[Age of the Five 03] - Voice of the Gods

by Trudi Canavan

  “Owaya fly,” Mischief said into her ear.

  “Yes,” she replied. “Hold on tight.”

  She felt the veez’s feet grip her. Then she launched herself into the air, out of the hole, and up into the sky.

  :The sun is rising, Tamun said. Soon the armies will wake. Today the world will change yet again, whether we succeed or not.

  Emerahl hid her amusement. Sometimes The Twins spoke like storytellers, in dramatic tones and phrasing. Perhaps it was only because they had grown up in an older time that they spoke like characters in a historic epic.

  No, I don’t think people in the distant past spoke like that when doing the laundry or cooking a meal, she thought. This is just The Twins’ way of reminding us that what we are attempting is as risky as those feats of ancient heroes, and will change the world as dramatically.

  Then another voice joined the link.

  :I have finished, The Gull announced. I have created a tunnel along the length of the Isthmus, connecting it to the one Emerahl used. I have also created tunnels from the central one to the outside on both sides, so that Tamun and Surim will have a place to hide themselves and their boats.

  :That must have taken you all night, Emerahl said, impressed. If we don’t get our chance today, this will be an excellent place to lure the gods to another time.

  :Only if we find a sixth immortal soon, The Gull warned. The Isthmus will not remain for long after what I have done.

  :If an opportunity doesn’t come—and it doesn’t look like it will—we must keep watching for new immortals, Emerahl said. Since the Circlians and the Pentadrians are recruiting powerful sorcerers from a young age we’ll have to expect to find one among their ranks. It’ll be hard to find them and even harder to get them to join us.

  :And once we have, we’ll have to find a way to get the gods to gather somewhere we can surround them, Surim added.

  :Surim? Tamun? Mirar said as he joined them.

  :Mirar, they replied.

  :The Pentadrians are stirring. This will be my last chance to link with you. Are you all in place?

  :Not quite, Surim replied. We have arrived at Diamyane. The Gull has finished tunnelling so he, Surim and I should be in position soon. Emerahl must wait for the White. How is Auraya?

  :I don’t know. She wasn’t asleep when I tried to contact her. I tried mind-skimming, but there’s nobody there. Not even guards.

  :I’ll try, Surim offered.

  They waited in silence. Emerahl wondered if the others felt the same dread. The Voices could have left orders for Auraya to be killed, thinking that Mirar wouldn’t know he’d been cheated until after the battle. That would explain the lack of guards. No point guarding a dead prisoner.

  :She was the only flaw in our plan, Surim said quietly. We have the perfect trap; we know we can create voids, since Tamun succeeded yesterday. All we needed was Auraya.

  :We had to be here in case, Emerahl repeated for the thousandth time. She felt her heart sink with disappointment. If we had found the secrets of the gods earlier we could have all sought a way to free her.

  :AURAYA IS FREE!

  Surim’s voice was so loud in Emerahl’s mind she nearly jolted out of the dream-link.

  :Alive? Free? How? Where is she? Why isn’t she here? Mirar asked frantically.

  :Ah! I see her. She is currently robbing a merchant, Tamun said wryly. For food. Some cloth. Ah, she’s promised the man she will return and pay him when she can. He doesn’t believe her, of course, and I—

  :That’s a fine piece of cloth, Surim added. Who’d have thought she had such good taste. I guess she’s been frustrated by those silly white robes for—

  :She hasn’t much choice, Tamun reminded him. She can’t turn up wearing that dirty—

  :WHERE IS SHE? Mirar demanded.

  The Twins paused.

  :Near the mountains.

  :That was fast, The Gull interjected. They’re a few days’ ride from Glymma.

  :She can travel very fast if she wants to, Mirar said proudly.

  :That’s good, because if she’s going to come back and help us she’ll need to, Surim said.

  :Why did she go to the mountains? Emerahl asked. They’re in the opposite direction to the battle.

  :She wants to be as far away from Voices and gods as she can get, Mirar guessed.

  :Yet she hasn’t joined the White, Tamun said. You told her you were going to defend the Voices. She knows the White are doomed. Has she abandoned them, or is she biding her time?

  :I don’t know. But you can be sure there’s one option she doesn’t know about, because you wouldn’t let me tell her about our plans to kill the gods.

  :We must tell her, Surim said.

  :No, it’s too risky, Tamun protested. If she betrays us to the gods…

  :We came here in the hope that an opportunity would arise. If she doesn’t know, that opportunity will never come.

  :How can we tell her? Mirar asked. She’s awake and likely to stay that way until she has some distance between herself and the battle. Wait…I have an idea.

  The sense of his mind vanished.

  :We can’t tell her, Tamun began. It’s too much of a—

  :Sorry, sister, Surim interrupted. But you’re outnumbered. Am I right? Emerahl?

  :It’s a risk, Emerahl replied. But I don’t think she’ll tell the gods. Not once she knows we can’t do it without her. She’s gone out of her way to avoid bringing harm to us in the past.

  :Are you sure?

  :I’m never completely sure about anything.

  :Gull? Tamun asked.

  :Emerahl and Mirar know her best. I agree.

  :You’re all fools. If she—

  :Jade?

  They all fell silent, surprised to hear Auraya’s voice.

  :Yes, it’s me, Emerahl said hastily, when the silence began to lengthen.

  :Or is it Emerahl?

  :That’s my oldest name.

  :Mischief just started barking names in his sleep. There was Mirar and you, then “Wins.”

  :The Twins.

  :So one of you was dream-linking with Mischief?

  :Yes, Mirar said. I did.

  :Who are the rest of you?

  :We are The Twins.

  :The Twins, eh? I thought you were long dead.

  :Not at all. I am Surim.

  :And I am Tamun.

  :Hello, Auraya said. Not every day one meets a myth. There was another name. Sounded like “Gill.”

  :That would be me, The Gull.

  :Ah. Another living myth.

  :You’ve escaped, I see, Tamun said.

  :Yes. Partly due to Mischief. He brought me the key.

  :What are you going to do now? Mirar asked.

  :I don’t know.

  :We could use your help.

  :Are you in trouble?

  :Not exactly…and none of us would blame you if you refused.

  :Tell me.

  Emerahl explained about the voids being places where gods had died.

  :I know. Mirar told me. The Circle killed the other gods by drawing away the magic, didn’t they?

  :Yes. Did he tell you that?

  :No. I had an interesting experience with Huan earlier.

  :Oh?

  :She attacked me. I remembered what Mirar said about voids and decided to test a theory I came up with during those long hours chained up in one.

  :Huan is dead? Surim asked excitedly.

  :No. She dodged. But I guess that’s why you need me. You need six in order to stop them escaping.

  :Yes, Emerahl replied. Will you help us?

  :Yes.

  There was a long silence. Emerahl felt excitement growing as she realized what this meant. The chance had come. It was going to work.

  :What about Chaia? Tamun asked.

  :What did you have to go and ask that for! Surim exclaimed.

  :Because we don’t want her changing her mind at the last moment, Tamun replied.

  :Chaia tried to kill
me, Auraya told them. He’s the same as the rest. If I can’t trust him, then I’m just like any other Wild…Not that that’s bad…

  :We know what you mean, Surim assured her. None of us like the prospect of hiding like criminals for millennia. That is why we’re here.

  :Tell me your plan.

  As Tamun began to explain, something—the sound of a horn—nearly dragged Emerahl from sleep.

  :I must go, she began.

  Then Emerahl started into consciousness to find Arleej leaning over her.

  “I’m sorry if I interrupted something,” the woman said. “But the White’s messenger is at the door, asking why we haven’t joined them yet.”

  49

  Unable to stifle a yawn, Danjin covered his mouth. He hadn’t slept well despite Ella’s orders. Frustratingly, when the horn blew to rouse the army, his relief that the night was over had relaxed him just enough to fall asleep. By the time he woke again and reached Ella’s tent, she had left. A servant told Danjin where she would be. That news had shaken off all lingering sleepiness.

  She had gone to join the White at the Isthmus.

  Leaving the tent, he had jogged to the start of the Isthmus. There he found, to his relief, that the White hadn’t yet left. Ella smiled when she saw him, then beckoned.

  “I didn’t want to wake you,” she told him. “You needed a rest after last night.”

  “Hmph,” he replied. “I know the truth. You were trying to sneak away without me.”

  She grinned. “Ha! You are too smart for me.” Then she sobered. “Are you sure you want to come? We are taking only a small group of witnesses with us. There are powerfully Gifted priests and priestesses among them, and Dreamweavers, but they may not be able to protect you if the Voices attack at full strength.”

  Danjin felt a stab of apprehension. He shrugged it off.

  “War isn’t without risks, and you may need me.”

  He didn’t say why. There was a small chance that, if Auraya had joined the enemy, his presence might make her change her mind. It was a very small chance, but it was worth being ready for.

  Ella nodded. “We might.” Her gaze shifted behind him. “And here are our Dreamweavers. I doubt they have a reason for sleeping late as good as yours.”

  Danjin turned to see several men and women in Dreamweaver vests approaching. He recognized Dreamweaver Elder Arleej and Dreamweaver Adviser Raeli. The pair left the rest and approached Juran. When their short exchange ended, Ella smiled.

  “Time for us to meet our adversaries,” she said. “Be careful, Danjin.”

  “I will,” he assured her.

  As she joined the White he moved to stand beside Lanren Songmaker. The military adviser smiled grimly, then they both started walking as the White set out along the Isthmus.

  All were silent. Danjin alternately watched the white figures before him, their circs swaying as they walked, and squinted at the road beyond them, trying to see the enemy. Time dragged by. The sun rose higher, its rays delivering a heat that promised a hot day ahead. Water lapped at the sides of the isthmus in a gentle but relentless rhythm.

  They must have been walking for over an hour when Lanren made a small noise of satisfaction. “Here they come.”

  Danjin stared into the distance, but saw nothing. Perhaps there were dark specks in the haze ahead.

  “You have good eyesight, Lanren.”

  The man shrugged.

  Several more minutes passed before points of darkness in the distance became moving shapes. By the time these had resolved into figures Danjin was sure he had been walking for another hour.

  Slowly more details became clear. There were six figures. Five wore black. The other almost blended with the color of the road.

  Mirar, Danjin thought. He drew up memories of the man he had spoken to the previous night and felt a mingled sympathy and annoyance.

  I wish Auraya had killed him. I understand why she didn’t, but if she’d been a little tougher the odds today wouldn’t be balanced against us.

  Soon Danjin could make out which of the Voices was male and which female. He recognized four of them, but he was more interested in the one he didn’t know. Nekaun, the new First Voice, was handsome in an exotic way. His bearing was arrogant. He was smiling as he strode toward the White.

  When Danjin looked beyond at the small crowd of people that followed behind the Voices he felt a slight shock. A large, bald black-skinned man strode among them. He looked too much like the sea people who had attacked Danjin to not be of the same race. Gold jewellery glittered in the light. As Danjin watched the man dipped a cloth into a large bowl carried by a servant walking beside him then splashed and wiped himself with it.

  This must be the Elai king, Danjin thought. The White hadn’t brought the leaders of Somrey, Toren, Genria, Sennon or Si in case a magical fight began and they were unable to protect them. The Voices must be confident of their superior strength. But they have Mirar, so they do have an advantage.

  Several strides from each other, the Voices and White slowed to a stop and regarded each other warily. From behind, Danjin heard a Dreamweaver speak quietly.

  “Mirar is with the Voices. We can’t hang behind like this and combat the advantage he gives them.”

  “We will join them if they begin fighting,” Arleej replied.

  “It may be too late by then,” the woman insisted.

  He turned to see who was speaking, but stopped as he realized Lanren was staring up at the sky.

  “Is that what I think it is?” the man said.

  Danjin turned back just in time to see something blue flash across the sky. It came toward them. It took on form. Female form. As he realized who this was he felt himself go weak as relief and joy swept through him.

  Auraya.

  She was free at last. She had come to help them. No longer did the Pentadrians have the advantage. Now the Circlians did, if Mirar hadn’t lied about not intending to fight and kill. Auraya would fight for the Circlians, and the gods.

  The White had seen her now. The Voices followed their gaze and their leader’s smile vanished. Auraya swooped downward, the blue cloth of her dress rippling. As she drew closer he saw how thin and pale she was. Her clothing was not a dress, but a length of cloth wound about her wasted body.

  He smiled to himself. From the looks on the faces of the Voices, her arrival wasn’t part of their plan.

  Auraya stopped abruptly, hovering above the White and the Voices. She wore an expression he had never seen before.

  One of fury and hatred.

  Watching from far above, the knots in Auraya’s stomach tightened as the White and Voices moved closer together. She could see Mirar walking with the Voices. She could see Companions and Servants following a hundred paces behind their leaders. She could see advisers, priests, priestesses and Dreamweavers following.

  Can I do what the other immortals want me to do? If they wanted to kill Huan, I would give them all the help they asked for. But Chaia…

  What of Chaia? He had tried to kill her.

  Yet he had been so good to her in the past.

  I suppose that makes his betrayal all the worse. If I had taken his bait, I would have died not knowing that he had turned on me.

  And the other gods? They had done nothing to her.

  And nothing to help me, either. I’ve seen them shift their alliance from Chaia to Huan to suit their whims.

  And the Pentadrian gods? She knew nothing of them. But they had sent their people to invade Northern Ithania. They had ordered Nekaun to break his vow and chain her up under the Sanctuary.

  Then something occurred to her.

  They must die too. If the Circlian gods die, Northern Ithania will be vulnerable. The Pentadrians will invade again. There will be so much bloodshed.

  If all the gods were killed this day…there would be no reason for a battle. She could prevent many, many deaths.

  Except the gods’, of course. But that seems just. For so long they led us to believe th
ey could provide life after death when in truth they just told us lies so we would obey them. Maybe it’s time they faced the same fate.

  But what would the world be like without gods? Would mortals descend into chaos and barbarism without their guidance? Without a priesthood to nurture and guide the Gifted, would sorcerers abuse their power?

  And this war isn’t barbaric? This isn’t the gods abusing power?

  Ahead, the White slowed. They were within a hundred paces of the Voices now. The two groups finally stopped a dozen paces away from each other.

  Where are the gods? She felt a jolt as she realized she couldn’t sense them, and stretched her senses out. Suddenly she did detect something—the Circle. They were flashing between the White and Voices so fast she would not have noticed unless she was watching for it. Puzzled by this behavior, she descended to be closer, and concentrated harder. Though she could not read the minds of the White or the Voices, she could still hear the gods’ voices.

  Snatches of conversation reached her.

  :…we never agreed to this.

  She recognized Huan.

  :But we did. We knew there would be elements we could not control, Chaia replied.

  :Small things. Weather or disease. Not these cursed interfering immortals. You’ve encouraged them—

  :I have never encouraged any of them.

  :You didn’t get rid of him! You told Auraya we don’t take souls!

  :I did not.

  :Will you stop arguing. This was Lore. The best part of the game is about to begin.

  A game? Auraya shook her head. What game? And why are they in the minds of both sides? How can the gods even enter the minds of the Voices? Surely the Pentadrian gods would stop that. And where are the Pentadrian gods?

  The answer dawned on her then. It was so obvious she felt like a fool for not seeing it before.

  The Circlian gods are the Pentadrian gods.

  The truth set her body trembling with rage. They had all been duped. The White, the Voices, all mortals, everywhere. Chaia wasn’t pretending to be Sheyr when he appeared in the hall. He is Sheyr.

  The gods were still arguing. Still stunned by the revelation, Auraya had to drag her mind back to the gods’ conversation.

  :…not interesting! Huan spat. It’s not a fair match.