Compendium Read online

  “I have no care for the Order either way. I’m here at my father’s request, at the pleasure of Dominus Nikola, and out of no desire of my own. Think what you will, but I have no other purposes.”

  SainClair made a growling noise in his throat and continued to march her along the corridors. “We’ll see what the Dominus thinks,” he said.

  After that, he fell silent, and they proceeded with no further conversation. Mia was more than grateful for an end to the discussion. Eventually SainClair marched her up to a curving staircase set invisibly into the stone wall of the corridor. She walked this passage regularly but hadn’t noticed it before. SainClair briefly let go of her robes to stuff a gourd into her hands.

  “Up,” he said tersely, and pushed her ahead of him. “We are expected.”

  With only the gourd lighting the path, they climbed the curving staircase for a long while until it ended at a similar alcove that led to an exceptionally brightly lit room, the brightest Mia had seen since she’d arrived at the Compound.

  She blinked from the light as she stepped out of the alcove. By the Core, this room actually has natural light. We must be up high in the volcano.

  She saw a large opening in the side of the room, mostly shaded by foliage growing up and from outside. There also was a thick branch that formed a sizable hearth near the open wall. The humming vibration of the forest resonated through the opening. This must be the most beautiful room in the Compound, she thought.

  She resisted the urge to ask SainClair where they were, as she rather wanted him not to speak to her, and he’d probably take the question the wrong way anyway. She tried not to look awestruck by the view of the outside world.

  Mia was so focused on the window that it took her a moment to notice the desk in the corner of the room. Seated there was Dominus Nikola.

  “Lovely view, isn’t it?”

  His question jolted her from her reverie. It seemed she was in Dominus Nikola’s chambers.

  Apart from being airy and open to nature, the space was well appointed. The desk was a large, oiled hardwood, gleaming in the sunlight. A thick rug woven in many colored furs covered the floor, damping the sound of slippers and boots alike. Tapestries hung on the stone walls, displaying scenes of worldly beauty. One depicted a grove of massive trees that seemed to grow out of the center of the earth. Another displayed a frozen landscape with a thicket of trees glowing through the frost. Two separate closed doors led to other rooms. The walls on either side of the open window were floor-to-ceiling bookcases stuffed with books, perhaps as many as the volumes that filled the cases in the acolyte barracks. By the hearth there were a couple of overstuffed chairs.

  I bet he doesn’t sleep on a stone pallet.

  “Brother SainClair,” Dominus Nikola stated in a calm, clear voice, “I think it’s safe to let go of Ms. Jayne.” He gestured with a bony hand to the robes twisted about her neck, where SainClair was still gripping them tightly. “I highly doubt she plans to bolt.”

  He exchanged a knowing look with SainClair that left her feeling confused. SainClair twisted his mouth as if to reply but instead released his hand from the neck of Mia’s robes.

  “As I informed you earlier, Dominus, I caught this acolyte poking around the corridors on the lower levels. When I asked her what she was doing in an empty passage, she told me Brother Cornelius sent her to his laboratory. We well know that the laboratories are nowhere near that part of the Compound, and I very much doubt Brother Cornelius would send this upstart to fetch something from his private laboratory.” SainClair stated all of this in one breath and took another to continue his diatribe.

  Dominus Nikola held up his hand to silence him. “Yes, yes, Brother,” he said amiably. “Did it not cross your mind that the young Ms. Jayne was telling you the truth?”

  Mia tried to hide her surprise.

  SainClair’s face darkened. “It didn’t cross my mind because it clearly wasn’t the truth.”

  “Yes, well,” said Dominus Nikola. He then paused as if considering his next words carefully. “Brother Cornelius came to see me this morning. When Ms. Jayne didn’t report for her duties at the Archives, he was sufficiently worried to request an audience.”

  SainClair added a slightly curled lip to his grim expression but remained silent.

  “When I explained the situation to him, Brother Cornelius said that he did indeed send Ms. Jayne to his laboratory to retrieve some additional wands for the next day’s work. He apologized, saying he must have sent her in the wrong direction when he instructed her regarding where to find his laboratory. It was a very long day, and you know how it is with those of us of advanced age.”

  Dominus Nikola raised an eyebrow at SainClair, who continued to seethe silently. Mia tried to maintain a nonchalant face, although a slight smile might have escaped her attempt at neutrality. If it did, Dominus Nikola made no comment. SainClair was too focused on the Dominus to look her way. Brother Cornelius had vouched for her.

  A warm feeling spread through her chest. Perhaps she actually had a friend among the cleric ranks or at least someone who selfishly didn’t want to lose an able-bodied assistant. She would take it even if it were the latter.

  “Did he mention any books missing from the Archives or from his laboratory?” SainClair asked casually.

  Dominus Nikola’s forehead furrowed in thought. “I don’t recall him mentioning anything being missing.” He looked over at Mia.

  She kept her expression passive but took a deep breath. SainClair drew Compendium out from his sash. “Well, she had this on her when I visited her cell this morning. It must have been with her when I caught her snooping in the corridors.”

  He tossed the book onto Dominus Nikola’s desk, where it landed with a clank. The Dominus picked it up and examined the cover. Then he opened it to the title page.

  “I’m sure I have no idea what this book has to do with anything, Brother SainClair,” he replied. “It’s merely a historical archive of families. Where did you get this, Ms. Jayne?” he asked.

  There was nothing accusatory in the Dominus’s tone, and despite Mia’s concerns that he had been less than honest with her regarding Father’s letter, she decided that whatever he thought of her, his opinion had to be higher than SainClair’s. She would tell him the truth.

  “Brother Cornelius has me assisting him with spore removal in the Archives. I came across that book, and something struck me about it, so I decided to borrow it from the library. In my excitement about the Gathering, I did forget to tell Brother Cornelius that I had the book with me. As no particular person was clamoring to borrow an ancient book on families, I suspect it’s irrelevant whether or not I mentioned I had it.”

  An expression passed over Dominus Nikola’s face as she spoke, like a statue cast in the momentary shadow of a passing cloud. When she stated that something struck her about the book, he definitely reacted. Was that flicker on his face relief? She couldn’t tell. However, he said nothing further on the subject.

  “Brother SainClair,” he said, turning his attention away from her, “I find that explanation perfectly reasonable. We must not discourage the future of the Order from reading and learning, correct?”

  Brother SainClair pursed his lips. He wouldn’t be winning today’s battle. “If that is all then, Dominus, I will return Ms. Jayne to the barracks.”

  “If you please,” Dominus Nikola said, “I should like to have a moment to speak with Ms. Jayne alone. Do not hold yourself up from your duties on our account.”

  “Do you think it’s wise to let her wander alone—”

  Again the Dominus held up his hand and fixed his clear, gray eyes on SainClair, silencing him with the gesture and the look.

  Mia dearly wished she could master that one. SainClair sucked air into his lungs, expanding his chest. He looked rather constipated all of a sudden.

  “Very well, Dominus.” With that, he bowed deeply to the head cleric and retreated back through the alcove.

  His boot step
s resonated down the spiral staircase, and Mia was relieved to be away from him.

  “Ms. Jayne,” Dominus Nikola said after the sound of SainClair’s feet faded from earshot, “please have a seat.” He got up from his desk and came around toward the hearth, gesturing toward one of the overstuffed chairs.

  Mia looked down at her rumpled robes. She was dirty and disheveled from her night in the brig. Seeing her face, Dominus Nikola waved a hand in dismissal.

  “Never you mind, my child. These chairs have survived worse than a bit of grime. I believe it’s high time we had a proper conversation.”

  She didn’t know what he meant by “proper conversation,” but she was too weary to protest. His implacable demeanor and concerned face put her at ease, despite her reservations. She made her way to one of the overstuffed chairs and sank down. Her body relaxed into the chair almost against her will. The thick cushions cradled her sore muscles and bones. What on Lumin did they stuff into these chairs? She suspected puppy tails or maybe the feathers of baby chicks. Either way they were blissful.

  “What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

  “How are you settling in?”

  Mia was surprised by the question, but then Taryn had said the Dominus’s interest in her was peculiar, and she grew uneasy.

  “I’m not sure,” she said slowly.

  “Not sure? That’s rather odd.”

  “Well,” she continued, trying to explain, “I’ve lived my whole life in the forest, most of it in the hammocks of the tropics, and this place is nothing like my home. I find it foreign in every respect.”

  “Yes,” he said, then paused to consider her words. “I would imagine the Compound is rather different from where you lived with your father. Still, we have much to offer in the way of learning, and I believe as you acclimate you’ll find the cool weather refreshing.”

  “It’s not just that,” she said, trying not to sound accusatory. “I find that, generally, the other acolytes have no interest in me. I’ve heard rumors that Brother SainClair has threatened them against befriending me. He hates me with a vehemence I don’t understand.” I may as well use the Dominus’s personal interest to my benefit. He’s going to pry either way.

  “Ah,” reflected Dominus Nikola. “Brother SainClair is of the opinion that there’s only one correct way. He looks at a mountain before him, and to him there is one path to the top. It’s so clearly emblazoned in his mind that he doesn’t understand why others might see one or many directions to the same place. It isn’t that the path he sees doesn’t exist. It does. He’s just incapable of recognizing the many different ways one can achieve the same goal.”

  “And you believe many paths lead to the same place?”

  “My child, there aren’t just many—there are an infinite number. We each travel our own path, no two exactly alike, and yet we’re often capable at arriving at our destination together. It’s a remarkable thing.”

  “I take your meaning,” Mia said, then added, in a somewhat terser tone, “Then why not just tell Brother SainClair that he’s wrong and shortsighted?”

  Dominus Nikola smiled softly at her. “Does he strike you as the type to take suggestions?”

  She shook her head glumly. The Dominus reached over and patted her hand in a conciliatory fashion. “Just as he sees his own path,” he said, “he must walk along it and learn from its experiences on his own. Just as you must walk along yours and learn from your experiences. No one can tell Brother SainClair how to be, and no one can tell you how to be. You must both learn through your own actions and decisions.” He looked at her pointedly, his eyes sliding down to her neck and his mouth turning down in a slight frown. “Still, though, whatever emotions your presence may bring to light in him, it’s no justification for his actions.”

  Mia reached up to touch her throat. It was warm and swollen under her hand. She had to know whether this ordeal was worth it. “Dominus,” she said, “have you any word about my father? I should very much like to know if he’s recovering.”

  The Dominus shook his head as he looked at her gravely. “My child, we haven’t yet received news. The clerics attending to him are surely busy with their treatments and will send word when there is news one way or the other.”

  Questions bubbled up in Mia’s mind, one after another. Had Father really sent the letter Dominus Nikola claimed? How many clerics had the Order sent to Father? What was this treatment supposed to be? What were the chances of it working? How long must she stay here? Would they be willing to apply the treatment to her if it turned out she also was infected? Her mind raced with all that she wanted to know, but what came tumbling from her lips in one long rambling mass of confusion was none of that.

  “Brother SainClair says I’m a pretender, that I didn’t feel the call to the Order. This isn’t wrong. In fact, Father always taught me to mistrust the Order and the work it does. You must have known this. The letter was addressed to you, so he must know you. How? And why would he mistrust this place so greatly? Further, if you know he feels that way, why would you accept his daughter into your ranks? I don’t understand.” She shook her head slowly, still mulling over the questions herself.

  Dominus Nikola smiled as her questions tumbled forth. “It is true that your father bears little love for the Order. It’s a very long story, one you deserve to know, but it must be reserved for another time. Trust me when I tell you that your father had very good reasons for sending you to us and that I have every confidence that your unique skills and spirit are greatly needed as we prepare for certain coming trials.” Suddenly his smile faded to a grim line, and his gray eyes appeared troubled.

  Mia wanted to press him for further explanation, but he stood abruptly from his chair and turned to face the window.

  “Ms. Jayne, this has been a good conversation. We’ll talk more when the time is right. I trust you can see your way back to your barracks without getting lost. I’m sure Brother Cornelius will be much relieved to find you intact.”

  “Yes, Dominus,” she said. “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, and thank you for intervening on my behalf with Brother SainClair.”

  “He will eventually come around.” He turned back to look at her once again, his composure restored. His face resumed its serene smile.

  Still disconcerted and very discombobulated, Mia smiled back and turned toward the alcove. She was almost to the stairs when Dominus Nikola stopped her.

  “Ms. Jayne,” he called, “I believe you’ve forgotten your book on the families of the realm.”

  Compendium! I almost left it behind without a second thought. Her mind was still a jumble between Father and her conversation with the Dominus. She hurried back toward him as he held out the book to her.

  “Best take good care of this,” he said.

  Could he…? She frowned, observing the glint in his eyes. She slid her fingers along the pages casually and peeked inside. It was still just a book of family trees.

  “I shall,” she said. “Brother Cornelius would take no pleasure in any harm befalling one of the archival books, even if it’s an outdated volume on family histories.”

  Dominus Nikola smiled softly and nodded. That glimpse of relief behind his veiled gray eyes flickered again.

  He doesn’t believe a single word of what I’ve just said, but he isn’t going to take Compendium from me. Mia stashed the book in her sash, bowed again, and departed down the stairs in haste before he changed his mind.

  15 Retreat

  Lumin Cycle 10152

  “Blast it all. I really need your help.”

  Compendium stubbornly continued to display genealogical charts instead of Compound maps. Mia Jayne stuffed it back into her sash. No question she had been awake when Compendium had presented itself to her. It wasn’t just some crazed dream born of incarceration. She was sure of it.

  “I’ll figure that damnable book out later,” she muttered, as she hurried along yet another identical corridor.

  “Mia, is th
at you?” a soft voice asked, floating from behind her.

  She stopped and turned on her heels. Taryn took double steps to catch up with her.

  Where had she come from? And how was it that she never seemed to make any noise? It was unnerving.

  “I’m lost per usual,” Mia said, flustered.

  As Taryn approached closer, her eyes roamed over Mia’s dirt-covered clothing, her bruised neck, and what was probably a haggard face. Taryn drew a hand up to her chest in surprise.

  “By the sacred elders, what happened? We waited for you last night. Finally we had to leave or risk missing it all. When we all returned, your bed was empty. No one knew where you were.” Taryn reached out, placed a hand on Mia’s upper arm, and squeezed it gently. “You look as if you lost a fight.”

  “I did, and I didn’t,” she said, and grimaced. “Do you know where we are?”

  Taryn looked at her oddly then nodded.

  “I suspect I’m frightfully late for my duties, and I can’t go like this.”

  “You are, and you can’t. When was the last time you ate? You look like you need some nourishment.” Taryn guided her along by the elbow.

  Mia was relieved to no longer have to concentrate on directions. Eventually she would learn her way around here. Then I’ll get the heck out!

  “Now, please.” Taryn paused, and her eyes settled on Mia’s face. “Please tell me what happened.”

  Mia felt an indescribable ease when she was with Taryn. The other acolyte emanated a deep calmness. It was like being with Dominus Nikola, only relaxing. She could talk to Taryn, who would listen without judgment.

  “It was Brother SainClair.” Her jaw tightened as she recalled the experience.

  “He did this to you?” Taryn’s gold eyes grew into round orbs lit within, and she shook her head slowly. “Even with all his gruff, I never would’ve thought him capable of that.”

  “I was running an errand for Brother Cornelius, and I found myself lost in the lower corridors. Plainly directions aren’t my strength. I’m much better navigating a forest than a stone fortress.”