It was dark inside, the small window shuttered. Skilgannon opened it, and turned. The first thing he saw chilled his blood. It was a large picture frame, though there was no picture inside. Instead a section of human skin had been stretched over the inner frame. The skin bore a tattoo of an eagle with outspread wings. Beside it was another frame, this one face down. Skilgannon turned it over. As he expected this also contained tattooed human skin. The identical snarling panther that even now adorned his chest. On a small desk he saw a sheaf of papers, bound with ribbon. Sitting down, he untied the ribbon and spread out the papers it held. Then he began to read, his mood darkening with each sentence.
Landis Kan was a meticulous note taker. Much of what he had written was lost on Skilgannon, but even more was easily digestible. As the light began to fade he gathered up the papers and rose from the desk. He had promised Gamal he would stay for a while. He would keep that promise. Then he would leave, and make the long journey to what had once been his home. Skilgannon had no interest in silver eagles, or the Eternal, or the war that was being fought here.
He had once been a general, issuing orders, preparing strategies. He had fought for an empire. Now he was being used like the lowliest foot soldier. It galled him.
The blond-haired servant girl, Charis, brought him some food as he sat on the balcony reading Landis Kan’s notes. She hovered close by, even after he had thanked her. He glanced up, his expression stern.
‘You want something, child?’ he asked.
‘You are going into the mountains tomorrow,’ she said.
He sighed and shook his head. ‘Is that a question or a statement?’
‘A statement.’
‘Why would you make it? I know where I am going tomorrow.’
‘Are you always so argumentative?’ she asked.
He laughed aloud, feeling some of the tension leave him. ‘What kind of training have you received as a servant?’ he countered.
She smiled and walked past him, to stand in the sunshine bathing the balcony. ‘How much training does one need to bring a tray to a guest’s room? It is a pretty view from here. I can see my father’s bakery.’
‘Shall we return to your interest in my journeyings?’
‘Oh, I am not interested in where you go. It is just that you will be travelling with Harad. He is not as fierce as he appears. Best to remember that. He is, in fact, quite shy.’
‘Not the first adjective that would spring to mind,’ he said. ‘Surly, perhaps. Discourteous. Cool. But, yes, shy would account for them. Why does it concern you?’
‘Harad is my. . friend. I wouldn’t want him to get into trouble with the lord. Is it true you are his nephew?’
‘Is that so surprising?’
‘No,’ she said, moving back past him. ‘There are many rumours about you. Some say you are a new form of Jiamad.’
‘And what animal do they say I am melded with?’
‘Perhaps it is a panther,’ she suggested. ‘You have a certain catlike grace.’
‘You should go now,’ he said. ‘I have much to do, and, fascinating as this conversation is, it does not seem to be going anywhere.’
‘Be a little gentle with Harad,’ she said. ‘He is a fine man.’
‘I shall bear it in mind. However, I know Harad better than you think. Be at ease, Charis. We will walk the mountains and then return.’
When she had gone Skilgannon picked up the papers and began reading once more. Towards dusk Landis Kan entered the room. He did not knock, and his face was flushed and angry.
‘Is this how you repay me?’ he thundered. ‘Breaking open my study, and stealing my papers?’
Skilgannon rose smoothly. ‘Do not bluster,’ he said softly. ‘You are not a man of violence. Do not pretend to be one. And I owe you nothing. Did I ask you to hunt my bones and collect my skin? Did I request you to copy my tattoos? We will begin anew, Landis Kan. No more evasions. No more games.
Why did you take the bones from my locket?’
Landis Kan’s shoulders sagged. ‘You mind if I sit down?’ he asked.
‘Not at all.’
The lord slumped into a chair. ‘Back in Diranan I had access to a great many of the artefacts of the Elders. I had learned how to use them, to create exceptional Jiamads, and to. . to ensure the success of any rebirth. Here I have few. You were too important to risk. So before I attempted to bring you back I took the bones from your locket and Harad was the eventual result. Was he your brother, your father. .
something else?’
‘He was my friend, Landis. He was a great man.’
Landis Kan brightened. ‘Another hero from the past? Who? Who was he?’
‘To use your own words, Landis, let us take matters carefully. Trust me. When the time is right I might tell you. Why is it that his memories never returned?’
‘There was no way we could bring his soul back from the Void. We did not know who he was. If you tell us, perhaps we can restore the man you knew.’
‘No. My friend does not wander the Void. He passed beyond it. His deeds would have ensured him a place in the Hall of Heroes, or paradise. . or whatever exists beyond the gateway.’ He smiled ruefully.
‘And even if you could find his spirit he would not return. He would ask: “What will become of Harad?”
No, Landis, he will not return, though it would lift my heart immeasurably were it to happen. I liked him better than any man I ever met.’
‘You are sure? Gamal could search for him.’
‘I am sure. Why do you want me to travel the mountains with Harad?’
‘It was Gamal’s idea. He felt you needed time away, to consider your actions. He thought also — as do I — that the company of someone familiar to you would help you link more strongly to the memories of your previous existence.’
‘He was right about one thing,’ said Skilgannon coldly. ‘It will be good to be away from here for a while. Did your guests arrive?’
‘Aye, you will see them at dinner this evening. There are two, Unwallis and Decado. The first is an adviser to the Eternal. He is sharp and observant, with a brain that is cunning and subtle. Not an easy man to read, and a difficult one to fool. I did have a nephew called Callan. He ran a farm near Usa, in the lands you would have known as Ventria. It was close to the ocean. He died last year. His ship was lost in a storm. Should he ask you about this you can say you survived by clinging to a piece of driftwood.
Whatever you choose. Best though to say little.’
‘And Decado?’
Landis took a deep breath. ‘No more evasion, you said. So be it. Decado is a failed Reborn, like Harad. The Eternal had his bones brought back from a tomb on an old battle site. The original Decado was the leader of a group of warrior priests called the Temple of the Thirty. He was known, in his day, as the Ice Killer, a ferocious and deadly swordsman — possibly the greatest of his time.’
‘I sense there is more,’ said Skilgannon.
‘Indeed there is.’ He sighed. ‘I had a long conversation with Gamal this morning. He knows far more about you than I realized. For reasons best known to himself he did not share this knowledge with me until now.’ He glanced up at Skilgannon. ‘According to Gamal the original Decado was your direct descendant.’
‘More myths, Landis. I had no children.’
‘Gamal told me that a woman called Garianne bore you a son. He was born in the temple of the Blessed Priestess eight months after your battle with a villain. . I don’t recall his name.’
‘It was Boranius.’
‘Yes, I remember now. Anyway, your blood line was strong and true — a line of warriors. On the instruction of the priestess, Garianne continued the tradition of your house, Skilgannon. The first male child was called Decado, and his first son was Olek, then Decado, and so on. Gamal knew only the outline of the story. History tells us nothing of Garianne and her life, her thoughts or her dreams.