After the meal, Tyrane sought out the whitesleeves, leaving the three alone at the table.
“So, Allazar, no more voices?” Gawain asked.
“No, at least none of which I am aware, Longsword.”
“Do you remember what they were saying? What purpose they served?”
Allazar shook his head. “No, but I believe they were filling my head with knowledge. Knowledge which will make itself known when needed, and which may very well be necessary in all future dealings with Morloch.”
“I have never seen you produce such a searing blast, wizard.”
“Precisely, Longsword. Before this afternoon, in the yard, I did not know how to summon white fire with the power of a D’ith Sek. And before this afternoon, I did not know the name ‘Grimmand of Sethi.’ It was, I think, the makers of the circle who put that knowledge in my head, to be called upon when necessary.”
“And my sight?” Elayeen asked, “Am I doomed to eat nothing but sandwiches the rest of my days?”
“Of course not,” Gawain insisted fervently, “I’ve still got plenty of frak.”
Elayeen smiled and took another dainty bite of her sandwich.
Allazar sighed. “I cannot say, my lady. That knowledge does not appear to be in my head. But I do firmly believe you have the sight of the Eldenelves, and can see the magic that is the life in all living things. And also, as we witnessed today, the absence of it in dark-made creatures. Without that sight, I fear this afternoon may well have ended in catastrophe. And who is to say that your normal vision will not return in time? Certainly you seem to see more clearly now than yesterday, is that not so?”
“Yes,” she agreed, “The edges of the gingerbread men are becoming sharper, and other shapes clearer. Yes, my world is brighter than it was when first we descended.”
“Then,” Allazar said, lightly resting his fingers on her broken hand, “there is hope. Yet my intuition, like Longsword’s, is that we must be guarded when speaking of the circles and such gifts as they have given us. Indeed, it is probably best we speak of it not at all unless we are sure we are completely alone.”
“Hmm,” Gawain agreed, “Though I am far from certain why these changes are being wrought in you both.”
Allazar nodded. “It is worrying, I know, but consider this: The magi of old foresaw a time when Morloch would break free of his bonds beyond the Teeth, and foresaw that one day he would raise an army against all the southlands. So they created a great power with which to smite the Teeth and knock him back beyond them, and created the lock, sword and circle, to keep that power safe against the day of its need.
“They also clearly foresaw the qualities in each of the three kindred races necessary to unlock that force and send it north. It was very wise of them, and shows that our forebears possessed great wisdom, as well as great foresight.”
Elayeen put down the remains of her sandwich, and brushed at her tunic though no crumbs had fallen there.
“What concerns me most in all this,” Allazar almost whispered, “Is that the elder magi not only foresaw all that, but also foresaw the need to gift a wizard with knowledge and power far beyond his lowly station and education, and the need to gift an elfin with the mystic sight of her ancient forebears. It means, my friends, they foresaw that we would need them, together with the wielder of the sword, as the events of today amply demonstrate. I worry what else might lie in store for we three, that they should impose these ‘gifts’ upon us.”
With that sombre thought hanging in the air between them, Allazar left Gawain and Elayeen and trudged off down the road to the warehouse, his staff clunking heavily on the cobbles though he carried it with the same ease with which Gawain carried the Sword of Justice.
“Do you still believe Allazar to be an enemy, G’wain?” Elayeen said while he cleared the table and stacked plates picked clean upon the cracked and dusty bar.
He sighed as he sat back down beside her, dragging his chair closer so their shoulders pressed together. Taking her right hand in his left, he took a long breath. “No,” he confessed after a thoughtful silence. “It’s very hard to maintain my distrust of the one wizard in all the world that the circles on the floor of my fathers’ Hall held worthy enough to unlock that great wave. But by the Teeth, E, don’t tell him I said so. It’s bad enough him being able to set fire to the cliffs of Raheen with that stick of his without my having to endure the smug grin that’d plaster his face for months if you did.”
Elayeen smiled, and Gawain melted. “You know, apart from shooting the window, you were breathtaking.”
“The window was an accident, G’wain, and it was all Allazar’s fault for not warning me properly.”
“There you are, that’s exactly what I mean! Thank you for being on my side against the bloody whitebeard!”
And before she could protest, he kissed her.
It wasn’t long before Tyrane returned, and with a nod from Gawain sat at the table.
“Your wizard will bring this Jaxon fellow shortly, I left him in the warehouse with his staff sparkling somewhat alarmingly while he assured the refugees there were no more of these Grimmands in their number.”
“Good. From what we all saw this afternoon I think I now share your opinion about these Gorians, or refugees if that’s what they are; they’re hardly military.”
Gawain had seen Tyrane wince a little and then realised what he’d said. Elayeen, however, her arm now in his, didn’t seem to notice.
“I doubt even the most adept of spies could maintain a cover with one of those creatures lashing out next to him.” Tyrane agreed. “If these are the Gorians that your lady’s escort spoke of, then I’d say they’re not so much dressed as Callodonians, as that closeweave cloth is common to labourers on both sides of the Eramak River.”
“Yes, or the slaves taken from Pellarn simply continued making it there as they once did in the Old Kingdom. I’m sure Jaxon can tell us. But for now I’m more concerned with this ‘darkness’ he spoke of.”
“I too, my lord. I don’t know what he meant by ‘guardstones’, but I do know from the officers in the Westguard that the number of Gorians crossing into Callodon in the last twenty years is a very small number indeed.”
“I do know what guardstones are,” Gawain said, grimly, “and whatever it was they were fleeing from, it must’ve been dark indeed for so large a number to risk crossing them together.”
“Oh, my apologies, the healer has pronounced all in the Gorian party fit to travel, and having witnessed from the stables your wizard’s exploits earlier, has no objection to your lady or your wizard making the journey either.”
“Excellent. We should start for Jarn tomorrow then, and take the road slowly. How many wagons are there?”
“Two my lord, and four spare horses to draw them should all my men ride escort.”
“At least the four ladies in the Gorian party can ride in the wagons, and the men take it in turns. I think I’d like an advance party in the van, and a good rearguard, and an even better guard on the western flank.”
“I understand my lord.”
“When we reach Jarn, Captain, I’m afraid I’ll have to leave the matter of the refugees entirely to Callodon.”
“Of course. Once we arrive I’ll send word to the Castle, I’m sure arrangements can be made to provide for them. Do you and your lady intend to ride on for Elvendere, my lord?”
“Yes,” Gawain announced without hesitation, “The Council of Kings must learn of events here, and besides, we may learn some valuable insights from Simayen Jaxon that might need to be passed on.”
“I and my men would be proud to serve as escort, my lord.”
“And we proud to have you as such, Captain. Though I plan to ride hard, without pausing for the wizard to catch, cook and eat wild rabbit along the way.”