“No,” I admitted. “But her husband—Rhebendaven—does sound a little familiar. I think he was a second cousin. I’ll have to check my family records to be sure.”
“So what does that make me?” Trev’nor had a puzzled look on his face, eyes nearly crossing with some sort of mental calculation.
“Um, third cousin?” I wasn’t sure about that one. “I think, anyway.”
“A more distant relation than I thought,” Roha mused with a thoughtful frown that drew the lines in her face closer together. “I would have assumed you two to be closer.”
“Yes, it is a little strange, isn’t it?” I agreed.
“The place where Trev’nor was born might have a strong influence,”
Night suggested. He lowered his head to peer at the journal. “
Does she mention anywhere where they lived?
”
I scanned a few pages, but no names of cities or towns leaped out at me. “Not so far. But if she does, I definitely want to investigate the place. If Trev’nor’s birthplace has strong ley lines, it could explain why his magic woke up so early.”
“Can you read again now?” Trev’nor gave an imploring look that would put Didi to shame.
I sighed. I was feeling prophetic—I would be completely hoarse before Trev’nor was satisfied.
Chapter Two: Emergencies
Despite having read well into the night, I didn’t gain any answers to my questions. We returned to the diary once more after breakfast. I took it in easy stages this time, reading a few pages, then resting my voice for a few minutes. It was feeling rather scratchy after yesterday.
At one point we investigated the other contents of the box. There were a few personal effects—a pair of slightly tarnished wedding rings, a few letters from friends or family, a well-loved book of poetry and fables.
“We had to burn anything made of cloth,” Roha explained apologetically. “They died of a high fever—we weren’t sure how contagious it might be.”
I nodded in understanding. “Just this is a blessing, Roha.”
“
What we’ve learned so far is interesting,
” Night observed as he once again studied the diary over my shoulder.
“Trev’nor’s father was a blacksmith…just like your father, Garth.
”
“It’s not that big of a coincidence,” I admitted. “Most of my family turns out to be a blacksmith, a carpenter, or a stonemason. I think we had one rebel a generation back that went into mapmaking, but he was the exception.”
Night’s ears perked at this. “
The influence of Earth Mage blood, perhaps? Those are all professions that deal with the elements of the earth.”
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, considering his words. “You know, I hadn’t considered it in that light before, but you might be right.”
“Magic in blood runs strong,” Roha agreed with a wise nod. “Its influence would be there even if you were unaware of it.”
“I just wish she had mentioned where Trev’nor was born,” I complained to no one in particular. We had read about Trev’nor’s birth this morning, and while it was all very sweet, it didn’t give any of the information that I wanted.
There was a slap against the tent wall—the Tonkawacon version of a knock on the door—and then a familiar dark head ducked inside.
“Small Rider!” I was as surprised to see him as I was pleased. Small Rider was not of the Del Tribe, and so I hadn’t expected to run into him this trip. Putting the diary aside, I stood to greet him, clasping his forearm as he did mine.
“Garth.” His smile winked out from sun darkened skin. He had grown as well since I saw him last, gaining a good half-hand of height, which put him a good head taller than me. His pitch black hair had another, more elaborate weave that incorporated a dark red ribbon, which significance escaped me. Other than that, he looked the same as always, if more mature, as he lost his baby fat. “You’re a troublesome man to track down.”
“Entirely Guin’s fault,” I defended myself. “The man has been so busy dispatching me places, I feel like a homing pigeon.” That last sentence sank in and my joy faded a bit. “Don’t tell me there’s something wrong?”
“I’m afraid so,” Small Rider answered darkly. “I’m sorry our reunion has to be for this—it’s a sad occasion. The truth is, I contacted Roha of Del,” he nodded in formal greeting to the DauZmor, which was returned just as politely, “because I knew that you contacted her on a semi-regular basis. She told me that she expected you here soon, in response to a letter she sent to you.”
“So you came here to get me, knowing I’d be here?” I guessed.
“Yes. Garth…our horses are dying.”
I felt a cold knot form in my chest at the words. Nothing was more sacred to the Tonkawacon than their horses. “What’s wrong?”
“We don’t
know
,” he growled, braid shaking as he shook his head in frustration. “That’s part of the problem! We’ve tried every remedy that we can think of, but nothing has proven very effective. We have such limited time, I can’t break a trail all the way to Del’Hain and back for help—it would take months. It took me two days just to get here!”
The talk of time made it clear what he needed from me. “Because I travel the earth path, however, I can get you there faster.”
“Yes.” He nodded vigorously. “Will you?”
“Of course. I’m not sure how much help a Wizard or Witch would be, but they’ll surely come to do whatever they can.”
“What about Cora?” Trev’nor asked in confusion. “Wouldn’t she know what to do?”
I looked down at that inquiring face and felt like smacking my forehead for being such an idiot. “Of course! Trev, you’re a genius. Small Rider,” I turned back to him abruptly, “there’s a new Life Mage in Del’Hain. She, more than anyone, can help you.”
“Get her,” he begged. “Please.”
I nodded firmly. “Of course. Even if I have to kidnap her.”
Small Rider relaxed a little in relief, the tension bleeding out of his stiff shoulders. “Thank you.”
“Trev?” I dropped down to knee level. “I think you understand enough Chahirese to read the rest of that diary—do that while I’m gone, all right?”
“Okay,” he agreed easily.
“Night, stay or go?” I asked my nreesce.
He deliberated for a moment before answering,
“Stay. I’ll read over Trev’nor’s shoulder. It’ll be less nerve wracking for me—you’re going to go at an insane speed, aren’t you?”
“Probably,” I admitted.
“Then I’m definitely staying
,” he insisted with a shudder of horror that rippled across the surface of his skin.
“Okay.” I stood up again, snatching my jacket and shrugging quickly into it. “Small Rider, I’ll be back here before the day is out.”
~*~
It was a very quick trip to Del’Hain—in fact, I think I set myself a new record. I made it to the capitol in about an hour. The earth was still shuddering a little when I rose above ground again.
I cut through all of the red tape and went directly to the Academy. Guin and Val Haben would definitely have words to say to me later about skipping them, but right now I didn’t have enough time to go through all the channels. In fact, I wasn’t even sure if I should notify the Trasdee Evondit Orra—arguing with them about taking a newly minted Mage out of the city might take days. Sending a note seemed like a better idea.
After all, it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.
I found Cora—no surprise—in the nreesce stables, conversing with one of the older mares. In the year since I met her, she hadn’t changed much—the only real changes were that her pale hair was generally woven up around her head these days, and she wore the deep red robes of a Life Mage. She looked up as I approached, head cocking in surprise.
“Garth? I thought you and Trev’nor went up to Tonkawacon country.”
“We did. Something’s come up, Cora, and I need your expertise.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“A tribe of the Tonkawacon is losing all of their horses to some sickness—only they can’t tell what it is, and they don’t know how to treat it.”
“
All
of their horses?” she gasped in disbelief.
“That’s what I was told,” I answered grimly. “I need you to come with me.
Now
.”
True Life Mage that she is, Cora didn’t even hesitate. “Give me ten minutes to pack. Go tell the Trasdee Evondit Orra. I’ll meet you there.”
“Right.” I spun on my heel and went back the other direction, heading for the heart of the Academy. I didn’t want to call for a full Council session—dealing with EnNelle of Tain was never a picnic—but I figured I could inform either Doss or O’danne and get by with it. They were the sensible, forgiving sort.
Doss’s office was empty when I stopped by, but O’danne was in. He was elbow deep in some contraption that I couldn’t put a purpose to. But then, most magical contraptions were like that. The elderly professor looked a bit more haggard than normal, with his hair sticking up in every possible direction, clothes hanging askew and a wide smear of ink across one cheekbone. Still, when I paused in his doorway, he looked up with a smile of pleasure. “Garth, my boy! I thought you were out of the city.”
“I was. Sir, there’s a situation among the Tonkawacon right now. Their horses are becoming deathly ill, and they can’t figure out why or how to cure it.”
O’danne’s smile evaporated. “That is very serious business.”
“Yes,” I agreed simply. “I’m taking Cora back up with me to figure it out.”
“Good call. If you need any medications or something of that sort, don’t hesitate to come back here to get them.”
I relaxed when I realized I didn’t have to argue with the man about anything.
This
is why O’danne was one of my favorite people on the Council. “Understood.”
“For my information, which tribe is this?”
“Haru Tribe.” Which was one of the tribes not usually seen this far south—they tended to stay up near the north of Hain.
“Have you reported to either Guin or Val Haben?”
“Not enough time. They take forever to track down. Can you do that for me, sir? I need to get Cora back up there as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, that’s fine. Go, my boy, go.”
I ducked my head in a gesture of thanks and bolted out the door. I barely cleared the first hallway when I turned a corner and nearly ran smack into Cora on her way up. I had to catch her by the shoulders to prevent her from falling to the floor.
“Oops! Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she assured me, straightening back up and hefting her saddlebags back onto her shoulder. “Are we ready to go?”
“I told O’danne. He’ll tell everyone else for us.” I was already heading for the door, Cora striding at my side. “I hope you packed warm clothing.”
“I did.” She shot me a look. “Although the way you asked about it makes me worry…how cold is it up there?”
“Cold,” I admitted. “It’s no warmer up there than it is down here.”
“Busted buckets,” she sighed. “And I’m going to have to be outside in it, tending to all of those horses.”
Maybe, maybe not. Considering how sick the horses were they might have been moved inside already. Small Rider hadn’t given me a lot of information to go off of, but if he said they were dying, then whatever the illness was would be serious enough to move the horses inside a warm tent, I thought. I wasn’t sure if that was the case or not, so I kept quiet. We’d see when we get there.
“I’m going to go pretty fast,” I warned her. “I don’t actually know where the Haru Tribe camp is this winter, but I have a friend waiting for me up at the Del Camp. We’ll pick him up before going to his camp. All he told me was that their horses were dying, so you’ll have to pump him for more information.”
“With any illness you can’t have too much time,” she agreed with a sober nod. “Go as fast as you can.”
I knew I liked this girl for a reason.
When we reached the open courtyard I wrapped us up in a bubble of magic and dropped us into the earth. I was going at such speeds that it wasn’t safe for me to talk to her—I risked tripping over minor things like underground rivers, bedrock fault lines, and the like. So it was a quiet trip up. I only took one peek at Cora, about ten minutes into the ride, to see how she was faring. Since she was watching the magic all around her in open fascination I figured I didn’t have to worry about her. Most people, when they saw the flow of earth magic glowing and shifting along the rocks, usually needed a little reassurance.
Because Trev’nor was with Roha of Del, I knew exactly where to come up. His magic was distinctive enough to serve as a landmark for me. An Earth Mage’s magic, after all, called to my own power. He radiated warmth like sun-baked rocks on a cold winter’s day. I surfaced just outside the doorway to Roha of Del’s tent.
Trev’nor obviously felt that I was close because he was hovering just inside the doorway. “Garth! You were really fast.” His tone was admiring. “I’ve never seen you go that fast.”
“There’s a good reason for that, kiddo,” I drawled back. “I’ve never
gone
that fast.”
That made him grin.
“Hi, Cora!”
“Hi, Trev!” She ducked down to exchange hugs with him.
I wasn’t surprised to see this greeting—Trev’nor made friends easily within the magical community, the Mages especially. Well, really, all of the Mages were pretty close to each other. Partly because we were all Chahiran, but also because we understood Mage power better than anyone. As powerful as we might be, we understood how limited we were as well.
Small Rider must have heard us as he ducked outside as well. I caught Cora’s attention to make the introductions.
“Cora, this is Small Rider of the Haru Tribe. He’s the one that came to find me for help. Small Rider, this is Life Mage Hevencoraan.”
Small Rider put both hands over his heart and bowed his head, the most respectful greeting among the Tonkawacon.
“A pleasure to exchange names.”
Cora, without beating an eyelash, returned the greeting. “A pleasure to exchange names, Small Rider.”
Night popped his head out so he could see. “
Ah, you’re back.”