Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series (26 page)

‘Would they be as superb hunters as you are?’

‘All of my children are superb hunters – I train them myself.’

‘Have you many children?’

‘Far too many.’ Khosa wriggled crossly. ‘Always squabbling. I will tell them they are to come here when I return to the Lady’s Estate.’

Nolli met Tika’s eyes, but Khosa said complacently: ‘And I will return to the Lady’s Estate.’

‘Why did you allow Berri to come with us?’ Tika kept her voice low. ‘She teases Kran, and most of the other men now, but I cannot work out why she wanted to come.’

Nolli sighed. ‘Long time past, I had hopes of Berri. She gave signs that she could grow to be Wise One. But she found intrigue, teasing, and sarcasm more to her taste. She did not know that I watched her, or that I believed she might succeed me.’

‘Is she strong in the Power then?’ Tika asked in some surprise. ‘I had not sensed it in her.’

‘Wise Ones do not have to be strong in the Power, child, that is not their task. But they must care for all other Delvers at whatever cost to their own desires.’ Nolli laughed, knowing Tika’s unspoken question. ‘I paid the price, child, and hard though it was at the time, I was soon glad to have done so.’

Lorak came to join them, a cup in his hand. ‘A sip for you, Nolli?’ he asked.

‘I think so Lorak. Your potion eases my bones quite well.’ She took the proffered cup carefully between her two hands. ‘Did you realise you can heal, Tika? When you touch my hands, the pain recedes. It has nothing to do with the Power.’

Tika stared at her. ‘Really? No, I was not aware of it.’

Lorak squatted on his heels beside them. ‘Old one, I saw growing plants in Arak, but I see no other growing things.’ Tika frowned and waited for him to go on. ‘I mean little ‘uns. Don’t Delvers have little ‘uns? But I saw Delver females with bellies growing babies, so where have you got the children hid?’

Nolli smiled. ‘It has long been our custom, since way before my time, that the instant Outsiders enter our Domain, our young ones are taken to hidden places. Our old tales say a generation of children was lost to Outsiders whom we had welcomed as guests. Since then, they are hidden.’

A great shout of laughter erupted from the Guards settled around Brin – obviously one of his fantastic stories had reached its’ conclusion. The young Dragons and Nolli’s Snow Dragons had also been listening but only Farn seemed to have believed every word. Gan strolled across to Nolli. ‘I did not know Dragons had such powerful imaginations,’ he remarked.

Nolli tutted. ‘I feel sure there is truth in most of what he tells.’ Then she grinned her toothless grin, adding: ‘but he adds to the truth, I am equally sure!’

Two more walks passed uneventfully. Fenj was plainly tiring, his prismed eyes a dull slate colour most of the time. He made no complaint, replied to any who spoke to him in his usual courteous manner.

They were clearly nearing the northern borders of the Domain of Asat – no local Delvers appeared from the decreasing number of side tunnels. They had been travelling only a short while on their eighth walk since entering the mountain when Nolli called a halt. As the company gathered round her, she indicated a narrow slit of an opening, not the usual kind of tunnel at all.

‘We must travel a distance from our main route now. It is not too far and those who wish, can remain here. But I must go. Tika, Gan, and the Dragon Lord must accompany me. And I beg that you do also, Great Dragons from Outside.’

In the end, everyone followed Nolli. Fenj and Brin struggled through several places where the rock walls seemed to be pressing closer together. There were no lamps set along this passage and, on Nolli’s instruction, the company had unhooked lamps from the main tunnel to light their way now. Khosa sat upright on Nolli’s lap, her eyes shining with excitement. Secrets! She was sure there were secrets to be found, just ahead!

At last the passage widened but as the company crowded up and more light shone about them, it seemed as if a rockfall had blocked their way.

‘All of you must turn your backs!’ Nolli’s youthful voice suddenly commanded. ‘All of you, except the Dragons. And the Dragon Lord must help me now.’

Mim moved between Ashta and Gan, squeezed past Tika and helped Nolli to her feet. They heard Nolli shuffling forward, softly murmured, indistinguishable words in her voice, and Mim’s fluting tones joining with the Wise One. There was a low rumble and a gust of air swept against their backs, but none dared to risk a glance over their shoulders. Again there came the sound of Nolli’s painfully shuffling feet and then her voice: ‘You may see now, what the Wise Ones guard so secretly!’

The company turned. Nolli and Mim stood inside a small, round chamber, on a circular mosaic set with crystal, gold and jet. As Mim held his glow lamp high, they saw niches recessed into the wall. Each niche held a dully gleaming oval shape and Tika gasped, the first to realise what they were. Her hand fumbled at her shirt and she pulled free the pendant taken from Fenj’s collection. Hundreds upon hundreds of them shone back, as hers reflected Mim’s lamplight.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Emla had remained in Gaharn for three days. The Discipline Seniors had agreed that all their individual studies must be suspended indefinitely while they searched their archives for any clues for dealing with these troublous events. In the Buildings of Learning, the great Asataria, Seniors still paced with dignity through the halls and corridors, but there was underlying sense of urgency about them now.

Emla felt helpless; all her books, the ancient library of many previous Golden Ladies, were two leagues away in her House. Finally she visited the study of Discipline Senior Kera, her friend from childhood days.

‘Kera, I cannot stay here any longer. I must go to my House and study the books there. I am also concerned for the wounded ones I left there. Stars, Kera, some of the injuries were beyond the worst nightmares.’

Kera put her finger on the line she had been studying when Emla burst in. ‘I think it is quite reasonable for you to leave. You have no study here to work in, and the main libraries are, I am told, knee deep in Juniors and Students!’ She smiled. ‘I must say, it is good to know we are still the friends we were so long ago. I did not realise until I saw you in the Chamber of Gathering how much I have missed you.’

‘You always buried yourself in work more than we did, especially when you decided you would become the youngest Discipline Senior ever raised!’

‘But I did it,’ retorted Kera. ‘I will inform the others if you want to leave immediately though.’

Emla moved to Kera’s side and, stooping, put her arms around her shoulders. ‘I pray there is a solution to these troubles Kera. I feel I am rightly judged as appallingly careless to have allowed a Weight of Balance to be removed from my care.’

‘Put that thought from your mind Emla,’ said Kera firmly. ‘None of us believe that, I swear it. So go on with you, and take the others with you. They can work as well at your House as they can here. I know Iska is fretting to get back to nursing those Guards at least!’

Emla kissed her friend and strode to the door as Kera remarked mildly: ‘And now I have lost my place.’ Her head was already bent again over the faded script she was working on and she didn’t hear Emla’s farewell.

Emla was glad that Yash and Kemti were quick to agree to return with her and Iska. They both had small chambers within the Asataria where they usually worked and she had thought they might prefer to remain here. But in a short while, the four were walking rapidly away from the Buildings of Learning, Guards trotting behind and before them. The snow lay thickly piled beside the cleared pathways and was still falling, but in lazy flakes rather than the blinding blizzard that had begun days before.

As they began the final climb from the Upper Pass, a tattered looking black Merig flew heavily alongside. Emla halted, looking at it a little doubtfully.

There was a laugh in their minds. ‘Can’t tell us apart, can you? Well, I am the one who spoke to you before.’ He landed on the path in front of them.

‘You have more news?’ Emla asked.

‘Well, not exactly. A friend told me that the company that you sent forth has entered the mountains.’

‘Entered the mountains? Which mountains? Why?’

The Merig rattled his feathers. ‘The High Land Mountains. Just beyond the river that you call Skar. To escape the snow storm I expect.’

‘Do you mean they have taken shelter in caves or something?’ asked Yash.

The Merig chuckled throatily. ‘No cave would long protect a company of their size from the storms that have raged there of late.’ He walked stiffly closer to the People and blinked slowly. ‘Delvers took them in. They sent Snow Dragons to guide them.’ His tone indicated amazement and awe, and he stepped back a little to study their reaction the better. He gave a loud harsh croak of amusement and rose into the air. ‘You do not know, do you? I will be in your grounds for a while, if you wish to speak with me.’

They watched him beat slowly ahead of them as they resumed their climb.

‘Delvers?’ asked Kemti.

‘Snow Dragons?’ queried Iska.

Emla shook her head, snow scattering from her hood. ‘I have no idea. I have never heard of either. I do hope those children are safe.’

They had reached the entrance to Emla’s Estate and Guards saluted her as she passed through. Shan held the main door wide as the four People hurried up the steps.

‘Oh Lady, I have been worried,’ Shan began as she shut the great door. She helped Emla off with her cloak as Bara helped Iska. ‘The snow seems to have eased a little but it feels colder than ever I’ve known it.’

Two male servitors brought hot tea as Shan pulled Emla’s boots from the Lady’s feet. ‘You are freezing Lady! A bath would be best to warm you up.’

‘That sounds an excellent idea,’ agreed Kemti. ‘Why do we not all bathe, thaw ourselves, and meet in your study after?’

Yash nodded, chaffing his long thin fingers against each other to restore some feeling in them while Iska was already halfway up the stairs.

Kemti was the last to rejoin them later. He waved a battered book at them. ‘Tales for children! That’s where this book was filed. “The Treasure of the Snow Dragons.” It makes no mention of Delvers as such, but tells of a race of very small humans who live with these Dragons. I suppose small humans equals children to whoever stored this book.’

‘I have no recollections of hearing any such tales,’ said Yash.

‘Nor I,’ agreed Emla.

‘I think we should ask the Merig what he knows.’ Iska grinned at Emla as she added: ‘and it might be safer to see him on the veranda, in case his wife is with him.’

Emla looked out at the snow-covered gardens. ‘I see no sign of them. Perhaps we should just summon them with the mind speech, as he bespoke me.’

Before more could be said, the Merig bespoke them, almost, they suspected, as if he had been eavesdropping. ‘My wife is visiting friends nearby. I will come inside now.’

Yash opened the window where the Merig had landed, dislodging lumps of frozen snow from the sill. The Merig dropped onto the floor and walked towards the fire. He shook out his shabby feathers and hopped onto Emla’s usual stool. ‘You wished to question me?’

‘Who are the Delvers you spoke of?’ Emla asked at once.

‘A race of small humans, who long, long ago, chose to retreat inside the High Land Mountains. They listen to news of this outside world if we happen to meet any of them, but they are not really interested.’

‘But how can humans live, inside those bleak mountains? Do the Snow Dragons you named, hunt meat for them?’

The Merig managed to look definitely shifty. ‘I have entered their Domain only a few times. I must not speak of Inside.’

‘Their Domain?’ asked Emla.

‘The Domain of Asat,’ the Merig replied.

‘Are they fighters?’

The Merig put his head on one side to look at Yash. ‘Most surely not. They are led by a Wise One. The present Wise One is called Nolli and she travels with your company now although she is near ready to journey beyond.’

All four of the People looked startled at the Merig’s use of that phrase. ‘She leads them far to the north of her Domain.’ He shivered, his feathers rattling back into place. ‘I heard the words “Dragon Lord” spoken once when I was there, before the storms reached down to these lands.’

‘Dragon Lord? Could that be Mim?’ Emla’s voice rose. ‘If we only had contact with them, this not knowing is terrible! I am nearly persuaded that I must follow them myself.’

‘What of these Snow Dragons?’ Iska enquired, hoping to distract Emla’s thoughts, if only briefly.

‘They are mostly white, or very pale colours. They are small, smaller than most hatchlings of Outside Dragons. They live within the mountain but they are more accustomed to the cold and hunt for themselves and for the Delvers.’

‘Hunt where?’ Emla glared at the Merig. ‘In the Wilderness, that’s where you will tell me they hunt, won’t you? If they hunted on the Upper Plain, they would have been seen and we would know of them.’

The Merig hopped from scaly foot to scaly foot, blinking rapidly.

‘Don’t Emla, you will upset him and he will tell us nothing more.’

The Merig gazed at Iska with deep admiration. ‘A fine lady,’ he said pointedly.

Emla sighed. ‘I am sorry Merig, but I am so very concerned for all that company, but especially for the two young ones.’

‘They all seem well, from what I heard, except the two great male Dragons suffering with their feet. The Kephi was enjoying herself at least,’ he added.

‘I still can’t think why Tika wanted to take it.’ Emla sounded distracted.

‘”It” is the Queen of the Kephi here, as she keeps reminding everyone apparently.’

‘Reminding everyone?’ Emla gaped at him. ‘You mean the Kephi also use the mind speech?’

‘Naturally.’ The Merig sounded smug. ‘But a lot of us choose not to speak to your kind. I think I shall go and find food now. I will stay in your gardens for a few days though, in case you think of any more questions.’

As Kemti shut the window behind the departing Merig, Emla began to pace. ‘Why, by the stars, was I Raised to the Ladyship? All the studying I have done, and the wisdom I proudly assumed I have accrued over these Cycles avails me nothing in this time of trial! The Wilderness seemingly inhabited, Delvers, Snow Dragons, such intelligence in Merigs – and Kephis!’

‘Calm down Emla.’ Yash tented his fingers and tapped them against his chin. ‘At least we now know of these things. The question is, does the Guardian also know of them?’

Far to the north, the company stood gazing into the chamber on whose central mosaic were Nolli and Mim. Tika lifted her lamp and moved hesitantly forward, glancing once at Nolli to receive her nod of consent. Around the circular chamber the oval shapes glinted and shone. Tika moved closer, seeing all of them were filled with amber and contained a tiny speck of something, as did hers and Mim’s.

But some were half shelled not in gold, but in precious stones somehow – crystal, bloodstone, sapphire. Spaced around were empty hooks, clearly meant for lamps. Her lamp held high in her right hand, her left rested on the hilt of the sword she now

hardly remembered she wore. The first murmurs faded into silence as Tika walked slowly round the chamber, returning to stand beside Gan. Mim placed his and Nolli’s lamps on the nearest hooks, freeing her hand to join the other on top of her stick.

‘This is what the Wise Ones promised to guard throughout time.’ Nolli’s voice was clear and strong. ‘We have been called “Delvers”, indeed we refer to ourselves so, to any others, but we are the Kraneechay – Keepers, and this is what we must keep.’

Tika had been aware of the Dragons’ growing agitation. As she looked at the great adults squeezed in behind the young ones and the Snow Dragons behind her, she saw faceted eyes flashing at increasing speed. She looked back at Nolli, Mim standing at the ancient one’s shoulder. Nolli now said, simply: ‘You have seen. Now a Dragon Lord comes and at last the Kraneechay hand over this secret to one who will use it.’

With great difficulty but with immense dignity, Nolli turned her back to the company and, bowing low to Mim would also have knelt before him had he not held her upright.

Mim, the Nagum boy, threw back the folds of his cloak, his blue eyes blazing almost like Farn’s. He pushed his shirtsleeves up, past his elbows, and thrust out his arms towards the company. Gan glanced quickly at Tika, seeing tears pour down her cheeks, but she was smiling despite the tears. A moaning came from the Dragons as they looked, with the others, at Mim.

Tiny scales rippled on Mim’s arms, down, over the backs of his three fingered hands; scales of gold, tipped with silver. Gan stared as hard as everybody else, seeing the glowers’ light catch a glitter now at Mim’s throat, now at his temples. Gan’s mind raced. Clearly the Dragon patterns that Mim’s body had accepted were proving stronger than Emla and the three Seniors had thought likely or possible. How far would this change go, and what did it imply? He disregarded the implications – that was for other minds to concern themselves with. For now, Gan had to concentrate on each step on this strange journey, not worry about steps far ahead. The thought whispered in his mind – “steps we may not reach” – but Gan quashed that thought instantly.

‘It is cramped here, for so many,’ Nolli said now. ‘Let us all withdraw to the main tunnel. We will travel no further today but we will talk. At least, I will tell all I know of the appointment of my race as the Kraneechay and maybe the Outside Dragons can tell us even more if they so choose.’

As Lanni came to help Nolli, the company filed back through the narrow space, leaving the Dragons still staring into the chamber. Nolli touched each beautiful slender face as she passed, and each bent to touch their brows to hers.

‘Look!’ said Mim.

Gan and Tika joined him in the centre of the mosaic. He had tilted his head back and was gazing up at the domed roof. A mosaic circle had somehow been set there, and in its centre a blue star pulsed.

‘But,’ Gan bit his lip but Mim and Tika had already turned their eyes to him. ‘This circle below and above, and the blue star – it is exactly so in our Great Chamber of Gathering in Gaharn.’

‘As it is in the Pavilion of the Golden Balance on the Lady’s Estate,’ said Mim.