Drogoya: Book 3 Circles of Light series, page 5
‘Thank the stars you brought good news of Kadi with you Ren, We had no notion of where she had gone. I wonder if she has yet told Kija and Fenj of what befell her and Mena. Navan told us that Rhaki had expressed an interest in the child.’
‘Things seem much calmer since he vanished though, don’t they Lady Tika?’
Tika smiled at Sket. ‘They do indeed, but - ’
‘No buts for now.’ Gan rose to his great height. ‘The hour grows late so let us all get some rest.’
The group dispersed, Tika, Elyssa and Maressa retiring to the large bedroom they had chosen to share. Tika lay still, waiting until the other two were asleep, before sliding from the bed and creeping to the door. Sket got up from the floor outside and silently followed her. They ghosted down the stairs and along dimly lit passages before reaching the courtyard Brin and Farn had appropriated as their own.
Sket felt the affection surge from the Dragons as Tika approached. He grinned when Brin’s great head pushed gently at his chest. Tika settled herself in the curve of Farn’s shoulder. His eyes flashed in the starlight when Khosa settled in turn on top of Tika.
‘I heard you say we will go to the Bitter Sea,’ Farn murmured in Tika’s mind. ‘Shall we go tomorrow?’
‘We will go when Lashek leaves us for Gaharn. He is a nice man.’ She yawned hugely.
‘This Lord Seboth, he is not like Lord Hargon at all, is he?’ Sket asked from his place against Brin’s chest.
Tika roused. ‘ He isn’t is he? None of the lords is as strongly against using the power as Hargon. And it is only Hargon: Navan has no such hatred as Hargon shows.’
‘Is it because of what’s happened to his lads?’ Sket wondered. He thought Tika had fallen asleep but just as he was beginning to doze himself, she replied.
‘Losing his sons has made him even more resistant, but he has always hated it. I remember several times in my life in his compound, that he ordered the killing of certain people. It is only now that you remind me, that I realise they were ones who, probably accidentally, revealed they had some remnant of power through their old blood.’
Only a snore answered her, and Brin’s chuckle. But Tika stayed awake much longer, wondering why it was that Hargon should nurture such an enduring hatred for magic.
Lashek departed for the circle on Brin’s back. He carried with him separate messages from those left in Far, for delivery in Gaharn and the Stronghold. He had spent some time with Maressa and Ren trying to ascertain the location of two of the coastal cities of Valsheban days. Tika was stunned when Elyssa told her she would travel to Gaharn with Lashek. She argued, begging Elyssa to stay in Sapphrea.
‘As you are drawn to the west, I am not. I sense that I must go to the Stronghold,’ Elyssa said gently. ‘But see, I have drawn a circle and I will show you how to read the pattern and teach you the words, and how to identify the different ones. Maressa will go over it all with you on your travels.’
Farn also could see no reason why Elyssa should leave and added his arguments to Tika’s. But Elyssa remained steadfast in her determination to leave with Lashek. Farn carried his two girls to the circle in silence on the morning of departure. Elyssa hugged Tika hard.
‘I promise we will soon meet again Tika, but I must go to the north for now.’
Tika nodded. ‘It is just that it seems such a short time to have known you.’
Elyssa hugged her again then turned briskly to the circle. Lashek put his arms round Tika, resting his chin on the top of her head.
‘Find what you can of our old world, my child. I long to be with you as you go searching.’ He held her from him and smiled down at her. ‘You must promise me to add your thoughts to Maressa’s reports on all that you discover.’
Tika managed a smile, then reached into a pocket. ‘A little squashed I’m afraid.’
Lashek raised the package to his nose. His eyes rolled in delight. ‘You didn’t manage to wheedle the recipe from that dear Lady Lallia, did you?’
Tika handed him a folded paper. Lashek smacked a kiss onto her brow and joined Elyssa on the circle clutching parcel and paper to his chest. Elyssa glanced once across the circle into Tika’s silver eyes then looked down at the pattern she was about to walk. Seboth, Gan and Tika heard her low murmur as she began the chant. There was a soft gulp of air and the circle was empty.
Gathered in Seboth’s library that night, Tika asked if he had any strong objections to their searching the salt lands for the lost cities.
‘None at all,’ Seboth replied promptly. ‘I only wish, like Speaker Lashek, that I could join you. Unfortunately, the reports from Return make me chary of leaving Far at the present.’
Gan frowned. ‘Is Hargon ill – in your honest opinion Lord Seboth? I know he was sorely disturbed by the recent events concerning his sons.’
‘No.’ Seboth sighed. ‘Since the Ganger Wars ended, cycles past now, most of us Lords have enjoyed the chance to get on with our lives in our own areas. We keep a force of armsmen, trained and ready, but we enjoy our peaceful ways now. Hargon has always been the sole one of us to fret about keeping our men battle ready. He is also the only one of us who tries to keep alive the old fear of the power users – as I am sure you must have noticed.’
‘I have been wondering about that,’ said Tika. ‘Sket made me think of it the other night.’ Silver eyes gleamed when Tika turned to face Seboth. ‘Do you kill any of your people who show they have some unexplained way of doing something? Healing perhaps, or making plants grow?’
Seboth looked shocked. ‘Of course I don’t.’ Understanding dawned. ‘You mean Hargon does?’
Tika shrugged. ‘I know one of the old women “died” just before I – left – Return, half a cycle ago. She taught me to read and write, and she had also shielded my mind somehow. She tried to protect me Seboth.’
Seboth scowled and began to prowl the room. ‘I heard from Hargon this afternoon.’ He swung away from the window and squatted beside Tika. ‘He summons me to a great council as he calls it. Summons me – a Lord of the same standing as him.’ Seboth took Tika’s hands. ‘He ordered me to kill any Merigs I might see around Far. He has killed several, he says.’
Breaths were drawn in all around the fireside. Seboth’s hands tightened on Tika’s.
‘Lashek has freed the power within Olam, Lallia and myself. He said you could help us make progress in understanding just what we might be able to do. But I went out anyway this afternoon, after I read Hargon’s words, and I called to a Merig with my mind. He had heard of Hargon’s killings. I begged him to tell all his kind to beware Return and any armsmen in Hargon’s colours.’
Tika continued to stare at the Lord of Far.
‘The Merig was good enough to accept my word that his kind could find refuge here. I had thought that he would not listen to me, let alone speak to me after what has passed at Return.’
Tika laughed without humour. ‘Most of the creatures I have encountered who use the mind speech, judge each case as it arises. It seems only humans judge one and condemn all.’
Seboth released her hands and moved to sit on pillows near his wife.
‘When would you like to begin your search?’
Tika glanced at Gan for his suggestion.
‘I think as soon as possible. I do not think it safe to stay too near Hargon now.’
Seboth nodded, scrubbing a hand across his face wearily. ‘I must leave tomorrow. Olam will go with you, and an armsman as token escort at least.’
‘For the first day or so we will far speak you each sunset, Lallia. I would not risk trying to reach Lord Seboth while he is in Return.’ Tika hugged her knees to her chest. ‘We will leave the morning after tomorrow. That gives Gan time to arrange supplies and will allow the three of us -’ she indicated herself, Maressa and Ren. ‘To begin your instruction in the use of power. Lord Seboth, if you choose, we will work with you for a while now, before you must leave for Return?’
The room emptied of all but Lord Seboth, looking a trifle apprehensive, Tika, Maressa and Ren. Ren’s silver eyes regarded the Lord of Far.
‘We think you need to learn to shield yourself, quickly and thoroughly. That is most important. And if you can learn that readily, there are a few smaller things that might be useful in Return.’
Seboth was amazed at his exhaustion after only a short period of working with the power. Tika and Maressa threw mind probe after mind probe at him, until Seboth could slam a shield into place the instant he sensed their presence approaching. Ren finally smiled.
‘You were right Tika – he will be strong indeed, given time and training.’
Tika stretched. ‘I will go to Farn and Brin now.’
‘I will go to bed.’ Ren stood, bowing to Seboth before leaving in Tika’s wake.
‘And I will begin to show you how to far speak,’ Maressa told Seboth quietly when they were alone. ‘Tika is with Farn and they are holding their minds closed. Now, open your mind to mine and watch closely what I do.’
Seboth had a mild but persistent headache by the time he went to bid farewell to his guests. Farn’s sapphire eyes flashed and sparkled as he bent his long, beautiful face towards the Lord of Far.
‘May the stars guide your path Seboth,’ he intoned. His eyes whirred faster. ‘Only summon me if you believe we should do something interesting with this Hargon.’
Seboth blinked. Tika elbowed Farn sharply in the chest.
‘But Tika, this Hargon is not a pleasant creature – I knew so when I first met him.’ Farn objected.
‘Be that as it may Farn, we do not want to encourage trouble where it might not appear.’
Tika met Seboth’s eyes and knew they shared the same thought: trouble was already nearby and Hargon would be at its heart.
The visitors watched as Seboth, at the head of a full escort of armsmen in their green uniforms, rode from the outer court of Seboth’s manor. Several women, including Lallia, also watched, but from half shuttered windows, as the riders wound out into the town’s narrow streets.
A flash of silvery blue and Farn swooped above the contingent when it emerged from the town gate. He spiralled and pirouetted, then swerved back towards the manor. Tika muttered under her breath. Ren raised a brow in question.
‘He is encouraging Seboth to do something awful to Hargon,’ she explained irritably. But watching Farn’s graceful flight over the manor roof, she was unable to restrain a smile of complicity.
A large part of that day was spent working with Lallia, who showed great promise in the talent of far speaking and also for far seeing. As with her husband, Tika and Ren taught her first to shield herself, then Maressa took over. Maressa was impressed with Lallia’s abilities and told the others so.
‘She would be an air mage among my people and a powerful one too. In this short time she has learned what it takes years for many to comprehend.’
‘Perhaps she just somehow remembers?’ Tika suggested. ‘I still do not know quite what I can do or how I do many things.’ She shivered. ‘Farn’s healing for instance. I have no real idea of what I did then.’
They were gathered in Seboth’s library with a new face among them: Olam introduced Pallin, a grizzled man who reminded Tika strongly of Lorak. It was made plain that both Olam and Lallia had a fondness for the elderly man. Gan later explained that Pallin had played the part of father to Seboth and Olam when their true father was killed in the Ganger Wars. He had devoted his life to serving Seboth and Seboth’s family but had reached an age when he should be retired from strenuous duty.
‘Where do you hear all this gossip?’ Maressa asked Gan with admiration.
Gan laughed. ‘Armsmen are the worst of all for gossiping. Seboth has tried to give Pallin lighter duties but the arguments have been heard halfway into the town apparently. And he never won any of them.’
Next morning, the party assembled in the inner court. The three armsmen, with Olam and Ren, were mounted on koninas, and all except Ren led a spare animal which carried supplies. Maressa and Gan climbed onto Brin’s crimson back while Tika bade a last goodbye to Lallia within the manor.
‘We will make no attempt to contact Seboth,’ Tika told her. ‘And nor must you. But once he is home again, it will be safe to do so.’
‘I wish I could come,’ Lallia said wistfully.
Tika grinned. ‘Would you bring the baby, and a couple of nursemaids too?’
Lallia laughed. ‘I know, I know. But one day, I swear I will leave this town and see something else of this world.’
She spoke so forcefully, Tika could only hug her in delight. Running out to the court where Farn waited impatiently, Tika chuckled to herself. She had a feeling Lady Lallia would achieve her ambition.
Chapter Five
In Gaharn, Emla found Ryla icy with rage. The very idea that two Discipline Seniors should attempt a virtual coup within the Asataria seemed preposterous and infuriating. Secretly, she was also upset and worried that these two had been joined by roughly one hundred other Discipline Seniors and Seniors. A mere handful of students remained in the building – those who excelled at fawning and toadying. The vast majority had been ordered to leave. Some of these had returned to their homes laden with books in the hopes of continuing their studies unsupervised, while others had made for the Golden Lady���s great House.
And fortunate it was that the House was so large with so many students moving in to it. The great hall was put out of bounds, the students relegated to the fractionally smaller chamber in a distant wing of the House. All three Pavilions were also forbidden to them, although one was at present unused – Ryla deemed it best to forbid entry to any. Many Discipline Seniors and Seniors decided to move out to Emla’s House too during this emergency, abandoning their own, perfectly pleasant houses in Gaharn City, as Ryla acidly remarked.
One good thing about this influx of students was that they relieved Hani of much of the arduous duties of keeping her two eyes on five young Dragons. Ikram and Nya, Farn’s brother and sister, had fully recovered from both shock and injuries caused by Gremara’s mad screams. Mischief was their lifeblood and they had inveigled Hani’s daughter Deeba into becoming part of their many plots.
Hani’s other daughter Lilla was as shy as her mother and, with Shar, preferred to learn than to play constant pranks. Farn’s sister Shar was also glad to know the students were willing playmates of the three youngest Dragons. She was very like her mother Kija, by far the most responsible and serious of this brood.
Emla, Bagri and Soran closeted themselves in Emla’s study to determine the best and speediest way of evicting Fayet and his followers from the Asataria. Various Discipline Seniors had already been reprimanded for leaving the City and promptly sent back to their own homes. They were instructed to move among the local people, assuring them that the Golden Lady would bring this unprecedented situation to a rapid close.
Generations of humans had lived and worked in Gaharn with never a hint of any sort of trouble among them or the People of the Asataria who governed them with such a light hand. Tension had grown during the cold season with unconfirmed rumours spreading through the City of monsters, created and loosed into the world by the Grey Guardian of the North. No monsters had been seen in Gaharn City, but many families had leaned of their menfolk’s deaths in a great battle with the forces of the Grey One. Many more now had crippled husbands, brothers and sons to support, albeit a task made financially easier with the generous pensions paid by the Asatarians.
Soran reported that the City Guards still answered to his authority but the corp of Guards maintained by the Asataria were within that building under Fayet’s control. Soran had a plan of the Asataria complex laid out on Emla’s table. He pointed to various places as he spoke.
‘These seven entrances are all well guarded,’ he said. ‘All windows at ground level are heavily shuttered. Lady Ryla says that there are ways in from here, and here, which she remembers from her student days. I sent men to check. They found nothing at all here, but there is a door at this point, half its height buried under soil and shrubs.’
Emla pulled her lower lip with long fingers. ‘Would it be worth risking entry that way?’ she asked.
Soran sat back in his chair. ‘Lady I had a thought last night. If I put a squad of men to gain entry there, as a diversion, how many might we get through on the circle?’
Emla stared at her Captain of Guards. Bagri coughed politely.
‘Jilla has told me that Fayet asked about moving armies through the circles just before he stormed out of Ryla’s presence. If he is still ignorant of how the circles may be used, he would surely keep a large force of guards around the one within the Asataria?’
Soran scowled. ‘You are quite right of course. Perhaps we could send some men in both ways, hoping to split Fayet’s forces while we made an assault on the main doors?’
‘The main doors were specifically built to withstand any attack Soran.’
Soran sighed. ‘How well is the Asataria supplied Lady?’
‘Far too well I fear Soran. They could hold out in there without needing any more provisions for another half cycle easily. And there are four wells within too. No Soran, this must end quickly. I will ask Ryla if she can remember any other possible ways in or out, from her wicked student days. Come in,’ she called as a knock sounded on the door.
Shan entered and saluted smartly.
‘Lady, Elyssa and Speaker Lashek are in the hall, just come from Sapphrea.’
Bagri grinned. ‘I am surprised Lashek has actually returned so promptly. Thryssa must have threatened him with something truly dire to make sure he would be here.’
Emla smiled back at the Vagrantian. ‘What of the Drogoyan Observer, Ren?’
Shan shrugged. ‘He was not with them Lady, or Maressa.’
‘I will be down directly Shan. I am sure Speaker Lashek will be in great need of sustenance.’
