She shook her head sadly. "Then you'll find yourself at the wrong end of the whip soon enough."

"Didn't you ever try to get away?"

This was met with a look of blank incomprehension. "Get away? Where would I go?"

Seregil positioned himself for a good look out the door as she went out. Yes, the door was most certainly under guard, but only by one man. A few more days, he promised himself, and he would be strong enough to fight his way out.

But after three days, he was only just strong enough to leave his bed for a little while and limp slowly about the room. When Zoriel brought him a soft woolen robe to wear, he noticed that she seemed distracted.

"Is something wrong, old mother?"

"Getting above himself, the scoundrel," she muttered, then began fussing over him as she helped him over to the chair by the window.

"Who is?"

"That's no concern of yours," she snapped, tucking a blanket over him.

Seregil spent the morning there, glad to have something to look at besides these four walls.

As he'd guessed, he was on an upper floor. There were iron bars over the cas.e.m.e.nt on the inside, set in new mortar. The window was thickly leaded and glazed. Peering out through the rippled panes, he could see part of a small garden courtyard with a fountain in the middle and a pillared colonnade. A n.o.bleman with dark hair walked there for a while, and later, a pair of small children appeared with a dark-haired woman with a veil over the lower part of her face. Another slave, no doubt.

"You don't want to tire yourself out, your first day up," Zoriel scolded when she returned with his midday meal. "Back to bed with you now!"

Seregil wasn't about to argue. He'd used up what strength he possessed just sitting up. His legs were dangerously wobbly as he crossed the short distance to the bed. He played up the weakness for her benefit, and even went so far as to beg her to feed him his soup. She clucked her tongue at him, but his request must have pleased her, for her old eyes were kind as she spooned it into him. She was less fearful when he seemed weak, he guessed.

Seeking to capitalize on her good mood, he finished off the soup and bread, then asked, "You've never told me the master's name. Why is that?"

He caught a flash of the distaste he'd noted that morning as she sniffed and replied, "I haven't been told to tell you." She dabbed a bit of broth from his cheek with a napkin.

"Well, I wish I knew whom to thank." He sighed happily, folding his arms behind his head. "I knew worse accommodations when I was free. Does the master treat all his slaves like this?"

"No," she told him curtly, and that curtain of fear came down between them again.

Trying a different tack, he gave her a sad look. "I'm not asking you to disobey any orders, but it eats at me day and night, wondering what my fate's to be." He dropped his gaze and let his voice falter a little as he plucked at the metal collar. "I'm scared, old mother, if truth be told. And all this, it just makes me more fearful. Why would he be treating me so well, unless he meant me for-" He managed a convincing grimace. "For his bed. Is he like that?"

"Him?" She scowled and shook her head. "That wouldn't be for me to say, even if I knew. Here, finish your own bread and leave the tray on the floor. I've tasks waiting." She went to the door, but paused before knocking for the guard. "Savor your leisure while you can, young son. You'll soon learn that, in our way of life."

Seregil mulled over her words as he finished the last of the bread. At best, this nameless master of hers must be strict in his ways; at the worst? That remained to be seen.

He tried to rest, but his thoughts turned to Alec and set his heart pounding uncomfortably in his chest. He got out of bed again and made his way slowly back to the window. Sweating and winded, he collapsed into the chair and rested his arms on the sill.

It appeared to be a formal courtyard. There were no stables or workshops, just neatly planted beds laid out between paths made of something very white-stones or sh.e.l.ls, probably-around the fountain. He couldn't see a gate from this angle, but guessed that if he did somehow manage to get out through the window and down to the ground without breaking his legs, he'd still have to make his way through the house or go up a wall and over the roof. He wasn't capable of either just yet.

Of course, that all turned on how he was going to get out. The window was not an option-the bars were solidly set and too closely s.p.a.ced even for someone as slim as he to wiggle through. The window cas.e.m.e.nt was nailed shut, and the gla.s.s was so thick he couldn't even hear the splashing of the fountain.

He felt stronger the next day, and as soon as Zoriel left him alone after breakfast, he made a slow circuit of the room, looking for anything he'd missed so far. He didn't much care if anyone knew. Deep down, some rebellious part of his nature hoped word would get back to "Master."

It took a discouragingly long time to finish looking under the bed and between the floorboards for something he could use as a tool or a weapon, but he forced himself to finish. There had to be something, anything that would be of use!

But he found nothing. "As if he's going to leave a knife under the bed for me, or a hank of rope," he muttered, slumped in an exhausted heap by the door. All he had to work with was a wooden pitcher, which might do in a pinch, once he was strong enough to swing it. Zoriel didn't even leave the chamber pot in the room. He had to ask for that-a humiliating necessity-and she took it away when he was done.

He fingered the collar again. It was getting to be a habit. He'd found where it was riveted shut, but the seam was tight, with no play in it at all. No surprise, there.

The bed was too st.u.r.dy to pull apart. The mattress was a heavy one, stuffed with straw and feathers. He dragged himself into bed and rammed an ineffectual fist into the single pillow he was allowed. That wouldn't make much of a weapon, either, unless he wanted his keepers to laugh themselves to death.

You've got me well and truly penned, whoever you are! he thought, twisting a corner of the pillow between nervous fingers. He didn't know much about how the Plenimarans treated their slaves, but he was convinced that this situation was unusual. If not for the brands on his skin, he'd have guessed he'd been taken instead for a ransom. he thought, twisting a corner of the pillow between nervous fingers. He didn't know much about how the Plenimarans treated their slaves, but he was convinced that this situation was unusual. If not for the brands on his skin, he'd have guessed he'd been taken instead for a ransom.

Not that there's anyone left in Rhiminee who'd pay to have me back.

Defeated for now, he closed his eyes and tried instead to summon some new memory of the capture or the sea pa.s.sage, hoping for some sign that he'd seen Alec alive after the dra'gorgos attack.

And still, nothing more came to him. He's not dead! I'd know if he was dead. I'd feel it! He's not dead! I'd know if he was dead. I'd feel it! The thought consumed him. The talimenios bond ran deep between them, a joining of souls; The thought consumed him. The talimenios bond ran deep between them, a joining of souls; I'd know if that was broken! I'd know if that was broken!

He clung to that, but the cold black fear crept back anyway. Curled up under the warm bedclothes, clean and safe for now, guilt overwhelmed him. Everyone in that ambush had been targeted for death-everyone but him. Oh tali! If you were killed, because of me Oh tali! If you were killed, because of me...

"d.a.m.nation!" He hurled the pillow at the door in impotent rage, then lurched out of bed and threw the pitcher after it. It bounced ineffectually off the door, spraying water everywhere, and landed back at his feet, mocking him. He kicked it across the room, hardly noticing the flash of pain as he cut one bare toe on the handle, and staggered across the room to pound on the door.

"Show yourself!" he yelled. "Tell me why I'm here, you coward! Let me out of here, you pus-dripping horse p.r.i.c.k!"

His only answer was the thump of a fist from outside and the m.u.f.fled sound of someone laughing at him.

"b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" Seregil slid down the wall with his head in his hands and choked back a sob. "Dirty b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!"

Alec is not dead!

He could be.

No, he's not; he's not!

I might never know...

Weak, scared, and frustrated beyond all telling, he pressed both hands over his mouth and cried.

CHAPTER 19 19.

An Unexpected Reward

ALEC'S INTERACTION WITH Yhakobin followed an unchanging pattern. Every other day he was taken out to the workshop and his amulet was changed to one corresponding to the tincture given. Every moment he was out of his cell he watched for an opportunity to get away, but so far it had been impossible. He was kept under close watch every moment he was out of his cell. If this continued, he'd be forced to make a break for it from one of the courtyards and hope for luck. Yhakobin followed an unchanging pattern. Every other day he was taken out to the workshop and his amulet was changed to one corresponding to the tincture given. Every moment he was out of his cell he watched for an opportunity to get away, but so far it had been impossible. He was kept under close watch every moment he was out of his cell. If this continued, he'd be forced to make a break for it from one of the courtyards and hope for luck.

The one between the main house and the alchemist's workroom appeared to be the best bet, and he'd memorized every tree, rough bit of stone, and vine. The wall fountain was very promising, as was the thick climbing rose that grew up the side of the workshop. It would tear the skin from his hands and feet for sure, but that would be a small price to pay.

The alchemist had seemed very pleased when, the day after he'd spoken with Khenir, Alec began accepting the silver cup without a fight. The tin amulet was exchanged for one of iron, then one of copper.

Yhakobin hadn't bothered with the blood flame spell for several days, and today was no exception. As soon as Alec downed the tincture, the alchemist motioned to the guards and went to the forge.

"Ilban? May I ask a question?" Alec asked quickly as the men closed in on him.

Surprised, Yhakobin turned back to him. "What is it?"

"That slave called Khenir says this is a purification. Please, Ilban, what is it you are purifying out of me?"

"He told you that, did he? Well, no matter." Yhakobin chuckled as he turned and tossed the used amulet into the forge. "It's nothing you'll miss, I a.s.sure you. Here, I have a new book for you, a reward for your good behavior."

Alec accepted the volume with a humble nod, and his guards led him away.

And so the days went: one to himself, and the next back to the workshop. The copper amulet was changed for one of something Yhakobin called sophic mercury, and he was made to drink Tincture of Quicksilver. This one tasted especially foul, and cramped his belly a little, but even so, he found he was feeling remarkably well in spite of his situation and the wretchedly bland food. His mind was wonderfully clear, and he felt stronger, even with the lack of meat.

He'd hoped to see Khenir again, but that day pa.s.sed as usual, with no sign of him. With nothing else to do, he perused the new book. This one was a history of the coming of the first Hierophant. Plenimar had been his seat of power, according to this writer, and Skala had broken away, waging war unjustly to gain control of all the Three Lands, and the sacred isle of Kouros.

Alec read half of it out of sheer boredom, and then paced his cell restlessly, listening to the mundane noises from outside and wishing desperately he was out there. He'd happily work in the kitchen or split firewood, just for something to do!

The following day was just like the last. He was too restless to read, and instead spent the afternoon pacing and performing some strengthening exercises Seregil had taught him during the long winter months they'd spent in the cabin. He'd need to be fit when it came time to run. Without knowing it, the alchemist was preparing him well for that, he thought with a smile. How pleasant it would be to thank him at the point of a knife.

As he dropped into a crouch, preparing to practice his leaps, the slant of light across the bottom of the door caught his eye. There was something scratched into the wood, visible only from this angle. At first glance it looked like lines of random marks, but on closer inspection, he saw that it was writing and most of it in Aurenfaie. He had to lie on his belly to read it, with his body at a slant so as not to block the light.

The lettering was crude, almost unreadable, and Alec wondered whether the author had lain here, at the end of his strength, and what he had used to write with. He traced the line of scratches with a finger to find the beginning and read: "Malis, son of Koris." Just below it, he found another name that made his heart skip a beat: it read simply "Khenir, without hope." And at the corner of the panel, another: "Ulia, daughter of Ponia, my curse be on..."

This one was unfinished. Were you interrupted, Were you interrupted, he wondered, he wondered, or did you just give up? or did you just give up?

He searched the bottom of the door and found over a dozen more such inscriptions, some with names, others anonymous expressions of fear, grief, and despair. Several of the curses mentioned Yhakobin by name. In other places, there were tiny crescent moons, Aura's symbol, incised with a fingernail.

Here are the others, those who came before me, but where are they now? Why are Khenir and the children's nurse the only ones left?

He found a clear spot and used his thumbnail to inscribe a crescent moon, and his own name: Alec, son of Amasa. He sat back, sucking his sore thumb. It had been an impulse, to add his name, but he suddenly wished he hadn't. Those listed there, save Khenir, had all disappeared, their fates unknown. Was this his fate, as well?

His dreams were wild that night-all battles and killing and running through dark forests. He even dreamed of escaping and finding Seregil. In the dream, he stole through the house in the dark, checking door after door and finding them locked, until at last one upstairs opened and there was Seregil, waiting for him with open arms and that beloved crooked grin. Alec ran to him, but woke before they could touch. The dream had been so vivid that he lay awake for a long time, heart pounding, sunk in renewed despair. If he disappeared here, like those others, Seregil would never know what happened to him. He'd be nothing more than a name on the door, lost in the shadows of this wretched little room.

There was a brief delay at Yhakobin's door the following morning. When the guards finally led him inside, he saw that the alchemist was not alone. A very tall bearded man dressed in a red surcoat stood by the little painted tent at the far end of the room. His eyes were black and hard, and he fixed Alec with a sharp look as he took his usual place near the anvil. The stranger spoke with Yhakobin for a moment, looking at Alec all the while. When they were finished, Yhakobin turned to Alec and smiled.

"You are looking very well! Let me have my drop first." Yhakobin was in unusually high spirits today and Alec wondered if it had anything to do with the mysterious visitor.

Alec held out his finger, uncomfortably aware of the stranger's intense gaze.

Yhakobin p.r.i.c.ked it and repeated the blood spell. This time the flame burned a vivid blue and lasted for some moments. He spoke to the visitor again, obviously pleased.

Apparently satisfied, the other man bowed and took his leave.

"Excellent! Better even than I'd dared hope," said Yhakobin.

Alec wasn't sure if he was referring to the color of the blood flame or his visitor's reaction to it. "If I may, Ilban, who was that man?"

"That, my young friend, was Duke Theris Urghan, cousin to and legate of his Majesty, the Overlord. He was here inquiring after my progress with you. And I must say, I was able to give him a very good report." He took Alec's chin between his fingers and inspected his face closely, turning it this way and that. "Oh yes, much better than expected. And I daresay you're feeling quite well, too."

The alchemist's elation made Alec nervous. What was it Yhakobin was seeing that pleased him so much? Alec thought of those who'd left their names on the door. Had they seen this same gleam in the man's eyes?

"My, you are serious today." Yhakobin took a polished metal mirror from one of the tables and held it up in front of him. "See what I've done for you, boy, and show a bit of grat.i.tude."

Alec took one look and let out a choked gasp, shocked at the stranger he saw in the reflection. Far from growing pale from lack of meat, his coloring had heightened. His eyes looked bluer, and his hair, though lank from lack of washing, seemed to shine a brighter gold.

But that wasn't the only change. He looked more 'faie somehow, as if the very planes of his face had been altered.

"I don't understand!" he gasped, touching his cheek with superst.i.tious awe. "What have you done to me, Ilban?"

Yhakobin held out the daily draught to him, but Alec balled his fists on his knees and shook his head. "Why do I look different?"

"Not so different, and nothing that will do you the least bit of harm, as I promised. I am a man of my word, Alec. Behave now, and drink this without a fuss. It's far too valuable to spill."

"No!"

He knew it was futile, but he fought anyway as the guards held him down and pinched his nose shut. Yhakobin thrust the leather funnel down his throat and poured the contents of the cup in. They held him until he gagged down every drop, then dragged him up to his knees at Yhakobin's feet.

The alchemist shook his head as he fastened a silver amulet to Alec's collar. "I should thrash you, but I'm too pleased with your progress."

"What did you do?" Alec demanded again, gagging at the sweet taste that filled his throat.

"All I've done, Alec, is refine your Aurenfaie blood, cleansing it as best I can of the taint of your human parent. I can't remove it completely, and the effects last only as long as the tinctures do their work, but at this moment you are more 'faie than you have ever been in your life."

Alec pressed his clenched fists against his knees, fighting the urge to fly at the man. Tainted? His father-his human father-was the only family he'd ever known! He could have cried at the thought of losing what little connection he had left to him, but he wouldn't give these b.a.s.t.a.r.ds that satisfaction again. Instead, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. Play the role, Alec. Play it to the hilt. Play the role, Alec. Play it to the hilt.

"Forgive me, Ilban. It was the shock. I-I wasn't prepared."

To his surprise, Yhakobin went to the forge and lifted out a kettle that had been warming on a hook by the fire. He poured two steaming cups and handed one to Alec, motioning him to a low stool.

Yhakobin sat down in a large chair next to him and took a sip from his cup. Alec sniffed his. It smelled like a very good, strong tea, nothing more.

"You've had your draught for the day," the alchemist a.s.sured him. "This is tea from southern Aurenen, the best in the world. See, I'm drinking it, too."

Alec took a cautious taste, and then another. By the Four, he'd missed the taste of good tea almost as much as meat. This was delicious; the warmth of it spread through him, and with it thoughts of home.

"Thank you, Ilban," he said, and for the first time he actually meant it. "But I'm surprised. You drink Aurenfaie tea?"

Yhakobin smiled at that. "Surely you aware that many of the clans trade with us, and have for centuries. Viresse, for instance. Ulan i Sathil and I are on very good terms."