Darkstone - An Evil Reborn (Book 4) (18 page)

“You might be scared if you don’t teach me how to shield my power. My tutor in sorcery never told me about this condition.” Perhaps he could learn something about Vestya if he engaged her in teaching him what she knew.

“It’s easy enough to learn. People have to be around you all of the time in order for your power to have any long-term effect. I’ll teach you tomorrow. How did you know you were a sorcerer?”

Vishan spent the rest of the evening telling Vestya an edited version about his power. He ended by telling her about the power that Scouts used to live in the field. He had learned shielding in his early training with Peleor, but he wanted Fateem to show him what she knew.

“My life has been sheltered compared to yours.”

“I saw this book. What do you know about the Warstones?” Vishan said.

“There are four of them. Moon, Blood, Sun and Pure. The Pure burned out and is now called the Darkstone. I’ve dedicated my life to finding out where it is.”

Vishan narrowed his eyes, smiling. Vestya couldn’t be older than he. “Dedicated your life?”

“This book is only one of many. The rest are in my rooms. The best information I have is that the Great Emperor was buried in Dakkor, in the mountains not far from Hustafal. The Darkstone was buried with him in a stone crypt. I’m going to find it.” She clutched her fist and assumed a determined look.

“Perhaps we can look for it together, since I have no idea what I’m to do here other than marry someone within six months.” He looked at Vestya and still couldn’t picture himself married to her or anyone else. “The whole trip here and this...” he picked up the betrothal decree, “seems so surreal. I don’t know what to think of it, except that I believe it would be proper to spend more time with you.”

“I’m of much the same frame of mind. I looked at you up on the fourth floor and wondered what you were like. You could be much worse.” She clicked her tongue as if she regretted what she said. Vish couldn’t help but furrow his brow in confusion, but then he brightened as he realized what she had really said.

“Thank you for the compliment.” Vishan laughed. “And I’ll take it as such. I’m tired from my trip and will want to sleep later tomorrow. Perhaps we can start by having our midday meal together tomorrow and you can teach me the shield.”

“I know just the place. There is a walled garden on the other side of the western wall. It’s by the stables. I’ll be there with a basket of food. We’ll be to ourselves. She can look down at us from the fifth level window if she wishes. It’s her only vantage point.”

Vestya pulled a cord and the same servant that led Vishan to dinner led him back to his room. 

“If you don’t mind my saying so, I heard you didn’t mind the lady’s little trick,” the servant said, as they walked around the staircase up to Vish’s room.

Vishan wondered if he might have an ally in this man.  “I did.  It only took a little observation. I’d eat lizard legs again,” he said.

The servant nodded and didn’t say another word as he took him across the castle to his tower. 

“You can find the way from here, your Highness?”

“Vishan will do.  What is your name?  It appears I’ll be staying at Hustafal for the foreseeable future.”

“Ovyr, sir.  Work here nights when there’s a need.  I tend the gardens and the horses, as well.”

“I’m to meet Vestya tomorrow at gardens on the West side, tomorrow.  There is a door by the stables?”

“Vestya?” the man furrowed his brow, and then he nodded his head. “Ah, yes, there is sir.  Only the baron and his daughter are permitted in there. I sometimes go in and do some work with the flowers and such.”

“What is the garden like?”

“It’s a memorial to the baron’s wife. There are lots of planted flowers and smaller trees. She is buried in the family cryptorium, but there is a marker at the fountain. A pretty place, it is.”

“I’ll be waiting for Vestya at midday tomorrow by the gate. If you would be there to let me in should Lady Vestya be late I would appreciate it.”

“If you’ve been invited, then it will be all right.”

They reached the door to Vishan’s rooms, after all.

“Good night, sir.”

Vishan smiled at the man, not willing to use his first name, but then he didn’t expect him to. “And to you. Thank you for showing me the way.” He slipped through the door into his rooms, closing it behind him.

He disrobed and slipped into bed. The last leg of the journey and the shock of his betrothal did him in. His head hit the pillow, but he still couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t believe anything anyone said at this point. Today’s entire episode had seemed so strange, as if it were staged. He had to admit that the betrothal document was genuine. 

Vishan didn’t know if this was another of his father’s tests or an attempt by the Emperor to kill him off yet again. Would he ever know the truth?

~~~

Chapter Fifteen

~

V
ishan stood at the gate into the garden
for a while before he found Ovyr in the stable. 

“It appears the lady is late. Would you let me in?”

Ovyr looked relieved when he asked—an odd expression for being asked to do something that might not be looked favorably on by the castle’s inhabitants. The man quickly unlocked the gate and scurried away.

He pushed the gate open and saw Vestya sitting on the edge of a fountain. She waved her hand underneath the water.

“A test?” Vishan tired of all the game playing at Hustafal.

“One you passed. I counted eighteen minutes. You have an adequate amount of patience and have shown a decent level of initiative. Who opened the garden door for you?”

“Ovyr. He gardens here and has a key.”

Vestya clapped her hands with delight. “And you are personable enough with the servants. Very good. You’ll make someone a delightful husband. Are you hungry?”

Vishan didn’t know what to make of her comment, but sat on a bench in front of the fountain and watched her play with the water. “Someone delivered breakfast at my doorstep at a respectable hour. Thank you. So I’m hungry enough, but I haven’t been starved. I’d hate to have to consume my betrothed in a fit of starvation.”

She laughed. “That certainly won’t happen this afternoon!” Vestya looked younger than a woman a few years older than him should.  She stood and shook the water drops off of her fingers  “I am starving, but I promise I won’t tear into your manly flesh with bared teeth. I consume people differently.”

“Like your mother” Vishan said and put his hand to his mouth, amazed that such rude words came from him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”

Vestya’s smile disappeared. “Why did you say such a horrid thing then?”

“I guess I’m upset with what my power can do if it isn’t shielded. It preyed upon my mind this morning and...” He shrugged. “Please accept my apology.”

Vestya waved her hand. “That would be nothing compared to the Baron’s words. I forgive you. I think we’ve both been under a lot of stress, being thrown together as we have.”

“The Baron left for Baku the day after he received the decree. Sometimes he’s unreadable and that was one of the times.”

“Were you ever tested by the sorcerers?” Vishan said.

“And disappear into one of their towers forever? When did you ever see a woman sorcerer?”

Vishan had to think. He never had and the subject had never come up with Peleor. “I haven’t.”

Vestya picked up a rock to throw it into the water, but didn’t. “Ovyr would have to get it out.” She dropped the rock. “I refused to go. My father offered to have members of the guild visit, but I put up a monumental fuss.”

“I’ve never heard of a sorcerer marrying a sorceress. Do you think my father knows?” Vishan asked. He knew the answer before he even mentioned it. Of course, he would know everything. The man enjoyed putting people into impossible situations just to see if they survived. Vish would survive, if only to spite his father.

Vestya nodded. “I’m going to eat, even if you won’t,” she said and walked across the little garden square and retrieved a basket covered with a white cloth. “No insects or lizards or spit,” she said, giving him a smile. Perhaps she had forgiven his unthoughtful comment.

Vishan thought the best course was to have some food. At least they wouldn’t have to talk while they ate and he wasn’t too sure he could master his tongue for such a long period. His mother had never taught him how to court women and, he had to admit, that was the project his father had sent him to do. He’d have to learn along the way. He looked at Vestya rummage around in the basket. He’d just be honest about it.

“I’m afraid I’ve learned many things in my life, but I’ve never learned courtly manners around eligible women. You will have to excuse rude outbursts and comments made at seemingly inopportune times. Perhaps you can tutor me as we go.”

Vestya grinned at him. “I’m a harsh taskmistress. But if that’s what you really want, I will do my best, a preliminary lesson, if you will. Don’t complain about the food unless you are agreeing with the lady. I will play the part of the eligible lady in our sessions, since I’m more than eligible. Do you agree?”

Vishan had to smile at her approach. Perhaps if he were older, more practiced around women, he might purse his lips and say something witty. He had tried at dinner and didn’t seem to be so bad. But such expertise came with practice.

Vish thought about something useful to say. What was her passion? The Darkstone. “How do you intend on finding the Darkstone?” he said as he took the thinly sliced meat and fruit that Vestya had placed on a plate.

“Father always insisted that I take an escort and I could never find one suitable. I imagine that you would do.” She gave him a fetching smile and put her forefinger underneath her chin.

Vishan finished swallowing the very tender meat. “I suppose I should agree to go. Won’t that be the proper course?”

“Actually not. A woman and a man, even betrothed can’t just go off on an expedition, you know.”

“So something,” Vishan gulped, “after we are married?”

“After we are married. The fall will be a better time after all of the leaves drop. Until then we can go over all of the legends and work together to find the likeliest places.”

“I thought you knew where the tomb was located. Not far from here?”

“Now a suitor doesn’t question the lady’s knowledge.” Vestya laughed. At least she was enjoying their conversation despite his awful gaffe. “Anyway, there are conflicting accounts.”

“As one might expect.”

“Uh-huh, as one might expect. I’ll show you my collection of books.”

“I don’t think we can do so in your rooms,” Vish tried to be sensitive to their awkward situation.

“Actually there is a map room that has sat in disuse for ages. It is at the bottom of your tower. We can leave the door open.” She looked at him sideways and gave him a sly look. Playfully conspiratorial, Vishan thought.

“Should we adjourn to the map room?”

“No, I’ll have a servant move my books, for there are a trunkful of them. We can start tomorrow. For today, I think your lady would like to know what life was like living in the house of a Princess of the Emperor.”

Vishan thought about what information he should present to Vestya. He decided to describe what his sisters’ lives were like. He knew enough about them although they were never particularly close. Vestya would be able to identify more with their upbringing than with his.

She asked lots of questions about details that made Vishan struggle to recall, but before he had finished, the sun had left the garden.

“We can continue another day,” Vestya said. “You did very well, my prince. I’ve decided to give Fateem another chance dining with us. I hope you can do as well with her as you have with me.”

A dark look passed over her face, like a cloud on a bright day. Vishan was at a loss to interpret the woman. He suppressed a sigh and helped her gather the remains of their midday meal and walked her to the middle of the castle courtyard.

“You go there and I’ll go this way,” she nodded towards the South tower. “You can meet us in the sitting room at any time. Dinner is at the seventh hour. You remember the pull in the sitting room? There’s one like it in your rooms. Please use it to call for a servant to guide you, if you still need to.” Vestya turned and walked to a set of window-filled double doors leading into the baron’s living quarters.

Vishan dusted off his hands and headed back to the stables. Perhaps he could run into Ovyr. He stepped into the stables through an open door and saw Ovyr pitching hay.

“Ovyr, I wondered if you have a length of rope I might borrow. I want to tie up my trunk.”

“Not wanting anyone to look in it? Secrets?”

“Something like that. Ten yards worth, I’d imagine would work. I’ll just coil up what I don’t use.”

Ovyr took Vishan to a supply room. “I imagine this is longer than what you want, but it’s thin and supple.”

Vish hadn’t seen rope woven quite like that before. He tested it and it seemed strong enough and took the coil. “Thanks, I think I can find my way well enough tonight.”

Ovyr nodded. “You are welcome, Sir Prince.”

The coil was as light as it looked as Vishan put it over his shoulder and walked across the courtyard to the North tower. He looked inside his empty trunk and put a few ornaments from his rooms inside in case someone decided to shake it. He uncoiled the rope and it would work well enough to give him an escape route should he need it.

Vishan walked to the window facing outside the castle. He looked down to the moat below. If he escaped he wouldn’t slide down to the courtyard as most expected, but down on the outside.

He used as much rope as he could and tied elaborate knots around the trunk, but they would come undone easily with an uttered spell. He felt better about his situation and looked forward to dinner with Vestya. She seemed compatible enough and he decided that his father could do much worse in pairing him with someone. He thought their conversation had ended well enough.

Fenakyr still seemed to loom over the castle like a dark storm that could emit thunder and lightning with a rain that could dampen the nascent relationship with his daughter at any time.

The path to the sitting room seemed easy enough to find now. Fateem sat in the same chair as the previous night reading. She attempted a smile, but the coldness of the gesture made Vish shiver. Vestya hadn’t yet arrived.

“How are you this evening?” Vish said trying to give the woman a second chance at civility.

“Well enough, and you, Prince Vishan?” He noticed that the gray streaks in her hair had gone and her dress fit her much more fashionably, taking years off of her appearance.

“I’ve had a tolerable day highlighted with an afternoon in the garden.”

“I noticed. It’s a pleasant enough place. I’ve frequented it enough,” she said and buried her face back in her book. Vishan noted some kind of message with her comment, but he couldn’t decipher her undertone.

Vestya walked into the room. She seemed like a bright torch in a dark cave. Vish could see again, after groping in the darkness trying to make conversation with the frigid Fateem.

“Dinner is served,” Gornytar said as he opened the door to the dining room.

Fateem walked in first, followed by Vestya, who didn’t offer Vishan her arm. It seemed a little strange, but then he played a game where he didn’t know the rules.

They sat down, but Vestya and Fateem switched places with the older woman sitting closer to Fenakyr’s seat.

Vishan noticed that the Baron’s place had been set for dinner. Now he felt totally lost with all of the antics.

“Ah, there you are Prince Vishan,” Baron Fenakyr said as he rushed into the room. “I see you’ve met my daughter and Fateem, my ward.”

“Your ward?” Vishan said, now thoroughly confused. Did his ward manage the castle affairs? She no longer looked like old enough to mother a grown son. His stomach began to turn. They continued to play with him.

“I am Fateem,” Vestya said. “My parents were killed in a fire that burned down our mansion three years ago. The baron took over our lands and gave me a place in his castle.”

“And you are Vestya?” Vishan asked of the housekeeper.

She gave Vishan a wicked smile. “Yes, betrothed.” Why did she say it with such triumph?

Vishan felt as if he had plunged into a house for the insane. “I am sorry, Baron. There has been some misunderstanding.” There was no misunderstanding. He had been played a fool from the start to put him off balance. Any fool could see that, and right now he felt very, very foolish.

“Only on your part. I’ll see you wed to my daughter and I’ll collect one hundred thousand golden dreks. There is nothing you can do to stop me.” Fenakyr laughed. “Your father wants you to settle down with a woman who understands what the Emperor wants.”

“What about the sorcery story?”

The baron glared at the younger, prettier Fateem, who colored with embarrassment. “You didn’t tell him that drivel, did you?”

She lifted her chin. “I still want to seek out the Darkstone. Vishan is a sorcerer, so he can help me.”