Survivors: Book 4 Circles of Light series, page 30
‘If there is anything you need, ring the chime as I showed you inside and I will return.’
‘Stay for a while if you will Sariko.’ Tika sat on the grey flagged stone and Farn settled behind her.
‘You did not seem as surprised as the Emperor to learn of the reality of the Bound Ones.’
Sariko pulled a cushion closer and knelt on it, sitting back on her heels. She offered Tika a rueful smile.
‘I was brought up on stories of the Elder Races and the binding of the Four. I was born to House Garnet. Like House Jade, my birth House places great importance on discovering how the past influences the present and the future.’
Just before the fifth bell sounded, the Houses, both major and minor, arrived outside the lesser chamber of audience. Tika had learnt a great deal from Empress Sariko. Likewise, Gan had joined Ren and had exchanged much information with Master Jakri. They returned to the audience chamber and found Navan still poring over maps spread across the table. Imperial Blossoms were lighting lamps set all around the walls and light seemed to emanate from the whole of the vaulted ceiling.
Kasheen joined them from a small door set to the side of the dais, resplendent in an ivory gown, hundreds of diamonds stitched into spiral swirls down front and back panels. He wore a chain round his neck, heavy gold links separated by jewels the size of plums – ruby, emerald, turquoise, citrine, amethyst, sapphire – jewels such as Tika had never imagined. She was amazed too at how quickly the Empress had changed into an equally glittering robe, garnets among the diamonds and a veil hiding her face.
The three gijan were yawning. Leaf scooped Khosa into her arms and joined her brother on Seela’s back. The purple Dragon reclined to the left of the dais, Brin to the right with Piper lying along his neck. The five companions and the Empress stood between the adult Dragons, Farn and Storm reclining before them.
Kasheen gave them a broad grin and turned towards the great doors. He nodded to the Blossom who swung the doors open then marched back to stand at the Emperor’s shoulder.
‘Grek?’ Tika’s query was the merest wisp of thought.
‘I am here.’
She drew a steadying breath as brilliantly robed figures escorted by plain gowned people she guessed to be mages began to enter. Strange, but she felt a relief knowing the unbodied entity was with them when she had abhorred the very thought of him such a short while ago.
Kasheen glanced behind him with a frown as the first of the Houses and mages approached then the grin returned even as Brin rumbled softly.
‘Grek has hidden us.’ The crimson Dragon sounded amused.
Farn’s eyes whirred with glee. ‘Won’t they have a surprise!’
Sket grunted and Tika felt a bubble of mirth rising within her. She watched as the gorgeously attired Heads of Houses bowed low to the Emperor, each one flanked by two mages. She noticed there were a few women present: most were mages but she saw three were clearly Heads of Houses.
When all had entered and the doors were closed again, Kasheen directed them to seat themselves around the table where the maps still lay. Kasheen remained on his feet.
‘We have much to discuss my friends, but I would have you know there are other guests in my palace this night.’
He extended his arm towards the dais and Tika had time to wonder if Kasheen and Grek had concocted this piece of melodrama between them. Grek released the shielding and those around the table sat in stunned shock at what was thus revealed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kasheen introduced the companions and explained as much as he knew of the situation in Malesh. After the Wendlans had heard in their own minds, the voices of the Dragons and then Gan’s calm recapitulation of the facts, they had questions to ask. If Tika and Ren had been exhausted by the questions of Storm’s Flight back on the Sapphrean coast, they were nearly beaten to their knees by the Wendlans interrogation. Almost at once House Chrysoprase demanded writing materials, endorsed by House Carnelian. Seela half rose, prismed lavender eyes darkening to violet.
‘Is it permitted that these mages speak beyond the walls to their fellows outside?’ she demanded.
‘What do they say?’ Ren asked, looking round the table and noting which faces had flushed or paled.
‘They describe this place, they send images of us.’
‘And we – or I at least – urge our fellows to begin checking spell books, medical supplies, deciding which of us should travel to Malesh,’ one mage retorted aloud.
Tika studied the stones gleaming on the gown of the woman beside the mage: one of the three female Heads of Houses. The woman caught Tika’s eye and smiled.
‘I am Miako, Head of House Carnelian. We are renowned as medical practitioners.’
‘It might be wiser to refrain from mind speech to those outside for now.’ Ren was calm and polite but there was a suggestion of inflexibility in his voice.
An elderly man in robes as scarlet as Brin’s scales and with an enormous ruby glowing at his throat, inclined his head.
‘Our Dragon guests at least can obviously hear any mind speech from us, therefore as Master Ren suggests, we should desist.’
There were nods around the table and serious debate began. They talked long into the night, discussing Wendla’s assistance to Malesh in regard to both the sudden incursion of the desert tribes and the insane schemes of Vorna the witch woman. Farn and Storm followed the example of the gijan and were sound asleep before Imperial Blossoms brought refreshments to the gathering.
At some point, Tika realised Sariko had removed her veil and was talking animatedly with another woman. There was a familiarity about the second woman and when Jakri leaned across to say something, Tika saw the resemblance. Jakri observed Tika’s attention and introduced her.
‘Oniko, my mother, and Head of House when I am otherwise engaged.’
Tika was surprised: Oniko looked the same age as Jakri. Then she remembered that apparently mages aged differently from untalented people. Jakri named the two young men with his mother as J’Bak and Shek, his apprentices.
Sket leaned close. ‘Is this arguing going on until daybreak? For stars’ sake, you are as tired as Farn – leave them to it and get some sleep.’
Sket’s words encouraged an eye watering yawn and Tika managed a smile. She looked across the table and saw Gan was watching her. He tilted his head towards the dais and she climbed to her feet, Ren and Sket following suit. Sariko reached for Tika’s hand.
‘My maid is within hearing of the chime should you need anything. I will stay here a while longer.’
Tika struggled with another yawn. ‘You are more open to change than is the Emperor I suspect.’
Sariko laughed. ‘Oh most definitely. As a Head of House as Oniko is, I would have much freedom, much influence, but as the wife of the Emperor I have none. I welcome anything that might change that!’
Farn opened one eye, the facets a soft blue. He rippled his wings and back muscles and followed Tika from the chamber. Storm slept on and Seela and Brin continued to listen to the words and thoughts of the Wendlans. Khosa trotted behind Sket and reached the Empress’s courtyard just as Farn settled around Tika. Khosa sat regarding them for a moment, both already nearly asleep. She flicked a glance up at Sket.
‘Open one of the doors inside for me. Grek watches in the chamber but I would – explore – this palace.’
Sket grinned in the fading starshine. ‘At your command majesty.’
Khosa ignored the sarcasm, recognising the affection in Sket’s voice. He opened the required doors and returned to sit leaning against a tree trunk close to Tika and Farn. Ren snored gently a few paces away.
The second bell had rung, signifying mid morning before Gan, Navan and the three Dragons rejoined them, the gijan now wide awake and hungry. Navan and Gan went inside to try to catch up with some sleep as Sariko emerged accompanied by three Blossoms carrying food and drink. Tika regarded the Empress with admiration: she had changed her robe again and despite having less sleep than Tika, Sariko’s face shone with wellbeing.
‘Jakri remains with some of the mages,’ she told them. ‘The Heads of Houses have left to consult their families and begin preparations. Oniko is still here – she requests audience with you.’
Tika pushed her fingers through her tangled hair and wondered just how Sariko managed to look so perfect.
‘We don’t give audiences Sariko – if Oniko wants to talk to us, ask her to come out here.’
The Blossoms withdrew and a few moments later Oniko appeared. She began to bow but Tika shook her head and smiled.
‘We are not used to all this bowing all the time.’
Sket handed Jakri’s mother a bowl of tea and Oniko folded herself gracefully onto a cushion.
‘I far travel,’ Oniko began without preamble. ‘I think you sensed Jakri’s apprentice Hiramo’s mind seeking westwards of late.’
Brin rumbled. ‘She was not present in the hall,’ he remarked.
‘No. She remains in House Jade,’ Oniko agreed. ‘But I used Hiramo to conceal my mind. Once she reached her limit in travelling, I went on.’
‘To Malesh?’ asked Ren.
Oniko nodded. ‘I tried to trace the witch woman but I could only snatch glimpses of her. She was not aware of me, but she has a system of constantly changing defences which is quite unique. Travelling so far is taxing in the extreme so I never had enough time to properly locate or observe her.’
‘And if you had?’ Tika swirled the tea in her bowl, watching Oniko from beneath her lashes.
Oniko paused. She bowed her head. ‘I would have tried to destroy her.’
Sariko gasped. ‘You would imperil your spirit?’
Oniko gave a wry smile – she had used the same words to her son barely three days ago and pretended to be shocked that he had reached such a decision.
‘If the witch woman frees a Child, my spirit will be sorely endangered anyway. The cost would be worthy.’
‘Sariko told us more of the Bound Ones yesterday than I had heard from Taseen.’ Ren reached for the tea pot.
Tika looked at Seela. ‘Sariko said at least one of the monstrous Children used Dragon blood to somehow change or enhance her power.’
Seela’s eyes blazed in anger. ‘Tell me of this.’ Her tone in their minds was fraught with suppressed rage.
Sariko quickly repeated one of the many tales she’d learnt as a child. Tika watched carefully, hoping Seela would stay in control of her temper. To her relief, the anger shifted to a deep confusion as Seela listened closely to the Empress, to her words and to the feelings beneath the words.
‘You will tell me more.’ Seela stared down her long nose at the tiny Empress. ‘I would know every tale you can recall.’
Sariko obediently sat in front of the purple Dragon and related every story she could dredge from her memory.
‘House Jade also teaches its children the ancient stories but I’m not sure if many others do,’ Oniko said softly to Tika. ‘The Dragons of the Time Before were much fiercer I think, wilder too. They had great physical and mental powers but less wisdom.’
Tika studied Oniko carefully, her smooth gold skinned oval face, the gleaming black hair piled in intricate coils on top of her head and held in place with long carved jade pins.
‘The stories say the Dragons thirsted for blood, although once the Dragon Lord half-breeds had risen to power, they reduced the attacks by Dragons upon humans who had displeased them.’ Oniko watched Willow suddenly fly high above them, spreading his wings to drift lazily down in the midst of a host of butterflies.
‘These you call gijan are unknown to me but clearly it must be their feathered wings depicted beside the Dragon faces in our emblems.’
She pulled a thin gold chain free of her gown, holding it for Tika’s inspection. It was a flat oblong of palest green jade, a Dragon’s face etched on it, flanked by feathered wings. Oniko tucked it back out of sight and Tika regarded the dark green stone denoting Oniko’s position as Head of House Jade. Oniko lifted it, a questioning expression on her face.
‘This is the token of my House,’ she began.
‘I know. I mean I guessed it was so. I was given this. It is of great importance but I don’t yet know what that importance is.’
Tika freed her pendant, holding its gold chain so that it swung from her hand. In the still shadowed courtyard the rich red gold of the pendant’s backing shone as if alight, and a tiny pulse within the amber filled front flared in time with her heart beat. Oniko did not touch it but leaned close to stare as it dangled between Tika’s fingers.
‘I have never seen such a thing,’ she said sitting back again. ‘Our people know much of stones and of certain metals, but this is new to me. House Amber has a large collection of amber in which insects were trapped at the time the amber flowed from a tree, but nothing like this. It almost seems there is something alive within it.’
A bell rang in a distant part of the palace and the midday sun blazed down into the Empress’s courtyard within its deep well. Gan and Navan emerged from the inner rooms blinking at the brightness. Oniko turned to speak to them and Farn rested his head over Tika’s shoulder. He kept his mind voice tightly focused for his soul bond only.
‘Seela becomes angry more quickly of late.’
Alarmed though she was by Farn’s comment, Tika kept her eyes on Piper, dangling her legs from a branch some distance across the garden.
‘Could it be that she is tired, or wishes she had stayed home in the Sun Mountains?’
‘No.’ Farn was definite. ‘Storm gets cross much faster too – it’s something to do with this land we think.’
‘We?’
‘I spoke of it to Brin. He doesn’t seem disturbed and neither am I.’ There was a note of pride in Farn’s tone.
Tika turned against his chest to hug him. ‘But Brin thinks something is affecting both Storm and Seela?’ she asked.
‘Mmm. Do you remember when we first met Storm’s Flight? Brin and Khosa both said that the sea Dragons were wilder than our Kindred.’
‘You’re right. And Storm was very angry in Singer’s Dome.’ Tika glanced round the courtyard. ‘Where is Khosa?’ she asked aloud.
‘She went off exploring,’ Sket replied, resheathing his sword and reaching for Tika’s.
‘Can she get back here all right?’
Sket shrugged. ‘She’ll surely mind speak someone if she wants a door opened.’
Tika’s green silvered eyes unfocused as she searched for Khosa’s mind signature.
‘Where are you?’ she demanded when she’d located the Kephi.
‘Busy,’ came the curt reply.
Tika sighed and released the contact. She’d sensed some agitation from Khosa’s mind but she didn’t doubt Khosa would call for assistance should she need it.
In fact, Khosa was crouched on top of a high cupboard washing a torn ear. She had been greatly displeased to find a large number of cats – as her kind seemed to be called here and in Malesh. As befitted cats who dwelt in an Emperor’s palace, they gave themselves disgustingly superior airs. One, a slender short haired female with slanted blue eyes and a kink in her tail, had screeched appallingly at Khosa’s approach.
Her wails reached a pitch that hurt Khosa’s head and so she’d slapped her smartly as she would one of her children. She was astonished to find herself bowled over and attacked, not just by the noisy female but by two males who had appeared from nowhere. Khosa wasted no breath in screaming back at these three ill mannered brutes: she set to work with claws and teeth.
One of the males fled first, howling from a deep scratch from the corner of an eye down across his nose. The second male had ripped Khosa’s ear before she got both her back feet under his chest and raked down the length of his body. When he fled, the female backed away. Khosa’s orange fur stood on end, her tail thrashing furiously and the other female decided discretion might be the wiser course for now.
Khosa had also left the area at speed, looking for somewhere to attend to her ear and take stock of her next move. Now she froze as she heard the sound of claws in wood: another Imperial cat was climbing her cupboard refuge. She backed away, her fur fluffing around her and her eyes narrowed to slits. A mottled face cautiously peered over the edge of the cupboard and then the rest of the cat appeared.
It was a male, rather elderly and rather tatty. He surveyed Khosa for a moment and then advanced, belly low, until he could touch her face gently with his own. Khosa kept still, her fur still puffed to make her seem twice her actual size. The male began to croon gently and his rough tongue started to work on the torn ear.
‘I am Khosa,’ she murmured to his mind.
The male paused and stared into her turquoise eyes.
‘I am Akomi.’ He blinked his own tawny gold eyes. ‘Few of the cat folk talk now.’
He continued to clean Khosa’s ear. ‘I am the only one in the palace to mind speak. When I try to touch the minds of others, they sense it only as an irritation. Then they attack me so I keep my own company.’
‘You must be lonely.’ Khosa shifted slightly as the edges of her ear rubbed uncomfortably.
‘I pass my days watching and listening, both the humans and the cats. And I wait to die.’
Khosa glared at him. ‘Wait to die – pah! You will travel with me now Akomi. I am Queen of a great estate in my homeland and so I command you. But first, show me where the humans are in this place who speak of secret things.’
Akomi peered at the ripped ear to see if it had stopped bleeding and then stepped back from Khosa.
‘I think I have an idea of what you mean. I’ll take you there if you wish.’
Khosa butted her face gently against the older cat. ‘Let’s go then. And thank you for your kindness.’
Akomi led the way: a long slithering jump from the cupboard and a hurried run down a corridor. They passed maids and menservants and reached a broad stairway guarded at the foot by two Imperial Blossoms. Akomi slowed to a nonchalant saunter and marched up the middle of the stairs.
