“I don’t know.” He hadn’t realized Kevessa still had such strong feelings for the boy. Gevan had come to like Josiah well enough while they’d worked together to develop the insulin, but he’d always considered him shallow and immature. This act of selfless heroism proved he’d grown into someone worthy of respect. “I’m so sorry.”
For a few more minutes Kevessa sobbed quietly against his shoulder. Eventually she stilled. She drew several long, slow breaths, then drew back. Gevan released her.
She scrubbed her eyes. Her mouth set into a stubborn line. “We can’t just leave him down there. I’m going in and bringing him out.”
“You can’t.” Gevan’s stomach clenched at the thought of her returning to danger. “The explosion might have weakened the structure. It could still fall.”
Kevessa turned to survey the building. She frowned, glanced at Gevan, then back at the Hall. After a moment she shook her head. “As soon as it’s safe.”
She looked around at the crowd of wizards and gave Gevan a shaky smile. “It might be days before they let us back in. We’ll need somewhere else to stay until then. Master Elkan will provide for the wizards, but if you don’t want to camp in a park you’d better go secure a room at an inn. Quick, before they all fill up.” Her mouth twisted into a grimace. “You certainly can’t go back to the Autarch’s ship.”
Gevan swallowed. He might never go home to Ramunna. After being betrayed by both the Autarch and the Matriarch, Elkan would surely cut off all contact with Ravanetha.
At least if he was stuck in Tevenar for the rest of his life, Kevessa was here with him. “That can wait.”
“No, please, go now. Every room in Elathir is going to be taken as fast as people can reach the market.” She put her hands on his chest and shoved. “Please. I don’t want you stuck sleeping on the ground or on a hard stone floor somewhere.”
Gevan didn’t relish the idea, either. “Come with me, then.”
“I wish I could, but I’m sure Master Elkan will want all wizards to stay and wait for instructions. There are several good inns near the market. Here, let me show you.” She stroked Nina and extended her hand. A window popped into existence and traced a path through the streets.
Kevessa would need shelter, too. There was no way Elkan could find beds for all the displaced wizards in a single day. And she was right about how fast the available rooms would fill. “I’m not leaving you alone.”
“I’m not alone. Look, there’s Vigorre and Tesi. I’ll wait with them until Master Elkan tells us what to do.”
Gevan followed her gesture and spotted the young Keeper and the Girodan huddled together near the fountain.
“Please Father, just go. I’ll be fine, I promise.” She hugged him, turning his body so it faced the street that led to the market. As she released him she put her hand on his back and urged him in that direction.
Gevan took an inadvertent step. “All right. If you insist.” His daughter was nearly an adult. She’d been on her own for months. Little wonder she resisted him treating her like a helpless child. “I’ll be back as soon as I locate something suitable.”
Kevessa nodded, more composed than seemed natural so soon after her distress. “Thank you, Father.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and headed off.
Gevan kept casting glances over his shoulder as he crossed the plaza. When he saw Kevessa reach her friends and start talking with them, he turned and strode toward the market.
His thoughts returned to the incredible sight of the Mother walking down a moonbeam into the world, like a scene from the holy Yashonna’s writings brought to life. It was going to take a great deal of thought and study to reconcile this revelation with his understanding of the world.
He would have to decide if he should change the way he conducted his life, and how. Should he reevaluate his research with an eye to whether the Mother would approve, attend Restday services every week, pray morning and evening to a being who apparently did exist after all?
He couldn’t. That sort of devotion wasn’t in his nature. He wasn’t like Elkan or Kevessa. But he could serve the Mother in his own way. Surely seeking to understand her creation and devising new ways to help her people honored her as much as anything the wizards did.
And he could acknowledge her when it was appropriate. He pictured her softly glowing form and addressed it with his thoughts. Thank you, Mother, for saving our lives. He swallowed. And thank you that it was Josiah you asked to sacrifice himself, not Kevessa.
* * *
Wizards and familiars milled around the plaza. Voices rose in horror and confusion and awe. Windows glowed everywhere, replaying the night’s events. Elkan saw image after image of Sar and Josiah, golden light pouring from them in a massive, irresistible wave, driving the force of the explosion before it.
An owl swooped over his head. Todira emerged from the crowd and hurried to him. “Dear Mother, Elkan. I’m so sorry.”
He nodded numbly and passed Adrenna to her. “Stay close, please.” Other wizards, many in nightclothes, the rest disheveled from dressing in a panic, gathered around. He passed control of Verinna to Hadara and Whiskers, and gave Tenorran over to Vethon and Cloud.
Hanion shoved through the crowd. He thrust a window into Elkan’s face. At his ankle, Mavke snarled. “Blast it, Elkan, you lied to us!”
Elkan blinked at the image of himself and Josiah in Josiah’s bedroom, talking in urgent low voices. Other wizards gathered around, faces fearful and questioning, many more windows showing Josiah awake and active at various times during the last three days. They fell quiet to hear what he’d say.
He took a deep breath. “The Mother gave Josiah permission to lie to the people of Jevtaran. In return he promised to keep her involvement a secret and take responsibility if the matter ever became public. He told me as soon as he returned to Korisan.”
Hanion sputtered. Some of the other wizards waved windows that showed Josiah speaking with Nirel, but Elkan ignored them. Finally Hanion got words out. “And you believed him?”
“I did.”
“Without proof?”
Elkan pointed at the Hall and raised his voice so the rest of the wizards could hear. “What more proof do you need? Sar didn’t break their bond. If he had, that explosion would have destroyed the Mother’s Hall and everyone in it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “We still can’t let the people know the Mother deceived them. I’ll have to come up with a public explanation. Until then, tell no one who isn’t a wizard what really happened. If we can keep the knowledge within the guild, maybe we can avoid losing their trust.”
Hanion scowled. Most of the other wizards were frowning and glancing at their familiars. Todira voiced their apprehension. “Are you sure?”
Elkan wasn’t at all sure. Maybe it would be better to tell the people of Tevenar the whole truth and let them decide for themselves what that meant for their faith in the Mother. He looked at Tobi. Well? What does the Mother want us to do?
Tobi regarded him with big, solemn eyes. She’s not telling me anything. Which means it’s a matter for your free will.
Then I choose to keep her secret. He looked around at the crowd, catching eyes here and there. “I’m sure. Your familiars will confirm my decision. Spread the word to the rest of the guild. Quietly! And close your windows.” He gestured to where people were pouring into the plaza from the surrounding streets. “We can talk more about this later, when only wizards are present.”
There were grumbles, but gradually they obeyed. Hanion stared at Mavke for a long moment. The bulldog whined and wagged his tail. Finally Hanion scowled at Elkan. “I’ll want a full account. The truth this time!”
“You’ll get it, after I deal with more pressing matters.” Hanion still didn’t look satisfied, but Elkan wasn’t going to waste any more time mollifying him. There were far more urgent things he must do.
He repeated reassurances to those pressing around him as he made his way to the center of the plaza. He climbed onto the foun
tain and looked around. The Hall stood silent and empty. More people were arriving every moment from the rest of the city, their voices rising until the clamor echoed from the buildings all around.
Tobi leaped up beside him, pressed into his hand, and sent a ripple of gold over the crowd. A hush fell as everyone turned toward him. Their stricken, fearful, angry faces looked to their Guildmaster for guidance.
He spoke into the silence, his voice steady. “Matriarch Verinna Fovarre and Autarch Tane Voreen conspired to destroy the Mother’s Hall, with the intent to kill every wizard in Tevenar. Verinna is in our custody, but Tane remains free. Most likely aboard that ship.” He pointed to where the ship that had set off the explosion was sailing rapidly down the river toward the sea. “He must not escape justice. Wizards, take whatever Tevenaran ships are at the docks and go after him. Bring him here.”
They roared their approval and surged toward the road to the dock. Elkan looked down at Meira. “Verinna might have left word for the Armada to attack if she was captured. Can you assemble your crews and ready the weapons to fire on any ship that approaches?”
“I expect everyone who heard the explosion is on their way to their assigned place. I’ll send messengers to rouse the laggards.” She gave him a faint smile, settled Ravid more firmly on her hip, and strode toward the nearest messenger station.
He was about to follow when a disturbance at the Hall doors drew his attention. Kevessa was struggling, while Vigorre and Braon held her back. Elkan jumped down and went to intervene.
“Master Elkan, tell them to release me. I have to go to Josiah.” Kevessa wrenched at the hold on her arms.
“We caught her trying to sneak in,” Vigorre told him. “Master Hadara ordered everyone to stay out of the building. She said it might still collapse.” He swallowed. “And, Kevessa, really… there’s nothing we can do.”
“I don’t care!” She twisted harder.
Elkan understood the danger; he’d been with Hadara during the cave-in following Noadiah’s first use of the blasting powder. “He’s right,” he told Kevessa gently. “No one should go inside until builders make sure the foundations are sound.”
She stopped fighting and glared at him. “We can’t just leave them down there.”
“I’m afraid we’ll have to, for a little while. I’ll summon Master Rada. As soon as she arrives, we’ll bring them out together.”
She stared at him for a moment longer. Her shoulders slumped. “All right.”
Elkan nodded, and Vigorre and Braon released her. Braon attempted to put an arm around her, but she shook him off and wrapped her arms around her torso.
Elkan left them and went to the messenger station. Meira was already gone, undoubtedly headed for the nearest weapon. They’d positioned it on an outcrop of rock overlooking the river, along with stores of powder and ammunition. She and her crew would have a clear shot at any ship that approached. If Benarre tried to complete the unfinished destruction, he’d get a nasty surprise.
“I want all guildmasters to report here as quickly as possible. Rouse them from their beds if the explosion didn’t wake them. Tell them we’re holding a trial.”
“A trial?” the messenger asked. “Who? For what?”
“The Matriarch and the Autarch,” Elkan told him grimly. “For murder.”
Sixty-Two
Master Rada grimaced at the final stretch of stone foundation displayed over Elkan’s hand. “Everything looks solid, although there may be cracks we can’t see. A quick venture inside shouldn’t be too risky. But it’s going to need extensive examinations and probably some reinforcements before I’ll be able to declare it habitable again.”
“This won’t take long.” Elkan looked around at the group of Josiah’s friends. “We go straight down to the basement and straight out. No detours. Stay close and keep your hands on your familiars. Be ready to divert falling stone at any moment.”
The returned his gaze with earnest purpose. Kevessa’s eyes were red, but she nodded and put her hand firmly on Nina where the squirrel huddled in the crook of her arm. “We will.”
The others echoed her. Elkan reached for Tobi and pushed the door of the Hall open. “Rada, go first. Tobi and I will shield you. If you see anything of concern, give the word and we’ll turn around.”
The builder nodded and led the way into the Mother’s Hall, raising her lantern to shed a pool of yellow light. Elkan and Tobi followed, with the apprentices clustered close behind.
Outside the sky was lightening, but the vast space of the Hall was shrouded in gloom, a thick pall of smoke lingering in the upper reaches. Their footsteps echoed as they passed the maze of screened cubicles and approached the north stair. When they reached it, Rada paused, studied the stone of the walls with a critical eye, and nodded. They made their way downward, into the deeper darkness of the basement.
As they approached the place the window had shown, Elkan pushed ahead. Tobi hung back without him having to ask, for which he was grateful. The others did, too, except for Kevessa, who clung to his heels. But when the pool of lantern light fell across the two bodies, she faltered.
Elkan put a hand on her arm, then went forward alone. He knelt and laid a shaking hand on Sar’s neck. The donkey’s fur was as soft as ever, but his warm flesh had melted away. Cold skin stretched over hard bone. Elkan swallowed hard, his stomach churning. He’d heard descriptions of what remained after wizards and familiars burned themselves out, but words couldn’t capture the horror of seeing beloved forms shrunken to barely more than skeletons. They looked as if they’d died from extreme starvation.
Rest safe with the Mother, Sar. You’ve more than earned it. No wizard could have asked for a better familiar. He stroked the donkey’s broad nose and gently closed his long-lashed lids over empty, sightless eyes.
He turned to Josiah where he lay over Sar’s back, his gaunt arms still wrapped around his familiar’s neck. I always knew you had a true wizard’s heart. He reached to brush his apprentice’s unruly mop of curls out of his face. No master could have asked for a better—
He froze. Josiah’s skin was warm. A faint whisper of breath brushed his hand.
“Tobi!” He grabbed for her as she bounded to his side. “He’s alive. Dear Mother, he’s still alive.”
The others erupted in a babble of astonished voices, but he ignored them, focusing only on the information that flooded his senses as Tobi poured golden light over Josiah. The scent of hot wind over barren sand. A creaking rustle like dry leaves. The flavor of maple syrup, thick as honey on his tongue. Threads of faint silvery light, ragged broken ends protruding everywhere as if from torn cloth. And the feeling of massive, terrible hunger, like a vast empty void in his belly.
With a lurch of impossible hope, he urged Tobi to turn the Mother’s power on Sar. If the Mother could grant them one miracle, why not two? But aching absence washed over him, and he flinched. Dear, stubborn Sar. He’d insisted on using their last dregs of energy to save Josiah instead of himself.
Tobi focused on Josiah again. She poured healing energy into his body, but there was little it could do with no raw materials to work with. It would take time and food and rest to rebuild the tissues Sar had burned.
If they could be rebuilt at all.
Elkan gathered Josiah in his arms, carefully, because he seemed fragile enough to fall apart at a touch. But he clung to Sar, giving a muffled grunt of protest when Elkan drew him away. “It’s all right,” Elkan told him, his voice breaking. “You did it. You’re safe. We’re all safe.”
Josiah didn’t answer, but he relaxed, and Elkan lifted him. Dear Mother, he was no heavier than Ravid. Elkan wouldn’t need Tobi’s help this time, as he had when he’d carried Josiah’s limp body to his room only three days ago.
He turned to find Kevessa hovering close, clutching Nina, her eyes fixed on Josiah. She reached to touch his gaunt face and raised her burning gaze to Elkan. “What can I do to help him?”
“He needs food and water. Run to the
kitchen and find milk, bread, soup, anything soft. That broth they were feeding him would be perfect. Meet us outside.”
Kevessa nodded, her jaw setting into a determined line. She gave Josiah’s cheek a final caress and bolted for the stairs.
“Vigorre, Braon, carry Sar. We need to get out as quickly as possible. It’s still not safe in here.”
Master Rada affirmed his words. Nirre and Copper sent the Mother’s power to lift Sar’s body and float it up the stairs, Vigorre and Braon walking on either side. Elkan followed with Josiah. The rest pressed close behind, the deathly hush with which they’d descended replaced by a buzz of wonder and speculation.
They emerged from the Hall into the gray light of dawn. The wizards in the plaza gathered around solemnly. Elkan pushed through, letting the others convey the joyful news. “Put Sar down there.” He should lie in honor in the center of the Hall, as wizards and familiars who’d sacrificed their lives in the Mother’s service traditionally did, but the grassy lawn by the fountain would have to do. “Keep watch over his body. We’ll bury him this evening, after everyone’s had a chance to pay their respects.”
And after those responsible for his death had been brought to justice. Let them see how much their actions had cost. And how little they’d achieved.
After Vigorre and Braon complied, Elkan eased Josiah down beside the donkey. Kevessa raced up with a jug in one hand and a loaf of bread in the other. “There’s a little broth left.”
“Good.” Elkan knelt beside Josiah and lifted him to a sitting position. “See if he’ll take it.”
Kevessa pulled the stopper from the jug and raised it to Josiah’s lips. She tipped out a few drops. Josiah’s tongue came out and tentatively licked them away. His mouth opened and Kevessa trickled a bit more in. He swallowed once, then again. Then he lurched toward her, guzzling the broth as rapidly as she could pour it.
When the jug was empty, Kevessa pulled it away. Josiah’s hands twitched, and he made a faint sound of disappointment. His eyes cracked open. They rested on Kevessa for a moment, slid to Elkan, then moved past him to take in the still standing Hall. He sighed and slumped against Elkan. In a faint, breathy voice he said, “I’m not dead?”
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