We stop at the edge of the inn’s courtyard.
“We’ll sit here for a while. I want you to watch your surroundings, focus on what you think is important.”
My gaze moves around, stopping on a woman carrying an armful of carrots, two men talking by the well, a child chasing a chicken.
“Tell me who you noticed first, and why?” Vessara says a little while later.
“The child, I suppose. She’s moving the most.”
“Good. That’s because movement will always draw the eye. What else?”
“There was a woman in a bright yellow dress.”
“Color. Anything different from its surroundings will stand out. Now, look around again. Who didn’t attract your attention?”
“I don’t … no one?”
“What about him?” She nods her chin toward a man leaning against the wall near the inn’s door. I frown. I have no memory of seeing him before, but he must have been there for a while.
“I … didn’t see him.”
“Why do you think that is?”
I think about it, connecting it to the things she’s explained to me. “He’s not moving,” I say slowly. “His clothes are plain. He’s not doing anything other than standing there.”
“Exactly. Andthatis what you want to be. The person no one remembers was there.” She waves a hand. “Keep watching. Tell me everything you see. What people are wearing, how they move, what they’re carrying.”
It sounds simple. It takes minutes to discover it really isn’t. I describe a woman’s dress, and miss the basket on her arm. Inotice a man’s limp, but not which leg he’s favoring. I watch another child run past and can’t remember the color of his hair moments later.
By the time the sun starts to set, I’m frustrated and tired, and no better at this than when we started. Vessara laughs when I complain.
“You look, but you don’tsee. But you’ve never had to, so it is going to take time to change how you think.” She pats my hand. “But you’re trying, Alleria. That’s what matters.”
The door to the inn opens, and Vel walks out. She doesn’t look our way, but I get the distinct impression she’s fighting the urge to turn and spit in my direction.
“She hates me.” I don’t mean to say it out loud.
Vessara follows my gaze. “Yes. She does.”
“Can I do anything to change that?”
“No.” Vessara’s voice is matter-of-fact.
“Do you know her well?”
“She’s my sister. My twin, actually, though we don’t look anything alike.”
I turn to stare at her.Twins?Vel with her sharp edges and cold fury, and Vessara with her easy warmth and quick smiles. It’s hard to believe.
“We got separated just after the Sealing. She was captured. I wasn’t.” She turns to me. “I’m not telling you this so you’ll feel sorry for her, or so you’ll understand her better. I’m telling you because you need to know that her hatred isn’t yours to fix. It’s not even about you, not really. You’re simply the shape it’s taking right now.”
“What if the shape never changes?”
“Then it doesn’t. That’s her burden to carry. Not yours.” She stands. “But know this. She may snap and snarl at you, but she will not harm you. Her loyalty to Cairn won’t allow it.”
FORTY-FOUR
CAIRN
