tell me he assigned homework,” I pleaded. Just thinking about lugging the heavy history tome made my back hurt.
Irys smiled. “He said that he would help you catch up on your studies when you return.”
Relieved, I picked up my pack, sorting the contents to see what other supplies we would need.
“Anything else?” Irys asked.
“No. What are you going to tell the Council?” I asked.
“That Roze has assigned you to learn about your magic from the Story Weavers. The first documented Soulfinder in Sitia was a Sandseed. Did you know that?”
“No.” I was surprised but shouldn’t have been. After all, what I knew about Soulfinders wouldn’t fill a page in one of Master Bain’s history books.
When I finished packing, I said goodbye to Irys and muscled my way through the wind to the dining hall. The kitchen staff always had a supply of travel rations on hand for the magicians. I grabbed enough food to last us a week.
As I drew closer to the stables, I could see a few brave horse heads poking out of their stalls. Kiki’s copper-and-white face was unmistakable even in the murky half-light.
She nickered in greeting and I opened my mind to her.
We go? she asked.
Yes. I’m sorry to take you out on such a horrible day, I said.
Not bad with Lavender Lady.
Lavender Lady was the name the horses had given me. They named the people around them just like we would name a pet. I had to smile, though, remembering Leif’s comment about my bathing in the pungent herb.
Lavender smell like … Kiki didn’t have the words to describe her emotions. A mental image of a bushy blue-gray lavender plant with its long purple cluster of flowers formed in Kiki’s mind. Feelings of contentment and security accompanied the image.
The main corridor of the stable echoed as if empty despite the pile of feed bags nearby. The thick supporting beams of the building stood like soldiers between the stalls and the end of the row disappeared into the gloom.
Leif? I asked Kiki.
Sad Man in tack room, Kiki said.
Thanks. I ambled toward the back of the barn, inhaling the familiar aroma of leather and saddle soap. The dry smell of straw scratched my throat and clung to the earthy scent of manure.
Tracker, too.
Who?
But before Kiki could answer I spotted Captain Marrok in the tack room with Leif. The sharp tip of Marrok’s sword was aimed at Leif’s chest.
3
“STAY BACK, YELENA,” Marrok ordered. “Answer me, Leif.”
Leif’s face had paled, but his jaw was set in a stubborn line. His gaze met mine, questioning.
“What do you want, Marrok?” I asked.
The bruises on Marrok’s face had faded, but his right eye was still puffy and raw despite Healer Hayes’s efforts to repair his broken cheekbone.
“I want to find Cahil,” Marrok said.
“We all want to find him. Why are you threatening my brother?” I used a stern tone to remind Marrok that he now dealt with me. Having an infamous reputation had a few advantages.
Marrok looked at me. “He works with First Magician. She’s in charge of the search. If she has any clue as to where to find Cahil, she’ll send Leif.” He gestured to the bridles in Leif’s hands. “On a day like today, he’s not going to the market or out for a pleasure ride. But he won’t tell me where he’s going.”
It continued to amaze me just how fast news and gossip traveled through the Keep’s guards.
“Did you ask him before or after you pulled your sword?”
The tip of Marrok’s blade wavered. “Why does it matter?” he asked.
“Because most people are more willing to cooperate if they don’t have a weapon pointed at their chest.” Realizing that Marrok was a career soldier who did most of his talking with his sword, I switched tactics.
“Why didn’t you plan to follow Leif?” Marrok’s tracking abilities had impressed the horses so much that they had given him the name Tracker.
Marrok touched his cheek and winced. I could guess his thoughts. Marrok had followed Cahil with the utmost loyalty, but Cahil had beaten and tortured him to find out the truth about his common heritage, leaving Marrok for dead.
The soldier sheathed his sword in one quick motion as if he had made a decision. “I can’t follow Leif. He would sense me with his magic and confuse my mind.”
“I can’t do that,” Leif said.
“Truly?” Marrok rested his hand near his sword, considering.
“But I can,” I said.
Marrok’s attention snapped back to me.
“Marrok, you’re hardly fit for travel. And I can’t let you kill Cahil. The Sitian Council wants to talk to him first.” I wanted to talk to him.
“I don’t seek revenge,” Marrok said.
“Then what do you want?”
“To help.” Marrok gripped the hilt of his weapon.
“What?” Leif and I said at the same time.
“Sitia needs Cahil. Only the Council and the Masters know he doesn’t have royal blood. Ixia is a real threat to Sitia’s way of life. Sitia needs a figurehead to rally behind. Someone to lead them into battle.”
“But he aided in Ferde’s escape,” I said. “And Ferde could be torturing and raping another girl as we speak!”
“Cahil was just confused and overwhelmed by learning the truth of his birth. I raised him. I know him better than anyone. He probably already regrets his rashness. Ferde is most likely dead. If I get a chance to talk to Cahil, I’m positive he would come back without a fight, and we can work this out with the Council.”
Power brushed me.
“He’s sincere about his intentions,” Leif said.
But what about Cahil’s intentions? I had seen him be ruthless and opportunistic in his quest to build an army, but never rash. However, I had only known him for two seasons. I considered using magic to see Marrok’s memories of Cahil, but that would be a breach in the magician’s Ethical Code unless he gave me his consent. So I asked for it.
“Go ahead,” Marrok said, meeting my gaze.
Pain
