The Prodigal Mage Part 6

Thank you, Deenie, Darran whispered, when he could speak again. Then he smiled. Deenie. Gardenia. Do you know Dathne when I said you should call a girl-child that I was teasing.

She nodded. We knew.

Ah, he said, and didnt speak for a moment. Then he turned again to her children. Very well. A story. This happened when your father was a brash young man. The old king, Borne was unwell. He sent his son the prince Gar to Westwailing in his stead After walking off the worst of his temper, Asher made his way to the Tower stable yard. The lads were bustling about evening stables, doors rattling, the water pumps handle groaning, filled pails slos.h.i.+ng, glimfire lanterns gilding the air and throwing shadows. Though he were fratched, he smiled at the horses impatience, whickers and snapping teeth, and hooves banging and sc.r.a.ping. The cool air smelled of hot horse porridge and fresh manure. He found Jed in the feed room, painstakingly counting carrots into seven waiting feed buckets. Seeing Asher, his oddly young and unlined face split wide in a smile.

See? he said, pointing proudly. See?

Aye, he replied, and clapped his boyhood friend on the shoulder. I do see. You be a great help, Jed.

Jed nodded, tongue-tip held fast between his teeth. The cruel, dented scar in his forehead caught the glimlight, flatly s.h.i.+ning. Great help. Great help.

The lingering embers of Ashers resentment died. Poor Jed. So much lost to him. So much stolen by bad luck. Now he was about to lose Darran, who fussed over him like a hen with one chick. Whod have thought the ole fool had so much love in him, eh?

Not me. I never thought it. Sometimes I reckon I never knew him at all.

After a quick stir of the horse porridge, pungent steam stinging his face, he perched on the edge of the oat-bin, arms folded. Jed. Jed. Are you listenin to me, Jed?

Jed nodded, industriously counting carrots. That blow to his drunken head hadnt stolen all his life. Just most of it.

Jed, I got to tell you somethin. About Darran.

Jeds face lit up. My friend Darran. Ole crow. Ole fart.

Yeah, the ole fart, he said, pain like a vice crus.h.i.+ng his chest. Jed come along, you got to listen to me.

Beyond the almost closed feed-room door, the lads whistled and laughed. On their own tonight, with Meister Divit away to Crackby for a family funeral. More death. More despair. People ought to live forever. Jed was counting carrots again, lost in his misty mind.

Jed! he said sharply, and kicked one heel against the oat-bin. b.l.o.o.d.y listen, would you?

Jed startled at his sharp voice and the boom of the oat-bin, carrots tumbling from his fingers. Sorry. Sorry.

Abruptly remorseful, Asher dropped to a crouch before his addled friend and took hold of his wrists. Aint no need for sorry, he said gently. You aint done a thing wrong, Jed. I just need you to listen.

Wide-eyed, his untidy dark hair streaky grey, his cheeks and chin stubbled grey and black, Jed nodded. I be listenin.

He couldnt say Darran was dying. Even if Jed understood, the words would only fratch him. Darrans goin away for a bit, Jed. He asked me to say goodbye for him.

Away? Jed said vaguely. Where?

Good question. Who knew if the Barlsmen were right? Who knew if there was a life beyond death? To the countryside, Jed.

Jed frowned. Cant I go? I like the country.

I know you do, he said. Only not this time. Another time, mayhap.

Another time. Aye. Aye. Jed stood. I have to look at Cygnets water, he announced. Thats my job. I look after Cygnet.

The feed-room door banged closed behind him. Asher stayed crouched on the brick floor a moment longer, a hot pain pulsing at his temples. Then he pushed to his feet and started dis.h.i.+ng out the evening feeds, scoops of oats and chaffed hay dropping into the feed buckets. Taking refuge in a task that had once meant so much.

A sad night, said a familiar voice.

b.l.o.o.d.y Pellen. Stealthy like a cat he was, even with one good leg and one carven-wood stump, to take the place of the s.h.i.+n and foot hed lost to Morg.

When he could trust his face, he turned. Aye. Howd you know?

Ten years of mayorin Dorana had left Pellen Orrick grizzled and inclined to sharp-tongued sarcasm. Fatherhood had warmed him. Buryin his wife had lined him deeper. Two years on and he still grieved. Of course he did. Hed loved Ibby with his whole heart, a heart that never thought Lur held a woman for him.

Good thing hes got little Charis, I reckon. Reckon hed have followed his Ibby into the ground elsewise.

Leaning against the feed-rooms doorjamb, his bra.s.s-b.u.t.toned blue and crimson guard uniform long since given way to sober, respectable brown wool, Pellen cleared his throat.

Dathne sent word. Seeing Darrans importance, she thought I should know.

Trust Dath to think of it. Hed been too angry. Too sad. She were right. You should.

Hard to believe were losing him, said Pellen. Seems hes as much a part of Dorana as the palace itself.

He nodded. Aye.

You dont talk of it, but I know you and the old man have grown close, these past years, Pellen said quietly. Im sorry, Asher.

Drat the man and his b.l.o.o.d.y sympathy. Go away, Pellen. Did I ask you to poke your nose into how I feel? Did I? Aye. Well, thats the way of things, aint it? Nowt lasts forever, though you reckon it will.

Pellens hatchet-face stilled, its kindness freezing. Asher? Whats going on? Its not just Darran, is it? Theres something else rubbing at you.

Sink it. First Darran, now Pellen. That was the trouble with having friends. They saw things. Worse, Pellen had been a guardsman and then a captain more than twice the time hed been a mayor. Those keen instincts never left him, which was why he was still mayor. n.o.body wrangled the guilds and the Doranen and every last fratchin Olken in the City the way Pellen did.

Oh well. I were always goin to tell him.

He shrugged. I been feelin things. Changes. In the air. In the earth.

Pellen looked at him in silence, fear churning behind his eyes. Pellen Orrick afraid: now, there was a thing. In the weather?

Of course hed guess that. There were four of them left now, him and Dath and Pellen and Darran, who knew close and personal about Jarralt and Morg. Just the four of them still standing, whod stared evil in the face and breathed its foul breath. The rest of Lur, reprieved, and after living it at a distance, had marched on. But not them. They were burdened with memories, weighed down by the past. That was the price theyd paid, so Lur could march on. And now Darran was dyin Mayhap, he muttered. You aint felt nowt?

Me? Pellen shook his head. No. Whatever magic we Olken possess, its thin in my blood. You know that. He sighed, the lines in his face deepening. Ibby was the one with the gift.

You aint heard folk whisperin in the City?

No, said Pellen. I didnt know I should be listening for them. Ill listen now, if thats what you need.

Asher glanced past Pellen out to the yard, where his friends horse whickered hopefully in the spare stable. All the mucking out and watering and rugging-up was done. Any ticktock now the lads would be barging in, looking for the evening feeds. The Tower horses were banging at their stable walls and doors even louder than before. He turned back to the feed-bins, to finish the task of doling out oats and chaff.

I aint sure what I need. Cept the horse porridge. Fetch me the pot, eh? And the stirrin stick.

So the Mayor of Dorana turned his hand to horse care, and together they finished preparing the evening feeds. Just as he worked the last dollops of steaming barley and linseed through the chaff and oats the lads wrangled into the feed room, laughter hiccupping to surprise as they saw grand Pellen Orrick with bits of porridge on his sleeve.

Here you go then, said Asher. Feeds done, with an extra for His Wors.h.i.+ps nag. He turned to Mizzil, the senior lad. You be in charge till Meister Divits home again, remember. Dont let me be seein owt amiss, or well have words.

As Mizzil and the other lads swore blind thered be no trouble, Asher caught Pellens amused eye and led him into the yard, where twilight had at last surrendered to night.

You want to see Darran, then? he said, as the lads bustled out of the feed room with their buckets of porridged oats and chaff. Afore Pellen nodded. Can I?

Kerril said there werent no harm, he replied, and headed out of the yard. Aint nowt she can do to stop him leavin us.

Then I will take a moment, said Pellen, following. But first, tell me what youre going to do aboutthis other business.

Well, Daths for meeting with a few of them Circle Olken. Reckon shes probly right. Aside from her they be the best mages we got.

No, said Pellen, with quiet intensity. Youre our greatest mage, Asher.

Trust him to mention it. I aint any kind of mage, Pellen. Not any more.

I know you like to think so, said Pellen. But Ill not fight with you about it. Not tonight.

Theyd reached the wooden door in the stable yard wall, that gave onto the meandering garden path to the Tower. Opening it, Asher waved Pellen by him then tugged the door closed behind them. A short walk away, the Tower blazed with glimlight, so warm and inviting. No hint of the sorrow gathering beneath its tiled roof.

You cant summon these Circle members here openly, said Pellen, as they continued. His gait was rolling and uneven, the paths gravel echoing his lack of two flesh-and-blood feet.

Asher looked sideways. Why not?

Because more than likely theyll be recognised. If youre not wanting to make a fuss about this What do you mean? I reckoned on shouting our troubles from the roof of Justice Hall.

Very funny, said Pellen. But by all means, bite my nose off till theres nothing left of it, my friend, if thatll ease you.

The only thing that would ease him was finding this day were nowt but a dream. And since that werent likely You cant go to them, either, Pellen added. Its meant kindly enough, but even though you live your life circ.u.mspect nowadays, folks still take a keen interest in your doings.

And that were true, sink it. He shoved his hands in his pockets. How do we meet with them, then?

With a little sleight-of-hand I think we can bring these mages to Dorana without raising suspicions, said Pellen, after a thoughtful pause. And we can talk matters over at my home. That is, if youre certain the risk is worth it. If you really believe He sighed. I so want you to be wrong.

They were almost at the Tower. Its double doors stood wide open, glimfire was.h.i.+ng over its wide steps and the courtyards raked blue and white gravel. Asher put his hand on Pellens arm and tugged him to a halt.

And you reckon I dont? he said, his voice lowered again. You think I aint standin here, quakin in my boots?

Despite his worry, Pellen smiled. You? Quaking? Thatll be the day.

Once Pellen had risked everything, his livelihood, his life, turned his back on his solemn captains oath and leapt blindly to his aid, all because Gar had asked it of him. Because he was a good man who couldnt bear to think that his mistake had caused an innocent man to suffer. A friends.h.i.+p had grown out of that as true, in its own way, as those friends.h.i.+ps with Gar and Matt.

Asher let his fingers tighten on Pellens arm. This aint funny, Meister Mayor. It aint He let his hand fall and took a moment to breathe, just breathe. If we celebrated too soon You think we did? said Pellen, his eyes hooded, his mouth tucked tight. Do you thinkis it possiblecan it be Morg?

No, he said swiftly. Me and Gar UnMade him. Hes dead. But that aint to say his mischief got UnMade the same way. Remember what Tollin found over the mountains? Blight and misery and nowt good anywhere. Killed him in the end, didnt it? And them who came back with him. Took em slower than the others, aye, but it still took em. Reckon Morg left a legacy whats poisoned near the whole world.

And us along with it? said Pellen, openly dismayed. Asher He cleared his throat. Can you fix this? Youyou know what I mean.

Aye. He did. Like Dathne, hed told Pellen the truth about his Weather Magic. He could lie to the kingdom, but he couldnt lie to them. Not after what theyd sacrificed for him. And any road, hed needed them to keep an eye on him, in case something with the magic went wrong one day, what with him being Olken and never meant to wield it.

I dont know, Pellen, he said. First I got to find out if Im guessin right. And then, if I am He scowled. Reckon Ill cross that bridge when I reach it.

Well cross that bridge, Pellen retorted. Youll not tackle this alone, Asher. Not while Im Mayor of Dorana and on both Councils, with an oathsworn duty to keep City and kingdom safe.

Fine, he agreed reluctantly. But this aint for talkin on w.i.l.l.y nilly, Pellen. You and me and Dath can know theres trouble. No-one else.

Asher, I can agree with not telling the General Council anything, at least not yet, said Pellen, frowning. But the Mage Council has a right to No, it b.l.o.o.d.y dont. Think Ill trust Rodyn Garrick on this? After how he fratched at me about Ain Freidin? Dont reckon Id trust him to tell me the b.l.o.o.d.y time!

Pellen sighed, gustily. Then what about Barlsman Jaffee and Sarnia Marnagh and No, Pellen, he snapped. It aint safe. What they dont know wont cause us ructions.

I dont like it, Asher, Pellen muttered. Im not comfortable with these kinds of secrets.

Then you b.l.o.o.d.y get comfortable, Pellen. I cant sort this with the Mage Council breathin down my neck!

Thisthis change youve been feeling, said Pellen, after a moment. Who else can feel it, do you think?

Rafel. But he couldnt tell Pellen that. He could hardly bear to think it. He and Dath had done what they could to s.h.i.+eld their son from the magic that was in himbut was it enough? At only ten, still a sprat, was he outgrowing that protection?

No. No. Dont let it be that.

Dont know, he said. But if it gets any worse therell be a lot of folk feelin it.

If that happens you can forget keeping secrets, said Pellen, and ran a hand over his face. From the Mage Council or the kingdom. How long do we have before this becomes common knowledge?

Dont know that, either.

Is there anything you do know?

Biting his tongue, Asher half-turned away. Brawling with Pellen, on account of they were both frighted and heartsore, werent likely to help things.

I know I need you to stand by me, Pellen. I need you to trust I can find us a way out of trouble.

Dont be a fool! said Pellen, stung. Whatevers gone wrong, I know youll put it right.

There were no doubting his friends sincerity. But suddenly, instead of helping, Pellens faith was a fearful burden.

What if hes wrong? What if I cant? Its been ten years and I aint stirred my magic hardly at all since Morg. What if I cant make it do whats needful? What if I dont know the right words?

Pellen took hold of his shoulder. Asher, dont worry. When the time comesif it comesyoull know what to do. And whatever help you need to do it, just ask. Ill not turn my back.

Good, he said, and heard his voice rasp. Thats good, Pellen.

And since there werent nowt else to say, he started again towards the Tower. Pellen walked with him. They climbed the sandstone steps and went inside, then tramped the spiral staircase to Darrans quiet, sweet-smelling room. Pother Kerril was there, bending over the ole man. Dathne too, at the foot of the bed.

Hes failing fast, she whispered, greeting them at the open door, then managed a trembling smile for Pellen. Im sorry. He wore himself out for the children.

Asher frowned. You let Rafe and Deenie Yes, she said, her voice sharpening. My decision, Asher. You were too busy sulking.

He didnt want to fight. And Rafe had said he wanted to say goodbye. But Deenie?

I let Charis say goodbye to her mother, said Pellen, his voice low. It pained her, but it was the right choice. Your Deenies a quiet child, Asher, but shes resilient. Not saying goodbye would be harder, I think.