“Then that replica dome is massive,” Tristan said.
“It is still a reduction, despite size,” Teighlar put in. “It has grounded the energy, after all, energy in no need of curtailing out here in the vacuum.”
He and Tristan stared at each other.
“No,” Tristan eventually said.
“You might have to,” Teighlar snapped.
“NO,” Tristan ground out.
All movement ceased in the Dome; everyone stared at the two men fixated on each other.
“If this is about the Dome, Tris …”
“I cannot do that to him!”
Teighlar swore. “If something happens to the Dome, it will hurt him.” He smacked the marble slab flat-handed. “Energy!”
“Elianas is stronger than that!”
“But is the Dome, by all gods?” Teighlar roared. “Because Elianas is, the Dome continues, and because the Dome is, Elianas’ energy remains steadfast. If this balance is severed, what then? What the fuck do you think Torrullin will do if something happens to Elianas? Think!”
Silence reigned anew.
Tristan closed his eyes. “If it comes to that, I will do what I must to keep Elianas safe.”
Belun, frozen at the console, noticed how Alusin’s shoulders lifted and fell.
“Do not leave it too late,” Teighlar said. “Torrullin will bloody sunder Arianne, and then everyone will pay the price.”
Nodding, Tristan looked at Alusin, who met his gaze head-on. Both then carefully looked away.
Teighlar clasped Tristan’s shoulder. “I see that you do understand. Fine, let us discover everything there is to know about Cathian’s turret.”
LATER, AFTER KILA had flitted in to fetch the seal - approved by Tristan, to Prima’s delight - and with Galarth and Shenendo having sent word they would be on their way shortly, Teighlar hauled Tristan into the shadows of the Dragon ogive.
“That complex on Lintusillem is a long time in the planning and making, and someone with absolute knowledge of this sacred space we find ourselves in now did so.”
“Your point?” Tristan murmured, having reached the same conclusion.
“Two issues. One, the someone was once a Guardian, before the Kaval, perhaps even before Taranis’ time in the Dome.”
Tristan nodded. As he surmised as well.
“Second, we need to determine who exactly this entire saga is meant to undermine.”
“The obvious answer is Elianas.”
“That was my first thought also, but Elianas is no longer with us. Either his vanishing act put an end to whatever was planned or …”
“Or, given how long ago the build started, it never had anything to do with him. Elianas, after all, only recently made his impact here.”
“Unless that someone is as aware of cycles as Elianas is.”
Tristan swiped a hand through his fair hair. “In that case, it can also be about Torrullin.”
“Indeed, but I believe there is a simpler explanation. Why do we, as sentient creatures, do anything? For love, yes, and also for revenge. Between those two poles lies a host of nuances and yet one or the other drives us.”
“You’re saying, whoever walked in this Gatherers’ Circle, he or she seeks one or the other.”
Teighlar smirked. “Only one, Tris. Love does not require such elaboration.”
And that was the absolute truth. Inhaling, Tristan murmured, “Whoever Cathian fell in love with?”
“Seems so, and that worries me. From what Alusin tells us, I began regarding him as a good man, one able to expend time and patience in the hope his love will be returned to him. Yet, if he planned an elaborate revenge, how good a man is he?”
“Perhaps, in the act of falling in love, he was healed of whatever darkness sat in his soul, and that is why he has not unleashed whatever he planned.”
Teighlar cocked his head. “But Cathian helped him build it.”
They stared at each other, until Tristan said, “Did she? We’re guessing. And if she did, there is a chance their darkness swapped in the build. He healed because of her love, while she took on his revenge. Losing a child focused a growing need in her.”
Sighing, Teighlar looked away. “It may be so.”
“This is speculation, however. As you say, we need to discover who walked this space in the past, and who was and may still be the target.”
Scratching his great head, Belun popped out of the shadows. “I may have the answer to the first.”
BACK AT THE console, Belun said, “I listened to Alusin describing to Prima a man with chestnut hair, his eyes almost amber, a strong man, and it put me in mind of the Wulvyn, once Guardians here. I never knew them, but the Siric did in their earlier times.” He pointed at the light for Knowledge. “So I looked.”
Tristan, without further ado, placed a hand over the light, and stilled as the relevant knowledge flowed into him. Blinking, the skin of his face taut, he stepped away and indicated for Teighlar to take his place.
The Emperor, flicking Belun a glance, likewise placed his hand over the light. Inhaling, he retreated, cradling his hand as if he had burned it.
“Oathbreakers,” Belun said. “And thus were they released from Dome duty.”
“Llettynn was ruthless,” Tristan muttered.
“Yes, in those days that Siric was cold. They had recently joined the Guardians, being the last of their kind, and Llettynn was still recovering from the loss of his brother and sister to the Murs. Someone he trusted broke oath, and his family died. Oathbreakers were at the head of his list then.”
“Oathbreakers still head my list,” Teighlar muttered.
“Nothing is ever that black and white,” Tristan snapped. “I don’t like oathbreakers either, but sometimes there are extenuating circumstances.”
That, Teighlar and Belun realised, was a statement regarding Alusin’s break of faith with the Kemir.
Tristan eyed them. “It’s not just about Alusin. The Q’lin’la too broke oath, if one regards it objectively, when they chose to reassume their bird-like forms rather than remain Eagles and Falcons of this Dome. Margus broke his oath with Torrullin, and ended up helping rather than harming.” He gestured viciously at the console. “The Wulvyn sought to aid the calybeer and were denied the right to do so. How is it so terrible to want to help another?”
“The calybeer were animals …”
“Are you saying because they were not sentient, they deserved to die?” Tristan snarled at Belun.
The Centuar raised a hand to pacify. “No. We have aided many creatures on the verge of extinction. But at the time, the choice was saving a civilisation or saving the calybeer.”
“And there were hundreds of guardians in those days. To spare the Wulvyn to one duty while the rest saved others would not have made such a difference.” When both Teighlar and Belun inclined their heads in acknowledgement, Tristan pressed on. “Those creatures were of their homeworld, close to their hearts. I would probably have broken oath for that too.”
The Senlu Emperor sighed. “You have a point. For my horses, I’d kill anyone who stands in my way.” He stared at Tristan, and winked.
Smiling reluctantly, Tristan relaxed.
“Well, as it was, the Wulvyn abandoned the Dome and ended up paying a greater price than being denied return,” Belun murmured. “The disease killing the calybeer spread to them, and most died. The Guardians, engaged elsewhere, did not know of their dilemma until it was too late. And, given the virility of the virus, could not in good conscience allow them return, whatever the oath situation was.”
“Therefore a rocky world; no disease,” Tristan supposed. “They became Lintusillem’s immortals.”
By now everyone present was listening in, and Jonas said, “Seven there were, our rulers in the time before others discovered how to succeed at the Ritual of Longevity. According to our tales, though, they died out ages ago.”
“One survived,” Teighlar murmured.
“The last of his
kind, lonely, no hope for any kind of future,” Prima added. “Easy then for darkness to assume control.”
“Indeed.” Tristan looked at the silent Alusin at the furthest edge of the slab, sitting beside Prima. “Will you look? Perhaps he is among those who spent time here.”
Expressionless, Alusin got to his feet and wandered closer. Without looking at anyone, he placed a hand over the light, and closed his eyes.
When he stepped away and opened his eyes, he said, “The one known as Vian.”
With alacrity, Teighlar touched the light. Frowning as he removed his hand, he said, “A handsome man.”
“I suggest all look,” Tristan murmured, and collared Alusin to prod him into far shadows. As the men, including Gabryl, familiarised themselves with both the history and the man’s features, he said, “This isn’t personal.”
“Of course it is.”
Swearing inaudibly, Tristan added, “I thank the gods for your oath break.”
Nodding carefully, Alusin said, “Then there is something you need to know. In fact …” He swung away and strode back to the marble slab. Vaulting up, he braced upon the veined surface. “Hear me!”
Warily, Tristan closed in as the rest gathered between the console and the slab to listen.
“I have made three oaths in my life,” Alusin said. “One I broke because I had to, and was told I had no choice but to, but two remain eternally intact. My oath to the Kaval will never be broken, I swear it. And yet, would you agree the first oath, the oldest, is in fact the truest of my oaths? Did not the Q’lin’la hold to their original oath when they relinquished their Eagle and Falcon forms? Thus, is it not true, despite how the Dome regards it, they did not break oath? Belun, as Guardian and Kaval, would you agree?”
The Centuar nodded.
“Then I put to you that my original oath is also the truest.”
“Right now he reminds me of Elianas,” Teighlar murmured, coming to a standstill at Tristan’s side, arms crossed.
“That worries me,” Tristan muttered, and stared up at the Kemir. “Alusin?”
Alusin hunkered to a level closer to eye level while still possessing height. “Tris, I swore to my father an oath I did not understand, and this happened long before he passed on, long before Savier even thought about being the next Keeper. He asked of me, no matter what, even if it meant leaving Eurue and breaking all bonds there, to pledge with the silvering eyes.” He paused to study the frozen man. “I heard a rumour Torrullin’s eyes could do so, until, in the last few weeks, yours changed. As they are now.”
Everyone swung to Tristan, including the Emperor.
Yes, he was well aware his eyes had changed. Tristan did not look at anyone else, however. He allowed the silver full reign and fixed those orbs upon the Kemir.
“Did your father say why you were to do such a thing?”
“To heal time, he said.” Alusin laughed tonelessly. “I did not understand, but suddenly Gabryl took us into the everywhere, and now I know his sister gave birth to my father. Time seems to wed wherever I look, especially when it is into your eyes.”
Clearing his throat - for now it grew intimate between the two men - Belun gestured the others away. Teighlar refused to leave, sharing his gaze between Alusin and Tristan, an expression of amusement on his face.
“And you are much like your forebear, my friend,” the Emperor chortled.
Ignoring him, Tristan reached up and hauled Alusin from the slab. “Why did you not tell me?”
“I was a boy and I forgot, but today, in the crucible … today I remembered.”
Tristan pressed his forehead to Alusin’s. “Next time tell me something like this in private.”
Alusin smiled and joy infused his entire being. He clasped Tristan’s cheeks, but made no further move. “No, this was a statement. All need to know I am here for you.”
Teighlar surrendered to his mirth. “Oh, the parallel! I was there the day Elianas did exactly that for Torrullin. He made it abundantly clear his loyalty lay with Torrullin, and everyone be damned. Made waves, it did!”
Closing his eyes to damp the silvering, Tristan straightened and faced the Emperor, smiling. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you, both of you. Finally I find myself challenged anew.” Looking around, Teighlar met Gabryl’s eyes. “And someone of absolute value has returned to me.” He grimaced next as he returned his attention to Tristan. “I was concerned this man who stole my daughter’s heart and then ruined her might be another, someone I have been looking over my shoulder for ever since Torrullin left this realm. I am relieved he is not that one, and at the same time disappointed. I still need to look over my shoulder.”
Eyes widening, Tristan asked in an undertone, “Who?”
“An aware reincarnate, like me, like Torrullin. Never mind; now is not the time for that.”
Four eyebrows hiked up.
Spluttering, Teighlar nodded. “Fine. He went by the name Karydor, and that’s all I am saying.” He clasped a shoulder of each man. “Let us concentrate on this Vian and Lintusillem, what say you?”
Part IV
CATHIAN’S TURRET
Chapter 45
Deeds tell the tale … sometimes.
~ Tattle ~
The Dome
CHAIM RETURNED FIRST, with news. After greeting the Emperor, he paced along the length of the slab. All sat opposite, in a row, watching him. The old man was generally a serene person; now he appeared frazzled.
“We here recall the siege of Lintusillem a century ago, when rock was mined and carted to Ymir. Jonas slipped the lines and we eventually lifted it, and everything went back to normal, if with greater security measures in place. Many sweeps were ordered of the landscape to check for irregularities, both of a sorcerical nature and technological. Xen III helped us with the technology side.”
Chaim rubbed at his cheeks. “My underworld contacts gave me nothing, because Lintusillem is of no interest to them, but what is on actual record in Xen’s archives then took me to Drinic and what they have on file. Putting the how I discovered what aside, there is this: the same rock used to raise the stealth fortress on Ymir was employed to build that tower complex. Beacon, having been taken to task for what happened on Ymir, created new technology able to ‘see’ even cloaked buildings, and that is what you found, Jonas.
“Every sweep until that point revealed only an anomaly, a dead space in the far south no sensors were able to penetrate and no data extrapolation after could account for. Drinic records speak of a ‘dark eye’ in the south. Every explorer, particularly magic users, stood stymied upon the caldera’s ridge, seeing only swirling darkness, and mention of it tracks back to the time of the seven rulers. That place is old.” Chaim glanced around. “A woman appeared on Lintusillem around the time Margus used the Rift to enter our realm …”
Tristan and Teighlar both immediately frowned. “That’s more modern timing, Chaim,” Tristan said.
“I am aware, yet it is so. She did not help erect that structure.”
“That was around that time my body began shifting into tangible state for longer periods,” Gabryl murmured.
“I was hiking sterile Akhavar then,” Alusin put in. “The opening of the Rift altered the spaces. New energy entered.”
Again Tristan and Teighlar looked at each other, before Tristan gestured at Chaim to go on.
“Apparently she approached the authorities about the mysterious dark eye and, with an escort of twelve men and women, undertook to uncover whatever was hidden in the far south. She did not return. Her escort did not either. Her name was Cathian Lowry.”
And there it was - definitive proof.
Chaim sank into a seat as it rose for him. “Lintusillem’s long-lived began dying thereafter.”
“Until I was the last and joined the Kaval,” Jonas murmured.
Inhaling, Tristan asked, “Are there any accounts of others in the longer past venturing in and never returning?”
“Yes,” Chaim nodded
.
“Then there may be more resident in that dome than we now believe.”
“All may have died in the attempt,” Prima pointed out.
Nodding, Tristan rose. “We will work on the supposition that it is populated.”
“I agree,” Teighlar said.
“Shedo and Gal should be with us soon and then we’ll have more on the lay of the land. Meanwhile we prepare to enter that space. Emperor?”
“From what I have seen and heard, we need at least a thousand men. And I aim to prepare a reserve.”
Tristan nodded again.
Teighlar stood. “Then I’m off to Grinwallin to gather our forces. Gabryl?”
The Diluvan smiled. “I am with you.”
Prima murmured, “I will pass you through my ogive.” Rising, he headed to his vaulted arch.
“We will meet you on the plateau,” Tristan said as he clasped arms with Teighlar.
Inclining his head, Teighlar swung away. Gabryl followed.
Before the ogive made its sound, Tristan was already discussing weapons and gear. He ignored the looks sent after the departing pair. As far as he was concerned, Gabryl had now become Alexander’s problem.
Eurue
The Fortress
ON A ROTATIONAL basis, five Valleur soldiers were ever on guard in the cavern below the fortress, with orders to stay well clear of the sarcophagus itself. One stood near the stairs in order to send up communication to another at the head in the circular courtyard. Mindspeak did not work from within the cavern itself, but they discovered that it flowed via the stairwell.
Golden hair, skin and eyes were more marked in the spot-lit space.
Most were relaxed; it was easy duty. In fact, conversation flowed between them as if there was nothing to be concerned about.
Until the weird casket began to vibrate.
Eurue- The Forgotten World Page 32