While the Assembly celebrated, Rathnor risked contacting Farrell.
It’s time. Prepare your ships and your men for war.
So soon? There was a measure of panic in the sea commander’s aura.
Yes. I want you here ready to come to our aid as soon as the barrier falls.
How do I know your word is true this time, and that you won’t pull out at the last moment?
Rathnor felt the foreign commander’s indecision, and the small seed of distrust beginning to germinate. He reached out with his magic to crush it. Have faith, soon our people will unite, and you, Farrell, will have helped to save both our races.
Farrell didn’t respond, and Rathnor cursed himself, remembering flattery wasn’t the right tact to use on the noble commander. I give you my word that when you reach Kalaya’s shores, the barrier will have fallen and you will be granted passage.
Then I look forward to finally meeting you in person.
And I you. Have a safe journey. Rathnor broke the connection before Farrell could change his mind.
Back in the Assembly Hall, no one appeared to have noticed his distraction; they were still intent on making their plans for war. Rathnor soaked up his first taste of victory. He couldn’t wait for the main course.
Chapter Nineteen
Farrell stood on the beach, shivering in the brisk breeze coming off the sea as he squinted into the rising sun. The air was already alive with the calls of his crew readying the ships to sail on the coming tide. He paused to listen to his captains barking orders to the men, hearing Allisus’ commanding voice amongst the many. Farrell watched the ships gently swaying in the sea, ten gleaming vessels waiting to sail into battle under his command; five hundred men following him on a wild adventure, or to their death. It was a terrifying thought.
Nerves tugged at him; today a calm façade was hard to muster.
He thought about Leila and scanned the crowd of faces on the beach, realising with regret that she wasn’t coming to say goodbye.
He felt Buck’s silent presence at his side and traced the old hermit’s gaze to the horizon.
‘Sail with me again, Buck,’ Farrell said, the request surprising them both.
Buck turned to face him, his expression uncertain. ‘Commander?’
‘Be my advisor, as you were my father’s. I’d appreciate your guidance on this voyage. You can stay with the ship until it’s safe on the island; I’m not asking you to endanger your life.’
The old mystic chuckled. ‘Reckon I’ve had a good life as it is. I’d be happy to join your crew, Commander, though no man on board would say the same about me.’
‘They’ve grown used to you by now, Buck. Thank you.’
He waved his hand dismissively. ‘No thanks required, I’ll just get my things,’ he said and then indicated to Leila who was walking towards them carrying a sleepy-looking Fynn. ‘It looks like you have business of your own to attend to, Commander.’ With a smile, the old hermit retreated, nodding to Leila as he passed her.
Farrell faced his wife, waiting for her to speak. He’d tried to make peace with her and get her to see his mission was necessary, but she had refused to listen. He stole Fynn from her arms and gave his son an extra big squeeze.
‘Daddy.’ His son beamed before snuggling against him.
Farrell kissed his head and held him close, meeting Leila’s eye over Fynn’s shoulder. ‘Thank you,’ he mouthed.
Tears sprung to her eyes as the anger of last night’s argument left her. She rushed forward and clung to him. Shifting Fynn into one arm, Farrell held his family close.
‘I love you, you stupid man,’ she whispered against his chest.
‘I love you too, and I want you to know that I would never willingly leave you, Fynn and the baby.’
‘Then tell me you’re certain; that what you’re doing is worth the risk.’
He hushed her words with his lips, kissing her deeply. Then he pulled back and looked into her eyes.
‘We deserve that much,’ she said, her voice catching.
‘Don’t do this now,’ he said and she hung her head in response.
Sighing, Farrell looked along the barren beach at the islanders who huddled against the sea breeze to watch his fleet set sail. ‘You want guarantees I cannot give.’
She nestled into his chest. ‘At least spare a thought for those of us left behind.’
Her whispered words stung him and he glanced at the three ships remaining on Stone Haven as they bobbed before the shallows. They would take turns patrolling the seas in the fleet’s absence, and at least if Farrell’s men didn’t return, he knew his people wouldn’t be trapped on the island. But was that, and a few hundred retired sailors, enough to keep their race alive? ‘I’m doing this for our family, and for families like ours.’ Even as he said it, he wondered who he was trying to appease, Leila or his own conscience?
‘We need you.’ Leila took his hand and put it against the bump of her belly. She stifled a sob. ‘All I ask is that you come back to me.’
‘I’ll always come back to you,’ he said and kissed the top of her head. ‘That’s a promise.’
***
Tei rested back against the tree and looked up into the branches, gauging how far the sun had travelled since she’d fallen asleep. She sighed. Callisa was late, too busy with her barrier magic to remember their agreement to meet in secret and shed the confines of their roles.
Resigned to the fact she’d been forgotten, Tei stood and dusted down her clothes. She decided to go to Callisa and demand she take a break.
Filled with conviction, Tei set off for the mountains. It was then she saw it - a patch of shrivelled pink flowers. She picked one of the blooms but it turned to dust in her hand. She’d seen the Turrak daisies often enough to know they didn’t just disintegrate when they were touched.
She remembered the barren land from her nightmares and shivered. This was the first physical sign of decay she’d seen infecting the exiles’ home. It seemed nowhere on Kalaya was free of corruption.
On shaky legs, Tei returned to the valley and headed straight for the mountain caves. She glanced up to the section of mountain where Callisa’s room nestled in the stone, but there was no hint of the Sentinel’s quarters from the outside.
She walked without pause until she faced the door of the Sentinel’s chamber. Only then did her guard drop. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fight the panic building in her chest.
Taking some deep breaths, Tei opened her eyes and stared at the impossible stone door. She placed her palm against it and felt the hum of Callisa’s magic pulsing through it. Without her needing to utter a word, the door slid open.
Callisa glanced up from her desk and waved Tei inside, before returning to her spell.
Tei watched her for a few moments, recognising the tome of magic spread out on her desk and the complicated structure of the barrier spell in the air. It was all becoming a familiar scene to Tei now, especially the hollow-eyed look of exhaustion on the Sentinel’s face. Sweat beaded on Callisa’s brow, but she was too engrossed in her task to notice, so consumed by the magic she’d even forgotten Tei was there.
Bored and restless, Tei paced to the window. For once, the spectacular view didn’t soothe her, all she saw was the patch of dead flowers - the dried petals an invisible stain on her skin. As she looked out at the sanctuary of Turrak, Tei envisaged the decay spreading to engulf everything before her. She pictured dying people stumbling through the barren wasteland of Turrak, waiting for the only hope left to them, death. The vision was so real it made her shudder.
‘Come and warm yourself by the fire,’ Callisa said, the sudden sound of her voice jarring Tei from her thoughts.
She squeezed her eyes shut to block out the frightening images, before she turned to face the Sentinel. ‘We need to talk.’
Nodding, Callisa pointed to the chair opposite her, and reluctantly Tei sat down.
‘It’s lunchtime already.’ Callisa looked at the lunch t
ray set out on the table between them.
‘Lunch was ages ago,’ Tei said dully, her stomach reminding her she too had yet to eat.
‘It’s so easy to lose track of time up here.’
‘And friends.’ Tei met Callisa’s gaze. She found a perverse twist of pleasure seeing the guilt in her eyes. ‘This is the second meeting in a row you’ve forgotten.’
In the awkward silence, Callisa dealt out the cold food and they passed the time eating rather than talking.
‘So what did you want to talk about?’ Callisa asked, chewing on her food.
‘Things are getting worse, aren’t they?’
Callisa shrugged, refusing to answer.
Tei put down her plate, unable to eat. ‘I’ve just seen the evidence with my own eyes as a flower disintegrated in my hand. It’s only a matter of time before others see the changes.’
‘What would you have me say?’ Callisa asked, her jaw thrust forward. ‘That we’re doomed. Is that what you want to hear?’
‘No, I…’ Tei hung her head and wrung her hands, fighting back tears.
‘I’m sorry,’ Callisa said, her tone softening. ‘I can’t give the reassurance you’re asking for. I’m doing my best to hold it all together, but Rathnor’s corruption is spreading.’
Tei looked up into Callisa’s sunken face, seeing how much she’d aged in the weeks she’d been Sentinel.
‘Must you suffer like this?’
At first, she thought Callisa wouldn’t answer, but then she met Tei’s gaze.
‘I’m connected to the island. While its magic is weak I have to be strong, even if it ends up destroying me.’ She shifted in her chair, looking drained. ‘I feel every death, every spirit lost to Rathnor, and I feel his strength growing as mine diminishes. I don’t know how much longer I can go on, only that I must.’
Tei swallowed hard. ‘We can stop him.’
‘I’ve already tried.’
Tei read the pain in her expression and sensed the heavy burden she carried. ‘Talk to me about it.’ She reached out to grip Callisa’s cold hand. ‘Everyone needs to confide in someone, even Sentinels.’
Callisa shook her head. There was sorrow behind the gesture and a depth of emotion Tei didn’t understand.
‘Please, you don’t have to do this alone.’
When it was clear Callisa didn’t want to share her burden, Tei squeezed her bony shoulder. ‘I’m here for you, whenever you need me. Remember that.’
Callisa smiled faintly, though her thoughts were clearly no longer on their conversation.
Tei left her sitting by the fire, her small and vulnerable figure lost in the big stone room.
Dragging her step, she waited for Callisa to call her back, but she wasn’t surprised when only silence followed her down the tunnel.
***
‘Morane?’
Tei ran down the path as she spotted a grey-haired woman stepping out of the crowd. The woman turned towards her and smiled as Tei skidded to a halt in front of her. ‘Morane, it’s me, Tei. I can’t believe you finally came to Turrak.’
Morane’s grin deepened with recognition. ‘I should have come here years ago, but I obviously had a purpose to serve in Kalaya first.’
‘Helping strays like me.’
‘Good job I did. I’ve heard the rumours of a young redhead named Tei being Confidante to the new Sentinel, now I know it’s you.’ Morane laughed. ‘I knew there was something special about you the moment I saw you across the market with that guard trailing after you like a dog following a bitch on heat.’
Tei shrugged off the incident, remembering her mission and the friends she’d lost because of it. She looked for a brighter subject of conversation. ‘Your friend is here, the one we rescued from the hangman’s noose. He has his own piece of land to tend.’ Tei pointed in the general direction of the farmed fields.
Morane’s eyes moistened with happy tears. ‘I’ll have to pay him a visit later.’
Tei nodded as she looked around the settlement, searching for Brogan.
‘Who have you lost?’ Morane asked, her tone joking.
‘Oh, I was looking for a friend. I haven’t seen him since we returned to Turrak yesterday.’
‘You weren’t with the exiles who were ambushed in Fenga, were you? I’ve heard stories about that awful business while I was at the market.’
Tei closed her eyes and tried to block the image of Mara swinging from the rope. ‘It was horrifying, but I wasn’t directly involved. I was part of the rescue party,’ she said, gulping back emotion.
‘Oh, so you were in Brogan’s group.’
‘Yes, he’s my... protector. Do you know him?’ Tei asked, confused.
‘Actually I met Brogan last night.’ Morane studied Tei’s flushed cheeks and winked. ‘He’s a handsome young man.’
Tei re-directed the line of the conversation, before she gave anything away. ‘You met him last night?’
‘He knows the girl I travelled here with. I’ve just been down to the settlement to get her some new things to make her feel better. The people here have been so kind.’ Morane lifted a corner of the blanket covering the basket she was carrying. Nestled at the bottom was a set of clothes and shoes, and a ragdoll with yellow woollen hair.
Tei had a flashback of the black-haired ragdoll she’d cherished as a little girl and wondered what had happened to the rest of her belongings left in Seatown.
The older woman’s words finally registered and she frowned and cocked her head. ‘Who’s the girl?’
‘Little Beliss. She’s such a sweet girl but she suffered a terrible trauma; I believe her family may have been murdered.’
Tei grabbed Morane’s arm. ‘Beliss is alive?’ Her voice was shrill but she didn’t care as hope surged through her chest and made her giddy.
‘Yes, and she’s been a lot happier since she was reunited with Brogan. He’s with her now, come on I’ll take you to them.’
As they hurried up the path, Morane talked about their journey to Turrak.
‘I can’t believe she’s alive. When I couldn’t reach her I was so sure she was...’
Morane patted Tei’s hand. ‘She was in a bad place when I found her; she didn’t talk to me for a week.’
They trekked up the path, Morane panting with exertion as they reached the top. She stopped at the mountain entrance and shivered. ‘I still don’t like this place.’
Tei felt like a veteran of the mountains and smiled in reassurance. ‘You get used to the strangeness.’
Inside the tunnels, Morane was quiet as she followed the memorised route. They stopped at a door and the older woman knocked gently.
Tei’s heart fluttered nervously in the silence. When they received no reply, they poked their heads around the door and saw Brogan dozing in the chair beside Beliss’ bed. The little girl was sleeping peacefully, her blonde curls spread across the pillow.
Tei gulped back the lump in her throat as Morane set down her basket inside the room and quietly closed the door to leave them sleeping.
Her eyes shone with affection as she turned to Tei. ‘He’s refused to leave her side.’
Tei nodded, unable to speak. She was so happy to see the two of them reunited; if only the circumstances could have been different.
She leant against the tunnel wall outside the room and closed her eyes, propelling her spirit out of her body. She’s alive; I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.
Rike’s spirit formed in the mist of the Astral Plane above the mountains and looked at her, contrite. We didn’t know. When the spirits passed over that night, we didn’t realise there was a child left behind. All I was concerned with was saving them from the Soul Eater.
Brogan has suffered so much mourning her... so have I.
Rike squeezed her hand. I’m sorry. At least she’s safe, that’s what matters. Keep playing your part in keeping her that way.
Tei nodded and watched the image of her friend disappear into wisps of smoke and dissolve in the atmo
sphere. She dragged herself back to her body and opened her eyes.
Morane was watching her, obviously detecting that Tei had been elsewhere.
As they walked back along the tunnel, the blue shimmer of light reflected in Morane’s nervous eyes.
Tei remembered her first steps inside Turrak with Mara as her guide. She linked arms with the older woman and propelled her along. ‘Come on, while they’re resting I’ll show you the caves and prove to you that life within the mountain isn’t so bad.’
‘I don’t know about that.’
‘Then I should definitely introduce you to my friend Mara; she’ll soon set you straight about Turrak.’
Morane patted Tei’s hand and winked. ‘Perhaps I should take your word for it, dear; you are the Confidante after all.’
Chapter Twenty
Tei strode through the orchard, checking nothing showed signs of decay. For the last week, ever since the first Turrak daisy had crumbled to dust in her hand, she had walked the same route. Her dreams of the barren land, devoid of magic, woke her at night. She would lie awake, dripping with sweat, certain that the dreams were real.
Tei slumped down against a tree and sat lost in thought, wondering what would become of Kalaya if Rathnor got his war. She closed her eyes and tried to picture a calm place. The image of her father’s workshop as he sewed garments came to mind and she lost herself in the memories.
‘I thought I’d find you here.’
She looked up at the sound of Callisa’s voice. The Sentinel pulled back the hood of her cloak and smiled at Tei. ‘Your father’s spell has been coming in handy.’
Tei nodded and spotted the basket in Callisa’s hand.
‘An early lunch, curtesy of Mara,’ the Sentinel said, placing the basket between them.
They settled down beneath the tree, using their cloaks as blankets. Callisa shared out the sweet pastries. While they ate, Tei observed the birds flitting between the trees. She exhaled and enjoyed the warmth of the sun bathing her face through gaps in the branches. It was peaceful but the air felt charged with thoughts unsaid.
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