by Karen MacRae
“That’s a ridiculous comparison!”
“She’s a Shaper. She may have good intentions, but she could still be turned.”
“Peyton and Ffion swear that she’s only ever acted in good faith. She was also on her way to Ionantis when they met her. No Black could hope to escape detection by the High Quorum.”
“So she says, but she also told Peyton and Ffion that she couldn’t Heal herself and she has since done it on more than one occasion.”
“Bah! There’s a simple explanation for that: young Finn is a mirror for any who Read.”
“She swore to serve the King. No Black would do that. It ties her for life to the King’s ideals.”
“Unless she can break it.”
“You think she could break the King’s Oath?”
“I don’t know about break it, but it seems likely that she could remove it and then use it as she pleases.”
“The law is the law. Shaping is punishable by death. She’s admitted to breaking the law on hundreds of occasions.”
“Perhaps the law needs to be changed?”
“Perhaps, but what if the next Shaper is not raised by a Healer? What if they’re born to be Black?”
“With the correct training and the correct oversight, she could be invaluable, but we have no one to teach her.”
“She is too powerful.”
“What if Nystrieth finds a way to harness her when she’s in the King’s presence?”
“The oath should prevent it. Even if it fails, no Channeller could get past Lady Braxton.”
“And Lady Braxton has no other duties? No, we cannot allow the girl to have anything to do with the Royal family.”
“Are we overlooking the fact that she is a White Shaper and fundamentally good?”
“More importantly, are we overlooking the fact that she is the only person we know of who might be able to stand against Nystrieth?”
The room fell quiet. Here was the very nub of the matter. In two years, the Black Shaper would be at their door. They would be grossly outnumbered. They could rally ten times more gifted than he could field, but yesterday’s demonstration had confirmed that Nystrieth could wipe them out without even breaking a sweat. He would not have Anna’s moral compass. There would be no stunning his enemy. He would kill and not think twice.
Lady Braxton spoke into the silence. “Perhaps the light has given us a gift?”
King Rybis stood. His Council left their seats and formed a line before him. All bowed or curtsied before their liege lord.
“Do not question me in this. Anna Northcott is under my protection. I feel her loyalty just as I feel yours and every other man or woman who has ever sworn. She will willingly give her life to protect this Kingdom, its King and its people. She must, however, receive training. Lady Braxton, you will instruct her in Reading. General Braxton, you will ensure she receives training in close combat, horsemanship, weaponry and tactics. Lord Edevan, you will oversee her education in Shaping. Kindly do your best to prevent anyone coming to any permanent harm. Lady Kuri, you will ensure that she is received into the High Quorum. I understand your colleagues will be resistant. Overcome it. And do so with haste. I expect you to leave for Ionantis first thing in the morning. Lord Witheridge, you must work with Anna to understand her crystals and energy. We must learn to harness their potential. Lord Cassidy, you will oversee the programme and report directly to me. You will also inform Miss Northcott of our decision. I must return to the capital.”
As each order was given and questions answered, the King deliberately reinforced the tiny, golden circles over his Councillors’ hearts. He didn’t fear their disobedience, but nothing could be left to chance. They must be totally committed to success.
When all fell silent, he looked at each of his subjects in turn. His face was grave, his voice resonant as he addressed them. “We must not fail, my Council. Nystrieth is coming.”
The Council left in silence. Seleste materialised from the darkness of the far corner of the Great Hall, her dark complexion and clothing having kept her invisible throughout proceedings. She crossed the room and bowed deeply before the King.
“You are to be her shadow, Miss Peyton. She must be protected, but she must not be turned.”
“I understand, sire.”
“I leave for Alscombe this evening. I expect an initial report to await me on my arrival and one each day thereafter. The unbridled truth and nothing less, Miss Peyton. And for my eyes only.”
Spider’s sister went straight to Anna’s room after the King had completed his instructions. The best way to shadow someone was in plain sight. She met Lord Cassidy outside the Shaper’s door. He looked at her inquisitively then gave her a nod and a small smile. He’d worked out why she was there and approved. They entered the room together to find the Shaper talking with Aibreann, Sy and Spider. The conversation faltered. Anna stood to face Lord Cassidy. Seleste closed the door behind them.
“Miss Northcott, the King apologises for not being able to tell you of the panel’s decision himself. He has been called away on urgent business. He asked me to inform you that you have been pardoned for all offences relating to the Shaping laws. You will remain exempt of these laws as long as any Shaping you undertake is in the defence of King or country, in the defence of the King’s Law or is a necessary part of your duties in the King’s service. You are to remain here in Alsham while you receive training. If all goes satisfactorily, you will be admitted to both the Quorum of Gifted and the King’s Circle.”
Anna’s heart had leapt with joy. She didn’t know what the King’s Circle was or what the training or service might involve, but she knew she would live and she would have purpose in her life. She dropped into a deep curtsey and bowed her head before Lord Cassidy. “Thank you, milord.”
“You’re welcome, my dear. You might be surprised to learn I’m delighted to have you on board. I’ll see you first thing in the morning. Seleste here will show you the way to my office. An hour after first bell, mind. We have a lot of work to do.”
Anna gawped. Gone was the grumpy, easily offended boor with the purple aura. Here was a man with a pale yellow aura that glowed with a strong sense of duty.
“Yes, you’ll find me a bit hard to Read, child. Chameleon aura you see. I can change it at whim.” With a great bellow of a laugh, Lord Cassidy made for the door.
Anna was immediately hauled into a group hug. Seleste stood back and gave a minute grimace. She greatly disliked overt shows of affection. Once the group had untangled itself and the cries of congratulations had calmed, she took a step forward.
“Anna, King Rybis has asked that I join your training programme. He thought you could use the company and I will also benefit from undertaking many of the different elements. I hope you don’t mind? You’re going to see an awful lot of me and I know I’m not the easiest person to be around.”
Anna couldn’t Read the young woman’s aura. It was so still, she gave nothing away, but the words were said with warmth and humility. She fell for it. “Of course, Seleste!” she told the young woman.
Spider looked anything but happy. He knew full well why Seleste would be accompanying Anna.
Seleste felt her brother’s eyes bore into her soul. “Brother,” she nodded in greeting. She knew he didn’t trust her. As long as it didn’t interfere with her task, she would ignore it as she usually did.
“Sister,” Spider nodded.
“You’re siblings?” Anna asked in delight.
“Saskia and I are twins,” Seleste said.
Anna’s mouth dropped open. “Saskia?” she asked, swinging round to look at Spider. “But that’s a gir…” She stopped as she saw Spider’s face was still, but his bronze aura was awash with fury and humiliation. Daggers shot from his eyes towards his sister. In his mind, they were buried deep in Seleste’s cold heart.
“It is a family name. I do not use it. Ever,” he spat through gritted teeth. “My sister knows this.”
Seleste shrugged. Mind
ful that she needed the Shaper to think her a friend, she altered her customary response to an apology. “I’m sorry, brother. It is hard to break a habit. I will try harder.”
Anna saw Spider’s aura calm not one jot. He disbelieved the apology. It had seemed honest to Anna, but she found Seleste’s calm grey impossible to decipher. There was history here, but it might simply be a normal rivalry between siblings. She would be cautious nonetheless.
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starving,” said Aibreann into the uncomfortable silence. “It’s been a ridiculously long day without anything substantial. Dinner hasn’t been cancelled, surely? I don’t suppose you were busy in the kitchen earlier, Sy? Is there something wonderful on the menu tonight? Or at least in the cold store so we can go and raid it?”
Sy laughed, glad of the change of subject. He knew all too well how sensitive Spider was about his given name and how it affected the way he viewed his sister. “It just so happens that I gave my boar pie recipe to Chef this morning.”
Aibreann’s little brother knocked and entered the room without waiting for admittance. “Davy, you are so rude!” Aibreann exclaimed. “What if Anna was dressing?”
“What, with you, Seleste, Spider and Sy all in here? Don’t be daft!”
Aibreann sighed dramatically. “And this is why I would gladly have the boy sent to Tullen.”
Davy stuck out his tongue at his big sister. “Then I won’t bother to tell you when dinner will be served,” he countered, running out of the room with a laugh.
“I really should learn,” said Aibreann, shaking her head in half annoyance, half amusement.
“I think, maybe, I should eat here,” Anna said sadly. “The servants were less than happy to see me earlier.”
“Nonsense,” cried Aibreann. “It’s all together or not at all.”
Seleste followed the upbeat group down the stairs quietly. She had no need to join in with their banter and they had no need of her to join in. She would simply be. The Shaper would get used to it.
The two elder Braxton sons were already in the rearranged Great Hall when the group arrived. Finn grabbed Anna in a tight hug. “To steal one of young Davy’s phrases, you go girl!”
“I’m not quite sure what that means, Finn, but thanks. It’s a huge relief.”
A love-struck Conal blushed and squeaked what sounded like, “Congratulations.”
Anna saw the pink flush over his heart and blushed in return, embarrassed that she seemed to have an admirer. “Thank you,” she murmured politely.
“What do you think the training schedule’s going to have in it?” Aibreann asked Finn.
The group were arguing about whether or not Lady Braxton would have the time to teach Anna something about Reading when a small voice piped up from under the table.
“She’s cleared slots for the next couple of days then her calendar every Fourthday afternoon so it looks like it.”
“Davy!” Aibreann exclaimed, lifting the linen tablecloth to reveal a cheeky smile. “Have you been snooping on mother again?”
“It’s the only way I learn anything! No one ever thinks to tell me what’s going on,” he grumbled.
“Finn, have you heard anything about how long the training schedule will last?” asked Anna. “Or maybe I should ask Davy?” she added with a smile.
“Sorry, Anna, I don’t know,” said Finn.
“Mother’s cleared three months, if that helps?”
“Davy! Did you actually look through her diary?” asked an aghast Aibreann.
“I’d never do that!” he replied, his expression stating quite clearly to the room that he was horrified by the very suggestion. “I heard her tell her secretary,” he chuckled. He was irrepressible.
“So three months at least. How long did you all spend at school, learning about your gift?” Anna asked.
“Spider, Seleste and I were two years in Seask,” Sy replied. “Classes weren’t one on one like yours are going to be though, Anna, and there was a lot of stuff like history and geography that I doubt they’ll make you study.”
“It varied in Ionantis,” said Finn. “I was there for two years. Conal, you were there just over one, weren’t you?”
Conal blushed as the Shaper’s eyes fixed on his. He managed to squeak his agreement.
Aibreann saved him from making any more of a fool of himself. “I haven’t gone yet, but I’ve been taught much of it at home plus mother has the same gift so I’ve already had a lot of gift training. I’m expected to attend lessons for a year when I go. If I go. I really don’t want to. I’m not the secret agent type,” she laughed.
“You could talk a baddie to death if you had to,” Finn teased.
Aibreann punched her big brother on the arm, but acceded he had a point. “I hate silence. What’s wrong with that?” she laughed.
Anna wasn’t laughing. “We don’t have three years. I have to be ready long before that.” She looked around the table. Her friends’ faces had become solemn.
“You will be,” Seleste murmured into the silence.
Everyone looked to her. She shrugged. “The King has instructed that it be so.”
CHAPTER 24
A nna woke early, before the first bell. The sky was just lightening, dawn playing on the garden walls below her window. She looked out with a new sense of hope. The axe was gone from above her head. She had friends and was to work in the service of the King. She wondered what mama would say. She hoped she would be proud.
A gentle knock came on the bedroom door and a servant entered without waiting for a reply. She had a tray in her hands and was surprised to see the Shaper already out of bed. The glass and pitcher rattled together as she started in fright. Anna sighed. She would never get used to people being scared of her.
“A good morning to you,” she said quietly to the servant, a warm smile on her face.
“Morning, miss.” The girl bobbed a small curtsey, carefully placed the tray on the table and then started backing out of the room.
Anna was dumbstruck. The girl had curtsied. To her. This couldn’t be right. Surely? She was about to try to ease the girl’s fears when Seleste arrived and the servant took the opportunity to dart out of the room before the Shaper could turn her into a toad.
Seleste held a pile of clothing in her arms. “I’ve brought you suitable clothing for today. I will return to accompany you to Lord Cassidy’s office.” Without another word, she deposited the bundle next to Anna’s breakfast and left, pulling the door closed behind her.
“And a good morning to you, too,” Anna laughed. Seleste was clearly not one for small talk.
The Shaper made quick work of washing but found the unfamiliar leather clothing and boots a challenge to put on. She was just finishing her breakfast when the sullen young woman returned. She frowned. “You should eat first in future. It is not good to exercise on a full stomach.”
“I’ll be exercising first?” Anna asked, interested to know what her day would entail. “What sort of exercise?”
“Lord Cassidy will explain everything. Shall we?” Seleste held the door open.
If it weren’t for the calm face and aura, I’d think she was impatient, Anna thought. She remembered what Aibreann had said about body language. She would need to add it to the list of things to learn.
“I’m sorry, Seleste, but I gave up with the boots. I couldn’t work out how to fasten them. The leather is so stiff, it doesn’t bend at all.”
Seleste gave an almost imperceptible sigh and let the door go. She berated herself for her audible outburst and fastened a smile on her lips. “Let me help.”
Anna’s feet were already beginning to blister when she and Seleste arrived at Lord Cassidy’s office. They went straight through the antechamber where unattended desks suggested at least three secretaries or assistants would soon sit then Seleste knocked firmly on the door in the middle of the back wall and stepped inside without waiting for a reply.
Anna followed nervously. A cold b
lue aura was on display as Lord Cassidy poured over a document on his desk. She looked to see Seleste standing to attention and followed suit, looking around the room to distract herself from the throbbing in her heels.
It was a large room, perhaps twenty feet square with beautifully carved wood panelling covering the lower half of three walls. The fourth wall was hidden entirely by books. Above the panelling were maps and two enormous calendars with various scribblings on them in different colours of ink. She was peering at the books, trying to make out the titles when Lord Cassidy told them to sit.
He got straight to the point, handing both young women a set of documents. “I have detailed the outcomes against which you will be measured at two-weekly intervals. You will see that the training programme is currently only in an outline form. It will be finalised once you have been assessed and tweaked as necessary thereafter. Assessment will take place over the coming week. You will see that I have also included sessions with Lord Witheridge. You will offer any assistance that is required in order for him to explore the potential of Aurovian crystal, peristone and other types of material. You are due to meet Captain Laracy in the training square in one quarter hour. Any questions?”
Anna could think of about a hundred, but the look on the man’s face precluded the audacity of even considering putting him behind schedule. She definitely preferred the yellow he. “No, milord,” she acquiesced.
“Excellent! Now off you go.” Lord Cassidy immediately picked up another document on his desk and got back to work. Seleste and Anna let themselves out.
Seleste made straight for the training square. She noticed Anna falling behind and turned impatiently to tell her to keep up. The girl’s limp was getting worse. “Your boots will soften with wear, but you might think of Healing those blisters and protecting your feet before you meet Captain Laracy. He won’t go easy on you.”
“I can’t. I can’t do anything specific like that. I can’t see my own aura.”
Seleste stopped, astonished with this new information and no little peeved that it was the first she’d heard of it. “You can’t… Oh! And you have to see auras to Shape them.” Seleste realised this was implicit in Anna’s testimony yesterday, but the additional information that the Shaper couldn’t see her own aura turned the knowledge into both an opportunity and a headache. Anna was extremely vulnerable. This was excellent news should Seleste have to kill her, but it made protecting her infinitely harder. She would have to be supremely vigilant.
