“No doubt. Your wife, who you saw for the first time today in over two decades, a missing lover, and a companion you cannot explain.”
“Elianas …”
“Torrullin, I am content that you take time first. I, too, need to accustom myself to form.”
Torrullin swallowed. “Are you hungry?”
“You have no idea.”
A smile clambered into Torrullin’s eyes. “Vannis once ate for days.”
The dark man laughed. “Exactly like that.”
“I have a cottage, very private.”
“Perfect.”
“I shall lay in supplies.” Torrullin headed to the exit.
Elianas stepped into his path. “There is no need to be strange with me. I know you. I really know you.”
“That scares me, Elianas.”
“Why? You know me as well. With me you can be yourself always, no hiding. Anything you say or do resonates inside, and I reflect it back. There is freedom in that. Be yourself.”
Grey eyes bored into dark. “I tie my hands with others.”
“I know, but the time for that passes.” Elianas moved in. “The day comes when nothing counts but what I think and feel.”
Gods. “And for you?”
“Likewise, Torrullin. I am already there. I care only for what you think and feel.” A smile came, and the dark man moved away. “I shall, of course, be circumspect in the presence of your wife and lover.”
Torrullin wanted to demand what lay behind that, and then thought better of it. Time, first, yes, to accustom to this newness.
He muttered something about supplies again and left the chamber.
ELIANAS THREADED HANDS through his hair and swore under his breath. He had to exercise patience; how hard could it be after the long waiting?
Gods, how he wanted to shake the man into realisation and memory.
BEFORE THEY LEFT, Saska mentioned the Chamber of Biers.
She wanted to know if Torrullin needed to see it.
It nagged at him that he point of fact needed to stay away from it, but he also understood they had not the time; it would take time and attention, this particular event, of that he was certain.
When he glanced at Elianas, he saw there something approaching fright. Something about that bier did not sit well.
“Not yet. The doorway in Grinwallin exits here on Akhavar and then it may be necessary to delve into Nemisin.”
He sensed the dark man’s relief.
“Delve?” Saska echoed.
He glanced at her. “Figure of speech.”
It was not, but she chose to let it go.
Sanctuary
THEY TOOK ELIANAS TO Sanctuary, specifically to Mariner Island where Torrullin maintained a small, private cottage on the southern tip of the island, a wild place on the cliffs overlooking Eros Bay.
With forest at its back and cliffs at its front, the cottage was isolated and nobody would approach unless invited. The staff of Mariner Island declared that region out of bounds to arriving asylum seekers.
Elianas smiled as he looked around the rustic cottage. “Wild, free.”
“Temporary, my brother. I do not need to answer questions about you at this point.”
A warm hand clasped a tense shoulder. “I understand.”
Saska sniffed her displeasure.
“Supplies inside - eat to your heart’s content,” Torrullin said, ignoring Saska’s attitude. “We shall come for you. Six, seven days, no more.”
“Thus it will be,” Elianas bowed, and they left him to it.
He headed out to the cliffs first, intrigued by smell and sight.
Everything was new.
WALKING THROUGH THE forest, Saska commented, “You treat him as if he has no magic.”
“He hasn’t.”
Saska lifted her brows. “And what would you call that sun thing?”
“He is able to transport, that is all.”
“Torrullin, Akhavar was in darkness.”
“Fine, Saska; he has one true talent and it is the ability to control the shadows.”
A step, two. “A frightening talent.”
“Terrifying.”
Wisely she asked nothing further.
“Considering we are on Sanctuary - do you want to see my home?” He required immediate diversion from thoughts of Elianas; it felt as if he had abandoned the man.
She glanced over her shoulder back the way they came. “That wasn’t it?”
His lips quirked. “No.”
“Ah. Are others at your home?”
“Kaval, maybe.”
“Then, no, but thank you for asking.”
After a while he said, “It isn’t home.”
She nodded. “Nemisin’s world isn’t home to me either.”
They looked at each other and then away. Both knew Torrke would ever be home for the two of them. Together. And both wondered if that was likely.
They went to Valaris.
Valaris
Valla Island
THE PALACE ON VALLA Island was ablaze with light and full of people.
Not only were the three heirs there, but so was Caballa, Fuma, Amunti, all the Elders of Valaris and Luvanor, Electan Isaiah Kronig with two of his staff, and a host of ambassadors. The word went out and many already jockeyed for position.
The reception area was a babble of voices, blurs of movement, and as Torrullin and Saska alighted on the lawn outside the Palace, they were dismayed.
“Do you want to go direct to the Keep?”
She straightened her shoulders. “Whether we answer a thousand and ten questions here or there makes no difference, does it?”
“Truthfully, I would rather run and hide.”
She laughed.
He looked down at her. “You have a beautiful laugh.”
“You always said that.”
“I love you, Saska.”
“I know.”
She would not say more. He grimaced. “Shall we?”
“I guess.”
They approached the doors closed against the cold of winter.
TIANOMAN WAS LIKE THE walking dead.
Dread of the future paralysed him and he could answer questions only in monosyllables.
Teroux watched him move through the crowd and was worried. “I’ve never seen him like that.”
Tristan watched him, too. “His fire is out.”
“Well, I guess he has two events to prepare for - has to be stressful.”
“And this isn’t helping.” Tristan frowned around the room. Gods, where had they come from? His staff buckled under the pressure.
Teroux noted the main door open. “More, for pity’s sake …” Then he jabbed his cousin in the ribs. “He’s here, Tris.”
Tristan followed his cousin’s gaze, and smiled. “With Saska, too. Excellent.”
Teroux gaped and was dragged into motion. On their way to the door they nabbed Tianoman. By the time they reached the new arrivals, others noticed them; the chamber fell into silence and most bowed.
“Tristan!” Torrullin grinned and hugged his oldest heir, going on to greet the other two. All three knew Saska and she was greeted with smiles and welcome.
Vanar and Yiddin approached with Presario and Volute of Luvanor behind them. The Elders bowed low.
“Welcome, my Lord and Lady,” Vanar murmured.
Torrullin spoke greetings and then drew Vanar aside, “Why are there so many here? My grandsons require a period of tranquillity.”
“They simply kept coming.”
“Kronig can stay, Caballa and the Elders, but the rest must go. If they want to party, tell them they can do so after the coronation at the Keep.”
Vanar nodded.
“Vanar, wait. What is the matter with Tian?”
She sighed. “We hope it is tension.”
He gave her leave to go and found Caballa, asking the same question. She gave a similar answer.
Within five minutes half the crowd had left. The ha
rbour at Danak would soon be crowded.
“You all right?” Torrullin asked of Saska.
“Managing. Go, do your thing.”
He rolled his eyes and then clapped his hands. “Elders!”
Silence and attention was given.
“This gathering is not preparation. Each of you knows where your tasks lie over the next few days, thus I am not asking much when I say my grandsons cannot function in this atmosphere. Go now to those tasks. Vanar, Yiddin, Presario, you three stay awhile.”
The Elders trickled away.
Torrullin approached Isaiah. “Electan, it is good to see you again.”
“Likewise, Elixir. Did you hear we had some issue over genetically engineered grain - nipped that one in the bud!”
Torrullin smiled. He knew nothing about it. “Glad to hear it. Isaiah, I have a favour to ask of you.”
“For you, anything,” Isaiah said. He meant it.
“I ask that you take Fuma and Amunti under your wing for the foreseeable future.”
Isaiah Kronig grinned. “No problem. They helped out on that grain issue and I sure could use them to sniff out other underhanded deals.”
The two Kaval had not left when Vanar started shepherding ambassadors out, and Torrullin gestured them over, seconding them to the Electan’ s staff. With tact he then made it clear the Electan had to leave, citing reasons of family.
As the man left, bending Amunti’s ear, he took Fuma one side.
“Stay until after a Vallorin is chosen, but keep Valaris under surveillance. Fuma, the Kaval will be leaderless for a while. Belun is to go on as Dome leader and I want you to take over as mission controller.”
Fuma sucked at his teeth. It was an honour, but he wished he knew what lay behind it. “As you will, my Lord.”
“Watch Akhavar as closely.”
“And Sanctuary?”
“The Dome must remain grounded there, for now.”
Fuma’s eyes narrowed. “How long an absence are we talking?”
“Difficult at this point. If there is no danger after ten years, lift the Dome back into space, but keep her close to Sanctuary, in orbit is preferable.”
Fuma whistled. “What is going on?”
“It is better nobody knows, my friend.”
“What of the prophecy, Lax, Lowen, all of it?”
“You keep Lax controlled, deal with Excelsior, keep the Dalrish of Xen in the loop, appease Beacon - those are practical problems. The rest of it I take with me when I go.”
Fuma gave a wry smile. “But you are not sure, for we need to keep the watch.”
“Clever. You will be a good controller.”
“Anything I can do now to help?”
“No, Fuma, thank you. Take Amunti away from here. He has a big mouth.”
“Don’t I know it,” Fuma muttered, and then bowed. “Until we meet, my Lord Elixir.”
“Until we meet, Fuma.”
Fuma followed Amunti and Isaiah out.
Saska was at his elbow. “The question should be put to you - are you all right?”
“I feel as if I am burning bridges again.”
She touched his arm. “This time you will not have it so easy, for I will be there, nagging away.”
It was the first touch, other than the hasty grab he launched at her in the mountain. It was familiar, while being entirely new. He looked down. “I know nothing is resolved between us and I hate to put you in danger, but I am glad to have you at my side.”
“And twenty-five years just went up in smoke.”
He wanted to say more, but Tristan called. “Duty calls.”
“Go.”
She watched him wander away, wondering how they would work it out. Lowen’s spectre hung over every word, far more than Cat’s ever had, and Lycea was a pussycat compared to both.
NEARBY, CABALLA LOOKED away. It was obvious how much they loved each other; what had she expected? She looked directly into Tristan’s eyes … and then Torrullin was with him.
She studied them. Apart, one saw the likeness they shared; together, one noted the differences. They were equally tall, and Tristan definitely inherited the Valla leanness, as well as the grace.
Seeing them move away, she realised Tristan moved more like Vannis, with an internal self-confidence, a sense of innate arrogance; Torrullin moved like a hunter, neither slow nor fast, just indifferent to his prey, until he acted.
Of course, there were physical differences. Tristan’s fair hair was shoulder length, while Torrullin’s fairness was shorter. The ever-present recalcitrant too long fringe fell over his face, and Caballa smiled. So sexy, that lock of silky hair, and Torrullin knew it. Bloody man.
Then there was the way they dressed; Torrullin would always favour the black, while Tristan shied from it, probably because he would then be mistaken for his grandfather.
They headed her way. She noted something else. Lines. Tristan was slightly older physiologically, and had more lines around his eyes. She smiled inwardly. Tristan laughed more, and that was good. Torrullin, of course, was ageless, his skin smooth and clear - less lines at the eyes, true, but care lines were etched from nose to mouth.
Eight thousand years compared to thirty-five, and maybe far more than eight thousand. Torrullin’s age was in his eyes, and also in his disillusioned attitude.
“Caballa,” Torrullin said as they halted before her, “what is it you thought to tell Tristan upon your return? Everything, I hear.”
“Sorry, Caballa,” Tristan murmured.
“He deserves to know,” Caballa said, looking at Torrullin. Who was her heart beating for?
“You do not know,” Torrullin said. “You will confuse him. He does not need it now.”
“Gods, Torrullin, he’s slipping away in the dead of night to visit Rose, a very accomplished farspeaker, hoping she will tell him, and if anyone can confuse him, trust me, it’s Rose.”
Tristan cleared his throat as Torrullin asked, “Is this true?”
“That she can confuse? Oh, yes.”
A huge grin spread over Torrullin’s face and then he burst out laughing.
“Bloody hell, the acorn didn’t fall far from the tree,” Caballa muttered.
Torrullin laughed harder. “I would like to meet this Rose.” He gestured to Teroux and Tianoman to join them. “However, Tristan - a farspeaker?”
“She couldn’t help much, except for the Lax scenario.”
Torrullin sobered. “Do not mention that aloud again. Lax is a delicate situation.”
Tristan nodded. “Fuma explained.”
“Probably because Amunti couldn’t keep his mouth shut,” Torrullin remarked.
Tristan burst into laughter. “Poor Fuma, guarding a big mouth also.”
Torrullin grinned. “Good men and a great foil for each other.”
Then Teroux and Tianoman were there, and Saska drifted closer.
TORRULLIN CALLED TO VANAR, Yiddin and Presario. He shrugged at Saska. “May as well say it only once.”
She smiled.
When all were gathered around, he said, “List of extra duties, I am afraid. Vanar, you and Saska need to discuss Akhavar …”
Vanar frowned immediately.
“Nemisin’s world,” Saska supplied.
The Elder’s brow cleared.
Torrullin went on. “Akhavar needs a caretaker as Saska is leaving; a council of Elders is preferable. I want a list by tomorrow night and interviews to follow. They will be sworn in and on their way the following morning. Saska is aware of skills needed.”
“You are reclaiming Akhavar, my Lord?” Yiddin asked.
“The Valleur reassume a birthright.”
The Elder smiled. “Excellent.”
“We wondered when you would make the decision,” Presario remarked.
“It is made and it is my final command as Vallorin.”
The three bowed.
“Next point of duty, coronation preparations must be complete before Tian’s ceremony.”
/> Vanar shook her head. “Three days?”
“Why?” Yiddin asked.
“After he has successfully spoken for maturity, I am taking him away.” Torrullin faced Tianoman. “I am taking you to your father.”
Tianoman, already suffering, could take no more. “I cannot cope with that as well!”
Silence ensued and then Torrullin said, “Leave us.”
Everyone melted away, leaving the two confronting each other.
“What scares you most?” Torrullin asked.
“Stupidity,” Tianoman replied.
A sage nod. “I often have that. What lifts you most?”
The young man stared at the ground. “It was Samuel’s smile. Now nothing.”
Ah, it was grief. Tianoman’s father figure would not be present for two of the most important events of a young man’s life, especially in this Valla’s life. Tianoman needed the one person who loved him his whole life.
“I miss him, too,” Torrullin said.
Tianoman looked up. “How can I face my father? How?”
Torrullin studied him for a moment. “It is time we talk about him.”
Tianoman paled.
Torrullin murmured, “In private.”
“Now?”
Torrullin called out, “Vanar, who is resident at the Keep?”
She called back, “Staff only at present, my Lord.”
Tianoman would not want his emotions witnessed. He suggested, “It’s quiet at the Graveyard, and, yes, now.” When the young Valla nodded, he called out again, “We shall be back by morning. Saska, will you be all right?”
“Stop singling me out.”
Torrullin took Tianoman’s arm and as he walked past his wife, he said, “You just made it worse.”
He carried on walking, and he and Tianoman transported from outside the Palace.
Chapter 35
Sorcery is about degree. Magician, sorcerer, witch, warlock, enchanter, titles of degree, some purely traditional. Having said that, here is a qualification, for Enchanter and Warlock. Note the capitalisation. Why? Because in our recent past two men have risen to the fore and changed the manner in which sorcery is perceived. The Warlock Tymall and his Enchanter father Torrullin.
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 35