Blood Song

“Master Hutril taught me to spot the poisonous ones. He said they’re good for grinding up and smearing on arrow heads.” And I have a sister who likes winterblooms.

“Very useful I’m sure. Do you know what these are?” She stopped beside a short row of purple flowers with odd, curved heads framed by four long petals.

“I haven’t seen them before, Aspect.”

“Marlian Orchids, from the far south of the Alpiran empire. Actually, they’re cross breeds, I mixed in some of our native orchids to add a little hardiness, our climate is colder than they’re used to. It’s often the way with plants, take them out of the soil in which they’ve grown and they wither and die.”

He felt a lesson was being taught, a lesson he didn’t want to hear. “I understand, Aspect.” He assumed it was the response she expected.

“Sherin is special,” the Aspect went on. “She cares, you see. Cares more than most, even the brothers and sisters of this Order. Perhaps that’s where her skill comes from. And she is very skilled, already she surpasses me in most things, but don’t tell her that. Skill like that is bound to make her isolated. There aren’t many who take the time or trouble to know her well enough to see how special she is. But you did, as I knew you would. It’s why I placed you together. But I didn’t expect your bond to be so strong.”

“I believe friendship is not forbidden those who serve the Faith.”

Aspect Elera raised an eyebrow at the impertinence but voiced no rebuke. “Friendship is always to be valued. But it cannot inhibit the role you and Sherin are to play. Sherin is to this Order what you are to yours.”

“And what is that?”

“The future. It is necessary you both understand this. Your mother did not, or she refused to. Love can do that, blind you to the path the Faith has made for you. When she left this place to marry your father the Fifth Order lost a future Aspect.”

“I am sure my mother knew her own heart.”

She winced a little, hearing his bitterness. “Yes, she did. I meant no criticism, merely regret. She was my closest friend, when I first came here she taught me. Without her I would know nothing.”

She paused at a small plain wooden bench and bade him sit. He was grateful for the rest, his legs felt as if they would fold under him at any moment.

“May I ask Aspect, have you learned anything of the men who attacked you?”

She shook her head. “Very little. The bodies were examined, nothing of interest was found save that they all had poisoned pellets concealed in their teeth, like Sister Henna. Their faces were not known to anyone. The Realm Guard and the Fourth Order are investigating. I daresay they will provide answers in due course.”

For a woman who had recently escaped death she seemed remarkably unconcerned about the identity of her attackers. “You are not afraid others might try again?”

She frowned as if the thought had not occurred to her before. “If they come they come. There seems little I can do about it. The Faith tells us to accept those things we cannot change.”

“Sister Henna had been here long time. Her betrayal must hurt.”

“Betrayal? I doubt she ever had any loyalty to this place so how could she betray it? She did what she was sent here to do. I must say I’m impressed with her dedication, all this time living a lie and she never faltered, never let her mask slip.”

“She said something, before she died. ‘Once there were seven.’ Do you know what it means?”

There was something there, some reaction but not the same recognition he had seen in Master Sollis, more like fear, but gone in an instant. “You have many questions today, Vaelin. It seems to be a recurring feature of our conversations.”

Another one who’ll tell me nothing.

“Forgive me, Aspect.”

She dismissed his concern with a laugh. “After what you did for me I feel I owe you one answer at least. So, ask me, but one question only mind.”

One question only. It almost seemed cruel, as if she was playing with him. He wanted answers to every one of the myriad questions that plagued him, but after a moment’s frantic thought he settled on the one that had been at the forefront of his mind for months. “What do you know of my sister?”

“Ah.” She paused for a moment, sadness lining her face. “I know that she’s a very bright little girl. I know her parents love her very much. I know that she was born little over ten years ago.”

“When my mother was still alive.”