Chest nearly exploding she looked for the door. She’d been told there was danger behind it, but there was nowhere else to go except up to the surface, where the eels now circled. There was a compulsion inside her to save the life of the bird ... or was it Wulf ... or Tighe? She hadn’t had time to wonder about the change in it. If she took him into the alchemist’s tomb they might be able to hide there, and breathe ... at least ... while she healed the bird’s injuries.
The door was open. Dragging the bird through it, she swam upwards and just as she expelled her last breath she surfaced. Hauling in a deep reach of air, she blew it into Tighe’s mouth then gasped in another breath and expelled it the same way.
‘Breathe,’ she urged. It wasn’t until he began to take in air on his own that she reached out to find solid rock, and pulled them both up out of the water. It was pitch black and she was exhausted.
‘Who invades the resting place of the Grand Alchemist?’ a voice grumbled.
She jumped, then said, ‘My name is Jynx. I’m sorry if I disturbed you. I request sanctuary for myself and my companion.’
‘An unfortunate name,’ he suggested.
‘I don’t mind it too much.’ A thought brought her a chimera lantern, but it emitted only a dim light. She couldn’t remember her energy ever being this depleted. ‘I must remove some arrows and heal the bird’s wounds.’
‘Your hunting bird has changed into its proper form, and he has hardly a heartbeat left to sustain his body. You’re too weak to heal him, young woman, and certainly too weak to return from whence you came. You may stay.’
‘You’re gracious.’
‘I know I am, but only when I’ve got no choice.’
She raised an eyebrow in the twilight. ‘The water is rising over the city of Karshal.’
‘Serves them right,’ he grumbled. ‘What do they expect when they mess with magic? This is Bane’s doing. He sent his brat there to cause mischief.’
‘His brat?’
‘Thornwall ... a nasty rogue.’
‘I know him. We are enemies, and it was he who shot my companion.’
‘When her eyes adjusted to the dim light she gazed at the bird and saw the pale face of Tighe with his finely chiselled features. Her heart swelled with the love she felt for him and she began to weep. What are you, my love?
The disembodied voice picked up her thoughts. ‘Does it matter what he is?’
‘No ... it’s sufficient that there’s love between us. I must heal him. He risked his life for me and I offer him mine in exchange.’
‘How noble you are.’
‘You sir, are being sarcastic. I have no intention of letting Tighe die, so go back to sleep and keep your long nose out of my business. I’ve had enough of everyone telling me what to do today, without a ghost adding to it. My temper is at breaking point.’
‘I’m not a ghost I’m a spirit. Have some of my light,’ he said helpfully. The dim light flared brightly and was joined by other lights, so she didn’t have to waste energy by sustaining her own feeble effort. Water dripped from them both and she shivered as she gazed around her. They were in a large cave twinkling with multi coloured crystals.
‘I wondered when that sword would turn up, it was stolen by Lord Kavan a long time ago and never returned. He said he’d left it in the crystal pipes. It’s a dangerous object for anyone not proficient in its use, or aware of its purpose.’
‘It was given to Prince Laek by the spirit of Lord Kavan, whose genes he was developed from.’
‘How did you get the sword?’
‘It spun from Laek’s hands when he was about to kill Tighe and I grabbed it.’
‘Liar, you knocked it from his hand with a bolt. Be lucky he didn’t fire it back at you and kill you. The sword fights only on the side of justice, but its justice will expose the darkness in others and it can only be wielded by the just. It obviously found Prince Laek lacking when put to the test.’
As had Jynx.
‘You have Tiana’s genes. I was very fond of her, you know.’
Jynx was too tired to think straight. She didn’t want this conversation with a disembodied voice. She wanted to heal Tighe. ‘I am myself, and must be myself. I don’t want to compare myself to others, especially one as respected as Tiana. I cannot compete with such perfection, and besides, have better things to do than ponder the vanity in it. Can you help me to look after Tighe?’
‘No ... but I can help you to help him. Take energy from the sword, Jynx. Place your hands on the hilt. Keep them there as long as you can bear it.’
She did as she was told and felt the power of it fill her. Her hands began to tingle, her head ached and she felt as though her body was swelling. When her palms began to burn so she could hold the sword no longer, she let the weapon go. It floated up to the roof of the cave and hung there, colors running up and down the blade.
She made a small chimera, filling it with everything she needed to heal Tighe, and found strength to drag him to the bed she’d created. There, she removed his clothing.
The arrow had skimmed across his ribs leaving a long, deep gouge. It had tried to bury itself in Tighe’s heart, but had deflected on the bone, so it wasn’t deeply buried. She could feel its head under his skin just behind his armpit. She numbed the site, and was able to remove most of the shaft. Making a small incision, she exposed the arrowhead, and placing her hands over the small wound she meditated on it. Taking Tighe’s pain as her own, she steadily drew the arrow from his body. She just hoped it wasn’t tipped with poison.
Next, she looked at the arrow on his neck. Using Tighe’s knife she removed the head from the arrow and rubbed herbal salve along the shaft, with antiseptic as well as numbing properties. He didn’t have the usual scars associated with being a hesp, she noticed.
Gently, she withdrew the arrow shaft, her heart contracting when a small groan reached her ears. While he still felt pain his body was still alive, she reasoned.
She was trembling as she bandaged his wounds. Loss of blood had drained Tighe. Shock, and loss of strength had weakened her. She could do no more to help him and desperately needed sleep. Trickling water into his mouth, she hoped it would be enough for his body to start replacing the blood.
Then she remembered the wishing bowl. Going to the cave entrance she scooped up some water and carried it back. It provided them with a soft, warm robe apiece and a bowl of broth filled with nutrients. Taking Tighe’s head against her shoulder she spooned the broth into his mouth.
Her last task before she placed the dish to one side was to fashion a protective shield around them. Jynx then tied a lock of her hair around Tighe’s hand so they were still connected and she could help relieve his pain should it become unbearable in his slumber.
‘Have only sweet dreams,’ she whispered, drawing the cover over them both and snuggling herself against his body. ‘Take my love to heal your spirit, take my warmth to heat your body and take my heartbeat to strengthen your own.’
As an afterthought, she said by way of insurance, ‘If Lady Tiana was related to the High Alchemist, and if I resemble her ... and
if
he was as fond of her as he claims to be, may his spirit watch over us.’
When a rumble of laughter came from the back of the cave, Jynx smiled.
‘Thank you, for your help,’ she said.
In the Karshal palace all was in disorder as the plaster and stones tumbled around them.
Yegan and Greer were crushed under the rubble as they tried to escape.
Azarine called on Bane to save her. A shaft of flame surrounded and seared her. Her skin blistered and blackened, her teeth grew sharp points and her arms and legs were absorbed into her writhing body.’
‘You did this, Esbel, with your scheming and watcher tricks.’ The eel Azarine had become tried to snap a chunk from Esbel’s leg.
The watcher maid kicked out at her former mistress. ‘It was you who invited Bane to join you. You couldn’t bear to lose control.’ Esbel screamed with laughter as her mistress slithered off down the nearest drain.
Helise snatched the whip that the dark man held out to her. She’d thought that Falcon had been the one with all the power, but she’d been mistaken. She stalked after Esbel.
Seeing the intent in her eyes Esbel began to run across the heaving floor.
Laek, Jon and Iago looked at each other, horror in their eyes.
‘I assure you, I didn’t know any of this,’ Laek whispered.
Ever loyal, Laek’s childhood friends chose to believe him. ‘We’ve never wanted to rule Arles. Now you’re the same as us, Laek. At least we won’t have to bow any more. What shall we do?’
Falcon offered, ‘You could stay in my service if you wish, Laek. You can be my representative in Arles. John and Iago can go with you. I’m sure you can find a position worthy of their skills.’
The three of them looked at each other and grinned, then nodded.
Iago said, ‘What about Danea?’
Sadness filled Jon’s eyes. ‘The followers will care for her and she’ll be a beloved sister to us, should she survive.’
Falcon stepped forward. ‘Danea is a sweet, gentle soul, and with your permission I will set her up above all others. I’ll give her time to recover and then offer her the position of Lady of Karshal, if she’ll have me.’
‘And Jynx?’
‘Jynx has made her choice. She and your friend Tighe have disobeyed a command. The pair of them will answer to me for their actions when they’re found.’
‘I’m ashamed of my actions towards Jynx today. My mother has caused enough mayhem on your behalf, without you adding to it. What has happened to her is well deserved and is her destiny,’ Laek said. ‘Tighe has been badly injured in Jynx’s defence, whilst Jynx has been forced to flee from those she loves. My only consolation is that she has chosen the right man. Tighe will keep her safe.’
Jon and Iago murmured in agreement.
‘As for my sister, Danea - and yes, I still regard her as such. She is as near to death as a body can get and her mind must be in turmoil. She’ll never trust anyone ever again. As far as I’m concerned my mother’s feud with the Colban family is over, and if you harm one hair on Jynx’s head I’ll kill you. That’s not an empty threat; it’s a promise.’
‘First, we must catch them,’ Emrys said, making his position clear.
‘She’s your sister, so who better to know the workings of her mind. You can make that your task, Emrys. Accompany him, Thornwall. I think you’re better able to handle Tighe. Bring them back to me safely ... so at least I can be shielded from the wrath of my brother.’
Laek huffed with laughter. ‘I will be the first to admit I was wrong in my treatment of them. But I only wish them well. I knew Tighe was different, but I never suspected he doubled as Jynx’s guard dog. I thought he was going to bite my arm off in her defence. It was only a warning. The moment I dropped the sword, the crack in the bone healed.’
Iago frowned. ‘We’ve always accepted that Jynx has needed protection ... but we have never asked the question: Why ... and from whom?’
Emrys and Thornwall exchanged a glance.
Did it matter, when they had all betrayed her? Laek thought. The exception had been Tighe, who’d made it plain he’d die for her. Emrys and Thornwall would never outwit Tighe. He’d appeared in their lives, a man with no past except a connection to a wise man called Saire who resided in the forest behind the High Place. He doubted if Saire still lived there.
‘Rule in peace, if the followers allow you to,’ Laek said. They might withdraw their services when they realize what happened to one of their own here today.
When the humming noise suddenly stopped and the water began to drain away Laek knew that Jynx and Tighe had reached a place of safety.
The three of them strode off, pleased to be heading home to Arles.
* * * *
Tighe woke, feeling rested but disorientated. His body was relaxed, the energy it contained concentrated across his chest and in his neck.
Someone was healing him ... such a tender feeling. Under his weakness his natural defences were still intact. His body vibrated with it in a thousand different ways. Tears trickled down his cheeks.
He was too weak to move – vulnerable to attack. Opening his eyes a fraction he gazed through sodden lashes at his kindred spirit.
He was joined to her, his hand wrapped firmly in the moonbeams of her hair. Her smile was like mother to child, her eyes as green as the shallows of the sea where it kissed the shore.
‘Trust me and let go, Tighe,’ she whispered, and her mouth covered his in a kiss so soft and loving that it felt like a butterfly alighting on his mouth.
He relaxed completely and gave himself to her to healing hands, sinking into a cloud of dark softness.
The next time he woke he was stronger ... and alone. His need to protect her came rushing back. Alarmed, he came upright. ‘Jynx!’
‘I’m here.’ She came to sit upon the bed and gazed down at him, her smile wide.
‘Where are we?’
‘We’re inside the High Place. The gentleman whose spirit resides here has given us sanctuary.’
‘You brought me through the door into the High Alchemist’s tomb? That was a big risk when I was in an altered state.’
‘The risk outside was more immediate. We were about to be devoured by eels, which seemed a rather messy way of disposing of our bodies in this life. This might sound silly, but one of them resembled Azarine. Besides, I’ve only just met you properly, Tighe, and already I can’t bear to part with you. If anyone was about to have me for dinner, I’d rather it was the bird, than Azarine.’
Tighe chuckled. ‘That sounds like the better option to me, too.’
‘The spirit is quite pleasant when he can be bothered to speak. I think he likes having company.’
A rumbling noise came from the back of the cavern and Tighe couldn’t make out whether it was laughter or disapproval. ‘Well healed, son of Saire ... your lady brought you to the right place, walk in my light.’
‘Walk in my love, esteemed ancestor.’
Jynx stared at him in disbelief, then she snorted and laughed at the same time. ‘Ancestor, indeed ... your poor brain has been overtaxed and is creating illusions. Allow me to inspect your wounds. I was worried Thornwall had poisoned the arrows.’