The Awakening (40 page)

That could mean anything
, Jahrra thought. “Can you be a little more specific?”

Denaeh slumped her shoulders. “Let’s just say we had a disagreement several years back and he hasn’t quite forgiven me.”

Jahrra raised her eyebrows. Just how long had Denaeh and Jaax known each other? And what kind of disagreement could they have had?

She opened her mouth to query further but Denaeh raised a hand and lowered her eyes. “Let’s just leave it at that. I don’t wish to say any more about the subject.”

Jahrra pursed her lips then took a breath and said, “Well, if it was several years ago surely it’s time he forgave you.”

Denaeh looked up then and grinned, though her eyes held sorrow. “Oh no Jahrra, he has every right not to forgive me for this but I do hope that someday I can prove myself worthy of his good regard once again.”

Now that was too bold of a declaration to leave it just where it was but the note of finality in the Mystic’s voice suggested there was no way Jahrra was going to get anything else out of her, at least not today. All she needed to know was that Jaax would never allow Denaeh into the Coalition and that if she wanted to keep seeing her old friend, she would have to once again meet the Mystic in secret.

“You’ve had some trouble in that group of yours,” Denaeh said, her voice taking on a new, lighter air.

Jahrra heaved a great breath and nodded. “Two Tanaan dragons, Shiroxx and Rohdann. Everything seemed fine up until a week ago when Shiroxx tried to rattle me more than usual. Now she has been expelled from the Coalition and Rohdann is eager to seek redemption on her behalf.”

“Ah yes, I remember your mention of a Shiroxx but I don’t recall a Rohdann.”

Jahrra shrugged and told her what little she knew of the black dragon. “I’m not sure how long he’s been a member of the Coalition and he never liked Jaax, but now I fear he means us ill.”

She reached her hands towards the fire, her skin feeling suddenly chilled.

Denaeh sat back and her face took on a knowing look. “I see,” she said, “Am I to presume Shiroxx didn’t take her dismissal well?”

Jahrra nodded. “Jaax paid her a visit and gave her the news before our meeting last night. I believe Rohdann considered her a close ally of sorts and now he feels alienated.”

Denaeh gazed across the fire at Jahrra. “Jaax dismissed her without the consultation of the Coalition? That was a rather risky move. She must have done something serious.”

Jahrra winced. She was still uncomfortable with the fact that she was the reason for all this commotion.

Denaeh waited patiently for a response, her back straight and her hands folded gently in her lap.

Jahrra swallowed. “Jaax left for Nimbronia for some business early last week. During his absence, Shiroxx came to visit me. I thought she was there for Jaax but it turned out she was just trying to get information from me. Jaax wasn’t happy when he found out.”

Jahrra nudged a small stone over with the toe of her boot. The crackle of the fire played against the babble of the brook just behind them. The silence lasted just long enough for Jahrra to know Denaeh had been digesting her words and perhaps trying to see if anything concerning the situation would take place in the next few days.

“I see,” she said at last. “Is that all?”

Jahrra blinked up at her then remembered the real reason Jaax had dismissed Shiroxx. “It was all a pretense, of course. What she was really doing was testing my loyalty to Jaax. Oh, and it became known to us tonight that she had also sent someone to spy on me.”

Denaeh snorted and said, mostly to herself, “Oh, he would be paranoid about that, though the fact that she was spying on you is a little disturbing.”

She sighed and stood once again. “So now you have not one but two disgruntled dragons out to get you, the first of which is known to be underhanded, and the other?”

“He’s just as bad. He openly threatened me, actually,” Jahrra responded.

“Ah,” was Denaeh’s sharp reply.

Jahrra looked up and caught a flash of topaz eyes.

“Don’t worry,” she retorted. “I threatened him right back.”

“That’s my girl,” Denaeh answered with a grin. “I’ll keep my senses sharp. If I see anything or hear anything I’ll be sure to let you know.”

Jahrra looked around. Where was Denaeh going to live if she couldn’t live with them?

“I have a cave just over the hill,” the Mystic answered Jahrra’s thoughts, “and I’ll send Milihn when I need to speak with you.”

Jahrra’s eyes went wide with joy. “Milihn? Oh, where is Milihn?” She started looking around but saw no sign of the bird.

Denaeh laughed. “He’s off gathering trinkets for me, but he may have been distracted by friends. I’ve spotted the occasional korehv or two since entering the province of Felldreim.”

A sudden thought bubbled up from Jahrra’s memory. She had been so distracted by the latest upset in her life that she had completely forgotten about her encounter with the other Mystic in the Witching District.

“Speaking of korehvs,” Jahrra began, “my friend and I noticed one in Lidien a few months ago.”

She eyed her friend, looking for any sign of recognition in the woman’s eyes. Denaeh merely gazed at her patiently, waiting for her to continue.

“Anyway, it was sitting above the shop of a fortune teller and when we went in I discovered that the fortune teller was in fact a Mystic.”

Denaeh seemed to go very still but her face remained impassive. “Go on,” she encouraged.

“I asked the woman if she was a Mystic but she denied it and quite aggressively chased us away.”

Denaeh’s face darkened and she said in a harsh whisper, “Did you mention my name?”

Jahrra felt suddenly uneasy but she cleared her throat and continued. “Yes. I’m sorry Denaeh, I didn’t think she was going to react so harshly. She insisted that we leave. I didn’t even learn her name.”

“What did she look like?” Denaeh pressed.

“A little taller than you, saffron hair, pale yellow eyes. She had a cat inside and a korehv outside.”

Denaeh looked away, a frown dominating her face. Jahrra cringed, worried that she had put her friend in danger.

“Sounds like Sahrielle,” the Mystic grumbled. She concentrated on a patch of earth for a moment or two more, then gave a bitter grin. “Oh yes, she
would
feel threatened by me.”

“Uh, Denaeh?” Jahrra asked.

The Mystic took a deep breath, managed to shake off most of her unease, and gave Jahrra a broad smile. “Thank you for that information. I’ll be sure to keep a wary eye open in case I encounter her.”

“But,” Jahrra began.

“Don’t worry. She isn’t something to bother yourself about. Old disagreement between us is all. I’m afraid you have more to worry about with your two dragons than I do with my old acquaintance.”

Jahrra grimaced and Denaeh laughed. “What I mean is, she is no threat to me and most likely, your dragons are no threat to you, though I will suggest you don’t let your guard down.”

“I won’t,” Jahrra vowed.

“I daresay,” Denaeh said after a pause and a shake of her head, “midday is soon approaching and your dragon will be wondering where you are.”

Jahrra eyed her and grumbled, “He’s
not
my dragon.”

The Mystic only grinned at that and walked with her over to Phrym.

The two women embraced once more. Jahrra was beside herself with glee for discovering her old friend but something about the way she reacted to the news about the other Mystic nagged at the back of her mind.
Best to file it away with all the other mysteries that keep me occupied
,
she thought
. At least for now.

Once in the saddle, Jahrra turned to Denaeh to bid farewell. “I’ll see you again soon, won’t I?”

The Mystic smiled, her eyes sparkling gold, and placed a hand on Jahrra’s knee. “Of course, dearest Jahrra. Next time we’ll have more time to visit and I’ll tell you all about my travels and you can tell me of yours.”

Jahrra grinned and clicked Phrym forward, back down the road they’d taken out of the city. She reached the rise in the path and turned back to wave. Denaeh waved back, watching Jahrra and Phrym until she could see no more of them.

“Interesting,” she murmured as she transformed into her elderly self, ambling back to her make-shift campsite.

“Did you hear that, Milihn?” her old woman’s crackly voice called up to the branches above.

A great dark bird grumbled, just loud enough for the Mystic to hear him.

The old woman grinned, recalling what Jahrra had told her of the unrest festering in the Coalition and the surprising news about the other Mystic. That would have to be taken care of as soon as possible but since Jahrra’s story was the first she had heard of it, Sahrielle must be using some very strong magic to block her, if it was Sahrielle at all. Digging her up, especially since she had surely flown her little hiding spot as soon as Jahrra had spoken the name of Archedenaeh, would be nearly impossible.

She sighed, folding up her irritation and storing it away for later, said aloud, “It looks like there is more to the situation than we thought.”

The bird grumbled again, this time a bit louder, before ruffling his feathers and giving himself a good shake.

“Yes, I agree,” mused the old woman as she started smothering the fire. “
Very
interesting indeed.”

-
Chapter Twenty-Three
-

Bad News

Jahrra took her time heading back into the city, her mind too alive with the thought of seeing Denaeh to realize how exhausted she was or to worry any further about Rohdann making good on his threats. It had seemed so surreal, almost like a dream. If the air hadn’t been so cold or the sun so bright in her eyes, she would have believed it a dream, but the Mystic had been there, alive and substantial.

Jahrra laughed out loud, garnering a questioning whicker from Phrym. It had been so wonderful to see her old friend and although the visit had been relatively short, Jahrra was grateful nonetheless. And to have heard news about Gieaun and Scede. She stifled a sudden sob, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. The thought of her two best friends started an ache in her chest she couldn’t seem to drive away.
But they are safe
, she reminded herself,
safe from harm
. And they knew that she was safe. Well, as safe as one could be under the care of a dragon with an evil god-king and his army trying to hunt her down. Jahrra shook her head. She wouldn’t worry about that, at least not for now.

By the time she and Phrym crossed through the city gates and made their way to the stables, it was already late afternoon. She had spent the entire morning and a good part of the day outside of the city. She and Phrym must have ridden much farther than she had previously thought. Jahrra sighed as she handed her semequin off to the stable hand, knowing Jaax would be absolutely furious when she walked into the house at such a late hour after such a long night.

Jahrra shook herself. She wouldn’t let Jaax’s anger get to her, not when she had had such a wonderful morning after all. And that was something else Jahrra had to think about as she began the trek up the hill towards her home. She had to find a way to keep the knowledge of Denaeh’s presence away from Jaax. Again.

She had done it before, while living in Oescienne, but her life hadn’t been so complicated then. Jahrra snorted in laughter as her jaw cracked in a great yawn. Oh, how uncomplicated her life had been only a few measly years ago! Jaax was easy to handle then: he hadn’t been around. And although she had Eydeth and Ellysian and their nastiness to deal with, it wasn’t nearly as bad as Shiroxx and Rohdann and the politics that unfolded within the Coalition.

As she wove her way up the tree-adorned hill, trying to keep her eyes open as the weariness finally settled upon her, she went over the pros and cons in her head in regards to her Mystic friend. If Jaax found out about Denaeh and in turn discovered that she planned to stay in contact with her, she would have let him down terribly. But, if she turned her back on Denaeh she lost a potential source of information, information that could prove vital for herself and the Coalition.

Jahrra turned these thoughts over in her head and only when her boots began to crunch on the crushed gravel in front of her guardian’s estate did she finally come to a conclusion that should suit all parties: she would contact and interact with Denaeh only when necessary. No more sneaking off into the woods if she had a problem or disagreement with Jaax. She also decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest if she only divulged what information was essential to the Mystic. No more complaining, no more pouring out of her soul. Denaeh would only get what she asked for and maybe less, depending on the situation.

It was clear Jaax didn’t trust the Mystic but that didn’t mean Jahrra couldn’t, to some degree. Besides, if neither of them bothered to elaborate on why they mistrusted the other, then she couldn’t very well make a good judgment on who was more trustworthy than the other. She would respect Jaax’s good judgment but not to the extent that it forced her to disregard her own.

Although it was still relatively early, the lamps outside the grand house were lit and when Jahrra pushed open the smaller door Neira met her on the other side. The maid’s brown eyes widened in surprise before beckoning her inside. A fire was burning brightly in the main entrance room but no lanterns or candles flickered. Jahrra could detect the spicy hints of food in the air but there was no sign of Jaax anywhere. Jahrra had a feeling that was worse than finding him in the great room waiting for her.

“Where have you been!?” Neira hissed as she slid the bolt in the door behind her. “Master Jaax has been beside himself with worry!”

Jahrra felt herself pale a little. “I, I needed some air after that meeting and I lost track of time.”

“You needed the entire day to get some fresh air! Just wait until your guardian returns. I’ve never seen him in such a state!”

Neira was wringing her hands in the towel she kept hanging in the apron tied around her waist.

“He’s not here? Where is he?” Jahrra assumed he was just in his office.

“No,” Neira swallowed, “he’s–”

Her words were cut short by the sound of the great door scraping against the stones of the floor.

“We checked there, Jaax, at least three times.” The wearied voice belonged to Kehllor but it held a tinge of concern as well.

“Yes, but she could show up there at any moment. We have to look again.”

Jaax sounded strained, frantic, entirely not like his normal, controlled, dominating self. It actually frightened Jahrra. She swallowed and stepped forward, the light of the fire dancing over her figure.

Kehllor saw her first, his sharp eyes flashing and then melting in relief. He grinned and took a breath, “I think our worries are over.”

Jaax frowned and shook his head slightly then glanced over in her direction. The light in the room made it hard to read his expression but as soon as he saw her his composure visibly changed.

“
Jahrra!
” he breathed, rushing over to her as fast as he could in the limited space.

He lowered his head to her level and actually pressed his broad forehead against her body, closing his eyes and sighing deeply. Jahrra had no idea how to react to such behavior from him. She imagined that if he had been able, he would have grabbed her up in a hug and wouldn’t have let go.

Swallowing back a strange rush of emotion, she lifted a hand and placed it between her guardian’s eyes. “I’m okay Jaax,” she said in a strained voice. “Why did you ever worry yourself so?”

He breathed deeply and released it slowly, his hot breath warming Jahrra’s skin. Eventually, he lifted his head and gave her a scrutinizing look, one that was more familiar to her.

“Kehllor told me what Rohdann said to you after the meeting.”

His voice was rough and she could see the fire building in his eyes again.

Jahrra grimaced, then flushed. The sudden realization of just why they were so worried flooded through her. If Kehllor had heard every word of her exchange with the black Tanaan dragon and had repeated it to Jaax, then her failure to return home directly after the meeting would look very bad indeed. She felt absolutely terrible now, thinking about what she had put her friends and guardian through.

Jahrra shot Kehllor a pleading glance but the other dragon merely gazed into the fire as if it had sprouted a mouth and was now speaking to him.

“I didn’t think Kehllor heard everything that was said,” she grumbled.

Jaax stretched to his full height, sitting down and gesturing for Jahrra and Kehllor to do the same.

“He informed me that Rohdann made a few insults and a few threats, and,” his expression softened a bit, almost becoming a grin, “that you put him in his place.”

He wasn’t angry. Jahrra couldn’t believe it. Jaax wasn’t angry even though she had scared him half to death?

“You aren’t angry with me?” she said in disbelief.

“Oh, aye, I’m angry you forced yourself into the meeting and that you disappeared for several hours afterwards, without telling anyone of your whereabouts.”

Jahrra started to form an excuse but Jaax held up a clawed finger. “But I am not angry at what you said, to the Coalition on my behalf and to that parasite Rohdann afterwards. Perhaps I was wrong to ask you not to attend. You proved to our allies that you are capable of forming well balanced opinions and that you have the right to do so, considering you are the one expected to perform all the miracles when the time comes.”

He looked over his shoulder at Kehllor and the golden Tanaan just shrugged.

“I’m more angry at myself for not listening to you earlier. I’m sorry, Jahrra, for forgetting you are no longer a child.”

Jahrra’s intended words lost all their steam. She couldn’t remember the last time Jaax had apologized to her and all she could manage at the moment was a short nod of acceptance.

Neira cleared her throat behind them and Jahrra jumped in surprise. “Will Master Kehllor be dining with us?”

Jahrra looked back at the two dragons and grinned. “I hope so,” she answered.

Kehllor gave Jaax an imploring look and the older dragon nodded. “Of course you may eat with us.”

“I guess it’s decided then,” Kehllor answered, his cautious stature relaxing even more.

As they ate, Jahrra couldn’t help but be pleased with Jaax’s reaction to the entire situation. He never asked her where she had gone and what she had done and she felt slightly guilty once again about keeping Denaeh a secret from him.
Perhaps I’ll tell him eventually, but first I must gauge what her true intentions are.
Jahrra laughed to herself as the roast beef disappeared from her bowl.
To think
, she mused,
a few short years ago I would tell Denaeh anything and refuse to speak to Jaax and now I want to keep information from her
.

The meal passed in relative silence, what with no one wishing to discuss the issue that crowded the room to the point of suffocating everyone in it. Instead, Jahrra, Jaax and Kehllor passed the time making small talk as the light of day slowly faded into dusk. They spoke of the weather, of Jahrra’s progress at school, of the latest fashions being touted by the elite of the city. Kehllor even went as far as to bring up a tidbit of gossip he’d heard in the open marketplace, a clear sign of how desperately he wished to avoid talking about the Coalition meeting and Rohdann’s threats from the night before. Kehllor abhorred gossip, it seemed, and Jahrra knew for a fact that her guardian didn’t care for it either. For some reason, it cheered her up.

Jahrra played along with their pointless dialogue of course, sipping at the tea Neira had served. It was rich and sweet and helped ease her pounding headache, so she did her best to savor it despite the tense atmosphere surrounding what should have been an otherwise delightful dinner with friends.

Kehllor eventually left, claiming to be exhausted from the previous evening’s meeting and the day-long search for Jahrra. As he left, the younger dragon gave Jaax a look that clearly stated
please don’t be too hard on her
, then glanced over at Jahrra with an expression that said
try to see things from his point of view
. With a final farewell, Kehllor stepped through the great door and disappeared into the darkening night.

Neira, who had appeared from the kitchens to accommodate Kehllor’s departure, swung the door shut with a loud creak, latching it securely behind him. She turned, gave Jahrra and Jaax one long, assessing look, then took a breath.

“Well,” she said, “the kitchen is cleaned and our guest has departed. I think it is time for me to retire.”

She drew her shoulders straight and crossed the great room, trying to ignore the two sets of eyes that watched her progress.

The substantial space that already separated Jahrra from Jaax seemed to grow even larger. The Tanaan dragon sat in his usual corner, the elevated floor in front of the ceiling-to-floor window, and Jahrra was at her table, a good three dragon lengths away. Kehllor had been reclining on the lower floor, his body a welcome barrier between herself and her guardian. Now there was no force there to block the unbroached emotions in the room.

Jahrra took a nervous sip of her tea, hoping that it would calm her nerves. Jaax followed suit, raising a great stone mug to take a drink himself, the spirit stone in his ring catching the firelight and flaring like a bright star. Jahrra would have found the whole scene comical if not for her weariness and the tension in the air.

I will not be the first to speak
, she thought stubbornly, looking down at her plate ruefully. She was hoping that she could distract herself by finishing her meal but it turned out her plate was empty.

The room’s silence became painful to listen to, the flames from the fire rippling gently, the wood popping and crackling every now and again. Finally, after a log fell and sent sparks scattering throughout the fireplace, Jaax spoke, his voice calm, quiet. “Last night’s meeting proved to be, interesting.”

Jahrra risked a glance in his direction. He took another drink from his mug, the belly of the heavy stone vessel resting easily in his palm. His fierce eyes never left Jahrra’s. Jahrra returned the hard gaze as long as she could, glancing away only when her guardian’s mug reclaimed its resting place on the floor below.

Looking down at her plate once again, Jahrra sighed, “Yes, it was.”

She heard Jaax draw breath but say nothing. She imagined he was trying very hard to control his emotions; to rein in his temper.