Steelfated, page 23
“Predictable little trollop.” Radyn muttered as he glanced over. “I tried to seal that one off, to keep her away from it, but nooo- the mental warning signs and keep outs were not enough for her.”
Morgain knelt down by Valerica’s side, drawing on the magic of Archenarium. She had to be careful not to draw too much- the word of command had used a large portion of what she had been allotted for the day, and she still needed to make it back to Ironlake before the morning. She set about healing the woman’s minor injuries.
“The more powerful the telepath Harrigan, the more intensely they feel the emotions associated with the memory that they are pulling through.” Morgain said as she stopped the bleeding in Valerica’s eyes, mouth, and nose. Those were easy. Just ruptured blood vessels, and tooth marks from where she’d snapped her mouth shut when the connection broke. The ears would be more difficult.
“And?” Harrigan hissed. His fury was obvious, though it seemed directed at the world, not at her.
“And Valerica is by far and away the most powerful telepath I’ve ever seen- whatever Radyn showed her, it’s very probable that she experienced it more intensely than he did when he lived through it.” Harrigan didn’t seem to understand.
“But-”
“Harrigan, listen- I do not have the skill to fix this completely both of her eardrums are ruptured- I’m not a healer, and there are lots of little tiny pieces in there- I can put them in a sort of stasis, which will stop the bleeding, keep out corruption, and deaden the pain for a time- but she’ll need to be seen by real healer- I’m afraid of causing more harm than good if I poke around too much. Look, I’ve got to get back to Ironlake before the end of the day. I can’t shift into another airborne form today- my shoulder won’t hold up to the flapping. The best option I’ve got is to shift into my bobcat form and try to run back. I can send for Gwen through the earth- but it’ll take some time for her to respond, if she can- you’ll have to keep moving that way.” Morgain said. Harrigan looked up at her.
“I don’t-” Valerica squeezed his hand once, then nodded. “Alright do it.”
Morgain felt her opinion of the woman softened. She still thought she was a jealous shrew, but maybe she had judged her rather harshly.
Morgain did what she could, then stepped back and sent a message through the earth to Gwen. She did not wait for a response. The message would get there without fail, but it would take time- about a half a minute per mile, in each direction. Her maintaining the power required to hold the link open for twenty some odd minutes just wasn’t feasible- she was already dangerously close to not being able to shape shift to and from the shape of a bobcat.
“I’ve got to go- I sent for Gwen. That’s all I can do at this point.” Morgain said calmly. “She’ll get the message, but if you could send her along on a horse with someone, it would get her help that much quicker. Harrigan nodded. He turned and started to call on Radyn, but his eyes hardened, and he turned to Rodhlann instead.
“Cae’ardwyn- take her. and my horse, and go- ride for Ironlake on the road, don’t deviate, and push the horse hard. Try not to ride it to death. Keep him lathered.” Rodhlann nodded and climbed into the saddle. Harrigan handed Valerica up to him, and Rodhlann spurred the horse onward at a canter, a pace that could be held for several miles. Harrigan turned to her.
“Thank you, Stormborn.” Morgain blinked in surprise. For both of the last two Mistbourne attacks, Morgain had been on guard duty, and they’d realized she could sense the approaching downburst with enough to give about five minutes warning- which was almost ten times the amount of warning they’d had before- since Rodhlann could smell them about thirty seconds before the downburst it. She’d even managed to knock a pair of flyers out of the air in the last attack by arcing bolts of lightning through them to the iron spikes that lined the walls of the fortress. In reality, She’d knotted them to the top of the wall around the spikes- but the lightning bolt had acted as both impetus, and the path of least resistance- so it certainly looked as though the bolts had knocked them dead in the air, and she’d heard a few of the rank and file referring to her as Stormborn- but anyone above her in the chain of command always used either her last name, or her service number when they were talking to her.
“I-ah, you are welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.” Harrigan gave a small nod. Then his gaze sharpened, and his mouth drew down into a line. Radyn was behind her, his arms folded.
“You could take my horse back if you’d rather.” He blurted. “She’ll carry you fast, and she’s got a smooth gait.” Morgain shook her head.
“No, thank you. It will be faster for me to run- I can cover the same amount of ground as the horse, a bit more slowly as a bobcat perhaps, but it will be a better run. I’d be blistered inside a mile, riding naked in the saddle. The cloak wouldn’t help much with that.” Radyn gave a small nod. Morgain could have asked for extra clothes from the group, but they likely didn’t have many, if any at all, and it was even less likely that they’d fit her well enough to do her much good if they did.
She was tired, and her power was close to exhausted, but she had enough left. Giving Radyn a sly wink, she reached for the brooch that held the cloak on, and gave it a tug.
By the time the cloak hit the ground, she was already a bobcat, and racing southward at a speed just shy of a sprint.
She’d gone about three miles when a faint whisper trickled into her mind
“The next time you so much as look at Harrigan, I’ll maintain enough control over whatever creature I can find to ensure that it rips your eyes from your head, and you can never look at another woman’s man again.”
Morgain stumbled and felt ice water running down her back again.
After everything she’d done to help, Valerica was going to turn her in for punishment.
She yowled the feline equivalent of a curse laden insult, implying that Valerica’s parents were a goat and an ass- but she knew before she thought it that the woman’s presence in her mind was already gone.
Yowling again, she redoubled her pace.
15
Adjudication
(14th Sun’s Breath 674 3rd Era, by the Reckoning of Reysh’ar’ak, the Monitor of Times passing in Talys Rae)
A sharp knock roused Morgain from her sleep. She stretched, and mumbled an affirmation that she was awake and on her way, then rubbed her eyes and rolled to her feet.
The stone of the floor chilled her bare feet, but the air was thick and muggy. It felt like it was going to storm- not the type of storm that usually brought Mistbourne with it- but like a normal summer thunderstorm.
She pulled her hair back into a tail and pulled a loose tunic over her head before she opened the door.
Dara stood at the door, her face grim. Morgain had spent some time with the woman, and felt as though the pair held a decent rapport between them. Something about the set of her face warned Morgain to acknowledge her with her title.
“Captain-General,” she intoned. Her voice was slow, but there was no noticeable hesitation in it.
“Soldier. Come with me. The Captains General wish to speak with you on a matter that was recently brought to our attention.” Morgain winced, and Dara’s eyes narrowed.
“Of course, Captain General, just give me a moment to put on my shoes and belt.”
“Hurry.” Dara said. Morgain slipped her boots on and Dara walked while she was still tying her belt. Morgain jogged along to keep up.
“Do you know what this is about, soldier?” Dara said as they exited the barracks. The night air hit her like a damp cloth, and she almost struggled to breathe the thick air.
“I… have my suspicions.” Morgain said. Dara stopped and turned to look at her.
“A word of advice, soldier. Do not hedge words when you are in front of the Adjudicant. Disciplinary infractions happen- we all understand that. In the grand scheme of things, no one faced the second death, and the total inconvenience was minor. You will have time to tell your side of the story as well, and the Captains General will make their decision. Speak your story true, and straight, and even if you are guilty, your punishment will be less harsh. Most, if not all, of us have been here before for various reasons. I have. So has your uncle, during his time. Your brother once or twice. Radyn Halstraad practically lived here. As did Rodhlann Cae’ardwyn. Gwen has spent her share of time before us as well. This is your first trip.” Dara said firmly. “Now, do you know what this is about, soldier?”
“Yes, Captain General, though-”
“Another word of advice- soldier, offer nothing up that may incriminate you further. Answer the questions truthfully, but volunteer nothing.” Dara said, raising her eyebrows pointedly.
“Yes, Captain General.” She said with a nod.
Dara resumed walking again.
A few moments later, she was back in the square where she had originally entered Ironlake. The large stone cairn seemed somehow grimmer, and more cairn like in the slowly lightening pre-dawn twilight.
“Solder 1673. Soldier 811 has reported you for a disciplinary infraction leading to personal injury. What do you have to say on your behalf?” Captain General Dane Keanevy said. His voice was impassive, but his eyes glittered in the torchlight. She’d not had too many interactions with Dane, but he seemed fair enough, and she’d heard that he didn’t hold the Halstraad grudge against her family, as he wasn’t a Halstraad.
“Captain General Dane, could you please tell me specifically what the charge is- There are a thousand and one things that ‘a Disciplinary infraction leading to personal injury’ could be.”
Dara gave a small nod, and the corner of Caulder’s mouth twitched. Dane gave her a measuring look, then glanced down at the parchment spread on the table before him.
“Soldier 811 reported that you went to the Long City on your day off, and on your return journey, you crash landed into the middle of their party, which led to personal injury on her part.”
“Captains’ General, on returning to the Long City I did and I did not. I know I am not to enter the city until a year and a day have passed since my assignment. I was not aware, however, that it would be a problem for me to fly over it in the shape of a bird. If that is not allowed- I apologize, and admit that I have done so on one other occasion on a free day.” She took a breath. “As to the crash landing, I was attacked by a gyrfalcon on my way back. I thought perhaps I’d strayed to close to its nest, but the falcon pursued me for far longer than it should have. I saw a flash on the ground, and dove, thinking that people might scare the falcon off.” She gestured to the cut on her cheek. “The bird left me with this, and because it happened while I was in animal form, and things happened so quickly, I could not heal it.” She took a deep breath, trying not to wince. Her ribs were still sore.
“Is any of that relevant, 1673?” Cal said coldly.
“I- yes, I believe it is. The flash I saw turned out to be a group of the Steelfated. During my conversation with Rodhlann, Soldier 811 dug into my mind, without my permission, a nd saw where I had been. I tried to throw up mental defenses, and she simply blew past them. I tripped and fell when she did, and Radyn Halstraad stepped in, telling her to stop. Then she turned her focus on him. Whatever she found in his mind was… unpleasant. She just screamed, and collapsed, arching her back and she didn’t seem to be able to break the connection. I used my magic to separate them. Perhaps my reaction was a touch excessive, but in the moment I thought if she arched any higher, she’d break her back. Once the connection was broken, I did what I could to help her, and I sent for Gwen through the earth. I’m not a healer, and my own reserves were low. Morgain stated. “Rodhlann took her back towards the main road, so that help could find them easier. As they left Soldier 811 reached out through her power and told me-”
“1673, any conversation you and 811 had is irrelevant to the facts.” Dane said. Morgain snapped her teeth together with an audible click. Color rose in her cheeks, but she thought she kept the worst of her anger off of her face.
The Captains General stared back at her, their faces stony, and the silence hung about the courtyard like a dark cloud.
The silence extended a long time, and it took everything she had to keep from fidgeting.
“Soldier 1673. Step away for a few moments, while we speak to Soldier 811, and Mistwalker 904. In order to make our judgment, we must have the full story. You can await our summons in the mess hall.” Lord Captain Jarred said after the silence finally made her shift. Had that been a test to see how guilty she felt?
“Yes, Lord Captain.” She said with a sharp salute, then turned on her heel and walked away.
“Go fetch 811, Caulder.” The lord captain said from behind her as she walked away. She heard the scrabble of sand as her uncle’s chair scooted backwards.
“You are in trouble, you know.” Caulder murmured when he exited the courtyard behind her. “But don’t worry too much. We’ve all been there. I’d almost rather be the one receiving punishment than the one passing judgment. That’s why I never envied your father for his position.” Morgain glanced over at him, trying to keep her thoughts from her face.
“I will await my summons in the Mess hall, Captain General Caulder.” She said stiffly. Morgain gave him a faint smile to show she wasn’t upset with him, but she really had no desire to talk about this any more than she had to. She didn’t know if she could count on Radyn to keep her out of more trouble or not, and as far as Valerica went- well, everyone knew she was a telepath, and jealously guarded Harrigan from anyone who looked his way- but as for the threat- well that was Morgain’s word against hers.
Caulder nodded and walked away.
It was nearly two hours before the Captains General summoned her back. When she got there, she found Radyn and Valerica waiting, the former standing at ease, leaning against a support pillar, arms folded across his chest, while the latter stood, her face as beautiful, cold, and aloof as ever, her hands clasped behind her back just below the end of her tail of long fiery red hair.
Captain General Mance Cuthbert stood and waved his hands.
“On the matter brought before us today- the matter of Soldier 1673 violating rules of behavior that led to the injury of another member of the Steelfated- our judgment is thus-” He paused for breath.
“Soldier 1673- we find you guilty of violation of oath and longstanding rules by returning to the Long City, whether you set foot within its walls, and your ignorance of the minutiae of the rule is not an excuse for breaking it. Since this is your first offense, we give you the choice of punishment- 15 lashes, public, in front of the assembled Steelfated. Or, you may take the Season of Plenty. As for behavior causing injury to another member- the situation is naught but a morass of ‘he said, she said,’ even with the witnesses provided, there is little that can be called solid. We find you Innocent of that charge. Soldier 811, we find you guilty of laying false charges against another member of the Steelfated. This is your first offense of this nature as well. You may choose between 10 lashes, or the Season of Plenty as well.” Mance took a breath.
“Mistwalker 904, thank you for your input on this matter. Dismissed.” Morgain opened her mouth to protest, but a sharp look from Dara and her uncle stopped the words before they left her throat. Radyn gave a nod and walked out of the courtyard.
“Take the flogging, lass.” He whispered as he walked by. Then he gave her a small smirk and a wink. Morgain felt her temper rise. He was the one who had hurt Valerica. Not that she cared a whit for the woman, but he just got to walk away? And he had the nerve to smirk at her??
“Soldier 1673- what is your choice?” Mance asked her.
“I’ll take the Season of Plenty.” She said stubbornly, “I’ve no desire to be flogged.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew they were a mistake. She saw her uncle wince. Dara clapped a hand to her forehead, and even Valerica looked at her with an arched eyebrow and a look of faint amusement.
“Oh, I’ll take the flogging.” Valerica said without a hint of hesitation before Mance could even ask her the question.
“Very well then.” Mance said. “Starting tomorrow, until the Autumn equinox, you soldier 1673, will have double duties. Soldier 811- your punishment will be dealt tomorrow with the sunrise.”
Morgain groaned. Double duty? She should have taken the flogging. At least it would have been over. Valerica gave her a pale ghost of a wintry smile as she turned to walk away.
II
Tanglethreads
16
Interlude: Arbregard
(9th Storms Fall 690 3rd Era, by the Reckoning of Reysh’ar’ak, the Monitor of Times passing in Talys Rae)
The bard paused for a moment, taking a long draught of the ale that Mistress Rosa brought him, and a bite of cold chicken from the plate that had been brought to him some time before. After he finished chewing, and complemented Rosa’s culinary finesse, he turned back to his rapt audience. He glanced around the room and then out the window.
“I think that that will be enough for this evening. We find ourselves at something of an impasse in the story as it is. Apart from the Dragon having a rather miserable time spent doing twice the chores that she would have normally been assigned- nothing truly of note happened for a time, and no one wants to hear stories about someone mucking stalls and hauling water. We all know firsthand what that experience is like. That summer and fall was a rather typical one for the Steelfated, as much as anything related to them could be called typical. It was the last ‘typical’ summer they had, though, and the misery and heartbreak of the following year makes for a much better story. Not to mention that like everything else in the Tuathan Highlands- Winter’s Fangs put a deadly stop to everything, including Mistbourne incursions. While I’m sure this far north, you are not used to it, there is little of storytelling value to be found in a routine year’s weather reports where there is nothing to mention save the snow piled twenty feet deep, and ice and wind cold enough to freeze the nose and ears from your face.” He said with a laugh.
