The Seer Read Free

–’
    ‘I See minds
not bodies!’  Mistral interrupted impatiently.
    ‘Er –’ Xerxes’
face creased in lines of concentration.  ‘Well.  She was the one who
started the whole sweetheart fiasco –’
    ‘Oh
yes!’  Mistral’s face cleared instantly.  ‘Give me a minute –’ she
stared off towards the village, her hand still held up in the air to silence
Xerxes while she called up the image of Marietta’s face.  ‘Ah.’
 Mistral’s eyes slipped out of focus and then sharply back in again. 
‘ Marietta –’
    ‘What’s she
thinking?’  Xerxes glanced quickly over his shoulder again to make sure
they weren’t being overheard.
    Mistral rolled
her eyes disdainfully while she repeated the thoughts in Marietta’s head, ‘Does
this style really suit my hair?  I wonder if I should get it cut like
Eudora’s … does this dress make me look fat?  I think I could carry a
lower neckline –’ Mistral blinked and looked at Xerxes in disgust. 
‘Do you really want to listen to this drivel on a regular basis brother? 
Only, if I were you I’d seriously rethink my decision to ask her out!’
    ‘I never
listen to them when they talk.’  Xerxes said dismissively.  ‘But tell
me what she’s thinking about me!’  He demanded more urgently.
    Mistral let
out a sigh and gazed towards the village again, her eyes becoming misty, ‘ Xerxes
– ’
    ‘Yes?’ 
He hissed, gripping at her arm.
    ‘She hates it
when you call her sweetheart.’
    ‘Oh! 
Really?  Well maybe that’s understandable.’
    ‘And when you
blow in her ear.’
    ‘No!  But
that’s my signature move!’  He cried, looking crestfallen.
    ‘I think
that’s why she hates it … sorry brother, but I’ve seen more content in an empty
barrel and I really have to go now, look after Prosp for me will you?’
 Mistral left Xerxes standing in the snow holding onto her dog and ran
towards the Main Building, slipping on the icy path in her haste.  She
reached the Entrance Hall and flew up the stairs, barely pausing at the next
floor where her old room was to continue up to the third floor and run along
the corridor to the stairs leading to Leo Sphinx’s tower room.
    Leo opened the
door on her second knock, taking in her breathless state with a raised eyebrow,
‘There is something you wish to tell me?’
    ‘They’re
nearly h-here –’ Mistral panted, resting a hand against the door jamb while she
recovered from her marathon sprint up three flights of stairs.
    Leo eyed her
coldly for a moment then turned to speak to the room’s other occupant, ‘It is
time Gleacher.’
    Mistral looked
up to the see the Ri’s Contracts Officer, Gleacher Shacklock, sitting quietly
at the table.  He shuffled together a sheaf of parchments and rose to his
feet, ‘We need to arrange a welcoming party; I will summon the Magnate.’ 
Tucking the parchments under his arm he strode past Mistral without even
glancing at her. 
    Mistral
watched his departure curiously.  Why was the Contracts Officer in Leo’s
room?  Training had finished for the year and there were no Contracts
being issued until the funeral was over …
    ‘You need not
be present.’  Leo’s cold voice drew her attention back to meet his icy
blue stare.  ‘And,’ he continued, his eyes travelling critically over her
tattered clothes, ‘please be more appropriately attired for the funeral
tomorrow.  You look like a stablehand.’
    Mistral stared
in disbelief at the door closing in her face, ‘And thank you too,
brother-in-law,’ she muttered and began to make the long trek down the stairs
and back down to the village square.
    By the time
she reached the village square Mistral was breathless again, but this time from
anticipation.  Fabian’s thoughts were so clear to her now it was as though
he were stood next to her, speaking directly into her ear.  ‘Come on …
come on!’  She muttered, staring through the snow and fading light at the
path leading to the North