Fire Study (15 page)

with a pack horse…. Kiki!

“Leif, does this trail stay wide until the market?”

“As long as no trees have fallen over recently. The Zaltanas keep this pretty clear.

Why?”

“The horses.”

He smacked his forehead with a hand.

I reached out with my mind and searched for Kiki’s thoughts.

She hid with Garnet and Rusalka in the forest west of the market.

Late, she said in my mind. Dirty. Hungry.

Come meet us on the jungle trail? We’ll get to the market faster. Groomed faster.

She agreed. Leif and I continued to hike for a while in silence. The insects’

droning grew louder as the sunlight began to wane.

“I keep forgetting you can communicate with horses,” Leif said. “I think you

might be the first one in Sitian history.”

“Are you sure?”

“All the Keep’s students had to learn about past magicians and their powers, but

Master Bloodgood would know for sure.”

Bain Bloodgood, Second Magician, was a walking, talking history book. My list

of questions grew longer each day. I had so much to learn about magic and history.

The sheer amount overwhelmed me at times, and reminded me how unprepared I

was.

And how did I end up with these Soulfinder powers? Both my parents hadn’t

enough power to be invited to the Keep so I hadn’t inherited them. Sheer dumb

luck?

Leif interrupted my thoughts. “Do you know anyone else who can talk to

horses?”

“The Stable Master has said he knows the horses’ moods and intentions, but he

doesn’t hear their words in his mind per se.” And he had looked at me as if I had

grown wings when I mentioned it to him.

“How about in Ixia?”

I considered. When the Commander had taken control of Ixia over sixteen years

ago, he had ordered Valek, his chief of security, to assassinate all the magicians.

Then, whenever an Ixian developed the ability to use magic—usually after

puberty—Valek would assassinate the person if they hadn’t already escaped to Sitia.

No magicians in Ixia, but my thoughts did linger on Porter, the Commander’s kennel

master. He had an uncanny knack with the dogs, and he hadn’t needed leashes or a

whistle to get them to obey him.

“Perhaps one other,” I said. “Though he would never admit to it—that would be

a death sentence.”

“Maybe we could help smuggle him to Sitia.”

“I don’t think he would want to come.”

“Why not?” The idea shocked Leif.

“I’ll explain later.” I didn’t have the energy to educate Leif about the

Commander’s politics. Raised in Sitia, Leif believed Ixia equaled a horrible place to

live. That with Ixia’s strict Code of Behavior, uniform requirement and having to

obtain permits to marry or move to another house, the citizens had to be extremely

unhappy. Ixia wasn’t perfect, but there were benefits to living there. For me, Valek

was one.

I missed seeing him every day, missed discussing poisons and fighting tactics

and missed having a soul mate who knew what I needed before I did. I sighed.

Better to have an immunity to magic like Valek than to be this feared Soulfinder. A

Soulfinder, and completely useless against a Fire Warper.

The Commander’s views on magic didn’t seem so extreme now. Magic was

messy. And what the Vermin had done to increase their powers remained more

horrible than anything I had witnessed in Ixia.

“Leif, what about that Fire Warper?” I asked. Since the incident in the jungle, I

hadn’t had time to discuss it with him. “Have you seen a magician step from a fire

before?”

“No. Roze Featherstone can make huge fires that’ll consume whole buildings, but

she’ll burn if she gets too close to one. Since you’ve come home, I’ve been seeing

all types of strange magic. You bring out the best and the worst in people,” Leif tried

to joke.

I failed to be amused. “The Vermin are using old magical rituals. Do you know

anything about them?”

“The Sandseed Story Weavers’ powers are legendary. They used to be called

Efe Warriors. I had thought the stories of these Warriors were exaggerated.” Leif

paused for a moment. “Until now. Two thousand years ago, well before the Sitian

clans united, the Efe Tribe dominated the others. Using blood magic, the Efes had

no rivals. The other clans would give them whatever they wanted. Food, gold or

sacrifices, hoping to placate them. A disagreement erupted between the Efe rulers

and a civil war started. The ensuing battle flattened the Daviian Mountains.”

“Mountains?”

“Now a plateau.”

“Oh my.”

“Right. After that a new leader named Guyan took control of the tribe’s

survivors. He declared he would plant the seeds for a new tribe in the sands that fell

when the mountains were destroyed. That’s how they got the name Sandseed and

their magicians were then called Story Weavers.”

The rumble of hooves interrupted Leif’s tale. Kiki’s face was a welcome sight,

although her blue eyes looked tired and mud covered her copper-colored coat.

Garnet and Rusalka hadn’t fared any better.

Leif and I fed and watered the horses. I wanted to groom them and let them rest,

but Leif insisted we get to the market first.

“Too many predators at night,” Leif said. “The horses will attract every tree

leopard in the jungle.”

Market not far, Kiki said. Jungle smells…odd.

We mounted and galloped toward the market. Being with us, the horses didn’t

have to hide and we groomed them near the Zaltana campfire behind the market

buildings as the sun began to set. Many clans had built permanent sites for their

members to stay while trading or purchasing goods.

The Illiais Market did not close until late into the evening hours. An array of

torches was lit to allow business to continue, although the commotion of customers

bidding, arguing and shopping quieted in the evenings.

After the horses were settled, I strolled quickly through the collection of bamboo

buildings topped with thatched roofs. Most of the owners had the bamboo shade

walls down to block the cold night breeze. When I had been here before, it had been

the beginning of the hot season, and the shades had been rolled up to help cool the

workers.

Scanning the people at the market, I searched for Moon Man. I stopped a few

customers and asked if anyone had seen my friends. One stand owner recalled

spotting some men running through the market a few days ago, but he couldn’t

describe them.

My imagination kicked in and visions of Moon Man, Tauno and Marrok staked to

the ground for the Kirakawa ritual filled my mind. Hidden behind a null shield, I

wouldn’t be able to find them, and every minute we delayed was another minute for

Cahil and Ferde.

Focusing on the task at hand, I breathed in the market’s smells to ease the

tightness in my chest. The exotic spices offered by the Greenblade Clan mixed with

the smell of roasting meat. My stomach growled with hunger. Before I could stop to

eat, I delivered the package of clothes to Fern. The small woman huffed with relief.

“I thought Nutty wouldn’t have them done in time,” she exclaimed from behind a

table piled with bolts of cloth.

“I thought you sold fabric,” I said.

“I’m expanding my business. Nutty’s getting quite the reputation.”

“Is that good or bad?” I asked.

“Both. A few of the Greenblade women have gotten tired of their plain green

tunics and leggings and wanted a more colorful wardrobe. They’ve been buying

every single one of Nutty’s shirts, dresses and skirt/pants. I supply the cloth and we

split the profits. However, the clan elders are not too happy about the break with

tradition.”

As a forest-dwelling clan, the Greenblades usually wore the colors of the forest. I

glanced around and, sure enough, spotted a few women wearing Nutty’s bright

cotton creations. I had assumed they were Zaltanas, but upon closer examination, I

could see the lighter maple coloring of the Greenblade’s skin.

In Ixia, I knew which Military District someone lived in by the color of their

uniform. Here, it was all a matter of knowing how each clan preferred to dress.

Interesting.

“Yelena, do you need some new material?” Fern asked. She pulled out a bolt of

fabric from under her table. “I just finished this beautiful green pattern. See?” She

held it up to the torchlight. “Just a hint of gold woven through the fabric. Matches

your eyes perfectly.”

I laughed. “You’re quite the saleswoman. But Nutty just made me another outfit.”

Undaunted, Fern found another bolt. The rich gold color caught my attention as

soon as she spread it out. “This would be for the shirt.” She watched me for a

moment. “Should I send this to Nutty for you?”

“You’re evil,” I said.

She grinned. “I’m only thinking about what’s best for my customers.”

“And your cash box.”

A predatory smile flashed on her face. I paid her for the material and left before

she could convince me I needed another set. I bought some Avibian honey for the

Stable Master before buying some grilled beef to eat as I searched through the other

market stands. Items displayed for sale or trade included handcrafts, clothing, fruit

and baked goods.

I stopped for a minute to examine an intricate silver ring that held a black

moonstone. Putting it down, I dismissed the thought of purchasing the ring. Only a

few coins remained of the money I had earned as a Magician’s Aide.

Besides, I already wore a butterfly pendant and snake bracelet. Both had been

carved and gifted to me by Valek. I fingered the pendant on my chest, wondering

about Valek.

Was he in his carving room, creating another animal statue? Perhaps he was

discussing military tactics with Ari and Janco or dueling with Maren. She had taught

me how to fight with a bow, and Maren’s own skills had improved. Perhaps she was

with Valek right now, working on some complicated project that required them to be

together every day. Maybe Valek would forget about me. Be content to have Maren

by his side.

No. I forced myself to ignore those thoughts. I had plenty to worry about without

creating phantom worries. Determined, I headed back to our campsite. Perhaps

another magical sweep of the area would reveal Moon Man and the others to me.

Leif and I waited another day for some sign of Moon Man. I prowled around the

market, cursing under my breath. Each minute we delayed reduced the possibility of

recapturing Cahil and Ferde. I scanned the forest with my magic, connecting with the

woodland creatures. The area remained serene. Undisturbed.

That night we discussed our next move. Sitting by the fire, I stared at the flames.

My bow was within reach, but I didn’t believe the weapon would do much damage

against the Fire Warper.

“We should go back to the Citadel,” Leif said. “That makes the most sense.”

“What about the Sandseeds? They left their clan unprotected in the plains. They

might need help, and we should tell them about Moon Man and Tauno.”

“Tell them what? That we lost them? I’d rather tell them Tauno is afraid of

heights and Moon Man is claustrophobic.”

And I would rather have them with us. Delaying the decision, I said, “Our

direction of travel is the same for either the Citadel or the plains. Tomorrow we’ll go

north.”

Leif agreed. He spread his bedroll by the fire and lay down. Using Kiki’s saddle

as a pillow, I put my cloak on and tried to get comfortable on the cold ground next

to Leif.

“You should move closer to the fire. You’ll freeze,” Leif said.

“I’m fine.”

He was quiet for a while. “Perhaps Moon Man and the others are lost.”

“Doubtful. If they were lost in the jungle, I would have found them.”

“Marrok’s afraid of getting lost,” Leif said in a soft voice. “And you’re afraid

of—”

“Leif, go to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.” I rolled over, turning my back

to him. I didn’t want him to put a name to my fear. Naming it made it true.

Cold and uncomfortable, I tossed and turned, trying to sleep. Disturbing dreams

of fire and death invaded my mind. Flames would spark in a benevolent dream, here

and there until they multiplied and consumed the picturesque scene, burning the

images into a storm of black ash. I woke coughing on imaginary smoke, my body

coated with sweat.

To avoid the nightmares, I watched the moon rise above the forest’s trees. When