‘Was it your friends who were punished?’
‘Friends are discouraged. They are seen as rivals for the affections of the Emperor. Instead, once a year we compete in games and fights, athletic competitions to keep us in shape and establish the year’s order of hierarchy. The Ten remain as such though, unless they are individually challenged one on one. Only a single challenge per year is allowed to each of The Ten and, if the challenger loses, they have to wait three years before they can challenge again. This discourages the foolish and the hot-headed from challenging rashly. It is a constantly evolving process, ensuring that only the best have the closest access to the Emperor’s person.’
Morgan rested his head in his hand. ‘May I ask something? Now you have failed in your task, what do you think of your Emperor now? He would show you no mercy if he saw you again.’
‘The failure is mine. The Emperor is divine. Without him I am a creature without a soul.’
‘If you say so. So he has been financing Arshuma then?
‘Yes, for some years. Some of his money has paid for your traitor barons, the ones who betrayed you.’
‘So all I need to do is let Chira know and their relationship with Arshuma changes for ever. They will not accept a client kingdom going behind their back.’
‘Yes, though I am the only proof you have. Will you be sending them my head?’
He sounded surprised. ‘Your head? No, I won’t. As far as I can see, with you I have three options. I can have you executed. Being honest I may have to after what you have done, but if I do so it will be done quickly and quietly. Secondly, I could keep you here, which is what I shall do for the time being.’
‘And thirdly?’
‘I let you go, trust you to run off and live the life you want to.’
Her eyes widened a little. ‘Would you do that?’
‘If you gave me your word, you would leave the country and not involve yourself in our affairs. I believe Strekha are honourable and keep the word they swear by.’
Her face fell a little. ‘I cannot do that. Technically I am still bound to kill you.’
‘Can you not think for yourself, just this once?’
She stood, for the first time, stretched out her arms and swayed a little, swinging her hips in the slightest of movements, exercising her stiff frame.
‘All I am is an instrument of the Emperor’s will. In a sense I am not even a living creature, just a small part of a much larger body. If I dissent, or turn from this path, then the body dies, so, as you can see, I have little say in what I must do.’
‘Very well,’ said Morgan. ‘Let me just say, though, that this training that you went through...’
‘What of it?’
‘It works. It works very, very well.’ He got up and knocked on the door, waiting for the jailor to let him out.
‘One other question.’
‘So many you wish to ask!’ Syalin sipped some water. ‘Proceed.’
‘Why have you not tried to kill me now? You may have got the chain around my neck and throttled me; you may never have had a better opportunity.’
Syalin came towards him, walking around the table to face him; they were barely two feet apart. She smelled clean, well scrubbed.
‘You say Strekha are honourable; this much is true. You came here willingly, knowing the risk and you have been respectful to me. I remember my father once butchering some goats to see us through the winter. He had killed several when one young animal, a yearling, dumbly walked right up to him showing no fear, though my father held his butcher’s knife dripping with the blood of his fellows. My father let him go. He was unsure if the creature was brave or stupid but he gave him the benefit of the doubt.’
‘So am I brave or stupid then?’
‘I do not believe you are stupid.’
‘Well, I am glad someone thinks so.’ Morgan then picked up the blackroot and stowed it back in his pouch. ‘I will return in a week or so to give you some more.’
She did not answer, but her eyes followed him as he left the room, nodding a goodbye to her. After he had gone and the door was locked again, she sat on her bed and stared at the floor. Stared at the floor until the moon was high in the sky and the bats started to flit about as they left their homes in the high tower.
At the same time, inside the tower, Cedric was climbing the steps to the library. He was feeling a little stiff, especially in his legs, and felt that some exercise might just be what he needed. He ascended slowly his stick tap-tap-tapping on the stone steps. He was surprised to see a light coming from behind the door, but less so when he saw who it was sitting hunched over a book with a lamp close by and a couple of candles flickering in their alcoves. It was Cheris.
‘Ah! The mage at study – is there a greater archetype than that?’ He went to the shelf, selected a thick tome bound in vellum, pulled it free, raising a small cloud of dust, then sat down with it opposite her.
‘Not all archetypes ring true,’ she said, smiling back at him. ‘If my tutors caught me studying hard back on the island, they would have fainted with shock. I am not a natural student.’
‘So you have talent rather than application. A most desirable attribute when you are young; study does prevent the pursuit of more desirable hobbies.’
‘You have never been to the island, have you? There are few desirable hobbies to pursue there aside from the more obvious ones. If the study of seabirds and wild rabbits or bracing coastal walks appeal, then you are lucky. But few of my age or younger tend to be interested in that sort of thing.’
Cedric opened his book. ‘I was at that age, but then I was always a little odd. I imagine if I were a beautiful young woman, I, too, would have found it somewhat stifling.’
To his surprise, she actually flushed a little. ‘When I find a beautiful young woman I will ask her,’ she said.
‘Listen to me,’ said Cedric, ‘I have no tact. Having said that, it is always nice to know what makes a woman blush; I see it is flattery in your case.’
‘I think you will find it applies to most women.’
‘I see. You have me at a disadvantage, I am afraid. In the university there is little opportunity to seek out female company.’ Cedric gazed at her over the top of his reading glasses.
‘But it is not a closed community, though; you can leave the premises whenever you wish, surely?’
‘In theory, of course. In practice ... well, one is often too busy. Also, the longer you stay away from life in the city, the harder it is to return to it.’
She nodded in understanding. ‘How true – the experience is similar for me, I know I will not be travelling into Felmere any time soon.’
They returned to their books, though not for long, for Cedric seemed to be quite in the mood for conversation.
‘May I ask you what you are reading? My tome, alas, though beautifully illustrated, is not grabbing my attention as it should.’
She looked evasive and shifted uneasily in her chair.
‘I would rather not say, to be honest.’
He held his hands up. ‘I apologise for being so intrusive; it really is not my business at all.’
‘No, it is not that. It is just that, if I were to tell you, then first of all you would be horrified and then you would proceed to lecture me on the dangers of my talents and the importance of controlling any forces that I may unleash and, believe me, it is a lecture I have heard on many, many occasions before.’
He stood up and made to leave, obviously believing he had offended her.
‘I have caught you at the wrong time, I can see that. Please allow me to bid you goodnight. Maybe we can talk tomorrow when you do not mind having your concentration broken.’
As he headed to the door, though, he felt an arm on his shoulder.
‘No, Cedric, you do not need to go. I have been very rude and I am sorry. I still think of ... of what happened to me. It can make me tetchy sometimes. But the book I am looking at is ... well perhaps it is best if you just look
at it.’ She went back to the table and lifted it so he could see its title. His mouth dropped when he saw it.
‘I know,’ she said, ‘I know. It is a forbidden book. Anaya, one of the mages who died, she stole it from St Delph’s University. I took it, meaning to hand it over to the Knights of the Thorn but they were all dead; what could I do with it?’
‘Not read it?’ Cedric suggested.
She sat down and sighed. ‘I never meant to read it but I have had a lot of time to think here. I ... oh, it is difficult for me to explain.’
‘Then don’t,’ said, Cedric sitting back down again. ‘But please, be very, very careful with what you have there. For all I know you are just broadening your knowledge and I feel that is always something to be encouraged. But let me just say this now and get it over with – nothing good has ever come out of demonology. Even those that master it become corrupted over time for their powers are so great they can become little less than gods and eventually they believe themselves to be so. Most, though, die quickly and painfully, for demons...’
‘Elemental spirits,’ Cheris corrected.
‘For demons,’ said Cedric, ‘bear no love towards those who call them forth; they kill, feed and die – it is all they can do in our world.’
‘I know. I have seen it for myself. It cost Anaya her life.’
‘Then think on it; you have been forewarned.’
‘And if I were to tell you, I think I know where she went wrong...’
‘Desist from this!’ Cedric stood again, horror writ large on his face. ‘Can you not see what you are saying! No wonder mages are sent to live in the middle of nowhere if they succumb to temptation so easily! You could kill hundreds, even thousands, of people if you get this wrong, including yourself you silly girl. ‘
Cheris stared at him icily. ‘The man raped me. He has to pay.’
‘And I am sure he will, but is your life a price worth paying for your revenge? Do you want to lose that to him, too?’
A spasm of hurt crossed her face. ‘I suppose not,’ she said quietly. ‘I just feel so impotent. Everyone here is scared of me and my powers, including you, so it seems. But how can I get this man to pay for his crimes without my using them? Morgan said something to me the other day. I had always thought we were sent into isolation because we were dangerous and unpredictable, but he said it was because nobles were scared of us. Scared we would try and take power for ourselves. It is a thought that had not occurred to me before. And now for the first time ever I do wish I had power, that I could take my revenge without taking into account the opinions of others, which I suppose justifies everyone’s suspicions of us in the first place.’
She put her head in her hands. ‘I am sorry. We have argued here and that is something I never wanted to happen.’
‘It was not an argument; I am just concerned for you. You sound like you are ready to pack up and move to Blackmar and I could never have that.’
‘Blackmar?’ she asked. ‘I have heard the name but it was something of a hushed subject on the island. The mentors rarely wanted to speak of it – why I never really knew.’
‘Mmm,’ said Cedric, ‘I can see it would not be a popular subject up there, not with the knights around.’
‘But why? It is a country, is it not?’
‘Yes, one that lies to the north and east outside of the Chiran Empire. I have read a little about it. It alone in the world is a country ruled by mages. It sits high in the hills and is frequently clothed in mists and heavy fogs. Storms and lightnings are often seen tormenting its dark and forbidding peaks. It guards its borders jealously, so much of it is a mystery to all bar those few fortunate enough to go there. Those that do, speak of a closed, secretive society presided over by mage families constantly at variance with each other. Assassinations, poisonings and the like are commonplace, and for those without the magical gift there is no option but service in the army or a very miserable life indeed. There, are towns and villages but the main city is built high in the mountains. There rings of stone surround the great mage palace whose towers reach nearly into the sky. The tops of these towers are flat and it is said that it is from there that the mages call forth the mists that hide their country. I have also heard it said that the reason we hear so little of the place is because that is the way the mages want it, to keep people like yourself - that is, other mages - from fleeing there. I have also heard that the secrecy surrounding the place is down to the church and the Knights of the Thorn. They keep it quiet, in case mages everywhere get the wrong sorts of ideas into their heads and think they could exercise power over us humdrum mortals. As to the truth, I will leave it up to you to decide. ’
‘Why would mages prevent others of their kind from going there? The more the better, surely?’
‘The more the worse, surely? The higher the number of mages the greater the threat to those in power. As you know, those in power will do anything they can to retain it; you would probably be killed the second you send foot there. You may have powers few of us can dream of, but you are still human all the same and possess all the vices and insecurities held by the rest of us, as shown by the book you are reading at the moment.’
‘You are too clever by the half.’ She ran her fingers through her hair, making it look like a bird’s nest. ‘I have been up here for hours. Perhaps I should go now; I have a cat to feed, after all.’
‘May I accompany you downstairs? Perhaps I could help you feed him. I am in no mood for reading tonight; I just wanted some exercise if truth be told. Astania looks after me well, but I can still feel rough if left in the same place for too long. You know, I have known a couple of ladies who have loved cats. They have all been quite mad themselves – not that I am casting aspersions of that nature upon your good self...’
As Cedric rambled, Cheris replaced his book in its correct place on the shelf. She then picked up her own, clutching it close to her. Cedric looked at her, his eyes serious behind his reading glasses.
‘I will trust you. I will say nothing to anybody, but you must be discreet with this thing; it must not leave your room again. Understood?’
She felt like she was back in college again. ‘Understood,’ she said, biting her lip.
But he didn’t understand, she thought. He didn’t understand at all.
19
‘Are you able to ride a horse yet?’
‘I thought I couldn’t ride one even when I was fit.’
‘I shall rephrase it then. Are you able to balance yourself on a horse and push it forward in a crude and ungainly manner?’
‘I can but try. Why do you ask?’
‘I have to return to my people, do I not? Today would be a good time for me to leave.’
‘And you want me to come with you?’
‘Yes, I have something I wish to discuss with you.’
‘Can’t we discuss it here?’
Itheya’s eyes flashed with a mild annoyance. ‘I would rather not. Besides it is warmer today; I would imagine the air outside this city smells rather sweet. Would you not like to experience it?’
Morgan looked uncertain. ‘I am not sure...’
Now the annoyance was more obvious. ‘I will put it another way. I have to return to my people to resolve the issue of my succession and hopefully say goodbye to my father in an appropriate and dignified way. The entire enterprise is fraught with risk. I expect my brother may try and force me into exile or, if he has gone completely mad, try to kill me. What I am saying is that after today we may never see each other again. You may be perfectly happy with such an outcome, but for my part I would like to wish you farewell in a place other than here. It is entirely up to you.’
‘And at what time do you wish to depart?’
‘Now. My escort can be ready in very little time at all.’
Within half an hour Itheya and her ten-strong elven escort were riding out of the city gates on to the plain, before heading east and following the course of the river Fel towards the woods and the mountain
s. With her was Morgan, Reynard and two other knights; he was no longer allowed to ride alone, something he would have had to do once the elves had disappeared into their secret pass if they were not in attendance. A crowd gathered to see them leave, but it was nowhere near as large or impressive as it had been when the elves made their first ride past the city what seemed like an age ago. The sight of elves around the place had, after all become something of a commonplace event in this part of the world.
They rode gently, making allowances for Morgan’s lack of comfort in the saddle. He was inevitably at the back of the group, his concentration fully employed in guiding his patient old horse forward. She was a wonderfully tolerant steed named Mona, selected for him specifically for her placid temperament and easy manner. Itheya saw him and dropped back with her own white charger, which showed some impatience at the constraint she was putting on her.
They were right on the riverbank, a clear, healthy watercourse with a sandy bed over which many leafy water plants swayed airily in the direction of the tide. A couple of fat trout trod water under the shade of a sad old willow; they looked for all the world like two lugubrious old men chewing the fat over a mug of ale in the snug of a tavern. Old Mona saw a chance to grab a mouthful of fresh grass as Morgan loosed his reins a little because of the stiffness in his hand and chest.
Itheya saw his grimace and called a brief halt to their progress.
‘Give me your hand,’ she said curtly.
He knew why and did as she asked without question. She put it between the open palms of her own hands, her long delicate fingers cupped outwards like the petals of some sweet meadow flower. She spoke in her own language, quietly and softly, a murmur as gentle as a scented summer breeze.
It did not take long. Soon he felt the pain ease under the soothing warmth of her magic. The gentle pulsing sensation got beneath his skin, numbing his angry nerves, relaxing his bruised and torn flesh. He shut his eyes, feeling the whispering breeze stroke his damp face and set his spine to tingling, as if a dozen icy fingers were dancing playfully up and down its length.
The Forgotten War Page 102
