Thia took a deep breath and forced herself to sit straighter in her saddle. Mishar rode ahead of them. “I understand now,” she whispered to Jinaari.
“Understand what?”
“Why you always avoided court. Tomil and Elizabeth make it look so easy. The scrutiny . . . it makes me wonder what people are finding wrong with me.”
Jinaari nodded. “There’s that, yes. Court of any kind will attract people who want to find fault with those in charge. They look for some sort of weakness they can exploit, or even a new type of fabric. Your gray dress, for example.”
She started and looked at him. “What about it?”
His head moved, eyes looking into the forest that all but surrounded them. “The design is something no one’s seen before. I have no doubt you’ll see versions of it all over Almair when we go back home.”
“That’s ridiculous. Keroys gave it to me, so the world can see my Mark. Why would anyone want to copy it?”
He smiled at her. “Because it’s different, unique. And worn by one of the most powerful and influential women in Avoch. What you, Elizabeth, and Amara wear will decide what the rest of the nobility will want from dressmakers.”
“But not you or Tomil? You both have as much influence and power as we do.”
“We’re not nearly as good looking, though,” he said. “Fashion is the world of women, not men. We’re supposed to stand there, look good, but not outshine the woman we’re escorting. Tomil’s got his military uniform, I’ve got this,” he tapped his fist against his breastplate, “and that blasted circlet buried in my bag. I could wear almost anything, as long as it was clean and not ripped to shreds.”
Thia sighed, glancing at the monks that lined the road. As they passed, each one snapped to attention; the ends of their quarterstaffs came up and formed a solid line. The precision left her in awe. The sash circling their waists varied in intensity. Some were bright orange, while others were a darker, more subdued shade. “Do you know why the sashes are different?” she asked Jinaari. “They’re all orange, but different shades.”
“It’s our way of showing where we are in the training, and which discipline Silas has assigned us,” Mishar said from in front of them. “The Grandmaster is the only one allowed to tell outsiders of the designations, though I would not be surprised if you learned some of it on your own. You and your friends are known to puzzle things out, Daughter.”
“We do our best,” she said. Looking ahead, she saw a single figure standing in the center of the massive gate. “Is that the Grandmaster?”
Mishar stopped his horse, and she followed suit. As their guide dismounted, Thia glanced at Jinaari. He nodded once before doing the same. She got down and held onto the saddle horn while her legs found their footing. Five children ran up and took the reins of their horses, leading them away. Moving closer to Jinaari, she saw he’d buckled his shield onto his arm. “Do I need to have the scepter in my arms?” she asked, her voice low.
“No. It’s visible where it’s at. Mine’s harder to see when it’s on my back. Besides,” he threw her a quick grin, “I doubt there’s anyone left in Avoch who would see your face and not know who you were. Your reputation’s grown.”
They fell into step behind Mishar as he walked toward the Grandmaster. Raising her head, she looked at their host. Their head was shaved, and the face was serene. Their hands were hidden within the arms of the pristine white robe. A wide sash in varying shades of orange wrapped around their waist, secured with a single band of deep amber. They bowed as she approached.
“Welcome, Daughter and Scepter. Welcome, Shield,” the Grandmaster’s voice was lyrical, washing over Thia and encouraging her to relax. “Silas stands with his siblings and bid me to welcome you to his Temple.”
“We thank him for the shelter and company given to us this day. May he continue to bless you and all who answer his call,” Thia said. “How may we address you?”
“I am the Grandmaster. No other name is necessary.” They stepped forward and held out their hands. Thia took one, and Jinaari the other. “Silas sees our soul, not the physical form. I am not male or female as you would know the terms. Rather, a union of both. This confuses some, but I hope your own experiences will allow you to see past such limitations.”
“Of course, Grandmaster.” Thia let go of their hand.
“Come.” Grandmaster clapped their hands together once. Around them, the monks snapped to attention in a single motion. “Rooms are prepared for you all, including the cobalus. Your gear will be delivered once your horses are tended to. On the way, I will show you around our Temple. It’s not nearly as grand as the palaces you’re used to, but it is home for us.”
“We’ve slept on the ground more than in a palace,” Thia said as she fell into step with their host. “Our home in Almair is above an inn.”
“Thia’s right,” Jinaari added. “We have tasks we’re commanded to do, and that usually involves a fair amount of travel.”
“Where do you head now?” Grandmaster asked.
“Tanisal, first. We need to take care of the spiders, and anything else within the city that may cause trouble if it gets loose.”
“Ah,” Thia caught a sadness to the Grandmaster’s voice. “I wish it was not so. All creatures should be allowed to live their lives in peace and not to be hunted.”
“The nest is going to overtake the city if we don’t do something,” Jinaari said. “When that happens, even your curaidh cannot contain them fast enough. There were other things within the city that woke when Drogon had his lair beneath it. Things no one wants to see set free.”
“This is true, Shield. Silas has warned me of what is within the city walls. I understand the need but shall still mourn the loss.”
A cough rose in her throat and Thia forced it down, but part still escaped. Jinaari and the Grandmaster both looked her way. “Are you ill, Daughter?’
She smiled. “No, it’s just some road dust. I feel perfectly fine.” She knew the look Jinaari shot at her. He doesn’t believe me. “Mishar told me the healers would like me to teach them some sigils?”
“Only if you’re willing, Daughter. The sigils we use are basic. While we understand your magic works differently than ours, Silas has said that we could learn much that could be adapted to how ours flows. There is concern that, should a war come, we would be ill prepared to aid those who need it. That you were able to settle the last one so decisively and without bloodshed is something we appreciate. The future, however, may not be as kind.”
“I like avoiding bloodshed when I can, especially on a mass scale,” Thia replied. “It can’t be helped sometimes, though.” She pushed the image of Jinaari’s blood spilling out onto the ground from her mind. It wasn’t him, not that time. What happens if I don’t have a week to prepare, though?
The Grandmaster nodded once. “I can understand that.” They walked through another gate, and Thia caught her breath.
The interior building surrounded a well-manicured garden. Seven paths, each one paved in different colors, spiraled inward. At the center, a pristine white pool stood. The stones were cut to resemble dragon scales. Thia walked closer, awestruck. Stopping in front of the yellow path, she asked, “The stones you used, they’re meant to represent the Gods?” She whispered the words, afraid that anything louder would disturb the overwhelming sense of peace and belonging she felt emanating from the image before her. Something pulled at her soul. Whatever’s in there, it wants something from me. For a moment, the blood in her veins felt ice cold. Whatever it was, Thia feared finding out.
“They are, Daughter. Nannan is eternal, the center of all creation that we know of. Each path, like the Gods, leads from her will into Avoch.”
“Lolc Aon is no more,” Jinaari said from behind her, and she jumped slightly.
“True,” the Grandmaster said, “and we grieve along with Silas. Losing a sibling, no matter how misguided they’ve become, is still a loss. Silas has assured me that another, eventually, will take his sister’s place. Nannan wants all Avoch to have representation at her table.” They smiled and stretched out a hand. “The garden is open to all who wish to walk to the fountain. I recommend you allow me to show you to your rooms first, though. Your companions may wish to rest while you seek answers from within the garden.”
“Of course,” Thia said, smiling. She felt Jinaari’s hand on the small of her back. “Please, I didn’t mean to interrupt your tour.”
They began to walk toward a ramp. “The temple is meant to be accessible to all, and some have difficulty traversing stairs. Each level is accessed by these inclines.” Thia listened distractedly to what their host was saying. The building that surrounded the garden was a series of open-air corridors, with doors leading to separate areas. “Daughter?’
Thia stopped, blinking. The Grandmaster had stopped in front of a set of doors. “I’m sorry, Grandmaster. My mind must’ve wandered.”
They smiled. “It happens often. The garden wants you to visit as much as you wish to do so. It is no more patient than you.”
“You speak as if it’s alive.”
“To us, it is. Those who are fortunate are able to speak with Silas. A handful have heard the will of other Gods, or even Nannan herself. But, here,” the door stood open, revealing a room, “this room is for you. There is a common area in the center, beyond the interior door. Your friends will be close at hand.”
“Thank you,” Thia said as she stepped into the room. She glanced back at Jinaari and the others as the Grandmaster closed the paneled wood door.
Braziers filled with glowing coals sat in regular intervals, heating the room. Oil lamps hung from chains to illuminate the plain wood furniture. A thick rug, in reds and golds, kept the chill of the floor at bay. Opaque orange curtains surrounded the bed. Thia looked back at the closed door. The urge the Grandmaster spoke of was stronger than she wanted to admit. All I want to do is walk to the center, she thought, but I’m scared I won’t want to come back out.
“Thia?”
She jumped at the sound of Jinaari’s voice. Turning around, she saw him closing a door she hadn’t seen. “That goes to the common area?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he said. He walked over to her; his face serious. “How are things with you?”
Letting out a sigh, she sank into a chair and cradled her face in her hands for a moment. Raising her head to meet his gaze, she said, “There’s something about that garden. As soon as I saw it, I…” she paused, “I can’t describe it. I need to walk to the center. More than I’ve needed to do anything else in my life. But I don’t know if I can come back out if I do.”
“What do you mean?” he asked. Thia bit her lip, trying to make sense of the jumbled emotions and thoughts racing through her mind as he pulled a chair closer to her. “Talk to me, Thia. It doesn’t have to make sense. I’ll understand.”
She took several deep breaths to steady her heartbeat. “I must go in there. I’d follow the path for Keroys, that’s certain. And,” she felt her body shake slightly, “I’m wondering if Nannan will speak to me when I got to the center.”
“Would that be bad? She spoke to you when you were fighting Samil. You told me she said Keroys had chosen well when he Marked you or something like that. Surely that means she’d be open to speaking to you.”
“That’s the thing,” the words rushed out of Thia’s mouth, tumbling over each other, “I don’t know what she wants of me. I don’t even know if that’s who will be talking to me! I know what Keroys expects. I’ve accepted that. I’m mostly comfortable with it, and I’m adjusting to the role of the Scepter. But what if that’s not all? What if Nannan’s got something else in mind? Or if it’s not her but someone else?” Tears fell in large drops down her cheeks but she kept going. “What if the task is something that takes me away from you? Or kills Adam or Caelynn? You three are my family, Jinaari. I don’t want to lose any of you, not now that I have the one thing I’ve wanted more than anything since Papa died. I’m scared that’s what’ll happen if I go in, but I know I must.”
“Hey,” he reached out and gently wiped away her tears. “We aren’t going anywhere, Thia. We want you with us as much as you want to be here. All of us do. I didn’t feel the same pull you did, but nothing the Grandmaster said indicated that only one person could enter at a time. Garret’s path was next to Keroys. I’ll walk that one, keep an eye on you. There weren’t enough plants, or distance, that would prevent me getting to you if something attacked.” She felt the pressure of his hand on her chin and raised her head, looking into his dark eyes. “The Shield protects the Scepter. And I’ve been your sworn Protector even longer than you’ve had that,” his head inclined toward her hip. “I’m not letting anything happen to you. Trust me.”
A calm resolve washed over her at his words. “I know. I trust you.”
“Good. There’s some food in there,” he pointed at the door he’d entered through. “Caelynn and Adam are waiting on us, though Gnat probably ate half a chicken already. You’ve hardly eaten since yesterday.” Thia started to protest but he silenced it with a look. “Don’t start. Some of what you’re feeling could be related to that. Let’s eat, then we’ll go see what Nannan wants with you.”
Thia nodded. He’s right. Some hot food will help. “That sounds like a good plan.”
“All my plans are good ones,” Jinaari said. “You just argue because it’s your stubborn nature.”
She laughed. “Arrogant prick.”
“It keeps us alive.”
She laughed, rising from her chair, and forced a smile on her face. The fear was still present, but it was less. One look at Jinaari’s face told her she hadn’t fooled him, though.
“They won’t see it, Thia. But I know you better than they do. We’ll do this, together, like we have everything else.”
“After we eat,” she said.
“Yes. And you will eat more than five bites.”
Staring at him, she said, “Are you threatening me?”
Jinaari shook his head. “No. I don’t threaten people. I make promises. Our friends are in there,” he pointed at the door, “and they’re going to hound you as much as I will if you don’t. Adam and Caelynn have noticed it, too. Something’s not right with you, Thia. I know you’re going to tell me you’re fine, that you’d know if you were sick. My concern, and theirs, is that it’s something you can’t see until it’s too late.”
“Will you stop nagging me if I eat? I appreciate the concern. I do,” she paused, “but I really do feel fine. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
“I’m going to need proof of that. My instincts are better than yours. As much as you know that you have to go into that garden, I know that something’s wrong with you.” He moved closer and grabbed one of her hands. “We’re going to watch you like we did before. Every stumble, yawn, cough, or ache will be noted, even if you don’t tell us. And it’s not about you being Marked, or that the scepter chose you. It’s because you’re family. It won’t be any different than when we went beneath Tanisal.”
“It is different,” she insisted.
“How?”
“I know you’re doing it this time.” Thia sighed, giving up on the argument. He’s right. They’ve always watched over me, even when I didn’t know. Her stomach growled and she giggled. “Let’s eat. I’d rather not meet any of the Gods when my stomach sounds like that.”
She let go of his hand and walked to the door. Opening it, her stomach grumbled again as the aromas within wafted under her nose.
Adam, Caelynn, and Gnat sat at a round table. The cobalus barely looked up from the whole chicken he held between his hands. She met Caelynn’s gaze and smiled. “Did you save any for me?”
“There’s plenty,” Adam said.
Thia walked to an empty chair and sat down. Adam handed her a bowl full of steaming vegetables. “Smells wonderful,” she said as she scooped some onto her plate.
“Not to say Elian’s a bad cook,” Caelynn said as more dishes were passed to Thia, “but whoever cooks here could give her some great recipes.”
“If the esteemed bard would like, I will introduce her to our kitchen staff. I am certain they would allow this. We want the Shield and Scepter to remain healthy so that they may continue to protect all of Avoch.”
Thia snapped her head around at the sound of Mishar’s voice. He stood in a recessed section of the room. “I hate that you’re there, Mishar. Please, join us.” She pointed to an empty chair at the table.
He smiled. “I am honored, Daughter. I ate some of each dish, to ensure they were unspoiled, before your companions entered. I remain only so that I may guide you to the healers when you’re finished.” She saw his gaze shift to Jinaari. “Shield, the curaidh train near the infirmary. You expressed interest in our methods, and many are anticipating the chance to see how they fare against you.”
Thia dove into her meal, surprised at how hungry she really was. “Give us time to eat,” she heard Jinaari say, “then we’ll follow you. Thia and I both wish to visit the central garden, as well.”
“I am not surprised,” Mishar replied. “The Grandmaster requested that any who wish to walk a Path to the center do so in this hour, so that it may be clear for the two of you. All should be done by the time you’re ready.” Thia heard a door open and she glanced over to see Mishar standing in the opening. “I’ll remain outside, so that you may speak freely. When you’re ready, I’ll escort you,” he said as he closed the door.
“Gnat ate too much,” he groaned.
Thia looked across the table. Gnat leaned back in his chair, the chicken on his plate nothing more than a pile of bones, as he closed his eyes.
“Gnat,” Caelynn giggled, “why don’t you go take a nap? We’ll be okay.”
“Friend Thia does not need Gnat to help her?”
She smiled. “I’m sure Jinaari and the others can keep me safe while you sleep.”
The cobalus slid from his chair, shuffling through an open door. Within minutes, snoring rumbled from the room.
Adam leaned back, placing his napkin on the plate in front of him. “Do you want us to come with you?”
Jinaari shook his head. “I don’t think so. The likelihood of anyone trying to come after either of us here is low.”
“We didn’t think anyone would come after me at the cloister either,” Thia reminded him, “but an attempt was made.”
“You didn’t have your stores unlocked then,” Jinaari said.
“Plus, you’ve grown up a lot,” Caelynn added. “Any attempt made on your life won’t come from someone with a sleeping draught, Thia. They’ll plan it out for months. We didn’t decide to come this way until yesterday.” She looked at Jinaari, then back to Thia. “If what The Grandmaster and Mishar have said is all true, and I think it is, Silas would retaliate swiftly against anyone who made any move against the two of you while we’re here. He’s still trying to make up for what happened a century ago.”
“Ancient history,” Jinaari said. “His monks have more than made up for the acts of the Corrupted.”
“It’s not ancient to them, old man. Or to Silas. He’s watching his followers closely if he’s nullifying stores over ethical concerns.” Adam’s voice was stern. “I agree, though. The likelihood of anything attacking us here is slim.” Thia caught Adam’s hand caressing Caelynn’s for a moment. “The two of you have things you need to do here. Caelynn can get her recipes; I’ll keep an eye on Gnat. I think we can afford a night without a watch. Do you agree?”
“Yeah. A full nights’ sleep for all of us would be good. I’m not certain what we’ll face once we reach Tanisal. I want us all rested and our stores replenished,” Jinaari said as he rose. Looking Thia’s way, he continued, “Ready to teach a class?”
She pushed her chair back and rose. “On one condition.”
“What?” he asked, crossing his arms.
“You don’t get so beat up sparring with them that I have to demonstrate anything on you.”