Goddess (42 page)

Ezram’s voice broke the eerie quiet. It was an octave lower than his brother’s and terrified all who heard it.

‘Galinseans! You heard Beloch’s orders. Do not test me, I am not as patient as my twin.’

And Galinsean soldiers began to stream down the hillside towards the beach, herded by a swooping winged lion who watched their progress from overhead, and by his sister, who sent them screaming from the alleyways of the bazaar.

Iridor flew after the riders, his keen night-sight a boon. The Razaqin seemed to be filled with a fire in their collective belly with Arafanz leading the charge in the direction of Percheron.

Iridor had never before seen camels driven this hard or fast. The beasts could only gallop for short bursts. They would have to slow them down very soon, he guessed. It was easy from this height to keep them in view, however, and he was not worried about losing them. With that security he allowed his mind to take in what he had felt earlier.

He was convinced that Lyana had arisen, but with that joyous feeling had come the sense of loss as he realised that something might have happened to Ana. The more he flew towards Percheron, the more he worried and the more convinced he became that Ana had died giving birth to the Goddess.

He fell into a maudlin mood, one which resonated deeply, reminding him of something that had gone before, many times.

The men below him were slowing and he needed to look for cover among the dunes. They
would surely stop to rest the animals and wait for full dawn. Taking cover behind a dune, he decided in his misery that Maliz was nowhere close; he should risk talking to Lazar.

With a hollow feeling of dread he opened up the link.

Lazar?

Iridor! I was just about to try to talk with you
.

Were you? How?

It seems I can at will. If I can talk to the giants, surely I can talk to you.

What are you talking about?

Listen. Time is short. We got away during the Samazen. Ana and I found safety in a cave that is special to Lyana. Don’t interrupt; it is all bad news, just let me say it.

Iridor wanted to stop Lazar but he remained silent and allowed the misery to wash over him.

Ana is dead. She has also been stolen from me.

Dead? No, that’s not right. That can’t be, Lazar! I go first. I always go first!

Lazar ignored him.
The only thing I can think of is that Ellyana took her. I found her robe discarded. She had been bleeding badly. It seemed unnatural bleeding but what would I know about childbirth? The baby is safe. A boy. He looks like his mother. And for him alone I keep going.

I didn’t say goodbye, I didn’t—

Neither did I. She was alive, she asked me to kiss her. Only she knew it was her time. Don’t make this harder than it is. I am bringing my son to Percheron.

Iridor had to set aside his grief momentarily.
You will be days, then, I am—

Not days, minutes, I’m told. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Beloch is coming for me
.

Beloch the giant?

One and the same. He has broken free of the spell that cast him in stone. Both he and his brother were, when I last spoke, about to wreak havoc on the Galinseans, who have begun their attack on Percheron.

How is Beloch free?

I freed both giants. I’m still not sure how. All I know is that Beloch is coming to find me and the boy and will take us back to Percheron.

What about Maliz? What happened in the fortress and where is Boaz?

He heard Lazar sigh.
I have little time so I shall not try to say this with care. Here are the facts. Maliz possessed Boaz.

What?
Iridor nearly overbalanced.
How?

I don’t know. It happened and it’s irrelevant because the Zar is dead.

Dead
, Iridor echoed bleakly.
You’re sure
?

Yes, because I killed him
.

You…

I had to. Maliz had already murdered the Boaz that you remember and had claimed his body
.

And where is Maliz now?
Iridor asked, his tone bitter.

I am guessing but I think he moves in the body of Salim’s son, Ashar.

And Ganya. Have you left her behind?

Ganya went with Ashar. She thought she was with her brother.
Lazar’s sorrowful tone said enough and Iridor remained silent. Lazar pushed the conversation forward.
Where are you?

Following Arafanz. He’s ridden out towards Percheron
.

He probably thinks that’s where we have instinctively headed. Well, I’ll be there before him in all likelihood. Fly home, stay safe. I’ll see you in Percheron.

Lazar, my friend. I have never been safe
.

What do you mean?

Iridor never survives the battle.

But you have! You’re alive. All you have to do is get to Percheron. It’s two days at most for you.

Iridor said nothing. His mood had slipped deeper into despair.

Iridor?

I’d like to have met your son.

You will.
Iridor didn’t reply and Lazar, distracted, didn’t seem to notice.
I must go out of the cave and show myself so Beloch can see me.

Iridor looked up with wonder as he saw Beloch thundering across the desert in the distance.
I see him, Lazar! A wondrous sight. Lyana has indeed risen.

Get home, Iridor
.

Farewell, Lazar. I am proud to call you friend
.

Get a hold of yourself! You will meet your Goddess soon.

I don’t think so—at least not in the way you think
, Iridor murmured as he closed the link and became aware of the terrified sounds of the men who had also seen the giant in the gentle light of the approaching dawn. He could hear them scrambling for their camels and when he peeked over the dune he could see Arafanz wearing a triumphant look, his arms raised in the air.

‘They walk!’ he yelled. ‘The giants roam the land again. Lyana be praised!’

Iridor wished he could tell Arafanz who was responsible for the giants’ reincarnation but he suspected he had not much time left. He wondered how death would find him and he hoped it would be swift.

It was.

He had lifted into the air behind Arafanz’s group with every intention of veering away from them to look for Maliz. He had nothing more to lose; his work was done. Lyana had risen. It was time. He had no idea why he cast the thought:
Take me, Mother, my work is done.

As he did, he heard a screech as the air was knocked from his lungs. He felt himself tumbling, falling. He didn’t struggle; he heard Ellyana’s voice in his mind.

Come to us, brave Iridor. Your work is indeed truly done
.

He just had time to register that a falcon had attacked him on the wing. Iridor died before he hit the desert ground clutched in the claws of a
falcon that had the distinctive sign of a sword branded on its beak.

Lazar could feel the thunderous steps of Beloch before he saw the daunting figure of the giant lurch into view. He was moving at a slow run and the sand from the tops of the dunes was trembling in tandem with his powerful tread.

I’m here
, Lazar spoke across a link he opened.

I know. I am drawn to this place by Lyana’s presence. She has a temple here
.

She does. It is beautiful
.

I shall never see it but I see you down there. You are with a child. Here, let us see if I can pick you both up gently
.

The giant sighed sadly and went down on one knee, rubbing his eyes.

What’s wrong, Beloch
?

Did you not feel it?

Feel what?

Iridor. He is dead
.

Lazar staggered in his approach to the giant beneath the searing sun.
That can’t be. I…I was just speaking with him
.

Listen
, Beloch said.
With your mind
, he added.

And Lazar heard the voices of Ezram and the animals in his head as they shared their grief.

They all felt it,
Beloch confirmed.
He is gone from us
.

How? Why
? Lazar moaned.

I do not know. I feel only his loss.

Why don’t I sense it?

The giant shrugged.
Protection, perhaps. Of all of us disciples, you have had to cope with constant sorrow. It may be that Lyana does not connect you to all of us at once as a means of saving you the pain of the loss.

I didn’t feel Ana die, either. I had to be told by Lyana’s sentinels.

Beloch nodded.
Lyana has had to become extremely secretive.

Pez is gone
, Lazar murmured, his tone deeply mournful.
Everyone I love or have called friend is dead.

You have the baby. I presume it is what we have all fought to protect?

This is my son, Luc, as named by Lyana
.

And is he also Lyana
?

Ana and I believed so
.

The giant’s tone softened as he stared intently at the child.
Then Luc is more precious than anything you’ve ever had to protect before. Let us get him away from this desolation. He needs to be cared for.

He needs a wet nurse.

I shall have you both back in the city in minutes.

Should we look for Maliz, or Arafanz?

They will find you, I’m sure. We must get the infant to safety and nourishment and out of this heat. And you are also needed back there to take command.

Let us go then
, Lazar said, marvelling that from this height, cradled in the giant’s hand, he could
already see the minarets of Percheron and the smoke billowing from the city.

Looks as though Shakar has arrived,
Beloch said, giving a small twitch of a smile.
He can be quite excitable, starting fires left and right. It’s definitely time for us to get back.

Herezah had celebrated prematurely. No sooner had she finished helplessly hugging Bin at the extraordinary turn of events than she realised Lazar’s help had come too late.

Secure in the knowledge that Ezram was dealing with the war galleys and would shortly take guard around the palace, she continued making her way quickly to the Grand Salon to prepare for Lazar’s arrival, only to discover that a small band of Galinseans had fought its way in. She knew they were Galinsean not by their clothes, for each had donned the traditional streetwear of the Percherese, but by their leader. It was Falza.

It took all her years of training in composure and every ounce of her courage for her to remain calm. ‘King Falza,’ she said evenly, dipping her head. Beside her, she felt Bin freeze.

Herezah regretted asking the Elim to offer special assistance to the defence of the people around the palace. Although none had been happy to leave their posts, there were no longer harem members to keep safe, Herezah had argued, as the girls were among the people, posing as
ordinary citizens. The four Elim left behind to guard her had obviously been killed for they were nowhere to be seen. She was not going to escape death on the end of Falza’s sword, Herezah realised.

She had nothing to lose other than pride, and she was certainly not giving that to the barbarian. She spoke with contempt. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t find it within myself to give in meekly to your threats.’

‘But I’m not sorry that I no longer consider it inappropriate to make war on a woman. You have brought this upon yourself.’

‘You are aware of what is going on outside, aren’t you, King Falza? Or have you been too long fighting within the palace to know that your war is already lost? Your son takes command as we speak.’ She noticed his frown of confusion. And laughed at him. ‘Oh my, you don’t know? Send your men to look outside. The Grand Salon has no lower windows, they’ll have to go to one of the many balconies that face out to the Faranel. Check your ships, check your so-called war.’

Falza’s eyes narrowed as he regarded her.

‘This is no trick,’ she said. ‘My aide, Bin, will show them. He is unarmed, as you can see.’

Falza gestured to two of his men to secure the doors and for one to go with Bin. They waited in silence until the Galinsean soldier returned, babbling about strange creatures roaming the city.

Herezah laughed. ‘If you can get any sense from him, do so; otherwise, we’ll be happy to tell you.’

The king slapped his man, berating him in his own guttural language. The man slipped to his knees, contrite, tried to tell his monarch. But he seemed to fail as Falza kicked him aside. ‘What is going on?’

‘He’s too shocked to explain. I can understand that. Frankly, I’m baffled too. You may recall, King Falza, that Percheron’s bay is guarded by famed twin stone giants, Beloch and Ezram.’

‘So?’

‘Well, it seems they are no longer formed of stone but are flesh and blood, and the new protectors of Percheron. They answer to your son alone.’

Falza stared at her for several long seconds before barking a command to his men. He strode from the room, returning soon enough, and Herezah could see how hard the King of Galinsea fought to tamp down his fright.

‘Surprised? We were. But they’re on our side. Let me acquaint you with their demands.’ She told him quickly what the giants had ordered. ‘That’s why you see none of your men on the hillside or streaming into the palace. They’re not cowards, Falza, they’re sensible. Beloch told them every last person found armed would be killed, Percherese or Galinsean, it mattered not. No man with any weapon is a match for these two. And I’m not sure if you had time to notice but they are not alone.
They have friends. Do you need me to list them? There’s Crendel and Darso, as well as—’

‘I know who will be with them,’ he cut across her words, regaining his composure. ‘And I don’t care.’

‘Oh?’ She felt a fresh wave of fear tingle through her. He had nothing to lose, it was true. The war with Percheron was lost but his grief and need for revenge throbbed on. ‘How do you see this ending, Falza?’

‘It ends with your death. Queen for queen.’

‘But I am not a queen.’

‘Oh, but I can see it in your eyes, Crown Valide. Slave, whore, whatever others see you as, you see yourself only as royalty.’

‘And what does my death solve under these circumstances?’ she asked, begging inwardly that the giant’s promise to deliver Lazar swiftly would be honoured. He was her only hope.

‘It will give me the satisfaction of avenging my wife’s murder.’