Dax shook his head. “Second Magician knows what you did.”
“All the more reason not to be here when they arrive.”
“But—”
I waved and hurried out the door, slinging my backpack over one shoulder. Since I had been expelled from the Keep’s program, I knew I would soon be kicked out of my rooms. I planned to be long gone before giving Roze the satisfaction of evicting me.
Fisk ran over to me when I crossed the courtyard.
“Did we help?” Fisk asked. “Is everything okay?”
“You did great.” I rummaged in my pack and handed Fisk all the Sitian coins I had. “Distribute these to your troops.”
He smiled and dashed away.
A bone-deep weariness settled on me as I made my way through the Citadel. My surroundings blurred and I walked in a daze. When I passed the Council Hall, the group of beggars, who always hovered near the steps, began to follow me.
“Sorry. I can’t help you today,” I called over my shoulder. The group returned to the Hall, but one persisted. I turned around. “I said—”
“Lovely lady, spare a copper?” the man asked.
Dirt streaked his face and his hair hung in greasy clumps. His clothes were torn and filthy, and he smelled like horse manure. But he couldn’t disguise those penetrating sapphire-blue eyes from me.
“Can’t you spare a copper for the man who just saved your life?” Valek asked.
“I’m broke. I had to pay off the distraction. Those kids don’t work cheap. What—”
“Unity fountain. A quarter hour.” Valek returned to the steps and joined the other beggars.
I continued toward the Keep, but once I was out of sight of the Council Hall, I took a side street and headed to the Unity Fountain. The jade sphere with its holes and other spheres nestled inside it shone in the sunlight. The water spray from the circle of waterspouts sparkled in the cool air. My relief from knowing that Valek was unharmed warred with my concern that he should be far away from the Citadel.
A quick movement in a shadow caught my attention. I wandered over to the dark recess of a doorway and joined Valek, embracing him for a fierce moment before pulling back.
“Thank you for helping me against Ferde,” I said. “Now go home before you get caught.”
Valek smiled. “And miss all the fun? No, love. I’m going with you on your errand.”
I could only produce a muted surprise. Valek and I didn’t have a mental connection like the one I’d had with Irys, yet he knew my thoughts, and, when I had needed his help, he had always been there.
“There’s no way I can convince you to go to Ixia?” My brief spurt of energy on seeing Valek safe faded.
“None.”
“All right. Although I reserve the right to say, ‘I told you so’ should you get captured.” I tried to say it in a stern tone, but my battered and tired soul was so filled with relief that Valek was coming with me that the words turned playful.
“Agreed.” Valek’s eyes lit up, anticipating the challenge.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Valek and I decided on the best course of action, and arranged to meet again at the edge of the Avibian Plains.
When I reached the Keep, I went straight to my rooms to pack. While I determined what to take along, someone knocked on my door. Out of habit I looked for my bow before realizing it had been destroyed by Leif. Instead, I grabbed my switchblade.
I relaxed a bit when I opened the door. Irys stood there, looking hesitant. Stepping back, I invited her in.
“I have some news,” Irys said. When I just stared at her, she continued, “Ferde has been taken to the Keep’s cells, and the Council has revoked your expulsion. They want you to stay so you can fully explore your magical abilities.”
“Who would teach me?”
Irys glanced at the ground. “It would be your choice.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Irys nodded and turned to go. Then stopped. “I’m sorry, Yelena. I had no trust in your abilities and yet you achieved what four Master Magicians could not.”
There was still a faint link between us, and I felt Irys’s uncertainty and her loss of confidence. She questioned her ability to handle future difficult situations. She felt her beliefs on what was needed to solve a problem had been proven wrong.
“In this situation, magic was not the solution,” I told her. “It was the lack of magic that allowed me to beat Ferde. And I couldn’t have done that without Valek.”
She considered my words for a moment and seemed to make a decision.
“I propose a partnership,” Irys said.
“A partnership?” I asked.
“I believe you no longer need a teacher, but a partner to help you discover just how strong a Soulfinder you are.”
I winced at the title. “Do you think I’m one?”
“I’ve suspected, but didn’t want to really believe it. An automatic response just like your cringe just now. And, it seems I need some guidance. I’ve found that the Sitian way is not always appropriate. Perhaps you could help me with that?”
“Are you sure you would want to learn the ‘rush into a situation and hope for the best’ method?”
“As long as you want to discover more about being a Soulfinder. Is it really against the Ethical Code? Perhaps the Code needs to be updated. And could you be considered a Master, or would you have to take the Master’s test first?”
“The Master test? I’ve heard some horror stories.” My throat began to tighten. I swallowed with some difficultly.
“Rumors, mostly. To discourage the students so that only those who feel confident in their abilities will be brave enough to ask to take the test.”
“And if they’re not strong enough?”
“They won’t succeed, but they’ll learn the full extent of their powers. This is better than being surprised later.”
Irys fell silent. I felt her mind reaching toward mine. Do we have a deal? she asked in my mind.
I’ll think about it. A lot has happened.
So it has, she agreed. Let me know when you’re ready. Irys left my rooms.
I closed the door. My mind shuffled through the possibility of exploring my powers versus the risk of being condemned as a Soulfinder. Despite having to worry about poison in the Commander’s food, I began to think life in Ixia had been easier. After my errand, as Valek so casually called it, I had some choices on where to go next. Nice to have choices. Again.
I moved through my rooms, checking if I missed anything. I had packed the valmur statue for Valek, the rest of my Sitian coins, my northern uniform and an extra set of clothes. My armoire remained filled with my apprentice’s robes and a couple of Nutty’s skirt-pants. Papers and books piled on my desk, and the room smelled of Apple Berry and Lavender. My stomach squeezed with longing and with a sudden realization. These rooms in the Keep had turned into my home, despite my resistance.
Shouldering my pack, I felt the weight of it drag on me as I left. Stopping at the Keep’s guest quarters on my way, I visited my parents. I could hear Esau in the kitchen and Perl had a strange expression on her face. Her hand touched her neck so I knew something had upset her. She made me promise to stay for tea, pulling my backpack off, and she hovered over me until I sat in one of the pink overstuffed chairs.
Calling to Esau to bring another cup, Perl perched in the seat next to me as if she would spring into action should I decide to leave. Esau brought in the tea tray. She jumped up and handed me one of the steaming cups.
Seeming to be satisfied that I was anchored to my chair, at least until I finished the tea, Perl said, “You’re leaving. Aren’t you?” She shook her head before I could answer. “Not that you would tell me. You treat me like a delicate flower. I’ll have you know that the most delicate flowers often produce the strongest scent when crushed.” She stared at me.