“Perfect,” Elianas said. “Storm sky.”
Torrullin smiled when Tarlinn brought the heavens down to a menacing presence. Lightning flickered intermittently in heavy, dark clouds. Winds rustled the trees and sighed across the common. Blue manipulation was now missing.
It would certainly bedevil the Warlock.
He met Elianas’ enigmatic gaze. “Colder,” he said. “Periodic rain.”
That came to pass, and now Elianas studied him.
“We need surprise,” Torrullin said. “No, do not tell us. Something to change fortunes without warning.”
“It could disadvantage you,” Tarlinn responded.
“Nobody functions without change,” Elianas said.
“I hope you hear yourself,” Tarlinn murmured, and waved a hand once more. “The periodic tweak is now in place. Anything more?”
They turned round and around, and then both shook heads.
“Excellent.” Tarlinn pointed at Elianas. “Nobody functions without change. Many paths have opened to you and much has come to pass that may carry the label change, and yet, intrinsically, you are in stasis.”
Elianas scowled at him.
“Being stubborn is one unchanging factor,” Tarlinn said.
“A few hours ago Torrullin and I changed the nature of our relationship,” Elianas said.
“You did nothing of the sort. That has been between you since the start. The day you stood on the bridge before the dwelling on Avaelyn, you knew your heart was his, and he saw it.” Tarlinn swung to Torrullin. “And you saw his face and the multiverse stood still. He was a lad, however, and thus you dared reveal nothing.”
Elianas looked at Torrullin.
“Yes, I acknowledged my Eternal Companion the instant I looked upon him,” Torrullin murmured.
“You said nothing,” Elianas accused.
Tarlinn answered, “You were fifteen, Elianas, and he was already ancient. My point is, little has changed; have you not made love in minds and hearts … and dreams?”
Elianas looked away.
“Telling others is considered change.”
Torrullin was silent as he waited on Elianas’ reaction.
“It is a prejudiced universe,” the dark man muttered.
“Indeed. And yet it is a chain that must be cut away, but the choice of when and where is yours; I merely point it out. We move on to what swirls in your souls. Lorinin is one who feels what is deep simply by touch. You have shied from Torrullin in many ways to avoid that.
“Until now he forgot the talent and thus you could push, but the period as Rayne - well, you understood it would potentially unlock memory completely. Torrullin understands academically what Lorinin is, but he has not experienced the revelation that comes with an actual action - yet. You have placed obstacles in the way, great ones, for you are, in final analysis, Alhazen. Elianas Danae, he needs to know what you hide.”
“He does not.”
“I am able to tell him.”
Elianas growled. “Choice is mine, remember?”
“I am able to show him a result. He may use deduction.”
“No.”
Tarlinn lapsed into silence, and faced Torrullin. “Forcing him into admission is not healthy. You will have to sunder his obstacles.”
Torrullin’s eyes glittered when he glanced at Elianas. “I look forward to it.”
Tarlinn stepped closer. “And then there is you.”
Torrullin blanched and Elianas laughed.
“You have to tell the Valleur the truth, Torrullin. You cannot dance around much longer. You are the real trueblood, Elianas is the oldest one blood, and I, the Throne, am yours as I am his. This does not negate young Tianoman or future Vallorins. However, a new tradition of passing rulership is required now that the Dragon Neolone is no more. You see, Torrullin, the Valleur require a Timekeeper, if only in tradition.”
“How?”
“Elianas must be Vallorin.”
“What?” Elianas blurted.
Torrullin paled markedly.
“You know the Danae would have ruled had you not sundered Kalgaia,” Tarlinn said. “The one with the greatest claim to the Throne is Elianas, now and always.”
Elianas gripped Torrullin’s shoulder. “Do not agree. Everyone will know what we did then.”
“But he is right.”
“I do not care.”
Tarlinn cleared his throat. “Wings of Mist require truth.”
Silence.
“Wings of Shadows require lies. Which is it to be?”
Silence.
The embodiment of the Throne sighed. “Clearly you are not ready. Truth about lineage is one chain loosed, as is truth about your relationship. Another chain is in what remains hidden, and then there is kinship, the nobility of brotherhood - your noble purpose.”
Absolute silence.
“Knowledge has flowed between us, and thus I understand how twisted reasoning can be fuel to the fires. You are brothers indeed, but not of mere blood. Your bonds lie far beyond blood, although it now binds you together in a manner the universe will understand. You are a team, less alone, and therein lays the promise of nobility. The moment you cease fighting each other, is also the moment nobility takes precedence. It will be instantaneous, I promise you. And purpose will be clear and bold before you.”
Torrullin threaded hands through his hair, muttering.
“This brotherhood is not dependent on celibacy,” Tarlinn added.
Elianas coughed and doubled over, and laughed helplessly. “All gods, where is the fucking clear road in all that?”
“And then there is Tymall,” Tarlinn stated.
Elianas straightened, mirth gone.
“Do not kill him.”
Elianas’ expression became stone.
“I swore an oath,” Torrullin said. “I am not surrendering it.”
“Elixir, you cannot lift a hand to your son.”
“I can and will.”
Tarlinn muttered, and then, “You may not lift a hand to your son.”
“Upon what authority, Tarlinn?”
“It is wrong, Torrullin! It will damage you beyond repair.”
Elianas’ eyelids flickered.
“Then I shall be as damaged as the one I love, and because I love I shall keep my oath no matter what it costs.”
Elianas’ shoulders moved as he drew breath.
“It is a chain that obviates nobility,” Tarlinn said after a moment.
“So be it. Elianas matters, always.”
Tarlinn sighed. “There is one way around it.”
Both men stared at him.
“Gift Tymall the Lumin Sword.”
“He is wary of the blade; he will not take it.” Torrullin glanced at Elianas, who placed his hand protectively over the hilt of the blade in question.
“And yet it is the way around. The choice is yours. And now it is time to return.” Tarlinn paused there. “Every chain can be broken here in these circles of confrontation, if you so will. Here you may experience the results. If you then deny what is broken because you cannot live with the changes wrought, you may return to reality as you entered with nothing altered and make different choices as time goes on. My advice is to release the holds here, see where it leads, but you will require certain personalities along for the journey if it is to assume meaning in this place.”
“Witnesses.” Elianas said.
“I am afraid so. Two already involved will gift you opposites to make your choices with. Teroux Valla already waits in Nowhere and he is the personality that will explain prejudice to you. And Caballa sees you. She does not judge. Read them, if you need to find results. Also, I suggest both Valleur and Senlu Elders.”
“Why?” Elianas frowned.
“Whatever happens, whether ultimate change or status quo, they are the witnesses that will take the news home.”
Torrullin sighed. “Let the games begin.”
Tarlinn nodded. “My hope is you are able to live with change and return ho
me with it. We shall not again converse until this is over. I shall be a shadow of a witness and when it is done I too shall be aware of change and stasis, depending on your choices.”
Torrullin nodded. “As you say.”
“Remember, to die here, is to die.”
Torrullin sighed. Elianas pulled a face.
“It is done. See you on the other side of this.”
The pillar of light appeared before them, this time brighter in the created gloom, and then they stumbled on the dais in the Keep.
The Keep
VANAR, YIDDIN, SIRLASIN and Caballa were on their feet, each staring in their individual manner.
Not one offered a word.
“All gods, we need hurry this now.” Elianas attempted not to meet anyone’s eyes. These Elders now knew too much about him. He wondered if they would survive the coming confrontation, for naturally Torrullin would request their presence within the circle of battle.
On the mark. To that end, Torrullin said, “You four come with us. You have two minutes to deputise others to take charge here in your absence.” He, too, attempted not to meet eyes.
Barely two minutes later he deposited them at the door into the palisade. Caballa, usually able to make statements, dared not say a word.
“We shall explain after we have been to Grinwallin,” Torrullin said, and he and Elianas vanished from there.
Chapter 44
If time is a circle, then life is a cycle. Civilisations rise and fall.
~ Unknown ~
Grinwallin
AS THEY CLIMBED THE stairs to the arches of the Great Hall, Elianas asked, “How exactly do you take the citadel and Dome in?”
“We do it. You build the bridge and I create a thread using the Medaillon.”
Elianas came to a halt. “I must build a bridge. What kind of bridge, how long, how strong, and where is point of origin and arrival? Gods, Torrullin, we do not have time to build fucking bridges.”
“Apparently we are the point of origin,” Torrullin murmured. “The Medaillon will create a portal that encompasses the void. Point of arrival, therefore, is just beyond the portal. The bridge is short and swift. Smacks of that reality portal Teighlar spoke about.”
“And you got that from me? How could I possibly know what the Medaillon could do for you?”
“You know bridges. I chose the easiest and most direct crossing.”
Elianas started walking again. “Somehow I think that is an over-simplification.”
Torrullin laughed. “Trying to make words explain magic is always an over-simplification.”
A smile. “True.”
“Will we investigate change, Elianas?”
Again the dark man halted. “I am willing to go to every extreme with you, excluding what happens to Tymall.”
“It will be an interesting ride.”
Laughing, Elianas climbed again. “Hopefully erotic as hell.”
Torrullin’s heart thudded in his chest.
Elianas glanced at him and his smile widened. “Oh, very interesting indeed.”
Dechend called out from the top of the stairs, and soon they exchanged greetings. Serious news followed immediately, including the facts that his Emperor was safe again.
Dechend was pale in the aftermath. “My Emperor needs me, but I cannot simply leave Grinwallin unattended. The factions will take advantage.”
“Then it is time to root them out,” Torrullin said.
“We do not have time,” Elianas murmured.
“Dechend is right, and Teighlar will not thank us if he returns to Grinwallin when another is ruler, or chaos has the upper hand. Dechend, make it known Teighlar was lost in the nuclear explosion of Excelsior, and Alik’s parentage remains in question. There is no clear succession to the imperial seat, and thus anyone with the balls to assume rulership should step forward and nominate themselves. All nominees must be in by sunrise, for the Senlu require a leader to deal with Beacon.”
Dechend stared at him. “One does not simply choose a new ruler in a night and a day, Torrullin; people will be suspicious.”
“You make it clear the Elders will enter a period of enclave to debate the best way forward, but you need a list of nominees to work off. You will not be choosing a ruler overnight, but you will have a list we can use to arrest pretenders.”
Dechend grinned. He rubbed his hands together. “I am getting to work right away.”
Torrullin nodded. “We shall return soon after sunrise. Good luck.” He glanced at Elianas. “The Dome next.”
Elianas murmured, “Quilla will be there; wonderful. You know he sees through us.”
“A mirror we require. Come, you are going to the Dome.”
“Tristan will have a fit.”
They vanished, and Dechend shouted commands.
The Dome
AS LUCK OR FORTUNE would have it only Quilla and Belun were in attendance.
The dragon ogive chimed and both twisted around. Who would enter? Torrullin with news, or Tristan back from wherever he was taken when Excelsior exploded?
It was Torrullin, and Elianas.
Quilla sat on the marble slab with a thump. Aaru, Alhazen, the force of energy, in the Dome, a place constructed of energy and magic. Just how dangerous could a situation potentially be?
Belun was anxious for the same reasons.
Torrullin and Elianas approached the console and, as always, it went crazy. Torrullin smiled and passed a hand over it in greeting and it stilled into calm.
Elianas leaned over it. “Recognition, Communion, Sorcery and Knowledge. Clever.”
He touched the light for Knowledge, eyes narrowing, and then rested long fingers there. A glazed look appeared in his eyes.
“Elianas?” Torrullin questioned.
There was no movement.
Belun murmured, “That has only happened once. A Siric rescued from the Murs needed to be brought up to date and the Knowledge filter was deemed the best and safest method for quick transfer.” Belun peered into Elianas’ eyes. “His eyes were like that.” He faced Torrullin. “He will know whatever the Kaval knows, and everything the Guardians once knew. All gaps are being filled. I admit I am amazed.”
“I am, too,” Torrullin muttered.
Quilla approached. “Not so surprising. Energy to energy, after all. What news, Torrullin? Clearly you got Elianas out.” His inquisitive gaze went from Torrullin to Elianas and back, perhaps sensing something different, but the presence of Alhazen garnered his greater attention and thus he did not follow that particular inner instinct.
“Tristan also, have no fear. Tian and Teroux are still in.” Torrullin swung to Belun. “The Dome is moving to a place of confrontation.” He briefly explained.
Belun’s mouth was hanging open and he closed it with a snap. Then, “Wow.”
Torrullin grinned at him. “I am willing to wager that you sought action not so long ago, when I was still contained on Avaelyn.” Torrullin lifted an eyebrow. “Here is the true action.”
Belun muttered under his breath.
“Who is the true manipulator, Enchanter?” Quilla said. “Who do we name as our enemy this occasion, for it is not Bannerman. He is a pawn, as Beacon’s desperation is a tool.”
Belun stared at the birdman, and shifted his gaze back to Torrullin.
“Tymall.”
Belun great head reared back. “Thought he was dead!”
Quilla, however, nodded as if it confirmed his suspicions. “He employed Shadow Wings. No, that is not the way of it; Shadow Wings used him, returning life in order to …” He broke off there, and lifted an anxious gaze to Torrullin.
“My wings seek to return to source,” Torrullin said.
“This is a volatile manipulation, my friend,” Quilla whispered.
“I am aware, yes.”
Belun cleared his throat. “Are you … well, I will say it even if you chop my head off. Are you pleased, for want of a better word, that Tymall lives?”
Torrullin st
ared at him. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know, my friend. It sounded as if you needed to punish Elianas for killing your son, yet he lives and that isn’t right, in my book.”
“Tell me, Belun. Do you believe I released my wings to save Tymall?”
Silence ensued, which Quilla did not break either. In fact, the birdman’s gaze moved from Centuar to Enchanter as if seeking confirmation he could live with.
“I believe you love Elianas more. You are incapable of such betrayal,” Belun murmured.
Torrullin deflated. “Thank you.”
Quilla was immediately on another tack. “Is it wise to confront each other in a small space?”
Torrullin laughed under his breath. Quilla, oh wise one, the perfect mood manipulator. “I assume that means you are accompanying us. And a small space condenses everything, Quilla.”
“It also stirs tempers swiftly.”
“And thus we have results faster.”
“Can we die in there?”
“Yes, and yes, death there is death here.”
“Foolhardy. Condense everything, and how many will emerge alive?”
“Play this game here, and how many thousands, perhaps millions, will die before we can stop Beacon and my son? Tymall is now a hound from hell with a bone in his jaws he will never release, not unless life is again taken from him.” Torrullin was angry. “Menllik was vaporised, Quilla! If that bloody anti-magic citadel is in another place, we save lives.”
“I am in,” Belun said. “The Dome goes nowhere without me.”
Elianas sighed then, and focused, and he wandered around staring up at the vaulted arches. A trail of sparks followed him.
Quilla was nervous. “His energy is too strong for this, Torrullin. Rather take him away.”
Belun appeared about to tackle a live wire.
Torrullin watched Elianas with narrowed eyes.
Elianas closed in. He came to a stop directly before Torrullin. “Who created the Dome?”
“It was not me.”
Without taking his gaze from Torrullin, Elianas asked, “Belun?”
“The ancient immortals might have known; I do not.”
Elianas pointed at the console. “But the answer is right there.”
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 167