Naamah's Blessing - By Jacqueline Carey Page 0,152

the Circle of Shalomon, doesn’t it?” I nodded. “Explain it to me.” He glanced at Cusi. “To the extent that you deem prudent.”

I shrugged. “I promised not to lie to her. Let her hear the truth and make of it what she will.”

I described the summoning of spirits; of Caim and the gift of the language of ants he had bestowed on the Circle; of Focalor, and how the fallen spirit had nearly taken possession of Raphael. How a piece of his essence endured, fed by the worship of the Quechua people, and how Raphael believed that with my aid he could summon and control the spirit in its entirety once he was coronated as the Sapa Inca and worshipped by the whole empire.

“Can he do it?” Thierry asked me steadily.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I wish I did, but I don’t. If Raphael believes it, it’s certainly possible.” Sorrow brushed me. “I would that Denis de Toluard were alive. He would have known better than I.”

“At least he redeemed himself twice over on the journey,” Balthasar murmured. “It meant a great deal to him.”

Wiping my eyes, I nodded.

“This oath you swore,” Thierry mused. “It’s of grave import to your people, is it not? And there are dire consequences for breaking it?”

“Aye.” My diadh-anam flared painfully within me. Swallowing, I glanced at Bao. “More dire than ever, I fear. I would lose the spark of the Maghuin Dhonn Herself and be cast out of Her presence forever. And Bao…” I couldn’t say the words.

“I’m not afraid to die, Moirin.” Bao smiled wryly at me. “After all, I’ve done it before.”

Cusi let out a stifled shriek, then clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide and fearful above it.

Thierry gave Bao a puzzled look. “Whatever do you mean?”

“That’s right, you haven’t heard the myriad tales surrounding our Messire Bao, your highness,” Balthasar remarked. “Among other things, he died in faraway Ch’in and was restored to life by Moirin’s magic.”

“You can bring men back from the dead?” Thierry stared at me.

“No,” I said. “Not exactly. It was our mentor, Master Lo. He gave his life to restore Bao’s; but it required half my diadh-anam, too. It’s what binds us together.”

“Dispinsayuway,” Cusi whispered unexpectedly, tugging at my sleeve. Her brown skin looked ashen. “Excuse, please! I go now.” She gestured in the direction of the palace. “You can find?”

“Yes, of course,” I said to her.

She gave me a bobbing salute. “Later I come, yes?”

“Yes, fine. Are you well?” I asked. “Sick?”

“No, no.” Cusi shook her head. “Later!” With that, she took off at a run across the terraced field, clutching her skirts and raising them above her ankles. My attendant ants roiled briefly in confusion before rejoining the stream of field sentries.

Balthasar gave a humorless chuckle. “Scared of ghosts, do you reckon?”

“I’m not sure,” I said slowly. “My lady Jehanne came to me in a dream last night. If I understood her aright, gaining the trust of the Quechua women is somehow the key to thwarting Raphael.”

“You’re good at that,” Bao commented.

“Aye.” I gazed after the receding figure. “But she’s not opened to me, and I’ve only been making a muddle of things.” I sighed. “My oath… Bao, I fear I’m forsworn no matter what I do.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

My lips had gone dry again, and I licked them in vain. “Raphael… he’s conceived this notion of returning to Terre d’Ange and wedding Desirée himself. A younger version of Jehanne he can mold to his liking.”

Thierry swore violently.

“I’m sorry, your highness!” My eyes burned. “I’d no idea he’d imagine such a thing! And I’m Desirée’s oath-sworn protector. If I fail to aid Raphael, I break my oath to him. If I do aid him, I break my oath to her.” I tried to laugh, but it came out as a sob. “I’m sorry. It doesn’t change anything, not really. When the moment comes, I have to break my oath to Raphael, I know I do. And once it’s done, my magic will die with my diadh-anam. That door will be closed forever. And… and Bao…” I wiped my eyes. “Ah, gods! You died a hero. I hope the Maiden of Gentle Aspect will still be waiting for you in the afterlife to spare you judgment of the Yama Kings.”

Bao grabbed my shoulders and gave me a little shake. “Moirin, it would solve nothing. Your prince would still be trapped with the Mad Ant-Lord of Tawantinsuyo, and Desirée would still be