‘Perhaps we should ask the Dragons for help,’ Seboth suggested with the most innocent expression he could muster.
The meeting relaxed into roars of laughter at Seboth’s ridiculous suggestion and the men went to the dining hall where conversation, of necessity, became general because of the presence of Raben’s females.
By the time Hargon and Navan reached Return three days later, they had decided on various steps, which could be taken at once. Navan called in Fryss and two senior armsleaders, and ordered them to the northern borders a dozen leagues distant. They were to move as quickly as they could while making out detailed reports on the state of the defence walls and the guard towers last in regular use against Gangers. Navan implied that there was a possibility of aggression coming from inside Return lands as well as from without. Therefore the inspection team were to assess how long the guard towers in particular could withstand a siege.
Fryss nodded his understanding of the orders although the armsleaders were somewhat at a loss.
Mallit had warned Hargon that Rhaki seemed changed. As Rhaki joined Hargon and Navan at the evening meal, he looked haggard, and Hargon felt able to ask if he was ill.
‘No, no, Hargon. A trifle weary, that’s all. But it is kind of you to voice concern for me.’
Conversation limped along as they ate – it was clearly an effort for Rhaki to make even an occasional remark. He did not linger as usual after the meal, but excused himself, begging forgiveness.
‘Your weather here is already warmer than the northern Hot Season,’ he explained.
Rhaki walked from the room, up the stairs to his chamber and leaned his back against the closed door with a moan of relief. He removed the robe he always donned in the evenings and lay naked on top of the bed. It was true that he found the climate overly hot and very wearing. He knew though, that exhaustion was the price of his almost continual use of power over the last four ten-days. The flesh had fallen from his bones, his face was a skull, thinly covered with skin. To move his tall frame was an increasing effort, and a small part of his mind was becoming very fearful.
That tiny part told him he should stop, for a sensible length of time so that his body could recover from the stresses he was placing on it. The larger part of his mind laughed at the small whisper. Yes, there was tiredness afterwards, but the glorious sensation of the power as it surged from him to do his will! That feeling was worth the pain that inevitably followed. Rhaki forced himself to breathe steadily to relax the tensions in the web of power netting his mind, until finally, he slept.
In the coolness before dawn, Rhaki rose, dressed in shirt, trousers and boots, and went downstairs. A few slaves were scrubbing floors and they squirmed silently out of his way as he walked past them. As he reached the outer door, the usual manservant hurried up to him, proffering the leather satchel and flask. Rhaki took them without a word and stepped out into the courtyard. There was a slight dampness in the early air, a faint mist resting lightly on the countryside as he walked out of the city gate.
City! Rhaki smiled, unaware of how his smile had become a distorted grimace on his shrunken face. He would show these pretentious fools how a city should look! Beginning of course, with his tower. His mood was very different from last night. He made a mental note to disregard such times of darkness, it was only because he was both physically and mentally exhausted at the end of a long, hard day. And that day, capped as it was, by Hargon’s inanities to which he had at least to pretend to pay attention to.
Rhaki took the turn off leading to the place where his tower would soon soar above the pathetic local buildings. He paced slowly round the circular foundations then studied the numerous blocks of stone waiting to be placed in their positions. He nodded to himself, braced his already aching back, and set off for the quarry, to cut the final blocks he needed.
Chapter Nine
Dessi had taken over a chamber high in the stronghold. There were three quite large tunnel like openings, which served as windows. A man length of rock separated the chamber from the outside world and at present all that could be seen through the ‘windows’ was endlessly falling snow again. Dessi found another chamber a short distance beyond hers, that had almost fallen out of the mountain. The outside wall had cracked and half of it was gone. Although snow had sifted inside a little way, most of the chamber remained dry.
When she showed Mim, he had handed Rofu to her and run back down to the hall, ordering Dessi to stay where she was. In moments, Ashta was scrambling into the gap and Mim slid from the pale green Dragon’s back with a grin.
‘I will use one of the chambers up here too,’ he announced. ‘I am not comfortable if Ashta is not close by. But why have you chosen to be so high? Delvers live beneath the mountains, I would have thought you would prefer to be lower?’
‘I have felt increasingly drawn to the air and the sky,’ Dessi admitted.
Mim nodded. He had been aware of an abstraction about the Delver lately.
‘I have been trying to do things, but it is hard without a teacher, as you and Tika must already know. Look.’ She gestured to the jagged opening through which Ashta had brought Mim. The snow streaking dizzily past, slowed, speeded up and then ceased. Mim peered out.
‘What have you done – shielded an area outside?’
‘No. I moved the wind a little, pushed it so that the snow it carries falls a little to the east.’
‘Could you bring storms, sunshine, whatever you want?’
Dessi turned away and led the way back to the chamber she was settling into. So far, there was a table that had seen long and hard service, two chairs, heaps of pillows, a wooden chest, a small bed and a wash stand.
‘I’ve thought about weather for as long as I remember. We don’t see much of it inside the Domain,’ she smiled. ‘I think it has to be treated very cautiously.’
Ashta reclined by the wall, Mim sat at the table opposite Dessi, Rofu draped round his neck again. Mim waited.
‘I mean, suppose I was to move all this snow away and bring warm winds here. The snow would have to go somewhere, but where? It is all balanced you see, everything is, it must be. Perhaps if I brought warmth here, all the snow would end up in Nagum woodlands. Then the woodlands would die of cold – do you see?’
Mim thought for a while, absently scratching Rofu’s ears.
‘If you make even a small change, then it could affect somewhere else, further and further. It could cause great troubles all through the world even.’
His eyes widened as he realised just what Dessi might be able to do.
‘You must tell me more of what you have discovered Dessi, but we should be in the hall. Tika and Farn leave in the morning. Can you make the snow even slightly less – to give Farn a help to start the journey south?’
Dessi nodded. ‘I’ve been trying to work out how I could do that. I think it’s rather more complicated than it seems, but I’m going to try it.’
Mim passed Rofu to her again and he and Ashta went towards the partially exposed chamber to fly down to the main entrance.
Rofu crooned softly, watching Mim leave.
‘He is very different from the other Kephis, is he not Mim?’ Dessi remarked.
Mim laughed over his shoulder. ‘The only one who is unashamed to admit to total cowardice, you mean? Yes!’
‘I’m sure he didn’t mean that Rofu.’ Dessi comforted a silent Rofu as she carried him down through the several levels of the stronghold.
‘I think he did,’ Rofu said sadly. ‘And it’s true I fear. It seems a very worrying world to me.’
Tika was sitting by Fenj, his self-appointed guardian, Lula, fast asleep between his folded wings.
‘This small Kephi is a great responsibility, you know.’
‘I’m sure she is,’ Tika grinned.
Lorak winked as he went to his workroom. He had already told Tika he was delighted the tiny Lula had adopted Fenj so determinedly. He had been worried that the massive old black Dragon was sinking into dr
eams of his past and letting the present slip by unnoticed. The little Kephi fascinated Fenj. He spent his time playing the silliest games with her, and became concerned if she was too long absent from him.
‘Fenj, you won’t let Mim and Ashta go charging off after this silver Dragon you told us of, will you? He hasn’t spoken of it since, but I know it’s in his mind.’
‘If he chooses to go, Tika, I would not be able to stop him. He is a Dragon Lord.’
‘Perhaps Emla will know of these Dragons. Mim must learn more before he tries to cross the Wilderness.’
At that point, Lorak came back out of his workroom and sat beside Tika. He discreetly handed her a leather bottle.
‘A little something in case of emergencies,’ he murmured. ‘But don’t let the high and mighty Gan know.’
‘Splendid creature,’ rumbled Fenj affectionately.
Tika reached up and hugged the old Dragon. ‘I’m going to miss you Fenj.’
His eyes whirred the shadows-on-snow colour. ‘And I you, small one. Brin will protect you. I know he seems an overgrown hatchling, but he is strong and brave and loyal.’
Tika saw Motass heading for the upper levels and ran to catch up with him.
‘Motass. You’ll watch over Mim and Ashta for me won’t you?’
Motass blushed, jiggling the tray of food in his hands awkwardly.
‘I feel I should come too Lady, but what with Lord Mim staying here, and my brother.’
‘Of course you will stay. I’m glad to know Mim has a Guardsman such as you to serve him.’
‘Well, I hope as how all goes well for you and Farn, indeed I do. My brother’s told Lord Gan all he remembers of Sapphrea and Return. I hope it helps.’
‘You’d better take that tray up to Jal before the food’s cold.’ Tika smiled up at the Guard.
‘Yes Lady. Stars protect you always Lady.’
Jeela called her as Tika turned back to the hall.
‘I know,’ she said before the small ivory Dragon could speak. ‘Your place is with Dessi now. But I have been glad of your company this far Jeela.’
‘I know you will all take care of Farn,’ Jeela’s eyes whirred. ‘He is not anywhere near as brave as he pretends.’
‘Brin will be with us. That will help Farn a lot.’
Jeela sniffed. ‘Brin!’
Tika was amused that only the single young male Dragon in the company saw Brin as a hero. Ashta was rarely to be found listening to Brin’s tales, and Jeela’s sniff indicated she shared Kija’s view of the crimson Dragon. Tika looked around the hall of the Grey Guardian’s stronghold. Guards had dismantled one side of the shattered gate and were still working on the other.
Twenty days they had been here and the threatening air of the place was gone, dispersed by the energetic work of Delvers and Guardsmen together. Tika knew Farn was greatly improved in strength. She also knew how afraid he was of the prospect before them. Not of facing Rhaki yet, but the relatively simple first step on the journey back to Gaharn. Kija would be helping Farn, lending him some of her physical strength and Tika herself would try to strengthen his mind. Now the time was so close that Tika wished tomorrow were already here.
In the morning, there was relieved surprise at the clear skies. Lorak grinned as he rubbed Farn’s shoulder.
‘A good token, young Farn, for the first day!’
Farn’s nervousness was palpable even though Lorak had made him drink a foul potion. ‘To give you some extra stamina,’ he’d explained, although Kija and Tika knew it was to soothe Farn’s fears.
Mim hugged Tika as though he would crush every bone in her body. The strange turquoise eyes with the vertical pupils glittered in his scaled face.
‘Come back safe,’ was all he said.
He laughed then and tapped Khosa’s nose. She was spitting with indignation from her carrying bag around Tika’s neck. She had not enjoyed being squeezed so thoroughly between them.
Gan nodded from where he sat in front of Sket on Brin’s back. Kran and Drak were perched nervously on Kija and Ulla stood waiting for Tika. Tika took one last look round the hall. Kera and Malesh stood by the entrance and many of the Guards had come to see the party off. Many servants were there too. Tika squared her shoulders, murmured: ‘Here we go again Khosa,’ and slid onto Ulla’s white back drawing her cloak tight about her.
Then Dragon voices called. Fenj and Brin’s deep bass notes answered by Kija, Jeela and Ashta. Only Ulla and Farn were silent as they lifted up from the gateway, spiralled to gain height to round the peak and twisted right, south towards Gaharn. Tika watched Farn anxiously, aware that Kija, flying slightly behind Farn’s left, was also keeping a close eye on him.
Brin kept their pace slower than he would usually have flown for the first league, then, as all felt Farn’s relieved confidence build up, Brin steadily increased their speed. Tika noticed that the air was clear where they flew but snow swept down only a few lengths further out from the mountain face. She wondered about it briefly before returning her attention to Farn.
Tika had just bespoken Kija, asking if they would halt soon as Farn was faltering very slightly, when Brin spoke in all their minds.
‘We are close to the entrance to the settlement of Akan. Their Elder, Monni, begs we accept their hospitality. I think it a good idea.’
The great crimson Dragon began to drop lower then swerved up and beneath an overhanging lip of rock deeply covered with snow. Ulla swept in behind him, Tika turning to watch Farn. He stumbled as he landed, staggered, then stood shivering with fatigue. Tika was beside him even as Kija landed, and she coaxed him further into the Domain.
A hand touched her shoulder and she looked up to see Monni watching Farn with compassion in her eyes as he struggled to keep his head up.
‘Take him to the warm pools – it is only a few more steps poor Dragon. He will feel better then.’
Tika nodded, remembering how Farn had loved playing in the pools on their earlier journey through the Domain of Asat. He allowed himself to be led through a double twisted tunnel and there was the settlement of Akan with a pool from which curls of steam arose. Kija prodded Farn on into the water and Ulla stayed close to them both.
Gan and Sket joined Tika as she watched Farn’s eyes. They were alarmingly dulled and faded to the palest blue.
‘He managed far better than I’d dared to hope,’ Gan said softly.
Tika leaned against him with a sigh. ‘Yes, but he wouldn’t have got this far if the snow had been falling on us.’
‘I noticed that. Was it you keeping us shielded?’
‘No. I think it was Dessi.’
‘Dessi?’ Gan was surprised.
‘She’s fascinated with the weather. Mim told me some time ago. She is very shy of revealing too much yet, but I suspect she’s made the wind push the snow back a little. I have no idea if she’ll be able to do that for us all the way back to Gaharn though.’
Sket, standing on her other side, nudged her. ‘Look Lady, his eyes are brightening.’
The Snow Dragons of Akan hunted for the visiting Dragons and by the time Farn emerged from the pool, ate some meat at Kija’s firm insistence, he was falling asleep.
The same pattern was repeated the next day. Except that towards the end of it, just before they approached the settlement of Arak, the snow gusted against them, blinding them briefly, before clearing again. Tika guessed Dessi was either tiring or finding it harder to help them the further away they were. Farn was tired but not so desperately as on the first day, which raised Tika’s spirits considerably.
Elder Torim was as fussy as before, insisting they receive anything they wished.
‘I hope to go up to the stronghold again soon myself. Oh dear me yes. The gardens of Arak are the most productive in the Domain you know. The Wise One suggested I spend a while there, advising Lorak. Dear me, I look forward to it greatly.’
Sket rolled his eyes at Tika at the thought of the garrulous Torim working with the taciturn Lorak, and she
struggled to keep her face straight.
The third evening saw them at Amud where Serim had been replaced as Elder by Falim the healer. To their astonishment, Nolli was there with Meppi and Uma. A strange device stood by her chair and her pink gums gleamed in a huge beam of welcome. There was an air of excitement about the ancient Delver but she said nothing until they had eaten their meal. Only then did she lean forward in her chair, twisted hands resting on the top of her stick.
‘I’ll be coming with you tomorrow.’
Silence met her announcement.
‘But – how?’ Tika finally managed to ask. ‘We will have one stop in open country Nolli. It is very cold.’
She stopped as Nolli’s grin became even pinker.
‘This seat,’ she nodded at the contraption beside her. ‘It will be strapped to a Dragon and I will be strapped inside it.’ Her eyes shone with triumph. ‘Meppi asked Brin to carry me and Lanni. He says he can also carry Gan, and Uma will take Sket. It’s all arranged. Old and crippled I might be, but I will see Gaharn.’
‘A brilliant notion,’ Khosa agreed regally, being the only one of the company who seemed capable of saying anything at all.
Many leagues westward, in the lands of Vagrantia, Jilla of Kedara Circle was speaking urgently with Thryssa, the High Speaker, in the Corvida building.
‘Someone is working with the weather systems I tell you.’
‘We have known for a long time that one who lives far to the north has warded their land with the cold snow laden winds.’
‘This is different,’ Jilla insisted. ‘It feels different. The one who used cold to ward themselves, was rough, simply twisting the air currents, keeping them always to one direction. This is softer, more tentative, as though whoever does it, is an apprentice, just learning the art.’
Thryssa still looked unworried. ‘Surely a beginner cannot do much harm. They will be supervised by their teacher.’
Jilla jumped up from her chair and began to pace Thryssa’s room.
Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series Page 9