Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series (24 page)

Lorak muttered, ‘Stars, another female in charge!’ He grunted as Tika stepped back onto his foot as heavily as she could manage.

The Wise One was looking up in their direction now and Serim said quickly: ‘Come down now and be received by our Wise One.’

As they descended, Ashta and Farn moved close beside Mim and Tika, and the four other Dragons flanked the company. They halted by the first Snow Dragon, who reared erect for a moment, then sank gracefully back to a reclining position. Fenj moved forward, past the Snow Dragons, to within a man length of the Wise One. Then he too reared erect, his huge black bulk giving an impression of enormous strength. His words rang through every mind: ‘I am Fenj, Eldest of the Broken Mountain Treasury. I offer greetings from all this company to you, Wise One of the Delvers.’

Close to, they saw the Wise One was indeed an incredibly old female. She leaned on a stick, the hand grasping it swollen and misshapen. But her voice was surprisingly strong and almost youthful as she said: ‘Thank you Fenj. I offer welcome to you all. My name is Nolli and I would prefer you to call me that.’

Fenj lowered himself as the rest of the company sat on the rock floor and the Delvers crowded round as well. Only Gan, Tika and Mim remained on their feet. Gan introduced the three of them formally. The Wise One’s wrinkled face suddenly split into an almost toothless grin. ‘I fear we will all have to sit, Lord Gan. I cannot stand for long anyway, but staring up at you will make me dizzy!’ She looked at Tika, her dark eyes bright and quick, and Tika knew this Wise One was able to use the Power. ‘Tell me how you come to be calling for our help, and why you travel in these parts.’

One of the low tables was hastily brought from the nearest dwelling and Gan seated himself on it, Tika and Mim perching beside him. Even so, Gan’s head was higher than the seated Wise One. She rested her hands on top of her stick and closed her eyes as Gan started to speak.

When he finished, the Wise One’s head had sunk to her chest and he half suspected that she had fallen asleep. A silence spread like an almost visible cloud over his whole audience. He waited. The Wise One raised her head and stared at Gan. He felt a sudden burst of Power enter him and knew, even though he was a Senior of the People, he could not hope to contest the strength of this tiny old creature.

He knew immediately that she was checking the truth of what he said and he held himself still as she swept through his mind. Tika had sprung to her feet, Mim clutching her arm, the instant Power was called forth, but she restrained herself from forcing away the Wise One’s attention. Ashta and Farn moved restlessly and the other Dragons half rose. Then the Power was gone and the silence disintegrated. Bodies shifted, murmurs were exchanged, and Tika and Mim resumed their seat.

The Wise One rapped her stick on the floor of her cart. ‘You have all heard Lord Gan’s words. I know we must help this brave company, although we are sworn to keep ourselves aloof from all the outsiders who live between us and the dying sun. Therefore, I offer whatever assistance we can give. We know more of the Guardian than these travellers –’There were cries of agreement interspersed with groans. ‘We will tell them all we know and, I repeat, we will help them. If any disagree, they will come to me and speak their reasons and I will listen. You have until the mid mealtime to voice any objections. After that, I will speak with these travellers and tell them in what ways we may help them.’

The two young Delvers escorting her stood up and pulled the Wise One’s cart towards one of the dwelling caves and in through its door. The screen was lowered across the entrance behind them.

‘Come.’ Berri was there, Khosa cradled in her arm. ‘This is my dwelling and tea is ready to brew. All that talking Lord Gan – you must be as dry as a bone!’

Soran and Drak had also come up to Gan and they joined the group entering Berri’s cave. Berri served them tea, similar to what they were accustomed to but fruitier, less spicy, and amused them with innocuous tales. She confessed to her continued teasing of Kran, how the poor man jumped from his skin whenever she appeared. Soran laughed. ‘I had noticed he seemed a little jumpy!’

Tika and Mim listened and smiled but said nothing, until Tika eventually suggested they should return to their dwelling and get their packs readied for the next stage of their journey. Berri at first tried to persuade them to stay chatting a while longer, then, seeing they were determined to leave, she smiled them out of her door.

‘You did notice she arranged that we sat with our backs to the door and the window?’ Gan remarked.

‘But I could see out,’ Khosa said smugly.

‘I know. That is why I made no attempt to move. So Khosa, who did you see enter the Wise One’s cave to object to her helping us?’

‘Serim was the first. There were three more, one of them female. I do not know how they are named, but I would recognise them again.’

Delvers again brought food to them all in the dwellings that had been assigned to them and as they finished eating, Serim bowed at the entrance.

‘The Wise One waits your presence.’

It had been decided that only Gan, Mim and Tika would go to the Wise One and they now walked down and across to her cave. Khosa skipped playfully round their feet and Farn and Ashta pressed as close as they could. Fenj had already taken up his reclining position beside the entrance and the two young Dragons settled beside him. The Snow Dragons were also lying there, all seeming relaxed and calm.

Gan bespoke Tika and Mim as they reached the doorway. ‘I suspect she may tease or test you. Keep a very tight hold on your feelings.’ Although he spoke to them both, it was obvious his words were directed at Tika.

The screen was drawn back and one of the Wise One’s young escorts bowed, directing them through to a room deeper in the mountain. The strangely young voice called’ Come in, come in! Don’t dither at the door! Surely you can have no fear of such a one as I?’

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gan was dismayed to find Serim was with them as they entered the Wise One’s inner room. Before he could think of a polite way of asking that he not be present, the Wise One herself said: ‘Thank you Serim. You may leave now.’

‘But I should remain.’ Serim protested indignantly. ‘As the Elder here, I insist I remain.’

‘You are indeed the Elder of Amud, Serim,’ the Wise One agreed. ‘But I am the Wise One of Asat, and I insist that you leave us.’

With very bad grace, Serim turned and left. The young Delver escorts also retreated through the rooms to sit by the door facing the Dragons.

‘You need have no fear of him, Gan. His pride is overgrown, but he has not yet succumbed to the Guardian.’

‘I admit to harbouring that thought, Wise One.’

She tutted crossly. ‘Nolli, not Wise One. I am only the Wise One at formal moments.’ She leaned back in her carved chair. ‘And you are Tika, and sad.’ She studied Tika briefly, making no attempt to enter the girl’s mind. ‘And you, Dragon Lord, are Mim, and – sad also?’

Gan saw Tika grow paler while Mim smiled his sweet smile at Nolli. ‘This person is amazed, not sad. But,’ he added, ‘this one will not speak of it yet please.’

The Wise One nodded. ‘I will speak with you alone, should you wish. It has happened before.’ Then she looked at Gan. ‘Even here we knew the Balance had been disturbed in some way. And to save you asking – the Guardian does not know of our existence here.’

‘I have two questions Wise – Nolli. How far do your tunnels extend to the north, and are there races living now in the Wilderness with whom you have contact?’

Nolli laughed. ‘The previous Guardian, Kovas, learned of us but swore he would tell no one unless we allowed it.’ Her expression grew sorrowful. ‘He knew he was weakening and he asked that I meet him one last time.’ She smiled at Gan’s look of surprise. ‘Oh yes, I am indeed so old! He feared that Rhaki would be Named his successor, and he warned us of him. Most of the tunnels began to be sealed from that time. We deliberately left a few tunnels open on the dying sun side of these mountains, leaving that world – we thought – for good.’ Khosa chose that moment to leap lightly onto Nolli’s lap. The twisted hands rested on the orange fur as Khosa began humming softly.

‘Rhaki uses some tunnels for ease and swiftness of travel – he likes suddenly arriving among some of his followers as if “by magic”. It saves him expending his Power. Shardi live in a few of the smaller tunnels, which makes it hazardous for the occasional messenger or spy whom Rhaki sends that way. Since Kovas’s time, we have not travelled into that Realm. The tunnels are still there but in what state now I cannot tell. Also, there were traps laid near the Guardian’s stronghold lest Rhaki learnt of those passageways.’

Nolli fell silent, apparently lost in distant memories. Khosa batted her arm gently with a slender paw and Nolli sighed. ‘I will take you onwards, through this Domain of Asat, but I think I cannot come all the way with you – I would hinder you too much.’ She waved a hand distastefully at her own body. ‘This body fails me now. I was happily anticipating going beyond when I heard of your coming, and now I am angered that this body prevents me helping you as fully as I would wish.’

Again she paused. To your second question, I will answer only “yes”. It is not for me to say more,’ she said firmly. ‘I suggest we begin our journey very shortly. Day and night mean little here, as you would imagine. I think Time is pressing on us now.’ Tika and Mim looked at her sharply, she had seemed to emphasis the word “Time”, and Time was involved in the suspension of the Balances. What did this ancient Delver know of such things?

Gan stood up. ‘I will get the men ready then, Nolli. I hope the journey will not be at too great a cost for you, and that we will have some time to talk along the way.’

Nolli smiled. ‘It matters not the cost now, Gan. It will take several days to pass through the Domain of Asat to the northern limits. I will be ready within the hour.’

Gan hesitated, half turned to go, then he turned back to Nolli. Bending, he gently lifted the poor swollen hand and pressed it to his brow. He met her eyes for a moment, then abruptly turned again and left.

Tika and Mim were also standing now. Mim bowed and said: ‘This one will speak with you soon Nolli, if he may.’

‘Certainly Mim, whenever you wish.’

As they moved away, Nolli caught Tika’s sleeve between her knotted fingers. ‘Wait, child. I will speak with you now.’

Mim smiled at Tika, nodding, and followed Gan out of the dwelling.

‘Not so defensive child, I will not hurt you.’ Tika gradually relaxed as the old fingers slid down her sleeve and tried to clasp her hand. Khosa lay between them, buzzing very softly, her eyes tightly shut.

‘There is a different future for Mim, child. And he has accepted it. You must search your heart and understand that he is content. I know he is as a brother you never had, near as your soul bond, Farn. And I wish to have many talks with you on this journey - so much I would learn of the Outside Dragons, and of the People. But child, you must not darken what could be Mim’s joy.’

They were ready to begin when Serim arrived with a pack on his shoulders. Nolli

had just joined the line, with six young male Delvers and a not so young female.

‘You will not be travelling with us, Serim.’

‘I have every right to join this foolhardy journey,’ he retorted.

‘You have indeed, if you were not the Elder of this place. As Elder, your duty is here.’

Berri slipped between them. ‘Can I not come? I have not travelled far for a great time and it would be such fun to keep Kran company!’

Nolli stared hard at her, then gave a curt nod, signalling her escorts to pull her on.

Falim was also travelling with them. He had become inseparable from the company’s two Healers and walked with them now, deeply engrossed in complicated healing procedures. Gan had no reservations over Falim’s presence: Healers were everywhere respected and quite impartial – any who needed their skills, received it unquestioningly.

Farn walked close by Tika. ‘That Kephi! Just look how she manages to avoid walking!’

Tika laughed, the first real laugh since they had entered this Domain. Khosa sat upright on Nolli’s lap, eyes sparkling with regal authority. This was obviously Khosa’s idea of how majesty should travel.

‘Would you prefer to sit in a cart, hatchling?’ Nolli enquired tartly.

Farn’s eyes whirred in embarrassment. ‘Oh no, Wise One. I can walk for leagues and leagues. Besides, I would not fit in a cart.’

Tika saw Nolli’s mouth twitch and her eyes glitter. Nolli glanced at her and away again quickly. Tika slid her arm over Farn’s shoulder. ‘You would look very undignified in a cart, Farn. I think it best you just concentrate on walking.’

Jal had returned to the Guardian to report absolutely no sign of Guards or Dragons

anywhere near the High Land Mountains. Rhaki had accused him of lying, causing Jal to prostrate himself in terror. Again and again, Jal swore there had been no indication of any incursions towards the north. He eventually mentioned the broken remains of two fengars, clearly killed by falling a great distance.

‘Only now you tell me this?’ Rhaki screamed. ‘How would fengars come to be there, and from whence did they fall? And do get up – you speak to me, not my carpet.’

Jal cautiously pushed himself up to his knees. ‘Master, perhaps they fell from Dragon claws?’

‘Since when do Dragons fly in snowstorms, carrying fengars?’ He paced furiously across his study and back again. ‘Did you go as far as the place where the Shardi attacked them?’

‘Yes, Master. Little is left,’ he swallowed. ‘They eat their dead and wounded as you, of course, know. A few bones, that was all I found.’

‘Through Shardi eyes I saw a company of Guards, I saw Gan of the People, I saw large Dragons.’ He glared at Jal. ‘So where are they? You would have seen signs of their retreat if they had indeed gone back to their cursed city.’

‘There was no sign, of any creatures.’ Jal repeated yet again.

‘Arrange for the Cansharsi to move across the Middle Plain towards the Realm of Gaharn. And I need a Linvak prisoner – who is still fit enough to be questioned. And a Nagum,’ he added.

But Master –’

‘But, Jal?’ Rhaki’s voice rose in astonished disbelief. ‘You question my order?’

‘Oh no, Master, indeed not. Never.’ Jal bowed from his kneeling position, sweat

trickling down his back.

Slightly mollified, Rhaki sat down at the table and asked: ‘But?’

‘It was just that I feared it might be a little soon to send Cansharsi against the Guards on their own territory, Master.’

Rhaki yawned. ‘You have told me that, no matter where the company is that Gan led from Gaharn, your spies say he has not returned to the city, or to the Lady’s Estate. Without Gan, the Guards will be undisciplined and easily overcome. Send messengers speedily to the Cansharsi, Jal. And I would have a Linvak here equally speedily.’ He flicked his fingers in Jal’s direction and Jal took it as the dismissal it was. He wriggled abjectly back to the door, pulled himself to his feet and bowed himself out.

Rhaki continued to sit, his chin resting on one hand, gazing unseeing at the parchments and books littering the table. Where had they gone? Gan’s use of the Power was very limited so he could immediately discount the idea of any shielding being used. Tunnels?

As the thought occurred, Rhaki sat upright. He had discovered the tunnels by accident soon after he arrived here. A few comments, scribbled in Kovas’s hand inside books obviously in use until the old Guardian’s death, had set him looking. It had been a desultory search, he had placed no real value or importance on the existence of any tunnels.

And then, one afternoon, he had discovered how to open the door in the rock in this room. It had been fairly straightforward working out how to operate other doors and follow tunnels through the mountain. Could there be others, he wondered? It was quite an extensive network he had found, but was there more?

Rhaki began to rummage through the parchments heaped on the table, muttering to

himself. Papers and books fell to the floor unheeded, until he found the one he sought. He banged down four ancient books on one end of the roll and held the other end down with the flat of his hand. It was a map, showing this stronghold (under his palm), and the short stretch of the Ice Mountains merging with the High Land range, right down to Gaharn (under the books).

Still muttering, he traced a line with a long forefinger where he estimated the tunnels ran. He stared at the map, placed more books on it to keep it spread open and straightened. Rhaki walked to the fireplace, then to the window, from which only swirling whiteness was visible. Then he strolled back to the table and looked down at the map. Once more, he traced a line down through the mountains, and bit his lip.

So. All the tunnels HE knew of were on this side of the mountains. Were there tunnels on the other side, facing the rising sun? If so, were they being used? By whom? He began to crack his knuckles as thoughts chased one after the other through his mind. Was he observed even here, inside what he had believed was his impregnable stronghold? Is that why he had the sensation of being observed sometimes, in the room of the Sacred Balance for instance?

But no, Jerak would surely have made some comment about his “experiments” if he had known of them. Who else could have access to the tunnels Rhaki was now convinced must run parallel to the ones he had discovered? Kovas must have known. Rhaki looked at the wall full of books, trying to remember, after all these Cycles, which were books that had belonged to Kovas. Where had he put all the others when he himself had arrived here to replace Kovas? Ancient texts, of no use whatsoever to one dealing with genetic plans for the future.

Would Emla know any of this? Who was working closest with her now? He cudgelled his brain to recall who had been her intimates during the ages of student-

ship. He could only bring the name of “Kemti” to the surface, and he knew Kemti was now a Senior of high repute, a powerful mind devoted to learning ancient ways.

‘Bark!’ he roared suddenly.

The study door opened silently and Bark moved into the room. ‘Master?’

‘Who were Emla’s friends at the Asataria?’ Rhaki demanded. ‘Kemti is the only one I recall.’

Bark was silent a few moments. ‘There was Yash, Master. Gan and Perik.’ There was another silence. ‘Iska and Kera. Those seven were always together Master.’

‘Hmm.’

‘Was there anything more, Master?’

‘Eh? Oh. No Bark. Wait!’ Bark turned back from the door. ‘Do you ever feel there are others within this stronghold Bark?’

Bark’s face was shadowed by the hood of his robe. ‘Others, Master?’

‘Yes. Others than the staff and my – beasts. Others who should not be here?’

‘No, Master.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Oh yes, Master.’

‘Very well. Leave me.’

As Bark closed the door behind him, his eyes shone deep in the shadows of his hood.

Rhaki lifted a jug of wine but replaced it in the hearth without pouring himself any of it. A clear head was essential right now. He thought of the names Bark had given him. Yash – a far seeker of considerable Power and extremely sensitive to the emotions of any near him. Gan, he did not even bother to consider. Perik. Surely Perik had been killed by Gangers on one of his mad expeditions to the far west? A foolish dreamer, as far as Rhaki could remember. That left Iska and Kera. Iska was strong in manipulative Power, in healing, but not inclined to use her manipulative talents at all. He recalled part of an argument he had overheard. Iska had been insisting that she would work only through suggestion, not force any changes in any minds. She had been arguing with one of the Discipline Seniors he thought, but he had not really been interested enough to pay much attention at the time. Kera was a Discipline Senior in the Asataria and had rarely left the Buildings of Learning since being raised to that position.