Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [102]
Xane turned the mare around and headed back, keeping his face smooth. He wanted to defend himself, to say that he really was just a street kid, but he kept silent, his expression unconcerned. Beneath the mask his mind churned over the facts. If he was who he remembered, Xane the street boy, brother to Shaea, where did he learn to shoe horses like a master, and why was he having such strange memories? And what about being able to hear and see anything he put his mind to, no matter how far away it was? Anything I put my mind to.
For the moment, he put his mind to being the new apprentice who seemed to have a knack for blacksmithing. He planned to avoid being reported, whatever it took. He halted the mare in front of them, beaming his warmest smile. ‘She’s sound as gold,’ he said, slapping her neck affectionately.
‘That she is, lad,’ Willem said. ‘Stable her now and clean the tack. You’ll need to oil the saddle to get those scratches out.’
‘Yes, sir,’ Xane said, leading the horse away. He heard them even after he rounded the corner.
‘Keep an eye on him, and keep him close,’ the Stable Master said.
‘I’ll have a legion ready to march if we turn on Temple Dumarka. You want him along?’
‘By your side.’
‘Aye, sir,’ Willem said. ‘Nothing will get past me.’
Xane frowned as he led the mare back to her stall. The thought of marching on Temple Dumarka upset him, angered him, and he had no idea why. His loyalty was to Corsanon, wasn’t it? He’d seen what the temple cat had done at the gates. He didn’t know those guards, not that he could recognise them after the mauling, but that didn’t explain his lack of compassion. Lack of compassion? Willem is right. I do sound smarter, even in my own head.
He picked at the scab on his neck. There was no way he would be fighting the Dumarkian witches and their huge temple cats. Not because he was afraid, but because he didn’t want to hurt them. He laughed at his own thoughts. How could I hurt a temple witch? I don’t even know how to use my sword much past a basic block and strike.
He went to the tack room, grateful to find no one there. Alone with his thoughts, he pondered the events of the last few days, his mind going again to the woman in the coach and her black temple cat. Who are you, my beautiful witch? And more important, where did you go?
Rosette ran down the halls and out into the baking heat of the courtyard. The sky was hazy with smoke, the mountains spewing ash. The skyline was tinged sulphur yellow. She didn’t hesitate when she reached the bottom of the steps. She flexed her knees and sprang into the air, the ripples of her transformation making her hair dance around her face. In the next breath her feathers ripped through the sky as she shot over the trees towards the gates. The road became a single thread, snaking through the red sand. The corrugations on the dunes smoothed out until not a ripple was seen. She tilted her head slightly, spotting the Three Sisters flapping hard to stay abreast. Hotha ran below, chewing up the ground in his wolf form. Scylla led the way and Fynn ran behind.
Drayco! She spotted her familiar. He was out of the portal and racing through the gates. She didn’t miss the blood-soaked fur, even from her height. Teg ran beside him. He was all right. Relief. I’m here, Drayco. Stop. Let me land. I’m here. I’m safe.
Maudi! The temple cat slowed his pace, panting as she circled above him. Teg morphed, his wolf form blowing away with the wind and leaving him standing on two legs, holding out his bare arm for her to land.
Thank you! She back-winged onto his wrist, jumping off as she shifted, the shock wave knocking him back. She was on her knees in the red dust, her arms around her familiar’s neck, her face buried in his crusted fur. ‘Drayco! I’m fine. You didn’t have to worry.’
‘He did a long sight more than worry,’ Teg said.
She looked up at him, noting the fear in his eyes. ‘I’m glad you’re safe.’
‘Me too.’
Hotha caught up, skidding to a halt and shifting. Teg startled when the elder Lupin embraced him.
‘Are you all right, son?