The Farseekers (34 page)

It was growing dark when the soldierguards torched the camp.

As I had hoped, they did not trouble to make sure their victims were inside, else they would have found the settlement deserted. The coercers had carried all the unconscious out and set them under the trees.

From the distance, we watched the huts blaze. Silhouetted in orange light, the soldierguards let out a hoarse cheer before mounting and riding out of the valley. None looked behind him.

'Are they all right?' Gevan asked, watching Roland lift Rushton's eyelid.

He nodded in satisfaction. 'Only drugged, though I have not seen this kind of drug before.' He moved to look at Ceirwan.

I leaned over Rushton and stared into his ravaged face. In repose, he looked so terribly sad.

Unexpectedly, his eyes fluttered open, flamed with longing, then he shook his head and groaned. 'Ah, Elspeth, love,' he sighed, then his eyes fell shut.

I stared down at him in wonder.

'I am the Master of Obernewtyn. Who among you will Choose a guild this night?' Rushton asked.

Those prepared crossed to stand in line facing him. 'We Choose our places,' they spoke in unison.

Rushton handed each of the candidates a candle and then lit them all from his own, the flame guttering slightly. Usually the ceremony took place inside but fortunately the wind was low. 'May you Choose well,' he murmured.

'I am Merrett, I Choose the Coercer Guild,' said the first, a thin, dark-eyed girl.

There was a predictable buzz of surprise since Merrett's mother was a healer. Merrett crossed to the table and set her candle amidst the Coercer token.

Zarak, grinning with pride, held up his own candle. With permission, I Choose again, the Farseeker Guild.' There was a burst of applause as he crossed to the Farseeker table and I smiled inwardly at the success of Ceirwan's negotiations.

There were no other surprises and when all had Chosen, the newly guilded led a toast to Obernewtyn.

Able to escape at last from his affectionate guild, Dameon came to sit beside me. I was amused and flattered to hear some children begin to sing an idealized version of my own first journey to Obernewtyn.

'I had no idea how brave and wise I was,' I laughed.

Dameon smiled. 'I think they are already at work on the epic of the journey to the coast. But I doubt anyone will ever sing the complete story.'

I looked at him. Dameon had always been able to see more than most people. Like Atthis, his judgement lay in some keener place than his eyes. I had not told anyone what had happened in the mountains, but for a moment I was tempted to tell the empath. Such a secret made me feel lonely, even in the midst of my friends. Then I remembered Atthis's final stern warning. 'For your own sake, speak to no one of this quest, for it is yours alone.'

Behind my seat, Gahltha stirred, as if he too heard an echo of the voice which had changed his life. The black horse had become my shadow whenever I moved outside Obernewtyn's halls, regarding himself as my special guardian. Fortunately this was not too noticeably odd, since he and Avra had become the first animals to attend Guildmerge. Rushton had provided a direct entrance from the outside for them and they used it proudly.

Dameon patted my hand. 'Some secrets are safer kept.'

I smiled wanly. 'I'm glad to be home, but I can't help worrying about what will happen next.

Dameon shrugged. 'The battle is won but the war goes on. Do not dwell too much on yesterday's battles. Take things as they come. Today is a day for singing and laughing.' Dameon laughed. 'Do you suppose Kella and Domick will Bond before they go back to the safe house in Sutrium?'

I stared at the empath. 'They told you?'

Dameon smiled. 'I am an Empath master but the greenest novice might guess as easily. They might as well announce it and get it over.'

I grinned. They're working up courage. It will rock their two guilds on their heels. Merrett's Choosing will be nothing to that.'

'It is well done. Such divisions are not good for Obernewtyn,' Dameon said approvingly.

'I hear Dragon is doing well as an Empath novice,' I said, catching sight of the red-haired beauty.

Dameon shook his head. 'She is a handful that one. I do not envy Matthew her violent affections. Yet I would like to know more about her past. Her fear of water is extreme. Brydda has promised to find out what he can about her. We will see.'

Lina ran up, grinning. 'Dance with me, master?' she cried, taking his hands. I opened my mouth to rebuke her but, to my surprise, Dameon let himself be coaxed to his feet. As if sensing my surprise, he cast a smile over one shoulder. 'Remember, today is for dancing, not worrying about the future.'

I sat back in my seat astonished. So much had changed subtly at Obernewtyn, as if winning one battle, even if by trickery, had given everyone bolder hopes. I looked up, caught Roland's eyes and looked hastily away not wanting to face more questions about my legs. What would he think if I told him a Guanette bird had healed me?

It was spring, and the Choosing ceremony had been the high point of our own Moon Fair. It was the wrong season and the moon had waned, but the brief lovely spring and an increasing feeling of hope for the future ensured its success. After the Choosing, there were tests of skill between the coercers, a vision demonstration by Dragon, and various demonstrations by the other guilds. These were followed by a merry feast. Last of all, the musicians brought out their instruments.

Daffyd appeared beside me with a mug of fement. I motioned him to sit as the musicians began to tune and strains of discordant music filled the air.

Daffyd smiled, but his eyes were sad. 'Gilaine would love to hear this,' he said wistfully.

'Is there any news of them?'

He shrugged. 'Nothing definite. You might remember Gilbert, the leader of the armsmen? He devised a plan some time back in case there were a need to evacuate the camp in a hurry. It was meant to be used in case of soldierguard attack, but it would have served well in the firestorm. If Gilbert survived to put it into operation, he would have kept the survivors together.'

'Have you spoken to Maryon? She might be able to help pinpoint them.'

'The Futuretell guildmistress thinks they're alive, but it is hard for her to get a definite reading because she doesn't know them.' Daffyd was sunk in thought for a minute. 'I mean to leave when Domick and Kella go. I'll travel with them as far as Sutrium and then . . . well, I'll keep looking. Rushton has offered help, but until I find some clue as to where they are, I'm better working alone.'

I felt a shadow touch my own heart at the thought that each had his own deeds to do, his own battles and quests. Mine lay in a dark chasm across endless Blackland plains.

I caught sight of Rushton deep in conversation with Brydda and Gevan, apparently oblivious to the music and laughter. As ever, he treated the festivities as yet another Guildmerge, going from one group to the next in his effort to have everything organized before his departure. He was going down to the Lowlands with Domick and Kella when they returned to Sutrium with Brydda. The big Lowlander had been vastly impressed with all he had seen at Obernewtyn and he and Rushton had taken an instant liking to one another. Brydda was eager to have Rushton meet his allies.

Addressing a Guildmerge, Brydda had made it clear that though he had no prejudices about Misfits, he would not speak for his allies. But he was certain that in time the book I had found about mind powers would convince them that Misfits were not mutants or evil caused by the Great White, but a natural development of human abilities which had existed in the Beforetime.

Brydda had brought Katlyn and Grufyyd to Obernewtyn to stay. The group had arrived soon after we had sent word to Sutrium that the way was clear. Brydda told me his parents had hated the city, and had only been too glad to be invited to live at Obernewtyn. Katlyn had already begun to replant her collection of herbs, much to Roland's delight.

The news of Pavo's death had saddened me, though I had expected it, and the Teknoguild, still mourning his loss, had mounted an expedition to the city under Tor in his memory. It had made me think of Jik, and of Maryon's words.

'It is true, the prediction focused on the boy, but I think the dog would not have gone without the boy. Futuretelling is inexact even for a futureteller. Not long after you departed, I foresaw the boy's death, but not the dog's. But there is no sense in blaming yourself for Jik's death. Who knows what would have happened to him, if he had not left the Cloister, or if he had not gone, and because of this Obernewtyn had failed. Only a fool plans his deeds by future plans. Who knows what will come to change matters. Dwell not on this death, but on his last happy days with us.'

Brydda whirled Kella past me in a dance, rousing me from my memories. I smiled, already regretting that Brydda had to leave. He had a heartening manner and a cheery way of making everything seem possible.

As with all coming and going at Obernewtyn, they would travel across the now barren White Valley, and down the Olden way. Few dogs were as sensitive to poisonous taints as Darga, but with care it would be possible to find a safe path, retracing our own journey. It was no longer safe to come openly along the main way, and the mountain valley was supposed to be deserted and barren. Domick had gleefully reported that this was the report made by the soldierguards. It had been accepted by the Council and Ariel had lost some credibility over the matter. I wondered what he made of the disappearance of the Druid and his people.

I caught Rushton's eye, and he stared at me a moment before being accosted by the ever diligent Miryum who thought the fair a waste of valuable time.

Her words floated to me through the music and laughter: 'Just this one detail that needs . . .'

I sighed. Miryum was a worthy person and strongly Talented, but she had few friends. No doubt she thought them frivolous.

From the corner of my eye, I watched Rushton. No emotion showed on his features. It struck me suddenly that he had spent a lifetime hiding his thoughts and feelings.

The memory of his words as he lay dazed after being drugged by the soldierguards came back to me with a queer thrill. No one had heard those words but me, and it was clear from Rushton's behaviour afterwards that he did not remember having said them. Yet in the light of them, many things seemed clear; Kella's cryptic words about my inability to see the truth of things, and Rushton's reluctance to let me join the expedition to the Lowlands.

I turned to find Rushton standing beside me and flushed at my thoughts, glad he had no ability to deep-probe.

'You are always alone, even when there are people about you,' he observed.

I shrugged. 'Matthew tells me I'm too gloomy. But I find it hard to forget all the bad things. I feel sad for Jik. He was so young. All this is wonderful. . . but sometimes it seems like a pleasant dream that can't last. So many have died. It's a high price we pay for our place in the world.'

'If we did not fight, there would still be deaths because Misfits will continue to be born. We want to stop the killing, and that means fighting.'

'War to end war? It doesn't sound very sensible,' I said. We stared at the dancers for a moment in silence, then I felt his eyes on me.

'I could scarcely believe it when I heard you were alive,' he said remotely. I did not know what to say. When I looked up, embarrassed by the long silence between us, his expression was stern and unsmiling.

'It will take much to convince me to let you go away again,' he said gravely. 'Yet, I sense you don't really belong to us or to Obernewtyn. There is something in you that holds you ever apart. You are like a piece of smoke in my hand.'

'I am glad to be home,' I said, not knowing what else to say.

A wintry smile lit his dark features. 'Home? This is the first time I have heard you call Obernewtyn that.'

I smiled. 'You would be astonished at how often I thought of it that way, and longed to be here. What is that saying Louis has?'

'The greenest grass is home grass . . . something like that.' He gave me a long look. 'You are a strange one, Elspeth. Everything you do is mysterious and unexpected. Roland is sadly puzzled over the healing of your feet. He tells me even the scars have disappeared; something he assures me is impossible. The coercers talk of nothing but your ability to coerce as well as Gevan, and the healers praise your miraculous healing of Maruman. Not to mention the change in Gahltha. And what of your sudden appearance when we had thought you dead? How much more is there about you that you choose to keep hidden? I would swear you tell more to Gahltha and that cat, than to any of us.'

I suppressed an urge to smooth the frown from Rushton's forehead. I had never imagined loving anyone, and I had always believed Rushton incapable of doing so. Perhaps I was wrong in both cases. But something stayed my hand and tongue.

My life did not belong to me until I had fulfilled my vow to destroy the weapon machines. While that was undone, I could not truly belong anywhere, or to anyone; I had no right to think of Rushton as anything but the Master of Obernewtyn while my dark quest lay before me. That secret set a tiny chasm between us. Until that was gone, I did not belong even to myself.

'Tomorrow you go to the Lowlands,' I said, wanting to distract him.

He looked out beyond the walls of Obernewtyn. 'Maryon said the time to take our stand is not far away. I want to meet Brydda's friends and see how they regard Misfits. There is no good our making allies of bigots and, despite his optimism, I think not all his friends will welcome us with open arms.'

'What about Ariel?'

Rushton smiled grimly. 'We have nothing to fear from him. But he has much to fear from me. Domick tells me he has fallen from favour with the Council since the soldierguards came to Obernewtyn and found all was as I had reported,' he grinned.

'Hopefully, he no longer bothers to think of revenge then. Domick said he has taken vows to become a Herder,' I mused.

Rushton shrugged. 'We have nothing to fear from those dabblers in dresses. I'll deal with Ariel once I have dealt with the Council.'