The Exile and the Sorcerer (5 page)

“You’ll do fine.”

“Laff may be right,” Tevi said quietly.

“Don’t be stupid.”

“I’m hopeless at fighting.”

“From what I’ve heard, so was your grandmother. It’s why she wasn’t so keen to go into battle with her sisters—and why she’s still alive. Yet she’s been a great Queen. You must have more faith in yourself. Why are you so worried?”

The conversation was getting worse. The scrunch of footsteps on sand was, at first, a welcome distraction.

Red appeared behind the stern of the boat. Her eyes skipped over Tevi. “Brec, I was looking for you. Lizard wants to see you right away.”

If Red was acting as messenger, it had to be something serious. Brec trotted off immediately, saying, “I’d better go and see what Grandmother wants.”

Alone on the beach, Red looked at her daughter with distaste. “I don’t suppose you know where Laff is?”

“She was practising her swordplay by the river.”

Red grunted and turned away.

“Mother.” Red stopped at Tevi’s call, but did not look back. “If there’s something you need? Can’t I help?”

“I doubt it.” Red limped away.

“Right. Fine. I’m sure Laff will be more use to you.” Tevi spoke to her mother’s retreating back in a tone pitched too low to be heard.

Red vanished behind the dunes. The black sands held a ragged cover of sea grass, and the first blooms of sand pinks were showing a flush of colour. Nobody was in sight. Tevi turned and leaned her shoulders against the hull of the boat, staring bleakly at the sea.

“You want to know why I’ll be no good as Queen?” Tevi addressed to the waves the words she could not say to Brec. “I don’t like shouting and arguing. I don’t like swaggering around all the time as if I’m looking for a fight. I don’t like pretending the only strong emotions I feel are anger or lust. I’m no good at the act anyway.”

Of the children Red had borne before Tevi, only three sons survived infancy. Tevi had been a desperately longed-for heir. By her third birthday, her mother was planning the victory feast for Tevi’s first triumphant return from battle. Tevi was supposed to become a great warrior and leader. Watching her dreams crumble had made Red bitter.

Tevi’s head sagged. If only one of her brothers had been a girl. She envied them. They went about their work, unheeded and unchallenged.
Men don’t have to pretend to be something they’re not
, she thought.
If I’d been a boy, it wouldn’t matter how I feel about women. Brec might even want to be my lover, and...
Tevi squashed the thought.

The islands had a strict set of laws. For cowardice in battle, a woman’s family would disown her. A range of punishments were specified for stealing, from a fine to enslavement. Treason or murder warranted the harshest penalty: death by stoning. For one woman to take another as a lover was not so clearly defined. You might be executed, exiled, flogged, or merely ridiculed—at least, for a first offence. It would depend on circumstance, the mood the Queen was in that day and possibly the direction the wind was blowing.

A memory came to Tevi, sharp and vivid. Eight years before, a prisoner had been brought before her grandmother. The woman had killed another in cold blood. The Queen had passed judgement. Tevi had gone with the rest of the village to see justice done. The crowd had been overawed, watching the Queen ceremonially throw the first stone. Others had joined in. The first forty or so hits had resulted in torn and bleeding skin, a broken shoulder joint, and fractured ribs. The woman had screamed for forgiveness. The next large stone had smashed her skull and killed her.

Tevi groaned and looked at the boat. Everything was in perfect order. There was no reason to stay away from the village any longer, except she could not face it—not just yet. Turning away, she walked along the beach and up the cliff path. Brec’s words kept running through her head, especially about the risks of rumours. Her status in Holric was low enough. She did not need further scandal.

Everyone else Tevi’s age had been sexually active for years. The tally Laff was notching up gave rise to jokes and envy in equal parts. Women’s sexual exploits formed a major part of their conversation, with imagination used where necessary to embellish the facts. Tevi had known that her own lack of enthusiasm for men would be noticed eventually.

For a long time, Tevi stood on the cliff top watching the seagulls while listening to the crash of surf below. A line of clouds hung over the horizon, but the sky above was clear. Sunlight glittered off the waves. The brisk wind, heavy with salt, snapped at her hair. It eased her tension, but the decision could not be put off. She had to take steps to silence the gossip, and one particular course of action was unavoidable.

Brec had spoken of Sparrow. Presumably, Brec knew her own brother. Would he really be willing if she made a play for him? A rueful smile crossed Tevi’s face. Actually, his response was unimportant for her purpose. A more useful effect on gossip would probably be had if he ran from her screaming, “No, no, you beast, leave me alone!” But if he agreed...? Tevi pursed her lips. It probably would not be so bad. After all, she liked Sparrow. He was a friend.

Tevi hung her head. She had to do it, but the coming evening would be a trial. The rest of her life would be a trial. She remembered her childish disappointment when she realised that being the Queen’s granddaughter did not automatically make her the best at everything.

Tevi turned around. The sun was sinking to the horizon. It was time to go to the feast, but all things considered, maybe death in battle might not be so bad.

*

The smell of roast boar greeted Tevi on her return to the main square. The air was thick with ribbons of sweet smoke. Every child in Holric seemed to be gathered by the fire pits to watch the cooking. Many stood with eyes and mouths wide open, while others laughed and squabbled.

Women had begun passing around flagons of wine and beer. There was no sign of the envoy and her comrades. Presumably, they were in the Queen’s hall. The mood in the square was cheerful, and for once, Tevi did not feel that she was the subject of hostile scrutiny. A gang of young women were sprawled to one side. Tevi was tempted to join them, but she had an objective to achieve that night. She turned in search of Sparrow.

The interior of Lizard’s family hall was dark and noisy. Once her eyes had adjusted to the light, Tevi spotted Sparrow sitting surrounded by a group of small boys, helping to braid their hair. Tevi made her way to within a few feet, then came to a standstill, suddenly very nervous and uncertain. A boy tapped Sparrow’s shoulder and pointed in her direction.

Sparrow looked up and smiled. “Are you looking for Brec? She’s only just gone.”

“No...I was looking for you.”

“Me?”

“Well, I thought...you might like to come with me...if you’re finished here. And...we could see if the cider has settled. It might be nice if you and I, er”—Tevi knew she was flustered. She prayed she was not blushing as well—“spent some time together.”

To her relief, and slight surprise, Sparrow’s smile broadened. “I’d like that. But I thought you were due to meet Brec. She was looking everywhere for you.”

“We had no plans.”

“I think it was important.”

“I don’t know...” Tevi hesitated.

“It’s not a problem. I’m going to be a bit longer with the children. When I’m finished, I’ll look for you. I promise.” Now it was Sparrow’s turn to be shy. He fiddled with the comb in his hand.

“Right. I’ll go and find her. We’ll meet later.” Tevi shifted from foot to foot, wondering if she should hug him, but it felt false. Besides, all he had agreed to was meeting her at the feast. There would be time to say more later, and the cider would help.

Once outside, Tevi raised her face to the sky and let out a deep sigh. Sparrow had seemed happy. Maybe Brec was right about him liking her. Tevi did not know whether to feel pleased or frightened.

Remembering Brec, Tevi scanned the village square without success. “Have you seen Brec recently?” she asked a nearby woman.

“I saw her head off to the beach a while back.”

“Thanks.”

Tevi jostled through the crowded square with as much speed as possible. The sun had not yet set, but already, some people were drunk. One almost fell in her path. Running bands of children collided with her at waist height. Several minutes were needed before she cleared the press of people lining the square and left the noise behind.

Tevi spotted a lone figure returning from the beach. “Hey! Brec!”

The figure raced towards her. “Where’ve you been? I’ve searched everywhere for you.”

“What’s up?”

“We need to talk. Come with me.” Brec was clearly agitated, now that she was close enough for Tevi to see her face.

“What about? What’s wrong?”

“We can’t talk here. Come on.”

Brec could not be drawn to say more. Anxiously, Tevi followed her friend past the empty workshops. At last, Brec led the way into one of the barns at the edge of the village. A mound of hay filled the back, and a row of small barrels lined one side. Apart from these objects, the building was empty.

“Right. So what is this about?” Tevi asked.

Brec held up one hand. She clambered onto the hay and peered over at the rear wall. Tevi stared in astonishment.

“I have to check if we’re alone.”

“What...why?”

“You’ll understand.”

Brec jumped down and pushed the door shut. The last of the sun’s rays fell squarely on the timber planks. Light squeezed through the cracks. Tevi selected one of the barrels and sat on it, waiting for an explanation.

Brec had her hands clasped behind the back of her head, staring at the ceiling. Judging her expression was hard in the dimness. Only the faint sounds from the distant square broke the silence.

“Brec?” Tevi prompted.

“I’ve been thinking...about what we were saying beside the boat. At least...I’ve been doing a bit more thinking,” Brec said unsteadily.

“So have I. I’ve talked to Sparrow, and I think you’re right. He does like me.”

“You’re not really keen on him.”

“Of course I am.”

“But not as a man.” Brec’s voice was quiet. “Your sister was right, wasn’t she?”

“Brec!”

“It’s all right. You don’t have to deny it.”

Tevi’s mouth went dry. For the space of a dozen heartbeats, she could not force out any words, while fighting the temptation to give in to panic and run. Eventually, she found her voice. “Has someone been getting at you? Was it Laff? You shouldn’t bother about her.” Tevi stood. “Come on, let’s go back to the feast.”

The other woman made no attempt to move.

“Brec?”

Brec’s face dropped into her hands. Her voice came in a strangled whisper through her fingers. “I love you, Tevi.”

The words hit like a physical blow. Blood pounded in Tevi’s ears. Her legs turned to jelly. Stunned, she sank back onto the barrel.

“Tevi?” Brec’s voice was tense, devoid of emotion.

Tevi did not answer. In her mind’s eye, she saw the body of the executed murderer, broken and blood-soaked.

“Tevi. Did you hear me? I said I love you.”

“It’s dangerous.”

“But do you love me?”

“You must know that I do,” Tevi said in a monotone whisper.

“Will you meet me here tonight?” Brec spoke urgently.

Things were going too far, too fast. The solid world was wrenched out of joint, and Tevi felt stunned, yet the request struck through the fog. She stared at her friend in alarm. “Have you gone mad? Do you know what’ll happen if we’re caught?”

“I don’t care.”

“We could be exiled or executed.”

“Are you frightened?”

“Yes. Aren’t you?” Tevi’s head was spinning.

“But it’s just the fear of being caught? If it was safe, you’d want to be my lover?” Brec’s voice was harsh in its insistence.

Tevi fought for control of her voice, but now she could be honest. “More than anything in the world. I’ve loved you hopelessly for years.”

“Then please meet me here tonight. No one will miss us with the feast.”

It was insane, but Tevi could not say no. “All right, I’ll be here.”

“And we’ll be lovers?” Brec’s question sounded like a challenge.

“Yes.”

“I think we’ve heard enough.” The Queen’s voice rang out. Tevi’s head jerked in its direction, also hearing movement at the rear of the barn, behind the hay. Bewildered, Tevi turned back just in time to see Brec’s fist. The blow knocked her sprawling on the floor. A foot swung into her stomach, driving the air from her lungs.

“Stop that,” the Queen said sharply.

Gasping for breath, Tevi was vaguely aware of the presence of more people in the barn—walking around, standing over her.

Brec’s voice sounded over the others. “Goddess! Did you hear her? I don’t know how I managed to—”

The Queen interrupted. “We heard her. You played your part well. Don’t overplay it. Now bring her over here.”