A Ragged Magic (10 page)
Authors: Lindsey S. Johnson
I try to scream at Linnet to run, to get out, to find Connor, anyone, but my voice is silent.
Linnet stares at my gaping mouth, my gasping, shaking form. The susurrous whispers of the demons slither through the air, and all I want to do is run and run.
“Is that some other magic? For pity’s sake, Rhiannon, don’t just stand there like a baby! Do something!”
But I can’t do anything except try to breathe through damaged, spell-scarred lungs, and gesture at her to run.
She does not. Confused and angry, Linnet walks over and shakes me. “What is going on?”
There’s a wrongness to the room. The whispering and pressure increase — now it is not only me who can’t speak. Linnet grabs at the fireplace poker, ready to do battle. I don’t think the demons will find it much of an obstacle, but I admire her determination. So this, now, is when the demons will take me. I take heart from Linnet’s bravery, and make myself stand up straight, draw breath. I will fight, too. If only I knew how.
Something tugs at me, trickles along my scars. I scramble for what Keenan taught me; how to make a barrier, how to push things away. The creeping feeling of the magic fills the room. I can feel it testing me, tasting the air. Linnet and I stand back to back, both of us trembling.
The door from the hall flies open, and the duke and Connor rush in. His Grace chants something, grabbing Linnet and me by the wrists, and I feel suddenly muffled, cut off from the noise and the weight of the magic. The lightness in my head staggers me, and I sink bonelessly into the chair.
Duke Hugh chants and weaves his magic into the air, and the wrongness in the room dissipates. Within moments, it’s as if nothing happened.
Except for the agitation and presence of two very upset men. Connor prowls the room looking for anything to fight as the duke berates Linnet.
“Where are your barriers? We’re right on top of the largest power-well in the province, and I still felt your lack of control half the castle away! Don’t you remember anything I told you?”
“Gantry,” I gasp, and both of them look at me.
Hugh runs his hand over his face, glares at me. “How did that spell get in here? This room is shielded. What in Dorei’s name were the two of you doing?”
Linnet glares and is about to reply when Connor holds up his hand. “We don’t have time. Others will be here any moment. You two,” he says to Linnet and me. “Get in your room and stay there until you’re told otherwise.”
“Too late,” Hugh observes, as the door smacks open again, and in rush several kirche guards and Gantry. Orrin steps in behind them, his face drawn tight in fear.
“Treason!” Gantry yells. “Unsanctified magic! It was —” He looks around. “Where is she?”
Connor looks murderous. “Are you speaking of Princess Julianna?” he asks, his voice quiet and menacing.
Gantry snarls something about treason again, and I can feel his magic crawling around him, beginning to crawl around the room, searching.
I don’t know what will happen if it finds me, so I just go with an instinct that I hope isn’t disastrous. “Intruder!” I cry, standing suddenly.
Everyone stares at me.
I’m shaking, and tears leak down my face. I’m sure I look frightened enough. “My lords, there was a man in here — or — or someone! They ran back out? Did you see them? I — there was such a noise! I don’t know what they wanted. We were so frightened, oh,” I say, as everyone continues to stare. I stare at Linnet.
She blinks for a moment. “Oh! Oh, my lords,” she says, breathless. “Please go and catch them! What would have happened if the princess had been here! Oh!” she cries, and pulls her apron up to cover her face, the way our old cook used to do. She wails, and I join in the carrying on.
“Oh! The princess! Is she safe?” I know Julianna is with her mother, but likely they do not. “Oh, my lords, where is the princess? My lady, Oh!” I cover my face with my hands, lacking an apron. I hear Connor start to bark orders to the kirche guards, the confusion and counter-orders from Gantry.
“What is going on in here?” Julianna’s voice carries over the din.
With a quick glance at Linnet, I hurry to her side, pushing past all the men. Orrin winces when I look at him. I frown at him, and keep wailing. “Oh! Your Highness! We were so worried! An intruder! Someone in your rooms! Are you quite safe?” Now Linnet is with me, both of us pulling Julianna further into the room, fussing, getting her closer to her brother and Connor.
“An intruder? Here? Are you certain?” The princess looks around at the men, standing and staring. “Then why is no one searching for this person?”
“I will summon the castle guards, Highness,” says Connor, and he starts to leave, raising his eyebrow at me as he passes.
“This should be handled by the kirche guards. There was unsanctified power used here,” Gantry insists.
Connor ignores him, brushes by.
“When the intruder is found, my Lord Bishop, I am sure we will consult with you on how best to handle the matter,” Hugh says. “Right now, I trust the castle guard and my cousin to begin the search. I think your kirche guards can go back to the Inquisitor’s Building, at present. Come with me, my lord. Tell me what you felt.”
Hugh leads the rest of the men out of the room, leaving Julianna with two seemingly hysterical young women. They mostly seem happy to go, although I catch a wry look from Orrin as he closes the door.
My hysteria is not entirely feigned. The close call, the spell, the demons, the fight with Linnet — I feel my heart has hammered a hole in my chest.
“Well, now,” Julianna says. She settles herself on the chaise, gazing at us both.
I take a deep breath, but Linnet starts before I can. “There was some kind of strange magic, and it was crawling all over the room. And Rhiannon just stood there, and then His Grace and that earl ran in and chased it off. After that those other men came in here shouting about unsanctified power, and —”
“That was Bishop Gantry,” I say.
Linnet stops, glaring at me. “So what? He didn’t seem that scary to me.”
“It was his magic you found scary enough just before that,” I snap, angry now. “And since it was your lack of control that brought his spell here in the first place, your unsanctified power he was talking about.”
“Rhia,” Julianna breaks in. “You’re sure the spell was from Bishop Gantry?”
I nod.
“And it was Linnet’s magic that — summoned it?”
“It — yes.” I can’t say anything else about it. I know I can’t, so I don’t try.
“It might have been anything that brought it! I didn’t do anything. How do you know it was me?” Linnet yells.
“I just do. And the duke did, too, he said —”
“You’re just mad because it showed you up a coward again. I wouldn’t trust her, your Highness. She has a tendency to turn coward and run.”
“Linnet!” I think I’m more upset at her rudeness, although I feel my eyes sting.
“I think that’s more than enough,” Julianna says with reproof.
Linnet flushes, but it’s hard to tell under the flush of anger she already has.
“Why don’t you retire for now, Linnet. It would do everyone good to calm down.”
Linnet shrugs, sullen. “Fine.” She turns to go, then turns back. “Where am I going?” she asks neither of us in particular.
“The door in the little hall there,” I say. She starts to go. “Linnet — ask pardon first,” I say, surprising myself in how much I sound like Mum.
Linnet’s gaze leaps to mine, but she turns and curtseys. “Your Highness, I am sorry. May I go?”
“Yes, Linnet.” Julianna watches her go, her eyebrows raised. When the door closes she turns to me. “Quite a morning, Rhia.”
“I’m sorry for Linnet’s behavior, your Highness. I don’t know — she never used to be so fresh, or so rude. Our mum would never have allowed it.”
“She is rather high-strung at the moment. But I suppose it is understandable behavior, considering.” Julianna draws me down beside her and strokes my hand. “So the intruder: your idea?”
I swallow, nod. “I hope it doesn’t make things worse. I just couldn’t think of anything else. And it seemed as though the bishop was about to maybe —” I swallow again. “Recognize me, or figure out it was Linnet. And I couldn’t let him just accuse you of treason, so I just, just —”
“It was quick thinking. I don’t know what we’ll do about the intruder. But you managed to turn a very ugly situation around.” She smiles and cups my cheek. “Well done, Rhia.”
I feel myself blushing.
Patting my face, she sits back, rubbing her chin. “She should have more training. Magic schools are thin on the ground in the region — and closing, or being closed, due to Prophetic edicts. But Hugh was trained by our grandfather for many years, and could probably keep teaching her. He wrote me he’s been showing her the basics.”
“His Grace is a Healer, too?”
Julianna chuckles. “Oh, no. No, Hugh is a magician. He can cast minor illusions, speak into other’s minds, and call Light. His training was different from mine. I don’t know how much he can help Linnet. But it’s worth a try. I’ll speak to him about it after dinner.”
I rub my neck, nodding. I am exhausted and sore, and the day is not yet done. Julianna rises, gestures to me.
“Why don’t you stay up here with Linnet while I go and see what Connor and Hugh are up to.”
I nod gratefully and watch her leave. Traversing the short hallway between the solar and her rooms, I stop outside my door, listening. The only sound I hear is the beating of my own heart.
I enter my small room — now our small room — with some trepidation. Biting my lip, I ease the door closed behind me. The light of a rainy spring day through the small window does little to illuminate anything. I turn the knob on the lamp beside the door to activate the spell and bring the light up.
Linnet lies sprawled on the bed under the window, face down in a pillow, asleep.
I step quietly to her, and ease her boots from her feet. The blanket is stuck under her knee, and I can only imagine the crick she’s going to have in her shoulders when she wakes up. But I can’t bear to wake her and relive the accusations in her eyes. I slip a blanket off my bed to cover her. When she’s sleeping I can pretend that the only family I have left doesn’t hate me.
Chapter Ten
T
he walls of the long room seem to glow of their own accord, the bindings of the books shining in the morning light from the high windows. I turn slowly, craning my neck to peer at the upper gallery and see more shelves, packed tightly with more books than I’ve ever seen, apart from the monastery’s library. And that I saw only once when we visited Keenan.
Breathing in the musty smell I love, I hug myself tight to keep from touching any of His Grace’s books. One thick brown tome lies open on the long table before me, and I can’t help leaning over it to see if I know the author.
“I thought I was the only one who liked Perrine around here,” a tenor voice sounds behind me.
My hand over my mouth, I whirl to see the duke ensconced in a window seat, the shade drawn behind him. “I-I beg pardon, your Grace. I didn’t see you.”
“Not to worry. I often lurk.” He smiles and stands from the window and approaches me, leaving his book on the seat. Sweeping a bow, he takes my hand in his and passes a kiss over it, as if I were a true lady.
I blush, flustered.
“Come, please sit. I’m glad you could take some time for me today. Julianna tells me that you and Linnet need a teacher.”
Blanching, I look around wildly to be certain no one has heard him.
He chuckles mildly as he guides me to a chair. “Don’t fret, Lady Rhia. I know this castle, and its denizens. I know when I am being watched, and when I’m not. It’s perfectly safe to be frank.” Sitting next to me in a brown leather chair, he smiles and leans back.
I try not to gaze helplessly into his eyes — he’s as charming as his sister, and as beautiful. Women must fall into his lap.
And men too, I realize as a fleeting vision passes through my head. My cheeks burn fiercely, and I try to pay attention to him as he begins to ask me questions.
“How long has Linnet shown signs of this power? I noticed while traveling with her that she didn’t have much control. In fact, I was going to suggest to Julianna that she get some training in it.”
“She never had it before, your Grace. I mean, she says she did, a little, but kept it hidden. We’re — the guilds are wary of magic in mastersmiths. I didn’t know about it. But after — after …” My mouth freezes over the words ‘our family’ and ‘hanged’.
The duke takes my hand and strokes it as I catch my breath, washed over by memories and pain.
“Keenan had magic, and I the Sight, but Linnet was the weaver of the family. And she never showed anyone any magic,” I manage to whisper after a few moments.
Hugh continues to stroke my hand. I think I should pull back; it is a liberty, after all. But he seems to mean nothing by it, as if he were comforting his sister, or a child. And it is comforting, and I could use the comfort.
“I think I see. Nevertheless, she should have some training. And you, Julianna says. I’m surprised your family didn’t do that for you,” he says.
I shake my head. “It was never very strong. I mean, before. It’s been stronger … since.”
“Since Bishop Gantry?”
I nod. I don’t look up to his gaze, but I feel it. He tugs at my sleeve suddenly, and I pull back, startled. My wide eyes meet his friendly but too determined gaze.
“I would like to see the scars, if I may. I might be able to tell something about them,” he says.
The edges of the lowest scars peer from beneath my sleeve, pushed nearly to my elbow. Shaking, I pull it back down as I stand and back away.
“My dear, I’m sorry to distress you,” Hugh says. I can feel my skin freezing and burning by turns as I tremble. I clear my throat, try to speak, but I can’t. I’m not gasping, but I still can’t speak.
“I can see that this is too difficult. No matter: I have seen the drawings Connor made.”
The what? I stare at him, feel my jaw open, the air rasp in my lungs.
Hugh nods slowly. “Ah, he didn’t tell you that. Well. They’re your scars; I think you should know. Connor thought they might be a spell of some sort. Or part of one. He made drawings while you were ill enough that Juli thought you might not recover. I don’t recognize them. I thought if I saw them more fully — No.”
I am shaking my head and backing away. I stop myself and stand firm.
“Cardinal Robere didn’t recognize them either. He’s going to try to find out more about them, from what Connor sent him. But as he’s far from Corat at the moment, it will be difficult. I’ll look through our library here, of course. You needn’t worry, Lady Rhia. I shan’t force you to disrobe.” He tries a smile, and I nod, wary.
“As for helping you and your sister with your sudden magical prowess, I’m not exactly a teacher, but I remember the exercises Grandfather taught me. And I’m the best we’ve got, right at the moment.” He catches my eye and smiles again. “I’m not very powerful, not like Julianna is in Healing, but I’ll do my best to give you and your sister guidance.”
“Thank you, your Grace,” I manage to breathe.
“You most definitely do not need to thank me, young lady. You and your sister are people of my duchy, and I owe you both an impossible debt, for not being here to stop the kirche in the first place,” he says, his face grave. “I will do my best to make it right.” Hugh bows to me, and I curtsey as he takes his leave.
A binding catches my eye as I look across at the shelves: Tamarin’s
History of Kiras.
Da promised to bring me that one in the next wool shipment. I find myself staring at it, tears dripping down my face.
A hand on my shoulder makes me gasp and whirl.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Orrin apologizes. “What’s the matter?” he asks, when he sees my face.
“Oh, nothing. Just — memories,” I say, wiping at my eyes. “What are you doing in here?”
“Looking for you.” He holds out his handkerchief, and we both chuckle. “I really need to start carrying more of these,” I say.
“I’ve begun keeping three in my pockets.” He grins at me.
Our meetings have often been watery as we grieve together about Keenan. But I see tension in his face under his smile. “What is it?”
He takes a deep breath. “I’m going away for awhile.”
Relief and regret rush through me. “Oh? Did Cardinal Robere write to you?”
“No. The bishop is taking me on a trip with him.”
I find all the relief has drained away, leaving a rushing through my scars that bodes ill. “Where is he taking you?”
“He won’t tell me.”
“You can’t go with him. You have to find a reason not to go.” I grip his hand and pull him to the chairs with me.
“How am I supposed to do that? I am the bishop’s acolyte. I have my duties. I’m a junior member of the clergy: I can only do as I am bid. And anyway — this way he’s away from you, and maybe I can find out what he’s planning.”
I shake my head, and he nods his. “What do you mean, what he’s planning?” I ask.
“I know he’s planning something; I think something dangerous. I don’t know what it is, but it’s going to be even more dangerous now, since yesterday, after that spell, and the intruder,” he stops, raises his eyebrows. “There wasn’t an intruder, was there?”
“Of course not. But I couldn’t think what else to do!” I sigh and shake my head again. “How did he even end up at Her Highness’ chambers, anyway? And those kirche guards with him. What made him come up yelling about treachery and spells?”
“I’d like to know that myself,” Connor says from behind us, and Orrin and I both gasp and jump.
“My lord!” I gasp out.
“I thought I told the two of you to meet at those stairs,” Connor says.
Orrin bobs his head. “Of course, my lord. Beg pardon, it was my fault.” He starts to leave, but Connor grabs his arm, his expression exasperated.
“You’re here now, and I checked the hall. There’s no one about for the moment. I would like to hear an answer to Lady Rhia’s question.”
Orrin looks uncomfortable, shrugs. “I’m not sure of the answer. The guards came because he requested them of the Inquisitor’s when we rose yesterday. He’s been muttering about the princess for days. I told you he’s been attempting to spy on Her Highness, my lord.”
“I know,” Connor says. “Do you have proof beyond your own observation of anything he’s doing?”
“No, my lord.”
Connor turns and paces a few steps. “What kind of spying? How do you know he’s spying?”
“I — I was supposed to use my Sight to find out things. But I think he has other means. I haven’t been able to tell him anything — and I’ve been lying to him about trying. I promise!”
“I believe you, Orrin,” Connor says. “But there must be something else he’s doing. Or you wouldn’t have said so.”
“I think … I think he has a watching spell on her rooms. It isn’t anything I recognize; nothing I’ve been taught. But he was certain there was magic, and he was certain of where.”
“Her Highness’ rooms are shielded,” Connor says flatly.
“I know. He’s very angry about that. He wants to know what she’s hiding, and he thinks he can find out. He’s certain she is hiding something. He won’t tell me what his plans are, but he rages about her — about her use of magic outside kirche doctrine — I mean, what he considers doctrine. He says she flaunts her connections. Um, meaning you, my lord. And that she’s working against the kirche, against the archbishop. That, that she has too much power. That she should not have married Prince Alexander.” Orrin trails off, uncertain.
I put my hand out to Connor. “I have tried to See Gantry, to find out his plans. But it — it is hard. He is … he has strong barriers.” I don’t try to say demons, and I keep my breath, if barely. I must try to find a way around whatever keeps me from saying it. I must figure out a way to warn them. But I also have to breathe.
Connor is regarding me, and I flush. It can’t help him to have someone who panics all the time.
“Gantry wants to take Orrin away with him. We can’t let him go, Connor. It’s too dangerous.” I reach for Orrin’s hand, grip it.
Connor looks at our hands. “Where is he going?”
“He says we are to meet some of the laity, do some charity work,” Orrin says. “It would be for a week, perhaps two.” He shrugs. “So he says. He’s being very secretive — I mean, more than usual.”
Connor’s gaze sharpens, which I thought was impossible. “I see. And he insists you go with him.”
“I am his acolyte.”
“Of course.”
I shift unhappily. “I have a terrible feeling about this. Something really awful is going to happen if you go; I can feel it. I wish you would find a way not to go. Don’t you feel the danger?”
Orrin shakes his head. “I feel nothing but a dread of traveling with that terrible man. But maybe I’ll learn more of what he intends for Her Highness. And — and it gets him away from you. And your sister.”
Connor’s look is inscrutable. “Could you recognize her?”
“Yes. I knew she was coming, though.”
“Maybe it is best you are gone while she settles here. Fewer opportunities for mistakes. She may be sent away before you return, in any case.”
I shake my head. “He is planning something terrible. It might be a move against the princess. But it feels focused on you, Orrin. I — that’s all I know. It isn’t any more clear than that. I think he will hurt you.” I turn to Connor, pleading in my eyes.
Connor looks gravely at Orrin. “I could take you somewhere safer tonight. You’d be forsworn from your vows, and I can’t guarantee the cardinal can intercede for you later. But you’d be away from Gantry, and I can guarantee that he won’t find you. It’s your choice.”
Orrin regards us both for awhile. Shaking his head, he sighs. “No, but thank you. I will go with him. Perhaps I will learn nothing. Perhaps he will beat me more. But I will not give up on my vows so easily. I feel the Star Lord and Dorei have called me to this. I will do what I can to stay safe, Rhia. But I won’t run away.”
I blink back tears of frustration and worry. “This is a mistake, Orrin. I feel it.”
“It’s not your mistake, Rhia. I’ll take my chances.” He smiles at me. “Use the handkerchief.”
“It’s not funny,” I mutter, but wipe at my eyes.
“I’ll be fine, Rhia. I promise,” he says.
“I’m holding you to that,” I say fiercely. I glare at him, and then Connor. “And you, too.” I shake my arm free of Connor and walk away, before I embarrass myself further. I promise myself that I’ll try to find out more about Gantry’s plans tonight. Maybe I can learn his plans before something awful happens to Orrin.