“Truly?”
Tristan nodded and was entirely serious. It had not occurred to him until now, but it was true, and he felt better knowing someone else would keep the watch here.
Gabryl straightened and stepped away. “I can do that.”
Alusin smiled again. Mission accomplished.
Finally Gabryl’s features relaxed into welcome. “Thank you. Do you want to greet Alik? She says she knows you, Tristan, but has not yet met Alusin. Apparently she is curious.”
“How is she?”
“A marvel. She is talented, a gifted healer, and so focused.” Gabryl grinned. “She can be a bit scary. Shall we go down to see her?”
“No, rather not.”
Both Gabryl and Alusin looked at him. “Why not?” Gabryl frowned.
“Her eyes remind me of someone much loved and I prefer to live in the present,” Tristan murmured. “When we return to Grinwallin, I will make time to reconnect with her, but right now I simply cannot.”
Gabryl inclined his head, but curiosity had clambered into his gaze.
Tristan chuckled. “She knows. Ask her about it. And now we must go.”
They spoke greetings and then parted.
As Tristan swung back to face Grinwallin’s mighty mountain, he thought, Behave, Great One.
A brief rumble answered him, proving Grinwallin, as ever, was both awake and aware.
Chapter 55
Let the light shine the way
~ Arun, Druid ~
Akhavar
BEFORE RETURNING to formal Kaval duty, they decided to visit Akhavar. Tristan, after all, had promised Aislinn a family dinner.
After Grinwallin’s intricacies, after the tension until the point of speaking to Gabryl on Grinwallin’s steps, Alusin suggested a hike first. A period of calm, of isolation, and thus they appeared a distance below Nemisin’s Plateau, in the waving grasses of the mighty plain.
The Lady of Life returned to this world fertility, gifted it a second chance, but the Valleur now once more resident on their First World had accomplished an even greater miracle. On a world never known for trees, forests now flourished. In the past century, tree planting was the Valleur mission. Literally billions had been planted and nurtured into strength.
Gradually forests overtook the bare slopes of massive ranges, and giants lined the watercourses and lakes. It had now attained sustainability. The trees themselves naturally propagated.
Akhavar, in the present, was a green world and going from strength to strength. The seasons changed also, from a dry and wet season alternatively, to almost proper spring, summer, autumn and winter. The trees called to the currents, instilling a sustainable cycle. True miracle.
Of course, Akhavar’s world sentience aided every endeavour also, and was no doubt as responsible for the renewing of seasons.
As they set foot to the greened earth, Tristan gazed around in awe. It was inspiring. Here the grassland still reigned, and yet periodic copses gave shelter to the creatures of this region when the heat intensified. He lifted his gaze to the far off Apnor Range, ever purple due to distance, and could swear that shadow was now dark green. How utterly astonishing.
Alusin, a visitor to sterile Akhavar through the ages, gaped. “By all that is good, this is amazing.”
“It begins to feel like true home,” Tristan murmured. “I was born on Valaris and miss my homeworld, but this, this begins to pull at my soul as Valaris does.”
Alusin studied the profile beside him. “You are a man of the trees.”
“Diffuse light, great boles and rustling leaves, yes.” Tristan turned his head. “You?”
Alusin snorted. “I walked the deserts here by choice. What does that tell you?”
“That we are in opposition.”
“Never that. We are simply different.”
Setting one reverent foot before the other, Tristan moved towards the nearest cluster of trees. “I have no home,” he murmured. “No place to vanish to for rejuvenation.”
Alusin fell into step beside him. “I have no home either.” He grinned when Tristan glanced at him. “That fortress? Are you mad? It’s a monstrosity and I feel uncomfortable there.”
“Too wet?”
“That too, but it’s a symbol of tyranny to me.”
“I wish for a home, like to Torrullin and Elianas’ Avaelyn. A true home. One we share.”
“An entire world?”
Laughing, Tristan shook his head. “No, merely an isolated place.”
Licking his lips, Alusin halted. “This world calls to you now?”
Tristan stopped. “It does.”
“It has always called to me.”
“What are you saying, Alusin?”
“I know a place.” He waved a hand. “Never mind. It is so hidden, it’s probably still dry. There is a small lake, but …”
“Alusin.”
“… it disappears … what?”
“I want to go there, with you.”
Well, unexpectedly, a different mood weaved in.
Alusin stared at Tristan.
Tristan stared at Alusin.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Skyler.”
“This isn’t a promise. This is a need.”
Alusin stepped in close. “Even if it’s a bed of nettles?”
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “I hope there are no nettles, but even if, yes.”
Dark blue eyes roamed over smooth golden skin. Alusin stepped back. “Follow me.” He vanished.
Tristan did exactly that.
THE VALLEY WAS tiny. High above sea level, the might of the greater peaks surrounding it had created a shallow depression, allowing for much light. In the centre, a small lake glinted, fed in the rainy season, for no rivers led into it.
They appeared near the lake, and Alusin instantly swung about, eyes tracking the terrain from rock faces to level earth.
It was once dry and wind scoured, the latter evidence in the sharp buttresses appearing much like castles on the ridges, but that was no longer so. Wind there might still be, but here the dry too had retreated.
Alusin rubbed his arms as goosebumps assailed him.
Tristan watched him, intrigued by the play of emotions on the man’s face.
Trees, young yet, but strong, clambered up the slopes, and grasses and wildflowers carpeted the valley, with reeds swaying at water’s edge.
“Miraculous,” Alusin whispered. “There was nothing here before.”
“Then why did you come? Even a man loving heat would be less than content in nothing.”
Alusin jerked sharply, as if surprised by his presence. He blinked. “It is all new.” Then he smiled. “Ye of little faith. Why do we do most things? Resonance, my Companion. There is much resonance here.”
Gesturing, he headed for the northern curve of the secret valley. Where the ascent to the jagged peaks commenced, nature had carved out a giant stairway, which led to an ochre ledge reminiscent of the one outside the Throne-room, only narrower and more encompassing.
A dark oval revealed the presence of a cave.
To the left of that entry two sturdy trees braved the elements. At this point identification escaped Tristan, but already he understood they would be giants in the fullness of time. It felt like an omen. Nay, a blessing. This was a sacred space.
He turned on the ledge to look over the valley. Warm rock was still dominant, but already a green canopy spread. The water appeared darker from this vantage, with tiny sparks on its surface. This would soon be a haven.
Here was both the world of trees he harked to and the heat Alusin was comfortable with. It was a marriage of nature’s personalities. It boded well; this was potentially a sanctuary. His and Alusin’s.
Having realised he was no longer following, Alusin returned to come to rest beside him. “Resonance, Tris?”
“Huge,” he whispered. He glanced at the man. “Yet this isn’t the resonance you refer to.”
Alusin quirked his head, and swung
back for the entrance to the mountain. This time Tristan went with.
WHAT COULD ONLY be called an antechamber cave led into a soaring space filled with light. The walls of the cavern were shining white. The floor was a sapphire expanse, level and perfectly tooled.
This time Alusin watched the play of emotions as Tristan came to a dead stop, his jaw almost unhinging in his astonishment.
“Impossible,” he blurted. “Scientifically, this is impossible.”
“First Valleur world, Tris. Many lived here in the long past, and someone made this. It is …” and Alusin swung in a wide arc, “… inspiring and …”
“Glorious,” Tristan said.
Looking up, he noticed vents in the rock ceiling, allowing in light and air in much the same manner as it did for Linard. As for Tianoman’s mountain city, here too an enchantment as ancient as this world held the elements at bay. The space was pristine.
“You never said,” he accused.
“And you never asked, Tristan.”
Again they stared at each other.
“Can you live here?” Alusin asked.
“I want to live here. Together.”
“This is your world.”
Tristan frowned. “What does that mean?”
“I was trespassing before. This does not belong to me.”
“You need me to ask.” Grey eyes commenced the silvering. “Then I am asking. Can you live here?”
Alusin shrugged. “If you’ll have me.”
Words deserted him for a moment, and then he said, “Oh, I intend to have you.”
In turn, words entirely left the Kemir in the lurch too.
“But we need a bed. This floor appears somewhat uncompromising and, although I intend to completely compromise you, this …”
Alusin gripped him and their lips clashed together. As they drew apart, Tristan snapped his fingers and, an instant later, the bed he slept in at the fortress thudded onto the blue expanse. He shoved Alusin backwards until the softness was with them.
There he halted. “I have made my intentions clear.”
Glancing at the rumpled covers, Alusin slowly nodded. “But I have not, I see. Take your boots off, Skyler, so that nothing will interrupt my intentions.” He swiftly removed his.
Hissing, Tristan toed his off as well. “I suggest swords also.”
Two swords in their scabbards hit the floor.
Together, gazes locked, they rolled onto the softness, where lips fused. Intention and promise surrendered to physical action.
A while later a golden glow wrapped around them as the Maghdim Medaillon became part of the two that was one.
Linard
TIANOMAN VALLA paced his Throne-room. The space was congested; it seemed the Valleur were in attendance although there was no occasion for it.
Seeing Tristan and Alusin step into the latticed space, Tianoman hastened over.
“Something up?” Tristan studied the activity.
“Curiosity,” Tianoman sighed. “We expect a delegation from Petunya - the Grunway - as well as Eurue itself, which apparently Savier will be leading and, heaven forfend, this is causing the most activity, Vian of the Wulvyn is coming. New alliances, new races, so naturally the Valleur desire to see.” He threw his hands up. “I’m at my wit’s end.”
“When is Savier expected?” Alusin asked, looking over his shoulder.
Tianoman grinned. “Not today.”
“Thank fuck,” the Kemir muttered.
“Oh?” Tristan crossed his arms. “Something you wish to hide from him?”
“Don’t try my patience, Skyler. I have nothing to hide, but I’m also not about to broadcast it.”
“Oh,” Tianoman echoed, a faint smile appearing. “I have been through this before, you know. You want to keep something under wraps, don’t go baiting each other in public.”
Tristan laughed.
Alusin shook his head.
Tianoman grinned. “Come on, Aislinn is waiting. She has summoned our entire brood to table tonight. Prepare yourself.”
AS DINNERS WENT, it was a roaring success.
Lunik, Tianoman and Aislinn’s oldest son, proudly introduced Sianora, his wife, a Valleur from one of Luvanor’s Elder lines, and their oldest son Timare, who was in that difficult stage - not a toddler and not an adolescent either. The boy peppered everyone with questions. He was often with Alusin, staring at him. Their youngest, Zane, was still an infant; he slept through most of the meal.
Ashar - Ash for short - had certainly inherited her mother’s looks, and smiled throughout the dinner, watching everyone. Tristan, covertly studying her, realised she had issues, but now was not the time to address them. Aislinn, he noticed, often checked on her daughter.
Enlyl, the youngest son, had inherited his father’s brown eyes and his hair was shades darker than the usual Valleur gold. In him, the Danae genetics had surfaced. Born twenty years after his older siblings, he was apparently self-possessed and quiet. His gaze frequently rested on Tristan, as if he sought answers in the sight of the Kaval leader … no, Tristan understood, in his likeness to Torrullin Valla.
The meal itself was utterly delicious and Aislinn kept the wine flowing. Much laughter rippled around table. It felt wonderful to reconnect with family, and Alusin was made unequivocally welcome.
“WHAT’S NEXT, Tris? “Tianoman asked after coffee had been served.
Lunik and Sianora had vanished with Timare and Zane, having spoken both appreciation and greetings. Ash and her mother now sat together, while Enlyl lolled to one side. He had had a few too many goblets.
“Alliances, as you need to deal with, but also setting up a home.” Tristan looked his cousin in the eye. “Alusin and I wish to create our sanctuary on Akhavar.”
Tianoman slapped the table. “Excellent!”
“Where?” Aislinn asked.
Alusin described the region.
“There’s nothing there,” Aislinn frowned.
“And that would be the point, wife,” Tianoman murmured. “You don’t need my permission, but it’s yours. I’ll have title drawn up.”
Tristan bowed his head. “Our thanks.”
“So, uncle, that means you will be around more often?” Enlyl drawled.
Ashar pushed her chair back and lifted her feet to the table, crossing slim ankles in strappy shoes upon the expanse. “We have to ask permission to visit, I’d say, not so? Wouldn’t want to catch our uncle in the sack, after all.”
“Ash!” her mother gasped.
Ignoring that, Ashar fixated on Alusin. “Pity. I’d so do you.”
“For fuck’s sake!” Tianoman growled. “Ash, apologise.”
Brother and sister glanced at each other, and both laughed. They stood together and, waving none-too-sober greetings, simply left.
Tristan’s eyebrows hiked upwards. “I think you have your hands full.”
Aislinn muttered, “They are bored and end up creating crap just to entertain themselves.”
Tianoman and Tristan locked gazes. Both knew the hell of Vallas at loggerheads. Enlyl and Ashar needed something different before boredom became lashing out.
Alusin murmured, “Your children are welcome to visit us at any time, but I have lived too long to stand back and allow anyone to walk over me. I will put them to work. I will tell it like it is. And, by all gods, I will train them too.”
“In what?” Aislinn whispered.
“In whatever they need training in.”
Tianoman laughed. “And if it’s manners?”
Alusin grinned. “Then I will hold classes.”
Chortling, Tianoman slapped at the table again. “I like it!”
“You do?” Aislinn and Tristan said simultaneously.
“Yes, Ais, because it is a fact we as parents forgive our kids too easily. Sometimes we need a more objective caregiver.” Tianoman glanced at Tristan. “As we had growing up. Samuel was the best father to us, but …”
“Teighlar!” Tristan chortled.
Tianoman burst out laughing. “That bloody Emperor! Man, he had us in knots more often than not.”
“Made us think for ourselves, though.”
“Exactly what Enlyl and Ash need.”
Glancing at Alusin, Tristan smiled. “You’re fine with having young Vallas invading our space?”
“I look forward to the chaos of family dynamics.”
They smiled at each other. Yes, they were now family. They were a team. Whatever the future brought, they would face it together.
Life was surpassingly good.
Eurue
The Fortress
A DAY LATER they wandered the dark halls and chambers of the monstrosity, with Alusin muttering periodically to transfer items to the shining space on Akhavar. Most of that were books and scrolls, as well as a few valuable statues.
Hours later, the fortress boarded and locked, they stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking Eurue’s dark northern ocean.
“We will visit,” Tristan said.
“I have no need to be here, I swear it. In my heart I left Eurue a long time ago.”
“Still, there’s Savier and we need appear on occasion at the Vault.”
Alusin sighed. “Eurue is no longer a forgotten world, is it?”
Tristan drew him closer. “Can you deal with that?”
“It is all new.” The Kemir smiled. “We like new.”
Tristan’s eyes crinkled at their corners. “Indeed.” He claimed his Eternal Companion’s lips.
Their hearts beat in exactly the same rhythm.
EPILOGUE
Valaris
Torrke
The Keep’s Courtyard
PRECISELY A YEAR to the day Alusin encountered Caballa in a vision, he re-entered the seer state to keep his word, and took Tristan into the realm with him.
While their physical forms sat cross-legged upon a sapphire floor, hands clasped, their spirits wandered into the courtyard at the Keep on Valaris.
Eurue- The Forgotten World Page 40
