Part 37 (1/2)

Oh, Charis. Her friend tried to seem indifferent, but whenever she spoke of Rafel her heart leapt into her eyes. A few days after Uncle Pellens farewell ball, when she couldnt help herself, shed asked if Rafel ever spoke of her. The hurt when she found out no, he didnt.i.t was awful.

Rafes fine, Deenie said, cautiously. Only a bit upset that Goose is leaving.

Of course hes upset, said Charis, all swift compa.s.sion. Theyre best friends, him and Goose. She reached for a cloth and dabbed the bench dry. Snuck a sly, sideways glance, looking for a moment exactly like her old self. What about you, Deenie? Are you upset Goose is leaving?

She felt the heat rush into her cheeks. I dont know what you mean.

I think you do, said Charis. Havent you seen how he looks at you? I have. Are you sweet on him? Hes ever so nice.

And how was this suddenly about her and Goose? Charis, youre imagining things, she said, fl.u.s.tered. And Rafel is fine.

The teasing light died out of Chariss eyes. Well, good. Thats good, she said, and kept on drying the dry bench.

Deenie watched her, worried. Shed never come right out and asked Rafel if he liked Charis especially. She thought he did, even though he never spoke of her. She thought it was cause he did like her that he flirted with so many other girls when there were parties and b.a.l.l.s in the City. Girls he liked well enough, but not so much it made him uncomfortable.

Charis made him uncomfortable.

But hes still awful cross with Da, she added. If only theyd talk to each other, I know they could fix things. But theyre both so stubborn, Charis. Mamas at her wits end with the pair of them, and so am I. If we were still on the coast I swear Id push them both in the harbour, water-spouts or not, and then But Charis wasnt listening. Fresh tears had welled into her eyes and this time she didnt blink them away. And then she was slumping on the kitchen bench, her shoulders shaking. Over Rafel?

Please, please, dont let it be about Rafel.

Oh, Deenie, Charis whispered, the tears flowing down her cheeks. Im so afraid. PapaPapa, hesoh, I cant say it. I cant.

So, not about Rafel. And now she wished it was. Chariss pain for her father was a dreadful thing, as hungry as the whirlpools in Westwailing Harbour. But as her arms went out to hold and to comfort, she felt a fresh wave of awfulness crash over her. Sharp as broken gla.s.s, the pain sliced through her chest and throat, stealing her breath. She let go of her friend and ran for the scullery. Flung herself over the big stone tub, retching and retching, as her head spun and her body s.h.i.+vered hot then cold then hot.

Deenie!

And that was Mama, shaking with alarm. Charis must have fetched her from Uncle Pellens chamber. Blindly she turned and let her mothers loving arms shelter her. Buried her wet face against her mothers shoulder and sobbed.

Deenie, what is it? said Mama. What do you feel?

Mamas hand stroked her hair, over and over. But it only dulled a little bit the gla.s.s pains in her chest and throat. Da, she choked out. Mama, Das hurting.

She felt her mother tense. The softly stroking hand stopped. What kind of hurting?

The magic kind, Mama, she said, squeezing her eyes tight shut. And its bad. Its very bad.

Jervale spare us, Mama muttered. Ill make him b.l.o.o.d.y sorry he ever met me. Charis!

Charis was hovering in the open doorway, so scared. Aunt Dathne?

We have to go, child, said Mama. Tell your father he must stay in bed again tomorrow. Tell him Ill come back with another posset by the evening. No getting up, mind. Youll see he keeps under his blankets?

Yes, Aunt Dathne, said Charis, her voice wobbly with fright. Ill tell him. Isis Deenie all right?

Of course. Shes just tired, said Mama. Its been a long, exciting day. Come along, Deenie. Lets get you home. Charis Yes?

Run outside, child, said Mama. Find a cart or a carriage that can take us back to the Tower. Its too far for Deenie to walk when shes feeling unwell. Use Ashers name, to be certain of help.

Deenie lifted her head, ashamed. Saw the fright in Chariss face. Felt like a fool, and so sick. Oh no, Mama. Please. Dont make a fuss. I can walk. Charis, Im all right. Dont fret for me. Im only Hus.h.!.+ said Mama fiercely. Youll do as youre told. Charis, what are you waiting for? Go.

Charis fled.

Deenie, said Mama, holding her. Quickly. While were alone. Youre sure its your father? That hes meddling with magic?

She sounded so raw, Deenie broke free of her embrace and stared at her. Yes, Mama. Its Da. I know what he feels like.

The look in Mamas eyesshed never seen it before. Never felt this kind of frightened rage in her, not even down in Westwailing. Where is he, Deenie? Can you tell?

Reluctant, she opened herself to the messy, hot pain. IIm not sure. But I thinkyes, hes with Rafe. I can feel Rafe a little bit. Hes not hurting, not like Da. But hes frighted. And I can feeltheres something else. Power. A lot of power. A lot of strong magic. She tried, but she couldnt stop the whimper. I cant tell where they are, Mama. Im sorry. Im sorry.

No, no, no, its all right, Deenie. Mama pressed a hand to her forehead, distracted, so much fear in her eyes. I think I know where they are. I think I know what theyre doing. A sob caught in her throat, half-anguished, half-angry. Oh, Asher. Im going to kill you.

Trembling, she shrank from her mothers rage. Whats happening, Mama? What Oh, Deenie, its all right, said Mama, and kissed her. You mustnt be frighted, mouse. Whatever theyre playing at, Im sure Da and your brother will be fine.

Except she didnt believe it.

I dont believe it either. This is bad, like Westwailing. Oh, Da. Rafel. What have you done?

Da! Rafel shouted, falling to his knees beside his stricken father. Da, what is it? Whats gone wrong?

Hed thought what hed seen in Westwailing was something, but it was nowt compared to Da pouring power into Barls Weather map. Fantastic, fiery sigils, setting the air alight. The chambers gla.s.s dome had trembled, smashed shafting sunlight to rainbows. Hed felt his blood burn, his hair stir. Das Weather Magic called to him, shuddering his bones.

But now blood was streaming from his fathers eyes, as though someone had tried to gouge them from his skull with a blunt gutting knife. More blood flowed from his nose, even his mouth.

Da! he shouted again. Can you hear me? Can you talk?

Da didnt answer. Sprawled across the Weather map, he only coughed and groaned.

Barls b.l.o.o.d.y t.i.ts, Da! Dont let you die, you said. How am I sposed to do that?

Shaking, he pressed one hand to the Weather map then recoiled, sickened, feeling Morgs filthy magic all stirred up in there and spitting. Dont be a coward, Rafel. Da needs youand so does Goose. Retching, he touched the map again, and this time caught a fleeting glimpse of Barls magic. Stronger than it had felt before Da started pouring himself into the map so something had happened. Something good, before it all went bad.

He bent close to his father, pressed his lips to Das ear. Its working, Da, he whispered. Dont stop. Let me help. Take my magic, like you did in Westwailing. Take as much as you need. Take all of it, I dont care.

Blood bubbling on his lips, eyes closed, Da nodded. Hold my hand sprat.

Barely breathing, he wrapped his fingers round Das hand. It felt cold. Weak. Da wasnt an ole man. Why did he feel like an ole man?

His magics killing him. This is what he meant. Weather Magics b.l.o.o.d.y murder. Oh, Da.

Da groaned again, then opened his eyes. His face was masked in blood. Im sorry, Rafe. Its goin to hurt you. Worse than Westwailin.

I dont care, Da. It doesnt matter. Just hurry. Lets get this done so we can see you safe in bed, all right?

Das ole man fingers tightened, and he tried to smile. Rafel tried to smile back at him, his heart racing. Then he breathed out, slow and deep, and gave up his magic, all of it, to his father.