by Maggie Furey
Even as Iriana lifted her hand to strike him down with a spell, a voice interrupted.
‘Is everything all right here?’ Taine stepped out of the shadows, with an expression on his face as cold and dangerous as the sword that he had drawn.
While Avithan was distracted Iriana made a small fireball, and hit him on the hand. With a cry of pain he leapt back, letting go of her, and Taine stepped up beside her. ‘I don’t think Iriana wants your company right now.’
Avithan’s look was pure venom. ‘And you have no place here, you half-breed with your filthy Phaerie blood.’
‘Avithan!’ Iriana protested.
‘His foul kind killed my father.’
‘Your father welcomed me,’ Taine said. ‘For years I risked my life as his eyes and ears among the Phaerie.’
‘That’s the only reason I’m letting you stay,’ Avithan snarled, ‘but not for ever. I want you gone from here. You may have Wizard blood but you’ll never be one of us.’
Taine shrugged, but Iriana could see a tightening around his eyes that betrayed his pain. ‘It makes no difference to me. Do you think I’d want to be anywhere near you, after what you did? I’ve talked to Corisand, and I’m going with the Xandim when they leave. They need someone with woodcraft and survival skills to teach them how to live in their human forms.’
Feeling her heart lift, Iriana turned to him. ‘You’re going too?’
‘What do you mean by that?’ Avithan demanded.
‘I’m also going to the Wyndveil with Corisand and the rest of the Xandim,’ she said. ‘Corisand is my friend. We’ve been through so much together, I don’t want to be parted from her just yet. I want to see the story of the Xandim through. They’ll need a lot of help to settle into their new home, and adapt to their human forms, and . . .’
‘And your own people won’t need help? When did you plan to tell me about this?’ Avithan’s voice was cold and hard as stone.
‘When I was ready,’ Iriana replied icily. ‘After you attacked me, you forfeited the right to any say in my comings and goings.’
She fought to control her temper. ‘We won’t be leaving right away. Corisand and I talked it over with the Xandim, and they decided to stay here over the winter if you want them, to help the Wizard refugees get back on their feet, and then leave for the Wyndveil in the spring. When they do, I’m going with them. I’m sorry, but my mind is made up. I’m going with Corisand.’
‘Well, if you leave you can stay away – for ever,’ Avithan snarled.
Iriana felt the blood drain away from her face. Never to come here again? To her friends, to Zybina and Yinze?
‘You would do that to her?’ Taine almost spat out the words.
Avithan folded his arms. ‘It’s her choice.’
‘It certainly is my choice, and I won’t be blackmailed,’ Iriana told him. ‘If you want to keep me exiled, it’s your loss.’ With that she turned and walked away without a backward look.
‘A word of advice: under the present circumstances, you’ll find it’s not a good idea to be making any more enemies.’ With that, Taine pushed his way past Avithan, who stormed off towards the encampment, and followed Iriana along the riverside.
When he caught up with her, Iriana’s anger was already abating. She sighed. ‘I hate to quarrel with Avithan like this. He’s been a friend all my life, and he’s lost so many people that he loved and cared about. But I’m not ready to forgive him for what he did to me – and he’s not ready to give up his controlling ways. I think we need some time apart so that maybe, in the future, we can be friends again.’
‘Just friends?’ Taine lifted an eyebrow.
‘That’s the way I feel, though I know he feels differently. Before he was wounded and we were separated he kissed me for the first time – but while we were apart I realised how much time I’d spent fighting his constant attempts to keep me safe, and how much he had undermined my confidence in myself. I suppose I outgrew . . .’
As the words struck a chord in her memory she looked at Taine, suddenly struck by an uneasy thought. ‘How long were you lurking in the willows?’ she asked him.
He smiled at her ruefully. ‘Long enough. I came down to look for you, as a matter of fact, but before I found you I heard what Aelwen said.’
‘Taine, I’m so sorry.’ The Wizard put a hand on his arm; all she could offer in the way of comfort. ‘What a horrible way to find out.’
‘One way’s just as good – or bad – as any other.’ He shrugged. ‘It all amounts to the same in the end. Besides, it came as no surprise. There’s been a distance widening between us ever since we were reunited. We did our best, but Aelwen’s right – we grew up, we grew apart, and we changed. I’m sad and sorry, but it’s the love we had long ago that I’m regretting, not the feelings we have now.’
He put a companionable arm around her shoulders. ‘Maybe it’s all for the best. Some things are just meant to be. I’ll talk to Aelwen about it later. Unlike some people, I can let her go without making an ass of myself.’ He smiled at Iriana and took her hand. ‘Come on, little sister. We need to get back to the camp and talk to Corisand and the others. We have lots to do, and we won’t be the only ones making plans for the future.’
It took Iriana only a heartbeat or two to make up her mind. She had defeated the Lord of the Phaerie and a mad giant from the Elsewhere – surely she had enough courage for what she needed to do now. Instead of moving with Taine she remained still, so that their linked hands pulled him back to her. Iriana looked searchingly into his eyes. ‘Somehow,’ she said softly, ‘I don’t feel like a little sister any more.’
Taine smiled. ‘Somehow, you don’t feel like one to me, either.’ He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her.
They might not have moved from where they were all night, if Corisand had not come to find them. Tactfully she waited for them to break from their embrace – and waited, and waited. After a few moments, seeing that they showed no signs of coming up for air anytime soon, she cleared her throat and spoke. ‘Well! I wondered how long it was going to take the two of you to work it out.’
Their heads came up like two startled deer, and Corisand laughed. ‘I’m so happy for you both.’ She ran to hug them, first one then the other. ‘I hate to interrupt you, but unfortunately Avithan has called a meeting back at the camp, and he wants everyone to attend.’
The summons to the meeting was going out quickly, passing in mindspeech from one Wizard to another, from the encampment into the settlement. The new Archwizard wanted to address his people. Most of the Nexians, bundled up in cloaks and coats of warm wool or fur against the cold, dank night, came out to join the newcomers, for they were anxious to hear what he had to say. All evening, rumours had been flying back and forth that Avithan now planned to make Nexis the major city of the Wizardfolk, and that the independent, libertarian aspects of the settlement were about to vanish for ever. Though many were angry and resentful at having their home usurped, there were also the greedy majority, who saw nothing but opportunities and potential in such a move. Meanwhile those Nexians who had loved the little town because of its remote position on the frontier, far away from the city, and revelled in its rough and ready ways, muttered and cursed quietly as they saw with dismay the claws of so-called civilisation reaching out to snatch at them. Some were already packing, others planning to leave in the spring. Now that the Phaerie had gone there would be plenty of space in the northern wildwoods where folk could build log cabins and be free to live as they pleased, at one with the wilderness.
One by one or in small groups, the refugees came to the campfire; hurt and bereft, grieving, shocked and bewildered. The Nexians had done their best, lending out all the old clothing and blankets, furs and skins that they could spare, but the Tyrineldians huddled together, as much for warmth as for mutual support.
Iriana and Taine stood hand in hand in a group of friends: Corisand, with Taryn, Rosina, and several other Xandim clad in a ragtag medley of borrowed clothin
g; Yinze, who had Kea and Crombec beside him; Ionor, Chathak, Thara and Melisanda, who had just returned from Independence, with Aelwen and Kelon standing close by. Avithan, grim-faced, walked out in front of the bonfire and began to address the assembled crowd.
‘My fellow Tyrineldians and the good citizens of Nexis, yesterday was a day that will forever be recalled in the annals of infamy and tragedy. At this time we survivors of the fall of Tyrineld are all shocked and grieving too much to consider how we will carry on through the days to come, and with the tragic loss of my beloved parents—’ His voice thickened, but he brushed a hand across his eyes and squared his shoulders, making a visible effort to keep his grief under control. ‘With the loss of my parents, Cyran and Sharalind, the burden of Archwizard, for the time being at least, has fallen upon my shoulders. First and foremost, I must thank the Nexians who have made us welcome and given us this so desperately needed refuge. I would also like to pass on our utmost gratitude to the non-Wizards who have aided us today: the Winged Folk, the Leviathan, the newly rediscovered race of the Xandim, and even the humble mortal fisherfolk. Any who wish to return to their homes will go with our thanks for what they have already done, and such help as we can spare them. Any who wish to stay with us and share our hardships are welcome to remain, if they will continue to help us rebuild our city and our lives. I have been conferring with the respected merchant leaders of the settlement—’
At this a wave of jeers, boos and catcalls drowned him out for a moment, but he raised his voice above the outcry of the objectors. ‘I have decided that Nexis will become the new capital city of the Wizards’ realm. There will be no more Tyrineldians and Nexians: we will all be as one. We will build new homes here, new workshops for our crafters, a new Academy and new marketplaces for our merchants. We will mourn our lost loved ones, then we will set to work to make this place a fitting monument to their memory, and we will see the Wizard race flourish and thrive once more.’ This time he was drowned out by applause and cheering. In this dark hour his people desperately needed hope – any hope – to cling to, and his words had provided them with exactly the optimism and moral support they needed.
As Avithan walked away between the tents, Iriana, despite their differences, felt proud of him. The old Avithan she had known and loved was still there – and in that moment she realised that he would go on to be a great Wizard and a fine leader.
About an hour later, Iriana and her own Wizard family – Ionor, Chathak, Yinze, Melisanda and Thara – were sitting round a smaller fire of their own, sipping thin soup, together with Corisand, Taryn, Rosina, Taine, Aelwen, Kelon, Kea and Crombec. Though they were all exhausted, they needed this time together, drawing comfort from their bonds of friendship, for their relief and gratitude at being alive and reunited was tempered by anxiety and sorrow. Zybina, Yinze’s mother and Iriana’s foster mother, had been among those who’d been rescued, and was resting in a house in the settlement as comfortably as could be expected with concussion and a broken arm, but all of them had lost other friends that day, and Chathak and Kea were both mourning the death of Atka.
Chathak, his blond hair flopping over his forehead and glinting in the firelight, cradled the Dragon’s egg on his lap as he sat with the others. Iriana and Corisand had combined their powers to enshroud it in a blanket of warm air that would retain its temperature and stay in place no matter how much the egg was moved, and Kea and Crombec were planning to help him return it to the Dragonfolk at Dhiammara.
‘Though I don’t know how we’ll make it without our bearers,’ Kea was saying. ‘I can’t believe that Incondor used his authority to call them away from the rescue work to take him and that girl back to Aerillia.’
Melisanda’s mouth tightened at the mention of Chiannala. She had already told the others about finding the real Brynne, who had been taken by the Xandim back to her home, to be reunited with her parents until some provision could be made for training the student Wizards now that the Academy was no more.
‘Talking of Healing – in a roundabout way – is there nothing you can do for Avithan?’ Yinze interrupted. ‘He’s shocked and grieving and he’s bearing so many burdens just now, yet when I tried to talk to him a little while ago, he just brushed me off; said he didn’t have time.’
‘He did the same thing to me and Chathak,’ Ionor said.
‘And to me,’ Thara added.
‘I had a fight with him,’ Iriana told them. ‘That couldn’t have helped.’
‘That fight wasn’t your fault, it was his,’ Taine said firmly.
‘It was, really. I just couldn’t get over my anger at the way he ambushed me while I was fighting the Moldan. Of all the stupid, dangerous, irresponsible things to do—’
‘And you’re still just as angry,’ Melisanda interrupted. ‘Iriana, you have a right to be. No matter how unhappy Avithan is right now, that doesn’t change the fact that he behaved so badly to you. You’re both going to need to put some time and space between you before you can become friends again – but hopefully, one day you will.’
‘Well, that makes me feel better, but what about Avithan? No matter how angry I am with him, I hate to see him suffering like this. Can’t you help him, Mel?’
The Healer sighed, and rubbed a hand across her face. ‘I tried when I came back, but he wouldn’t listen. He kept saying that he was too busy to talk; that he had too much to do, that the Wizardfolk are his responsibility now – though I wonder at the motives he won’t admit to himself. Most of his closest friends now have other friendships with outlanders. I know it’s not fair, and without the Xandim, the Skyfolk and the Leviathan, not to mention our Hemifae friends, we would have been lost indeed today. But with his family gone, Avithan feels that he needs us more than he ever has before.’
‘And there was nothing you could say to change—’ Yinze said – and cut himself off abruptly. ‘I’m sorry, Mel. I know what you’ve been through. I can’t imagine how weary you must be.’
‘Not as weary as Iriana and Corisand,’ the Healer pointed out. ‘They gave their all for us, and with little thanks for it. Yet without them none of the Wizardfolk might have survived.’ She smiled at her old friend. ‘Iriana, you deserve your new gift of sight. I can’t explain it and I don’t understand it, but I’m so happy for you that I don’t care.’
‘We think we can explain it, Corisand and I,’ Iriana replied, as she nursed Melik on her lap. It was wonderful to look down and see the cat with her own vision, instead of using his eyesight for herself – not to mention the great black dog Bear, who lay protectively at her side, along with the white cub, Yinze’s gift to her. By this time, thanks to hours of loving care from Thara and Melisanda, it was out of danger, weaned onto milk and finely chopped meat, and growing fast. Iriana was delighted with it. Yinze couldn’t have brought her a more perfect gift, and looking at the size of its paws, it was going to grow up to be absolutely enormous . . . And her mind was wandering. With an effort, she forced herself to concentrate on what she’d been saying.
‘We think that we linked so closely with each other through the Fialan that we almost became one being for a time. I believe I might have more than Corisand’s vision when we come to examine the phenomenon closely. I may have picked up some of her powers too, and she might share some of mine.’
‘Only time will tell,’ Corisand added, smiling at her friend. ‘Where the Fialan is concerned, anything is possible.’
‘Ah, the Stone of Fate,’ Ionor said in wonder. ‘I can’t believe the adventures you two must have had. And to actually be befriended by one of the Creators – not to mention that she gave you a message for me, of all people.’
‘You have a close tie with me, and also with the Cauldron that the Leviathan are trying to build,’ Iriana explained. ‘Athina saw the link, and used it to pass the message on to you.’
‘It was just as well she did,’ Ionor replied. ‘She came to me in a vision, and it meant that we set out south without delay, so that I could talk to you. I
f it hadn’t been for that, and if I hadn’t been in such a hurry, we’d never have made it back here in time to help.’
‘What about Aldyth?’ Melisanda asked. ‘I’m surprised he didn’t come back with you.’
Ionor smiled. ‘The old man is utterly content where he is, delving into the lore and history of the Leviathan. It’s a good thing we have that spell to survive indefinitely in the depths, because I don’t think he plans to come back any time soon – in fact, he’s helping them with the Cauldron too.’
‘And are you going back?’
Hearing the strain in Melisanda’s voice as she fought to hide her sadness, Ionor took her hand. ‘I’m sorry, Mel, but I must. I hate to leave you again to face all the burdens that will be put on you as the Tyrineldians try to build a new life – but I’m needed by the Seafolk. It was you I had in mind, when I first suggested to them we might try to make an artefact that would heal, instead of harm. I was in this with them from the very start. We had reached an impasse with our work, but now that the Creator has given me a clue—’ He looked warily at Iriana, tacitly imploring her not to tell Melisanda what Athina had said. ‘I feel I have to go back and help them. Please forgive me, Mel. It won’t be for ever. Or better still, why don’t you come with me? Or go with Iriana, or one of the others.’
‘Are you all going, then?’ Melisanda was wide-eyed with dismay.
‘Well, I am,’ Chathak said. ‘I was so obsessed with Esmon’s death that I neglected poor Atka. Without you, Kea, she would have felt very lonely and isolated in Tyrineld. I’m committed to returning her child, at least, but I’d like to stay on in Dhiammara, if they’ll let me, and be part of their quest to create their artefact.’
‘And I’m going back to Aerillia with Kea and Crombec, to work on the Skyfolk artefact, the Harp,’ Yinze said firmly. ‘I’m sorry, Melisanda, to leave you with this mess on your hands, but—’
‘Nothing to forgive,’ Melisanda said lightly, though Iriana saw her straighten her shoulders as if to take on an extra load. ‘We all have our duties now. Our world has been torn apart, and we must do what we can to piece it back together.’
