Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series

Chapter One

Nolli was installed in what had been a guardroom beside the great gateway. Beds were brought, and wall hangings, and pillows, and with a fire in the hearth it was comfortable and warm. It also meant that the Wise One was easily available to any who wished to speak to her and with the door open, she missed nothing of what went on in the hall. Fenj’s chosen place was in the curve of the wall opposite Nolli’s room, and Lorak had taken over a much smaller guardroom close by. He announced it would be his temporary workroom and Gan stifled a groan at the news.

The few of Rhaki’s fighters who had survived worked alongside the Guards. It was clear to Gan and his officers that fear rather than loyalty or devotion had commanded them. The fighters were offered the chance of proving whether they could eventually become full members of the Guards.

The servants of the stronghold had taken a very short time to become devoted to the new regime. They too had been governed by fear but the unfailing kindness and respect shown them by all of Emla’s party had quickly won them over. Emla stayed several more days in the stronghold, a lot of that time closeted with Nolli. But she and Kemti had taken their leave with Soran and most of the Guards save for the two bands remaining at the stronghold.

Emla’s parting from Tika and Farn was made easier by the knowledge that when Farn was strong enough to begin the long journey to the south, they would stop at Gaharn for a few days with the Golden Lady.

Although not soul bonded, Jeela and Dessi had become very attached to each other and the Delver girl had gone on a hunting flight along with Ashta and Brin. Kija’s eyes flared angrily when she realised what her small daughter had done but she said nothing on their return.

As Farn slept less, he ventured outside the destroyed gateway, usually with Gan or Sket. There he stretched his wings and, more carefully, his neck, breathing the bitingly cold air. Lorak’s herbs seemed to be helping him although he complained loudly at the unpleasant taste.

A few hours after Emla’s departure, Tika and Mim were in Nolli’s room. Mim had ripped the sleeves from his shirts, making sleeveless tunics, and his arms glittered with tiny gold scales. He had been asking Nolli about the Delvers’ way of life.

‘I noticed in your gardens, most of your tools are made of bone or wood but your cooking pots are metal, and I saw you used knives. Do your people work the metal or do you trade?’

‘In our central settlement of Asat there are smiths. They provide all the metal work we need. There are seams of ore within the mountain so we do not trade.’ Nolli frowned, not entirely sure of Mim’s reason for such questions. ‘We make knives for everyday use and a certain small number of arrowheads but we forge no weapons such as spears or swords.’

Mim tilted his head to one side. ‘Why not?’

‘Delvers do not make war. We keep ourselves safe within the Domain. We do not fight,’ she repeated.

Tika sat back against a pillow, understanding where Mim’s thoughts led. He leaned forward, his turquoise eyes with the strange vertical pupils, intent on Nolli.

‘So my people thought,’ he said softly. ‘And I am all that remains of a whole Nagum village.’

Nolli sucked her lips over her naked gums. Mim nodded.

‘I refused to use a sword when Gan would teach me. And he asked me then, how had Nagum beliefs protected my village. I do not believe force to be the right way Nolli but I believe it is right to know how to fight – to protect or defend.’

Nolli was silent for a long while. ‘My people would not fight when the invaders took our lands. We retreated into the Domain and here we have lived safely ever since. Should we now learn to fight then Mim? And who do we take up arms against?’

Mim thought before he asked: ‘If you saw Dessi threatened by a sword, would you merely watch her die?’

Nolli stared at him. He shook his head.

‘These questions go round in my head Nolli. It seems that force is the only thing some people understand – the threat of force keeping them in order. Then that force needs to become stronger, and so on and on it goes.’

‘I begin to see your dilemma Mim. So you perhaps think that hiding ourselves away from the world was wrong?’

‘Not wrong Nolli, but it was an avoidance rather than an answer.’

‘And you, Tika? You believe force is right?’

‘No, I do not believe that, anymore than Mim does. But I know, better than Mim, that it is necessary. I will never be a slave again – so I will fight.’

‘Dessi has seen great changes coming, in her dreams. She sees Delvers Outside once more. Perhaps some of those will choose to fight.’ The ancient one closed her eyes for a moment. ‘I will think on what you say and then I will talk with the Elders.’

Leaving Nolli’s room, the two wandered to the edge of the gateway, looking out at the darkening sky. It was clear of snow clouds at least, but icy cold. Tika shivered, hugging herself.

‘Why aren’t you cold anymore Mim? Remember how you complained of even the slightest chill?’

He laughed. ‘It is something to do with the Dragon blood. Somehow I can adjust to different temperatures to a certain extent.’ He stretched his arms, the scales rippling as he moved. ‘I’m glad though – I did hate feeling so cold!’

They moved back inside the great hall.

‘How long until you have to leave?’ Mim asked softly.

‘I think it will be sooner rather than later. I would prefer Farn to rest many more days, but something warns me we must move soon.’

‘Why is it so necessary to chase after Rhaki and destroy him? He is no longer the Guardian. Could he not be left in the South Lands, to play his games if the humans there allow him?’

Tika slowed as they approached the long dining table where Guards were filling the benches.

‘Nolli says he has become something different – as we have changed. He has learned too much of the ways of the ancient users of power and he has twisted that knowledge. He is a danger now, but he could become an even more terrifying threat to all of us if he is left to his own devices. So,’ she shrugged and moved on towards the table. ‘He must be destroyed.’

As soon as Emla reached her great House again, she sent a messenger into Gaharn asking that a Gathering be summoned within three days. She visited those wounded Guards still in her House and spoke briefly to Yash. They had ridden hard on the return from the north, despite the unceasing snow and bitter winds.

Emla retreated to her private quarters exhausted, to find Shan had readied a bath and prepared a tray of tea and hot pastries.

‘What would I do without you Shan?’ she groaned, as her chapped fingers fumbled with her shirt buttons. ‘But leave me now. Go and have a bath yourself and, if you are not falling asleep after that, come back to me.

Shan turned to the door. ‘My Lady?’

‘Yes?’

‘These clothes are comfortable. Would you allow me to wear trousers here? At least sometimes,’ she added quickly.

‘Of course you may. I think I will myself. Warmer and less entangling than skirts.’ Emla grinned at her maid. ‘Perhaps you are more my bodyguard than my personal maid now?’

Shan blushed but said nothing.

‘Go on. Soak away the aches – at least some of them – as I hope to do!’

Next morning, Emla summoned Soran, now the Chief of her Guards.

‘You look better after a decent night’s rest Soran.’ She smiled as he saluted her. ‘Sit down, this is an informal talk.’

He seated himself and remarked: ‘You too look rested Lady.’

‘And a lot cleaner no doubt!’ she agreed. ‘Soran, Shan spoke to me last night. At first, I was surprised but on reflection I think she has a point.’

Soran waited.

‘She said that having used a blade, and seeing Tika and myself fighting with blades, she would like permission to take training.’

Soran’s eyebrows rose, then lowered in a frown as he thought. ‘Lord Gan began training Lady Tika. I see no reason why women should not learn the ways of the blade. I know that all the People, male and female, are taught the basic routines in their childhood.’

‘I want no trouble from the Guards over this Soran.’ Emla studied him. ‘I suspect some of the other women of my household will want to learn when once they see Shan training. At the same time, I want you and your officers to make no concessions because they are female. I’ve heard you shout at recruits – I expect there will be occasions to shout at Shan and any others who join her.’ Emla stood and Soran also rose. ‘If you would arrange a timetable for exercises perhaps? I suggest a few hours both morning and evening, leaving Shan free to attend to her duties to me. Oh yes,’ she smiled wryly. ‘Shan will find it hard – as she must.’

Soran nodded, saluted the Lady and left as Kemti arrived. Kemti was wearing the usual robe and looked askance at Emla in her trousers, boots and shirt. As she came round the desk, he looked even more surprised that she still wore her sword.

‘Times seem to be about to change,’ he suggested.

‘No, Kemti, times have already changed.’

The household was astir before dawn on the third day after Emla’s return to Gaharn. At least the snow had stopped falling as Emla set out for the city with Kemti and Shan and a full escort of Guards led by Soran. A pale, watery sun had just cleared the horizon as they arrived at the Asataria. An officer in the darker blue cloak of the City Guards snapped to attention.

‘Welcome Lady. The Gathering awaits your presence.’

They marched through the long stone corridors until they reached the big double doors to the Gathering Chamber. Two sentries saluted and swung the doors inward. As Emla entered, the doors clicked shut behind her. The muted conversation buzzing through the assembled Juniors, Seniors and Discipline Seniors fell silent as all eyes turned to Emla.

She unhooked her cloak, dropping it on to the end of a bench as she walked to the centre of the Chamber. A quick hum rose and died away as comments flew upon the Lady’s apparel. She wore a dusty gold shirt tucked into slightly darker trousers, brown knee boots and a sword hung at her brown belt. Her dark hair swung in a heavy braid down her back as she halted at the outside edge of the mosaic circle. Emla moved round the circle until she was facing the Gathered People. Quietly, but her voice reaching all her audience, she told of what had happened since she had last stood there. Told of the Delvers and their Wise One, of Rhaki’s disappearance, and of the deaths of Bark and Iska.

She paused and Discipline Senior Harak said: ‘So the Balance is restored. Problem solved.’

Emla spoke over the murmur of agreement.

‘No Harak. The Balance is restored – for now, but Rhaki must be found. The bonded one, Tika, will travel to the South Lands where we believe he has gone, and she will destroy him.’ She looked round at the faces fixed in her direction. ‘The Delvers’ Wise One said Rhaki has discovered ancient knowledge.’ Pointing at the inlaid circle at her feet, she said: ‘These circles can be used to travel enormous distances. That is how he fled so far so quickly.’ She raised her voice over the increasing noise. ‘The Wise One has also said the Guardianship must be divided. She has named a Delver girl, Dessi, strong in the Power, to share the Guardianship with Mim, the Nagum boy of whom I spoke when last I addressed this Gathering.’

Now voices were raised from the sections where the Seniors and Discipline Seniors were seated. The Juniors were silent, listening in astonishment. Emla spoke softly to a Junior sitting nearest her and he fled, returning with a pitcher of water and a goblet. By the time she had drunk half a gobletful, order was nearly restored.

‘By what right did you appoint these two, neither of them of the People and both scarcely of Junior age, to the Guardianship?’

It was a white haired female Discipline Senior who called the demand. Emla stared up at her.

‘Ryla, I did not Name them. The Delver Wise One Named them and I concurred.’

‘How could you permit it?’ Another voice asked. Emla turned to the new questioner.

‘Fayet, our People have Named two Guardians, Kovas and Rhaki. The Balances were here when we first came to this land. Who had guarded them before we presumed to do so and who invited us to do so then?’

The eyes of the Juniors switched from Emla to their elders, transfixed by this unprecedented argument.

Discipline Senior Harak spoke again. ‘Do you tell us it was one of these – Delvers? – who had charge of the Balance before?’

‘I do not know. Their Wise One clearly has more knowledge of many of these things than we do. I did not ask her those questions but she is willing to talk to us. Her dreamers have warned her of great changes, and after the long Cycles her people have spent in self imposed isolation, she says she will now speak with us. You will have to go to her though, she is too ancient and frail to journey here.’ Emla added.

Fayet snorted. ‘So now we are summoned by some hitherto unknown race to listen to their ramblings leagues from here?’

Emla frowned. ‘The Wise One has offered to share her knowledge. I believe she would be saddened if this Gathering scorned her offer. But it would make no difference to the Delvers attempt to continue what they see now as a battle for the future.’ She looked slowly around the Chamber. ‘I will leave you as obviously there is much for you to – discuss.’ Her green eyes gleamed with something close to scorn. ‘If you decide to send a delegation to the north, I would be glad to send a guide from my Guards.’

She retraced her steps, taking her cloak from a blushing Junior with a smile of thanks and left the Gathering. She crossed the stone-floored area outside to where Shan and Soran awaited her, as Kemti hurried from further down the corridor. He had slipped in to sit among the Seniors to hear Emla and he looked deeply troubled as he joined her. A serving man in dark green livery approached, bowing low to the Golden Lady.

‘The Discipline Senior Kera would speak with you, if you could spare her your time, Lady.’

Emla nodded. ‘I will be in her rooms shortly.’

The man bowed again and left.

‘Soran, come with me please. Shan and Riff also. The rest of you get some food. I will send when I am ready to leave.’

‘I know Kemti,’ she forestalled him. ‘Worse than we thought. Could you invite yourself to a meal with some of those – geniuses? See how many are open to change if you can in the brief time we will be here.’

Kemti nodded, turning off into another corridor, leading to the Seniors’ common dining hall.

‘They did not believe you Lady?’ Soran asked quietly.

‘They didn’t want to believe me Soran. They are comfortable as they are. They fear change might make them less comfortable,’ she grinned at him. ‘As it surely will.’

They had been climbing stairs as they spoke and another two turns brought them to

a door made of light oak. The corridor ended just beyond the door and an alcoved window was set in the end wall. As Emla indicated that her three escorts should wait for her there, footsteps whispered on the stone floor behind them. Discipline Senior Kera rounded the corner and smiled, reaching her hand to catch Emla’s.

‘Come in, come in.’

Kera threw her faded brown cloak at a hook on the wall, missed, and dropped herself into the chair behind her desk.

‘You’ve stirred them up this time and no mistake.’ Kera said, watching Emla retrieve the cloak and hang it, with her own, on the hook. Kera’s tone changed.

‘I was appalled at Iska’s death. And Bark! I don’t think anyone had spared him a thought in stars know how long. Doesn’t say much for us, does it Emla?’

Emla sat in a chair between the desk and the hearth.

‘On the contrary. I think it perhaps says more than we would like.’

There was a soft rap at the door and a maid brought in a tray with bowls of steaming broth and a covered basket of hot bread.

‘Thank you,’ Kera smiled. ‘Would you bring something for the Lady’s escort please?’

Emla tore a crust from one of the rolls and chewed hungrily.

‘Kera, I can count on your support in this.’

There was a faint query in her tone. Kera glared, her mouth too full to answer at once. She swallowed and coughed.

‘You should know you can Emla. It is clear that the Asataria is going to be divided in all directions, but there are those I can be sure will be prepared for change.’ She gave Emla a sharp look as she sipped some of the broth. ‘I think you will find quite a few of the oldest are more ready than the younger ones. Ryla for example, despite what you may have assumed just now, has been concerned at what she terms ‘our stagnation’ for quite a while. Whereas that fool Fayet and his cronies hate the very notion of change.’

Kera tore off another chunk of bread.

‘How do these Delvers live under the mountains though?’

‘I only entered their Domain to see Iska and Bark laid to rest, but Tika and Mim described gardens and fields in caverns opening to the outer lands, where the Delvers seem to grow most crops. They also keep volu for milk and cheese, and lumen for wool. In the warmer seasons, they graze them on the slopes close to the entrances to the Domain.’

Emla swallowed some of her broth.

‘There are Snow Dragons too, much smaller than the ones we knew of here, and in the cold seasons they spend more time inside the Domain. I think they hunt for the Delvers sometimes, although Mim said Delvers use bows and snares to catch meat.’

Kera chewed thoughtfully for a while.

‘Of course you didn’t bother to keep a journal, or make any notes?’

Emla choked on her broth.

‘We were a trifle occupied Kera, trying to stay alive. Hardly favourable conditions for writing reports for you.’

Kera grinned at her.

‘Only a thought dear one!’

Emla grunted. Then she said quietly: ‘The two bonded ones are changed Kera. Tika healed her soul bond of a wound such as I would believe mortal. She knew how to use a blade, yet Gan said she was barely adequate with it. And Mim – he is a Dragon Lord.’

Kera looked blank.

‘He is covered with tiny scales.’ Emla nodded at Kera’s gasp. ‘He seems to be able to regulate his body temperature as do the Dragons. He is no longer the shy and simple Nagum boy of a few weeks ago.’

Kera stood up and paced to the window. She stared out over the courtyards ringing the Asataria buildings and drummed her fingers on the window frame.

‘Emla, will you let me speak to Ryla of what you have told me? She herself is too frail to travel far but she would be a strong advocate here for making the People wake up to reality. Are you staying at your House for now, or returning to the north?’

‘The Wise One of the Delvers said my place is here, especially now.’ Emla admitted. ‘I would prefer to go north and observe Dessi and Mim as they take control of that Realm. Why?’

‘Come with me, and we will speak to Ryla – you don’t know her that well, do you?’

‘I never took the courses she taught, no.’

‘If you find her congenial, why do you not work with her and whoever else you can persuade to force some action from the sleepwalkers here? I would dearly love to travel north myself.’

‘Huh! I thought you had some such plan worked out!’ Emla shrugged. ‘It seems I must not go, so I would rather you were one of any who do go north.’

Kera snatched her cloak from the hook, whirling it around her shoulders.

‘Let’s go and talk with old Ryla then!’

Chapter Two

After Rhaki’s first day of cutting blocks of stone, he organised a team of labourers to hoist them onto wagons and transport them to the site of his projected tower. He had been prostrated by the effort required to cut the first blocks and used the excuse of moving them to give himself a day to recover. When he saw the difficulties the labourers had lifting the stone into the wagon beds, he arranged that four wagons be left empty at the quarry. When he cut the next blocks, he floated them directly into the wagons ready for their transport the following morning. He found himself growing more used to drawing such amounts of power. Although the effort still made him swoon, he regained awareness sooner each time.

Lord Hargon’s scouts had reported on seeing Rhaki’s collapse in the quarry the first time he cut stone. But Hargon’s delight at that information soon vanished, as it became apparent that Rhaki’s strength was increasing.

‘But there is still a time immediately afterwards, when he is unaware, Sir,’ Navan pointed out. ‘He could be killed then.’

‘Have any approached him when he is unconscious?’ Hargon asked. ‘You know he can put invisible walls round himself. You remember that time when he had my men try to attack him as a jest, and none could touch him? I would not be surprised if he could arrange protection like that when he collapses.’

‘Would that not also need strength Sir?’ Navan stroked a finger along the edge of Hargon’s worktable. ‘I thought perhaps one of the men could dress as a labourer or a farm hand, and see if he can touch Lord Rhaki when he falls to the ground? If Rhaki woke, my man could say he was but concerned that the Lord was hurt or taken sick?’

Hargon’s chair scraped the stone floor as he stood. He leant at the side of the window, rubbing his forehead.

‘When first this Lord appeared here, I thought to use him for my own purposes. All the lands far west, even to the Salt Sea, all of Sapphrea in fact, I thought with his aid could become one realm under my dominion. Now I admit to you Navan, I fear him. He seemed pleasant enough but I think there is madness in him now. And to trust a madman would be very stupid, not to say dangerous.’

A rap at the door interrupted their conversation.

‘Come,’ Hargon called.

An armsman entered, closing the door behind him.

‘Sirs, a peddler from the north has arrived. The gate sentries brought him here. You ordered any from the north to be questioned Sir.’

Navan rose as Hargon moved back behind his table. ‘Bring him here.’

‘Yes Sir.’

The armsman opened the door wide and a man was pushed into the room. He was a thin, balding man in a patched cloak and his eyes darted fearfully from the armsmen to the Lord of Return.

Hargon waved his hand at his men. ‘Bring some ale for this traveller.’ He inclined his head. ‘I am Hargon, Lord of Return. I think perhaps my men were over zealous in their treatment of you, for which I apologise. Please,’ he indicated a chair. ‘Do be seated. I am greatly interested to hear of any news of the northern lands. You heard of those monstrous beasts that plagued us here recently maybe? That is why I wish to speak with any travellers from the north.’

Hargon paused as a servant brought in a large pitcher and three earthenware mugs. He poured ale into all three mugs and set one before the peddler and looked at him expectantly.

‘My name is Kasito, Sir Lord. I have been to this town only once before. Long ago, with my uncle who was a trader. I have no family now so I wander where I choose. I was in Gaharn City a Cycle ago and I have been journeying around the Middle Plains, buying and selling as I go.’ He took a sip of the ale, then a longer pull. ‘Good ale, Sir Lord. The monsters you spoke of,’ he shuddered. ‘I saw some at Larna – in the Middle Plains close by the Spine Mountains. They killed many of the people and carried off several children.’ He drained his mug of ale. ‘They eat whatever they kill you know. Only two of the monsters were killed by the townspeople – I have no idea how many of the things are roaming those lands Sir Lord. I am sorry to be of little help.’

Hargon poured Kasito more ale.

‘And other news? Of Gaharn, or the northernmost realms?’ he asked casually.

Kasito frowned. ‘I met a couple of traders I know. They said there was trouble there. The Grey Guardian had fled his stronghold they’d heard. Dragons and the Golden Lady’s Guards and a strange race who live inside the High Land Mountains chased him out.’ Kasito shrugged. ‘I know not what truth there be in such tales Sir Lord. The traders told me as they’d heard it from merchants nearer to Gaharn, but I would not swear to any of that, Sir Lord.’

‘I appreciate your news nonetheless Kasito and trust you may prosper in my town should you decide to stay.’ Hargon slid three gold pieces across the table towards the peddler.

Kasito gaped in amazement at the gold then raised his eyes to Hargon. ‘I thank you Sir Lord, thank you. And should I hear any other news, I will bring it to you at once if you so wish?’

‘I do indeed so wish Kasito. Here.’ He gave the man a round wooden token. ‘If

you show this to the gatemen, or any of my armsmen, you will be brought to me at once or offered protection in my name. You will find me always appreciative of true news.’

Kasito was still bowing as the door closed after him.

‘So he has been displaced as Guardian.’ Navan spoke quietly.

Hargon sighed. ‘He intends to make a stronghold here, Navan. And I was fool enough to believe that I could make use of him. Clearly, he plans to make use of us.’ He laughed harshly. ‘I will at least alert the other Lords of Sapphrea. Ready messengers Navan, and have Frinkel come to write the letters that must be sent.’

Rhaki was sitting on a stone block waiting for the wagons to haul his previous day’s work from the quarry. He estimated another ten days worth of cutting. With his necessary days of rest between the cutting, that meant twenty days until he had the blocks assembled for the lower two storeys of his tower. He watched as a group of labourers hammered broken rocks into the circular footings in readiness for the great blocks.

Rhaki studied the stones already hauled from the quarry. He was most impressed with the exactitude with which he had cut them and he had worked out the simplest method of cutting a narrow stairway in certain blocks. He had also sent his power down beneath the foundations and knew where the necessary weak place was. He foresaw little difficulty in cutting the short distance downwards, then horizontally, allowing him to access the cave with the spring and thence the mosaic circle beyond.

The tower was his priority but he planned an adjoining structure, where servants would live and visitors be received. There was water beneath the tower, from that hidden spring, and it would be simple to reach it. He intended his tower to be impregnable and he was satisfied that it would be so.

The rumbling of iron bound wheels warned of the arrival of a wagon and Rhaki rose to make sure the stones were unloaded where he needed them. He hoped he would be able to raise the stones to their positions during but one night. A surprise for Hargon to wonder at. As Rhaki had thought, Hargon was proving an easygoing simpleton, awe-struck no doubt at the evidence of Rhaki’s powers.

The dust drifted around him as the huge blocks were eased to the ground, guided by sweating workmen. Rhaki smiled. Here he would most assuredly come into his own and none could gainsay him. He brushed the dust off his sleeves and sat down again to await the next wagon. He frowned as a tatty feathered black Merig landed on one of the blocks and croaked hoarsely. Rhaki picked up a chunk of rock and threw it at the ugly thing. The Merig screeched as the rock passed its head, liberally bedaubed the block with a large grey dropping and flapped heavily away.

The snow and wind both having ceased for once, Kija led Farn outside with Brin. The golden Dragon lifted from the snow packed ledge before the gate and drifted out over the chasm. Farn did his regular exercises then took a deep breath.

‘Watch, my Tika,’ he called.

Tika stood by the ruined gate, unaware she was clutching Lorak’s hand. Then the silvery blue Dragon was lifting slowly towards his mother, crimson Brin rising immediately beneath him. After a preliminary wobble, Farn’s flight steadied and he spiralled higher. Tika was reminded of his first attempts to fly under Krea’s instruction, and she held her breath as he circled again.

It felt like hours but was only a few minutes before Brin was settling again, his eyes following Farn’s landing. Farn stumbled as he touched the ledge but he caught himself and his sapphire eyes whirred wildly at Tika.

‘See how much fitter I am!’ he crowed. ‘Of course, I knew it wouldn’t take long for me to recover!’

He blinked as Kija landed and glared at him.

‘Recovered!’ she snorted. ‘It will take much more practise before you are recovered.’ The glare softened. ‘You did well my son, but do not pretend it was more than your first attempt.’

Tika hugged Farn’s shoulders as Brin and Kija rose into the cold air again to hunt.

‘Not bad Farn,’ old Lorak remarked. ‘But you still need my potions.’

Farn groaned. ‘I liked the first potions you gave us all, but what you have been making me drink lately is truly awful.’

Lorak’s sharp eyes noted that Farn was trembling after his flight.

‘Well,’ he said. ‘Perhaps a drop of my beverage to celebrate this time, but you won’t escape the potions yet!’

‘You did wonderfully,’ Tika whispered as they went slowly into the hall.

Mim touched her arm as they passed, sympathetic understanding pulsing from him.

‘Well done, young one.’ Fenj rumbled as Farn slumped rather than reclined beside him. ‘I think Lorak’s salve should be used on your neck you know. There are no scales to protect your hide there now, and it must be kept supple.’

Lorak emerged from his workroom, a leather bottle in one hand and a small stoppered pot in the other.

‘Splendid creature,’ Fenj murmured.

Sket and Gan joined them, Sket grinning and Gan’s expression neutral. Farn’s eyelids were drooping and Tika slid away from him, leaving him to sleep against Fenj. Lorak nodded and Tika smiled, knowing Farn was well watched over.

‘We watched from back there,’ Sket said as the three walked deeper into the hall.

Tika dropped onto a bench at the long table with a sigh. ‘I feel as tired as if I were the one trying to fly,’ she said.

Gan sat opposite her as Sket went to collect a forgotten dish of dried fruits from the far end of the table.

‘How long before Farn is able to travel, do you think?’ Gan asked.

Tika took a piece of the fruit. ‘I would prefer us to stay here a Season, but Nolli says we should stay twenty five more days at the very most.’ She chewed thoughtfully on the fruit. ‘I hope he will strengthen as we go, rather than weaken. Kija says we will do the journey to Gaharn in short hops. I think he will find flying easier than walking through the Domain of Asat again, but I hope the weather is not as bad as Mim described it before.’

‘There are many entrances the Snow Dragons use, aren’t there?’ Sket asked.

Tika nodded. ‘At least we will be sheltered whenever we stop, but you see how exhausted he is after this first attempt.’

Gan and Sket followed her gaze to the silver blue Dragon lying against Fenj’s side.

‘But that was the first attempt Tika.’ Gan said gently. ‘Kija said she will make him try again before dark today, and she will not allow him to come to harm.’

Gan was correct. Kija and Brin again accompanied Farn outside and guarded his flight for a few brief minutes. As before, he was trembling with fatigue when he re- entered the hall and he settled to sleep almost at once.

Nolli’s chair had been drawn out to the huge hearth in the hall. It had been unused in Rhaki’s time as Guardian – what need to make the hall welcoming when he discouraged any guests to welcome? Fenj had moved nearer and lay with Lorak propped at his side. Ashta and Mim, Jeela and Dessi, all reclined close to Kija, who kept an eye on her sleeping son.

Nolli had been telling old tales of the times when Delvers lived Outside. Then Mim had told of life in a Nagum village. A life spent tending growing things, deep in hidden woodlands beyond the Sun Mountains across the Middle Plain.

Tika sat cross-legged on a pillow near the fire with Gan and Motass each side of her. She asked idly, half entranced by the flames of the blazing fire: ‘Are there any more Dragons, Fenj? I saw the Water Dragons, and we met the Snow Dragons.’ She smiled at Meppi couched by Nolli’s chair. ‘Are there more of the Dragon Kin for us to meet?’

Fenj rumbled and his eyes whirred the shadows-on-snow colour. Tika looked at him in some surprise. It had truly been only an idle question and yet Fenj seemed unsettled by it. Finally the massive black Dragon answered.

‘There is one other kind of Dragon, but I doubt you, or any of us, will meet such a one.’

Brin’s eyes began to glitter with excitement. ‘You can’t be sure Father. We might.’

Fenj rumbled again and shivered his wings.

‘Tell us then, Fenj,’ Nolli said softly. ‘For I know of no others.’

‘Once or twice in many thousands of Dragon broods, is born a hatchling who is – different. They are neither male nor female, and yet both. Always they are brilliantly silver scaled, beautiful beyond words.

‘For the first full Cycle after their hatching, they learn, as do all Dragon children. Gradually then, they remove themselves more and more from their family, until the time of the second Gather after their hatching. At the closing of that Gather, the silver one will overfly all the Gathered Treasury, flying higher, ever higher, until they turn to the rising sun and will be seen no more.’

All those listening to Fenj’s deep smooth voice in their minds sat still as stones.

All could see Fenj’s picture of an unbelievably sinuous and graceful silver Dragon effortlessly climbing into a clear blue sky. Dessi sighed, leaning forward and hugging her knees.

‘And how long since you saw that silver one?’ she asked.

‘One such was hatched when Brin was only very young,’ Fenj replied. ‘Although both male and female, this one seemed more female in her ways. She was the only one I have seen.’

Brin and Kija murmured their agreement, their listeners aware of their sense of wonder, even after so many Cycles, at such a strange and beautiful creature.

‘She named herself Gremara,’ Fenj whispered. ‘They all have names used by no other of the Kin. Her name was Gremara,’ he repeated.

‘What happens to them?’ Mim asked aloud in his fluting voice. Fenj stared at him for long enough that the others also looked at Mim. Tears sparkled in his turquoise eyes and shone on his scaled cheeks. ‘What happens to them?’ he asked again.

‘We do not know. They fly out towards the Wilderness, but as Nolli says, her people have no knowledge, or even stories, of these Dragons, I can only think they fly on yet further. If they survive.’ His wings quivered again. ‘The Kin remember the Wilderness as a pleasant land until a day of fire and thunder. Many died and the rest of the Kin who lived there fled, never to return because the land was bare. Nothing lived or grew there. We do not know how far the Wilderness extends but that is the direction in which the silver ones always fly.’

Mim rose to his feet and left the group, wandering to the gateway where he stood, head tilted, looking up at the brilliant icy stars in the