Last of the Wilds

by Trudi Canavan

  Auraya looked at him sideways. “I would like to continue working with you, too, Juran of the White.”

  He looked at her, then for the first time since she had returned, he smiled.

  Her boat was just where she had left it. Emerahl turned to Surim and Tamun.

  “Thank you for your hospitality,” she said.

  Tamun smiled and opened her arms wide. To Emerahl’s surprise, the normally reserved woman stepped forward and embraced her.

  “I should be thanking you for coming here and giving me someone to talk to.”

  “Other than me,” Surim added.

  “You’re not such bad company yourselves,” Emerahl said.

  As Tamun stepped back, Surim gave Emerahl a hug, squeezing the breath out of her.

  “Take care of yourself, Old Hag.”

  “You take care of each other.”

  “Oh, we’re good at that. We’ve always looked after each other.”

  “For better or worse,” Tamun added. Then she cleared her throat. “That’s enough, brother.” Surim released Emerahl and stepped back, grinning.

  “But it’s been so long since I had another woman in my arms.”

  Tamun made a low noise. “A few weeks, from what I recall.”

  “A few weeks is a long time.” He looked thoughtful. “Hmmm, and I think it’s probably time I did another trip downstream.”

  “That swamp girl takes too much of your attention,” Tamun said disapprovingly.

  “She’s a little old to be called a girl, though I’m sure she’d be flattered by it.”

  Tamun made a low noise, but said nothing. She handed Emerahl a bag—the one Emerahl had been watching her making.

  “This contains food and clean water, and those local cures we talked about.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We’ll try to contact you every night,” Surim told her. “In dreams.”

  “And I will contact you if I learn anything new.”

  They both nodded. Surim frowned. “We would go ourselves, but you know the world that exists now much better than we do. Though we skim the minds of mortals every day, we cannot be sure what we have learned will enable us to survive.”

  “And if we did go, we ought to separate.” Surim didn’t say how much they didn’t want to. He didn’t have to. His normally bright voice was strained.

  “We will be of better use skimming minds and feeding what we learn to another.”

  Emerahl smiled and raised her hands. “Stop it. I understand your reluctance. I want to do this. Even if we don’t find a way to kill the gods, knowing more about them—especially their limitations—is always a worthwhile pursuit.”

  “It’s your quest,” Surim said, chuckling. “That’s what The Seer would have called it, anyway.”

  Emerahl laughed. “She would have called it ‘The Quest for the Scroll of the Gods.’”

  Tamun nodded. “And she would have written some appalling poetry and called it ‘prophecy.’ A green-eyed sprite will find the scroll; save the world and everyone’s soul.”

  “Stop. Please.” Still chuckling, Emerahl turned to the boat. She unwound the mooring line from the pottery urn and stepped aboard. At once the vessel began to drift away from the ledge and The Twins.

  “The current will take you out,” Surim called.

  “Good luck,” Tamun added.

  Emerahl set down the bag and looked over her shoulder. Already the current had taken her halfway across the cavern. The brother and sister waved. She raised a hand in reply.

  Then, as her boat reached the cave entrances on the other side, she turned to the front and guided it into the main tunnel.

  She chuckled to herself. The Quest for the Scroll of the Gods has begun.

  Nothing had been said since they had left the island. Nothing could be said, since they swam the whole way with only a few short rests. When Imi had begun to lag behind, warriors had caught her hands and pulled her along, which would have been fun if everyone hadn’t been so serious.

  Now, as Imi emerged from the water beside her father, she found just wading through it took an immense effort. Her whole body ached. Her legs hurt from so much swimming and her shoulders were sore from being hauled along. She was relieved when her father, having reached the edge of the Mouth, stopped.

  “My people. Citizens of Borra.”

  She looked up, surprised by her father’s voice suddenly booming loudly from beside her. Seeing the crowds of Elai milling around the edge of the Mouth, she realized that many had gathered to await their return. And for news.

  “Today I have made a great gamble, but one I know many of you support. I have struck an agreement with the Pentadrians. They will trade with us, they will teach us—and you all know they have much to teach—and they will come to our aid in times of trouble.

  “There is danger in such an agreement, and it relies on trust and integrity on both sides. But it also offers great benefits. I believe, with the Pentadrians’ help, we will grow stronger. Perhaps strong enough that we will no longer need to hide here in this city. Perhaps strong enough that not only will we no longer need to fear landwalker raiders, but we will rid the seas of their filth.”

  He looked around at the faces before them. Some were frowning, but most looked pleased. He glanced at Imi, then took her hand.

  “Together we will grow proud and strong, and live to occupy the islands once more!”

  Someone cheered, then more voices joined in. Imi felt her weariness fade. She looked up at her father and grinned. He smiled at her, and for the first time it was not a wary half-smile, but one of determination.

  And, together, they began to walk through the crowd toward the palace.

  Danjin settled into a chair beside his wife. Silava smiled at him and put aside the letter she was reading. Rising, she collected a jug of tintra that had been warming by the brazier and poured some into a goblet for him. Returning to her chair, she picked up the letter again.

  “Which daughter is it this time?” he asked.

  “Your eldest,” she replied in mock disapproval at his tone. “Your granddaughter had a fever, but she appears to have recovered. Do you think we could visit them again this summer?”

  “That depends whether—”

  A knock interrupted him. Their servant appeared and hurried to the main door. Danjin caught a glimpse of a white-clothed man before the door closed again.

  “A message for Fa-Spear,” the servant said respectfully, handing Danjin a metal cylinder.

  Silava glanced at the message. “Off to the Temple again?”

  He regarded the metal cylinder in puzzlement. “They usually just tell me to come. This is formal.”

  “Perhaps it is an invite to a special ceremony.”

  “Perhaps.” He examined the seal. It was unbroken. The cylinder was no fake, as far as he could tell.

  Silava drummed her fingers on the arm-rest of her chair. “Are you going to open it?”

  “Eventually.”

  “Why not now?”

  “You haven’t nagged me enough yet.”

  He ducked as she threw her empty goblet at him. Laughing, he broke the seal and tipped out the scroll inside. Silava rose to collect her goblet and refill it with tintra. Danjin uncurled the scroll.

  His eyes moved across the words, but his mind refused to comprehend them. Or so he wished. When he had read the message three times he laid it aside, then stared at the brazier as he struggled with disbelief.

  “What did it say?” Silava asked.

  “Auraya has resigned.”

  He saw Silava’s head come up abruptly. She said nothing for a moment.

  “Did it say why?”

  “No, but it said she has returned to Si. She came here. To Jarime. She didn’t tell me.”

  “Of course not. If people had known what she was going to do there would have been an uproar.”

  “I suppose so. I would have kept it a secret, but if she didn’t want the other White knowing her plans
she might—”

  Another knock came from the door. This time Danjin rose and answered it. A white-clothed messenger solemnly handed Danjin another message cylinder, made the sign of the circle, then strode back to a Temple platten.

  Danjin had the seal broken and the scroll in his hands before he reached his chair. When he saw Auraya’s graceful writing he felt a rush of relief. She hadn’t forgotten him.

  To Danjin Spear,

  I have little time to linger in Jarime, so I must make this regrettably short. Today I made a difficult decision, but one that I do not regret. I have resigned from the White in order to dedicate myself to helping the Siyee.

  I wish I could deliver this news in person, but each moment I linger more Siyee may die of Hearteater. I want to thank you for all your advice and assistance this last year and a half. You have been as much a friend as an adviser and I will miss your wisdom and humor. I will recommend that the White instate you as the adviser for my replacement. I know you will do well.

  A good future to you,

  Auraya Dyer

  “That’s nice,” Silava said. “She sounds rushed.”

  Danjin looked up to find his wife standing by his shoulder. He shook his head at her. “This might have contained secret information.”

  She patted his shoulders. “It might have. I took a risk. What will you do with the ring?”

  He looked down at his hand. “I expect they’ll ask for it back.”

  “Probably. It might not even work any more.”

  “No.” He slipped it off his finger and cupped it in his hand. Looking at it, he felt a pang of sadness. “She was a good White. Too good. She’s given it all up to help the Siyee.”

  “I know,” Silava said soothingly. “Let me take that and put it somewhere safe for now.”

  He handed her the ring. Her footsteps moved away, then stopped and she returned. Taking the jug from the brazier, she topped up his goblet.

  “Drink. It’ll warm you up. And think of this: it’s going to be months before they find a new White. We’ll have all that time to ourselves.”

  He looked up at her. “And we’ll be free to visit our daughters for the summer, too, I suppose.”

  She pretended to be surprised. “I hadn’t thought of that…but you’re right.”

  As she walked away, he chuckled. At least his wife was happy. Looking down at the letter he felt a wry amusement. Since Auraya had first met the Siyee she had been enchanted by them. I hope that means you’re happy too, Auraya, he thought. I hope the sacrifice is worth it.

  And I guess I should welcome you back to the world of mortals.

  EPILOGUE

  Looking back toward the coast, Mirar chuckled. Arleej had been true to her word. The town had been crowded with Dreamweavers. In his battered, dirty clothes, he had been too ordinary and uninteresting to attract more than a cursory glance.

  Unfortunately, it had also meant there was no shortage of healers, so he had nothing to trade. He had been forced to steal a boat. It was a small craft—too small for the swells of the ocean—but with his limited sailing experience he doubted he could manage anything larger.

  Throughout the night he had kept it moving and upright mainly by magic. Now, just before dawn, the water was calmer and he was exhausted.

  I can’t sleep yet. I have to get Emerahl to teach me how to keep this thing afloat, he told himself. Otherwise I won’t sleep at all for the next few days or weeks.

  Lying down, he fell into the dream trance easily.

  :Emerahl.

  After his third call, he heard a reply.

  :Mirar. Where are you?

  :In a boat.

  :What? How did you…oh! You got past them!

  :Yes. Last night.

  :Well done.

  :Thank you. Arleej did a fine job of filling up the coastal villages with Dreamweavers. I think she spread a rumor about a plague starting there. The locals will be making a fortune out of charging Dreamweavers for beds and meals, though hopefully they’ll also be robbing the Circlian priests and priestesses the White brought with them.

  :Did you see any of the White?

  :No, but I heard someone say they were close by. The Siyee followed me right up to the village.

  :When was this?

  :Yesterday.

  :So what are you doing asleep? You must get as far from the coast as you can. The Siyee can fly a long way in a day.

  :I know. But this boat is small and it takes all my concentration to stop it capsizing. I need your help.

  :What sort of boat did you get?

  He sent her a mental image.

  :You got a DINGHY! You IDIOT!

  :There wasn’t much choice. I had to steal it. With so many Dreamweavers in town, nobody was going to exchange a boat for dubious cures from a vagabond traveller.

  :I suppose not.

  :You’ve got to help me. Teach me to sail.

  :Via dream links? I can’t lie around all day. I’m on a Quest.

  The way she said it, he knew there was a capital letter.

  :But I’ll drown!

  :Very well. Between you and The Twins I’m spending half my day on my back…Hmm, that wasn’t the best way of phrasing that. Oh! That reminds me. I have some important news for you.

  :Yes?

  :The Twins tell me the rumors have spread like a summer fire across Northern Ithania. She paused for dramatic effect. Your Auraya has quit the White.

  Mirar felt his entire being come apart then fly back together again. How could so few words hold so much meaning, both thrilling and terrifying?

  :Is she alive?

  :Apparently so. She has returned to Si. According to the Siyee The Twins have skimmed, she’s been there for a few weeks.

  :Which means she can still fly. His heart was racing now. It’s her innate Gift, Emerahl. She’s close to becoming an immortal. I know it!

  :You can’t be sure.

  :I am. She learned to heal with magic too easily for it not to be true. Just one small step, one nudge, and she will become an immortal.

  :The gods will hardly approve of that.

  :No, but the only alternative is to let her grow old and die. I must teach her.

  :How do you plan to get her to come to you?

  He frowned. Auraya would never leave Northern Ithania and venture into the land of the Pentadrians, even if the Siyee didn’t need her.

  :I’ll have to go to her.

  :You’ll die. Even if you managed to avoid Siyee, Auraya doesn’t know how to hide her thoughts. And I thought she told you never to return. That doesn’t sound like someone who’d welcome you back, let alone trust you to teach her something that will probably make the gods want to kill her, too.

  He felt a pang of pure frustration, then the answer came to him.

  :Someone else must teach her.

  :Who?

  :You must teach her, Emerahl. You must go to the cave you took me to, then send for her. While she is in the void you can teach her to hide her mind. She won’t be leaving Si, so the gods won’t be too suspicious about her movements. Yes, that would work.

  Emerahl was silent for a long moment.

  :But…what about my Quest?

  He felt a wave of affection for her. If she had been going to refuse, she would have answered more forcefully. Yet he paused before answering. She was so keen to follow this Quest. He liked that she now roamed the world with confidence.

  But who else could he call upon?

  :It can wait, can’t it? I wouldn’t ask but…you’re her only chance.

  Emerahl was silent for a long time.

  :I’ll do it. She had better be a quick learner.

  He smiled.

  :She is. Believe me, she is. Thank you, Emerahl.

  :You had better make it up to me.

  :I will, he promised. I will.

  GLOSSARY

  VEHICLES

  platten – two-wheeled vehicle

  tarn – four-wheeled vehicle

  PLANT
S

  dembar – tree with magic sensitive sap

  drimma – fruit of Southern Ithania

  felfea – tree of Si

  florrim – tranquilizing drug

  formtane – sophoric drug

  fronden – fern/bracken-like plants

  garpa – tree. Seeds are a stimulant.

  heybrin – cure believed to protect against stds

  hroomya – coral that produces a blue dye

  kwee bulbs – the edible fruit of a seaweed

  mallin – herb that promotes circulation

  mytten – tree with wood that burns slowly

  rebi – fruit found in Si

  saltwood – wood that is resistant to decay

  sea tube – ink-producing coral

  shendle – plant on forest floor

  sleepvine – uses telepathic compulsion to trap prey

  smokewood – bark with stimulating qualities

  velweed – cure for hemorrhoids

  wemmin – fleshy flower

  winnet – tree that grows along rivers

  yan – tubers on forest floor

  ANIMALS

  aggen – mythical monster that lives in mines

  amma – believed to be giantfish tears

  arem – domestic, for pulling platten and tarn

  ark – predatory bird

  breem – small animal hunted by Siyee for food

  bulfish – shellfish that lives on rocky outcrops

  carmook – small pet native to Sennon

  dartfly – stinging insect of northeast mountains

  fanrin – predator that hunts gowts

  flarke – sea predator

  garr – giant sea creature

  giantfish – enormous sea creature

  girri – wingless birds, domesticated by Siyee

  glitterworm – insect that glows in the dark

  gowt – domestic animal bred for meat and milk, resides in mountains

  kiri – large predatory bird

  leramar – predator with telepathic ability

  lightfish – fish that glows in dark waters

  lyrim – domestic herd animals

  moohook – small pet

  ner – domesticated animal bred for meat