Roma bowed again, even lower than the first time. ‘You honour me, master. I will not disappoint you.’
‘It will be your task to ready our mages,’ said Losara. ‘The Kainordans have many, and we must seek to match their numbers. For our student mages, whether in schools or with single tutors, their learning must be accelerated, and concentrated in the arts of war.’
‘It will be done.’
‘Tyrellan will see to the regular army. Marshall all at Fort Logale, and perhaps the enemy will think we intend to attack the more obvious target of the Shining Mines. And now …’
One last time he turned the idea over in his head. Was he sure? No, but how could one be sure of anything? And, with army-building delegated and set in motion, there was nothing further he could do to expedite proceedings. It would take weeks to accomplish the assignments he had given these two, if not more, during which he would essentially be at a loose end. Making up his mind once and for all, he spoke.
‘I will be gone for a time, on my own task. Perhaps a couple of weeks, perhaps longer. I may be able to return at times, but I cannot be sure of that. I am putting a good deal of trust in you both to carry out my orders while I’m away.’
Unspoken questions appeared on their faces, but neither asked where he was going. That was well with him, for he wasn’t quite sure if his idea even made sense.
‘What of general governance?’ said Tyrellan.
‘You would be my first choice, Tyrellan, if your priorities did not lie elsewhere. Let the Shadow Council oversee the day-to-day for a time …you can always overrule them if you deem it necessary.’
‘Very well. What of protection? You should not go alone on this mysterious excursion.’
‘Ah Tyrellan,’ said Losara, ‘do not fear. I will not strictly be alone. For a start, I’ll have your old friend Fazel to keep me company.’ He rose, ignoring Tyrellan’s surprise. ‘And now, if you’ll excuse me, there is someone else I must inform of my decision.’
He tried to gather her into his arms but she backed away, staring into his void-like eyes. ‘Why must you do this?’ she asked again.
He sighed. ‘I have told you why.’
‘But why can’t you come back? You can whisk back and forth in an instant.’
‘Once I am there, I must remain for a time. Travelling back and forth would be too risky. Lalenda, be not afraid – no harm will befall me.’
‘It is not the external threats that scare me so much,’ she said. ‘It is the end you seek.’
‘I am yet to decide what end I seek.’
‘Even the possibility, the fact that you consider it, is enough to frighten.’
He now regretted saying too much. He could have left it at telling her he wanted to discover more about Bel, his so-called enemy, and that he was also worried Bel might get himself killed. She’d understood that, for he had told her about his dream, so she knew that if Bel perished, so did he. He’d then told her he had initiated a plan to create a weapon for Fenvarrow, to assure her that he was focused on victory. All of that would have been enough, but instead he had gone on to tell her the whole truth, for wasn’t that what lovers did? But now, he realised, he could have easily achieved what he wanted without upsetting her in the process. She now knew of his uncertainty over whether or not he should prevent Bel from getting the Stone, and the reason why.
‘And what about me?’ she said. ‘Have you considered what might happen to me if you pursue such a course? Bel has a lover too, you say.’
The question caught him by surprise, for in truth he had not thought about it. Unwillingly he remembered Jaya, of the slightly odd pull he had felt when he’d seen her in the dream. Still, it was not enough to negate his affection for the trembling little bundle in front of him.
‘You are mine,’ he said. Was there something to add to that? He couldn’t find the words. He could not say that he was hers, for he had a responsibility that came before all else. ‘I promise,’ he added, somewhat lamely.
He shouldn’t have shared his plan. It wasn’t even a plan yet, more an idea to be considered, a distant potential only. Again he tried to hold her, and though she did not move away this time, she remained stiff in his embrace.
‘Lalenda,’ he said, ‘I fight for us.’
She looked up into his eyes then, her expression softening. ‘Really?’
‘Of course. I fight for everyone in Fenvarrow.’
Her look told him that had been the wrong thing to say, though he was not sure why.
‘Then,’ she said, ‘I cannot believe you would wager the fate of all Fenvarrow on such a precarious notion.’
‘I do not yet know if I will,’ he said. ‘That is precisely why I must …’
But she strained against him, and he released her with a sigh.
A Change of Face
Gellan sat watch as the others slumbered. It wasn’t strictly necessary, he supposed, when they had an undead mage with them who did not require sleep …but in truth, no one exactly trusted Fazel yet. Gellan, for his part, did not doubt that Fazel’s intentions were good, but the intentions of a slave created by the enemy were a moot point. He wondered what would happen if Fazel received new instructions from the Shadowdreamer – would they override the control Bel was able to exert? Or would there be some kind of stand-off?
Fazel sat next to him, arranging his cloak over his black legs. Vaguely Gellan wondered why he bothered to cover himself – it wasn’t as if he’d feel the cold, if there had even been any. Perhaps he’d fallen into the habit of hiding his looks, or felt ashamed of what he had become.
He decided to voice his concerns – if anyone had answers, it would be Fazel.
‘I was wondering what might happen if the Shadowdreamer became aware of your existence.’
‘Ah,’ said Fazel. ‘I have been wondering that myself.’
‘Do you think Bel’s orders would hold?’
Fazel sighed. ‘I doubt it. While Bel may have some connection to Skygrip through Losara, there is no doubting that Losara is the source. All my willingness to serve the light will amount to nothing if he finds me, I imagine.’
‘Mm,’ said Gellan. ‘Quite a worry. It is not as if Bel’s movements are of no interest to the Shadowdreamer. There’s no telling when his attention may be drawn to us.’
Fazel nodded. ‘You are right, of course. Travelling with me comes with great risk. As in fact does keeping me alive at all.’
Gellan knew what the mage was suggesting. ‘You desire to cease?’ he asked.
‘Would you not?’ said Fazel. ‘I have suffered well beyond my time in this prison of bones. I cannot eat or sleep, or enjoy any earthly pleasure. All I have are memories – memories of terrible deeds dealt to my people by my own hands. Not even this current reprieve affords me peace of mind, for any day I could be forced to turn again to the darkness.’ He chuckled humourlessly. ‘You tell me if that sounds like any kind of retirement.’
‘It does not,’ said Gellan. ‘You have my sympathies, old mage. And if you wish to put the case to Bel that we are safer without you, I will be your advocate.’
‘The sooner the better.’
‘Is there a way?’ said Gellan. ‘A sure way, after which you will not rise unwillingly from the ashes?’
‘I have lived a long time with the enchantment that animates me,’ said Fazel. ‘I fancy I could break it myself, were I given such a directive.’
‘I see.’ Gellan frowned. ‘There is one thing that gives me doubt as to the wisdom of losing you.’
‘And that is?’ said Fazel, sounding very tired.
‘The Stone of Evenings Mild requires mages of both light and shadow to work.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Fazel dully.
‘And Bel seeks to make it work – something I would have judged impossible a week ago. Where could we hope to find a shadow mage willing to help us? And yet here you are. If we do away with you, what chance of success do we have?’