Connections
989 Words
Connections~
Sethlyan Callan
Glenayre, Aleron
In the days that followed, Seth rediscovered his wife.
Tentatively, they explored their connection. They learned she could speak to his mind and he to hers, but not without focus, and most clearly when they touched. His fear she would pop into his head uninvited proved unfounded. His thoughts were his own unless he meant them for her. Speaking to her mind took the same conscious effort as opening his mouth to speak the words aloud.
The empathy was another matter. Emotions coursed between them, named and nebulous, raw and unfiltered. The moment she entered a room, he caught the scent or the taste of her mood. The sensation grew stronger if she put her hands on him. And when he bedded her, the intensity of their connection heightened the pleasure he took from her body in ways that amazed him and left him craving more.
They kept all this between them. It was too intimate to talk about with anyone else. Someday he might answer Ranald’s endless questions. But not now, not yet.
“Wait,” he stops me. “Adversity awakens gifts. The bear sparked yours and Isobel’s and Ashlon’s, but in different measure.”
“Ashlon embraced his from the start. Isobel feared hers. I denied mine.”
“Just as well you did. We weren’t ready for you yet.”
Around them, life at Glenayre went on.
Rusty was hobbling around on his own. Ashlon carved a crutch and went back to supervising his men in the practice yard. Ranald badgered Ashlon for every tidbit he knew about empaths. Ashlon threatened to renew his vow of silence if Ranald asked even one more question.
Calum recovered enough to make the journey back to Monaughty. Holden had sent troubling news from Iversport, and Taw needed him in Jorendon. When the day came for Calum to leave, they gathered in the courtyard for farewells.
“Take care of her.” Calum clasped Seth’s arm. “The fools in Jorendon don’t need to hear about what they can’t understand. What they can’t control makes them nervous. They get mean when they’re nervous.”
“She’s safe here. We agreed we’d take it slowly.”
“Drawing the Beacon’s attention is the furthest from my intentions.” Isobel brushed away a shiver. “I don’t like what I’ve heard of the man.”
“Beacon Deighton is a danger to anyone not willing to kneel at his altar,” said Ranald. “I tell you, the Church has no place in the running of a kingdom.”
“Let’s not spoil a farewell with talk of fools.” Isobel took her brother’s hand. “Calum, I wish you could stay longer.”
“So do I, but duty never stops.” Calum seemed to age ten years as he pulled the Rhi’Iverach’s responsibilities back onto his shoulders. “An Iverach ship caught fire and three months’ worth of silver from the Dunnston mine sunk to the bottom of Iversport Harbor. Holden suspects it was no accident.”
“Camrans again?” Isobel frowned. “Seth, did you tell him about the response from Rock Larnoch?”
“Not yet. I still don’t know what to make of it myself. Lothor wouldn’t accept the bodies. Denied they were his men.”
“Don’t believe a word Lothor Camran says.” Calum snorted. “He claims I wronged him by taking the sheep in recompense.”
“I’m not so sure, Your Grace,” said Ranald. “No chief in Rhynn would refuse the bones of dead kin.”
“Not even Lothor,” Seth agreed. “Makes me think he’s not behind this one.”
“Red and gold chequy is hard to mistake,” said Ranald, “but easy to fake.”
“Are you saying random brigands masqueraded in Camran breclans and trampled Callan barley?” said Calum. “Why?”
“To harden you against the Camrans by threatening your sister’s new home,” said Ranald. “Or perhaps to strengthen your case against Lothor in Jorendon.”
Calum bristled. “Are you suggesting I—”
“You aren’t the only one protecting Iverach interests. Or it could be someone testing the new Lord of Glenayre, to learn if he acts impulsively or if he cowers.”
It was Seth’s turn to bristle. “Cower? Say what you mean, Daor.”
“Ah, you’re both touchy. You didn’t cower. By sending the bodies to Rock Larnoch, you demanded an explanation without starting a wrongheaded fight. I would’ve spoken out if I hadn’t thought it the best response.”
“Oh yes, the good daor would most definitely have spoken out,” said Calum. “He was never shy about telling me I was doing something stupid.”
“The quandary remaining is who sent a band of rogues to irritate the new Lord of Glenayre,” said Ranald. “And placed the blame on the Camrans?”
“Perhaps someone who wants Rhynns fighting Rhynns?” said Isobel.
“You’re right, my lady.” Ashlon hobbled up with a pack slung over his shoulder. “And it’s time I moved on as well.”
“But you’re still on the mend.” Seth hadn’t seen this coming. “You have duties here.”
“Your acceptance has meant a great deal, my lord. I owe you an explanation if you’ll hear it from me.”
Seth didn’t want an explanation. He wanted Ashlon to stay on at Glenayre, but he suspected that wasn’t going to be an option.
“I would have you know why I took the vow. You see, my mother was a nenan. My father was a man. They parted when I was young. Mother never talked much about him.”
The nene-man shifted the pack from his shoulder and leaned on his crutch.
“She told me about the war, though. It’s a war of ideology between those who want the Joining and those who don’t. Those who seek the Awakening and those who fear it.”
“The joining of what?” said Isobel.
“Nenes and men. Gardeners and builders.”
“Ah, yes. I haven’t heard those terms in years,” said Ranald. “That’s how the old texts refer to the races.”
“It’s a wrongheaded notion, no matter what you name it,” said Calum. “There’s a reason half-breeds are sterile. Nenes and men have no call to—”
“Calum.” Isobel frowned at her brother.
“Mother said I was meant to join the cause. When I came of age, I offered my service, but they turned me away.” Ashlon cut Calum a sharp glance. “I’m a half-breed. I’m used to it.”
Isobel quickly interjected. “Ashlon, you can’t let such prejudice—”
“I don’t. I swore I wouldn’t speak aloud until I could speak with my mind. Mother said my father struggled to come to terms with his own ability. If his mindgift lay dormant in me, I would claim it.”
“What drew it out?” said Seth.
“I truly can’t say.” Ashlon shrugged. “Maybe it just took being nearby when interesting things happened.”
“There’s been plenty of that here,” said Isobel.
“Now the mindgift is mine to command, I’ll offer myself again,” said Ashlon.
“To whom?” said Ranald. “Where are you going, Captain?”
“You don’t go to them. They come for you. I know where to be waiting.” Ashlon shouldered his pack. “Take care, my friends. The Awakening is just beginning. The Children of Promise are worth the wait.”
Chapter 45
- Writer
