The Jasper Forest

by Julia Gray

  It would be worth investigating, even so, Shahan said.

  I'll ask Kerin.

  What do you know about Talazoria? Muzeni asked.

  Not much. I don't know anyone who's actually been there. Apparently Ekuban, the king, is obsessed with precious stones and metals. Even the buildings are supposed to be decorated with—

  The jewelled city! 'Muzeni and Shahan exclaimed simultaneously.

  There was a sinking feeling in the pit of Terrel's stomach.

  It's in the Code, isn't it?

  Shahan nodded.

  We always thought that section was either a poetic reference to Makhaya or just a flight of fancy.

  A parable, Muzeni explained pedantically.

  What does the Code say about it?

  It's another of the places where the Guardian and the Mentor are supposed to join forces.

  Nothing about an earthquake?

  I don't remember anything specific, Shahan answered, glancing at Muzeni.

  There are apocalyptic passages throughout the prophecy, the heretic said vaguely. I'd have to check . . .

  You still think Terrel's dream was a warning? Elam asked.

  Terrel is part of the prophecy, Shahan replied. It seems reasonable to assume that his experiences may have some bearing on its interpretation.

  All right, Elam said, his voice taking on a practical tone for once. Assuming this elemental is in Talazoria, and that it is going to start an earthquake, what would prompt it to do something so violent?

  Water, Alyssa stated.

  It's surrounded by a moat, Terrel confirmed. And Ekuban may well be tormenting it without realizing what he's doing. It's possible the elemental will be driven past the point of madness by what's happening to it — and we know just how powerful it could be.

  They were all silent for a while, each contemplating the possible consequences of their discoveries.

  Well, Elam said eventually. There's one way to find out for certain if there really is an elemental there.

  The others looked at him.

  One of us, he said, indicating his fellow ghosts, has to try to go to Talazoria.

  Of course, Muzeni agreed, turning to look at the bird. Can you help us with that, my dear?

  Why do you need help? Terrel asked. The ghosts had apparently been able to visit various places on Vadanis on their own - apart from Betancuria, of course.

  We're linked to this world in various ways, Shahan explained, to our own former lives, if you like. Outside those realms we require the services of a guide. He nodded towards Alyssa.

  I'll let you look through the windows, she agreed.

  Thank you, my dear, Muzeni said, then turned back to Terrel. However, whatever the outcome of our experiment, it seems certain that you will have to go to Talazoria.

  Terrel had been waiting for this. Are you sure? You told me yourself that there's probably more than one Mentor, so why does it have to be me? This isn't even my homeland. There could be someone else here already.

  Then why did you have the dream? Look, Terrel replied, uncomfortably aware that he was beginning to sound desperate, I don't know how long it'll take me to get to Talazoria. I probably wouldn't arrive in time, and it's almost certain I wouldn't be able to get back to the coast in time for the return of the islands. I'd be stuck here for another year! This is someone else's problem. The earthquake won't even affect Vadanis.

  The two seers exchanged glances.

  I'm not so sure that's true, Shahan stated earnestly. If the tremor is as severe as Alyssa described, it's not going to stop when it reaches the coast.

  At the very least, it would create a massive tidal wave.

  And if that happened when the islands were on this side of the ocean, Muzeni added, the results would be catastrophic. Apart from the damage done by the wave itself, it could knock the empire off course again.

  I'm afraid there's good reason to suspect that any major quake here would be desperately serious, Shahan went on. Macul is part of a fixed land mass, and that makes it more vulnerable. The islands are fortunate they're able to move as this minimizes the impact of any tremor. In effect, they shift and flex to absorb the blow. That can't happen here, and the forces will build up until something has to give way. When it does, the results will be extremely violent.

  I thought all the destruction, the giant waves and everything else, was supposed to be at the next conjunction, Terrel persisted. After seventy-five years, or whatever it is now.

  That's what most people thought, Shahan conceded, but it doesn 't mean something can't happen earlier. We 've already had to avert one crisis in order to prevent the devastation of the islands. It's possible we may need to do so again.

  And you are here, Terrel, Muzeni pointed out. This might be why.

  Terrel knew by then that this argument was not one he was going to win. Alyssa remained silent, and when he glanced at Elam, his friend could only shrug.

  I'm not going until it's certain I have to, he said, using up the last vestiges of his defiance.

  It will be your decision, Muzeni assured him. We can only offer advice.

  Terrel looked at the long-dead heretic, suspecting him of dissembling, but the old man seemed genuine enough. We'll find out what we can, Shahan added.

  When . . . when will you . . . Terrel asked hesitantly.

  As soon as possible, the seer replied. But you'd better start making your preparations now. We don't know how much time we 've got.

  All right. He felt his shoulders sag in defeat, and was overwhelmed by a sudden wave of homesickness. What's happening on Vadanis? he asked quietly. Is everything all right there?

  All seems well, Shahan replied. No one's found out why the Dark Moon is behaving the way it is, but the islands are definitely back on course, and they're hardly rotating any more. The consensus is that the lodestone principle is reasserting itself.

  Now that they don't need to do anything, Muzeni added, most people are content simply to wait. Complacency is rife - even among the seers — now that they think they 're safe.

  Of course, Jax is using his new-found status to make life miserable for those around him, the seer put in. But that was only to be expected.

  He's still invading my dreams, Terrel said.

  Really? That shows a tenacity that seems out of character.

  Was he in the vision of the earthquake?

  Yes. He said we were a team.

  And are you?

  No! Terrel replied without thinking, angry that Muzeni should even ask the question. I don't know what he was doing, but I wanted no part of it.

  Do you think he might have something to do with the destruction? Shahan asked.

  I don't see how.

  He's a weather-mage, Alyssa stated.

  They all looked at the colourful bird, but she chose not to expand on her remark. Terrel saw again the tornado that had almost killed him and Alyssa at Betancuria. He remembered the clouds of his dreams, the rain below -the magic in the air. Was it possible that Jax was using the weather to torture the elemental? Could he somehow have been involved in the events that had led to the creature's imprisonment? And if so, had he done so as part of a team} The idea that he himself might unwittingly have been part of such an undertaking filled Terrel with horror.

  The others were silent too, caught up in their own speculations, and it was left to Elam to end their reverie.

  I think we should investigate this brother of yours, he decided. See what he's up to. It's a long time since I visited Makhaya.

  Agreed, Shahan said. Muzeni and I will return to our study of the Code. You can follow the prince.

  Wait a moment! Don't go yet, Terrel implored them. Do you remember what we talked about last time? About Ysatel?

  Your sleeper, Elam said, nodding.

  Did you find her?

  No. But Alyssa did.

  I had help, Alyssa said.

  I told you the bird-girl has friends in high places, Elam commented.

  Wi
ll she be able to do what you do? Terrel asked Alyssa.

  Not yet. But I may be able to arrange something else.

  What?

  A tree has as many branches under the ground as it does above.

  I'm glad you cleared that up, Elam remarked, laughing, then caught sight of Terrel's puzzled expression. What? You didn't expect a straight answer, did you?

  Terrel said nothing. He was still trying to decipher Alyssa's cryptic words.

  As he was thinking, all three ghosts vanished.

  Do you have to go too? he asked quickly.

  Alyssa did not reply, but the bird remained where it was. A moment later another bird flitted down to join her. It was small and dowdy by comparison, with a mottled brown back and wings, and white breast feathers, but it was eerily beautiful in its own way. It had appeared suddenly, as if it too were a ghost.

  Ysatel? Terrel asked hopefully.

  There was no response, but even though he could hear nothing, Terrel sensed some sort of communication between the two birds. To his disappointment, the newcomer flew away again after a few moments of this silent conversation.

  Who was that?

  A treecreeper, Alyssa replied. They walk differently too.

  And they follow ghosts, Terrel thought, remembering something she had told him during one of her earlier visits.

  Can you stay with me for a while? he asked.

  I always stay with you, she responded, as if this should have been self-evident.

  Terrel was about to contradict her, but thought better of it. He would just make the best of what time they did have.

  If I have to go to Talazoria, you will come with me, won't you?

  If you want me to.

  Of course I do! We really are a team.

  There are some dreams I want to see, Alyssa told him, changing the subject abruptly.

  Where?

  In the village.

  Won't they have blown away by now? The day was already over an hour old, and most people would have been awake for at least that long.

  Not all of them, she answered. At least I hope not.

  All right, Terrel said, getting to his feet. Let's go. Do you want to fly, or ride on my shoulder?

  Does anyone in Fenduca keep hives?

  Not that I know of. Why?

  Because I'm a bee-eater, she replied. For some reason, not all bee-keepers take kindly to my presence.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  'So you're thinking of leaving us?' Cutter asked.

  'I don't want to,' Terrel replied, 'but I may have to.'

  'I always thought you'd go home eventually. What made you change your mind?'

  'A lot of things. Including what happened to Ysatel.'

  'You think you'll find someone in Talazoria who can help her?'

  'In a manner of speaking, yes. How far is it to the city?'

  'Must be three hundred miles at least.'

  Although Cutter obviously thought that this was a tremendous distance, Terrel found that he was actually relieved. He had feared it might be far more. He'd travelled much further than that on Vadanis.

  'What's the best way to get there?'

  'I'd head for Aratuego first,' Cutter advised him, pointing to the northwest.

  'Then you might be able to hitch a ride with one of the merchant convoys heading inland. After that I've no idea.'

  'How long do you think it'll take?'

  The big man shrugged his broad shoulders.

  'It depends on how you travel.'

  'What's the best I can hope for?'

  'I've heard it said that a dispatch rider can make the trip in little over a short month,' Cutter replied. 'But people aren't going to be lining up to offer you a fresh mount at each outpost, are they? You'll be lucky to do it in double that.'

  Terrel's previous experience made even this estimate seem wildly optimistic.

  He'd be travelling in completely unknown territory, with few resources of his own. What was more, he had no idea what he was supposed to do at the end of his journey, nor how long this would take. However, he'd worked out that in order to get to the coast in time to try to return to the islands, the whole trip needed to last no more than seven median months - which didn't seem to be beyond the bounds of possibility. And the sooner he went, the better his chances would be.

  Terrel realized, with a sinking heart, that he was already assuming he was going to Talazoria. Everything pointed to that conclusion.

  'I'll be sorry to see you go,' Cutter said.

  'I'll be sorry too,' Terrel responded, 'but I don't seem to have any choice.

  At least Talker's back in the village now, so he'll be able to go on with the healing.'

  'As long as he can find someone to guide him.'

  'I'll see to that before I leave,' Terrel promised. 'Thanks for your help, Cutter.'

  'No problem,' his former enemy replied. 'Just do me a favour. Try to get Kerin to change his mind about that fire-opal before you go.' Mitus was smiling as he spoke,

  and Terrel half grinned in response, knowing such an attempt would be pointless.

  As he went on his way, Terrel thought of the encounters that had occurred earlier that day. Obeying Alyssa's request, he had taken her first to Davi's hut. The little boy had just woken up and, after rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he'd been entranced by the colourful bird on Terrel's shoulder.

  Alyssa had spent the time studying the air above Davi's head, but wouldn't tell Terrel what she'd seen in the child's dreams. Her only comment had been -

  He has the moons on his eyes - and she'd refused to explain what that meant.

  Their next port of call, again on Alyssa's instructions, had been the infirmary, where she'd spent a much shorter time examining the remnants of Talker's dreaming. Then, to Terrel's dismay, the bee-eater had taken to the air and flown away. She simply ignored his pleas for her to stay, and - as usual - had left without giving any indication of when she might return.

  After that, once he'd recovered his wits and overcome the sadness prompted by her abrupt departure, Terrel had gone to speak to Kerin. He had found the prospector pacing listlessly about the hut, and had asked him about the timing of the emergence of the black mountain. But he'd learnt nothing conclusive.

  Eventually, Kerin had wandered off to the river - after one more look at Ysatel's unmoving form - and Terrel had gone in search of Cutter.

  Now, having done all he could in the way of research, he could only wait, and wonder what the others would come up with.

  *

  Well, there's definitely an elemental in Talazoria, Elam stated.

  Terrel had not had to wait long. The bee-eater and her ghostly retinue had returned the next morning.

  It was like Betancuria, Shahan confirmed.

  But stronger, Elam added. We couldn't get within fifty miles of the place.

  So it's more powerful than the other one? Terrel said. It was a frightening thought.

  It would seem so, Muzeni muttered.

  You don't sound very sure.

  It may not be as simple as that, the heretic admitted.

  Why? What do you mean?

  The two seers glanced at each other, each apparently hoping the other would speak first.

  It's difficult to explain, Shahan began.

  Quantifying subjective impressions is always tricky from a scientific point of view, Muzeni added. We . . .

  What they mean is, Elam cut in, although the effect of the forces on us was the same, it didn 't feel the same. Some of it felt different, but some of it was identical - as if the two creatures were working together.

  Is that possible?

  How are we supposed to know? My guess is there's some sort of link between them.

  As if they were twins? Terrel whispered.

  You could put it that way, Elam said, understanding his friend's disquiet. But to me it seemed almost as if they were somehow part of the same being.

  Although Terrel wanted to dismiss this idea out of hand,
Muzeni nodded in apparent agreement.

  Our young colleague has admirably conveyed the feelings we all experienced, the heretic said. There were . . . resonances . . . I don't know how to express it more accurately. In some sense, the two entities may be one and the same.

  But they're hundreds of miles apart, Terrel objected.

  This is a form of life we have never encountered before, Shahan pointed out.

  There's so much about them that is a mystery. However, if our supposition is correct, the consequences could be far-reaching. Most obviously, it means that the bargain you made with one you also made with the other.

  Terrel was stunned.

  That's ridiculous!

  The divisions between individuals simply may not exist for them, Muzeni ventured.

  Terrel found himself struggling with the implications of this theory. If it were true, it would mean that his innocent offer of friendship was to have repercussions that went far beyond the problem he had been trying to solve on Vadanis. He felt as if he'd been duped.

  But that means ... he began.

  It means you have to start all over again, Elam completed for him.

  Terrel glanced at his friend.

  Why do we get lumbered with all the lousy jobs? he quoted, taking them back to an incident at the haven when they'd been forced to clean out the stables. It seemed like another lifetime - another world.

  Come on. It's not that bad, Elam said. At least the elemental doesn 't produce any manure.

  Terrel grinned, but then Shahan brought the discussion back to more serious matters.

  You may be the only person who can contact the Ancient, the seer explained.

  The one here has apparently been killing

  the prisoners sent into the fortress, just as the miners were killed in Betancuria. And the creature there chose to befriend you. So it follows that you may be the only one who can prevent disaster.

  Your actions saved the islands, Muzeni added. There's a chance you might be able to save Macul.

  And you have the amulet.

  I suspect your journey's not over yet, whether you like it or not.

  Terrel waved the two old men to silence with an impatient gesture, wishing they'd stop trying to persuade him of his duty, his destiny. He turned to Alyssa, who hadn't said anything for some time.