Jinaari hung back as the rest of the group dismounted in the covered area. “Adam,” he said, keeping his voice low, “take everyone upstairs. Make sure Caelynn gets Thia into something dry, then take Gnat into their room. I’ll join you shortly.”
“What are you going to do?” Adam asked.
He swung off the horse and glanced at Bryant. “I’m going to do what I do best. Be a menacing presence while he confesses to the council. I want to make sure he tells them everything and hear anything new. They may ask him questions we didn’t think of.” He pulled off his helm and handed it to the stable boy. “Take this and my shield to my room, please.”
Adam nodded. “I’ll tell Caelynn,” he said as he glanced over his shoulder. The two women were walking toward the inn, Gnat trailing behind them. “But you know Thia. She’ll probably tell her she’s fine.”
“She’s not. That’s the problem.”
The blonde man looked at him, concern in his voice. “What makes you say that?”
Jinaari shrugged. “A feeling I have, that’s all.” He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. “It’s probably nothing. The weather’s bad and none of us want to be stuck here for a month.” Walking over to Bryant, he pointed to the door leading to the inn. “You and I are going to sit down and wait for the council to arrive. You’ll tell them everything you told us and answer any question they ask you. Got it?”
The other man nodded. “I understand, Shield. I’ll accept any punishment given to me.” The bravado he’d shown before had left.
Jinaari waited until Adam and the rest disappeared through the door before pushing Bryant forward. I don’t need Thia hearing this. What happened in Byd Cudd still haunts her, and finding out someone is out there, spreading lies, shook her. I saw it in her face. Adam knows something about this stranger, too. I need to know what.
He followed Bryant into the inn, glad for the warmth of the common room. Mistress Jala stood behind the bar, watching them. “Would you ask the rest of the council to join us?” he asked, keeping his tone neutral. “We’ll wait over there,” he said as he pointed to a small table near the fireplace.
Jinaari sat in a chair where he could see the staircase. Bryant sat across from him; his shoulders slumped in defeat. Whatever happens is up to the council. He brought a monster into their midst. Eventually, it would’ve outgrown the hill and gotten so big he couldn’t keep it fed. Solace would’ve been under a web at that point; its citizens cocooned for meals. And for what? Revenge because some woman didn’t want him?
“Shield, please tell her I’m sorry.”
He glanced at the other man. “Who?” Say her name. Use one of her titles. Something to acknowledge who and what she is.
Bryant pointed over his shoulder to the stairs. “The Scepter,” he said in a tired voice. “I didn’t think she was real, even with what the man told me. I don’t think she’s what he thought she’d be. Not now.”
A barmaid brought over a couple of mugs of ale, placing them in the center of the table. “Mistress Jala sent Robert out to fetch Masters Pipyr and Cormac,” she said, stepping back. “Let me know if you needed anything to eat. They’ll be here soon, but we’ve got some stew if you’re hungry.”
“That would be good. Thank you,” Jinaari said. Deliberately, he removed the steel gauntlets he wore and placed them in front of him. The table was close enough to the fire that he felt the warmth. “How long do storms like this one last around here?”
Bryant coughed. Briefly, he met Jinaari’s gaze before looking down again. “A day or two, usually. It should be clear tomorrow. Will you still go into Tanisal?”
“We can’t leave the nest there. The monks will keep them contained, yes, but they should be taken care of. The city needs to be cleansed of several things.”
“Like what?”
Jinaari leaned back, studying the man across from him. “You should know. You were there about the same time we were.”
Bryant played with the mug in front of him, turning it in his hands. “You took care of the Forsaken, though. The cloud left.”
“Yes, it did,” Jinaari said. “But there were more than giant spiders in the ruins.” I’m not volunteering the graveyard of undead Thia blasted apart, or the pit of scorpions. If he didn’t see it, he wouldn’t believe it. Knowing Caelynn, there’s probably songs out in Avoch already about those things.
“Shield,” a man’s voice said.
Rising, Jinaari saw the three council members approach them. “Thank you for coming. Please,” he gestured to the empty chairs, “Bryant has something to tell you.” Sitting back down, he stared at the man. “Go. All of it.”
A bowl of stew appeared in front of him. Dipping his spoon into it, he listened as Bryant confessed his involvement to the other three.
“How did you feed it?” the dark-haired man, Cormac, asked.
“Sick cows I had, ones that wouldn’t give milk. At first, anyway. It kept growing so I had to get creative.”
Jinaari put his spoon down. “Creative?”
Bryant swallowed. “A family of Fallen showed up at my home one night. They claimed they were escaping Byd Cudd, that they now were some other race. I took them in, waited until they were asleep, then I tied them up. There were five of them, if you count the children.”
“You fed it Thahion? You lied to them, offered them hospitality, then let that monster eat them?” Jinaari couldn’t keep the disgust out of his voice.
“They were Fallen!” Bryant insisted. “I don’t know what you called them—”
“Thahion.”
“Whatever. Nobody was going to miss them.”
“You’re wrong,” Jinaari said, his voice deathly quiet. “The Thahion are coming to the surface to rejoin Avoch. They’re not inherently evil. They’re trying to find their way in this world, and the Crown backs this effort. As does Almair and anyone with a sense of decency.” He rose, slamming his palms down on the table. Bryant jumped at the force, but Jinaari kept his gaze locked on him. “You committed murder, Bryant. I said your fate was up to the council, and I’m a man of my word. But I won’t hesitate if they ask me to be your executioner.”
“We’re a peaceful town, Shield,” Cormac coughed. “I don’t know that we’d be entirely comfortable sleeping at night if we did that.”
“Aye,” Mistress Jala said. “In the past, lands and property would be forfeit and the person banished from Solace.”
Jinaari straightened. “Then you leave him to his fate. I’ll abide by your decision, no matter what it is, in regards to Solace. Know this, Bryant,” he said as he picked up his gauntlets. “If I hear of you doing anything malicious to another Thahion, harming one in anything but verifiable self-defense, I will come for you. Avoch isn’t big enough for you to hide from me forever.” Without another word, he walked across the room and began to ascend the stairs.
I’ll have to tell them what he did. They’ve already got questions, and it’ll save time if I do have to kill him later. He wasn’t sure how Thia would take it, though. I don’t know what’s wrong. It could be stress from all the pressure she’s under. She barely accepted being Marked, and then the Scepter landed in her lap. She’s handling it well, but something’s not right with her.
As he turned down the hallway, he caught sight of Adam’s red cloak disappearing into Thia and Caelynn’s room. Good. He wouldn’t have to get everyone together. He reached the door, knocking lightly on the wood. “It’s me,” he said.
The door swung open. Adam stepped aside, giving him room to enter. Gnat sat on the floor, near the fire. Caelynn and Thia were on the beds. All of them looked at him expectantly.
“What happened?” Thia asked.
Placing his gauntlets down on a small table, he walked across the room and sat in a chair with a sigh. “I’m not sure. The council was debating his punishment when I left. Normal for them is seizing property and throwing them out of town. Bryant, though . . .” he paused, “I may need to carry out their decision tomorrow.”
“They’d have him executed? Why?” Caelynn asked.
Jinaari glanced at Thia. “He’d been feeding it some of his cattle. Not long ago, however, a family of Thahion came by his home. He took them in, offered them a place to sleep.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “While they slept, he tied them up. They were taken to the spider after that.”
“A family?” Thia stared at him, horrified. “He fed the spider a family?”
He nodded. “Yes. Including the children.”
“Shit,” Adam said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Exactly. I gave my word that I’d abide by the council’s decision. And I will. But I also promised him that I’d hunt him down if I ever heard of him harming another Thahion in anything but verifiable self-defense.”
Thia shook her head slowly; he could see the shock on her face. “I know you think we can change the way they’re seen without violence, Thia, but not everyone will be that easy. Elizabeth, Tomil, and I all know there’s going to have to be some messy examples made.”
“I know,” she said. Sitting up straighter, she let out a breath. “In cases like this, I’d agree. His arrogance evaporated once we defeated the spider, but I wonder if it was more because he knew he’d be banished over executed.”
“It’s possible,” Jinaari shrugged. “He certainly got a shock when I told him I’d hunt him down.”
“You’re still in your armor,” Adam said. “That leaves an impression. So does your reputation.”
“Adam?” Thia asked.
“Yes?”
“What do you know about the stranger Bryant mentioned? The one with the odd colored eyes?” Jinaari looked at his friend, waiting.
The warlock shifted in his seat, leaning forward. “There’s a sect of warlocks, ones that choose to pursue a path of dark knowledge. It leaves a mark on them. Not like yours, Thia,” he leaned back, “but it changes their eyes because they see the world so differently than the rest of us.”
“What sort of knowledge?” Jinaari asked.
“No learning is forbidden in Helmshouse. Primarily because so few of us leave once we’re fully trained. Those who study death; how to prolong life, prevent death, or even steal the essence of life from another can be great to debate with, learn from.”
“You’re talking about death mages, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” The blonde man let out a sigh. “Back before the insurrection, there were more of them that moved in the world. They began to charge a high price for their services, one that most couldn’t afford to pay. Those that could, eventually, turned against them. Instead of being celebrated, the mages were hunted. Few study death now; even fewer leave Helmshouse. The last one I know of left about the same time I began my studies.”
“When was that?” Thia asked.
Jinaari caught a quick look between Adam and Caelynn. “Some time ago, Thia,” Adam said. “I’m older than I look. If I told you I remember what Tanisal looked like before Nannan destroyed it, would you believe me?”
Thia’s eyes grew wide and she glanced at Jinaari in shock. He nodded once. “It’s true. Is that a problem for you?”
Recovering, she shook her head. “No,” she said. “You’re still family.” A small smile appeared on her face. “Is this one of those skeletons you warned me about before I confronted Samil?”
Adam grinned. “Yes. You’ll hear them all, I promise. But I need to spread them out so you don’t get bored.” He rested his hands on his knees. “Dealing with death, siphoning off the memories and knowledge of those who have just died, changes a person. Notably, their eyes. The coloring shifts, bleeds out from the iris. Most will be mistaken for being blind. A mage that’s lived long enough for the color to appear in what is the whites of the eyes for you and me is extremely rare. They’ve been around for more centuries than I’d like to contemplate, gained knowledge that most everyone in the world would kill for. If that’s who this was, he’s been in hiding for a very long time.”
“Why would he have any knowledge about me, though?” Thia asked. “Bryant was in Tanisal around the time we were, then encountered this mage. I didn’t know I was Marked yet, let alone it becoming common knowledge in Avoch.”
“He didn’t know it was you, Thia,” Jinaari pointed out. “All Bryant said is that someone would be Marked. As far as he knew, it could’ve been Samil the death mage was referring to.”
Caelynn looked at him. “Did Bryant give you a name, Jinaari?”
“No. Even if the mage said it, I don’t think Bryant would remember. He’s been raising a spider, nursing a hatred. He had no idea we’d even come this way.” His mind drew back from what would’ve happened if they’d chosen a different road south. “Rain or not, we leave tomorrow. We’ll go to the monastery, spend the night. Take care of the nest in Tanisal once and for all.”
“Gnat not go home?” Gnat asked, his voice breaking.
Jinaari looked at him. “We’ll get you home, Gnat. I promise. This won’t take long.”
The cobalus’s face lit up. “Gnat go home!”
Rising, he looked at each of them. “Caelynn, can you see if we can get some food brought up here? I’d like us to stay in our rooms over being seen downstairs. We eat, get some sleep. Tomorrow isn’t the problem, but I’m not sure what all has moved into the ruins. We need to be rested and ready for whatever’s there.”
The bard rose. “I’ll go back down later and play a few songs. I can listen in on conversations, see if there’s a rumor we need to know.”
“Good idea. Thia,” he looked at her, “give her the letter for Elizabeth. That way, the monks can get on the road to Cirrain faster.”
She rose and picked it up. Handing it to Caelynn, she looked at him. “What about what you and I talked about earlier?”
“Is something wrong?” Adam asked.
“Caelynn, take Gnat to help with the trays.” Jinaari waited as the pink-haired woman led Gnat from the room. When the door was closed, he looked at Adam. “I’ve had a feeling that something’s not right for a while now.”
He nodded. “You said so downstairs.”
“Thia thought it might’ve been the influence from Gnat’s crystal, but I don’t think so. If it was, the feeling would’ve left me as soon as you transported him and Amara away. Samil had my armor for a while, and Alesso gave me my sword back. Or, at least, I think it was him. It could’ve been another illusion. Her theory is that Samil placed the same sort of spell on my gear as he did to Spoone.”
Adam looked at him, his brow creased in thought. “It’s possible. I can look, but I want your word on something first.”
“What?”
“Gnat clawed the hell out of me because of the influence he was under. I know your strength, old man. I won’t be able to do this if you throw me across the room.”
Jinaari nodded once. “I understand. Thia?” He turned and looked at her. “Is there any way you can restrain me?”
“Yes,” she said. “It’ll work better if you’re sitting. You’re too tall for me to do it otherwise.” She pulled a chair into the center of the room. “Adam? What do you need from him or me?”
“Sit and put your sword across your lap.” Jinaari did as Adam instructed. “Where’s your gauntlets and helm?”
“Helm is probably in our room, with my other gear. Gauntlets are on the table over there,” he pointed to where he’d placed them earlier.
“I’ll get the helm,” Adam said as he walked to the door. “I’d hate to not have it if it’s where the spell is centered.” He left, closing the door behind him.
Thia walked over and got his gauntlets. “Here,” she said, holding them out to him as she came back.
“How are things with you?” Jinaari asked.
“I can’t believe he’d do that,” she said. “To feed them to that spider . . . do you think any were still alive when I burned the nest?”
“Don’t go there,” he said. “I’ve seen what the venom does to people, Thia. Even if they were alive, you couldn’t have saved them. No amount of healing could purge that much poison.” She opened her mouth to protest, and he grabbed her hand. “I know what you’re capable of. Even if they were breathing, their souls were gone. I’m not even sure Garret or Keroys could’ve saved them.”
“Did you really threaten to hunt him down?”
He met her gaze. “I don’t threaten people, Thia. I make promises I intend to keep. You know this.”
The door opened again, and Jinaari looked past her. Adam came in, closing it behind him. “Found it,” he said as he held up the helm.
“Good. Want me to wear it?” Jinaari asked.
“No,” the other man said as he walked closer. “I’ll put it down here, between your feet. It’ll be close enough for me to work into the spell.”
“Where do you want me?” Thia asked.
“Someplace close enough to do what you need to do. Just . . . don’t move once I get started. It may take a few minutes if you want to grab a chair and sit down.”
Jinaari pulled on his gauntlets, then drew his sword and laid the blade across his lap as Thia moved a chair closer to him. “Is this okay?” she asked from beside him. “I’ll sit as soon as I’m done.”
Adam said, “It’s fine. Oh, one more thing,” he smiled. “You just need to keep him from standing up, swinging his arms, that sort of thing. I’d like him to be able to respond if I have a question. Breathing is good, too.”
A strange sensation came over Jinaari’s body. Every muscle and tendon felt weighed down. “Try moving something,” Thia said.
Jinaari tried to shift his hands and feet, but they wouldn’t respond. “I can’t.”
“Are you in pain at all?”
“No,” he said. “I just can’t move.”
Adam walked in front of him. “Good. I’m going to start now.” A red glow came from his staff and settled over Jinaari’s body.
His skin warmed considerably, and he resisted the urge to pant. His heart began to race. “Am I supposed to get this hot?”
“I’m not sure,” Adam replied. “I’ve done this on inanimate objects before. If it gets too much, let me know and I’ll stop.”
Jinaari felt a bead of sweat begin to trickle down his face. “I can handle it. Keep going.”
“And you say I’m stubborn,” Thia said.
“You are,” he said, teasing her.
“Don’t talk,” Adam said, his voice insistent. “I may have found something.”
A wave of disgust rose in Jinaari. All the feelings of betrayal and anger he’d felt when Adam confessed he’d been sent to kill Thia crashed over him in waves. He clenched his jaw, biting back the words he knew he’d regret saying. “Hurry up,” he growled.
“What’s wrong?” Thia asked.
Jinaari squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated on his breathing. The anger within him was irrational; he knew that. I can’t answer her. I have to keep this under control. It’s not me. “Hurry up,” he repeated.
“I found it. I’ve almost got it. There!” Adam said, a note of triumph in his voice.
The corrosive anger disappeared. Jinaari opened his eyes. His heart was beating normally, and his breathing was even. “All good?”
“Yes. Thia, you can release him now.” Adam said.
Jinaari felt his muscles relax as she dropped the spell. “Where was it?” he asked. Someone knocked at the door, and they all turned toward the sound.
“I’ll get it,” Thia said as she rose.
“It wasn’t one place, not like it was with Spoone.” Adam explained as they watched Caelynn and Gnat come in with trays of food. “Think of it as a bunch of threads woven into the joints and straps of the armor.”
“Is that why I got so warm?”
“I believe so. I had to find each one, and they didn’t want me to play with them.” The blonde man looked at him, a frown on his face. “What did you feel when I got started?”
“Anger, for the most part. I remembered when you told me your orders regarding Thia, and the betrayal I felt. It’s a good thing she had me locked down. I was tempted to say or do things I would’ve regretted.”
“Would’ve regretted? If you’re not sure I told you everything . . .” Adam’s voice trailed off.
Jinaari looked at his friend. “I trust you. Not because I have to, but because you’ve earned it a hundred times over.” He glanced over where Thia was helping Caelynn and Gnat move the food off the trays. “Standard rotation tonight, with whoever’s on watch in here with her.”
“You’re still feeling like something’s wrong, aren’t you?”
He shook his head. “It’s not that. Bryant knows where we sleep, and I don’t trust him.”