There was a sound of a muffled shout or cry, and Lennox strained his hearing. What was happening?
‘They’re coming,’ said Cain. ‘You know the routine. Use stone mages to seal off all the exits bar one, then send the Army of Pyre in. We’ve all trained for it.’ He smirked at Darine. ‘Bet you’re feeling a bit stupid now, eh?’
‘I’d rather die free,’ she muttered.
There was more shouting, closer. It seemed to be coming from above them, then it died away.
‘How many rebels are in the mountain?’ Lennox said.
‘Over a hundred warriors,’ Darine said. ‘As well as a few old folk and bairns.’
‘Shit,’ said Cain. ‘It’s going to be a proper battle, and we’re missing it.’
They listened for more noise, but it was silent.
‘Quit praying,’ said Cain to Libby. ‘I’m trying to hear what’s going on.’
Libby ignored him, her eyes closed tight. Darine began to pace up and down the long, narrow cavern, clenching and unclenching her fists as she walked. She tried the door again, but it remained locked. The silence lingered on, and Lennox felt his nerves rise.
The minutes passed. Libby’s voice had fallen to a quiet whisper, but she prayed on, her red hair glowing in the lamplight.
‘Maybe it was nothing,’ Cain said, frowning.
‘Aye, hopefully,’ said Darine.
Cain scowled and opened his mouth to speak as another rumble began, and the ceiling shook, dust falling down like rain. The rumbling turned to a roar and the floor buckled under them, sending Darine sprawling to the ground. The lamp fell to the floor, its light shrouded by a cloud of dust, The walls heaved and wrenched, and then the ceiling gave way.
Lennox raised his head. He could see a faint light in the darkness, but could hear nothing. He pushed pieces of rubble from his body. He was uninjured, though the wound in his chest had flared up again, and he grimaced. He crawled for the light, coughing in the dust, feeling his way with his hands. He squeezed under a massive wedge of rock, pushing with his legs, and realised that the chain behind him was trailing loose. He emerged on the other side of the rock into a larger space, a few feet wide, and a yard high, and saw Libby by the fallen lamp. It was still burning, its flickering light low and ebbing.
Libby looked up at him, dust smeared across her face. ‘Pyre answered my prayers.’
‘You prayed for him to kill us?’
‘We’re still alive aren’t we? she said. ‘I prayed for the destruction of the rebels and our freedom. And look, our bonds are broken.’
He heard a noise and turned.
‘Over here,’ croaked a voice somewhere in the rubble.
‘Cain?’ he cried.
‘Aye. Help me, I’m trapped.’
Libby and Lennox searched for the source of the noise. While Libby’s eyes were focussed on the rubble, Lennox glanced at the lamp, and sensed the flame in his mind. He encouraged it to burn a little brighter with a twist of his fingers, willing it to grow.
‘I see him!’ cried Libby. ‘Lennox, don’t just stand there, help me.’
The two of them pulled rocks from a pile, exposing Cain’s head and arms.
Libby laughed and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Are you hurt?’
‘Don’t think so,’ Cain said, grinning.
Lennox and Libby each took an arm and hauled Cain out of the rubble. He crashed down among them, falling over them in the cramped space.
‘Bit cosy in here, isn’t it?’ he said, sitting on Libby’s lap. ‘How are we getting out, then?’
Lennox didn’t answer. Where was Darine? He tried to picture where she had been standing when the earthquake had struck, and began rooting around in the rubble.
‘Up, I think,’ said Libby, squinting at the ruined ceiling. She lifted the lamp high. ‘If we can get above this rubble, it looks like we could climb up to a higher level.’
Cain helped her, and the pair began removing rocks from the great pile around them. Lennox ignored them both.
‘Darine,’ he called out.
Libby glanced down at him. ‘Leave her. Even if she’s alive, do you think she’d help us escape?’
Lennox ignored her, and resumed digging. He pulled at rocks, dislodging some and causing others high up to tumble down around them.
‘Be careful, ya prick!’ Cain cried. ‘Move the wrong rock and we all get buried.’
Lennox caught a glimpse of skin through the rubble and carried on, hauling away the rocks, clearing a space until he could see fingers, an arm, a shoulder.
‘I see you, Darine,’ he said, ‘I’ve got you.’
He freed another rock and pulled Darine’s shoulder, dragging her from the debris. Libby and Cain stopped working, and watched. Lennox laid Darine on the ground. Her eyes were closed, her face grey. He put his ear to her mouth, and tried to find a pulse in her neck.
‘She’s breathing,’ he said, his words turning into tears of relief as he wept over her body. He wiped his eyes before the others could say anything.
‘I’m carrying her out,’ he said. ‘No arguments. She’s still one of us.’
Libby frowned, then nodded.
Lennox remained by Darine as Libby and Cain worked. There was still a large lump of rock attached to the end of Cain’s chain, and he had to pick it up in order to squeeze through a gap in the ceiling. Libby held the lamp high for him.
‘I think I can see a way,’ he cried down to them. ‘Follow me.’
Libby glanced at Lennox and shook her head.
‘I’m bringing her,’ he said. ‘I’m not leaving her here to die.’
‘Alright,’ Libby said. ‘I’ll help you.’
Libby climbed up the pile of rubble and Lennox lifted Darine. Libby took a hold of the woman’s arms, and Lennox her legs, and together they began to climb. They squeezed through the gap one at a time, Libby setting the lamp down so she could pull Darine through. Lennox came last, hauling himself up into the higher level, where Cain sat watching them.
‘You brought the traitor, then?’ he said.
‘Fucksake, Cain,’ Lennox said. ‘Would you be happier if we left her, after all we’ve been through? She’s our friend.’
Cain frowned, but said nothing.
‘Where next?’ Libby said.
‘We can use what’s left of the lamp to see if there’s a way out,’ Lennox said.
Libby picked it up and began walking. The ceiling was high enough to stand, but wherever she pointed the lamp, it looked the same, with rubble piled in great heaps. She wandered further, and Lennox saw the top of an arched doorway.
‘Here!’ Libby cried. ‘Come on!’
Lennox picked up Darine, carrying her in both arms, and he and Cain followed Libby, their chains trailing behind them. Libby led them through the doorway and into a tunnel.
‘This is an old Rahain place,’ muttered Cain, gazing around. ‘No way the rebels built this.’
‘Quiet!’ Libby hissed.
They halted in the tunnel as sounds echoed from somewhere, of boots running. They waited until the sound had passed away, then kept going. Libby’s lamp lit the way, and they travelled along the long tunnel as it rose steadily upwards. They heard more noise – cries, footsteps, and the occasional rumble of rockslides, but saw no one. They stopped to catch their breath as they reached an undamaged chamber. Libby went to the wall, where several unlit lamps were fixed. Lennox lay Darine down and stretched his sore arms as Libby lit another couple of lamps.
‘At least we can see what we’re doing now…’ she said, breaking off as she stared through another opening. ‘Shit. Is that daylight I can see up there?’
Cain ran to her side, and almost howled in joy. He hugged Libby and she grinned. As Lennox was about to go over to take a look, Darine spluttered and coughed, and he crouched down by her side.
‘Take it easy,’ he said. ‘We’re out of the worst.’
She opened her eyes and glanced around. She groaned and placed a hand on her head.
‘Where are we?’
‘Somewhere in the mountain,’ he said. ‘We got out of the cavern after the earthquake.’
‘How did I get here?’
‘He carried you,’ Libby said, thumbing at Lennox.
Darine gazed at him, her eyes piercing him.
‘Come on,’ said Libby. ‘There’s a way out.’
Lennox helped Darine get to her feet. She staggered, and he put his arm round her waist to steady her. Cain and Libby each took a lamp, and they left the chamber. Lennox could see the grey light ahead, and his heart soared. They came to the end of the tunnel, and climbed a few steps to a small opening.
‘Ha!’ Cain cried as they looked out over the mountainside. It was a cloudy day, with drizzle softening the air. They stood side by side for a moment, gazing out.
‘What now?’ said Libby.
‘We should run,’ said Darine. ‘The four of us. Together we could make it.’
‘Oh aye?’ said Cain. ‘And go where?’
‘Kellach Brigdomin.’ said Darine. ‘Home.’
The others said nothing, as the chill wind bit through their ragged clothes.
After a moment, Libby pointed. ‘Look.’
Lennox followed her gaze. Halfway down the hillside, a group of warriors were running away from the mountain, stretching out over a quarter of a mile in a line.
‘Rebels,’ said Lennox. He glanced around, but could see no soldiers from their own side. ‘The Army of Pyre must have missed this exit. They’ll be on the other side of the mountain.’ He turned to Darine, his arm still round her waist. ‘Go.’
He stood back from her as she gazed at him.
‘What do you mean?’ she said.
‘Go after the rebels,’ he said. ‘We won’t hinder you.’
He saw Cain bristle, but Libby put a hand on his arm.
Darine raised a hand to touch Lennox’s face, then reached up and kissed him.
‘Take care,’ she said, then turned and ran down the hillside, bounding in great leaps through the rocks littering the slopes as Lennox, Libby and Cain watched. They remained silent as she grew smaller. Some of the rebels noticed her and turned, waiting. She blended into their ranks and the group ran on, disappearing into the gorges and ridges at the foot of the mountain.
‘You did the right thing,’ said Libby.
Lennox frowned. He had lost Darine forever.
‘I feel alright,’ he said. ‘She’s where she wants to be.’
‘And you?’ she said.
He glanced at Cain and Libby.
‘I’m where I want to be,’ he said. ‘Come on, let’s find the Army of Pyre.’
‘Aye,’ Libby said. ‘Let’s go home.’
Chapter 22
After You
Plateau City, Imperial Plateau – 19th Day, Last Third Spring 524
‘Please, Mister Laodoc, please!’ said Corthie.
‘No, my boy,’ the old Rahain man said. ‘Lady Nyane and I will not be sticking our tongues out for you to look at, especially not at the breakfast table.’
Corthie gave his best sad, whiny noise and Karalyn smiled as Laodoc shook his head.
‘Tell Lady Nyane,’ she said, ‘what you’ve been learning.’
He pulled a face. ‘Stuff.’
‘You’re such a tall young man,’ Nyane said, a coffee cup in her hand.
‘He’s going to be big and strong like his father,’ Laodoc said, ‘but that won’t help him if he doesn’t study, isn’t that right?’
‘Oh yes,’ Nyane said. ‘Pay attention to your lessons, Master Corthie, then you can show your mother all that you’ve learned while you’ve been living in the capital. I’m sure she’ll be very proud of you.’
Gerald approached the table with a fresh teapot. ‘More tea?’ he said, smiling.
‘Yes, please,’ said Laodoc. ‘One can never have too much tea in the morning.’ He paused as the young servant refilled his cup.
‘Can I have more sausages?’ said Corthie.
Laodoc coughed.
‘Please?’ Corthie added.
Gerald glanced at Karalyn.
‘Sure,’ she said. ‘I mean look at him, he’s like a rake.’
‘Indeed,’ said Laodoc, ‘despite the fact that he eats more than the rest of the household combined.’
Gerald gave a slight bow and left the dining-room.
Nyane laughed. ‘Dean’s the same. No matter how much he eats or drinks he never seems to put any weight on. Whereas I merely need to hear the word cake being mentioned and I have to loosen my skirt.’
‘Come now, Lady Nyane,’ Laodoc said, ‘without wishing to sound impertinent, I hear you’re an exceptionally fine-looking young woman.’
‘Young?’ Nyane laughed. ‘That’s the first time anyone’s called me that in a while. But thank you, Lord Laodoc, though I don’t know who would be telling you such things.’
‘If only I could see,’ he said, ‘then I’m sure I would be able to confirm it with my own eyes. And might I say what a pleasure it is to have you here for breakfast, Chief Engineer.’
‘I’m grateful to Karalyn for inviting me,’ she said. ‘It’s an honour to meet you at last, Lord Laodoc. I confess I could fill a book with the questions I’d like to ask you.’
The old man beamed. ‘You can ask me some now, if it wouldn’t bore the others.’
‘Go for it,’ said Karalyn. She lit a cigarette and watched as the excitement in Nyane’s eyes grew.
‘Firstly,’ the Rahain woman said, ‘what do you know about the origins of dream mages?’
‘You know of dream mages?’
‘I told her about me,’ Karalyn said, ‘seeing as how she’s my new boss. Dyam is fine with her knowing.’
‘Very well,’ he said, pursing his lips. ‘Let’s see now. Back when I was researching the Kellach Brigdomin in the Rahain capital, I was working on a theory that would explain why many similar plants and animals were native to both the Holdings and the Kellach peninsula. I proposed that, in spite of them being at opposite ends of the Star Continent, once the two lands had been joined together.’
‘I’ve heard of this theory recently in the university,’ Nyane said. ‘I know of experiments where male and female specimens from the two lands have been successfully mated together, with viable crossbreed offspring as the result. This would seem to confirm your…’ She paused, and her tongue flickered. Corthie giggled and Nyane flushed. ‘Apologies,’ she said, ‘that sounded quite insensitive.’
‘I’ve been called worse than “crossbreed”,’ Karalyn said.
Nyane nodded. ‘I’m sure. Still, I am truly sorry.’
‘It’s fine,’ Karalyn said. ‘I know you were thinking of rats and mice in cages, not people. So, are we saying that dream mages might be the children of mixed Kellach and Holdings parentage?’
‘If only it were that simple,’ said Laodoc, ‘but the only other dream mage I’ve ever heard of was Kalayne, and he was of Kell heritage alone. Appropriately enough, he also had a theory, which I heard from both Shellakanawara and Holder Fast.’
‘Yes?’ said Nyane.
‘However,’ Laodoc went on, ‘to believe Kalayne’s theory, you must also believe in the Creator.’
The room fell silent for a moment as Gerald entered. He smiled and placed a fresh platter of sausages in front of Corthie.
‘Thanks!’ the boy cried.
Gerald bowed and left the room as Karalyn glanced at Corthie wolfing down the food.
‘Nyane also knows about the Creator,’ she said.
Laodoc’s tongue flickered, though Corthie was too busy eating to notice.
‘I see,’ he said.
‘Don’t be grumpy,’ Karalyn said. ‘Nyane needed to know the truth, not just about me, but about what happened to us on the roof of the Great Fortress.’
Laodoc fell silent. He sipped his tea. Nyane glanced at Karalyn.
‘What was Kalayne’s theory?’ she asked.
Karalyn shrugged. ‘Laodoc?’
‘Why?’ said Nyane.
‘I’m not sure,’ said Laodoc, ‘though I suspect it may have been to do with the fact that their powers come on at birth, rather than adolescence. This must have made the lives of dream mages and their families rather difficult at times, and they may have been persecuted.’
‘But in theory,’ Nyane said, ‘any Holdings or Kellach could be carrying these powers?’
‘I suppose so, though look at Karalyn. She’s the daughter of a spark mage and a vision mage. Perhaps any dream mage that arose nowadays would need to be closely related to other, more orthodox, mage-lines.’
Nyane frowned, then turned to Karalyn. ‘None of your siblings are dream mages, are they?’
‘No,’ Karalyn said. ‘Just me.’
‘I have another theory,’ Laodoc said, ‘one that concerns Holder Fast. I cannot prove it of course, but I suspect that there are vestigial traces of dream mage powers within her. Faint, perhaps, but she always seemed more capable to me than other vision mages. She was trained by Kalayne, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he helped her find and use these extra powers.’
‘I think you’re right,’ Karalyn said. ‘I can sense when other mages use their powers. I can hear them.’
‘Really?’ said Nyane. ‘What do they sound like?’
‘Like musical notes,’ she said. ‘Rahain powers are like a deep, low bass, while Rakanese are light and high, like those fiddles they play. When my mother uses her powers, they’re a little bit different from other vision mages, as if she’s playing out of key, or in a key of her own. If I could hear my own power, which I can’t, I might be able to hear if she sounded like me.’
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