The Eynan Page 12

  However, Patinus was running out of time. If he didn't produce something concrete for Suvran soon, then the emperor could take retribution against his people. Bardius had already shown he had no compunction about using Patinus' people to force his hand. Not long after he had made his regretful alliance with the empire, Patinus had been asked to provide ten young noble women to serve the emperor in his entourage. They were supposed to be ladies-in-waiting to the empress, but considering she was back in the imperial palace half a continent away, it was an open secret all the young women in Bardius' court were little more than concubines for his pleasure. Patinus had tried to refuse their inclusion at court, saying the noble ladies of Irobi could not be so disgraced.

  Bardius had then sent thirty of his personal guard, elite officers who had been with the emperor through many campaigns, to forcibly choose double the number of young women, including Patinus' young sister, Ilada. Bardius made it quite clear if Patinus tried to interfere, Ilada would not reach the emperor's court fit to be an imperial concubine. She would be passed around his guard on the journey, and if she survived, then she would continue to service his officers until they tired of her. Nor would Patinus survive the argument. The emperor pointed out that Patinus had a distant cousin, just waiting in the wings to become the next Prince of Irobi.

  There was nothing Patinus could do. If he hadn't already realized it, he had received a sharp lesson that day as to who wielded the whip.

  For one insane moment, he thought of going to talk to Gallia, telling her the whole truth and asking for her help. Of course, it was impossible. If theirs had been a real marriage, if she cared for him, it might have been an option to talk to her at least; not that she could actually have done much, but just to be able to share his burden would have been a wonderful release.

  But no, they had no such relationship. He could never tell her. He was trapped with no way out. He could tell no one. He must fulfill his mission. Somehow. He needed to find a way to get to Rhou.

  * * * *

  Suvran decided he must use a little more of his precious strands. He'd been sequestered with the emperor for some time and Bardius was concerned about the lack of any progress yet in his plans to attack Timendra. Suvran needed to use his special skill with the emperor to make him calm down, to make him see the need for patience. Bardius was most certainly not the ideal character to be ruler of such a vast empire; he wasn't as clever as he thought he was. Suvran did most of the planning, then put it to Bardius in such a way he believed it had been all his own idea. Bardius never realized he was just the puppet and Suvran was pulling the strings. He thought he was so smart and that even the choosing of Suvran as his advisor had been his own idea. The only real talent Bardius possessed was for cruelty, at which he was unsurpassed.

  It wasn't yet time to pursue the battle against Timendra. There was much yet to discover, much to set into motion. Patience was the keyword. It was necessary to allow Patinus time to complete his task. Suvran also needed time to complete his, but in his case, the timetable wasn't under his control, but was being determined by the young stranger. Suvran's task was to observe and then act when the time was right. He hurried now to his tower to see if he was any nearer to that time. He'd had the oddest feeling all day.

  He performed the ritual, trickled the strands through his fingers, and watched as the image formed. There was the stranger, but where? Suvran looked around trying to determine where exactly he was. He was aboard ship. The stranger was standing, leaning again the ship's railing and staring out at the land nearby. His attention was on a cliff top, where a building was just visible. Suvran suddenly went very still. This was special. He could sense the power, even more so than earlier when the stranger had been handling the crystal.

  This was getting more and more peculiar; how could he sense the power of this place across space and maybe time? Before, he'd always taken it to be only a window on someone else's world. Could it be a more direct link with the young stranger than he'd ever realized? Could he somehow feel, sense, what the stranger did, what the stranger experienced? What was this place that was so powerful across space and time? How could he feel it?

  This was another point he was uncertain of. He was trickling a minute amount of the strands through his fingers, but did he only see across space or did he see across time? His father had taught him that this small amount only allowed a view across space, but now he could not be sure. Especially with the power he seemed to be sensing increasingly of late.

  But as important as that may be, it paled alongside the significance of where the young man could be and what he could find. If he was powerful enough, as powerful as Suvran feared, as powerful as Suvran needed him to be.

  But it could all fall to ashes if the stranger solved the mystery and took the prize and Suvran wasn't there to take it from him. He would have to use them again, but this time he would need to use a more powerful spell to send a tracer spell through the strands to find out exactly where his nemesis was. Providing it would work...he had never tried such a thing before.

  And even if it did, Suvran would still need to pray he could reach him in time.

  Chapter 15

  The small vessel was safely anchored in the sheltered cove. It was quite a lovely spot. The sky had cleared and was now a bright blue with just a few scudding clouds. The sea was a deep blue-green lapping gently against the almost white sands of the beach. Towering above were cliffs of deep grey rock covered liberally with lichen and rough grass. Here and there, wild flowers grew in amongst the low brush, broken only by the meandering path as it climbed up the steep cliff to the building on the summit. It appeared to be a watchtower of some kind. It didn't look to be in too good a condition, but it was difficult to tell from the beach.

  There had been some murmuring amongst the crew since Jhond had led them through the fog and straight to the islands. The rumors had surfaced that Jhond was "touched," as they called it. Apparently, they believed he had contact with the spirits of the sea and he could call on them for help.

  "It's one of the many superstitions sailors have to explain the unknown that lurks out beyond the known shipping lanes," Captain Amired told Ninian.

  "Perhaps after the difficulty of fighting the storm and the strain that Jhond's been under, it would do us all good to have a warm meal and a rest before we go ashore to face whatever awaits us," Ninian suggested.

  "That's an excellent idea," Amired said. "I have an outstanding ship's cook, and he can work wonders." The captain raised his voice to add, "I think it would be a good idea to issue an extra measure of mita to the crew, too. I believe they've all earned a heavy stomach and a light head!" The crew cheered. "Very light mind you, Warkist, though I suppose that is usual for you," Amired added, to merry laughter.

  After a companionable dram with the crew, Amired withdrew with his first mate, Aldous. Together with Ninian and Jhond, they enjoyed a meal in the captain's cabin. Aldous was a bear of a man who dwarfed everyone present, in fact everyone in the crew. He was also a very fair man who had a way with the men. Amired and Aldous were an excellent team, but whereas Amired was an extrovert, Aldous was definitely an introvert, very rarely having anything to say, except when he considered it to be important.

  During the meal, Amired questioned Ninian extensively about his travels, genuinely interested in Ninian's many tales, even those whose veracity he challenged.

  "Come now, Ninian, are you really expecting us to believe a creature such as that actually exists? A huge animal that dwarfs any other animal, yet still only eats vegetation and through a tube where it's nose should be? How stupid do you think we are?"

  "But it's true, I tell you! I actually rode one of them. You could sit on its shoulders and, for all its huge size it was quite gentle. The people there used it to help them do all kinds of heavy work," Ninian replied, exasperated. "And I said it looked and acted like a tube, but it was called a trunk, and it didn't eat through the trunk. It used it to lift food to its mouth, which was u
nder the trunk."

  Amired harrumphed and asked what other tales he had to tell. Jhond, listening to this entertaining conversation, was never quite sure if Amired really didn't believe Ninian's stories, or if he only challenged him because he enjoyed the argument that ensued. It was just like throwing a cat among the pigeons and watching to see the result. But no matter how frustrating the captain was, it was difficult not to like him since he always threw out insults with a genuine smile on his lips. He certainly rivaled Ninian for charm.

  They had a rest following the meal and roughly an hour after that prepared to go ashore. The captain left a skeleton crew on board under the control of his second mate, and he and six crewmen joined Ninian and Jhond on the beach. For no reason he was sure of, Jhond knew their destination was high on the cliff top inside whatever was left of that building. Ninian hadn't questioned his belief; he just acted on it.

  The path was remarkably clear and in good condition, not even much overgrown. It did, however, look to be a steep climb and they would need to be careful on the upper reaches as it narrowed. It looked from below as if it would be far too easy to fall.

  "Would it not be sensible if we were roped?" asked the captain.

  "Maybe, but then if one slipped, we might all fall," Ninian replied, considering.

  "Aye, sir," interjected Aldous. "but if one slipped, the others would surely be able to stop him from falling. If we keep a long rope between each of us, that would give us time to act," he added, nervously looking at Jhond. Even the staid first mate was uncertain around Jhond.

  The early part of the climb proved quite easy going, the path cut back frequently, thereby making the ascent gradual, though progress was slow. They had finally settled on roping together, but in two sections; Ninian, Jhond and two crewmembers in the first party, followed by Amired and the rest of the crew in the second. The reasoning was that if one party got into difficulties, the other would be free to assist. Privately, Ninian told Jhond that he wasn't really concerned because he had "other" methods of assistance to hand if necessary. As he quickly drew a sigil in the air with his hand as he spoke, Jhond knew he spoke literally. He went on to say that he had no intention of revealing his talents, though, unless there was no alternative. The crew was already restless enough.

  They stopped to rest halfway up. They must have climbed the damn cliff twice by now compared to if they could have gone straight up. They all took a drink of water and a morsel of food. They didn't bother untying the loops of rope, but were able to sit together as the stopping place was the last decent-sized flat area before the real climb began. The path ahead only had one switchback and, compared to what they had already climbed, seemed to be straight up.

  Two of the men looped with Amired were murmuring closely together, and the captain called over, "Warkist, what are you bellyaching about now?"

  The man looked nervous and glanced at his compatriot.

  "Spit it out, man!" the captain demanded.

  "We still don't know what we're going to all this trouble for. He"--indicating Ninian--"won't tell us nothing."

  "Since when have you been privy to orders unless I choose to issue 'em!" Captain Amired snapped back. "All you need care about is that you're on double rate. Now move it!" The muttering stopped, but from the look Amired gave the men, it would seem he doubted that would be the end of it. They moved off first with Ninian's party following.

  They had almost reached the top when their luck changed. The last man in Ninian's party, Mathias, lost his footing. He slipped off the narrow path they had been traversing. It was so narrow they had to move along it with their backs pressed against the rock. Mathias was hanging by the rope looped to the next man in line, Jhond, who strained to hold on as he leaned back as far as possible into the rock, feeling every nuance of the rock face as it pressed into him. He pulled on the rope with all his strength, while the man shrieked at him not to let go; he seemed to have forgotten that if he fell they would all go with him. Unfortunately, due to the very narrow path they were on, no one could reach Jhond to help.

  Ninian said in that very deep quiet voice of his, "Jhond, lift him, think what you need, reach inside for it, lift him."

  Even as Ninian spoke, Jhond felt it again, that warm center of his being, reaching out through him. Mathias dangling at the end of the rope was no longer a strain; Jhond simply lifted him back onto the path.

  Mathias, who was shaking, clung to Jhond like a lifeline until Jhond spoke quietly to him, calming him down, reminding him that the sooner they could move, the sooner they would be off this treacherous path. Jhond nodded to Ninian and he began to lead the way along the path again.

  They finally reached the summit, tired but relieved. Everyone but Jhond sank onto the ground to gather his breath. Now they had reached the top he was too excited. He could clearly see it in the distance, whatever it was.

  * * * *

  It didn't take long for the crewmembers to begin chattering again amongst themselves, discussing what had happened on the narrow ledge. Even though Mathias was grateful, that gratitude hadn't lessened his suspicion, his fear of what he didn't understand.

  "Yeah," he whispered to his mates, "I did feel something. Like a warm... I don't know how to describe it."

  "Come on. You got to give us an idea," Warkist grumbled.

  "Well...um...it was as if the very air itself got warm and somehow kinda thicker, you know, like I could touch it. Then he was just pulling me, like I didn't weigh nothing much."

  "What is it 'bout him? He got us here without no map to a place no one's ever heard of. He can see through fog like it wasn't there," Barrus, a small ferret of a man, added nervously.

  "Yeah, but we're okay. He certainly helped me," Mathias said.

  "Yeah, 'cause it suited him. What happens if it don't?" Warkist queried.

  "Warkist, you stirring up trouble again?" Captain Amired interjected. "I already warned you once. You should know better, man. You're here to do a job. You're getting paid well to do what I tell you. I do what the client wants. It's legal and contracted. Now, stow it!"

  "Aye, sir," Warkist replied churlishly.

  Jhond heard what the men were grumbling about, but he ignored it, his attention wholly on the distant tower. It was a simple building made of stone, tall and straight and topped off by a concave roof with a narrow spire of twisted bricks in the center. There were two openings where there had once been windows, one low down near the entrance and the other high up just below the roof. There was an archway, similar in shape to the building and it was obvious that at one time there had been a door of some description there. The hinges, old rusted iron, were still there, hanging drunkenly from the jamb. Of the door itself, there was no sign, not even a scrap of splintered wood.

  Even from this distance, Jhond could feel the attraction, literal attraction, like something pulling at him. He felt the warmth spreading from the center of his being. He turned back to look at Ninian. "Can you feel it?" Jhond asked.

  "Yes. At the center. And a kind of tingling under the skin."

  "More than that," Jhond replied in a low voice. "It...wants me."

  "What's he talking about? What does he mean it wants him? What it?" Amired had come up behind Ninian and was glancing between Jhond and the building.

  * * * *

  "It's difficult to explain," Ninian said quietly, looking back at the captain. "Jhond has a feel for certain things. I do, too, though to a lesser degree it would seem," he added somewhat ruefully. He had so much more experience yet it was true that in such a short time, Jhond had displayed a remarkable aptitude.

  Frowning, the captain backed away slightly. "You have some kind of power, don't you? My father always believed in such things, and until now, I never did. But too many strange things have happened since you two came aboard. What are you?"

  The crewmembers had overheard this exchange and were now stirring restlessly. One or two of them had risen to their feet and the others were muttering amongst themselves.
>
  Ninian had no doubt he could handle them if necessary, but he would prefer not to. "Calm yourselves," he instructed, with an authority he hadn't displayed before. Everyone quieted immediately. "You have nothing to fear from us. We do have what you have called powers. We use the word talent."

  "We?" Amired asked.

  "Magi," Ninian said quietly. "The talents of the magi are varied and numerous and for most of the people, a long forgotten mystery." Ninian glanced toward Jhond, who still stood looking toward the tower. Silent and still. "Jhond is drawn to this place. He has a secret to uncover. Please believe me when I say it is important, perhaps the most important moment in all our lives. You are not at risk. You may stay here if you wish."

  "Ninian," Jhond said softly. It was enough.

  "I am coming." He looked toward the captain. "You will wait?"

  Amired glanced around at his men, then nodded firmly. "I don't understand, but we'll wait." He looked directly at Ninian, into his eyes, and added, "But not for long."

  * * * *

  Suvran had a pretty good idea where his prey was. There was no route on a map he could follow, no guide to give a ship's captain. He simply knew through his talent, through the link he had via the strands to the young stranger. The tracer spell had worked perfectly, much to his surprise. It had been pure nerve that had made him attempt it. He'd even been concerned it would react in some negative way, some way that would be dangerous for him. But he had needed the answer, so he took the risk. And it had proved worthwhile.

  He arranged to leave Rugarold immediately when the tracer spell worked. He knew it had when he felt the instant connection, like a string pulling at him that he could rewind to the beginning. He knew where he had to go and he headed straight to the docks and commandeered a ship. Bardius hadn't been happy about yet another delay, but had taken Suvran's word it was important and would be beneficial to the empire when his mission was complete. Bardius didn't push Suvran for details. The emperor liked to make use of magistry, but didn't require details of how any of it worked, what was entailed in its use or its cost to the user. All he cared about were the results.