Fire Dragon - Katharine Kerr [140]
“They must be, truly.”
“And then there's the lake.” Evandar sighed, suddenly melancholy. “It's not a running river, my love, but the water veils hang thick above it nonetheless. Should you scry in your body of light, please: Watch every move you make. The springs that feed it run deep, I suppose, and there's more raw power here than you'd think.”
“Oh, don't worry about that! I'll stay on my guard. And truly, I might need to scry on the etheric. Those Horse-kin—why are they here, do you know?”
“I don't. No doubt we'll find out soon enough.”
“Sooner than we wanted, most like. That mazrak— Shaetano's not the power behind his magicks, is he?”
“Alas, no. I know not how, but our prophet of filth has true dweomer, my love. That was etheric fire he brought down with his staff. I do know that he's one of the wandering preachers who spread the story of the new goddess.”
“I'll talk with Zatcheka. She might know more about these magicks.”
“A good thought, that. And I'll be close by, never fear. The iron-touch isn't too bad up on the plaza, so I'll stay close to Rhodry and the dragon.”
“Good. I think we're all going to need you.”
“So do I.” He laughed, a bitter little sound. “And now I've got to get out of here.”
Evandar walked a few steps toward the gates. He seemed to melt first into glass, then a man-shaped puff of smoke, and finally, he was gone.
“Tell me, Rae! Tell me the truth and do so now!” Verrarc caught her by both wrists and hauled her close to face him. “That be where you did learn your magicks, bain't? From the Horsekin wizard and his filthy kind!”
“So what if I did?” Her voice wavered, and he could feel her body trembling against his. “Magicks be magicks, bain't? And who else might I find to teach me?”
They were standing in their bedchamber, an imperfect refuge with the servants just on the other side of the door and doubtless trying to hear every word of this quarrel. Verrarc made an effort to keep his voice down.
“Well, true spoken,” he went on. “But Horsekin, Rae? I like not this talk of a treaty with such as them. What will it amount to? If we become their slaves now all peaceable-like, they won't burn our city? I'll wager it's no better terms than that.”
“You do sound like that shrew Zatcheka!”
“Mayhap because she has the right of this thing.” He gave her a little shake. “You do know as well as I that the Horsekin, they be dangerous enemies and not much better allies.”
“Well, they did become my allies, and always have they been fair to me!” With a sudden wrench she pulled her arms free of his grasp. “Without them, what would I be? Naught! They did save me from a drudge life and did call forth the magicks in my soul.”
“So! I'm right, am I? And just where did you meet these ever-so-generous witchmen of yours?”
“There be much you know not.” Raena smiled, but her cold eyes studied him. “And there's a need on me to hold my tongue on much.”
Verrarc took two quick steps forward, grabbed her by the shoulders, and slammed her against the wall.
“The truth, Rae! I'll have the truth out of you and I'll have it now.”
“What will you do, beat me?” She was panting for breath. “Your father's son, bain't you?”
Verrarc let her go, turned away, took two steps and burst into tears. He was aware of sitting down on the floor and sobbing, aware suddenly of her kneeling in front of him.
“Nah, nah, weep not!” Raena murmured. “Forgive me, my love! I did speak in fear alone.”
The tears stopped. He wiped his face on his sleeve and looked up to find her leaning over him. He cleared his throat hard until at last he could speak.
“You did make me a bargain, Rae, and I did keep my half. I did delay the Deciding upon the Gel da'Thae alliance. In return, said you, there would be no more secrets.”
“So I did.” She winced and refused to look him in the eye. “Patience, my love. Just a few more days—”
“Here! Be you weaselling out of our bargain?”
“Not I!” Yet she hesitated a long moment before she finally looked at him. “Oh very well! Come with