Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series

by E. M. Sinclair

  ‘You truly think the Sacrifice, the Sacred One, is not true to the Order?’ Ren whispered the question, already knowing the answer but fearing to hear it spoken aloud.

  ‘My mother opposed Cho Petak’s elevation, as did four other Offerings. Nine Offerings supported his cause.’ Babach shrugged. ‘One of those who opposed him died a few days later – an inexplicable fever. Two others were caught in an avalanche during the following winter. My mother very publicly announced, during a visit by the Emperor, that she felt called to Oblaka, to follow Myata’s teachings. She left the Menedula openly before the Emperor’s visit ended and once here, she never left.’

  ‘The fifth Offering who opposed Cho Petak?’ Voron asked in a low voice.

  Babach grunted. ‘Died during the Emperor’s final banquet at the Menedula. He only choked on a date stone yet even with all the healers present, the Offerings, the Sacrifice himself, still he died very swiftly.’

  ‘Finn Rah told me that she believes we should have tried to reach the Night Lands. She said that Cho Petak also held that view then suddenly changed his mind and was then elevated to Sacrifice.’

  Babach nodded. ‘Finn Rah is a little older than Cho Petak. She appears younger because she conserves her strength. That is another indication you see – Cho Petak has aged far more quickly of late, a clear sign that he is using a great deal of power. Finn was one of the Offerings to support his elevation, believing as she did that he would then change his mind again about contacting the lands on the other side of this world.’ He tugged his braided beard.

  ‘I believe it amuses Cho Petak to have a “rebel” among his Offerings, which is why she is the only one who survives.’

  The fire crackled, blue flames suddenly spurting up, then overcome by the red and gold. Voron was about to speak when Chakar returned. She held something cupped in her hands and Sava, perched on the back of her armchair, hooted softly. Chakar knelt in front of the fire, facing Ren and Voron.

  ‘Successive Observers who have occupied this cottage are sworn to another Order.’ She raised her eyes first to Ren, then to Voron. ‘We follow the Order of Myata and within these hidden rooms are most ancient writings attributed to Myata herself. This object has never been fully understood, but we believe it was given to Myata by the old gods of Drogoya.’

  Chakar opened her hands and Ren and Voron leaned forward to see what she held. Between her palms lay an oval object which seemed to glow. Ren moved to kneel beside the woman but made no attempt to touch what lay within her hands. It resembled nothing more than a large egg, but an egg such as Ren had never seen.

  The side touching Chakar’s hands was of smooth stone, purist white laced with the thinnest threads of gold. The upper side matched the lower in shape but was filled with a hard transparent substance of a pale honey shade. Perhaps amber, Ren thought. Within the egg, a tiny shape hung. Stare as he might, Ren could not make out what the shape was, but he sat back on his heels in shock when the shape moved. The glow about the egg seemed to pulse with the movement inside it.

  Voron had joined Ren on the floor and he too stared in fascination. At last Ren looked up at Chakar. She raised an eyebrow.

  ‘You are an Offering Ren, and you a high Aspirant Voron. Look properly!’

  Both men focused their minds, enhancing their vision as they looked into the egg.

  The Dragon was so very tiny, but perfectly formed. Its scales were rose gold and its faceted eyes were a soft green. Voron and Ren crouched spellbound as the Dragon twisted and wings stretched briefly from its back.

  Chakar spoke above their bent heads.

  ‘We have many artefacts here, which we think Myata owned, but this we have been taught is her greatest treasure. Stories tell that she wore it constantly on a chain about her neck, and told anyone who asked her that it was a gift from the old gods.’

  Chakar sighed, closing her hands over the glowing egg. ‘In the last year and a half, what you saw within has begun to move and the whole egg to shine. We have been unable to penetrate the egg with our minds so we have no idea what this might portend.’ She held her hands close to her body and got to her feet again, carrying the object from the room once more.

  Babach reached across Voron to pull the kettle from above the fire. He busied himself making tea, giving the other two men time to recover from the shock of what they had seen. The silence held until Chakar reappeared to curl into her armchair.

  Voron spoke first, as though waking from a dream. ‘You imply that the egg began to change at the same time as the affliction became more widespread?’

  Chakar nodded, taking a bowl of tea from Babach with a smile of thanks.

  ‘To follow further, you must believe that the old gods are in some way still aware of what happens here?’ Ren still knelt by the fire as he spoke. ‘All I ever heard of them was that they were benign beings, who cared for the land and the magic and taught Sedka to do the same when they left.’ He frowned. ‘No one ever mentioned why they left – do you know?’

  Chakar and Babach both laughed.

  ‘We know no more than you Ren on that subject,’ Chakar told him.

  ‘But that was a Dragon,’ Ren said helplessly. ‘Children’s stories talk of mighty Dragons, but the only Dragons we know of are the small Sea Dragons along the coasts of some parts of Drogoya.’

  ‘There are the even smaller Fire Dragons in the far south Ren. They were studied fairly extensively by Observer Roshal before she returned to teach in the Menedula,’ Voron reminded him.

  An idea was forming in Ren’s mind. He looked from Chakar to Babach. ‘Do you think there may be other Dragons in the Night Lands?’ he asked. ‘The one in that egg looked like neither a Sea nor a Fire Dragon. Could there be other kinds?’

  ‘I do not know Ren and I refuse to guess. There is one more thing I must tell you before we leave you to get some rest. You know of the Plavats – the giant sea birds?’

  Ren and Voron nodded, puzzled by the switch from Dragons to sea birds.

  ‘Chakar has made a long study of them – all kinds of birds but particularly the Plavats. One was brought to her, barely out of its egg. She found that as with many other species, it was able to use mind communication.’

  Ren felt as if his brain would not hold any more surprises without bursting.

  ‘This particular bird, she named him Baryet by the way, is even now on his way to the Night Lands. He may be there – we cannot tell how long it may take even such a powerful bird, accustomed to travelling endlessly over the seas. He has been instructed to find intelligent beings if he can, and he carries a message written by Chakar and myself as simply as we were able. We wrote of Drogoya, the Order of Sedka, and also of the affliction. We wrote to warn them and to ask if they had any knowledge of its cause, or any hope of its cure. Now we have to wait to see if Baryet returns and if he does, what news he will bring with him.’

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  In the circle room at the Stronghold, a considerable crowd had gathered. When the scroll tube appeared announcing the imminent arrival of Lady Emla and three Vagrantians, many people found some reason to be in the vicinity of the circle room. Mim, Kera, Nesh and Dessi were actually within the room, along with Jal and eight armed Guards.

  It was not a long wait: there was a soft explosion of air and four people stood in the circle. A man and woman stood side by side while Emla was a little apart from them with her arm firmly around the shoulders of a much younger girl. Kera strode forward at once, her arms open to embrace Emla and, because Emla held the girl, Kera perforce embraced her too.

  She smiled down into the silver eyes with the bright blue pupils, letting no hint of curiosity or concern appear in her gaze.

  ‘I am Discipline Senior Kera. Emla and I are best friends since we began first lessons together.’

  Her warm smile included the couple behind Emla. Emla quickly introduced her companions and Mim moved forward. His slender form stepped towards Elyssa first and in his light fluting voice, he offered h
is greeting, turning then to Maressa and Imshish. Emla took the opportunity to study Mim after an absence of several ten-days.

  Gold scales covered all she could see of his skin – his face, his flexible, slightly pointed ears, his throat, his arms. He turned with a faint smile, aware of her scrutiny, and she saw that at least his turquoise eyes were the same. Or were they? Mim smiled more widely and then suggested that the Vagrantians come down to the great hall and make the acquaintance of the rest of the Stronghold’s occupants.

  Turning the last curve of the long sloping ramp, the Vagrantians stopped in their tracks. Across the hall, by a large gateway, stood the erect figures of two Great Dragons and one Snow Dragon. Maressa found herself drawn slowly towards the massive black Dragon who was now lowering himself to recline against the wall.

  ‘You are Fenj?’ she asked aloud.

  His eyes flashed the shadows on snow colour. ‘I am indeed,’ he replied in her mind. ‘And you are Maressa. I apologise again for so startling you when I first tried to reach you.’

  ‘And I am Lula, Protector of Fenj.’

  Maressa jumped and looked from side to side. Something pressed against her ankles and staring down, she saw a very small, black furred creature weaving figures of eight between her boots. Lula looked at her then bounded up Fenj’s side to her favourite post between his ears.

  ‘Your Protector,’ Maressa sounded bemused.

  Fenj’s eyes whirred faster. ‘She is my salvation,’ he murmured fondly.

  A man emerged from a cupboard close by and gave what Maressa assumed, and hoped, was a smile, revealing a sad absence of teeth. He wore something upon his head, not really recognisable as a hat, and various layers of shapeless garments.

  ‘This is my dear friend Lorak. He was the Chief Gardener in charge of the Lady Emla’s estate, but now he is my companion. He is the most splendid fellow.’ Fenj lowered his head, carefully, to be level with Maressa. ‘I look forward to a long talk with you later my dear, but I think Lady Emla wishes you to join them for now.’

  Maressa glanced round guiltily and found everyone else gathered at one of several long tables. She hurried to squeeze onto a bench beside Imshish. Emla was explaining, at length, just why she felt that Rhaki was involved in the strange disorder which caused some, indeed most, sufferers to have their eyes become red scaled and their minds to be disordered. Kera and Mim both tried to speak but Emla was in full flow until finally halted by a screech from outside the gateway and the impressive entrance of Baryet. The great bird stalked further into the hall, folded his legs beneath him and settled comfortably. His head cocked to one side.

  ‘New creatures,’ he remarked.

  Emla was taken aback. To be told of a giant bird was one thing: to see it in front of you was quite another. She rose, approached the bird and inclined her head.

  ‘I am Emla, Golden Lady of Gaharn. I have been told of your great journey here from your land of Drogoya.’

  One yellow rimmed eye stared down at her. ‘It would seem a great journey to you no doubt, but it was a trifling jaunt to me of course.’

  Lula spat and Emla bit the inside of her cheek to repress a laugh. She was trying to summon an adequate reply when Baryet’s head snaked around her. His lethally hooked black bill chittered.

  ‘An Observer,’ he exclaimed happily. Then his head swivelled and he glared around the hall. ‘But no one told me that you have Observers of your own in these lands. Why have you concealed this from me?’

  Mim strolled across to Emla’s side, Ashta at his shoulder. He glanced back at the group at the table and held out his hand towards Elyssa. She came slowly to him, taking his taloned fingers in hers.

  ‘Do you mean, Baryet, that you think Elyssa is an Observer?’ he asked lightly.

  The hooked bill swung a little too close to Mim and Ashta hissed, her eyes sparking gold glints of annoyance. Mim’s free hand rested between Ashta’s wings to soothe her.

  ‘Well of course she is.’ Baryet sounded testy. ‘She has the eyes of an Observer, the first I have seen here, so she is an Observer.’

  Mim nodded. ‘All Observers in Drogoya have silvered eyes then?’

  ‘Yes, yes. Their eyes begin to change after they have trained for some time.’

  Feathers lifted at the back of his neck.

  ‘I do not bother myself with trying to learn more of their ways you understand.’

  ‘Quite so,’ Mim agreed. ‘I fear I am slow to understand many things myself, mighty Baryet, but I think you may have just told me something fairly important.’

  Baryet made an odd clucking noise and pushed his head firmly beneath a wing, clearly not wishing to have any further conversation at this moment. Mim, Emla and Elyssa returned to the table: Ashta delayed to glare at the great pile of feathers before her.

  ‘That was interesting,’ Mim said softly. ‘And before you start again Emla, I agree with you in part. Rhaki has set something in motion in these lands, but it is not him alone.’

  Elyssa stared at him. ‘Another such as this Rhaki must live in Drogoya – that is what you mean, isn’t it?’

  Mim nodded.

  ‘But will the Observers be able to find him – whoever he is?’

  ‘Oh yes,’ said Mim. ‘I am sure they already have a good idea who he is. Whether they have the knowledge, or the power, to deal with him, is another matter. Just as we have to deal with Rhaki and the Silver One, yet have no clear idea of how to do so.’

  Maressa and Elyssa were invited to see the newly made growing areas and to meet some of the Delvers during what remained of the afternoon. Imshish stayed in the hall speaking with Nesh and Mim. Eventually, Imshish raised the subject of the pendant Mim wore that had been taken from the collection of sparkling treasures hoarded by the Broken Mountain Treasury. Mim reached his scaled hand between the laces of his jerkin. Imshish and Nesh studied the pendant.

  ‘How long has it been shining like this?’ Imshish asked.

  Mim looked slightly surprised. ‘I did not know it was shining. The scales I have now, protect me from any heat it might give off.’

  ‘Heat?’

  ‘There was one time, soon after my scales came, that both pendants – this one and Tika’s – became very hot. I scarcely noticed, but it actually burnt Tika’s skin.’

  Mim held the egg shaped pendant nearer to Imshish. Half of it was shelled in white gold, the egg itself filled and completed with a hard transparent substance. Not amber, Imshish thought. He glimpsed a tiny speck inside and bent closer, probing with his earth powers. He sat back in astonishment, looking up at Mim.

  The Dragon Lord grinned. ‘The Wise One of the Delvers showed us a cave where

  hundreds of these are kept. The Delvers have looked after them safely for many cycles. They did not tell me who entrusted them to the Delvers or why. After all the cycles that have passed, I think they do not remember.’

  ‘We should send Baryet back to Drogoya,’ Nesh said thoughtfully. ‘I wonder if there is any chance that he could carry one of us on his back?’

  Mim looked doubtful. ‘Who would you suggest?’

  Nesh shrugged. ‘The Vagrantians have the right of this though Mim: face to face discussions get us further, faster, than any amount of message sending.’

  Mim drummed his talons on the table top. ‘I suggest we send Baryet back with as much information as we have so far managed to gather. We could propose that Babach sends one of his people back to us first – that bird might behave better with a Drogoyan on his back. I would not like to ask anyone from here to risk a ride with him to an unknown destination.’

  ‘Tomorrow then?’ Nesh suggested. ‘We can compose the message tonight and Baryet can leave at dawn.’

  ‘Will he be willing to leave at dawn?’ Imshish sounded dubious. ‘He seems a rather unpredictable bird to me.’

  Mim grinned. ‘Fenj and I know how to deal with Baryet.’

  ‘Then if that is decided, I know that the Lady Emla wishes to go on to Gaharn at once.’ Imsh
ish glanced from Mim to Nesh. ‘Elyssa will go with her. She has grown fond of the Lady and the Lady has sworn to keep her close. Maressa will go with them. However, I would like to remain here for at least a few more days. I work with the earth powers – maybe I could help or advise with the gardens you are creating here?’

  Mim nodded as servants began setting the tables for the evening meal. ‘Lorak and Bikram are the two you need to talk with. I will introduce you – after the message to Drogoya is written.’

  Although the hour was early, most of the people of the Stronghold appeared in the hall to wish Baryet safe journey. The great bird seemed suddenly struck with a fit of shyness and appeared quite overcome by the good wishes called to him. He bade farewell to Fenj, ignoring Lula spitting rudely at him from the safety of Fenj’s head. Then he stilted towards the gateway.

  ‘It will be only a few days before I am back here once more,’ he said. ‘I am such a powerful flier it takes little effort.’

  And with that last conceit, Baryet was gone.

  Emla, Maressa and Elyssa stepped off the circle within the Pavilion of Balance in Gaharn. Soran had just inspected the Guards on duty outside the Pavilion when Emla appeared. His face lit with a smile as he snapped a salute.

  ‘Is all well, Captain Soran?’ Emla smiled back at him.

  ‘The young Dragons cause chaos at least once a day, as do the two old Ladies, but otherwise all is well my Lady.’

  ‘No, no,’ Emla stopped him when he ordered four Guards to fall in as escort for her. ‘We will go quietly, with just you, and surprise those old Ladies!’

  They made their way along the gravelled paths to the front steps of Emla’s great House. Emla peeped around the door then marched in with Soran and her two guests.

  Ryla and Nolli appeared to be arguing, each waving pieces of paper at the other. Emla stood directly before them before they were aware of her presence. Nolli’s face split into a pink beam of delight while Ryla dropped the papers she’d been waving and held out her nearly transparent hands to the Golden Lady. Emla laughed aloud, reaching to hug each old lady in turn.