‘I am.’
‘You have authority here?’
‘I believe so.’
‘Then you have some organising to do, and on quite a scale. Don’t be alarmed, you’ll get the help you need. The fact is the empires are finished. If they don’t know it yet, they will once I’ve cleansed any remaining pockets. A new order’s needed, but it won’t be run by me. I’ve never wanted power, only to do my job. It seems to me that the only organised, untainted force is the Resistance. I know it’s taken some terrible knocks, and you’ve lost a lot of people, but it’s still out there, along with a lot of sympathisers. It’s going to fall to you to step in, organise, rebuild. From here on the Diamond Isle will be the hub of a new civilisation.’
‘You don’t believe in setting modest tasks, my lord.’
‘Plain Zerreiss, if you please. I don’t believe in one man being regarded as any better than his fellows, and I would hope you’ll build a world enshrining that, but it’s up to you. I can only create the conditions.’
‘Conditions of chaos.’
‘All creation came from chaos, the priests tell us. You should be able to construct a paltry civilisation. It won’t be easy, granted, and it’ll take time. But do you have a choice?’ Zerreiss looked at each of them in turn.
‘Will you play any part?’ Caldason asked.
‘Where I can. But mainly as a taker of satisfaction for what I’ve been able to do. And what of you? You find yourself in a difficult position.’
‘Do I?’
‘You already differ from the man in my dreams. Your bloom is withering. The going of the magic brings back the years. Stay where I’ve been and you’ll die.’
‘Can’t you make it not apply to Reeth in some way?’ Serrah almost pleaded.
‘I’m sorry. I wish I could, but I can only take away, not give. However, I need to consolidate, and guide my people to aid yours. There are places in the world I haven’t got to yet, and might not for a long while. Think on that.’ He turned to leave. ‘I’m glad I met you, Reeth Caldason.’
Early next morning, Zerreiss moved on with the bulk of his entourage. Others were left to help deal with the empire prisoners, and to begin the work.
Around midday, a wagon rode into the redoubt. It carried Zahgadiah Darrok, minus his dish.
‘Did I miss anything?’ he asked when Pallidea had finished covering him in kisses.
He was able to tell them of Vance’s fate, and explained how he himself barely escaped on the vanishing residue of magic in his flying disc. Landing scarcely in time, and awkwardly, he was found by islanders, shaken but not seriously injured.
‘Your disc,’ Pallidea bemoaned, ‘how are you going to get on without it?’
‘I did once, before I could afford it. I’ll think of something. Providing you’re about to help me. I’m assuming you haven’t gone cool on the idea of squiring a cripple?’
‘I never will.’
Darrok had arrived in time for a hastily arranged ceremony. There were several reasons for it. The first was the christening of Kinsel and Tanalvah’s baby.
‘I’ve decided the boy will be called Dulian,’ Kinsel announced, Teg and Lirrin looking on wide-eyed.
It was a popular choice, and there was applause.
‘I’m taken aback,’ Karr replied, ‘and honoured, of course. Dulian Rukanis. Has quite a ring, doesn’t it?’
‘Rukanis-Lahn,’ Kinsel corrected. ‘Unless you or any other has an objection?’
No one spoke. It was the first small step on the path to Kinsel’s healing.
‘Dulian Rukanis-Lahn, first citizen of the new order,’ Karr declared.
The second point of the get-together was for Karr to announce that his age and health meant he had to step down from heading the United Revolutionary Council.
Although not unexpected, the news was greeted with cries of displeasure and displays of genuine affection.
Goyter would be his companion during retirement, and their relationship was to be cemented by the public exchange of vows. Karr nominated Quinn Disgleirio as his successor, a commendation the Council was expected to approve. Neither development came as a great surprise to most people.
The final purpose of the gathering was to bid farewell to Reeth and Serrah.
A ship had been provided. It was small but fast, and its volunteer crew were the best that could be found. As Zerreiss had made least headway in the far south, that was the direction chosen, to islands hardly known, and perhaps a rumoured land beyond them, if it wasn’t a myth.
Phoenix and Praltor Mahaganis were offered places. Neither seriously considered it. Both were in decline, especially Praltor, and pronounced themselves content.
The hardest decision was not to suggest Kutch went with them. Serrah argued it would be unfair to ask the boy. It could ruin his budding relationship with Wendah, should she choose not to go. And what of Varee? Was he to come too, or risk losing his brother again? Above all, what if no haven was found, and Kutch had to watch Caldason die, and comfort his grieving lover? The Diamond Isle offered him some kind of stability, and the prospect of a future. Reeth had to agree.
Neither favoured speeches. They said their goodbyes privately and without fuss. Now they stood on the deck of their ship, about to catch the tide and waiting for the last farewell.
‘Are you sure about this?’ Caldason said.
‘Of course I am. What purpose would my life have without you?’
He was a little more drawn. Faint lines had appeared on his face and neck. Serrah had plucked more of his grey hairs.
‘Looking at it now, I can see that the first time I knew I loved you was when you tried to take your life, back in Bhealfa. It was then that I realised I couldn’t lose you.’
‘And you haven’t. We’re in this together, to whatever outcome.’
‘Ironic, isn’t it? That I should spend my life shunning magic, and now I’m hunting it.’
‘I said the gods liked a joke.’
‘Bastards.’ He grinned at her, showing love in every line of his face.
‘Ah, here they come, Reeth.’
Kutch, Wendah and Varee appeared on the dockside. Serrah waved them up the gangplank.
Wendah and Varee didn’t delay their goodbyes. Sensing the need for privacy, they quickly left. Then Serrah found herself suddenly fascinated by the view further along the deck. She embraced Kutch and kissed him, then left him alone with Reeth.
‘What do you think your chances are?’ Kutch asked.
‘I might have thought you could answer that better than me, you being the only expert on magic present.’
‘There’s no point in knowing anything about it now. It’s gone.’ He was doleful. ‘But the thing about Zerreiss is that he kind of pushes the magic out of the land as he advances, like squeezing wine out of a sac. So it’s possible you’ll find somewhere where magic still occurs. I hope you do,’ he added quietly. ‘I’ll never see it again.’
‘You’ll see another kind of magic. With the life you’ve got ahead, with Wendah and your brother, and with whatever it is you decide to do with yourself. Things will be better without magic, believe me.’
‘They won’t be better without you.’
‘Thanks, Kutch. I’m so glad I’ve known you.’
The boy flew into his arms and hugged him tight. ‘Don’t go,’ he pleaded, tears rolling.
‘I have to go. You know that.’ Caldason gently moved him back, hands on his shoulders. ‘You’ve been the best friend and companion a man could have. Now get on with your life.’
Kutch looked as though he was going to speak. Instead he simply stared, then turned away. He took three steps, looked back and said, ‘I’ll never forget you.’ He ran to the gangplank and down onto the harbour.
When they started to move off shortly after, he was still standing on the quay. He shouted something, but they couldn’t hear what it was.
The Diamond Isle was soon swallowed by mist.
Together, Reeth and Serrah set off into a new world.