Eyes of the Alchemist (20 page)

The dark figure was slumped in the saddle. He appeared to be as spent as his charger, which followed an erratic path home. There was no mistaking the rider, however unused they were to seeing him in such a sorry state.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched him approach, hundreds of breaths were caught when the charger faltered and rallied itself, hundreds of throats opened shouts of joy as he drew closer, and then fell silent when he raised no hand in greeting or acknowledged the cheers.

When the charger began to slip sideways a collective gasp went up. The animal recovered and glided into the battlements, where, lathered and trembling it stood with heaving chest, its head and wings drooping. The figure on its back didn’t move.

The troopers were galvanized into action. Two of them pulled Kavan from his mount’s back another led the gallant charger away. There were a few anxious moments when Torma knelt to examine his lord, then he stood and spread wide his arms. He was smiling from ear to ear. “Lord Kavan breathes and the forces of Beltane are defeated.”

Cheers rang out – cheers which didn’t register on Kavan’s brain, for exhaustion had carried him over the edge of automaton and into the deepest realm of sleep.

* * * *

The sound of cheering didn’t penetrate the fall guarding the entrance to the tomb, though something woke Tiana from her sleep.

Not more war demons!
No, a rodent backing from her sack with a crust of stale bread clenched in its jaws. She smiled as it scurried away. “I hope you’ve left me something for breakfast, little opportunist.”

Darkness fell. The roar of water sounded louder. The draught it created grew colder

The alchemist glowed bright in the blanket of darkness. He looked almost alive, as if he might step from his shimmering prison. He was more handsome and certainly more dignified than the manifestation his spirit displayed.

Still rapt in her examination of her grandfather’s remains, Tiana turned her head sideways to read the words on the page.

Only my body is mortal

My mind is the sustenance of knowledge

The eyes of my spirit give life

But those who seek power

Find eternal death.

Death! Her hands tensed into fists. Kavan hadn’t come for her and she wondered . . . No! She refused to believe a man so vital and alive could be . . .? She wouldn’t even think the word. Instead, she assumed the meditation position and concentrated on a gleam of light reflected from the tomb.

As she left her body and sped down towards the manor, she realized the fight was over, the battle won.

The manor door was no barrier. She melted through it as she had the rock on the High Place. In the corridors people stood about in knots, talking in hushed voices. The atmosphere was a lament of tension.

She made her way to Kavan’s quarters. Torma guarded his door. She touched the trooper’s tired cheek in reassurance and saw him smile. He had enough high sense to know all was well.

Kavan lay upon the softest of beds and slept so soundly he could not be wakened. His body was a mass of burns cuts and bruises. She set about healing them so he’d wake to comfort.

He was vulnerable in this state, his mind unguarded. In it she discovered an unexpected lowness of spirit.

“What ails you, Lord?”

“The gods have taught me a lesson in humility and I begin to doubt my ability to save our people.”

A smile trembled on her lips. “The gods have their own agenda. Will you abandon yours and travel the road to failure because your ego has been dented? What happened to the arrogant lord who came to claim me as his own?”

“Beaten down by his pride.”

“Hah! I always knew your words were empty with bragging. You’re no longer the Lord Kavan I know, but the tail of a mangy cur which wags for the favor of his abuser.”

His eyes snapped open. “I can hear you, but I cannot see you, Tiana. Swear allegiance to your lord and master.”

She dared to place a kiss against the side of his mouth. “I swear allegiance only to my lord. Sleep in peace now, Lord.”

“Stay with me for a while, light of my heart”

“Is that what I am to you?”

“And more. You’re the burning flame of my sun, the stars in the sky. Your eyes are greener than the ocean, your hair gossamer thread that the most skilled weavers of silk would envy.”

She kissed each eyelid, closing them against the intrusion of light. “Your tongue is skilled in the art of seduction. What is it you feel for me, Lord?”

His answer came in a sigh. “I revere you above all others, including myself. My life is forfeit to yours, my heart is yours to command.”

“Then you agree you are not my master.”

 His spirit seemed to lighten with the amusement her words offered him. “How can I be when you’re the mistress of my heart?”

 She was contented with that.

* * * *

Kavan woke feeling refreshed. The palace servants scurried about him, their faces beaming with the joy of his safe return. First on his list was a relaxing wallow in a tub of hot water, followed by a hearty breakfast.

His bathing ritual was interrupted by the court physician, who took advantage of his naked state and insisted on examining every inch of him. The man’s poking and prodding irked Kavan after a while. “Cease this torment. I’ve never felt healthier.”

The physician was puzzled. “I don’t understand. Last night you were near to death. You’ve got a strong constitution, you’ve healed quickly.”

A grin split Kavan’s face in two when he remembered the reason why. What impudence to infiltrated his subconscious and take over his will. She’d also placed her hands on him, not something most maids would do considering the battered, unwashed state he’d been in. “I had a little help.”

The physician’s smile assumed a sly edge. “Whilst you engaged the forces of evil, your lady was in the market place practicing the laying on of hands.”

“My lady does not need to practice, healing is as natural to her as breathing.”

“She saved the lives of many of your troopers.”

“They spake nothing to me of it.”

“They have not had the time. Besides, she used the art of mesmer on them . . . not that it was effective at the end. Lady Tiana was so tired she was near to collapse. Luckily, a young man of magic came to assist her.” The physician snapped his fingers under Kavan’s nose, and then took the opportunity to prise his mouth open with a hooked finger. He gazed with some interest down his Lord’s throat. “The pair of them just disappeared, which was totally beyond my understanding.”

“My nady is the naughter of a noddess and beyond nortal unnerstandin,” Kavan mumbled.

“I admit she’s done a remarkable job on you, Lord,” the physician said, not quite able to conceal his grin. “When can we expect her to join you? The people wait the outcome of the seven dawns with high expectations.”

Kavan pushed his hand away and closed his jaw with a snap. “She’ll join me when the gods see fit to release her to my care. You’re too inquisitive, physician. Declare me fit, then send one of my troopers to inquire after Shazah when you leave.”

The physician signed a certificate, then bowed and backed hurriedly away.

Pulling on his clothing, Kavan strolled to the window and placed an eye against the telescope. The
High Place
was powdered in snow. She couldn’t still be waiting in the alchemist’s tomb, surely? It was the one place he couldn’t go except in an emergency situation.

“Come in,” he said when someone rapped at the door.

It was one of his younger troopers. “Lord, I have a message for you from the Lady Tiana.”

Hands on hips, Kavan fixed him with a stare. “When did you see my lady?”

“Two yesters ago in the market place, Lord.” His eyes took on the glow of hero worship when he pulled open his tunic and displayed a long, red scar. “Your lady saved my life and I’m forever in her debt. She asked me to give you a message, but I couldn’t find you, Lord.”

“Well, here I am,” Kavan roared, trying not to appear awed by the length of the scar. “Stop making goat’s eyes over my lady and deliver the message.”

 The trooper handed Kavan the insignia. “Lady Tiana told me to give you this and tell you she was proud of your troopers, and . . . um . . . of me in particular. She said she awaits the moment the rocks become sand.”

“She did, did she?” He grinned at the youth, suspecting exaggeration. “Be careful, lad. I’ll be checking the commendation with her before you’re awarded any medal of honor.”

The trooper couldn’t keep the grin from his face. “It’s the truth, Lord.”

“I believe you.” He leaned forward to inspect the wound. “Hmm, that’s some battle scar. Now you’ve shown it off you can cover it again.” He waited until the trooper had adjusted his dress. “Did my lady say anything else?”

“She was most eager to hear news of you, Lord.”

“Of course she was. How did she look to you?”

 A dreamy look filled the trooper’s eyes. “Exquisite. Her eyes were truly beautiful and her mouth –”

 Kavan frowned. “It sounds as if you’ve fallen in love with her, lad.”

“Yes, Lord . . .” The trooper reddened. “I mean, no . . . I wouldn’t dare do that.” He came to attention. “Is there anything else, Lord?”

“Yes. I need to rest. Stand guard outside my door and don’t let anyone in unless it be Torma.”

When the youth had closed the door behind him Kavan passed his hand over a carved tablet set into the middle of the floor, setting it in motion. He seated himself in the middle with legs crossed, a bowl of water cradled in his lap.

He stirred the water with his fingers. When the ripples calmed he found himself gazing at the lake. The remains of two decaying war demons floated on the surface. Another was decomposing on the shore. He shuddered. Beltane’s threat had not been an idle one.

He smiled when he saw a movement behind the fall. For once she’d obeyed him. It was now time to reel her in.

He concentrated his mind on the rocks below the fall.

* * * *

Tiana was bored. Kavan must still be asleep, she thought, why else hadn’t he come for her? She was about to assume the meditation position to try and contact him when the music of the falls changed.

Wonderingly, she strolled to the cave entrance and stared out. She saw nothing different until she happened to look down. Below the fall, the rocks had disintegrated into golden grains of sand.

Her heart gave a giant leap and a smile edged across her mouth. Of course, Kavan would not come for her now there was no longer an emergency. Not only had he been banned from the tomb, such action would force him to lose face with his people.

She panicked as she stared at her stained gown. She couldn’t go to him looking like a vagabond. Pulling the wishing dish towards her she gazed into the surface smiled and did something so totally against her training she gave a quick involuntary glance around her to make sure none of the guardians were watching.

“I wish to make myself beautiful for my lord.”

Kavan had been in a fever of impatience all day. In the manor kitchen a thanksgiving feast was being prepared and the manor was redolent with the smell of wild boar roasting on spits. The great hall was decorated with vines and sweet-smelling wax flowers 

The people celebrated his life but far from being elated, Kavan was frustrated. In exactly six orbits the calculations and planning he’d done over a lifetime of seasons would amount to zero – unless he found the eyes.

And where was Tiana? He paced the length of his chamber and back again, scowling at the incense burner, which filled the air with a perfume so seductive it nearly robbed him of his senses. He snuffed it out, and throwing open the door strode up to the battlements. He hesitated, and then turned back. He refused to peer through the telescope like a lovesick youth, again.

He stopped in front of the mirror to check that his hair was dressed high, that his tunic was spotless and his silver insignia polished to perfection. Mindful of Tiana’s revulsion for beards he ran a hand over his chin. It couldn’t be any smoother if the silversmith had polished it on his buffing wheel.

His steps took him back to the battlements. Sighing, because the telescope drew him like a magnet, he swung the instrument towards the
High Place
and frowned. Darkness would fall soon. Where was she? His attention was drawn to the sky. It was strange how soft the light looked tonight. Streaks of dark mingled with the light, as if his sire and Lynx had stopped to chat. Perhaps they had now the ban on them meeting had been broken.

“Lord Kavan,” Benlogan said from behind him. “The time for darkness is past and I’m told there’s a strange look to the light.”

“This, I’ve just observed for myself.” He turned to smile at the man before he remembered it would have no effect. “The sun seems to be lowering itself to the horizon very gradually. I think the defeat of Beltane has something to do with it. But again, it might be something to do with the shifting orbit. On the morrow I’ll try and figure out the mathematics.”

 Kavan took the man’s arm and together they strolled back into his quarters. “I’ve come to tell you that the celebration feast awaits your presence, Lord,” Benlogan said.

A celebration of what? Kavan thought. His safe return would mean nothing if it served no purpose. If he could not save the world there would be no god child.

Remembering the words of Arcus to Beltane, he took heart. He’d thought he’d manipulated the augur to have his own way over Tiana but it was obvious the gods had manipulated
him.
If the god-child was destined and could not be stopped, then what preceded the birth must also come to pass. He must try harder to find the eyes, and Tiana would eventually be his. It was fated.

Kavan took one last look at the
High Place,
the impatience in him growing beyond the limit of his endurance.
He scowled. He was not prepared to wait much longer for her. Tomorrow, he’d brave the fury of the alchemist and despite the loss of face he’d experience, he’d drag her down from her perch by her hair. She wouldn’t be given the chance to make a fool out of her lord and master again. He’d take a strap to her hide, take her to his bed then send her back to her father in disgrace!