by Lee M Eason
Jenna watched him head below decks. She wondered... The world had evolved; his people had died out and left him behind. She wondered if he was lonely.
It wasn’t long before they could see the city clearly; the network of roads and canals that led to it, its immense sky ports and the great sea harbour beyond. High-fortified walls punctuated by four towered gates surrounded the city. The largest of which was the east portal, providing access to the city’s heart via The Grand Bridge that arched its great width over the River Nadd. The city was organised and structured with set districts, large open squares and parks. The present city had benefited from the singular vision of its designer some four hundred years ago and had been planned to allow for rapid expansion as part of the newly conceived sky ship trade network and to support the demands placed on Gillern. Three times it had outgrown its walls, which had then been cleared and turned into three concentric avenues that now encircled the city. Because of its relatively rapid expansion the buildings were of one architectural period that lent the city a continuity of style few others could boast and now all new buildings, by law, followed that original style.
The others had left to gather their belongings but Aaron lingered watching the distant ruins of Gillern. His forehead creased he finally turned to see Bryn looking at him.
“Why in ruins?” the tall man anticipated. Aaron nodded. “Destroyed to save the city. That’s the reason why Naddier came through the war relatively unscathed.”
“Had Gillern always been the home of the Panids?”
“Yes. The Lantriums were built to meet the needs of The Panids as their numbers grew, one here and the other in Urukish. Interestingly, before that the history of field use is not documented in any great detail.”
“You said as their numbers grew,” Aaron puzzled. “Weren’t there always The Panids?”
“Nope, before the Panids there were very few field users of real ability.” Bryn thought for a while. “I think about eight and they were spread across the whole of the continent. They were known by all kinds of names. Fields Masters, Metagists, The Cunning Ones, Clever Hands, Calismets, The Dry Folk - I like that one. Anyway, the list goes on. Remember we’re talking about a long time ago. Life and people’s understanding of it were very different.” With that Bryn took his leave and left Aaron to wonder about the past and look ahead to the approaching future.
Their ship was efficiently docked and as cargo was being unloaded the party said their goodbyes to the crew and made their way down the tower, Aaron’s least favourite part of the journey. Once he was up in the air he was fine but somehow being anchored to the ground, at this height was unnerving. They were met at the base by two carriages, which took them to their final destination through the busy streets of Naddier. The architecture was refined, the streets orderly and clean. Copperbeams lined many of the streets, their shiny bark matching the warm tones of the buildings’ brick work and the people’s dress was more restrained. It seemed a little too restrained and proper after their travels. Aaron looked at his own clothes. He hadn’t noticed how tatty they were until arriving here and looking at the smart folk of the city. Trousers, waistcoats, boots and long coats seemed to be the choice of the smarter men. The women wore skirts of various length, which seemed to be age dependent and some kind of bodice type thing or simple blouses. Some of the women seemed to prefer trousers but looser fitting than the men’s. He looked again at his own attire - and pulled a face. He’d need new clothes.
“That’s the main academy,” Carrick said pointing out the large complex of buildings set in their own grounds, as they passed.
“Aren’t we going in?” Jenna asked a little puzzled as they were driven on by.
“We’re based in a smaller place just a little down the road.”
They arrived at a long attractive building its walls punctuated by elegant pediment topped windows and columns with a busy paved walkway in front of it. The carriages left the bustling street, turning in through a large archway halfway down the building’s length. Passing through the gatehouse they emerged in to a large open quadrangle that encompassed a wide, grassed square dotted with tall gnarlwood trees. The four sides of stone buildings that surrounded it stood no higher than two storeys giving the large space an open airy feel. People could be seen sitting or crossing the green to get from one building to another. The space was tranquil and calm.
“I wouldn’t have guessed all this was behind here,” Jenna said clearly impressed. “You could pass by on the busy road and not even suspect.”
“I think that was the general idea,” Carrick explained.
“It’s a welcome escape from all the noise out there. The city can be a bit much at times,” Gwen added as their ride came to a halt in front of the main entrance.
“The place seems quiet,” Carrick noted to Gwen.
“Yes. I expected it to be busier,” Gwen’s eyes narrowed. “I thought Durnin at least would be here to greet us. Well anyway,” she said brightening before turning to Aaron and Jenna. “Here we are. Your new home. Let’s get you both settled in, have a bit of a rest and then we’ll show you around.”
Chapter 7
Even now, months later, Naicarn couldn’t lift the feeling of despondency that smothered him. Only the whispers registered in the grey landscape of his emotions. His appearance at Amar had been a failure. The rejection of his proposal had been a humiliation. A humiliation that gnawed at him from the minute he awoke to the end of the day when he finally succumbed to sleep. He had always controlled his emotions but now they persecuted him. He pressed three fingers to his forehead moving them in agitation.
Standing up, he left his desk to look out over the desert. His eyes were drawn to the jagged spire of rock. He knew The Panids had raised it out of the ground and built a tower and collection device on its summit, their use, was unimportant. He dismissed the thought. Both were little more than ruins, the feeble glow within the arch was now only visible at night. Yet, he still felt the lofty gaze of The Panids. He was reminded of his conversation with Kellim in this very room, many months earlier. Naicarn had pushed his mind further since then. His ability to press against the limitations of The Field’s Cap had increased tenfold and he could now use his will to draw on the field to a far greater extent. Perhaps even the esteemed Kellim would not be able to equal him. The Corumn would have been his puppets. The bitter regret twisted in his stomach. But his impatience had provided them with a warning and they would be armed against any further action.
He returned to his desk but frustration overwhelmed him and he swept his hands across it, scattering papers. He began weeping uncontrollably. All his plans come to nothing. He had lost everything. The sobs racked his body until, emotion spent, he collapsed to the floor and leant against the desk. The sick feeling returned and Ballan’s mocking laughter echoed through his mind. He turned, his eyes searching the empty room. The whispering was there again, behind him, in the corners of the room, at his side. Once again he rubbed at his forehead in a vain attempt to clear his thoughts. He had pushed further against The Field Cap’s constraints the previous night, the pain providing a distraction. This morning the whispering was louder, urgent. Anger forced him to his feet. He strode across the room and flung open the door only to find the stairway empty. He looked down the spiral of stone.
“Reveal yourself or leave me!” he shouted.
The echoes mocked him, fading into the empty gloom of the fortress. In the silence he stepped back and sank to the floor. The whispering had always been there but now with it, the awareness of another mind, a troubled mind. It was something on the edge of his thoughts, a presence he could not identify. Not The Beholder, he had blocked her incessant gaze. He had blocked them all. Built a wall around his mind to keep the world at bay. But the whispers found ways in, through the minute cracks and spaces invisible to most. He could sense them now, creeping up from the gloom. He clutched at his head as they closed in around him, filling his mind with their insistence and somewhere dee
p inside he began to listen. A new emotion began to take form, a feeling of unease which grew until he recognised it. He no longer wished to be here and with that the whispering eased.
It was of no surprise, when two weeks later he sensed the approach of twenty riders, three of them attempting to hide the party’s approach. He’d know his Order would come looking for him eventually, as his crimes could not go unpunished. The Amar Order demanded loyalty, frowning upon any who questioned their vows and dealing severely with those who broke them. Transporting himself to the battlements he looked out across the glaring plain to the approaching riders, their armour glinting in the high sun. Let them come, what had he to fear from Adepts who could not collectively hide their approach or identity. He was flattered that Mia Sara was among them. His capture was clearly a matter of some importance. His thoughts had moved in a different direction in the past two weeks and the more he accepted this change the more his dark mood lifted and the whispers retreated. He had the growing seeds of enthusiasm and an insatiable desire to answer questions that now slid unsolicited into his mind. It was nearly time to leave, to find answers to those burning questions. A day or two more to gather what he needed and destroy anything that might hint at his intended journey. He concentrated, feeling the field respond in a more fluid manner, as if rewarding his present thoughts.
He appeared thirty feet in front of the group with a dramatic rush of air that sent sand spiralling away from him in mad swirls. The startled mounts gave him vital seconds to assess the situation. Almost immediately a powerful blow struck the air in front of him. He easily shrugged it off, allowing the energy to dissipate in the open space behind as he responded. The man, who Naicarn recognised as Mattek, was unable to protect himself and was hurled clean off his mount, ribs cracking. Quick to recover the armed men of the group were bringing arrows to bear. The second Adept, Aldrin, was focusing his will. But Mia Sara swung round commanding them to stop. The men reluctantly lowered their bows and Aldrin held his will in check. Glaring defiantly at Naicarn, he lowered himself from his mount and walked back to where Mattek lay groaning.
Mia Sara had suspected from the start that Naicarn would out match any group who found him. Unable to sense any hint of his presence she had been convinced the fortress was deserted. She was as shocked as the others by his appearance but kept her wits. Now she would have to take her time if there was a hope of gaining anything from this encounter.
“Hold,” she reminded the men before nudging her mount forward a few steps in a deliberate move to distance herself from them and their weaknesses. Naicarn’s will wrapped field energy around him like a wall of granite. He was more powerful then she had suspected. She was both intimidated and exhilarated by the forces he commanded.
“It would seem we are at a distinct disadvantage,” she said finally.
“Yes you are, but I am honoured that you have been sent to return me to Amar Mia.” Naicarn inclined his head his focus never wavering. He had always respected Mia Sara. While the others sweated like roasts in the heat she sat atop her mount cool and collected, how typical of her. She was a striking woman who worked hard to have her talent noted above her beauty and her unfavourable origins in the north of the country. She was a realist; this he had always admired about her. She was also intelligent and devious beyond measure. “You look tired my dear.”
She noted his use of her name. The more familiar use she tolerated from him alone. “You are a difficult man to find Naicarn. The Corumn would have you held firmly in its grasp but now I realise we will return to Amar empty handed.”
“Empty handed,” Aldrin interrupted in outrage. “We will have to carry Mattek a long way for treatment. How dare you attack us!”
“Fool,” Mia Sara turned sharply to glare at him. “Would you have us all lying in the dust with Mattek?” Aldrin bristled at her tone but said nothing more. Instead returning his attention to the Adept’s care. Mia Sara quickly calmed herself and turned back to Naicarn, his face unreadable. “I expected to find Aurt empty,” she said conversationally.
“I had a few things to complete. Had you arrived a day later I would not have been here to greet you.”
“Yes, a busy time for us all. You especially.” she glanced over towards the fortress. “Aurt seems much restored. You must have been here sometime.”
“Time enough,” Naicarn responded levelly. “You spoke of events. I assume the unrest in Ildra continues?”
Mia Sara took advantage of Naicarn’s apparent curiosity. “The Corumn was wrong to ignore you and now I fear there will be a price to pay. Segat has plans for his country, or should I say through him others have plans. He builds an army and has taken control of The Ildran Order. He has VaCalt working on some scheme.” She carefully watched his face for some reaction, some hint of his implication but found none. “Of course this will be of little interest to you.” She added a deliberate hint of suspicion to bate him but Naicarn did not bite. “You were able to sense our approach,” she tried a different line but to no avail. Eventually the silence evaporated in the intense heat of the desert. “I suspect you would be unwilling to tell me your destination.” Mia Sara asked wearily.
Naicarn smiled slightly. “You already know my response.”
Mia Sara mirrored his thin smile, much to her irritation she was running out of things to say, as she tentatively probed the very edges of his mind. “Your abilities have grown considerably. Mattek was foolish to act.”
“He is a good man,” Naicarn appeared genuine. “I regret my reaction. You, as always, were more restrained, more at ease,” Naicarn’s eyes narrowed as he looked about her person. “I wonder as to why that is?”
Mia Sara did not want him searching too far. “I have been lucky,” she began quickly, “lucky enough to come into the possession of a useful artefact. Shall we say it provides me with a back door in any situation I might find difficult.”
“Ah, of course Eltram. Many have hoped to acquire one of his follies. You are as cunning as you are wise Mia.”
She inclined her head graciously. “You flatter me.”
Naicarn paused for an instant. “But unwise to attempt such cunning with me?”
Mia Sara flinched painfully clutching at the side of her face. “Clearly,” she managed between gritted teeth.
“Your attempts at conversation nearly caught me out. But my mind is more sensitive now. Try that again Mia and I will reach into that exquisite head of yours and...” he let the ending hang in the air between them. “Now I sense you all wish to leave.” The sentence was clearly an instruction. He turned and started to walk away. “Make no attempt to enter Aurt. I will deal with any intrusion most severely.”
Mia Sara watched as the haze gradually enveloped him. She hungered for such ability. She even envied the freedom it had given him but not the cost. He was a danger and grudgingly she listened to her sense of duty, to return to Amar and with all possible speed.
Chapter 8
Gwen and Jac stood sheltering amongst the columns of the main entrance, watching the mounted rider emerge into the academy’s inner square, rain bouncing off her coat and the road. Water dripped from eaves and the trees on the green hung heavy in the steady down pour.
“It’s been a year since we’ve seen her,” Gwen noted and then looked at Jac. “Would you like me to tell her?” she added gently.
Jac shook his head slightly, “No, I’ll do it.”
“She looks tired,” Gwen didn’t linger on the subject, his mood had dipped since they’d returned to Naddier.
“Hmm, tired and wet.”
“Now there’s an understatement. I think this is settled in for the day again,” Gwen looked up at the low grey sky.
“At least she’s back and safe,” Jac stepped out into the rain to greet her. Gwen watched after him.
“You’re late!” he shouted.
“I’m never late. Just tardy,” Kara grinned leaping down off the mount, long hair flicking water in all directions, feet carelessly splas
hing as she landed with feline grace. “Am I glad to see you. You big hunk of man.” She stretched up on tip-toe and threw her slender arms about his shoulders in a tight hug that hinted at surprising strength. “I’ve soaked you,” she laughed stepping back and then her expression changed. She fixed him with an intense gaze worthy of any predator. “What’s wrong mister?”
“Later,” Jac answered uncomfortably. “Come on let’s get out of this rain. Not that it makes much difference now,” he gestured water dripping off him.
He took her pack and they climbed the steps. Kara looked questioningly as she turned to Gwen and let go of his hand to hug her. Gwen shook her head subtly. Kara let the matter drop. “You wouldn’t be-lieve the trip I’ve had.”
“You, us and some of the others it turns out. You’re the last to return. Ressca only arrived back yesterday,” Gwen said, taking her arm.
“We’ve got a lot to catch up on then. The weather’s been miserable. Four days I’ve been out in this,” Kara complained. “It’s so good to be back though,” she grinned.
He’d always liked this room. Polished floorboards complimented pale walls; decorated only by light and shadow from the tall windows. It was airy, unpretentious and its architecture unchanged. It gave him a sense of continuity. He liked that. Durnin had sat in this room, at this very table, first as an Adept and now as The Head of his Order. With him sat nine Adepts, Naddier’s Clave Heads and Kellim. They ranged in ages from Ren at thirty to Ressca now in her sixties and onto Kellim whose age was always a point of conjecture. The current favourite was a hundred and fifty. There should have been ten but Naddier, like all the Orders of the south had no Seers. This meeting was the first time the Clave heads had all gathered in over a year. The atmosphere was relatively relaxed and they allowed themselves time to share news and concerns. Durnin finally brought the meeting to order and they spent some time passing on official reports.