The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Page B
Authors: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
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Ninianee flung her dolaj across the room and went off toward her dressing room, unfastening the belt of her brikes as she went.
* * *
When Ninianee presented herself, properly dressed in a sea-green gaunel over an ivory guin, in the Family Withdrawing Room, she found Nimuar waiting for her, a gazing-cup in his hand. She checked herself on the threshold, then went to touch her father’s cheek with her own. “Where’s Erianthee and Rimdoch Ruch?” she asked without preamble.
“On the road to Valdihovee. I sent them on without you. I hope you are not displeased,” he said, not as flustered as Ninianee expected him to be.
“I assume you have other work for me,” said Ninianee, a suggestion of a query in her voice.
“I do. Yes. That I do,” said Nimuar. “I must rely on your complete discretion, Ninianee.” He looked around, saying, “I hope my muffling spell works; it should quiet everything we say for a quarter hour so long as we don’t shout. I don’t want to have another clash with Bihn.”
“I should think not,” said Ninianee, more urgently than she intended. She watched her father closely and had the oddest impression that some of his distracted manner was assumed, as if the mazes had at last begun to fade from his mind, but he was not yet ready to declare it. A moment later, she saw Nimuar turn a little too quickly and knock over a small, round table holding a thirteen-branched candelabra, and she reached out to steady them both.
Nimuar righted himself and glanced at her, his face somber. “Not for the reason you suppose,” he went on. “But I thank you for your concern.”
Ninianee cocked her head. “You’ve done more than cast a spell, I suppose, since spells can be foiled, or turned against their – “ She stopped herself before she caused her father any more distress, for it was just such a reversal that Yulko Bihn’s trickery had made possible, twenty years ago.
“Just so.” Nimuar covered the awkward silence with a gentle cough. “I’ve had Lomcoz Terichovee bring Senkei and Foluch into the castle, as a precaution. They are the best in the pack.”
“Two spell-hounds,” said Ninianee, thinking this a bit distrustful, but as protective as any host could be expected to be.
“And another two outside, and Merinex’s spells besides,” Nimuar said as if to reassure them both.
“You keep us as safe as the Emperor’s Palace.” Ninianee wondered what his intentions were.
“Oh, more so, I hope,” said Nimuar. “For that reason – safety – I would like you to keep an eye on Dinvee. She’s after Hoftstan, and it’s making him miserable, to say nothing of whatever other roguery she may be up to.”
“All right,” said Ninianee. “Is that why you asked me to stay home?”
“One of the reasons, yes. I also want to make arrangements for tonight, so you will not have so close a call as you did last night.” He went over to the projecting bulge of the fireplace and chimney, holding his hands toward the bright flames. “There will be more guests, and a greater disarray, which will make your situation more difficult.”
“I will find a way,” said Ninianee.
“You might, but I believe this ought to be settled in advance, and an alternative decided upon.” He coughed. “I believe that the old bay coach-horse – “
”Sanma?” Ninianee asked, worried what might have been done to the fine, fifteen-year-old gelding.
“One of the grooms has said that he is doing poorly. Not just stall-sour, but down-hearted. Since everyone knows you have primary care of the stables, no one will think it strange that you excuse yourself to work there. I can mention your concern when we gather again.” Nimuar rubbed his hands together in the warmth from the fireplace.
“I suppose it would be one thing to do,” said Ninianee. “But if that is my device, I had best go out to the stables shortly, so my absence will not be remarked upon.” After she changed clothes again,
* * *
When Ninianee presented herself, properly dressed in a sea-green gaunel over an ivory guin, in the Family Withdrawing Room, she found Nimuar waiting for her, a gazing-cup in his hand. She checked herself on the threshold, then went to touch her father’s cheek with her own. “Where’s Erianthee and Rimdoch Ruch?” she asked without preamble.
“On the road to Valdihovee. I sent them on without you. I hope you are not displeased,” he said, not as flustered as Ninianee expected him to be.
“I assume you have other work for me,” said Ninianee, a suggestion of a query in her voice.
“I do. Yes. That I do,” said Nimuar. “I must rely on your complete discretion, Ninianee.” He looked around, saying, “I hope my muffling spell works; it should quiet everything we say for a quarter hour so long as we don’t shout. I don’t want to have another clash with Bihn.”
“I should think not,” said Ninianee, more urgently than she intended. She watched her father closely and had the oddest impression that some of his distracted manner was assumed, as if the mazes had at last begun to fade from his mind, but he was not yet ready to declare it. A moment later, she saw Nimuar turn a little too quickly and knock over a small, round table holding a thirteen-branched candelabra, and she reached out to steady them both.
Nimuar righted himself and glanced at her, his face somber. “Not for the reason you suppose,” he went on. “But I thank you for your concern.”
Ninianee cocked her head. “You’ve done more than cast a spell, I suppose, since spells can be foiled, or turned against their – “ She stopped herself before she caused her father any more distress, for it was just such a reversal that Yulko Bihn’s trickery had made possible, twenty years ago.
“Just so.” Nimuar covered the awkward silence with a gentle cough. “I’ve had Lomcoz Terichovee bring Senkei and Foluch into the castle, as a precaution. They are the best in the pack.”
“Two spell-hounds,” said Ninianee, thinking this a bit distrustful, but as protective as any host could be expected to be.
“And another two outside, and Merinex’s spells besides,” Nimuar said as if to reassure them both.
“You keep us as safe as the Emperor’s Palace.” Ninianee wondered what his intentions were.
“Oh, more so, I hope,” said Nimuar. “For that reason – safety – I would like you to keep an eye on Dinvee. She’s after Hoftstan, and it’s making him miserable, to say nothing of whatever other roguery she may be up to.”
“All right,” said Ninianee. “Is that why you asked me to stay home?”
“One of the reasons, yes. I also want to make arrangements for tonight, so you will not have so close a call as you did last night.” He went over to the projecting bulge of the fireplace and chimney, holding his hands toward the bright flames. “There will be more guests, and a greater disarray, which will make your situation more difficult.”
“I will find a way,” said Ninianee.
“You might, but I believe this ought to be settled in advance, and an alternative decided upon.” He coughed. “I believe that the old bay coach-horse – “
”Sanma?” Ninianee asked, worried what might have been done to the fine, fifteen-year-old gelding.
“One of the grooms has said that he is doing poorly. Not just stall-sour, but down-hearted. Since everyone knows you have primary care of the stables, no one will think it strange that you excuse yourself to work there. I can mention your concern when we gather again.” Nimuar rubbed his hands together in the warmth from the fireplace.
“I suppose it would be one thing to do,” said Ninianee. “But if that is my device, I had best go out to the stables shortly, so my absence will not be remarked upon.” After she changed clothes again,
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