“Probably not.” Vatar nodded to Castalia. “He’d have to come some warm day when I’m working at the forge. But I don’t think there’s any harm in answering a few questions. Tattoos are made by pressing pigment into the skin with a thorn.” He smiled across the table at Boreala. “In case you haven’t noticed, our sister doesn’t approve of tattoos.”
Miceus winced at the thought. “Isn’t that p-painful?”
Arcas laughed and lifted his mug. “We wouldn’t know. The Dardani make a drink of fermented fruit that’s a lot stronger than this wine. They make sure you drink a large cup of it, at least, before you get a tattoo.”
Vatar nodded. “I’ve never really noticed a new tattoo until the next day. They do itch while they’re healing, though. And you can’t scratch for fear of distorting the tattoo.”
Miceus looked around the table. His curiosity might have offended Castalia and maybe even Boreala. Quetza somehow hadn’t really looked annoyed with his earlier questions which had seemed to him more dangerous. He drew a deep breath and turned back to Orleus. “How were you able to b-be away from your d-duties in T-Tysoe this long?”
Orleus twirled his mug between his hands and shot a quick glance at Quetza. “I wasn’t really away from my duties. I was sent here to recruit some much needed new members for the guard. I could train them as well in Caere as in Tysoe. Actually, taking the time to do that allowed me to get a better idea of their capabilities and weed out a couple who wouldn’t have lasted long in Tysoe. So it was a benefit all around to stay longer.”
When it was time to leave, Miceus thanked his hosts. “I guess I won’t be c-coming b-back. I’m glad I m-met you, V-Vatar.”
“Why won’t you be coming back?” Vatar asked.
“Well . . . once Orleus r-returns to T-Tysoe . . . .”
“I’ll still come here, and so will Boreala,” Father said. “It’s been too long to let you disappear on us again after only two visits. And Vatar and Cestus are your brothers, too.”
Vatar nodded. “You’re welcome any time, Miceus. Not just because Orleus invited you. It doesn’t even have to be on seventh-day. You’re family. You’re always welcome here.”
~
Miceus wasn’t too surprised when Mother summoned him the next day.
“Well, have you decided how you feel about Veleus, yet?” Mother turned a small gemstone around in her fingers, not looking at Miceus.
Miceus scratched his chin. “He . . . he doesn’t seem m-much like you d-described, M-Mother. But you said he c-can be charming when he wants to b-be. I’m just n-not sure, yet.”
“Will you be going back, then?” Mother asked, still not looking up.
“N-Not if you d-don’t want me t-to.”
Mother waved her hand in the air. “I didn’t say that. I asked you a question.”
Miceus licked his lips. “Well, V-Vatar has invited me t-to go b-back. I . . . I guess I c-could for a while. He’ll be l-leaving soon, t-too.”
Mother looked up at that, giving Miceus her full attention. “Vatar will be leaving Caere?”
Miceus lifted one shoulder in what wasn’t quite a shrug. One didn’t shrug when Mother asked a question. It was just one of many rules. But this wasn’t the question he’d expected. “He s-said he and Arcas always go spend the s-summer t-trading with the D-Dardani at a place called Z-Zeda.”
“Did he say when he was leaving?”
“No. J-Just that it would b-be soon.”
Mother sighed. “Well, I think you need to keep going until you decide how you feel about your father. And until you stop being nervous just because there are more than three people in the room.”
“Yes, M-Mother.”
She waved her hand again. “Go back to Athra, Miceus.”
Chapter 30: Contingency Plans
Gerusa turned the bauble she’d been considering over in her fingers, her eyes unfocused.
“What did we learn from that, Mother? Why send him back?” Selena asked.
“We learned that Orleus will be leaving soon. That’s one fewer ally on Vatar’s side. And that Vatar himself will be leaving before long. It might be useful in several ways to know when—and for how long. It’s actually much more than I expected to learn in just two visits. This kind of thing takes time and patience, Precious.”
Selena frowned. “The longer he’s exposed to Father, the greater the chance that he’ll be lured away from us.”
Gerusa nodded. “Yes, I know. But I’ve already told you, he’s expendable.”
“What good is knowing that Orleus is about to leave? Or Vatar for that matter?” Selena asked.
Gerusa put down the gem and looked directly at her daughter. “Whatever my elder son’s faults, he was always a superior fighter. And connected within both the Palace and Temple Guards. His presence complicated things for us. But Vatar’s departure is more interesting to me. That opens up possibilities.”
“Like what?”
“Well, we can’t openly flout the High Council’s decision, of course.” Especially after that misstep with the Temple Guard. “Perhaps we could arrange something while Vatar is gone, however. Something that would discourage him from returning.” Her eyes narrowed. “Or . . . if we can find out exactly when he plans to leave . . .”
“What?” Selena asked.
An unpleasant smile spread across Gerusa’s face. “The High Council’s protection can’t be construed to extend beyond Caere, after all, can it? If we knew the date of his departure it might be perfectly possible to arrange an accident for him.” Her smile faded slightly. “Only if we have enough time of course. Then again, knowing the date of his return would work just as well.”
Selena smiled back. “I see.”
“I was sure you would, Precious.”
Chapter 31: Zeda
Vatar lowered the pipes after playing the lullaby and watching over Zavar and Savara as they slept. He’d be back with them soon. Most of the snow would have melted by now. There really wasn’t any point in waiting much longer. He needed to talk to Trev again, too. Soon. He’d certainly gotten no further on answering his most frightening questions.
“You seem unusually quiet, tonight.” Thekila paused in brushing out her hair.
Vatar sighed. “I was thinking that we ought to leave for Zeda soon. We don’t have to wait for Arcas.” He smiled wryly. “He’s not going to want to stay at Zeda longer than necessary. Not with Elaria and Caslar here. I know exactly how he’ll feel about that.”
Thekila smiled. “Because you’re just as eager to get back to Zavar and Savara. So am I.” She nodded. “I think we should leave as soon as you and Arcas can have everything ready.”
Vatar looked up at her. There was something more behind that statement than her wish to see the twins. He doubted it was because she was as eager to talk to Trev again as he was. “Why?”
She drew in a deep breath. “Vatar, I don’t want you to worry about me riding to Zeda and back, but I did promise to tell you when I knew. I know now. I’m pregnant.”
Vatar couldn’t control the quick flip of panic that tightened his gut, temporarily overwhelming everything else. He gathered her in to him, holding her close and forcing a smile. “That’s wonderful,” he managed to say, trying to mean it.
She leaned closer. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
He closed his eyes. “I hope so.”
“It will. Trust me.” She leaned back to look at his face. “If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll let Boreala check me over before we go.”
Vatar breathed out. “That would be good.” They’d leave early and allow Arcas to follow in his own time. Arcas wouldn’t want to tarry at Zeda longer than necessary. They’d all come back together and Thekila would be safely back under Boreala’s care.
Thekila stroked his arm. “Now that the High Council has promised to leave us alone, would it be possible to bring the twins back with us? I’ve missed them so much. And, now especially, I want us all together, as a family. And they
should be here when their new brother or sister is born.”
Vatar blinked. Why hadn’t he thought of that? Probably it would be safe to bring the twins to Caere, now. “Yes, we should be together.”
~
Vatar breathed a sigh of relief as the low sod huts of Zeda came into view. He knew he was being ridiculous. It was still very early in Thekila’s pregnancy. And yet . . . it was good to know that they were now in a place where there were women who knew about these things. Not as good as Boreala, perhaps, but his mother was the best Healer on the plains.
Pa rode out to meet them before they reached the outskirts of the village. “Vatar! You’re early this year. Couldn’t stand to be away from the twins any longer?”
Vatar smiled. “That’s most of it.”
Pa scanned the group. “Where’s Arcas? And Quetza?”
Vatar shrugged. “Arcas will be along nearer our usual time.”
“He didn’t want to leave Elaria?”
Vatar could barely contain his smile. “Elaria and little Caslar. Arcas has a son, born in early winter, during the month of First Raven.”
Pa grinned. “Good for Arcas. And Quetza?”
Thekila smiled. “She chose to go with Orleus, to see a little more of the world. He was in Caere over the winter, recruiting. They’ll join us here before midsummer.”
Pa’s grin widened. “I thought there was something developing between those two. I hope it works out well for them.”
Thekila reached across to take Vatar’s hand and her smile changed. “So do I. Quetza deserves this kind of happiness, too.”
Pa chuckled. “Well, we’ll see you a little later, then. After you have a chance to get your hut set up and get settled. I’ll take your horses out to the pasture for you.”
Vatar dismounted, but paused before he turned his horse’s reins over to his father. “There is one other thing, Pa. According to Orleus, the Themyri have all abandoned the Land Between the Rivers. He thinks they’ve gone south, but I thought you should be alerted, just in case.”
Pa frowned. “We’ll have to send scouts down that way, just to make sure they’re not encroaching on our territory. Thanks for the warning.”
Vatar reached up to help Thekila dismount. “Maybe Orleus will have more information when he brings Quetza up to join us here.”
The sod huts stood empty through the winter, but the hide roofs were always removed and stored, since they’d never bear the weight of the snows. Vatar and Theklan set about raising the roof on its supporting poles while Thekila laid out the grass mats and the bedrolls.
Vatar was just hanging the hide covering over the door when a shout alerted him to visitors. Ariad and Avaza stood outside with Zavar and Savara.
Vatar leapt out to grab them up, laughing with joy. “You two are getting so big. Soon I won’t be able to pick you both up at once.”
Avaza stroked Savara’s fine hair. “Thank you for letting me have them for the winter, Vatar.”
Vatar set the children down and let them run to Thekila. “You’re welcome, Avaza. They need to know you, too.”
“They missed you, though,” Avaza said. “Almost every evening, Zavar hums a lullaby to Savara. He says you’re playing the same lullaby and thinking of them.”
Vatar shot a quick glance at Avaza, trying to determine if she’d made anything more out of it. He couldn’t tell. It had probably been too much to expect that the little boy would keep that to himself. And Vatar had said that it was all right to share with Savara. He looked over at Zavar. “Yes, that’s our way of being together, isn’t it?”
Zavar nodded.
“They’re lucky to have a father like you, Vatar,” Ariad said.
“No. I’m the lucky one.” Vatar shook his head. “I just hope my luck holds,” he added to himself.
“It will,” Thekila answered in his mind.
~
Vatar looked out through the open door flap. It would be getting dark soon and his Dardani family would be expecting to eat together. Truthfully, he wanted to see Mother, Kiara, and little Fenar. But even more than that, he wanted some answers to questions he hadn’t been able to even ask out loud in Caere. He stood up. “I’m going to see Trev before it gets too late.”
Thekila stood up, too, setting Savara down to chase after her brother. “Do you want me to come with you? Theklan can watch the twins for a little while.”
Vatar drew in a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, maybe you’d better.” Even he wasn’t sure if he wanted her there for support, for her perception, or just for the comfort of her company. He did know he was tired of letting these questions chase themselves endlessly around in his mind.
Trev was sitting outside his hut when they arrived. He seemed surprised to see them, but invited them inside. “What’s this about, Vatar?”
“Trev, I need to ask you . . .” Vatar trailed off, not quite able to get his question out. As if saying it would make it real.
“Yes?” Trev prompted.
Vatar took a deep breath and then spoke in a rush. “Trev, these strange things have been happening ever since I came back. Since . . . Trev, did Maktaz complete part of his curse?”
Thekila drew in her breath sharply. Vatar swallowed past the thickness in his throat. He really should have shared this worry with her, but he’d tried so hard not even to allow himself to think it. He hadn’t meant to ask the question directly, but Trev somehow had that effect on him. It wasn’t the first time Vatar had told the young shaman more than he intended.
Trev’s brow furrowed with concern, but he shook his head. “That curse must be pronounced in full. Only a part of it has no effect. What made you think that?”
Vatar drew in a deep breath and plunged on. “That voice I told you about . . . I’ve heard it again. Once, it felt like the voice took over, acted through me.”
Trev’s eyes widened. “What did it make you do?”
Vatar looked away. “It improved my archery.”
Trev’s concern melted into a smile. “Hardly what one would expect of an Evil Spirit, then, is it?”
Vatar grunted.
“What do you think this voice is, Vatar?” Trev asked.
Vatar shook his head and let out a long breath. “I don’t know. My father in Caere thought that it was related to the gift of prophecy. Or that I am one of my ancestors, reborn. Tabeus. But neither of those explanations really fits, does it?
“I can’t see how the gift of Fore Sight would control my body—especially over something as trivial as archery practice. And I’ve read everything I can about Tabeus. From what I know, I’m not very much like him at all. The only things we seem to have in common is that he was also a smith and he had one unusual Fasallon Talent that I also have—the ability to shield. Other than that, he was more like Orleus than me—a warrior and a hunter. I was hoping you’d have some more answers about what the voice is.”
Trev nodded. “I have expected you to come back to me about this. I’ve still had no further guidance from the Spirits on this. I’ve thought much about it and, over the winter, I conferred with some of the older Modgud shamans. There is something that we might try.”
Vatar licked his lips. “Not an exorcism?”
Trev shook his head. “No. But not as likely to succeed as an exorcism, either.”
“I’d rather try anything else before an exorcism,” Vatar said.
Trev smiled slightly. “I thought you’d say that. What I propose is less than an exorcism. But it will take some time to prepare for it. It will have to wait until after Midsummer, at the earliest. And we will need the cooperation of all the family you have here, except the children.”
Vatar’s mouth went dry. He’d have to tell them—Pa and Mother, even Kiara. Not only about his magic, but also about the voice. Just knowing about his magic hadn’t gone very well with Arcas and Elaria. At least not at first. They both seem to have adjusted to it since Caslar’s birth. He very much didn’t want his parents to know about this. “That’s Pa an
d Mother. Arcas will be here by then. Maybe Kiara. She’s old enough to get her Clan Mark this year.”
Thekila took his hand. “And me. I’m as much family as Danar is.”
Trev nodded to her. “Yes. And your brother may be of help, too. He also is old enough to receive the Clan Mark.”
Thekila chewed her lower lip. “Maybe Orleus will still be here, too. We can ask him when he brings Quetza back.”
Vatar nodded. He really didn’t want to burden his Dardani family with the knowledge—or risk their rejection—but there might not be much choice. Vatar drew a deep breath and squeezed Thekila’s hand. “There’s no chance that Thekila, Theklan, Orleus, and Arcas would be enough, is there?”
Trev shook his head. “No. Shall we say the first full moon following the Midsummer Festival?”
Vatar swallowed. He didn’t want to do this. But he also didn’t want to spend another winter wondering if he was losing his mind. Especially now that Thekila was pregnant. He might just really lose his mind worrying about her. He nodded. “All right.”
~
Thekila kept her hold on Vatar’s hand as they left Trev’s hut. “What are you going to tell your family?”
Vatar let out his breath. “Nothing yet. I’ll wait at least until Arcas gets here. Arcas knows about my magic, but not about the voice. I’d rather not have to explain it all more than once.”
Thekila thought it would be better to get it over with, but she decided not to try to argue with Vatar right now. Danar and Lucina were his family, after all. And she could feel the tension in him at the thought. After the way Arcas and Elaria had acted—and they were Caereans, not superstitious Dardani—she couldn’t blame him for dreading it. Only, there didn’t seem to be anything else he could do if he really wanted answers about his mysterious voice. And, clearly, he did.
Returning to their hut meant crossing the entire Raven Clan enclave. Thekila frowned when she spotted Avaza standing along their path, apparently at random. She really doubted that it was as accidental as Avaza wanted it to appear.
The Voice of Prophecy (Dual Magics Book 2) Page 22
