Free Heart of the Exiled by Pati Nagle Page A

row, gowned in Clan Stonereach’s blue and violet. He wondered if Davharin was with her now.
    Annoyed with himself, he straightened his shoulders and swept the circle with his glance. “It has been brought to my attention that it might benefit you all to be introduced to mindspeech.”
    The mages stirred, and some exchanged looks with their neighbors. He did not know or particularly care what rumors were in circulation about his ability. What he was about to do would no doubt give rise to a whole new crop of them.
    “Because this form of contact is … somewhat intimate … anyone who does not wish to experience it is free to decline. There are new cloaks by the door if you prefer to take them away and continue your work.”
    Rephanin walked to the table that held the timekeeper, averting his attention from the circle so as notto discomfit anyone who chose to leave. The arrows still lay scattered there. He reached a hand toward them, feeling their varying levels of focus, slightly jarring, a chorus out of harmony. Gathering them into both hands, he swept them clear with a single white wave of prime khi. Time to begin their focus anew, as he was about to do with his circle.
    He looked up at the mages. Not a soul had moved. They sat watching him, some ill at ease, some excited, all expectant. He laid the arrows down and moved to stand before the fire.
    “Once I have addressed you in mindspeech, you will be able to answer in like fashion. I will speak to all of you together and ask that you signal your desire to respond. If several of you speak at once, your voices will be indistinguishable.
    “We will be able to communicate thus as long as we remain together. Once we are separated by any sort of barrier—a door, a wall—the contact will be broken.”
    He paused, glancing at the hearth, where the flames had retreated, leaving a bed of coals glowing orangehot. He licked his lips.
    “I encourage you to attempt to contact me after we leave this session, when you will have a better understanding of mindspeech. The ability is very rare, but it is possible that any of you may possess it. Some mindspeakers do not discover their gift for decades, even centuries. Certainly it is worth the attempt.”
    He glanced across the circle of faces. Valani showed her palm, and he acknowledged her with a nod.
    “Will we all be able to speak to one another?”
    “That will be possible, yes, but please allow me to guide the discussion. My purpose is to demonstrate my technique of laying in khi to a focus. Are there further questions?”
    Silence answered him, a palpable tension in the circle. Time, then, for it to be dispelled.
    The warden of the Guard—
    A collective gasp swept the circle before he finished the thought. At the same time Rephanin was suddenly acutely aware of each of them, the brilliance of their khi almost overwhelming. He paused to allow himself and the mages to recover composure. Heléri kept her eyes lowered, but he saw her lips curve in a smile.
    The warden of the Guard has asked me to extend to you his thanks for your work on the cloaks
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    He looked around the circle, searching each face for any sign of distress. Finding none, he continued as he moved to the chests of cloaks and withdrew one.
    A number of new recruits are waiting for cloaks, so I will not take up much of your time this evening. Have you any questions before I proceed to demonstrate focus-building?
    Jholóran showed a hesitant hand. Rephanin nodded to him.
    Have you ever been unable to speak to someone?
    A good question. No, I have never met anyone to whom I could not speak, though not all choose to answer
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    A nervous laugh ran through the circle. It broke the tension somewhat, which was what Rephanin had hoped. Valani signaled for recognition, and he gave it.
    Now that you have spoken to us all, will we all hear everything you say?
    Another good question. I can speak to all of you at once or to any of you alone, as I choose. Speaking to a