Quatrain (51 page)

Degarde looked astonished, but Senneth nodded. “No doubt. Magic tends to follow bloodlines, and if no one in your family is mystic, then it is a trait brought to your daughter through the marriage bed.”

“My mother-in-law lives only a day’s ride away,” Julia said. “Much closer than Ghosenhall.”

“But how will we get Halie there without setting the entire countryside on fire?” Degarde asked.

“Bind her with moonstones,” Senneth said. “They will check her power.”

He stared at her, his eyes going first to the bracelet on her left wrist, then the frayed noose of rope hanging from her waist. “They did not check yours.”

She smiled. “I’m different,” she said. “In fact—” She balanced Halie on her left hip and started a slow, careful fire through the loop of rope still knotted around her body. She said, “You can use these moonstones to dampen Halie’s power while you return to the house. Otherwise, I imagine the forest will catch fire again before you even make it home.”

Halie stretched her arms out to Julia. “Mama! Mama!”

Julia reached for her, but Senneth pulled away. “I cannot release her until she is bound,” she said quietly. “Trust me, Julia, now that she has learned what she is capable of, you can never leave her unguarded.”

The severed rope fell to the ground at Senneth’s feet. Degarde retrieved it and slipped off the jeweled chain. “Wrap it in cloth before you give it to her,” Senneth directed. “Or it will burn her skin.”

This condition met, Senneth finally felt safe handing Halie back to her family. The little girl laughed and chattered in her mother’s arms. Julia pressed her lips against Halie’s smooth cheek and turned away from Senneth without speaking.

Degarde remained at Senneth’s side, his face a study in wretchedness. “What a terrible day,” he said. “What a terrible week.”

“I am sorry for you,” Senneth said. “It is no easy thing to learn that someone you love has been touched by magic. Make no mistake, Halie’s life will be difficult. There are people who will despise her without even knowing her—people who would destroy her because they fear what she is. I hope
you
are not among those who hate her. I hope
you
will help her learn that magic can be a blessing and a gift.”

“She is my niece,” he said. “I love her. I will defend her with my life.”

Senneth put her hand out to touch him on the shoulder. “Then Halie is luckier than I was,” she said. “And I am proud to call you my friend.”

Before Degarde could answer, Donnal stepped up behind him. “Senneth,” he said. “There’s a group of men on horseback coming up the road. Strangers.”

Senneth dropped her arm. “I suppose the smoke and flames were visible for miles,” she said. “Maybe travelers have come to investigate.”

“I must go to Julia,” Degarde said. He offered Senneth a deep bow, paused to give her one last look of regret, and pushed through the clusters of townspeople to follow his sister.

Senneth turned her attention to the steady clopping sound of hoof-beats coming from the east, but the haze from the burned buildings was still thick enough that it was a moment before she could make out any travelers coming up the road.

Then one man materialized through the curling gray smoke, appearing like a shadow that took solid shape and substance as she watched. He was a big man on a big horse, and he carried a naked sword in his right hand. Except for the pride of golden lions embroidered across his sash, he was dressed all in black. His eyes and his hair were almost as dark as his jacket; there was nothing resembling softness or humor on his severe face. While he rode, he cast a quick, comprehensive look around the smoldering town, seeming, with a single glance, to read the entire story that had played out on the streets.

“I understand that there is a mystic in this town who is being held against her will,” he said.

Behind him, three more horsemen trotted through the smoke. They were similarly attired and similarly armed for action, swords in their hands and resolve on their faces. Senneth recognized both their distinctive livery and their air of confidence. Kirra had fetched the King’s Riders, after all.

“I am the mystic. My name is Senneth,” she said, stepping forward and addressing the large man in the lead. “But I am no longer being held prisoner.”

He glanced down at her and his gaze was coolly assessing. She had the oddest sense that she could tell exactly what was going through his mind.
She does not look like a physical threat, and yet she is a mystic. Perhaps she is the one who set this place on fire. That makes her dangerous. Therefore, I must be on my guard.
“I am Tayse,” he introduced himself. “My companions and I are King’s Riders.”

Before she could answer, Kirra swooped in, a bright yellow songbird who transformed herself swiftly into a woman. Senneth could hear the uneasy murmurs from the nearby townspeople—
More magic! More unnatural behavior!
—but the expression on Tayse’s face never changed.

“Senneth, these are the Riders I told you about,” Kirra exclaimed, coming close enough to put her hand on Senneth’s arm. “They have come to help you.”

“I appreciate that. But as you see, I am no longer in need of any aid,” Senneth replied.

Kirra was looking around at the charred and tumbled buildings. “What a mess it is here! I take it you were not the one who started these fires.”

Senneth shook her head. “A small child, just now learning what she can do.”

Kirra gave her a shrewd look. “Some poor mother has just had her heart broken, I suppose.”

“Exactly so.”

Tayse shifted in his saddle, sheathing his sword and bringing his horse around so he could look straight down at Senneth. “I understand the king has sent for you and wants you in Ghosenhall with all speed.”

“Yes, that’s what I understand as well,” she said.

“If you are ready to leave, you can ride with us,” he said. “We will protect you for the rest of your journey.”

She almost laughed. “Thank you, but I don’t need protection.”

Donnal came a few steps closer. “But there’s no reason to stay,” he said softly. “And I imagine these folk would be happy enough to see you gone.”

Senneth sighed. “You’re right. All I need to do is gather my belongings and find my horse, and then I can go.”

“We’ll wait until you’re ready,” Tayse said.

Senneth cast him one short, exasperated look. “I told you, I don’t need your protection.”

Kirra, all golden hair and big blue eyes, was smiling up at the Riders. “Speaking for myself, I will feel so much safer if we have soldiers around us on the journey,” she cooed. It was sheer flirtation; even less than Senneth did Kirra need someone to defend her on the road.

The big man shrugged, supremely indifferent to either Kirra’s wiles or Senneth’s protests. Senneth had the sense that once he had made up his mind, it was very difficult to dissuade him. He would not argue; he would not fume. He would merely do as he intended, and anyone nearby would fall in line. She could tell already she was fated to have his escort for the rest of her trip.

“You may as well ride with us to Ghosenhall,” Tayse said. “We’re going straight home.”