After a long while, I summoned the energy to stand, pulling Gelsi with me. We found Gelsi’s clothes and I helped her into them. Before guiding her down to the living room to rest on a comfortable couch, I waved a hand out one of the second-story windows. Dax would be here soon.
“I will be expelled,” she whispered.
I shook my head. “You’ll be smothered with concern and understanding. And given all the time you need to recover.”
Once Dax arrived to take my place next to Gelsi, I went back up to the landing where I had left Leif. Reluctance pulled at my legs. It felt as if they had been pricked with Curare.
I didn’t have the strength to untie his twisted thoughts. My promise to Moon Man would have to wait a while longer. I drew Leif into a lighter sleep so he would rouse after I left. Ferde’s last comment had made me realize that I still had some unfinished business to attend to.
Dax had a protective arm around Gelsi when I went downstairs.
“I sent a message to Master Bloodgood. The Masters are on their way with a battalion of guards to take Ferde to the Keep’s prison,” Dax said.
“Then I better go. I’m supposed to be confined to my quarters.”
Dax shook his head. “Second Magician knows what you did.”
“All the more reason not to be here when they arrive.”
“But—”
I waved and hurried out the door, slinging my backpack over one shoulder. Since I had been expelled from the Keep’s program, I knew I would soon be kicked out of my rooms. I planned to be long gone before giving Roze the satisfaction of evicting me.
Fisk ran over to me when I crossed the courtyard.
“Did we help?” Fisk asked. “Is everything okay?”
“You did great.” I rummaged in my pack and handed Fisk all the Sitian coins I had. “Distribute these to your troops.”
He smiled and dashed away.
A bone-deep weariness settled on me as I made my way through the Citadel. My surroundings blurred and I walked in a daze. When I passed the Council Hall, the group of beggars, who always hovered near the steps, began to follow me.
“Sorry. I can’t help you today,” I called over my shoulder. The group returned to the Hall, but one persisted. I turned around. “I said—”
“Lovely lady, spare a copper?” the man asked.
Dirt streaked his face and his hair hung in greasy clumps. His clothes were torn and filthy, and he smelled like horse manure. But he couldn’t disguise those penetrating sapphire-blue eyes from me.
“Can’t you spare a copper for the man who just saved your life?” Valek asked.
“I’m broke. I had to pay off the distraction. Those kids don’t work cheap. What—”
“Unity fountain. A quarter hour.” Valek returned to the steps and joined the other beggars.
I continued toward the Keep, but once I was out of sight of the Council Hall, I took a side street and headed to the Unity Fountain. The jade sphere with its holes and other spheres nestled inside it shone in the sunlight. The water spray from the circle of waterspouts sparkled in the cool air. My relief from knowing that Valek was unharmed warred with my concern that he should be far away from the Citadel.
A quick movement in a shadow caught my attention. I wandered over to the dark recess of a doorway and joined Valek, embracing him for a fierce moment before pulling back.
“Thank you for helping me against Ferde,” I said. “Now go home before you get caught.”
Valek smiled. “And miss all the fun? No, love. I’m going with you on your errand.”
I could only produce a muted surprise. Valek and I didn’t have a mental connection like the one I’d had with Irys, yet he knew my thoughts, and, when I had needed his help, he had always been there.
“There’s no way I can convince you to go to Ixia?” My brief spurt of energy on seeing Valek safe faded.
“None.”
“All right. Although I reserve the right to say, ‘I told you so’ should you get captured.” I tried to say it in a stern tone, but my battered and tired soul was so filled with relief that Valek was coming with me that the words turned playful.
“Agreed.” Valek’s eyes lit up, anticipating the challenge.
34
VALEK AND I DECIDED ON the best course of action, and arranged to meet again at the edge of the Avibian Plains.
When I reached the Keep, I went straight to my rooms to pack. While I determined what to take along, someone knocked on my door. Out of habit I looked for my bow before realizing it had been destroyed by Leif. Instead, I grabbed my switchblade.
I relaxed a bit when I opened the door. Irys stood there, looking hesitant. Stepping back, I invited her in.
“I have some news,” Irys said. When I just stared at her, she continued, “Ferde has been taken to the Keep’s cells, and the Council has revoked your expulsion. They want you to stay so you can fully explore your magical abilities.”
“Who would teach me?”
Irys glanced at the ground. “It would be your choice.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Irys nodded and turned to go. Then stopped. “I’m sorry, Yelena. I had no trust in your abilities and yet you achieved what four Master Magicians could not.”
There was still a faint link between us, and I felt Irys’s uncertainty and her loss of confidence. She questioned her ability to handle future difficult situations. She felt her beliefs on what was needed to solve a problem had been proven wrong.
“In this situation, magic was not the solution,” I told her. “It w
as the lack of magic that allowed me to beat Ferde. And I couldn’t have done that without Valek.”
She considered my words for a moment and seemed to make a decision.
“I propose a partnership,” Irys said.
“A partnership?” I asked.
“I believe you no longer need a teacher, but a partner to help you discover just how strong a Soulfinder you are.”
I winced at the title. “Do you think I’m one?”
“I’ve suspected, but didn’t want to really believe it. An automatic response just like your cringe just now. And, it seems I need some guidance. I’ve found that the Sitian way is not always appropriate. Perhaps you could help me with that?”
“Are you sure you would want to learn the ‘rush into a situation and hope for the best’ method?”
“As long as you want to discover more about being a Soulfinder. Is it really against the Ethical Code? Perhaps the Code needs to be updated. And could you be considered a Master, or would you have to take the Master’s test first?”
“The Master test? I’ve heard some horror stories.” My throat began to tighten. I swallowed with some difficulty.
“Rumors, mostly. To discourage the students so that only those who feel confident in their abilities will be brave enough to ask to take the test.”
“And if they’re not strong enough?”
“They won’t succeed, but they’ll learn the full extent of their powers. This is better than being surprised later.”
Irys fell silent. I felt her mind reaching toward mine. Do we have a deal? she asked in my mind.
I’ll think about it. A lot has happened.
So it has, she agreed. Let me know when you’re ready. Irys left my rooms.
I closed the door. My mind shuffled through the possibility of exploring my powers versus the risk of being condemned as a Soulfinder. Despite having to worry about poison in the Commander’s food, I began to think life in Ixia had been easier. After my errand, as Valek so casually called it, I had some choices on where to go next. Nice to have choices. Again.