She pulled back as Josiah drew near, followed closely by Elkan and the others. Light poured from her hands to envelope Gevan. “I’m so sorry, Father,” she said, her voice shaking. She turned her face to press her cheek into Nina’s fur where the squirrel perched on her shoulder.
“It’s not your fault.” He submitted to their healing. Josiah saw his tense shoulders relax with relief from the pain of his injuries. “How did you get away from them?”
“They let us go.” Nina chittered and Kevessa stroked her. “After…”
Elkan pushed forward. “After what?”
Kevessa turned to him, biting her lip. “I couldn’t let them hurt Father more. It won’t matter anyway, will it? Yoran already believed the familiars were demons.”
Icy fear gripped Josiah. Elkan stiffened, but his voice was gentle. “I’m sure you did the best you could. Please, tell us exactly what happened, Kevessa.”
She poured out the story. Josiah was horrified, but he couldn’t think what he might have done differently in her place. Still, the thought that their enemies now believed they had proof of their twisted theories sickened him.
Gevan kept opening his mouth to interrupt, but Elkan’s hand on his arm stopped him. Elkan listened tight-lipped. When Kevessa finished her account, he remained silent for a moment. Then he ran his hand through his hair with a sigh. “Show me what you did to deceive him.”
Kevessa glanced from him to her father to the gathered soldiers. Reluctantly she held her arm out. Nina scampered to perch on her forearm. The squirrel’s back arched, her fur stood on end, her bared teeth gleamed in a fierce grimace, and light blazed from her eyes. The soldiers cursed and stumbled back. Gevan froze and stared. Even Josiah felt a qualm. Nina really did look like something demonic, although the light from her eyes was more pink than red. He doubted Yoran Lirolla would quibble over that detail.
Elkan studied them for a moment, then nodded. Nina dropped the act and burrowed in Kevessa’s arms. Elkan stepped close and stroked the squirrel’s head with a gentle finger. “You’re sure only Yoran and his accomplices saw you?”
Kevessa screwed up her face in concentration, then relaxed it with a firm nod. “Yes.”
“All right.” Elkan turned to the soldiers. “Back to the palace.”
Kevessa skipped to catch up with him as he strode away. “Wait. You’re not going to confront him? At least you could watch what happened through a window. Show the Matriarch and everyone else what he’s up to.”
Elkan shrugged. “What purpose would that serve? I’m sure your account is accurate. All a window could show the Matriarch is seeming proof that what Yoran says is true. I don’t see any way to demonstrate that you were faking the effect. A demon could reproduce that show on command just as easily as you can.”
“I guess.” Kevessa’s shoulders drooped, and she plodded behind Elkan with heavy steps.
Josiah bent his mind to the problem, but he feared Elkan was right. The soldiers were still muttering and shooting Kevessa and Nina hostile glances.
Elkan caressed Tobi’s head. “Obviously we can’t leave with the ships as he demanded. I won’t violate our bargain by sneaking off, and the Matriarch will never agree to send the food under any other terms than me staying until she bears a healthy heir. We’ll just have to be ready to counter whatever attack they launch.”
Josiah shivered. At least they had a week’s grace before the Purifiers released their onslaught. He wrapped an arm around Sar’s neck. The familiars would surely be the first target.
Elkan nodded decisively. “I think our time is best used getting what sleep we can tonight, and our energy is best spent continuing the healing work we’ve begun. If that fails to convince the people of Ramunna we’re not demons, nothing will.”
He tilted his head, his expression lightening. “I suppose there’s no further purpose in keeping your wizardry a secret. You can join us in the square tomorrow and use the Mother’s power openly.”
Kevessa brightened, and Nina bounced up to peer at Elkan. “That’s right! I hadn’t even realized. Thank the Mother. I hated having to hide.”
Gevan made a strangled sound. Elkan turned to him. “Am I missing something? Is there any reason you can think of to continue the pretense?”
“No. You’re right. I just hate—” Gevan shook his head.
Elkan put a sympathetic hand on his arm. “I want to protect her, too. But at this point I think letting it be known she and Nina can defend themselves with the Mother’s power is the best safeguard we can offer.”
Gevan nodded. He walked silently for a few minutes, staring straight ahead. Just as Josiah was about to offer Kevessa his own commiseration, Gevan turned back to her. He spoke as if the words were ripped from his throat against all his efforts to hold them within. “Keep that beast close to you from now on. Don’t ever let it beyond the reach of your hand.”
“I won’t, Father,” Kevessa promised fervently. Nina squealed her agreement.
They continued back to the palace. After a while Elkan and Gevan fell into a quiet but intense conversation, speculating on the Purifiers’ plans and devising strategies to counter them. Josiah moved to Kevessa’s side. “Are you all right? Really? We missed you yesterday. They didn’t hurt you?”
She shivered. “No. I think they were scared of me.” She shook her head. “Tell me what you did while I was gone. So the Matriarch let you go back to the Beggars’ Quarter after all?”
“Yeah. You wouldn’t believe how many people we healed, and we barely made a dent. It went faster after Vigorre showed up. You know him, right?”
“Vigorre Rothen?” Kevessa looked far more interested than Josiah would have liked. “Of course. He came to work with you? That doesn’t surprise me. He’s always wanted to help the people of the Beggars’ Quarter.”
Josiah shrugged. “Elkan thinks he’d make a good wizard.”
She tilted her head. “I’m sure he would.” At Josiah’s scowl, her brow wrinkled. “What?”
“Nothing. It’s just… Nirel came to help us, too. Did you know the two of them were together?” Had Kevessa had a hand in matching them up?
But she was as surprised as he’d been. “No, I had no idea. They weren’t before I left. I wonder how they met?”
“Nirel said something about a ball.” It was easier to think of Nirel with Vigorre when Kevessa was beside him. He flashed her a grin. “You can ask them tomorrow. Both of them said they were coming back.”
“I bet Nirel would make a good wizard, too. Elkan thinks the Mother is going to choose more Ramunnan wizards?”
“She’s going to have to, if she wants to spread her power to the whole world. Elkan’s not going to stay here forever. Once the Matriarch has a daughter he’ll go back to Tevenar. I’m pretty sure he hopes to have an independent Wizards’ Guild set up here by then.”
“I hope it works out that way. I don’t want to have to do it alone.” Kevessa scratched Nina’s back. The squirrel arched into her touch. Kevessa sent a sidelong glance at Josiah. “I guess you’ll go home with him?”
“I am his apprentice.” Josiah dared to meet her gaze for a moment before looking away.
“So am I, but I know I’ll stay here. Whatever I learn between now and then will have to be enough.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“I might stay. I’ve thought about it. It would be exciting, helping to found a new Guild. There’s so much here I want to see and learn about. And…” His pulse rushed in his ears.
Kevessa met his eyes. “And?”
“I wouldn’t leave if there was a reason for me to stay.” He reached for her hand, praying she wouldn’t pull it away.
She didn’t, though her fingers stiffened in his grip. “Oh.”
“I mean, it will be at least a year before I have to decide. Plenty of time to… see what happens.” He drifted an inch or two closer. She tensed, then relaxed when he made no further move. “Would you miss me, if I went back to Tevenar?”
&
nbsp; She swallowed. “Of course. You’re my friend.”
“Always.” He squeezed her hand gently, but she still didn’t respond, so he released it. She flexed her fingers, then balled them into a fist. “I missed you yesterday. I thought you were happy with your family, but I wished you were with me, working together like we did on Restday.” He looked away. “I was disappointed that you didn’t come back. I thought you didn’t care, that you’d rather take it easy with them than work with us.”
Her voice was hurt. “How could you think that? Don’t you know me at all? I’d never choose to neglect the Mother’s work.”
“I know. I’m sorry. That’s why it bothered me so much, because it wasn’t like you. I thought maybe I had you all wrong.” He turned back to find her gazing at him. “I’m glad I didn’t. I mean, I’m not glad you were captured!” He laughed nervously, relieved to see her grin in response. “But I’m glad you didn’t abandon us. That you’re not the sort of person who would.”
“I’m not.” She hesitated a moment, then reached for his hand. Her fingers twined in his, warm and vibrant. The sensation sang through his body. “You can trust me.”
“I do.” Smash it, if only her father and Elkan weren’t right there! He slowed his steps to widen the distance; she matched his pace. “I won’t ever forget that again.” He lowered his voice almost to a whisper. “Do you trust me?”
Her eyes fell to their clasped hands, then rose to meet his, dark pools in the night. “Yes.”
Breathless, he brought their hands to his chest and raised his other to lightly stroke the back of her fingers. His voice sounded rough over the pounding pulse in his ears. “Kevessa, I—”
Josiah, look.Quiet as Sar’s warning was in his mind, it shocked him like a splash of cold water. Nina must have spoken to Kevessa, too, because she tensed and pulled back. He dropped her hand. Just in time, because Gevan and Elkan were turning and pointing. Not at them, thank the Mother, but at something in the sky over their heads.
Several of the soldiers exclaimed as a great bird swooped down in a flurry of beating wings. Josiah’s frustration at the interruption gave way to awe as the eagle missed him by mere inches, the wind of its passing ruffling his hair. Kevessa pressed close to him with a startled gasp, gazing as it circled just above their heads.
Elkan extended his arm and the bird landed on it, great talons gripping until Josiah was afraid they would sink into his master’s flesh. Elkan showed no sign of pain, though, just pleased surprise. “Hello,” he said. His voice was calm, but Josiah knew him well enough to hear the note of delight in it. “Welcome.”
Gevan backed away. “What in the Mother’s name is that?” he choked out.
“She’s sent us a new familiar, I think,” Elkan told him, beckoning a soldier to bring his lantern closer. The man complied, though he eyed the bird with trepidation. Elkan studied the eagle’s golden-brown plumage. It cooperatively turned, lifting and replacing its clawed feet to rotate its body. A sigh escaped Elkan as its far shoulder came into sight. A cream-colored oval shone where the powerful wings narrowed to a flexible neck.
Kevessa stepped closer. The eagle regarded her with one black eye; she met its gaze fearlessly. “This means you’re right. The Mother really does intend to choose new wizards in Ramunna.”
Elkan nodded. Tobi raised her head to sniff at the eagle. Elkan lowered his arm to give her a better view. The bird regarded the cat intently for a moment, before they both lost interest and turned away.
Josiah laughed. “I guess it passed inspection. Sar, what do you think?”
The donkey raised his muzzle to blow softly at the bird, then lowered it. Yes, she’s Mother-touched.
I knew that.
What else is there to say? I look forward to working with her. Sar flicked an ear dismissively.
Aren’t you excited it’s happening just the way we hoped?
The Mother does as she will.
Josiah snorted. At Kevessa’s quizzical look, he relayed the conversation.
“Nina’s only slightly more impressed.” The squirrel’s bright eyes regarded the eagle without a trace of the fear Josiah might expect prey to feel for predator. Her lack of concern seemed justified, for the eagle only blinked at the squirrel. Kevessa laughed nervously. “You’re sure familiars never eat each other?”
“Not that I’ve ever seen or heard of. It would kind of defeat the Mother’s purpose if she let that happen, wouldn’t it?” Gevan had all his attention fixed on the eagle, and so did Elkan. Josiah gave into temptation and reached for Kevessa’s hand again. She accepted him, but kept their hands where they wouldn’t attract notice. He was happy to comply. There was no rush. She knew he was interested, and he knew she returned his interest. Soon enough they’d find a little privacy to explore further what that might mean.
Elkan stroked the eagle’s head, wincing a little. “You’re quite heavy,” he observed. “Perhaps you could move to my shoulder. Or would you rather fly?”
She answered by crouching and half spreading her wings. Elkan tossed her upward and she launched into flight.
“Does she understand your speech?” Gevan asked, fascination overcoming his wariness.
“Probably not. Familiars learn the language of the humans around them, but often not until after they’re bonded and their wizard can help them make sense of what they hear. I suppose we should take care to speak to her in Ramunnan and not Tevenaran, since she’s meant for a Ramunnan wizard.”
“You’re sure of that?” Gevan craned his neck to watch the eagle soar high above them.
“As sure as one can ever be of what the Mother plans.” Elkan jerked his head toward the palace. “Come on. We really must get at least a little sleep if we’re to be of any use tomorrow.”
Gevan hurried to keep up as Elkan strode away. “Who will it bond with?”
Elkan shrugged. “I don’t know, although I have my suspicions. The Mother will make it clear in time.”
“Like she did with Kevessa.” Gevan glanced over his shoulder. Josiah tensed but didn’t release Kevessa’s hand. That would draw attention to the fact he’d been holding it. It didn’t matter anyway. Gevan had no eyes for anything but the squirrel on his daughter’s shoulder.
“Probably. Until we get a Guildmaster in place and an apprenticing system set up, she’ll have to use the more direct method.”
“Hmm.” Gevan crossed his arms, tucking his hands tight against his body.
Kevessa kept her voice light. “Don’t worry, Father. The Mother only offers a familiar to those she thinks are likely to accept.”
He gave her a mock scowl. “What makes you think I wouldn’t?”
She laughed. “It would make your experiments easier, I suppose.”
He playfully deepened his frown. “Until it dragged me away from them to minister to the unwashed masses.”
She pointed at him. “That’s why I know you’d never agree to be a wizard. And that’s why the Mother won’t ask you.”
A little self-consciously Gevan uncrossed his arms. “My time is better spent on the things only I can do. There are plenty of others better suited to wave golden light around.”
Elkan gave him a rueful smile. “You think you’re joking, but you’re right. I still think your discoveries and inventions will end up doing more good for the people of Ramunna than a dozen wizards.”
“Ha! Only if the Matriarch lets me stop playing ambassador and return to them.”
“Soon, my friend, I hope. After the shipment of food sets sail.” Elkan sobered.
Kevessa squeezed Josiah’s hand hard. He returned the pressure, seeking to convey confidence he didn’t feel. “Don’t worry about Yoran. What can one crazy fanatic do, anyway, against the Mother’s power?”
She gave him a bleak look and turned away. He wished she’d argue with him, because then he might have a chance to persuade her. Her silence told him far more eloquently than words how seriously she took the Purifier’s threats.
Finally the
y reached the top of the steep hill and the Palace gates. The eagle swooped down and perched on Elkan’s shoulder. Josiah smothered a yawn. He wasn’t looking forward to the morning. Staying up half the night had to be a violation of the Law somehow. He’d pay for it in exhaustion tomorrow.
Still, he was sorry when Gevan dragged Kevessa off to speak to the Matriarch’s servants about preparing her a room. It would have been nice to slip away for a moment together, but it looked like that wasn’t going to happen tonight. They’d get their chance eventually, though. He’d make sure of it.
“What’s going on?” The Matriarch’s imperious voice rang through the entry hall. She swept into the room with as much dignity and presence as ever, though she was clad in an embroidered silk night-robe instead of her usual finery and her face lacked its customary paint. To Josiah the change made her look a little older and a lot more genuine. Like his mother or Master Dabiel, a strong and authoritative woman, not a stylized symbol of power.
Elkan inclined his head to her. “As soon as Ambassador Gevan gets his daughter settled, he can give you a full report. Kevessa was kidnapped by the Purifiers, but she’s safe now.”
The Matriarch’s eyes widened, but whatever interest she took in the news was lost in her intent focus on the eagle on Elkan’s shoulder. “What is this, wizard? Another of your creatures?”
“She is, your majesty. A Mother-touched Ramunnan animal, soon to be the familiar of a Ramunnan wizard. The beginning of your own Wizards’ Guild.”
The Matriarch came right up to him and stared at the eagle, who seemed to enjoy the attention. She shifted, as if to show her elegant, deadly profile to more advantage. When the Matriarch thrust out her arm, the eagle stepped onto it without hesitation.
“What a magnificent creature you are,” the Matriarch murmured. The eagle regarded her with an unblinking gaze.
Josiah tensed and glanced from the Matriarch to Elkan. There was something in the breathless expectation with which she waited…
The moment passed. The eagle shifted her weight, and the Matriarch passed her back to Elkan. “Most impressive. How will you decide who to bond her with?”
Beyond the Boundary Stones (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 3) Page 17
