It took on colour and moved to a point roughly four sals above the lake and then it enlarged magnificently.
Torrullin laughed and spread his hands to create a cushion of warm air under the lowering Dome. He had no need to guide anything; Belun was exactly on target.
Two minutes later it settled on the water and the Dragon ogive, by some twist of fate, bumped tranquilly against the island on the lake. The loud hum ceased and the Dome bobbed as if it had always been there.
Belun stood within the arch of his ogive, pale and shaking.
Torrullin retrieved him, laid healing hands against his ears, and then both were whooping, laughing and crying like wildly excited teenagers.
The Dome had come to Sanctuary.
The next day was the day of meeting.
“SAMUEL’S DEATH PUT a halt to my investigations in Grinwallin.”
Belun now knew everything. “There are a few hours left before the meeting.”
“Grinwallin needs more than a few hours. What of the others?” Torrullin asked.
The Centuar mentioned that Kaval stopped by and then expanded on Declan and Prima’s visit. “A man called Sabian. Declan tested him at the console.”
“Pass?”
“Oh, yes, but I don’t trust him. He’s too prepared.”
“Caballa and I speculated he might be Agnimus.”
Belun frowned. “Sabian may be a plant, but he isn’t Agnimus. There was an openness, if you know what I mean.”
“Prepared openness?”
A moment of silence. “All right - granted.”
“What is eating you, Belun?”
The Centuar sighed and sipped at his coffee. Day gave way to night and the roaring fire barely kept the chill of winter at bay. “He spoke a prophecy about Assint and Mahler.”
“The horses become men who were taken before they were ready for hair and staff.”
“You knew?”
“It was not time to retrieve them before, old friend.”
Belun hung his great head. “Is it now?”
“It will be soon. The Syllvan granted them leave to return some time ago.”
“Really?” Shining eyes.
Torrullin wearily exhaled. “They are to retrieve themselves, at a time when they are needed most. I believe it is soon.”
Belun sucked at his teeth and then smiled. “I will live in hope, then, and look forward to having friends returned.”
Torrullin nodded, but did not say more. He was bone tired. “I am off to get sleep. For once I know I need it.”
“Yeah, likewise.”
Soon the villa was silent.
Lax
JIMINI EXTRICATED HERSELF from Ilse’s embrace.
The Laxian was particularly sensual in the night and she would be lying if she said she had not enjoyed the encounter. Jimini, a lover of women - who would have thought?
She looked down on the sleeping woman. Ilse was pretty - a nasty piece of work, but decidedly pretty - and sexy. And Ilse was lonely. The Ymirian rep was a come-to-bed beacon to this woman and Jimini, as Idori, had not fought the lure too hard.
Jimini slipped from the bedchamber. It was time to leave; she had what she came for. As she moved stealthily down the stairs, careful not to disturb Ilse’s guards, she wondered what would come of the deal between Lax and Icari Catu. Would Lax kick up a stink over a reneged deal? Would Catu wreak havoc in the aftermath or would Catu see an opportunity handed to him on a silver platter?
Who cared?
In silence, unobserved, Jimini left Lax and was thankful in the leaving.
Lax would never be pleasant.
Lintusillem
MINOS HANDED JONAS A transcript of his findings, his expression unreadable.
Jonas eagerly paged through it and then stared up at his brother. “What?” he managed.
“Based on what I was given, and also pure gut instinct, that’s it. If I had more time …”
“Gods, Minos, do you know what this stuff means?”
“I reckon it’s not quite kosher, but no, I don’t know and I don’t want to … okay?”
Jonas heaved a sigh. “Fine. Thanks for … everything.”
“No problem.”
“I’ll be back soon, I promise.”
Minos smiled. “Do that. We’ll have tea.”
Jonas groaned and then gripped his brother to him, and left for Sanctuary.
Xen III
CHAIM, FUMA AND AMUNTI heaved sighs of relief when Jimini waltzed in.
The four were soon in deep discussion.
In the next room Reel was also relieved. A safe mission and no doubt the results pertaining to his investigation would be given him later. He watched darkness fall over Xen. His wife would be back tomorrow; fortunately his guests would be leaving. He had cleaning up to do, for his wife was to suspect nothing of his role as informer to Elixir.
He frowned, thinking of Erin. She came, asking after Lowen Dalrish. He told her what he knew and promised to say nothing of her visit to the men next door.
Was Lowen in trouble?
Titania
THEY WERE OUT OF TIME.
The point came where material needed collation, and each had to concentrate on what the task demanded of him.
Shenendo quickly sat with his hands in his hair. Galarth, taking pity on him, suggested Shenendo type while he worded his own report and then he would help him in turn. It went smoothly from there.
Ignatius, for his part, no longer heard the other two; he bent single-mindedly to his collation.
Sanctuary
DECLAN RETURNED FROM Nemisin’s world two days ago; Sabian did not know what the result was.
Instead he still faced Prima’s exhausting regime of questions.
Finally they left him in peace and he wandered outside, never out of sight, while Declan and Prima conferred the day before the meeting.
Declan regarded his mission as a failure, but Prima believed his could be seen as successful.
All three went to bed early; Sabian did not know where he was going in the morning, and neither did Prima or Declan.
Somewhere
ERIN SAT HUNCHED ON the ground, eyes closed.
From Xen to Titania to Luvanor - the Academia - to Sanctuary … to here.
Lowen stumbled upon something in the Dome and that brought her here, and led ultimately to her disappearance.
Erin bit at her lip.
The telling would not be easy.
NOT FAR AWAY FROM Erin there was Quilla, although the two were entirely unaware of each other.
Quilla stared up at the towering rock over him. Here the stones had long been quiet, but they were singing now.
He sighed, and found the resolve to face Torrullin.
Valaris
Valla Island
CABALLA ASKED FOR AND received permission to instruct the heirs in Valleur history, those matters of personality and politics always somewhat absent from Valleur memories.
The three were seconded to her and she chose the Palace in the Western Isles to commence a regime of lectures. Initially all three were agreeable, for anything would suffice to take their minds from Samuel’s death and funeral, and Torrullin’s subsequent departure, but it was not long before they balked, Tianoman most of all.
She stood with her arms akimbo before them. “Less than a month from now one of you will be Vallorin. These are intricacies you must know.”
“We know already,” Tianoman muttered.
“I am not disputing that,” Caballa thundered, “but I sense gaps. You, Tian, tell me why Miniato broke the sceptre on a rock in a raging river.”
“It was in flood?” Tianoman joked, but no one laughed. “All right! The sceptre was regarded as a crutch, and Miniato had enough.”
“Right. Why?”
“What do you mean why?”
“Why had he enough?”
“Folk were worshipping the sceptre, not the ruler?”
“Yes, and?”
Tianoman
shrugged.
“Aha!” Caballa pounced. “Miniato began to worship the sceptre himself! He mistrusted his hereditary abilities. The sceptre, after all, spoke sufficiently of his status. Dare not ever lose that thing, it will be a disaster!” She paused. “He then had a dream of the sceptre eating him alive and upon waking saw the staff for what it was - inanimate and without magic, a crutch. He rid himself of it, and also rid the Valleur of a dangerous precedence. Did you know that?”
Tianoman was suitably cowed.
“He erected a small obelisk in the centre of the river,” Tristan said. “A monument to foolishness. By the next moon the Valleur left the territory. A monument, after all, can become a crutch also.”
Caballa was pleased. “Excellent.”
Teroux gaped at his cousin. “I never read that.”
“Oracles, Teroux,” Tristan grinned.
Teroux pulled a face. “Oh, right.”
Tianoman laughed. “Apparently your father wasn’t too fond of the Oracles either.”
Caballa smiled. “But you adored them as a child, Teroux.” The Oracles were the eleven volumes detailing Valleur history, magic and culture; an unequalled Valleur treasure.
“They meant nothing after my father died.”
“Besides, my father virtually stole them.” Tristan gave a rueful laugh and Caballa noticed it was easier now than it was for him yesterday. “He was always bent over them and we had to make appointments to have a go.”
Tianoman giggled. “Remember that time I spilled berry sauce?” He smacked his thighs, doubling over.
Teroux fell into the diversion. “Thought Samuel would find his magic that day and turn you into a toad!”
Caballa laughed with them and then brought the meeting back under control. “Right, boys, we are moving on to Valleur monuments seeing as we have …”
All three groaned, but she had made her point.
Sanctuary
IT WAS A STRANGE sight, the massive Dome on the water.
The Dome was made smaller in the light of atmosphere and yet it towered over the highest tree and brought the surrounding peaks down to size. A thing of tangible magic, it seemed more vulnerable, as if sunlight highlighted faults, not beauty. In vacuum it was a shining star, a beckoning twinkle, a crystal of intricate beauty; on the surface it was opaque, deflecting light rather than reflecting. Yet it was still beautiful. It had artistry in its planes and arches, in the transparent upper port, and its opaqueness rendered it more mysterious. Even the dark centre point beckoned, the capstone summoning one to unravel ancient secrets.
Mystery, as most knew, held great attraction.
Torrullin and Belun stood on the lawn before the villa, staring at it. Snow fell in the night, a light sprinkling, and the sun was out causing Sanctuary to appear glorious in her white guise. The Dome was lit, prisms shimmering between water, snow and crystal.
It was inspiring.
A tear rolled over Belun’s cheek.
Torrullin looked away from the great curve on the water. “A gift, this is.”
The Centuar nodded.
“The others will be arriving soon.”
Belun pointed. “There’s Declan.”
The Siric was unmistakeable. He alighted, and then halted in awe. A moment later his fantastic wings soared out in homage and he bowed low before the might of the Dome.
“Show off,” Belun muttered.
Then Declan strode up the rise to the villa. He came to a halt before the two. “It is … it really is …” He glanced over his shoulder. “I have not the words. Well done, Belun.”
“Thank you, but I needed help.” A grin in Torrullin’s direction.
“Declan, you are early,” Torrullin murmured.
“Ah, yes. It is about a man called Sabian. Prima and I are not sure what to do with him. He is helping …”
“Caballa told me. Where is he now?”
“Thibis. You and Caballa, you are …?”
“We are fine.” A smile underscored that simple statement.
“I am glad.”
“Likewise. Now, Sabian. Can you leave him in Thibis?”
“Yes, but we might need him here.”
“Not in the Dome meeting. If you must, bring him to the villa.”
The Siric bowed. “We will be here shortly.” He left.
“Will you tell him you have a suspicion Sabian is Agnimus?” Belun asked.
“It is only a suspicion, and I want to see this character for myself. Let this Sabian think he is safe, and he may be observed unobtrusively.”
“I mustn’t say a word?”
“Declan will want to haul the truth from the man immediately, and thus we gain little. If he is a plant, or worse, we could use it to our advantage.”
Belun grinned.
Chapter 19
Where did reality go, friend? Are you not chasing spooks out from the closet?
~ Tattle
The Dome
TORRULLIN STOOD AT THE console of lights as one by one the Kaval entered.
He charged Belun with receiving Sabian - preferring to leave that conundrum until after the meeting - and noted Declan come in with Prima a second behind him. Half a minute later the Centuar joined them.
Jimini, Chaim, Fuma and Amunti entered together, and then came Quilla, sombre, in a lull. Shenendo, Galarth and Ignatius came next, with Erin on their heels. Jonas came last and sat at the marble conference slab, not meeting anyone’s eyes.
All was quiet.
Torrullin studied them. There was sombreness, reluctance and seriousness.
The news was not good.
“Kaval, welcome. Before we hear reports, let us take a moment to thank Belun for bringing the Dome safely out of orbit.”
There was a decided lift in the atmosphere.
“Yeah, Belun, well done!” Shenendo called out. “Man, it’s amazing in sunlight!”
“Whippersnapper,” Prima mumbled, but smiled. “Good job, Centuar.”
Other remarks came forth and Belun stood and took a bow. “My Lord Elixir did help.”
“At the last minute,” Torrullin said, also smiling.
Belun bowed again and sat, preparing to play second ear to the coming reports. He possessed objectivity, not having been tasked with research.
Attention went to the console.
“Varied reports make for varied perceptions, and at this time it is unlikely we can find sequence.” Torrullin frowned at them. “Who among you regards his or her mission as failed?”
Declan rose. “I do.”
Erin stood as well. “My mission changed focus.”
“And the rest of you believed you were successful?” Nods greeted that. “Excellent. Declan, Erin, you will report last. Chaim, will you begin?”
The bent old man rose as Declan and Erin sat. “My Lord Elixir, I was charged with finding the potential of a countering army that may or may not be gathering momentum in small units of resistance. I would like to state now such an army indeed gathers, and would add the units are larger than expected, and well-armed. Whether they are trained soldiers with stomach for bloody war is open to interpretation.”
“Where are they gathering?”
“All over, but the largest and most organised is on Lax. Jimini went in as an Ymirian weapons dealer and emerged with considerable information. All has been checked with my sources.” Chaim sat and pointed at Jimini.
She looked to the console and rose. “My Lord, after Grinwallin I was at a loose end and decided to aid Chaim …” She paused, but Torrullin did not react. “Turns out Chaim, Fuma and Amunti overlapped in their tasks and Lax held answers for all three. Briefly, Ilse is at the head of a large weapons import cartel on Lax. She admitted to making good gain in bringing weapons from Xen …”
“How is Xen involved?”
“Stowed weapons from dome times now finding buyers,” Chaim said. “They are on it there. The Peacekeeper authorised a massive raid two hours ago.”
Torrullin nodded and ges
tured at Jimini.
“Ilse imports from Beacon, Ceta, Ymir, Yltri, Phenu …”
“Excuse me?” Ignatius growled.
“Sorry, Iggy, but even Phenu has criminals,” Jimini said without looking at him. She went on. “The largest stash comes from Excelsior, however. Seems Excelsior has a bone to pick with Beacon and have been told the weapons are to force the Beaconites to cease exploitation. They are being duped.”
“Beacon must be informed.”
“Peacekeeper Maximillian requested a meeting with Beacon’s ambassador on Xen,” Chaim informed.
Jimini said, “Excelsior trades in nukes, my Lord.”
Torrullin swore. “How many have changed hands?”
“Too many.”
“Damn it. Go on.”
“Ilse is the middleman, so to speak. She procures the weapons and passes them on to a man called Axel Red. I haven’t seen this Axel, but am told he is a soldier born and bred. He isn’t Laxian, although nobody could say where he’s from. Axel apparently has a stronghold in the mountains, well-guarded, and clean.”
Jimini pulled a face as if she could not believe the latter. “Ilse has imported so many weapons the unit strength on Lax alone must number thousands, and Axel apparently sends weaponry on to other worlds, again using Ilse’s contacts.” She glanced at Fuma, who nodded at her. “And it appears Axel is the source of the rumours about Sanctuary’s army and the Three Kingdom plot.” She gave a shrug and sat.
Amunti rose. “Fuma and I tracked the rumours from Valaris to Beacon, and then heard about Lax. At this point Axel appears the guilty party …”
“… but could be under another’s control,” Torrullin murmured.
“Exactly.”
“No one heard of him before now,” Fuma added, “and it is suspicious.”
Torrullin glanced at Declan, who seemed thoughtful. A potential Agnimus?
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 20
