Beyond the Boundary Stones (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 3) by Angela Holder Page B

attempt this month. Of course, even if everything is working properly, it might take several months to see results.”
    The Matriarch rose and hurried to the door before he finished speaking. “Summon Lord Renarre immediately,” she ordered a servant who hovered outside. He bowed and rushed away.
    The Matriarch was beginning to turn when she stopped and beckoned. “Yerenna! Come in and meet the wizards.”
    Josiah judged the woman who entered to be close in age to her mistress, although without the Matriarch’s heavy paint the beginnings of wrinkles showed more clearly around her eyes and mouth, and her hair had a few threads of silver in contrast to the Matriarch’s bold black. She was nondescript in appearance save for her intelligent eyes, which roamed over Elkan, Josiah, and the familiars in a way that convinced Josiah she missed very little. “Greetings,” she said. “I must admit, when Verinna determined to find one of the lost ancient wizards, I was skeptical. But her will has always been indomitable, so I’m hardly surprised she managed it. If you can help her more than I’ve been able to, it will be a great blessing for Ramunna.”
    “That’s our hope.” Elkan gestured for her to take a seat near his. “I’d be very interested to hear what treatments you’ve found effective.”
    Yerenna spread her hands in a self-deprecating way as she sat down. “I’m happy to tell you, although I’m sure it will seem painfully inadequate to those who wield the Mother’s power. The palace is abuzz with tales of what you did in the Beggars’ Quarter today.”
    “On the contrary,” Elkan assured her. “There’s far more need in Ramunna than we’re able to meet. The more remedies available that don’t require the Mother’s power, the better. We’ve had little need in Tevenar to develop them, so I’m eager to learn of any the healers of Ravanetha have devised.”
    Josiah could tell Yerenna was pleased by Elkan’s respect for her skill, though she showed it only by a slight straightening of her posture. “In that case, there are a number of things I use that you might be interested in. Tincture of vitex is my most widely useful preparation. It’s very effective in regulating a woman’s cycles. Many times it’s all that’s needed to help a barren woman conceive. Then there’s a cream I prepare from wild yam that prevents early miscarriage. After Verinna brought me to the palace I began treating her with it, and she never lost another before the third month.” A shadow crossed her face. “Unfortunately it seems to have no effect on later losses.”
    Elkan looked thoughtful. “Hmm. The next time you use it, would you allow me to observe what it does?”
    “Certainly. Perhaps if Verinna—” She broke off, glancing at the Matriarch.
    The Matriarch smiled blandly at them. “Don’t mind me.” She angled her body away, looking toward a window where a soft breeze stirred the drapes. Outside, a few stars had become visible in the deep blue twilight.
    Josiah shifted impatiently as Elkan continued his discussion with Yerenna. It was all very interesting, Josiah supposed, but he wasn’t familiar with the less common complications of pregnancy, so most of it went over his head. He wished they’d finish so they could proceed to the feast the Matriarch had mentioned. He studied the intricate gold curlicues decorating the ceiling, wondering if they were actually made of the precious metal, or just painted to give that illusion.
    A softly cleared throat called him back to the present. He turned to find the Matriarch regarding him with an avidity far too intense for comfort. He blinked at her. “Ma’am?”
    She smiled tolerantly. “Everything here must seem very strange to you. You have nothing like my palace in your homeland, do you?”
    “No, ma’am.” Belatedly Josiah remembered the correct form of address. “Your majesty.”
    She waved his error away with a negligent hand. “I’m sure you have