The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence

by Storm Constantine

  ‘All I ask is that you try,’ Pellaz said.

  ‘Very well.’ Geburael rubbed his nose and reached out to Pellaz. ‘Take my hands. Close your eyes. You don’t have to do anything.’

  Pellaz did as he was asked. He could feel a warm fizz of energy in Geburael’s palms, and a slight fracturing of the air around him, which signified the creation of a portal. Then he was yanked into the otherlanes, and experienced firsthand the far more terrifying method of travel that is accomplished without a sedu. Otherworldly winds buffeted his body, hostile entities screamed in at him from all directions. Geburael was far less of a reassuring presence than a sedu would be. Pellaz felt his essence would be sucked away, and then they were crashing out of a portal into a realm.

  Pellaz shuddered and braced himself for whatever might face him. But then he found that he was sprawled on the floor in exactly the same place he’d been before; a room of the prison house.

  Geburael was on his knees some feet away. He dragged himself upright. ‘It’s no good,’ he said, and his expression was anguished. ‘I can’t get in. The Aasp must have sealed the realm from me. Loki’s training realm has gone too.’ His eyes filled with tears. ‘I can’t reach him. There’s nothing I can do.’

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  After Darq returned from Helek Sah, he went for a walk alone in the snow-silent forest above Nezreka. He felt as if he stood at the brink of a great battle, when many lives would be lost and the face of the world changed forever. He also knew this was an illusion and the changes, when they happened, would be more subtle than that. He knew he should summon Zu, to tell him what had occurred in Helek Sah, as they’d arranged to meet that evening anyway, but for some reason Darq lacked the will to do so. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts. If Zu wanted him, he could come without being summoned.

  Darq wandered farther than he’d ever gone before. He could feel the presence of Tava-edzen in the town behind him, connected to him by an invisible cord, which would always guide him home. He had no fear of becoming lost.

  He came to a place that reminded him strongly of the forest around Samway. It was almost as if he’d somehow stepped through space and time into a winter of his childhood. Surely, around the corner of this path, he would come across the ruins of the old church and the pool where the moon came sometimes to bathe. Perhaps Amelza would be waiting for him there.

  He did find a glade, and it was a place of uncanny power, but it was not of Samway. Somehar, perhaps in his travels east to sanctuary in Jaddayoth, had erected a statue of a dehar in this place. Considering it must have been hastily created, it was a work of beauty. Darq went up to it and saw that words had been etched into its base: ‘Here is Panphilien, he of the many aspects, lover of all, dehar of the cycle of Arotohar, the turning wheel of life. Pause, here, traveler and reflect.’

  Panphilien held out his arms and gazed towards the horizon. It wasn’t as if he was poised to embrace those who came to him, but rather embraced the future, since he faced east, the place where the sun rose and new days began. Darquiel climbed up onto the plinth of the statue and stood with his back to it. He copied its pose, reaching towards tomorrow. For some moments, he closed his eyes, and felt his heart pump blood in time with the heartbeat of the earth. She was close to him; he was living in her breath, walking upon her skin.

  Suddenly, Darq’s flesh prickled; he was being observed. He thought it must be Zu, or somehar from Nezreka, or even Lurlei, but when he opened his eyes, he saw a stranger standing among the shadows at the edge of the glade. It was a tall har, dressed in a grey traveling cloak, with the hood thrown back. His hair wasn’t very long, which was unusual to Darq, but it was as pale as moonlight.

  Darq lowered his arms. The har was watching him with a faint expression of amusement. ‘Who are you?’ Darq demanded.

  The har came forward. He was one of the most beautiful creatures that Darq had ever seen, and most of that beauty, he realised in a moment, was beneath the skin. The har radiated an air of great experience and strength, and also of sensuality. He must be Gelaming, Darq thought.

  ‘Don’t you know me?’ the har asked him. ‘Look closer.’

  Darq approached this har. He could smell the stranger’s personal scent, an intoxicating blend of freshly mown hay and warm animal fur. Darq stared into his eyes, unafraid. Yes, he did know this har, but he had no idea of how or when. Perhaps they had met only in dreams, because Darq was sure they had never encountered one another in reality. ‘I know you,’ he said, ‘but not. Tell me who you are.’

  ‘I am your father,’ said the har. He smiled. ‘One of them.’

  Darq took a step back. He was surprised at how shocked he felt. He could barely draw breath. Tomorrow had just stepped into today. Had he wished for this? ‘How did you find me?’ he asked.

  The har folded his arms. His posture was easy, as if he met lost sons every day. ‘Thiede communicated with me. I am Calanthe… Cal. And you are Darquiel, I’m told. You’ve no idea how glad I am to see you well. The circumstances of losing you were… traumatic.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say to you,’ Darq said, which was the bare truth. He felt hot.

  Cal gestured languidly with one arm. ‘Then say nothing. Or at least, let’s just talk together generally, as if we were strangers meeting for the first time.’ He sat down on the plinth of the statue and gestured for Darq to sit beside him. ‘Tell me of Anakhai,’ Cal said, ‘for this is one place I’ve not really explored. Tell me of your childhood.’

  ‘I lived in Samway,’ Darq said. ‘West of here. That is where it began.’

  ‘I know of that place,’ Cal said. ‘Your father, Pellaz, went there once, although it was a long time ago. He’s not spoken to Phade har Olopade since.’

  Darq sighed. ‘Phade was my guardian. We didn’t always get on. I’ve always been different.’ He glanced at Cal. ‘I think you made me that way.’

  ‘Then tell me about it,’ Cal said.

  Darq told his story, all of it that he could remember. Cal listened, his eyes half-hooded. He crossed his legs and clasped the upper knee, in exactly the same way Divozenky had earlier. He stared at the trees while Darquiel talked. On one level, Darq delivered an eloquent narrative, but on another he felt dazed and disorientated. The pieces of his puzzle were all falling into place; so quickly now. This magnificent har beside him was one of the mysteries that had haunted his childhood. Cal had not come as a haughty Tigron, but simply as an ordinary har who had discovered the whereabouts of a lost harling. He did not hide his feelings; Darq could sense them. Some of Darq’s story upset Cal, other parts surprised and delighted him. He did not interrupt or even ask questions. He simply listened, with full attention.

  When Darq reached the part about when his identity was revealed to him by Zu, over an hour had passed. He paused now and asked, ‘Is it true my brothers will resent me?’

  Cal drew in his breath through his nose. Still, he did not look at his son. ‘I can’t speak for Abrimel. He’s a stranger to me. All I can say is that Loki, as I know and love him, would embrace you as a brother – under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, he’s no longer in normal circumstances. I believe he’s been influenced. He’s far from home. Once he used to call to me, but now his cry is silent. The place he’s in is selective about who it lets into it. I don’t have enough connection with that realm to breach its boundaries – yet.’

  ‘He’s been influenced by the Aasp,’ Darq said softly. It wasn’t a question.

  ‘We’ll get Loki back,’ Cal said, ‘and then I defy any influence to oppose mine.’

  ‘I think,’ Darquiel said, ‘that I should go to Immanion very soon. Will you take me?’

  ‘Oh yes,’ Cal said. ‘First, I’m quite interested to meet your new friends, not least the one who was once the leader of the tribe that incepted me.’

  ‘Do you mean Tava-edzen?’ Darquiel asked.

  Cal nodded. ‘I knew him as Manticker. I didn’t know him very well, because I was so young, ne
wly incepted. Wraxilan ousted Manticker shortly after that.’

  ‘You were Uigenna?’ Darquiel couldn’t help laughing at the thought.

  ‘Most were,’ Cal said. ‘Uigenna was the primal tribe. All the oldest Wraeththu you meet will have some connection with them. An embarrassing stage of our development that many seek to deny.’

  There was a short, tense silence, and then Darq announced: ‘I love Tava-edzen.’

  Cal grinned and wound an arm round Darq’s shoulders. ‘Now why am I not surprised?’ He pulled Darq to him and Darq was happy to curl into Cal’s side. He felt great strength in this har.

  ‘Who is this Zu you spoke of?’ Cal asked. ‘Summon him here. I’d like to meet the creature who hijacked your most intimate moments.’

  ‘He’s not bad,’ Darq said. ‘Don’t be angry about that. I haven’t told you everything about him. He was incepted from the Krim Sri. He says he’s the only one who was. And he has helped me.’

  ‘Summon him,’ Cal said. ‘He can tell me the rest himself.’

  ‘All right.’ Darq drew away from his father and got to his feet. ‘I have to call to him by swinging a weighted cord.’

  Cal raised an eyebrow. ‘Different. Well, do carry on.’

  Darq took the cord out of his pocket – he always kept it to hand now - and closed his eyes. He swung the cord and the stone at the end of it sang in the cold air. Almost at once, he could feel Zu approaching, and sensed the har was in some way cautious. Perhaps he was aware Darq was not alone. His presence flickered, as if Zu was debating whether or not to manifest. Then Darq heard Cal say, ‘You?’ in an icy tone. He opened his eyes.

  Zu stood some feet away, clad in his traveling clothes. His arms were folded defensively and he was not at all the commanding, confident creature with whom Darq was familiar.

  ‘I’m sorry, Cal,’ Zu said. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about Darquiel.’

  Cal stood up, radiating a type of energy Darq felt could blast holes in rock. ‘Does Thiede know about all this?’

  Zu shook his head. ‘No.’

  Cal bared his teeth. ‘I don’t envy you when he becomes aware of it. And that will be approximately as long as it takes me to walk to Nezreka.’

  Zu came forward. ‘I did what had to be done. You couldn’t be with Darq, and neither could Caeru or Pellaz, but I could, because I’m different to you. I’m one of a kind, Cal.’

  ‘Quite,’ Cal said.

  Zu displayed his palms in a gesture of appeal. ‘When Darquiel was conceived, I felt responsible for him. It was me who encouraged Rue to become intimate with you. I’ve always felt that Darq is partly mine, and I’ve watched out for him.’

  ‘Rather more than that,’ Cal said, apparently unmoved by Zu’s words. ‘Please remember you’re speaking to one of his parents and that he has just related to me the content of his friendship with you!’

  ‘It’s all right,’ Darq said hurriedly. He didn’t like to see Zu so cowed. ‘Please don’t be angry with him.’

  Cal turned to Darq. ‘This har you know as Zu is one of Thiede’s agents, as well as an official of the Hegemony in Immanion. I’ve always known he’s a slippery fish, since he was instrumental in taking me from the earthly realm at the time of your pearl’s abduction. Now, it appears he’s also been working independently, but then that doesn’t really surprise me. His name to us is Velaxis.’

  When Darq returned to the Drudehall with Cal and Velaxis, Jezinki swooped down on him in the entrance hall and told him, in an icy tone, he must go to the phylarch’s office at once. There, Darq found an impatient group of hara awaiting him: Tava-edzen, Thiede, Ookami and the Weavers. It was clear that Thiede had told the others about Cal’s arrival, and also that Cal had gone to speak with Darq alone, since nohar questioned Cal’s presence. It was also clear that Tava-edzen and the Weavers had already related their side of what had taken place in Helek Sah. Darq formally introduced his father to everyhar and once this was accomplished, Thiede turned to Velaxis and said, ‘What are you doing here? Did you travel with Cal? He didn’t mention it to me.’

  Cal laughed. ‘Velaxis has something to tell you, Thiede.’

  Velaxis appeared to be very uncomfortable, and because he was still ‘Zu’ to Darq, Darq felt sorry for him. ‘Let me explain,’ Darq said. ‘I don’t want you to be angry, Thiede.’

  ‘Angry?’ Thiede said archly. ‘Why would I be angry?’

  Darq cleared his throat. ‘You know when we first met and I heard that voice in my head?’

  Thiede nodded, his eyes narrow.

  ‘Well…’ Darq glanced at Velaxis. ‘It was him.’

  ‘What?’ Thiede snarled.

  ‘He’s been with me ever since… in one way or another. He’s been my teacher.’

  Ookami, who had remained politely in the background, now couldn’t help an outburst: ‘Teacher?’ he cried. ‘He’s committed shameful acts.’ He pointed at Velaxis. ‘Don’t think I’ve forgotten, tiahaar! There’s unfinished business between us. You were foolish to show your face here.’

  Velaxis looked horrified. Possessing Ookami’s body was one thing, but facing the wrath of an indignant Ikutama warrior was another. Darq could tell that Velaxis was afraid, and in Darq’s opinion, he had good reason to be. This was all going horribly wrong. ‘Tiahaar,’ Velaxis said to Ookami, ‘I…’

  Thiede raised his hands. ‘Hush, all of you,’ he said.

  Ookami lowered his accusing arm. He was furious, but he held his tongue.

  Thiede folded his arms. ‘Darquiel, be so kind as to finish your story of your… relationship with Velaxis.’

  Darq did so, keeping the more personal details to himself. All the time, he looked into Velaxis’ face, this har he’d come to look upon as a friend. As he spoke, he was aware that Ookami was upset by what he heard, but Darq didn’t know what else he could do to defuse the situation, except show Velaxis in as positive a light as possible. Perhaps he was wrong to do that, but he didn’t care.

  Thiede listened to the whole story in silence, his expression inscrutable. When Darq finished speaking he said, ‘Ookami, you will take no action.’

  Ookami came forward. ‘Tiahaar, my honor has been offended. I demand retribution.’

  Thiede remained expressionless. ‘Do you want to skewer him with your swords, is that it? Will that make you feel better?’

  Ookami stared back at Thiede. ‘You don’t understand me,’ he said. ‘He took possession of me against my will. Let him put his will against mine when I am prepared.’

  Thiede closed his eyes and uttered a short sigh. ‘Ookami, I do understand, but quite frankly, there’s no time for this. Velaxis can make compensation to you in some other way, at a later time.’

  Ookami inclined his head. ‘I respect your desires. However…’ He glared at Velaxis. ‘I won’t forget this matter.’

  ‘I apologise,’ Velaxis said stiffly. ‘Although I doubt that is enough.’

  Ookami said nothing. He retreated to the back of the room.

  ‘Velaxis,’ Thiede said, ‘we’ll speak in private shortly. We have much to discuss.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m annoyed with myself I never realised how different you were. You are adept at disguise, aren’t you?’

  Velaxis bowed his head. ‘I’ve worked well for you; you know that. I’ve done nothing against the Hegemony or Wraeththukind. If you wish to punish me, I’ll accept your judgment. I just want you to know I acted with Darquiel’s welfare at heart.’

  Ookami expelled a wordless sound of fury.

  Again, Thiede raised a hand to silence him. ‘You’ve played with Darq, Velaxis. I have issues with your methods. And you had more than his welfare at heart. But we’ll not speak of this here.’

  ‘Thiede,’ Darq said in appeal. ‘Please don’t be angry. Zu… Velaxis… has been helpful to me.’ He turned to Ookami. ‘What he did to you was wrong, but I’d not have gone to Helek Sah without him.’

  ‘A lot of what he’s done is wrong!’ Thiede said. ‘I appreciate y
our feelings on the matter, Darq, but I can’t just ignore this… interference.’ He sighed through his nose. ‘I’ll deal with it, but at the moment there are more important things to discuss. Tell us everything you experienced with the Krim Sri.’

  Grateful for the change of subject, Darquiel addressed the gathering, and related everything that had happened to him in Helek Sah. He didn’t include the information Divozenky had given him about Wraeththu’s creation, as he’d already decided he wanted to tell Thiede this privately first. At the end of his narrative, Thiede and Cal launched into a discussion about it.

  ‘This must have been Darq’s purpose all along,’ Cal said. ‘It’s what Pell sensed when he was so driven to create him.’ He shook his head. ‘A har who can communicate with the world itself. It’s unprecedented.’

  ‘It means that highly evolved souls are waiting to find suitable vessels among us,’ Thiede said, his expression thoughtful. ‘What we’ll need to discuss is whether we should actively seek to repeat what you did, Cal.’

  ‘The Aasp and the Zehk won’t like that,’ Velaxis interjected. ‘I would recommend caution.’

  Thiede fixed Velaxis with a bleak stare. ‘I think you’d be wise to keep your mouth shut for now, tiahaar.’ He turned back to Cal. ‘We’ve much to discuss, and it should take place in Immanion.’

  ‘You’ll return to us, then?’ Cal asked. ‘Is it safe to do so?’

  Thiede nodded. ‘Darquiel’s existence has changed things for me. I was seen as a threat because I was too curious, but now my threat factor is negligible. Darq is far more potent than I am, or he will be.’

  ‘Many will be glad to see you back,’ Cal said. He paused. ‘I have to ask – what role do you see for yourself?’

  Thiede grinned. ‘Fret not, protégé. I see myself as an elder stateshar. I have no wish to take back control of the Hegemony, but I hope I can be of use to it.’