Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series (25 page)

Iska would seem to be the only choice, but how to get her out of Gaharn? Or was she at Emla’s House? It would be easier if she was in between the two places Rhaki thought morosely. He stopped cracking his knuckles. If he could arrange for her to be summoned, from one place to another, surely even his dolts of fighters, under Jal’s command, could manage to capture one female? He began to smile.

Jal had eventually said nothing to Bark about his hearing sounds beyond the tunnel wall, mainly because confronting Rhaki’s fury occupied his mind too greatly. But Bark had heard noises too, over a considerable period of time. Bark spent a lot of his days sitting still. Rhaki assumed it was merely a symptom of Bark’s broken mind that he sat, passive as stone, for so long. In fact, the stillness of his body had encouraged his mind to heal, and his hearing seemed to have become unnaturally sharpened. In all this great stretch of time, he had not attempted to summon Power to himself.

Bark had known when his mind was first devastated, that calling Power would destroy him utterly. As he strengthened, he continued to avoid even thinking of trying to use the Power. In the Asataria, he had been known affectionately as the “Silent Thinker” and was gaining respect as an analyst and philosopher when he was drawn to Rhaki as a filing to a magnet. After only a few Cycles here in the Grey Guardian’s stronghold, Bark had felt a growing unease for Rhaki’s stability and a growing horror concerning his genetic experimentation.

Bark could even now not be sure that Rhaki had deliberately let Bark’s mind be shattered. He had described his plan to merge his mind with Bark’s. The idea was to use Bark’s mind for his solid strength, to support Rhaki’s guidance of a tremendous burst of Power. A long time later, as Bark’s mind crept towards recovery, he wondered that he had been so trusting – or so stupid.

It had not even occurred to him to enquire what Rhaki’s great burst of Power was to be used for. He remembered only the pain, then a long, silent nothingness. Gradually, he remembered how to speak, and stand, and move. Rhaki had checked his progress regularly to begin with, but when he found the same reactions for several consecutive Cycles, he told Bark that he believed the limit of his recovery had been attained.

Bark realised only now, that his mind had, of its own healing volition, thrown up the shielding that all the People were taught as one of the earliest lessons in their training. Bark still could not reckon the passing of time – only in terms of long or short, could not think of the next Cycle, or the tenth to come. But Jerak had woken him further from the strange state he had dwelt in for such ages.

His mind had absorbed Jerak’s information and he had pondered on it – briefly for the “Silent Thinker” – only over three Seasons rather than many full Cycles. Bark knew his mind to be fragile, but also strong enough to do what he now saw he must. He knew he would not survive another blow such as the one Rhaki had already dealt him, that he did not have a fraction of the strength needed to confront Rhaki.

But he had heard them, those others, through the walls of rock. He knew there were minds capable of using Power, minds that he must risk contacting, and very soon.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Over the long span of time that the Delvers had lived inside the mountains, they had developed a means of judging time by distance. Certain distances could be travelled within a time period and thus they usually referred to distances as so many “walks”. The company gradually understood that it would be at least eight such “walks” to reach the place where tunnels had been sealed.

‘Where do you go, Farn, when Ulla takes you all to feed?’ Tika asked as they began their second “walk”.

Farn’s eyes flashed in silvery blue discomfort. ‘I cannot say, Tika. They ask us not to tell anyone.’

‘That’s all right,’ she bumped her shoulder affectionately against his folded wing. ‘I do not ask you to break promises. But do you go outside – can you tell me that much?’

‘Nearly,’ said Farn, but he was clearly uncomfortable and Tika changed the subject to reminiscences of his accident with the stone statue at Emla’s House. Farn’s embarrassment over that catastrophe had long vanished in his pride at his accuracy with fire. They still thought it wiser not to mention it in Gan’s presence, but it always brightened Farn’s mood.

Farn had been unlike his usual self Gan had noticed, since their time in the Delver settlement of Amud. He knew the young Dragon was reflecting Tika’s mood, but after Khosa’s enigmatic warning, he had felt unable to question Tika. Mim appeared cheerful enough, although he continued to be the only one of them, other than old Lorak, to wear his cloak, and Ashta seemed even more protective towards the Nagum.

Nolli was clearly very tired by the travelling she had already done in coming to

meet them but she dismissed concern for her impatiently. ‘This body will do as I command for a while yet. Please do not waste time thinking of it,’ she had told Gan briskly.

The Delvers of Amud had given them four carts which the Guards took turns pulling. They had also been given ample food to last the two or three ‘walks’ before they would reach the next settlement, Arak. When they halted for the night, Lanni, the female Delver serving Nolli, quickly organised cushions and blankets carried in the storage space beneath the Wise One’s chair. Lanni made a comfortable nest and only then was Nolli helped from her chair. At the first halt, Gan had offered to lift the Wise One. Her escorts were deeply shocked at what they viewed as impertinence, and Nolli herself was irritated by what she called his “fussing”.

The Guards had spread themselves along the line: six walked at the rear, four in the lead with Trem and Drak. The rest walked with the Dragons, still finding it hard to believe that these great creatures could not only speak to human minds but could hear the Guards’ replies. Lorak walked beside Fenj. Gan suspected Lorak of providing the huge old Dragon with something more than conversation, but the Eldest of Broken Mountain Treasury was finding this sort of travel very wearing, so Gan said nothing.

Jeela and the Snow Dragons of Nolli’s escort moved lightly just before the Wise One’s cart. Tika and Mim saw Nolli’s delight as she watched the small Dragons dancing ahead of her. Several Guards surrounded Brin and when the others heard snatches of Brin’s extremely lofty tales, they understood why he had a fascinated audience.

The tunnels had been continuing a downward slope and with a tendency to bear to their right. Now, halfway through their third walk, Gan realised they must be approaching Arak as the number of side tunnels increased, again to their right. Delvers came and went, giving the company curious glances and the Wise One respectful greetings and deep bows.

Arak was a far more populous settlement, a small town in fact, with some of the front rooms of the cave dwellings used as shops. They were shown to higher caves where they overlooked the settlement, and were brought hot tea before they had even set down their packs. A plumply built Delver bustled up to introduce himself as Torim, Elder of Arak. ‘I must make my respects to the Wise One but then I shall return. I would gladly show you our settlement.’

‘I want to see some plants agrowing,’ Lorak growled. Torim looked a little startled but bowed to them all once more and trotted off to where Nolli was installed.

‘A little blunt perhaps, Lorak,’ Gan said mildly.

‘No, no,’ said Fenj. ‘Lorak of the Garden misses his growing things. I wonder if there is a warm pool here. My feet are a little sore.’

‘We will ask as soon as whatsisname comes back.’

‘Torim is his name, and he is the Elder, Tika.’

Jeela reappeared, having gone off with three of the Snow Dragons, the fourth reclined by Nolli’s cave. ‘There are three small pools not far away.’ Fenj and Brin brightened visibly.

‘You certainly seem to like their company.’ Kija remarked. Jeela’s eyes whirred embarrassment.

‘I have not meant to neglect you! Did you wish me to do something for any of you?’

‘Enjoy yourself while you may, hatchling,’ Brin interrupted. ‘But we will thank you to lead us to the pools. My honoured father Fenj admits his feet are a little sore – mine are VERY sore!’

Kija snorted annoyance but followed them without comment.

Tika stood beside Gan, watching them. Ashta and Farn were slowly following the other Dragons, with frequent glances back. Without turning, Gan said: ‘Are they all right? Are you and Mim all right?’ And held his breath for fear he had made an error. But Tika only sighed, didn’t snap at him as he had half expected.

‘It is my fault with those two. I have been trying to accept things inside my head, and in turn it unsettles and worries them. Kija is not too tired, but Fenj and Brin are really weary of this kind of travel.’

He noted she had not referred to Mim, and asked, fearing she would tense again from her apparently relaxed mood: ‘And Mim? Is he still suffering from the cold?’

He thought she would not answer, she was silent so long. ‘Mim is well. I think he will tell you soon.’

Tell me what, Gan wanted to yell but restrained himself admirably. Tika looked up at him and grinned her old grin suddenly, green eyes sparkling. ‘As you said of Mim in the sword practising – you control yourself well Gan!’

He opened his mouth but Torim popped up at his feet, very like a large hopper Gan thought furiously.

‘Shall I take you to see Arak now, Lord Gan? All your company are welcome to join us but many of them seem busy already.’

He smiled as Gan looked towards the centre of the settlement. Most of the Guards were browsing over the goods displayed, both in the cave shops and on stalls laid out in a line through the middle of Arak. He sensed no shielding being used, a freer atmosphere, than he had felt in Amud, and looking down on this small fat Delver, he smiled. ‘We would appreciate a guided tour very much, Elder Torim.’

‘Oh dear me no. Just Torim please. One of you wishes to see our growing things?’

‘Yes. I do.’ Lorak, Mim and Motass beside him, emerged from the dwelling.

Torim was the complete opposite of Serim of Amud. He scarcely stopped for breath as he trotted along beside them. Explanations poured forth as he described how the caves were extended back from the original small holes in the mountain wall. As they whisked down a sharply cornered side tunnel, a tight fit for large Dragons, as Mim commented, Torim agreed.

‘We used some of the rock we excavate to narrow some of the tunnels.’ He looked a little nervous. ‘Discourages unwelcome visitors you know. Oh dear yes.’

Then they were round the twisting turn and stared in silent amazement at a flat stretch of ground. A large field in fact. They realised that glow lamps were helping the light, but that natural light also filled the area. All eyes lifted to the roof and mouths fell open. A clear dome roofed the whole area; at present snowflakes flattened on the panes of which the dome consisted. But even so, late afternoon, Cold Season light, gleamed down into the mountain.

Torim was delighted by their obvious astonishment and began more explanations of watering systems, heating systems, and what plants seemed best suited to this unusual environment. Lorak and Mim began firing questions at the poor Delver, who very soon called over a Delver who was working nearby. Mim and Lorak wandered off with Bikram, instantly involved in gardener’s talk.

Torim looked relieved. He said: ‘There is a tunnel at the far end which leads Outside, so we can adjust the flow of air currents into the growing place.’

‘Are there many such as this in this Domain?’ Gan asked.

‘Oh dear yes. All the settlements have at least two. We have five,’ he added proudly.

‘And how many settlements are there?’

‘Why, there are thirteen settlements the size of Arak. Asat is far bigger, and then there are twenty or so small ones, such as Amud.’

Tika glanced at Gan. The Captain of Emla’s Guards seemed rather stunned by this information.

‘I thought there were only a few of you here,’ he said finally.

‘Oh dear me no!’ Torim threw his head back in delight at Gan’s mistake. ‘There are between fifty and a hundred Delvers in the small settlements, and up to perhaps five hundred in ones like Arak. Asat has the most, but it is the centre of the Domain, you see, so most important.’ He rearranged his belly over his sash more comfortably and beamed at them.

‘So there are around – ten thousand Delvers living inside these mountains?’

‘If you say so Lord Gan! I have no head for numbers. Oh dear no!’ Torim chuckled at the very idea.

As they returned to their quarters, Farn and Ashta arrived back from the warm pools. ‘Oh dear, I forgot to show you the way.’ Torim looked aghast at this lapse.

‘Don’t worry, Torim,’ said Tika. ‘The Dragons will show us the way if we decide to go there.’

‘Well, if you are sure? I will go and make sure the feast is as perfect as possible. It isn’t everyday we have the Wise One’s presence and Outsiders. Dear me, no!’ And he bustled his rotund self off into the settlement.

‘He’s a jolly sort,’ Sket said.

Gan realised that Sket still followed Tika closely, and realised too that she was aware of it.

‘Go on, Sket, go and see what’s for sale. Gan is here, and Farn. I have my sword. I think I am safe enough!’

‘Well. .’

‘Go along, man. Do you think I could not protect her?’ Gan raised an eyebrow in mock sternness.

Sket grinned. ‘You should be able to manage all right Sir, with that there Dragon along of you now!’ And he wandered off as Gan growled.

Nolli attended the feast, but only stayed a short time. She thanked the Arakians for their kind welcome and begged they excuse her, as she needed her rest. As she was helped by Lanni the few but painful steps to the dwelling she had been given, Mim caught her eye. She paused, then said: ‘Give me your arm, Dragon Lord,’ and Mim went to offer her his arm.

Mim remained closeted with the Wise One for a long while, but after the first minutes, Gan saw Tika’s shoulders relax their tenseness, and she chatted cheerfully enough with fat Torim.

Two more walks and another settlement, Akan, the size of Arak, with a female Elder, Monni, as thin as Torim had been fat. She was pleasant and friendly though, as had Torim been – both so different from Serim of Amud. At each place they found the warm pools, some large, some small. Monni told them the Delvers believed the water came from deep inside the ground whence came the liquid rock sometimes, or so they had heard tell in ancient tales.

Tika approached Nolli when they had halted again, presumably it being night-time Outside.

‘Wise One, Fenj suffers, and Brin and Kija are beginning to. Is there any way we can help them, without using the Power?’

‘Nolli,’ the ancient Delver corrected automatically. ‘I fear not. We are taking the most direct route northwards. You will not see Asat, where Healers could perhaps help them without Power.’ She stretched her nearly useless hand towards Tika. ‘We are going to stop at a place, in three walks time. My people do not know of it, it is shown only to a Wise One. It is hidden – but very simply. The tiniest Power, and the correct touch with the correct words, reveals the place. I believe what I will show you there and what I can tell you only there, may give hope to your great Dragons. Such hope may lift them from their tiredness, and urge them on more cheerfully.’

Tika was stroking Nolli’s twisted hand as she listened. ‘I think hope in their hearts will help better than salves for their poor feet. But Fenj was preparing to go beyond when he felt he must journey with us, and I fear sometimes he thinks of that again.’

Nolli smiled, the bright dark eyes amazingly alive in the wrinkled face. ‘I too, was planning to go beyond, but our wishes must be put aside now and we must give all we can to restore balance to the world. If it was just your Outside world,’ she grinned, her bereaved gums pink in the glowers’ light. ‘Then perhaps we Inside would not concern ourselves.’ Her grin vanished. ‘But all the world is affected. We have marked increasing changes throughout this Cycle. So – we must give all we can.’

Khosa leapt between them onto Nolli’s lap. ‘You are an odd little creature!’ Nolli quickly corrected her words as Khosa began to bristle. ‘I mean, of course, oddly interesting. I have not seen your like before. You say you like to hunt squeakers? Have you any friends who would live among us perhaps? We have much trouble with squeakers at times in our food stores.’

Khosa settled herself to her satisfaction and closed her eyes. ‘I have many Kephlings who would come here, if I command it.’