The Prodigal Mage Part 38

And then it pa.s.sed, and he had himself coldly under control. That was important. Father would despise him should he allow emotion to weaken his resolve.

Meister Speaker! he said loudly. Meister Speaker, I would be heard!

But s.h.i.+frin couldnt hear him above the gabbling and his own pathetic attempts to restore order. So, uncaring that he had not been invited here, considering himself above such petty considerations, he stalked across the chamber floor.

Lord Garrick! said s.h.i.+frin, noticing him at last. My lordIm sorry but this is a privy gathering. Youve not been granted leave to I will present myself wherever I choose, he said, making his way towards the Speakers table with a studied, deliberate nonchalance. In case youve forgotten, s.h.i.+frin, my father was a councilor.

What of it? said Rafel, one hand on Orricks shoulder. Council positions aint hereditary, Arlin.

The chamber was falling quiet, as one by one councilors both Doranen and Olken stilled their chattering tongues. Smiling, Arlin halted. Decided to let the incivility pa.s.s, for now.

And yet here you are, Rafel.

I was invited, said Ashers son, his face darkening. And my fathers not dead.

His smile widened. Yet.

Lord Garrick! said Jaffee, his shocked protest cutting through the Councils babble. That was uncalled for.

Ignoring the old fool, and the rest of the Council, he kept his gaze on Rafel. Speaker s.h.i.+frin, I stand before you seeking redress for a gross injustice. My father Arlin, said Rafel. Letting go of Orricks shoulder, he stepped out from behind the Speakers table. Dont do this. Dont make a fool of yourself. Go home and mourn in private. Your father wasnt murdered.

Of course you would say that, Rafel, he replied, ruthlessly civil. Being one of his murderers. But I prefer to Arlin, b.l.o.o.d.y accept it. Your father got himself killed, Rafel retorted. And he near got mine killed with him while he was at it. Im sorry hes dead, but Sorry? Astounded, he had to wait a moment for his breath to return. Youre sorry, Rafel? That is a verysmallword. That is a word lacking weight, and meaning. Its the word you use when you tread on someones foot, accidentally. Or when you interrupt them during polite conversation. It is not the word you use for stealing an innocent mans life.

I didnt steal anything! Rafel shouted. I didnt kill anyone. I Be quiet, said Pellen Orrick, his voice hoa.r.s.e, weak, but full of authority nonetheless. Both of you. We dont have time for this. We have to And then he closed his eyes briefly, shaking his head. Forgive me, Meister Speaker, he said to s.h.i.+frin, then nodded to another ferrety Olken seated close by. Mayor Stott. Its not my intention to Fernel Pinttes replacement glanced at s.h.i.+frin, then raised a hand. No need to apologise, Pellen. Your experience is undisputed. Please, go on.

Lord Garrick, said Pellen Orrick, theres not a man or woman in this chamber whod diminish the natural sorrow any son must feel on the loss of his father. But this is not Justice Hall. If you have a grievance, make representation to Lady Marnagh once our session here is concluded. As senior administrator of Justice Hall she will examine your complaint and Sarnia Marnagh is well known as Ashers friend, he replied, not bothering to look at the ageing Doranen woman who so failed to understand where her loyalty belonged. I have no confidence in her judgement.

Be that as it may, Lord Garrick, said frail Barlsman Jaffee, over the muttering Council. Not one of us stands above the law. Now you must withdraw, so we might continue our urgent business undisturbed.

They were dismissing him? As though he were a n.o.body, an Olken? What business could you have more important than murder? he demanded. More important than the slaughter of one of Lurs great mages?

This kingdoms survival! said s.h.i.+frin. Lord Garrickas Meister Orrick says, this Council grieves with you and mourns the kingdoms loss of your father. But Plat.i.tudes! he spat at the fat fool. I have not come here for plat.i.tudes. I want No-one here gives a s.h.i.+t what you want, Arlin! said Rafel, his face savage. So s.h.i.+ft your a.r.s.e out of this chamber before I Pellen Orrick slapped his hand to the Speakers table. Rafel No, Pellen! said Rafel, half-turning. Im sick of this poxy little s.h.i.+t and his poison tongue. Him and Fernel Pintte and Sarle Baden, all three tarred with the same lying brush. Im a murderer. My fathers a murderer. You call yourself Das friend? What you were saying before, did you even mean it? Or are you no better than this b.l.o.o.d.y Council, this leaky boatload of sinkin fools?

Orrick lurched to his feet, unsteady on his one wooden leg. Shame on you, Rafel. If your father was here Well, hes not, spat Rafel. Hes lying three-quarters dead under his blankets with my motheryour friendweeping over him. Because he risked his life for this kingdom, again. His furious glare raked the chamber. I dont know how any of you look yourselves in the mirror.

Forgotten for the moment, Arlin retreated almost to the chamber doors where he might continue to discreetly observe the proceedings. Rafel was invited here for a reason. Whatever that was, he wanted to know.

This murderers life is become my business. There is nothing too small about him that I would not learn. I will bring him down. I will lay him low. Before I am done with him, he shall weep at my feet.

Rafel, said Speaker s.h.i.+frin sternly. Your anger is excusableyou fear for your fathers health. So do we. But you werent asked here to judge us. Thats not your place.

Rafel scowled at the Speaker. Then what is my place? Why am I here?

s.h.i.+frin played his gaze over the murmuring Council until it fell silent. Glanced at Jaffee, and Sarnia Marnagh, and last of all at Pellen Orrick. Then he turned to Rafel. Youre Ashers son.

Warily, Rafel stared back at him. I know.

Levity, Rafel? said s.h.i.+frin, his expression tightening. With Lur facing its darkest days, youd s.h.i.+frin, Pellen Orrick said, touching his arm. Its a tense time.

What I mean, said s.h.i.+frin, through gritted teeth, is that like your father, you can feel the earth the way other Olken mages cant?

So? said Rafel, still wary.

And like your father, you have the touch for Doranen magic?

Arlin, closely watching, saw Rafels fear, imperfectly concealed. Was thrilled by it. Fear was a weaknessand weakness could be exploited.

You know I do, Rafel said. Whats going on? You aint saying whats happened is my fault? Or Das fault? Because we didnt cause this, we were No, said s.h.i.+frin, curt with impatience. Rafel, n.o.bodys blaming youor your father. We know how much we owe him.

Then tell me what you want, said Rafel, so arrogant. His fathers son, indeed. Or Im going back to the Tower. My mother needs me.

And so does Lur, said s.h.i.+frin, with an uneasy sideways glance at Pellen Orrick. Rafel, with your father He hesitated. unwell, it could be youre our kingdoms only chance of survival.

Im not, said Rafel, taken aback. Arrogance abruptly subdued. Interesting. Its the weather thats gone wrong, and I aint a WeatherWorker.

We know that, said Speaker s.h.i.+frin. But you have power. There has to be something you can do to stop Lur falling apart.

The councilors leaned forward, all of them, even the Doranen, waiting to hear what Rafel had to say. Waiting for him to save them. Rafel. They were pathetic.

Rafel looked at them, still uncertain. If thats true, I dont know what it is.

When Lur faced its first great crisis, Doranen and Olken magics were melded, said Barlsman Jaffee. And Weather Magic was born to keep us safe. Now Lur faces destruction once more, and this Council believes What? said Rafel, incredulous. That we should make our own Weather Magic? Or something like it? Dont be mad. Its more likely wed make things worse, not better. Those magics A memory, unpleasant, s.h.i.+fted behind his eyes. There was fear again. What did he know? You dont want to muck about with them.

Arlin bit his tongue. It galled him, but he agreed with Rafel. These Doranen were milk-and-water mages. Not a one of them was strong enough to wield that kind of power. It didnt exist here, anyway. Barl had seen to that. The magic they were after could only be found over the mountains, in Lost Dorana.

Nothings been decided, Rafel, said Jaffee, frowning. Nothing can be decided until the meaning of every s.h.i.+ver and twist in this kingdom, no matter how subtle, is understood. You are the strongest Olken mage we have. Will you seek the answers for us? Will you bind yourself to Lurs suffering earth and tell us what we need to know so we might cure what ails our poor, beleaguered home?

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Rafel stared at the floor. Paced a few steps. Paced back again, saying nothing. Then he looked up. Arlin, catching his hard stare full-face, felt himself flinch. A thought rose, unbidden: Dont get on his bad side. Disturbed, angered, he pushed it away. The Olkens not been born that I will ever fear.

Were seeking a way to save the kingdom, so that no more tragic sacrifices are made, said Jaffee, sounding almost humble. But we cant save it without you, Rafel. Please. Please, help us.

The council chamber was utterly silent. Every breath held, every body still as stone. Every hopeful, harrowed gaze trained on Ashers murdering son.

All right, Rafel said at last. Ill ride out tomorrowif you promise me two things.

Rafel Pellen Orrick shook his head. Youd bargain? Now? With so much at stake? Your father Is a fool, Rafel said fiercely. And dyou know why, Pellen? Cause whenever anyone asked himasks himfor something, he gives it. No matter what it might cost him, he gives it and never once stops to think of himself. Well, that aint me.

An uncomfortable stirring round the chamber. What is it you want? s.h.i.+frin asked at last.

Arms belligerently folded, Rafel treated them all to his most arrogant stare. First off, you dont argue with me when I tell you what I find. You dont throw your hands up and say I must be mistaken. You dont ignore me, like you always ignore my da. Cause I know this much, what youre asking me to do? Its going to hurt. A lot. And Im not much interested in being called a liar afterwards.

s.h.i.+frin took a moment to look at his fellow-councilors. Not a one of them spoke. Not a single face showed any objection.

Agreed, said the Speaker. Whatever you find, we will accept as the truth without argument. Whats your secondrequest?

Arlin swallowed his contempt. Request? Demand, more like it. Ashers thuggish son was browbeating them, twisting their weak armsand they were letting him.

No wonder the kingdom is come to such a parlous place, with weaklings like this in charge. What use is a Council that begs, instead of leads?

Stirring from thought, Rafel turned and flung out a pointing finger. You tell him to stop calling me and my father murderers. You make Lord Arlin b.l.o.o.d.y Garrick swear on oath before this Council, here and now, that he knows what happened down in Westwailing wasnt murder.

Aching with rage and the urgent desire to destroy, Arlin strode out of the shadows and back into the chambers light. Halted face to face with Rafel, and let his enemy see him, really see him, for the first time in his life. He watched Rafel absorb the blow. Watched the Olken upstart blink. Swallow.

Thats right, Rafel. Im something else to fear.

And then he slid behind his mask again, and s.h.i.+fted his gaze past his fathers murderer to s.h.i.+frin. I will do no such thing, Speaker! Ill not betray my father for him. And that he would stand here, flouting my right to justice, my right to be publicly heard, that hed hold a knife to this kingdoms throathe proves me right in everything Ive ever said. He laughed, and looked again at Rafel. So which of us has the poison tongue now?

Rafel turned away. A small defeat, and he relished it.

The first of many, Rafel. My word on it. The first of many.

Rafel Slowly, painfully, each halting step an effort, Pellen Orrick abandoned the Speakers table and confronted Ashers son. Rested one hand on his shoulder. Rafel, Im sorry. You cant ask for that. Lord Garrick may be wrong, he may be blinded by grief, disordered by it, even, but he is ent.i.tled to his challenge. Asking us to deny him justice is putting a knife to Lurs throat. And when your father learns of it He shook his head. Do you want to break his heart?

Rafel walked out.

Lord Garrick, said Speaker s.h.i.+frin, when the hubbub at last was died down and Pellen Orrick was seated again, more grey-faced than ever. As you can see, this Council cannotwill nottake sides in this matter. If you wish to pursue the question of your fathers death, you must pet.i.tion Justice Hall. Now kindly withdraw, my lord. This Council has business that must take precedence over your grief.

With the weight of the entire Council against him, he had no choice but to obey. So he bowed to the blind fools whod trust Lurs fate to a murderer and withdrew from the Council chamber into its antechamber, to consider his next move.

Rafel was nowhere in sight. Which was lucky for him.

And if I begged you not to go, Rafel? Would that make any difference?

Not looking up, Rafel shoved a second spare s.h.i.+rt into his almost-full pack. Mama, please, enough. How bad do you want me to feel? Its only for three days. Four at the most.

Three daysor fourmight be all your father has left to him! his mother retorted. You heard what Kerril said. Its a wonder hes still breathing. He could stop breathing before youve reached the City gates. Is that what you want, Rafel? To be wandering around the countryside while your father breathes his last?

Im doing what Da would want! he said, fumbling the packs buckles. Im putting Lur first, just like hes put Lur first pretty much his whole life. Hes lying in his bed like a breathing corpse, right now, for putting Lur first. And for me.

For you? said Mama. What do you mean?

He stared at her across his clothes-scattered bed. These past long days of cruel uncertainty had been especially brutal for her. Eyes shadowed and sunken, cheeks pale, everything strong about her turned fearful. It was as though a stranger was wearing her face. Rain slashed against the chamber window, filling the silence with threats of strife.

Goose, he said at last. Hating to admit it. Da thought if He had to stop, guilt burning his belly. He thought Mama dropped to the blanket box at the foot of the bed. Elbows on her knees, face buried in her hands, she looked so dejected, so small and lonely, he couldve wept.

I know what he thought, she said, m.u.f.fled. So weary. Oh, Asher.

And it had been for nothing, in the end. Goose and the others were gone over the mountains, and Barl alone knew what they were facing. Thered been no word yet through the talking stone theyd taken. Between fretting on him and Da and feeling Lurs torment, it was getting harder and harder to sleep.

Mama, he said, close to despair. You know hed want me to go. She looked up. And what makes you think I care what hed want? Hed never seen her defeated, not like this. Not even in Westwailing, when shed given up and walked away.

Mama Dont, said Mama, and hid her face again. Rafel, I cant see the point of you doing this. Barls map is destroyed and theres no more Weather Magic. The last threads binding it to Lur are snapped. So what can you do?

Sighing, he tossed the buckled pack aside and joined his mother on the blanket box. Slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. I can feel the earth. Better than anyone, even you. Well, except Da. He pulled a face. And maybe Deenie.

Deenie? Mama pulled away from him and stood, arms wrapping tight round her ribs as though she held herself against a mortal wound. You leave Deenie out of this madness, Rafel. Youre a man now. Youll do what you want and I cant stop you. But Deenie? Her voice broke. Shes younger than her years. Still a child, in many ways. Ill not have her dragged into this. Ill not have her life ruined by magic, by being different, by But Mama, he said, as gently as he could. She is different. You cant She turned on him, her dark eyes s.h.i.+mmering with tears and fury. Dont you tell me what I cant! I am her mother and I will protect her till the last breath leaves my body! I was born Jervales Heir and I accepted that burden. I did all that was asked of me to see that evil was defeated. But the days of prophecy are over, Rafe. The Circle is broken and Ill not see it mended. Ill not give my daughter to it. Fingers pressed to her lips, tears falling, she almost sobbed. Ill not forgive your father for giving you to it.

Mama! Shocked, he got to his feet. Dont blame Da for this. I wanted to help.

And now you want to leave, she said bitterly. But how does that help me?

The need to hold her, to be held by her, was so sharp it hurt. But he didnt dare move. If she pushed me away now, Id break. What helps Lur helps us all, Mama. Doesnt it?

She snorted. Your father thought that way. Now look at him. Hes a lump of flesh in his bed. And is Lur helped? No. Its suffering, worse than ever.

Which is why Ive got to go. Ive got to get beyond the City walls and into the Home Districts, so I can feel whats going on without folk getting in the way. Doranen magics so loud.

Thats what Matt used to say, she murmured. And it killed him in the end. It kills everything. I hate it.

Mama, I would never ask Deenie to do this, he said, willing her to believe him. I know how much shes hurting. And thats one more reason for me to go. If I can feel whats happened to Lur, if I can understand, then Then what? You cant fix this, Rafel! Lur is ruined and theres nothing to be done.

Looking at her now, it was hard to believe shed been Jervales Heir. Shed given up. Did Da know shed given up? You cant be sure of that.

Yes, I can, she insisted. Rafe, its over. At long last this kingdom has run dry of Barls magicand we have no choice but to endure the coming dark days. And Im sure, Rafe, I know, that the Council is foolish to think youll save us.

The derision in her voice lashed him. Why? Cause Im not the mage my father is?

No! she cried. Because what they want is impossible. What your father wanted is impossible. Nothing lives forever, Rafe. Not even a kingdom.

He stepped back. Soyou want us to do nothing? To sit in the rain with our mouths open until we drown?

His mother stared at him in bleak silence for a long time. Then she shook her head, slowly, and turned away. You havent heard a word I said.

Oh, I heard you! he retorted. I just think youre wrong!

Fine, she sighed. Then you go. Traipse about the Home Districts to your selfish hearts content. Do the Councils bidding. Just dont be surprised that when you cant snap your fingers and make everything all right, they blame you.

They wont do that. They understand All they understand, Rafel, is that they want the world the way it was! she said, swinging to face him. And when they finally realise they wontcanthave it, theyll get angry. Believe me.

No. Mama, Im not a fool, he said, his own temper stirring. I made the Council promise to heed me. Ill be fine. I think youre Take that condescending tone with me and youll be well sorry for it, she said, her face and eyes so cold. Am I some ole woman in my dotage? I have lived through this before. Face the truth, Rafel, no matter how painful or unpalatable it might be. Lur has used up all its second chances. This kingdoms last frail hope of deliverance was Fernel Pinttes misguided expedition. And with that lost we Goose. Dont call them lost, he snapped. You dont know theyre lost. We just havent heard from them yet, thats all. You dont I dont what? she spat. Remember Tollin and his expedition, and what happened to them? Well, my bright boy, heres something else you were never told. I sat beside that man as he died. I breathed in the stench and corruption of his rotting flesh as it fell from his raddled bones. Your father was rightPintte and Baden never shouldve gone. They and their followers have perished, and hope is perished with them. Now those of us left behind in Lur will reap what Barl and her precious Morgan sowed.

He didnt know how to answer that. He was so angry, so disappointed any ticktock he was going to lose his temper and say something he could never take back. That she might not forgive.

Rafe Halfway to the chamber door, his pack in one hand, his long, oiled riding-coat and broad-brimmed leather hat in the other, he stopped. Turned. The pain in her face was a punishment.

Mama, Im not doing this to hurt you, he said, his voice tight. His throat tight, and his chest. Breathing hurt. Im doing it for Lur. For Da.

I know, she said. There was no softness in her. Make sure you farewell him. So youll know youve done it, even if he wont.

Mama His eyes were burning. Ill be back in a few days. No more than a week.

Youll be back when it suits you, Rafel, she said, shrugging. And not a moment sooner.

He left her standing in his chamber, so much anger, so much pain, and thudded his way downstairs to his parents floor of the Tower. Dropping his pack, coat and hat on the landing he pushed the main doors open and walked soft-footed to their privy apartments.

Deenie was in there, reading to Da.

Looking up at his entrance, his sister marked her place on the books page with her finger. Rafel. Youre leaving?