Mystic's Touch (12 page)

“As well as can be expected, I think.” Femi turned to Danet.
“We all miss Father and mourn his passing, but I think we’re more worried about
Ceros.” She grimaced. “Especially Mother.”

“How is she, really?” Danet asked. “She puts on a strong
front for everyone, but this has to be hard on her. I worry for her.”

“I do too. If the worst happens to Ceros, I’m not sure
she’ll be able to handle it. Especially so soon after Father.”

“That is my fear as well.”

Femi lowered her voice. “Mother says someone may be trying
to kill Ceros. Is that true?”

“I’m not certain but there have been enough indicators to
make me take precautions.”

“But who would want to kill him?”

“Anyone who thought they stood a chance of getting the
throne,” Danet said without preamble.

“So you don’t know.”

“No, I don’t. I wish I did.” She grimaced and scratched her
head. “I say that, but I’m not sure I really do.”

“Why not?”

“The possibility that someone I know, or might have come in
contact with, is capable of killing another person for power or money or
whatever their reason is, is unnerving. This person probably looks normal on
the surface and yet doesn’t mind taking someone else’s life for selfish
purposes.” She shook her head. “I just don’t understand it.”

Femi took Danet’s hand in hers. “I see what you mean. It is
a little frightening, isn’t it? Especially for you. Someone who spends her days
trying to heal people or alleviate their pain.”

“Maybe that is why it bothers me so much.” Danet looked at
Ceros.

“You didn’t know him before he left for Shirghada, did you?”
Femi gestured for Danet to follow her to the seating area.

“No, I didn’t. It would not have been appropriate for me to
spend any time in his company.”

“You are one of the few who let propriety stop her,” Femi
mumbled.

Danet felt her cheeks heat.

“I don’t mean to that in an insulting way. We all think very
highly of you, Danet, and that is probably one of the reasons we do.” Femi sat
back on the lounge. “When Ceros left for school, he was very much full of
himself. Girls and full-grown women were constantly throwing themselves at him.
He excelled at his lessons and at sports and bested everyone at everything.
There was little that didn’t go right for him.” Her eyes got a faraway look in
them. “Then he left for Shirghada. When he came home after his first year, you
could tell a huge difference in him.”

“How so?”

“He was still quite confident, but not quite so arrogant.
The next year when he returned he was even more changed. He was bigger,
stronger and more,” Femi waved her hand as she searched for a word, “graceful,
I suppose. But he was also quieter. He watched and listened more. In some ways,
he had become more like Father.”

“What did he do while he was in Shirghada? Wasn’t it some
kind of training or learning?”

“I remember Father saying he thought it would be good for
Ceros to see how an elite military was run from the inside. I think he expected
Ceros to come home after a year or two though.” Femi shrugged. “We were all
surprised Ceros stayed as long as he did.”

“Why did he?”

“I’m not sure, really. I know Ceros and Father disagreed
about many things before Ceros went away.” She grinned. “Of course, you know,
the royal family never got into fights. That would be disgraceful.”

“Of course.” Danet smirked. She could well imagine those two
very strong-willed men, father and son, clashing over things as simple as what
kind of meat should be served for dinner.

“Mother said she thought Ceros had found himself or a focus
for his life while he was in Shirghada. Whatever it was that he found, changed
him. Significantly. For the better. And I think that man will be an outstanding
leader and king.” She looked to Ceros. “I just hope we get a chance to see what
he’s really capable of.”

“So do I, Femi.” Danet sighed. “So do I.”

Even though she had far too much nervous energy to sleep,
Danet finally instructed the guards to refuse admission to any more visitors,
except the queen, for the night. Since she wasn’t sure when she might have
another opportunity, she took time to bathe and wash and braid her hair.
Instead of a nightdress, however, she changed into a clean tunic and leggings.
Her boots were waiting by her basket of supplies so they would be easy to find
in the dark.

Knowing it would be a few more hours before Gehiji returned,
Danet pulled out her mother’s journal and curled up on the bed next to Ceros.
Instead of focusing on the printed words, her attention was drawn to the man
lying beside her.

His hair hung limp on his pillow and was becoming duller in
color. The poison was taking its toll even on the shimmer that used to be
there. Of its own accord her hand reached out to trace the ridge of his
cheekbone and the arch of his brow. The rough texture of his jawline tickled
the pads of her fingers as they eased toward his lips.

He truly was a beautiful man.

There was very little she wouldn’t do to try to heal him.

Throughout the day, she’d had a nagging thought, a memory
really, that mystics had the ability to connect their life force with others
and heal them. Her mother had done it with her own father when she was a child
after he had caught a fever. Her father related the story many years later. It
was a risky undertaking and the mystic often absorbed some of the other person’s
illness in exchange for healing energy they supplied.

Making the connection with the other person was also
difficult. The bond between mates made it easier but it wasn’t something that
could be achieved with just anyone. Danet wondered if her connection with Ceros
was strong enough to make it possible.

In the pages of her mother’s journal, she looked for
passages that spoke of that type of healing. What her mother might have done to
prepare or what she did to connect their life forces. The entries about his
illness were glum. Danet never knew the mystic healing had been their last
desperate hope.

Thankfully there were a few pages where her mother had
written about her research into the healing. It described glimmering threads of
the soul that needed to be found. From what little information she had, it
sounded as if she simply needed to touch their “threads” together and the
healing energy would pass between them.

Sounded easy. Danet knew that could not be the case.
Especially when it was more than a week before the next entry was made in her
mother’s journal after the healing. With a sigh, she closed the book then stood
and put it back into her bag.

She turned down all but one of the lamps and returned to
Ceros’ side. She knew she wouldn’t sleep, but curled up next to him on the bed
to rest.

The next thing she knew, Gehiji was shaking her awake.
“Danet. It’s time to go,” he whispered.

His voice cleared the fog in her mind in record time. “Okay.
I’m ready. I just need to put my boots on.”

“Is everything packed?”

“Yes.” She rubbed her eyes as she stumbled off the bed.
“Except for the two larger weapons. I hid them in the bathroom under the stack
of linens. There’s one in the desk too.”

“Very good.” Gehiji headed to the bathroom and returned
without making any sound. “Show me what you’re planning to take with us.”

Danet pointed to the two baskets of supplies.

“That’s all?” he asked with surprise.

She nodded. “Oh, and my bag also.” She patted the small,
well-worn bag on the end of the desk.

Gehiji made a quick inspection of all the contents then
moved a few things around, eliminating the need for one basket. From his own
bag, the one strapped around his chest, he pulled out a dark cloak. “Help me
put this on Ceros.” As they worked, he asked, “Have you heard anything from
him?”

She shook her head.

Gehiji nodded curtly. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll
carry Ceros. You follow as close as you can, making as little noise as
possible. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“If I stop suddenly, I need you to watch this hand.” He held
up his right hand. “I may have to signal you with it.”

“Okay.”

“This,” he made a fist, “means stop and be silent. If I
point in a certain direction I mean for you to pay attention to that area
because either someone is coming or there is something you need to see. If I
want you to go ahead of me in a certain direction, I’ll do this.” He held up
his first finger, swirled it in the air then pointed. “Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Good. Ready?” He extinguished the lamp next to the bed.

“Wait. What about our supplies?”

“If you think you can carry the basket and your bag easily
without making any noise, then do so. If not, carry what you can and we’ll have
Hesina send whatever is left.”

Danet slipped the bag strap over her head and around her
body then tested the weight of the basket. It wasn’t significantly heavy since
it wasn’t full. She shrugged and said, “I can carry it.”

He nodded. “One more thing. If we’re discovered, I’ll do
what I can to distract them so you can slip away and return to the room.”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be best if we stayed together? I can
probably convince anyone in the palace that we’re going to get help or
something.”

“You’re his best chance for healing. I don’t want to risk
you being banished from his care. The queen won’t be able to protect you if
this goes wrong.”

She swallowed the fear that bubbled up. “I understand. But I
still think I would be a credible witness to what you are doing.”

He sighed. “Just promise me that if we’re caught and you can
get away easily and unseen, you will.”

“Depends on who it is,” she said stubbornly.

He shook his head. “We need to go.” Gehiji extinguished the
last light then scooped Ceros up. He hung Ceros over his shoulder like a sack
of grain and whispered, “Put a few pillows under the sheet so it looks as if
he’s still lying there.”

Danet nodded and did as he suggested. Then she grabbed the
basket and followed Gehiji to the adjoining chamber. It was a secluded sitting
area with rows of bookshelves and an open balcony overlooking the family
gardens.

Even in the dark she could tell it was a comfortable room.
One she hadn’t explored but now wished she had.

Gehiji walked to the edge of the balcony and checked the one
across from them and the area below. He gestured for her to come closer as he
put Ceros in a nearby chair. “I’m going to lower you to the ground first. When
you reach the bottom I want you to look in every direction to make sure no one
saw you. You also need to make sure there is no one nearby.”

“All right.”

He unwound the sash that circled his waist and crisscrossed
his chest. It was a heavy but narrow band of fabric she wasn’t familiar with.
Because it was so narrow, he had wrapped it multiple times around his body
without it being bulky.

When he was free of the fabric, he wrapped it around her
waist and legs in a strange fashion and knotted it before she realized his
intent. Good thing she’d worn leggings instead of a dress.

“Climb up on the rail then turn and stand on the edge,
facing me,” he instructed.

Her eyes were probably as large as saucers. The drop to the
ground below them might not be enough to kill someone on impact, but it was
high enough to cause injuries and frighten her.

“I won’t let you fall.” He showed her the ends of the fabric
bunched in his hands.

“But is the fabric just as confident?” she mumbled.

He chuckled. “It will hold you.”

Doubt lingered, but seeing no alternative, she climbed over
the rail and faced Gehiji. “Now what?”

“I want you to hang on to the fabric here.” He showed her
where to put her hands. “Then lean back, keeping your feet flat against the
balcony ledge or the wall below it. I’m going to slowly let out more fabric. As
I do I want you to walk backwards down the wall.”

She gulped in air. “All right. Sounds easy enough.”

“It is, actually, for you. I’ll be doing all the work up
here.”

Keeping her eyes locked on Gehiji, she took a deep breath
then leaned back.

“That’s right. Good.” Even though he was whispering, he
didn’t sound as if he was straining to hold her weight. “Now take a step back.”

She did, hesitantly, afraid to look down.

“That’s right, now another,” he encouraged.

She took another tentative step.

“Good. Keep going.”

The tightness in her chest eased. Now that she knew she
wasn’t going to plummet to the ground, her remaining steps were smoother and
less jittery. When she was close enough, she stepped off the wall and put her
weight onto her feet on the ground.

She looked around to make sure no one was nearby then up at
Gehiji. He was leaning over the railing, looking down at her.

“I don’t see anyone,” she whispered as loudly as she dared.

He indicated he had heard her then gestured for her to
unwind the fabric from her body. He pulled the material up as soon as it was
free.

Their basket of supplies floated down from the balcony at
the end of the makeshift rope.

She quickly untied it and set the basket behind some nearby
plants. It was several moments before she heard rustling from the balcony. When
she looked up, her breath caught as she watched Gehiji climb over the railing.
Ceros was once again draped over his shoulder.

It felt as if their descent took an eternity. Her heart
pounded in her ears and she prayed they didn’t fall.

Once they were on the ground Gehiji set Ceros down then
quickly freed himself from the binding. Somehow he was able to pull the fabric
free from whatever he’d secured it around on the balcony.

Danet checked on Ceros while Gehiji finished.

Ceros? Can you hear me?

There was still no reply. Her heart ached.

“Is he all right?” Gehiji asked as he knelt beside her.

“As far as I can tell, yes. But he’s still not responding.”
She looked to Gehiji. “I don’t suppose I have to tell you how much this
concerns me.”

“I know. I can see it in your face. It will be fine. He’s
been through worse than this.”

Her eyes widened in alarm. “I don’t think I want to know.”

“No. You don’t.” He stood and checked the area around them.
“Come. We need to move quickly while the guards are still on the other side of
the fountains.”

She nodded then retrieved the basket from where she had
hidden it. Once Gehiji had Ceros in position again, over his shoulder, he
motioned her to follow. He moved silently along the perimeter of the building,
using the shadows to stay hidden. Each time they crossed a span that was not in
shadow, she felt as if everyone in the palace could see them. Even though it
was very dark outside.

When they reached the kitchen gardens Gehiji stopped at an ancient
doorway that looked as if it had been installed when the palace was first
built. He knocked twice on the faded wood. In response, there was a scratch and
one knock down low on the door. Gehiji responded back with three quick raps.
She heard the sound of the bolt sliding then the door eased open a fraction.

Gehiji pushed it open and stepped through. Danet followed
but was surprised not to see Hesina or anyone else waiting for them. Gehiji
slid the bolt quietly back into place to secure the door then put his finger to
his lips to indicate she should remain quiet. They waited in the semi-dark as
Gehiji listened to the sounds around them.

Danet?
A groggy voice whispered in her head,
startling her.

Ceros? Are you okay?
She reached out to grab Gehiji’s
sleeve.

Don’t know… I…

Gehiji looked at her with a questioning expression. She
pointed to Ceros then held up one finger to ask him to wait.

Ceros?
She paused for a response.
Ceros? Are you
awake?

She shook her head for Gehiji’s benefit. Ceros’ contact gave
her a ray of hope. She reached out and pushed his hair away from his face even
though it was pointless the way he was hanging over Gehiji’s shoulder. It made
her feel better to touch him.

Voices from across the garden caught her attention. She
tensed and turned to Gehiji. He looked as if he was expecting to hear them.
Next she heard the slam of a heavy door. The voices were gone and Gehiji’s
posture relaxed.

“Should be clear now. Come on,” he whispered then turned to
follow the path opposite where the men had gone.

Danet followed but found herself frequently looking back to
make sure no one was behind them.

When they came to a shed built in the corner of the wall, he
gestured her to come closer. “Look inside on the shelf,” he whispered. “There
should be a stack of clothing. Grab what’s there and bring it with you.”

She eased the shed door open and cringed when it squeaked in
protest. There was even less light inside than what she had become accustomed
to, making it difficult to find the shelf. Thankfully the area was clean and
organized and she found the clothes easily when she ran her hands along the
wall to the shelf.

She latched the shed door closed and joined Gehiji and Ceros
in the shadows near the wall. “Now what?” she whispered.

“Now we find the cart Hesina was supposed to have brought
around.”

Gehiji led them to a door that was a mirror image of the one
they had used to get into the garden. He slid the bolt as quietly as possible
then gestured for her to precede him.

She stepped to the side so Gehiji could pass through with
Ceros. As he did, Gehiji pulled the wood door closed behind them.

“Where do they store the supply carts?” he whispered.

“Behind the stables, I believe.” She pointed to where the
stables were. In case the smell of eligari excrement wafting toward them wasn’t
enough to give it away.