Maria Snyder - Storm Glass

But Kade wouldn’t let me go off in a huff. He caught up to me and matched my stride as I ascended the trail toward the cave.

“You wouldn’t be mistaken for a younger woman if you had a little more self-confidence.”

I stopped and he almost bumped into me. “What do you mean?”

“Examine your actions during the last two weeks. Is there another who could have done what you did?”

“My—”

“With both the glass orbs and with the magic?”

I cast about for an answer, but as the delay grew longer, Kade became smugger.

“You win. I’m the all-powerful glass magician. Happy now?”

“No. More.” He waited.

“More?”

“Yes.”

“The savior of the Stormdancers. The founder of long-distance communication.” I clamped my mouth shut on another boast—the creator of the glass prisons—mentioning them would ruin the mood.

“Good. Now remember all those deeds the next time you’re presented with a problem. Knowing what you can do will help you feel confident enough to tackle the next storm.”

“Storm?” I asked.

“Sorry. I tend to compare everything to storms. People, life and problem solving.”

I considered his philosophy. “What happens when you feel able to deal with a gale, yet, despite your best efforts, it still wreaks havoc?”

“Clean up the pieces, rebuild and continue as best as you can.” The humor faded from his eyes. “Although a few things will be permanently destroyed.”

That was the kicker. Some things were too precious to lose, and I was sure Kade referred to his sister. My thoughts turned to Tula. Was my sister completely gone?

“You’re wrong,” I said.

“How so?”

“At first, it feels as if she has vanished forever, and all traces are destroyed. But later, when the pain of loss doesn’t overwhelm all your other feelings, every time you think of her, or hear her voice in your head, or remember a happy time together, you realize she’s still a part of you and will never be totally gone.”

“Is this from experience?” Kade held himself tight as if afraid to move.

“Unfortunately.” I told him about Tula, avoiding the horrible details of her death, but making it clear she had been taken from us.

“Then this fire burning inside me will extinguish?”

I assumed he referred to grief. “It’ll die down in time. After all, storms do fizzle.”

A brief smile touched Kade’s lips. “Now you’re using weather analogies. If you hang around here any longer, you’ll be spouting storm lingo like a dancer.”

I widened my eyes in mock horror. “Then I’d better go.”

He laughed. And I marveled at the rich sound—a rare gem, considering all his sour looks and ill humor.

“You better hurry then.” His laughter died, but his amusement remained. “Stay safe on your journey home. I won’t be there to blow away your attackers.” Kade grinned. “I must admit, knocking Blue Eyes over was the most fun I’ve had this season.”

His shoulder brushed mine when he strode past. Energy sizzled down my arm, raising all the hairs as if the air around me was charged for a lightning strike. If Kade felt it, he showed no signs. He continued up the trail, bypassing the storm cave.

I arrived at the cavern in time to see Tal swing his pack over his shoulder, almost knocking Indra over with the motion.

“I’m ecstatic you’re leaving, Tal,” Indra said. “I think you’ll be much happier harvesting indigo and mucking out stables.”

“I don’t really care what you think. You act like you’re so special. How special can you be when you needed little Opal’s help? She’s proven there’s no magic involved in your work. Anyone can make those orbs.” Tal spun on Raiden. “Deliver your own message to Soshe, old man. I no longer work for you.” Tal stomped out.

I hurried to get out of his way. He never looked back.

“Finally,” Indra said.

She settled back in her chair between her brothers and next to the fire. Lines of weariness marked the three glassmakers’ faces. Varun stared at the entrance with his lips pursed in contemplation. Raiden sat cross-legged on the floor, repairing a fishing net. The other Stormdancers were absent.

“Where are Heli and the others?” I asked Raiden.

He gestured with a threaded needle. “Out searching for treasure. Big storms deposit all types of goodies on the beach. Heli has a huge collection of beautiful seashells.” He broke the black twine with his teeth. “I would suggest you join them, but it looks like your boss is getting ready to go.”

I glanced toward the back of the cave. Zitora saddled Sudi. As I skirted the fire to go help her, Indra gestured to me.

“The new orbs worked. Are we good to go?” Indra asked.

“Yes. But you should keep watch over your ingredients until all the orbs are made. One of you should stay in the kiln’s cave at all times.”

“Surely, you don’t think one of our clan members sabotaged the lime?” Nodin asked.

“There’s no evidence to suggest it. But, then again, there’s no evidence to disprove it, either. Tal—”

“Would never jeopardize a Stormdancer’s life,” Raiden said. “He’s upset and disappointed, but I’ve known the boy since he was little. He’s all bluster.”

“He’s no longer a little boy, and all he ever wanted to be was a Stormdancer. Opal made a valid point. Who wants to take the first shift?” Indra asked her brothers.

Varun volunteered. “Stop by and say goodbye on your way home.” He left in a hurry.

I finally joined Zitora by the horse stalls. She had finished saddling Sudi. The contents of her bags littered the floor.

“We don’t have much food. We’ll stop at the market after we talk to the officials in Thunder Valley. I hope they have more information on Blue Eyes.” She organized our remaining provisions and packed them as I hurried to prepare Quartz for the journey.

The Stormdancers returned from their scavenging in time for us to say farewell. Heli gave me a shiny pink-and-white shell. The almost-flat fan shape was ridged and there was a tiny hole near the top.

“It’s a scallop’s shell. You can string in on a necklace and wear it if you want,” Heli said.

“Don’t you want to keep it for your collection?”

“It’s for you. A small token of my thanks for helping with the orbs.”

I clamped down on my desire to contradict her, remembering Kade’s words.

My legs felt as if they were full of sand as we trudged up the trail to The Flats. I tried to convince myself my reluctance to leave was due to a dread over spending the night out in the open and sleeping on the uncomfortable ground. And not due to missing the company of a certain Stormdancer.

We arrived at Thunder Valley the next afternoon. Tired and sore from a night of restless sleep, I followed Zitora into the town’s administration building. Even through my fog of fatigue, I noted the elaborate candelabra on the mantel in the lobby. The candleholder’s teardrop pattern made with red crystal was a trademark of my uncle’s. I remembered how proud and excited he had been when he was asked to make the piece. It was an honor to be chosen to decorate a government building.

Zitora led me into the security offices located in the west wing of the first floor. She warned me that since the escape of the ambushers the local guards were outright hostile to anyone with magic abilities.

We entered an open common area strewn with desks. Guards either worked at their desks or stood in groups. Our arrival caused a bit of a stir and one man approached us.

“Can I help you?” he asked Zitora.

“Yes. Is Captain Loris in his office?”

“No. He’s on patrol. I’m Lieutenant Coll. Perhaps I can help you…”