Scion of Cyador

LXXXVI

“Whaaa…”

Kerial’s protest is the first sound Lorn hears, as the barest tinge of gray seeps through the shutters. The tired sub-majer winces, then suppresses a sigh as Ryalth slips from the large bed to the smaller one.

“There, there…Mother’s right here.” She lifts the reddish-haired boy and cradles him in her arms, then one-handedly readjusts the pillows on her bed before slipping back beside Lorn, and easing Kerial’s hungry mouth to her breast.

For a time, Lorn just watches his consort and their son.

“You’re quiet,” Ryalth says.

“It’s strange, almost amazing, to be here,” he admits. “And to think that we have a child.”

“You were amazing last night.” Ryalth shifts her weight slightly to brush a strand of short red hair off her forehead.

Kerial sucks loudly.

Lorn flushes. “I missed you.”

“I’ve missed you.” She smiles. “Couldn’t you tell?”

Lorn finds himself flushing more.

“I like it when you do that.”

“What? Turn red?” he asks wryly.

“You’re always so composed when anyone sees you,” she points out. “Someone who doesn’t know you would think you feel nothing. I even wondered at first. It made more sense once I began to understand the Magi’i.”

“That nothing is hidden, you mean?”

Ryalth sits up and lifts Kerial to her shoulder, patting him on the back gently. She is rewarded with a small burp, and she eases him down and lets him nurse from the other breast. “It’s more subtle than that,” she muses. “Watching people through a glass and using your senses to listen when no one thinks you can-I’ve seen you do that-doing that takes time and effort. No one can watch anyone all the time. So you never know what someone knows, only that they could know.”

“I can sense when someone uses a glass,” Lorn points out. “So can you.”

“Sometimes, but mostly when it’s you. It’s hard, otherwise.”

“Unless it’s a strong magus,” Lorn suggests, then adds, “There must be some Magi’i in your background.”

Ryalth offers a gentle laugh. “I’ve wondered that, lately, and if that’s where the book came from. But there’s no way to find out now.”

“I suppose not. But Father would be very happy to know it…and pleased.”

“I have funny feelings about that. I don’t feel like a magus or a healer.”

“You weren’t trained that way…but you’re certainly as perceptive as my sisters, and you can sense things. That’s one reason why you’re a good trader.”

“I don’t know.” Ryalth shakes her head. “The whole bit about the chaos-glasses-you told me that most Magi’i can’t feel anyone using a glass. That’s why they have to act as though everything they do could be watched or heard. It’s still hard to deal with. You were that way to begin with. Your brother still is.”

“I suppose that’s why manners and customs are important.” Lorn frowns. “Everyone expects them, and their sameness makes meeting and greeting someone safer.”

“That’s the impression, but I can tell when they’re genuine and when they are just a formality. Most people can.”

“You’re saying that the more adept of the Magi’i can use that to their advantage?”

“Don’t you?”

Lorn laughs. “You know me too well.”

“You’d better keep using it, now that you’re back in Cyad.”

“You’re right. I’m still worried.”

“Why?” Ryalth’s blue eyes are warm as they study him.

“The Majer-Commander has something in mind for me, and the Captain-Commander isn’t exactly that fond of me.”

“Neither is Bluyet Clan,” Ryalth says dryly. “You’re lucky that Vyanat’mer is the Merchanter Advisor to the Emperor. The Hyshrah Clan have never been fond of those of Bluyet. And Denys-he’s Bluoyal’s successor-was close to Bluoyal.”

“What’s Vyanat’mer like?”

“He seems very direct. He speaks but the truth, and his words are blunt.” Ryalth shakes her head. “Behind the bluntness and the use of truth, there is great subtlety. Like Bluoyal, and like Tasjan, he believes that the days of the Mirror Lancers, and especially of the Magi’i, are passing.”

“They won’t pass entirely,” Lorn replies. “The better Magi’i can draw chaos from the world around them. It’s not spoken of widely, but they can.”

“How many? One out of ten?” asks Ryalth. “If the towers fail…”

“When the towers fail,” Lorn says.

“Then, most of the Magi’i will be powerless, or have but a fraction of their former power,” Ryalth notes. “Vyanat knows that. Golds won’t lose their power, but the Mirror Lancers will be less powerful without firelances…”

“Not necessarily. We could raise more lancers.”

“And how will you pay them and arm them?”

“I bow to you, my lady,” Lorn says. “Both will take more golds, and that will lead to greater power for the merchanters.”

“You can think about that later.” Ryalth disengages Kerial’s mouth and lifts him to her shoulder. “What would you like to do today?”

Lorn offers a wide smile.

“Besides that. That will have to wait until later.”

“I need to see Jerial and Myryan and Vernt.”

“I had thought they could come here for dinner in a few days,” suggests Ryalth.

“We still need to see Jerial and Myryan before that.”

“Today would be better. We can hire a carriage for the day,” suggests Ryalth.

“You could afford one all the time,” Lorn says, “from what I’ve seen, you prosperous trader.” He grins.

“There’s no point in that. Most of the time, I don’t need it. Besides, that would draw attention.” Ryalth moistens her lips. “When we get up, I’ll have Kysia find a messenger to let them know we’ll be dropping by. Jerial might be gone, otherwise. Myryan gets home in the late afternoon to prepare dinner for Ciesrt.”

Lorn nods. “Would you like me to hold Kerial while you get washed and dressed?”

She smiles. “That would be nice. He usually has to stay in his bed and fuss.”

The sub-majer slowly takes his son, who is beginning to squirm, and lifts the infant boy to his shoulder.

“Keep your hand behind his neck. He’s not that strong there yet,” Ryalth cautions.

Lorn eases his fingers up Kerial’s back. “How are you this morning, young man?”

A slight burp is followed by, “Aaaaa…”

Lorn smiles crookedly as he feels the dampness on his shoulder. There is much he will have to get used to in Cyad-both in the Mirror Lancers and at home.