The fane was quiet for a moment, and then he said, “I thought you only wanted peace?”
Suri frowned. “I was made to understand that’s not going to happen.”
“I see. And who told you to ask for Ferrol’s Protection?”
Imaly hadn’t specifically asked Suri not to reveal how she learned about the law, but given the situation, Suri felt it was best not to name names—at least not anyone the fane could take action against.
“Arion explained many things about your culture.”
Lothian accepted this without question, almost as if he had expected the answer. “If I were to grant that, it would make you an honorary member of the Fhrey, but I should mention that Ferrol’s Protection only prevents other Fhrey from killing you. The edict doesn’t apply to me.”
“I’m told that even you can’t kill someone without cause.”
“I can. I’m the fane; I can do what I want, but it’s true that it wouldn’t be prudent to kill anyone who enjoys Ferrol’s Protection.” Lothian shifted forward. “Very well, I will grant your request. However, there will be other restrictions placed upon you. First, you will never be allowed to leave Estramnadon. Second, you will be placed in the custody of someone who will be responsible for watching you at all times. And in case you dreamed of getting your powers back, you should know that the collar has been magically sealed, and as such, it can never be removed.”
“Are you sure you want this secret? Because you’re not making it very enticing.”
“You will have your life, a good deal of freedom, and you’ll be allowed to live out the rest of your days in our glorious city. Would you prefer death? Because I see that as the only other alternative for you. Do you still want Ferrol’s Protection?”
“Yes.” Suri nodded.
“All right then.” Lothian extended a hand and waved at her. “I bestow upon you Ferrol’s Protection and decree that no Fhrey will be allowed to kill you under the law, except—as previously explained—myself.” He showed her an apathetic smirk. “It doesn’t matter to me. After you give me what I want, I’ll have no interest in you whatsoever. When this meeting is over, we’ll never see each other again.”
Suri wondered if she ought to ask for anything else, but she felt it wasn’t wise to push. She’d gotten what Imaly had told her to ask for, and Suri didn’t know enough to bargain for anything further.
“So, tell me. How can I conjure a dragon?”
Suri nodded and began, “Well, first off, it’s not actually a dragon.”
After the meeting with the fane, Suri was returned to Vasek’s custody, and he took her to where Imaly was waiting. From there, they escorted her to the Curator’s home. The trip between the palace and the house through the free air had been rapid and utterly lost to Suri, who was covered up in a bulky cloak with a large hood—the same outerwear that Makareta had worn when she had visited Vasek’s house. She saw almost nothing as they rushed her through the streets while carefully avoiding any potentially curious Fhrey. Within minutes, they were at the door to a small home with glass windows blinded by closed drapes.
Suri entered the little house and was pleasantly surprised. Nicer by far than Vasek’s stark accommodations, this place was a home. The door had a carved relief in the shape of a tree. Support beams were similarly adorned. One showed a series of branches with animals hiding among the leaves. Another was made to appear as a series of fanciful smiling creatures standing on one another’s heads. All were worn smooth by hands and time. Shelves were filled with curiosities: cups, plates, candles, statuettes. The furniture looked comfortable, and Suri had the sense she was entering a place where every corner held a story, each inch a tale.
“I know you don’t want to hear this,” Imaly told her, “but it really would be best if you stayed here and didn’t go outside.”
At such times as this, Suri wished she could growl the way Minna used to. Instead, she conveyed her message by grinding her teeth.
Imaly’s hands went up, warding off the expected explosion. “I’m not saying you can’t, only that it wouldn’t be wise. And I don’t mean forever. Things will change. They must. And soon.”
Suri was about to reply and level a few rules of her own when movement toward the back of the house stopped her. She stiffened as another Fhrey emerged from a darkened room, then recognized Makareta. Free of her hood and cloak, she didn’t look like other Miralyith. Her head was wrapped in a multicolored scarf. It tried but failed to hide little sandy tufts of hair that peeked out. She wore an old smock that was wrinkled and stained. Her hands were dirty, covered in what looked to be dried mud, and she had a smudge of the same substance on her nose. This was unusual for a Miralyith to be sure, but what interested Suri the most were Makareta’s slippers. Adorned with embroidery, the portions that covered her toes were made to look like mouse faces complete with whiskers. Just seeing those slippers and before a single word was said, Suri decided she liked Makareta.
“Oh, there you are, Mak. Come on over. This goes for you as well. Let me start by saying that the two of you must peacefully coexist,” Imaly explained with all the authority of a parent. “I will not tolerate any magical foolishness. Cross me, Mak, and out you’ll go. And you . . .” She turned to Suri. “We have an agreement. I’ll hold up my end of the bargain, and I expect no less from you.”
Suri wasn’t certain what sort of magical foolishness Imaly anticipated, or why she was concerned that Suri and Makareta wouldn’t get along. Perhaps Imaly thought Artists were territorial like squirrels, badgers, or eagles. She thought it was odd that while Imaly lived in a forest, the old Fhrey appeared ignorant to its ways. Only males were territorial; females rarely engaged in aggressive behaviors.
Imaly’s expression softened. “The three of us need to work collectively. As strange as it may seem, we’re one odd little family now because we each share the same danger—and the same goal. If nothing else, that makes us related.” She shook her head. “Two Miralyith, a Rhune and an outlaw—I do pick up the strays, don’t I?”
Makareta continued to stare at Suri with a baffled expression.
Imaly waited a moment longer, looking from one to the other. Then taking a deep breath and letting her shoulders relax, she said, “I need a drink. Play nice and don’t destroy the house.”
Once Imaly had departed through one of the archways, Suri turned to Makareta. “What is an out-law?”
Makareta looked at the floor. “When someone breaks the rules, they are supposed to be punished. If you run away, you’re putting yourself outside the rules, outside the law. That makes you an outlaw. Most of the time, an outlaw is considered a bad person.”
“You don’t seem bad,” Suri said. Of all the Fhrey she’d encountered, aside from Arion, Makareta appeared the most normal. She was dirty and wore mouse faces on her feet. “What did you do wrong?”
Makareta still looked at the ground. “I—I killed another Fhrey.”
“Just one?”
Makareta looked up, disturbed. “That’s all it takes.”
“What would happen if you were caught? What is the punishment?”