‘Look at me.’
Mena raised her face and Hargon’s expression grew grim. Her lower lip was split and a bruise darkened her left cheekbone.
‘And does Bartos often treat you thus?’ he asked.
The huge violet blue eyes met his steadily. ‘Not too often Sir Lord.’
‘Well then. Hmm. Well. What do you know of these Dragon visitors we are to have then?’
‘They come to help Sir Lord.’ Mena’s eyes lit and she leaned forward against the table. ‘The Merig says. . .’ She stopped, her mouth slightly ajar and her eyes unfocused. She smiled brilliantly and, formality forgotten, dashed to the window, leaning out at a perilous angle. ‘They’re nearly here!’ she cried, craning her head even further as Hargon made an undignified grab at the back of her shirt. ‘Look! That’s them! One of the Dragons spoke in my head.’ She twisted to stare nose to nose at Hargon. ‘A Dragon spoke to me,’ she repeated. Hargon squinted in the direction Mena pointed and saw four specks in the far distance.
A clatter of black feathers and the Merig scrabbled on the window ledge. The Merig’s horny beak was uncomfortably large when seen at quite such close quarters Hargon thought distractedly, but it – he – was speaking in their minds:
‘They will be here in moments. I told them there is room for them all to land in front of this place.’ His eyes glittered. ‘And I told them where you have hidden your bowmen.’
The Merig squawked as Hargon glared and Mena grabbed him. She wriggled from Hargon’s grasp and with the Merig tucked under one arm like a hen, she caught Hargon’s hand.
‘Quick!’ She towed him to the door. ‘They’re nearly here, quick!’
Servants gasped as Mena rushed down the stairs and through the communal main room, clutching the Lord of Return with one hand and an obviously annoyed Merig with the other. She stopped at the top of the balcony steps, apologetically placing the Merig on the railing. He shuffled disarranged feathers and clattered his beak vigorously. Bannor joined them, staring at Mena’s hand still fast in her father’s, but neither Hargon nor Mena noticed. Hargon barked orders to Navan and armsmen swiftly formed an honour guard before the lodge. All eyes were on the sky as the four dark shapes grew rapidly larger.
The Merig glanced at Mena, then at the sky. He side stepped along the railing and leaned forward, his heavy beak gently taking hold of a piece of short blonde hair. Mena’s eyes left the approaching Dragons for a moment to stare at the Merig.
‘You can pick me up again if you like. I quite enjoyed it.’
Mena swept him off the rail and tucked him back under her arm and, with everyone else, watched the great Dragons fly a final circle over the lodge and prepare to land.
And in a tower, power-wrought, on the outskirts of the town of Return, Lord Rhaki stirred in his sleep.
In the Golden Lady’s House, the great entrance chamber appeared to have been transformed into a library. Scrolls, books, and boxes holding yet more of both, spread out from where the two old ones sat near the hearth. Nolli’s friend and body servant Lanni, was picking her way cautiously through the muddle to bring hot soup to both her mistress and to Senior Ryla.
Shan stood at the edge of the chaos, hands on hips. Ryla looked up from a scroll she held close to her nose.
‘And what annoys you now Shan dear?’ she asked caustically.
Shan’s cheeks coloured but she stood firm. ‘Can we not at least move the papers you have looked at Lady? It becomes harder to put more logs on the fire or to bring you food and drink every day.’
At that moment, Emla came down the gracefully curving staircase, her chin steadying books piled high in her arms. Shan glared at her.
‘I was just asking, my Lady, if some of this -.’ she waved her hand at the clutter – ‘could not be moved if it is finished with.’
‘Well of course it is not finished with child,’ Ryla snapped. ‘We may need to look in some of them again.’
Shan rolled her eyes and muttered: ‘May?’
Emla lowered her burden to the groaning table beside Nolli and straightened. She smiled brightly at Shan.
‘Why don’t you go and do some extra arms training dear? While we are all so busy with this, there is little for you to do here.’
Shan would far prefer training to worrying about the confusion multiplying in the usually immaculate entrance chamber, so she turned her back on the mess and fled.
‘Perhaps SOME of these could be tidied away?’ Emla suggested mildly.
‘Nonsense. You know we have to go back and forth, checking again and again, one reference against another.’ Ryla passed the scroll she had been scrutinising across to Nolli and picked up another.
Emla sighed. ‘Why is it so difficult to track any of what we need to know?’
‘For stars sake child – Golden Lady indeed! If someone has hidden information in any of these reports, they will have done so efficiently. That is the whole point of hiding something.’
Nolli intervened gently. ‘We are trying to discover a key of some kind. We have found – oddities shall we call them? Repetitions that are just slightly different. But so far we cannot uncover anything like a definite pattern, that might allow us to take the first step to unravelling the rest.’
‘Drink your soup while it is at least still warm.’ Lanni interrupted.
Both Nolli and Ryla glared at the tiny Delver woman but she stood unconcerned between them, holding the tray until they took the proffered bowls. Lanni nodded in satisfaction.
‘We have settled on one thing though Emla,’ Ryla remarked in a milder tone. ‘We are looking only for references to the circles and those egg-like objects that both Tika and Mim wear. You still have no idea how you knew such things would be found in the Dragons’ treasure hoard?’
Emla shook her head. ‘I have wracked my brain to no avail, except to give myself headaches. The sword that Tika wears and Mim’s knife were just there, clear in my mind one day. And a sense of urgency and importance about them. A few days later, I dreamed of the pendants and when I awoke they too were so clear in my mind. I was convinced that those two children had to retrieve them.
‘Could it be Jerak’s doing do you think? I have to confess I find it worrying that anyone could plant any thoughts they choose so firmly in my mind.’
‘It is possible this Jerak you have told me of could be involved,’ Nolli said slowly. ‘I feel it is unlikely though. So,’ she gave her wide, toothless grin, ‘we are no nearer the truth in that regard either.’
Emla’s tall figure was folded elegantly on her usual stool beside the fire, one hand stretched out, warming at the blaze, the other cupping her long face.
‘Why can we find no record of those who made the circles in this place, and the ones elsewhere Ryla? I cannot believe you were not curious about any such things in this new land. Did no one ask the humans who lived nearby? Would it be worth asking their leaders now?’ She looked across hopefully at the aged Senior. Ryla’s chin was sunk on her chest and with a pang of sadness, Emla thought perhaps she had fallen suddenly asleep in the habit of the very old. But then Ryla lifted her white head.
‘You may have an idea there Emla. The humans lived somewhat further away when first we came. There was no city of Gaharn, but a chamber was built over the place where lies the circle.’ Ryla’s brows drew together as she concentrated on a far distant past. ‘We incorporated that chamber within the construction of the Asataria. There was contact with the humans from the earliest days of our arrival, but no dissension as far as I know.
‘Perhaps we should ask among the students as well as the Elders if they have ever heard even a whisper of human legends or tales dealing with the circle here.’
‘Would it be best if you asked the human leaders – Guild Masters are they named – to visit us here?’ Nolli grinned wickedly at Ryla. ‘If you keep hold of your temper, they should feel comfortable enough.’
Ryla’s mouth twitched as she retorted: ‘There is nothing amiss with my temper Ancient One.’
&n
bsp; ‘I think the Great Dragons may also know more than they have so far admitted. Hani is the only adult here now and I think she may not have been interested to learn such old stories. Kija said Hani was ever solitary, even as a hatchling.’ Emla had turned on her stool to face the old ones. ‘Shan reports each day that Nya strengthens from her injuries. Ikram is deeply shocked still.’
‘I am glad that Shar feels able to visit us,’ Ryla nodded. ‘But when Ikram came with her yesterday, I was surprised how changed he was.’
‘Well,’ Emla climbed to her feet. ‘I will enquire at the Asataria and see to inviting the Guild Masters here.’ She smiled innocently. ‘Are you sure you have enough documents now to occupy you?’
As neither Ryla nor Nolli deigned to reply, Emla picked her way from the chamber.
A considerable time later, Lanni, seated sewing at Nolli’s feet, bumped her elbow against the Old One’s legs. Nolli glanced up at once and saw a long greeny blue face peeping round the edge of the main door. She reached to touch Ryla’s arm gently in warning as she called in her clear voice: ‘Welcome Shar. Are you come to speak with us?’
Dark blue eyes whirred and Farn’s sister paced into the chamber, snow on her back melting in the warmth. Lanni tutted and trotted to the young Dragon, briskly mopping the moisture from the gleaming scales.
‘Hani would visit you,’ Shar said in their minds.
Ryla sat up straighter as a pale green adult Dragon suddenly appeared behind Shar. Nolli and Ryla felt a faint brushing in their minds before Hani’s voice murmured: ‘I am Hani of the Sun Mountain Treasury. I am glad to meet you now. May the stars guide your paths.’ Hani moved forward to the edge of the sea of papers and settled herself there.
‘I have been ill-mannered to seclude myself,’ her soft voice flowed through their thoughts. ‘Forgive me if you will. I rarely meet strangers. I like the mountain where I live, and I feel no need of society.’ There was a chuckle underlying her tone. ‘Kija and Seela and others always urge me to be social, but many voices always tire me so.’
‘Nya and Ikram – they are improving I trust?’ Ryla asked.
Hani’s face dipped. ‘They sleep now. My daughters watch over them. Another day and I believe Nya may exercise a little. The Golden Lady is not here now?’
‘She will return shortly, I’m sure,’ Nolli replied, staring intently at Hani. ‘She has gone to the city to enquire among the recorders of the humans there if they have any stories or knowledge of the patterned circles.’
Ryla glanced at the old Delver in surprise. Hani settled more comfortably.
‘They may know a little, but not all.’ Ryla’s mouth dropped open. ‘The ones who dwell beyond the Wilderness know more than I, but I know far more than the humans of course.’
Chapter Seventeen
Several days had passed since Lorak had warned Kera of Mim, and no opportunity had arisen for her to speak to Fenj on the matter. She sealed off the subject in a corner of her mind, away from any who might try to pry into her thoughts. It was easily done; she was adept at such a sneaky manoeuvre herself and had found it very useful too in dealing with some of the machinations of Asatarians.
But today she felt hopeful. Fenj had hunted and fed well yesterday, and would thus be unlikely to hunt again today. Mim and Ashta could well be gone longer than usual though, as work on the growing areas in the lower levels was delayed – workers kicked their heels as they awaited soil from Asat.
Kera and Nesh had been working at the long table in the hall – preferring to work there than shut away in the chamber they had at first selected. A few Guardsmen played dice near the hearth, others sat talking with Delvers at another table. Lorak and Bikram were closeted in Lorak’s workroom, concocting stars knew what potions, with the door firmly closed.
Kera walked casually to the gateway, half of which was now boarded across after a particularly vicious blizzard hurled snow and ice shards far into the hall. She peered out and up. No snow today but a wicked wind that took her breath away and sent her retreating, shivering, to Fenj. He reclined in his usual place, his tail curved around his body. Lula snored squeakily where she slept wedged between the Dragon’s tail and belly.
Kera smiled, sliding down the wall to sit near Fenj’s head. ‘That Kephi really believes she looks after you, doesn’t she?’
Fenj’s eyes whirred the shadows-on-snow colour and he rumbled, but very softly. ‘She is so tiny and yet so fearless.’
Kera waited, knowing Fenj would speak when he chose.
‘I know not how Kera, but Mim somehow has learned of the powers that the Grey One discovered. I believe when Lady Iska – stars guard her spirit – and Lord Yash worked with Tika at the Golden Lady’s House, they found she too used the power differently from how you, or we Dragons, use it. That would not matter so much if Mim were not also in communication with the Silver One.
‘Mim is unaware – so far – that I too can hear the talk between the two of them. Mention not her name Lady Writing Stick, she is alert to any now who might unwittingly attract her attention.’
‘You said when first she screamed, that she was insane. How can Mim hold her in check over such a distance? Even if his power has grown greatly, is he that strong already? Is that what you fear?’
Fenj sighed heavily then peered in alarm lest Lula had been disturbed. The Kephi yawned hugely, licked her nose, then curled tighter once more.
‘His power has grown beyond your imagining, but the Silver One poured great blocks of knowledge into Mim’s mind in that first contact. Knowledge accumulated from the beginnings of this world and the very first Silver One. Know you Kera, that each Silver One flies to the rising sun and when she meets the old dying Dragon, they do battle.’ Fenj shuddered. ‘Even old and mad, and they all end mad, the fight is bitter and dreadful. When a Silver leaves our Treasuries as this one did when Brin was new hatched, and kills her predecessor, absorbing her mind as she eats her flesh, all of us feel it. It is never spoken of as the Silvers are an anomaly we do not comprehend even now.’
‘So Mim has much more knowledge of power than he should have? He seems no different – perhaps a little more withdrawn from the rest of us again. Is it specifically that the Silver Ones’ knowledge is evil Fenj?’
‘You know that the power itself is not evil or good Kera, it is the user who turns it to right or wrong. No. It is the fact that the Silver One’s mind is tainted now, damaged, bitter, mad, but oh so powerful, and thus so tempting. And she tempts Mim, showing him how easily he could destroy all who displease him. The memory of his village, his family, is still sharp within Mim and unerringly she found that memory. In her madness is also great cunning.’
Kera began to understand the enormity of the burden weighing on Mim’s slender shoulders. She sat silent, thinking furiously on Fenj’s words. She stiffened.
‘Has her madness entered Mim’s mind?’ she asked in horror.
‘That is what I fear Kera. To withstand a mind such as yours or mine, if we chose to exert our power fully, would take great strength. I cannot say if Mim is strong enough to resist the Silver One, but I know he is balanced on a fearfully narrow ledge.’
A bustle at the far side of the hall brought their conversation to a close as Delvers appeared with carts loaded with soil from Asat. The door of Lorak’s workroom opened and he stared, rather glassily, across the hall. He rubbed his hands together, reached back for his hat and slapped it on his head, marching across to inspect the delivery. Bikram followed the old gardener, unsteadily, Kera noted.
Kera told Nesh all she had learned from Fenj later that evening.
‘Tomorrow Nesh I will ask Mim to attend me in our chambers. The only thing I can see to do is to confront him. If he is not contaminated by the Silver One’s madness yet, I will suggest he allow us to help him. I believe enough of us have the strength to channel support to him, should he need it.’
Nesh nodded but he looked worried. ‘I do not think the Delvers are too strong, only Dessi, and she has s
till to recover from experimenting with the winds and weather. She was close to death you know. I am a healer and strong in shielding and channelling power. Fenj is strong I think, but to what extent or in what particular talent, I know not.’
‘I remember Tika telling me that Fenj channelled his strength to her through our healers after one of the battles with the Shardi. It could work Nesh. And anyway, I see no other choice. Mim cannot be allowed to bear this alone much longer.’
Nesh shrugged helplessly. ‘Then when Mim comes up to see you, I will begin shielding you and I will ask Fenj to do the same.’
Accordingly, the next evening, when tired Guards and Delvers filled the hall with laughter, talk and games of dice after supper, Kera slipped unobtrusively up to her chambers higher in the stronghold. Nesh glanced across at Fenj, who was with Lorak, Bikram and Lula. The immense black Dragon turned to look back at Nesh as he felt the healer’s light touch on his mind.
Nesh took a deep steadying breath and leaned across the table. Mim was idly watching a dice game, Ashta’s head resting on his shoulder.
‘Mim, Kera has some ideas to discuss with you. She is in our chambers if you can spare her the time now?’
Mim’s head turned slowly, fire and lamplight glittering on the red gold scales on his face. It was a considerable effort on Nesh’s part to control a shiver of apprehension as the turquoise eyes with their vertical pupils bored into him. Mim placed a hand flat on the table to push himself to his feet and Nesh found he was staring at that scaled hand. The nails were nails no longer. They were talons, not so long as those of the true Dragons, and not retractable he thought. But still they were talons. Ashta’s eyes were a buttery gold as she watched Mim walk to the ramp leading to the upper levels, then she settled again, her chin on the table to wait for his return.
Mim tapped Kera’s door and entered at her call. The Senior sat in a deep armchair beside a small fireplace from which, nonetheless, blazed light and warmth. She smiled up at Mim as he came in and waved him to another armchair opposite her. She watched him settle in the chair, seemingly relaxed, but she noted a certain tension in his body as he sat there. Kera drew a breath and met Mim’s stare squarely.
Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series Page 17
