Book One – Chapter 17

“But I will leave, so they can stay,” the witch added.

Yu’s relief twisted instantly. There — there it was again, the I will. He had been warned. Over and over, by Tria and the paigen hunter wizard and by many more mentors at Ayenfora. That precise ambiguity. Yes, her words could readily be understood as I am going away. But in witchcraft, where intention bled into reality, words did not simply describe but enacted. In their twisted magic, where thought became force, I will leave could just as easily mean:

I will it — that you leave.

All of you.

Everyone who denied entry to her and her companions. Or to whoever they were; that word might not even refer to her companions, but to any number of evil entities she willed to stay and take over the guild. That was a whole other trap —

“No,” the borman rumbeld. “You are with us.”

The witch paused. Her eyes searched his face. “Kel-Khadar, they need care.”

Yu stared. That was not how witches spoke. It was not how they acted. When they came to the settlements, they came to control, to capture and to kill. To bend and break and bind. They did not plead. They did not barter. They took. And yet, here she was, stepping back. Offering to leave so that others could stay —

No, no, no! Don’t fall for it! This is how they get you!

Yu wretched his gaze away from her, forcing his eyes onto the guards instead. His mind whirred, trying to sort out the mess of his emotions and to scrape together what remained of his reason. He was all raw nerves and shaking breath. Did he feel it? Did he feel drawn to her? Compelled to make way, to let her in? Well, actually, yes. Yes, damn it, yes! She looked so young and exhausted. And she sounded so honest, so concerned —

For fuck’s sake, snap out of it!

The shaman’s voice rang out: “Borman, would you submit yourself to a shamanic reading, in exchange for entry and treatment for those you carry?”

“Yes,” the borman answered without hesitation. “Make fast.”

The shaman’s turned to the beastkin. “And you, krynn, clinger to the forest?”

The krynn flinched at the title. His ears flattened and his tail flicked once. He shared a long, heavy look with the ker, and then gave a slow nod. “Fine.”

Before the shaman addressed him, the ker spoke. “I will leave, as well.”

The shaman regarded him, then offered the faintest tilt of her head, an acknowledgement. Then she raised her hand and beckoned the borman and the krynn forward.