LITMIR.BIZ

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“Unfortunately.”

      “The Circlets must hear this news immediately,” Marian said.

      “Broadcast a message by crystal sphere,” Thealia said impatiently. “I want you Circlets at my briefing.”

      “Of course,” Jaquar said, slipping his arm around Marian. “We’ll join you shortly.” They moved away.

      “Right,” Alexa said, holding her hand to Bastien. He made a face but took it and matched her magically rapid pace back to the keep, outdistancing the taller Marian and Jaquar.

      “And you, also, Citymaster, and the Exotique Medicas.”

      “Thank you, but that is not possible,” Sevair said.

      A few seconds of startled silence passed. The Lady Knight Swordmarshall was obviously not used to people denying her.

      “Castleton has prepared a welcome and thanks for their Exotique Medica. The morale of my city is very important. We have been much harder hit by this sickness than you here at the Castle. My people come first.” His hand grew warmer with sheer energy on Bri’s shoulder, heating it, reminding her that she was standing in damp, chilly air.

      “Of course,” Thealia said in repressive tones.

      The Castle medica, Jolie, stepped forward. “It’s my opinion that the Castle Exotique Medica should see our facilities and learn the basics of our methods, while we speak to her of the Power she used last night. The sooner we understand each other, the better.” She swallowed.

      So Elizabeth was the Castle Exotique Medica, huh? That made Bri the—

      Sevair’s fingers squeezed Bri’s shoulder gently, released, leaving a quickly cooling spot. “Both Medicas were Summoned on behalf of the Cities and Towns. I reluctantly agreed that one of the ladies stay here for training. But they are both for the Cities and Towns.”

      “The medicas can reimburse you for the Marshalls fee to Summon—”

      “This is not about zhiv,” Sevair said. “This is about need and priorities.”

      “I understand.” The medica bowed her head.

      “I do, too,” said Elizabeth. She smiled. “I’m used to training at one place and working in other departments, and Bri has traveled, using her gift, extensively.”

      Yep, Elizabeth definitely wanted to stay at the Castle. Still, Bri continued to drag her feet. She didn’t want to leave. Even the Castle was better than someplace new. After years of traveling, of being flexible, of modifying her behavior to be accepted into a new society—even if it was an alternative medical structure that she fit into better—she wanted just to be herself in one place with her family.

      Sevair’s large hand squeezed her shoulder again, then he stepped back and made another very courteous bow. “We of the city and towns are honored to have you here, Exotique Drystan.”

      She looked at his serious brown eyes, let out a sighing breath. At least there was an upside—she wouldn’t have to work to connect with the medical community here, wouldn’t have to prove herself. That had already happened. Last night.

      Clearing her throat, she said, “Thank you.” She sucked in a breath and addressed Jolie. “This is where your…warriors…the Marshalls and Chevaliers return, right? Elizabeth is better with wounds.”

      Elizabeth frowned. “That’s right.” She inhaled deeply, too. “Any wounded from last night’s battle?”

      The medica studied her. “Two. We would appreciate your opinion. It’s an excellent way to start.” She sounded cheerful.

      Elizabeth jumped into conversation with the medica, and was walking to the big round temple where several others waited in their red robes with a white cross.

      Bri felt abandoned.

      “The morning wears on,” Thealia said, turning to Calli.

      “Marrec and I are out of this.” She raised both hands palms outward. “Until the last battle.”

      Thealia snorted, pivoted on her heel and left. Her bootsteps echoed through the courtyard as she went to the keep.

      “They meet in the Marshalls’ Council Chamber,” Calli said.

      “I’d imagine so,” Bri said.

      But Calli had tilted her blond head and was studying her. “You know, the destruction spell does demand six, and there are two of you. Maybe we will only need one more to win the final battle.”

      “We aren’t staying,” Bri said. She was sure the phrase would be repeated like a mantra in the coming days.

      Clop, clip, clip, clip, clop. A large brown volaran danced up to them, neighed, dipped its head. A series of pictures came to Bri, of herself and Sevair mounted on the winged horse and flying down toward a spired town. With the images came a feeling of anticipation and pleasure. The pegasus was talking to her!

      She smiled uneasily at the volaran, but stroked her neck. Looking at Sevair, she said, “Did you get that?”

      The clouds had returned but she saw a faint tinge of redness on his cheeks. Of course it could have been the coolness of the air.

      “Did I hear the volaran? Not very well.”

      She thought he didn’t like admitting what he might consider deficiencies.

      But Calli was there, smiling, her blue eyes twinkling. “Mud says she’d like to fly you both down to Castleton. I don’t fly with her often and she likes Exotiques. They smell so good.”

      “Mud?” Bri couldn’t think of an uglier name for such a beautiful creature.

      Calli’s smile widened. “Her name is really, ‘Rich-Earth-Warm-And-Soft-From-A-Summer-Shower-To-Play-In.”

      “Mud.” Bri smiled.

      “It’s not far to Castleton,” Sevair said. “It would be a very short ride.”

      Mud batted her eyelashes at him, whickered.

      “Don’t you fly?” Calli asked.

      “Ayes, but I don’t keep a volaran.”

      “Mud can be yours. I’ll call others for you,” Calli said.

      Another bow from Sevair to Calli, this one a stiff inclination of the torso. “I thought you and your bondmate were settled on your estate.”

      “We are,” Calli said, “but since Bri and Elizabeth have arrived, Marrec and I have decided to come with our children to the Castle—and Castleton—at least once a week.

      “Children!”

      “We adopted. Continue to adopt.” Calli’s smile remained in place, but hurt shadowed her eyes.

      Bri couldn’t help it—she heard a tiny tinkle of chimes in the back of her mind and Calli’s Song became emphasized, not the Song of the Exotique Calli, the total person, but just the physical. The murmur of her second chakra was low, or rather, one note of that melody was missing. Calli’s ovaries were gone. She couldn’t have children.

      “You know, don’t you?” Calli said quietly. “You can see my physical health?”

      “No,” Bri said absently. “I hear it.” She met Calli’s gaze. “You are in excellent health.”

      “Exceptional,” Calli said.

      “Yes.”

      Sevair shifted beside her, and Calli’s attention went back to him, even as Bri absorbed the shock of being able to hear what might be wrong with a person. Mud pawed the ground.

      Calli said, “Surely as a Citymaster, you travel.”

      Nodding, Sevair said, “I have a coach.”

      Calli looked at the streak in his hair.

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