“Different? How?”

“It’s probably nothing. He’s had a shock, but he’s harsher somehow.” Chestnut shook his head. “That’s not the point. Six people killed by necklace snakes. That’s the point.”

I understood his problem. “You’ve never lost anyone to a snake before?”

“No one. I know it’s not a terrible death. At least they’re dead before they get swallowed. I’ve always been kind of curious…” He cringed with guilt.

“Curious to see a snake devour its prey and you feel responsible for not stopping the snakes?”

“Yes.” The word hissed out.

“Think of what would have happened if the snakes had released the Vermin.”

“You and Stono would have died.”

“I’m not happy about the death of six people either, but, considering the alternative, I can rationalize it in my mind.” A shiver raced over my skin. As long as I didn’t think about it too much. “You asked how I can be so calm. I don’t have time not to be. I would like to grieve and worry and carry on, but that doesn’t get results.”

“And results are important. Right, Yelena?” Leif asked as he entered the room. “One of the foremost things the First Magician taught me when I arrived at the Keep was to leave all sentimentality behind. Roze believes she was given the gift of magic to use for a purpose and she can’t let guilt and remorse keep her from achieving that purpose.” Leif rubbed his chin as his face settled into a thoughtful expression. “You’re a lot like her.”

“I am not,” I said.

“It was a compliment. You’re both intelligent. You’re doers. Natural leaders.”

I disagreed. I didn’t conduct myself like Roze. She was a tyrant who thought she knew everything and didn’t stop to consider other options or other people’s views. I wasn’t like that. Was I?

“Although she has a bad temper,” Leif said. “She was wrong about Ferde and Cahil’s direction. She’s not going to be happy about it.”

“That I would agree with,” I said.

“Agree with what?” Esau asked. His arms brimmed with containers.

Nutty arrived with her stack of clothes, then Perl returned with a tray full of fruit and tea. By the time we ate, the morning hours were gone.

“We better go. It’ll be a hard push to get to the market before dark,” Leif said.

“Yelena, you have to come back and have a proper visit,” my mother instructed. “Perhaps when your life settles down.” She thought for a moment, and added, “Perhaps you can make some time to visit. I don’t see things settling down for you for a long while.”

“Do you know this from your magic?” I asked.

“No, dear. From your history.” A smile quirked her lips before Perl’s stern mother expression returned long enough for her to lecture me on being careful.

With our backpacks loaded, Leif and I climbed down the ladder to the jungle floor. He set a quick pace and I hurried after him. When we stopped for a short rest, I tossed my heavy pack down and rubbed my sore back. Now I could sympathize with a pack horse…. Kiki!

“Leif, does this trail stay wide until the market?”

“As long as no trees have fallen over recently. The Zaltanas keep this pretty clear. Why?”

“The horses.”

He smacked his forehead with a hand.

I reached out with my mind and searched for Kiki’s thoughts.

She hid with Garnet and Rusalka in the forest west of the market.

Late, she said in my mind. Dirty. Hungry.

Come meet us on the jungle trail? We’ll get to the market faster. Groomed faster.

She agreed. Leif and I continued to hike for a while in silence. The insects’ droning grew louder as the sunlight began to wane.

“I keep forgetting you can communicate with horses,” Leif said. “I think you might be the first one in Sitian history.”

“Are you sure?”

“All the Keep’s students had to learn about past magicians and their powers, but Master Bloodgood would know for sure.”

Bain Bloodgood, Second Magician, was a walking, talking history book. My list of questions grew longer each day. I had so much to learn about magic and history. The sheer amount overwhelmed me at times, and reminded me how unprepared I was.

And how did I end up with these Soulfinder powers? Both my parents hadn’t enough power to be invited to the Keep so I hadn’t inherited them. Sheer dumb luck?

Leif interrupted my thoughts. “Do you know anyone else who can talk to horses?”

“The Stable Master has said he knows the horses’ moods and intentions, but he doesn’t hear their words in his mind per se.” And he had looked at me as if I had grown wings when I mentioned it to him.

“How about in Ixia?”

I considered. When the Commander had taken control of Ixia over sixteen years ago, he had ordered Valek, his chief of security, to assassinate all the magicians. Then, whenever an Ixian developed the ability to use magic—usually after puberty—Valek would assassinate the person if they hadn’t already escaped to Sitia. No magicians in Ixia, but my thoughts did linger on Porter, the Commander’s kennel master. He had an uncanny knack with the dogs, and he hadn’t needed leashes or a whistle to get them to obey him.

“Perhaps one other,” I said. “Though he would never admit to it—that would be a death sentence.”