Dark Lightning

by Janet Woods

  Alarmed, she gazed at it. ‘Nobody must see my hair. It makes me stand out.’

  ‘It won’t be a problem here, so stop worrying about it. You’ll be safe.’

  A little while later, Jynx was clad in the soft white tunic and breeches that had been left on the chair for her. They narrowed at the ankles, and tied at the waist with a green sash. Sybilla dressed her hair, but in a prettier style than Jynx could manage for herself, for she’d fashioned a braided cap into which she’d caught back its length. Now she plucked a blossom from a vase and attached it to where the braids joined at the crown of her head.

  ‘You have made me look like a Truarc temple maiden,’ Jynx said, gazing with some disgust at her image in the mirror.

  Sybilla’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes sharpened. ‘Am I to understand you’ve visited the Truarc temple? I thought it had been destroyed in the upheaval.’

  Jynx lowered her voice, saying casually, but not quite truthfully, ‘A land shift revealed the temple to us when we were quite young. It’s not easy to get into, and I was unaware it was a sacred place.’ She jumped when Sybilla cuffed her. ‘Why did you do that?

  ‘Do not lie to me again Jynx. You knew very well it was a sacred place right from the beginning ... all of the High Place is. It always has been, and the few people allowed admittance, are of the highest order of immortals. How many people have you told about it?’

  ‘I’ve told nobody. The authorities would have stopped us going there and destroyed it.’

  ‘Tell me ... what’s it like there?’

  ‘Why should I answer your questions, especially if you are going to hit me every time my imagination exerts itself?’

  ‘The time has come to learn to control your imagination as well as your tongue.’

  ‘How can you say such a thing when the followers are well known for their story telling? How can I tell stories if my tongue is not allowed to do the job it was designed for.’

  ‘It’s not your place to question me, Jynx. Tell me what the temple was like?’

  ‘You have just told me to guard my tongue. If you’re an ancient you must have been there before.’ She smiled. ‘Ah, I understand ... you’re testing to see if I’m lying again. Well, let’s see if I can convince you because I don’t like being chastised in such a manner. It’s humiliating.’

  Sybilla smiled at that. ‘It probably won’t be the only time while you’re here. You take after Tia... your Truarc ancestor.’

  ‘Tiana, you mean?’

  ‘What do you know of her?’

  ‘She came to me in a reflection in the water once. We are alike. I will not tell you more of this, not even if you beat me.’

  ‘There are better ways of finding out things. I have seen the wishing dish in your possession and I know you have the ability to scry. So, you are in touch with Tiana. She was a wonderful healer, and was my apprentice before the rift was brought together. You’re like her, Jynx.’ She sighed. ‘I should like to see Tiana again. She was a novice in the temple, you know. That’s where Lord Kavan first set eyes on her and fell in love with her. He tried to take her then, but she was young, like you. She fled from him and he followed her until she had nowhere to hide. By that time she had learned to love him.’

  It was a wonderfully romantic story. ‘There are several statues of warriors there. Some have tumbled over and are broken. In the middle of a great hall is a fountain with a waterspout, and there was a crystal in the water. The first time we touched it, a voice asked us what we wanted most. It sounded lonely. We both said we wanted to be able to read.’

  Sybilla gave a faint grin. ‘Then what happened?’

  ‘The wish was granted. The shelves were lined with books, and Remy and I are both able to read the ancient words in them.’

  ‘It’s a long time since I’ve been to the Truarc Temple.’

  ‘It’s a little frightening. Remy said he feels a power there. Sometimes we heard laughter, and I saw movement in the corner of our eyes. That’s how I caught a glimpse of the temple maidens. There was a door beyond, but we couldn’t open it to see beyond. And sometimes a humming noise comes from it and dust comes from underneath.’

  ‘Best you leave that door well alone, Jynx.’

  ‘Why ... what’s on the other side?’

  Beyond it is a chimera world full of illusion that keeps shifting and changing, so you never know what’s real and what isn’t. Unless you are in a chimera of your own making you can soon be lost.’

  Jynx had never heard of a chimera world. Now she had, she knew she wouldn’t rest until she saw it for herself.

  They entered a long room that seemed to separate the two towers. Jynx set eyes on Orish first. He nodded to her and then rose to his feet and moved to a table to sit by himself. He looked very old with his long beard.

  Remy was seated with his back to her. She stared at the back of his head until he turned and glanced her way. He said something to Hal who also turned, and smiled. Giving a broad smile she waved to them both. ‘May I sit with Hal and my brother?’

  ‘You may, but only for a short time, my dear. I need to talk privately to Orish on a matter of some urgency, anyway.’

  Jynx’s appearance had brought heads turning her way, and one or two of the sisters inclined their heads. She felt self-conscious and wished she’d insisted on combing mud through her hair.

  She gave her brother a hug, and laughed when he gave a huge, martyred sigh.

  ‘Better you give me the hug,’ Hal said. ‘I’d be much more appreciative of your attention.’ She saw the admiration in Hal’s eyes as he glanced at her hair, and paradoxically, she was glad she hadn’t smeared it with mud. Because of Sybilla’s warning she resisted the urge to hug Hal. She didn’t want her heart broken.

  ‘Your appearance is enchanting this morning, little Jynx? Did you rest well?’

  She nodded.

  ‘Are the followers treating you well?’

  ‘I’ve only met Sybilla and she cuffed me because I lied to her. Remy, what are we going to do now we’re here in Karshal?’

  Hal and Remy exchanged a glance, and then her brother said, ‘We’re going with Orish into the mountains to meditate with the ancients.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘Soon.’

  She sprang to her feet. ‘I’d better go and find my things.’

  Hal’s fingers closed around her wrist. ‘You’ll be staying here, Jynx.’

  Dismay darted through her. ‘You’re taking my brother from me, how could you?’

  ‘He has his own destiny ... as do you, and as do I.’

  The tragedy of the moment made her cry out, ‘What sort of man are you to part me from my brother, especially with Emrys looking for us? He will not give up until we’re dead.’

  ‘Enough ... it will not be forever. You’ll be safe here, where you can learn to handle your skills. Remy will not come to any harm with Orish to guide him. We must each learn our separate ways.’

  Gazing at her brother she appealed to him. ‘Remy, don’t leave me alone here. Why can’t I come with you?’

  ‘How can you be alone when the place is a haven for the followers of the Grand Alchemist? It can’t be helped, Jynx. There are no females where we are going and I have a lot to learn. You’ll have Wulf, so you won’t be lonely. And you can always talk to Laek if you need to. He enjoys your company.’

  She shook her head, warning him to keep quiet about Laek.

  Hal gave her a questioning look. ‘Laek?’

  ‘He’s a friend.’

  ‘He’s the Prince of Arles,’ Remy added.

  ‘I’ve heard of him, but can’t remember where.’ Hal slanted his head to one side and gazed at her. He still had hold of her wrist, and his palm slid against hers and he captured her fingers in his as he said, ‘Look at me, Jynx.’

  Reluctantly, she looked up at him. ‘We will not be gone for very long, just until the moon starts its new transit.’ For a moment she saw past the surface of his eyes into the de
pths, and they were a brilliant and beguiling blue. ‘I am your friend and always will be. Don’t send us away with anger in your heart, Jynx. You’ll regret it after we’ve gone.’

  Her ill feeling evaporated as she bowed to his wisdom. ‘I already regret it. I’ll miss you, Hal.’

  ‘Perhaps I’ll come to you in a dream.’ Bringing her hand up to his mouth, he tenderly kissed the palm, then each fingertip. He folded her fingers over the caresses.

  Orish gently coughed, and they sprang apart. ‘Does an old man get a hug too?’

  She hugged him tightly, and then hugged him all over again. ‘Travel safely, Grandfather. Look after Hal and my brother.’

  When the men left her eyes filled with tears, and she felt bereft.

  Chapter Nine

  Cynan didn’t know how much time had elapsed. He came out of sleep in a befuddled state and gazed at Helise in disgust. She was sprawled across the bed in a tangle of sheets, snoring. His appetite for her was well and truly slaked and he could see no charm in her now.

  A quick glance through the arched window told him it was late in the day, though there seemed to be few people about in the manor grounds.

  He wondered if his adviser was working against him. Yegan Colban’s children had turned out to be a disappointment. Helise was no longer fit to wed his son and Jynx and Remy had developed unnatural powers. He grunted as he pulled on his breeches. Sending Emrys after the pair might have been a ploy. Could Emrys kill his own kin when it came down to it? He harbored some doubts about that.

  Damn it, who could he trust apart from Azarine and his own beloved son, Laek? Even his brother, Penn and his two fine sons couldn’t be completely trusted, since they resented Laek’s Karshal blood.

  He threw a jug of cold water over Helise and she came out of sleep spluttering. ‘Get your clothes on,’ he said.

  Fear came into her eyes. ‘Do I no longer please you, Lord?’

  He couldn’t understand how he’d ever considered she could. Striding to the door he surprised the guard in slumber and kicked the stool from under him. When the man sprawled on his back, Cynan said irritably, ‘Get rid of the woman in my quarters.’

  ‘Where shall I take her, Lord?’

  He couldn’t insult Azarine by placing the girl back into her service. Greer Colban could deal with her wayward offspring. ‘She can go back to her mother.’

  ‘Yes, Lord.’

  ‘I’m going to bathe. After that I will visit Lady Azarine. Send someone to inform her, since she’ll want to look her best.’

  ‘But, Lord––’

  ‘Unless you want your tongue removed don’t interrupt. After that I want my brother Penn to attend me. And you can find Yegan and tell him to join me in my quarters.’

  The trooper looked relieved as he scurried off to do Cynan’s bidding.

  A little while later Cynan strode into Azarine’s quarters. Her rooms had an unoccupied air. Yet her closet was filled with garments and the jewels he’d bestowed on her were still in the casket. There was no sign of Azarine or of her attendants. Where were they all? Dread gathered inside him as he turned on his heel and went back to his quarters.

  He found Penn waiting for him there. His brother wore the diadem of state on his head. Cynan stared pointedly at it until Penn removed it and handed it to him, saying with a shrug, ‘Someone had to take over while you were ... indisposed.’

  ‘Indisposed?’

  Penn shuffled from one foot to the other. ‘It has been several moon cycles since you closeted yourself with Helise in your quarters. It was as though she’d enchanted you. You would see no one and listen to nobody. If I hadn’t taken up the reins of the affairs of state there would have been civil war.’

  ‘Where is Azarine, Penn?’

  A momentary disdain colored his brother’s eyes. ‘Your lady has gone.’

  ‘Gone where?’

  ‘How would I know? I’m given to understand she left the manor on the day you took Helise into your bed. Half the population has followed after her, including some of your best troopers. There’s something afoot and I was about to order a recall of the trainees from the islands to guard the manor. Those who are left are in their final training phase.’

  Cynan’s brain began to tick over. Obviously there was going to be some sort of uprising. For the life of him he couldn’t understand why.

  ‘Let them complete their training so they can wear my insignia with pride. We will send out scouts to find out what’s going on, and they can send back runners.

  ‘There has been a blood moon in the sky, of late. There is talk of magic.’

  ‘Hang the next person who mentions it, that will put paid to such talk.’

  Yegan Colban arrived and stood before him, head hung down and unable to meet his eyes.

  ‘You’ve bred a nest of vipers, Yegan.’

  ‘I long suspected Jynx and Remy to be unnatural.’

  ‘You should have warned me earlier.’ Rest assured. Emrys will find them, and dispose of them.’

  ‘I don’t want them disposed of ... not until they’ve told me everything they know. However, Helise is a different matter altogether. My lady took her under her wing, and she repaid her with disloyalty. Tell me, Yegan. What was the girl doing in my wife’s service? Was she there to spy on Azarine and report back to you?’

  Yegan flicked a glance towards Penn then hung his head. ‘It was done out of loyalty to you, Lord Cynan. Lady Azarine is, after all, a true-blood Karshal.’

  ‘I’m aware of that fact. What’s more relevant, Helise sought to usurp and alienate my chosen lady from my affection, hoping to elevate her own status in the meantime. I believe she used a potion of enticement. She did not succeed since my will was stronger than the enchantment and I was able to overcome it eventually.’

  ‘Needless to say my Lord. None can match the charm and grace of the Lady Azarine ... and none could question her affection, and her loyalty towards you.’

  Placing his sword blade under Yegan’s chin, Cynan applied enough pressure to nick the skin. Blood dripped. ‘I’m glad you think so Yegan. However, I have reason to question your loyalty, do I not?’

  Yegan began to perspire. ‘No my Lord. Anything I did was due to concern for your safety. As always, my life is yours to command.’

  ‘Of course it is, Yegan. I need to know where the potion was purchased. I also need to know where my lady is in case she’s been abducted. If she’s harmed in any way I’ll hold you and yours personally responsible and you know what the result will be. Now, get out of my sight. Go to Karshal for a while. I’ve heard reports that Servish is looking for a second wife. He may have Helise. She would be a good match for him.’ He withdrew the sword and placed it back in his scabbard.

  ‘Yes, my Lord.’ Yegan tried to exchange a glance with Penn, who studiously avoided it. Yegan left while he still could.

  ‘What is it Penn?’

  ‘I’m given to understand that Azarine left by her own free will. She was in the company of her maid Esbel and your daughter Danea. Serica is furious that her permission wasn’t sought to take the girl. She wishes to see you.’

  Cynan sighed. ‘I don’t want to see Serica. Tell her the matter is in hand, and remind her that Danea is my daughter as well as hers.’ Engaging Penn’s eyes he smiled. ‘Azarine trusts Danea, and with good cause. She doesn’t prattle about Azarine’s business to anyone. Not even to me, her father, or to Serica, her mother. Not to you ... her uncle. I sometimes wonder why she doesn’t confide in anyone but Azarine and I have come up with the answer that Danea dislikes intrigue. She’s totally honest and cannot be bought. Danea has blossomed under Azarine’s care, and I’m pleased by the change in her.’

  Penn looked away. ‘Be careful they do not conspire against you, Cynan. What are you going to do about the situation with your lady? Your men will laugh at you.’

  ‘They’ll only do it once. I recall that Azarine spoke to me about making a pilgrimage to some ancient temple. I expect that’s where sh
e’s gone, and she’ll soon return to me.’

  ‘The Karshal princess should have been discouraged from the practice of evoking the ancient rituals.’

  ‘There is no harm in it, Penn. From what I hear the temple is ruined, and there’s no magic left.’

  ‘Then how do the followers gather their power to heal? It’s said it comes straight from the Grand Alchemist?’

  Cynan shrugged uneasily for he’d remembered a time long ago when he’d first met Azarine. He had experienced that power for himself. But had he? ‘I imagine it’s a simple form of mesmer. I understand the followers are experts at it.’

  A galling thought crept into his head. What if Azarine had used mesmer on him for all this time, keeping him under her control? He shook his head. It would have been impossible without his knowledge. He had been the one in charge and he would prove it to Penn for once and for all.

  ‘Send someone to this temple to escort Azarine’s party back.’

  Penn nodded. ‘I think I know where the temple is. The people are unsettled, and it’s not safe for her to be out and about without someone to guard her.’

  But Azarine and her companions were nowhere near any temple, and neither could ruins of any significance be found by the search party.

  Once clear of the city of Arles, Azarine’s party had gradually been joined by troopers wearing the insignia of the peregrine. As a body, the men, their women and their children surrounded the little cart, keeping them out of sight of prying eyes as they pushed forward.

  Now they were camped in the forest. They slept under the stars, on ground warmed by the inner fire of the mountains. They used one of the warm pools in which to bathe, surrounded modestly with screens made from woven branches and leaves.

  Azarine loved being away from Cynan and the intrigue of the Arles Manor.

  She loved being outdoors, loved the canopy of the forest over her head and the way the sky darkened to a smoky darkness at night. The stars shone, some like quick blazes of light, others giving off a soft glow.

  Her childhood came back to her, of riding into the countryside with her father and mother and spending the night studying the sky. She’d made a chart, and knew which stars brought the seasons. Some of the stars belonged to ancient Gods. Bane was filled with discontented souls, and the anger made it pulsate an angry red. Warlike creatures with foul breath and filthy habits lived on Bane. Yet there was something about the darkness of Bane that drew her. It made her tremble to remember she’d sworn an oath of revenge on the dark lord, and was thankful he didn’t seem to have heard her.