The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence (54 page)

‘It’s all right,’ Darq said hurriedly. He didn’t like to see Zu so cowed. ‘Please don’t be angry with him.’

Cal turned to Darq. ‘This har you know as Zu is one of Thiede’s agents, as well as an official of the Hegemony in Immanion. I’ve always known he’s a slippery fish, since he was instrumental in taking me from the earthly realm at the time of your pearl’s abduction. Now, it appears he’s also been working independently, but then that doesn’t really surprise me. His name to us is Velaxis.’

When Darq returned to the Drudehall with Cal and Velaxis, Jezinki swooped down on him in the entrance hall and told him, in an icy tone, he must go to the phylarch’s office at once. There, Darq found an impatient group of hara awaiting him: Tava-edzen, Thiede, Ookami and the Weavers. It was clear that Thiede had told the others about Cal’s arrival, and also that Cal had gone to speak with Darq alone, since nohar questioned Cal’s presence. It was also clear that Tava-edzen and the Weavers had already related their side of what had taken place in Helek Sah. Darq formally introduced his father to everyhar and once this was accomplished, Thiede turned to Velaxis and said, ‘What are
you
doing here? Did you travel with Cal? He didn’t mention it to me.’

Cal laughed. ‘Velaxis has something to tell you, Thiede.’

Velaxis appeared to be very uncomfortable, and because he was still ‘Zu’ to Darq, Darq felt sorry for him. ‘Let me explain,’ Darq said. ‘I don’t want you to be angry, Thiede.’

‘Angry?’ Thiede said archly. ‘Why would I be angry?’

Darq cleared his throat. ‘You know when we first met and I heard that voice in my head?’

Thiede nodded, his eyes narrow.

‘Well…’ Darq glanced at Velaxis. ‘It was him.’

‘What?’ Thiede snarled.

‘He’s been with me ever since… in one way or another. He’s been my teacher.’

Ookami, who had remained politely in the background, now couldn’t help an outburst: ‘Teacher?’ he cried. ‘He’s committed shameful acts.’ He pointed at Velaxis. ‘Don’t think I’ve forgotten,
tiahaar!
There’s unfinished business between us. You were foolish to show your face here.’

Velaxis looked horrified. Possessing Ookami’s body was one thing, but facing the wrath of an indignant Ikutama warrior was another. Darq could tell that Velaxis was afraid, and in Darq’s opinion, he had good reason to be. This was all going horribly wrong. ‘Tiahaar,’ Velaxis said to Ookami, ‘I…’

Thiede raised his hands. ‘Hush, all of you,’ he said.

Ookami lowered his accusing arm. He was furious, but he held his tongue.

Thiede folded his arms. ‘Darquiel, be so kind as to finish your story of your…
relationship
with Velaxis.’

Darq did so, keeping the more personal details to himself. All the time, he looked into Velaxis’ face, this har he’d come to look upon as a friend. As he spoke, he was aware that Ookami was upset by what he heard, but Darq didn’t know what else he could do to defuse the situation, except show Velaxis in as positive a light as possible. Perhaps he was wrong to do that, but he didn’t care.

Thiede listened to the whole story in silence, his expression inscrutable. When Darq finished speaking he said, ‘Ookami, you will take no action.’

Ookami came forward. ‘Tiahaar, my honor has been offended. I demand retribution.’

Thiede remained expressionless. ‘Do you want to skewer him with your swords, is that it? Will that make you feel better?’

Ookami stared back at Thiede. ‘You don’t understand me,’ he said. ‘He took possession of me against my will. Let him put his will against mine when I am prepared.’

Thiede closed his eyes and uttered a short sigh. ‘Ookami, I do understand, but quite frankly, there’s no time for this. Velaxis can make compensation to you in some other way, at a later time.’

Ookami inclined his head. ‘I respect your desires. However…’ He glared at Velaxis. ‘I won’t forget this matter.’

‘I apologise,’ Velaxis said stiffly. ‘Although I doubt that is enough.’

Ookami said nothing. He retreated to the back of the room.

‘Velaxis,’ Thiede said, ‘we’ll speak in private shortly. We have much to discuss.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m annoyed with myself I never realised how different you were. You
are
adept at disguise, aren’t you?’

Velaxis bowed his head. ‘I’ve worked well for you; you know that. I’ve done nothing against the Hegemony or Wraeththukind. If you wish to punish me, I’ll accept your judgment. I just want you to know I acted with Darquiel’s welfare at heart.’

Ookami expelled a wordless sound of fury.

Again, Thiede raised a hand to silence him.  ‘You’ve played with Darq, Velaxis. I have issues with your methods. And you had more than his welfare at heart. But we’ll not speak of this here.’

‘Thiede,’ Darq said in appeal. ‘Please don’t be angry. Zu… Velaxis… has been helpful to me.’ He turned to Ookami. ‘What he did to you was wrong, but I’d not have gone to Helek Sah without him.’

‘A lot of what he’s done is wrong!’ Thiede said. ‘I appreciate your feelings on the matter, Darq, but I can’t just ignore this…
interference.
’ He sighed through his nose. ‘I’ll deal with it, but at the moment there are more important things to discuss. Tell us everything you experienced with the Krim Sri.’

Grateful for the change of subject, Darquiel addressed the gathering, and related everything that had happened to him in Helek Sah. He didn’t include the information Divozenky had given him about Wraeththu’s creation, as he’d already decided he wanted to tell Thiede this privately first. At the end of his narrative, Thiede and Cal launched into a discussion about it.

‘This must have been Darq’s purpose all along,’ Cal said. ‘It’s what Pell sensed when he was so driven to create him.’ He shook his head. ‘A har who can communicate with the world itself. It’s unprecedented.’

‘It means that highly evolved souls are waiting to find suitable vessels among us,’ Thiede said, his expression thoughtful. ‘What we’ll need to discuss is whether we should actively seek to repeat what you did, Cal.’

‘The Aasp and the Zehk won’t like that,’ Velaxis interjected. ‘I would recommend caution.’

Thiede fixed Velaxis with a bleak stare. ‘I think you’d be wise to keep your mouth shut for now, tiahaar.’ He turned back to Cal. ‘We’ve much to discuss, and it should take place in Immanion.’

‘You’ll return to us, then?’ Cal asked. ‘Is it safe to do so?’

Thiede nodded. ‘Darquiel’s existence has changed things for me. I was seen as a threat because I was too curious, but now my threat factor is negligible. Darq is far more potent than I am, or he will be.’

‘Many will be glad to see you back,’ Cal said. He paused. ‘I have to ask – what role do you see for yourself?’

Thiede grinned. ‘Fret not, protégé. I see myself as an elder stateshar. I have no wish to take back control of the Hegemony, but I hope I can be of use to it.’

‘You’ll always be that,’ Cal said.

Thiede glanced back at Velaxis and flared his nostrils. ‘Anyway, the time has come for me to depart this gathering and speak alone with my faithful servant.’

Velaxis bowed. ‘Of course, tiahaar.’ He allowed Thiede to steer him from the room.

Now that Darquiel had delivered his report, and the atmosphere in the room was lighter following Thiede’s departure, Tava-edzen sent a message to Jezinki to bring food and ale. Darq felt obliged to approach Ookami, who was still clearly angry. ‘I’m sorry,’ Darq said, wondering whether this particular spell of words would work; somehow he doubted it.

Ookami did not speak and would not even look at Darq.

‘You’ve done so much for me,’ Darq pressed on. ‘I’m grateful. I don’t condone what Velaxis did to you, but in his own way he was important to me.’

‘I understand,’ Ookami said. ‘My part in your life was brief. The moment we came here it ended.’

‘No,’ Darq said. ‘That’s not right. You mean a lot to me.’

‘Some things you just have to accept,’ Ookami said. ‘We all do. Will you excuse me?’

Without waiting for a reply, Ookami left the room. Darq wasn’t quite sure what the har had meant. He turned to face the room and noticed that Cal was studying Tava-edzen intently, in the manner of a cat watching potential prey. Darq wasn’t surprised when his father moved swiftly and took Tava-edzen to one side. Darq decided he had to be part of any ensuing conversation; he went quickly to join them.

Cal gave his son a stare, then clearly decided it would be pointless to ask him to move away. ‘Well, well, Manticker is still among the living,’ Cal said to Tava-edzen. ‘You’ve hardly changed physically. Not that I knew you way back when, really.’

‘I remember
you
,’ Tava-edzen said. ‘Weren’t you the one that Wraxilan lost his reason over?’

Cal shrugged. ‘Most likely.’

Tava-edzen eyed Cal shrewdly. ‘He took it upon himself to destroy me round about the same time.’

‘I met him again some time ago,’ Cal said hastily, clearly attempting to divert the conversation a little. ‘In Maudrah.’

‘Oh.’ Tava-edzen raised his eyebrows. ‘And?’

‘In some ways the same, in others greatly changed. He’s done well for himself.’

‘I heard.’

‘But then so have you, if not on such a grand scale.’ Cal’s tone changed, losing some of its levity. ‘I hope you’ll consider bringing Nezreka into the Federation of Tribes, tiahaar. Darquiel has spoken well of you.’

‘Thank you for the offer,’ Tava-edzen said stonily, ‘but it’s not appropriate for us. We keep to ourselves out here.’

Cal inclined his head. ‘I appreciate that, and we’d not require you to change anything. However, it might be useful for you to be kept apprised of current events. There would be other benefits too. I’m sure you don’t need me to spell it all out, at this time.’

Tava-edzen grimaced. ‘You want to shepherd us into the fold,’ he said, ‘but we’re quite happy roaming out on the hillside.’

‘As you wish, but I hope some kind of relations can be maintained.’

‘You can be sure of that,’ Tava-edzen said. He glanced at Darquiel and smiled.

Darquiel sensed that Cal wouldn’t let it rest at that, but his father did not mention the subject again that evening. Cal dropped into the role of ambassador and politician, and took care to speak to everyhar who had been part of Darquiel’s life.

Very late at night, Darquiel managed to get some more private moments with Cal. Tava-edzen had invited the high-ranking hara of Nezreka to the Drudehall, and now there was a party atmosphere within it. Everyhar had moved to the room where the Natalia rite had been held and the wine and ale were flowing freely. Cal and Darq went out into the yard beyond Tava-edzen’s office and there sat muffled in thick furs on an ice-covered wooden bench, their breath clouding on the air.

‘I’ve become utterly Gelaming,’ Cal said, somewhat despairingly. ‘It’s my instinct now to organise and facilitate. I’m considering offering Ookami a position in Immanion, because he’d no doubt refuse. I admire what he’s done for you, though. He’s a good har.’

‘He is, and I would like to keep him as an advisor.’ Darq grimaced. ‘He’s furious about Velaxis, of course. But once he’s cooled down a little, I hope that if I ask him to stay with me, he’d be less likely to refuse than if you asked him.’

Cal laughed. ‘Ah, now our blood speaks through you! Have you mentioned anything about this potential position to him?’

Darq shook his head. ‘No. A lot has changed over the course of one day, and I haven’t had a chance. At the moment, he’s angry and disappointed in me. But I will ask him when the time feels right.’

‘And Tava-edzen…’

Darq glanced furtively at his father. ‘What about him? Do you disapprove of the age difference?’

Cal stuck out his lower lip. ‘No, not at all. Why should I? I can see how you feel for one another. I just wonder what you can do to bring him onto the stage, as it were. Manticker was a respected leader. If he hadn’t been ousted by Wraxilan, it’s possible Ponclast wouldn’t have ended up with so much power.’

Darq pulled his fur coat more tightly around his body. ‘Manticker might have ended up like Ponclast. Tava is scathing of his early days. He thinks what happened to him was for the best.’

Cal raised an eyebrow. ‘Well, Wraxilan turned out fine.’

‘What does it matter? The past can’t be changed.’

Cal reached out and pushed a stray strand of Darq’s hair away from his eyes. ‘No, it can’t, but the future can. Having met your Tava, I think his voice should be heard.’

‘Maybe he’ll feel differently when he knows you better.’

Cal twisted his mouth to the side. ‘Maybe. Gelaming do tend to throw their weight around. I even feel myself doing it, as I told you.’

Darq sighed. ‘I’m more worried about my brother, Loki. I don’t want to have to fight him.’

‘I’m sure it won’t come to that,’ Cal said. ‘Not if I’ve got anything to do with it, anyway.’

The following day, Darq began to acquire the instruction he craved, concerning otherlanes travel. It appeared that Cal had decided to forgive Velaxis, because they agreed to work together with Darq, and Thiede had obviously given his permission. Ookami, pointedly, kept well away. Darq felt slightly guilty that he spent so much time with Cal and Velaxis, thereby sidelining the Ikutama, who had been his protector for so long. At one time, Ookami had virtually been the center of Darq’s life and he’d believed they’d somehow end up together, at least for a short time, but fate had decreed things turned out differently. Darq thought that perhaps hara swam into focus and faded away all the time throughout life. He hoped a time would come when he could talk to Ookami about it, and explain how he felt, but for now all he could and did care about was his training. Tava-edzen provided a large empty room near the top of the Drudehall, which he said he occasionally used for meetings and ritual. It had a wall of windows that looked out over the town and pale winter sunlight streamed into it.

Although Cal and Velaxis regularly had differences of opinion, Darq could see they liked and respected one another. One day, he intended to get Velaxis’ full story. Darq had to admit that Velaxis had taken a lot of liberties with him, but he couldn’t find it within himself to be angry about it. It hadn’t done him any harm, and in fact had been quite an adventure, even if at the beginning he’d been resentful of Zu’s intimate meddlings. He found it difficult now to equate this fairly urbane creature with the mysterious entity that had haunted his journey east. Velaxis was theatrical; he liked playing a mystifying role. But he couldn’t keep that up in front of those who knew him well.