A number of feet shuffled, but chins lifted as no one dared reply to that.
“Do you not earn enough?” Rivalen demanded in a harsh tone.
The woman flinched. She was a hardened killer and had bested many men in ‘training’ exercises, but she knew the answer and was too afraid of him to offer it.
He paced down the line to her. “Speak!”
Again she quailed. She stood at barely five feet and he thus towered over her, his bulk and height entirely blotting the washed out sunshine falling upon her. She lifted her chin to an impossible angle and gazed at him directly. Silently he applauded her gumption.
“We earn, my lord, but the red dye is scarce.”
He had not considered that. Hmm, he needed to learn patience in this realm. There were factors he was unaware of. Inclining his head, he moved back to stand at a distance staring at them.
“Then we shall remedy the situation. You will wear the red cloak with pride! Why? Because you are a clan! A family! You belong to each other and your cloaks proclaim that to everyone out there.”
He noticed how spines stiffened to attention ever more. Excellent. Maybe they were not as stupid as he surmised.
“Together we will become an unstoppable force in this universe! Riches will be yours! Pride will be yours! Do you want this?”
Eyes focused on him. They feared him and would do his bidding, yes, but now he offered them something more, and it bought their unwavering loyalty if they believed it.
“Speak!” he roared.
“We want this!” the woman declared.
Swiftly the men shouted, “We want this!”
Smirking, Rivalen motioned. “At ease.” All relaxed in his presence, although eyes retained their wary glints. Good. A soldier never entirely relaxed vigil. “Follow me to the barn, soldiers. If we cannot buy what we need, we create it. By nightfall you will don your new red cloaks.”
Elsewhere
QUILLA WAITED INSIDE Torrullin and Elianas’ home, having pierced the added shield.
The Lumin Sword had briefly glowed an otherworldly jade, and a sound akin to thundering freight trains had deafened him, and then he was through. He discovered, though, that he was unable to leave again.
His presence allowed for other entry, and it caused him no end in anxiety. Elianas would definitely desire to string him up from the nearest rock ledge.
Tristan joined him, and discovered himself similarly bound.
Eventually they laughed about it, and began discussing the issues. The Sword lay wrapped ever nearby, neither wishing to lose sight of it.
TEROUX MEANWHILE STARED at empty shelves and for the first time wished to fill them with books.
As a child, before his father died, he had adored the written word, especially those in the Ancient Oracles, but the hell of prophecy made him ever wary of words thereafter.
He would love a ship. Even more, he would love to build it himself, the old kind, of plank and mast and tiller. To achieve it, he needed to discover the how.
Again he eyed the shelves.
A moment later, in a flurry of movement, he set off for Thebes, the university expanse to the south of the villa. There he would find the books he needed.
For once, he felt charged with renewed challenge.
Kathin Arne
Achen Plain
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Immirin spoke her farewells in her home, her face drawn from lack of sleep.
Guilt ate at her, and there was nothing they could offer to mitigate it for her. She needed to come to terms with her particular past and what it wrought on the present in her own manner.
Both Lowen and Marjori embraced her, the sisterhood alive and well despite time and differences.
Anaho Aleru accompanied them to the waiting pod just beyond the city wall. No guards bristled this time. In fact, those in attendance at the gates bowed low.
“You are not going to tell me,” Torrullin stated.
As the two women clambered into the pod, greeting Bahar, he and Elianas faced Anaho.
Wise tawny eyes swept over Torrullin. “I do not believe it aids you to know.”
“Ignorance does not help either,” Torrullin snapped out.
“Have you not managed just fine until this point? What actually changes for you, except perception?”
“He is right,” Elianas murmured.
“I searched for my father, only to now discover there is another. Of course I need to know; this is who I am,” Torrullin said, reining in anger and frustration.
Anaho sighed and placed a firm hand on Torrullin’s shoulder. “My lord Elixir, when the time comes to know, if it is needed, the knowledge will arrive. My part in your tale is over.” He stepped back and bowed. “It has been an honour.” He then transferred his attention to Elianas. “An honour, my lord Alhazen.”
With alacrity, he then swivelled on the balls of his feet and ambled away, re-entering his city while waving one hand in the air as he went.
Elianas glanced at Torrullin, who muttered, “Fine, let’s go home. The pilot can drop us where we started from, and then take Marjori back.”
“Thank the gods,” Elianas murmured. “This alien sky is now freaking me out.”
Part III
MASTER OF ELEMENTS
Chapter 34
Every stone in the universe has a tale to tell. Those of colour possess healing properties also. Some claim certain stones are magical.
~ Crystal Healing Handbook ~
Avaelyn
DEW GLITTERED WITH THE sun’s rising.
Elianas halted at the fishpond to stare into those depths at the bright flashes of dancing scales. “How is it I feel more burdened now, when I have released long festering devils to the past where they belong?”
Torrullin stopped beside him. “We did not need to consider time before. It went in circles, no need to worry about it. Now it is heavier, for it is unknowable.”
Elianas snorted. “And you say I am full of esoteric crap. That is not it.”
“Then it is anxiety.”
A long finger waved in the air. “Now you are on to something.”
Torrullin twisted his head around. “I am bloody exhausted and filthy and stiff and hungry for food that looks like food as I know it. Can we do this later?”
Elianas looked up. “I have a feeling time is suddenly now of the essence. While I hate saying that, for watching the clock obviates the pleasure of the moment, I also feel we cannot afford to waste even seconds.”
“You and me? Our seconds together?”
“No, not us. Even apart, we are together; I realise that now, after Kathin Arne. You are always in my thoughts. This sense of time pressing has to do with …”
“War!” Tristan blurted, and they swivelled to find the man leaving their home, coffee in one hand. “Where the hell have you been? Senlu fight Valleur, Xen and Beacon are posturing at each other with warships, and Akhavar is on the brink of civil strife. Elianas, you are needed on Akhavar and, Torrullin, get through to Teighlar before it is too late.”
“Separation,” Torrullin murmured under his breath.
Elianas flicked him a glance, but said nothing on that subject. His eyes narrowed to Tristan, though. “How the fuck are you inside our home?”
“Quilla called me,” Tristan frowned.
Elianas strode closer. “And how did the birdman enter?”
“Before any of that,” Quilla said, appearing behind Tristan, “you need deal with this.” He pitched the Lumin Sword into the air. “That is how I entered.”
Both Elianas and Torrullin immediately scrambled to catch it; Torrullin snatched it from its insane tumble, thunder on his face. “Are you crazy, birdman!”
“That is no trinket!” Elianas yelled. “Even Avaelyn isn’t strong enough to withstand it. How dare you use it to insert yourself here?”
Unapologetic, Quilla watched them, hands folded upon his chest. “The only safe place I knew of to hide that contradictory blade was here. I had no choice, and perhaps
you need hark to magical objects also when creating your layering for your home.” He glared at Elianas as he made his point and then shifted his attention to Torrullin. “It is time to destroy that sword.”
Slamming the blade into a scabbard that appeared for it and now sporting two swords, Torrullin strode inside past the two waiting there. “We need it. Thank you for retrieving it.” He vanished towards the sleeping area.
Elianas entered more slowly. He came to a halt before them. “This is our home. You do not come here unless invited.” Tristan surged forward, but the dark man held a hand up. “I understand the needs of the present, but here we come to find ourselves before again bowing to external pressures. Some do not understand who we are and would be discomfited by what they … see. Please in future ask first.”
“Fine,” Tristan muttered.
Quilla bowed over his clasped hands.
“Now leave. We will be where we are most needed within the hour.”
His tone, expression and body language was uncompromising, and thus, without words to the contrary, Quilla and Tristan left.
Elianas stepped further into the sitting area.
“They are more afraid of you than they are of me,” Torrullin murmured from the doorway beyond.
Elianas shrugged, noting the state of undress. He was too drained to respond. “I am making coffee.” He shifted past and kept on walking.
“Shower for me!” Torrullin called out.
A STEAMING MUG AWAITED him when he emerged from the hot spray.
Torrullin lifted it, sipped, and noticed through the arch Elianas on his bed, fully clothed and fast asleep, lying as a soldier. Torrullin went through and stood at the foot, sipping the excellent brew. Elianas had barely managed a third of his before passing out, by the looks of the mug on the stand nearby.
Wrapping his towel tight, he perched on the edge.
One eye opened.
“If we are seen as operating apart, they, he, she, the someone seeking to separate us, may believe there is no impetus to do something,” Torrullin murmured.
“I agree.” A hoarse whisper.
“You are always in my thoughts also.”
A smile. “I know.”
Torrullin touched his forehead. “Then I am heading to Grinwallin and hopefully that Emperor sees fit to feed me.”
“I aim to sleep a while before going to Akhavar.”
Torrullin stood. He discovered he could not move from there.
Elianas lifted up to one elbow. “It cannot matter how much manipulation they throw at us. Whatever happens, we shall return here.” He paused, smiled and added, “We should consider raising horses. Imagine riding with the wind across these plains.”
Grey eyes crinkled into pleasure. “I agree.”
Grinning, Elianas lay back and closed his eyes again.
His heart heavy, Torrullin left.
THE INSTANT HE SENSED Torrullin’s absence, Elianas was on his feet.
He strode through their home to the tower where the emerald was, apparently the basis for the dwelling. Through the labyrinth that enabled the workings of a habitat built with rock and tree in mind, he weaved ever faster. Unsure of what he sought, something yet prompted him into this search.
He skidded to a halt when he found Torrullin there, cross-legged on the flagged floor in the empty tower, patiently sharpening his sword, stroke after even stroke of a whetstone.
“You forget how well I know you,” he murmured without looking up.
Elianas sank to his haunches, head hanging. “Forgive me.”
Torrullin set his blade aside. “No need. In your place I would do the same. I now possess what was your deep secret and now you seek mine.” He waved at the greenish light surrounding them. “The secret of an emerald.”
“Talk to me about this. Let us set it to rest.”
Torrullin shrugged, saying, “An emerald is special. Here I employed its inherent properties for the first time, hoping it would aid in creating a home able to withstand time itself.”
Elianas nodded. The man had chosen the long route to revelation. “Why not a ruby, then? It has similar purity.”
“Because everything verdant appears and feels resolute within the emerald, and is that not part of what I sought to achieve here? The power in this gem is the heart of spring, fortifying hope and the future, renewal and growth. I guess I was more susceptible to the symbols in objects back then, for it was known as a Seeker of Love and a Revealer of Truth.”
“The poet’s gemstone,” Elianas murmured. “It is still called Seeker and Revealer.”
“Indeed, but it is more. An emerald is also a stone for vision and intuition, and long belief through the ages claims it is able to foretell future events. A stone of wisdom, in other words, for it combines intelligence with sight, and brings forth what is sometimes only unconscious awareness. Are we not about that? It increases focus and intent, activates psychic abilities to bring forth manifestation, and may be employed to stabilize the astral body and cleanse energy.”
Elianas stared at him. “And traditionally it was used as protection against enchantment and spells. You sought to protect your home from the beginning. From Nemisin?”
“And others. But, Elianas, all poetic symbols aside, an emerald is a remarkable support stone, not only of the physical - which was imperative here - but in upholding all knowledge of past, present and future.”
They were now attaining the point of true revelation. Elianas murmured, “Which is why you used it for Kalgaia.”
“Yes. Most particularly, though, was Grinwallin. That city of stone required a strong symbol of protection. It would also guard travellers to and from it through time, while shielding against magicians ordinary and sorcerers extraordinary.”
Elianas swirled his tongue in his mouth. “I have heard an emerald is also used in exorcism of the possessed.”
An eyebrow lifted. “And I thought I knew about emeralds.”
“Ask me about rubies, diamonds and sapphires some time, among others,” Elianas muttered. “I was once in the employ of a Crystal Healer.”
“Amazing how much clutter we keep in our minds,” Torrullin nodded, expressionless. “Regarding exorcism; it was never the reason I chose it, but I have thought it underscores the lumin in Teighlar’s soul, for Grinwallin never sought to repudiate his ghost.”
“In this age, you used an emerald for Torrke,” Elianas prompted.
“Thus it rose again after the destruction.”
Elianas frowned. “All logical and creative of you, but I hear no secret in any of this.”
“There isn’t one.”
Silence arrived.
Torrullin clambered to his feet and retrieved Trezond from the floor. Sheathing it, he wandered closer, and hunkered. “You needed me to have a secret and therefore I picked something in a hurry.”
Elianas stared at him, unmoving.
One finger lifted to trace the scar on his left cheek. “The only hidden issue remaining now is my first father’s identity. Other than that, we are both divested. We even know what our greatest weaknesses are.”
“I sense you attempt to make a point.”
Torrullin leaned in to grip his head. “Elianas, nothing now holds you back. Be the Danae.”
He jerked free of that clasp and stood. “I cannot.”
“Why not?” Torrullin stood as well.
“I am unsure what it means.”
“I am unsure. You, however, are wary of the results. Let go. Unleash your true self.”
“Why?”
“Because this is your greatest secret and I want it uncovered.”
Elianas smiled. “Ah.”
Torrullin inclined his head. “And now I am off to Grinwallin.”
“Wait. I cannot believe we are both entirely divested of secrets. You attempt to establish an untrammelled future, but sentience does not function in that manner.”
A fair head cocked sideways again. “Small secrets remain, those even we are unawa
re of until something nudges them into the open again. As for ‘untrammelled’? We do not work that way, but we can hope for less friction if the big secrets are dealt with.”
Elianas stepped closer, his turn to grip and hold. “I know you do not lie, not in this age, but I also know you have the ability to omit. That day we sat with Adagin across the table from us, you desired something you kept hidden to remain hidden. With all that has now passed, you hope I believe all is revealed, but I too know you. You, brother, omit something from this relationship.”
Torrullin stared back until Elianas felt the weight of mountains settling onto his shoulders.
“What is it?” he whispered.
Those silver lamps shuttered. A breath of discontent escaped the man. “There is something I am afraid of, buried deep.” Torrullin’s eyes snapped open. “I know it is there, but I have not had the courage to delve for it. I do not want you to find it for me, with Lorinin touch, and thus I hold back.”
Elianas frowned. “Perhaps your true father?”
“I thought that also, but now I know the fear remains. Something else causes it.”
“Let me help you.”
Torrullin shuddered and moved away. “I have to face it first.” He swallowed. “Given the shit storm we have endured since you stepped into this time, I am wary. This is a monumental something for it to remain this buried.”
“We are not as divested as you claimed.”
“We are. Even the final barriers are known to us. Now we need to forge through them and create reality from the ideal we have achieved.”
Some of the weight lifted from him. It was true. Knowing was to be divested. Facing those final barriers might be difficult, but knowing they existed, openly, created a sense of release.
He touched Torrullin’s face. “I am here.”
A smile. “Thank all gods for that.”
Chapter 35
Everyone possesses at least two natures.
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 219