The Prodigal Mage Part 25

Fernel stepped back, his face twisted with contempt. I cant force you to help. But there will be consequences for refusing, Asher. For you and your family.

Asher met him stare for cold stare. You threatenin my wife and children?

Im stating a fact, said Pintte, eyes glittering with malice. And heres a few more for you to chew on. This working will succeed. It will cleanse Dragonteeth Reef of its remaining foul magics. It will collapse the whirlpools and the waterspouts and clear the way for the Doranen to leave. And for the first time since Barl and her thieving friends crossed the mountains, Lur will belong to the Olken once more.

He shook his head, disbelieving. Youre mad, Fernel.

A final word of warning, Asher, said Pintte, oblivious. Interfere, and youll be banished from Westwailing for life.

My brother tried that once. Didnt work. But dont you fret, Fernel, he said, smiling. Feeling savage. You want to kill yself, you go right ahead. Probly I wont even shed a tear after.

With a snarling hiss, Fernel turned on his heel and stalked back along the pier to the Doranen and Westwailings mayor and council. On a gust of breeze, the sound of pipes and drums as Westwailings town band struck up another jaunty tune. With sudden foreboding Asher remembered the Sea Harvest Festival that had nearly drowned him and Gar. Saw dozens killed and Westwailing wrecked to rubble.

I never shouldve let Dath and the sprats come with me. I shouldve put mfoot down, and made em stay at home.

But there was no point moanin over that now. They were here. Fernel Pintte and Rodyn Garrick and them other fools, they were set on muckin about with fire. And when they got their fingers burned when dead and dusted Morg burned em Sink me b.l.o.o.d.y sideways. I shouldve stayed at home too.

Rafel wondered, just for a moment, whether he should risk Das wrath and step between him and Fernel Pintte before they came to blows. s.n.a.t.c.hes of their heated brangle blew to him on the lively breeze, words like fool and dangerous and arrogant. Fighting words. Jabbing fingers. Waving arms. Any ticktock theyd be rolling on the pier like tomcats, surely.

But Da wont thank me for sticking my nose in. Da aint interested in anything Ive got to say. I wasted my time traipsing all the way down here. I shouldve stayed in Dorana and helped Goose make his ale.

Temper simmering, he glanced around the pier. Behind him, Mama stood with Deenie, whod done nowt but sigh and mope ever since theyd reached the coast. Arlin Garrick and his da, and the other Doranen mages, they were huddled whispering and pointing out to the reef. Making their plans to see it broken once and for all. Westwailings mayor and his followers milled about like lost sheep, casting anxious glances first at the Doranen and then at Da and Fernel Pintte, still arguing. The other Olken on the pier, the fishermen, ignored everything save the task of getting their smack ready to brave the distant reef.

The rest of Westwailings fishing fleet floated at rest, tucked safely out of the way of the upcoming magework. Rafel frowned at it. Funny. The family had visited the coast a handful of times in his life. Hed even been out on a fishing boat once, with some of the cousins he counted practically as strangers. Hadnt much cared for it. Found it hard to imagine Da living that life, fish and stink and guts and hard work, scales and blisters and calluses and salt. Da still talked of moving back down here, leaving the City and coming to live beside the ocean.

He can if he wants. Mama too, and Deenie. But I wont. Thats his dream, not mine. Ive got my own dreams and no matter what he says Ill live them. Whatever he says, I will be a great mage.

Rafe Mama. He shoved his hands in his pockets and kept on staring at the moored fleet. He didnt want to hear her defending Da, again. Taking his side, again.

Once, just once, I wish shed take my side.

I could do it, yknow, he said, letting his gaze stray from the tethered smacks to the reef. If he squinted, hard, he could just make out the waterspouts dancing beyond it. I wouldnt disgrace you in front of Rodyn Garrick and his friends.

Disgrace us? Rafe Mama took hold of his arm and pulled him round to face her. Her eyes were shocked. This has nothing to do with Rodyn Garrick or any Doranen, or with us fearing youd let us down. This is about doing whats right.

What Da thinks is right, he muttered. But Mama Her fingers tightened on his sleeve. No, Rafe. Not again. And you should know better. Theres not a mage in this whole kingdom, Olken or Doranen, who understands the way your father does that some things are best left alone. How can you pretend not to know that? Youre his son. And youve been told things denied to everyone else.

Even if thats true, he said, I still dont If its true? Mama echoed. Shock was burned away by anger. You puff and preen yourself a fine mage then stand there and say if ? Dyou mean to tell me you dont feel whats out there? What your father feels, and Deenie?

No. He couldnt tell her that. The tangle of magics in Dragonteeth Reef was bad. It tasted rotten in his mind, like maggot-ridden meat. And worse than that, it was strong. Twenty years, his whole life, and it hadnt grown weaker by even a breath. No doubt on it, the task of breaking it was dangerous.

But I dont care. I could do it. I know I could. The powers in me.

He tugged his arm from his mothers grasp. I dont reckon this is about whats risky. This is about Da. He wont let me help Garrick and the others cause he doesnt want to be shown up as wrong about the reef.

Mama gasped. Rafelare you blind? Your father doesnt care about being wrong, he cares about people dying for no reason! Hes come here against every opposition to try and save Fernel Pintte and the Doranen from their overweening arrogance, which puts all of us in danger!

You keep saying that, Mama, both of you do, but Because we know a little about this, Rafel, she snapped. Weve lived a few more years than you. I know your father, better than anyone alive. If he cant stop those fools hes going to blame himself for what happens because of them. It wont be his fault, itll be theirs, but h.e.l.l still blame himself. And ifno, whenthings go horribly wrong out at that reef, Rafel, dyou know what h.e.l.l do then? h.e.l.l risk his life for them, though they sneer and jeer and call him coward behind his back. Coward! When he saved every life in this kingdom. Was prepared to die for it. When they howled for his blood, when theyand now you, his son, you Her angry grief doused his temper. Im sorry, he said, reaching for her. I didnt meanMama, Im sorry. He folded her against him, feeling the past shudder through her, feeling shamed and chastened. Feeling like a bad son. Please, Mama, dont fratch yourself. It was twenty years ago. Dont It was yesterday, she said, wrenching out of his arms. For him and for me. You dont know, Rafe. For all the stories Darran told you, trust me, you dont know. What it cost him. What it still costs. What your fathers had to do since Mama? he said, staring down at her. She was so small now. She used to be the tallest woman in the world. What is it? Did something happen you never No. Nothing happened, she said. There were tears on her cheeks. Dont mind me, Rafe. Im tired, thats all.

And that was a lie. His parents were keeping secrets again. One of these days, soon, theyd have to stop treating him like a child. Theyd have to.

Footsteps behind him. Slow. Almost hesitant. Da. And then a gentle hand came to rest on his shoulder.

Rafe. Rafe. You think I dont know how hard you want to be part of that mageworking? Da asked. I do. And I know right now you dont care for me overmuch. But I cant let that fret me. Better you alive and not likin me, than you thinkin me the best da in Lur as you die.

His father was trying to wheedle him. He didnt want to be wheedled. Shrugging free, stepping aside, he turned. It aint certain Id die.

It aint certain you wouldnt, Da retorted. Like Mama, his eyes were full of pain. Reckon Im about to risk you on a maybe?

What I reckon, he said, through gritted teeth, is that youve got to let me make my own choices.

Da shook his head. Not this time, sprat.

Sprat. I aint a b.l.o.o.d.y sprat, Da! Im I know what you be, Rafe, said Da, his voice strangled tight. You be the b.l.o.o.d.y heart beatin in my chest. You goin to stand there and look me in the eye and ask me to rip it out? With my own hands? Ask me to throw it on the ground at your mas feet and say, There you go, woman. Thats how much I love your son. Eh? Is that what youre goin to do now, Rafe?

And what was he sposed to say to that? He had nowt to say. Da was more than wheedling, he was playing dirty, like a gutter drunk, and there was nowt he could say.

Then he didnt have to even try finding words, because there was a bustling behind them. Raised voices, boots scuffling on the stone pier. He and Da looked round to see Fernel Pintte and Lord Garrick and his poxy son Arlin and the other Doranen mages tromping down the pier towards the battered, fishless fishing boat as was set aside to take them out to the reef.

Pintte and Lord Garrick never missed a step or turned their heads. But Arlin, pa.s.sing, slowed almost to stopping and smiled wide. He reeked of insolence and contempt. Meister Asher. Rafel.

Arlin, said Da quietly. Barls blessin on you.

Arlin laughed. As if we need it.

You need somethin, Da replied. You need a b.l.o.o.d.y miracle. Arlin! snapped Rodyn Garrick over his shoulder, and Arlin hurried to catch up.

Sarle Baden, Ennet Vail and Ain Freidin didnt slow, or speak. They were trying to pretend Da wasnt even here. That hurt. Did it hurt Da too?

Even if it did, hed never let on. Hes my da but at times like this I dont know him.

Asher, said Mama, joining them, Deenie at her side. We dont have to stay here. We can go back to the inn. We can pack, and go home.

Da shook his head. I cant, Dath. He took one step after the Doranen mages and Pintte. Dath, I Mamas fingers caught hold of his green-and-bronze striped sleeve. No, Asher. Its too late. Theyll not let you join them now. Not even if you begged. Theyd let you beg, and then theyd laugh in your face.

The look in Das eyes when he turned to Mama near broke Rafels heart. I shouldve found a way to stop em, Dath.

Mama captured Das shoulders with both hands. Dont, she said fiercely. What theyre doing? Its their choice. The Innocent Mage warned them and they wouldnt listen. No blame falls on you.

As Da held on to Mama like a desperate man, Deenie whimpered and pressed a fist against her chest. Tears filled her eyes. She was such a watering pot. I dont feel good. Da, make them change their minds.

Letting go of Mama, Da stared at the fishing boat. Its crew was all aboard, and its pa.s.sengers were climbing in after. Cant, mouse. Your mas right. It be too late. Dath take her back to the Dolphin.

Mamas face was all pinched. Sunlight gleamed and glittered the silver strands in her hair. What about you? Asher Dont start on me, Dath. Just get Deenie away from here.

Come, Deenie, said Mama, her voice still hard, but her face gone crumply. You too, Rafe.

He opened his mouth to protest, even though he knew it wouldnt do him a mite of good. But Da spoke first.

No, he said. I want Rafe with me.

Stunned, Mama stared at him. What? Asher, no. Rafe cant Hes right, Dath. He aint a sprat, said Da, so grim. And when this goes bad Ill need him. I cant do it alone.

Youll have to, said Mama, her eyes terrible. Hes not ready. Hes not trained. He I werent trained neither, said Da. His eyes were terrible too. I got pushed in the deep end. Was you did the pushin, as I recall.

Asher The magics in him, Dath, Da said roughly. Deenie was shivering. Da never spoke rough to Mama. Its in him just like its in me. And I need it. h.e.l.l manage.

Mama Rafel reached for her. Dont fret. I can But she knocked his arms aside. Youre just a boy, you dont know anything! Asher, he cant.

Da and Mama stared at each other. Something was going on; they were brangling without words now. He looked at Deenie, who shook her head. She didnt understand either.

Dathne, Ill fix it, Da said, his voice soft again. Sorry. h.e.l.l have what he needs. h.e.l.l be safe. I promise.

And the Doranen? Mama demanded. Her eyes were full of tears. She was nearly weeping.

Da sighed, then pulled a face. Looks like I were wrong. Looks like we cant keep him secret forever.

And Mama gave up. Just like that. She gave up, so heartbroken Fine.

Mouse, said Da. You sit tight. Me and Rafell see you soon. Deenie flung her arms around Das neck, and Da held on to her like they were both drowning, then released her.

Be careful, Rafe, Deenie whispered, and patted his chest. Look after Da.

He tried to smile at his spratty, bratty, watering pot sister. I will. Mama You, she said, glaring. The tears were spilled on her cheek now. Both of you. Stepping close, reaching up, she pulled his head down and kissed his brow. Reached for Da, and kissed him hard on the lips. Then she took Deenies hand and they walked away, past the Mayor of West-wailing and his cronies, with Deenie looking back over her shoulder.

Rafel lifted a hand. Waggled his fingers at her, just once, then frowned at his father. Something was niggling. Dathne, Ill fix it. Da, what did you mean, youll fix it? Fix what? Fix me?

With its yellow sails flapping gaily and its broad, light blue hull cleaving the harbours gentle waters, the fishing boat headed away from the pier. Da stared past it towards the ruined, malevolent reef.

Figure of speech, that was. Youll need a helpin hand to do this. Dont fret, Rafe. Ill see you right.

I aint fretting, he said. I just He shook his head, baffled. I dont understand, Da. You wont help Garrick and the others break the reef, and you wont let me help them break it, but youll risk yourselfyoull risk meto save them when it goes wrong. How does that work?

I dknow, said Da, shrugging. It just does.

Da Rafe, it just does. Da turned then, and gently shook his shoulder. This were always goin to end b.l.o.o.d.y, sprat. But doin it my way, that means when it be all said and done, folksll know you had nowt to do with the blood. Theyll know all you did was try to save some lives. And that be the only thing that matters.

Something in Das voice, in his eyes, made his heart thud. He nodded. All right.

Rafel Da cleared his throat. Yknow I love you, eh? Yknow Id b.l.o.o.d.y walk through fire for you?

Theyd had a fratched time of it lately, one way or another. Snapping and snarling and glowering, all at odds. Lectures on Charis. Brangles over magic. Seemed lately they couldnt find even two sweet words to swap.

Aye, he said, when he could trust himself. Course I do. Same as I would for you, Da. Any day. All day.

Overhead the gulls whirled and wailed, their harsh voices smothering the cheerful music gusting to them from sh.o.r.e. Small waves slapped at the pier. Crawling in his blood, the rotten magic in the reef.

So. What now?

Now, sprat? We wait, said Da. He sounded angryand resigned. And we cross every one of our fingers, besides. Cause theres you, and theres me, and there aint n.o.body else.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

Arlin. For the love of Barl, must you disgrace me?

Belly still churning even though hed just emptied it, Arlin wiped his mouth on his fouled silk sleeve. Sorry, sir, he muttered. But I cant help it. I Hold your tongue, his father commanded. And get control of yourself. You can start by letting go of that rail. The weathers fine yet youre acting as though were sailing through a storm.

Yes, sir, he said, and unclamped his fingers from the fishing boats side. Made himself stand upright, even as the cramps in his gut demanded he bend himself double and upend his stomachs lining onto the slimy, fish-scaled deck.

Casting him a last look of disgust his father walked away, rejoining Sarle Baden, Ennet Vail and AinLady Freidinin the fishing boats blunt bow. Barls t.i.ts, the smack stank of rotten guts. Why wouldnt he be puking with that stench fouling his nostrils and throat with every breath? And the weather might be stormless but the waves beneath the boats hull were rhythmic and relentless, rolling rolling With an anguished moan he threw himself over the railing again, as his retching body tried to turn inside out and his eyeb.a.l.l.s strained so hard he thought theyd burst.

Not to worry, said a nearby fisherman, coiling a tarred rope. Aint every man as takes to the water, young lord.

Arlin eased off the rail and glowered at him. Who asked you? Sail the boat, clod, and mind your own business.

The Olken blinked, his face smoothing blank. Aye. Right you are, then. Sorry to interrupt. Sir.

Ignorant fool. The trouble with Olken was they had no respect. Not any more. Not since they started considering themselves equals. His father was right about one thing, at least: Durms stupidity had done more than see the Wall destroyed. It had destroyed a way of life. Destroyed centuries of obedience, of acceptance that the Doranen were naturally superior and always would bepathetic pretensions to Olken magic notwithstanding.

Lurs ruined now. Let the Olken have it. Somewhere beyond these sh.o.r.es theres a land fit for the Doranen. Not our ancestral homeland. Fathers wrong about that, old Dorana is surely long lost to us. But there is somewhere. And once that cursed reefs broken well quit this Olken-ridden wasteland and find it.

The cramps in his belly had finally eased. Turning his face into the salt-soaked breeze he sucked in a deep breath and waited, but his belly stayed quiet. Perhaps the worst was finally over. Profoundly hoping so, he made his unsteady way forward to his father, who stood in serious, low-voiced conversation with his companions, all three mages close friends and allies in the notion that Lur had nothing to offer the Doranen any more. The Olken mayor stood with them, deluded into thinking he was relevant to the mornings events. He wasnt. For all the good his magic would do, he might just as well as spit on Dragonteeth Reef.

But hes useful, so we tolerate him. His ignorant antipathy towards the Doranen plays neatly into Fathers plans.

Father favoured him with a cold smile as he reached the bow. Good. Were nearly there, Arlin. Are you clear on how this working is to proceed?

Yes, sir, he said, nodding. My lords, my lady, he added to the others. Meister Mayor. My apologies. Something tainted in what I was served for breakfast, I fear.

Indifferent murmurs from Baden and Vail, who rarely had any time for him. An affronted stare from Pintte. And Lady FreidinAinnodded, unsmiling. She never smiled at him. For eight years shed been his secret tutor, taught him everything she knew, helped him discover the length and breadth of his talentsand how better to hide themand never once had she smiled. He was over his childish infatuation with her, of course. But still. One smile. Was it too much to ask?

Shading his eyes, Arlin looked across the stretch of water in front of them to the foam and froth of ocean breaking over the reef. Hardly distant at all now. The wind had picked up, and the fishing boat was making good time. Beyond the reef the waterspouts danced, capricious and deadly, and whirlpools yawned with deep, wide mouths. Their churning roar sounded a low, predatory warning.

He felt his guts clench again, and ruthlessly banished the fear. I am ready for this. I am a great mage. And he was eager, so eager, to prove that were true. Hed waited in the shadows long enough.

Fernel Pintte cleared his throat. As you know, sirs, madam, we Olken have a particular affinity for all things natural, he announced. Since my arrival in Westwailing I have been focusing my thoughts and feelings upon Dragonteeth Reef. I am comfortably certain that we have chosen its most vulnerable section. And as you battle the poisons Barl and Morg left behind I shall lend you my strength in prayer, so we can achieve victory.

In private Father called Doranas mayor a shrill pipsqueakbut now he smiled, at his most frostily genial, and offered Pintte a polite half-bow. Your help will be most welcome, Meister Mayor. The task before us is daunting.

Pinttes eyes narrowed. But achievable, yes?

Oh yes, said Father, the merest hint of an edge to his voice. To be questioned over magic by an Olken? That was an insult keen as any sharp blade. I a.s.sure you, Meister Mayor, our goal is quite achievable. We do not seek to destroy all the magic still sunk in the reef. Just this small stretch of it.