Part 2 (1/2)

Kaylas eyes narrowed, then widened as a fifteen-year-old memory surfaced in her mind, and with a shock she knew him. Before she could speak, his hazel-green eyes met hers with a look that held both recognition and warning. aIam the innkeeper,a Kayl said, swallowing the warmer welcome she had intended. Glyndon shal Morag had been Kevranas friend, and her own. If he wanted to pretend to be a stranger, she would trust hima”at least long enough to hear his explanation. aAre you looking for a room?a aI am, if you have one.a aI do. Five pence the night, seven if you want an evening meal.a aDone. Iad be grateful if you would show me the room now; Iall be down for the meal as soon as Iam dry enough not to dissolve your benches.a aVery good. This way.a Kayl signaled Mark and Dara to cover the serving room, then led the new guest up the stairs. As soon as they were out of sight and hearing of the room, Kayl turned. aItas good to see you again, Glyndon. What brings you to Copeham? And why the playacting?a aI thought the playacting might be necessary. As to why Iam hereaa His eyes dropped. aIa saw something that disturbed me.a Kayl reached out in sympathy, then let her hand drop before the gesture was complete. aThe visions didnat leave you, then.a aNo.a His tone was restrained, but his eyes seemed suddenly haunted.

aNo one coulda do anything?a Glyndonas lips twisted. aMy Varnan compatriots werenat anxious to a.s.sist a second-rate wizard. Particularly a renegade second-rate wizard. And off Varnaaa He shrugged. aItas been two hundred years since the Wizardas War, and you still canat find anyone whoall trust a Varnan, much less help one. I tried, of course.a aIam sorry.a The bitter, haunted look gave way to a gleam of wry amus.e.m.e.nt. aNo sorrier than I, believe me.a He hesitated. aWhereas Kevran? Away?a Kayl found to her surprise that the old wound could still be painfully fresh. aKevran died five years ago, Glyndon. I would have sent word, if Iad thought it would reach you.a Glyndonas shoulders sagged in a curious mixture of relief and hurt and shame. aI see.a There was a momentas silence. aIam sorry. If Iad known, Iad have come sooner.a aI know.a Kayl paused. aI donat suppose youad care to explain a little more just why youare here?a aTomorrow, if youall indulge me. Iam tired, and I donat think itas quite that urgent.a Kayl looked at him, considering. Something in his tone rang false, but it was plain that he did not wish to begin a discussion now, and she had customers waiting below. aAll right. I can see youare in need of rest. But if you donat have a good explanation ready for me tomorrow morning, youall wish youad gone on to the inn in Cedarwell, even if their beds have fleas.a aI wonat disappoint you,a Glyndon promised solemnly.

aYouad better not,a Kayl said, grinning. aWill this room do?a Glyndon did not so much as glance inside. aYes.a aThen Iall leave you to your drying off.a aCould you bring that meal you mentioned up here?a Glyndon said with a touch of diffidence.

Kayl looked up in surprise that swiftly changed to understanding. aSo you saw Corrana.a aIf sheas the vision in Sisterhood silver, yes. Iad rather not cross swords with one of them.a aI understand.a The Sisterhood had a long-standing antipathy toward Varnans, dating back to its misty beginnings in the confusion following the Wars of Binding. aIall send Mark up with something in a few minutes.a aMarka the boy downstairs? Your son?a aYes, and the girl is my daughter, Dara.a Kayl did not even try to keep the pride out of her voice.

Glyndon shook his head. aSomehow, I find it hard to imagine you with children, though Iave known of them for years.a aKevran sent you word?a Kayl said, surprised. aI didnat think he knew where to find you, either!a aI didnat hear of them from Kevran,a Glyndon said shortly, and belatedly Kayl remembered his unwanted visions.

aIam sorry, Glyndon. I wasnat thinking.a He waved her apology away. aI should know better than to be so touchy. Iave had long enough to grow accustomed to it.a But his smile was forced.

aI hope youare accustomed to children,a Kayl said, deliberately turning the conversation. aTheyall be after you constantly as soon as they find out you knew Kevran.a aKayla”a Glyndon hesitated. aDo a favor for me.a aOf course. What?a aDonat tell Mark or Dara who I am, or even that we know each other, until weave had a chance to talk.a aIf you insist,a Kayl said. His request surprised and worried her; it was unlike him, and it made his presence seem as ominous as Corranaas.

aIa donat want anything to slip out in front of that star-sister you have downstairs.a Kayl snorted to hide her concern. aYou never could lie to me, Glyndon, and thereas no need to. I wonat say anything to them until weave talked. But that explanation of yours had better be very, very good.a Glyndon smiled. aThank you.a aYouare welcome.a She turned to go.

aKayl.a She gave an inquiring look back over her shoulder. Glyndon stood framed in the doorway, watching her.

aItas good to see you again,a he said, and smiled. aYou havenat changed at all.a Kayl made her lips return his smile, and left.

CHAPTER.

SIX.

Kayl returned to the serving room and resumed her work as calmly as she could manage. She could feel Corranaas eyes on her, and Jirodas, and her childrenas, but she had no rea.s.surance for any of them. She could only hope that they would think her distraction a continuation of her earlier moodiness, and not connect it with Glyndonas arrival.

Fortunately, the serving room was busier than ever. Corrana tried several times to attract Kaylas attention, which annoyed Kayl. Couldnat the woman see that Kayl had no time now for involved conversations and cryptic hints? Kayl turned away and pretended not to see.

A few minutes later, she felt a touch at her elbow. She turned and found Corrana watching her with unfathomable black eyes. aI would speak with you,a the sorceress said.

aVery well, Your Virtue.a Kayl handed the bowl of stew she was carrying to a young farm laborer, collected his coppers, and turned. aWhat is it?a aYour new customer, the man who entered a few minutes ago. Who is he?a Kayl shrugged, hiding a sudden rush of fear for Glyndon. aHe hasnat given me a name for the guest-board yet.a aI heard him say he would come back for his meal, but he has not appeared.a aHe changed his mind after he had to shove his way through this crowd, and decided to eat in his room.a Corranaas brows arched. aHe is so wellborn? He did not look it.a Kayl shrugged again. aHe pays well, whatever his birth. And he seems an unlikely person to attract your attention, lady.a aPerhaps.a Corrana seemed to be speaking more to herself than to Kayl. aYes, you may be right. I will not keep you longer.a Kayl nodded and returned to her work. A few minutes later, she saw Corrana making her way up the stairs. She tensed slightly, wondering whether the woman would knock on doors until she found Glyndonas room, and what would happen if she did.

No disturbance occurred, and gradually Kayl relaxed. The rest of the evening pa.s.sed in a dull blur of faces and mugs and the damp, smokey smell of the cloaks hanging around the fire. Corranaas appearance in the robes of the Sisterhood had given the villagers something new to speculate on, and they stayed even later than they had the previous evening.

Finally the last of the customers left. Kayl sent Mark and Dara off to bed at once; she had no intention of suffering through another day like this, and if they didnat get enough sleep theyad be arguing again as soon as they awoke. Then she collapsed onto a bench with a huff of relief.

aKayl.a She jerked at the sound of the quiet voice, and almost slid off the bench. Turning, she peered into the shadowed corners of the serving room. aWhoas there?a she said sharply.

aMe.a Jirodas form appeared beside the black hole that was the doorway to the kitchen. aIam sorry I startled you.a aWhat are you still doing here?a Kayl said, only a little less sharply than before.

aI wanted to talk to you.a aYou might have asked earlier.a Jirod returned her gaze steadily. aIf I had, youad have said you were too busy or too tired. Wouldnat you?a aProbably,a Kayl said, and sighed.

aShe wouldnat have been lying, either,a said a voice from one of the shadowed corners. Kayl turned, startled, to see Bryn strolling toward her.

aWhat is this, a plot?a Kayl said, half seriously.

Jirod gave Bryn an annoyed look and turned to Kayl. aMay I sit down?a he said, ignoring the Wyrd woman.

Kayl nodded. Jirod came around the tables and folded himself onto the other end of the bench. Bryn took the seat across from Kayl without asking, and Jirod gave her another look. aWell?a Kayl said. aWhat is it?a Jirod glanced at Bryn and hesitated, then said carefully, aI heard Utrilo was here again this afternoon.a aHe was here, all right,a Bryn said before Kayl could reply. aThrowing his weight around as usuala”all of it. Whatas that got to do with anything?a aI was worried about Kayl,a Jirod said with a cold dignity that betrayed his embarra.s.sment at having to say it aloud, in front of Bryn.

aI appreciate it, Jirod, but you can see thereas nothing to worry about,a Kayl said. Silently, she blessed Bryn for distracting Jirod long enough for Kayl to see the situation in perspective. Otherwise, she would have snapped his head off.

aIa”a Jirod stopped short, and glanced at Bryn yet again. aIall come see you tomorrow, Kayl, if thatas all right?a aYouare always welcome, Jirod,a Kayl said sincerely.

Jirod nodded farewell, a little stiffly, Kayl thought, and left. As the innas door closed behind him, Bryn shook her head. aI donat think he likes me,a she said mournfully.

Kayl laughed. aDo you blame him? You upset all his plans for a quiet tryst.a aIall call him back, if you like,a Bryn offered, showing her pointed teeth in a wicked grin.

aI donat think head come.a aYouare very patient with him,a Bryn said. aOr is it just my viewpoint that makes him seem overprotective?a aNo, heas just as bad as you think he is,a Kayl said, and sighed. aIam glad you were here; Iad have lost my temper otherwise, and Jirod didnat do anything to deserve that.a aLong day?a aDara and Mark have been running me ragged, Utrilo Levoil was looking for an excuse to fine the inn, and people keep asking questions about Corrana that I donat have answers for. What do you think?a Bryn nodded sympathetically. aI think you should get some sleep. Iall see you tomorrow, or the day after.a Kayl nodded. She sat and watched the Wyrd leave. She didnat feel tired, but she needed to be alone, to think. Too many pieces of her past had come hurtling back into her life too quickly. Corranaas appearance had dealt a major blow to a mental wall already eroded by time and the monotony of life in Copeham; Glyndonas arrival had smashed it into jagged fragments. Kayl stared into the dying fire and let the memories wash over her.

The initiation court was dark and silent. The pool at its center reflected the pale starlight of a moonless night. Kayl stood beside the glimmering water, s.h.i.+vering slightly with antic.i.p.ation. This night would determine the course of her future training, and her place among the Sisterhood.

In the covered walkway that ran around the edges of the court, the Elder Mothers were gathering. Kayl could hear the faint rustling of the shapeless black cloaks they wore over their silver robes. The first voice sent a shock of surprise down her spine, though she had thought she was expecting it. aWho are you, that waits in the Court of Stars?a aI am Kayl Larrinar, Your Serenity,a Kayl said, and her adolescent voice cracked slightly.

aWhat do you ask of us?a came another voice, disembodied by darkness.

aI ask a place among the Sisterhood of Stars.a aThen demonstrate for us your knowledge. Who are the men of the raven?a aThe Shanhar, who came out of Kith Alunel and who live now in the Mountains of Morravik by the Melyranne Sea.a Kayl was relieved that the first question had been an easy one.

aDescribe the olskla plant, and explain its uses.a aIt is a small plant, dark green, witha”with white flowers. A tincture made from the root brings down fevers, if the roots are harvested before the plant flowers.a aOlskla flowers are gold in color, and you neglected to mention that the plant blooms but once in every hundred years.a Kay felt herself flus.h.i.+ng in the darkness. aYes, Your Serenity.a And the testing went on.

The questions came more and more rapidly, jumping from history to healing to cookery to sword-skill to magic, without apparent pattern or reason. Kayl answered as well as she could, hoping that her weakness in esoteric lore would be more than covered by her undeniable mastery of more practical knowledge.

The examination ended at last. A rustle ran around the edges of the court, and a voice from in front of her said, aYou have satisfied the a.s.sembled Elders of the Sisterhood. Look up, and take whatever the stars bestow.a Wondering, Kayl tilted her head back. At first she saw only the stars; then, high above her head, a patch of sky began to glow silver. As it grew brighter, shapes flickered within the lighta”the silver eight-pointed star of the sorceress, the branching tree of the healer, the bright, slender blade of the warrior, and the broken chain of the demon-friend. The glow sank toward her. Kayl held her breath, willing the sword to be the final shape.

The light grew brighter still, and then something swished to earth in front of her with a blinding flash of brilliance. Kayl had to close her eyes. When she opened them, a silver sword stood in front of her, driven point-first into the paving stones of the court. She reached out and took the hilt in her hand.

The sword vanished, and she was holding only a milky stone. As she stared at it, the covered walkway s.h.i.+mmered into view as the Elder Mothers discarded their black cloaks and lit their tiny oil lamps. Kayl felt a stir of triumph. She had done it!

Mother Dalessi was the first at Kaylas side. aWelcome, daughter,a she said, and kissed Kaylas cheek. aYou are truly one of us now.a aHarder! Swing that sword as if you meant it!a the drill-master shouted at the hot, sweaty group of sixteen-year-olds. aCome on, you useless children, work!a ab.i.t.c.h,a muttered the girl next to Kayl as they lunged and drew back. aShe enjoys this.a aRitha ri Luethold! Extra work on the exercise tonight, two candlemarksa time. Cut left! and right! and left!a Kayl swung the weighted sword with grim intensity, trying to achieve the same accuracy, power, and elegance as the instructor. There was a rhythm in the strokes, and if she could just feel it clearly enougha The pattern started to come together, and she was so intent on it that she missed the instructoras command to turn and was nearly brained by her neighboras next stroke. Embarra.s.sed, she accepted the instructoras caustic reprimand without comment and resumed her place in the line.

When the lesson ended, the drillmaster called her over while the rest of the advanced cla.s.s went grumbling off to the baths.

aJust what were you trying during the exercises, Larrinar?a the woman demanded.

Awkwardly, Kayl tried to explain. To her surprise, the drill master listened patiently until she finished, then said, aWhy?a Kayl took a deep breath. aBecause I want to be the best.a aDo you.a The instructor studied her with interest. aWell, weall see. In the meantime, you can join the ri Luethold girl tonight for the extra work. And youall do the same every night until you stop making mistakes in the exercise pattern. You may go.a Kayl went. aBut I will be the best,a she whispered to herself as she hurried after her cla.s.smates.

aMe, too,a said a voice behind her.

Kayl stopped and turned, raising her sword automatically. She found herself facing a tiny, black-haired imp of a girl. Kayl recognized her in a vague sort of way; she was in a different section of Kaylas own age group. aSorry,a Kayl said, lowering her sword.