Iska knew nothing. She had been deep in concentrated thought as she strode along the path from Gaharn back to Emla’s House. She saw men leap at the two Guards trotting in front of her and blood fountained as those Guards fell silently to the ground. She began to turn when a moist cloth slapped across her face. She managed to register the strongly astringent smell of the herb verain mixed with other herbs and then – nothing.
She was unaware of being bumped carelessly along a narrow gully for half a league and then being thrown across the back of a fengar. Ropes secured her hands and feet beneath the animal’s belly as a leading rein was held securely by Jal who rode alongside. Jal forced a hard pace, choosing speed over caution. His band rode on, the moon shivering on the snow, giving enough light for a reckless rider. He knew the risk he had taken, creeping not only within the bounds of the Realm of Gaharn but advancing so close to the city where minds could sense his presence all too easily.
Despite the cold, sweat trickled down his back as he chose the place to snatch the Senior Lady Iska. Rhaki had instructed him on how to call Iska from the city. Jal could not remember just what he’d had to do – he called his Master, and emptied his mind. Afterwards, he reckoned only a short time had passed before he came to himself again. The notion was clear in his mind that the Lady Iska would walk this pathway within a few hours, but he had no idea of what Rhaki had wrought through him.
Jal called the order to halt and his men were glad to do so. Moonlit riding over ever steeper terrain was wearing on the nerves, coming at the end of a stealthy journey deep into enemy territory, a kidnapping and an excessively rapid retreat. Even the fengars were blowing hard and their heads dropped down between their knees. Iska was pulled carelessly from the fengar and left to lie where she fell.
When Jal returned to her from giving orders for a brief meal and rest to his men, he muttered under his breath. Pulling a weatherproof cape from his pack, he laid it on the snow, rolled Iska onto it and then wrapped it across her. He squatted beside her, noting she was as pale as the snow she lay on, her dark hair strewn wildly about her face. Jal thumbed back one of her eyelids, then put his fingers against the pulse in her neck. Not good. But he had only administered the herbs in the exact amounts and at the regular intervals Rhaki had explicitly commanded.
Jal had never seen one of the People unconscious or sick. He had no idea id herbs worked in the same way on them as they did on humans. He knew all the People could summon the Power, which was the main thing that set them apart. He had more experience than he wished as to how that Power could be used, since entering Rhaki’s employ.
He knew only that this Lady was a Senior in the Asataria and therefore she had a talent in the Power. About half of the People chose lives connected with the Buildings of Learning. The other half lived in almost human fashion – almost. Never could they be mistaken for humans though. Apart from their tallness, thinness and dark hair, which made them such a contrast to the stockier, smaller, fair-haired humans, there was this presence of Power in each one of the People.
The People of the Asataria lived and worked surrounded by knowledge, learning, and – the Power. Those who dwelt in the city or the surrounding countryside administered the running of the day to day lives of themselves and the humans who shared the Realm of Gaharn with them. Cycles past, Jal had met some of these more ‘ordinary’ People, but always he had felt a tingle of apprehension, nervousness, in their company. And yet he had still taken employment with Rhaki.
As Jal sat, sleepless, through the short halt as most of the band slept, he thought of Rhaki’s charm, his flattery which had seduced Jal into going to the stronghold from his birthplace beyond the Ancient Mountains. Such dreams of riches Rhaki had convinced him of! He knew the reality now, enough of it anyway to terrify him. And he had captured this Lady of the People.
He groaned quietly as he held the special cloth, carried in the bag Rhaki had provided, firmly over Iska’s face as he counted slowly to eight. If she lived and woke, what might she do to him? If she died – his mind fled from the thoughts of what the Grey One would do to him in that event. Jal removed the cloth from Iska’s face, replacing it quickly in its bag and fastening the latches securely. He checked the pulse at Iska’s throat again – rapid still, and stars help him, fainter.
‘Up!’ He shouted at the sleeping men. ‘We ride on!’
The sky lightened when Jal’s band had ridden many leagues albeit slower the higher they climbed. As sunlight fingered weakly through the snow flurries, they reached the insignificant looking cave that was the entry to the tunnels leading, eventually, to the far north. The men were subdued. They had been shocked to discover the existence of these passageways, having always had to travel the tortuously winding mountain trails as they went about the world on the Guardian’s orders. The thought of encountering Shardi kept them quiet as their fengars sped down the tunnel, although they knew their Commander Jal could control the Shardi – to a certain degree at least.
They lost track of time, Jal calling brief halts only when the fengars reached the limits of their endurance. An hour or two, slumped against the rock wall, too tired to eat the dried meat in their packs, then up and on again. At each of these halts, Jal lifted Iska’s head, checking her colour, her breathing, her pulse, holding the drug soaked cloth to her face. At the last halt before the final dash to the deep caverns below the Guardian’s stronghold, not one observed a small, orange furred creature crouched by a narrow hole high in the passage wall. It watched, motionless, as Jal checked the Lady’s limp body yet again, and it felt the panic within Jal’s mind.
As the band remounted and hastened on, the creature wriggled round and squeezed into the hole, calling ahead as it crept through to the Domain of Asat: ‘The Lady Iska is held captive. She is near death!’
Khosa popped, corklike, from the other end of the narrow tube of a crevice, dropped onto Fenj’s head and ended perched on his shoulder. Her eyes were slitted, her tail thrashed. ‘One holds a strong smelling thing on Iska’s face. It keeps her deep asleep – so deep she has no thoughts or dreams. Bad smell.’ She spat. ‘The one who leads them is afraid of the Lady, but more afraid of the Grey One. He hurries to get Lady Iska to his Master before she dies.’
‘How far Nolli?’ Tika asked urgently. ‘How far to the stronghold?’
‘Not far. Another one-walk if you take a fast pace.’ She looked unhappy and worried. ‘I will slow you. You must go without me, but now I will follow to the end. I said I would remain in Asat, but that is not to be my fate. Gan, one has been following us.’
Gan smiled. ‘I know. My men knew as soon as we left the last settlement.’
Nolli tutted. ‘So you play games with me Lord Gan?’
‘No. She was recognised as being a child of your line. The men had seen her visit you several times and been informed who she was. So we let her be.’ Gan looked enquiringly at the Wise One as if he expected an explanation. Khosa spat again and Farn moaned, his eyes spinning sapphire.
Nolli glared at Gan. ‘Privately then,’ she said.
The Guards and Nolli’s servants withdrew a small distance and Nolli said softly, looking at Tika: ‘I still had to seek a successor. I did not know a Dragon Lord would come. The one who follows is of my line. She is very young – fourteen cycles only, yet she shows more wisdom, more promise, than I have found in all these ages of seeking. I refused to allow her request to come with us, believing she must be kept safely in our Domain lest anything happen to myself. I did not realise at first that she followed, until she called to my mind saying that she must travel with the Dragon Lord and the Lady of Light.’
Mim nudged Tika, smiling, and she closed her mouth with a snap. ‘And this young Delver of yours is strong?’ she asked Nolli.
‘Yes child. Not as strong as you, but stronger than any other I know of.’
‘Tell her to join us,’ Tika demanded.
They stared at the dark passage behind them and a tiny figure came pattering into the light. Dark curls, sho
rter than Tika’s and with a definite shine of copper in them, uptilted dark blue eyes, and a wide mouth. She was even smaller than Tika but as she walked through the smiling Guards, her eyes were calm and serious. Unlike most Delvers they had seen, she was dressed in trousers and overshirt, very like Mim’s and Tika’s garments, and she carried a pack over her shoulder. She bowed as she came within a few paces of Nolli and waited patiently, though she studied Tika and Mim with open interest.
Berri wandered over to join them. ‘What made this infant dare follow us?’ she asked Nolli.
But the new arrival answered for herself: ‘It is my duty to be with this company.’
Berri laughed. ‘Your duty is to be home, going about your tasks, girl.’
‘Enough. She is welcome.’ Tika smiled sweetly at a discomfited Berri. ‘Come, meet Farn, my soul bond.’
The tiny Delver followed Tika out of earshot of the others. ‘Sorry,’ Tika whispered. ‘I do not know your name – I did not mean to sound bossy!’
The small Delver grinned at her. ‘I know. My name is Dessi. You need not fear Berri. She is arrogant but she is not wicked.’
Tika studied her for a moment then she returned Dessi’s grin. ‘This is Farn.’
Farn’s prismed eyes flickered. ‘Even smaller than you, my Tika! I will have to be careful where I step!’
Dessi laughed at him. ‘I will be sure to avoid your great feet Farn!’
Kija welcomed Dessi gently and Tika guessed the golden Dragon had met the Delver girl at one of their earlier halts at a settlement. Fenj and Brin greeted her gently too, lowering their long faces close to hers.
‘You are small enough for me to carry,’ Jeela said gleefully. ‘Would you ride on my back Dessi?’
Dessi’s eyes sparkled back at Jeela. ‘That would be wonderful – are you sure you would permit me?’
Jeela stretched to her full height, eyes whirring many colours. Kija spoke in Tika’s and Farn’s minds: ‘You see? This Dessi did not ask, “Are you strong enough Jeela”, but only “Would you permit.” Do you see Farn, how Jeela’s value of herself has grown with such a simple, tactful remark?’
Farn moaned softly. ‘Mother, I am trying, really I am.’
Kija’s tone warmed. ‘I know you are my son. And you show improvement. Especially since he spends less time with that overgrown hatchling Brin,’ she added to Tika’s mind alone.
Ashta, Mim and Jeela were deep in conversation with Dessi and Kija sent Farn and Tika to join them. Dessi turned as Tika came up, ‘There is one in the Grey One’s stronghold who will help.’
‘We heard him call,’ Tika frowned. ‘Can we be sure of help from one who has lived so long with the Guardian?’
‘I believe so, but he is much weakened, damaged somehow. But he knows where the Chamber of the Balance is, and how to reach it. We will need that information.’
Their eyes met and Tika realised that this Dessi did indeed know far more than even the ancient Nolli was aware of. She felt quick sympathy from Dessi as she thought fleetingly of how she must destroy one of the Weights of Balance.
‘I will be with you,’ Dessi whispered, sliding her hand into Tika’s. ‘Do not think of it until we are there.’
Gan watched, as Dessi seemed to be absorbed into the group of Dragons as naturally as Tika and Mim. ‘Do you see the future, Old One?’
‘No Gan. I see possibilities. I see no certainties and no compromises. There are two outcomes possible to this venture, only one concerns us, and towards that we must all strive.
‘Gan, it will be difficult, but there must be no time wasted. No matter for whom, you cannot stop to worry, or to grieve, once you are within the Guardian’s stronghold. Each of you must keep looking forward, no matter what happens to your companions.’
Gan looked deep into Nolli’s dark eyes and slowly nodded. ‘You are truly named Wise One. I will remember your words.’
Nolli’s twisted hand caught his sleeve suddenly and Gan turned to follow her gaze. Ivory Jeela was moving slowly to the north, her neck stretched high but her head tilted to one side. Her eyes were still, almost blank. She stopped, her head now tilted back and then song washed through their minds. Ashta moved quickly to Jeela’s side and her voice soared in and around Jeela’s melody. The company watched and listened, frozen where they stood or sat, to the two young Dragons’ song.
‘To whom do they sing?’ Gan whispered.
Nolli murmured back: ‘To the Damaged One.’
Bark sat in the small chamber that had been his since the disruption of his mind. A bed, a straight backed chair, a table and a small window which looked out onto two arm lengths of space then a wall of ice. Light came from above, but how far above it was impossible to judge. The window was too deep set to allow anyone to crane out and look up, or down.
He remembered when he had first accompanied Rhaki here, believing it was for a visit which would maybe last a Cycle or two. He had been given a set of fine chambers, one for sleeping, one for bathing, a study and a chamber in which to sit or receive a guest. He had watched as Rhaki grew ever more wilful, listened as the Guardian talked of his right to do as he pleased. Rhaki increasingly referred to this “right” of his: he had the greatest Power, thus he could do whatever he wished and none should dare thwart him.
But then, Bark had been so ill, for so long, and had finally returned to some awareness in this small cell of a chamber, remembering nothing. His body was much weakened – Rhaki had arranged only the most basic nursing for him, to ensure he stayed alive. In Gaharn, Healers would have exercised Bark’s limbs, massaged him, all through the long period of his unconsciousness. Jerak had stirred him finally, stretched his mind, letting the past seep slowly back into Bark’s brain.
He could now remember telling Rhaki that doing whatever one wished was not the way of a wise civilisation, that responsibility was the keystone. Responsibility for one’s own actions, and for those in one’s care. Bark could recall that moment. He had been seated by the fire in Rhaki’s study and he had been amazed at Rhaki’s sudden venomous rage. He saw the spittle frothing at the corners of Rhaki’s mouth, his raised hands and then – only the pain.
Bark sat in his small chamber, beside the meagre fire. Fires were needed at all times in this icy stronghold and Bark had felt the cold deep in his bones from his first days in this place. He remembered wondering if there were other creatures living in these mountains. He also remembered that he had thought it best not to mention these suspicions to Rhaki. Over the last ten Cycles or so, (Bark had lost all notion of time,) he heard those different mind voices calling once more.
When Bark knew that Rhaki was engrossed in one of his experiments, as he could be for hours if not days at a time, then he focused his fragile mind and sought those voices. Eventually, he distinguished two types of voices: one was of a human type. He had no idea what being produced the other voice. The voices sang, for many Cycles, harmonising gently in his mind, until one night, instead of only musical tones he heard words.
He realised that he, Bark, was being asked if he needed help, if the music pleased him, that there was still room for kindness in the world. All Bark could reply was: ‘Thank you, dear ones.’ He had listened through the long Cycles of time until these last days, and when he heard the singing voices again, he had sent his offer of help in return. Now the song was closer than ever it had been, and he waited, as it seemed he had spent his lifetime waiting.
There was a noise, a noise outside his mind. Bark listened, only his eyes moving, carefully searching this small room. A piece of rock rattled down the wall and his eyes moved quickly up to where it had fallen from. Another fragment wobbled loose and fell to the floor. Bark rose silently and stared up at the wall. Just above his head a fist sized section of rock seemed splintered and, as he watched, it bulged outwards. His long fingers went up to pick the fragments free. A turquoise eye glared at him.
‘Well. Don’t just stand there, move these stupid stones!’ ordered an imperious voice in hi
s mind.
Bark hastily jiggled the cracked stones free and stared at an orange Kephi in disbelief.
‘I am Khosa, a Kephi Queen. I have a company with me and we intend to restore the Balance of the World. Would you care to assist me down?’
Bark reached up, lifting the rumpled Kephi out of the very narrow opening. ‘I have not seen a Kephi, nor even thought of them, since I left Gaharn!’ He said in her mind. Khosa’s claws hooked into the shoulder of his robe and she crooned at him. His bony fingers slid down her spine then up to scratch round her ears. He lowered himself carefully to sit on his bed and studied Khosa. ‘Who is your company?’
Khosa slitted her eyes at him for a moment. ‘There are humans, Delvers, Dragons, a Dragon Lord and one of you People – Gan.’
Bark’s hand stilled until Khosa bumped her head against it, reminding him to continue his ministrations.
‘Dragons? A Dragon Lord? Delvers?’ Bark’s hoarse whisper sounded loud in the room.
‘They have to know how to reach the Weights of Balance,’ Khosa explained.
‘They must find Rhaki’s study, the entrance leads from there.’
‘They dare not use the Power to bespeak you lest the Grey One becomes aware too soon.’
Bark nodded. ‘My strength is minimal. That is why I have not replied to the Singers before. But since Jerak spoke to me, I have been mustering what strength I can for the trial ahead.’
Khosa opened her eyes wide. ‘Singers? You mean the Delvers and the Snow Dragons.’ Her crooning buzzed lower. ‘Rhaki has captured the Lady Iska - she will be carried here within this day I think.’
‘Iska?’ Bark’s hand tightened over Khosa’s back. She wriggled free of his grasp and sat up straight on his knee, glaring at him.
‘Gan and Fenj are organising, now, while I came to attempt contact with you.’ Her tail thrashed as she stared at Bark.
Bark’s face hurt. Then he realised he must be smiling. After all this time, a haughty Kephi had made him smile again. ‘You are indeed brave to creep alone through the mountain Kephi.’
‘I told you, Khosa is my name,’ she snapped.
‘Well Khosa. Do you stay here, or crawl back to your company?’
‘I return to the Domain of Asat, if you would help me back up there.’
Bark stood up again, lifting her majesty carefully. ‘If you leave this hole open, I could use it again.’ Her small form squeezed into the hole, she brandished her tail saucily, and she was gone.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Soul Bonds: Book 1 Circles of Light series Page 28