Agnith's Promise: The Vildecaz Talents, Book 3 Read online

  It took several heartbeats for Merinex to say, “I concur, but it is a last resort. With what Hoftstan endured – all the blood says he lived through most of the cutting. The niedaj may not be able to tell you anything.”

  “It isn’t what I would prefer, either, but then, I would rather Hoftstan Ruch weren’t dead.” Zhanf scowled down at his own foot and steadied himself. “I think it might be best if I summon him alone. Two magicians working on this together might not have the results we would want.”

  Merinex looked deeply relieved. “I defer to you, Magsto Atoreon.”

  The use of his full title commanded Zhanf’s attention. He paused before he said, “I’ll inform you of what transpires.”

  Merinex respected Zhanf, then added a respect to the stair on which Hoftstan’s head sat. “The carnage is great. I hope, with your well-trained talents, that you can still call up his niedaj, for given this death, it will fade quickly and a ghost take its place. I am grateful to you for doing this. I, having known him for so long, might not be able to witness what his niedaj reveals.”

  “So I believe,” Zhanf said

  “I’ll leave you to it, and hope for the best,” Merinex said, an odd smirk on his lips. He snickered nervously, his glance flicking about the room, avoiding Zhanf’s eyes. “Thanks to Analahor, the Inspirational.” He made a small, nervous respect, then departed.

  As he watched Merinex descend the stairs, the wide skirts of his gaihups held high and tight to his body so that no hint of blood would touch him. “Fastidious, isn’t he?” he murmured to the air, reflecting that his own gaihups would have to be ritually burned when he had completed the summoning.

  “How much longer will you remain here?” Merinex spoke up from the lower room in the North Tower.

  “A half-hour should be sufficient to learn if the niedaj can tell me anything. Then I’ll speak to his wife.” Both prospects left Zhanf feeling a bit queasy. “She’s already been sent for. You needn’t bother with finding her.”

  “She’s in Valdihovee. She won’t be here for at least an hour,” said Merinex, adding, “She may know why he came here, and when.”

  “That had occurred to me, as well,” said Zhanf.

  “Then I’ll leave you to your magic,” said Merinex.

  Suddenly Pareo burst out, “I can’t stay here! Let me go with Heijot Merinex.”

  Zhanf shook his head, thinking how cowardly Pareo was. “If you must go, then go.” He would be glad to be rid of that officious poltroon.

  “My respect and thanks to you,” Pareo cried, and fled.

  With a gesture of resignation, Zhanf listened as the two men departed. He could hear the rumble of hushed phrases but none of the words reached him. When even that had faded, he reached into his sleeve and drew out his small case of spell-casting supplies. He selected the vial of ympara-oil and a small envelope filled with salt from Zjin-Fah. He set these on the least bloody part of the floor and then stood back, beginning to make the ritual gestures to begin a summoning-spell. Next he poured out three drops of the ympara-oil, then took a pinch of the salt and blew it into the air, then began the spoken conjuration, speaking each word distinctly. When that had been done, he spoke Hoftstan Ruch’s name aloud three times, then waited, and said his name again. A smoke-like darkness coalesced in the air, not quite a recognizable shape, but sufficient for Zhanf to proceed with the rite. He saw the niedaj start to manifest, taking on a filmy substance that was more human than before. But even as the body assumed the appearance and attributes of Hoftstan Ruch, the semi-transparent body flew apart, legs and arms pointing in the same directions as those of the corpse, and an agonized shriek filled the arming-room, the sound worse and more penetrating than the scream of metal dragged over rough stone.

  Zhanf hastily made the gestures to banish the niedaj, and went weak as the last wisps of the niedaj faded into nothingness. He stood still for some time, and then began the ritual to protect the room from magical interference, reminding himself that the summoning of the niedaj of someone who had been murdered rarely conveyed anything useful to the summoner. It was no consolation to Zhanf, who now turned his thoughts to what he would tell Lumiren Koriat when he had to inform her that he could not determine how she had become a widow.

  2. Complications

  “How much farther north do we have to go?” Doms asked Ninianee as they reached the stockade around the town of Jampersi-Ayo. The thick, upended-log fortifications blocked any view of the famous and busy crossroads market, but there were steep slated roofs visible above the logs that surrounded it. The snow was not as high here as it had been on the Boarthine Plateau, but it still came up to the ponies’ knees where the spells of the weather-witches hadn’t reached to lower it. Here at the walls of the town there was only a hands-breadth of snow to contend with, and although the wind still bit with icy teeth, the worst of the cold was absent.

  “I don’t know,” she replied. “To the Crown of Ayo, if necessary,” she said, thinking of the northernmost island at the northern edge of Theninzalk. Little as she wanted to admit it, she was tired. Her eyes ached and the small of her back protested with Jenshaz’s every move. In the five days since they left Gnocarnaz, they had made good progress, but their efforts were catching up with them and their animals. She longed for a good meal and a soft bed.

  “You wouldn’t mind spending a few days here, would you?” Doms called to her.

  “I don’t want our ponies and mules dropping on the trail.”

  She knew better than he that their animals were flagging for she had heard their thoughts, and so she resisted the impulse to argue with him, and said, “I think that’s a fine idea. They’re more exhausted than we are. They’ve had a hard journey and have earned some rest. They need a chance to recover from what they’ve done.”

  “True enough,” said Doms as he pushed toward the main gate to the town, a wooden structure under the most significant wooden battlements of any on the walls. He, too, was feeling the pace and welcomed a respite. “The guard of Jampersi-Ayo!”

  “Yes?” came the answer from above them. “Who calls us?”

  “We are travelers bound to the north on the Ayo Road. We ask admittance for a few days.” Doms gestured to their ponies and mules. “We are in need of supplies and will buy them inside your gates if you will admit us.” He knew that the promise of payment always opened the doors of market-towns.

  “From where do you come?” the guard demanded.

  Tempted as he was to answer that they came from the Boarthine Plateau, Doms answered, “I am from the Drowned World. My companion is from Vildecaz.” He was surprised by the question – three years ago when he came here the last time, the guard hadn’t bothered to ask for such information.

  “There is a fee to enter – a tax,” the guard informed them.

  Doms looked up in surprise. “There wasn’t one the last time I came here.” Before the guard could say anything Doms said to Ninianee, “As remote as this town is, half the Great World passes through it. I suppose this is a winter tax on foreigners.”

  “Winter tax or not, we’ll probably have to pay it,” she responded.

  “If we want a few days of rest, we must.” Doms reached for his wallet. “Tell me the price,” he called to the guard.

  “Very well,” the guard called back. “Fifty gaylings apiece to enter.”

  This, too, was new. Doms glanced back at Ninianee. “Fifty gaylings apiece to get through the gate. What do you think?”

  Ninianee thought this was outrageous, but she was aware that the guards could demand almost any price and be confident of getting it at this time of year. “I think we’re worn out and cold, and fifty gaylings is a small enough toll to pay for warmth and rest.” She shrugged. “I have enough to pay them, and the innkeeper, and the cook. You needn’t spend a single coin.”

  “We will pay,” Doms told the guard, and added to Ninianee,”I will pay my share.”

  There was a buzz of hastily exchanged words from the guard�
��s platform, followed by a sharp expletive. Then, “And ten for each animal!” The guard sounded pleased with himself. “It’s half a day’s ride to the nearest village, and there they will charge more to admit you.”

  “Shall we say two damzejes for all?” It was a generous offer, and one Doms knew the guard would accept.

  “Done!” The guard leaned down and shouted, “Open the gates to these travelers.” An instant later, the first groan of the huge hinges cut through the clear winter air.

  Ninianee tugged on Danliree’s lead and tapped Jenshaz’s sides with her heels. For once, both animals moved forward without protest, sensing that this time they would be rewarded for their exertions.

  “Let me go through first. I have the damzejes to hand. You can pay me your half later, if you insist.” Doms kept his pony in the lead, a frown settling on his face that had nothing to do with the bright glare of the sun. He passed though the gates and drew up in front of an officer of the guard, who stood at the edge of the market-square, an imposing halberd in his hand. Doms reached into the wallet that hung from his belt and pulled out the damzejes. “For my companion and our animals, for three nights in this town.”

  “Accepted,” said the officer, slipping the golden coins into a large sealed jar. “Do you have an inn you would like to try, or shall I recommend one? Half of them are closed for the winter, but there are still several excellent hostelries available.” He gestured to the cluster of tents that were the market-stalls of winter. “There are fine accommodations for merchants beyond the market.”

  “We will find an inn that suits us,” said Doms, gesturing to Ninianee to follow him as he set off through the tents and down the long avenue that cut straight – southeast to northwest – through the rows of wooden houses that marked the center of Jampersi-Ayo, The avenue ended not at another gate, but at the edge of a cliff where a wooden structure extended over the gorge. “Those who deal unfairly are shoved off the platform there, into the river below, or so they claim. I’ve never seen it happen, but everyone says it does, from time to time,” he explained to Ninianee as they went down the street.

  “What is that stone building on the far side of the canyon?” Ninianee asked, staring along the line he was pointing.

  Doms squinted. “I don’t know. I don’t remember seeing it before,” he said thoughtfully.

  “It doesn’t look new,” she remarked.

  “No, it doesn’t,” he agreed, then took stock of how far they had come along the avenue, attempting to decide where it would be best to look for their accommodations. “Let’s try the next street over.”

  Ninianee continued to stare at the distant stone building. “It’s pretty large, don’t you think?”

  “It’s imposing,” he agreed and started his pony moving; Ninianee followed after him.

  “I don’t like the look of it,” she said distantly. “Don’t you think it’s prison-like?”

  Before he could answer he turned into a courtyard that fronted the main street. “This is The Ancient Song. It’s one of the better inns. I’ve stayed here before, some years back.” It had been more than a decade since he and his escort took rooms here, on his first visit to this town. He had been fifteen at the time, on his first serious journey, and Jampersi-Ayo had seemed excitingly remote. The second time he came here, a bit more than three years ago, he had been a traveling troubadour and juggler, and he had stayed in the tavern where he performed, at Jampersi-Ayo’s east gate. “It’s as comfortable a place as any in this town, and the landlord is a reliable fellow. Maybe he can tell us about that building on the other side of the gorge.” He looked around, noticing the heavy shutters on the windows and the new planks on the inn-yard door, suggesting the inn had had some harsh times after his last stay. “Let the ostlers have your pony and mule, Ninianee. They’ll tend to them well enough. I’ll arrange for rooms for us.” He made no attempt to help her dismount, knowing she would be slighted by such a gesture.

  “That would be welcome.” Ninianee felt a shudder pass through her as she swung out of the saddle, and she almost slipped as she put her right foot on the ground. She didn’t understand the cause, but she could feel Jenshaz stiffen, head coming up, ears half-back. Behind her Danliree bared her teeth, huffing her disapproval. Now that she was in this town, she wasn’t at all sure it was a safe place to be. She went to Danliree and took her small magical kit from the mule’s pack-saddle, removing a vial from it and dropping a little ympara-oil on the mule, then on her pony before she followed Doms into the reception room.

  The landlord who came to the reception-counter to greet them was a man not much older than Doms, already becoming portly, with jowls drooping from his chin. His face was impassive as he made his minimal respect. “The Ancient Song welcomes all peaceful travelers,” he said by rote.

  Doms looked around. “Where is Silaj Ozhadin?”

  The landlord coughed. “My uncle died almost three years ago. I am Amiroz Tuleraj and this is my inn now.”

  “My condolences on the loss of your uncle. I was most impressed with him when I stayed here some years back. He was the compleat innkeeper, from how he tended his guests to the quality of food and drink he served. I remember him with cordial regard.” Doms respected the landlord. “He made me and my entourage most comfortable.”

  “Entourage.” He looked Doms over critically, making no attempt to disguise his doubts of the newcomers. “Very good of you to remember him, I’m sure,” said Tuleraj, sounding indifferent. He waited, then asked, “How long a stay will you make? The town is very dull in winter.”

  “Three nights at most. If the weather remains good, we’ll leave after two nights,” said Doms.

  “‘We’ means the two of you?” Tuleraj saw Doms and Ninianee nod. “Who might you be?”

  “I am Doms Guyon, Yaolaj of the Drowned World. My companion is Ninianee, Duzeon of Vildecaz.”

  Tuleraj laughed out loud. “Of course you are – a Duzeon and a Yaolaj traveling alone with nothing more than a mule and a pony apiece. I’ve been at this game too long to believe you.” He laughed without merriment. “And you wonder why innkeepers become cynical – while you are the cause,” he said, making a gesture of scorn. “An honor to entertain such noble personages, I’m sure.” Sarcasm thickened his voice.

  “If that is your attitude, you needn’t bother with our custom,” said Doms, preparing to leave. “We’ll find another hostelry.”

  “Wait,” said Tuleraj, reconsidering his jeering. “If you claim you’re nobility, who am I to contradict you? High-born travelers often disguise themselves to keep from being robbed. But then, so do thieves.” He signaled Doms to come back to the counter. “I will order my best suite for you, Yaolaj. And you may pay me for it in advance.”

  “You think you won’t get paid otherwise?” Ninianee asked sharply.

  “It has happened before,” said Tuleraj with a hostile shrug. “Better to be paid ahead, just in case.”

  Doms reached into his wallet and drew out four damzejes. “Will this cover the price of the suite for three nights?” He dropped the gold coins one at a time onto the counter.

  Tuleraj’s eyes widened, and for the first time, he wondered if Doms’ outlandish claims might have some truth to them. He gathered his wits and said, “Meals would be extra.”

  “I have gaylings enough for meals, and for keep for our animals,” said Ninianee. She had spent almost half of the gaylings she had brought with her, and this was causing her some anxiety.

  “Then this is more than sufficient. I’ll even offer you a bushel of grain for your animals when you depart. In winter, you’ll need it.”

  Doms glanced at Ninianee. “Will that suit you, Duzeon? The best suite in the inn for us to share?”

  “Since you are my Official Suitor, Yaolaj, nothing else would suit me so well,” she said, sensing that this was not the time to disagree with him. She reminded herself that they had spent enough time together that their sleeping arrangements should no longer be an issue. Mo
re than that, she was sufficiently unnerved by this place that she didn’t want to be alone while they stayed here. She determined to keep this last to herself.

  “The bargain is struck,” said Tuleraj, pocketing the damzejes before Doms could change his mind. “This will pay for three nights in the best suite, with meals paid separately.”

  “And a bushel of grain when we leave,” Doms added.

  Tuleraj managed a sour smile. “And a bushel of grain when you leave. You’ll need something more for your animals, but we’ll arrange that later.” He produced a key and a spell-chain. “This will open the door to the suite. It’s up at the end of the corridor one flight up. On the left,” he added.

  “Is there a porter to bring up our cases from the stable?” Ninianee asked, her whole attention on the landlord.

  “There are two. They’ll attend to it in half an hour.” Tuleraj glared. “Dinner is the hour before sunset. You can arrange your meal for a later hour, for a minimal charge. If you want a meal in your suite, it’s four gaylings extra for breakfast, five for dinner.”

  “Tonight we’ll dine with the rest of the guests in the public dining room,” said Doms. “We want to hear the latest from the northern road, and we can’t do that alone in the suite.”

  “As you wish,” said Tuleraj, looking as if the gaylings had been snatched out of his hand.

  Ninianee accepted Doms’ respect as he stood aside to allow her to precede her up the stairs. As she climbed, she wondered what it was about this place that so unnerved her – nothing suggested itself. The walls were of good-quality wood somewhat darkened with age, the tapestries hanging in the upper corridor depicted the Six Founder Gods and Goddesses with their attributes. The place smelled clean enough, and there was no hint of residual spells in the air, although there was a kind of prickle from a source Ninianee couldn’t name. She stopped in front of the door the landlord had described while Doms worked the key and spell-chain, and the door clicked open, revealing a sitting room with a two chairs upholstered in drugh-ox wool, a square guest-table set with four oil-lamps, and an upholstered bench near the fireplace. A second room stood open on the far side of this chamber, a faint light glowing within it from an open shutter that let in the wan afternoon cloud-filtered sunshine.