by Jaine Fenn
He must be the Escori of Frythil, thought Kerin. Not only had she failed to guard her son, but now they had attracted the attention of an Escori. She wondered, absently, if he would have them put to death.
The guard who stood over Sais said, ‘Gwas, these people attacked us.’
‘So I see,’ said the Escori. ‘You may let the woman go.’
Her guard pulled the knife away, but kept hold of her.
‘She is no threat,’ said the Escori. Kerin spotted another priest in the corridor behind him. ‘The man too. Let him stand.’
Sais got up. His guard walked over to his crossbow, which he had dropped in the fight.
‘Leave that.’
The guard stopped in the act of reaching down. Kerin’s guard released her, a little reluctantly. ‘Good,’ said the Escori, as though praising the work of a backward child. As he came in from the corridor, Kerin realised who the other priest was: Einon. ‘Now, men, you may go.’
What was Einon doing here? More importantly, why was the Escori dismissing the guards?
The guards were obviously as confused as her. ‘But these peasants—’ began the one beside Sais.
‘Are not your concern, Captain. I have business with them. But since you feel they may be a threat, perhaps you should give your crossbow and quarrels to my assistant here.’ He nodded to Einon, who had followed him in. His face blank, the guard handed his crossbow over, along with a small case from his belt. ‘Thank you,’ said the Escori by way of dismissal. The guards left, pulling the door closed behind them.
Sais asked, ‘Who are you?’
Einon winced at the disrespectful tone; Kerin found herself amused at the priest’s discomfort. Though both her hands were now free, she made no move to circle her breast.
Without taking obvious offence the man replied, ‘I am Urien, Escori of Frythil. And you must be Sais.’
Ignoring the question, Sais asked, ‘Where are the other two Escorai?’
‘The Escorai of Carunwyd and Turiach are dead,’ said Urien, then added, ‘As would you most likely be, had I not intervened.’
To be told that two Escorai were dead confirmed that chaos had entered the Tyr. Knowing this, Kerin found the strength to speak. ‘Escori, I thank you for saving us, but my son has been taken from me wrongly.’ Einon swung the crossbow in her direction as she spoke.
‘Has he?’ asked Urien. As he looked at her, Kerin realised she was talking to one of the five - no, three now - most powerful men in the land. But she had lost all she had to lose, and felt no fear. Urien put a hand up to stop Einon doing anything rash and waited to see what she had to say.
Amazed at how calm her voice sounded, she said, ‘Aye. And I believe we have been lied to. All of us.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Sais had a crazy urge to smile. Even without understanding the full truth, Kerin trusted him enough to stand up to an Escori and deny everything she’d once held dear. She was quite a woman.
Urien turned to Sais, as though questioning how a man could allow his wife to say such a thing. Damn this sexist world. ‘She’s not wrong,’ he said.
Urien’s gaze flicked over Kerin and back to him. ‘Why do you say that?’ he asked with the air of a man interested in hearing an argument so he can blow it away.
The Escori wouldn’t have dismissed the guards if he wasn’t interested in what Sais had to say, and the fact that he’d arrived with only Einon in tow implied he had no other allies. Time to shake the tree and see what fell out. ‘For a start,’ said Sais, ‘the Cariad is an impostor.’
Urien blinked, then said, ‘We must find somewhere to talk.’
Kerin, her eyes bright, said, ‘But my son—’
‘—is currently being accompanied to the Sanctaith Glan by two guards,’ said Urien. ‘When he is within, and prepared for his ascension, they will return. At which point there will be no guards beyond the bridge, and our chances of getting to your boy will be much improved. We have a while before the ascension begins; waiting here would be . . . counterproductive.’
‘Lead on,’ said Sais.
They left the testing hall and walked down the corridor. A couple of priests crossed the junction at the far end, but didn’t look their way. From her expression, Kerin was desperate to ask Sais what he’d realised in the testing. He wasn’t sure quite how he would explain that her son was due to have his flesh stripped away so he could become the living engine that would power a ship between the stars.
Urien opened the door to one of the candidates’ waiting rooms and gestured for them to enter. He came in last and left the door ajar. Einon put his crossbow down on the table. Everyone remained standing.
‘So,’ said Urien, ‘what makes you say that the Beloved Daughter of Heaven is not what she claims to be?’
Sais hesitated. Even if his influence was on the wane, Urien must be a skilled politician, not to mention one of the highest spiritual authorities on this world. He could hardly say that he’d concluded the woman on the throne wasn’t an alien because she hadn’t picked up on his stupid mental panic and because she’d had to resort to a neural-interface helmet to force Damaru to take the final test. But Urien expected an answer. Remembering the priestly ability to spot lies, Sais went for an edited version of the truth. ‘If she was,’ he said, ‘she wouldn’t have to rely on tricks and gadgets to impress people.’
Urien looked at him and said nothing. He remained silent, his eyes unreadable, for some time. Sais barely resisted the urge to say something - anything - just to break that cold, appraising gaze.
Finally Urien said, ‘Where are you really from, Sais am Dangwern?’
‘A long way from here.’
‘That much Einon has told me. And he says you know the lore of numbers. Is this true?’
Sais was beginning to feel like a witness at his own trial. ‘What if I do?’
Unexpectedly, Urien sighed and sat down. ‘We are not enemies,’ he said.
Sais had no idea if the change of tack was a ploy, or an indication that Urien wasn’t as confident as he looked. Either way, he’d take the opening. ‘I hope not - because I think we can help each other.’
‘You are a most unusual man, Master Sais.’
With more confidence than he felt, Sais said, ‘You’re right. You won’t have met anyone like me before.’ Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kerin fidgeting, no doubt worrying what was happening to her son.
‘Indeed,’ said Urien. ‘And I would very much like the chance to discuss the differences between us at length some time.’
‘That might be interesting.’ If we’re still alive. ‘But I’ve promised I’ll help Kerin get her son back, and I intend to do just that.’
‘Do not worry. When the time comes we will act.’
When Urien didn’t immediately add anything Sais said, ‘So, I’m right then? The woman who’s running the show isn’t the real Cariad?’
‘She does not, as you put it, run the show,’ said Urien. ‘She is one of the Putain Glan.’
‘A holy prostitute?
Urien said, ‘That is so, specifically, a woman called Lillwen.’
‘So how did this Lillwen come to take the place of the Cariad?’ asked Sais. ‘What happened to the real Cariad?’
‘I do not know - most probably, some unforeseen accident took her life.’
‘Isn’t that unlikely for a goddess?’ he said.
‘It would be impossible, if she were one . . . which implies she was not.’ Urien paused. ‘I see from your face that this thought does not appal you, Master Sais.’
Sais said nothing.
A tiny smile flitted across Urien’s lips. He carried on, ‘Lillwen was selected to take her place by the other Escorai, probably because of a physical similarity to the real Cariad, and because her talents were strong.’
For the first time Kerin spoke, her voice uncertain. ‘Her talents?’
Urien said, ‘For sky-cursed women born in or near the City of Light, becoming one of the Put
ain Glan is an alternative to the usual fate.’
Kerin went a shade paler, but said nothing.
Trying not to let his disgust show, Sais asked, ‘Aren’t you worried these women will use their “talents” on you priests?’
‘I believe that the Cariad - the real Cariad - would condition those joining the Putain Glan to be obedient to any desire expressed by a priest.’
Typical of the Sidhe, to turn women into mind-neutered whores. ‘Is this just personal experience?’ he asked acidly.
‘No, it is logic,’ said Urien, apparently unoffended. ‘The older Putain Glan live only to please men; this is not true of those few who have been accepted into the service in recent years.’
‘I see.’
‘And I believe the old Cariad also conditioned her Escorai.’
‘But not you,’ said Sais.
‘No. As I say, I suspect the Cariad has been dead for some time - long enough for two of her conditioned Escorai to go to the sky themselves. Idwal became the Escori of Carunwyd five years ago. I had the honour to take up the highest service to Frythil just over two years ago. The other Escorai - Prysor, Sefion and Alden - accompanied the Cariad in all rites, whilst Idwal and I were excluded from the private ceremonies and have never been permitted access to the Sanctaith Glan.’
‘You said there were three Escorai loyal to this Lillwen. There were only two at the test.’
‘Alden, the Escori of Turiach, took his own life last night. I believe he was no longer able to reconcile his calling with the demands made on him by the Cariad’s conditioning.’
‘What about the other Escori? Is he dead too?’
‘I believe Idwal is dead, though I have no evidence save logic and a sense of the lies of my fellow Escorai.’
‘You think they killed him.’
‘I believe their conditioning will not permit them to harm other Escorai, even those not so conditioned. This measure would avoid further chaos in an already uncertain time. It may be the reason no attempts have been made on my life, only on those of my loyal servants. But they know how Idwal died. Alden admitted as much to me some weeks ago.’
‘So now I guess the two surviving Escorai are trying to hold things together. Were they the ones who had our friend arrested? A young lad by the name of Fychan.’
‘I imagine—’
He stopped, and Sais too heard footsteps approaching down the corridor. Everyone froze. The footsteps passed.
When they were gone Kerin whispered, ‘Was that the guards, leaving after taking my son to the Sanctaith Glan?’
‘That is so.’
‘Then we should go.’ She started towards the door.
Urien held up a hand. ‘Do you decide for Sais then, Mistress Kerin?’
She stopped, looking confused and chastened.
Sais flashed her an encouraging smile. ‘No,’ he said, ‘but she decides for herself.’
‘And what do you decide, then?’
‘That depends on what will happen next. Presumably we’re going to the Sanctaith Glan?’
‘That is so.’
‘I thought you said the Cariad wouldn’t let you in there.’
‘What I actually said was that I was not permitted access. The secret of entry is known only to the loyal Escorai. And presumably to the Cariad who has now gone to the sky. Lillwen does not know it, as she is the puppet of the conditioned Escorai. Or rather, of her own conditioning.’
‘So how am I going to be able to help?’
‘The key is a puzzle, a puzzle of numbers such as I have not seen before, though Einon has conjectured their existence. The precise form of the puzzle changes each time anyone attempts to enter the Sanctaith Glan.’
‘And what happens if you fail to solve the puzzle?’
‘Nothing. The puzzle is presented to any who approach the door. If the correct answer is not provided, it fades and nothing further occurs.’
As far as you know, thought Sais. He’d bet that the real Cariad - the now-dead Sidhe who’d been left to rule here - had something set up to notify her of anyone poking around her inner sanctum. ‘Have you tried to solve the puzzle yourself?’
‘I have not.’
‘How about you, Einon?’
Einon, who had been listening intently, started and said in a mildly affronted tone, ‘I would never venture into the sacred precincts of the Cariad without permission!’
I’ll bet you wouldn’t. Sais looked back at Urien. ‘So how do you know about this puzzle?’
‘Idwal told me.’
‘How come he got to enter the Cariad’s “sacred precincts”?’
Urien looked a little uncomfortable. ‘He was Lillwen’s lover.’
‘Really? I bet the other Escorai weren’t too happy about that.’
‘No, but, as I say, their conditioning would not let them harm him. And to kill the false Cariad would present its own problems. They did not like it, but there was nothing they could do.’
‘Are the two remaining Escorai in the Sanctaith Glan now, with the Cariad and the Consorts?’
‘That is so.’
‘Presumably they’re waiting for the ascension. How soon will that be?’
‘Soon enough that I need your answer now. Einon has an intellect suited to these new numbers but lacks the experience of using them. You would be my first choice to open the way.’
What with me being expendable. ‘And if I refuse?’
Urien just smiled.
‘Yeah, that’s what I thought,’ said Sais. ‘Well then, I’m ready when you are.’
Einon was outraged. Sais and Kerin should be obeying Urien without question, not negotiating with him as though this were some street-market!
When the beggar-boy had returned shortly after Sais and Kerin left, he had led Einon to a rarely used entrance to the Tyr where Urien met him in person. His Escori listened to his report, then had Einon swear his loyalty and willingness to do whatever was asked of him. Only then did Urien explain the situation. To Einon’s shame, his first thought on hearing that the Daughter of Heaven had been replaced by a Putain Glan was to wonder if the woman was one of those he had taken his pleasure with before the substitution had been made. The thought both excited and disgusted him.
But apparently Sais already knew this awful secret. What else did he know? What other truths had he hidden?
Einon hoped his Escori would not regret taking Kerin and Sais into his confidence. Urien would wish as few people as possible to know what went on here today. Such dangerous knowledge must be contained.
As they set off back to the testing chamber, Einon decided to view the alarming events unfolding around him as a game of gem: his Escori was the black; Einon was a red; Sais and Kerin, mere browns. They were the least of the players in this game, there to be used.
The fact that Urien appeared to trust Sais indicated that, no matter what else occurred on this holiest of nights, Sais and Kerin would not be leaving the Tyr again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
If so great a lie as a false Cariad could pass unnoticed, what else might be deception? Could Sais be right? Tomorrow, if she lived that long, Kerin must find time to consider what had been said here, and to work out what it meant for her, and for the world.
For now, she was glad to leave the waiting room and set off to rescue her son. When Sais and Einon pushed open the doors to the testing hall, she held her breath, half expecting to find the Cariad or her guards here, despite Urien’s assurances.
The room was empty, the far side in darkness. And, she saw with a sinking heart, the bridge over the chasm was gone.
Urien said, ‘Wait here. Idwal told me what must be done.’ He strode up to the chasm.
Sais stooped to pick up the guard’s discarded crossbow. Kerin took the chance to move up to him and whispered, ‘Tell me, what is Damaru’s fate if we do not save him?’
Sais looked up at her, his expression dark, and said, ‘They’ll use his mind to move ships between worlds, and drive him
mad in the process.’
Not while there was breath in her body to oppose them they wouldn’t.
‘Put that down!’
They turned to see Einon pointing his own crossbow at them. He indicated the crossbow Sais was in the process of reloading.
Urien, kneeling beside the chasm, called back, ‘Let him be, Einon. We may need another weapon before this night is through.’ He reached below the lip of the chasm. Suddenly the bridge was back in place. The speed of it reminded Kerin of the way a simple touch instantly lit or darkened Einon’s lantern. The Escori stood and waited for the others to join him, then led them across.
As they stepped onto the dais, a formless radiance grew around them. Einon hesitated, no doubt captivated by the divine light. Kerin suspected it was more of Sais’s technology. Urien walked up to the Cariad’s high-backed chair and reached under the armrest. As quickly as it had appeared, the bridge was gone; this time Kerin was watching, and she saw it slide into a recess under the lip of the chasm.
They followed Urien past the chair and through an opening directly behind it, which brought them out into the middle of a short passage. To the left, the passage ended in a wooden door. To the right was what appeared to be the ghost of a door: a rectangle the same size as an ordinary door, but dark grey, with no handle or markings. A paler grey rectangle was set into the rock wall beside it. The rectangle had some sort of pattern along the right-hand side. Urien turned this way.
‘What’s back there?’ asked Sais, jerking a thumb behind them to the other door.
‘The Cariad’s personal chambers,’ replied Urien.
‘And this is the only way into the Sanctaith Glan?’
‘That is so.’
So it was a door, and beyond it she would find her son, who, unless she saved him, would suffer a strange and terrible fate. Kerin darted past the others and ran up to the grey door.
‘Wait!’ called Sais.
It was too late. The smaller rectangle began to glow, as though a cold fire had sprung to life behind it, and more markings appeared across it. They were symbols of some sort - numbers, perhaps?
