Elkan extracted a sheaf of papers and scanned the one on top, his pulse quickening as he recognized Josiah’s messy scrawl. As the sense of his apprentice’s excited words penetrated, the smell suddenly seemed far less objectionable. “Yes,” he breathed, flipping quickly through the rest of the papers. Tobi, look. Not only did he get Master Noadiah’s notes, Meira’s been making the blasting powder and using it. She knows exactly what we need to manufacture large quantities. This is enough sulfur for several thousand pounds of the stuff. More is on its way, along with another ingredient we’ll need. They want us to supply charcoal; that won’t be too difficult. And Josiah’s made sketches detailing how he wants to modify the fulling mill to grind the powder.
He couldn’t tell from one quick glance whether the plans were practical or not, but Josiah had drawn them with a certainty and specificity that told him they most likely were. Josiah was certainly familiar enough with the machinery of the mill to know what he was talking about. Elkan had a brief, vivid memory of the first time he’d seen Josiah, frantically scrambling to avoid being crushed beneath the heavy fulling stocks. Thank the Mother he and Sar had been there to save Josiah’s life.
Master Zinva pried the lid off one barrel so he could inspect the chunks of bright yellow rock. They seemed to match the description in Josiah’s letter. He winced at the odor and gestured for her to replace the lid. “Load these on wagons and send them up to the fulling mill.”
Master Zinva gave him a puzzled look. “Is it some new type of fuller’s earth?”
“Not exactly.” Elkan shook his head. Explanations would take too long, and she probably wouldn’t believe him anyway. He was going to face massive skepticism until he had some actual results to show.
The letter said that Meira had about a pound of the blasting powder she planned to bring with her. They could use it for a demonstration. That would get everyone hopping.
He glanced again at the last paragraph of the letter. Josiah expected that he and Meira, along with a number of other people who’d been working with her, would arrive in about a week with the first shipment of saltpeter.
One week.
He folded the papers and tucked them back into the envelope. “Come on, Tobi. We’d better have a word with Master Sef.” He clearly remembered the gruff old master fuller from when he’d negotiated to buy a year of Josiah’s apprentice contract. “He’s not going to be happy.”
* * *
“You want to do what with my mill?” Sef bellowed.
Elkan tried not to flinch. “The equipment we remove will be carefully stored. After the conflict with the Ramunnans is over, I’ll provide workers to put everything back.” If they won, but Elkan thought it wiser not to add that caveat.
Sef’s volume only increased. “Do you have any idea how much money I’ll lose? Every day the mill is out of commission will cost me—”
“This is a war, Master Sef.” Elkan didn’t shout, but he made his voice hard and cold.
“Why my mill? This drawing shows grindstones.” He snatched one of the diagrams from where Elkan had spread them on the desk and waved it in Elkan’s face. “Take over the grist mill instead!”
“We can do without fulled cloth for now, but we must have bread. Besides, Josiah says we’ll need new, harder—”
“Josiah?” Sef’s face turned so red Elkan feared he might overstrain his heart. “Are you telling me my former apprentice is behind this?”
“Yes, actually, these are his—”
Sef slammed a fist on his desk. “That boy’s never forgiven me for sacking him. This is his revenge.”
Elkan’s frustration boiled over. He rose, retrieved Josiah’s diagrams, and pointed at Sef. “Josiah’s a wizard now. I doubt he bears a grudge over losing a career as a fuller. Workers will arrive first thing in the morning to begin carrying out these changes. You’ll either cooperate with them, or I’ll send watchers to remove you from the premises.”
Sef stared at him, sputtering. “You have no right—”
“The Guildmaster of the Wizards’ Guild and the Council of Guildmasters have authorized me to act on their behalf. I have every right.” Elkan pivoted and strode from the room. Tobi sprang from where she’d been sprawled at his feet, gave a low growl that Elkan suspected was accompanied by a display of her long, sharp fangs, and loped behind him.
There was no need to feel ashamed of the satisfaction he felt at putting Sef in his place. Dabiel had often encouraged him to be more forceful when the occasion called for it. She hadn’t needed to assert her full authority very often, but when she had, even the most recalcitrant guildmaster had jumped to comply. People respected a strong leader, she’d told him. Someone who knew what was needed and could make it happen. Someone who didn’t hesitate to demand obedience in a just cause. Someone they could depend on to take control in a crisis and bring them safely through it. Someone who confessed any doubts or fears they might have only to a few trusted confidants and showed the rest of the world a confident, untroubled face.
For the millionth time he wished Dabiel were still alive. He’d far rather be helping her lead the people of Tevenar to war for the first time in centuries than be doing it himself. But she’d had faith in him. She’d groomed him to be her successor and had named him to the position, though the guild had chosen Hanion instead. She’d taught him everything he needed to know to serve the Mother, in this way as well as those that came more naturally to him. He only hoped he could live up to her expectations.
He strode down the road beside the river. As he drew close to Korisan, he heard a commotion of voices. The streets were crowded. When he reached the plaza in front of the Mother’s Hall he saw many weary people standing in clusters, bags and bundles slung on their backs or dropped in the dust at their feet, children clinging to adults or running around wildly as tired parents looked on.
He pushed through the crowd, murmuring apologies as he cut through the line that snaked back and forth across the square. The scene was far too reminiscent of the throngs waiting for healing in the Beggar’s Quarter. At least these folk were facing only a temporary disruption of their normal lives, not the ongoing misery the poorest Ramunnans must endure.
“Tobi!” a child’s voice cried. A gap-toothed girl hurtled from the crowd and threw herself at the mountain cat, wrapping her arms around Tobi’s neck. Tobi patiently accepted the affection.
“Anra?” Elkan knelt to accept a hug nearly as enthusiastic as the one she’d given his familiar. “Where are your parents?”
“Over there.” Anra pointed across the plaza. Elkan followed her finger and spotted a familiar couple, the woman holding a toddler, the man sitting on a bundle and playing a clapping game with a tousle-haired boy.
He swallowed. It was an immense relief to see they were safe. He hadn’t had word of them since arriving back in Tevenar, although he’d asked around as much as he could without being too obvious. He’d had to assume they’d evacuated from Elathir along with the rest of the populace. When they hadn’t reached Korisan with the main group of refugees, he’d tried to believe their absence was merely because they’d left in some other direction, north or south along the coast, and not because some calamity had befallen them.
He let Anra take him by the hand and tug him over, steeling himself as he always must before interacting with this particular family. Even though his feelings had long since faded to bittersweet acceptance, and he was genuinely glad they’d found happiness together, it was still a challenge to maintain the proper balance of friendliness and distance when dealing with his former wife, her husband, and their children.
Jamis looked up in response to Anra’s excited calls. He reached to touch the back of Liand’s hand. She followed his glance to where their daughter was leading Elkan close. He saw the moment she recognized him. Her eyes brightened, but at the same time a barrier went up behind them.
“Elkan,” she said warmly. “We heard you were here, in charge of organizing the force that’s going to take E
lathir back. I expect you’re far too busy to spare more than a moment to say hello.”
“I am busy, but not so much I can’t make sure you get settled in safely.” He accepted a hug from four-year-old Nishiel, who was competing with six-year-old Anra to tell him about their experiences.
“…We’ve been walking for days and days…”
“…I had to leave all but one of my dolls at home…”
“…lots and lots of big ships…”
“…Mama said Onia might be here, I haven’t seen her since we left, but I made a new friend named Zechial…”
“…Boom! Boom! Boom! Just like thunder…”
Jamis rose and extended his hand, raising his voice to be heard over the children. “We don’t want to presume—”
“Yes, we do,” Liand interrupted, as Elkan clasped Jamis’s hand. “Any way you can help us will be greatly appreciated.” She gave Elkan a quick one-armed hug. The toddler on her hip eyed him warily.
Jamis frowned. “Everyone here is just as tired and hungry as we are.”
“Elkan will make sure they’re taken care of as well.” Liand handed the baby to Jamis and made shooing motions at the older children. “Go! I have no idea how you can have so much energy left. Or at least be quiet so Master Elkan can hear himself think.”
Tobi?
The things I do for you. Despite her long-suffering tone, she seemed perfectly happy as she nudged Anra, who transferred her attention back to the mountain cat. Nishiel was more cautious, but after a few moments of watching his sister lavish love on the huge beast, he put out a tentative hand and stroked her side.
“That’s better,” Liand said, as their chatter quieted. “We’re not asking for special treatment, Elkan, but anything you can do…”
“Of course,” he told them. “All the refugees will be assigned a place. Families with small children have first priority to be housed with residents of Korisan. There are still some rooms available. I’ll make sure you get one, although you’ll probably be sharing with several other families.”
“That will be fine,” Jamis said. “A roof over our heads will be a luxury after so long on the road.”
“Where have you come from, and what did you see on the road? Anything you can tell me will be helpful.”
“When they ordered the evacuation, the watchers made us leave by the closest route out of the city, so we headed south,” Liand told him. “Some families found places in the coastal villages, but there wasn’t room for everyone, so most of us turned inland as soon as we could. We heard you were gathering people in Korisan, so we worked our way here through the countryside.”
“People are headed this way from all over Tevenar,” Jamis added. “We kept being passed by groups from the southern towns who said they were answering your call for volunteers to fight. And there are more evacuees from Elathir behind us.”
“But you didn’t see any Ramunnans?” If the enemy realized how many people were massing against them in Korisan, they’d surely strike before the Tevenarans were ready to face them.
“No. Everyone says they’re staying in Elathir.”
“Thank the Mother.” As long as the Ramunnans continued to believe the war was over, Elkan had a chance. “Let’s get you settled. I know just the place.”
Liand and Jamis gathered their children and trailed after him through the crowded streets. They turned onto Potter’s Street and Elkan led them to one of the shops.
He pushed it open to a scene of organized chaos. A half-dozen adults and children were at work nestling plates, cups and bowls into straw-padded crates, nailing them closed, and carrying them out the back. The formerly crowded shelves of the prosperous shop were nearly bare.
A young journeyman glanced up, her expression half eager, half anxious. “Mother! It’s Master Elkan!” she called as she tucked the vase she was holding into a corner of a crate and rose to meet him. “Is Josiah back?”
“Not yet, but I just got a message from him.” Elkan smiled at Master Jensine as she hurried through the door in the back of the shop. “He’s fine, and he’ll be arriving in Korisan next week. His mission went well, far better than I dared hope.”
“That’s a relief,” Josiah’s mother said, clasping Elkan’s hand. She’d been furious when he’d told her he’d sent Josiah on a journey halfway across Tevenar alone. He couldn’t even argue when she’d accused him of failing in his duty to his apprentice. In ordinary circumstances no master would do such a thing. The fact that these circumstances were far from ordinary hadn’t blunted her anger.
“I’ll make sure he comes by.” Elkan beckoned Liand and Jamis forward. “Meanwhile, may I ask you a favor? Can you make room for another family from Elathir?” He introduced them.
Jensine eyed the bedraggled travelers with resignation. “That’s why we’re clearing the shop. The town council insisted all non-essential businesses turn over their space for the duration. It’s not as if anyone’s buying dishes these days, anyway.” She scowled. “If they help us finish they can have the best corner.”
“We’ll be glad to,” Jamis said quickly, cutting off Liand before she could speak. “Elkan, thank you for taking the time to help us.”
“My joy is in the service,” Elkan told him. He turned to Liand. “All cooks and bakers are needed to feed the volunteers. There’s a big communal kitchen set up in the plaza. I’m sure they’d welcome your help.”
“Of course.” Liand nodded curtly.
“And Jamis, we’ve turned a section of the Mother’s Hall into a place where parents who’re working can leave their children for the day. They need more people to supervise. You can take your three and help with the rest.”
“All right.” Jamis didn’t look happy, but Elkan had little sympathy. Watching children might not be a glamorous job, but it was a badly needed service.
He bid farewell to them and Josiah’s family, promised Anra and Nishiel he’d bring Tobi back to visit sometime soon, and headed for the door. I think there’s time to go by the camp before dark, he told Tobi. The day’s interruptions had all been good ones, but they’d still interfered with the work he’d planned to get done.
He’d only gone a few steps down the street when a hand fell on his shoulder. “Elkan, wait. I need to speak with you,” Jamis said.
“Yes?” Elkan worked hard to keep his voice and manner cordial. Jamis didn’t deserve his animosity. Elkan’s bond with Liand had been broken before he met her. It wasn’t Jamis’s fault Elkan had refused to believe that. It wasn’t his fault that when Elkan had insisted on opening a window intended to humiliate his estranged wife and her lover, instead it had burned into his mind forever the image of the two of them in joyous union.
“Listen. I know you must need people in Elathir who can learn what the Ramunnans are doing and get word back to you.”
“Yes.” Elkan frowned. “Do you know anyone who stayed behind that could help?”
“Maybe, but that’s not what I meant.” Jamis’s gaze met Elkan’s levelly. “You know I used to be a Partner. People would talk to me, tell me their deepest secrets. Something about the combination of intimacy and anonymity. I never asked, but they’d pour out all sorts of private information.” He took a deep breath. “I’m willing to go back to Elathir, back to the Safe Haven. The Ramunnans must have found it by now. I’ll be able to learn things that could help you take Tevenar back from those guildless destroyers.”
Elkan stared at him, dumbfounded. The Mother knew he could use what Jamis offered, but how could he possibly accept? “No. I can’t—I would never ask that of anyone.”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering.”
“There are no women aboard the Ramunnan ships,” Elkan pointed out. “I expect you didn’t realize. In Ramunna there are all sorts of things they limit by gender, and their soldiers and sailors are all male.”
Jamis shrugged. “I specialized in female clients, but my training was complete. There will be plenty who want a male Partner, and I’m confident
of my ability to satisfy them.”
Elkan had to make him understand. “It’s not the same there. What Partners do is considered shameful, degrading. Most who practice the profession are forced into it because they have no other way to earn a living. Others are physically forced by unscrupulous people who take the money they make for themselves. It’s not like it is here, where people freely choose that path. The Ramunnans who buy their services treat them callously, even cruelly. Like… like things, not people. That’s how they’d treat you.”
Jamis’s voice was low and passionate. “Do you think I care? People died trying to defend us. More will die when you drive them out.” He waved toward the encampment where the volunteers had gathered. “That camp is full of people willing to give their lives for Tevenar. Next to that, putting up with a few obnoxious clients is nothing.”
His arguments were persuasive, and the information he might be able to provide would unquestionably be valuable, yet everything in Elkan rejected the idea. “You’re needed here.”
Jamis waved dismissively. “Anyone can watch children. Ours will have a safe place to stay while Liand bakes.”
“No. I won’t let you.”
Jamis glared at Elkan. “Why not?”
“Because—blast it, because I won’t do that to Liand!” Elkan glared back. Next to him, Tobi snarled at Jamis. Elkan put a hand on her head. “Don’t tell me you don’t know how much it would hurt her.”
Jamis held his gaze for a long moment before his eyes slid away. “She’d understand.”
“No, she wouldn’t. You haven’t talked to her about this, have you?”
Jamis grimaced. “No.”
“She might pretend to agree, she might put on cheerful smile and wave you on your way, but I promise, it would destroy her. Think how you would feel if it was her offering to sleep with the enemy. If she even finds out you thought of it, that you approached me, it might open a rift between you nothing could bridge.”
Jamis clenched his fists. “I wouldn’t think that would bother you.”
The Wizards' War Page 16
