by Janet Woods
‘How pretty it looks,’ she whispered, but despite that it was a place with an edge of mystery and danger, where you didn’t feel like talking too loudly. ‘Let’s dive off that ledge.’
‘No, it’s too dangerous, and I don’t feel like swimming now I’m here. We don’t know what’s under the water. Saire told me that the whole place shifted sideways and sank. Poisonous eels guard the area near the entrance to the tomb. I’m going to walk round to the other side.’
Jynx bowed to her brother’s caution, for it often paid off. Discarding her tabard and breeches she swam out to the rock she always used, clad only in her modesty wear. There, she lay on her stomach on the warm surface, gazing down a shaft of sunlight into the clear water. Far below she could see something shining with different colors.
Overcome by curiosity, she stood up, took a lungful of air and slid into the water. She struck out for the bottom, following the sunlit shaft like an arrow, her eyes on the shining object, and trailing a few bubbles behind her. The deeper she got the colder the water became. Her lungs began to hurt, but the shining object drew her down further for it always seemed to be just within her grasp, but not quite.
As her hand closed around it there was a disturbance in the water and a long black shape swirled around her. She shoved the object into her vest, and then kicked at the shape. Her senses began to fuddle, though she thought she saw the face of a young man. ‘Help me,’ she said, and the words left her mouth in a rush of bubbles. Water filled the space and the power fled from her limbs.
Something grasped her braid and she was dragged rapidly upwards through the water. As soon as she hit the air she swooped in a harsh, ragged breath and began to choke. When she’d spat the water out and could breathe comfortably again she looked around her. She was on the bank and Remy was on the far side of the lake, lying on his back and gazing up at the clouds passing behind the towering columns of rock. So her brother hadn’t been her rescuer, she thought. Who, then?
Jynx sensed she was being watched. Carefully she looked around her, and her glance was drawn to the rock she’d first slid from. There in its shadow was the head and shoulders of a young man.
She gazed at him, her eyes widening. Though dampened by water his hair was a light brown, and he gazed back her through eyes of silver grey. When she offered him a smile he placed a finger across his lips, indicating she should hush, and keep what she’d experienced quiet.
He was gone in the blink of an eye, leaving a faint disturbance in his wake.
Remembering the shiny object Jynx drew it from inside her vest. It was a small, shallow dish made from gold metal, and inset with different color crystals. ‘How pretty,’ she murmured. When she pinged a fingernail against the surface it gave a melodious little chime and the water dripped from it in multi-color droplets.
The shadows were beginning to creep across the water. Across the lake, Remy stood, stretched, and began to make his way around the bank, Wulf by his side. Jynx pulled on her outer garments and wrung the water from her hair.
Wulf did a little dance when he reached her, shaking himself so droplets of water flew up in the air and all over them. His damp fur formed into a tawny ruff about his neck and his hindquarters seemed to sprout a spiky pair of breeches. Thin legs stuck out the bottom.’
She laughed. ‘You look funny when you’re wet, Wulf.’
He yawned, displaying a mouthful of sharp teeth.
‘We’d better go,’ she said to her brother, for the sun had gone and the mist was beginning to creep from the surface of the lake.
The mist seemed to follow them in ragged wisps as they went through the dark thicket. The thorns plucked at their clothes and the undergrowth wrapped around their ankles as if to keep them there.
There was a sense of menace in the air. Wulf’s ears flattened against his head and he made growly noises deep in his throat. When they walked out the other side into bright sunshine there was an immediate lessening of tension.
They looked at each other, giving nervous grins.
‘I love the feeling of danger in the place,’ she said, and shivered as she told Remy about the treasure she’d retrieved. Wulf pressed against her side making little huffing noises. She caressed his chin.
‘Anyone would think he was your dog,’ Remy said. ‘Show the dish to me.’
Jynx took the object from inside her tabard. Now it had dried the gold had faded to a rusty color and there was no sign of the glittering jewels.
Remy laughed at her disappointment. ‘Perhaps you were enchanted.’
‘Perhaps?’ she said softly. ‘Where did you get Wulf from?’
‘Wulf?’ He gazed at the animal in surprise. ‘A man was selling pups in the market place. Nobody wanted to buy Wulf because he was nearly grown, so he gave him to me. But he seems to like you best.’
‘Who was the man?’
Remy shrugged. ‘I can’t remember his face. I’d never seen him before, and haven’t since.’
‘Was he young or old?’
‘How would I know? It was raining, he wore a cowl and I couldn’t see his face properly. There was something odd about his eyes, though.’
‘You saw his eyes? What was odd about them?’
‘I can’t remember. Does it matter?’
Jynx gazed down into the silver eyes of Wulf and smiled when his tongue curled around her fingers and he laid his head against her knee. ‘I guess it doesn’t.’
Chapter Three
After they’d cleared the harbor the trimarines had set sail in three different directions. Five days later Laek and his friends disembarked on to the thickly forested island of Soran.
Having studied the map in his father’s quarters Laek knew that Soran was the most distant of the three islands. Belia and Abakar were closer to the shore and there was one day’s sailing between each. He was glad his cousins; Kedar and Grise hadn’t joined their group. He didn’t trust either of them. Since childhood, everything he did or said had been reported back to his uncle by one or both of them, and from thence to his father. Now he experienced the euphoria of freedom
Iago and Jon exchanged smiles and stretched their muscles; glad to be away from the confines of the ships. Through the trees they spied the roof of a couple of small buildings. ‘I wonder what our quarters are like. Laek, I wager you’ll be offered the best.’
It soon became clear that Laek was to be treated exactly the same as the others by the commanders. His quarters were the same. They consisted of the contents of the pack on his back and the cloak he wore. Their tools were the knife they wore at their belts, their bow and arrows, and the flint he carried.
The training commanders grinned at each other as they moved into their more substantial quarters. ‘The first thing you recruits need to learn is how to survive and the Isle of Soran has everything you need for that. You just have to find it. Group yourself into fours, and get on with it. In case of accident or distress you know where we are. Report to us in one week for a good meal, a head count and some combat training.’
The three friends exchanged rueful glances and Jon said, ‘Damn, I was looking forward to a good meal.’
Laek shrugged. ‘By the sound of it we’ll have to catch it first. Who shall we have as a fourth?’
The recruits were splitting into groups; some like themselves consisting of old friends, some who’d made friends with strangers on the ships. Laek looked over those least popular. His gaze fell on a quiet youth called Tighe. He was a loner with watchful, secretive eyes, and a manner that kept most people at bay.
‘What about that short jolly one?’ Iago said. ‘He tells good jokes.’
Laek looked from one group to the other, and smiled, aware, but without vanity, that most of the recruits would want to be chosen by him. He was equally aware it would have to be somebody special, someone able to cope with the close relationship he had with Iago and Jon.
‘I watched him on the ship. He’s lazy and is sneaky, and I don’t think we can trust him. I saw him w
hispering in the ear of the commanders. I like the look of that tall one. His name is Tighe and he has a mind of his own. He pulls his weight, shares what he has and he looked after another recruit when he was sick during the storm.’
‘I haven’t heard him talk and those light gray eyes of his give me the shivers, they’re so astute. But I imagine I’ll get used to him,’ Jon said.
Tighe had the air of a loner, and as such he wouldn’t put any pressure on the friendship Laek enjoyed with Jon and Iago. ‘I think he’s a hesp. They’re not very talkative.’
‘What’s a hesp?’ Iago asked.
‘Someone who was born with the powers of heightened extra sensory perception. It’s a throwback. They used to kill them at birth, but there was too many of them. Now they destroy the extra sensory skill instead. If Tighe is a hesp he’ll have a scar on his head where they used the heat probe on him.’
‘Poor sod,’ Iago whispered. ‘All right, Tighe it is.’
Tighe had acute hearing, Laek thought, when he turned to gaze directly at them. When Laek said quietly, ‘Will you join us, Tighe?’ he nodded as though he’d been expecting it, and moved across.
The four made their move into the surrounding vegetation without being told again. Tighe moved ahead at a fast pace, as if he knew exactly where they were going. Laek was contented to follow since he hadn’t had time to take any bearings. Besides, Tighe needed to prove his usefulness as a group member. Not that he looked as though he cared, with that air of independence he wore like a cloak. After an hour they came to a stream that widened into a small, dark pool. Tighe pointed upwards.
It took them a while to see the cave entrance among the profusion of plant life dipping down into the water.
‘You’ve got sharp eyes,’ Laek said, but he had the feeling Tighe had known of the whereabouts of this cave.
Above the pool, and hidden behind a slab of moss covered stone they found an opening. They gained entrance by a series of hand and footholds, and it led into a fairly large cave, high and full of fissures where the smoke from a fire would be dissipated. Water trickled down a tree root and dripped into a pool the size of a large puddle at the rear. Over time it had worn a shallow basin in the rock. The drip would provide them with fresh water and the pool outside would serve as a place to bathe. It reminded Laek of the High Place, but considerably reduced in size.
It would be a snug, weatherproof little nest with everything at hand, including fish in the pool below, cress on the bank and fruit in the surrounding vegetation, Laek thought. On further exploration they found a small entrance at the back, deceptive to the naked eye because it resembled what it was – a tumble of rocks.
‘You’re a genius, Tighe. How did you know about this place?’
Tighe spread his hands and shrugged.
Laek didn’t push it but dropped his pack to the floor. From habit he took charge. ‘Right, let’s organize ourselves before it grows dark. Iago, you can collect firewood and build a fireplace. Jon, see if you can catch some fish for dinner. I’ll collect fruit and nuts, and set the camp up.’
Tighe pointed to himself.
‘You seem to have a good sense of direction, Tighe. Have a look around, and draw a map of the area. All of you bring back anything that looks as though it might be useful. Be careful. Try not to give our position away.’
It wasn’t long before they had a fire laid. A ledge along the wall served as a shelf. Soon the fish were cooking over a makeshift spit. They ate before readying themselves for the night, and while it was still light, pulled the mattresses from their packs and inflated them.
‘We should set watches,’ Laek said. ‘We’ll toss for them, then rotate every night.’
They damped down the fire, so the dancing tongues of red and the orange glow they gave off, wouldn’t give their position away. Laek had drawn the second watch, after Jon, who woke him up with a poke to the ribs. The night was as soft as velvet, the stars bright and glowing. Wrapped in his cloak Laek sat in the cave entrance. It was peaceful sitting there with just his thoughts for companionship. His fingers went to the talisman Jynx had placed around his neck as the moon climbed up from behind the trees and its light rippled across the small pool.
The dark water reflected back the glow.
He sensed that Jynx had carved the talisman herself, for she wore a similar one. She would have taken the greenish blue jade from the High Place, since it couldn’t be found elsewhere. His fingers traced the outline of a peregrine falcon. He smiled as he remembered the laughter in her eyes. He’d miss her friendship. Something tugged at the reaches of his memory – something his mother had told him when he was barely out of his cradle.
‘When you reach an age of mature reasoning you’ll discover the followers of the Falcon, thus.’ She’d shown him the secret mark, visible only to another true-blood and revealed by pressure of a thumb on the hand – a small glow of luminous blue light under the skin, like moonlight. ‘The day will come when you will meet others such as yourself,’ she’d said. ‘You must trust your instincts.’
How had he remembered that from childhood?
You must trust to your instincts.
The moonlight grew more luminous and mist writhed from the water. When it cleared he saw Jynx reflected in it. Seated at her window with a small bowl, her hair hung loose and rippled to her waist with a faint incandescence. It was the first time Laek had seen it unbraided and its lustrous beauty stunned him.
When Jynx flicked her fingernail at the edge of the dish it gave a soft chime. The water below him shivered and was covered in ripples.
‘You need water in the dish to scry,’ he whispered.
As if she’d heard him Jynx smiled and reached out for an ewer. With the water came colors. When they cleared her eyes were so rounded in surprise that Laek chuckled. A merry smile sped across her face.
‘Laek, I was just thinking about you; what sort of magic is this? Is that really you or am I imagining things?’
He laughed. ‘If you’re imagining things then so am I. Where did you get the dish?’
‘I found it on the bottom of the lake at the High Place, beneath the rock. I nearly ran out of air and drowned when I swam down to get it. Wulf rescued me.’
‘You’re not supposed to go there, Jynx.’
‘I know, but The High place seems to call me. I believe I was given this dish for a reason, since it’s put us back in touch. Something dark tried to stop me from reaching it, though, but I was protected by ... ’
Her image began to break up. Laek lost concentration and didn’t hear the rest of her sentence.
‘Promise me you’ll be careful,’ he said swiftly.
Her voice became a whisper. ‘I promise, Laek. I must go, now, someone ... behind you ... ’
When a hand fell on Laek’s shoulder, he jumped.
‘It’s time for my watch,’ Tighe said against his ear.
Laek took hold of the hand the hesp held out to pull him up with. There was a small amount of pressure from his thumb. Laek did the same.
‘Well chosen, true-blood,’ Tighe whispered, and smiled.
‘How much did you see?’
‘Moonlight on water can play tricks on the eyes.’
‘Aye, and you’re being evasive. I’ve never seen you before today, but it feels as though I’ve always known you. Who are you?’
‘I’m a son of Saire.’
‘I didn’t know the seer had a son.’
‘There is a lot you don’t know. Until a minitix ago you were unaware of some of your special powers, too.’
Laek thought about the statement, absorbed it and accepted it. ‘Some of them?’
‘Others will be revealed to you. I’ll help you through your uncertainty.’
Gazing at him, Laek saw for the length of a heartbeat an ancient face filled with wisdom. ‘Are you ... Him?’ And he couldn’t quite utter the name.
The smile Tighe gave him was secretive. ‘I’m different things to different people. Go to bed now,
Laek. Sleep soundly, you need to renew yourself for the morrow.’
How quickly the man had changed from stranger to mentor. ‘Did my father send you to watch over me?’
Tighe’s eyes hooded as he contemplated him. ‘Lord Cynan is a soldier and a conqueror. He has none of the ancient arts and no true-blood in him. Thus he cannot understand or believe in what he cannot see. There are those who would use the knowledge of what you are to usurp him.’
‘What am I, except the son of my parents?’
‘The awareness of your being is written in your genes and will reveal itself in time. Azarine has guarded you well.’
Laek felt some alarm then. ‘What of my lady mother?’
‘She realized her destiny on the day she met Lord Cynan. She protected herself in the only way she knew how.’
‘And Jynx?’
The blandness dropped from Tighe’s eyes and for a moment they blazed silver in the moonlight. ‘What of her?’
‘Jynx is special to me. She’s my friend and I trust her.’
‘Jynx is no fool and she already has a protector.’
It must be Remy, Laek thought, but he couldn’t imagine the softhearted lad, who enjoyed music and scholarly pursuits being able to protect his sister. Jynx was the fearless one of the pair.
There was the wolf, of course. Tighe must have been referring to him. Jynx should have been the boy, he thought, smiling to himself as he snuggled into the softness of his mattress.
Chapter Four
Hal’s restless gaze wandered across the plain towards the mountains, feeling the mysterious pull of them.
Orish was seated cross-legged outside the tent they called home. The old man lifted his head when the wind changed direction. He was wrinkled like a turtle, and his eyes revealed the grey shadows that had stolen most of his sight. Yet his hands held a tool securely and his nimble fingers still worked, carving intricate pieces of jewelry and talismans from jade or from the tusks of the wild boar, which were hunted for food. The talismans were sold in the market place, and represented the various gods of the past, though nobody seemed to celebrate the deities much since Cynan’s rise to power.