‘I never understood why he made such a fuss about being made a full councillor – he’s always been interested only in his own comforts.’
‘Hmm. There is no positive harm in him, but there is certainly no thought for anyone else.’ Alya put her empty mug firmly on the table and pulled some papers back in front of her as she picked up a pen. ‘There are still journals to go through – I’ve written down the names.’ She handed a scrap of paper to Elyssa.
‘And I’m to go and find them?’ Elyssa pushed her chair back. ‘The archives, on a morning like this,’ she muttered as she trudged to the door.
Alya laughed. ‘They won’t be too hard to find, now that we have at least found the section they were all buried in,’ she consoled her.
The sky had changed from brilliant blue to a soft green, in which two large stars shone low above the encircling rim of Parima, the first settled volcanic crater of Vagrantia. Although the air had cooled quickly once the sun set, people still lingered out of doors. Neighbours chatted over low fences and children had managed to avoid being sent to bed at the proper times.
Lights began to glow in the houses as more stars pricked through the darkening sky. The Corvida, built against the volcano’s inner wall, showed an increasing number of lights in the upper storeys. Elyssa came out of the building, yawning, and noticed that the tiny flowers had closed their petals tight against the colder night-time air. She wrapped her arms across herself, wishing she’d thought to bring a jacket this morning after all. She glanced back from the gateway and up to the second from top storey.
Alya’s window behind the balcony glowed a pale gold. It would be a good while yet before she stopped work and took some rest, Elyssa knew. She had offered to stay, stifling her yawns, but Alya had told her to go on home.
‘At least one of us will be fresh in the morning,’ she said.
Elyssa turned away and hurried back across the town, the street lamps guiding her safely home. Her mind switched from the worries of the last few days to anticipation of what her mother might have waiting for her supper. And that thought hastened her steps even more.
Chapter Four
Emla had installed Ryla in a room close to the library. Ryla was old, one of the first of the People born in Gaharn, and the last survivor of that generation. Her tall body was desperately frail but her mind was as acute as it had ever been. Even the short journey from Gaharn to the Golden Lady’s House, accomplished in a carrying chair padded with soft pillows and quilts and borne as carefully as the Guards could manage, had exhausted her.
Ryla lay for two days waiting for her ancient body to recover, quite clearly furious at her own weakness. Emla, Shan and Bara had cared for her and tried to distract her with general gossip and tempt her poor appetite with tasty dishes and morsels of sweet pastries.
On the third morning, Ryla insisted on getting out of bed, dressing, and starting to help work through Emla’s books. She was unable to hide her relief though, as Bara eased her into a straight-backed wooden armchair, half filled with pillows. But she was sitting there when Emla came into the library after doing her usual rounds of the sick Guards, and speaking to her housekeeper and to Soran. Emla opened her mouth to protest that Ryla was not fit to be out of bed, and closed it again when she saw the glint in Ryla’s eye.
‘This business of the circles Emla,’ Ryla began. ‘It worries me greatly. My earliest memories are of everyone arguing about them, and having a hundred different opinions as to their significance.’
‘Did no one suggest a detailed study of them?’ Emla slid into a chair beside Ryla.
‘Not as far as I recall. There must be some record somewhere of at least one Senior’s ideas on the matter.’ She frowned, tugging her long white braid of hair as she thought. ‘As you can see, I am physically unable to get to the archives and spend hours, if not days, rooting through the oldest scrolls. But Kera began to search and she told me that it appears someone else had preceded her, only recently too. And she felt several sections of documents were missing.’
‘But who would have taken them? Could the Archive Senior not tell her? All documents have to be signed for if they are removed, don’t they?’
‘But no one did sign out any documents in those days prior to your speech to the Gathering. Apparently.’
Emla pulled her lower lip between her fingers. ‘I admit I only thought the circles were the same because whoever designed them, liked them the same. But the circles in the Guardian’s stronghold are identical to the two here in Gaharn. We know there must be one in the far western lands. One of the fighters said that Rhaki had visited at least two towns in Sapphrea several times, but Bark’s estimate of the length of time that Rhaki was gone means he could not have travelled in any orthodox manner.’
Ryla sighed. ‘Poor Bark. His death raises him above us all, but how we failed him Emla.’
Tears welled in Emla’s eyes. ‘His mind had been torn apart, yet he would not say Rhaki did it deliberately even knowing how mad my brother seemed to have become.’
‘You know, there was much debate in the Asataria just before Rhaki was Named Guardian. He was on the verge of being the only Junior to be refused Seniorship.’
Emla stared. ‘I never knew that. I thought he was considered one of the cleverest of our generation.’
Ryla smiled coldly. ‘Rhaki had that opinion of himself and the charm to convince many it was truly so. But a number of his instructors had grave doubts. The intelligence was there, but there was always a wavering of the direction to which he might turn that intelligence.’
‘And did Jerak know of the concerns you all had?’
Ryla pulled her shawl closer round her narrow shoulders. ‘Jerak was fiercely opposed to Rhaki being Named.’
At Emla’s expression of surprise, Ryla nodded. ‘It was kept well behind closed doors, my dear. Rhaki was the blood nephew to Kovas, clearly he was ‘destined’ to be Named. Jerak confessed that the flaws he had sensed in Rhaki in boyhood had worsened. He actually suggested exile or death – he said Rhaki, his own son, was unworthy to be sent beyond.’
Someone rapped at the door and Shan entered at Emla’s call. She set down a tray of tea and honey rolls in front of Emla. As she plumped up the pillows surrounding Ryla and readjusted the cover over her knees, she said:
‘Lord Kemti says the Lady Kera will be here before dark, my Lady. And is it all right if I spend a while longer training this afternoon, if you are busy here my Lady?’
Emla grinned. ‘Yes you may. Do try not to get yourself too bruised again today.’
Shan blushed but smiled back as she slipped out of the library door.
Ryla unclenched her teeth. ‘That child means well I know, but I wish she didn’t have to rearrange me every time she sets eyes on me!’Emla turned away to hide a smile, busying herself with pouring tea. Then she looked at Ryla quickly, surprised again by her next words.
‘I don’t know why there is such a fuss over your allowing girls to train with the blade. It was not uncommon in my youth and before that, too. I’ve never understood why it faded out of custom.’
‘Were females treated differently when you were young then Ryla, or the same as males? I remember an argument I had when I was a Junior – I really wanted to learn smithing, but I was told I wouldn’t have the physical strength and my request was dismissed out of hand.’
Ryla laughed. ‘Females and males did what they felt called to do then, but I think the People were more practical in my time. Gaharn was not completed until I was just ending my Seniorship, and everyone worked with their hands at something. Once Gaharn was built, and the region regulated, we seemed to have let the practical things go, concentrating now on only theories, ideas, dreams.’
‘That’s what Kemti said. And Nolli, the Delvers’ Wise One too.’
Ryla shifted on her pillows. ‘I would dearly love to meet her.’
Emla clasped one of Ryla’s almost transparent hands. ‘Nolli is ancient. How she travelled so far north
, stars know. Her bones are twisted and greatly painful to her. I think she would love to visit here but it would be too much for her.’
‘Age!’ snorted Ryla. ‘We are supposed to gain wisdom as we age but by the time we do, we’re too feeble to do anything with it. Come on. Let’s start looking for any mention of the circles in your books. And any tales of Dragons or Delvers as well.’
Replies were coming in to Hargon from the neighbouring Lords to whom he had written concerning Rhaki’s appearance here. The one letter that interested him most was from Seboth, Lord of Far. Seboth told Hargon that one of Rhaki’s fighters had joined Seboth’s armsmen. When he was told of Rhaki’s apparent plan to settle in Sapphrea, Verim had paled and fallen to his knees before Seboth.
If Hargon wished to visit Far, he would be welcome to speak with this Verim, who was somewhat reluctant to go anywhere near Rhaki’s vicinity. Hargon read over the letter several times, then he called the armsman guarding his door to summon Navan. Then he read Seboth’s letter once again. When Navan arrived, Hargon pushed the paper across the table to him. The armschief scanned it rapidly then read more slowly, finally meeting Hargon’s stare.
‘I think we should visit Far, have a chat with this Verim as Seboth suggests.’
Navan nodded. ‘What about Lord Rhaki? Will he wish to accompany us?’
‘He will be too busy with his building hopefully to decide to join us. At tonight’s evening meal, I will tell him it is a rather boring habit of routine politeness that we simple Lords have fallen into. Visiting each other regularly to show our good intentions towards each other.’
Navan grinned. ‘How long will we be gone Sir?’
‘A day and a half to reach Far, a day and a half back, say one full day of planning. We will tell Rhaki six days or less.’
Hargon shuffled the letters together, sliding them into a leather folder. Bending, he pressed one of the wall stones near the floor. It swivelled open and he pushed the folder into the deep cavity, ensuring the block closed again flush with the wall.
‘Instruct Fryss that he will be in charge while we are gone.’ Hargon frowned. ‘No. Have both Fryss and Mallit report to me.’
Navan headed for the door. ‘A full band as escort tomorrow Sir?’
‘Twenty armsmen will be enough.’
Shortly the door guard knocked and held the door open for the two armsleaders Fryss and Mallit. They stood stiffly to attention before Hargon’s table.
‘I am going to Far tomorrow. I need Lord Rhaki to think such a visit is a routine trip, a regular habit between the Lords of Sapphrea. You are aware this Lord Rhaki is of some concern?’
Fryss and Mallit exchanged quick looks, then nodded.
‘You, Fryss, will command here in my absence. Mallit, continue to watch Rhaki and report to Fryss. Both of you will share the first meal and the evening meal with the Lord. Be very wary. Let the Lord lead the conversation if he will, otherwise tell him only of local gossip.’ Hargon spread his hands palms up. ‘You get the idea?’
The two armsleaders nodded again.
‘I will be five or six days. Treat the Lord with great caution – and do not drink too much in his presence, for vagrants’ sake. Dismissed.’
Fryss hesitated by the door when Mallit had gone through. ‘Sir?’
‘Yes?’
‘As I’ve told Navan Sir, this Lord has spoken to me a few times. He asked how many bands of armsmen Return could raise, and other questions regarding our strength. Does he truly plan to try to rule us Sir?’
Hargon crossed the room to stare out of the window. ‘I fear it seems so Fryss. But he is so strong in that accursed power that we must be very careful in deciding just how we may best deal with him. And survive.’
‘Thank you Sir.’ Fryss saluted and marched briskly from the room.
Hargon rubbed his forehead. The sooner he reached Seboth and found out more from Verim the happier he would feel. But then, judging from Verim’s reaction when Seboth told him that Lord Rhaki was here, perhaps he would not feel happier.
Dawn was barely lightening the sky next morning as Hargon rode out of Return, Navan at his side and armsmen behind. They took a gentle pace until they were beyond any watching eyes in the town, then Hargon urged them into a faster speed. By midday, they reached a small stream with a handful of scrubby trees clinging to its banks, and a roughly built stone shelter, open on one side.
The men loosened the koninas’ saddles and led them to drink from the stream. Travellers’ shelters such as this were set up every ten leagues or so along the main trails throughout Sapphrea, and were favourite places for Gangers to attack. No Gangers would consider attacking a band of armsmen though, preferring the easier prey of traders and farmers. The men drank water and refilled their leather flasks and ate bread and meat from their packs. As the sun tipped from its highest point, Navan ordered the armsmen back into their saddles and they rode on.
At the next travellers’ shelter, they made camp for the night, lighting a fire to brew tea and for its cheerfulness. They ate the rest of the bread and meat each man had been issued with when they left barracks. Hargon’s messenger would have reached Far soon after Hargon and his band had begun their ride. Hargon was not surprised next morning when ten of Seboth’s armsmen appeared on the trail ahead.
They saluted, and turned their koninas to escort the Lord of Return into the town of Far. As they entered the town, Hargon noted the outer wall was being repaired and there was an air of busyness about the place as he rode into Seboth’s central manor. Stableboys came running to lead the koninas away and Hargon’s men were shown to the guest barracks. Seboth’s seneschal led Hargon and Navan deeper into the building and then left them to wash off the dust of their travelling.
In a brief time, they followed an armsman back down to Seboth’s workroom. Seboth rose as they entered, his hand outstretched to clasp Hargon’s forearm.
‘Welcome Hargon! And to you Navan! I had food set in here for you so we need waste no time. I guess you don’t want to be absent from Return too long?’
Seboth waved them into chairs and seated himself. He was not quite as tall as Hargon, his body deceptively plump and his broad face innocently open. His faded blonde hair receded from his temples, enhancing the innocent expression. Hargon had learnt from experience that Seboth was neither soft nor simple. The Lord of Return began to summarise Rhaki’s arrival as he reached for a handful of sliced fruits from a dish on the table. There was also bread, chunks of cheese and meat, pastries and two large pitchers, one of ale, the other of water. When Hargon had finished his story, Seboth smiled.
‘I will call Verim to speak with you in a while, but I can tell you he is terrified of Lord Rhaki. When Verim first came here and offered his services to me, he was rather confident that a simple Sapphrean Lord such as I, would be overwhelmed at the chance of having a man of his calibre fighting for me.’ Seboth grinned disarmingly. ‘You’d be surprised how much you learn if everyone else thinks you are a near idiot. Anyway, Verim was a trifle put out to find that I am not quite so slow minded as he had thought.’ Seboth refilled their mugs with ale. ‘He has given me a fair amount of information on the methods the northern Fighters use in battle, and details of those monsters that appeared here so suddenly.’
Hargon leaned his elbows on the table.
‘Seboth, you’ve seen Lord Rhaki doing some of his ‘tricks’ with the power. No one spoke against it because he is of the People, not Sapphrean. But it is what we exterminated from these lands, and he made most of my people believe it was just an amusement, quite harmless.’
‘You speak of ancient history Hargon. Most Sapphreans wouldn’t know if it was true or just an old tale.’
‘I believe it was true Seboth.’
Navan nodded his agreement.
‘Some of us could use those evil powers long ago, and they rent our lands, turning fertile regions to desert, changing the course of rivers – you can see the old dried out riverbeds in many places still toda
y. All those families who used the power – who survived – those we exiled. They were cursed to lead the lives of vagrants, forbidden to set foot in Sapphrea eternally and whipped and stoned on their way with the barest possessions.’
‘I know the old stories as well as you Hargon. Perhaps there is some truth in them, who knows after all this time? I see no point in worrying over the past, it is the present and the future that concerns me. And I will agree, that Lord Rhaki seems extremely strong in the use of power. You tell me he has really quarried all the blocks for his building with power alone?’
‘Indeed Seboth. And as I’ve already said, he fell to the ground the first few times and slept for many hours. He still seems to lose consciousness, but he needs less sleep afterwards each time. It appears the more he uses the power, the stronger he grows.’
Seboth rose. ‘I will have Verim sent here to you. Have you told Raben or Zalom of these worries?’
‘Yes, and I will visit them very soon. Neither of them have met Rhaki, but as they are Lords of the next towns south of us, I think they would do well to be prepared.’
At the evening meal, talk was general as Seboth was attended by Lallia, the mother of his children, and she by two maids. Hargon spoke to her politely but distantly, as befitted conversation with a mere female. Hargon and Navan retired for the night, Seboth confirming that he would meet them in his workroom at midmorning.
He was already sitting at his table when Hargon and his armschief entered.
‘You found Verim of any help?’ he enquired.
‘Limited help I think. I would guess he lied about his importance in the ranks of the Fighters. But he told us a few things which may prove useful.’
‘I have decided that it is time I visited Zalom of Andla, Hargon. Although for slightly different reasons, I do agree with your view that Lord Rhaki poses a serious threat to us all. I will go to Zalom, if you consent, and tell him of our discussions here. Then I could suggest he join me in visiting Raben of Tagria. If you then tell Rhaki that you must pay your courtesy visit to Tagria, all four of us border Lords could hold council.’
Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series Page 4
