Tika spun round to face Gan, her eyes green fire. ‘Who is it?’ she asked furiously. ‘It is a male voice, not Delver, not human. The voice of one of you People! Emla said only the Guardian came north, none of you would travel with him. He took human servants and soldiery, so who called us? Is it the Guardian himself? Does he know we are here and he thinks to play games with us?’
Before Gan could reply, a Snow Dragon, Uma, spoke. ‘No Tika. It was not the Grey One. We would know his mind’s voice. We hear him often – his voice is a wild, higher, sound.’ Her wings quivered and her eyes shone clear crystal prisms as she fell silent again.
Tika and Mim continued to stare at Gan. He stood up, towering suddenly over them all. ‘None of the People come north with Rhaki. He made it plain he wanted no one.’ He spread his hands towards the whole company. ‘Truly. He was a magnet to many when he was first a Student – quick minded, loving fun and pranks, but it became more of an unpleasant bullying and bragging. An uncomfortableness surrounded him and after a Cycle or so as a Student, he was usually alone.’
He stopped, frowning. ‘There was one – the Silent Thinker. He was called that because he was so quiet and thought so deeply on every matter. No harm in him though, I am sure.’ Gan still frowned, trying to recall far off days at the Asataria. ‘I wonder. I left the Asataria just before Rhaki was Raised, and I have seldom returned for more than a day or two. Iska would know. But Bark – the Silent Thinker – may just have accompanied Rhaki here.’
Gan looked at Tika helplessly. ‘You know I have limited use of the Power – by my own choice. Thus I did not hear the voice you have just heard. If you permit, I would listen through your mind if this voice speaks again.’
Tika removed her hand from her sword hilt, nodding slowly. Gan spoke truly on this matter. ‘If this Thinker has chosen to spend these many Cycles with Rhaki, why would he now say he will help us?’
It was Uma who replied. ‘When I was but a hatchling, there was a great pain.’ Nolli’s head nodded in agreement and it was she who continued.
‘All of us felt it – Dragons and Delvers. There was an agony in a powerful mind. We talked of it when we recovered and we decided that the Grey One had hurt someone irreparably in his mind although the body still lived. Could that be this Thinker?’
‘Bark. His name is Bark.’ Gan sat down again, still head and shoulders above everyone else. ‘He could have argued with Rhaki. He was known for taking so long to think over ideas, but he was also known to be true and honest. That may have been why Rhaki liked his company. Perhaps he thought the rest of us would believe some of Bark’s good character would rub off on himself.’ He looked at Uma then at Nolli. ‘If it was not the Guardian, I believe it could only be Bark.’
‘He has lived all this time with the Guardian, damaged, so Uma believes. Is it possible that he could be able to mind speak us, and should we trust him?’ Tika asked.
Fenj answered: ‘There have been ones of the Kin who have suffered accidental hurt to their minds. Some of them went beyond, some remained with ruined minds, and some recovered part of their abilities. It has always been the hardest thing – to judge truth from just the mind speech. We ourselves see patterns within a mind when we are able to be face to face with another. It is unwise to judge from a distant mind alone.’
Khosa jumped down from Nolli’s lap and did her hind-end-up, front-end-down stretch. ‘Are there really not even the smallest holes where a Kephi might creep through? If I was to find this Bark and one of you stronger mind listeners stayed near me beyond the rock, I could speak what I see to them?’
Farn’s eyes whirred with excitement. Khosa turned her cool stare on him and for the first time, he stared straight back. ‘That is a brave idea Khosa,’ he said admiringly.
Khosa blinked slowly. ‘I know,’ she agreed.
Mim choked but turned it into a cough. ‘This person thinks that is a reasonable idea. Are there any such crevices linking the two sides of these mountains, Nolli?’
‘I will have to think closely,’ replied the Wise One. ‘I believe so, but exactly where will take me time to recall.’
The company began to relax from the formality of the preceding discussion, and as they were staying where they were until the next day, food was set cooking.
‘Uma says you may come with us, if you wish Tika.’ Farn was speaking privately to her mind.
‘Oh yes, I would. Should I tell Gan?’
Farn shifted slightly from foot to foot. ‘Erm, no. Not yet.’
‘Lead on then,’ she laughed at him. She saw Mim move beside Ashta and followed them back the way they had come earlier. An unlit side tunnel dived sharply to their left, and Fenj led the way down it. The faintest light shimmered around the Dragons, enough for Tika and Mim to tread confidently along the passage. Light grew ahead and a gust of icy air whipped past them. They both shivered as they went on round a final tight curve and found themselves on a low-roofed ledge facing the open air.
Despite the coldness, both Mim and Tika gulped in the fresh air. The tunnels of the Domain of Asat were well ventilated, but this was real fresh air, the first they had breathed in nine days, they realised.
‘It is too cold for us to come with you!’ cried Mim. ‘We will wait for you here!’
The Dragons launched themselves one after the other from the ledge, soaring quickly up and outwards. Mim shared the cloak he still wore with Tika and they huddled together, peering out from the lip of rock. Snow covered the land as far as they could see. The sun was nearly set behind the mountains at their backs, and dark shadows stretched far in front. The half moon was risen already and made snow and ice glitter in its light.
‘This is the Wilderness,’ whispered Mim. ‘This one never dreamed he would see beyond his own woodlands, and here he sees the Wilderness!’
‘I wonder why the People never travelled here – there must be volu, and other beasts at least, the Dragons seem to find food quickly enough.’
‘Tika, this one is destined to help you. If we survive,’ he grinned at her, squeezing her closer where they shivered beneath his cloak, ‘then there are things a Dragon Lord must accomplish. But only after your task is complete.’
‘I’m sorry I was so upset when you began to change Mim. I just found it so difficult to understand, or accept. I was afraid you would not be “Mim” anymore, and I have grown fond of Mim, he is the brother I would have chosen if I could, and I feared, having found you, I would now lose you. It was selfish, I know, but that’s why I was angry to begin with.’
‘I know,’ said Mim quietly.
It took a moment for Tika to understand what he had said. She pulled free of him, ignoring the icy wind gusting onto the ledge. She smiled then, putting both hands to Mim’s face where the tiny scales were starting to peep through on the high cheek bones. ‘You said “I” Mim!’
‘My heart tells me I must be responsibly grown now. There are decisions I have already made and more to make all too soon. So yes, I am “I” now.’
The three young Dragons arrived back at the ledge, their eyes sparkling in the cold air. Frost glittered along their backs in the darkening twilight.
‘Jeela still finds the cold hard to bear,’ Farn announced, and Jeela’s tail whipped smartly across his shoulder.
As they moved to find their way back to the company, Tika suggested: ‘A little tact would be good, Farn. Try to think before you say things.’
‘I didn’t mean to offend her,’ he replied sadly. ‘I never do. It just happens.’
Some of the Guards had been telling stories to which the Delvers, and Gan, had listened with close interest. Nolli agreed that many of the Outsiders tales bore strong similarities with the Delvers’ oldest tales.
‘Gan, are there any of the People left now, who were not born in Gaharn?’ Nolli was asking, as Mim and Tika rejoined them.
‘I believe Jerak was the last of those born elsewhere,’ he replied thoughtfully. ‘What do you know of the People Nolli?’
She ign
ored his question, replying with another of her own. ‘Where was Jerak born then Gan?’
A silence grew as all awaited his answer. ‘I think you know already, Nolli, that Jerak was born beyond, as were all of his generation.’
Tika was aware that there was no surprise in the Dragon minds, or in Nolli’s, as there certainly was in hers. Nolli looked sternly at Gan.
‘Jerak and his generation poisoned the land this side of the High Lands, and they named it Wilderness. In these countless Cycles no one of the People came to try to mend this land.’
‘I have never heard tell of the arrival of Jerak, Nolli. I know of their travelling but not of their arrival. We were told, as children, of their journey, then of the building of Gaharn. Nothing of the Wilderness was ever spoken.’
The Wise One nodded. ‘We had guessed that the People had said nothing to their offspring. We watched Gaharn grow and saw the quiet learned lives you led. Your Realm is well regulated. The humans who share your lives are content and peaceful. You discovered the Weights of Balance there and then the other Weights in the north, but you guarded them wisely, so we continued only to watch. But we waited in vain for the People to make atonement for what they did in making the Wilderness.’
Gan raised an eyebrow. ‘You speak of watching and waiting Nolli. That implies that you would have attempted some force against us should you have judged us unfit to care for the Balance?’
Nolli gave him her toothless smile. ‘Together with the Dragons, both Inside and Outside, we would have had an effect upon you People.’
Gan looked very thoughtful as Nolli continued to smile. ‘You made a grave mistake in assuming that as none challenged you, physically or mentally, you were therefore superior to all.’
Two days passed before the bodies of four Guards were discovered hidden in the Upper Pass. There was no sign of Iska and the continuing snow had obliterated any tracks that could have been followed. Baras had assumed command as the highest officer on his return to the Lady’s House with the Guards wounded by the Shardi. Now, as his men reported their discovery of their fellows’ bodies, he did not relish an interview with the Lady. Nevertheless, he hurried to the main House and asked urgently for the Lady and the Lords Kemti and Yash. Baras was staring into the flames of the great fire blazing in the chamber’s hearth as Emla descended the stairs with Kemti beside her. Yash appeared as Emla and Kemti approached Baras. Emla stopped, alerted to bad news by the nervousness emanating from the officer.
‘What is it Baras? Tell us quickly.’
‘My Lady,’ Baras laid his right hand above his heart on the insignia of his blue cloak. ‘Four Guards are dead, in the Upper Pass.’
‘Dead? How – dead?’ Kemti asked sharply.
‘Slain my Lord. Their throats cut. Their heads near severed.’
‘Iska,’ Emla whispered. ‘Oh dear stars, it is for Iska they died. You did not find her?’
‘No Lady, and because of the snow, no trail to follow, no way of knowing who, how many, or where they have gone.’
‘Such a thing would only be planned and executed by the Guardian.’ Yash sat down beside the fire. ‘But why would he want to take Iska?’
Emla rubbed tears impatiently from her cheeks. ‘To learn what he can of us here. He must know of Tika and Mim somehow, but not enough. Therefore he would question Iska. Iska would be the easiest of us to take – you two would no doubt put up more of a fight, and Iska is the one of us who travels most frequently between this House and Gaharn.’
‘Surely she would have bespoken us?’ Yash asked.
Emla shivered as Kemti answered. ‘There are herbs to cause instant sleep if only inhaled lightly – as you well know. If he wanted her alive, that would be the obvious way to get her to his stronghold.’
‘And what will he do with her there?’ Emla shivered again. ‘She is strong, but not strong enough to hold out against such a one as he.’
‘Lady,’ Baras spoke hesitantly.
‘Yes Baras?’
‘When I visited Gaharn but a few days past with your message for Discipline Senior Kera, she did not really seem aware of my presence.’
‘She is always like that when she’s busy, she meant no rudeness.’
‘No, no, Lady, I realise that. But she was talking to herself – I took no special notice then, but you speak of the Guardian taking the Lady Iska to the Realm of Ice.
Discipline Senior Kera was muttering, over and over, “Is Bark still with Rhaki?” I have not heard the name of “Bark”, though I know “Rhaki” is the name of the Guardian.’
Baras looked at the Lady and the two Seniors. All were now seated and looking at him as if they saw a ghost.
‘Bark,’ whispered Emla. ‘I had forgotten Bark.’
‘He went north with Rhaki at his Raising did he not?’ Yash asked. ‘I was away in the Lower Plain at that time.’
‘Yes.’ Kemti sighed. ‘Bark, the Silent One. The few words I spoke with him led me to believe he was of a true mind. What could have made him stay, all this while, in the northern Realm? Perhaps he no longer lives.’
‘Ask among the Archivists – they would know if he had gone beyond.’ Emla said. ‘I spoke with him a few times also, and I found him kindly and gentle. Iska spent more time with him.’ Her eyes met Kemti’s. ‘I cannot believe Bark could fall into Rhaki’s twisted ways, but then why would he remain with him?’
‘Could Rhaki hold Bark so long without using the Power? But surely, he could not maintain such a holding force continuously over these ages?’
‘I don’t know, I don’t know. But it is not Bark we must concern ourselves with now, but Iska.’
‘Emla,’ Kemti leaned to touch her arm. ‘Perhaps a Merig would have some information?’
She stared at him, then her eyes went blank and he knew she called to the Merigs. Baras remained where he was, unsure if he should discreetly depart or await orders. A harsh screech sounded beyond the main door. Emla rose and hurried to let the Merig inside. Baras’s jaw dropped as a scruffy Merig walked stiffly across to the hearth and hopped up onto a stool. His feathers rattled with a brittle noise as he shook snow from his person.
‘More questions?’
‘Do you know anything of the Lady Iska’s capture?’ Emla asked, remembering as she spoke that the Merig had seemed to admire Iska. He blinked at her and answered, clear in Baras’s mind as well as the People’s:
‘We did not see this, but heard her call – very faint and short. It was only because we were near that we heard her. We flew at once in the direction of her cry and saw many men carrying her in their midst.’
Baras managed to close his mouth at last as he listened in astonishment to this dishevelled creature.
‘Do you know who the men were, who ordered them?’
The Merig blinked again. ‘The name “Commander Jal” was spoken. They travelled fast to the north. I followed them until I was sure they were aiming for the tunnels.’
‘Tunnels?’ Emla gasped. ‘The tunnels you spoke to us of before?’
‘No no.’ The Merig clattered his horny beak testily. ‘I spoke of the Domain of Asat.’ He blinked at Baras. ‘These tunnels are in this side of the mountains.’ He fidgeted. ‘Delvers sealed off all tunnels to their Domain, leaving only one or two for the new Guardian to discover.’
‘Did the old Guardian then know of Delvers and their Domain Merig?’
‘Mmm.’
Baras cleared his throat. ‘Could I take a company through these tunnels my Lady, in pursuit of the Lady Iska?’
Emla looked at the Merig for his opinion. As usual, he blinked.
‘I could show you where the tunnels begin, that lead to the Guardian’s stronghold.’ His feathers creaked as he shivered. ‘Stars know what you might meet in them.’ He leaned forward perilously from his perch on the stool. ‘Shardi,’ he explained succinctly.
‘Shardi use these tunnels?’ asked Baras.
‘Sometimes. When the Guardian wants them to move rapidly d
own into this region or further. Mostly they don’t actually live in the tunnels. They fear them, only use them when the Grey One orders.’
Emla was pacing, her hands knotting and unknotting at her breast. ‘Baras, ready a company. We will accept the Merig’s kind offer to guide us. Within the hour.’
‘We?’ asked Kemti.
Emla stopped beside the fire, her chin raised firmly. ‘Yes Kemti. I at least will travel north now. I can do no less. I have been worried sick since those children left, but now Iska has been taken from us in such a fashion, I WILL go after them all.’
‘Then I go too.’ said Kemti.
Yash frowned. ‘I would also come with you, but I feel one of us must stay in Gaharn.’
Emla hugged him gratefully. ‘I agree. I know you would prefer to come with us, but one must stay, and you in fact can far speak best of the three of us. You have also worked most with Iska. Your thoughts may reach her, even from here, and I ask you to go to Kera as soon as we leave. Tell her all we know. Between the two of you, you may be able to reach us, if not Iska.’
The Merig said: ‘I am a messenger, as are all my race. I will gather some of the others in the neighbourhood and we can carry news for you. This once. It is a hard flight back and forth, especially against the wind and snow.’
Emla knelt by the fireside stool. ‘I thank you for your offer of help and your kindness in speaking to us. May we know your name - it seems impolite to keep calling you just “Merig”’
The Merig gazed at the Lady, their eyes level. ‘Merig will do, thank you. It is not that we don’t wish you to know our names, but I think you could not say them.’ He gave a guttural squawk with a rasping trill in the midst – it sounded very much as if he was being done to death, agonisingly. He bent forward slightly, head to one side. ‘That is my name.’
Emla sat back on her heels and gave him a faint smile. ‘Perhaps “Merig” is safer,’ she agreed. He hopped to the floor and walked stiffly to the door. ‘I will visit others and ask who will come. Oh.’ He turned back. ‘The Kephi Queen wants some of her young ones sent to the Delvers.’ He stared down at his scaly toes morosely. ‘I don’t know if you are to deliver them now, or later.’
Kemti had opened the door and the Merig plodded through. ‘And how do we explain kidnapping various small Kephis? Will they allow us to mind speak them, as their “Queen” has decided to do so?’
‘That is the least of our troubles Emla,’ Yash said impatiently. ‘You told Baras to be ready to leave within the hour. Go and ready yourself. I presume Baras will use fengars for speed – will they venture inside these tunnels do you think?’
‘I have no idea,’ Emla was hurrying up the stairs. ‘I hate sitting on them, but we do need their speed.’ She disappeared along the upper gallery.
‘I pray you get to Iska before Rhaki does her harm,’ Yash said. ‘And by the stars, ensure Emla’s safety. She has named no successor yet; she is the Lady. You must bring her back to us.’
‘I know, Yash. And you must call another Gather of the Discipline Seniors and stir them to some sort of action, preferably within a few days rather than a few Seasons or Cycles!’
Yash grimaced. ‘I’ll do what I can. I think once I can get Kera’s mind focused on these events, she will be like a whirlwind. Getting her attention, that will be the worst problem.’
Kemti headed for the stairs. ‘I must ready myself.’ As he passed Emla’s open door, he saw Shan, scarlet faced and indignant. He heard: ‘How dare you, my Lady, even think of travelling off, stars know where, among all these rough men, with no maid to tend you? Of course I will travel with you, don’t you even think of trying to stop me my Lady!’
Kemti groaned and hurried on to his own chamber.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Soul Bonds: Book 1 Circles of Light series Page 27
