They listened intently for some minutes before Falmeard realised the obvious recourse, and bent down into the hole as he called out Nephril’s name. When there was no answer, he called again, but there was still no reply. The scraping noise had by now became louder and more insistent.
Penolith then tried. “Nephril? Can you hear me?” Yet again there was no reply, but this time the noise stopped, as though its owner were listening, and so she called again. “Nephril? If you can hear me then at least give us a sign. Tap something, please.” They immediately heard a dull ring and their eyes lit up as they let out their held breaths. “Oh, thank the Certain Power,” she sighed.
Falmeard was still worried, though. Why couldn’t Nephril call back? He thought he heard shuffling and so leant further in to the hole. It didn’t help, its shaft being so deep. He was about to draw himself back when a darker blue shadow began to appear below. Within it he saw a boot, around which swirled the hem of a robe, and then a hand came into view, ahead of a body. What he wasn’t at all prepared for was the face that then craned up at him.
The shock made him jerk back, his face now close beside Penolith’s, so close she could hear his shallow panting. It was the look on his face that alarmed her most, that made her yelp before peering down the hole herself. “Oh! In all things right, I cannot…”
She swallowed hard. “Falmeard? In the room behind you, you’ll find buckets and a tap. Get a bucket of water, NOW!”
~o~
“I wish Pettar were here, oh how I wish he was.” Penolith was wringing her hands and pacing about the room in some distress, whilst Falmeard followed her with his eyes. He looked somewhat lost, normally not such an unusual thing, but on this occasion, something he felt quite justified in feeling. They’d only just left Nephril, propped up on a makeshift bed, with Falmeard rushing after Penolith as she’d fled in tears.
He’d slowly watched her regain some composure, had waited patiently for her panic to subside, but could no longer resist his own incomprehension. “But, my Lady, why’re you so upset when Nephril’s assured us himself he’s not harmed?”
She stopped pacing and stared hard at him. “He’s not unharmed! By all that’s merciful, he’s not at all well. Have you not got eyes in your head? Can’t you see his … his … his skin is … is almost black! Does that look normal to you?”
“But Nephril’s explained…”
“And you believe him, I suppose!”
Falmeard looked genuinely mystified, so she continued a little more levelly. “He’s trying to lessen our concerns, that’s all. He’s hiding the great hurt he must have sustained, hiding it to protect us.” She froze for a moment, before throwing her hands up in exasperation. “I suppose the fact he can hardly speak is some sort of blessing then?” She realised what she’d implied. “What I meant to say was, his lack of speech must show great hurt in his body. I’ve never seen anything like this, nor anybody look so … so…” Again words failed her so she gave in and sat down, dejectedly.
He felt genuinely sorry for her but couldn’t quite see why she worried so. “But, madam, he says himself it’s but blisters about his face and mouth that have stymied his voice.” She still made no further comment. “My Lady? I know illness is little known in Galgaverre, but can’t you even begin to accept you may be wrong … aye, and that Nephril’s telling the truth when he says he’s only sunburnt?” She looked aghast and then finally at a loss.
As the silence between them became more uncomfortable he finally said, “I’ll get back to him now and see if I can discover any real harm he may be hiding … if it’ll put your mind at rest.” She waved her assent but refused to meet his eyes.
He felt relieved when he closed the door between them and came back in to Nephril’s company. When he looked across at him, though, he couldn’t help but feel some of her concern. Nephril’s exposed skin was deep brown, with blue bruises in places, and was puffed tight and shiny, especially across his head. It was fortunate his robes had covered much of him, as evidenced by his naked arms and chest, with their usual pallid and dry appearance. He was certainly in a great deal of pain, although he bore it quietly.
Falmeard sat by his side and asked if he needed anything, but Nephril only shook his head and tried to smile, making himself wince and groan. Eventually, Falmeard asked, “My friend? Now tell me truly, but are you sure you’re well?”
Nephril looked at him affirmingly, but reinforced it with a nod, and then said, with considerable difficulty, “I am … alright … not ser … serious … just … painful.”
He closed his eyes for a moment before slowly adding, “Too … much … sun.”
Falmeard leant in closer. “You know Penolith doesn’t believe you, you do know that, don’t you?”
Nephril nodded. “Not … used to … malady. Poor … woman.”
Falmeard patted his arm and rose to leave, to reassure Penolith, when Nephril grasped at his hand and pulled him near. “You … stay … eh? You have … balm.” Falmeard looked baffled. “Bathe my … sores … with … water … my friend, eh … but use … use your … right hand.” He winked, looked down at Falmeard’s hand and tried to smile, only causing himself yet more pain.
~o~
It was a couple of hours before Penolith poked her head around the door. Falmeard suspected she’d probably fallen asleep, but was happy she’d at least found enough ease for that. She looked fresher and less fraught, but her eyes still held worries. When she drew near Nephril, her face brightened and she looked questioningly from him to Falmeard.
Falmeard wasn’t at all sure what the question was. “My Lady, is everything alright, you look surprised.”
“I am indeed, and very pleased. There’s such an improvement. I’d never have thought it possible. How’s it been done?”
Falmeard surprised himself when he again looked at Nephril. He’d not realised, over the hours, what an improvement there’d been. Nephril’s mouth seemed quite free and unblemished, something he then took advantage of. “Thank thee for thine tireless attention, mine old friend, thank thee indeed.”
He looked warily at Falmeard. “’Tis wonderfully soothing stuff, this Galgaverran water, most soothing indeed.” Although pleased for Nephril’s sake, Falmeard was more relieved to be free of a long and tiring duty, as he gave way for Penolith to sit close by him.
She smiled at Nephril. “I’m greatly relieved, you old rascal, to see you so much better. You gave us all a scare you know, and it seemed to me that my part in the blame was the greatest. I shouldn’t have allowed it, should have insisted procedures were followed.”
“Nay, nay,” Nephril shushed. “Do not berate thine self, Penolith, ‘twas not thy fault for I did overrule thee, thou knowest that. Thou hadst no option. We could countenance no delay, more’s the pity, could not wait even the few days needed. It hath all come to good in the end, though, and I am still with thee, whole if somewhat singed.”
“Well,” she allowed. “Be that as it may, but you need some rest now. As soon as you feel well enough we’ll get back to my residence. We can better look after you there.”
He shook his head and sat more upright. “I cannot afford the time, Penolith, there be much I need place in thy memory before it dissolves from me. Sit here awhile and let me tell thee all now for I worry there be short time left.”
With Falmeard dozing close by, he quickly told her about his journey to Leiyatel, how he’d discovered the Tree to be altered in some way, and how it nearly caught him out. He was careful, however, to hide its severity. He described how he’d found Leiyatel’s influence so variable, and how, having circled her, he’d found out why.
“Leiyatel hath been altered, Penolith. Her influence be greatly coerced and somehow channelled, so that its benefit no longer radiates out but be gathered along a line. As best I can judge, she now points just east of north, but I cannot be sure, and did not think to take a needle. What I found, though, explains a lot, certainly sheds light on why mine mind hath been so poor of
late.” There was relief in his face, but then a concern. “Remind me of this later for there are things I need do to confirm mine suspicions.”
Penolith was beginning to feel more relaxed about having his mind seep into hers, so much so she felt ideas of her own beginning to form. “If Leiyatel’s been altered, as you say, then who do you think’s done it and how long’s it been going on for?”
He lay back and stared at the ceiling. “I do not really know, not for sure.”
She then wondered, forgetting how clearly Nephril heard her thoughts, ‘Storbanther must be in there somewhere. It’s got the feel of him about it.’
He nodded. ‘I suspect thou art right, but there be no proof of it, not that I could find. It doth seem to fit a pattern, however, when it comes to thy Second.’
Again, he closed his eyes and thought awhile, until adding, “I would hazard that Leiyatel hath been changed so for at least an hundred years, perhaps more. I cannot be sure for time hath been of a flux these past few centuries.” He sighed as a look of regret came across his face.
He sat up and grasped her arm. “That doth remind me well! Mine clear mind and reason cannot sustain long, not when I am beyond Leiyatel’s embrace, and we now rest west of her and are therefore in her unnatural shadow. I am loath to loose good discourse with thee now, but the longer we stay here the more I fear I will lose. Listen well, Penolith, for I am to give thee thine commands, the commands of thy superior. Dost thou understand?” She nodded. “We must return to thy residence forthwith, where thou must make full ready for thine own departure, along with Falmeard and mine self.”
She looked startled and tried to interrupt but he gripped her arm the tighter. “Nay, Penolith, argue not. Remember thy duty and listen on. We must depart Galgaverre unto the Esnadales, towards the Eastern Gate, and once north of Baradcar, thou art to ensure we find lodgings. Dost thou understand?” She looked decidedly unsure but vouchsafed herself anyway. Nephril smiled, with some relief. “Make all readiness wanting of Galgaverre for thine absence of some days, but let it not be known to where we are bound.”
When Penolith just nodded, he tried to reassure her. “Do not be afeared, Penolith, for the world outside Galgaverre need not be dreaded. Thou wilt be fine, worry thee not, and if I become undependable then trust to Falmeard for he knows Dica well and is versed in its ways.” Falmeard, though, only innocently snored on from his own happier dreams.
28 A Fledgling Freed
It didn’t take the three of them long to return to the Guardian’s Residence, which surprised and pleased Penolith for she saw how Nephril had made such light work of the journey. It did unsettle her, however, to be so much nearer having to leave Galgaverre. She’d never before been beyond its walls, had rarely if ever even looked from them. To be walking in that unknown world, and so soon, simply frightened her.
For Nephril, it was the length of time she took making arrangements that worried him. She had to charge Layostler with a lot of new duties and make him familiar with where everything was to support them. Throughout it all, she’d had to contend with a seeming inability on the part of her priests to comprehend the very idea of her not being there, even for a short while.
After many hours of frantic and exhausting work, she was as happy as she thought she could be that all would be well. She was now almost ready to leave, almost that was, except for a growing fear.
Nephril and Falmeard on the other hand had been ready almost from the word go. They’d had little to collect together and so had filled the time with chat and a bite to eat. As the minutes had turned into hours, Nephril had steadily become more agitated.
He was wary of Penolith prevaricating, and by it putting off the final act, so had kept close to her during that last hour or so. The trouble was, she’d become keenly aware of him and his purpose, which had only served to make her all the more nervous.
Eventually, she could find no further essential tasks and found herself cornered. “Mine dear Penolith?” Nephril had begun. “Dost thou think that perhaps all may now be settled to thy liking?”
“I … I do believe so … I think.” She was about to add something else when he put his finger to his lips.
“Mine dear? The longer we tarry here the worse will be mine reason, which thou dost know well enough, so, if I may chivvy thee along somewhat, eh? What thou art about to do be not dangerous, nor foolhardy. All will be well, believe me, mine rare bird, but we must be away.” She looked at him with protestation welling, but then only swallowed hard and nodded.
Not long after that, and with little fuss, they came through the gates of Galgaverre and out into the quiet, late evening of Bazarral, where they then found themselves quite alone. They stopped briefly, to allow Penolith to turn and look back at the gate; at the gate from without; the side she’d never before seen.
They were patient and gave her time to adjust, to take in what she was now doing. She looked frightened and uncertain, like a lost girl, so they tried to sooth her with casual talk. However, as they started to leave the gate behind, ambling along Weyswal Way, she began to shake. She was soon casting her eyes about, furtively, as though a hunted animal.
At first they took their time, so she could slowly settle, but it seemed to make matters worse. Her face darted this way and that until she looked up at the darkening sky. “But it’s going dark! We should get back, now, before night falls.”
She was about to turn and fly when Nephril caught her by the arm and spoke soothingly. “Penolith? Look at me. Look into mine eyes and see what quiet there is there.” Her rising panic abated a little, but her eyes were still wild.
He smiled and thought hard into her mind. ‘This world here be no different from thine own, from Galgaverre. The air thou breatheth now be no different, be but the same air. The ground beneath thy very feet be but the same solid stuff, eh, just as Falmeard and I are still the same old rascals we ever were.’
She didn’t seem to be any the calmer, so he thought harder still. ‘I wouldst ne’er have asked thee to do this were it not so grave. Thou knowest that, dost thou not, eh, Penolith?’ She nodded, but very slowly, to which he spoke aloud, “And thou knowest also how urgent it be that I once more gain Leiyatel’s embrace, find place for her proper succour, hmm?” Again, she nodded and continued to hold on to his eyes. “Then, I plead with thee, mine fine fledgling, to trust me, trust I would not suffer thee hurt, that Falmeard and I will protect thee well enough.”
She slowly returned his smile with one of her own, but only a thin one. He carefully reached out and cupped her cheek. “Thou art precious to me, Penolith, and I wilt treasure thee always. Trust me to come with us, to walk abroad as free woman, to learn yet more about the world thou dost really live in. There be much good awaiting thee and much enjoyment to be had.” He paused, her eyes now dropping more reassuringly to the ground.
As he lowered his hand he said. “Thou hath had so much to learn and so quick of late, it hast brought joy to mine heart seeing thee thus, now so firm in thy courage. I have faith in thy strength, Penolith, and so should thee.”
Her eyes slowly lifted back to his as she at last answered, “Glad I am that I’ve had you as my staff, Nephril, for without I would have sunk under. But,” and here she sniffed and forced a smile, “I reckon I’m now a stronger swimmer, and by it will give you more cause for pride.”
He reached out again but this time placed his arm about her shoulders, gently leading her on. “There be no need to worry upon the darkness, mine dear, for the moon be well enough on. When she eventually rises, thou wilt see plenty by her light. Until then, the streets will be amply lit by lantern and well enough paved.”
He’d decided it was best they put as much space between themselves and Galgaverre as possible, and quickly, so led them more briskly beside Galgaverre’s wall and on towards the shadowed northern sky. It didn’t surprise him to see quite a few priests on that wall, the rumour mill having had plenty of time to spread the news of their Guardian’s departure.
/> It was quite some time before the wall’s tedium was broken, and by then night was well in. They slowly drew to its north-western corner tower, a fairly squat and inconsequential affair with only a few windows. Unfortunately, they were all brightly lit, much to Nephril’s concern.
He brightened his own conversation as distraction whilst they rounded onto Galgaverre’s northern side. There, the street gave way to a meandering lane that slowly diverged from the wall. Falmeard had been quiet most of the time, but even he seemed to recognise the significance and so joined in their chat as breezily as he could. Penolith’s gaze, however, kept returning to the slowly retreating boundary of her only known world.
Nephril was greatly relieved to see her relax more as the wall steadily fell from sight behind a long hedge of tall privets. It was the lane’s lack of light that was now their greatest worry, one side swallowed by the hedgerow’s black shadows. Down the other side it was still just light enough to see to walk, but it didn’t help that the lane was so rough and potholed.
What wasn’t at all difficult to see, even in such poor light, was Penolith’s need of a break. “I am in need of a short rest,” Nephril lied, “and it would do us no harm to await the moon afore we carry on.”
Falmeard’s younger eyes quite soon spotted an open gate into a field, where a small ark stood and where they found a thin bed of old straw. There, they lay themselves down and awaited the moon to rise into the clear and starlit sky.
Falmeard had eventually fallen asleep, leaving Nephril keeping a watchful eye over Penolith. She certainly seemed more at ease now, with Galgaverre no longer in view, and spoke far more freely. She’d sat for some time with her knees under her chin, quietly staring into the night sky.
Her relaxed voice surprised Nephril when she said, “So many stars, and so clear and near they seem, out here in the darkness. They’re … they’re so … well … so … so wonderful.” In the returned silence, her enrapt eyes sought that sky the more.
Leiyatel's Embrace (Dica Series Book 1) Page 25