Part 15 (1/2)

”Next time you need me, or any of the waljan, do think of it, please. It could mean all the difference in the world.”

They left together, hurrying out into the afternoon chill, while Airleas went in search of his Hillwild swordmaster.

Taminy stepped across the threshold into Deardru-an-Caerluel's small bedchamber and knew that Roe Kettletoft was right; the place quivered with the tension of a tightly directed aidan. A strong will worked here.

Her gaze traveled from the two sad-eyed little boys huddled by the door, to the handsome, stocky man who had leapt up from the bedside to face her. They came to rest at last on the woman s.h.i.+vering on the bed. From the man and the boys she sensed only fear and distress mixed, now, with a modic.u.m of hope. From the woman . . .

Puzzled, she turned to the husband. ”May I be left alone with her, sir?”

He raised dark eyebrows. ”Whatever is best, Mistress. Thank you for coming here. For helping us.”

”I'm more than happy to help, sir. And Eyslk, might I have you boil these herbs for a tea?”

She laid a fragrant pouch in the girl's outstretched hands, then saw the others from the room. Only then did she turn her eyes and senses back to the woman in the bed.

What Roe Kettletoft had called magic was strong here. Oddly, Taminy found it had a different quality and texture than the workings of the Divine Art practiced by the Osraed. Like a basket held together with pitch and twine, or a patchwork garment, it was rough to the touch and straining at its joints.

Taminy sat on the edge of the bed and looked into Deardru-an-Caerluel's half-closed eyes. ”Now, mam, will you tell me why you've inyxed yourself into a sickbed?”

The aidan-thick atmosphere quivered momentarily, further straining its crude seams. On the heavy quilt covering her chest, Deardru's knotted fists relaxed, loosing their hold on the inyx. She breathed deeply, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, gone was the glaze of concentration. In its place was a bright, voracious curiosity and a small, grudging respect.

”Well, Mistress Taminy, you do have a mighty touch of the aidan. Even Roe Kettletoft couldn't tell the inyx I was suffering was my own.”

She opened her left hand, causing the small amulet she held there to fall and bob at the end of its leather thong. The jet catamount caught light from the chamber's single deep window and glittered. A family icon, Taminy realized, and knew it to be the Hageswode totem.

”But why, mam?” she asked. ”Why put yourself in a sickbed?”

”I only wanted to meet you, Taminy-Osmaer.”

”You could have come to Hrofceaster with Eyslk.”

”I avoid Hrofceaster. I wanted you to come here.”

Into your territory. Taminy smiled. ”You might have simply invited me.”

The woman's eyes glinted. ”And you'd've come, would you?”

”Yes.”

”To break bread with the likes of us? You, who count Cynes and Cwens and Osraed in your circle? Who break bread each day with The Hageswode, himself? You'd sit at table with your own serving maid?”

Taminy shook her head. ”Eyslk is not my serving maid, mam. She's my student and my friend. She has a fine Gift.”

Deardru's chin lifted. ”She's a Hageswode.”

Taminy tilted her head toward the jet catamount now lying atop the quilt. ”I recognize the totem. Is that your family?”

”My first husband's. He was killed when we were quite young. Eyslk never knew him.”

There was bitterness in that, and anger. Taminy felt immediate sympathy. ”How did he die?”

”A border skirmish with the Deasach Kartas. He was pledged to the clan forces under Ren Morgant. When I became pregnant, he pleaded release to his family obligations and was granted the request. But before he could come home to me he was killed. His family was less family than I thought them. After Eyslk was born it was as if neither of us existed. She was twelve years old before Hrofceaster paid her any notice, and then it was Desary who spoke for her. You've noticed they look a great deal alike. They should. They're cousins.”

Frowning, Taminy sifted through the other woman's splintered thoughts and feelings. ”You brought me here to tell me this? Why?”

”So you understand what sort of man Catahn Hageswode is. A man who would pledge his only brother, newly married, to a dangerous posting far from home, while he basked in the glory of his station and the adoration of his own wife and child. A man who then treated his kin as if they were clanless strangers. If Desary hadn't possessed her mother's good heart, Eyslk would have never met you or placed her Gift in your hands.”

Stunned, Taminy could only think to ask, ”And why would Catahn do such a thing to his own brother-to his brother's family?”

Deardru's smile was grim. ”Pride. What else would make a man like Catahn Hillwild behave so?”

Taminy turned the words in her mind as if they contained poison; she could feel the blood draining from her face. She had never known Catahn to be a pride-driven man. Had he been that different as a youth?

Deardru's eyes acknowledged that they hadn't missed her discomfiture. ”I neglect to mention that Raenulf was Catahn's older brother. It was he who should have been Village Elder, Catahn who should have been bound by his pledges. For his own reasons, Raenulf rejected the status Catahn craved. Old biddies like Gram Long and Aeldress Levene will tell you that it was strength of character that brought Catahn Hageswode early power. It was not. It was Raenulf's yielding nature. Because of that, Catahn stood to be Ren and Raenulf willingly served him. Both knew the truth, and it ate at Catahn, so he put Raenulf away from him into Morgant's hands. And when Raenulf was killed, guilt drove Catahn to ignore his second family. I married Garradh, because Catahn could not be bothered to care for us.”

Taminy shook herself. I shouldn't listen to this. Only Catahn's words should tell me tales of his life.

”Why should I hear this?” she asked.

”He takes you into his home. He calls you 'Mistress' and 'Lady.' Should you not be aware of the flaws of those who serve you?”

”Catahn is no more my servant Eyslk is, mam.”

”Oh no, of course. He's your friend. Your bosom companion. But he would be more, if you bid him. So, I warn you what sort of man you've Woven to your side.”

”You mistake me, mam. I Weave no inyx to ensure Catahn's loyalty. He is where he desires to be.”

The other woman laughed aloud at that. ”I think not. But beware, or he will be.”

Eyslk all but fell through the door then, spilling tea and cakes onto the floor in her haste. ”Mama! Mama! You're-you're-! I heard you laugh! Oh, Taminy, you've healed her! Oh, let me tell Step-da!” Then she was gone again, leaving the upset tea things on the floor.

Taminy rose. ”You don't need my help, mam, so I'd best leave. If you ever do need me, call, and I'll come.”

”What will you tell my family?”

”That you've healed. The rest is up to you.”

She turned to leave just as Garradh-an-Caerleul and his sons rushed in. They beamed at her, then gave their full attention to Deardru. Taminy slipped quietly into the hallway and was surprised to find Eyslk waiting for her in the parlor. The girl's face was an agony of indecision and anxiety matched and amplified by her unabashed chaos of spirit.

”Mistress Taminy,” she whispered. ”I-I heard-oh, more than I ought!” Her eyes went to tears. ”Oh, please, I can't imagine why Mama'd do such a thing as this, or say such things about Uncle. I've always known they didn't get on, but-oh, Taminy, I'm so sorry!”

She put a hand on the girl's shoulder, blocking her own distress from flowing between them. ”You've nothing to be sorry for, Eyslk. You couldn't have known what your mother meant to do.”

”Couldn't I? She's my mother. And I'm supposed to have the aidan. How could I not know?”