Lore of Sanctum Omnibus

by Elaina J Davidson

  He stared down, at Tristan’s stark face, and Torrullin, fast asleep.

  It was day.

  TRISTAN STARED UP at Elianas, seeing there the remains of a dream, something like to his.

  “Elianas, I think he’s in danger.”

  A nod.

  “I saw him embraced by the Throne on fire. I had a similar dream a while back.”

  “I saw him dying with his throat slit and the knife was in my hand.” Elianas fell to his knees. “All gods, I would never do that to him.”

  “Our concept of fear. The worst fate we can imagine.”

  Elianas blinked. “Murder.”

  “The Throne.”

  “He cannot die,” Tristan said. “Why see him dying?”

  Elianas twisted his neck to relieve tension. Rubbing it, he said, “Change. There is utter change on the way. Do not tell him. If he expects change, he will seek it.”

  Tristan saw the wisdom and nodded after a moment.

  Torrullin murmured and rolled in his bag.

  Both looked at him, but when he opened his eyes a moment later he saw Tristan pulling boots nearer and Elianas stretching and staring over the water.

  Chapter 57

  Right, we’re talking family again. best folk in the world … and also the harshest judges.

  ~ Tattle

  Valaris

  AISLINN TOLD HIM something was wrong, although she could not explain herself.

  It did not feel right, she said, there was danger on the way.

  Valleur trusted other Valleur and their sensory perceptions and thus Tianoman, disquieted, spoke with Yiddin and Vanar. Yiddin told him something was a-foot in Grinwallin, something to do with Torrullin, and pray, he asked, who is Elianas?

  Tianoman gave an innocuous explanation, spoke with Aislinn, and took himself to Grinwallin.

  The Dome

  BELUN DREAMED.

  Of Declan, last and lost Siric.

  Had it been another prompting him in a dream visitation, he might have ignored it or brushed it away to attend to another time, but Declan was specific, and when Belun shook from the fog of sleep, he entrusted the Dome’s helm to Fuma.

  Filled with misgiving, he went to Grinwallin.

  Sanctuary

  TEROUX WAS IN conference with the facility’s co-ordinators, a task he enjoyed. Nothing better than streamlining. He thought of it as a way to aid the lost. Why bog them down in paper when it was succour they needed?

  Rose knocked and entered without apology. She went directly to him and whispered in his ear. He excused himself, and they went out into the corridor.

  She told him the farspeaker chain was alive with new nuances and most of the whispering was about Torrullin. She told him to go to Grinwallin.

  He went back to the conference to briefly inform them he had been called away and Rose would take his place until he returned.

  He evaded all questions, kissed Rose on the cheek, and left.

  Grinwallin

  TEIGHLAR AND QUILLA were hunched over a table, both red-eyed from lack of sleep.

  Not only had Torrullin and Elianas not come as expected, and neither had Tristan returned, but the two worked at strategy to foil Torrullin in his intent.

  The Great Hall was silent this early in the day and would remain silent, for Teighlar issued a command it was to be bypassed until he countermanded the order. If he needed to tackle Torrullin, he preferred to do so without Senlu witnesses, without his guards interfering.

  Caballa joined them. She said without preamble as she sank into a chair, “Lethe can kill Torrullin.”

  Teighlar shook his head. “Impossible.”

  Quilla’s hands curled together. He opened his mouth and closed it.

  Teighlar went cold.

  Caballa covered her face. “I hope I am wrong.”

  Quilla’s tiny hand gripped her wrist and he included Teighlar in what he said next. “You must swear not to tell him. That man would welcome death.”

  Teighlar said, “Quilla, can he die?”

  “Can a true immortal die? No. Can Torrullin die? That is the real question. Swear it.”

  “I swear,” Caballa said.

  Quilla released her and stared at Teighlar.

  “Gods, I would not tell him. I know he has a death wish. Of course I swear.”

  Tianoman entered and noted the three at a table cluttered with used mugs and glasses. He shivered, and braced himself as he approached.

  Caballa saw him first and rose to bow. “My Lord Vallorin.”

  He nodded, saying, “Is it Lethe? Has he gone in?”

  “Not yet,” Caballa murmured. “We’re trying to stop it. My Lord, how do you know about Lethe?”

  “I just know. Caballa, sit, you look as if you are about to fall down. Teighlar, what is it? Why stop him?” Tianoman drew up a chair. “How does Lethe fit in?”

  “It borders on Reaume and Ariann, a staging area.”

  “Ah, that explains the dream,” Tianoman muttered. “Where are they?”

  “We do not know,” Quilla said. “We expected them for the crucible last night, but they did not arrive.”

  Tianoman frowned and glanced at Caballa again. “And Tristan? I was sure he would be in on this.”

  “Tristan is with Torrullin.”

  Tianoman swore. “He is in big time.”

  Caballa stared at her hands.

  Belun made himself known. The Centuar strode in, shouting, “Where’s Torrullin? The man must stay away from whatever bloody realm he’s choosing to enter now!”

  “Belun?” Quilla frowned.

  “Don’t pull a horse tail before my eyes, birdman. Declan came to me in a dream and told me to stop this madness. Where is he - oh, hell, he isn’t in, is he?”

  “Not yet. Sit, my friend. Maybe you are loud enough for him to hear,” Teighlar murmured.

  Belun, muttering, sat and glared at everyone, but before he could say anything a third person put in an appearance.

  Teroux stopped when he saw the gathering. “Well, seems you leave me out again.”

  “I just arrived,” Tianoman said. “Aislinn said something was wrong.”

  “Oh. Rose told me the same.”

  Quilla smiled. “It is good to know you are tuned in, you two. Come, Teroux, and let us tell you what we know.”

  The explanations were brief and Teighlar said nothing of what transpired in the Luvan cave, but his intensity drove the tension. Thus, although the explanation was abbreviated, there was no doubt regarding the danger of entering Lethe.

  Caballa said nothing about Torrullin dying and hoped it was symbolic for profound change. Change she could accept, whatever form it took.

  Quilla did not reveal the line or how to cross it. Belun, Tianoman and Teroux, therefore, did not receive the full picture. No one at the table had one.

  While in animated discussion, everything stilled around them. They fell into silence and each in his or her way faced the arches.

  The three men walked in with cloaks swirling, hands on swords, dressed alike, withdrawn. They walked in tandem, almost in slow time, and it was not an act to garner support or to instil control; it was, simply, the way of it.

  Caballa groaned. “He is going in with them.”

  Tianoman hurtled up.

  Quilla surveyed the arrogant entry sadly. Nothing would stop them.

  Teroux’s gaze flicked over Elianas.

  Teighlar swore.

  Belun felt a chill, and wished Declan was with them.

  The three men came to a halt.

  Caballa was first. “Tristan? Look how armed you are. Damn it, you dare not do this!”

  Tristan broke formation. He extended his hand to her. “We must talk.”

  She went meekly along when he drew her away.

  Tianoman shouted, “You place everything in danger, Torrullin! Will you listen to reason?”

  “We are beyond that point.”

  Tianoman paced forward. “By all accounts Lethe is …” He pause
d, becoming aware of something entirely different.

  Elianas stared with one eyebrow lifted at - Tianoman swung around - Teroux. Teroux stared back at him in disgust.

  Torrullin studied the confrontation. “Elianas can hold his own.”

  “Teroux cannot.”

  Torrullin blinked and nodded imperceptibly. He moved closer to Elianas. “Let it go, please.”

  “Step from the shadows, Torrullin,” Elianas said. “I refuse to hide for prejudice’s sake.” He did not remove his gaze from Teroux.

  “We do not need this.”

  Elianas smiled oddly and, without looking away from Teroux, lifted his hand to clasp Torrullin’s neck.

  Teroux exploded.

  Torrullin snarled, “Did you have to?”

  Elianas flicked him a glance and then glared at Teroux. He took his hand away, having achieved what he intended.

  “You prick!” Teroux shouted, hurtling up, his face blotchy with righteous fury. “How dare you? You are not fit to kiss his feet!”

  He rounded the table, Teighlar made an ineffectual grab, and Teroux slammed into Elianas, pushing the dark man back with a wordless snarl. Elianas stumbled and righted to stand firm, his face a mask.

  Tristan approached swiftly and Tianoman gripped Teroux, while Torrullin stalked Elianas.

  Quilla sat sadly watching.

  Belun, on his feet, did not understand and thus did not know what to do. His hands clenched and unclenched in indecision.

  Teighlar stood beside him. “A family thing, Belun. We are better served to stay out of this one.”

  Relieved, the decision made for him, Belun nodded. He sank down and watched. Teighlar, sighing, remained on his feet.

  Tianoman pulled Teroux away and received a hard punch to the face for his efforts. He fell back, swearing, and Teroux launched anew at Elianas. He floundered against Torrullin, who was like rock.

  “Control yourself, Teroux.”

  Elianas said, “I do not require protection.”

  “I am not protecting you. Teroux, this is unseemly.”

  “Unseemly? Unseemly? The man is a fucking faggot, and you …”

  Torrullin hit him flat-handed.

  Teroux gasped and stumbled back.

  Tristan, arriving then with Caballa, froze. Caballa, with a hand over her mouth, knew she dared not interfere.

  “That was stupid,” Elianas said.

  “Shut up!” Teroux screamed. “Don’t you talk! How dare you waltz into his life and take him over!”

  Elianas hissed a breath.

  Torrullin, his face tight, said, “I do not stand in your way.”

  Elianas strode forward and gripped Teroux by the throat. “You little child,” he whispered, “how dare you stand in judgment over something you know bugger all about?”

  “Leave him!” Tristan shouted.

  Caballa said, “Tris, stay out of it. You, too, Tian.”

  Tianoman, pale, nodded.

  “You know about buggery, don’t you?” Teroux hissed. He gripped Elianas’ wrist as he tried to pull that suffocating grip away.

  Elianas head-butted him and Teroux’s nose exploded in blood. He shrieked and Elianas pushed him aside. “Little twit.” He turned away. “This is not worth the effort.”

  Tianoman moved, but Tristan stopped him. “Stay out of it, cousin.”

  Torrullin approached Teroux. “Let me see that nose.”

  “Stay away from me. And you know what, go and fuck it up for us in Lethe. Bring it all tumbling down, you arrogant bastard!”

  Tristan cursed.

  Torrullin stared at his grandson, eyes glittering. “Teroux, the only reason I do not take this further is because I know you are lashing out at anything. But, young man, I suggest you keep a civil tongue or I shall throw you out, understood?”

  “Try it, I dare you.”

  Torrullin closed his eyes. He sensed Elianas behind him and drew strength from the implicit support. “Control yourself, Teroux.”

  “Look at him, sneaking up behind you! Tell me, do you enjoy it?” Teroux’s face was a mask of fury.

  Elianas caught Torrullin as he moved. “No, leave him. As you say, he is lashing out.”

  Teroux laughed. “Such a pretty sight!”

  “For god’s sake, Teroux, will you shut up?” Tianoman snarled.

  “You’re as bad as them if you countenance this,” Teroux hurled back.

  Tristan strode in, pushed his cousin, and then pushed him again. “Stop it. You have no idea.”

  “And why not? Because you tell me nothing.”

  “Because this is how you react.”

  “Oh, fuck off. This is not about me. Look at them, so cosy, so together …” He glared unaccountable hatred at Elianas and then stared fixedly at Torrullin. “Or is all show, my Lord? Either you allow him near you or you give us an act to protect the pretty boy. Which is it?”

  Tianoman muttered, “How stupid can he be?”

  Torrullin dragged his gaze from Teroux, and turned to Elianas.

  “Torrullin, no,” Elianas said, reading the intent.

  Teroux shouted, “Fucking actors! I don’t know which is worse.”

  “Teroux!” Caballa shouted.

  Elianas smiled. “Fine. I am with you.”

  Everything stilled, and then Torrullin and Elianas kissed.

  Belun shoved to his feet.

  Teroux fell to his knees. “I knew it.”

  Torrullin and Elianas parted and shrugged at each other. It had been too staged to mean anything.

  Torrullin moved back to Teroux and dragged him up. Holding him, he placed a hand over his face, healed the shattered nose and then held him by the shoulders. He stared into the golden eyes before him, seeing only misery. The anger had gone.

  “Teroux, do not ever dare me again, and do not accuse Elianas. What you think is between us has not come to pass.”

  “You kissed him,” Teroux whispered.

  “You dared me.”

  “So, so … there is nothing?”

  “On the contrary, but that does not mean I fall into bed with him. And if I did, Teroux, it should not matter.” He squeezed his grandson’s shoulders, and let go. “I am sorry I hit you.”

  Teroux drew himself up. “Yet you did, because he means so much to you. You once told me, to imagine something is to make it real. You have done all I suspect, in your mind.”

  Torrullin inclined his head.

  “I cannot accept it. I will not accept him. Go do your worst, my Lord, and stay out of my life.” Teroux retreated, and then swung around to encompass everyone. “All of you stay out of my life. I want nothing to do with any of this, nor do I want to hear about the Lord Torrullin Valla and his fucking lover ever again. I cut myself away.” He swung back to Torrullin. “If that excludes me from Sanctuary I shall willingly get the hell off.”

  Torrullin, cold, replied, “Sanctuary is your responsibility.”

  Teroux bowed. A moment later he was gone.

  Torrullin rounded on Elianas. “You could not leave it alone.”

  “I am not to blame.”

  Tristan flung into a chair. “Gods above.”

  “Torrullin, Teroux has aimed at this a while,” Tianoman said. “I don’t know exactly what is under his skin, but blaming Elianas is misplacing blame.”

  Torrullin approached the table. Belun’s expression halted him. “Gods, Belun, not you, too.”

  The Centuar had understood something else in the revelation brought on by Teroux. “This is why you take power into Lethe. You two have seen the line and you are not unified in choice.” Belun had been doing clandestine research. The Centuar had contacts.

  Torrullin clasped his shoulder. “Thank god you know where to look. No judgment?”

  “For what?” Belun appeared confused. “Oh, that. Come, Torrullin, me, judge?”

  “Belun, you gladden my heart.”

  “You embarrass me. Give Teroux time. He is young and his childhood was damaging.”

&
nbsp; “I am not judging him, but the first move is now his. He must find his way on his own.”

  “Yes,” Tianoman sighed. “We came to blows recently over something else. We fixed it, but the fixing is mine, not his.” He glanced at Tristan. “I know how close you are, but it’s time to allow him his space. He needs to soar or tumble without our protection.”

  “He is like a little boy sometimes,” Tristan said. “I cannot just leave him.”

  “He must grow up,” Tianoman said. “Even if it hurts us to let him hurt himself.”

  “Tian is right,” Caballa said.

  Elianas closed in on Torrullin. “Are you all right?”

  “The winds are quite taken from my sails.” He sat, shaking his head.

  Teighlar released one of his voluble sighs. “It would be an anti-climax to tackle you about Lethe now.”

  “Yet we must,” Quilla said.

  Torrullin leaned forward. “Don’t. Leave it. Go further with resistance now and we all part in a bad way, and that isn’t a desirable state for the crucible or Lethe. Please.”

  “Fine.” Teighlar rubbed at his face. “When do you want to go?”

  “No, wait,” Belun frowned.

  “Belun, you cannot change it,” Torrullin said.

  “I had a visitation from Declan. I must try.”

  “Declan?”

  “A dream, damn it.”

  “Belun, you don’t trust dreams.”

  “But it was Declan, and I trust him.”

  Torrullin drew in a breath. “What did he say?”

  “He said not all wings are white or filled with colour. He said there are wings in another place waiting to trap you, it would not be good and that you must avoid them. Torrullin, please, there is danger.”

  Torrullin stared at the Centuar, astonished.

  Teighlar paled considerably.

  Elianas straddled a chair. “He mentioned wings? Did he show you anything?”

  “No, he spoke, and told me to stop this journey.” Belun studied Elianas.

  The dark man inclined his head. “Torrullin tells me you are very protective. Are you sure you have not misheard?”

  Belun flicked a glance at Torrullin and then met that dark gaze head on. “No doubt he also told you I would tear anyone apart who hurts him or anyone I care about. Maybe my subconscious is prodding me, I admit, but the reaction here tells me I am not far off the mark.”