A/N: sorry this chapter is late. I know how I want the story to be at the climax (which is far, far away), but getting there is causing writer's block.

Disclaimer for all chapters: it is not mine. It is Tammy's.

Chapter Ten

            Audra couldn't resist poking her mind around the silencing barrier and listening in. She really disliked it when people kept secrets, especially if they affected her training. Hmmm. It seemed that the main thing on the two visitors' and Thom's minds was Duke Roger, the "smiling friend." And—what was this? One visitor wanted Thom to stay at the palace. 'Thank you, any and all listening deities,' Audra mouthed silently. Maybe she would have a friendly face at court after all. Practically an hour passed. With a barely audible moan, Audra shifted position to relieve the tension in her cramped legs from kneeling in the same spot for so long.

            This was a mistake. Instantaneously the male visitor went on alert. He had heard her. 'When in doubt, probe his mind.' Audra decided, and proceeded to focus intensely on the individual. He was thinking about Thom…

            He's a proud one. Jus' think, Alanna could've turned out exactly the same way if'n she'd been too scared to make any friends. Cynical to the bone.

            She burrowed deeper. George Cooper, the Rogue himself. 'Well, that explains some things. Now for the other one.'

            Loneliness. Incredulous at her brother's progress and halfway-earned Mastery. Slight apprehension about the duke of Conté. Were the emotions to hit Audra's mind when she tried to touch the person's thoughts. Frowning, Audra tried to dig through the visitor's memories but found that she couldn't. Slippery glass walls, innocent smoothness made it impossible. 'What? No! How am I ever going to find stuff out if I can't read her mind? This is definitely Thom's twin.'

 Desperately anxious about the blocking of her powers, Audra brought down the listening spells Thom had cast and put up her own, this time with her inside the hearing boundary. Then she settled herself to listen again. It was less effort, and she already had a headache from searching the visitors. No need to waste more energy listening to the verbal conversation with her mind when she could use her ears.

Alanna was finishing up an explanation about a charm around her neck.

The Rogue gently asked, "Have you any more surprises for me, then?"

"Don't be silly. I would've told you before, but the time was never right. It's not something I think I should talk much about."

"One of the gods themselves. What I wouldn't give to have been there with you." The mage remarked softly.

'That's Thom's longing voice,' Audra identified. 'He really is ambitious, he wants to prove he can do things that only gods should or can do…' She shuddered, a Sight-like chill filling her with foreboding. 'Where did that thought come from?' But the conversation was moving on again.

"I wish you had been with me. I was scared to death. Except maybe she wouldn't' have talked to me if you'd been there." The squire continued.

"Let me see it." Thom's voice held a tone that seemed to say, I am the lord of Trebond. Give it to me.

'All right. The smiling friend's list of crimes has grown larger. Alanna is a chosen of the Great Mother. She is also a friend with the King of Thieves. The Rogue isn't a bad person. I like him, from what I've seen of his mind.  I've been horribly cut off from information in these mountains. I can only get so much out of Thom's brain, now that he's started learning how to block me.'

Audra missed a good part of the following conversation while she concentrated on her new knowledge. She did, however, hear Thom shout a word of Command. The room rocked as a soundless explosion went off. Lamps flared in the hallways, then dimmed till they were barely burning. Questions were hollered from all over the building. Audra got up from her crouch and moved away from the door; someone had to come see what had caused the destruction.

'Thom's in for it this time. So many of the masters were working on complicated stuff tonight,' she thought worriedly as she double-checked the invisibility spell.

Si-cham walked hurriedly to the door, dressed in a dressing gown. Audra realized painfully how ancient the little yellow man was now. He clarified for Alanna and the Rogue what Thom had done.  Then he proceeded to ream Thom out and assign him his Ordeal of Sorcery; which was to repair all the damage he'd caused tonight.

'Thom was stupid.' Audra decided reflectively. 'I would've known not to mess with the forces of nature. I know better.'

Si-cham left again, message delivered. He paused sharply in the corridor, and Audra prayed he wouldn't notice her spell. He didn't, and began walking. Audra slipped back in front of the door as it shut and the conversation resumed. Alanna wanted to know why Thom wasn't a friend with Si-cham and the others. He insisted that the other masters were afraid of him because he was better. Audra rolled her eyes. She'd tried to argue the same point with Thom, after a few lessons with the kind old man. She had always lost.

"Thom, who has gold magic?" Alanna asked abruptly.

Thom sounded startled as he replied, "Audra does, and she's my student. Why do you ask? Do you see traces of her magic with your charm?"

"Yes."

The Rogue joined the discussion. "Lass, Thom says the girl is 'is student. O'course her magic'll be around the room—"

She interrupted. "No, you don't understand. The magic from Thom's listening spell is gone, and the gold Gift is in its place." Alanna started sounding annoyed. "Did you know about this, Thom? I told you I don't want to tell anyone until we have proof, and we don't have it yet!"

"Calm down, youngling." 

Audra had heard quite a few stories from Thom about his twin's glorious temper. She had always thought he was exaggerating. 'No, he was right. When she gets angry, she's scary. And I'm not even—"

The door flew open. It moved inwards, causing Audra to crash into the room. '—Inside the room,' she finished resignedly.

"Audra!" Thom yelled violently.

He and Alanna stood over her, glaring. In the shock of toppling forward, Audra had lost her grip on the invisibility spell. She looked calmly up at them.

Just because she looked serene didn't mean she was. 'Did I say his twin is scary when she's mad? It's worse when there are two almost identical people with identical tempers ready to murder you, one with magic and the other with that lovely sword at her waist.'