The way of courage, p.14
The Way of Courage, page 14
Carmin said, “You would have the child?”
Bess sighed and said, “I spent a long time deciding whether or not to have my children. In the end, it was a choice, a decision; I chose to love them. Even so, there is a difference; my choice was one of not taking out on them my hatred of what was done to me. They were innocent. You have a lifetime ahead of you, and this child, more than many others, will change the direction of your life journey. You have dreams and expectations, and this child will mean that you have to work harder to achieve what you want from life.”
Kern said, “You didn’t answer the question.”
“I did. But it is better, I think, that you cannot recognise that yet. Now, I must go before I disrupt the palace even more. Please send for me if you need anything.”
It took a little longer to say goodbye as she had to spend some time with Kerrigan. Once out of the palace, Bess made her way home.
CHAPTER 16
For the next three eightdays, in the lead up to the Quarter-year, Bess was busier than ever. Her skills at shields and in manipulating aether to attack and defend herself steadily improved. She took time in the evenings to work her way through books which not only cemented her skills in place but added to their potency. Stone and some of the other hands worked at her mastery of deception and her ability to hide in plain sight. They taught her how to walk like a man, shuffle as if she was old, pretend to be dead, and a dozen other skills she could use to escape attention. They also increased the number of ways she knew how to kill someone, both with aether and without.
Twice each eightday, Bess spent time with Megan, adding to the complexity of her breathing patterns and working to bring the aether flow under finer and more precise control. Megan had had the best tutors at the academy but had never been pushed to divide the flow into as many streams as Bess made her. Working to match her breathing to the flow of aether was something Megan had not focused on at the academy, as breathing patterns were used primarily to keep a mage focused, not necessarily to help define their focus.
Earnest removed those watching Jagged Isle, and an eightday after they’d removed the Spider, he met with Bess to go through what they’d taken from her. Earnest said, “We managed to gather most of her files. The gold and jewels not with the banks came to four million two hundred and something thousand. After giving away your generous tip to those who helped, you have just a bit less than three million eight hundred and eighteen thousand golds. Your half share of the assets stored in various banks came to four million one hundred and sixty-one thousand.
“I haven’t gone through all the files yet, but I’ve some which outline the methods used to bring several of the Eighth Way teams into Tar Eylia. I’ve closed those down, but perhaps the Mage Advisor would appreciate a copy. There are a few files about contacts she had in Kishmeld, and I’ll give those to you as well.”
“Thank you. Was it worth the while for you?”
“Financially, it was less than I expected, but I’ll come out well ahead of you within six months, so I’m comfortable with what happened. I took on board what you said about Sabrina’s deception and did some digging. I’m tentatively going to suggest my brother is not dead and has not been living the life of a saint as I assumed. I’m not sure what that means in the long term, but for now, it means I may have another enemy out there.”
On the second Two-day before Quarter-year, Elias watched as Bess faced off against three of his fifth-year students. Elias and Bess had been working on patterns and strategies to use when facing multiple assailants without resorting to simply defeating them sequentially. Master Imperial Hand Stone was watching, hidden in a cowled robe and offering suggestions. As they fought, a fourth-year student hurried into the amphitheatre and approached Mage Michael.
After a moment, Michael nodded and signalled to Elias, who stopped the bout. Michael stepped close and said, “Pardon the intrusion, but Megan has gone into labour and asked if Bess and I would join her.”
Elias simply nodded, and Bess went to collect her things as Michael waited impatiently. Michael had to force himself to walk instead of breaking into a jog. Bess said nothing but wondered what he’d be like after a few hours. When they arrived, the healer, Mage Candice, had already arrived and was in with Megan. One of her assistants was standing outside and said, “Mage Michael, Megan is in labour, so this is a time best left to the midwives and Mage Candice. You and Mage Bess would be most useful finding a quiet place to wait. It will still be a few hours before the child is born.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Megan asked me to come and to bring Bess.”
“Be that as it may, Mage Michael, often those in labour want things done a particular way, but Mage Candice prefers to work without fathers getting in the way. They tend to be overly emotional, and she needs to help keep Megan from losing control of her aether. As for Mage Bess, well, Mage Candice has no need of her help.”
Michael said, “What does that mean?”
“It isn’t my place to say, Mage Michael. Mage Candice, however, has left strict instructions that neither of you is to interrupt.”
Michael turned to look at Bess, but before he could say anything, Bess said, “Is this Mage Candice’s house?”
The assistant said, “I beg your pardon?”
“Is this house Mage Candice’s?”
“Of course not.”
“Then by imperial law, she does not have the final say as to what may or may not be done in it. I suggest that while we wait, you go ask Mage Megan what she wants. I will listen using my magic, and if she says she wants her husband and me to wait here, we shall stay here. If she says she wants us to visit with her, then that is what we will do. Now, go.”
The assistant hurried into the bed chambers, shutting the door behind her. Bess wasn’t surprised when the assistant said nothing to Megan but explained what Bess had said to Mage Candice. Mage Candice turned and made her way out to where Michael and Bess were. When she arrived, she completely ignored Bess and said, “Mage Michael, it is not appropriate for you to be here at this time. Please leave so I can do my job and take this meddler with you.”
Michael stood a little taller and said, “This what? What did you call Mage Bess?”
“A meddler. She pokes her untrained nose into places it has no place going. Now, I do not let husbands be present in childbirth, much less do I have untrained helpers causing a disturbance. Megan is a mage, and childbirth taxes even a mage’s control. Both of you leave, or I will, and what will you do then with only a midwife?”
Michael stared at her and then looked at Bess. Turning back, he said, “I suspect we’ll muddle through somehow. Off you go. Bess is correct; this is my house.”
“I shall leave, but rest assured that I shall be back shortly with Andreas and have you evicted. He shall not like his daughter being endangered this way.”
As Candice left, Michael made his way to where Megan was lying on her bed. Bess looked at the others there and said, “Hello Miriam, how many of these assistants do we need?”
“Hello, your Grace, none at the moment. Megan is still not fully dilated, and there is a few hours before help will be needed.”
Bess shooed the others out, then walked over to where Michael was holding Megan’s hand and trying to calm her. Bess said, “Michael, stop fussing. Despite what Candice said, Megan is in no danger of losing control. Megan, I don’t know what Candice said, but many midwives and healers would suggest lying on your back isn’t the most comfortable position right now. I had a lukewarm bath, and that felt wonderful. If you want to do something, Michael, keep your focus on the baby’s heart and blood oxygen level. You know what they should be and you can tell if there is anything bad happening. You’ll see that the cord is not going to cause a problem and that the baby is facing the right way and the head has dropped. Stop fretting.”
Michael came to his feet and said, “I was not fussing. I am not fretting. I am being compassionate. I supposed you would be kinder than Mage Candice, but I was mistaken.”
Megan laughed then stopped as a contraction took hold. Bess said, “Megan, change your breathing pattern to match the contractions. Keep your focus on the muscles groups and change the pattern to match what is happening.”
Immediately, Megan did what Bess said, which made Michael stop and look between the two of them, his gaze becoming thoughtful. Bess ignored him and then helped Megan up onto her feet. Bess said, “Walk, have a bath, sit, lie back down, do as you wish. Michael will keep watch, and so will I. Miriam here is an excellent midwife and will help if you need it.”
“Thank you so much for coming. Candice was annoyed when I got better, and today I finally said the reason I wanted you was you’d helped before, and that really set her off. Apparently, you helped another of her patients recently, and she became almost aggressive. She tried to make me worry about what could happen, but I can feel the baby, and he’s fine. I would love a bath.”
Miriam went to run the bath while Bess chatted with Megan. Michael waited until Miriam was helping Megan into the bath before saying anything. “What’s going on between you and Megan?”
“We are friends. I’m helping her with something. She wants it to be a secret at the moment, and I agree. Michael, it has nothing to do with trust or love.”
He nodded slowly, then said, “I will let it be then. I don’t want her to be hurt.”
“Don’t look at me; you’re the one who got her pregnant.”
Michael looked away, blushing, and Bess’ face reddened as well. She said, “I’m sorry, that was inappropriate.”
Michael looked up and grinned, “It was indeed.”
Whatever he was going to say was cut off by Candice strolling into the room and saying, “Where is Megan? Who let her out of bed?”
Michael turned to face her, his voice emotionless. “Where she is, is none of your business anymore. As for letting her out of bed, she does as she wishes, and she has decided to take a bath. Now, go away.”
“Senior Mage Andreas has asked me to help deliver his daughter’s child, and I shall do so.”
Michael shook his head and said, “Her father does not have the authority to go against Megan’s wishes in this area. He does not have the authority to go against my wishes in this area. Go away.”
Andreas’ voice came through from the outer rooms, “Michael, Mage Candice is the Mage Healer of choice. I insist she be allowed to help Megan.”
Michael left the room and stopped in front of his father in law. He said, “Mage Andreas, I respect and admire you, but Megan and I do not want Mage Candice to help deliver her child. It is our right to have the last word on this matter.”
“Is Bess in there?”
“Megan asked her to come.”
“She is not a healer. She is a meddler. Candice has been through hundreds of births. She insists that mothers whose placentas have detached earlier in the pregnancy are in danger of excessive bleeding. They can be lost if this happens. Please listen to her. Megan needs to be kept calm. I worry about her hold on aether.”
“Mage Andreas, Megan’s placenta is fine. The baby is fine. The heart rate is steady, and Megan is in full control of herself. Please stay here and wait. You may even have Candice wait with you just in case, but at the moment, Megan has asked Bess to be here.”
“Michael, my daughter’s welfare comes above her desire.”
“They are not at war with each other. Megan is well. Stay here or leave.”
With that, Michael turned and headed back into his and Megan’s bedroom. Just under an hour later, Michael came out and said, “Mage Candice, Megan was wondering if you wished to check on her and the baby to reassure yourself and her father and perhaps to offer some advice?”
Candice came to her feet and, without saying a word, headed into the bedroom. Michael sighed and went to sit in one of the empty chairs. Neither he nor Andreas said anything, and the silence gradually became uncomfortable. Finally, Andreas said, “At least Megan has the common sense to try and keep Candice on side. I’m distressed, though, by the influence Bess has on you and Megan. She’s a meddler and is going to tear the academy apart if we are not careful.”
Michael said nothing, then came to his feet and moved to one of the bookshelves in the room and took down a book, sat down and began to read. Andreas sat fuming by himself for almost twenty minutes before leaning forward and saying, “Michael, I don’t appreciate being ignored. You may be her husband, but I’ve been her father for much longer. This sort of behaviour is what made you a pariah in the past; I thought you’d grown up but apparently not.”
Michael looked up, then closed the book. He sighed then said, “Andreas, I’m not ignoring you. The book is a prop. I’m trying to be a part of what’s happening in the other room. I’m concentrating on Megan and how she’s feeling. I’m checking the baby’s heart rate and making sure it’s not in any distress. I’d rather be in there helping, but Mage Candice doesn’t think fathers have a place in the birthing process. Megan wants me to be present, but Bess was the one who convinced us that it was best to take the conciliatory approach and try and meet Candice halfway. Let’s face it, physically and mentally, Megan is healthier than she’s ever been. She doesn’t need a healer. She needs a friend, someone whose only objective is to make this easier for Megan.
“Bess doesn’t meddle; she helps. Bess was the one who helped with the detached placenta early in Megan’s pregnancy. She broke into the academy and spent time with Megan, then snuck out again. I didn’t know until later. Megan hasn’t told you because you seem incapable of hearing something and not making your opinions known and then taking over. The only stress on Megan at the moment, besides being in labour, is Candice. She is in there trying to force Megan to capitulate and kick Bess out as well. With what she’s been saying, I’m surprised neither Bess nor Megan have turned her to ash.”
Andreas stared at Michael for a moment, then looked down. After a sigh of his own, he said, “Please go ask Candice to come here. I’ll talk to her. I’m sorry for what I said before.”
Coming to his feet, Michael nodded, then said, “Thank you, but Bess is the one who deserves the apology, not me. Everyone is so ready to condemn her when we all know she’s the one who’s been wronged time and time again.”
A minute later, Candice came storming out to talk with Andreas, who spent almost an hour calming her down. Just over six hours later, Miriam made her way out of the room. Andreas was still there, as was Candice. Waiting with them was Megan’s mother, Elindra. Miriam said, “Mage Andreas, Lady Elindra, Megan has asked that you come to meet your grandson.”
Candice came to her feet and stepped toward the room. Miriam said, “Mage Candice, Megan has asked that it be just her parents at the moment.”
“I must check if he’s healthy.”
“He is. He is healthy, as is Megan.”
When Andreas and Elindra entered the room, they found Megan sitting in an armchair holding her and Michael’s new son. Andreas looked around for Bess but couldn’t see her. He said, “Where did Bess go?”
Megan gave a wan smile and said, “She left after making sure the baby and I were fine. I think she decided not to cause a fuss, so she hid herself as she walked past you. Now, come meet your grandson, Wilek Firestorm.”
CHAPTER 17
Leith had decided that she preferred the option of an estate in the Central Highlands, and Bess had registered her as the Baroness of Sage Hills. On the last Six-day of the quarter, Bess and Leith had their final appointment with Shirlay to check and fit their robes. Shirlay also arranged for them to be at a salon she owned after lunch on the Celebration Day itself. After much discussion with Nasir and the Head of the Court Protocol Office, Bess had decided not to announce her elevation at the death of the way-lord. Even so, her other Heptatic titles had been subtly included.
Bess had arranged a carriage to collect them from Shirlay’s salon an hour before they were scheduled to join the celebration. As they made their way to the palace, Leith was sitting opposite Bess. She said, “You look so composed.”
“So do you. The nerves aren’t visible. I change my breathing to calm myself.”
“That’s easy for you. You’ve been to the palace dozens of times. I won’t fit in.”
“Don’t be silly. You know my story, and you know my origins are further from the court than you’ve ever been. When we arrive, you are a baroness, and you are an apprentice mage. In many ways, you are almost ready to be a full mage, but I think it’s safer to hold back for a while and learn as much as you can before taking that step.”
“Just how are we supposed to prove I’m no longer a faulty? I’m still hiding the amount of aether I hold.”
“Mage Nasir hasn’t even hinted at how he expects the issue to be decided. Don’t worry, I’m confident in your skills. If nothing else, you could let them check the size of the tear in your barrier. That alone would be proof. If they do ask to see the amount of aether you hold, then I leave that up to you. I’m content for you to show them or to keep it hidden.”
When the carriage dropped them at the gates, they were given a number which was the position where the carriage would be waiting when they left. With her being a duchess, Bess’ carriage was provided with a spot close to the entrance. After identifying themselves, Bess led the way through the main entrance and then to the central court area. They were two of hundreds of people, all heading in the same direction. As they made their way through the entrance to the palace proper, they were directed to an area to leave their weapons.
As they followed the other guests inside, Bess said, “The celebration is being held in one of the larger ballrooms. It opens out onto the gardens. I heard that some of the mages have been asked to give an exhibition of magic. The ones who’ve been asked are often hired to perform such demonstrations. It’s another opportunity in the future that could be done by free mages.”
