The Diamond Isle

by Stan Nicholls

  At length, eyes glistening, they drew back from each other, hands linked.

  Kinsel smiled, nodding at the swell of her belly. ‘Look at you. You’re twice the woman you were.’

  ‘And you’ve been wasting away.’

  ‘Nonsense. I’m better for it.’

  She gave a laugh that sashayed into a wheezing sob. ‘I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.’

  ‘I was afraid I’d lost you, too.’

  ‘And the baby. Our baby. I didn’t think–’

  ‘I know.’ His arms were round her again. ‘It’s all right,’ he soothed. ‘We’re back together. Tell me about Teg and Lirrin. They’re well?’

  She nodded, moist eyes blinking. ‘They’re fine. Growing so fast. Missing you.’

  ‘I can’t wait to see them.’

  He talked on, supportive and affectionate, making her feel good in a way no other man ever had, so that any thought of confession began to fade. It could wait until later. Tomorrow, perhaps. Why spoil this?

  ‘…and our friends from Bhealfa?’ Kinsel was asking. ‘Dulian, Quinn–’

  ‘They’re all right,’ she replied a little brusquely, less than pleased to be reminded of the Resistance. Then she checked herself, her mind turning to other faces. ‘What about Serrah, and Reeth and Kutch?’ she said. ‘I didn’t see any of them when we landed.’

  ‘Reeth finally got his way and went off in search of the Clepsydra. Serrah and the boy went with him.’

  Tan was relieved that they weren’t on the island. She wasn’t proud of the feeling, but it seemed trivial in light of her greater crime.

  ‘You were wrong about him,’ Kinsel told her softly.

  ‘Who?’

  He smiled. ‘Reeth. You doubted him. But he was the one who freed me.’

  That was more than she could bear. Gratitude and guilt swept over her. ‘I feel ashamed,’ she said.

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ he gently chastised. ‘What have you, of all people, to be ashamed about?’

  ‘I misjudged him.’

  ‘You made a perfectly rational assessment of Reeth’s character, based on the little we knew about him. Misjudgment’s not a major sin, Tan. But that isn’t important now. All that matters is that we’ve been reunited. We can start anew, be happy again with the children and–’

  ‘It’ll come to grief.’

  ‘There’s no need to be so pessimistic, my love. We’ve been given a second chance. Let’s seize it while we can.’

  ‘A Gath Tampoor battle fleet’s on its way here. And for all I know, Rintarah’s sending one, too.’

  ‘You’re sure?’ Kinsel looked shocked.

  ‘We barely outpaced it.’

  ‘We always knew it would be dangerous here,’ he said, collecting himself. ‘But whatever comes, at least we’ll be together.’

  ‘You don’t understand,’ she whispered. ‘We may never have–’ Pain creased her face and she gave a silent gasp. Her hands went to her abdomen.

  Kinsel was alarmed. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Nothing. Just…a twinge.’

  He helped her back to the chair. She sank into it with a sigh.

  ‘Shall I get a healer?’ he asked, tightly clasping her hand.

  ‘No. I’m…I’m all right.’

  ‘What’s happening, Tan? Is something wrong?’

  She managed a feeble smile. ‘Not wrong, my love; natural.’ She placed his hand on her swollen belly. ‘It means it won’t be long now.’

  Serrah took a sharp intake of breath. Grimacing, she clutched her stomach.

  Caldason said, ‘You all right?’

  ‘It’s just a…stitch or something.’

  ‘Sure?’

  ‘It’s nothing, Reeth.’ She straightened, the pang fading. ‘Probably the lousy rations we’ve been eating.’

  ‘You look pale.’

  ‘So do you. None of us are exactly at our best after weeks in this tub. I don’t know how regular sailors cope with it.’

  ‘We should be back on the Diamond Isle soon.’

  ‘I can’t wait.’ She returned to gazing at the dismal horizon.

  They were on deck, well bundled against the cold, and the packet was rolling in the current. Not brutally, but enough to make the footing uncertain for land dwellers. A light spray fell constantly.

  Fifteen paces away, sheltered by a sailcloth awning, Kutch sat with Mahaganis and Wendah. The blind old man wore a stoic expression, while his young companion, finding her tongue at last, was engaged in an earnest, whispered conversation with Kutch.

  ‘They seem to be getting on well,’ Caldason noted a little icily.

  ‘Since they realised what they have in common, yes,’ Serrah replied.

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘You’ve not been paying much attention lately, have you, Reeth? Apparently Kutch and the girl have a similar power. It’s a magic thing. You wouldn’t be interested.’

  ‘Seems you know more about what’s going on than I do.’

  ‘Only because I’m actually talking to them.’ She nodded Mahaganis’s way. ‘The old man’s getting under your skin, isn’t he?’

  ‘He won’t tell what he knows. About me.’

  ‘You should be grateful to him.’

  ‘I am. I owe him my life, but I question his motives.’

  ‘I think you’re wrong to. If he’s holding anything back, it’s to protect you.’

  ‘I don’t need protecting.’

  ‘You did when you were a child.’

  ‘The man was a paladin, Serrah. Can you imagine how that makes me feel?’

  ‘Whatever he was, didn’t he make amends by defending you? Or are you saying he’s beyond redemption?’

  Caldason brooded on that for a quarter minute, then came back softer with, ‘How are you feeling now?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ she said, grateful to be reminded that she had someone who cared. ‘Come on, let’s join them.’

  ‘You go ahead. I’ll just–’

  ‘Slink away and sulk? Life’s too short, Reeth. I mean literally. Remember the Clepsydra. If it really does indicate some kind of apocalypse, we’ve no time to waste. In getting things sorted, that is.’

  He accepted her hand, and a tad reluctantly allowed himself to be led.

  As they approached the group, Kutch and Wendah got up to leave.

  ‘Nothing personal, I hope,’ Serrah remarked.

  Kutch looked embarrassed. ‘Oh…no. Of course not. We just–’

  ‘I understand,’ Serrah smiled. ‘Off you go.’

  The boy nodded gratefully, and Wendah briefly relaxed her customary surliness. As they passed, Kutch deftly plucked something from non-existence and gently propelled it Serrah’s way. The glamour was in the likeness of a radiant, single-stemmed flower. Its bloom was a kaleidoscope of stunning, ever-changing colours, and it gave off an exquisitely sensual perfume.

  The flower hung in the air, revolving slowly for Serrah’s enchantment. Then Wendah turned her head, puffed her cheeks and blew at the glamour. It fragmented into thousands of golden, cart-wheeling sparks that danced back to nothingness.

  Serrah was delighted. Caldason seemed less amused.

  Kutch and Wendah headed for the stern, engaged in discussion.

  ‘The young have such reckless vitality, don’t you think?’ Mahaganis said, as though he’d seen what had happened. ‘Just like you as a youngster, Reeth.’

  ‘My youth was a bit out of the ordinary, if you recall.’

  ‘Granted. But I think there are similarities. You and I had something in common, in that we were outcasts; and they have a bond too.’

  ‘So I heard. Not that anybody’s explained it to me.’

  ‘It’s unlike you to neglect intelligence gathering,’ the old man rebuked. ‘I understand Kutch is a spotter. Rare as that is, Wendah happens to have a similar talent. It’s good for them both, I think, to find another like themselves.’

  ‘She can see the magic, or whatever it is spotters do?’

>   ‘In a way. What she does subtly differs from spotting. You might call it accessing.’

  ‘What’s that?’ Serrah asked.

  ‘He’s talking about accessing the Source,’ Caldason said. ‘That’s right, isn’t it, Praltor?’

  ‘Yes. But don’t get too excited. Wendah’s ability in that respect is very limited.’

  ‘But you can connect with this thing you say is inside you?’

  ‘Connect’s too strong a word. Any direct link would be more than a human could bear. I’m not sure a legion of first-rate sorcerers could safely plumb its depths.’

  ‘So what do you draw from it?’ Caldason persisted.

  ‘I don’t draw anything,’ Mahaganis retorted, anger flaring. ‘It’s the exact opposite. What Wendah allows me is a defence.’

  ‘Defence?’

  ‘Some ease of the pain. A shield against this torment in my head. Her talent’s nothing compared to the power of the Source, but it’s kept me sane.’

  ‘I don’t understand. And shielding you against what?’

  ‘Where Kutch only sees, Wendah…obstructs. She has the ability to deflect magical energy to some extent, and she’s used that gift to help guard my reason. As to what she’s guarding me from; have you any idea of the Founders’ malevolence? What am I saying? You of all people should appreciate that.’

  ‘There you go again,’ Caldason grumbled, ‘implying something without being specific.’

  ‘Let’s just say we’re both labouring under our own singular curses.’

  ‘No, let’s not say that. How about the truth instead?’

  ‘There are some things you’re not prepared to hear just yet.’

  ‘I’m not a child anymore, Praltor. You don’t have to look out for me or worry about my feelings.’

  The old man said nothing.

  ‘Did whatever you’re hinting at have anything to do with the way we parted?’ Caldason pressed. ‘Because I’ve no memory of how we went our separate ways.’

  ‘As I said, your recollection’s bound to be patchy.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘It was a difficult time. There were battles, skirmishes–’

  ‘What happened to split us?’

  ‘We got to the point where there was little more I could do to help you.’

  ‘You’re lying.’

  ‘Reeth!’ Serrah exclaimed. ‘Show some respect.’

  ‘No,’ Mahaganis told her, ‘he’s right. The fact is, Reeth, that I…left you.’

  ‘You did what?’ she said.

  ‘He could look after himself by then, believe me. And there were circumstances.’

  ‘What kind of circumstances?’ Caldason demanded, his voice dropping and edged with menace.

  ‘I’d come to fear you,’ the old man confessed.

  ‘You were afraid of me?’ The Qalochian was genuinely taken aback. ‘Why?’

  ‘For what you are. And for what you’re capable of.’

  ‘More riddles. Just once, could you have enough respect for me to explain what you mean?’

  ‘Reeth, I…’

  ‘Please.’

  Mahaganis sighed. ‘Very well. But you must try to understand what I’m going to say, and to keep a grip on yourself.’

  ‘Tell me.’

  ‘It’s your ancestry that worries me.’

  ‘My being a Qalochian, you mean?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Well…what, then?’

  ‘What frightens me, Reeth, is your Founder blood.’

  26

  The pit was a simmering cauldron. In its depths a hoary, foaming stew effervesced.

  ‘It’s getting worse, brother.’

  Felderth Jacinth nodded. ‘Further justification for the action we’re taking, if such were needed.’

  ‘Even action as unprecedented as this?’

  ‘In the present situation, Rhylan, any step is justified.’

  ‘There are many on the council who have doubts about that.’

  ‘Not a majority, I think. And the dissenters have no real alternative to offer.’

  They resumed staring at the gummy, silverish liquid churning at the pit’s bottom.

  ‘I’ve never seen it so agitated,’ Rhylan said.

  ‘Nor have I,’ the Elder confessed.

  ‘Which makes me wonder if concentrating on this rebel horde on the Diamond Isle could be to the detriment of our response to the warlord.’

  ‘They’re one and the same, effectively. We’re not neglecting any threat Zerreiss presents, but equally we need to deal with the dissidents. Bearing in mind the danger of them joining together, tackling both carries the same weight in my mind. In any event, you’ve left your objections a bit late,’ Felderth said pointedly.

  ‘It’s not an objection. Just an observation.’

  ‘Well, my observation is that we have no choice but to follow the course I’ve chosen.’

  There was another moist eruption in the pit. Energy flushed through the tinted power lines that criss-crossed the floor of the immense chamber. Its angry vigour lit up the great council table, setting the Rintarah eagle emblem crackling. And, for all the Jacinth siblings knew, the surge carried on to sear through the channels running beneath Jecellam’s bustling avenues.

  ‘We’re making history, Rhylan,’ Felderth remarked.

  ‘That’s what worries some people.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘Your critics see this as some kind of capitulation to Gath Tampoor. At the least they regard it as moving closer to them, which would be unacceptable, of course.’

  ‘There’s no danger of that. How often must I say it? We’re simply acting together on this occasion because it suits us both.’

  ‘And you don’t see the risk of setting a precedent?’

  ‘That won’t be allowed to happen.’

  ‘How can you be so sure? Because if you’re wrong about this, brother, it could place a strain on the veracity of your leadership.’

  ‘You’re saying there could be some kind of rebellion? A coup? It would be the first time in our history if there was.’ The Elder seemed totally unconcerned.

  ‘I’m not suggesting anything so dramatic. But there are factions on the council who would welcome an opportunity to obstruct your rule, as you well know.’

  ‘They’ll come round when they see us emerging stronger from this crisis.’

  ‘Many are mindful that the council’s most important function, the duty that overrides all else, is to ensure the continued survival of our kind.’

  ‘You think I’m unaware of my responsibility? If any other than you had implied negligence in that respect, Rhylan, they’d have felt my wrath.’

  ‘I’m implying nothing. But you know the argument. By the very act of seeming to aid Gath Tampoor, we potentially weaken our own security.’

  ‘But they’re equally aiding us. It’s a trade-off. In the end it doesn’t change the balance; it just rids us both of an irritant.’

  ‘And what happens the next time a threat appears? Do we cooperate with the enemy again, and slowly erode the differences between us? Indeed, brother, some believe that’s your aim.’

  ‘They can believe what they like,’ the Elder said coolly. ‘But note that, despite the unpopularity of my stance, the council didn’t vote against it.’

  ‘As you say, they have no alternative to offer. And perhaps…’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Perhaps they intuit a deeper motive on your part.’

  ‘Which is what?’

  ‘That once Gath Tampoor has ceased to be of use to us, we’ll be in a better position to take advantage of their naiveté. A blow has added weight when struck under a supposed truce.’ His conspiratorial smile was returned. ‘Though of course I appreciate that a leader’s intentions can’t always be plainly stated.’

  ‘Indeed. I daresay Gath Tampoor’s ruler has similar problems. Speaking of which…’

  ‘Yes, of course; it must be almost time.’ Rhylan backed off a couple of
paces.

  Felderth carried out a series of subtle hand gestures, a conjuration directed at the heaving contents of the pit. It proved resistant to his command and carried on its unruly bubbling.

  ‘Do you need help, brother?’ Rhylan asked.

  A look of intense concentration knitted the Elder’s brow. ‘I think I have it.’

  The pewter liquid quietened, save for a pattern of ripples stirring its surface. In seconds the disorder calmed and an image appeared. It sharpened into a face, then the face took on distinctive features.

  The likeness of Empress Bethmilno came into focus.

  ‘Greetings,’ Jacinth intoned. ‘It’s been a long time.’

  ‘Let’s get straight down to business, shall we?’ the Empress replied coolly.

  ‘That’s my intention,’ the Elder came back.

  ‘I don’t expect us to forget old enmities, bearing in mind how deep they run. But for the moment we need to liaise on matters of importance.’

  ‘My sentiment entirely,’ Felderth concurred.

  ‘Very soon our fleets will rendezvous. Yet we’ve managed to get this far without settling the extent of our cooperation. This must be made clear.’

  ‘I agree that we need to set parameters. I suggest we keep this alliance–’

  ‘Temporary alliance,’ Bethmilno corrected.

  ‘As you say. I suggest this transient alliance be restricted solely to the original objectives. Simply put, we cooperate without let until those aims are achieved. Then, at an agreed point in time beyond that, normal hostilities between our states can resume.’

  ‘That would be acceptable. Though, of course, the temptation to take advantage of the period between triumph and the ending of our pact could prove strong.’

  Rhylan said nothing. His eyes flicked between the Empress’s image and his brother’s stern features.

  ‘It may be a temptation for Gath Tampoor,’ Felderth declared loftily. ‘Rintarah, on the other hand, honours its promises.’

  The Empress snorted. ‘I won’t dignify that with a response. Other than to say that we have a mutual interest in survival, as our history attests. We’ll have to trust in that when it comes to honouring pledges.’

  ‘I’m not sure I infer your meaning.’

  ‘Then I’ll be transparent. Any premature aggression would invite the full strength of Gath Tampoor’s military capability. Let that be a buttress to our agreement.’