Betrayal

by Lara Morgan

  ‘The one who took her from our lands betrayed the Guides,’ Karnit continued, ‘and when they are discovered they will be punished.’

  ‘That is up to you, of course,’ Rorc said, ‘but I think you will come to see that perhaps it was the Guides’ will that she was saved.’

  ‘How is it that you, an Outcast, speak so loudly of the Guides?’ the Raknah leader said. ‘You should guard your tongue and be grateful we have even allowed you to appear before us. Two of you Outcast and one no better than a wetlander.’

  ‘They are here because the Guides have demanded it,’ Shila spoke calmly. ‘We are all subject to the Guides’ will. We must listen to them or perish.’

  All the men in the Circle, apart from Hashmael, shifted in their seats, and the Raknah leader glowered at the Dreamer but didn’t reply.

  ‘Strong words, Dreamer,’ Karnit said, ‘but hardly surprising given the part you have played in their lives. Tell me, where were you on the night I left this abomination in the sands to meet her destiny?’

  There was a moment of stunned silence and various expressions of shock crossed the faces of the leaders; even the Raknah chief looked taken aback. Shila, however, showed no sign of being affected.

  ‘All of my actions are dictated by the Guides, leader,’ she said mildly. ‘I’m sure you understand that. Are you asking if the Guides spoke to me that night?’

  ‘What he asks is unnecessary and will remain unanswered,’ Hashmael said, his deep voice cutting through the shocked silence. ‘I am sure he is only weary after our long meetings to have forgotten that to question a Dreamer is to question the Guides’ wisdom.’ He turned hard eyes to Karnit, who met his gaze with a clenched jaw.

  ‘Of course,’ Karnit answered slowly. ‘But you should remember, Hashmael, as I told you all before, that I saw what Tallis is capable of, his communing with the serpents, kin of the foul beasts who have been killing our kind. It is possible his sister could do the same.’ His lips twisted. ‘Tallis already has Clan blood on his hands, so do not be so quick to think he and his twin cannot carry more.’

  Anger flowed through Tallis like water through the springs, bubbling hot and quick, but before he could speak Rorc drew a knife and leaped at Karnit, putting the blade to his neck. He moved so fast he seemed to blur and none had time to stop him.

  ‘Tell us again what happened that night,’ he said. ‘Tell the rest of the leaders how my son came to spill Clan blood — or would you rather I spilled your own?’

  Tallis stood frozen. The other leaders had risen from their seats at Rorc’s movement but none approached. Despite the amount of blood Rorc had lost in his recent injury, there was no doubt he had the strength to slit a man’s throat and his expression of cold intent told them all he would.

  ‘Rorc,’ Hashmael said slowly, ‘what —’

  ‘His words are lies, Hashmael,’ Rorc said. ‘And there has been enough casting out under false pretence. You should not put your faith in one who would murder his own clan.’

  ‘That boy is no clansman of mine,’ Karnit said, looking at Rorc as if the knife weren’t there. ‘As we can see by your actions, the son of an Outcast emulates his father.’

  Rorc’s eyes narrowed and he pressed the knife harder, drawing a drop of blood. ‘Is that how you justify seeking to murder him?’ he said. ‘You set your men upon him so he had no choice but to defend himself. Clan blood lies thick on your hands, not his.’

  ‘Is this true?’ Hashmael said to Tallis. ‘Were you set upon?’

  Tallis hesitated then nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Karnit commanded I accompany him and his men to the Gathering. They tried to kill me the first night, at the Stolen Well.’

  Hashmael looked to the other Circle members. ‘An accusation has been made. What say you?’

  ‘How can we be sure of it?’ the Raknah leader said. ‘A cry made by an Outcast for an Outcast.’

  ‘Or a father for a son,’ the Shalneef leader said slowly. ‘This cannot be ignored.’

  ‘We must seek guidance,’ the Halmahda leader said.

  Hatred flared in Karnit’s eyes, quickly hidden as he swallowed carefully around the blade at his throat. ‘I will defend myself against this and you will see who is truer to Clan,’ he said.

  ‘Step back, Rorc,’ Hashmael said. ‘Step back and the Circle will deal with this.’

  Rorc made a sound in his throat and for a moment Tallis thought he was going to press the knife home, but then he slowly lowered the blade and stepped away. Karnit’s eyes blazed at him, a thin trickle of blood glinting red on his neck.

  ‘Put your blade away,’ Hashmael said quietly. ‘This is for the leaders to decide, not your knife. Leave us now, we will call you later.’

  Tallis wondered if Rorc had just given Hashmael the excuse he needed to challenge Karnit’s leadership.

  ‘And what of our proposal?’ Rorc said as he sheathed his knife.

  ‘Give it to me.’ Hashmael held out his hand. ‘We will consider it.’

  So they would not get the chance to talk to convince them, but Tallis wondered if Rorc had planned it this way. He had cast doubt on Karnit’s leadership, and Karnit was the biggest obstacle they had to uniting with the Clans.

  ‘Go.’ Hashmael’s gaze rested briefly on Tallis. ‘You will be told the outcome.’

  Rorc urged Shaan and Tallis back to the steps. ‘Come,’ he said, his voice giving nothing away, ‘your mother is waiting.’

  Chapter 32

  The weather had changed while they were in the caves, harsh winds spitting spirals of sand across the desert, so they were forced to find a place to wait in the great cavern among the people of the visiting clans. Someone had brought in their tents and packs, and they sat with them against the wall near an entrance to the springs and watched the other folk watching them. Mailun was furious when she heard what Rorc had done.

  ‘How could you take such a risk?’ she exclaimed, trying to keep her voice low.

  ‘It was necessary,’ Rorc replied calmly. ‘Karnit’s lies needed to be shown.’

  ‘Didn’t you think about what they would do?’ Mailun said. ‘They could decide to settle this in a warriors’ challenge.’

  Rorc bent his knees and rested his hands on them. ‘They could,’ he said in that same calm tone. His eyes tracked the people moving across the cavern and Shaan realised that he had thought of it — had thought of it long before, and was hoping that was what they would do.

  Frustration gleamed in Mailun’s dark blue eyes. ‘You’re not well enough to fight. You’re still weak from your injury.’

  ‘Karnit is an old man, with an old man’s pride,’ Rorc said. ‘And I am not too weak to best him.’

  She shook her head and turned away as if the sight of him pained her. ‘You don’t know Karnit like I do; he’ll find a way. You’ve insulted his honour. He’ll do something, some underhand, deceitful thing that will see this end badly.’

  ‘It’s possible.’ A look of hard determination had come over his face, the face of a man who has seen terrible things and expects to see more. ‘We need the Clans on our side, Mailun. We won’t have that if Karnit remains leader.’

  ‘He’s right,’ said Tallis as if he understood what was in his mind.

  Mailun’s silence said she felt differently but she didn’t have time to protest, as Rorc said, ‘Thadin is coming.’ The warrior was striding across the cavern, Shila following. Thadin’s face was grim but Shila looked as calm as always. All others in the cavern turned to watch, talk dropping to whispers, so the moaning of wind outside sounded louder in the sudden quiet.

  They rose to their feet as the two reached them.

  ‘The Circle has decided,’ Thadin spoke without preamble. ‘The accusation will be met by a warriors’ challenge.’ His gaze went to Tallis. ‘You are the one who has accused the leader, so you will take up this challenge and fight Karnit for his place in the clan. The one who wins is deemed chosen by the Guides to remain; the other will be — or stay — Outc
ast.’

  Mailun went white, but Rorc’s expression did not change.

  ‘We accept,’ he said.

  ‘Tomorrow, after dawn breaks,’ Thadin said to Tallis, ‘you will meet the leader in the sands of your birth.’ His words were terse, a warrior giving commands, but underneath lurked a glint of satisfaction.

  Mailun turned on Rorc as soon as they were out of earshot. ‘You knew this would happen!’ she said. ‘You knew it when you went to them this morning!’ All about the cavern a hum of voices was raised now with covert looks and open stares directed at them. Rorc paid them no attention.

  ‘I didn’t know,’ he said. ‘I hoped they would choose me — but it was a risk.’

  ‘You had no right!’ Mailun’s expression was furious as she looked at her son. ‘You don’t have to do this, Tallis.’

  ‘Mother.’ Tallis put a hand on her arm, ‘I do. Rorc is right. I need to do this.’

  Something in his tone made Shaan realise he was determined to do it as any other man would — without using his power — and she was filled with anxiety. ‘No,’ she said. ‘You can’t think of it.’

  ‘I have to. I must fight like a clansman.’

  ‘Don’t be stupid!’ She was as angry now as their mother. ‘You have the power, Tallis, you have to use it. You have to win.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Mailun said, turning from one to the other.

  Tallis gave Shaan a look filled with annoyance. ‘I have … something more in me than most men, Mother. A gift, I think, of our heritage, something more than just commanding the serpents.’

  ‘What are you saying?’ Mailun’s anger was now fading to deep concern.

  ‘Tallis has a god’s power,’ Rorc said. ‘Karnit could not best him — no man I know could.’

  ‘But I mustn’t use it for this,’ Tallis said. ‘You saw how the Seducers in Salmut reacted, Rorc. If I beat Karnit like that —’

  ‘You would be proving your strength,’ Shaan said. ‘You have to, Tallis. We have to show them what we are, what we can do. The clans must unite but it won’t happen under Karnit. He has to be defeated. You can’t afford to lose.’ Shaan felt the shadow of the threatened fate Sabut had shown her hanging over her, a burden of fear. He could not lose. ‘Please, Tallis.’ She reached for his hand. She was terrified of him fighting the leader but more afraid should he fail.

  ‘She’s right,’ Rorc said.

  ‘And what if I want to win against Karnit using my own strengths, a clansman’s strengths?’ he said. His voice was harsh with hope and Shaan flinched as she saw how much he wanted to be that man again — only a clansman, not Azoth’s descendant. Not a man too powerful for any mortal to challenge.

  ‘I want to defeat Karnit as any clansman would,’ he said.

  ‘And what happens if you don’t?’ Irissa said. She and her mother had come up on them without anyone noticing. ‘Yes, I heard what you said.’ Irissa glared at him. ‘What if he kills you, Tallis?’

  ‘He won’t,’ Shaan replied, but Irissa’s eyes were only for Tallis and her look was furious.

  ‘How? Karnit is old but he has been in many battles and is still strong. Will you call down the serpents to help you? Use them as a weapon?’

  ‘Ris …’ Tallis shook his head.

  ‘How could you be so stupid! First my brother and now yourself! It’s as if you love Kaa more than life!’ She rushed away across the floor of the cavern, pushing people aside as she went.

  Everyone was silent for a moment after she’d left, until Pilar broke the tension.

  ‘I’m sorry, Irissa is still grieving her brother’s loss,’ she said. ‘You cannot stay outside tonight; the sandstorm shows no sign of stopping. We have room in our cave if you would use it.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Mailun said.

  ‘Not everyone shares Karnit’s opinions,’ Pilar said sadly to Tallis, her eyes filled not with reproach now but compassion. ‘Some of us believe the Guides do what they must.’

  Mailun sighed. ‘Pilar —’

  ‘You three should stay with her,’ Rorc interrupted. ‘I have things to discuss with Hashmael tonight anyway.’

  ‘What makes you think he will see you?’ Mailun asked.

  ‘He will see me.’ He picked up his pack. ‘Besides, I sense I would be more welcome elsewhere.’ His gaze fell on Mailun for a moment, then he slung the pack on his shoulder and walked away.

  ‘Come.’ Pilar put a hand on Mailun’s arm, her look kind. ‘Let’s share some nonyu, I have missed you.’

  ***

  Rorc didn’t return to Pilar’s cave that night and neither did Irissa. Pilar gave them a small room to sleep in and they passed the rest of the day listening to Mailun talk with Pilar or playing a complicated game of bone tiles, which Shaan kept losing because she couldn’t concentrate. The clanswoman said nothing about Jared, or her loss, only remarking once that she was glad to see that Mailun had both her children back with her. In the evening she made them a meal and they went to sleep early, never having left her cave.

  Late in the night Shaan woke from a strange dream. There had been no sign of Azoth, but she had been back in the jungle, standing on the bridge near the ruined city, but now it was no longer ruined and the river ran beneath her feet like a living thing. It hadn’t made her afraid; it had felt like home.

  She sat up. She knew now what the dream meant. Sabut had told her that much. Home. Azoth. It would not be long now until it was time to go. And she would, even though the thought terrified her. Not to go would mean death for everyone she loved. Balkis, though, would not understand.

  She curled her fingers around the pendant at her neck, thinking of what Tuon had told her the Prophet had written about the Stone. Could splitting it save them? Sabut hadn’t mentioned the Prophet — perhaps he was outside the Guides’ influence. She looked down at her left hand, forming a fist. She had destroyed a man with it; could she do the same to the Stone? It seemed impossible, but still … She pursed her lips and opened her hand. Why would she be sent to Azoth to make him take the Stone to battle if she was supposed to destroy it? How would the Four use it to defeat him if it was broken? She frowned and shook her head. It made no sense.

  She gazed around. Tallis wasn’t there, but she felt him outside on the floor of the moon cave. Pilar’s cave was one of many carved into the wall circling a cavern in the heart of the Well, a cavern with a shaft that opened to the sky. The storms had abated and the silence was such that Shaan heard the singing of her blood in her ears as she rose and crept out, climbing carefully down the swaying rope ladder to join her brother. Dust from the fine sand of the cave floor coated her feet and she stood beside him, beneath the dark sky and bright stars high above them, a circle of light among the darkness of the rock walls.

  Tallis didn’t speak but she could feel his turmoil. She knew what he was thinking. Reaching out she took his hand.

  ‘You have to win tomorrow,’ she whispered.

  His lips tightened but he didn’t reply.

  ‘You will win,’ she continued. ‘You must lead the serpents, Tallis. Rorc will lead the men but you have to command the serpents. He can’t do it without you.’

  ‘And where will you be?’

  ‘I have another task.’

  ‘You’re leaving, aren’t you?’ His smile when she didn’t answer was bitter, lonely. ‘I can feel it, Shaan,’ he said. ‘I feel you drawing away from me.’

  She let go of his hand. ‘I must.’

  ‘I want to kill Azoth,’ he said. ‘I want to kill him for what he’s brought.’

  The vehemence of the hatred in his mind shocked her all the more because his voice was so calm. Her heart leaped in fear.

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘The Four are the only ones strong enough to go against him. You must not try. They will come, in the end. You have to let them confront him.’ You have to let me do what I need to do, she thought silently.

  Tallis’s lips twisted. ‘Sabut showed you, did he?’

  Shaan onl
y shook her head. He knew she couldn’t say.

  He let out a breath. ‘When?’

  ‘When what?’

  ‘When are you leaving?’

  ‘Soon.’

  ‘Are you going to find the Four, is that what Sabut has told you to do? Are you to lead them to the battle, help them defeat Azoth?’

  ‘You know I can’t tell you,’ she said sadly.

  Frustration made his voice harsh. ‘Why did the Guides bring us together only to pull us apart?’ He was searching her face for answers but she could only shake her head, miserable as she took his hand.

  Chapter 33

  The next morning the drums started before dawn, echoing through the tunnels and caves of the Well, waking them all. Tallis was too unsettled to eat and Shaan and his mother were sitting beside him, each as pale as the other, when Rorc pushed back the door covering. Pilar had already left to find Irissa.

  ‘Are you ready?’ he said quietly.

  Tallis noticed he had shaved, though it only served to highlight the tension in his jaw.

  ‘As ready as I can be.’ He stood, Shaan and Mailun rising with him.

  ‘The escort is waiting for you in the great cavern,’ Rorc said, then paused and added, ‘You know Karnit will use this to end you — despite what Clan laws might say?’

  Mailun’s face became even paler, but Tallis nodded, his gut drawn tight as a bow. ‘I know.’

  ‘Then remember what he took from you, what he would take, and strike quickly,’ Rorc said. ‘No hesitation.’

  ‘I will only kill him if I must,’ Tallis said, and Rorc’s green gaze became cold.

  ‘He will not give you a choice; he has too much to lose. This is war, Tallis. This is what it is: blood, death.’

  ‘I know,’ he replied, but the look in Rorc’s eyes was doubtful.

  ‘You don’t have to do this, son.’ Mailun put a hand on his arm.

  ‘Yes, he does,’ Shaan said, ‘but he won’t lose. And if he’s injured, I can heal him.’ Show them who you are, her voice whispered in his mind.