Perilous Shadows: Book 6 Circles of Light

by E. M. Sinclair

  ‘But you didn’t check Ren out.’ Essa’s tone was flat.

  Tika was silent. Essa spoke the truth. Why had she not tested Ren’s thoughts? Because she doubted him? Tika sighed and stretched her legs out beside Essa’s, noticing with resignation that her feet reached to Essa’s knees. Nearly.

  ‘Being honest, I think Ren worried me from near the beginning. He admitted his was a fearful, timid nature, but I wondered if he said that because he knew we would always keep him in a comparatively safe place, never in the front, if you see what I mean.’

  She waited for Essa’s nod.

  ‘Jakri, the Wendlan mage who travelled with us later, he usually kept his distance from Ren, and now that I think on it, the gijan were not close to him. So I suppose the clues were all there Essa, but I refused to read them right.’

  ‘And is everyone here trustworthy?’ Essa’s light blue eyes stared down into Tika’s. ‘I do not believe you have touched my mind.’

  Tika held Essa’s gaze and let a tendril of power slip inside Essa’s head. She kept her expression neutral but she was amazed at what she saw. Essa’s mind was a dazzling network of threads and bright points. In other words, this woman from the Bear tribe should be a mage of considerable strength. Why was she not?

  Essa smiled faintly. ‘I’ve been practising with Kija. I can mind speak now – without needing her to start the process. And other things are happening. I think it must be this bloody pendant.’

  ‘What other things?’ Tika somehow managed to keep her voice steady.

  Essa sighed. ‘I see pictures, without warning. I’m looking at someone and then there’s a sort of blink, and I see them in a different place.’ She shook her head in frustration that she couldn’t explain clearly enough. ‘For instance. Volk. I was watching him talking to Shea and then there he was as a younger, thinner man, carrying a baby. Then he was Volk again, talking to Shea. That sort of thing.’

  ‘Do you see only the past?’

  Essa didn’t answer at once. ‘No. I think I see the future too.’

  And some of the futures she had seen had proved unpleasant, Tika realised.

  ‘Anything else?’

  Essa drew her feet back and leaned her elbows on her knees, clutching her head. ‘When I’m nearly asleep, or just waking up, I can hear everyone’s dreams, or thoughts. It’s driving me mad.’

  Tika put her hand on Essa’s powerful shoulder. ‘I can show you how to block that. Let’s go outside, somewhere a bit quieter and I’ll show you now.’

  Without a word, Essa got up and made for the door. Both Sket and Shivan glanced towards her but Tika shook her head quickly and went after Essa.

  Rhaki had spent these few days listening to all the talk. He was still surprised every now and then, to realise how comfortable he felt in this body, and among these people. He still shied away from the memories Kija had restored to him. Although he accepted them, he was not ready to face them fully. He had soon discovered why this small group of fourteen people followed Tika.

  Kazbeck had recounted the fight in Kelshan, when he, his brother Kazmat, and Corim, had been injured near to death. And Tika, against whom they’d raised swords, had healed them. Kazbeck and Rhaki were hauling water from the lake to the kitchen at the time, and Dog had overheard their conversation. Later, she’d told Rhaki of her smashed leg being healed by Tika.

  Rhaki had spent a whole afternoon with Shea, exploring along the lake shore, and he’d heard the story of her appalling childhood and her escape to the Dark Realm. Rhaki had seen Shea as merely a half grown child, but when she’d explained about going in to the Splintered Kingdom to locate Tika, Sket and a cat, he had stared at her in astonishment. With no embarrassment, Shea shrugged off her shirt to display the fine lines which traced the horrific burns she’d received at that time.

  They would have cost her the use of that arm, if not her life. But Tika had healed her. Shea had also explained that Sergeant Essa, Fedran and Geffal had asked to serve Tika. They were from the Dark Realm, like Shivan, and had been chosen by the Shield Master from among dozens of volunteers. The elderly healer Konya, had likewise begged to travel with the company.

  Rhaki had not had the opportunity to speak alone with Tika since the night they’d met, but increasingly he felt drawn tighter into this group surrounding her. The opportunity arose the morning following Volk’s disappearance into the woods. Farn, Brin and Storm were playing high above the lake, the guards were occupied with the horses and weapons drill and Rhaki, emerging from the building, saw Tika strolling beside the water. The only drawback to approaching her was the huge Raven strutting at her side.

  Rhaki was unsure what the bird was, but had noted the company’s caution around her, not entirely due to the heavy battered beak, he suspected. He squared his shoulders and walked quickly to catch up with them. Hag turned, bouncing in front of him, wings half spread. She cackled at him.

  ‘I smelled your magic before.’

  A bright eye rimmed with gold regarded him with interest. Rhaki stopped. She smelled his magic? He extended his senses, carefully, then pulled back with a gasp. The bird was so full of power! Hag shrieked with laughter and bounced more vigorously. Tika rolled her eyes. At least Hag hadn’t taken offence at Rhaki’s mind probe. Tika had seen Hag annoyed, but never angry, and she sincerely hoped not to.

  Rhaki cleared his throat, his eyes never leaving the bird.

  ‘I – erm – was hoping for a word, but I’ll come back when you aren’t – um – busy,’ he began.

  Hag screamed and was suddenly airborne. ‘I have other matters to attend to. But I’ll see you soon. My dear.’ She swooped uncomfortably low over Tika then shot skyward.

  ‘Dear stars, I had no idea,’ Rhaki stuttered, watching Hag’s rapid flight. He frowned as the great Raven disappeared. ‘She uses those gateway things Shivan’s been telling me about?’

  Tika sighed. ‘Yes. No one seems to know anything about her really. All the Dark Ones tell me is that she has always existed – as long as they have. But there must be more. Officially, she calls herself Anfled of the Dark. Shea thinks she’s lonely.’ Tika shuddered. ‘So because I’ve tried to be polite to her, she thinks I am her friend.’

  ‘My dear,’ Rhaki nodded.

  ‘Exactly. The trouble is, I think Shea is right. The Dark Ones don’t pay much attention to her. They know she has more power than any one creature should ever possess, yet they treat her almost with contempt.’

  She looked across the lake, then back to Rhaki. ‘Are you used to your new life yet?’

  Rhaki moved to stand next to her. ‘I am surprised,’ he admitted. ‘I know you’ll think this is ridiculous, but I feel this body really is mine, that I’ve had it forever. I feel content. I like your companions immensely, and I am honoured that they seem to have accepted me so generously. My name was known to several of them yet they did not seek to kill me at once.’ He gave her a wistful smile. ‘I cannot judge myself. The memories - ’

  Tika waved him to silence. She gave him a lopsided grin and slid her arm through his.

  ‘It is very strange,’ she said, drawing him on along the bank. ‘This time last year, all I could think of was how I could kill you. Yet now I feel I’ve known you all my life, and you are an old and valued friend.’

  Rhaki squeezed her arm against his side, unable to speak.

  By the time they’d gathered in the hall that evening after supper, Volk was still absent. Hesla arrived and reported to Tika. Her earlier antagonism had changed to a certain nervousness, added to obvious exhaustion. Hesla told them that no more people had arrived at the Menedula and there was now an uncanny stillness about the place. Various Old Bloods had scouted the surrounding area, to distances of many leagues, and had found no living souls. When she’d finished her report Hesla stood up, clearly ready to return to Syet. Tika caught the young woman’s hand and was worried at how cold it was.

  ‘Stay the night,’ she insisted. ‘If you have seen no more people coming to th
e Menedula, I doubt any will now. Rest until the morning.’

  She sent a thread of compulsion towards Hesla and felt the icy hand in hers relax slightly. Beela came forward, putting an arm round Hesla’s shoulders and leading her away. Tika noticed that Beela shot an odd glance at her over Hesla’s head. Hesla had been unaware of Tika’s touch of compulsion, but could Beela have sensed something? She saw Shivan’s frown and wondered, but at that moment, Onion shot into the hall from the corridor.

  ‘Come quick Lady, the old man’s taken ill.’

  Sket was just ahead of her as they hurried along to Babach’s room. They found Konya and Shea trying to hold him down on the bed, but despite his frailness he was able to knock them aside. Essa pushed through and caught Babach’s shoulders, leaning against his body to flatten him. Tika bent over the old man and took an involuntary step back.

  His faded blue eyes blazed and there were red flashes in their depths. His mouth twisted in a snarl and his body arched up again, actually causing Essa to readjust her hold of him. Spittle frothed at the corners of his mouth but his eyes were fixed only on Tika.

  ‘You will die.’ It was a guttural rasp, not Babach’s mild voice. ‘You will never defeat me and mine.’

  ‘And who are yours?’ Tika rapped out the question.

  For a moment, Babach’s expression showed confusion, then the hatred returned and a fist shot up into the side of Essa’s face. The Sergeant grunted, briefly released one of Babach’s shoulders and jabbed her own enormous fist into his jaw. Babach’s body slumped and Essa eased herself up, rubbing her knuckles thoughtfully.

  ‘Have you killed him?’ Shea asked, wide eyed.

  ‘Nah. Just put him to sleep for a while.’

  ‘What happened? How did this start?’

  Konya rubbed her forehead. ‘Shea was in here. I was next door with Dromi. I heard Shea call out and came to see what might be wrong. He was as you saw.’

  ‘Shea?’

  Shea frowned. ‘We were talking. He was telling me about trying to train Ren in dream walking. Then he grabbed my arm and I though he was having a fit or something. His body kept lifting off the bed and then I saw that his eyes looked all wrong, so I yelled.’

  ‘But you’re not hurt?’

  Shea pushed her sleeve up and Tika saw finger marks still deeply indented and starting to bruise. It was hard to believe an old man like Babach would have the strength to inflict those sorts of marks. Before she could ask more, Rhaki spoke to Konya.

  ‘Have you herbs which relax a patient’s body completely but leaves his mind alert?’

  Konya thought for a moment then nodded. Tika looked questioningly at Rhaki.

  ‘I don’t know that ropes would hold him down. You saw Essa had to use quite a bit of strength. Some herbs could make his limbs useless.’ Rhaki shrugged. ‘Just a thought.’

  Tika looked at Babach, now apparently peacefully asleep. She didn’t like the thought of seeing him tied to the bed but that, surely, could be the only alternative to Rhaki’s suggestion. She nodded at Konya and the healer hurried off to prepare her medicines.

  ‘I want three guards in here now,’ said Sket. ‘Fedran, Darrick, Corim. You take first watch. And I want weapons drawn.’

  Tika made her way back to the hall, deep in thought. Shivan sat opposite her at one of the several tables.

  ‘It was when he spoke of Ren,’ he said.

  Tika sighed. ‘I noticed. But if this information, or whatever, was planted in Babach’s brain years and years ago, how could Ren’s name trigger that reaction? Ren is an infant compared to Babach’s great age.’

  Shivan began to chew the side of his thumb and jumped guiltily when Tika leaned across and slapped his hand.

  ‘Sorry. We agreed the Crazed One was able to make plans, once upon a time. Could this be the unravelling end of such a plan?’

  ‘No.’ Rhaki had joined them.

  ‘Why do you sound so sure?’ Shivan asked.

  Rhaki shrugged. ‘I can’t explain, but I suspect Ren may be able to trace Babach’s mind. From what I understand, they knew each other a long time. Time enough for Ren to arrange his tricks.’

  ‘I heard Mena say she wanted Babach back with them. Could she have ordered Ren to find him by tracing his mind signature?’

  Rhaki nodded. Tika leaned back in her chair.

  ‘I still don’t believe Mena has much power, if any, of her own.’

  ‘So someone else is organising things through her,’ Shivan grinned. ‘Obvious really.’

  Chapter Ten

  ‘Did you see through my mind when I was in the Menedula?’ Tika asked Shivan.

  ‘Only the child and Finn Rah. Farn was getting anxious and we had to pull you out. Why?’

  ‘Remember that sort of landing place, one floor below where the Weights of Balance were hidden?’

  ‘Overlooking a massive hall?’

  Tika nodded. ‘Look.’

  She sent a picture of the hall to both Rhaki and Shivan and let them see the rows of bodies arranged so neatly across the floor. She was taken aback when both men hissed in surprise. She looked from one face to the other.

  ‘Well? What do you make of that?’

  Rhaki rubbed his chin which was now beard free. ‘Those shadows are not normal.’

  Shivan agreed. ‘I’ve never seen anything like that.’

  ‘I had a chat with Corman about your history Shivan. Do you recall anything you were taught?’

  ‘Mother Dark created us and created the Dark Realm.’

  ‘And?’

  Shivan looked helpless. ‘History wasn’t my best subject Tika.’

  Tika glared at him. ‘I was told that some of Mother Dark’s children wanted to be in the Light.’

  Shivan nodded. ‘I remember that, now you mention it.’

  Tika’s glare did not lessen. ‘There was something about shadow but not much as I recall.’

  Shivan scratched his head. ‘I think there was something, about the Children of Dark – us obviously. The Children of Light, who are most of the other people in this world. And there were Children of Shadow, of which I remember absolutely nothing.’

  ‘I don’t think Corman said much about them actually, but he did speak of shadow.’

  ‘And shadow,’ said Rhaki, ‘would be a very good place to hide.’

  ‘I wonder. But where is the Shadow Realm – if there is such a place? I’ve never heard of anyone following shadow as they follow light.’

  ‘On the edge. Between Dark and Light, there is Shadow.’

  Tika and Shivan stared at Rhaki.

  ‘That’s all very well,’ Tika replied eventually. ‘The only edge I can think of is the Barrier Mountains. Otherwise dark and light are everywhere.’

  ‘I’m getting muddled,’ Shivan complained.

  Tika snorted. ‘I imagine we all are. I’m wondering though if perhaps I should ask – that man who looks after the dead.’

  Shivan’s eyes widened in alarm. ‘I don’t think we should do that – not yet anyway.’

  Tika narrowed her eyes. ‘You don’t like him. I thought he seemed a rather nice man.’

  ‘I don’t like the fact that he seems so friendly with a certain Lady.’

  Tika looked at him in disbelief and then started to grin.

  ‘You mean Ferag? But she’s -’

  Shivan’s hand clamped across Tika’s mouth. Two daggers pricked his throat and Shivan saw, from the corner of his eye, Dog and Kazmat standing beside him. Very carefully he removed his hand and Tika spluttered with laughter. Dog and Kazmat sheathed their weapons and wandered off, leaving Tika now hooting with glee, tears standing in her eyes. Rhaki leaned forward.

  ‘I think I missed something there?’

  That set Tika off again and it was a while before she was capable of speech. Shivan had got to his feet and stalked out of the building long before then. Tika sniffed and drew a final steadying breath.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said to Rhaki who was patiently waiting for her to
recover.

  ‘I don’t know the name, Ferag. Is she a lady of importance?’

  ‘Yes. She is the Mistress of Death in the Dark Realm.’

  ‘Like – the gentleman?’

  ‘Yes and no. I don’t think Ferag has as many ghosts. And she can let people come back, in the half death. Like Corman. It is a choice you understand. Corman felt he had failed in his duty to the First Daughter so he asked to return to the living world.’

  Rhaki nodded. ‘What upset Shivan? It all sounds reasonable to me.’

  ‘Ferag can be – unpredictable.’

  A breeze riffled through the room, and Rhaki realised Tika and all the others present had frozen in place.

  ‘You are a darling,’ a velvety voice cooed just above Rhaki’s head. ‘I do love to be unpredictable. The living are boring enough most of the time, you can’t imagine how tedious the dead can be.’

  Very cautiously Rhaki turned his head and his mouth fell open. The most stunningly beautiful woman stood beside him, long dark red hair waving to her waist over a dress the same shade of dark red. Long cold fingers brushed his cheek. Her voice changed.

  ‘Now darlings, I am terribly busy at the moment. Why did you call?’

  Tika swallowed hard. ‘I’m so sorry Mistress Ferag. My friend did not know of you, so I was explaining.’

  ‘Well that’s not really good enough poppet.’

  To Rhaki’s fascinated alarm, the woman’s hair began to curl and writhe, the skirt of her dress to waft and lift. He leaped into the breach.

  ‘My lady, I am so proud and honoured to have met you. Please forgive Lady Tika’s summons – I will never be able to get your beauty from my heart.’

  He’d got to his feet and now he bowed low. The long red hair grew still on Ferag’s shoulders, the dress clung close to her body.

  ‘What an enchanting creature you are!’ she cried. ‘What a pity you aren’t dead yet.’

  Rhaki inclined his head modestly. ‘Alas, I vowed a mighty vow to serve Lady Tika, and I fear I must hold to that vow. I knew nothing of such glory as yours until this very moment.’

  Ferag clasped her hands under her chin and regarded him, dewy eyed. ‘I so look forward to visiting again.’ She turned to Tika. ‘I hope you realise what a treasure you have here. But I must dash. Duty calls.’ And she was gone.