As I drew closer to the stables, I could see a few brave horse heads poking out of their stalls. Kiki’s copper- and-white face was unmistakable even in the murky half-light.
She nickered in greeting and I opened my mind to her.
We go? she asked.
Yes. I’m sorry to take you out on such a horrible day, I said.
Not bad with Lavender Lady.
Lavender Lady was the name the horses had given me. They named the people around them just like we would name a pet. I had to smile, though, remembering Leif’s comment about my bathing in the pungent herb.
Lavender smell like… Kiki didn’t have the words to describe her emotions. A mental image of a bushy blue- gray lavender plant with its long purple cluster of flowers formed in Kiki’s mind. Feelings of contentment and security accompanied the image.
The main corridor of the stable echoed as if empty despite the pile of feed bags nearby. The thick supporting beams of the building stood like soldiers between the stalls and the end of the row disappeared into the gloom.
Leif? I asked Kiki.
Sad Man in tack room, Kiki said.
Thanks. I ambled toward the back of the barn, inhaling the familiar aroma of leather and saddle soap. The dry smell of straw scratched my throat and clung to the earthy scent of manure.
Tracker, too.
Who?
But before Kiki could answer I spotted Captain Marrok in the tack room with Leif. The sharp tip of Marrok’s sword was aimed at Leif’s chest.
CHAPTER 3
“STAY BACK, YELENA,” Marrok ordered. “Answer me, Leif.”
Leif s face had paled, but his jaw was set in a stubborn line. His gaze met mine, questioning.
“What do you want, Marrok?” I asked.
The bruises on Marrok’s face had faded, but his right eye was still puffy and raw despite Healer Hayes’s efforts to repair his broken cheekbone.
“I want to find Cahil,” Marrok said.
“We all want to find him. Why are you threatening my brother?” I used a stern tone to remind Marrok that he now dealt with me. Having an infamous reputation had a few advantages.
Marrok looked at me. “He works with First Magician. She’s in charge of the search. If she has any clue as to where to find Cahil, she’ll send Leif.” He gestured to the bridles in Leif’s hands. “On a day like today, he’s not going to the market or out for a pleasure ride. But he won’t tell me where he’s going.”
It continued to amaze me just how fast news and gossip traveled through the Keep’s guards.
“Did you ask him before or after you pulled your sword?”
The tip of Marrok’s blade wavered. “Why does it matter?” he asked.
“Because most people are more willing to cooperate if they don’t have a weapon pointed at their chest.” Realizing that Marrok was a career soldier who did most of his talking with his sword, I switched tactics.
“Why didn’t you plan to follow Leif?” Marrok’s tracking abilities had impressed the horses so much that they had given him the name Tracker.
Marrok touched his cheek and winced. I could guess his thoughts. Marrok had followed Cahil with the utmost loyalty, but Cahil had beaten and tortured him to find out the truth about his common heritage, leaving Marrok for dead.
The soldier sheathed his sword in one quick motion as if he had made a decision. “I can’t follow Leif. He would sense me with his magic and confuse my mind.”
“I can’t do that,” Leif said.
“Truly?” Marrok rested his hand near his sword, considering.
“But I can,” I said.
Marrok’s attention snapped back to me.
“Marrok, you’re hardly fit for travel. And I can’t let you kill Cahil. The Sitian Council wants to talk to him first.” I wanted to talk to him.
“I don’t seek revenge,” Marrok said.
“Then what do you want?”
“To help.” Marrok gripped the hilt of his weapon.
“What?” Leif and I said at the same time.
“Sitia needs Cahil. Only the Council and the Masters know he doesn’t have royal blood. Ixia is a real threat to Sitia’s way of life. Sitia needs a figurehead to rally behind. Someone to lead them into battle.”
“But he aided in Ferde’s escape,” I said. “And Ferde could be torturing and raping another girl as we speak!”
“Cahil was just confused and overwhelmed by learning the truth of his birth. I raised him. I know him better than anyone. He probably already regrets his rashness. Ferde is most likely dead. If I get a chance to talk to Cahil, I’m positive he would come back without a fight, and we can work this out with the Council.”
Power brushed me.
“He’s sincere about his intentions,” Leif said.
But what about Cahil’s intentions? I had seen him be ruthless and opportunistic in his quest to build an army, but never rash. However, I had only known him for two seasons. I considered using magic to see Marrok’s memories of Cahil, but that would be a breach in the magician’s Ethical Code unless he gave me his consent. So I asked for it.
“Go ahead,” Marrok said, meeting my gaze.
Pain lingered in his blue-gray eyes. His short gray hair had turned completely white since Cahil’s attack.
Granting me permission was enough to convince me of his sincerity, but despite his good intentions he still wanted to build an army and attack Ixia. And that ran counter to what I believed. Ixia and Sitia just needed to understand each other and work together. A war would help no one.
Do I leave Marrok here to influence the Council toward an attack, or take him with me? His skills as a tracker would be an added benefit.
“If I allow you to come with us, you must obey all my orders. Agreed?” I asked.
Marrok straightened as if he stood in a military formation. “Yes, sir.”
“Are you strong enough to ride?”
“Yes, but I don’t have a horse.”
“That’s all right. I’ll find you a Sandseed horse. All you’ll need to do is hold on.” I grinned, thinking of Kiki’s special gust-of-wind gait.
Leif laughed and his body relaxed with the release of the tension. “Good luck convincing the Stable Master to loan you his horse.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Garnet is the only other horse in the Keep’s stables bred by the Sandseeds.”
I wilted in defeat just thinking about the stubborn, cranky Stable Master. Now what? No other horse breed would be able to keep up with us.
Honey, Kiki said in my mind.
Honey?
Avibian honey. Chief Man love honey.
Which meant, if I offered to bring some Avibian honey back for the Stable Master, he might lend me his horse.
We left the Citadel through the south gate and headed down the valley road. Farm fields peppered with corn
