Gaia's Secret (32 page)

Tran nodded.

“But Alaric’s gone.”

“Apparently, the king is being blamed for the
attacks and the drought—which you were already aware. They accuse
him of practicing dark magic and want him to step down from the
throne until his reputation is cleared.”

“Bloody traitors!” Cicero gasped. “How dare
they make such a ridiculous accusation?”

“Calm yourself. Even you can’t deny the
manner of Alaric’s absence looks suspect—what with no one knowing
his whereabouts. And the lords, as you know, are easily
influenced.”

My dad must be higher up on the food chain
than I thought.

“But that’s ridiculous,” Alex said. “Stefan
is there.”

“Precisely,” Tran’s voice was low.

Alex opened his mouth to argue, but stopped.
“Someone on the Council knows we’re here. The Pykans were sent
after Daria as a distraction.”

Tran was silent.

“That’s absurd,” Cicero said. “Lord Commodus
can verify where Alaric has been.”

“Ah, but Lord Commodus isn’t there, now is
he?” Tran said. “His son Danton is acting in his place.”

“Of course.” Alex paced the room. “No one
trusts Danton and Stefan is too weak to fight them on it.”

“Don’t worry too much quite yet,” Tran
continued. “The lords haven’t acted, which means they aren’t
entirely convinced.”

“Whoever the traitor is behind this,” Cicero
continued, “he’s powerful enough to summon the barghests.”

“About that,” Tran said, with a long, bony
finger poking his chin. “Would you mind filling me in on the
details of your attack?”

Sonya recounted those horrific details; all
the while Tran’s pale face grew paler and paler.

“It has to be a Guild member.” Alex stopped
pacing beside the fireplace and looked back at his dad, his
features sharpened by the low light. “They’re the only ones with
that kind of power.”

“Not necessarily, dear boy.” Tran’s brow
furrowed. “There are others—like myself—that have remained hidden
all these years. But we can be certain of this: whoever is behind
these attacks is giving intelligence to someone inside the castle.
I’m afraid, as you were already suspicious, there are enemies
within the Council.”

The more I learned about this world, the more
I was afraid of it. Was there anything in this world that didn’t
want me dead?

“The soldiers you mentioned,” Cicero
continued. “We ran into them the first time at Rex Cross. They wore
the armor of Valdon, but the backs of their necks were
branded.”

Cicero had seen it too.

“I know.” Tran stared at the fire. “I do not
know who or what they serve, but it worries me.”

“What is the king doing about the
accusations?” Alex asked.

“King Darius is responding much as he always
does. Predictably unpredictable. Silent and manipulating, which
doesn’t help the case against him, I’m afraid. You know how he is.
His own advice has always been his most valued asset. It is well
Daria is with you, away from the people of this world, at least
until you join with Alaric. Then maybe some sense can be made from
all of this, hopefully before they decide on a course of
action.”

I didn’t understand much about what they were
saying, except for one important fact. My dad’s absence was causing
problems, and this was bound to put him in more danger.

“Maybe that’s why you haven’t heard from
Dad.” I interrupted the silence. “Maybe he’s in trouble.”

No one would meet my gaze. In fact, they all
looked a little guilty. And my fear kept growing and growing as I
became certain it was true. “You know how strong those Pykans are.
It took Tran
and
Alex to get rid of them. And now my dad is
out there alone—“

“Your father is just fine.” Sonya still
wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“How do you know that?” I got to my feet.
“Stefan hasn’t said a word about him, unless you’re lying to me…” I
stopped before Sonya and stared pointedly at her.
“
Again
.”

“Daria.” It was Tran. His blue eyes were
thoughtful as they studied my face. “I know you really have no idea
who I am, nor any particular reason to trust me. But I am certain
Alaric is able to handle himself, if any in this world can make
such a claim. Have faith in him, my dear. You will see him soon, or
I am no sorcerer.”

I didn’t know how he did it, but each word he
said was like throwing a bucket of water on a raging fire. He was
the first person I’d spoken to in over a week that I knew was being
completely honest with me. I believed him, and took a deep breath.
“You are a sorcerer?”

He smiled. “Well, ‘was’. I am more of an
entrepreneur at present.”

“Don’t let him fool you,” Sonya said. “Tran
Chiton is well known for being one of the most powerful mages that
ever existed.”

Tran’s gaze drifted absently to the flames.
“History does a fine job remembering and disregarding what it
wants.”

“Why aren’t you still serving the king?” I
asked.

“That, my dear, is rather complicated.
Certain events transpired and I felt it my time to withdraw from
society. My work these days is more easily done when people think I
do not exist. Plus, Grool’s inventions keep me well entertained. I
must say, in all my travels, his antidotes and sprite traps are
exemplary.”

“So that’s what you have on the wall?” Cicero
nodded towards the collection of metal death traps.

Tran smiled. “That is only some of them.
Grool is quite the expert at catching pesky creatures. The only
disagreement we have is that he likes to keep them.” Tran gestured
towards the bookshelf containing all the vases. “Please be careful
with them. If one breaks and releases one of those creatures, they
are quite cumbersome to control.”

Grool suddenly reentered the room. His potato
sack covering was soaked through, and he was carrying a mug half
his size. The contents sloshed upon the floor with his jerky
movements, and something sour filled the air. Grool hobbled to Tran
and grumbled something into his ear.

“Thank you, Grool,” Tran said.

Grool wobbled straight to the bookshelf,
meticulously inspecting each vial. He sat down, glaring at each of
us in turn as he took a swig.

“What’s that smell?” I asked.

Tran stood to his feet. “Grool’s mead. It is
made of rat droppings.”

“Rat droppings?”

Grool scowled at me as he took a large
sip.

“There is a seed that rats eat here. Once its
coat is digested in their stomach, they excrete it whole in their
droppings. That partially digested seed is what they make into ale.
I find the drink horrid myself, but it is a delicacy to
brownies—like Grool.”

“You’ve actually tried it?” Cicero asked.

“Of course.” Tran grinned. “How else can I
claim distaste? But it is late, and you have more traveling ahead.
I offer you my hospitality for the remainder of the night. Grool
has already taken care of the horses. They are close by and hidden,
and here, I’ve got just the thing…”

He waved his hand over the sofa. The cushions
began to grow. They grew longer and longer, until each were about
the length of a bed. “There, that should do it.”

I didn’t think Sonya and Cicero looked nearly
as startled as they should have.

Tran looked at me, then Alex. He walked over
to the wall, tapping one spot about eye level, and one nearer the
floor. A few wooden planks in the wall buckled, and two horizontal
slats of wood moved out parallel to the floor. Bunk beds. Tran
shuffled to a small cupboard, pulled out a stack of blankets, and
passed them around.

He glanced between Alex and me. “My apologies
if your bed is a little firm, but you haven’t earned the right to
share something more comfortable.” He smiled. “Not yet, anyways.
Goodnight.”

My cheeks burned hot as Tran disappeared,
Grool mumbling something after him.

Cicero interrupted the silence. “Wait till we
tell Alaric this one.”

“How do you know Tran?” I asked.

Cicero and Sonya looked at me.

“A long time ago.” Sonya stared off at
nothing. It seemed as though her mind was sifting through memories,
all of which caused her pain. “When I was a child. He recognized my
ability then—to heal. And when I came to Valdon with your mother,
he served King Darius.”

Wait a minute. “He knew my mom?”

Sonya’s smile was weak. “Gaia was not the
same when Tran left.” She studied me a moment. I could tell she was
deciding whether or not to tell me more, and I desperately wanted
to hear more, but her hesitation won.

Of course. How stupid was I to think she’d
actually tell me something this time.

She walked over and kissed me goodnight. She
made her way to Alex, kissed his cheek, and then crawled with
Cicero into their bed. When I turned around, Alex was sitting on
the lower bunk, arms resting on his knees, his expression
unreadable.

He glanced up at me and I knew. He knew what
the Pykan had said. He’d known why I walked away. He’d known all
along and didn’t say a word. It was this strange connection we
seemed to share where nothing I kept deep down was hidden from
him.

I wondered what else he already knew and
realized this couldn’t be good. Did he know what a mess I was? Did
he know how I felt when he touched me? Did he know just how angry I
was and that I was going to leave if they didn’t follow through
with their promise?

I searched Alex’s eyes but couldn’t find the
answers. I couldn’t feel them, either. He just sat studying me as I
studied him with an invisible brick wall between us. I hated that
wall, and it was back with a vengeance.

Alex abruptly stood to his feet, raked a hand
through his hair and climbed into his bunk. He didn’t look at me
again.

The room was quiet. The Pykan’s words echoed
in my head. It had known too much about my circumstances and
feelings.

“
Makes you wonder what else they’re not
telling you,”
Thad had said. And now Alex was withdrawing
again, just like he had years ago. Was following the Del Contes the
worst decision I could have made?

Sighing, I crawled on my hard wooden slat and
shut my eyes. If Dad wasn’t at Amadis, I would leave this
family—leave Alex—and find him. No matter what happened, after
tomorrow, I would only trust myself.

I
woke with a start,
freezing. My blanket had been ripped from my body. Grool was
scurrying about, tidying up the place, eager for us to leave, and I
realized my blanket was draped over his scrawny arm. He fixed his
black marble eyes on me, saw I was awake, and then my bed started
returning to the wall. I all but fell out of it.

Guess he still hadn’t forgiven me for
spitting on him.

The Del Contes were already awake, the sun
starting to peek through the curtains. I made my way towards the
odd looking bookshelf propped against the wall. The vases were all
different: fat, narrow, tall, short. Some were filled with liquids
of varying shades and viscosities, some with shimmering vapors.
Little white tags were tied to each with strange scribble written
on them. One vial in particular was glowing a bright orange,
swirling and dispersing inside its transparent trap. Just as my
finger brushed the glass surface, something flew out of nowhere,
slapping me on the hand.

“Ow!” I waved my hand, my fingers
stinging.

I’d been attacked by a long, narrow bone. It
apparently belonged to Grool, who was also pointing a long black
fingernail so close to my face I went cross-eyed.

“What was that for?” I shook my burning
fingers.

“No touch!” Grool waved his bone.

“But I wasn’t going to…”

My words were cut short as Grool pushed me
away from his prized bookcase and used a dirty rag to wipe the
vials clean. If Tran thought Gaia would be a better world without
narcissistic magical creatures, he should probably start by getting
rid of Grool.

Tran appeared at my side.

“Here, you may want this.” He held out my
dagger.

I checked my belt. The sheath was empty.

“Grool has the unfortunate habit of
collecting artifacts. It doesn’t seem to matter where he finds them
or who he finds them belonging to.” Tran smiled.

“Thanks.” I slid the dagger back in its
sheath.

“Interesting item. If I may, how did it come
into your possession?”

“I found it. In a creek.”

Tran’s pale blue eyes studied my face, but
his mind was somewhere else.

“Do you know what it says?” I asked.

Tran looked at the blade. “I believe you must
discover that for yourself.”

Grool walked by and his eyes flashed to my
dagger, grumbling and scowling all the way.

Everyone said their goodbyes; the Del Contes
thanked Tran repeatedly for his hospitality.

“Oh, and, Cicero,” Tran said. “Follow the
rounded symbol of your compass. That should be the most direct.” He
winked.

Cicero nodded. “Thank you, Master Tran.”

Grool led them out the door, but Tran stopped
me before I could follow. When I turned around, his expression was
earnest.

“Do not fear your future, child. The fire in
you burns strong, but is too volatile. I know you desire answers,
but it isn’t time for them yet. Be patient with the Del Contes.
They are doing everything they can to help you. Trust them.”

I sighed. “I’m not sure I can.”

Tran placed his hand on my shoulder. “You
should not cast judgments on what you do not understand. There is a
responsibility that comes with knowledge, and, in your case, it is
not a responsibility that I would be anxious for. There are great
evils in this world—greater than you can begin to imagine—that
would do anything to attain that knowledge. So we must do
everything in our power to protect it, even if it means not telling
you. But when the time comes, which is not far, I’ve no doubt that
you will be more than able to manage it. ”