Moons' Dreaming (Children of the Rock) (24 page)

Jordy went to his wagon. Dael settled back by the fire, staring thoughtfully into the flames.

* * *

“
Aage.
”

The princess had been standing pensively just inside the study doorway for several minutes. Aage was aware of her presence and her mood, but continued to ignore her as he scratched words onto stiff paper with even stiffer fingers. Writing was an easy task for Shapers but it came hard to Dreamers. It took all his concentration when he sat down to record his memories of new dangers encountered during his duty between worlds. It was important to get the description and defense just right, reference for those who would follow him. Such records had been kept in Raisal through five generations of Dreamers. Aage inherited the task, along with his rooms in the king
’
s house, from Disani. She
’
d been friend and teacher and only thirty years older than he. She
’
d died in his arms during the plague, a very young death for a Dreamer. He sporadically dusted her shelves of books, and added his words to journals she had begun.

He waited until he
’
d finished writing before answering Jeyn.
“
You
’
re moody, love. What is it?
”

She sighed loudly and came forward to throw herself into the chair beside his. Peering down at what he
’
d written, she said,
“
You can
’
t spell, Aage.
”

He frowned, and closed the heavy leather-bound book. Dust flew up from the cover and he rubbed his nose to keep from sneezing.
“
I know what the words mean.
”
He turned his chair to face hers. She gave him a teasing smile, and he found himself smiling back. Her forlorn attitude had vanished as soon as he acknowledged her presence.
“
I spoil you.
”

She nodded eagerly.
“
No more than I deserve, oh great bender of power. And I spoil you.
”

She was Chasa
’
s twin, but her resemblance to Aage was strong as well. Aage was related to Sene
’
s children on both sides. The three of them had the same
fine-boned features, light hair,
and shape to the eyes. In color Jeyn
’
s eyes were like her father
’
s, a rich brown. It was her one physical resemblance to Sene.

You could be my child, but for your eyes.
It was a very strange thought. He dismissed it immediately. Putting the book aside, he pulled another one forward.

Jeyn slapped his hand.
“
Talk to me.
”

He was happy enough to do that.
“
Would you like to go for a walk?
”

“
No,
”
she said quickly. She glanced furtively out the window.
“
Daav
’
s working on the pasture wall. I don
’
t want to see him today.
”

“
He
’
s a good boy,
”
Aage said mildly.
Dull,
he added to himself.
Steady.
“
Your father is fond of him.
”

“
My father isn
’
t going to have to live with him for the rest of his life. This is all your fault, wizard.
”
He wondered if she realized how bitter she sounded.
“
If you didn
’
t go around talking to the gods, I wouldn
’
t have to marry Daav.
”

“
The gods talked to me,
”
Aage corrected.
“
When only two Dreamers were born to your parents
’
generation, the gods granted us another chance. You are among the Shapers chosen to marry Keepers and help save the world. You should feel privileged, love. Besides, Daav
’
s big, strong, handsome, and intelligent. Savyea approves of him.
”

“
I have a horse that
’
s big, strong, handsome, and intelligent. I want
….”
Jeyn waved her hands expansively.
“
I don
’
t know what I want.
”

“
You
’
re too young to know.
”

“
Do you know what you want, oh ancient wise one?
”

“
Most of the time.
”

Her eyes narrowed.
“
Why does it have to be Daav?
”

“
Your father chose him when you were children.
”

“
I
’
ve known him for ten years and I still don
’
t like him.
”
She nodded emphatically.
“
If I
’
m to fulfill this prophecy then you should have a say in the matter.
”

“
What matter?
”
he asked with practiced innocence.

“
Who I marry. After all, we
’
re going to have Dreamer children
—
your children.
”

“
What is it you don
’
t like about him, love?
”

“
I think he thinks we
’
re already married,
”
she answered.
“
He
’
s jealous.
”

“
Oh, really,
”
Aage smiled, folding his arms.
“
Of who?
”

“
Do you know the minstrel? The one who works for father?
”

“
Everyone knows Ivey.
”

She looked annoyed.
“
I don
’
t. I
’
ve seen him, spoken to him a few times. But Daav says I flirt with him.
”

“
Do you?
”

“
No! I
’
ve never thought about the man. He has nice hair though, doesn
’
t he?
”
she added, contradicting herself at once.
“
All those long brown curls. And such bright blue eyes. Of course, he
’
s a minstrel. Minstrels are supposed to be handsome, and they
’
re supposed to be looked at. Daav just wants something to complain about because I don
’
t want to get married yet.
”

She wasn
’
t ready for marriage, Aage agreed with that.
“
I
’
ll speak to Daav for you. That is what you want me to do, isn
’
t it?
”

She nodded.
“
Have you eaten anything yet today?
”
she asked, concerned for him now that she
’
d gotten her business over with.
“
No, I didn
’
t think so.
”

“
Don
’
t fuss.
”

“
You like it when I fuss. Shall I ring for a servant?
”
She stood up, gathering his books off the table and taking them to the shelf next to the window. He might be the one who dusted in here when he remembered the task, but it was Jeyn who kept the place in order.
“
Or should I fetch you something myself?
”

He stood, shaking out his black robe. She giggled.
“
What?
”
he asked sharply.

“
I know why you became a wizard,
”
she announced.

He came forward, taking her hand in his.
“
I was born a Dreamer,
”
he said, knowing from the twinkle in her warm eyes that she expected his serious answer and intended to contradict it.

“
No, that
’
s not it.
”

He waited for her to continue.

“
It
’
s because you look so good in black.
”

Aage lifted his head haughtily, and his stomach rumbled. He ignored it, and her grin.
“
I see. Vanity is the whole reason for my existence.
”

She tugged him toward the door. He let her lead him toward the terrace, smiling at her response to his teasing without really hearing whatever she was saying. He needed this. Needed her, her friendship, the laughter she brought. So much was going wrong. Amid so many tragedies
,
she was the one affirmation that life was supposed to contain joy.
I am hungry. I want to rest. I want to be with people who care for one another. I don
’
t want to think about children dying, and children still unborn. So few of us left. I can
’
t think about that now, either. I have to replenish my energy. That
’
s my duty. Jeyn is full of energy, and to spare. She
’
s what I need right now.

* * * * *

“
What news, minstrel Ivey?
”

“
That
’
s what I was about to ask you.
”

Ivey pulled a tall stool close to the bar and sat down. Bronle
’
s oldest and, to Ivey
’
s mind, most attractive innkeeper brought him a mug of ale as he removed his backpack and lowered it to rest on the floor at his feet. The short, thick curls of Elbere
’
s white hair formed a soft cloud around her face.

She waited until he had finished his first thirsty swallow of the ale.
“
Cratt is dead.
”

“
Oh, gods,
”
Ivey groaned.
“
When?
”

“
A nineday and two ago.
”
Elbere leaned against her side of the bar.
“
No one from the court attended his Remembering.
”

“
He was guard captain for twenty years. He slew fire bears side by side with the kings!
”

All other conversation in the room died. Elbere ignored the uncomfortable silence.
“
King Palle cares nothing for history, or tradition. Or maybe you hadn
’
t noticed
—
you
’
ve spent little enough time in Bronle these past three years.
”

“
Then my opinion hardly matters. What do the people of Bronle think of the king?
”

“
What does the rest of Dherrica think of Prince Pirse?
”
the innkeeper countered.

Ivey sipped at his ale before answering.
“
People respect a man who helps them defend their homes and loved ones.
”

“
Then the rumors are true? He still lives?
”

Ivey chose his next words carefully.
“
I have not heard that King Palle
’
s troops have recovered his body.
”

Elbere
’
s expressive mouth thinned with disapproval.
“
Now and then a patrol claims to have seen him.
”

“
They lie.
”
A man in the uniform of the Dherrican guard, brown hair carelessly braided, came up beside Ivey.
“
Pir
se knows the mountains and rain
forest too well. He comes out of hiding long enough to slay dragons and Abstainers, then disappears, and no one in the villages knows a thing about it.
”