Read Online Agnith's Promise: The Vildecaz Talents, Book 3 by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
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aroma that nothing on the tray was conjured.”
Zhanf saw Heijot Merinex appear in the side-door. He held a small leather-bound book in his hands. “I heard a messenger – ?”
Zhanf waved him to silence. “True enough. Housekeeper-General Rocazin prides herself on maintaining the household without unnecessary magic, and Cook Major Mindicaz says magic should stay out of the kitchen.” He picked up the letter again and put it into his capacious sleeve. “I will have to discuss this with several senior household officials, including our Castle magician.” He offered Merinex a respect. “They all need to know what’s happened, and we must start to plan how to care for the Duzky with both Duzeons gone, and no sure time of their return to guide us.”
Yatsoleon sat down again and gestured to the kitchen-waiter to bring the tray to him. “I’ll be here for a while. I’m told General Rocazin will assign me quarters. Day after tomorrow, I must return.”
“Day after?” Zhanf repeated.
“Yes. I’m allowed one day of rest since I was under orders to travel from dawn to sunset each day, and to change horses four times a day. That wasn’t always possible, and I’m a day behind schedule, but I’ll still rest for a day, so I can make good progress on my return ride.” He didn’t smile but there was a softening of his expression. “If you have anything you wish me to carry back to Tiumboj, you have until tomorrow evening to entrust it to me.”
“That’s most gracious of you,” said Zhanf. “I’ll have a message for the Duzeon, if that’s permissible.”
“So long as you understand that it’s likely to be read by an Imperial scribe before it’s handed to the Duzeon, then it would be my honor. You must not use codes or spells in the letter, or suggest that she defy the wishes of Riast II. I think she would appreciate news of her home.” He lifted the lid on the nearest bowl and inhaled deeply. “Dej-sturgeon chowder. Wonderful.”
“Enjoy it,” said Zhanf, and made a respect before he withdrew, the Emperor’s letter still in his hand. He discover Van standing near the main staircase, his hands tucked in the sleeves of his hupslan. “Ah, Van. I have an errand for you.”
Van respected him, so compliantly that Zhanf was startled. “Anything, Magsto.”
“If you say so,” Zhanf said dubiously – subservience was rare for Van.
“I am sure you will have many things to do now that the Imperial messenger has come.” The arch of his brow contradicted his acquiescent manner.
This was more like the Van Zhanf knew. “Right you are,” he said, moving farther away from the smaller Reception Hall. “Along with Heijot Merinex here, I need to speak with General Rocazin, with Senijer ae-Miratdien, and the current captain of the day guard as well. That would be Galiaj Darnoz this month, wouldn’t it?” He clutched the letter tightly. “We need to agree on how to deal with our situation. Oh, and Neilach Drux, too. He should be included in our discussion. In Duz Nimuar’s library in half an hour, if you would.”
“So soon?” Van asked.
“Blue sealing wax,” he said, lifting the parchment and pointing to the broken seals.
“Oh, all right,” said Van, and went off in search of the five individuals Zhanf had requested he summon.
Zhanf went up the stairs quickly, and made for Duz Nimuar’s library, striving to order his thoughts. Hoftstan Ruch was loss enough, but now this – the news of the conjure-storm and Erianthee detention. He hoped he would be able to get a spell-message to Ninianee, perhaps one specific enough to bring her home without going against the instructions the messenger had issued. He would make that attempt before nightfall, and keep trying until he had some confirmation that she was aware of what had transpired in the Porzalk Empire. It would be better than she get her information from him, no matter how flimsy the form, for to learn of it as rumor or reported catastrophe
Zhanf saw Heijot Merinex appear in the side-door. He held a small leather-bound book in his hands. “I heard a messenger – ?”
Zhanf waved him to silence. “True enough. Housekeeper-General Rocazin prides herself on maintaining the household without unnecessary magic, and Cook Major Mindicaz says magic should stay out of the kitchen.” He picked up the letter again and put it into his capacious sleeve. “I will have to discuss this with several senior household officials, including our Castle magician.” He offered Merinex a respect. “They all need to know what’s happened, and we must start to plan how to care for the Duzky with both Duzeons gone, and no sure time of their return to guide us.”
Yatsoleon sat down again and gestured to the kitchen-waiter to bring the tray to him. “I’ll be here for a while. I’m told General Rocazin will assign me quarters. Day after tomorrow, I must return.”
“Day after?” Zhanf repeated.
“Yes. I’m allowed one day of rest since I was under orders to travel from dawn to sunset each day, and to change horses four times a day. That wasn’t always possible, and I’m a day behind schedule, but I’ll still rest for a day, so I can make good progress on my return ride.” He didn’t smile but there was a softening of his expression. “If you have anything you wish me to carry back to Tiumboj, you have until tomorrow evening to entrust it to me.”
“That’s most gracious of you,” said Zhanf. “I’ll have a message for the Duzeon, if that’s permissible.”
“So long as you understand that it’s likely to be read by an Imperial scribe before it’s handed to the Duzeon, then it would be my honor. You must not use codes or spells in the letter, or suggest that she defy the wishes of Riast II. I think she would appreciate news of her home.” He lifted the lid on the nearest bowl and inhaled deeply. “Dej-sturgeon chowder. Wonderful.”
“Enjoy it,” said Zhanf, and made a respect before he withdrew, the Emperor’s letter still in his hand. He discover Van standing near the main staircase, his hands tucked in the sleeves of his hupslan. “Ah, Van. I have an errand for you.”
Van respected him, so compliantly that Zhanf was startled. “Anything, Magsto.”
“If you say so,” Zhanf said dubiously – subservience was rare for Van.
“I am sure you will have many things to do now that the Imperial messenger has come.” The arch of his brow contradicted his acquiescent manner.
This was more like the Van Zhanf knew. “Right you are,” he said, moving farther away from the smaller Reception Hall. “Along with Heijot Merinex here, I need to speak with General Rocazin, with Senijer ae-Miratdien, and the current captain of the day guard as well. That would be Galiaj Darnoz this month, wouldn’t it?” He clutched the letter tightly. “We need to agree on how to deal with our situation. Oh, and Neilach Drux, too. He should be included in our discussion. In Duz Nimuar’s library in half an hour, if you would.”
“So soon?” Van asked.
“Blue sealing wax,” he said, lifting the parchment and pointing to the broken seals.
“Oh, all right,” said Van, and went off in search of the five individuals Zhanf had requested he summon.
Zhanf went up the stairs quickly, and made for Duz Nimuar’s library, striving to order his thoughts. Hoftstan Ruch was loss enough, but now this – the news of the conjure-storm and Erianthee detention. He hoped he would be able to get a spell-message to Ninianee, perhaps one specific enough to bring her home without going against the instructions the messenger had issued. He would make that attempt before nightfall, and keep trying until he had some confirmation that she was aware of what had transpired in the Porzalk Empire. It would be better than she get her information from him, no matter how flimsy the form, for to learn of it as rumor or reported catastrophe
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