Torrullin rose and bowed. “And those words will be spoken before a gathering of your people.”
Teighlar nodded. “Now make it right.”
Torrullin flicked his gaze over Tristan, Teroux and Tianoman, seeing shock and disbelief there, then to Rose, who gasped for breath, and Caballa, who eyed him knowingly, and then moved to Sabian, who sat in silence, feeling his future slip away, and to Maple, who shrugged - his future was not worth much to him - and rested on Declan, who shook his head lost in thought.
He glanced at Teighlar again, who was impatient, at Quilla, who stared back with narrowed eyes, and then, with a breath, faced Elianas head-on.
“I am inclined to think it was deliberate,” Elianas said. “Here we stand at a point we stood before, by swifter means. Are we to choose as we did before?”
“Are we different?” Torrullin questioned.
Elianas dropped his eyes. “Not so much.”
“We shall see, won’t we?”
Elianas shrugged. “Whatever it is, Nemisin must be made to lust for power, or the void takes us all. Stop talking now and get to the doing, Torrullin. First, there is Lowen to find.”
“Indeed. You catch on quick.”
Elianas swore under his breath.
“Elianas, come to me.”
Teroux groaned. Tianoman sighed.
Elianas stood before Torrullin. “Did you do it for this?”
“Stop talking, Elianas, and do.”
Elianas stepped up, moved a way into his body and then stepped out. He was expressionless. For those who wanted to know why they moved through time in this manner - no one dared ask - it was as simple as Torrullin being an automatic portal because he was a Walker of Realms, and Elianas being the clock because he was a living Ancient who remembered.
Torrullin looked over his shoulder at the dark plain. Nothing appeared different.
“Enough, do you think?”
“Hopefully,” Elianas snapped. “If it isn’t, find another way to step back and forth; I am not doing that again.”
“You are angry.”
“You have no idea.”
“I am, too.”
“That I am very aware of,” Elianas retorted.
“Gods, stop it!” Teroux shouted. “I have had enough of your innuendo!”
Torrullin stalked onto the plain.
“Don’t you get it yet, cousin?” Tianoman said. “This is who they are.”
“What are they, Tian? Lovers?”
Sabian laughed.
“Shut up!” Teroux screeched at him.
“We are not lovers, Teroux,” Elianas said.
“You could have fooled me.”
“Your world is black and white, young Valla. Mine has not been for a long time,” Elianas said with dignity, and followed Torrullin.
HE STOOD WITH HEAD cocked to one side, listening. As Elianas halted beside him, Torrullin said, “Someone hides in the grass.”
Elianas hissed a breath and concentrated. “Wary of the noise we make.”
“That may well have saved us,” Torrullin murmured. “There is more than one.”
“Has to be Valleur.”
“And here we have a bit of difficulty.”
“Oh?”
“Are there two of me here?”
“Two of you? Gods forbid.” Elianas sighed. “There will never be two of you.”
“We have come back.”
“Or we have raced forward. There is just you.”
“And just you?”
“Yes.”
“They should know us.”
“And we are not cursed; Kalgaia functions.”
“Shall we announce ourselves?” There was a smile in Torrullin’s voice. He lifted his arms … and Elianas’ hand pressed against his chest, preventing movement. “What is it?”
“Promise me you will leave Kalgaia alone this time. I cannot do it again. We forced change this cycle, Torrullin, in the remembering and forgetting, which can hold here. Please.” He sighed. “We do not stand alone, my brother. Redemption is close, can you not feel it?”
In the dark Torrullin breathed slowly. “Is it your heart’s desire? Is this the only thing you will ever ask of me?”
Elianas’ hand tightened convulsively on Torrullin’s chest. Long moments passed in tense silence. “Yes.”
“Kalgaia will stand.”
Elianas’ hand dropped away. His breathing was ragged.
“I did not enter reality deliberately,” Torrullin said. “Earlier today Sabian headed too far out and pulled the connection to him. He did not do so with intent either, and unfortunately the error only became clear when Nemisin’s enclave remained elusive.”
“You said nothing.”
“The same laws apply. Nobody needed to know.”
“But we wandered off the path and were too far back.”
“We can still fix it.”
“Then we fix it. Announce us.”
Brilliant light flooded the plain and Torrullin, Elianas and the others held arms up to shield eyes. Blinded, they froze in place.
“What devilry is this?” Teighlar muttered from somewhere to Torrullin’s right.
“Stand! Intruders, do not move!”
Elianas snorted and Torrullin laughed.
“Who is that?” the voice demanded.
“Torrullin,” Torrullin called out. “Put the damned light out, Valen!”
A curse, and then the light muted to glows near the ground. A tall, golden man came striding nearer, and many Valleur lifted from the waving grass. The man halted.
“My Lord, we did not see you there. Forgive me.” He bowed to Elianas. “Lord Elianas, it is good to see you.”
Elianas smiled. “Likewise, Valen.”
Valen’s eyes danced over the others. “Friends of yours, Lord Sorcerer?”
Torrullin inclined his head, but did not introduce anyone. “Why are you hiding out here?”
“Earlier today there was a disturbance in the fabric,” Valen said, waving over the plain. “Nemisin sent us out. Naturally you sensed it also.”
“Naturally,” Elianas echoed.
Valen glanced at the others again. “Our Nemisin will be pleased to see more new faces.”
“More?” Torrullin asked, his chest tightening.
“A beautiful lady from another world. Nemisin is quite taken with her.”
“Lowen?”
Valen squinted. “You know her, my Lord?”
“She is known to me, yes. Will you take us to Nemisin?”
Valen frowned. “But what of the disturbance?”
Torrullin shrugged. “Elianas and I have dealt with it. Where is our Nemisin?”
Valen frowned. “My Lord?”
Elianas cleared his throat. “We have been engaged in tense spells recently, Valen, and certain matters escaped our notice.”
Valen’s brow cleared. “Ah, that explains why Nemisin railed about you two being out of reach again. He moved the court to the summer retreat. It proved too hot to commence the building of the new city. He prefers to wait until autumn.”
“He likes to procrastinate,” Elianas muttered.
Valen grinned and then wiped it away. “The privilege is his.”
Elianas snorted.
Valen stifled a laugh. “Are your guests capable of transport, my Lord?”
It was reality again, not realm. “They are.”
Valen bowed. “Please follow me.” He rounded up his unit and waved them off. The Valleur vanished, and Valen a moment after.
“Summer retreat?” Elianas whispered. “He has no summer retreat.”
“At least he intends to build the city,” Torrullin muttered.
“He has a court - wonder what he calls himself.”
“We are about to find out.” Torrullin said to the others, “Say as little as you can get away with until we know what we are dealing with. Oh, and Tristan, Teroux, Tian, do not touch him, not even to complete ritual greeting. Kinfire will spoil everything.�
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“Watch out for his sons also,” Elianas added. “Usually they stay far from their father’s orbit, but now may not be one of those times.”
Teighlar growled, “We shall be careful, but let us go before this delay arouses suspicion.”
Torrullin grinned at Elianas, his gaze alight with challenge, and vanished.
Laughing, Elianas was gone a moment later.
“Gods,” Declan muttered, and led the way for the others.
The plain subsided into its own brand of silence.
Tick-tock.
Chapter 55
At court nothing is real. Every face is a mask.
~ King Quinn of Loram
Ancient Akhavar
THE SUMMER RETREAT WAS a scattering of log cabins nestling among shady trees and numerous mountain pools.
While not in the mountains, proximity lent the cool required to survive the heat of summer. It was early evening far to the west and the court was filled with gaiety, music and dancing.
Upon a raised dais at one end of an open-air deck sat Nemisin, surrounded by nobles.
All were laughing and drinking, and upon the deck many danced to the music vigorously provided by a trio of women at the other end. Colourful hanging lanterns lent the scene a festive atmosphere. Elsewhere, amid the trees, were tables laden with delicacies and wine, and Valleur crowded around each.
Golden Valleur; the dark kind were nowhere to be seen.
Valen stood formally at the foot of a short reach of wooden steps up to the deck waiting for Torrullin and his party.
Torrullin followed Valen up while Elianas remained with the others.
The music did not stop, but a fair number ceased dancing to move closer. A few glances were shared among them; no doubt they wondered how the Lord Sorcerer would be received. It could go either way. It made for good sport among the wagering types.
Torrullin ignored them after a swift perusal to gauge danger. No one was in attendance he considered a threat.
Nemisin was instantly recognisable. Not only was he alike to Torrullin in appearance, but his entire bearing bespoke royalty and rulership. Unlike Torrullin, however, he wore flowing robes and his hair was golden and long. His eyes were a piercing yellow-gold. This man was definitely Vallorin and had already laid claim to the title. A step in the right direction, but then, he supposed Nemisin’s ambition could be relied upon, always.
It was not Nemisin who drew Torrullin’s attention, though; not for long. It was his companion.
A tall woman, lithe of form, with dark hair, white complexion, and the bluest eyes in the entire universe.
His first sight of her took his breath away and he nearly doubled over.
Lowen.
Finally.
Nemisin turned as Valen cleared his throat, and grinned expansively. “Ah, Torrullin, you are joining us. Excellent!”
Lowen jerked in her seat, but covered it well. She turned and her blue eyes fixed on him.
He barely managed to prevent himself devouring her with his gaze and more. “My Lord,” he said, bowing to Nemisin, “we ran into Valen on the plain and heard of your whereabouts.”
“We?”
“Elianas and I, sire, with a few friends.”
“Elianas is here? Well, bring him up! Fetch him, Valen. I have not seen that beautiful young man for too long.”
Valen retreated to do as bid.
“Torrullin, meet Lady Lowen.”
Torrullin bowed. “The lady is known to me, my Lord. In fact, my companions hail from her world also. Lowen, it is good to see you.”
Lowen smiled. “And you, Lord Sorcerer. And who have you brought to brighten my night even further?”
She had confirmed titles for him. Torrullin glanced at Nemisin. “If I may, Lord Vallorin?”
“Of course!” Nemisin waved an airy hand. “The more the merrier.”
Valen reappeared with Elianas in tow, along with the others.
Nemisin clapped his hands. “Elianas, come to me!”
Elianas moved forward, bowed, but Nemisin gripped his face and kissed him on the lips. “Welcome back, my boy!”
Elianas smiled. “Thank you, Sire.”
“Come sit, sit with me.” Nemisin made space on his cushioned bench, and patted it.
Elianas sat, flicking a glance at Torrullin, whose fingers twitched with tension.
Nemisin looked the new arrivals over and frowned. “They are not all foreign.”
Torrullin smiled. “No, my Lord. A number are from beyond Kalgaia, Valleur of the outer reaches.” He introduced them and they followed his lead. “This is Caballa, Teroux, Tianoman and Tristan.”
Nemisin studied Caballa. “You are a beautiful woman. What do you do?”
Caballa bowed. “I am a seer, my Lord.”
“Ah, that explains why Torrullin has need of you. And you, young man …”
“Tianoman, Sire.”
“Yes, yes, are you of mixed parentage? Those brown eyes are not usual.”
Tianoman glanced at Torrullin, who murmured, “The outer reaches have always been a mite lax, Sire.”
“True,” Nemisin muttered. “A thorn in our sides. We must do something about that or we lose the purity of the Valleur.”
Torrullin’s fingers clenched and unclenched.
“You look like Torrullin,” Nemisin said to Tristan, leaning forward intently. “A brother?”
Torrullin managed a smile. “Ah, no, my Lord, not that I am aware of. However …”
Nemisin waved his hand again. “Say no more. The laxity of the outer reaches - who knows who did what out there.” He added an addendum, “Including you, not so, Torrullin?”
His eyes glittered a moment and then he smiled at Teroux, but said nothing. Teroux was a Golden and raised no suspicion.
“Teighlar, Sire,” Torrullin introduced, inwardly gritting teeth. He forced calm, and forced his gaze to stay away from Lowen. And Elianas.
“Hmm, pale like Lady Lowen, but different colouring. Are the people of Ymir that different to each other?” He waved eloquently at the Valleur in the vicinity, who all looked similar.
Torrullin nearly swallowed his tongue. Ymir? He almost laughed aloud. Clever Lowen; were Nemisin to threaten anyone, he would threaten the den of iniquity that was Ymir, and not only would Ymir deserve a cleansing, but Ymir would fight back, hard.
Teighlar, bless him, understood. He bowed with a smile. “Ymirians are all different, my Lord.”
Caballa bent her head to hide her amusement.
“And this strange little creature?” Nemisin stared at Quilla.
“Ah, we call him Quilla. He is a product of the imagination.”
“Truly?” Nemisin was intrigued. “How did you do that? Can he speak?”
“No, my Lord. We are still working on that. Quilla, please bow to the golden man.” Quilla, ever curious, would find a way to question Nemisin to death, and disaster.
The birdman sent Torrullin an underhanded look filled with dire warnings, and bowed.
Torrullin’s lips twitched.
Nemisin clapped his hands.” Extraordinary! What an amusement for our court. You must share with us how you achieved this marvel.” He then lowered a hand to Elianas’ thigh and squeezed. “Did you help with this, dear boy?”
“Yes, Sire,” Elianas managed. He managed also to curb flicking a glance at Torrullin.
“You must tell me how! What an interesting pet he would make!” He laughed heartily and then fixed on Declan. “Is he a product also?”
“No, my Lord,” Declan replied, speaking before Torrullin could muzzle him. “I am Ymirian, of the sea people.”
“Lovely wings,” Nemisin muttered. “For flight in water?”
Declan shrugged. “Evolution can be strange.”
Nemisin was silent for a moment, pondering perhaps the vagaries of evolution that had gifted two distinct colourings for the Valleur. There were no dark ones present; there rarely were in other cycles.
“This is Sabia
n, Rose and Maple, Sire, of Ymir,” Torrullin went on, sending the Siric a warning look.
“Another sexy man,” Nemisin murmured, looking Sabian over.
Sabian bowed. He barely controlled a look of loathing.
“And a lovely maiden.” Nemisin held his hand out to Rose. She smiled and placed hers in his; he kissed it, looking into her eyes. “We must talk, pretty one.”
Rose gently withdrew her hand and bowed. Teroux glowered.
Maple was next.
“You are a strange one, aren’t you?”
Wisely, Maple said nothing and Nemisin returned his attention to Torrullin.
“Now what are you up to, Lord Sorcerer? This is akin to a small, private court you have surrounded yourself with.” He was friendly, but there was underlying tension in his voice.
Valleur in the vicinity leaned closer.
Lowen laughed lightly. “My Lord, I told you I was separated from my party. Lord Torrullin no doubt encountered them along the way.”
Nemisin smiled. “So you did. Where did you find them, Torrullin?”
“On the outskirts of Kalgaia, Sire. They headed to the city, thinking to find their missing companion there.”
Lowen gave an imperceptible nod. They could ever think along the same lines, he and Lowen. Gods, what to do about her now that Elianas had entered the arena?
Nearby Valleur retreated. As confrontations went, it had no teeth. There would be a few losers in the wagering game this night.
“Ah, good, and a good deed, too. Unlike you, isn’t it?” Nemisin rose, waving a dismissive hand, and gestured Valen closer. “Take our guests to the lodge. They appear in need of freshening up.” He switched his gaze back to Torrullin. “You and Elianas stay a while. We need to talk.”
As Valen led the others away, Lowen said, “My Lord, would you mind if I accompany my friends? I desire to hear if all is well.”
Nemisin hesitated. “Of course, my dear. Your welfare is important to the Valleur. Go.”
She rose, bowed to Nemisin and walked past Torrullin without looking at him, and vanished down the stairs.
Nemisin stared after her, his expression unreadable.
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 56