by Lara Morgan
‘What I wouldn’t give to be able to speak to them,’ Morfessa muttered. Amandine moved to stand just behind Ivar’s shoulder, glaring at the serpent. There was a creak of stretched leather as the soldiers drew their bows and took aim. Asrith blew out dust and turned a questioning eye to them, and it seemed to Tuon there was something like a smirk in her look.
Ivar stood very still with that same calm concentration she had seen the first day she’d met him.
‘Well, what does she say?’ Amandine said.
Ivar ignored him for a long moment. Tuon felt the tension rising among the men and exchanged a glance with Morfessa.
‘It’s all right,’ he whispered, ‘the Seducers have them under control.’ He inclined his head and Tuon saw that Bernal and Sinan were no longer with them but were standing nearer the soldiers. They may have those twenty men in their sights, but what about the thousands behind them, she wondered.
‘Well?’ Amandine snapped. Asrith lowered her head slightly in the general’s direction, the colours of her crest quivering dark blue. He didn’t flinch. ‘Tell me what she said.’ He looked at Ivar.
‘She says Azoth’s war is starting. His army has almost reached the lower lands beyond the dead mountains. He brings death.’
‘You see,’ Veila said. ‘We told you Lorgon’s claim was false, Amandine. And you have thousands more soldiers here who might help Rorc.’
‘It is the word of a serpent!’ the general replied. ‘How do we know it’s truth?’
‘She would not lie,’ Ivar said.
‘You can ignore this no longer,’ Nilah said. ‘You must broker for peace with the Free Lands and go to Rorc’s aid. As the Guardian, I command you to do this, Amandine.’
The look he gave her was patronising. ‘You signed the order to go to this war, Guardian. And only a full council order can stop it now.’
‘The council of Salmut is defunct! Lorgon has committed treason, I told you that. He orchestrated the murder of my mother and intended to do the same to me. He has no standing on the council anymore — there is no more council — and you will follow my orders!’ Nilah’s cheeks were pink with anger, but she stared Amandine down, her tone icy.
The soldiers glanced from one to the other, some lowering their weapons.
Amandine, however, only smiled nastily. ‘And what will you do if I don’t? This army will not follow you — a child woman with no notion of war.’
Nilah paled and Tuon thought she might slap him.
‘Just how much of the Free Lands’ mining profits did Lorgon promise you should you win this war for him?’ Morfessa’s voice rang out. ‘And an estate as well, was there? Did he offer you a nice little land holding of your own in the lush pastures over the ranges? Is that your real reason for continuing this futile war, Amandine?’
Amandine went very still and narrowed his gaze at him. ‘Fine accusations coming from a drunk … Advisor.’
‘But true nevertheless,’ Morfessa said.
‘And who would believe you? The Guardian herself accused and executed a Free Lander for her mother’s murder. It is her folly that has led to this war, and hers alone. I merely follow her earlier commands.’
‘I was manipulated!’ Nilah exclaimed.
‘That is not my concern.’ Amandine looked at her with distaste.
‘What you are doing makes no sense, general,’ Veila said. ‘Even if you win this war, what will you have? Without your army joining the fight against Azoth, we have little hope of winning. He will defeat the army Rorc has assembled against him and turn his warriors on Salmut. Even Lorgon cannot defeat a god. You will have nothing — Azoth will take everything.’
‘If Rorc was so sure of dying, why did he leave in the first place?’ the general said.
‘Because he had no choice.’
Asrith suddenly snorted, blowing dust over everyone so they could no longer speak for choking on it. As she coughed, Tuon glimpsed Ivar facing the serpent again, speaking to her silently.
‘Cursed beast!’ Amandine spat on the ground as the dust cleared. ‘Why don’t —’
‘Stop!’ Ivar’s voice was surprisingly loud. ‘Asrith says this is pointless.’ He turned to them, his dark hair red with dust. ‘None of this matters anymore — who fights, who does not — it is all coming to the same thing.’ He gazed at Tuon. ‘She has been with Shaan, Arak-si, beloved of the Father. It was Shaan who sent her to seek you out.’
‘Me?’ Tuon said.
‘Yes. And Nilah, Veila and Morfessa also. Asrith says Shaan told her there is nothing more you can do. The Guides have spoken to her.’
‘But where?’ Tuon cried. ‘Where is she? Is she all right?’
Ivar smiled. ‘She is … as well as can be hoped for. Asrith says she is no longer with her brother.’
‘Why not?’ Tuon exchanged a worried look with Veila.
‘What are you talking about?’ Amandine exploded, but Ivar ignored him.
‘She says Shaan has said to tell you the Prophet’s words are true and you must let her fulfil them. Also you must flee, hide until it is over. She has sent Asrith for that reason.’ He looked at Veila. ‘The Four are together again and will follow the Stone. She says she will make sure they have it.’
‘Azoth,’ Veila murmured, and looked with sadness at Tuon. ‘She is with him then.’
‘Are you talking about the descendant?’ Amandine said. ‘Is that what all this is about, those two desert dwellers?’
‘Only Tallis was raised in the Clans,’ Veila said, with some distaste, ‘and yes, that is who we mean. Shaan is mentioned often in the Prophet’s scrolls.’
‘Never heard of them,’ he said.
‘No, I doubt you have, but they are important nevertheless.’
‘So this serpent has come to tell you this?’ Amandine demanded. ‘That this girl has gone with her god?’
‘Yes, the god who has declared war on all of us, a war the likes of which you have never seen,’ Morfessa snapped. ‘Are you stupid, man? Do you not see what is happening?’
‘I see enough,’ Amandine said. ‘And if there is a greater war to fight I will fight it … on the council’s orders. I will not move thousands of men and forgo a solid plan of victory on the word of a serpent or a child who cannot make up her mind. If I hear from the council that Azoth is back and a threat, I will go.’
‘And what about Rorc?’ Morfessa said. ‘Do you think he has taken all of the Faithful and the riders out of the city for no reason? Do you think he goes to fight a figment of his imagination?’
‘No.’ Amandine looked at him coldly. ‘For all I know he has gone to plot against the council — or perhaps to join the Fallen, if he is indeed back as you claim. I never liked the man much — too many secrets.’
‘I assure you the feeling was mutual!’ Morfessa said.
‘Morfessa,’ Veila cut in, ‘you’re wasting your breath.’
‘And my time.’ Amandine addressed his captains. ‘Back to the command tent; we have a war to carry out.’ He turned his back on Asrith and the rest of them and strode back to the camp, followed by his captains and soldiers.
‘I can’t say that was unexpected,’ Morfessa.
‘A waste of time.’ Nilah folded her arms.
‘Yes,’ Veila said, ‘but you spoke well, Nilah. There is no more you can do here.’
Tuon was filled with fear. She could not stop thinking of what Ivar said Shaan had done. Her friend was supposed to be safe, with Tallis, with Rorc. Her insides twisted. How would she tell her now what she knew?
‘Veila.’ She appealed to the Seer. ‘We cannot just leave. I think … I figured something out from the scrolls, about Shaan, and what she must do. We must get word to her!’
The older woman frowned and Tuon quickly told her what she had discovered. Veila’s expression became sadder as she listened, but when Tuon repeated again that they must send a message or find her themselves she only shook her head.
‘I’m sorry, Tuon, but it would not reac
h her even if we tried.’
Tuon saw then that there was no surprise in the Seer’s eyes. ‘You knew,’ she said, and Veila nodded.
‘You will let Shaan be lost to the Void?’
Veila’s eyes were filled with compassion but her tone was firm. ‘We must, Tuon. Think of what would happen if we did not.’
‘But she could die!’
‘Everyone may die.’ The Seer’s gaze hardened. ‘But remember, you may have found a way to get her back.’
‘Tuon,’ Ivar said quietly. ‘Shaan also sent a message just for you; she says you must go to safety and that she is relying on you to be the one who can convince those she loves that what she does must be done. That there is no other way. She said she needs you to remember that when all others doubt her.’
Tuon could not believe they would let this happen, that the Seer had known of the danger in splitting the Birthstone and not told her.
‘It was what she was made for,’ Morfessa said. ‘Don’t let your friend’s faith in you be broken. Come with us. Do what she asks.’
Tuon felt numb. Only Nilah came to her aid.
‘If you want to go and find her, I will go with you,’ she said, putting a hand on her shoulder. ‘We will go to the battle. If she is with Azoth she must go there. Maybe we can find a way to stop her.’
‘No!’ Both Veila and Morfessa spoke together, and Morfessa’s voice was angry. ‘You cannot think of doing that,’ he said.
‘Shaan is my friend,’ Nilah said.
‘Then be her friend and do as she asks,’ Morfessa said.
Ivar spoke up. ‘I am sorry, Guardian, but whatever your will, Asrith will not take you there and I can’t make her.’
‘What?’ Nilah looked at him.
‘Shaan instructed her to take you to a particular place of safety and that is the only place she will go.’
‘Then we will go on foot,’ Nilah said.
Veila said, ‘That is noble, Nilah, but of no help. It is too far; you would never get there in time. Shaan sent Asrith to us to keep you safe because she knows that is what Rorc would want. If Azoth wins, the people will need their Guardian, Nilah. You must survive this war, not put yourself in danger of perishing in it.’
‘You must go into hiding,’ Morfessa said. ‘And I’m sorry, Tuon, but so must you.’
Nilah looked frustrated and defeated all at once, but Tuon only felt a weary numbness. There was no way out of this; Veila was right. She would not get there in time on foot and a message bird would have little chance of finding Shaan now she was with Azoth. Hers had been a fool’s hope.
‘But where shall we go?’ Nilah said.
‘The only place Azoth cannot,’ Ivar said, ‘the desert.’
‘We won’t all fit on the serpent,’ Tuon said quietly.
‘No.’ Ivar’s dark eyes were filled with understanding. ‘You and I will travel on muthu with the men of the Faithful and she will come back for us after she has delivered the Guardian, Veila and Morfessa to safety.’
***
As the sliver of moon rose and the army’s fires lit up the night sky, Nilah, Veila and Morfessa mounted the serpent.
‘Take care,’ Nilah said as she embraced Tuon. ‘We’ll see you in the desert.’
Tuon hugged the young woman. Nilah had changed a great deal since they’d started out and she was almost fond of her. ‘See you soon,’ she said, pulling back with a small smile.
Asrith crouched and launched into the night, becoming a shadow in the dark. Tuon stood looking up after them until Ivar nudged her arm.
‘Come, the men are ready,’ he said, and she saw Alezo standing with the muthu they had ridden to the camp. He boosted her up on the muthu’s back and they set off immediately, the tents of the army soon a sea of grey behind them, and the world a place of darkness as they raced toward the desert.
***
Standing on the crest of the hill, Paretim surveyed the low plains and valleys spread before him. Earlier that day they had crossed the fertile basin of the river the humans now called Pleth and had reached the flatter land beyond. There were fewer people here, the towns spread further apart, the air drier and the soil dustier. Vail had become taciturn with the heat. He had never liked being away from the water.
‘I feel it coming closer,’ Fortuse put a hand on his arm, her fingers stroking up and down.
He flicked her away. ‘It is closer,’ he said. ‘He’s moving.’
‘He has it.’ She spat the words and behind her Epherin giggled.
‘Sister, you know you should learn to share,’ he said. She ran down the incline to where he lounged on the ground, but Vail stopped her before she had even begun. He caught her and lifted her off the ground to pin her against his massive chest.
‘Thank you, brother,’ Paretim said. He had begun to weary of his sister’s erratic behaviour as they came closer to their quarry. Always she had been the one more attuned to the Stone. It would be a relief when she was finally able to touch it again. A relief for them all. He rolled his shoulders, the ache of loss a physical pain inside. It saddened him to think of what they must do to their youngest brother because he could not learn to control himself. But he could not be allowed to do this again.
And he, too, must hold again that piece of power in his hand, feel again the peace of its humming.
‘Get up,’ he snapped at Epherin. ‘We have a way to go yet.’
Epherin rose to his feet with a grin. ‘As you say, brother, but don’t forget it is my fleetness that enables us to travel so far so fast.’
‘No, it is the combination of our minds that allows you to channel that power.’ Paretim grabbed him around the neck and Epherin lost his grin, glowering, his eyes becoming dark purple, his lip curling.
‘Don’t push me, brother,’ he snarled.
‘Don’t tempt me.’ Paretim set his lips and spread his other arm out as Vail joined them, still carrying a glaring Fortuse. Paretim felt his control slipping and breathed deeply to recover it. Yes, it would be so much easier when they were one with the Stone again.
He put his arm around Vail, who let Fortuse go so she could complete the joining. She almost hissed at Vail as she clutched at Epherin’s waist so that they stood in a line, each connected to the others.
‘Now, brother.’ Paretim loosened his hold on his brother’s neck. ‘Run with us.’
For a moment Epherin simply stood with his eyes closed and Paretim felt the welling of his power, the drawing of his own and the others’ until it almost, almost was something like the perfect humming of the Stone in his blood. Then, in a sudden explosive movement, Epherin pulled them forward and they were running, sprinting, almost flying, fast across the earth.
Chapter 49
Shaan stood at the tent entrance, looking out across the plains toward where she knew Balkis and her family must be. The ache in her heart was hard to bear when she thought how close they were. Her family. The word still felt strange to her, but that was how she thought of them now. Rorc, Mailun and Tallis. Her kin. Joined by real blood ties, not what Azoth sought to thrust on her. She’d once thought family would be a restriction, a burden of care, but now she wasn’t so sure. Would the Four come in time to save them? Were they even close? She wished she could feel them, wished she could know, but all she had was her faith that what Sabut had told her was possible could come to pass. She was on the edge of ending this nightmare — or at least that was what Sabut had told her. Deliver the Stone, save Azoth’s life; that was all she had to do. Simple really.
And what he hadn’t told her to do: split the Stone.
She clenched her left hand into a fist and saw the skin stretched tight over her knuckles, the faint trace of veins. It throbbed with power, dark and light. She had taken a man’s life with it and knew she’d only used a part of that power to do it. But was it enough to challenge the Stone, and was it the right thing to do? Still she wasn’t sure, but maybe she would be when she met the Four. Something told her that when she saw them, s
he’d know if it was really safe to leave the Stone in their hands or not.
She opened her palm and took in a long breath. The day was clear and hot and Azoth’s army spread across the plain like a disease on the land. The Scanorians gathered in groups, some of them chanting in a language she couldn’t understand, their harsh, rhythmic cries making her skin crawl. The people Azoth had forced to join him were herded together, guarded by serpents, and the despair on their faces was obvious. Some of them had chosen to die rather than join, but many had not. The method of execution for those who rebelled had been more than enough incentive to stop them. The limbs torn apart by his Alhanti, intestines spilled on the ground, the screams of the dying — such was Azoth’s war.
‘Mistress,’ the slave woman whispered.
‘I know.’ She had already felt Azoth’s eyes on her. She looked at him. The pavilion billowed slightly in a warm breeze, the thin hide flapping against the wooden poles on either side of her. It had been erected on a rise and he was standing below with his Alhanti generals. She didn’t move. The woman stepped back a pace until she was in the shadow of the tent. Azoth raised a hand and beckoned her, saying something to the Alhanti at his side. The three of them strode away, snarling out orders to nearby Scanorians as they went. Azoth ignored them, looking at her expectantly. She hated the way his gaze ran over her body in the dress he’d given her. His look was covetous, proprietary. It made her want to slap him.
She spoke to the serving woman. ‘Could you find me something else to wear?’ she said. ‘Something similar to what you have.’ She pointed to the woman’s loose, flowing pants and short-sleeved shirt.
‘He won’t like it,’ she said.
‘You let me worry about that.’
The woman’s mouth pinched. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
