The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [84]
Rosette felt her skin prickle as two of the priesthood emerged from a side archway, their pale grey robes brushing the floor, rustling as they crossed the antechamber.
‘Follow me,’ the priestess said.
‘And they can come too,’ the other smiled, nodding towards Drayco and Scylla who were side by side with their companions.
‘As if that was ever in question,’ Rosette murmured to An’ Lawrence under her breath.
He frowned and motioned for her to be silent. Apparently this was neither the time nor the place for whimsy. Rosette shrugged. She was certain that the High Priestess had a sense of humour; she had read too many of her books, and sat in on too many of her discourses, to think otherwise. If anything, La Makee was not uptight. Why the stilted formality?
‘Just behave yourself,’ he whispered through clenched teeth.
‘Don’t squash the girl, Rowan. Her wit may be all you’ll have left in the end.’ La Makee’s voice was rich and deep.
What ‘end’ is she talking about? Rosette sent the question directly to the Sword Master’s mind.
It’s a metaphor, I’m sure. Just be respectful, please.
The High Priestess met them with a warm smile, her hand reaching up to the Sword Master’s shoulder. Entwining images, tattooed in deepest black, wound their way intricately over her wrists and down each long, slender finger. An’ Lawrence moved to kneel but was stopped short.
‘Give me your affection, not devotion!’ La Makee responded, presenting her lips for An’ Lawrence to kiss.
‘Better!’ She turned to Rosette. ‘You, however, may start with devotion. I want to be able to recall you at my feet, at least this once.’
The words baffled Rosette, but she dropped gracefully to one knee anyway. As she raised her head to look into the emerald eyes of the High Priestess, La Makee took her hands and was lifted back to her feet. Rosette stood smiling. The woman was even more inspiring close up than she was in the lecture halls.
‘Not so obstinate as you imply,’ La Makee commented, taking in Rosette’s measure.
‘Perhaps you need to get to know her better,’ the Sword Master said without a trace of a smile.
‘I look forward to that, as she progresses in her training,’ La Makee responded. ‘She is progressing, isn’t she?’
Rosette bit her tongue. Hey, guys, I’m right next to you.
They both ignored her thought.
‘Yes, she is,’ An’ Lawrence answered.
La Makee nodded, motioning them to follow her.
That’s it? You’ve no other comment about my progress? Can’t you elaborate? Tell her how well I…
Hush.
‘First, let’s look at the maps.’ Makee directed them towards the large table in the centre of the room ‘There is much to discuss.’
She unrolled a large scroll and turned to Rosette. ‘Be a darling and see to the afternoon tea. It is being prepared in the kitchen, down the hall and to the right.’
‘Yes, Mistress.’ She shielded her surprise. Surely she would not be excluded now, just when she was about to get some idea of where they were going and why?
‘Take the temple cats with you, please. I have fresh meat for them.’
‘Thank you, Mistress,’ Rosette said, her jaw clenched. Now she couldn’t even have Drayco listen to their scheming. With the mention of fresh meat, her familiar would be attuned to nothing but the crunch and bite of his snack. It was no coincidence, distracting them in such a way, she was sure of that.
But it’s a wonderful surprise, don’t you think? Drayco interrupted her thoughts.
‘Aren’t you the least bit concerned?’ she snapped back.
My only concern is that we might have trouble finding the kitchen. This place is huge.
There was a delay with the cooks and when Rosette returned carrying the tray of hot tea and biscuits, An’ Lawrence was rolling up a map and nodding to the High Priestess. They both reacted abruptly to her approach, like parents hiding a solstice gift from their child. Is that what they thought? She was to be treated like a child? If so, why in the world were they involving her at all?
‘Thank you, Rosette. We’ll have tea and contemplate the journey.’
‘Yes, Mistress,’ she said,