He landed hard but got up too quickly for anything to be broken, a disappointment to Kayren. Swenn looked around for his knife. Suddenly his hands came up to his own throat. His mouth opened but failed to make a sound. He wobbled, as if trying to free his neck from some invisible vise.
“You will never come back here or I will kill you!” Eizle’s arm stretched out, his fingers in a tight claw.
He held Swenn’s throat with pyforial energy a while longer before finally releasing it. Murmurs sounded behind them. Kayren and Eizle turned to realize patrons had come into the kitchen and were huddled by the door in terror.
They began to shriek about him being a pyforial mage as they turned and ran.
“Damn, idiot.” Swenn coughed. “Now I won’t get the reward for reporting you.” He laughed with his coughs as he rose to his feet and strolled out of the kitchen.
“You need to run or they’ll arrest you!” Kayren yelled.
Eizle stared at the door. With each breath, more anger came into his eyes.
“Eizle.”
He ignored her and threw open the door. Kayren ran after him.
“The world would be better off without you,” Eizle called out to his brother.
Swenn froze. He muttered something to his men and they grabbed their blades.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kayren stopped her story as her hands came over her face. She began to cry.
We all looked to Effie, being the only other woman. She seemed surprised by our eyes on her, shrugging petulantly.
Alex gently pushed her toward Kayren. She sighed then sat beside Kayren on the rock, lifting her hand but unable to decide whether to touch Kayren’s head or back. She decided on her back.
“It’s all right. Dry your tears.”
“I’m sorry.” Kayren sniffled and pulled out a handkerchief. “That was the last time I saw Eizle. He would never let me see his face when I visited him in prison. He said he wanted me to forget about him.”
“What happened before he was arrested?” I asked.
“Swenn and his followers attacked him with their knives. Eizle tried to kill Swenn. I can’t recall every detail, just that Eizle easily defended himself and disarmed them. It wasn’t long before they were trying to run.” Her face twisted. “I remember the end of it all too well. Eizle had py around Swenn’s neck again. Guards rushed in, some of them with bows that they aimed at Eizle. I jumped in between them, yelling for them not to shoot. Eizle let go of Swenn and pushed me out of the way, screaming at me…worried about me. He lifted his arms to give up. They led him outside, where one struck him in the back of the head. I heard later he didn’t regain consciousness until he was in his cell.”
Terren said, “Swenn clearly wanted to prove Eizle was a pyforial mage. What reward is given for doing so?”
“None that I know of,” I said.
“There isn’t one usually,” Kayren added. “But I think I know what he was getting from it. I stayed in Cessri and visited Eizle every day. Eventually I started seeing Swenn at the prison, speaking with those in charge as if he was one of them. It wasn’t long before he brought in the bodies of the scoundrels that had visited the tavern with him each time. I found out later they were wanted for heinous crimes. Swenn made it seem as if he had no association with them, as if he’d encountered them thieving and tried to stop them. He claimed he defended himself. This, along with his reward for reporting Eizle, made me think he had some sort of scheme with the warden.”
“Didn’t you tell them the truth?” I asked.
“Many times. But I was just a young woman heartsick for a pyforial mage imprisoned for life. To them, I would say anything to get him out or at least get revenge on those responsible for his capture. They threatened me when they grew tired of my complaints, saying they could arrest me as well for knowing he was a pyforial mage without reporting it, even though I never admitted that. I tried to tell Eizle what was happening but he didn’t want me involved. He was forlorn and clearly worried about me going after Swenn. Soon enough, I stopped visiting like he requested and tried to forget about both brothers. Of course, I never did.”
I couldn’t hold in my guilt. “It’s my fault he’s dead and Swenn is still alive.”
“Neeko, it’s not,” Effie tried to tell me.
I shook my head. “I was in the castle when Eizle attacked. I had no idea Swenn was the master of coin and that Eizle was there to kill him. I thought Eizle had gone mad after spending a year in solitude. He had Swenn by the neck and I stopped him because I hadn’t recognized Swenn yet.” My head hung in shame. “I’m sorry, Kayren.” I found the strength to look into her eyes. “Swenn is after me as well, but I’ll get revenge for all of us.”
I didn’t care that Henry could hear me. My rudimentary plan of coming in through Swenn’s balcony would already be ruined the moment we got back. It was clear I’d overheard their conversation about Kayren. They’d figure out how.
“How will you kill him without getting yourself killed?” Kayren asked.
“We can’t say anything in front of Henry,” I informed her.
Alex drew his sword. “After everything I’ve heard about Swenn, I’ve reached my limit.” He pointed his weapon at Henry. “Leave or go far enough away that you cannot hear or I’ll kill you with or without Neeko’s permission.”
Effie jumped up and aimed her wand. Terren stepped in front of them, wielding his longsword.
Henry gave them one look then strode off until he was too far to hear anything.
The group had a lot of questions for me. How did Swenn know Eizle was a pyforial mage? How much older is Swenn? Why didn’t Swenn report him earlier? I answered them as best I could, then finally it was time for me to ask something.
“What will the rest of you do now?”
“Let’s speak with King Quince,” Steffen suggested.
“I was supposed to meet with him today,” Terren said. “But then I saw Neeko riding out of the castle. It’s going to take another visit just to set up a second meeting with the king, and he probably won’t show up because I was absent today, an insult in his eyes. That means three more visits to the castle before I can speak with him, maybe longer if Swenn has any say over who gets to see Quince.”
I asked Kayren, “Is there somewhere south of here you can stay where Swenn won’t be able to find you?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me the address and I’ll come for you when this is over to let you know you’re safe.”
I didn’t write it down in case someone found it, so I took the time to memorize it as Terren’s party spoke with each other. They seemed involved when I was done, so I let them be.
Kayren and I shared memories of Eizle. I told her about learning pyforial energy at the river. She told me how she looked forward to seeing him every day at the tavern. I told her that he loved her. She said she knew and loved him, too.
“Neeko, you’re coming—” Effie began, but Terren interrupted her by holding out his hand. She nodded.
Terren spoke for her. “Besides us, there are three people in danger because of Swenn. You, Kayren, and Shara. We’ll take all three of you to Ovira.”
“Didn’t you hear what Swenn did?” I was incredulous. “I can’t leave without getting justice. You must not know what it feels like to be the one who stopped Eizle from killing him. This isn’t a choice for me.”
Effie balled her fists. “I want to punch you. Can’t you just think about yourself for a moment!”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me since we’ve met.”
She grumbled.
“Even if you’re not coming with us, we need your help, Neeko,” Terren said. “Charlotte might be in danger in the castle. Tell her to meet us at the West Lake Inn. That’s where we’ll be staying. Tell no one else.”
“I’ll speak with her as long as I can get back in the castle. There will be repercussions for me leaving. I just don’t know what they are yet.”
“I understand that. I’ll risk coming for her if we don’t see her in one day.”
“Does this mean you’ll be leaving Sumar soon?” I asked.
“Most likely, and not just because of Swenn. There’s something else going on that will make it even more difficult for you to kill him. An army is coming north and they’re already in Rhalon. You’ll be sent to fight, meaning you won’t be in the castle much longer.”
“The king told you this?”
“He did. And Neeko, I don’t think I need to tell you that you’re not safe in your own army. There certainly will be those loyal to Swenn who’ll look for a chance to kill you.”
“I know. Thank you for your help today,” I said.
Terren shook my hand. “Maybe we’ll meet again.”
“Maybe.”
The rest of us said goodbye. I promised Kayren I would tell her when this was over, but she shook her head at me.
“Just promise me you won’t get yourself killed because of this.”
“I’ll promise I’ll try.”
She wasn’t pleased.
Henry saw me approaching and hopped on his horse.
“If we hurry we might make it back for supper,” I said. I knew I should be hungry, but I was too worried about what Jaymes would do to me for leaving without his permission and missing training. For all I knew, guards could be waiting to take me to prison.
My next thoughts were of Swenn finding out Kayren got away because of me. Putting me in prison was nothing compared to what he would try.
CHAPTER TWELVE
There was so much to do and even more to fear, but all I could think about was making sure nothing had happened to Shara. But that would have to wait. First Charlotte, the psychic.
I hurried through the great hall, hoping everyone would be too busy eating to notice me. I asked a kind-looking woman where I might find Charlotte. She didn’t know, though she led me to another woman who did. Charlotte turned out to be back at the great hall, of course, having dinner.
I’d been given a quick description of the young woman. Eighteen, thin as a stick, light brown hair, and tired. Yes, tired, my informant confirmed, always looking tired.
I found Charlotte right away. With a full plate of food before her, she appeared too busy to eat as she gave a lesson to three men and two women beside and across from her. I tapped her shoulder.
“Yes?”
“I’m Neeko. I need to speak with you on Terren’s behalf.”
“On Terren’s behalf? I know you. Why on his behalf?” Her voice was rushed.
“May we speak in private?”
She looked deeply into my eyes, taking a long moment to decide on her answer.
“Yes.”
“Don’t let him distract you,” said one of the men.
“I can tell it’s important,” she responded.
“You can’t trust him,” one of the women called out as Charlotte got up.
Charlotte spun and scowled. “Think about how silly it is to warn a psychic about trusting people.”
The woman grumbled.
Charlotte brought me to her room. She spoke the moment she closed the door behind us. “Aren’t you worried I’m going to change your mind about staying in Sumar?”
“No. You need to leave the castle and meet the rest of your party at West Lake Inn. If you don’t get there in a day, they’ll come looking for you, and that will be dangerous for everyone.”
Charlotte didn’t seem surprised, only disappointed. “How soon do I need to leave?”
“Right now.”
She studied me for a breath. “I’ll get my belongings together.” Her first step was to lock the door. I wondered if anyone allegiant to Swenn had a key. “Don’t you believe in psyche?”
“Psyche?”
“It’s what psychics use.”
“I believe in it.”
“Then why aren’t you worried I’m going to persuade you to come with me?”
I helped her stuff her clothes in bags as I answered her question. “My mind is so set on staying that I’m not worried about it being changed. Do you really think you could change it?”
“Perhaps.”
“What else can you do?”
“I can feel how important it is to you that I leave.”
“How?”
“I can feel it in the same way you can. It weighs on me with the same force it weighs on you. It comes into my senses through the bastial energy your body produces.”
“Does that mean you can hear thoughts?”
“No psychic can do that. Thoughts are private. Feelings are not. In the same way that your body can show them through expressions and acts, they can be read through your bastial energy. I can tell you’re disturbed and afraid.”
“I’m not afraid.”
She actually stopped for a moment to give me a look. “It’s amusing how people conveniently forget I’m a psychic.”
“I’m not scared for myself but for you and others.”
“You have feelings for one of the others you just mentioned. Is it Shara?”
I decided I didn’t like psychics.
“She’ll come with us, you know. She’s enthusiastic about going to Ovira.”
“You’ve spoken with her?”
“Effie has, and I trust her.” Charlotte finished packing her last bag, threw it on the bed, then grabbed my hands. “Neeko, come with me. We can get Shara on the way out. I’ll disable anyone who tries to stop us.”
An urge came over me to agree. It felt painful to resist, like denying myself a drink of water from a glass just in front of me.
“Think of what it would mean to bring pyforial energy to an entire civilization. We’ll use it carefully, magnanimously. You’ll do more good in a year there than you could your whole life here. Everyone in this castle is against you. The rumors—hardly anyone believes they’re true, but they’re too scared to gainsay whoever is the creator. You’ll always be in danger here, but you’ll be safe with us.”
I could feel my mind twisting to her will. She had such a grip on me, I felt like a puppet. I tried to focus on my reasons for staying, but they felt frivolous now. Why should I care about Swenn? Why should I care about the war?
Then I remembered my aunt. She could be dead or at least without a home because of the enemy troops burning our cities. Not caring about Swenn—what a ridiculous thought. For him to live after everything he’d done…and not just live; he was the king’s master of coin. He had money, servants, power, everything he’d always wanted. Well, all I wanted was justice, and I would get it.