The Ruined City (28 page)

The murder of her archenemy’s favorite brother, for example, might strike her as an excellent move. Innesq sat alone and unsuspecting in the carriage, perhaps sunk in one of his trance-like meditations. Despite all his power and intellect, he presented an easy target. Yvenza could slip a knife between his ribs before he noticed her arrival. Quite likely she intended exactly that.

He should have executed her when he had had the chance, should have chained her to an Ironheart wall and blown her sky-high. Perhaps it was not too late to rectify the error.

Then he was running, heedless of dignity, running to interpose himself between Yvenza and his brother. He covered the distance with a speed worthy of youth, but it was not enough; she and her companion were there before him. Her hand was reaching for the carriage door.

“Halt,” he commanded.

“Cousin Aureste.” The hand retreated. She turned to face him with a smile of apparent pleasure. She looked hale, vigorous, and formidable as ever. “Well met. I hoped I should find you dogging the arcanists.”

Her insolence
.

“You dare to show your face here.” He kept his voice low and controlled, but his eyes expressed many things. “Leave this place, or I will order you whipped hence.”

“I’d rather hoped,” she returned pleasantly, “that you might offer us the hospitality of your carriage. We’ve walked such a long way.”

Unbelievable. The woman deserved slow flaying. Why did she still exist? Shouldn’t she have died of grief and despair weeks ago?

“Do not try my patience, madam. I spared you once. I am not minded to do so a second time.”

“Come, coz. Surely it’s time to set the grievances of the past behind us. For the benefit of all, don’t you know. See, I’ve conducted my young ward Nissi hither, and now she’ll lend her talents to the great arcane endeavor, whatever that marvel is supposed to be. She’s a valuable addition to the party, and I trust such an offering purchases my warm welcome among you.”

“It does not. The girl may travel with us, but that invitation does not extend to you. Return to whatever hole in the ground you presently call home, and trouble us no more.”

“Impossible. Young Nissi here—a sheltered creature, hardly more than a child—relies entirely upon my judgment and guidance. She really can’t do without me.”

“She’ll manage. Rest assured, she’ll find no dearth of guidance here.”

“Ah, what stranger can replace a foster mother? If I depart, then my ward will insist on accompanying me. Will you not, Nissi? Tell him.”

Aureste’s attention shifted to Yvenza’s companion, who still struck no chord in his memory, and he took her in at a visual
gulp; young, small, fragile, confused, scared. And peculiar, he realized. Unlike ordinary girls, with that pallid spindrift hair of hers, that ghostly complexion, those huge, colorless eyes made of moonlight. She wasn’t normal, she wasn’t comprehensible, and he didn’t like her. If she wanted to leave along with her detestable guardian, so be it.
Good riddance
. He held the words in, but glared at the girl, heavy brows lowering, and watched her shrivel beneath his black regard.

Her eyes sought the ground, her shoulders drooped, and she appeared to struggle for breath. At length a tiny, lost whisper emerged.

“I—I—”

Aureste waited.

“I—I—think—”

She seemed mentally deficient. He grew impatient.

“Well?” he snapped.

Her voice evaporated altogether. Her strange eyes rose to his face, evoking an uneasiness that sharpened his anger. He gave her a look that should have dropped her to her knees, but her eyes remained fixed on his own. It was disconcerting, for he was not certain whether she was highly impudent, or innocently stupid, or something else. Before he could decide, his brother appeared at the carriage window.

“Forgive me, my mind was elsewhere—” Innesq commenced. His eyes found Nissi, and he broke off. For a moment he studied her, then a smile of recognition and great warmth lighted his face. “My dear child,” he greeted her.

She was staring, motionless as if dazed, her aspect putting Aureste irritably in mind of some white mouse impaled upon a bodkin. He deemed her incapable of reply, but she surprised him.

“Is it you?” Nissi whispered.

“I am Innesq. We have spoken many times across the spaces that are not.”

“You are truly the one?”

“I am.”

“But—your face.” Her frightened regard shifted from Innesq’s visage, to Aureste’s, and back again. “And his … at Ironheart … fire, thunder, and death …”

“Ah. I understand. He is my brother, the Magnifico Aureste, and there is a family resemblance between us. He will not harm you, I promise. Come, child—there is nothing here to fear.” Innesq extended his hand.

She seized it in both of her own and held on tightly, as if clutching a lifeline.

Innesq had always possessed the ability, Aureste reflected sourly, to win the trust of wild birds, rabbits, field mice, feral cats—all manner of timid creatures. This one seemed to be no exception. But could he train her to perform tricks on command?

“But what a lovely meeting of true minds.” Yvenza bobbed a benevolent nod. “Here is genuine family feeling.”

Innesq’s attention shifted, and he gave her a long, considering glance.

“You are the Magnifica Yvenza?” he hazarded.

“Yes. And you’re the clever middle brother?”

“I am Innesq Belandor. I bid you welcome, Magnifica, and I offer my thanks for your care and sacrifice in conveying young Nissi to this meeting.”

“It was no sacrifice. Indeed, it was my pleasure.”

“Yes. I see that. Yet we are indebted to you, as you must know if you recognize the nature of our mission. Has our objective been clearly presented to you, Magnifica?”

“Oh, I am quite devoid of arcane talent and knowledge. How should I hope to encompass such great ends or plumb such deep mysteries? I’m but an ordinary mortal.”

“Scarcely that, so much is apparent. If you will permit me, I should like to tell you—to tell you both—more of our endeavor and its purpose. When you recognize the nature of the peril we confront, there is no doubt in my mind that you will choose to grant us your full support and assistance.”

“Gifts without value. My ward Nissi here may be of some use to you, but the same can hardly be said of me.”

Just so
, thought Aureste. The hag conceded the obvious in order to demonstrate her candor, but she deceived no one. Or did she?

“A woman of intelligence, energy, and determination always has much to offer—if she so wills,” Innesq returned. “But forgive me, I neglect all courtesy.” Gently freeing his captive hand of Nissi’s grip, he opened the carriage door. “Will you not join me? Rest, travel in comfort, and we will talk.”

Impossible. His brother could not mean to invite this abominable woman into the Belandor carriage. Even Innesq’s trusting good nature could not extend so far.

He would not allow it. He did not wish to humiliate his brother, but he would not allow it.

“The girl may travel with us, if you so desire,” Aureste decreed. “As for the old woman, she can have a loaf of bread or two in charity’s name, and then she’ll be on her way.”

“Aureste, I ask you to reconsider.” Innesq’s grave tone carried a note of reproof.

“Clearly you don’t understand. Have you any idea who and what this creature is?”

“Yes—our kinswoman.”

“Oh, do not quarrel on my account,” Yvenza forestalled Aureste’s reply. “I wouldn’t sow discord between two loving brothers—indeed, I wouldn’t do it for the world. Therefore I will take my leave without further ado. I’ll accept those loaves of bread you offered, coz, and thank you for your generosity.” She turned to her charge. “Nissi. Come, child. I am not welcome here, so we must leave now.”

Nissi shot Innesq an anguished glance.

“They are of House Belandor,” Innesq observed. “Will you turn them away?”

“The girl may stay,” Aureste returned. “I’ve already said so.”

“But she will not stay without me.” Yvenza shook her head with an air of regret.

“I fail to recognize your indispensability, madam.” Turning from her to address the odd little white stranger, Aureste consciously softened his voice, but could not quench the wrathful fire in his eyes. “Well—Nissi. Will you travel to the Quivers with us? We should be glad of your company.”

The words were civil enough, but they did not produce the desired effect. She scrutinized the ground raptly.

“Speak up, girl!”
Yvenza commanded. “Tell him.”

Wrapping both arms about herself, Nissi raised her head to stare off at an area of sky somewhere beyond Aureste’s left shoulder.

“I—must stay with the magnifica,” she murmured.

“No need,” he snapped. “We shall look after you well, protect you night and day, and provide you with every possible comfort. Listen to me. Don’t you see—”

“Stop,” Innesq commanded, so quietly and calmly that the interruption seemed almost devoid of offense.

Aureste fell balefully silent, and his brother’s attention returned to the otherworldly girl.

“Child, you cannot part from the Magnifica Yvenza?” he inquired.

She shook her head almost invisibly.

“Then we shall not ask it of you. The two of you are of House Belandor, entitled to our regard. Your acceptance of our hospitality honors us. Ladies, will it please you to enter?” Even as Innesq threw wide the carriage door, his eyes sought his brother’s.

The message was easily read by Aureste. The peculiar but talented girl was too valuable to lose. She was needed, no matter what the cost. If she wanted to drag a companion along on the trip, then the companion would have to be tolerated. Yvenza could not be killed, cast out, or even openly slighted—at least, not for the moment.

“Oh—” Yvenza affected a certain solicitous distress. “—I am not persuaded that the magnifico will bear it.”

He yearned to wring her neck. Instead he replied with such good grace as he could muster, “My brother’s goodness schools me. The claims of kinship must not be denied.”

“So my late husband believed, and his principles ruled his actions, as you can attest from personal experience, coz. The bounty you bestow upon me and my ward convinces me that you have inherited the Magnifico Onarto’s greatness of heart, along with his title, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. Come, then.” She gestured expansively. “We shall travel together and pass the hours in conversation. The talented among us, Master Innesq and my little Nissi, will no doubt speak of arcane wonders beyond our understanding. But you and I, Cousin Aureste—why, what should we two speak of but family matters? There is so much that we could share. I could tell you of my son Onartino, and his astonishing recovery—”

Had the woman gone mad?

“—while you,” she continued warmly, “will sing the praises of your lovely daughter, who holds such a special place in my heart. What news of the delightful Jianna? I trust she is safe and well at home? Ah, but your face, coz! Forgive me, have I said something I oughtn’t? Surely it can’t be that she is still missing, after all this time? Oh—oh, I see. Your silence, your expression, confirm my worst fears. But this is quite dreadful. I am desolated. Rest assured, however, that I stand prepared to offer a wealth of comfort and commiseration. I am ready and willing to console you for hours on end—for days, if need be.”

He hardly trusted himself to reply. The urge to strike her was almost physical. It was only by dint of stringent self-control that he managed to reply evenly, “The carriage will be crowded. I’ll take to horseback.” He walked away without a backward glance, and without obliging himself to witness Yvenza’s smile of profound gratification.

Two days later, around sunset, the members of the combined Belandor–Corvestri expedition sat around the communal campfire, finishing the last of a typically rudimentary meal. The fare was mediocre, but bellies were pleasantly full, veins agreeably warmed with wine, tempers comparatively mellow. At such times, a measure of careful socializing was apt to take place among the members of the two households. Most often, Innesq Belandor wheeled himself into the midst of the Corvestris, but variations upon this theme sometimes occurred, and this evening witnessed one of them.

When the last of the meat had been consumed and the last of the tin bowls removed, the Magnifica Yvenza wended an apparently careless way to Vinz Corvestri’s side.

He observed her approach with curiosity and some distrust, but no more than he would have reserved for any member of the Belandor tribe, with the exception of Innesq. In fact, this particular Belandor was less objectionable than most, for rumor had it that bad blood existed between her and the Magnifico Aureste. Vinz didn’t know the particulars. Apparently some sort of intrafamilial quarrel or trouble had arisen at the time of Aureste’s assumption of the title—hardly any surprise in that—but it had all occurred some twenty-five years or more in the past, and he had at that time been young and far too deeply immersed in his own arcane studies to take much notice. Presumably she had settled the worst of her differences with Aureste, else she would not be here now. In which case, what could she possibly want with Vinz Corvestri? But her demeanor was such that he rose to his feet at once.