Hatchling (Tameron and the Dragon) (26 page)

"I have a lot to learn about working with mages if I'm going to do what he wants of me," Tam said.
If Father was really anxious about me, he certainly hasn't shown it much!
He tried not to show how angry he was in front of Kiliane. It wasn't her fault. And his new clothes were surely a sign that the Protector
did
care for him. "I have to tell you the truth. I really don't have any magic. When I began to drink from that cup in Council, I knew what was supposed to be in it, and the taste was wrong. I nearly died anyway, Lady Kiliane. Your family was right about me." He didn't know why he'd spoken so bluntly, except it was wrong to lie even by indirection.

She looked at him nervously. "It's not my place to say anything about it. We must do as the Protector bids. And you can't help it, I suppose. Please, pardon my bad manners. I'm just not used to being around someone who...who isn't a mage. Mauric and I have been close ever since we went to Festival together with the rest of our friends from the Wizard's College."

"You're around such people every day, my lady," Tam said, indicating the guards.

"Oh, you know what I mean!" she said, glancing over at the soldiers in his escort, who were beginning to look impatient.

"I'm afraid I do, my lady." Tameron bowed to her, and rejoined his escort. Who noticed servants and soldiers? Certainly not such a gifted mage such as Lady Kiliane. He hoped she listened to Mauric, who seemed to pay more attention to such people. He envied them both, though. At least they'd had a Festival.

The next few days fell into a routine. Different books showed up on his desk, including one about ancient customs of Fiallyn Mor that Tam read only because he was deathly bored with all the others by now. The chapter
that discussed the tradition of honoring mages who had more children than their Duty commanded bothered Tameron, especially the part about the sanctity of any woman found to be a Blessed Mother.
A good thing I'm not a girl! If it's true that magic doesn't affect me, or my shields are so heavy it amounts to the same thing, people might think that I...that I...Oh Lord and Lady, my head hurts!
He rubbed his forehead. He felt weak and dizzy again, the way he had a few nights before when Lorin had been outside his door. Stine had said something about this, too, on their journey here last fall, but surely she'd been joking.

He slammed the book shut and picked another one at random. He didn't remember anything of what
he read, though. He was too distracted as he thought about the closed-off tower near the Protector's palace in Kelemath. He was glad when the time came for him to go to drill. Anything was better than contemplating a future that held Dever Tower in it.
Run, boy, run...
a harsh voice echoed in his mind.

Tameron eagerly changed into armor once down in the drill-hall. He needed exercise to clear out the spider
webs of suspicion that took root inside his mind.

Besides, he enjoyed talking to Mauric about Athlath, the land to the north that didn't exist in his books. Tam asked questions casually, as if he had no real interest. Mauric taught him a few phrases, and some gestures they used with foreigners. "You see, my prince, the Guild hires swords from all over as well as lordless men in our own land," the young mage said. "Many of them speak oddly, but obey orders well as long as we use these signals. Lord Duven hired a pair of archers from the west one time, to help teach ours what to do. It took them a long time to learn our commands, but they knew handsigns well enough."

They touched the tips of their blades lightly, only pretending to spar while they talked. Tam shook his head. "Warriors in independent groups, with no oath given to any but themselves?"

"It is strange," Mauric said. "But these Guild-soldiers are true to their word, once they are satisfied with the terms. Our merchants like hiring them very much. The traders want to be on their own and not have to pay taxes to
a local lord. Both groups dislike having to bow to mages like they do here."

Tameron thought about it. "If this Guild had to swear allegiance to the Council, it'd make it easier to keep a watch on those who are skilled at arms. Do any of these fighters become bandits if they fall on hard times?"

"Their own people are supposed to hunt them down if that happens. Most lords don't like to use them, but they're so good that if one side hires them, the other has to as well."

Tam nodded, and then disengaged as drill-time was over. Someone like Jarrett would have had someplace to go besides the hills once he'd qu
arreled with Lord Honnold. If common people as well as mages could hire them, the balance of power might change. Perhaps he ought to mention such a Guild to Stine--once he was allowed to talk to her outside the drill-room, of course. Or perhaps he could pass this suggestion to her through the Guardian, when he finally spoke with her. So far he'd only been left books to read.

He thought deeply about many matters during the next few days. His father occasionally left him alone with Lady Kiliane in the evenings. The young sorceress was friendly to him, and always took care to speak out loud.
He appreciated that. At first he thought she was just feeling sorry for him, but after a while it seemed as if he, Mauric, and Kiliane were friends.

As such, he took care not to flirt with the young woman, especially when Mauric was around. Tam knew how the pair felt about each other, but he couldn't help responding with joy any time she smiled at him. She began to replace Marysa in his dreams as well. Fortunately none of them wer
e like those he'd had last fall. He'd turned red-faced and tongue-tied once during the mid-day meal when his father had left early again, and Mauric had teased Kiliane about their mutual Duty to bear mage-gifted children. The Protector and Lady Aliana had been able to fulfill the College's requirements between themselves, but that was unusual. Most of the time a mage either sired or bore four children by a series of different partners. This way the Wizard's College kept most lines from the ill effects of kin-sickness, while learning which talents passed most easily from parent to child. Their judgment
had
to be final, since only the College kept detailed records on who was truly related to whom.

One morning, when he was supposed to be readi
ng yet another book, he seriously pondered what would happen to him. He didn't really need to worry about it until after his first Festival; even if he'd married Marysa he might have gone to Bogatay this summer. Would his father let him join in the feasting here in Lochil, or would he be allowed to participate in the delights that Midsummer offered in Kelemath? In less than half a year he'd find out!

Then he remembered the attack on him in Lochil. Was it safe to roam the streets if his father's enemies were still after him?
It's not fair!
He knew better than to ask what was planned for him. Look at what happened the last time he'd dared to ask what might become of him.

Tameron took out a brush and paper to write a brief note.
Lady Guardian, I have read and read till it doesn't make sense any more. When may I speak with you to receive your wisdom?
He waved the paper in the air to dry it, not having any sand, and gave it to the guard at his door so it'd be delivered properly. No doubt she'd tell him that she didn't know, but at least she'd try to make him feel better about it.

It'd been nearly three weeks since he'd returned from the cabin. That evening
Tameron met Lady Kiliane in the library where they discussed that day's pleadings, while his father sat at a large desk. The Protector seemed distracted, and told him to close the door even though it was already shut.

Tam was also more aware than usual of how close Lady Kiliane was sitting next to him. Her perfume--oh, what was it this evening? A summer
rose blooming in winter...not that she needed any help to seem fair in his eyes.

His father cleared his throat. "Tameron, Kiliane...I don't quite know how to begin. I have received a summons from the Council as a whole to return to Kelemath. Everyone's at each other's throats, and they all claim it's never been so bad before. Kiliane, I'm afraid your family is right in the middle of it. They say they fear your position is threatened with
my son’s return, and complain that he's either an impostor or totally incompetent, depending on what day it is. They are agreed, however, that he must go."

"My uncle swore he knew nothing about the poison!" Kiliane protested.

"Did he say so out loud or mind to mind?"

"What difference does that make?" she asked, but her face said she knew the answer already.

"No one can lie when the power of the Spirit of Air sends their thoughts. I want to find out who tried to kill Tameron, but I'll let it go if they guarantee his safety from now on."

Kiliane bowed her head and looked confused.
He wanted to protect her, but didn't know how. She couldn't be a threat to him. Why, several times he'd taken food or drink from her at meals without any suspicion.

Maybe that hadn't been wise.

The Protector continued. "Some of the Council members have doubts about my son, but are willing to accept my lead, while others feel that my son would make an excellent Protector in his own right. Not all of them realize how hard it would be to manipulate you, Tam, but I suspect they'd find out soon." He offered a rueful smile.

Tameron couldn't help smiling back. He never expected his father to give him such respect after the way he'd acted earlier.

The Protector's face grew solemn. "Lady Kiliane, I know how fond you and Mauric are of each other. I know how hard you've fought your own family so they would accept him. I suspect that the Wizard's College will soon finish their study of Mauric's powers and how they would mix with yours. However, you would be doing Fiallyn Mor a great service if you would consent to fulfill the first part of your Duty with my son."

"What?" Tam shouted.

Kiliane's face crumpled. Then she stood, shakily at first, then proudly. "Mauric and I love each other. I told him I'd wait forever if I had to till the College said we could have children together," she said. "We're going to be life partners! You can't do this to me!"

"You know you have a Duty," Lord Sidian said quietly. "Most women prefer to do it when they are younger. I'm surprised you're having trouble with this."

The young woman grimaced. "My mother told me what she went through in her land Outside before she finally found refuge here, only to discover that she was almost as much a slave in that way here as she was in her old home. Is it so much to ask to have one child of
my
choosing first?" A tear ran down her face.

"I don't blame you for wait
ing till now, but this ordeal becomes more dangerous each year once you are over thirty," the Protector said. "Even if the College gives their consent, it may well be that long till your family does. I can help with that, if need be. The match I'm proposing is no worse than the others the College has found for you, and which you have refused thus far. When everything becomes known you will discover it was a small sacrifice."

Tameron wanted to run out of the room. He thought Kiliane was attractive, but never thought his father would force them together like this!

Then she began to weep. "No...not him. I can't reach his mind. Even after you showed me how to use my magic to see into the hearts of ordinary people, it didn't work with him. You can't enforce a Duty between me and someone without any powers! Not even the College can do that!" She backed away from the desk towards the door.

He
sat quietly, too miserable to speak. He wasn't about to jump into bed with someone who didn't want him there. Even Marysa had given him a warmer welcome. Then he thought of something. "I have not had my first Festival, sir," he said. "I only turned fifteen at Midwinter."

"From what the Guardian told me about your conduct with that woman in the cabin, I don't think your age will be a problem!" his father snapped. Tameron stared at the floor, so humiliated he couldn't think of an answer.

The Protector gestured to Kiliane. She slowly walked back towards her chair, reluctance visible in every step. "Lady Kiliane," Lord Sidian said, "if it's any consolation, a child from the two of you will be extraordinarily talented. My son may not be a mage, but he's something even more precious. I dare not say more till the time has come. Think of how you can bring peace to our land. The Wall keeps our enemies from Outside from destroying us. Shall we devour ourselves inside?"

Kiliane's face turned hard and cold. "I know some mages have fun during Festival with people like him, but I'm not one of them. This was his idea, wasn't it? I'd heard commoners were no better than beasts!"

"I didn't know anything about it! Don't talk about me as if I'm not here!" Tameron shouted, and stood up.

His father got to his feet as well, and loomed over both of them. "You may not have a choice. There are ways to make this situation more palatable to both of you," he said with an edge to his voice. "This has long been the price of power in Fiallyn Mor. Get used to it."

Kiliane's face went pale, and her eyes became larger. Tam wished he knew why she looked so frightened. "Father, don't punish her," he said. His own anger was gone. "I--I don't want her either." He knew his opinion didn't matter, but he had to try.