Her strong, horsewoman’s fingers ground painfully into Tiolani’s hand. ‘However,’ she went on, ‘the past is done, and now you must put it away from you - not to forget it, never to forget the lessons you’ve learned - but so that you can seize the future. You used your power and authority to take innocent lives. Now, instead, you must save them. It’s time to grow up, Tiolani. Take responsibility for your deeds, and move on. Don’t let those whose lives you ended die in vain. Join us. Help us.’
For the first time since Ferimon’s revelations, Tiolani knew hope.
‘I will help you, Aelwen,’ she said fervently. ‘Tell me what I must do.’
Pride shone in the Horsemistress’s eyes. ‘Come downstairs,’ she said. ‘Meet the others and hear what they have to say. Then we can work out what we all must do.’
Athina looked around the table at the incongruous group that she had gathered together in her kitchen. Though it seemed a peculiar place to be discussing the fate of the world, she had decided that everyone would feel more relaxed in such homely surroundings - not that the idea seemed to be working so far. She could see that Dael, who had finally returned to the tower, was still angry and upset that she was leaving. Daniel and Kelon, who had also just arrived, distrusted the Wizards and Phaerie; everyone was suspicious of Tiolani; Iriana was still worried about Avithan; and Kelon looked as if he would like to murder Taine.
Well, putting things off wouldn’t help. Athina took a deep breath, and began. First, to make sure that everyone had all the available information, she started from the beginning, with her visions of catastrophe and ruin, and her decision to enter this world. She then sketched brief histories of everyone present, ending with Corisand - which gave her a place to launch into the subject of the Fialan, the story of its creation, and its importance to the future of the Xandim. She was glad that Iriana seemed to have formed a close bond with Corisand. They had come to speak to her before this council, asking whether she could send them into the Elsewhere together, and she had been more than happy to agree. It would be a strain for her to send two rather than one, but she was willing to take the risk since she was sure that the Windeye stood a much greater chance of succeeding with the Wizard’s help.
‘Corisand and Iriana will be sent into the Elsewhere to seek this powerful Stone,’ she went on, ‘for it can, according to the Evanesar, be used to free the Xandim from their long slavery. Also, it must be prevented at all costs from falling into Hellorin’s hands, for he is also in the Elsewhere and will certainly be plotting to retrieve it in order to return to this world. You must understand the danger here. When Hellorin originally formed the portal to bring the Phaerie here, he let a great deal of his power pass into the Stone. He will be looking to regain that lost magic - and that must not be permitted. The intrinsic magic of the Fialan is that it can store and amplify the powers of others - and everything it absorbs is locked within it forever. None of the energies it stores can ever be removed - but they can be utilised. Now—’
‘Excuse me, Cailleach.’ Aelwen held up a hand. ‘What would happen to all the power if the Stone were to be destroyed?’
‘You cannot destroy the Stone of Fate. The Fialan was created to absorb the powers of others. Because of the magic it already holds, there is no physical way to destroy it. It will protect itself if anyone tries. Lives - many lives - would be lost, and all for nothing.’
‘And we cannot use magic to destroy it, can we?’ Iriana asked. ‘It would simply absorb everything we threw at it, becoming ever more powerful, better able to protect itself, and more dangerous.’
‘Yes.’ Athina was pleased with the Wizard’s reply. This young blind girl, with her extraordinary mix of all four Magefolk powers, possessed the intelligence and common sense to use them wisely. For now she was still young and lacked confidence, but because of the current crisis, she was learning, developing and growing at an extraordinary rate. The Cailleach was certain that her name would be carved into history as an example and a beacon of hope to all future generations.
Suddenly aware that everyone was looking at her, waiting for her to continue, she gathered her straying thoughts. This tendency to distraction was getting worse all the time. It was as well that she’d be returning home soon.
‘Iriana is exactly right,’ she continued. ‘She has grasped the paradox of the Fialan: the more magic you hurl at it, the stronger it becomes. She leaned forward, her hands on the table, and looked at them with compelling eyes. ‘But over the ages, the Stone has absorbed enough power to develop a primitive consciousness. Since the Moldan is no fit guardian, I am hoping that the Fialan can be persuaded to pass willingly to either Iriana or to Corisand, but there is no way of knowing who it will choose, and only one of you will be able to wield it. Accordingly, it is vital that absolute trust exists between you. Whoever gains the Fialan must do everything in her power to use it to help the other. Whoever does not must accept the disappointment. The entire existence of the Stone has been marred by violence, jealousy and greed. That is all it knows. It will be up to you to teach it that there is another way.’
‘The Evanesar told Corisand that it could be used to free her people, but how can that be done in practice?’ Iriana asked.
‘As I said, Hellorin let a great deal of his power pass into the Fialan when it was created. It is that power - the Old Magic, the Phaerie magic - that you must use to break the spell. I do not know how it can be done, but the wielder of the Stone must persuade it to release the Xandim.
‘In the meantime, I suggest that you, Tiolani, return to Eliorand to take up the rule of your people once more, with Taine and Aelwen to assist you. It will be your task to support Corisand and Iriana in this world, by giving the Xandim over to them when they return.’
The Phaerie girl turned very pale. ‘But . . . but my father,’ she stammered. ‘If I let the Xandim go, he’ll kill me.’
‘Slay his only daughter? His only remaining child?’ Athina said. ‘Surely it would not come to that. But I was just coming to the fate of Hellorin.’ Her expression turned granite-hard. ‘The Phaerie, with their powers of the Old Magic, should never have come to this world. They do not belong here. They are a dangerous, unpredictable force, without conscience, without limits. Hellorin, who brought them here, is the worst example of his kind. His ways are the old ways, and in a sense, he has never truly understood the differences between this reality and the one from which he came. The Elsewhere has great magic of its own. It is able to withstand the strains that the powerful Old Magic can place upon its fabric. Not so this world. When I foresaw the chaos and destruction to come, it was the Phaerie I feared most, for they have the ability to wreak such destruction, and Hellorin has the will to use that ability.’
She paused and looked straight into Tiolani’s eyes. ‘Under a different ruler, a more understanding and enlightened ruler, the outcome might be otherwise.’
‘Me?’ Tiolani gasped. ‘But that means—’
‘That means leaving Hellorin exactly where he is, in the Elsewhere, and making absolutely certain he stays there.’ The Cailleach’s tone was flat, matter-of-fact and brutal. ‘Corisand, Iriana, you must do whatever is necessary to prevent him from following you back. Tiolani, you must ensure that his corporeal form remains fettered by time spells. If he cannot return to his body, then he cannot endanger you here.’
‘Exile my own father? Forever?’
‘For your sake, it had better be forever,’ Taine said harshly. ‘Athina seems to think that Hellorin wouldn’t kill his own child, but I know from bitter experience that there is no telling what he might do in a fit of rage.’
Aelwen hushed him with her hand on his arm. ‘Tiolani, you must listen to Athina. I also find it hard - very hard - to consign the Forest Lord to such a fate. But what is the alternative? The Cailleach is not the only one who has received these premonitions. Iriana tells us that her Archwizard has also seen dread visions of bloodshed and catastrophe. Your father is proud and independent. He would nev
er work with the Wizards and the other Magefolk to find a solution. Under the circumstances, I would be very surprised if he had not experienced similar warnings already, but rather than share the knowledge with the other magical races, I believe he would be plotting ways to take advantage of the coming upheaval.’
‘And what about my people?’ Corisand added. ‘If he were here in this world, do you think he would allow the Xandim to escape his clutches? I agree with Athina. For all our sakes, he must be kept where he is.’
‘Can you do it, Tiolani?’ the Cailleach asked gently. ‘Are you capable of exiling your own father? Because if you are not, you must be honest and tell us now, and we will think of another way; one that does not involve you.’
Tiolani’s thoughts were racing. Here was a way to expiate her guilt, a way to help these strangers who had saved her life. A way to give herself another chance to rule the Phaerie, to make herself into a benign, enlightened ruler who would work alongside the Wizards and the Xandim to save the world from disaster. It wasn’t as if she would be killing her father, after all. He would still be alive in the Elsewhere.
She must be brave.
She must be strong.
As painful as it was, she must sacrifice Hellorin to the greater good.
‘I’ll do it.’ She lifted her head and her voice gathered strength. ‘You can depend on me to do my part - you have my word on it.’
Athina nodded gravely. ‘Thank you, Tiolani. Your courage and sacrifice will make all the difference to our success.’
‘And what about us?’ Danel’s voice cut harshly across Athina’s melodious tones. ‘Now that you great folk have finished deciding everyone’s fate between yourselves, what about the poor, ordinary humans? We’ve been enslaved down the ages too, but because we have no bloody magic, no one gives a damn about us.’
‘The world is entering a time of upheaval and change,’ the Cailleach replied, looking from face to face. ‘This is something that you must all understand. And though we are doing everything in our power to forestall the cataclysm to come, I doubt that we can prevent it completely. We cannot stop Fate - we can only work within its limitations and try to minimise the damage.’
She turned her attention to the leader of the humans. ‘This new era will be your opportunity, Danel. You cannot conquer the magic-using races - you would be mad to try - but you can influence their attitude towards you by helping them in their time of crisis. In other words, this is the perfect opportunity to make yourself some powerful allies, and—’
‘Help them?’ Danel spat. ‘I’d rather die.’
‘Then die.’ Athina shrugged. ‘If that is your choice.’
With a sullen glare, Danel lapsed back into silence.
‘There are already some independent humans in my realm,’ Iriana said. ‘The fisherfolk who live up and down the coast near Tyrineld. They started by chartering their boats from the fish merchants in the marketplace. A tithe of the catch goes to the merchant, then the remainder is theirs to sell or trade. Now they are beginning to build their own boats, and working to become truly independent. If you’ll leave the Phaerie realm and come to us, I’m sure there will be a place for you.’
‘I can find a place for them in my own kingdom,’ Tiolani snapped.
‘Surely - at the end of a spear,’ Kelon sneered.
‘Enough.’ Athina’s voice cracked out like a whip. ‘It reveals a great deal about the nature of humankind that when everyone else is making great sacrifices to assist this undertaking, you are only concerned with what we can do for you. The decision must be yours, Danel, whether the humans will be part of our company or no. If you think it better to return to grubbing for survival like wild beasts in the forest, constantly looking over your shoulders for the Wild Hunt, you can leave immediately. Your people have been well fed and clothed today, so you’re ahead of the game. If, on the other hand, you decide to join us, we would expect you to pledge us your loyalty; but we would welcome you gladly, and do our best to render you all the aid we can.’
‘Yes, you’ll help us if it’s to your own advantage,’ Danel snarled. ‘Where was your help when we were being hunted down by the Phaerie? Where were you in the winter, when we were dying from cold and hunger? Where were you when we were betrayed into doing the dirty work of a Phaerie traitor?’
She looked around the table, her eyes bright and fierce with contempt. ‘No one helps the humans. As always, you just want to make use of us, for your own convenience. Well, you meddlesome crone, if what you say is true, and this period of chaos and disaster is upon us, there should be plenty of opportunities and rich pickings for us among you high-and-mighty folk with magic in your blood. I hope you’ll all kill each other, you Wizards and bastard Phaerie, and when this world is well rid of you, the humans will grow fat upon your leavings, and rule the world at last.’
She got to her feet, pushing her chair back so violently that it overturned, and stormed out, with Kelon, his face pale with dismay, a step behind her. As he reached the door, Aelwen spoke. ‘Kelon, please. You don’t have to stay with her - with them. Come back to us, I beg you. There will always be a place for you in this company.’
He gave her a chilling look, so bitter, bleak and empty that Aelwen blanched. ‘You’re wrong,’ he said. ‘There’s no place for me here. He took it.’ With a last snarl at Taine, he was gone, and the slamming of the door reverberated through the silence he left in his wake.
‘My, what a display of intelligence and courtesy we’ve seen in the last few minutes. It makes me proud to be human.’ Everyone looked in surprise at Dael, who had been sitting so quietly throughout the discussion that most folk had forgotten he was there. He crossed the room to Athina, and took her hands. ‘At least it made me see sense. I’m sorry I was angry with you earlier. That ignorant human and her Hemifae friend have made me realise that you aren’t simply abandoning me without a thought: I can trust these people with my future.’ He gestured around the table. ‘The Lady Iriana spoke of the free fisherfolk of Tyrineld. Maybe, if she would take me, I could go there when . . .’ For a moment his voice failed him, and he swallowed hard. ‘When you’re gone.’
‘Of course you can come with me,’ Iriana said kindly. ‘I was dreading the thought of trying to get home alone, and once we’re there, I’m certain that the fisherfolk would welcome you.’
‘Thank you, Iriana.’ The Cailleach’s voice rang with gratitude and relief. Rising to her feet, she took a deep breath. ‘I think we have accomplished all we can by talking. Now the time has come for us to act.’
35
THE SEARCH BEYOND
Dawn was breaking when everyone gathered outside the tower to say their farewells. The ferals had decamped already and vanished into the forest. Tiolani, looking pale but resolute, was beside Aelwen, Taine and their mounts. The Horsemistress was mounted on Taryn, her black stallion, and Taine rode Kelon’s Alil, while Tiolani had taken the Huntsman’s pretty red and white mare. Iriana and Corisand waited together, the Wizard’s eyes shining with excitement, while Dael stood wide-eyed at Athina’s side.
‘Are you ready to perform the flying magic?’ the Cailleach asked Tiolani.
‘I’m ready.’
‘Then farewell, and go with our blessings.’
Iriana hugged Taine. ‘Thank you for being such a support that dreadful night.’
He ruffled her hair. ‘It was a pleasure, little sister. You helped me too, remember? Good luck to you in your travels, and I hope that one day we will meet again in Tyrineld.’
For the first time since they had been thrown together once more, Corisand addressed Tiolani directly. ‘I’m doing my best to trust you, but it’s mostly because Aelwen and Athina want me to. Don’t prove them wrong.’
Tiolani glared at her. ‘You’ll never trust me, Corisand, any more than I trust you. I haven’t forgotten that you tried to kill me.’ With that she lifted her hands, and the pale shimmer of the flying magic curled around the three riders. The horses leapt skyward
s, then they were gone, vanishing into the clouds above.
Athina turned to Corisand. ‘Was that really necessary?’
The Windeye put her ears back. ‘It was to me - and I suspect it was to Tiolani. Now at least we both know where we stand. And speaking of standing, it’s time Iriana and I were on our way.’
The Cailleach’s silver-white hair glimmered like moonlight, and her eyes glowed with the piercing blue of Taku’s glacier as she lifted her hands. ‘Safe journey, my children, and may good fortune attend you.’
‘And you,’ Iriana said. ‘Please - if you can somehow manage to heal Avithan, will you . . . will you tell him I love him?’
‘Of course I will. But I suspect he already knows.’
Blushing, Iriana thrust her staff into her belt and turned to Corisand. ‘Are you ready?’