by L. Itram and Ben Yackley Main * Story * Setting * Cast * Illustrations * About * Comment

Chapter 24: New Beginnings: Compromises (Posted on 3/22/04 )

The door closed behind the three mages (and one provisional), and the staff was left alone.

The Custodian was the first to break the silence. "You trust him?"

"Luen?" asked the Dean. "I trust him to act in his own interest." After a slight pause, he added, "Until he learns better."

"Almanaque will not be pleased," said the Librarian. "Alcandor may be a criminal but she was one of their own, and they would like nothing better than to have a mage in recompense." Uncharacteristically, the thought of Luen in the hands of the Manaqi courts seemed to hold no amusement for him.

"Luen is one of our own," responded the Dean, "Even if he is a criminal... I don't think Alamanaque can reasonably refuse our compromise."

The Librarian looked puzzled.

"Nursing," said the Custodian.

"For Alcandor?"

"Where can you find better care for a magic-related trauma than the mages' hospital itself?" explained the Dean. "Almanaque -- even Levend has nothing equivalent. In this age of mending bridges between nations --"

"Literal ones as well as figurative."

"Indeed," the Dean chuckled. "They would not have much sympathy from the rest of the world if they placed revenge above the health of their own."

"So she is improving?"

The Custodian hmphed.

The Dean paused before answering. "Her physical health is splendid. Vassa suspects it's a side effect of her Instillment, but she was quite a resiliant girl to begin with."

"And ... otherwise?"

The Dean paced to the window and stared down at the courtyard below. "She breathes, she moves, she responds to simple instructions. She says ... nothing. And remembers nothing. Very obedient, very eager to please, very affectionate, but with all the intellect of a tame animal."

"Visitor," reminded the Custodian.

"Yes, he arrived last night. Thought a familiar face might help her." The Dean smiled sadly. "This morning he was teaching her to use a spoon."

"Neater," added the Custodian. Then, "She's happy, anyway."

"Alcandor's care in exchange for a truant mage," mused the Librarian. "You must have high hopes for one of them, at least. Will she recover, do you think?"

"No, of course not. Her mind is fractured, if you'll pardon the metaphor." The Dean turned away from the window. "But she is, as you said," a nod toward the Custodian, "happy... And I still have need of Luen."

"Assuming his companions keep him in line."

The Dean brushed the argument aside. "Don't be a fool. You should be glad I finally took your advice."

"Advice?"

The Custodian smirked. "Public embarassment."

"Yes, yes, of course," hmphed the Librarian, not happy at being on the receiving end of the joke.

"No, I'm counting on someone else. Or...something else, if you prefer."

The Custodian, at whom the last sentence was directed, looked surprised for once. "He's keeping it?"

"He was quite attached to her, if you'll recall. It would be cruel to take her away from him."

"Bah. That was the problem."

"You assume that she is still sane," commented the Librarian. "Or ... do you? Mazarein obviously hasn't checked yet."

"No, but when he does, I suspect he will find her rather ... changed, we shall say. And how he deals with that discovery will determine the future of the Featherglass Expeditionary Force."

"And what if he never 'checks,' as you say?"

"Bah," commented the Custodian.

"Oh - I trust he will. Do remember, he was quite attached to her."

(continued...)