Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [144]
In that flicker of vision he saw Rosette, her body lithe and strong, arms wrapped around her familiar as they sat in the reeds, hunkered down, watching the Corsanon gorge. He sent the vision to Kreshkali and her voice came back to him, warm and comforting.
Good work, Teg. And thank you.
Mistress?
For being there.
He glanced back before bolting away, seeking first Hotha and then the Sword Master.
Shaea went to fetch the horses, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Her idea of freedom in another world seemed far away, a distant dream. Here she was, at the start of another day, her backside sore, arms aching, heart broken. The food in her belly had tasted strange—Rall said that was because it was fresh—and the despair of her brother’s death sapped her strength. She wasn’t where she wanted to be, not yet, but she would play along, pretending to be Rall’s apprentice for a little longer. Long enough to earn the confidence of the Entity. Long enough to learn to travel the corridors on her own and get somewhere else. Somewhere better.
The stable doors were open, the sunlight streaming in. It was warm already and she took off her cloak, tossing it over the railing. The two stable girls came around the corner, arms full of hay, faces smiling. ‘We fed yours first. That mare was banging on the manger fit to break it loose.’
‘Thank you,’ Shaea said, looking over the railing at the bay mare. She was nosing around in her manger for more.
‘Just a wisp, and then we ride,’ Shaea said to her. She gave both horses a small flake of hay and set to grooming them.
The shorter of the two stable girls stopped to watch. ‘You didn’t come back,’ she said, smiling.
Shaea shrugged, continuing to groom the horse. ‘I couldn’t get away.’ The girl moved off, the chores keeping her occupied. By the time Shaea had the horses tacked, saddled and bridled and ready to ride, she realised Clay had been watching her as well.
‘You’re not leaving without a word again, are you?’ He cringed as he spoke, pressing his hand into the side of his head as if to keep his brains from falling out.
‘I’m surprised to see you up, Clay, after what you drank last night.’
‘Did I drink that much? I can’t recall.’
‘Really?’ She laughed. ‘It was way too much.’
He unlatched the stall door. ‘What are you doing? Going off with the witch?’
‘Like I said last night, I’m her new apprentice.’
Clay grabbed her arm, pushing up her sleeve. ‘You don’t wear the tattoo of an initiate, Shaea.’
She jerked her arm away, the horse’s head flying up. ‘I do.’
‘Where?’
‘None of your business.’
‘Shaea, this is dangerous. You don’t know what you’re getting into.’
She levelled her eyes on his. ‘That’s where you’re wrong. If anything, you’re the one who’s on the cliff edge.’
Clay frowned. ‘Like Jarrod? On the quarry steps?’
She closed her mouth, lips tight. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’ Clay started to speak but her eyes shot past him to the entrance. ‘Get out. She’s coming. And you’re right—it is dangerous. Beware.’ She opened the stall door and swung it wide, tilting her head towards the back of the barn. He took the hint and left, disappearing behind the haystack before Rall appeared.
The witch wasn’t fooled. She followed the path of his exit, tapping her fingers on her staff. ‘Having a little farewell, are we?’
‘He thinks I’m in danger, is all.’
Rall smiled, a hungry look. ‘He’s inconsequential. We will be there and back before he knows we’ve left.’
‘But he’s already seen me tack up, Rall.’
Rall unfocused her eyes, letting a stream of sounds escape her lips. ‘Not any more he doesn’t,’ she said, straightening her cloak. ‘Let’s go.’
‘What did you do?’
Rall glared at her and Shaea cleared her throat, trying again.
‘Where are we headed today, Mistress?’
That’s not something we will be discussing aloud. Have you forgotten how to send a mind message already?