Meira moved her hand to his back and massaged the muscles of his shoulders and neck. Her fingers were noticeably stronger than they’d been even a week ago. Their touch eased his tension and sent pleasant shivers through his body.
He pushed her sleeve back from her wrist and rubbed it the way she’d told him helped with the phantom aches that sometimes afflicted her absent hand. “No abrasions today, I see. The latest adjustment must have helped.” He picked up the metal hook she’d discarded on the side table and examined its leather cuff and straps.
“Finally. Master Toramin has been very patient with all my complaints.”
“As he should be. You deserve nothing less than his best work.” He set the prosthesis down and returned his attention to her arm, evaluating the state of the calluses that cushioned the bone. “Are you finding it more helpful?”
She shrugged. “Better than nothing, I guess. Ravid’s used to it now. He’ll finally stand still while I tie his breeches and button his tunic. And I’m thinking about asking Master Toramin if he can add some sort of holder for a pen. Writing with my left hand is never going to be very legible. Maybe my right can do better even without fingers. It seems like that’s what I spend most of my days doing.”
“The burden of being a guildmaster.”
“You don’t know how true that is. But you’ll find out. Tobi’s going to expire of boredom waiting for you to finish all the paperwork.” She snuggled against him, the warmth of her voice belying her tart words.
“You forget, I was acting Guildmaster for months. I learned how to delegate most of it.” He stroked her hair. “Meira, I need to ask you something.”
He tried to keep his voice casual, but she must have heard something in it, because she sat up and turned to face him, her body taut. “I’m listening.”
He licked his lips and took her hand in both of his. “I’d like to stand up with you this Restday. The day after tomorrow.” He swallowed. “Do you still want to marry me?”
Her face melted into a smile that warmed him all over. “Yes.” She pulled him into an embrace. “More than anything in the world.”
He held her close, daring to believe this was real, that it could last. Hope was dangerous, but it was sweet. If it made him vulnerable to pain in the future, so be it. This joy was worth whatever it might someday cost.
Fifty-Six
Midmorning was nearly here, and Verinna had so far given no indication of what they were going to do. Tenorran bit back his question for the thousandth time. His mother would do what she wanted, with no regard to his opinion.
Adrenna squirmed and Tenorran shifted her to his shoulder. He patted her back rhythmically the way she liked until a juicy burp escaped. “Ah, that’s better.” He wiped her mouth with the cloth draped over his shoulder and exchanged it for a clean one from the basket beside his chair. A quick check revealed her diaper was damp, so he rose to take her to the station set up for the purpose and changed it. At first he’d been annoyed that his mother insisted he perform the task himself instead of entrusting it to a servant, but he no longer minded. Tending Adrenna was a pleasure, not a chore. He’d never imagined himself caring for a child like this, but now he couldn’t imagine life without her.
He adjusted Adrenna’s gown, picked her up, and turned to go back to his chair next to the throne. But his mother rose. “Bring Adrenna and come with me.”
He didn’t dare ask where they were going, but what else could it be? They hadn’t left the tent since Adrenna was born. His heart raced as he fell in behind Verinna and guards surrounded them.
Outside, the weather was beautiful. The sky was brilliant blue without a cloud, the sun warm, the air pleasantly cool. Adrenna tensed and stared, twisting to look in every direction. Tenorran wished he could take her to the center of the plaza and show her the splashing water in the fountain, or down to the riverfront to see the ships bobbing at anchor. But his mother marched purposefully to the doors of the Mother’s Hall, and he had to follow. Adrenna craned her neck to look at the looming stone building and the round mosaic of the Mother’s cupped hands.
When they entered, a woman rose from behind a small desk. “Guildmaster Elkan is expecting you. This way, please.” She led them across the huge open room. It teemed with life, in contrast to the echoing emptiness when Benarre had occupied it.
Elkan met them at the door of the Guildmaster’s office, his giant cat beside him. “Come in. Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink? Wine, ale, juice, water?”
Two couches faced each other. Between them, a low table was set with trays of fruit, cheese, and pastries. Above it an odd decoration hung from the ceiling. Sticks hung from wires, with shiny ornaments dangling at uneven intervals. The whole thing turned gently in response to imperceptible currents of air. Adrenna gurgled in delight and waved her hands.
Their mother had eyes only for the man who sat on the far couch, watching her intently, a small smile curving his lips. He was dressed formally, a purple cloak pushed casually to one side, a gold helm resting at his feet. Uniformed guards stood behind his couch, swords at their sides.
Verinna nodded stiffly and took her place opposite him. “Fruit juice would be pleasant,” she said to Elkan, never looking away from the man who must be the Autarch. She patted the seat next to her. “For my son, also.”
Tenorran sat where she indicated and settled Adrenna in his lap as their guards moved behind the couch. They might be here for a long time. Or maybe only a few minutes. It would depend on how skilled a mediator Elkan proved to be.
The Guildmaster poured their drinks from an array of carafes on the large desk at the end of the room. “Feel free to help yourself to snacks. I’ve arranged for meals to be brought in as well, so we won’t be interrupted.”
Verinna sipped her juice but ignored the food. “I doubt we’ll be here that long. Say your piece so I can go back to my tent. I gave birth only a week ago; I need my rest.”
It had been nearly two weeks, and Master Thia had sped Verinna’s recovery so she was back to her full strength, but she still pled weakness whenever it suited her. Tenorran suspected she welcomed this opportunity to escape the dull confines of the tent and match wits with worthy opponents.
The Autarch raised a wine glass to his mouth, sipped, and swallowed. “Don’t overextend yourself on my account.”
She gave him a poisonously sweet smile. “I’m sure you’re not up for a prolonged session either, having just been treated for a deadly disease.”
He waved negligently. “My strength is sufficient for a pleasant conversation with a lady.”
Verinna opened her mouth, but Elkan cleared his throat as he seated himself in a chair at the end of the table. His familiar settled at his feet. “Thank you both for accepting my invitation. Am I correct in thinking you’ve never met face to face before?”
“That’s right,” Verinna said as the Autarch nodded.
“Let me formally introduce you, then. Verinna, this is Autarch Tane Voreen of Marvanna. Tane, this is Matriarch Verinna Fovarre of Ramunna, her son Tenorran Fovarre, and her daughter and heir Adrenna Fovarre.”
The Autarch eyed Tenorran with interest. “I’m very pleased to meet the three of you.”
“The pleasure is ours,” Verinna said.
Elkan leaned forward. “Before we start discussing the current situation, I’d appreciate it if both of you would tell me a little bit about the history of your countries. The Wizards’ Guild’s archives only contain information up to when our ancestors left Ravanet, nearly a thousand years ago. At that time the whole continent was controlled by the Miarban Empire. I’ve picked up a little bit about what happened thereafter, from Professor Gevan and during my stay in Ramunna, but I’d appreciate a more thorough understanding. Verinna, will you give me the Ramunnan perspective? Tane, you can follow with the Marvannan version of events.”
Verinna scowled. “Is this really necessary? I didn’t come here to teach a history lesson.”
“Please. I th
ink reviewing the background and making sure we’re working from the same set of facts will help in our attempts to settle the current dispute.”
“All right.” Verinna leaned back into the soft cushions of the couch. “The Miarban Empire fell as a result of the Great Unchosen Revolt in the year—”
Tenorran listened as she wove the familiar tale. His father had told him about his family’s history long before he’d covered the same information in his University history classes. Verinna glossed over the controversy as to whether or not the first Matriarch was in fact descended from the final Oligarchs. But other than that her account matched what he’d been taught. Elkan listened with intent interest. The Autarch maintained a politely attentive expression, although from time to time he smiled in private amusement. As Verinna moved on to describe more recent Ramunnan history, he helped himself to a plateful of treats and ate quietly.
Adrenna fussed occasionally, but Tenorran was able to quiet her. He could tell she was getting hungry, though. After Verinna finished a brief account of her own background with a glowing report on her heir’s birth, he passed the baby to her.
The Autarch raised his eyebrows when she settled Adrenna to nurse, but other than that didn’t react. At Elkan’s urging he launched into a description of how his ancestors had built Marvanna from the ruins of the Miarban Empire. This was considerably more interesting to Tenorran. His education had touched on the subject only lightly.
After Tane wrapped up with a summary of his own long life and accomplishments, including a pointed description of how well prepared his son was to take over ruling Marvanna when the time came, Elkan started peppering them both with questions. He drew out a description of how the Purifiers had originated in reaction to excesses in the Temple and how they’d come to dominate Marvanna and gain influence in Ramunna. He listened with great interest to the story of how the sect had expelled all Dualists from Marvanna and how Ramunna had given them refuge and prospered from their trade with Giroda.
Adrenna fell asleep and Verinna passed her back to Tenorran. He nearly dozed himself as the questions and answers went on and on. Occasionally Verinna or Tane disputed what the other said, and voices momentarily rose, but always Elkan’s calm and earnest intervention smoothed ruffled tempers and got the conversation going again.
After a while people arrived bearing steaming bowls of wonderful-smelling food. Verinna narrowed her eyes at Elkan, but neither she nor the Autarch declined the meal. Elkan kept the discussion going as they ate, turning it to lighter matters such as the cultural differences between Marvanna and Ramunna and the variations in food across both countries, as well as the increasing popularity of Girodan cuisine in the port cities.
When the food was gone and the dishes taken away, Elkan grew more serious. He turned to the Autarch. “How long exactly has Marvanna wanted to conquer Ramunna?”
Tane eyed Verinna. She glowered back at him. He addressed Elkan, but it was clear he was talking to her as well. “We’ve always considered ourselves the only legitimate successors to the Oligarchs of ancient Miarban and the rightful rulers of all the lands their empire encompassed. The Matriarchs fabricated a bogus claim to a heritage that wasn’t truly theirs.” He sneered. “Now we’ve finally set matters right.”
Verinna lurched to the edge of her seat. “It’s the Autarchs whose claim is bogus! You’re no more a descendent of Tharanirre than your dog is!”
Elkan held up a hand. Verinna scowled at him. The Autarch laughed. “And you’re no more a descendent of the Holy Yashonna than Master Elkan’s cat.”
Verinna flushed. Elkan held up his other hand. “There’s no need for insults. Whatever the truth of your respective ancestries, it’s quite literally ancient history. From what you’ve told me about the state of the records, at this point it’s impossible to determine exactly what happened during those first hundred or so years after the fall of Miarban. At least not with enough certainty for either of you to convince the other. Do you agree?”
The Autarch inclined his head. Verinna glowered, but nodded. Elkan went on. “And I can’t see that it matters much. No one disputes that each of you came to your position according to the laws and customs of your countries. You don’t, do you?”
Verinna gave the Autarch a long, hard stare before shrugging. Tane spread his hands. “It’s obvious to anyone who knew Verinna’s mother that she’s her true daughter.” At Verinna’s indrawn breath, he added, “A compliment, I assure you.”
Verinna subsided. Elkan took a deep breath. “And no one disputes that you each ruled your countries competently for many years prior to the recent disruption.”
Verinna gave a short bark of laughter. “I was under the impression that you questioned my competence, Master Elkan.”
He winced and smiled ruefully. “I expect I would have found similar fault with Marvannan practices had it been Tane who’d first sought the Mother’s help. Nevertheless, my point stands. According to Ravanethan standards, both of you have been considered strong rulers, yes?”
The Autarch narrowed his eyes and regarded Verinna. “I never doubted your abilities in that regard.”
“Nor I yours.” Tenorran could tell the words pained his mother, but she was too proud to lie when she wouldn’t be believed.
Elkan nodded slowly, looking back and forth between them. “From what I understand, Ramunna and Marvanna have been enemies for hundreds of years, but until relatively recently the conflict was subdued, with only periodic outbreaks of violence that never changed the basic situation much. Until the previous Matriarch upset the balance by outfitting her ships with a secret weapon.”
Verinna lifted her chin proudly. “Finally we could be confident their greater numbers would never prevail. When the Armada turned the Secret against them and sent their fleet running, we were at last free of the fear that had tormented us since Ramunna’s beginning.”
Elkan looked at the Autarch, whose expression was stony, and spoke softly. “And for the first time in your history, Marvanna was afraid.”
The Autarch made a curt gesture. “And what if we were? It drove us to match Ramunna’s ingenuity, which was no bad thing. Her weapon isn’t so terrible when one has the proper tools to counter it.”
“And so the balance might have stood for another thousand years, except for conflicts within Ramunna in which Marvanna played only a tangential role. Conflicts which I unwittingly exacerbated by traveling there. The Faithful and Ramunna’s Purifiers conspired to deceive you, Verinna, and trick you into sending half the Armada away. Then they notified you, Tane, of her vulnerability. If not for their interference, would you have attempted to conquer Ramunna at this time?”
He narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. “Perhaps, perhaps not. But I could hardly fail to seize the opportunity when it fell into my hands.”
“Because you knew it would probably be your only chance. Even with your newly invented clinging fire, you couldn’t defeat the entire Armada. At least not at a cost you were willing to pay.”
The Autarch shrugged.
“Your capture of Ramunna was an unexpected windfall. If you were to negotiate its return to Verinna in exchange for considerations you found sufficiently valuable, you would come out ahead on the bargain as a whole.”
Again the Autarch shrugged. “I fail to see that she has anything to offer I might want.”
Elkan started to speak, but Verinna overrode him. “Why should I offer him anything? Does one offer to buy back jewels from the thief who stole them? I will take back what is mine with fire and sword and make Marvanna bleed for daring to touch it.”
“You will try,” the Autarch said coldly.
“In Tevenar, if a thief returns what he stole and makes reparations in coin and labor for his crime, the matter is settled. Bloodshed isn’t necessary. In fact, if the victim takes violent revenge on the thief, he commits a second crime and must be held accountable.”
Verinna snorted. “I expect Tevenar is overrun with thieves, then.”
Verinna blinked. Tenorran frowned. Elathir was at least a third as big as Ramunna. At home people were hung for theft almost daily.
His mother shook her head. “Of course few dare break the law when they know anything they do can be watched. Those of us without the luxury of the Mother’s power must deal with such crimes more harshly.” She turned her glare on the Autarch. “In Ramunna, thieves are executed.”
Tenorran only saw Elkan flinch because he happened to be looking at the Guildmaster. His voice remained calm. “But in this case, we do have the Mother’s power available. If Tane were to return Ramunna to you and make reparations that you found adequate redress for the wrong he committed, would you be willing to consider the matter settled and forego any further attempts to punish him?”
Verinna looked at him for a long time. Finally she sighed. “I see what you’re trying to do. But it’s impossible. Even a Dualist couldn’t make such a bargain. How can I both offer him enough to persuade him to surrender Ramunna without a fight, and receive enough from him to compensate for his insult and injury to me and my country?” She rubbed the back of her neck. “You might as well give up and let us both leave. The only true solution is for us to fight this out. Whoever has the stronger force will win.”
The Autarch nodded. “It’s inevitable. I see no point in continuing negotiations that will lead nowhere.”
Elkan leaned back in his chair and regarded both of them. “From everything I’ve heard and observed, your forces are very closely matched. If it comes to a battle, the Armada and the Marvannan fleet will destroy each other. Verinna, if Tane prevails, you’ll be left without ships to try again. Tane, if Verinna prevails, you’ll be defenseless. The victor will be lucky if they have a dozen ships left afloat. No matter who wins, both of you will be rebuilding for generations to come. There will be thousands dead on both sides, thousands widowed and orphaned. Both your countries will suffer.”
The Wizards' War Page 86
