When Frozbie woke from death into undeath, he found himself in a cottage deep in the woods. There Galee instructed Brandrahoon and Frozbie in the ways of the Lemyari. He had never forgotten what he learned, although thinking about it usually made him shake and shiver.
Malthus invited Frozbie over to his cottage for a drink on the grounds that he liked to get to know all the new people who came to live at Sanctuary. The mon appeared to consider himself some kind of guardian of the refugee camp, which puzzled Frozbie because he had been told that the person in charge was Vika.
His initial reaction had been to turn it down, but then he reminded himself that they were supposed to be investigating matters around the camp. Despite his white hair, Frozbie looked as if he was in his early thirties. Dyna had been introducing him to everyone as the children's uncle and he guessed that he had to act the part.
Which was how he wound up sitting across a table from Malthus Estrobian, feeling ill at ease and itching to go home.
"So you're their uncle? Malthus regarded Frozbie, looking not at all impressed.
"Yes. I'm Frozbie."
"That's an odd name. Where are you from?"
Frozbie swallowed, and squirmed a bit. Oh, here and there. All over really."
"I promised Beth Ryan, the original bitch in charge of the camp, that I would provide for and protect the people here. Many of them are vulnerable women and children. So you can understand my concern at having an adult male here that I don't know well."
Frozbie nodded. You told me that already. I'm not dangerous. Not dangerous at all."
"The most dangerous people in the world do not look dangerous at all."
"You're Waejontori, aren't you? Frozbie tried to change the subject. The mon made him feel very nervous.
Malthus looked at Frozbie as if he were an idiot. Yes. What else would I be?"
"Oh, I don't know. Sa'necari?"
"Is that what you think I am? Malthus voice lowered menacingly.
"No. You just asked a question about what you might be. I was just suggesting something. Just randomly popped into my head. I didn't say you were. In fact, I'm certain you aren't. But... Frozbie gave a helpless shrug. His gaze flicked across Malthus hands, moved to his face, and then flashed back to his fingers. Among the gleaming jewels adoring Malthus hands was a plain golden band with a thin decorated edge. It struck Frozbie as somehow familiar and he raked his memory for where he had seen it before.
Then it hit him: Waejonan. Brandrahoon had made the ring for his youngest brother. Waejonan betrayed Brandrahoon. When Anksha the Beast killed Waejonan, Brandrahoon reclaimed the ring.
What in the Nine Hells is Malthus doing with Waejonan's Ring? Frozbie could not imagine Brandrahoon letting the ring escape his possession. He eased his way from his chair. I need to be going. I think I hear one of the children calling me."
Malthus scowled and rose to his feet. I don't hear any children."
Frozbie backed toward the door. I've got very sharp ears."
"Don't move."
Frozbie turned and bolted through the door, running so fast that he started to stumble halfway to his home. He paused to catch his breath, leaning against a tree and glancing back to see if Malthus had followed him. Frozbie clasped his hands together to stop them from shaking. This could be something. This could be nothing. I could be mistaken. Oh, what do I do? What do I do?"
"Hiya, Frozbie."
Frozbie straightened with a shriek of terror before he saw Pieface standing beside him. Don't do that."
"I didn't mean to scare you. Pieface craned his head to look up at Frozbie.
"Walk me home?"
"Sure thing, Old Chap. Pieface swaggered toward home with Frozbie at his side.
"Old Chap?"
"Yeah, that's what the soggy camel drivers called each other."
"One of these days. One of these days. Frozbie shivered.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
FEVER
Shalto Beggins left the Difficult Horse late, glanced up at the night sky and shivered. He had forgotten that tonight was dark-of-the-moon. He walked down Main Street, feeling uneasy. A few months ago, he would have had friends along. Yren, Nesswen, Torquil, Rheu, and Preecethey were all dead. The dog wolves who sometimes ran with Shalto were backing away from him as if he had the plague, frightened by the deaths among their dominant members.
Fear dogged his steps. Small flurries of snow drifted down around him, making it harder to see. The swift changes in Shalto's situation left him feeling bereft and uncertain. Malthus had built them up, made him and the others feel powerful and dangerous. The sensation of being the big dogs in Wolffgard had been heady and intoxicatingand entirely too brief. He struggled to decide where it had all gone wrong, and kept coming back to Kady Wiggins. Cormic Parry should have left her alone. But how could anyone know that a slut like Kady would end up married to Kynyr Maguire ... or that he would go after the ones who had raped her with such ferocity.
"Hello, Shalto."
Shalto backed away from the figure emerging from the darkness of an alley mouth. Maguire. What do you want?"
"What do you think?"
Shalto's stomach clenched and soured as he saw death coming for him in the depths of Kynyr's cobalt eyes. Oh, gods. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. It was Preece. Preece put the knife in your back."
"Nice to know, but it's the wrong answer. The ice and steel in Kynyr's glance changed Shalto's fear to panic.
He spun about seeking a direction in which to run and saw Finn MacIver closing on him. Ambush. Shalto had participated in enough of those to recognize the pattern as he saw Erskine Faraday appear out of the snow flurries to his right and Vayle Stewart to his left. He had nowhere to run.
Kynyr had brought his friends to corner Shalto, knowing that as bad as he was hurting he would never be able to chase the Lycamornot down.
Finn's lip curled back from his teeth in a snarl of contempt as he hit Shalto, knocking him into the dirt-streaked snow.
Erskine kicked Shalto in the ribs. That's for Iollen."
"Bastard. Vayle's boot connected with his side and he screamed, scrabbling over onto his stomach to protect his belly.
The three myn herded Shalto toward Kynyr with a rain of heavy blows.
Shalto crawled to Kynyr, turning desperate beseeching eyes on him. Please, Kynyr. Let me go."
Kynyr stared down at him, brooding and vengeful. His body cramped, pain radiating through every fiber of his being, and Kynyr realized that he needed to finish this matter while he could still stand.
"You killed Caimbeul. Kynyr grabbed Shalto, jerked him close, and shoved a blade into his kidneys, twisted it in the wound and dropped him.
Shalto grunted and a low moan escaped his lips, but he was in too much pain to form words. They dragged him into the alley. Kynyr pinned a note on his chest, and they dumped him behind a group of trash bins to finish dying where no one would find him before morning. He lost consciousness as his blood stained the gathering snow.
Kynyr Maguire walked toward their horses with his friends trailing after him. Pain tore him. His stomach cramped violently and his muscles failed him. Kynyr swayed, overwhelmed by the grinding distress in his body. He crumpled. Help me."
His eyes closed and lay unmoving.
Finn knelt and shook him. Kynyr?"
Getting no response, Finn touched his spiritbrother's face and looked up worried. Fever. He's hotter'n Bellocar's arse."
"Take him to Cahira? Vayle looked to Erskine for an answer.
Erskine shook his head. Mary. We don't want anyone to know we were here tonight."
Vayle and Finn shouldered Kynyr between them and reached their horses. Erskine took Kynyr up in the saddle before him, and cradled his friend as they rode through town. He say anything before about feeling sick?"
"Headaches. Finn glanced back worried. He's been complaining of them for weeks."
* * * *
Kady sat with Mary and Trevor in the kitchen. Kynyr had st
opped by earlier long enough to tell Trevor that he was going after another of Caimbeul's killers that night and that he would come there when he was done. Larena had sat with them for a time; however, when the hour grew late, Larena had begged off and gone to bed, leaving the three of them alone.
Staring into her cup of strong tea, Kady sighed. I hate when he does this. I'm always afraid for him."
"Don't be. Trevor patted her hand. Kynyr's good with his blades, and he didn't go alone."
Mary perked up at the sound of the front door opening and gave Kady a smile of encouragement. That must be Kynyr."
Kady rose and headed for the front room with Mary walking beside her. Oh, gods... Her hand went to her mouth.
Kynyr hung limp, supported between Erskine and Vayle. She started toward them.
Mary reached him first, her healer training and good sense kicking in. Put him in the guestroom bed. It will be easier to handle him there."
"Is he wounded? Kady's gaze searched Kynyr's body for bloodstains and found none.
"Sick, answered Erskine. Shalto didn't get a blow in before Kynyr killed him."
Mary threw back the covers, and the two guardsmyn lowered Kynyr onto the bed. Erskine pulled Kynyr's shoes and socks off. Trevor undressed him. They got him settled between the blankets.
"What's wrong with him? Finn asked.
"Give me a moment. Mary sat down on a chair.
Kynyr's face looked pale with bright fever splotches on his cheeks. One of his arms lay palm up. She saw the red speckling scattered from his palm to the inside of his elbow, grasped his wrist, and Read him. Mary's face turned grave. It's Black Mountain Fever."
"He's going to be alright, isn't he? Finn asked.
"No, he isn't. Erskine laid a hand on Finn's shoulder. That's what killed my father."
"There's no cure for it. The few, pitiably few, that survive experience some degree of paralysis. As advanced as the symptoms are... Mary hesitated and then started talking again. I'd say he's dying."
A sob forced its way from Kady's lips and tears ran down her face. Trevor pulled her into his arms and held her, stroking her hair and murmuring words of comfort.
Mary turned to Erskine. Fetch Sheradyn. He's closest. This is more than I can handle."
Kady pulled loose from Trevor, dragged a chair to the bedside, and sat clutching Kynyr's hand. Her mouth was tight, sorrow edged her eyes and furrowed her brow. How long do you think he's been sick?"
"Several weeks, Mary answered.
"Now I know why he hasn't been coming home."
* * * *
Sheradyn arrived bundled up in a heavy cloak with Gillivray beside him. They set up their satchels and equipment on a small table that had been moved close to the bedside. Sheradyn did a visual check first, as he always did, examining the rash on Kynyr's forearms, feeling the fever in his forehead, and Read him. The old healer searched Kynyr's body chemistry for a long time before shaking his head sadly. Your diagnosis is correct, Mary. It is Black Mountain Fever."
Kady looked from Mary to Sheradyn and back again. But he is going to be alright, isn't he?"
"No, child. He isn't. The survival rate for Black Mountain Fever is less than ten percent. Those who do manage to survive it are never quite right again. Paralysis, chronic exhaustion, breathing problems are most common."
Kady fought back tears and stalked from the room, certain that there had to be an answer to healing Kynyr.
Mary trailed after her. I'm sorry, Kady. I know how much you love him."
Damayanti curled around Kady's feet, purring. She scooped the cat up and held her. I'm not giving up, Mary. I need to go to Creeya. I need to talk to Lord Channadar. If anyone has the answers, it will be him. Kady still did not know the ways of magic or had been able to identify her gifts that Cahira insisted she had. From extensive reading, she knew that, in theory, emotion magnified the gifts. She focused on Lord Channadar as hard as she could, reaching for him with her mind in a call for help. Her body tingled with the magic that desperation kindled. Kady and the cat vanished.
She found herself standing in the Grand Central Hall of the Grand Master's Palace with the cat in her arms. Lord Channadar stared at her with his head tilted ever so slightly to the side. Lady Maguire?"
Kady blinked at him. The shock of translocation had left her weak and disoriented. She swayed unsteadily, wondering how Cahira managed it.
"Catch her, shouted Channadar.
Tiderider sprang forward, wrapping his arms around Kady. She looked up at him, tried to say thank you, and fainted.
* * * *
Mary kept praying that someone would have an alternative diagnosis. Wolffgard's population of healers with the Reader gift had grown since her mother-in-law's arrival last summer from having just Baroucha Seaver to now being home to Pandeena, Toniqua, Cahira, Mary, Sheradyn, and Gillivray. Their presence had reduced the workload on each of them.
Trevor woke Cooley, got him bundled warmly, and sent him for Pandeena, Toniqua, and Cahira. Mounted on Larkspur, no one could ride as swiftly as Cooley. Pandeena and Cahira could both Jump, so all three of them arrived within minutes of Cooley reaching them.
Mary despaired as one after another of them confirmed her initial diagnosis. Her daughter Betrys sat with Kynyr while the rest of them gathered in the largest drawing room. Artair had stayed behind to tend to the shop.
Cahira sat on a sofa with Todd's arm around her shoulders. Gillivray and Sheradyn had taken over one of the tables. Finn stood with his shoulder against a wall near the door, while Trevor paced restlessly back and forth. Mary, Pandeena, and Toniqua occupied a trio of chairs near the hearth.
Pandeena ventured into the yawning silence. Someone needs to inform Claw."
"I'll do it. Todd rose sluggishly from the sofa and headed for the back door.
Finn's face was tight with grief. Once Claw has been informed, I'll speak to Kynyr's friends in the guard. We'll see that he's not left alone."
Mary could not bring herself to say the word deathwatch but she knew that was what Finn meant. Thank you."
"Where's Kady? Pandeena's gaze swept their faces. I haven't seen her since we got here."
"She was standing here, holding Damayanti, swearing there had to be a cure... Mary twirled a strand of auburn hair. Then she just vanished."
"Vanished? You mean Jumped?"
Mary nodded.
"Where would she go?"
"Creeya. Probably to Lord Channadar."
Pandeena considered for a moment. I'll send Hathura to look for her ... make certain she's alright."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
PRAYERS FOR THE DYING
Todd Sinclair stood staring up at Redhand Manor. The last time he had been to the manor, he had brought his sons Trevor and Queran with him because Cahira had sensed that Kynyr had been wounded. He swept his gaze across the empty fields behind the manor, wearing winter drab colors although none of the snows had stuck to the ground, melting at the first kiss of dawn.
The haunted calm of the battlefield lay in his eyes and melancholy lurked behind the hard line of his mouth. He breathed in shuddering sighs, struggling with what to say to Claw when he faced him.
Images kept flooding Todd's mind.
Kynyr crawling across the floor with his nappies dragging, a toy soldier gripped tightly in his hand just before hitting Finn with it and saying, brub."
Teaching Kynyr to swim. Taking him fishing. Teaching him to hunt, fight, and ride. The time that Todd and seven-year-old Kynyr had deliberately rolled naked in the mud together so they could go home filthy and appall the Dreaded Horde.
The sorrow welling inside Todd nearly unmanned him.
I've outlived all three of them. Tarrant, Branduff, and now Kynyr. It's wrong.
Georgie Rogan the head groom emerged from the stables. Need something, Todd?"
"Take care of my horse. Todd's gaze fixed on the door, knowing that he had to go inside.
Georgie took the reins and stood holding them. Some
thing bothering you?"
"Not now, Georgie. Tell you later."
Todd knocked on the door to the manor and Kissie let him in. She extended her hands as he removed his cloak. He gave it to her and she hung it from a peg in the foyer.
"I need to speak with Claw. I want his family present. I have bad news and I only want to tell it once."
"Master Kynyr?"
"Yes."
Kissie's face fell. I'm sorry."
"So am I."
She showed him up to the Blue Room. Claw, in his wheel-chair, rolled forward to meet him. Aisha sat near the fire in the hearth wrapped in a dark umber shawl, watching him. Merissa and Malthus occupied a sofa. Fianait had her embroidery on her lap with a basket of floss on the table beside her.
"Well, what is it, Todd? Claw demanded.
"Where's Searlait? Todd's eyes went empty as he encountered Malthus gaze. He remembered the day of Eideard's funeral. Todd had meant to kill Malthus that day, but Caimbeul had interfered and reminded him of the laws.
"She's never around at this time of day. Claw's brow furrowed. What is it?"
Todd scanned the faces of Claw's bitches and then turned again to the chieftain. It's about Kynyr."
Aisha's lips tightened. Has something happened to him?"
Malthus put his arm around Merissa.
"Black Mountain Fever. We're losing him. Todd stared at the ceiling beams, his lips parted, and the lines of his face etched with sorrow.
Merissa gave a strangled sob and fled the room with Malthus trailing after her. Aisha pressed her face into her hands. Fianait turned pale and tears crept from her eyes.
Claw's gaze swept his bitches, took in all their reactions, and gestured at them. Everyone out, but Todd."
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