War of Power (The Trouble with Magic Book 3) (19 page)

They had kept him waiting. Although his to command, unable to ignore his summons, they had still kept him waiting, unrelenting in their perversity. Only a deep underlying dread served to temper his anger, preventing it from erupting into a full-blown fury. Pacing the perimeter of the enclosed courtyard, he cast frequent and furtive glances at the low parapet encircling the ominous darkness of the deep and ancient well at its centre. One night from plenitude, the scarred face of the moon bled its cold light copiously onto the abandoned flag-stones. Chilled gusts of errant breeze caught up handfuls of sand, coarse grains scouring granite, creating a low menacing hiss as they swirled into the dense shadows of silent walls.

In a far corner the darkness deepened. A sinuously seeping black stream edged inexorably forward to envelop the chill efforts of night’s luminary. Tightening control on his heightened senses, Ghian stared with morbid fascination as the forbidding depths of the well disgorged fluid flows of impenetrable jet-black vapour. Writhing and pulsating, they spiralled swiftly upwards before swirling violently down to touch the leading edge of that deeper layer which crept unremittingly across the ground towards them. With a final sighing moan the wind died, relinquishing the ancient courtyard to those execrable beings who now coruscated and coalesced within it to weave solid form from insubstantial shadow.

The freezing air accompanying those forms crept insidiously through his robes, stung his cheeks and seared his lips and nostrils. To summon one Assassin-Wraith had been a comparatively simple matter. The galère of half a dozen Wraiths, two of them winged and hooded, which had emerged in response to his multiple summoning, filled him with dread. Although their faces were concealed in shadow, he could feel their resentment, knew they held him responsible for the absolute death of one of their kind. He took a step forward, his movement mirrored by one of the winged Killer Wraiths. The creature folded sleek dark wings across the front of its physically perfect body.

The whistling hiss of blue-black feathers seemed to carry a whisper of derision, amplified in the mocking tone of its harsh voice. “Once again you summon our kind. You take liberties, magician.”

The scathing comment found its mark. Fury eclipsing fear, Ghian lunged towards the Wraith. His words rode rough-shod on a barely controlled snarl. “Have a care, spirit. I am no mere magician! You would do well to remember that. I am Grelfine Lord. If it suited me I could destroy you.”

The courtyard’s looming walls echoed to the venomous sound of the other Wraiths’ scornful laughter. The winged killer threw back its hood, subjecting Ghian to the full enmity of its piercing gaze. “It is you who should have a care, magician. You have destroyed the only one who possessed the means to destroy us. We no longer feel his presence in this world. Only because it suited us have we responded to your summons. But I give you a warning. Do not think to treat us as your playthings. If you do so we will destroy you, regardless of the role you have been given. Do you understand?”

His authority so blatantly undermined, Ghian’s mouth worked furiously around an explosion of belligerent and incoherent splutterings, while his fists clenched and unclenched in barely controlled anger.

Eyes glowing red, the Wraith sidled closer, contempt underlying the unnerving hiss of its voice. “If you wish to remain as Grelfine Lord, control your anger. I promise you that were we to overpower you, we would not quickly grant your wish for death. But consider this. The time is approaching when we will no longer play minions in this game of mortals, so reveal why you have summoned us. It remains to be seen whether we will do your bidding.”

No longer able to meet the Wraith’s inimical gaze, Ghian turned away. With a supreme effort he brought his volcanic emotions under control. In tight clipped tones of suppressed anger he outlined what it was he wanted the Wraiths to do. His words met with no response, either visual or vocal. For long tense moments the silence of the desert night held sway. Then, without warning, the Wraiths’ deceptively solid forms dissolved. Possessing no more substance than drifting smoke, they became one with the cold impenetrable shadow which filled the interior of the ancient well.

Bardeen arrived first, but barely five minutes had passed before Kimi joined him at the meeting place. A long, narrow leather pouch hung from a strap over his shoulder.

The Ingali ranger touched fingers to his forehead and mouth. “All is prepared Master Bardeen. I think maybe we should go where our departure will not be seen. Please, follow me.”

Hurrying along a narrow pathway between high evergreen hedges, he led the way into a tiny, shrub-enclosed garden.

Bardeen gave an appreciative look around. “I wish I’d known this was here before. Very suitable.” He held out an arm to Kimi. “Are you ready?”

The elaborate tattoos on the Ingali’s head seemed to writhe and swirl. Nodding once, he calmly placed both his hands on Bardeen’s forearm.

The strange pair sat amongst the heather on the hillside and gazed down at Bolduin as it dreamed in the early afternoon sunshine. Bardeen sent out the same thought which had called Lady Evalin to him when he had brought the anti-venom, adding that this time he had company. Time passed, the sun progressed across the sky, and shadows were already lengthening when Evalin shimmered into view. Her dark robes rustled softly as she made her way up the hillside towards her two visitors.

As they scrambled to their feet to greet her, Evalin held out both her hands, first to Bardeen, and after he had grasped them briefly, to Kimi. “You are indeed, both welcome. ‘Tis sorry I am for the delay, but it was not of my making. Let us hope that this visit meets with greater success than the last one.”

Stepping forward, she indicated that the three of them should join hands in a circle, before turning to Bardeen. “Will you please link your power with mine Master Bardeen?” She gave him a jaunty little grin. “It wouldn’t do to be losing our guest somewhere in Arinel’s aether now, would it?”

After graciously thanking Kimi for the blessing on her palace, Evalin hurried them through the corridors and down the long winding stairways. Activating the portal, she ushered Bardeen and Kimi into the chamber and sealed the portal behind them.

As Kimi moved slowly forward Evalin called softly to him. “Do not touch the crystal or enter the light.”

Kimi nodded his understanding and stopped. With his hands in an attitude of prayer he gazed reverently, first at the impressively large crystal, then at the golden light. Finally he looked up at Karryl’s recumbent form. The tattooed hill ranger spent long moments in silent contemplation. Then, his gaze still fixed on Karryl he started to slowly circle the chamber on silent feet.

His circuit of the crystal complete, he turned to Lady Evalin. “You have, please, the anti-venom?”

Evalin dipped into the embroidered pouch at her waist and produced a small tightly corked bottle. Without taking it from her, Kimi studied it carefully. With a brief nod, he sat cross-legged on the floor and unslung his own pouch from his shoulder. Reaching inside he removed a rectangular piece of white cloth which he spread out on the floor in front of him. This was followed by a bunch of soft, greyish-green leaves. These he crushed firmly, rubbing the resultant strongly scented juices carefully and meticulously over his fingers and hands, up to his wrists. After dropping the mangled leaves to one side Kimi then brought out a tiny carved stone bowl. He placed it on the cloth along with three slender sharply pointed objects, each about two inches long. Wordlessly he held up his hand to Lady Evalin.

Using one of the points, Kimi prised the tightly fitting cork from the narrow neck of the bottle. Slowly he dripped a clear liquid into the bowl then firmly replaced the stopper before standing the tiny bottle to one side of the cloth. He then reached once more into his pouch and produced a foot long finger-thick stick which appeared to be hollow. Taking up the ball of crushed leaves, he wiped them around one end to about halfway down. With one of the points held between the tips of forefinger and thumb, Kimi quickly dipped the sharp end into the bowl of anti-venom. With one smooth and practised movement he inserted it into the end of the tube.

Keeping the loaded pipe perfectly horizontal he rose fluidly to his feet and made his way across the chamber to the far side of the crystal. Choosing his position carefully, he took a deep breath. In one smooth swift action he raised the pipe to his lips, tilted his head back and blew sharply. Giving a brief nod of satisfaction, Kimi lowered the pipe as the loaded dart lodged in the side of Karryl’s neck, just below his ear.

In no apparent haste, Kimi returned to his cross-legged position in front of the cloth. Just as meticulously he dipped and loaded the second dart before standing up and repeating the procedure on Karryl’s opposite side. He then sat down on the floor facing the crystal, his dark eyes fixed on the sleeping Mage-Prime.

Bardeen crossed the chamber and crouched down beside him. “What happens now?”

Kimi replied without averting his gaze. “We wait.”

Evalin moved to stand behind them, and the three waited in gradually deepening silence.

Suddenly Evalin gasped. “The crystal! It’s stopped its humming!”

Bardeen and Kimi rose to their feet to stand beside Evalin, their hearts in their mouths as events took their course without any further intervention on their part. Its movement barely perceptible, the huge crystal sank lower, maintaining the distance between its shining curved surface and Karryl as the light surrounding it continued to diffuse its golden radiance.

The crystal finally settled on the smooth stone floor, Karryl still suspended above it but now within reach. The golden glow began to fade slowly downwards into the crystal before winking out, releasing Karryl’s weight as he opened his eyes to the soft blue-green of the cavern’s own light. Three pairs of eager arms reached out. Each drawing a little on their power to support him, they lowered Karryl carefully to the floor, Evalin dropping quickly to her knees to cradle his head against her thigh. As if having difficulty focussing, the young Mage-Prime squinted up at each of them in turn.

His waking comment struggled out on a dry croak. “Gods! I feel terrible.”

Turning to one side he was then promptly and violently sick. While Karryl lay limp and gasping, Kimi reached over. Using his fingernails he pinched the short lengths of dart left protruding from Karryl’s neck and carefully drew each one out. After dropping them onto the white cloth, the Ingali prince took a small pot of salve from his pouch and smeared a little on the tiny puncture wounds left by the darts. He then began to wrap everything he had used, returning each item to his pouch.

The unused anti-venom in the bowl was dripped back into its tiny bottle then stoppered tightly and handed to Evalin. “He will recover, but slowly. Now he must rest and take nourishment.”

Evalin nodded as she looked down at Karryl’s wan face. “Then I think we’ve been in this place long enough.” She looked up at Kimi and Bardeen. “If you’ll help me get him to his feet we’ll get through the portal. Then we can form a link and transport him upstairs.”

Bardeen hesitated. “Do you think he’s strong enough? I know it will be a bit tricky but I think it would be better if we physically took him up the stairs.”

Evalin’s look held a challenge. “Do you realise how many steps that is?”

Crouched beside Karryl, the magician gave her a flat look as he prepared to lift. “No, but I’ll be sure and count them on the way up. Now, shall we try and get him to his feet?”

Karryl forced his eyes open again. Taking a deep ragged breath, he tried to focus on Bardeen’s face. “Would you all mind…if I had some say in the matter, instead of talking round me…as if I was dead?”

Holding out an arm, he groaned as Bardeen pulled him up into a sitting position. He sat for a few moments, legs outstretched and hands on his knees, before pushing himself slowly and awkwardly to his feet. He felt as if he had been pummelled in the washtub and then wrung out. Every joint in his body ached and his head seemed full of feathers. Kimi moved into his line of vision and the young Mage-Prime’s mouth twitched in a semblance of his familiar grin. With a hand on Bardeen’s shoulder, Karryl took another deep breath and blinked his eyes to finally clear them. He turned to Evalin as she placed her hand gently on his arm.

His words came out between short gasps. “It would seem…I’ve already caused you…enough trouble.” Swallowing hard, he straightened his shoulders and looked about him. “So, how many of these…blasted steps are there to…wherever we are?”

Evalin smiled, quickly placing her arm round him as he swayed slightly. “There are more than enough, but we can help you. To be sure it may take a while, but it won’t be a bad thing for you to get your legs moving. As to where we are, I’ll tell you everything later when you’re settled. Are you ready to try?”

Karryl nodded. As Evalin began to steer him towards the cavern wall, he felt a trickle of power enter his body. The pressure eased from his joints and he felt as though he was standing on a thick, soft carpet. He watched as the shining oval of the portal shimmered into view in front of them.

The climb was long and slow with a few stops while Karryl sat on the stairs to catch his breath. With Evalin leading, Kimi bringing up the rear, and the constant and reassuring touch of Bardeen’s hands against his back, he finally stepped out into the secluded corridor which accommodated the hidden doorway. With a sigh of relief he sank onto a nearby chair and leaned his head back against the wall.

Evalin gestured along the broad, tapestry-hung corridor to her right. “Not much further now. There is a comfortable room waiting for you here on the ground floor. You will be my guest until you are fully recovered.”

Easing himself to his feet Karryl ran his fingers through his dark hair and gave her an appreciative smile. “Sounds good to me.”

As Evalin showed him into the large, bright and airy room, she tugged once on a thick tasselled cord near the window. Karryl knew that somewhere a service bell would be jingling. Deciding that for the time being he was not going to worry about a thing, he found just enough strength to remove his boots before toppling onto the bed. He sank deeply into another sleep, softer, warmer and free of disturbingly alien and tantalising dreams.