Summoning Light (13 page)

"In seventeen days, we will converge on the new gathering place and leave immediately for the hiding place. To minimize the chance of discovery, we will move in one single group, and only the Circle will hold the key to entering our new home. Any who do not arrive in time will be assumed lost and left behind.

"Before we give ourselves over to these preparations, though, we face a grievous task. Kell must be sent to the other side. Ing-Radi?"

Ing-Radi laid her four hands, palms up, on top of each other, and bowed her head. "It was long, long ago that I first became a mage. We had great ideals, yet few followed them. They were for the lips only, not for the heart. Many years later, Kell was initiated as the latest of the line of Wierden. What he said with the lips, he felt with the heart. He made us see that we need not squabble and maneuver for power, but instead we could do good. He made us see that we must not only speak the words of Wierden, but believe them. His vision and wisdom drew us to him. And so a new age of relative peace and cooperation was born. His leadership brought us together. His example inspired us. I hope that we may live on in his example. These trying times shall be the test of how well we have learned what he taught us: to put the needs of our order above our own.

"My first experience with Kell's leadership came at the convocation at which he was initiated." As Ing-Radi spoke of the accomplishments of Kell, Carvin, beside him, began to cry. Galen cast his eyes downward, trying to block out the sound.

In four hours he would be headed with Blaylock for the rim, for the home of the Shadows, for the last place where he had seen Elizar. The chance that he would encounter Elizar was minuscule, but Galen couldn't stop the image from forming in his mind, of Elizar turning and seeing him, of Elizar's angular, arrogant face filling with fear.

And then the next image. Galen's hands covered in blood, clutching the broken threads of Elizar's tech.

Ing-Radi had finished her eulogy, and the mages were filing out. They would go outside the facility to watch as Kell's body was consumed in magical fire.

Elric separated from the rest of the Circle and took Galen aside. His lined face was stern. "You must withdraw your request. The task is too dangerous. It was meant for one of the Circle, but there are not enough of us to do what we must. You lack the necessary experience."

"Where would you have me go?"

"Ahead to the hiding place. You can set up things there to your liking. You can create a new home for us. I will join you shortly."

Galen could not give up his opportunity, force himself back into the endless loop. He had chosen the right course. "I cannot."

Elric studied him. "It may be difficult, but you can."

"I must go with Blaylock."

"It would be wiser if you did not."

Galen shook his head. "I must. I'm sorry. I mean no disrespect." He met Elric's gaze. "I apologize for my earlier outburst. I was angry at myself, yet I struck at you. I deeply regret what I said. It was undeserved and untrue. I know you do what is best for all of us." The words seemed inadequate. Galen wished he could say something more, but he could think only to end his apology as the Soom did. "It is a mark against my own name."

At the reminder of home, the tension in Elric's face lessened, the frown lines between his brows dwindling from three to two. "I erase the mark." Elric had spoken in the language of the Soom, and he continued in it. "These are difficult times. Alwyn should not have spoken to you as he did."

Hearing the simple, orderly language comforted Galen. He spoke in it as well. "It's not only Alwyn. It's all of them. It's what they remember when they look at me."

"That will pass, in time."

"I don't have time."

"You have your whole life, which may be short or may be long. I prefer to think it long, long enough that one day you might be elected to the Circle and lead the mages more wisely than I."

"You told Alwyn you didn't believe the mages would survive this war."

"Perhaps I am wrong. And if I am, the mages will need you to help guide them."

"And you."

Elric said nothing. His lips formed a thin, straight line. Elric had promised never to lie to him, and Elric had kept that promise. He might not return from this task. That was what he was telling Galen.

Once again Galen had been thinking only of himself. For the first time he thought of Elric's task. Elric must draw the attention of the Shadows, make his group their target to spare the rest. He was not well. He should not go. Galen couldn't imagine what he would do, if he returned from his task and Elric did not. He could not lose Elric too. He could not.

"If you truly want to stop me," Galen said, "then withdraw to the hiding place with me. I will not go on my task, if you do not go on yours. You are weakened; while with Alwyn you were overcome by pain. You should not be sent into danger." He didn't know how he would honor the promise, but if it would keep Elric safe, he would.

"I am capable," Elric said.

"The mages cannot afford to lose you."

"The mages will lose much that they cannot afford to lose before this war is over. Nevertheless, I do hope to return from this task unharmed."

"Can Circe not be sent in your place?" Galen asked.

"Members of the Circle must be seen, for the deception to be convincing."

"Let them see an illusion of you."

"I must create the deception, with the help of Ing-Radi and the resources at hand. The task must be successful if any of us are to survive." Elric paused, and he looked tired. "But you need not go with Blaylock. Your time is to come. Let Circe go with him."

"Blaylock and Circe are both weakened. Is it not better to send someone who remains strong?"

"Wisdom is often more important than power, as Elizar never learned." Elric raised a cautioning hand. "You admitted only minutes ago that you were out of control. You must not accompany Blaylock in that condition. You may endanger his life as well as the information we need. You may endanger yourself."

"I will maintain control. I swear it."

"You cannot make such a promise. You know that. You are not fit to go."

That might be true, but Galen refused to admit it. "Going to the rim can be no more difficult than remaining here."

"You will torment yourself with the temptation to act against the Shadows. It is a test greater than I would put you through."

"And yet the Circle has voted to send me. As you obey the Circle, so shall I."

Elric looked toward the windows, where the mountains had fallen into the long shadows of the setting sun. "I have often thought we are too much alike."

Galen was shocked into silence. He didn't have the skill of Elric, or the control, or the direction. "If I am like you in even the smallest part, that is the greatest praise you have ever given me."

Elric turned to Galen, his movement stiff. "Someday, perhaps, you will not think of me so kindly. I hope, if that day comes, you will try to understand why I have done what I have done."

"I understand," Galen said. Elric was in an odd mood. He was probably tired, and the death of Kell had upset him.

"If you have need," Elric said, "contact me at once. I will send assistance."

Galen nodded.

"And beware of Blaylock. If you stray from the task, he will not hesitate to stop you." Elric seemed to rouse himself. "We should join the others." He laid a hand on Galen's shoulder. "Come."

The room had emptied, and they left it, catching up with the last of the mages in the passage. They were going outside through a nearby air lock. Elric and Galen joined the others, and as the air lock closed them inside, Elric conjured a containment shield around them both, holding within it heat and a breathable atmosphere.

Outside, they moved quietly across the vast field of ice, their shadows long before them. The shield echoed the sounds of their own breathing, the movement of their robes. Galen's raw skin prickled in the confining warmth. The voices of the other mages were faint, distorted.

At the base of the great mountains, upon a stone boulder, lay Kell's body. There was no sign of the wounds he had sustained. An illusion made him appear intact. Galen remembered him as he had been on Elizar's ship, his arms split open, skull hollowed out.

It was the end of an age for the mages, the end of the line of Wierden. Perhaps the beginning of the end for them all, if Elric's fears came to pass.

The mages encircled Kell's body, their skin tinged blue by their shields. Many looked older, weaker. Some, who lacked the skill of shields, wore breathers. A few joined two within a shield, particularly those with young apprentices who hadn't yet reached chrysalis stage. Galen wondered if those young ones had a future.

Galen looked to Elric. His face was impassive, composed. He would remain strong. He always did.

Wisps of blue fire caressed Kell's body, running up the length of it in gentle waves. They gathered about his head, intensified into a brilliant corona. Then the fire swirled, building rapidly to surround him, obscuring him. The flames grew brighter, hotter. And with a sudden gust they whirled up into a great pillar of fire, rising to rival the mountains. The mages were dwarfed by it.

Kell had erred, erred horribly. But without him, the mages were diminished.

The churning of the flame stirred memories of fires past, losses of which he did not wish to be reminded. He lowered his head. Kell had believed he could control everything. In that, he was no different from the rest of the mages. They all desired control. They wanted to direct events, to manipulate perceptions, to impose their designs upon the universe. They did not realize that, in reality, all was chaos.

But even in their failure, they had done much good. They had plumbed the secrets of the universe, created transcendent beauty, healed wounds, inspired with magic, brought living spirit to their homes. As for himself, Galen no longer knew if he could do good rather than kill; if he could remain in control rather than falling to chaos; if he could bring light rather than darkness. But he would do his best to help the others survive this coming war, to prevent the end that Elric feared.

With a sharp movement Elric jerked his hand up to cover his face. His fingers quivered, pressing hard against his skin. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. For a terrible moment he seemed like a stranger, weak and vulnerable.

Galen averted his eyes. He stood tall, trying to be Elric's wall of strength, trying to be strong enough for both of them. In four hours they would say good-bye to each other, perhaps for good. Galen memorized the sensation of Elric standing beside him – the height of his body, the shape of it, the heat of it. Perhaps they would never stand together again. As so much had been lost, Elric, too, could be lost.

That thought terrified him.

"I am not Elric," Blaylock said. "I will not tolerate disobedience. I will order and you will obey. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Galen said. They stood in the large hangar where Galen had first entered the facility. The rows of crates and supplies were now nearly gone, the hangar nearly empty. Gowen hovered a few feet away, listening as Blaylock laid down the rules for Galen.

"I allow you to accompany me because you have handled yourself well under difficult circumstances, and because of your experience with the Shadows. But I am well aware that you disobeyed my orders in the destruction of Elizar's ship." Blaylock's eyes narrowed. "Do not defy me again. This is your only warning."

Blaylock had ordered Galen to destroy the ship from a safe distance. Somehow he knew that Galen had attacked Elizar's chrysalis while still on board. He must have planted a probe when he'd been on the ship. Galen bowed his head, embarrassed that his rage had been uncovered.

"Yes," Galen said. "I'm sorry."

Blaylock grunted. Maskelyne and two of the Kinetic Grimlis entered the hangar, and Blaylock moved away to consult with them.

"He likes you," Gowen said.

"I have that to be grateful for," Galen said.

Most of the mages were now in their ships, awaiting the signal to depart. Gowen was assigned to go with Elric and Ing-Radi's group, yet he continued to linger, seemingly unable to leave Blaylock.

The last few hours had been filled with activity as the mages mobilized to leave Selic 4. Blaylock had taken charge of Galen, separating him from Elric and directing him to help with the dispersal of supplies. Galen had worked to get the right combination of materials to each group, attempting to keep the process orderly as everyone rushed to meet their departure time. The frantic activity had been interrupted only once, as Blaylock's followers, over sixty in number, had marched into the hangar, bidding farewell to their spiritual leader in a grim, impassioned ceremony of repentance and self- denial. Galen was shocked to see some of them crying as they left Blaylock behind.

Carvin ran into the hangar, looked about, her gaze stopping on Galen. She rushed over to him with a rustle of her Centauri silks, Alwyn following in a more measured gait. Galen found that the prospect of speaking with Alwyn no longer upset him. He had discovered the solution he needed. He was at peace with it. And he would like to say farewell.

"I had to say good-bye," Carvin said, turning belatedly to include Gowen in her statement. "Alwyn and I are going to help Elric create the deception. Elric asked specifically for me, can you believe it?"

"You excel at illusions and misdirection," Galen said. "I'm sure you will be a great asset."

Carvin smiled at the compliment, though her eyes had grown serious. "Afterward, I won't be going to the hiding place. I've decided to stay with Alwyn and do what I can to fight the Shadows."

She hesitated, her lips sucked inward. "I know you don't like this, but I'm going to do it anyway." She threw her arms around him. "I'm going to miss you, Galen. Please be careful." She squeezed his raw skin.

"I will miss you," he said, realizing it was true.

She released him, moved on to Gowen, giving him an energetic hug. "Oh – we're going in the same group, aren't we."