The Eynan Page 10

  Jhond frowned, until he remembered the flat stone that became a table and chairs complete with food and drink. "Ah, I must learn to think like a mage."

  Ninian raised an eyebrow.

  "How else will I learn?" Jhond added quickly.

  "That is a conversation we must have in detail, and soon," Ninian said cryptically.

  They rode for a little while longer before Jhond spoke again. "I presume you will not tell the ship's captain our real destination, so what will you say our plans are?"

  "That's not as difficult as you might think," Ninian said, then he sighed, obviously recognizing Jhond wasn't going to leave it at that. "I see you're the kind of personality who needs to know exactly what's going on at all times." He smiled. "Which is exactly what will make you a good mage--being inquisitive, demanding and thorough!"

  Jhond shrugged, but couldn't quite hide his smile.

  Ninian explained, "There are plenty of captains out there who'll take on a job for the right fee, without too many questions. I will have to ensure the captain understands we'll need a steady crew prepared for whatever we need. Tsarn is a good starting point for our quest as it's directly west from the Temple and seems to fit with the vision we saw, yes?" Jhond nodded absently, his mind drifting along with the tides of the sea, excited at the prospect.

  "Those islands are not on any charts you will find today. The magi hid the way there a long time ago," Ninian added thoughtfully.

  "I understand, but how will we find them? The view we got from the crystal didn't give us a precise route."

  "I know, but I think you'll be able to sense it once we get near."

  "I will?" Jhond was dumbfounded.

  "Yes. You were the one who summoned the image from the crystal. I couldn't. I think you're meant to find it."

  Jhond frowned, but he didn't argue. He didn't speak again for quite some time.

  Jhond was shaken on two fronts. He was disconcerted to realize just how much of his life seemed to have been planned long before he was even a glint in his parents' eyes. Did he ever have any real choices? Was his entire life mapped out? Then he forced himself to remember what Ninian had said. Things are not meant to happen because they are seen; they are seen because that is what happens. But still, did that really mean things happened by sheer chance? Was there no guiding hand? He was no longer sure of anything. He certainly had no wish to pursue that line of thought any more. Instead, he concentrated on the long journey ahead.

  It was just after noon the next day when they arrived in the port of Tsarn. They wearily made their way straight to the docks. It was obvious Ninian knew where he was going. He passed the warehouses and the customs house and headed for the seedier portions of the docks.

  Jhond knew very little about ships, but he recognized the vessels in this locale for what they were--small, overworked, worn-out cargo carriers. Nothing fancy, but that didn't mean they weren't serviceable. Also, he expected the captain of such a vessel would be less inclined to ask too many questions. Jhond had faith Ninian knew what he was doing.

  They tied the horses to a post rail at the end of the roadway, not that the exhausted horses would have moved another step. Jhond followed as Ninian slowly walked the length of the dock, studying each vessel in turn. Finally, at the ship on the second-from-last slip Ninian stopped. He took a long, careful look at the vessel, backing up again toward the stern. He smiled and turned to Jhond, saying, "Well, that settles it."

  "What?" Jhond asked irritably, too tired for games.

  "Horologue," Ninian said, indicating the ship's name. Jhond frowned in frustration, so Ninian explained, "The name means hour-teller, an old fashioned name for a time-piece. Perfect, eh? This is the one. Let's find the captain."

  * * * *

  An hour later, they settled themselves into comfortable chairs in front of a warm fire in one of the rooms they'd hired for the night. A meal was on the way, water was being heated for a bath and Jhond had made it clear he was looking forward to a good night's sleep. They'd made arrangements to leave on the morning tide. The captain was a hard negotiator, pushing the fee as far as he felt he would get away with. Ninian played the game. He could, of course, have tricked the man with his talent, but saw no need. It was a fair price for what might await them.

  Captain Teree Amired had finally agreed. He made the act of negotiation into an art, and clearly enjoyed its execution. Ninian was quite impressed by the captain. Teree Amired was physically impressive, not quite as tall as Ninian but more sturdily built. His long brown hair was tied back at his nape with a leather cord and his brown eyes were invitingly warm. He was surprisingly young to have command of his own vessel. He looked to be in his early thirties and he had a tremendous vitality and presence that invited trust.

  There was a knock on the door. Ninian answered it and let in a waiter carrying a tray loaded with bowls of thick stew, a plate of thickly crusted bread loaded with butter, and also a bowl of fresh fruit and a platter of deep yellow cheese. It was served with bright sparkling ale. Ninian knew Jhond would've said he was too tired to eat, but he perked up as soon as he smelled the stew. Ninian was sure his mouth must be watering in anticipation.

  "I hope you enjoy the meal, sirs. The water will be hot for your baths any time now. Please ring the bell when you are ready and the water will be brought up."

  "Thank you," Ninian replied.

  "Wouldn't it have been quicker to supply the food yourself?" Jhond asked, with a grin.

  "Maybe, but also a little suspicious. Two clearly exhausted men following a hard ride who don't require food? You need to remember, the use of magic must be kept secret as much as possible."

  "Not much point telling me that. I can't do any magic," Jhond said, not a little aggravated.

  "Yet," Ninian retorted. "It's time to talk about that."

  * * * *

  Rhou still hadn't heard anything positive from Harrad and time was running out. The wedding was set for two days hence. Rhou didn't really hold out much hope of changing anything, but he was one stubborn person and he so wanted Jhond to know. Deep inside, he acknowledged Jhond might already know; it was hardly a secret, at least among the elite. But who knew where, and with whom, his little brother might be associating. He had made himself responsible for ensuring Jhond at least knew what was going on.

  Just then, there was a knock at the door, and a servant entered carrying a note. It was from Harrad asking he attend the estate office as soon as he could. Rhou rushed down to the office, knowing Harrad wouldn't have asked him to come without good reason.

  "Sir," Harrad said as soon as Rhou entered, "we have a possible lead. One of the messenger birds returned this morning with news from the Grimquest Estate."

  "That's way over near the Quotidian woods, isn't it?"

  "That's right, Master Rhou. The estate boundary includes the edge of the woods and not too far from there is a small village. The sergeant there reports that about a sennight since, two men arrived in the village, one walking a large black horse with one white sock on a front leg. The other man came looking for a mount, saying his had died following an accident. They made a deal and obtained a horse from the sergeant and then they left together."

  "That description sounds like Mistral."

  "Yes, and that's not all. We got a description of both men. One fits Master Jhond pretty well, even down to the violet eyes. The man didn't exactly use the word violet. He said..." Harrad scanned the report and read aloud, "'The tall blond one has the oddest eyes, looked blue sometimes, but in the half-light, they looked like they was almost purple, pale like.'"

  "Yes, it was Jhond! Quotidian Woods. I was right...Tandera. I knew it. He's chasing his dream," Rhou said excitedly. "Well, one he might still catch," he added sadly. "A sennight ago, that would have been about two days travel from Tandera. That still leaves us high and dry, though. If he was that close to Tandera then, I wonder where he is now."

  * * * *

  Jhond stood on the deck of the small ship, loo
king back toward the land. He belatedly realized he was an echo of that long ago figure he had seen via the crystal in the Temple of the Magi. In the distance, he could just about make out the cliff tops of Tandera and there, lost somewhat in the swirling mists, were the ruins of the Temple. The mists seemed appropriate to the mysterious quest they were embarking on; however, they were entirely natural. There was a storm forming and the mists on the cliffs were merely a precursor.

  Ninian joined him, leaning well over the rail to watch the ship cut through the increasingly rough sea. "And what kind of sailor, are you?" he asked.

  "Pardon?" Jhond replied. "Oh, I don't know, seeing as this is my first experience."

  "Thought that might be the case. Our good captain was enquiring. I told him I've traveled extensively on a variety of vessels and rather enjoy sea travel. I also told him I thought this was your maiden voyage."

  "Hmmph!" Jhond retorted, recognizing the man's all too ready wit much more easily now after spending a good few days in Ninian's company. "You had to use the tone of voice, huh?"

  Ninian grinned. "I think the captain likes me; finds me a rogue, I would guess, but naturally a likeable rogue."

  Jhond laughed at the conceit in his tone. "Pesky rogue, if you ask me!" After a moment's reflection, he spoke again. "How far will we have to travel, do you suppose?"

  "I don't know. I suspect you'll have to help me there."

  Jhond still found this part of the plan dubious. But he was in no position to argue the point with Ninian. He had only just acknowledged he had some kind of talent in the realm of magic. Ninian had a hell of a head start on him. Ninian had always known he was a mage. From the time he understood what the word meant, his father had begun to school him in the use of his talent. Ninian probably knew more about the use of spells, charms and even the very nature of magic than he ever would. If Ninian believed he had some kind of connection with the magic of the Isle of Truth, then it must be so.

  "I see you're toying with your jewelry again," Ninian said.

  "What?" Jhond said, frowning. He followed Ninian's gaze and saw he was twisting his ring. "Ah, yes, it's a habit. I don't always know I'm doing it."

  Ninian just nodded.

  "Is there anything I should do to prepare?" Jhond wondered.

  "Remember what we talked of last night?" the mage asked, and Jhond nodded. "Just relax, let everything slip away, open yourself to the possibility. When the time is right, you'll know."

  "How will I know?"

  "Do you remember when you entered the archway in the temple and immediately warned me away? You just knew it was wrong."

  Jhond nodded. He could almost taste the evil from the memory.

  "Well, it will be like that, but this time you'll know it's right," Ninian explained.

  "Yes, I understand. It's like all those times growing up when I have known what to do, or where to go, or when not to. No reason I could ever explain, just a certainty." He looked out over the sea. "It's always been there, hasn't it? Latent, waiting?"

  "Oh, yes. You were born with it. There was just no one there to teach you. It's kind of amazing how much your family seems to have lost. Yours was one of the leading families and now all they seem to remember is being librarians."

  "Is it possible it was some sort of charm? To make us forget to protect us? Or maybe the knowledge we weren't yet meant to use?"

  "Hmm. Yes, actually that makes a lot of sense. If you didn't know you had a secret to protect, it's damn near impossible to let it slip. Yes, you could have hit the nail on the head there." Ninian looked up at the sky overhead, a sky that was increasingly darkening, even though it was still fairly early in the day. "I think we're in for quite a blow." He looked over at the captain, who was chivvying the crew.

  Captain Amired hadn't been too happy once they had left the common shipping lanes between the north and south continents and headed west out into the open sea. When they had discussed it whilst still in port, the captain had bragged there was nowhere on the great sea that he was afraid of, but when it actually came to striking out into what was mostly the great unknown, he was somewhat more reticent. Ninian had contemplated using his talent, but had decided to try a more direct route first, to remind the man that was what he had signed on for and what had necessitated the large fee. The captain had straightened his backbone and issued the order to head west, and more recently southwest. The crew, as yet, was obeying orders. Ninian, however, had no doubt the time would come when they wouldn't be quite so quiescent.

  As he watched the captain issuing orders, Ninian noted they were all wearing weather gear, ready for the coming storm. "Guess we better get out from under their feet and go down to the cabin."

  They began to make their way to the steep stairway, which led below and they reached the cabin just in time. The ship was beginning to roll noticeably now. Ninian hoped Jhond really did have his sea legs; they might run into real trouble if Jhond was being seasick just when the sense might hit him. There hadn't been any particular evidence to corroborate it yet, but Ninian truly believed Jhond would prove to be an exceptional mage. And hopefully more. And that was exactly what they would need.

  Chapter 13

  Gallia had faced her wedding with a block of ice where her heart used to be and now she could hardly remember any of it.

  She'd insisted on a small ceremony, using the excuse of its haste to keep it small and quiet. One thing she couldn't face was a state wedding. Patinus had agreed. He'd said he wanted to get things moving and help their people on both sides of the Estan Sea to feel that little bit more secure.

  She knew she had said all the right things, nodded and bowed to all the right people. She had smiled for the populace and been courteous when necessary, regal when it was required, but it had all passed in a whirl of faces and voices. The only thing she could remember clearly was how gracious Patinus had been when he placed the ring on her finger.

  "On this our special day, I would've liked to give you the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, but sadly it is possessed by a cruel man, and I will never allow anything to harm you."

  Gallia had been touched by his concern and she found herself held by the look in his eyes. Perhaps the block of ice where her heart used to be had melted just a little.

  * * * *

  Patinus was as content as he could be. The plans of the emperor, or perhaps more accurately those of Suvran, were well under way. Patinus suggested it would be kind to Gallia if he stayed in Timendra for a time after the wedding, allowing the young lady to become used to being his wife before she was thrust into the position of the ruling princess of a foreign land. Even though the idea had not been his but instructions from Suvran, Patinus thought it was an ideal situation for the quiet, reserved Gallia.

  And, of course, Patinus had now been placed in perfect position to make use of the direct link to the seat of power of the emperor's enemy and should be in a good situation to feed information back to his masters.

  Subconsciously, he admitted that was exactly what they were: his masters--something he'd avoided admitting to himself until now. Prince or not, he was under their control. All his people were at their mercy, and the empire had already proved it didn't have any mercy. He had to quash his guilt; he couldn't allow his people to experience what had happened to others who had defied the empire. And now he added the fate of Gallia and her family, of all the people of Timendra to the weight of his guilt.

  He only needed to remember what he'd seen when, as part of the relief force together with military contingents of the adjoining states of Amister and Colyon, he'd entered the walled city of Emydion. The city had stood as a bastion on the northern border between Amister and Colyon for as long as anyone could remember. The Illurian armies had come sweeping down from the north intent on teaching the recalcitrant states that the Illurian Empire wasn't to be denied. Amister, Colyon and Irobi were at this time all holding out, threatening to join forces and fight against the encroaching empire. The Illurians laid siege t
o the famed walled city that had withstood every attack for countless generations. By the time they had finished, there wasn't a soul left alive.

  When the joint relief force finally arrived, they were horrified and sickened by what they found. The Illurians hadn't simply killed the inhabitants; they had committed unbelievable atrocities. People had died by every conceivable method: sword, knife, mace, axe, pike, rope, crucifixion, burning and on and on. Most of the women, even some of the children, had been raped before being murdered.

  Patinus had been physically sick when he had seen the city hall, or rather what was left of it. It had been razed to the ground, with innumerable people burned alive inside. He knew they had been alive because the doors and windows had been chained shut and nearly all the remains were found piled by the doors and windows. Obviously, they had been trying to get out.

  General Sondel, a man who had seen every kind of warfare, had been shocked to the bone when evidence had come to light that many people had been buried alive.

  The invading army had no compunction about who died or how. It became obvious they had performed the heinous acts to have the very effect they did. They wanted to show to the inhabitants of Amister, Colyon and Irobi that they had no mercy. If you stood against the Illurian Empire, you died, in the worse way imaginable.

  The first reaction was fury; the second was fear. The armies of the three states wanted to fight, but the politicians warned they would not win. They didn't have the manpower or the wherewithal to win such a war. The Illurian army was vast. The emperor drew men to him by power, fear, promises of success, riches and women. The more he succeeded, the more they flocked to his banner. And that wasn't even including the forced drafts as the empire absorbed the armies of the defeated.

  General Sondel had commented to Patinus that Bardius might regret swelling his army with so many defeated soldiers. Patinus had been puzzled until the general explained that men forced to fight lacked loyalty and were unreliable. Patinus welcomed the knowledge and prayed that such a day would come.