by Kim Falconer
‘There’s always a triangle with you, Rosette. Always you, me and something, or somebody, else.’
A smile curled her lip. ‘It’s only you tonight.’
Jarrod stared at her, shaking his head and relaxing his shoulders. ‘So I guess I’d better enjoy it while I can,’ he laughed.
‘Should be delightful, as long as it doesn’t rain.’ She looked at the starless sky.
I’d be more worried about the mountain lions than the rain.
‘What mountain lions?’ Both Jarrod and Rosette spoke at once, their heads turning to Drayco.
The ones over the next ridge that are coming this way.
Rosette was awakened in the deepest part of the night by a throaty roar. It echoed around the peaks. Within ten breaths, it was answered by two others. They sounded more like bears than mountain lions and she shivered under the furs.
‘Can’t sleep?’ Jarrod rolled over to face her.
The clouds parted and she could see his eyes sparkling, black pools in the moonlight.
‘I’m scared.’
‘You’re safe with me.’
‘It’s not that kind of fear.’
‘Would you like me to distract you?’
‘Again?’
‘Why not?’
‘Because you need your strength tomorrow and so do I. We don’t know what’s ahead.’
‘I’ve a pretty good idea.’
‘You do?’
‘I had a long talk with An’ Lawrence—I get along better with him than I did with John’ra.’
‘I wish I could say the same.’ She pulled him close. ‘So what’s ahead?’
‘Box canyons, lava fields.’
‘Lava fields?’
‘Miles of obsidian, sharp as glass.’
‘You didn’t mention this when we were discussing my horse’s loose shoe.’
‘I didn’t want to alarm you.’
‘And now you do?’
He tightened his arms around her. ‘We’ll get through.’
‘And then? What’s after the box canyons and lava?’
‘The land fans out into towns and valleys. We have to cross those before we finally reach the seaport of Morzone, if we’re lucky.’
‘And if we aren’t lucky?’
‘We wander around in these arroyos for days until the horses drop dead and the bears eat us.’
She didn’t reply for the longest time. ‘I thought they sounded more like bears too.’
They both laughed and she felt Jarrod’s hand run down her back, a delightful sensation.
‘Are you going to keep me up all night?’ she asked.
‘Is that an invitation?’ Jarrod found her lips and kissed her, making her purr with delight. ‘I’ve missed you, Rosette.’
‘Me too.’
She woke with a start just before dawn. Drayco was growling, and Jarrod was on his feet, doing up his pants.
Maudi! Make the fire big, her familiar roared in her mind.
‘What’s happening?’
Bears. Three or four. Very close. Mind the horses don’t bolt.
Rosette sprang out of the covers and started snapping thin branches in two. She and Jarrod worked side by side, propping sticks together over the coals like a tent, fanning the flames to life. They hopped about, scrambling into their clothes and lacing up their boots.
‘I thought you said the mountain lions were all we should worry about,’ she whispered to Drayco.
It’s bears now.
‘What do we do?’
Keep the fire big while you pack up, then we get out of here and hope they don’t track us.
Rosette looked at Jarrod. ‘Did you hear that?’
‘I did. Not encouraging.’
You could leave them some food, Maudi. That would slow them down.
‘What do you mean?’
Bury the pig bones, hide some bread and cheese. They might spend hours sniffing it out. It would give us time to get away.
‘Drayco says if we bury…’
‘I got it.’ Jarrod was already piling rocks over the pig carcass. ‘Tack up the horses.’
By noon, she wasn’t thinking about bears any more. She was doing all she could to find a way up and out of the endless gullies, ravines and canyons that riddled the foothills of the Prieta range. Drayco was leading, grumbling about the terrain, the snow and the lack of prey. As they came to the top of a particularly steep precipice, he stopped.
Maudi, finally some good news.
She caught up with him, bringing her horse to a halt. ‘Jarrod. Look at this!’
Jarrod whistled long and low. ‘So you found the lava fields. Well done.’
She scanned the horizon. ‘I can see all the way to the coast. That’s Morzone,’ she pointed. The seaport was a hazy grey smudge on the horizon. ‘It’s still a good two days’ ride though.’
‘Walk is more like it. We still have to get across that!’ He indicated the dull black expanse that lay before them.
‘And my horse is lame already.’
Are you two going to speculate all day or actually go down there?
Rosette roughed Drayco’s neck before moving on. I’m looking forward to getting off this hillside too, Dray. She sighed, relishing the thought of a hot bath and a full night’s sleep in a proper bed between clean sheets.
Nell leaned back in the saddle, her shoulders pressing into An’ Lawrence. He groaned. It was a lengthy descent into Treeon and no-one had spoken since they’d spotted the temple valley.
Exhausted from the hard ride of the past two days, Nell concentrated on getting them down the zigzag road without stumbling. An’ Lawrence clutched Scylla, keeping her steady between them. The feline was either asleep or unconscious, Nell wasn’t sure which. The only reassurance was the steady pulse of her femoral artery, palpable in the deep fur on the inside of her thigh, and her regular breathing.
Nell came alongside Clay, who moved his horse aside. Diablai was suddenly anxious to get home. His neck arched and his long black mane rippled with each stride, a contrast to the lethargy of Clay’s mount. The bard didn’t look much better. His skin was white, his body slumped in the saddle. His usually buoyant ringlets were lank and dull. Tear stains streaked his face. He hadn’t bothered to wash.
Nell sighed. ‘How are you holding up?’ she asked.
Clay looked at her for a moment, his eyes welling, tears spilling down his face. He shook his head and stared down at the reins held loosely in his hands.
‘They’ve spotted us,’ Zero said, riding up between them.
‘So it seems.’ Nell saw the guards, still small in the distance, gathered by the entrance to the temple valley.
‘They’ll need to send scouts. Check on the Lupins,’ An’ Lawrence said. ‘Zero, go down ahead and see to it. We’re right behind.’
Zero urged his mount forward.
‘Clay, go with him and find the healer. I want Scylla seen to immediately.’
Clay urged his horse forward into a jog. He didn’t look back.
Nell watched them trot down the road, her concern over the deception lessening. She hadn’t counted on the bard’s morbidity, but it was so genuine and infectious she almost felt that her daughter really was dead. She sent a silent blessing towards Rosette and Jarrod, wishing them safe crossing to the islands before shielding her thoughts. In the private depths of her mind, though, she pondered.
What was Rowan really brewing with La Makee? She didn’t trust either of them, especially after meeting Clay. Red hair was rare. If he’d been the one who had alarmed Jarrod in Lividica, the Sword Master was probably not telling her the whole truth. She knew Makee certainly wasn’t. That was expected, but the Sword Master’s deception rankled her.
‘I’m going to leave you rather quickly, Rowan,’ she said, leaning back towards him when the others had disappeared.
‘Stay,’ he whispered, squeezing her waist, his lips brushing her ear.
‘I’m heading back to Dumarka.’
‘Don’t trick me. You’re going to follow them. I know it and I’m coming with you.’
She paused for a moment before shaking her head. ‘Rowan, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can’t.’
‘Why not?’
‘Think. How would it look?’
‘It would look like I was taking a long and welldeserved break with an old friend.’
‘It would look like you were going with me to find Rosette. You think Makee wouldn’t have you traced?’
‘Not if I…’
‘Not if you what? Besides, your head’s still not right. I can see it in your eyes. You can barely ride.’
‘I’m riding now.’
‘No…I’m riding, you’re clinging. You’d fall in a second if I wasn’t here. You have a concussion the size of the Dumar Gorge and a fever that’s kept me warm in the snow for the last four nights, though you’ve hidden that well. The only place you’re going is to the healer, right alongside Scylla, and then to bed. How you could even think of her travelling now is beyond me.’
‘I was feeling much better before. I’m just tired.’
‘You were better before because Rosette was boosting you with magic. She’s a very forgiving daughter.’
‘Like her mother?’ His head rolled to one side and he looked about to faint. Nell whipped her arm around behind her back to keep him upright. ‘Not quite,’ she said, her jaw tight.
The sound of horses brought her head up.
‘No more talk. If you’re too weak to shield your mind, let me know.’
‘What would you do?’
‘I’ve a little spell that’ll leave you unconscious for days.’
‘No thanks. I can manage.’
‘I’m serious, Rowan. You spill the truth and you’ll wish you were on another world.’
He patted her leg. ‘I’m fine.’
Three scouts—two women and a man—galloped past, heading out of the valley. They saluted An’ Lawrence as they whisked by. Nell knew they were off to look for Lupins that they were never going to find.
She urged Diablai forward. ‘Hang onto me, and keep that mind-shield up.’
An’ Lawrence was silent. Whatever he was thinking was well contained.
There was help at the gate. Strong arms reached up for Scylla, lifting her down and taking her and An’ Lawrence to the healer’s rooms.
A young woman came and took Diablai’s reins. ‘La Makee is waiting for you, Mistress Nellion,’ she said, ‘she’s in the…’
‘I know where she is, thank you very much.’ Nell swung her leg over Diablai’s neck and leapt to the ground.
‘Check his feet carefully, please, and go slow with the water,’ she ordered, stroking the smooth black neck. ‘He’s had a long workout.’
She watched as Diablai was led away towards the barn, gathering her thoughts before facing Makee.
‘Back so soon?’
She swung around to find La Makee at her side, materialising from nowhere.
‘You’re getting good at that,’ Nell smiled.
‘Years of practice.’ Makee looked her up and down. ‘Hard ride?’
‘You could say so.’
‘Rosette?’
Nell’s face changed, her hands trembling slightly. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she let none escape. She shook her head slowly from side to side.
‘A shame,’ Makee responded, her voice softening momentarily. ‘It is hard to lose a student, such a good one at that.’
Nell flicked the moisture from her face, her shoulders squaring. ‘I wouldn’t have lost her if you and An’ Lawrence hadn’t concocted such a ridiculous journey. What were you thinking?’ She glared at the woman. ‘What was he thinking?’ she added under her breath.
‘He was thinking about the good of Treeon, no doubt.’ Makee matched her stance. ‘But that’s not something you’d understand, is it?’
Nell narrowed her eyes. ‘Perhaps I understand better than you, High Priestess.’
Makee took a step forward and lowered her voice. ‘Really? Did she acquire the…’
Nell raised her hand, blocking any further words. ‘Not here.’
They headed for the main temple, like warriors readying to spar. Their conversation remained light, though, a show for the many watching eyes.
‘You’ll stay the night, won’t you?’ Makee asked, her voice rising sweetly into the courtyard as they passed the students and mentors gathered there. ‘Visit the pools? Give a talk?’
‘Of course,’ Nell smiled. ‘I’d be delighted.’
‘She didn’t buy it,’ An’ Lawrence said, grimacing when he caught the look in Makee’s eyes. He sat up, propping his back with pillows.
‘Why not?’ Makee tapped her fingers on the bedside table. ‘She has no reason to suspect.’
‘Really? Nellion is not as trusting as you think.’
‘She wants something from you,’ Makee said, her brow narrowing.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Any fool can sense it.’
‘What if you aren’t a fool?’
Makee eyed him closely, shifting from the chair onto the bed. She sat upright, tucking both her feet under her, leaning towards his face.
‘Is there something you’ve left out, Rowan? Something you aren’t telling me?’
An’ Lawrence held firmly to his mind-shield, and with good reason. They were plotting their next move, but there was much he wasn’t telling her—had no intention of telling her—and he wasn’t about to let her sense it. If La Makee knew that Rosette still lived, and that she was his daughter to boot, his plans would tumble.
‘I think I know where Nell’s going, though,’ he said, looking into the fire to avoid her eyes.
‘Where?’
‘Rahana Iti.’
‘What’s she up to?’ Makee frowned. ‘Island magic?’
‘I don’t know, but she didn’t want me to be a part of it.’
‘Doesn’t make sense. She wants you with her.’
‘You sound so certain.’
‘I am.’
‘If that’s true, she resisted her desires, Makee. I asked if I could come.’
‘And?’
‘She turned me down flat.’
‘Bruised ego, Sword Master?’
An’ Lawrence didn’t answer. Scylla was off the bed now, stretched out on the floor in front of the hearth.
Careful, the feline warned him. She’s suspicious. Thinks something’s up, but can’t spot it for looking. She’s going to ask you about Rosette. I’d create a diversion, but she’d know it was a sham. She’s pretty sharp. Mind your words if you don’t want to tell her the truth.
Thanks, beautiful. I will.
He had wanted to sit by the fire with Scylla and rough her neck. Their close call on the mountain made him realise his vulnerability. A life without Scylla would be unbearable. He shut out the emerging feelings as they began to rise. Then he thought for a moment of Rosette and her mother before slamming the door on that also. He rubbed the back of his neck, focusing his mind.
‘Tell me again how you managed to get the vial out of Kreshkali’s grasp, but not Rosette?’ Makee scanned his face.
‘Drayco, her familiar…’
‘I know the black temple cat, Rowan. Just tell me what happened.’
Sweat started to bead on his forehead. He hoped she would think it was from his fever and not his lies. ‘Drayco brought the vial to us. He dropped it at our feet before collapsing. He died shortly after, though Nell tried to revive him. It must have been Rosette’s final request, to bring us the vial, otherwise he would never have left her side.’ He buried his face in his hands. ‘The Lupins would have consumed her.’
Makee put her hand on his shoulder. ‘So you never actually saw her body?’
‘We’ve been over this, Makee.’ An’ Lawrence sighed as he looked up. ‘If you doubt me, march your glorious arse up to Los Loma and ask Kreshkali yourself what happened. They gave their lives—Rosette and her familiar�
�so we could gain the spell. The vial isn’t what you hoped it would be, but Rosette and Drayco were, I promise.’
‘You grieve for her, that’s understandable.’
‘Of course I do. She was my newest apprentice. Strong arm, agile body, great magic. I had high hopes.’
‘Scylla doesn’t seem too upset.’
He stuck his finger in his ear and gave it a vigorous scratch. ‘What?’
‘She was getting close with Rosette’s big black. I thought they might mate.’
Like that would be any of her concern. Scylla’s whiskers twitched.
‘It would’ve been a real boon for Treeon,’ Makee continued. ‘A nice batch of cubs—familiars for our high-ranking adepts.’
She was always jealous that you and I have each other. Watch out. Mulengro’s in the room.
An’ Lawrence stole a glance at the door. Scylla was sensitive to mulengro, in any of its forms. All animals were. They could see it coming in a night fog, and he’d always trusted that. Of course, he’d opened the door with his own lies. He’d been deceitful, still was, and there was nothing he could do about it until he left Treeon, not without betraying Rosette and Nell. This whole past year had been food for Mulengro. He accepted that, straightening his spine.
‘The temple cats don’t choose by rank, if they choose at all.’ He turned to look at Makee. ‘You know they are rare familiars.’
‘They often choose by bloodline, though, An’ Lawrence. I find it quite curious that both you and Rosette have, or had, such bonds. Don’t you?’
‘Pardon?’
‘I think you’re hiding something.’
A chill wind blew through the door, fluttering the candles and making them both shiver.
He looked her straight in the eye. ‘I’m not hiding from you, Makee.’
She paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow. ‘That’s not quite the same thing, is it?’
‘You know what I mean.’
‘I believe you do.’
Neither spoke for a while. The air, fragrant with camphor and sage, grew thick.
‘How soon can you ride?’
An’ Lawrence stretched his neck from side to side, exhaling long and slow. ‘As soon as Scylla’s fully recovered. A week. Maybe less.’
