Orb and arrow, p.16
Orb and Arrow, page 16
Looking at the target, he shook his head. “You do need practice. You won’t hit a linic that way.” She only laughed and nocked again.
Seeing Terol close, but not too close, Elden waved him over. “If you have a third bow, perhaps we can all practice.”
The morning went pleasantly for them. Noon under the trees, found Sister Rodenis at the house for lunch. She sat down next to Brillar.
“Not here to check on me, I hope?” Brillar asked, reaching for another roasted tuber.
“Hmph, not with that appetite. I hear you’ve taken up the bow again?” Rodenis took a sip of fruit juice.
“Well, it does keep me standing in one place,” she said with a smile, “unless you want me to practice for the races at the spring tournament?”
“No, I think that can wait for a while.” Rodenis looked piercingly at her student, smiled, then turned to speak to a neighbor who had joined them for lunch.
I wonder what that’s all about, Brillar thought as she took more fruit juice.
Rodenis was at the house daily and not just to see her patient. She and Brillar’s mother were good friends and they often had long talks as they walked through the grounds. There was a great deal of activity at the Great House and in the town. Guesthouses had been opened, and Sisters were arriving from the teaching houses. Elden saw several Brothers he knew in the tavern one evening, called for a conference they told him. He was thanked so frequently for his work at Lands-end that he began to avoid his Brothers. Some had brought wives and older children ‘to give them a holiday,’ was all they would tell him. He was suspicious but was occupied with other things.
Laurenfell House was not just the family home; it included cottages for servants, stables, storage houses for trade goods, barns, and a mill. Now that she was stronger, Brillar insisted on visiting everything and everyone. Elden usually went with her to ensure she rested when he sensed she was tired. He was also helping Terol with his idea of taming linic. Terol had quickly discovered that snares and traps often left the birds in such a panic that they died but that a mage could call and soothe the birds so that they were easily gathered. He now had a small flock of the more easily tamed birds and Elden was sometimes called on for assistance.
The days went by pleasantly until Rodenis appeared one afternoon just after lunch, as Brillar and her mother were relaxing near the lake.
“Not come to check on me again.” Brillar smiled as Rodenis joined them.
The woman looked very serious. ”Younger Sister,” Rodenis began, and Brillar straightened at her tone. “Younger Sister,” she went on formally, “I have come to ask a favor of you as a member of the Sisterhood, although one who should have stayed and learned more.”
Glancing at her mother, who seemed tense, she composed herself, replying formally, “What I am asked, I shall do if I can.”
“You have the dimlock collar in your possession?” Rodenis asked quietly.
“The dimlock? I have it, and it’s safe.” Now she knew why her mother was tense and felt apprehensive.
“Then, as your teacher and head of the Order, I have this formal request. I want you to bring the dimlock to the Great House, where you will display it for everyone. You will bring everything you used to remove it and explain in detail how it was done. All this, you will do as reward for the training you had and as your duty to the House that trained you.”
Brillar sat back in her chair and looked at her mother.
“She told me what she was going to ask.” Darwa stared at the grass. “I wanted to forbid it. You’ve come back to health so well and the strain of the telling…” She let her words hang in the air.
“I am Brillar’s healer. Would I have asked if I didn’t already feel that she was ready? No, no, I would never have asked,” Rodenis insisted. “And the Sisterhood must know, the Brothers as well. I have searched all the records. There are certain and sound references to the use of the dimlock collar, and all of those refer to someone on whom it was justly used. Someone who was later executed for crimes of some sort.”
Seeing shock in their faces, she continued, “Not in over two hundred years, has there been such a need or such a use. It was believed that all the dimlock collars had been destroyed and no more made. We must know if this is one from former years or something newly made. If one survived or if someone new has found the making of such an evil thing, then we must be made aware. A dimlock was never to be owned by an individual, only by a Great House. How did one man come into possession of one? Was it recently made?” She shook her head. “Too many questions remain.”
Brillar drew a deep breath and exhaled in a sigh. “Then, of course, I’ll come. When have you planned for this?”
“Tomorrow, after everyone has had lunch.”
“So soon?” Her voice held a hint of panic, but Rodenis only nodded. She had known the answer would be ‘yes’ and knew that the answer should be followed by action quickly.
”Yes, tomorrow. Only the older students will be allowed at the assembly. Sisters have been arriving for several days from other houses, Brothers as well.”
Brillar looked up sharply. Elden had told her there were Brothers in Laurenfell for a “conference” and now she knew what the meeting was really about.
A sound, half laugh and half choke, came from Brillar. “I am well and truly trapped. If you will excuse me, I’ll begin to prepare. Elder Sister,” she said to her mother formally, “if you will assist me?”
“A word with your father and brother first? I think Elden should be far away from us this afternoon. There’s a three-day horse market at Mevrin that I know your father wants to visit to see if he can find something there with your generous gift. A good distance and it will keep them all occupied.”
*** 13 ***
Once the men were away, they went to the stable, where Brillar found a pair of heavy gloves, then to the kitchen for hot water in an ewer, a basin, a silver bowl, a small brush used for cleaning pots, and a silver tray. At her mother’s glance, she said, “The dimlock can’t touch flesh or even, I think, something made of earth. Pottery won’t do for it. Just a feeling.” She shrugged. They took everything to a spare room. Brillar fetched the foldbox then bolted the door and poured the water into the silver bowl at a desk.
“Be ready with cleansing spells,” she said as she opened the foldbox. Her mother nodded. “Not for the collar, for the room; there’s bound to be an odor. And healing spells as well, in case it touches me. Open the windows, please, then stand well away.”
First, she took a knife and scissors from the foldbox. When she was ready, Brillar put on gloves and took the cwel skin, cut the straps, and dumped it into the hot water. The stench that arose was quickly dispelled but not before Brillar stood back, holding her breath. She could feel her mother steady her. Slowly, she pulled the cwel skin from the collar. It resisted, and she cut it away with the knife, dropping all the bits into the basin. The work was time-consuming and the gloves awkward but necessary. Even through them, she could feel the pulse of the collar.
Bit by bit, the dimlock was separated from the cwel skin. Darwa freshened her daughter when she felt it was needed. It was nearly two hours before it was all completed, but there was still the dimlock itself to be cleaned. Brillar picked away at the bits of flesh there, trying desperately to forget it was Elden’s flesh. More than once, she was sure she would vomit, but her mother healed the feeling quickly. Once, a slight awkward movement allowed a link of the collar to touch her arm; she cried out, but a healing spell was cast at once.
***
Miles away at the horse market, Prendar was watching with delight as an owner put a black mare through her paces. Elden was tense and uneasy but didn’t know why.
”A fine mare, that,” Prendar said quietly. “Only three, well trained and ready for a stud.”
Elden started to answer, then paled, grabbed Prendar’s arm, and would have fallen if the older man hadn’t supported him. Still, he sank to his knees before Prendar could straighten him, calling Terol to his side.
“Help him to the tavern, boy, while I speak to this man. I think he’s had too much dust and sun.”
Elden was helped to his feet. Terol managed to get him to the inn, where he sank to a chair and dropped his head into his hands. Terol came back with a tankard of ale, but Elden only shook his head and whispered something the lad couldn’t hear.
***
When the collar was finally cleaned, Brillar lifted it from the water and laid it on the silver tray. Before they could finish, she asked her mother to take away the basin and its filthy contents, then bring fresh water, new gloves, and another large platter of pure silver.
While she waited, Brillar went to the window and took huge gulps of clean air. She felt wilted, exhausted. A knock reported her mother’s return with water and a servant carrying the silver tray. The servant was asked to wait in case anything else was needed.
Fresh water went into the basin, and Brillar, now in new gloves, sat and scrubbed the collar with the brush, removing everything that remained on it. The brush was quickly used up by the touch of the collar. “See how it eats the boar hairs,” she murmured to her mother.
Finally, the collar was cleaned. Brillar laid it on the silver tray, placing the second tray over it. From the foldbox, she removed a few lengths of leather and tied the two trays together then stood back. Her mother was quickly behind her and she relaxed into her comforting arms.
“To think,” her mother whispered, “you had to take that from a man.”
The tears that had been unshed welled up in Brillar’s eyes. She turned to face Darwa and let herself be comforted by the warm embrace, aware that her mother, too, was crying. Finally, she pulled away, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.. Looking at her daughter’s drawn face, Darwa ordered her to bed for a short nap before dinner. Brillar went willingly while her mother safeguarded the trays and had the servant clean the room.
When she woke, Brillar could smell cooking and knew she must have overslept. She used the refresher then uttered cleansing spells. Ruefully, she looked at the mark on her left arm where the dimlock had touched it and shook her head. So light a touch and so quickly healed, yet I may carry it forever, she thought and carefully chose a white blouse trimmed in green, with long sleeves, and a full matching skirt. She tied a green sash around the over-blouse, added slippers, and considered herself ready for company.
“You and your mother were hidden away this afternoon,” Elden said as he met her in the hall, offering his arm. He had clothing suited for many occasions in the foldbox, but Brolin had insisted that he have something made in town. Tonight, he was dressed in a deep blue shirt with brocade trim and dark blue trousers over his boots.
“You look well turned out, m’lord Elden,” she said, avoiding the implied question.
“Had you forgotten? Your parents have guests for dinner, two families, including the family of that young lady Brolin fancies, and there’s to be dancing after dinner.”
“No, I had forgotten. I should change, or Brolin will be embarrassed!” Extracting herself from his arm, she rushed back to her room, hastily pulling out a light blue brocade gown with long sleeves she thought would suit and tying up her hair.
Elden was waiting and gave her an admiring glance before saying sternly, “We’re called for,” and offering his arm.
Despite her tiring afternoon, Brillar was able to enjoy the gathering. Before she left, such dinner parties had been common at Laurenfell. Several of the servants played instruments and were always glad to accept the extra coins that inevitably followed their performances.
Dinner, wines, and desserts, were eaten slowly with the new forks Elden had introduced. There was easy conversation and gossip. There were many glances at Elden then Brillar because she had unwittingly chosen a blue gown that was a complement to what he wore.
When dinner was over, the servants struck up a tune, a slow one suited to dancing after dining. Faster tunes would come later. Terol claimed her for the first dance, saying he needed practice, Brolin partnered Mairen, and Elden held out his hand to Alliana. More wine was served between dance sets as the players took a moment for themselves. Partners were exchanged. Prendar escorted both his daughters through a dance, remarking, “Who do you think taught them to dance so beautifully?” to laughter in the company. Elden partnered his apprentice several times in slower dances then took her out onto the floor for a lively twirling dance.
As they danced through the tune, their arms went up, and her sleeve, which had loosened with all the dancing, slipped down over her left arm. He started and recovered. As the dance ended in a bow and curtsey, Elden took her arm, lightly, it seemed to others, but with steel, and steered her out into the garden. Darwa turned her head and followed them with her eyes.
“Exactly what have you been doing?” he demanded, eyes flashing, “I know that mark.” She quickly pulled her sleeve down. “No, the damage is done.” Taking her left arm, he pushed the sleeve back again. “This afternoon?”
For once, she was not defiant, only calm. “You asked where we were, my mother and I. We were cleaning the dimlock.”
His knees buckled, and he sat heavily on a bench.
“She was with me. I was in no danger,” she said soothingly.
“What do you call that mark if not danger?” he replied tensely, eyes angry.
“I call it a chance contact, quickly healed, although I will admit it scarred,” came her steady reply. “Rodenis has as much as demanded my presence at the Sisterhood tomorrow, where I will tell what I know about the dimlock and how it was removed. You will not attend.” Her voice was firm.
He sat shaking his head, rubbing his arms as if chilled. He was unable to find his voice.
“Master,” her voice was a whisper, “my presence is requested, required, demanded. I cannot refuse.” She turned and left him there, said goodnight to everyone at the party, and went to her room.
When he was able to stand, Elden went out to the stable and was greeted by Jez. He took a bucket and carried fresh water for Jez and Bright. Finding some apples, he gave one to each animal, then opened the box stall and went in to Jez. Taking a brush, he began to groom the stallion’s already shining skin, not using any spell, just merely brushing. Jez nipped at him and nuzzled his leg. “All is well,” he said, leaning against the strong body. “All is well.”
“All is not well,” he heard from the half-door, “or you would not be here.”
It was Darwallen who had felt his distress but given him time to deal with it in his own way. He continued to brush Jez.
“How could you let her come close to such a thing or agree to what was asked?” There was suffering in his voice.
“Oh,” she replied lightly, “then you haven’t met my daughter Brillar?”
He leaned against Jez. “She is a great deal of trouble, your daughter Brillar.” A tear fell on straw.
“She has done for you,” came the quiet response, “what no one, for Rodenis has searched back over a thousand years of records, and no one has ever removed a dimlock except the one who owned the key. The story must be told. Come back in when you’re ready.”
A stable boy found Elden in the morning, curled on the straw, still asleep. He moved away quietly and went to the house for his master.
Prendar went to the stable to find Elden stirring. “Too much wine then,” he said loudly, “and I thought mages could handle their drink.” He pulled Elden upright and brushed him off.
“The cook found something new from one of my traders; corin, it’s called and it will wake you. We all need waking after a party. You had best change first, though.”
Prendar pushed Elden up the back stairs. When he was calm and fresh in clean clothes, he went down for breakfast. Brillar was already missing, but he said nothing.
“Corin for our guest,” Brolin called, “he looks a bit pale.” Elden accepted the good-natured joking about his night in the stable amicably.
“I think a ride would do me good,” Elden said when they were all finished. “Perhaps Terol will take Bright? She looks as if she needs some exercise. And food,” he added hastily, “for a ride, a hunt perhaps, then lunch out in the fields? I do need some refreshing,” he said, adding to himself, ‘and to be away from here today.’ Like it or not, Brillar had a duty to the Great House. He understood duty.
His idea was quickly agreed to and Prendar called to the kitchen for lunch to be packed. “A large lunch, for we’ll be hungry. We’ll ride to the east; there are some new farms out that way but also game. Bows for the game and none of those mage’s tricks. A fair hunt, a fair kill, and some fine dining for the next few days.”
There was a flurry of activity in the kitchen and stable before they were ready. “That cold meat will do, some of the fresh breads and new butter. Sweet rolls, fruit, and wine, and don’t forget the cups.”
The lead cook shook her head. “Whatever my lady Brillar wanted with that fresh chicken skill this morning, I will never know. Bird ‘twill be tougher cooked without the skin.”
*** 14 ***
Brillar was not at the Great House. She was still in her room, taking the morning to prepare what she would say and how. She had another pair of thick gloves, knowing it would have to be handled, a dark cloth, and a silver jewelry stand. Finally, she put on the green dress and pin Elden had bought for her and was ready. When the bell rang at noon, her mother, who had spent an anxious morning quietly talking with Rodenis, joined her. Mother and daughter went to the empty meeting hall and waited for the assembly to begin.
It was a short wait. Everyone who had been able to gather ate quickly and filed in to find a place to sit where they could see easily. The front rows had been reserved for the senior Sisters and the Brothers who had come to see this relic. The tiered hall filled quickly; people pushed together to give others room to sit. Behind the dais where she had put the trays, gloves, and stand, was the crest of the Sisterhood. As she looked out over the company, Brillar almost smiled at its colorful nature, even though she worried about what was to come. The Brothers, fond of darker colors, blended their dark blues, deep reds, and purples with the bright colors of the Sisters, most of whom preferred the colors of sunlight and flowers. Pinks, light greens, peach, yellows were everywhere. Their familiar colors relaxed her. Finally, younger Sisters, not allowed in the hall, closed the doors.
