“And the other reason?” Vanyel said in a very subdued voice.
What stretched Tylendel’s mouth was something less than a smile. “The fact that I took a couple of the worst offenders on and kept knocking them down until they didn’t get up.”
“Oh.”
Tylendel caught up one of his hands in both of his own. “I knowyou want everyone to know about us. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. But it will mean a lot more to me to know you were going to be able to staywith me.”
“And to do that, young Vanyel,” Savil said, intruding into the intense interaction between them, “you are going to have to begin a performance a Master Player couldn’t equal. ‘Lendel and I have been talking about you this afternoon.”
From the complete astonishment on his face, Savil could tell that he hadn’tguessed they’d been in conference via Mindspeech. For that matter, it might be that he didn’t know they both had that Gift.
“We share the Mindspeech Gift, lad, and it’s damned useful at times like this. He’s told me some of what you told him, and it rather changed my mind about you. But I will not lie to you; I’m going to help you because hewants it, because he wants you here. So now I’m going to orderyou; outside of this suite you are to be the same arrogant little bastard that arrived here. And if you can manage to be slightlyrude to ‘Lendel, that’s even better. And in return, I’ll make this suite a little sanctuary for the two of you. Is it a bargain?”
Vanyel, who had gone rather pale, gulped, and nodded.
Savil smiled for the first time since she’d begun this conference.
“That’s a good lad. If you’re half of what ‘Lendel claims for you, I’m going to come to like you a great deal, and I’m sorry for the treatment you’ve had from your father. I’ll tell you that he isn’tthe same person I knew when I was Chosen. He’s gone stiff and stubborn, and altogether hidebound. Maybe it’s age; maybe it’s that a lot of his old friends have taken the Long Walk and he’s seeing Death looking for him, too. Maybe it’s that priest he’s gotten tied up with - I just don’t know.” She coughed. “Well, that’s not to the point; what isto the point is that you’ll only have to keep up this charade until you’re eighteen; you’ll be your own man then, and can do what you please. And I’ll see to it that ‘Lendel begins having trouble with his Mage-lessons.” She winked, and Tylendel chortled. “I think we can keep him out of Whites until you’re of age. After that,” if this love affair lasts that long“you’ll have to make your decisions on your own. Fair enough?”
“More than fair, Aunt Savil.” Vanyel looked very subdued, and quite unlike the boy that had faced her something like a month ago. She couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
:’Lendel, what is it about him?:she Mindspoke, letting her puzzlement drift over.
:No masks,:came the immediate answer. .-This is thereal Vanyel, dearheart. The one nobody but me - and maybe his sister- has seen. Now see why I love him?:
The last thought stopped her cold. :Are you that sure,ke’chara? Are you really that sure?:
His eyes caught hers over Vanyel’s head; caught and held them. :I’m that sure.:
:And him ?:
:I don’( know; but he was willing to defy his father for me, and I think that says something.:
She closed her own eyes against that burning, intense gaze. :Then may the gods help and guard you.:
She turned her attention back to Vanyel, and quickly. He was still looking toward Tylendel, and the very same look was in his eyes - and a vulnerability and apprehension that cut at her heart.
“I’ll help you all I can, son,” she said quietly. “I’ll help you all I can.”
Six
Don’t go yet,” Tylendel said abruptly, as Vanyel picked himself up off the floor.
Vanyel gave him a look of uncertainty. He was still too new to this - being open. He was still waiting for blows that never came.
But Tylendel seemed to know that.
“It’s all right, Van,” he said softly. “It’s really all right. I have a good reason.”
“I’ve got a lesson,” he protested. “History, and I’m still behind the other three.”
Tylendel made a wry face. “You’re a law unto yourself, remember? At least that’s what you’re supposed to be acting like. You skipped your lessons this morning, skip the rest of them today; tell ‘em you were sick. Tell ‘em the storm last night gave you a headache.”
“But - “
“It’s important,” Tylendel coaxed. “Really, it is. More important than that history lesson. If you’re behind, I’ll coach you. Please?”
It didn’t take much encouragement from Tylendel to get him to do what he already wantedto do; lessons were hardly as attractive as more of Tylendel’s company. Herehe wasn’t going to be hurt. Here - someone cared for him. It was as heady as a little too much wine, only without the hangover.
Vanyel closed the door to his room, then turned an expectant face toward his lover, poised with one hand still on the latch.
Tylendel stretched lazily, reaching for the ceiling with his head tilted back. Then he dropped his arms, rose from his seat on the bed, and walked over to put his hand behind Vanyel’s shoulder.
“There’s somebody I want you to meet,” he said, gently pushing Vanyel in the direction of the room’s outside door.
“But - “ Vanyel protested weakly, “I thought - “
“You’re awfully fond of that word ‘but,’ love,” Tylen-del chuckled. “What does it take to get you to say something else?”
He opened the door, still without enlightening Vanyel as to the reason why he was going to introduce Vanyel to someone after Savil had just got done telling them both that they were to keep the relationship a secret -
- and Tylendel had agreed with her.
Vanyel started to protest again, realized that the only thing he could think of to say was “but,” and subsided, as Tylendel guided him out the door to the gardens beyond.
“You see that bridge?” Tylendel pointed northward to the first of the two bridges crossing the Terilee River on the Palace grounds. “And that stand of pines on the other side?”
Vanyel nodded; it was quite a healthy grove, in fact, and the trees extended a good distance back into the Field. They were tall, very thick, and a deep green that was almost black, with huge branches that drooped beneath their own weight until they touched the ground.
“You count to fifty after you see me go in there, then you follow,” Tylendel ordered. “In case anybody happens to come by, though, or looks out a window, you’d better try your hand at acting the arrogant little prig.”
Vanyel nodded again; completely mystified, but willing to go along with about anything that Tylendel wanted. He posed himself carefully, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, attempting to look as if he were simply idling about in the gardens, while Tylendel sauntered off.
This is going to be harder than it was before,he thought somberly, trying to look anywhere except after Tylendel. Ididn’t have anything to lose, before. Now I have everything to lose if I slip.He closed his eyes, and turned his face up to the sun, as if he were savoring the warmth. But if I don’t slip - oh, gods, whichever one of you is responsible for this- it’s worth anything. I swear, it’s worth anything you ask of me!