Veilspeaker (Pharim War Book 2) Read Free Page B

the
hall. Is it true that you’re both limaph?”
    For a few seconds, everything went silent except for
the sound of rats scurrying in some unseen corner. Jez and Osmund exchanged
glances. Osmund was one of the most powerful limaph in a thousand years. They
had circulated the rumor that Jez was one as well as a way to explain the
knowledge and power he’d gotten from Luntayary. Jez nodded slowly. Sharim’s
eyes grew even wider.
    “He can transform?” Jez started to shake his head, but
Sharim went on. “I overheard you. Ziary is his scion? Did he give Lady Lina
that scar?”
    Jez glanced at Osmund who shrugged. Jez nodded. “It
was an accident. He can’t really control Ziary.”
    That wasn’t exactly true anymore, but Sharim nodded in
acceptance. “Can you transform too, Baron?”
    “No.”
    “They say that you—”
    “I didn’t,” Jez said. “Please, it’s not something I
like talking about.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry, my lord. I didn’t mean to offend. If
you’ll come with me, I’ll take you to Mage Villia.”
    “What?”
    “Mage Villia. Oh, I’m sorry. I’m jumping around,
aren’t I? It’s why I came down here. She was going to ask to speak to the two
of you after dinner, but...” Sharim waved his hand at Osmund. “She still wants
to see you, though, my lord.”
    “I don’t know,” Jez said. “I should probably see if
Sileon has had any luck negotiating with Lord Varin.”
    “That’s the thing. Lord Varin is furious. I don’t
think he will change his mind, but Mage Villia can intercede with the king on
your behalf.”
    “And she’ll do that if I go talk to her?” Sharim
nodded. Jez turned to Osmund and gave his friend a half smile. “Well, Sileon
did say I needed to get allies at the court. I guess I could do worse than one
of Haziel’s mages. I’ll be back.”
    Osmund nodded, and Jez turned to follow Sharim as the
boy dashed up the stairs and back into the keep.

CHAPTER 6
    Villia’s workshop took an entire floor
near the top of the south tower. It was a round room twenty feet tall. A
quarter of the wall was covered from floor to ceiling with shelves of books.
Tapestries and paintings covered the rest. A half-finished sculpture of a dog
sat in the middle of the room. Its head had been carved with such detail, Jez
half expected it to bark at him. Villia was seated at a nearby table. She was
staring upward and didn’t look down as Jez and Sharim entered. A picture of the
night sky had been painted on the ceiling. Jez stared at it for several seconds
before he realized the stars were moving across the image.
    “Remarkable, isn’t it?”
    Jez jumped. Villia was staring at him, and he realized
she had violet eyes. She was middle-aged and her purple robe seemed to shimmer
and reflect the stars from above. Jez glanced back at the ceiling. The full
moon was just coming into view at the western edge.
    “It’s an illusion?”
    Villia had a musical laugh. “Did you think I had
transported the night sky onto my ceiling?”
    Jez found himself smiling. “No, I don’t guess I do.
Sharim said you wanted to see me.”
    She turned to her apprentice. “You may go. Practice
tactile illusions, and come to me in two hours for a lesson.”
    Sharim looked to Jez. “But...”
    “I said go. I need to speak with Mister Dusanson
alone.”
    “Bartinson,” Jez said through clenched teeth. “My
father’s name was Bartin.”
    “Forgive me.” She glared at her apprentice. Sharim
bowed his head and disappeared down the stairs, and she looked back to Jez.
“Please take a seat.”
    Jez sat down across from her. She stared at him for
several seconds, and he slumped in his chair, uneasy under the weight of her
examination. Finally, he broke the silence. “Sharim said you can help Osmund.”
    “Your bodyguard?”
    “Yes.”
    “I believe I can. Is he truly a limaph? One of a pure
enough bloodline to transform?” Jez nodded. “And you?”
    “I can’t transform.”
    “You’re lying.” The frankness