Hanion looked surprised, then thoughtful. After a moment, he smiled. “I think I could do that.”
Elkan’s heart thudded. He was so close. “This is a consensus we’ve mutually reached. No winners, no losers. Both of us want only what’s best for Tevenar.”
Hanion gave him a sardonic look. “Of course.”
“I mean it. I’ll express my greatest respect for you. I’ll tell everyone that you care more about the people of Tevenar than you do about yourself. Because it’s true.”
Hanion huffed, but something in his eyes told Elkan he’d touched the vulnerable spot in the older wizard’s heart. “If you insist.” Hanion extended his hand.
Elkan clasped it. “Do you want to address them, or shall I?”
“I’ll do it.”
They both rose and walked to the center of the circle. Their familiars scrambled to their feet and joined them. All the other masters immediately fell silent and turned anxious faces toward them.
Hanion cleared his throat. “Master Elkan and I have discussed our differences and come to an agreement. He will assume the role of Guildmaster of the Wizards’ Guild. I will take over leadership of the Mother’s Hall in Jevtaran, with Master Nulam’s consent.” He inclined his head to the old man, who after a moment nodded thoughtfully. “I ask everyone who supports me to give their approval to this consensus.”
Elkan spoke over the murmurs that rose from the assembled masters. “And I ask everyone who supports me to do likewise.” He swallowed. “Master Hanion has served Tevenar well as Guildmaster during this time of crisis. By turning himself over to the Ramunnans he did what no one else could have and bought us the time we needed to defeat them. He steps down now because he values the welfare of the people of Tevenar over his own ambition. He’s been a worthy successor to Master Dabiel, and I will strive to be a worthy successor to him.”
Hanion waved the noise quiet. “Please rise in order of seniority and declare whether or not you concur in this consensus.”
Master after master rose and voiced their assent. A few of Hanion’s most vocal supporters glanced at him. When he gave them a firm nod, they grudgingly affirmed the consensus.
After all the older wizards had taken their turn and it was down to the younger masters who overwhelmingly supported Elkan, Hanion stepped back and put his mouth close to Elkan’s ear. “Have fun writing the Tenth History. I admit, I was dreading that chore. It’s going to be thicker than any since the First.”
Elkan nodded. He plastered a gracious smile on his face as he listened to the last few masters confirm his election as Guildmaster. Dear Mother, Tobi. What have I gotten myself into?
Trouble. His familiar’s voice was cheerful. But don’t worry. You’ve got me to help you.
* * *
Hanion made the announcement to the rest of the guild. Elkan smiled, made a few self-effacing remarks, and accepted everyone’s congratulations as warmly as he could manage.
As everyone headed back to work, Meira emerged from the crowd and threw her arms around him. “Congratulations, Guildmaster.”
He clung to her as long as he dared before disengaging. “Thank you very much—guildmaster.”
She grinned back at him, but quickly sobered. “I’m so sorry about Josiah.”
Elkan shook his head and sighed. “He knew what might happen when he did it, and he chose to take the risk.” He’d tell her the full truth tonight, in private. Not that it made a great deal of difference. No matter what Josiah ended up doing, he was never going to be Elkan’s apprentice again.
Meira squeezed his hand hard. “I’m proud of him for doing whatever it took to save Tevenar from the Ramunnans.”
“So am I.” Elkan squeezed back and let go. “I’ve got a lot of work to do before the day’s over. I’ll meet you and Ravid in the dining hall for the evening meal.”
“I’m going to pick him up now. I sent Relan a message saying I’d be late. I couldn’t leave without finding out what happened.” She gave him a swift hug and hurried off.
He’d give Hanion an hour or two to move out of the Guildmaster’s office before he started moving things in. He had plenty to keep him busy in the meantime. First he needed to deal with the Autarch.
He found Tane sitting near the back of the block of chairs provided for those waiting their turn to be healed. He rose as Elkan approached. “I apologize that your session with Josiah this morning was interrupted. You didn’t have to wait.”
Tane inclined his head. “It’s been fascinating observing Tevenaran politics firsthand. Although I’m not sure which rumors to believe. No one can talk about anything else, but everyone’s version is different. I believe congratulations are in order, however.” He extended his hand.
Elkan clasped it. “I’m not so sure about that. But yes, the council appointed me Guildmaster.”
“I would be interested to hear as much about the process as you’re willing to tell me.” Tane fixed him with a keen gaze.
“While we work on you.” Elkan gestured toward the cubicles. “I’m afraid Josiah won’t be able to assist anymore.”
“I understand the young man is no longer a wizard? A pity. He seemed very promising. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear the full story of what happened to him, as well.”
Elkan described the public version of events as they walked to their usual cubicle and Tobi went to work. She found the tumor Josiah had mentioned and focused on eliminating it. Between moments when she needed his attention, Elkan gave Tane a brief account of the council.
Tane shifted obediently as Tobi turned her efforts to the largest of the remaining tumors. “You must have been very persuasive to talk Hanion into surrendering his position.”
“Not really. It was mostly a matter of finding a way to let him retain his dignity.”
“Mmm.” Tane remained quiet for the rest of the time they worked. Elkan was glad of the opportunity to relax and let the Mother’s power flow through him. Nothing worked better to calm his turbulent emotions and put his heart and mind at peace.
After an hour, Elkan sat back and removed his hand from Tobi’s back. “That’s all for today. One more session and we’ll be finished.”
Tane sat up and stretched. “It’s remarkable how much better I feel. Should I report here tomorrow morning as usual?”
“Yes, please. And after your healing is complete, I’d like to invite you to meet with me in my office.” Elkan took a deep breath. “Along with the Matriarch.”
Tane stiffened. “I have no desire to speak with her.”
“Are you sure? I’d like to offer my services as a mediator. I think there’s a very good chance, if the two of you are willing to sit down and talk with each other, we could find a way to settle your differences without further bloodshed.”
“What differences? I control Ramunna, and Malka is Matriarch. Verinna no longer has any say in its governance.”
“She has a fleet of ships she’s preparing to take to Ramunna to wrest it back. You’ve counted them, I’m sure, and watched the weapons and blasting powder being loaded onto them.”
The Autarch sneered. “My fleet will defeat them as easily as it did last time.”
“Perhaps, or perhaps not. And at what cost? How many of your people will die to defend a city that’s not their own?”
“Whatever the number, their lives are mine to spend as I choose.” Tane’s expression remained uncompromising.
Surely Master Dabiel had never anticipated the need to look through the eyes of someone whose views were so radically opposed to Elkan’s own. But he tried. What did Tane value above all else? “If Verinna defeats your fleet in Ramunna, she won’t stop there. Are you willing to put your rule of Marvanna at risk? It might very well come to that, if she sails from here determined to conquer you.”
Tane’s eyes narrowed. Elkan could tell he’d struck a nerve, so he pressed on. “You risk nothing by agreeing to meet with her. You can always turn down any bargain she offers. You might even gain insight
into her personality and temperament that you can later use against her.”
The Autarch shook his head. “While she gains similar insight into me? I think not.” He rose from the cot. “Besides, I doubt she’ll find your offer any more tempting than I do.”
“But if she does? If I persuade her to meet with us, will you consider it?”
Tane looked at Elkan without replying. The silence lengthened until Elkan longed to say something, anything, to fill it. But he resisted. Tane had a great deal of experience intimidating people, but his tricks weren’t as effective against someone who recognized them for what they were.
Finally Tane’s lips stretched into a very slight smile. “I will report for my healing tomorrow morning at the usual time. Farewell until then, Guildmaster.” He swept out of the cubicle.
Elkan let out his breath and ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t say no. That means he’ll do it. For curiosity’s sake, if nothing else. Now all we have to do is convince Verinna.
How are you going to do that? Tobi’s mental tone was both admiring and inquisitive.
You’ll see.
* * *
The Matriarch sat on her throne, looking haughtily down at him. Elkan didn’t bow, or even incline his head. “Good afternoon, Verinna.”
“They tell me you’re Guildmaster now.” She looked him up and down.
“That’s correct.” Elkan nodded at Tenorran, who was sitting in a smaller chair next to the throne. In his lap was a baby with thick tousled hair, dressed in an ornately embroidered gold gown. Her big dark eyes watched Tobi in fascination. “Congratulations on your daughter’s birth. Adrenna appears to be thriving.”
Verinna’s expression softened as she glanced at her child. “Master Janil says she’s healthy and growing at a normal pace.” Her face hardened again as she turned back to Elkan. “Why are you here? Not merely to exchange compliments, I’m sure.”
“I’d like to invite you to meet with me in my office tomorrow at midmorning.” He watched her carefully. “I’ve also invited Autarch Tane Voreen to be present.”
She stiffened, her eyes going cold. “We have nothing to say to each other.”
“Perhaps not. But I think it could be advantageous for both of you if you agree to sit down together and allow me to act as your mediator.”
She turned to Tenorran with a peremptory gesture. He passed the baby to her. “He took Ramunna from me. The only way I’ll talk to him is if he stands at the mouth of a loaded weapon, and I stand at the breech with a lit fuse.”
“Think how much you stand to gain,” Elkan urged. “It might be possible to persuade him to concede Ramunna without a battle.”
She sneered as she unfastened the front of her gown and brought Adrenna to her breast. “Why should I wish to avoid the battle that will win my country back while punishing my enemy for daring to challenge me?”
Elkan suspected she was trying to discomfit him. In Ramunna, especially among the aristocracy, women nursed their babies in private, and never around men who weren’t members of their family. But there was no such custom in Tevenar, and nursing babies were a common sight. He smiled at the eagerly eating infant. “Even assuming you win, you’ll lose ships and men. You yourself might perish, whether or not the Armada is victorious. Or Lord Renarre. All it would take is for your ship to be hit by one shot of Marvanna’s clinging fire.”
Her jaw tightened. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“If it were the only way to win back Ramunna, of course. But I think I can persuade the Autarch to negotiate. You have nothing to lose. If what he offers is insufficient, you can refuse to agree and continue with your plans as they stand.”
He could see she was tempted by the way her teeth caught her lower lip. But she tossed her head and looked away. “He will never give me what I require unless I force it from him.”
Elkan waited until she looked down at her daughter. He spoke softly. “Yet if he does, you won’t have to leave Adrenna behind. There will be no need for months of separation. Your daughter’s birthright can be secured while she remains in your arms.”
Her eyes snapped up to meet his, furious. “How dare you use my daughter to manipulate me?”
Elkan didn’t answer, just returned her gaze calmly.
After a moment she snarled, “Guards, see Guildmaster Elkan out.”
“Tomorrow at midmorning,” Elkan repeated as the soldiers converged on him. “My office in the Mother’s Hall.”
He let them escort him from the tent without resistance, only glancing back quickly as he ducked through the opening. Verinna stared down at Adrenna, her face an unreadable mask.
* * *
Elkan pounded on the door of the inn room. After a moment Adrel opened it. He took one look at Elkan and tried to slam it shut again.
Elkan blocked the door with his foot. “It didn’t work, Father.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You told Hanion about the conflict between the Jevtaran farmers and herders. I don’t know which of you found Rovia and persuaded her to talk, but he could never have done it without your help.”
Adrel shrugged. “And if you’re right, what does it matter? As you said, it didn’t work.” He looked pointedly at Tobi, who bared her teeth and emitted a low snarl.
“Josiah’s no longer a wizard because of what you did. Did you even consider who else you might hurt?”
“If I understand what Hanion told me correctly, Josiah is no longer a wizard because of what he did. We merely brought his misdeeds to light.”
Elkan couldn’t contradict that without revealing the Mother’s secret. “The affairs of the Wizards’ Guild aren’t your concern. You had no business interfering.”
“They’re my concern when my son is vying to lead a gang of charlatans and thieves. I saw the chance to rescue you from their clutches, and I took it. I only regret that I failed.”
Elkan shoved the door wider with his shoulder. “That’s it, Father. We’re going to settle this once and for all. Come to the Hall with me and let Tobi and I show you what the Mother’s power can do.”
“No.”
“All right, then.” Elkan snatched his long, thin surgery knife from its sheath and shoved it hilt first at Adrel. “Take this. Stick it into me, wherever you want. Here, perhaps.” He yanked up his tunic to display the scar from the Ramunnan’s sword. “Tobi and I will heal it. Then maybe you’ll believe what I tell you.”
Adrel eyed the knife with distaste. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Blind fury consumed Elkan. He forced the door wider and took a step into the room. Adrel’s eyes widened in fear.
Elkan, stop! Tobi’s voice was horrified. What are you doing?
He looked down to find his knife reversed in his hand, the bright razor-edged blade aimed at his father. With a curse he shoved it back in its sheath.
The barely restrained fury in Adrel’s voice matched his own. “Leave. Or I’ll be forced to summon the Watch to remove you.”
“Blast it, Father, all I want is to show you what everyone else in Tevenar already knows. The Mother’s power is real. It works. The Mother gave it to us to help people. If you can’t accept that, you might as well go live in Faithhome, where they believe it’s a curse and an abomination. Or with the Purifiers, who think our familiars are demons.”
Adrel’s voice was low and dangerous. “Is the Guildmaster sentencing me to exile?”
“No!” Elkan buried his face in his hands. “Smash it, fine. Be a stubborn fool if you insist. I don’t know why I care.” He stumbled out of the room, groping for Tobi.
Adrel put one hand on the door and one on the frame. “I’m leaving for Arlith in the morning. I’d hoped to be taking you with me.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Elkan made no attempt to keep the sarcasm out of his tone. “But I’m going to be busy tomorrow mediating peace between the Matriarch and the Autarch. If it works Tevenar will be safe from their aggression for years t
o come. But I suppose that doesn’t matter to you. You’d rather I was lying unconscious, stripped of my wizardry, forced to crawl back to Arlith and beg you to take me in. But it’s not going to happen. Even if my bond were broken, I’d never go back to the farm. I have a life here, a woman I love, a child I’m going to adopt. I’m glad you’re leaving. Meira and I are going to stand up together on Restday, and I don’t want you there to tarnish our happiness.”
Wait, when had he decided that? It was true, though. The rightness of it settled into his bones, displacing his anger. It was time to end this useless confrontation so he could get back to his real family, the one who accepted him for who and what he was.
Adrel blinked. “I hadn’t realized.”
“That’s hardly surprising.” He took a step back. “Tell Mother and the rest they’re welcome to stay with us if they ever come to Elathir. But I’m not bringing Meira to Arlith. Not as long as you’re there.”
Adrel nodded coldly. “Then I guess this is good-bye.”
“Yes.” Elkan forced himself to meet Adrel’s gaze levelly. “Good-bye, Father.”
“Good-bye, son.”
Elkan turned and walked along the hallway to the stairs, his hand pressing hard on Tobi’s back. He was halfway to the ground floor when he heard the door swing closed behind him.
* * *
He waited until Ravid was tucked into his new bed upstairs and Meira had returned to join him by the hearth in the sitting room. She’d bought a comfortable couch just the right size to cuddle on, which had been delivered the previous day. She sank down on it and relaxed against his side. “What a day. I expect you’re exhausted.”
“That’s an understatement.” He’d been more physically tired on occasion, when he’d made extensive use of the Mother’s power, but never more emotionally drained. He’d experienced both huge peaks and devastating valleys today. And it wasn’t over yet.
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