They’d been discussing the final points of their attack on the Kelshan army when a younger Dark Lord tapped the door. The message he brought was that Prince Jemin, with a single squad of Dark guards, and General Whilk and his eleven men, were insisting on taking position between the Eagle and Bear warriors. They also intended to be slightly in advance of those warriors. The plan had originally been for Jemin to stay relatively safe behind the first groups of Dark guards under Sergeant Peach’s command. Sergeant Peach was gibbering with rage – there was no need for the Prince to place himself in the forefront.
‘I would think there was every need,’ Tika said quietly when the door closed behind the messenger.
‘How so?’
She met Corman’s gaze. ‘He is a Prince who could become the ruler – whatever it’s called – of these Kelshan lands. He must prove he is capable of ruling.’
‘Leading from the front in other words,’ Corman smiled. He glanced at Chindar and shrugged. ‘If we ask Favrian to reach Jemin and countermand his plan, I doubt Jemin would obey. Leave him be.’
Tika leaped to her feet and shot out of the room, leaving some consternation behind her.
Emla blinked, her eyes becoming slightly unfocused. ‘Oh my stars, it’s Brin and Storm!’ She strode after Tika with no further explanation.
Soran followed, a broad grin on his face, and the three Dark Lords capitulated, trailing after their guests to Lerran’s great chamber. They paused at the archway. Cyrek strolled towards them, supporting a frail, white haired old woman. Chindar moved to help him.
‘This is Nenat, a friend of Seola’s. But gateways do not suit her.’
Nenat glared up at him. ‘They are the most dreadful things,’ she snapped, before swaying back into Cyrek’s arms.
He lifted her easily and nodded over his shoulder. ‘I was only going to bring Nenat and Brin, but Storm refused to be left behind.’
The Dark Lord wandered off, Nenat’s white head resting against his chest.
‘More Dragons?’ whispered Garrol.
‘So it would seem.’ Corman braced himself and walked into the great chamber.
There appeared to be a large crowd but on closer inspection he realised there were only two more Dragons being lavishly greeted by Tika, Sket and Lady Emla. Kija and Farn rattled their wings and Soran looked on with the silly smile of a proud father. Shea and Sergeant Essa had moved prudently out of range of flailing tails, and Gossamer Tewk stood by the unlit hearth. Corman saw that the cat that seemed to have attached itself to Shea was held out of danger by Tika. Corman looked more carefully, realising the other cat, Khosa, wasn’t here. She seemed to spend all her time curled on the First Daughter’s bed.
Tika turned to beam at the Dark Lords. ‘This is Brin.’ She rested a hand against an enormous crimson chest.
The Lords found a pair of rosy prismed eyes sparkling at them. A deep voice rumbled in their heads. ‘Greetings to you. My father sends his apologies. He would have come but he felt he was needed elsewhere.’
‘And this is Storm.’ Tika pointed at the smaller, slighter Dragon with silvery grey scales, who was still involved in an ecstatic reunion with Farn.
Chindar saluted the Dragons. ‘You are welcome to the Dark Realm.’
‘You hope,’ Corman muttered under his breath.
Chindar raised his voice slightly. ‘Would you prefer that we adjourn our meeting until later Lady Emla?’
‘Oh dear, of course not Lord Chindar. How rude that we just dash out like that. Come Tika, Soran. We were in discussion with the Lords.’
Chindar sat behind his desk once more and opened his mouth. A breeze riffled through the room and Chindar’s mouth snapped shut. Emla smiled politely at the beautiful red haired woman who had appeared behind Shield Master Garrol. Tika froze.
‘My, my, darlings, all these cosy little chats. Such fun.’ Long fingers stroked down Garrol’s face and Emla’s smile faded as she saw how the Shield Master fought not to flinch away from that gentle touch. Tika caught Emla’s hand.
‘I don’t think you’ve met Ferag have you? She is the Mistress of Death. And this,’ Tika struggled on. ‘This is the Lady Emla of Gaharn.’
‘Ah.’ Ferag’s expression showed genuine interest. ‘That’s what it was.’
‘That’s what what was Ferag? And why are you here?’
Ferag pouted. ‘If you’re just going to be rude to me, why should I tell you?’
Corman stood up and held his chair. ‘Do sit down Ferag, and enlighten us as to your information.’
Ferag gave him a sharp look but sat gracefully in his vacated chair. ‘I had an idea about using the ghosts in Kelshan City,’ she began. ‘There’s an awful lot of the poor things – dithering over rebirth or full death you know. Well, I sent some off to poke around in that woman’s rooms.’ She noticed Chindar’s closed eyes and Corman’s expression of horror.
‘Ghosts can’t be traced by mages as you well know, so there was no danger. And do you know many who can actually catch a ghost and then interrogate it?’ She snorted and her skirt twisted and fluttered round her crossed legs. ‘The thing is, they felt something in the Citadel and fled in total panic, the dears. They could only describe horror, some evil of indeterminate shape. But I thought their description sounded a touch familiar.’
Ferag bestowed a dazzling smile on Lady Emla. ‘Near Gaharn. That’s where I felt it myself. Where the creature’s Splintered Kingdom touched this world.’
Clearly a comment was expected and Emla rose to the occasion. ‘How remarkable that you should notice the resemblance. But what exactly does this mean?’
Ferag scowled and still managed to look beautiful. ‘Oh meanings darling. That’s up to you. I just thought it might be of use that’s all.’
‘Of considerable use Ferag, for which we are most grateful.’
Ferag stood, almost purring at Corman’s words. ‘Darling! We must do this again soon – so nice to see you all. Oh. Your friend decided, dear.’
Gan appeared at Ferag’s side in the brief instant before she vanished.
Emla and Soran were both on their feet, Garrol’s hand was on his sword hilt. Slowly, the very tall thin figure in the same blue uniform as Soran’s, sank to one knee, his gaze on Emla.
‘My lady, I failed in my duty to protect Tika and Farn. The Mistress of Death offered me a choice and I choose to accept the half death until I redeem that failure. I offer my service freely, in whatever capacity you decide.’
Tears poured down Emla’s face and Soran was struggling to control his emotion, but Tika hurled herself at Gan, nearly knocking him flat. His arms closed round her in a fierce hug, his eyes closed as if in pain. Gently, he held her away and climbed to his feet. Tika was astonished as first Corman, then Chindar, crossed the room to embrace Gan Jal Sarl, former Captain of the Lady Emla’s Guards. Then she realised they were welcoming another such as themselves – one given a partial reprieve from the Realm of Death.
Shield Master Garrol stared up at the man, perhaps he wasn’t quite as tall as Sergeant Essa he thought. He saluted him formally and smiled. ‘I will arrange for another uniform Captain.’
Gan returned a fainter smile and held out his hand to Soran, who grasped it tight, unable to speak.
Gossamer Tewk watched the two new Dragons in the great chamber. She watched very closely and correctly interpreted Kija’s attitude to Brin. Unaccustomed to Dragons she may be, but Gossamer recognised a mischievous glint in an eye whether of a man or a huge crimson Dragon. Brin definitely looked excited at being in this new land and was obviously anticipating adventure of some kind. Much to Kija’s evident disapproval.
Watching Farn and Storm, Gossamer realised how very young they were. The affectionate jostling and pushing reminded her of small boys in the City markets. Akomi, the tattered old cat Shea had brought out of the Splintered Kingdom wriggled out of Shea’s arms. Tika had dumped him there when she went back to that meeting. Now, he tiptoed around Kija and sat in front of Brin and
wailed. Brin crouched lower, his long beautiful face nearly touching the old cat. Gossamer heard the mind speech clearly inside her own head.
‘I’m glad to see you are safe, old one.’ Brin’s mind tone was incredibly gently.
Akomi extended a paw, claws retracted, and patted the huge nose in front of him. ‘There are new friends here Brin. That girl, the one like Tika, she saved me.’
Brin’s head lifted on its long neck and he peered in Shea’s direction. Shea stepped forward a little nervously and bobbed an awkward curtsey.
‘Greetings Lord Brin.’
Brin’s laugh rang in their minds. ‘I am not a lord. Are you a lady?’
Kija huffed aloud but Shea giggled. ‘Not anymore.’
‘And that is Essa.’ Somehow Akomi had wedged himself between Brin’s fore limb and chest and clung there, crooning contentedly. ‘She helped me wake up.’
Brin regarded the large woman and Gossamer detected admiration in his eyes and his mind tone. ‘I thank you for helping my small friend.’
Essa gave him an ironic smile and Brin blinked at her purple teeth.
‘And Gossamer Tewk is my friend.’
Gossamer was taken aback. Now why did that little old cat name her “friend”? But Brin was lowering his head towards her.
‘Then if you are Akomi’s friend you are also my friend.’
Gossamer could only nod. With a delicacy which astonished her, Brin lifted Akomi and passed him into her arms. He turned to Kija and clearly communicated to her alone. Her eyes blazed a burning gold but Brin stood his ground. Essa and Shea moved closer to Gossamer.
‘They’re arguing,’ Shea hissed. ‘What’s the matter?’
Akomi yawned and settled in the crook of Gossamer’s arm.
‘Brin thinks Farn should fly and Kija doesn’t. She thinks it is too soon.’
But Brin swung away, towards the outer archway, and paced firmly out to the roof terrace. Farn and Storm followed and Kija brought up the rear, smoke wisping from her nostrils. Shea and the others watched, Akomi through eyes slitted against the sun, as Brin lifted into the sky. He circled the roof, Storm rising above him. It was clear Farn was nervous, but suddenly he was up, wobbling badly for a moment then his flight steadied and he moved after Storm. Kija remained on the terrace, watching her son closely. Brin only allowed Farn a few moments to complete a handful of spiral turns and then forced him back to the roof.
‘He is beautiful, isn’t he?’ Shea murmured.
The blue of Farn’s scales had brightened each day and now the sunlight flashed off his sapphire body. But Essa went forward, and it was her strong shoulder that supported a trembling Farn and helped him back inside.
‘Tell Tika I can fly again,’ Farn whispered in Essa’s mind as he sank to the floor.
Essa stroked down his long scarred neck and reflected. So, although they could speak to each others’ minds when they chose, they could also block thoughts. Tika had known when the crimson Dragon arrived – Kija or Farn must have sent a thought to her. But she was unaware that Farn had just attempted a flight. Essa stored away every scrap of information for later consideration.
At darkfall, after Captain Gan had been brought to the great chamber and his return rejoiced over as well as Farn’s flight, Gossamer Tewk sought out Corman. She’d been interested to hear of Gan’s arrival from the Realm of Death and she noted that Kija was wary. She was glad to see the man but cautious of just what he might have become. Gossamer prowled the corridors, Akomi still curled in her left arm, snoring faintly.
She found her way easily enough to the library, close to which Corman had his office. There was no reply to her knock so she wandered out. Gossamer found herself in the exercise yard and strolled to the right, climbed some steps and entered a small walled garden. Looking up, she saw enormous stars – they looked much bigger than in Kelshan. White flowers gleamed in the dark garden, as though with a light of their own.
Gossamer jumped when Corman spoke. She finally saw him sitting on a stone bench beneath a shower of the white blossoms.
‘I was looking for you.’
Corman patted the bench. ‘You’re welcome to join me.’
Gossamer sat down, Akomi groaning when she moved him onto her lap. Glancing at Corman, she saw the starlight made his eyes glow a deeper gold.
‘You’re outside.’
‘I am outside,’ he agreed gravely.
‘But you never go out in the daylight. I can so why can’t you?’
‘You are in the half death, as am I,’ Corman replied. ‘But I don’t understand how this happened to you. Chindar has no idea either – he was going to ask Coby to investigate. Coby is a full blood Dark One but is still living.’ His smile glimmered faintly. ‘I have been in the half death over a thousand years Gossamer. I could move outside for many of those years but gradually the sun affects us. If I was to be in the sunlight for, say, a quarter of a day now, my body would deteriorate and I would be seriously weakened.’
‘Will that happen to me?’
Corman put his hand on Akomi’s curled back. ‘We can’t tell you Gossamer. It is possible, but not inevitable.’
They sat in silence for a while, long enough for the stars to seem to move fractionally across the dark sky.
‘Why haven’t we seen the First Daughter since we returned?’ Gossamer’s question was almost casual.
Corman leaned his head back against the wall. ‘You can see her if you wish. Tika and Shea visit her. The other little cat, Khosa, is with her most of the time, although we don’t know why and she chooses not to give her reasons.’
‘Is she very ill?’
Corman’s eyes opened. ‘Gossamer, Lerran descended far into the Dark and then had to raise not just herself, but the young Dragon’s soul as well. Such prodigious expenditure of her power and strength has – damaged her physically. We have no idea where her mind and soul are. All we can do is try to sustain her body until she can find her way back.’
Silence fell again until Gossamer gathered Akomi up against her shoulder. ‘The First Daughter – she will recover?’
Corman rose to walk beside her. ‘We do not know,’ he told her sadly.
They climbed the many stairs up to the great chamber together. Near the last landing, Gossamer stopped, turning to look directly at the Dark Lord. ‘Dabray said I must stay with this woman Tika. He said I will be needed. What did he mean?’
Corman gave a huff of amusement. ‘And he told you that before you went to the Splintered Kingdom, didn’t he?’ He waited for her puzzled nod. ‘I haven’t spoken with Dabray for centuries Gossamer Tewk. What he knows, what he has told Lerran, no one else knows or would dare guess.’ He shrugged and began climbing the last flight of black stone stairs. ‘If he has suggested you stay with them, I would do so were I you.’
They paused by the main arch. The Dragons slept, with Tika and Sket curled close by. Essa and Shea were gone, so were Lady Emla and Nesh. Four men sat around a small table, talking quietly – the healer Tevros, Captain Soran, Garrol and Gan Jal Sarl. Corman touched Gossamer’s arm.
‘Lerran’s bed chamber is along the corridor. There are always healers with her. I will stay here.’
He watched Gossamer Tewk’s slender form walk slowly, almost unwillingly, down the passage. He leaned against the wall and folded his arms to wait.
Harith glanced up as Gossamer stood by the door. ‘Hello my dear. I’m glad you’ve come.’
‘You are?’ Gossamer asked in surprise.
The healer nodded. ‘I believe it is good to have people here, for the First Daughter to perhaps hear the different voices around her. Khosa is a wonderful companion. I’m quite sure the First Daughter will recognise her the moment she wakes.’
Gossamer felt the man’s optimism was genuine: he truly believed Lerran would wake. But Gossamer found she had more belief in Corman’s sad pessimism. Her arms tightened around Akomi and woke him. He peered sleepily over her arm and saw Khosa crouched at the head of Lerran’s
bed. He struggled, and Gossamer stepped forward, letting the cat down on the bed cover. Akomi walked carefully up beside Lerran’s still body and joined Khosa, their purrs throbbing like heartbeats.
Gossamer Tewk forced her gaze up to stare at Lerran’s face. She closed her eyes, her fists clenching by her sides. Then she looked again, made herself take note of every twisted feature. At last the rigidity in her shoulders relaxed a little. Gossamer leaned over and touched first Khosa, then Akomi. Two pairs of eyes stared up unblinking, one pair vivid turquoise, the other golden.
‘I will stay a while,’ Akomi told her. ‘But I’ll find you later.’
‘Silly old cat.’ Khosa’s mind voice held an affectionate tone. ‘They’ll come to no harm here.’
Akomi’s eyes closed. ‘I like to watch over them,’ he retorted.
To her astonishment, Gossamer found herself smiling. So that old cat thought he was able to protect her? Her smile remained even as she looked again at what had been Lerran’s lovely face. She turned to the healer.
‘I’ll come again if I may.’
Harith beamed. ‘That would be splendid.’
Gossamer walked back down the passage and stopped beside Corman. They stared at each other and once more she found tears blurring her vision. Corman’s arms went round her, his cheek rested lightly on her hair. And for the first time since she was seven years old, Gossamer Tewk allowed a man, who was not a paying customer, to hold her and offer her simple comfort.
Chapter Eighteen
The scout, Chak, had been sent, with Weasel, to one of the Eagle villages. There, an elderly man spoke to him at length and examined the obsidian disk Chak wore. It was concluded that the wild clans north of Kelshan had much in common with the tribes of the Dark Realm. More elderly men arrived in the village and subjected Chak to intense questioning. They found more similarities between the Eagle Clan of the north and the Eagle Tribe here, than they found differences.
Dark Realm: Book 5 Circles of Light series Page 22
