by Lexy Wolfe
Ursin growled, raising his fist as if to backhand Nolyn before he relaxed with a grunt. "Impertinent—!" He shook his head. "My donkey. Got her from a farmer as payment for dealing with a lupine problem he was having. Answers to the name, too. She can hold her own in a fight. Don't often find domestic beasts that smart." He sighed. "So, I was intending to go hunting for this shadow beast when I heard you were lurking around. Found it hard to believe she did as I asked her. Had to see for myself."
"Master Eptina is not a terrible person. A bit young and naïve maybe," Nolyn said, half lost in thought. Taking another long drink, he said, "Ursin, wait until I scout things out before you head out to Andar, hm? I'm supposed to be having dinner at the Dyndrai house tonight and I'll be speaking with Eptina afterwards."
Ursin squinted at Nolyn for a long time before he reached into his pocket and tossed a small pouch at him. "That is a Vodani antidote to most known poisons used between Forenta and the south coast of Sevmana. Make sure you keep it with you."
"For the shadow beast?" Marcus asked. "You think it's venomous?"
"Feh. For that dinner, boy. Wouldn't trust anything under those branches."
Marcus swallowed, looking at Nolyn's profile, the man lost in thought. "Oh," the boy said in a small voice. "I-I see."
Ursin watched Marcus for a moment then bellowed, "Rosaline! Bring some of that stew and bread! This boy could get blown away in a stiff breeze!"
Chapter 26
Nolyn and Marcus arrived at the front door of the Dyndrai estate a few minutes later than the time Eptina told them. Pausing before the door, Nolyn turned to his apprentice, straightening his robes like a father would his son's. Marcus glanced at the door, worry in his eyes. "You are sure they will not be angry we are not on time?"
A wry smile curled Nolyn's lip. "Oh, I am quite certain they will be rather put out. The only thing worse would be not to send word ahead that we were arriving." He patted Marcus' shoulder. "Do not worry yourself over the matter."
"But, Master," Marcus began, his fretting apparent.
Nolyn sighed. "Marcus, listen. It is the language of high society, and I am using it to make sure Master Kerburn and the rest of the family hears me. You may as well start learning it now. You will need it when you reach your mastery in the future and you have earned a place in high society, no matter your birth.
"Those who are born into high society are grudging in according the respect to those who have earned their places, such as any technical or teaching master or even the Se'edai himself. If you do not stand up and demand respect from them, they will not give it, and that lack would lessen you in the eyes of everyone. I am well within my right to arrive whenever I damned well please because I am the second on the Edai Tredecima. The only people I must defer to at all are the Se'edai, the Illaini, and the Voice of the Oracle.
"Even if the Dyndrai invited me, I outrank them. Custom demands they must wait until I arrive. That I am only a little late is a courtesy to them." Brushing off a bit of dust from Marcus's shoulder, Nolyn smiled. "The Lirai may not be as high socially as the Dyndrai, but we are still grudgingly considered highborn because of the sheer number of technical masters that we have. There are several what could be called 'midborn' families, stuck between the lowborn without magic talent or strength and the highborn with both. And with rumors that they do not accord the Edai Tredecima the proper respect, I am making sure they are aware of who I am and what I am doing."
Marcus tilted his head to one side. "The language of high society sounds... complicated. Highborn always bewildered me."
"It is about subtlety." He patted Marcus's shoulder. "Just remain silent and watch. The language of high society is less about what is said than what is done and what is left unsaid. Trust your instincts. When you suspect something is off, look closer at body language, at actions. Listen to intonation and the nuances of the double meanings of words."
"Yes, Master Nolyn."
Satisfied, Nolyn rapped the knocking plate in the door. The servant, perhaps the same age as Marcus, looked relieved to see him, waving for the pair to follow her. "Master Kerburn is quite cross about the delay, Edai Magus," she said in a low voice as they approached the dining room. "Please do not blame Master Eptina for his temper." Nolyn nodded slightly in acknowledgement as he and Marcus entered the room, all eyes turning towards them.
"It is about time you showed up, Lirai," the older man seated at the head of the table all but shouted, lurching to his feet. Face red beneath a salt and pepper beard from an excess of drink, he glared blearily. "My daughter informed you when to be here. I expect you to show more punctuality!"
Nolyn arched an eyebrow. "I know you are not taking a member of the Edai Tredecima to task, Master Kerburn." Nolyn continued in casual tones as he took his seat across from Eptina, Marcus to his right. "I do apologize for being as late as I was, but I had to speak with the Tree of Knowledge's Master Keeper to request copies of several records Master Ellis Avarian requested. Having known the Se'edai Magus most of my life, I know what kind of temper he has if his tasks are not given the highest priority."
The other members of the family around the table traded surprised, worried looks at this insight into Ellis Avarian's temper. Kerburn glanced at Eptina, who only shrugged, as bewildered and concerned as the others. "I would never question the Edai Tredecima or the Se'edai Magus," he growled, giving Eptina a scathing look when she coughed delicately into her wine glass. "We are honored you were able to tear yourself away from official duties."
"Time waits only for the Timeless One," Nolyn quipped. "But the Master Keeper is quite skilled. Once I had given him the details of what I sought, I was able to make time to spend in the delightful company of the Dyndrai family." He waved a hand in a magnanimous gesture. "Please, don't let me delay your repast any longer."
Numerous servants emerged with platters and tureens of many foods, serving Nolyn, then Eptina before Kerburn and the other members of the family. The reminder of Nolyn's true status rankled the old man, his dark scowl moving between his food and Nolyn. Talk around the table centered on local gossip, an upcoming festival in a nearby village beholden to Quoesia, and fashion trends coming from Ithesra. Nolyn noted that Eptina engaged in only enough conversation to be polite, looking as eager as he felt for the meal to end.
Noticing Marcus glancing at Kerburn and shuddering, Nolyn leaned over to whisper to his apprentice. "Are you all right?"
Stammering between an affirmative and negatory response, the boy finally sighed and simply nodded. "I cannot put words to it, but something feels… not right, Master." Nolyn made a noncommittal sound, patting Marcus's arm in reassurance.
After dessert, Eptina stood with cool regality, regarding her father but avoiding the man's eyes. "Edai Magus Nolyn and I have some business to attend to, Master Kerburn. We will be retiring to my suite for drinks."
Before the man could argue, Nolyn rose, nudging Marcus to do the same. "Dinner was exceptional. Please give your cooks my thanks for their efforts." He stated the last loudly, glancing towards the servants' entrance. The surprise and gratitude in the eyes of those servants there could be seen spreading among the others as they repeated his words to the others. "I expect that we will be tied up until late with our discussions. Please do not feel obligated to await our return."
"Don't worry, we won't," Kerburn growled under his breath. He cleared his throat when Nolyn arched an eyebrow at him and stated clearly, "Thank you for your consideration, Edai Magus Nolyn Lirai."
As they walked down the hall, Eptina glanced over her shoulder to Marcus trailing them. Leaning closer to Nolyn, she murmured, "I had been hoping for a little more privacy for our discussion."
Nolyn offered a congenial smile, his voice as soft as hers. "It cannot be helped, I am afraid. It is tradition for apprentices to remain near their masters as much as possible the first few years, after all." Not that I would abandon him to contend with this lot alone, he thought to himself. He caught Marcus's eye, winking at h
im. The young man straightened, squaring his shoulders with pride. Both glanced over the library, noting the layout and structure as Eptina closed the door. She spoke in a firm voice, casting a privacy spell over the room.
Several tiny objects scattered through the room began trembling, adversely affected by the spell, causing Eptina to flush in shame. Nolyn blinked at the quantity of objects that had magic imbued in them to enable spying. Holding up a hand, he said, "Please, allow me, Master Eptina." Sharp words dispelled the enchantments, leaving them in true privacy.
Both master and apprentice put on faces that dismissed the espionage attempt by the woman's family. "Master Eptina, where do you keep the glasses and drink you wish to have?" Marcus asked with great deference.
"The cabinet with the silver etching over there," she replied, waving her hand in its direction. She watched him as he went to get drinks for them, noting to Nolyn, "I must confess, I am surprised Master Ellis finally talked you into taking an apprentice. You had been quite resistant ever since he first mentioned it."
"I am very particular in who I share my company with," Nolyn replied. "Always have been, really. Marcus has proven himself more than acceptable to me." He nodded to Marcus as the boy handed him a glass, waiting until he had served Eptina as well. "I understand you are between apprentices yourself. The last one did not work out? Rissia, I believe was her name."
Eptina wrinkled her nose delicately. "Technically capable, but she lacked creativity. You know as well as I, a master needs to be able to adapt to a situation as needed. I had held out hope for Rissia, but I did not wish to see her lose her life. After the first two times of nearly losing her when bandits or beasts set upon my retinue while traveling the remote reaches of Estania, I knew it was tempting fate to keep her.
Nolyn arched an eyebrow at this unusual show of concern for another's welfare by the highborn woman. He hid his surprise behind taking a sip of wine. "So, tell me more of the trouble coming out of Andar. The heart of the region had been isolated because of the fire that killed everyone but the Illaini Magus. More than twenty years or so ago now. And most of the smaller settlements had been vacated without a central seat to turn to."
The woman pressed her lips together in annoyance. "Once Master Ash Andar... forgive me. Avarian. The difficulties began shortly after he earned his mastery and made Illaini. Many of the local hunters and trappers began complaining about the barriers. They were certain that the best game was beyond the barriers and they were simply providing a refuge for the best game to avoid the hunter's arrows."
Marcus blurted out in shock, "You didn't take down the Andarian barriers, did you?" Nolyn choked on his wine, coughing to hide his amusement at the boy's brazenness. Marcus turned bright red, looking down in shame at the woman's dark look. "Forgive me, Master Eptina."
Nolyn patted Marcus's arm, clearing his throat. "I would have asked the same, if I could have swallowed the sip I had already taken," he assured. He turned his intent gaze to her and said after some time, "It wasn't you. But someone in your family had."
"No, the barrier… it is not gone," Eptina stated, her upset showing through her impassivity. "But someone or something created holes to allow people access within the area that have started eroding the Andarian barrier. At first, only those who went passed the barrier were the ones afflicted with the nightmares. Or disappeared altogether. So, I ordered, I believed unnecessarily because people are not that supposed to be that foolish, no one to go past the barrier."
Nolyn drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair, musing to himself. "So, Bennu and Ellis's suspicions were correct. There was something in Andar. Still is something in Andar, it seems." He watched Eptina. "Whatever is inside the barriers has come out."
Eptina focused her gaze on the reflection of light from her wine. "It is… hard to say with any certainty. But I believe so, yes. Though whatever the monster is, it has not abandoned Andar, despite that it can get through the barriers now. I can only guess that it has claimed it as its territory and any who enter Gallilae is treated as an intruder. I had taken an expedition to attempt to deal with the matter after the last congress of the Edai Tredecima. But…" Her voice drifted off as she closed her eyes, but a tear slipped through her tightly closed eyes.
Marcus and Nolyn traded worried looks before Nolyn moved to sit beside Eptina, taking her glass gently and handing it to Marcus before he put his arms around the woman. Out of respect, Marcus went over to the cabinet. He took his time taking down a new glass and filling it with a stronger alcohol, not looking as Nolyn comforted Eptina. "Tell me what happened."
"It was horrible what it did to-to my horse Juniper," Eptina whispered harshly. "I had had that horse since I was a little girl and it-it just ripped her throat out. Then it came after me and..." She took a shuddering breath. "My guard Danel protected me by putting himself between me and the monster. His screams when it touched him! By the great mother, I have never heard the like."
Nolyn nodded to Marcus and held the glass to Eptina. She accepted it and took a deep drink. Not looking up, she murmured, "The monster left Danel, and dragged my horse off into the forest. I was... I couldn't think of what to do and Danel... the others had fled in terror. I cannot blame them, they probably thought I would soon be dead, the thing was looming over me." She raised her eyes to Nolyn's. "That woodsman showed up and his presence seemed to have frightened the monster away for some reason. Danel lives, but it might be more merciful if we killed him. I don't know if he's any of his mind left. The healers keep him doctored with sleeping draughts, else we fear his throat would bleed from the screams."
"Can you describe the thing that attacked you?" Nolyn kept his tones carefully neutral, trying to soothe the agitation he felt in the slender woman's body.
"It was monstrous. Dark and filthy. Its eyes were the most unholy things I had ever seen! And it had wings. Like a bird, except…" She shook her head with tiny, furtive movements. "More like those dead pheasants in the markets hanging on hooks. All tattered and ruined." Marcus took a reflexive step back, his eyes open very wide.
Nolyn pretended not to notice his apprentice's reaction, giving his attention to the woman he held as he tried to draw out more information. "Who was it that damaged the Andarian barrier? You are certain it was one of your family?"
Hesitant, she nodded, not looking up. "I-I think so. No one has said they had, but they are the only ones… the only ones I think who would do such a thing." She exhaled heavily. "I am not… they do not trust me. There are many secrets, but it is so hard to discover them without Father noticing."
Nolyn was silent for several minutes before he made a decision. "Marcus and I will go to Andar to investigate for ourselves. When we return, I want you to come back to Ithesra with me to speak with the Se'edai Magus about this."
The apprentice stared at his master in shock, stammering, "We-we are going to Andar? Alone?"
Eptina looked up with a sharp intake of breath. "I cannot betray my own family!" she whispered.
Nolyn put his hand on her cheek. "Eptina, you are Edai Magus. Our duty to Forenta must come before all else, even our families. No matter what rumors the other highborn try to create about him, believe me when I tell you that Ellis is a fair man. He will know best how to manage things to minimize the damage to you and the Dyndrai family, but someone must answer for this. Once Marcus and I return from Andar—"
"You can't possibly be considering going with only an apprentice?!" Eptina clutched the front of Nolyn's tunic. "Must you see how it ravaged Danel before you believe it is too dangerous? How some of the other survivors still suffer?!"
Gently, but firmly, he pushed her hands away and stood. "Duty to Forenta comes before everything, Eptina. That is why we serve on the Edai Tredecima. If you do not think you can do that, I suggest you go to the Voice of the Oracle to beg forgiveness from our great mother for your lack and ask to be released from the responsibilities. Better to admit to your own weaknesses than be deemed unfit in a public manner."
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br /> "I-I cannot… I do not want to give up my position." She closed her eyes, hands clenched in her lap. "I will… do as you demand, Edai Magus."
He beckoned to the wide-eyed Marcus to follow him as he headed for the door. "Good. It would also reflect better on you than if I return and make the recommendation for your removal myself." He paused at the door and said, "The evening was most enlightening, Edai Magus. I will be in touch once we return."
When they were well away, Marcus found his voice again. "Are you going to ask your friend Ursin to come with us?"
"No. I'm not risking the only man who could get away from Quoesia without the Dyndrai knowing. If things go wrong, he can tell the Edai Tredecima what he knows about what's going on here." He smiled a little. "Don't worry, Marcus. I know my way around the woods. I'll keep you safe and we'll be in and out in no time."
Marcus nodded, dubious. "If-if you say so, Master."
Chapter 27
Even though the late spring sun was high in the sky, the air was chill and oppressive as the pair neared the magical barrier. They stopped before it, looking at it in awe. Carefully, they reached out to touch it, running their hands over it as though the invisible barrier were made of smooth stone. "They teach us about the barrier at the academy," Marcus breathed. "The words they describe it with are so… inadequate. It is magnificent."
Nolyn closed his eyes, reaching out to examine it with his inner eye. "It is, but there is definitely something wrong. The pulse is off rhythm." He took slow steps along the barrier, his hands remaining in contact until he reached a place that made him lurch forward at the abruptness of the lack. He opened his eyes, a frown darkening his features. "No doubt now. Someone purposely damaged the barrier. Fools."
Marcus hesitated when Nolyn took a step towards the barrier breech. "Master? I-I do not think we should-should go in there." He pulled the man back by the arm. "We should talk to Master Ellis at least. Or-or get Unsvet Guardian Valerian to come here, too."
