In the chamber, two servants stood frozen, one stooped by the fire, the other in midstep towards the great bed. Khosa wiggled free of her travelling bag and leaped upon the bed. Bark sat beside the head of the bed leaning forward with both his hands enclosing one of Iska’s and his head sunk onto his chest. Khosa walked daintily along the side of Iska’s body then sat neatly, her tail wrapped across her front feet, and gazed from Iska up to Bark. She gave an odd little chirruping noise and then began her buzzing croon.
Bark raised his gaunt face and the corner of his mouth twitched a fraction.
‘You visit me again, little Kephi.’ As the croon paused, Bark amended: ‘Your majesty.’ A skeletal finger touched Khosa’s head and the croon continued. ‘You choose a sorrowful time to visit, Khosa. This beautiful Lady is dead and I wish it were I in her place.’
Khosa glanced at Mim and he took a step forward, Ashta keeping close. It was Ashta who spoke in the mind speech Bark had used to Khosa.
‘We knew Lady Iska. We grieve for her also.’
Bark stared at Ashta, his finger still resting on Khosa. Then his sunken eyes moved to Mim. He rose from the chair, a frail ghostly giant, and went to stand before Mim. He placed his hands on Mim’s shoulders and stared at the strange eyes with their vertical pupils, and at the scales now plain across Mim’s cheeks and brow. Bark sank to his knees, his head level with Mim’s.
‘A Dragon Lord,’ he whispered aloud. ‘I have read of such things but I believed them only to be children’s tales unfounded in truth.’
Ashta hung her head over Mim’s shoulder and said proudly: ‘I am Ashta, his soul bond.’
Bark studied her for a moment then he put one of his hands to the side of her face.
‘So beautiful Ashta, and so young!’ He stood again, extending his hand towards the bed. ‘Speak your farewells to Iska and then you must tell what your arrival here means.’
Bark went to the fireside and asked the servant crouched motionless there, for a warming drink.
‘Will they harm us Bark?’
‘No, no, Galt. They are friends.’
As Mim lifted Khosa to his shoulder and crossed the room to join Bark, the cry came. Ashta’s prismed eyes flashed wildly from pale green to dark green with red and gold sparks, and she shifted from side to side, clearly in anguish. Bark felt it too, the pain searing through his damaged mind.
‘What is it Bark?’ Galt caught Bark’s arm tightly. ‘What’s wrong Bark?’
Bark opened his eyes. ‘One of the Dragons is dreadfully wounded.’ He looked at Mim. Mim leaned against Ashta’s shoulder, his lower lids brimming with tears.
‘Tika is attempting to heal Farn,’ he whispered.
‘Tika? Farn?’ Bark asked.
‘Another soul bonded pair,’ Khosa said in an unusually subdued tone.
Bark shook his head. ‘Another pair,’ he echoed.
Ashta said: ‘Emla is there. She fears that Farn will die.’ She became greatly agitated, insisting that she and Mim should go to the lower levels were Farn lay so hurt. Mim held her tight, asking her to wait, to see if Tika was able to heal Farn. It seemed an endless time. Ashta grew quiet, clearly watching through Jeela’s mind, what was happening to Farn.
Galt had made some hot tea, moving soundlessly by the hearth. Now he put a cup into Bark’s hand and raised an eyebrow towards Mim questioningly.
‘Not yet,” Bark whispered. “But thank you for the thought.’
Suddenly Khosa did her hind-end-up, front-end-down stretch, then began to give her ears a thorough wash. Bark watched Ashta and the boy holding her. He could feel their communication with others but he was incapable of intercepting it himself. But seconds after Khosa’s stretch, Bark saw relief and tears on both the boy’s face, and amazingly, on the Dragon’s. Khosa crooned as she continued her washing.
‘Farn will live Bark,’ she announced. ‘I expect Mim could drink some of that dreadful hot stuff now.’
Ashta reclined and Mim sat resting against her chest. His tears shimmered on the tiny gold scales edging his cheekbones.
‘The Delvers and the Snow Dragons told us of your presence here Bark. They could not get close enough to really help you though, but they hoped their singing gave you some comfort.’
‘I did not know who they were, but yes, they felt kindly to me. But why are you here now – Dragons, and a Dragon Lord – I do not understand.’
‘There are Guards -’
‘And the Lady Emla herself,’ added Ashta.
‘-In the lowest part of this place. I came with the great Dragons to the main entrance – they are too big for the last tunnels.’
Mim handed his cup back to Galt and smiled. ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘Will you stay with Lady Iska?’ Galt nodded wordlessly. Mim stood. ‘Then come, Bark. I think we should return to the entrance chamber. The Guards are coming up and will be there soon. Then we can begin the search for the Guardian.’
‘He went to his study but he will have warded the door, I’m sure.’
Bark opened the door for Ashta and Mim and the three went down the curving passages until once more Kija’s golden head confronted them. Bark stared in amazement then he bowed deeply.
‘Greetings, beautiful one. I am Bark.’
Kija’s eyes were still flashing with anger and concern for her son but after a short pause, she lowered herself and replied: ‘Greetings, Bark. I am Kija.’
Bark’s wondering gaze moved past Kija to the huge crimson bulk of Brin, lying relaxed, but facing the tunnels leading down to the barracks.
‘That is Brin, the son of Fenj. And this is Fenj.’ Mim’s hand pulled at Bark’s sleeve drawing him towards what was left of the entrance gate.
Fenj rose erect, his eyes grey slate with jet lights in their depths.
‘Greetings to you, damaged one.’ He lowered himself and added. ‘This is Lorak of the Garden.’
Bark blinked at the ancient human who was bowing before him.
‘Pleased to meet you Sir. You look as though a restorative would be of assistance?’ Lorak suggested thoughtfully.
‘Splendid creature,’ Fenj murmured. ‘I highly recommend you try a sip, Lord Bark.’
As Bark was offered a leather bottle, the sound of feet and of voices came from the tunnel to the left of where Brin kept watch.
Rhaki stepped out of the mosaic circle and conjured a small flame on the tip of a finger. Looking round, he found an oil filled lamp just where he had left it several Seasons before. The flame on his finger winked out and the lamp lit with a faint hiss. He was in a cave in the far southern reaches of the Ancient Mountains. In fact, this cave where he was, was inside mere foothills, the mountains scoured down in the long ages since their birth.
Rhaki was drained from his expenditure of power in the setting of wards in the Realm of Ice and the much greater effort of using the circle to move himself bodily over such a vast distance. He exhaled slowly and his shoulders sagged, but he had to do one more thing before he could rest. He moved to one section of the circular cave and pressed the rock delicately, muttering as he did so. A space slid open and Rhaki lugged his leather bag unsteadily through to the newly revealed chamber. With the last of his strength, he fetched the lamp, sealed the doorway behind him and sank to the floor.
It was many hours before he awoke and he groaned as he moved. Lying on the stone floor would have been bad enough but his use of power had left him aching in every joint and muscle. He lay still, concentrating lightly on the worst hurting places – the hip on which he’d lain, his back and his head. He managed to reduce the pain to a persistent but bearable ache before he attempted to sit up.
He looked around. The few items were as he had left them, not that anyone would have found their way to these caves. There was a wooden chest with blankets neatly folded on its top. Rhaki wished ruefully that he could have managed to at least have reached them before he collapsed. He got to his feet and staggered. Stars be cursed, but he was weak! When his vision stopped its vortex sw
irling, he tottered to the chest, pushing aside the blankets. Lifting the lid, he peered inside. A couple of scrolls and books he had left there ages since, a metal canister, a plain goblet and a tall, narrow jug. He knew he had to wait for his strength to be renewed, he could not risk the humans here seeing him in this parlous state.
Rhaki straightened, holding the jug, and nearly toppled into the chest as dizziness swept him again. He gritted his teeth and waited for the spinning to stop. He let the outer, weatherproof cloak fall from his shoulders as, moving like a decrepit ancient he made his way out of the chamber. He skirted the mosaic circle and found the concealed door beyond. Even directing the tiny amount of power involved in opening the door nearly sent him to his knees. He braced himself against the rock and felt his way along a narrow twisting tunnel.
One more wall to unseal and then he was in a wider passage. Soon Rhaki could hear the gentle trickle of water and he gave a relieved groan. A spring filled a shallow basin of rock a few paces on and beyond that branches tangled across the outlet to the cave. The faintest starlight prickled through and when Rhaki had filled his jug with water, he stepped closer to the overgrown entrance, trying to judge the position of the stars.
He had been unconscious at least half a day but he had no way of guessing if this was the second or even third night since he had fled his stronghold. Biting his lip to suppress a groan, Rhaki shuffled back through the passage and the mosaic chamber to his hiding place. His breath gusted out in a sigh of relief as he sealed himself in again.
Taking the canister and goblet from the chest he put them on the floor beside the jug, then heaped the blankets against the wall. He rested himself on them for a few minutes before pouring icy water from the jug to the goblet and raising it shakily to his lips. There were dried fruits in the canister but he hadn’t the energy to reach for them. Pulling his woollen cloak close around himself, Rhaki lay flat. He would have to rest longer than he might have wished, but he knew he had to be back to his full strength before appearing to the local humans.
His mind drifted lightly to the Realm of Ice and his mouth curved in a smile that did not reach his eyes. He had lost that battle, but the war was by no means lost, for war it was. At least those cursed followers of Emla’s would not reach the Balance. He frowned. He didn’t think they could – but then, he hadn’t expected them to break into his stronghold.
He had plans already sketched in his mind; it would be simple to implement them. After all, he knew more than any other of those smug Seniors just what might be done when one as knowledgeable as he combined innate power with this world’s own power. Oh yes. Rhaki slid into a deep, restorative sleep. No dreams or nightmares could worry such a Master as he.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Kija’s eyes blazed golden fire as the Snow Dragon Uma emerged first from the barrack tunnel. Brin moved back, towards Fenj, and watched as Guards followed the Snow Dragon. Then Jeela came into the entrance hall, her head turned to watch behind her. Kija took a step forward as Farn appeared, the other Snow Dragon, Ulla, on one side and the Lady Emla on the other. Kija looked at her son as he tried to pull himself up and raise his head. He paused and Ulla and Emla moved a little away from him as he looked back at Kija. Her prismed eyes blurred to a honey colour as she said softly: ‘Welcome, my son. I rejoice to see you safe. Are you and your soul bond well?’
‘Of course.’ Farn walked unsteadily towards Kija before crumpling to the floor.
Kija’s head lowered over him as she noted the great scar down his slender neck. She settled herself around him and he sighed in content as his head and neck found support on her shoulder. Farn was asleep even as Kija looked back to the tunnel as Kemti and more Guards came up. Finally Gan appeared carrying Tika and with the tiny figure of Dessi trotting beside him. He came straight to Kija who sniffed lightly at Tika’s face.
‘She has done well to save my son. Take her to Fenj. He can perhaps lend her strength to speed her recovery.’ She curled herself tighter around Farn as Gan moved on to Fenj.
Lorak had put a bedroll against Fenj’s side and Gan knelt to lower Tika carefully on to the roll. Fenj curved himself around her and his eyes paled to the shadows-on-snow colour as Lorak squeezed in too, to wrap Tika more closely.
Gan got to his feet and found Mim beside him with Ashta.
‘She needs to rest, Mim.’ Gan noted the increasing change in the Nagum boy’s appearance, even in this short day.
‘There is Bark.’ Mim indicated the gaunt figure at Fenj’s side. ‘We left servants to watch over Iska’s body.’
Gan nodded. ‘And I ordered the servants to gather – have you seen any of them?’
‘There were only three men cleaning as we went to where Iska lies, and three in that chamber. I saw none as we returned here.’
Gan turned to Soran. ‘Have a couple of men seek out the servants of this place and bring them here. Have we lost many Guards?’
‘We lost seven to those monsters. Most of us have minor injuries but four are badly hurt Sir. And there are several prisoners, some of whom are injured also.’
Guards began talking as they cleaned their blades and honed them on the stones they carried in their packs.
‘Be there no kitchens here, where we’d find summat warm to eat and drink?’
Several voices made similar comments as a group of thirty or so servants was ushered into the entrance hall. Gan beckoned Bark to join him.
‘Is there a housekeeper or chamberlain to oversee the servants and the running of this place? Perhaps it would put them more at ease if you were to speak to them Bark, and assure them that we have no intention of harming them.’
Bark went across to the group of servants, many of whom were clearly petrified by the presence of Dragons. Within a few moments, the servants scattered, giving the Dragons a wide berth if their route took them in their direction. Bark returned to where Gan was checking the wounded Guards.
‘I asked for food to be prepared Gan. These servants are not here voluntarily – Rhaki imprisoned humans soon after he came here and used them to breed more. They know of no other life.’
Gan’s lips tightened, as did Emla’s. She had joined them and overheard Bark’s words. Bark bowed to her, saying:
‘I was with Iska, Lady. She chose to send to you, knowing what Rhaki would likely do.’
Emla touched his shoulder, as Bark remained bent before her.
‘We owe you much Bark. Not one of us remembered that you had come here with Rhaki. Not until we heard of a damaged one living here did we think of you. I tremble to think of what you have suffered, receiving no help from Gaharn.’
Khosa wound herself round Bark’s ankles and as he lifted her to his shoulder, Emla shook her head.
‘That Kephi seems to get everywhere.’
Khosa’s turquoise eyes slitted at the Lady.
‘You forget names as easily as much else do you not?’
Emla blinked and cleared her throat. ‘Apologies Khosa. There seem to be so many new and strange things happening, my memory definitely appears to be failing.’
Khosa turned her gaze very deliberately back to Bark.
‘He is no longer here is he Bark?’ It was more statement than question.
Bark shook his head. ‘I think probably not. He disappears sometimes for several days, but I do not know where he goes nor in what manner.’
Emla touched Bark’s shoulder lightly again as he showed distress.
‘I could not stop him killing Iska, Lady. There was nothing I could do to help her!’
‘You helped her by your presence Bark. She understood what Rhaki was capable of perhaps better than any of us, yet still she called out to us.’
Bark looked down. Dessi, her head barely reaching his hip, looked back at him.
‘I am Dessi of the ones who sing to you, damaged one.’
‘Are you then,’ Bark smiled shakily. ‘I have appreciated your songs but I can no longer use the mind speech over any distance so I could not
tell you how you comforted me.’
‘We know,’ Dessi smiled. ‘Our Old One is on her way here. She would speak with you if you permit. She is very old and travels slowly.’
There was a commotion among the wounded being tended and Emla and Mim went to see what was amiss. Sket spoke to them quickly.
‘Their officer is among the wounded Lady. Of all crazy things, he seems to be the big brother to Motass! He’s hurt quite bad – his sword arm is torn to shreds. Motass recognised a funny old scar on his chest.’
Emla and Mim followed Sket to find Motass kneeling beside a half-stripped fighter. A healer knelt the other side of the unconscious man and he shook his head as Emla asked about the injury. He lifted a blood-drenched cloth, exposing an arm nearly severed at the elbow.
‘I guess one of those monsters either ripped him or bit him – this is not the work of a sword.’
The healer fell silent until Motass asked:
‘Can you save him, if you take it off?’
‘He would have a better chance of surviving yes. But he has lost a great amount of blood, and I have no way of knowing if there is venom carried by those creatures which may already be in his system.’
‘Try then healer, please. I will give a year’s wages to the Guild of Healers if you save him.’
The healer sighed. ‘Motass, I will do my best but I do not do so for the offer of your money.’ The healer got up from the floor. ‘This would be best done elsewhere – is there a chamber we can use where he can lie quietly when the arm has been removed? And we will need one of you to assist me in keeping him calm with your power while I work.’
‘I can do that,’ Dessi spoke confidently, although the healer looked very dubious. She was so very small but as she met the healer’s stare, he nodded.
Gan went to organise Guards to remove the wounded who needed more serious treatment, while Bark arranged for chambers to be readied for use by the healers.
Several servants arrived with trays laden with bowls of broth and chunks of bread and they were greeted with cheers from the Guards.
‘Tika and Farn still sleep,’ said Emla. ‘But we must decide our next move. Bark, show us where Iska lies. We would pay her our respects. Then perhaps somewhere we can plan?’
Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series Page 32