Da stared at him. Now what are you fratched at, Rafe?

Wasnt any call for you to step in, Da, he said tightly. I dont need help with the likes of Arlin Garrick.

Das eyebrows shot up. No?

No! he said, nigh on shouting. All you did poking your nose in waswas Make me look a fool. Make me feel small and useless. Da, I didnt need your help.

Oh, aye? Da snapped back. So youre sayin you werent about to lose that fine temper of yours and try magickin the little sea-slug into the middle of next week?

It smarted that Da could read him so easily. So what if I was? He was smearing on Deenie!

Aye, but if Deenie never hears of it Deenie wont be hurt, will she? Da retorted. And hows branglin with Rodyn Garricks sprat goin to manage that, Rafel? Do things your way and everyone would b.l.o.o.d.y know!

Why didnt Da understand? Why wasnt he angry? The likes of Arlin Garrick didnt ought to get away with saying muck about whoever they want!

Oh, Rafe. Da shook his head. The likes of Arlin Garricks a Doranen, you young fool. Hundreds of years they been arrogant s.h.i.ts. Reckon theyre goin to stop bein emselves any time soon?

They wont stop being themselves till we make them, Da. Nowtll change if we dont stand up to them.

Things have changed already, said Da, impatient. You just be too young to see it. And theyll change more. But it takes time, Rafe, so while you be waitin you got to learn to walk away. No goodll come of stirrin things up. Specially not with magic. Not while we be stuck here with em like cats and dogs in a barrel.

Then maybe Fernel Pinttes right, he muttered, still hotly smarting. Could be its past time we showed them the door.

Rafel Da turned away, hand rubbing over his face, then swung back again. Youd side with Pintte? At Pellens farewell youd Aye, Da, I would! he retorted. If Pinttes right, then I Without warning, the b.a.l.l.s of glimfire dotted round the small Guildhouse garden flared and spluttered. Belched eye-stinging, throat-catching smoke.

Sink me, said Da, his head snapping up. Rafe, dyou feel that? Dyou feel And beneath their feet, in the deep earth, Lur groaned.

Startled cries came from inside the Guildhouse. Through its many windows Rafel saw fits and bursts of light as the golden glimfire beneath the rafters surged and spat bright sparks.

The waves of unease in the earth rolled higher and harder. Turning, Rafel saw his own shock and sickness reflected in his fathers face.

Da? Whats this? I thought Aye, Rafe, so did I, said Da. He sounded strange, almost frighted. But that couldnt be right. Come on, he said, starting towards the Guildhouse. Lets find your ma and sister.

Asher! said Mama, catching sight of them, her voice lifting over the hubbub. Folk inside the Guildhouse milled and gabbled, crying out as the b.a.l.l.s of glimfire sizzled and bounced. Even the Doranen looked shocked, standing together in little groups whispering and staring accusingly at the Olken guests. But Mama paid no heed to that, she shoved her way through the anxious throng, ignoring the folk who yelped and glared.

When she reached them Da caught her in a swift hug. Wheres Deenie?

Mamas face was milky pale, her dark eyes wide. Shes with Goose, she said, her voice breathless. She sounded frighted. Over there, in the corner. Pulling one hand free, she pointed.

Rea.s.sured, Da nodded. Pellen? And Charis?

Im sure theyre fine too. Asher I dont know, Dath, said Da, still holding her tight. Lets talk on it at home. Rafe He clasped his fathers shoulder. Aye, Da, dont fret. Ill fetch Deenie.

Da spared him a swift, strained smile. Good sprat.

For once, he didnt mind being called a child.

Leaving his parents he made his way round the edge of the dance floor, trying not to flinch as the glimfire spat more stinging sparks. Trying not to groan out loud as the waves of wrongness surged and shifted beneath his unsteady feet. He hadnt felt this in ten years. His head was spinning, pins and needles in his blood. Many of the Olken who only moments ago had been laughing and dancing, they were feeling it too. He heard their moans, saw their fear, watched them clutch at each other. Watched the tears of fright trickle down their cheeks.

If he wasnt b.l.o.o.d.y careful, he could weep with fright himself.

Rafel! Rafe!

And that was Goose, safe in a corner with Deenie huddled against him. His sister wasnt crying but she shook like a flower in a windstorm, even with Gooses strong arm around her.

Hey, he said, joining them. You all right?

Goose had sprung up and filled out so much this last year, Deenie looked like a little girl beside him even though she was a young woman now. Fine, he said, nodding. But youre not, are you? Rafe His eyes were bleak. Is this The riverpond? Aye, he said shortly, as his belly churned and heaved. Hush up, eh? Deenie His sister turned her pinched face towards him. Whats happening, Rafe? she whispered. I feel so bad. Lur feels bad. I dont understand, I thought Then she cried out, and she wasnt the only one, as another enormous wave of wrongness ripped through the earth, the air, through the blood and bones of most Olken in the room.

And outside the Guildhouse, the night was deafened by thunder.

Rafe! said Goose, as Deenie pressed her face into his fine brocade weskit. Can you stop this?

More thunder roared, like a rock-slide. Then screams and shouts as the Guildhouse glimfire extinguished in a shower of sparks and the room plunged black. A heartbeat later it lit up again in jagged fits as spears of blue-white lightning seared and sizzled the dark.

Dknow, he said, his blood seething. Will you watch Deenie a mite longer? I need to No, Rafe, Deenie said. Please, I dont I aint going far, he said. And Goose is with you. Dont fret, Deenie. Ill be back in a ticktock.

Do what you need to, said Goose. I got her.

There was something about the way his friend said it, the way his arm cradled Deenie, the look on his face. He stared. Goose and Deenie? Hes never said a word to me. But there wasnt time to think on it. He had more alarming things to think on just now.

Everyone in the Guildhouse was shouting. Someone had found candleslittle puddles of light were popping up everywhere. Someone else mustve told the musicians that fiddles were soothing, cause them as were stuck up in the gallery had started playing again. Over the music and the fratching he could hear Fernel Pintte trying to be mayor, but it wasnt working. Too much fright, too much upset. Too many Doranen demanding explanations. And in Pinttes voice he could hear the pain of Lurs pain. Doranas new mayor was a powerful Olken mage.

Trying to shut out the noise and the hurt, Rafel stumbled and shoved and excused his way to the Guildhouses open doors.

Escaped outside, he nearly fell over his mother, and Da.

Wheres Deenie? his father demanded. Rafel Shes with Goose. Shes fine. I wanted to When he saw the sky, his voice died in his throat. Oh, Da, he whispered. Da were in trouble.

He felt Mamas arm slip round his waist. Felt Das hand come to rest heavy on his shoulder. Aye, sprat, his father said. We sinkin well are.

The glorious summer stars were vanished, blotted out by thick cloud. Vivid forks of lightning stabbed the city like a cut-throat. Thunder rolled and rumbled, pressure against his skin, in his head. He could feel his magic roiling, boiling in his blood. The nights wildness was calling him. He wanted to leap and shout.

Hold fast, Rafe, said Da. Cause this be only the beginning.

And as though Das words were a knife blade severing a taut, restraining rope lightning crackedthunder roaredand a cold rain fell like hammers. Like the end of the world.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

Because she couldnt trust herself to speak, Dathne stood at the Towers solar window and stared at the sullenly weeping world beyond it.

Since the night of Pellens farewell ball, nearly two weeks ago, it had stormed and rained almost without ceasing. Tremors had been felt in every part of the kingdom. Countless creeks and riverlets and ponds were overflowing. Thered even been some drownings. Doranas City Guardhouseall the Guardhouses in the kingdomwere on the highest alert. Frightened people did silly things. Doranas Guardhouse was full right now of hotheaded Olken and Doranen youths caught brawling in Market Square, each blaming the other for Lurs overwhelming strife. Rafes friend Goose was one of those arrested, swirled up in the disturbance trying to save another lad from harm.

All fear and no sense, the fools, and not once stopping to think. Dont people understand anything? We survive this together or we perish alone.

Behind her, she heard Asher shift on the solars low couch. Dath? You goin to say somethin?

Trust me, Asher, you dont want to hear what I have to say.

Yes, I do, he said. I always do.

All right, my love. But dont say you werent warned.

She turned on him. You cant do it. You nearly killed yourself last time. And anyway, we both know this has gone far beyond fixing, even with Weather Magic. Whatever time you bought for Lurits spent now. And theres no more coin in that purse.

Dath Asher lifted his head from his hands. If I dont try again, them fools Pintte and Garrick are goin to Then let them! she snapped. If theyre so stupid they wont listen to you then let them. You dont like them anyway, so why should you care if they get themselves drowned?

He sighed. You dont mean that.

Dont I? She laughed, scornful. Given a choice between your life and theirs do you think Id choose those fools over you?

No, Dath, he said, pressing his thumb tips to his eyes. Course I dont.

Asher Heartwrung for him despite her frightened fury, Dathne stepped swiftly to the couch and sat by his side. Smoothed his close-clipped, badgery hair. Stop blaming yourself. Youve done everything you could. More than anyone had a right to expect.

He shrugged, unconsoled. Aint been enough, though, has it?

Asher, you bought us another ten years. Theres not a man or woman in Lur who couldve done more. And as for Fernel, and Rodyn Garrickyouve shouted yourself hoa.r.s.e in both Councils and youve pet.i.tioned them privately and still they insist on ignoring you. I say if theyre determined to be blind fools, then so be it. But you cannot risk WeatherWorking again. I wont have it. I wont lose you to Hurried footsteps on the Tower staircase. Rafel. He strode into the solar, his face lit with elation. But Dathne, knowing him, thought she saw trepidation beneath it.

Gooses let out, he announced. His hair and shoulders were damp from the rain. They all are. Cautioned and fined, but no worse.

Ha, said Asher, unslumping. Dont tell me that Captain Masons a soft-head. When the Council hired him in charge of the Guardhouse he promised hed be strict.

It was a steep fine, said Rafel. Fifty trins, which Gooses da said he wont pay. And every offenders name noted in the record of affray. Thats strict enough, seeing as how Goose did nowt wrong.

Dathne smiled. Always leaping to someones defence, was her son. But aside from being poorer, hes none the worse for wear?

Got himself a ripe black eye, said Rafe, pulling a face. And a couple of loosened teeth.

Well, mayhap thatll teach him not to brangle in Market Square, said Asher. Hope you been payin attention, sprat.

Dathne saw the flash of resentment in their sons eyes. Saw his jaw tighten, briefly, and the instinctive clench of fingers to fists.

Oh, Asher. Have a care. Dont let Lurs new troubles blind you.

Any other news, Rafe? she said, patting her tactless husbands hand in warning. Whats the gossip?

Rafe looked at his father sidelong, then wandered over to the solars window. Word is Fernel Pintte and Rodyn Garrick are set to leave for the coast by the end of the week.

Anyone goin with em? said Asher, eventually.

Didnt hear that. Rafe grimaced. Though I spose Arlinll traipse along, so he can say after how he saved Lur single-handed.

If there is an after, Asher muttered. If they dont kill emselves and half of Westwailing while they be about it.

Da Rafe shoved his hands in his pockets, looking so like his father. We cant sit on our a.r.s.es doing nowt. I dont see whats wrong with trying to break the reef.

Rafe, its been tried, Asher said sharply. I tried. It was another cruel memory hed worked hard to smother. And when I failed, Barlsman Holze and the best Doranen mages Morg didnt manage to kill, they tried. And how did that tale end? With most of em dead outright and Holze ravin witless for nigh on three months. The b.l.o.o.d.y reefs poison. There aint no undoin it.

Rafel was staring. I never knew you tried to break the reef.

Aye, well, it were a long time ago and we never did run around shoutin it from the roof tops. Point is, Rafe, we failed.

But Da, like you say, it was a long time ago, said Rafe. So young, soso c.o.c.ksure. You said it yourselfthings change. We all thought Lur was a safe and peaceful place, but its not. Its growing more dangerous by the day. What if the rain wont stop? What if the earth tremors get any worse? Theres already crops ruined and stock drowned. Much more of this and foods going to get scarce. What do we do then? How will we live? Weve got to find a way out of this b.l.o.o.d.y kingdom. And if we cant go over the mountains weve got no choice. We have to get out on boats.

Asher shoved to his feet. What boats, Rafe? Fishin boats? Theyd never stand up to the open ocean.

Then well build bigger boats, said Rafe, reckless. Better boats.

And sail em where, sprat? said Asher. He was starting to lose his temper. Like as not there aint nowhere to sail to. For as long as theres been Olken in Lur has a boat ever come here? No. We aint seen so much as a sail on the b.l.o.o.d.y horizon!

That doesnt mean we shouldnt try! Rafe shouted. And if you wont then someone else has to. Someones got to do more than stand around telling folk to give up hope. Barl b.l.o.o.d.y save us, Da, you could be wrong. Why dont you ever admit you could be wrong?

Seeing Ashers face, Dathne leapt up. Rafel, thats enough. Her voice was trembling. Her whole body was trembling. The hurt in Ashers eyes You dont know everything. You dont know I know enough, Mama, said Rafel, pale with temper. I know Lurs broken and Da cant fix it. And if he cant no-one can. Now, I dont like Fernel Pintte and Lord Garrick any more than you like em, but at least theyre trying to do something. So I say let em. I say weve got nothing to lose.

That aint always true, Rafe, Asher said quietly. Sometimes we dont know what we got to lose till weve gone and b.l.o.o.d.y lost it.

Rafes face shuttered. Any road, he said. Thats the latest news.

Rafe, where are you going? said Dathne, as her son headed for the solar door. Rafe Out for a bit, he said, not slowing. Ill be back for supper.

She stood there, silent, listening to his footsteps fade. Then she looked at Asher. His face was shuttered too, all thought and feeling locked away. She reached out, touched his arm.

Asher, hes young. He doesnt He walked to the window. Rested his palm on its pane of gla.s.s and stared out at the rain and the waterlogged garden. Dath, I got to go too. Down to Westwailing. If them fools are bent on doin this I got to be there.

She wanted to say no. She wanted to rail against his sombre certainty, hold him and kiss him until he changed his mind. But she couldnt, because down in Westwailing there was still a small chance he could make a difference. And he needed that. He needed it badly.

And whatever he does there, at least it wont be WeatherWorking.

Ill go with you, she whispered. Well all go.

His head snapped round. No, Dath. You and the sprats got to stay here. Aint no tellin whatll happen when they start faddlin with the reef. Me and Holze and them others, we went at it careful. That wont be Garrick and Pintte. Them fools are goin to try rippin it to shreds. It wont be safe.

Right now, nowhere in this kingdoms safe, she retorted. Rafes right about that much. Besides. Its time he learned a thing or two first hand, our brash son. And I dont want Deenie left behind on her own. Shes fragile, yet. She needs me. And Asher, you need us.

She could feel the conflict in him. He wanted to argue, declare himself the stalwart hero. The lone wolf. But his eyes told a different story. He was hurting, because of Rafe, whose youthful arrogance was sharper than a knife. And worse than the pain, there was shame because hed let her talk him out of trying to WeatherWork again.

But she refused to be ashamed of that. Though they didnt speak of it, she knew there were wounds in him that hadnt healed. Might never heal. What was it Queen Dana had said once to Gar, that Gar had told Asher and he had told her?

Weather Magic is a double-edged sword, and every time you wield it you cut yourself a little.

Well. For Gars sake and Lurs, Asher had nigh on cut himself to ribbons. She had no desire that he cut himself again. Not now, not ever. And he knew it.