Shadows Return - Lynn Flewelling [115]
Ilar locked eyes with him. “What’s that to you?”
“I am yours, Master. My fate lies with yours, hand in glove. I can’t help being curious.”
“Well, if you must know, your half-breed may not be bleeding the right sort of blood.”
Seregil kept up his gentle work as he took this in. He couldn’t ask about the rhekaro without tipping his hand. Fortunately, Ilar was in a talkative mood.
“Mmmmm, yes, Haba. Right there.” He sighed as Seregil began kneading the stiff muscles at the base of his skull. “Since you are so agreeable today, I’ll answer your question. The master seeks to make a particular kind of creature, one that has great power. It can only be made with the blood of an Hâzadriëlfaie.”
A monster made from ’faie blood, just like the dra’gorgos! “That’s why he wanted Alec?”
“Yes. As soon as word came from Aurënen that one had appeared, Master Yhakobin was determined to be the one to capture him.”
“Who sent word?”
“Spies, I suppose. It doesn’t matter.”
It does to me, Seregil thought darkly. Assuming that Ilar was telling the truth, this seemed to point to someone other than Phoria. Seregil was a little disappointed.
“Fortunately, I was able to assist him, since I knew that the young man’s talimenios was you. So when word arrived that you were both returning to Aurënen—Well, you know the rest.”
“Were you there?” Seregil kept his voice calm and his fingers working.
“Of course not! But I knew your name and face, and that was enough for the slavers. You certainly made no secret of your movements.”
“Why didn’t they come after us in Skala?”
“They don’t raid that far north, do they?”
“I suppose not.”
“And Rhíminee is not such an easy place for spies, since Mardus’s failed attack on the city.”
“I’m glad to hear it. So, Alec is well, Master?”
“You’ve seen him.”
“And he doesn’t suspect you being anything other than a fellow slave?”
“Apparently not.”
Seregil very much hoped Ilar was wrong about that.
“Oh, by the way. It seems your blood is as useless as his. Master Yhakobin attempted to use that which he took from you that day. It doesn’t transmute properly at all.”
“Do give him my regrets, won’t you?” Seregil said without thinking.
Strong hands clamped over his wrists, pinning them together in front of his face. “Are you missing the whip, Haba?”
“No, Master! Please, forgive me.”
“Then watch that tongue of yours, or I’ll cut it out. Now prove to me that you are sorry.”
Seregil leaned in to kiss him, only to be shoved off Ilar’s lap. With an inward sigh, he prostrated himself and kissed the toe of his slipper. Ilar pulled his foot away and used it to shove his face into the carpet. “Don’t forget your place, Haba. And don’t forget your bargain.”
“I won’t, Master.” The thick pile of the carpet got into his mouth and he coughed.
Ilar gave him a last light kick in the head and swept out, slamming the door after him.
“Ingrate,” Seregil muttered, wiping his mouth. In spite of the indignity, it had been a good evening’s work. It didn’t sound like Ilar would be leaving the house anytime soon.
CHAPTER 36
Nightrunning
RHANIA CAME TO Seregil’s door again that night.
“Have you thought more about what we spoke of?” he asked, cheek pressed to the door.
“Yes. Do you really think it possible?”
“Get me out of this room and I’ll prove it to you.”
“And you would take me with you?”
“Yes.”
“You give your word?”
“By the honor of Bôkthersa, I swear it. But we’ll need a few things. Weapons, clothing, food. Can you put your hands on those?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t do it all at once. Someone might notice. Just a bit at a time, and hide them somewhere you can get to quickly at night.”
“I understand.”
“Now, how are you going to get me out of this room?”
There was a long silence. “Let me think on that. I will find a way.”
Once again, he heard no sound of her leaving. That might be a good sign. She was brave and quiet, and must have a steady nerve to come to him like this. He might actually be able to keep his promise to her.
Rhania stole to his door almost every night, whispering to him about what supplies she’d been