storm (70 page)

            “Which makes it between him and me,” Pellaz said.  “I've felt this for some time.”

            “Heading for a duel, Pell?” Ashmael drawled.  “This is ridiculous.  He'll send out his Varrs to confront our forces.  He'll use his allies against us.  He won't come near any conflict.  And neither should you.”

            “I will not hide miles away from enemy lines, Ash,” Pellaz said.  “I'm not afraid to ride at your side.”

            “You are not a warrior,” Ashmael said.  “Don't get carried away with the whole heroism aspect.  Let me deal with the conflict in the tried and trusted way.  I saw enough of it when we had to oust Ponclast before.”

            “Ponclast was ousted mainly by Swift and Seel,” Pellaz said.  “It was the product of their Grissecon that breached Fulminir.”

            “Then find somehar to take aruna with outside the walls,” Ashmael continued, “I'm sure there are many willing candidates.  Politeness forbids me from naming those who ogle greedily Cal's empty throne.  And that is no secret.”

            Pellaz felt his face flame.  He was powerless to prevent it, and realised his first instinct was to glance at Galdra to gauge his reaction.  Fortunately, he stopped himself in time.

            “Ashmael!” Tharmifex said.  “Enough!  You shame us in front of our friends from other tribes.”

            “I will do whatever it takes,” Pellaz said.  “Your assumptions are of no interest to me, Ash.  I am focused wholly on what is best and right for Wraeththukind.”

            “Very well,” Ashmael said.  “I suggest I do as I am inclined to do, and martial our forces from a military perspective.  The rest of you devise a magical strategy, and let me know your plans.  I presume my hara will have to provide protection for any magical operation.”

            “We know you will perform perfectly,” Pellaz said.  “We know you'll do all you can, in any situation.  We must remember that Azriel and Aleeme Parasiel are captives of Ponclast.  It's possible that will be exploited.”

            “Possible?” Ashmael said.  “I think we can assume that's a given fact.”

            “That is your territory, Ash,” Pellaz said.  “You saved the lives of many in Fulminir before.  If anyone can get the Parasilians out, it will be you.”

            Ashmael offered Pellaz a grudging smile.  “Thank you.”

            Tharmifex stood up and addressed the tribal representatives.  “Does anyhar else wish to speak?”

            Many did, although they made it clear that Galdra har Freyhella spoke for them in most areas.  Clearly, the representatives had been having meetings of their own, away from Gelaming eyes.  While further discussions took place, little of which added to what had already been said, Ashmael moved his chair closer to the Tigron's.  “I am not wrong, Pell,” he said.  “Guard your back.”

            “What do you mean?” Pellaz asked, in a stiff tone.

            “The Hegemony likes the idea of the Aralisian triumvirate.  They do not like the idea of absconding Tigrons.  I've heard rumours, not least that once this is over, Cal will be stripped of his title.”

            “They can't do that,” Pellaz said.  “That's my decision.  He is my consort.”

            “A lot of talk goes on behind your back, Pell.  You've proved yourself to be a worthy ruler, in countless ways, but the Hegemony still believe they have the power.  You are the figurehead, but brace yourself.  I think you might find yourself facing a united front.”

            Pellaz remembered what Caeru had said to him about opposition in the Hegemony.  “What is your opinion of Velaxis Shiraz?” he asked.

            “Why?”

            “Something Rue once said.  Velaxis has heard rumours too, or at least he told Rue he had.”

            “Velaxis serves nohar on the Hegemony,” Ashmael said.  “Don't misread our little spat back there.  I admire him greatly, but I have his measure.  I sometimes wonder who he does serve.”

            “That's interesting.”

            “I know the Hegemony is making plans,” Ashmael said.  “Or at least some of them are, but it is extremely clandestine.  I don't know what goes on in your private world, Pell, but be careful.  It's not beyond possibility that members of the Hegemony have already had talks with certain other hara.  I trust you know what I'm speaking about?”

            “I hope I don't,” Pellaz said.  “Would you speak to Velaxis for me, try to find out more?  Rue has tried, but came up with nothing.”

            “He'll only tell me anything if it is useful for him to do so.  Just think on this: many tribes resent the Gelaming's power.  Some might see it of benefit if one of their own was part of our administration, somehar who could perhaps make changes from the inside.  I'm not saying this is of malign intent – in their position, we would no doubt do the same.  But you should be aware of any potential for manipulation.  Don't let anyhar pull a
fait accomplis
out of the hat.  Understand?”

            Pellaz hesitated, then said carefully, “How do you
know,
Ash?  Has something been saig?”

            “Not overtly, but discrete departures from certain Phaonican gatherings were noticed with – shall we say – relish?”

            “Shit.”

            Ashmael smiled.  “Quite.  It might be that certain hara are innocent, so don't jump to conclusions, just be aware.”

            “Your advice is noted.  Thanks.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Pellaz was relieved to be able to take lunch with Herien and Rarn of the Kakkahaar, to tell them what he knew of Lileem.  They went to The Epadocia, a hotel in Imbrilim which was renowned for its cuisine.  After they were seated in the elegantly understated dining room, Pellaz told his companions to order what they pleased.  He was amused to see how true to type they were, with their Kakkahaar love of luxury: they ordered the richest dishes on the menu.  It was a pleasure to enlighten these apparently gentle hara, even if they were Kakkahaar and probably not gentle at all.  The conversation took his mind off other matters.

            “Once we learned about the Kamagrian,” Herien said, “I asked Lianvis if we could search for Lileem among them.  I knew it would be difficult, because of the Kamagrians' reclusive nature, but wanted to try.”

            “Lianvis wouldn't allow it,” Rarn said.  “To be honest with you, tiahaar, part of the reason we're here with Lianvis now is to try and find information about our lost son.  It is known Immanion has close links with the Kamagrian.  We're delighted our search has been so easy.”

            “Not that easy,” Pellaz said.  “Nohar can find her where she is now.”

            “I'm just relieved to know somehar cared for her,” Herien said.  “When she was taken from us, it was hideous.  We were comforted only by an irrational belief on my part that she would be safe.  I can't explain it.”

            “The Kamagrian call to their own,” Pellaz said, “but if it hadn't been for Ulaume, it's doubtful she would have been found in time.”

            Herien smiled wistfully.  “I find it hard to imagine him as a nurturing type.”

            “I think Lileem helped change him for the better,” Pellaz said.  “I hope you'll be reunited with her one day.”

            Rarn ducked his head.  “Your kindness will not be forgotten.”

            As they were drinking coffee at the end of the meal, Lianvis joined them, having taken lunch with members of the Hegemony.  He sat down in a flamboyant swirl of robes and hair.  “I am a celebrity here.  I could get used to it.”

            Pellaz laughed.  “I bet.”

            “I can see why you stayed with the Gelaming, Pell.  What a life you must lead.”

            “It has its advantages.”

            Half an hour later, Herien and Rarn excused themselves to use the bathroom, and once they were out of earshot, Lianvis adopted a more serious expression.  “There is something I must mention, which I hope is not indelicate.”

            Pellaz took a sip of his coffee, holding the cup in two hands before his face.  “Go ahead.  Shock me.”

            “The discussion concerning the previous destruction of Fulminir.  If Grissecon is required again, I offer you my services.”

            Pellaz smiled widely, nodded slowly over his coffee cup.  “How generous of you.  I will remember it.”

            “I am not being facetious.  Kakkahaar essence will be of use to you.”

            “I know.  You might be right.  We'll have to see.”

            “Please don't let past episodes colour your judgement.”

            “I won't.  Perhaps we should spend some time together.”

            Lianvis raised his eyebrows and said sardonically, “The starry-eyed young har is dead.  Long live the Tigron.”

            Pellaz shrugged.  “
You
addressed the subject of aruna before I did.  That is what we're talking about, isn't it, continuing that training you once offered me?”

            Lianvis looked the closest to flustered it was possible for him to get.  “And you are no longer terrified of or repulsed by us?”

            “No.”  Pellaz put down his cup.  “It will take some time to reach Fulminir, because we don't have enough
sedim
for everyhar.  Also, if the
sedim
are in this realm, they are able to use their energy to protect rather than convey passengers.  We will speak further during the journey.”

            Lianvis narrowed his eyes.  “Looking at you, I see Pellaz; listening to you, I hear somehar completely different.”

            “That's because I am,” Pellaz said.  He knew it sounded bitter.

Tharmifex had offered an invitation to the Kakkahaar to dine at his residence in Imbrilim that evening, and Pellaz was also invited.  He knew he should accept.  Whether Ashmael really knew anything about him and Galdra or not, the next day the Gelaming and their allies would begin the journey to Fulminir and Pellaz should have a clear head for it.  He was now unnerved by the way he could not get Galdra out of his mind, even while he'd been speaking with Lianvis.  Memories of the previous evening had kept flashing through his head.  They made him slightly euphoric.  The long afternoon, as he showed the Kakkahaar around the Hegemony areas of Imbrilim was a torment, but also exquisite, because of the potential that lay ahead.  All day, Pellaz told himself he would not go to The Silver Eye at eight o'clock, even though he knew in his heart he had no intention of staying away.  Strangely, what Ashmael had said to him had only fired his inner determination.  He wasn't sure why.  It also inspired a kind of recklessness.