Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series (33 page)

‘Greetings, beautiful one. I am Bark.’

Kija’s eyes were still flashing with anger and concern for her son but after a short pause, she lowered herself and replied: ‘Greetings, Bark. I am Kija.’

Bark’s wondering gaze moved past Kija to the huge crimson bulk of Brin, lying relaxed, but facing the tunnels leading down to the barracks.

‘That is Brin, the son of Fenj. And this is Fenj.’ Mim’s hand pulled at Bark’s sleeve drawing him towards what was left of the entrance gate.

Fenj rose erect, his eyes grey slate with jet lights in their depths.

‘Greetings to you, damaged one.’ He lowered himself and added. ‘This is Lorak of the Garden.’

Bark blinked at the ancient human who was bowing before him.

‘Pleased to meet you Sir. You look as though a restorative would be of assistance?’ Lorak suggested thoughtfully.

‘Splendid creature,’ Fenj murmured. ‘I highly recommend you try a sip, Lord Bark.’

As Bark was offered a leather bottle, the sound of feet and of voices came from the tunnel to the left of where Brin kept watch.

Rhaki stepped out of the mosaic circle and conjured a small flame on the tip of a finger. Looking round, he found an oil filled lamp just where he had left it several Seasons before. The flame on his finger winked out and the lamp lit with a faint hiss. He was in a cave in the far southern reaches of the Ancient Mountains. In fact, this cave where he was, was inside mere foothills, the mountains scoured down in the long ages since their birth.

Rhaki was drained from his expenditure of power in the setting of wards in the Realm of Ice and the much greater effort of using the circle to move himself bodily over such a vast distance. He exhaled slowly and his shoulders sagged, but he had to do one more thing before he could rest. He moved to one section of the circular cave and pressed the rock delicately, muttering as he did so. A space slid open and Rhaki lugged his leather bag unsteadily through to the newly revealed chamber. With the last of his strength, he fetched the lamp, sealed the doorway behind him and sank to the floor.

It was many hours before he awoke and he groaned as he moved. Lying on the stone floor would have been bad enough but his use of power had left him aching in every joint and muscle. He lay still, concentrating lightly on the worst hurting places – the hip on which he’d lain, his back and his head. He managed to reduce the pain to a persistent but bearable ache before he attempted to sit up.

He looked around. The few items were as he had left them, not that anyone would have found their way to these caves. There was a wooden chest with blankets neatly folded on its top. Rhaki wished ruefully that he could have managed to at least have reached them before he collapsed. He got to his feet and staggered. Stars be cursed, but he was weak! When his vision stopped its vortex swirling, he tottered to the chest, pushing aside the blankets. Lifting the lid, he peered inside. A couple of scrolls and books he had left there ages since, a metal canister, a plain goblet and a tall, narrow jug. He knew he had to wait for his strength to be renewed, he could not risk the humans here seeing him in this parlous state.

Rhaki straightened, holding the jug, and nearly toppled into the chest as dizziness swept him again. He gritted his teeth and waited for the spinning to stop. He let the outer, weatherproof cloak fall from his shoulders as, moving like a decrepit ancient he made his way out of the chamber. He skirted the mosaic circle and found the concealed door beyond. Even directing the tiny amount of power involved in opening the door nearly sent him to his knees. He braced himself against the rock and felt his way along a narrow twisting tunnel.

One more wall to unseal and then he was in a wider passage. Soon Rhaki could hear the gentle trickle of water and he gave a relieved groan. A spring filled a shallow basin of rock a few paces on and beyond that branches tangled across the outlet to the cave. The faintest starlight prickled through and when Rhaki had filled his jug with water, he stepped closer to the overgrown entrance, trying to judge the position of the stars.

He had been unconscious at least half a day but he had no way of guessing if this was the second or even third night since he had fled his stronghold. Biting his lip to suppress a groan, Rhaki shuffled back through the passage and the mosaic chamber to his hiding place. His breath gusted out in a sigh of relief as he sealed himself in again.

Taking the canister and goblet from the chest he put them on the floor beside the jug, then heaped the blankets against the wall. He rested himself on them for a few minutes before pouring icy water from the jug to the goblet and raising it shakily to his lips. There were dried fruits in the canister but he hadn’t the energy to reach for them. Pulling his woollen cloak close around himself, Rhaki lay flat. He would have to rest longer than he might have wished, but he knew he had to be back to his full strength before appearing to the local humans.

His mind drifted lightly to the Realm of Ice and his mouth curved in a smile that did not reach his eyes. He had lost that battle, but the war was by no means lost, for war it was. At least those cursed followers of Emla’s would not reach the Balance. He frowned. He didn’t think they could – but then, he hadn’t expected them to break into his stronghold.

He had plans already sketched in his mind; it would be simple to implement them. After all, he knew more than any other of those smug Seniors just what might be done when one as knowledgeable as he combined innate power with this world’s own power. Oh yes. Rhaki slid into a deep, restorative sleep. No dreams or nightmares could worry such a Master as he.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Kija’s eyes blazed golden fire as the Snow Dragon Uma emerged first from the barrack tunnel. Brin moved back, towards Fenj, and watched as Guards followed the Snow Dragon. Then Jeela came into the entrance hall, her head turned to watch behind her. Kija took a step forward as Farn appeared, the other Snow Dragon, Ulla, on one side and the Lady Emla on the other. Kija looked at her son as he tried to pull himself up and raise his head. He paused and Ulla and Emla moved a little away from him as he looked back at Kija. Her prismed eyes blurred to a honey colour as she said softly: ‘Welcome, my son. I rejoice to see you safe. Are you and your soul bond well?’

‘Of course.’ Farn walked unsteadily towards Kija before crumpling to the floor.

Kija’s head lowered over him as she noted the great scar down his slender neck. She settled herself around him and he sighed in content as his head and neck found support on her shoulder. Farn was asleep even as Kija looked back to the tunnel as Kemti and more Guards came up. Finally Gan appeared carrying Tika and with the tiny figure of Dessi trotting beside him. He came straight to Kija who sniffed lightly at Tika’s face.

‘She has done well to save my son. Take her to Fenj. He can perhaps lend her strength to speed her recovery.’ She curled herself tighter around Farn as Gan moved on to Fenj.

Lorak had put a bedroll against Fenj’s side and Gan knelt to lower Tika carefully on to the roll. Fenj curved himself around her and his eyes paled to the shadows-on-snow colour as Lorak squeezed in too, to wrap Tika more closely.

Gan got to his feet and found Mim beside him with Ashta.

‘She needs to rest, Mim.’ Gan noted the increasing change in the Nagum boy’s appearance, even in this short day.

‘There is Bark.’ Mim indicated the gaunt figure at Fenj’s side. ‘We left servants to watch over Iska’s body.’

Gan nodded. ‘And I ordered the servants to gather – have you seen any of them?’

‘There were only three men cleaning as we went to where Iska lies, and three in that chamber. I saw none as we returned here.’

Gan turned to Soran. ‘Have a couple of men seek out the servants of this place and bring them here. Have we lost many Guards?’

‘We lost seven to those monsters. Most of us have minor injuries but four are badly hurt Sir. And there are several prisoners, some of whom are injured also.’

Guards began talking as they cleaned their blades and honed them on the stones they carried in their packs.

‘Be there no kitchens here, where we’d find summat warm to eat and drink?’

Several voices made similar comments as a group of thirty or so servants was ushered into the entrance hall. Gan beckoned Bark to join him.

‘Is there a housekeeper or chamberlain to oversee the servants and the running of this place? Perhaps it would put them more at ease if you were to speak to them Bark, and assure them that we have no intention of harming them.’

Bark went across to the group of servants, many of whom were clearly petrified by the presence of Dragons. Within a few moments, the servants scattered, giving the Dragons a wide berth if their route took them in their direction. Bark returned to where Gan was checking the wounded Guards.

‘I asked for food to be prepared Gan. These servants are not here voluntarily – Rhaki imprisoned humans soon after he came here and used them to breed more. They know of no other life.’

Gan’s lips tightened, as did Emla’s. She had joined them and overheard Bark’s words. Bark bowed to her, saying:

‘I was with Iska, Lady. She chose to send to you, knowing what Rhaki would likely do.’

Emla touched his shoulder, as Bark remained bent before her.

‘We owe you much Bark. Not one of us remembered that you had come here with Rhaki. Not until we heard of a damaged one living here did we think of you. I tremble to think of what you have suffered, receiving no help from Gaharn.’

Khosa wound herself round Bark’s ankles and as he lifted her to his shoulder, Emla shook her head.

‘That Kephi seems to get everywhere.’

Khosa’s turquoise eyes slitted at the Lady.

‘You forget names as easily as much else do you not?’

Emla blinked and cleared her throat. ‘Apologies Khosa. There seem to be so many new and strange things happening, my memory definitely appears to be failing.’

Khosa turned her gaze very deliberately back to Bark.

‘He is no longer here is he Bark?’ It was more statement than question.

Bark shook his head. ‘I think probably not. He disappears sometimes for several days, but I do not know where he goes nor in what manner.’

Emla touched Bark’s shoulder lightly again as he showed distress.

‘I could not stop him killing Iska, Lady. There was nothing I could do to help her!’

‘You helped her by your presence Bark. She understood what Rhaki was capable of perhaps better than any of us, yet still she called out to us.’

Bark looked down. Dessi, her head barely reaching his hip, looked back at him.

‘I am Dessi of the ones who sing to you, damaged one.’

‘Are you then,’ Bark smiled shakily. ‘I have appreciated your songs but I can no longer use the mind speech over any distance so I could not tell you how you comforted me.’

‘We know,’ Dessi smiled. ‘Our Old One is on her way here. She would speak with you if you permit. She is very old and travels slowly.’

There was a commotion among the wounded being tended and Emla and Mim went to see what was amiss. Sket spoke to them quickly.

‘Their officer is among the wounded Lady. Of all crazy things, he seems to be the big brother to Motass! He’s hurt quite bad – his sword arm is torn to shreds. Motass recognised a funny old scar on his chest.’

Emla and Mim followed Sket to find Motass kneeling beside a half-stripped fighter. A healer knelt the other side of the unconscious man and he shook his head as Emla asked about the injury. He lifted a blood-drenched cloth, exposing an arm nearly severed at the elbow.

‘I guess one of those monsters either ripped him or bit him – this is not the work of a sword.’

The healer fell silent until Motass asked:

‘Can you save him, if you take it off?’

‘He would have a better chance of surviving yes. But he has lost a great amount of blood, and I have no way of knowing if there is venom carried by those creatures which may already be in his system.’

‘Try then healer, please. I will give a year’s wages to the Guild of Healers if you save him.’

The healer sighed. ‘Motass, I will do my best but I do not do so for the offer of your money.’ The healer got up from the floor. ‘This would be best done elsewhere – is there a chamber we can use where he can lie quietly when the arm has been removed? And we will need one of you to assist me in keeping him calm with your power while I work.’

‘I can do that,’ Dessi spoke confidently, although the healer looked very dubious. She was so very small but as she met the healer’s stare, he nodded.

Gan went to organise Guards to remove the wounded who needed more serious treatment, while Bark arranged for chambers to be readied for use by the healers.

Several servants arrived with trays laden with bowls of broth and chunks of bread and they were greeted with cheers from the Guards.

‘Tika and Farn still sleep,’ said Emla. ‘But we must decide our next move. Bark, show us where Iska lies. We would pay her our respects. Then perhaps somewhere we can plan?’

Nomis and Kran were detailed to go back through the barracks to meet the next group of Guards who should soon be nearing the stronghold. Gan left Sket and Trem to stay in the entrance hall as he, Kemti, Emla, Soran and Baras followed Bark to the upper levels.

‘We must dispose of all the bodies in the lower levels fairly quickly.’ Gan commented to Bark. ‘What is the usual procedure here?’

‘I don’t know Gan. I’m sorry. I’ve never thought where bodies are laid to rest when servants die.’

Gan sensed Bark’s guilt at his ignorance in this matter.

‘Could you ask one of them then, for we must remove the corpses soon.’

They had reached the chamber where Iska lay and conversation ceased. Quietly, they all went to the great bed and looked down at Iska. Emla bent and kissed the already cold, smooth brow and straightened, turning as Bark gave a grunt of pain.

The five Gaharnians crossed to the hearth where Bark slumped in a chair, his hands over his face. The servant Galt, stood helplessly beside him, his arm across Bark’s shoulders. Emla looked at the servant enquiringly and after a glance down at Bark, Galt stepped towards her and bowed.

‘Bark asked what was done to the bodies of the dead,’ he whispered. He glanced again at Bark. ‘The Master sometimes took a corpse, we know not for what purposes.’ He shuddered. ‘Usually, the dead were taken below – to be fed to his beasts.’

Emla swallowed the bile she felt rising in her throat.

‘There is no burial chamber, or place of cairns, for the proper laying of the dead?’

‘No Lady.’

‘Dear stars! What has he become?’

‘We could put them in one of the chambers in the lowest level and then seal them within,’ Soran offered hesitantly.

Gan nodded at him. ‘Make such arrangements when we return to the hall, Soran.’

‘Where are Rhaki’s quarters?’ Emla asked.

‘Further along this passage. But beware, he will have warded the door. He always does when he wishes to be sure of no interruptions.’

‘Hmm.’ Emla spun on her heel and headed for the door.

‘Emla,’ Kemti hurried after her. ‘Wait Emla! I can feel the wardings already, surely you can also sense them?’ He caught her elbow. ‘Wait I say!’

Reluctantly she stopped a few paces from a door, which looked exactly like all the other doors they’d seen in this place. They probed the wardings, seeing wavering lines of red flickering in an inconsistent pattern all around and through it.

From behind them, Bark said: ‘The Balance is beyond the study. I know how to unseal the hidden doors but Rhaki will have warded them all. My power is so limited I can only tell that wards are set, I could not begin to unravel them.’

‘They are complex indeed, Bark,’ Kemti wiped his forehead where concentration had caused sweat to run.

Emla agreed. ‘We will have to wait for Tika, I think. And I have no idea how long that will be. But at least Rhaki is no longer in this stronghold. We can reach the Balance without interference from his presence.’

A Guard approached and saluted the Lady, hand on the insignia above his heart. ‘Lady, the reinforcements are arriving.’

‘Well. We had best go and meet them, and arrange quarters for everyone. There can be no planning until Tika recovers.’ Emla frowned. ‘I had hoped that we could deal with the wards and save her some of this work.’

‘No,’ said Kemti. ‘It is clear. Rhaki has greatly increased his knowledge of many things over these Cycles, not least these wardings. At least we know we must be ever more wary if this is his idea of just a simple door ward.’

They joined the much larger crowd now gathered in the great entrance hall. Brin and the Snow Dragons had gone to find food. Gan wondered where that could be. On his brief excursion outside, he had seen only snow-covered peaks and crevasses. Soran went to arrange the removal of bodies and confer with the officers of the newly

arrived squad of Guards. They had been appalled at the grotesque creatures lying in the tunnels and were amazed that so few Guards appeared to have been able to slaughter them all.

Sket was sitting beside Fenj and Lorak, all three watching Tika’s sleeping form. Kija had Jeela and Ashta lying beside her as she still curled protectively round Farn. Gan pointed out that Farn’s scales were brighter, seemed to have lost the dull, tarnished look they’d had since his wounding. Fenj told them that Tika was stronger but she was burrowed under the blankets and all that was visible was tangled black hair.

Shan brought a tray of tea and honey rolls to the Lady. There was a difference in her Emla thought, as she accepted the tea gratefully. There was a new awareness in the round blue eyes and Emla realised that her flighty maid had seen things during the last few days for which she had been quite unprepared. If Guards had paled at the sight of those monsters, how much more shaken must this simple child have been? And yet there must have been a core of strength within her, which made her able to offer a tray of tea with steady hands. Emla confessed to herself that she had expected Shan to collapse in hysterics, but though the girl proved her judgement wrong yet again, Emla was proud of Shan’s steadfastness.

A Guard trotted out from the barrack tunnel and craned to look over the scattered crowd.

‘What now?’ Kemti asked ruefully as the Guard headed purposefully in their direction.

He saluted as he stood before Emla. ‘Officer Soran is escorting a party of – Delvers – to your presence Lady.’ The blankness in his eyes indicated that very little else would surprise him after recent events. ‘It is their leader. She is very old,’ he added.

Emla was suddenly aware of what a mess she must look but Shan was beside her, holding a bowl of warm scented water and a towel over her arm.