The Seeker - Isobelle Carmody [86]
Farseekers could converse mind to mind over varying distances, an ability that involved conscious rather than unconscious thought. I had believed myself the only farseeker also able to deep-probe. Yet multiTalents were not uncommon among us, and assignment to a guild was based on the dominant ability. In rare cases, two abilities were of equal strength.
As if to confirm his ability to know my private thoughts, Matthew said, “Maybe we should use this guildmerge to raise th’ matter of Zarak changin’ guilds.”
Zarak had a strong Talent for communicating with animals, like his father, and he had chosen the Beastspeaking guild, only to discover that he had equally strong farseeking abilities. This had resulted in the desire to transfer to the Farseekers.
I shook my head decisively. “Now is not the time. Besides, I think that matter can be better resolved on a personal level. But something will have to be done soon, I agree. Zarak is proving to be a disturbing influence in the wrong guild.”
Matthew nodded fervently. “Not that Lina isn’t capable of gannin’ up to mischief on her own.…” He trailed off as we approached the front steps to Obernewtyn.
The new doors were less imposing than the old, being too plain to complement the ornate stone scrolling of the entrance. I had a fleeting memory of watching the original doors burn, and with them the concealed maps that I alone knew showed a route to the Beforetime weaponmachines that had caused the Great White. To the others, the burning had been simply the easiest way to get at the inlaid gold we had used to make armbands for the guildmasters. That had been my suggestion, and Rushton had agreed. Perhaps my wounds had led him to humor me. He had been very kind and attentive then, I thought pensively.
As if conjured up by my thoughts, Rushton was waiting for us in the circular entrance hall.
He looked tired, and it was clear from his clothes that he had not bothered to change. I felt a rush of gladness at the sight of him, for though Obernewtyn ran smoothly even in his absence, I never felt as safe as when he was there.
He met my look with an ambivalent stare. It was almost a challenge. Before I could speak, he sent Matthew to find representatives from the Futuretell guild; then he ushered me toward the guildmerge, matching his steps to my own limping progress.
“What has happened?” I asked.
Rushton turned to look at me. “The Council is showing renewed interest in us. Two men were in the highlands asking questions about Obernewtyn.”
“You think they were from the Council?”
He shrugged angrily. “I know nothing, except that I am tired of my ignorance. Do you remember when I went to claim Obernewtyn in Sutrium?” he asked.
I remembered. Sutrium was the center of Council activities. It had not been easy for him to convince everyone to wait for his return. Many had wanted to leave, fearing his trip would lead to their capture and burning. That we had chosen to wait had been an act of faith in Rushton. We had never regretted it.
“I remember,” I murmured.
“I thought the Council had trusted me when I’d told them that Obernewtyn had been badly damaged in a firestorm but that I meant to rebuild slowly, using those who had survived for labor. I thought they would lose interest in us. Maybe I was wrong. With farseeker or coercer help, I could have made sure. But now …”
“Now?” I echoed.
Rushton looked at me, his green eyes glowing with sudden excitement, as if he had resolved some inner doubt. “It’s time we found out what the Council is up to. Time we made a move into their territory.”
“Sutrium?” I whispered.
“Sutrium,” he echoed.
2
AS USUAL, GUILDMERGE was held in the circular room that had once served as the doctor’s work chamber and library, but all of the tables and benches that had filled it were gone. Only the enormous fireplace and the enormous hinged