Essendai

By DeeAnn Fuchs and Zachary Fuchs

On the west side of the Empire, the rebellion has begun, but trust between the rebel factions is tumultuous at best. Despite early successes, it will take the cooperation of the rebel leaders to accomplish their ultimate goals, and that cooperation threatens to unravel at every turn.
Lily has left the safety of the Northlands and is now following Tevarian, the reader with whom she shares the mysterious Drasana bond. Regardless of her misgivings about Tevarian and his impassive ways, she finds herself drawing closer to him as they travel east. Their goal is to kill the Emperor; the man who has kept the Empire in his thrall for hundreds of years.
When the final battle lines are drawn, the question is not so much whether they will succeed in freeing the Empire but, rather, will they survive the attempt.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DeeAnn Fuchs
• Release date: Dec 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311984104

Book preview

Prologue

The room lay in darkness apart from a sliver of moonlight shining through the mullioned windows. He opened his gloved palm and let the light play on the sparkling diamond earrings that lay there. Admiring them for a moment, he slipped them into the small leather purse that already contained a matching necklace and various other pieces of expensive jewelry. It was beginning to feel heavy and he smiled as he thought about all he could do with the money he made from tonight’s thieving.

First, he’d pay Scato what he owed him. His initial entry into Roh Vec had been bleak. He’d been living off the streets, stealing food to stay alive and getting nowhere. The life of adventure he had sought had lost its appeal and he had contemplated heading west, back toward home. That’s when Scato found him. He had loaned him money to get a place to stay and put food in his belly, then he had trained him to be more than just a petty thief. He’d taught him how to pick locks and sneak into homes unnoticed and eventually he’d set up jobs for him. Scato took half of everything he stole but it was Scato’s connections that found which houses were more promising than others and which would be empty on which nights, so it was expected.

He was a decent thief and over the last few months had done well but he just couldn’t seem to get ahead with his earnings. It was true he had expensive tastes but a man couldn’t just work all the time, he had to enjoy himself, too, and Scato always seemed to be there with new temptations. First it was the Laharan wines, then the prostitutes and just last week he had given him a taste of a drug that was brought up from the hot plains in southern Kheight. They called it chara and he had enjoyed the feeling of euphoria that it produced. It was all expensive, though, and it seemed that he owed Scato more money than he earned. He thought he could trust Scato but sometimes he wondered if the man was deliberately trying to keep him in his debt. Tonight’s heist, though, should cancel all he owed.

He stuffed the heavy purse into his inside pocket and went quietly to the door that he’d left slightly ajar. Listening for any noise and then peering out, he made certain that all was still clear and then silently crept down the stairs. He was dressed all in black so even if one of the servants was abroad he felt certain that he could blend into the shadows until they went back to bed. He had almost reached the back door when he had the first inclination that all was not well. When he’d snuck in less than an hour ago, there had been no light behind the house, now he could see at least four well lit torches moving near the door he had been about to sneak out. He could also hear the creak of a coach stopping and horses neighing. Apparently the owner of the fine jewels that were in his pocket had arrived home.

Quickly leaving the room he was in, he hurried back up the stairs. He could hear the front door opening and a man and woman talking, presumably the owner and his wife, so both ways of escape were blocked to him. He opened the door to the room he had just left and closed it quietly. He had a few minutes yet to get out; he just had to remain calm. Opening the window that looked out over the side of the house that was still in darkness, he slid his leg out and clung to the trellis that he had seen earlier. Any good thief always had a backup plan and Scato had taught him well. The heavy vine that grew on the trellis was slippery but he was able to close the window as he hung in the air and then slowly climb down. He dropped when he was a few feet from the ground and stood unmoving while he listened to see if he had been observed. When nothing happened, he hurried to the fence that surrounded the house and grabbing the top, peered over. When he saw that the alley on the other side was empty he hoisted himself up and over. Brushing at his clothes in case he had picked up any leaves or twigs, he sauntered down the alley, congratulating himself on a job well done. In another twenty minutes he could wipe his debt clean and start spending what remained.

Lost in his pleasant thoughts, he turned the corner at the end of the alley and almost ran into a town guard. He heard steps behind him, another guard he was sure, and knew there was no escaping that way. They couldn’t have seen him come over the fence; he would just have to bluff his way out of this.

Good evening, he said politely. I appear to have lost my way, could you direct me back to the Blue Wren? It’s a tavern somewhere near here; I’m supposed to meet a friend there soon.

The guard studied him for a moment, apparently deciding if he was telling the truth or not. His boyish looks had helped him out of this type of situation before and he hoped they would again. He smiled slightly and gave him his most innocent pose. The guard was holding a stout stick that they used to enforce the law and he was relieved when he saw him lower it. A few more moments and he’d be on his way or so he thought until he heard a yell. Lights were shining in the window he had just climbed out of and a man stuck his head out and yelled Where are the guards, we’ve been robbed!

A hand reached out and grabbed his arm. Lost, you said?

Yes sir, I don’t know anything about a robbery, he replied, still hoping his excuse would hold.

Come with me while I see what’s happened, the first guard said, his hand still gripping his arm.

Of course, he told him and walked beside him innocently. This could actually work to his advantage, he decided, if the guard was distracted by the owner of the jewels, he could slip away in the dark. He’d wait just a few more minutes until the guard released his arm; he’d already loosened his hold as they walked. They stopped at the gate to the house and the guard let go of him to open the latch when someone behind him spoke.

What’s going on here, a man’s voice said, do you need assistance.

There’s been a robbery, sir, the guard said nervously, looking at whoever was speaking.

Is this man the thief?

I’m not sure, sir, I haven’t gotten the chance to question him yet. We were just going to speak to the home owner.

Three guards was one too many so he prepared to run. Turning around to see if the new man had a weapon, his heart sank. The man speaking was wearing a black robe with the hood down, the tattoo on his forehead clearly visible.

Come, the reader said, let’s see what you know. He felt his mind being probed and knew that his luck had run out. The reader held him in place without touching him and spoke again to the guard, He’s your thief; the jewels are in his inside pocket.

The guard gave him a dirty look and reached into the pocket to take out the leather purse. Shall I take him to the prison, sir?

No, the reader said grimly. I know someone who may have a use for him. He used his powers to turn him around and they walked down the street together, the reader controlling his every move. Just when he thought the evening couldn’t get any worse he felt the reader probe his mind once more and then he spoke again.

Actually Jon, you should consider yourself lucky. You could be in chains on Camar with the rest of your people.

Chapter 1

Lily and Tevarian entered the town of Nightgrove at midmorning. They had left the meadow where the encounter with the reader had taken place last evening and rode far enough that they could no longer smell the smoke from the dying fire. They spent a quiet night, neither of them talking much. Lily was still upset about what had happened and Tevarian, it seemed to her, hardly ever spoke. Lily felt like she had to drag out each answer from him when she asked questions, so she soon gave up trying.

As they got nearer to the town, Lily could see large birds circling above it and occasionally landing on the ground. Tevarian stopped in a stand of trees before they entered and tilted his head to one side as if listening. Lily waited, wondering if he sensed trouble or could actually hear something she couldn’t. That’s odd, he said. There’s no one there.

Lily didn’t ask him how he knew, just edged her horse a little nearer to him as they rode through the open gate and into town. The first thing she saw was a body lying in the street. She gave a gasp and started to dismount to see if the person was alive when Tevarian stopped her with a word. Don’t, he’s not alive.

How do you know, you’re not close enough to tell. I might be able to help him, she told him as she once again prepared to get off her horse.

He has no life force coming from him. There’s no one alive in the entire town.

Lily heard a noise and looked across the street where she saw one of the large birds sitting on the body of another person, pecking at it. Horrified, she covered her mouth with her hand afraid she might be sick. She looked at Tevarian and noticed that he didn’t seem to be bothered by the sight. He looked as calm and impassive as ever. Can’t you stop it? she asked him pointing to the bird.

It doesn’t matter, he’s already dead, he said flatly. It’s more important that we find out what happened here. Follow me. He rode further into town and Lily followed, unsure what else to do. He seemed to know where he was going and soon led them through a second gate set in another wooden palisade which led to the center of town. He dismounted but told Lily to stay and then entered a building. As she waited she saw many more bodies, some wearing the same black robe that Tevarian was wearing. Tevarian came out after only a few moments and got back on his horse. We need to leave. Let’s see if we can find food and supplies for our journey.

But what happened here? Why are they all dead?

I killed some of them when I was here, but I think the reader you killed must have done the rest after I fled the town. He spoke so matter-of-factly that Lily could hardly believe he was talking about the death of a whole town. She stared at him and didn’t follow when he started to ride away. He looked back when he realized she wasn’t beside him and spoke to her.

Is something wrong? I said we need to look for supplies and then leave. There may be more readers on their way here. I don’t know how many there are in this area.

Tevarian started back toward her until she waved her hand and moved to follow him. Do you really just expect me to walk away and leave all these bodies untended? Act as if nothing has happened?

Unless you want to die at the hands of a reader, I would recommend it, he told her as he headed to a covered stand that had dried meat for sale. Once again dismounting he went from stand to stand gathering food stuffs for them. Lily watched from the back of her horse unable to stomach the thought of food when they were surrounded by dead bodies. When Tevarian was finished he mounted his horse and headed toward the east end of town. The way out of town was even more riddled with bodies than the way in. It looked as if people had been fighting with each other even as they had tried to flee. When they had ridden a short way` beyond the last of the buildings she saw a small stream up ahead with willow trees growing along its banks. She dismounted when they reached it and put her hands in the water, splashing her face, trying to wash away the memories of all the dead. She sat back when she had finished and looked up to find Tevarian filling their water skins as he watched her.

Before I go any further with you, I need to know why you were killing people in that town. Lily stood now, her arms crossed as she waited for him to answer.

I wasn’t killing the townspeople, only the readers and some of the slaves, he answered indifferently.

How can you kill so many readers? Are you so powerful? Her voice had gone quiet, and she began to feel afraid. She just realized that he obviously had his power back, something she should have known when he said that he couldn’t sense any life in the town. She knew that he couldn’t control her, Eurik had told her that, but he did have weapons and knew how to use them.

I didn’t physically kill them. When a reader or essendai kills another person we can take their life essence to give ourselves more power. When we take the essence from another reader, the power is increased greatly, Eurik called it the Dragas. With the extra power we can control many people at the same time, that’s how I was able to dominate so many of the slaves who actually did the killing.

Lily thought this over for a moment. That a single reader could cause so much destruction was frightening. Eurik’s history was making more sense to her now. No wonder there had been wars between the essarai and essendai. Lily was still appalled at the number of people who must have been killed by Tevarian’s actions, but at least now he seemed to be trying to fight against the Empire. Still, the fact that he deemed the slaves’ lives of no consequence bothered her.

Don’t you essarai do something similar when you take power after you’ve done a healing? Tevarian had finished filling the skins and reached out to hand her one. She took a step closer to him and took it, attaching it to her saddle.

Yes, I suppose so but we don’t have to kill them for it.

No, but you can.

Lily sighed and mounted her horse. Yes, he was right. Perhaps she was no better than him. Killing a guilty person was still killing and she knew there would probably be a time when she would have to kill again. She was still frightened of what he could do but then again, she realized, with a touch of her hand she could stop him, even kill him. As that thought crossed her mind she shook her head. No, she knew she wouldn’t be able to actually kill him, not with this bond between them. Take his powers maybe, but not kill him.

Several hours passed and the countryside that they now rode through began to change. They were heading south toward the Kheight Mountain range and were just starting to ride through low foothills. The trees were smaller than in the Northlands and the area had a drier feel to it. She and Tevarian had barely spoken since leaving the stream outside of Nightgrove and she had had plenty of time to think. Most of her thoughts were centered on what she was doing. She wondered if she was making a mistake following this strange man with whom she had somehow formed a bond. Joan had said, "You will find what you are seeking to the north, follow the black book", but what if the black book tattooed on Tevarian’s forehead wasn’t the book that Joan had meant? What if she was traveling further and further from the people she knew only to find that when they had reached their destination, she had made a mistake? She had always trusted Joan and believed in her visions but this one just didn’t make sense to her.

Her thoughts were only increasing her worries and making her doubt her decision so she looked about for a distraction. This land was so much drier than Camar that she didn’t recognize many plants. It seemed almost barren in contrast to what she had grown up with until they rode into a grove of trees. Once they were under the canopy she saw ferns and moss and other plants that thrive in the shade. They didn’t stop but Lily knew if they did she could probably find edible plants that would supplement their evening meal. As they left the shade of the grove she looked up into the sky and saw geese flying north, their honking loud in the silence and she wondered if they were headed into the Northlands for the lake outside of Jorval. Memories of Eurik and Rolf and the many friends she had made in the Northlands came to mind and of course thoughts of Jorval always ended up back at Gavin and the end to their marriage. She missed him; missed his warmth at night, his grin when she did something funny, but most of all she missed how special his love made her feel. Her mood lightened and she smiled, thinking of Gavin and wondering how he was. Had he managed to find Gavrus and Smith and had he convinced them to work together? Her life now was so different than she thought it would be when they had been in the Northlands. At the time she thought ending their marriage had been the right thing to do but now she wasn’t sure if they had made the right choice. If she and Tevarian actually attempted to kill the Emperor and failed, she had no doubt she would never see Gavin again. She would be dead somewhere in Roh Vec. Even if they succeeded, she might be dead and the thought of never seeing Gavin again hurt.

She glanced at Tevarian and noticed that he was looking at her oddly. Thinking of death reminded her of a question that had been bothering her since he had explained the essendai’s power to her.

Tevarian, if you use a person’s essence to replenish your powers, what happens to it? How does it get to the spirit realm?

It doesn’t, he said as he rode ahead of her, his normally composed face taking on a look of sorrow. It was obvious to her that he wouldn’t say more, so she once again returned to her own thoughts which were now also touched with sadness.

Tevarian watched the sun fall low in the sky as he heard Lily ask him if they were going to stop for the night. He nodded and dismounted when they found a small stream to water their horses. The setting sun lit up Lily’s blond hair and Tevarian quickly looked away before she caught him staring. He was unsure what to make of Lily. She had saved his life twice now and in both cases she had every right to kill him. She was an essarai so he couldn’t read her mind and he didn’t understand why she was following him, for that matter he barely understood what he was doing.

"You must return home; sever the apex and restore the triangle," the old woman had told him. Home was obviously Roh Vec, he had grown up on the marshy steppes of Moorin and had been trained for twelve years at the capital city itself. The symbolic triangle tattoo on his forehead was the triangle she was referring to, and the apex was the Emperor who presided over both the readers and the hierarchy at the base of the triangle. He had no idea what repairing the triangle meant but he did understand that severing the apex must mean killing the Emperor; a seemingly impossible task since he had managed to stay alive for the last four hundred years.

Tevarian, are you alright? Lily asked, interrupting his thoughts and making him jump. He turned to see her with an armload of firewood and realized that he wasn’t helping set up the campsite. He nodded and went to start the fire so they could have a hot meal instead of dried jerky. She came over and helped him; it made him uncomfortable having her so near him but she didn’t seem to notice. Once the fire was going he grabbed for a piece of wood just as she did and accidently brushed her hand. The moment their skin made contact he felt his powers leave him and despite himself he flinched. His power quickly returned after they broke contact but it still felt disorienting whenever he touched her; almost like having part of his mind disappear for an instant. She was staring at him in worry but he said nothing and continued adding wood to the fire.

While they ate Tevarian thought about what was facing them as they neared the towns they would soon reach. He was trying to decide how best they should approach them. Should he wear the robe of a reader or should he go in as a Northlander? And what about Lily? He couldn’t disguise the fact that she was essarai if there were any readers about. He looked up and noticed that Lily was looking around her at the few plants that grew near the stream.

She hadn’t spoken since they had prepared their meal and had seemed ill at ease. When she noticed him looking at her, though, she pointed out a plant she called watercress and began to tell him about it, how it liked to grow beside a running stream and that they could eat it. Then she found another plant and told him about that one. She seemed to get more relaxed as she talked and Tevarian found that he liked listening to her. It surprised him because he wasn’t used to listening to the spoken word. Even in the Northlands he had rarely been spoken to except by Eurik and occasionally Harald. He didn’t say a word and oddly she didn’t seem to expect him to, she just kept the conversation going herself each time she found something new to show him.

He started when he realized he was staring at her and that she was staring back at him apparently waiting for him to answer a question.

What did you say? he asked her.

I just apologized for talking so much. You’re always so quiet and I just kept going on and on about plants. I’ll just clean our dishes and stop talking, Lily said, reaching for his plate.

You don’t have to stop, he told her, then surprised himself by adding, I liked it. It was interesting. He was too embarrassed to tell her that he also liked the sound of her voice. It was soft and quiet and it helped him relax as he listened to her. We may need your knowledge if our food runs short.

She smiled but didn’t respond, just washed up and rolled out her furs as he watched. He turned away before she saw him staring again and lay down on the other side of the fire from her, once again thinking about how best to enter the towns up ahead. Wearing the reader’s robes, he decided. Definitely.

Chapter 2

Over a week had passed since Lily and Tevarian had left Nightgrove and they were now south of the mountains and heading further east each day. They rode at a steady pace, stopping only once at midday to rest the horses and again at sunset so they could set up their camp in the fading light. Tevarian was as silent as ever and Lily had almost given up on him ever carrying on a conversation with her. If she questioned him she usually got one word answers but when she chatted about random things that interested her, it appeared that he was at least listening. The weather was warmer the further south they went so their Northland furs were used as bed rolls and Lily only needed her wool cloak for warmth. Tevarian had packed away his black robe and wore his Northland clothing.

So far in their travels they hadn’t met any other people but she knew that was about to change. They had just crested a hill and could see a village in the distance, the smoke from the chimneys rising in the clear blue sky. Tevarian directed her to a grove of trees and when they reached it, he dismounted. He began pulling things from his pack as Lily watched and when she saw him pull out his black robe she began to get uneasy.

Why do you need that? she asked him.

We’re short on supplies and this will be the easiest way to acquire more, he told her as he took a knife from his pack and walked over to a stream that trickled down from the mountains and into the grove. Lily dismounted, using this opportunity to stretch her legs and watched as he wet his face and started to shave off his beard. By the time he was done his beard was gone but his face was red and looked like it must hurt. He never complained, though, something Lily had noticed before.

Are you going to shave your head, too? she asked him, hoping that he wouldn’t. He looked so much more normal with the hair and beard of the Northlanders.

He looked up and seemed surprised by her questions. No, I’ll just keep my hood up. A village this small won’t have any readers so I should be able to get by.

What should I do when we reach the town? Lily asked him, concerned with the part she should play.

Tevarian put on his robe and pulled the hood up. Just walk behind me and don’t say a word. When we get close to the town I’ll check for readers. If there are none, we’ll go in but if I sense any, then it would be better if we just bypass the town.

Lily nodded, pleased that she had gotten so many answers from him and they both mounted their horses and rode toward the village. As they got near, Lily could see that it was small, much smaller than Jorval or even Redin, but it did have a marketplace in the town square and she could even now hear the sellers hawking their wares. They had just reached the edge of the village when Tevarian stopped and listened. At least, that was what it looked like to Lily. She knew he must be reaching out, trying to sense any readers. Apparently all was well because he continued on and motioned for her to follow.

Once inside the town walls they dismounted and tied their horses to a nearby post, then walked into the small crowd of people. Instantly the people parted for them, everyone giving Tevarian a clear space. Their faces were wary as they watched him and many of them looked frightened as they got out of his way. Lily heard whispers of reader as she followed him to a booth selling fresh bread. The woman selling the bread handed him a loaf and when he held up two fingers she handed him another. He gave the bread to Lily and walked on toward the next booth which was selling fruit. As she struggled to fit the two loaves into the bag she was carrying for that purpose, Tevarian handed her a handful of apples. This continued until Lily’s bag was full and still Tevarian hadn’t uttered a word and as far as Lily could tell he had also not paid a single coin for any of the food they had been given.

They had reached their horses when Lily finally asked him quietly, Why didn’t you pay any of those people for the food they gave us?

Tevarian got a look of surprise on his face. There’s no need, they give it freely to readers.

Of course they do, they’re terrified of you but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay them. They struggle to make ends meet as we all do. They can’t afford to just give their food away.

Tevarian took the food from Lily and got back on his horse. They would think it odd if I paid, he told her stiffly. Lily didn’t like his answer but had no choice but to follow him.

As they rode Lily thought about the reception they had received in the village. How awful to be feared by everyone you met. She remembered the looks that the Northlanders had given the essarai when Signe had killed the villager for the crime of murder, but this was different. They had shown fear but it was tempered with respect, the villagers here just seemed to feel terror when they looked at Tevarian. No wonder Tevarian was such a strange, taciturn man if everyone he met treated him this way.

That night as they finished eating she questioned Tevarian on his actions in the village. Why do you have to go into the villages dressed as a reader? Why can’t we go dressed as we are? We have coins, we can pay for the food we need.

Tevarian finished his food and set his plate down before he answered. I don’t think you understand what it’s like here in the Empire. The only people who travel are couriers for the Empire, soldiers, readers and merchants. Slave owners might travel in search of slaves but people dressed as we are would be thought to be runaway slaves. It’s safest for both of us if I dress as a reader.

But who am I? Why would a woman be traveling with a reader?

Tevarian thought for a moment before he replied. No one would ever question a reader but if I needed a reason for you being with me I suppose I could be taking you to one of the brothels we use. That would be believable.

Lily was slightly affronted by his comment and arched her eyebrows as she said, Are you saying I look like I belong in a brothel?

Tevarian’s head came up and Lily was pleased to see that he looked embarrassed. His usual lack of feeling bothered her and she was relieved when he occasionally showed some sign of emotion.

No, no, of course not, he stammered. I just meant it would be a plausible excuse for having a woman with me. But you don’t look…that is….you could….but…

Lily took pity on him as he tried to apologize. She’d only meant to tease him but saw that he didn’t understand. If she had said that to Gavin he would have laughed, taken her to their furs and proceeded to show her just what he would do with her if she was in his brothel or some other such silliness. But Tevarian didn’t seem to understand humor at all. Someday she’d like to find out what the Empire had done to him to make him so serious and unemotional. She quickly asked another question to rescue him from his embarrassment. What if we meet another reader? Would they believe that?

Tevarian had been adding a piece of wood to their fire and froze with it in his hand. If we meet another reader you must hide. You must get out of their sight. And don’t use your powers at all. They’ll know immediately what you are if they see you or if they sense your powers.

The way he looked at her as he said this frightened Lily. He looked so deadly serious as he spoke. How, how will they know I’m essarai? she asked him.

I had never seen an essarai until I saw you across the meadow with your husband that day in the Northlands but I knew immediately what you were. I can’t explain what I see when I look at you, in fact it’s not actually seeing, it’s more like hearing, no…, that’s not right either. He looked slightly exasperated as he tried to come up with an explanation for her. He took a deep breath and tried again. When I see a reader he has an aura of power around him, I sense a deep hum coming from him. When I look at a person without power, there’s nothing at all, just their thoughts if I choose to listen. But when I see you, there is a clarity to your aura. A lightness to the tone you give off. It’s beautiful.

He said this so quietly and looked at her so intently that Lily felt herself blush although she knew he wasn’t actually talking about her, just her aura. Thank you for explaining, was all she could think to say. In fact she realized this was probably the most she had ever heard him say at one time since she had been with him. He nodded to her and took their dishes to the stream they had camped next to and cleaned them. When he had finished, Tevarian began his exercises. He had started them a few days earlier, stretching and moving into different positions for almost an hour each night before he lay down. When she had asked him about them he told her they were called Shai-Yi and that all the students in the compound did them daily. He said for him they were a way of ridding himself of daily frustrations and he felt cleansed when he was through. She hadn’t asked him if she was one of his daily frustrations but she suspected she might be. As she watched him she got an idea that might help her get to know him better.

Tevarian, she asked him, Could I learn to do these exercises with you or are they just for readers?

He stopped the moves when she spoke and even in the failing light she could see the look of surprise on his face. Anyone can do them, I suppose. There are no women with the readers but I don’t see why a woman couldn’t learn them.

Lily walked over and stood near him. Show me then, I’d like to try.

For the next hour he showed her the different moves of the Shai-Yi. He never touched her, just had her watch and learn from his example. When she was through she was tired but she felt good, more at peace with herself. She slept better that night than she had since she had left the Northlands.

Lily continued to try and engage Tevarian in conversation as they rode, but he seemed determined to never give more than one syllable answers. Their conversation about readers last week was a rare look into his life before they met. Although he had told her he didn’t mind when she talked about things that interested her, she found it increasingly harder to carry on a conversation alone. He always seemed lost in his own thoughts and eventually she gave up trying. Another week of travel went by and they were once again entering a village in search of supplies. He was again dressed as a reader and Lily stayed silent as she followed him through the market. As before, most of the people looked at him in terror and stayed out of his way. This time Lily was determined to pay for their food so she stepped away from Tevarian for a moment and went to a stall selling meat pies. She smiled at the woman and asked, How much for one of your pies? They smell wonderful.

The woman smiled back at her and said, One coin will buy you two pies. Lily had just pulled a coin out of the pocket of her dress when she felt Tevarian step up behind her. The woman almost dropped the pies in her haste to leave. She backed up out of the stall nearly running into the man selling fish behind her. Her eyes were wide in terror as she stared at Tevarian and then turned and hurried away. Lily gave a sigh of frustration as she took the pies and set the coin in the wooden bowl the woman had on the table. She handed one to Tevarian and they both walked to stand next to a large oak tree that stood in the center of the green.

Lily could see that their presence was upsetting the people of this village and ate hers quickly, wanting to get their supplies and leave. Trying to pay the woman hadn’t worked. Tevarian had been right; the people were used to just giving the readers whatever they wanted. Tevarian took his time eating and Lily watched him as he stared at many of the people in the market. What are you doing? she finally asked him in a quiet voice,