by Peter Newman
Rochant looked thoughtful. ‘If I have to.’
It was strange. Rochant was talking of enemies and fights but he seemed so calm. ‘What’s an Honoured Vessel?’
‘An Honoured Vessel is the chosen favourite of a Deathless. It is the duty of my people to teach them, help them, and keep them safe. You will be much loved here.’
Sa-at smiled. He liked the sound of that. ‘Do I have to do anything?’
‘Simply continue to observe and think. The rest will take care of itself.’
They’d walked to a part of the castle Sa-at hadn’t seen before, turning several corners and ascending two flights of stairs. Then, they stopped. Rochant pressed against the wall and it opened.
‘You’ve made a cave!’
‘Yes, but one that is too small to accommodate my wings.’
‘I’d fit.’
‘Yes,’ replied Rochant smoothly. ‘Show me.’
Sa-at slid inside. ‘It’s dark.’
‘Feel around at head height until you find a handle, then slide it to your left.’
Sa-at did as he was told, and was rewarded with the feel of cold air on his face. Leaning forward he could see outside towards the castle gates. The servant he’d seen earlier was standing outside and, to Sa-at’s eye, appeared uncomfortable.
However, that was nothing compared to the spectacle of a second sapphire-armoured figure landing in front of them. ‘Wow,’ he whispered.
‘You can see something?’ asked Rochant.
‘Yes.’
‘Tell me.’
‘Like a story?’
‘Yes, like a story.’
And so Sa-at did, narrating what played out before him. ‘There’s a man in armour that looks like you. But his shoulders are more curly and his helmet’s a different shape. Oh, and he has long hair like mine, but less tangly and more like water.’
‘His name is Vasinidra.’
‘That’s a long name.’
‘It is.’
‘Why does he have such a long name?’
‘Because he’s important. The length of the name denotes his status.’ Then Rochant quickly added, ‘I will explain what status means later. What is he doing?’
‘He’s walking towards the gates. The old man you spoke to earlier is waiting for him.’
‘Win, my seneschal. Is Vasinidra alone?’
‘Yes.’
‘Look closely at the bridge behind him. Is there anyone on it?’
‘No.’
‘Now look at the mountainside beyond the bridge. Are there people climbing it?’
‘No.’
‘Look a third time to be certain. Is he alone?’
‘The only one I can see is Vaseendra but—’
‘It’s Vasinidra.’
Sa-at thought that’s what he’d said. He tried again, breaking the unfamiliar word into parts. ‘Vas-in-ee-draa has got something in his arms. It could be a sack. No, it’s a … it’s a person!’
‘Describe them.’
Sa-at pressed his face against the stone to get a better view. He could see grey hair and a lolling head. ‘She looks old. She might be dead but I don’t think so.’
‘She?’
‘Yes. I saw her outside Sorn the day I found you. She was with the lady with the golden lips.’
‘That is good, Sa-at. Her name is Nidra, she is Vasinidra’s mother. She will not be dead, trust me on that. You are looking at our true enemies.’
Sa-at found himself wondering about the demon in the courtyard again. ‘I thought the one that looked like me was your enemy.’
‘He was but a tool. Consider my spear. It is deadly only when guided by my hand. With my enemies, Nidra is that guiding hand. She controls her son and he controls House Sapphire. That means she has many, many tools at her disposal.’
‘She has lots of spears?’
‘Exactly.’
‘More than you?’
‘Far more.’
Sa-at frowned. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘What would you do in my position?’
It was hard to imagine being in Rochant’s position. He was having a hard time reconciling the frail body he and Tal had dragged up the mountainside with the powerful form that stood behind him. There are lots of things I don’t understand. He tried to remember the way Rochant had guided his thinking in the past. Vasinidra is the enemy. He is powerful like Rochant is powerful. Nidra is more powerful because she controls Vasinidra. She has many spears but the spears aren’t here.
‘They’re not here!’ he said out loud. ‘The spears aren’t here. Nidra is asleep and he is alone. You should get them now before their pack comes back.’ He paused as a worrying thought struck him. ‘Are you stronger than Vasinidra?’
‘Not stronger, no. We are closely matched in strength.’
Sa-at thought back to how Rochant had advised him to fight the last of the Red Brothers. ‘How are you better than him?’
‘I am more composed. I plan ahead even in battle. I have fought to get here whereas he was born in a place like this. He is bound by its rules as he knows no other way.’ Rochant’s voice changed slightly and Sa-at suspected he was doing that odd smile again. ‘And he does not know I am here.’
‘How is he better than you?’
Rochant’s answer was immediate. ‘He is better in the air. He is faster.’
‘You need to get him on the ground.’
‘Yes. Go back inside and keep out of sight until I call for you. Do not go anywhere near Vasinidra, do you understand?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Go quickly.’
Sa-at nodded. ‘I will.’
He pulled the handle back, closing the hole, and then stepped outside. Rochant sealed the cave behind him and sprang towards the place where the walls met. He kicked between one wall and the other, rapidly gaining height, and Sa-at watched, amazed, as Rochant landed in a crouch on top of the battlements.
Then he remembered that he was supposed to be going quickly. He pulled up his hood, lowered his head, and ran.
Vasinidra stood at the gates to Lord Rochant’s floating castle. Despite his mother’s warnings he’d made good time. He only wished she’d been awake to appreciate it. As he strode forward he could see Win, the new seneschal, already waiting for him.
The man bore a harried expression that was most unbecoming of his station. A good seneschal should always appear calm. Even if there are visitors from other castles. Especially then.
It didn’t help that Rochant’s previous seneschal, Honoured Mother Chandni, had been superb in the role. The comparison was doing Win no favours.
His mother was starting to wake but when he went to put her down she gave a slight shake of her head. Though her eyes were open, he realized that she remained limp in his arms. Is she so exhausted she can’t even lift her head? Or is this just a ruse to make our enemies underestimate her?
‘High Lord Vasinidra,’ Win began, bowing deeply. ‘Welcome back from the hunt. I see you have outpaced the others by some considerable margin.’
‘The hunt is far from over. We fly to the aid of House Ruby. I am merely here to …’ he paused. Something was wrong. Of all the Crystal Dynasties, House Sapphire was the most disciplined. Everything placed with care and precision, from the gemslights on the walls, to the walls themselves, to the guards placed on those walls.
He frowned. It was the middle of the day and the gates were closed. He could think of no reason why that would be. He returned his attention to Win. His mother did the same. Standing alone, the man looked more than just harried, he looked nervous. Like a prey caught in the hunter’s jaws.
‘Is everything in order?’
‘Yes, High Lord.’
‘Why are the gates closed?’
‘Ah … Lord Rochant ordered it.’
His mother gave a slight tut as he asked: ‘Why in the name of the Thrice Blessed Suns would he do that?’
Win glanced over his shoulder as if looking for support. ‘I
… that is, he thought that it would be safest given the … ah … situation.’
‘You just said everything is in order.’
‘It is, it is. Lord Rochant just wishes to keep it that way.’
This is what happens when I show leniency. The power has gone to Satyendra’s head. I will have to deal with him. Soon. ‘Where is your lord now?’
Win’s expression grew pained. ‘He is within, High Lord … reacclimatizing to his, ah, duties.’
‘Your name is Win, yes?’
‘Yes, High Lord.’
‘And you have served the house loyally for many years?’
‘Born and raised here, High Lord.’
‘Then I can trust you?’
He straightened and met Vasinidra’s eye. ‘Of course.’
‘Pick out some people that you trust and take this woman into the castle. Do it discreetly and see that she is well cared for. Then I want you to summon the Bringers of Endless Order. Tell them it is urgent. Tell them that they are to grant this woman’s request as if it came directly from me. When they arrive, bring them to her. Do not let anyone else see her. Do not let anyone else visit her. That includes Lord Rochant.’
He could see that Win had questions but to the man’s credit he didn’t ask them.
‘Carry out these orders above all others. If Lord Rochant doesn’t like it, tell him I will explain everything when I return. Perform well in this task, Win, and House Sapphire will remember.’
Fail, he added silently, and I will remember.
Something of his thoughts must have communicated themselves through his expression as Win swallowed nervously. ‘Yes, High Lord.’
He looked down to find his mother looking back through half-lidded eyes. ‘You’re leaving me here?’
‘I have to.’
‘You have to do nothing. You are High Lord. You are choosing to leave me.’
There was no arguing with that. ‘Will you be all right?’
‘I suppose you’ll find out when you choose to return.’
He embraced her one more time and set her down, before easing her carefully into Win’s care. The old man shouldered her weight with difficulty.
‘High Lord,’ said Win. ‘Lord Rochant would be honoured if you would join him for lunch in the castle.’
It was tempting. Staying would give him time to settle his mother, perhaps even speak to the Bringers in person. He could set Satyendra straight on how to play his role better and stop him making any other foolish decisions. And I could have something to eat. The day had already been full of exertion and there was a lot of flying left to do. He decided he would stay long enough to ensure his mother was safe and his belly was full. But as soon as he took a step forward, the image of the empty hill came to mind. Hot on its heels was a memory of Lady Anuja Ruby’s face, her gaze accusing as he’d left her beleaguered lands to come home.
He stopped.
The assembled might of House Sapphire was on its way there at this very moment, about to do battle with a very different Wild. With not one but two of the greatest demons and their minions. The idea of being anywhere but at their side was ridiculous.
‘No,’ he said, making Win turn back in surprise. ‘We all have our duties. Win, I have made yours clear. My duties are clear too and they take me back to the hunt.’
Win nodded, seeming so relieved that he might cry. ‘Hunt well and thorough, High Lord,’ said Win.
Vasinidra nodded and started to run. There was a short stretch of rock before the edge which gave him enough momentum to leap out into the essence currents that flowed around the castle’s base.
He looked one more time towards the gates before he plunged downwards and thought he saw something, a blue glimmer on the battlements, like the outline of a man. But when he blinked, it had gone.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Bringers of Endless Order all watched Pari, waiting for her to answer their question: They wanted to go home, their home, in another world, and they needed her help. She wondered if those sparkling green eyes were able to see the thoughts running through her mind and rather hoped they couldn’t.
She let the silence run long and awkward enough that even Arkav turned to look at her with an expression of impatience, then she said:
‘Well, it seems to me that we have concluded our previous deal. You helped me restore my dear brother, and we brought back information about the place beyond the chasm. If you want my help a second time, I’d need to know what that would involve and what, exactly, would be my incentive for doing it.’
The Lead Bringer responded immediately. ‘We want you to take us down to where the souls move safely from world to world. There we would abandon our bodies and return home.’
‘That sounds so easy I really don’t see why you need my help.’
‘The distances are great, and our presence might attract the demons’ attention. Your job would be to keep us safe while we make the transfer.’
‘You’re saying it could be dangerous and you need my protection?’
‘Yes.’
‘I see why you want me there. What I don’t see is why I’d want to take the risk.’
‘We would offer you, and Lord Arkav if he wished to assist, a choice. Either we could use our influence here to improve your fortunes, or, if you prefer, you could come with us.’
Pari looked at Arkav. He’d know she was tempted by the latter. Few things were as alluring as an unopened door in her opinion. She suspected he’d rather stay, however. ‘I think my brother and I need a moment to discuss this in private.’ She gave them all a smile. ‘And after millennia of waiting, I’m sure a few more minutes won’t hurt.’
The sourness of their silence suggested that perhaps it would.
‘So be it. We look forward to hearing your answer.’
The Bringers moved back a respectful distance. Arkav watched them, then turned back to her, his face creased with concern. ‘You realize they have shown us too much to let us say no.’
‘Oh, Arkav, the issue has never been whether to say yes or no. We have more pressing matters. For example, how outrageous can we make our list of demands?’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘You don’t want to take the option where you go with them?’
‘I might do. But I thought you’d want to take the option where we come back. I also thought that if we made the list, I could convince you that nothing on it is even half as exciting as exploring another world.’
‘I’m not interested in making a list. I don’t trust the Bringers to honour the agreement, and even if they did, I’m not sure we should make the deal.’
‘Whyever not? This is our chance to go somewhere incredible or to change this world in a way that suits us. Think of the things we could make! The people we could annoy! The possibilities are endless.’
‘No, Pari, think about what this will mean. If the Bringers leave, they aren’t coming back. It will be the end of everything. The Deathless will stop returning, the hunts will fail, and the Wild will spread unchecked.’
‘All the more reason to go. If the Bringers do get home, why will they care what happens to us? But if we go, Arkav. You and I. We care. We can make them send replacements.’
He looked at her, his expression somehow full of admiration and exasperation at the same time. ‘How can you possibly know what we can or cannot do there?’
‘I don’t know them, but I know us. We’ll find a way. I don’t trust the Bringers either, which is precisely why I want to go with them. But before I do that, I want to make sure my lands are in order and my people are happy. I also want to show the newly restored you off to the High Lord so that she doesn’t get any ideas about replacing us.’
‘You’re talking as if I’ve already agreed to the idea.’
She gave him a twinkling smile. ‘But you have agreed. You just haven’t realized it yet.’
When he rolled his eyes, she knew she’d won.
‘I suppose you did just save my soul.’
‘Exactly. The least you can do in return is help me save the world.’
‘If I go with you, I’m not just going to get replacement Bringers. I want to learn how this all works. I can’t help but feel this is wrong somehow.’
‘Which bit?’
‘All of it.’
She mused on this for a moment. ‘Agreed. My only condition is that when you reach your conclusions you consult with me before you start the fires. If we’re going to destroy everything, we should do it together.’
They clasped wrists.
The Bringers looked up as Pari approached them. ‘We’ve decided to take you up on your offer.’
‘Good,’ replied the lead Bringer. ‘Are you ready to start?’
‘Now?’ She laughed. ‘That’s delightful, but no. There’s a few things to do first.’
The Bringer sounded as petulant as a child. ‘What things?’
She ticked them off in her mind: Collect our people and our carriage from Lord Rochant’s castle, report Arkav’s success to the High Lords and allay my own High Lord’s concerns about me.
‘Just a few loose ends. Don’t worry, as soon as our futures are secure, we’ll get straight onto yours.’
Sa-at was sure the woman Win carried through the gate was the same one he’d seen outside Sorn but it was hard to believe. Before she’d seemed like a predator but now she was old and weak.
But Rochant was weak when I found him and he’s strong now. Maybe she can be strong too when she wants.
The thought made him look at the woman – Nidra, he reminded himself – with fresh eyes. Beneath the layers of old musty clothing he saw the shape of the strange dagger she’d carried, the one that looked like a sharp bit of sky.
With a dull thud, the gates closed behind them.
He watched Win struggling to get Nidra across the courtyard and went over to help. Given how light Nidra was, the man seemed to be sweating an awful lot.
‘Do you need to stop?’
‘No,’ replied Win sharply. ‘I need to keep going. The fewer people that see this the better.’
Sa-at looked around. With all the traders and guests trapped within the castle, there were many bored faces, all with nothing to do but look at them. They were trying to hide their interest but Sa-at could see it as clear as the stars on a cloudless night. He could also see Rochant gliding down from the battlements.