Exodus of the Xandim (GOLLANCZ S.F.) Read online

  He patted her shoulder. ‘Trust me, I’m a Healer.’

  ‘What about Brynne?’ Still she wouldn’t let go of her duty.

  ‘Don’t worry about Brynne. I’ll deal with her. Our hands may be tied on the issue of having her back, but I’ll see that she doesn’t get away with her behaviour. Now,’ he added briskly, as he went to the door, ‘I’m going to see about that food. It wouldn’t reflect well on my Luen if I let my greatest asset collapse from overwork.’

  17

  ~

  UNLOOKED-FOR REUNION

  Kea sat on top of Ariel’s Tower at sunset, looking out across Tyrineld. She had taken to coming up here to be alone with her thoughts, for Sharalind was far too busy to use the flat roof terrace any more, and it was always deserted. It was a perfect place for thinking; private, secluded, and somehow above the cares and tribulations of the city. The winged girl was desperately missing the mountains of her home, and somehow being in the highest place for many miles around helped to clear her mind.

  The terrace was a pleasant place, bounded by a wall that was just the right height to lean on. The view was spectacular in either direction: across the thriving city with its elegant buildings and blossoming gardens, or across the shimmering ocean and the ships plying to and fro. Within the parapet there were stone benches set into the curving wall, and the circular roof was tiled in a pretty mosaic. In the centre there were chairs and a table, and large pots of flowering plants brightened the area with their vibrant blooms.

  It had only taken a few days for Kea to become familiar with the city. Because she could see everything from the air, it was easy to fix the layout in her mind, and the locations where her new friends could usually be found. From here she could look down at the places that had become important to her: the two adjacent houses in the pretty square, one of which was Yinze’s, and the other where she was staying with Thara and Melisanda; Yinze’s Luen of Artisans and the building down near the sea that housed the Dragon Atka. Unfortunately she’d also become familiar with the Luen of Warriors, where her Wizard companion could usually be found since his return with her from Aerillia.

  Kea sighed. Had she been wrong to come here? She was beginning to think so. She should have stayed in Aerillia where she belonged and immersed herself in her work, until she had buried her growing feelings for this handsome Wizard with the charming smile. It was hopeless anyway. Had she not promised Queen Pandion that there would be nothing more than friendship between them? Mating between Skyfolk and Wizards wasn’t natural. It had to be wrong.

  But what of their friendship? Kea had become close to Yinze back in her own city, when they had worked together on his harp. She had been looking forward to continuing that companionship in Tyrineld yet, as soon as he’d returned, he had abandoned her for his old Wizard comrades without a backward look. Was she being selfish to expect more from him? After all, he had lost two of his dearest friends; one dead, one missing. War was brewing, his people were divided against one another and everything was in a state of flux. Nevertheless, surely she had a right to expect better from him – or had he just been using her in Aerillia, to assuage his loneliness? She felt hurt and betrayed. Maybe she had been nothing but a convenience to him in his own lonely exile, to be discarded now that he no longer needed her.

  It could be no coincidence that a similar situation applied to poor Atka, Kea reflected. Since the Dragon had come here from Dhiammara, Chathak, immersed in his grief over his own losses, had simply ignored her, leaving her alone to worry about her unanticipated pregnancy and the near-impossibility of caring for a hatchling in this temperate, foreign clime. She would never have guessed that the Wizards could have proved so fickle.

  Only Ionor, it seemed, had honoured his bond with his Mage partner, the Leviathan Lituya, but now they had both absconded, leaving the city at dead of night to return to Lituya’s people in the north. The Mage of the oceans had sent out a call in mindspeech to herself and Atka the night he left, otherwise she would never have known what had become of him. Certainly Ionor’s fellow Wizards, even his closest friends, had never mentioned it – at least not in front of her.

  Had it not been for Atka, Kea would have emulated the Leviathan and returned to her own people. Chathak, still concerned with his own sorrows, had passed the problem of the impending Dragon’s egg to the already overburdened Melisanda. Though the Healer had made time for a long talk with Atka, and promised that the Wizards would find a way to care for her offspring when it arrived, she’d simply had no time to help any further. Apparently, with war brewing, no one cared about the visiting Magefolk students. They had learned nothing since they had come here and indeed it seemed as if, having plundered the knowledge of the other Magefolk species, the Wizards were not prepared to honour their side of the bargain.

  Queen Pandion was going to be furious when she found out – but should Kea be the one to tell her?

  The winged girl had a way of sending messages back to her people. She had brought with her a basket of homing birds, trained to return to their roosts in Aerillia, in case she needed to communicate with her family or Master Crombec in an emergency. So far she had hesitated to send word of the recent happenings in Tyrineld, knowing that once Pandion had discovered the situation she would inform the Dragon and Leviathan leaders, and all three would be deeply – and rightly – concerned about the consequences of a war between Wizards and Phaerie. She knew that they should be told, and that as the only Skyfolk representative in Tyrineld she should pass on the information, but Cyran was still absent and she had heard the rumours of Sharalind’s increasing instability, for when a person had wings it was easy, unavoidable in fact, to eavesdrop on private conversations. No one bothered to look up. Perched on rooftops, cornices and high walls, she had been privy to the uneasy gossip that spread from mouth to ear to mouth, all over the city.

  What concerned her most was the talk of some of the Luen Heads being arrested, and certainly there had been some sudden changes of leadership. It seemed that Sharalind would stop at nothing to get her own way over this war, and surely it was Kea’s responsibility, indeed her duty, to warn her own people? Yet if she passed information to Pandion, would she not risk being detained as a spy? It was nerve-wracking to be all alone; a foreigner in a city where the situation was so unstable. Though she despised herself for being a coward, Kea couldn’t help it. She was afraid and, she suspected, not without good reason.

  Of course, there was an alternative. She could go home, and take her information back to Pandion in person.

  Once the idea was in her head, Kea couldn’t let it go, and the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. What was the point of staying here? She wasn’t learning anything. Yinze didn’t seem to want or need her. The journey back to Aerillia would be long and lonely, and it would be a lot more dangerous to travel alone than in a group, but she could make it, she was sure. Without winged bearers to accompany her she would be forced to leave most of her possessions in Tyrineld and travel very light, but . . .

  What about Atka? Lituya has already abandoned us. How can I leave her all alone here in her condition? She can’t get home the way I can – she’s trapped. If I’m lonely and afraid right now, imagine what she must be feeling.

  She wrestled with her conscience. On the one hand, she was neither comfortable, nor happy, nor safe here in the Wizard city. She was homesick, pining for her mountains, her mentor, her family and friends. But on the other hand there was Atka, now a good friend too, who was equally alone, equally homesick and desperately vulnerable. How could Kea just pack up and leave the Dragon now?

  How could she live with herself if she did?

  Kea pondered all these problems, her thoughts circling round and round as the sun began to sink into the western ocean, turning the waves into a blaze of molten gold. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful, but so dazzling that she was soon forced to turn her back on it, blinking away the glare, to look down at the promontory below the tower and the city that s
pread out beyond, its white buildings turned to amber in the honeyed evening light. The air smelled of dust and herbs and sunlight, all overlaid with the fresh, salty tang of the ocean. Throughout Tyrineld, Wizards were gathering outside, in gardens, on balconies and rooftops; eating, drinking and enjoying this peaceful and lovely time of the day.

  It was a magical moment, suspended in perfection. From up on the tower roof everything seemed so tranquil, it was impossible to believe that this was a city torn apart by turmoil and conflict, and on the brink of war.

  Below her, the door of the tower opened. She ducked behind the parapet, afraid of being accused of spying, then did just that, edging up to peer over the sill. Two figures stood on the path below her. One was Sharalind and the other . . .

  First of all Kea saw the wings, and all the breath left her body in a shocked gasp. It was one of the Skyfolk! One of her people was here in Tyrineld. Then she recognised the wings, their shape and colour, and the face of the person below, and her heart soared with joy. It was Master Crombec, her beloved teacher and mentor.

  Kea sank down and sat with her back to the parapet, her emotions all in a whirl. First there was a spurt of annoyance – does he think I’m so useless that I need to be supervised? – followed by an overwhelming flood of relief. Now she wouldn’t have to worry about whether to report to Pandion; someone older, wiser and senior to her was there to make that decision. Crombec would decide whether she should stay here or return to Aerillia. Maybe he’d be able to help Atka, if only with some good advice. And he was sure to have brought an escort with him; both bearers and guards. If he did decide that she should leave, she would no longer have to go alone with little more than the clothes on her back.

  All these thoughts flashed through Kea’s mind following that first, startled moment of recognition. Then she collected herself and peered cautiously over the parapet again to focus on the dialogue below, which was clearly the continuation of a conversation that had been going on inside the tower.

  ‘And of course we’ll be delighted to offer to offer our assistance to our friends the Winged Folk in any way we can.’ Sharalind sounded anything but delighted. ‘I fear that Queen Pandion will find me remiss in my arrangements for her representative here, but I’m sure you understand that—’

  ‘Not at all, not at all. Do not trouble yourself.’ Crombec’s voice was soothing. ‘Given the tragedy that has beset your people, especially yourself and the Archwizard, how could things be otherwise? I’m sure it has done Kea no harm to take time to settle in. And what of Yinze? How does he fare? He must be frantic over his missing sister, and the passing of such a close friend as your son must have been a terrible blow to him.’

  ‘Indeed.’ Sharalind’s voice took on a hard edge. ‘And like the rest of the Wizardfolk, his thoughts at the moment are fixed on revenge against the Phaerie. He is currently training with the Luen of Warriors.’

  ‘It’s understandable, of course.’ Crombec replied in that same calming tone. ‘He is bound to be shocked and angry. Feelings would naturally run high in one so young, but since his beloved sister is involved, it can only exacerbate matters.’ He sighed. ‘Poor Yinze. He talked of Iriana constantly when he was with us in Aerillia. Though she was not of his blood, I know how much he loved her.’

  ‘At least she survived,’ Sharalind snapped.

  Well, you needn’t sound as though you wish she hadn’t.

  Kea couldn’t stop the resentful thought. It was just as well that she wasn’t having this conversation, she realised, and indeed it seemed that even Crombec was anxious to shift onto safer ground.

  ‘Given the strength of Yinze’s feelings, do you think there will be a problem taking him away from the fight to help Kea and myself?’

  Sharalind shrugged. ‘Our alliance with the Skyfolk is of paramount importance to Cyran and myself. Yinze’s personal considerations must not outweigh his duty.’

  Crombec opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it again, clearly reorganising his thoughts. He inclined his head in a bow to Sharalind. ‘My thanks, madam. Your duties must weigh heavily on you at present – I will not keep you from them any longer. With your permission I will go and speak to Kea. I’m sure she will be most surprised to see her old teacher again so soon.’ He flicked a glance up towards the parapet, and Kea ducked back down with a curse. She’d forgotten that, unlike the Wizards, the Winged Folk were accustomed to looking up.

  After a moment or two she dared another quick glance, but the path below was empty, and she heard a loud click as Sharalind closed the tower door behind her. Crombec, with outstretched wings, was already gliding towards the centre of the city, and the house that Kea shared with Yinze’s female friends. Plague on it! There was no way she could get back before him. With another muttered oath she spread her wings and launched herself from the top of the tower, following her mentor home.

  Hot and out of breath, Kea landed in Thara’s garden, only to find Crombec, as cool and unflurried as if he’d been there all day, sitting by the fountain and accepting a glass of cool elderflower cordial from Melisanda. She was shocked to see how pale and haggard the Healer looked, and remembered with a flash of guilt that she was not the only one who had troubles. Then Crombec was calling to her and standing up with his arms outstretched, and for a few moments Kea forgot everything else in the joy of their reunion.

  Melisanda, in the meantime, had been fetching another glass for Kea, and now she settled them both down at the round wooden table with glasses and a bottle of the cordial – Thara’s own delicious recipe, Kea knew – between them. ‘I must get back to the Luen now,’ she apologised. ‘Tinagen chased me out to have a break, so I came back to check on the cub that Yinze brought back for Iriana. Ludea – she’s the mortal servant who looks after our house,’ she added in an aside to Crombec, ‘is making you some supper, so you’ll be fine even if none of the rest of us make it back this evening. Are your bearers settled, sir?’

  ‘Yes, indeed. Lady Sharalind arranged quarters for them, and I will be staying next door with Yinze and his friends, so that I can be close to my old pupils.’

  ‘I’m sorry we’ve afforded you such a poor welcome, but the way things are at present . . .’

  ‘Don’t concern yourself, my dear.’ Crombec smiled at Melisanda. ‘I understand the situation, and you have given me a delightful welcome. I will be quite happy here with Kea to keep me company.’

  When the Healer had taken her leave, he turned to his pupil with a twinkle in his eye. ‘Well met, my favourite pupil. Now – just how much did you overhear back at Ariel’s tower?’

  Kea blushed. ‘I’m sorry about that. I know you taught me better than to eavesdrop. But with the situation as it stands, I’ve been desperate for any information I could get —’ She broke off and reached across to grasp her mentor’s hand. ‘Oh, Crombec, I’m so glad to see you! I’ve been so lonely and afraid. Lady Sharalind has been arresting the Luen Heads who disagreed with her and I was afraid she’d take steps to silence the visiting Magefolk too, in case we reported back to our rulers.’

  ‘There there, my dear.’ Crombec patted her arm with his free hand. ‘You’re not alone any longer. Sharalind is aware that I must report this business to Queen Pandion, but she won’t interfere with me, not in Cyran’s absence and certainly not when I came armed with a personal request from the Queen. If she has been listening to her soulmate at all in the last few months, she will realise just how important it is, not just to the Wizards but to all the Magefolk, that I am allowed to complete my work.’

  ‘What work?’ Kea interrupted. When Crombec raised his eyebrows she added, ‘I didn’t overhear all that much; only what the two of you were saying after you had left the tower. So I don’t know why you’re here – or why it involves myself and Yinze.’

  ‘Since I need your assistance, I have Queen Pandion’s permission to tell you everything, but what you are about to hear must be kept in the very strictest confidence . . .’ With that he went on
to tell her about the visions of war and disaster experienced by the four Magefolk leaders, resulting in the very knowledge-sharing project which had brought Yinze to Aerillia and Kea to Tyrineld. As he went on to tell her of the decision to build an artefact to amplify the power of each race, for use in times of desperate need, her eyes grew wide. ‘And this is why you’re here?’

  ‘Exactly.’ Crombec took a sip of his drink. ‘A group of us have been working on the project in secret, but so far with very little success. It was only when our young Wizard friend came up with his harp that we began to wonder: could we do something similar? But we need Yinze’s knowledge and expertise, just as we need yours, for I know that you were also very much involved in the crafting of his harp.’

  ‘And because that trouble with Incondor forced Yinze back to Tyrineld, and me with him, you had to follow us all the way back here.’

  Crombec grimaced. ‘Not the sort of journey I would have chosen. I’m getting too old now for such long-distance flights. However, since events here seem to be racing towards exactly the sort of catastrophe that Queen Pandion and the others foresaw, it’s as well that I came when I did. We must get to work without delay, Kea. Our only problem is that we need Yinze to cooperate, and Lady Sharalind thinks that might present a certain amount of difficulty.’

  ‘Difficulty?’ Kea frowned. ‘The way Yinze is feeling at present, I’d say it would be impossible. Lady Sharalind told you about the loss of his friend and his sister. He’s determined to avenge them, Crombec. I never see him any more. He spends his whole time training with the Luen of Warriors, and plans to go with Sharalind’s forces when they leave. You’ll never persuade him to stay tamely behind and help us.’

  Crombec raised an eyebrow, and she caught a sudden glint of iron in his gaze. ‘Will I not, my dear? Well, we will see.’

  Blazing with rage, Yinze stormed into the house, slamming the door behind him with an ear-splitting crash. His temper was not improved by finding Kea and his old teacher Crombec waiting in Thara’s garden, drinking Thara’s cordial as if they hadn’t a care in the world. With a sweep of his arm he sent the bottle and glasses flying, to hit the flagstones in a burst of shattered glass.