Diagoras was enjoying the conversation with Nian. They had moved from the nature of the stars and the planets to the fundamental complexities of nature. So engrossed did the Drenai officer become that he quite forgot, for a while, that Nian was under sentence of death. Jared, meanwhile, sat back, taking little part in the discussion. He watched his brother, his expression showing a mixture of admiration and sadness.
Garianne was sitting by the banks of a stream that flowed through the indoor garden. She was staring at the water as it bubbled over a bed of glistening white rocks.
Nian walked over and kissed her golden hair. ‘It is good to see you again, my friend,’ he said.
‘We are happy that you have come back,’ she told him. Nian looked over her shoulder at the stream, then walked to the edge of the water, squatting down and pushing his hand into the pool at the base of the stream. Then he rose and examined the five foot high waterfall that bubbled from the rocks by the north wall.
‘What do you find so fascinating?’ asked Diagoras, moving to join him.
‘Do you not see? Watch the waterfall.’ Diagoras did so.
‘What am I supposed to be seeing?’
‘The pink rose petals swirling on the water’s surface.’
‘What about them? They are coming from the rose bushes on the other side of the stream,’ said Diagoras, indicating the small floribunda bushes.
‘Yes, they are. How then are they also falling from the waterfall, which appears to be coming from the rock wall?’
‘Obviously there are more rose bushes above us somewhere.’
Nian shook his head. ‘I think the water just comes down the waterfall, and then is drawn back from the pool to go round again and again.
Intriguing.’
‘Water does not flow uphill, Master Nian,’ Diagoras pointed out. ‘It is impossible.’
Nian chuckled. ‘Master Diagoras, you are sitting in a temple that magic has made invisible, which is run by creatures half human and half beast, who have brought Rabalyn back from the dead, and have brought me back to the living. And you speak of the impossibility of water flowing uphill?’
Diagoras gave an embarrassed laugh. Tut that way I can only agree with you.’
Garianne rose lithely to her feet. ‘Hello, Uncle,’ she called. Diagoras saw Druss striding across the garden. The Drenai grinned.
‘Ah, that is better, Druss. Now you look like the man I knew.’ It was true. Druss’s grey eyes were sparkling and his skin glowed with health.
‘And I feel it, laddie. The water here is almost as good as Lentrian red -
and that is saying something. Have you seen Skilgannon?’
‘No. He went off with the priestess last night. I’ve not seen him since.’
‘They are making a journey of the spirit,’ said Nian. ‘It is called soaring by some. It is a feat said to have been first mastered by the Chiatze thousands of years ago. The spirit is loosed from the body and can travel vast distances. I believe Ustarte is using her powers to allow your friend Skilgannon to examine the Citadel.’
Diagoras looked doubtful. Nian laughed. ‘Truly, my friend. I would not lie to you.’
‘I believe you, laddie,’ said Druss. ‘My own wife had that talent. It is good to see you looking well.’
‘You have no idea how good it is to be myself. All I have had for these past few years are snatches of coherence, and odd memories of foolishness, or downright stupidity. It embarrasses me to think of what I became.’
‘You shouldn’t be embarrassed,’ said Druss. ‘You were a good companion, and a faithful friend. That counts for much.’
Nian smiled, and reached out to shake Druss by the hand. ‘I thank you for that,’ he said, ‘though, truth to tell, I would sooner be dead than live as I did. And, though Jared has not admitted it thus far, I fear that death is waiting for me rather sooner than I would like.’ He glanced at his twin.
‘Not so, brother?’
Jared said nothing, and looked away. Nian returned his gaze to Druss.
‘You will tell me the truth, axeman. I am a good judge of men, and you are no liar.’
Druss nodded. ‘They couldn’t remove your cancers. That is the truth of it.’
‘How long do they give me?’
‘A month. Maybe less.’
‘As I thought. Jared’s long face was proof enough. You will understand, I hope, why I will not be travelling with you on your quest? I would like to stay here. There are books in the library that are filled with wonders. I’d like to read as many of them as I can before I die.’
‘Of course,’ said Druss. ‘I wish they could have helped you, Nian. You’re a good man. You deserved better.’
‘It has always been my belief that this stage of our existence is merely the beginning of a great journey. I am saddened — and a little frightened -
to be facing the second stage so early. But I am also excited by the prospect. I wish you well, Druss. I hope you rescue the child.’
‘I usually do what I set out to do.’
‘I don’t doubt it.’ Nian turned to Diagoras and Garianne. ‘Excuse me, my friends. I have a little reading to catch up on.’
As he walked away Jared rose to follow him. Nian placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. ‘No, brother. Stay here with your friends. I need a little solitude.’ With that he left the gardens.
The following morning the travellers assembled outside the temple. The beast that was Orastes was awake now, and clambered up on the back of the wagon, staying close to Druss who was in the driving seat. Skilgannon, Diagoras and Garianne were all mounted, and the priestess Ustarte was standing beside Skilgannon’s gelding.
‘I will watch over you all,’ she said. ‘When the enemy is close I will lay a spell over you. It will confuse those who gaze upon you, in much the same way as the temple deceives the eye. I will not be able to hold the spell for more than a few minutes. But it should suffice. When you are stopped say you are travellers bound for the market town. Say you are looking for work.’
‘I thank you, lady, for all you have done for us,’ said Skilgannon.
‘It was little enough. We will meet again, I think, Olek. Perhaps then I can do more.’
As Skilgannon swung his horse the gate of the temple opened. Jared came out, leading his horse, followed closely by Nian. Diagoras rode back to them.
‘I’m glad you changed your mind, Nian,’ he said. ‘I would have missed your company.’
‘Going to Citadel,’ said Nian happily. ‘Chop up the bad people.’ Seeing that Jared had mounted, Nian scrambled onto his own mount.
Reaching out, he took hold of the sash at his brother’s belt.
Morcha had slept for no more than three hours of the last forty-eight.
Everything was falling apart. Eighteen men had deserted, and morale among those remaining was low. Boranius himself seemed unconcerned.
He spent most of his time in the roof hall, high in the Citadel, his bandaged face now permanently covered by the ornate black mask.
Morcha had tried to interest him in the scouting reports, and the slow erosion of their fighting force. Boranius just shrugged.
‘Let them all go. I care not,’ he said, his voice muffled by the mask.
This morning Morcha had found Boranius stripped to the waist and practising with his swords. He had stood and watched. The man was extraordinarily lithe, his movements lightning fast. At the rear of the hall sat the Nadir woman. On the floor before her was the Drenai child, Elanin.
She was crouched down, hugging her knees and swaying slightly, her head cocked to one side, her blue eyes staring sightlessly into the distance.
Morcha and the rest of the men had been told the child was being held for ransom. Morcha was beginning to doubt it. No message had been sent to Earl Orastes at Dros Purdol. It was mystifying.