Drogoya: Book 3 Circles of Light series, page 6
‘He brought a recipe which he has already copied and asked the cooks to make up so we may all marvel,’ Shan told her mistress as she closed the door behind her.
Emla rose and went to one of the windows. Snow still lay in sunless corners but most of the gardens were clear now. A student dashed across a stretch of lawn and was knocked to the ground by a mauve blue Dragon. Emla heard shrieks of mirth in her mind as Nya planted herself firmly across the student’s back. She turned back to the room.
‘I must welcome Speaker Lashek and Elyssa. The High Speaker and her husband will also arrive soon too. Come back here after the noon meal Soran. We must have a firm plan of action drawn up this day.’
Soran saluted.
‘I am meeting with my officers as soon as I leave you, Lady. But it would most certainly help matters if Lady Ryla could recall anymore ways of sneaking in or out of the Asataria.’
Emla laughed. ‘I feel Lady Ryla would most strongly object to your use of the word “sneaking” Soran, but I will see what she might remember.’
Emla greeted Lashek and Elyssa warmly, aware of an air of resolve about Thryssa’s young aide. Elyssa handed her the letters from Tika and Gan, which Emla in turn passed to the two ancient ladies enthroned by the fireside.
‘I am glad that Tika is going to seek the lost cities,’ Nolli announced. ‘Even if they find nothing, I believe the child needs some time to accept all that has befallen her. We are apt to forget that she lived as a slave less than a cycle past.’
Jilla looked shocked, as did Lashek.
‘I had not heard that Nolli. A slave? I did not think slaves were kept here?’ Jilla sounded perturbed.
‘They only keep slaves still in parts of Sapphrea.’ Elyssa’s tone was matter of fact. ‘More specifically, Return has a high population of slaves and I gather they are never given their freedom. Lord Seboth of Far still has “slave families” – descendants of slaves taken during their Ganger Wars, but they were given their freedom over ten cycles past when the Wars ended.’
‘From these letters, the news is not good of Lord Hargon’s attitude to any of us from outside his lands?’ Emla queried.
Lashek shook his head. ‘Did they tell you that he has ordered any Merigs in his territory to be killed? Seboth was not pleased to be “summoned” to a council in Return any more than he was that this Hargon also ordered him to destroy any Merigs around Far.’
Hani’s head peered anxiously round the side of Nolli’s chair and the small Kephi on Nolli’s knees chirruped in distress. Tears shone on Nolli’s cheeks and Elyssa knelt, putting an arm around the tiny woman’s shoulder while her friend and maid Lanni clucked and patted.
‘The Merigs are kindly souls. They have long carried messages willingly between the creatures of this land. This is a dreadful thing to hear.’
‘Hush,’ Elyssa tried to comfort the Delver. ‘Seboth called a Merig to him and warned of the danger.’
‘Seboth did?’ Emla asked in astonishment.
‘Yes he did.’ Lashek tried to look modest. ‘He and his Lady wife and his brother Olam, are all strong in the power. Or they will be when they are properly instructed. All three had been shielded.’
‘Shielded?’ Emla felt she was becoming an echo. ‘But who might have shielded them?’
Lashek smiled. ‘Who knows? But they are being taught to guard themselves even now and will be safe for a while yet.’
Ryla had heard none of the conversation, her mind had been back in the long distant days of her studentship.
‘Five more places I can remember,’ she now said suddenly. ‘Where is the plan Emla?’
Emla nodded to Shan, who sped off up the wide staircase to fetch the plan of the Asataria from Emla’s study. Before Shan reappeared, six Guards escorted High Speaker Thryssa and Kwanzi into the hall. Emla went to them, arms outstretched. Thryssa’s gaze went quickly round those present and she could not hide her relief at seeing Elyssa, still kneeling by an extremely tiny, extremely old, Delver woman. Retaining Emla’s hand in hers, Thryssa greeted the other Vagrantians on her way to the two great chairs by the hearth. She bowed deeply.
‘I am Thryssa, High Speaker of Vagrantia,’ she said before Emla could introduce her. ‘I am greatly honoured to meet the Wise One of the Delvers and you also, Lady Ryla. May the stars guard your souls.’
Kwanzi, behind her, bowed even more deeply.
Tears still glittered on Nolli’s face but she gave her sweet toothless smile and reached up to Thryssa.
‘Sit with me, child,’ she insisted. ‘Your Elyssa and Jilla have told us much of Vagrantia but we would always learn more.’ Nolli’s sharp dark eyes caught the quick exchange of expressions between Jilla and Elyssa and she crowed with laughter. ‘Very well. No questions – yet. But sit with me anyway.’
Shan had given the plan of the Asataria to Ryla and now Ryla’s voice cut across the greetings and chatter in the hall.
‘These are the places. I think at least one of them should still be accessible – this one surely.’
Emla was bending to look when Soran entered, a black scowl on his face. He saluted Emla.
‘Seven killed Lady. Random arrows from high in the Asataria. Seven market people, and two of those women.’
Emla had explained in cogent detail, the problem that had arisen among her own People whilst she was absent in Sapphrea.
‘Your difficulty is winkling them out of this building then,’ Lashek concluded helpfully when Emla paused for breath.
‘May I speak with you privately?’ Elyssa murmured to the High Speaker, the change in her eyes still causing Thryssa disquiet.
‘Of course child. Would you excuse us briefly Emla?’
‘Look!’ Lashek exclaimed. ‘Lallia’s pastries! We must eat them with the reverence they deserve if only your cooks can match Lallia’s Emla!’
Everyone obediently took one of the great pile of pastries and they were all suitably appreciative. Lashek picked up one of the heaped dishes and moved to sit beside Nolli. He had seen her look of true bliss when she took her first taste. Thryssa and Elyssa returned from the doorway whence they had moved for some privacy. Kwanzi saw his wife was troubled and was immediately watchful, unable to rid his mind of the memory of her recent despair.
‘Elyssa and I would go to your circle here Emla. I will be able to tell if the circle within your City has been used.’ She paused. ‘I agree with Bagri that it seems obvious your rebels would set a guard about that circle, whether they are able to use it or no. I think Elyssa has already mentioned that we are able to travel without using the mosaic circles?’
‘But it is extremely dangerous!’ Kwanzi expostulated, and Lashek nodded, his face serious for once.
Thryssa flicked a hand in dismissal of Kwanzi’s objection.
‘It can be dangerous, yes. But for this short distance, and using one circle at least, the danger is lessened.’
Emla, Soran and the two old ladies listened closely. Thryssa sat down on the cushions, drawing Elyssa down with her.
‘The point is, one must know exactly – and I mean exactly – the place one wishes to reach. A slight error and one could find oneself within the stone of a wall for example.’
Shan was not the only listener to swallow hard. Thryssa frowned, trying to find a way of making herself fully understood.
‘Without a circle, I must hold two images, crystal clear in my mind: of the place I am at present, and of the place I wish to transfer to. Absolutely clear – every small detail of both places, whilst saying a chant and moving round as though I stood on a real circle.’
Lashek was leaning forward: he had known nothing of this.
‘It is less dangerous,’ Thryssa sent a brief smile towards Kwanzi. ‘If one of the locations is a real circle, as is the one here Emla.’
There was a silence while Thryssa’s words sank into her audience.
‘But neither you nor Elyssa knows the Asataria building,’ Kwanzi said finally.
‘No, but Emla does. An image from her mind to mine, would work satisfactorily.’
‘How many could you move in this manner Lady Thryssa?’ enquired Soran.
Thryssa shrugged. ‘Probably twenty five at most. If I took one group through, Elyssa could follow with the same number. But I think twenty five would be the maximum at one time.’
‘If I had even just twenty men and we could reach Lady Kera’s rooms, we would have a good advantage, even over the sixty Guards Fayet now commands.’ Soran looked to the Golden Lady for her opinion.
‘Sixteen Guards on the first transfer and sixteen on the second then,’ Emla decided firmly, giving herself no chance to have second thoughts.
‘When?’ Thryssa asked,
‘During the night.’ Soran’s reply was crisp. ‘Lady Kera’s rooms are near the top of the Asataria. We will be going down – it is much more difficult to fight trying to climb up stairs. Many if not most will be asleep – they believe they are unassailable. All points are in our favour.’
Bagri nodded, his face alight. ‘I shall accompany Elyssa,’ he said. It was half statement, half question as he turned to Thryssa.
A slight smile tugged at her mouth. ‘I suspected you might,’ she agreed mildly.
‘Shan and I will travel with you first Thryssa. Soran, begin selecting the Guards and tell them what you think they need to know of this plan.’
Soran hurried from the hall, his thoughts busy running over each of his Guards’ merits among those he would pick for this action.
‘As soon as we reach the room you select Emla, all of us must stand against its walls, leaving as much space as possible for Elyssa to envisage her circle therein.’
Emla nodded her understanding. ‘You and Elyssa must come back here at once after the transfer,’ she said.
‘I think not,’ Thryssa replied. ‘If the Lady of the Asatarians is fighting there, then the High Speaker of Vagrantia, new allies though we may be, will remain in the room chosen as the transfer point.’ She raised a hand to prevent argument from both Lashek and Kwanzi. ‘If wounded are brought there, it will be much easier to bring them through with a proper circle at this end to focus on.’
‘Then I come too.’ Kwanzi insisted. ‘I am a healer Thryssa, at least I can offer first treatment.’
‘I would join you too,’ Lashek pleaded.
Thryssa reached across to catch the earth mage’s hand. ‘No Lashek. You are the next most senior Speaker. You take my place if needs be. And you will give strength to Jilla here.’ Thryssa turned to look up at Nolli and Ryla. ‘Jilla is a gifted air mage. And she has been to your City and within the Asataria. She will easily find Emla’s force and will watch what befalls. You can see what she sees quite simply by linking your minds to either her or to Lashek.’
Nolli and Ryla nodded, Ryla’s transparent skin flushed with excitement.
‘Have you any questions regarding my part in this? If not, perhaps you have a room where Elyssa and I may get some rest. It is tiring work we will be doing, hard though that may appear to any who watch us.’
Jilla smiled. ‘Use my room. I will show you the way.’
‘It would be best if you rested too Lady Emla,’ said Lashek gently. ‘And I do not know if anyone has discussed with you our abilities with the power? Although long unused in this kind of context, I can assure you we will help as we can.’
Ryla studied Lashek with growing interest although Emla frowned a little.
‘Why don’t you go to your room Emla – a most sensible suggestion. Speaker Lashek can help us eat up all these very delicious pastries.’
Emla regarded the ancient Discipline Senior with suspicion but got to her feet anyway as Jilla came down the stairs.
‘I trust Thryssa and Elyssa will be comfortable? Come then Shan, we must find some suitable leathers and a rest might be a good idea.’
Following Emla to the staircase, Shan grinned over her shoulder at Bagri.
‘Captain Soran will have spare leathers for you, I am sure.’
Bagri rose with alacrity and hurried to find Soran, leaving Jilla and Lashek to an inquisition by two very determined old ladies.
Eventually Hani took pity on Lashek and Jilla, firmly ordering Shar to escort the Vagrantians out for a breath of evening air. They escaped to the sound of Nolli and Ryla arguing fiercely with the pale green Dragon.
‘Stars above,’ Lashek groaned. ‘I am sure we must have missed our supper. Do they never run out of questions?’
Jilla laughed heartlessly. ‘I haven’t noticed that they do.’
‘It is just that they want to know everything,’ Shar tried to explain.
Lashek stopped halfway down the wide flight of steps outside the huge main doors.
‘Of course they do, and quite rightly so,’ he apologised. ‘But I will fade away without regular meals do you see?’
Shar’s eyes whirred in alarm at the prospect of Lady Emla’s guest fading away. Jilla gave Lashek a glare of annoyance and then tried to explain what the earth mage meant. Shar refused to allow Lashek to wander the gardens. Instead, she insisted he and Jilla return at once to the house through a side entrance and search for food to keep Lashek healthy. She sat outside the door to make sure the two Vagrantians could not slip back out, and Jilla muttered beneath her breath.
‘Really Lashek, that dear Dragon is truly worried now that you will vanish. She is only half a cycle old, it is quite unpleasant of you to upset her so.’
‘I am sorry.’ Lashek sounded genuinely contrite. ‘But I am also hungry.’
‘When are you not?’ Jilla snapped, pushing him into the small dining chamber.
A maid appeared almost as soon as Jilla tugged the bell rope, and then rushed away to fetch food for them. Soran’s head poked round the door when Jilla had finished her meal and Lashek was, she judged, approximately halfway through his. Jilla smiled at Soran. She had found him pleasant company since she arrived here. He had not a scrap of magic about him and Jilla found that fact very restful. She poured him a mug of tea and waved him to a chair.
‘Have you picked the men for tonight?’ she enquired.
He nodded. ‘Some men have gone into the City with word from Lady Emla to the Discipline Seniors and Seniors who are in their own homes. She says they will use power against the few of their colleagues who have chosen to side with Fayet. The townsfolk have been warned to keep within doors until instructed differently. The Seniors who are healers are ordered to be ready at Lady Emla’s summons.’
‘Emla could have mind spoken them, surely?’ Jilla frowned.
‘She fears that those within the Asataria could overhear her should they have set a watch for such things.’ Soran shrugged. ‘I know not how such matters work, but if my Lady orders word taken personally to the City, so shall it be.’
An air of expectancy pervaded the Lady’s great House as the night deepened. Students had been told that something was to happen and they were to be ready should they be called. The household staff were still busy: they remembered the House filled with wounded Guards brought from the mountains but a scant time before.
Emla and Shan came down to the hall, both wearing hardened leather jerkins over their shirts. Swords hung from their belts and dagger hilts protruded above. Suddenly Ryla seemed lost for words, as if she only now realised that this was no game. Kwanzi appeared with the High Speaker and Elyssa, and Soran came in from the main doors. Soran saluted.
‘Thirty two Guards are outside Lady. I have posted extra Guards around the Pavilion.’
Emla nodded. She opened her mouth to say something to the two old ladies, then shut it again. Stooping, she gave each a quick hug and a kiss on each withered cheek, then spun away, marching towards the door, Shan at her heels. Bagri waited outside and walked with Kwanzi and Shan behind Thryssa and Elyssa. The Vagrantian women had the image of Kera’s room starkly clear in their minds, even to the layer of dust Emla remembered from her last visit.
The second group halted with Bagri and Elyssa outside the Pavilion, while the first group went in. Emla touched Thryssa’s arm lightly.
‘You do not have to do this Thryssa. While I am more grateful than I can say for your help and support, you do not have to do this.’
Thryssa smiled. ‘Friends are there to help each other, are they not? In truth, I am interested in this situation.’ She grimaced. ‘I fear I face a similar problem when I return to Vagrantia.’
Emla stared at the High Speaker, unable to decipher her cryptic remark. She shrugged, took her place with Soran at the head of the double line of Guards and followed Thryssa and Kwanzi onto the circle.
Chapter Six
Berri, the acting Wise One of the Delvers during Nolli’s absence, came from the Domain to add her lesser strength to Dessi’s. Four of their most accomplished healers were to help Dessi focus her power on Observer Babach’s worst injuries. The burns he had suffered were, in many parts of his torso, deep enough to bury a fist inside. His body and mind were severely shocked, his pulse weak and erratic.
Fenj and Kija were horrified at the sight of such wounds and they willingly offered their strength to the healing process just begun. Mim and Ashta had gone again, to the hidden cave in the Domain, on Gremara’s instruction. Once more, so she told the Dragon Lord, he would know which egg to take back to help Babach’s mending. Now Mim leaned against Ashta, his gold scaled arm draped across her shoulder. He had no part to play in this, other than to watch.
Chakar knelt at Babach’s head, aware of the tremendous surge of magical force rising around her. She watched the tiny Delver girl Dessi lean forward, her hands held flat above a blackened hole high in Babach’s chest. Chakar felt the child falter and she held her breath. Then she felt Kija’s mellow voice murmuring to Dessi in a soothing hum of sound.
Dessi steadied, drew a deep breath and allowed her mind to sink within the man’s ruined chest, as once she had watched Tika healing Farn. Chakar watched in disbelief when slowly the gaping hole turned from black, to red, to pink, and began to close. Chakar was only aware of the long passing of time because her legs and back started to cramp as they had when she had worked so long over Kadi. But dreadful as she had thought Kadi’s wounds, they were as a child’s grazed knee compared to what Dessi was trying to mend.
