Tezdal frowned. He glanced at Rwyan and at me; I saw hope flash in his eyes, and suspicion. He said, “I’d know who I am, aye. But you should know this-Rwyan saved my life, and I have sworn to defend her. I’ll not see her harmed; neither Daviot, who is my friend. Who looks to harm them shall answer to me. Be I Sky Lord or no, that vow I’ll honor.”
I knew in the instant of his speaking that even were his memory restored and he become again a Kho’rabi, he would honor that promise.
The spokesman nodded gravely, as if he, too, acknowledged Tezdal’s integrity. But then he said, “Do we first give you back your past and you be whole again; then do you decide where lie your loyalties.”
Softly, I heard Tezdal murmur, “That I already know.”
Rwyan said, “Are you truly able? Those techniques of the Mnemonikos known to Daviot have failed. Shall you succeed where he could not?”
“And doubtless you and your fellow sorcerers attempted it.” Geran’s voice held an echo of laughter. “However, where Truemen failed, I believe we may succeed.”
“You must,” said Rwyan, “command powerful magicks.”
I saw that she sought to learn something of their powers. No less the spokesman, for he smiled and said, “Lady, we do.”
“And do you refuse us, you’ll soon enough witness them firsthand,” said Allanyn.
Rwyan turned her eyes to where the cat-bred woman sat. “I tell you again,” she said, “that I’ll not betray Dharbek. What I know of our magic, I’ll not give you.”
Allanyn snorted spiteful laughter. “This wastes our time. The mage cannot be reasoned with. I say we end this dalliance, and use the crystals on her without delay. Let her defy them!”
I cried out, “No!” And soft in Rwyan’s ear as fresh debate erupted, “Would you goad them needlessly? This one would have your life.”
Before she could answer, Urt spoke. “Reason may yet prevail.” His voice rose over babble. I had not known he was capable of so commanding a tone. “Do you but hear me out?”
“Do you plead for your Trueman friends, no.”
That was Allanyn, her rejection echoed by others of her sympathy. More called that Urt be heard, and finally the spokesman quelled their argument, motioning that Urt speak.
He said, “I think us agreed on one thing-that the Lord Tezdal be restored his memory. Is that not so, Rwyan?”
Rwyan said, “That was ever my intent.”
“Daviot?”
I nodded and said, “Aye.”
“And such restoration was attempted by the sorcerers of Dharbek, who failed?”
I could only nod. Rwyan said, “Obviously,” her tone a deliberate provocation.
Urt ignored it. He said, “Then can we succeed where you could not, the strength of our magic must be proven, no?”
I sensed a trap; I wondered where he took us, down what road. Did he look to protect us from Allanyn’s wrath or to betray us? I thought I could no longer entirely rely on his friendship: like Rwyan, he must surely define his loyalties here. I hesitated to answer.
Rwyan did not. She said carelessly, “Can you give Tezdal back his memory, then in that I must acknowledge your magic the stronger.”
Urt nodded gravely. Allanyn spat and said, “In that and more, mage. I say again-this wastes our time. I say we prevaricate no longer but put her to the test.”
As a murmur of agreement arose, Geran stood, arms raised until he had again silence. “Let Urt have his say.”
Allanyn’s cohorts fell quiet, reluctantly. Urt said, “Allanyn speaks true-that magic we command surpasses yours now. Does the Raethe choose it, then your mind can be drained of all its knowledge. Willing or unwilling, you’ve not the strength to resist.”
His tone was urgent, but I could not decide whether he warned Rwyan in friendship or in threat. I wondered how well I could know him now, after so long. Well enough to recognize a warning? Did he ask our cooperation that Rwyan might survive intact? Or did he only threaten, and I hope in vain that we’d found an ally?
I heard Rwyan say, “You shall slay me ere I betray Dharbek.”
I cursed the sunlight that denied me clear sight of Urt’s face. I could see him only as an outline, standing amidst his fellows, and must judge his intent from his voice alone. And that, I realized, was surely modulated as much for his companions as for Rwyan or me. Did he seek to aid us, he could not risk revealing his purpose.
He said, “Lady, there should be no need. Are you given to the crystals, you’ll tell us all, without let or hindrance. You’ll have no choice; and after, your mind should be a void.”
The chamber was warm, but I felt cold. I dared not speak.
Rwyan said, “My case is stated. Do you put yours?”
Some little hope there. Urt said, “We are not those meek Changed you know in Dharbek. We’ve power here, and I’d show it you. Do you witness our strength, and then decide.”
Rwyan said, “My decision was taken long ago, when I took those vows my College requires.”
I must admire her courage. At the same time I was possessed of a great desire to shake her violently, to clap a hand over her mouth and agree on her behalf. She appeared bent on destroying herself. The thought of my lovely Rwyan reduced to a mindless husk (I had absolutely no doubt Urt spoke true in that) set a cold and sour knot in my gut.
I heard Allanyn mutter, “Time wastes.”
Urt said, “Do you watch us restore the Lord Tezdal his memory and know our power. After, you may agree to what we ask and remain whole; or-”
“I’ll take her for a servant,” Allanyn said, the sally met with laughter from her supporters.
I could hold silent no longer. I turned to Rwyan and said, “Rwyan, for the God’s sake-for my sake!-agree to this at least.”
She faced me with an unfathomable expression. “Would you ask me to betray myself?” she demanded.
I was caught, my choice betwixt net and hook. I’d have her live, whole. But did I seek to persuade her to forswear her duty, I knew I should lose her. I groaned and shook my head. “Not that,” I said. “But the time’s not yet come for that. I say only that you agree to what Urt suggests-observe their power, and after decide.”
She held my troubled gaze awhile, then calmly she turned to the assembly: “So be it. Do you show me what you can do.”
Surely it took them aback, for none spoke awhile, not even fierce Allanyn. And then Geran said, “Very well. Let us prepare.”
They came down from their tiered benches then, all of them, gathering about us, and Geran said, “This shall take some little while. Do you go with these,” and we were surrounded by Changed wearing the golden circlets on their brows.
Tezdal made to leave with us, but the spokesman touched his arm and said, “Lord Tezdal, do you wait here. Your companions shall not be harmed.”
Tezdal shook his head, protesting. He pulled loose of Geran’s hand and moved toward us. The spokesman gestured, and Changed stepped close as if by accident but nonetheless blocking Tezdal’s way. I thought the Sky Lord would fight them, but Rwyan called out, “Tezdal, do you obey. There’s no harm shall come us yet,” and he frowned, hesitating. Rwyan called again, and he nodded. He seemed bewildered but made no further move to join us.
The movement of the throng hid him, and Geran nodded approvingly. “That was sensibly done, lady. You show wisdom.” He touched the band around his temples and said, “This signifies the talent. All those who wear these circlets command the gift of magic.”
He spoke mildly, but I recognized the warning. I was thankful Rwyan acknowledged it: she said, “I’ll not attempt to use my own power.”