‘I thought yer needed me Gideon,’ she sighed as she sank down on to the grassy floor at the base of the tree. ‘Gid, yer be a king’s son now an’ yer don’t need me, not anymore.’ Softly she began to cry, huge tears rolled down her face as she realised she had been filling her life with tasks so she would not have time to think. With her thoughts came a certain truth, she had no magic, she was not like the other members of the party and was perhaps the only living person in the whole valley without a thimbleful of the ancient blood. With her face wet with tears and a heavy heart, she sat thinking of the future she had seen for herself for her entire life, Gideon as her husband, children around her feet and a small cottage in the vast Green Home Forest.
‘It was my dream, mine, it were never ‘is… never Gideon’s.’ She said aloud, the truth of the statement hitting her hard, all her life she had meant to have him and she had never given him a chance to want anyone else. “E be a king’s son an’ surely deserves more than an innkeeper’s daughter; more’n me anyways,’ she cried softly, as her tears fell and her dream of home and family crumbled away, she continued to sob feeling exhausted and ill and finally she fell asleep as the morning sun rose above the huge tree drying the tears on her face.
Chapter 38
Medim Despairs
Within the silver-capped crystal sitting high on its stone plinth, Medim’s soul wailed with despair, the bodies of his priests, left undisturbed where they had fallen were scattered around the floor of the temple. Soon they would dry up and turn to dust just as everything here in this accursed valley did. The remaining inhabitants of the valley were either too scared or too stupid to be controlled; their mindless devotion left almost nothing to rule. He called them to him sending his summons across the ether. One came and then another and another but despite his calling; they could not be persuaded to enter the sacred room, the forbidden inner sanctum that until now was used only by the priests.
Inside the airless warded and domed valley, only those who possessed a modicum of intelligence were eligible for priesthood, the lack of clean air seemed to sap the inhabitants’ brains just as it sucked at their lives and grotesquely changed their physiques. Medim sent his call again as strong and as demanding as he could.
‘COME TO ME!’ He called repeatedly, still the witless inhabitants gathered and waited in the outer room of the temple obeying the summons as much as they were able. With the dome partly strengthened once more and the bonds holding the crystal tightened, Medim seethed, and the soul of Dèvin kept his silent smile.
Chapter 39
The Man in the Mirror
Gath stood beside the tree with a sardonic smile on his face. The girl slept soundly on the grass, clearly outside of this particular domes protection and he recognised her at once from glimpses of both his son’s memories and those of Toby Hollins.
‘So you are she...!’ He whispered quietly, not wanting to wake her.
The morning after the vivid explosion, he climbed the mountain himself and saw first-hand the vast valley and the dome encircling it and he marvelled at the strength of the magicians that had woven the spell. Its age was evident, he could feel the power emanating from the dome despite its state of deterioration and strength from it had flowed into him when he laid his hand against the translucent surface for the first time. At that moment, something within the dead valley had spoken to him, called to him, inviting him to take all he needed and he had. At that point, Gath had not known Thaddrick was still alive and although he had come across the badly hidden gateway during his climb to the head of the pass, he had not then been able to identify its creator. Instead, he noted its location intending to revisit the site later and pushed on toward the summit of the pass and the head of the valley.
Returning to the portal on the side of the mountain, he found he could now easily reproduce the creators spell and reverse it, causing the gateway to open once more. The path was clearly so well established and so well used, that Gath, whilst within the ether, could almost see the well-worn and direct wormline connecting both gateways as it brushed against the void. Moreover, as Gath had stepped from the wormline and through the gateway under the tree he had seen another dome similar to the barrier surrounding the Bleak but this one was strong, healthy and shimmering with life as it surrounded the valley before him, keeping its inhabitants safe whilst the populace remained inside. Gath tried to penetrate the seemingly flimsy structure but it was as solid and as impregnable as the castle walls in Devilly but he had sensed Gideon, his son. You’re in there my boy, somewhere... I can feel you... he thought.
He stayed beside the new domed valley all the next day attempting to gain access, to find his son, then as evening drew near he felt a shifting within the ether and he felt him again, felt Gideon, the boy was trying to access the roots. Gideon’s strength had truly amazed him and as he saw the power growing and the unsure technique Gideon was using to solve his problems of balance, Gath had stepped in. Once again, it was easy, his own power and hold on the roots were so similar to Gideon’s he thought he could have snatched control there and then but to be able to access the boy’s body completely Gideon would have to give permission. In the past, his successive sons had been taught from infancy that this was their destiny, their sole reason for life and had given themselves to him, if somewhat reluctantly, when the time came but Gideon, unlike his predecessors had not grown up with him as a father. At the time, the idea of snatching Gideon from himself in front of his protectors’ noses had seemed novel. He had been on the point of success too, the boy had been so willing to learn and so ready to acquiesce when Gath himself had spoiled everything. Gideon innocently revealed Thaddrick’s presence and in shock, Gath reacted badly attempting to wrest the power from the boy and get away as fast as he could. If I had thought about it a little more rationally I would have realised Thaddrick had survived and couldn’t have helped the boy, or he would have done so when I first touched his power. I don’t doubt he would have been able to recognise me... Gath fumed at his own incompetence as he found himself thrown out of Gideon’s mind, his precarious hold on his son lost in that moment but he had had time to look into Gideon’s memories and now this child before him on the grass, along with Toby Hollins featured prominently. Which brings me back to Thaddrick not protecting the site of the gateway; perhaps he thought I was dead… He mused.
Gath was wrong, Thaddrick’s training, ever meticulous ensured his magic’s were kept hidden, until that is Sonal had returned his lost book and in his excitement, Thaddrick for once had forgotten to conceal his gateway’s residue and the thought did not occur to him even after he had seen Gath’s encampment far below the cliff top.
Thaddrick is still trying to keep his pathetic people safe. Gath thought as he realised why the gateway was outside the barrier, to keep followers from getting in.
‘It didn’t stop this child from following her own will though, did it Thaddrick?’ Gath said aloud, looking once more at the girl asleep and defenceless under the tree. Gently kneeling and taking a braided lock of her flaming chestnut hair, he cut it swiftly with a knife, the slight jarring making her stir in her sleep but she did not awaken. Gath instantly ran his hand swiftly through the air above her body mumbling in a monotone way and sending the girl into a deeper slumber, instantly a patch of dead grass appeared around and beneath her as the balance of the magic took its hold. Pricking his fingertip with the point of his knife, he watched as blood pooled like a bright red bead, gently he smeared his blood over the braid and with his bloody finger; he traced the outside pattern of the gateway’s frame. He paused now and again to squeeze more blood to the surface of his skin to finish the frame then holding the braided hair to his lips and speaking softly he left his message for his son and for Thaddrick. Lastly, he spoke a word to his knife and the sharp blade shrank, Gath gently hid it between the thick strands of chestnut red hair. He smiled as he laid the bright braid on the grass before the portal; the dried blood looked black, staining the tresses badly. Care
fully he picked up the sleeping girl and walked back toward the oily surface of the gateway and with one last look through the barrier at the low white stone buildings and the fledgling forest; he walked on through, this time I am taking a prize with me, he thought. As the fluid substance closed over and behind him, he felt the first searching probe toward him through the dome. His echoing laughter abruptly shut off as the surface of the gateway stilled once more and slowly began to fade, becoming invisible.
Thaddrick felt the rush of power from outside the protective dome and woke immediately. Something had happened he was sure of it, he sent out a searching probe beyond his valleys wall. Gath would never have been so bold as to show himself, not unless he thought he had the upper hand, he mused, remembering the man’s vanity from all those years ago, when he had believed that Théoden would just hand Arotia to him in a ceremony to mark a surrender. That simple plan had been more effective than they had ever realised it would be...
He shook himself to clear his head of his memories and quickly got out of bed, throwing water over his face and dressing before walking to the great hall. It seemed everyone else had felt something too as the whole community appeared to be in the meeting rooms. The travellers were waiting as usual beside the table but unusually there was no food available. Perhaps Mayan has overslept, Thaddrick thought knowing Mayan herself had been the person taking sole care of the groups needs for over a month now. Thaddrick saw Gideon and the others and made his way through the bewildered valley peoples trying not to answer questions about the power surge. He hated to be rude but until he knew for sure himself, he would say nothing.
‘Is Mayan still sleeping my boy?’ He asked as Gideon shook his hand in greeting.
‘No sir, she’s been up for hours.’ Gideon answered, feeling a little guilty that he had not actually had a thought for her since he fell into bed exhausted last night. A young man and woman crossed the room to the group at the table with a tray of steaming mugs and sweet bread, Gideon had seen them before but not spoken to them.
‘To break your fast Thaddrick, you and our guests,’ the young man said, and nodded quietly as the room around them hushed. Gideon felt the gift of the tray was a sign or a signal as the silence in the hall became almost threatening.
‘There was a change in the roots, we all felt it, even Gideon’s father and his ancient blood is rather weak,’ began the young girl smiling at Jed who winked back, the young girl flushed readily. ‘My father and Jacob are out of the dome at the site of the gateway, my father asks that you join him there.’ She added as she turned quickly to Gideon and whispered. ‘Mayan is missing.’ In the silence, the whisper could have been a shout as the whole room heard. Gideon dropped the cup he was holding and it crashed to the floor, steaming broth going everywhere. Thaddrick went white, he was sure he had closed and sealed the gateway the last time he had used it but with the valley council behind him, he left the room and walked as swiftly as he could through the saplings toward the protective barrier and the large tree on the hill. As he walked, he explained again to the travellers that the site of the gateway was outside the domed barrier that protected the valley, chosen to be outside deliberately for protection, protection for the inhabitants of the valley from outside forces.
Neither Gideon nor Jed, Mayan’s twin felt the need for explanations, they hurried ahead of the rest toward the old tree high on the rise before them. Gideon felt sick; a feeling of dread was growing in his belly as the company made their way between the small growing trees, destined one day to be the most diverse arboretum on earth.
‘So it begins again here Thaddrick,’ stated Jacob, as they arrived at the top of the small hill. Gideon watched the old man who had been so rude to the company when they had first met; he ignored the small party of travellers, his eyes only on Thaddrick as he pointed down at the burnt and dead ground behind him. Moving out of the sun, he revealed a patch of dead grass in the exact shape of a young woman. Somehow, Gideon knew that this dead patch of ground, this perfect silhouette of death had something to do with his Mayan.
‘What is it Thaddrick?’ He asked, as he knelt down beside the shape burnt so carefully into the once living grass.
‘Well, it ain’t natural boy, is it?’ Said his father as he too knelt to touch the crisp dead grass, he stopped as his eyes caught sight of something a little further off lying atop the still lush and verdant growth. ‘Well what be that then…’ he whispered as he moved toward the flash of chestnut standing out startlingly clear amidst the dark green grass.
The old man, his eyes fixed on Thaddrick pulled at the mages arm as he too began to kneel whilst feeling tentatively through the ether for the author of the spell. Stopping abruptly and pulling himself upright once more Thaddrick looked toward the obviously stressed Jacob.
‘Jacob, this means nothing…,’ Thaddrick began as the old man broke down and began to sob.
‘Don’t you see, when, when he destroys this wall, we will all die, will die as they died.’ The old man looked hatefully at Gideon and the small party of travellers. ‘They brought him here, you brought them here… they are not welcome, make them go...’ his sobs continued painfully, when Roidan as always, supporting her husband smiled kindly and led him away. Thaddrick watched him go, a sad expression etched into his face. The second man, the father of the young girl who had whispered of Mayan to Gideon, also watched as his companion walked away with Roidan and soon the pair became lost in the crowds of people still climbing the hill to find the cause of the disturbance.
‘Thaddrick,’ the young girl’s father said as he moved toward the rest of the council. ‘That the Gatherer has returned we know, most of us remember how our world, our friends and our families, how Jacob’s family died. That boy…’ he said pointing at Gideon. ‘That boy has brought us back to his attention; we do not want to go through it again.’ Gideon was still kneeling before the patch of death, lost in his own thoughts and oblivious to the drama unfolding behind him. Thaddrick looked around him at the nodding heads all in silent agreement.
‘The visitors must leave Thaddrick, they must go, now, before the Gatherer comes to get him,’ he added, lowering his hand once more.
‘If he is the one Thaddrick, if he really is the one he can stop the Gatherer and make us free,’ said another voice calling across from the back of the gathering crowd.
Whilst the men and women of the council debated, the people continued to gather atop the hill. Rhoàld watched, until now he had not realised just how many of the Arotian colonists were living within the valley.
‘Do you think I could help Lem?’ He asked the equally silent silver haired girl beside him. ‘I mean perhaps my skills as a mediator could be of use,’ he said, turning to her as Thaddrick continued to talk quietly to the growing crowd. Lemba smiled up at Rhoàld sadly, her fingers flashing fast.
‘Oh Lemba…no,’ began Rhoàld realising her tongue was gone once more and thick tears sadly fell from her eyes but equally quickly were wiped away. Jonus, as always close to Lemba, also looked on silently.
As the conversation between Thaddrick and the people of the valley continued, Gideon stood and walked toward his father. Jed was standing near the brow of the hill holding a lock of chestnut hair in his hand.
‘It’s May’s Gid,’ he said. ‘I’d stake me life on it.’ Gideon reached out for the length of blood soaked hair and as his father dropped the chestnut braid into his hand the air behind him wavered, instantly the gateway became visible. Jed, feeling something behind him hastily stood away as the hairs on the back of his neck began to prick, Gideon watched as the surface of the gateway shimmered with fire and just like the portal he had seen born whilst in the forest, black dots turned to hexagons briefly before they tessellated. Its gold frame gleamed and twinkled with a million lights, despite being in the shade of the huge tree. A sense of foreboding came over him once more as he clutched the length of hair tightly in his fist, immediately he felt a stab through his skin as the tiny blade left the confines of th
e braid and nicked his palm. The blood welled once more from his old scar, adding to the already blood soaked hair. Young Jed who had been watching the proceedings between Thaddrick and the tense, angry crowd felt the sting in his palm and lifting his hand looked in amazement at the small cut on his own palm scar and the tiny drops of blood that had appeared there. He turned back toward Gideon and his father as the gateway began to change.
The solid black of the tessellation broke up once more, leaving rivers of light running around the multitude of hexagons; somehow, it was hard and painful to look upon, not at all like the beauty of the gateway Thaddrick had created. The shapes moved and swam changing position and colour as the group behind him became silent, witnesses to the changing face of the gateway. Thaddrick recovered fast, berating himself again for not noticing the change in the magic’s roots, a change a novice would have felt, he thought.
‘Gideon, Jed,’ called Thaddrick to the father and son beside the portal as the texture of the hexagons continued to change. ‘Move away…now,’ he shouted as the hexagons tessellated once more with a loud bang. Gideon fell to the floor with his father beside him; young Jed moved quietly to help his friend to his feet and remained there standing protectively in front of him. All was silent, as the gateway became a mirror showing them a reflection of themselves. Gideon stood shakily with the lock of hair in his hand and his father Jed, despite young Jed’s arm, stumbled backwards once more, falling to sit beside the patch of girl shaped death in the grass.
The Tessellation Saga. Book Two. 'The One' Page 33