The White Road - Lynn Flewelling [9]
Micum laughed. "He's finally gotten a taste of nightrunning and likes it. Don't worry, Thero. I've had years of practice managing Seregil, and Alec's not half the bother."
"I suspect it will be easier than facing the prince and lying," the young wizard replied. "I've never done that before. I don't think Nysander ever did, either."
"With Sebrahn's powers, perhaps the rhekaro could end the war," mused Magyana.
"Or wipe out the court and a lot of innocent Skalans," said Alec. "As you said, Thero, you and Magyana can best protect us by convincing everyone there that we're still recuperating."
"When we're not rummaging about in the Oreska vaults," he said as he and Magyana rose to go.
"I'm rather looking forward to it," said Magyana. "It's been a while since I poked around down there."
Seregil closed the door after them, then pulled off his boots and stretched out beside Alec, frowning.
"You're worried about taking him to Bokthersa, aren't you?" asked Alec.
"Yes." Seregil took Alec's hand and absently rubbed his thumb over the scar on the palm. "But if Tyrus does know what Sebrahn is, that may go a long way to figuring out what to do. In the meantime, we need to keep a tight rein on him." He looked at the rhekaro, who was now watching them from the foot of the bed. "No more singing, you. Understand? Bad."
"Baaaad."
"That's right," Alec said. "And now, I need a real bath!"
"Yes, you do." Basin baths could only accomplish so much, but Seregil didn't really mind; when he was locked in that cold cellar room under Yhakobin's house, beaten and sick, Alec's unwashed scent on a pillow had saved his sanity and reaffirmed his resolve. It affected him the same way now, but this time Alec was safe beside him.
Never again!
"Tali?" He smoothed a hand over Alec's back, letting his fingers count the knobs of the younger man's spine.
His only answer was soft, even breathing. Alec was fast asleep. Seregil smiled and settled back against the pillows. Baths could wait.
"Ahek. Sleeeeping," Sebrahn rasped.
"Yes, sleeping. Go to the window."
The rhekaro slowly slid off the bed and went back to the window seat. Once there, he fixed his gaze on the two of them. Perhaps it was a trick of the rain still beating against the windowpanes, making the light cast weird shadows, but Seregil could have sworn that Sebrahn looked resentful.
Can't be helped, he thought. I had him first and you're going to have to be the one who makes do.
CHAPTER 2
Wizard's Work
THE WIZARDS were at their door early the following morning.
Magyana reached into her coat and gave Seregil a handful of small, painted willow wands. "Here are your message sticks. Break one and Thero and I will know you need us and where you are. And do try to hang on to them this time."
Seregil gave her a wry look as he pocketed them. "Thank you."
"I have something for you, too," said Thero. "Actually, it's an experiment of sorts. I was up all night designing it. Nysander excelled at transformation spells, and he passed that on to me. I think I might be able to give Sebrahn a more normal appearance. I'd be happier attempting it in a proper casting room, but here we are. First, Alec, make Sebrahn understand that I mean no harm."
Alec reached out to Sebrahn and took his hands. "Thero is a friend, remember? He's going to help you, so don't be scared."
Looking somewhat less than reassured, Thero took a lump of blue chalk from his belt pouch. "Move the bed against the wall and roll back the carpet, will you?"
Seregil and Micum pushed the heavy rope bed out of the way with Alec still in it, and drew back the carpet. Thero drew a wide circle on the bare floorboards and inscribed a complex ring of symbols around the inside rim. Standing in the center of it, he ran a critical eye over his handiwork. "There.