Shan’s cheeks paled, then flushed scarlet. ‘My lady. .’ she began.
‘Sit down,’ Tika ordered from Emla’s other side.
Conversation was slight, as they were all hungry for decent food after the dull trail food they had eaten for days. As Tika reached for another hot roll of black bread and a thick slice of cheese, Gan appeared carrying her sword. He looped the belt over the back of her chair without a word and went round the table to sit beside Kemti.
Last to arrive were Mim and Bark together, and the difference between the two caused what little talk there was to cease completely. Bark looked more frail and spectral than ever, having sat with Iska all night, while Mim shone with strength and vitality. He brought the sharp smell of frost and snow with him from his hunting flight with the Dragons and his eyes sparkled with life.
When they had all eaten enough, it was Nolli who spoke: ‘Tika, the Grey One learnt far more than we realised. The wardings he has set on his door are beyond both the Lady and myself. I believe Dessi will be able to help you – if only to bolster your own strength as you work.’ She struggled to her feet. ‘We must make a start.’
Tika stood to buckle on her sword belt, wincing at the aches still in her shoulders and arms, as Mim said: ‘Ashta and Jeela are outside – and so is Farn.’
Tika’s gaze met Gan’s and he read her terror that her soul bond was nowhere near fit enough to have climbed the slope from the lower floor, let alone go with her further still.
Dessi had opened the door and the two young female Dragons stood either side of Farn, Sket behind them all. Farn’s eyes whirred as Lorak moved out of the chamber first.
‘You look much better, young Farn. I must go down to Lord Fenj – things to do, you know!’ He winked as he went past the Dragons.
Tika stepped close to the silvery blue Dragon, her hand moving just above the long line of his wound. ‘Oh Farn, you should not be up here. You need much more rest. I cannot let you come any further.’
‘Of course you can.’ Farn sounded indignant. ‘Bark said it is not much further at all now.’
Tika looked at him then turned to Mim. ‘Well – let’s get on with it.’
The slowness with which Farn moved the relatively short distance along to the Guardian’s quarters underlined just how badly weakened he was. Emla, Kemti and Dessi drew level with Tika and Mim when they were several paces from the warded door.
‘Complicated,’ said Mim, then he frowned. ‘But maybe not.’
Tika gave him a weak smile. ‘Two different types of wardings – one laid over the other?’ she suggested.
Mim nodded. The Seniors, Nolli and Dessi, watched as Tika began unravelling the weave of the warding. They could see the pulses of white, flickering erratically through the more solid red. Slowly, inch by inch, Tika snuffed out each white flash until at last only the red glimmered around and across the door. She blew out a gusty breath as tension drained from her shoulders.
Mim lifted a hand and concentrated on eliminating the red lines and as they vanished he grinned at Tika. Bark slipped past them and put his hand on the latch. The latch snicked and Bark took three paces inside before stopping abruptly.
‘What is it Bark?’ Emla called.
Bark moved aside so all could see the litter of books and papers, but eventually all eyes lowered to the circle inlaid in the floor.
Nolli grunted. ‘I said he used the circles to escape this place.’
Khosa walked stiff legged, tail upright, through the group outside to stalk around the circle. Suddenly she jumped and landed hissing, fur on end, at the bare rock wall.
Tika managed a smile. ‘Khosa, that is hardly nice language for a queen to use.’
Bark had moved towards Khosa and now said: ‘This is the door Rhaki believed no one else but he knew of. But it is warded anyway.’ He looked back at the others. ‘I have never known of the circle here.’ He pointed to the carpet heaped at the end of the room. ‘Always it has been covered – I had no idea.’
Tika and Mim approached the wall and studied the pattern of warding again.
‘Not as complicated as the first one,’ Mim said in Tika’s mind.
‘No, but I wager there will be more traps beyond this one.’
Steadily, they focused their attention on the unravelling of the threads of power criss-crossing a section of wall.
‘It’s clear,’ Tika said.
Again Bark moved ahead and his bony fingers seemed to caress the rock. As he stepped back, the door slid open, revealing the dark passage behind it.
Rhaki woke again and smiled. He propped himself on an elbow and poured some of the still-cool water. He drank thirstily and refilled the goblet, taking smaller swallows this time. He opened the metal box and took a handful of dried fruits. As he chewed he reviewed his plans.
He was but a few leagues from Return. The so-called Lord, Hargon, was a smart fellow – for a human, but Rhaki had no doubts that he would be able to manipulate him with ease. He had contemplated going to the town of Far, but the Lord there was little more than a brutish simpleton. Hargon had demonstrated a certain inventiveness on past occasions and Rhaki felt he showed promise.
He got to his feet and lifted his scrying bowl from the leather bag. Unwrapping it, he placed it on top of the wooden chest and sat cross-legged on the floor. He visualised the Lord of Return clearly in his mind, put his hands to the sides of the bowl and demanded: ‘Show this one to me.’
The blackness swirled and blurred then cleared to reveal a stocky, fair haired man resting on brilliantly coloured pillows as two women wearing nothing that could honestly be termed clothing, swayed around him. Rhaki snorted. That sort of amusement did not appeal to him. But at least it meant that Hargon was occupied in his manor. His men would also be nearby, which would allow Rhaki to move closer to Return unobserved. He had previously arrived in this fashion. Sentries found him sitting calmly beneath a tree at the edge of the town at dawn. It all added to his air of mystery and power.
Rhaki sorted the contents of his leather bag into two piles. Two ancient books, a small roll of blank paper and his precious record book went back into the bag, along with several small packets of certain herbs. The rest, he packed carefully inside the chest with his scrying bowl. He folded the blankets and put them on the lid again. Finally, he tied a heavy leather purse to the belt around his waist and pushed it to his right side. A slender knife was sheathed at his left side. Hooking the bag over his shoulder, he glanced around the small cave, lifted the lamp and unsealed the door. Resealing it, Rhaki skirted the mosaic circle and opened the second door.
For a moment he stood thinking, then decided to leave the door closed but unwarded, in case he needed to let himself back inside in any haste. On this trip through to the outer cave, Rhaki trod with firm steps, unlike the staggering crawl of his earlier visit. The sound of the spring splashing steadily into the basin warned him of his nearness to the exit. Extinguishing the lamp, he set it on a high ledge to his left. If any dared creep into the cave, they would not be tall enough to see the lamp, let alone reach it.
Stars glittered through the branches ahead and Rhaki studied their position and that of the moon. Halfway to dawn, he estimated. Time enough to walk to the outskirts of Return. He walked steadily, not striding out, and noted the fields cultivated with beans and corn in the faint moonlight. Hargon had a few good administrators and the sense to let them get on with their work without his interference.
The moon was low in the sky as dawn began to hint at its arrival when Rhaki reached a small grove of fruit trees. He sat himself down at the edge of the track and waited patiently. The town of Return was but half a league distant and he saw the thin threads of smoke crawling up from the earliest risers’ cooking fires. The growing light slowly revealed the high mud brick wall circling the town and tiled roofs grouped around a higher central building, like chicks round a mother hen.
As the sun finally rimmed the horizon, a flock of goats came noisily from the town
’s main gate, followed by two young boys. They turned away from the main track on which Rhaki waited, disappearing beyond the curving wall. Next came a squad of armed men. They split into three groups, one following the boys with their goats, another turning along the opposite curving wall. The third group came towards Rhaki.
The animals they rode were similar to the fengars of the north, but these were not carnivores as were the fengars, and were more peaceable. They had no taloned feet but solid hooves and nor were they fanged. Rhaki had studied these koninas, as the humans called them, and had tried breeding them with fengars, but the fengars had always attacked and killed the koninas at first sight.
The rising sun shone directly into the faces of the four oncoming riders and they were quite close before they saw Rhaki sitting at the side of the track. The two leading men pulled their mounts up sharply and stared at him, blades already drawn, before one recognised him. He controlled the konina with his legs as he reached a restraining hand to the blade arm of the man beside him.
‘It is the Lord from the North,’ he hissed.
He sheathed his blade and walked the konina nearer to Rhaki. ‘It has been several Seasons, Sir Lord, since you visited Return. We will escort you to Lord Hargon if that is your wish?’
Rhaki stood, his great though slender height drawing a gasp of surprise from one of the mounted men. Obviously he had never encountered one of the People before. Rhaki inclined his head graciously.
‘I would indeed be pleased to see Lord Hargon.’
The riders edged to the sides of the track as Rhaki strode between them, then turned their mounts and trotted to keep pace with him.
The townsfolk were stirring as Rhaki entered the gate, although most who were about were still too sleepy to take notice of him. The road, if it could be termed such, was just wide enough for three koninas abreast and twisted its way round the town, slowly circling inwards. The way was eventually barred by a pair of wooden gates guarded by two more of the Lord of Return’s armsmen. They sprang to attention as Rhaki halted in front of them. He smiled pleasantly as the mounted man who had first recognised him barked: ‘The Northern Lord is here to see the Lord of the South!’
The door guards hurriedly pushed the gates open as Rhaki laughed inwardly at Hargon’s temerity to title himself thus. Another armsman inside the gate saluted Rhaki and led him across an outer yard to another, open, gateway. The building beyond was stone built rather than mud brick as all the buildings so far had been. There seemed to be no doors in the lowest level of the manor, only a narrow set of stairs leading up to a wide door above. As they climbed the steps, an elderly man awaited their arrival at the door. He bowed deeply.
‘It has been a while, Lord, since you honoured us with your presence. Would you like to rest, or wash, before you join Lord Hargon? The first meal will be served shortly Sir.’
Rhaki smiled. ‘You may show me to a guest room, seneschal, so I may remove the grime of my travelling before I meet your Lord.’
As he followed the seneschal, he was aware that another servant would be scurrying to alert Hargon to the arrival of an unexpected guest. By the time Rhaki had washed his face and hands, and brushed the worst of the dust from his robe and boots, there was a rap at his door. He opened it to find a half-grown boy bowing to him.
‘My Lord Hargon asks me to conduct you to the dining hall, Sir Lord.’
‘Certainly. I will be a moment if you please.’
Rhaki closed the door and put his leather bag in the corner of the room near the bed. He closed his eyes, murmuring softly. When he opened his eyes, the bag was still plain to his view, but no one else would see it should they stare hard as they could. He nodded in satisfaction and went to follow the boy to meet his host.
Hargon stood at a window at the far end of the room, talking with another man as Rhaki entered. The armsman at the door announced: ‘The Lord of the North Sir.’
‘Welcome!’ Hargon walked towards Rhaki, a smile on his squarish face. ‘You honour us Lord Rhaki. This is Navan, my Arms Chief – I believe you met him before.’
‘Indeed I did, Hargon. I am glad to at last be able to enjoy your hospitality once again.’
‘Please, be seated.’ Hargon waved towards a long table set for three places. As they took their seats, serving men brought dishes of hot stew, fresh bread, vegetables and fruits. Three pitchers were placed in the middle of the table.
‘There is ale in the green jug, water in the brown and spice tea in the black Lord Rhaki. If you don’t mind serving yourself, we can be more private if you wish?’
‘I need none to serve me,’ Rhaki said jovially. ‘But private matters are of no urgency. Tell me how things progress in your Domain. It seemed very peaceful and prosperous as I arrived. Don’t tell me you have routed all the gangers in the region?’
Hargon laughed serving himself from the bowl of stew. ‘Very nearly it seems, Sir Lord. I fear life may become rather staid with no gangers to fight!’
Rhaki sipped the tea he had poured. ‘I’m sure there will be something to replace the hunting of gangers Hargon.’ He smiled at both men. ‘Oh yes. I am quite sure of that.’
Chapter Thirty-Five
After considerable argument, Emla, Kemti, Nolli and Jeela waited in Rhaki’s study as Tika, Bark and Mim led the way into the hidden passage. Ashta helped Farn to follow behind them. Mim caught Bark’s arm.
‘There is a warding across the passage Bark!’
‘I did not feel it,’ Bark confessed.
Tika was already snipping at the lines of power.
‘There is a similarity to all these wardings. Careless I would say.’
‘Effective still!’ Mim grinned.
The next warding Tika pointed out, Bark dismissed. ‘It is a chamber where he did some – experiments. It is not where the Balance lies.’
‘I’ll undo it anyway,’ Mim offered. ‘It’s better they are cleared in case anyone comes in contact with them.’
‘What would happen if they did?’ Ashta asked curiously.
Tika glanced back at the pale green Dragon. ‘They would burst into fire,’ she said bluntly.
Further they went, deeper into the heart of the rock until they reached a dead end. Tika drew a breath but Mim spoke first.
‘Save your strength. Let me do this.’
As he worked on the door wards Tika bespoke Kija. ‘We are at the Chamber of Balance Kija. I will do what must be done.’ She faltered. ‘Care for Farn, as I know you will. I love him dearly Kija.’
‘I know, small one. If it is the time for your journey, may you go safely beyond. I beg the stars to spare you. Know also that as Farn is my son and I love him, so you are my beloved daughter.’
Mim stepped clear of the rock as Bark touched the contours of the wall and the entrance slid open. Bark walked inside, lighting lamps with a sparking flint, round the circular chamber, till he rejoined Tika at the doorway.
Unnoticed, Dessi and Gan stood close behind Ashta and they stared with the rest at the seven golden disks hanging motionless above the mosaic circle. Mim took a pace forward but Tika’s hand stopped him. She forced a smile as she looked up at him.
‘No further Mim, Dragon Lord. Please. This is the task set on me alone.’
He looked at her hard for a moment then hugged her tight and as quickly released her again. She moved to Ashta, stroking her face wordlessly, then turned to Farn.
‘I come with you, my Tika.’
She slid her arms round his shoulders, stroking the folded wing edge. ‘No my dear soul bond. You must come no further.’
Behind the Dragons, Dessi tugged Gan’s sleeve, whispering: ‘He is too calm. He will try to follow her no matter what she says.’
Gan nodded and eased his way alongside Ashta, having no idea how he could prevent the silver blue Dragon doing anything at all.
Tika forced herself to release Farn and stepped firmly back, turning quickly into the Chamber of Balance. She went to the edge of the mosaic circle and g
azed at the disks hanging impossibly in the centre. She was aware of Bark standing close by and she gave a near hysterical laugh.
‘We didn’t think of that, Bark.’
He waited for her to explain.
She nodded at the disks. ‘I can’t reach. Can you lift me?’
He put a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him then knelt so that their faces were nearly level.
‘I believe it means you are not the one for this task. I must do it.’
‘But you can’t – you will be destroyed,’ Tika said softly.
He smiled. ‘Dear one, Rhaki destroyed me long ago. Even with the help of the healers of Gaharn, I will be forever damaged. If you let me take this task from you, I will gladly go beyond, knowing I have tried to atone for allowing Rhaki’s monstrosity to reach the heights it has.’
For a long while Tika studied him, slipping into his mind and seeing the great disruptions there. She saw that she could perhaps mend some of the injuries, but not all. He was right. He could never be restored to his former state and would only live in frustration, half remembering all he once had been. She put her arms round his neck, pressing her face close to his.
‘I believe you are right Bark, if it is truly what you wish to do.’
He held her away from him. ‘One thing.’
She waited.
‘When I take the Balance Weight, I wish you to kill me before Time can.’
As she opened her mouth Bark laid a bony finger across her lips. He shrugged and smiled sadly.
‘I fear such a death Tika, but not death by your hand, or mind.’
Tika thought rapidly. She realised she could indeed use the power to destroy, and that she could do it gently. Tears rolled down her face as she slowly nodded. The bony finger caught a tear and Bark whispered:
‘I do not recall anyone weeping for me. I am most honoured dear one. Now, you should tell Farn we have changed the plan, and then we will proceed.’
She threw her arms round him once more then turned to the door. She cleared her throat, clogged with tears as it was, and looked at the group waiting anxiously. Khosa had seated herself between Farn’s feet and as Tika explained chokingly what Bark planned to do, the Kephi walked forward to weave herself round Bark’s legs. He lifted her to his face and she crooned, bumping her head against his cheek. Bark looked at the two Dragons and Gan and Dessi and felt their respect and affection pour into his crippled mind. He stood, handing Khosa to Tika and turned to the column of golden disks.
Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series Page 34