Eyes Of Alchemist

EYES OF THE ALCHEMIST By Janet Woods

Written with love for <><><>Ali-Bali Boosticks<><><>

© copyright by Janet Woods Cover Art by Jenny Dixon ISBN 1-58608-311-2 New Concepts Publishing Lake Park, GA 31636 www.newconceptspublishing.com

CHAPTER ONE

Had it not been for one of the guardians of the temple, Tiana would have missed the ceremonial start of her thirteenth season. She was asleep, lying on a tree-shaded bank next to a stream. Exotic insects with delicate, gaudy wings fluttered overhead, the like of which hadn?t been seen in Truarc in living memory. That the stream and all surrounding it was of Tiana?s own creation didn?t escape the notice of the guardian, who frowned as she dispelled the image with a poke of her stick. The girl had obviously been in the temple library without permission again. The same stick struck the novice between the shoulder blades, bringing her scrambling to her feet. "Dreams are forbidden," she said. "You will recite the fiftieth rule." Loath to part with her dream, Tiana felt a moment of claustrophobic panic follow as the walled garden closed in on her. The remnants of the image still clung to her mind, so she almost reached up to catch a butterfly before it vanished. The sound of the bells brought her back to reality. The fiftieth rule? Composing her features, she adjusted the coarse, linen bonnet on her head and sucked in a deep breath. Hands behind her back she went through the litany of rules in her head, counting them on her fingers.

"Well?" "A novice, whether awake or asleep, may not indulge in any fantasy which will improve her own comfort." The rule dampened the rebellious spirit that had taken advantage of her sub-state, but not as much as it should have. She bowed her head. "I?m sorry, guardian. Forgive my transgression." The guardian grunted. "You will chant strengthening mantras for one hour every day until your sub-state accepts self-discipline." Tiana kept her head lowered. An hour on the mantras would encroach into her free meditation time, something she enjoyed even if it did get her into trouble. "And how long will that be, guardian?" "I will tell you when to stop." A bony hand tilted up Tiana?s chin and the guardian examined her eyes for signs of contrition. There was an in-built rebellion in the green depths, the guardian thought, and more - a well developed and rare high-sense. The guardian sighed. "I despair that your nature will ever be molded to the required standard." A pulse beat an alarm against Tiana?s skull. What was the guardian implying? That she might be sent away. That was not possible. She drew herself up. "The High One said the augur proclaimed my temple training." "None witnessed the proclamation. You must try harder to be obedient." "Not only will I try harder, I will succeed," Tiana said, and clicked her fingers to bring Atarta to her side. The Pitilan came to sit beside the girl. It stared unblinkingly at the guardian, reminding her that Tiana was high-born - that Tiana?s sire was The High One himself. All Tiana had to do was order it and she - a guardian of the temple - would be ripped asunder. So much for standing on one?s dignity. Not that the girl would order her death unless directly attacked, but there had been a certain unconscious arrogance in the gesture, which stemmed from her bloodline. However badly Tiana performed, the temple elders wouldn?t dare to reject her, the guardian realized. She kissed the girl gently on the cheek, glad of the high born connection which kept her safe, for despite her failings, she had many qualities to please. "Of course you will succeed. Now, go and bathe, and ready yourself for the life change ceremony." She couldn?t help hoping that she wasn?t assigned Tiana as a trainee. She didn?t have the patience to cope with such a one. Tiana stopped to turn and smile at her. "You need not worry, guardian. I would offer my own life to the Pitilan rather than harm one hair on your head. As for the other matter, there is one called Sybilla who will train me." The guardian was so startled she forgot to remind Tiana of the tenth rule. "A novice shall not seek entry into the thoughts of others." Strange, but that very morning a woman named Sybilla had turned up at the temple gate - a woman so ancient it was a wonder she still lived. She?d worn the badge of the Grand Alchemist upon her breast, the highest office a temple guardian could reach - but only a handful did. That one of their novices was to be singled out for special training was a great honor for the temple ... but Tiana? No, it must be one of the girl?s fantasies. All the same ...? The guardian slowly shook her

head and hastened to inform the High Mother of what had occurred. *** Thirteen seasons was a life change, a time when Truarc maids put childhood aside. It passed with great fanfare. Each maid was dressed in a fine gown and paraded through the city. After much feasting they were handed over to the families of their chosen life mates - though it was three more seasons until mating took place. For the temple novices, after the parade the day passed in merriment. It was a day when convention was relaxed a little, when feasting and dancing took place. After that, they would don simple white robes and assemble in the hall, where the augur would assign each novice to specialist guardians for training. Some would become teachers, some healers, some would be assigned to the children?s nurseries, and some would travel to the far edge towns to serve in the outer temples. The temple hall was vast, a place full of echoes. Tiana loved its sense of antiquity and could almost sense the ancients, as if each stone and tile was steeped in the sweat, blood and tears they?d shed. The floor was flagged with faded, cracked stone tiles, so it resembled a mosaic. Central was the fountain of knowledge, a covered pool in which the augur slept. Carved columns held up a domed roof and arches contained statuary - great and fearsome figures sculpted of metal and stone by some ancient artisan. Story-tellers said they resembled Cabrilan warriors, who came through a door of swirling blackness that opened unexpectedly and without warning. The Cabrilan took the Truarc women, it was said. Tiana thought it odd that the Cabrilan warriors never appeared in the city, just the villages and far edge towns where the people were superstitious, and where a good tale sold to a story-teller would earn a reward. Tiana didn?t want to believe in such things. The High Mother said it was a fanciful tale repeated by those who had nothing better to do than spread rumor. She said if the Cabrilan had been stupid enough to split the planet asunder, then how did they acquire the skills to open doors in space and travel through them? Even the cultured and learned Truarc couldn?t do that, and they were descended from scientists and teachers, not common farmers and rough, fighting men. Even so, she sometimes gazed up at the Cabrilan world with wondering eyes, and shivered. Had any of the savage-looking warriors survived? But how could they have, when most of the planet was covered in dense foliage that kept the sunlight from the surface? The foliage emitted clouds of poisonous gas to drift or swirl angrily about the atmosphere. Nobody could survive that, and if they had ... Her gaze went to the nearest statue, a warrior painted in purple and black, who wore silver rings about his wrists. The diadem on his head denoted he was a lord. He towered over her, his sword a fierce arc of silver. The hand shaft was studded with stones that shimmered colored light around the great hall. Handsome as he was, she?d show this Cabrilan lord what she thought of his race. Glancing about her at the dancing, chattering maids, she slid behind the statue, then hitched her skirt above her knees and tucked it into her belt. This warrior lord was her favorite, and was easy to climb. She scaled him on occasion, climbing from one smooth muscle to the next, especially when the augur was being consulted. With her feet inserted into the crook of one elbow she could comfortably clasp her arms around his neck and conceal her hands under the ornament on the cloak. His hair was fashioned with splits in the tresses, through which she

could gaze upon her sire?s face when the High Council met. Although it was forbidden, she?d never been caught. She held her breath when beneath her, two guardians came to stand. "We are doubly honored. The High One is coming for the choosing ceremony," one of them said. Tiana thought she looked a little like her father with her silvery hair, though he was old and bent and walked with a stick. She?d heard his hair had been dark before her birth, and his eyes were blue and sad. She knew nothing of her mother, so her ears pricked up when the other guardian whispered, "The High One must have been exceedingly virile to have produced a daughter at such a great age." "It?s said Tiana?s the offspring of a goddess who stopped in her journeying to rest in the wilderness. The goddess cast a spell over The High One, filling his loins with an insatiable desire to cast his seed inside her. When she?d taken her fill of his potency he returned from the wilderness an old man, but full of wisdom and carrying their baby daughter in his arms. He had no knowledge of how he begat the child, though their genetics matched. It?s said that Tiana is cast in the image of the goddess, so when the time comes to fulfill her destiny all may recognize and know her. " Tiana?s ears burned when the first guardian snorted. "More likely she?s the offspring of a mating between a rock goat and a gibber monkey. She?s as feisty as the first, as agile as the second and as untamable as both. She indulges in her fantasies to the point of manifestation, and practices the art of mesmer on her fellow novices." "Perhaps that difference is why Sybilla has come for her." Tiana smiled with delight when her sire came into the temple hall to take his seat at the table, hugging to herself the knowledge that she might just be the daughter of a goddess. She tried to imagine her sire as a young man but could not. His face was too lined, his stoop too great, as if all of his energy had been sucked from his body ... which if the guardian?s words were true, could well be the case. She colored again, because novices were not supposed to let their thoughts dwell on worldly matters. There was a disturbance in the corner of her eye. Her glance wandered towards it, but she saw nothing except a swirl of black dust in a corner, caused no doubt by the draught whistling through the cracks of the gigantic and solid wooden doors. Figures were carved upon the surface of the doors, of Cabrilan warriors on horseback and of Truarc scribes and story-tellers in the days before the split. It was said the doors were carved from a single tree trunk, but no trees of such size existed on Truarc now, and each season the wilderness claimed more and more of the arable land, so the scientists had to find ways to supplement the available food. Her glance went back to the revelry and she laid her cheek against the cool, smooth surface of the warrior?s shoulder. When she looked down again the guardians had gone, but an old woman was standing below and staring up at her. She knew without asking who she was and whispered. "Sybilla, I was expecting you." "And here I am." They exchanged a smile and a silent bond formed between them. As agile as a gibber monkey, Sybilla began to climb the statue to join her.

She took her place on the other arm. "I used to perch here when I was a novice, too. Behind this ear I have carved my name." "And I behind this ear." The laughter they shared was a comfortable thing. A swishing sound caught Tiana?s attention, and it seemed to be coming from the inside of the warrior. At the same time she noticed it was trembling. One of the underground tremors, no doubt. They were nothing to be frightened of. They didn?t come to anything. Her head turned automatically towards the disturbance in her vision, which had grown larger. The black swirl had become a column, the edge of which buffeted the statue she stood on. Her eyes widened, and she clung on for dear life as a streak of lightning licked from the disturbance to glance off a jewel in the sword hilt. The stone exploded into a thousand fragments that flew across the hall to rain upon the revelers like purple hailstones. Someone screamed. The High Mother rose to her feet, her hands raised as if to ward off a blow. "Let us remain calm." Sybilla?s hand closed around Tiana?s, strangely comforting. "Whatever happens, try to show no fear," she whispered. Novices and guardians alike were looking towards the wall, where a black hole had opened. Inside, a turbulence of darkness heaved and hissed amongst darting tongues of lightning. A warm sensation rippled over her skin, then it was gone, leaving her with a dry throat. She swallowed, and tried not to gasp when two figures stepped out of the darkness and stood either side of it. "Cabrilan warriors," she whispered when their swords were unsheathed. The High Mother stepped forward, hands still outstretched as more warriors poured through. They formed a guard of honor, swords touching above in an archway. Through it strode a Cabrilan lord, so magnificent that this time she did gasp. Purple eyes flicked her way, touched on hers, then without acknowledgment moved on. She felt as if she?d been stung, and her eyes sought out her sire. He was standing at the back of the crowd making no move to intervene. The High One lost stature when measured against the Cabrilan warriors. The Cabrilan lord advanced through the warriors and stood in front of the High Mother, his muscular, black-clad legs slightly apart. "I am Lord Kavan," he said, his purple cloak swirling about him. A beard of tangled curls fell upon his chest, above which his purple eyes were all seeing. "My troopers will chose the maids they want. Resistance will bring punishment." The novices huddled together and cried out with fright when the troopers advanced and began to seize them. The High Mother stepped forward. "You cannot have the temple novices unless you kill me first." Her outstretched hands were sliced from her body by one of the troopers. It was done with such unbelievable speed that the deed didn?t register on anyone?s brain for a few seconds, then a pandemonium of squeals broke out. The High Mother sank to the floor, blood pumping from her arms. Gathering her wits, Tiana placed a whistle to her lips and blew a long, silent note. Seconds later her Pitilan was amongst the warriors, its slavering jaws tearing and ripping at the intruders.

"Withdraw," Lord Kavan shouted to his troops. His eyes swiveled towards her hiding place. "Call off the Truarc abomination, girl." Atarta tore the throat from one of his troopers before she could comply. It was the first time she?d been forced to put the animal to the test, and she shuddered at the carnage. "Only if you call off the savages you command." "They are already called off," he said, his voice tight with anger. She clicked her fingers, placing the Pitilan on guard. It fixed its unblinking eyes on the Cabrilan Lord. Suddenly, its tongue curled from its mouth to delicately lick the jelling blood from its snout. She had forgotten its appetite for blood, something it had been deprived of lately, as its pale color demonstrated. Lord Kavan looked amused when she shuddered. She slid from her perch on the statue to land lightly on her feet. She experienced no fear. Sybilla had mind-joined with her to guide her though the situation. She glanced at the High Mother and bit her lip. "That was an act of unwarranted barbarism." "It was necessary to maintain order." His breath hissed in his throat when their eyes met. "By my beard, you are fair. Such eyes are not mortal, though the bonnet you wear is unflattering." With that she agreed. It was worn as a punishment for her misdeeds and seemed to be a permanent fixture. "It is written that one such as you is to be taken as my mate." "I would die rather than become the mate of a Cabrilan savage." His cloak flared around him when he turned slightly from the hip. "Do not anger me further, child. I am a lord, born of the gods." "My Pitilan has the advantage," she warned. "Tell your troopers to unhand the temple maidens, or Lord Kavan ... whether born of Gods or mortal, will be minus the appendage required to mate with anyone." Her ears burned crimson. Had she uttered such a crudity? No, it was Sybilla who had put the words in her mouth. Silently, she begged her to stop. Lord Kavan?s eyes filled with amusement when his troopers began to laugh. They were not averse to the humor of the situation. "And if I don?t?" "The Pitilan?s saliva is venomous. Those of you who have been bitten will die in agony if the wounds are not dressed and the antidote not administered. That includes you." He gazed down at the mark on his hand and shrugged. "I have received worse ... " His troopers had cupped their hands over their crotches in a crude, defensive gesture, and he grinned at them. "... but I have never been threatened with such dire punishment." The troopers laughed again, a mocking sound that angered her. Atarta threatened him with a savage snarl when she gave the signal. "On your own head be it. My Pitilan will make short work of you and your troopers." She detected a spark of admiration in his eyes. "You are brave for one so young. Any of my troopers

would sacrifice himself to save his lord. The beast is pale. He?s been deprived, and could not withstand a massed assault whilst he concentrated on the sacrifice. Javros step forward." A youth came from out of the ranks and knelt at Kavan?s feet. Golden-haired and green-eyed, he was fair of face and body, and about her own age. "Would you lay down your life for me?" Kavan asked him. "Aye Lord." The youth kissed the hem of Kavan?s cloak and there was no fear in his face. "Then so be it. Take on the Pitilan." Atarta growled softly in warning when Javros unsheathed his dagger. She rushed between them. "Stop! He is too young to perish." She prostrated herself in front of him. "I beg you Lord. Do not harm him. Kill me instead." One of the more badly wounded troopers groaned, and fell forward to his knees. He staggered upright again, retching. His face was waxen. Lord Kavan?s laughter faded as he stared at her. He was a big man, his appearance agreeable to gaze upon, his features as strong and as hawk-like as the bird he carried on his wrist. Pain was evident in his eyes, and she knew the Pitilan?s venom had begun to work. "Your death would be as much a waste as that of Javros," she murmured, "and his family would grieve his loss." "True, and you would never hear the last of it from my mother, however large the posthumous medal you awarded her on my behalf," Javros said agreeably. The troopers began to laugh again. Kavan held up his hand and the laughter stopped. "Forget your pride lord, and accept the antidote," she urged. "There is no honor in this type of death." "It?s true that I haven?t fulfilled the task the gods require of me. But why should you care if I live or die? You are my enemy." The words were spoken roughly, but his voice was pleasing in its refinement. The turbulent blood running through the Cabrilan lord?s veins needed calming for him to accept her reasoning. Her eyes engaged his and she drew on Sybilla?s power. Lowering her voice to a whisper she applied the art of mesmer. "The Truarc are not your enemies, Lord Kavan. Were we not one race before your ancestor invented the device that split the world asunder? With that act, the Cabrilan eradicated nearly all life. That some Truarc survived was a matter of good fortune. We prospered as well as we could." "Well spoken, child," one of the guardians said. "Your stolen hours in the library were put to good use." A weary disbelief came into Kavan?s eyes. "My rogue ancestor is long gone, his infamous deed acknowledged by the Cabrilan. Why squabble about something that happened in the past, when with your help it could be undone? Neither you nor I had any hand in it. Should not each generation gather wisdom as we progress from our past, and should we not contemplate the future with a sense of urgency?" "You speak the truth, Lord," she conceded a little grudgingly. "But in deed you do not act upon it."

"If the Truarc elders constantly ignore the petitions for unity I send, what can you expect? My mission is to save the world from destruction and my people from extinction." She frowned. "Our people know of no petition. Indeed, we understood that the Cabrilan were extinct and your lands dead from lack of sunlight. Is not the atmosphere poisoned with noxious gas?" "The gas you refer to is water vapor drawn from the land by the sun." He gave a faint smile. "Your ignorance is hardly surprising when Truarc men pay little heed to the counsel of anyone but themselves. Their prevarication places you in the greatest danger." She gazed to where her sire stood, surprising an expression of shame on his face. She turned again to Kavan, and knowing she must keep him under control sought to calm the fire in his eyes. Pain winced across his face and his breathing quickened. One of his troopers doubled up in pain on the floor, and this time he did not rise. Kavan ignored him. "As for your statement that the Cabrilan have eradicated life?." Glancing around at his audience, he gave them a pitying smile. "A falsehood. I seek to save both tribes from destruction. The Truarc mismanage the environment. They have turned the land they inhabit into dust." "The land has been dust since I remember," she said, which when all was said and done was not that long a span, and a foolish statement to make. His knowing grin was unsettling, yet she returned it, because somehow she couldn?t help herself. "Visit Cabrilan with me," he murmured, "I will show you how beautiful life is there." A warning from Sybilla lodged in her mind. It is not the time. He has much to learn, and so do you. "I?ll not be tricked into leaving the temple." She gazed at the other young novices, who like herself were dedicated to the temple of the chaste. Some were held tightly in the arms of their captors and were sobbing quietly in fright. "If you speak the truth, the time has come to put an end to the violence, Lord Kavan. If you are serious in your quest for unity call your troopers off and let us tend to the wounds of the injured." He nodded, and both she and Sybilla stepped towards the High Mother. Without thinking, Tiana took up one of her bloodied, twitching hands, and held it against the raw stump. Sybilla did the same with the other. Quickly, they recited a mantra. Power engulfed Tiana, and she fell into a dream state. The High Mother knelt by the side of a bloodied pool, her arms dangling into the water. The mantra was a swell of sound inside her head. The water began to swirl, slowly at first, then faster and faster. It turned from red to pink, then began to clear, the swirling liquid becoming a crystal clear pool. The High Mother lifted her arms above her head. Water cascaded from her arms, washing away the blood. There was an uproar of voices behind her, and Tiana realized her head was aching. She opened her eyes to discover the High Mother gazing unbelievingly down at her restored hands. "Come," Sybilla said. "It is done." Kavan grasped her by the shoulders and hauled her to her feet. His eyes bore into hers. "How did you

do that?" "I cannot, say ... I do not know." He stared at her. Some expression on her face must have satisfied him, for his suspicion gradually cleared. "If you value your life, do the same for my troopers." "You understand. I cannot restore the dead one to life." He nodded. "You first then," she said. "Someone, fetch the green bottle from my herbal chest. The rest of you can bathe and bandage the wounds of the injured." His troopers formed a protective, outward facing circle around him when she anointed his arm with a healing salve. He swallowed the foul tasting antidote without grimace or question. "I?m honored you place your trust in me," she said, bestowing on his troopers an ironic glance. "It?s not a matter of trust. I see no difference between dying from Pitilan venom or the venom you ask me to swallow. If I perish you won?t enjoy your fate," he said, and indicated the bird on his wrist. "She will seek you out. First, she will pluck your eyes from your head, then she will tear strips from your skin until there is nothing left to contain your insides. You will remain alive until the flesh rots from your bones." The bird made a soft trilling sound. Gently he ran a finger over her head. "Hush, little hawk. We will hunt together soon." "You will not perish, I promise." The same finger tipped her face up, his dark eyes searched over it. "You have the courage of a Cabrilan. What are you named?" "Tiana, lord." "Ah .?" He smiled to himself. "The legend is making sense." He tugged the bonnet from her head and sucked in a breath when a torrent of fine silver fell to her waist. "By my beard! Your hair is spun from the breath of the star goddess herself." "You attribute too many goddesses to my creation, lord," she said dryly. "Why do you cover it?" "By order of the High Mother. She said it encourages my vanity." She gazed up at him, an entreaty in her eyes. "I beg you, do not allow your troopers to molest any more of my people. There are so few of us now." "And even less Cabrilan." He brushed the hair away from her face, smiling as he scrutinized her. "You are indeed an unexpected prize." Fear prickled through her. "But you are still a child. I shall wait until you?re grown before I claim you." She blushed under his regard. "I?m not for the world, lord. The augur has prophesied I shall spend my

life secluded in the temple." "That?s not your destiny." "Because the great Lord Kavan decrees it?" she scathed. "You can take another for yourself." "I have claimed you, Tiana." "I urge you to seek counsel with my sire, The High One. He will consult the great augur on your behalf, but only if you agree to abide by the augur?s decision." Kavan?s smile was ironic as he curved a silvery lock of her hair around his fingers. "I?m of a mind to indulge you. What price do you place on peace, daughter of light?" "Whatever the augur demands of me, savage." She lowered her eyes, pleased her small skill with mesmer had calmed his tempestuous nature. "Then so be it. Summon your sire from where he skulks, and we shall see what the augur advises." Laughing now, he threw his arms wide. "Let all bear witness. I, Lord Kavan of Cabrilan, swear to abide by the augur?s wisdom. Swear you also, Tiana?" "I so swear." His eyes fixed on The High One. "Your daughter?s courage does her credit. Come, time is short, let?s get this over with. Consult the augur to determine her fate." Her sire was trembling from head to foot, yet he had a strange dignity about him as he shuffled forward. She wanted to scream with frustration when he slowly went through the rituals of opening the fountain of knowledge. For a few seconds nothing happened, then there was a disturbance in the middle of the water and a crystal ball emerged. It began to pulsate with sound, slowly at first, then faster and faster. The High One lifted his arms and a beam of light came down from the roof to hit the crystal. Prisms of light shimmered. Beside her, Lord Kavan drew in a deep breath. A quick glance showed his eyes were fixed on the crystal. A smile played around his mouth. Consulted, the augur advised that on the next seven orbit convergence, Tiana would become the mate of Kavan. She was horrified, warning Kavan the event would never come about. "You called me a savage, yet you seek to dishonor your promise," he said, turning brooding eyes on her. "If your people want proof of my good intent you must act on the augur?s advice. If you do not, you will discover exactly how savage I can be." He stooped to gather up the body of his trooper. His warriors parted as he turned. He swept away, his cloak swirling about him, his unkempt hair and beard flying into the cosmic turbulence that swirled at the entrance to the portal. There was silence after the portal abruptly collapsed into a swirl of dust. Exhaustion flooded through her when the guardians and novices crept towards the High Mother.

"What magic was that?" one of them said in an awed voice. "A novice may not indulge in magic rites as an aid to healing," one of the guardians said prissily. "It must have been Sybilla?s doing." Air rattled impatiently through Sybilla?s teeth. Muttering broke out. "The pair of them are traitors in league with Cabrilan. Did the warrior lord not claim Tiana as a mate?" "She indulges her fantasies and makes them reality. The Cabrilan was a figment of her imagination." The High One made his presence felt. "See the blood which was spilled? The Cabrilan were no figment. My daughter, Tiana, is the daughter of a Goddess and part of the destiny of our world. It is written in the water crystal ... and what the augur has written shall come to pass." "Tiana is special," the High Mother cried out, and held up her arms for all to see. "A follower of the Grand Alchemist has come to claim her, which is a great honor for the temple. Now, let?s get on with the choosing, and let there be feasting and dancing." Tiana scowled at Sybilla. "I will not become a mate to the barbarian. I will kill him first." Sybilla smiled, and took her hand when the other novices crowded around the augur. "Come child," she said gently, "You need rest, for tomorrow we journey far." *** They started early, before the sun had climbed over the horizon. There was no one to see them off, no one to say goodbye ... not even her sire. She was different from the other temple maids, had always been so. How different had become apparent yesterday. She placed her hand on the leathery ridge at Atarta?s neck and gazed up at Cabrilan. The planet had turned, and was heading on its outwards orbit. It looked dark and mysterious, like the lord who had laid claim to her. She wondered then, was Kavan still thinking of her?

CHAPTER TWO

The wilderness was not without stress for Tiana, but the stress was balanced by happiness. Lying awake and gazing up at the stars was a pleasure in itself. She had learned to name them all. The furthest, which revealed itself as a mere dot on the outer edge of the sight-scan was called Assinti. The image disappeared when gazed at directly. "It appears inside the sub-state to remind us that higher attainment is possible," Sybilla had told her. Assinti was a haven for spirits, a place in which to rest when the body was too worn or damaged to contain the joyful essence. Tiana traced an arc across the night sky with her finger and stopped on a sullen, red star. Bane, the planet of dark thoughts. It was said that the God Beltane had been banished there, and he?d fallen into a deep and long-lasting sleep. When he woke, his mind was so heavy with depression he could no longer move, so he laid on his back, belching flame and black smoke from his mouth in a quest to relieve his suffering. Tiana knew the tales of all the stars, for Sybilla was a story-teller of some stature. Over the past few seasons she?d learned a lot from her - how to harness her healing powers, to control her thoughts, and most of all, how to apply the gifts she?d been born with wisely and discreetly. "There are those who would use you for their own ends if they knew," Sybilla had told her when she?d finally handed Tiana the prize she?d worked for - a plain, brown robe with the coveted Grand Alchemist badge attached. Her smile had been mischievous. "You must trust your own intuition in the future, Tiana ... and try to curb your temper and your stubbornness." She?d felt a quiver of alarm. "You?re not leaving me, mother mentor?" "Not now, but eventually my spirit will seek rest, for others will have need of my guidance in the future." Cabrilan swung into her view. Dark and mysterious, the planet grew steadily closer each sunset, reminding her of the warrior lord who would claim her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, banishing him from her thoughts. The desert flowers drugged the air with their perfume. They would die as soon as the sun touched their petals. At night they provided sustenance for the gibber monkeys and rock goats, which in turn became food for her Pitilan. He was out hunting now, his skin lustrous with the increased blood in his diet. At first, Atarta?s blood lust had made her feel sick, but now she was used to it. She?d learned that everything preyed on everything else in the wilderness. If they didn?t they perished from hunger, for there was no scientifically produced food outside the city. She and Sybilla existed on dried fish, grain, nuts and fruit, which they exchanged for stories and healing. They ate frugally, mindful of the hardships of the wilderness. Yet Tiana thrived on the sparse fare. Sometimes, she supplemented their diet with a rich delicacy, read about and remembered from her forays into the temple library. As long as they stayed within the image they could taste the treat, and their hunger was satisfied. When they came back to reality so did their stomachs, the treats as much an illusion as the feelings of fullness they evoked. Tiana drew a scarf across her face, for the perfume of the flowers drugged the senses of the unwary with a delightful euphoria, making what was wrong seem right, and what was right seem foolish.

Sybilla was asleep, her head cushioned in her hands. She?d rise at dawn and meditate. Then they?d eat breakfast, usually a meal made with grain and mixed with the milk of a rock goat, if they?d managed to catch one and tether it. There were cactus apples too. They were small, hard and prickly, but nutritious. The breeze became a wind. She made a small sound of annoyance and sat up as her scarf was plucked from her face and borne away. The wind dropped to a sigh of luminosity that drifted just above the surface of the ground. Heart pounding, she rose to her feet when the light began to take on a form. "Sybilla," she said softly. Then, when the woman didn?t stir, she stooped to grip her shoulder. "Sybilla. Wake up." "Sybilla will not wake, Tiana." The voice was that of a woman, lilting and melodious. She darted a glance at the luminous figure and sucked in a deep breath. She was exquisite in her perfection. "You have placed a spell on her?" "She will not wake because she does not wish to look upon my face. To do so would mean death for her." "Your face does not appear so terrible." "Indeed, it is not. Men are entrapped by its beauty, so they can never gaze upon another with favor. Women envy it, and die from longing for it." Tiana placed her hands over her eyes. "Then I do not wish to look upon it either, but if you seek refreshment to help you on your journey, I can supply you with a little bread and fruit and some wine." The woman laughed. "You can look upon me without fear, Tiana. And it is I who will furnish the refreshment - fruit such as you?ve never tasted." "Who are you?" she said, a sense of oneness growing in her. "Look upon me and you will know me." Tiana knew no fear, and dropped her hands to gaze at the woman, who sat by a pool under a tree. Tasting the fragrance of the flowers in her mouth, Tiana smiled. She could be hallucinating from the smell of the desert flowers. Wonderingly, she touched her fingers against her cheek. Sometimes she saw that same face reflected in a still pool - though one not quite so exquisite or so luminous. "You are the goddess, Lynx, and you gave me life." "Your sire gave you life. I was the vessel in which you grew." Lynx smiled at her. "You grew in my image, as I knew you would. Come, sit beside me, Tiana. I will tell you of your birth, so when they whisper it in the market place you will realize all know and speak of you." "I have no wish for all to know me. I am happy with Sybilla." "Sybilla is not your destiny, and she?s served her purpose." Lynx plucked a small, red fruit from a basket and held it out to her. "Come, child, eat. Do not be afraid."

The fruit filled Tiana?s mouth with sweet juices, and before she knew it she was sitting on the bank of the stream with her mother. The water sounded like music. When they embraced, a feeling of completeness filled her heart. "When I was on the journey of knowledge I came across your sire in the wilderness. He was a young man seeking wisdom. His body was full of the vigor of his manhood and I needed a mate. He was affected by the scent of the desert flowers and so was I." "The effect is potent," Tiana murmured. "Indeed, I know not whether this be dream or truth." Lynx gave a gurgle of laughter. "I?d heard that gods sometimes mated with mortals. As your sire coveted wisdom, I craved a child. So I revealed my face to him, and when he was fevered with lust I offered him wisdom in return for his seed. He could not resist the temptation. Thus, I stole his youth and his manhood from him, for only then could he have true wisdom. My punishment was to bear you in my body then to lose you, for I discovered that the child of a mortal cannot journey with the gods, and a god cannot live the life of a mortal for more than a short time, unless he is cursed." A great melancholy filled Tiana?s heart. "That must have been a hard lesson to learn. Why are you here?" "I needed to see you again, to tell you of the great love I feel for you." From around her neck she took a silver cord. A stone as green and as glowing as her eyes hung from it. "This is my gift of love," she said, fastening it around Tiana?s neck. "Guard it well, since it?s the key to your future. Now I must go, for I am forbidden the company of night." "Will we meet again?" "Perhaps." A kiss brushed against her cheek, as light as the air but twice as sweet. "Your spirit will never quite be earth-bound, Tiana. Sleep now, daughter of my heart, for the time of change is nearly come." Tiana?s mind filled with the overpowering scent of the flowers and she was pulled down into the velvety darkness of petals. She woke to the sound of a howling wind and semi-darkness. The Cabrilan world was swinging low in the sky, so it blotted out the sun. She?d never seen it so close. Alarmed and disorientated, she sat up, and rubbing grit from her eyes, gazed around her. The horizon was a haze of pulsing darkness. Her heart began to pound and she looked around for her Pitilan. The beast was stretched out on his side, a satisfied look on his face. "Sybilla?" she said quietly, her sense of unease almost overwhelming. Her mentor opened one eye, then hastily shut it against the flying dust. "What troubles you, child?" "I?ve never seen Cabrilan?s orbit this low, and there?s a storm on the horizon." Even as she spoke, sand stung her face. Dry storms were common when Cabrilan was low, but this one promised to be savage. "There is lightning." Sybilla was on her feet in an instant and rolling up her blanket. Her voice was calm. "We will find shelter at the cave if we hurry. The last time this happened was when the God Beltane was angered. He roared so loudly that Cabrilan was blown off course."

Her glance fell on the fruit basket and her eyes began to shine. "Ah ... I have not seen cherries since I was a girl ... and what are those? Grapes, I think." She popped one in her mouth, bit down on it and gave a blissful smile. I?ve only seen pictures of them before. The seeds were brought from Earth by our ancestors, and flourished until the split occurred. They used to make sweet, white wine with the grapes." Juice ran from the corner of her mouth and she gave a blissful sigh. "Ah ... delicious." "But the split was thousands of generations ago. How -" "You think you?re the only one who can conjure up images? I must have dreamed of them. Quickly girl, put them in your sack before the wind dries the juices from them," she said with a show of unusual brusqueness. "We shall feast well this day, even if it is an illusion." "But it?s not an illusion. Last night -" But Sybilla was shoving her blanket into her sack. "Stop your babbling and grab your blanket before the wind takes off with it." The shadow of Cabrilan had turned dawn into dusk. The storm howled around them as they readied themselves for flight, and before too long their heads were bowed before the fury of it. Bent almost double, they shuffled forward. Lightning crashed to the ground, setting fire to dry vegetation and rotting flowers. The desert bloomed with fire and roared with the sound of fury. The cave they'd headed for was set high in an overhang of porous rock, its surface pitted and scored from countless such storms. They didn?t see the rock goat until it charged from the entrance, its curved, sharp-pointed horns lowered. Tiana shouted an order, and the Pitilan launched itself at the goat?s throat. Gibber monkeys screamed a warning. It was over in an instant for the goat, its neck broken in one snap. The kid it had been defending bleated with fear. One flick of the Pitilan?s head tossed the goat?s carcass down the slope. Tiana paled when she saw Sybilla. Split open from chin to chest, her mentor was soaked in glistening blood, blood the grit-dusted surface absorbed the instant it touched. Her fingers pressed against Sybilla?s pulse, seeking signs of life. But her mentor?s heart had been sliced in two. "Sybilla!" Her anguished shriek was lost in the maelstrom of wind as she plunged her hands into Sybilla?s chest and frantically held the shattered heart together. She bowed her head and concentrated on the healing, intoning a mantra over and over. Sybilla, mother mentor, take my strength for your own, let me feel your heart pulse. Don?t leave me, little mother. Take my life and use it, it?s useless. I?m useless, not worthy of the honor of your choosing. Let me die in your place. Tiana didn?t know how long she knelt there. Black clouds descended around them, blotting out the light. She heard Sybilla?s voice. My spirit will seek rest. She ignored it. Grit swirled to sting her eyes and flay her skin. Her back began to ache. Others will need my guidance. Gradually the storm intruded on her meditation. Let me go Tiana. You tire, and my body is too damaged to heal. Sybilla was growing cold. Her blood had been soaked up by the earth. She?d failed. She?d known right from the start that she?d fail. Tiana cover her face, wrapped her arms around her body and rocked backward and forward, moaning in her grief.

Sybilla had known. She?d tried to warn her they would part - but hadn?t she said others would need her in the future? Calm stole through her, filling her heart with peace. She must not mourn, Sybilla had left her this last wisdom, and she must prepare her for the journey. The monkeys had gradually fallen quiet. Only the baby goat kept bleating. She understood its distress and drew its trembling body gently into her arms. "I?m sorry, little goat," she whispered. "You will not survive without a mother to defend you. The desert hawks will eat you alive." After a while it stopped bleating and nuzzled contentedly against her. The monkeys must have picked up the aroma of fruit for they darted forward, snatching at the contents of the basket. She slipped some fruit into her sack and let them squabble over the rest. Tiana comforted the kid until the storm abated, then took it to its mother?s body. Coating the bloated, leaking udders of the carcass with a potion from her sack, she put the kid to the teat. After a while the kid stopped sucking and fell asleep against its mother?s stomach. It was a sleep it would never awake from, but at least it would die without pain or fear. The monkeys made their escape. As they loped past her the more courageous amongst them pinched her or stuck out their tongues. Some jumped up and down, throwing rocks and jabbering insults back at her from the bottom of the slope. "Eeeyaaaah!" she yelled, and they took fright, falling over each other to escape. She smiled without mirth, then explored the cave for a suitable burial place for Sybilla. There was a hole in the cave wall near the back. She laid Sybilla on her blanket and strew sweet smelling herbs on her body. Then she plugged the entrance with the rocks littering the cave floor. It took all day to make the tomb airtight, except for one tiny hole through which Sybilla?s spirit would emerge. That she would plug later. She was exhausted when she started the sequence of prayers that would assist the spirit to vacate the body and journey to Assinti. It was nearly dawn before she was rewarded by a shaft of white light, which touched in a cool kiss against her cheek before gathering speed and streaking joyously into the sky like a shooting star. "I?ll miss you, little mother," she whispered. "Your spirit will guide me always." Curled in her shabby brown robe and blanket, she fell into a deep sleep which lasted nearly all day. The sun was just sinking over the horizon when she woke. There was a stale taste in her mouth. She ate a little bread and the fruit she?d saved, and drank some water. It was time for her to leave, there was nothing left for her to do here now. The world outside the cave was bewildering without Sybilla and Tiana wondered in which direction to go. Followers of the Grand Alchemist had no temple, though all were open to them. They also had no set profession, for they were multi-talented. Mystics and healers, they spread the fable of the stars far and wide. Mostly, they wandered where the road took them. Now Sybilla?s spirit was journeying to Assinti and Tiana couldn?t decide where her own path lay. She gazed above her, where Cabrilan hung oppressively. It was slow in starting its return orbit. She shivered, wondering if Lord Kavan had been back to the temple. If there had been raids she had not heard of them. She started down the slope, passing the little goat lying next to its mother. They were one in spirit now.

There was a little daylight left, and it was time to leave this place of sorrow behind. Desert lilies were thrusting up through the sand, turning the wilderness into a place of beauty. Around the sticky flower buds flying insects began to cluster, waiting to sip of the life-giving nectar. She shuddered. Many of them were destined to become food for the lily. A bird hovered above her. It looked like a desert hawk, but was silver-gray in color. It flew in the direction of Truarc City, then fluttered back to her and hovered again. She had no intention of going back to Truarc, not yet, not until the danger of Kavan had passed and Cabrilan had begun its outward orbit. Her fingers touched Atarta?s collar. "We shall head south, out of the wilderness and towards the edge towns. Perhaps we?ll find someone to travel with, and I shall learn to practice my skills without Sybilla?s guidance." Decision made, she set off, her sack and blanket thrown over one shoulder. The bird swooped down on silent wings and landed on her other shoulder. Its cry was harsh against her ear. When she caressed its soft head, it dug its curved beak into her palm. She jerked her hand away and sucked the blood from the wound. "Don?t be so bad-tempered, little bird. I don?t mind giving you a ride, but I?ll expect good manners in return." The bird hopped on to the hand she extended and gazed through predatory eyes at her. It was well fed for a desert hawk, and there was a glimpse of a collar under its neck feathers. Obviously used to being handled, it cocked its head to one side and trilled when she said. "I see you are someone?s hunting bird. You must have lost your bearings in the storm. We are going to the edge towns, you may come or not as you please." She set the bird once more on her shoulder and turned towards the south edge. The hawk?s talons gripped tightly at her shoulder as if it would fly off with her, its eyes hooded over and its body settled into a ball of ruffled feathers. *** "She?s come amongst us, Tiana, the daughter of light." It was a whisper in the market place, as there had been in all the edge towns she?d passed through. Tiana set herself up in her usual spot and tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible by keeping the cowl hood of her robe over her hair. Her badge of office soon attracted a crowd, and she was kept busy curing infections and setting broken limbs. "It be said that Tiana, daughter of light, is amongst us," the last woman in the queue whispered to her. She grimaced with pain when Tiana placed the neck of a heated bottle over a boil on her thigh to draw out the poison. "She travels with a hunting hawk and a strange animal. They say her hair is like a river of moonlight and her eyes so green they resemble the precious crystal called emerald. " Both animals were safely concealed at her campsite, thank goodness. The boil swelled and began to weep and she grunted with satisfaction. "From where did this rumor come?" "From the story teller. It is said the Cabrilan Lord, Kavan, has claim over her, but she tries to evade him by hiding amongst us. The High One has posted a reward for her capture and return." Her heart leapt crazily against her chest. "By what right does the Cabrilan lord have claim over her?" "By right of decree and of birth. Their union was predestined by the gods."

"The gods?" She hoped she didn?t sound as startled as she felt. "Why have the gods predestined them?" "That, I cannot say." The woman winced as Tiana cleaned up the boil site and placed healing salve over it. Relieved of most of her pain, and faced with payment, she became slightly scornful. "It be said that Tiana once restored a severed hand to an arm. She would have healed me by the placing of hands. What do I owe you for my pain?" I would not have wasted my inner energy on healing a trivial complaint in such a manner, Tiana thought without looking up. "A little fruit or grain will be sufficient reward." The woman dropped a withered cactus apple into her lap with the air of one bestowing a favor. "There, that should do. No doubt the boil would have healed itself in time." The hawk chose that moment to glide silently from the sky and land on her shoulder. Its harsh cry made the woman?s head jerk up. Her eyes widened when Tiana?s eyes met hers. Before she could open her mouth Tiana had gained access to her sub-state. "You will sleep for a few moments. When you wake you will forget you ever saw me." Five tix later she was on her way back to her camp site. She?d chosen a small cave on a rocky outcrop right on the edge, a dangerous place but wonderful for renewing the spirit through meditation. The local inhabitants avoided it, believing it a place of evil spirits. Below her, the rock dropped away into a void of stars that made up the universe. Truarc curved inwards in a rough crescent from the edge towns. When the two planets had been one, Cabrilan had fit inside the crescent. The edge induced euphoria, and there was a feeling that if you stepped off you would float. It was not possible, of course. If she took a step forward she?d be swiftly drawn away from Truarc by the greater gravity of Cabrilan and perish through lack of air. The noises were strange here at the edge, the air currents sounding sometimes like a sigh or a moan, and sometimes like laughter. There was no daylight, just a constant and deep velvety, blueness, eerily lit by bright stars that seemed to go on forever. No wonder the people of the edge towns stayed away. Assinti was shining brightly in the corner of her eye, as if gaining Sybilla?s spirit had added a new sparkle to it. Beltane was red and sullen. She yawned and put Atarta on alert. This was a fine place from which to hide from Kavan, but she must be on her guard if her sire had posted a reward. She lay down on her blanket. The hawk perched on a nearby rock. In the starlight its eyes were liquid mercury. It gazed at her in a speculative manner, the expression disconcerting, as if the hawk regarded her as prey. She hadn?t been able to befriend the bird, and she had the feeling it put up with her company. "You need not stay with me," she said, and it hunched into its feathers and hooded its eyes. The studs on the hawk?s collar winked in the light. She focused on them. Gradually, her limbs filled with lassitude, and even though night was a long way off, soon, her eyelids began to droop. Her body wouldn?t obey the command to move. It was heavy, keeping her pinned to the ground. The hawk fluttered from the rock and came to sit on her chest. It stared at her, its molten eyes unblinking and

predatory. Dust swirled around them, and laughter, a low chuckling sound that made her hair stand on end. She saw the razor sharp beak and remembered Kavan?s threat. "No," she cried out, and although she tried to close her eyes the lids wouldn?t move. The hawk?s head moved back, then the sharp beak struck downwards towards her eye. Her silent scream released her paralysis. She scrambled upright and gazed wildly about her for the hawk. It was still on the rock, its head sunk into its body but its mercurial eyes open. Atarta was still on alert, between her and the cave entrance. All seemed as normal, but she sensed something had changed. Did the sky seem denser? She rose, and taking a firm grip of Atarta moved to the cave entrance. A whole line of the stars seem to have disappeared from view. Dust was being whipped up by a wind that sent plumes skywards. To the left, Cabrilan hung motionless. She?d never seen it from this angle before. It looked as though someone had taken a jagged bite from its side, and that jagged bite was Truarc. She shivered. The very rock she stood on fitted into that bite. For the first time she realized how very small Truarc was when compared to Cabrilan. Below her, the void was full of sound and small, loose rocks were being pulled from the surface to spin out into space. The ground beneath her trembled and she realized she was in danger. The hawk flew from the cave and landed on her head. Giving harsh cries, its feet tangled in her hair. "Release me, savage one," she cried out, "I?m too big to fit in your stomach." The hawk?s grip tightened and her scalp nearly parted company with her skull. The pain was intense. She staggered forward, and still holding on to Atarta, tumbled over the edge and into the void. Over and over she fell, being pulled in all directions. Legs and arms spread-eagled, her robe flattened to her body and her breath rattled from her lungs. Her eyes bulged as her heartbeat slowed. She couldn?t breath. She experienced a moment of panic until she thought of her spirit being united with Sybilla again. Immense calm filled her. She was smiling when she lost consciousness. *** The hawk?s harsh cry woke her. Scrambling to her feet she snapped her fingers. It fell from Atarta?s mouth. Eyes reproachful, they were already losing their luster as if death approached. She picked the bird up, its body was warm and heavy in her hands. Its collar was purple with little silver studs. Dismayed, she remembered where she had seen it before. "You are Lord Kavan?s lady hawk." The bird gave a melancholy trill and made a feeble attempt to fly away. Her heart was beating so frantically against Tiana?s fingers, she thought it was set to burst. Tears came to her eyes. "I will not hurt you, little bird. You were following your master?s orders and I cannot blame you for that. Come, you are not injured, only frightened. I will calm you and you will fly free, as is your right." Aware that the device which opened up the portal was humming from the depths of a cave just a little way off, she plucked out the small knife she always carried in a concealed pocket, and cut the collar from the hawk?s neck. It was vibrating. She realized Kavan controlled the bird, and had known her every

movement from the time it had joined her. Dropping the collar on to a rock she ground it under her heel, then laid the hawk on its back and stroked its downy chest. Its heart beat slowed and it relaxed. It rested a while, then its eyes opened and it flew to the nearest rock. A note so lovely poured from her throat that Tiana ached at the sound. "Go now," she said, because she knew she was on Cabrilan, and she?d heard voices. She didn?t want to be found in the vicinity of the portal. A whistle pierced the air. The hawk?s eyes gleamed and it cocked its head to one side. "Take wing," she urged. The hawk looked at her, gave a soft trill and soared into the air, where she floated over a high hill on the currents of air. The whistle came again, but the bird continued flying high. With Atarta by her side, Tiana scrambled into the shadowy base of a broad-leaved shrub and buried her face in the dirt. "Her collar must have broken." "See, Javros, the collar is here, and it was no accidental break." Kavan - she?d recognize his voice anywhere! Tiana carefully lifted her head to peer at him through the undergrowth. From her low vantage point he seemed larger than she remembered, and twice as threatening. As his glance raked the terrain his sword slashed idly at the undergrowth, missing her nose by a fraction. For a moment his eyes seemed to pierce hers, then they moved on. Keeping a warning hand on Atarta?s neck she shrank back. "That lady hawk was the best hunter I?ve ever known," he said softly. "It took me many hours to train her and Tiana will be punished for setting her free. Tell the troopers to find Tiana, then bring her before me." "What if she?s fled to the High Place?" "The climb?s too steep for a girl, but if by chance she has .?" The deep chuckle he gave sent shivers racing up her spine. "By my beard! I should like to be there when the Alchemist?s slumber is disturbed." The voices faded, replaced by the one called Javros shouting orders. Her glance went to the hill. It was covered in green plants, some of which she recognized from her studies. Ferns hung over a rainbow, which in turn arched over water pouring down the side into a lake at the bottom. A creeper covered in purple flowers trailed over a rocky ledge. She?d seen the place before, in an ancient book in the library at the temple. It was a hill said to no longer exist - yet it did exist and it was more beautiful than she?d imagined. Hah! Kavan had sadly underestimated her if he thought her too feeble of limb and wind to scale its heights. She had scaled steeper slopes in the wilderness. Smiling to herself, she whispered instructions to Atarta then headed for the hill at a low run. With the Pitilan leading the chase in the opposite direction, she?d be safe there once she?d gained the top.

She laughed in derision when a hue and cry went up.

CHAPTER THREE

Tiana stood on the high place, a slender shadow against the moon. Below her, the water?s fall tumbled and foamed, then fanned incandescent across the lake to where Kavan?s manor shimmered in the rising mist. There came a soft, eerie call of an owl as Kavan gazed up at her, his night vision as honed as the nocturnal bird of prey that mocked him. She was a temptress, even in the unflattering brown robe she wore. The shining ripples of the glorious hair he remembered were tightly braided into a waist length rope. Her eyes glittered like that of a furious cat, all spit and fury. No wonder his troopers had called him from his dinner now she?d been cornered. Not that it would do him any good. "I see you, Tiana," he called, his voice tight with anger because he?d never imagined she?d outwit him, or have the strength to climb to the high place. "You?ve taken sanctuary in a place on which no Cabrilan can set foot, and have defiled it with the Pitilan?s presence." "Be gone, Bramble-face. Take your troopers and leave me in peace." Bramble-face? Kavan thoughtfully stroked his beard as she picked up a rock and held it awkwardly above her head. He knew it was meant only as a threat, but it proved too heavy for her to support. He jumped back and swore when it shattered not far from his foot, peppering his legs with shards. Cheers and whistles went up from the troopers. Lanterns held aloft, they were enjoying the confrontation. He closed his eyes and called on the gods to give him patience. It was no good trying to use logic with Tiana. She was the most unreasonable and contrary woman he?d ever had the misfortune to meet. She was also the most exquisite. No longer a child, her face still retained the innocence he remembered so well. Slight of form, her breasts surged gently and her buttocks were a hint of roundness under the loose, brown robe. She should have been in his bed this night, not mocking him from the high place. "Come down, Tiana," he said, his body responding to the thought. "I promise not to harm you."

"I don?t believe you. I heard you threaten to punish me for freeing your hawk." His mouth tightened. How in bane had he missed her if she?d been close enough to hear that? Damn her for freeing his hawk. It was a goddess among hawks, a highly trained hunter with eyesight so sharp she could spot prey from many leagues above. Look how easily she?d found Tiana in the Truarc wilderness, something neither he or his spies had been able to do. His words had obviously scared her, and he must remember she was gently reared. The thought of such weakness in her touched him. He would be lenient with her. A light beating perhaps, and in private ... just enough for her to learn who her master was. "I will not punish you much --" "I?ll see you in bane before you punish me at all," she hurled at him. "Freedom is every creature?s right. Whose is the greater sin when you stole freedom from the hawk, and I simply returned it?" Small stones and clods of earth began to pelt around him. "Be gone, or my Pitilan will make a meal you." A blood-curdling howl from the beast added weight to her threat. Kavan was no coward, but the thought of the Pitilan set loose amongst them made him quake. For certain his troopers would eventually defeat the beast, but at what cost? Despite their undoubted courage, the carnage would be enormous. And to what purpose? So he could take one feisty girl into his bed? Slanting his head to one side, he thought about it for a few minitix. The prime objective was to fulfill the prophecy and save them all from extinction. He must remember that Tiana had been chosen by the Gods. She was not a personal choice for a mate. The fact that the sight of her heightened his lust was nothing to do with it, just a bonus. He gazed up at her, cloaking his annoyance with a smile dragged reluctantly up from his depths. By Christos! He was used to being obeyed. He ruled this planet. He shouldn?t have to feign friendship to obtain what was his by right. "Hah!" she scorned, "Your smile does not fool me, barbarian!" "Ouch!" A small stone bounced off his head and he retreated to the bottom of the hill to the cat-calls of his men. "Back to the barracks, you rabble," he roared and they scattered. He turned back to Tiana. "You have Beltane?s own temper, wench. Be careful I don?t come up there and drag you down by your hair." "You?re no rock goat! You just look and smell like one," she threw back at him. That was it! He?d had enough of her insults. She could freeze up there for the time being. When he finally got his hands on her he?d hang her by her thumbs in the market square for a week. Then he?d take a whip to her and flay the skin from her back, then when she?d healed ... well, then he?d think about bedding her. He wouldn?t be too gentle with her, either. He stroked his matted beard again. Cursed Bane, his whiskers did resemble those of a rock goat! As for his smell, what else could she expect when he?d been on the road looking for her these past few days, and not a spare drop of water to bathe in on that cursed planet she called home? Bramble-face! she?d called him, Barbarian! Savage! He?d show her just how refined he could be if he tried.

He must have followed her through the portal with tix to spare. She?d been lucky. She?d hit the portal before full power had been reached and the transference record had revealed she?d survived disintegration by only a heart-beat or two. A clod of mud hit him in the face. He spluttered, wiped it away with the back of his hand and gave her one long, threatening stare. A peal of laughter rent the air. He swept away without another word, his dignity in tatters. *** Shivering a little, for the air had grown chill and she had no blanket, Tiana seated herself against a rock, drew her knees up under her chin and wept tears of quiet despair. Despite her show of bravado she felt frightened and lonely. The roar of the fall was unceasing, the air had a sharp, clean smell. She reached out to touch a small pool in the rock. It was fed by a drip, and was icy. She scooped some into her mouth. It was refreshing, not like the water on Truarc which was lukewarm and tasted of salt and dust. Rolling on to her stomach she drank greedily, then splashed it on her face and neck, enjoying the sensation of goose-bumps creeping over her skin. Her pendant dangled in the water and began to pulsate with light. It was a pretty bauble her mother had given her, a three-pointed green star. As soon as she removed it from the water, the glow faded. She remembered it had been a gift of love, and began to feel more cheerful. Tomorrow, she would submerge her body in the water feeding the fall and bathe all over. Then she?d explore her surroundings. She could stay indefinitely in this place. All she needed was a cave to make her home in. There was bound to be grain and fruit she could eat, herbs to gather and fish to catch and dry. The discovery of the withered cactus apple in her pocket cheered her even further as she planned her future. She ate, then sent Atarta to hunt and curled herself into as small a ball as possible to retain her body heat. It felt strange to no longer be on Truarc, which from this angle, was a small silver crescent in the sky. Cabrilan was moving away from it. "I?m held captive," she whispered, "but it is not such a bad prison." Despite the comforting thought, she couldn?t sleep. The rock beneath her was too hard after the sand of the desert wilderness, which had accommodated her body. There were unfamiliar noises; water roaring nearby, slithering and sighing and the odd, high-pitched squeal from the direction of the forest. The hallucinatory lily perfume of the wilderness was replaced by a fresh odor of earth and water. The cold, clean air had a sharpening effect, so her brain remained alert to all going on around her. After twisting and turning half the night, she was forced to resort to imagery, imagining herself on a bed of soft, warm blankets, imagining her body growing lighter and lighter. Gradually, the rock beneath her warmed and softened and she experienced the blissful sensation of floating into oblivion. The darkness around her gradually filled with whispers. Had Tiana been awake she might have seen the reflection of glowing eyes which, blinked shut as if one when she murmured in her sleep. Unaware she had companions, or of her levitation, she drifted on the gentle air currents.

Once, at the prodding of its twin, one of the watching creatures scampered to her side. Reaching up, he grasped her long braid of hair and towed her carefully back from the edge of the hill. He secured her hair to a strong sapling growing from a crack, then rejoined his companion. They whispered together, watching her float above the ground, and seemingly perfectly relaxed. When biting insects approached her, the moon lent her an aura that none could penetrate so her skin was left unscathed. The watchers were simple hunters, and they didn?t know quite what to make of the situation. But they were under instructions from their lord not to let any harm befall her, so they watched, and they waited. Just before day broke they heard a highly-pitched whistle from their forest companions. They scampered over the rocks and retreated back to their natural element. From a vantage point in the tall trees they saw the Pitilan return to its mistress. It moved slowly. It had gorged itself on eels, and its blood was sluggish with the narcotic juices secreted on the eel?s skin. The watchers gazed at each other and nodded in satisfaction. *** Tiana dreamed she was floating. The experience was so pleasant the dream felt like reality when she woke. She smiled and opened her eyes. She was floating! Panicking, she fell. Her head was nearly wrenched from her shoulders when it abruptly jerked back. Someone had grabbed her by the braid, and she knew exactly who it was. "You thick-skulled bully!" she yelled, twisting round. She felt foolish when she encountered nothing but a wall of lichen-covered rock. A leafy twig whipped across her face from a sapling she was entangled in. In the half light of moon shadow her hair glowed with luminosity. Dragging it free from the foliage, she gazed at the fall of water in horror. If her hair hadn?t snagged, for certain she?d have drifted over the edge and fallen on to the rocks. As much as it pleased her, she didn?t bother wondering at this new skill as she fingered the welt on her cheek. Sybilla had said her power would increase once she?d learned to fully trust her intuition. Yet to trust her intuition when unconscious in sleep ...? She shivered at the thought of what the consequences might have been. Now she must be on guard until she learned to control the ability. Day arrived to chill her to the bone. Her stomach ached with hunger. She yawned and stretched, then remembering the pool formed her hands into a scoop and drank deeply of the water to refresh her mouth and fill the emptiness in her stomach. The terrain displayed a strange beauty. Behind her, a stream of water gushed over pebbles and through a meadow ringed by forest. Below, and beyond the lake and manor was a fine town. Beyond that fields, more forest, then towering mountain crests. Cabrilan seemed to go on into a purple haze of forever. Her delight in her surrounds didn?t assuage her hunger. She ventured into the meadow, and as was her habit, gathered herbs as she went. They grew in abundance here, coriander, myrrh and rosemary for their antiseptic properties, balm and catnip for digestion, passionflower to sedate the senses, ginseng root to achieve the opposite effect. She tied long strands of grass around the bunches and hung them from the branches of a shrub to dry.

Watercress grew wild along the bank of the stream. Pulling handfuls of it up, she crammed it in her mouth, munching on the peppery leaves until she was full. A beam of sunlight touched on the stream, sending a finger of fire along its length. She sank to her knees and turned her palms towards the light, calming her spirit in order to receive the day?s blessing. "My lady." The softly spoken words didn?t penetrate until it was followed by Atarta?s warning growl. Startled, Tiana sprang to her feet to gaze wildly around her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a woman before her. Of regal bearing, a silver diadem kept a dark veil in place so Tiana couldn?t clearly see her face. "Come no closer if you value your life. Who are you?" "You do not need to fear me. I am here as an emissary from Lord Kavan." The woman placed a folded garment on the ground and set a carved box upon it. "He has charged me to present you with his cloak for warmth, and this gift." "What is your name, woman?" Resentment filled the space between them. "Rowena." "And your function in Lord Kavan?s manor?" "I am his mother." If anything, the resentment grew stronger. The woman was not very good at masking her feelings, but considering her position, perhaps she?d never had to. Tiana bowed her head as a sign of respect. "You are most welcome, Rowena. What gift does Lord Kavan send?" "A wishing dish." "Why does your son not bring it himself?" Rowena threw her veil back, revealing a face as cold and unfriendly as stone, a mouth pursed in disapproval. "He is angered by your rejection and your disregard of his wishes regarding the Pitilan. He cannot trust himself to be impartial at this time." Her voice began to fade, her shadow blended with the forest. "Kavan honors you greatly, girl. You need only to look on the bowl?s surface and whatever you desire will be yours." When Rowena?s image faded away, Tiana experienced loneliness, despite the other woman?s obvious unfriendliness. Her heart ached for Sybilla as she turned to Atarta. "Check what has been offered." The beast?s snout probed the depth of the cloak, then flipped the lid from the box. "It?s exquisite," she breathed when colors writhed like mist from a clear crystal set into the middle of the bowl?s silver surface. After sniffing at the offerings for a few moments, Atarta made a mewing sound, indicating there was no danger evident. The cloak Lord Kavan had sent floated upon the air like gossamer before settling around her shoulders.

She delighted in its softness. The fine fabric was colored the dusky purple of night and her hair lay against its folds like strands of moonlight. She?d expected the Cabrilan lord?s odor to be sour, but the fragrance lingering about the garment?s folds were pleasing - balm, sandalwood and a piquant undertone unfamiliar to her. Comforted by the cloak?s warm embrace, she carried the bowl back to her vantage place and set it on a rock to examine it better. Precious gems shimmered with ethereal light beneath the silver surface. She smiled with awed delight. "These must be the gems spoken of in the legend told to me by Sybilla," she said to the uninterested Atarta. "Endowed with the alchemist?s mystic power, they were said to have been created from rare minerals in the time before time. He who possesses them will rule with wisdom." She slanted her head to one side, and lost in the beauty of them, murmured. "It was said they were lost when the world split asunder, and were swallowed up by the earth." The result had been thousands of years of chaotic darkness as each tribe had culled the other from their domain. The library records had revealed that the Truarc had been the more civilized and intellectual of the tribes, creating the efficient Pitilan to seek out and cull the Cabrilan remaining on Truarc. From time to time it crossed her mind that the Truarc council might have feared the might of the warrior lords, and knowing they?d be defeated in combat had taken the coward?s way out. She?d grown up believing the Cabrilan to be extinct, and wondered what else had been concealed by the Truarc elders. Tiana was a little disappointed that the augur had deemed Lord Kavan worthy to have such power as the gemstones offered. Surely The High One, would be a more suitable protector. Her senses swam as she gazed at the bowl?s splendor. Placing such power in her hands was indeed a high honor. "I would wish to thank Lord Kavan for such a gift." "Your thanks are appreciated, daughter of light." She shrank back when Kavan?s figure appeared in a void above the lake. "You need not fear. I?m without substance." She breathed a sigh of relief, Kavan?s powerful presence disturbed her. He was clad in loose black breeches, his waist cinched with silver, buckled leather. Boots of fine black leather clung to his calves. His tunic was woven in a soft, purple fabric, identical to the cloak she wore. Edged in silver it clung to his broad chest. The hilt of the silver dagger shoved casually into his belt was studded with gems and shone with a powerful radiance. Awed by the change in him, Tiana averted her eyes from his splendor. "You have changed also, little Tiana. You are no longer a child. Come, you are not without courage. Raise your eyes to mine and tell me why you fled." Her eyes widened with surprise when they touched upon Lord Kavan?s face. The unkempt beard had gone, revealing a countenance of strength and beauty. "You are more pleasing to look upon than I remember," she blurted out. The corners of his mouth twitched. "And I have more vanity than I thought. You gaze through the eyes of a woman now, and your scornful, childish words touched a raw nerve." His mouth parted in a smile as he stroked his naked chin. Both were well shaped and firm. "You are just as beautiful as I remember, lady."

She experienced only a hint of stirring against her scalp when he reached out to touch her hair, yet the nape of her neck reacted with exquisite pleasure. "Why did you run from me?" he asked again. "My intention was not to anger you, Lord. I had no say in the matter of our union, nor the means of bringing me to Cabrilan. You are a stranger to me, and I?m apprehensive of being forced to submit to your will." "I understand your fear and will make allowances for your reticence. You had only to ask." "Thank you, Lord. I had not thought you would indulge me." Her sarcasm seemed to escape him, for his mouth assumed a wry curve. "Consider it done. I?m not entirely without sensitivity. The mysticism of the gods resides in my genes, and is strengthened by those of the alchemist and the Cabrilan will." He looked so proud of himself she couldn?t help but mock. "You have certainly been endowed with a considerable amount of egotism, Lord Kavan." A frown cut through his pride. "Take care. The god Arcus is my sire. He shapes my very thoughts and shows me the way forward." Did he imagine Arcus more powerful than the combination of her own mother, the goddess Lynx and The High One? "And what way is that, savage?" Losing her fear, she stood at the edge of the chasm, a sweep of her hand indicating the fall. "If you seek to crush me as the water does the rock below, you will find me just as resilient." He gave a great, booming laugh. "The rock succumbs to the water in time, wearing away until it becomes sand. When the rock softens the water does with it as it will. I can achieve the same effect faster." His image began to shimmer and change. "I will not wait as long as the water for the rock. You have made a bargain with me, Tiana, and have seven dawns in which to keep it. By that time the rock will be as sand to your vision." "And if I do not come to you?" she called as the illusion began to clear. "If I?m forced to fetch you, I promise ... you will not enjoy the outcome." Her fingers slid to the Pitilan beside her. "Neither will you, lord," she murmured in defiant scorn. *** There was a great deal of tension in the manor of Kavan. Some considered their lord was being too lenient with the Truarc maid. "She is surely laughing at you," one of his advisors said. "You do her great honor taking her to wife. If the girl was Cabrilan she?d be flogged for refusing your will." Kavan glowered at the man. "Tiana is not Cabrilan. She was raised to be pure in mind and body, therefore she can?t give one without the other. First, I must win her heart, only then will she come

willingly to the marriage bed." "Her beauty has addled your brain," the man murmured. "You should enjoy many a woman before you grow old." "I have, and I grow weary of the game." He rose to his feet, stretching his powerful body with an unconscious, cat-like grace. "My union with Tiana is destined by the gods. Our women are becoming increasingly barren. A majority of the young being born have defects, many die shortly after birthing. This is due to inbreeding. Only those with Truarc blood show strength and promise. We need the Truarc women if we are to survive." "Then continue to kill the men and take the Truarc females. It?s worked thus far." "Too many of them are shamed and take their own lives. They must come willingly and peacefully. Besides, I have a theory that what works one way will work in another. What if the Truarc seed proves compatible with Cabrilan women?" A gasp went through the company. "I?ll beat the life from any Cabrilan woman who lies with a Truarc," someone cried out. "That will achieve nothing." Kavan paced up and down the great hall. "The Cabrilan women have a right to bear healthy young, if that is their wish. Once I?ve repaired the rift and the planet is one again, the Truarc and Cabrilan must live as one tribe." "They have ruined the land they had, must they do the same to Cabrilan land?" "They are teachers, mystics, scientists and artisans. We are farmers, hunters and soldiers. We can learn from each other, and the mixed offspring will be strengthened in mind and body." "And what of your offspring, Lord Kavan?" Kavan stopped pacing long enough to smile. "His destiny is greatness." Someone laughed. "You?ve spent too much time in your dreaming chamber. Does Tiana know her firstborn will be a god?" "Not yet. First I must woo her and win her." "That should not be hard," Rowena said, the malice in her voice sending heads turning her way. "The Truarc girl?s eyes gleamed with avarice when she set sight on your gift. You put too much power in her hands and she will bring about your downfall with it." The spite in his mother?s voice caused Kavan?s eyelids to hood over. He?d watched the presentation of his gift, observed the respect Tiana paid his mother. He?d not expected opposition in public from Rowena and he didn?t intend to allow her to meddle in his business. "Tiana does not deserve your condemnation. She did not want to be here." Rowena masked her eyes. "You should send the girl home to her father." "She only just survived the forces of the portal. I have no urge to risk her life again. Besides, the Truarc

High One would be so insulted there would be no chance of reconciliation. Think on. They would breed enough of those abominable Pitilans to wipe out the entire Cabrilan race." A sword was unsheathed and held aloft to gleam in a shaft of sunlight. "The cowardly Truarc should learn to fight like men." Kavan sighed. "They have not had the nourishment or training to achieve the required stamina. They?re a peace loving people who rely on the intellectual to amuse themselves. It is we who must learn their ways and customs." "How?" "I will send an emissary through the portal to consult The High One. Rowena, come forward." Someone scorned. "She is a woman, and lacks the wisdom to negotiate. Send a man with diplomacy and presence, instead." "You who speaks ill of my care giver, step forward." There was an uneasy silence as Kavan gazed furiously about him. "Well, speak up," he snarled. "He who has the courage to defy my will can challenge me as lord." His glance came to rest on Javros. Javros was a young man of much skill and grace, the son of Kavan?s chief advisor and the result of a successful coupling with a Truarc woman. He was cool-headed, courageous, and known for his charm and wit. Javros would be the first to admit he?d been spoiled by his mother?s absolute pride and admiration of him. Kavan had made plans for his advancement once he reached a degree of maturity. His blood was destined to be mixed with a Truarc. Javros gave a guilty sigh. "I confess, it was I." "You wish to challenge my will on this?" "Not by right of arms," Javros murmured. "I?m not so foolish as I appear at this moment." A murmur of laughter rippled through the crowd. Encouraged, Javros bowed. "My words were spoken in haste. I apologize, my Lord Kavan. Punish me as you see fit, but not too hard. I wish to live long enough to see the results of your experiment ... if it succeeds." Javros is overconfident, Kavan thought. Yet his popularity is such that too harsh a penalty will cause discontent. The old lord - Rowena?s husband - would have taken his life for such impudence. Kavan reminded himself that he was not cast in his stepfather?s mold. His blood was infused with the genes of the alchemist and the God, Arcus. He had an insight and power his people only dreamed of, and much was still untapped. He would unite the world both physically and spiritually, and his union with Tiana would provide him with a son whose line would spread to the known universe and last forever. Kavan knew well how to meet this challenge from Javros. The punishment would equal the crime. He exchanged an amused smile with Torma, his friend and most trusted brother-at-arms whilst Javros postured for the crowd. "I have decided to take your advice, Javros."

A smug smile appeared on the young man?s face. He was too sure of himself, Kavan thought. "I shall send you as emissary to Truarc instead. You will practice diplomacy with The High One, and learn the art of seduction. You?re untried with women, I believe. Once you have mastered the technique of attraction, you may return with a Truarc bride - but only if she accepts you willingly." "But, Lord ?," Javros protested, his face turning red with embarrassment as the rest of the gathering began to laugh. "I was about to be initiated into manhood in the temple of pleasure." "That you will forgo, unless you?d rather I took your sight instead. Present yourself to The High One, explain your mission to him and beg him to take you under his wing and teach you some manners. Reassure him that his daughter, Tiana, will not be badly treated. She shall remain untouched, and shall return to him in seven dawns if she so desires." With Torma in tow, he strode off towards the door, regretting his hastily spoken words. "But, Sire," someone called after him. "We will all be doomed if that happens. Tiana is chosen to make us strong." "So be it," he called over his shoulder, knowing it would be a sign of weakness if he took his statement back. "If the Cabrilan are to change I must set an example. Tiana must come to me willingly, or not at all. The choice is hers." "Is it, Lord?" Torma grunted at his shoulder. Kavan grinned at him. "If I give the maid her head it will seem that way to her." He was counting on her to remember her duty as he left the assembly behind. She believed in the augur. What she didn?t know was the augur was controlled by his own mind, as the alchemist had once controlled it. He wondered if she?d encountered the alchemist?s spirit yet. The last time someone had disturbed him he?d altered the course of the water and flooded the village. A vision of her anxious emerald eyes and long silvery hair stole into his thoughts, curving his mouth into a smile. He?d experienced conflicting emotions as soon as he?d set eyes on her. She was destined to be his lady. He was convinced of it, despite the counsel of his mother. Tiana had recognized the undeniable awareness between them too. He?d seen it in her eyes. Yes, she was denying it to herself now, refusing to admit to the inevitable. Her early temple training had taught her to ignore the call of the flesh. It would be easy to take her, but he?d seen too many Truarc maids die from rough treatment. Those who survived capture and settled down were those treated gently, like the mother of Javros. Leaving Torma to guard his door, he strode on to the battlements and gazed up at the High Place. Tiana?s sleep would be uneasy. The forest beyond the sanctuary was full of night creatures and their gibbering would disturb her sleep. Soon, the moon would move to the other side of the planet and she?d lose its light. All she would have for company then were the stars above her and the spirit of the alchemist, whose body was preserved in a crystal tomb behind the fall. And the Pitilan, he reminded himself, grimacing. He?d forgotten about that. The beast was a laboratory abomination, and as such, had no part in the scheme of things. He?d been forced to make arrangements with the watchers to disable the creature. Then it would be killed. Before he brought the rift together, he would insist that all the Pitilan left on Truarc, and their gene bank, be destroyed.

He admitted that Tiana was not without courage in her defiance of him. Her tongue had a barbed edge to it, and she wouldn?t have willingly come through the portal if his hawk had not tricked her into it. He?d learned that threats were met by stubborn reasoning by her and wondered whether persuasion might be a better course to take. Her intelligence was based on a strong intuitive sense, as yet untapped. The fact that she was a kindred spirit excited him, though he?d be the first to admit his own power was slowly being leached by the concentration needed for his task, plus the power of the pivot stone. There was also a strong possibility he?d be destroyed by the joining, which is why he needed to endow her with the means to produce the God child. A smile played around his mouth. To coax Tiana from the barrier she surrounded herself with and show her the wonders of his world would be a challenge. She would sense trickery and resist, pitting her wits against his. Not that there was any doubt about the outcome. The silver-haired witch would be his eventually. It was written. He just hadn?t expected to have to work so hard for her trust. Seven dawns," Kavan whispered, his flesh pricking with delight at the thought of a different chase. "I shall send you dreams to pleasure your nights, daughter of light." His voice spread across the lake in widening ripples, whispered upon the rocks below the fall and sent vibrations up through the crystal pipes. The body of the alchemist shivered in his tomb.

CHAPTER FOUR

As Tiana had promised herself, the next morning she bathed. Lowering her shivering body into a reed and fern-sheltered pool above the fall, she delighted in the feel of the cool, silky water, the race of goose-bumps against her skin. Dirt was dissolved by the application of scented sap of a wax flower. She started on her hair, massaging the sap to the roots until it foamed. When it squeaked with cleanliness she rinsed it, and standing, flicked the wet slick hair back over her head in a glittering arc of droplets. Every part of her was tingling and alive, as if her body sang a sweet melody. The forest provided her with a sparse amount of nuts to eat, though she had to search for them. She found no fruit. She didn?t linger there very long and stayed on the outskirts. The dark interior hinted at danger, and the well worn tracks might have been made by animals. It occurred to her that there might be better pickings further in, but she had no intention of exploring the interior until she?d studied it first. It was a pity her Pitilan couldn?t speak. The sun was warm and a breeze teased the abundance of grasses. A touch of humidity made the air pleasant to breathe as she wove a short rope from the pliable fronds of grass and reeds she?d laid out to dry. Her intention was to weave a basket for her medicines. Already she?d discovered some pitcher plants that would be useful as containers when dried by the sun. This was indeed a land of promise and

plenty. Once she found shelter she could stay indefinitely, and Atarta would protect her from danger. "But who will you heal?" she asked herself a little later, thankful the antidote for the Pitilan venom was safely in her pocket instead of back on Truarc in her sack. She?d never had to milk Atarta?s glands for it, and imagined it would be a messy and unpleasant business. For part of the day she engaged in a fruitless searched for shelter, then growing bored, she kept watch on all that went on below. Pennants fluttered from the four towers of the manor, purple and black with a silver crescent moon. They seemed to be Kavan?s colors. The crenelated outside walls of the manor were patrolled by troopers, who used large, magnifying telescopes mounted on stands to survey the skies and surrounding countryside. From what threat they guarded the population she couldn?t imagine. Inside the manor walls was a world of color and excitement. Drums beat, trumpets blared, and the troopers marched back and forth, or fought each other with practice swords. She searched the landscape for a sight of the portal, but to no avail. The land below the fall was thickly vegetated. It hid its secrets well. In the town beyond the manor walls all was bustling. There seemed to be some sort of market place, and the sound of hawkers selling their wares carried clearly to her. "Bread, straight from the baker?s oven." "Buy my wine, nectar of the Gods made from the finest grapes grown on Cabrilan." "Fish ... fresh fish," and Tiana - who?d tasted only dried fish, and remembered the taste of the sweet, juicy grapes her mother had given her - felt her mouth begin to water and her stomach growl. She?d half-expected Kavan to visit, but night came without incident. The disappointment she felt was dismissed as vanity. Surely she could not be desirous of his attention. She put him from her mind, concentrating instead on making herself comfortable for the night. Though she?d searched in vain for a suitable shelter that day, no hiding place had been visible in the rock. She?d have to rely on her images to keep her safe and warm until her instinct lent her the courage to venture into the forest. She might be able to gather branches and fashion a hut of sorts if nothing else occurred to her. She could try out the wishing dish! Her glance fell on its protective box. Rowena had told her she could wish for anything she wanted. A manor like Kavan?s perhaps, with an army of troopers to go with it? Fine gowns and servants, food brought on platters and people at her beck and call? She laughed as her thoughts conjured up a wide river with her own personal barge on it. It would be decked out with satin fringes and tessellated hangings to keep her shaded from the sun. There would be a company of musicians and story-tellers on board to keep her amused as she reclined on soft cushions eating grapes and other delicacies. Her stomach rattled. Right now a bowl of hearty broth with a chunk of bread to sop up the juices would not go amiss. Her foot nudged against the box and her smile faded. Such devices should not to be used for power or self-comfort, but for the good of those in need. She sent the Pitilan off to hunt and settled herself for the night, tying one end of the rope she?d woven to her wrist, the other to the sapling. She lay on Kavan?s cloak, her head pillowed on her arms. By

harnessing her sub-thoughts, this time she knew the exact moment when she rose from the ground. Laughter trickled from her mouth as she drifted over the rock pool. She gently rotated, and saw herself reflected in the water. Her hair was filled with moonlight and floated around her in luminous strands. "It?s good to hear my lady laugh," Kavan said against her ear. Her breath left her body as she turned again, but she could not see him. Totally relaxed, her eyelids wouldn?t open. "My eyes are heavy with sleep. I must be dreaming." "You can lighten them if you would but try, Tiana." She did as her lord asked and found herself floating high over the land. Her body tensed. She gasped and was about to fall when Kavan?s hand curved warmly around hers. When he smiled at her, his eyes were bright with laughter. "Why do you feel fear when you know you?ve secured yourself to the sapling? This is only a dream. Look below you, Tiana. What do you see?" "A land so rich in beauty it hurts my eyes to gaze upon it." She was self-conscious under his scrutiny. Her earth-colored gown was shabby, and her smile reflected her shame in her appearance. Kavan was splendid in a black tunic with a silver crescent emblazoned on his chest. Her heart quickened. "There?s a harmony of water and land on Cabrilan. It gladdens the eye and gives solace to the heart." "It?s a gift I offer you, Tiana." The gift was symbolic, such riches not his to give. "I?ll treasure only the thought behind the gift. The land belongs to those who see and rejoice in its beauty." "Wise words, lady." He gently caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand. "All Cabrilan cherish life." How could one so beloved by his people utter such untruths? "Your lies are designed to seduce me," she murmured, turning her face away. "Do not treat me like a fool. Your troopers are highly trained. They do not hesitate to kill or main. Even defenseless old women are not immune to their blood lust. This I have witnessed with my own eyes." He took her by the chin and turned her face back towards him. His eyes were intent on hers, his smile melted her bones. "You choose to close your mind to the ferocity of the Pitilan you brought with you. Its purpose was to kill the Cabrilan people, and that urge is still in its genetic makeup. Did you not order it to kill?" "I ... I did not give the order with malice. It was a gut reaction, a matter of survival." "Isn?t it always? From that action sprang knowledge and new insight. You learned a new healing skill that day, did you not?" "Someone paid for that skill with their pain, another with his life. The High Mother was not your enemy, and the Pitilan is my personal protector. The trooper would not have died had he not attacked. The guilt of the attack is yours to bear." His smile took on a mocking edge. "To lay the guilt on another?s shoulders is easier than admitting one

has the ability to kill. I didn?t create the Pitilan, and none of my troopers attacked you personally. Can it be you wished to test the beast?s power?" Denial sprang to her lips. "Atarta defended those unable to defend themselves. It was an unfair contest to start with. If you can?t admit to that and discipline your men, then for all your fine posturing, you are no leader." His face darkened. "The killing stopped from that day forth, as I promised. We had no wish to fight the Truarc. Drastic measures were called for because they would not listen to reason." "Why should your reason be superior to that of my sire, who is wise above all others?" His voice took on an edge. "Your sire is full of false pride. He placed his dignity and position above the safety of his subjects." Who was he to talk of false pride? She stared at him with disbelief for a moment, then gave a mocking little bob of her head. "Your manners are a lesson in humility to all, my lord." He acknowledged her sarcasm with a self-deprecating grin. "I?m aware of the idiosyncrasies of my nature. We must put pride aside and unite. There are others who would destroy us." "What others?" she scorned. "Were we in danger the augur would know." His eyes narrowed. "The augur might not see fit to tell you." "But it would tell the mighty Kavan," she scorned. His smile was as smooth as double-whipped cream. "Our enemies are insurgents. They follow the doctrines of Beltane, and seek the alchemist?s sacred stones." So the wishing dish was not set with the stones. She slanted her head to one side and gazed at him. Indeed, she found it hard to keep her eyes from his splendor. "Legend says the stones are lost, swallowed up by the earth in the rift." "Legend also says you will become my mate. Why do you fight it?" Until now she?d enjoyed the cut and thrust of his conversation. Now he?d become predictable. "Rumor can be mistaken for legend, and it?s sometimes started because someone wants something or someone he cannot have." "True," he said, and his laughter sounded like a response to a joke. "By my beard, your mind has more twists and turns than a flea on a mangy cur! Answer this. Why else but dictated by fate, would a man in my position chose someone as stubborn as you for a life-mate - especially when you were already mine for the taking by right of capture?" As much as she tried to stop it, she bristled with affront. "You do not find me ... as fair as other maids, then?" His shoulders lifted in a shrug. "If I liked women in unflattering robes I?d consider you fair. If I liked waspish and contrary dispositions then I might consider you ... intriguing. If I liked eyes the color of rare crystal, and hair like water weed spun with moonbeams in the river currents ... why, then I might just find

you more than fair." His mouth curved into a smile. "It?s possible I might think of you as... entrancing." Unsure of whether he mocked or not, and unaccustomed to the art of flirting, a question balanced tentatively on her tongue. Did he like those things? His eyes held her gaze to his, and his words poured like elixir into her ear. "Are you desirous of my admiration and attention then, Lady?" She jerked her chin from his hand. She would have to remember to guard her thoughts from now on. "You have stolen me from my people, made a fool of me and insulted me. Why should I want to be admired by you, barbarian?" "Doesn?t every female want the strongest male to father her children?" His voice set a thousand muted flames licking into a conflagration of desire. If one had to have children ...? "I will fill your mind with sweetness and your body with a craving only I can satisfy. I will plumb your very depths. Your resistance will be overcome and you will know and welcome your master." What would it be like, coupled to this barbarian? She?d be helpless to fight off his superior strength as he took his pleasure of her and filled her womb with the seeds of his lust. Yet ... he?d promised her pleasure too, and satisfaction for the cravings she fought so hard to control. There was one problem with the scenario he painted. She?d accept no man as her master, however high born! Warmth flooded over her and she began to perspire. To bane with this man, already she was on fire from head to toe for something she?d only read about and imagined. She?d been warned about lust in the temple. Rule 29. A novice who lusts for carnal knowledge will burn in everlasting banefire. She glared at him, knowing her cheeks were glowing bright red. "Hah, you will never master me! Take every other woman for a mate. Let them swoon at the sight of you and crave for a moment of your attention. I will not pander to your vanity. I care not a gibber?s worth for legend, or appearing desirable for a puffing adder like you." A great, booming laugh rang out. "You are untouched, Tiana. The blood of Lynx flows in your veins, the blood of Arcus in mine. Day and night will meet through us, as destined, each will taste of the turbulent sweetness of the other, and together will produce a son so powerful he?ll rule the universe and take his place amongst the gods. Thus it is written. Thus it will happen." "Plant your god-child in another?s womb." She gazed around her in panic, seeking a way out of a dream that had become too personal. "I do not think I like this dream state." "You cannot escape the truth of the augur." Kavan?s mouth touched against hers in the lightest of kisses. Filled with his sweet nectar, she clung to the kiss for a moment, helplessly drawn to the pleasure of it. Carnality was sent by Bane to plague the sinful. When she murmured a protest, he released her. She descended gently, cradled in Kavan?s arms. When she woke she gave a shaky laugh, untethered herself and stretched in languorous rapture. Her body felt different, more aware of itself. The dream had aroused the cravings in her she?d been taught to ignore. Longer meditation would be needed this morning to bring the uncomfortable urges under control. Atarta slunk back in after his night of hunting. His stomach was distended and his breath smelled of blood. He fell into a stupor on his side and she was unable to rouse him. She guessed he was glutting on the abundant prey in the forest. She?d keep him close by tonight and purge him if needed, else the edge

would be taken from his instinct. Meditation brought no peace or insight. Her mind kept wandering to Kavan and the dream. She abandoned the practice, going in search of something to fill her stomach instead. The fish in the stream eluded her, their bodies twisting and streaking through her fingers like silver lightning. She?d have to eat the herbs. When she went to fetch them, she discovered the shrub she?d hung them on had been stripped bare of them. She gazed at the forest, her stomach lurching in a prolonged rumble of protest. Wreathed in mist it looked forbidding. She thought she saw figures moving in the dark, twisting vapors. Forgetting her temple training she yelled. "Cabrilan thieves, may the Grand Alchemist burn you in banefire." The wind held its breath. Total quiet descended on the forest, as if all the creatures that dwelt in its shelter had become mute. Then there was a prolonged rumble and dust began to rise from fissures in the rocks. Tiana fled over the shaking ground to the high place, there to hide her face against the rock. She pulled Kavan?s cloak tightly around her to ward off a shower of bouncing pebbles. The fragrance lingering on the cloak brought the dream back into her mind. She snorted. A god-child, he?d said. How ridiculous! Everyone knew gods were not born to mortals. Uneasily, she remembered she and Kavan had genetic bonds to the gods. The quake was soon over. Afterwards, the forest sounds were sharp, alarmed and alien. Tiana wished Sybilla was there to guide her. Recognizing an aching loneliness amongst her frustration and anger, she experienced a rare moment of helplessness and self-pity. Annoyed by it she nudged Atarta with her foot. "You?ve slept too long you idle creature, it?s time you woke." The beast stumbled to a sitting position and stared bemusedly about him. "He?s gorged himself in the forest," a voice said from behind her. Heart beating in a wild rhythm, she spun around to confront a man leaning on a twisted silver stick - a man so ancient he could only be an illusion. His beard was a wonder. It flowed to his belly in a series of thin, beaded braids and was decorated with glittering crystal beads and tinkling bells. "Who are you and why are you here?" she said, trembling a little because as quickly as her mind provided the answer, she had to deny it. "I?m the Grand Alchemist." He sat on a rock, hugging himself with his arms. "Brrrr, it?s cold out here. You are Tiana, daughter of light?" She had not expected the Grand Alchemist to be so flamboyant. He reminded her of the sleight-of-hand flummers who frequented the Truarc markets. His eyes displayed a false impression of blindness, because when she looked closely, both expression and depth were apparent under the opaline surface. He was obviously deluded in his assumption of grandeur, and she must humor him. She smiled. "You need not tell me who I am. Why do you come to me, old man?" "It?s you who come to me, Tiana. This is a place of sanctuary. My bones rest beneath the waterfall and you roused me with your music." She must be on her guard. This could be some trickery Kavan had dreamed up. "You are mistaken. I

have no music." "The music of your mind has a stressful melody. The crystal pipes guarding my tomb vibrate with its confusion and sadness. I see from your badge that you?re a follower of my teachings. You evoked me in anger, and are in need of my counsel." "I?m sorry ancient of ancients." She settled herself at his feet, gazing up at him in wary contrition. Was such a manifestation possible ...? "I was not aware I sought your counsel. Are you truly the spirit of The Grand Alchemist?" "You doubt it?" A shrewd, but slightly shifty expression twisted the web of wrinkles around his eyes. "I suppose you want me to perform some flummery or another to convince you." He tapped the rock above her head with his stick and a stream of yellow song birds flew out of the hard surface. "Hmmm." He appeared abashed as they winged their way into the sky, singing joyfully for their freedom - yet his eyes were like those of a child seeking praise for his skills. He spread his hands, mock modest. "I must be losing my touch, they were supposed to be red." She supposed she ought to indulge him. "They were wonderful, really." He brightened. "Yes, I suppose they were." "This is a place of wonder," she whispered, her glance anxiously on the songbirds as Kavan?s hawk appeared from nowhere to circle lazily above them. She watched the hawk go into a dive and latch on to its prey. Golden feathers floated downwards. "So much for freedom." "What?s one bird amongst many?" the old man murmured when she turned back to him. "As you once wrote. Nature imposes its own checks and balances." "I did?" "A line from the manual, Natural Curatives," she reminded him. "Ah, yes. One of my more popular teaching volumes. I?m surprised it?s still in use." She didn?t tell him that reading of the volume was forbidden to all, the exception being a copy handed to the few chosen for his temple. If this was indeed the spirit of The Grand Alchemist she?d be wise to flatter him. "Your wisdom has long been proclaimed by the Truarc augur. Everybody has read the manual over the ages." He gave a modest shrug. "It?s a pity they didn?t act on it. If the Truarc hadn?t considered themselves the superior race, and the Cabrilan weren?t so damned arrogant." He smiled and wagged a bony finger at her. "You?re not a very good liar, you know. The God, Beltane, destroyed almost every volume produced. There are only four original volumes left intact. One is in the Truarc temple library, one in the Cabrilan museum and one in ... now let me see." He cocked his head to one side and thought for a while. "No ... it?s the Book Of Enigmas in my tomb. Ah yes, it?s probably sealed in the great library under the manor. Not that the Cabrilan will ever read it." "That?s only three."

His smile was pitying. "The other volume was in the sack you carried just before you were transported here. It was careless of you to leave it in the edge town, the book is priceless." "Why don?t you flummery up a few more?" she shot at him, embarrassed at being caught out in a lie and wondering why she?d bothered to spare his feelings. "If I?d been given notice of my transportation I?d have brought it with me." The alchemist chortled. "I can see why Kavan likes you. Your mind is open to the truth, and you have a high level of spiritual awareness. Truarc women, even those of rank, are rarely encouraged to think for themselves. I appreciate your kindness in trying to spare any finer feelings I may still possess, though your honesty is preferred. It?s more suited to your nature." "I do not fit the ideal," she admitted. "Even my genes marked me as different. That was why I was selected to be apprenticed to the temple. Only I didn?t fit in there either ... I didn?t fit anywhere until Sybilla took me under her wing." "Ah, Sybilla," he whispered, as though he knew her - which of course was impossible, because the alchemist had died thousands of generations ago. She wondered if hunger had caused hallucinations and stretched out her hand to touch him. When it passed through his beard without feeling anything his opaque eyes glittered. "You?re hard to convince, aren?t you?" "You?re different from what I expected," she admitted. "And you?re different enough to stir Kavan?s senses." His voice had the sound of dry leaves rustling in the wind. "You both carry my genes in your blood. You inherited yours from Lynx, who was a love child I bestowed on a virgin of the sun temple." A dubious honor for the virgin, was legend about to repeat itself with herself and Kavan? Her mouth twitched. "Lynx has made herself known to me." He sighed as if displeased by the interruption. He seemed to prefer the sound of his own voice. "Kavan was fathered by Arcus, who sprang from my loins in a union with a Cabrilan mortal. As she lay dying, she dedicated our son to everlasting darkness, then placed a curse on me. Thus, I was forced to live out my days on Cabrilan." Her shocked exclamation went unnoticed in the cackle of laughter he gave. "That?s why you and Kavan react so favorably to each other. He would have been intrigued when you sought to use the art of mesmer on him at your first meeting. Such a childish trick when he?s a supreme master of the art himself." She blushed. "I was a child then. My skills have increased now I?m grown up." The alchemist gave a cackling laugh again. He stepped back into the rock so he was visible only from the waist up. "I?ll come again when you need me, Tiana." "I?m honored most venerable of ancients," she said, enjoying the display of melodrama in his nature. The last thing to disappear was one of his arms. Wonder of wonders - dangling from it was her sack. She caught it as it dropped to ground and feverishly unpacked the contents, searching for the last of the fruit she?d stowed in it. As she chewed on a cactus apple, she reflected on the distant market place. There was a strong urge for

human contact growing in her. If she could get there undetected she might be able to barter her skills for bread. But one of the telescopes was pointed in her direction. Her eyes drawn to the wishing bowl, she smiled. Hadn?t she been a bit hasty in disregarding its usefulness? *** "Odd," Kavan said to his security adviser, "Of all the things a maid would wish for, she?s materialized an image of herself." "A woman needs amusement," Pannis said with an indulgent smile, "especially a Truarc woman. They do not occupy themselves with garden culture and essential crafts, as do Cabrilan maids." "This maid doesn?t use imagery to amuse herself. She uses barbed insults, and intends to hang my scalp on her belt as a trophy ... or worse!" Pannis smiled at Kavan to lessen the censorship in his words. "I did advise you not to give her a wishing bowl, lord. You should have chosen a Cabrilan maid to take to wife. She would have done as she was instructed." The older Pannis gets the more he meddles in my personal affairs, Kavan thought. The old man was little more than a caretaker - the real security carried out by his troopers, and directly under his own orders. He should retire him. The only thing holding him back was the fact that Pannis had been advisor to his stepfather. Retirement would break his heart. He sighed. Pannis still had a shrewd mind, and he must find something to occupy him. "I hear the followers of Beltane are active again." Pannis frowned. "It?s only rumor, lord. Some say the followers are displeased with your choice of life-mate. It was Beltane who kept the half-siblings, Lynx and Arcus apart. Now, the direct descendants of the pair are to mate. They fear the outcome of the union. " Kavan?s muscles tensed. "The outcome will save the known universe from destruction." "The simple people cannot grasp the concept of a universe. The land is abundant in its riches. That is what they know. They believe in what their eyes see and their hands touch -- the rest is magic and fills them with awe." "They cannot grasp the concept because they are simple people. They are simple people because we have no teachers to fill their heads with knowledge. They are simple because Cabrilan breeding to Cabrilan produces simplicity. We need the Truarc intelligence, and they need our brawn. We must bring the two parts of the planet together before the inevitable collision destroys us. What is so complicated about that?" "They say the spirit of the alchemist has gained entrance to your brain ... that he seeks to be reborn in the child of Kavan and Tiana." "The alchemist is long gone, and I have no patience with market place gossip," Kavan said shortly. "You seek to divert my attention from the followers of Beltane, and I?m beginning to wonder why." Pannis looked askance at him. "If you cannot manage such an investigation I will hand it over to my troopers."

A murmur of protest came from the man. "They will be too vigorous and will send them underground." "See to it then, Pannis. The issue must not be left to slide." Anything to keep the man?s mind from the alchemist and the great library under the manor. "Yes, Lord." "And, Pannis," he said, his glance following as the older man backed silently to the door. "I want to know the names of any who plot against Tiana. I promised her my protection." A slight flicker of the eyelids was all Kavan got from Pannis before the door closed. Kavan went back to the telescope, hastily removing his eyes when a kaleidoscope of light nearly blinded him. The sun was positioned to hit the surface of a reflective surface. "It must be the wishing dish," he muttered, but whether the positioning was purposeful or accidental he couldn?t decide. A rough calculation told him he?d have to wait eleven tix before the sun moved. He paced up and down as the crystal beam jerked slowly around the dial, then applied his eye to the telescope again. He smiled. There were still two Tiana?s up there, and they were dancing. Pannis had been right, she was amusing herself. He watched for a while, trying to make out which was the real Tiana. The twisting, turning bodies entranced him. Two of them in his bed was an intriguing thought. But so far he hadn?t managed to get the real one there. The two became four, six, then eight. She knew he was watching and was making fun of him. He scowled, then capping the telescope turned on his heel and strode down to the manor hall to dispense justice. *** Tiana left Atarta behind. The Pitilan was too easily recognized. Her brown robe belted tightly around her, she pulled the cowl over her head to hide her distinctive hair and face. The market place was crowded, the stalls selling a variety of fresh and cooked foods that made her mouth water. She found a quiet corner in the shade of a soup stall, with a narrow lane-way not far from her back in case she needed an escape route. From her vantage point on the High Place she?d memorized the layout, and the lane-way had little alleyways between the dwellings to cut through. On Truarc she?d have been recognized for what she was from her badge, but here, people shouted their wares. Flat disks called credits were used as currency. Fish, fresh vegetables, bread and meats were bartered back and forth for plates and dishes, and clothing of so many styles and hues were on offer, it made her aware of the shabbiness of her robe. She was the odd one out, but she hadn?t dare wear Kavan?s cloak. "Healer," she called out to a woman with a child. The woman gave her a cursory glance and moved on. "Healer of wounds, boils and stomach gripes," she called out again. The woman on the soup stall gave her a dubious look. "Not much call for healers in these parts. Every citizen has free access to the physicians." And indeed, the population looked generally healthy. By the time the sun moved overhead her voice had grown weaker and she still had no customers. The delicious aroma of broth in the air made her nostrils

twitch and drove her crazy. Her stomach was hollow with hunger and she was near to fainting from it. "I?ve been watching you tire," the woman on the next stall whispered. "You need some of my broth. It?s full of meat and vegetables, and good and hearty." "I have nothing of value to give you in return." "Can you cure a child with a twisted body?" the woman whispered. "He?s my dead sister?s child, but if he can?t work my man said he must be abandoned. "I can try, but I?d have to examine the child first." "That?s payment enough, then." A bowl of soup was placed in her hands, a thick chunk of bread to dip into it. She ate it slowly, savoring each spoonful while the woman ladled out soup to her customers. In return, the woman ended up with a basket of fruit, vegetables, bread and clothing. "Would you be a Truarc woman?" Alarmed, Tiana stared at her. "You needn?t be feared," she said, "I be half Truarc myself. I haven?t seen you around here before. I hear tell there are temple sisters skilled in healing on Truarc. Be you one of them?" "That I am," Tiana said, and sopping up the last of the soup, handed back the bowl and changed the subject. "That?s the best broth I?ve ever tasted." The woman beamed a smile at her. "I?ll fetch little Santo." From under the stall she lifted a blanket and placed it carefully at Tiana?s feet. A pale, thin child of about ten seasons lay on the blanket. His body was twisted the length of the spine, his head was pulled to one side, his dark eyes held fright and gazed at her with a resigned expression worn by those who truly suffer. "There, Santo," the woman whispered. "Let the healer look at you, and none of your foolish talk about your destiny. " His fright faded as their glances joined together. Deep in the child?s eyes glowed the spark of his soul. She drew it into hers, immediately at one with him. "I see you, Santo." "And I you, lady." "Then we?re as one." She took his hands and nearly recoiled from the pain he carried. Her heart reached out to him. Pulling back her hood she murmured a mantra, then gently turned him on his stomach and ran her hands down his spine. Heat rose from the inflamed nerves of the vertebrae. The damage had occurred at birth. He could be straightened by normal methods, but it would take time and constant therapy to adjust the muscles. Placing her hands just above the boy?s spine she slipped into a meditative state and concentrated on his pain. He stayed deep under her spell of mesmer. "Help me, Santo," she whispered to him. "Join with my mind and believe you can be whole." The force in him was strong, and gradually, the noise of the market place retreated from her consciousness. She saw a seed of the desert spindle tree held tight in a protective gourd. Seasons came and went, the

gourd changed from green to brown, the seed became dry and rattled impatiently inside it. On the horizon, the tenth-season rain clouds gathered. The gourd sucked in moisture from the air and split apart, propelling the seed a goodly distance. From its body a spear-ended, long, twisting spiral emerged. Thunder roared and lightning cleft the sky above. A drop of water hit the earth, then another and another. Soon, the brown soil became a gushing river that picked up the seed and carried it deep into the desert, where it was deposited. Moist sand covered it with subsequent storms. Gradually, the spiral straightened out and the spear drove deep into the soil to take root. From its top emerged the trunk and limbs, as straight and true as the shaft of an arrow . The little tree took sustenance from the soil it was rooted in, but although it was perfectly healthy it grew no taller. Tiana pondered on the message of the trance when she opened her eyes. "Praise be," the woman said quietly. "You?ve straightened him. Be he able to work in the fields?" "He?ll be healthy, but will not grow much bigger. It?s doubtful he?ll be fit for anything but light work. She remembered the force in him. "I believe the gods may have marked his destiny. His body must be exercised to strengthen his muscles before he can walk, so take him to swim in the lake beneath the fall." "The lake is forbidden, it?s a sacred place." Tiana pulled her cowl back over her head and gathered up her things when she saw a trooper heading their way. "The waters are curative. Find some courage and bring Santo after darkness has fallen. I will meet you there." There were tears in the woman?s eyes when she looked at the boy. "What will become of him? My man will discard him if he cannot earn his keep." The last thing Tiana needed was a child to care for, but she could not abandon Santo until his limbs were strong enough to carry him. "If all else fails, you must bring him to me at the lake. I shall find a way to care for him." The woman brushed the hair back from the boy?s forehead. "See how the pain has gone from his face. For that alone I bless you, lady. How can I repay you for your kindness to him?" The trooper had stopped to talk to a fat man, who was gesticulating excitedly in their direction. "A little fruit, perhaps," she murmured, poised to run, for she recognized the trooper from the temple raid. Before she had to, her sack was half-filled with fruit, and a round, crusty loaf was added. The woman placed a blue garment on top. "It?s warmer, and less conspicuous than yours, Lady of Light," she whispered, and knelt to kiss Tiana?s hand. Both the trooper and the fat man were looking her way. Recognition came into the trooper?s eyes and he withdrew his sword from its scabbard. "I must go," she said, and jerking her hand away headed for the lane-way at a run. "Hey, you ... be you Lord Kavan?s lady ?" the trooper shouted out. "Come back here ..."

CHAPTER FIVE

As Tiana suspected would happen, Santo was placed under her guardianship. Thank Assinti, his arms are strong, she thought as they struggled together up the slope to the High Place. Out of breath, she sat and rested at the top. They exchanged a glance, smiled and a message silently passed between them. My soul, your soul. Are twined in the essence of life. Sybilla had once told her of the rare phenomenon called soul twining, but she hadn?t expected to experience it, especially with this crippled child. It was a joining of exquisite depth, of priceless beauty. As she absorbed Santo?s spirit and gave of her own, tears of joy poured down both their cheeks. When they were done she took Santo?s hands in hers and kissed him on each cheek. "We are joined, our spirits are twined," she said, and set about making them both comfortable. She had just gotten settled when the image of Kavan appeared. He looked to be out of countenance. Santo didn?t appear surprised by the manifestation, confirming her suspicion that such things were not entirely unfamiliar to him. With his high sense fairly advanced - he?d create such images to make his own life bearable, as she had done as a temple novice. "One of my troopers said he saw you in the market place today." Tiana avoided Kavan?s inquiring glance. "He must have been mistaken. I was teaching myself to dance." "Then how did you come across your companion?" Tiana smiled at Santo, who gazed back at her in adoration. Undeserving of his regard, she turned away, embarrassed. "Santo was left with me to heal." "Hmmm, my troopers are not usually so lack-sighted." Tiana shrugged. "Are they not?" Kavan hunched into his frame and brooded. "The lad?s a runt. If he was a hound - " "Like the hound of misery that sniffs at your heels," she hissed, thanking Assinti that Kavan?s voice was too low to carry to Santo. "To insult him is unworthy of someone who holds such high office. He?s fully aware of his disability and you can afford to be charitable to those less fortunate. Think on it. It would enhance any leadership qualities you imagine you possess."

He clicked his tongue impatiently at the reprimand. "If you?d allow me to finish ... I was about to say that I?d feed him up to put meat on his bones and strength in his limbs." Shame filled her, but she was not inclined to apologize. "Santo is not your concern. We are soul twined." His eyes sharpened. "All my subjects are my concern. If I had the stall-holder tortured she would soon admit the truth." She threw a scornful glance at his image. "Anyone would tell you what you wanted to hear under torture." "Even you?" "It would depend on what it was." His hands went to his hips and he gazed fiercely at her. "I would demand that you accept me as your lord and master." "Hah!" she spat out. "Now we come to the true purpose of your visit. My independence has tweaked the pride of the mighty Kavan. You come here to posture and growl in a show of false menace." His eyes glittered. "Only a fool would regard my menace as false, woman." "And only a fool would expend energy on hurling empty threats when he has no substance to back it up. If force be needed to gain such an admittance from me, you could only be sure such a statement was untrue." Kavan?s grin suddenly embraced her, throwing her off balance. "Take care, lady. Torture comes in many forms. Force can be exerted with such subtlety the danger of it is lost in the pleasure until surrender is complete. Satisfy my curiosity and tell me about the boy, I beg of you." She chuckled. "You would beg for nothing, Kavan, but I admit you have a way with you. The cryptic journey you take me on is more pleasing than your threats and blustering. The child?s name is Santo. His destiny is in the hands of the gods, but his body has been entrusted to me for healing." Kavan shook his head. "The gods forgot to inform me of Santo?s great destiny," he grumbled. "Perhaps they consider your worth less than the value you place on yourself." "And perhaps I?ll lay you over my knee and peel the skin from your backside with the blade of my dagger." His image began to disintegrate. "I could have both you and Santo put to death for trespassing on forbidden ground. " "First, you would have to set foot here yourself. It would please my Pitilan no end to bite your murderous Cabrilan head off." "Lady, one day you will push me too far," she heard him roar as he faded from her sight. A familiar cackle came from the rock and the alchemist stepped out of it. His body was shaking with glee. "What a mate for Kavan you?ll make. I haven?t had so much fun in three thousand years."

She awarded him her darkest look. "If that?s all you?ve got to say for yourself you can go back to sleep. I?ve got no use for such cock-eyed counsel." Folding his arms across his chest he assumed an air of injured pride. "I offer you none. I come to help Santo." She slanted him a glance, trying to penetrate the opaline surface of his eyes. Why did she always get the feeling he wasn?t genuine in his concern? "The thread between Santo and myself is strong. Had I been blessed with a brother, the feeling would be as such between us. Fate has brought us together at this time, and there is some purpose behind it." "Perhaps that purpose was that he be brought to me." "You can make him strong?" "Strong enough to walk and run, but he?ll never grow in stature." She and Santo exchanged a smile, for they?d not deemed it necessary to discuss his lack of size, they just understood it to be a fact. "The lack of physical status does not make any man less a man." "Of course it doesn?t. My intention was not to insult." The surface of his eyes disguised an underlying red glow. When their eyes met, the surface cleared for just a moment, revealing blood-colored eyes without conscience. Dizziness attacked her, but when her head cleared she couldn?t remember what had scared her. His smile charmed, and Tiana wondered why Kavan had feared she might upset the spirit, when he was being a perfect gentleman in every way. She?d done him an injustice by suspecting his motives. "You do Santo great honor, ancient of ancients." "One likes to keep one?s hand in," he said with surprising modesty. Santo gazed from one to the other with such expectancy on his face that Tiana couldn?t help but tease him. "Perhaps Santo doesn?t want to walk and run when there is a woman to carry him on her back." Santo?s eyes rounded with indignation. "I beg you, mistress, let the apparition help. In return, I will become his slave. I will be his arms and legs, his mouthpiece, the very vessel for his thoughts." "You know not what you say, lad," the alchemist replied with such puffed-up pride it made Tiana grin. "My thoughts are too powerful for ordinary mortals, let alone a whistling-chick like you." "His brain is highly receptive for one so young," she murmured. "He also has an extraordinary degree of high sense for one his age - undeveloped of course, but still ..." "Hmmm." The alchemist thoughtfully stroked his beard, setting the bells tinkling. "I recall there was some portend of a companion and assistant for me, but that was many eons ago and I paid it no heed." Santo sat up without thinking and pressed his palm against his chest. "I must be the one foretold. I feel my difference inside here, a bubble of wondrous excitement." Such a simple way of explaining the unexplainable, she thought.

"Look at me, Santo," the alchemist said. His eyes were as fearsome as she?d seen before, but they no longer scared her. The soul did not shine through, as if they were the eyes of the dead. Santo gazed steadily into them. Tiana?s neck prickled with tension as a force of some sort gathered around them. Closing her eyes, she abandoned herself to it and was drawn towards the rock face. She expected a collision, so was surprised when everything melted around them. Every movement was made slowly, and with great effort - noise seemed to come from a distance. When the syrupy motion ceased, she opened her eyes to gaze around her in astonishment. The three of them stood high on a rock, overlooking a valley of rich lushness. In the distance was a castle, the like of which she?d seen described in ancient fairy tales in the temple library. She forgot the dead eyes. "Alas, it?s all an illusion," the alchemist said when she gasped at the beauty of it. "The chimerical worlds are a strange place. They can change with your mood, becoming unpredictable or dangerous if one low in spirit or of bad intent enters." Santo took a step forward, then looked down at his legs. "Your magic has cured me. I can walk." "To achieve something that appears out of reach, quite often, all that?s needed is to have enough faith in your own ability to overcome obstacles," she said. "You just do it." "It was mostly magic that cured you, lad," the alchemist argued, giving her words a different slant and claiming the credit. "I gave your ability a helping hand, and whilst you stay with me you?ll grow stronger each day. If you cannot climb like a rock goat, or dance like a gibber monkey drunk on fermented fruit then you?re of no use to me." When several small creatures made their way up a twisted path, Tiana?s eyes widened. They were tiny men and women with enormous dark eyes and a rapid, bouncing gait. One took Santo by the hand, another touched his hair. "You have brought your apprentice, master. Will he stay?" "It?s his choice. He can serve Tiana or commit himself to me." Unease filled her heart when she realized they were being manipulated. Santo looked from one to the other. His eyes appealed to her. "What shall I do, Lady? I don?t even understand where we are." "We?re inside the world of the alchemist?s mind," she warned him, "And although we?re not totally in his power, it would not take much to place us there. What lies ahead of you in the chimerical realm is for him to decide. You understand you?ll be without a will of your own until your high sense develops considerably? It?s not a place I would care to live." The alchemist snorted impatiently when Santo?s eyes hooded in thought. "You won?t get a second chance." "It will not be forever," Santo said.

Silently, she applauded his courage. "Do what your heart dictates, Santo." A smile touched the alchemist?s mouth and he manipulated a little bit more. "I will not seek to influence you in any way." Santo took only a moment longer to reach his decision, and Tiana prayed it was the right one. "I will always love you, mistress, but our paths do not travel in the same direction. The wise one can teach me much and put me in touch with my own power. I must place my trust in him." She stooped to embrace him. "I hope we will meet again, Santo." His dark eyes were liquid with tears. "You have a powerful magic about you, lady. When you need me call and I?ll come." "Will you permit this?" she said to the ancient, trying to hide her misgivings. "Yes, yes," he said with a show of impatience, "If only to reassure you all is well with him ... granddaughter." His bony finger jabbed at her badge." Just remember you wear my insignia. "You must never question my integrity again." She swallowed her annoyance at being brought to task. Blind obedience had never been part of her nature, and she doubted it ever would be. She didn?t answer, and closing her eyes wished herself gone. She returned in the same the way she?d come. As she stood on The High Place alone, she wondered if she?d ever see either the alchemist or Santo again. The sun had gone down with its usual suddenness. The air was colder than she?d ever known it. Changing into the warmer, blue gown she?d been given, she pulled Kavan?s cloak over her shoulders and gazed around her for Atarta. He?d gone without waiting for her command. She found it hard to sleep. The ground beneath her was cold and she was unable to elevate herself. Her body felt heavy, as if it was being pulled into the rock. Frost crept over her, numbing her hands and feet. She pulled the box containing the wishing dish towards her, tempted almost beyond endurance. She needn?t ask for much. A roof over her head and a warm bed perhaps. A fire roaring up the chimney would be nice, and a steaming bowl of broth. The small house of her first thoughts progressed to a manor like Kavan?s. Sleepily, she wondered what he was doing just at that moment. There was a soft shuffling sound close by - so very close she could smell something breathing at her shoulder. She jerked round to find the lord of her thoughts astride a beast that resembled a gleaming black charger in the Truarc temple history books. The ancient Truarc ancestors had ridden into battle on the beasts? backs before they had been gifted with the wisdom of peace - something the Cabrilans had yet to learn. Kavan looked splendid in a black cloak and silver tunic. His hair was pulled back from his temples and into silver rings at the top of his head, from where it cascaded in a gleaming fall to his shoulders. Posing as if to impress her with his magnificence, he regarded her with grave intensity for a moment, then held out his hand. "Step upon my foot and I will help you to mount." Smothering her smile, because the moment of posing had reminded her of his endearing arrogance, she

took his hands. Seconds later she was settled before him on the saddle. Seated sideways, her bottom securely wedged in a warm, vee shaped space, her legs were hooked over one of his thighs for support. She wondered if passengers were always carried in such an intimate manner. He grinned at her when she blushed, and as if he?d read her mind, said, "You would not be able to straddle the breadth of Shazah?s back. You can hook your knee around one of the pommels if you prefer, but I doubt you?d find it as comfortable." She stayed where she was. Her heart beat fast with the excitement of him ... and because she was beginning to want to be with him. She hastily denied it to herself. No! She must keep things in perspective. She had brought Kavan?s image because she needed to learn Cabrilan ways. She stroked the gleaming fall of neck hair the creature grew. It resembled Kavan?s. When she imagined his hair running like oiled silk through her fingers they twitched and tingled. She brought some discipline into her thinking. "The beast is magnificent, but surely this is only a dream. These animals are long extinct." His breath stirred gently through her hair. "Not on Cabrilan. They?re from the far north, and are bred specially for the troopers. The chargers rarely tire. They are big enough to carry up to four men and strong enough to carry heavy packs. They?re able to carry us vast distances in darkness and with very little effort or noise. I will make this one available to you. She is called Shazah and you need only to whisper her name." "Shazah, a lovely name, but I do not think I?ll need her, for I command no troops and my pack is easily carried on my own back." Shazah turned her head to stare reproachfully through one velvety eye at her. "I beg your pardon, Shazah," she said. "You do not look like a beast of burden and my intent was not to insult you." Shazah trilled deep in her throat. Kavan laughed. "My Shazah will give you wings so you can fly from your perch, little bird. And from this time forth my troopers will be instructed they are yours to command." She realized there was a different quality to this dream, everything seemed more solid. "Is this a dream, Kavan, or a trick to get me down from the High Place?" "I promised you seven dawns, and my word is sacrosanct." His arms tightened around her and he brought his mouth close to her ear. "My lady, I have no need for tricks. When the rocks beneath the fall become sand, then you will come to me." "Hah!" she said, but not quite emphatic enough to convince herself. "Will you visit the place of my dreaming with me? It?s in the mountains." "The mountains are too far." As soon as the words left her mouth, Shazah spread wide a leathery pair of wings and launched into the night sky. Jolted against Kavan?s body, Tiana slid her arms around him to keep herself there. "You caught me unprepared," she said, in case he imagined she wanted to hug him. "Be honest, Tiana. You find the contact pleasurable."

"You are full of conceit, like our mutual ancestor, the Grand Alchemist." "He?s made himself known to you?" "He?s shown me his spirit kingdom and Santo has gone to be his study." "You are honored, and Santo is thrice honored. He wasn?t angered by the disturbance to his rest? The last time I called for his counsel he banned me from his presence on pain of dismemberment after I beat him at a game of enigma. In his anger he altered the path of the river and flooded the village." Laughter trickled from her lips. "On the contrary, he seemed to enjoy having someone to talk with." And so had she. Loneliness was never more apparent until one was totally deprived of company. "Then he would have told you of our destiny. Thus, you must now believe that I will be your lord and master." Kavan used every opportunity to turn her to his way of thinking. "I believe only that paths are open to me. The one I choose to follow will be of my own free will." "Even though the gods decree differently." "In their wisdom the gods choose to commune through you - or so you would have me believe. When they convey anything of import directly to me, then I might take notice of it." That he was reflective of her words was made all too apparent by the frown furrowing his brow. He fell silent, but it was a comfortable silence. The wind swished like hangings of silk against silk as they sped through it. There was an occasional sigh, as if two lovers were parting for ever. Beneath them, a void of darkness was relieved by an occasional light. Above, a velvety dome of sky was frosted with a crust of stars. Assinti twinkled serenely in a corner of her vision, but Bane looked fiery, the surface heaving and blistering, as if someone had angered Beltane and he was trying to struggle from his sleep. She shivered. "You?ll come to no harm," Kavan said. "I?m comfortable with night riding at my shoulder." Whilst she was more comfortable in daylight. Their parentage was responsible for that. "Did you ever meet your sire?" she asked. He gazed soberly at her. "Arcus is a god. He?s never shown me his face." "I?ve seen my mother. Lynx came to me one night in the desert. She was bathed in ethereal light and told me of her great love for me. There was a storm afterwards, and my mentor, Sybilla was killed." "Beltane must have been angry. Lynx and Arcus are forbidden to tread on the other?s territory." "Why, what have they done that they should be forbidden to meet?" "Their sin was to fall in love - their punishment, to chase each other across the skies until the end of time." She gasped. "But they?re brother and sister."

"They didn?t know of their relationship at the time." Seemingly tired of the subject he pointed towards a distant pin-prick of light. See, there is my dreaming place." "The top of a mountain seems an odd place to dream." He began to shake with laughter and she grinned with the pleasure of hearing it. "What have I said to amuse you?" "You?ll see." Which she did a few moment later, when Shazah entered through a large opening near the top of the mountain and glided amongst a labyrinth of hanging sheets of crystal. They left the animal to browse and walked through a long, twisting passage, the walls of which glowed with opaline fire, like the eyes of the Grand Alchemist. Finally, they reached a cavern large enough to accommodate the whole town of Cabrilan, with room to spare. Long rods of different colored crystal shafted straight lines up towards the mountain top and plunged downward as far as the eye could see until they were swallowed in darkness. Many faceted crystal sheets fanned from stalks growing from the floors or the walls of the cavern. They?d blossomed into fantastic shapes and were covered in delicate patterns. Soft tendrils of sound power touched against her ears and wound into her subconscious, drawing her thoughts to the surface. A surge of happiness brought a quiet giggle from her. "It tickles ... it?s exquisite," she said, and her voice was picked up by the surfaces. Tickles ... exquisite ... tickles ... exquisite ... tickl ... exquis ... tic ... ex ...ex ... until it died away. "Now I know why you laughed," and she grinned at him with delight. Laugh .... laugh .... laug ... lau .... la ... Kavan was smiling as took her hand and placed it against one of the vibrating shapes. The echo stopped, to be replaced by the steady beat of his heart when he brought her palm against his chest. "What do you dream of in this place, Lord?" she asked, and felt shy, for his eyes were upon her and full of warmth. "I dream of the day when the Truarc and Cabrilan worlds are one. I seek my wisdom here, for with the time of the joining will come great danger." His eyes took on a faraway expression, his mouth curved in a faint smile. "The Truarc people must be got away from the edge towns or they will perish. All will perish unless I find the remaining stones. Fire, water and the eyes ...." "I do not understand," she said, and he folded her hand into his. "Come with me and I?ll show you." They left the ground and floated upwards towards the top of the mountain. They emerged from the shaft into a night of stars. A glowing circular table on the plateau pulsated and hummed. Jewels were set around the rim. "These are the stones of power. To complete the circle I need four key stones. I have only two. The blue air-stone and the gold sun-stone." He pointed to two vacant places. "Four are missing. Fire is red and shaped like an oval. Water is a green triangle. Then there are the eyes, a pair the color of mist and shot through with fire, ice and water. The eyes must be placed in the tomb of the alchemist, where they belong." He didn?t see the start she gave, or the way her fingers strayed to the pendant her mother had given her. "Each time a stone comes into my possession I?m nearer to my goal. When they?re complete the pivot

stone will harness the power and the world will be brought together as one. But time grows short, and so far there?s no sign of the missing stones." "Who knows of this place?" "No other knows of its whereabouts." His gaze came to hers, still reflective. She liked him like this, the arrogance and pride put aside. Being treated as someone of equal intelligence was something she was unaccustomed to, and she responded to it. Her hand closed around the pendant. "I?m honored by your trust, Lord Kavan." His eyes hooded over, so all she could see was the glitter of purple through his dark lashes. "Trust doesn?t come into it. You will not remember any of this." Wounded beyond measure, she gazed dumbly up at him and let her hand fall. His palms gently cupped her face. "I cannot risk it, lady. You find it too easy to trust, and there are those who work against me." "You think I?d join with those who work against so noble a cause? You think I?d betray you to your enemies?" "I?m unsure of you at this time. All it would take is one unguarded moment ..." She was indignant. "I?m strong in both body and mind." "But not devious. My enemies are cunning, and until the rift is joined I can trust no-one." She attempted to move away, but his hands held her firmly. "My intention is not to anger you, Tiana. Before this is over my mind shall be naked before yours." "And when will that be, barbarian?" She gazed into the depth of his eyes and shivered at the sight of the controlled passion they displayed. He dipped his head to hers and whispered. "When you surrender yourself to me body and soul." Caught unprepared, she was swept up in the contact. His lips tasted of the rare, desert honey, a delicacy found on Truarc and gathered from the pollen of the desert lilies. She and Sybilla had once discovered a honeycomb high on a rocky outcrop, and had removed a small portion. It was well known that to consume too much would cause hallucinations, whilst a tiny portion produced a sense of well-being. Her tongue delicately traversed the firm contours of his mouth, seeking the irresistible and elusive taste. His lips parted a little and her tongue ventured inside. "Mmmm," she whispered when he removed his hands from her face to draw her close, "You taste delicious." He felt delicious too, his body a firm, warm column against the yielding softness of hers. His skin was like burnished leather. Under the surface, his life power flowed from tautly exercised muscle to sinew. His veins carried the fiery tempest of his blood. His pulses stroked against her body, now sensitized beyond endurance by his closeness. His mouth had taken the initiative from hers. She opened to him as he sweetly plundered its depths. Her

mind disintegrated into the oneness of the contact, as if her senses had melted into his. She thought she might be floating because the ground beneath her feet had disappeared. He?d lifted her, she realized, aware of his hands warm against her buttocks, of her legs spread either side of his. Pressed hard against her core ...? Sweat slicked her body. Sweet charity, this was a blissful kind of torture - all that had been forbidden and denied her was now very evident - and Kavan was available to pleasure her as he?d promised! A novice will not allow lustful thoughts to govern her logic. All she?d wanted was a taste of the potent honey. The taste had proved too potent when combined with Kavan?s sensual maleness. Shakily, she tried to extricate herself from the trap he?d led her into. Her teeth nipped the end of his tongue and he hastily withdrew it. The grin he gave was infuriating in its awareness of her inner thoughts. "Put me down, please, Kavan." His eyes glinted amaranth fire at her. "Had we loved, you would have lost nothing, but gained much in knowledge." She blushed furiously and tried to turn her head away. He chuckled and mocked her. "Your modesty is becoming, lady. Unfortunately, you?re too versed in temple law to allow desire to consume creed at this moment. No one but yourself would have known the outcome." "Except you." He lowered her to the ground, but kept her in his arms. "I?m only a dream figure, a slave to your subconscious desires." Her desires had seemed very conscious to her. She could feel them still, loitering like beggars in the secret ways of her body. She longed for Kavan?s touch to bring them shockingly to life. Yet, she could not indulge herself to the extent he suggested, and took a step back. He jerked her back against his body and kissed her again, firmer this time, and with more possession. A thought came to her. Was this what her subconscious wanted, to be mastered? Not at this moment! She tore herself from his grasp and swiped a hand, hard across his face. "Get out of my way, savage. I?m leaving." He stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he bowed and stood to one side. She pushed past him and headed towards the entrance to the dreaming place. With heart thumping she teetered on the edge and stared down into the beating, living heart of the mountain. Unsure of whether she could trust herself to float down without him, her knees began to give way. She gazed helplessly back at Kavan, seeking guidance. "Have you suddenly run out of courage, lady?" he mocked. Taking a deep breath she defiantly stepped into the void - and began to fall! She couldn?t find the breath to scream as everything rushed past her in a series of sickening, multi-colored stripes. Below her, the bottom of the void was a black swirl of nothingness rushing up to meet her. She hit it at full speed. Her body jerked several times and she screamed out with the shock of such a rude awakening, "Banefire!" It took but seconds to register that her heart was beating a path out of her chest, that the night was over

and the thick frost around her was covered in small footprints. "Atarta," she called, feeling suddenly vulnerable and drawing Kavan?s cloak around her for the comfort it offered. There was no answer. As she rose to examine the footprints she remembered the small creatures in the alchemist?s imaginary world. But these were not imaginary footprints, and whoever had made them had stolen the bread and fruit she?d collected from the stall holder in the market. These were the same thieves who?d taken the herbs she?d put out to dry - the shadowy figures in the forest mist. She wouldn?t have minded sharing if they?d asked, but they were not going to get away with stealing it! She could always ask the wishing dish for food! She stared at it, her sense of rightness battling with temptation. The dish was a toy of the privileged. Kavan used it to subdue her willpower. In a fit of temper she picked it up and threw it over the falls to splash into the lake. Colors spread across the water in a series of ripples. When the water calmed, it resumed its usual silvery hue, with just a touch of rainbow color above the bowl?s resting place. Gathering up her sack and blanket she followed the footprints towards the forest. When she saw the dark interior she hesitated for a moment, then thought. Perhaps I can find shelter here. But there was no shelter, and neither was there sound - only a sense of listening that made her uneasy because she had the feeling she was being watched. The trees were high, the canopy of foliage dense enough to form a peculiar, greenish light. The pathway she trod was well-worn, and wound through grasses and shrubs as high as her chest. Now and again she came across one of Atarta?s footprints in the soil. Her whistle brought no answer except a rustling noise behind to her left. "Who?s there? Show yourself." Nothing moved, the wind sighed eerily above in the canopy. In the distance she heard a faint growl. "Atarta!" Picking up her skirts she began to run towards the noise, aware the rustling had increased. A quick glance over her shoulder showed the grasses moving. Whatever it was, there were several of them, and they were all after her. Attack was the best form of defense, she?d heard. Still on the run she stooped to grab up a stout stick and turned straight towards them. A chorus of alarmed yelps filled her ears as she grabbed one of the creatures. Dragging it out to the path she took a good look at it. As she?d first thought, it was one of the alchemist?s helpers, a male. She gave him a shake. "Right, you thieving little critter, where?s my food?" Something stung her on the hip. She turned to find herself surrounded. Her heart sank at the sight of the bows and arrows, at the same time her knees began to give. "You can?t kill me, I?m Kavan?s woman," she managed to say before her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth. The creatures watched her gravely through large, luminous eyes. Sight blurring slightly, so she was seeing everything through a film of liquid, she sank to her knees, then fell forward on to her stomach. One of the creatures came to gaze down at her. He listened to her heartbeat, then stared intently at her eyes and nodded in satisfaction. His voice was high-pitched. "We?re the watchers. We?re sorry to be the cause of your discomfort, lady, but we thought you would harm us. Your help is needed. Do not be alarmed by your incapacitation, the paralysis is temporary."

Thank Assinti for that, she thought as they hoisted her on to their collective shoulders and staggered off with her like an undignified caterpillar.

CHAPTER SIX

Mood somber, Kavan paced the floor. Tiana was testing his patience to the limit. Nothing he did seemed to please her - in fact, she appeared to deliberately set out to provoke him. He should do as Pannis and his mother had suggested and take a Cabrilan maid to his bed. At least they had passion in their blood. Then he remembered the way Tiana?s mouth had moved to accommodate his, and he smiled. No matter how much she tried to control it, she was all passion. A little encouragement from him and she?d soon disregard the teachings of the temple guardians. "What sort of woman disdains such a rare gift as a wishing dish?" Rowena said, giving a disapproving shake of her head. Irritated, Kavan turned towards his mother. Since it was he who?d insisted on choosing Tiana and bringing her to Cabrilan, he was now bound to leap to her defense. "She?s been taught to scorn luxury. On Truarc she worked amongst the sick and needy. She follows the teachings of the alchemist and tells me his spirit has already consulted with her." He viewed his mother with a critical eye. The red gown didn?t suit her, and her elaborate silver head-dress was so heavy it wrinkled her forehead and corded the sinews in her neck with the effort of holding it up. She looked haggard, as if she?d inhaled too much of the hallucinatory incense she was fond of burning. He tried to concentrated on what she was saying, for he needed to gauge her true feelings towards Tiana. Not that it would make any difference to the outcome, but she?d make a bad enemy for his Truarc maid. "So she says. From what I hear the girl is a story-teller of note, as well as a healer. She seeks to bring you round to her way of thinking with her wondrous tales." "And what is her way of thinking?" he said, his silky voice inviting her confidence. Rowena didn?t need much encouragement. Her eyes glittered as she lapsed into the indiscretion born of familiarity. "The maid is arrogant. Her intention is to weaken your power by bringing scorn and insult down on your head." Her words saddened him. Rowena spoke only of her own desires, for she had always sought to dominate him. "And then?" "She?ll seize power for herself. Or worse, will place the brat she spawns on the seat of power. She?ll use his ears and tongue to govern through him."

As she?d attempted to do to him in his youth, until the spirit of the alchemist had counseled him when he slept. He sighed. "There is no god-child as yet." Her eyes slid sideways in a speculative glance. Their cupidity made him shudder. "I?m your mother. Don?t think rumors of your virility have escaped my ears. It will not be long before the man in you demands what she has to offer. Her purity will be an added incentive, for no man can resist the urge to conquer innocence." A subject he had no intention of discussing with her. "Her attractions go further than her innocence. Tiana has many talents." "A matter I wished to acquaint you with. Rumors abound that the girl has special healing powers. The rumor needs to be stopped in case she attracts a following," "The rumor is true. I?ve seen her heal with my own eyes, and so have my troopers." He smiled as his eyes narrowed in on her. "As for attracting a following ... I think she?ll need all the friends she can find, for enemies she seems to have plenty of." Rowena?s mouth flattened into a spiteful line. "The healing powers are a magical trick. She has you all moonstruck." The latter remark wasn?t too far from the truth, if he was to be honest with himself, Kavan mused. Yet it would not be wise to admit that to his mother. "You belittle my intelligence if you imagine me so easily taken in. I?m the son of Arcus." "Intelligence, pah! Tiana takes after her mother. It?s said that the goddess Lynx used her wiles to entrap her own brother, and caused the downfall of Be -" His eyes sharpened and her eyes shifted away from him. She was casual, too casual. "I refer to Bannigren, your esteemed stepfather. He was slain by the followers of Beltane." A slip of the tongue? Kavan?s gaze hardened on her face, searched it for signs of deceit or guilt. A few tix before she?d arrived he?d received some disturbing information about the followers - a note slipped under the door. This was too much of a coincidence. Surely she could not be a follower? "I have the feeling that?s not what you were about to say." She would not look at him, but rose in a sudden flurry of movement, unable to conceal her disquiet. The contempt in her voice was almost venomous. "What son dares to probe his mother?s private thoughts, or accuse her of treason? You?re no good company, Kavan, and I promised to drop in on Pannis." Treason? The fact that she used the word served only to heighten his suspicion. He toyed with the idea of having her discreetly investigated, then dismissed it. Rowena was his mother, why would she work against him? "I bid you good day then," he said with as much politeness as he could muster. Rowena?s departure brought only relief. She?d been harsh in her raising of him and they?d never been close. Her autocracy annoyed him too. Marriage to his step-father had elevated her socially, and her assumed superiority was irritating. When Tiana joined him he?d encourage .? No, he?d insist Rowena must establish a household outside the manor, otherwise she?d continue to try and run his life. Striding to the telescope, he trained it on the high place. No sign of Tiana yet. She must have ventured

into the forest. He passed his hand over a smooth, round crystal, bringing it to life. "Where?s Tiana?" he said when an image appeared. "They are bringing her in to camp, Lord." "For what reason?" "We underestimated the Pitilan. Many of us are suffering from its venom and she has the antidote." Kavan sucked in a shocked breath. "I?ll come. She might need persuading." "She?s under paralysis." "You?ve darted her?" He chuckled. He couldn?t help himself. "Then I?ll definitely come. She?ll be as mad as a nest of stingers when she comes out of it." The watcher grimaced. "Excuse me for saying so, but I do not think your presence would be of benefit. She seems unwilling to respond to your truths or your wisdom, thus far." It was Kavan?s turn to grimace. Tiana obviously didn?t recognize either for what they were. She possessed a need to pit her wits against his, to challenge his word, as though she thought she was equal to him in stature and had the right .? His subconscious released a stray truth. She did have the right, and on Truarc she was certainly equal in social stature. Enlightened, he chuckled. "Summon the alchemist, then. He seems to have made a lasting impression on her." "Considering she?s a disciple of his teachings, that might be of more help. Tiana has a kind heart despite her independent nature, and a willingness to help others in the face of adversity. She?s no coward, and will make you a perfect life mate if you can win her affection." "Not if, but when," Kavan said, and was uplifted by his conviction that the watchers had given him the key to her heart. But first, there were the followers of Beltane to contend with. An anonymous message had informed him of a public demonstration of the followers? power in the market place. He must talk to Pannis, see if he?d found out who?d delivered the message and what precautions had been taken. He might even consult him about Rowena. He?d allow no one to come between him and the successful completion of his quest, not even his mother. It was not Kavan?s usual practice to venture from his quarters at this hour of day. For some reason known only to fate, instead of his usual direct route he decided to take a roundabout one. The volume of people moving freely about the corridors surprised him. What business did they all have in the manor? "You," he said to a shabby-looking beggar sitting in a corner. "What?s your business?" "Who wants to know?" His personal bodyguard slid his sword from his scabbard and would have sliced the man?s head off if

Kavan hadn?t placed a restraining hand on his arm. "Still your arm, Torma, the beggar is blind." "I?m not a beggar," the man said bitterly. "I used to be the court silversmith before I lost my sight - and can still fashion the metal with more skill than most sighted smiths. All I need is payment of my court credits to barter with. If I appeared beggared it?s because I?ve been waiting too long a time - so long in fact that I?ve become part of the building and nobody sees me." "I see you." "You do not usually walk these corridors so I?m fresh to your eyes." Kavan exchanged a glance with Torma. "Who oversees the charity lists?" "Rowena." Torma?s knuckles tightened on the hilt of his sword when the man spat at his feet. "It?s not charity I?m after, only the credits due to me from the silver I wrought for the manor. With that I can start a school to train apprentices in the art of the silver-smith, and support myself and my daughter. Rowena would deny me that." Kavan hunkered down on his heels in front of the silversmith. "Why would Rowena deny you your due?" "That, my lips dare not utter, for the spies of Beltane are everywhere and some of those in positions of power. Already Zorca, the nephew of Pannis has been given my position. He is an upstart and a bad tradesman, yet he lords it over the workshop I built with my own hands." The man spat again, away from them, this time. "This wouldn?t have happened if the old lord was still in power, may Assinti bless Bannigren?s soul." Kavan shot Torma a warning look when he sucked in a scandalized breath. "You should appeal through the grievance court." "Zorca has threatened to send my daughter to work in the house of pleasure if I do, and she only thirteen seasons. Lord Kavan spent too much time chasing the Truarc maid when he should have been here, ruling over his people." The old man spoke the truth. Kavan knew he was learning some hard lessons today. He should not have neglected his people, and should have taken more interest in the administration of his realm. Tiana would still have been his. Sick at heart, he placed his hand over the old man?s. It was scarred from years of working with hot metal. "How do you know I?m not a spy?" "You have neither the word nor the touch," the other said bitterly. "Would you become the eyes and ears of Kavan in the manor corridors?" The man became very still. "Can a blind man see, or write secretive missives to slip under doors?" So this was the source of the note. Kavan?s smile went unnoticed by the man. "You see more than most. I?m not without influence, and in return I?ll make sure your credits are restored and your daughter safe." His hand closed around the other?s in a friendly gesture. "Come, let us shake on it. What?s your name, silver-smith?"

"I?m called Benlogan." The smith?s finger-tips touched on the rings Kavan wore. He fingered them one by one, then sucked in a deep, shuddering breath. "I made these rings for the old lord. One is the seal of the true ruler, and this .?" His voice filled with awe. "This stone was bane?s own trouble to mount. It contains a magnetic core which makes it twist, as if it had a life of its own. I can feel its power now, as if it?s striving to be free of restraint. This stone is not in its correct element." "I know, but its power is captured for now, and that was all my stepfather asked of you." Benlogan pressed his forehead against Kavan?s hand. "Forgive me. Lord, I spoke out of turn." "Your words were honest, and were released from the anger in your heart. I can recognize the difference between honesty and disloyalty. It won?t do to raise the suspicions of your adversary, but in return for your help I might be able to get your daughter to a place of safety." "My sister will gladly give the girl shelter," Torma said, "but she lives nearly half a day?s journey to the north. I could tell Zorca you have ordered her to become a servant. Zorca is sly, but a coward of the lowest degree. You only have to order it, sire, and I?ll help him spill his guts in more ways than one." The fierce expression on Torma?s face filled Kavan with pride. He punched him affectionately on the shoulder. "I do not order it. Get the girl to safety and do it now. I go to confront my security chief." "You?re unguarded, Lord. At least wait until another of us can be summoned to cover your back." "What can Pannis do to me? He?s an old man." "May Assinti be your guide," Benlogan murmured as he strode away. *** At the door to the chamber Pannis occupied, two security guards lounged. At their belts they wore stunners, an ancient weapon Kavan had ordered to be destroyed. He frowned when they gazed in consternation at him. As they straightened up one held out an arm to bar him. "Lord Kavan. Pannis is not expecting you. If you?ll allow me, I?ll announce you." Torma would have sliced the man?s arm off, Kavan thought as he pushed him aside. "Lord Kavan needs no appointment or announcement." The people in the room had not yet had time to rise despite the guard?s warning. They all stared at him in shock and the incantation they?d been chanting died on their lips. Rowena had a faint, but haughty smile on her face. Vandrew, his chief adviser looked guilty but Pannis, head of security merely shrugged. "We were not expecting company." "That?s obvious." The unexpected scene caused Kavan?s stomach to roil. His intuition had been right about his mother, but the most trusted of his advisers - traitors! His fingers closed around his sword hilt as he fought to keep his fury under control. This would test his leadership to the limit, for he could show no favor in his punishment of them. The chamber was thick with the smoke from incense burners - the overlying smell that of the rare, mind-altering weed used to alleviate pain by the physicians. As he breathed in the fumes his fury ebbed away, replaced by uncertainty. He fought the lassitude the smoke was bringing to his brain ... perhaps it was an innocent gathering he?d interrupted ... perhaps he was mistaken ...

He was not mistaken. The evidence was there in front of him. Between them pulsed something he?d been searching for, a glowing, red stone. When his mind fully assimilated the significance of it his senses reeled. "You, the most trusted of my subjects follow Beltane?" "As you see," Pannis said evenly. "My Lord," Vandrew cut in, and his eyes held terror. "It?s not our intention to depose you, just help you see the true path." "My true path was revealed to me by my step-father - you were there, Vandrew. You saw the revelation with your own eyes, saw the prophecy appear on the parchment before it was burned over the sacred flame and the great library was sealed." "It was a trick. The prophecy must have been written with chemicals which appeared on the parchment when heated. I believe Bannigren found the recipe for invisible writing in one of the alchemist?s books." "My step-father couldn?t read the words in the books, let alone write them. You?re a traitor, Vandrew, the penalty for which is death for you and your issue." Vandrew paled and began to tremble with the palsy of fear. "It was Pannis and Rowena who killed your step-father, not I." He flicked his mother and Pannis a look of loathing. Vandrew fell to his knees. "Be merciful, Lord. Spare my son. Javros is the pride of my heart and of your command. He knows naught of the sin of his father. And what of the infant in my woman?s womb. Would you kill an unborn babe and leave the mother to grieve?" Kavan?s heart felt like stone at the thought of doing either. "It was you who fashioned the law of treachery, Vandrew. Would you change it to your own good, now?" Vandrew hung his head. "To my everlasting shame, lord." A wry smile played about Kavan?s mouth. A pity Tiana was not present. She?d gaze with favor upon any mercy he?d show them. "Then it shall be done." Vandrew?s head jerked up, his eyes unbelieving. Rowena snorted. "The Truarc maid has softened your brain. What do you have in mind for your beloved mother, Lord of my womb?" "As yours is the greater treachery, for you plotted against your son as well as your Lord, banishment to the Isle of Christos. I never want to see you again." Horror twisted her face. "Christos is inhabited by an order of female mutes who embrace some ancient religion and toil in the fields all day." "You?ll take nothing but the clothes you wear, and you will serve them for the rest of your days." His glance fell on Pannis and he found it hard not to sneer. "Do your repent your actions?" Pannis laughed. "My loyalties lie with Beltane. Today I intend to stand in the market place and summon

one of Beltane?s war demons to demonstrate his power." Kavan drew his sword. "You?ll not live to do so. Your transgression is unpardonable, for you were in a position of trust and betrayed the father as well as the son." "I could have killed either of you at any time," Pannis said blandly. "I spared your life because Rowena convinced me you could be converted. Before you attempt to slice off my head, remember it?s full of information." He carefully examined his fingernails. "Without me, you?ll never know who you can trust." Kavan was finding it hard to keep his mind focused. He shook his head to clear his brain of the effects of the smoke. That information could be just as easily obtained from Vandrew - but would Pannis have taken the dithering Vandrew into his confidence? Kavan doubted it. His glance fell on the fire stone. He must secure that before he did anything else. "Pass the stone to me." "Never," Rowena screamed and scrambled across the floor towards it. "It?s mine, given to me by your sire as payment for his rape of me." She grabbed up the stone and held it against her chest. "Give it to me, Rowena. Now." "Never." Her eyes gleamed with malice. "Arcus invaded my body against my will, and afterwards, no other infant would take root in my womb. You?re the disease I was forced to bear. Because of my barrenness your stepfather lost the regard he once held for me. Arcus told him to take you unto him as a true son and guide you to the prophecy. You supplanted me in his heart, even though he knew I loathed you." Kavan?s gorge began to rise. "Give me the fire stone, Rowena. It would have been handed to you for the good of our people, and my task is to make sure the prophecy is fulfilled." "When Beltane has promised me eternal life in return for it. Don?t be a fool." Her glance shifted to beyond his shoulder and she inclined her head. He?d hardly drawn his sword and begun to turn when a bolt of lightning exploded against the side of his head. *** The short duration of paralysis had been made good use of by the watchers. Fully functional, and now aware of the reasoning behind her capture, Tiana worked like a demon to administer the Pitilan antidote. Normally, it was given by mouth, but - as advised by the alchemist - scratched into the skin of these small people at quarter-strength, it worked amazingly quickly. "That was a good notion of yours," she said to the alchemist when the last watcher was treated. She began applying healing salve to the less seriously wounded. The alchemist slid her a smile. "An ancient idea from a time when prevention of disease was considered necessary. Remarkably effective - too effective at a time when population control was also necessary, but ignored. Any world will fail if the life on it outstrips its resources." "Like Truarc?"

He looked sideways at her. "The Truarc have yet to learn that what is taken must be replaced." "There?s not much water on Truarc to help plants grow." "Ask yourself why, then." She sighed, not desirous of engaging in a debate with one so learned. "We don?t all have the wisdom of longevity, ancient of ancients, nor the mind to calculate a dozen theories at once." He leaned on his stick and watched her draw the edges of a wound together with her fingers. A moment later the patient was gazing with awe at a thin scar. A chorus of amazed murmurs ran through the watchers and they all crowded around to watch the healing of the next patient, whose leg was almost torn from his body. The pulse of her patient quickened under her finger when she touched him. "Don?t be frightened," she murmured and closed her eyes. She?d just expended a great deal of energy imagining the leg whole again when a cheer rang out. Her eyelids shot open in annoyance. The alchemist cackled. "Mmmm, not bad, but I could have done it faster myself. " "Then why don?t you help?" she said. "I?m tiring, and you talk much and do too little." He prickled with injured pride. "Protocol demands I wait until you invite me." She should have thought of that herself. "I?d welcome your help. Tell me, why did you ban Kavan from your counsel?" "He crowed like a rooster when he beat me at enigma, and him no bigger than a whistling- chick at the time. He should have shown me more respect." "That was a long time ago." "Time moves differently in the chimerical world," he murmured. "I?d forgotten I?d banned him. One day he?ll find a reason to defy the order ... perhaps when he?s solved the second enigma. Here, let me do that one." A blink of his eyes and an arm was healed, another touch of his stick set a broken bone and sent the patient hopping and dancing with glee. "This is fun!" The alchemist?s eyes shone as he drew his cane in an arc above him head. A thousand multi-hued butterflies fluttered into the sky. She smiled at his childish ebullience and dismissed the last patient, a female whose complaint was nothing to do with the carnage the Pitlian had wrought. An old scar pulled the lid of one eye down and obstructed her sight. The scar was easy to remove with a touch of her fingers. The cure earned her a kiss on the hand. The alchemist aimed a finger at the woman and her hair grew to her waist. She ran off, shrieking with laughter, to join her more perfect twin. Tiana grinned, though she couldn?t help wondering at his childishness, as if it was a performance. "Stop showing off. How?s Santo?" "A man grown, and coming into his magic." She laughed. "How can he be a man grown? Yester, he was but a child."

The alchemist looked suitably vague, and seemed reluctant to discuss it. "Time goes fast, sometimes." One of the watchers tugged at her skirt. "The Pitilan must be dealt with, Lady. The tranquilizer?s wearing off." Her smile faded and she followed the watchers to a clearing. Atarta was secured by vines attached to his legs, the ends tied to a tree. His hide was peppered with arrows, his barbed tail lashed at the air. Eyes red-rimmed and maddened, his head moved back and forth seeking prey. Already the vines were giving way as his strength returned. He would not be held captive for long. "Atarta," she called, but the only response was an angry roar which sent the watchers scrambling up the trees. She took the whistle from her pocket and blew a sharp note. Atarta stopped struggling and sank to his haunches. He stared at her, then his tail crept over his back, the barb held high to deliver a fatal blow. "Destroy yourself," she ordered. His head moved stupidly from side to side and tears filled her eyes when he seemed to give her a wounded glance. She steeled herself against it. "Obey me, Atarta," she shouted out. "Destroy yourself, now!" Like lightning, the tail flicked, sliced open his neck and delivered an instantly lethal dose of venom. As he fell, a gust of foul smelling breath expelled from his body. A cheer went up from the watchers. Sickened by the loss of her constant companion, she sank on to a fallen log and supported her head in her hands. "You must not grieve for such a fearsome beast," the alchemist said without a shred of sympathy in his voice. "The Pitilan didn?t hunt just for food, but also for the pleasure of the blood-lust. It had no loyalty, no conscience. Any affection you felt for it was not reciprocated. Any nobility of soul you imagined it possessed was a myth generated in the mind of a child." "You could have destroyed it with a wave of your cane." "It was you who brought the Pitilan into this land. Therefore, it was you who had to destroy it." Because she didn?t want him to think badly of her, she stretched the truth a little. "The Pitilan was transported by mistake when I was pulled into the portal." He patted her kindly on the shoulder. "And I confess, I couldn?t have destroyed it. I was incarcerated before I attained such power. We must all do what we must, however painful." For once his words had a ring of truth. His knees creaked as he took his place on the log beside her. "Did Kavan tell you it was I who split the world in two?" Astonished, she gazed at him. "You?" "I was angry you see. After I?d fathered Arcus and Lynx I neglected to keep a fatherly eye on them both and they did something very foolish." "They met and fell in love." His frown indicated he didn?t appreciate the interruption. "You?ve heard the story?" "Kavan told me a little. Pray tell me the rest."

"I?ll tell you the truth of it if you stop interrupting," he said testily. "Now where was I? Ah yes, Beltane was taking a turn at being chief god then. He was aggressive to any who opposed him. Most of the gods are banished and scattered throughout the far universe." "But Beltane is confined to Bane." "A master stroke on my part," the alchemist said with a proud grin. "He?s held there by my will-power alone. Only through use of the fire stone can he be freed. The power must be evoked through demon raising, and will set the destruction of Cabrilan and Truarc into motion." The hair at the nape of her neck prickled. "What did Beltane do to annoy you, ancient one?" "He lusted after Lynx, whom I loved." His bony finger touched against her hair, his eyes flamed dull red through the misty surface. "You?re like her," he murmured. Even though she couldn?t feel his touch, she recoiled a fraction. "The love of a father for his daughter must be a powerful emotion indeed." He drew himself up. "Of course, that?s exactly what it was. It?s natural to want to protect a daughter. Because I intervened, Beltane chose to accuse the pair of indulging in forbidden love and prevented them from experiencing the natural affection between siblings. Each chases the other across the sky and never glimpses the other. This is where you and Kavan come in." "I don?t understand." "The god-child will carry the genes of Arcus and Lynx, who in turn are blessed with my genes. Legend says your son will be a god of many miracles. He?ll travel far in the universe, be fair of appearance, wise of heart and be much loved." "You want me to bear a son only to lose him," she said sadly. "He?ll grow to be a young man in your care, and you will teach him much. Kavan is lusty. No doubt there will be others to console you. Another son perhaps, and a daughter of as great a beauty as her mother." She grew a little warm at the thought of her and Kavan being blessed with three healthy children. "Will Kavan stay true to only me?" "You?ll be the light in his eyes, his waking thought, the voice of his conscience, the happiness in his soul, the beat of his heart and the flame in his loins." The alchemist placed a hand against his chest. "Truly, he?ll place you above all others and serve you all his life." She detected amusement in his words and laughed. "Your tongue is coated with silver, most ancient of ancients. Many maids must have succumbed to the essence of your flattery." "I?ve enjoyed every moment of my life. The chimera has much to offer." He rose and smiled at her. "Ah ... if only I could make myself a few thousand years younger ..." And he was gone, leaving a whirlwind of leaves where he?d been. A few moments passed before she realized he hadn?t explained his destructive action in causing the rift.

*** No matter how hard Kavan flexed his muscles, he couldn?t free himself. It was pitch dark, his arms were manacled above his head, his feet by the ankles to the floor. Was there a floor? Cold draughts swirled about him, raising goose-bumps on his skin and bringing to his nostrils an unpleasant aroma of some sort of fertilizer. He sensed space around him, above him and below him. Carefully tipping his head back he looked upwards. "By my beard," he muttered, seeing the light of a distant star. "How will I get out of this?" A sound came from far below, a tiny rattle, like a foot against a stone. "Who?s there?" he called. There was no response. Despite his superb muscle structure, or because of it, Kavan was uncomfortable. Muscles needed to be kept exercised, not extended at full strength. Whoever had imprisoned him was an expert at torture. He could be here for days whilst the pain of muscle cramps and spasms eroded his will. He shifted his weight from one side to the other, then from front to back. Not much movement, but some. They must have tied him to a platform and lowered him down into a tunnel of some sort. His mind ticked off the possibilities. The silos where the grain was stored? The pits where followers of Beltane were thrown to rot in his step-father?s time? He gave a mirthless grin. That would be ironic, and a form of punishment Rowena might use ... if he hadn?t had them filled in. He wondered what the times was. Feeling helpless, he replaced the negative thoughts in his mind with sweeter ones. Tiana came like a healing balsam to calm him. What was she doing? Was she curled sweetly in his cloak, inhaling his personal scent to reinforce that already lodged in her subconscious? Had she fallen asleep quickly, eager for a dream to bring him to her? She?d be dreamless tonight. Her maidenly heart would be disappointed, because despite her anger and feelings of helplessness, she was intrigued by him now. He tested his fetters again, slowly pitting his strength against the metal. For some reason his feet were bare. His toes curled downwards and lodged in a hole. He was secured on a metal grid of some sort. Apart from some slight toe movement there wasn?t any slack to work with. The pain in his head was a grinding torment of singed nerve endings. The user of the stun gun hadn?t been familiar enough with the weapon to know how to bring it to full power, thank Assinti. It was a long night, in which he alternatively dozed and woke. When light suddenly shafted downwards, he took his bearings. He was suspended in one of the ancient blow holes. It could be worse, at least the ocean had shifted when the world had split. His mind began to focus. He must remember to calculate for the shift back, making sure any of his subjects in the area were relocated. But first, he had to get out of this mess! Noise suddenly erupted below him and a mass of squeaking, black shapes tumbled and wheeled under him. They filled the shaft below the grid, then settled against the walls. Dragon bats. That accounted for the smell. Gleaming black eyes gazed up at him, then as if sensing he was helpless, a few of the bats edged on to the grill. Something needle-sharp pierced the sole of his foot. There was a sudden shifting below, as excited by the dripping blood the bats began to hiss and fight over it. Another needle pierced his foot, then another.

The blow hole was filled with the sound of lapping tongues and hissing dragon bats. At this rate he?d bleed to death. "No!" he yelled as realization hit him .... *** Tiana woke with a start, gripped by some unnamed dread. She was snug in the watchers camp, high in a tree canopy. The swaying branches made her stomach queasy, but the height bothered her not at all. She?d slept through the night without dreams of Kavan to plague her. Had he decided she was not worth pursuing after all? A faint flare of disappointment came, but was dismissed immediately. She stretched, deciding not to think about him. Lowering a ladder fashioned from vines, she descended to the forest floor and went to the stream to bathe. The icy water made her bones ache. She completed her ablutions in hasty fashion, then bundled into her clothes. If she?d kept the wishing dish she could have bathed in warm water, she thought. She went to the High Place and peered over the fall. The rainbow patch mocked her. She?d have to climb down the slope, then swim to the middle of the lake and dive to the bottom if she wanted to retrieve the dish. She shivered, remembering the numbing cold of the water on her body. "You were a gift of kindness from Kavan?s heart and I?m an ingrate," she murmured. "I?m truly sorry I discarded you." The water around the rainbow bubbled and frothed, the bowl slid from the water and sped towards her. "You are indeed magic," she gasped, catching the silver disk and hugging it close against her. About to return to the forest with her prize, her intuition was assailed by a deep sense of helplessness. She sank to the ground, knowing something was terribly wrong. Placing the bowl in front of her she concentrated on one of the stones. Soon it began to radiate circles of red and gold until it merged into a shining light. The color absorbed her vision. There was a well going into the earth. Inside, Kavan was manacled by his wrists and feet. Blood dripped from his feet, which were torn to shreds. Beneath him, a colony of dragon bats clung to the rough walls. They were in a stupor. His head hung forward on his chest. "Lord Kavan." "Tiana?" His head lifted and he gazed about him. His eyes were weary and his unguarded pain slammed into her mind like a wall of dark water. "How sweetly you say my name, but I cannot see you." "I see you, Lord," she gasped, "Allow me a moment to adjust to your pain." She experienced the effort he made as it was partially withdrawn from her. "I was thinking of you, Tiana. Am I dreaming?" "You are in my meditations. We are mind joined." "Listen carefully then. I?m in the hands of my enemies and they have summoned the forces of Beltane." "Barbarian as you are, I did not imagine you hung there for personal enjoyment."

His chuckle was pained. "I?m still of a mind to beat you." "You have not the strength to beat a grasshopper from a leaf, Lord." When he flexed his body against his bonds the pain hit her again and the contact began to fade. "Quickly," she whispered. "What can I do to help you? I have the wishing dish back in my possession. Instruct me in its use for your good." "It will not be of help. It can only be used for material comfort, amusement or sensory communication, and then only within a certain range. Summon my troopers ... but be careful ... followers of Beltane ... Rowena ... a traitor ... Pannis ... Van ..." "Where are you, Kavan?" He didn?t answer, just faded from her mind, leaving her gazing into the silvered surface of the dish. Shouts came from below her. "There she is, but she?s on sacred ground." "Go up after her, you fools," someone shouted authoritatively, "A pile of moldy bones can?t harm you." Uniformed men began to scale the slope. She whispered instructions into the wishing dish, hoping it would categorize her request as an amusement. It did. Water cascaded down the hill, washing the men to the bottom. The water froze over, leaving a sheer cliff of ice. One of the attackers waved a fist at her. "We are security guards of the new order. Rowena orders you to surrender, witch woman of Truarc." "Witch woman!" She gazed at the dish and wished up a load of goat dung to rain upon those below. Nothing happened, so she shook her fist. She jumped when a fire bolt exploded in front of them. There was a maniacal cackle and the alchemist danced into her vision. Picking up his skirts, his skinny feet stomped in the dust and he clapped his hands with child-like glee. "I haven?t done that for ages. Shall I throw a few more their way?" "It will melt the ice." "What about some smelly, black mud then." She remembered the goat?s dung and smiled. "Do as you will to hold them off. Kavan is held prisoner by the followers of Beltane. I must try and rescue him." The alchemist nodded. "I?ll summon Santo to help you." "He?s but a child," she said, not quite beyond exasperation and tempted to leave Kavan to his fate. "What use have I for a man as infuriating and stubborn as Kavan, a man who dares to unjustly accuse me of the same stupidity?" She reasoned out loud. "Kavan?s convinced his quest is to save us all from extinction. What colossal arrogance my lord has." Yet, what if he was right? It was a good enough reason to try and save him.

"Why not get on with it?" someone said. She recognized the man only by the dark eyes and the wide smile that met her curious gaze. Fully grown and muscular, he stood head to head with her. "Well met, Santo. You?ve grown." "An accelerated aging process. The master said my brain was too advanced for my body, and I should catch it up." "You look good. Are you happy?" "Happier than I?ve ever been. I live in a wondrous world. This man you love, where is he held?" "I did not say I loved him." "You hold him in high esteem and admire him greatly, Lady." "That is different to loving him. I only wish to rescue him because he?s deranged and thinks he can save the world. He says the god Beltane is raising a force against us. He deserves a chance. I suppose." "Your mind tells me he?s manacled and is being blood-drained by dragon bats." "It?s only what he deserves. Do not tell me I seek to rescue him because I love him. How can a maid love a man who thinks so highly of himself he wishes to be her lord and master?" Just at this moment she?d promise to be his slave rather than see him die, but she didn?t intend to admit that to anyone, least of all, Kavan. "A man wishes to master his woman. A wise woman gives him his head, allows him his fantasy and masters him." "Well learned, Santo," the alchemist said. She shot them both a scornful glance. "Yester he was merely a child, today a sage and relationship counselor. Take care, Santo. On the morrow the wind might change and you?ll turn into another alchemist." "You could be right," the old man said blandly. Beneath them, the security guards were hacking footholds in the ice. The alchemist?s bells tinkled when he laughed and casually tossed a fire bolt down the slope. The ice hissed, melted, the footholds filled with water and iced over again. "That will teach them to call me a pile of moldy bones. An alchemist is not a bad thing to be at times, eh?" Santo took her by the arm. "We must get away from here and back to the watchers. They are good strategists, and will help us defeat the forces of Beltane." "You mean Beltane?s forces actually exist?" Unease gripped her when he nodded. "Kavan instructed me to get in touch with his troopers. How can I do that?" "By now they will know of his fate so we must be careful. You must summon the night chargers."

She didn?t know what he was talking about. Placing his finger against her forehead, he murmured, "Close your eyes and concentrate." And the memory came back to her, of the dreaming place and Kavan placing a night charger at her disposal. She imagined his kiss against her mouth and remembered how exquisite his touch. "Kavan evokes tender thoughts in your mind," Santo whispered. A smile touched her lips. "That?s true. He plants the seeds of desire within my heart. Perhaps I will come to love him, in time." "Call the charger, else time will end for you both." "Shazah, come to me," she murmured. It was not long before she saw the beast coming through the air, as swift and as silent as a black ghost. When Shazah landed, Tiana stroked her velvety muzzle. With a soft trill, Kavan?s hawk alighted on the charger?s head. "You come to lend me your eyes, little bird? Thank you, I?ll need them." Behind them, another thunderbolt exploded. The alchemist?s cackle filled the air. Tiana shook her head as she gazed as Santo. "Sometimes, he is not as wise as I?d imagined him to be." "Methinks the alchemist has his own agenda, but a little harmless fun never hurt anyone." They exchanged an indulgent smile as they climbed upon the charger?s back and sped towards the forest.

CHAPTER SEVEN

It was night. Word had been spread via the market place. Stunned villagers, believing their lord had perished, locked themselves in their homes - some to grieve and some to ponder their futures. As the dark night progressed, sounds of drunken revelry came from the manor. Neighbor visited neighbor, rumors flew back and forth. "Lord Kavan is not dead," said one burly fellow. "He be captured by the followers and his troopers are taken prisoner." "I hear tell Lady Tiana is still at large. She be guarded by the spirit of the alchemist." "I wouldn?t want to be in the maid?s shoes when Rowena gets her hands on her, spirit or no spirit," came the gloomy reply. When the people gathered at the manor walls for news a curfew was announced and guards chased them off with whips. ***

Only one of Kavan?s troopers was still at large. Torma had delivered the silver-smith?s daughter to safety and was hurrying back to the manor when Benlogan intercepted him. "If you be Torma, stop. I would talk with you." Torma slapped his arms at his body to keep the cold at bay. "Your daughter is safe, silver-smith. Out of my way, my lord and my dinner awaits me ... and a right good rouse it sounds to be. What are they celebrating, has the Truarc maid come to her master?" Benlogan threw a coarsely woven, gray cloak at him. "Would it were so. Quick, there?s treachery afoot. Remove Lord Kavan?s insignia and don this." Alarm stabbed at Torma?s chest. "Are you insane?" Benlogan?s hand clamped down hard on his arm, the pressure stronger than Torma would have given the old man credit for. "Lord Kavan is captured by followers of Beltane." "I must hasten to aid him, then. Who are these traitors?" he roared, shaking off the restraint and pulling his sword from his scabbard. "I?ll slice the gizzards from each and every one of them." "You?d do better to keep a steady head on your shoulders and your voice down. Proceed with caution, Torma. The manor is under the control of Pannis and the Lady Rowena. Your fellow troopers are locked in their barracks, their execution listed as a source of entertainment for the morrow." "The troopers to be executed?" Sickened by the turn of events Torma shook his head from side to side. "Why didn?t we get wind of the uprising?" "It was confined to a power seizure by those in high office. Rowena, Pannis and some of the security guards. Vandrew?s also involved, but he?s the weak link. He has not the true belief of the others and will be easy to break." Kavan?s mother and his chief advisor? High treason indeed, and something Kavan wouldn?t have expected. Torma pursed his lips in a silent whistle. "What about Vandrew?s son, Javros?" "Unaware of his father?s transgression from what I gather." "And out of the way as emissary to Truarc." Torma thought for a moment. "Kavan always talked highly of Javros and had planned a rapid advancement for him. The youth has skills and reflexes that will match those of Kavan before too long. It?s better if his loyalty remains untested until the uprising?s resolved." Caution overcame his bravado. He would be of no use to his lord if he was captured. He drew the voluminous cloak around him and removed his silver rings and insignia, dropping them into one of the cloak?s many pockets. "What of the Lady Tiana?" "She?s in no danger, even though guards lay siege to the High Place. There?s magic in evidence from what I hear. She?s turned the mountain into ice, which allows them no foothold. Thunderbolts and stinking mud appear from nowhere to rain upon the heads of her attackers. Most of the villagers turned out in force to cheer her on until a curfew was set in place, when they were driven back to their homes

under pain of death." Torma?s grin spread from ear to ear. "A maid who can blister the ears of Lord Kavan would find an army of security guards child?s play to deal with. I must release the troopers and join her. We have sworn fealty to her and are under her command." Benlogan?s thumb dug into the crook of his elbow and he whispered. "Bane song." Torma shook him off. "What gibberish is this you?re spouting?" Benlogan?s smile held relief. "It?s the word and touch of the followers of Beltane. You?ll need it if you?re going into the palace. I had to know if you were loyal." It took but an instant for Torma?s fist to bunch around Benlogan?s shirt tunic front. With a grunt, he heaved him upwards to dangle with his feet just off the floor. "You dare ask that of one of Kavan?s troopers?" "Aye, I dare. There?s one amongst you who works with the enemy." "Name him, silver-smith." "General Saayer." Torma was stunned. "It cannot be so. General Saayer trains us in the craft of war." "He?s also the bed mate of Rowena - and has been since before Kavan inherited the seat of power. They intend to install Saayer as Lord. Let me down - and gently, pray, for you know not your own strength." Sobered, Torma lowered the man to the ground and patted his shoulder in apology. "The general is a formidable foe, yet I must do my utmost to free my lord, even if it means killing Saayer to free the troopers." Benlogan adjusted his cloak. "A man can?t fight on an empty stomach for long. Leave it for now and follow me home. The traitors celebrate their victory with revelry. If you wait until the third quarter of darkness is over, most of them will be in a drunken stupor and at their most vulnerable." "The manor gate is locked at night, and what of the curfew?" Benlogan chuckled as he slid a key from his pocket. He dangled it from his finger. "There are not enough guards to patrol the entire village, and here is the key to the side gate." Torma?s hand closed around it. "My lord will reward you for your loyalty." "I need no reward. The scum who?ve seized power would take us back to the old ways. Lord Kavan is blessed by the gods. He works for the good of the people and his concern for us shines for all to see." A far cry from what Benlogan had said about Kavan earlier. For certes, this man knew how to suit his words to the occasion. Such a twist would amuse Kavan no end, so Torma grinned on his lord?s behalf. "You?re too black-sighted to see so much, Benlogan."

"Aye." The silver-smith?s smiled was bemused. "But not too black-sighted to know you?re laughing at the sentiments of an old man. Doesn?t that make it all the more remarkable?" Stick sweeping back and forth across the laneway, he began to walk rapidly away. Keeping to the shadows, Torma followed, his sword at the ready. *** The night was a skyscape without stars. Clouds chased overhead. The wind keened around the manor as if it were already mourning the loss of Kavan. Torma placed his ear against the side door. They must have posted guards. If he threw the door open suddenly he could probably catch them unawares and slice both their heads off with one pass of his sword. His mouth stretched into a grin and his knuckles tensed around the door handle. A regular sawing noise reached his ears. His grin widened. Whoever was on guard was asleep. Muscles tensed for action he gently eased the door forward on protesting hinges. There were two of them, lolling against the wall. He cracked them behind the ear with the hilt of his sword to make sure they slept till morning, then stepped over their fallen bodies. The layout of the manor was familiar to him, as it was to all Kavan?s troopers. He moved swiftly, cracking skulls along the way, and using the precision skills General Saayer had taught him in the academy. Lord Kavan had displayed reluctance for execution of late. Torma didn?t want to incur his wrath, though letting the traitors live went against his grain. He knew Kavan would want to exact his own revenge on the offenders in this matter. The barracks were situated not far from Kavan?s quarters. From around a corner Torma observed two guards with stunners at the ready. They were sober, he noticed with approval, which was probably due to the lack of proximity to the dining hall and wine cellars. The barrack doors were bolted, and secured with a heavy chain. He retraced his steps to collect a bottle of wine, and pulling the concealing cloak around him staggered drunkenly towards them. He smiled widely at them and stuck his thumb in the air. "What a night. Bane song, and a thumb in the elbow to you both." The guards exchanged an amused glance. "Where are you going, fellow?" "I?m looking for my woman." He gazed owlishly at the bottle. "This fine liquid stole the edge from my sword. She said she?d rather taste the troopers? blades than try to hone mine." "What does this woman of yours look like?" "Her hair is like corn-silk and her eyes like the sky in summer. Her only fault..." he dropped his voice and gazed from side to side before saying confidentially. "Between you and me, she likes it too much, friend. I can?t keep up with her." One of the guards chuckled. "The troopers will be no good to her tonight. Even though they be as naked as plucked goats, they?ve got no way of warming themselves. If your woman comes this way, my comrade and I might help you out a little." Scum! Torma beamed at them and held out the bottle. "A drink comrades?"

"Thanks." Torma brought the bottle down on the guard?s outstretched arm. Before he had time to shout, Torma snatched up his stunner, pressed it against the other guard?s head and fired. The swung-back bottle simultaneously slammed against the first guard?s throat. "Five minitix, not bad," he mused as he pulled the padlock key from a belt. Inside, the door to the ablutions block was held shut by an iron bar through the handles. "What took you so long?" one of the troopers growled. Torma?s face broke into a broad smile when they sheepishly filed out. They were shivering with the cold. As his glance fell on their shriveled appendages he grinned and whispered. "You?re a disgrace to Cabrilan manhood. Come on you useless worms, cover your shame or even the most desperate of maids will run the other way in disgust." He kept guard while they dressed, silently debating whether to seek out General Saayer or not. He decided against it. Better they got out of the manor without raising a hue and cry. It would give them a head start. Weapons were taken from racks. Grim-faced and boots in hand, they filed noiselessly downstairs, outside and through the dark lanes to the open countryside. They met no-one, not even a guard to vent their anger on. Overhead, lightning lanced red through the clouds and thunder rumbled. The wind no longer keened, it gusted with long drawn out moans and high-pitched shrieks. A soft murmur of hoots and whistles brought the night chargers to them one by one. The whole operation had taken very little time. Torma was smiling as they headed for the forest, proud of his night?s work. *** Tiana couldn?t believe her eyes. Safely concealed under the wind-lashed canopy of the forest was an army of mounted troopers. They were lit by the collective glow from the eyes of the watchers. Torma dismounted and bowed. "We are at your command. lady. What are your orders?" "Orders?" Slanting her head to one side she regarded them with bemusement. "I?m no general born to command Kavan?s troopers." "Our lord has placed us at your disposal. We?ve sworn fealty to you." "Protect and befriend me, but do not look to me for guidance in matters of war when my mission has always been that of peace. He of highest rank amongst you must be responsible for the troop." Torma nodded his approval. "That?s me. What are your plans, lady?" "I intend to rescue Lord Kavan." The troopers grinned and cracked their knuckles in anticipation. She frowned at them. "I intend to go alone, a large force might be noticed." Groans greeted her words, then one of them thought to ask. "You know of Lord Kavan?s whereabouts?"

"The followers of Beltane have him prisoner in a vertical shaft of some sort. He?s manacled by his hands and feet and his body is stretched to its limit. Worst of all." She gave an involuntary shudder. "He?s standing on a metal grill, his feet are bare and dragon bats are pecking through the soles of his feet. Eventually, they will sever a vein and he?ll be drained of blood and die." A collective murmur of protest went through the troopers. "How do you intend to bring about his rescue, Lady?" "If I?m able to join in mind contact with him, he can guide me to his prison. Shazah will be my transport and the hawk my eyes." She gazed apologetically at them. "Time is short and a storm nearly upon us. I cannot have any distractions or well-meant advice. It might interfere with the mind contact." There seemed to be a thousand questions shot at her. "Once found, how will you free him from his restraints?" "What if he?s guarded?" "You cannot go alone, lady. If anything happened to you, Kavan would --" Santo appeared in a crackle of light. A hundred swords hissed from their scabbards. One sliced through his neck. "What magic is this?" the aggressor shouted at Santo when his head remained firmly in place. Santo grinned widely at his attacker. "Don?t be so hasty with your sword arm, friend. I?m on your side and I?m going with her." "So am I," Torma growled. "Kavan will have my ... well, he?ll have a tender part of me on a spike if she rides without the proper protection." The troopers grinned, scratched their crotches and exchanged glances. Tiana pretended not to notice. "Make sure you stay vigilant. Post sentries to watch for any hue and cry from the manor. The guards might try another assault of the High Place at daybreak." "If all goes well there won?t be any of them left to guard by then," one of them said, and a raucous cheer went up. "Think before you act. Kavan will be after someone?s blood when he returns, and we don?t want it to be ours." A couple of the watchers descended from the tree canopies, and with eyes gleaming settled themselves on Torma?s mount. Amused, he grinned at them. "Of what use are you two midgets?" "Their eyesight is keener than most. They?re brave, and are accurate with their tranquilizer arrows, " Santo said, as Shazah knelt to Tiana?s command. "Their eyes will be seen from afar." The watchers blinked in unison, extinguishing the lights. "Lord Kavan appointed us to watch over the lady, and that?s what we?re going to do," one of them piped up.

"That honor belongs to us," one of the troopers shouted out. It sounded as if the debate would degenerate into argument. Tiana held up her arms and the hubbub died down. "It seems Kavan has appointed everyone as my protector. Generous of him when it?s obvious that he is the one who can?t look after himself." The troop dissolved into laughter. Throwing her sack over her shoulder, she clambered on the animal?s back with Santo behind her. "Let?s go," she said. Soundlessly, they soared up into the wind. *** Time dragged for Kavan. His feet were raw and bloodied from the relentless pecking. Each prick of needle-sharp teeth seemed to unearth a new nerve. Every part of his body ached as if it had been flagellated. His nostrils burned from the odor of bad blood, bats and his own unwashed body. Every itch was unrelieved torture, and there were plenty of them. Biting insects had left their marks on almost every portion of his exposed flesh. Over the day he?d spent precious energy struggling against his bonds and deciding what he?d do to the followers of Beltane when he got free. He?d boil them in oil. But first, he?d cut off their eyelids and leave them staring into the sun. Eventually, their eyes would fry in their own juice, and pop. As for Pannis, he?d hang the diabolical bastard right where he was now, but by his .? He growled, and the dragon bats squeaked in alarm. "It?s night," he shouted. "Why don?t you seek other prey?" But then he thought. Why should they go to the effort when they had him hanging like a carcass in a larder? *** High above, the hawk?s head swiveled round and it gave a soft trill. Tiana hoped it wouldn?t be another false alarm. The storm had hampered the search. The wind carried away sound and the lightning confused the eyes. At her command, Shazah wheeled around and began to glide in ever-decreasing circles. Below the clouds, the light of a fire gleamed on water. She concentrated on it, drew its serenity into her mind. "Where are you, lord?" "In your mind, your heart and your soul, as you are in mine." "This is no time for foolish love talk. I?m here to rescue you. Describe your surroundings." "My lady is sour." "My lord is an idiot if his intent is to indulge in idle chit chat," she said shortly. " I cannot meditate indefinitely, and your hawk is unable to locate your exact position in the storm." "You?re close. I can smell your perfume on the draught coming down the shaft." "You need not wax lyrical about it," she said dryly. "Your location, Lord?"

"I?m in a blow hole on the shore of an ancient ocean bed." How weary he sounded. She absorbed some of his pain to give him strength, sucking in a swift intake of breath at its intensity. "Torma knows the place." "You?ve brought my troopers?" Was he concerned he?d lose respect if they sighted him in weakness? Never. She?d seen for herself how much love he inspired. Her voice softened. "Only Torma. He insisted, and I will need his strength." "Aye, Lady, so will I," was the faint reply. *** Thanks to the gods, Tiana had protection. There was a scuffle at the top of the shaft and gravel peppered Kavan?s head. Light from some lanterns bathed him when he looked up. Tiana gazed back at him, her expression one of preoccupation. He grinned at her like the idiot she?d accused him of being. "Being rescued by a woman will be an everlasting source of amusement with my troopers." She snorted and spat out, "Hah!" which made him grin even more. She turned to consult with someone, then turned back to him again. "Close your eyes. Santo will try a spell to free you." "That child?" The manacle on his wrists exploded in a shower of sparks and singed the hairs from his wrists. "Banefire," he yelled and sagged to his knees in a heap of protesting muscles. Immediately, his ankle manacles exploded under him, and with the same result." "Can you climb up the rope?" "Climb up the rope. Are you mad, woman? I can hardly move for pain, and now I suffer from burns inflicted on me by a foolish child who cannot properly control a bit of fire trickery." Too late, he realized he?d incensed her. "Fire trickery! If you?d prefer being eaten by dragon bats I?ll insist he reinstate you to your former glory." A clump of earth landed on his shoulder ... and were those tears glistening in her eyes and thickening her voice? "You can climb out of there unaided for all I care. I?m going home, you ... you, ungrateful savage." Dirt made his eyes water. "Will you please stop pelting me with soil." "I?d throw I rock if I could find one, monkey-brain." She gave a sob and disappeared. What was the matter with the woman? "Tiana, come back" he said softly, but she did not reappear. Instead, Torma swung his leg over the hole and was lowered to where he crouched. Unceremoniously,

Kavan was pinched between his thighs. "Pull .... pull ... pull ...," Torma shouted. Gradually, Torma?s charger dragged them up the shaft in a series of jerks. Deposited on the ground, Kavan swallowed deep gulps of air into his lungs. When he tried to stand his legs collapsed beneath him. They were all watching him. Torma, the child, Santo ... ? He shook his head in wonder. Santo had become a man overnight. Tiana had brought a couple of watchers with her, as well. Their eyes shone, which explained the lanterns. How had she persuaded them to leave the forest? Torma put a flask against his lips. Kavan drained it, using the last of the water to splash on his face. He began to massage his calf muscles, Torma started on his shoulders. "Leave it, we have no time. Fetch Tiana to heal my feet." "She?s taken Shazah and gone." "Without a bodyguard?" "Most of the troop is standing off. They?ll intercept her and bring her back." "She brought the troop with her, but she said --" "No, Lord. She commanded them to stay, but they followed at a discreet distance." "She?s their commanding officer. They should have obeyed her." "They put her safety first, Lord, as you would have expected of them." Kavan groaned and gave a piercing whistle. He could not lay any blame on them, but their presence would heap indignity upon indignity and he could expect no mercy from their bantering. Within a short while Shazah came back to him. Tiana tumbled from the charger?s back and stood over him, her chest heaving with affront. He noted the tears glistening on her cheeks and gazed at his companions. Some moments needed privacy. "Leave us." When they moved discreetly out of earshot, he said. "My thanks for the rescue, Lady." "I should have left you there." "Much as you dislike me, I doubt if you?d let me die." "I did not say I disliked you." He pulled her down beside him and smeared away the tears on her cheek. "Do you cry for another, then?" She would not meet his eyes. "I did not say I liked you, either. I feel your pain, as I would the pain of any other wounded creature. It makes me sad." He stroked the side of her face. "You have a soft heart. However undeserving you find him, can you ease this poor creature?s pain?"

"I?ll try." She placed his feet in her lap and lay her palms against the shredded soles. Her eyes came up to his, glowing like still water in the sun. The silence in her was uncanny. He allowed her access to his mind, but no further than she needed to effect healing. He floated in the coolness of her serenity, feeling it settle about him like a healing cloak. Above them the storm raged. The air was sultry, the wind throwing gusts, like the breath of sulfurous tongues reaching for them. His feet gradually stopped throbbing, then the flesh cooled and healed. He sensed she was about to withdraw, but he wanted more of her, wanted to share his troubled thoughts with her so his soul was refreshed, as well. His eyes brought hers back to his, kept them there, drew her into him. He sensed her resistance and overcame it by force of will. A tiny plea plucked at his conscience. "You cannot use me in this way, Kavan." Uttering an oath, he withdrew. She removed his feet from her lap, stood up, and shoulders drooping with tiredness, stumbled away from him. He drew himself upright to go after her. Rubbing at his aching wrists, for the blood was rushing back into his body with a vengeance, he called after her. "My thanks, Lady. You?ve cured me." When she turned, her eyes were blazing. "I?ve cured only your flesh, Kavan. Your fury roils like the storm above us, and your need for vengeance twists my very soul." Legs apart, his fists resting on hips he contemplated her. He couldn?t understand her thinking. Did she not feel the need to purge the land of evil doers? "My enemies will not escape me." "Your quest is not to kill. It?s to save life." The effort to hide his fury made him shake. "I know what my quest is, and nothing will prevent me from carrying it out." "Then you don?t need me?" His lip curled. He could not deny to himself his need for her. The thought of her was with him every tix of every day. He needed her as slave to his body, his heart and his soul. He tasted her in the air, smelt her perfume with every breath. She visited his every dream and filled the corners of his existence. He shook his head, as if the act would dislodge her from his mind. Like every other woman, she wanted to hear that she?d enslaved him. Not from his lips! He smiled thinly at her. "You forget the prophecy. Of course I need you." He caught her hand as she lashed out at him. "Lady, to lift a hand to your lord carries the death penalty." "Then kill me," she spat out. It would be easy. His finger traced an arc around her jaw and stopped. Beneath his finger a pulse throbbed with life. Kill her, when he?d gone to so much effort to get her? He?d been celibate by choice since he?d set eyes on her, which had amused his troopers no end. Either Tiana had more courage than brains, or was too confident of her attraction over him if she thought she could talk to him thus.

"I have other plans for you," he said, and pushed her towards Shazah. She kicked out at him. "I don?t want to ride with you, barbarian." "You have no choice." And he?d had enough! He threw her over Shazah?s back and brought his hand lightly down on her rump a couple of times. The cry she gave was from the shock of chastisement rather than any pain he?d inflicted. She fell silent, but her eyes blazed into his when he hauled her upright. Mounting behind her, he smiled as he spurred Shazah up into the storm. That would teach her not to push him too far. After a while, she turned her face into his chest, but she spoke not another word to him. They were joined by the rest of the troop, who were standing by a little way off, and were escorted back to the forest. Caught up in their exuberance at his safe return, Kavan was carried high on the troopers? shoulders, tossed into the air and jibed about his rescuer. From the corner of his eyes he watched Tiana go, stumbling off into the forest with Santo and the two watchers supporting her. Her face was white and strained. His heart ached to comfort her. He freed himself from his troopers and hurried after her. Santo stood in his path. "Every time Tiana heals she gives part of herself to the recipient. She risked her life to save yours and you repaid her with abuse." "It was a mere tap. It meant nothing. I?ll tell her so." "You have robbed her of her dignity. Would you also take her pride? What is done, cannot be undone. She?s tired. Leave her alone." He held out a closed fist and slowly opened it. In his palm nestled a glowing, green object. "She asked me to give you this." When he picked the bauble up his heart leapt into his throat. It was cool to his touch, alive, like a ripple of liquid in his palm. "The water stone," he said wonderingly. "How did she come by it?" "It was a precious gift of love from her mother." "Does that make it a precious gift of love to her lord and master?" But Santo had gone, and the forest behind was dark and quiet, as if it held its breath. She?d been embraced by its darkness, had been accepted and trusted by the creatures who knew its secret ways. He might never get her back, now, for the watchers guarded those they loved as their own. He had to put his quest first and at least Tiana was aware of its importance, he thought, securing the pendant around his neck. She?s reminding me of its purpose. He put the uncomfortable thought behind him when Torma joined him. "We must secure the manor before the night is over, Lord." Kavan clapped a hand on his most trusted friend?s shoulder. "I should not have chastised Tiana in such a manner." "No, Lord, you should not." "She thinks me a savage, a barbarian. This will only reinforce her opinion." Torma grinned at him. "Lady Tiana has wisdom beyond her years, and a way with words that wins the

imagination, if not the heart." "Being rescued by a woman was undignified," Kavan grumbled, "and you?re siding with her." "Yes, Lord, I am taking her side. Allow me to remind you that death by dragon bat is more undignified, and the fact that she pits her will against yours is the only defense she has. You should woo Lady Tiana with softness and pretty words, not brute force. Maids like their suitors to be poets, even if the expressed sentiments cover the real purpose of wooing." Kavan nodded. "It?s true that soft words and actions go a long way. A man should expect a maid to be irrational about certain things, however deserved they might be. Despite her smallness her seat was well-padded, so only her pride was hurt. She will bear my children easily, I think." A soft growl echoed in their ears, then a barrage of twigs and leaf debris powdered around them. "My lady," he called out, "Did you not know that an eavesdropper never hears flattery? I?ll learn how to please you eventually." "You couldn?t please a black-sighted hag in a thunderstorm, however hard you tried," she mocked. He and Torma looked at each other, grinned, then moved off. *** Those servants loyal to Kavan had escaped earlier from the manor, creeping off into the night to take refuge in their homes or the surrounding countryside. Of those few who chose to serve Kavan?s enemies, each woke to a dagger held to their throats, and were given only a moment to repent and regret before being efficiently disposed of. The troopers moved silently from room to room, their faces grim with the task of rooting out those guards who?d humiliated them. They were just as efficient at dispatching their captors as Torma was being. Discovering Pannis dressed as a woman and hiding in the battlements, he mercifully sliced him open from head to abdomen. Vandrew?s heart failed under interrogation, but not before he?d told his tormentors everything they wanted to know. Kavan?s enemies were swiftly rounded up. Rowena woke from her slumber to find Kavan gazing down at her. The blood drained from her face. "Where?s General Saayer?" he growled. Her face was full of loathing when she gazed up at him. "Gone." "Gone where?" "He?s taken the fire stone to Bane. Beltane will resurrect the war demons with it, and Saayer will bring them back to defeat you." "When did he leave?" "Last night." Her smile was so smug he wanted to smash his fist into it. "What you?ve done is set in

motion the destruction of the world. We?re on a collision course with Truarc. The fire stone is an essential component in the prevention of it." She examined a fingernail. "Beltane will not allow that to happen. If you wish to become a follower, I can make sure you survive the invasion." "I would rather perish than be swayed from my quest." "So be it." Malice filled her eyes and spilled from her mouth. "That Truarc maid you brought here will make fine sport for Beltane?s war demons." She cringed against the pillow when he drew his dagger and held the point against her jugular. Barbarian, savage .. she?s your mother, she gave you life, Tiana?s voice reminded him. He cursed his conscience and sheathed the weapon. Despite the fright in her eyes, Rowena smiled. "I knew you wouldn?t be able to kill your own mother." She was right, and he bitterly regretted that fact. Tears in his eyes, Kavan turned on his heel and left, nodding to the troopers who waited outside. As soon as Kavan turned the corner, the trooper who?d drawn the short straw slipped inside the chamber. Rowena?s eyes widened. Her mouth was still stretching in an unbelieving scream when her head rolled into her lap. *** The market place was silent. The villagers peered from behind drawn curtains as carts came out with the dead. Bodies piled up, wood was stacked and torches thrown amongst it. Soaked in pine resin, the fire became a fierce, all-consuming conflagration that burned steadily throughout the day. It was a reminder to the Cabrilan people of the fate awaiting insurgents. They watched a trooper head out on foot. He came back in a little while with Benlogan, the blind silver-smith, and they disappeared inside the palace. Just before night fell, Kavan and the troopers left the battlements on their night chargers. Running from their houses the villagers gazed upwards. An awed sigh went up. It was the first time they?d seen their lord in full battle dress. Kavan wore supple black leather under breast and thigh plates made of studded hide. His hair was dressed in a high braid twisted into a leather thong. Carried across his back, his sword was smeared in mud and water so the shine would not alert the enemy. Daggers and mace decorated his belt. He looked fearsome astride a black charger, his face painted with camouflage stripes, and his purple eyes glittering. His personal guards were similarly clad. They were joined by hundreds of other troopers who?d been hastily summoned from far-flung outposts by the drum beaters, who lived within sound of each other along the route. The sky was thick with them. The down draught from the beating wings of the chargers scattered ash over the cobbles and filled the night with a whirring sound. Kavan broke away and detoured towards the High Place. He took something from inside his tunic and dropped it to the ground before rejoining his army. A cheer went up when the troopers formed ranks and wheeled towards the north. Within minitix, the long column was out of sight.

Accompanied by the village crier, the silversmith tapped his way to the marketplace. The crier rang his bell. "Hear you one and all, the words of our lord?s advisor." The villagers gazed in bewilderment at one another when Benlogan stepped forward. "The attempt by the followers of Beltane to assassinate Lord Kavan has failed, and the traitors have been executed. Cabrilan will shortly be under attack from the war demons of Beltane. The troopers have ridden out to repel the challenge, but if the attackers get through we must fight them off with every weapon we have." A woman waved an iron skillet in the air. "I?ve heard them demons force themselves on every women they set their eyes on. I?ll give ?em a good pasting with this if they come near my daughters." Benlogan held up a hand as a hubbub started. "Fill every vessel you have with water, soak your homes in it if you can. It?s said the demons cannot survive in water." The village became a hive of activity with people bustling here and there. Night fell, a peculiar night lit by a red glow. When they looked up at the sky, the surface of Bane was a seething, bright red mass. "Kavan has taken his troopers in the wrong direction," a woman cried out in fear. But even as she spoke, Cabrilan began its slow turn, ready for its final swing towards Truarc. *** The sight of Kavan in battle dress had set Tiana?s heart beating faster. He had a strangely calm look on his face, and his mouth twitched into a wary smile when he caught a glimpse of her. He dropped something, blew her a kiss and flew away. The something was a note weighted down with a perfumed red flower. Tiana, Light of my eyes, essence of my soul. I go to fight the forces of evil, the war demons of Beltane. I beg you, conceal yourself in the alchemist?s tomb behind the fall. The water will protect you from harm, and eventually I will come for you there. My heart is yours. Kavan. Tears filled her eyes and her mind reached out to his. It was closed to her, preoccupied with the task at hand. She freed the message, anyway. Return safely, Lord Kavan. *** Kavan smiled to himself and spurred Shazah forward. Every inch of him was charged with adrenaline. The waiting was over, the real enemy about to be engaged. He had no doubt he would return the victor. He thought of Tiana waiting for him and his heart filled with an indescribable joy. Suddenly, he was eager to get the battle over with. Gazing downwards, he watched Truarc change direction as Cabrilan turned. As he?d calculated, they were now poised to collide. Sobering, he thought, This is the last orbit. I must win this battle quickly and

retrieve the fire stone. Then I must find the eyes. But where? The possibility of failure reared like a snake about to strike. He shook his head to clear the doubt away. He must not fail! Ahead, he saw the war demons. Hundreds of them were streaking towards them, their wings flaming red and trailing smoke. General Saayer was leading them on his night charger. His silver tunic glowed like flames in the light from the pulsing fire stone on his chest. "This man forgets to put his own strategy into practice," Kavan whispered to himself as the troopers, undetectable in their dark garb, silently split rank to form an open-ended circle. By right, the first kill belonged to Kavan, especially on an occasion such as this, when pride was at stake, as well. Kavan waited until Saayer was close before he drew his sword. "You forgot to tell me you intended to challenge me for the seat of power." Saayer went for his sword, but Kavan didn?t intend to give him a chance to defend himself. One slash cut the man in half at the waist. As Saayer?s trunk parted from his bottom half, Kavan jerked the stone from the man?s chest and stuffed it deep inside his tunic. Demons surrounded him. Tongues of fire licked against his tunic. His troopers closed in around him. Lacking guidance, Saayer?s charger reared. The general?s legs spiraled downwards after his trunk. Kavan grinned as he sliced at the war demons. Tiana?s face came into his mind and his blood began to sing in his veins. The lady was worth fighting for. Soon she?d be his. And if by some chance he couldn?t save the world, he?d die happily with her in his arms. "My life for Lady Tiana," he shouted out, and thought his heart would burst from pride when his troopers took up the battle cry.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Grateful as she was for the food and shelter, Tiana couldn?t bring herself to stay at the watchers? camp for more than the time it took to recover her strength. The motion of the swaying tree top - where her bed, a comfortable covered basket of woven twigs, was located - induced a mild nausea. She had two companions for the night, females who curled together in the fork of a branch. From them she?d learned the watchers ate sparingly. Born in twinned pairs, they hunted when needed and supplemented a diet of goat and fish with wild herbs and fruit. She?d noticed that the older ones were not twinned, but they wouldn?t be drawn on the reason why. The watchers appeared to be more human than beast in nature, but their bodies were covered in thick fur. Everything seemed to interest them, but only from a curiosity level. They had no desire to emulate the Cabrilan and build houses or live in towns, preferring a solitary life in the forest. The next day, when she descended by rope ladder from the tree, she was confronted by Atarta?s skin, scraped clean of flesh and stretched between two trees to dry. It was peppered with holes from the watcher?s arrows. Her twinge of remorse was replaced by guilt when she remembered the carnage the animal had caused.

A pair of the watchers approached her. "Lady, if you have no use for the animal?s skin it will make fine purses for herb gathering." "It is yours." "We must give you something in return." She shook her head. "Your hospitality has been reward enough. Have you heard news of the battle?" "A war demon fell in its death throes to the ground below the High Place. The demons are too many, and Kavan?s troopers are being beaten back. There are many injured." Fear speared through her. "Have you received news of Lord Kavan?" "None, Lady, but we fear for his safety in these troubled days. We wish there were ways we could help, for since Lord Kavan came to power those who once hunted us for sport must now leave us in peace. We have not the will for warfare." These were peace-loving and timid creatures, aggression was not a natural part of their nature. "What will you do if Kavan fails to beat the demons back, watcher?" "We are about to retreat to our chimera lands. The demons live for the sport of cruelty, but they?ll not brave the bogs to come after us. At least we?ll survive until the collision shatters the world into dust." Bogs? She had not seen any bogs in her glimpse of the chimera. "You?re so sure of a collision, then?" "Cabrilan has turned early in its orbit. Take a look at Truarc tonight. The line of convergence is a trail of silver dust, clearly visible. This is the magnetic force of the two planets pulling each to the other." "Can nothing be done to prevent the catastrophe?" "The solution is in the head and hands of Kavan, and his thoughts are occupied elsewhere." Anger sent dark fingers to squeeze at her heart. Her future and that of her children was in dire jeopardy. As the thought was released, she experienced a thrust of maternal longing and curiosity. What would her genes mixed with those of Kavan produce? She buried the speculative thought in her mind. She?d not received the training necessary for motherhood, and now was not the time to hanker after a future she?d dismissed out of hand. "What purpose will destroying us achieve?" "Revenge, and victory over the alchemist for past wrongs." The watchers bowed. "Who knows what motivates the hearts of the Gods? We must go after we have broken our fast, Lady. You?re welcome to join us in the chimera lands. You?ll come to no harm there, and we?ll return to the forest in spring if Assinti decrees." She shook her head. "It sounds as if my skills might be put to better use here. There are those injured who might be needful of my attention. It matters not where or when our spirits depart our bodies, but perhaps I can send some of Kavan?s troopers back to him. It could turn the tide in our favor." She ate a frugal breakfast with them, exchanged a tearful goodbye, then moved back to her vantage spot on the High Place. The usually serene blue canopy of the sky was filled with dark shapes and choking drifts of smoke.

Horrified, she placed a hand over her mouth when a charger spiraled down, parting company with its rider on the way. Someone swooped under the trooper and hauled him across the back of his own charger. The trio headed towards the market place, where a great deal of activity was in progress. Grabbing up her sack, she headed down the slope at a stumbling, reckless pace. She shuddered when she passed a decomposing war demon and pressed her hand against her nose to shield herself from the stench. The physicians were treating the casualties as fast as they could, using the covered stalls as consulting rooms. They were unused to battle-wounds, unsure how to go about healing the badly wounded. The harder cases were put to one side and left to die, whilst those they could save were stitched and bandaged. Moving into a vacant stall next to one of the physicians, Tiana rolled up her sleeves and crouched over a badly burned trooper who?d been shoved to one side. "My Lady Tiana," he whispered, his welcoming smile becoming a grimace of pain. "You must not attend me in this disgraceful state." "Hush," she said and engaged his eyes. "Our joined spirits will heal you and you?ll go back to help your lord achieve victory." Her hands pressed against the blackened flesh. Time flowed into time. Wound followed wound until she was sickened by the sight and smell of blood. After a while her body ached from crouching over the wounded. She stood to ease the cramp from her spine. Immediately, a bowl of soup was placed in her hands. "Eat, lady." "There are others who need this more," she protested. "My man be seeing to the needy. If you drop from exhaustion, who will help the badly injured?" the woman said gruffly. "How be my little Santo?" Tiana turned a weary smile her way. "I never learned your name." "It?s Athene, lady." "Well, Athene, Santo is considerably grown and apprenticed to the spirit of the alchemist. He?s possessed of considerable magic. If we survive, he?ll grow to be a powerful influence in shaping the future of Cabrilan." The woman?s mouth fell open. "Glory be! Wait till I tell my man. That?ll serve him right for turning the boy from our hearth. Not that he hasn?t had his regrets, mind, but too late for that, I say. Now, eat that soup whilst I sort out some of these troopers." Athene carried a bowl of water and a cloth over to a wounded trooper. "Let me wipe the muck from your face whilst my lady refreshes herself. Don?t you be Francy, the son of the lamp maker? A cheeky pup as I remember. Now, don?t you give my lady none of your lip, or Lord Kavan will hear of it." She squealed when the trooper pinched her rear. The soup gave Tiana the energy to continue. Athene became her unofficial helper, and made sure she was kept supplied with nourishing snacks and drinks. Tiana couldn?t keep count of the troopers she

tended and one face blurred into the other. It was late afternoon when she reached the last patient. When she bent over him her smile faded. A jagged wound with cauterized edges gaped open from neck to navel, exposing his innards. "Fetch a physician, I need advice," she whispered to Athene. The trooper?s hand closed around her wrist. "I got in the way of a demon?s tail. It tried to gut me, but didn?t quite succeed." "Who cauterized the wound?" "The demon. When they get riled up they burn." Thank Assinti for small mercies, she thought. "The physician left me for dead. Cure me Lady, as you did the others. Lord Kavan needs me." Conquering the need to gag with a slow intake of breath, Tiana thought, the cauterization might have stopped him bleeding to death, but with a wound like this, this youth must have kept himself alive by will alone. "I will need to scrape the cauterization away or the wound won?t knit." He took a deep, shuddering breath. "There?s a sharp dagger in my boot." A physician handed her a scalpel. "He won?t be able to stand the shock, but use this if you must. It?s sterilized. I?d give you a hand, but ..." He shrugged. "May Assinti be with you." The trooper didn?t make a sound when she cut away the crisped flesh, just stared at her through dark, tormented eyes. She drew the raw sides of his wound together, and holding it there, gazed into his eyes. The shine was dimming. There was no time to lose. "My strength is waning but your will is strong. Join with me and don?t let me go. I?ll do my best." Each time the youth began to fade she found the strength to bring him back. Each time she faded she was drawn to give more of herself. Perspiration poured from her, but the trooper would not let go as the battle for his life went on. His hands gripped hers so tightly she thought her bones would be crushed into powder. Then, just when she thought they?d lose the battle, another force joined with theirs. Santo! she thought gratefully. Gradually, the wound knit into a puckered scar and the trooper?s hands relaxed. "Here," Athene said, thrusting a glass of liquid at him. "It be a fortifying brew made from herbs. Get it down you." The trooper gagged on it, but the color returned to his face. "Just like my mother used to give me when I had the gripes," he whispered and staggered to his feet. "Lady, you have given me my life back. What can I do in return?" "I would ask you to rest, but I know you wouldn?t take any notice. I?ve had no news of Lord Kavan," she whispered. "Can you tell me how he fares?" "He?s gone into the very jaws of Bane." Her hand flew to her mouth and she stared at him, her heart pounding. "You mean --"

"Aye, lady. He?s gone to confront the God Beltane head on." His teeth were a weary but proud gleam in a war-like black face as he bowed slightly. Young though he was, his actions were those of a hero. "I go to join my company. Is there a message you?d like me to convey to my Lord when next I see him?" His faith in Kavan was touching, but perhaps this youth knew the strength of the man better than she. Her head spun a little with exhaustion. She kissed his cheek, then slumped on to a stool and pulled the temple badge from her robe. "Give him this and tell him .?" She smiled slightly. "Tell him Tiana is proud of his troopers, especially the one who stands before her, and she awaits the moment the rocks become sand." His weary young face split into a proud smile and he bore her hands to his lips. "We fight in your name. My life is yours, Lady." When he was gone Athene placed some bread in Tiana?s hands and slid fruit into her pocket. "A young man waits outside to escort you back to the High Place. He looks a bit like my Santo." Tiana smiled when she set eyes on him. "He is your Santo." The woman gave a small scream of recognition when he stepped out of the shadows, laughing all over his face. "It do be you, Santo. A man grown. How can this be? Can you forgive me for abandoning you?" Santo gave Athene a hug. "Our parting was written on the page of my life. I?m grateful for the love and care you gave to a crippled child, but my destiny was all mapped out for me. You were but a small part of it." "Praise be to Assinti," she said wonderingly. Tiana?s hand was taken in his. "You must rest now, my Lady." "With Kavan in danger, how can I?" He showed her how with a click of his fingers. The world went dark. *** When Tiana woke it was still dark and she was on the High Place. Warmly wrapped in Kavan?s cloak, she floated just off the ground in a large bubble. Carefully rotating it so she was upright, she pushed downwards with her feet. The bubble gave a soft pop and disintegrated. She nearly gasped at the icy feel of the air in her lungs and pulled the cloak over her nose. The smell of Kavan?s fragrance was strong in her senses and she connected instantly with him. "Assinti help you in your quest, my lord." "It will take more than Assinti. My strength is almost spent." "My strength is yours to command." He sounded weary. "It won?t be enough, Tiana. Hide from the demons in the alchemist?s cave behind

the fall. If all else fails, I?ll try to join you there." His voice faded from her mind, leaving only fear. She gazed up at the sky. The crescent of Truarc was a pale sliver, her people unaware of what was happening on Cabrilan. She saw the silver track the watchers had mentioned, and shuddered. Perhaps it was better to remain unaware of the impending disaster. The battle had come closer. She couldn?t see the troopers, but hundreds of red wings flamed in the heavens. Bane still seethed. Somewhere up there Kavan and his valiant troopers were fighting superior forces -- those of the evil god, Beltane. "Arcus," she yelled. "Why do you lurk in the safety of darkness? Come out and join your son in battle." The air around her began to surge. Her cloak billowed. Plucked into the air, she was tumbled this way and that like a leaf in the wind before being deposited in the shallows of the icy lake below. "Who dares to speak so to Arcus, god of night?" a deep voice roared. She spat water from her mouth and glared in the direction of the voice. "It is I, Tiana, daughter of the goddess, Lynx." "Lynx?s daughter!" Plucked from the water she was conveyed upwards at breathtaking speed. She caught a glimpse of Cabrilan far below and begged. "Please be careful. I?m mostly mortal and can levitate only a little." The movement stopped and she made out the form of a man floating in front of her. "Help save your son from death," she said. "All mortals die." "Yes, but a fight with a god such as Beltane is one-sided. It?s not Kavan?s time. We have yet to fulfill our destiny." "Which is?" "It is written that through us the god-child will be born." "Mmmm." He came closer and stared at her. "It?s good that you finally admit what your destiny is." He chuckled when she blushed. "You are most fair, like my sister, and equally stubborn, I perceive. "How was she when you met?" "She was well." Tiana?s cloak billowed when he sighed. "I long to see Lynx again. I missed her by a few tix the night of your meeting, but I saw her luminosity. Now, what has Beltane been up to?" "He?s sent war demons to prevent Kavan from fulfilling his quest to save Truarc and Cabrilan." "Uhuh! Some fool must have woken him with the fire stone," Arcus mused. "Kavan?s quest is not very important in the grand scheme of things, but there?s the god-child to consider, I suppose. He is my grandson."

"The quest is all important to Kavan. You?ll help?" "Now you?ve roused me, I might as well." "You?d better if you want your grandson to exist. Wait," she yelled after him when he flew off. "You can?t leave me here! I don?t know how to get down." His hand closed around her cloak. She descended as quickly as she?d risen, and landed in the lake again. This time she was somewhere in the middle and couldn?t stand. She trod water and shook a fist at him. "You?re as much a barbarian as your son, you goat-brained puff of wind. Get me out of here." "You have a provocative manner, wench. The ducking will help you cool off." His laughter echoed like thunder as he shot off towards the battle. Shivering, she made it to the shore and climbed the slope. A moment with the wishing dish and she was dry. She ordered a fire and a bowl of hot broth as well, smiling as she remembered how stupidly stubborn she?d been about something so delightfully accommodating. The temple sisters would censure her severely if they knew. But her life as a temple novice was long gone, and unimaginable now. Comfortable, she laid her back against the rock and gazed upwards. A foul stench gradually filled the air, followed by a grunt from the other side of the fire. Not the watchers! Heart thudding, she stared beyond the glare of the fire and saw a movement. "Who?s there?" Another grunt from her left. Two winged creatures with sharp-toothed snouts, scaly human bodies and lashing tails were watching her. War demons! She put her hand out for Atarta, only to remember and withdraw it again. Their wings pulsated a fiery red as the creatures grunted at each other -- then the grunting became frenzied snarls and the two fell to the ground, tail-whipping and biting each other. To the victor the spoils! Horrified and revolted, she snatched up her sack and took off. She?d scrambled only a little way down the slope when she heard them howl, and knew they were after her. Kavan had told her to hide in the alchemist?s tomb behind the fall. But how was she to get there? The rocks were covered with wet moss. She had to risk it. Slipping and slithering her way along a ridge, she spied to her left a dark hollow under the cascading water. A tunnel. A gust of foul breath enveloped her and a tail coiled in a slimy circle around her waist and tugged. A short way away was the edge of the fall. She slid the wishing dish out and sliced at the tail with the edge of it. The creature screamed and fell into the water below. The water seethed and bubbled around it, then the demon turned black and floated, face down. She couldn?t see the other one. She held her breath and slid into the tunnel behind the rushing waters of the fall. Dry inside the tunnel, she was able to stand upright. It led into a cave, the other entrance of which was almost hidden by a curtain of fine, misty spray. There was a hiss. She froze as the second war demon squeezed through the tunnel entrance after her. It reared and its hooked claws slashed at the air as it stomped towards her, wings spread and glowing hot. It looked grotesque, its nostrils flapping as each stinking breath pulsated in and out.

She shrank back in horror when it paraded with rampant intent in front of her. Its appendage was erect, pulsating, and so hot it smoked. She remembered the cauterized wound of the trooper and sucked in a breath as she realized the effect it would have on her internal organs. The demon stank like rotting garbage. Remembering the effect of the water on the other demon she closed her eyes and concentrated on the fall. The sound changed. The rushing noise increased. Spray touched her face, blotting out the creature?s heat as it approached her. The demon gave a harsh, anguished cry. Her eyes shot open. The beast?s wings had begun to dissolve into holes. Darting past the writhing demon, she scooped water into the bowl and threw it. The water hissed into scalding steam against its body. Within tix the demon was reduced to a blackened, writhing shell. She kicked its remains over the fall, took a trembling breath and glanced around her. A pale glitter drew her gaze to the back of the cave. As she approached the light took on form. Her eyes widened. Encased in a shaft of clear crystal was the body of the alchemist. He stood upright, one jeweled slipper nudging against an embroidered cushion containing a book. His beard was long and glittering with jewels, his purple gown trimmed with silver embroidery. Eyelids open, his empty sockets appeared to be gazing at another book, this one illuminated and resting on one of his palms. The other hand was held up in a blessing. From head to foot he glowed with an ethereal, opaline glow. "You?re beautiful, grandfather," she said with great reverence. "More beautiful than the form you manifest in." Serenity flowed into her heart and the fatigue of the previous day fell from her shoulders. When she placed her face against the cool crystal her soul began to heal and her body relaxed. *** Kavan had fought his way into Beltane?s chamber. Some miracle had prevented him from being slain, and the only recourse left to him was to appeal to Beltane?s better nature, if he had one. He threw open the door to a maelstrom of fiery red and dark swirling clouds. So tired was he, he could hardly stand let alone fight. Sword dragging along the ground, he made his way to where Beltane sat in splendor on a fiery throne. The god?s hair was a mass of flame. His mouth belched smoke. Beltane stared at him with disdain. "So, son of Arcus, where is your arrogance now? Prostrate yourself before your king." Sensing the presence of another, Kavan gazed to his right. "There?s two of me?" he whispered in a confusion of tiredness. "Am I suffering from double vision?" The other him grinned. "There?s two of us, for you?re the son and I?m the father." "Arcus, why are you here in my domain?" Beltane roared. "To stop you. This game isn?t about destroying Cabrilan, it?s about the god-child. Believe me, he?ll be born." "Not without the mother. Two of my war demons have been dispatched especially to seek her out. By now they should have her. She?ll burn from the inside out." "No," Kavan roared. With his remaining strength he raised his sword and lunged at Beltane. Fire danced

up the sword and it melted. He slapped at the molten metal as it ate into his skin. "I thought I?d given you enough of my genes to handle things better," Arcus roared as he flicked the metal off. "I should have taken a hand in raising you instead of leaving you solely to that treacherous bitch." He shook his head. "She did nothing but complain and threaten revenge when I did her the honor of planting you inside her." Kavan?s face tightened at the thought of Rowena?s fate. "As was her right. She hated you, hated what you did to her and plotted against me because of it. She should have been given a choice." Arcus threw him an incredulous look. "It?s I who had no choice. She was the only female with enough strength to accommodate both me and you." He gazed at the molten sword. "Hasn?t anyone told you a mortal can?t fight fire with a sword?" Kavan jerked his thumb at Beltane. "How else can I defeat him?" Beltane gave a smug smile. "You can always beg, mortal." Kavan knew he?d try anything, even humiliation. He prostrated himself on the floor. "I beg you, Beltane. Spare Tiana?s life." "The maid is the daughter of Lynx, who spurned me. Hmmm," Beltane thought for a moment, then a sly grin appeared on his face. "I might spare her if Lynx is willing to come to me." A streak of light shot into the chamber and exploded in front of Beltane. Arcus dragged Kavan upright and grinned from ear to ear. "It?s Lynx. Now we?ll see a fine show of temper." The light bolt was followed by another, then another, until the chamber was crisscrossed with them as they bounced from one wall to another. Kavan and Arcus ducked, Beltane hid his head under his cloak. Finally, a sizzle and a flash brought Lynx. "You lump of melting tar ... you sulfurous wart ... impotent god of spent ashes. I?ll drown you in mountain cat?s urine, first." "She always had a wonderful turn of phrase," Arcus remarked casually. Kavan managed a grin. "Her daughter takes after her." Arcus looked sideways at him. "You should take that wench in hand. She informs me I?m a goat-brained puff of wind." "She informs me I?m much of the same. Is there any truth to it?" Arcus bellowed with laughter. "I wouldn?t be at all surprised." Beltane emerged from his hiding place, looking sulky. "What are you doing here, Lynx? Meeting your brother is forbidden." "You should have remembered that before you called me and gave us the opportunity to meet. Now it?s too late and you can?t do anything about it. Those are the rules." Her glance sizzled around the chamber. A smile crept across her face when she spotted them. "Arcus, by all that?s immortal. How come you here?"

"Your daughter thought it imperative this excuse for a son should be rescued from his folly. He was flat on his belly wriggling like a worm to beg for her life." The frown Lynx gave couldn?t distract from her beauty. "Mortals shouldn?t be involved in the affairs of the gods. This mischief has the smell of alchemy about it." "Our sire is safely entombed. He?s still minus his eyes and the diamond shaft is untouched. What mischief could he get up to?" Kavan?s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. He couldn?t tear his gaze from the radiant goddess from whom Tiana had issued. Yet, shining star though she was, she stole nothing from her daughter?s gentler glow. He appealed once more to Beltane. "I?m not too proud to beg for my lady. I offer my life for hers and that of my people." Lynx smiled approvingly at him, but Beltane snorted. "I?ve stated my terms. I already have your life, and now I have Lynx. I?m in no mood to bargain further." Lynx?s mouth puckered in a smile when she gazed at Arcus. "He?s still a fool full of hot air. Why does he think he?s got us, when it?s obvious we have him? Remember that game we used to play when we were small." "This one?" Arcus said, and pursing his lips blew an icy stream from his mouth. Lynx joined in with a stream of warm air. Puffy clouds formed above them to pile one on top of the other. They began to rotate. The denser the clouds, the darker they became. They poured through the windows, and pushed open the chamber doors. The air became heavy with moisture. Sweat poured from Kavan?s skin and soaked through his leathers. "Stop!" Beltane commanded, spitting out a spray of black dribble. He pointed a finger at the clouds and fired a lightning bolt. It barely crackled. Lynx giggled. Immediately the clouds burst and rain began to swirl around them. Everything hissed and crackled, thunder rumbled and lightning shot jagged, silver bolts. "Well done," Arcus huffed. The storm filled with balls of ice that crashed and shattered everywhere. Kavan fended them off with an arm held over his eyes, but they relentlessly battered his limbs. The gods were like children, he thought, disgusted with them all. If his son ever behaved like this he?d lay him over his knee and paddle his backside. Arcus and Lynx laughed and the whole structure began to crumble. Screaming abuse, Beltane staggered from his throne and pointed his trident at Kavan. Kavan ducked under it and drove his fist into the other?s belly. Steam belched from Beltane?s mouth when he doubled over. Grabbing up the trident, Kavan took aim. Arcus snatched it from his hand. "Don?t kill him, it will spoil the game."

"Game ... what game?" Kavan roared. "The game gods play for power. Go now. You have your own quest to resolve." "Is that all this means to you, Arcus? Power?" "You?d never understand, but the game will stop with the god-child, for none will ever be more powerful. Go! Your people need you. I?m glad we met at last, my son." The kiss Lynx placed on his cheek was full of affection. "Hold fast to your dreams, Kavan. I hope we will meet again." In all honesty, Kavan couldn?t echo the sentiment. "On behalf of my people I?m grateful for your help." Arcus shrugged. "You and your people are insignificant in the scheme of things. We did it in exchange for the god-child." Feeling belittled, Kavan scrambled on to Shazah?s back and turned towards home. Cabrilan was far away, a distant pinprick of light. When he turned to look back, Bane and the Gods were gone. Alone in a sky full of acrid smoke, wetness and decaying war demons, he?d never felt so exhausted, or so lonely. "Why?" he yelled out, but no one bothered to answer him. *** Just before dark a bell tolled at the manor. A lone trooper had been sighted on the horizon and was heading in. Soon, the troopers lined the battlements and the villagers poured from their homes into the market square. The dark figure was slumped in the saddle. He appeared to be as spent as his charger, which followed an erratic path home. There was no mistaking the rider, however unused they were to seeing him in such a sorry state. Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched him approach, hundreds of breaths were caught when the charger faltered and rallied itself, hundreds of throats opened shouts of joy as he drew closer -- then fell silent when he raised no hand in greeting or acknowledged the cheers. When the charger began to slip sideways a collective gasp went up. The animal recovered and glided into the battlements, where, lathered and trembling, it stood with heaving chest, its head and wings drooping. The figure on its back didn?t move. The troopers were galvanized into action. Two of them pulled Kavan from his mount?s back. Another led the gallant charger away. There was a few anxious moments when Torma knelt to examine his lord, then he stood and spread wide his arms. He was smiling from ear to ear. "Lord Kavan breathes, and the forces of Beltane are defeated." Cheers rang out -- cheers which didn?t register on Kavan?s brain, for exhaustion had carried him over the edge of automaton and into the deepest realm of sleep. ***

The sound of cheering didn?t penetrate the fall guarding the entrance to the tomb, though something woke Tiana from her sleep. Not more war demons! No, a rodent backing from her sack with a crust of stale bread clenched in its jaws. She smiled as it scurried away. "I hope you?ve left me something for breakfast, little opportunist." Darkness fell. The roar of water sounded louder. The draught it created grew colder The alchemist glowed bright in the blanket of darkness. He looked almost alive, as if he might step from his shimmering prison. He was more handsome, and certainly more dignified than the manifestation his spirit displayed. Still rapt in her examination of her grandfather?s remains, Tiana turned her head sideways to read the words on the page. Only my body is mortal My mind is the sustenance of knowledge The eyes of my spirit give life But those who seek power Find eternal death. Death! Her hands tensed into fists. Kavan hadn?t come for her and she wondered ... No! She refused to believe a man so vital and alive could be ... She wouldn?t even think the word. Instead, she assumed the meditation position and concentrated on a gleam of light reflected from the tomb. As she left her body and sped down towards the manor, she realized the fight was over, the battle won. *** The manor door was no barrier. She melted through it as she had the rock on the High Place. In the corridors, people stood about in knots, talking in hushed voices. The atmosphere was a lament of tension. She made her way to Kavan?s quarters. Torma guarded his door. She touched the trooper?s tired cheek in reassurance and saw him smile. He had enough high sense to know all was well. Kavan lay upon the softest of beds, and slept so soundly he could not be wakened. His body was a mass of burns, cuts and bruises. She set about healing them so he?d wake to comfort. He was vulnerable in this state, his mind unguarded. In it she discovered an unexpected lowness of spirit. "What ails you, Lord?" "The gods have taught me a lesson in humility, and I begin to doubt my ability to save our people." A smile trembled on her lips. "The gods have their own agenda. Will you abandon yours and travel the road to failure because your ego has been dented? What happened to the arrogant lord who came to

claim me as his own?" "Beaten down by his own pride." "Hah! I always knew your words were empty with bragging. You?re no longer the Lord Kavan I know, but the tail of a mangy cur which wags for the favor of his abuser." His eyes snapped open. "I can hear you, but I cannot see you, Tiana. Swear allegiance to your lord and master." She dared to place a kiss against the side of his mouth. "I swear allegiance only to my lord. Sleep in peace now, lord." "Stay with me for a while, light of my heart." "Is that what I am to you?" "And more. You?re the burning flame of my sun, the stars in the sky. Your eyes are greener than the ocean, your hair gossamer thread that the most skilled weavers of silk would envy." She kissed each eyelid, closing them against the intrusion of light. "Your tongue is skilled in the art of seduction. What is it you feel for me, Lord?" His answer came in a sigh. "I revere you above all others, including myself. My life is forfeit to yours. My heart is yours to command." "Then you agree, you are not my master." His spirit seemed to lighten with the amusement her words offered him. "How can I be when you?re the mistress of my heart?" She was content with that. *** Kavan woke feeling refreshed. The palace servants scurried about him, their faces beaming with the joy of his safe return. First on his list was a relaxing wallow in a tub of hot water, followed by a hearty breakfast. His bathing ritual was spoiled by the court physician, who took advantage of his naked state and insisted on examining every inch of him. The man?s poking and prodding irked Kavan after a while. "Cease this torment. I?ve never felt healthier." The physician was puzzled. "I don?t understand. Last night you were near to death. You?ve got a strong constitution. You?ve healed quickly." A grin split Kavan?s face in two when he remembered the reason why. The impudence of her. She?d infiltrated his subconscious and taken over his will. She?d also placed her hands on him, not something most maids would do considering the battered, unwashed state he?d been in. "I had a little help." The physician?s smile assumed a sly edge. "Whilst you engaged the forces of evil, your lady was in the

market place practicing the laying on of hands." "My lady does not need to practice. Healing is as natural to her as breathing." "She saved the lives of many of your troopers." "They spake nothing to me of it." "They have not had the time. Besides, she used the art of mesmer on them -- not that it was effective at the end. Lady Tiana was so tired she was near to collapse. Luckily, a young man of magic came to assist her." The physician snapped his fingers under Kavan?s nose, then took the opportunity to prize his mouth open with a hooked finger. He gazed with some interest down his Lord?s throat. "The pair of them just disappeared, which was totally beyond my understanding." "My nady is the naughter of a noddess an beyond nortal unnerstandin," Kavan mumbled. "I admit she?s done a remarkable job on you, Lord," the physician said, not quite able to conceal his grin. "When can we expect her to join you? The people wait the outcome of the seven dawns with high expectations." Kavan pushed his hand away and closed his jaw with a snap. "She?ll join me when the gods see fit to release her to my care. You?re too inquisitive, physician. Declare me fit, then send one of my troopers to inquire after Shazah when you leave." The physician signed a certificate, then bowed and backed hurriedly away. Pulling on his clothing, Kavan strolled to the window and placed his eyes against the telescope. The High Place was powdered in snow. She couldn?t still be waiting in the alchemist?s tomb, surely? It was the one place he couldn?t go except in an emergency situation. "Come in," he said when someone rapped at he door. It was one of his younger troopers. "Lord, I have a message for you from the Lady Tiana." Hands on hips, Kavan fixed him with a stare. "When did you see my lady?" "Two yesters ago in the market place, Lord." His eyes took on the glow of hero worship when he pulled open his tunic and displayed a long, red scar. "Your lady saved my life and I?m forever in her debt. She asked me to give you a message, but I couldn?t find you, Lord." "Well, here I am," Kavan roared, trying not to appear awed by the length of the scar. "Stop making goat?s eyes over my lady and deliver the message." The trooper handed Kavan the insignia. "Lady Tiana told me to give you this and tell you she was proud of your troopers, and ... um ... of me in particular. She said she awaits the moment the rocks become sand." "She did, did she?" He grinned at the youth, suspecting exaggeration. "Be careful, lad. I?ll be checking the commendation with her before you?re awarded any medal of honor." The trooper couldn?t keep the grin from his face. "It?s the truth, Lord."

"I believe you." He leaned forward to inspect the wound. "Hmm, that?s some battle scar. Now you?ve shown it off you can cover it again." He waited until the trooper had adjusted his dress. "Did my lady say anything else?" "She was most eager to hear news of you, Lord." "Of course she was. How did she look to you?" A dreamy look filled the trooper?s eyes. "Exquisite. Her eyes were truly beautiful and her mouth --" Kavan frowned. "It sounds as if you?ve fallen in love with her, lad." "Yes, Lord ..." The trooper reddened. "I mean, no ... I wouldn?t dare do that." He came to attention. "Is there anything else, Lord?" "Yes. I need to rest. Stand guard outside my door and don?t let anyone in unless it be Torma." When the youth had closed the door behind him, Kavan passed his hand over a carved tablet set into the middle of the floor, setting it in motion. He seated himself in the middle with legs crossed, a bowl of water cradled in his lap. He stirred the water with his fingers. When the ripples calmed, he found himself gazing at the lake. The remains of two decaying war demons floated on the surface. Another was decomposing on the shore. He shuddered. Beltane?s threat had not been an idle one. He smiled when he saw a movement behind the fall. For once she?d obeyed him. It was now time to reel her in. He concentrated his mind on the rocks below the fall. *** Tiana was bored. Kavan must still be asleep, she thought. Why else hadn?t he come for her? She was about to assume the meditation position to try and contact him when the music of the falls changed. Wonderingly, she strolled to the cave entrance and stared out. She saw nothing different until she happened to look down. Below the fall, the rocks had disintegrated into golden grains of sand. Her heart gave a giant leap and a smile edged across her mouth. Of course, Kavan would not come for her now there was no longer an emergency. Not only had he been banned from the tomb, such action would force him to lose face with his people. She panicked as she stared at her stained gown. She couldn?t go to him looking like a vagabond. Pulling the wishing dish towards her she gazed into the surface, smiled and did something so totally against her training she gave a quick involuntary glance around her to make sure none of the guardians were watching. "I wish to make myself beautiful for my lord."

CHAPTER NINE

Kavan had been in a fever of impatience all day. In the manor kitchen, a thanks-giving feast was being prepared and the manor was redolent with the smell of wild boar roasting on spits. The great hall was being decorated with vines and sweet-smelling wax flowers The people celebrated his life, but far from being elated, Kavan felt frustrated. In exactly six orbits the calculations and planning he?d done over a life-time of seasons would amount to zero - unless he found the eyes. And where was Tiana? He paced the length of his chamber and back again, scowling at the incense burner, which filled the air with a perfume so seductive it nearly robbed him of his senses. He snuffed it out, and throwing open the door, strode up to the battlements. He hesitated, then turned back. He refused to peer through the telescope like a love-sick youth, again. He stopped in front of the mirror to check that his hair was dressed high, that his tunic was spotless and his silver insignia polished to perfection. Mindful of Tiana?s revulsion for beards, he ran a hand over his chin. It couldn?t be any smoother if the silver-smith had polished it on his buffing wheel. His steps took him back to the battlements. Sighing, because the telescope drew him like a magnet, he swung the instrument towards the High Place and frowned. Darkness would fall soon. Where was she? His attention was drawn to the sky. Strange how soft the light looked tonight. Streaks of dark mingled with the light, as if his sire and Lynx had stopped to chat. Perhaps they had, now the ban on them meeting had been broken. "Lord Kavan," Benlogan said from behind him. "The time for darkness is past and I?m told there?s a strange look to the light." "This, I?ve just observed for myself." He turned to smile at the man before he remembered it would have no effect. "The sun seems to be lowering itself to the horizon very gradually. I think the defeat of Beltane has something to do with it. But again, it might be something to do with the shifting orbit. On the morrow I?ll try and figure out the mathematics." He took the man?s arm and together they strolled back into his quarters. "The celebration feast awaits your presence, Lord," Benlogan said. A celebration of what? His safe return would mean nothing if it served no purpose. If he could not save the world there would be no god-child. Kavan remembered the words of Arcus to Beltane and took heart. He?d thought he?d manipulated the augur to have his own way over Tiana, but it was obvious the gods had manipulated him. If the god-child

was destined and could not be stopped, what preceded the birth must also come to pass. He must try harder to find the eyes, and Tiana would eventually be his. It was fated. Kavan took one last look at the High Place, the impatience in him growing beyond the limit of his endurance. He scowled. He was not prepared to wait much longer for her. Tomorrow, he?d brave the fury of the alchemist and drag her down from her perch by her hair. She wouldn?t be given the chance to make a fool out of her lord and master again. He?d take a strap to her hide, take her to his bed then send her back to her father in disgrace! He gave a soft oath when he remembered he?d said she?d be returned unharmed. He must stop making threats, when he knew he would die first, rather than harm one hair on her head. Though to let her go would be to admit defeat ... He changed his mind again. Tiana would not be sent home. She was his, and would stay his. A bane on the wench, she had him in a tangle of knots! *** Tiana took a deep breath and wished. The pile of gowns she?d tried and discarded disappeared, along with the tub of steaming water, the scented soap and the shelter which had kept her invisible from prying eyes. She took one last look in the mirror, then that too disappeared. The enhancement of her image had taken her longer than she?d expected. Unused to rich fabrics and jewels, her mind was befuddled with the different textures and colors. In the end she?d chosen a simple combination she thought might appease Kavan for her tardiness. She wished the dish back into the sack she?d left at the foot of the alchemist?s tomb. Carrying anything would spoil the effect she?d wanted to create. She?d retrieve it later, when she had time to think more clearly. The waiting charger knelt to her command and she mounted. They floated into the balmy air. Strange how golden it was, she thought, as if the sun was reluctant to leave the land. The clouds were streaked with its glory, the light flashed and sparked on the jewels woven into the charger?s mane. Something soft drifted through her hair and she knew it was Lynx when the air around her shimmered into rainbow whispers. "You go with my love into your new life. Be happy, my daughter." Truarc was a distant, incandescent smile in the heavens. Did her sire think of the daughter he?d given to Kavan? Did he miss her? As she neared the manor she heard the sounds of music and laughter. The people were celebrating Kavan?s safe return. To be loved like that would be special, yet he carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. That, she would share with him if he would allow it, but if he could not find the eyes ...? Something pricked at her brain, then eluded her when she tried to capture it. She was too preoccupied to puzzle it out as she gently descended. It would surface unforced in its own time. It always did. The manor entrance was unguarded. There was a moment when she wondered if she wasn?t being too theatrical, but it was too late to change her mind again. Kavan?s patience wasn?t infinite. She grinned at the notion, then guided the charger through the entrance, across the courtyard and up the steps. At her command it reared, its front legs rapped on the huge, manor door. Bells jingled and jangled on silver hooves. Empty theatrics when there was no one to see the show, she thought, her mouth now dry with apprehension as she awaited an answer.

She was about to turn tail when a metal grill slid open and a trooper gazed at her. His face wreathed in smiles. The raucous whoop he gave was taken up by other troopers. *** The hubbub alerted Kavan. Adopting a casual stance, he leaned back in his seat and continued talking to Torma. The heavy doors creaked open, candles flickered in their sconces. The noise of talking died down, excitement hung thickly in the air. Torma stared towards the door, his mouth almost hanging open. He began to smile. "My Lord, you must not miss this." What had the maid been up to now? Kavan slowly turned, his eyes narrowing. They shot open at the sight of her and his heart ruptured into a thousand fragments of tenderness. He?d expected her to come to him penitent, not like a divine vision. The small, white charger she rode delicately high-stepped towards him. Its mane and tail were braided with jewels and bells, its wings sparkled with crushed crystals. Tiana had dressed in his colors, a simple flowing gown of silver gossamer under the cloak he?d sent her. Her hair was drawn up through a finely wrought silver headpiece edged with amethyst. It cascaded in ripples of light to her waist. Like a mountain cat, the expression in her eyes was mysterious and intense. She looked neither to left or right, but straight at him, the light in her eyes displaying an endearing mixture of determination and shyness. The honor she did him with her entrance pleased him. He rose to his feet when she came to a halt in front of the high table. She did not dismount and humble herself before him as others would have. A smile played around his mouth. Honor or no, she had a will of her own, and the Truarc love of pomp and drama. He stepped forward and held out a hand, palm extended. She placed her palm against his in the manner of an equal. Her eyes were uncertain now. These were her terms, presented for everyone to see. He could take her as his mate without, but a small concession from him would please her, and seal their contract without rancor. An awed gasp came from those present when he accepted her as such by extending his other hand. A current of awareness flowed between them when her second palm lay against his. They were as one as their fingers entwined. "You?ve come then, Tiana." "Did you doubt that I would, Lord?" she said, her eyes as warm and loving as a caress. "You gave me seven dawns. I did not wish to experience your wrath." "Nor I your reticence." He allowed the amusement in his eyes to show as he lifted her from the charger and whispered against her ear. "We are in accord then. Without my wrath and your reticence our relationship must consist of compliant loving, instead. I look forward to our first encounter." Breath hissed from between her teeth and color bloomed in her cheeks. He smiled at his small victory. His lady was not as self-assured as her grand entrance had suggested. She clicked her fingers to cover her confusion and the charger disappeared in a crackling explosion of purple and silver sparkles that amazed even him. Exclamations turned into applause.

"You?ve impressed them enough," he murmured dryly and led her to the seat beside him. "We will let the people look at you before we retire ... but first, you must be punished for keeping me waiting." He tipped up her chin and kissed her long and hard, much to the delight of his people and the amusement of his troopers. *** As if the first kiss in the hall was not enough, Kavan paid so much attention to her that Tiana?s head began to swim. From his own plate he fed her the finest tidbits, and bade her drink of the wine from his goblet. He was in fine command of himself. His eyes were full of laughter, his fingers only too eager to caress her hand or her wrist in possession. Now and again he bore her hand to his lips and gently pressed a kiss in the palm. She could feel the impatience growing in him as the toasts were drunk. The wine was sweet and heady, the music beat in time with her pulse and the dancers whirled in a dizzying display of colors. Enjoying the festivities, she relaxed. "Will you dance with me, Kavan?" she asked, smiling at him. There was a murmur when he led her on to the floor. A drum began to beat. His arm circled her waist and he gazed down at her. "You know this?" She managed a faint smile and nodded. Although dancing had been forbidden in the temple, the novices had danced when the guardians slept. She kept her gaze held to his they began to circle to the rhythm. The tempo slowed and they moved face to face. Tension rippled gently through his muscles. Her hands moved up to his shoulders -- his spanned her waist. When he drew her close against his body her every nerve became aware of him. "Tell me, Tiana," he whispered against her ear. "How did you manage to dance on the high place and be in the market at the same time?" She couldn?t lie to him now. "I asked the wishing dish to send several images of me to partner each other and confuse you. I?m surprised it fooled you." "It didn?t, but I wanted to hear it from your own lips," he said and rumbled with laughter. Warmth leached from his skin, bearing a subtle scent of sandalwood mixed with musk. The fragrance took over her mind. His very closeness dominated, drawing her into his presence so she became part of him. The pulses of his body pounded in time with hers. She moved with him, joined with his thoughts, and found his thoughts a concentration of all that was physical. The synergy of their movement was less dance than the need of their bodies to familiarize with the other. "It?s time we retired," he said, his eyes a smoky conflagration of amaranth. She murmured something deep in her throat, incoherent to herself but significant to him as a response. Sweeping her up in his arms, he strode from the hall with her amid a chorus of cheers, cheers he didn?t seem to notice. She gazed up at him. His eyes were night-dark, enigmatic and concentrated on her. He was smiling a little. Perhaps, she thought, with the prospect of the conquest to come. He strode confidently through the corridors, carrying her without effort.

Feelings swept through her body -- feelings that had been alien to her until she?d met him. There was apprehension, but more exciting was her sexual awareness of him. The thread of connection came from a far deeper level, making her conscious of her own weakness and his strength. He bestowed on her a smile so wickedly tender, she thought her body might burst with the ripeness of wanting him. He entered his chamber and kicked the door shut behind them. Night had finally arrived, but framed in the open window was a dazzling display of shooting lights. "A present from the gods, perhaps," he suggested when she murmured with delight. "Or friction. The convergence path is strewn with cosmic dust." He set her on her feet, saying quietly, "We?ll not talk about my quest tonight." Arms around each other, they watched the display for a while, then he turned her against him. He slid the cloak from her shoulders and threw it aside. When her gown pooled around her ankles, a cool breeze kissed her skin. His eyes took their fill of her, then his palms grazed against her jutting breasts, bringing them shockingly alive. She closed her eyes and, forgetting her temple training, enjoyed his caresses without guilt. Shy at first, as her body reacted to his touch with increasing delight she began to revel in its song. His mouth against her skin fired a trail of goose-bumps. His tongue made delicious inroads until any shred of resistance fled and she was trembling and open to him. The breath he took was almost a shudder of ecstasy when she reached out to help him disrobe. He stood before her naked, god-like in his strength and beauty. When he pulled her gently against him she had no thought to resist -- quite the opposite. For a moment her tongue touched against the salty hollow of his throat and the dormant pulse began to throb. "Later, you will take the time to know me," he said, and lifted her, so they were together but not joined. Her legs slid around his waist. He teased and excited her until the rigid tip of his maleness slipped gently into the moist depths of her. It was a moment of sublime surrender, of recognizing his need to conquer. Their eyes met for a moment, then he bore her down on to the bed. "Kavan, my lord," she whispered, her breath catching in ecstatic little whispers when his lips touched against hers. "Lord and master," he urged, holding back so every nerve in her body went on hold instead of taking the lunge towards fulfillment. He was cruel, a tease. She wouldn?t say it! His tongue flicked inside her ear. "Say it, Tiana." She turned her head to one side, refusing to answer. The chuckle he gave was like honey. He trickled tiny kisses over her breasts, and when she wriggled, the contact between them increased. Her breasts throbbed, her skin flamed from top to bottom. How could he hold back ... how could he when they were so close that one tiny push ...! She tightened her leg muscles and pushed. He groaned as

the full length of him slid inside her. Closing around him, she gave a cry of triumph. It was short-lived. Pinned to the bed, she was at his mercy, and he made the most of it. Fifteen almost unbearably erotic tix later she panted. "Please, my lord, and ... master." "Say it again." "Lord ... and master ... my lord and ... master ... my master ...." Her voice dropped to a caress, for each time she said it he rewarded her, until his tongue stopped her voice by stroking in and out of her mouth in a pounding, rhythmic tandem. The wild, ecstatic cry she gave when she fell over the edge was echoed by his deeper one. She lay, limbs entwined with him, her heart beating wildly against his. After a while he propped himself up on one elbow and gazed down at her. A smile danced around his lips. "You pleasure me greatly, Tiana." "I did not think the act of loving would be a creation of such exquisite delight." "Are you telling your lord and master you love him, Tiana?" She felt deliciously lethargic, as if she?d ingested too much desert honeycomb. She smiled. "Your imagination is as large as your ego if it fires such lofty words into your barbarian ears." He grinned and nibbled her swollen bottom lip. "No doubt I could make you say it." "No doubt," she mumbled. "Do you mean to consume me, Kavan?" "Completely. Will you mind?" His mouth moved to her throat then grazed downwards between her breasts and over her stomach. Taken by surprise, she caught her breath in shock. "Oh!" A few minitix later came a softer, drawn out. "Oh, my love, ... no, I don?t mind at all." Later, satiated beyond measure, they lay quiet and drowsy in each other?s arms. "I didn?t see Rowena at your feast," she murmured. Kavan was almost asleep. She could sense the slowness of his brain rhythms. "Rowena was a traitor and put to death for her part in the uprising." Although shock rioted through her, she didn?t let it show, allowing him to drift into slumber. She slid out of his arms and gazed down at him, tears in her eyes. What manner of man was this who would kill his own mother? He was a paradox. Taking advantage of his vulnerability she entered his mind. She had to know. "Did you kill Rowena with your own hands, Lord?" He turned restlessly. "No, I could not. The troopers drew straws under the code of silence. I?ll never learn which one performed the deed."

"And you think that absolves you of the responsibility?" "It?s not a question of responsibility but of Cabrilan law. I must put my quest above all others." "Including me?" "One life is unimportant when the future of the many is at stake." Sick at heart she closed the contact. She had her answer. There was nothing more she needed to know. Sliding from the bed, she snatched her bridal gown from the floor and pulled it over her head before quickly braiding her hair. The guard at the door was a man she?d cured of a broken arm in the market place. Susceptible to mesmer, he would not remember her passing by. Drawing on her ever-growing magic powers she melted through the walls of the manor. Even with Kavan?s cloak around her shoulders the cold seeped through her bones. She shivered. She?d make good use of the wishing dish once she reached the alchemist?s tomb. The village was as quiet as the grave. The sky had a line of pale light on the horizon. As the yester had darkened gradually, so the day would lighten in the reverse. Truarc, she noticed, had moved marginally closer during the night. The silver convergence line could no longer be seen. Instead, a line of blackness stretched between them. She?d seen it before, but when? She was nearing the lake when she saw the swirl of dust and remembered. The portal had opened. Holding her breath she moved behind a shrub. Shadows moved in stealthy silence from the portal, amongst them the low shape of a Pitilan. She gasped, she couldn?t help it. Immediately, a hand grasped her by the braid and dragged her out. "Of all the luck, it?s Kavan?s woman, though what she?s doing abroad at this hour without a guard is anyone?s guess." This was a face she recognized. "When this is over I might find time for a little sport with her." "What you suggest is outrageous," another voice said. "Tiana is the daughter of The High One and a virgin of the temple. She must be treated with respect." Truarc men, she thought with a tremor of shock. How pompous they sounded after the rough camaraderie of Kavan?s troopers. But this trooper sounded too self-conscious to be anything but inexperienced himself. He hooted with laughter, like a child showing off for his companions. "If I know Kavan, her virginity will be long gone ... and you seem to forget, The High One is only the titular head now. It is I who sets the rules." "You represent Lord Kavan," she scorned, instinct telling her the trooper would not harm her. Despite his bluster, there was something likable about him. Up close he was personable ... and slightly familiar. Her mind sent her the information she needed. "Your disrespect towards me comes as a surprise." He tugged her closer and stared down at her. "What do you know of my father?s death?"

"We did not come through the portal for personal revenge," one of the Truarc protested. "We came as envoy to present a petition to Lord Kavan." The sky was lightening around them. She engaged the troopers? eyes - fine eyes, though his mouth had a petulant curve. His form was of immeasurable grace and beauty. "I have no knowledge of who sired you, Javros." "You remember my name?" "Of course -- and your bravery in the temple, when you offered to sacrifice yourself to the Pitilan on your lord?s behalf." Javros looked troubled. "That was the day you pleaded my case and Kavan staked his claim on you." "My union with Kavan was written. But come, you haven?t told me who sired you." "Vandrew, my lord?s chief adviser." She had no knowledge of the death, but felt compelled to defend Kavan. "If your father died at Lord Kavan?s bidding it would have been for good reason." Remembering Rowena, she said with less certainty. "There has been an uprising by the forces of Beltane." His eyes narrowed in thought. "The augur did not advise me of any uprising ... only that Vandrew died at Lord Kavan?s command. Yet he sent no advisement of this to me." "You still call Kavan, lord. Perhaps I should inform you that the followers of Beltane left him chained in one of the ancient blow holes to be drained of blood by the dragon bats. If your father had a hand in the treasonable act, then the reason for his death will be clear to you." "I must defend and avenge his name." "Think you, Javros. This could be a case of opposing loyalties, and might be the reason Kavan kept it from you. Are you confident of your ability to engage him in deadly combat?" Javros gazed down at the Pitilan with troubled eyes. "I know not what to think, for truly, I cannot imagine my father would involve himself with the followers, or commit such a desperate act. I brought the beast only as a show of protection." "It?s my sire?s Pitilan, and the only one left alive," she said gently. "You know not its commands. They are bred only for defense, and it will turn on you if you attempt to control it for your own evil." "It was a foolish and cowardly gesture to bring it when your sire ordered me to take it to the kennel master for destruction," he said with a show of shame. When she clicked her fingers the beast came to heel beside her. "Release my hair, Javros. Go back to Truarc until you?re summoned. I?ll not speak a word of this to Lord Kavan." Javros raised the braid to his lips. "My thanks for your counsel, Lady. I?ll be your slave for life." They froze when Kavan appeared in front of them, puffed up with arrogance and menace. "Would you betray me also, woman?" he roared. His sword sliced between them and her head jerked free.

Seized by a trooper and looking white-faced and miserable, Javros stared at the long braid still gripped in his fist. Inconsequentially, he said, and it sounded like censure. "I would not have harmed a hair on your lady?s head." "That?s what makes me the leader and you the follower. Her hair is no great loss, and a fitting indignity to wear it thus for a woman who betrays her true husband." She took a deep breath and braved his anger. "Javros admitted he was misguided and he?s truly repentant. He would have done you no harm." Kavan?s look flayed her nerves to shreds. "So, woman, you plead his case a second time." He nodded to the trooper and Javros was hustled away. The tip of his sword touched against her throat. "Give the command." She knew to what he referred. She could order the Pitilan to rip out his throat, and he knew that too, but not before he had time to decapitate her. She obeyed his order. Soon, the Pitilan was writhing in its death throes. When it was almost dead he sliced off its head with one stroke. She shuddered. His sword was kept well-honed. Kavan jerked his head towards the portal. "You Truarc, return from whence you came. There is no time for petitions. Tell The High One the edge towns must be evacuated of people immediately. Now the portal is open, I?ll send a squad of Cabrilan troopers to enforce my order. He waited until they?d gone, then gazed down at her, his eyes glittering and merciless. "So this is how you repay my forbearance and kindness to you. Before this day is through you?ll learn what having a master means. Follow me back to the manor. A public beating will bring you to heel." He strode away, all bristling male affront, and giving every indication he expected her to obey. Public beating! She?d rather die than be humiliated in that way. She was only a few steps from the lake. Picking up her skirts she sprinted towards it. She noticed the sand had reshaped into rock again. Kavan had created an illusion to trick her into going down to him. He?d led her to believe he cared for her, when all he?d wanted was to have her in his bed and plant his seed into her womb. She would not even think about it ... she would not! Scaling the rocky slope was easy. She knew every foothold. The fall poured over the top with increased vigor, creating an icy draught that made her cloak billow. Thank Assinti for Kavan?s arrogance. He was too used to being obeyed to bother to look back. She was scrambling along the rocky ledge when he noticed she?d gone. "Tiana!" Her name echoed off every rock in a fury of sound. Birds rose in fright from the trees, and the ground seemed to quake. She crawled under the fall into the cave, picked up her sack and retreated to the rear, gripping it against her chest and shaking with nervous tension. Gradually, it dawned on her. She needn?t have been frightened of Kavan?s wrath. He might be angered, but he?d never hurt her. All the same, he needed to be taught a lesson. She would not allow him to intimidate her. He could apologize before she?d go to him again. After a while she began to shiver. She needed warmer clothing. Misery crept into her chest when she

slid her hand into her bag. Her fingers had just closed around the wishing dish when it disappeared. Drawing her knees up to her chest she ran her fingers over her mutilated hair and began to weep quiet tears of despair. "Crying is not going to help," she muttered, and dashing the tears away she stood up. She?d call on Santo for advice. But it was not Santo who came, it was the spirit of the alchemist. "I thought you?d gone to Kavan," he grumbled. "Where?s Santo? I need his help." "He?s performing some tasks I?ve set him, and I?ve got better things to do. Leave my tomb. Go back down to the manor, where you belong." Behind him was the body of the alchemist. The spirit was nothing like the original body, which was a thousand times more dignified in both appearance and mien. If it wasn?t for the opaline eyes?. She gazed at a dent in the cushion. It was if someone had once sat at his feet ... and that someone could have plucked the eyes from the body. The stray and elusive thought of earlier surfaced and strengthened. Nerves prickled down her spine. "A spirit doesn?t need eyes to see," she exclaimed. "You?re not the alchemist. Who are you?" Her companion hissed in annoyance. "I?m Finn, the apprentice who was entombed with him." He waved a hand at the alchemist. "I sat on that cushion for thousands of years, gazing up at the master in adoration. Gradually, I worked a spell. His eyes fell into my lap, thus I was able to trap him in another dimension and live again. It was not easy, especially when Kavan was nosing about. I had to split myself in two, not a comfortable task." "It wouldn?t be easy to fool Kavan." "You were easy to fool, my dear. I enjoyed our little meetings." She recalled the verse and cried out. "You have the eyes. You must give them to Kavan so he can save the people from destruction." "And lose my own life in the process?" He cackled with laughter. "I?m safe in the chimera world. No one can touch me." "Not when I tell Kavan. He?ll find a way to go after you." "He daren?t come here on pain of death, and the alchemist?s enigma is one he?ll never solve." "I?ve solved it." Everything Finn did had a motive, she realized. He was little more than a magician from what she?d seen, though a powerful one. The true alchemist would never have lost his dignity by creating butterflies, birds and thunderbolts .... He would have used his talents for the good of the people. Santo had the high sense, would eventually see through the usurper. Alarm triggered in her when she thought of her ward in the clutches of Finn. "What purpose do you have in mind for Santo?" Finn gave a sly smile. "My body is that of an old man now. In his skin I can leave this place and journey to other worlds -- his power when combined with mine will make me ruler of all I desire."

"You have no power without him - only flummery. When Kavan finds out he?ll stop you." "When Kavan finds out - when Kavan finds out," he mimicked. "You won?t survive to tell him, and if he discovers the courage to try and rescue you, I?ll leave him a few surprises." His bells jingled as he slanted his head to one side. "Hmmm ... let?s see if you like being imprisoned alive. He cackled with laughter and pointed his finger at the fall. Its flow became sluggish and hardened into a thick sheet of ice. Finn disappeared in a showy sparkle of light. She tried to establish a mind connection with Kavan, but his anger blocked her entry. Wrapping her arms around her body she began to shiver. *** Once Kavan had calmed down, he was able to think more rationally. Tiana had fled his bed for a purpose other than the physical -- that she?d enjoyed. But what else? He thought back, lingering on the loving until he began to react in too positive a way for one with no remedy. He recalled that just as he?d dropped off to sleep she?d asked about his mother. His brow knit. He hadn?t lied to her, yet ...? A mind probe, that was it! She?d stolen into his mind that night, asked him questions. He?d been too sure of her, his sub-state left too accessible. Violence was alien to her nature -- she was frightened of him now. Hmmm! Perhaps pardoning Javros would go some way towards appeasing her. Under questioning the lad had revealed he?d come to confront, not to assassinate. His need to show his mettle had led him to bring the Pitilan, knowing it wouldn?t perform to his command. Already Javros?s mother was petitioning for his life. She was a Truarc, connected to the ruling class. She was a strong woman who?d pledged the child she was carrying to Tiana?s service to appease him. He?d spared them as he?d promised Vandrew, but the transgression of Javros was hard to forgive. He summoned Torma to his side. "Your advice, my friend." "Javros?" Kavan nodded. "He?s basked too much in his mother?s admiration. Demote him to the ranks and send him to the northern patrol for remedial training. They?ll soon make a man of him." The northern lands were sparsely wooded, but it was tough, hilly country. Tenacious shrubs and grasses clung to the rocky hills and dales, which attracted grazing animals and game. Streams pounded down the hills, filled the lakes and fed the marshlands. Fresh water fish were in abundance. Half of the seasons were spent in darkness and snow, the other half in constant light, when biting insects made a meal of any exposed flesh. When the rift was joined and the wobble on the axis corrected, the days and nights would be uniform with the rest of the world. His people would have a lot of adjusting to do over the next few generations. The population of North Cabrilan consisted of wild clans who constantly warred with each other. The main task of his troopers was to keep the clans under control and act as mediators in disputes. Out of

need, several of the troopers had married into the clans, which was making integration easier. He grinned at the thought of the fastidious Javros at the mercy of the tough, northern women. Most of them smelled of the animal fat they used to keep out the cold. "His mother will complain." "Not if the alternative?s execution. She wouldn?t dare." "See to it, Torma. Make sure Javros understands that his reprieve is due entirely to the intervention of Tiana." Torma grinned. "He already wears his heart on his sleeve for her." Kavan gave him a long, searching look. "He and several others, I suspect." Torma gazed out of the window with a show of nonchalance. "How long are you going to leave her up there without food and warm clothing?" "Once she comes to her senses, she?ll be down. She?ll receive no help, this time. I?ve recalled the wishing dish and the watchers have gone to ground and won?t emerge until spring. She must learn to heed me." Torma nodded. "What about the alchemist?s spirit?" "He?s in the chimera world with his new apprentice for company." He slanted a smile at Torma. "The only companions she has are the remains of the alchemist and the apprentice youth." "Neither of whom will be of much company." "My guess is she?ll only stick it out for the night." Which was a pity, because Tiana had been a delightful surprise the night before and he?d been looking forward to many such loving interludes. Still, he thought, not having her available would enable him to concentrate on the task at hand. Later, he was glad of it because he found a flaw in his calculations that could have been catastrophic if left uncorrected. *** Two days later, after working non-stop without sleep, Kavan wearily trained the telescope on the fall. Preoccupied with the mathematics of the joining of the rift, he hadn?t noticed it had frozen solid. Worry pricked at him as he ran his hand over the stubble on his chin. If Tiana was sealed in the cave she?d run out of air. She?d already been punished too long. Raising the meditation tablet he settled himself and concentrated on the icy curtain. At first, it was hard to penetrate, then he discovered a weakness at one side and managed to gain access. The cave was dark except for the glow from the tomb. Right at the back a small figure huddled against the alchemist?s tomb, as if seeking comfort. His heart flew into his throat. "Tiana?" Her head lifted. "Kavan ... I?m so cold."

"There?s a weakness in the ice that you can break through. Come down. I promise I won?t punish you." "I?m too weak from lack of air to summon up the energy and my muscles are too numb from the cold to carry me. The spirit has rendered me near to death." Fear speared through him. "Why would the spirit of the alchemist want to harm you?" "The spirit isn?t the alchemist. He?s the apprentice, Finn. He lives through the alchemist?s eyes, which he stole from the body." "Are they the eyes I seek? "Aye, and without them he?ll die." "With them he?ll also die - as will we all." "No, Lord. He intends to possess the body of Santo and travel to other worlds, leaving us to perish." Kavan swore. "This Finn seeks to take the place of the god-child and rule the universe, then." She fell silent. "Tiana?" She didn?t answer, and he sensed her life-thread was so tired it hardly registered. "Tiana," he said again, his voice almost a sob. She still didn?t answer. Breaking the link, he drew the wishing dish towards him and sent a warm, animal skin cloak to cover her body. If the air in the cave had not been so spent he?d have send a fire to heat her as well. Grabbing up his cloak, his sword and a couple of axes he shouted to his bodyguard, "Seek out Torma. Tell him I?ve gone to the alchemist?s tomb. I want a warm bed prepared for my lady, and a physician standing by on my return. See to it." He took off at a run, and didn?t stop until he stood beneath The High Place. The hill towered over him. Snow capped its peak and the slope was in shadow. The fall was a sculpture of suspended motion, the lake an icy sheet, the ledge a slippery and dangerous step that would take slow and careful negotiation. The quickest route was make footholds, and to climb the frozen fall. The spirit had threatened him with death if he set foot on the place again. He should have realized the true alchemist would not have flown into a fury over a solved enigma. So be it, he thought grimly as he headed across the ice. He?d rather be dead than live without Tiana. Halfway across, he noticed something large and dark gliding under the frozen surface. Cracks started the ice in front of him and a hole opened. As he backed away, a dark head reared through, its slimy, open mouth displaying jaws of pointed teeth. "-Banefire!" he yelled when the giant eel wrapped its length around his body.

CHAPTER TEN

Kavan struggled for breath when the eel?s coils tightened around his chest. He fought to free an arm. If he could get loose, he?d have to hack his way free of the creature?s coils. It was a risk, because once penetrated, the skin of a sacred eel released deadly toxins. If the toxins rendered him comatose, he?d fall through the ice and drown. At the moment, his heels couldn?t get a grip on the slippery surface and he was being pulled inexorably towards the hole. The eels didn?t normally reach the size of this one and they hated light. They were usually confined to the forest bogs but how this one came to be in the lake didn?t take much working out. Whilst he strained to reach the ax in his belt, he wondered what other traps Finn had set for him. Something roared past his head and exploded against one of the eel?s coils. It reared and relaxed its grip. Flicked aside, Kavan slithered at speed across the lake on his back. Some hero! he thought when he slammed hard against a pair of trooper?s boots. At this rate Tiana would never be rescued. Torma grinned down at him and extended a helping hand. "Indulging in a spot of eel wrestling, lord?" "Could be," Kavan grunted, "And if word gets out, I?ll slice your miserable tongue off from the roots." He slapped Torma on the shoulder and grinned. "Thanks." Torma hefted the stun-gun from one hand to the other. "Handy little weapon. Why were they shelved?" Kavan grimaced. "They weren?t. Pannis was ordered to destroy them. They?re air-polluting relics from the past and employ the same unstable technology that caused the rift. Prolonged exposure to the emissions causes a disease of the genes. It decimated our early ancestors and several generations of descendants. Besides which, they?ve got a nasty habit of exploding unexpectedly when discharged." He grinned when Torma shoved it in his belt. "Watch you don?t end up a eunuch." Hastily, Torma palmed the weapon again. "How do you intend to gain access to the cave?" "Straight up the fall." He set off over the ice again, brandishing the axes. "I don?t think there?s a second beastie. To be on the safe side, you take the ridge. That way you can watch my back and keep an eye out for nasty surprises." Hand over hand, Kavan progressed up the fall. By burying the axes in the ice he was able to use the

handles to pull himself up. The exercise was exhilarating and set his blood pumping. Torma skirted the lake, then climbed the hill and picked his way carefully along the ridge that the fleet-footed Tiana had taken with the ease of familiarity. By the time Torma joined him, Kavan was spread-eagled against the ice, his feet balanced in two footholds. Using both axes in tandem he chipped away at the weakness. His muscles worked smoothly, each blow sending shards of ice flying over his head. "Close your eyes," Torma said, "I can see the darkness of a tunnel behind the ice and should be able to blast it open with the stunner." Kavan had hardly closed them when a hissing blast and a blaze of heat hit him. White light filled the air and the surface under his feet began to shift and slush over. He cursed as his feet slid from under him, the ice was becoming water again. Torma cursed louder and grabbed at his wrist. Dragged up through the current, Kavan was gasping from the icy force of the water when he finally got a finger-hold on the ledge. He clung to the ledge for a few minitix, then hauled himself up and spluttered. "By my beard! I don?t know who?s proving to be the biggest liability, you with the stunner or Finn with his traps." Torma gave him a shamefaced grin. Ordering Torma to wait outside, Kavan scrambled through the tunnel and into the cave. He?d taken but a few steps when instinct brought him to a halt. His sword sang and began to glow when he drew it from its scabbard. Surprised by the phenomenon, he nearly dropped the weapon. It must have been enchanted by the alchemist?s essence. Using its light, his glance probed ahead. An arm?s length away a pit yawned. He gazed to the bottom, shuddering when needle-sharp points glinted. His face darkened when he realized his lady might have wandered into the trap. "Tiana?" He called softly, but received no answer. At the back of the cave a huddled form emitted a faint glow. No more traps were sprung in his cautious journey to her side. He gathered her up in his arms, and sensing the life force inside her was almost extinct, whispered. "Tiana, my own dear love." Hugging her against his body, he gently rocked her back and forth, breathing warm air through her frozen lips into her lungs. He kissed her sweet lips, her eyelids and her shorn hair, mourning its loss and mentally berating himself for treating her so cruelly. Her eyes opened a chink and she made a tiny, protesting sound, so slight he had to place his ear against her mouth. There came another faint wisp of sound. "Barbarian ...you cut off ... my hair." "You have my permission to grow it again, Lady." She muttered something which sounded very much like a threat. He threw back his head and laughed, but more with relief than amusement. In one fluid motion he rose to his feet and flopped her over his shoulder. Her hands pounded a feeble protest on his buttocks.

"That?s right, you fight me, my Tiana. It will help to keep you warm." *** First there was hot broth, spooned carefully into her mouth by Athene. When Tiana would have pushed it aside, Kavan took over the task. "You?ll swallow every drop, else I?ll hold your nose and pour it down your throat." She?d begun to learn that many of Kavan?s threats were empty. "You would not do such a thing." "Try me." The tone of his voice warned her he meant it. Her emotions plunged. "I?m not hungry, I just want to sleep." "After the broth you can sleep." Close to tears now, she turned her head away. "Drink it for me, Tiana." She had never thought to hear Kavan coax so prettily. "Why should I?" She knew she was being childish, but she couldn?t help herself when she much preferred his arrogance. Her whole body ached from her ordeal, and it was all his stubborn fault. The words were like cream against her ear. "Because ... I love you." The catch in his voice made her turn to stare at him. The expression on his face and in his eyes had not changed one iota. She must be hearing things! When he put the spoon against her lips she automatically opened her mouth and swallowed, all the time staring at him, waiting for the words to be repeated. Another spoonful followed, then another. Soon, the bowl was empty. He smiled and kissed her on the end of the nose. "Now you can sleep." Such a silly, tender little gesture and it brought a lump rushing to her throat and tears to her eyes. What was wrong with her that she should feel so weepy? "Kavan?" she said tentatively, then hesitated when his purple eyes quizzed her. She could see herself reflected in their liquid depths. How could she ask him if he?d said those words? He?d laugh. A man like him would scorn such sweet phrases of love. Crossly, she said, "I don?t feel like sleeping now," and turned her face into the pillow. He turned her back and drew her into his arms. Cradled against his chest she saw Athene smile and creep from the room. His fingers stroked soothingly through her hair and his heart beat softly against her ear. Funny how safe she felt, how warm and contented. She yawned, cuddled closer against him and closed her eyes ... she?d rest just for a little while ... *** A smile edged across Kavan?s face when he lowered her to the pillow. The narcotic in the broth had worked quickly. If the physician spoke the truth, Tiana would sleep until the morrow, giving him time to figure out how to enter the chimera world to go after Finn and the eyes.

He?d need to go into the great library of the alchemist first. It was sealed, but there was a secret way in. The entrance was in the cave that guarded the portal. It was a tortuous tunnel of some length that took time to negotiate - time he couldn?t afford. He could always order the seal to be broken, he mused. It would mean calling a meeting of the council. Then he remembered most of the council members had been traitors and were now dead. He picked up an ax. He would act on his own initiative in this. He stooped to kiss Tiana?s mouth before he left. Her lips were soft and yielding, her body a relaxed outline under the sheet. Yet, her breasts seemed to jut in pert defiance. So small she was, and so precious to him. He kissed each one and grinned when she sighed. It would be so very easy .? But no, he must consider her wishes in all things -- which was easier said than done when the Truarc employed reason in situations requiring instinctive action from the Cabrilan. His fingers touched her hair and his glance went to the silver braid lying on a chair. He bitterly regretted his hasty act, an act that even the wishing dish had been unable to undo. He would make a conciliatory gesture -- send his own barber to neaten it up. He snatched up the braid and tied it around his upper arm. His chamber guard sprang to attention when he opened the door. There was a large bunch of scarlet hot-house flowers in his hand. The trooper?s attempt to hide them under his cloak was unsuccessful. Kavan snatched them out and gazed at him with barely disguised suspicion. "Who are these destined for?" "For your ... lady," the trooper stuttered. "From whom?" "Uh ... um ... me, Lord." He should have thought of a pretty gesture himself. Women set stock on such things. He frowned at the guard. "Who gave you permission to bring her flowers?" "No-one, Lord ... I thought ... I thought it might cheer her." "They must have cost you a week?s credits." The guard stared stoically ahead. "Yes, Lord." Kavan took the flowers from the trooper, and brought a handful of credits from his pocket. He dropped them in the trooper?s palm. "No one brings my lady flowers, but me, understand?" "Yes Lord." "Where did those come from?" he said when Athene came up the corridor carrying another armful of flowers. "The villagers are leaving them at the gate." "Do they wish to suffocate my lady in vegetation?" he grumbled. "They?ll be bringing her cabbages and

turnips next. Take them to the great hall, along with any others which might arrive." He waved the red flowers under Athene?s nose before placing them back in the trooper?s arms and giving him a glare. "These are the only flowers allowed in there, and make sure she knows they?re from me." "Certainly, my Lord," Athene said. "Would you like me to include a message with them giving her your love?" The woman needed to know her place. "Don?t be so presumptive," he mumbled, certain his feelings were written on his face like those of a love-sick youth. "My lady has already been made aware of her lord?s regard." Athene and the trooper gazed at each other and grinned when Kavan strode off, but it wasn?t until he?d turned the corner that they dared to laugh outright. *** When he left the manor with Torma in attendance Kavan was surprised to find a crowd had gathered outside the gates. The rumble of noise ceased and they gazed expectantly at him. His eyes widened when he saw the village women?s hair. Each had hacked off their long tresses in support of Tiana. It was a humbling experience for him to be thus censured. Ashamed, he silently begged her forgiveness. "What do you want of me?" he asked them. "News of Lady Tiana." Their concern touched him. "My lady is out of danger and sleeping." A great cheer went up. He hesitated for a moment, then said. "For a long time now you?ve heard of my preparations for the joining of the rift. The time is almost upon us, for Truarc and Cabrilan are on a final convergence course." A collective gasp echoed in the air. "As the time grows nearer there will be storms. When these occur you must strengthen your dwellings as best you can. Keep your children indoors lest they be injured by flying debris." "What will happen when Cabrilan and Truarc join, lord?" someone shouted out. It was a question Kavan hadn?t wanted them to ask. If he didn?t find the eyes the impact would shatter them into cosmic dust, but he wasn?t about to tell them that. It would happen when they were asleep so they?d have no time for terror. If he found the eyes ...? He shrugged and amended it to when, for the chaotic scene had come to him in a vision when he was a lad, and his calculations had done nothing to indicate anything different. "There will be earthquakes. A mountain range will rise along the seam. Rivers will change course and ocean tidal waves spill over the low-lying land. Luckily, Cabrilan is built on high ground. There will be a period of famine." He held up a hand for quiet when they began to grumble amongst themselves. "For several seasons my northern troopers have been secretly filling great storehouses with food preserves and

grain. We?ll hunt game to supplement this, and we have seeds in plenty to start new farming ventures." "And do we have to feed the Truarc as well as ourselves?" "We already have Truarc amongst us and will be as one people. In return for our help, your children will be educated in their letters and will gain much in knowledge." His voice rang with enthusiasm. "I?ve just unsealed the library of the alchemist. There are thousands upon thousands of books inside, and instructions on how to reproduce them on the ancient machine contained therein." Most of the crowd looked at him blankly. The Cabrilan were more concerned with practical matters than book learning at the moment -- and if there was to be a future he?d better get on with it. He shouldered his way through the crowd, fobbing off questions with instructions to ask Benlogan, who would issue a statement later that day and call for volunteers to form a support and rescue organization. When they reached the lake, he placed a hand on Torma?s shoulder, cuffing the other against his neck in a gesture of friendliness. "I go on alone." "You cannot, Lord. I?m sworn to defend you with my life." "You also swore to obey me," he said and squeezed. When Torma dropped at his feet, Kavan stared down at him, a wry smile on his face. "Sorry, Torma old friend, but you shouldn?t have dropped your guard." He gazed up at the fall with anticipation in his eyes. "Here I am, Finn," he said with soft menace. "I?ve unsealed the Cabrilan augur, have learned the secret of the tomb and have come to collect the legacy of my ancestor, the grand alchemist." It took but moments for him to gain access. Inside the cave, dark pressed in on him. He allowed his eyes to adjust, then gazed at the serene form of the alchemist for a minitix. The cushion was dented. Finn had sat there the last time he?d seen him. Kavan?s mouth quirked into an ironic smile. He?d been young then, susceptible to illusion. The apprentice had put a strong fear spell on him to keep him from finding the truth -- which meant Finn considered himself vulnerable. No wonder the spirit had kept to the shadows in his presence. For his own satisfaction he read the enigma on the alchemist?s book. He marveled now that what had once been so obtuse, was now so clear. He suspected Finn might have used his wiles to befuddle his understanding of it, before Tiana had pointed it out to him. He shrugged at his own arrogance. It was more than possible that Tiana had a better head for solving an enigma. A sequence of touches against a panel gave him access. The crystal tomb slid silently aside to reveal a set of stairs hewn into the rock. He took a deep breath and started his journey into the unknown. The steps led into a suffocating and clammy tunnel that spiraled ever downward. Lit only by the glow of his sword, he felt his way along, through cobwebs as strong as tailor?s thread. Dark forms scuttled out of his vision as his hands touched against slime-covered rock to keep him connected with reality. Things crunched and slid under his tread. He emerged into light and found himself standing on a ledge, high on a mountain. He felt disorientated.

Below him was a rocky terrain. A step away was a flat rock on which Shazah gently pranced and snorted, inviting him on to her back. Suspecting she would take him where Finn willed, he glanced upwards into a tumultuous maelstrom of white bubbles. Through them, he caught a gleam of silver. His eyes narrowed and he reached out a hand. It came back wet. He was under the surface of the lake, the maelstrom was the fall. Sucking in a deep breath, he stepped out into the void and began to swim up towards the surface. At first, he thought he?d returned to the point of his departure. But when he emerged on to the land, the unconscious body of Torma was no longer where it had been left. Either he?d recovered remarkably quickly, or ....? Kavan gazed down at his clothes. He was still dry, which proved he was in chimera. The landscape was exactly the same as the one he?d left behind. He made his way back to the manor, passing through the village. He recognized some of the people, but none of them recognized him. They went about their business as if he didn?t exist. He stepped back to avoid a collision but was not quick enough. The woman walked right through him. "By my beard," he said, stroking his naked chin out of habit. "Finn has built himself another Cabrilan village to rule over." His mind assimilated the information then threw back an answer. Finn?s motive was power for himself. Being invisible did not sit well with Kavan, but he realized it had its advantages. He gained access to the manor easily, the illusionary troopers impervious to his presence. Here were Torma, Javros and several other faces he knew, including those who?d perished in the war against Beltane. "I?ll avenge you, my brothers-in-arms," he told the dead. "Your spent lives will not be in vain." Music in the great hall drew him forward. Reclining on the chair of power was Finn. Next to him, Tiana was laughing at an acrobat doing cartwheels in time to music. He smiled at the vision of her. She was exquisite in a diaphanous gown of green spun with gold. Finn turned his head. His opaline eyes gleamed but his smile lacked warmth. "Welcome to my world, Kavan. What brings you here?" "You have little imagination. It?s my world reproduced, and you know why I?m here. I?ve come for the eyes." "Yes ... yes, I know. Don?t be so tedious, sit down and have some refreshment." He banged his cane on the floor and a pair of watchers appeared with a jug and glass. Their eyes were dull and they seemed to be under a spell. "Your servants, master." "Master?" Kavan gazed at Finn in disdain. "You upstart. You?re master of nothing." Tiana turned reproachful, emerald eyes his way. Her hair was incandescent with light. She was a siren, pulling him irresistibly towards her. He couldn?t take his eyes off her. Helplessly drawn by the invitation in her eyes, he moved to sit beside her. She smiled, placed a goblet of wine in his hand and turned her face to his. He kissed her clinging mouth and found it hard to pull away. Finn cackled and leaned forward a little. "A sweet little piece for a man to have in his bed."

Anger thrust knives into his guts at the inference, but Kavan managed to nod in agreement before his hand shot out to grasp Finn by his collar. He found himself holding only a dusty robe. The maneuver told Kavan what he?d set out to know. Finn had the reflexes of a cat and the ability to access his mind. The latter he could guard against. The magician smiled smugly at him from the corner of the room and threw his cane at Kavan?s feet. It changed into a hissing snake and reared up to strike. "You?ll have to do better than that," Kavan snarled, kicking it aside and striding across the room towards him. Finn pointed his hand at Tiana. "If you don?t stop, I?ll throw a fire-ball at her." Kavan hesitated for just a moment, then he patted the braid on his arm and took another step forward. A loud crack filled the hall and Tiana?s hair caught fire. She screamed out in agony when the flames licked her face. Her skin blackened and began to peel. He could smell it burning. She collapsed to the floor and cried out, "Kavan, help me. The fire hurts me so." Even though he knew it was only an image, he couldn?t stand her pain. He emptied the contents of the goblet over her head and knelt beside her. The smoking, blackened face smiled at him and disintegrated. When he looked up, Finn had gone. "Where did he go?" he automatically shouted at one of the troopers standing in unnatural attention at the door. He received no answer. The watchers seemed uninterested in the proceedings, and didn?t answer either. Snapping a finger in front of their faces did no good. "Bewitched," he muttered, and headed for the door. The manor was empty of people now. A couple of gaps had opened in the walls showing darkness beyond. Small pieces broke off to spin out into the void. It must be a tremendous effort for Finn to create and maintain such an illusion indefinitely, he thought. What if someone destroyed it? He took a swipe at the wall. Although his sword cut through it, no scar was visible. From his pocket he extracted a small, round crystal. When he gazed into its depths, Santo moved into his vision. He was leaning over a table studying a chemical elements chart. Kavan whispered his name. Santo gazed about him. "Who calls me?" "Lord Kavan." Santo smiled. "If you are in the chimera world there must be a good reason." "Aye, I seek the magician who dares to present himself as the alchemist?s spirit. He is an impostor called Finn. He tried to kill Tiana and she barely survived the attempt." Santo?s head jerked up. "I suspected he was not who he pretended to be, but I didn?t consider him dangerous. What is Finn?s purpose?" Kavan told him everything he knew, finishing with, "His agenda is to grab universal power for himself. In

that he?s deluded, for the gods are more powerful than he can ever imagine. To make the attempt he must use the elements needed to save our world from destruction. The only way to stop Finn is to destroy the chimera worlds." "The chimera worlds are maintained by Finn?s mind. Balanced like cards, they?re stacked one against the other. It?s illusionary, and it gradually decays unless the mind power is maintained. If one part is allowed to fall into too much disrepair the structure will gradually collapse." "It?s already started. I haven?t got the means to destroy it, but you could try." Anguish filled Santo?s eyes. "To destroy chimera I would have to kill Finn. To do that would be to lose what I?ve become. I?ll be a weak, crippled child again." "If you don?t destroy him he?ll destroy you. His intention is to enter your body and meld your mind to his. Only you truly know how powerful that will make him." A sense of urgency tore through him. "I?ve unsealed the library of the Grand Alchemist. Inside, are wonders untold. Access will be granted and you?ll have recourse to the true master?s teachings. In addition, I promise you?ll have my protection, for I?ll adopt you into my household if that is your wish. No doubt Tiana will approve of the arrangement." The use of Tiana?s name turned the tide in his favor. Santo considered for a moment, then he shook his head. "I don?t think I?m strong enough to stop Finn, but I?ll do my best." Kavan thought for a moment. "First, I must get the watchers to safety. They seem to be bewitched." A faint smiled touched the lips of the apprentice. "What you see are illusions. The watchers have their own chimera world. There is a series of caves hidden deep in the forest bogs, and guarded by the sacred eels. There, they drink the juice of the eel and they mate and sleep, sustained by the dreams of ages past, which is retained in their genes and passed down from one generation to the next. From the watchers ranks the eels select one each of the older pairs as sustenance for their survival, thus keeping the population under control." "I knew nothing of this." "It?s a sacred and secret place to them. A watcher who revealed the location would be cast out, and could not survive without the companionship of its fellows." "How did you come to hear of it, then?" "All knowledge is mine to gain in this world." Santo appeared sad for a moment. "When it has gone my mind will be a blank page again. So will yours, because you?ll forget I told you." Kavan cut through the rhetoric, too much was at stake to bother with Santo?s problems or his recently learned wisdom. "Where?s Finn now?" "He could be on his way to find me. I must prepare with meditation and protective spells, for although his knowledge is less than I thought, his magic is strong and he?s cunning in his ways. He thinks he controls my will, but I?ve learned how to resist it now without being detected. If he has a weakness, it?s in his vanity." "I?ll try and slow him down a little, Santo. Which way do I go?"

"To the left, lord. Keep always to the left and watch out for obstacles. Good luck." Kavan slid the ball back in his pocket and strode off through the village. There were fewer people abroad now, and he confidently walked straight through those who got in his way. The road out of the village was deserted. He could see the end of the world he was in, like a flat line across the horizon. A small figure scurried along in the distance. "Finn!" he yelled out. The figure turned, then disappeared as if the road had opened up under him. Kavan started to run. When he neared the next world he saw the line had become a widening gap. Going too fast to stop he took a flying leap across the void. Two paths forked on the other side. One road led up and one down - and in the distance he glimpsed what seemed to be the mountain of his dreaming place. Traveling fast, he came to an abrupt halt when he ran out of road. Too late, he remembered he should have gone to the left. Something behind him hissed. He turned and his blood ran cold. A pack of mountain cats were stalking back and forth across the path, their tails lashing. Noting their predatory eyes, their slavering jaws and the leanness of their stomachs, he unsheathed his sword. From above him came a low and menacing growl. *** Heart pounding, Tiana woke. It was still dark and she was floating high above the bed. Beneath her, the room was lit by a small candle burning on the table. Athene was asleep in a chair. Tiana giggled. The woman was snoring, and that?s what had woken her. Where was Kavan? She remembered him bringing her home, remembered falling asleep in his arms. Her hair! The muscle-bound savage had slashed off her hair! She descended too fast in her annoyance, hit the bed and tumbled to the floor. Scrambling to her feet, she crossed to the table to admire a vase of blood-red flowers. She?d never seen such exotic blooms before and found much to admire in them. Kavan must have left them for her. She touched one of the downy petals, inhaled the delicate perfume and smiled to herself. Sometimes her lord was so sweet and romantic, when he wasn?t cutting of her hair. Frowning again, she searched for a mirror, but to no avail. Then she spied her wishing dish on a shelf. Filling it with water from the ewer she gazed into its depths. Someone must have shaped her hair whilst she slept. She touched the delicate, tendrils that curled around her face and neck. It reminded her of the flower?s petals. Her eyes glittered in the faint light, like ice. She shivered, remembering how cold she?d been in the tomb. Fear stroked a bony finger against her heart. Where was Kavan? He must have gone after Finn. She touched the water, sending ripples scudding across. Her mind concentrated on Kavan. When the

ripples cleared, she saw him. His back to the rocks, he?d drawn his sword to fend off some mountain cats circling him. It looked like the foot of his dreaming place - but no, it couldn?t be. These rocks were not solid, she could see darkness through them. He?d found a way into the chimera world and was going to deal with Finn on his own territory. "My dear, brave idiot," she whispered "You don?t know what forces you?re up against. A thrill of horror shot through her when one of the mountain cats launched itself from the rock above him. He was not quite quick enough. He cut it in half, but not before it had raked sharp claws down his face. Before the other cats had time to attack, she wished them away. A black, ragged hole appeared at his feet. He teetered on the edge for a few moments then stepped backwards to safety. Blood poured from his wounds. If she was there she could heal them. If she was there she could add her own poor magic to his bravery to defeat Finn ... She made another wish, and a few tix later was dressed like a trooper. She hoped she wouldn?t have to use the sword. What had seemed easy in Kavan?s hands was clumsy in hers, even in a scaled-down state. She patted the hilt of the dagger, feeling uneasy at the thought of a blade sliding into flesh. Everything seemed to jingle and clink as she moved towards the door. She clicked her fingers under the guard?s nose and walked past him. Gaining the outside courtyard was easy. Challenged by another guard, she mesmerized him too. He opened the side gate and allowed her through. The warning half-light was evident on the horizon. It looked as though it had come to stay. Tiana liked the thought of a softer approach into day and night - and hoped the sibling gods did indeed use it to catch up with news of the other. She didn?t notice Javros detach himself from the shadows to follow after her. The village was quiet, the occasional snore or the cry of a baby needing to suckle the only sounds to be heard. She quickened her pace, leaving the village behind, and had just reached the lake when she stumbled over a fallen body. The dim light showed her the face of Torma. He was alive and breathing normally, but no amount of shaking would awaken him. A pity, he could have given her news of Kavan. She left him there, skirted the lake and began to climb, intuitively aware now that she was being followed. Let them follow, she thought. Nothing anyone could do would keep her from Kavan?s side, and she had a perfect place in mind to set her ambush. Behind her, as silent as a cat, came Javros, who paused for a moment to relieve Torma of the stun-gun. He?d just gained entrance to the cave through the tunnel when sharp, cold steel pricked against his jugular. "Make one move towards your weapons and you won?t live to regret it," she hissed. "How did you know when I made no sound?" he queried, sounding more amused than alarmed by her ferocity. "I sensed your presence, Javros." She could hear her voice shaking -- but clearer still came the message from his mind, and there was no hostility or threat in him.

"Lady, you do not have the will to kill a man" "You possess the high sense, Javros?" "Aye. I?m no threat. I seek only to protect you." When she removed the dagger, he bowed before her, his hand pressed over his heart. "My life is yours, Lady Tiana. Kill me, and I will go to my grave loving you." "You must have known I was aware of you following me if you have the high sense." "Truly, you?re a wonder at concealing yours." Laughter filled his voice. "Do I have your permission to straighten, little trooper? My neck is beginning to ache." "You do not have permission to tease me, Javros." "You have my promise." He straightened and gazed into her eyes, smiling at her attempt to mesmerize him. He was impervious to it. "My lord would not like you to be abroad without protection." "He?s in the chimera worlds. I go to find him." He nodded. "I know of the place. The alchemist took me there once when I was small. He wanted me to join him." "Why didn?t you, Javros?" "It didn?t seem right, and I quite liked my own world. Besides, I knew I?d miss my family and friends and wanted with all my heart to be a trooper." "Have you regretted it?" Smoothly, he said. "Of late, when I was foolish and headstrong and chose to believe only half the truth." He shrugged. "My lord spared my life because of your intervention." "I?m glad," she said. "There?s something you should know. The spirit of the alchemist is really that of Finn, the apprentice. He means us all to perish." Javros seemed unsurprised by her revelation. "Then we will not allow him to proceed with his plan." His glance touched on her hair and his smile was more intimate than it should have been. "It suits you well, lady." "You are much too admiring of me, Javros. Your lord would not like it." Javros? smile lit his face up with mischief. "My lord is not here to admire you himself. Besides, my admiration stems from an affection of great purity. It emerges from my heart as if we were joined by blood." She felt it also, but thought it better not to encourage him along his line of thinking. Instead, she laughed. "You?re incorrigible, Javros. Now, let?s not waste time on any more pretty talk. Let us try and get into the chimera world."

Javros took her hands in his. "It?s easy, little trooper. Look into my eyes. We?ll join forces and be twice as strong." Green eyes met green, his with a darker, disturbing core. His high sense was more powerful than hers, she discovered, as together they melted through the rock.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The chimera worlds had no substance. The castle Finn had created was missing a turret, the space filled by an ominous blackness which made Tiana feel uneasy. She clutched the hand of Javros a little tighter as they set off towards it. They had no need to communicate. They seemed to automatically act as one. Yet the sound of their voices comforted her in this shifting landscape. "Can you feel the pull of it?" she asked him. "The gravity makes the black hole strong, but there?s something beyond that ... a pull on the senses, as if someone knows we are here and is trying to make contact." "I wonder if it?s Finn." "No ... I can sense him in another world." A smile came and she surged forward, pulling him along after her. "Then it?s Santo. He must be meditating." He jerked her to a halt. "Santo?" "He went into the chimera to be apprenticed to the alchemist. Once he learns about Finn he?ll join with us and make us stronger. Kavan may have already been in touch with him." "His loyalty will be sworn to the pretender." "No Javros. His allegiance lies with the Grand Alchemist, as does mine." His gaze touched her, almost defensive. "You give your trust too easily." Her smile gently teased him. "Kavan said exactly the same thing, and there is much of the cynic in both of you." Sadness touched his eyes. "He?s been betrayed by those closest to him, as have I. You should listen to

our Lord. He is wise." "Too wise to execute you, Javros. He listens to his instinct, and so do I." She squeezed his hand, wondering what it was about him that pricked uneasily at her. Was it the easy way he had, so she felt she was linked to him at a deeper level? She couldn?t really read him, yet found much to admire and like in him, as if he?d woven a subtle spell around her. She wondered ... had he? He turned and smiled, his gaze steady. She was being foolish. His eyes were sincere, trustworthy. There was moment of understanding between them. He read her mind, that was all. Her smile mirrored the shame she felt for doubting him. He suggested. "Let?s err on the side of caution and test Santo?s allegiance. Can you enter into his meditation and make our presence known to him?" "I can try, but people meditate on different levels and Santo has abilities beyond the normal range." In fact, Santo was deeper than she?d ever imagined, and it was a struggle to reach him. Her heart pounded against her chest, her ear drums vibrated from the pressure and her lungs were so constricted she found it difficult to take a breath. Pain pounded against her head and blackness edged in on her. "Santo?" she gasped, her head feeling as if it were about to shatter. "I need help." "I?m going to push you back up, Tiana. There?s danger for you here." She found herself in a comfortable place and rested. Gradually, the pain left her. "Who is the one with you who thinks so well of himself?" Santo said, a few heartbeats later. She started. It was an accurate observation. "It must be Javros." "Hmmm ... he has a powerful aura and his high sense comes from a genetic link to your sire. The stealth he used to enter into the meditation could have robbed you of your wits. Hold fast while I eject him." She felt slightly intimidated, and disappointed by the small deceit. "I?m surprised Javros used my mind." "An easy trick, but dangerous in the hands of the layman. Go back to him. I wish to observe his reaction." Javros was rubbing his neck. He stared at her, pale-faced and contrite. Examining the reproachful expression she wore, he knelt to kiss the hem of her cloak. "Your pardon, lady. Kavan wouldn?t have liked you to go in unguarded on this occasion. What did Santo mean about genetic link? Related in what way?" Startled when Santo materialized before them, Javros leaped to his feet, shielded her body and drew his sword. Tiana pushed him aside. "It?s not necessary to attack everything that moves, Javros." Javros was subject to a slim smile from Santo. "Tiana has nothing to fear from me, but if you do that to her again I?ll send you somewhere you won?t enjoy."

"I didn?t know it was dangerous until you ejected me. That was a powerful jolt you gave me. My ears nearly exploded from it. I think I?d rather have you as friend than foe." The two touched hands and smiled. "You feel the pull of kinship, but you cannot believe what your eyes and heart tell you. You must ask your mother the truth of your relationship." "If I wait that long I may never know. I?m here to rescue my lord and protect his lady. It?s possible I may perish in the process." Santo grinned. "Probable, if you stay in that spot." Ignoring the sword he pulled them forward. A hole opened up where they?d been standing. Joined, their combined high sense was powerful force that it surged back and forth between them. Thoughts darted between them like quicksilver until it became a contest. Soon, they were all laughing. "If we were one body ..." Tiana said. They exchanged glances and grinned when Santo mused. "It wouldn?t be hard, but whose body? Finn will know I?m his adversary by now and will be watching out for me so he can regain control." "Kavan doesn?t trust me, and he has a mighty sword arm." Javros winced at the thought. "He will welcome Tiana, though, and strive to defend her." "Finn has a sneaking regard for her, he?d not expect physical force from her." "That cringing cur left me to die," she snapped. "Finn could have killed you with one spell. He knew Kavan would eventually rescue you. Yours will be the best body to use. It will give us the element of surprise. Join hands and close your eyes. It won?t hurt." Tiana found herself standing alone, her body experiencing a strength it had never possessed. Clearly in her head, three minds operated. It was a novelty. Which way do we go, Santo? she thought. To the left, always to the left. She started out, taking long strides that covered the ground quickly, but which soon robbed her of breath. After a while she called a halt and bent double to ease the stitch in her side. She laughed. You must remember this is a smaller body than you?re used to, Javros. Slow down, we?ve had no practice at being one and you are wearing me out. *** Kavan washed the blood from his face in a nearby stream. He gazed around him. The road he?d traveled had decayed and the gap was too wide to cross. To his left, his dreaming mountain loomed upwards. It was reputed to be unassailable. He grinned to himself. He?d scaled it on several occasions when he?d been growing up. His stepfather had known the secret ways of it, and had revealed both the dreaming place and his quest to him.

As was usual, he reveled in the exercise of climbing, but when he had reason to look down he quaked at the sight of the mountain crumbling behind him. The darkness rotated into a core so dense the pressure of it crushed heavy against his body. Redoubling his efforts, he reached the summit and scrambled recklessly down the other side, sidestepping the decay with an adroitness born from necessity. He reached a cross road and as he took the road to the left, the mountain disappeared into the void. It sucked at his heels like the mouth of a hungry leech. The road curved to the left, and soon the chasm was left behind. The gap to the next world was taken in one stride. He paused to take a breath. In front of him stretched the northern reaches, stark and beautiful. Here was where his toughest troops patrolled. His anger against the youth all but spent, Kavan thought. It would be a shame to send Javros here. It was natural he would feel upset about his sire?s death -- and a coward wouldn?t have even thought of challenging him. He shrugged. To overlook such a flagrant act would be bad for discipline. The rest of the troop would resent it and might carry out their own retribution on the recalcitrant trooper. Banishment would not be forever, and like Torma had said, it would make a man of Javros. He took another left fork and broke into a comfortable jog. All the same, Javros had made a good impression on the Truarc with his fine ways -- impression enough to be accepted as an advisor to The High One from what he?d overheard when they?d come through the portal. A frown furrowed his forehead. The youth?s vanity was still intact and he had become almost intolerable. Guided by his mother, Javros had formed too high an opinion of himself. Deep in thought, Kavan didn?t see the dark patch in the road ahead until his leg gave under him. Pitching forward, he sprawled across the gap. His leg felt as though it was being twisted from his body. Without much effect he pitted his strength against the gravity. Small pieces broke away from under him to fly off into the darkness. He swore loudly. A mocking cackle came from above him. "You?re not so strong as you thought, are you, my mighty lord?" Gritting his teeth, Kavan pushed his hands against the surface of the road. Blood pumped into his arms, his muscles swelled but his trapped leg remained firmly gripped in the void. His boot was gradually inching down his calf, too. Finn came to squat beside him. Beard-bells jingling, he cocked his head to one side and regarded him gravely. Gravity pulled at his beard, so it was tugged towards the hole. "You really are a nuisance, Kavan. I wasn?t quite ready to leave Cabrilan, but now I shall have to." Risking his tenuous grip, Kavan grabbed the end of the beard and pulled Finn?s head down. He stared into Finn?s eyes with all the ferocity he could muster, impervious to the other?s attempt to gain control of his will. "What manner of man are you?" Finn whispered. Kavan ignored his question - that the augur had yet to reveal to him. "You leave and you?ll take me with you. I?ll follow you until the end of time." Fear flickered in Finn?s eyes, then his nails lengthened into sharpened claws. They hooked towards Kavan?s eyes."

"Don?t you dare," Tiana shouted, and her sword slashed down across Finn?s wrist. The severed hands crawled towards her and started to claw their way up her legs. She shuddered and danced backwards, slapping at them. The hands disintegrated into shreds of slime. Finn cackled with laughter and sprouted a new pair. She looked wonderful, but fear for her safety pushed the smile from Kavan?s face. "What are you doing abroad dressed as one of my troopers? Go home, woman. It?s dangerous here." Her body still shuddered at the act she?d just performed. Her face was bone-white. "Javros," she whispered, "You shouldn?t have done that, I think I?m going to be sick." "Javros?" Kavan glanced about him. Either she was hallucinating, or she was a figment of Finn?s mind brought in to distract him. But Finn seemed to be just as confused as he. A pink tongue darted out to lick nervously at his lips when Tiana seemed to split into three. Santo and Javros appeared and Tiana dry retched. A small glass of liquid appeared in Santo?s hand. "Drink this. It will strengthen you." She swallowed it in one gulp. Suddenly her eyes widened, she gasped and gave a violent shudder. Color returned to her face in a rush. "Son of a mud-sucking toad! Sting of a rapier wasp! That was the most disgusting concoction I?ve ever tasted," she shouted at Santo. "You could have warned me." Santo grinned, and Kavan, glad he wasn?t on the receiving end for once, grinned twice as widely ... until his boot slid from his leg and went flying off into the darkness. He felt as though his leg was being torn off from the hip, as well. The beard grasped in his hand gave way. Under his body a piece of road broke off. His other leg was sucked into the hole. He began to slide. Finn did a backwards flip and disappeared. Javros threw himself flat on his stomach and caught him under the arms, stopping his downward motion. "What the hell are you doing here?" Kavan growled. "You?re supposed to be on your way to the north." "My lady mother wanted me to present a petition before I left." "A petition?" he yelled. "I?m sliding down into bane-knows-where and you want to present a poxy petition?" His other boot jerked off and he roared. "Get me out of here." Javros gave him a companionable smile. "Easier said than done, lord. The road seems to be crumbling and I can?t get a solid foothold. Now, about that petition? If you could just hear it before you get torn apart, it would mean so much to my mother. You know how much stock she sets on such practices." Kavan knew when he was licked, and so, it seemed, did Tiana. She stifled a giggle when he glared at her, though her eyes remained bright. "Read the poxy thing - then when you pull me out of here I?m going to rip your flapping tongue out by the roots." "Yes lord, "Javros said with feigned patience. The youth turned to Tiana and winked, inflaming Kavan even more. "Perhaps you?d be so kind as to remove the petition from my tunic pocket and read it, little trooper." Little trooper? Kavan grinned at the pleasure of her appearance until the material of his pants tore away

at the knees. "Hurry up and read it, then," he huffed. "Yes master," she murmured with such exquisite, whip-like delicacy he gritted his teeth, and knew he?d make her beg for mercy the next time he got her alone. "Kavan, greatest lord of the Cabrilan," When an eyebrow rose and her mouth twitched he mentally doubled her punishment. "I beg the indulgence -" "Skip that or we?ll be here all day. What?s the petition?" Her eyes scanned down the page, stopped for a few moments, then shifted back up. Obviously stunned, her gazed flitted across to Javros. The affection with which they regarded each other made him uneasy. Surely she could not have fallen for the charm of such a silver-tongued scalawag. "Do you know the contents of this petition, Javros?" she said, and Kavan felt the pulse in Javros? wrist leap. He most certainly knew. He?d probably written it. Javros nodded and placed a palm over his heart, leaving Kavan dangling precariously by the other. "Not for sure, until this moment, but I?m not surprised. Our minds are too well synchronized for us to be anything less than kin." "Kin?" Kavan roared, eaten up with impatience to get after his quarry, and feeling his pants begin to rip. "This petition was addressed to me. Is someone going to tell me what?s in it?" She blew him a kiss. "It seems that Javros was sired by the Truarc High One. His mother was promised to him, and was already with child when Vandrew captured her to bring to Cabrilan. She passed the child off as Vandrew?s because she feared for his future. She asks that you respect the feelings of his sire and sister in this matter, and allow him remain in your service." "Chrisany had the gall to plead on your behalf?" "No Kavan. I added that myself." The smile she bestowed on Javros was infinitely tender. "So ... we are brother and sister, Javros. Welcome news." "Welcome indeed." Kavan rolled his eyes when Javros beamed a smug-looking smile at him. If Javros thought he was kin, he?d be impossible - and Kavan wasn?t convinced. "Your lord needs your help," he snarled, feeling infinitesimally safer when Javros resumed his double grip on him. "Of course you do," she drawled. He tried to ignore the mischief in her eyes. "Pull Kavan out of there, Javros. You?ve had your fun." Javros exerted his strength, then turned sickly pale. "The gravity has too firm grip. I have not the strength to do it alone. Santo, will you give me a hand?" Santo didn?t even touch him, just pointed a finger. He shot from the decayed patch like a cork from a bottle and Javros went sprawling on his back. Springing to his feet, he grabbed the young trooper by the scruff of the neck and shook him vigorously back and forth. Tiana placed a hand on his arm to protest. "Javros has been my protector and guide and I demand ...

great Christos!" she shrieked, for Kavan had plucked her from her feet with the other hand and she dangled opposite Javros. "The pair of you deserve to have your backsides walloped," he roared. Her eyes assumed a reproachful look. It touched the special place he?d reserved for her in his heart, especially when combined with her softly spoken plea. "You would not do that to me again Lord. You promised." "Aye, you?re right, but by my beard, I?m sorely tempted." He dropped Javros, but lowered her to the ground like the precious baggage she was. He jerked his head at the two men. When they turned discreetly aside he took Tiana?s face between his palms. Gently, he kissed her. "Woman, I?m so glad you?re mine." Her eager response and her smile afterwards was all he needed to boost his resolve. Elated, he tapped Santo on the shoulder. "Can you kit me out in my war gear? It?s time to take the gloves off and put an end to this dangerous situation. Javros stepped forward. "You?ll need someone to watch your back, Lord." A few minitix later both of them looked suitably warlike in leather battle-gear and face stripes. Kavan nodded. It was obvious Javros had the high sense required to successfully negotiate the shifting terrain of these chimera worlds. He?d give him the benefit of the doubt, but could not afford to show him favor. "This does not mean you?ll avoid going to the north." "Of course not, Lord, but I?d much prefer staying on as ambassador to Truarc, especially now I discover I?m all Truarc. Think how valuable I?d be with my understanding of Cabrilan ways." Kavan sighed as he set out again. "There are others who will serve the position as well, and those who deserve it more. I will reduce your sentence to three seasons in the north." Javros? disappointment was almost tangible as he hurried after him. "But lord, you charged me to find a Truarc bride and I have someone in mind." "Wait for me," Tiana cried out, as if determined to find out about this Truarc woman her newly discovered brother was taken with. "If this Truarc girl really loves you she will surely wait, as I had to wait for Kavan." Kavan stopped to gaze down at her, his eyes softening at her unwitting declaration. But this was neither the place or time for discussing matters of the heart. Nor was it a fitting place for a woman. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Santo, and nodded. "This is men?s business, get rid of her." "You wouldn?t," she said, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Not after all I went through to get here. Santo, don?t you dare --" He would -- and Santo did dare. *** "That wart-tongued lizard ... that boil on a boar?s back ... that ... that ... flea-brained, flatulent, marsh rat ... aaaaaaargh!" She picked up a cushion and hurled it across the room. The bowl of red flowers rocked,

then turned over, spilling across the floor. The door flew open and a trooper appeared, his sword at the ready. He gazed wildly about him before his eyes came to rest on her. "Are you all right, lady?" She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Of course I?m all right. Who told you to come barging in here? Out! -- and take those flowers with you." "They offend you, lady?" "No, the flowers don?t offend me ... it?s the giver who offends me." She stamped her foot on the ground to satisfy the tail-end of her temper. "I?ve never met anyone so pig-headed and so obstinate as Lord Kavan. When he gets back I?ll rip out his liver and feed it to the mountain cats." The trooper backed towards the door, grinning. "The mother of Javros desires an audience with you. But first, Benlogan wishes to speak with you." "Benlogan?" "One of Kavan?s advisors." She brightened. Tired of being coddled, she?d sent Athene back to her market stall and her husband. She welcomed any diversion to help take her mind off Kavan?s infuriating character. She stooped to pick up the flowers and, refilling the bowl with water, set it back on the table. "My lord sometimes surprises me with his thoughtfulness." The trooper chuckled. "Aye, he can be thoughtful when it occurs to him." She didn?t want him to think her unworthy of Kavan?s thought. "It occurs to him quite often. These are exquisite blooms, are they not?" "Exquisite, and very expensive blooms, lady. They came from the hot-house. Each hot-house blossom has a name to express its meaning. Such a gift usually represents the sentiments of the giver." "Oh?" She gazed at him with interest. "What are these flowers called?" "My lady?s heart." Tiana was pleased with this romantic gesture of Kavan?s after their night together. She buried her nose in the blooms, inhaling their perfume until her blush subsided. "What a lovely name, and one that would only occur to someone romantic, like my lord." The glance the trooper gave her stated he thought she was quite mad. "Of course, he wouldn?t appear to you like that," she said blandly. "He?s a man, and so are you." "Yes, Lady." His face assumed an odd, twisted look, his glance wandered to the ceiling and found something to inspect there. "Make sure you tell my lord how much you liked the flowers when next you see him. He will be embarrassed by the compliment." Head skewed one side, she gazed at him in puzzlement. "I?m convinced you Cabrilan troopers are all insane. Why should I want to embarrass Kavan, for whom I hold the greatest respect?"

The trooper?s involuntary snort turned into a cough and she giggled. "I think you?d better leave before you burst from holding back your laughter. Send in Benlogan now, will you?" He started to chuckle and didn?t quite make it to the door before he began to roar with laughter. The man who came to stand before her a few tix later was blind. She dismissed the still grinning trooper, took Benlogan?s arm and guided him to a chair. "You?re Kavan?s advisor, I believe." "I have been of late, though I?m a silversmith by trade and would sooner go back to it." "Is that why you wished to see me, to petition my lord?" "No lady. That I?ll do as soon as Lord Kavan has completed his quest. They speak of your goodness and beauty in the marketplace and this I wanted to see for myself." "How can you see, Benlogan? Your sight is dulled by gray clouds." "And has been for many years. But I manage to fashion my silver and feel the beauty of its form in my fingers. Would you allow me the liberty of touching your face, Lady?" She took his hands and lifted them to her face. "Only if you let me touch your eyes, Benlogan." His fingers tentatively began to explore her contours, whilst her palms rested against his closed eyelids. "What do you see, silversmith?" "A face without blemish and with great purity of form. Your cheekbones are high and create a cradle for eyes which can be identified by the sweep of your eyelashes as large." "Anyone could have told you that." "Aye, lady," he said with a faint smile. "I?ve been told your eyes are unusual, and your hair glows in the dark like the summer moon. The aura of your glow is cool against my hands." Tiana?s hands began to tingle as his fingers traced the curves of her mouth. Her mouth was coaxed into a smile as she concentrated on what was to come. She went into a light trance and experienced power surging strongly through her. "I shall make something precious for you in silver and pearl," the silversmith was saying. "Tell me of your eye coloring. Should the setting be enhanced with lapis lazuli, jade or sapphire?" "Can you remember colors then, Benlogan?" "Aye, Lady. I?ve not always been blind." "Then look for yourself," she said gently and removed her hands. As he stared at her, tears filled his eyes. They spilled down his cheeks and washed the gray clouds away. He sucked in a tremulous breath. "Your eyes are like exquisite emeralds. I?ve never seen the like for beauty." "Why thank you, Benlogan. When you wake you will not remember the healing." She snapped her

fingers. He gazed about him in bewilderment, then rubbed his eyes. A beatific smile crossed his face. "Something strange has happened. I seem to have regained my sight." "I didn?t notice anything amiss with you when you came in," she said, trying not to smile at the joy bubbling in him. "Now, I believe the trooper mentioned the mother of Javros had come to visit. Let?s not keep her waiting. Will there be anything else, Benlogan?" "No, my lady," he said, his expression a mixture of delight and puzzlement. "I just wanted to see you." "Now you have. I hope I?ve lived up to your expectations." "You?re more than my expectations .... much more. Lord Kavan is a lucky man." "It is myself I consider to be lucky." He picked up his stick and moved towards the door, looking around him, his smile growing broader with each step he took. The trooper had sobered by the time the mother of Javros swept in. Tiana made her welcome and asked her name. "Chrisany, Lady." The woman was large with child. Tiana bade her sit and sent for refreshments. "I?m pleased for this opportunity to speak to you." Chrisany looked tired, but said with great determination. "I have a petition to present, my Lady." She lacked the charm of her son ... in fact, she seemed to lack charm of any sort. "If it?s the same one Javros was asked to present to my husband, it has been done." "Javros has not returned home and I thought ?." She began to weep. "I thought .?" A deep breath quickly dried her tears before her eyes had time to redden. "Were you made aware of the contents of the petition?" Chrisany was overstepping the mark in her eagerness to promote Javros. "I?m aware of the contents." "And Javros is well?" "No harm has been done to Javros. At this very moment he?s acting as bodyguard to Lord Kavan." Relief filled Chrisany?s eyes. "Then my lord has forgiven him." "I cannot speak for Lord Kavan." As she recalled the indignity of being dangled with Javros in each of Kavan?s hands, her smile assumed an ironic edge. Kavan was a law unto himself. "Javros is attempting to talk him into sending him back to Truarc as ambassador." "It?s a fitting position for your half-brother."

A servant brought a pitcher of fruit cordial and some cakes. Tiana hid her growing dislike for the woman and poured them both a glass. She offered Chrisany a cake, and without mentioning her relationship to Javros, said politely. "How has your life been on Cabrilan?" "Easier than what it would have been on Truarc, though I was often homesick. Vandrew wasn?t a bad man once I got used to him. These Cabrilan men are so.?" Her hands went to her stomach and she gave a thin smile. "Well, you know, lady. They don?t bother with the best times and dates for procreation, they just ... make a sport out of it." Which was not at all bad if her limited experience was anything to go by. Tiana only just managed to hide her blush. "Did you love my sire?" she asked her dreamily. Chrisany looked askance at her. "The High One was chosen for me by the augur. We mated when the time was right, even though it was just before I came of age. Then I was taken in a Cabrilan raid." She gave a faint, derisive smile. "I hear The High One exchanged his strength for wisdom when he begat you on Lynx. Once I got used to the lusty ways of my Cabrilan captor, I knew I?d never miss him or Truarc customs. Did you know the water on Truarc is treated with chemicals to dampen the natural urges?" Chrisany?s answer disappointed her, but she was careful, aware she must not pass judgment on Truarc custom lest the woman quote her. "Does my sire know he has a son?" "Not yet. I intend to tell him when the planet is reunited." She looked down her nose for a moment. "No doubt he?ll use the fact to ingratiate himself with Kavan." "Like you?ve attempted to do with Kavan and myself?" she suggested gently. Chrisany lowered her eyes, saying pensively. "A woman who loves her son does everything she can for him." "Javros is no longer a child. Whilst you treat him as such he?ll be the laughing stock of his fellow troopers and Kavan will not be able to see him as a man. I advise you to let Javros go, and concentrate on the coming child instead." Chrisany nodded. "As yet, you do not understand the bond between mother and son. It is more than that between mother and daughter. This infant I carry will be a girl. I?ve dedicated her to your service. If you accept she?ll come to you at ten seasons for training, and she and I will live in the manor." "I will think on it. I hadn?t envisaged a child in my employ." Chrisany?s annoyance was carefully hidden. "Lord Kavan was not averse to the offer." "I?m not Lord Kavan. I decide for myself." The woman?s pale eyes met hers in silent appraisal for a tix. When she spoke again her words were measured. "A pity Vandrew didn?t survive to see his daughter born." Chrisany used emotional blackmail in an instinctive, but subtle way, Tiana thought, her eyes narrowing in on her. "The untimely death of your husband doesn?t seen to bother you much." "I prefer not to live alone, but Vandrew left me well supplied with credits," Chrisany said dispassionately. "Whilst I?m able to breed I?ll soon find another to take his place. Already, the baker is presenting his

petitions, but I?m in no hurry to reproduce again -- if ever. I might be able to do better. Your sire perhaps ... once he knows he has a son. After all, we were once betrothed, so our natures must be compatible." Tiana tried hard to find something to like about the woman over the next circle of tix, but she failed. "Thank you for coming," she said politely in dismissal. "We?ve had an interesting talk." "I regard it as my duty to welcome and advise another Truarc woman, especially one so closely related to my son." Chrisany inclined her head, then walked away without a backward glance. Feeling slightly depressed, Tiana pulled the wishing dish towards her and filled it with water. "Show me Kavan," she said when the ripples calmed. What she saw depressed her even further. *** The decay in the chimera world was accelerating fast, despite Santo?s efforts to keep it together. "There is only one world left to try, and that?s the neath world." Kavan didn?t like the sound of it, and said so. "I?ve never been there myself, either," Santo admitted. "Though one of the creatures who live there escaped once. They?re not unlike Beltane?s war demons, except they cannot fly." Kavan shuddered at the thought of Tiana being in the slightest danger from the demons, again. His shudder didn?t go unnoticed by Javros. "Tell me of these creatures." "You?ll smell them first. They?re hot, so your skin burns from every touch. Their claws are razor sharp, the stench of their breath acid, their bite poisonous. They cut easily if you can catch them, but water is the most effective weapon." He drew his sword and smiled at the other two. "Let?s go." The gap into the neath world was deceptively narrow. As soon as they stepped across the void it widened so they couldn?t return. In the neath world, the air was filled with layers of moving fog. What lay ahead could not be seen until they were almost upon it. The sulfurous smell was foul. It caught in Kavan?s throat. The vegetation was a depressing sight of choked, blackened weeds. Something in the fog darted away. Kavan went into a run -- too late realizing he?d left his companions behind. A demon barred his path, managing to singe his face before he sliced it in half. Behind him, Javros called out his name. "I?m on my way." He turned back, to find Javros being circled by the demons. There was no sign of Santo and Kavan cursed. Either he?d been captured by the enemy, or.? He was sure the shadowy figure he?d seen had been Finn. The alternative for Santo didn?t bear thinking about as he crouched back to back with Javros and fought off the countless demons sent to stop them. His young companion was courageous for his age and fast with the sword, dispatching the demons

without wasted movement. He rose in Kavan?s estimation. There was more to Javros than a pleasing appearance and a quick wit -- which was surprising in one lacking Cabrilan blood. When they were almost overwhelmed by numbers, a sudden deluge of rain fell. The demons screamed and writhed in agony when it touched their skin. Soon, they were a stinking pile of rotting, steaming flesh. Santo might not be visible, but his hand in ending the skirmish was obvious. Javros shook the water from his hair and gazed down at a fallen demon, his nose wrinkling at the stench coming from it. His foot nudged against a groin. "My sister would not have enjoyed the attention of these creatures." Furious, Kavan spun Javros round to face him. "Don?t soil Tiana?s name with such foul suppositions." "Your pardon, Lord." "It does you no credit to adopt your mother?s tactics, Javros. Your actions alone have redeemed you this day. Who you?re related to isn?t important. Who you are, is." He strode off through the acrid, dripping landscape, leaving Javros to follow. Behind them, a new chasm appeared so there would be no return. They took the left turn at the fork and came upon Finn in a clearing. The usurper was seated on a rock. Santo stood behind him, hands folded on his chest like a Geni in the sideshow of a gaudy-ground. "My master bids you welcome," Santo intoned. Javros gave Finn a charming smile and held out a friendly hand. "I?m pleased to meet you, again. I?ve heard so much about your exploits. A pity you?re only a copy of the original." Finn cackled with laughter and the sound of his bells rang out. Around them, the landscape crumbled. "Do you take me for a fool? Hmmm, you?ve grown up to have a strong body, Javros, and a good brain to work with. A pity I?ve already prepared Santo to take my host. I could have offered you riches, unlimited power and everlasting life." Javros? eyes glinted. His smile remained, charming everyone. "Thank Assinti my mother didn?t get wind of it or my career would have gone in a different direction." Kavan?s fists tightened. "If you?re using Santo?s body you have no need for the eyes, Finn." Finn?s voice rose. "You can?t have them. They?ll give me everlasting life ... make me a God." "Gods are chosen by Gods." Kavan gazed round him. The neath world had become a jagged-edged and isolated island in a sea of darkness. I?ve failed, he thought, but he wasn?t going to fail alone -- Finn was going with him. He made a flying tackle and grabbed Finn by the shoulders. His fingers hooked towards the opal eyes and gouged them loose. Finn screamed then, locked together, they tumbled over the edge and were pulled down into the suffocating blackness. He glimpsed Javros coming after them, his sword in his hand. The eyes spun away, glinting, leaving a trail of essence. Kavan focused hard on them as they twisted and turned then, when they were gone, he snapped Finn?s neck. The body disintegrated into a flickering ball of green light that coiled upwards.

Kavan picked up speed. He was hurled downwards, down, down into the very jaws of the crushing, roiling darkness ... *** "No!" Tiana whispered, hand pressed against her mouth to stop herself from crying out. Deep in the water something caught her attention. She held her breath when the liquid in the wishing dish bubbled. Something glinted. She took a closer look. The eyes of the alchemist! Kavan?s last act had been to send them to her. She must do her best to return them to the alchemist?s tomb. A strong gust of wind shook the manor. Three yesters had passed since Kavan had gone to the chimera worlds, and her worst fear had just materialized. There was no time for grieving her lost love, she must try and complete Kavan?s quest. She sent for Torma, who?d arrived back at the manor just after her, and who was still ashamed at his inability to anticipate his lord?s trickery. "Kavan has failed, and has sacrificed his life in the process," she told him. He knelt at her feet. "Kavan truly loved you. I?ll defend you unto death, Lady." "I don?t want you to die for me, Torma. If the world survives you must keep the peace and support the new, elected leader. That is what Kavan would have expected from you." Later, when she left the manor with Torma in tow, she gazed up at the curve of Truarc. She shivered. Her former home looked like a scimitar poised to strike.

CHAPTER TWELVE

An electrical storm raged in the sky. Jagged forks of lighting shot from Truarc to explode into the ground beyond the horizon. Great, gusty winds buffeted the ground, lashed the vegetation into shreds and sent dust spiraling. "Only the brave or the foolhardy are abroad," Torma observed, pulling his cloak tighter around him. "Or the desperate," Tiana added, shouting to be heard above the cacophony as they eyed the climb up the slope. Torma was adamant she would not carry out the act alone. "You must let me enter the tomb first." "You may come with me, Torma. I might need your strength." "My Lord would --"

"Kavan?s dead," she shouted, her anger helping to keep her grief at bay. "If I do not fulfill his quest we will all be dead. Now, stop arguing and give me a foot up. Is it my imagination or does the High Place seem to be sloping sideways?" "It?s sinking into the ground at one side. The place is mightily unstable, Lady. It?s dangerous. You should not go up." Her hands curled around a ledge. "Pointing out the obvious is of no use to me at all. I pray you, cease your preaching about the danger. If you do not I?ll put my foot in your mouth and use it as a stepping stone." Torma chuckled. "That?s better," she said. "Now, take my foot in your hands and shove me upwards." It took a while to reach the cave. With the tilt, the fall no longer completely concealed the tomb entrance. She crawled along the ledge, which now sloped downward. She peered into the suffocating blackness of the tomb whilst she waited for Torma to join her. Something was in there. She sensed it listening for danger, quivering with the same shared, animal tension she felt in herself. Torma?s breath rattled harshly behind her. "Wait until I?ve checked for danger." Her fingers pressed against his arm. "Be careful. Something is hiding inside. It means us no harm, but it has a powerful aura. If it?s cornered .?" He drew his sword and made his way inside. He was back in minitix, his eyes reflecting the relief he was experiencing. "There?s a crippled lad inside. How did he get there, Lady? He could not have climbed up." "It must be Santo," she whispered. Scrambling inside, she headed for the shivering bundle of gray rags. She drew the boy into her arms and her tears dripped on to his face. "Santo, can you ever forgive me for placing you in the hands of the enemy? Thank Assinti you survived." Santo managed a pale smile. "The spirit of someone called Sybilla brought me through. She is soon to emerge from her state of grace, and will be my mentor." "Sybilla!" Tiana smiled through her tears. "She was also my mentor for my true journey into life. You are indeed lucky to have her as a guide." Santo gazed up at her, his face pinched with both cold and hunger. It broke her heart to see him so ill-looking. He managed a smile for her. "Sybilla said to keep faith, that our fates were entwined and you?d come for me, mistress. He shook his head and his voice dropped to a whisper. "I have had such a time, experienced such wonders. It runs from my memory like rain down a clear, crystal window." "Hush now, Santo, let it go." She wrapped him warmly in the cloak Torma handed her. "Torma, I want you to take Santo to the house of Athene, the soup maker. Tell her she is charged with his welfare and I?ll be there for him as soon as I can." "But, Lady. It?s my duty --" "Don?t let?s argue again," she said wearily. "Sometimes you must put compassion before duty. This lad

has sacrificed much to further the completion of Kavan?s quest. You can come back for me." Torma left with a show of great reluctance. As soon as he?d gone she applied her thoughts to a way of getting access to the alchemist?s body. Much as she pushed and shoved she couldn?t open it. She took the eyes from her pocket and pressed them against the crystal sides. Nothing happened. As she prodded, pulled and pushed, the face of the alchemist seemed to assume an amused look, which annoyed her no end. Admitting a temporary defeat she sank back on her haunches and glared at him. "It?s not funny, ancient of ancients. Do you want these flashy eyes back or not? If you refuse to cooperate much longer I?ll chuck them in the poxy lake, and that will be the end of it." Her eyes widened when a page in the book slowly turned. Springing to her feet she backed away like a startled cat, then, beset by curiosity, crept warily forward again to read the enigma. "A blessing given, a blessing returned, the eyes will see all." "A blessing," she murmured and her gaze darted to the reflection of the raised hand upon the crystal sheet. She pressed her palm against the reflection, sucking in a swift breath when a panel in the tomb slid open. Without a barrier of crystal between them the figure of the alchemist seemed alive. She hesitated. In the silence she thought she heard a soft sigh. A pulse beat loudly against her ear drum as she stared at the velvet fabric covering the chest. It neither rose nor fell. Tentatively, she lifted her hand and spread her palm in front of his mouth. There was no moistness or warmth to denote life. What if the jaws snapped shut on her hand? She giggled at the irreverent thought. The figure of the alchemist was truly dead. So why did she feel his presence so strongly? She reached up to place each eye in its socket, then stood back and gazed at him, waiting for something to happen. "Aren?t you going to do something clever?" "What would you suggest?" a dusty voice said from behind her. "A circus of trained monkeys, dancing fleas? I?m a scientist, not a magician. Now, if you wanted me to show you how to coax fire from certain rocks, or how to mix the elements of water and fire to produce enough energy to ... " She spun round. "I learned those simple procedures from the volume, Nature?s Explosive Elements." "Hmmm, someone should have taught you the art of patience, Miss Clever-wits. Your thoughts are so turbulent you cannot see through the imagined to the obvious." She was ashamed, she?d ignored her basic training. "Rule number 3. The meditative state cleanses and calms the spirit and must be practiced by the novice every day until meditation becomes part of her being." The true Grand Alchemist, at last! A jangle of nerves, Tiana seated herself, folded her legs under her and recited a mantra several times. Her upturned palms began to tingle, the impatience in her mind receded, her body rhythms slowed. Eager to impress him, she forgot the High Place had tilted. Her lightness of her spirit lifted her from the ground and she banged her head against the roof of the cage. "Banefire!" she yelled, descending just as fast. There was a gruff chuckle. "A handy little skill for a mortal, but my presence seems to fluster you."

Conscious she?d made a fool of herself, Tiana rose from the floor, dusted herself off and peered into the gloom. "Things haven?t been going too well lately. Where are you, ancient of ancients?" "Over here." Where the voice came from was wreathed in mist. From it came a faint luminosity. The breath left her body when the mist cleared. Here was the very image of the man in the tomb. Seated on a rock, he yawned, stretched his arms and wriggled his fingers at her. "I think I know why you?ve called me, girl. I suppose I?d better help you set matters to rights now I can see things more clearly." His glance went to the tomb. "Where?s that sly little fool, Finn, gone?" "I ... I do not know. He disappeared into the chimera worlds he created and has not come out. " "One of these days he?ll kill himself with his baned-fool tricks." The alchemist moved to where she stood and peered down at her through astute eyes. "Hmmm ... I have the feeling I should know you." "I?m Tiana," "Who?" "Tiana, your granddaughter ... daughter of Lynx." He beamed her a smile. "Ah, that accounts for the levitation. It?s nice of you to visit an old man. You look just like her, you know?" His face screwed up in remembrance. "I remember now. You were destined to be joined to Kavan and bring the god-child into the world." He looked around him. "Where is the infant? I?m supposed to be teaching him universal history." Dully, she said. "History is about to come to an end. The god-child will not be born. Kavan lost his life defeating Finn, and the two halves of the world are about to collide ... thanks to your ill-advised experiment all those years ago." His eyes were a paler shade of the deep purple Kavan had inherited. They glowed when he engaged her gaze. "Do you refer to the rift in the planet?" "What else? Kavan was on the brink of saving us when he perished in the chimera. Now the solution lies with me, and I don?t know where to start." "But it was Finn who miscalculated, my dear. He used an unstable element banned by the ancestors. You mortals will never learn, will you? But then, I suppose I should have kept a better watch on him." He gazed at a timepiece he wore on his wrist and shook his head. "Goodness me, is it that century already? You?ve brought me out of dimension just in time. You?d better bring me up to date." He listened intently as she talked, interrupting with the odd, "hmmm," or sometimes "ah, yes," whilst she informed him of recent history. She omitted to mention her capture by Kavan and her reluctance to become his mate, which was now something she bitterly regretted. They?d had so little time together. "I?m trying to complete Kavan?s quest. Failure to do so will bring about the destruction of our world and everything on it. I didn?t understand what drove my lord onward until I entered the chimera. I know I possess nothing of Kavan?s insight or strength and I fear the outcome will be failure." He patted her cheek. "You mustn?t despair. I?ll give you a hand to do something about the situation."

"Can you?" "Of course I can." He tapped his head with a long, gnarled forefinger. "I have the formula in here somewhere, along with the one for turning base metal into gold -- all I have to do is bring it out." Her heart sank. He smiled kindly at her. "Don?t you worry, my dear. I?m not as senile as I look and sound. Now, where did I put my cane?" She found it on the rock and brought it to him. When he tapped it on the floor he disappeared. "What about me?" she yelled. He popped back. "You?d better get over to the dreaming place and sort things out there." "Can?t you come and help me?" "There?s only two places I can go. Here and my library ... and even then I have to stay in my own dimension. It wouldn?t do to keep appearing and disappearing, would it? Not only is it wearing on the tissues, it would scare the good folk no end." "You mean I?m in your dimension?" "Some people are just more gifted at these things than others, mmmm? Usually it?s children, but they seem to lose the ability when they grow. Finn didn?t, nor Kavan. Sybilla came often, she was very gifted and pure of heart." "Sybilla was my mentor." Just thinking of her put a touch of yearning in Tiana?s smile. Life was much simpler then. "Her spirit is resting on Assinti. I said the rites over her and watched her ascend." "It would have been a gentle ascent for her then. Sybilla is destined to live forever in one form or another." "She is to mentor a very gifted friend of mine called Santo." But the alchemist didn?t seem interested. He kept talking about himself, reminiscing about things he had done, places he had been and people he had known. She smiled and listened, but more out of politeness that anything else. If he talked much longer time would run out and they?d all perish. "Hadn?t we better get on with it?" she suggested when he eventually paused for breath. "Yes, I suppose we had," he said wistfully. "It?s been lovely meeting you, Tiana, I?ve been lonely all these years." Immediately she felt guilty. "When things are settled perhaps we could visit more often. There?s much I would like to learn." He brightened. "I might be able to manage that if all goes as planned. By the way, I?ve been checking over Kavan?s calculations in the library. He?s got an amazing brain for maths. He must take after me for that." The alchemist gazed around him, sighed then tapped the floor again and left.

He talked as if Kavan was still alive. She put the thought from her mind. It was no use dreaming of what could never be. She applied herself to how she was to reach the dreaming place. She didn?t even recall in which direction the mountain lay. Remembering Kavan?s charger, she headed for the cave entrance. The speed of the wind was breath-taking outside the cave. Just after she called Shazah there was a crunching noise and the High Place tilted to an even sharper angle. She slid sideways on the ledge, with only her finger-tips for support. Her cloak filled with wind and billowed outwards. Whilst she pitted her meager strength against its drag, pebbles glanced off her head and shoulders. She looked down. Beneath her, the surface of the lake slowly swirled, like water being sucked down a pipe. Her head swam and she closed her eyes to recover her equilibrium. Tiana didn?t see Shazah arrive, but when she felt the support of the animal?s back under her feet she cried out in relief. A soft trill brought Kavan?s hawk to perch on her wrist. The bird hunched into wind-ruffled feathers, her eyes shining silver bright. Tiana ran a finger through the bird?s soft crest, trying not to wince when sharp talons dug into her arm for support against the wind. "I cannot see how you can help, but your company is appreciated." Shifting the hawk to her shoulder Tiana whispered to Shazah. "Take me to the dreaming place." As they soared into the air, she heard a shout from below and saw Torma waving furiously at her. She?d forgotten about her bodyguard, and didn?t need him anyway. There would be no-one to hurt her at the dreaming place, and if she failed it didn?t matter, there?d simply be no-one left. When she waved back and kept going, he threw his gloves on the ground and jumped up and down on them in frustration. "Poor Torma," she said with a sigh. "He feels as if he?s been cast adrift. At least I have the quest to keep my thoughts occupied. Only Assinti knows how I?m to complete it, though." This was not the romantic journey she?d made with Kavan that night. This was a rough passage through buffeting, dust-choked winds, lightning strikes and fire-streaked clouds. Shazah had difficulty keeping on an even course. The hawk huddled against her neck. Her high-pitched and frantic squawks vibrated sharply against Tiana?s eardrum. The landscape was topped by an eerily streaked purple and green sky. Jagged lighting sizzled across it. The air hissed and screeched like the mythical banshees she?d read about in the temple library. Her skin prickled, her hair lifted from the roots to discharge a thousand sparks about her head. Sulfur roughened her throat. As Cabrilan and Truarc drew ever closer, circular storms and water spouts chased across the surface of the land. Shazah took her across a tract of water lashed by boiling currents. On the far horizon, the mountain of the dreaming place loomed. One side of it had caved in. Steam vented. Fear stroked up her spine. She was one woman against all this might. What could she do? "Kavan, why did you die?" she shouted into the roaring wind. The sheets of crystal swayed and touched, their vibrations setting up a mighty din, like members of a choir singing in many different keys. Leaving Shazah to her own devices, Tiana headed for the steps which spiraled round the inside cave to the top. Without Kavan she wouldn?t dare to try and float up the shaft, but the staircase was highly unstable. There was no handhold and it was open on one side. The whole structure swayed, huge chunks breaking off to shatter upon the floor. The steps seemed to go on for ever. She was panting for breath when she reached the top, and when

she saw the figure bending over the tablet her heart leapt into her throat. "Kavan!" When the figure turned she saw it was Javros. He smiled warmly at her. Despite her flare of disappointment, she whispered. "I?m so glad you survived the chimera, Javros." "So am I." His eyes hooded over. "Have you brought the pivot stone with you?" "The pivot stone?" She didn?t quite understand. "I know of no stone called that." Javros cursed horribly. Dismayed, she stared at him. "Kavan managed to get the eyes of the alchemist to me before ... before -" "You replaced the eyes in the body of the alchemist?" Fear whipped color into his face. "Of course, that?s where they belonged." "You stupid little fool. The eyes are all seeing." "I don?t understand, Javros." He stared blankly at her for a moment, his fingers tapping on the tablet where the stones pulsated. The whole shaft was humming, which when combined with the vibration of the crystal sheets, produced a mind-numbing noise. A struggle seemed to go on inside him for his head jerked from one side to the other. "Never mind the eyes now," he muttered, "My plans can be changed. I will need the pivot stone. It?s the color of earth and has bands of molten metal running through it." "Kavan wore such a stone on his finger. It was set in silver." Javros swore. Shoving a hand under her elbow he hustled her towards the shaft and gazed down. "Kavan ... I?m sending your lady down for the pivot ring." Kavan lived! He lived! A sudden surge of elation nearly took the top of her head off. She turned to her brother. "Can?t we join minds and pull him up?" His laugh was one of pure malice. His lip curled and his hand flattened against the small of her back. "If I wanted to pull him up I would simply reverse the spell that keeps him there." "Javros?" she said trying to pull away. "You?re my brother. We?re joined by blood. Why would you want to harm your Lord and my true husband?" He hooted with laughter. "I warned you at the time that you trusted too easily. My mother used to work in the Truarc genetic laboratory. She was examining genetic material from your sire when she was captured. She implanted it, knowing the time would come when it would prove valuable to her. All this time she?s been working to put me in the seat of power." "Even if you survive, the people will not heed you. The troopers will not obey your command." "They will eventually. Even though you?ve made it impossible for me to leave this planet I intend to survive." His thumb curved against her lips. "They?ll obey me with you at my side, fair Tiana. Those who challenge me by right of arms will be defeated, for apart from Kavan, none can best me."

She slashed the back of her hand across his face, cutting his lip and drawing blood. "You cowardly termite ... you worm ... you pathetic, pretty boy!" Her smile taunted him. "Chrisany came to see me yesterday, pleading for your future. What a schemer she is for her conniving son. She?ll not let you take a mate. She has too much envy in her and would not tolerate another rival for your affection." She knew her thrusts hit home when Javros turned a dull red. "Take care you don?t anger me too far." She snapped her finger under his nose. "I don?t give a crumb for your anger. You?ll never be half the man Kavan is, and I?d rather die with him than let you lay one traitorous finger on me." "So be it," he said, his face darkening as he shoved her forward. "Cringing traitorous cur!" she yelled as she stumbled over the edge and plummeted feet-first down the shaft. Her arm nearly jerked out of her socket when Kavan caught her by the wrist. For a moment she dangled, then she looked deep into his eyes. Her body relaxed and he pulled her upwards. The hawk shrieked and squawked. Just for a moment the bird?s talons dug deep into Tiana?s flesh then she flew free and fluttered around them. Kavan pulled her close against him. "Save your breath and relax, my love. I?ve got you safe." "I thought you?d died." Her heart beat frantically against his. "I wanted to die too." One of his fingers brushed tenderly against her face. "It was a close thing. Arcus dragged us up from the depths of darkness. Unfortunately, Finn escaped from his body in time to occupy that of Javros. They are one being now, and although Javros fought his will, Finn was the stronger." "Send up the ring," Finn shouted down the shaft. Kavan drew it from his finger and held it up to the hawk. "You mustn?t," she said, her hand closing around his finger. Her palm began to burn but she ignored it. "He?ll leave us all to die when you do." He looked deeply into her eyes, his smile so tender she thought her heart might break. "My quest was to join the rift and save our people. I?m not afraid of dying for them, and Finn cannot escape the pull of the stone so he?ll have to stay here. If my life be forfeit, so be it. I didn?t want you involved in this. Go to him and save yourself -- you can do much for our people." She hugged him tightly. "I?ll never go to him, not even for you and the people. There?s a home together for us on Assinti." "The ring is a map of the world united. Its power will rob Finn of much of his magic, as it did me. The force of the circle has strengthened now the time of joining is upon us. It will keep him earth-bound." She opened her palm and slid her arms around his chest to anchor herself. He would not get rid of her so easily. "I?ll never leave you, Kavan, not even if you command it. I love you and intend to die with you." Just above them, the hawk sang a song so exquisitely beautiful it brought tears to her eyes. "See how the hawk loves you. I was wrong to set her free." "No, my love, you were right. A man cannot take a wild creature?s freedom away and demand love in

return." A smile touched his mouth. "My, Lady Tiana, I adored you from the moment I set eyes on you. You come to me now of your own free will. To die with you in my arms will be the greatest honor a man could ever have." His mouth touched for a moment against hers, then he gave a soft whistle. They gazed up the shaft as the hawk flew off with the ring. When it reached the top, Finn reached out for it. There was a snapping noise and feathers drifted around them. Tiana gave a cry of distress and buried her head in his chest when the hawk?s body hurtled past. Such an ignoble end for a brave little bird, she thought, and she?d flown to her death knowing her end had come. The hawk had left behind her a beautiful song, whilst she and Kavan would leave a beautiful world. The pull of a powerful, crushing force almost robbed her of breath. Noise assailed them. The crystal rods began to move, the vibrating plates rubbed each against the other to splinter and melt from the friction. Below them, the shaft filled rapidly with the sticky melt of liquid. She gazed at Kavan and he held her gaze. "If I?d have known it would end like this I?d have come to you sooner," she said. "I love you," he whispered, and kissed her with infinite tenderness whilst the liquid crept ever upwards. "Don?t let me be frightened," she said when the melt crept over her feet, but she was, and she hugged him tightly for comfort. "Trust me, my sweet one. Look into my soul and know the essence of it, then surrender to the embrace of sleep, believing we?ll wake one day." When she experienced the joy and love he held for her, she was content. Nobody could ask for more from a mate. His heart beat against hers as if they were one, his arms were a warm cradle to protect and comfort her. The liquid crept up their chests, their necks, then made inroads over her chin, for it reached her first. Soon, she would no longer be able to breathe. She tried not to panic as she clung to Kavan, but there was no fear in him and she took comfort and strength from that. Just as the melt reached her mouth she tilted her chin up, closed her eyes and sought his mouth in one last, desperate kiss. The shaft filled with a pulsing, incandescent light of such power she?d have cried out from the pain of it if she could have drawn a breath. So this is what dying is like, she thought, feeling Kavan?s heart beat steadily against hers. Something squeezed against the base of her skull. There was an instant of bliss, of knowing that Kavan loved her too much to allow her to suffer. Then she experienced nothing more.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Just before morning, Truarc turned curve down and the two planets moved together. It proved to be a more gentle joining than Kavan has predicted, his calculations fortified by a formula applied by the alchemist, who?d been preparing for such an event for thousands of years. The alchemist told himself he would have remembered to correct Kavan?s calculations, even without his granddaughter?s reminder. For a moment he wondered how they fared, then he bent his mind to the problem of how to divert a large meteorite shower that Celeste the young star goddess had blown his way. "Hmmm, a bit tricky," he muttered. "She could have chosen a less destructive move for her turn of the dice." As the forces of earth crushed together, the melt spilt from the mountain and spread along the rift, filling the cracks and gullies. Over time, mountain ranges emerged from the land, tidal waves flooded the plains and rivers changed course. There were casualties on both sides. Those Truarc who didn?t heed the warnings to evacuate the edge towns, perished. Due to Kavan?s preparations, there were not as many deaths as estimated. Cabrilan survived intact. The disturbance took less time and affected a area smaller than Kavan had predicted when adjusted to precision by the alchemist -- but he didn?t know it. *** Time passed. Comfortable in his new skin, the canny Finn allowed a period of mourning for Kavan, then suggested a new ruler be chosen for Cabrilan in the age-old way of might-of-arms. Only the younger troopers challenged him, several sustaining mortal wounds before Torma called an end to the bloody one-sided contest to proclaimed Javros Lord. As the seasons passed, Finn was unable to sustain the charm needed to be Javros. It began to dawn on the populace that the new Lord was not what he had once seemed. He was unwise in his judgment, unfair in his dealings and it soon became obvious he cared only for his own glory and comfort. Kavan?s elite palace guards were disbanded. Finn recruited his own guard from the prison, brutal men who thought nothing of using their position to steal and rape. When the Cabrilan protested, his rule became harsher. Gone were the promises of education. The library was sealed again and the people grumbled. Now withdrawn, the thought of book-learning suddenly became very precious to them. When the farmers refused to grow food, Finn abducted their daughters and gave them to his guards. Fear stalked the streets like a mangy feral cat. A curfew was enforced. Finn snubbed the Truarc elders who?d been promised positions on the council by Kavan. When they presented petitions, the Cabrilan lord summoned The High One and held him hostage in the manor on pain of death.

Kavan?s elite troop were horrified by the change in their former comrade. They held secret meetings to plot against him. There was a crippled child kept hidden from the new lord by Torma and Benlogan. Part mystic, part visionary, Santo begged Torma not to despair. "I dreamed of Kavan and Lady Tiana," he told them. "Our true lord told me all was well with them. He said we must take heart, they will return, one day." As each day passed, as famine spread, as Finn?s thugs roamed unrestrained through the streets the townsfolk became frightened to walk abroad, so it became harder and harder to believe the rumor. *** There was a final upheaval, one that lasted several days. Inside the mountain, a shaft of crystal cracked along its length and shattered into pieces. A pod-shaped chunk was shaken to the top and expelled from the dreaming place. It rolled and bounced down a slope into a swiftly flowing river. Carried off by the current, it entered a gorge that twisted and turned for many leagues then poured underground to divide and take different routes. Above, the faithful Shazah followed the water?s course, soaring high in the air to keep watch over the many outlets when it went underground. Eventually, she was rewarded. The crystal pod emerged in the sunken forest, tumbled over a fall and drifted slowly along a backwater to wash on to a sandy bank of the lake at the High Place. It had changed little, except to subside and shift to the edge of the forest. The alchemist?s tomb had sunk beneath the waters of the lake. Shazah came to rest on the bank and began to graze on the lush vegetation of the forest. After a while, a pair of watchers lowered themselves from the tree canopy and sat a little way off. They gazed at each other and smiled, then one gave a high-pitched whistle. Others joined them and they chatted amongst themselves. From the tree-tops, they kept watch over the pod and whispered amongst themselves. As is the way of things, the whisper was picked up by a passing breeze and blown against the ear of a woman hanging her laundry out to dry. She told it to her neighbor, who passed it on to her son who in turn entrusted the secret to the daughter of Benlogan, his newly betrothed. The mood of the people changed. It was with a lightness of heart they went about their daily tasks. They began to laugh and sing again, but not when the few loyal to the usurper were around, for they would keep the secret hidden. *** The season turned, the new one bringing with it the bright summer moon. There came a time of enchantment. The sky was filled with drifts of sparkling dust through which the stars glowed with many colors. A ray of light shafted down through the trees to touch upon the crystal surface. The pod split open and melted into the sand. A breeze blew down from The High Place. It filled Kavan?s nostrils, inflated his chest and pressed caresses against his eyelids. He woke to discover Tiana snuggled against him. She was breathing deeply

and easily. Her hair had grown long again. It fell softly about her shoulders and glowed with a faint luminosity. He pressed a kiss against each of her eyelids. "My own true love," he murmured, for his mind was filled with her and only her. The jewels of her eyes were revealed to him. Her smile was soft with love. She touched his beard, smiled, then stretched against him in one sinuous movement. "Mmmm, I feel so good. Did I hear you say you loved me, Bramble-face?" A smile played around his mouth. Dappled with moonlight, her skin seemed embraced with magic. He thought his heart might burst from loving her, his body with its urgency to possess her. "I adore every part of you. You make my heart sing with joy and my body ...." He chuckled. "You must be well aware of my body." A smile curved against his face. "I?m aware ... and of my own to receive you. You?re still alive and so am I. Love me, Kavan. This place has a special feel to it." His loins throbbed with his own power when he reached for her. Above them, the watchers? eyes blinked shut. For days the lovers? minds and bodies were as one in the enchanted place. They bathed in the healing waters of the lake, listened to the music of the fall and ate the delicacies the watchers? left for them. Kavan showed off for his lady, dazzling her eyes with his feats of daring as he rode Shazah standing upright and at breakneck speed, or somersaulted over the fall in a perfect dive. She teased him with laughter and song and hid from him. By day, the sun shone, the flowers bloomed and the air was polished with a seductive perfume. By night enchanted moon-dust fell on their bodies, clouded their sight for anything but each other, and drew them into a web of sensual pleasure. A tiny seed took root deep in Tiana?s body. At dusk one day, they exchanged a regretful glance and knew the outside world was calling them back. Kavan pulled her close. "We must return to the manor tomorrow and I must challenge Finn. Whatever the outcome. I?ll never forget this time with you, Tiana of my heart." Her eyes filled with love when they met his. "Nor I, Kavan, my lord ... " mischief filled her eyes, "... and my master." When he laughed, birds flew, startled, from the forest canopy to circle overhead. *** Out gathering firewood, a trooper whose life had been saved by Tiana, rubbed the scar down his middle. His eyes lit up. The sacred place was banned to all. This was the sign they?d been waiting for. Nobody saw him slip into the forest after curfew. He was back a little while later, his eyes wide with the importance of his news. He sought out Torma at his lodging, slipping into the house of Benlogan by a secret passage.

With Torma at his side he grinned at the assembly of Kavan?s troopers, all dressed in the outlawed colors of purple and silver. He was proud to be the bearer of the glad tidings. "Our Lord and Lady are back. They are at the High Place. The troopers crowded round him, eager for news. "How did they seem? Were they well? What did they say?" The trooper?s face cracked into a grin. "They were ... um ... engaged with other, more pressing matters. I left him a sign on a rock, my trooper?s insignia on the only track out of the place. If he can take his eyes off his lady, he cannot miss seeing it." A chorus of ribald remarks, grins and elbow-shoving went on. Torma cracked his knuckles to bring it to an end. He drew his sword and held it high. Light reflected along its length when he said quietly. "My life for my lord and his lady." The replies came as one voice. "My life." *** The whole troop was lined up on the battlements when Kavan rode in under cover of darkness. Torma smiled with delight as he greeted him, then he reached up to lift Tiana down from Shazah. Undetected, he managed to press a kiss on her cheek when the others crowded silently around Kavan. To his delight, though her smile chided him, she hugged him in return. By the time the inhabitants of the manor stirred, all the troopers were in position, their uniforms disguised by voluminous gray cloaks. The grievance court was held early. Matters were dealt with in a haphazard manner, for Lord Javros preferred being entertained to the tedium of administration. He?d reintroduced the old sport of gibber wrestling, where a condemned prisoner was dropped into a pit with a pair of hungry gibber monkeys. Today, they had a woman prisoner. The mother of a young Truarc maid, she?d sent her daughter into hiding rather than give in to the right of her lord to claim the girl. The match had been widely publicized, and was sure to flush the young woman out. When it did, she would join her mother in the pit. It promised to be an exciting match. Benlogan bowed to him when the court was dismissed. "There?s a traveler who seeks an audience, sire." "The court is over for the day." "He?s heard of your bravery in bringing together the rift and bears a gift." Finn waved a languid hand at Benlogan. "What sort of gift?" "A woman for your pleasure, sire. It?s said she?s a Truarc maid of good birth and great beauty. She would make you a suitable partner." Chrisany exclaimed with annoyance. "Lord Javros can have any woman he likes. He doesn?t need a

permanent partner, however beautiful she thinks she is." She slapped away the hand of an infant who tried to cling to her skirt. "Go away and find your nurse." The toddler stuck her thumb in her mouth and stared up at her mother, tears gathering in her eyes. The way the ruler glared at Chrisany informed everyone he was tired of her interference. "It?s for me to decide whether I want the woman or not." Benlogan leaned over and whispered in his ear. "There are whispers that the traveler brings you the Truarc maid you so desired, Lord. It is said she wishes to beg for her mother?s life." Eyes sharpening, his attention fully on Benlogan now, Javros nodded. He plucked a ripe peach from a bowl and peeled it with a show of great boredom. "I?ll give her a few tix of my time to plead her cause, no more." Kavan pulled his cowl over his head and made his way forward. Placing the sack on the floor he opened the end. There was a shower of silver and purple sparkles and Tiana appeared. "You?" Javros said, shooting to his feet. The color drained from his face when Kavan flung back the cowl. The peach dropped to the floor in a splat of wet flesh. "What trickery is this, Kavan? The pair of you died by my own hand." An ominous rumble of discontent fired through the crowd. Tiana bowed low. "Felicitations, gangrenous maggot! You condemn yourself with your own filthy confession." She has a deliciously waspish way with words, Kavan thought when a gasp of delight went through the audience. They began to clap and cheer. The child copied them, then smiled widely at Tiana. "Pretty, Lady," she lisped. Tiana smiled back at the child and wiggled her fingers. A furry toy appeared in her arms. The child gazed down at it with wondering eyes, then giggled with delight. Chrisany stepped forward, her eyes hard and calculating. "Forgive my son, Lord Kavan. He knows not what he says. His confession was born out of grief, which has twisted his thoughts to make him appear more powerful in his own eyes. We thought you were dead. Everyone did." "That?s not your son," Kavan said, as gently as possible for one about to kill him. "When Javros surrendered his will to the usurper, he sought to exchange it for everlasting life, riches and power. All he got was death. Your son was weak, and chose the easy path, Chrisany. His body is all that?s left of him, and it plays host to the soul of Finn, the evil apprentice." Chrisany gazed from one to the other, desperation in her eyes, obviously unwilling, or unable to believe what she was hearing. When Kavan advanced on Finn, the eyes of Javros engaged his and tried to get the better of him by mesmer. Kavan laughed. "The pivot stone drained you of any power you had."

"I challenge you. I demand trial by combat, as is my right," Finn screamed out desperately. He looks fit, Kavan thought. Obviously Finn had not allowed the fine body he?d inhabited to soften through lack of exercise. Finn leapt from his seat to lunge at Kavan, his sword drawn. Kavan sidestepped and gave a sharp whistle. Torma?s sword came flying through the air into his hand. His knuckles closed comfortably around the hilt like an old friend. Around the hall, twenty troopers cast aside their cloaks and slit the throats of the twenty prison scum, who were acting as guards and leveling stun guns. Before the blood had time to run, the troopers silently dragged the bodies away. Sparks flew as two swords met overhead. Despite his appearance, Finn was out of condition, Kavan thought, as they slashed and parried at each other. They?d hardly started and already he was puffing and panting like an old hound. A trickle of smoke came from Finn?s mouth. Kavan laughed out loud. He was weakening himself by trying to summon up his magic power. "Nice try, Finn, but the little magic you have left has been blocked. It?s going to be mortal against mortal. Javros was a skilled swordsman but you haven?t kept the practice up, and you don?t have his staying power." Desperation in his eyes, Finn turned tail and tried to run. His escape was blocked by a trooper. Spun round, a foot in the seat of his pants sent him stumbling back to Kavan. Giving a scream of rage he brought the sword over his head with both hands. It was all over in minitix. One blow from Kavan spun the sword from Finn?s hand, the second cut through his aorta. It was a more merciful death than Finn deserved, and Kavan wasn?t even out of breath. Chrisany screamed in anguish. Dropping to her knees, she cradled the body of her son in her arms and gazed at Kavan with hate in her eyes. From the fold of her skirt she dragged a stun-gun and took aim. She was too close to miss. In the split second it took Tiana?s eyes to widen there was a blinding flash and the woman?s head exploded. Kavan looked for the child, but Tiana got there first, shielding her from the bloody sight of her mother. She cuddled the girl tightly against her, and every part of her body was on the defensive when she glanced his way. Did she still consider him a barbarian who would slay a child? His reassuring smile earned him a loving look. She relaxed, handed the child to Athene and moved into the circle of his arms. The hall erupted into clapping and cheering. "There?ll be feasting tonight," he shouted. "Let?s make merry. Casually, Tiana announced she was going to inspect their quarters. Kavan followed her out. He couldn?t allow her to inspect them alone. *** Child?s play, the alchemist thought. He dropped a few grains of black powder on top of a green liquid. There was an almighty bang and smoke billowed. The end of his beard caught fire and he had a coughing fit when someone threw water in his face to douse the flames.

It was a boy. He dried his face on the skirt of his black working robe. "Who are you?" he said with some surprise, for although a companion for him was predicted, he?d expected someone who looked to fit the position. "Santo. I?m your new apprentice." "You?re a bit on the short side, aren?t you?" "I was born with a twisted spine and have only lately gained the strength to walk. Will that matter?" "Not in the least. I can teach you how to make yourself taller if you like. It?s handy if you need to reach the top shelves. I didn?t summon you, did I?" "No, I decided to join you after I saw you a few times in the library. I came through the portal tunnel and secretly watched you work. I had to be sure this time, you see." "You saw me?" The alchemist spooned blue powder on to the scales as he looked him over. "Hmmm, I suppose you must have. How did you get into this dimension? Do you know any chemistry?" "I?ve always been able to pass through into this dimension. And although I?m not skilled in chemistry I?ve discovered I can read, and I?m quick to learn." The alchemist?s hand waved over the shelves of books in the outside dimension. "You?ll have to be if you want to become an alchemist, there?s more to it than a few magic tricks. Start with volume one and I?ll test you every orbit for the next decade." Santo edged closer to him. Her picked up a vial containing silver crystals, shook a few into his palm and sniffed them. "This dimension you live in, is it in the past or the future?" "I have no idea. It?s something I?ve never been able to figure out." "What are you trying to do?" "Make a formula. I?ve got a theory that certain elements give you freedom. If I can get it right I?ll be able to walk abroad instead of being confined to the library and my tomb. Brrr! So dark in there now and swirling with muddy water." "Have you ever tried it?" "Tried what?" "Walking abroad. Sybilla told me that sometimes the hardest things are the simplest to achieve. You just do them." Santo brushed the crystals from his palm. As they touched the singed end of the alchemist?s beard, blue smoke engulfed him. The alchemist fanned it away with a pass of his hand. "A lateral thinker, our Sybilla. Hmmm, yes it might just work. I?ve never really tried. My mind doesn?t work along such simple lines. Take my arm, Santo. We?ll test this theory of hers." A few moments later the alchemist sucked in a deep breath and gazed up at the sky for a moment. His

expression was one of quiet satisfaction. "Beautiful ... just beautiful. One of my better creations even if it was colonized by mortals at the beginning of the game. It?s a fitting legacy for my second great grandson." Santo stared him in awe. "You created all this?" The old man nodded. "It was fashioned on a planet called Terra, an idea brought into cogent form by Sol, one of the short-lived offspring of the sun god. None of us expected the godling forms that grew there to assume an intelligent, mortal nature the way they did. It?s quite interesting though. The gods are fond of Sol?s mortals, and most are sworn to protect and help them on their journeying." He seemed to tire of the subject. "How is my granddaughter? Has she brought the god-child into the world yet? I?ve got so much to teach him." Santo jumped when Sybilla stepped out from behind a shrub. She placed her hands on her hips and admonished, "When I told you to exercise your legs I didn?t say you could come this far." She smiled at the alchemist. "I should have known he?d make himself known to you. Don?t let him become a nuisance." "It?s all right, Sybilla. I enjoy his company." She tilted her head to one side and stared at him, her eyes as brown and liquid bright as those of Santo. "How do you know me?" "We?ve met before," the alchemist said, and felt glad that in this manifestation Sybilla was not only handsome in body and face, but would have a long and happy mortal life. "I hear you?re going to wed General Torma." Sybilla blushed. "Torma?s a fine man, and has been good to Santo. Glory be, who would have guessed I had a nephew waiting for me on Cabrilan." She ruffled Santo?s hair. "I go to the manor to welcome the arrival of the infant. Would the pair of you care to come with me?" The Alchemist took his cane from the folds of his gown, polished it on his sleeve and smiled. "I?ll be but half a tix. I?ll just go change into something more fitting." *** Kavan held court in the great hall, but his mind was not on the Truarc dignitaries with their tiresome petitions and endless debates. His patience was growing thin. How long could an infant take to come into the world? He crossed to the window for a moment?s peace and it came to him ... her joy bubbling into his mind like wine. His heart lifted. Signaling to The High One he strode rapidly through the people, stopping to smile at a group of three people standing apart from the rest. The others had edged nervously away from them and he could understood why. A barrier of purple light pulsated around them. One was Torma?s woman, Sybilla, a peach ripe for the plucking if ever he saw one. Of the two with her, Santo was looking as pleased as cheese with himself, as well he might in such fine company.

He felt a rare stab of familiarity with the old man, and started when he smiled and raised his hand in a blessing. Wonder of wonders. The Grand Alchemist! And all a shimmer in silver thread, glittering jewels and rich, purple velvet. Tiana would be pleased by the honor paid her with this manifestation. He was pleased, himself. But he must remember to acknowledge him. Kneeling, he took the alchemist?s hand and pressed it against his forehead. Rising, he said for all to hear, "Grandfather, you honor us." "You can see me?" "Of course. Everyone can." Santo grinned cheekily at him. "It was that silver stuff. It landed on your beard." The alchemist looked thoughtfully down at him. "I think you?ve got it, lad. The silver crystophlatzer, when applied to a mixture of burned lapazine and phizophase must have the effect of --" Kavan grinned. It was fascinating, but he could not leave his woman waiting. He made his leave and, hurrying to the birthing chamber, dismissed the attendants and gazed down at Tiana. He couldn?t imagine what life had been like without her. They were one mind, one body, one love. He took her hand in his and bore it to his lips. "You didn?t suffer too much, my love?" The child was squalling with lusty indignation after his passage into the world. He was of good weight, and strong, his legs already kicking against the restraining blanket. Kavan exchanged a glance with Tiana, sharing the sense of achievement in her smile and the glow of maternal love as she glanced at the miracle of her infant. The boy had his mother?s moonlight hair, jade eyes and the roar of a young bull. Kavan felt himself swell with pride. He was a man amongst men, no other could have sired such a handsome son. He grinned when Tiana?s eyes gently mocked him. Taking their son from her arms he carried him towards the window, saying softly. "Come, my little princeling. We must announce your arrival." In the square below, the crowd waited in hushed expectancy. They stretched as far as the eyes could see -- Truarc and Cabrilan united in a quest for survival. No one took any notice of the old man and his young companion -- all eyes were directed towards the window. A lump filled Kavan?s throat as he held his son on high and offered him to the people. "A son is born," he cried out. "Let there be rejoicing."

END