Herb-Witch (Lord Alchemist Duology) by McCoy Elizabeth

Author:McCoy, Elizabeth [McCoy, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XXXI

Iathor compared the heights of his "look at" stack and "looked at" pile. Perhaps another half-hour before he rescued the workroom from his students.

He was, overall, pleased. Between them, they were the equal of a slow but educated journeyman, and they worked well together. The trick would be keeping Kessa from relying on Nicia to do the forms, and keeping Nicia from leaving the drawing and fitting of forms to Kessa.

Kessa was right. The geometry analyzer wasn't so accurate as a trained nose and tongue. But with so few immune alchemists, unless she agreed to a dozen children . . .

The door slammed open, Dayn's protest echoing the noise. Iasen stalked into Iathor's office, slamming the door in the dramsman's face. Iathor stood while Iasen slapped his hands on the desk.

"What," his brother demanded, "do you think you're doing?!"

"My work. What do you think I'm doing?" Iathor signaled Dayn, who reluctantly subsided to lurk in the doorway. Beyond him, Iathor caught sight of Iasen's bodyguard, Teck, fretting in the hallway.

Iasen snapped, "That half-blood's in the basement!"

Iathor narrowed his eyes. "You've not accosted her, have you?"

"Of course not! What's she doing here?"

"Attempting a smoking dud, with Herbmaster Keli's girl. And?"

"Iathor, she's a half-breed! Incompetent by her very nature! Isn't she some criminal?"

Iathor hoped Thioso hadn't been talking to his brother. "She's a spottily-trained herb-witch, quite good at what she knows."

Through his teeth, Iasen growled, "She's trying to sell you dragon-oil. Pretend she's a possibility for your money."

He couldn't help spluttering. Kessa? After his money? His hide, mayhap . . . "I've hardly gotten that impression. I nearly had to insist on lessons."

His brother's temper cooled; he straightened. "Then why did you?"

"Because," Iathor said tiredly, "she could be good. Training herb-witches in alchemy will please Herbmaster Keli. If her tolerances are sufficient, then I'll be pleased."

"Brother, she's half savage. Haven't you seen her eyes?"

"Several times. I instructed her to stop looking down while I was teaching." If he could keep her from constantly hiding them, perhaps he'd get used to them.

The snarling might take a bit longer to acclimate to.

It was far better than fawning submission.

Iasen said, "You can't possibly . . . Immune or not, she's an ugly half-breed. How could you bear to touch her?"

Perplexed, Iathor said, "If she's immune, it's my duty to convince her to cooperate. You don't want to be stuck with the job, and haven't provided heirs of your own."

"Because I want my wife to love me. That creature doesn't even like you."

Iathor frowned. "Iasen, did you accost her?"

"No! But a-a mongrel like that? She's no more capable of love than the dirty savages who sell their children when the hunting's bad. She's leading you on, playing hard to catch! How could some barbarian carry the bloodlines of immunity?"

I've already sent a letter to Cym, to have Master Jobaenen investigate tolerances among the local barbarian groups. No, that would upset Iasen further. "That's a puzzle to be solved if she's immune, and if she'll wed me.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.