Ever the Brave (A Clash of Kingdoms Novel)(27)

When I pull back, I see a miniature version of Jacinda, hair darker than the shadows, propped on her hip.

“Sorry, Lou.” Jacinda hugs her daughter once and then sets her on the ground where she remains beside her mother, hugging flame-colored skirts. “My youngest forgets she’s not a baby. She doesn’t need to be carried everywhere.”

I kneel down, coming face-to-face with the little girl. “Hi, Lou, I’m Cohen.”

A shy smile winks at me before Lou shoves her face into her mother’s skirt.

“How old are you?” I try again.

She holds up a hand with all five fingers extended. Then she holds up her other hand with one more finger.

“I’m six too,” I tell her, and she frowns at me. “Well, six plus fourteen.”

“You’re old.”

I chuckle, but in truth, some days I feel old, bone-tired old. I think back to when Finn was this girl’s age, and I get itchy inside at the thought of taking him into any more danger.

“Did you find her?” Jacinda steps to the side and stretches out her arm, welcoming me in.

“Not quite. I found a girl from Rasimere Crossing who was taking Channeler herbs to change her appearance.”

Jacinda carries Lou inside and tucks her into bed by her sisters, and then she follows me outside. She wrings her hands and shoves them in her pocket. “That’s old magic. Charms can be created only when two or more different Channelers combine their efforts. I don’t know much about it, other than it’s risky. And in most cases, the Channelers Guild outlawed making charms a long time ago. It’s been at least fifteen years.”

That’s interesting. A woman at an Elementiary gave Britta a charm in Celize. We used it to gain entry to Enat’s home. “Why would they outlaw it? I thought all Channeler magic was allowed in Shaerdan. And what is the Channelers Guild?”

“One question at a time. The Guild was formed by the elders in the Channeler society. Years ago, they appointed women who possessed the strongest strains of magic. Because they have the most skill, they’ve been tasked with creating lessons for each division of Channeling.”

“Like at an Elementiary?”

“Who taught you about those?”

“Britta stumbled into one in Celize.”

“What’s taught at an Elementiary is overseen by the Guild.”

Makes sense. “And they make laws as well?”

She lifts her skirt to step over a fallen log. I slow my pace as she looks to the moon and back to me. “When needed, they make laws around our magic. They set precedence and a code by which all Channelers live. The chief judge is keen on all Channelers following these rules. It’s for our protection as much as it is for others.”

In all the time I’ve traveled through Shaerdan, I haven’t had many interactions with women who have outright identified themselves as Channelers. Seems like Channelers in Shaerdan don’t advertise their ability. Makes me wonder if it’s a cultural way of existing or a defense mechanism.

I push a branch out of our path, glancing ahead to the well where Lirra, Finn, and Rhea sit. The horses mill around the well behind them, drinking. Siron’s ears flick and he lifts his nose to the air as we approach, but drops it back to the bucket a moment later.

“There must be some that break the Guild’s law,” I say, picking up the conversation.

“Rarely. The first and foremost rule of Channeler magic is that it can be used only for good. We never use our abilities to harm. Which is why most charms have been outlawed.” Jacinda continues, “They fall into the gray area of that rule. A charm could be created by a Channeler with the intent to do good. But someone else could use it for harm. Because there’s a lack of control when it comes to charms, most are prohibited by the Channelers Guild’s law.”

Interesting. Could’ve sworn Enat had no reservations against using charms.

“What happens if someone breaks the law?”

“They get turned over to the chief judge and his council, where you’re tried before a court of your peers.”

Lirra’s voice breaks into our conversation. “Hello there.”

Jacinda turns to Lirra. Beyond her, Finn and Rhea sit at the well’s edge. “Who do we have here?”

“Sorry.” I gesture to each one. “Lirra, my kid brother, Finn, and Rhea.”

Jacinda takes in the group and turns to me with one raised black brow. “Intriguing travel party you have here in the middle of the night. They look dead on their feet. Come on inside and let me get you a place to sleep.”

Finn’s eyes bounce to mine, pleading and big like a puppy’s. Exhaustion shows in the slope of his shoulders and curve of his scrawny back.

“Go on,” I tell him.

His face flushes with relief as he leans forward to stand, elbows and knees bending like a scarecrow’s in an autumn wind.

“Thank you, Jacinda,” I tell her.

She guides us down the path to her home. “You’re welcome anytime.”

Jacinda ushers us inside and lights a candle. The flame flicks to life, spreading weak golden light in the small room. From there she leads us down a small hall to a larger room, where a fire crackles in the hearth and a massive snowy dog curls up on the wood-planked floor.

Jacinda takes out blankets from a chest and sets them on the ground. The dog lifts its chin, surveying the action as Finn and Rhea curl up on the ground.