A stillness settled over them all as Bark seemed to move in slow motion, his hand reaching up for the topmost Weight. There was a collective sigh as his fingers grasped the disk and lifted it from its place. As he took it, the six remaining Weights shivered and moved upwards, readjusting their alignment with the six Weights in Emla’s Pavilion in distant Gaharn.
Bark stared at the Weight in his hand and a tremor passed through his body. He sat against the wall, the disk held to his chest.
‘Quickly Tika,’ he said urgently. ‘You must not touch me with your hand until I am dead.’
She dropped to her knees beside him and focused her mind. Leave his poor mind, she thought, go deeper. Somehow, she saw through his flesh, beneath his ribs, to the steadily beating heart. She carefully narrowed a blood vessel, finally squeezing it closed as her awareness fled from Bark’s dying body. Khosa leaned against her and Tika swept the Kephi up, burying her face in the orange fur. Eventually, she released her hold on Khosa and raised her eyes to Bark’s face. His expression was peaceful but his cheeks seemed even more hollow, his half closed eyes even more sunken. But the disk had vanished, and Bark’s hair was white.
Tika climbed to her feet, feeling drained and exhausted. She reached Farn and leaned heavily against him, her eyes closed. When she opened her eyes, Gan and Mim were watching her worriedly. Straightening with an effort, she said:
‘Let’s go back to the study and tell the others what happened.’ She glanced back at Bark’s body, Khosa crouched at his side. ‘We will move him later and lay him with Iska.’
It was a struggle to turn Ashta and Farn in the passage but by unspoken agreement no one suggested they enter the chamber to make turning easier. As Tika stumbled at Farn’s side, Gan reached out his arm to support her.
Wordlessly, they returned to Rhaki’s study to find Kemti had hauled the carpet back into place, hiding the circle - no one had wanted to stand on its exposed surface. Tika looked at Emla, then at Nolli but before anyone could speak, an unearthly wailing echoed from the passage. Farn moaned and his prismed eyes darkened to midnight blue.
“What -’ began Kemti.
Tears poured down Tika’s face. ‘Khosa – she sings the death song for Bark.’
‘Bark?’ Emla looked bewildered.
Mim began to explain all that had happened as Khosa’s song ululated around them. She stopped as Mim’s tale came to an end but almost at once, the Dragons’ voices took over, their song heard by all in the stronghold.
Farn lay against the wall as Emla sat down holding Tika close as the Dragons’ harmonies flooded through them. Then again silence descended, broken by Khosa’s chirruping call as she jumped onto Nolli’s lap.
‘I do not like these rooms. Could we not go down to the Dragons?’ Tika asked shakily.
Nolli agreed immediately, watching sympathetically as the girl tried to control the shock and tiredness she was suffering. The Wise One made no objection, other than a scowl, when Gan lifted her and carried her from the study.
Shan chivvied servants to fetch tea for them all as they settled in the entrance hall. Kija’s golden eyes shimmered as she curved herself protectively around both her son and Tika. Lorak came from where he sat with Fenj and settled near Kija, as did Sket. Nolli accepted Shan’s assistance to drink some of her bowl of tea then she rapped her stick on the floor.
‘You have done well to restore the Balance, Tika. But the Grey One has fled, he has not been destroyed – as he must be.’ The oddly young voice was clear. ‘He has discovered how to use the circles. I fear he may well discover just how powerful they can be. I would guess he has gone to the south lands and intends to build a secure base for himself there.
‘Make no mistake,’ Nolli’s gaze met each pair of eyes of the group to emphasise her point. ‘This is only the beginning. He has allowed the idea of power to totally govern him and he will continue to disrupt the harmony of the world until he rules all. You must Name another Guardian who will protect the Balance here. Of that I will speak later. But you must seek out Rhaki as urgently as you are able.’ She leaned back in her chair wearily. ‘And the time is upon us when we must make contact with the ones beyond the Wilderness.’
Rhaki had spent the day pleasing Hargon. He had been shown parts of the fortified manor that had been added since his last visit and had watched the armsmen at their training exercises.
As they waited for the evening meal to be served, Rhaki said: ‘I am fortunately able to spend some considerable time with you now. My Realm in the North runs smoothly even in my absence. I thought I might even build myself a dwelling in this region.’
‘That would be marvellous,’ Hargon agreed with an enthusiasm Rhaki found most gratifying. Then Hargon added: ‘There are so few of our intelligence here, you will be precious company indeed.’
Rhaki winced at Hargon’s estimate of his own acumen but kept his smile in place.
‘Do I ask permission of you to build a small place beyond your town?’ he asked.
‘Build where you choose, Sir Lord. And use the guest rooms as if they were your own until your house is built.’ Hargon waved a goblet of wine in a magnanimous gesture. ‘I can help with servants or slaves later too.’
Rhaki pursed his lips. ‘There is a difference here. In the North, I would say servants are slaves.’
‘Not here! Servants are from poorer families usually, but they can make comfortable positions for themselves through hard work and trustworthiness. They can have their own homes and a voice at our councils. Slaves are those we take captive in raids. And they are as nothing.’
‘I remember, many Cycles past, did you not show me some – ‘pets’ – did you call them?’
Hargon laughed. ‘I did indeed. But then I took a female and bred three children of my own on her, so I was not amused with the pets any longer. She died,’ he added.
Rhaki saw no reason to offer sympathy in the face of Hargon’s evident disinterest in the death of the mother of his children.
‘There was a pet who was different – a dark haired child. That is all I recall really. A group of small children playing and just the one with such dark hair.’
Hargon frowned. ‘That was Chena. She was to have become a pretty in my household but the ungrateful bitch ran away.’
‘And was suitably punished when she was brought back?’
Hargon shifted in his chair. ‘Never found her. My trackers said she had gone north to the Ancient Mountains, but found not a trace of her there. Eaten by beasts no doubt.’
As the seneschal arrived to announce that their meal was ready to be served, Rhaki asked: ‘Is there someone you could spare to show me various places where I might build?’
Hargon thought as they walked into the dining hall. ‘Mallit, I think. He would be best. I’ll speak to him in the morning and tell him he is to be at your disposal.’
‘You are a generous host indeed Hargon.’
Hargon beamed. ‘There are still two of those taller koninas in my stable – you are welcome to use them. None of my men like them.’
Rhaki bowed. ‘As I said – a most generous host.’
Next morning, Hargon introduced Mallit. He was younger than Hargon, perhaps thirty Cycles, with light sandy hair and pale blue eyes. Rhaki had already decided where he intended to build, but made no mention of that fact. He asked Mallit to show him around the area generally, to a distance of one or two leagues from the town.
Mallit frowned. ‘You might prefer to be closer, Sir Lord. Gangers often raid farms too far beyond the Lord Hargon’s domain.’
‘I understood there is little threat from Gangers these days?’
‘There are far fewer of them here Sir Lord, because of Lord Hargon’s vigilance, but there are still some who find a more isolated dwelling an inviting prospect.’
Mallit nodded as a man led forward two koninas, one standing nearly an arm length taller than the other. Rhaki wore trousers and loose tunic, clothes fortunately left here from previous visits,
and now he swung himself onto the taller animal. It twitched and sidestepped for a moment. Mallit rode alongside saying:
‘No one has ridden him since you were last here Sir Lord.’
Two mounted armsmen followed Mallit and Rhaki. Rhaki raised a quizzical brow.
‘We surely need no protection, Mallit?’
Mallit looked slightly shocked. ‘No Lord rides out without escort Sir Lord.’
Rhaki shrugged and allowed Mallit to spend the day leading him around to a distance of a league outside the walls. They rode back to Hargon’s manor a couple of hours before the evening mealtime. Rhaki thanked Mallit for his tour and asked to continue the next day.
Rhaki was extremely grateful that Hargon was civilised enough to have bath tubs, infrequently as he might use them himself. After soaking away the worst of the soreness and stiffness of his ride, Rhaki put on his robe and stood gazing unseeing from his window.
He would drink only water or tea until he had built his house. He needed nothing that might impair his strength. He was confident he could cut blocks of stone with the use of power. If Mallit would show him where stone was quarried, he could do it. He smiled. Let them marvel at that! But they could move the cut blocks for him. That would take too much effort on his part and he saw no need to overtax his strength too soon. But he wanted somewhere quickly, near the hidden caves, so he needs must expend power for his building.
Rhaki wasted no thought on the northern stronghold. He prided himself on casting aside experiments that failed, and he could look at the loss in the north in the same light. At the back of his mind, the idea floated that one day he would revenge himself on Emla and all the narrow minded fools in Gaharn. But that was a distant plan, far more pressing ones occupied him now. He smiled as he waited for the boy to summon him to the dining hall.
Hargon sat at a table in the small room where he kept his gold, a few maps and his account records. Navan had just joined him and been waved to the opposite chair.
‘Why is he here?’ Hargon asked.
Navan shook his head. ‘You know how long it takes for rumours to reach here and rumours fly faster than truth Sir. So far, not even rumours have arrived. Those monsters that appeared – they were surely his creatures, but why then does he come here himself, making no mention of them, or their destruction?’
Hargon drummed his fingers on the tabletop. ‘I believe he will build a house well outside the bounds of Return – for what purpose, who knows. Mallit reported that he evinced interest in a few sites but he had the feeling Rhaki was playing with him.’
Navan agreed. ‘He was always thus Sir. Pretending to admire, while unable to conceal his sneers. He seems a little different this time Sir.’
Hargon laughed but not with amusement. ‘You mean his madness is more obvious Navan. But mad or not, he is of the People and we have seen him use power.’ He was unable to suppress a shudder. ‘For now, I play the simple southern Lord, but I want him watched carefully, Navan. Most carefully.’
A knock came at his door and an armsman put his head into the room. ‘The evening meal, Sirs.’
Hargon nodded and got to his feet. ‘Have ears listening for any news from the north, Navan.’
‘Yes Sir.’ The Armschief opened the door for Hargon.
‘And for now, I want you present at each evening meal.’
‘Yes Sir.’
As Hargon and Navan crossed the space to the dining hall, Rhaki came down the staircase.
‘Ah, my Lord Rhaki! Mallit has been of help to you I trust?’
‘Indeed he has. I have seen several places where it might suit me to build, but he promises further exploring tomorrow.’
Rhaki felt confident enough among these simple humans to relax during the meal. Enough that as he listened to tales of Ganger raids, he failed to notice that Hargon in fact drank little, whilst appearing to drink heavily. Hargon suddenly leaned forward.
‘The monsters we recently had to fight Sir Lord! They came from nightmares. Foul things, but not too difficult to kill, once we could bear looking at them. Never seen their like!’ He sat back, staring over his goblet of wine.
‘The Cansharsi?’ Rhaki asked.
‘You have heard of them Sir Lord?’ Navan queried.
Belatedly Rhaki caught himself. He smiled. ‘There have been such creatures seen in the Middle Plain I understand. They were called Cansharsi.’
Hargon shook his head. ‘Next you will have us believe Shardi are real and not just tales to frighten children!’
Rhaki laughed aloud. ‘They truly are, Hargon. But they are creatures of the colder lands. You need not fear their arrival here.’
He placed his long hands flat on the table and levered his tall figure upright.
‘I beg your forgiveness, Hargon. I am out of practice riding your konina. I fear I must rest before tomorrow’s ride with your good Mallit.’
‘Certainly Sir Lord. Rest well.’
Hargon and Navan rose and bowed as Rhaki moved to the door.
They sat in silence for a few minutes after Rhaki’s departure, then Hargon sighed.
‘He knew of the monsters. I don’t want him out of sight.’
Navan nodded and wished his Lord goodnight. Hargon remained, trying to fathom why Rhaki was here, and what ill fortune his presence might mean to his domain.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Already another day had nearly passed and Emla was concerned that nowhere had been suggested for the laying of Iska’s body. Nolli had dozed in her chair for a time but now she woke.
‘Lady Emla, I believe the gate to my Domain must be reopened and there is a chamber, not far, suitable for Iska and Bark’s final resting place.’
She nodded to Dessi and the tiny Delver girl went to the wall beneath the sloped passage leading to the upper levels. She stood there for a considerable time, until her legs suddenly gave way and she sat down with a bump on the floor. As she did, the rock appeared to quiver, almost as though it was liquid, and then it was no longer there.
Gan and the Guards officers went to look and Soran took a few steps beneath the newly revealed archway.
‘It goes a long way Sir, but there is light at the end.’
Dessi glanced up, dark marks under her eyes. They knew I was opening the way, so some of my people are coming to greet you.’
Baras stooped over the Delver girl, holding her as she shivered.
‘It took great power to empty the arch,’ Mim said quietly to Emla.
‘Empty the arch?’ she asked.
He nodded. ‘It felt solid all the way through so if the Guardian had thought to test for tunnels, he would not have known this was here.’ He joined Baras in helping Dessi to a cushioned corner beside Nolli.
Servants were still bringing pillows and blankets to the hall, somewhat confused that the upper chambers were rejected in favour of the draughty entrance hall.
Tika sat cross-legged, holding a bowl of tea in both hands, going over and over what had happened in the Chamber of Balance. Sket tapped her shoulder lightly and she jumped. He held out a dish of dried fruits.
‘Eat something Lady, you still look too pale by far.’
She dutifully took some fruit and tried to chew it. Nolli’s stick rapped on the floor and heads turned in her direction.
‘My people,’ she said, looking to the archway.
A group of perhaps forty Delvers were emerging into the hall. Tika heard Lorak chuckle as she realised that there were not only male and female Delvers but also infants and toddlers in the group. They bowed first to black Fenj and crimson Brin, then to Tika and Emla, finally kneeling before Nolli.
‘And where is Serim?’ She asked sharply as Tika and Gan recognised some of the Elders they had met in their journey through the Domain of Asat.
It was the portly Torim, Elder of Arak, who replied. ‘Oh dear me, Serim has left the Domain Wise One.’
‘Left? What do you mean, left?’
‘He took two of the fengars our guests left behind
and went from the tunnels.’
‘I feared as much.’ Nolli sounded sad rather than angry.
‘The Merigs watched him.’ Monni, Elder of Akan, spoke up. ‘They said he rode to the western side of the Spine Mountains and continues south.’
‘If he survives the journey, he will serve Rhaki.’ Nolli said, and sighed. Her voice sharpened. ‘The Elders are summoned here to hear the Naming of the new Guardian.’
‘The Discipline Seniors do not yet know of what has happened here,’ Kemti protested. ‘It will take many days to get word to them and then for them to debate the
matter.’
‘No. Things have changed, Lord Kemti. The next Guardian will not be of the People.’
Kemti was taken aback but before he could argue, Emla nodded thoughtfully.
‘Two Guardians have been of our race and the second betrayed the trust placed in him. And, I admit, it had not occurred to me before, but surely there were Guardians before we came here? So of what race were they?’
Nolli smiled, revealing pink gums. ‘A long time thinking such questions Lady.’ Her smile vanished. ‘I will remain here to help teach the new Guardians. Yes, the Guardianship is divided now between the Dragon Lord and Dessi.’
Stunned silence greeted her announcement. ‘And Berri will act as Wise One within the Domain.’
Berri gaped in disbelief then closed her mouth with an audible snap as her face paled.
‘Yes Berri, you have to change parts of yourself, and you will be under my guidance, and I give fair warning I will be hard on you. But I believe, if you truly wish it, you can become Wise One after me.’
Berri slipped to her knees before Nolli and lifted one of the gnarled hands to her brow.
Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series Page 35
