Unguilded (42 page)

Kara frowned. She hadn’t spent much time roaming the woods, but the estate wasn’t that big. This clearing was new. She tightened her grip on Reo’s hand.

“Stop!”

The voice came from their left. She sucked in her breath and froze. Reo’s shoulders tensed for a moment, and then he relaxed, ready to fight.

“Stay there, where I can see you.”

A light flared, a torch with flame, and Kara squinted in the glare.

“Kara? Is that you?”

She tried to peer past the torch. The voice was familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.

“Vook, get that light out of her eyes, the poor girl’s blinded.”

“Sorry, Mika.”

“Mika,” Kara said. “I didn’t expect you.”

She stepped past Reo and wrapped her arms around the trader.

“And Vook. I’m so happy to see you.” She ruffled his hair. She had to reach up to do it—he’d grown a few inches since she’d last seen him and put on a few pounds.

“Reo,” Kara turned around. “This is Mika Giannetti, the trader I traveled with in the summer. You know Vook.”

Mika eyed Reo and nodded.

“I can’t believe it’s you!” Mika said. “We heard just today that you were dead.” Mika squeezed her against her side. “I’m awfully glad it’s not true. Come on up to the house. Santos will be so relieved.”

“He’s awake?” Kara asked.

Mika nodded.

“We need his help.”

Kara and Reo followed Mika through another small stand of trees to the house. Lights glowed in a few of the windows, and it looked warm and inviting.

“He fixed it,” Kara said. “The damage.” The house was magnificent now, truly befitting the Mage Guild Primus that Santos had been.

“Yeah,” Vook said. “Santos hired folk down by Shantytown. Dozens of men and boys have been crawling all over this place for the last month. Said the house was built without magic so it shouldn’t be repaired with magic.”

“People know about him?” Kara asked.

“Santos said it was Mage Guild that wanted him kept a secret,” Mika said. “But he got worried when we heard you’d been killed.” She looked at Reo. “And that you were in trouble with Mage Guild.”

“That’s why he put a spell along the shore,” Kara said.

“Yeah,” Vook replied. “Just in case Mage Guild knew you’d come from here.”

Light streamed from the windows of the kitchen along the rear of the house. Mika pushed open the door.

“Look who we found,” Mika called.

“Kara?” Santos said. He was standing in the doorway to the hall, a puzzled look on his face. “Kara.” He smiled. “It
is
you.”

She rushed to him, and his thin arms encircled her.

“It’s good to be back,” she said.

Santos pulled away and studied her. “You’re home for good?”

Kara glanced at Reo, who nodded, his mouth tight.

“Yes,” she said and then she smiled. “I’m home.”

“What about Reo?” Santos asked. “I thought . . .”

“I have released Kara from any further obligations,” Reo said. “Considering what I’ve put her through, I’m grateful for any good will she has for me.”

“What you put her through?” Santos asked, frowning.

“I’ll tell that tale later,” Kara said. “Right now I need a favour.” She looked at Reo again. “
We
need a favour.”

IT WAS ALMOST
dawn. Reo had left with the Seyoyans, and Kara was exhausted, but she needed to tell Santos everything. She wanted him to make his decision tonight—she didn’t think she could endure being asked to leave once she’d settled back into the cabin.

She’d told Santos and Mika everything, except the one thing that she thought would change their minds about her. She stared down at her empty tea cup and took a deep breath.

“I’m the one who killed Valerio Valendi,” she said.

“You did?” Santos asked. “I assumed it was Reo. Tell us what happened.”

“Reo and I were trying to get away,” Kara said. “Valendi had us trapped. He was at the front of the alley, and his men were behind us.” She paused for a moment, seeing the mage-mist enshrouded figure again. “He started launching spells at us.” She looked up and met Santo’s gaze. “Bad ones. We avoided the first one, but it struck and killed one of his men. After that I deflected the spells, but Valendi kept coming. When he was close, Reo rushed him, hoping to kill him. Valendi sent one last spell. It would have killed Reo so I . . . I pushed his spell back onto him and he died.”

“It was his spell,” Mika said. “Sounds like the Mage killed himself.”

“No, I did it,” Kara said. “I’m a killer.”

“Hush,” Santos said. “You were defending yourself and Reo. You said yourself Valendi would have killed both of you.” Santos covered one of her hands with his. “Besides,” he continued. “He’s the one who cursed me. You’ve saved me some trouble.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“You don’t really think that Valerio Valendi would have let me live once he heard that I was sane, do you? My former Journeyman would need to get rid of me, permanently this time.”

“He would dare? Even if you didn’t trouble him?”

“He’d have to,” Santos said. “I know far too much and am far too powerful for him to feel safe while I’m alive. I’ve been meaning to create some safeguards spells around the estate to protect against any magical attacks.” He smiled sadly. “I hadn’t thought it urgent until we heard that you had died.”

“How did you learn that?” Kara asked.

“Reo’s Seyoyan friend,” Mika said. “Chal came by boat this afternoon. You were dead, and Reo was wanted for questioning by Mage Guild. He said that he’d heard it from the Mage Guild Primus himself.”

“Good. That’s what we want everyone to think,” she said. Reo’s task would be much easier if Mage Guild already thought she was dead.

“That’s the official version,” Santo’s said. “It’s hard to say what the Primus really believes, or knows, but Mage Guild can’t afford to let anyone think that the death of their Secundus has gone unpunished.”

“Will they come here?” Kara asked. “Have I put you at risk?” She paused. “Should I leave?”

“Leave? Absolutely not,” Santo said. “This island belongs to me.
I
say who is welcome or not. Mage Guild has no power here. Besides,” he grinned. “I
am
the Mage Guild Primus. It’s a title held for life, and I am still alive.”

“What about the current Primus?” Mika asked.

“He’s the acting Primus,” Santos said. “Although he probably does not feel that way.” He waved his hand. “No matter. I don’t want the position, he does, so we should be able to come to an agreement.”

“My mother won’t agree,” Kara said. There was no way Arabella Fonti would let her daughter live, not after she’d killed Valendi.

“She’ll have no choice,” Santos said his voice hard. “I am the Mage Guild Primus. Now, time to find you a place to sleep. Everyone else has moved into the house so the cabin is empty. It’s yours if you want it, or you can stay here. There are plenty of rooms.”

Kara didn’t even have to think about it. “The cabin.” It was home.

“Then it’s yours,” Santos said. “But the house is always open to you—just come over when you feel like company.”

Mika walked with her to the cabin, carrying two small lamps to light their way. Kara’s eyes were almost closed by the time she turned the corner and saw the front door.

“I’ve been in it, so I know it’s there,” Mika said, handing her a lamp. “But I can’t see it, so you’ll need to visit me before I head home in a few days.”

“I will,” Kara said. She gave her friend a quick hug and entered the cabin. The rows of preserves, considerably depleted, were still stacked in the small kitchen, the glass glinting in the lamplight. She sighed, content to be home.

KARA SETTLED BACK
into her cabin. In the mornings she gazed out the window at the waters of the bay. Winter was here and the wind-whipped waves crashed against the rocks, white spray sparkling in the sun. After enjoying her solitude, she ventured to the main house, where she would make lunch for Vook, Sidra, or Santos, or the many workers from Shantytown still at work on the interior of the house.

Pilo’s scars were almost gone, although the girl was still shy around people she didn’t know. She’d quietly help Kara, setting out cups and keeping the kettle full for the constant request for tea.

Vook was in his element. He’d attached himself to the crew boss, a former Mason, and was eagerly learning everything the man was willing to teach. The thought that Vook would have made a fine apprentice made her sad until she realized that he already was one.

Sidra spent most of her time with Mika. After living so long with the threat of hunger, the girl seemed determined to gather and store enough food to keep them fed for years. The garden was going to be much expanded come spring. A few new beds were being cleared, including the one that she and Reo had walked through the night they arrived.

Kara rarely saw Mole but he seemed healthy and growing, and Santos said he’d taken to prowling the estate at night. One evening after she’d settled into her cabin, he came in and sat down. He didn’t say much, but Mole never had—and he left after a few quiet hours.

Mika departed with the promise that she’d return in the spring. Kara watched her go, glad that her friend was heading back to Allon and their home in the mountains, but she would miss her. Kara wasn’t much older than Vook, but her months with Reo had changed her, forced her to grow up, and she craved the adult company that Mika had provided.

Santos was completely free of all of the spells that had cursed him. He kept to his workroom, and a part of Kara worried that since he no longer needed her help, he didn’t want to spend time with her. But a few days after Mika left, he stopped her on her way to her cabin.

“Will you be ready to start in the morning?” Santos asked.

Kara paused and turned to him. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a small half smile played on his lips.

“Start what?”

“Your training, of course,” Santos said. “I want you to be my Apprentice.” He frowned. “Unless you’re not interested.”

“Of course I am,” she replied. “But I can’t do magic.” She dropped her gaze to the ground, filled with the familiar feelings of failure and disappointment.

“Yes, you can,” Santos said. “You do the most extraordinary magic. You just can’t create spells. I’m fascinated and want to find out exactly what you can do.”

She looked up into his bright gaze. Santos’ smile widened, and she returned his smile.

“We’ll start in the morning then,” Kara said.

Santos nodded and turned away.

She watched him go. She hadn’t even hoped for that. She felt lucky—Gyda-blessed—to have a safe home and friends. But to have someone willing—
eager
—to work with her and help her develop her talents? That was a dream she’d given up years ago.

ARABELLA PLACED HER
open palm against her heart. “By Gyda’s light I pledge to uphold Guild Law. As Mage Guild Secundus I put the guild above all, even myself, and promise to use all my talents to further the guild and its Guildsmen.”

“I, Primus Rorik, appoint you Secundus Fonti.”

Arabella met Rorik’s eyes and nodded. It was done. The appointment had taken longer than she’d expected, but finally she was Secundus and none of the Mages who stood as witnesses could undo it. She was safe—and in power—for the rest of her life.

“Thank you, Primus,” she nodded. She turned to the crowd—every single council member was in attendance, of course—along with an assortment of lesser Mages, Journeymen, Apprentices, and other Guildsmen and women. Warrior Guild had sent a minor official. She chose not to be offended, although she could tell by the set of Rorik’s shoulders that he was. He had been pressing Warrior Guild rather hard about their involvement in Valerio’s death. She hadn’t been able to make Rorik wait until she was appointed—otherwise she would have been there when the Assassin was interviewed.

Rorik had used magic on him, and he was confident that he’d told the truth—that the girl was dead. But Arabella had heard of her death far too many times to truly believe it. She would need to see her body with her own eyes.

“Enjoy your reception, Arabella,” Rorik said as he led her down from the dais. “But meet me later. We have much to talk about.”

“Such as?”

“There are reports that Santos Nimali is no longer mad. I need you to find out if there is any truth to this.” He looked out across the room. “Someone here knows something. They will tell you, if you ask nicely.”

“I will do my best to make new friends and strengthen old alliances.”

“I’m sure you will.” Rorik bowed and left her to the crowd that waited for her.