Varian blinked in confusion. The hallucinations were fighting against themselves. What could that mean?
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw another arrow sticking out of the soft dirt. Blue fletching again. Was Lord Olivier shooting at him?
Varian looked into the bear's eyes, reaching out for its mind. Almost instantly, he felt contact and knew the creature was real.
He twisted the image the bear saw, intending to project the thought that he was merely a log.
The bear's tiny mind was no more malleable than a windstorm. If Varian could actually become a log, the bear would still attack and shred him.
Still, Varian had to do what he could to save his life. He forced the bear to look in the direction from which the arrows had come.
Through its eyes, Varian saw a man, barely visible in the shadows of the tree. With no small effort Varian redirected the animal toward the new target.
****
An hour later, while tracking the bear, and after forcing himself to vomit up the poison, Varian found Lord Olivier's cloak. It lay on the blood-stained ice amidst a clutter of broken tree branches.
His mind clear now, he believed Lord Olivier must have been under the influence of the same poison that had affected his own thoughts. Varian must have appeared to him as some enemy.
Now that the hallucinations were gone, he realized that Violetta hadn't been real. His mind had created all that, including his daughter's name.
His head ached, and his empty stomach cramped. He wanted nothing more than to be finished here and go back to the Tower.
Suddenly, he saw a movement against the trees. It was the bear, stalking slowly forward.
He tried to reach out with his mind to distract the bear as he had done before, but his head hurt too much. Grimacing, Varian reached for his bow as the creature shot forward from the forest edge.
Varian fired. Before waiting to see the effect, he reached for his next arrow, trying to stay calm. After a moment of aim, he fired.
The arrow plunged into the chest of the bear, joining two blue-fletched arrows. Varian realized the creature would be on him before a third shot could be fired.
His second shot struck the creature in the throat. The beast paused, gurgling blood. When the bear slowed, Varian had time for another shot.
The bear was almost on him when he released the arrow, and to his relief, the arrow sank into the bear's eye, causing it to roar and flail madly.
Surely, the corpse of this great animal was a worthy offering for Moonrazer.
****
Varian was surprised to see Lucan and Anthelme in the Candidates' room when he arrived, each with a mug of warm mead.
Anthelme saw the Prince and raised his drink as if in a toast. "Your Highness, I'm so glad you're back." He took a sip, then stood and took Varian's cloak and his sword.
"I am well. Have… the others returned?"
"Prince Raphael and Everard came back just before you did. Lord Olivier has not come back." The valet removed Varian's boots and began rubbing feeling back into his feet.
"Apparently, someone slipped something into Raphael and Everard's food," Lucan said, looking deeply thoughtful.
"Everard shot Raphael, thinking him to be a glacier deer," Anthelme said. "It seems there were mesmeric herbs in his food."
"Darkwater has gone out in search of Lord Olivier," Lucan said. "I fear his food was tainted as well."
"How did you fare, Lucan?" Varian asked. The man looked both uncertain and guilty.
"My stomach was upset the whole night. I chose not to eat that meal." Lucan looked up at him. "Were you poisoned as well, Prince Varian?"
"I was," Varian said. "I forced myself to vomit up the toxin when I realized what was happening."
Lucan took another gulp of mead, emptying his cup with a worried expression on his face.
Anthelme glanced at Varian knowingly. "Let me freshen your drink for you, Master Lucan. The mead is a welcome remedy for the cold."
"Thank you, no. I believe I've had enough." Lucan stood, stumbling slightly as he got to his feet.
"I wonder if someone is trying to kill us." Varian's gut told him that Lucan was concealing something.
"No." Lucan shook his head. "I'm sure someone is just trying to influence the outcome of the contest." He made for the door, then paused. "Otherwise whoever it was would have used something more potent and deadly."
"Indeed."
When Lucan was gone, Varian looked at Anthelme. "What does your empathy tell you?"
Anthelme rubbed his chin. "He knows who did it. I'd wager any amount of coin on it."
"But he didn't do it?"
"No. Whatever is going on, though, it's got him worried."
The door flew open then, and Lucan stumbled back into the room. "Lord Olivier's horse returned, alone." He picked up his goblet and went straight to the great flagon. "I volunteered to join the hunt for him, but it is not permitted. Darkwater's team is already out searching."
Varian met Anthelme's eyes. "Someone should tell Moonrazer."
"Well, we can't." Lucan gulped his mead. "We can talk to her tomorrow when we present our offerings. Not before." His eyes widened suddenly, as if in realization. "Could the mesmeric herbs have been a test of some kind? Maybe no one is trying to poison anyone. Whiteshadow will know. We should talk to her."
"Let's get you up to your room, Your Highness." Anthelme reached for Varian's arm.
Varian started to object. "I need to…"
Anthelme interrupted him. "You heard what Lucan said. He'll talk to Whiteshadow, and she'll take care of everything. My job is to look after you. After the ordeal you've been through, you need rest and solid food." Anthelme scowled at him.
"But…"
Anthelme winked.
The Prince understood. "You're right. I need to rest. My room is the best place for that."
"I'll bring you food and anything else you might need."
As soon as they were out of earshot, Anthelme said, "Whatever you know, you must tell the Exalted Warrior before Lucan talks to Whiteshadow. There's something about the Mother Prioress I don't trust."
Varian thought of her behavior at the Pageant. The Sisters of the Flame had been the ones to prepare the lunches.
"Agreed."
****
Moonrazer wandered into the stable. Whiteshadow had retired to meditate and pray for the Candidates, and the other Sisters of the Flame were running around doing errands to prepare for the Choosing Ritual.
The Candidates who had returned were secluded in their building.
Most of the Candidates' horses were in their assigned stalls, and she checked each one to see if there were any injuries. She didn't expect anything serious, but she knew the forest could be treacherous, especially for those unfamiliar with it.
Lucan's horse had marks she expected—scratches from the thorn-studded shrubs that grew near the forest floor. Even Wind Rider, a horse familiar with the forest, would have some minor scratches after a hunt like the Candidates had just been on.
The horses belonging to other Candidates hadn't fared as well.
Everard's mount, Indigo Storm, had some kind of injury to his right shin. Rohil, the Master Caretaker of Horses, was in the stall, checking the animal.
"Warrior." He stood. "I did not expect to see you here today."
"There is little to do in the Tower, and I miss spending time with the horses." She patted Indigo's nose and wished she'd thought to bring a treat.
"Wind Rider is ready for you, if you are interested."
A ride would be welcome. Maybe she could get away for a while before Whiteshadow found some part of the Choosing Ritual she needed to practice again. "Perhaps. How is Indigo Storm doing?"
Rohil shook his head as he wiped his hands on a towel tucked into the waistband of his pants. "I fear the wound is a bad one. His tendon has been damaged. I cleaned his wounds and have him immobilized, but I do not know if he will recover. He may have to be put down."
>
"Have you spoken to Master Everard?" Moonrazer knew her people would do their best to care for the animal, but she would not want to see him suffer. From the way Indigo behaved, she was sure Rohil had given him some herbal treatment to stem the pain.
"From what I understand, the man fared little better than the horse."
"What happened?"
The Master Caretaker looked as if debating with himself. "It was an arrow injury, Warrior."
"The Candidates were not shooting at each other?"
"I have said more than I should." Rohil looked away. "What happened is something for the Sword of Justice to decide."
This was not the way she'd envisioned this competition turning out. She felt numb.
Instead, she waved toward another stall. "And the rest of the Candidates' animals?"
"Shards of Omar, Prince Raphael's animal, suffered a few scratches, but nothing major. Obsidian Twilight, belonging to Prince Varian, has a large bruise on his side, but otherwise is in good shape considering what he brought back."
Moonrazer turned to the stablemaster. "Brought back?"
"Now, Warrior, I am not going to tell you what the Prince's offering is going to be." Rohil winked.
"Of course not." All this Ritual protocol was making her crazy.
"What about Lucan and Lord Olivier's mounts?" she asked.
"Smokey Traveler is fine. Lord Olivier's horse has just been returned to the stable, and I have not had a chance to look at him yet."
She decided to look for herself. She wandered back along the stalls until she found Lord Olivier's horse. The animal looked at her, almost sadly she thought. She stroked its mane, and it nuzzled against her.
"Warrior." A voice whispered from near the stable entrance.
She turned to see Anthelme, Prince Varian's valet, in the shadows.
"May I speak to you in private?" he asked.
"Of course."
"I'm sorry, Warrior. I know this is against the rules, but something happened out on the Hunt that you should know about."
"What is it?"
"I don't know the details, Warrior. Prince Varian needs to tell you himself."
"I am forbidden to speak to any of the Candidates before the Offering."
"I understand that, but I know Prince Varian. He is an honorable man, and he would never suggest breaking the rules if it wasn’t very important."
What he said about Prince Varian was true. If he wanted to talk to her before the Offering, she would probably be wise to hear what he had to say.
On the other hand, Whiteshadow had set down rules for the Rituals based on the Ancient texts. Should she risk Whiteshadow's wrath and possibly that of the Holy One?
"He wouldn't have sent me to find you if it wasn’t important."
"I am sure that is true." She paused, considering. "Where can we meet without Whiteshadow finding out?"
Anthelme grinned. "I think I know a place. It's amazing how many places a servant can go; how many nooks, crannies, and cupboards in which no lord, lady, Exalted Warrior, or Mother Prioress would think to go. I've taken it upon myself to explore your Tower when I didn't have any other duties, and to locate all the places too humble or ordinary to be seen."
Moonrazer tilted her head. "I am not sure I approve of you wandering about."
He made a dismissive gesture. "The safety of my Prince is my only motive. However, I think there are many places in the castle that are more private than you'd realize."
"Regardless of what Varian's urgent message may be, I am intrigued to see what secret things his valet has uncovered. Lead on."
****
Moonrazer couldn't believe she had never seen this hut before. Anthelme was correct. Rarely did she think about what her servants did when they were not working.
The woman who lived here, Diamondpike, was a kitchen worker. She was a little older than Oakgold, and even though she was an elder daughter, a lame leg had kept her from being a warrior.
"I am honored to have the Exalted Warrior here," Diamondpike said. Her waist-length blonde hair was pulled into an intricate braid. Her gray eyes lit up as she kissed Anthelme.
The Exalted Warrior smiled. Young love was always heartwarming to see.
"How long have you lived here?" Moonrazer asked, looking around the austere, but clean and neat home.
"Ever since the Sarl came back to Carrick, Warrior. My parents died before we moved back here, and I have no other family. Spearthrower took me to work in the kitchen and gave me this place. It used to be a pantry, but a newer, larger one was built soon after we arrived."
"Are you happy here?"
"Oh, yes. I never believed I would have my own home, or that any man would want me, given my flaw."
"Don't say that, Diamond," Anthelme said sternly. He took her hand and led her to a chair. "You are a beautiful woman, and besides, I've always wanted a lady who would have trouble catching me if I misbehave."
She rounded on him in mock anger. "Beware. My throwing arm is in fine shape."
Moonrazer cleared her throat.
"Right," Anthelme said. "I will go get the Prince."
Diamondpike bowed. "I must get to the kitchen. Please use my home as long as you need."
"I am honored to know you, Diamondpike. Thank you for your service."
Moonrazer and Anthelme watched her leave.
"She is a good woman." Moonrazer turned to the valet. "Are your intentions honorable?"
Anthelme blinked. "Warrior?"
"You are a stranger to Sarl, here only because Prince Varian is participating in the Rituals. Know that I would take it as a personal insult if you were to play false with her affections."
Now Anthelme bowed to her. "I'm not as much a rogue as you take me for."
Moonrazer stared at him, a single eyebrow raised in a silent question.
"I do not know what the future holds. I am bound to Varian, and she serves here. We both know that, but she is more to me than a temporary diversion, Warrior. If things were different—" A look of melancholy briefly shadowed his face, but then he brightened. A roguish smile lit his face. "Here's hoping you pick the right man."
"None of us can predict the future, Master Anthelme," Moonrazer said. "I have heard many things about the rare and wonderful herbs on Tellan. Perhaps it would benefit all Sarl to send Diamondpike there from time to time to increase her skill and further her education."
He beamed. "That would be a wonderful turn of events. I'd best fetch the Prince."
Chapter Eighteen
Whiteshadow knelt in the chapel. She'd found a spot where the weak afternoon sun had almost warmed the floor. The rest of the benches sat in cold shade.
The highly polished wooden star hanging above the altar gleamed, but Whiteshadow couldn't admire it today. Her mind was not on her surroundings or even her prayers. She yearned to be with Lucan; to have him hold her and renew her faith in the righteousness of her plans.
Lucan had returned from the Hunt, but she hadn't seen him. He'd left his spear on the balcony outside his room, a prearranged sign that he wanted to see her. She shivered as she remembered the weight of his body over her.
The rules said the Exalted Warrior couldn't speak to the Candidates, but nothing said the Mother Prioress couldn't.
However, having Lucan sneak into her room was too risky. He would have to wait. All the Candidates were in their rooms, and she could think of no legitimate reason to go there.
"Mother Whiteshadow." The urgency in the voice of Sister Greeneye made her turn around. "Sister Calmheart has returned from World Agebeve."
"And this is reason to interrupt my prayers?"
"She has important news about General Poliard. She is waiting for you at your quarters."
"Did she go inside?" Whiteshadow tried to remember if she had left any evidence of her plan or her relationship with Lucan where someone could see it.
"Of course not, Mother. All the Sisters of the Flame know that to violate the sacred space of the Mothe
r Prioress without an invitation requires the greatest penance."
"And that penance?"
"Four days of only water and one day of weak root soup, all spent in prayer in the corner of the chapel."
The Mother Prioress faced the altar again, satisfied. At least she had instilled that lesson. She'd never worried too much about the Sisters discovering her relationship with Lucan because of the rules she'd instituted.
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