Mistress of the Night

CHAPTER 18

Astounding," Strasus Thingoleir said as he poked at the silver character branded onto Keph's thumb. In the light of morning, it shone almost as bright as the reflections that flashed off the surface of Selune's sacred pool. "No pain?" Keph shook his head. Strasus poked at the character again. "A sign of abjuration, I'm certain of it. Wouldn't you agree, High Moonmistress?"

The old wizard looked up. Feena shot a glance to JulithVariance's spell of blindness had been broken by Selune's powerover Strasus's and Keph's heads. The four of them had gathered in the courtyard of Moonshadow Hall. The younger priestess gave a slight nod.

"Yes, Strasus," Feena answered. "I believe you're right."

"But you know nothing about the book of slates or Variance's interest in it?" Strasus asked, poking Keph's thumb again.

"No," replied Feena.

"It's a shame the book was lost," the wizard mused.

"A shame," Feena agreed. In a way, it was a lie. She felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Selune hadn't been concerned by the book-only by what Keph might have unknowingly done with it. It seemed to her that Moonmaiden was just as happy to see the book in Variance's hands. "I wish we knew more about who or what Variance was, though."

"I believe I can tell you the 'what,' High Moonmistress." Strasus gave her a serious look. "From your description of her abilities and appearance, I would guess that she was a shade, once a human and now a creature of Shadow." With his free hand he slipped the amethyst ring from a pouch. Feena and Julith had both agreed the wizard would be the best person to keep the ring safe. "This bauble is likewise a creation of Shadow. Given its apparent abilities, I sincerely doubt that Variance came from the Temple of Old Night. Note the design of the ringit's Netherese. And Variance referred to the fall of Netheril, didn't she? I believe she may have been a very powerful sort of shadeone from the floating city of the same name." Strasus made the ring disappear back into his pouch. "All the more reason, I think, for learning all we can of this book."

Julith said, "We are beginning a search of our archives for references to the book, sir. Something might still turn up. Anything you could tell us about your own studies of it would be very helpful."

Strasus turned his gaze on her and replied, "Of course, mistress." His eyes sparkled. "Have we met before? And if we have, why haven't I noticed your rather considerable intelligence?"

"Julith has been hiding in other peoples' shadows," Feena said with a smile. "I think you'll be seeing more of her, though."

"Much like your remarkable archives, I think. I had no idea such a resource existed. It's fortunate it wasn't damaged during the attack. Astounding…"

He looked up at Moonshadow Hall's highest floor and absently poked Keph's thumb once more.

"Enough," Keph snapped. He pulled his hand away. "Do that again and I'll use it on you."

Strasus's face faltered. A moment later, so did Keph's. Feena and Julith exchanged a glance in silence. After the defeat of the Sharrans and the disappearance of the shadow mastiffs that had menaced the Stiltways, it hadn't taken long for Strasus Thingoleir to come looking for his son. Though Moonshadow Hall had suffered its own lossesSharrans had injured a number of clergy and three priestesses had lost their livesFeena had immediately offered the temple as neutral ground for a reconciliation between father and son. She had stood by Keph as he poured out his tale.

And Strasus had proven himself a loving father as well as a great wizard, sweeping Keph into a tearful embrace and offering him his forgiveness and support.

Not that there wasn't still tension between them. Keph's hand shook and fell down.

"Sorry," he said.

Strasus drew a slow breath. "Not to worry," he said with a credible attempt at levity. "I suspect it will only affect creatures summoned to our world by magic." He spread his arms. "You're welcome to test the theory."

Keph kept his hand at his side, but gave his father a thin smile. "Another time maybe."

An acolyte, a long bandage covering a wound on her arm, came hurrying acrpss the grass.

"Your pardon, High Moonmistress," she said. "There's word from Guard Captain Manas. They found the Sharran temple and Jarull Cartcoster has been rescued. The captain also sends his respects to you."

Feena flushed, but managed to keep control over her voice. "Thank you." Ignoring Julith's smile, she turned to Keph and Strasus and continued, "I've spoken to the high priest of Ilmater. He'll take Jarull in. His temple has experience in treating victims of torture."

Strasus bowed and said, "Thank you." He gestured and his staff rose from the ground to float into his hand. He nodded to both Feena and Julith. "I must go. Jarull's mother should hear the news from me."

Keph cleared his throat and said, "I should come with you."

Strasus shook his head. "Not yet, Keph. It's a commendable sentiment, but it's too soon. Give Hane some time." He touched Keph's shoulder and added, "You'll have enough to face you at Fourstaves House. Wait for me here. We'll go home together."

Keph nodded, biting his lip as Strasus turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Feena put her arm around him. "You did the right thing last night," she said. "You fought for your family and friends."

"If I'd done the right thing in the first place, I wouldn't have had to."

Feena drew him across the courtyard to the flashing water of the sacred pool. Julith paced after them.

"If I'd come to Moonshadow Hall when Dhauna Myritar first called me," she told him, "she might not have gone mad and we might have unraveled Selune's warning much earlier. But if she hadn't forced me to attack her, I might not have met you at the gates. Every choice leads to another path. We can learn from where we've been, but we can't go back."

Keph turned a sour eye on her and commented, "You sound more like a priestess every time we talk."

"I know," Feena said, wrinkling her nose.

"What will happen to the Sharrans?"

"The guard has taken them into custody," said Julith. "Those who want to repudiate the Dark Goddess will be given the chance. Those who don't will face the law of Yhaunn for any crimes they've committed. We're fortunate there were no deaths in the Stiltways. We have your family to thank for that, Keph."

"Oh, yes," Keph grunted, "the wizards of Fourstaves Housealways heroes."

"The wizards aren't the only heroes of Fourstaves

House," said Feena, squeezing the young man's shoulders. She turned him loose. "I think there's something you should have." She ran over to the cloisters and reached through an arched gate to retrieve a cloth-wrapped bundle she had left there earlier, then returned to the pool. "This is yours."

She shook loose the wrappings. Keph's eyebrows rose at the sight of his rapier.

"Quick!"

"I spoke to Mifano this morning," Feena said. "He's still recovering from Velsinore's attack. He told me where to find it and also asked me to pass on his apologies… and his admiration."

"I wish people would stop saying that," Keph said with genuine shame. "I don't even want to stay in Yhaunn. I don't feel like I belong here anymore."

Feena nodded. "I know how you feel," she said. "I can't wait to get back to Arch Wood."

"Feena!" Julith cut in. "I thought we'd agreed"

"I know," said Feena. "After Mother Dhauna and the others are laid to rest… a grand ceremony installing the new High Moonmistress." She bent down and scooped up a handful of water from the sacred pool, then pressed her wet fingers to Julith's forehead. "Julith Harkspur, you are a true priestess of Selune and by Selune's grace, I name you Moonmistress-Designate and my successor at Moonshadow Hall." She flicked the last of the water from her fingers. "The ceremony installing the new High Moonmistress will be for you. I resign."

Julith's eyes went wide. "Feena, you can't! Mifano should-"

"Mifano doesn't want the post. I spoke to him about that as well. He's too ashamed of being manipulated by Variance and of how he behaved toward me. I think you should let him keep the Waxing Crescent though He's very good at thathe suggested holding Lady Monstaed's properties in trust until the guard can determine what Variance did with the real Lady Monstaed when she took her place."

Julith simply stared, speechless.

Feena patted her cheek and said, "You'll do fine, Julith. You know everything about Moonshadow Hall. You have compassion and determination. After the way you took charge last night, the clergy are already looking to you for leadership." She smiled at the young priestess. "What do you say?"

"I… I'll do my best." She drew a deep breath and continued, "It won't be that bad, I'm sure. Six hundred years ago, Moonshadow Hall survived a High Moonmistress who couldn't talk."

Feena blinked. "Asha the Silent?"

"Yes!" said Julith. "How did you know?"

"I'll make you a copy of The Book of the New Moon. But only if you do me a favor." Putting her arms around both Julith and Keph, she turned them toward the brick-filled arch that stood in for the new moon gate onto the courtyard. Feena lifted her chin. "Open that up. The New Moon Pact has been reborn."

Variance sensed Rivalen Tanthul's presence as the high priest entered the archive chamber. She turned and bent her head in respect.

"Flame of Darkness," she whispered, "Singer after Twilight."

Rivalen bent his head as well, but his eyes stayed on her face.

"Vigilant sister," he said with a trace of awe. "What happened?"

Variance reached up and touched the long scar that cut across her right cheek and notched her ear.

"I was not sufficiently subtle," she said. "Shar writes her reprimand in my flesh."

"But you were successful."

He crossed the chamber to stand beside her. The Leaves of One Night rested on a cushion of black silk. The silver characters on the slates shimmered in the dimness. Rivalen examined them closely.

"They look like Netherese," he said, "but I can't read them."

"The script looks like all languages, Father Night," said Variance. "No one can read the text. The Leaves of One Night was cursed by Shar herself."

She opened the black wood doors of a cabinet and removed one of the many drawers within. Inside the drawer was a box of lead and dull gold. She took it out.

Rivalen looked at her and raised his eyebrows. "The Singer after Twilight commands you to speak, vigilant sister. It's time to give up some of your secrets. What do you know of The Leaves of One Night?"

"Only that and two things more," she said. "This is the first: touch the Leaves."

Rivalen extended a hand and rest it on the slates. He frowned and looked at Variance., "Speak a prayer to the Mistress of the Night," she told him.

His lips movedand he gasped. Wonder filled his face.

"The whispers are like the tides of Shadow!" he said.

"No one can understand them either, also the work of Shar's curse. But legend says that the whispers are the words of the text. The Leaves of One Night are alivealive and bound by the Lady of Loss."

Rivalen lifted his hand away from the Leaves and asked, "And the second thing?"

"Legends also say," Variance said, "that the text records Shar's only moment of weakness. She cursed the Leaves so no one would know it, even if it meant locking away all the other secrets of the Leaves as wellmagic of ancient darkness so profound they have yet to be rediscovered."

The high priest breathed in then whispered, "These secrets?"

Variance looked at him with narrowed eyes and said, "Inaccessible, Father Night. Unless you would work against the Lady of Loss herself."

Rivalen fell silent, then bowed his head. "As vou sav. vigilant sister." He stepped back and asked, "Is Shar pleased with the return of The Leaves of One Night?"

"Shar is pleased, Father Night."

Opening the box, she picked up the slates and set them carefully inside, then closed the box and placed it back in the drawer. Rivalen's footsteps retreated back across the chamber. She felt his presence fade.

She hesitated, then opened the box once more and laid a hand on the cold slate.

"Praise be to Shar, the Mistress of the Night," she whispered.

The whispers of darkness filled her head. Secrets beyond measure. Incomprehensible. Inaccessible. Except…

Variance looked down at the first page of The Leaves of One Night, at a blank spot on the black slate. A spot that should have been filled with the single silver character that shone on the thumb of Keph Thingoleir.