The Grove(50)

Aradin murmured a sympathetic sound, following her back to their starting point. As she fell silent, her concentration on the potential dangers of the Grove, Teral spoke in his mind. (Looks like the two of you are getting along nicely.)

(Yes, though she’s uncertain about getting involved with two men in one body,) the younger Witch sighed mentally. He, too, kept a sharp eye out for other surprises, but spared half his attention for his partner. (What did the Dark tell you about her?)

(Provided nothing changes drastically, she’ll make a very strongly affirmative representative at the Convocation,) his Guide murmured. (Rather surprisingly strong a “yes,” in fact, far better than the last one.)

(Did you meet with the others?) Aradin asked next.

(I found Niel and Tastra at the Meeting Tree, along with a few others. Niel said to tell you thank you. He also said that makes fifteen left for the others to find, plus capturing a suitable Mekhanan priest without in turn being caught,) Teral relayed. (I am very glad we were already out and about in the far direction from that blighted land when the call went out to start choosing representatives.)

(As am I. Has he had any indication the Convocation will be in the next few days?)

(No, but he has started issuing orders that travel packs be made ready. He did hint that he and his Host will be leaving their current location soon. Within a turning of Brother Moon, from the sound of it,) Teral added. (Mind that branch; I think there’s something on it.)

Aradin glanced to his right, but whatever it was, the branch stopped swaying after just a moment, and nothing else moved but himself, Saleria, and a bit of early evening wind in the highest branches of the locus trees. They passed the burned spot where the spider-leaf-things had been. Teral viewed these things through the edges of Aradin’s vision, and offered a comment.

(Looks like you had an interesting time without me.)

(This place is insane . . . and I want to stay and fix it, if I can. This goes beyond the reason why we’re here, studying Saleria for the Convocation of the Gods,) he warned his Guide. Mentally, he slashed a hand outward, indicating the overgrown garden, though physically he moved with the same fluid caution as ever, hands cradling his borrowed staff. (This place is a mess, and it has been badly mismanaged ever since the last Convocation. Barely managed, with only one mage-priest to tend the whole place. And it’s not Saleria’s fault.)

(Is it not?) Teral asked, his tone pointed. Aradin drew in a breath to argue with himself, but his Guide gently cut him off. (If she is named the Keeper of this place, then it should be her decision how to manage it. Which includes pulling in extra staff as needed. The sergeant overlooking the actual battlefield sees so much more than the general studying the terrain maps back home.)

(True,) Aradin conceded. (She is taking charge of her battlefield now. I know I’ve helped goad her into making that decision. But how can I look at this place and not feel offended by its mismanagement? As a Hortimancer, it is my duty to coax the best in magical effects from the plants that I grow and tend, for the betterment of all. Except I don’t have any to grow and tend, and have just been seeking and buying new ones for the gardens back in Darkhana. This place, however . . .)

(Yes, I know,) Teral soothed as they reached the back entrance to the Keeper’s house and turned left to start following the outer wall. (But it is not your God and Goddess’ holy garden. It is hers. If you want to stay and help, you will have to prove it to both sets of Patrons—you can start by asking if she’d be willing to carry a petition on your behalf regarding the proper, better management of this place. Once you have more of her respect and trust, of course . . . and locking her in an embrace doesn’t count.)

(I’m not a callow youth,) Aradin reminded his Guide. The distance from the locus tree to the Wall wasn’t all that far, thankfully, which meant they were finally near enough to see it without obstructing foliage. (I know quite well that sex does not equal trust.)

(True . . . What is she doing now?) Teral asked, peering through Aradin’s eyes. The combination of the brilliant blue white glow of the crystal and the golden sunlight slanting in from the west made it hard to be sure, until Saleria moved into a patch of shadow. Then it became more clear.

She reached up to tap the crystal end of her staff to a dull orb set in the middle of one of the crenel-like peaks along the Grove wall. As the two males watched, a tiny bit of the bright energy gleaming in the egg-shaped sphere bled into the dull round orb, until it glowed with a steady, mild, bluish light. Tiny little gems dotted along the top and the base of the wall started glowing as well. When they reached back to the last set of tiny, lit dots, and halfway to the next darkened orb, she moved to it and touched the charged crystal to it as well.