Thia pushed her plate away from her. There was still some food left, but her hunger was sated. Wiping at the corner of her mouth with the cloth napkin, she tried to listen to the councilman as he droned on. He hadn’t said what he needed yet, just kept talking about circumstances and yields.
She folded the cloth neatly, laying it on the table, and tried to look interested in what was being said.
“So, you see, it’s hard for us to constantly pay taxes to the Crown. We think we’re current, and then another collector shows up with a new book.” The councilman looked at her and Jinaari. “We don’t want to avoid paying our share, Shield, but we don’t even know what that is anymore.”
Thia glanced at Jinaari, then back to the man. “What did you mean by another collector shows up with a new book?”
“New taxes sometimes require new people to collect,” Jinaari said under his breath. Shifting in his seat, his voice carried across the entire room. “Queen Agrana used an antiquated system set up by King Christos. The Scepter and I are certain that Queen Elizabeth would hear your concerns. She wants to make sure everyone pays what is due but doesn’t think levying new taxes every six months is in the best interest of anyone in Avoch. Harvest yields cannot be guaranteed each year, and we’d rather you feed your families here—have everything you need to care for each other—over having grain to the rafters in Cirrain.”
“While that’s great to hear, Shield, you must understand our hesitation.” The man played with the wide brimmed hat in his hands. “What assurance can you give us beyond your word?”
Thia scanned the room. Standing against a wall across from them were three people. The plain brown uniform, orange sash, and quarterstaffs they each carried told her who they were. “You there, in the back. You’re monks dedicated to Silas, are you not?”
Everyone turned in their seats to stare at the three. The one in the middle met Thia’s gaze, “We are, Daughter.” Her voice was even.
“How far is your monastery?”
“Not far from Tanisal. We’re tasked with keeping watch over the ruins.” The woman shifted. “We were unaware of the passage you and your companions used to enter. It has been sealed now.”
Thia nodded. “A worthy task, and I’m glad to hear that way is closed. You know the people of Solace, and the farms around it?”
“Yes.”
“The honesty of your Order is well known. If I gave you a task, would you do it?
The woman inclined her head. “Silas has commanded us to aid all, to make up for the corruption that once spread through his faithful. As long as it is not one that will cause these good people harm, we would do so. Know that, should you ask us to do them harm, we will refuse your request.”
Thia rose. “I would ask that you take a census. Write down how many shopkeepers, how many tradesmen, reside within Solace. Include all farmers who come in to do trade. I’m not interested in what their profits are. I have no doubt that the blacksmith has repaired a plow in exchange for bread, or a weaver traded cloth for milk. I want an accurate count of the people, including children, that rely on each other to live. How many merchants versus the farmers and ranchers. Make this list and bring it to us. The Shield,” she gestured to Jinaari, “and I will write a letter to the Crown. We will explain what has happened in the past, and recommend that only a single collector come, once a year, and any taxes levied be based on what the town can afford. Will you do this task?”
The monk nodded. “Aye, Scepter. We would see that as just and fair.”
Thia looked at the three council members sitting at the front of the assembled crowd. “Will the council abide by such an accounting and agree that we have treated this matter as best we can? The final decision will, of course, rest with the Crown. But we will encourage her to accept our solution.”
“Aye, Scepter, we can live with that.” Mistress Jala nodded her head.
“Good.” Thia glanced at Jinaari, trying to read his face. Was that pride in his eyes? Looking back at the crowd, she continued. “Anything else? It’s been a long day for us, and we’d like to rest if there’s not.”
“If you’re the Daughter of Keroys and not Lolc Aon, why’d I find this in my east pasture last night!” Bryant stormed through the crowd carrying a cloth wrapped bundle. Stopping in front of the table, he stared at her before looking at Jinaari. “She’s a fraud, Shield. I got proof.” He let go of the bottom of the bundle, letting the contents fall onto the remains of her meal.
The pale-yellow egg was translucent and larger than the plate. The soft shell reflected the light of the room, illuminating the inside. Thia stared at the shadowy form that moved within, trying to figure out what sort of creature it was. Bile rose in her throat as she made out the eight legs and segmented body. It was everything she could do not to try and swat at the ghostly touch above her head.
“I heard you went into Tanisal, Scepter,” Bryant’s voice dripped with disdain. “If you weren’t a follower of Lolc Aon, those things wouldn’t still be alive. Let alone coming out this far to infect our livestock.” He turned and looked at the people in the inn. “I had to burn ten cows today. Each one had at least two of these damn eggs inside it. The monks are watching, but they aren’t stopping them. Giant spiders are creatures of evil. No true follower of Keroys would’ve left a nest alive! Yet this Fallen witch let them be! And they’re coming after us, at her bidding! It’s not a coincidence she shows up and they wake up!”
“Stand back,” Jinaari muttered.
Thia took a step back while he stood. Drawing his sword, he plunged it into the spider embryo. The creature stopped moving. “That the nest is still there is not on the Scepter, Bryant. It was my decision to retreat.” His voice was low but carried across the suddenly silent room. “She wasn’t aware of her Mark. None of us were. If we’d tried to fight them, we’d have been killed. And so would’ve every other person in this town. However,” he continued, pulling the blade out, “we’ve already discussed taking care of the problem.” Picking up a napkin, he cleaned the blood and ichor off the weapon before sheathing it. “I invite you to come with us. That way, you can see what Thia’s capable of first hand, know that the problem’s resolved.”
Thia noticed the shift in Jinaari’s stance as he leaned forward and put his fists on the table in front of him. “That is,” he continued, “unless you’re willing to accept her authority here and now.”
Bryant’s eyes darted between her and Jinaari. She could see his emotions play across his face. Jinaari had trapped him and he knew it. If he didn’t go with them, he’d lose all credibility with the townsfolk. If he went, he’d have to fight something he’d always run from. “When do we leave?”
“First light. We won’t wait for you.”
“I’ll be here.”
Jinaari nodded, “Good. The Scepter, myself, and our companions are going to get our rest. Tomorrow will be a long one.”
Thia walked past him, threading her way through the crowd toward the staircase. Caelynn, Gnat, and Adam waited at the bottom. Gathering the front of her skirt, she ascended the steps to their rooms.
“Which one do you want to talk in,” she muttered under her breath.
“Yours,” Jinaari replied. “Adam’s spell is still in place there.”
She reached the floor and walked to the door on the right. Caelynn slid up next to her, the key in her hand. As soon as her friend opened the door, Thia walked into the room.
The tubs had been removed, but the fire had kept the room warm. Thia sat on her bed, crossing her legs in front of her beneath the folds of her skirt. Caelynn stayed by the door until the other three joined them.
Gnat looked at her, worried. “Why did Mean Man call Friend Thia names?”
“Because he doesn’t know me, Gnat,” she said, keeping her voice even. “Sometimes, people only see the color of my eyes and think they know who and what I am because of them. Bryant is one of those people.”
“Gnat keep Friend Thia safe from Mean Man!”
“I know you will,” she said with a smile. “So will Jinaari, Adam, and Caelynn.”
“Gnat, I’ve got a job for you.” Jinaari sat in a chair near her.
“How can Gnat help Nice Brother?”
“You get to hurt the mean man if he does anything to Thia you don’t like from now until we come back to this inn.”
Thia shot him a look. “That’s rather broad, isn’t it?”
“Maybe, but it’ll make it so they’re both occupied while we’re taking care of the nest.” He stretched his legs out in front of him. “We’ll need to have Bryant lead us to where he found the egg, make sure that colony’s dealt with first. I don’t want to kill one nest only to find another one’s snuck up behind us. It should be easy. Don’t show off, Thia, but don’t hold back either. Bryant needs to see what you’re capable of to believe it, but I don’t know that he should see the full range of your magic.”
“What about us?” Adam asked.
“You already know what to do, and when to do it. This time, though, don’t worry about getting Thia out.” Jinaari looked at her, “I don’t think you’ll run when you see them. Not now.”
She shook her head. “You know I won’t.”
“Good. You and I have a letter to write tonight, too.”
“Why tonight?”
“The monks won’t take more than a day to do the survey. That was brilliant, by the way. They’re known for their honesty. The citizens trust them or they’d never have come into town to begin with. Adding our letter to their census will make Elizabeth realize what’s been going on here. I doubt they’ll have the same issue again.”
Thia looked down for a moment. “I, ah, somewhat tuned out what he was saying for most of it. His voice was putting me to sleep.”
“That doesn’t matter. The solution was perfect and one they’ll abide by here. None of us want to find out later that we taxed a town into starvation.”
Thia rose and grabbed her pack. “I’ve got a kit Elizabeth gave me in here.”
“Don’t forget your signet.”
Pulling out the box, she nodded. “I put it in with the rest so I wouldn’t lose it.” She walked over to a small table next to Jinaari and put the box down before settling into the chair. Opening the lid, she removed a quill, ink jar, sealing wax, parchment, and the carved metal stamp.
“We’ll take Gnat over to the other room,” Adam said, “get him settled for the night. Normal watch rotation?”
Jinaari nodded. “Yes. Caelynn, I’ll have you start yours once we finish the letter.”
Thia turned in her seat and watched as the others left the room. “Do you think we need one here? Outside of Bryant, everyone’s been welcoming.”
“I’d rather set one and not need it over be surprised in the night.” He picked up a small chunk of golden yellow wax and placed it in the metal spoon. “Let me know when you’re done writing it and I’ll melt the wax.”
“I have to write it?” she stared at him. “Why not you?”
“It’s your idea. You’ll explain it better than I could.”
Uncapping the ink bottle, she dipped the pen into it as he rose. “Where are you going?”
“Rule number two. We already know the inn’s staff has been in since we last were, even with us locking the door.” He walked to the door.
Thia heard the bolt slide home. Turning around, she focused on the task he’d given her and began to write. The sharp quill scratched against the parchment. Jinaari sat back down in the chair opposite her. Signing her name, she looked up and held out the pen. “Your turn.”
Taking it, he scrawled his name next to hers.
“You’re not reading it first?”
“I trust you, Thia.” He put the quill down and held the spoon near enough to a candle for the wax to begin to melt. “We’ll use the signets on the outside.”
She sealed the ink before placing it back into the box, followed by the quill. Pulling out the shaker, she dusted the letter with sand before finding a length of blue ribbon. She took out her signet and placed it near the parchment. “Ready?”
“Almost.”
Thia folded the letter, wrapping the ribbon around the open edges. Using her fingers, she kept it in place while Jinaari poured the melted wax in the center. Quickly, they each stamped their seal into the rapidly cooling mass.
He leaned back, looking at her. “How are things with you?”
“They’re good,” she said as she put the last pieces of the kit back into the box. She secured the lid and picked it up as she rose. As she put it back into her pack, she gave him a sidelong look, “Why wouldn’t they be?”
“You’ll have to be around a jerk, for one. And I’m concerned you’re getting sick.”
Thia shook her head. “I’ve dealt with people like him my entire life, Jinaari. Changing his mind is part of what Keroys wants me to do. And,” she leveled a direct look at him, “I’m not getting sick. I’m a healer. I’d know it if I was and take the appropriate steps.”
He rose and walked toward her. “You’ve been tired and had a cough. I know what you’re capable of, Thia, but don’t ever think I won’t get concerned. I can’t keep them alive nearly as well as you can. If we need to stay somewhere for a few days, let you catch your breath, we will. None of us will see you as weak.”
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “But, if it makes you feel better, we can stay here for a few days once we deal with the spiders. Gnat’s home won’t disappear if we do.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” he said. Pointing to her bed, he walked toward the door. “Get some sleep. I’m going to push hard tomorrow so we can get this done and be back here before nightfall.”
“Are we that close to Tanisal?”
“No, but I don’t think where he found the egg is that far out. We’d get there, eradicate the nest, and rest up before heading back to the city. Deal with the nest we know about once we’re done with Bryant.”
“Why split it up? Why not go into Tanisal right away? We’d be closer than we are here.”
“We’ve got two unknowns with us. I’ve never seen Gnat fight, and I have even less confidence in the local we’re taking with us. He absolutely hates you for all the wrong reasons, Thia. I’m not letting him near you.” He unlatched the door and opened it. “I’m sending Caelynn over. Get some sleep.” He left, closing the door behind him.
She sat on the bed and rested her head in her hands for a moment. He’s right about one thing. I have been tired lately. That doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with me, though. Reaching for her bag, she pulled out a clean tunic that was big enough to sleep in and began to change.
The door opened and she turned her head as Caelynn walked in. “Good,” she said as she locked the door behind her.
“What’s good?” Thia asked as she folded her dress.
“You listened to Jinaari and are going to bed. He told me you were being stubborn about things.”
Thia snorted, “I’m not sick. I’m fine. I’d know it if anything was wrong. He’s worrying about nothing.” She finished packing away the dress and shoes. Placing her bag on the ground, she walked to the head of the bed. “I think we’ve all been tired. Sleeping on the side of the road for three weeks will do that.” Getting into the bed, she adjusted the blankets over her body.
“I know him, Thia. Jinaari anticipates every possible outcome. He always has. If he’s concerned about someone or something, it’s with reason.” Her voice was calm, but Thia heard the catch. “I’ve seen it, too. Something’s not right with you.” She sat on the other bed and looked at Thia.
“I’m not going to run off again, Caelynn,” she reassured the woman. “Yes, I’m tired. We’ve had a lot happen. I’m still adjusting to what it all means, the additional weight of the responsibilities. That’s all. I’m fine, really. I’ve got a better idea of who I am, who I want to be, than I did when I pulled the stunt back in Almair.” She sighed, feeling the weariness begin to overtake her. “You need sleep, too,” she said through a yawn.
Closing her eyes, Thia gave in to sleep.