Anna von Wessen (36 page)

She let her head fall, then, and verily appeared to hover there in midair, with her feet some inches off the floor, and her arms drooping lifelessly at her sides. Her hair hung in a long, black curtain before her face, so that for a moment even the small light of the corridor disappeared. Her hopelessness was like a great yawning chasm, over which she was suspended – but only after having been granted the knowledge that she would soon be dropped down into it forever. Then it would close over her head, and swallow her entirely.

“The fight is too great,” she murmured sadly, “and I am too small. I never thought I should say it – but I know it is true. Is there no one left? Is there no one to help me?”

For a moment – just a single, brief and inexplicable moment – the ice which had been always lodged round her heart seemed to melt; and in that instant she was warm, warm as if real blood coursed through her. It was not the heat of rage, not that which had filled her before, but something strange and rather fearsome. She raised her head slowly, and looked into the surrounding darkness.

She wondered, perhaps, if this was what it felt like to be human.

But she did not wonder long; for quite suddenly, and all in a moment, she was free. She found herself on her hands and knees upon the cold floor, looking down at the discoloured stone, and feeling innumerable grains of dirt sticking all into her skin. She glanced back at the empty doorway, but saw the Aera there still, looking not at all different from what it had done before.

She drew herself quickly up to her feet, and fell back from the doorway, till she was pressed flat against the wall. The warmth deserted her, then, as if having been brought by an unseen hand, and leaving her now that the hand had been taken away. But this all happened so very fast, she could hardly be sure whether she had not imagined it. She could hardly be sure; but there was no denying the fact that she was standing, standing here on the opposite side of the threshold from which she had started. How to dispute it? She saw it with her very own eyes!

She did not spend many minutes wondering, though; for the first thought to return to her was that of Anna. She shifted immediately down into the dungeons, and ran in zigzags through the long, dark halls, searching for the sound of Anna’s thoughts.

But she needed not find so much. At the farthest length of the great underground vault – at which she arrived without encountering a single soldier – she saw a single torch burning in its bracket, to light the heavy door of a narrow prison cell. She saw that Anna was standing behind it already, and so simply raised her arm to take the Aera from its peg. She cast it to the floor, and stamped upon it.

“Vaya!” Anna cried, as she thrust her hands through the bars. “Oh, Vaya.”

Vaya went to the door, and clutched Anna’s hands in her own. She brought them up to her face, and kissed them quickly, before motioning for Anna to step back. Then she took hold of the door with both hands, wrenched it from its iron anchors, and tossed it aside.

Anna stumbled from the cell, and fell against her. Then they shifted together from the castle. 

XXXVII:

The Weld

A
moment later they arrived in that deep valley, and walked into the hollow entrance cave below the stone awning.

“Where are we?” Anna asked.

“In the Cambrian Mountain range,” said Vaya. “More specifically, we are in Eastern Wales, in the Black Mountains. The Weld has been fixed here for some decades now.”

Anna looked back out the mouth of the cave, and surveyed the wide expanse of rolling grass which carpeted the long valley. It was a quiet place; a lonesome place. But she would have wanted nothing else. In the back of her mind was a vague foreboding, which screamed every moment that Ephram should find her, that he should find the Weld just as he had done when Vaya hid there all those years ago. It would not be just her own head, then, which was at stake. To go now into the Weld, and by doing so to put in jeopardy all the lives safely lodged between its thick rock walls, was a thing she was not entirely able to reconcile with her conscience.

“Don’t worry,” Vaya said to her. “He won’t find you. He’s not had the time to look – and we won’t give it him.”

“And if he read your thoughts?”

“He did not, I promise you. It was only a bluff. He hears nothing I don’t wish him to. He did not even hear your call, as he claimed. He must only have had the guards at the ready. They discovered I had left my chamber – and we weren’t far, after all, from the castle.”

“Where were the guards, then, when we left?”

Vaya frowned into the darkness, and gripped Anna’s hand. “We’ll talk about that,” she said, “when we’ve more time.”

So she drew Anna forward, knocked upon the stone, and gave her name. This time, however, the great door was opened much more quickly. It seemed they were expected.

“Xeros gave instructions to watch for you,” said the sentry. “He expected problems at Drelho – or so I’ve gathered.”

The sentry scratched his head as he walked, and made a point of not looking at either of the newcomers. It seemed his feelings towards them were something less than friendly.

“Just bring us to Xeros,” Vaya said sharply.

“What do you think I’m doing?” returned the sentry.

A harsh sound started up in the back of Vaya’s throat, which indicated that she might not be willing to accept the sentry’s hostility with a welcoming gesture; but Anna laid a hand upon her arm to quiet her.

They were brought to Xeros’s distant chamber, whose door was standing open just as it had done when Vaya came. In the same tall armchair by the fire sat Xeros; and beside him, in the place where Vaya had sat while Xeros told his story, was Dio Constantín.

“Mila!” he exclaimed, as he heaved his old bones from his chair with remarkable speed, and hurried across the room to Anna’s side. “The moment I left you I regretted it. I should have known better! What has happened?”

Already he was at work removing the Turin. Vaya had attempted it; but apparently the thing required more than brute force.

“There we are, Mila,” said Dio. “Tricky little things, these chokers! It seems you can never get them off, when they’re round your own neck.”

“Who is this?” Vaya inquired, looking doubtfully at Dio. “And why does he call you Mila?”

“This is Dio Constantín,” answered Anna. “He – he is my father. The rest I’ll tell you later.”

“Then Xeros spoke true, it seems,” said Vaya; though still her expression was one of mistrust.

“Ah, Vaya Eleria!” said Dio, as he held out a large hand for Vaya to shake. “I see how you look at me – and I understand why. If I could ally myself with Wolach while claiming allegiance to the Weld, you wonder if it’s possible that the circumstances could be reversed? Perhaps I only ally myself with Xeros, while my true allegiance lies with Wolach? As Esa’s did? Yes, I see you think it! But that’s quite all right. Probably I would wonder the same thing myself. It shows only that you are wise!”

He paused, and looked more seriously at Vaya. “But all matters of business aside,” he went on, “I feel the need to speak plainly. I see no sense in unnecessary discretion for the sake of decorum. Do you? You say nothing; but I’m sure we agree.” He smiled at Anna, patted her shoulder, and asked: “Do you love my daughter, Vaya Eleria, as well as she loves you? As well as she deserves?”

“Dio,” said Anna hastily. “You understand you are not justified in badgering Vaya?”

“No, no,” said Vaya, with only a soft smile upon her face. “In fact it’s that very question which puts my trust into your favour, Dio Constantín. I don’t mind answering you yes. Yes, a thousand times yes. I love her more than anything.”

“Good!” said Dio, with a clap of his great hands which resounded all through the chamber. “All is well, friend Xeros! Probably we should show these ladies to their room now, so that they may sleep before we talk. There is no hurry which won’t allow for a night of rest.”

“No,” said Anna. “Whatever you have to say, I wish to hear it now.”

“But you are not looking well, my child,” said Dio pointedly. “I would feel much better if –”

“I feel very well!” Anna argued. “If you, Dio Constantín, with the weight of a century upon your back, could fight for me without hesitation, against one of the very strongest Narken alive – then surely I can manage to sit for a while in a chair, and listen.”

“Ha!” roared Dio, with a most pleased countenance. “With every word she proves herself more my own child! Well enough, Mila, well enough. Let us betake ourselves to a place that will accommodate us better. Xeros! Will you be so kind as to escort them there, while I go and fetch Leventh?”

“But of course,” said Xeros, who rose now from his own chair, and came to the doorway where the others were gathered. “Come, ladies! We go now to the Table Room. Vaya – you know already where it is.”

They three started off to the right, while Dio went left. They came soon to a great cold chamber, which was lit by a chandelier that hung down from the high ceiling on a long brass rod, and whose only furniture was a massive oblong table, with perhaps fifty chairs all round it. Xeros took a seat at its head, and motioned for Anna and Vaya to take the chairs to his left.

“We shall get started when – oh, here they are!” said Xeros. “I always say that Dio is very fast for such an old fellow. Wouldn’t you say, Leventh?”

“Surely I would!” answered the short, thick fellow whom Dio had brought with him. He ruffled his bristly patch of hair with his fingers, and approached the table.

“Sit down, good fellows, sit down,” said Xeros. Dio and Leventh took the seats to his right.  The latter rubbed his eyes and yawned, looking much like a little child who had just been roused from his sleep. Child he was not – but to be sure he looked something less than full-grown, situated there as he was in betwixt the gargantuan forms of Dio and Xeros. Anna was very surprised, then, to hear Xeros say:

“This, Anna von Wessen, is Leventh – the Lieutenant of my own army. I believe you have met Griel, who is taking presently a much-deserved sleep, and who is my First Captain. Your father is my Second.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Leventh, who was looking not a jot more awake – in fact he had yawned twice more since the last time, and seemed to be wondering why he did not deserve sleep so much as Griel – but who was watching Anna regardless with eyes which glowed with excitement. “Of course I don’t look it! But I assure you I am worthy.”

“An understatement!” said Xeros. “A gross understatement, dear boy. But no matter, no matter. Let us get down to the bare bones of things.”

But again he was kept from speaking. Presently there came a loud knock upon the door, which was soon thrust open, as the head of the rude sentry from the entrance popped into the chamber. “Begging your pardon, King Xeros,” he said. Perhaps he did not even mean to do it – for he quickly righted himself, and seemed almost ashamed – but he looked then very hatefully at Anna. He shook his head afterwards, and looked blinkingly back to Xeros.

“What is it, Otho?”

“A new arrival, sir. She says she sent word to you.”

“Well! Then it can be only one person, I think. Come in, Nessa – come in!”

All eyes swivelled towards the doorway, through which there came suddenly a young woman of most strange appearance. Though still in the late stages of that decade which begins with
twenty,
her long hair was pure white. She was nearly as pale as a Lumarian; but Anna knew perfectly well that she was not.

Even if Xeros had not given her name, Anna would have known immediately that this was the daughter of Dahro and Ceir. She looked so much like her mother, Anna was rendered momentarily uncomfortable, due to the recollection of Ceir’s considerable disliking for herself. Yes, she was the exact picture of what that graceful and elegant Endalin woman must have looked like, some twenty or more years ago. There was only one difference. Sharp as Ceir’s gaze had been the night of the ball, Anna remembered very well that her eyes had been blue, deep and clear like the surface of a sheet of clean lake water. But Nessa’s were black.

“What a treat!” exclaimed Xeros, as he rose from his chair. “I confess I have always been anxious to meet you. Your name is well-known in the halls of the Weld!”

“I am much obliged, King Xeros,” said Nessa, without the slightest semblance of embarrassment. “It is a most high honour to be here, I assure you.”

“Where have you been staying?”

“I came recently from Venice,” said Nessa, “and went to Dublin, where my mother’s cousin has a house. But I am being followed, I think. Always I feel eyes on my back, wherever I go. I thought it best to come to Balkyr.”

“Of course it’s for the best! The only place safer than the house of Balkyr, my dear, is the Weld.”

“I was with Balkyr just yesterday, and spoke with him at length about your work here. The two of you are old friends, he says?”

“The oldest, I am sure! He is as good a fellow as one could hope to know.”

“And it’s clear that he thinks the same of you. He has been meaning, he says, to pay you a visit. But then I arrived in London – and he thought it better for me to come and discuss the matters at hand, so much easier as the journey is for myself.”

“And has Cassandra MacAdam come with you – or is she with your parents still?” “Always Cassie goes where I go,” Nessa answered. “I hope that’s no trouble?”

“I should think not! She is most welcome.”

It seemed Nessa was intending to say something else; but suddenly she turned her face to Anna, who could not but admit that she had been staring. “Is there some problem?” she asked.

“Watch yourself, Endalin,” Vaya said quietly.

“Doubtless you would do well to do the same,” returned Nessa.

“Ladies, ladies!” said Xeros. “Why should we fight? We are here to work together, after all! Please, Nessa – please sit.”

Nessa took the chair beside Dio, and returned Anna’s gaze with no diminished interest. “You are Anna von Wessen, I think?” she said.

Anna nodded.

“Well!” Nessa drummed her fingertips upon the tabletop, and added, “No need to ask who
you
are, Vaya Eleria.”

“I dislike your tone,” said Vaya.

“I’m ever so sorry! Have I used a
tone?
”

“I fail to understand how I have offended you – when I have only just met you.”

“Me? Oh, you’ve not offended
me.
Pray don’t worry yourself.”

“Now
I
say to correct yourself,” said Anna. “You are out of line.”

“Oh, I beg your pardon! Have I offended
you,
Lumarian? It was not my intention.”

Anna looked to Xeros, and asked very plainly, “Have I been led wrong in my thinking? Are we not welcome here, King Xeros? We shall leave if you wish it.”

“You would have done so already,” said Nessa, “if you had respect for anything but yourselves.”

“Save your blandishments, please,” rejoined Anna dryly.

“That’s quite enough!” cried Xeros. His deep voice resounded like a shot through the chamber. “You are welcome in my house, Nessa, beyond anything – but I’ll not tolerate this affront. Neither Anna nor Vaya has done anything to warrant it. Either you have left your hatred for the Lumaria at the entrance to the Weld – or you are already choosing to part with us. But I see you keep to your chair! I take that as a good sign.” His merry countenance was quickly shadowed, as he demanded, “Do you understand me?”

“Perfectly,” answered Nessa.

“Wonderful!” In an instant his smile was returned. “Anyway – it’s true I had thought to say a little more, but all this excitement is enough for one night, I think. I am going to bed! Tomorrow – Vaya and Anna, you will report to Leventh. He will tell you all you ought to know. Tomorrow, too, I will have a little chat with my Weldon wolves about your staying here.” This next he murmured to himself, as something of an unconscious aside; but nonetheless Anna heard him when he said, “A nice piece of work I have cut out for me, too, to convince them of its wisdom.” But after this he shook his head, smiled brightly once again, and said, “Goodnight!”

He went from the room without another word. Leventh trailed off in his wake, clearly relieved to be returning to his own bed, which seemed to have been calling to him all the while he sat. Nessa cast a last unfriendly glance towards Anna and Vaya; and really there was no need for her to say any more. Her ability to shield her thoughts was rather more similar to her mother’s than her father’s; for they screamed very loudly, every moment, all the words she had already spoken, and many which were far more insulting. She quit the room without speaking to Dio.