Lilat was waiting outside the shrine, for once she was dressed not in the white robes of a shrine keeper but, in spite of her lost magic, in the scarlet and silver of a trained combat mage. As they approached she smiled and Alidra sensed her father relax, then she looked past them to the curious gaggle of neighbours and tutted audibly.

"Away with you, geese," she said. "No one is in trouble and you all have more important things to attend to I'm sure."

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She turned back to Alidra's parents. "I'm sorry to have summoned you but a certain formality is necessary here."
"A lot of formality if you are opening your heart wounds by donning your robes," Tamasa said. "What is going on?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Lilat said. "It's not mine to say. You'd best go in."

Denri hesitated but Tamasa pushed the shrine door open and stepped inside. She gave a slight gasp as she saw who was sitting there, awaiting them.

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Tamasa dropped to one knee and inclined her head as she pulled Alidra down to kneel beside her.

Denri entered a moment later and immediately knelt and pressed his head to the shrine floor briefly before sitting back on heels.

Alidra stared at the mage, who was dressed in similar red robes to Lilat's but with golden trim, wondering who she was to provoke such a reaction.

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“Most holy lady Kadria,” Tamasa said. “You honour us with your presence.”

This was the high mage? She looked barely older than Tamasa except for the grey streaks in her raven hair, a legacy of her actions during the invasion.

"Get up please," she sounded ill at ease. "You don't need to kneel to me. I had Lilat bring seats for you before I summoned you." She nodded to the chairs before frowning.

"And I hope I did not cause you any trouble, it occurs to me that I should have thought about how summoning you would look and come to you. I'm sorry."

"Thank you, holy lady," Tamasa rose gracefully, unshipped the baby from her back before sitting in one of the chairs and motioning me to sit beside her.

Denri however hesitated. "I..."

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"Denri she said to sit," Tamasa said. “And no one is watching.” He stared at her for a moment before rising slowly and sitting beside her.

"What do you wish of us, High Mage?" he asked.

"I need to talk to your daughter," she said before turning to Alidra.

"Your name is Alidra, correct?"

"It is, High Mage" she said shyly.

"That's a good name. The fifth High Mage was named Alidra, you know?" She smiled gently. "Would you show me your shoulder, please?"

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"My shoulder?"

"I think she wants to see your birthmark, dear one," Tamasa said. "Show it to her."

"Oh!" Alidra turned so her back was to Kadria and slipped her tunic off her shoulder so the birthmark was visible. Kadria traced it with one finger before nodding.

"Yes, you are the one, aren't you?" she said, "How interesting."

"The one, what?"

"Ah well, has news of what happened at the Arosia reached your village yet? I know it's not large."

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"We heard you had a vision," Denri said.

"Not quite!" she said. "Rindalam visited a new scripture on me." She actually grinned at Tamasa's impressed whistle. "I was in a trance, but I've read what the scribes recorded. It's a bit confusing but the council think they understand it."

"Given their penchant for heresy I wonder if that's true," Tamasa said boldly.

Denri gave an horrified gasp. "Tam!"

Kadria gave an amused shrug. “She's not wrong, Denri.”

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“I know, but...” he looked flustered.

Kadria laughed again. “Let's just say that I believe the council have divined the meaning that Rindalam intended them to. And your daughter certainly figures in it."

"Alidra, does?" Denri asked.

"Yes, it describes her unusual birthmark in some detail," Kadria said before turning to Alidra. "Tell me child. Can you fight?"

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"Uh?" Alidra said. "I'm not supposed to fight." She had got in awful trouble for punching Natlin's son the previous winter after he called her mother a witch.

"But Lilat has started teaching you and the other children to defend yourselves, correct?" Kadria said.

"She has," Tamasa said. "She says Alidra has a talent for it. Why?"

"The prophecy names her protector to a figure known as the Lapis Child or Silver Sword, who seems to be my son, Embrin."

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Tamasa tilted her head. "And why would a mage need a peasant protector? Is he not skilled in battle magic?"

"Well, that's the question, isn't it? It's one of the parts that is unclear. but it's quite clear that the protector is a peasant marked by Rindalam with a birthmark in the form of his sigil. However Embrin is precociously skilled with battle magic. He shouldn't need a protector but apparently he does."

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"What else does this prophecy say?" Tamasa asked.

"It's fairly long, I'll arrange a copy for your shrine so you can read it, but I can tell you how the council are interpreting it."

"Please do," Tamasa said.

“They believe Embrin is destined to retrieve the Sword of the Law from Amara's grasp,” Kadria said.

Tamasa's eyebrows shot up. "Interesting. You say that you think that's the interpretation the Lawgiver wanted to them to get from this prophecy?"

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"I do." Kadria gave an odd smile that was almost a smirk.

"Interesting." Tamasa said again. She looked speculative but otherwise unfazed by Alidra having a part in such an important prophecy.

Alidra, on the other hand, was completely overwhelmed. "I-I think you have the wrong person, I can't do that."

"Well, not yet," Kadria said. "We'll see to it that you are taught. Which brings me to the reason I'm here. We need to ensure Alidra is properly trained.”

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“Yes, I can see that,” Tamasa said.

“I know that Lilat is a fine teacher even without her magic,” Kadria said. “She can certainly handle training Alidra in advanced martial arts, at least until the other thing becomes obvious which won't be for a few years yet. At which point we'd have to extract her out even without the prophecy."

"You think that will still be an issue with her being part of this prophecy?" Tamasa said incredulously.

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"Unfortunately yes," Kadria said heavily.

“How stupid are these heretics of yours?” Tamasa asked.

"What will be an issue?" Alidra asked.

Tamasa hesitated before ruffling Alidra's hair. "Nothing to worry about yet, dear heart." .

"You haven't told her?" Kadria asked.

"I thought it safest not to," Tamasa replied. "You disagree?"

"Hmm... I can understand why not, but I think it would have been wiser to at least tell her the most important bit."

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"Tell me what?" Alidra asked.
Tamasa sighed. "It's my choice," she said. "Please respect it."

"I will," Kadria said.

"But I get the feeling you have another suggestion regarding Alidra's training?" Tamasa said.

"Yes," Kadria said. "As I said Lilat can train her, but her status is going to earn her enemies and Lilat cannot protect her if they come after her. I could station a battle mage that I trust here permanently but..."

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"But that would take them away from somewhere else important," Tamasa said. "That does make sense. So you... what? Want to take her to Keralyn?"

Kadria nodded. "I would adopt her into my own house and she would be raised as a foster sister to my own children. You can say no, it would be no sin and we could do it the other way. I can understand if you do not want to be separated from your child."

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"I..." Tamasa said. "I want to say no." For the first time she was wringing her hands. "I want to keep Alidra with me, but I think you are right that it would be better for her to go with you. It would enable to become acquainted with your son as well. What do you think, Denri?"

Denri was sitting there looking like he wanted to cry. There was a greyish undertone to his dark olive skin. "I don't know," he said. "I don't know what to think."

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"I'll give you a few days to decide," Kadria said. "I think you need to discuss this once you're over the shock. If it helps I currently have a certain cousin of my house fostered with me while she undergoes combat mage training."

"Kilit!" Alidra exclaimed. "You mean Kilit!" Imalia had been as good as her word and brought Kilit to visit a couple of times, but Alidra couldn't help grinning at the idea of seeing her even if it did mean leaving her parents.

'#tootfic

"Yes!" Kadria said. "So you see, Alidra would be among friends."

"Time to discuss it would be good, I think," Tamasa said. "Will you go back to Keralyn to await our decision?"

Kadria tilted her head. "I don't travel well any more. Not since the invasion. I was hoping to avail myself of your hospitality. Imalia speaks very highly of your ale."

"I..." Denri said. "We cannot expect the High Mage to sleep on a straw mattress!" He sounded horrified.

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"I have slept on worse than a straw mattress in my time, Denri," Kadria said dryly. "Even after I became High Mage. You know that.”

Denri still looked upset but he snorted at that. “True, but that was a different time.”

Alidra looked from Kadria to him and back wondering what they were talking about. Kadria must have noticed her confusion because she smiled.

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“At the tail end of the Mage Wars, every time I snuck into Benar I had to do it incognito. Trust me your mattresses will be fine and I will spend much of my time with Lilat so you have time to talk. We can begin Alidra's battle training while I am here."

"You will be welcome," Tamasa said.

"Thank you," she said. "Shall we go to your house now? We should probably get the complete shock people are going to feel when they see me here out of the way."

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Tamasa chuckled. "Yes, we probably should." She rose and bowed. "Most Blessed among the Chosen of Rindalam, it would be my honour to escort you if you will permit it."

“Tamasa!” Denri had buried his head in his hands at that for some reason.

Kadria ducked her head and her shoulders shook with repressed laughter. But when she looked up again a few moments later her face was composed again. "My thanks, Lady Tamasa," she said formally. "I will allow it."

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To describe the reaction of the villagers as shock was an understatement. In spite of Lilat's words several people were still hanging around trying to find out what Alidra or her parents had done. When they realised the Mage walking beside Tamasa was the High Mage it was pandemonium.

Once they reached the house Mayin was clearly terrified as she flung herself at Kadriya's feet claiming she knew nothing of whatever sin had been committed.

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Kadriya covered her eyes and shook her head at that.

"No one has done anything," she said. "I am just here to avail myself of Tamasa's hospitatlity while she and Denri decide which of the options I have given them to take."

"Decision?" Aunt Mayin looked confused. "Surely they must do whatever you want?"

"They do have a right to say no to me on matters not covered by the Law," Kadriya said drily. "And anyway I gave them options so they can do either."

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Mayin looked so confused at that that it made Alidra giggle.

Kadria just shook her head. "This is our fault. My predecessors and I should not have let the Perfectionists control Benar for over thirteen octads while we cowered in Laglin."

"From the number of battles fought in the Mage Wars I wouldn't say that the Loyalists cowered, holy lady," Tamasa said. "What were you supposed to do? Curse them and leave the Benari without most of their protectors?"

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"You sound like my husband," Kadria said. "Which isn't surprising I suppose. And I do wonder sometimes if that wouldn't have been the better course. I guess the fact I still restrain myself when they keep blocking me. At least they accept me as High Mage now, even if it is just because seeing me channel the Lawgiver's rage against the Invaders terrified them. They still think I'm a heretic and he chose me in spite of my beliefs not because of them."

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She tilted her head at Mayin. "But if mages were as perfect as you've been told how can any of us be heretics?" She gave a sad smile. "But this is a morose discussion. How about some of this ale I have heard so much about."

"Um..." Mayin scowled thoughtfully but didn't reply.

"I doubt you'll ever persuade Mayin she's wrong but you actually made her think about it which is an achievement," Tamasa said. "And as to the beer, just let me get it for you."

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She hurried to fill a cup for the High Mage. Kadria thanked her and sipped it. After a moment she gave a gasp and closed her eyes.

"Imalia is right," she said. "You make the best ale."

That afternoon while Tamasa and Denri were discussing whether to let their daughter go to Keralyn with her Kadria took Alidra back to the shrine and put her through paces with the sword and knife drills that Lilat had been teaching the children.

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Such practice had been compulsory since the Arissi's failed invasion so that people would hopefully be able to defend themselves from physical attacks should the Arissi or anyone else attack again.

As she attacked the straw dummy set up for the training Alidra kept half an ear on what Kadria and Lilat were saying.

"You're right. She's very good, Lilat. She reminds me of her namesake. Did her parents name her that deliberately?"

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"I believe they did," Lilat said. "Naming their daughter after High Mage Alidra reminded people that Tamasa was also the name of a High Mage and stopped people questioning why she didn't change her name given that it's known to be the name of the Saraleti War Witch who single-handedly slaughtered over a hundred Arissi at the siege of Fasrat."

Alidra finished her current drill and looked at Lilat. "You were at Fasrat, weren't you?"

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Lilat gave a sad smile. "I was. It's where I lost my magic. It's interesting, but when facing an enemy who wants you all dead you no longer care who the person who's got your back worships."

"This War Witch fought alongside you?" Alidra asked.

"That War Witch saved my life and the lives of the children I was protecting," Lilat said. "Those Arissi she killed, a dozen of the tally came when she was standing over me and protecting me after I collapsed.

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And she carried me back to our headquarters for help once she was sure the immediate attack was over. Not without risk to herself I may add. There are quite a few mages who would attack a War Witch on sight even in the midst of a battle with other enemies."

Alidra stared at her. Mages were not supposed to speak so warmly of Witches, were they? Amara's chosen were the Lawgiver's enemies. But Kadriya looked relaxed with the conversation?

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"I think we confused her," Kadria said.

"Yes," Lilat said. "But she's a bright girl, she'll work it out eventually."

"If it's something I should know, can't you just tell me?" Alidra asked.

"It's not our place," Kadria said.

"Oh." She looked around and saw her parents walking up from where they'd been talking by the lake. They were hand in hand and both looked very serious. "Here come mummy and daddy."

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"Holy Lady," Tamasa said without preamble. "If we allow you to adopt Alidra will we still be permitted to see her?"

"Of course!" Kadria exclaimed. "Sweet law! Of course! But it might be a bit sporadic at first. I don't want to draw too much attention to Shael so I won't be telling people where I found her."

"Especially since you don't want House Kasid to find out she's the same girl that idiot Andric hurt,” Lilat said. “They'd blame her and want revenge."

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"How is he?" Tamasa asked. "Not well I hope."

"Well he isn't drooling any more and some of his memory has returned but he still remembers nothing of what happened and he'll never recover his magic," Kadria said. "Leaving him alive was an act of calculated cruelty. His house pushed harder than I expected for reparations. They didn't have enough support to actually get the Council on side but they did have enough to lock it up and stop it doing anything."

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She sighed heavily. “I'm going to regret the concession I had to make to them to get them to stop that."

"What did you give them?" Tamasa asked.

"Control of my daughter Riat's training," she said. "I thought I could stop them turning her as she was still living in my household, but no. I don't know how they are doing it but she's turning into a hard-line Perfectionist."

"What does her father think of that?" Tamasa asked.

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"Well he's not happy, but he understands why I had to do it." Kadria sighed. "So you'll let me take her?"

“Yes, I suppose he would,” Tamasa said. "But promise you won't let the Perfectionists get her."

"You have my word," Kadria said. "I fear I have lost my own daughter. I won't lose yours."

Tamasa nodded seriously. "Then we will let you take Alidra to Keralyn as long as she agrees. She's old enough to understand."

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Alidra's mouth suddenly dried up as all eyes turned to her.

"I-I ... I don't know," she said. "I want to help but I don't want to leave you."

"High mage Kadria will make sure we stay in touch," Tamasa said. "And you'll have Kilit. She must be lonely without Imalia there."

Alidra thought about Kilit all alone without her mother and it did seem like a big adventure but she also thought of her own parents alone here without her.

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“So you'll still be staying tonight?” Denri asked.

“If you don't mind, Denri,” she said.

“Of course we don't,” he said.

"Good," Tamasa said. "Because it would be a shame if the feast the villagers have to decided to prepare for you went to waste."

Kadria sighed at that. "People do insist on such things. I wish they wouldn't."

"Well it's not for nothing," Lilat said. "They'll be hoping you'll bless the village."

"I'd do that anyway," Kadria said.

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