Beyond the Boundary Stones (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

honesty. “Bet you’re glad to be home.”
    “Yes.” Kevessa’s agitated fingers belied her words.
    Vast numbers of people crowded the shore. The only clear spot was the dock itself, where a group of blue-clad men held back the onlookers from a cluster of richly dressed people. Kevessa pointed to the figure in their midst, a woman dressed in a voluminous skirt like Kevessa’s, though even more ornate. “The Matriarch.”
    “She’s not wasting any time.” Josiah tried to keep his voice light, but it was hard. Gevan had assured them that the Matriarch would agree to the bargain he’d made in her name and send shiploads of desperately needed food to Tevenar as soon as they could be loaded. But he’d also warned them that she could be capricious and cruel. Everything depended on them satisfying her that they actually possessed the healing powers that could cure her barrenness and help her conceive an heir to the Matriarchy of Ramunna.
    Kevessa lifted Nina and buried her face in the squirrel’s soft fur. “I hope whatever Master Elkan’s got planned pleases her.”
    Josiah glanced at his master. Elkan stood at the prow of the ship, wearing his brown wizard’s cloak, one hand on the rail, the other resting on Tobi’s head. The mountain cat loomed at his side with all the dignity and menace she could project when she wanted, although Josiah knew she was as playful and lazy as a housecat. Beside them Kevessa’s father Gevan, dressed in the silk and velvet of Ramunnan high fashion, leaned close to murmur last minute advice.
    The ship bumped against the pier. Sailors threw ropes to dockworkers who made them fast. Much sooner than Josiah expected the ramp was extended from the ship to the dock and Gevan gestured for them to follow him ashore.
    Josiah swallowed. Ready to meet the Matriarch, Sar?
    The donkey flicked an ear. She’s a person like any other, one of the Mother’s children. There’s no reason to be intimidated.
    That was easy for Sar to say. But it did help to remember that for all the ceremony that surrounded her, the Matriarch was essentially the same as Master Dabiel, the former Guildmaster of the Wizards' Guild and leader of Tevenar, who Josiah had been close to before her death, or Master Hanion, the current holder of that position. In fact, if things had fallen out differently, Elkan might have been elected Guildmaster, and though Josiah greatly respected his master, he certainly wouldn’t ever be intimidated by him. Taking courage from the thought, Josiah followed Gevan and Elkan across the ramp.
    The solid dock seemed to sway beneath his feet. He clutched Sar for balance. Either his familiar was less affected by their two months aboard ship, or his four legs kept him steady nevertheless, because Sar was his usual sturdy self. Josiah moved out of Kevessa’s way and planted his feet just behind and to the right of Elkan. Everyone’s eyes devoured the two wizards, none more so than the Matriarch’s, whose gaze was dark and intense in her heavily painted face.
    Gevan swept her an elaborate Ramunnan bow, with a dramatic flourish of his plumed hat. Next to him, Kevessa sank into a deep curtsey. He’d instructed Elkan and Josiah that as ambassadors of a foreign power they should use the forms native to their home, so Elkan inclined his head as he would have done to the Guildmaster, and Josiah followed suit.
    “Matriarch, allow me to present Master Elkan Farmerkin Wizard and his apprentice Josiah Potterkin Wizard, descendants of the wizards of ancient Miarban, who wield the Mother’s power just as their ancestors did.” Gevan gestured at them. He spoke in Ramunnan, which after two months of earnest study Josiah was able to understand pretty well.
    The Matriarch stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Elkan. “Show me,” she demanded. “I want to see you use the Mother’s power.”
    “Gladly, your majesty,” Elkan replied. Gevan had warned them to expect something like this. Elkan put one hand on