by Susi Wright
Simban visibly relaxed, inclined to believe the sentient Luminor in his certainty.
‘She needs to sleep. I…’ he gestured to his matted green hair and drying mask, with a half-smile, stating the obvious, ‘must bathe, you are right!’ He rose to his feet, knowing Simban would be more than happy to keep watch and, saying nothing more, left the tent in the direction of the lake. As he walked, he managed to reconcile himself to the revelation that the Supreme Power had myriad layers, an entire spectrum from violent and dangerous, to gentle and healing. He passed a few volunteers scurrying around, doing their duties; some threw him a puzzled look, and he merely shrugged, indicating the mess he was in and pointing to the lake. They looked sympathetic. They were all up to their elbows in the stuff.
The usual mist was starting to descend as the day drew to a close, and by the time he reached the water’s edge, the sun was no longer visible, if indeed it had made an appearance at all that day. The hours at Fralii’s bedside had consumed him so completely, he had not noticed the day’s passing.
His breath was steam, the water would be icy. He reluctantly shrugged off his cloak and disrobed, assessing the silvery grey surface rippling with a frigid breeze. There was only one choice and that was to dive in without delay!
The cold shock of the water disappeared as he held his breath, swimming underwater for quite some distance, the long strokes of his arms and legs pulling him along, keeping him warm. He dived deeper, feeling his lungs begin to burn. It had been a long time since he had been swimming like this with his father and brother, he thought nostalgically. Like most of their training then, it had been fun. When had he become so serious? Returning to shore refreshed, he shook his head of excess water, then dressed in his clothing, hoping the campfires were already roaring for the evening. He shivered as he picked off the remaining dried clumps of Prian from his cloak, threw it around his shoulders and drew it close to his body, musing whether he could use his power to warm himself, but that seemed entirely too selfish, so he paused a few moments at the first campfire to warm his hands, collecting two large bowls of stew from the cooks there, in the bargain. Hurrying back as the mist turned to sleet, he knew they would be in for a cold night.
As he entered the comparative warmth of the tent, he was surprised and pleased to see Fralii propped up, though still looking quite weak. When he caught Simban’s eye, he realised the poor boy actually felt guilty that Fralii had woken while he himself had been absent. He smiled kindly, offering Simban a bowl and spoon. ‘You are hungry?’ Simban thanked him. Manners cost nothing, his mother Sala would say. In truth he had been hungry since breakfast.
With the other bowl, Luminor seated himself beside Fralii, regarding her tenderly. He tasted the soup, testing the temperature, and meeting her gaze, offered her a spoonful. She shook her head, frowning, continuing to stare at him belligerently. He thought this reminiscent of her attitude just after he had rescued her. He took a mouthful of stew, raising his eyebrows expectantly. Her stubborn expression remained, so he patiently put down the spoon, willing to try talking. He glanced at Simban, who had already polished off the entire contents of his bowl, and was watching the exchange closely. Luminor said nothing but, not unpleasantly, indicated the exit with his eyes. Simban understood and acquiesced, obliging him by leaving with a mumbled statement about the call of nature.
‘So! It is you! I thought I was dreaming!’ Fralii exclaimed.
Lumi turned to her, gently assuring her, ‘Yes. I am here now. I am so sorry for your unhappiness, I never wanted it!’
‘Explain yourself!’ she demanded. ‘For once!’
‘I will, I promise, but first, eat,’ he suggested, again offering a spoonful of soup.
‘You have made promises before…’ she countered. Luminor sighed, deciding to use the same strategy he had on the previous occasion. ‘One mouthful gets one part explanation!’ His guileless eyes met hers. She thought for a moment, the hotpot smelled delicious, then opened her mouth, accepting the first spoonful, looking immediately and expectantly back at him while she chewed. ‘First, when we were with your father… my father’s will forbade me to stay… or explain. It is a Gaian thing… I could do nothing… except leave!’ He quickly brought another spoonful to her lips. She ate it.
‘Then my father died… I had many duties. I am the eldest son.’ The feeding process continued, each mouthful earning her another piece of the puzzle. His explanation was brief but concise, so much had happened, all the many details would come to light with time. He was careful not to overload her; she was still weak.
Luminor gazed seriously at her, his heart quickening, feeling the spark inside. ‘I never wanted to leave you! My soul has burned for you… to make you mine!’ he blurted.
A discreet cough at the tent flap interrupted Luminor’s admission, followed by ‘Can I please come in? It is bloody cold out here!’ Simban had returned, obviously some time ago, tactfully waiting outside for as long as he could tolerate the freezing temperature. Luminor tended to like him a little more for that.
Fralii’s eyelids were already drooping, drowsy again after consuming a goodly amount of soup. It was time for her to rest again. ‘Come in, get warm, Simban,’ Luminor called out, and realising his own hunger, turned his attention to the small portion of remaining food, which he mopped up with a piece of bread. Feeling satisfied, he relaxed in the knowledge that Fralii was on the mend, no more to be done there for now. With a little more effort, possibly a lot more talking, he had the same hope for their relationship.
Simban asked anxiously, ‘Did she eat?’
‘Yes. Sufficient. Good night, Simban,’ was the reply. The hour was late and lack of sleep was catching up. Even Gaians could not go on forever without it. Expecting Simban to do likewise, he shook out a spare fur, lay down on the dirt floor, and promptly fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Forty-four
Luminor had not been gone a day, when Altor’s challenges as Gaian captain and interim leader had begun to materialise. The military commander, Stavis, sorely disgruntled from the outset by the assembly’s rejection of his proposed conditions to the Alliance, and seeing the opportunity presented by Luminor’s absence, had been doggedly petitioning the governor for an amendment more to his liking. He had met with Rand several times that first day. He had seen the obvious loophole in the fact that the Gaian had agreed to uphold the laws of the country. Nothing need stop those laws changing, to his advantage. He had also been bending the ears of several councillors, on two concerns: one, that Luminor, given any political power at all in addition to Gaian skills, would probably try to overthrow the government, so he was not to be trusted, the other point would justify the enlisting of the Gaian warriors under Stavis’ command alone, to launch attacks in the southern border country, where his spies had reportedly discovered rebels hiding and training, amassing an army to invade Baram in the near future. In reality, he had a devious plan. Once he had control over the Gaian warriors and found a way to rid himself of Luminor and his brother, he would be in a position powerful enough to overthrow the government, and then rule by martial law. As soon as the Alliance had been signed, he had seen the possibilities to advance his long-held ambitions.
Altor, having attended the morning meeting with the council to hear the petition, had easily detected duplicity in Stavis’ intention, though it was impossible to discern the nature of the underlying reason. Luminor had been right about the man. Altor would hold strong on keeping the existing agreement, while he contemplated how to expose Stavis’ secret agenda.
As if that was not enough to test him, during the two days that followed, reports had reached him from some of the elders that for several nights, a handful of the younger Gaian warriors, naive and fun-loving, had been enjoying their celebrity status as heroes and the novelty of being allowed to mingle in human society, drinking ale to excess. The city bartenders had been happy to supply many rounds on the house, in gratitude for their brave service. The adoring tavern wenches
had also been more than willing to offer fun and rewards of their own. Trouble had ensued with rowdy behaviour and a violent brawl after some derogatory name-calling, culminating in serious injury—of a human. Altor, though he saw his own fun-loving nature in their initial revelry, knew Luminor would not countenance such conduct, or the serious consequences. In his new position of responsibility in which he had already left behind such frivolity, neither should he. He certainly could not afford to have his authority undermined by the Baram guard stepping in, so he had been forced to have them arrested for a few days. They were at present cooling their heels in the Capital gaol, the embarrassment of their mistake, and the confinement itself, very likely punishment enough.
Realising that these were just the first of many tests, and knowing that his perceptive skills were far from infallible, Altor tried to distinguish in his troubled mind, whether it was mere hope he could feel, or real Perception that promised Luminor would return soon!
Chapter Forty-five
Dawn broke darkly, with the first snow of winter arriving in a blizzard. The tent flap had come untied during the night and the howling, icy gale bursting in woke Luminor and Simban with a start. They had both been sleeping exceptionally heavily, but the violence of the intrusion shook the entire tent, sprinkling the occupants on their stretchers with a freezing waft of snow. Luminor moved in the blink of an eye to retie the door. The brazier had snuffed out hours ago, although they still had an adequate supply of tinder in the corner of the tent. Simban set himself to the task of relighting the fire, banking up kindling in the metal grate and rummaging through their supplies for flint. Coming up empty-handed, he cursed loudly, exclaiming, ‘Zabuks balls! I cannot believe we have no more flint! The supply store is on the far side of the camp. In this blizzard, it may as well be on the other side of the lake!’
Luminor, for the most part, was becoming comfortable with his powers in the presence of humans now, though he had kept the existence of the Supreme Power to himself so far. He had been further heartened by Simban’s open-minded acceptance yesterday when he had revived Fralii.
He thought out loud, for Simban’s benefit, ‘I could fly there, even in this strong wind, but I do not know exactly where the flint is kept…’ he shivered. ‘And it is freezing!’
‘Yes,’ agreed Simban, ‘I pity the poor souls who have first rounds this morning!’ He also shivered, then grinned facetiously, adding in jest, ‘You seem to be able to do anything… Can you not… make fire?’ He raised his eyebrows with a smirk. He really did not expect the reply he got.
‘In truth, Simban, perhaps… but I am not certain! This is a new skill. I am just becoming used to it! I could try!’ Luminor’s honest disclosure left Simban wondering enviously if there was anything in Existence that Luminor could not do!
Seated by the brazier, Luminor tried to achieve a meditative state, finding it a trifle difficult with Simban watching so intently, and Fralii beginning to wake also. He looked forward to a time when he would know all his capabilities, and be able to channel them in an instant. Mentally ready to let intuition guide him, he focussed on the Eternal Flame as he had the previous day, drawing energy from it in a narrow stream, this time through his core to his thumb and forefinger, tips together, near the pile of kindling. Internally halting the flow for a second, he let it build up and released it in a burst. A spark! This caught easily in the fine splinters of wood and leapt into a flame. He switched off his focus, letting the energy inside him recede to its source. Simban blew gently to encourage the flames, looking at Luminor in surprised but reluctant admiration. Luminor met Simban’s eyes with an accomplished grin, turning guiltily to Fralii’s abrupt huff of frustration, as if he had been caught in mischief.
‘So! You still have more to tell, I see!’ she accused, propping herself up on her elbows. Yet another secret… would they never end?
Luminor jumped to his own defence. ‘I told you much, yesterday… Were you listening?’ He was not certain when she had dozed off, if she had heard all he had said.
‘How are you feeling, mistress?’ put in Simban cheerily, trying to defuse the obvious tension, feeling a trace of Luminor’s guilt as would an accomplice. ‘You look a little better! Would you like some tea?’ He busied himself stoking the brazier flames, and putting a small tin of water on to boil.
Fralii yawned and sighed, her annoyance seeming to evaporate, and said in a small voice, ‘I am hungry!’ Luminor was particularly relieved to see the improvement in her mood, and her appetite.
‘That is good!’ both men replied in unison, each rummaging hopefully through different saddlebags for something edible to give her, neither successful.
‘There is nothing here,’ said Luminor apologetically. ‘The tea is ready…’ He handed Fralii a steaming beverage, happy to at least provide her with something. Sipping at his own warming brew, an invigorating blend of herbs, he offered, ‘Shortly, I will go look around… try to find something to eat.’ He could stand the cold for a while, using the wind to scout the camp swiftly.
Simban advised helpfully, ‘You will not find much… no one will have been able to start a cooking-fire yet this morning. Likely, the cursed blizzard doused last night’s fires, but volunteers will be up and about their duties by now. Someone will give you bread or dry biscuits, just ask . . .’
Luminor donned his warm feather cloak, braving the icy gale, the speed of the wind his ally in this case. He had left the tent for mere minutes before returning proudly with a simple chunk of bread. He had spotted two stalwart volunteers rugged-up, battling the driving snow, beginning to distribute bread or biscuits around the camp while others were checking on patients. Luminor had offered to take one sack of bread to lighten their load, and deliver a loaf to each of the tents on this side of the camp on his flight back. This simple fare was more than they had expected. The three ate in silence, as grateful as if it was a feast, washed down with another hot tisane.
Simban spoke first. ‘Soon, I will have to check on the samblars. They have probably taken cover in the nearest trees, but unfortunately we have cleared quite an area round the camp now. They will be quite a distance away… anyway, it seems the blizzard is dying down.’ The gale was no longer buffeting the canvas walls.
Swaddled in a woollen blanket, Simban opened the tent flap, coming face to face with two aproned women. The first, matronly and ruddy-faced from the cold, greeted him, ‘Good morn, sir! We have been sent by Doctor Melis… to attend to Fralii’s toilette.’ Glancing outside, Simban noticed the wind had indeed dropped, the ground, surprisingly, only lightly covered in snow. Pausing for a few more minutes in the warm, he stood aside to allow the nurses in, one after the other. As the second woman, a Gaian, entered, catching sight of Luminor, she exclaimed in her own tongue, dipping her head in obeisance, ‘Lord Luminor! I did not know you were here! I am sorry… my perception is not good…’ She reverently picked up the hem of his cloak and kissed it.
Fralii and Simban both watched the exchange, completely mystified. Neither understood the dialect, though it was obvious this woman recognised Luminor, had called him by name. Both were baffled by the apparent gesture of respect, or was it adoration?
Luminor, slightly uncomfortable at this open show of submission, in present company, glanced briefly at Fralii, then acknowledged the woman politely by name. ‘Seren.’
The matronly nurse had apparently understood what was said, having picked up the dialect working so closely with the Gaian women. She clapped her hands joyfully, piping up, ‘Oh my! Lord Luminor! How pleased I am to meet you! Our hero!’ She curtsied almost worshipfully. ‘What brings to our humble company?’
Fralii and Simban, who had not caught up on the details of recent news, stared incredulously, Fralii wondering if either woman was about to fall down and actually kiss Luminor’s feet! She could not tolerate this collective adoration a moment longer. ‘What is the meaning of this?’ She directed this at Luminor, but gestured to his women admirers. At this moment she would
accept answers from anyone willing to give them.
Luminor took a breath as if to make a start on what promised to be a lengthy explanation, but was overridden by the gushing of the portly nurse, eager to impart all the knowledge she had, albeit only from gossip, of this wonderful individual. ‘Do you not know of him? Lord Luminor, our hero! The Gaian lord who bravely slayed the flame adder… single-handed!’ Her delivery had taken on the tone of legend.
Simban gawked open-mouthed at this revelation. Fralii shook her head, partly in exasperation, partly trying to reconcile all she had already come to know about this enigmatic man, with this new information. She wondered numbly if there could be any more unexpected disclosures; they were almost becoming commonplace! In some ways, now nothing would surprise her.
Ignoring the tent full of people, Luminor strode purposefully to Fralii’s side, gently picked up her hand and looked deep into her eyes. She returned his gaze, uncertainly, quickly looking away from the intensity there.
‘It is all true! And why I could not return for so long!’ he explained. Then with a wry smile, he added, ‘Except I had some help from my warriors… in the quest!’ Noting the fact that she had not removed her hand from his, he pressed on in a rush, ‘Now, I am here, to take you home… your father needs your forgiveness… your grandfather misses you sorely… And I… I cannot live another moment without you!’
Fralii kept her eyes downcast, silent and unmoving. Luminor detected her roiling emotions but never felt more certain about their connection than in this moment. He willed her to understand but cleverly refrained from mental intrusion. There was real art in that. Then as she raised her searching eyes to his, a large fat tear rolled down her cheek, giving him wordless confirmation of her love. His ecstatic smile said it all.