‘I think you’re right. I’m not sure if there is a way opened to this place – like the one I saw in the room below, or if they are appearing by some other means. Will the Crazed One make another attempt at once?’
Cyrek stretched, abandoning his contemplation of the raindrop. ‘He will need to recover within his Kingdom for a while. At least, that has been the pattern before.’ He glanced at Tika again. ‘Can you reach your Dragons?’
Tika smiled. ‘I am surprised that yes, I can. I would have said the distance is too great, but Farn bespoke me earlier. He’s gone fishing with Storm and most of the Bear children.’
‘Cubs,’ Cyrek corrected with mock severity. ‘Bears always have cubs. And I must try to teach you about gateways very soon – it was remiss of us not to instruct you before.’
‘There is no change with Lerran,’ she said very quietly.
Cyrek looked at her sharply and sighed again. ‘There will not be any change for a long time,’ he murmured back. ‘But she chose to do what she did Tika.’
To change the suddenly sombre mood, Tika spoke of Ferag’s remarks.
‘Ferag said she didn’t know if beings like Simert could help us, or even overcome the Crazed One. How do we contact them? Are they gods as the Kelshans call them?’
‘They are creatures that dwell in the Planes of Existence, all of which touch this world. Those like Simert, rule their particular Planes and on occasion, change something here, or interfere. That’s how they came to be called gods. Some seem to have become genuinely concerned about humanity – like Simert again. I know of a few others, but you’d need to ask a Kelshan to tell you more.’
A bustle around the table drew their attention. All of the military men departed, except for General Beslow and the engineer Dog. Three Kelshan guards remained – those Tika had healed, but The Bear and Lemos followed Jemin. Beslow looked tired to death and Tika approached him, brushing her fingers lightly along his brow. Colour crept back into his sallow cheeks and he straightened in his chair. He gave her a surprisingly shy smile.
‘You did something didn’t you?’
Tika smiled back. ‘I only lifted some of your weariness, but I think some sleep would be the best remedy.’
The General pushed himself to his feet, leaning heavily on the table as he did so.
‘The Imperator has just given me the same order my lady.’
Tika groaned. ‘Please. I am not a lady. My name is Tika, daughter of Kija.’
Beslow walked, unsteady with exhaustion, to the door. Konya took hold of one arm and Shea took the other.
‘Kija is a Dragon you know,’ Shea remarked helpfully.
Poor Beslow stiffened for a moment then allowed himself to be led away to the nearest bed.
‘Do you think that was a whimper?’ Gossamer enquired, smiling at Tika.
‘Quite possibly,’ Tika agreed.’ But the poor old man is worn out.’
‘Officers never know when to retire, or stay retired,’ said Sket, nursing yet another bowl of tea.
‘They tried to promote me once.’
They all turned to stare at Dog.
‘Well they did,’ she said defiantly. ‘Made me a sergeant, like Essa. Couldn’t put up with that.’
‘What happened?’ Tika was fascinated.
‘Got drunk and beat up Sergeant Peach. Busted his nose and his cheekbone. Locked up for ten days, sergeant’s rank removed. Joined up with the engineers as soon as they let me out. Engineers don’t get promoted.’ Dog beamed in satisfaction.
Cyrek joined her and Sket at the table and gave her an evil grin.
‘I’ve never known an engineer live long enough to be promoted.’
They all laughed even the three Kelshan guards. They were obviously still cautious of the easiness which existed between these people who seemed unaware of their rank or position.
Shea popped back into the hall. ‘The General is fast asleep already. Does anyone remember if we’ve eaten anything since breakfast? I’m starving.’
By the time the grey day had become a dark cold evening, there had been reports brought in that nine of the creatures had been destroyed. Tika had expected Dog to want to go out with one of the many patrols but the engineer seemed happy enough to sit by the fire that had been lit in the hall, gossiping with Sket. Tika looked round for Daylith but couldn’t see him. Cyrek joined her at the table where she sat with her feet propped on its edge.
‘I sent Daylith home.’
Tika wondered, not for the first time, if Cyrek could really read her thoughts.
‘He was badly shaken when the Crazed One loosed that surge of power when he possessed the Imperatrix. This is not work for him.’
Tika tried to recall what Daylith had told her of himself. ‘His parents work in the Karmazen Academy don’t they?’ she asked.
Cyrek nodded. ‘Daylith has the makings of an excellent researcher, so I felt it best he leave here. Corman will send someone else.’
‘Do you know who?’
‘I have a suspicion it may well be one of Peshan’s sons.’
Tika raised an eyebrow in mute query.
‘Peshan’s third boy, Shivan, is probably one of the most generally gifted young mages. He came into his powers early.’
‘Daylith told me that happens when you are about twenty years old?’
Cyrek grimaced. ‘Shivan frightened the wits out of his family by taking Dragon form at thirteen. As long as something holds his interest, he is the best lad you could wish for.’
‘Ah. So we could have problems with him?’
‘I don’t think you will. All this will be new and of interest to him. His mind works – differently – from all the other students in the Academy. He is a kind boy, but curiosity consumes him.’
Tika decided to reserve judgement on Peshan’s son. ‘Will we get rid of all these monstrous creatures do you think?’
Tika had gone with Sket and Dog onto the watch walk earlier and two of the things had rushed the curtain wall, shrieking and howling. Tika had watched in disbelieving horror. Both creatures had heads like birds only they were the size of a half grown child. They stood on two strangely jointed legs with long clawed feet beneath them. The arms appeared to have no bones: they twisted and writhed rapidly in all directions, snapping a Kelshan guard’s neck with the most casual gesture. The two creatures ignored the units of guards surrounding them, their attention only on the wall. Their flailing arms killed guards apparently without deliberate intent.
Tika had stared down, seeing one creature buckle when swords and axes managed to nearly sever a leg. Its skin was dark grey and leathery, with faint lines hazed over its back and haunches. Blood flowed, thick and sluggish, from many wounds on both creatures. But the first to go down, the one whose leg was severed, twisted as it fell and two protuberant round eyes stared balefully straight up at Tika. She stared back into the total blackness and then became aware that those eyes were drawing her into them, almost as the tunnel in the ash had tempted her closer.
She pushed herself away from the wall with a gasp, breaking the link with the creature’s eyes. A shriek of rage and frustration rose and Tika knew it came from that same beast. Cyrek watched her as the scene replayed in her mind and only answered her question when her attention returned to him.
‘Shea says that the ghosts are searching throughout the City. So far, none of the things have been seen beyond the City limits.’
‘I should have thought to ask the ghosts to help. But I find it odd that these creatures cannot detect spirits, souls, ghosts – call them what you may. They seem drawn only to life.’
Tika met Cyrek’s gold eyes. ‘They seem drawn only to me.’
Cyrek gave a heavy sigh. ‘I had reached that conclusion too unfortunately.’
‘Should I go out into the City – act as bait? Would that lure them all into traps we could set up?’
‘I don’t think we should take that course just yet.’
‘But when the Imperatrix fled, the
creatures spread into the City.’
‘Exactly. They are drawn to power. The Imperatrix contained a large portion of the Crazed One’s own power so the beasts pursued her.’
Cyrek hoped Mother Dark would let Tika follow his thought without him having to explain further. Seeing her face pale, he knew she understood.
‘Why? Cyrek, why should this power come to me? Why not you, or Lemos, or anyone else?’
Cyrek felt a deep sympathy. She was very young, virtually untrained, yet she indeed had more mage strength than any he’d ever known. He believed she was stronger even than the First Daughter.
‘I can’t tell you why you should be the one to receive this power Tika. But there will be a reason, such things do not occur by chance. It is as Mother Dark wills.’
‘Mother Dark!’ Tika retorted. ‘I’d never heard of her until about twenty days ago. Why would she know anything of me?’
‘Corman and Chindar are both convinced that you have much Darkness within you. Lerran would have been able to tell at once. Perhaps Dabray too.’
Tika opened her mouth, and shut it again. Her hand strayed to her chest. Beneath the blue jacket she could feel the shapes of two scales, carefully tucked in the undershirt’s pocket. One, deep purple, from Seela, and one, shimmering opalescent, from Dabray. Tika looked again into Cyrek’s gold eyes.
‘The Lady Emla, in Sapphrea, said once that I had Asatarian markers in my blood. But her people, the Asatarians, came from a world far across the stars. She said the markers in me came through her brother Rhaki, Guardian of the North. No one knows where he is now, but I have a sense that he is not dead. How have these things come about? And now you say Corman thinks I have Dark blood as well.’
Cyrek placed a long fingered hand gently over hers on the table, but he said nothing. He couldn’t say anything because he knew no more than she did now. But his conviction was growing that this young woman, as Dog had told old Beslow, was very, very special. His silence went unnoticed when Gossamer Tewk sat across the table from them. She glanced at Cyrek but addressed herself to Tika.
‘I would like to go back to Karmazen – when this little difficulty is sorted out.’
She laughed at Tika’s expression. ‘But I can’t leave Drengle List behind, and I’m worried about Snail too.’
‘And what will you do in Karmazen?’ asked Tika curiously.
‘Jemin said that I could learn about pictures.’
‘And Snail?’
Gossamer shrugged. ‘She knows more about dyes and plants than anyone I know.’
‘Well she wouldn’t get many customers for embalming from among us.’ Cyrek grinned broadly and earned a scowl from Gossamer.
‘Seriously, there’ll be no problem Gossamer. You are one of the very few who have visited our Realm and then returned to your own lands.’
‘Unlike those Kelshan guards you mean?’
Cyrek looked thoughtful. ‘They may be sent back after a time. Things are changing.’ He gave Tika a nod of acknowledgement. ‘Someone argued quite strongly against the stagnation that occurs when nothing is allowed to change.’
Gossamer gave him one of her milder scowls before asking Tika about her three self appointed Kelshan guards. When Cyrek chuckled, Tika also bestowed a scowl in his direction. Ignoring him she explained to Gossamer.
‘The tallest one, who looks a bit like Jemin, is Kazmat. The dark one with hazel eyes is his younger brother Kazbeck. And the dark one with blue eyes is Corim.’
Gossamer lowered her voice. ‘Sket told them he’s in charge. He seems quite pleased to have a unit to command.’
‘Unit?’ Tika looked blank.
‘The three Kelshans and the three engineers – you’ll soon have your own squad.’
Tika gaped at her. ‘You’re joking!’
Cyrek was laughing aloud when Jemin marched into the hall with a group of guards, both his own Dark guards and several Kelshans. Their uniforms were torn, damp and dirty, but the men all looked cheerful.
‘Five more,’ Jemin called to Tika as he went to stand close to the fire.
‘And how many men have you lost,’ Tika murmured for Gossamer and Cyrek’s ears alone.
Their attention was drawn back to the door as another man arrived. He looked round the hall and headed towards Cyrek. He was smiling when he reached the table, his eyes the brightest gold. Cyrek got to his feet and received an exuberant hug from the newcomer.
‘Tika, this is Shivan, come to replace Daylith I believe.’
Tika always found it impossible to estimate people’s ages much beyond young or old, but she felt Shivan was perhaps in his early twenties, very young indeed for a Dark Lord with mage powers. His smile was unreserved, and held a hint of mischief. She found herself smiling back as she returned his greeting.
‘I’ve never been allowed to make a gateway outside the Realm,’ he confided. ‘It was no more difficult, although I was told that it would be.’
Cyrek led him off to report to Jemin and Tika saw Gossamer’s smirk.
‘What?’ she demanded.
‘A nice good looking boy like that, definitely an asset for your squad – if not your army.’
Tika glared. ‘What would I do with an army? And he can’t help his good looks.’
‘Hah! So you agree he’s handsome!’
‘Oh.’ Tika was speechless with affront but saved by Shea approaching with General Beslow. Tika went to the old man, the lamp light revealing his age but also the fact that he did look rested.
‘Do you feel better General?’ she asked. ‘You haven’t slept long.’
‘I’m fine my dear,’ he assured her. ‘Better see what’s been going on though.’ He joined Jemin beside the fire.
Shea watched him. ‘He reminds me of Waxin Pule.’
‘Who?’
‘He was Advisor to the Imperium but he got me to the Dark Realm with Gossamer. I do hope he’s all right.’
In reply to Tika’s blankness she added: ‘Bad chest.’
They watched the two engineers, Onion and Darrick come into the hall and scurry almost furtively over to Dog.
‘I thought they were all engineers,’ said Tika. ‘Yet those two seem to take orders from Dog.’
‘Well of course. She’s been a sergeant.’ Shea’s tone implied this was almost too obvious to need to be explained.
Tika started to reply when she felt a huge gathering of power all around her. She slammed shields about her mind, bracing them with all her new power. Whatever sought to snatch her mind, fell back, but Tika also found herself falling, away from that aggression and into something else.
Sket was across the room the instant Shea screamed, crouching beside Tika’s limp body. Everyone gathered round but it was the young Dark Lord Shivan who gently lifted Tika’s head and shoulders onto his lap. His bright gold eyes lifted to Cyrek’s.
‘She’s descended into the Dark,’ he whispered. ‘Has she been prepared?’
‘Mother Dark take good care of her.’ Cyrek’s face was stricken. ‘She knows nothing of a descent.’
Gossamer Tewk knelt beside Shivan. ‘What about Lord Dabray? Could he help her?’
Cyrek looked at Gossamer in amazement, but then Shea was rummaging under Tika’s jacket. She withdrew her hand and there were the two scales. A breath hissed between Shivan’s teeth.
‘Perhaps it could work. Put them in her hands. But what is that?’
The egg shaped pendant that Tika always wore under her shirt now lay exposed. Those gathered round gasped. The pendant was pulsing, in time with Tika’s heart.
Tika fell. After the first moments of pure panic she realised what was happening, unlikely as it might be. In utter blackness, she sank. She had the sensation of speed, and in the same moment she knew she must try to stop herself falling. She had a very clear sense of up and down, and understood she needed to rise. Tika felt a burning in her chest and knew that somehow whatever dwelt inside her pendant had been activated and was trying to give her support.
Tika let her head fall forward. She felt an endless depth beneath her, an endless expanse all around her. She raised her head again, her eyes wide, trying to find the tiniest hint of light. Her arms felt heavy and gradually drooped to her sides. At once she began to sink again. She felt so tired, unbearably tired. Would it hurt if she rested for a while?
Her arms snapped up. Of course she mustn’t rest. Come on, she told herself. This is a tiny fraction of what Lerran endured for Farn, and is still enduring. She would do no less. But she was tired. Her head turned sharply to the left. Was that Gan’s voice? It sounded like him, scolding her as always for something she’d forgotten to do. She called his name, but the voice was silent. She was so tired.
Tika came to with a jolt. Had she really been stupid enough to sleep? How far had she fallen again? It felt colder now, and her limbs were stiff. Once more she reached up, dragging her arms back down and kicking her legs at the same time. She had no way of knowing how much time had passed. Suddenly Tika froze. Something huge was rising from the depths far below her. She sensed a primitive presence, a basic aggression. Then it began to fade again.
She renewed her upward struggle, aware only of the burning in her chest. Lerran, she thought. Lerran was still down here somewhere, lost in this everlasting Dark. She concentrated on the devastated woman lying motionless in her bed and ignored the tiredness creeping over her again.
If you exist Mother Dark, she thought fiercely, then help that poor Daughter of yours. She saved Farn from this, willingly, not even knowing him. Is this how you repay her kindness? Tika gasped. Something enveloped her entirely, body, mind and spirit. Another voice murmured to her, faint, dry, distant. But she knew who it was: Lord Dabray.
Dark Realm: Book 5 Circles of Light series Page 40
