Purveyors and Acquirers (The Phosfire Journeys Book 1) Read online

  How strange. He had paws instead of hands, fur not clothes, and he felt a twitching from his butt. What was that? He and the babe had joined in some fashion. Foreign emotions and feelings flowed through his consciousness. He felt as if he were dreaming. Thoughts not his came to him. There is safety in the shadow. This light revealed too much.

  What is your name? The question again sprang unspoken from inside his head.

  What is a name? You keep referring to me as a kitten in your thoughts.

  This voice felt softer, warmer, less mature and not as sharp as the first. It must belong to the babe, Zeal thought. Aren’t you cats? Grown-up cats have kittens. My name is Zeal, and I want to know what to call you.

  Are we a cat, mother?

  We are considered by his kind as a type of cat, little one. I will teach you our ways, and you will know what you are.

  I don’t care for the creature called kitten. They are helpless, and I’m not helpless. We will allow him to call me Kit.

  “Pleased I am to meet you, Kit. Essmee is your mother?

  Mother Essmee is fine for your use.

  Ah, he was correct: the older, keener speaker was the mom.

  He is complex. More so than Feneas. I see what you have discovered, little one. Now, let him return. The others fear for their cub.

  The clean, sweet, musky smell he recognized as belonging to Kit enveloped him. The image reflected back to him from Kit’s eyes intensified. The feline he had become extended its tongue toward the other till their tongues touched. Zeal felt brief pain. Salty, metallic liquid filled his mouth and flowed down his chin, and he heard a surprised bellow erupt from him. He had been bitten by Kit…! Or had they… tasted each other? When the eyes in front of him blinked, Zeal’s compulsion to stare at them diminished, and he was able to look elsewhere. Essmee interrupted his shocked reverie.

  Invite the others over. Don’t let a little nip bother you.

  Achy and tired, as if he had run a great distance, he sat up. He turned around and discovered everyone was quietly staring at him. After swallowing the remaining blood in his mouth, not all of it his own, he wiped his face on his sleeve. He was deeply saddened to discover he and Kit were separate.

  The sounds in the chamber seemed louder with his returned hearing. Odors seemed stronger and more complex. They began to cause his stomach to churn. Why was everything rimmed with a halo of light? He shut his lids against the distortion and began to count. Slowly, his stomach stopped rolling, smells lessened, and, when he allowed his eyes to open, the coronas were no longer part of his vision. It took him a moment to find his voice.

  “Mother Essmee said you can come over now. She would like to introduce you to Kit.”

  Zeal watched Kit move back, settle between Essmee’s front paws, and clean away the redness that stained her muzzle. No one moved or spoke. “Don’t you want to see Kit? I think she is wonderful, and her mother, Essmee, is quite impressive.” Never in his wildest imagination would he have envisioned his recent experience. Essmee and Kit were not people, but they weren’t animals to him, either. What should he call them?

  Feneas, still holding Tulip’s hand, led her and Ice closer. “Zeal, how did you come to be where you are?”

  “Mother Essmee said I was to let you know that I am fine. She asked me over here to meet her and Kit. Do you know why they wanted to look in me?”

  Feneas leaned on his staff. “Essmee looked in, you say. Not at?

  Zeal nodded.

  “Did she or Kit share with you the purpose or outcome of their search?”

  Zeal tried to recall the details of the encounter, but for some reason not all of the aspects were clear. How it felt to be a feline was still too personal to him to share with anyone at the moment. “She wanted to determine if I was prey, but I think she decided I wasn’t. Oh, Mother Essmee did say that I couldn’t touch Kit. Would you see if she would let me hold Kit?”

  Feneas shook his head and softly chuckled. “I don’t tell Essmee what to do. She or Kit will decide if and when you might be allowed the privilege.” He turned to Ice. “How long did you say you have known this boy?”

  Ice retrieved a chair so that Feneas could sit. Tulip remained standing next to him. “I just met him today and really don’t know much. Zeal, tell us about yourself. Who are your parents, and where in Arlanda do you live?”

  “I don’t know anything about my parents.” With emotions still settling from his encounter with Kit, he felt his spirits dampening. He glanced over to where Kit sat against her mother. The sight of the two of them together for some reason made him feel a little better. “I was delivered to the Temple of the Ladies of Life as a babe and have lived there ever since.”

  “Besides being an apprentice in the Trade, is there anything else you are studying?”

  “No, there is nothing.” Zeal wondered why all the questions.

  Feneas shifted in his seat. “Ice, I find it very interesting that Essmee would introduce Zeal to Kit and have a coming out after their meeting. Especially since Essmee wouldn’t have anything to do with either of us beforehand.”

  Ice continued to stare. “What is it you are trying to tell me?”

  “Would you mind relating, for the sake of our guests how you and I came to meet?”

  Zeal saw Ice give Feneas a questioning look before Ice began his story.

  “I’ll never forget. Young in my studies of the Trade, on a dare, I agreed to explore your residence, which was rumored to be haunted and contain hidden treasure. That very night, I entered through a window I’d discovered to be unlocked. Essmee pounced and had me held on the floor before I had gone more than two steps. She told me she wouldn’t make a snack of me if I returned the next sun, after the mid meal, and introduce myself to the one who answered the door. I was also told that, if I didn’t come back, she would find and eat me, and I was to tell no one of her existence. My acquaintances I should convince to stay away. Anyone who tried to enter and steal from the residence would become food. Needless to say, I thought I was being forced to return and confess my transgressions.”

  Feneas, continuing the story, patted Tulip’s hand then looked toward Zeal. “I was surprised when there was a knock on the door and Essmee informed me to go let in my new ‘Apprentice Cub.’ There you were, Ice, standing in the entry, and I let you in to start your new life studying the Arts.”

  Ice’s left brow rose. “Are you trying to say Zeal is your newest apprentice?”

  Feneas grunted. “I am too old to start training someone. I think he is meant for you to instruct.”

  “Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? We don’t even know if he has the potential or if that is what Essmee is hinting, since she has yet to speak. I don’t even know how to test him. How did you test me?”

  “I did not test you at all. Essmee said you had the potential, and her opinion was good enough for me.”

  “It was a season before you let me conjure my first casting. You expect me to take it on faith that Zeal can be a Practitioner of the Arts, as you did with me years ago?”

  Zeal heard frustration in Ice’s tone.

  “That is up to you. She wasn’t wrong regarding your talent. Take Zeal back to Havensharth. You did say instruction in the Arts was provided at the Repository. He can study there.”

  Zeal saw that Tulip was focused on the adult’s discussion. He wanted to ask her what she was thinking, but she wasn’t paying him any mind. Could it be true, he wondered. Could he become a Practitioner? He and Tulip would have a lot to talk about when they returned to the Temple.

  Ice, face stern, appeared somewhat defensive. “Master, I know nothing about caring for children, nor have I a desire to put myself in such a position. The only way I would take Zeal back to Havensharth when I go is if he can create this.” Speaking softly, he gestured with his right hand, and a small ball of fire appeared, floating just above Ice’s open palm.

  Zeal missed hearing the words Ice used and stared, mesmerized by the flames. He heard Ki
t admonish and encourage him.

  Don’t just sit there. Take it from him.

  Without thinking, he stood, stepped up, and, without hesitating, snatched the floating fire with his left hand and showed it to her and Essmee. There. I did it, he told her proudly, mind to mind.

  Excitement gave way to fear when his gaze returned to sphere he held. Odd, he thought. He felt no pain, just comfortable warmth. What do I do with it?

  It is yours now. Either give it back to Ice or keep it, Essmee answered.

  I would like that, but how?

  Ask or tell fire what fire is to do.

  Zeal stared, sending the same thought repetitively to the flame, Stay with me, please.

  The sphere began to shrink, growing ever smaller. The light grew brighter as the ball’s size diminished until it suddenly winked out. A puff of smoke was left to drift upward from his palm into the air. Warmth spread from his hand and moved up his arm into his chest before it expanded rapidly throughout his body. It felt as if the temperature in the room had increased by several degrees. He took a deep breath and held it for several heartbeats. As he slowly released it, the warmth inside him coalesced, settled in the center of his tummy, and slowly faded until only a vestige remained.

  After the emptiness he had lived with his whole life, for the first time Zeal had finally received a minute sampling of what he had never had and realized what he’d been missing. Why flame? he wondered to himself. What did it mean?

  He turned to Tulip for reassurance and discovered the same questions reflected on her face.

  Feneas rose from his chair. “Ice, the boy is now your responsibility. If I am correct, he is a Phosfire. Without proper training, he will be a danger to himself and those around him.”

  Tulip broke her silence. “Excuse me, what is a Phosfire? What did Zeal just do?”

  Ice placed his hands lightly on Zeal’s shoulders. “It appears that Zeal has the potential to become a Practitioner of the Arts and also has an affinity for fire. Not only is such an ability extremely rare, but most of the people who have had this talent have died before they could be trained. Master Feneas is correct that Zeal needs instruction, and Havensharth would be the perfect place for him. My action was foolish, no, childish. Yet it was also fortuitous that I chose to conjure flame.”

  “Was it Essmee I heard talking in my head?”

  “Yes, it was. I think she spoke to all of us.” Ice released Zeal and bowed to Feneas. “I am sorry, Master, that I didn’t listen and heed your counsel, as I should have. Now I have to figure out what to do next.”

  Feneas released Tulip’s hand and moved to Zeal. “The first step will be to obtain permission for the boy to go with you.” He looked down at Zeal. “Zeal, it would be respectful to consult with you before making decisions on your behalf. Your affinity is an extremely dangerous gift. I encourage you to agree to accompany Ice to Havensharth. What did you do with the ball you took from Ice?”

  “I am not certain. I asked it to stay, and it went inside me and is still in here.” He placed his hand over his middle. “Do I have to give it back?” He realized he was saddened at the prospect.

  Feneas smiled. “No, Zeal. It is yours. But try not to do anything else with the fire without consulting me or Ice.”

  Zeal looked into Master Feneas’s eyes. “I promise. Right now, I’m feeling overwhelmed. Maybe even a little scared. Going to Havensharth might be best, since I don’t want to hurt anyone and don’t want to die.” He needed to talk to Iris. Maybe she could help him, so he wouldn’t have to leave Arlanda and the only family he had. Even though he was thrilled at the thought of having Ice as a mentor, he didn’t know if the man would ever come to care about him and stop looking at him as just a responsibility.

  Feneas nodded. “Good. I doubt that Ice and I have the tools required to manage all of your education. It will take the knowledge collected at the Repository to aid you.”

  Zeal heard Essmee tell Kit, You see, eventually they get to where they need to be. You have to learn to be patient with them, although sometimes it is better to be direct.

  Feneas sat back down in the chair. “Ice, take Zeal, and go talk with those responsible for him. Obtain consent to take him to Havensharth with you when you leave. Keep close to him. I don’t know what your demonstration may have triggered as far as his ability is concerned. He may be in danger without your guidance.”

  Ice started to pace. “I have to discuss this with the Trade Master. This will change your apprenticeship. Who do I approach at the Temple? I’m sure Mirada will vouch for me.”

  Tulip spoke up. “You will need to see the Matriarch, Lady Izlan.”

  Essmee interrupted the discussion.

  It is a good time for you to leave then. There are children at the door looking for Ice, Tulip, and Zeal.

  “Thank you, Essmee.” Feneas turned to Zeal and Tulip. “Would you know these children?”

  “It’s possible. Can we go see them and find out?” Tulip asked.

  Feneas nodded. “Come along then. You are both welcome to return at any time.” He stopped to kiss Essmee on the top of her head. “Your babe is very beautiful, my love. I have missed you. We will talk more when I am done with our guests.”

  Zeal hesitated before leaving the room. He committed Kit’s every detail to memory as he held her gaze. “I’ll be back. Now don’t forget about me.” He then followed Tulip. The stairs dropped, hiding the passage below, as they approached the door. Master Feneas was turning the knob to open the door when Zeal heard Kit’s voice.

  You could never be forgotten.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  NESTER HAD FOLLOWED Zeal, Tulip, and the tall, slender man in the black cloak. He was hiding in a tree within sight of 59 Gull Way. By the position of the sun, he judged they had been inside the residence for four marks. This was a quiet area, and people there seemed to be very respectful of the property. The estate was not protected like the others in the neighborhood. What was he not seeing, he wondered, that would explain the difference?

  The children treated the area as a park to play in. The adults stood watching them but stayed along the property’s boarders. Seeking a clue to the mystery, Nester periodically gazed up and down the street, thinking perhaps it could be useful to study the people traveling the road or working on home maintenance. He paid close attention to how they interacted with one another but did not discover why 59 Gull Way appeared unsecured.

  Liddea and Fronc approached and stopped under his tree. In a low voice just for his ears, Liddea said, “Come on down. We have food for you to eat and water to drink.”

  “How’d you know I was up in this tree? I thought I was fairly well hidden.”

  “Kaid told us. He met us a little ways down the lane and gave us food and water for you,” Fronc answered.

  Nester glanced along the road before climbing downward and dropping silently to the ground from the lowest branch. Kaid was nowhere to be seen. He opened the cloth-wrapped package and discovered a baked meat pie. His stomach growled, reminding him it was empty and he should do something to fill it, like start eating. He took a large bite and relished the way the spices in the meat pleased his tongue as he chewed. “I thought you were monitoring Mehrle and the lady she was guiding. What are you doing here?”

  Liddea handed Nester the water flask. “We left Mehrle and Lady Mirada back at the Temple. Lady Izlan wanted us to find you, Zeal, Tulip, and the man they are guiding, Master Ice, and pass on a message to him from her and Lady Mirada.”

  “Zeal and Tulip took Master Ice to the residence over there.” He pointed with his finger. “No one has entered or left since they went in. Let me finish my meal, and then we can deliver your message.”

  Liddea nodded. “There’s no rush. Go ahead. We’ll wait till you’re done eating.”

  He enjoyed the last few bites, licked the gravy off his fingers, and then wiped them on the cloth the pastry had been wrapped in. After drinking half the flask of water, he put it away. “I’m
ready.”

  Fronc glanced to the residence. “You lead the way.”

  Nester shrugged and then led them past a worker repairing a streetlight, who stopped what he was doing to stare at them. Two children on the property ceased their play. He ignored their curious gaze. When they reached the dwelling’s entry, he studied the skull next to the door. “What do you think that is for? Some kind of knocker maybe?”

  Liddea rolled her eyes at him. “We have never been here before, either. Why don’t you just use your hand and knock on the door, if you are afraid of the skull.”

  He sighed and looked to Fronc for support but didn’t receive any. As he prepared to knock, the door opened. In the entry stood a white-haired gentleman, far along in his seasons, dressed in a black robe. Waiting behind him were Zeal, Tulip, and the man from the market.

  “I am Master Feneas. Welcome to my home. I must say I’ve not had this many visitors in one sun in a long while. If you are here looking for my other guests, you have found them. Come in. Wipe your feet. I don’t need my business seen by the community at large.” He stepped to the side to allow them to enter.

  Nester looked back behind him, where a few more people were now standing at the edge of the property, observing them. He, Liddea, and Fronc went it and wiped their feet before delivering their message.

  Liddea said, “I am pleased to meet you, Master Feneas. We are here to give a message to Master Ice.”

  Feneas closed the door. “And why does it take three of you to deliver one message?”

  Master Feneas’s question seemed to leave Liddea abashed but she did not roll her eyes, as she had to Nester, earlier.

  Fronc filled in for her. “Well, it was an important message and we didn’t want to miss delivering any part of it.”

  Feneas leaned on his staff. “Not a bad response. Carry on, and give Ice your missive.”