by L. S. Gibson
Ninian turned to Patinus. "Right, here's what you tell him. The family has no idea that Jhond is a mage. He is only the youngest son. You better tell the truth about his leaving because he and Gallia had a falling out. You can say your wife refuses to discuss the matter with you and his family was in the dark about that, too. They have no idea where he went and no information as to his plans. Also, they have no idea when he might return. In fact, they are quite distressed about the whole situation and wish he would get in touch with them." He took a breath. "Does that work for you?"
"Yes. That's pretty much along the lines I was thinking. I was unsure whether to mention the reason for Jhond's leaving, thinking I might just say he had gone on a journey, but then it seemed to indicate his family would know his plans for a pre-arranged journey."
"Better to stick as close to the truth as you can," Ninian said.
"Just have to trust the bastard has no other spies in the area," Jhond said.
"How's it going with you finding all the answers you want in here?" Patinus asked, glancing around at the overflowing shelves.
"Quite well," Ninian replied. "I believe we're working on the last translation now. You go send your messenger bird. We'll be in touch when we've got everything finalized here."
Patinus got to his feet, nodded his goodbyes and left.
Jhond approached the desk and leaned over Ninian's shoulder. "Were you right? That the second crystal is the final piece of the puzzle?"
"Yes. I was just checking one of the phrases you translated the other day and now it makes sense. We have to perform a ceremony drawing all the pieces together and then you will truly be the Eynan."
"When?"
"We need a private place large enough for me to draw a complicated sigil on the floor within a circle of protection. It needs to be a place high up, and it would be helpful if the room was circular."
"Like a tower?"
"That would be perfect, but I've seen no such tower on the estate."
"True, but there is one atop the main Talchel house. Gallia can arrange for us to use it, I'm sure."
* * * *
Amired stood on his quarterdeck staring across the wide sea in the direction of Irobi. It had been some time since he had set foot on his home shores and though he looked forward to seeing his country again, he wished he was returning to a land of peace and plenty, not a state under perpetual threat. He heard slightly unsteady steps behind him and knew Lord Girau was approaching.
"Fine day, Captain," Girau said, looking about him at the sea and the sky.
"Fine day, indeed, sir. If the weather continues like this, we should sight the shores of Irobi by late afternoon."
"Will we dock today then?"
"No, the tides will turn before we can reach the harbor, so we'll have to wait until morning."
"And how long will it take to travel from Buchern to the Amister border?"
"About two days and then another three to reach the capital, where you can find Egon Rosterus." Amired was giving approximate times, as he needed to be generous. He was unaware of Girau's skill as a rider and was inclined to put less faith in that of his sailors.
"Have you chosen the men you wish to accompany us on our journey?"
"Yes, I have." Amired had given the matter much thought. He didn't think it a good idea to take an unduly large contingent with them; that might attract too much attention. From what Patinus had told him, there were Illurian soldiers mixed in with the Iroban army, disguised as Iroban soldiers. They acted as a combination of spies and security on behalf of Bardius, who'd decided his men needed to be in disguise until the country's supposed independence was no longer necessary.
"I decided it's risky to take more than three men with us. Even a party of five might draw too much attention, but at least you have the papers Patinus gave you. I need to leave Aldous, my first mate, in charge of the ship, so I'm bringing my next best three crewmen, Mathias, Ekin and Tulier. Though, I almost had second thoughts about Tulier as he's not as at home on land as he is at sea."
"Which means what exactly?"
"According to Mathias, he tends to fall off a horse."
Girau laughed. "At least we won't be devoid of amusement then."
* * * *
Mid-morning the following day, Jhond and Ninian set out for the Talchel estate. Gallia had been quick to respond to the message sent the afternoon before requesting her help in gaining admittance to the tower. Less than two hours later, they'd received a return note confirming they were welcome to use it. However, she added Duke Vikor was curious why they would want such a thing and, not being sure whether she had any right to disclose Jhond's secret yet, she had asked the duke if he couldn't simply trust her. He assumed she would be present and she hadn't disabused him of that belief. Therefore, she would meet them there.
Jhond was nervous at what was to come. Other than teaching him some ancient incantations by rote, Ninian hadn't been very forthcoming about what the ceremony would entail, telling Jhond he needed to be free of any preconceptions. It was important his mind was clear and open. Jhond was afraid his mind was too open to outrageous imaginings. When he told Ninian that, Ninian reminded him of the exercises he had done early in their acquaintance as he struggled to get a grip on his talent. Jhond had arisen early this morning, eaten sparingly, and spent a full hour calming himself, repeatedly muttering the control spells Ninian had taught him and drawing his talent tightly about him.
When they arrived at the Talchel estate, they were shown into one of the smaller reception rooms to find Gallia and Patinus waiting for them.
"I rode over with Gallia because I thought you'd want to know my news immediately," Patinus said, even as Jhond closed the door. "I sent the messenger bird shortly after our meeting and I received a message from Suvran this morning."
"And?" Ninian pressed.
"He accepted what I told him, but he also believed at least one member of the Reeve family had been trying to get in touch with Jhond. I don't know how he knew that, but it's true Rhou sent out riders and messenger birds in the weeks after you left. But, as far as I'm aware, he stopped once he learned you'd been seen near Tandera and then in Tsarn. He assumed you'd taken ship and had no idea where to search next."
"Have you sent that information back?" Ninian asked.
"Not yet. I wanted to check first if that was what you wanted."
"Yes. Besides being true, it's a very reasonable course of action."
Patinus sighed. "Good."
"Will he wonder why you'd not tell him that with the first message?" Jhond queried.
"Possibly, but the truth is it slipped my mind. I knew Rhou had failed."
"Tell him that in your message, too. Admit you omitted the information because you thought it had no relevance," Ninian said.
There was a brisk knock at the door and it opened as Duke Vikor entered. "I heard you'd arrived," he said, striding toward Jhond and holding out his hand in greeting. "It is good to see you, my young friend. I did wonder if you would ever return." He glanced toward Patinus, "Good, too, that you and Prince Patinus have reached an understanding."
Jhond shook the duke's hand, but didn't respond to his words. Instead, he turned to Ninian and said, "Allow me to introduce my good friend, Ninian of the House of Hartees. Ninian, this is Gallia's father, Duke Vikor."
Duke Vikor frowned. "If I am not mistaken, the Hartees were from across the Estan Sea?"
"That is so, Your Grace. I'm a fugitive from my home these days and I wish it were not so."
The duke nodded. "Indeed, sir. Well, I won't disturb you any longer. I just wished to welcome Jhond home again."
"Thank you."
The duke waved a hand over his shoulder as he left.
"I must be going, too," Patinus said. "I think the sooner I send a response, the better."
Gallia watched her husband leave and then turned back to Ninian and Jhond. "I'll show you up to the tower room. Am I right in believing you would not wish me to remain while you conduct th
is ceremony or whatever it is you need to do?"
"Yes. Will that pose a problem?" Ninian replied.
"No, I shall visit with my old nurse. You can find me there if you should need me. You remember where Marianna's room is, don't you, Jhond?" she added softly.
He nodded.
"Come then." Gallia led them to a long, narrow corridor, at the end of which was the beginning of a winding stone staircase.
"This is older than the part of the house we just left," Ninian observed.
"Indeed," Gallia agreed. "This is part of the original stronghold and this tower was one of the watchtowers from which warnings were sent to other estates. Many of the others were pulled down long since, but the Talchel family wished to hold onto its history. If you climb to the top, you'll find a door. It's unlocked. No one will disturb you."
* * * *
Ninian watched as Gallia moved away and then followed Jhond as he began to mount the steps. It was a long, tiring climb, but Ninian was pleased. The higher the tower room, the more effective the protective circle was likely to be. They were about to perform a very powerful ritual and it was within the realm of possibility that a powerful mage, even at a long distance, would be able to sense it. Jhond could protect his whereabouts, but there was nothing to be done about the ritual they were about to perform.
The door at the top of the steps was closed, but as Gallia had said, it was not locked. Jhond pushed it open. The interior was dim and dusty, draped with cobwebs. There were four small openings, facing the four points of the compass, but they let in little light.
Ninian dropped the satchel he had brought on the floor by the door and turned to Jhond. "You still feel centered?"
"Yes."
Ninian was pleased Jhond was so relaxed and in control; he had been a little concerned Gallia's proximity might affect Jhond's equilibrium, but it seemed Jhond managed to sequester those emotions. "Then it begins."
In one corner there was an old chest, topped with what looked like a pile of rags. Ninian headed straight for the pile, but on inspection it turned out to be a folded tapestry. It was so worn, though, it fell into pieces as he picked it up. He tossed a piece to Jhond.
"Help me carry this chest outside to the landing and then we need to get rid of all this filth. The floor must be clean for the ritual."
After a minute or two of uselessly moving the dust around, Jhond said, "We need some water."
Ninian smiled. "Out to the landing."
Jhond frowned, but obeyed.
"So?" Ninian added.
Jhond stared at the floor by his feet, intoned a few words, pointed with the index finger of his right hand and instantly a bucket of water materialized.
"I trust it's warm?" Ninian asked, and Jhond laughed.
Then Jhond frowned and asked, "Wouldn't it have been quicker to use a spell to clean the room?"
"It would, but it must be free of any taint of magic."
"Hence the landing."
"Now, back to work."
Eventually, the place was as clean as Ninian deemed necessary. The bucket and rags were tossed out to rest by the chest. Ninian collected his satchel and placed it near the center of the room.
"What comes first? The protection circle?"
"Partly...the protection spell actually consists of two circles. I'll create the outer one now and the inner circle is drawn last of all. Sit cross-legged in the exact center of the room, Jhond."
Jhond closed his eyes to feel the correct location and then sat as commanded, squirming to get himself comfortable.
Ninian opened his satchel and took out a jar of rock salt with which he formed a large circle encompassing most of the room. Then he moved to Jhond's side, reached into the satchel again and removed the strands of time cylinder and the pendant. He turned to Jhond, handing him the pendant. "Put this on please, Jhond." Ninian studiously looked at Jhond's right hand.
Following Ninian's gaze, Jhond stared at the ring that hadn't left his finger since he'd put it on. "Don't worry. It's perfectly safe," Jhond said.
Ninian handed him the cylinder. "Hold it by the top and bottom; don't touch the sides until I tell you."
"Oh no, I remember all too clearly what happened when I carelessly touched the sides of the cylinder whilst staring into it. It wasn't something I want to go through again unless I'm prepared."
"Don't worry because that won't happen again. I've learned more about the strands and how they should be used. Besides, this ritual is unique, only performed to seal the Eynan."
"Seal the... What does that mean? I thought you said the ritual was to draw the power of the artifacts to me."
"It is." Ninian pursed his lips, trying to think of the simplest way to explain this. "If you were not truly the Eynan and were attempting to usurp the power of these artifacts, the ritual would expose that and punish the transgressor. The ritual reveals the truth of who you really are and then seals that fact by allowing you to gather the power of the artifacts. Then no one else can ever use them because they are sealed to you and you alone."
"You're sure I really am--"
"I'm sure. Now keep still and let me finish my preparations."
Ninian began to draw sigils on the floor using a fine brush dipped into a special mixture he had created and bottled earlier. The mixture would enhance the power of the magic symbols. He formed two semi-circles surrounding Jhond, reciting the words of magic as he did so. "Repeat the words after me, Jhond," he instructed.
Ninian continued to draw his sigils, Jhond repeating the words almost as an echo. Ninian started on a second circle two spread hand widths outside the first one, but this time separated into four quarters, the sigils set so the openings in the semi-circles were enclosed by one of the quarter circles.
Ninian returned to the center, being careful to step into the gaps between the drawn sigils. He dipped into his satchel and drew out a second jar, this one containing black basalt, which, together with the rock salt, would complete the protection circle. Both the basalt and the salt had been blessed with pure water and Ninian's own blood. Ninian draped the handle of his satchel over his shoulder, leaving only Jhond in the center when he left.
Ninian stood just inside the salt circle, his back toward it and facing Jhond. With the words of magic still spilling from his lips, he began to create the second inner circle, with the basalt enclosing him between the two circles and separated from Jhond. When the inner circle was almost complete, he poured a handful of basalt into his palm and dropped the jar back into his satchel. Then he allowed the handful of basalt to fall and as the last grains closed the circle, a shimmer of light flowed over the room and the sigils painted on the wooden floor glowed as if lit from within.
Ninian's voice faded, followed swiftly by the dying echo of Jhond's words.
The circle was now complete. Ninian could perform the ritual in perfect security.
Chapter 28
Unfortunately, the good weather wasn't holding as the sky darkened and the temperature dropped. Amired looked back at his travelling companions and only Lord Girau seemed totally at home on a horse. Amired had spent almost ten years in the Iroban army, the last four of it in the cavalry; he was as comfortable on the back of a horse as he was on the deck of his ship. Of his three sailors, Mathias was the best rider, the other two being competent enough. Luckily, Tulier didn't tend to fall off as often as had been suggested. In the previous two days he'd fallen off but once, and seeing as that had been in the first half-hour after they had hired their mounts, Amired didn't consider that was too bad.
"Don't like the look of this weather," Girau called to him.
"No, it looks as if we're in for a downpour."
"How much farther to the border? You said two days."
"We're very close now, maybe another two or three miles. Do you wish to continue? There's a small village just this side of it. We could stay the night in the inn there if you wish."
"No, if it's that close, let's keep going. We have cloaks and hats,
and I'd rather sleep tonight in Amister," Girau said.
"Don't we get a say in this?" Ekin asked, riding closer to Lord Girau.
"Do I ask your opinion when to lay up sail or to pile it on?" Amired asked, with raised eyebrows.
"No, Captain." He was surly, but he dropped his gaze.
"Hush it, Ekin," Mathias said. "You get a damn sight wetter on the ship."
"Not that," he grumbled. "I ain't never ridden a horse for so long before. My rear don't like it."
Girau laughed. "Your rear will get used to it in the days ahead."
"Come on and let's get to the border before the Lords pour down their scorn on us," Amired said, geeing his mount into a gallop, the others quickly following his lead.
It wasn't much longer before they sighted the barrier blocking the road ahead, manned by two Iroban soldiers, one either side of the barrier. At the right hand side of the road was a small brick building. The soldiers had been desultorily marching back and forth, each starting from the opposite side so they passed at the center point of the barrier. Amired had learned, while dickering over the price of the horses, that it was more difficult now to cross the borders to the adjoining states, so much so, when the horse dealer realized they intended to ride over into Amister, he had demanded a large deposit against the return of his animals.
When the soldiers heard the sound of approaching hoof beats, they both stopped and turned to face the front. One of them called out, "Sergeant!" while the second one aimed his weapon in their direction. The group slowed their approach.
As they rode closer, a sergeant exited the building. He held up his hand, palm forward. "Halt!" he demanded.
They obeyed, Lord Girau having edged himself to the front of the group, with Amired just behind. "I am Lord Girau of Timendra and I have official business in Amister," Girau said.
The sergeant just looked him up and down, and flicked his gaze back to Amired and the others. Girau sat up straighter, regarded the soldier with disdain and spoke to him as he would to a disrespectful underling. "My business is urgent, man. I don't have time for this. Read my papers." Girau thrust the papers under the man's nose.