‘As if you ever say anything “in short”, Pitwyn,’ Nerika snapped. Pitwyn waited until Nerika was quiet and proceeded as if there had been no interruption. His deference extended only as far as Zastra and, on occasion, Lord Justyn.
‘In short, if Lady Zastra would give her blessing – I would modestly suggest – that is to populate – or rather to make habitable – the next island along the chain that make up Uden’s Teeth. If – not to boast – that would be most improper, but you have seen my humble efforts here on Krysfera. What we have accomplished – we might begin with a jetty and a few cabins? Clear some land for—. Oh, but we must have a name – might I humbly suggest…’
Zastra braced herself. Pitwyn was bound to suggest something embarrassing and inappropriate.
‘…Zastra’s island,’ Pitwyn finished triumphantly. She’d been right. She could think of nothing more embarrassing and inappropriate than naming the island after herself. Borez rose again.
‘There’s no need to debate this. We Sendorans have also scoped out the islands. I’ve ordered twenty of our builders to begin construction of a jetty on New Sendor immediately.’
‘New Sendor!’ Pitwyn cried, aghast. ‘My Lady Zastra – I protest in the most vehement—’
Borez cut him off. ‘We’re the largest group, we should have our own island. You named this one after some Golmeiran, didn’t you? It’s only fair we should name the next one.’
Pitwyn spluttered furiously. ‘Marl Krysfera was not just some Golmeiran – she was one of the few marls who stood up to Thorlberd when he killed Lady Zastra’s father and took over – you weren’t even here at the time – you Sendorans forget that Lady Zastra gave you sanctuary when—’
‘We don’t need a history lesson,’ Borez remarked. ‘Just more land.’
‘You’re claiming a whole island?’ Nerika’s eyes flashed dangerously.
‘Every day, fights break out between Sendorans and Golmeirans and it gets worse with every additional refugee that lands here. Even Yelina’s lot can get quarrelsome. It’s best if we separate out. We can run our own affairs and you can do the same.’
Zastra wondered if Kylen knew of this proposal. She didn’t think so. Kylen was always vocal in fighting for the rights of her people, but she understood the value of working together.
‘We didn’t agree to this!’ Yelina protested. ‘Something so important should be decided by vote. Why should the Sendorans steal the best of the islands? It’s bad enough that crazy woman gets an island all to herself. We were not consulted about that, either.’
‘Enough,’ said Zastra, rubbing her temples. ‘Everyone agrees more homes are needed. We were all refugees once and I will not turn my back on those who need help. Pitwyn has made Krysfera a success so it makes sense he use his experience to oversee the construction of the new settlement. Borez, I’m sure he will put the builders you have so kindly offered to good use. Uden’s Teeth belongs to all of us. It serves nobody but Thorlberd if we isolate and divide ourselves. Anyone with appropriate skills will be welcome to join the new settlement.’
She paused, trying to think of a suitable name. New Sendor was too provocative and Borez knew it. She couldn’t allow such a blatant attempt to claim land for a single group. Neither could she afford to offend the Sendorans, especially with Kylen absent.
‘We will name it Mendoraz, in honour of Kylen and Zadorax’s father,’ she finished. ‘I trust that will be acceptable to you.’
Borez looked as if he might protest if only he could think of a good reason. However, he could hardly object to a name that honoured the previous Lord of Sendor. He returned instead to his original topic.
‘It would be better if you weren’t wasting time trying to fortify this place. Krysfera is just not defensible. The bay is too wide. That is why we must attack Thorlberd now, before he finds us.’
‘He won’t find us, unless someone tells him about the channel through the Spur,’ Nerika said, her eyes flashing.
‘You’re suggesting we would betray you?’ Borez returned, as a tall Southlander rose unhurriedly from his chair. His thin beard was neatly styled to show his high cheekbones and strong chin to the best advantage. Morvain represented the mindweavers. He had been a prisoner at Golmer Castle, part of the mass release effected by Kylen and Polina as they rescued Zastra from her uncle’s clutches. Like many of the released prisoners, Yelina included, he had chosen to join the rebels. Zastra knew she should be glad. Mindweavers were worth a hundred soldiers in battle, but she still found it difficult to trust Morvain, or any mindweaver apart from Dobery. Unfortunately, her old teacher was ill and had sent Morvain as his delegate. The Southlander smoothed his jacket and pulled back his lips to display a set of perfect white teeth.
‘I would speak on behalf of my fellow mindweaver, Orika. Our esteemed representative from the Far Isles was kind enough to reference her singular abode. We ask that her privacy be respected. Only two days ago, despite repeated warnings, a Far Islander took his boat very close to the shoreline, causing Orika extreme distress.’
Morvain clearly enjoyed the sound of his deep baritone almost as much as his appearance. Yelina flapped her hand in the air as if wafting away an unpleasant smell.
‘Hadral was only trying to harvest mussels. He wasn’t even near the beach. His boat was so badly damaged he and his crew were lucky to escape at all. Lady Zastra, you really must do something about that menace. If the girl cannot control herself, she must be sent away.’
‘You would give up the most powerful weapon in our armoury?’ asked Morvain, starting back in an exaggerated pantomime of disbelief.
‘A weapon is not much use if you don’t know when and where it will go off,’ Borez remarked. ‘You mindfoggers need to start controlling your own.’
The meeting was going off in all directions. Zastra tried to bring it back on track.
‘Orika is not an object to be used,’ she said firmly. ‘She is a fragile young woman who has suffered greatly. The island we have allocated for her is particularly suited to her needs. It is hardly a paradise. She is to be left alone.’ I wish I could make the same stipulation for myself. Zastra made a mental note to visit Orika as soon as she could. The poor girl was so fearful that she allowed only Zastra, Polina or Dobery near her. With Polina away and Dobery ill there was only Zastra to see to Orika’s needs. Something else to add to my list of responsibilities.
‘What about the trainees?’ Nerika asked. ‘When will they be ready to help?’
Morvain flashed a condescending smile.
‘The youngsters are eager to learn, but we must remember it takes years to train a mindweaver. Many have only just come into their powers.’
‘We do not have years!’ Borez jumped out of his chair. ‘Thorlberd will erase Sendor and its people from existence while you Golmeirans do nothing.’
‘We’re hardly doing nothing,’ Zastra insisted. ‘The quarry is up and running and our iron mine is finally yielding ore, so we can make our own weapons instead of having to steal them. And we are attacking Thorlberd’s key assets. Right now, Kylen is leading a raid on the migaradon breeding grounds. But we must be patient with the young mindweavers. I will not send them into battle without proper training.’
‘The patience of Sendor is running out.’
Zastra smiled bitterly.
‘Sendorans have many virtues, but I am yet to find patience among them.’
‘And I am yet to understand why we follow someone who’s afraid of the dark,’ Borez retorted, glaring at her.
Zastra clamped her teeth together. It was a low blow. Borez had once witnessed her weakness; an intense, physical reaction to dark tunnels and caves that left her barely able to stand. Trying to defend herself would only make things worse, so she went on the attack.
‘It doesn’t help that since Kylen has been absent, there has been an increase in incidents involving Sendorans. Violence and other altercations. Are you incapable of controlling your people?’
‘Oh, I
can control them,’ Borez assured her. ‘Don’t you worry about that.’
Zastra rose from her chair. She needed to end this before Borez came out in open rebellion.
‘I have heard all your concerns and will reflect on them. When the time is right, we will act for everyone, not just for a few. Until then, we will protect what we have built here. I value the lives of all who come here seeking shelter, be they Kyrginite, Sendoran, Golmeiran or Far Islander. I will not put anyone at risk without a solid plan and a good chance of success.’
‘What about the fishing permits?’ Yelina demanded. Zastra pressed her palm against her burning forehead.
‘The contribution made by your fleet is much valued, Yelina. Let us not create unnecessary barriers to their work. If we must have rules, then the first boat to reach a fishing ground shall have first claim. But since we are surrounded by ocean as far as the eye can see, there should be more than enough space for everyone.’
She was about to dismiss the council and find somewhere dark and cool to lay down when the door at the end of the hall burst open. A man dressed in green leggings and a bright orange tunic hurried in, his thinning hair awry.
‘Gildarn?’ Zastra exclaimed. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘It’s Findar and Kastara,’ he said. ‘Your brother and sister are missing.’
Chapter Three
Kastara watched the jib in dismay as it flapped like a woodcock stuck in a chimney. The yacht began to lose speed. It had seemed so easy when Zastra had taken them out and showed them the basics of sailing, but today a fractious wind sent them out into the Serene Sea, in exactly the opposite direction to where she wanted to go. A wave slapped against the side of the hull and sent a curtain of salty water over her shoulders. Whoever had called this the Serene Sea was an idiot. Oddball Ocean would have been a much better name.
‘Bear off!’ Findar cried. Her twin brother leaned across her and pulled the tiller towards him. The boat picked up speed and the flapping died down, but now they were heading even further away from Uden’s Teeth.
‘We need to turn around,’ Kastara said impatiently, yanking the tiller from his hand. The mainsail boom swept across the little boat so quickly she barely had time to duck out of the way. The boat tipped violently and only Findar flinging himself against the opposite side of the hull stopped them capsizing. At this rate, they were going to need rescuing, which would mean yet another telling off. It wasn’t fair. They wouldn’t be in this mess if Zastra had made good on her promise to give them extra sailing lessons, but their big sister was always too busy. Kastara set them closer to the wind so at least they were heading parallel to Uden’s Teeth, but the horrible flapping began once more. She decided to try a tack. The boom swung round, this time in a more controlled manner.
‘Yes!’ she cried in exultation.
‘You forgot to reset the jib,’ Findar remarked. The jib billowed in the wrong direction and the yacht came to a complete stop, and began to crab sideways. A pair of skuas cackled as they swooped over the masthead, almost as if they were laughing.
‘Drat this blasted thing!’ Kastara flung the mainsail line away in disgust. ‘Mata must have set it up wrong.’
‘Let me try.’ Findar swapped seats with her. ‘I told you we should have asked Myka to join us. Southlanders get put in boats before they can walk.’
‘I didn’t want him to know where we were going.’
Findar gestured at the vast expanse of empty water in front of them. ‘Right now, only the stars know where we’re actually going.’
‘This wasn’t the plan.’
‘What was the plan, exactly?’
Another wave slapped against their beam. Kastara gave a little scream and grabbed hold of the stern to steady herself. Findar let out the mainsail to catch some wind.
‘You’re going the wrong way,’ Kastara said sulkily as they gained speed. Findar released the jib and pushed on the tiller.
‘Duck!’ he cried as the boom swung round. He reset the jib and mainsail on the opposite tack and at last they were heading toward Uden’s Teeth.
‘Oh, well done, Fin!’ Kastara clapped her hands. She tried to take back the tiller but he pushed her away.
‘Oh no you don’t. We’ve established that you haven’t a clue what you’re doing. So, where are we going?’
Kastara pointed towards the flat rock that lay at the northernmost tip of the semi-circular chain of islands. ‘Madwoman’s Rest, of course.’
‘Of course,’ Findar echoed her sarcastically. ‘Zastra made us promise not to go near it, so of course that’s where you want to go.’
‘She’s hiding something. How can such a little island be dangerous? It doesn’t even have any trees.’
‘Perhaps there’s a clue in the name. Only crazy people want to go there.’
Kastara stuck out her tongue.
‘You’re scared.’
Findar shielded his eyes with his hand and squinted at the island.
‘I just don’t think Zastra would warn us off for no reason.’
‘You always take her side.’
‘It’s you that splits everything into sides. Each one wrong, except yours.’
‘You don’t have to be scared. We can protect ourselves with mindweaving.’
‘Kas, we know as little about mindweaving as we do about sailing. We’ve been training for less than a year and I still don’t understand what I’m doing most of the time. Don’t pretend you’re any different. Unless you’ve figured out that bubble thing yet?’
Kastara chewed her lip. Ever since she and Findar had reached the age where their powers started to appear, they had joined the other young mindweavers to take lessons. They had learned simple mind-reading and some basic controlling techniques, but Findar was right, there was still so much they didn’t know. A few days ago, Gildarn, their teacher, had projected an image into their heads in order to scare them. The idea, he explained later, was that fear could shock the mind into revealing latent mindmoving powers. Kastara had felt something that she could best explain as a bubble burst out of her chest and expand as far as the tips of her fingers before it vanished. Nobody else had seen it, and Gildarn couldn’t tell her what it was. Yet somehow, Kastara knew it was important. She had experienced a similar feeling once before, when she had taken the forbidden drug cintara bark. Cintara bark was supposed to increase the chances of being a mindmover, but too much could send you insane. Some of Kastara’s older classmates had been rescued from Thorlberd’s mindweavers, who had drugged them with so much cintara bark they still had cravings, even though it was years since they had been brought to Uden’s Teeth.
‘Just get us there, will you?’ she muttered.
Findar closed on the low-lying island, fighting against an outgoing tide. He wondered why he kept letting Kastara lead him into trouble. He would try to argue her out of her crazy schemes but she bent him to her will in the end, usually because he knew that she’d only go off on her own. At least if he joined her, he could try to protect her. The hull scraped against something hard.
‘Careful!’ Kastara cried.
‘Oh, so now you want to be careful?’
A rock rose in front of them, teeming with mussels, their damp black shells glistening in the sunlight. Findar swung the tiller, trying to find a gap in the rocks, but the tide and the wind worked treacherously together to spin them sideways. They ended up trapped between two reefs.
‘Close enough,’ said Kastara. ‘We’ll have to swim.’ She pulled off her boots, flung off her jacket and jumped overboard. He heard her laugh. She was standing. The water only reached her stomach.
‘It’s shallow enough to walk. Come on.’
Findar tethered the yacht to the nearest rock, eased himself overboard and followed his sister. A sandy beach led up to a flat shelf of rock that warmed the soles of his bare feet. The shelf rose gradually and they were soon at the top. A flock of gulls circled above their heads, as if assessing the new arrivals.
‘It
looks pretty dull,’ Findar remarked. He reckoned the island was no larger than Fivepeaks village, where he had spent time as a young boy.
Kastara crouched down to examine the ground.
‘That’s weird.’
Small shrubs with waxy leaves dotted the landscape, growing out from gaps in the rock. Every so often, there was a big dent, as if one of the shrubs had been torn out. Findar took a handful of the sandy soil, letting it trickle through his fingers. Fragments of root were left behind, their ends frayed and twisted. The shrubs had been torn away. He bit into one of the leaves and quickly spat it out.
‘Ugh. Whatever dug up these shrubs can’t have been eating them.’
He scanned the island. Except for the gulls, nothing moved. Glancing back toward the yacht, he noticed the tide was still going out and their little craft was wedged on top of a reef. They were trapped until the tide returned. Yet something had been busy tearing up these plants. They were not alone.
Chapter Four
The island was almost twice as long as it was wide. The stone plateau rose gradually towards the northernmost half of the island, where it broke up into large boulders. It was the only part of the island that looked as if it could possibly hide something. Kastara strode towards the boulders and Findar followed. The gulls circled lower. He sensed they were trying to warn them.
Danger! they seemed to cry. He looked up as a large gull dived towards him, bobbing its head.
Danger. Storm of pain.
Findar stopped dead. If it hadn’t been so ridiculous, he could have sworn he was reading the gull’s thoughts.
‘Kas,’ he murmured. ‘I think we should leave.’
‘Don’t be silly. We only just got here.’ She continued forward. They reached a narrow fissure in the rocky ground. As Findar peered into it, the squawking grew louder.
Tales of Golmeira- The Complete Box Set Page 71