Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series

by E. M. Sinclair

  Ryla studied him. ‘It should be nest building time here, should it not?’

  The Merig blinked solemnly. ‘The cold and snow last longer than usual this cycle,’ he agreed.

  ‘So whatever Rhaki did to the weather patterns as perhaps a means of defence for himself, has stayed in place.’ Tika suggested

  ‘It sounds very likely child,’ Ryla nodded. ‘Could Dessi work out what he did, and undo it do you suppose?’

  ‘Mim or Kera would know more of Dessi’s abilities now, than I would. Could you ask about that, Merig, when you hand on your messages north?’

  The Merig clattered his horny beak, blinking rapidly as he drew himself up.

  ‘Any message you tell me, will be passed exactly as you speak it.’ His tone was one of injured dignity.

  Emla managed a faint smile. ‘In that case Merig, we will compose a suitable message for you to take on in the morning. You look weary now – why not rest here tonight? Erm, we have no meat quite as old as I know you prefer, but there is fresh meat?’

  The Merig stared at her. ‘Kind of you Lady. Perhaps this once. The snow and wind do make flying hard work,’ he admitted, hopping off the stool. ‘I will visit the golden Dragon now.’

  He plodded towards the double doors, one half of which was propped ajar, and peered out at the everlasting snow. As he disappeared from view, Tika asked:

  ‘Do you suppose Merigs are ever jolly?’

  Shan giggled. ‘Likes to seem important. I’ve found a lot of males are like that.’ She blushed, realising everyone had heard what she’d meant only as a murmur to Tika.

  ‘Time is all that will mend the hurt ones now. But time is moving too fast.’ Nolli spoke over Shan’s embarrassment. ‘I grieve for my people hurt by the silver Dragon, and all the others, but Tika must go south now. I do not know if Mim will try to seek out Gremara at once, or if he will hold back, but Rhaki must be confronted.’

  Ryla’s long fingered, bony hand enveloped the ancient Delver’s misshapen one.

  ‘You speak truly I fear Nolli. Our concern must concentrate first on Rhaki.’

  ‘Farn is still not fully fit,’ Gan objected.

  Farn stretched his neck up, eyes flashing blue glints. ‘Of course I’m fit now. We can leave whenever you wish.’

  Brin’s eyes whirred scarlet in agreement. Gan groaned.

  ‘Go to Kija and discuss it with her,’ he ordered them both.

  ‘And what will you do when you actually face Rhaki?’ Nolli asked quietly. ‘It seems clear that Mim has gained great strength from within himself and from Gremara. You are strong Tika, but – strong enough for Rhaki?’

  ‘Do you envisage a battle of power, such as that between him and Jerak?’ Ryla asked Nolli.

  The Wise One sighed. ‘I fear so. Although Tika has grown in the power, so, it would seem, has Rhaki.’ She shrugged helplessly. ‘But Tika is the one who is sent to face him. That I know to be the truth.’

  ‘Tika will not only face Rhaki but her previous owner, Hargon of Return,’ said Gan. ‘Do you imagine he will welcome her reappearance, accept her changed situation and agree to help her? Stars, do you seriously think he will even speak to her? These Sapphreans do not speak of ‘women’, only of ‘females’. Females are defined by their connection to men, as breeders of sons and grandsons.’

  Khosa yawned prodigiously from her pillow by the hearth. ‘They will have to learn differently then, won’t they Gan?’

  Ignoring the Kephi, Gan turned to Tika. ‘Will Kija travel with us, now that Nya is hurt? Farn may just be fit to carry you, and Brin can take myself and Sket. I would feel happier with two more Guards to accompany us at least. You must know what store the southern lords set by escorts.’

  Nolli spoke then, repeating what she’d said earlier. ‘With or without the golden one, you must leave no later than the day after tomorrow. I feel an urgency now, worse than before.’

  Emla seemed about to speak but Ryla forestalled her.

  ‘No, you will not be going with them Emla.’

  Emla bit her lip then asked: ‘Should not one of us go though – Gan has little talent in the power, and I think Tika should have some support.’

  Silence reigned as the suggestion was considered. Finally Ryla asked: ‘How badly was Kemti affected Emla? He is at least known to Tika. She has enough to deal with without having to get used to yet someone else.’

  Emla smiled. ‘He was fortunately one of the few who instinctively shielded against the cry from Gremara. He was thus unharmed. Would you agree to Kemti joining you Tika?’

  As Tika nodded, Gan sighed.

  ‘I see the logic in your suggestion and I’m sure Brin could carry the three of us, but I still feel that two Guards more are necessary. The southern lords will surely not be very welcoming to two who are plainly of the People. They will utterly disregard Tika to begin with as a runaway slave – and a female. She must have four escorting Guards to emphasis her rank.’

  Tika spread her hands. ‘We can only wait for Kija then.’

  ‘Do the southerners know of the Dragons?’ Ryla asked.

  Tika frowned. ‘Hunters said they had seen Dragons occasionally, but there were no stories I ever heard of Dragons speaking with humans, or carrying them on their backs.’

  ‘Is it likely they would try to kill them?’ Ryla pressed.

  ‘I don’t think so. There were no tales of Dragon hunts that I recall. And Kija has just told me she will come,’ Tika added, frowning again.

  ‘We will care for Nya,’ Emla said. ‘We will do exactly as Kija instructs us.’

  Tika smiled. ‘She should be Shan’s special charge I think.’

  She grinned as Shan’s mouth hung open in her bright red face.

  ‘I’ll take the best care of her Tika,’ Shan stuttered.

  Tika laughed. ‘I know silly! That’s why I ask you. You’ll have your hands full when Ikram starts causing mischief.’ A thought occurred to her. ‘Perhaps Kadi will choose to come with us, rather than remain here. I do not think Kija will let Farn travel without her presence, but I think Kadi has had enough of fostering.’

  ‘And would Kadi bear Guards on her back?’ Gan asked quickly.

  Tika shrugged. ‘We can but ask her.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lord Seboth had decided to go back to Far to send scouts north and west. He thought it advisable to find out just what, if anything, Rhaki’s arrival in Return might have precipitated. Hargon’s scouts were still seeking news from the northernmost range of his lands but few traders had yet begun travelling after the Cold Season. The Lords of Andla and Tagria lingered in Return, both saying they wished to examine the first-cycle koninas in Hargon’s breeding herd.

  Rhaki no longer attended meals, nor even bothered to tender any excuse or apology for his absences. He paced around his tower, urging the builders to work as fast as they might, and the brickwork now soared four stories above the massive base blocks of stone. Yesterday, two floors of thick wooden planks were hastily laid within the upper part of the tower, left rough and unfinished at Rhaki’s order. Now, as men worked in the adjoining building, Rhaki lay in his tower sleeping the sleep of total fatigue. A heap of pillows covered with quilts was his bed as his exhaustion was such that he could not wait for any furnishings to be brought. Serim moved from watching Rhaki’s unconscious form and guarding the tower entrance. He had no idea how long Lord Rhaki would need to sleep but guessed it might be days rather than hours. However long, he would watch over him.

  Hargon’s workmen laboured at the foundations of a long building to be attached to the tower, which would eventually have two floors, and accessing Rhaki’s tower from only the upper one. Hargon had sent orders that his children and their escort were to remain at the lodge in the foothills of the Ancient Mountains indefinitely.

  An arms man was reporting in Hargon’s workroom that the Lord’s children were pleased to be told they were to stay on at the lodge. He drew a small scroll from his jacket and handed it to
Hargon. ‘From the Lord Bannor Sir.’ He saluted and withdrew as Hargon broke the seal on the scroll. He smiled as he read the message from his eldest son.

  ‘Bannor asks of Rhaki, Navan. The boy is reaching towards manhood in his concern and understanding for our lands.’ Hargon read on. ‘He says a Merig has decided to join them, it stays near them most of the time. Especially to Mena. Probably because she is quieter than those boys, eh Navan?’

  ‘Perhaps not,’ Navan said thoughtfully. ‘A Merig is usually near Rhaki’s tower lately. I noticed it because it is solitary, not one of a pair.’

  Hargon looked sharply at the Arms Chief.

  ‘You think Rhaki could use Merigs as spies?’

  Navan hitched a shoulder in uncertainty. ‘We do not know enough of his powers generally, Sir. It is possible though.’

  Hargon went back to the letter from Bannor. ‘Stars! His spelling is dire! He says a great Dragon has flown high above them the two days before he wrote this – so at least they will have something to occupy them. The stories I’ll have to endure when they come home should be wild indeed!’

  He looked to Navan to share his amusement but saw only a frown. ‘A Dragon under Rhaki’s control as well? Surely not Navan. Bad as things may be, let’s not lose all common sense!’

  ‘No Sir, but I think we should take note of everything out of the ordinary now, even if to dismiss it later.’

  Hargon raked his fingers through his hair, tugging abstractedly at one lock. He looked at the papers still on his desk and groaned.

  ‘Frinkel can deal with these, I’m sure. Tell him to work here Navan. I need some peace for a while.’

  He opened a door revealing a narrow flight of stairs – his shortcut to the rooftop where he retreated for solitude on difficult occasions. Once outside, Hargon leaned on the parapet enclosing this small private space, looking over his town and towards Rhaki’s building. All seemed normal: men and women worked steadily in the fields, a constant rumble of sound indicated business as usual in the narrow lanes and the market area. He breathed deeply for a few moments then strolled to the opposite parapet gazing north where the foothills of the Ancient Mountains rose rapidly into the sky.

  ‘I bring a message from Gaharn.’

  Hargon swung round. He was still alone, but he could have sworn someone had spoken.

  ‘Well of course I did. In your mind.’ The voice added wearily.

  Hargon turned slowly back and his hands gripped the warm stone capping the parapet.

  The Merig rattled his feathers into a semblance of sleekness and blinked slowly at him. Hargon heard his own voice say, rather more nervously than he would have liked: ‘Did you speak to me?’

  The Merig tilted his head slightly. ‘I speak in your mind. A message from Gaharn. Your children must stay in your mountain lodge until the Dragons and their riders arrive. You must not allow the girl child in particular anywhere near the Grey One.’ The Merig relaxed, his message seemingly complete.

  Hargon wondered rather wildly if he might be ill, but found himself saying aloud: ‘Dragons and riders? From Gaharn? Can they destroy Rhaki? Who are you?’

  The Merig shifted from foot to foot, his heavy beak snapping briskly.

  ‘I told them it would take ages to explain it all to you, wasting my time. I do have other messages to carry but would they listen?’ He glared at Hargon, drew a deep breath and began to explain.

  A considerable time passed until the Merig’s patience finally reached its limit.

  ‘I have told you all that is necessary.’ The Merig gave Hargon a flat stare. ‘You must now think about what I have told you.’ He snapped his beak irritably. ‘No good can come of trying to communicate with such as your race, we’ve always known that.’

  Hargon watched as the Merig tipped himself off the parapet, swooped up to circle the small tower, then flew towards the distant mountains. The Lord of Return leaned his arms on the stone, resting his head on them. The Merig had been emphatic that mind speech was not a use of the power but merely a means of communicating used by many races of beings. Through his numbness, Hargon had received the distinct impression that the Merig felt that human races were far inferior to most others. His mind churned with these new ideas, ideas that turned many of his lifelong beliefs upside down.

  Hargon straightened, gazing unseeing over his town. First, he would explain what he could to Navan, then the Arms Chief would share this perplexing information. He felt his head would burst if he tried to keep it all to himself anyway. He made his way down the narrow stairs back to his workroom. The room was empty but several parchments lay neatly stacked where Frinkel had left them ready for Hargon’s signature and seal.

  Hargon called the door guard and when a head poked around the door edge, he asked that the Arms Chief be summoned at once. The head withdrew and Hargon slumped into his chair with a groan. Would Navan think his Lord had taken leave of his wits? Perhaps not, he thought more hopefully. After all, Navan had been talking about Merigs and Dragons earlier, hadn’t he?

  The Arms Chief came into Hargon’s workroom and, at Hargon’s nod, seated himself across the table from his Lord. Hargon scrubbed his hands over his face and stared hard at Navan.

  ‘I’ve been on the roof,’ he began, and stopped.

  Navan waited then nodded encouragingly.

  ‘Hmm.’ Hargon drummed his fingers on the table continuing to stare into his Arms Chief’s eyes.

  ‘A Merig gave me a message.’

  Navan’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth, then shut it.

  Hargon leaned forward. ‘I am not ill. I have no fever Navan. I admit I thought at first I was having some sort of brain attack. But I was convinced by the end. The Merig brought news from Gaharn.’

  Navan’s mouth opened and closed once more.

  Hargon relaxed slightly as he continued. ‘The Merig said that many races communicate with just their minds – that is how it spoke to me – inside my head.’

  ‘You heard a voice in your head Sir?’ Navan asked carefully.

  ‘Exactly,’ agreed Hargon. He studied Navan’s expression more closely. ‘Not just a voice Navan, the Merig sitting on the parapet spoke in my mind. It said Dragons and riders were coming from Gaharn. Meanwhile, my children are to remain in the lodge, far from Rhaki. He didn’t say who the riders were.’ He frowned. ‘Not more of the People I hope. But perhaps if the riders are of the People, they will be able to restrain or subdue Rhaki’s power.’

  ‘And this voice – er Merig,’ Navan corrected himself quickly. ‘This Merig suggested we do – what, Sir?’

  ‘I told him the Border Lords were readying themselves for trouble, although if that trouble involves Rhaki’s power, stars know what defences we could employ. The Merig said we should continue to behave as we have been doing towards Rhaki, allow him no suspicions.’

  Hargon watched Navan drawing a finger back and forth along the edge of the table for a few moments before asking casually: ‘Your opinion Arms Chief? Your truthful opinion.’

  Navan met his gaze. ‘I believe you Sir. A few ten-days ago I might have thought you ill, but now -.’ He lifted a shoulder. ‘I think we must hope the Merig spoke of allies coming from Gaharn Sir. I fear we will have need of them.’

  Hargon was much relieved that Navan appeared to have taken this information seriously. He had feared that his Arms Chief might truly have considered the Lord of Return deranged in his wits. Although he WAS the Lord and could thus command his men to do, and to believe, whatsoever he chose, he found it was a great comfort not to have to resort to commanding Navan’s acceptance of this strange development.

  The Lord of Return rose to his feet. ‘We will leave for the mountains tomorrow at first light. Arrange that a dozen of the best bowmen are included in the escort. We will take all precautions in welcoming these Dragon riders from Gaharn.’

  Kija had surprised the company at Emla’s House by announcing that she had contacted Seela, the great purple Elder of the Sun Mountain Treasury
. Seela in turn had called to the solitary Hani, and Hani was already on her way to Gaharn with her two daughters.

  Nolli looked pensive when Tika relayed this news.

  ‘So Kadi will travel with Kija and the rest of you?’ she asked.

  ‘Kija feels Hani will guard the young ones here very well. She would not be happy to join our journey south, where we will have to be in contact with perhaps many others. Hani knows of the Golden Lady and she is willing to come here.’ Tika thought for a while. ‘I think she will probably speak with you and Ryla, but she is very shy. Ashta is bolder than her mother only because she was bonded with Mim.’

  Ryla sniffed. ‘Will one shy and retiring Dragon be sufficient to control five young Dragons, and two of those with natures such as Nya and Ikram?’

  Tika grinned. ‘I suspect Kija will deliver a mighty talking-to before we leave and those two are still very shocked by what has just befallen them.’

  Ryla nodded slowly. ‘They are already so large, it is only when one sees them hurt as Nya is that one realises what babies in fact, they are.’

  Later that day, Kija entered the great hall. Ryla and Nolli said nothing as the huge figure paced across to their chairs. It was the first time she had left her injured daughter and now she reclined gracefully beside the two old ones. Her gaze flickered over them and to Emla and Kemti perched on stools on the opposite side of the wide hearth.

  ‘Is Nya any better dear one?’ Emla asked softly.

  Kija sighed. ‘A little. It will take more days of stillness to mend her.’ She stared into the blazing fire where a great log sent sparks gushing through flames of yellow, orange and blue. ‘Hani will be here soon, maybe even before dawn. Then Kadi, Brin and I will accompany Tika and my son to the south. Kadi agrees to bear two-legs if Gan wishes it.’

  Kija’s voice in their minds seemed to slide into a dreamy inflection as she spoke. Emla looked puzzled for a moment, then said: ‘Gan is determined that Tika should have four Guards as a minimum escort to meet with the Lords of the Southlands.’ She frowned as Kija’s head swayed gently in the firelight.