Part 12 (1/2)
A chill ran down Caleb's back, and he s.h.i.+fted closer. ”Warren,” he whispered. ”Are you all right?”
Silence. He placed a hand on the boy's chest, and felt only the slow breaths of sleep.
”Is there a problem?”
”No, Soren,” Caleb whispered. ”He's been having bad dreams, that's all. Go to sleep.” Soren growled and turned his back again.
Caleb had a hard time following his own advice. A certain misgiving had tainted his quest for healing. It never occurred to him he might not be the only one to pay a price.
He s.h.i.+fted his position, trying to find a more comfortable spot on the unforgiving stone. I'm just exhausted, he told himself. Telai's right, I worry too much.
He soon fell asleep, the silence broken only by the faint breath of horses and the echo of dripping stone.
12.
Fulfillment of Fears The lighting of a single candle can change the path of history.
- from Besir Orand'itee ”MY LADY!” Yote exclaimed. ”You shouldn't be walking the city streets without an escort.”
Garda lowered the hood of her gray cowl. ”This is a private affair, my good man. And I do have the authority to determine my own means of travel, if I'm not mistaken.”
A bright morning sun accentuated the lines of contrition on the servant's face. He bent his head toward the leaf-speckled cobblestones. ”Of course, my lady. I was only concerned about-”
”Your concern does you credit, Yote. But I hardly see the need for it at the center of Ekendore in the full light of day. If you seek a worthy recipient, consider Caleb Stenger, or your mistress, Telai.”
”Lady Telai? How so?”
She shook her head. ”My tongue is too quick this morning. You'll know soon enough. I need to discuss the matter with her before I make it public-or, rather, before it becomes public all on its own. Where is she?”
”As usual in Gerentesk, my lady. But-if only to appease an overly concerned citizen-please allow me to escort you. I have no pressing duties.”
”Lead the way, then. But I must speak to my daughter alone.”
A brisk wind off the mountains blew a few scattered clouds over the valley, momentarily dimming the city and its colorful autumn gardens. Garda loved this time of year, but the message she had received from Udan during the night had sabotaged its beauty. Ekendore seemed too quiet and blissful, as though about to wake from an age-long slumber.
It was the nineteenth of Terte, a day of celebration for the harvest, and their footsteps echoed down the empty halls of Gerentesk. At last they arrived at the open doors of Telai's office at the southeast corner, and Garda walked in, smiling a little at the surprise on her daughter's face.
As Yote left, Telai rose from her seat by the cluttered table and approached. ”Well! What miracle brings you beyond the doors of Wsaytchen?”
”No miracle, Telai. I needed some fresh air, and time to think.”
The younger woman's smile faded. ”You look exhausted, Mother. When will you learn to get a decent night's sleep?”
Garda sat on the deep sill by the east window. Gerentesk was always chilly in the morning, and the sun felt good on her back. ”I hardly slept at all, not after what I heard.”
Telai stepped closer, drawing the sleeves of her white woolen smock down to her wrists. ”What is it?”
The Overseer turned her gaze outside. ”It concerns Caleb Stenger.”
”Caleb?” Her eyes widened. ”The raids. By Hendra, Mother, don't tell me-”
”No, no, he isn't hurt,” she said. ”Sit down, Telai.”
”Don't be dramatic. Tell me what this is about.”
”Very well. He's been exiled from Ada. At Udan.”
”What? Exiled? Did Warren go with him?”
”Yes.”
”I don't understand. What's he done?”
Garda hesitated, knowing how impulsive her daughter could be. ”How much do you care for this man?”
She folded her arms. ”Why does that prevent you from giving me a straight answer?”
”All right, I'll get to the point. The reason why I slept so little was not just my concern for you, but for Ada as well. He's found the Medallion of Yrsten.”
Telai lowered her arms to her sides. In the long silence that followed, her face went so pale that Garda feared she might collapse.
”Has it been confirmed?” Telai said at last, her voice trembling.
”Not officially. There hasn't been enough time. But there's little doubt-”
”I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes!” she cried, her color returning. ”The eyes of a Loremaster!”
”I don't have that luxury. I have to state a position on the matter. I've sent out a warrant for his arrest.”
Her jaw dropped. ”His arrest? Why?”
”It's not because he's a criminal, Telai.”
”But everyone else will think so! And how can you arrest a man who's been exiled?”
Garda snorted in derision. ”The Rite of Exile-an outdated, childish ritual, one that flouts the very law it's supposed to represent. Frankly, I had forgotten it even existed. And if I had ever thought anyone would be foolish enough to utter it, I would have stricken it from the books.”
”Then why did he accept exile?”
”You know better than that. Josen exiled him in full view of almost twenty Raeni.”
Telai's eyes flashed. ”He has no right!”