Lore of Sanctum Omnibus

by Elaina J Davidson

  AN HOUR LATER THEY were dry, had eaten, and prepared for sleep.

  Wet clothes lay spread over the shelf, gear was staked out to dry also and the raft was safely moored. The fire was sorcerous, hot and bright, a comfort in a strange environment.

  Rose was asleep first, with Caballa and Saska curled in beside her.

  Tristan, Teroux and Tianoman sat on their pallets murmuring together. Not long after they surrendered to the need for rest. Dechend snored first. Declan sat at the fire nursing his nubs back into glorious wings. Quilla lay in a tiny ball beside him, his feathers fluffier than usual. He bemoaned it earlier, saying no one took a fluffy bird seriously. Rose giggled long over that.

  Maple removed his turban to reveal a man with brown, straight hair at shoulder length, dark eyes bold in his face. He slept with one eye open beside Sabian, who lay as if he had not a care in the world.

  Elianas sat on the other side of the fire, lost in the images in amber. His dark hair curtained his face and he breathed rhythmically as if meditating. He and Declan were entirely unaware of each other, having both surrendered to their thoughts.

  ELSEWHERE IN THE DARK - the fire brought on the dark of night in the cavern - Teighlar stalked Torrullin and eventually faced him.

  “It is obvious you are close to Elianas, and he to you, and you call him brother, but there is more, and if I did not know you and your ability to entangle yourself with women, I would be entertaining odd thoughts. You are secretive about him.”

  Torrullin’s voice was expressionless. “Is there a point in there somewhere?”

  “Torrullin, I know you. I have seen you wear emotions like a cloak. Someone this close to you? I figure we would have heard about him before today. How is it you never spoke of him before? When I believed we had a special friendship?”

  “We still have.”

  Teighlar tapped his chest briefly. “Then tell me about him.”

  Torrullin sighed. “I cannot explain him, Teighlar. I never spoke of him before, because there were no explanations then either. He requires words I do not possess.”

  “How long have you known him?”

  “Pretty much always.”

  “So he is an alter ego?”

  “No. He is self-contained.”

  “Where did you meet him?”

  Torrullin laughed softly. “In my dreams.”

  Silence and then, “Gods, is it like that? Have you slept with him in your dreams?”

  “Bloody hell, no. I dreamt of a brother, one closer than blood, that is all. Elianas and I shared time, whether in realms or the past, I am not sure, but we were brothers. I have forgotten much, but not the feeling of brotherhood.”

  “I am sorry.”

  “You voice what the others begin to think. He is somewhat …”

  “… obvious? It seems he sends a message to everyone here.” Teighlar responded.

  “Oh?”

  “His ability to care begins and ends with you, and beware any who cross the line. Much like a jealous lover.”

  Torrullin looked away.

  “I do admit it may be because he knows only you and therefore attaches himself to someone he knows. You, however, are not going to set anyone straight. Why not tell them what you have told me?”

  “They know me, Teighlar; if they want to think that - I do not care.”

  “How does he fit in, Torrullin?”

  Another soft laugh. “Perfectly.”

  Teighlar muttered a curse. “If I were to speak to him, he would answer as cryptically as you, would he not?”

  “Probably.”

  “I thought as much. Fine, my friend, keep the pretty man as a secret for now, but we will all need more clarity soon. We should get sleep. By the way, what is the story with Rose? A man-eater, that one. At the moment she vacillates between you, me and Elianas.”

  “And tomorrow it could be Tristan, Sabian and Declan. I see it. Stay away; she does not realise she does it.”

  “Will Elianas heed that warning?”

  “Elianas may not be too interested in women.”

  A small chuckle from Teighlar. “I was not so far off the mark.”

  “It isn’t physical.”

  “It is about the soul, then. He wants your soul.”

  In the dark, Torrullin’s fingers found Teighlar’s shoulder and pulled him closer. “You do not understand. It is no one thing; it is all things, and he is already in. And, Teighlar, I like it that way.”

  “Gods, Torrullin, that is dangerous.”

  Fingers released. “My middle name.”

  “Why do you allow this?”

  “Because, at the end of all things, he is the barrier between me and oblivion. He knows me. I need him.”

  “What are you talking about? Barrier? End of all things?”

  “Leave it. A half glimpsed truth is not enough to put voice to.”

  “Will I be there at the end of all things?” Teighlar’s voice contained a peculiar nuance.

  Torrullin rubbed at his cheek, sensing the same unnamed quest he struggled with. “Do you want to be?”

  “I think I might. Oblivion sounds … attractive.”

  “The choice will be yours.”

  “Gods, what do you know?” Teighlar demanded.

  “Not enough.”

  “Oblivion is not attractive to you?”

  “Unfortunately the choice will not be mine.”

  “His?”

  “Possibly.”

  “Gods.”

  An explosive breath erupted from Torrullin. “We have a long way to go yet. Time to find the right buttons to push, I think. For now, let us find rest.”

  “Yes, sleep is a kind of oblivion.” Teighlar prodded at Torrullin. “You are changing.”

  “Here it is bound to happen. We are separated from the familiar. So are you, Emperor, and I do not think it will stop with us. Although we are still in our realm, we are beyond the point of return, and that is powerful psychology.”

  “I hear you,” Teighlar said.

  TOGETHER THEY MOVED BACK to the light of the fire. Once there, Teighlar found his gear, shook his very thin pallet out and lay down, closing his eyes. He muttered a bit about discomfort and then was silent.

  Torrullin chose a space further from the light. He created two soft pallets and two pillows, as well as a light, covering blanket. He sat to remove his boots and then sank into a prone position. It had been a long and abnormal day.

  At the fire Elianas stared into the dark where Torrullin was. He breathed deeply and then rose and flopped down onto the pallet vacant beside him, pushing boots off with his toes. He curled towards him, pulling the covering over and offering the rest to Torrullin, who took it and turned his back.

  A moment later Elianas curled and was promptly asleep. Torrullin lay on, wide awake.

  As did Teighlar.

  As did Saska.

  ‘MORNING’ FOUND ELIANAS UP by the time the others stirred. He brewed coffee and that drew smiles. The aroma set mouths watering.

  Torrullin sat blearily on his bedding. He had finally fallen asleep and felt the worse for the short rest period of rest. He dragged his boots closer, and then stared down at his chest. Exposed chest.

  He knew with certainty whose fingers stroked there after sleep claimed him. Gods, what really lay between them, if he could accept this evidence without qualm? He did the buttons up, drew his boots on and wandered off to relieve himself, and then could not face the return.

  CABALLA DISCOVERED HIM behind a jumble of rocks a while later. She carried a mug of steaming coffee.

  “Elianas said you might need this in private.”

  He took the mug from her, a wry twist to his mouth. He drank.

  “Are you all right, Torrullin?” She reached up to touch his face.

  “Don’t.”

  She snatched her hand back.

  He grunted. “Sorry. I am touchy at the moment. I wonder if he sent you because you are the safest bet.”

  She brea
thed out. “Meaning?”

  “I have not touched a woman in years, Caballa, and this morning I find every nerve twitching with need. Are you safe because I respect you too much, or are you safe because it would change little?”

  “He should have sent Saska.”

  “Gods, no, that would be a disaster.”

  “Perhaps he should have come himself.”

  Torrullin’s hand shook as he lifted the mug to his lips again.

  She took it from him, placed it on a rock, and then did touch him. She gripped his face. “Torrullin, can you get past this?”

  “I must.”

  “You respect me too much … right?”

  “I respect you.”

  “I would probably not deny you.”

  He smiled. “Honest as always. But I was wrong; change would come.”

  She released him, giving a cynical smile. “Yes. Saska would kill me and Tristan … he would …”

  “It’s all right. I promise I am not going to give in.” He looked blindly away. “I want Lowen.”

  She did not respond.

  Torrullin laughed. “There is my wife and I desire her, but if Lowen were here right now - gods, not even Elianas could thwart me.”

  Not even. She breathed in, out again. It meant Elianas had somehow taken on ultimate importance, and how not, given what he was? “I am going.”

  He nodded, reached for his coffee and stood leaning against the rock, sipping and staring at the wall of the cavern.

  She left.

  WHEN HE RETURNED, SABIAN argued with Maple, and Quilla bent over Declan sitting at the fire. The rest packed gear, while Caballa prepared chunks of bread and cold cuts for breakfast.

  Elianas was out of sight.

  He stood a moment, watching them. They were a kind of family now, and that was always hard when facing danger.

  Gods, he depressed himself.

  Torrullin moved with intent, ignoring Sabian and Maple, and hunkered beside Declan. Quilla straightened, his cheeks pink.

  “Talking about me?”

  The birdman clucked his tongue. “We are worried.”

  “You are worried; Declan seems to take it in stride.”

  The Siric flashed a grin.

  “Torrullin, you need to speak of your relationship with Elianas.”

  “Why? Quilla, why do I have to explain anything anymore?”

  The birdman pointed a finger. “There it is! We are in this together, and you draw lines before we are at the portal. How can we succeed if we are not a team?”

  “Look around you. Sabian and Maple fighting, Caballa and Tristan tense, Teighlar losing his cool, Dechend uncertain - how are we a team?”

  “Then address it. Fix it.”

  “And explaining my relationship with Elianas will do so?”

  “It will ease minds, yes.”

  Declan stared down. In no way would he put his two dinars in on this one. A shadow fell over them, and Quilla looked up, and closed his mouth into a thin line.

  Elianas stared down at him. “Prudish, I would say.”

  The birdman spluttered indignation.

  Torrullin stared up, expressionless.

  “Conservative Q’li’qa’mz, a relationship is not yay or nay.”

  Quilla spluttered some more. “I am not standing for this! I heard he had visions about you and I asked if you are the master manipulator, all without knowing you and …”

  Elianas smiled and hunkered as well. “Quilla, relax, I am needling you. I am aware Torrullin trusts you, Declan and Belun before all others, and therefore I extend the same kind of faith. I do not expect it returned overnight.”

  Quilla stared at him, now at eye-level. “Maybe you should speak to the team, considering he refuses to.”

  “And what would I say, Q’li’qa’mz? People see what they want to or are told to.”

  “Tell them who you are.”

  “I cannot do that.”

  Declan was now staring at him as well. “Why not?”

  Elianas shrugged. “Because there is no way to make what I would say acceptable.”

  Torrullin stood and strode away.

  Elianas gave a laugh. “Now I am needling him. This journey will be interesting.”

  Quilla sighed. “Between the two of you, you create widening rifts. You have done it overnight, and how can we then extend trust? How long have you been in this realm?”

  “Physically? Days.”

  Meaning he had been present in other ways, Quilla realised. In Torrullin’s visions and dreams? Did it partly explain Torrullin’s inability to completely commit?

  ”We are meant to succeed at this mission,” Quilla added.

  Elianas rose. “What is the mission? To redress an ancient crime? The resultant echoes? To rescue Lowen? The first is foolhardy and the second is selfish. What, therefore, is the real goal?” He lifted one eyebrow.

  Quilla was wordless.

  Declan was on his feet as well. “You are saying it is Torrullin.”

  “Yes.” Elianas moved away and then halted to add, “He languished for twenty-five years. It is time to awaken him.”

  Declan and Quilla glanced at each other as he ambled in Torrullin’s direction.

  TORRULLIN CHECKED THE RAFT, while chewing on a hunk of bread.

  “Because there is no way to make what you would say acceptable? Gods, man, why don’t you just wave the flag of war in Quilla’s face?”

  Elianas folded his arms. “Quilla will think twice before jumping to conclusions, you know that.”

  “You know him now?”

  “I know you. You trust him.”

  “What is unacceptable, for god’s sake?”

  “Ah, the real source for anger.”

  Torrullin jumped off the raft and braced before the dark man. “Say it to me.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  Elianas leaned forward. “You forgot your past, Torrullin, and until you remember, I cannot explain anything.”

  “How many times have I not been told I will remember, for Aaru’s sake! Bloody Arli on Pendulim and his cryptic messages - about you, I might add. He nearly drove me insane. He confused the hell out of … never mind.”

  Elianas inclined his head. “Augin? The Palace Guard who was like a brother to you? I liked him. For a while he kept you grounded in my stead.”

  Torrullin closed his eyes. He still missed Augin. “Help me remember.”

  “I intend to, but not by blurting it out in one torrent of words no one will understand now. A nudge here … and there …” And he burst out laughing. “Gods, I wish you could see your face!”

  Torrullin swore under his breath. “Get something to eat; we are moving off soon.”

  He started dumping packs onto the deck, ignoring Elianas.

  Perhaps he should tell Saska and Caballa to reveal Elianas as the sentient part of the Throne. Maybe that would be the stupidest thing he ever did, for Elianas was not the Throne.

  THE WAY WAS NARROW beyond the cavern, but the water calmer. The channel through the mountain was deep, abyss deep, and thus the destructive current had lost some of its power.

  It was also pitch dark.

  Torrullin affixed a globe to the mast; it shed encompassing light, thus they were not at any point surprised by the rock face.

  Sound would alert them to another waterfall.

  Fortunately there were none. They went on in murmuring companionship, rowing and steering as the need arose, ate on deck as no areas for rest came forth, and were not as cold and wet as before. Grotto followed cavern and cave, and tunnel preceded wide expanse. The day wore on.

  After a few hours they realised they were not alone.

  “There’s something in the water,” Tianoman whispered, his voice hushed with disquiet.

  “Giant eels,” Dechend murmured. “Like sea serpents.”

  “Strong enough to dunk us,” Teighlar added. “Make no sudden splashes.”

  Rose whimpered.

&nbs
p; “And no noise either.”

  Silence was absolute and oars cautiously raised. Tension was palpable.

  They drifted, once using an oar to push away from the rock. Everyone stared at the water. Darker shadows moved in the dark depths; huge, elongated shadows.

  Rose clamped her hands over her mouth.

  They entered a new cavern. This one was filled with yellow glows akin to sunlight and blinded them initially after the gloom of hours. The water was translucent as terrestrial lakes were in sunshine, and a host of eels swirled and danced the depths.

  They did not appear threatening at all.

  “Like the painting,” Quilla murmured.

  “Then the abyss is nearby,” Torrullin said. “Teighlar?”

  “There, look.” Teighlar pointed at the far side of the cavern.

  The water seemed to vanish into the rock entirely, and above the point was a painted symbol.

  “Well,” Declan said.

  “A dragon, a bloody dragon,” Teighlar muttered. “Elixir, I believe the way is marked for you.”

  A massive, blue dragon cavorted in stasis within an enclosing circle. The same leaping dragon as Vallorins carried on their chests for aeons.

  Neolone, Kallanon Dragon.

  Torrullin’s gaze fixated there. Instinct shivered over his skin.

  “Steer right,” Elianas said. “To the inlet.”

  Where the water vanished, a small harbour waited. It was of stone, with jetty, mooring rings, and steps leading up and away into the rock above.

  “Is that Luvan?” Dechend asked, amazed.

  “I doubt it,” Teighlar muttered.

  “It is Valleur,” Sabian said. “And very old.”

  Yes, instinct was present. Torrullin forced his gaze aside.

  They had no need to steer. Eels popped from the water and laid hold of the raft with sharp teeth to push them to the ancient harbour.

  “It’s as if they know we have to go there,” Teroux murmured, looking over the side. Like everyone else, he kept his hands from the edge.

  “Ancient memory, maybe,” Quilla said.

  “That means others came here in the past,” Tristan frowned.

  “Luvans,” Dechend said.

  “To a dragon symbol?” Teighlar snorted. “Wave symbol, yes. Not some fucking alien dragon.”