The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise Read Free Page A

shortly before I left last time I was at Court. It was mortifying.” Erianthee put her hand to her mouth as if to restrain herself from saying anything further. “The Dowager was so very understanding, and warned me that Prince Bozidar is not very trustworthy, and that he was known to be sportive with women.”
    “Perhaps it’s a family trait: I have met his father, and Emperor Riast is no one I would want to have to depend upon,” Ninianee stared into the fire, as if reading the omens there.
    “Don’t say that.” Erianthee put her finger to her lips. “You don’t know if he has spies in the household.”
    “He probably does, and spells, too, until Senkei is through hunting them down,” said Ninianee. “Surely we’re not the only people in the Empire to have doubts about Riast II.” She stood up and stretched. “In fact, I wonder why he bothers with us. What kind of foes are we? Most of our relatives will have nothing to do with us, and I can’t imagine either of our neighbors – Maeshar or Hircaj Chogrun – would be part of a conspiracy against the Emperor, and even if they were, that we would be included in it. Our talents cannot determine events. You and I have no fortunes beyond our share of Vildecaz, and Papa left the Court so long ago, his influence – what little he had left – is gone. You have more power at Court than he does, now.”
    “But not the way you mean,” said Erianthee. “And if Papa is really so powerless, why does Yulko Bihn come here? He defeated Papa in their magical duel. He was the one who blasted Papa’s mind, so he must know how little Papa retains of his former pow – “
    ”He comes here to gloat,” said Ninianee firmly. “He has a deep desire to reassure himself that Papa is still . . . as he is, so he can continue to relish his triumph. He won their duel by guile, and that makes him uneasy, as well it should. Papa lost, but Yulko Bihn did not truly win, and he knows it. So he has to remind himself that Papa is still unable to challenge him again.” She looked up to the gallery as Lomcoz Terichovee, the master of the mews, came to the high railing. “Is everything taken care of?”
    “Yes. Senkei hunted out four minor spells; nothing to be concerned about. Heijot Merinex removed them.” Lomcoz motioned to the castle-magician, a fairly ordinary fellow in a magician’s long gaihups secured with a sash of the Dyskeleoc School.
    “The Castle is clear. We may all go safely to bed,” Heijot Merinex announced as he patted Senkei’s head.
    “Good,” said Erianthee. “I’m worn out.”
    “I am, too,” said Ninianee. “I could sleep all day and all night.” She reached out to give Erianthee a good-night hug, and was surprised when her sister clung to her. “Bontaj. What’s the matter?”
    Erianthee let go of Ninianee. “Nothing really. Just pre-journey nerves. I wish I knew what provisions have been made for my travel.”
    “That’ll come soon enough, Eri,” said Ninianee, and stepped back. “See you tomorrow, probably not until noon.”
    “You have more work to do in the wall-orchards?” Erianthee asked.
    “No; the vineyards, on the lower terrace,” said Ninianee, and made her way out of the Great Hall, glad that the first night of the full moon was still four days away.
     
    * * *
     
    Vildecaz Castle was an old-style fortress designed to withstand the outmoded siege warfare of centuries past, with two barrier walls some distance apart around the main building, which was a squat, three-storied cluster like five large, overlapping stone, mushroom-caps gathered together in the middle of the main courtyard, with stables and barns against the inner protective walls. There were three fortified towers in the inner wall, with crenelated tops and high battlement-walkways for the few guards to keep watch on the surround. The Main Gate fronted a deep, fast-running creek which was crossed by drawbridge. The castle sat on the southwestern promontory of the