Drogoya: Book 3 Circles of Light series, page 18
There was a flurry among the sea Dragons at this statement.
‘Show us a Dragon Lord and a silver one,’ Salt demanded.
Tika obediently pictured Mim as she had last seen him, leaning against Ashta, the scales shimmering gold on his face and arms. Then she gave them a sight of Gremara, explaining that she herself had not seen the silver Dragon. Khosa chose that moment to stalk across the sand. She sat firmly in front of Salt for an instant then rose and wound herself over his forearm and rubbed along his side, buzzing softly all the while. Salt’s eyes followed the tiny orange shape in some bemusement.
‘She has exceedingly sharp talons,’ Farn warned nervously.
Salt swung his head to Farn then peered back down at Khosa.
‘Show me your talons,’ he commanded.
Khosa extended her claws onto his forearm and he studied them carefully.
‘A very dangerous creature I suspect,’ he said solemnly.
Khosa’s buzzing increased and she tucked herself tidily into the crook of Salt’s arm.
‘It is nice to be appreciated,’ she murmured.
Farn was aghast that Salt should seem to be deceived by the treacherous Kephi but Tika hushed him. Salt could squash poor Khosa in an instant if he so chose and Tika did not believe for one moment that he considered the Kephi a dangerous threat to himself or any other Dragon.
‘If you should need any help that we might provide, do not hesitate to ask,’ said Salt.
Tika smiled. ‘We enjoyed the fish the other day.’
Salt rumbled softly. ‘Then more will be provided whenever you wish.’ He settled more comfortably, making sure not to disturb Khosa as Tika’s party all noticed with amusement.
‘You said you would tell us things we wish to know.’ Salt’s eyes fixed on Ren. ‘It is now later, so we shall listen to your tales.’
Tika grinned.
‘I think Cloud will have told you all she heard at our first camp. What particularly would you like to know of?’
It seemed that Dragons never tired of stories, and were never lost for questions, or so an exhausted Offering Ren Salar decided as the moon rose. He lifted his hands pleadingly towards Salt.
‘We are weaklings compared to Dragons. We need rest Elder Salt. I promise I will speak again, but now we really must sleep.’
Maressa discreetly nudged Tika. Tika looked casually round at the Dragons and saw several of the younger ones, heads back between their wings, fast asleep. Brin was still awake, but Farn was sound asleep against his side.
With polite apologies, the sea Dragons rose in a flock and curved round the cliff to their caves. Belatedly, Tika realised that Khosa too had vanished. Irritating as the Kephi could be, Tika hoped that Salt did not decide to drop her. Brin roused Farn and they followed the sea Dragons. Brin had found that the cave next to Olam’s had a wide ledge, suitable for his bulk, while Farn settled at the entrance to the one Gan had chosen.
Ren retreated with Pallin and Sket to their cave behind the cliffs. Sket busied himself brewing yet more tea in the kettle which simmered among the embers of the small fire. Pallin joined him and they peered into the darkness for the Offering.
‘Nothing mentioned about those red eyed things,’ Pallin muttered to Sket. ‘All so busy talking of things long past, when it’s now we should be worrying about.’
Ren appeared and sat by the fire, accepting the tea Sket handed him.
‘Wondered had you got lost,’ Pallin grunted.
‘No. It was just that as we came from the gap to here, I could swear I smelled mint, yet I had not noticed it grew here. Remind me to look in the morning will you?’
Navan was first down to Pallin’s cave next morning and found Sket and Ren prowling abstractedly around the edge of the small pool of fresh water. Pallin was poking in a large pan over the fire and wore his usual scowl. He looked up as Navan reached him.
‘Fools are looking for plants.’ He jerked his head in the direction of Sket and the Offering.
Navan nodded and took a bowl of the oatmeal leavened with a few dried fruits which was what Pallin considered a suitable breakfast. Olam and Gan appeared, trailed by Maressa and Tika deep in conversation. Both girls declined the oatmeal but accepted the tea.
‘Not much left in the way of supplies,’ Pallin announced.
‘I was thinking of that last night,’ Tika replied. ‘If we work out exactly what we might need for a few ten days – the quantities as close to exact as I am sure you could estimate, perhaps Brin could go back to Far?’
‘I could go with him to mind speak Lallia or Seboth from a sensible distance,’ Maressa volunteered.
‘And what if Hargon has decided to besiege Far, or something equally nasty?’ asked Gan.
They all knew he was thinking of the creatures in the shielded sphere.
Maressa shrugged. ‘I would recognise the signature of anything similar if I met one again. But we were on the ground when they attacked us before, and from what Cloud has said, they attacked the sea Dragons when they were sleeping in their caves.’
Gan chewed his lip. Brin and Farn descended to land close by and Gan glared at Tika. She had obviously called them, to hear Brin’s views on this idea.
‘How long would it take you to fly to Far from here to replenish our supplies Brin? Carrying Maressa as well?’
Brin’s eyes whirred with a rosy glow. ‘Four days at the longest,’ he replied promptly. ‘And then four back.’
Gan scowled, a mirror image of Pallin across the fire.
‘Eight days alone Maressa. I do not think it wise.’
Maressa snorted. ‘I am not entirely helpless Gan.’ She lifted her hand slightly and dust swirled up by Gan’s feet, whirling into the fire which blazed in the sudden gust of air.
Navan swallowed, but the look he gave Maressa was more of admiration than suspicion. Gan raised one shoulder, indicating that he still had considerable doubts for Maressa’s safety.
‘I would allow no harm to befall Maressa.’ Brin sounded indignant and smoke wisped from his nostrils in annoyance.
‘I know you would not Brin. I meant no insult. But I fear for you both, not just Maressa.’ Gan was quick to soothe Brin’s ruffled temper.
‘I will permit no danger near us,’ Brin repeated.
‘Of course he wouldn’t.’ Farn was most upset that anyone should criticise his hero.
Gan shook his head ruefully. ‘I apologise, truly I do. If anyone could fly to Far and back then you would surely be the fastest and safest of Dragons, Brin.’
Tika grinned at him. Gan was at last learning how to wheedle and flatter: a much better strategy with either Farn or Brin, than issuing orders. Something she had long since discovered.
Maressa produced a scrap of paper and went into a huddle with Pallin to decide what would be most needed. They could survive here as they were with fresh water, fish provided by the sea Dragons and the occasional green shoots that resembled some of the salad plants of Sapphrea. It had taken them fifteen days to travel from Far to this coast with the koninas, and to make the journey back they would need more than a few fish.
Tika leaned back on her elbows and saw Olam drawn into Maressa and Pallin’s discussions. The young sea Dragon, Storm, appeared above the cliffs, tilted his wings sharply and settled beside Farn.
‘I will show you where the rocks usually come out of the sand,’ he told Tika.
She sat up. ‘We will come shortly. Is it really close by?’ Her silver and green eyes narrowed at Storm. ‘Cloud told us that your caves were “not far”, and it took us three days to get here.’
She felt Storm’s laughter. Prismed eyes stared at her outstretched legs.
‘One hundred, two hundred, of your steps,’ he suggested.
Tika moved across, leaning to hug Farn and reaching to touch Storm’s face. ‘If it turns out to be leagues and leagues, I might become very annoyed.’
Both Farn and Storm shivered in glee, recognising that Tika was teasing them.
‘Go on then, we will follow.’
Storm lifted at once, closely followed by Farn. Tika turned to Brin.
‘You will be careful old friend?’ she asked softly.
Brin’s eyes flashed with affection as he heard the genuine concern in her mind tone.
‘You know I will dear child. We will be back before you have time to miss us.’
Tika put her arms around as much of Brin as she could reach and he rubbed his long face gently against her head.
‘May the stars guide your path and guard your heart then Brin.’
She turned, coming face to face with Maressa, who carried a pack containing a handful of dried fruits, an end of flat tough travel bread and two flasks of water.
‘I promise there will be no risks taken. We will leave now – I dare not start looking at any ruins, or I would never leave them!’
They hugged each other, Maressa climbed between Brin’s great wings, and they lifted into the sky. Brin circled once, then climbed higher and arrowed towards the east.
Chapter Sixteen
Finn Rah decided that Lyeto was correct: if there were refugees from the terror still wandering about outside, it was the duty and the obligation of Myata’s followers to offer them sanctuary. Lyeto had gone out on several more occasions, each time bringing one or two shocked, frightened or injured people back with him. The worst time for Finn, and for the rest of the community, was the night that Lyeto returned with five terrified children, the eldest of whom was a mere seven years old. The four younger ones clung to the eldest, refusing to let him go until he gently persuaded them that these strangers were trustworthy.
That night, Finn saw more of the hidden Oblaka community in tears than ever before, including the night that their House had been destroyed. Strangely, it was the disfigured blind woman, Teal, who seemed best able to calm the children. Three of them recognised her: their mothers had often gone to buy Teal’s bread from the market, and so her face, scarred as it was, was reassuringly familiar.
Finn was in Chakar’s sitting room with Observer Soosha and Kooshak Sarryen.
‘The last two adults Lyeto brought in came from just west of Krasato,’ Soosha was saying. ‘I wonder what impelled them to flee so far in this direction, particularly?’
Sarryen joined them at the table with a fresh pot of tea. ‘I have to say that I have noticed increasing whispers of Myata over the last few years as I wander the lands,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps the people remember the stories of her promise of welcome for all within her House?’
‘It is interesting that you should say that – I have heard fewer and fewer students mention her of late.’ Finn looked over the rim of her tea bowl at the Kooshak.
Soosha grunted. ‘I suspect that Cho Petak may have examined would be students far more closely than in the past. He would not want any other than blind devotees of Sedka’s Order and, by extension, of himself as Sacrifice.’
‘That makes sense within the Menedula. But why the sudden interest in Myata in the countryside?’ asked Sarryen.
‘The Balance?’ The Observer suggested.
Finn nodded slowly. ‘I remember some ridiculous cases about thirty years ago. People were planting onions among their beans, as they always had. They were accused of flouting Sedka’s fourth law, or some such nonsense. Do you remember? It caused an unusual stir at the time then it all seemed to disappear. I should have checked out the matter more closely.’
Soosha patted her arm. ‘We can all be more knowledgeable with hindsight, my dear Finn. No doubt the evidence is all there if we could but connect the various pieces which would then prove Cho Petak to be the foulest sort of impostor.’
‘Strong words Soosha.’
‘Indeed. But only the truth Finn. I have always worked best with earth and fire. Cho Petak is stronger with earth and fire than he is with air and water. Yet I have never felt the affinity with him that I would expect. On the contrary, I have felt a strong aversion to him, which is why I returned to the Oblaka after only the briefest of sojourns in the Menedula.’
‘Chakar is greatly gifted in air and water, yet she used nearly the same words in a message to me some time ago,’ said Finn.
‘Neither Chakar or I saw any way of overcoming him alone,’ Soosha spoke heavily. ‘We thought we would need a minimum of four Observers to combat each of his four talents. And there are not enough of us here to attempt it.’
Finn pursed her lips. ‘You really think it would take four each?’
‘No,’ Soosha corrected her. ‘That is what we estimated before this affliction beset the land. Melena told me that Babach said he believed Cho Petak to come from the Lost Realms.’
The two women stared at him.
‘No one mentioned that to me,’ Finn said at last.
Soosha nodded sadly. ‘And several of us attuned to the earth, together with a few who are gifted in air, felt something happen some days past.’
‘Felt what?’ Sarryen spoke quietly but her face expressed her alarm.
‘A sort of shuddering, a revulsion. As if earth and air across this land had been violated in some way.’
‘But,’ Finn began, then stopped to gather her thoughts. ‘I was taught, and have since so believed, that the Lost Realms were light knows how far distant? They were encapsulated, the ones who contrived the overthrow of the First Age.’
‘It would appear to me that Cho Petak escaped that fate somehow, and in turn has located and freed some of his ancient followers.’
‘Then what hope have we?’
Soosha patted the Offering’s arm again. ‘There is always some hope, or so Myata taught. But we have to sit tight here, keep this community safe, alive and hopeful.’ He paused. ‘And wait for further news from the Night Lands.’
‘If Babach survived with Voron, then they and Chakar would be foolish to try to return here now.’
Soosha laughed. ‘So you say Finn. But in their circumstances, given the slightest chance, would you not come home?’
A knock at the door sounded before Finn could answer and Soosha and Sarryen were already getting to their feet.
‘I have students to instruct,’ Soosha said, opening the door to reveal Lyeto.
The young man stood aside to allow the Observer and the Kooshak past him.
‘Come in Lyeto.’ Finn moved from the table to the hearth.
‘I did not intend to interrupt you, Offering. Volk suggested you might like to sample this.’
He held out a tall narrow dark blue bottle.
‘Aah.’ Finn took it from him and broke the wax seal. She sniffed cautiously, then with more enthusiasm. ‘I shall try this I think. And you did not interrupt me Lyeto.’
A colourless liquid came from the bottle as Finn poured it generously into a mug. She sipped, swallowed, and waited. A smile spread across the Offering’s face.
‘A vast improvement on the last lot,’ she announced. ‘Have you tried it?’
‘Oh no, thank you,’ Lyeto said hastily. ‘I find such drink just gives me a headache without the pleasure most seem to derive from it.’
Finn glanced across at him. ‘Well, sit down if you want to talk. You haven’t come to suggest that you go outside tonight have you? Because I will not permit it. You work hard during the day with all the new arrivals, and you have been outside each of the last three nights. Tonight you will sleep. That is an order Lyeto.’
He gave a faint smile and stared into the fire. Finn frowned.
‘I know I am not Chakar, but you can talk to me you know.’
The young man looked uncomfortable. Light, what could he have done now, she wondered. He drew in an audible breath.
‘You remember when I brought in Teal and Giff and the boy?’
‘I am hardly likely to forget.’
‘I asked if you heard singing and you said you did not.’
He had Finn’s full attention now.
‘I have heard the same singing now, each time I come back from outside with refugees.’
Finn noted his long fingered hands were knotted on his knee, the knuckles white.
‘What sort of singing do you mean Lyeto?’
‘That’s just it.’ He sounded exasperated. ‘There are no words, but it is singing not humming. It is full of a joyous gladness. I do not recognise any tune, yet it is familiar. Am I touched with the affliction do you think?’
Blue silvered eyes regarded Finn with something close to panic.
‘No Lyeto, you are neither touched with the affliction nor any other kind of madness.’ She took another sip of Volk’s latest brew while she considered what Lyeto had told her.
‘Has anyone else heard any singing?’ she asked.
‘I mentioned it to a few people but they had no idea what I was talking about.’
‘Does it stay in your mind, or just vanish when it ceases?’
Lyeto frowned. ‘It is still in my mind.’
‘Would you allow me to hear it?’
‘Oh yes please. It is beginning to worry me Offering Finn Rah.’
‘Then relax and open your mind to me.’
Finn’s jaw slackened as Lyeto’s mind played the singing back from his memories. She stared hard at him.
‘Have you heard such singing before Offering?’ he asked hopefully.
‘No. I have not.’ Finn swallowed the remains of her drink and had a brief fit of coughing. ‘Have I your permission to speak of this to the Observer Soosha and the two Kooshak? They may ask to hear it, as I have done.’
‘Whatever you think best. Do you think it is something harmful?’
‘Oh no,’ Finn laughed. ‘Something as beautiful as that singing could not be harmful. Well. It could,’ she corrected herself truthfully. ‘But there is something just too – joyous was the word you used I think? No Lyeto, it is not harmful to you I am quite positive.’
Lyeto visibly relaxed and soon afterwards Finn sent him to his bed with strict orders to sleep soundly. Finn sat thinking for a while then went in search of Soosha, Arryol and Sarryen. Soosha was delighted with Volk’s newest brew and joined Finn Rah in her choice of beverage while the Kooshak brewed themselves berry tea with a faintly righteous air.
