Vasselis filled the proffered goblet and his own. He allowed himself an indulgent smile, Kessian seeing the care in his early middle-aged face.
'And are you pleased you lived to see it?' he asked.
'Damn fool question,' replied Kessian. 'Remember how I didn't ever ask if you were happy to see the birth of your son?'
'You know precisely what I am talking about, Ardol. You are hardly beside yourself with delight as we sit here. The same is true of the entire Echelon.'
'I can't help thinking ahead,' said Kessian.
'And your blacksmith's reaction has worried you.'
'It has shaken me deeply,' admitted Kessian, finding comfort in Vasselis's understanding. 'It's why we're sitting here and not in there with everyone else, after all. Funny. Although we'd always known we would have to face this, that we couldn't keep them hidden forever -didn't want to - I didn't think it would be beginning now. They are so young.' He sighed and shook his head, an uncomfortable feeling in his gut.
Vasselis put down his wine glass and sat up himself, leaning across the table to touch Kessian's hands, which had begun to shake.
'Ardol, the first thing is not to panic. Not to let the tasks ahead appear so large they are impossible to achieve. That's why I'm here.' He smiled in that self-deprecating way that Kessian had grown to love. 'Hey, I run this country. I'm good at this sort of thing.'
Kessian felt the tightness in his throat ease. He kneaded his forehead with his thumb and forefinger.
'Sorry,' he said. 'Silly old man.'
'Not at all,' said Vasselis softly. 'As God-stands-by-me you are the only one of the Echelon who truly understands the scale of what we face now the Ascendants have started to emerge. We cannot underestimate the problems that are to come. We have to be realistic. We have to ignore nothing, however small, and we have to be single-minded in our efforts. Bryn has merely brought our task into sharper focus.'
Kessian nodded, his relief palpable. Thank God for delivering Arvan Vasselis to the world. Thank God for the Vasselis family of the last four generations, come to that. Taking the then new Marshal Defender dynasty into their confidence had proved a masterstroke.
A family with centuries-old roots in Caraduk and a history of open-minded religious attitudes, the Echelon had been persuaded to speak to them at a time when the Order was becoming suspicious about the rumours surrounding Westfallen. The incumbent Marshal had revealed herself to be a believer in the ascendant strand of the Order of Omniscience and so the partnership was sealed.
Soon, her choice of Reader was installed in Westfallen, information was being passed to the Echelon concerning military, religious and merchant traffic that might pose a threat, and the ascendancy experiments, research and developments could continue free of the suffocating veil of secrecy within the town.
Three generations later, every citizen of Westfallen knew what was being attempted and all played their part in ensuring secrecy was maintained. To this day, Caraducian ships patrolled beyond the inlet, soldiers manned guard posts on every route from the town, and Vasselis and the Echelon used the Advocacy messenger service to keep up the vital flow of communications.
No one who presented any potential threat got out and, indeed, the various Marshal Defenders Vasselis had made some hard choices. Innocent people were dead, their only crime having been to see or hear something they should not. Unpalatable though it was, Kessian found his guilt did not interfere with his sleep. His belief in the greater good they served was unshakeable.
He looked at his benefactor, a man who provided money, security and above everything else, friendship undimmed.
'So,' said Kessian. 'Where do we begin?'
'Right,' said Vasselis, adjusting his formal toga, deep blue and gold trim on cream. 'Your timetable for talking to Westfallen's citizens is sound. Usual practice will surround those merchants leaving at the end of the festival. What we must do though is seal off the town in the aftermath of your announcement, in whatever form that takes. I'll organise that. You'll see nothing here, don't worry. No point in scaring people. As far as my soldiers are concerned it'll be an exercise. I'll dream up some plausible pretext.'
'I'm intrigued to know what.'
'How about quarantine for containment of a bovine flu outbreak? It'll allow us to keep any of your citizens in, should there be any, well, sudden desire for departure. And of course, we can stop anyone getting in by land or sea.'
Kessian chuckled. 'Too easy, isn't it?'
'Like I say, I'm good at this.' Vasselis's expression hardened. 'Unfortunately, that is the easy part. I cannot keep my soldiers on exercise indefinitely and you cannot survive without trade. Where we must get to, and quickly, is a state where we have your borders as secure as they can be without arousing suspicion. I will review my plans for that and confirm them with you at the earliest opportunity.
'It's only at that point when we can begin to consider moves to introduce the Ascendants to anyone, and I mean anyone, on the outside. It's very difficult to assess what the reaction of others will be but we would be naive to assume mass acceptance, I am sure you will agree. Fear and misunderstanding are likely to dominate, I suspect.'
'But if only people knew what it could mean for us all,' said Kessian, before he could stop himself.
'You can't afford to think like that,' said Vasselis sharply. 'And you know it as well as I do. We have to put a cap on information getting into the public arena for as long as we can. But one thing is certain. This will leak out. As the Ascendants get older and more come through, people will see things and they will talk. Before that happens, we have to have the backing of other, powerful individuals. I have to think when to talk to the Advocate and the Gatherers. She and they would be particularly useful allies. Other Marshal Defender dynasties too and those we know in the Order who believe as we do.'
Vasselis paused and sipped his wine. Kessian could see worry in the set of his mouth and eyes.
'What is it, Arvan?' he asked gently. The Marshal smiled as he spoke.
'I've known this town for forty years. Since I was a small boy, playing at Willows Lake and swimming in the sea under Genastro Falls. I love every street, every tenement and villa. I love the smell of the fishing nets on the harbour walkways and the sound of ships bumping against the deep water docks when the tide is on the turn. I count you and Genna among my dearest and closest friends, never mind you are ninety years my senior. I used to badger my father to move here and I haven't changed at all. By God-who-walks-beside-us, if I was not Marshal Defender I would settle here permanently, such is the love I have for Westfallen and its people. It is the most beautiful, warm place in the entire Conquord, and you know I have seen a good deal of our beloved empire.'
'There is a major "but" coming, isn't there?' said Kessian, feeling his pride in the town swell as Vasselis enunciated so succinctly why so many who came here fell in love with the place and why those born here were so reluctant ever to leave.
'I am terrified of all that being destroyed,' Vasselis said. 'You have to know this, Ardol, and rightly you will be scared too. You, the Echelon, Westfallen, you have been of necessity cocooned from the real face of the Order of Omniscience for generations. And of necessity, I have not. They are powerful and they are as determined as they are zealous. The Chancellor is a woman blinded by her own faith, unable to see beyond the sanctity of that over which she presides.
'I know you have heard about them through Elsa Gueran but she does not tell you everything. If one of the Chancellor's people, just one, gets wind of what we have done here before we are ready, the armies of the Order will descend. After all, they are not interested in anyone coming closer to God except through their own good offices, are they? And their justice will see Westfallen burned to its last timber and the ashes of its people dispersed into the air to be tormented at the hands of the wind demons.
'If we do not have our allies around us, they will instead stand behind the Chancellor, ignorant of the crime they commit against all
the people of this world.'
Kessian stared at Vasselis, unable to take his eyes from the Marshal's face as the words poured out. He could all but smell the timbers burning in his villa, see the citizens run but with nowhere to hide while the flames from their houses reared at their backs. He felt a surge of hopelessness and a despair at what they had done to so many innocents. Abruptly, he could understand where the path of Bryn's thoughts had taken him.
'Tell me what we must do,' Kessian said, keeping his voice firm and calm.
Vasselis nodded. 'You are a strong man, Ardol. And the good news is that our plans are sound. But don't ever forget that your friends are in constant danger from this day on, Elsa first among them. Have faith in the security I can bring you. Remain vigilant as the import of what has happened dawns on your citizens. Relearn again and again, all your plans for escape.
'Remember this and pass it down to those who will shepherd the Echelon after you are returned to the earth: the Ascendancy and its Echelon are the single critical link to our future. Should the worst come, never look back, never feel the guilt for those left in your wake who fall to obstruct those who would kill you. We have all chosen our paths and will live or die as a result.
'You must never, never hesitate to sacrifice any of us if it means you save yourselves.'
'Pray God it never comes to that,' said Kessian.
'Every day,' said Vasselis. 'Yet be prepared lest it does.'
Next morning, the preparations began. And Kessian had been right; Gorian was fully recovered and none the worse for his exertions. His grey had gone as had the wrinkles on his face. Looking at Gorian, it was difficult to believe the age he had displayed the day before. Indeed, Kessian would have doubted his memory but for the weight of witnesses. His ability to renew himself was one more wonder at a most extraordinary time.
A time tempered by a terribly sad reminder of why they had to be so careful how word of the Ascendancy came into the public domain. That same morning, they found Bryn hanging above his forge.
Chapter 11
846th cycle of God, 45th day of Solasfall
13th year of the true Ascendancy
Jen Shalke was out in the deeps, seeking shoals of white fish for the fleet bobbing on the surface. She'd brought the Ascendants to the safe haven where they loved to play above and below the waves, and had then left them, trailing her drift line and flag behind her to alert the skiffs to her position.
Mirron had watched her go through the clear calm waters, her arms by her sides, her strong legs propelling her away. They'd all learned the underwater techniques from Jen these last two years. From the first moments of drawing water into the lungs, when the fear was terrible and the reflex to choke unstoppable, to the understanding of pressure effects on the body and how to breathe and rise slowly to combat them, to the sheer joy of swimming beneath the surface, spotting fish and discovering the wonders and dangers of the sea floor.
She turned away, glancing up quickly to see the brightness of the sun on the surface about forty feet above her and swam towards the others who were already nearing their favourite place, cavorting under the waters of Genastro Falls where they plunged into the sea. It was a great place for underwater hide and seek. She worked her legs harder to catch them up, feeling a pang of isolation as she did so. Ever more, these three whom she considered her brothers were the only real friends she had.
Jen tried her best but she was too old and it just felt awkward. Mirron had friends from the school but less and less often did their parents want her in their homes, or their daughters in hers. Mirron didn't really understand. She knew she was different because her abilities were active. But most of her friends used to have one ability
or another in their early years. Perhaps they were jealous, though if they were they didn't show it.
The others were already into a game by the time she arrived. Gorian was hovering in the water, almost lost in the air bubbles that stormed around the plunge pool. They felt soft on the skin and the roar of the falls in their ears was like muted thunder. It sent tingles through Mirron's body every time. He saw her and beckoned her towards him. She felt a small thrill and did as he asked, aware they were alone for the moment.
Gorian was beautiful. So moody but so alive. His hair eddied around his head and his eyes shone in the water, the muscles in his arms, chest and legs stood proud. She swam up close to him and hung there while the bubbles coursed in front of their faces. She had the powerful urge to kiss him then and it frightened her a little because she saw the same thing in his eyes as well. There was peace for them here. She didn't want the moment to end and fought to resist the desire to touch him lest that should spoil it. Gorian opened his mouth, sucked in bubbles and blew them out towards her. She laughed, the sound alien in her ears.
Who seeks? she asked, using the signs of upraised palms and a hand on her brow, hooding her eyes.
Ossacer, he replied, holding up four fingers to indicate his sign. She was two, Arducius three. Gorian of course, was one. It was hardly fair but it was the reason why Gorian was hiding in the water and air bubble streams. Ossacer's sight was fading rapidly. The illness he'd contracted following the shock of Mirron's emergence two years before had begun the process and nothing the doctors did would halt or reverse the problem. He would be blind before the coming dusas reached its height. But until then, he enjoyed what little sight he had, making his work and play ferocious and determined.
Where Arducius? She used the seek and three signs.
Gorian shrugged then pointed downwards.
Ossacer?
Gorian smiled and pointed down again repeatedly, indicating a long distance. He moved a hand towards her and let it drift through her hair, some of which had escaped its band to wisp about her eyes in the swirling warm water. She had no desire to pull away. There was a hot lump low in her stomach. She trembled. A shoal of tiny silver grey fish flowed past them, enveloping them for a few moments before moving on across the bay. Gorian leant in, his face coming closer to hers. She imagined feeling his breath on her face, his lips large in her vision.
A dull clang echoed through the water. Once, twice, three times. It was Hesther or Shela, summoning them back to the shore. Mirron backed away from Gorian who frowned and beckoned her. She shook her head and pointed up and away towards the beach, raising her eyebrows in the 'now' sign. Gorian nodded. The moment was gone. He held out his hand. She took it and the two of them led the way back to Westfallen, the others swimming to join them from below.
'When can we start developing our Waterborn ability?' asked Gorian. 'Jen says we're already as good as her. We should be trying to be better.'
'Fancy controlling the fish, do you?' asked Mirron, head emerging from her towel to see Gorian's skin glistening in the sunlight.
'Dolphins and sharks, more like,' said Gorian.
'All in good time,' said Hesther. 'I don't think we've worked out a method just yet. I think you'd be better trying that sort of trick on sheep.'
Ossacer chuckled. 'You can see it, can't you? Gorian controlling the mind of a sheep and ordering it to attack.' They all laughed at the joke. All but Gorian. 'Well you won't be able to because you'll be blind,' he said. 'Gorian, you will apologise for that right now,' ordered Shela. 'Well, he will be.'
'And he does not need reminding by that nasty mouth of yours, does he?' Shela said. 'Apologise.'
Gorian gazed defiance at Shela for a moment. 'Sorry,' he muttered.
Mirron had been trying to see Ossacer's reaction. He'd been staring at the ground and fiddling with the sand at his feet. Now he looked up.
'Anyway, I won't need my eyes,' he said. 'One day, the animals will see for me.'
Hesther was frowning at that, eyes locked on Ossacer. After a moment, her expression cleared and she clapped her hands together.
'Right. If you're all rested and mostly dry, grab your things because it's time for something to eat and a surprise.'
Mirron and the others got to their feet an
d followed Hesther and Shela away from the beach towards the slopes leading up to the orchard. They passed the Marshal Defender's house on the way. Mirron looked at its shuttered windows and wondered when the family would be back. It was more fun when Kovan came to stay. He always joined in whenever he could and didn't seem worried by them like some of the others in the town. He never strayed far from her side either, unless they were playing Waterborn of course, and that was a comforting feeling. Pity he and Gorian didn't get on very well.
The Marshal's villa boasted a beautiful private garden that stretched for fifty yards on each side. Its walls were whitewashed and high, capped with red slate. At each corner and in the middle of each wall, statues of previous Marshals stood in heroic or philosophical poses. The wooden side door into the gardens stood open and Hesther ushered them inside.
Mirron loved these gardens with their marble paths crisscrossing the lawns; the fruit trees offering them apples, oranges and lemons; and the ornamental fish pond and fountains in which great golden carp swam lazily. The centrepiece was a raised marble plinth, open-sided and with a domed roof held up by four columns. It had a ring of benches and on one of them sat Father Kessian. She yelped in delight and ran forward, leading the Ascendants in an excited babble.
They were taught by Hesther more and more these days. Father Kessian was old and always seemed to have a cold or an ache or something. But when he did come to teach them, it swelled her heart and not just because it would be something important. She loved him. They all did. There was silence when he spoke and warmth when he smiled. And every word he spoke struck to their hearts and showed them things they had not understood. Made them better.
'Hello, my young Ascendants,' he said, his voice soft and soothing. ‘I trust the water was warm and the fish friendly.'
'It was lovely,' gushed Mirron, planting a kiss on his cheek and hugging him around the neck. She was joined by the others.
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