Lindell started to tell Donovan he had picked the worst moment to show up, but then he saw the look on the captain’s face. Something was wrong. Maybe something terrible had happened, maybe something had the captain worried, but he had definitely come with bad news. Cory came into the front room, stopping in the doorway to the hall when he saw the captain.
“We need to talk,” Donovan said.
“Has something happened?” Cory asked.
“Something has, just not recently,” Donovan said, stroking his mustache. Lindell had never seen him nervous before.
“We’ll talk in the kitchen,” Eireen said. “I’ll close the office.”
Lindell and Cory went into the kitchen with Donovan, all of them sitting at the table. Donovan was still pale when he sat across from Cory. Lindell heard the front door shut and lock, then Eireen joined them in the kitchen, sitting beside Lindell.
“The duke has secrets,” Donovan said. “People have died while looking into them.”
A heavy silence settled over them.
“As in he had them killed?” Cory asked quietly.
“I think it’s likely,” Donovan said, stroking his mustache absently again. He frowned hard. “I want to find out what happened to my predecessor, Knight Captain Julius Bridge. He disappeared last year while looking into the murder of the duke’s wife, Giselle Belanger.”
“Wouldn’t the duke want to find out who murdered his wife?” Cory asked.
“You would think so,” Donovan said, “but the investigation stopped abruptly. That was back when Julius was still captain.” His brows furrowed. “I suspect the duke himself is involved in Julius’s disappearance and Giselle’s murder, and I want to find out the truth.” He looked at each of them. “It may be dangerous, but will you help me?”
Lindell and the others glanced at each other, but there was no question of it.
“We’ll help,” Eireen said.
Donovan’s shoulders relaxed. He smiled briefly. “Thank you. I will tell you when I have any leads.” His frown returned. “We’ll need to be careful, or we may meet the same fate as Julius and Giselle.” He left the kitchen, and Lindell heard him leave the office.
“So the duke is having people killed,” Lindell said.
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” Eireen said.
The four of them sat in the kitchen for a long moment, none of them saying anything. Eireen was the first to get up. She opened the office again. The sunny day had gone gloomy, with dark clouds moving in and the smell of rain in the air. It was still a hot day. Lindell was not going to admit that he felt much better now that he was shedding. He had thought he might melt before on days like this.
A client came by with a case for them. Her son was learning how to control his wind magic and had caused a windstorm on the plains outside Arkose that wasn’t letting up. The woman was crying and shaking. Lindell knew what she was afraid of. What if the duke heard about it? Witches in Arkose had to learn in secret, but if the woman didn’t teach her son, he might lose control of his magic in front of someone who would report him to the duke.
Cory went to take care of it. He was good at calming people down, and he knew what it was like to have hard to control magic. Eireen stayed at the desk, and Lindell scrubbed the attic floor. It was dusty and stained. They had no need for the attic at the moment, but if they ever did, that floor would be spotless. Lindell tried not to think about why he was up there. He tried not to think of the fact he was avoiding going outside. While he scrubbed, he thought about what Donovan had said.
Had the duke had his own wife and the previous Knight Captain murdered? Had the duke done it himself? Lindell had yet to meet the duke, thankfully, but that meant he had no idea what the man might be capable of. All he knew of the duke was that he was unpleasant and apparently hated magic. What would the duke do if he found out the truth about the members of Phoenix? The idea of anyone in Arkose finding out he wasn’t an illusion witch, that he was some unknown thing, made Lindell feel even worse.
He finished with the floor and moved on to scrubbing the dirt off the small window. The attic stairs creaked and he looked back just as Hector reached the doorway. Hector leaned on the doorframe, his arms crossed. Lindell set the rag on the windowsill and turned to face his brother. He could tell by that expression his brother was waiting for him to say something.
“Eireen told you I was up here?” Lindell asked.
Hector nodded. “She told me you’ve been hiding up here.” His expression softened. “She’s worried about you.” He stepped further into the attic. “You always wanted children. At least one is what you said.” That had come out of nowhere.
Lindell’s tail lashed from side to side and he quickly stopped it. His brother waited patiently while Lindell continued to say nothing. The movements of his tail were involuntary unless he actively thought about moving it or not moving it. He had almost forgotten what it felt like to not have a tail. Almost.
That thought made his heart clench. He had chosen this. He had known this was going to happen when he let Ricliri’s magic become a part of him. He had the choice of keeping even a small part of Ricliri alive and he had taken it. Ricliri had sounded so certain that Lindell would regret becoming his host. Lindell didn’t want to prove that certainty right.
“What if the child is like me?” Lindell asked quietly, breaking under that stare as he always did. “What if he resents me for it?” He looked at Hector. “I chose to be what I am. My child may not have that choice.” He looked away, at the spotless attic floor. “I don’t even know what I am, or what I’m capable of.”
“Maybe you should talk to Vedrix,” Hector said.
Lindell looked at him again. “Why?”
“The God of Magic may know more about the magic of spirits,” Hector said. “He might be able to help.”
Lindell hesitated.
“You’re afraid of the answer,” Hector said. It wasn’t a question.
Lindell tensed. “Yes,” he said quietly.
“Do you regret your decision?” Hector asked.
“I don’t know,” Lindell said. Those were the words that had been haunting him since they came to Arkose, the words that hung in his mind constantly. “I’ve failed Ricliri—”
“You haven’t,” Hector said sharply. “Arkose is a special kind of terrible for anyone with magic or who isn’t normal. And it’s not because people are afraid of you, it’s because they’re afraid to be seen with you.”
“How is that better?” Lindell asked.
“They’re afraid because the duke has made them afraid,” Hector said. For a brief moment, Lindell was certain his brother’s eyes changed. They turned light brown, the pupil a feline slit. As usual, it happened only briefly, but it had definitely happened. Hector looked suddenly weary. “This place is bad for all of us, but it would be worse if we ran away. Maybe we can change things. Maybe we can make things better.” He hesitated.
“Will you join Phoenix?” Lindell asked.
Hector smiled, but it was a sad smile. “Not yet.”
Lindell hesitated. “Are you alright? I understand if you aren’t ready to talk about what happened in Luna yet…”
“I’m alright,” Hector said. “I promise I’ll tell you soon.” He took a step closer. “If you could go back to before you became Ricliri’s host, would you make the same choice again?”
Lindell thought about this. Not just how he felt now in Arkose, but what he would do if he had to choose again. “I would still do it. I would make the same choice again.” Realizing that made him feel a little better. “I’m letting the state of things in Arkose get to me.”
“We all are,” Hector said. He patted Lindell’s shoulder. “But you’re not alone here. Don’t forget that.” He left the attic, leaving Lindell to his thoughts.
Lindell finished cleaning the window, not wanting to leave it half dirty. The sun was setting when he went downstairs. Eireen had just closed the office door for the night. She smiled when she saw him.
“Feel better?” she asked.
“A little,” Lindell said. He noticed how pale she was, the dark circles under her eyes, and her furrowed brows. He had been far too caught up in his own worries. “Are you alright?”
Eireen’s shoulders drooped. “We can talk tonight. I’m hungry.” She smiled, but it didn’t hide the worry in her eyes.
Lindell helped her cook. Hector came to the office at dinner again, but as usual he said nothing, just listened to the rest of them talk. Eireen was sitting close enough that her shoulder was against Lindell’s. His tail swept back and forth slowly. Lindell and Eireen went up to their room after cleaning up after dinner. The hall at the top of the stairs was narrow, with the stairs to the attic at the other end of the hall. There were three bedrooms, one of which was Cory’s, and a washroom up there. Eireen lit the candle next to their bed. Lindell sat on the edge of the bed, still distracted by everything that had happened that day.
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Eireen sat beside Lindell. She leaned her chin on his shoulder, staring at him.
“I’ll get fur all over your clothes,” Lindell said.
Eireen frowned, pulling back. “I don’t care. Look at me, Lindell.”
Lindell looked at her.
Eireen stared at him, intensely serious. “I love you. I loved you before this happened and I love you still. You’d better shed, or you’ll be too hot. And at the year’s end, you’ll grow extra fur to stay warm.”
Lindell had been avoiding thinking about that last, but he made himself think about it. The thought only bothered him because he was bothered by what the people of Arkose would think.
She kissed him for a long time. When she pulled back, she pressed her forehead to his. “I miss Iterna,” she whispered, a terrible pain in her voice. “And I miss the forest.” She pulled away.
Lindell took her hands in his. “Do you want to visit Iterna?”
Eireen looked away. “Your conversation with Hector helped?” Was she changing the subject?
“It did,” Lindell said.
Eireen seemed to hesitate. “I’m pregnant.”
Despite his worries, Lindell couldn’t help but smile. Somehow those words weren’t so scary as he’d thought they would be.
His smile faltered. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
“No,” Eireen said quickly. “I’m not worried about that, and I’m not worried the child will have your magic.” She smiled, but he could tell something was bothering her and wished she would talk to him. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I told Hector first. We were both worried about you and…”
“That’s why he came to talk to me,” Lindell said. “He helped me figure some things out.”
Eireen kissed him for a long moment. “We’ll have to make sure Arkose is a good place again, for our child.” She got up and went to the other side of the bed.
Lindell went to bed as well, blowing out the candle. The only light left was the moonlight through the thin curtain.
-- --
Everyone in the office was up early the next morning. Even Hector came by earlier than usual. The four of them ate in silence, then Cory went to open the office. By the time Lindell and Hector had finished cleaning up after breakfast, Phoenix had two cases. Small cases, but at least that meant nothing massive had gone wrong. Eireen and Cory went out to handle the two cases. Hector left to do whatever it was he did during the day, and Lindell sat behind the desk. He was only there for a moment before Donovan hurried into the office.
The Knight Captain’s eyes were wide, and he was breathing hard. “I need Phoenix.”
Lindell stood. “What’s happened?”
“A curse,” Donovan said. “I sent a knight to find Cory as well, but perhaps you can tell me what’s going on.”
“I can’t break curses,” Lindell said. “Unless there’s a rune stone, and the curse isn’t too strong.”
“But maybe you can tell me what kind of magic it is,” Donovan said. “Weave and rune are the only two that can make a curse, but knowing what did this will help, so we’ll know what to look for. If it’s a stone, we need to find it.” He turned and walked away fast.
Lindell hurried after Donovan. They went through the alleyways to the healer’s. Much like the barracks, the door was always open. There were four beds along both walls of the long room, with a desk at the far end. Delia Clement, Donovan’s wife, stood beside the bed at the end on the left. Her long dark brown hair was tied in its usual loose bun. Her dark brown eyes narrowed as she stared at the man lying on the bed. She was close friends with Tabitha, the two often coming up with new salves together.
“Has he gotten worse?” Donovan asked quietly.
Delia looked at him, her expression softening. “No, but neither can I help him.”
The man on the bed was a noble, a close ally of the duke. Lovro Barns was in his early twenties and was one of the more pompous people Lindell had met in Arkose. Lovro’s eyes were closed. He was pale and soaked with sweat. He tossed and turned, as though having a nightmare. Lovro cried out, but he didn’t open his eyes. Lindell moved closer to the bed, looking over the man’s clothes quickly, as well as his neck, wrists, and even his ankles. No woven charms. Delia and Donovan stayed off to the side, watching.
“I think it’s rune magic,” Lindell said. “Where was he found?”
“In an alleyway,” Delia said. “I can’t wake him. He seems to be trapped in a nightmare.”
Lindell looked at Donovan.
“I already searched the house,” Donovan said. “I didn’t find any rune stones.”
“Then it must be a strong curse,” Lindell said, trying to remember what Cory had told him about rune magic. “It would have to be a strong curse for it to be active without the rune stone near him.”
Lovro cried out again, but he still didn’t open his eyes.
Cory hurried into the healer’s. Lindell moved aside so Cory could get closer. Cory glanced around, but none of the other beds were occupied. He turned away from Lindell and the others and breathed in sharply as his corruption spread over him and his fingers became longer and narrower. His skin had turned dark purple. His eyes were the same color.
There had been a woman brought to the healer’s for a powerful weave curse a while back. Cory had revealed his magic to Delia and Donovan, as the woman would have died if he hadn’t broken the curse right then. Delia and Donovan knew Cory was a corrupt soul mage. The two didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable when they saw his true appearance. If anyone could be trusted not to report the members of Phoenix to the duke, it was Delia, Donovan, and Tabitha. Lindell tried to focus on that thought. There were good people in Arkose, probably lots of them. As Hector had said, the duke had made them afraid.
Cory closed his eyes. He had a hand on Lovro’s forehead. Lovro cried out again, tossing and turning. Cory breathed out, letting go. Lovro was still asleep and looked no less distressed than before. Lindell tensed. Cory hadn’t been able to break the curse. If the curse was this powerful, they were dealing with a very frightening rune witch. Cory and Lindell’s eyes met. Cory had likely come to the same conclusion. He turned away and breathed in sharply again as he hid his corruption, his fingers returning to their usual length and the purple fading from his skin and eyes.
“I’ve never seen a curse like this one,” Cory said. “It’s too strong for me to break it without the stone, and if the stone isn’t here…”
Lovro let out a terrible moan. Was there nothing they could do for him?
“Then there’s a strong, vengeful rune witch on the loose in Arkose,” Donovan said.
“Yes,” Cory said. “Was there anything else found near him that might help? I know he’s an ally of the duke.”
“A close one,” Delia said.
Donovan nodded slowly. “There was a note beside Lovro from someone calling himself the Rune Master. I wasn’t sure if he was actually a rune witch. Who would call themselves that?”
“Egotistical and dangerous…” Delia muttered.
“The note said he would bring down the duke and his laws,” Donovan continued. “And that the duke would be brought down by one of the witches he despises so much. The duke is being informed of the threat right now.”
A young knight ran into the healer’s. He caught his breath for a moment. “Captain, the duke wants to speak with you and at least one member of Phoenix.”
Donovan frowned even harder. He stroked his mustache. “Very well.” He raised a brow at Lindell and Cory. “I think you should both come.”
Lindell hesitated.
“The duke will have heard things about Phoenix by now,” Donovan said. “It will be better at this point if he sees you for himself and sees that Phoenix is an asset to Arkose.”
Lindell and Cory left the healer’s with Donovan. Lovro cried out again as they were leaving. Who had done this? Lindell didn’t like Lovro, but no one deserved this. Donovan led the way to the biggest house in Arkose, near the center of the town. Most of the nobles lived on the west side of town, and most of the houses weren’t quite this big. Donovan rang the brass knocker. An older man led them inside and upstairs to the duke’s study.
Duke Lavern Belanger paced in front of his massive desk. He stopped when Donovan, Lindell, and Cory entered the room. The man was forty, but he looked maybe forty-five. His short light brown hair was combed neatly. His dark blue eyes narrowed when he looked at Cory, somehow narrowing further when he looked at Lindell. His gaze moved sharply to the captain, but the duke said nothing. The duke was as well dressed as Lovro, wearing dark clothes of fine cloth. The look he gave Donovan made it clear he expected answers right then.
“The knight showed you the note?” Donovan asked.
Belanger nodded. “He did.” His voice was low and tense. “Who are these two?”
“This is Cory Lyle and Lindell Fairweather,” Donovan said. “Two members of Phoenix. The curse on Lovro cannot be broken without the stone. The curse is very strong.”
Belanger frowned at Cory and Lindell again. He stared at Lindell for a moment. “I expect Phoenix to aid Knight Captain Clement in any way they can with the capture of the Rune Master.”
Cory nodded slightly. “We will.”
“Good,” Belanger snapped. “Whoever this Rune Master is, he will answer for cursing Lovro.” He turned away, planting both hands on his desk. “Leave me.”
