Page 58 of Ryld's Shadows
Kai winced. A bit of the mage lightning had grazed Yarrow as well, but the burn didn’t look serious.
“Thatis what Ryld was trying to warn you about.” Kai panted, adrenaline warring with weariness. “Damnable, stubborn, mutton-headed youngsters.”
Yew had gotten to his feet and was making distressed cooing sounds over Yarrow, who was staring in shock at Kai. His expression changed at the dressing down and he turned a baleful glare on Ryld, who was still crouched as small as he could make himself on the floor. “How dare you!”
“He can’t hear you,” Kai said with a gusty sigh. “He let the shadow loose, lost complete track of everything, and he has no awareness of us now.”
Yarrow turned his outrage on Kai. “That…thatchildis a danger to all. He shouldn’t be free to walk among people if he has no control over his power.”
“Thatchildis barely younger than you.” Kai stalked toward the twins, power sparking at his fingertips. “And you, my dear young mage, were the one whoencouragedhim to let a shadow loose. A shadow heknowshe has no control over. A shadow hewarnedyou he could not direct. He understands his limits. He tries to live within them so no one comes to harm.” He stood over them now and he knew he wasn’t a comforting figure. Not at all. Too bad. “Shall I tell Lady Jessamine that you are incompetent? Unable to train him?”
“I will tell her myself he is untrainable. I told her from the start it was unlikely a drow abomination could be taught anything.”
Kai pulled his lips back from his teeth, far sharper than aelfe ones. He kept his voice purposefully soft, though the urge to shriek and strike out at the brat was almost more than he could contain. “Do that. I’m sure she’ll be pleased to hear of your attitude toward her guests. Go have the shoulder seen to. Bleeding around drow is a colossally bad idea.”
Yew’s eyes somehow got even bigger. He gathered his brother up as best he could, and the two of them fled in a wavering, stumbling line out the door.
“That was mean,” Kai said to himself. “Leaning into the fairytales they hear as children. Oh, well. What’s done is done.” He turned and crouched beside Ryld. “Oh, my little brother. I’m so sorry. But they had to learn for themselves, didn’t they?”
It was some minutes before Ryld was able to respond. He looked as drained as Kai felt when he finally looked around the room, seeing only himself and Kai remained.
“Are they hurt? I thought I saw…claws. Attack.”
“Hmm. You did. But the scratches aren’t terribly serious.” Kai had pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them. “Only Yarrow. Yew didn’t even break a nail. I’m pleased to hear that you saw that much, though. That’s new. And it was only one shadow. You kept it to that.”
Ryld nodded. “I focused on the shadows, the darkness. I felt the anger and the fear come up. That is what released it. I don’t know if the anger and fear create them, or if that’s what they are made of. I do know, now, that there is no separation.”
“The darkness was a tool used against you.” Kai went on, even though he knew it might be futile. Again. “The fear and the anger came from how shamefully they treated you. The shadows rise from that darkness.” Kai pointed to Ryld’s chest. “The darkness they created there.”
Ryld was either mulling that over or simply didn’t want to argue. He asked, “Is Yarrow convinced now, that it’s better not to let the shadows free?”
“He believes now that you are unteachable and a menace to all life on this plane.” Kai tipped his head to one side. “Because he is something of an idiot.”
Ryld looked resigned. “He cannot teach me, so I am unteachable. Will we be going home now?”
“I wonder if his brother would be a better teacher. He seems less full of himself, at any rate.” Kai patted Ryld’s foot. “I would like to stay a little longer. I’m sorry. There are things I can’t in good conscience leave undone now. Children’s lives may be at stake.”
“Lady Jessamine will allow us to stay if Yarrow tells her of the attack?”
Kai snorted. “Lady Jessamine will not be pleased at all to hear of her mage’s behavior. The rude little sod didn’t even thank me for saving him.”
* * * *
Kai was correct that Lady Jessamine was not pleased with Yarrow, but her kindness and gracious nature had made him forget that she was also queen here, and that meant the welfare of her people came first.
“Yarrow is demanding he leave at once, Kai. He charged in bleeding, in front of half the court, saying he’s far more dangerous than we’ve been led to believe.”
“I spoke the truth when I told you of his abilities…”
She waved a hand. “I know, and I understand. It’s not Ryld’s fault. I certainly don’t want you to leave. I’m afraid neither Yarrow nor Yew are willing to try to teach him further. I would like to find someone perhaps more suitable, but I also need to ensure my court is safe. You see my dilemma?”
“My lady, he was goaded, no,encouragedto let the shadow…” Kai cut himself off, holding up both hands. “I do understand the court’s concerns. Perhaps if Ryld’s contact with others were minimal for now?”
“That would probably be best.” She laid a hand on Kai’s arm. “I am sorry, Kai. I do want what’s best for Ryld and I will do all I can to help the poor soul. For now though, I think it best he remain unseen.”
“Very well. The suite is quite comfortable. I may be able to persuade him to try to work a bit if I might beg paints and brushes from your artisans.”
“Of course, whatever you need. And, Kai, I do know you have much work of your own that needs seeing to back in New York. Ryld is safe under my roof. If it takes months to teach him, he is welcome to stay here. Permanently, if that’s what will be best.”
“I’ll stay with him a bit longer if I may. I promised him I wouldn’t desert him and Tenzin’s always saying I need more time off.”
“Of course you may stay.” She squeezed his arm then let go. “Take all the time you need.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Kai bowed and took his leave, a faint queasy feeling going with him. He was keeping things from her just as he had from Tenzin on more than one occasion. Perhaps that was wrong, but he had nothing to show her but conjecture. Accusing people she most likely trusted of vile things… He needed proof.
Then he could lay it all before her with a clear conscience.
