The Healer's Legacy (9 page)

Harl caught up with her on her way back to the stable. He held a plate of bread and a bowl of rich-looking soup. “Brilissa sent you more food,” he said, a little out of breath.

Kira’s mouth watered at the soup’s woodsy fragrance. Thick slices of carrots and dark mushrooms floated in a seasoned broth. “Thank you, Harl.” She took the plate and bowl from him and he produced a wooden spoon from his pocket.

“I’m afraid my hands are full,” she told him. “Could you carry it to the stable for me?”

The boy grinned. “Will you tell me more about the troll?” he asked as soon as she’d settled herself onto the stool to eat.

“There’s nothing more to tell,” she said between mouthfuls.

“You only told me that you fought with it and won,” Harl said. “What I want to know is how. Rock trolls are as tall as trees, stronger than full-grown bulls. Won’t you please tell me how you defeated it?”

She tore off a piece of thick bread and dipped it into the soup. “You were right about Brilissa’s cooking,” she said. “Her soup is wonderful.”

“Why won’t you tell me about it?” Harl asked.

“I told you, Harl, there’s nothing more to tell. Why are you so interested?”

“Because no one here has ever seen such a creature, much less killed one!” Kira heard excitement rising in his voice. “No one here has ever gone anywhere or done anything,” he said with a frown. He watched her, eyes bright. “Someday, I’m going to be a great warrior and slay a hundred men just like Warlord Toril.”

The bowl slipped in Kira’s hand and soup splashed onto the straw. “Killing is not something to aspire to,” she said quietly.

“But all great warriors do great deeds, killing men in battle and—“

“A truly great warrior kills only in need, not to count the heads of those he has slaughtered,” she snapped.

He bowed his head and his hair fell over his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to anger you.”

Kira let the anger flow out of her. He was only a boy. “No, Harl,” she said. “I’m sorry. I have no right to tell you what you should or shouldn’t want. But this land has seen too much of war and death.”

“But Warlord Toril drove out the invaders,” the boy said, raising his eyes to meet hers. “He and his men have done great deeds, haven’t they?”

“Yes, I suppose they have.” Kira set down the bowl of soup. “Yet they have not disbanded. They continue to march across the land, taking what they want. How are they better than the invaders they drove away?”

“But they protect us,” he said. “They keep the invaders from returning and others from coming.”

“Do they?” Kira shook her head and stared into her bowl. How could she take away a boy’s dreams of glory? How could she explain what she had seen? The way that Toril had reveled in the admiration of the people until he could no longer live without it. The way he embraced his power, as if it were a treasure beyond reckoning. She spooned the last of the soup into her mouth, but now it tasted bitter.

CHAPTER NINE

Kira stayed with Trad throughout the afternoon. When she offered to help Harl with his work, his face flushed, so she let him be. Later, when she went to the kitchen to ask for fresh herbs, there was such a flurry of activity, she decided it would be best not to bother Brilissa. As she returned to the stable she glimpsed someone following her. She slowed her pace and turned her head in time to see the young girl from the kitchen slip around the back corner of the building.

As she sat down beside Trad, a door creaked and a rustling of straw moved toward her, then stopped near an adjacent stall. Someone watched her from the shadows. She waited for the girl to approach, but the child remained quiet and out of sight. “You needn’t hide,” Kira finally said. “I won’t harm you.”

There was a small catch of breath, then silence. Kira shrugged and rewrapped Trad’s leg. The wound was healing, but Kira hoped the holder would allow them to stay another night or two in the hold. If not, they would have to rest in the forest before heading for the coast. She searched with her mind and found Vaith and Kelmir. Fully fed, they rested deep in the woods. When she came back to herself, two eyes shone from between the slats of the adjoining stall. Kira smiled at the lurking girl and the eyes disappeared.

No matter what Kira did, the girl in the shadows would neither speak nor come closer. It was a relief when Harl finally came for her late in the afternoon. The tension of being watched had begun to try her nerves. She followed Harl into the main hall.

Bright lanterns cast a warm flickering glow against wooden walls and a high vaulted ceiling sloped upward into shadow. The hall smelled of fresh bread and roasted meat. The remains of the evening meal were still visible on the long tables set in rows. Small clusters of people sat about the hall, talking quietly or laughing together, and a group of young children chased one another around a tall chair on a dais at the far end of the room. In a distant corner a well-dressed woman sat alone, working at some sort of sewing. People stopped talking, turning to watch as Kira entered the room. Even the children stopped for a moment, before resuming their game. The woman in the corner seemed to take no notice. She continued to sew, pulling her needle and thread smoothly through the fabric, but Kira detected a tense watchfulness in the woman’s posture.

Holder Tem sat alone at the end of a long table. He looked up at Harl’s approach. Kira waited a respectful distance from the holder as he spoke under his breath to the stable boy. Harl nodded then turned to Kira. “Holder Tem offers you a seat at his table,” the boy said in a formal tone, gesturing to a seat near the holder.

She moved to a chair and sat facing the man across the corner of the heavy wooden table. She waited for the holder to speak first as respect required, but he merely watched her over his wine cup. His face was stern, but his blue eyes were bright with curiosity.

“How is your horse?” he asked.

Kira was taken off guard. She hadn’t expected the holder to ask after Trad, but then he would want to know how soon his unwelcome guest would be ready to leave.

“He is mending, Holder Tem, thanks to your hospitality and the aid of your people. He could use a little more rest, but if you wish us to leave, we will.”

The man’s jaw tightened. “Nothing has been said of your leaving,” he said.

“My apologies, Holder Tem. Once again, I have erred. I didn’t mean to assume.”

“Yes,” he said. “I’m sure you didn’t.” He grew calmer. “You carry no weapons, aside from the dagger in your belt. I’m curious how you took down the animal you brought to us.” His voice was flat, holding no emotion, but there was a glint in his eyes that made Kira uncomfortable. She wondered how much she should tell him, how much he knew, and whether or not the story of her encounter with the troll had already reached him.

“I am a simple hunter, Holder Tem, but I am skilled at my trade,” Kira said, hoping he would let the question go.

“Skilled is one thing. But to bring down one of the wild peccary in this region, even a young one, is no small feat. I don’t believe it could be done by anyone with naught but a single knife.” He leaned forward and folded his hands on the table.

Kira hesitated. He was trying to read her reaction. She kept her face blank, the way she’d learned to do when Toril was in one of his foul moods.

“What are you hiding?” the holder asked suddenly. “Do you hesitate because you are fearful, or is there some darker purpose that I need be wary of? As holder of these lands it is my duty to care for the land and the people. And to protect them from harm.” His eyes narrowed.

How much of what went on in his land would escape his attention? How much should she tell him? How much might he know? Neither Vaith nor Kelmir had alerted her to the presence of anyone in the forest, but the woods belonged to this man. If word of her flight from Toril had already reached this far, why would he be asking these questions? She would answer enough to put the man’s worries to rest.

“I have trained two animals to hunt with me,” Kira said. “They wait in the forest until I return.”

“So, you’re not as alone as you would have us believe, and you have trained beasts to work game with you,” he said. “Are these animals the same companions that helped you to defeat the rock troll?” He sat back in his chair, watching her.

Kira felt as if she were being stalked by a cunning hunter. Telling Harl about the troll had been another mistake. It seemed the holder kept a close watch on the happenings in his hold. She wanted to flee, but instead she answered calmly. “They are.”

He stiffened. “Tell me, how tame are these animals? I won’t have wild hunting beasts among my people, or on my land.”

“They are well-trained, though not as tame as a domesticated beast might be. They are still hunters,” Kira said. “I’ve hunted with them for many years. They were born in the wild, but you and your people need not fear them. Though, most people fear the moon cat when they first see him. The other is a wyvern.”

“A moon cat! Trained?” His face hardened. “I’ve never heard of anyone taming such a beast.”

“It’s true, they’re dangerous when wild, but Kel is no danger to anyone, unless they threaten him. Or me,” she said.

The man was silent, as if considering all that Kira had said. She waited.

“Have you eaten?” he asked finally, surprising her.

“Not since the midday meal, Holder Tem.”

“I would not have it said that Tem Hold does not feed its guests, particularly when the kitchen has prepared a special feast to celebrate Fall Turn. Harl, please ask Brilissa to send out food for our guest.”

“Yes, sir.” Harl grinned and scurried off toward the kitchen, quickly returning with a fresh platter of meat, a loaf of bread, and a bowl of boiled vegetables. A plate was set before Kira along with a cup filled with deep ruby liquid. Kira took a sip of the wine, rolling it around on her tongue. It was mild and fruity.

“I see you like the wine,” the holder said, his mouth twitching almost into a smile. “Tem Hold boasts a good store. This wine is from the southern coast.”

“It is very good, Holder Tem. Thank you.”

“Please, eat.” He waved a hand at the food before her.
Kira filled her plate and began to eat, taking small mouthfuls and chewing slowly as the holder sipped at his wine. He watched her, leaning back in his chair. “I see you are a cautious person,” he said. “A virtue not all can claim,” he added, and Kira wondered at the note of sorrow in his voice. He was silent a few moments, waiting while she ate.

When she finished her meal, Harl picked up the empty plate, but before she could turn and thank him, he was gone.

“My stable boy must think much of you,” Holder Tem said when Harl returned from the kitchen to stand beside her. “He is rarely so attentive to our guests.” Harl studied the floor.

Kira smiled up at the boy. “He has been a great help to me in tending to my horse. I’m sure you’re proud to have such a bright and willing young man in your hold.” Harl blushed, and the smile on his face told Kira that he was warmed by the praise.

“Yes, well, it seems he has shown you qualities he rarely exercises with his daily responsibilities. But boys are ever at odds with themselves at Harl’s age.” He threw the boy a stern look, before returning his attention to Kira. “Now that you have eaten, I would like to know where you are traveling at this time of the year.”

Kira thought about her mother’s medallion and the land that beckoned from across the western sea. “I am headed for the coast. I intend to sail for other parts.” Once more she tried to be evasive.

“Then you will have to wait out the season. The fall and winter storms are violent on the western seas. The last ship of the year will have left harbor some weeks ago.”

Kira was crestfallen. Now what? Her hand drifted to the pouch that held her treasures. Simple trinkets all, except for the medallion. “When does the storm season pass?” she asked, trying not to betray her frustration and worry. Any delay could cost her and her companions their freedom, and keep her from ever discovering who she truly was.

“Three moons from now, at least. In a bad year, as many as four or more.” He took another drink. “I see you’re disappointed, but perhaps we can help one another.”

“I am already in your debt, Holder Tem. How might I be of service to you?” Kira replied cautiously.

“We have no hunter at our hold. It would be good to have fresh game, and a larger supply of wild meat would allow us to take more of our stock to market next season. With your skills you could provide a useful service to the hold and, in exchange, you would be welcome to stay on until the storm season has passed and the harbor reopens.”

Kira was thoughtful. It could be the perfect opportunity. With the pass down the cliff destroyed, it would take at least two moons, perhaps longer, for Toril’s men to backtrack from there and make their way north to the main gap. Another moon would likely go by before they managed to come this far south. Trad could heal in comfort and she and her companions could wait out the winter. She would have to make arrangements for Kelmir and Vaith, but there was time to deal with that before harsh weather set in. However, there would still be the problem of paying for passage on a ship. “It is a generous offer, Holder Tem, but I could also offer the hold my services in the healing arts.”

He set his cup down roughly. The ruby-colored contents splashed over the rim and onto his sleeve. “Healing arts? More like conjuring and luck, and all of it bad. No, Hunter. We have no need of a healer here.”

Kira took a calculated risk. “I cannot work the season for food and lodging alone. There must be other holds in this region that would welcome the skills of a healer as well as a hunter.” She took another sip of wine.

The holder seemed to struggle with himself for a moment, then his expression grew wary. “And what else would you ask?”

“Food and shelter for myself and my horse and the cost of ship’s passage,” Kira said quickly.

He set his jaw. “For that, you would need to do more than hunt for the hold.” He relaxed into his chair, a slight smile pulling up one corner of his mouth. “Tell me, are you learned in the matters of reading and writing?”

“I am, but—”

“Then I will agree to your terms, if you will also tutor my niece and nephew in those subjects.”

Kira chewed her lower lip. She had never taught anyone before. And tutoring two children? She remembered the children she had known growing up and embers of old anger stirred inside her. Some of them had been mean and others merely spoiled. They had all bullied her, but then she’d been young and shy.

The holder waited for her answer, poised like a hungry wyvern ready to swoop down on a defenseless rodent. Kira wasn’t sure she wanted anything to do with children, but what other option did she have? “It’s a bargain, and done.” She slapped the table in front of her.

“Done and done,” he said, striking the table with the flat of his palm, his eyes locked on hers. “But if you bring the other animals into my hold, the moon cat must be restrained.”

Kira wanted to argue, to tell this arrogant holder what she thought of his fearful ignorance, but she held her tongue.

The holder stood and nodded to her. “A bargain, then,” he said. A few faces turned curiously in her direction as the holder left the room. After a moment the people went back to their conversations, but the well-dressed woman in the corner had stopped sewing and stared at her with cold eyes.