'Thank you for your effort,' Brynn sent despondently. 'Belon always taught me not to leave them alone. I feel like I should have done more, acted more swiftly.'
'We have all felt that ache of regret... I am sorry, Brynn.'
'You did what you could, Riqu.'
Riqu withdrew both to give Brynn some privacy in his grief and because he knew that the longer they talked, the higher the chance Abbarane mages had of detecting them.
Brynn let anger bury his sorrow, he did not have the strength to grieve. He had known from the start the likely outcome, and he had done what the paths would allow. He remembered a Reya being part of Sentary's group. Brynn would have linked with her when sending the group illusions to distract them. Later, after she was recaptured, her spirit had recognised a safe spirit while it was seeking refuge from the reality of her neglect.
Brynn was so lost in his contemplations he did not notice Sariah's approach as she made her way over to him. 'Mind if I join you?'
Brynn shook his head.
Sariah was not sure if the movement was an answer or just meant to clear his mind of whatever occupied his thoughts. She decided to sit, placing her newly-created walking stick across her lap so she did not lose track of it. Brynn had used his talent to sculpt the piece of wood into the shape of a hawk, a touch Sariah appreciated. She was aware that even as Brynn considered Akileena as isolating himself, Brynn spent a lot of time on his own.
As leader, he supported the group, yet he remained apart, often riding a little further ahead or sitting, like this, on his own. At the same time, she knew that not one of their group viewed him as unapproachable. How did a mere child achieve such self-assurance? she wondered.
'How is your sight?' Brynn queried after a few minutes, still gazing off towards the setting sun.
His voice sounded hoarse. She may not be able to see his expression directly this moment, but Sariah recognised the tone. She had heard it many times over the turns. It was the tone of grief. He hid it well, but her hearing was sharp enough to pick up the faint note regardless.
'Greatly improved!' she replied, forcing a lightness into her voice. 'The blurriness still affects my peripherals, but it is getting better. I almost do not need my stick aside from the occasional bout of disorientation. Although, if I am honest, I am not completely confident moving without it, but I could probably do so,' she confessed.
'Give it time, there is no need to rush,' he said assured her.
Sariah inhaled deeply as she gazed at the diminishing sunset. She was almost able to pick up the subtle shades as one colour transformed into the next.
'I was hoping you would agree to practice with me,' Sariah said after a short while. 'I mean, once I can walk without this stick. I need to re-learn how to fight without Kaydyr's advantage of position and sight.'
Brynn nodded his assent. 'Once the blurriness has completely cleared.'
'Thank you. Not just for the practice. You have done a lot for Kaydyr... And me.'
'It is fine,' Brynn responded, rather shortly.
Sariah grinned, he always seemed to get embarrassed by the gratitude of others.
'Because it is a gift, freely given!' Brynn sounded exasperated. 'I already know they are thankful. I am never sure what to say, and then I feel awkward,' Brynn confided, not aware that Sariah had not spoken. He had 'picked up' on her thoughts through his mind-hear talent.
'All those looks and modest, too,' she drawled lightly.
Brynn managed a laugh. 'Does that mean I will one day make an excellent rahn?'
Sariah smiled roguishly. 'Nay. More than likely it will frustrate her immensely.'
Brynn laughed again, this time with more cheer.
'You should not do that,' she murmured, referring to him perceiving her thoughts.
Brynn shrugged. 'Sometimes I cannot help it. They are just there, unbidden. It is not like I try to listen,' he said plaintively.
Sariah decided to let him off. 'So you have explained before.'
Brynn considered her for a moment, however, despite the hint of mischievousness in her smile, he could detect no sarcasm, indeed a look of seriousness seemed to sober her expression.
She turned to look at Brynn. She had seen the ocean only twice, and she remembered the deep colour of blue it held, a colour perfectly reflected in his eyes. The darkness of the colour was disconcerting, and yet, also quite striking. The high brow and cheekbones were classic elvan features. His eyebrows were black and his hair, loose right now, was streaked with a black so dark, it shone. There was a determined look about his jaw, but the gentle curve of his chin lent it a softer tone.
Brynn drew back from her scrutiny. 'What?'
'I am looking at you,' she said simply. 'I have not seen you from this perspective before. I have not seen anyone from this perspective since I was a child.'
Brynn smiled. 'Fine, continue your observation,' he relented.
Eventually, Sariah leaned back, ending her study of him. 'At least your good looks will make up for some of the frustration of being a mage for whoever ends up being your rahn,' she teased.
Brynn raised his eyebrows. 'A shame I come with so much destiny! I am sure I would be more interesting without a future mapped before me.' He tried to match Sariah's light-hearted tone, but did not quite succeed. 'I am sorry, I did not mean to sound so terse.'
Sariah nodded in acceptance of the apology. 'You speak a truth that is not easy to bear,' she replied softly. 'I am relieved not to have your burden,' she admitted uneasily, 'although guilt swiftly chases that relief, for I feel I should want such a burden if I am truly loyal to my people.'
'Not necessarily. I think it is easier to achieve something when it is not expected of you. And you want the same thing I want, freedom and peace; you do not need a prophecy to pursue either.'
Another several minutes of relaxed silence followed as they idly watched the sun set.
'I am sorry I went off after Sentary alone. I reacted to my instinct without the benefit of being able to look at the paths.'
Brynn shook his head. 'Do not dwell on it. Besides, sometimes your instincts are right, despite what the paths show you,' he told her. 'We achieved one of the better outcomes because of your impulse. Sentary and the others are safe, and we have recruited Akileena.'
He refrained from mentioning that if she had left the slavers sleeping, they would not have been missed at Sal-Cirus and the investigation of their disappearance would not have led to the discovery of Sentary's group. The warrior felt bad enough. However, Brynn conceded to himself, if he had not urged Nathan to join the scouting patrols then Daniel would not have ended up in the desert. It was good to keep objective and not judge too quickly. Sariah had done what she believed was right, everything after that needed to be handled as best it could.
'Are all the talents double-edged knives?' Sariah enquired curiously.
'Some more than others. Healing is the best.'
'Is it true that you can change your shape?' She was doubtful she would get an affirmative response. Brynn nodded, causing Sariah to eye him sceptically. 'Have you ever done it?'
Brynn gave her another affirmative.
'Really?' the warrior's eyes brightened with interest. 'What shape? Can you do other people? Animals?'
'It depends. You need to be familiar with the animal or person you intend to mimic.'
'Are there any limits? What if you change into something bigger than you are?'
Brynn laughed at her mix of disbelief and keen interest. 'Use of the environment can add extra mass. However, it does require a mass amount of energy.' He added, 'Pun intended.'
Sariah chuckled. 'Well, if we ever find ourselves cornered in battle, choose something big,' she told him, putting on a serious tone.
'Just big, eh?'
'Well, lots of fangs and claws would probably help too,' she added with a wolfish grin. 'That was it!' she suddenly announced.
'What?' Brynn exclaimed, startled by her outburst.
'That was y
our plan if they overwhelmed you that day, when I first met you. I never understood why you would try facing twenty men, let alone the rest. I thought you must have had a back-up plan — that was it! You would have changed your shape,' she declared exultantly.
'Yes, it was,' he confirmed, not wanting to disappoint her. He would not have resorted to shape-change in that circumstance, as illusion was more convenient and required less energy.
'Shall we go get our meal?' Sariah suggested. 'It should be ready by now.'
Brynn's stomach grumbled loudly, and he laughed. 'I do not think the choice is mine!' He rose and helped her up. Sariah wavered, and he waited until she was steady before releasing her.
'I miss Kaydyr's sharpness of perception,' she complained as they started down towards the camp. 'His sight is far more advanced than mine.'
'It will get better soon,' Brynn assured her. 'How is he, by the way?'
'He returned to his home. There is possibly a companion, too,' she said, grinning.
'That is good to hear. I know you miss him.'
'It is worth it,' Sariah declared without hesitation. She paused in thought before saying, 'Yes, his freedom was as important to me as my brother's. I was thinking earlier — do you remember that game with the shepherd, sheep and may-en-ghi?'
Brynn smiled. 'Little Shepherd.'
'Yes, that is it.'
The goal of the game Sariah referred to was for the 'sheep' to escape a 'may-en-ghi' by asking the 'shepherd' to protect them. A grid was drawn in chalk with a spiral pattern marked within it which had 'safe' places allocated. The sheep began at the start of the spiral, the shepherd stood in the centre, and the may-en-ghi started on the corner opposite the sheep. When the shepherd closed their eyes, the sheep chanted: 'Keep us safe little shepherd, save us from the may-en-ghi', and moved along the spiral. When the phrase was finished, the sheep 'froze', while the shepherd scanned the grid in four rotations. In this time, the may-en-ghi 'stalked' the sheep, but could only move when the shepherd could not see them. If the may-en-ghi touched a sheep, they were out of the game, unless they stood on a safe spot.
'What about it?'
'Well, I was watching my brother earlier, he was talking to one of the may-en-ghi, and I was thinking, never in my childhood imagination did I ever think I would one day meet a real may-en-ghi. It put the game in quite a new perspective for me. The only reason I thought of it was that I used to play it with Sentary and the other children who lived nearby, and there was Sentary talking to a real may-en-ghi.'
'It certainly does make the game seem more ominous, knowing that there are real may-en-ghi. Although, I do not believe a may-en-ghi would ever harm a child.'
'Oh, no, I did not mean to imply—'
'I know. You were just expressing your amazement, it is fine, Sariah, I understand.'
Just then, Sariah stumbled on some uneven ground and grabbed Brynn's arm to steady herself. Brynn resisted using his other hand to support her, allowing her to regain her balance and then let go. He knew to help her might end up frustrating her.
'You no longer wear the bracer with the crossbow,' she said as her hand left his now bare forearm, the feel of his scars was disconcerting.
'It was damaged by Nathan's sword when he swung at Akileena. Nathan was surprisingly fast. I will see if I can fix it back home. If not, I am sure Keysjhon will be able to repair it.'
Sariah nodded and smiled at his comment. 'He sounds quite gifted.' Then she frowned thoughtfully, puzzled by an aspect of his scars. She looked to him. 'Why do the scars still look so new and raw? That is, if you do not mind the question.'
Brynn glanced down with a frown of his own. 'I am not sure. I could easily use talent to heal the skin properly, but I have never been inclined to do so. They remind me of her, of Baschia. She was so desperate, so frightened and yet she would not let her rahn feel it. She exiled herself from the communal mind. She was prepared to face death alone. Her strength should not be forgotten, and I am the only one who knows the full depth of her experience. She forbade me from telling the others anything in great detail.'
'How long ago did it happen?'
'About fifteen turns now. It is strange, sometimes I still feel a little self-conscious of them, even though I am proud of her.' He gave her a shrug and an apologetic smile.
'I know what you mean, I got that way about my sight. Sometimes I was proud, other times... Well, you know.' Sariah paused to inhale a scent on the cool, evening breeze. 'It smells like Akileena is in charge of the cooking tonight,' she said with a groan. 'I was actually hungry for a moment.'
'We thought you two had run away when you smelled the burning,' Rose joked as they approached.
'Is Akileena trying to cook again?' Sariah asked.
'I was. I am a victim of mutiny. Sentary has taken over,' Akileena informed them sulkily.
'That is but a small relief,' Hagen quipped looking up from his book to grin at Sentary. Te-eira was helping him learn to read from a book Brynn had bought for Belon in Sal-Cirus.
'Hey! I used to cook in the kitchens of thanes,' Sentary objected.
'I hope you spat in the soup,' Hagen muttered.
'Unfortunately, no. They already thought of that and posted guards.'
Sentary filled a bowl with a mix of chunky vegetables and handed it to Brynn. 'If you dare,' he said affecting an evil chuckle.
Brynn offered a spoonful to Sariah.
'I can get my own, thank you,' the warrior told him.
'I was not offering it for your hunger's sake. If it is bad enough to kill me, it is best you try it first. That way I will have reasonable warning.'
Sentary swiped at him with his ladle.
Day 19 – Night
Sal-Cirus
The portrait was imposing. The artist had captured the spirit of Keldon Abbarane within the canvas, from the steel discipline of his posture to the determination in the dark-green eyes. Malithorn remembered his father like this, at the peak of health, his golden hair neatly combed back from the wide forehead. His tawny beard, which he took so much pride in growing after turns of being clean-shaven, only lent to the sense of greatness Keldon radiated. The easy smile that lifted his moustache, never failed to put Malithorn into a good mood. His father had never been overweight, but he'd been robustly built, fit and muscular from regular training. He never stooped his one-hundred-and-ninety-centimetre frame, but he did not move stiffly as you might imagine a military man would. He moved with grace, like the great golden-horned stags that inhabited the forests here. All that energy and motivation and drive caged within a strong, powerful body.
All that was destroyed. Slowly, over many moons, the illness that claimed Keldon Abbarane's life stealing all that was great about the man bit by bit. First his energy, leaving him exhausted all the time. Then his muscles degenerated and his organs weakened until finally it was too much effort for his body to keep going.
The elvan-borne disease had been passed to Keldon on purpose, Malithorn was sure of it. The Prophecy of Desolation, which had predicted his father's success against the elvan, had also said that elvan skill alone would not be enough to bring about Keldon Abbarane's demise. Thus, it made sense to Malithorn that the elvan had devised a plan to infect his father as a means of getting around this clause, as it did not rely on their skill with combat or a weapon or talent.
They had carried out the act during a confrontation at a public execution. The rebels had flooded the square where the executions were meant to take place, over-whelming the soldiers. His father had told him that the elvan who had infected him had come straight towards him. Malithorn remembered Keldon's words. 'He was looking for me and when he saw me, he charged forward. There was purpose in his eyes, the fanatical kind, and then I remembered him. He belonged to House of Tiengara, Sarre, he called himself.'
Malithorn remembered the Tiengaras too. The elvan house was known for innovation and were responsible for much of the technology the elvan had. Keldon had killed Sarre's sister when their pare
nts refused to build weapons for him. The parents had tried to stop him and Keldon had ended up killing them in self-defence. During the commotion Sarre managed to escape.
His father had described how Sarre had cut his arm open, never taking his eyes off Keldon. 'He leapt like a panther, high up, and got me to the ground. Then he just rubbed his bleeding arm on the cut I had on my chest, before he pushed away and disappeared into the crowd.'
The foul creature that had defiled his father so shamefully had escaped justice. He supposed the child saw his act as a form of revenge for the loss of his parents. What riled Malithorn was that Sarre had succeeded. Malithorn still seethed if he thought about it too long. The Great Lord made a sound of disgust and stalked from the office to the private stairway to his personal rooms.
Admittedly there was some comfort in being home. At the same time, 'home' brought several recent problems to the fore. It was here the supposed connection to the Saviour had come. It was from here his harem had escaped. It was here an apparently useless stone had been stored for thirty-odd turns. Curtin, usually a thoroughly competent administrator, was prepared to take responsibility, but under the circumstances, Malithorn did not see a need for penalising him. Colnba had confirmed that the amulet had been switched out before the Thane had taken over administration of the city. The harem was a significant loss, but one Malithorn suspected Akileena had helped happen. Therefore Thane Curtin could hardly be held responsible. The Debanikay mage was an entirely different situation, not only was he dangerous to Malithorn, he was responsible for Nathan's death. Akileena may not have done the deed, but he had failed to protect Nathan. It was a significant loss. Nathan had been the most effective of his thanes when it came to opposing the rebels. He had also liked Nathan, which did not happen often. He had plans for a full military memorial because that sub-race vermin known as the Saviour had not had the decency to leave them a body to bury. Not only would it serve to honour Nathan, it would rally his military around a single cause and launch his new campaign against the rebels.
Prophecy's Quest Page 27
