Rhaki found his legs felt oddly weak and so he sat down. Glancing round, he found several of the others who’d been present during Ferag’s visit were beginning to move. But they were regarding him with expressions of awed admiration. The door banged open and Shivan returned. He glared at Tika.
‘She was here, wasn’t she? I warned you.’
‘Yes she was, and I forgot to ask her about shadows.’
Admiring expressions turned to horror but it was Rhaki who reached across the table to take Tika’s hand.
‘I really think that we should leave it some time, some considerable time, before we bother the lady again.’
Babach remained unconscious all night. Tika made no attempt to touch his mind but Konya was confident that Babach was genuinely unconscious. She couldn’t understand why, because he should have woken from Essa’s blow fairly rapidly. Sket made sure the guards were changed throughout the night and, after Tika had spoken to him, he took Kazmat and Dog aside. His conversation was conducted quietly but the two apologised, rather shamefacedly, to Shivan for their overzealous reaction earlier.
Tika was restless throughout the night. She had the feeling that pressure was building around her but could find no hard reason or source to account for that feeling. She felt overloaded with information, while at the same time, unable to see how that information related to her situation. By dawn, Tika’s eyes felt gritty from lack of sleep and she was glad when she heard Beela raking the embers in the kitchen stove.
Sket opened an eye as she pulled on her boots but she gestured for him to stay where he was. All four Dragons still slept and Tika moved north, along the edge of the tree line. She saw that in the short time they’d been here, the tight buds had begun to unfurl into crumpled baby leaves. She pulled a branch lower, examining the delicate, paper thin new green, then let it swing gently back into place. She whirled suddenly, aware she was not alone, then sighed.
‘You startled me. My dear.’
Tika leaned against the tree trunk and hoped her heart would soon slow its frantic pace. She stared at the Raven. It was the first time Hag had arrived without a shriek or cackle. Hag tilted her head, one eye focusing on Tika. Tika went cold, and very still. The eye fixed upon her was glittering black, but there was no gold rimming that eye. The beak gaped, but it was a smooth, clean beak, it had no cracks or scrapes or nicks marring it. Tika began to pull power around her, forming a tight shielding between her and the bird. The bird seemed to swell until it stood nearly as tall as Tika.
She realised Hag’s feathers, although often tattered and dishevelled, were always a glossy shining black. This bird’s feathers were dull, lifeless. And they were grey, not black. Belatedly, Tika felt her pendant growing hot against her skin. Slowly she lifted her hand to tug it free of her shirt, never taking her eyes from the bird. A hiss came from the gaping beak and the bird took a step closer. Tika drew more power, until she felt her body would burst with it. The bird in front of her seemed to melt around its edges but the black eyes intensified their glare.
Shouts and a Dragon’s scream came to her, but distantly, as though her shield blocked the sound. The bird’s shape wavered and it lurched towards her. Tika released some of the power she’d gathered, directing it in a broad band at the bird. The power flashed back briefly, suggesting the bird had some measure of shielding too. Instead of widening the line of power, she maintained it at the same strength, but she also wove another beam, twisting it rapidly above and around the bird.
She clasped her pendant tight in her left hand, feeling its searing heat, and tightened the noose she’d woven. There was a screaming sound that was so high pitched it felt that her ear drums were actually split, and that split was working its way through her skull. But what had become a distorted copy of Hag was distorting further, the central part of the bird’s body melting inwards. Tika felt herself shaking but gripped the pendant and braced her legs, forcing herself to remain upright.
Then she could see the lake through a circular hole in the middle of the bird. The noise stopped so suddenly, her ears hurt all over again, and nothing whatsoever stood between her and the water. Tika found herself on her knees, her breath coming in harsh gasps while sweat soaked her body. She was unaware of the Dragons landing, their rush towards her, until Farn’s familiar presence wrapped round her. Heartbeats later, Sket led her companions at a wild run up towards the trees in whose shelter she huddled.
‘What was it? Are you hurt?’
Sket took hold of her shoulders, gently pulling her up from where she’d slumped forward over her knees. He was afraid when he felt her shirt, as soaked as if she’d been dunked in the lake, but he was more concerned when he saw her left hand clamped around her pendant. He drew her against him and her lashes flickered up. A glint of green and silver showed before her head dropped against his shoulder. Sket lifted her and paused beside Farn, letting the silver blue Dragon examine his soul bond carefully.
‘It’s not far, only a few paces Farn. I will carry her to the hall and you can come inside.’
All four Dragons were agitated, faceted eyes flashing in colours more brilliant than usual. But they paced back, allowing Sket to carry his precious burden back to the building. Kija used mind speech as they made their way along the lake side.
‘She is all right. She drew a great quantity of power and when she released it she felt weakened. She is truly unharmed.’
Her tone was soothing and rang with truth, but most of Tika’s company would only be convinced when Tika herself told them the same thing. The Old Bloods were waiting at the back of the building, the concealed door swung wide for the Dragons. Farn was treading on Sket’s heels by the time Tika was laid on a tabletop piled with pillows.
Sket glanced round the hall. ‘Where’s that stars damned healer?’ he roared.
‘Right here,’ Konya snapped back, hurrying from the inner corridor.
Sket looked quickly at the guards present and noted Essa, Geffal and Onion were absent, watching over Babach he guessed. And Shivan must be with them. Konya was listening to Kija’s account of what had happened as far as the Dragon could tell. Konya cautiously lifted Tika’s left hand which was still clutched around the pendant. Another hand reached over to support Tika’s as the healer attempted to pry the fingers loose. Konya glanced up to see the Old Blood woman, Beela, beside her. She nodded and turned back to her patient.
Without warning, Tika’s fingers relaxed and her hand lay empty in Beela’s, the pendant slipping down onto her chest. Sket peered over from Tika’s other side.
‘But there’s no burn,’ he sounded puzzled. ‘I was afraid it would have burnt her to the bone – it’s done that before.’
Konya examined Tika’s hand minutely. ‘It’s fine, but her clothes are soaking. Someone find her pack and fetch fresh clothes. We’ll need hot water to bathe her first.’
‘There’s a tub in the kitchen.’ Beela was already on her way to heat more water.
Dog carefully lifted Tika and began to follow Beela. She stopped by the kitchen door and scowled.
‘Ladies only, thank you,’ she snarled.
Sket stared at the engineer in astonishment. ‘But I’ve bathed her dozens of times,’ he began.
Dog sniffed. ‘Well not this time, you won’t.’
And the door closed in Sket’s face.
Tika woke while Beela and Dog were getting her out of the tub and into a towel the size of a blanket. She blinked, completely at a loss to think who these women were and why they should be washing her like a baby. Then memory rushed back and she stiffened.
‘It’s all right,’ Beela crooned. ‘You’re safe now, little lady.’
Tika let Beela’s arms enfold her in the soft towel. ‘No,’ she said quietly. ‘Not safe.’
There was a soft knock at the door and it opened enough to allow Essa to squeeze in. Her expression was sombre as she looked at Tika. Tika gave up trying to fasten her shirt buttons, leaving the job to Dog. She felt – empty, that was the
word.
‘Babach?’ she asked.
Essa nodded. ‘In spite of the herbs Konya got down him, he began those spasms again, at dawn.’
Tika gave a weary nod.
‘It looked like shadows were chasing all over his body for a while. We heard your Farn scream and people shouting, and then Babach screamed.’
Essa was unable to repress a shiver. ‘Although we could see him, and feel his body where we were trying to hold him down, something seemed wrong. Konya thinks his heart just gave out, but when we moved away a little, he was covered with feathers.’
‘Were they growing from him?’
‘No. It was as if someone just emptied a sack of feathers over the bed.’
‘Grey feathers.’
Essa swallowed hard and nodded.
‘Poor Babach. He should have stayed in the Stronghold.’
The door opened again and somehow Tika wasn’t surprised to see Rhaki enter. She was surprised when he stretched out his hand and cupped her face gently.
‘Are you well?’ was all he asked, but Tika felt much more behind those three words.
She managed a smile and tried to stand up. Eventually she stood, swaying slightly. She thanked Beela for the bath and moved carefully to the door. The chattering in the hall stilled as Tika came out of the kitchen. Sket was by the door and his gaze raked over her. He grunted and slid an arm round her waist to dump her bodily in a chair by the nearest table.
It didn’t take long for Tika to relate what had happened, but by the time she’d finished she was feeling a great deal better. Again she wondered just what had happened to her in the Dark, or perhaps, what Lord Dabray might have done when he pushed her out, that made her so much more resilient now.
‘Clearly the imitation of Hag was manifested through Babach,’ said Shivan. He hesitated. ‘I remained with Babach when Konya left to come to you. I tried to retrieve his memories, but they were already gone.’
Tika nodded. ‘I guessed you’d tried that. But Shivan, it was dangerous.’ She raised her hand against his protest. ‘You should have told someone what you intended. You know that. And you promised you would follow the few rules I lay down.’
Shivan sighed. ‘I know. You were brought back and I found myself alone with him.’ He shrugged. ‘I am truly sorry.’
Tika hid her surprise at Shivan’s genuine apology. She had expected him to argue with her over this.
‘Clearly your suggestion was correct though, Tika.’ Rhaki handed her a bowl of tea as he spoke. ‘Shadows are taking their place in this game.’
Tika glanced over at Essa. ‘Have you seen anything to do with shadows, Essa?’
Essa looked uncomfortable as all eyes turned to her. ‘Nothing particular.’ She kept her reply brief.
Tika didn’t press the Sergeant; she would speak to her later.
‘Right. I don’t like to suggest this, but we must get closer to the Menedula.’ She smiled at Beela. ‘Is there anywhere we could lie up, about a league or so from that place?’
‘Yes.’
Tika realised Dromi was among the company. ‘I’m glad you are recovered,’ she told him. ‘And thank you, for risking so much.’
Dromi spread his hands. ‘A necessary risk,’ he replied. ‘There is an old cabin, big enough for all I’d guess. Used to be used by hunters and trappers, but it’s been empty for years now I think.’
Tika nodded. ‘We’ll leave in the morning then.’
When the numbers in the hall had thinned, Tika watched Dromi come hesitantly towards her. He was an odd looking little man, she thought. Not a great deal taller than her, and shaped, at first glance, like two circles – the smaller his head, which sat almost directly on the second circle, his plump body. But his arms and legs seemed too thin, and his fingers were not only thin, they were long. She pushed the chair beside her to invite him to sit.
‘Lady Tika, I ask to be of your company.’
He looked almost shocked by what he’d said.
‘Being in my company is not always a wise choice,’ she replied.
He twined his long fingers together in his lap. He looked at Sket, Shivan and Rhaki who remained beside Tika. Then he raised his eyes to Farn, who reclined behind Tika’s chair with his head over her shoulder. Dromi drew a deep breath and met Tika’s eyes.
‘My people here know me,’ he began. ‘They know I, and others of my calling, travel constantly through the lands.’ He took another breath. ‘We gather information, Lady, which is taken or sent back to a place known to very few. Not only to collect what news I can, do I ask to join you. I would like to stay near you to record all that befalls you and your friends. The head of my order foresaw your coming. I begged the honour of asking first to join with you. But if the idea displeases you, there are others you could choose from. One of us must accompany you.’
Tika saw Dromi’s eyes were an indefinite colour, one moment grey, the next blue, and the next hazel.
‘The head of your order?’ she queried.
Dromi nodded but said nothing.
‘You are welcome to join us Dromi, but we may travel long and far. Do you not have family?’
He studied her for a moment, then gave her a brilliant smile.
‘The order is my family, Lady’
Tika felt no need to touch his mind: his words rang with simple truth.
It was only mid afternoon and Tika went outside again but firmly escorted by Sket, Essa, Shea and Rhaki. Shea was very quiet and Tika put an arm across her shoulders.
‘I’m sorry Babach died,’ she said softly.
‘I liked him,’ Shea said fiercely. ‘I hate this thing in that rotten Kingdom of his.’
Tika tightened her arm briefly. ‘I know. So did I.’
They’d walked several paces before Shea stopped, turning to face Tika.
‘What do you mean – you did? Do you mean you don’t hate him now?’
Tika jammed her hands behind her sword belt: Sket had been furious when he’d noticed she hadn’t put on the sword that morning and had then gone off for a walk, alone.
‘I hate what he does, the misery he causes, but – if he is crazed, then perhaps, just perhaps, he should be pitied?’
Shea stared at her in disbelief. ‘You feel sorry for him?’ Her voice rose in a squeak of outrage. ‘Tika, somehow he’s the reason the First Daughter made the descent into the Dark. You saw her. You saw her! How can you pity something that can inflict that sort of torment?’
She spun away and went racing back towards Storm. Tika watched until Storm rose in the air, Shea clinging to his back, and swept high over the lake.
‘I’d say you could have put that a little differently,’ Essa observed, her gaze studiously on the grey Dragon’s flight.
Rhaki laughed. ‘I would have to agree.’ He sobered. ‘I think I understand what you meant, but you must admit it rather came out wrong.’
Farn lowered his head and peered into Tika’s face. There was mischief in his eyes.
‘Would you say that you were tactless, my Tika?’
Khosa wound between Farn’s legs. ‘Oh I would certainly say so,’ she agreed. ‘But probably not quite as tactless as you have been in the past.’
Smoke wisped from Farn’s nose and he twisted his neck to try to keep track of the small orange cat. But Khosa had glided behind Rhaki. Tika stroked Farn’s long beautiful face.
‘You have become so tactful lately, dear one, I will learn from you.’
Amid general laughter, they strolled on but stopped again as Volk appeared from the trees some way ahead. They waited until he’d reached them, unsure how to greet him. He nodded curtly when he drew level.
‘I am sorry Lady, that I left in such haste and without thought for your safety. I have been told what happened to the old man, and to you. I came back as fast as I could travel.’
Tika saw that Volk would say nothing of his rage, the rage that had sent him storming into the forest two days ago. She decided to make no comment about Sabel go
ing back to the Oblaka to find signs of one of Volk’s grandsons. Maybe one of the Old Blood women who remained in the building would tell him, but she rather thought not.
‘We are leaving tomorrow, Volk. I need to be nearer the Menedula. Dromi has told us of an old cabin, about a league from there.’
Volk rubbed his bearded chin. ‘I know the place he means.’
‘Dromi will be coming with us.’
Volk nodded. ‘Guessed he would.’ He began to move away then paused. ‘Once we’re there, I’d rather move the horses back again. A league is too close to a place where people are short of food.’
Tika grimaced. ‘As you please, Volk, but I don’t think we’ll find many people scavenging for food of any kind.’
Volk gave her a quick look then nodded and walked on to the building.
Tika had ordered an early night, but before everyone settled in their beds or their blankets, she sent them a mind picture of what she had seen from the landing above the vast hall within the Menedula.
Volk grunted. ‘They are still alive, I think.’
Tika gave him an appraising glance. ‘That’s what I thought. It almost suggested to me that those shadows were feeding on the people, but I don’t see how that can be.’
‘They can take their mental strength,’ Rhaki observed.
Dromi nodded. ‘Their heads can be emptied, leaving their bodies alive.’
‘For what purpose?’
No one answered and shortly afterwards people settled to their rest. Tika lay on top of her blankets against Farn’s chest.
‘I don’t see why this evil one would leave all those empty bodies lying around, my Tika.’ Farn spoke on a singular mind thread to her thoughts alone.
‘We really know little of the truth about Ren,’ she replied. ‘But Mena, or whatever is working through her, could surely find a use for vacant bodies. I want to know where their minds are being taken.’
Perilous Shadows: Book 6 Circles of Light Page 13