“We will discuss Alusin later,” he said firmly. “We are about to make our escape here, so your timing is good.”
Jimini met his gaze, hers filled with sympathy. “What can we do?”
“Receive our companions,” he murmured, not in any manner responding to her empathy. “As they exit, gather them away from an accidental step on this line.”
“Are we doing it now?” Alusin asked.
Without looking at him, Tristan said, “May as well.” Turning, he beckoned to the six peering through the doors. “Come.”
As they gathered, dark eyes roaming from the treeline to the two women, Alusin and Tristan hunkered at the line. They did then look at each other, for both understood agony was about to unleash.
“You have to trust me now, Tris,” Alusin murmured, holding his hand out.
“In this, yes.” Stoic, Tristan gave Alusin possession of his hand.
The Kemir turned it palm up and traced a symbol into the softer flesh there, murmuring as he did so. A faint glow followed his tracing finger until a completed rune lit in pale green. Alusin released that hand and twisted his other palm up to do the same to himself.
“You know what to do?” he asked.
Irritation flashed in Tristan’s grey gaze, but he simply nodded.
Alusin grimaced, and gestured at the line.
Inhaling strength, Tristan smacked his hand palm down upon the quicksilver line. His back instantly arched out as thousands of icy needles hammered his entire body. Gritting his teeth, he bit the scream clogging his throat into a gurgle of silence.
Alusin placed his palm two feet away and pressed down. He did not look up; knowing his lack of reaction would cause issues for him later.
Two feet of normal green grass appeared.
The barrier had been separated.
“Go now!” Alusin growled, for Tristan was unable to.
Lunas hurtled through, with Dez and Dash on his tail. Kila gripped them one after the other and shunted them sideways. Fleur and Macki were more cautious …
“Just go,” Alusin said. “He can’t hold longer.”
The men hastened through, and Jala chose to skip to freedom. Jimini yanked all backwards without apology.
“Go, Tris. Now.”
Shuddering uncontrollably, Tristan simply allowed his body to roll through. Kila and Jimini dragged him away, where he curled into a foetal position, whimpering.
Alusin lifted his hand and smacked it down in the centre of the cleared space. The line rejoined, and then exploded in a burst of white light. As it did so, he gargled out an otherworldly sound of terrible suffering, before falling to his knees.
The line was gone.
In the resultant silence, other than Tristan’s disjointed whimpers, laughter sounded, loud and filled with mirth.
Gabryl stepped out from the study doors.
The Chateau Gardens
“EXCELLENT,” GABRYL chortled. “You do surprise.” Wandering over his lawn now unblemished by a line, not even one that should have left a sunless marking, having covered the blades below for a lengthy period, he approached Alusin. “You have remembered the runes, Kemir.”
“Fuck you.” Alusin clambered to his feet, his face drawn and pale.
Jimini herded the six locals further away as they gave cries of dismay and fear. Kila moved to stand over Tristan; the Kaval leader remained incapacitated.
Gabryl ignored the Valleur. His cold gaze raked Alusin instead. “You are out of practice, but then, such is the result when an oath is sundered. You forget. You become less.”
“This was about me all along,” Alusin grunted.
“Oh, I desired the Valla too, make no mistake, and he will stand proxy for the void created by Agnimus’ change of heart, but you are correct. This is about you.”
“I am unimportant.”
“Either that is humility - misplaced, by the way - or you have forgotten. The latter is somewhat understandable, of course, given the march of eras.” Gabryl clasped his hands over his heart. “You have done me a great service, however, and I thank you. I have been gifted a few thousand years of form, spurious as it is, to hone certain talents and inform myself of certain historical events.”
Alusin frowned. “I swore the Kaval oath a mere century ago.”
Gabryl shook his head in a long-suffering way. “Is it not true you left Eurue thousands of years ago … to follow a vision?”
All expression wiped from the Kemir’s face. “I also frequently returned to Eurue.”
“But your heart did not, Algheri. You broke oath the night you saw Tristan Skyler Valla in a dream, although you only formally sundered it a century ago in the Dome, having finally found your Heart’s Desire.”
Alusin did not say a word. Peripherally he was aware that Tristan now sat up, his gaze fixed on this interaction.
Tutting, Gabryl shifted his hands to his standard clasp at his back. He paced away. “No doubt you now wonder why I staged this nastiness on this entirely undeserving people. Firstly, to ensure Tristan came, and along with him, you. Now you ask yourself why I would do such a thing, considering I would be better served in vanishing. Eurue will not miss me, they barely know of me in the present, and thus I can simply disappear, and no one is the wiser.”
“You talk too much. Get to the point.”
Smiling, Gabryl swung to him. “Then I shall. You opened the door to freedom, but it hasn’t gifted me a true form to move through time with. I needed someone - you, as it happened - to free me. Now it transpires that you need to finish it. No one else.”
Alusin’s chin lifted. “That is a mighty risk. You must know what else I am able to achieve.”
Gabryl leaned in and stage whispered, “Kemir, I am counting on that.”
Alusin closed his eyes. “Because everything is possible in nothing.”
Gabryl bowed. “Indeed. The only way to stop me is to create an antimatter space, but it is also the means to my true freedom. Which way will I jump in that nothingness, I wonder?”
“The daetal will no longer answer to you,” Tristan growled from his hunched position. “How do you then force Alusin into an unmaking?”
Velvet swirled as Gabryl shifted to face Tristan. “Ah, here is the symmetry for you. The Grunway and I opened a door here as well, to the daetal, and closed it when I had an adequate complement. The daetal in this realm ended up severed from the hive, and what does a child do when lost? It screams for aid.”
Tristan struggled to his feet and lurched forward. Gripping Alusin’s shoulder for support, he rasped, “Who? Or what?”
As Alusin braced to take Tristan’s weight, he sighed. “The ancient miasmas. The originals.”
Chortling, Gabryl clapped. “My true children! They heard and they are awakened. Soon they will, in their multitudes, array themselves behind me.”
“Where?” Tristan whispered, ashen.
“Eurue.” Alusin closed his eyes.
Gabryl spread his hands. “Where it all began, indeed.” Retreating to his chateau, he said, “Do gather there. We await you.”
As he entered, the doors slammed shut, and all light vanished.
In the resultant dark and silence, Kila stated, “Dome. Now.” Without waiting for instructions, she gripped two men and transported out. Jimini did the same.
Alusin snapped his fingers for light, to see Dash and Fleur were still with them. He gripped Fleur’s arm and glanced at Tristan.
“Go.” Tristan took hold of Dash as Alusin vanished with his guest for transport, and followed.
Delighted laughter filled the emptied space, but no one heard that.
A Stone Chamber Somewhere
HE PROPPED HER against a mountain of gloriously soft pillows and traced a calloused finger over her cheek.
“You have underestimated me, my love. I see what you see. I feel what you feel. And now, with the truth about to burst forth, I permit you life. Recover your strength, Cathian, for I need you to summon them here. All of them.”
Her eyes narrowed. She did not trust him at all.
Part II
ALUSIN’S FORTRESS
Chapter 18
Kings have more secrets than a host of ordinary men
~ Scroll of Wisdom ~
The Dome
BELUN WAS ALONE when ogives chimed all around the perimeter. It startled the golden tint from his eyeballs, and he hurtled around the console with a dagger to hand, raking the boundary for entrants.
He had been about to place the crystal edifice into slumber mode; the team waited for him in a valley amid Sanctuary’s majestic mountains. They often used it as a private staging area. Now this. What was this?
Kila strode in with two men in tow, both dark-skinned, arrows and bows on their backs.
“What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded, relaxing his stance, but keeping the blade up.
“More coming,” Kila snapped. “Tristan and Alusin too.”
“They’re out?” Belun punched the air. “Yes!” Quickly he put the dagger away, having nearly cut his nose off in that action.
Jimini joined them, with a woman and a man. More arrows and bows. Belun eyed the lot, but did not say anything.
A moment later Alusin and an older man entered the circle. The Kemir released his charge and retreated to the slab. He sat there, staring at nothing.
Belun transferred his attention to Tristan, last to enter. As his leader gestured at the man he had with him, Belun approached.
“Tris?”
Tristan reached out and impulsively hauled the Centuar into a quick embrace. “Gods, Belun, never have I been as happy to see you.”
Smiling, Belun returned the clasp before stepping away. “That bad?”
“Yes. I almost wish Torrullin was here for this one.”
Belun eyed him and then leaned in to tap upon Tristan’s chest. “He is. Just ask.”
Blinking, Tristan lifted a hand to clasp the Maghdim Medaillon through his tunic. The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Wise words, my friend. I hear you.” Exhaling, he then headed for the console. “Where are the rest?”
“Waiting for me on Sanctuary. We are about to go to Eurue.”
Tristan smirked. “That would be the place, yes. I’m summoning them back. We will go in together, but we need to see our new friends to safety first.” As he sent the call, he added, “Sit, Jala. We’ll get you sorted soon.”
Nodding, Jala waved at her companions, and all headed to the slab. They had seen how a chair lifted for Alusin, and now mimicked his action. The six then, wide-eyed agog, studied their incredible surroundings. Jala often sent glances at Tristan, watching him at the helm. She glanced at Alusin too, but the man had retreated.
Alusin was as a statue.
Not one there could read him.
Tristan flicked him a glance, and then stepped into various greetings as ogive after ogive chimed and revealed a member of the Kaval. All smiled and expressed relief on seeing him. All gave Alusin strange looks.
Jala nodded. It was clear who was leader.
When all were seated and briefly introduced, Tristan leaned on his hands standing at the end of the slab. “Our first priority is Jala and her friends. They will be taken to the Grunway Hall on Stalk - Belun, find exact co-ordinates for it in a while - and, Jimini and Kila, you will accompany them. For transport, yes, but also to talk to the authorities there. We believe the daetal will not return and that it is safe to start up the farms on Frond, but I suggest they wait at least a month. We must be sure nothing of what we are about to embark upon spills back to Petunya. You will stay until we send the all clear.”
“You’re keeping us out of the action!” Jimini accused.
“I am. I prefer you safe, but we also need you to keep an eye out there.”
Kila snorted. “And what if you need a talisman?”
“Or a shapeshifter,” Jimini declared.
“Then we will rotate, and someone will take your place on Petunya. Until such time, you stay put.”
Jimini huffed. “And what if the month is up before your all clear?”
“Then you accompany Jala to Frond and lend what assistance you can.”
“This is not …”
Tristan slapped the slab. “Cease! I am not Torrullin with his absolute ways, but I can be. Do not test me.”
Alusin lifted his head. He grunted and stared at his hands again.
Flicking him a stormy look, Tristan went on. “Jala, once the Kaval has dealt with the situation on Eurue, we will come to Frond as a team to aid you in starting over.”
She inclined her head. “Thank you.”
“Hold up,” Kila suddenly blurted. “Your scars!”
Tristan touched his face. “I made a choice.”
“Is that how Torrullin looked?” Kila asked.
As Tristan inhaled, fury climbing into his eyes, Alusin hurtled up and swiftly gripped his tunic to shove him backwards.
“Walk it off, Skyler.”
Grey eyes silvered. “Keep your distance.”
Alusin shoved him back again, towards the emptier region beyond the console. “They do not deserve your wrath.”
“I am well aware. You do.” Tristan braced, and curled his fingers in a come-hither gesture, eyes alight with challenge.
“Not now!” Belun roared. “Or take it elsewhere!”
“Elsewhere it is.” Alusin reached in, gripped Tristan’s extended arm, and hauled him towards his ogive. Tristan, laughing, did not fight it.
The ogive chimed moments later.
Eurue
“WHERE THE FUCK are we?” Tristan snarled as Alusin released him on the edge of a cliff.
Behind him a grey ocean roared. Winds tore at him and rain lashed him. A storm had unleashed in this region. Before him a massive stone edifice squatted amid giant swaying trees, ancient, gothic, ominous.
“This is my home,” Alusin snapped.
“Where are we?”
“Eurue, idiot.” He crossed his arms and braced.
“You lied to me.”
“Not about you. I saw you in dreams, not Torrullin.”
“I hate you right now.”
“Hate is better than the lack of fucking everything you’ve given me until this point.”
Tristan hit him, then hit him again, until Alusin plunged in, tackling him, trading blow for blow. They tumbled dangerously close to the edge, but neither cared. Grunting, they rolled, giving no quarter.
Alusin’s lower lip split to spatter blood. Tristan’s nose crunched. Howls erupted as ribs cracked and spleens warped. Blow after blow landed … and then Alusin slid over the edge.
Disorientated, Tristan clambered onto all fours. Noticing a pale hand clutching the edge, he hurled bodily forward to grip it. Cursing, he hauled the man up.
Both rolled onto their backs breathing harshly.
“You could have let me fall.”
Tristan swore. “You’re not getting away that easily.”
Rain pounded them into soggy earth. Lightning forked overhead.
Spluttering, Tristan sat up. He craned his head backwards. “Is it habitable?”
Snorting, Alusin got to his feet. “Musty, probably.” He strode towards the dark building.
Tristan followed. It was a fort more than a castle, although gargoyles belied that. It was also huge. Four floors spread across the landscape in a curve and a massive set of double doors at the top of an imposing set of stairs beckoned the wealthy home. Leaded panes spoke of antiquity.
Alusin flicked a wrist as he reached the doors, and they opened as if oiled that morning. Darkness greeted them within, as well as a definite mildewed odour.
“How long since you’ve been here?”
“Long,” Alusin muttered, moving to various windows to shunt heavy drapes aside.
The wan light the storm outside allowed outside trickled in to showcase furniture covered with dusty linen.
“Hate this place,” he added as he waved lamp after wall lamp into friendly amber
glows.
“Your family home?”
“Inherited from my father, which his mother left to him. We did not grow up here.”
“’We’?”
“My brother and I.”
“Will I meet this brother?”
Alusin made a face. “Savier is no doubt in the thick of this situation. He is the Original’s Keeper.”
“Fuck, you truly have conned me.” Tristan pulled linen away until he found an armchair. Flinging into its ancient embrace, he closed his eyes.
“Yes, well, put yourself in your cousin Tianoman’s shoes. There are matters he, as Vallorin of the Valleur, cannot and may not share with anyone outside of his circle.”
Tristan opened one eye. “Royalty, huh?”
Swearing, Alusin strode away. “A prince!” He disappeared around a corner. “I’m going to check the kitchens. I need tea.”
RETURNING WITH TEA and coffee - he transported to the local village for supplies - Alusin discovered Tristan fast asleep in the armchair.
He could do well with some of that oblivion too.
Placing the tray on the floor, he uncovered the low table in the centre of the space, and lifted the tray to it. Sipping his tea, he then wandered along the glass covered shelving that was the library. Some books required specific conditions; he was pleased to note those were still in place.
“Why, Alusin?”
He swung around to find Tristan reaching for his coffee. Returning to the central seating, he sat in an armchair opposite the fair man.
“We made a deal. The Original would go into the sarcophagus if we swore to keep his identity and place of rest a secret. Eurue finally knew peace. We kept the secret.”
“Why would he agree to that?”
“I have no idea.”
“You were there?”
“No, it happened before my time.”
“Eurue is as old as Akhavar then.”
“In this cycle, yes. No doubt the world existed in other cycles the Valleur lay claim to, but we as Kemir are of this timeline only.”
Eurue- The Forgotten World Page 14