“We do not have time for explanations, but inform Tristan to expect him. Meanwhile, if you do not mind, I need a few minutes with … that.” Sabian waved a hand as Belun did earlier, at the Throne.
Eyes still narrowed, Belun retreated.
As the Centuar left, the seat glowed slightly. A voice sounded in Sabian’s mind.
You are correct in your estimation; I am able to retrieve Alhazen. However, my contribution requires proximity and I cannot leave here, as Elianas cannot come to me and still be on site for Avaelyn.
Sabian shuddered. This entity watched too closely, in his opinion, but right now it obviated long explanations. “What can we do?”
You must act as my proxy.
He would not like this. “How do I do so?”
As you will be with Elianas in order to retrieve him, you take part of me with you in order to retrieve Alhazen simultaneously.
“How?” Sabian whispered.
There was clear amusement in the next words. Sit, Master Historian.
Sabian bent over, hands on knees. Everyone knew the tales of this Throne and its power. It possessed the ability to kill if someone uninvited sat on it. Yet he was invited, was he not? Sabian straightened. They were now seriously running out of that window of opportunity.
Not daring to think, he approached the Golden Throne.
MINUTES LATER SABIAN HURTLED into the courtyard.
“Belun! Tannil will be here soon, summoned by the Throne. Leave the Keep, all of you, until it is done!”
“What’s going on?” the Centuar growled.
“No time! Get out now!” Sabian dematerialised.
Belun, furious for not knowing the dynamics, commanded immediate evacuation, hoping he was taking the correct action. One by one, Kaval vanished from their posts, to gather on the rise opposite where the Graveyard was sited.
The entire Keep erupted into brilliance and into that light there arrived a streak of scarlet, as if a brighter fireball had hurtled in to finish destruction. The Kaval could only stare.
Minutes later utter darkness enveloped everything, Keep and valley.
Only moments after, all appeared normal once more.
“What was that?” Erin whispered.
No one answered her, for a mighty summons bellowed through all spaces.
TORRULLIN!
Chapter 12
They will believe you.
They will blame you, too.
Father Rees to a penitent
~ Round Temple of Truth ~
Sanctuary
Mariner Island
ON MARINER ISLAND, standing head bowed at the cliff’s edge over Erus Bay, Torrullin nearly fell into the contrary waters below upon hearing that summons.
Finding his feet, he stood there dead still.
Deliberately he closed his eyes. Yes, he was right. Something was about to change spectacularly.
Taking a breath, he waved over the cottage behind him to safeguard the sphere discovered in the snows of Valaris, and then sent, with some resignation, I am on my way.
Valaris
The Keep
THE KEEP WAS UTTERLY abandoned when he alighted in the darkened courtyard. It was wrong. While he knew the place was evacuated, still he expected the Kaval to maintain a presence. Tristan had seconded them to this duty until something changed.
Torrullin.
Swearing foully under his breath, Torrullin put aside all other thought and came before the Throne. There he braced, remaining wordless.
I have the two-faced Timekeeper.
All breath left him. What the fuck did that mean?
Just listen! He is with me in a place akin to the circles of confrontation we created to battle the Warlock; it is and it is not. I need to return there to watch him and this means the Throne will be inanimate while I am away. Do not interrupt. Time is of the essence. I suggest you first hark to what your Eternal Companion is about, and next, use this opportunity of absence to find the means to terminate this Timekeeper. Torrullin, he is not Tannil of either age he lays claims to. It is true he has the genetics from both those times, but he cannot walk in this present as genesis from two distinct eras and be as one persona. Another has used what was to create what is. Find that name, and the Tannil of the ancient past will be freed from all bonds using him, as it will be also for Teroux Valla’s father.
Torrullin cleared his throat and managed to get a word in. “How long are you able to hold him?”
A week easily. Ten days, with a little more difficulty. He is strong. He is also insane. Yet I shall hold him for ten days, you have my word. Find the answer.
“It will be done.”
Excellent. I leave you now.
The quality of silence then bespoke far-reaching absence.
Chewing on his thoughts, Torrullin moved to leave. Where to next? What brought this on? I suggest you first hark to what your Eternal Companion is about …goddamn it, where was Elianas?
Upon entering the courtyard, he sensed the presence of others on the opposite rise. Questing, he discovered the Kaval there. What had happened here? The Kaval, to the last, seemed nervous and uncertain.
Belun?
The Centuar appeared an instant later. “Glad to see you about. We weren’t sure if it was safe to return. What’s going on, Torrullin?”
“I am not entirely sure. I hoped you could tell me.” Torrullin stared at the massive humanoid creature. “Who told you to vacate?
“Sabian was here. He shouted it hell for high water as he ran out after spending time with the Throne. And just in time, because then something entered, a red burning streak. Huge light erupted and thereafter total darkness.”
“Tannil must have materialised as a red manipulation. Red - why red? That may be a message, but never mind that now. The Throne summoned and captured him. Do not ask; I do not know either. What did Sabian want here?”
“Beats me.” Great shoulders lifted and fell.
Torrullin dragged in a breath. By all gods, there was too much mystery surrounding the actions of the present. “Where is Sabian now?”
“I cannot say, but he told me to warn Tristan that Elianas was on his way to the Dome …”
Torrullin simply vanished.
The Dome
“I AM BEGINNING TO think the information Ixion shared with me possesses a timed release mechanism,” Tristan muttered to Caballa.
“Pertinent knowledge comes when you need it?”
“Like that, yes. Whenever an event is beyond solving, something relevant suddenly comes to me.”
“Bloody Ancients,’ Caballa mumbled, before gasping in surprise.
Elianas had unexpectedly appeared alongside her.
“How did you do that?” Tristan thundered. “You undermine the safety protocols!”
“I installed the protocols, imbecile,” Elianas muttered, and strode immediately to the console. There he braced and placed his palms on the lights for knowledge and recognition, and closed his eyes. He did not move for long minutes.
Tristan and Caballa glanced at each other, and both could swear they heard the ticking of a clock.
The Dragon ogive chimed then, and in strode Torrullin. He ignored both of them to come to halt on the other side of the console, staring intently at Elianas.
Caballa spread her hands in question at Tristan, who rolled his eyes and shook his head.
When Elianas made no move, Torrullin said to Tristan without turning, “Tarlinn has Tannil. We have ten days to find answers.”
Tristan moved, and so did Elianas. Torrullin lifted a hand to Tristan - Tristan halted, frowning his confusion and rising anger - and Torrullin leaned in closer to the console.
When the dark man opened his eyes and lifted his hands from the lights, Torrullin was in his face. “What the fuck are you up to?”
Elianas gave him the finger and disappeared.
“Avaelyn,” Torrullin breathed out and ran for his ogive. It chimed a moment later.
“What the hell?” Ca
balla muttered.
Tristan punched the air in frustration, stilled, and then shouted, “Belun!”
The Centuar ogive chimed within moments.
“I do not how Elianas did it, but the bloody Dome is moving! Take the helm, watch where it is headed,” Tristan commanded, and grabbed Caballa’s hand to run for the Dragon ogive.
It chimed, leaving the Centuar more bemused than ever.
Avaelyn
SABIAN PACED.
Time was of the essence. Where was Elianas? Then the man was there, already falling to his knees. Elianas glanced at him and started muttering, holding his hand out at the same time.
Sabian gripped it and lowered into a kneeling position. He would hold on with all his strength, he swore.
Neither man saw Torrullin arrive or how he came to a dead halt. They did not notice Tristan appear with Caballa beside him.
No one there would ever know what the sight of his home destroyed did to Torrullin. He swiftly buried his reaction, his grief, and then his gaze tracked to the kneeling forms.
“Elianas!”
“Too late, Torrullin,” Tristan murmured, reaching out to haul the man back as he moved to approach the kneeling men. “Look.” Tristan pointed.
Swallowing, Torrullin dragged his gaze away and saw what Tristan already had. There, in the centre of the destruction, an emerald glow had appeared. He sank to his knees also, watching it intently.
An ethereal tower arose from the ashes, the emerald pyramid at its top shining in Avaelyn’s sun. It was the keystone of this dwelling. It was the device he erected first when he started building. It held everything together, although few saw it, for it was hidden in rock and surrounded by unassailable sorcery.
Well, that had proven an expensive mistake, his error in judgement. Unassailable had, after all, toppled.
A dark head abruptly lifted heavenward, then dipped into concentration again.
Looking up, Tristan noticed the Dome hove into view, a large star. He prayed Elianas would not now misuse its presence. He had summoned it here for a purpose.
Great shafts of brilliance blasted skyward to split into jagged forks of emerald lightning. A sizzling sound filled the atmosphere. Rampant energy unleashed.
Caballa cowered behind Torrullin’s back and Tristan crouched over her.
Massive cracks of light and immense sound rent the air.
Torrullin shifted his attention to Elianas, comprehending what the man attempted to achieve. He did not now dare interfere. His heart thundered louder than the energy in the ether and his soul bounced inside him as if seeking freedom. He maintained unblinking vigil upon the dark man. He tore the Maghdim Medaillon free of the confines of his tunic and gripped it hard. Behind him he sensed the fear in the two using him as a shield, but could not concern himself with them.
“Vicl manna vann!” Elianas yelled, causing everyone there to flinch.
I am able.
“Milart crun eart - from evil I release you - milart tolari eart - from good I release you - crun me pentari - evil will perish - ca torali me srivort - and good will survive - te crellir unmoren - the power is unbound!”
Elianas used the chant they devised together in this very dwelling, a spell to unmake something, whether magical device or coercion, which contained elements of both darak and lumin. He, Torrullin, employed it to undo the Dragon Taliesman at Grinwallin’s edge of mists, thereby releasing a shield of protection over Luvanor.
Torrullin held his breath. If it was successful, no one and no object would ever again have the power to enter Avaelyn with dark thoughts resident.
“Ali tremmen ke!” Elianas added.
Hearth and home.
Torrullin clutched at his chest to still his thundering heart while lighting forked emerald and sapphire around them. He noticed how Elianas commenced shivering uncontrollably, and gripped the Medaillon even tighter. He observed as well how Sabian seemed to latch onto the dark man as if seeking to hold him in this reality.
Ice assailed him, far worse than that of the snow wastes. All gods. If Elianas was successful in the rebuild, it meant an exit from this timeline. That was why Sabian was present, to bring him back. He clutched the Medaillon with every ounce of strength he had to command, and included Sabian in his thoughts.
“As-han-sra dia Monklicopin redurin!”
Torrullin’s eyes nearly popped out. He knew ‘Monklicopin’ - it meant Mount St Moor, the site of their home - but the rest was in a language he had never heard before.
“As-han-sra!”
Then all was utterly silent.
The dwelling perched once more in its ordained space, with tower and pyramid again hidden from view.
Of Elianas and Sabian there was no sign.
“No!” Torrullin cried, lurching to his feet.
“TORRULLIN, COME,” CABALLA SAID gently, holding her hand out.
Without thinking, he took it and allowed her to lead him towards his rebuilt home.
Swallowing convulsively, Tristan followed. In silence, he sent a message to Belun, telling him to keep watch.
Inside all was as expected. Every object, book and crawling insect. It was downright astonishing.
“What power,” Tristan murmured, gazing around in awe.
Torrullin withdrew his hand from the gentle support around it and wandered as a man dazed, a man outside of time, all the while clutching the Medaillon. With Caballa following him in concern, he eventually wandered into his bedchamber. There he stopped to stare at the rumpled linen.
“Be patient,” Caballa said. “Sabian will …”
“How long this time?” Torrullin said in a voice devoid of all emotion.
A frenzied scream shifted through the dwelling - Caballa twisted around in fear - and wild gusts tore through all. Two tangible shadows hurtled from above to smack into the bed, bouncing upon it as if it was a trampoline.
Torrullin ripped into the fracas and hauled the shadows apart.
Quiet returned, other than for Caballa’s harsh breathing and echoing footsteps closing in as Tristan ran towards the source of the clamour.
Sabian sat up, swearing foully.
Elianas untwisted himself. Dark eyes swivelled into grey.
“Thank all gods,” Torrullin murmured, and reached for him.
This time there was no anger, no blame, no brinkmanship, for Elianas sighed and his arms crossed over Torrullin’s back, holding on as if afraid of losing himself.
“Thank Aaru you used the Maghdim,” Sabian muttered. “That was the worst one yet and only your voice in the darkness gave us a destination.”
Torrullin moved his head. “You have a sliver inside of you, Sabian. For what …”
Elianas released and gripped his head. “Do not think so much. Stop analysing everything.”
Unseen, Tristan motioned with his head, and then preceded Caballa from the space. Sabian followed after blinking owlishly for a few moments, and seemed particularly relieved to leave, but no one noticed.
Elianas flopped back, drawing rhythmic breaths.
Kicking his boots off, Torrullin sat cross-legged on the bed watching him. “Thank you,” he said eventually.
One dark eye opened.
“But do not ever fucking do something that stupid again!” Torrullin hissed out.
The other dark eye opened and Elianas smiled. “That’s better.”
Smiling then as well, Torrullin looked out to the ocean blue in the distance. “I am amazed.”
“And you are dying to know the words I used,” Elianas taunted. When there was no reply, he laughed. “’As-han-sra’ means basically let there be light and ‘dia’ is today. ‘Redurin’ loosely translates as eternally.”
“Good words. Which language?” Torrullin swung his head swiftly, to find serenity staring back at him.
“Her language, Torrullin.”
“That is what I thought. She was a sorceress?”
“She was a Daywalker.”
His gut hollowed out. Torrull
in abruptly flung himself prone alongside Elianas. “A Lady of Life, not so?”
“Indeed.”
“You loved her.”
“With all my heart.”
“As I loved Saska. My soul, however …”
“… was already spoken for, yes,” Elianas murmured, and lifted on to an elbow. He gazed down at the fair man next to him. “I miss her, but I missed you more. I cannot speak about her, though, not yet.”
Torrullin reached up to touch one amber cheek, tracing the scar there. “Ask me one day where I found the pyramid.”
Elianas frowned. “The emerald?”
“Yes.”
“It must be a juicy secret.”
Torrullin laughed. “You have no idea. Come, I am in need of a drink.” He moved to rise, but Elianas shoved him back.
“I need more than that.”
Torrullin gripped his tunic and hauled him closer. “Such as?”
Elianas did not resist. “Lift your tunic.”
“Really?” Torrullin released the man and did as bid.
Ignoring him then, Elianas placed splayed fingers on Torrullin’s abdomen, pressed down, closed his eyes and concentrated.
Torrullin swiped those hands away. “What the hell are you doing? Questing for my juicy secret?’
Elianas opened his eyes. “After that fort in Nowhere I lost the ability to hear your music. Too much added baggage.”
Ah. “And now Tarlinn has divested you. Do you hear now?’
One finger descended to exposed skin, tracked up to where fabric had bunched, and a hand gripped and jerked Torrullin upright with him.
“I hear, yes,” Elianas said. He walked Torrullin backward until the wall stopped them. “And I find I want again.”
Torrullin smiled lazily. “Excellent.”
“Ahem.”
Both men jerked to the doorway.
Sabian entered. “I have Tarlinn’s sliver and this means I am able to communicate with him.”
Both men straightened.
“He says to break the sphere, whatever that means.”
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 197