“I wouldn't have thought the isles had so much to offer others. What I do think, Rainard, is it's high time you left Delgannan and never came back. I advise you to stay away from Thesa too; Liath is the niece of the High Priestess, and Demora does not take kindly to having her close relatives threatened by assassins. To make sure you heed my advice, your youngest son, Seric, will stay here in my hall. And if you, your family or any of your men ever return, I shall have him hung – very slowly. Until then,” Morgan added with another faint smile, “I think I'll put him in Ky's charge; my brother likes boys of Seric's age and looks.”
“You wouldn't...” Rainard snarled, reaching for his sword.
“Don't be so stupid, man. Look around you.”
Rainard glanced to either side of him – the blond northlander lounged against the stone lintel of the hearth, idly examining the blades of a double-edged battleaxe. At the other side stood Avane, sword ready in hand. The islander glared back at Morgan who nodded towards the gallery. Looking up, Rainard saw warriors ranged along the tapestry hung rails, arrows knocked, bows drawn.
“My men move quietly,” the High Lord smiled. “And not one of those archers has ever missed his target.”
There was a slight sound behind the islander and a hand rested on his, holding it still while the sword was removed from his scabbard.
“By now, all your men will have been found and placed under guard. You, my friend, your scheming daughter and murderous son will pack your belongings and leave on the first morning tide. Escorted, of course, by my warships. There is no hope of escape, and anyone attempting to do so will be removed from this plane of existence.”
“You've not heard the last of me!” Rainard snarled as he was led away towards his rooms, there to gather his things together under the cold and watchful eyes of Avane and the High Lord's personal guards.
***
“Thank the Goddess that's done,” Morgan sighed, moving away from his window after watching the Yrloch flag-ship being led out of harbor and onto the open sea. Ky was with young Seric, ironically the only one of the islanders who didn't think the blond northlander completely immoral or strange. Avane and Garrant had stayed at the dockside with Morgan's warriors until the ships had left and were now making their way back to the hall and barracks. Liath was sleeping, and Druin and Conna were the only others in the room with the young lord.
It was to his brother he turned. “I'd like to talk to you, Conn.”
“Alright. I'll see you in a minute, Druin,” he said to the healer.
While Druin left the room, Morgan poured out two cups of wine. “Well, Conn, next week you'll officially be a man,” he said, handing him a cup. “I presume you've made a few of your own plans for the celebration.”
“I'd started to, then what with the islanders and this blackness that's worrying Lee, there've been other things to think about,” he admitted.
“So you shelved your own plans in consideration of these?”
Conna shrugged. “They seemed to be more important.”
Morgan smiled. In the last couple of weeks, his wild young brother appeared to have gained a little maturity. He crossed over to the carved oak table and reached into a drawer. “I'd like you to sign something, Conna. Come over here and read it first.”
While the young man unrolled the scroll, Morgan placed ink and a stylus on the table top, found a stick of red wax and put that down beside a small lamp. Conna scanned the first few lines on the document, then re-read them.
“This makes me Lord of Mirris,” he said, looking up at Morgan. “You're signing part of your land away to me?”
“I love my land, and I love you, brother,” Morgan smiled. “Besides, Mirris suits you – it's both wild and beautiful – and as far as I know, has a healthy population of slugs!”
The brothers laughed and hugged each other tightly.
“This is my birthday gift to you,” Morgan said, resting his hands on Conna's shoulders and gazing into his spring-green eyes. Their smiles slowly faded as they experienced a rare moment of sharing – the reawakening of a bond which went back through the line of high lords to the first. Neither was quite sure what it was they felt, but both shivered slightly.
Morgan brushed Conna's long silky hair back away from the youth's face, remembering the baby; the boy with unimaginable green eyes; growing tall and strong. If I ever have a son, he thought, I hope he's just like you.
Then, swallowing past something stuck in his throat, he smiled. “Look after it. You’ll make a good lord.”
Conna nodded, and embraced Morgan again.
“Here, sign the deed,” the High Lord said, “and swear your fealty to me.”
After both were done, and Morgan put his seal on the document, he rolled it up and sealed the outside. “I'll hand you this on your birthday, and if neither of us are too drunk, we'll perform the ceremony in its full glory.”
They drank a toast to each other, then, as Conna made to leave, Morgan stopped him to ask one thing that had been bothering the Lord.
“What does Liath mean to you?”
“I love her,” Conna stated without hesitation. “I feel as close to her as you did to our sister Grannia. I'd do anything she asked of me. She’s so different...there’s magic in her... D’you know what I mean?”
Morgan nodded, and as he watched, the carefree boy suddenly disappeared, a cold-eyed man stood in his place.
“If anyone, or anything, should ever harm her, Morgan, I'll kill whatever causes her pain,” he vowed.
“Should you need any help, brother, I'll be there at your back.”
Conna nodded slowly, and held out his hand to Morgan. They clasped each other’s wrists for a few moments, sealing their words.
“She's leaving, you know,” Conna said, “going back to the Temple.”
“What?”
“She can't find peace here. The dreams are getting worse, and she daren't look into the futures.”
“But...she can't go!”
A sad smile touched Conna's lips, “She's a priestess, a seer and an Akashii – you try telling her what she can and can't do.”
“I will, as soon as she wakes. Until then,” Morgan sighed, “I suppose I'd better find out what's been happening in the land recently. Avane said there were three lords waiting to see me before he went down to the harbor.”
“I'm going to see Druin,” Conna said as they made their way towards the door. “Perhaps drop a few hints as to what my birthday gift from you will be. And he usually has a few good ideas for celebrations.”
Chapter 20 – Liath Goes Home
Five weeks after she had left, Liath rode back into Thesa. Demora and Annushi were waiting when she entered the Seers Tower after having stabled her horse. Both were shocked by the changes in the girl. Outwardly, she had lost weight, her face was pale and drawn, there were shadows under her eyes and her nails appeared to have been bitten to the quick. Even her hair had lost its normal bounce and shine. Inside, the bright spark that made Liath so vital and alive, had been damped down by worry, sleeplessness – and fear.
Demora glanced at her friend, then her niece, the lecture she had been about to deliver vanishing in the face of Liath's troubles.
“The dark dreams?”
Liath nodded. “And my death,” she added softly, as clouds began to gather in the blue sky over Thesa. “Father can feel it, I can't think of anything else. But Morgan ignores it!” she said with growing anger. “How can he do that? It's so near to his land! How can he not feel, sense, what's happening?”
“Calm yourself, Liath. You must realize that not everyone is as sensitive to this as you. All we at the Temple have experienced are dreams about it. Even the rest of the seers view it as shadows in their seeings. Perhaps if there were more Akashii. Or if Rajan...” Demora stopped, shrugged. “I'll get Rowena to give you a sleeping potion; you need rest. You're safe with us now, my dear, nothing will harm you here.”
“Thank you, lady. I think that first I'll go t
o the Sanctuary. I...”
“Yes, I understand,” Demora smiled. “May the Goddess grant you the peace you seek.”
Liath bowed her head and left. Yet even before she had passed through the archway, Demora's smile had vanished and she turned to Annushi, concern plain on her face.
“It would seem that our dreams and shadows are much more serious than we thought. I've never seen Liath in such a state. How on earth could Druin let this happen? And to have the poor child ride down here alone – the next time I see my brother...” she muttered, leaving the threat hanging in the air, as heavy as the clouds Liath's emotional state had created.
“She did say that he feels it too, perhaps that was because he was close to her. Or maybe it's because of her mother; he always said part of Alaneah stayed with him. If Lee's sensitivity stems from her Akashiian blood, then possibly Druin is affected that way, too,” Annushi suggested.
“Perhaps. Anyway, we'll let her rest and gain strength for a few days, then I think we'd better have a very long talk with Liath ap Dubve. And young lord Rajan.”
“I got a message from Balin this morning. One of the things he mentioned was a request to come down to Thesa for a while...” Annushi began.
“Again?” Demora interrupted. “It's only a couple of months since he was here. Presumably Liath is the reason for his request?”
“Yes. Incidentally, Morgan didn't know she was leaving Delgannan. She used Rainard's expulsion from the town to cover her own departure. He thought she was in her room asleep. Apparently, all hell broke loose when he found out.”
Demora sighed. “Surely he realized nothing could come of a relationship between him and Liath. Goddess, I wish that lecherous young degenerate could think further than his balls for once!”
Annushi stared at the High Priestess in amazement, then burst out laughing, turning it into a cough as a servant walked past with Liath's baggage and gave the head seer a strange look.
“I'll have Tia'mar get a couple of his magi to keep an eye on Lee, unobtrusively, of course, and if you can ask Ianna to do the same. Oh, and in a few days, write to your son and say he's welcome at the Temple. Since he and Liath have partnered each other so often, hopefully he'll be a calming influence. Does he love her, Annushi?” Demora asked.
“Yes,” the Seer replied with certainty. “In fact, I think he'd marry her, given half the chance.”
“It must be serious then. Does she know?”
“I doubt it... ah, excuse me, Demora, there's Ann, I'll talk to her before she finds Liath.”
The tall blond listened somberly to Annushi's request, growing even more worried as the seer described the change in her friend.
“Of course I'll help. Poor Lee. She's in the Sanctuary?”
“Yes. When she's finished there, try to tempt her to eat something, get her to tell you her troubles, and make sure she takes the sleeping potion Rowena will send over.”
“Right,” Ianna said, then strode off towards the seers personal place of worship, where she found Liath kneeling, with head bowed, before the altar and statue of the Goddess.
“Lee,” she called softly.
The girl spun round in a startled crouch, then stood up as Ianna joined her. “Oh, Anni...” she groaned, hugging her friend. Ianna felt the girl's slim shoulders shake as she let loose her sorrows, and tears began to soak into the blond's tunic. For a time she let Liath weep, holding her and stroking the untidy, half-braided hair.
“Come on, into the side room,” she said, gently guiding the girl out of the main sanctuary and into the small room where the officiating priests and priestesses prepared for worship. They sat on a short sofa. Ianna found a handkerchief and wiped Liath's tear streaked face.
“Tell me about it, Lee.”
At the end of two hours, and a few more tears, Liath had told her story. Now, she sat with her head on Ianna's shoulder, her arms around the blond's waist.
“Goddess, I couldn't have handled that,” Ianna stated, kissing Liath's forehead. “And the long ride down, all alone, except for the nightmares...” She shuddered and held her closer. “I'll sleep in your room with you until all this is under control.”
“Oh, thanks, Anni. I don't think I could have spent another night by myself.”
“Why didn't you ask Bal to come down with you?”
“I don't know. I wish I had. But all I could think of was leaving Delgannan and getting back home. I feel much better now I'm here though.”
“Hungry?” Ianna asked.
“A bit.”
The blond smiled. “Come on, let's raid the kitchen.”
That night, it was Ianna who didn't rest much, for even though Rowena’s potion worked quickly, Liath's sleep was not peaceful, and her tossings and turnings kept the blond awake until well into the new day.
Mid-morning she woke with Liath snuggled close to her side. She moved carefully and studied the girl's face, happy to see the shadows beneath Liath's eyes had faded a little and there was a faint bloom of healthy color across her cheeks. The two girls had been friends all of their lives. They'd laughed together, fought together, cried together – and got into more trouble together than Ianna cared to think about. But after what Liath had told her of the dark world, of Morgan, of being an Akashiian, of Laelan and the attempt on her life, and of killing the knife wielder, she realized she didn't know as much about her friend as she'd thought. Growing up very often meant growing away, and the recent changes in Liath went deep. She sighed, struck by a yearning for simpler times when the complexities of adulthood were something to be viewed in other people’s lives.
A pair of sleepy, gold-starred amethyst eyes opened and looked into hers. “Hey, Anni,” Liath murmured.
“Hi, Lee,” Ianna smiled. “Sleep well?”
“Yeah. Better than I have for over a month. I almost feel human again. Well, part human...” She stretched and yawned, then snuggled back down. “How's Maric? Still the love of your life?”
“Mmmm. So far, and I must say, I'm more used to waking up next to him than you.”
“Been sneaking him into your rooms at night?” Liath grinned, turning onto her side towards Ianna.
“And out again in the mornings.”
“If Demora or Annushi catch you they'll have your hide.”
“I know. It all adds spice to a romance,” Ianna chuckled.
“And I know a bard or two, they don't need any spice adding,” the other girl sniggered. “Out of all the orders, except for ours, I think the bards are the best lovers. Balin certainly is,” she murmured, eyes half closed, a tiny smile at the corner of her mouth.
“Ah-ha,” Ianna smiled, giving Liath a poke in the ribs. “Do I hear a little yearning in your voice – or is it plain lust?”
“Both. But Morgan...he's...”
“The High Lord,” Ianna stated. “Forget him, Lee. I mean, take him to bed next time he's down here, but don't go to Delgannan again. Fantasize, but no fact, alright.”
“Yeah,” Liath said wistfully, rolling over onto her back and staring up at the ceiling.
“Maric knows the youngest brother, Raithe; says he’s a nice kid, really deep into his music and very good for his age. So, tell me – what're the other two like, Conna and Ky? “
“Conna's beautiful, inside and out – he'd fit in really well down here with the seers. D'you know, he filled Morgan's bed with slugs? The evening before Rainard arrived. Goddess, Morgan was mad. But Ky – he's a real bastard. He's a big, handsome blond with an ego the size of a mountain. I don't think we exchanged one civil word all the time I was there. I know what I'd like to put in his bed, and it wouldn't be slugs. It'd be something that caused a slow, painful death – like those spitting toads from the jungle.”
“Or the spiders that burrow inside their victims and slowly consume the living body,” Ianna suggested.
“Yeah! Or some horrible disease that rotted his prick and made his balls fall off, then ate its way gradually into his brain, if he has one. Oh, Ann, you sho
uld have seen the way women followed him around, tongues hanging out and wet between the legs! And there are so many little blond-haired bastards in Delgannan, it's unbelievable. He's such an arrogant swine, and both Conna and Morgan love him!”
“Is it really true 'bout Morgan and him?”
“I think so. I asked Morgan when he was here, and he admitted they were very close. Anyway, you saw how well he got on with Varik, Col and Rean that evening at the 'Dog'. Even Raj was interested. Hell, I forgot! D'you remember he wanted to talk to me? Well, he asked if I'd partner him at the solstice.”
“What!” Ianna exclaimed, sitting up. “You didn't agree, did you? Demora'd kill you both when she found out.”
“No,” Liath assured her, wriggling upright. “He's planning something, though. He wants to focus the energies on one particular thing. And of course, he wouldn't say what that would be when I refused. D'you think we'd better keep an eye on him – is he still screwing Saron?”
“Yeah, although Miaa's been with him a lot in the last couple of weeks,” Ianna said.
“Shit, she's crazy enough to do anything he asks her to. Maybe we, or should I say – I, ought to let Annushi, or Demora know. Anonymously, of course. I wouldn't want Rajan to find out I'd told them. If we fought, I don't know who'd win. And I wouldn't like to pay for the damage afterward, either.”
“There is that to consider, although the two of us against him would be a different matter.”
“Right,” Liath mused drily, “we could do twice as much damage. He is a Darkworlder, after all.”
Ianna smiled, glad that her friend's thoughts were not dwelling on the darkness and the portent of death it held. “Maybe we just ought to keep an eye on him for the time being. Hey, that reminds me, he left Thesa for a few days while you were gone. Didn't offer any excuse or explanation, didn't say anything in fact. He really annoyed Demora; they were in her audience chamber for hours. We kept expecting all sorts of things to happen, but Tia'mar and Shian were lurking close by, so I guess they managed to stop anything before it got started.”
Starstone Page 17