chews her lip. I see the small movement under her cloak. Her hand sliding from the hilt. She shakes her head tearfully as the guards loom closer. My feet shuffle in the snow. I look down. My boots are making tracks now. Pushing the snow, creating deep grooves. I hear her apology and nod. I don’t look up though. I can’t watch her leave me. Can’t watch her go.
Chapter Four: The High Road
Azi
“I’m just saying it’s terribly boring to travel this way.” Flitt chatters in my head. “Horses take forever. Though at least the trees are pretty. Even though they’re sleeping. And your mountains are covered in green even in the wintertime. Not like the Crag, which is always black and rocky. Still, we don’t really have winter, except in the winter lands of course. But you haven’t been there. Maybe next time when you come I can show you.”
Call of Sunteri (Keepers of the Wellsprings Book 2) Page 4
