The Seer (44 page)

‘What?’ 
Mistral looked blank.

Eudora scowled
impatiently, ‘Oh never mind!  I’ll just make you up some clothes for each
stage in advance.  I should be able to predict quite accurately from
today’s measurements.  You won’t be the first pregnant woman I’ve seen.’

‘Oh I’m sure
you possess a world of experience in that area too.  But I’m guessing the
fathers were never around to pay the bill.’  Melsina murmured softly and
resumed her slow stroll around the shop, perusing the shelves and occasionally
skimming a finger along the surfaces, checking for dust.

Distracted by
Melsina’s jibes and her pointed examination of her shop, Eudora stuck more than
one pin into Mistral, but she didn’t mind.  It was worth it to see her
soundly defeated by the formidable might of Melsina De’ath. 

An hour later
Mistral pushed open the door to The Cloak and Dagger and found Fabian waiting
quietly at the bar with just Prospero sprawled at his feet for company, ‘Where
is everyone?’  She asked, looking around in surprise at the empty tavern.

‘Xerxes is
running a cockfight in the backyard.’  Fabian replied walking over to
slide his arms around her and look at her with a politely enquiring expression
on his face.  ‘Do you want to go and watch?’

Mistral
glanced out of the tavern’s grimy back window and could just make the blurred
outline of Xerxes excitedly waving something in the air, no doubt a parchment
of wagers.  ‘No thanks.  I’ve witnessed enough blood sports for one
day.  I just want to go home.’

Fabian laughed
quietly and began to walk to the door with his arm wrapped around her, ‘How bad
was it?’   

‘Actually, it
was quite amusing – well, in parts anyway.  Melsina and Eudora seem to
have some sort history, and let’s just say that neither appear to be willing to
let bygones be bygones.’

Fabian’s
eyebrows lifted slightly.

‘Melsina
won.’  Mistral answered his unspoken question with a smile.

‘Ah, but of
course she did,’ he smiled.  ‘In fact, I have no doubt that it was a
resounding victory.’

‘Oh it was.’
 Mistral laughed.  ‘Put it like this, if she’d trained with the Ri I
think we’d all be out of work!’

Fabian laughed
and held the door open for Mistral, following her out into the pale afternoon
sunshine.

Mistral fell
in step beside him, ‘Talking of work, did your Agent have anything to
offer?’ 

‘There was one
Contract that I thought might be suitable.’

Mistral looked
at him, waiting for him to explain, but he merely smiled enigmatically and
continued to walk with her towards the stables.  She continued to look at
him, concentrating hard; but neither his expression nor his thoughts were
giving anything away.  Sighing irritably, Mistral realised that she was
going to have to find out the old-fashioned way and actually ask him what he
was thinking.  ‘Are you going to tell me about it, or do I have to wait
until you think about it?’

Fabian turned
to look at her, his expression amused, ‘I’ll tell you all about it in a
moment.  But firstly I wanted to tell you that I asked Samson to be a
godfather to our son.’

‘Oh!’ 
Mistral exclaimed.  She’d forgotten that Samson was going to be a godfather. 
‘Did he accept?’  She asked warily.  Being godfather to Fabian’s heir
was quite a responsibility, and Samson was hardly the most reliable of
characters. 

‘Without
hesitation.  I think he was honoured to be asked actually.’  Fabian
paused and gave a short laugh.  ‘In fact, he was a little too
over-enthusiastic.  He even began talking about future hunting trips with
his godson.’

Mistral
groaned, ‘Not him too!  Along with the twins, his army of uncles and an
entire centaur tribe, our son is going to grow up with the largest extended
family of thieves, assassins and Arcanes ever known, all teaching him their
irresponsible ways.’

‘Maybe so.’
 Fabian murmured so quietly that Mistral heard his thoughts more than his
spoken words.  ‘But he will also know an abundance of love.’

She glanced at
his wintry expression and felt a burst of empathy.  Their son would have
the childhood Fabian never knew.  ‘Yes he will,’ she whispered softly.
 ‘More love than anyone has ever known.’ 

They crossed
the stableyard in silence and entered the dim stables to begin saddling Cirrus
and Spirit for the ride back to their house.  Mistral leaned over the
partition between the stalls to continue their conversation in a worried
voice.  ‘You know, it’s all very well our son having three godfathers, six
uncles and an entire tribe to pander to his every whim, but I think we ought to
keep a close eye on all these over-indulgent relatives, or they might turn him
into a spoilt brat.’

Fabian
finished tightening Spirit’s girth and stood upright, ‘Heaven forbid that
should happen,’ he turned to give her an amused look.  ‘I’m not sure I
could cope with two equally bad-tempered creatures in my life.’

Mistral
glowered at him and flounced out of the stall, dragging Cirrus behind
her. 

Mistral and Fabian
left the Valley and broke into a canter once they reached the meadows, slowing
to a walk again when they approached the edge of the forests. 

Exhaling
sharply Mistral pulled Cirrus to a halt beneath the shelter of one of the
forests huge oak trees, ‘Can we rest for a minute?’

‘Of course.’
 Fabian immediately reined in and turned to look anxiously at her. 
‘Are you in pain?’

‘Not
really.  Just a bit uncomfortable.’  Mistral grimaced and pressed a
hand to her side. 

Fabian regarded
her expression closely and frowned, ‘Maybe we should buy a house in the
village, or at least rent one until the baby is born.  It would save you
from having to make this journey too often.’

‘And how many
Contracts would you have to take to pay for that?  No thanks Fabian. 
It’d just mean more expense for you.’

Fabian smiled
and reached over to brush his fingers against her cold cheek, ‘I value you more
than money Mistral.’

Mistral gazed
into his eyes of liquid night and sighed, ‘I don’t want to be more of a burden
to you than I already am.’

‘You will
never be a burden to me.’

Mistral looked
away over the damp meadows.  The snow-flattened grass was starting to show
the first signs of spring in a flush of pale green.  Another year had
begun ... a year beholden to Leo.  ‘Maybe I could take a few cash
Contracts on the side … if I get the chance,’ she added bitterly.  ‘Leo
gave me the Council schedule this morning, and put it this way, if you’re going
to buy us a second home I think you’d better make it one at the Council because
I’m going to be practically living there for the next year.’

Fabian gazed
speculatively at her, ‘I hope you have no objections, but in view of your
present condition I have actually renegotiated your schedule with Leo.’

‘Oh Fabian! 
Why?’  Mistral exclaimed resentfully.  ‘I know it’s going to be a bit
tough, but I’ve got to pay back my apprenticeship sooner or later!  Won’t
we just be putting off the inevitable?  I’ll only have to do it all next
year – and probably with our son in tow by then!’

‘I sincerely
hope not.’  Fabian snapped.  ‘The less time our son spends at the
Council the better!  However, with regards to your apprenticeship, you are
still paying it back this year.  It’s only the location that has altered.’

Mistral gave him
a perplexed look, ‘I think you’d better explain, because none of that made
sense.’

‘Leo has sent
a message for Eximius back with Melsina politely declining his summons for your
attendance due to your pregnancy.  Instead Leo has extended the invitation
for any meetings that Eximius feels require the services of a Seer to be held
in the Valley.’

Mistral looked
suddenly elated, ‘Do you think Mage Grapple will agree?’ 

Fabian gave a
half-shrug of indifference, ‘The offer has been made, whether he accepts it or
not is up to him.  What is not up to him is your health, and I am adamant
that you are not accepting that schedule.’

Mistral
glanced at Fabian.  Seeing his face set in familiar uncompromising lines
she smiled, wondering for the millionth time what she had done to deserve such
love.  A sudden thought pricked at her bubble of happiness with sharp
claws, Leo-sharp in fact –   ‘And Leo just agreed to this did
he?’  She asked sceptically. 

‘Yes.’
 Fabian responded promptly, then added more quietly.  ‘With a slight
proviso.’

Mistral rolled
her eyes, ‘What a surprise.’  

Fabian turned
to look intently at her, his dark gaze destroying any resistance she might have
had, ‘You recall that I still owe you the remainder of our honeymoon?’ 

She struggled
to cling to reason, ‘But we had over two weeks during that snow storm in the
mountains –’

‘Opportune,
but hardly what constitutes a traditional honeymoon, particularly since we did
have all of your brothers with us.’

‘Yes, well, I
agree they were a bit inconvenient ... sometimes.  But what did you have
in mind?’

Fabian smiled
teasingly, ‘Before I make my suggestion, is there anywhere in particular that
you would wish to go?’

‘Home,’ she
replied promptly, her eyes not leaving his.

Fabian
laughed, ‘Other than home.’

Mistral
wrinkled her nose while she thought, ‘No, sorry, home is good for me.  It
has everything we need; food, a bed –’

‘Permit me to
make a suggestion that would admittedly combine both business and pleasure.’

‘Suggest away
then.’

‘Well, as you
know, I visited my Agent this afternoon to enquire if he had any suitable work,
and it just so happens that he did have one particular Contract that I have
accepted.’

Mistral
instantly felt her heart plummet.  This was not the way she had anticipated
the conversation going.  How could Fabian telling her that he was leaving
on a Contract equate to them finding the time to spend on another honeymoon?

‘It is a
Council Contract –’

Mistral
gritted her teeth.  Surely Fabian wasn’t about to suggest spending their
honeymoon at the Council?

‘– to round-up
and oversee the safe return of a herd of unicorns.’

Mistral gasped
out aloud, making Cirrus start nervously, ‘Unicorns?  Really?  I’ve
never even seen one!’

Fabian smiled
at her reaction, ‘That’s because there are none on the Isle.  Mage Grapple
has negotiated the purchase of one of the last surviving herds from an elderly
French Mage who is close to his time and wishes for them to be rehomed on the
Isle.’

‘And we’ve got
that Contract?’  Mistral said eagerly.     

Fabian nodded,
his dark eyes dancing with humour, ‘I thought it would make a fitting honeymoon
for us.’

‘Just you and
me?’  Mistral breathed, barely able to believe what she was hearing.

‘Just you and
me.’  Fabian repeated softly.  ‘And a herd of unicorns.’

Mistral drew
in a happy breath and immediately let it out in a sudden rush, ‘Oh!  But
you are too clever for your own good Fabian De Winter!’

He met her
accusing glare with an expression of innocence.

‘Leo?’ 
She reminded him tersely.  ‘The proviso you mentioned?’

‘Ah,
yes.  Leo.’

Mistral kept
silent, looking at him expectantly.

‘Well, the
unicorn herd are kept in a remote region of the French Alps, which are quite
magnificent in spring; it will be truly picturesque –’

‘Yes Fabian,
I’m sure it’ll be amazing, but please don’t try to change the subject.’
 Mistral snapped.

‘I apologise.’
 Fabian smiled at her so beautifully that she instantly regretted her
harsh words.  ‘The herd is grazed on pastureland in the same region as the
Rochfortes’ mountain stronghold.  Leo and I strongly believe that they are
conspiring to infiltrate the Council and challenge Mage Grapple for the right
to rule.  It would be profoundly beneficial for the Isle if you were able
to read one of their tribe and provide an on-going insight to their plans –’

‘You mean read
one of the Rochfortes without them knowing so that I can See into their mind
again remotely?’  Mistral cut in impatiently.  ‘Isn’t that the same
as spying?’

‘This is for
the future of the Isle Mistral.  Spying is nothing compared to what the
Rochfortes would resort to.’

Mistral
shrugged, ‘Well, I won’t do it for the Isle, or for Leo,’ she looked up,
holding his gaze.  ‘But I’d do it for you and our family.’

‘There is no
greater reason.’  Fabian returned her look then frowned slightly.  ‘I
admit that I have yet to finalise the details of quite how we’re going to
accomplish our plan, so perhaps it would be best if we kept this between
ourselves.’

Mistral
instantly looked dubious, ‘You know I can’t lie to the twins.  They have
this weird ability to know when I’m hiding something from them.’

Fabian smiled,
‘No Mistral, everyone has that ability when it comes to you.’

‘Yes, alright,
I’m a terrible liar.’  Mistral pouted sulkily.  ‘I’ll do my best if
they ask any awkward questions, but I can’t promise to keep it up if they start
pestering me.  You know how irritating Phantom gets when he thinks I’m
keeping something from him.’

‘It wouldn’t
be too disastrous if the twins were to know of our true plans.  Actually, it
may help with the next request I have.’

‘Another?’ 
Mistral looked at him in askance.  ‘You want me to read a Rochforte,
attempt to lie to the twins ... and there’s something else I have to do?’

‘Sadly,
yes.  I want you to leave Prospero with the twins.’

Mistral’s face
instantly became mutinous; she opened her mouth to argue.

‘Please, just
hear me out Mistral.  He’s never been on a ship before, and I’m not too
sure how he will cope with negotiating the ladders.’