The Mindmage's Wrath: A Book of Underrealm (The Academy Journals 2) (25 page)

“Pride in myself helps nothing. Certainly not Xain’s view of me.”

“That is what I mean to say. You have helped, whether he sees it or not. Continue to do right, not in the hope that Xain will love you. Your kin have wounded him, and that wound may never heal. But do it because of the people you may help along the way. That, I think, is what Momen would do.”

Ebon stood from the bench, glaring at him. “That is too far.”

“I am sorry,” said Dasko, standing and bowing his head. “You are right, I presumed too much. Yet I only say what Momen told me on occasion: that he wished to return home and help you, for he knew life with your father would be harder once he had gone.”

Though he held his scowl, Ebon felt some of his anger dampen. Momen could not have known just how true his words would prove. He turned away from Dasko, loosing a breath into mist upon the frigid air, and steered the conversation in another direction, hoping to ease the burning in his heart.

“You said they have not yet drawn the truth from Lilith? I had not thought it would take this long to find the artifacts she stole—especially the second time, for she did not have much time to hide them.”

Dasko shrugged. “She must have worked quickly. It will not be long. The Mystics are ... very persuasive when they wish to be.”

“Will they kill her?”

“Not the Mystics, no,” said Dasko softly. “But once they have recovered the artifacts, they will turn her over to the constables, who will put her to death under the King’s law.”

And there might vanish any hope of learning Lilith’s link to Matami or Shay. Ebon ground his teeth in frustration. It seemed that she would suffer for her crimes, but that the conspirators behind her—and he was sure such conspirators existed—would escape, for no one seemed to be looking for them.

Yet, mayhap if Ebon could speak to her ...

His heart raced. What excuse could he invent? No one would believe he and Lilith had ever been friends. But there was Nella. Ever since the attack on the Seat, she and Ebon had been ... if not friendly, at least cordial. Yes. It might work.

He turned back to Dasko. “I wonder...I know her crimes were terrible. And Lilith and I had a grudge from the moment I arrived here. Yet there are those who never had the chance to say farewell, and if Lilith will never be returning, it seems cruel to deny them that opportunity. I am close to one who is dear to her.”

Dasko nodded, cutting him off. “Theren. I know.”

Ebon balked. Theren? How could Dasko ever think Theren and Lilith were friends? Yet the certainty in the instructor’s eyes was unmistakable. Ebon nodded and quickly continued. “Just so. Could it be arranged, do you think, for us to visit Lilith? I wish for my own sort of peace with her, and I know Theren desires the same.”

The instructor frowned. “I do not know if that would be wise, Ebon. For one thing, she will not be the same as when last you saw her. The Mystics are never kind to their prisoners. And they will likely be reluctant to have her speak with any outsider.
I
know your character, but they will not.”

“Please, Dasko,” Ebon begged. “Help me with this, so that this chapter of our lives may be left behind us. I promise we will urge Lilith to tell them what she knows. And the sight of a friendly face may pry loose what the blades of the Mystics cannot.”

Dasko’s frown deepened. But he looked away in thought before nodding. “Very well. I will see if I can arrange something with Jia, if it is that important to you—and, perhaps, as some token of payment for the ill will borne against you here at the Academy, which you did not deserve.”

“Thank you, Instructor. If given the chance, I promise I shall not waste it.”

“I believe you,” said Dasko, shivering suddenly. “And now let us return to the citadel. I am not yet an old man, yet I find myself less resistant to the chill than I was in my youth.”

They made their way back to the Academy, and then parted inside, off to their beds. But Ebon lay awake for a long while, thinking of Momen and Lilith and Theren.

twenty-six

THE NEXT DAY, EBON WANTED to tell Theren what he had asked Dasko, about their visiting Lilith. But his courage failed him every time he sought to speak, and so the day passed without her knowing. The next was the same, and the third. At last he decided to tell her when the moment seemed right, and not before. After all, there was every chance that the Mystics would not allow Lilith to see them at all. What good could come, if that were the case, from telling Theren?

So they spent the first three days of Yearsend in calm and rest. All day Ebon was with Kalem and Theren, either in the Academy or out upon the Seat. Though studies were suspended for the holiday, they spent a few hours each day in the library. Kalem still searched for more lore concerning Kekhit, and Ebon helped, but it was a half-hearted quest now. Lilith had been caught, and whatever mischief she had plotted with Kekhit’s amulet, she could not hope to accomplish it now.

They spent their evenings in the dining hall or out upon the Seat, telling each other tales or listening to musicians fill inns with their splendor. Ebon felt a sense of peace he had not felt in a very long time.

True, there were rumblings that the High King was readying her armies to make war on Dulmun at last, and whispers about the nine kingdoms—how some were on the cusp of joining the war, while others were on the cusp of joining it on the wrong side. But all was peaceful on the Seat. Even war rested during Yearsend.

It was a leap year, and so they had a fourth day of holiday to enjoy. The dawn came bright and cold, and they lounged in the library for most of it. Ebon had received word that his family would be hosting some royals. Halab had given him the opportunity to visit the manor, but had not required it, and so he had declined. He had attended such dinners before, and knew he would be bored to tears. So in the morning he sent word to Adara asking if she wished to meet in the evening, and by the midday meal she had replied that she would be delighted. She had even painted her lips and pressed them to her letter, which Ebon laughed to see.

As the sun began its long march towards the horizon, they left the Academy and made for the western end of the Seat. Kalem hummed aimlessly as they went, and Ebon drank deep of the crisp air. But Theren scowled as she walked, and after a while gave Kalem an irritated look.

“Cease that humming. Soon studies will resume. Let us have a proper period of mourning, at least.”

Ebon stifled a grin. “All good things end, Theren.”

She pushed him, nearly making him stumble into the snow. “Yet you need not remind me. Do you know how my mind grows numb, studying my lessons when my skills are so far advanced?”

“And doubtless your humility troubles you greatly, as well,” said Kalem, wide-eyed and innocent. Quickly he ducked Theren’s swinging fist.

They made for Leven’s tavern, the place where they had first met, and one of their favorite haunts on the island. It was far enough removed that there were rarely other students about—but this time Ebon ran into Isra at the door. He did not see her coming out as he entered, and their shoulders struck each other. She glared at him, and he ducked to avoid her dark, intense eyes.

“My apologies,” he said.

She did not answer him for a moment. Then at last she said, “Well? May I pass?”

Ebon blushed, for he had not realized he was still blocking the door. “Of course, of course,” he said, stepping aside. She made to move past him, but he spoke quickly before she could go. “How is Astrea?”

Isra met his gaze, now with softer eyes. “Well enough. I am taking care of her.”

“Thank you,” said Ebon. “I will try to spend more time with her once classes resume, to help ease her mind.”

To his surprise, Isra’s face hardened. “I hardly think that would help.”

Ebon frowned. “What? I—”

“Everyone knows you have been meddling about the Academy. Who is to say you did not provoke Lilith? She is another goldbag, after all, just like you.”

“You speak strong words about something you do not understand,” said Theren, giving the girl a scowl. “Ebon is nothing like Lilith.”

Isra snorted. “Easy words for you, who may dip your hand into his pocket to pay for fine food and drink. A goldbag’s friends defending a goldbag. Yet you, too, will suffer in their war.”

She turned and left them. Theren made to follow, but Ebon seized her arm. “Let her be. We are all distraught after events of late. Some show it differently than others.”

“I would like to show her something, certainly,” Theren growled. But she let Ebon bring her inside.

Leven hailed them the moment they entered the bar, and they waved back from the doorway. Their table was empty, and they made their way towards it. But then Ebon noticed that at one table sat Oren and Nella, Lilith’s companions. They were together in a corner, shoulders hunched over their drinks, neither of them speaking. Their eyes wandered, and Ebon could not help feeling that they looked somewhat lost.

“Give me a moment,” he said, letting Theren and Kalem go on without him. He crossed the room until he stood by Oren and Nella’s table. Nella gave him a courteous nod, but Oren only glowered up at him.

“My condolences for what happened to Lilith,” Ebon said softly. “That cannot be easy.”

Oren’s brow furrowed deeper. “Get away from us, you sniveling little—”

“Oren!” Nella cut him off. They matched glares until Oren relented, taking a sip from his cup. Nella looked back up to Ebon. “Thank you. But I do not believe Lilith could do this.”

“Times are strange indeed,” said Ebon. “Many have revealed in themselves things we can scarce imagine.”

“You mistake me,” said Nella, frowning. “I mean I
do not
believe Lilith could do it. She is no monster. I know it. I—” Her voice broke, and she looked away.

Ebon stood uncomfortably for a moment. Then he tossed a gold weight upon the table. “Have yourselves a fine bottle tonight.”

Oren glared. “We do not need your coin, Drayden.”

“I know you do not need it. But I wish to give it. You may choose not to believe me, but I was not happy to see her taken away. Good evening.”

He backed away. For a moment he thought Oren would throw the coin at his face. But Nella picked it up, nodding her thanks, and then waved down a barman. Ebon crossed the room and joined his friends at their table.

“And why did you feel the need to take your life into your hands?” said Kalem, looking across the room in fear.

“They have lost a friend,” said Ebon quietly. “If you think they do not feel the pain of that, just as we would, you misunderstand them.”

“Their friend is a murderer,” said Theren, glaring into her cup of wine.

“I think there is more to it than that,” said Ebon. “That is why I want to talk—”

Ebon fell silent, eyes widening as he looked up at them. Theren’s look sharpened at once, though it took her a moment to understand. When she did, she leaned in to whisper. “You mean to speak to her? What madness has taken you, Ebon?”

“I need
both
of us to speak to her. We know, though no one else wants to admit it, that Lilith could not have worked alone. I could still have traitors in my family, and they must be exposed.”

“You want
me
to come with you?” Theren leaned back and folded her arms. “Never. Not though my life depended on it. I have no wish to lay eyes upon her again.”

“Not even if it might save more lives? Even now the artifacts may be on their way across Underrealm. The criminals behind the theft are at large, and no one is yet safe.”

Theren glared, but Ebon met her gaze and did not waver. Kalem looked uncomfortably between them. “Theren, it could help,” he said. “And besides, if you are so angry with her, you will never get a better opportunity to say so.”

“You will never have another opportunity at all,” said Ebon. “Once they find the artifacts, Lilith will be put to death.”

Theren blinked and looked away. “Very well. If only to help you, and because of my failures to do so in the past.”

“Thank you.” Ebon put a hand on Theren’s. “I will not forget this.”

“You had better not,” she said, sighing. Then her eyes slid past him, and brightened. “But forget all of that now. Someone has arrived.”

Ebon looked over his shoulder to see Adara stepping through the front door. She wore new clothes, or at least ones he had not yet seen, colored violet and trimmed in black. Ebon and Kalem stood to greet her, Kalem blushing furiously.

“Good evening, Theren, and to you, Kalem,” said Adara. She smiled, and then drew Ebon in for a kiss. “And good evening to you, my love.”

He grinned back at her. “A good evening it is, now. Please, sit. We have ordered a fine bottle for ourselves, and Leven knows to bring you some mead.”

“Thank you,” she said, sliding down the bench. He took his place beside her. Leven soon came with the mead, and together they raised a glass.

“To Yearsend,” said Ebon. “A more eventful year I have never seen.”

“To Yearsend,” they said, and drank. Kalem’s eyes kept darting to Adara, and then away again, his fingers fidgeting with his cup.

Theren raised an eyebrow. “What has you so anxious?”

Adara laughed lightly. “It seems I have made the son of Konnel uncomfortable again, as I seem to have a knack for doing. I chose to wear his family’s colors tonight.”

“Aha,” said Ebon. “Kalem, you did not tell me.”

“It is only that I was surprised,” said Kalem, his eyes on the table. “And it has ... er ... well, it has made me think of someone else.”

“Oh?” said Adara. “Has the young lord at last found a spark to ignite a flame within his heart?”

“Nothing so grand,” said Kalem, but his cheeks had gone bright red.

Ebon frowned, but Theren laughed. “We visited Ebon’s family only a few days ago. His sister Albi took quite a liking to our little noble-born friend.”

Adara looked to Ebon, and when she saw the look of annoyance on his face, she giggled. “Look at the dutiful brother, holding back such stern words.”

“I have no words,” said Ebon, hiding his face behind his goblet. “Albi’s doings are none of my concern.”