Nor Iron Bars a Cage by Harper Kaje

Author:Harper, Kaje [Harper, Kaje]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

It took a bit more negotiation, some enchantment-checking from Firstmage, and climbing three flights of stairs with my heart hammering rapidly. Eventually I slid down into an upholstered chair in the king’s own apartment. Tobin stood beside me, ignoring all my suggestions that he rest his bad knee. The king sat in a short lounge by the window, looking stiff and wearing his short sword. The captain stood by the door, his hand on his sword hilt.

There was blessed stillness. The room was well lit, with lanterns on the walls and oil lamps on several tables. I could feel Xan’s curiosity coming to the fore, as he took in the details. Curiosity tinged by a bit of frustration. -Can you look over at that soldier by the door, mage?

-Can’t you see him?

-Not unless you turn your head. I seem to be limited by your body.

That was hopeful. I stared down at blank floor instead, and felt his irritation grow.

-What would it hurt you to just look around?

I did nothing, said nothing, waiting. But despite the slowly mounting anger on his part, I felt no ghostly control. My eyes didn’t rise of their own accord. My head didn’t turn. My breathing did speed up, but whether it was his emotion or my own I couldn’t say.

-Shall I tell you my sad tale then? Will you give me more than two flat boards to look at on this rare visit to the mortal world, if I entertain you? Although his words were light, I could feel that heavy emotions lay behind them.

Did I really want to know? I wasn’t sure I could handle someone else’s tragedy, and I was certain it was tragedy. And yet, knowing more about Xan could only help. It was promising that he was willing to make any kind of trade for anything.

King Faro said, “Are you talking to him? Can you translate?”

“We’re, um, negotiating. If I keep him better entertained, he might tell me more.” I added to Xan, -We can trade our interests then?

“Entertained how?” Tobin said suspiciously.

Xan laughed. It felt so strange, but it lightened things between us. -The look on his face. Tell your stallion that as much as I might enjoy feeling touch again, I won’t ask you to jump him in front of his chief.

I could feel my blush. -I’m sure he wasn’t thinking of that. “He wants me to look around the room, to show him things.”

King Faro said, “That you can surely do. If there’s anything that he particularly wishes to see…”

“Let me ask him. It may take a while.”

I turned my attention inward. -Will you trade then? Your story for a good look at the world here?

-It’s been a long, long time, since I said more than a dozen words to anyone. Perhaps I will.

-Perhaps isn’t good enough. My curiosity made me add, -You’ve been summoned by others before then?

-Not in… well, I don’t know how long. I was drifting an eternity in the grey, before your old mage brought me forth.

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