The Eynan 2: Garileon (16 page)

* * * *

Ninian licked suddenly dry lips. Why wouldn't she understand he could tell her no more? He took a deep breath, lifting his gaze to the ceiling as if it would help show him the way. He shook his head at his own stupidity and glanced back at Remelin. "I've told you all I saw and what little I heard. I can no more tell the future than you can."

He dropped his head onto his arms on the table. The only thing he had kept to himself was the belief that Jhond would--perhaps already had--come to develop feelings for the excitable young woman they had journeyed to rescue. He had sensed the emotion swirling around the scene he witnessed, felt Jhond's distress. The thought occurred that perhaps the "rescue" had merely been a method to bring a powerful mage into the same trap Remelin had fallen into. But how could he discuss that with Jhond without revealing Ninian's impression of Jhond's future feelings? Was it possible if he did so that it would in turn influence Jhond's reaction to Remelin? For good or ill?

Ninian glanced up to see Remelin was staring out the small window, most likely looking toward the nunnery. There wasn't much else out there that the young mage was interested in. Ninian switched his attention to Jhond to find his friend watching Remelin. Out of concern for what he'd just learned perhaps, or was Jhond's interest already caught up in the young woman? Jhond had lost the woman he'd loved and ever since had put all his passion into learning to become a mage, then shouldering the responsibility of being the Eynan. If he could find a woman to care for the way he had for Gallia, Ninian believed it would only make him more powerful. But it had to be the right woman, at the right time. At the moment, Ninian couldn't help but doubt the timing or that Remelin was that person. Ninian found her too volatile and too easily swayed. He found it difficult to trust her.

Rising to his feet, Jhond stretched, sighing as he did so. "We have to put this aside. There's nothing we can do for now but bear it in mind. All we can do is to carry on with our original intent to try and find out who and what was trapped inside the mountain. I was...careless enough to let it out, but at least it's still trapped inside my shield. I must ensure it stays imprisoned since it clearly has other ideas, while I find a way to finally destroy it."

"You're right, of course," Remelin said, turning back to face them. "Worrying over some possible future event is pointless. The entity is a danger to us
now.
"

"We're talking a lot but getting nowhere," Ninian said. "I think we really need to get some rest before we can think clearly about what to do next."

"But this is too important and--"

Jhond interrupted her to say, "All the more reason to address it with a fresh mind. Ninian is right."

It was obvious Remelin wasn't happy, but she obeyed and went back to her bedroom. Ninian recreated the two cots, and Jhond really did look weary as he moved toward his.

"She is rather a handful," Ninian said softly.

Jhond glanced at him, a slight smile on his lips. "And we haven't even started to train her yet." He laughed and added, "I can hardly wait."

Ninian grinned at him. "So, get some sleep."

Jhond sighed, lay down and immediately closed his eyes. "It's like having a teacher again," he murmured.

Ninian laughed and climbed into his own cot.

* * * *

Jhond felt uncomfortable, as if he was somewhere he wasn't supposed to be. It was very dark, inky black, unnatural. He tried to spell a jewelite, but it didn't work, and in that instant, he knew wherever he was, he was no longer in the natural world. He thought he might be dreaming, but oddly he wasn't certain.

He had a choice--to stay just where he was and wait for whatever was hiding in the dark to come to him, or to go in search of whatever had brought him here. He was cautious, but he wasn't patient; Ninian had cause to berate him for his impulsiveness, though he was never reckless. At least that's what he told himself as he slowly walked forward.

He hadn't traveled more than half a dozen steps when the darkness began to lift. He paused to see what might happen, but when it seemed as if nothing changed, he decided to carry on. However, he hadn't gone far when he decided it was more difficult to see now. The darkness had lightened, only to be replaced by a grey mist. His eyes had become used to the dark, but this dim haze distorted everything.

Abruptly, the center of the haze was suffused with bright light and the image of woman seemed to float there. She was very beautiful, her thick dark hair flowing behind her, her deep blue eyes flashing like a stormy sea. She had the look of Remelin, yet not. This woman was more self-assured, her figure rounded and tempting, but it was the eyes that held his gaze: astute, all-knowing and exuding power.

In a voice that reverberated all through the space and inside his skull, she said, "I am all-powerful Jhond of Reeve, and you will love me--and die!"

He awoke, bathed in sweat, confused and not a little afraid.

He shook his head to clear it, but still felt at odds with himself. He rose and went to the sink, then poured a jug of water over his head. Shoving his dripping hair out of his face, he turned to look at Ninian, still asleep in his cot. He debated waking him to talk over the strange dream, see what Ninian thought of it, but suddenly he felt uncertain. It felt too personal. He thought Ninian might have already guessed the way he felt about Remelin, though the truth was that even Jhond wasn't exactly sure about it himself.

The volatile young mage was the first woman to affect him since Gallia, and he wasn't sure he trusted those feelings. He admitted the similarity in her general appearance to Gallia had first drawn him to her--her hair, the color of her eyes--but he had no trouble separating one from the other. Gallia had referred to
their
feelings as the first flush of young love, and she had certainly grown beyond it to fall in love with another. Jhond could admit now that what he felt for Remelin wasn't the same as what he had for Gallia. If he was honest this was less pipe dream and more real, more visceral, but was it less romance and more a young man in need of coupling?

Lords, if he wasn't sure how he felt, how could he possibly discuss it with another, especially Ninian who perhaps knew him too well?

No matter, he decided, it was only a dream.
Forget it...no need to discuss it with anyone.

So why did he feel so unsettled?

Jhond tried to go back to sleep, knowing he still needed rest, but found it impossible. He got up, keeping quiet so as not to disturb Ninian, and slipped outside. He took a deep breath of the cool air, hoping to clear the cobwebs from his body and mind. He did feel a little better and was considering taking a short walk when he heard the door open behind him. He should have known Ninian would sense his unease and soon follow him.

"You're unable to sleep, too?"

Jhond swung around, startled to find Remelin standing there, a blanket wrapped around her. Even disheveled from sleep she still looked beautiful.

"Something like that," he said.

"I've been tossing and turning for the last hour. I had a confusing dream," she confessed with a shrug.

Jhond was tempted to ask about what, but was suddenly afraid of her answer. He turned back to stare at the mountain, tensing as he felt her move to stand beside him.

"As a girl, I used to find that view amazing. Now, I just find it intimidating."

"Not surprising after what you've experienced."

"I reckon not," she replied, her hands clasping the blanket to her as she bounced on her toes.

Jhond frowned at the feeling of energy he sensed flowing through her. He just felt tired and depressed and wondered what--or maybe that should be who--was making her so...vigorous. Perhaps he ought to have asked her about her dream after all. He'd been so disturbed by his own that he'd made assumptions without any facts.

He turned and smiled at her. "Your dream, confusing or not, doesn't seem to have depleted your vitality."

She looked at little amazed. "You're right. If anything, I feel wonderful. How odd is that?"

"Very," he agreed, still smiling to hide his uncertainty.

"And I'm hungry." She grinned. "Would Ninian be very annoyed if I tried to use his Judral stone?"

"I think he would if you did so without his permission."

"And you wouldn't let me anyway, would you?"

Jhond didn't speak, but met her gaze steadily. It was answer enough.

"Oh well, perhaps if we clumsily wake him instead?" She laughed as she went back inside.

Jhond followed, unable to stop his smile at her antics. He admitted his confusion at his own reaction to the young woman. He recognized she was possibly still involved with--entrapped by?--the entity, but he also believed any actions so caused were contrary to her will. He was certain his power would never allow him to be attracted to an unworthy person, and he could no longer deny he was
very
attracted to Remelin. Then the words of the dream Remelin flashed through his mind.

* * * *

Ninian vaguely heard footsteps. He wasn't quite awake, just at that half-in, half-out stage of sleep. He was tempted to let it slide away and allow sleep to take him, but something urged him to see what was happening. With a gentle sigh, he opened his eyes, surprised to find Jhond's bed empty and the door to Remelin's room ajar.

He got up just as he heard the door to the cottage closing, confronted by Jhond and Remelin coming back inside.

"Oh, we didn't mean to disturb you," Remelin said, her eyes bright and mouth still curved in a smile.

"Sorry, I went outside so I wouldn't wake you, but Remi couldn't sleep either."

"How come neither of you could sleep?"

"Bad dream," Jhond said with a shrug.

"I was tossing and turning," Remelin said. "I had a dream, too... not a bad one, just all mixed up. Now I feel too alert to want to sleep." She glanced at Jhond and grinned.

"What were you talking about?" Ninian didn't like the suspicion forming in his mind. Or was that his gut?

She laughed. "I suggested borrowing your Judral stone to see if I could conjure up breakfast." She shrugged. "I'm hungry again. Jhond refused, so I said we should find a way to wake you up. Didn't need to though, did we?"

"You always seem to be hungry," Ninian said, still alert, though he didn't doubt her contention because he could definitely see her wanting to try to use his stone.

"I'm a growing girl," she said.

"I think you've grown up very nicely," Jhond observed.

Ninian was surprised at Jhond's comment and the very appreciative look in his eye as he stared at Remelin, but Ninian kept his expression neutral as he said, "Well, as it seems none of us are going to get any more sleep, I might as well provide breakfast."

Remelin glanced down at herself, hitching up her blanket, before looking up at Jhond through her eyelashes. "Think I should put some clothes on," she said, slipping away to her bedroom.

After she closed the door, Ninian said softly to Jhond, "I'm uncomfortable with the way she's pushing herself at you. That vision I had is causing me concern."

Jhond sighed. "I need to speak about my dream, privately."

Ninian nodded. "Let's get this cleared up now." Nodding toward Remelin's room, he added, "Use your talent."

Jhond nodded and walked to Remelin's door. He pressed his hand against it, closed his eyes and quietly recited a spell in the ancient mage tongue. "I have slowed time in that room to one sixtieth."

Ninian indicated they should make themselves comfortable and then Jhond proceeded to describe his dream. Ninian was not only unhappy with what he heard, but confused over the disparate images of Remelin he and Jhond were receiving.

When he finished, Jhond said, "I admit to being very confused. It felt much stronger than a simple dream, more like a message. I considered for a while that it might be Remelin warning me, but how can that be? She has no knowledge of the future, and I have no doubt the woman I saw was meant to represent a future incarnation of her."

"I can well understand your confusion. This dream--if that's what it truly was--runs contrary to what we know of her and to the visions we've each previously received. I find it very difficult to believe Remelin could be behind it, and yet..."

Jhond frowned. "And yet?"

"I cannot help but feel something is wrong when it comes to Remelin."

"Feel?"

Ninian sighed. "No, not feel through magistry, just with my human senses."

"I know just what you mean," Jhond admitted. "I'm of the same two minds about her. Personally"--he glanced at Ninian--"I find her...intriguing, but I have doubts about her involvement with the entity."

"That's my next point," Ninian said, "The entity is no longer in the ancient trap"--Ninian studiously ignored Jhond's snarl of self-chastisement--"but it is still caught within your shield. However, as we already know, it can still influence Remelin."

"So it might have used her to send me the dream," Jhond supposed.

"I was thinking perhaps it might even be able to influence you," Ninian said quietly.

Jhond's head shot up, and he stared at Ninian. "Me? You think it could be influencing me?"

"I don't know, Jhond, but I don't think it's a possibility we can ignore. However, there's one other possibility that just occurred. Could it simply be your own talent warning you of a future danger?"

Jhond rose and paced up and down in front of the hearth. "Too many questions, Ninian. I need some answers. I
need
the answer to what to do next!"

"I don't think getting anxious is going to help. You have to
feel
it, Jhond."

Jhond stopped and stared at Ninian and then, smiling, he retook his seat. "Ever my teacher," he murmured.

Jhond leaned back, relaxing and gathering himself. He felt the gentle heat of the center of his talent and let it spread through his being. He sometimes forgot just how much power he now controlled. He still thought of himself as the simple Jhond of Reeve and had to remind himself he was the Eynan. He'd had a sharp lesson that he was not invincible. He might be the most powerful mage who had ever lived, but there were other kinds of power out there. Power and strength beyond magistry...perhaps not
beyond,
but different enough that it required investigating. He needed to know his enemy before he had a chance of defeating it.