Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) (17 page)

“Why? What is going on?”

“In time...” He understood something important was coming and it needed to be in the flow of things. The entities were trying to not cause a catastrophe while trying to avoid a catastrophe. “You have it in you. Hold, you must hold.”

He grabbed for the thread, the pain was almost too much. He held.

“Hold. Fight. Follow it back.”

He screamed, although there was no sound. He screamed and he pulled. It took every ounce of energy and concentration he had. He pulled. As long as he held the thread he could feel everything. Someone was carrying him, bouncing along, the knife in his chest moved, causing even more pain. He screamed and pulled, screamed and pulled.

“Yes. Fight. Hold.” Pride and love, guilt and anguish mixed in the entity’s communication.

The pride and love gave him energy and he used it to pull.

Someone was tending to him. Something moved the knife,
pain too much pain
.

I wish screaming did something, this is too much.

His mind focused on the task of pulling. Worldly things began to come to him.

Pull —
Pain
and he could smell the medicines and linen bandages.

Pull —
Pain
and he could feel the stiff cot under him.

Pull —
Pain
and he could feel that his left boot was tighter than his right.

Pull —
Pain
and his awareness of the presence faded slightly.

“Don’t leave me.”

“I will not, I will remain until conclusion. Hold… Fight... She comes.”

Other presences. There were three new entities. Two he knew to be in both realms at once. One was female, very powerful, and yet he was comforted by her closeness. The second was male, also very powerful, and he understood they were there to help. Last there was another powerful being, she existed only in the physical realm; she also was comforting. Lebuin tried to look at them but could not see them with the senses of the physical world, only feel their presences. In trying to see he found two other entities, both female; one was in the worldly realm, the other was in this realm. Both of the women were powerful, but not at the level of the others, and they both were simply watching.

Warmth washed over his body, the pain eased, and without warning the knife was pulled out. The warmth in his chest blazed into a searing heat. He screamed and felt a disorienting lurch as he slipped out of the void and into the world he knew.

As he lost the sense of the other realm he heard the entity’s parting words, “Well done,” and felt a tremendous flood of pride from the entity.

He was back in the mundane world, more tired than he had ever been in his life, but he could breathe and there was no more pain. Exhausted, he simply fell asleep.

Voices floated into his dreams. The first, a melodic female voice, spoke softly. Groggy, he only caught the end. “…Unexpected.”

A male voice answered, also melodic… a wonderful tenor with an odd accent. “Yes, but in this case the unexpected could be a sign we are finally on the right path.”

“This was too close, and I had to ask.”

“Me too... Time will tell.”

“That is my worry. Shhh, he awakes.” The female voice came closer, and he felt her warm breath on his ear. “Shhh, Lebuin rest now, all is well.” She sang then, softly, in a language that reminded him of the songs his mother used to sing. He couldn’t fight it; he fell back into sleep, feeling totally warm, safe, relaxed, and happy.

- - -

When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a large room, lying on a cot. Dust motes swirled in a light breeze as they fell through warm sunlight streaming through some high windows.

“Master Lebuin, how do you feel?”

Looking up he saw the upside down and worried face of Ditani.
That is a very good question. I should be dead. I had a knife in my chest.
He couldn’t feel any magic flowing in him. “Good question, Ditani. I’m not in pain, but I cannot feel any magic. Help me up.”

Ditani moved to his side, helped him sit up and turn, putting his feet on the floor. He felt slightly dizzy; an acolyte in smudged light green robes, which fit moderately well, came over with a look of concern. “Journeyman Lebuin, please don’t move too fast. You need to recover. It is uncertain how much strain your body can handle. Also, I am instructed to warn you that you could become forever powerless should you try to use magic at this time.”

Frowning at the news, he looked at the man, who was about the same age as he was. “How long before I can try to channel my power?”

Looking sternly at him like any good physician, he spoke in what was probably his most professional voice. “It is suggested that you do not try to channel for at least a cycle. The Great Lady also recommends that when you begin to practice, you start slowly, first with air, then water, and then earth, moving on to each when the previous ones are re-mastered with ease. Only when all three of the other elements are effortless, is it her recommendation, should you attempt fire.”

He put his head in his hands and looked down.
Well, I am alive, and that was the strangest experience I have ever even heard of.
Thinking back over his memories, he wondered if it had all been real. Wiping his eyes, he saw that his wonderful doublet and shirt had been cut open down the middle of his chest. Sputtering, he managed to get out, “My clothes! What did you do to my clothes?!”

Ditani just looked at him, wide-eyed.

“Seriously, what happened to my clothes? Ruined! My two best outfits, in two days, totally gone!” Looking down again, the anger faded into nothing as his fingers came upon and traced the vertical scar on his exposed skin. Looking down at the cot, he saw where the blood had soaked through the canvas to pool on the floor; it was hastily cleaned, but the signs were still there. Sighing, Lebuin looked back at Ditani. “Sorry, I guess this really did happen,” he said, his fingers resting on his first real scar. “I don’t understand what is happening. Is every Journeyman’s life so dangerous?”
I was dying. If not for swift action by beings who shouldn’t have cared, I’d be dead now. My skills meant nothing — a single knife in my chest and it was almost over.

“I have heard that some are, others are not.” Ditani gently placed his hand on Lebuin’s shoulder. “I don’t understand why someone would attack you like that.”

“I think it might be Magus Cune trying to exact revenge.”

Ditani looked at him, shocked. “Master, that cannot be! Magus Cune has always loved and protected the Guild. He would not attack a Journeyman unless that Journeyman was a traitor.”

I bet he is involved in this.
“What can I do? I cannot use magic for at least four weeks, which means I might as well just walk naked through the city.”

“Master, I hired a Dagger to get you here. By sheer luck, I believe she is one of the best in the city. I may have overstepped my place acting on your behalf. It was just that I didn’t know what else to do to save you.”

Lebuin’s hopes jumped. “No, no that is perfect! You really are a Godsend, Ditani. I wanted to hire a Dagger guide to both guard and help me with my Journeyman quest.”

“In that case I am pleased. Except, well…” Ditani looked a little worried and embarrassed.

“Yes?”

“Well, the Dagger took your money and left to try to find Magus Vestul. She ordered me to not let you leave here until she gets back.”

Astonished, he looked at Ditani. “Did you say ‘she’? This Dagger is a woman?”

Ditani nodded. “I thought you’d be upset about her helping herself to your purse.”

Lebuin instinctively pulled the purse out. It didn’t feel empty. “How much did she take?”

Looking at the floor, Ditani said, “two crosses.”

Lebuin laughed for a moment. “That’s it? Two crosses? You made it sound like she took my whole purse!”

Ditani looked up, surprised. “You’re not angry? Master, two crosses is a lot of money!”

“Is it? I thought I would be spending dozens of crowns to hire a Dagger for any length of time.”

“Master…” Ditani stopped and looked at the doorway. Lebuin, following his eyes, could not believe what he saw.
I must be dreaming, that is the lady from the alley and market. But Lord, look at her.
She wore boots that were a dull grey, with a hinted pattern done in forest green. Above the boots she wore leather pants which were tailored perfectly to fit her. They were not new, but the pants were well-maintained and would likely last a very long time. The leather had been treated so that it was a dusky grey, smooth but not polished.
I bet it repels water
, he thought. Over her pants she wore a thigh-length shirt, also expertly tailored. The shirt had shifting patterns of grey and was made of a tight woven cloth that absorbed the light to excellent effect. Over the shirt was a leather belt, in nearly a charcoal gray; on the belt were a short sword, four knives, and a medium-sized pouch that blended in to her clothes. The focal point of this entire outfit, he noticed, was an ornate dagger. Her grey, patterned cloak flowed behind her, like the wind itself was personally escorting her. Every inch of her outfit spoke volumes of the wearer.
How can she pull off that kind of perfection with such simple materials?

The Dagger stopped in front of Lebuin and put both hands on her hips, her feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and looked him full in the eye. He felt like he had just been caught doing something naughty.
I have never seen a woman with so much authority, or presence. She could probably stand toe-to-toe with anyone.
Looking down at her boots, he realized they must be the boots she took from her assailant. Now that he could see them up close he could see why she had taken them.
I would have taken them myself, even if they do look a bit small for me.

Her voice was pleasant but every bit as authoritative as her stance. “There are Knives are on your tail already. Of course, it wasn’t really all that hard with the commotion you made. Our next trick will be to get you out of here without them seeing it.”

Lebuin shifted focus from her boots to the dagger that was only about a foot from his nose. It was beautiful; the hilt was diamond-shaped, with a bone hilt polished to a glossy shine. The cross guard had a hunting motif with hounds that appeared almost alive. The dogs faced in both directions and could have been running down their quarry or attacking an enemy.
It is very suggestive of a guard or hunter.
But that is the point, isn’t it? The dagger describes the Dagger. Impressions, first impressions are the key. The tables by the walls, means they have their backs covered and are in a stronger position, hence are more experienced or capable. It is so simple a code.

Ditani asked, “Did you find any news of Magus Vestul?”

“We can talk about that when we are someplace safe. I took out one of the two observers. The Knife is likely waiting to ambush you on the way back to the Guild; instead I am going to take you by a longer, more circular route to the Dolphin. We can plan your next move there.” She shifted stance slightly. “Journeyman Lebuin, your man authorized any price to get you here, and then to help with your search. I don’t expect that offer to extend beyond this moment. I took two crosses, one for my services today and the second to cover needed bribes. If you desire me to remain your Dagger, I expect six crosses a week, in advance. Agreed?”

Lord, she took out more people already? She is killing things hunting me. Whatever payment she wants she can have; I can spare it, and it is far less than I was already planning on paying. It’s a bargain either way.
Looking into her eyes, he nodded agreement.

Her reaction was hard to read, but something in her eyes came alive with speculation. “Do you think you can run?”

She is actually excited by the danger. Guess that would be a reason to become a Dagger, but how could a woman get the kind of training she must have had?

“I can barely sit up, so I doubt I can move very fast.”

Her eyebrows tightened with concern, but looking at something behind him, she smiled slightly. Turning, he saw a doorway, presumably to the Temple. “Get up. We’ll get you a change and go that way.” She reached down and grabbed his arm with a strong hand.

He stood and felt a little dizzy but managed to stay in place. “Um, what do I call you?” She started to turn away and then looked at him in surprise; something passed through her mind, and she smiled. Her smile was like lightning.
Oh Lord she is beautiful. That someone so beautiful can be so dangerous is a wonder in itself.

Face to face she was slightly taller than he was. She held out her arm. “I’m Ticca of Rhini Wood, Dagger in your service.”

Taking her arm, he locked it with his. “Journeyman Lebuin of the House Caerni; I am pleased to accept your service.” Her eyes widened only a hair’s width at the name of his house.
Well, she knows us. She is really good at hiding her emotions; I bet she would do well at the tables.
“Ticca, please call me Lebuin; and I assume you already know Ditani.” He gestured to the other man.