Enchanter by Sara Douglass

Author:Sara Douglass
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Magicians, Brothers, Imaginary places, Fiction, Fantasy, Imaginary wars and battles, Science fiction, Axis (Fictitious character), Australian, General
ISBN: 9780006511076
Publisher: Voyager
Published: 1999-01-21T05:00:00+00:00

38

THE NURSERY

Faraday had managed to keep the third week of Snow-month virtually free of court engagements—easy enough to do when the social life of court and city quieted under the oppressing certainty of war in the north. Most citizens had a husband or brother or son at the front, and all were well aware of what winter heralded. Yuletide was not celebrated or marked in any way in Achar, but Faraday and Yr had their own small celebration in the Queen’s apartments. The two women had drawn very close, leaning on each other for company and for emotional support. Both felt trapped in Carlon, both were trapped within the Prophecy. Yr now spent most of her time with Faraday, even to the point of sharing her bed at night. It was a large bed, almost four paces across, and two bodies could get lost quite easily in it, but neither Faraday or Yr ever seemed to lose each other. In circumstances that sometimes seemed as hopeless as Faraday found hers, she took what comfort was offered, and Yr offered the girl a virtually bottomless well of comfort.

Faraday took a sip of water from a pewter goblet, thinking of the royal chalice. Borneheld had never used it, stating loudly to all who would hear that such a cup was too gaudy for a man of steel. His actions firmed Faraday’s suspicions about Priam’s murder into near certainty. And when Borneheld had given the chalice to Jayme and Moryson for safekeeping, he announced to her who his accomplices were. The poisoned chalice was too subtle for Borneheld. It must have been suggested, planned and ensorcelled by someone else.

Ensorcelled. That the chalice had been ensorcelled was beyond doubt. But by whom? How?

Faraday shook her head slightly, and put the goblet down. “Yr? Can you keep Timozel away for the rest of this afternoon? I want to step the paths of the Sacred Grove again.”

Yr nodded. “I will tell him that you sleep. That you need to rest before the New Year celebrations.”

Faraday removed the bowl of enchanted wood from the chest where she had secreted it. “Yr, do you know why Timozel has changed? Why he has turned from a loving, cheerful youth into the dark and brooding man he is today?”

“No, sweet girl. I have thought long and hard on the matter. Perhaps he has a canker in his soul that eats away at his peace of mind.” She shrugged. “I do not know what it is.”

“I heard him speak of visions to Borneheld, Yr. Has he never spoken of them to you?”

“No.” Visions? From who? “And he’s never shared them with you?”

“No.” Faraday sighed and began to prepare the bowl for her ritual embracement of the Mother’s power. “We are not as close as once we were. He prefers to serve Borneheld now.”

Timozel was her Champion, but these days always supported Borneheld against his wife. Nevertheless, Faraday was as yet loath to break the bonds of his oath of Championship to her.

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