Free Wandering Lark by Laura J. Underwood

sensation, like the tickle of ants down his spine. Alaric swore he could feel eyes piercing his back with a black look, and only the fact that Ronan was taking charge kept Alaric from looking back to see why.

EIGHT
     
    The guards and Turlough’s assistant took Etienne straight back to her own quarters, and even accompanied her to the door in the women’s hall, in spite of Mistress Wallace’s dark looks. Once Etienne was inside, she wondered to herself if the guards remained outside. The temptation to scry them was strong, but she suspected they would know since they were sensitive to magic themselves, and then she would have Turlough angry over the idea that she had once more broken her vow not to use magic.
    There were guards watching the gardens. That she already knew, for she fixed herself a cup of tea and took it out on the balcony overlooking the garden. There she sat on a bench, enjoying the rare bit of sunshine Keltora was blessed with this day, and took account of just how many guards were on the walls, and how many were watching in her general direction. So much for that route of escape...not that she planned to. No, she would rather sit quiet and keep her own council. Let Fenelon be the bold one.
    But it would have been nice to have one means of privately going about what little nefarious business she would allow herself.
    Like convincing Wendon his part in Fenelon’s scheme would be a worthy risk.
    Of course, first, she had to find a way to get in touch with Wendon. That would not be a simple task. If she asked the guards to deliver a message, likely, it would be brought to Turlough’s attention.
    What I need, she thought, is an accomplice.
    Since her other apprentices has been removed, it was a sure thing that she could not ask one of them to help. And poor Shona, still under the sleep of healing, was not destined to come out any time soon, and as one of the “guilty” would not likely possess the necessary freedom if she was awake.
    A dilemma to be sure.
    If only she had someone she could trust. Someone who was free to come and go who would not reveal anything to Turlough.
    “Mistress Savala?” a soft voice spoke her name from the door.
    Etienne turned on her bench. The young healer’s assistant stood in the opening. She had her hands folded inside the voluminous sleeves of her simple robe.
    “I’m sorry, I just realized that I have never asked you your name,” Etienne said.
    The healer smiled. “Thera,” she said.
    “Thera. Very lovely,” Etienne said.
    Thera blushed slightly. “I just came to tell you that Mistress Shona is still asleep, and I am going back to my own quarters for a rest...and I was wondering if there was anything I could bring you upon my return?”
    Etienne held her breath. Was this the answer to her prayers? Then she patted the bench at her side. Thera’s brows rose slightly, but she stepped out and took the proffered seat, giving Etienne a good look at the bird-like features, the dark eyes and the auburn hair coiled over one shoulder in a long braid.
    “May I confide in you?” Etienne asked.
    “Why, certainly,” Thera said. “My vows do not allow me to be free with whatever I am told. Only to answer the needs of others. Does something trouble you, Mistress Savala?”
    Etienne took a deep breath. “Well, as you are certainly aware, I am a prisoner here until Turlough Greenfyn decrees otherwise.” She noticed that the mentioning of the High Mage’s name brought just a hint of a furrow to Thera’s brow. “And there are certain persons with whom I must correspond without his knowledge.”
    “You would like me to deliver a message that the guards do not know about?” Thera said, and there was a hint of worry in her tone. “May I ask why?”
    “Because Fenelon is in the tower, and I am here, and so long as we are prisoners, there will be no one to assist poor Alaric Braidwine. In spite of Lord Magister Greenfyn’s declarations, Alaric is not evil or possessed by