Last of the Wilds

19



Once the servants had left her rooms, Auraya began to pace. In a few hours she would be in the air, heading to Si. There were only a few arrangements to make before she was free to go.

Mischief romped around the room, infected by her excitement. She hoped this burst of energy would tire him out and keep him quiet later. As a presence touched the edge of her senses, she glanced at the veez. He didn’t react. As far as she could tell, he was completely unaware of Chaia’s visits.

:Are you ready? Chaia asked.

:Yes. I’ve been up since dawn, driving my servants to distraction.

:That’s unlikely. You’re taking little with you, so there was barely any packing for them to do. They did not even dress your hair.

:No point, she replied, touching the clasp that bound her hair into a tail. It will only come out in the wind.

:You could protect it from the wind with magic.

:I like the feel of the wind.

:I like how you look with your hair dressed.

She felt a flush of pleasure at the compliment.

:It is a mere physical detail. You cannot see it, she pointed out.

:I see it through the eyes of others.

:Ah, she replied. Do you like it because they do, or—

A furry shape leapt onto the table. She turned in time to see the veez seize a circular object in its teeth.

“Mischief!” she gasped, leaping toward him. “Put that down!”

The veez’s ears flattened against his head. He evaded her easily, jumped off the table and darted behind a chair. She followed and found him crouching in the narrow gap between the chair and the wall, staring at her defiantly.

“Mnn,” he said around the ring.

“Not yours,” she said firmly. She held out her hand. “Give it to me.”

“Nf yrs,” the veez mumbled. Mine! he sent telepathically, giving up on trying to vocalize around the ring.

“Give,” she ordered. “Now.”

The veez blinked at her. She shuffled forward and reached toward him. As she expected, he darted away, behind another chair.

She stood up and sighed. Testing her like this was his current bad habit. Mairae assured her all veez did this and eventually grew bored with the game, but in the meantime Mischief’s behavior was annoying. Most of the time Auraya managed to ignore it, but this morning she didn’t have the time to indulge him.

He was moving around the room now, avoiding her. She did not like to use magic on him. It was always better to use persuasion.

“Give Auraya ring or Mischief no fly,” she said.

There was a pause, then a muffled word. He did not emerge.

I have used that threat before, she thought ruefully.

“Auraya go away,” she said. “Not take Mischief. Leave Mischief alone long time.”

The pause was longer, then there was a whimper that twisted her heart, and he came bounding out. He raced across the room, ran up her circ and wrapped himself around her neck.

She held out her hand. The ring dropped into it. Mischief’s head drooped onto her shoulder and he sighed.

“Owaya stay.”

“Auraya and Mischief fly,” she said.

“Fly now?”

“Later.”

She moved to a chair and sat down. At once he climbed down into her lap and demanded scratches. As she obliged him with one hand she held up the ring in the other. Abruptly she remembered Chaia. She could still sense him.

:Sorry about that.

She felt a wave of amusement from him.

:I am used to interruptions, he replied.

She considered the ring.

:What happened to the old ring? she asked Chaia.

:The Pentadrians still have it. They do not completely understand its properties, or they would have used it against you.

She shuddered at the thought. It had been bad enough witnessing the Siyee spy harried out of the sky by the Pentadrians’ black birds into the enemy’s midst. She could imagine how much worse it could have been. If the wearer was tortured, for example. She did not have to watch, but knowing that something like that was occurring because of her would be awful.

:Can you destroy the ring? she asked.

:Only through another. Its power will diminish eventually.

:Can you speed up…?

A knock at the main door interrupted her. She reached out to the mind of the person behind it and smiled. Drawing a little magic, she willed the door open.

Danjin stepped inside.

“Good morning, Auraya of the White,” he said, making the sign of the circle.

“Good morning, Danjin Spear,” she replied. “Come in and sit down.”

He moved to one of the chairs. Mischief looked at the adviser, his whiskers twitching, then curled up and went to sleep.

“I’ll be leaving in a few hours,” she told Danjin. “Before I go, I have something to give to you. Catch.”

She tossed the ring toward Danjin. He caught it neatly. As he examined the ring his expression remained mild, but she could read the lingering misgivings in his mind.

I can’t help feeling reluctance at having someone in my head again, even though it’s only Auraya. This is a necessary requirement of my position, however. He slipped the ring on his finger.

“It will shield your mind from Dreamweavers who might try to invade your dreams,” she told him.

He looked at her. “So I can work with them on your behalf.”

“Yes.” Auraya thought of the hospice, and felt a nagging worry return. “It won’t be as difficult a job as you might expect. Dreamweavers and healers alike are being as cooperative as possible. I have another task for you. The Siyee ambassadors have asked for someone to teach them our language and we need people here who can speak theirs. Would you like to be one of those people?”

He smiled. “Of course. I managed to pick up a few words during the weeks before the battle.”

“Mairae is translating for them,” she told him. “Which is keeping her busy. You’ll be her favorite person in all Jarime if you learn fast.”

“I consider myself warned.”

Auraya laughed. “Don’t set your hopes too high.”

“Me? I’m not nearly pretty enough for Mairae. Besides, my wife would kill me.”

“She would. How is she?”

He nodded. “Well.” His smile widened. “You know your life is good when it wouldn’t make a thrilling tale. I’ve come to relish that.”

“I hope it stays that way. Now, is there anything you think I need to do before I go? Anything that can be done in an hour, that is.”

As Danjin considered he turned the ring around and around. Auraya felt a twinge of guilt. She had not told him the entire truth about it. The ring would blanket his mind from all minds but Auraya’s, which was not exactly what had been intended. It wasn’t supposed to shield the wearer’s mind from the other White, but it did. The White and the welcome-tree tenders had never tried to make a ring like this before, and by the time they had realized the error it had been too late to grow another one. The decision had been made for Auraya to leave for Si and she needed the ring now.

Juran had told her to keep the flaw from Danjin. He might still work it out, Auraya thought. Circumstances might make him realize the other White can’t read his mind.

:I doubt he would take advantage of the situation, Chaia said. He can be trusted.

:Yes.

:Even so, the ring should be destroyed when you return.

She smothered a sigh. Once again she would have to visit the grove every day, no matter the weather or how busy she was, to encourage the growth of another replacement link ring.

“The only matter we haven’t dealt with is Mischief,” Danjin said suddenly. He looked down at the veez. “Would you like me to visit every day, as before?”

She grinned and shook her head. “He’s coming with me.”

“Really? That will be a treat for the Siyee.” His voice was heavy with irony.

“And for him.” She picked up Mischief and put him on the seat, then stood up. “Thank you for your help these last few days, Danjin. If there’s anything else, speak to me via the ring.”

“I will,” he replied. They moved to the door. “Have a safe journey and be careful in Si.”

She opened the door. “Of course.”

He smiled and stepped outside. Closing the door, Auraya turned to regard the room. She didn’t know how long it would be before she returned to it. At least this time she would not have to worry about poor Mischief pining away on his own—or tormenting Danjin.

He looked up at her, whiskers twitching.

:Fly?

“Yes, Mischief,” she said. “We have a long way to travel and it’s time we began.”


Whenever Reivan had the chance she explored a part of the Sanctuary she was not familiar with in the hopes that she would eventually know all its corners and routes. She was glad that she had this morning. A fast route from the Baths to the Star Room obviously hadn’t been a priority for anyone involved in constructing the Sanctuary buildings. There were two choices: a long but less convoluted route down to the Servants’ quarters then back up to the Middle Sanctuary, or a twisting route through storerooms, the kitchens, a minor library and what smelled like a tannery.

Why she was headed to the Star Room was a mystery. The messenger hadn’t explained. There was probably another ritual about to take place that Imenja needed her to attend.

As she drew closer to her destination she felt her stomach flutter. Though she had been in the Star Room many times she always felt a thrill when entering it. Turning a corner, she saw the narrow entrance to the room ahead and paused to take three slow breaths. Straightening her back, she smoothed her robes and moved through the entrance.

Standing within the silver star set into the floor was a handsome black-robed figure. Reivan’s heart lurched as Nekaun looked at her and smiled. He motioned toward a group of Servant-novices. As she moved to join them she looked around the room, noting the Servants and Dedicated Servants lining the walls. Seeing Imenja standing among them, she felt a moment’s relief.

Then it evaporated as Nekaun began to address the room.

“Today eight men and women are to be ordained as Servants of the Gods. These Servant-novices have worked hard, each earning the right to serve the gods to the best of their abilities. They have passed the required tests and satisfied their teachers. Today they will take the vow we have all spoken. Today they will wear the symbol of the gods over their hearts. Today they join us as sisters and brothers.”

He turned to the novices and spoke a name. A man stepped forward. Reivan realized her mourn was open and closed it quickly. She had been gaping at him in surprise. Now she felt her stomach flip over.

They’re making me a full Servant!

But it took years to become a full Servant. She looked at the Servant-novices around her. They were all in their early twenties—closer to her age. The entrants that had begun their training with her were all in their mid to late teens.

Magic is the reason, she thought. Or my lack of it. Drevva did seem to be running out of other things to teach me. I guess all the years of training must be mostly in Skills.

“Servant-novice Reivan.”

Her heart skipped a beat and she looked up to find Nekaun beckoning. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward into the center of the star.

“You have been a novice for only a few short months,” he said, “but your knowledge of Pentadrian laws and history has proven to be exemplary. We have decided you are ready to take on the full responsibility of a Servant of the Gods.”

Why didn’t Imenja warn me that they were planning this? She glanced in the Second Voice’s direction and saw the woman’s lips twitch into a smile.

“Servant-novice Reivan,” Nekaun repeated. “Do you wish to dedicate your life to the service of the gods?”

She met his eyes. “With all my heart.”

“Are you willing to sacrifice all for the Five?”

“I am.”

“Would you forfeit love, wealth and even your life for them?”

“I would.”

“Then take this symbol of their power and unity. Wear it always, as it is your link to the gods and their Servants.”

He opened his hand. On his palm lay a silver five-pointed star. A chain ran through one of the points and was now spilling through his fingers.

Reivan reached out and picked up the star. It was lighter than she had expected. Taking the chain, she lifted it up and draped it over her head.

“My eyes, my voice, my heart and my soul are for the Five,” she said.

“May you serve them gladly and truly,” Nekaun finished.

The young man who had been ordained before her now stood on the other side of the star in the floor. Reivan moved to join him. As she watched the next Servant-novice come forward to face Nekaun she felt a strange sensation. Something was tickling her brow. She scratched her forehead, but the sensation was coming from somewhere within her head. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the sensation. At once it became something she understood.

:Welcome, Reivan.

She opened her eyes and turned to stare at Imenja. The voice was definitely that of the Second Voice, but she knew she hadn’t heard it with her ears. The Second Voice smiled.

:Yes, we can speak to your mind now.

Imenja’s mouth had not moved.

:I... I can talk to you in return?

:Yes.

:So this is what using magic is like?

Imenja’s smile widened.

:It is, and it isn’t. Nobody is truly devoid of Skills, Reivan. The pendant relies on you having some magical ability to work. Everyone has magical ability, even those we consider unskilled. You are not consciously drawing magic or willing it to fulfil this task, and you have not needed to practice a Skill in order to do this, so in that way it is not like using magic at all.

Reivan nodded.

:You could have warned me.

:About the ceremony? Then you would have had a sleepless night. I need you to be awake and alert this afternoon.

:You do? What do you have planned?

:Oh, just another boring meeting with a Murian diplomat.

The last of the Servant-novices had received her star pendant. As she joined the group around Reivan, Nekaun spoke again, welcoming all the new Servants. When he had finished those standing around the room came forward to offer congratulations. Though Reivan was welcomed by all the teachers she’d worked with, she noted there wasn’t the warmth they offered to the other new Servants.

There just hasn’t been time to win them over, she thought wistfully. Even if they didn’t resent me, I haven’t had the chance to make friends.

Then Imenja approached and she was amused to watch the change in their manner. Some became quiet while others gushed. The Second Voice thanked them for their hard work in teaching the Servant-novices.

Why aren‘t I intimidated by Imenja? she wondered.

:Because fawning isn’t part of your nature, Imenja’s voice said in her mind. You’re much too clever for all this nonsense.

:If everyone was the same you‘d never get anyone to follow your orders.

:No. So why do you follow my orders?

:I don’t know. You‘re a Voice. You’re wise and, er, sensible. You‘d burn me to a pile of ashes if I didn’t?

Imenja chuckled, mystifying the other Servants. She said something about needing Reivan’s help and somehow neatly extracted them from the crowd. As they left the Star Room Imenja chuckled again.

“I think you follow my orders because I am the closest thing to the gods you have,” Imenja said quietly. “You are drawn to the gods not just out of a wish to serve, but because you are—or were—a Thinker. Mysteries fascinate you.”

Reivan nodded. “I guess it’s a good thing that I can’t solve this mystery or I might get bored and look for something else to wonder about.”

Imenja’s eyebrows rose. “Indeed.”

“But I’d still…” Reivan stopped. Something stirred at the edge of her mind, distracting her. She wondered if she imagined it even as it resolved into a distinct feeling of another presence. A presence that she did not recognize.

:Welcome, Servant Reivan.

In the next moment the presence was gone.

“Wh… what was that?”

She looked around the room, then at Imenja. The Second Voice was staring at her in surprise. Surprise was not an expression Reivan had often seen on Imenja’s face.

“I believe Sheyr just indicated his approval of your elevation to Servant,” the Second Voice murmured.

Sheyr? One of the gods spoke to me? The corridor seemed to tilt, then right itself. Reivan looked at Imenja. She felt utterly overwhelmed. What does this mean?

Imenja smiled. “I think you may need a little celebratory drink. Let’s find ourselves a domestic and send for a bottle of Jamya.”

“Jamya? I thought that was only served during ceremonies?”

“And sometimes after ceremonies.” With one hand still resting on Reivan’s shoulder, Imenja steered her toward the Upper Sanctuary.