“Where is your leverage now?” Tristan murmured, his eyes remaining silver.
“There.” Gabryl gestured at the prone Kaval. “They will not wake until we three together vacate this place.”
Belun’s clothes were torn. Mahler’s shoe had been ripped off. Jonas’ tunic was utterly shredded. That had happened in the last few seconds. The daetal, the Oskil, had been on the verge of ignoring the directive from their Samaritan.
“Two minutes,” Alusin growled. “I need to confer with my brother about the amulets.”
“Do send the Keeper my regards,” Gabryl smirked.
Alusin swung away to stare into distance.
Gabryl lifted an eyebrow in Tristan’s direction. “Is there no one you wish to confer with?”
“There is my team.” He gestured at the ground.
“What of the Valleur?”
“They remain. Every contingency remains in place … in the event.”
Offering a cold smile, Gabryl inclined his head. “Warning received.” He straightened, clapped his hands twice. “It is time.”
A moment later the Kiln emptied of their consciousness.
A moment after that Belun groaned and sat up.
Part III
TRISTAN’S SONG
Chapter 33
I hear music all the time
~ Elianas Danae ~
Nowhere and Everywhere
MUSIC SOARED IN waves, creating harmonies able to heal worlds. Upon the whispers of flutes, birdsong weaved. Upon the tones of cellos, leaves rustled and water splashed.
The song was everywhere.
“Wake up, Tris,” Alusin said urgently into his ear, shaking him.
Tristan opened his eyes. Pinpricks of light rippled above him. He blinked. Fireflies. Shifting, he realised grass was damp under him. Utter silence, but for Alusin’s breathing beside him, enveloped … where? Where was this? He closed his eyes, wishing for the dream of music rather than the oppressive quiet.
“Sit up.” Alusin shook him again.
Tristan propped up onto his elbows. About to ask as to their whereabouts, he froze. His blood raced molten through his veins, and the music soared anew, mighty orchestras entwining with the lyrics of the multiverse. He pushed up, and his movement caused new harmonies to weave into the greater song.
Inhaling a shuddering breath, inhaling the substance of time, he clambered to his feet. Beads of moisture erupted on his forehead. Straightening, he swayed with the ever-changing octaves, a harp shivering as new notes upon his skin …
Drunkenly, he moved to find Alusin, saw the man staring at him, asking a question, a silent question, words that had no meaning whatsoever, and swung away, discovered Gabryl watching him, his form stilled, as if waiting for something, expectant, yes, expectant …
Tristan sank to his knees. Throwing his head back, he screamed into the firefly night.
Alusin gripped his shoulders. “Tristan!”
Sound gargled in his throat; he brought his head back up to meet the Kemir’s darkened blue gaze. The music played on, endlessly rising and falling, softer, the intensity lowered, but eternal, part of him.
By all gods. He knew what it meant.
“The Song of the Spaces,” he whispered.
Alusin studied him in consternation.
Gabryl smiled. His eyes remained cold, and yet a wry twist to his mouth revealed he was more affected than he desired to share. The goddamn man understood.
“You’re bloody scaring me,” Alusin whispered. “What is it?”
Tristan transferred his attention to his Eternal Companion. “Singing blood.” He realised Alusin, when he explained, would understand the concept academically, and that simply was not sufficient. Ignoring Gabryl, he thus reached up and gripped Alusin’s by the nape of his neck. “Listen,” he whispered, and drew the man’s mouth to his.
Alusin denied the summons at first, but when their lips touched, his entire being quivered, and he gripped Tristan’s planed features and deepened the kiss. Present, past and future dissipated; this moment was the ultimate point in all eternity.
A sustained chord sounded, the tears of a violin, and foam lapped onto golden sand, whispering promises. A reed flute whistled joyful stanzas, and thunder boomed as heartbeats entwined.
Tristan severed the connection to stare into Alusin’s eyes.
“I hear,” Alusin swallowed.
“Time itself,” Gabryl stated. “You have now officially stepped into the realm of Timekeepers. Welcome.”
Tristan did not want to know, but understood that was stupidity, and therefore asked, “Did you hear?”
The daetal, if that was his description of being, inclined his head. “It is different for all who are able to perceive those harmonies. I am, however, aware that the Song is playing.”
Rising, Tristan offered a hand to Alusin, and drew him up. The Kemir kept his back turned to Gabryl, searching for equilibrium without those gravestone eyes on him. Tristan stepped closer, pressing his shoulder into Alusin’s, bolstering him while using the man’s proximity to transfer the volcano within him, to share it. Alusin inhaled, closing his eyes, and responded by pressing his shoulder in as well.
Because he faced Gabryl, Tristan asked, “Where are we?”
“You will understand soon enough.”
“You have acted as the catalyst for the Song. Why?”
Gabryl did not respond; he merely waited for Tristan to work it out.
Alusin murmured, “True name.”
The man clapped. “Yes! Indeed. Tristan Skyler Valla now has the talent his illustrious grandfather was known for. When he speaks my true name, I shall be free.”
Tristan smirked. “And I’m assuming, as it was for Torrullin, a true name is not known to me until I speak it.”
A flicker of uncertainty entered cold blue eyes.
“No one has revealed your epitaph, Original. All are too afraid of what it is able to gift you. The legend, after all, warns against it. This means, “and Tristan laughed, “I have no idea and, if I am pushed to the point where you demand it of me, it will be a guess.”
The man had the audacity to be amused. “I am prepared to assume that risk. After all, we cannot leave here until my true name is spoken.”
Alusin stepped from Tristan’s warmth and turned. “That is your leverage. We are trapped in wherever this is.”
Gabryl spread his hands. “Indeed.”
Chapter 34
Truth is everywhere, son, sometimes even in the manner in which a man tells a lie
~ Taranis to Torrullin – Valaris ~
Everywhere
ALUSIN HAULED TRISTAN into the greater darkness and Gabryl let them go without a murmur of protest, proving eloquently that there was no escape.
The Kemir’s entire existence had now been altered. All he had been until the point of hearing Tristan’s music was no longer relevant.
Even the grip through fabric upon his companion’s arm connected him to the harmony. Tristan once told him of the scene on a bench where Elianas put his ear to Tristan’s skin, and thereafter denied hearing music. Now it was present and he, Alusin, was privy to it.
The glory of it shuddered into the core of his being.
Nothing could compare.
Under a tree with fireflies dancing amid the branches, he released his hold, needing distance while wishing to immerse himself. Everything he experienced was contrary right now.
Clearing his throat, he said, “I understand him now.”
“Elianas?” Tristan murmured, his eyes transforming into the otherworldly silver.
“Yes.” As Tristan leaned against the trunk, he braced before him. “By all gods, Tris, this is …” Words were not sufficient. He stepped in and kissed the man, desiring to hear the Song, to feel it course through him as well. Oh, he definitely understood Elianas.
Tristan yanked him in. Fingers dug into muscle and lips seared together.
He needed to find himself. This messed with his thinking
. In fact, given half a choice, he would not even be thinking of bloody thinking. Groaning, Alusin pulled from the embrace and moved out of reach many paces. Swiping hands through his hair, he muttered inane words, sounds made to still the melodies weaving into his spirit. He understood it would soon be part of him, and every moment unfolding for him meant seeking it out.
Tristan folded his arms, watching. “For all their claims about not wanting to be Timekeepers and never accepting the responsibility, Torrullin and Elianas, when one joins the hands on the clock …”
“… were and are Timekeepers,” Alusin grunted. Hands gripped his white hair.
“Indeed. This is why they left.”
“To escape the responsibility?”
“No, Alusin. How will I ever have heard the music if they remained in this realm? They did it for me, for us.”
Closing his eyes to sever the intense silver probing, Alusin swung away. “Ever have you spoken of the singing blood. The Valleur all have it, but the Vallas actually feel it; it’s a constant, correct?”
Tristan grunted an affirmation.
Alusin faced him again, hands shoved into pockets to prevent him from reaching for the man. “Torrullin, Jacastu, now you …”
“Jacastu was a monster. His ability to hear the Song has not been proven.”
“I am aware, but he went back in time, Tris, and that requires the flows, which is but a step removed from harmonies. His music was no doubt dark and dissonant, but I postulate it was present.”
“Fine. Your point?”
“Have all Timekeepers been Vallas?”
Tristan gave a laugh. “You’re making this more complicated than it is. Take Jacastu. His companion, Immirin, was Lorin.”
“She heard because he did. Elianas heard because Torrullin did, although, admittedly, not so, Elianas has some Valla in him. I hear because you do. The dual state connects. Now tell me Timekeepers aren’t Valla.”
“Neolone and Tarlinn. One a dragon, the other a golden chair.”
“And who has that chair ever been loyal to? Who is its creator? Where did Neolone abide through the ages?” Alusin grinned. “Hello, another Valla connection; two, point of fact.”
Shoving away from the trunk, Tristan swore. “And, of course, we know Rivalen was Valla, and if our tormentor was connected to him, it explains his ability. But,” and he glared at Alusin, the silver in his gaze darkening to the usual grey, “Ixion and Adagin were not Valla. And there is my aha.”
Well, at least he had distracted both of them, Alusin mused in wry contemplation. “You forget one facet in all of this. All on the list were and are, to all intents, immortals, mostly a one-state existence, and therefore the inhabiting soul was born a goddamn long time ago …”
“Not mine, and Jacastu wasn’t immortal.”
Alusin hiked both eyebrows upwards. “Truly? I’d have a case for Jacastu, and I’d certainly argue yours.”
Tristan stared at him, eyes silvering anew.
“It’s in the soul …” Alusin stiffened. “And that’s it. Where are timekeeper souls born and made? Here?” He swung an arm into the darkness. “Ancient souls choosing vessels they know will bridge time in one way or another. They are the music. Is this where they learn to dance?” He approached his companion and prodded him in the chest. “Young vessel; old soul.”
Tristan blinked rapidly. “The reason why we, as Timekeepers past and present, appear connected has naught to do with the Valla bloodline and everything to do with what happens here.”
“Oh, make no mistake,” Gabryl’s voice intruded from the darkness, “the Valleur bloodlines are part of it. Valla, Danae, Lorin and Aleru.” He stepped into the intermittent glows thrown by the fireflies congregating in the tree. “I am pleased you are this far along in your reasoning. With every action you two display to me why I was right in summoning you to duty.”
Alusin desired to hit him. That self-satisfied smirk boiled his blood ever swifter. Tristan, perhaps reading his volatility, laid a hand on his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he forced his instant response to the music into a state of awareness rather than a state of need.
Cold blue eyes flitting from one to the other, Gabryl snorted. “So close now, am I right? One nudge, and your music is eternally joined.”
Alusin surged forward, but the hand on his shoulder dug in.
Unfazed, Gabryl went on. “Another reason Torrullin and Elianas bowed out was due to the fact they have not in fact physically become one. When they do, Avaelyn will rejoin Reaume. I suggest you do so before then, or you will find yourselves summarily usurped.”
This time Tristan surged forward, growling, and Alusin was forced to plant his feet firmly to prevent him moving in.
Laughing, Gabryl paced, lacing his hands behind his velvet clad back. “The Valleur were first to the universe and are thus the oldest sentience here. The sparks that become reasoning energy spheres therefore chose the Valleur as hosts and, as mortality caught up with their vessels, those etherical beings returned and thereafter chose anew. It is true, and I’m sure Torrullin will confirm this, being very aware of the flows inherent in reincarnation, that knowledge, emotions and experience is transferred in habitation. A soul inhabiting a Valleur will thus return here as part Valleur, and transfer that state to its new host. Do you see my point?”
“You are saying Timekeepers are all Valla, if only via osmosis?” Tristan frowned.
“No, they are part Valleur. In ancient eras that translated as …”
“Valla, Danae, Lorin and Aleru,” Alusin sighed.
“Just so. We are not and never were alone, however. Energy passes through all barriers, and therefore I state with certainty that Ixion and Adagin too carried part of a Valleur bloodline, which enabled the far-reaching connections you are now aware of.”
“And yourself,” Tristan muttered.
Gabryl inclined his head.
“Which line?” Alusin snapped out.
“That is unimportant …”
“You claim to be Original, therefore you are the oldest,” Tristan denied him. “One long immortal existence, not so? Follow those hands on this clock, and your bloodline tells all.”
“Perhaps. My true name sets me free, yes, but it will also gift me certain original characteristics and features. When that comes to pass, you may discern the bloodline. Whatever it is, it is unimportant to this present.”
“What is important?” Alusin hissed.
“Ah. Now that is the right question.” Still pacing, Gabryl went on. “Allow me to explain. Let us put all of what has come to pass in perspective. Your oath-break did set me on a new path, Kemir, and I rediscovered the twin sarcophagus when that happened, a device I employed to escape, as it tumbled you into an elsewhere, but it gifted me only the transitional state you met me in. Ever shifting between tangible and intangible, or alive and dead, if you prefer. When you, however, joined the Kaval and became, to the seeing universe, a potential timekeeper, with Tristan Valla your Eternal Companion, well, that is when I realised certain nuances in my bid for form and true freedom.”
Alusin scratched at his head, hearing the accusations others would pile on him. An oath-break led to consequences; he should have known better.
“As I was already aware of the Timekeeper lines, I understood you, Tristan, are integral to my plan. You two together were needed, but not you as Kaval leader or even as Torrullin’s descendent, and not Alusin as an Algheri traitor to the oath.”
“You need us as actual Timekeepers,” Tristan murmured.
“And to become that, you needed to awaken your singing blood, to hear and know as well. Every action I undertook was to bring you to this point.”
“You summoned us to Petunya, knowing we would come as a team, knowing also the Kaval in general were occupied elsewhere at the time.” Tristan nodded. “Clever. There we uncovered Alusin’s truth and also your legend. It wasn’t only a ploy to bring us to you on your terms, but it served to bring forth other truths, which led us dir
ectly to Eurue.”
“You needed us to find the twin sarcophagus,” Alusin understood.
“It is hidden from me. I employed it to escape, but I cannot see it. Did you know of it?”
Alusin reluctantly shook his head.
“Ah, and thus were you surprised.” Gabryl lifted a finger when Tristan opened his mouth to ask a question. “Cathian Lowry was an extraordinary woman, a genius, and also a witch. She constructed the casket as a means to tracking me, should my escape become realised in the future. Every rune on her device exactly matches those on mine, other than the name.” He ceased pacing and faced them. “Once you studied it, you will have realised you are able to find me anywhere. You chose to use it, however. You employed the ancient breath, and was that not one of the reasons I needed you in my orbit, after all?”
“Fuck,” Alusin whispered. “Timekeeper breath.”
Gabryl spread his hands, once again delighted. “Just so. All you discussed about breathing love, souls being of time and compassion, on the daetal? Absolutely true. It would have worked, but your ancient breath is about so much more.”
Tristan closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he crossed his arms and planted his feet. “Two questions, before we continue. I will discuss nothing further until you answer with all truth.” His chin jutted forward. “One aspect of the Song, Original? I can tell when you lie.”
Foreboding shivered over Alusin’s skin and he shifted to place Tristan in view. As he thought; those eyes were as quicksilver. Tristan had realised something and now needed it confirmed.
“Ask your questions,” Gabryl murmured, appearing anticipatory.
“Where are the daetal you released on Eurue?”
A grin erupted on the dandy’s face. “Oh, excellent! You have figured it out.”
“Answer!” Alusin barked.
“They have joined their brethren in the spaces between. They can no longer influence anything here.” Gabryl smiled. “Are you not pleased? I have not that leverage any longer, for the hive will absorb them, along with the warning against future summons. Next question, Skyler.”
Eurue- The Forgotten World Page 25
