Perilous Shadows: Book 6 Circles of Light

by E. M. Sinclair

  Shivan shook his head.

  ‘I must speak with Corman and quickly. And perhaps see Aunt Lerran if she is well enough?’

  ‘Lerran woke a few moments ago. Go in to her and I will find Corman.’

  Peshan hurried away into the vastness of the Palace and Shivan went to the smaller arch leading to the First Daughter’s most private rooms. When Corman and Peshan entered Lerran’s bed chamber, they found Shivan sitting on the side of the great bed beneath the intricately embroidered black canopy. Lerran’s hand rested on Shivan’s. He was terrified by his aunt’s fragility and he didn’t dare clasp her fingers for fear of snapping the bones. But thankfully, her features were nearly normal.

  After the First Daughter’s prolonged descent into the Dark, deeper than had ever been taken before, her body had been hideously deformed. Now, her face was almost as it had been; far thinner, but human again. Her limbs were straight and her fingers had nails rather than talons. Corman’s hand rested briefly on Shivan’s shoulder, pressing lightly to indicate he should stay where he was.

  Shivan explained what Tika had learned in the Menedula building and asked specifically for advice on the possibility of Babach having information he knew nothing of. Shivan glanced down at the First Daughter as he finished speaking and his heart lurched. Her huge golden eyes had closed and she looked like a starved corpse. The fingers resting on his flickered, and Corman spoke quietly.

  ‘Tika’s mind powers are far greater than ours in many areas. It should be no problem for her to discover what may be in this man’s head.’

  ‘He is very old Corman,’ Shivan explained. ‘I think she respects him as a wise man, and she has a fondness for him. He is shocked by the idea that anyone might have tampered with his mind in the past. And Tika fears to distress him by asking him to let her tamper, as he would see it, with his mind now.’

  ‘There will be distress for all in this battle.’ Lerran’s voice was the merest thread of sound, and Shivan leaned closer. ‘In the face of necessity, things must be done regardless of causing distress.’

  The senior healer, Mull, came to the other side of the bed, resting his fingers on the First Daughter’s wrist. He shook his head at Corman and gestured to the door. Corman retreated at once. Shivan bent closer and brushed his lips against Lerran’s cheek.

  ‘Tika sent you her love,’ he whispered and saw Lerran’s mouth twitch upwards very slightly. He nodded to Mull and followed Corman, leaving his father in the sick room.

  Sword Master Favrian and Shield Master Garrol waited in the great chamber with Corman. Favrian launched straight into questions about any military opposition Tika’s company had faced and was rather taken aback to learn that there seemed no such thing as a military force in Drogoya.

  ‘It is clear the whole land has been hard hit by this plague of madness,’ Shivan explained. ‘Volk, our guide, says whole communities have died.’

  ‘Is this the same illness Lady Emla spoke of?’ asked Corman.

  Shivan shook his head. ‘Volk said people became mad, crazed, and did things almost impossible to believe. But they died, fairly quickly. He and his people think the great majority of the population is gone.’

  Garrol rubbed his chin. ‘His people?’

  Shivan shifted from one foot to the other. ‘Volk belongs to a different race of people from most Drogoyans. He said none of his people were affected by last summer’s plague.’

  ‘And what are these people called?’

  Shivan turned to find Lord Cyrek leaning casually against the wall. He glanced back and met Garrol’s bright blue eyes, so unusual in one of Dark blood. Garrol gave the tiniest nod.

  ‘Volk and his people call themselves Old Bloods.’

  Before Cyrek could ask more, Shivan spoke quickly to Corman. ‘I must return at once. It seemed clear last night, that the child in the building is a tool of the Splintered Kingdom. We are deciding on our plans as soon as I get back.’

  Corman nodded. ‘Dark bless you boy.’

  Almost as though he understood Shivan’s reservations with regard to Lord Cyrek, Corman immediately engaged Cyrek in an obscure query. Shivan made for the roof terrace, Garrol beside him.

  ‘Is all well really, lad?’ Garrol murmured as they reached the great arch.

  ‘Yes sir. Tika sent you her love.’ Shivan grinned. ‘And Essa and Dog have the guards under control, although they’re sweet enough to allow Sket to believe he gives all the orders.’

  Garrol snorted. ‘Sweet? Those two? Take care of that young lady Tika for me. And – take my love back to her.’ His face was serious as he stared at Shivan. ‘There are still troublesome things lurking here. I have to stay – for the First Daughter.’

  Shivan touched his left thumb to his brow, his lips, his heart, then swept his hand, palm up, towards the Shield Master.

  ‘Dark keep you sir.’

  He stepped away, his body already swerving into his Dragon form. The Dragon rose, higher, and vanished. Garrol continued to stand there for a moment, his gaze fixed on the piece of sky where Shivan had been. Then his left hand rose to touch his brow and he returned Shivan’s salute. But his mind was on the young woman with brilliant green eyes, who had called him “family”.

  ‘Mother Dark, keep all of them safe. If it is your will.’

  The Shield Master turned to go back inside the Palace and found Favrian and Cyrek had gone. Corman waited in the shadows within the archway.

  ‘Shivan has changed,’ Corman spoke softly although they were alone.

  ‘He has,’ Garrol agreed.

  ‘He is using his amazing mind without fear of constant reprimand at last.’

  Garrol nodded. Corman’s voice dropped even lower.

  ‘He is cautious before Cyrek.’

  ‘Tika told me that Cyrek gave Shivan instructions to watch her closely when they were in Kelshan. But she also told me there is already much that Cyrek himself has failed to observe.’ Garrol sighed. ‘Until Chindar revealed to us what he’d become, I would have laughed to scorn any suggestion that a high Dark One would entertain thoughts of treachery to this Realm.’

  Corman touched Garrol’s arm lightly. ‘Maybe not treachery, at least, not yet. But Lord Cyrek has always had an overweening pride in what he considers his immense intelligence.’

  ‘You know more of these things than I do, Corman.’

  The Palace-Keeper, Jenniah, came in with her maids, carrying trays of food to tempt the First Daughter’s appetite. Garrol, about to leave for his day’s work with his Shield guards, paused.

  ‘I did wonder though. I haven’t seen Seola for several days. Has she returned to the family manor?’

  Corman frowned. ‘Not as far as I know. I’ll check that out. I’ve never been able to decide which of those two is the craftiest, brother or sister.’

  ‘Craftiest?’

  ‘Oh yes. Cyrek is clever, but Seola is his match in craftiness.’

  ‘I wish you’d told me that before.’ Garrol frowned. Then he shrugged. ‘There’s little I can do anyway.’

  ‘You can stay alert, old friend. As must I.’

  Chapter Nine

  It was just past noon when Shivan arrived above Blue Mirror lake and the sun was warm enough for Farn to be enjoying a basking session on the shore. Shivan saw Essa glance up the instant he popped into view, and he wondered whether it was just coincidence. His Dragon body spiralled lower, skimming the water as he approached the grass near Farn. Tika was at the back of the building, by the stables, with Dog and Volk. They were watching Shea groom one of the horses and Volk was nodding his approval.

  ‘Got a definite knack she has,’ he told Tika. Then he grinned, big square teeth gleaming in his beard. ‘Pity she’s not so keen on the riding.’

  Shea threw a scowl in Volk’s direction and carried on in dignified silence.

  ‘Seriously,’ Volk continued. ‘That girl’s got a gift.’

  Tika leaned on the wall watching Shea. She had never attempted to touch the girl’s mi
nd, and she wouldn’t now. But perhaps, one day, she would ask Shea’s permission to see if the girl had a morsel of power. Tika glanced down. Dog squatted at her feet, her satchel open and two flat boxes exposed. The engineer had removed the lid from one box and was lovingly adjusting the wadding around a dozen apple sized clay pots. Knowing what one of those pots could do, made Tika swallow hard, but she stood her ground. She turned her attention back to Volk.

  ‘I told Hesla to get Dromi out of the Menedula. He’s been out of his human form too long.’

  Tika frowned. ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘If we stay in our beast form too long, we become the beast in truth. We lose most of our knowledge of being human. Not completely. But it makes life even more perilous for us.’

  When Tika clearly didn’t understand he explained further.

  ‘You know that my beast form is the bear?’

  Tika nodded.

  ‘Well if I got stuck in that form, I would perhaps remember you as a friend of my human form. I might be drawn to seek you out, forgetful that you or others might see me as simply a wild beast.’ He shrugged.

  Tika finally realised what he was trying to make her understand.

  ‘So you could be stuck as a bear, and yet long for your human friends?’

  Volk nodded. ‘Old Bloods recognise each other in either shape, but to be trapped in the animal world permanently would be a lonely and terrible life.’

  ‘So – Dromi? – has been in his other form too long?’ Tika was alarmed to think one of these people could have put themselves in even more danger than she’d realised.

  ‘Dromi has been a spider for five days. He is very strong in his mind, but five days is long enough.’

  Tika gaped at him. A spider? For five days?

  ‘Are you sure he’ll be all right?’

  ‘I’ve sent a couple out to where the trail comes out of the woods. They’ll help him back here, but he will need food and rest.’

  Shea had come to the stable door to listen but now she returned to start grooming the next horse, making no comment about what she’d just heard. Dog had repacked her poppers and closed the latches on the satchel. Volk wandered in to the stable and began talking to Shea about horses in general and the one she was working on in particular. Tika and Dog began to make their way round to the front of the building.

  ‘Makes you wonder though,’ Dog observed.

  When it became apparent Dog was not going to say more without encouragement, Tika sighed.

  ‘All right. It makes you wonder what?’

  Dog gave her a look of surprise. ‘Bears and horses. Horses and bears. I reckon Volk loves those horses like his own children. Why would a bear love horses?’

  Dog shook her head. The mysteries of this world were beyond her. Following the engineer, Tika had to admit this mystery was definitely beyond her too. Rounding the end of the building, they saw Shivan with Rhaki, deep in conversation. Shivan smiled as Tika and Dog came up.

  ‘Corman’s no wiser than us with regard to Babach. Lerran is truly improving but I’d guess it will take a very long while before she is able to get up. Garrol is fine. Corman has – problems – in the Palace in the form of Cyrek.’

  Tika bit her lip. She had been wary of Lord Cyrek but she didn’t underestimate what a powerful Lord he was. Something else to worry about later. She quickly recounted what she’d just learnt from Volk and both Shivan and Rhaki looked concerned.

  ‘I presume Hesla will fly back with him in his spider form – it would get him to safety faster.’

  A deep bugling call stopped further conversation, accompanied as it was by a raucous cackle. Hag landed first, strutting regally in Tika’s direction.

  ‘It was a most enjoyable trip, my dear,’ she said in her harsh croaking voice. ‘We destroyed many nests. Many nests,’ she repeated almost dreamily.

  Babach had emerged from the front door.

  ‘What nests?’ he asked innocently.

  ‘Plavats,’ Hag replied with the deepest satisfaction.

  Kija landed and paced to Tika, lowering her head to press her brow to Tika’s.

  ‘You enjoyed yourself, I gather.’

  ‘Enormously,’ Kija agreed.

  ‘Well just don’t tell us about it. Please.’

  Kija’s eyes flashed and amusement washed through Tika’s mind.

  ‘Very well. But I will tell you that most of the Oblaka is in ruins again.’

  ‘What!’ Babach stumbled towards them. ‘What do you mean?’

  Kija sent a pulse of sympathy to the old man. ‘Fire inside. Not natural fire. We could find no one alive.’

  The gold Dragon lowered her head to Babach. ‘We searched. But we found no one.’

  ‘Volk’s daughter, and his grandchildren,’ Tika murmured, horrified.

  ‘I heard.’ Volk’s growl rumbled behind her.

  She reached a hand out but he turned away, his body shivering into the shape of a massive bear. He disappeared among the trees, leaving Tika watching helplessly. She ran inside the building to the kitchen where three Old Bloods were enjoying bowls of tea. She went to Beela, the only one she really knew.

  ‘Kija has brought word that those left in the Oblaka are all dead. Volk’s family were there. He – erm – changed and went into the woods. Will he be safe?’

  Beela started to rise, then sat back with a sigh.

  ‘He will be very angry. It’s best to leave him be. His daughter meant little to him, I think. He had two sons killed, years ago in a purge in one of the midland towns. There were two grandchildren, or was it three?’

  One of the other women at the table nodded. ‘Three, two boys and a girl.’

  Tika’s face showed her horror. ‘He told me about one of the boys. He said he couldn’t steal him away when we left, although he believed the child was near the first changing.’

  The faces round the table grew solemn when a man spoke from the doorway.

  ‘That would be Rivan.’

  Tika turned, recognising Sabel behind her. ‘You knew the boy?’

  Sabel shook his head. ‘I’ve seen him a few times, when I visited Volk. He isn’t Volk’s blood. Volk took him in when the boy’s family were killed, along the coast. I’ll see if I can find any trace of him. If he was near to the change, he may, just may, have escaped.’

  Sabel left the kitchen before Tika could speak. She looked at Beela in alarm again.

  ‘Will it be safe for him, for Sabel, to fly that far?’

  Beela gave a grunt of amusement. ‘In our beast shapes, we move faster than the ordinary beasts.’

  Really? thought Tika, her mind beginning to spin. Would there ever be a point in her life where she would have the time to follow up the strange scraps of information that were thrown her way?

  ‘Well, if you’re sure. Should we wait up for Volk – will he be gone long do you think?’

  Beela exchanged glances with the other women. ‘Might be back later today,’ she said. ‘May be a couple of days, but you’ve no need to worry for him. Truly.’

  Tika nodded although not much reassured, and left the kitchen. Word had spread among the company and there was a low murmur as people discussed Kija’s news. Kazmat and Darrick were wandering back from further along the lake shore, several large fish dangling from their hands. Storm’s laugh pealed through everyone’s heads.

  ‘How long did it take you to catch those sad little fish?’ His eyes flashed with mischief.

  Darrick drew himself up and peered down his nose at Storm.

  ‘We enjoyed ourselves greatly and there are enough here for our supper. It takes skill you understand, to catch fish this way. Not just luck.’

  Storm started to bristle but saw Kazmat’s grin and realised this was the human idea of teasing. He stuck his nose in the air.

  ‘Poor little fish they are. All bones too, I’m sure.’

  Darrick chuckled. ‘You are the best fisher I’ve ever seen. But we did enjoy ourselves.’

  At twi
light, three Old Blood men came into the hall, carrying a fourth. Instantly Konya was ordering the three to set their friend down by the fire. Tika touched Konya’s shoulder before the healer could begin to search for injuries.

  ‘This is Dromi. He has been inside the Menedula. He needs rest and food.’

  Konya paused, then simply took Dromi’s wrist to check his pulse. She frowned.

  ‘His heart beats very slowly.’ She looked at the men beside Dromi. ‘He is quite deeply unconscious. Is this normal for your people in this circumstance?’

  One man nodded. ‘Because Dromi was so long in his beast shape, he has put a great strain on his whole system. It will take perhaps a day to return to normal, but we must try to get liquid into him during this time.’

  Konya stood. ‘I think it best if he’s taken to one of the bedrooms,’ she said. ‘It will be quieter. And I have herbs that will stimulate and strengthen his heart. I am also accustomed to getting liquid into unconscious patients.’

  The Old Bloods lifted Dromi again and carried him after Konya. Tika watched them go. Sergeant Essa sat down on the nearest bench.

  ‘I would never have guessed he’d change to a spider. Volk already looks like a bear.’

  Tika smiled. ‘Just what I was thinking.’

  Dromi was fairly young she guessed, but his head was already bereft of all hair. His face was round and as hairless as his head. He was plump in the body, and from the brief sight of him prone, she didn’t think he was very tall. She found Essa still watching her so she joined the Sergeant on the bench. No one else was particularly nearby but Essa spoke very quietly.

  ‘You can look inside people’s heads without them knowing, can’t you?’

  Tika was startled by the question. She tried to study Essa’s profile but all she could see was the underside of the huge woman’s jaw. Essa glanced down briefly, then continued to watch the other people in the hall. Tika rested an ankle on the opposite knee, and considered her reply.

  ‘Yes,’ she agreed finally. ‘But among those who use mind speech, it is considered rude to do so without permission. Among friends that is.’