Dog’s breath hissed through her teeth when she saw Tika’s scorched palms.
‘Konya!’ she yelled over her shoulder.
But the healer was already at her side, her pack in her hand. She tutted as she lifted Tika’s wrist.
‘Hold her there. Keep the hand clear of anything,’ Konya ordered. ‘And you do the same that side Shivan.’
Konya swore, eventually tipping the contents of her pack onto the grass and snatching up a pot that looked identical to all the others. From a pouch, she teased out a strip of cloth. The pot proved to hold a mauvy blue ointment which Konya slathered over the cloth then she laid the cloth over Tika’s palm. Quickly, she did the same for the other hand and Tika relaxed almost instantly. Konya placed her fingers on Tika’s brow and concentrated. She sat back on her heels with a sigh of relief.
‘She’s asleep. Not deeply unconscious as I feared. She is exhausted, but apart from these burns, I think she’s otherwise unharmed.’
‘Can’t you heal the burns?’ Shivan asked.
Konya scowled. ‘Only by the usual methods. I can speed the healing a very little but nothing more. I only wish I could.’
Shivan squeezed her shoulder. Onion pushed past. He lifted Tika’s left hand, then reached across for the right one. He grunted, replaced her hands on her stomach and went back to Essa. Shivan and Konya exchanged a puzzled look. Konya gently moved the strip of cloth over Tika’s right hand. The ointment was smeared across a perfectly healthy pale pink palm.
‘Oh my stars,’ Rhaki murmured as he watched.
He turned to Onion but the engineer was sitting quietly by Essa again.
Tika stirred, dark lashes fluttering. She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the faces around her for a moment. No one had noticed Sket’s return until he knelt by her shoulder, lifting her so she could sip from a bowl of tea. She leaned against him, making no effort to hold the bowl herself, until she’d drunk most of its contents. The air shivered close to Farn’s haunches and a half naked man stood there. He studied the faces gaping at him before he leaned over Farn’s bulk and saw Tika.
‘One of my colleagues was lost and one much weakened.’
Tika tried to move and Sket braced her against his chest. Who was this man, for stars’ sake?
‘You helped, didn’t you?’ Her voice was faint. It cost her considerable effort to get the words out.
Serida nodded. ‘We did what we could.’ Dark eyes observed her and Sket knew the man was appraising his Lady’s condition as professionally as any healer. ‘It caused much damage. There are floods and storms all along the coasts but few humans lived there.’
Humans? Sket stiffened.
The dark eyes flicked over him, acknowledging him as this Lady’s personal guard.
‘The trouble here was not the Splintered Kingdom’s doing.’
Sket felt dampness as sweat soaked Tika’s back, but he kept his position, watching this stranger.
‘You must gather your power quickly again, Lady Tika.’ Serida told her. ‘We will help again, as we can. It is harder for us to work in this world, but we offer our support.’
Tika nodded. ‘Thank your friends for me Serida. I must rest, but I would talk with you soon.’
A hint of a smile tugged a corner of Serida’s mouth. ‘You only need to call.’ And he was gone.
Essa was propped on an elbow and had observed Serida’s visit.
‘Dog, find whatever food you can. Tika must eat. A lot.’
Sket glanced at Dog who was still gaping at the empty air across Farn’s back.
‘Now that was what I call a man,’ she murmured, getting to her feet.
Essa snorted. ‘Dead right there Dog, if you like them not too burdened with brains.’
Dog set off, before Sket had a chance to yell at her. Tika was unceremoniously stripped to her small clothes and wrapped in blankets and placed close to Farn. Rhaki turned his attention to Essa. There were dark rings under those ice blue eyes, her eyebrows forming a single bar above. Rhaki brushed his fingers over her forehead and Essa smiled gratefully. She had a nice smile, he decided, and perhaps he would get used to filed purple stained teeth.
‘I have little healing ability,’ he told her. ‘But enough to ease headaches.’ He squatted beside her. ‘Who was that?’
‘Serida. Ferag mentioned him and so Tika summoned him. He’s a warrior god. Or he was, until people stopped offering him sacrifices, or calling on him for help. He’s been living in retirement with the other forgotten gods.’
‘Were you aware of what Tika was doing, while she was gone?’
An odd expression flitted over Essa’s face which Rhaki couldn’t read. ‘Yes. I saw. Serida said he helped, but I didn’t feel any of that. I do know that the shadows kept her from being completely fried.’
Over Essa’s shoulder Rhaki saw Chancellor Konrik coming towards them and he rose. He saw Konrik was, rather incongruously, carrying a beautiful crystal dish full of fruit. Konrik handed the bowl to Rhaki.
‘One of your company was seeking food,’ he said. His eyes rested on Tika’s cocooned body.
‘She destroyed the Splintered Kingdom,’ Rhaki said softly. ‘She must have power far beyond my understanding.’
Konrik nodded. ‘My master was aware of what she was about. He said it is the renegade Dark Lord who is causing our troubles.’ He gestured at the quiet chaos all around. ‘I have asked for whatever food might be found to be brought to you.’
‘No,’ Rhaki interrupted. ‘Only to Tika. She must replace her physical energy before she can reach for power again. Share most of what food you find among your people.’
After a short pause, Konrik turned back to Darallax’s house. ‘We know of the tremendous loss of energy when an adept calls power. If Lady Tika is to face this Dark Lord she must be restored quickly. I will send you what I can.’
They pushed food into Tika every time she opened her eyes throughout that day and night, and her wasted body plumped out a little more with each feeding.
Soon after dawn, a breeze riffled among the company and Ferag appeared close to Onion. Everyone else flinched, but Onion beamed at her. Ferag beamed back, stroking the injured side of his face with long cold fingers. Tika had just fallen asleep again and Ferag bent over her, her long dark red hair draping onto Tika’s chest.
‘Poor little sweetie,’ Ferag murmured. ‘I didn’t know what she was up to until all the Realms shook to their very roots.’
Roots? Essa thought. An odd word to use.
‘Anyway,’ Ferag continued. ‘Now that’s out of the way we can concentrate on this stupid boy Cyrek. We can’t find him at the moment though.’
The company held their collective breath when Onion patted Ferag’s arm.
‘Perhaps he’s not such a stupid boy, my lady. Killed a lot of people here yesterday.’
Ferag stared around, only now noticing the destruction. ‘Oh my. The poor darlings.’ She frowned. ‘But where have they gone? There hasn’t been a sudden rush to my Realm, I assure you.’ Her fine lacy skirts began to move, as did her hair. ‘I’ll go and have a word with Darallax and see what he’s done with them. He was always an odd child.’
She disappeared, and reappeared almost at once. ‘Do give the poppet my love when she wakes, won’t you?’ She waggled her fingers at Onion and was gone again.
Essa watched Onion carefully for a while before she moved round the group to sit next to him.
‘What’s happened to you Onion?’ She spoke quietly enough that the others didn’t hear.
He gazed up at her with his one eye and shrugged. ‘Pain’s gone. The colours still keep flashing but they talk now.’
‘Oh. The colours talk to you?’ she asked carefully.
Onion nodded and Essa was tempted to thump information out of him. ‘And what do they talk about?’
Onion thought for a while. ‘All sorts of things. They told me to show them Lady Tika’s hands.’
‘Do they chatter away all the time?’
‘Oh no.’
Well that’s a relief, Essa thought, until Onion went on.
‘Mostly they sing. Lovely tunes too.’
Essa decided she’d heard enough. ‘Well that’s really nice for you Onion but – um – I ought to go and fetch more water now I think.’
Tika woke at midday. She felt deeply weary mentally, tired to her very bones, but physically nearly her usual self. Brin and Storm landed as Tika was complaining bitterly at finding herself nearly naked under her blankets. Again. Brin interrupted her tirade to announce that only one other town upriver, not quite as large as this one, had been devastated by earthquake. No damage anywhere else. People had rushed from nearby villages to help dig out both survivors (very few,) and dead bodies (very many.)
‘Could we not risk a gateway?’ Shivan pleaded. ‘I’ve already tried to find the spirals in the garden in there, but most of the house fell into the courtyard. We have to get a message to Corman.’
‘No.’ Tika was adamant. ‘No gateways.’
As Shivan prepared to argue, she held up her hand, the hazy sun glinting on the blood metal ring given her by Garrol.
‘We always knew, or I did anyway, that we would probably have to deal with all of this on our own. Although Cyrek must now believe we are entirely cut off from any help, he may find a few surprises waiting for him.’
Her companions looked blank: only Essa had heard the conversation Tika’d had with Simert.
‘I have to hope that Cyrek waits just a little longer before he moves against us. I must be stronger. Now, I have instructions for some of you but the rest must go and help Darallax’s people. I would speak with you first, Shea, and Khosa.’
Shea couldn’t hide her surprise but she obediently came round the fire to stand in front of Tika. Tika patted the grass and Shea sat cross legged, Khosa draped round her shoulders.
‘You didn’t meet Lord Dabray did you?’
Shea shook her head, her hand rising to her shirt front.
‘But you have one of his scales?’
‘The First Daughter brought four. Favrian and Peshan each had one, and me and Gossamer.’
Tika lowered her voice. ‘Somehow, Dabray senses them. I think they are a way for him to keep track of where we are.’
Shea’s hazel eyes held far too much knowledge for a girl of her years. ‘He rescued you in Kelshan. So he is probably loads more powerful than Cyrek or any of the others?’
Tika nodded. ‘I’m guessing, but yes, I think he is still strong enough to protect the First Daughter.’
Khosa spoke in their minds. ‘Cyrek will not hesitate to kill Lerran. She is still too weak to defend herself.’
Shea’s eyes widened. ‘But Dabray would never allow harm to come to her, so he’s wagered on you.’
Tika grinned. ‘I wouldn’t have put it quite like that Shea. You’re getting some bad habits lately. Perhaps you should go home and learn the ways of a lady of Kelshan?’
Shea used a word she’d learned from Fedran, which made Tika rock with laughter. Then she sobered and leaned closer.
‘When trouble starts, as it will, hold fast to Dabray’s scale and think his name. Will you do that for me?’
Shea pressed her hand against her shirt, feeling the hard outline of the opalescent scale hidden underneath.
‘I swear, on my father’s name, Cawlin of the Weasel Clan.’
Tika understood the solemnity of Shea’s vow and reached to grip the girl’s hand.
‘Shea, whatever comes, I need you to be strong. If Cyrek wins, do all you can to protect this company.’
Shea paled slightly but continued to grip Tika’s hand. ‘Always,’ she whispered.
‘Don’t speak of this now. Perhaps you could help Konya get a meal ready?’
Shea’s fingers withdrew reluctantly from Tika’s, but as she stood up, Khosa slid down her arm, clearly intending to stay.
‘Are you well Khosa?’ Tika used mind speech.
‘I am well now. I have news.’
Tika waited. The small orange cat sat upright before her, her tail neatly curled over her front paws.
‘When I was nearly lost, when Darallax tried to release me from this form, I heard Namolos. It was his death voice. Cho Petak survived; my father did not.’
Khosa’s voice betrayed no emotion, her turquoise eyes staring steadily up into Tika’s face. Tika offered no sympathy, no comment, simply waited.
‘I believe my mother will not go on without him, and Star Dancer will be in great distress. These are of no importance Tika. What you have to do, is.’
Tika stretched her hand to stroke lightly over Khosa’s head and shoulders.
‘If we defeat Cyrek, then we will find them Khosa. Perhaps your father’s Ship would welcome seeing you again.'
Khosa made no reply, simply picking her dainty way to find a suitable lap.
‘Shivan,’ Tika called.
He came and sat with her, obviously worried. Tika studied him. She had been warned he could be difficult but she had found few faults in him other than occasional over enthusiasm. She knew he had a very individual mind, and a deep interest in matters which his own people found bizarre. She sighed.
‘I will not allow you to attempt a gateway Shivan but what I ask of you could well be more perilous.’
Shivan sat very still, all his attention on her.
‘Cyrek will attack us here. I’m almost sure of it. His arrogance will demand he makes a great show of destroying me and my company. He will attack in Dragon form, to give even more of a display to those who witness. I’m not sure if he will try to target Darallax – he will want witnesses of standing.’
Tika hesitated. ‘I do not know the true strength of his power. I had my suspicions of him from the first, and I made no attempt to test his mind. He would have been aware of it at once. But when I fell into the Dark in Kelshan, before you joined us, Cyrek tried to probe my mind.’
She gave a wry smile. ‘I have shields in place all the time Shivan. Cyrek tested me and found very little evidence of my real strength. So that is one advantage we have. Another is that I suspect Dabray is watching closely, but whether he is able to help I don’t know. Next, the shadows.’
Tika stretched her left hand over her knee and Shivan saw Garrol’s ring and below it nestled the dark line of shadow.
‘It isn’t too easy, discussing things with them, but I hope they will respond when I call them again. I will face Cyrek. And I will face him in the sky, on Farn. I would be grateful if you would take Dragon shape and fly with us.’
Shivan looked at her, his bright yellow eyes blazing. He lifted his left hand and touched the thumb to his brow, his lips, his chest and then spread his open palm towards her as he spoke.
‘I serve with my mind, with my breath, with my strength and with my life.’
They stared at each other in a strange moment of stillness, and then Tika smiled.
‘Thank you Shivan. Stay close by, we have little time before Cyrek’s patience runs out. Kija, Storm and Brin are hidden and are watching for his mind signature. I want to be high before he realises he’s been seen. Now, can you ask Rhaki to come to me?’
Shivan rose and left her without a word. She spoke briefly to Rhaki, outlining her intention and giving him detailed messages to pass on should her plans fail. Rhaki was shocked to the core by her words but he understood how hard it was for her to have to make these explanations and didn’t argue with her.
Essa was next and Tika found it nearly impossible to look at the Sergeant’s impassive expression as she gave her what might well be final instructions. At last, Tika got to her feet and hugged Farn tight.
‘They understand, my Tika,’ he murmured in her mind. ‘It’s just that they all love you. Not as much as I do of course, but a lot.’
She gave a shaky laugh and looked for the last person she had to face. Sket sat beside her, staring down at his fists, clenched in his lap. Tika felt the pain screaming through him when he realised she w
as refusing to let him fly with her. When she stopped speaking he raised his eyes and she flinched from the agony she saw in them. Unthinkingly, she held her arms towards him and he snatched her into the fiercest embrace he’d ever given her. She felt his breath by her ear and heard his words.
‘Stars guide you and bless you, my precious little lady. And if you don’t come back in one piece, I’ll have you on weapons drill for a whole bloody year.’
She leaned away, wiping her cheek with her hand, not sure if it was wet with her tears or Sket’s, when Kija bespoke her.
‘He approaches. High and to the east.’
Chapter Thirty-Six
Darallax arrived at a run with most of the councillors the company had seen at the last meeting. Already Farn was a mere speck as he climbed fast and high. Shivan’s much larger Dragon shape moved just below Farn.
‘Did you know of this plan?’ Darallax demanded.
Fortunately he asked Navan, who truly had no idea of it. Darallax and his councillors, his consort and his daughter, could only watch, alongside Tika’s companions.
‘What are you doing?’ Dog hissed. ‘Don’t you care Lady Tika’s gone for a fight?’
Onion lay flat on his back at her feet. ‘I’m watching,’ he said calmly. ‘Don’t be so worried Dog. Have more faith in her.’
Both Sket and Essa heard his words but they didn’t take their eyes from the sky.
This high the air was cold and thin but Tika scarcely noticed. She was scanning every direction for a hint of the Dark Dragon. Then Shivan screamed and Farn twisted, Tika clinging to the forward edge of his wings. Even higher, Cyrek drifted, smoke wreathing his face. Tika had a glimpse of Shivan’s back, blackened the length of his spine, before she called shadows to hide all three of them.
Perilous Shadows: Book 6 Circles of Light Page 46