The Tessellation Saga. Book Two. 'The One'

by D. J. Ridgway

  The long procession of people continued to pass through him, their emotions sickening and cloying. A tingle of recognition slid down the spine he knew was there somewhere within the great doorway that he had become. Astin, a worthy and willing soul, a traitor to me it seems, his brain whirled at a fervid pitch as an idea crept in amidst the chaos that had become his mind. Can I do this? Dangerous I know but I will die anyway he thought, smiling with lips that could not be seen, he continued to mumble with the mouth he no longer had. Time seemed to stand still as he pondered the ramifications of transferring his own condemned soul into another body at the same time as installing the stolen soul into his own. Never before had this been attempted, the old body previously had just become an empty shell and died, the soul itself lost forever to a prepared crystal to be used for magic until it too exhausted of power or was shattered. A complete swap! he knew it should work, prayed to all the Demons of the void it would work. My Journey will not, cannot begin now, he thought.

  Within him, the people continued their passage to the unknown. He doubled his efforts at the now small hole in the cell’s warding and finally rewarded, he began to draw power from the dead souls still lingering in the great chamber but it was not enough, he needed more. He screamed in frustration and as if in answer to his silent scream, another furious rumble and shaking of the earth began. In his soundless state, he watched as cracking stone and rending glass flew about the hall as the earth moved. The air shimmered with dust from the disturbed mortar and shards of glass sliced through unprotected skin adding drops of glistening red blood to the thickening air.

  The Gatherer smiled sensing the fresh blood and added power and began again to attempt the transfer; Themos mumbling behind the pillar opened his eyes in horror. The massive earthquake convulsed the planet, at its height, the mages lost their concentration as the solid stone floor heaved like an angry sea and the great magical doorway snapped shut trapping people on both sides. Thus, the Councils arrogance had allowed the beginning of the mage wars and the Gatherer’s arrogance, allowed its end, and our escape.’

  A loud sob emanated from the back of the room as Thaddrick spoke of arrogance and the sob rebounded among the people like an echo, he looked at his audience, his face grey and tired and he finally stopped speaking.

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘Why have you stopped?’

  ‘Where did the people go?’ Questions came at him from all sides of the table and Thaddrick sighed deeply.

  ‘We came to Earth, to this planet; to the part of it now known as the Bleak...’ Thaddrick answered looking intently at Sonal and Varan and catching their own inquiring glances to each other. Gideon’s father pushed back his chair and walked to Thaddrick who seemed to have shrunken into his body, his pallor pale and wan, he smiled at Roidan as she moved aside.

  ‘Ole friend,’ he said as if he were talking to Blue, ‘ole friend, go rest, we’ll talk some more when yer rested,’ he said, holding the old man’s shoulder. Thaddrick placed his hand over Jed’s and smiled at the group.

  ‘I agree I am just a little tired, it’s hard to relive it all in such detail.’ He said.

  ‘Yer be the Thaddrick from yer tale then, yer went inter the gateway,’ stated Gideon, ‘jus ‘ow ol…,’ a questioned formed on Gideon’s lips and quickly changed as he corrected his own speech fully aware that Thaddrick’s appraising stare had reverted to him once more. ‘How old are you?’ He asked slowly, the unfamiliar sounds of the words on Gideon’s lips made Mayan smile despite her sadness and pique at the unfinished story.

  ‘Very, very old, Thaddrick replied with a smile, ‘remember, I told you while we were on the hill that here in this place, time itself stands still, or it seems to, Jonus for example, the child we met as we walked here, was but an infant when we crossed through the portal. As I said before I will explain it all, but please just have a little more patience.’ He stifled a yawn.

  ‘… but I still want ter, to know who I am?’ Said Gideon angrily as his father spoke, looking around the table attempting to forestall any more questions.

  ‘Rest now then, Blue, iffen yer well enough, tell us the rest termorra, we can wait, after all we’ve waited this long, ain’t we Gideon!’ He gave Gideon a stern look and nodded toward the old man, Gideon seeing the tired and worn look on Thaddrick’s face suddenly felt ashamed of his behaviour. Like Gideon, Varan too still had something to say.

  ‘You are an ancient, I should have guessed,’ said Varan as he looked meaningfully at his brother, ‘he is like us.’

  ‘Actually,’ the old man said, smiling slowly, taking in both men with his smile, ‘you are like me.’ Gideon looked across at his father again before turning his thoughts back toward the old man, he began to mull over in his mind everything he had heard and trying desperately to work out how this affected him and who he was.

  ‘What happened to those left on Arotia?’ Mayan asked adding, ‘did Valeria ever see Théoden again?’

  ‘My own tale of Arotia ends there,’ Thaddrick continued, ‘what I know of Themos and his part of the story is only what I have pieced together from his healing of me, and our mind link.’

  ‘Blue, eh… Thaddrick, sorry, what d’yer mean ‘ealing, yer never said yer got ‘urt…,’ Gideon’s father said, his concern for the older man obvious, Thaddrick smiled at him warmly and spoke again to the group.

  ‘My friends, that is truly another part of a long story and with your permission will wait for tomorrow, I will, as Jed has suggested, resume the tale then. For now the others will show you to your rooms.’ Thaddrick pushed back his chair, stood and turning back to Gideon’s father smiled again warmly and hugged him tightly.

  ‘Jed, it really is so good to finally meet you, as I am meant to be,’ he said, releasing him from the embrace and walking slowly away, his form suddenly looking frail and weary as he crossed the room.

  Whilst Thaddrick had been talking, unnoticed by the small group around the table, the room had filled with people, each listening to the tale as they had done.

  ‘Goodnight Thaddrick,’ was called repeatedly as he passed by, leaving the people talking animatedly about what they had heard and seen, none more so than the group from Green Home Forest.

  As more people began to filter out of the room an elderly man, one of the council who had welcomed them so prettily walked up to the party, he hobbled painfully.

  ‘Gideon,’ he said, his voice full of cold menace, ‘Gideon, you bring danger here with you, leave now before we all die,’ he spat acidly, as Roidan came to usher him away and with an equally acid look to her, the old man left the room. Roidan looked sadly after the departing bent figure.

  ‘Forgive him; he lost many friends and family when the gateway closed. His constant pain could be easily treated but he will have none of it,’ she said as she too walked away with a sad ‘Good night.’

  ‘Whoa! ‘E don’t care fer us too much, do ‘e,’ exclaimed Gideon’s father, staring after the strange pair.’

  ‘Ner da, yer mean ‘e don’t care fer me at all.’ Gideon corrected him.

  Eventually Jonus, the small boy Jed had met earlier in the day crossed the hall to speak to them.

  ‘Would you like to rest now?’ He asked, as an older woman joined them.

  ‘Yes, would you come this way,’ she said, taking Gideon’s father by the arm. ‘I will show you to your rooms, they’re all prepared.’

  The small company rose and crossed the hall, leaving the rest of the village residents chatting amicably and as with Thaddrick leaving, calls of Good night followed the tired group from the room.

  The woman spoke as they walked. ‘We are excited to finally meet you all and we’ve waited such a long time. Thaddrick rarely tells the story of our escape, you are lucky, he is such a wonderful orator and his words make the story come alive for us too, they help us to remember who we are,’ the woman said, smiling at the bemused expressions on the faces of her charges.

  She abruptly pushed open a door enter
ed and a large second wing of the building.

  ‘There are rooms and beds enough for all but if you need anything please just call. Sleep well and we will see you and talk some more in the morning,’ she added smiling again, ‘come on Jonas, leave our guests to rest.’ She called to her son who was lingering behind and she turned her back and walked away leaving the group to settle.

  The group looked at the corridor and the numerous closed doors.

  ‘They’re all ready for you; please just go in ...goodnight.’ Jonas called as he followed his mother down the hallway.

  ‘Well then, let’s jus’ pick a room, Gideon’s father grinned sleepily as he opened a door and walked through one of the doors. The other members of the party soon followed suit.

  ‘Brother, we must talk, we must talk of our pa...’ began Sonal, fully intending to speak of their childhood and the legends they had grown up alongside, he had been stunned as the songs of his youth had bubbled up out of him to join in with the songs of Thaddrick’s memory.

  ‘Sonal,’ whispered Varan interrupting his brother as he followed Sonal into the room prepared for them. ‘Lemba has been made whole once more…,’ he said, clearly upset about something.

  ‘What is it, what’s wrong?’ Sonal asked, concern filling him as Varan closed the door behind him.

  ‘This,’ Varan replied quietly and remaining with his back to his twin, he pulled off his jerkin and lifted his shirt over his head.

  ‘By the Journey...’ Sonal gasped and sat down heavily on the bed.

  In the next room, Gideon, tired and without a thought for Mayan who was standing behind him, stripped off his clothes and threw them on a nearby chair, finding a jug and bowl of cool wash water on a small wooden stand he splashed his face and rubbed his tired eyes.

  ‘Gideon...’ Mayan said in a small voice.

  ‘Please let’s not talk now May,’ he replied as he fell on to the large bed and closed his eyes. A feeling of foreboding had slowly come upon him from the moment he had recognised the pendant in the old man’s hand as being like his and when it had vanished before his eyes the feeling had begun to grow. So many strange things had happened lately, he felt his life was no longer his own and he still did not know who he was.

  His eyes remained closed as Mayan silently undressed and lay down on the bed beside him.

  ‘Gid…, she said quietly, ‘they loved each otherr very much did’t they, Valeria ‘n’ Théoden I mean, I dunno iffen I could giv’ you up like that, even ter save a world.’ She added softly.

  Gideon, feeling her sadness turned gently and pulled her into his embrace, he felt the soft smoothness of her skin and smelt the delicate fragrance of her hair and he raised her chin softly and kissed her lips.

  ‘Yer never ‘ave ter giv me up...,’ he said as he kissed her again. The moons silver glow filtered through the high window throwing soft shadows across the bed.

  ‘We’ve never been alone like this afore…,’ Mayan giggled and returned his kiss. ‘I love yer Gideon Green,’ she breathed quietly, ‘whoever yer are, or were meant ter be.’

  ‘I love yer too May.’ He replied as he held her close and kissed her as if he would never let her go.

  Later, after finally making her his, he watched the room lighten as the sun began to rise, he looked to Mayan once more, watching her breathing softly, he could hear her heart beating with its regular rhythm in time with his own and before long, he too drifted off to a much needed but fitful rest. That question, the one that burned with his every waking thought was buried for a time under a much-needed blanket of sleep, just who and what he was, would have to wait another day.

  Chapter 28

  More Frustration

  Next morning, a much-rested and very happy Mayan, with a rough looking Gideon joined Lemba and young Jed in the large hall once more where a breakfast of bread, cheese and oats with milk or small beer waited for them. Rhoàld with Jed, Sonal and Varan had gone for a walk accompanied by Thaddrick and Roidan.

  ‘Do we know what’s goin’ on yet?’ Mayan asked as she sat beside her brother at the long table.

  ‘The twins ‘ave gone with Rhoàld ter find out I think,’ he replied taking yet another mouthful of the small beer. ‘This be good stuff May, try some,’ he said, swallowing hard and enjoying the sweetness with the malty aftertaste.

  ‘I agree, it really is good Mayan,’ added Lemba as she too sat with a large glass in front of her. Mayan laughed merrily.

  ‘Yer doin’ it again Lem, using yer fingers when yer speak,’ she grinned at her friend. Unabashed Lemba returned the smile.

  ‘I mustn’t get used to not using my fingers; I don’t know how long I will have a voice,’ she replied with stoicism, Jed took her hand and squeezed it lovingly. Gideon said nothing, he sat quietly while Mayan placed a glass of the beer before him and dipping his finger into the beer began rubbing the rim of the glass. Before long, the glass emitted a loud high-pitched whine.

  ‘Gid, stop will yer,’ called Jed as he placed his hands over his ears understanding immediately what his friend was going through. ‘I be as frustrated as you but we can do nowt till first we find out what by the journey is going on an’ what we actually be ‘ere fer… tis not only you who’s wanting answers yer know,’ he said quietly, adding, ‘it’s me own fam’ly in chains, d’yer think I don’t wanna know…, don’t want answers mesel’?’ Gideon looked at his friend contritely and pushed the glass away from him.

  As before when Thaddrick had been speaking and the hall had filled with people, no one noticed as the absent companions returned.

  ‘Thaddrick will be here directly,’ said Sonal his face unusually grave. Silence descended upon the group as the newcomers took their places and sat down. When Thaddrick appeared alone moments later, the air was thick with tension once more.

  ‘Good morning everyone, last evening I told you who I was, today I will tell you who you are,’ he said looking at Gideon and the rest of the group as he sat down at the long table. Roidan entered the room and smiling at the table took a place in a comfortable chair before the small fire. Mayan stood up and walked over to the sideboard for a mug of the sweet small beer and pouring two large glasses, she crossed the room to Roidan and offered the first to her.

  ‘Thank you my dear.’ Roidan smiled, accepting the glass as Mayan returned to the sideboard, taking both the second glass of sweet brown beer and the jug with her, she placed them both before Thaddrick and returned to her seat.

  ‘My thanks,’ he said his tone the same as Roidan’s, as he lifted the glass and drank deeply.

  Gideon could see Thaddrick had already spoken to the men whilst they were walking, none of them would look at him bar his father and he looked… sorrerful, Gideon thought. Whatever they been sayin’ they ain’t tellin’ us yet! Gideon mused, as his father’s face continued to look grave. Same face as the time me pony died during the night whilst birthing too large a foal and da ‘ad ‘ad ter tell me the next mornin’.

  ‘Gideon,’ began Thaddrick interrupting Gideon’s thoughts, ‘would you show Sonal and Varan the necklace you wear around your neck,’ asked Thaddrick gently, Gideon reached into his shirt and withdrew the small silver and crystal amulet. He held it up enjoying as he always had the way the light played on the finely cut facets of the crystal held so securely in small silver claws. Sonal turned pale as he reached for the pendant.

  ‘How have I not known you had this Gideon,’ Sonal said as he held it in his palm, tears forming in his eyes as he passed the pendant quietly to Varan. ‘It is the one, Varan, isn’t it?’ He asked as he turned his gaze back to an even more puzzled Gideon. Varan held the necklace and closed his fist over it.

  ‘I was hoping…, Analeen...,’ he faltered as the tears began to build behind his eyes, slowly and silently they fell, the bright sunshine reflecting off the silvery tracks on the man’s face.

  Your father has told us that this amulet once belonged to your mother,’ Varan said, clasping the crystal so tightly it began to b
ite into his skin.

  ‘I ‘ad ‘er ring too,’ replied Gideon defensively, ‘but I gave it to May,’ he added.

  ‘May I see it Mayan?’ Sonal asked quietly. The company watched solemnly as Mayan took off the small silver ring and as he took the ring into his palm he recollected his last dinner party and the ring that had sat on his grandfather’s old book as he had tried to impress his guests. He had not recognised it then and grew cold thinking of that foretelling of the future, he had seen Apple and Jack in chains, seen Jed covered in blood and seen Gideon and young Jed fighting, all had come true.

  ‘The ring, of course, that then is why I felt something was odd, why I knew something looked… not right, I could see no future for the ring because it…, foretelling will not work… for oneself... I saw you too Thaddrick, I think I did anyway…,’ he whispered as he remembered the way the wolf’s fur had shimmered and changed its shape.

  ‘What d’yer mean Sonal, foretelling for oneself I mean, what are yer talkin’ about?’ Gideon asked, reaching protectively for the small ring he had given Mayan as a token of his love.

  ‘It was once my ring Gideon, I left it with my grandfather, as a parting gift for my sister, Analeen.’ Gideon stared, first at Sonal then at Varan.

  ‘Gideon,’ said Varan, ‘this pendant, your crystal amulet, it once belonged to my mother, our mother…,’ Varan added, looking not at Gideon but at Sonal, ‘our mother gave it to Lena on her fifth birthday.’

  Rhoàld gasped and stood up, understanding suddenly dawning on him. He had been sitting quietly throughout the telling showing no emotion and wondering how this could be related to his own plans for killing Gath and freeing Bastian, he’d been thinking of Bastian and how used to hearing his thoughts he had become but since entering the forest he’d hardly heard Bastian at all and had been very lonely. Now half-heartedly listening to the older twins, he watched the scene around the table unfolding before him and on hearing the name of the older twins’ sister his heart had almost stopped with shock, he gasped aloud.