Storm Rising

'There was one thing that he could do to both avenge his beloved teacher and our own Querna, and to give himself an outlet for his sorrows. He made of himself the bait in a trap to catch the killer. He very nearly died in that trap.' An'desha made certain that his expression was a grim one. 'It was luck and the skill of a Herald trained by Herald Captain Kerowyn alone that saved him, and you may verify this yourself from those who were there, beginning with that redoubtable lady herself.'

Jarim's expression was an interesting mix; so complicated that An'desha could not even begin to read it.

'As for the rest of the tale, I shall make this short as well. Although he is no mage, he apparently has some powers that permit him to channel magic. These were needed to create the defense against the mage-storms; further, the Iftel border would allow only him to cross into it in order to set that protection up, and so once again he risked his life and sanity to help provide the protection for us all.' An'desha raised an eyebrow himself. 'This, I can verify, for I was there, acting as the mage in the north and east with him. I can promise you that the experience was painful and maddening, and it was worse for him than for me.'

He spread his hands. 'So, now you have the end of the tales.'

'But—' Jarim shook his head, as if he was trying to settle all the contradictory things he had heard into an order that made sense. 'With all of this—why is he urging peace with the very people that slew his master? If he is so brave, why is he speaking the words of a coward?'

'He is no coward,' An'desha replied severely. 'And as for his words—Jarim, he is a priest. He cannot speak only for himself, nor can he think only for himself. He must think and speak for the greater good. How often has She allowed things to happen that seemed ill, yet later proved to be the salvation of our People? Think of the First Sacrifice above the Plains! And I ask myself—which is the greater danger to the folk of the Alliance, the mage-storms, or an army which has dug itself in and cowers in its lair because it has lost touch with the Empire? The mage-storms, which increase in fury and frequency with every passing day, or fools who rely so on magic that they are desperate for a way to keep themselves warm this winter?'

Jarim shook his head again, but now his expression was easier to read. He was a greatly troubled man.

'Let me add one thing more,' An'desha said. 'Have you ever heard of a shaman being permitted to take Sword-Sworn black to avenge a wrong?'

Jarim's expression became blank as he searched his memory and finally shook his head. 'Never in my knowledge,' he admitted. 'The oath of the shaman is too important for him to become Sword-Sworn for the sake of revenge.'

'So why do you expect Karal to pursue revenge rather than the path of his priesthood?' An'desha countered. 'Why do you expect him to seek a personal goal rather than that of his god?

He gestured down at the small plaque. 'This much I can tell you; if he chose to take such a path, I think that his own master would rise in spirit and scold him for it!'

And I hope you forgive me for putting words in your mouth, friend Ulrich.

Jarim pulled at his lip, and finally closed his eyes. 'I must think about this,' he muttered. 'You have told me almost too much to take in.'

'Well and well,' An'desha replied. 'Now, if you will forgive me, I shall return to the path I was taking when you asked to speak with me.' He glanced about at the thin sun, the dead grasses waving in a chill breeze, and shivered. 'I would prefer to put my feet on the path that leads me to my warm hearth and a welcoming fire.'

'And I—' Jarim said, as An'desha turned and walked away, 'I shall see what path I find.'

There were no more outbursts from Jarim; in fact, the Shin'a'in envoy became amazingly quiet on the subject of Karal, much to the relief of An'desha and the rest of Karal's friends. An'desha did not hope too much, however; Jarim was thick-headed and stubborn, and not likely to admit that he was wrong without a great deal of coaxing and many facts refuting him.

There were promising signs. Jarim did take the time to speak to those people An'desha had directed him toward; Darkwind and Treyvan, Kerowyn and Talia, and even Elspeth. An'desha did not go to them afterward and ask what was discussed, however; it was none of his business. But he knew at least that these were some of Karal's staunchest allies, and they would have confirmed everything An'desha had said. He only hoped that they were convincing.

Kerowyn, at least, will give him the real facts about the assassination and about the uncovering of the assassin, he reflected when he learned that Jarim had requested an interview with that formidable woman. She just might be able to give him other information as well. After all, if there is anyone in this Kingdom likely to know who the Imperial agents might be, it is Kerowyn! And I know she was absolutely beside herself for having overlooked that damned artist-assassin. By the time she got done with her checking and rechecking, I don't think another agent could get into the Court even disguised as a mouse!

It was several more days before the Healers would permit Karal to resume his duties and his rooms at the