“What's on this floor?” I asked.
“Personal rooms,” Rhalla said. “Lord Aber is the only noble-born here at the moment… besides Lord Dworkin, of course.”
“Of course.” The rest of my family was either dead or scattered to remote Shadow worlds. The ones that we could account for at all.
Returning to the stairway, I began to climb toward the floor above. The steps ended at a heavy wooden door. The center panel held the carved face of a man with horns, his mouth open as if about to speak.
I knocked for form's sake, knowing my father was out, then pushed it open to reveal a long, dark corridor pungent with the scents of mold, strange herbs, and other things I could not begin to identify. I eased myself inside. Shelves covered with odd looking trophies filled the wall opposite me—huge glass spheres, stuffed animal heads, human skulls, mummified cats, and a jumble of phials, scrolls, tubes, and magical paraphernalia I could not begin to identify. A thick coat of dust lay over everything, though it had been recently disturbed toward the far end by someone's recent passage. Probably Dad checking out his treasures after getting back.
“Nobody cleans in here?” I asked with a chuckle.
“It is not allowed,” Rhalla said in hushed tones. She had not left the steps. “We should not be here, my lord. I will be punished when Lord Dworkin finds out.”
“Nonsense. I'm with you. Since I told you to bring me, there was nothing you could do about it. My father will understand.”
It all reminded me of Dworkin's private rooms in Juniper, only from the odor of decay these had long been neglected. How long had he been away from here? Not just years, but decades from the look of things.
“My lord…” An anxious note crept into Rhalla's voice.
“He's not here,” I said, trying to reassure her, “so there is no reason for us to stay. Let's go back down.” I knew I could find my way back here again, and next time I could do it unassisted.
“Yes, Lord Oberon.” Rhalla seemed relieved. Turning, she led the way back down the stairs. I followed gingerly, breathing deeply of her musk, trying desperately not to call on her for help. And I wanted very much for her to see me as a whole, strong man.
“Thank you,” I told her as I walked unsteadily back into my room. “I… hope I will see you again, Rhalla.”
“I am sure you will, my lord,” she said, with a shy little smile and a half curtsy. “Whenever you need me, call and I will come.”
“Thank you. Oh… about those dry clothes? See if you can find some for me. I'm the same size as my brother Mattus. Look in his room.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As she hurried back upstairs, I sank into my chair and gazed down at the empty food tray. My stomach growled; second helpings were definitely in order. Maybe I should have asked for more food instead of dry clothes.
I glanced at the open door. What had happened to Aber? Never around when you needed him… and I still wanted to find out about those mysterious visitors.
Yawning, I leaned forward on the table, then put my head down on my arms. I couldn't help it; exhaustion washed over me. Although an inner voice screamed warnings, I let my eyes close, and then I found darkness.
Cold water sluiced over me.
Gasping, sputtering, I leaped to my feet, knocking over my chair. The world jumped and swayed, and I almost fell.
It was Aber. He had poured another pitcher of water on my head and now stood back, grinning at his handiwork.
He said, “I didn't think you'd give me a second chance to do that.”
I glowered. He looked entirely too smug.
“I'm going to strangle you,” I said, and then I began shivering.
“You were warned!” He wagged a finger at me. “Sleep at your own peril, brother.”
I snarled, “I wasn't asleep!”
“Hah! Towel?”
“Please.”
He pulled one from the air and tossed it to me. For the second time that day, I dried myself off and wished him an unpleasant fate. At least Rhalla would be bringing me dry clothing soon.
“Just wait,” I said. “If I ever figure out how to use that Logrus thing…”
“Be my guest.” He picked up the chair I'd knocked over and set it next to me. I sat down again. “But it isn't going to happen, and you know it.”
I sighed; he was right. I accepted it now. Members of our family all had a certain Pattern inside them, some kind of mystical design that allowed them to master the Logrus. Unfortunately, the pattern inside me was so distorted, according to Dworkin, that I would never be able to master the Logrus. Trying would kill me, as it had killed Dworkin's brother and several others in our family.
Suddenly I remembered what had called Aber away.
“What about that bell?” I said. “Did we have company?”
“Company? Of a sort.” He sighed. “A dozen of King Uthor's soldiers stopped by. They're searching the house for something. They should be up here soon.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Searching for what?”
“I don't know. They wouldn't tell me. But it must be pretty important.”
“You should have thrown them out!”
He chuckled. “You don't do that to King Uthor's men if you want to live. It would be… impolite.”
I struggled to my feet. “Get me downstairs. I'll throw them out myself!”
“Sit down. You're being foolish.”
I glared at him. “Is it better to let strangers ransack everything?”
“In this case, yes. That's what Dad would do.”
“And you left them alone? To do whatever they want?”
“Sure. Why not? I have nothing to hide.” He shrugged. “Besides, you're far more important than the house—and it's a good thing I came back here to check up on you, too. No telling how long you were asleep.”
At least he placed as high a value on me as I did on him.
“You said I was unconscious for three days,” I said softly. “Tell me what I've missed.”
“What's the last thing you remember?”