“Of course,” assured Jostin. “I already figured that I should go to Lyra if anything came up. I am sorry about MoonFlow. I liked her a lot and I know you did too. At least she is with Kaltara now. I prayed for her when I found out what happened.”
StarWind's throat constricted with emotion and she tousled Jostin’s red mop. “Thank you, Jostin. I know she will be happy.”
StarWind turned and strode away from the freckle-faced boy swiftly, holding her emotion down as she went in search of MeadowTune. She saw Goral as she was walking and signaled to him.
“I am going to Campanil in the morning,” she said quietly. “I would like you to go with me.”
“Then I shall,” the gruff giant replied. “How long will we be gone?”
“I need just one day there,” StarWind answered. “I will see you at first light.”
StarWind left Goral without waiting for a reply that she knew would not come. Goral never wasted words and he had never refused her request for help. StarWind continued looking and finally found MeadowTune in MoonFlow’s quarters.
“StarWind,” cried MeadowTune as she embraced the Sakovan spymaster. “I am so sorry for you. I know how close you were. I thought I would clean this up so you didn’t have to face it.”
“That was very thoughtful,” StarWind said quietly as she returned the slight woman’s embrace. “You may want to just leave it and move in. I would like you to take over MoonFlow’s job. I know you refused it before, but you are the best person suited for it and with the coming of the Star, we need your expertise.”
“I will not refuse this time,” MeadowTune agreed in her musical voice. “The last time you asked I refused because I knew MoonFlow really wanted the job and that she would be good at it. Now I wonder if I sent her to her death by my refusal.”
“You blame yourself as I do,” sighed StarWind. “We must not continue to do so. We lessen her memory by thinking that we controlled what she did. I was hoping you would agree. I am leaving in the morning for a short trip to Campanil. There are claims of a Sakovan attack being floated there and I must discover who is doing it. I have informed Jostin of your appointment with hope that you would accept. I will inform Lyra immediately. Here is a key for the office.”
“Have a safe journey,” MeadowTune called after her.
StarWind realized that she had missed the evening meal as she strode to Lyra’s room and knocked on the door. The door opened and Temiker stuck his head out to see who it was. When he saw StarWind, he opened the door and motioned her in.
“Thank you wizard,” StarWind said as she scanned the room and found Lyra sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace. She walked over and sat facing the new Star.
“I know this is all new to you, Lyra,” StarWind began, “but I must continue the work MoonFlow was working on and that requires me to leave StarCity for a while.”
“I understand,” Lyra replied softly. “I need your help as well, but I know I come after Sakova. What was she working on?”
“There are rumors circulating in Campanil about a Sakovan attack,” informed StarWind. “Someone burned all of their watula fields and blamed us. I want to find out who. I am also starting to see mention of Sakovans in the agent reports concerning the general population. You are not aware, but this is highly unusual. Most Omungans either do not know we exist or think we are dark creatures who never leave the Sakova. That attitude suits us and someone is destroying it around the country. I think the two are related.”
“Then we must find out,” agreed Lyra. “Who will handle things in your absence?”
“On the information end, I have asked MeadowTune to be my new assistant,” answered StarWind. “She is very capable. The boy Jostin handles the messages coming in and going out. He is very reliable and he may need contact with you if certain messages come in. He cannot depend on RavenWing to take the messages any more.”
“I understand,” smiled Lyra weakly. “My uncle, er, Temiker has been helping me cope with all of this. I am sorry for my weak start, but I promise I will learn what I must do and get it done. I value your input and would like to discuss things with you when you return. I am going to need a lot of guidance in this job and while Temiker is wise, I need a Sakovan’s input. I would like yours.”
StarWind noticed the switch from uncle to Temiker and smiled as she realized that the wizard was already advising her regarding how she should behave and interact with others. StarWind was beginning to take a liking to the old mage.
“There is nothing critical going on that I know of besides the Campanil thing,” stated StarWind. “Why don’t you continue your magic lessons and limit your audiences to a couple of hours a day? Use LifeTender as a buffer and get her to schedule appointments for people to speak with you. Most audiences will deal with good wishes to you and offers of support. If something important does come up, LifeTender will not let you miss it. In the meantime, she can also help familiarize you with our way of life and who everybody is.”
“That is sound advice,” Lyra smiled, “as long as I don’t get people angry with me for putting them off.”
“You will not be putting them off,” smiled StarWind, “LifeTender will be and she can handle it. Besides, people will understand that you need time to acclimate yourself to our way of life. Everyone knows you are new here and they will give you time to learn the ropes.”
“She speaks well,” Temiker interjected. “As I said, the Sakovans know that you have been thrust into this position. They will be patient with you. Never forget that you are Rhodella’s daughter. She has taught you to think clearly and logically. Learn the Sakovan way of life as you would study magic. Approach it in an organized manner and you will succeed beyond your wildest imagination.”
“Exactly,” StarWind agreed. “I am taking Goral with me to Campanil. We will return in a few days and I will put myself at your disposal when we return.”
“Thank you, StarWind,” Lyra said as the Sakovan spymaster rose and left the room.
***
To the southwest in Okata, a buxom young woman toyed with a strand of her golden shoulder-length hair as she sat on a stone bench in her private garden. She stared at the stone wall surrounding the garden, ignoring the multitude of flowers and bushes that she delighted in tending. She removed her gardening apron and stared at the small slip of paper one more time. She rose from the bench and walked to a small wooden building in the corner of the garden and opened the door.
Inside the small building were shelves with garden implements, pottery planters, numerous tins of various seeds, and bottles of liquids. She removed a small glass dish from the shelf and placed it on the work counter. Next she opened a small bottle of liquid and poured a tiny portion into the glass dish. She placed the little slip of paper into the liquid and watched as it hissed and steamed. Within seconds, the paper was gone as if it never existed. She took a small pouch of granules off the shelf and poured some into the dish and observed the interaction between them and the liquid. Within moments, the dish was again empty and she placed it back on the shelf and left the building.
The beautiful blond strolled through her private garden and opened the doors to the mansion beyond. She walked across the marble floor, ignoring the rich tapestries and marble sculptures and ascended the wide spiraling staircase to the second floor. At the end of the wide hall she opened the ornate double doors to her suite and went to her clothes closet. She removed a long tight-fitting black dress from the rack and laid it on the enormous bed. Next she went to the dresser and withdrew a pair of black hose. She stripped off her gardening smock and admired her tan body in the tall mirror. Subconsciously she touched the birthmark on her right arm and frowned slightly.