Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series

by E. M. Sinclair

  Hargon considered the idea. ‘Agreed. I am grateful for your ability to understand that time is short. I feel we must be ready to withstand Rhaki very soon indeed. Shall we say we will meet in Tagria in a ten-day then?’

  ‘A ten-day,’ confirmed Seboth.

  Rhaki had just arrived in the quarry as the sun lifted over the horizon. He sat on a boulder and surveyed the section of rock from which he would extract his blocks today. He was learning as he went along how best to mitigate some of the effects of drawing so much power. He had a leather satchel with him and he put it on the side of the boulder which would remain in shadow throughout the day. In it was some dried fruit and a loaf. A leather flask filled with water stood beside the satchel. Taking a deep breath, Rhaki relaxed, letting his senses feel through the rock until he was sure of where he would make the cuts. Then he began.

  Several hours later, he slid from the boulder, his head feeling as if it would burst, and lay flat on the ground for a short time. As the roar in his head diminished, he groped for the satchel. He fumbled until he could grasp a handful of fruit and forced himself to chew them. Swallowing with difficulty while still lying on his back, he tore a piece of bread from the loaf. When he had chewed and swallowed that, he continued to lie, eyes closed, a few moments longer.

  Then, very carefully, he eased himself up to a half-sitting position and reached for the flask of water. Tilting it against his mouth, he drank thirstily then ate some more of the bread. When he had eaten nearly the whole loaf and finished all the water, he sighed. Glancing at the sun he estimated that he had been prostrated barely two hours. The time was lessening every day he used the power. He pushed himself to his feet and swayed, briefly dizzy. Then he looked at the blocks of stone neatly spaced in the wagons ready for hauling to his building place.

  He picked up the satchel and the flask and slowly began the walk back to Return. He could have used a konina but the solitary walk gave him the privacy to recover even more before he met anyone. He smiled to himself as he walked. Accidentally, he seemed to have discovered a means of increasing his power. Who knew what he could achieve by the time his tower was built?

  Chapter Five

  The word spread quickly that the band of Guards from Gaharn was only a league away from the stronghold. The Delvers in the Domain of Asat were opening archways between the parallel lines of tunnels and the relief Guards had a more pleasant journey than had Emla and her first band of Guards. The Delvers were much impressed by the kalfi that drew narrow carts loaded with supplies. It had been agreed that fengars were too much of a liability in the tunnels and were also unwilling to be harnessed to carts.

  The placid kalfi had disliked the snow and gale force winds, which raged as they plodded from Gaharn north to the beginnings of the tunnels. They seemed much happier once they were undercover, regardless of the constricted passages.

  Gan was sitting in Nolli’s room, one of the Snow Dragons lying by the doorway. Gan thought it was Ulla, the older female. He was gradually learning to tell them apart – they all looked so alike. He recognised their different voice tones in his mind quite easily but unless they spoke, he still made mistakes in identifying them.

  ‘Emla said she would send copies of some of the books in her library,’ Nolli was saying. ‘I do hope she remembers.’

  Gan smiled at the Wise One. She looked much better lately. In the days immediately after the occupation of Rhaki’s stronghold, Gan had feared for her life. He had consulted Dessi and Lorak and Fenj. Lorak had made up some potions, nearly as foul tasting as those he still insisted Farn drank, and which Nolli complained about nearly as loudly as Farn. Dessi had used power to gently strengthen Nolli’s frail system and both Fenj and Lorak had spent much time telling the Wise One terrible jokes. Now her cheeks and eyes had lost their deathly sunken aspect and her spirits had lifted.

  At an increasing noise from the hall, Gan started to rise, but before he could do so a Kephi shot into the room. Nolli and Gan stared at it, Nolli with a growing smile and Gan with dismay. It was smaller than Khosa with light brown fur, which had smudges of black on it, as though someone had stroked it with sooty fingers. Brilliant green eyes glared at them and an impressive moustache bristled beneath a minute black nose.

  ‘And who might you be little one?’ Nolli asked in what Gan could only think of as a nauseatingly sweet tone.

  The Kephi seated itself demurely, tail wrapped over its front feet and bristles relaxing. ‘My name is Resh. I am a son of Khosa.’

  Gan groaned aloud and received glares from both Resh and Nolli. He stood up hastily and headed out of Nolli’s room. He nearly fell over an even smaller Kephi, which darted between his feet and skidded to a halt beside Resh.

  ‘Oh another of you,’ Nolli cooed. ‘If Emla remembered to send you, she will surely not have forgotten the books!’

  Gan stopped and stared at the melee in the hall. The kalfi had been brought right up from the lower levels with their carts and stood patiently as Delvers fussed over them. The relief Guards were calling to friends who had been on duty in the stronghold as supplies were unloaded. And an infinite number of Kephi seemed to be skittering everywhere.

  Gan looked across to where Farn sat, backed against the wall, eyes whirring in anxiety, as three small Kephi sat upright, staring at him. A diminutive black Kephi was already crouched on Fenj’s arm. Its eyes as sapphire as Farn’s, it was practically choking as it crooned enthusiastically to the great black Dragon.

  Gan caught a passing Guard’s sleeve. ‘How many?’ he asked.

  ‘Thirty Guards Sir, two officers.’

  The Guard struggled to keep the large crate balanced on his shoulder as he spoke.

  ‘No, no, no. How many Kephi?’

  ‘Oh. The Lady Emla said a dozen should be enough Sir.’

  Gan nodded for the Guard to carry on. A dozen? Dear stars.

  Seeing that officers Trem, Salak and Nomis were dealing with the situation, Gan decided it was an opportune time to pay one of his now customary visits to Jal. He strode up the slope from the hall and rounding the corner, found Tika sitting on the floor, Khosa sprawled against her chest. Gan squatted beside Tika in concern as he saw tears on her cheeks. Belatedly, he realised Tika was fighting laughter as Khosa turned her head towards him.

  ‘I came on this journey to escape the multitudes of my family.’

  Khosa sounded so mournful and Gan saw Tika biting her lip against laughter again. Gan felt almost sorry for the Kephi as she said: ‘It isn’t easy, you know, dealing with all the squabbles. And there are so very many of them.’

  Gan cleared his throat, avoiding Tika’s glance.

  ‘Are these dozen all your children Khosa?’

  For a moment the royal spark glinted in Khosa’s blue eyes.

  ‘I think five are my children. The rest are grandchildren, or nephews, or nieces. I lose track.’

  She turned her head, nuzzling in to Tika’s neck. Gan grinned broadly at the back of the Kephi’s head.

  ‘I’ll leave you in peace then,’ he said sympathetically.

  Tika stuck her tongue out at him as he straightened and strode on along the passage.

  The healer was absent when Gan reached Jal’s room and Jal himself was sitting on the edge of his bed. He looked up as Gan entered. He wore loose trousers but was bare-chested and barefooted. He gave Gan a shaky smile. ‘Exercises,’ he explained ruefully. ‘I’m getting better at it, but it feels so lopsided when I walk.’

  Gan nodded and sat on the opposite bed.

  ‘The relief band has arrived so have you reached any decision? You can go back to Gaharn with the present band now, or wait until the next relief in thirty days when you’d feel stronger? You could rest in Gaharn until you went to the south if that is your wish.’

  Jal met his gaze squarely. ‘If it’s all the same to you Sir, I’d like to stay here until I learn to manage a bit better wrong handed. If you think I could truly be of any worth, I would like to work with you.’

&nb
sp; Gan smiled and just stopped himself from slapping Jal on the shoulder.

  ‘I am delighted to hear that Jal. There is much you can help with here, for a while at least. You are more experienced than any Guards officer I have here at present.’

  Gan studied the man. He still looked drawn and unwell but Gan thought he might be up to a small excursion. He investigated a cupboard in the corner of the room, finding only a pair of boots. He turned to Jal with the boots in his hand.

  ‘Are these yours?’

  Jal nodded. Gan helped him push his feet into the boots then considered Jal’s naked chest and the bandaged stump of right arm. Triumphantly, Gan took the healer’s cloak from a hook at the side of the doorway and gently laid it around Jal’s shoulders.

  ‘Let’s give Motass a surprise, and you something different from these four walls to look at.’

  He sensed the cause of Jal’s apprehension. ‘I promise I will not let you fall or bump your arm. I swear it.’

  Jal looked at him for a long moment, managed a weak smile and struggled to his feet.

  ‘Take my arm Jal. No shame in a wounded man accepting aid.’

  Their progress down the corridor was very slow but Gan kept talking, making no comment when Jal came to a halt a couple of times. He merely waited patiently until Jal ventured on again. Tika and Khosa were sitting where he’d left them and as he and Jal drew level, Gan said formally:

  ‘Jal, may I introduce the Lady Tika and Khosa, Queen of the Kephi of the Golden Lady’s Estate?’

  Green eyes and turquoise turned up to survey Jal. Tika smiled at him.

  ‘Hello. Motass told us about you – when you were a Ganger,’ she grinned.

  Before Jal could muster a reply, he was amazed to realise the Kephi was speaking to him – inside his mind.

  ‘I trust your wound is mending. Motass is one of the better kinds of two legs – I do hope you are the same.’

  Jal’s jaw dropped.

  ‘Don’t bother,’ Gan murmured, steering Jal on down the slope. ‘I forgot – or perhaps Motass has warned you. They all seem to use the mindspeech – the Kephi, Dragons, Delvers. Do you remember anything of the Delvers?’

  Jal shook his head. Gan saw sweat beading across Jal’s brow and felt the increasing tremors of weakness running through the arm that clung ever more heavily to his own. Jal drew a ragged breath as he and Gan rounded the corner and looked down into the hall. After so long in his quiet sickroom, the crowd below seemed overwhelming. Gan helped him carefully along the right side of the hall wall, shielding him as Guards passed with boxes and packages from the wagons.

  Gan eased Jal onto one of the beds just inside Nolli’s door and piled pillows behind his back. Sweat poured from Jal now and his face had a grey tinge. Lanni bustled up with cloths and began to wipe Jal’s face and chest gently, her eyes widening as she lifted the cloak aside, revealing the stump of his arm.

  Gan turned to Nolli who had watched silently, the small Kephi Resh equally silent on her lap.

  ‘A visitor Nolli. Tired of his seclusion. I thought a visit might help.’ He spread his hands. ‘The walk was more tiring to him than I’d hoped. May he rest here a while? He is Jal, brother of Motass.’

  Nolli stared at Jal, then nodded.

  ‘Go and find some hot tea, Gan. And Lorak.’ She grinned toothlessly at his resigned expression.

  Colour was creeping back to Jal’s face and he realised that the woman tending him was no bigger than a ten Cycle child.

  ‘Thank you,’ he murmured.

  She smiled. ‘I am Lanni.’ She indicated the ancient one. ‘This is Nolli, Wise One of the Delvers.’

  Before Jal could frame a polite response, a slender youth walked into the room, unnoticing of Jal seated behind Lanni’s figure.

  ‘Look,’ said the newcomer in a light, fluting voice. He held out a small Kephi, black furred with snow-white paws. Its ears and tail were also white tipped.

  ‘He says his name is Rofu.’

  Nolli beamed. ‘This one is called Resh.’

  As Mim dropped onto pillows beside Nolli’s chair, Jal saw his face and could only stare. Mim smiled his sweet smile as he noticed Jal.

  ‘You must be Mim,’ Jal croaked. ‘Motass told me of you but I did not understand.’

  ‘And you are Jal then. The scales came because I shared Dragon blood,’ Mim explained easily.

  A servant brought a tray of tea, which Lanni took from him just as Lorak arrived.

  ‘And this is Lorak,’ Mim continued. ‘The Lady’s Gardener and Companion of Fenj.’

  Lorak sat beside Jal, a leather flask materialising in his hand. ‘Try a sip,’ he urged. ‘Most restorative.’

  Jal sipped, coughed, and sat speechless, his eyes watering. Gan stood in the doorway, casting a rather wild glance at Lorak and the small Kephis.

  ‘I am going through to speak with Berri. If you wish to return to your chamber Jal, Motass will help you. He is on his way here now.’ He nodded to them all and left.

  Nolli chuckled. ‘And no doubt several of you small Kephis have already found your way through to my people, so Gan will not escape.’

  ‘I see one has decided to protect Fenj,’ Mim laughed softly.

  Lorak grunted. ‘She says her name is Lula, and she’s fallen asleep and Fenj is frightened to move.’ He grinned at Jal and offered the flask again.

  Jal found that the second sip was not quite so searing as had been the first and he began to feel considerably better.

  Hargon rode into Return soon after midday four days after setting out to visit Seboth. Fryss greeted him with the news that the Lord Rhaki had announced, at last

  evening’s meal, that he had more than half the number of stone blocks he required already cut. Hargon dropped into the chair behind his worktable.

  ‘So how much longer before he starts to build?’

  ‘I would estimate another fourteen days, maybe less Sir. He recovers within an hour or two now Sir.’

  ‘Why did he have to choose to come here,’ Hargon growled. ‘I have arranged to visit Tagria shortly. You will be in command here again. Choose out the fastest koninas to be ready should you need to send me any urgent news.’

  When Rhaki joined Hargon and Navan for the evening meal, he appeared much as he had before. But although he drank only water during the evening, Hargon was interested to notice his hand had the slightest quiver as he raised his goblet. Perhaps the effects of Rhaki’s extended use of the power were taking a different form?

  Rhaki asked, rather patronisingly, if Hargon had enjoyed his trip to Far.

  ‘Such a simple little fat man, if I remember correctly. He was here when I visited you once, was he not?’

  ‘Yes, he was. I’m not sure Seboth is exactly fat,’ Hargon protested mildly.

  ‘You cannot deny ‘simple’ though!’ Rhaki laughed.

  ‘And your building, Sir Lord?’ Navan interposed smoothly.

  ‘Going along extremely well. I believe I will be able to raise the first storeys within a ten-day.’ He waited for Hargon to show the surprised disbelief he expected.

  Hargon did not disappoint him. ‘It amazes me Lord Rhaki. It would take my best craftsmen a Cycle at least.’

  Rhaki leaned back in his chair, satisfied. ‘It would indeed, I’m sure, Hargon. Since I have been here this time, I notice you seem to have abandoned entertainments. I recall singers, and tumblers, and of course, your ‘pets’. And I have not seen your own children either.’

  Hargon’s fingers tightened on the arm of his chair, although he kept his expression bland and his tone of voice light.

  ‘I apologise Lord. I do not bother with such trivialities when there is a guest such as yourself to talk with. Also I have felt weary, and at such times, entertainments irritate rather than amuse me. Again I apologise. Would you wish me to summon a singer, or dancers now Lord?’

  ‘No, no! It was but a passing thought. But perhaps your children will eat with us one evening?’

  ‘They ar
e in their beds by this time Lord. They are still very young. I will introduce them to you when you are back earlier from your work. Or I could bring them to see how much you have accomplished so quickly?’

  Rhaki’s gathering frown disappeared. ‘Yes. They would be most impressed, would they not? Tomorrow I do not cut the stones, but supervise the delivery of those I cut today. Yes indeed. I would enjoy meeting your children Hargon. Bring them tomorrow.’

  When Rhaki had left Return next morning Hargon ordered his children to be brought to him, even the female. He turned from the window as the armsman closed the door, leaving the children before the table. Hargon stared at them. All three had nearly white blonde hair and blue eyes, the female’s eyes such a dark blue as to be nearly purple. She looked very nervous, a pace behind her older and younger brothers. Hargon rarely spoke to her, let alone called her into his presence. He sat at his table.

  ‘You know there is a Lord of the northern People guesting here?’

  Three heads nodded.

  ‘He wishes to meet you. I will ride out with you later this morning so that you may see how his building progresses.’

  The older boy stared back at his father, knowing there was more. The female still looked nervous, and the younger boy’s cheeks were growing pink with excitement. Hargon sighed.

  ‘This Lord uses the power.’

  He noticed Bannor’s frown and was pleased. The boy was astute enough to follow Hargon’s thoughts already.

  ‘I will speak truly to you, but what I say must not be repeated to anyone. This Lord means trouble for us, not just here in Return I think, but in all of Sapphrea.’ He paused. ‘I believe this Lord is mad. Whether he is or no, he is very dangerous. He thinks we are all simple fools, amazed at his powers. When we visit his place of building, you will not speak unless he or I address you. But you will show great admiration for his work.’