The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise (32 page)

This direct challenge took Ninianee aback. “I . . . I am. I didn’t know my father had made any preparations for his . . . his absence.”

“So he is missing – his fears were not misfounded. Yes. I can see that he had good reason to summon me, whether or not he could explain what his reasons are,” said the priest, shaking his head. “How like him.”

“What do you mean, how like him?” Ninianee asked, curious and worried at once.

“Only that he should summon me and leave no word for you,” said the priest. “I gather that is the case.”

Ninianee couldn’t decide if this observation were derogatory or not, so she said, “My father is missing. What do you know about that?”

“You have the total of my information,” said the priest, and then put his hand to his mouth as if to stop himself from adding more. He nodded to Ninianee. “I haven’t introduced myself, have I? No. Pardon my oversight, but you see, when you spend all your time among the members of your own Order, you tend to lose track of such niceties.” He respected Ninianee. “I am Poyneilum Zhanf, Magsto Atoreon of the Priests of Mirvex-Doz. Your father and I were students together. Perhaps you’ve heard him speak of me? No?” When Ninianee said nothing, he shrugged and went on, Well, never mind. I’m here now.” He motioned to his coachman. “This is Chormi Van, who assists me in all things.”

The coachman, who had been taking trunks down from the back of the carriage, paused to respect Ninianee. “I’ll fetch our visitor’s flag in a moment.”

“You are both welcome here,” said Ninianee, and noticed that Hoftstan Ruch and Dochanee Rocazin were approaching. Out of the tail of her eye, she saw Doms Guyon lingering in the entrance to the Castle, and this unnerved her for reasons she could not entirely understand. “The Housekeeper-General and the seneschal will assign you your quarters.”

“You’re Ninianee, aren’t you? You’re the older one who communicates with animals?” Zhanf asked as if he had not heard the last. “I imagine your sister is already on her way to Tiumboj. Well, perhaps I will meet her later, and see one of her Sublime Shadowshows.” General Rocazin and Hoftstan respect him, and he returned the courtesy. “The keepers of the Castle. How good of you to come to meet me.”

Recovering herself a little, Ninianee said, “This is Magsto Atoreon Poyneilum Zhanf, come from the Drowned World to aid Duz Nimuar in his absence.”

“Mirvex-Doz?” Hoftstan asked.

“Exactly,” said Zhanf. “I stayed with the Order and Nimuar took up his place at Court. Bozidar VII had summoned him, and even in those days one did not refuse an invitation from the Porzalk Emperor. It is a pity that Riast II has decided to ignore his father’s magician, but that is the way of emperors, isn’t it?” He motioned impatiently to Van. “Don’t dawdle. These good people have much to do, and we are delaying their doing it.”

“As you wish,” said Van, moving at the same pace he had before

Zhanf sighed. “I doubt I can persuade him to work more quickly than he’s doing now.” He regarded Ninianee silently. “I would like to speak to you and your household magician as soon as possible. In your father’s study, if you don’t mind. I think it would be wise to go there together, where we can converse among his spells. In private,” this last was accompanied by an apologetic nod to Hoftstan and General Rocazin. “I will enforce Nimuar’s spells while we discuss those things we must, but I don’t mean to offend you.”

Ninianee had the impression of constant rocking, and noticed the pair of horses fidgeting with their bits. She tried not to be distracted by the fretting animals.

“We’re not offended,” said Hoftstan. “It will be less awkward if we are not included.”

“Others cannot complain if they are not admitted when we of the household are excluded,” said General Rocazin.

“You mean Zervethus Gaxamirin? You’re right, he would insist on being one of our discussion, which would not be prudent at this time, would it? I saw his visitor’s flag coming in,” said Zhanf. “It surprised me, knowing how loath he is to leave the Court.”

“Actually, it is his secretary who is here in his stead,” Nininaee explained. “A Fahnine fellow.”

“You mean Rai Pareo is here?” Zhanf asked sharply.

“Yes,” said Ninianee, catching the note of alarm in Zhanf’s voice.

“Bontaj!” Zhanf exclaimed, then turned to his servant. “Van, as soon as you are through with the chests, and your other chores, find out as much as you can about what Pareo is up to. Make sure he doesn’t notice.”

“Yes, Magsto,” said Van.

“See that the horses are groomed and stabled. They’re still a little sour from their days at sea.” Zhanf patted the nearer horse’s glossy neck. “They’ll need food and water and a run in the afternoon. If the weather is calm, they would do well to be put in a paddock for the night. Wouldn’t you agree, Duzeon?”

“Yes,” said Ninianee, feeling slightly distracted by the variety of impressions she had pouring in around her. What was it that so dismayed Zhanf about Pareo? Why had he set his servant to watch the secretary? Again she noticed Doms – he hadn’t moved from his place in the doorway, but something about his demeanor suggested that he had overheard most of what was said.

“I will serve the main meal at mid-afternoon,” said General Rocazin. “The Cook-Major will announce the meal.”

“Very good. We can attend to the Meal Rite for Visitors then, if that suits you.” said Zhanf. “I have brought some smoked hedge-chickens and a preserved side of drugh-ox with me. Your Cook-Major will be able to find a use for them, I trust. I have no wish to make keeping me a trial.” He nodded once as if to confirm his own opinion. “Van is a most capable hunter, and he would be glad to join your parties going out for game.”

If Van had such intentions, he gave no indication of it as he continued to deal with unloading the carriage.

“That is very good of you, Magsto,” said Ninianee, a little overwhelmed by the energetic old priest.

“Hardly that,” said Zhanf. “I would like to demonstrate my purpose, don’t you know? I can see you have had your hands more than full in recent days. With all you’ve had to contend with since your father vanished, I must conclude that you are cautious in extending yourself to others. No? I am certain you will feel more inclined to confide in me if you are certain I don’t mean to batten on you and Vildecaz until your father comes back.”

Since this summed up most of Ninianee’s reservations about another visitor, she took a little time to frame her answer. “Let us go into the Great Hall and see to settling you in.”

“Thank you, Duzeon,” said Zhanf. “I am a bit weary – days in a pitching boat upset me – and the sooner we have our discussion, the sooner I may perform my meditations. I’ll be more myself by the time we sit down to eat.” He pointed to Van. “One of the household will inform you of where we are quartered. Take care of the horses, deliver the food, locate Pareo, and then present yourself to me. I will be with the Duzeon.”

“I will,” said Van.

They started toward the main door, General Rocazin leading the way, Hoftstan Ruch behind her, then Ninianee and Poyneilum Zhanf walking side by side. As they neared the door, Zhanf caught sight of Doms and offered him a profound respect.

“Yaolaj,” said Zhanf.

Doms returned the respect. “Magsto.” He glanced swiftly in Ninianee’s direction, one eyebrow arched.

Entering the Great Hall, Zhanf remarked, “I had no idea that the Yaolaj was here. He must be a welcome presence.”

Ninianee didn’t know how to answer, and said only, “He has been useful.”

“I have no doubt. He is an enterprising young man.” He made the gesture of greeting to entry of the Great Hall.

“I am a little perplexed as to why he should be here at all,” said Ninianee carefully. “Surely a Yaolaj has duties that would keep him in the Drowned World.”

Zhanf lowered his voice. “You know he and his father are at odds. No? Alas, it is true. And all of his family have attempted, without avail, to heal the rift between them. It is one of the regrets of many of us from the Drowned World that no reconciliation has been possible between those two. Yao Delionaj Guyon is a great traditionalist, and his heir is not, and neither of them can make the effort not to argue when they meet.” He looked around the Great Hall with its handsome friezes of the Six Founder Gods and Goddesses. “Your father has often described your Castle to me, but he didn’t do justice to this chamber. I can see why it is reputed to be one of the grandest in all of Theninzalk.”

“Thank you,” said Ninianee, her mind still spinning from what Zhanf had told her about Doms Guyon. Recalling herself to her duties, she said, “General Rocazin, where do you want our guests quartered?”

“The Magsto will have the Nestlings Apartment. It is a suite of four rooms over the birdcotes, and it faces south, so it is warm most of the day.”

“Excellent,” approved Zhanf. “If you will show Van the way when he is ready?”

“I will,” said General Rocazin. “For now I will summon pages to bring you good winter-wine for your enjoyment.” She clapped her hands and ordered the libation from the two pages who answered the summons.

“I haven’t had winter-wine from Vildecaz,” said Zhanf.

“It isn’t really from Vildecaz,” Ninianee began, “it’s from Otsinmohr, the province – “

” – to the south of the River Dej. Yes. It is known for its wines, is it not? Their winter-wine is prized everywhere in the Great World, and small wonder.” He smiled benignly and cocked his head. “Do you think you will allow an old man an early night tonight? I would just as soon forego entertainments until tomorrow, when I have made up for some lost sleep.”

“That would suit me as well,” said Ninianee, anticipating her last night as a Salah-badger. She was relieved she wouldn’t have to make excuses for her absence; something about Zhanf made her think he would not be willing to accept any explanation but the truth, and that could not be considered.

“By tomorrow we will have a better understanding, won’t we?” He winked as he looked into her light-green eyes.

“I hope so, Magsto, for my father’s sake,” said Ninianee, noticing that Doms had followed them into the Great Hall.

“I expect we shall,” said Zhanf. “And as soon as I have had my welcome-cup, we will adjourn with the Castle magician to discuss what we must.”

“Very good,” said Ninianee, knowing that Doms had overheard.

* * *

Duz Nimuar’s study was chilly and a fine film of dust covered every flat surface in the room. A newly laid fire on the grate in the fireplace was quickly set alight as Poyneilum Zhanf drew up the saddle-chair and sat down, leaving Ninianee and Heijot Merinex to select stools for themselves. Zhanf recited some spells to keep their talk from being overheard by anyone or anything, then sighed and pointed to Ninianee, but asked no question.

After a short, awkward silence, Ninianee said, “Duz Nimuar is missing, as you know. He has been gone almost a month. We have searched all of the Castle lands, and all of Valdihovee. Unless he was carried off by ship, he must still be on the Boarthine Peninsula, in one of the Duzkies or other clients of the Porzalk Empire.”

“That is a reasonable assumption,” said Zhanf, “and it is in accord with what I know of these matters.”

“He must be cloaked by a spell, and a powerful one at that,” said Merinex. “Neither I nor the spell-hounds could trace him.”

“Which would suggest he did not leave of his own volition, do you think? No? Or is he on some mission of his own? Would that be like him? Would he leave without telling you where he was going, or why? Can you think of a reason he would want to go off by himself?” Zhanf joined his hands contemplatively. “Which seems more likely to you?”

“At first I thought he had gone on his own for his own reasons,” said Merinex, his expression turning more serious.

“But you changed your mind? Why is that?” Zhanf asked.

“There was a manifestation,” said Ninianee before Merinex could launch into a long explanation. “The night before my sister left for Tiumboj, she performed a last Shadowshow, and in the middle, a spectre of our father appeared.”

“Did he?” Zhanf’s interest was piqued. “What was it like?”

“It was mostly his head,” said Merinex, eager to contribute his bit.

“He said ‘Agnith’s Treasure’ twice, and then he vanished,” said Ninianee.

“‘Agnith’s Treasure’,” Zhanf mused.

“He had been studying about it for the last several months,” Ninianee went on. “He was determined to find out what it is.”

Zhanf nodded several times. “It has always been his obsession. When we were students together he said he intended to summon Agnith and learn what her treasure is, and if possible to secure it for himself. When he had been at Court for a few years, he claimed he had found it. That was just after your sister was born.”

“Twenty-two years ago,” said Ninianee. “Do you think he actually did it?”

“Summoning Agnith, do you mean? Yes, he did. He told me that he had managed to do it before you were born. He called upon the Six Founder Gods and Goddesses to aid him in his quest, and then he performed the Rite of Manifestation. The Magsto Atoreon at the time was most upset that a magician barely out of instruction should undertake something so advanced.” He looked around the study. “I see from his books and his magical vessels that he has continued his pursuit.” Zhanf motioned to Merinex to come closer. “Did you ever assist him in any summoning?”