Free FORBIDDEN TALENTS by Frankie Robertson Page A

Bjorn so Kaidlin could find some peace. Or maybe she and his sister were out shopping. He wished he could join them. Ragni shook his head in wry acknowledgment of his fall. He was truly besotted if he wanted to go shopping with her, and he hoped never to recover. He’d teased more than a few of his friends when they’d succumbed to love. Now it would be his turn. He’d take their mockery with good will. Saeun was worth a few jibes.
    Their arrival at the Overprest’s rooms pulled Ragni from his reverie. The acolyte bowed him into Wirmund’s presence and withdrew. At least one curiosity would soon be satisfied.
    “ Father Wirmund. ” Ragni placed a hand over the crystal shard that was his badge of office and inclined his head and shoulders. As Wirmund’s second and Neven’s son it was more obeisance than he needed to give, but he was annoyed. “ You required my presence? ”
    Wirmund gestured for Ragni to be seated. The Overprest of Baldur was thin, but no one seeing his sharp eyes would mistake that for weakness. “ I won’t waste your time, Father Ragnar. Indeed, I recommend you act swiftly. You must tell your sister Lady Kaidlin to dismiss Lady Saeun immediately. ”
    Ragni’s pulse quickened. Only his years dealing with political necessities as the Jarl’s son and later as a priest kept Ragni from showing more than normal surprise. He let the silence pool around Wirmund’s words for a moment while he collected himself. “ Indeed. What urgency demands this, Father? ”
    Wirmund patted his chair’s armrests, carved like the great paws of a mountain cat, with his large-knuckled hands. “ The Laws of Sanction have protected us for over five hundred years, since we left behind the apostasy of Nuheimjord. Jorund reminded us that there are those among us who have no respect for those laws, though they protect us all. My search to root them out has borne fruit. Lady Saeun will soon be arrested and tried for using unsanctioned magic. I would not have your Lady sister embarrassed by the association. Let her dismiss the girl at once. ”
    Ragni felt the blood drain from his face. His hands went cold.
    Saeun! Was it possible? Could gentle Saeun have hidden such a thing from him? How long had she trafficked in magic? Why? Had she hoped somehow to bring him down with it? But even as the thought surfaced, he dismissed it. He remembered the warmth of her love, and her dark fear of loss. A reasonable fear , he thought grimly. Now she would lose even more than his love.
    Ragni’s mind raced. Wirmund made no mention of his own association with Saeun, but he knew the Overprest must be aware of it. He and Saeun had been discreet, but not secretive, and Wirmund had his informants. There was very little that escaped his notice. This was Wirmund’s way of warning his second to separate himself from the possibility of scandal. He might even be expecting Ragni to denounce Saeun himself.
    Ragni shook his head. “ It’s hard to believe. You have proof of her perfidy? ”
    Wirmund nodded. “ Objects of forbidden ritual, hidden among her possessions. ”
    What objects ? Ragni almost asked, but it wouldn’t matter to Wirmund. It shouldn’t matter to him either. Apostasy was absolute, whatever its degree, when it came to the Laws of Sanction.
    Oh gods ! What has she done ? He wanted to wail, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. Ragni nodded and heard himself say, “ Thank you for the warning, Father. Kaidlin will be grateful for your vigilance. ”
    Wirmund smiled. “ You must act swiftly to separate the apostate from your family. She will be Outcast and Exiled. ”

CHAPTER SIX
     
     
    SAEUN TRIED TO pull her cloak tighter against the chill wind with one hand while she steadied the carry sack that hung from her shoulder with the other. The canvas bag thumped against her thigh with every step, making the steep path even more difficult. Ahead of her, Gert set a steady pace. And I thought she was too old for such a