Dark Realm: Book 5 Circles of Light series

by E. M. Sinclair

  ‘There’s a while before daylight,’ he croaked. He kissed her cheek as he passed her on his way out.

  She swatted a hand at him, continuing to glare at her husband.

  ‘Yes, yes, Emas, I’m coming.’ The Bear spread his huge hands placatingly, moving towards her.

  She opened the door, her light blue eyes watching him affectionately despite her scowl. The Bear shook his head and padded obediently past her. Emas watched him for a moment then turned back into the room. She went carefully round, extinguishing the lamps one by one, tutting to herself at the wastefulness of men in general and her husband in particular. Satisfied, she followed The Bear along the passage to their bed chamber.

  Closing the door behind her, she looked at the great mound of bedclothes from which snores were beginning to vibrate. Emas sighed, picked up various items of clothing which had been let fall wherever they’d been removed, and then climbed into bed too. The snores ceased.

  ‘Why do you never put shoes on when you get out of bed? Your feet are cold enough to kill a man with shock when you get back in.’

  Emas chuckled and snuggled closer to her husband’s bulk. After a moment she spoke softly.

  ‘Menagol and Theap are unharmed?’

  The Bear gave an enormous sigh. ‘They are. They will bring four scouts of the northern lands here tomorrow. It seems one of them wears a seal stone.’

  Emas shot upright. ‘A seal stone? But the Kelshan don’t know anything about seal stones.’

  The Bear dragged her back down. ‘This one does. Now, go to sleep.’

  There was another pause then Emas spoke again, her voice a whisper.

  ‘And will Essa come home just to cross the mountains to battle?’

  But this time her only answer was a long drawn out snore.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tika had taken advice from Corman and Cyrek, and was now preparing to act upon it. Sket had been allowed out of the infirmary for part of each day, although he still had occasional dizzy spells and headaches. Tika had told him what she planned and he agreed completely. Now they sat in Lerran’s great chamber waiting for Kija to bring Farn back from a brief outing to the roof terrace. Sergeant Essa and Gossamer Tewk had accompanied the Dragons, and Emla, Nesh and Tevros were also present in the chamber.

  Farn appeared in the archway, his scales brightening from the sickly grey to their usual silver blue. But all could see with what relief he sank down to the floor again after even such a short excursion. Tika sat cross legged in front of Farn and held his face when he lowered it to hers.

  ‘Soran is here.’ She spoke to his mind, allowing the others to hear her words.

  Farn’s eyes whirred. ‘Soran!’ He looked around the chamber.

  ‘He is Captain of Guards now,’ Tika continued steadily.

  ‘Is he?’ Silence for a heartbeat. ‘But Gan is Captain of Guards.’

  ‘No Farn. Soran is Captain in Gan’s place.’ She held Farn’s face, staring into his beautiful prismed eyes as they began to flash in distress.

  ‘Farn, Gan went Beyond just when you and I were parted.’

  Sket moved from his chair and knelt beside Tika. ‘It is true Farn, and Maressa died with him.’

  A wail began to rise from the young Dragon. But it was a wail of normal sorrow, not the sound that had caused so much damage to sensitive minds when Farn sank into the darkness. Tika let go of his face and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

  ‘Farn, Farn, listen to me. No one has sung them on yet.’

  The wail ceased. Farn looked at his mother. Kija said nothing but rose and reared erect, her head very near to the ceiling of even this chamber. Farn struggled to stand opposite her and, amazingly, heaved himself up, wings spread to each side. Gossamer Tewk found herself in tears. What was happening to her? How could she cry? But she held on to Sergeant Essa’s arm and wept, as the two Dragon voices soared in harmony.

  They sang of Gan and Maressa as they’d known them, and they sang of their love for those two humans. Tika stayed concentrated on Farn. His state of mind was unhappy, but he was calmer by far than she would have dared hope.

  ‘Is he all right lady?’ Sket murmured.

  ‘I think he is,’ she replied.

  She was aware that something had happened to her powers whilst she’d lain unconscious in what these Dark Ones called the Splintered Kingdom. Now she wondered what might have happened to Farn when he sank into the Dark. Could he have taken something from the First Daughter when they rose, entwined? She desperately hoped not. Bad enough to see the physical damage the First Daughter had suffered but to think of Farn taking any of her mental strength was terrifying.

  The glorious song of farewell faded into silence and the onlookers realised just how badly Farn was trembling. He dropped to the floor as Cyrek walked towards him. Cyrek glanced at Kija, who had also reclined beside her son. Then he placed his hand between Farn’s eyes, murmuring softly as he did so. Farn’s eyelids drooped, he gave a shaky sigh and rested his head on his mother’s back.

  Corman bent to touch Tika’s shoulder. ‘He reacted better than you’d hoped?’

  Tika nodded. ‘Since he was a baby and saw Krea – our foster mother – killed, he has been – nervous. We used herbs to keep him calm and steady. He is calmer now than I have ever known him.’ She looked up into Corman’s gold eyes and saw a deep weariness there. ‘He couldn’t have – taken – from the First Daughter, could he?’

  Corman smiled. ‘He could only take what she might offer, and no.’ He forestalled Tika’s next question. ‘She would not risk losing both of them. She would need all her power to rise. And Farn could in no way take Dark strength from the First Daughter.’

  His words brought an enormous relief to Tika, for which she was grateful to the Palace Master. As she got to her feet, hauling Sket up with her, she saw Gossamer Tewk, her face still wet with tears. She would have gone to her, spoken with her, but Sket was swaying again and she dared not let go of him.

  ‘Why don’t you help Sket back to the infirmary?’ Corman suggested, ignoring Sket’s glare. ‘I’ve noticed Farn does not fret when you are out of sight. That is good. Explore the Palace. Farn is safe and he knows you are near.’

  Before Tika could answer, Corman had beckoned the Sergeant over. ‘Help Tika get him back to bed and show her some of the Palace, if you would Sergeant. If Garrol complains, refer him to me.’

  Essa returned Corman’s smile and took Sket’s arm in one beefy hand just as his knees gave way yet again. Essa and Gossamer were both interested in the ensuing Gaharnian curses. With Tika wedged under his shoulder and Essa’s hand lifting his right side nearly off the floor, Sket was firmly deposited in the hands of the healers once more.

  Sergeant Essa took Gossamer and Tika down many flights of stairs, emerging in the exercise yard. Gossamer groaned.

  ‘Don’t even suggest a fight practice Essa.’

  The Sergeant looked surprised and slightly hurt. ‘Of course not. Your hands are still too sore.’

  Tika glanced down at Gossamer Tewk’s hands and used one of Sket’s more florid phrases. ‘You carried me back from that place, didn’t you?’ The strange green silvered eyes peered up at Gossamer. ‘I’m so sorry. You should have reminded me.’

  Tika caught Gossamer’s left hand in hers and as Gossamer and Essa watched, the red swollen skin deflated and paled.

  ‘There.’ Tika sounded pleased. She repeated the process with the other hand then focused on Gossamer’s face. She tilted her head with a slight frown.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked. ‘Did you not want healing?’

  Gossamer opened her mouth, closed it, then turned and stalked back indoors. Tika looked at the Sergeant in dismay.

  ‘I didn’t mean to upset her,’ she began.

  Essa shook her head. ‘Gossamer Tewk has much on her mind at present. Don’t worry. Shall I show you the town or the gardens?’

  ‘Oh the town please.’

  Tika was fascinated by the
town of Karmazen. She was impressed with the neat buildings and the paved streets, and astonished by the goods displayed in the shops. Essa was intrigued that Tika had never before wandered round a town. She cheerfully handed over various coins to Tika who had none of her own and could barely grasp the different values of each coin. Several times Tika sent a mind query to Kija but was reassured each time that Farn was well. By the time the Sergeant dragged Tika back to the Palace, she’d learned far more of her than Tika could have guessed. Perhaps Tika spoke so freely because she had poured all her grief over this tall woman, but she felt comfortable with her.

  They sat for a while on a stone bench by the barracks and Essa told her, as she’d told Gossamer, of her mountain home.

  ‘I was to have led a scouting party north but then the First Daughter descended, Favrian’s group brought you back, and Cyrek arrived with the Dragons. Garrol decided I should stay here.’

  Tika glanced at the broad face above her. ‘Did you really want to go?’

  Essa considered the question. ‘Yes. The route I’d planned would’ve taken me to my own village. It would be good to see my parents and my brother again. It’s nearly three years since I was back there. But I agreed with Garrol too. Gossamer Tewk seemed to accept me as a friend and she needed someone to be here when she got back from the Splintered Kingdom.’

  Essa stretched her long muscled legs in front of her and lowered her voice. ‘I’ve heard the Kelshan army is trying to cross the mountains right now, and they could well arrive at my village first.’ She grinned, the filed teeth gleaming pale purple. ‘My mother will be furious if there’s fighting on her doorstep but my father and brother will be delighted.’

  ‘Are there many armsmen in this Kelshan army?’

  ‘About four thousand.’

  Tika stared at the Sergeant. ‘How many in your army?’

  Essa shrugged. ‘Perhaps two thousand here in the barracks but the mountain tribes have many warriors.’

  ‘Shouldn’t your men be on their way?’ Tika asked in some confusion.

  ‘Oh no. Dark Lords go with the guards. They’ll open gateways. Favrian is the Sword Master, the second officer of the Realm. He will be among the first. Garrol must remain here for now.’

  ‘He must?’

  Essa sighed. ‘He is the Shield of the Dark and of the First Daughter. Now, of all times, he must protect her.’

  Tika grew thoughtful and returned to Farn determined to do what she could for the Dark Realm. She found Farn happily occupied with Shea and Akomi though there was no sign of Gossamer Tewk. Cyrek lounged on a long couch, arguing with Soran and Favrian. Tika had hoped Corman would be here but as he wasn’t, she sent a request to Kija’s mind. Farn’s mother was huffing quietly at the ridiculous turns the conversation took whenever Farn was trying to amuse “a girl”.

  Now Kija rose, pacing with dignity to the open archway. Cyrek got to his feet as though to accompany her but stopped when he saw Tika scrambling up between Kija’s wings. He watched Kija lift into the air and swing north, over the Palace roof, then he turned back thoughtfully, into the great chamber.

  When Kija landed again some time later, she was as pleased to see Sket waiting for them as was Tika. He did look better and his grin suggested he really was improved.

  ‘A man called Waxin Pule came into the infirmary,’ he told them. ‘He’s spent years in that city up north, but he knows a lot about everything it seemed to me. Anyway, he gave me these.’ Sket took a small box from his pocket and unsnapped the lid. Inside were a dozen or so tiny pink pills. ‘They’re made from a plant which grows even further north, nearly to Drogoya he said. I took one straight away and those healers couldn’t believe how much better I was so quick!’

  Tika peered at the pink specks dubiously. ‘Do you have to take them all?’ she asked.

  ‘Two or three a day.’ Sket shut the box and tucked it carefully away.

  Kija had probed the pink pills with her Dragon sense and her tone was thoughtful.

  ‘They are powerful healing indeed,’ she said.

  Sket chuckled. ‘That Waxin fellow, the healers were pestering him about where he got them. He said a herb woman gave them to him. Nenat, I think he called her.’

  ‘Ah. She came to Gaharn with Lady Seola and Lord Cyrek.’ Kija remembered the white haired old woman who had spoken so kindly to her.

  Sergeant Essa and Shield Master Garrol had joined whatever argument was taking place with Favrian but Essa turned to smile at Tika. She eyed Sket carefully before leering at him. Tika coughed to cover her amusement.

  ‘You met Sergeant Essa before but you were still feverish.’

  ‘I can remember this morning.’ Sket’s reply was short, but he sounded a bit breathless.

  ‘Are you sure you’re better?’ Tika asked in some concern.

  But the Sergeant threw a massive arm across Sket’s shoulders, nearly causing him to buckle. ‘He looks just fine to me.’

  Sket’s face showed an equal mixture of fascination and horror.

  ‘Erm, yes, but I think he has to take things slowly for a while yet,’ Tika heard herself say, then pulled herself together. ‘I would like to speak to the Palace Master. Do you know where I’ll find him?’

  Essa released Sket’s shoulders and nodded. ‘He’s usually in his office in the library. I’ll take you there.’

  Sket walked close to Tika as Essa strode ahead of them and Tika bit her lip, knowing she’d laugh aloud if she dared look at him. Sket! Her personal guard, who would take on anything for her sake, terrified of the woman walking in front!

  Essa showed them in to Corman’s office but Tika stopped her when she would have left.

  ‘I think I would like you to stay please.’

  Essa shrugged and leaned against the door. Sket swallowed audibly, seeing Essa’s shoulders nearly matched the door in width. The Palace Master leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled against his chin and waited for Tika to speak. He watched the long dark lashes flick upwards revealing those brilliant green eyes surrounded by what looked like minute silver scales. Oh yes, this young woman was definitely connected to the Dark in some mysterious manner.

  ‘You’ve learnt of how Farn was damaged – when we so foolishly attempted to fight the evil thing on the southern plains of Sapphrea? Emla told me Lady Seola and Lord Cyrek spoke to Ren in Gaharn. Ren is from Drogoya.’ She waited for Corman’s nod. ‘Something evil happened in western Sapphrea too – I think it was connected to the Drogoyan problems.’ Tika frowned. ‘I can’t be sure of that. Anyhow, now there is a woman in Kelshan who wants to wage war on your Realm.’

  ‘No,’ Corman interrupted her. ‘The woman, the Imperatrix Veranta, wants to annihilate us – whether human, part blood, or full blooded Dark Ones. She has no particular feelings about us – she just wants us destroyed and to annex these lands to Kelshan.’

  ‘Are you sure she isn’t touched with whatever the evil is which seems to be loose across our whole world?’

  Now it was Corman’s turn to frown. ‘She has banned all use of power – mage talents and so on, on pain of death, and yet she now has a mage beside her. A powerful mage from what I can deduce from various informants. We don’t know if the mage is Kelshan, or, if not, from whence she comes.’

  Tika met his golden eyes. ‘Kija and I both believe we owe your Realm a great debt. We would do whatever you wish of us in this war with Kelshan or, if you return us to Sapphrea, we would take on the evil there again.’

  A deep silence gathered in the room. Corman’s face remained blank but his mind reeled at the courage implicit in those words. Before he could form a reply, a breeze riffled through the room. Corman shot to his feet. A beautiful woman stood beside him, a smile of great sweetness curving her lips.

  ‘What do you want?’ Corman snapped.

  The woman stroked a finger down his cheek. ‘Oh darling, your manners do need a little improvement you know.’ She turned her gaze on Tika, Sket and Essa.

  ‘As dear Cor
man hasn’t bothered to introduce me, I’ll do it myself. I am Ferag.’ She beamed.

  Tika and Sket had no idea who she was but Sergeant Essa gasped behind them and pushed away from the door, hands on sword and knife.

  ‘My word, you’re a big girl aren’t you dear? Well obviously you know me but it seems you two don’t. I know you though – Tika, and Sket. As I said, I am Ferag. Mistress of Death.’

  ‘Oh stars,’ Sket muttered, and reached for his sword which was of course still in the great chamber several floors above.

  ‘Oh please.’ Ferag looked displeased. ‘I’ve come to do you a favour but I can always leave.’

  ‘Wait. What favour can you do us?’ Tika stood too, facing the woman.

  It took a considerable effort not to flinch when Ferag moved closer and gazed down into her face. She extended her hands, one each to Tika and Sket.

  ‘I’ll show you.’

  As their hands were grasped by Ferag’s ice cold fingers, Sket and Tika felt an odd dislocating wrench. It was gone in a blink, but so was Corman’s office, Corman, and Sergeant Essa.

  They found themselves on a hillside looking down towards woodland. But it was leeched of most colour, like a murky twilight. Ferag let go their hands and began to descend the hill. The air was still and her movement alone wasn’t enough to make her long red hair swirl round her head and shoulders as it did. She stopped and looked back.

  ‘Oh do come along. I have other matters to attend to you know.’

  ‘Um, where are we Mistress Ferag?’ Tika’s voice sounded distant, and very young, to her own ears.

  ‘Well in my Realm of Death of course silly.’

  Tika and Sket slowly followed Ferag until they reached the flatter stretch of grassland a few paces from the trees. Here Ferag stopped.

  ‘Well really, I told him I’d be here. I would have thought – oh there he is. Oh the poor man is shy. Do come out there’s a good boy. They can’t stay long you know. I’ll come back for them.’

  Tika clutched Sket’s hand. Ferag had vanished. A figure moved at the edge of the trees. Tika stared. The figure moved hesitantly from the shadows.