The White Road - Lynn Flewelling [10]
"Goes wrong how? And what do you mean, 'should'?" demanded Micum.
"Well, I've never attempted magic on a being of this nature. Don't worry, I'll start with something simple. Bring Sebrahn into the circle, Seregil. And I need a few strands of Alec's hair, since Sebrahn was made from him."
Alec gave him the hair and the others joined him, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Thero took out his crystal wand and wrapped the hairs around it. With his free hand he gathered Sebrahn's long hair together, then ran the wand over the length of it from crown to ends. When he was finished, the rhekaro's shining hair was the same rich honey gold as Alec's.
"That's better," said Seregil, "but he's still too pale. The hair only makes it more obvious."
"I'm not done." Thero pulled out a small pouch and took out a pinch of some kind of brown powder. Bowing his head, Thero murmured a spell and sprinkled it on Sebrahn's head. In the blink of an eye the rhekaro had the sun-browned skin of a peasant boy. The only things not affected by the spell were his eyes. Those remained the same unnatural silver.
"That's the best I can do, I'm afraid. I don't want to risk blinding him." Thero drew a small knife and cut through the edge of the protective circle. The design disappeared in a flash of light and Sebrahn scampered back to Alec.
"He looks good," said Micum. "He really could be Alec's boy, now."
"His eyes are still a giveaway to anyone who knows what to look for, though," Seregil mused.
"Cut his hair into long bangs," Thero suggested. "It doesn't all have to be magic. You're the great master of disguise, as I recall."
Alec, who'd been cutting Sebrahn's hair several times a day for months now, went to work at that, and in a moment Sebrahn had a ragged fringe of hair hanging into his eyes. "That will have to do. How long will it last?" Thero asked Alec, brushing Sebrahn's hair back from his face to inspect the changes.
"Hopefully until I spell him back to normal. But again, there's no telling what effect Sebrahn's unusual nature will have on the magic. It might all wear off tomorrow."
"What happens when his hair grows?" asked Micum.
"The spell is on his body, not just the hair. It should be fine."
"What about your magic? Couldn't that attract attention if we run across the wrong sort of people?" asked Seregil.
"Not with transmogrification spells like these. His skin and hair really are that color for now."
Seregil clasped hands with him. "Thank you. This will make a tremendous difference. Really, you're invaluable, as always."
Thero grinned. "Take care of yourselves. I hope you find what you're seeking."
"I hope you do, as well."
Everyone went to see the wizards off except Alec and Sebrahn. Left behind in their continuing seclusion, they stood together at the window and watched the Lark set sail.
"Leee-ving," said Sebrahn.
"And so will we. Soon."
Alec felt a bit stronger today. Since he was up already, he decided to attempt a walk around the room, keeping an ear out for Mydri's heavy step on the stair just in case.
He was dizzy and unsteady on his feet, and took a few falls in the process until Sebrahn came over to walk beside him. Then Alec kept a hand on the rhekaro's shoulder to steady himself, and they walked slowly back and forth between the bed and the door. It felt good to move, even if occasionally the floor seemed to pitch like the deck of a ship under sail.
He grinned down at Sebrahn. "I hope I don't need one of your healings today."
Sebrahn immediately held up a pale forefinger. Alec gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, but I was just joking."
Sebrahn cocked his head slightly to one side, and his eyebrows drew down just the slightest bit.
Alec stared at him in surprise. On a normal person's face, that look would have indicated confusion. "Joking. I didn't mean that I did need ... Oh, hell. Never mind."
Sebrahn stared up at him for a long moment, held out his finger again, and then brought it back to his chest. "Jok ... king."
Alec laughed. "Well, sort of."