The Quest tes-4

by Wilbur Smith

  'What is it?' Taita asked.

  'It is the reason I was sent here originally. Why you were sent after me,' That replied. 'I think you understand what I refer to.'

  'Tell me,' Taita insisted.

  That nodded. 'You do well not to trust me yet. The reason that Pharaoh Nefer Seti sent you south was to seek out and bring down the barriers that have been placed across the rivers that feed our Mother Nile so that she may run down once more to Egypt, revive and renew our nation. Then it is your purpose to destroy the one who raised those barriers.'

  'I retract what I said of you before. You are a loyal soldier and a

  I THE QUEST

  patriot. Our cause is one and it is just. How should we proceed? What do you propose?'

  'Our first concern must be to identify our enemy.'

  'The oligarchs?' Taita suggested, testing his understanding of the quest.

  'The oligarchs do not stand alone. They are straw men, puppets, who strut and puff on the stage of the Supreme Council. There is aught that stands behind them. An unseen thing or person. They carry out its dictates, and the worship of this nameless power is the religion of Jarri.'

  'Do you have any conception of what this thing may be? Is it a god, or do you believe it is mortal?'

  'I am a soldier. I know how to fight men and armies. I do not understand this other dark presence. You are the magus. You understand the other world. It is my fervent hope that you will command us, that you will guide and counsel us. Without somebody like you we are not warriors but lost children.'

  'Why have you not risen up against the oligarchs and seized power from them?'

  'Because it has been done before, two hundred and twelve years ago.

  There was a rebellion in Jarri. In the first days it was successful. The oligarchs were seized and executed. Then a terrible plague swept the land. The victims died in agony, bleeding from their mouths, ears, noses and the secret openings of their bodies. It was a disease that selected only the liberators and spared those who were loyal to the Supreme Council and worshipped the secret godhead.'

  'How do you know this?'

  'The history of the rebellion is engraved on the walls of the council chamber as a warning to all the citizens of Jarri,' That replied. 'No, Magus, I am fully aware of the power we seek to bring down, and the risk we shall run. I have thought on it without ceasing since I found you at Tamafupa. Our only hope of success will be if you can hold the dark power in check while we destroy the oligarchs and their human supporters.

  I know not if you will be able to destroy the evil thing itself, but I pray to all the gods of Egypt that, with your wisdom and magical skills, you will be sufficient to protect us from its wrath long enough for us to escape from Jarri. I pray also that you can use those powers to shatter the barriers that the thing has placed across the tributaries of the Nile.'

  'We tried once to destroy the wall of the Red Stones, Meren and I. In the attempt Meren lost his eye.'

  'That was because you treated the demolition as a physical problem.

  At that stage you had not realized its deeper, more sinister implications.

  We know that our chance of success is infinitesimally small, but my followers and I are prepared to lay down our lives for it. Will you make the attempt? Will you lead us?'I 'That is why 1 came to Jarri,' said Taita. 'If we are to have that smallest chance, there is much work ahead of us. As you have pointed out, it will not be easy to escape detection. We must take full advantage of this rare opportunity to be alone and unobserved. First, you must tell me everything I should know of your preparations up to this time. How many men and women are with you? What dispositions have you made? Then I will tell you my own observations and conclusions.'

  'That is a sensible course of action.'

  In order to draw out the journey to its limit and thus give themselves every possible moment alone, Taita feigned weakness and exhaustion.

  He demanded frequent stops to rest and even when he was on her back he held Windsmoke at her slowest pace. That, who had evidently prepared for this conference, provided him with a full report of his plans and the battle order of his forces.

  When he had finished Taita told him, 'It seems to me that you are not strong enough to take on the task of overthrowing the oligarchs, let alone pitting yourselves against the power behind them. From your own report most of your loyalists are imprisoned or enslaved in the mines and quarries. How many will be fit to travel, let alone fight, when you free them?'

  'Certainly we could not muster the forces to win a pitched battle against the oligarchs, then capture and hold the entire country. That was never my plan. I thought to capture the oligarchs by some subterfuge or ruse, then hold them hostage for the release of our compatriots from captivity and our safe passage out of Jarri. I know that this is the barest outline of a plan, one that, without your help, is bound to end in failure and death.'

  Taita called Meren to ride in their company. 'Meren, as you know, is my trusted companion, a brave and clever warrior. I would like you to accept him as your second in command.'

  That did not hesitate. 'I accept your recommendation.'

  As they rode on down the steep pathway the three discussed the basic battle plan, enlarging upon it and trying to find ways to strengthen it.

  The time passed too swiftly and soon the buildings and roofs of the citadel came into view far below. They stopped the horses and dismounted to divest themselves of their heavy leather cloaks and other mountain clothing.

  'We have little more time to talk,' Taita said to That. 'You and Meren know what you must do. Now I shall explain what I plan. Colonel That, all that you have told me so far has the ring of truth, and coincides with everything I have observed and discovered. I was informed by a seer and magus much greater than myself of the dark presence about which you spoke. This “goddess” is neither divine nor immortal but of such immense antiquity that she has been able to accumulate powers far beyond any possessed before by a mortal being. She has taken the name of Eos, the Daughter of the Dawn, and has a monstrous, remorseless appetite for power. All this I learnt from the magus Demeter, who was as well known to Meren as to me.' Taita glanced at his companion for confirmation.

  Meren nodded. 'He was indeed a great man, but I must contradict you, Magus. He was no greater than you.'

  Taita smiled indulgently at the compliment. 'Loyal Meren, I hope you never discover my true defects. However, to continue, Demeter had encountered Eos face to face. Despite his power and wisdom, she almost destroyed him at their first encounter, and succeeded at the next. Meren and I witnessed the manner of his death, but he survived long enough to pass on to me vital information about Eos. He explained that her purpose in damming the Nile is to reduce Egypt to such a parlous state that the populace will welcome her as their saviour. That would enable her to usurp the throne of the Two Kingdoms. With all the power and wealth of Egypt behind her, she would launch herself upon the other nations of the earth like a falcon upon a flock of sparrows. Her ultimate design is to subjugate them all to her sway.'

  That had listened raptly to this point, but now he interjected: 'Where did Demeter encounter the Eos creature? Was it here in Jarri?'

  'No, it was in a distant land where she once lived in the caverns of a volcano. It appears that she fled from there to this place. She needs to draw her vital forces from underground fires and boiling rivers. Demeter's clues led me to Jarri.' All three turned in their saddles to look back at the tall plumed peaks.

  That spoke at last: 'There are three great volcanoes here. Which is her home?'

  'The Cloud Gardens are her stronghold,' Taita replied.

  'How can you be certain?'

  'She disclosed herself to me while I was there.'

  'You saw her?' Meren exclaimed.

  'Not Eos herself, but she appeared to me in some of her many manifestations.'

  'She did not attack you as she did Demeter, the magus of whom you spoke?' asked That.; 'No, because she wants somethi
ng from me. When she has it she will destroy me without hesitation. But until then I am safe - or as safe as anything can be when it is near to her.'

  'What is it that she wants from you?' That demanded. 'She seems already to have almost everything.'

  'She wants learning and wisdom that I have and she does not.'

  'I do not understand. Are you saying she wants you to teach her?'

  'She is like a vampire bat, but instead of blood, she sucks the essence and soul from her victims. She has done so with thousands of seers and magi over the centuries. You told me of those you brought to Jarri, Colonel That. What became of them once you had delivered them?'

  'Captain Onka led them up the mountains, along this pathway. I do not know what happened to them after that. Perhaps they are somewhere in the Cloud Gardens, living in the sanatorium. Perhaps they are working with Dr Hannah.'

  'You may be right, but I do not think so. 1 believe they were stripped of their wisdom and learning by the witch.'

  That stared at him with horror. When he asked his next question it was in a different tone — one of fear: 'Then what became of them, do you think, Magus?'

  'You have seen the crocodiles in the lake? You have observed their gigantic size?'

  'Yes,' said That, in the same small voice.

  'I believe that answers your question.'

  That was silent for a while, then asked, 'Would you risk that fate, Magus?'

  'It is the only way I will come close to her. I must be able to look upon her person, not upon one of her manifestations. Then she might unwittingly give me my chance. She might underestimate me and lower her guard.'

  'What happens to my people if you fail?'

  'You must all flee from Jarri. If you remain, it will mean certain death for you.'

  'Death will be preferable to a lifetime of slavery,' said That, with his customary gravity. 'So, you are determined to return to the Cloud Gardens?'

  'Yes. I must go back into the witch's den.'

  'How will you achieve it?'

  'By order of the Supreme Council. I believe that Eos will command them to send me to her. She hungers for my soul.'

  A they descended the last slopes of the mountain they saw a larger group of horsemen coming towards them. When the two parties .were separated by less than a few hundred paces one of the strange riders spurred forward at a canter. As he drew closer, Meren exclaimed, 'It is Onka.'

  'Your new eye serves you as well as the old one,' Taita remarked, and he looked upon the approaching horseman with the Inner Eye. Onka's aura was aflame, seething like the cauldron of an active volcano.

  'The captain is angry,' said Taita.

  'I have given him good reason,' admitted That. 'You and I will be unable to speak to each other in private again. However, if you need to send a message to me, you can do so through Bilto, the magistrate of Mutangi. He is one of us. But now we have the company of Captain Onka.'

  Onka reined in just ahead of them, forcing them to a halt. 'Colonel That, I am grateful to you for taking over my duties.' He did not salute his superior, and his sarcasm came close to insubordination.

  'I see you are fully recovered from your indisposition,' That replied.

  'The Supreme Council are less grateful to you than I am. You exceeded your orders in taking over the escort of the magus.'

  'I shall be happy to answer to Lord Aquer.'

  'You may be required to do so. In the meantime he has ordered you to place the Magus, Taita of Gallala, in my charge. You are also to hand Dr Hannah's report to me. I shall take it to him. You are then further ordered to guide these other travellers to the Cloud Gardens without delay.' He indicated the group following him. 'Once you have delivered them to Dr Hannah you are to return at once.' That took the papyrus scroll of Hannah's report from his pouch and gave it to Onka. They saluted each other stiffly. That nodded a chilly farewell to Taita and Meren, then rode off down the path to take his place at the head of the second column and retrace his tracks up the mountain.

  At last Onka turned to Taita. 'Greetings, revered Magus. Hail, Colonel Cambyses. I see that the operation on your eye was successful. My felicitations.

  I have been ordered to take you to your quarters at Mutangi. You are to wait there until sent for by the Supreme Council. Their summons

  should not be more than a few days in coming.' Onka's aura was still blazing with anger. He kicked his horse into trot and they rode on down the mountain.) Neither That nor Onka acknowledged each other as the two parties passed, one ascending, the other descending the mountain. Taita, too, ignored Colonel That but looked instead at the members of the party he was leading up to the Cloud Gardens. There were six troopers in full uniform, three in the van and the other three in the rear. Between them rode five young women, all comely and all with child. They smiled at Meren and Taita as they passed, but none spoke.

  They were still half a league from Mutangi when a small figure on a large grey colt burst out of the woods and tore across the green fields towards them, her long blonde hair streaming out behind her like a banner in the wind.

  'Here comes trouble, and as usual she is in good voice,' laughed Meren.

  Even at this distance they could hear Fenn squealing with excitement.

  'That is a sight to warm the heart,' Taita said, his gaze fond and tender.

  Fenn reined in beside him and launched herself across the gap. 'Catch me!' she cried breathlessly.

  Taita was almost taken unawares by the onslaught, but he recovered his balance and she locked both arms round his neck, pressing her cheek to his.

  'You are getting too big for those tricks. You could have injured us both,' Taita protested, but held her as tightly as she was hugging him.

  'I thought you would never come back. I have been so bored.'

  'You have had all the village children for company,' Taita pointed out mildly.

  'They are children and therefore childish.' Still clinging to Taita, she looked across at Meren. 'I missed you too, good Meren. You will be amazed at how Hilto has taught me to shoot. We shall have an archery contest, you and I, for an enormous prize—' She broke off and stared at him with astonishment. 'Your eye!' she cried. 'They have mended your eye! You look so handsome again.'

  'And you are bigger and even more beautiful than you were when last I saw you,' Meren replied.

  'Oh, silly Meren!' She laughed, and once more Taita felt the twinge of jealousy.

  When they reached the village, Hilto, Nakonto and Imbali were just as happy to welcome them back. As a home-coming gift Bilto had sent

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  five large jugs of excellent wine and a fat sheep. Hilto and Nakonto slaughtered it, while Imbali and Fenn prepared dhurra and vegetables.

  Later, they feasted round the fire for half the night, celebrating their reunion. It was all so homely and familiar after the weird otherworld of the Cloud Gardens that, for the moment, the menace of Eos seemed remote and insubstantial.

  At last they left the fire and retired to their sleeping chambers. Taita and Fenn were alone for the first time since he and Meren had left her.

  'Oh, Taita, I was so worried. I expected you to cast for me and I could hardly sleep for fear that I might miss you if you did.'

  'I am sorry I caused you distress, little one. I have been to a strange place where strange things happen. You know the good reasons why I was silent.'

  'Good reasons are just as hard to bear as bad ones,' she said, with precocious feminine logic. He chuckled and watched as she pulled off her tunic and washed herself, then rinsed her mouth with water from the large earthenware jug. She was maturing with such extraordinary rapidity that he felt another pang.

  Fenn stood up, dried herself on the tunic, then threw it over the lintel to air. She came to lie beside him on the mat, slipped an arm around his chest and snuggled close. 'It's so cold and lonely when you are gone,' she murmured.

  This time I may not be forced to give her up to another, he thought.

  Perhaps t
here is a chance that Hannah can transform me into a full man. Perhaps one day Fenn and I may become man and woman who know and love each other, not only in spirit but also in body.' He imagined her in her magnificent womanhood and himself as youthful and virile, as he had appeared in the image that the imp had shown him in the pool. If the gods are kind and we both attain that happy state, what a wondrous couple we would make. He stroked her hair and said aloud, 'Now I must tell you all that I have discovered. Are you listening or are you half asleep already?'

  She sat up and looked at him sternly. 'Of course I am listening. How cruel you are! I always listen when you talk.'

  'Well, lie down again and keep listening.' He paused. When he went on, his tone was no longer light. 'I have found the witch's lair.'

  'Tell me about it - all of it. Keep nothing from me.'

  So he told her about the Cloud Gardens and the magical grotto. He described the sanatorium and the work Hannah was doing there. He told her the details of the operation on Meren's eye. Then he hesitated, but

  at last he summoned the courage to tell her of the operation Hannah planned for him.

  Fenn was quiet for such a long time that he thought she had fallen asleep, but then she sat up again and stared at him solemnly. 'You mean she will give you a dangling thing, like the one Imbali told me about, the thing that can change shape and size?'

  'Yes.' He could not help but smile at the description, and for a moment she looked bemused. Then she smiled like an angel, but the outer corners of her green eyes slanted upwards wickedly. 'I would love us to have one of those. It sounds like such rich sport, much better than a puppy.'

  Taita laughed at the way she had claimed joint ownership, but his guilt was as keen as a razor's edge. The imp of the grotto had put the devils into his mind, but Taita found himself imagining things that were best kept locked away and never spoken of. In the time Fenn had been with him she had developed much faster than a normal child would. But she was not a normal child: she was the reincarnation of a great queen, not governed by the natural order of this world. As swiftly as her body was altering, their relationship was also changing. His love for her was strengthening by the day, but it was no longer solely the love of a father for a daughter. When she looked at him in that new way, her green eyes slanted like those of a Persian cat, she was no longer a girl: the woman lay just below the innocent surface, a butterfly in its chrysalis. The first cracks were appearing in the shell and soon it would burst open for the butterfly to fly free. For the first time since they had been together, the witch in her Cloud Gardens was out of both their minds, and they were occupied with each other to the exclusion of all else.