Scion of Cyador

CXXVI

Lorn stands in the middle of the bedchamber and concentrates again.

Ryalth looks up from where she sits on the bed and nurses Kerial. “I can see you, in a way, but perhaps that’s because I’m getting used to working around it, and because I know you’re there.”

“What if we go downstairs, and I’ll follow you,” Lorn says. “You ask, say, Kysia, if she’s seen me. Since I’ll be behind you, she won’t think you’d see me, and if she does, just turn and ask me where I was.”

The red-haired trader shakes her head. “Is your daily life in Mirror Lancer Court this convoluted?”

“Not yet, but I fear it will be. Word is out, among some of the senior officers, that I will be commanding the two companies of Mirror Lancers.”

“And they seek to curry favor? Or threaten you indirectly?”

“More threatening and warning.” He frowns. “I can feel all the currents, but there is nothing that anyone could really call proof. The Captain-Commander suggests that loyalty is to the position of Majer-Commander, not the person. The senior commanders try to make sure that they are seen as friendly to those who appear to have power. Eightday after eightday, it continues, because all know power will shift in Cyad. The Emperor will die in the seasons or few years ahead. Chyenfel and Rynst are old.” He pauses. “Vyanat’mer is not, but Tasjan still schemes, and Veljan does his best, if with the help of Syreal and Liataphi.”

“I like Aleyar and her father,” Ryalth says, patting Kerial on the back to burp him. “Veljan would be a better successor to Vyanat than Tasjan, but it would be best if Vyanat remained the Merchanter Advisor. Then, there are those such as Denys and Kernys who would support Tasjan.”

“Why? Vyanat has been good for the merchanters, has he not?”

“He has, but they are more interested in their own good or the good of their clan and not the good of all merchanters, or of Cyador.”

“You sound worried.”

“Many within the merchanters clamor against the tariffs. They claim that Vyanat does little for them but make it harder to prosper.”

“What do you think?”

“Vyanat cannot lower the tariffs. He knows this, but some would rather have blood on the sunstones than try to persuade the Magi’i and the Mirror Lancers to change.” Ryalth gives Kerial a last pat on the back, then lowers Kerial slightly on her shoulder, before easing off the bed and to her feet. “Let us try what you suggested. It seems silly, in a way, but I know it’s not.”

“Gaa…maamaaa…” Kerial offers sleepily.

“In a moment, sweetheart. In a moment.” Ryalth nods to Lorn.

He opens the bedchamber door and follows her down the stairs.

Kysia is standing beside Ayleha in the kitchen, and both are hanging the pots used in fixing supper on the rack to the left of the stove. Lorn lets Ryalth get far enough ahead as she enters the kitchen so that he could not be seen even if his effort fails.

“Lady?” asks Kysia, turning.

“Have you seen Lorn?” Ryalth asks. “He’s not in his study. I wondered if he’d come down here for something else to eat.”

Both women shake their heads.

Lorn eases farther into the kitchen, standing just behind Ryalth’s shoulder.

Kysia blinks. “I thought for a moment…No, Lady, I haven’t seen him.”

Lorn eases back out through the archway and releases the blurring effect. “Were you looking for me?” he asks, again stepping into the archway. “I was just walking around, thinking. I should have told you.”

Ryalth offers an exasperated glance at her consort.

“I’m sorry,” Lorn says apologetically.

Kysia smiles.

“Have you finished your thinking, my dear?” Ryalth asks. “It is time to put Kerial to bed.”

“I’m done for now,” Lorn admits.

“Good.” Ryalth turns back to Kysia and Ayleha. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

“It was not a problem or a bother, Lady.”

“I’m sorry, too,” Lorn adds, before he turns to follow Ryalth back up the stairs.

Neither speaks until Lorn closes the bedchamber door.

“I don’t know which was more frightening,” Ryalth says.

“Which?” Lorn’s brows furrow.

“I could feel you behind me, and they couldn’t see you. That was frightening. But the way you looked so innocent…in saying you were walking around. That was frightening, too.”

“It was the truth,” Lorn says.

“Dearest…you and your family…you all can tell the truth…words that are what is, and yet convey something else entirely. That is one reason why I am glad you are not a magus.” She slips toward Kerial’s bed and slips him into it, stepping back.

“Gaa! Maamaaa…gaa…”

Ryalth shrugs. “He will be awake for a time.” Her eyes stray to the stack of papers on the bedside table.

“I’ll play with him. You have to read those, don’t you?”

“I would appreciate some time,” she says.

“You shall have it.” With a smile, Lorn walks toward the small bed and his son.