Shadowbred_ The Twilight War Part 22

"So I have heard," Cale said.

Tazi grinned, nodded, neglected to curtsy to either Tamlin or Vees, and took her leave.

Cale watched her go, pleased that his heart was steady, that his feelings for her had matured. His mind turned to Varra and he wondered how she was faring.

"As I was saying," Vees continued. "I do not agree with all of Mister Cale's suggestions. I believe he thinks too highly of the refugees and too little of the priesthoods. Do as you think best, Deuce," he said, using Tamlin's nickname.

Cale held his tongue while Tamlin sipped his wine and pondered. Silence hung heavy in the room.

Tamlin stared down at the chessboard for a time, then put down his goblet and said, "My father relied on your counsel for years, Erevis. I will not disregard it lightly. But I will not pull the Helms off the streets," he said, with a nod to Vees. "I will, however, order them to a.s.sist with food distribution. And I will send word to the high priests as you suggested. A more serious commitment on the part of the temples should keep people from starving."

Cale figured a partial victory was better than none at all.

"Well decided," Vees said, and Cale disliked the n.o.bleman even more.

Cale asked Tamlin, "When will we leave for Ordulin, my lord?"

"I began preparations upon receiving word from the High Council. Things are taking longer than I had hoped, but we will be ready to leave in the next day or two."

Vees said, "Many other n.o.bles have already left for Ordulin. We know that the Saerloonian delegation is en route already. They pa.s.sed Selgaunt two days ago, though they skirted the city."

"Skirted the city?"

"Tension appears to be very high in the capital, Mister Cale," Tamlin said. "And it has spilled out into the countryside. The n.o.bles are lining up behind Mirabeta Selkirk or Endren Corrinthal. The Saerloonians do not trust us, so they avoided Selgaunt altogether. Things are sharp at the moment."

Cale took in the words, feeling unsuited to the task of helping Tamlin. He had been solving problems with his spells and blades for so long that politics felt foreign to him.

Tamlin picked up his goblet and drained it. "But all that in due time. I apologize that we will depart so soon. The schedule does not leave you much time for settling in. And my day will be full since I need to sign the orders we've just discussed. We will dine this evening, however. My apologies."

"I will manage, Hulorn," Cale said. "I remember my way around."

"Of course," Tamlin said, and smiled. "I am interested in hearing your explanation about ... the other events."

"Yes, my lord." Cale said. "My lord, where is Lady Uskevren? I would like to speak with her before we leave."

"She has been away upcountry with Talbot," Tamlin answered. "This city, and the manse, make her unhappy these days. We rebuilt the old upcountry manor house at Storl Oak. She seems to enjoy it there. But she is to return later this morning to see me off. Your presence will be a pleasant surprise."

Cale knew Shamur to be a former adventuress, and she knew him to be more than a steward. They had come to respect and admire each other over Cale's years at Stormweather.

Tamlin continued, "Meanwhile, is there anything you need before we leave tomorrow?"

"No, my lord." Cale had his armor, his blades, his armor ... and his holy symbol.

"Very good, then. I will leave you to your own devices. Vees, accompany me to the palace. I have orders to issue and we have much to discuss."

Vees offered an insincere farewell to Cale and they parted. Before Cale left the parlor, he again advanced the p.a.w.n on Thamalon's old chessboard.

He wandered Stormweather Towers for a time. Servants and members of the house guard nodded and smiled at him when they pa.s.sed him in the halls. Every room through which he walked held a memory.

Throughout all the events of his life, his love for the Uskevren had been a constant. And he had always known, deep down, that he could return to Stormweather if he had need. It was his sanctuary. The manse was where he had been born, or at least reborn, and it pleased him to be able to return to his birthplace. After wandering for a time, he headed for his quarters to await Shamur's return.

Even when Cale had been Stormweather's steward, he had never done much to personalize his quarters. The room was as bare as he had left it. He opened the shutters, sat in his old reading chair, took out Jak's pipe, tamped and lit. He spent some time remembering with fondness the adventures he and Jak had enjoyed in Selgaunt. He removed the book he had taken from the Fane of Shadows from his backpack-the book that contained lore about Mask, Shar, the Weave, and the Shadow Weave-and opened it.

To his shock, the pages were blank.

He flipped one, another, another. The whole tome was blank except for the final pages. On them were words written in purple ink in a tongue Cale could not read. Staring at the writing made him nauseated, so he slammed the cover shut. He looked at the cover of black scaled leather and a.s.sured himself it was the same tome. It was. He blew out a cloud of smoke and replaced the book in his pack. He did not know what to make of the book, but it made him uneasy. Had its magic served its purpose, and was now destroying itself?

Thoughtful, he smoked two bowls of pipeweed before a knock on his door disturbed his reverie. He laid the pipe on the side table and opened the door. Shamur stood in the doorway, still dressed in her green daygown. Jeweled pins held up her auburn hair. Cale thought the lines in her face, around her eyes, and at the corners of her mouth only made her more attractive.

She did not look surprised at his appearance. Perhaps she had been forewarned. "You look well, Erevis."

Cale bowed, embarra.s.sed by the cloud of smoke that billowed out of his room. "And you, Lady, look as young and beautiful as ever."

She smiled, stepped forward, and embraced him warmly. "Mister Cale, you still lie as well as ever."

They separated and he gestured her in.

"Smoking, Erevis? That is new."

"A long tale, Milady," he explained. "A friend got me started. I will put it out."

He moved to the table to snuff the pipe.

"No need," she said. "The smell is not unpleasant. Thamalon enjoyed a pipe, you will recall."

Cale did recall. The Old Owl had not smoked often, but when he had, the entire east wing of the manse would smell of pipeweed for days. In the spring, Cale had the staff open the windows to air out the house. In the winter, nothing could be done but to wait for the stink to pa.s.s.

Shamur looked around the room, then turned to face him. "Your quarters look much as you left them, but you have changed a great deal. And not merely your appearance. What has happened to you?"

Cale smiled gently. "Nothing that can be undone or made easier to bear by sharing, Milady. Suffice to say that I have changed, but serve your family still."

She smiled. "Of that I had no doubt. It is good to have you back under our roof, Erevis."

"It is good to be back," Cale said, and meant it. "Please, sit."

Shamur sat in his reading chair. Her hair glittered in the fading sunlight.

Cale did not have another chair in the room so he sat on the bed nearby. Before he could speak, she said, "This house has been dying for a year. It started with Thamalon's pa.s.sing. Then you left. And Talbot is gone almost always. Tamlin spends most of his day and much of his nights away at the palace. I hate it here."

Cale looked away. He did not know what to say so he broke with decorum and reached out to take her hand in his. Her skin felt warm. Shadows sneaked from his skin and danced over hers. She gasped but did not withdraw her hand.

"What happened to you, Erevis? Tell me."

Cale did not look her in the face. "Milady, I ... must carry this alone."

She caressed his hand and he felt such a sudden, powerful attraction for her that he pulled away and stood up before it caused him to do something he should not.

"What is it?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing at all." He moved the conversation to the purpose for which he had wanted to see her, or at least the purpose for which he thought he had wanted to see her.

"Lady Uskevren, I have reason to believe that things are ... unsafe in the city."

She leaned forward in her chair. "What do you mean? Have you informed Tamlin?"

Cale shook his head. "No, Milady. It is nothing that we can act on, nothing that I can easily articulate. But I would advise you and Tazi to leave the city for a time." He struggled to find a better explanation, failed.

"You want me to abandon Stormweather? I have only just returned."

"Not abandon, Lady. I am suggesting only that you retire to the upcountry estate until things settle down here." He grasped for an excuse, found one. "Tamlin would be better served with fewer things to think about. I will watch over him and vouchsafe his person."

"You two are traveling to Ordulin. You will not even be in the city."

"When we return, I mean," Cale said. "Please, Milady."

"What is it that you are afraid of, Erevis?" she asked, leaning forward in the chair.

Cale looked away. Anything he said would sound absurd. He could not tell her that the mad Chosen of Oghma had prophesied a storm, that Mask had met him in an alley and told him something similar. Instead, he offered a half-truth. "Milady, the city is on a blade's edge. The family of the Hulorn is a natural target for those unhappy with the state of affairs. I think you would be safest away from Selgaunt."

She stared at him, considering. He held her gaze but only with difficulty. Finally, she said, "I am always willing to leave Stormweather for the upcountry. And Thazienne has has found the city stifling of late. Perhaps a vacation is advisable. My carriage is not yet unpacked. It would be easy to return to Storl Oak." found the city stifling of late. Perhaps a vacation is advisable. My carriage is not yet unpacked. It would be easy to return to Storl Oak."

Cale exhaled with relief. "Just for a month or two, Milady. You should leave as soon as possible. Tomorrow. I will inform Irwyl to prepare Tazi's things."

Shamur stood. She studied his face.

"You are not always always a good liar, Erevis. But I am thankful for your concern." She touched his cheek and exited the room. a good liar, Erevis. But I am thankful for your concern." She touched his cheek and exited the room.

Cale remained in his room, thoughtful, until Irwyl came to retrieve him to dine with Tamlin. Irwyl bore a change of clothes in his arms.

"Will you be changing for dinner, Mister Cale?"

The question was clearly a recommendation.

Cale eyed the soft material, the embroidery, the b.u.t.tons gilded with precious metal. He shook his head.

"No," he answered.

He had worn a facade most of the years he had spent in Stormweather. Those days were behind him. He would wear his own clothing and his weapons. He was a man who wore leather and steel, not linen and gold.

Irwyl only raised his eyebrows and frowned slightly. "Very well."

Cale informed Irwyl that Tazi and Shamur would be returning to Storl Oak on the morrow. Irwyl nodded and led him not to the dining hall but to a private meeting room. Tamlin sat alone at a small table set for two.

"That will be all, Irwyl," said Tamlin. Irwyl bowed and exited.

"Join me, Erevis."

Cale took a seat across from Tamlin. A bottle of Thamalon's Best sat on the table, and a silver platter of roast beef and carrots.

"Help yourself," Tamlin said, and stocked his own plate. "Brilla prepares excellent fare."

Cale cut himself a modest slice of roast. "We are fortunate to eat so well in these lean times."

Tamlin studied his face as if trying to determine if Cale's words had been a veiled insult. Cale kept his face expressionless and let Tamlin conclude what he would.

"Indeed, we are fortunate," Tamlin said. "But it is not all merely good fortune. Some are suited to rule and succeed. Others are not. When times are difficult, the latter often suffer. It is the way of things."

Cale filled his mouth with beef to hold in the sharp retort that wanted to come forth. Tamlin had spent too much time around the likes of Vees Talendar.

Tamlin awaited a reply; Cale offered none. Finally, Tamlin said, "I asked Irwyl to provide you with suitable attire. He is often forgetful. I will-"

"He brought it, my lord," Cale said, his tone overly sharp. "I declined. I deemed my current attire suitable to my situation."

Tamlin's brow furrowed at Cale's tone. "You owe me an explanation, Mister Cale."

Cale did not miss Tamlin's own cool tone.

"About what, my lord?"

Tamlin gestured at Cale's flesh. "About your appearance. About the shadows that flow from your skin. About the hand that appears and disappears from your wrist, about how the light in a room dims when you grow angry. Explain."

Cale set down his fork. Tamlin's tone irked him, so Cale did not mince words. "I am a shade."

Tamlin stared, his fork frozen over his plate. The silence stretched. "A shade?" Tamlin said at last. "Like the Shadovar?"

Cale shrugged. He knew little of the Shadovar. "I cannot say. I am stronger in the darkness." He held up his hand. "My hand regenerates entirely at night or in darkness. I can travel from one shadow to another in an eyeblink, covering a bowshot or thirty leagues. My flesh resists magic. As far as I can determine, I no longer age."

Tamlin gawked. "I do not know what to say. That is ... wonderful, Mister Cale."

"No, it is not."

Cale's tone tempered Tamlin's exuberance. "How did it happen? Tell me everything."

Cale shook his head. "I am not inclined to share that, my lord. The how and the why do not matter."

"Do not matter?"

"Correct, my lord. And I would be appreciative if you would keep this knowledge between us. I wanted to be candid with you at the outset but I see no reason for others to know."

Tamlin stared, finally managed to say, "As you wish, Mister Cale."

They ate for a time in silence.

Tamlin set down his fork and looked across the table. "You do not like me very much, do you, Mister Cale? And you certainly do not respect me."

Cale sipped from his goblet of wine while he considered his words. "You are the son of my former Lord. I will serve you loyally and to the best of my ability."

Tamlin gestured dismissively with his hand. "I know that. But you do not respect me, do you?"