by Shannah Jay
At the sigh, almost of disappointment, from the townsfolk, Deverith added, still with that edge of power in his voice, ‘But note their faces well, my friends, before they leave. If they return to Tenebrak - ever - they shall be a target for anyone!’
Shannah Jay TENEBRAK95
All hung in the balance for a moment, then, as the remaining bullies stood hesitating as to who should test the truth of their promise of freedom, Peto stepped backwards and gestured to them to pass. ‘Go on, then, you scum! Pass freely.
I hope you do come back, though.’ His voice was a soft growl, as ominous as thunder over the mountains. ‘I’ve got a good memory for faces.’
‘And I.’ Balas moved to stand two paces away, forming a gateway to the forest. Two massive men, quiet in their strength.
The last of the raiders edged between them, moving quickly and half-turning from time to time to keep a close eye on them - and an even closer eye on Deverith.
When they got out of sight they must have started running, because crashing noises floated back from the wildwoods, growing fainter and fainter, then fading into silence. After the noises had been replaced by the gentler sounds of insects humming, birds singing and branches rustling in the breeze, Deverith whispered, ‘Discord is indeed ended,’ and collapsed.
Karialla rushed forward to feel his pulse. He had that waxy look to his face that came whenever he over-exerted himself, but his heartbeat was steady. ‘He’s worn himself out, done too much,’ she told her companions. ‘Will you help me carry him back?’
‘Is he - you know, all right?’ Evril asked, still awed by what had happened. You couldn’t explain the Healer’s actions.
Some strange power had won the day for them and Deverith was the one who had wielded it.
Karialla raised her eyes and Evril gasped, for she too had the same luminous look as Deverith. It was the look of the gods, he thought, hardly daring to breathe.
‘There are times,’ Karialla said, her voice singing through the quiet sunlit air, ‘when the power of goodness speaks through us. We know it then as our Brother the God. This is one of those times. Our Brother was here with us today, lending his strength to our struggle against evil.’
Peto looked at her, hope shining in his warm brown eyes. ‘Is your god truly our brother, lady?’
‘Oh, yes. He’s the brother of us all, in name and in deed.’
‘I like that thought. I don’t like the gods they worship in that meeting place of Rojan’s. They seem too far away, too unfriendly.’ He gave a snort of laughter. ‘I don’t like Rojan, either, if truth be told. But I do like the idea of an elder brother somewhere, keeping watch over us, ready to help. That’s how we were in the settlement where I grew up. We all helped one another, like brothers and sisters.’ He looked round and a slight smile twisted his heavy features. ‘They’d have eaten this lot in two minutes, my friends and family would. We could all defend ourselves.’
‘The Tenebrani aren’t bred to fight.’ Her voice was soft, but it carried clearly to all of them. ‘We needed our Brother’s help if we were to win against Discord today, and he gave it to us, through Deverith. But I think perhaps we’d better learn to fight our own battles from now on.’
Peto pursed his lips thoughtfully. ‘I was just saying the same thing to the lad there.’ He indicated Balas. ‘We need a proper militia in Tenebrak.’
‘And who better to train it than you, Peto?’
He inclined his head in acceptance of this charge.
She knelt by her husband again. ‘Could you help me with Deverith?’
He came forward to pick the Healer up in his massive arms. ‘I’ll carry him back for you,’ he rumbled. ‘He weighs no more than a child.’ He moved Deverith so that the unconscious Healer lay more comfortably in his arms, then set off walking.
‘I’ll spell you with the Healer,’ Balas said quietly, following him.
‘And I. It’ll be an honour to carry him.’
‘And I!’ Several people fell in behind them, ready to help.
Evril came up to Karialla as she turned to move after them. ‘What about the raiders’ woman, Karialla? Illustrious Lady, I should perhaps say.’ He was using an archaic form of address, one showing great respect.
‘My name is Karialla. Are we not still friends, Evril?’
‘Yes, of course. If you say so.’ But the look he gave her was not that of one friend to another and his manner was no less deferential than it had been before. ‘So what shall we do with this poor creature? She’s in no state to fend for herself. To me, it looks as if her wits are addled.’ In a louder voice he called, ‘Come here, you!’ and the woman moved forward obediently, her eyes blank and uncomprehending.
‘Let her come back to town with us. If she can carry out simple tasks, she can work with us on the temple. We’ll need all the help we can get to build it. She has no evil in her.’
Evril gestured to the woman to follow and began to walk beside Karialla. ‘You’re sure about this temple, aren’t you, Illust-,’ he caught her eye, ‘er, Karialla?’
‘Very sure. Is our Brother the God to have no home when he comes among us?’
‘After today, the Elders will vote for you to have some of the land on the ridge,’ he offered. ‘I’m sure of that.’
Shannah Jay TENEBRAK96
‘Not just some land, friend, but all the land at the very top. I’ll show you exactly where. Our Brother showed me what the temple would be like before ever I returned to Tenebrak. And Balas has dreamed of it, too. He’ll know how to start building it for us.’
As she passed Gerrell’s body, she stopped and stared down at it. ‘Such as he are better starting new lives,’ she said coldly.
Evril shivered. Who had not wondered whether one’s spirit lived again? But Karialla sounded certain of it. She’d changed since she returned to Tenebrak. Oh, yes. Changed greatly.
She turned one last time to order, ‘Some should remain behind to bury the dead. It must all be done properly. From now on, this valley shall become a domain for timber workers.’ Then she began walking again, not doubting that her wishes would be carried out.
Some of the Tenebrani exchanged uneasy glances at the tone of power in her voice, then started to do as she had bade them.
‘She thinks of everything,’ one woman whispered to her companion.
He nodded. ‘She and the illustrious Deverith are well matched.’
‘She didn’t want you to call her that.’
‘Well, I can’t help it. That’s what she is - Illustrious. The gods have touched them both.’
***
Back in town Rojan barred Karialla’s way, folding his arms in obvious displeasure. ‘More death and killing!’ He gestured towards Peto who was carrying Deverith again and who had stopped when he saw Rojan accost her. ‘You’ve lost a second husband to Discord now, Karialla. When will you realise that violence is no path to follow? You must acknowledge that, return to the One Circle, do penance and submit yourself to the will of the gods.’
He sounded pleased by the idea that her husband was dead, she thought angrily. She thrust him away from her, unable to bear him standing so close. ‘Deverith isn’t dead. He lies unconscious from exhaustion because he gave his life energy to save us all from the raiders. Our Brother the God spoke through my husband today.’ Her voice was filled with scorn as she looked at Rojan. ‘Such honour isn’t given to sinful people. Do you always judge a person guilty before hearing what’s happened? And where were you when we went to save our town?’
‘I was here, praying. It’s my prayers which have saved you all today.’
People pushed past him, ignoring him, and Karialla saw the anger at that flare in his eyes, swiftly hidden. She also felt the darkness weighing down his soul very clearly at that moment and was suddenly certain he was the one who had warned Gerrell about the townsfolk’s foray against the raiders. Why she felt so certain, she couldn’t think, or fathom the reason he had for doing that. Mere financial gain? Surely
that wasn’t enough to make him betray the other townsfolk and bring mayhem back into their lives?
One day, perhaps, she would prove that Rojan wasn’t a proper person to lead others, but at the moment he was too entrenched in both the Circle and the town to be accused of anything without very clear proof. But he wouldn’t gain any power in her temple, she vowed. Never.
Other townsfolk came up to them and Rojan stepped back a few paces, standing watching with a scowl.
Evril paused beside Karialla to shout joyfully to the bystanders, ‘We routed them. Drove them out for good and all.
It was Deverith who did it.’
The tale of it would be told and re-told that night, she thought with satisfaction, and for many nights to come.
Recounting such stories, turning them into legends, was a favourite Tenebrani pastime.
She raised her voice. ‘Discord is truly ended now in Tenebrak, my friends. We’ve been led to the beginning of a new path in life.’ She, who had never wanted power or prominence, seemed possessed with the need to speak today, to seize the moment, to start leading people towards better times.
But at her words, the dark, burly figure pushed through the bystanders to loom over her again.
‘That’s mere imagination!’ Rojan stated in the way he had of loudly refuting any possibility of disagreement with his views and pronouncements. ‘You grow conceited, Karialla, and as First Elect, I must bring you back to reason.’ He turned to address those around them. ‘Fellow townsfolk, in the One Circle . . . ’
Peto stepped forward, glaring across at Rojan. ‘You shut your mouth!’ he growled. ‘Where were you when we were facing them bullies, eh? Hiding here in town, that’s where. So you haven’t earned the right to speak out today.’
Rojan drew himself up. ‘I was here praying for your success. That’s why you’ve returned triumphant.’
Peto spat on the ground. ‘Ah. Very useful, that praying of yours!’ A titter ran round the crowd and he added, ‘Useful to you, anyway. It stops you facing real danger. Well, we saw something special today and I, for one, will never forget it.
Nor will I forget that you weren’t there to help us!’ Then he turned and walked across to where Deverith was sitting on a bench, smiling at their exchange. He felt proud to help such an illustrious man to walk slowly back to the healers’
house.
Karialla followed, feeling exhausted but exhilarated. Where this day’s work would lead, she knew not, but she was
Shannah Jay TENEBRAK97
certain it was worth striving to create a better world for those yet unborn.
The Tenebrani who had been on the foray ignored Rojan and those who’d remained behind in the town continued to push past him, ignoring him, jostling him, eager to learn every detail of the fight. Those who had been at the confrontation with Gerrell’s raiders were just as eager to share their news and to claim a little credit for themselves about the part they’d played, so tongues were soon wagging to some purpose, at the inn and in the homes of the victors.
And continued to wag until late into the night, for they’d seen wonders that day and were keen to tell of them. And embellish them - just a little.
Rojan was left standing alone at the side of the street, fists clenched, glaring after them. He muttered something under his breath and walked back to his meeting house, anger burning within him. And he didn’t go out again that night.
CHAPTER 25….The Future Beckons
After the evening meal a few days later, those who lived in the Healers’ Court sat on around the table, chatting about their plans for the future.
Sarann fingered the uncut stones Deverith had given her and grinned. ‘If these are genuine, they’ll be worth a fortune. I can sell some here, to the Crafters’ Courts, but if we want to get the highest prices, we’ll have to sell some in other places as well. The best master silversmith left here is Ruslith and he’s not got much coin to spare, though he’ll want a few of these, I’m sure. He needs to build up his whole stock again and wait for his richer clients to come out of hiding.’
She frowned in thought. ‘My parents didn’t deal in jewels, but if my relatives are still alive in Setherak, they’ll know how best to sell the rest.’
‘Why didn’t you seek refuge with them during the Discord Wars, instead of going out to one of the settlements?’
Niam asked, ever one to hunt out the full tale.
‘I didn’t have much choice. The deleff took me to Yarrak, and I certainly couldn’t leave there and take to the road alone. I was only ten, remember.’
Niam was still frowning. ‘I thought you traders didn’t like to settle down. How is it you have relatives who live in the town?’
Sarann grinned. ‘Some settle down; some don’t. Not all traders’ children want to ride the roads. What’s more, the deleff don’t come to everyone who wants to go trading, so some have no choice. But my father’s uncle settled down in Setherak by preference. He went there long before Discord began, as an apprentice to a jeweller. We used to visit the family sometimes on our rounds.’
‘We’ll follow your advice,’ Karialla said. ‘I know nothing about trading.’
‘I’ll do my best for you, I promise. After I sell some of the gemstones to Ruslith, I’ll go on the road again - well, I will as soon as I get a wagon.’ Sarann scowled, frustration in every line of her body. ‘I’m aching to travel again.’
For all the need to sell the gems, Deverith couldn’t help asking, ‘Do you think it’s wise to travel alone, Sarann? After all, there will still be groups of raiders between here and Setherak.’
She shrugged. ‘The deleff will tell me if there’s any danger. I know the signs to look for. I’ve always understood deleff. If my father had only listened to me, they’d have saved us.’ She sighed. ‘Well, no use repeating the same old tale, is it? But I can’t do anything till I get a wagon. The trouble is, it’d take a long time to build a new one. I have my deleff now and they’re ready to leave!’
‘Something will happen.’ Karialla patted her shoulder.
Sarann let out a snort of exasperation. ‘But when? Anyway, I wonder if anyone in Tenebrak still knows how to build a wagon properly.
Deverith looked round the table. ‘Let’s all meditate together. It’s no use sitting and fretting. We must clear our minds and ask our Brother the God for help.’
They moved into another room where a beautiful hanging, a gift from a grateful patient with a gift for weaving, covered one wall and a circular bright-coloured rug, which Sarann had bargained for at the market, invited the feet to walk across it. They sat down round the edges of the rug and at Deverith’s nod, they reached out to clasp each other’s hands.
When the circle had been completed, they let themselves relax utterly, expecting to find peace, as usual. But tonight things were a little different. A sensation gradually built up around them as if something were humming just out of their hearing. Everyone’s breathing slowed down. Niam’s stern expression softened, Sarann’s ebullience subsided, and Heth and Ferilla lost their earnest, slightly worried expressions.
Very softly, the deleff Risslin and her new mate Mazar approached the window to share the moment.
Shannah Jay TENEBRAK98
It was a while before any of them stirred. As they were stretching their cramped muscles, Sarann blew out her breath loudly and asked, ‘Hey, what happened? It felt different today.’
Karialla stared around, her eyes still unfocused. ‘It was something new. We should call it a gathering, I think, for it felt as if we had all become very close to one another. Did you enjoy it?’
Sarann nodded vigorously. ‘I surely did! Makes you feel relaxed and yet ready for anything, doesn’t it? And look!
Risslin and Mazar came to be near us.’
Leaping to her feet, she went outside through the open doors that led out to the garden. She stroked the deleff’s great heads and snouts, then, as the ruff of skin around Risslin’s neck unfurled, she laid her hands al
ong each side of the great grey head.
‘Hey!’ she exclaimed a moment later. ‘I just got a picture of a group of people doing that gathering thing. They were all wearing blue, with blue headbands, too, like people sometimes wear on festival days. Any of you seen people dressed like that?’ She looked at the deleff. ‘Am I supposed to go and find them?’
Risslin snorted and shook her head from side to side, her shyer mate following suit behind her.
‘The deleff have shown me pictures of those people, too,’ Karialla admitted. ‘They’re the ones who’ll live in our temple. You were probably seeing our temple in the future.’
‘Ah.’
‘You don’t seem very surprised.’
‘Well, I’m not really. Deleff have always known things no one else does, so maybe they can see the future, too.
Right, Risslin?’ She slapped the massive neck.
The deleff bobbed her head up and down, so that the tiny grey scales that covered it glimmered in the light of the two near-full moons shining that night. Then the ruff refurled and Risslin and her mate moved away to the far end of the garden. They spent most of their time there in the area beneath a great spreading tree, whose drooping branches concealed them from the curious gaze of passers-by. They only went out to forage for food on the town meadow in the very early morning. There, shiverleaf shrubs, the favourite food of deleff, had been planted long ago to cater for the visiting teams of traders, and the shrubs were still growing, most having survived Discord.
***
The following day there was an uneasy air about the Healers’ Court. As the hours passed, they could hear Risslin trampling restlessly to and fro in the garden and she showed no signs of settling down.
Sarann looked out of the window after the midday meal, her expression anguished. ‘See! I told you how restless she was getting. She’s ready to leave. She’s been hanging around here a long time, for a deleff. They really prefer to be on the road and they don’t like to stay in towns for more than a day or two.’
Niam frowned. ‘Well, apart from having no wagon, you can’t go travelling on your own.’
