Dark Lightning (17 page)

‘Immortality is a gift from the Gods, and is rarely given to twined spirits. You had to discover it for yourself and accept what you are without fear. Remy knew he was immortal from an early age, which is why Sair was sent to act as counsel to him.’

‘What does this mean, Sybilla; that I’ll never die?’

‘When your body dies your spirit will inhabit another form. It could be old or young. You will always be a healer.’

‘What if I want to wed and have children?’

‘Then you can. Be warned though. You’ll have to find your happiness and rewards in the best way you can, and you must learn how to hide your skills unless they are needed.’

For a moment Jynx fell silent. The future that stretched in front of her was almost too awesome to contemplate. How long was forever? How many times would she lose somebody she loved? How many children would she mourn before she moved on in her everlasting life? Did she even want to live forever, continually adjusting? Did she have any choice?

Her eyes met Sybilla’s and her mentor smiled. ‘I know your doubts too well, Jynx. There will be times of sadness, and of passion and of great joy. Then there will be times when you will be persecuted, and your body will feel pain. Then you may draw on the collective strength of the followers, and if need be, the grand Alchemist. But your spirit will never grow old ... it will just become wiser.’

‘What if I don’t want to be a healer, or to live for ever?’

‘You can’t change what you are, since you have the same genetic pattern as Tiana had, only it’s stronger.’

‘How can that be, when I was born to Yegan and Greer Colban?’

‘In the days when the world was split apart, there was chaos. The gene banks were destroyed ... except for those of the wisest leaders and the strongest troopers. They were stored in a place of safety, and only a few true-bloods know of their existence. They have been used in a way that has carried them down through their hosts for generations, sleeping until it was needed. Meditate on this, for you need to accept what you are before we take the next step.

‘Which is ...?’

Sybilla laughed. ‘You’ll just have to curb your curiosity.’

Which was probably the hardest discipline Jynx would ever have to master.

When the alert drum was sounded Cynan deserted the parade ground and made his way to the battlements. Apart from a small attachment, the new recruits were a sorry lot ... due no doubt to the desertion of many of his troopers and commanders

Penn was already there, a spyglass held to his eye. ‘The Soran trimarine has just come over the horizon. It’s hard to see, but I think they have Lady Azarine aboard. The ship’s sails are in tatters, as though she ran into a storm. They’re using the oars.’

‘The weather is unpredictable at this time of year, but I always knew they’d turn up eventually.’ Cynan’s statement was a lie. His embarrassment over what he’d thought was Azarine and Laek’s defection ran so deep that he felt the need to excuse their behavior, both to himself, and any other who’d thought he’d been made a fool of. Especially those who’d secretly gloated over it, like his brother, Penn.  

Cynan hid his relief. He shouldn’t have thought of such a thing. Azarine wouldn’t desert him. Where would she go? Nobody would take her in on pain of death. All the same, once the ship had docked and he’d counted heads, he’d have a list made of every one of the deserters. They’d be hunted down, tortured and executed – made an example of.

He drew in a deep breath. Yes ... he’d make an example of them. It had been a long time since he’d given free rein to his anger. His woman lacked aggression and he’d tried to please her in the past. But he was sick of playing the pacifier. Azarine could have sent word that she’d be delayed, using one of the carrier birds. When she finally turned up he’d give her a well-deserved and long-overdue beating. Laek could watch. That would teach everyone, including Penn and Laek that he was boss of his own household.

‘I imagine you’ll be going down to the dock to greet them.’

‘They won’t arrive until fall of night, and you imagine wrong. They should have arrived days ago. Laek can escort his mother to the manor. If I feel there is a need for a welcoming ceremony we will reenact it on the morrow.’

‘Should I send one of the other trimarines to tow the Soran into her berth?’

‘Let them row. When the marine commander makes his report he can be flogged for his bad seamanship. Only a fool would sail into a storm ‘Desii, you can yield the cat.’

Desii’s eyes gleamed. The sea commander of the Soran had taught them some navigational skills on the way to the island, and had berated Desii for plotting a course that would have taken them out to sea and into the area where there were jagged rocks and massive whirlpools. Desii had smarted under the lash of his tongue and suffered the derision of the other cadets.

Not from Laek and his friends, he had to admit, who’d patted him on the back with a show of false comradeship and sympathy. It had turned out to be more patronizing than anything because, although he’d tried hard to ingratiate himself with the group during the voyage, they’d chosen the silent and slightly mysterious Tighe over him for the group.

At the least, he’d be able to get his own back on the commander.

* * * *

The fact that Cynan wasn’t there to greet herself and Laek, signaled to Azarine that the hold she’d managed to keep him under had weakened without her constant reinforcement. Her opponent would have reverted to type, and be stronger than she’d expected. He would be puffed up with bloodlust and looking for someone to vent it on. Her heart thundered deafeningly in her chest and a pulse beat against her eardrums.

She had planned her revenge for such a long time. Now the time had come she was afraid ... not of losing her life, but of Cynan realizing that Laek was alien to him and taking his temper out on him. Cynan had pride. He’d remember she was a Karshal, and his fury at being duped would bring out his latent cruelty. She must do it quickly, before he guessed what she was about. But what if she failed to thrust in the sword? Cynan would torture them to death, her son first, so she’d suffer everything he suffered before he put her to the torture, and more.

She needed an alternative method to defeat Cynan, if she were to survive this attempt at assassination. She called to the resourceful Esbel to bring the medical chest to her side.

‘What lethal poison do we have? I need something slow acting that will give me time to use my father’s sword.

Esbel’s eyes gleamed and she selected a small black sack. ‘If you administer this as I advise, he won’t see it coming.’

Azarine reminded herself she was protected by Laek, Jon and Iago, who were totally loyal to her. If Cynan killed her first they would finish her quest.

But would Jon and Iago be loyal if they knew about their birth?

* * * *

She’d found the pair herself, twin sons of a young Karshal peasant who’d been taken to the ice and left there to perish. She and Esbel had been sledging when they’d come across her footprints, and the tracks of a pack of gibber monkeys following her, waiting for the opportunity to bring them down.

  By the time Azarine had found the woman, she’d only had enough energy left to whisper the name of the man who’d impregnated her by force before she died. The deed had been carried out not long before Azarine had been subjected to Cynan’s attention.

Although the infants with were alike, they had not been identical. Iago had been bigger than Jon, as though there had been a season between them in age, and she’d used that difference to save their lives.

Nothing Azarine did could revive their mother, for her earlier power to heal was long gone, and couldn’t be revived. She’d taken the infants home and lied to Cynan, because the opportunity to use them against him, should she need to, was irresistible. Cynan would have condemned them to death.

* * * *

She gazed at them now, her heart overflowing with a mixture of affection and guilt. They were like two pet dogs, and just as disposable if it came to it. They were loyal to Laek, and would defend him unto death. She called to them.

‘Lady Mother?’

They gazed at her, eyes filled with the affection they felt. She took their rough hands in hers and kissed each of them on the cheek as she lied, ‘I’ve always regarded you as my sons, and have been grateful for your support of Laek.’

‘I speak for us both when I say that Laek is like true kin to us. We will not let him down ... or you. Lady Mother.’

 ‘Thank you Jon. Whatever happens today, you need to remember first and foremost that I’m proud of you both. And second ... Lord Cynan is mine, and must die by my hand alone.’

Iago’s expression reflected his worry. ‘Killing Cynan is not a task for a woman.’

‘Yet I must kill him, for I swore to on the blood of my family at the time of their slaughter. He will not be expecting it from me.’

‘There’s another of your family more fitted to the task. The Falcon.’

‘The Falcon must take back Karshal as his own, and he must do it before Servish gets wind of it and reunites with Cynan. The pair of them are two of a kind.’

The trimarine floated against the quay, and one of the troopers tied her to the shore. The elite of the troopers; true-bloods every one, lined up on the quayside.

There was no reception, which augured ill. It meant that Cynan was angry and suspicious. He would feel slighted by their late arrival and her appearance on the ship, especially after she left the city without his permission. Azarine waited until darkness fell, then whistled. Soon the sky was filled with troopers astride landflights.

Cynan’s troopers were spread thin, with just a few on the battlements. They were relaxed, not expecting an attack. Azarine took her place at the head of the column, a small slim figure flanked by Laek, Jon and Iago. They began to March towards the manor, while the landflights flew silently to the battlements.

* * * *

Cynan couldn’t see much, for darkness had fallen, and although the moon dodged in and out of the cloud streamers it was in the dimmest of its stages. The town below him showed little light, and there were very few people in the taverns.

The air was full of expectancy for by not being at the quay Cynan had displayed his displeasure as well as exercising his power. The Karshal princess would come before him, humbled and apologetic. He grinned, for he felt strong, and master of his own decisions without Yegan constantly advising him.

He left the battlements, Desii in tow, and went to his chamber to wait. After a while Penn joined him, his face wearing a sly smile. ‘They are at the outer gates. Shall I call out the troopers to form an avenue of honor?’

‘There will be no avenue of honor. Send the troopers to the barracks as a sign of my displeasure. I will address the late comers tomorrow.’

‘And Laek and his companions?’

‘Bid them to wait in the banqueting hall.’

Penn’s smile widened. ‘What about your woman?’

Cynan had no intention of losing any more dignity in front of his brother. ‘Lady Azarine can wait on my pleasure too.’ Though he wouldn’t keep her waiting for long, he thought.

The contingent of troopers was orderly as it made its way up through the outer walls. Cynan noted with pleasure that they marched as one with not a step out of place. There was silence when Penn went out, and ordered the troopers to disperse to the barracks.

The new contingent of troopers began to mark time on the spot, their boots stamping in unison. What in Bane’s name were they up to?

Penn returned, his face red and contorted with anger. ‘They refuse to obey any orders, and they are wearing another’s insignia.’

Cynan shot to his feet. ‘Do they hold my lady and my son hostage?’

‘Your lady seems to be leading them, and Laek and his companions are protecting her. I told you not to keep the Karshal woman. I also told you she’d enchanted you. You wouldn’t listen. You must name me as your successor, Cynan.’

‘My son is my successor,’ Cynan said flatly.

 ‘He has too much Karshal blood in him to be trusted. My two sons would never betray you.’

‘Neither would mine? Why should he when he can have everything I’ve got without lifting a finger? You’ve always been envious of Laek, and so have they.’

‘I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Azarine had turned Laek’s mind. Now she is leading him against you.’

‘Against her husband; the man who fathered her son? I doubt it. She has devised a theatrical show for my amusement.’ He smiled a little sadly. ‘I know I took her by force. But I’ve never regretted it, and I grew to love her as she has loved me for all these years.’

Penn snorted. ‘Love weakens a man. How can you be sure you’re his father when Laek is Karshal through and through?’

The noise of the stamping feet grew louder and Penn raised his voice. ‘His companions resemble you more than Laek does ... that pair of rejects Azarine found on the ice ... Jon and Iago.’

 Cynan backhanded Penn for voicing what he’d always thought. But there had been so many conquests before he’d settled down with Azarine, how was he to know how many he’d fathered? And although he felt like laughing at the suggestion that Azarine might be leading his own troops in a revolt against him, he did borrow from Penn’s caution.

 ‘Shut your mouth, Penn. Go out through the back way and raise the troopers from their barracks just in case. Bring your sons to me. They can prove how loyal they are by dying in my defence, if need be. When they’re assembled I’ll invite my lady and her escort in and see what they have to say for themselves.’

The stamping became louder and faster and the floor began to shake.

Then it stopped.

The sudden silence was unnerving.

Desii drew his sword as the door slowly swung open. Beyond it, a pale blue mist thinned to reveal four figures. Dressed in black leather, they wore the insignia of a silver falcon.

Azarine was at the front, her slight figure dwarfed by the three men who guarded her. Her eyes were a blaze of blue and her hair tumbled down her back. Her loveliness stunned him – weakened him.