The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Author:Chelsea Quinn Yarbro [Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avalerion Books
Published: 2014-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“I have a message from Duzeon Erianthee,” Poyneilum Zhanf said to Hoftstan Ruch as they closed the door to the room Zhanf had claimed as his own in Vildecaz Castle. The sun was almost down and the fire had been lit so that the room was beginning to warm.

“I didn’t know a messenger had come,” said Hoftstan, curiosity and concern vying for control of his face.

“Not that kind of message, although a written one may yet come. This was on a traveling spell – she sensibly sent more images than words, you know, recollections from specific instances and encounters that bother her. I’ll recall it for you if you like? No? Then I’ll sum up its contents, if you don’t mind.” He could sense Hoftstan’s impatience, and went on quickly, “She’s concerned about what is happening at Court. This is not the kind of worry she has experienced on previous visits. There is more tension in the air. She feels the pressure she has experienced before has increased significantly since her last visit, and it distresses her.” He paused. “I also have the impression that she thinks her sister is here at Vildecaz.”

“She may think so,” said Hoftstan carefully. “I don’t know that they had agreed upon a time for Ninianee to depart.”

“Why would she not know? From what we were told, I assumed – ” He stopped, tapped his lower lip with his finger. “Perhaps the Duzeons didn’t agree on Ninianee’s search as much as we thought they did. Perhaps Ninianee was acting on her own? No? Do you think she’s incapable of doing such a thing?”

“She’s not a deceptive woman,” said Hoftstan, but admitted to himself that she was head-strong.

“No, only about this and the full moon. And it begins tonight.” Zhanf slapped his hands together as if to rid them of dust. He caught the look of dismay in Hoftstan’s eyes. “Aha! I haven’t imagined it, then. Are you the one who cloaks her with spells during – ”

”Not I. Duz Nimuar set up a full moon spell to guard her. He reinforced it regularly so that she wouldn’t be without protection. It still functions within the Castle, but not so much beyond the walls, and once off the Castle estate, it has faded almost completely,” Hoftstan admitted. “I try to reinforce the spell between full moons, as he instructed me, so that the spell will remain strong enough to help her. I would feel more certain if I knew more of her condition. For now, I can only manage the Castle and estate, but nothing beyond here.”

“Do you know what happens to her?” Zhanf asked, now deeply inquisitive.

“No, not specifically. She never discusses it. She stays away from people during the three nights of the full moon,” said Hoftstan, clearly uncomfortable with admitting so much. “It began nine – almost ten years ago, and whatever overtakes her, she has been at pains to conceal it.”

“Does Erianthee know about this?” Zhanf’s brows rose speculatively.

“I think she helps Ninianee,” Hoftstan said.

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