Turning up a basalt stone path, Garabaldi stopped at the door of a small stone cottage, fished in his tunic to retrieve the key and opened the door. Leilas had to duck to avoid hitting her head as she went through the doorway into a dark, gloomy room. Even though there were windows, they only looked out on the glitter of the city and did nothing to dispel the gloom within the house.
Garabaldi lit a lamp and sat it on the table, then moved in the direction of what appeared to be a kitchen. “I imagine you’re hungry. Please make yourself comfortable. It shouldn’t take me too long putting something together.” He took in the elegance of the clothes Rengailai had supplied. “I’m afraid it won’t be quite as fancy as the fair Rengailai supplied.”
“I’m used to eating plain food,” replied Leilas, thinking of the lizard and cactus pear that had been her only meal of the day more often than not. Garabaldi grunted and disappeared from the room.
Other than the gloom, which she was already beginning to despise, it was easy to make herself comfortable in this little man’s home. He hadn’t scrimped on the luxuries. There were several overstuffed chairs, a bit too close to the floor. There was a beautiful wrought iron and agate table, with books strewn on top. Counters of the same stone as the table held statues and icons. The walls were covered in maps and murals.
Leilas spent the time Garabaldi was preparing the meal studying the murals. They seemed to all belong together and told the story of a great battle. But try as she might, Leilas couldn’t place which battle or who was involved in the struggle. Still, she studied the faces intently, memorizing the intricately detailed features. The scene evoked a memory in her mind, or was it a vision? Garabaldi found her standing in front of the mural, lost in thought, when he returned bearing some kind of edible substance. It was nothing Leilas had ever seen before.
“What is it?” She picked up a chunk of the meat from the bowl of stew and smelled it. She wasn’t even going to attempt the glowing vegetation floating in the broth.
“Better not to ask,” replied Garabaldi with an evil grin.
Leilas took a deep breath and shoved the morsel in her mouth. It took all her willpower not to spit it back out again. “It won’t kill me, will it?”
“I hadn’t even considered that possibility,” remarked Garabaldi, spooning a portion into his mouth. “I suppose it could.”
Leilas choked on the substance in her mouth and was barely able to swallow it. “Thanks for the confidence booster.”
Garabaldi cackled. “You can always stick to the bread if you’d rather.”
The bread was brown, stale and far preferable to Leilas. She contented herself with bread and water, after a taste of the wine that Garabaldi had set out. It had a vile taste and burned hotly as it went down. Garabaldi indulged in whatever delicacy he’d prepared. Leilas had endured a great deal of lip smacking and satisfied belches before he’d finished.
“And now some rest, I think. We have work to do tonight, so you should sleep while you can.”
For some reason, Leilas had thought it was night. But then, it would be very easy to lose track of time in the bowels of Crysalis. Following Garabaldi, who retrieved the lamp and headed for a slightly darker corner of the room, Leilas watched as the darkness transformed into a doorway that had two bed chambers. Garabaldi stopped in front of the first door and opened it. Leading the way, he led Leilas into a large room with a small bed, a desk and a chair. He lit the two lamps in the room. “I hope you will be comfortable here. I’ll call for you later.”
“Thank you,” was all Leilas managed to say around the lump in her throat. Other than the fact that she wasn’t in chains and had two lamps, this room wasn’t much of an improvement on the dark dungeon cell. The walls tried to close in on her and the dampness crept into her bones. Trying not to let the gloom invade her soul, Leilas removed her tunic and boots. After thoroughly inspecting the bed for uninvited guests, she surrendered to the fatigue that had been hounding her since she’d left Rengailai’s dungeon.
CHAPTER 9
The images from the murals sprang to life in her mind as she slept. She was on the field of battle. The cold mist was hanging low. The horses blew steam as they stamped impatiently to face the enemy. There were so many men, on either side, mounted or afoot, waiting for the clarion call to battle.
It seemed as if the whole of Preterlandis was here in this valley. Men from every city, every county, were readying to go valiantly into war. For what? Power? Glory? Honor?
No, it wasn’t as simple or futile as that. The desperation on the faces told of more dire consequences. She’d seen some of these men before, dukes, counts, earls, some she’d never met. What a tragedy, war. Senseless, and yet it was necessary sometimes, for men to stand and be counted.
A warrior in golden armor moved among the men, calming them, encouraging them. The warrior she’d chosen to lead this perilous fight. He would lead them to victory or death, the battle was his to win, not hers. Clenching her fists in fury at her impotence, she waited with everyone for the call. Desperately, Leilas tried to discover the identity of the warrior. But he was hidden beneath the golden armor.
This battle was his to win, but there was another more deadly battle being waged while the men held on to give the others time.
“Leilas, time to wake up.” Garabaldi knocked loudly on the door and Leilas practically flew out of her bed. Her sword was in hand before she knew what she was doing.
“Damn,” she said, shaken, and put her sword away. She opened the door to the impatient gnome while she fumbled for her tunic and boots. “Your timing leaves something to be desired.”
“Did I catch you in the middle of a pleasant dream?”
“Depends on your definition of pleasant, I suppose,” grunted Leilas, pulling on her boots. Slipping into her tunic, she pulled her braids from beneath it. “Now, what important business do we need to attend to in the middle of the night?” she asked, pulling on the chain mail. She decided against donning the helmet. “Of course, I’m only taking your word for it that it is the middle of the night. How can you tell down here?”
“Another thing for you to learn,” was all Garabaldi would say in reply. He offered her some more bread and a flask of water and headed for the door. Although Leilas could have done with a nice cup of tea and several sweet rolls, she took a bite of stale, brown bread and followed dutifully behind.
Garabaldi ignored her as he made his way to the edge of town and then skirted around the stone city, hugging the cavern walls. Leilas didn’t think they’d packed for a long journey, looking down at her half-eaten loaf of bread and half-filled water skin. But it was beginning to look like they were going on one. They must have already covered two or three miles. They were nearing the far edge of the city and Leilas could now see a road leading off into the darkness beyond the city.
She still wasn’t sure it was night. The city was just as full of gnomes as it had been when she’d arrived. The only difference seemed to be the accelerated pace of activity and the noise. Garabaldi’s face was grim and his steps dogged. Wherever they were going, it didn’t look like it was going to be fun.
“Once we’re around the city and on the road, it’s only a few more miles.”
“What is only a few more miles?” Leilas tried again.
“Why the place to which we’re going.”
Leilas hadn’t expected an answer, but it would have been nice to get one. She’d put her life in the hands of this dark crafter and he didn’t trust her enough to tell her where they were heading and what they were going to do once they got there.
“Perhaps if you tried to read my thoughts, you might find some answers.”
Leilas balked at the thought. She’d tried walking in other people’s minds. She hadn’t liked the experience.
“You must get over that fear, Chidra. You’re no longer a child to be frightened by the thoughts and images of another. Frey tried with you too young, but he was right in suspecting you had the gift.”
&nb
sp; “Is there anything about me you don’t know?”
“I didn’t know you would hate rat stew with fungi,” cackled Garabaldi softly, as he hurried on toward the road that led out of town.
“I asked you not to tell me what it was.”
“No, I told you, you didn’t want to know.”
“So you did,” replied Leilas. “You were right, I didn’t want to know.” Shuddering at the thought, Leilas kept step behind the gnome as the lights of the city began to disappear into inky blackness.
“A light would be too dangerous. You can hold my shoulder if you like.”
Leilas nodded, unsure whether he could see in this darkness. Putting her hand on his shoulder they continued. Their footfalls were muffled by the packed dirt. The silence was as deafening as the noise had been in the city. Reaching out with her mind, Leilas looked for any thoughts out there in the darkness. Garabaldi had his thoughts shrouded and Leilas instinctively shied away.
“No, no, no,” said Garabaldi in her mind. “Find a way around the shroud. Approach me and don’t let me know you are coming. You’re about as subtle as a bull.”
Leilas was glad it was dark so he couldn’t see her blush. He was right, though. She spent so much time trying to avoid reading thoughts that she’d never learned to do it properly. Trying to put aside her fear, she attempted to read Garabaldi’s thoughts again.
“That was better, but I still felt you. There’s nothing here to distract either one of us. So, again, but gently this time.”
“Is that why we’re here? So I can learn how to do this?”
“No, it’s just a happy coincidence we can practice along the way.”
Leilas nodded and began again. Calming her thoughts, she sent them wafting on a current of air to find what other thoughts were out there. Picturing a gentle breeze in her mind, her thoughts a butterfly drifting, she moved closer to the dark crafter’s mind. The shroud was still there, covering all the entrances. Leilas paused then changed the image, not a butterfly, just the breeze. Her thoughts were the breeze. The shroud was still there, but it was no barrier against air. Leilas found herself listening to Garabaldi.
“So little time, so much to learn. Anhj I hope you are right and she is the one.”
“Anhj?” said Leilas aloud.
“By Anhj, you are a quick learner. Now, if you can just keep your questions to yourself.” Garabaldi rubbed his hands in delight.
“Wasn’t Anhj one of the four who were with the Creator in the beginning?”
“He gave us the Crystal Caves of Anhjou,” replied Garabaldi, nodding his head.
“The master of Land,” mused Leilas.
“There is so much for you to learn,” fretted Garabaldi.
“And so little time, so you said,” retorted Leilas. “But why does the watcher need to learn these things and why so little time?”
“These are questions you must answer for yourself. I can only help.”
“And you think I might find some answers in the great hall?”
“Yes. Perhaps not answers you’ll find comfortable, but answers you need.” Garabaldi scurried on ahead. “This is the only lesson I have to teach you, learn it well.
Leilas let her thoughts stay with his and she began to manage the tunnel better. The great hall was a meeting place it seemed, where creatures of this dark city met to discuss the business concerning the city. Anyone who was anyone was already there and had been since the morning to get the best seats. Garabaldi had waited until now to ensure that they wouldn’t meet any unfriendly characters along the way.
“This is a special meeting of the Council. Not only will business concerning Crysalis be discussed, but the masters of the School of Land will also be here. They have news.”
Leilas wasn’t sure how wise it was to be anywhere near the Masters of Land. Almost assuredly, with their power, they would be able to detect her immediately. But it seemed this was Garabaldi’s intent.
Leilas’ hand slipped to the hilt of her short sword. Fingering the weapon, she wished for a few more weapons to complement it. It wouldn’t be much defense against a room full of armed enemies. Veering to the right at the next cross tunnel, Garabaldi led her to a stone staircase that led up into the darkness.
As they neared the top of the stair, Leilas could hear voices, and light began to filter onto the stair. Holding his finger to his lips in warning, Garabaldi slipped onto a dark runway that circled around the stadium about ten feet above the last row of seats. Below on a platform in the middle of the stadium, twelve chairs were placed in a circle. Leilas recognized the formation. This was similar to the master’s council in Dirth. She was surprised the dark masters were so organized, but then again, in a way it made sense. If she thought about it, the dark powers would be structured in a way to balance the light powers.
“Excellent, excellent,” remarked Garabaldi gleefully. “I knew you’d see. You are indeed a quick learner. Perhaps there is hope.”
“Hope for what, Garabaldi?”
“In due time, Chidra.” Garabaldi avoided her question. “One lesson at a time. We’re here to listen to the Masters of Land tonight.”
“Why have they come here? This isn’t the School of Land. The masters of the School of Sky always meet in Dirth.”
“What makes you think this isn’t the School of Land?”
“I saw it in a vision. It was above ground, with white pillars and books.”
“There’s a small portion of the school above ground, for show. Mostly the buildings house books. Nothing of importance is kept there.”
Leilas remembered the vision she and Master Frey had seen in the mists. There was something of value kept there if it was a true vision. But she wasn’t going to argue with the gnome. She’d keep her own counsel for a while. She swiftly shifted the shroud she had around her thoughts. She thought she heard Garabaldi chuckle, but she couldn’t be sure. They were busy wending their way around to a dark alcove about a quarter of the way around the circle. While they were moving, Garabaldi was whispering a spell of concealment.
Most of the seats were filled, and Leilas was occupied for a few minutes with ensuring she wasn’t seen by those in the seats. She wasn’t sure what Garabaldi was playing at, but it was a dangerous game. Not many, if any of these people, would welcome her presence here. Even if Garabaldi was as powerful as he felt, he’d be hard pressed to protect her from so many. Once again, she wondered if her decision to trust him had been wise.
“You’ll be safe enough here,” remarked Garabaldi and Leilas wondered if he could still hear her thoughts. She would like to learn how he was doing it if he was. She was using every trick she’d ever learned to shroud them. But then, he’d been using all the tricks and she’d read his thoughts. How did you protect against thoughts that were air?
“Exactly, Chidra. That’s the gift. You only have to learn to pick and choose what you wish to hear and at that you are already a master.”
Leilas couldn’t disagree with him. She’d spent most of her years in Dirth trying to avoid reading other people’s thoughts. A loud, hollow bang brought her attention to the circle of gnomes seated on the platform. The chittering and muttering began to lessen then ceased all together as the hammer was banged once more against the wooden table in back of the circle of gnomes.
One of the gnomes, dressed in official looking garb, laid the hammer aside, rose from behind the table, and began speaking. Leilas couldn’t understand the speech, but reached out with her mind and let the images in this man’s mind fill her head.
He was filled with self-importance at his role, and hoped to move up to a position within the circle. The speech he’d prepared about council business dragged on for almost fifteen minutes before he turned the meeting over to the lead council member.
Sinking to the ground, Leilas tried to find a comfortable position. It was clear this could take a very long time, maybe all night at this rate. Wondering what it was Garabaldi wanted her to learn here, Leilas listened as the counci
l recounted old business, added new business and entertained disgruntled citizens.
Time seemed to have no meaning in these caves. The light from the lamps flickered endlessly. The dark was unchanging. The talk droned on. Whatever Garabaldi wanted her to learn was beyond her grasp.
Letting her thoughts move beyond the council circle, she began to touch the thoughts of others in the room, practicing what she’d just learned. Dark and disturbing pictures of ritual sacrifice, blood streaming from the lifeless victim, filled her head as she let her thoughts touch a human warrior who was there to hear what the Masters of the School had to say. Demons appeared, their names sounding foreign, worshippers brought tributes of animals and humans, as she touched the mind of the emissary from the Ranjuu. Men being hacked with axes and stabbed with pikes, the ground red with blood of light crafters and humans came flooding in next. This had come from the mind of a goblin. The exhilaration of the hunt and the kill rose up in her as she moved to the next person. Then there was a feeling of gleeful delight as she watched a wizened old gnome whispering in the ear of a king. He whispered words of knowledge, laced with evil intentions.
More mundane thoughts of family squabbles and daily life in Crysalis also floated past her consciousness. She felt the satisfaction of catching bats, rats, and grubs for dinner. She felt the dreariness of harvesting mushrooms and fungus to sell in the shops. Occasionally, she caught the thoughts of a guard thinking about the pleasure of inflicting pain on one of the prisoners. There were many prisoners here in Crysalis. Leilas’ fists clenched in impotent fury. If only there was something she could do to save those people locked in the dungeons of Crysalis.
“They’re not for you to save, Chidra. Watch and learn,” whispered Garabaldi in her ear. “The council is finally to the business we came to learn about.”
Leilas brought her wandering mind back to the council. The gnomes who were occupying the chairs rose and moved to positions behind the table. Then, from out of a dark opening came the masters of the School of Land. Holding her breath, Leilas watched them file in one by one.
First Comes The One Who Wanders Page 17
