‘Do you know,’ Seel said, his eyes narrow, ‘I get sick to death of having to be nice, gentle, compliant Seel. Sometimes, I just want to be the absolute bitch I really am. I’m sick of pretending.’
‘You are not a bitch,’ Swift said. ‘You’re the same as anyhar else: some things bring out the worst in you.’
‘Yeah, like the har you love so much, the archangel Cal. I sometimes wonder: what is the point of having any relationships, because at the end of the day, we are all obsessed with that bastard. All of us. We are all his chesnari, helpless, pathetic and sick. You are probably the worst of us, because you’re always so damn nice!’
Swift’s eyes looked completely black, in the way that Cobweb’s did when he was so angry he could unmake the universe with a glance. ‘Fine. Go then. Go to Immanion. I hope it makes you feel better.’ With these words, he marched out of the room and slammed the door so hard all the pictures shook on the walls.
Seel threw himself on the bed. He wanted to go to Flick and unlock the door that constrained him. He wanted to unsay the words he’d said to Flick, undo the past. He wanted to go back in time, take Flick by the arms and say, ‘You’re not going to leave Saltrock. I won’t let you go, because I love you.’ That would have changed everything and he might never have met Swift, and that wasn’t what he wanted either. They shouldn’t have argued tonight. Seel didn’t mean the harsh words, not really. What obsessed him, more than Cal himself, was exactly why he had killed Orien. Seel wanted to know what Cal might have said to Flick on that terrible night, and whether there was any justification in it. However hard Seel might be on himself for his lapses, the real reason he was looking for some kind of light in Cal was because he wondered if, somehow and in some way, Cal could be redeemed. Seel knew he should have questioned Cal, in a reasonable and controlled manner, when he’d had the chance in Imbrilim, but instead he’d just fired dart after poisoned dart into Cal, while he was weak and helpless. Lies, terrible lies. What kind of friend am I to Pell, really? Seel thought. He knew that if Pell ever found out about Seel’s meeting with Cal, it would ruin their friendship.
Seel had private motives in wanting to question Flick, but he also wanted to take Flick to the Tigron. Whenever Pellaz was good to him, Seel felt guilty about the things he’d said to Cal. He couldn’t change that, but he wanted Pellaz to be pleased to see a familiar face from the past. Since Cal had been taken from Imbrilim, Thiede had hidden him away. He was unreachable. What Thiede’s plans were for him, nohar knew, but Seel was sure they didn’t include a reunion with Pellaz.
Seel’s heart was full of love: for Pellaz, for Swift, for Flick. So many mistakes.
Because Swift and Seel had gone upstairs to argue almost immediately after Flick had been escorted from the room, they did not know how events had turned out downstairs.
Ulaume was standing near the fire, still talking with Tel-an-Kaa, when a Parsic guard came up to him and said, ‘You’re to come with me, tiahaar.’
‘Why?’ Ulaume asked.
‘You must leave the premises.’
‘What? Where’s Flick?’
The Parsic took hold of Ulaume’s arm. ‘Please don’t make a fuss. Come this way.’
There might have been an almighty and unseemly struggle, but at that point Cobweb suddenly appeared, as if from nowhere, and said, ‘Take your hands off that har at once, Oriel. What is going on?’
The guard bowed. ‘Seel has ordered that the Kakkahaar is to be escorted from the estate.’
‘Kakkahaar?’ said Cobweb lightly.
‘Yes,’ Ulaume said. ‘And no. I lived with them for a while.’
‘I see,’ Cobweb said and then addressed the guard. ‘Well, Ulaume is also a guest of mine and I will countenance no such thing as him being removed in this manner.’ He waved a hand at the guard. ‘Off you go. The matter is in my hands now, and if you are questioned, this is what you will say.’
The guard backed off, still bowing. ‘Of course, tiahaar.’
‘Thanks,’ Ulaume said. ‘I think I should find Flick and leave anyway.’
‘You can’t,’ Cobweb said. ‘Seel has locked him in a room upstairs.’
‘What?’ Ulaume cried.
‘Hush,’ Cobweb said. ‘Don’t attract attention.’ He inclined his head to Tel-an-Kaa. ‘My lady, would you care to join us for a walk in the gardens?’
‘A delight,’ said Tel-an-Kaa.
Outside, it was now bitterly cold and a moaning wind had started up, which shook the cedars and screamed around the peaked roofs of the house. Cobweb was muffled in a big fur coat and had lent one to Ulaume also. Tel-an-Kaa was wrapped only in her shawl, but didn’t appear affected by the temperature. They walked quickly to the lake, where there was an old summerhouse. Inside, it was derelict, but at least it offered shelter from the wind. Cobweb had brought a lamp with him and now he lit it, setting it on the edge of a dry pool that was choked with weeds.
‘It is my thought,’ said Cobweb, ‘that you must leave here at once.’
‘I can’t leave without Flick,’ Ulaume said. ‘Why has Seel locked him up?’
‘He wishes to take him to Pellaz,’ Cobweb said, ‘and Flick is resisting. Anyway, you don’t have to leave without him. I have already made arrangements for his release, once things have quietened down in the house.’
‘You work quickly.’
‘The best way.’
‘I never noticed a thing.’
Cobweb smiled. ‘Nothing that happens in Forever escapes my notice. I am as much a part of the house as its bricks and beams. It speaks to me. However, that aside, it’s likely Seel will send hara after you. You cannot escape by boat. I will provide horses.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Ulaume said. ‘Why are you doing this?’
‘The Kakkahaar once had close associations with the Varrs,’ said Cobweb. ‘Did you know that?’
‘Not really. I’m not Kakkahaar, I’m Colurastes. I merely lived with the Kakkahaar.’
‘Whatever. They helped us once, so now I help you. Also, Thiede has collected enough captives for now. He has Cal and there’s no sign he’ll ever release him.’ He paused. ‘You must understand that Pell is a dear friend of mine. He has been through enough, in my opinion, and I can’t see that Seel’s plan will do anything to make things better.’
‘Have you seen him recently?’ Ulaume asked. ‘Since… since he came back?’
Cobweb nodded thoughtfully. ‘Yes, as often as I can. He has learned to become a great actor, but inside he is still the Pell I knew. He saved my life once, and I will never forget it.’
‘Seel told me Pell has…’ Ulaume made an anguished sound. ‘He has no liking for me, and yet, I feel I am connected to him in some way. It’s hard to explain.’
Cobweb smiled. ‘Hara like you and I, Ulaume, we are often misunderstood, often feared. I wish we had more time to talk, because I think we’d find we have much in common. You must know that Pell is a great figure among Wraeththukind now, and hara jostle for his attention. There are many knives concealed behind smiles, many plans to trample over rivals and competitors. The Pell you knew may well have thought ill of you, because he was naïve and often misguided. He is older now and in many ways, much changed. He has done cruel things, as you have done cruel things. I wouldn’t listen too much to what other hara say. One day, you might be able to find out for yourself exactly what Pell thinks.’
Ulaume grimaced. ‘I doubt that. It seems to be becoming a less and less likely prospect.’
‘You never know,’ Cobweb said. ‘One day, I will tell him I’ve seen you. Not yet. First, we have to get you away safely, with Flick, and let the dust settle. If Seel succeeds in getting Flick to Immanion, Thiede would most likely intercept his plans and carry Flick off to some hidden corner of the city before Pell ever gets to see him. These things happen. The time of Pell’s inception was a nexus point and it’s still an etheric vortex. Anyhar associated with it has to be in Thiede’s clutches, as Seel is. It amuses me to thwart h
is plans now and again.’
‘Are you putting yourself in danger?’
‘No. I’m not afraid of anyhar, not even Thiede, and he knows enough about me to respect me.’
‘What about Swift? Will he back Seel’s attempt to pursue us?’
‘Swift, my beloved son and a great leader, is in many ways still an innocent,’ said Cobweb. ‘He fits comfortably around Seel’s little finger on many occasions.’
‘I have a suggestion,’ said Tel-an-Kaa, speaking for the first time.
‘Yes?’ Cobweb said.
‘Ulaume and Flick can travel with me. I can take them to a safe place, if you can provide an escort through Parsic territory.’
‘That sounds a good idea,’ said Cobweb. He turned back to Ulaume. ‘You have other companions, yes?’
‘We do,’ said Ulaume. ‘They went to a party in town, but I expect they’re back at the boat by now.’
‘Find them and go to the old oak on the east side of town.’ He turned to Tel-an-Kaa. ‘You know this place?’
‘Yes. I can take them there.’
‘Good. Wait in the shadow of the tree and Flick will be brought to you, with horses. How many, my lady?’
‘Five. I’ll take none of my people with us.’
‘That’s settled then. Go at once.’ Cobweb shivered. ‘There are wolves in the wind. A fell time.’ He stood up and left the summerhouse, lost almost immediately in the screaming elements.
‘Come,’ said Tel-an-Kaa, taking up the lamp. ‘There are many currents mixing and roiling this night, and Lileem has been hidden among them. This is good. Let us go to her.’
‘One thing,’ Ulaume said. ‘Thiede is all powerful, right?’
‘Very powerful,’ said Tel-an-Kaa.
‘If he wants all these hara under his control, why hasn’t he come for Flick before?’
Tel-an-Kaa pulled a face, rocked her head from side to side a few times. ‘Mmm, well, let us say that there are other powerful influences in the world that pay just as much attention to events as Thiede does. Those powers can hide things from him sometimes. If he knew of Lileem, for example, he’d want her very much, but he doesn’t, so that’s good. Come on. Let’s not waste time.’
As Ulaume had anticipated, Mima and Lileem were already back at ‘Esmeraldarine’. Lileem was quite drunk and was dancing around on deck, being buffeted by the winds. Ulaume jumped aboard and Lileem threw herself upon him, hiccupping. Tel-an-Kaa stood on the bank, watching.
‘Settle down,’ Ulaume said to Lileem, unwrapping her arms from around his neck. ‘Where is Mima?’
‘Below deck,’ Lileem said. ‘She’s moody and has sat with a black face all night. I had a good time, a very good time.’
‘Gather up some clothes,’ Ulaume said. ‘We have to abandon Ezzie.’
‘What?’ Lileem stood swaying before him. ‘Why?’
‘I’ll explain later. Sober up, Lee. We’re in trouble.’ He hurried below deck and could hear Lileem stumbling after him. Mima was lying on the bunk in her cabin and he shook her, thinking she was asleep. But she raised her head at once and wiped her face. She’d been crying. ‘We’re leaving,’ Ulaume said. ‘There’s trouble. I’ve met a human who will help us. Get some stuff together. I don’t think we’ll be coming back.’
Mima just stared at him. ‘Pell?’
‘No. I can’t explain now. Help me get Flick’s stuff too.’
She sat up. ‘OK.’
Lileem found it difficult to gather her belongings. She couldn’t decide what to keep and what to take. In her drunken state, she couldn’t think too much about what might have happened. She trusted Ulaume and if he said they must go, then they would. But where was Flick? If something bad had happened to him, she was sure she’d feel it, but maybe she was too drunk to notice.
With a bulging bag, from which the arms of garments dangled, Lileem went back on deck. She saw the tall silent figure standing on the bank. ‘Hello,’ she said.
‘Lileem.’
It was a woman, or appeared to be. But maybe…? ‘Are you like me?’ Lileem said. She staggered over to the side of the boat, wondered if she could get ashore without falling in the water.
‘I am here for you,’ said the woman. ‘I am Tel-an-Kaa.’
‘Are you my voices?’
‘One of them.’
‘Great.’ Lileem jumped awkwardly onto the bank and Tel-an-Kaa steadied her. ‘They won’t make my head ache any more, then?’ Lileem asked in a slurred tone. ‘The voices, I mean? Not if you’re here.’
‘No, your head won’t ache. We will go east, for I have wonders to show you.’
‘All of us?’
‘Yes, all of you. You and your guardians.’
Chapter Twenty Five
As if being locked up against his will wasn’t bad enough, Flick found the room he was staying in very oppressive. It was furnished tastefully, and was very comfortable in a physical sense, but there were undercurrents. Flick had to pace around, sure that if he stood still or lay down, something would fold out of the air before him that would send him mad.
The Uigenna had once confined him, and they were supposedly the worst of Wraeththukind, but now the supposed best had done the same thing. Flick did not want to be important to others like this. He just wanted a small comfortable life. The thought of not seeing his companions again was too painful to contemplate. He could only hope, if he was forced to go to Immanion, that he could appeal to the new Pellaz for help. Unfortunately, the only image of Pellaz he could conjure in his mind was of a stern autocratic bully. The har who’d raced with him beside the soda lakes, laughing and horsing around, just wouldn’t come back. That particular har could never have become a king.
Gradually, the sounds in the house faded away as the last of the guests left the premises. Lights were extinguished in the trees outside and Flick could hear the savage wind tearing at the eaves outside his window. He couldn’t sleep, although he felt exhausted. He wondered whether Seel would come to him, but as the night wore on, it was clear that wouldn’t happen. But in the dead hours between night and dawn, he heard the sound of the lock being turned and the door to the room opened.
Flick froze. Was he to be taken away now? A young har came into the room, and he saw that it was Tyson, Cal’s son. Tyson put a finger to his lips and gestured for Flick to follow him. Quickly, sensing this was nothing to do with Seel, Flick complied. He went out into the corridor, his flesh tense against his bones, but there was nohar else there. Following Tyson, he crept towards the stairs. The hall below looked enormous, and a few of the staff were still passing back and forth through it, clearing up after the party. Tyson paused, peering over the banisters. ‘Another way,’ he murmured. ‘Come.’
Flick followed him deep into the heart of the house, a heart so dynamic and present, he was sure he could hear it beating. He sensed that many important things had taken place within these walls. Cal had lived here. How he wished he could hear the story of that time.
Tyson led them to narrow, dimlit corridors, probably the territory of servants, for there was no carpet underfoot. ‘Where are you taking me?’ Flick asked, presuming it was now safe to talk.
‘To your friends,’ Tyson said. ‘Cobweb has arranged it.’
Flick didn’t ask why. He was grateful enough not to question Cobweb’s motives.
Eventually, they descended some perilous twisting stairs, and emerged into a small yard at the side of the house. This was not the main stable yard, but an area where, in good weather, laundry was hung out to dry. A mandala of lines, which vibrated in the wind, crossed it overhead. There were seats and tables near the wall of the house and Flick imagined that in summertime the househara would sit out here to eat their lunch.
The yard was empty, but for the spirits that rode the wind.
Flick shivered. He hadn’t got his coat. ‘Thanks,’ he said to Tyson.
Tyson just nodded gravely. He clearly didn’t think thanks were necessary. After a moment, he said, ‘Yo
u knew my hostling.’
‘Yes,’ Flick said. ‘A long time ago.’
‘I can’t remember him,’ said Tyson. ‘The Gelaming took him from us.’
‘I know,’ Flick said. ‘I’m sorry.’ The circumstance of offering sympathy to a harling of Cal’s under these conditions was absolutely surreal. He couldn’t imagine Cal as a parent.
‘My father is dead,’ said Tyson. ‘The Gelaming killed him.’
‘I know.’
‘I wish I could come with you,’ Tyson said. ‘I hate this place. I want to travel, like my hostling did. I want to be free.’
‘Well,’ said Flick awkwardly, ‘when you’re older you can do what you like.’
Tyson sneered. ‘Don’t be stupid. You need powerful friends. If you didn’t have them, you’d still be locked up in that room.’
Flick considered for a moment. ‘Your hostling, Cal, he leads a troubled life, Tyson. There are many different ways to live. His is not the best.’
‘You hate him, like everyhar else does,’ Tyson said with contempt. ‘Hara hate him because he doesn’t come to heel. Swift told me that.’
‘I don’t hate him,’ Flick said. ‘Not any more. Hara tried to use him, but they picked the wrong har. It ended up very badly.’
Tyson nodded glumly and Flick wished that circumstances were different, that he was here for other reasons, that there was no Seel, and that he could spend some time with this troubled soul to try and spread a little balm on his hurts. It was clear that, like Cal, he was full of heat and resentments. Flick’s instinct was to nurture and help. He couldn’t bear to think of Tyson living here every day being punished because of who had given him life. But maybe Tyson, like Cal, only punished himself, and others were helpless outside that nest of pain. The main difference between hostling and son could be that it was not too late to help Tyson, not too late to guide him onto a firm path.
These bleak considerations were curtailed by the arrival of two shadowy figures in the yard. Tyson peered into the dark. ‘They’re here. You have to go.’