The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise (21 page)

Hoftstan Ruch studied her. “You haven’t done one of those for some time. Do you know why you had one now?”

Burinar held out a large cup of red wine. “My Duzna.”

“No, I don’t,” said Erianthee as she took the cup and drank from it carefully. “In fact, I would appreciate it if you would write down as much as you can recall about the Shadowshow. I remember only bits of it, and by tomorrow, it will all be gone. I’ll ask a few others to do the same.”

“If you like,” said Ruch. “I’ll make sure all the household does.” He paused. “I don’t suppose you want Maeshar’s record?”

“No,” she answered abruptly. “No.”

“What about Kloveon? Or Doms Guyon?” Heijoj Merinex asked, looking harried.

“I don’t quite know,” said Erianthee. “I suppose it’s better to have them tell what they saw than lose their impressions completely.” She thought about the long journey she was soon to undertake with Kloveon’s escort. That would be awkward enough, but it would be worse if he thought he had been deliberately left out of the evaluation of her talent. “Hoftstan, the request might be best coming from you. There is nothing about you that would cause either man alarm, and their accounts might do much for us, in case there are questions later.” She took another drink, this one a bit longer and more vigorous than the first; the calming fingers of its virtue ran through her and she felt more herself again.

“I will attend to it, Duzna,” he pledged. “By morning if not tonight.” He looked over at the household magician. “What to you think, Merinex?”

“I think it is strange that there should be such a Shadowshow on the eve of the Duzna’s departure for the Court. Surely it is a warning that Erianthee would do well to heed.”

“But a warning of what?” Erianthee asked, and before anyone could answer, she called out, “Ninianee! Nin! Over here.”

Her sister, who had been standing in the main arch of the Great Hall, hurried to her. “Erianthee. Are you all right?

“Where have you been?” Erianthee demanded.

“Everywhere, I think.” She sat down at right angles to Erianthee. “Kloveon found me in the upper corridor. I have been to the pantry and the bake-house, to the stable and the main battlements. I watched most of your Shadowshow from the gallery, because the spell-hounds were restive. They certainly let their disquiet be known. And I have just come from the upper guardroom. A defense was mounted against magical attack.” She took Erianthee’s hand in hers. “Are you all right? Have you recovered yet?”

“I am more myself, although I am quite tired, as if I am missing half of my substance.” She tapped the wine-cup, noticing as she raised the cup that Kloveon was standing back from the table as if he were reluctant to joint them. “By the time I finish this, I believe I will be almost restored.”

“Then drink,” said Hoftstan Ruch.

“That I will, and gladly,” she said, and took another long sip; the cup was now half-empty.

“Did any of you see Yulko Bihn during the Shadowshow?” Ninianee asked, looking around those seated at their table.

“Why? Do you suspect him of something?” asked Hoftstan Ruch.

“No. But I was told he was out of the Great Hall. Perhaps one of the reasons Erianthee had such a Shadowshow – visions and other surprises – was that Bihn was performing some kind of spell to make it more his control than hers. It would certainly explain why he and his companion were out of the Hall. But I can’t imagine why he should do such a thing.”

The other exchanged uneasy glances, and Erianthee began to scowl. “I know when someone is interfering with what I do. I can feel it. I had no such impression while the Shadowshow was going on.”

“Of course you can perceive any manipulations,,” said Merinex. “You have a keen sense of spells.”

Erianthee didn’t like his tone, even though he agreed with her, so all she said was, “I didn’t know what was to be done. If there were an attempt to make me show certain events, then it was so subtle that I could not feel it. I had an uneasy feeling before I began to form the Shadows, but I did little more than wonder what the Shadows were doing; I didn’t suspect anything more.”

“You had good reason to wonder,” said Ruch. “Had you been alerted to the possibility, no doubt you would have discerned not only what but who was working against your intentions.”

“And the spell-hounds bayed,” said Merinex, his face showing his increasing worry.

“So they did,” said Ruch, and looked at Ninianee. “What did you notice, Duzna?”

“Only that my sister was having one of her prophetic Shadowshows. We haven’t seen one for at least three years.” Ninianee coughed discreetly. “I saw the object of our inquiry when the performance was about half-done, and at that time, he didn’t seem to be interfering in any way. I assumed he and Dinvee had completed their – ”

Hoftstan Ruch tapped the table-top. “I saw the same fellow at the end of the Shadowshow. I had the impression he was surprised.”

“And worried,” added Merinex. “I saw him, too.”

“Why should he be worried?” asked Erianthee, her voice rising.

“I don’t know,” said Ninianee. “But I do think what he saw perplexed him.”

“Yes,” said Ruch. “That’s it. He was perplexed.”

“Why should he be perplexed?” Erianthee asked.

“Who knows? But he was perplexed, true enough,” Merinex chimed in.

Kloveon spoke up from where he stood, half in shadows. “He didn’t seem to be a man worn out by making spells.”

“No, he didn’t,” Merinex agreed.

“What do you mean?” Ninianee asked.

“You know how any powerful magician has to rest after doing such a spell as the one that overwhelmed the Shadowshow would have to be. Well, from what I saw, Yulko Bihn wasn’t displaying any of the fatigue or debilitation that such magic imposes. He has been keeping close company with his apprentice, so I doubt he has power enough left over from her to support such commanding manifestations as the Duzna produced. I thought that he had the kind of satisfaction that some men feel when others are in difficulties, but nothing that would make me think that he was the cause of those difficulties. In fact, I think he was as astounded by what he saw as the rest of us were.”

“Then who is doing this?” Kloveon kept his voice low to avoid bringing attention to their discussion, but his urgency was apparent.

Erianthee said, “I don’t know. I may be doing it myself, you know.” She stood up. “Something must be done to get Maeshar and his company off to bed. They’ll be leaving in the morning.”

“So will Bihn,” said Hoftstan Ruch.

“Are you sure?” Erianthee asked.

“He has ordered his carriage for the morning,” said Hoftstan. “The grooms are setting out the harness tonight.”

“He wants to get to Court before you do, and that is not because he wants to praise you,” Ninianee said firmly, looking directly at her sister. “What about Maeshar. Do we know they’ll all be gone?”

“He has told General Rocazin he and his men will be gone as soon as they have broken their fasts and their horses can be saddled. They haven’t had enough hunting, or so he claims.” Hoftstan said.

“Did he suggest what hour that departure might occur?” Ninianee asked.

Erianthee made herself laugh. “Given his present condition, he may need to sleep until mid-day.”

“My very thought,” said Ninianee.

Merinex pulled thoughtfully at his beard. “I could enforce a waking spell, for the hour after dawn, if you like.”

“The spell-hounds might object,” said Hoftstan.

“They might,” Kloveon seconded unexpectedly. “So perhaps they could be set to guard the break in the defenses. They’ve done their work here, inside the castle.”

“Or so we hope,” said Erianthee. “And assuming there is no one under this roof other than Heijot Merinex, who might work spells tonight.”

Merinex shrugged. “I am willing to try.”

“Better wait an hour or two,” Ninianee suggested. “Just in case any of them has a talent for detecting spells.”

Three of the group nodded, but Kloveon said, “You should alert your Captain of the Night Guard. He needs to know what you are planning.”

“Senijer ae-Miratdien is already planning to spend the night at the break in the wall. The Night Guard will be on duty in full number until dawn. No enemy will breach that break, not with magic or with men-at-arms.” Hoftstan lowered his voice as if to ensure only they knew how thinly the guards would be spread.

“All right,” said Merinex. “Assuming ae-Miratdien agrees, I am willing to do my utmost.”

Ninianee rose. “Then let us make all the necessary arrangements before Maeshar’s companions become any more rambunctious than they have been. We have seen more than enough of their antics.” She saw Doms Guyon motion to her from his place at the end of the next table, and she looked away from him. “Maeshar and his companions are difficult guests.”

Erianthee also got to her feet, saying a little faintly, “I fear I must retire. This has been a very demanding evening. I will need to sleep a long time tonight, and may not rise early.” Before she could move, Kloveon was at her side, offering his escort with an abbreviated respect. After a moment of hesitation, Erianthee stepped to his side.

“I must see General Rocazin and Captain ae-Miratdien,” said Ninianee. “If you will accompany me, Guyon?”

“Certainly, Duzna,” he said, and came toward her, his loose-limbed stride covering the distance between them quickly.

As they set off down the hall, Ninianee did her best to make conversation., “A difficult few days.”

“That they have been,” said Doms.

“They aren’t over yet,” she added, a quiver going through her composed both of tension and vexation.

“Very likely not,” said Doms.

“With Erianthee leaving for the Imperial Court, there is much we must arrange before she can depart without – ”

“Duzna Ninianee,” Doms dared to interrupt her, “if you have need of any skill of mine, it is yours to command.”

“Very gracious of you,” said Ninianee, trying not to blush.

“Very sincere,” he corrected her.

She kept on walking, unable to summon up the words to speak with him without feeling like an awkward girl. This would not do, she told herself, and hoped, as she often did in his company, that he could not read her thoughts.

* * *

General Rocazin was pacing in front of the collapsed section of wall, her face set in disapproving lines. “This is most distressing,” she said without any customary courtesies as Ninianee and Doms Guyon came up to her. “Captain ae-Miratdien is posting the night-guard. He has pointed out that the greatest danger tonight may not be magical but ordinary.” She kicked at one of the fallen stones. “We must send word to Valdihovee for masons and stone-workers to begin repairs tomorrow.”

“Yes, indeed,” said Ninianee. “I’ll dispatch a messenger within the hour.”

“I’ll carry it for you, Duzna,” said Doms. “I know the head of the Masons’ Guild.”

Little as she wanted to entrust such an important request to Doms, Ninianee said, “That is much appreciated. Thank you.”

A slight smile flickered over Doms’ face, gone before Ninianee was sure she saw it. “It is an honor to do this for you.”

She stiffened, and bit back the sharp retort that rose to her lips. “You will be up all night,” she said in place of the rebuke she would have liked to deliver.

“I suppose you will be, too,” he said, offering a respect to Senijer ae-Miratdien as he came up to them.

“Duzna. General,” he said, respecting the two women before giving a half-respect to Doms. “I have the guard posted: twenty-four armed men and six look-outs in the towers.”

“Do you have any idea who did this?” Ninianee asked before General Rocazin could speak.

‘No,” admitted ae-Miratdien. “I thought perhaps one of Maeshar of Otsinmohr’s company had done it for an amusement, but I soon noticed signs that tools and muscle had worked this collapse, not magic, so I have had to change my thoughts, and so far, I can think of no one who might be inclined to make such an attack.”

“That is most distressing,” said Ninianee.

“The stones resist magic, you said?” Doms prompted.

Captain ae-Miratdien coughed discreetly. “Yes. Merinex tried to make repairs for the night, but without success. The same for Krunn Howei.”

“You called the magician from Valdihovee to attend to this?” General Rocazin exclaimed, very near giving vent to her temper.

“I did.” The Captain stood very straight.

“And he actually came?” Doms sounded dubious.

“He is still here; I am going to escort him back to Valdihovee as soon as the spell-hounds are at their posts,” ae-Miratdien declared.

Ninianee held up her hand. “Very well. But Doms Guyon will accompany you, carrying a message for me.”

It was General Rocazin who broke the stunned silence that greeted this information. “If you think it wise, Duzna.”

“I do,” Ninianee said, and was startled to discover it was true.

“So do I,” Doms added, and went on with a hint of mischief in his voice, “I serve no master but myself, and my rank is high enough to spare me from having to answer to the demands of any but the highest. No one will keep me from my duty, not even the Emperor’s obnoxious cousin.”