Chapter 2 Zohav
ZOHAV
She and Heli settled on the bench of the wagon, while Zethan mounted Smoke.
Heli took the reins and guided them from the Magician’s Keep.
They crossed through the Citadel, Zohav’s temporary home.
She couldn’t imagine living here with all these people once she graduated.
Truth be told, she couldn’t imagine what use her power to manipulate water would be to anyone.
Sitia didn’t have a fishing fleet like Ixia, they fished from the sand and rocks.
And since arriving here, she’d only used her power to fight.
Her and Zee had gone from captured by pirates to soldiers in the Sitian civil war.
Thank fate that was in the past. Zohav much preferred the quiet life of a scholar.
This adventure had been Third Magician’s idea, but Zohav had to admit she was looking forward to seeing Icefaren, her hometown, again.
As the horses clip clopped over the cobblestones, Zohav scanned the streets. It was noon and not many people were out. They would arrive at Robin’s Nest in Featherstone Clan’s lands in four days. Twice as long as traveling without a wagon.
She hadn’t seen Heli since the end of the hot season, and Zohav tried to ignore the frisson of energy building between them. It pricked and burned on her skin. Excited for the adventure, Heli prattled nonstop.
“…Wick was so relieved not to be chosen to go to the NIP that he gave me coins to purchase a woolen undertunic and leggings. And Prin couldn’t decide if she was annoyed or glad,” Heli said. “I would have been dead jealous if Kade had picked her instead.”
Zohav wasn’t surprised Kade had assigned Heli. She was the second strongest Stormdancer and had been an integral part of the civil war. The three of them had worked well together.
But would it be enough? Despite assurances that the Commander would not arrest and execute them, Zohav couldn’t trust his word.
She’d spent a year and a half terrified of being discovered as a magician, then six months as a prisoner of that vile pirate.
The image of Nell’s mutilated body flashed in her mind.
That wasn’t something a person could just forget.
And why would the Commander assign one of his people to accompany them?
“Hey.” Heli bumped her elbow. “Why are you frowning?”
“Just wondering what Annika’s real purpose is.”
“To spy on us,” Zethan said. “That’s obvious.”
“Why? You didn’t have an escort before?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Before there were only two magicians. Now there are three. Plus, the Commander doesn’t know any of us. Kade helped with a bad situation on the NIP years ago, gaining his trust.”
“Maybe to protect us,” Heli said. “We have to wear Ixian uniforms to blend in. Ixians have all been taught to hate and fear magicians.”
True.
“As long as she doesn’t try to take charge or get in our way when we’re on the NIP, I don’t care why she’s there,” Heli declared.
“Not that you’d listen to her anyway,” Zethan said with a chuckle.
“Why would I? I’m the expert after all.”
True again. Moving and harvesting storms was delicate work.
Or so Zohav had been told. She’d seen Zethan and the Stormdancers manipulate the storms. They had to balance how much energy they siphoned.
The crops in Sitia still needed the rain.
And if Zethan pulled too many storms off their paths, that could affect other storms, sending them to places ill-prepared for their destructive winds and flooding.
They exited the Citadel through its north gate and turned northwest through Featherstone Clan lands.
Once it grew too dark to navigate, they stopped for the night at the Blue Hen Inn, a popular place along Sitia’s main east-west road.
After grooming and settling the horses, they joined a lively group of travelers in the tavern.
Zohav wanted to take her meal up to the room she shared with Zethan, but Heli insisted Zohav eat with her. They found a quiet table in the corner. She planned to eat quick and go upstairs to work on her lessons.
“How was the cooling season?” Zohav asked Heli. Nothing like polite small talk to avoid other topics.
“Lots of loud mouth storms, roaring and growling, but not a ton of energy. We filled enough glass orbs for the quota and then some, but…” Her green-eyed gaze scanned the crowd.
People gathered around tables in groups and others filled the seats at the bar. Zethan had already made friends and was playing darts.
“You’re bored,” Zohav guessed.
“Yeah. Strong storms only come into Sitia two seasons a year. And I’m thrilled to be going to the NIP, but that leaves three seasons of the doldrums.”
“Too peaceful?”
“Yes!” She flushed and then ducked her head. “I know that sounds awful.”
She glanced at Zethan. “I think my brother would agree with you.” Then she turned to Heli. “Perhaps when Kade’s baby arrives, he’ll send you when the Council asks him for help.”
“That would be awesome!”
It would be dangerous. And the thought of Heli lying on the ground with her throat slit open soured the food in Zohav’s stomach.
Heli’s gaze slid over her shoulder and her smile died. “Oh no. Incoming.”
Zohav turned in time to see a young man heading toward their table. Pulling a thread of magical power, she aimed it at the mug in the man’s hand. Ale sloshed out, splashing onto his tunic. He stopped in embarrassed surprise, then retreated.
“Handy,” Heli said. “How does that work?”
“All liquids contain water.”
“Ah. You want to get out of here?”
“Yes, please.”
They retreated upstairs. At the entrance to Heli’s room, she paused. With a rare solemnity, Heli said, “I’m glad you’re going on this adventure with us. It’s been too long since we spent any time together.”
Zohav had been an adherent of the out-of-sight-out-of-mind philosophy and had limited extended contact with the Stormdancer. Which she now realized had hurt Heli’s feelings.
“I’m sorry. I’m not… I can’t…” Zohav blew out a breath. “I’m… It’s better…I’m not…”
“You’re not what? We can’t be friends?”
“Oh… I thought…”
Heli grinned. “Look, it’s not like I’m not tempted. You are gorgeous. Sculptors would fight to carve your likeness from a block of ice. But you’re very reserved, keeping your emotions locked in your heart. I need to be with someone who’s not afraid to live and love.”
Funny how those supposedly trapped emotions ran rampant through Zohav. First relief, then a spike of pleasure that Heli thought she was gorgeous. “Well, someone has to counter you and Zee’s over-enthusiasm, or this mission is bound to be a fiasco.”
Heli laughed. “Glad it’s settled, then. Good night.” She disappeared into her room.
Zohav remained in the hallway. Yes, it was better that the matter was settled. They were good friends. That was all. Then why did it make her sad?
Four days later, they arrived in Robin’s Nest. They were to meet with Annika in the Speckled Egg Inn. The town was located near the southern border of Ixia.
Sitting in another quiet corner, Zohav scanned the crowd.
Would Annika be wearing her Ixian uniform?
Unconcerned about their rendezvous, Zee was at the bar, talking and laughing with a couple of young ladies.
Heli had stayed at the stable to ensure their wagon was secured.
Crime rates were higher this close to the border.
A woman entered the tavern. Her gaze immediately swept the room as if she was searching for threats. When she stepped deeper inside, a large man followed her. From their pale skin, Zohav guessed they were Ixians, even though they wore plain tunics and pants, mimicking the locals.
The pair spotted Zohav and strode toward her. She clutched the edge of the table, preparing to spray ale to defend herself if needed.
They stopped before her and Zohav suddenly recognized the woman. She had been part of Valek’s crew when he’d saved them from the pirates. “You’re Annika?”
“I am. Sorry we weren’t properly introduced at the time of your rescue. This is my partner, Endre. He also helped during that mission.”
“Thank you both.” She studied them. “Third Magician didn’t mention that your partner would be joining us.”
“She should have known. We always work in pairs.”
“But you have the three of us.”
“What if you’re really assassins planning on targeting the Commander, I’d need backup.” Her tone was teasing.
Zohav smiled. “Good point.” However, she didn’t add, that it would take more than two Ixians to beat three trained magicians.
The border crossing into Ixia’s MD-7 went smoothly.
Once inside Ixia, they changed into Ixian uniforms. It was then that Zohav realized she’d been given an adviser’s uniform.
There were two red diamond shapes embroidered on her collar.
Otherwise, no other color broke up the black tunic and pants.
Surprised by the honor, Zohav asked why they didn’t wear a basic MD-1 staff uniform.
“The Commander considers us weather advisers,” Zee said. “That’s why we’re wearing red.”
“Plus, we won’t be stopped and questioned as much. Not many patrollers are brave enough to bother the Commander’s people,” Annika said.
Good thing the material of the uniform was wool, which would help keep her warm on the NIP. Zohav was also provided with an Ixian cloak. However, it wasn’t cold enough in MD-7 for the heavy garment. Zohav shoved it into her pack.
Annika and Endre had stabled their horses, Butterscotch and Gin, at the border patrol’s building.
The horses matched their names. As expected, Butterscotch was creamy golden brown.
She had a white blaze on her face that resembled a swirl.
Covered with a grayish white coat, Gin had a black mane and tail.
Once they mounted their horses, Annika and Endre led the group north.