Magic's Promise (54 page)

“
I'm glad you were,
”
Vanyel said, softly.
“
If it hadn't been for you throwing my own words back in my face -
 
well, I wouldn't be here.
”

“
Is that a thing to thank me for?
”
Jervis asked unexpectedly.
“
How much you going to take before you crack?
”

“
As much,
”
Vanyel replied deliberately,
“
as I have to.
”

Jervis pondered that a moment.
“
Van - are we friends now?''

Vanyel closed his eyes.
“
We're friends. And I think I know what your next question is going to be. You want to know why I'm sending you away with Tashir.
”

“
Somethin' like.
”

“
I'm trying to scatter my targets. I had a lot of time to think, the past couple of days. I figured out something. Enemies might not be able to get
me,
but they can get at me through the people I care for. Some of them - they're pretty well protected. But ordinary people, like you, Medren -
”
He shook his head.
“
So I'm trying to send you all
away - far
away from me. The farther away you are, the safer you are. Either you'll be too distant to get at, or it will look as if I don't care. Either way,
you'II
be all right.
”

“
And you'll be alone.
”

“
That's better than knowing you took a mage-bolt because someone wanted to rock
me,”
he retorted, and swallowed the contents of the mug at a gulp.

Silence, then Jervis reached out and refilled his mug. Vanyel found himself getting a little light-headed.
“
Let me ask about something inconsequential; how's Medren? Is he going to forgive me for wrecking his old lute?''

“
Lute?
”
Jervis chortled.
“
He'd have forgiven you for wrecking Forst Reach so long as you came back safe. Funny thing; remember you said Medren'd be safe from the Swarm because he was Bardic-Gifted and not Mage?

You was almost right. Seems like the instant the Swarm tried t' find a target here, ev'ry one of his lute strings snapped. How's that for strange?
”

Vanyel shook his head.
Too close. Too damned close. I was right.

“
Anyway, he's safe at Bardic; word came back from a Bard called Breda that 'if there's any more at home like him, they're staging a raid.
”

“
So he's doing well?
”

“
Better than well. I think that's the reason Melenna decided to take that Castelaine position. I think she's startin' to look at being something other than 'Somebody's lady' or 'Somebody's momma.' I think maybe she wants to take a shot at being Somebody, herself.
”

“
Good,
”
Vanyel said, and meant it.

“
You know,
”
Jervis raised one eyebrow,
“
your father still don't half believe but what you were after Tashir's tail the whole time. Aye, and Medren, too.
”

Vanyel snorted.

“
In fact,
”
Jervis continued,
“
to hear
him
in his cups, you've had half the boys in Valdemar.
”

Vanyel put his mug down.
“
If that's a question,
”
he replied acidly,
“
you can tell him from me that it's been so damned long that both you and those damned sheep in Long Meadow are starting to look good!
”

Jervis gave him a long, thoughtful look, and Vanyel wondered if he'd said too much, too freely. He tried to ready an apology-when Jervis gave him a long, slow grin.

“
Stick to the sheep,
”
the armsmaster advised impudently.
“
They don't snore.”