Chapter Nineteen
“Special Accord Early Edition,” read the banner on the
“What?”
“I’m just reading the headlines, mistress,” cried Mug. “I don’t write them, you know.”
Meralda stuck her head out of the water closet door. Her red hair hung in a wet bunch as she toweled it dry. “Which story would you like me to read first?” asked Mug.
Meralda bent over, letting her hair fall down straight before trying to comb the worst of the tangles out. “Let’s hear what Yvin is denying about a Vonat pullout.”
Mug scanned the page. “Our rotund monarch denies categorically that only an intense series of wee hours meetings kept the Vonats in the Accords,” he said.
“Which means that’s exactly what happened,” said Meralda.
“He also denied that only the combined pressure from all the other Realms, including threats of united military embargoes, kept them here. Interesting. I wonder what spooked them so badly? See what I did there? Spooked.”
Meralda groaned.
“Humindorus Nam must be ready to run all the way back to Vonath about now,” mused Mug. “He can’t know his fancy lightning spell is gone. Bet he’s worried that if it fires off the dread shade of the Black will loose a barge load of doom all over his homeland.” Mug chuckled. “Mistress, that was sheer genius.”
Meralda shook her head, remembering the fear in the Vonat’s wizard’s eyes. “I did what I did for the good of Tirlin, Mug. I wish there had been another way.”
“There was another way, mistress. The long way down. But that isn’t your way, and all things told I suppose I’m glad of it.”
“Thank you, Mug. I think.” Meralda darted barefoot back into the water closet, where she combed her hair and decided to send for her clothes, since it seemed obvious she’d not be returning home before Yvin’s commencement speech in the morning.
“Do you think the Vonats will really be scared into behaving themselves, mistress?”
Meralda shrugged at her reflection.
“I suppose that all depends on how much sway Nam has with his superiors,” she said. “And how willing they are to believe in ghosts.”
“You showed him the curseworks, though. Think he can work out a way to see them for himself, maybe show his regents they’re really there?”
“Tower believes he can make them visible, if he sees that they’re trying.”
“Well that ought to buy us fifty years or so of good behavior. Oh, look. Your boyfriend is heading this way. Looks like he has breakfast.”
Meralda pretended she hadn’t heard. In a moment, though, Kervis knocked at the door before announcing Donchen.
Meralda turned out the water closet light and hurried out, wishing her hair was dry. Donchen rolled his cart into its customary spot and smiled at Meralda.
“Good morning, Mage,” he said. “I trust you are rested?”
“As much as one can be, sleeping at one’s desk. That smells wonderful!”
“Thank you. It’s a special meal, based on an old family recipe. I had to raid the ship’s stores for some of the ingredients. I do hope you find it palatable.”
Meralda cleared her desk and scooted her chairs into their places. “I’m sure I’ll find it delicious,” she said. She watched Donchen open the cart and begin to dispense the contents, and saw him wince when he reached for a silver bowl of steaming rice.
“Are you all right?”
Donchen ginned ruefully. “I assure you, Mage, I am in perfect health.”
“Ha,” said Mug. “You limped the whole way down the hall, and you were favoring your right arm, too.”
Meralda put her hands on her hips.
“Tell me. No more obfuscations.”
Donchen nodded, and sagged, resting his left hand suddenly on the serving cart.
“There were those who were displeased with the contents of the list I gave you, Mage.” He winced. “They made the unfortunate decision to fly in the face of tradition and attack a
Meralda pointed to Donchen’s chair. “Sit,” she said. “At once. You were assaulted? By the ones you named?”
“Not all. Only nine. They nearly caught me by surprise. I do tend to become distracted when I’m in the kitchen.”
Meralda moved to stand beside him. He looked up at her, his customary half-smile growing. “They are no longer a threat, Mage. Not to me, nor to the Accords. You asked once what the House of Chentze intended to do with them. I believe they intended to do nothing. Better that the traitors be slain by a
And then he finished making breakfast.
Meralda put her hand on his.
“The sauce will not retain its subtlety, if it gets cold,” said Donchen. “And we both have a very long day ahead.”
Meralda squeezed his hand, and finished setting her makeshift table.
Donchen dozed in his chair.
Meralda pretended to fuss over her nearly empty plate and watched him sleep.
“The captain is heading up the stairs, mistress,” whispered Mug.
Meralda sighed and rose. “Coming to see me, I imagine.”
“Doubtlessly.” A knock sounded at the doors.
Meralda moved quickly to them. “Come in, Captain,” she said.
The captain tramped inside. “I suppose you’ve heard,” he said. “Something scared the whole Vonat wing nearly back to Vonath last night. Lights in the Tower, too. I don’t suppose you know anything about that?”
Meralda feigned an innocent smile. “Not a thing, Captain.”
“Good for you, Mage. Oh, the king sends his regards. And a message. ‘Well done.’ He asked me to tell you that in person. But of course you don’t know what it means.”
“I certainly don’t.”
The captain nodded. “Of course not. By the way. The Vonats have locked their best wizard in a closet. He keeps ranting about phantoms and curses and swatting at thin air. Claims two wingless black crows are following him. Wingless crows, ha.” The captain’s weary face split into a grin. “Never liked that man.”
“I only met him once,” said Meralda. “He seemed a bit unstable.”
The captain slapped his knee. “Well. I’ve delivered my message. I’m off. Probably won’t see you again before commencement, Mage.” He stuck out his hand. “But I want you to know this, Meralda Ovis. All those things you haven’t done, and don’t know anything about? Good work. Damned good work.”
Meralda took his hand and shook it.
“Mage.”
“Captain.”
He let go of her hand, and marched out, still grinning.
