CHAPTER SIX
Destiny of the Pearl Barbarism thrives; such habits
Are frozen in time.
Perversity swallows up the world,
Goodwill to the mirror of crime.
Seel and I spent two glorious days alone together and then, feeling thoroughly rested and exhausted at the same time, bid farewell to the small, gray pavilion where we had worked our magic. In response to an unspoken agreement, I moved that day into Seel's pavilion. From being utter strangers, we had become chesna, as close as Wraeththu can get, in the space of two days. It is something that has never changed, nor ever will.
As I was unpacking my rather small amount of belongings into a chest in Seel's bedroom, Arahal came to request my presence at the pavilion of the Hegemony. "You too, Seel," he said. "I hope you've made the most of your holiday, for it's over for all of us now."
All the high-ranking Gelaming were there, seated around the large table in the main chamber. Seel and I were the last to arrive. I was overpowered by uncontrollable pride as we took our places together near Ashmael at the head of the table. All of them knew that the splendid creature that is Seel was mine, and I his. Whatever Gelaming like to call it, I felt we were in love and knew that the radiance such feelings gave us were apparent to everyone.
Ashmael addressed me. "Well, Swift, it is nearly time to get things moving. The crystal has been constructed and you and Seel have made the power to fire it. Soon, we shall have to travel north and sort this godforsaken country out once and for all." He smiled around the table. "Now, for the benefit of those of you who haven't been present at all the meetings we've held on the subject, Cedony will bring you up to date on our position." He leaned back and gestured to Cedony, who was seated on his right side. Cedony stood up, trying to shuffle a rather unruly mound of notes into a single pile.
"Central and north Megalithica have been thoroughly surveyed, as I'm sure you all know," he began. "Our findings show that the majority of Wraeththu settlements have fallen under Varrish rule, or Varrish tyranny, which might be a more accurate way of putting it. Those who have maintained their independence are tribes who either have some kind of trading agreement with the Varrs, or those whom Ponclast views as irrelevant,whose property will not add to the Varrs' wealth and power. We have been rightly disturbed by the small amount of time it has taken Ponclast to establish his empire in Megalithica. It is known that he subjugates through fear, of course, and Varrish callous brutality is legendary, but it was always thought that the Varrs had turned away from the path, either black or white, and for the most part abandoned their natural abilities. Now, we understand that this is not entirely the case. While Ponclast has never encouraged development among his lower castes, he has certainly nurtured occult powers within himself and among his generals. He has created an elite company of dangerous, murderous maniacs, of whom Ponclast's ally, Terzian, is, of course, most notorious."
Beneath the table, Seel reached for my hand. Through mind touch I asked him, "Does it show then, my distress?" "No," he answered soothingly. "Only to me."
As if aware of our conversation, Cedony turned to me. "We appreciate some of what must be said may cause you discomfort, Swift," he said. "Terzian is, of course, your father, but not all the company here have all the facts about him. We beg your forebearance over this matter." I shook my head. "It's alright. Please continue." Cedony put his papers down on the table. "In the extreme north lies Ponclast's citadel of Fulminir. It is a place feared and dreaded by both humans and hara in that part of the world. It was here that Ponclast and Terzian committed some of their worst atrocities. The Hegemony is aware that there are those among you who feel that the Gelaming should not seek dominion over the Varrs, that this is merely substituting one kind of tyranny for another. There are those of you who feel that some kind of arrangement suitable to both sides should be suggested to the Varrs, that whatever we feel about Varrish culture, to a certain extent we have no right to interfere. It is said that now the Varrs control most of Megalithica, the time for bloodshed and fighting is over and we should let the continent settle down on its own. What I am about to divulge may change your minds.
"The Varrs, or more accurately the Varrish government, will never lose their thirst for blood. We know this because we have learned that the Path they have chosen is involved with occult practices of the most black and evil type. From surviving victims, we have discovered that the Varrish elite feast upon the flesh of their own kind, the most prized vintages in their wine cellars being barrels of Wraeththu blood. They must have started these practices using human stock, I would imagine, but eventually discovered that much greater powers can be gained from consuming the flesh
of hara. Another of their cheerful little pastimes is ritual pelki, usually simultaneously with the slow death through poison of the victim. What we are dealing with here, Tiahaara, is not Wraeththu of a more basic culture than our own, but demonic, heartless beasts who have tasted blood and will want more. Now is not the time for me to go into more detail about other crimes we know are regularly committed in Fulminir (there is a whole file the evidence we have gathered), but I must urge you all not to vote Thiede's design to thoroughly cleanse Megalithica of any trace of Ponclast and his acolytes. The name of the Varrs must be expunged from the memory of Wraeththu!"
Cedony sat down again heavily and for a moment or two there was silence in the room. I felt dizzy, as if Terzian himself had stood there and confessed his crimes. Then someone from the lower end of the table stood up.
"You have spoken well, Tiahaar Cedony. Later, I would like to examine the file you speak of, but for now, I'm sure I speak for all who you implied were prepared to argue against the Hegemony's plans, when I say that we defer our privilege to speak out. Please tell us Thiede's intentions . . ."
Cedony looked to Ashmael and Ashmael nodded.
"My turn to speak, I suppose," he said wryly, but did not stand up. "We propose that a force of five centuries be sent to Galhea, which was previously Terzian's base and now left for the most part undefended, and establish a Gelaming base there. From that point we can launch our assault on Fulminir. Once Ponclast is subdued, we should have little trouble with the rest of the Varrs; he is their driving force and our main problem."
"And what of Terzian?" someone asked, who was obviously unaware of developments in that area. "Does Thiede have him or not? Where does he lit into this plan?"
"Terzian is no longer part of Megalithica's future," Ashmael said coldly. He would not look at me. "Are there any more questions?"
"Yes," I said coolly.
Ashmael slid his glance over me warily. "Swift?"
"There is something that hasn't been mentioned yet. The Varrish allies, the Kakkahaar. What do you propose to do about them?"
Ashmael looked surprised, then horribly sympathetic. "The Kakkahaar have already been dealt with, Swift," he said.
I squirmed with embarrassment. "I see. I didn't know . . ."
Chrysm rescued me gallantly. "When we first set foot in Megalithica, Thiede requested a meeting with Kakkahaar representatives. He made a deal with them. It is well known that they too are interested in the darker side of the occult, and perhaps under normal circumstances the Gelaming would have been as anxious to disband their tribe as they are the Varrs, but Thiede decided that in return for certain favors, he would grant them autonomy and a seat on the Council of United Tribes in Immanion. He did stress that the taking of life was still an offense in the eyes of God and har, and that any Kakkahaar convicted of such a crime would still pay the penalty, but that if their leader Lianvis was prepared to try to curb the Kakkahaar's more beastly activities, he would overlook past crimes. Thiede and Lianvis have a certain respect for each other. We cannot allow the Kakkahaar's darker practices to continue without making even a perfunctory attempt to curtail them; we cannot, under any circumstances, be seen to approve, but of course we suspect that it is something we couldnever have complete control over. However, Lianvis is aware of
Thiede's power and he won't want to put the future of his tribe in jeopardy—"
"And what were the 'certain favors' that Thiede requested from them?" I butted in, fiercely. I had no right to be angry now, of course; I had forsaken my tribe, but betrayal still cuts deep.
"To appear to form an alliance with the Varrs, of course," Ashmael put in smoothly. "How else do you think we got so much information?"
"So Terzian was right," I said softly.
There was a mumble of voices around the table and a small amount of shuffling. My anger discomforted them. Wasn't I supposed to be Gelaming now?
"I met some of the Kakkahaar," I said. "I did not like them. I was younger then; they frightened me."
"Not an unhealthy attitude for a sensible harling!" Ashmael said cheerfully. "Anyway, those of you whom we would like to travel north to Galhea' will be informed over the next couple of days. You may warn your hara. It is safer to believe that Ponclast will know we are planning to make a move. Security must be increased around Imbrilim. Cedony, I believe that's your department; I shall leave the preparation to you. Now, I think this is a good time to pause and refresh ourselves, don't you? Velaxis! Wine and a sumptuous repast are in order, I believe."
As we ate, I said to Ashmael, "Are you afraid of Ponclast then?" He looked at me sideways.
"Don't underestimate him, Swift. He could damage us quite badly. That is why we needed the elixir that was produced during your Grissecon with Seel."
"Can I see the crystal?" I asked.
"Of course, but not yet," he answered.
Talks went on until well into the evening. It was mostly about small details for the journey north. Not much was said about what we'd do when we got there. I was in a daze. I remember saying to Seel, "My God. I'm going home. I've just realized; I'm going home! Will they have been told there?"
Seel shrugged. "You'd better ask Ashmael that. I would have thought so, though. It might cause problems having large numbers of Gelaming appearing from nowhere. When Ash spoke of Galhea being mostly undefended, I think he was probably exaggerating. What do you think?"
"He was. There are enough of the Varrish army still there to look after the place. I presume Ithiel is still in charge. If I were Ashmael, I would try to get in touch with him. He's quite rational!"
"Actually, Swift, we shall be leaving that up to you," Ashmael interjected, having been eavesdropping on our conversation. "But we shall leave that until we get there. You are our protection, my dear!"
We laughed together. A kind of excitement was building up.
"We shall probably keep quiet in Galhea for a couple of months," Ashmael continued. "Because, of course, Seel shall be with us and due to spawn at that time. An important event, as Thiede has impressed upon us."
"There speaks the smug face of someone who does not carry a pearl!" I said caustically. "Ashmael, sometimes you disgust me." That night, lying awake in Seel's arms I pondered aloud on what it would be like to return to Forever.
"I am Gelaming now," I said. "How will Cobweb react?"
"I should think he will just be glad that you are alive," Seel replied. "Oh, I don't know. To a Varr, being dead is better than being Gelaming."
"I'm looking forward to seeing Galhea, Swift. Don't let premature worrying ruin that feeling for you. I know how much you love Forever, and Cobweb and all the others. Just think about seeing them again after so long. I'm sure everything will be alright."
I was grateful for his optimism, but not convinced.
Cedony and Chrysm were going to remain in Imbrilim, but Arahal and Ashmael would travel north. As part of the preparation for the journey, Arahal taught me something about the nature of Gelaming horses. I had always thought them unearthly and had not been surprised when I learned that they had the ability to travel through time and space in a completely different way to any that I'd imagined. I had always been nervous of trying to ride one in that way myself, but now Arahal told me that I'd have to learn. It would be impossible for me to ride Tulga home and arrive months after everybody else. I knew that these fabulous beasts could take you out of the world we know somehow and take you flying through a mad helter-skelter of star-trails and aether. I knew that journeys of hundreds of miles could be accomplished in seconds that way. I knew that When you were brought back to solid ground again you were still drunk with the weirdness of it for hours afterwards. You can see why I was a little nervous.
The first time Arahal took me riding through the other-lanes and I found myself speaking mind to mind with a horse, it was as distant and as vivid as a dream, if you can understand what I mean by that, but disorientating because I couldn't wake up. It made my jaw ache. Arahal laughed at me. His hair still sparkled with static dust when we came back to earth again. I was sitting on a horse that was all white and glowing and prancing. Arahal said, "She is yours now, Swift." Her name is Afnina; I still have her. No har less than Ulani can travel in that way. It demands severe control of the mind to achieve it, and to lose that control in mid-flight would mean disaster. The horse could lose you in the vastness of infinity and it would be virtually impossible for anyone to find you again. Arahal didn't tell me this until after we'd reached solid ground. I was grateful for that.
Seel was worried about the journey, for he thought traveling in the other-lanes might damage the pearl within him. Ashmael said he thought Seel was being overcautious, but he communicated with Immanion to put our minds at rest.
"Why hasn't Pell ever come?" I asked, as we waited for an answer.
"Think you're that important, Swiftling?" Ashmael snapped, jovially
"No, not me, but Cal was with me."
"He's not with you now, though!"
This was true, of course, but I still felt disappointed that Pellaz hadn't tried to contact me again. Even Seel hadn't seen him in any shape or form for some time. I wondered if this might have something to do with Cal, but shrank from discussing it with Seel. He was becoming edgy and restless and I knew that mention of Cal disturbed him. I would hold him in my arms at night, still incredulous that I could do that, and put my hand across his lean, hard belly. "No womanish swelling!" he would say uneasily and tried to hide his pain if I prodded him too sharply. "Where is it? What is it doing?" he once asked in a panicky sort of voice.
"Just growing," I replied.
"Is it really there?" Seel mused to himself, as if he hadn't heard me. We received word from Immanion that it would be advisable for our journey to be undertaken as soon as possible, in view of Seel's condition. No-one was really sure what the other-lanes would do to unborn harlings, but Thiede had said it was safe in the early stages, and no-one cared to argue with him.
The night before we left, Seel said, "Home, Swift; this is it. I expect your family shall hate me."
"My family of two. How awesome!" I pointed out rather glumly.
"Nonsense, Swift. From what you've told me, your family in Forever is quite large. They may not be related by blood, but they are definitely family! I can't believe that I'm actually going to meet the prim and fussy Moswell, the dreamy, romantic Swithe and the melodramatic, mad beauty Cobweb."
"I believe you're mocking me, Seel!"
"No, I mean it. It will be like meeting characters out of a book, that I've read about. I can't wait!"
Seel had a feral gleam in his eye when he said that. Some mischievous part of him would welcome the havoc it would cause in my household when it was announced that a Gelaming hosted a pearl for me, especially when they saw him. I knew that Cobweb would probably loathe him from the start.
After the journey, swift as a dream, we burst onto the earth, in a spume of smoking manes and tails, onto the flower-starred fields beyond Galhea. The horses jostled against each other in excitement and I laughed at Afnina's elation. The air smelled damper here. Afnina pulled against my hands, rearing up on her hind legs so that her luxurious mane fell over my fingers.
It was another spring in the fields of Galhea. I did not really know how long I'd been gone. At
least a year; at least. Cal, Leef and I might have traveled through the Forest for months, we had no way of telling. Leef was with me again now, although still rather curt and unfriendly. I knew he had been in two minds about whether to leave Imbrilim or not; there was not that much waiting for him back home, but I had personally requested him to accompany us. I knew it would look better if two of us came home. Leef made me wait for two days before he gave me his answer, which of course had been yes. I think he'd been surprised how easily he'd adapted to the way of life in Imbrilim. It had taken him a little longer than me but now I think he was as eager to forget he'd ever been a Varr as I was.