Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series (36 page)

‘No one has ridden him since you were last here Sir Lord.’

Two mounted armsmen followed Mallit and Rhaki. Rhaki raised a quizzical brow.

‘We surely need no protection, Mallit?’

Mallit looked slightly shocked. ‘No Lord rides out without escort Sir Lord.’

Rhaki shrugged and allowed Mallit to spend the day leading him around to a distance of a league outside the walls. They rode back to Hargon’s manor a couple of hours before the evening mealtime. Rhaki thanked Mallit for his tour and asked to continue the next day.

Rhaki was extremely grateful that Hargon was civilised enough to have bath tubs, infrequently as he might use them himself. After soaking away the worst of the soreness and stiffness of his ride, Rhaki put on his robe and stood gazing unseeing from his window.

He would drink only water or tea until he had built his house. He needed nothing that might impair his strength. He was confident he could cut blocks of stone with the use of power. If Mallit would show him where stone was quarried, he could do it. He smiled. Let them marvel at that! But they could move the cut blocks for him. That would take too much effort on his part and he saw no need to overtax his strength too soon. But he wanted somewhere quickly, near the hidden caves, so he needs must expend power for his building.

Rhaki wasted no thought on the northern stronghold. He prided himself on casting aside experiments that failed, and he could look at the loss in the north in the same light. At the back of his mind, the idea floated that one day he would revenge himself on Emla and all the narrow minded fools in Gaharn. But that was a distant plan, far more pressing ones occupied him now. He smiled as he waited for the boy to summon him to the dining hall.

Hargon sat at a table in the small room where he kept his gold, a few maps and his account records. Navan had just joined him and been waved to the opposite chair.

‘Why is he here?’ Hargon asked.

Navan shook his head. ‘You know how long it takes for rumours to reach here and rumours fly faster than truth Sir. So far, not even rumours have arrived. Those monsters that appeared – they were surely his creatures, but why then does he come here himself, making no mention of them, or their destruction?’

Hargon drummed his fingers on the tabletop. ‘I believe he will build a house well outside the bounds of Return – for what purpose, who knows. Mallit reported that he evinced interest in a few sites but he had the feeling Rhaki was playing with him.’

Navan agreed. ‘He was always thus Sir. Pretending to admire, while unable to conceal his sneers. He seems a little different this time Sir.’

Hargon laughed but not with amusement. ‘You mean his madness is more obvious Navan. But mad or not, he is of the People and we have seen him use power.’ He was unable to suppress a shudder. ‘For now, I play the simple southern Lord, but I want him watched carefully, Navan. Most carefully.’

A knock came at his door and an armsman put his head into the room. ‘The evening meal, Sirs.’

Hargon nodded and got to his feet. ‘Have ears listening for any news from the north, Navan.’

‘Yes Sir.’ The Armschief opened the door for Hargon.

‘And for now, I want you present at each evening meal.’

‘Yes Sir.’

As Hargon and Navan crossed the space to the dining hall, Rhaki came down the staircase.

‘Ah, my Lord Rhaki! Mallit has been of help to you I trust?’

‘Indeed he has. I have seen several places where it might suit me to build, but he promises further exploring tomorrow.’

Rhaki felt confident enough among these simple humans to relax during the meal. Enough that as he listened to tales of Ganger raids, he failed to notice that Hargon in fact drank little, whilst appearing to drink heavily. Hargon suddenly leaned forward.

‘The monsters we recently had to fight Sir Lord! They came from nightmares. Foul things, but not too difficult to kill, once we could bear looking at them. Never seen their like!’ He sat back, staring over his goblet of wine.

‘The Cansharsi?’ Rhaki asked.

‘You have heard of them Sir Lord?’ Navan queried.

Belatedly Rhaki caught himself. He smiled. ‘There have been such creatures seen in the Middle Plain I understand. They were called Cansharsi.’

Hargon shook his head. ‘Next you will have us believe Shardi are real and not just tales to frighten children!’

Rhaki laughed aloud. ‘They truly are, Hargon. But they are creatures of the colder lands. You need not fear their arrival here.’

He placed his long hands flat on the table and levered his tall figure upright.

‘I beg your forgiveness, Hargon. I am out of practice riding your konina. I fear I must rest before tomorrow’s ride with your good Mallit.’

‘Certainly Sir Lord. Rest well.’

Hargon and Navan rose and bowed as Rhaki moved to the door.

They sat in silence for a few minutes after Rhaki’s departure, then Hargon sighed.

‘He knew of the monsters. I don’t want him out of sight.’

Navan nodded and wished his Lord goodnight. Hargon remained, trying to fathom why Rhaki was here, and what ill fortune his presence might mean to his domain.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Already another day had nearly passed and Emla was concerned that nowhere had been suggested for the laying of Iska’s body. Nolli had dozed in her chair for a time but now she woke.

‘Lady Emla, I believe the gate to my Domain must be reopened and there is a chamber, not far, suitable for Iska and Bark’s final resting place.’

She nodded to Dessi and the tiny Delver girl went to the wall beneath the sloped passage leading to the upper levels. She stood there for a considerable time, until her legs suddenly gave way and she sat down with a bump on the floor. As she did, the rock appeared to quiver, almost as though it was liquid, and then it was no longer there.

Gan and the Guards officers went to look and Soran took a few steps beneath the newly revealed archway.

‘It goes a long way Sir, but there is light at the end.’

Dessi glanced up, dark marks under her eyes. They knew I was opening the way, so some of my people are coming to greet you.’

Baras stooped over the Delver girl, holding her as she shivered.

‘It took great power to empty the arch,’ Mim said quietly to Emla.

‘Empty the arch?’ she asked.

He nodded. ‘It felt solid all the way through so if the Guardian had thought to test for tunnels, he would not have known this was here.’ He joined Baras in helping Dessi to a cushioned corner beside Nolli.

Servants were still bringing pillows and blankets to the hall, somewhat confused that the upper chambers were rejected in favour of the draughty entrance hall.

Tika sat cross-legged, holding a bowl of tea in both hands, going over and over what had happened in the Chamber of Balance. Sket tapped her shoulder lightly and she jumped. He held out a dish of dried fruits.

‘Eat something Lady, you still look too pale by far.’

She dutifully took some fruit and tried to chew it. Nolli’s stick rapped on the floor and heads turned in her direction.

‘My people,’ she said, looking to the archway.

A group of perhaps forty Delvers were emerging into the hall. Tika heard Lorak chuckle as she realised that there were not only male and female Delvers but also infants and toddlers in the group. They bowed first to black Fenj and crimson Brin, then to Tika and Emla, finally kneeling before Nolli.

‘And where is Serim?’ She asked sharply as Tika and Gan recognised some of the Elders they had met in their journey through the Domain of Asat.

It was the portly Torim, Elder of Arak, who replied. ‘Oh dear me, Serim has left the Domain Wise One.’

‘Left? What do you mean, left?’

‘He took two of the fengars our guests left behind and went from the tunnels.’

‘I feared as much.’ Nolli sounded sad rather than angry.

‘The Merigs watched him.’ Monni, Elder of Akan, spoke up. ‘They said he rode to the western side of the Spine Mountains and continues south.’

‘If he survives the journey, he will serve Rhaki.’ Nolli said, and sighed. Her voice sharpened. ‘The Elders are summoned here to hear the Naming of the new Guardian.’

‘The Discipline Seniors do not yet know of what has happened here,’ Kemti protested. ‘It will take many days to get word to them and then for them to debate the

matter.’

‘No. Things have changed, Lord Kemti. The next Guardian will not be of the People.’

Kemti was taken aback but before he could argue, Emla nodded thoughtfully.

‘Two Guardians have been of our race and the second betrayed the trust placed in him. And, I admit, it had not occurred to me before, but surely there were Guardians before we came here? So of what race were they?’

Nolli smiled, revealing pink gums. ‘A long time thinking such questions Lady.’ Her smile vanished. ‘I will remain here to help teach the new Guardians. Yes, the Guardianship is divided now between the Dragon Lord and Dessi.’

Stunned silence greeted her announcement. ‘And Berri will act as Wise One within the Domain.’

Berri gaped in disbelief then closed her mouth with an audible snap as her face paled.

‘Yes Berri, you have to change parts of yourself, and you will be under my guidance, and I give fair warning I will be hard on you. But I believe, if you truly wish it, you can become Wise One after me.’

Berri slipped to her knees before Nolli and lifted one of the gnarled hands to her brow.

‘I will prove worthy of your belief Wise One.’

‘I do not know what a Guardian must do,’ Mim ventured. ‘Surely I do not stay here all the time watching the Weights of Balance?’

Nolli grinned at him. ‘Certainly not! You and Dessi will change the character of this place, dispel its evil shadows. Dessi will bring the arts of growing food here – as you see we have done in the Domain. Lorak will be a valuable help to you in that.’

‘Splendid creature,’ came rumbling from Fenj.

Nolli continued: ‘I fear there will be other work – concerning books and such.’

Mim looked increasingly alarmed. Nolli grew serious.

‘There is the necessity to search the far Wilderness, but that cannot be undertaken immediately, much as I might wish it. Did the pendant you wear, harm you when Bark took the Balance Weight Mim?’ she asked suddenly.

‘I felt a slight heat, but the scales on my chest protected me.’ He looked across at Tika.

She nodded, unbuttoning the top of her shirt. An angry red oval-shaped mark was burnt into the skin between her breasts.

‘I thought it was the pain of Bark’s death, but I realise it happened at the moment he moved the Weight,’ she said, rebuttoning her shirt.

‘They quicken,’ Nolli muttered to herself, then said louder: ‘When Farn is recovered you will go south, child.’

‘I too,’ Kija’s voice was firm.

‘And I,’ Brin added.

Nolli smiled. ‘Yes, and Lord Gan and Sket no doubt.’

‘And I,’ a regal voice announced from Khosa, sprawled languidly on Farn’s back.

‘And what must we do?’ Emla asked.

‘Return to Gaharn and rouse your People. Too long have they spent looking inward and dreaming dreams. They live in this world, let them look to it as they should have done Cycles past.’

‘I said as much, if you recall,’ Kemti murmured in Emla’s ear.

Gan stood up, stretching his long legs.

‘We will leave two full bands of Guards here, to help with the work of getting this place straight. The rest will escort the Lady back to Gaharn.’

Unnoticed, Motass stood at the back of the crowd in the dim hallway.

‘Sir? Can I stay here? My brother Jal will heal but it will be a long mending. And my place is with Lord Mim also.’

Gan nodded his consent.

‘Thank you Sir.’

Much later, when all were settled for sleep, Tika crept to Nolli’s side.

‘Must I go south Nolli?’

‘Yes child. It is for you to defeat Rhaki, and you know the region where he is likely to be.’

Tika hugged her knees then winced as she rubbed the burn on her chest.

‘Lorak’s salve will help that,’ Nolli said. ‘Gan spoke with Motass’s brother Jal. He said Rhaki has been to the town of Return on several occasions. Would you have seen him there?’

Tika frowned, then her eyes widened.

‘I think – many Cycles past – soon after my mother died. I was one of the Lord’s pets. I remember a very tall man watching us one day. Could that have been him?’

‘It may well be child. Now. You have been gone from Return for a while and much has happened. You have met others – those who speak to you respectfully and listen with true interest. Can you look back at the Lord of Return and judge more fairly what kind of man he is?’

At first, all Tika could think of was the anger and fear that had spurred her to run away, but she forced herself to calm down and try to remember what she could of Lord Hargon. After a long pause, she said slowly:

‘He is not an evil man I think. He acts as he has been bred to. He was considered fair in dealing with disputes and he defended the people of his town against the Gangers. But,’ she finished stonily, ‘he kept slaves, and he treated women and children scarcely better than his slaves. He did not consider them as human as himself. And I will never agree that such slavery is necessary or right.’

In the light of early morning, new snow had blown in the open gateway, but no snow was falling outside now. Fenj, Brin, Ashta and Ulla brought meat back for the other Dragons, and Kija urged Farn to eat as much as he could. He turned his head carefully, his neck still most tender, and found Khosa crouched on his back. She crooned at him pleasantly and his eyes flashed sapphire bright.

Tika laughed at him affectionately. ‘No longer does a Kephi queen worry you then my Farn!’ She stroked his beautiful face. ‘It was decided last night while you slept, that we must travel far south again, even beyond the Ancient Mountains. I have agreed. Is that all right?’

‘Of course!’ His eyes whirred with anticipation. ‘When shall we go?’

A team of labourers had cleared an area not far from the hidden caves. It had not been too hard a job – the ground was solid rock covered with a dusty soil and scrubby bushes. Rhaki had paced out a circular area and marked it clearly. Hargon instructed Mallit to show Rhaki where the quarry was located. Cutting stone was a time-consuming and laborious task and thus Hargon’s stone built manor underlined his strength and importance.

Rhaki rode into the shallow gorge which Mallit had indicated was where Return’s stone was obtained. Dismounting, Rhaki strolled along the rock face, studying the lines and layers of stone. Yes, he thought, it would take several days to cut the amount he needed although he was not entirely sure how much the effort would cost him.

That evening in the dining hall, Rhaki told Hargon and Navan that he would begin to cut stone the next day.

Hargon nodded. ‘Using power, Sir Lord?’

‘How else my dear Hargon? I would still be occupying your guest chambers two Cycles from now if we let your men hack out all the stones I need!’

Rhaki’s mood since he arrived in Return had been consistently jovial and now he laughed at the wary expressions on Hargon and Navan’s faces.

‘I will go alone tomorrow and begin cutting the blocks. I would be grateful for the use of your carts to move them the league or so to the site I have chosen, once I have cut sufficient stone.’

‘Certainly,’ Hargon agreed easily.

‘Will you need artisans for the actual building work Sir Lord?’ asked Navan.

‘No, no.’ Rhaki poured himself more spice tea. ‘I shall deal with that myself.’

‘Furnishings,’ said Hargon. ‘Traff will assist you there. Bed, tables, that sort of thing – at least unless you wish to commission the work from the Carpenters’ Guild?’

‘I will need very little I think. Once the building is done, I will find a couple of servants.’ He frowned into his goblet of tea. ‘I am rather particular about those who serve me.’

Navan and Hargon exchanged a quick glance.

‘Perhaps slaves – those born slaves and trained in obedience from birth – would suit your needs best Sir Lord?’ Hargon offered.

‘Perhaps. I will think on it.’

As he tried to relax in the too-short bed, Rhaki knew he would be exhausted until the stone cutting was complete. He stared up into the darkness of his chamber. He would go to the cave tomorrow and use the scrying bowl. He needed to know if any of the Gaharnian scum knew in which direction he had gone. Rhaki could not imagine Emla ordering those pretty Guards of hers too far from Gaharn but he would like to be sure. It would take them weeks rather than days to get here, but if they were on their way, he would prefer to be within his building and strong in power once more.

His mind strayed to the books he had hidden in the cave. One of them he had discovered by chance. How long it had sat unnoticed among his many volumes he didn’t know. He had taken it from the shelf in error and sat at his table. Realising his mistake, he had been about to replace it in annoyance when something about it caught his attention.

Rhaki felt the stirrings of the sense of excitement he had felt when he’d first studied it. Lying in the guest chamber of Hargon’s manor, he shivered as he remembered his disbelief slowly turning to wonder as he had turned page after page. It must surely have been one of his predecessor’s books, but Rhaki wasted no time wondering where Kovas might have obtained it. Enough that it was now in his own hands.

Mallit was unhappy next morning, that the Lord Rhaki should ride out unescorted. But Rhaki was adamant he would go alone. Mallit had a brief glimpse of the inflexible will under the, at present, pleasant exterior, and he froze. Bowing low, he made no further comment as Rhaki mounted the konina. Silently Mallit took the saddlebag containing food from his own mount and tied it to Rhaki’s saddle. He bowed again as Rhaki crossed the yard to the inner gate, then, as he rode from view, Mallit hurried to the arms men’s practice yard.

Navan came straight to him and listened closely to what the man had to say. He nodded, slapped Mallit’s shoulder lightly and sent him off. Reporting to Hargon, Navan said: ‘You know Mallit Sir. His courage cannot be doubted yet he saw something in Lord Rhaki that had him pale as milk.’