Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [94]
“You aren’t going with us?”
“Oh, no. I’m a librarian.”
Kale tried to corner Fenworth for a talk. He had said a number of puzzling things. He mentioned her mother. No one had ever mentioned her mother. She tried to tell herself that the way crazy things came out of his mouth in no particular order was a sign that she shouldn’t believe anything he said. But she wanted to ask just in case.
The man had a talent for disappearing. She would follow him into a corridor, but he’d turn off into a room or down another corridor. No matter how quickly she ran to catch up, the room or the hallway would be empty.
He could be within sight and totally inaccessible. Sometimes she would see him sitting in the top tree limbs among a gaggle of birds. When she tried to climb that high, the thin branches swayed and bent, depositing her gently on a lower level of the cygnot network. They felt like fingers grasping her clothes and then releasing her when she found secure footing.
Each night Fenworth retired early to his chamber. In the morning he rose before the sun to converse with animals of nocturnal disposition. In fact, he spent a great deal of time visiting with animals who came to call.
All this time, Leetu showed no signs of getting any better.
Kale asked Dar when they would be on their way.
He smiled over the pot he was stirring. “It would be a grievous mistake to leave before the wizard is ready. And since Paladin ordained the wizard to accompany us…” He shrugged and went back to fixing a noontime feast out of the wizard’s surprisingly well-stocked cupboards.
She asked Shimeran.
“No sense in hurrying a wizard,” he told her.
She asked Librettowit.
“No idea. Not going. So not much interested. It will be nice to have the libraries to myself once you and your party are gone. We haven’t had this much to-do in a hundred years or more. Usually, it’s rather pleasant, living with Fenworth. Quiet. Time for study.”
The kimens were no help at all. They contentedly read or joined Dar in making music. They took care of Leetu and played with Gymn. Worry did not seem to be a part of their makeup.
Kale found a whole room full of books by famous o’rants. She took one down from the shelf and started through it, looking mostly at the pictures.
“I think we will wait for Metta to hatch.”
Kale dropped the book, slapped a hand to her heart, and whirled around at the wizard’s unexpected voice right at her shoulder.
“Metta?”
“The minor dragon riding in a pouch suspended from a seventeen-and-a-half-inch thong around your neck.”
Kale moved her hand on her blouse and felt the familiar pouch beneath the material. “Oh.”
Fenworth turned away.
“Wait,” cried Kale.
When he turned back, she took a deep breath and plunged in. “I’ve wanted to ask you questions. What did you mean by apprentice? When will Leetu be well? Do you know my mother?”
“Oh, we mustn’t speak of her. That’s dangerous. When we above mention those below, it puts them in deadly peril. So, of course our lips are sealed.”
Kale tried to protest, but found her lips were indeed stuck together.
Frowning fiercely, she used her talent. You may have stopped my mouth, but I can still mindspeak. Is she alive? Where is she? How do you know her? And my father? Do you know my father, too?
Fenworth for once looked directly into her eyes, and she saw compassion before he covered it with a stern expression.
“Yes, of course, you can be rude and naughty and impatient and cause all sorts of trouble even though you’ve been warned. But you won’t. You don’t want further harm to come to the dear woman we are not speaking of.”
Kale opened her mouth. “You’re right.”
“Now for your other questions. Although