It wasn’t possible, Enris decided firmly. None of them had planned this; none of them should have accepted such a drastic change without question.
Not that everyone had. The new Adepts might feel Sona as their home as much as any other arrival, but they were curious. They’d gone to the Council Chamber almost at once, to “discuss” the new Sona and discover what had brought them together and how. A discussion that had been going on for tenths.
With Aryl di Sarc.
“. . . scan me if you don’t believe what I say. We had nothing to do with this.”
“You had everything to do with it. Maybe it wasn’t your intention,” as if a huge concession, “but who here doubts we’d be still in our original Clans if not for your reckless behavior?”
Enris tried not to listen. Chairs. Anything to sit on. That was his job. As if the precious Adepts needed anything more than their rears.
Not his problem.
Aryl depended on him in other ways right now, including keeping his frustration to himself.
“Fools,” he grumbled once safely past the Council Chamber doors. “If they’d listen instead of making accusations, they might learn something.”
Of course, most of the Adepts were no longer doing that much. They’d sorted themselves, how he couldn’t guess, until the majority sat in their Clans as far from those with Aryl as they could. Which made no sense.
Except for one who’d nipped through the doors after Enris and Naryn, Rayna, by his appearance. While some wore the stiff white robes of their rank, others were dressed in soft layers of bright fabric, with twists of more tied to the bottoms of sleeves and hems to flutter when they walked. Aryl thought it ridiculous to wear something that would not only catch on every twig, but draw attention. A shame, Enris decided. She’d look lovely.
The Rayna themselves were small and slightly built, with skin darker than a Yena’s, striking against their fair hair and pale blue or yellow eyes. Their female Chosen left their hair free, but had somehow convinced it to hold colorful fabric twists in loose knots.
Somehow, he couldn’t wrap his mind around Aryl’s hair being that cooperative.
As for the Rayna Adept himself? Enris scowled. “Why aren’t you staying?”
“Karne d’sud Witthun,” the other replied stiffly. “I could ask you—or them—” with a nod to Naryn, “—the same question. Your place is with the rest.”
“Chairs.”
“Chairs?”
“Someone has to make you Adepts comfortable.”
Don’t mind him, Anaj sent. He gets irritable when he’s hungry. Unharmed by the ’port, the Old Adept had been remarkably calm since arriving at Sona, perhaps because she was the only one of the hundreds here in her proper place, however that place had changed. Her home, not theirs.
Theirs now, too, if Enris could believe it. Without asking any of Sona’s present members if they wanted more. He’d have said yes in a heartbeat to another twenty or so. Seven hundred?
Including Adepts who paid no attention to Aryl di Sarc’s leadership?
He growled deep in his chest, and Karne gave him a worried look.
Noticing, the former Tuana gestured apology. “Welcome to Sona. I’m Enris—” he stopped there. Among the many things yet to be explained to the new arrivals was the clever way Aryl had convinced Sona’s locks to open for them all. It hadn’t seemed the right time to say they’d simply given themselves the ‘di’ of Adepts. Instead, he nodded at the doors. “Why do you think we belong in there?”
Because we DO! came from Naryn. I do!!
No, I said. I need a rest, Anaj answered firmly. Find us a bed before you fall on your face.
Enris hid a smile. Poor Naryn. Anaj might be her baby, but the Old Adept left no doubt who was eldest and in charge. “While I’m off to hunt chairs,” he informed the Rayna. “So why are you here and not there?”
“I’m lesser.” From his tone, Karne was beginning to wonder if Enris was capable of understanding anything but chairs. “They don’t need me.”
“Ah. Another body to carry chairs. Good.”
Don’t be mean to the child, Enris, Anaj sent, just to him.Once trained, Adepts sort themselves by individual Power. The strongest act as Council for the others. Only First Level Adepts will gather close to Aryl—hers is the greatest Power here. Karne can sense yours. He’s brave to speak to you at all.
Like Dama. Chastise and compliment in the same sending. A laugh bubbled up from his chest and Enris sent a rush of affection to Anaj. Grandmother.
Charmer. Then, with worry. Naryn can’t take much more.
He knew. The only rest they’d had was after Tikitna, and she’d wasted it pacing the sand. She knew it herself. She might protest, but hadn’t Naryn listened to Anaj and left the meeting?
The Rayna wasn’t done. “I thought you’d have some answers.” Karne stepped closer, his arms waving at the corridor. “What happened to this place? Why are you living like this?”
“We don’t actually live inside—”
The young Adept didn’t stop. “You’re both Tuana—that Clan was attacked after you came here. Why? Is that going to happen to our former Clans?”
The last came with such fear, Enris strengthened his shields to keep it out. “We don’t know,” he said. “Not yet. But you’re safe here.” Before he could say more, like a flash of light, Ziba appeared in the corridor, laughing. At the sight of them, she covered her mouth and disappeared.
Yao appeared in the same spot, disappeared. Followed by three children Enris didn’t know, holding hands. They giggled and were gone.
Karne looked dazed.
Worin appeared next.
“No, you don’t!” With a lunge, Enris had his brother by the arm. “Who said you could ’port in the Cloisters?” He’d looked at the M’hir. It remained coiled around itself like a towering summer storm. Complete with lightning. “It’s not safe yet. Even if Ziba thinks so,” he warned at the beginnings of a rebellious frown.
“Husni sent us to look for benches,” Worin announced virtuously, black hair tumbling over his bright eyes. In other words, Husni had had enough of the mischievous pair.
They thought of the M’hir as another playground. What had Aryl told him? The M’hir was already part of their children. With an inward shudder, Enris brushed back Worin’s hair, ruffled it. “Why benches?”
“For beds. Did you see how many Om’ray have come?” He radiated joy. “We found a whole room of benches, but they’re fastened to the floor.”
“If they’re fastened, they serve some purpose where they are,” Karne warned. “You’d better check with your Adepts first.”
Enris shook his head. “They’d debate it all ’night.” Making it pointless to find beds. Anaj? he sent.
Show me, child.
Worin’s eyes widened. “You’re Naryn’s baby!” You can talk already?? Can you play?
Enris snickered. Naryn gave an impatient sigh.
Not with children who don’t mind their elders, Anaj replied. Now show me these benches. You can. This as Worin hesitated.
Enris gestured approval. His brother had never shown this particular Talent, but he had the Power for it. Like this, he sent, offering a remembered view of Sona’s new dam. Think about the place you want to show us—