The Key (29 page)

Neriah starts to form, her body taking solid shape.

Arkarian greets her warmly, then explains, ‘We've been waiting so long, I sent Dillon on ahead. It's not good to linger in this place. Time means so many things here and takes so many forms.' He leads us to a wardrobe room where we all end up dressed in long tunics with matching cloaks. Mine and Arkarian's outfits are both silver, while Neriah's is white, broken by a sash of woven golden thread.

When we arrive, Sir Syford and Queen Brystianne are waiting for us in the courtyard. ‘You're late,' Sir Syford says. ‘But never mind, it can't be helped. Isabel's vision has already been recorded. It's very troubling.'

Queen Brystianne takes Neriah by the elbow. ‘But that's not why
you
are here, my dear. This is a special occasion and you're very welcome. I have an exciting gift to bestow on you, and I cannot wait.'

‘Well, hold on to yourself, my lady,' Sir Syford says. ‘Dillon is first up. Everyone is prepared and waiting already.'

Arkarian nods and we follow Sir Syford and Queen Brystianne through several cool corridors. At last we arrive, and Dillon, tapping his foot on the marble flooring, waits for us wearing royal blue. ‘Finally! They're impatient in there. Lord Penbarin's come out twice already.'

Arkarian takes his elbow and leads him away for some last-minute instruction. The doors swing open and Sir Syford and Queen Brystianne take their places in the Circle with the rest of the Tribunal members.

I start to lead Neriah over to the viewing seats to the
side, but as I do so, I glance across at King Richard and something happens. Our eyes meet and hold. Suddenly all my doubts about him re-emerge. A flash of anger rushes through me that proves hard to contain. Here is the man that is supposed to be King of Veridian, plucked from history to fulfil a prophecy written before all of us were born. So much rests in this man's hands, but just how loyal are they?

Arkarian appears in the doorway with Dillon by his side. He picks up my thoughts and hurtles a warning into my brain.
Shut off your thoughts!

Quickly I move on, but as I pass Lorian I see him staring at me with a frown.

Arkarian leads Dillon to the centre of the Circle, quickly and purposefully getting everyone's attention. ‘Father, my Lords and Ladies, allow me to introduce to you our newest Initiate. His name is Dillon Sinclair, and while his presence here is a surprise, it is a welcome one.' Everyone applauds, and in the hubbub I release a deep sigh.

Dillon sits on a stool looking nervous but excited. Arkarian takes a place beside me and Neriah. He doesn't say or think a word of what just passed between me and King Richard, but his stiff body language is speaking volumes. Finally his head turns to me and shakes slightly. He's telling me to forget the incident. Let it go. At least for now.

From the centre of the Circle, Lorian asks Dillon to swear his fealty to the Guard and Dillon does so with enthusiasm. And by the glances exchanged, everyone finds his manner amusing and refreshing.

One by one the Tribunal members bestow their gifts. Lady Devine gives Dillon the gift of wisdom. Lord
Meridian, the ability to see truth through falsity. Queen Brystianne offers humility, while Sir Syford gives strength, then adds, ‘But since we already know of Dillon's superior physical strength, my gift is the strengthening of his spirit.'

Around the Circle the Tribunal members nod and murmur their appreciation. It's a good gift, as are all that Dillon has received so far. Lady Arabella is next. She glides over and lays one of her delicate, blue-veined hands on Dillon's head. ‘My gift to you is fulfilment in matters pertaining to the heart. This gift will give you the ability to decipher when love is reciprocated … or left wanting.'

This time the Circle erupts in nervous chatter and the tension in the room hits the ceiling. Lady Arabella glances around, silencing everyone with her ice-cold look. Finally she focuses back on Dillon. ‘All of today's gifts will take time to nurture and grow. You need to work on them as if you were an Apprentice learning his craft for the first time. Make sure you do that, Dillon.'

When Lord Penbarin walks over he glances at Lady Arabella with his bushy eyebrows raised halfway up his forehead. She sits and at last he turns his attention to Dillon. ‘Vision,' he says simply. ‘My gift is the drawing out of your second power, which appears reluctant to reveal itself. Of course, you haven't had the opportunity of a mentor, at least not one from within the Guard. I'm assuming this is the reason your second power is still dormant.'

‘My lord,' Dillon asks, ‘what does this mean?'

Lord Penbarin's hands lift in an unknowing gesture. ‘It's
your
power, Dillon. Whatever it proves to be, nurture it and you may be surprised.'

Finally King Richard approaches. I make sure to keep any thoughts of traitors completely under control. ‘My gift to you is the ability to share your knowledge so that one day you will become a Trainer.'

Dillon's face breaks into a surprised grin. He looks up at King Richard and nods a thank you.

When King Richard returns to his seat, all eyes turn to Lorian. And for a long moment the Immortal sits still with his head downcast. Nothing can be heard in the room except our breathing. At last Lorian stands and goes over to place his hands over the top of Dillon's head. ‘What you did in choosing the Guard over the Order took courage most in this room would not have in a thousand years.'

I can't help feel that if he means to keep his Tribunal loyal, mocking them isn't the way to do it. Arkarian coughs beside me and I realise I failed to screen this particular string of thought. What the hell am I doing today? First the slip with letting King Richard know I have an issue with him, and now this! Slowly I become aware that all the Tribunal members have picked up my thoughts too. Lorian's head turns in my direction. His eyes bore into mine, asking how dare I sit there and judge him? But I can't and won't apologise. Even though I didn't mean for my thoughts to be heard, I still meant them.

Maintaining eye contact for what feels like an eternity of unpleasantness, Lorian is first to look away. Beside me Arkarian gives a distinct sigh of relief.

His attention back to Dillon, Lorian says, ‘And while you are not Named by birth, you have earned the right to stand beside them as one. And so that you will feel their equal, my gift to you is the magnification of your
power of strength, and your developing second power.'

Light descends from Lorian's hands to cover Dillon from head to foot. I feel the force of Lorian's power from here as clearly as if it were surging through my own body; and I wonder how Dillon is holding up.

When it is over, the light recedes into Lorian's open palms and Dillon tips backwards, the stool tumbling out from beneath him. Arkarian dashes over and helps him up, while the room erupts with clapping and cheering.

Lorian steps back and says, ‘Go now, Dillon, for a sumptuous dinner awaits in your honour. And after Neriah's Initiation, the rest of us will join you both in a night of festivity and celebrating.'

As the cheering slowly recedes, everyone except those specially requested to stay, leave the room. When the last has gone, Lord Alexandon and Arkarian lock the chamber doors. Beside me, Neriah starts to shake. I take her hand between both of mine to try to calm her. ‘You're going to be wonderful. They love you already. I can feel it.'

She smiles at me and lowers her head. Arkarian calls her over and she slides her hand out from between mine to take her seat in the centre of the Circle. And as Arkarian begins his introduction, I rub my hands together. My fingers are tingling.

The cheer is loud and expected. I wasn't lying when I told Neriah the Tribunal members love her already. The atmosphere in the room is overwhelmingly warm and full of adoration.

Lorian joins her at the centre. ‘Do you, Neriah Gabriel, swear your fealty to the Guard and all its members?'

‘Yes, my lord.'

He steps back and motions for Lord Penbarin to be the first to bestow his gifts. He goes and stands before her. ‘Welcome, my dear. From the House of Samartyne I offer you the gifts of fortitude and mercy.' Lady Arabella is next. Her gift is that of seeing the truth through all forms of concealment and trickery. Sir Syford bestows Neriah with the ability to know when evil is present. When it is Queen Brystianne's turn she circles Neriah first, her flowing cream gown making a dramatic show.

‘My gift to you is the enhancing of your affinity with animals, so that you will be able to communicate with them, and they will be able to communicate with you.'

This gift is as special as Queen Brystianne earlier boasted. Along with the others, I can't help but applaud. Neriah is overwhelmed with gratitude. She looks up to thank Queen Brystianne and her face is full of joy.

The remaining gifts are almost as exciting; clearly Neriah is a favourite among them. King Richard is last, and his is a physical gift. He hands Neriah a brush, a fine and delicate paintbrush that fits neatly in the palm of her hand. ‘With this brush you will be able to paint passageways into other worlds. It will take time to perfect the skill, and one day you won't need the brush to accomplish this same task. It is a great responsibility, Neriah. You must use this power wisely. Practise with the brush but do not fret if you should lose it. It will work for no other hand, and the power I speak of is already within you.'

He sits and I think about his gift. It has the potential to be powerful beyond words. And I have to wonder, who is this girl – daughter of a traitor – who has won the hearts of all these honourable people?

Lorian stands and approaches Neriah with his gift.
Lifting his hands to hover over her head he says in simple words, ‘I give you the gift of Truthseeing.'

Murmurs ripple around the room, but the consensus is that while the gift is generous, it is also befitting. As Lorian's gift is bestowed on her, and Neriah becomes a Truthseer, the Tribunal members and Arkarian start to applaud.

When it is over, Neriah goes to stand, but Lorian waves her down. ‘There is one more of us here today who has a gift to pass to this girl.'

The Tribunal members start murmuring to each other, and heads bob up and down.

Lorian glances at me. ‘Matt, will you come into the Circle?'

Though phrased in the form of a question, Lorian's ‘request' is more of a command. I do as he says. ‘Yes, my lord?'

‘Do you have a gift to pass to this girl?'

His question takes me completely by surprise. Sure I have a gift for someone. It's my father's assurance that I will not live an eternity on my own. I remember his instructions well. I'm to nurture this gift until I find the right one. I would know her, he told me, by looking into her mind. I look down at Neriah now. ‘Is
she
the one?'

Lorian smiles, and for a moment he almost resembles his brother.

‘But …?'
If this is so, why can't I see it?

‘We have been wondering,' he says beside me, still looking amused.

Neriah glances around the room looking uncomfortable. She starts to get up.

‘Sit down, Neriah,' Lorian commands, then looks at me and waits.

I go to take another look, but Neriah has suddenly become more interested in the subtle patterns of the tiled flooring. I take a deep breath to try and calm my racing thoughts, then with the tip of my finger under Neriah's chin, I lift her head. Our eyes meet, hold, and the truth suddenly hits me. Neriah is the one person I am destined to share my life with –
for ever!
She will one day become a member of the Tribunal. Everyone in this room knows it – that's why so many of her gifts were about judgement and mercy and such. It's also why the Tribunal members hold her in such high regard.

And then I remember my promise to Dillon. Mr Carter's warning suddenly comes flinging back at me: ‘Be careful what you promise'.

‘Oh no!'

Neriah's head jerks at my words, and I realise I've spoken them out loud. She squirms and looks uncomfortable.

In front of all these people I'm at a loss to explain.

‘Matt, are you ready?' Lorian asks beside me. ‘It's time to do this.'

I nod, half in a daze, and Lorian goes back to his stool.

Taking a deep calming breath, I lift my hand to rest against her forehead, just as Dartemis showed me. And with all the skill and power that my father taught me, I draw on the gift I have been minding on his behalf. ‘Neriah Gabriel, I give you the gift of …
Immortality
.'

The instant the word is spoken the room begins to shake. Some of the Tribunal members gasp, others reach out and hold hands. Lorian tries to calm them. And as he does so, a golden light emits from my hand against Neriah's forehead. It pushes into her and her skin takes on a golden glow from the inside. It works its way
through her body from her forehead, through her arms, chest, torso and legs, right down to her toes. You can even see it through her white tunic. Suddenly she shudders with the force. But it is soon over, and while her skin still glows, it does so softly now.

She glances at her hands, turning them over.

‘It will pass. Your skin will return to normal by morning.'

Lorian comes over and motions for Neriah to stand. When she does, it is on slightly unsteady legs. Lorian declares we should now go and join Dillon in a sumptuous feast. The room erupts in cheering, and many of the Tribunal members come over to congratulate Neriah.

The doors are unlocked and soon everyone finds their way to a dining room laid out with tables of food and drink. Dillon comes over and comments on Neriah's gently glowing skin. Neriah is quick to explain it away, and I notice she doesn't tell him she is now a Truthseer. She probably needs time to adjust.

For most of the evening Neriah makes sure to never be alone with me. If she sees me coming, she quickly finds someone to talk to and immerses herself in conversation. Most of the time Dillon is never far from her side. He keeps his eye on her even when Lorian goes over to talk to him.