Tamir - The Bone Doll's Twin Part 16

'No, no!" Tobin cried, Arkoniel felt the boy's hand yanked from his. Something struck him a stinging blow on the cheek and the pain broke the last of the magic, clearing his mind and his eyes.

The entire room was shaking. The wardrobe doors banged open, then slammed again with a crash.

Chests jittered against the walls, and objects flew through the air in all directions.

Tobin knelt by the city, holding down the roof of the Palace with both hands. "Stop it!" he cried. "Go away, Wizard. Please! Get out!"

Arkoniel stayed where he was. "Tobin, I can't-"

Nari rushed in and ran to the boy. Tobin clung to her, pressing his face to her shoulder.

'What are you doing?" she cried, giving Arkoniel an accusing glare.

'I was just-" The roof of the Palace spun up into the air and he caught it with his good hand. "We were looking at the city. Your demon didn't care for that."

He could see enough of Tobin's face to know that the boy's lips were moving, forming quick, silent words against the dark fabric of Nari's loose gown.

The room went still, but an ominous heaviness remained, like a lull in a thunderstorm. Tobin struggled free of his nurse and fled the room.

Nari looked around at the mess and sighed. "You see what it's like for us? No telling what it will do, or why. Illior and Bilairy s.h.i.+eld us from angry spirits!"

Arkoniel nodded, but he knew exactly why the thing had chosen the moment it did this time. Hethought again of bending over a small, still body beneath that chestnut tree, weeping as it sank out of sight, his tears sinking into the hard earth. Yes, it knew the taste of his tears.

abin wanted nothing to do with him after that, so Arkoniel spent the rest of the day quietly exploring the keep. The pain in his arm required several draughts of Cook's infusion, and its dulling effects left him feeling like he was walking about in a dream.

His original impression of the keep was borne out in daylight; it was only partially inhabitable. The upper floor was in total disrepair. Once-handsome chambers lay in ruin, overrun by rats and rot.

Leakage from the roof or attics above had destroyed the fine murals and furnis.h.i.+ngs.

Strangely enough, there was evidence that someone had continued to frequent these gloomy rooms.

Several sets of footprints were visible in the dust that covered the bare floors. One room in particular had had a frequent, small-footed visitor, though the footprints had a new layer of fine grit in them now. This room lay halfway along the corridor and was sounder than its neighbors, and better lit thanks to the loss of a shutter on one of the tall, narrow windows.

Tobin had come here on numerous occasions, and always went to the back corner of the room. A cedarwood chest of Mycenian design stood here, and the dust on its ornate painted lid continued the tale.

Arkoniel summoned a small orb of light and bent to examine the smudges and finger marks there. Tobin had come here to open this chest. Inside Arkoniel found nothing but a few tabards of ancient cut.

Perhaps it had been a game of some sort? Yet what game would a child play alone, a child who did not know how to pretend? Arkoniel looked around the dirty, shadowed room, imagining Tobin here all by himself. His small footprints crossed and recrossed each other for however many days the game had lasted. Another pang of compa.s.sion pierced the young wizard's heart, this time for the living twin.

Equally intriguing were the sets of tracks that led to the far end of the corridor. The door here was new, and the only one that was locked.

Placing his hand over the bronze key plate, he examined the intricacies of its mechanism. It would have been a relatively easy matter to trick it open, but the unwritten laws of guesting forbade such a coa.r.s.e trespa.s.s. He already suspected where it led.

Threw herself from the tower window- Arkoniel rested his forehead against the door's cool surface. Ariani had fled here, fled to her death taking her child with her. Or had Tobin followed? It had been too long and too many others had come and gone here since for him to read the tale of their tracks.

Nari's vague suspicions still nagged at him. Possession was rare, and he did not believe Tobin would have hurt Ariani himself. But Arkoniel had felt the demon's rage three times now; it possessed both the strength and will to kill. But why kill his mother, who'd been as much a victim of circ.u.mstance as he and his twin?

Downstairs, he crossed the gloomy hall and went outside. The duke was nowhere to be seen, but his men were busy packing horses and stacking arms for the journey back to Ero.

'How's the arm today?" asked Tharin, coming over to him.

'I think it will mend very well. Thank you."

'Captain Tharin keeps us all mended," a young sandy-haired man remarked, swaggering by with a handful of tools. "So you're the young wizard who can't manage a gelded two-year-old?"

'Mind yourself, Sefus, or he'll turn you into something useful," an older man snapped from a lean-to workshop built against the courtyard wall. "Get over here and help with the harness, you lazy pup!"

'Don't mind Sefus," another young soldier told him, grinning. "He gets irritable when he's away from the brothels too long."

'I don't imagine any of you enjoy being so far from the city. This doesn't seem a very cheerful place."

'Took you all morning to figure that one out, did it?" Tharin replied with a chuckle.

'Are the men good to the boy?"

'Do you think Rhius would tolerate anyone who wasn't? The sun rises and sets on that child, as far as he's concerned.

Far as any of us are concerned, for that matter. It's not Tb-bin's fault." He gestured at the house. "Not any of it." The defensiveness with which he declared this was not lost on Arkoniel. "Of course not," he agreed.

"Does anyone say it is?"

'Tongues always wag. You get something like a demon haunting the king's own sister and you can imagine what the gossips do with that. Why else do you think Rhius stuck his poor wife and son out here, so far from proper society? A princess, living here? And a prince? No wonder... Well, that's enough said about that. There's enough ignorant gossip in the town. Back in Ero, even."

'Perhaps Rhius is right. Tobin might not be happy in the city with all those wagging tongues. He's old enough to understand now."

'Yes. And it would break his father's heart. Mine too, for that matter. He's a good boy, our Tobin.

One of these days he'll come into his own."

'I don't doubt it."

Leaving Tharin to his preparations, Arkoniel made a circuit of the outer walls.

Here, too, he saw sad evidence of neglect and decline. There had been gardens here once. A few bush roses ran wild against the remains of crumbling stone enclosures, and he could see the brown dry seed heads of rare peonies here and there, fighting to hold their ground amidst the *wild native blooms of willow bay, daisy, milkweed, and broom. Ariani had had banks of peonies in her garden at Ero, he recalled. In the early months of summer, huge vases of them had scented the entire house.

Only a kitchen garden between a back gate and the river's edge was still tended here now. Arkoniel plucked a sprig of fennel and chewed it as he let himself in the back gate.

This let onto a rear court. Entering by an open door, he found himself back in the kitchen. Cook, who seemed to have no other name, was busy preparing the evening meal with the help of Tobin, Nari, and Sefus.

'I don't know, pet," Nari was saying, sounding annoyed. "Why do you ask such things?"

'Ask what things?" Arkoniel joined them at the table. As he sat down, he saw what Tobin had been doing and grinned. Five white turnip sheep were being stalked by a pair of beet root bears and a carroty something that looked vaguely like the dragon Arkoniel had shown him that morning.

'Cook used to be an archer and fight the Plenimarans with Father like Tharin does," Tobin said. "But she says the king doesn't like women to be in his army anymore. Why is that?"

'You were a soldier?" asked Arkoniel.

Cook straightened from stirring a kettle and wiped her hands on her ap.r.o.n front. Arkoniel hadn't paid much attention to her before, but now he saw a flash of pride as she nodded. "I was. I served the last queen with Duke Rhius' father, and the king after her for a time. I'd be serving still-my eye and arm are still true-but the king don't like seeing women in the ranks." She gave a shrug. "So, here you find me."

'But why?" Tobin insisted, starting work on another turnip.

'Maybe girls can't fight proper," Sefus said with a smirk.

'I was worth three of you, and I wasn't even the best!" Cook snapped. s.n.a.t.c.hing up a cleaver, she set to work on a joint of mutton as if it were a Plenimaran foot soldier.

Arkoniel recognized Sefus' smug att.i.tude. He'd seen plenty of it in recent years. "Women can be fine warriors, and wizards, too, if they have the heart and the training," Arkoniel told Tobin. "Heart and training; that's what it takes to be good at anything. Remember how I told you this morning that I don't shoot anymore? Well, I wasn't very good to begin with, or at swordplay, either. I wouldn't have been much use to anyone as a warrior. Why, if lya hadn't made a wizard of me, I'd probably be a scullion instead of a scholar!" He cast a sidelong glance at Sefus. "Not too long ago, I met an old woman who'd been both warrior and wizard in the wars. She fought with Queen Gherilain, who won the war because she was such a good warrior herself. You do know about the warrior queens of Skala, don't you?"

'I have them in a box upstairs," Tobin replied, still engrossed in his carving. In a singsong voice, he recited: "There's King Thelatimos, who got told by Oracle to give his crown to his daughter, then Gherilain the Founder, Tamir the Murder, Agnalain who isn't my grandmama, Gherilain the Second, laair who fought the dragon, Klia who killed the lion, Klie, Markira, Oslie with six fingers, Marnil who wanted a daughter so much but Oracle gave her a new husband instead, and Agnalain who is my grandmama.

And then the king my uncle." 'Ah, I see." Arkoniel paused, trying to unravel the garbled litany. Clearly, Tobin had little understanding of what he'd just rattled off, beyond a few odd or interesting facts. "Agnalain the First, you mean. And Queen Tamir, who was murdered."

Tobin shrugged.

'Well, you have the names right, but do-"

Nari cleared her throat loudly and gave Arkoniel a warning look. "Duke Rhius sees to Tobin's education. He'll instruct the boy about such things when he thinks fit."

He needs a proper tutor, Arkoniel thought, then blinked at the resonance the notion struck in his mind: teacher, friend, companion. Guardian. "When is the duke leaving?" he asked.

'First light tomorrow," Sefus told him.

'Well then, I'd best pay my respects tonight. Will he and the men be dining in the hall?"

' "Course," Tobin mumbled. Under his knife, a turnip was changing into another dragon.

Excusing himself, Arkoniel hurried upstairs to compose his thoughts, hoping that the idea that had come clear so suddenly was indeed an inspiration sent by the Lightbearer.

He needed very much to believe that, for that's what he was going to tell Rhius.

And lya.

IS Arkoniel found himself seated on Rhius' right at the evening meal, and served by Tharin and several of the men. The food, though well seasoned, was shockingly simple and spa.r.s.e. This only strengthened the wizard's concerns. In Ero and Atyion, Rhius had hosted lavishly. There were always color and music there; feasts of twenty courses, and a hundred guests all glittering with jewels, silks, and furs. The life Tobin knew here was little different than that of a landless backcountry knight.

Rhius himself was severely dressed in a short dark robe accented with a bit of fox and gold. His only jewel was a large mourning ring. Tobin could have pa.s.sed for a serving boy in his plain tunic. Arkoniel doubted the boy owned more than two suits of clothes, and this was probably his best.

The duke paid Arkoniel little attention during the meal, focusing instead on Tobin, telling him stories of court and the wars. Listening quietly, Arkoniel thought the exchange seemed hollow and forced. Tobin looked miserable. Seated far down the table, Nari caught the wizard's eye and silently shook her head.

When the meal was finished Rhius moved to a large chair by the open hearth and sat staring into the small fire laid there. Neither dismissed nor invited, Arkoniel settled uncomfortably on the hearth bench beside him and waited, listening to the crackle of the flames as he searched for words to broach his request.

'My lord?" Arkoniel ventured at last.

Rhius didn't look up. "What is it you want of me now, Wizard?"

'Nothing but a word in private, if you please."

He thought the duke might refuse, but Rhius stood and led Arkoniel outside to a path into the meadow. They followed it down the hillside to the riverbank.

It was a cool, pleasant evening. The sun's last rays lit the sky behind the peaks, stretching their shadows over the keep and meadow. Swallows flitted after their supper overhead. Frogs tuned their throats under the riverbank.

They stood watching the roiling water in silence for a time, and then Rhius turned to Arkoniel. "Well?

I've given you a child and a wife. What would your mistress have of me now?"

'Nothing, my lord, except the safety and well-being of your remaining child."

Rhius let out a derisive laugh. "I see."

'I don't think you do. If Tobin is to be-what we wish him to be, he must understand the world he will inherit. You did right, protecting him here, but he's older now. He needs to learn the ways of dress and manner, and the courtly arts. He must have teachers. He also needs friends of his own age, other children-"

'No! You've seen the demon that haunts him, thanks to the fumbling of your filthy witch that night.

Mothers from here to Ero scare their brats with tales of the 'haunted child at the keep.' Didn't you know?

Oh, but how could you, since neither you nor your mistress deigned to come back to us until now? Shall I send Tobin and his demon to court, present them to the king? Just how long would it be before one ofErius' creatures saw through the veil with their sharp eyes and killing spells?"

'But that isn't possible. That's why we brought the witch-"

'I won't take that risk! Erius may still wear a mourning ring for his sister, but how sentimental will he be if he learns that her surviving child is-" He caught himself and lowered his voice to a scathing hiss. "A true heir? If you imagine that any of us whom he saw there that night in the birthing chamber would be spared, then you are a fool. As much as I might welcome death, think of the child. Have we come this far to throw it away on the whim of..." He paused, waving a hand at Arkoniel. "Of a half-trained apprentice wizard?"

Arkoniel ignored the insult. "Then let me bring children here, my lord. Children from another province who haven't heard the tales. Tobin is a prince; by right he should join the Prince Royal's Companions soon, or have a company of Companions of his own. What will the n.o.bles at Ero say about the king's own nephew, the child of a princess and a high lord, growing up like a peasant? Tobin must be prepared."

Rhius gazed out at the river, saying nothing, but Arkoniel sensed he'd struck his mark.

'Tobin is still young, but soon his absence at court will be noted-perhaps even by the king's wizards.

And then they'll come here looking for him. No matter what we do, you'll have to present him at court sooner or later. The less odd he seems-"

'One, then. One child here, as a companion. But only if you agree to my terms." He turned bleak eyes on Arkoniel. "First: should this other child discover our secret, you will kill him yourself."

'My lord--"

Rhius leaned closer, speaking very low. "My own child had to die. Why should a stranger's child live to jeopardize our plans?"

Arkoniel nodded, knowing that lya would exact the same promise. "And your second requirement?"

When Rhius spoke again, the anger was gone. In the gathering gloom, he looked stooped and old-a sad, hollow effigy of the man he'd once been. "That you will re main here and be Tobin's tutor. You're of n.o.ble birth and know something of the court. I won't chance bringing another stranger into my house.

Stay and guard my child until the world is set right."

Arkoniel felt dizzy with relief. "I will, my lord. By my hands and heart and eyes, I will." This was the fulfillment of the vision he'd been given at Afra, and Rhius himself had proposed it.

'But if you will permit me, my lord," he said, proceeding gingerly with his own elaborations. "You're a very wealthy man, yet your child is being raised in a tomb. Couldn't you make this place,a proper home for him? I'll need chambers of my own, too, for sleeping and study. The rooms on the third floor could be repaired. And we'll need a room for Tobin's lessons-"

'Yes, very well!" Rhius snapped, throwing up his hands. "Do what you will. Hire workmen. Fix the roof. Have gold chamber pots cast if you like, so long as you protect my child." He stared at the keep for a moment.

The barracks windows glowed warmly and they could hear men singing around the watch fire. Beyond it, the keep looked abandoned except for a thin sliver of light showing at a second-level window.

Rhius let out a long sigh. "By the Four, it has become a tomb, hasn't it' This was a handsome house once, with gardens and fine stables. My ancestors hosted hunts and feasts here in the autumn and queens guested. I-I always hoped that Ariani would be well again and help me make it fine again."