Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [107]
He slipped a hoof knife into his pack as well. What nonsense was he thinking? He’d never been further out of the gates of Corsanon than to the temple and back and that was yesterday. What did he know of the road to Dumarka? A sudden chill took him. He was leaving Corsanon proper for the first time in his life. He had to find Shaea. He couldn’t just disappear. And this march—it wasn’t a peace party; he may never return.
He left his three horses cross-tied in their stalls, tacked up and ready to go. If he could only get a glimpse of where Shaea was, he could race to her and be back before he was missed. Xane closed his eyes and thought of her, surprised at how detached he felt. He used to spend most of his waking hours worrying if she was safe, if she had food, if she was being abused. They grew up in the streets together and she was left without him to watch her back. Why did he feel so removed from her now?
It wasn’t that he didn’t care about her; he just couldn’t feel her the same way he used to. As he searched his thoughts, he sensed a buzz of excitement, as if all those clawing creatures at the bottom of his mind were going to burst out at once.
‘Xane, there you are. Daydreaming!’ Willem said.
His eyes popped open. ‘Yes, sir?’
‘Bring the horses to the parade ground. We’re leading the scouts.’
‘I’m riding?’ Xane was shocked. He thought he’d be marching far behind, catching up only in the evenings to feed and groom the mounts.
‘The grey’s yours. Didn’t I tell you?’ Willem chuckled. ‘Her name is Rose.’
Xane thought his smile would split his face.
‘Don’t be too excited, lad. Thorn is more fitting. She’s badly trained and worse behaved. I promise, you won’t be grinning for long.’
‘Yes, sir,’ Xane said, laughing aloud. ‘I promise I won’t be too happy.’
Rose. Rose. Rose. He said the name over in his head, amazed at how peaceful it made him feel.
‘Don’t dawdle.’ Willem snapped his fingers making Xane blink. ‘What’s wrong with you today?’
‘I’m fine, sir,’ Xane said. ‘I’ll bring them directly.’
Shaea, forgive me. I have no time to search for you. Please be safe, sweet sister. He led the horses to the parade ground.
While standing in formation, he had a fleeting glimpse of Shaea twirling under the sun, a canopy of green overhead, her honey-red hair streaming out behind her. She must still be sleeping. You seem happy enough in your dreams, Shaea! Somehow he couldn’t make himself worry about her any more. ‘To Dumarka!’ he called out with the other equestrians. ‘We ride to Dumarka.’
CHAPTER 14
TEMPLE LOS LOMA, EARTH & CORSANON & DUMARKIAN WOODS, GAELA
Rosette peered over Grayson’s shoulder. She knew he didn’t like it. It wasn’t the scrutiny so much that bothered him but the psychic pressure. She was literally breathing down his neck. She couldn’t help it. She had to know. ‘Anything?’ she asked, her face close to Grayson’s ear. Fynn, who’d been curled quietly by his feet, jumped up, paws in his lap, tail wagging.
Grayson clicked his tongue, pointing to the floor. Fynn slunk back to his position under the chair.
‘Is there?’ Rosette asked again.
He mumbled a response and she sighed. Teg kept a more respectful distance, repressing a chuckle.
‘I’ll leave you to it then,’ she said and left the library, calling Drayco to her side. ‘I’m going for another swim. It’s the only way to feel comfortable in this heat.’
‘Wait. Rosette, come back.’ Grayson straightened. ‘Look at this.’
He made room for her at the desk and she eased herself into the chair, Teg standing behind. She adjusted the microscope lenses, blinking as the white light hit her eyes. When her pupils constricted the image came into sharp focus. There they were, rows and rows of tiny tablets, spread like cards, with inscriptions on each—paragraphs of writing in a long flowing script.
‘You found them!’
‘How did