Orb and arrow, p.15
Orb and Arrow, page 15
“At least she remembered to carry the herbs and instruments in her foldbox, and an orb perhaps. Hmm. Powders as well, I see. You carry other scars, less recent, which could be removed. The scars of the dimlock cannot be removed, not even with my skill.”
She helped herself to a brandy, eyes sparkling with good humor. “You told the story last night, I hear, and it was retold to me. The man who used the drugs on her or had them used had little skill with such things. Those were certainly of K’ish making.” She scowled at the name. “The combination would have killed if you hadn’t brought her here.” Elden lowered his head and could only nod.
Rodenis went on, “I have known Brillar all her life. I taught her or tried to. But a dimlock! I’ll search the records, of course, but I don’t remember a record of the removal of a dimlock except by its key.” She eyed him as Darwa had, probing; he stiffened at the depth of her search but opened his mind and allowed it. Her probing reminded him of Tribaje. “A key which was only used after an execution. The Light must have guided her, for it seems that she made the right decision.” She released him and he shook himself.
“Now, though, there is something else I see in my student, a shift in her, something different that I cannot quite discern. It troubles me.” Her eyes were on him steadily as he adjusted his shirt.
Sensing that Darwallen would permit it if asked, he said quietly, “She has killed two men, both in defense.”
Like Darwallen, Rodenis stiffened and sipped her brandy. She nodded with understanding. “What is done is done,” she said, “it cannot be undone nor, I think, should we wish it undone. Not if a dimlock was involved and used unjustly. Now I will see if my patient can take some more soup.”
She went calmly from the room, leaving him there to review the morning.
*** 12 ***
When she woke up, Brillar did take soup but only as broth, then slept again. She came awake at intervals without regard for day or night. A Sister was always with her and the kitchen kept broth ready at all hours. Sometimes Alliana would sit with her, holding her hand quietly. Darwallen was in such distress whenever she came from the sickroom that Prendar finally asked her to stay away. Rodenis supported the idea then refused Prendar entry. “The distress you feel when you see her affects your daughter as it does you and your wife. Alliana seems the only presence that is calming. From her, there is only light, girlish chatter. Girlish chatter from Alliana! She hides her concern very well with her chatter. First time I have ever heard anything like it from her. Always a quiet one, that girl, serious about her studies, and never any chatter.”
In the next few days, the family received numerous visitors, all concerned about Brillar’s health. Some left small gifts, soups, sweets, flowers that brightened her room, a music box, wind chimes, a soft scarf. Most, those who had been unable to hear the story of her homecoming, also wanted to know more of what had happened.
To escape the visitors, Elden often took Jez out in the mornings, sometimes accompanied by Prendar, sometimes by Terol, on Bright. Prendar insisted on taking him through Laurenfell with Brolin as added company. The town was beautifully laid out with wide streets in a grid pattern that stretched to the west.
“The seat of the Sisterhood is here,” Brolin explained when he walked with them, past shops and homes built of local materials. “It’s an old town but was well-planned and built, first in wood and now in stone. No need for the old wall now that the town has grown. The healing hall, dormitories, guest houses, it was natural for there to be a clean and organized town here.”
“I was brought here for healing after the Coastal Raids,” Prendar put in, and Brolin was silent. His father seldom talked about his time defending against the raids, but he seemed willing to tell Elden what happened. “We called it that so that people wouldn’t be alarmed.” He glanced at his son. “I’m sure you heard the stories while you were in service. Shall we sit?”
They took seats outside a tavern and called for cider. The day was warm, the sky touched by small clouds here and there. Elden admired the tables set in the courtyard; the carving and care the wood had received over the years had left them with a dark patina lanced by flecks of lighter wood.
“More than twenty-five years ago, sea raiders had landed in force, thousands of them and more coming. They had taken Lands-end and Tramka Shores before there could be any real defense. Messages were sent to the Brotherhood and the king, but we were able to gather forces here. You’ve been at war, Elden?”
Elden nodded. “Across the sea and against orcs, not men.”
“Then you have some idea about it. I led the attack to take back Lands-end. We succeeded but at such a loss in soldiers and people from the town.” He stopped and called for cider to be replaced by ale. “I was in the healing hall for some time, recovering. That, Brolin, is how I met your mother.” He clapped his son on the shoulder. “She led me on quite the chase, too, before she agreed to marry me.” He smiled at the memory. “And I would chase her again if it came to that, but back to the story. Danyar was generous. The owner of Laurenfell House was widowed in the fighting and childless. She was glad to part with the house so she could move back to Auden Shore. I bought the house and miles of land around it then expanded the house for my bride. Of course, I was an only son and inherited money and land from my family, all invested in trade and mining.” He smiled at Brolin. “You, my boy, will have a good start in life.”
Brolin nudged his father and pointed. Across the plaza, was a group of teenaged students, all brightly dressed. Their teacher had gone into a shop, telling them to wait for her.
“Like beautiful birds, aren’t they? ‘Little Sisters,’ students of the Sisterhood from the healing hall and Life Sisterhood,” he told Elden.
The students were huddled together and seemed to be whispering excitedly. After what appeared to be some prodding, one left the group and headed toward the table, glancing back at her friends nervously.
“Here we go,” Brolin said, smiling into his ale.
The girl, in her early teens and dressed in pale yellow, approached and dropped a curtsey at their table.
“Lord Prendar?” She looked nervously back at her friends.
Prendar pretended severity. “Speak up, child, speak up.”
Eyes wide, she looked from him to Elden. “And are you Brother Garnelden?”
He nodded at her, trying to hide a smile.
“I… we…” She looked over her shoulder again.
“Child?” Prendar insisted.
She took a deep breath. “We just wanted to say we’re glad that the Lady Brillar is back and thank you, Brother Garnelden, for bringing her home.” She dropped another curtsey and fled. Their teacher came out of the shop, scolding and herded them away.
Elden turned to his friends, eyes dancing. “Perhaps we should only come out at night when they are well tucked away.”
Brolin laughed. “Then, you’d have to contend with the other students, older students, and their teachers.”
“You never seemed to mind having them around, did you, boy?” His father laughed, and Brolin flushed. “A bold one, that little one in yellow; something for your brother to think about. They all want to get a look at you, Elden, so be careful. But you, son, now that you’re back, the older students will have an eye for you, so you take care as well.”
“You were away?” Elden asked.
“Service with the king for two years. Nothing, really. A few bandits here and there, aiding the sheriff’s men when they needed it. Now that I’m back, Da has given me land of my own, and I mean to settle down properly.”
“And who have you settled on?” his father wanted to know, but Brolin just smiled.
“Wouldn’t be fair to tell you before she was asked, now would it?”
“Hmm,” Prendar started. “I know one who was asked while you were away,” that got his father a sharp look, “and said ‘no’ to a handsome offer. Better be quick.”
Brolin had walked out with several young women, students at the Sisterhood and from the town, for years. Now that he was back, he seemed to have settled on the quiet, intelligent daughter of a local merchant. She was well-known to the family, a slender, serious woman with brown hair and blue eyes who smiled a great deal but laughed little. Both families were waiting for word of a proposal.
“Ride out with me to my farm?” Brolin asked Elden in order to change the subject; marriage was on his mind, but not ready to be discussed. “Tomorrow, perhaps? And we’d better go; I see another flock of students.” The men settled the bill and headed out of the town.
Except for his first short visit with Brillar, Elden had also been banned from the sickroom even though his apprentice asked for him. Everyone now had to content themselves with reports from Alliana, the Sisters who sat with her, and the cooks who reported how much broth she drank when she was awake.
Broth was all Brillar was permitted for nearly a week, but it was fortified more each day and she regained strength on it quickly, although her waking and sleeping confused her. When she asked her sister why her other family members and Elden never visited, an excuse was always given. There had been a visit, but she had been sleeping, or the family had taken Elden to the village, everyone was asleep, or her mother had been called away to attend a birth. Because she was weak and easily confused, she would sleep again and ask the same questions when she woke. Finally, she was alert enough to see that lies were being told. She insisted that someone, anyone else, come visit her. It was her mother who finally came in with a fine soup, rich with minced linic and ground tubers.
After that, Elden was also allowed to visit her and watched strength return quickly. Two more days passed until he entered her room with two bowls of hearty stew. She sat plumped up on pillows and made short work of the stew he had brought, complaining that there was no wine.
“Neither Rodenis nor my mother will allow me anything to drink but teas, well brewed with herbs, water, and juices,” she fussed.
“I have juice here,” he said, “if you’re thirsty.” She made a face at him but accepted the glass.
“It seems I am always thirsty,” she said peevishly.
He gathered the bowls and empty glass.
“So soon?” she asked.
“The good Sisters and your mother are very strict with me.” He smiled and took his leave. It seemed to him that she was asleep before he closed the door.
Two days later found Brillar insisting that fresh air and sun would be revitalizing. When told to wait, she threatened to go outside without help even if she had to crawl. Acquiescing, her brother solved the matter by carrying her to a bench on a terrace. She was there, surrounded by blankets and pillows, sipping yet another glass of fruit juice, when Elden and her father returned from an early ride. They were greeted with a wave.
Darwa appeared with a tray of fruit and more juice; she had seen the riders approach. She set them on a low table near her daughter.
“Is this a good idea?” asked her father, jumping down from his horse. Elden followed suit.
“She threatened to make her own way, so Brolin carried her out before going to visit his young lady,” answered his wife. “In fact, the sun will do her good.”
“Really? ‘In fact, the sun will do her good?’ To listen to anyone here, people would think me an aged grandmother,” Brill remarked tartly. Elden hid a smile. “Now, you will all sit down, have something to eat, and give me all the news,” she told them firmly as she snagged a piece of fruit.
“Are you sure you want to hear everything?” asked her father with a laugh.
They all settled down to enjoy her outing. The tall doors to the house were open, the sun bright on the pale grey and white stones of the terrace. Elden smiled as he watched the family together. He had composed a letter for the Brotherhood summarizing what had happened at Lands-end and sent it off with a messenger. What the reply would be, he didn’t know, but for now, he was content.
The news was delivered over fruit and juices. Crops were doing well in the south fields. The new bull was prepared to prove his strength when the cows were ready. Yes, someone was exercising Bright for her.
Bread and meat were brought out by servants so the group could continue to enjoy the sun. Before they were half-finished with lunch, Brillar leaned back and closed her eyes.
“I’ll stay with her,” said Darwallen, seeing Sister Rodenis come up the walk. “You men take the rest of your meal indoors, and quietly.”
“Insisted, didn’t she?” Rodenis sniffed as she joined Darwallen. “Headstrong. Always was, and her walkabout hasn’t changed her.” She examined Brillar by eye. “Well then, she should spend more time out of doors now. Fresh air, good food, and rest.”
Darwallen pushed a plate toward her friend, and they enjoyed the sun and food together.
The days settled into a routine, with Elden accepted as a member of the family. He visited the healing hall where he learned that a young man named Warick had arrived in time to say goodbye to his father and comfort his mother. She lived nearby so he paid his condolences but found her well-attended by her daughter and son-in-law.
He also spent more time in the town, taking a glass at the tavern with Prendar several times, but always late in the evening. The older students and even some of the Sisters had suddenly taken an interest in a glass of cider at the tavern in the evening. Fortunately, they were required to be back in their dormitories quite early. Prendar found their interest in Elden amusing.
“A tavern does a man good,” Prendar told him, “especially after the students have gone away.” Elden and Brillar’s father had become easy in each other’s company. There were jokes at the tavern and sometimes a fiddler in the evening. Elden began to feel more comfortable than he had in years. Brolin went with them once but had other things to attend to; Terol often went with them but was only allowed cider.
Rides with Prendar were both energetic and soothing. The older man enjoyed a hunt and the dun jumped very well, but he also enjoyed the quiet, shady lanes. He had stopped pointing out prime land, much to Elden’s relief. On days when Prendar was busy, Terol would sometimes insist on riding with him.
Terol, at sixteen, was a likable youth, and Elden began to tell him stories of his travels to keep the boy from asking constant questions. Questions did come, of course, but they were more directed. As best he could, Elden influenced him toward the settled life. Terol was too old to train in any serious Power but had a deft way with horses and other animals. He had an idea for taming linic and keeping them as food birds that Prendar had dismissed. Now Elden spoke with the boy’s father, who began to see it as a way to keep the lad close to home.
The best part of the day came after the rides. After weeks of convalescence, Brillar was walking daily and had been out to see Bright. When she was told of the treasure that had been in the cart, she was shocked.
“The gold in the cart must belong to someone else,” she insisted, but he shook his head and took her to sit on a bench.
“When we left Lands-end, the lieutenant told me a cart had been prepared for you. I’d forgotten what he said. I think Harrolen meant it for any…” He stopped, aware of her distress. He put his arm around her, comforting her, and she leaned against him as she thought it through, then straightened.
“Then it’s ours, yours and mine equally,” she said. “I said once that blood money didn’t interest me. It is truer now. Sister Rodenis will have a bar, my siblings a bar each when they come of age or marry, and a bar to my father for some of that fine bloodstock he always talks about but never buys. There, I’m done with what is mine.” She would hear no more about it.
Brillar was delighted when told she could leave the sickroom and move to her own room on the second floor but insisted that the room be cleaned of childhood things first, leaving that to Alliana and her mother. They cleaned the room but left her books. That night, Brillar slept in her own bed, well aware that Elden was just down the hall.
After the move, Brillar’s health improved rapidly. In days, she was insisting on long, not short, walks, which grew longer every day. She also began to swim in the lake on warm days, usually in the company of Terol and her sister, often joined by Elden. Even Darwa and Prendar swam with them; she was a graceful swimmer but Prendar tended to lumber through the water. Elden’s swimming improved to “acceptable” and he enjoyed the time with all of them. Sometimes Brillar received old friends. Young women she had grown up with often cast admiring glances at Elden and there was good-natured speculation about the pair.
One morning after exercising Jez, Elden returned to the house to find her outside with a new bow, longer than the one she usually carried. Terol had set up a target for them and was practicing with her. Leaving Jez at the stable, he strode up behind them tight-faced as she let fly.
“Exactly what are you doing?” he demanded, taking her by the arm.
“Elden, I’m sorry,” Terol began, but he waved the lad aside.
“This is none of your doing,” he said, but Terol quickly took himself away.
“I said, what are you doing?” he asked Brillar roughly.
“Why, I’m just breaking in this fine new bow, or was, until you interrupted us,” she replied evenly enough, although there was a flash of warning in the green eyes. “My muscles need strengthening; Rodenis had no quarrel with it.”
“Was she even asked?” he growled in reply.
“She told me to gain the strength I needed. She made no mention of how. And my brother needs some instruction. Didn’t I tell you I could outshoot all the archers at the spring games?”
Something seemed to shift around him; Elden closed his eyes a moment, sensing defeat. “Do I fetch the arrows that miss the target for you, or should I get Terol for that?” he sighed resignedly.
“Garnelden!” she responded, pretending shock, “do you think for a moment that I will miss the target?” She nocked and loosed another arrow which hit with a satisfying, ‘thunk.’
