That catches me by surprise.“To do what, exactly?”
“Pay a visit to the Red Mage, Seer of Clan Owin.” The full and proper title is enunciated crisply, as if I’m being willfully dim-witted. “They say she possesses the ability to awaken, even amplify, latent abilities.”
“So I’ve heard. But I always assumed that was tall tales.”
“Elodie,” clucks Maida. “You know better.”
I make a show of thinking just to irk her a little. “I suppose ‘legend’ and ‘myth’ are always rooted in the soil of truth.”
She gives a smug nod. “Of course the prioress has the final say. But I can talk her into it. I’ll see her first thing tomorrow. I’d like to leave within a fortnight, I think. The sooner the better.”
Now I’m staring at her likeshe’sdim-witted. “Aren’t you forgetting that’s not possible until after Fire Festival?” I make a sweeping gesture. “When we can leave this godsforsaken prison?”
Bibi growls. We look down to her trying to pluck a seed pod from a crack in the cobblestones with her beak. Missing it. Trying to grasp it with her foot.
Giving up to peck instead.
“Says who?” says Maida.
“Says who?” mimics Bibi.
“Deirdre and her barbaric dome, Maida. That’s who.”
Bibi growls at her seed. I squat, arm outstretched. Whistle an invitation. My raven hops on while I pinch the tiny pod between my fingers.
“I’m surprised you haven’t figured out the prioress has the ability to usher us through the barrier.”
“It’s not so much I thought she couldn’t as I was pretty well convinced shewouldn’t.”
Maida lifts her chin. “She’ll do so for an errand of such caliber—I’ll make sure of it. I might even convince her to let us bring the girls.” One look confirms Maida’s not being remotely ironic. She actually believes in whatever scheme she’s hatching over there. “To expand upon their veryimportanteducation, of course.”
Closing my eyes, I rise to my full height, praying this won’t become a blind alley.Please, Eisha. I need you now.
I slip the seed to Bibi, who clicks happily and nuzzles under my chin. “Yeah? Did you like that, sweet bird?” I coo and stroke her wings how she likes.
“Likethat.” She gives her best impression of finches cheeping. “Likethat.”
Chuckling, I glance up from fussing over my bird to find Maida’s eyebrows nearly snarled in her hairline.
“I know your gift feels more like a curse at the moment. But havehope, dear.”
I sigh and shrug. Give myself over to the idea of accepting help—both from her and this Red Mage. “Fine. So be it. I couldkissyou, you know.”
Bibi makes kissing sounds, prompting me to stroke her sleek head.
My very patient friend snorts. “Save the kissing for that one over there.”
Unable to suppress my grin, I follow Maida’s sight line to the dancers.
Pairs of them swing each other round to the tune of a new jig. Tiss, Cordelia, and Sadrie are spinning dizzily together. One of them loses her grip, sending Tiss flying.
With a yelp, she careens into Ghisele and Enid. The three of them collapse into a pile, which looks awkward for all parties involved. Until Imogen.
Maida and I guffaw while that little girl hustles over andflingsher tiny body on top of the tangle.
Joyful shrieks go up, prompting another snort from Maida. This one wetter than the last. “Caught them by surprise, didn’t she?”
“That. And she’s little. The little ones hurt when they hit you.”
