The Prodigal Mage Part 24

Dismayed and disgruntled, Asher stood with his family on Westwailings long stone pier and stared at the harbours somnolent waters. Stared beyond them to the distant, foaming breakers rolling in over Dragon-teeth Reef. Beyond the reef churned the whirlpools and treacherously random waterspouts sp.a.w.ned by the blighted magics left behind after Morgs destruction. The magics that had tried to kill him all those years ago. The memory was a bad one, almost as bad as what had happened to Matt and Veira and Gar.

Never wanted to think on that again, did I?

Yet here he was, thinking. Brought face to face with a past he couldnt forget or outrun.

Two days ago, the afternoon he and his family arrived in Westwailing, hed taken a skiff out to the reef. On his lonesome, though his family fratched at the notion. Twice a year, every year, someone from the fis.h.i.+ng community sailed along the reefs edge to see if the whirlpools and the waterspouts were gone or growing weaker, but they never were. Three men had drownded, even, caught unawares. Dathne, Rafel and Deenie were frighted hed make the fourth. Hed ignored em. Seeing the reef up close again were something hed needed to do.

Holding the skiff hard against the drag of the whirlpools, sailed as close to the reef as he dared, hed watched the waterspouts spiral haveycavey from the oceans s.h.i.+fting surface. Squinting, hed felt the spouts spitting spray sting his face. Soak his hair and clothes. Splatter the skiffs sail. The air was full of angry sound and his whole body thudded to the racing beat of his heart. Then hed looked at the swirling, growling mouths of the whirlpools, monstrous holes in the ocean eager to suck helpless s.h.i.+ps to their doom. Opened his mind to the rot in the reef.

It were just as bad as he remembered. He puked his lunch over the Skiffs side, feeling it. Pintte and the others were mad. He had to stop them afore it was too late. But he didnt know how.

Raised voices pulled him back to the present. Further along the pier, towards its far end, a bustle of busyness as Rodyn Garrick and his son and the Doranen mages hed brought with him prepared to challenge Morgs creeping blight. That troublesome Ain Freidin was one of emand didnt that raise some questions? Fernel Pintte bustled too, hob-n.o.bbing with Westwailings mayor and council and chivvying the Olken fishermen whod agreedfor a steep priceto sail them all out to the reef. Fools, every last one of em.

Brooding across the harbour, he pulled his hands from his pockets and folded his arms. Im tellin you this be a sinkin bad idea.

Beside him, Dathne patted his arm. Yes, Asher. We know.

Deenie tucked her fingers into the crook of his elbow. The reef makes me s.h.i.+very, she said, her voice low.

Your own shadow makes you s.h.i.+very, said Rafe, scornful. Whyd you even come?

Ignoring him, cause Rafel in a stroppy mood were best handled by turning deaf, dumb and blind, Asher looked down at his daughter. The reefs bad, mouse, I know. But is that all you feel?

Dont, Da, said Rafel. Youll only set her off. You know what shes like.

Pushed, he shot his son a warning look. It were a sinkin shame Rafe had run across Arlin Garrick after breakfast, and let hisself get riled by the poxy little s.h.i.+t. Not that he needed much excuse right now. Dath were righttheir son might be turned twenty, but he had some growin up to do.

Twenty. I were his age when I left home for the City. Were I brash like him back then? So fearless, and b.l.o.o.d.y certain I already knew it all?

He couldnt remember. Too much had happened since. Hed sailed past forty. Forty. How were that possible?

Im all right, Da, said Deenie, with a trembly smile. Dont mind me.

Which were just like his little mouse, but didnt answer his question. Deenie, if you feel there be somethin else we No, Da, she insisted. Dont fuss. Youll have folk looking at us. At me.

And for Deenie there could be nowt worse than that. Rafel loved attention. Thrived on crowds and noise and bein noticed. But Deenie? She werent never happier than when she were buried up to her eyebrows in a book.

She be a right proper mix of me and Dath. But Rafe? Sink me, Rafe be so like his granfer. Before Ma died, Da were the village lantern everyone followed.

Please, Da, said Deenie, giving his s.h.i.+rt-sleeve a little tug, her wary gaze skittering to see if theyd been overheard by the Olken and Doranen scurrying like ants about the pier.

Deenie, said Dathne. If you dont feel well we can go back to the Dolphin.

Your mas right, mouse, he said, and smoothed a hand down Deenies arm. Aint no reason for you to doddle about here if this malarkey dont amuse you.

Rafel snorted. Yshould have stayed home in Dorana, Deenie. Kept company with Charis.

No, said Deenie. Charis has enough to fret on with Uncle Pellen. She didnt need me underfoot.

Reminded of the sorrow left behind them in Dorana, Asher scowled at the piers salt-crusted stonework. Then, taking Deenies hand, he flicked a warning glance at Dathne and wandered their daughter a little ways back along the pier, towards Westwailing towns.h.i.+p where almost as many folk were gathered, hopeful of excitement, as came for the Sea Harvest Festival every year.

When they were a comfortable distance from eavesdropping ears, Pintte and Garrick and the rest of em, and Rafel, he let go of Deenies hand and slid his arm round her shoulders. She looked up at him, so trusting. A plain little thing, scrawny like her ma was back when hed first met her.

Come on, mouse, he said gently. Tell me what you feel.

Da Deenie scrunched her face. I dont like talking on that. Any road, you know already.

I know what I know, he said. Dont know what you know, do I? Come on, Deenie. Nowt much good comes of keepin secrets.

Sighing, she wrapped her thin arms around her ribs, just like her ma did, and turned her head to stare out across the harbour. Mid-morning and for the first time in days the sky was clear of rain. The unclouded sun struck glittery sparkles off the water and a salt-laden fresh breeze ruffled her short hair, rus.h.i.+ng colour to her high-boned cheeks.

Does it matter how I feel, Da? she murmured. Wont change anything, will it.

Sadly, that were true. But he still wantedneededto know what she could sense. Ever since that stinkin night shed woke screaming cause he called warbeasts in his troubled sleep, hed fretted about her. Not the way he fretted for Rafel, who chafed against any and all restraints. He feared for Deenie because, like him, she didnt seem to care much for her magic and yet, like her brother, was cursed by him with something not given to other Olken.

It matters to me, mouse, he said. Aint it my job to keep you safe? Cant do that if I dont know whats what, eh?

She had a sweet smile, his Deenie, but now her lips were pressed flat. You cant keep me safe forever, Da. You wont be here forever.

Pellen. You and Charis been talkin, mouse? She got you all stirred up on account of her da? Dont let Pellen bein poorly fright you. I be stayin right here.

Deenie looked at him. Young, so sinkin young, but cruelly grown-up in her eyes. Until you go.

Deenie Deenie He caught her to him in a crus.h.i.+ng hug. Pellens goin to be fine. If Morg couldnt kill him no b.l.o.o.d.y cough will. Now why dont you stop tryin to sail me off course, eh, and tell me what it is you feel.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

The skirling cries of Westwailings seagulls filled the long silence. Fratched voices lifted in dispute as Fernel Pintte kept doin what he did best, raisin hackles. Patient, Asher waited till Deenie was ready to speak.

Its just the reef, Da, she whispered at last, her head tucked neatly under his chin. Thats what upsets me. I can feel the way Barls magic is tangled in it still. I can feel the whirlpools and the waterspouts. Da, theyre so hungry. Theyll gobble anyone who sails near them. And I can feel She trembled. Him. Morg. I can feel his magic. Its like a weed, Da, choking a beautiful rose. Making it feel allall twisted and ugly. Does that make sense?

So she did feel what he felt. He closed his eyes, sick with sorrow. I did this to her. Aye, mouse.

Her arms tightened round his waist. And I can feel you, Da. Youre scared. Dont say youre not, because I know.

Back along the pier, Dathne and Rafel were standing side by side, keeping well apart from everyone else. He was all stiff-spined and p.r.i.c.kly and her hand rested between his shoulder blades in comfort. Rafe wanted to be one of the mages as broke the blighted spells on Dragonteeth Reef and gave the people of Lur hope for a different future.

Why cant I, Da? hed demanded. Arlins sailin out to help and Im a sight better mage than him. You know I am. So why cant I?

You know why, Rafe, hed replied tiredly. It aint for them to see what you can do. Not yet. Not b.l.o.o.d.y ever, if he had his way. Any road, its too dangerous.

And oh, Rafe had bellowed about that. Kicked against being protected and being told he still had to hide. From a spratling hed never accepted how careful he had to be. But then he never knew how closely the Doranen had watched him, waiting to see if hed grow freakish like his da. Theyd watched Deenie too. They still watched. Olken with the power of Doranen magic in their veins? One was enough. One had saved them. But more than one would be a fox loosed in the henhouse.

But Rafe aint never wanted to believe it. He dont want to admit that bein different aint a blessing.

So hed argued and argued to join Pintte and Garrick in their folly and only surrendered at the last gasp, with sinkin poor grace. That were Daths doing. Shed gentled him. Coaxed him to back down. Stood bridge between her son and husband, to make certain they were still speaking at the end. Which they were, but only just.

It ached him somethin awful, to be so at odds with Rafe. But how could he love his son and not try to keep him safe? What kind of a father would he be, to trust Rafe into Fernel Pinttes unchancy keeping?

Are you cross with me, Da? Deenie whispered. Did I do something wrong? If I did, Im sorry. I never meant to.

Startled, he stared down at her. Cross with you? No, mouse. I were thinkin, is all.

She laid her cheek against his chest again. Rafes mad now but h.e.l.l get over it. Youre the sun and the moon and the stars to him, Da. Hes so proud of you he could burst, sometimes. And he thinks if he breaks the rotten reef magic sos we can sail away from Lur and find somewhere to live where the earth isnt screaming, then thatll make you proud of him. Thats why hes fratched.

He had to wait a moment, before he could speak. Rafe told you that?

Deenie wrinkled her nose. Dont be silly, Da. Rafe hardly ever talks to me. Im his bratty little sister. I just know. I can feel it.

Like you feel I be frighted.

Aye, she said. Like that. I dont mean to. I cant help it.

I know, mouse, he said, and kissed the top of her head. I know.

She looked up at him, her eyes swimmy with tears. Da, is something bad going to happen? Out there at the reef?

He didnt want to lie to herbut telling the truth was worse. Nowts goin to happen, mouse, he said, and tried to sound like he believed it. Like as not Pintte and Garrick and the restll get wet and catch cold, is all.

Deenie nodded, but her eyes were still swimmy. She s.h.i.+vered again. I dont know, Da. Im scared something might.

And what did that mean? Were she afflicted with visions now, like her ma used to be? He opened his mouth to rea.s.sure her, because he couldnt stand to see her so upsetand then cursed instead.

Fernel b.l.o.o.d.y Pintte was comin to interrupt.

Asher, Pintte said briskly, in his expensive velvet britches and his costly silk s.h.i.+rt and the weskit with gold peac.o.c.ks on it that made him look like a fool. And his mayoral chain of office, of course. Couldnt dare let folk forget for a heartbeat he were Mayor of Dorana.

Pellen, Pellen, whyd you go and get sick?

Fernel, he said, leaving his arm round Deenies shoulders. Nice day its turned out. You be sure you want to spoil it?

Ignoring Deenie, Pintte looked down his nose. There was something about the man, something furtive, that reminded him of that sea-slug Willer.

Or could be its his b.l.o.o.d.y peac.o.c.k weskit.

Spoil it? said Pintte, sneering. Ten years later, and hed not forgiven the way hed been chased from Pellens house. The burning memory was in his eyes, buried deep but not deep enough. I think you meant to say save it. So. Let me ask you again, Asher. Will you join us? For this is your last chance to do something for the kingdom.

Before he could answer, Deenie slipped out from under his arm and leapt at Doranas mayor. His timid tiddy mouse, biting the mangy cat. Bless her. How dare you say that? My das done more for Lur than anyone since Barl. More than youll ever do. Her fists were clenched, the swimmy tears streaming down her salt-kissed cheeks. You ought to listen to him, Meister Pintte. You shouldnt be doing this! Its wrong.

Fernel Pinttes eyes were popped wide in shock. Almost he took a step back. Asher! Control your unruly daughter or Ill banish your family to sh.o.r.e. Youve been allowed onto this pier as a courtesy only.

Banish my family. Aye, he would, the poxy s.h.i.+t. No authority here, not in Westwailing, but hed find a way to throw his weight around regardless. Just like sea-slug Willer, Fernel Pintte were that kind of man.

Deenie Swallowing temper, he touched his little girls shoulder. Reckon your ma might like some company, eh? He nodded down the pier, where Dath now stood on her lonesome. Rafe had wandered away, and was talking to one of the Westwailing fishermen gettin the chosen boat ready to sail.

Deenie looked. All right, Da. She kissed his cheek. Glowered a last time at Fernel Pintte. Turned on her heel, almost flouncing, and swished along the pier in her new silk skirt. Glospottle blue it was, and didnt she look fine.

At his leisure he s.h.i.+fted his gaze back to Fernel Pintte. Looked the man up and down. Did he even have the nouse to be a little bit nervous? Or were he so puffed up with self-consequence, so sure the Mayor of Dorana could snap his fingers and command the oceans waves, that he were convinced he and his Doranen cronies were safe as eggs in a hen?

You plan on sailin out to the reef with Garrick and them others, Fernel?

Pinttes nostrils narrowed with displeasure. Of course.

You might want to rethink that.

No, I dont believe I do.

Fernel With an effort, Asher tamped down his temper again. Look. Forget it be me sayin it. Forget we dont like each other and I once made you run away like a la.s.s and lissen, would you? There aint nowt you and them Doranen can do to break the reef. You Air hissed between Fernel Pinttes clenched teeth. Asher, Im no more interested in your arguments now than I was in Dorana. All I want to know is Forget what you want and let me tell you what you need, he snapped. Cause Im tryin to save your life, Fernel. Barl alone knows why. The only thing youll do on that b.l.o.o.d.y boat is get in Rodyn Garricks way and then most probly die along with him, his poxy son and them fools hes talked into doin this with him.

Barls t.i.ts, said Pintte, choking, and half-turned away. If youre not the most arrogant He turned back again, his face red with suppressed fury. Are you so bloated with past glories you think youll be forgiven for refusing to lift a finger now, in Lurs direst hour of need?

The urge to kick Pintte into the harbour was almost overwhelming. I dont give a s.h.i.+t about the past, Fernel. All I can think on is the next b.l.o.o.d.y hour. I dont want to spend it watchin you drown! So swallow your pride, accept I know what Im talkin on and do what I say stead of Asher, enough, said Pintte, throwing up one hand. And for the love of all things Olken say youll come out to the reef with us. Loathe you as I truly do, I cant deny your power, or forget youre the only Olken mage who can wield Doranen magic, or that youve already defeated Morgs evil once. Pintte grabbed his arm, shaking him. Your skills could tip the balance in our favour! You cant turn your back!

Wrenching his arm free, Asher shoved his hands in his pockets so he wouldnt throttle the stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I b.l.o.o.d.y can, Fernel, cause what skills I got wont make a sinkin bit of difference.

You dont know that!

Yes, I do! Last time Forget last time! Pintte shouted. It was twenty years ago! Asher, you have to know how important it is that we undo the magic in that reef. With our way cleared to open water then Aye? Then what? he said, suddenly tired. We break the reef, collapse the whirlpools and the waterspouts, then what, Fernel? You herd the Doranen onto boats, like sheep, and set em sailin towards the horizon? Till they run out of water and vittles or get sunk in a storm? Be that your notion, Meister Mayor? Kick em all out of Lur, good luck and good riddance?

They want to leave, said Fernel, his pouched cheeks stained red. Mayhap Rodyn Garrick wants to scarper, he said. I heard a whisper on it, and Barl knows hes pus.h.i.+n this reef business as hard as you. And his mate over there, Sarle Baden. He must want it, or like as not he wouldnt be here. Ain Freidin and Ennet Vail the same. But And if they do want to leave, Asher, who are you to say no?

All right, Fernel, so they want to, he snapped. Thats four Doranen out of how many, ezackly? And what makes you think they aint the only ones? Cause I aint heard any other Doranen clamourin to leave. Have you?

Fernel Pinttes chin tilted again. Thats not the point, is it? Its not their wishes Im concerned with. Its the welfare of this land. Our land.

Jervales b.l.o.o.d.y bunions, Pintte! he said, itching to shake some b.l.o.o.d.y sense into the fool. How are the Doranen hurtin Lur? I must be goin blind cause I cant see any damage.

Well, youre right about that much, said Pintte. You are blind, Asher. They are Doranen. Conquest and domination are in their blood. They usurped us once and they will usurp us again now that Lur is steeped so deep in trouble. Trouble you dont even seem to notice.

Asher stared at Fernel Pintte. Forget shakin the b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I want to throttle him. You think I dont know were in trouble, Fernel? Trust me, I know.

Then help us! Pintte implored. Our one sure defence against Doranen magic is youand what good are you? You cant fix whats gone wrong and you wont break magics hold on that cursed reef! And it can be broken.

Says who? Rodyn Garrick? You be willin to risk your life on his say-so? Fernel He spread his arms wide. The only reason Gar-ricks climbed so high is cause all the good Doranen mages be long dead!

Pintte stepped close, salt air rasping in his throat. The gleam in his eyes was unsettling, and desperate. Lurs time is running out, Asher. Escape from this prison is our only hopenot only against the treacherous Doranen, but against famine, flood, tremors and this ungovernable weathercalamities which I know in my heart they have caused. Why do you refuse to see it?

Only thing I see, he retorted, be an Olken whos let fear and bitterness twist him so ugly he Breathing hard, he bit back the rest. Fernel, the Doranen aint our enemies and what you be plannin to do here aint the answer to our woes. You muck about with that reef and all youll do is make things in Lur a sinkin sight worse.

Pinttes pointed finger jabbed him in the chest. Do you know what your problem is, Asher? Youre still a lackey of that dead royal family. But the Doranen arent our friendsand youre the only one who cant see it. You lived in their pockets for so long youve forgotten youre Olken. He stepped back. Or maybe you never were. Maybe that taint of Doranen magic in your blood Shut your b.l.o.o.d.y mouth, Fernel! he said, his vision hazing with rage. Afore I Afore you what? said Fernel Pintte, scornful. Kill me with your Doranen powers? And how would that make you any better than Morg? He laughed, a nasty sound. You might want to climb down out of that Tower of yours, Asher. When it comes to the Doranen youd be surprised by how many people think as I do.

Sickened to vomiting, more like. You b.l.o.o.d.y fool. You be set to stir trouble the likes of which we aint seen for centuries. And as for that reef, Ill tell you for the last time. Them mages wont break it. All theyll do is get the lot of you killed.