“Of course. Then I suppose I choose to join you.” Regor nodded to himself. She had always been good at coming to a quick decision.
“Serve me, you mean,” Bodann said.
With a sidelong glance at Regor, Airam bowed to Bodann. “Forgive me. Serve you is indeed what I meant.”
“Well, I must say, you’re much more gracious than Regor was.” He looked at Regor. “Now, what about the others? Nyala and Nivek? Shall I bring them here also?”
“They’ll never join us,” Regor said. “I know them both as well as I know myself.”
“Then I may as well just get rid of them now.”
“I would like to deal with them myself,” Regor said quickly. “With your permission, of course. After all, just as Jason and the Circle thwarted you the first time, Nyala and Nivek thwarted me. I would like a chance to even that score.”
Bodann studied him for a moment, and then nodded. “Very well. I suppose a man is entitled to his own revenge. You have my permission to deal with them as you wish. It’s not like they can interfere with my plans, after all.” He settled back in his chair. “Now, you two run along. I’ll call you when I need you. Right now, I need to decide on some plans for our friends at Lore’s Haven.”
*****
Seryn saw all of the emotions raging in her own heart reflected in the faces around the table. Shock, grief, dismay, all were represented among the Loremasters and their apprentices, whom she had also asked to attend. And even though she knew they were all struggling to grasp the news she had just delivered, her eyes kept going back to one face again and again. Radyn. Although the young man had known Tal for less time than any of the members of the Circle, as his apprentice, he had spent more time with Tal than any of them, and was probably the closest to him. Now, like Borin, he would have to step into a position he had known would be his one day, but a day not expected to come for many years.
“Could you not have saved him?” Radyn asked.
“Yes,” she admitted. “I could have saved him, but he would not allow it. He felt his actions were necessary to demonstrate our good faith to the nasaiken, and possibly heal the rift caused by our ignorance of their plight.” She gave a little shake of her head. “I believe a part of him also considered it a penance to atone for not continuing the search for his son those many years ago.”
“You should have saved him,” Radyn said, “in spite of what he said. You knew he would die otherwise. You are supposed to be a healer, after all.” His words hurt. Mainly because they were much the same as what she had told herself again and again. She wondered how many others shared his opinion.
“Radyn!” Brin said. The young man’s eyes snapped to the Ruby Loremaster’s face at the edge in his voice. “Have you ever disobeyed an order from Tal Vardyn?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Would such a thought ever cross your mind? To refuse to do something he ordered you to do? Or even something he merely asked you to do?”
Radyn’s gaze dropped to the floor. “No.”
“Then do not fault Loremaster Seryn, chosen High One of the Circle, for also refusing to disobey his command.” He went on in a quieter voice. “These words are for all of us, myself included. Tal Vardyn’s actions were born of courage and conviction. He weighed the good of all of Teleria, and found one life, his own, not too large a price to pay for the hope of that good, and the hope of a better future for those under his watch. If you have any respect for the man at all, respect the choice he made. Arguing that Loremaster Seryn should have disobeyed his direct order dishonors his memory.” He waited until he saw Radyn’s bowed head give a small nod.
Without raising his head, she heard Radyn say, “Forgive me Loremas….High One.” It was plain that the words were as painful for him to say as they were for her to hear.
“Of course, Radyn,” she said. “We are all suffering, although you perhaps most of all. Words spoken out of such pain and loss require no forgiveness, nor the asking of it.”
Brin turned to her. “And now there is something I must say to you,” he said.
She braced herself. It was unspoken, yet common, knowledge that Brin had long aspired to sit in the High One’s seat one day. His willing acceptance of Tal’s choice may have been merely for show to ease Tal’s final thoughts. If he decided to challenge Tal’s decision, things could become difficult. Although she had no quarrels with any of the other Loremasters, and felt that they respected her, she was also certain that some would see Brin as a better choice to succeed Tal than her, especially in their current situation. Nevertheless, Tal had chosen her, and, as much as she was able, she intended to honor his memory in her own way, by respecting his wishes and serving as his successor. She only hoped, if it came to a confrontation, that enough of the other Loremasters would respect his wishes as well. She waited for Brin to continue.
“It is no secret that I desired to be High One after Tal Vardyn, and I will confess that his decision to use the Right of Succession to name you the next High One angered me. The days ahead will be difficult and dangerous. We do not know what will come of the Altered opposing each other, and it appears that Bodann is back, stronger than before. I felt our current situation required a stronger, more aggressive hand.” He held up a hand as she started to speak. “I have had time to consider the situation and our options, limited though they may be, and I have come to this conclusion: Tal Vardyn was correct. You are the right choice to lead this body, and the people of Teleria.” It was only by conscious effort that Seryn kept her jaw from falling open as Brin continued. “Our current situation may be dire, but it is temporary. We will either be victorious, in which case the head of the Circle will require empathy and compassion, to use Tal’s words, a healer’s touch, or we will lose. If we are defeated, by either the Altered or Bodann, there may very well not be a Circle at all. Tal Vardyn sacrificed his life for the good of Teleria. Sacrificing my own personal ambitions seems a small price to pay by comparison.” He bowed to her. “I want you to know you have my full and unwavering support now and in the days to come, no matter the cost.” Then he turned to the others. “See your High One,” he said, reciting the words from the Ritual of Succession.
They all stood and bowed. “We will follow your wisdom, High One. May your power be exceeded only by your honor.”
The words of the rite felt like stinging thorns piercing her heart. When Brin and Borin had first used them, the shock of the situation had acted as a cushion from their full impact. Now, having had time to come to terms with this new reality, there was no such buffer. She had to blink tears away before she could answer them.
“Please,” she said, foregoing the ritual answer, “it is too soon for me to accept this title. The wounds and the pain too fresh. Once we are past this crisis, there will be time for healing. Perhaps then I will be ready. But, for now at least, let me be merely Seryn to you. I will fulfill the obligations and duties of the office, but it is too soon for me to bear the weight of Tal’s mantle.”
She saw Brin and several others nod. They understood. She knew it was just as difficult for them to think of someone else in Tal’s position as it was for her to assume it. As she saw their understanding, she was able to respond as required.
“May the mantle of wisdom ever rest upon your shoulders.” She motioned for them all to sit as she turned to Meryl. “As a consequence of my position, I may not always be available if needed by Diamond. Therefore, it is time I named an apprentice. Meryl, you have done an admirable job filling in during my absence. I cannot think of anyone else to whom I would entrust this duty.” She saw Meryl’s eyes widen as she realized what Seryn was saying. “Meryl Tyrann, I offer you the position of Diamond Apprentice. Will you accept this office and all of the responsibilities that accompany it? Knowing that if I should fail or fall, you will be required to assume the office of the Diamond Loremaster?”
Meryl stood slowly; Seryn could see that her hands were trembling as her student bowed to her. “High…I mean, Lor
emaster Seryn…you honor me beyond anything I could have hoped. I accept the apprenticeship, and will try not to disappoint you.”
Seryn nodded, and Meryl sank back into her seat, a stunned expression on her face. Several sitting near Meryl offered their quiet congratulations. Seryn turned back to the others. “Now, we have other matters to discuss. First of all, has anyone seen Loremaster Delani? Or heard anything from her?” She frowned as she saw them all shake their heads. Delani could be headstrong at times, but it was hard to believe she would simply leave Lore’s Haven without telling anyone. Although, according to Borin, she had looked furious when she left the healing area. There was no telling what she might do if she was truly as angry as Borin made her out to be. “Well, if anyone sees her, please send her to me immediately. Now, we—”
“Please forgive the intrusion, High One,” a Warder said, walking up to the table. She forced her expression to remain neutral. Although she could ask the Circle to refrain from using the title, she could not ask the same of the Warders or Circle Guard. A leader was required, so a leader she would have to be. She turned to the man.
“Yes?” It had to be important for him to interrupt a Circle meeting.
He bowed quickly. “The Manarach we were instructed to watch for has arrived.”
She frowned. So soon? The creature, Krrr Z’an, as Brin informed her, was not expected for at least another day, perhaps two. “Where is it?”
“It waits just outside the woods surrounding Lore’s Haven. It said, if we understood correctly, that it was urgent that it speak to a Loremaster immediately. It has been badly injured.”
“By our people?”
“No, High One. No one at Lore’s Haven took any action against it. Our orders were clear and understood.”
“Very well.” She thought about having the creature brought inside, but then reconsidered. Its appearance would be a source of fear for most, and those residents of Brayden Fenn who had been away when their village was attacked might seek recompense, not knowing it was trying to help them. She turned to the Circle. “Loremasters Brin and Borin, please come with me. You will know if he has brought what we need. For the rest, we will continue this meeting later. I will summon you when ready.”
~~~
When they walked out of the keep, Seryn saw that the Warder had not exaggerated. If anything, he had underestimated the severity of the creature’s condition. It had numerous scrapes and scratches, several patches of the coarse fur had been ripped away, and milky pink ichor, apparently the creature’s blood, oozed slowly from several wounds on both the human and spider parts. Several sacks of what she assumed to be Blood Iron sat on the ground around it. She picked up her pace, with the other Loremasters and accompanying Warders speeding up to match her.
“Krrr Z’an, I greet you on behalf of the residents of Lore’s Haven,” she said as she came to a stop. “I am Loremaster Seryn Shal, High One of the Circle of Nine. You are welcome here, but you are injured. Who has done this to you?”
“My people do, but not important,” it answered. “Here are rockz. Muzt hurry. Queenz very not happy. Comz here.”
“The Manarach queen is coming here?” she asked. “Why?”
“Not juzt one queenz. All queenz. Want Loremazterz back. Will attack. Will kill humanz.”
“When?” Brin asked from behind her.
“Zhey prepare now. Not long. Two zunz, maybe one more. I try to comz quick to warn humanz.”
“How many are coming?” Seryn asked. Altered, Bodann, and now more Manarachs. Was there to be no end?
The creature raised its head to look at the keep. Seryn saw that one of the smaller eyes had also been punctured. She wanted to help; she felt it was the least she could do considering what it had been through to get here, but she knew nothing about Manarach internal structure. She could end up doing more harm than good.
It pointed at the keep. “Many, many. Zhree tribez. Enough to cover humanz plaze many timez.”
That had to put their numbers in the thousands. They had very little time. Although the number of saiken at Lore’s Haven should be sufficient to fend the creatures off, the villages in the Manarachs’ path had no such protection. She turned to one of the Warders. “Send word to the villages between Lore’s Haven and the Cauldron Mountains. Warn them of the Manarachs, and tell them they need to evacuate immediately. And tell Brelt of Amethyst that I want him to begin sending hawks out on patrols. We need to know as soon as possible when the Manarachs approach.” After the Warder hurried off, she turned back to Krrr Z’an. “You have our most sincere gratitude. Is there anything we can do for you to repay you for your selfless actions? Is there anything you need? Any way we can help you?”
“No,” it said. “Izz bad time. Bad, bad time. Humanz die, or my peoplez die. Very bad. Zhould not be zhiz way. But how can change?” It shrugged. “Maybe rockz help. I go now. Go zing zongz for dead to come.”
With that, the creature turned and moved quickly toward the surrounding forest. Seryn saw that, in spite of its speed, one of the legs was also wounded, giving it a slight hitch every time it took a step with that leg. Such unexpected allies. All she could do was wish it well, wherever it went. It clearly could not go home. She turned to another Warder.
“Relay what you have heard to Captain Gatlor. Tell him I would like to meet with him after Firstmeal in the morning to hear whatever plans he may have.” The man nodded and ran off. “I assume this is what we were waiting for?” she asked the two Loremasters.
Brin sent a burst of dimsai toward the forest. The power curved and disappeared into one of the bags. “Yes,” he said, “this is the Blood Iron.”
“Very well. I leave it in your hands. I am going to check on Jason.” If there had been one common theme over the last few sixdays, it was that Jason Bennett always played a pivotal part. If he was meant to play a part in the Manarach attack, she hoped he would be up for it.
Puppeteer
Jason struggled to free himself from the darkness. As he pried his sticky eyelids apart, he saw that he was once again on a table in the healing area. Ugh. I’ve got to stop coming here. The blurry figures leaning over him slowly came into focus as Seryn, Reyga, and Lenai, with Meryl standing behind them.
“Jason,” Seryn said. “Jason, can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I can hear you,” he managed. His head felt like a kettle drum being played by an over enthusiastic band geek, and his throat was doing a fairly passable imitation of Death Valley. “Can I get something to drink?”
Someone, he wasn’t sure who, pressed a cup into his hand. Ignoring their protests, he managed to raise himself into a sitting position. As the cool water soothed his throat, he closed his eyes again, hoping to keep the light from amplifying the pounding in his head. He gripped his forehead with his free hand.
“Wow. Did anyone get the license plate of that truck?” As he opened his eyes and saw their puzzled looks, he shook his head. “Never mind. What happened? It feels like somebody kicked me in the head.”
“Allow me,” Seryn said.
As she used her power, the bass drum in his head retreated to a distant bongo. Not completely gone, but enough that he felt like he might be able to survive the day. He sighed as the pain subsided. “Thank you. Now, what happened?”
“Jason,” Reyga said, “I am so very, very sorry. It is my fault that you were injured.”
“You were not yourself,” Lenai said. She turned to Jason. “Regor used Loremaster Reyga in much the same way as Bodann used me. He placed power in Loremaster Reyga that eventually overwhelmed him. When he got close to you, the trap was sprung.” She looked at Reyga again. “I have told him, just as you showed me, Jason, that what happened to you was no more his fault than what happened to Elira was mine. The fault is Regor’s. He, and he alone, should bear the weight of those actions.”
“Can you forgive me, Jason?” Reyga asked. He barely met Jason’s gaze as he spoke.
Jason shook his head as his brief memory of the eve
nts came back to him. “No, because there’s nothing to forgive. Like Lenai said, it wasn’t your fault. It’s not like you wanted to do it.”
“But still…” Reyga began.
“Did you do it on purpose? Did you mean to attack me?”
“Of course not!”
“Then it wasn’t your fault. Let it go.” His eyes widened as he remembered something else. “Besides, we’ve got bigger problems. Bothan isn’t dead. He spoke to me while I was out.”
“He has already been here,” Seryn told him. “He claims to have been the one who saved your life.”
“For all I know, he might have. There was some pretty weird stuff going on while I was out. The big question now is, why would he save my life after trying to kill me?”
“An even bigger question might be,” a lady Jason had never seen before stepped to the table from behind Reyga, “how did he get such power?”
“Jason, this is Lenara Cris,” Reyga said. “A resident of Lore’s Haven at one time.” He seemed to search for words. “She now does her research…independently.”
Jason gave her a nod. “Nice to meet you, and you’re right. How did he get that much power when he had to have help from Regor before?”
Movement caught his attention. He turned his head to see Nyala step into the room.
“I came to warn you. Bodann has returned.”
“Yeah, we were just talking about that,” he said. “He’s already made sure we know he’s back.”
“Jason, he is more powerful than anything or anyone I have ever seen. Do you know what he wants?”
“No. He may have saved my life, but, at the moment, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. One thing is for sure, unless he’s had a real change of heart, whatever he wants won’t be good for the rest of us. Does the High One know?”
He saw Seryn and Reyga exchange a glance. Meryl put her hand over her mouth and turned away, but he saw the gleam of tears before she turned her back.
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