"The Dragon Isles Chapter 06 Temple Guards" by Katherine Bates

Sunlight hit her closed lids and she turned her head, moaning softly. Blindly, Tehal groped for the edge of the bed and heaved herself up, eyes still closed.

“Hey, sleepy.”

She kept her eyes closed and froze. She remembered that voice, but beyond that there was nothing, just a fuzzy, hazy feeling of… something. She frowned to herself and opened her eyes. Marn was there, at her side, mouth against her ear. He smiled, moving away and picking up his weapons from the floor.

Tehal looked around and saw they were in Low house; strange, she didn’t remember going back there. The heavy green tunic was crumpled where she’d slept on it; she smoothed it out, frowning.

“Why... Why don’t I remember anything?”

He turned, shaking a loose strand of hair out his eye, and frowned. “What do you mean you can’t remember?” He came nearer to her, nearer than she was expecting, and sat down beside her, looking deep into her eyes.

“I…” she faltered, mouth opening and closing like a fish, “I remember going flying with Orion, and I remember you telling me that you’re a half-dragon, and then… I don’t know… it all goes hazy. I remember… oh… I remember.”

He lifted his eyebrows. “Mmm… well, yes. What is it you now remember?”

Tehal turned to him, tilting her head and looking at the deep, sea green eyes. Her eyebrows lowered slightly, “You flashed your eyes, they went a different green, vibrant and deeper; that’s the last thing I remember.”

Marn groaned and fell back on the bed, closing his eyes. “Great; just great.”

Tehal turned, a smile touching the corner of her mouth, “What is it?”

He opened one eye and smiled; it was so strange to see Marn smiling that Tehal found herself almost being afraid of it. “Close your eyes.”

She obeyed instantly, trusting him despite the rare smile. Something brushed against her jaw and she turned her face away. A hand caught her cheek and drew her face back round. She closed her eyes tightly, suddenly afraid, and tried to move away.

A pair of lips touched against the corner of her mouth; they were dry and chapped, but they were sweet, soft and gentle. They left her flesh and she opened her eyes, gaze caught instantly by Marn’s. Looking into those green eyes the haze on her memories began to lift.

She blushed and dropped her head. “You didn’t have to sleep in a separate room.”

Marn smiled again, easily now, caring and loving; she trusted it.

“Yes I did,” his voice was low and soft, almost silky. “we’re in the Low house, Orion’s been watching me like a hawk since we arrived, I really don’t want to get into a fight with him. He was in my room earlier. He told me a lot about dragon riders and dragons, I think it helped; but then he changed his tone and started warning me that now I’ve told you that I’m a…” he struggled with his words, “…a half-dragon he won’t tolerate my presence in Shenan’da. No other male dragons without his permission, and he won’t give it. I told him I was human.”

“I’ll talk to him.”

“Don’t, he won’t listen. I don’t want you to fight with him.” He sighed, “I don’t understand him.”

Tehal smiled at that and lay back on the bed, dragging the blankets back over herself; despite the heavy tunic she was cold. Marn lay down next to her and smiled, stroking her hair.

She moved closer, studying the sea green eyes. “Have you been using Heselra?”

He frowned back, not quite understanding, and then thought about it. He nodded, “You have been too. You learn very fast.”

Her eyes clouded over and she moved her head away from his touch, looking out of the window. “I didn’t learn; it’s part of being a dragon rider.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“I want to learn.”

“Could you…? Could you ask Orion about it?”

“I don’t think he’ll be very happy about it, I don’t want to fight either.” There was silence between for several minutes. Marn couldn’t take his eyes off of her; something had changed in her the night before, he had a feeling it was to do with Orion, but he didn’t like to ask; he was just happy being with her.

“Marn?”

“Umm…?”

“Can you actually take the form of a dragon?”

He frowned, troubled. “I don’t know, I’ve never tried; I don’t think I want to, I like being human. I like being with you.”

She smiled and let him kiss her. Wriggling into his hold, she closed her eyes. Marn stroked her hair softly, “Can I ask you to do something for me?”

She looked up awkwardly, “What?”

Moving her away slightly, he put a green dragon pendant in her hand. She turned it over carefully and then closed her fingers around it. She frowned, “Orion told you not to, didn’t he?”

“He did, but…”

She kissed his cheek and smiled. “It’s fine, I promise.”

He hugged her tight and found that he saw her differently once she put his soul around her neck. He could feel her magic, was aware of her every feeling, conscious of where she was at every single moment. He kissed her, but stopped, feeling her reaction to the gesture.

She shivered, sat up, breath quickening. He put a hand on her shoulder, “Te? What is it?”

She brushed his hand off and almost ran to the door, “I can’t, I just… can’t… I’m sorry… I need to find… find Orion.” And then she was gone. Marn sat there, puzzled and made a mental note to find both of them later on in the day. He picked up the long hunting knife and looked at his reflection. A green dragon smirked back at him and then winked. He shivered, he wasn’t he sure he liked the dragon half of himself.

#

“That’s not fair.”

In that moment she summed up herself, beautiful in a wild, dangerous, rugged way: Her hair was windswept and un-brushed; her face set in anger, with blazing eyes of black fire. Orion was usually immune to most things, but her eyes disturbed even him, they were powerful in their own, soul searching way. Tehal, despite her fiery looks, was nervous; the white, dead eyes of Orion frightened her, they reminded her far too much of the eyes people had when they lost consciousness.

They stared at each other, both feeling unnerved by the other’s eyes.

Orion leaned back in the chair and gestured for her to take a seat. “Nothing is fair, Tehal. I’m a dragon, a male dragon, I am fiercely territorial, this is my domain and therefore no other males should be in this territory.”

“You could make an exception, he’s no threat to you, he’s half-human.”

“That’s the half I’m worried about; I’m worried that he’ll hurt you, only half his blood is human, he’ll go after other women, other dragons.”

“I trust him.”

“You trusted Mercinar.”

She froze, mouth twisting as she struggled with her emotions. Orion smiled gently, it was almost friendly, “It’s part of being dragon and dragon rider, we know each other’s histories; I’m sorry that I touched a sore point. Look, you can stay here in Shenan’da, he can stay in the Shenan Valley, with the centaurs maybe.”

She looked away, fighting to keep thoughts of the green dragon round her neck from Orion.  At length she looked back,

“I want to learn Heselra by myself; I don’t want to just know it. And I think your feelings are affecting me, sometimes when I look at Marn I almost hate him.”

Orion raised an eyebrow, “Don’t you like my gift of our connection, dragon and dragon rider?”

Tehal stood and walked away, “Well… I’m grateful, but I want me back; it’s starting to be difficult being around Marn. I wish…”

“You wish what? That you hadn’t accepted my soul and called me back? Where would that have left you? You’d be alone.”

Her body trembled slightly; Orion could see her working her hands, fighting to control them. When she spoke, it was with forced calmness; she still refused to look at him. “You would have liked that.”

He smiled a thin, cruel smile, “Yes, I would have, because the centaurs would have eventually convinced you to take my soul.”

She turned back to him, narrowing her eyes. “You told the centaurs to tell me to bring you back, didn’t you? He would have been fine, wouldn’t he? You planned the whole thing!”

The calm appearance disappeared and he leapt from the chair, shoving her backwards into the wall. He pushed his face close to hers; both of them realising how close this resembled the day before.

“I planned nothing! Everything has a purpose, most things I can foresee, I plan things, I change them; but with you, it is difficult. You and he have volatile natures; I can only have the vaguest of plans. Marn complicated matters, though the centaurs did very well on adaptation. He would have died.”

“Purpose! A purpose! Is that what you think? I hate you!”

He laughed and moved back, smiling broadly. “You can’t hate me, you’re my dragon rider.” She turned away disgusted and he chuckled, “You say you want to forget Heselra, learn it for yourself? Simple.” He clicked his fingers, “Gone.”

She turned back, “Pardon?”

He smiled patronisingly at her and turned away, switching his speech to that of the common tongue.

“Get out of my sight, Tehal Brocavich, I no longer find your company pleasing.”

Her lip curled slightly. “Yours never was.”

He growled sharply at that but turned to find she had already left. He knew that he had a temper on him, he knew that with other male dragons his temper became inflamed; but he also knew that Tehal could not help but share his feelings slightly, if he hated Marn enough, she would too. She would hate him as well though, and he couldn’t allow that; a dragon rider who had no bond with their dragon, it could never happen. He would have to put up with Marn; he was, after all, only half dragon.

“Half-dragon.” He told his rider through mind, hoping that she might understand; his pride would not allow him to tell her directly that Marn could stay, but he wanted her trust, respect and friendship more than anything else.

Stepping out of the Low house he decided to pay a visit to the centaurs; they hadn’t quite done as he’d asked.

#

Marn approached her silently, but she sensed him and turned. There were red marks around her eyes, lines down her cheeks. His face fell at the sight and he put an arm round her protectively, stroking the long black hair.

“Hey, now, ssh… tell me what’s wrong.” Immediately he realised that he’d used Heselra and, though he knew she hadn’t understood, she sniffed and burrowed her face into his chest. At length she turned her head to the side,

“I hate Orion, I wish I’d never met him.”

“If you hadn’t met him, I’d still be lying in the moor, only I’d be dead now. You wish that?”

“No… but…”

“It’s alright, I know what you mean.”

He stroked her hair softly and got her to sit down in the grass. The long stalks bent in the wind, brushing against them. Tehal settled into his embrace and sighed, “I want so much to stay with you and only you… but…”

“I know. If I could, I would make it so that you would never have to see him again.”

She smiled again and put her hand on his chest, feeling the rhythmic beat of his heart. “Marn, I know that I can never truly hide from him, but… but I want to see my father, I want to run away.”

He looked down and met her eyes; her deep, black, endless eyes. Gently, he tucked a strand of jet black hair behind her ear and ran his finger along her jaw line. “I’ll help you.”

She put her hand against his cheek and drew his head towards her, kissing the corner of his mouth. “Because I care.” she whispered and he smiled, holding her tight.

Orion stretched his wings out, and grumbled low in his throat. Run away, would she? Reject him and all that the name dragon rider stood for? He had been content to put up with Marn so that she would stay and accept him; but now… now she had changed the rules, and so he would change them in return.

He roared; but not the loud deafening sound that he usually used, it was silent to all except the argul. He called the argul to him, they in turn would call their masters to him; he could use them to his own end, he would have his way.

#

“Marn!”

The half-dragon turned, and frowned as he recognised Orion. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

The dragon smiled slightly, almost to himself and stepped forwards. “Tehal said that a moment ago when I saw her. I think that at least one of you should listen to me, you might learn something. Why don’t you sit down?”

Marn did as he suggested, thinking that he should really be finding Tehal. “What do you want?”

“To help. I don’t like to pry into people’s minds, but I do get the feeling that Tehal is hiding something from me. Could you enlighten me?”

Marn looked the dragon in the eye, a difficult thing to do when he had no pupil, and thought about his answer. He could tell the dragon everything, half, the other half, or nothing at all. He remembered Tehal’s red-rimmed eyes and set his face.

“If you don’t know then I certainly don’t.”

Orion narrowed his eyes, “I hope you remember what I said this morning.”

“I remember. I will leave tonight.”

“Good. I’ve lain out all of your equipment in you room; that bag really is quite amazing.”

Marn shot him a dark look and growled. “You had no right, that bag was mine, it’s personal.”

Orion stood, growled back, “Remember who you are talking to, boy; you may be a dragon but outrank you considerable. Just make sure you leave.” And then he was gone.

#

Marn rummaged about in the wardrobe and drew out a black cloak, he chucked it at Tehal; a bit big for her, but it was better than nothing. “Orion might be able to track us, but I’ll be damned if anything else will see us.”

“What is there to see us?”

Marn pushed his hunting knives back into their sheaths and turned to her. “Temple Guards, I haven’t forgotten them even if you have.”

For a moment her eyes turned violent, her lips almost curling back into a snarl; but the moment passed. “I remember.”

She remembered well, she had a distinct reminder every time she caught a glimpse of her back in the mirror: the deep, twisted, ugly argul scars; the ones she had gained when she had gone back to the Shana’dun temple. There was another scar, on her left side, it had been there as long as she could remember, but Orion had said it too was an argul scar. She at the floor as Marn began to check through everything he had organised.

“I remember.”

#

The night was still and quiet. Tehal searched the canopy for roosting birds, anything normal, but there was nothing there; empty silence. They came to the black, sluggish river quickly, but it was boundary they couldn’t cross; on the other side stood a centaur, equipped with all of his scouting weapons. Marn turned to Tehal,

“Who is that?”

Tehal turned, eyes wide, scared, “Aaebow, loyal to the King, and the King is loyal to Orion.”

He sighed and took her hand, drawing her down into undergrowth. “It’ll be alright.”

Marn looked about, searching a way for them to cross without being seen, and sighed. He gestured that they rest, and though Tehal knew that Orion would soon notice their absence, she had to agree; there was nothing else they could do.

The silent minutes crept by, and though Marn could feel the breeze on his face there was no wind to be heard, no gust moving the grass. On the other side of the river Aaebow shifted uneasily and strung his bow, knocking an arrow.

Thinking about it now, Marn realised the whole night had been quiet. He was worried, and he knew she was as well, her eyes said all he needed to know.

Aaebow shifted his feet nervously, stringing his bow and knocking an arrow; he turned his head from side to side, struggling with the dark of night.

“Listen.” Tehal whispered, lifting her head to gaze at the dark blanket sky of night. Marn heightened his hearing slightly and listened. Whistling, someone was whistling; a high, keening note that went on and on. He shut his ears off, wincing.

“What is that?”

She shook her head and turned to watch Aaebow. The centaur snorted, prancing around as he swung the bow left and right. A deafening roar split the night and Aaebow reared up, hooves churning the air. Tehal shut her eyes and tried her best to crush Marn’s hand.

A pair of dark red claws reached down through the darkness, crashing into Aaebow as he tried to flee, knocking him through the air and down into the black river. The roar came again as a tail slammed into the ground, making the water in the river jump. In the canopy a fierce wind struck up, snapping off branches and sending them hurtling towards the ground.

Tehal screamed, leaping out of the way as a whole limb crashed into the ground. It shattered, sending its wooden shrapnel flying out. Marn leapt, flattening Tehal against the ground and covering her face.

He hauled her up, “Come on, we’re going.”

“But… what was that?”

“What did it look like? A dragon.”

“But…”

“Come on.”

They plunged into the water, gasping at the cold, and splashed their way across. A shape loomed in the darkness and Marn grabbed Tehal, pushing her head under the water. The cold, lifeless eyes of Aaebow stared forlornly at him and he turned away, sickened at the sight and ducked under the surface. They emerged a moment later, gulping at the air and struggling to the shore.

Somewhere further up the valley the dragon roared again. Tehal glanced back, hesitating.

“Come on! Come on!” He gripped her hand tighter and lengthened his stride. Tehal tried to keep up, but she could feel herself falling behind, her hand slipping from his.

“Marn, I…” She tripped, rolling in the grass; the world span and suddenly the night seemed far too quiet, she couldn’t even hear the wind in the trees.

“Marn?” She called, but without much conviction, there was something unsettling about the still air. A dragon’s roar echoed through the valley and she turned, knowing it wasn’t Orion.

“Marn!” She cast about in the grass, the long stalks seeming to barricade her in, “Marn!”

A pair of hands caught and dragged her up. They held her tight and secure and she tried her best to disappear into their hold. A second’s hold and Marn took her hand,

“Come on, we have to go.”

Tehal glanced back at the valley and then froze. “The dragon,” she whispered, “it’s coming back.” Marn’s grip tightened,

“We really have to go.”

They ran.

In a few moments the red dragon was before them; compared to Orion it was tiny, but it stood nearly as high as the oaks, its claws just as sharp and powerful. Its head lowered, eyes fixing on Marn as the half-dragon to Tehal close to him instinctively.

“Lugual eool igsewe eh silk, aebowgal.” The creature hissed menacingly, tongue slipping in and out. Marn growled back and Tehal looked up,

“What did he say?”

“He wants me to hand you over. Don’t ask questions.” He faced the red dragon, listing his head in challenge, “Alkual!”¹

The dragon snarled, digging its claws into the ground. The tongue flicked again, “Chro byía’r boyvelcall silk! Legesol yahrulk olcs, res gi tooi xale olcs.”

“Marn.”

“He says I can’t challenge him, He says he’ll take you if I don’t hand you over.”

“Marn.”

“I won’t.” He drew her closer, putting an arm round her shoulder. “Alkual!”¹ He shouted back.

The dragon lunged for them and suddenly all Tehal could see was the sky and she was lying on her back. A green tail whipped over her head, thumping to the floor. She scrambled to her feet, just in time to see Marn’s form melt away into the night whilst a green dragon turned from ghost to living creature. The green was larger then the red, but not by much. The two dragons snapped at each other, taking lunging bites and clashing tails.

The red growled deeply and managed to gain a hold on the leathery wings. The thin flesh ripped and the green cried out in pain, howling to the stars and swinging its tail round powerfully. It struck the red in the face, sending the crashing backwards to the earth.

The green spat blood from its jaw,

“Evelc el!”² It cried, flicking its tail from side to side. The red snarled as any cornered animal would and slunk backwards, launching up into the air.

The green turned to Tehal. It was limping slightly, the wing held at an odd angle and blood dripping from several splits in the plates. Tehal stumbled backwards, falling to the ground and the green slowed its movements; but slowly it moved toward her, pushing the thin snout against her body.

She put a hand out gingerly, touching the tiny scales on the nose. The green dragon closed its eyelids, something she had never seen Orion do, and nuzzled into her. She frowned and tipped her head, slowly closing her eyes.

A hand grasped hers and she jerked her eyes open again, but it was only Marn; of the dragon there was no sign. He looked haggard and drained, there was blood on his face and there was something in his eyes that frightened her.

“We have to go.” His voice was harsh and rasping; his gaze full of blood lust. With no time for questions, they were off, running as fast as could be. Her palm was slippery with sweat and though he held tight she could already feel herself losing her grip. There was blood trickling down his arm, and she could see his shirt sticking to his back from the clotting blood.

“Marn! Please! I can’t run this fast, and neither can you.”

But he took no notice and kept on going. He stopped suddenly and dragged her down into the long grass. She wrenched her hand back from his, thoroughly annoyed,

“Now look here! Just what do you think…”

He leapt for her, covering her mouth, “Hush! Listen!”

She pushed him off of her, hearing nothing. “Marn, just what has got into you?”

He tussled with her, forcing her to stay still. There was something in his eyes that she fell still and listened instantly as soon as he caught her gaze. Hushed voices floated over the grass, accompanied by the soft sounds of horses.

“Why don’t we just change form?” She asked, but Marn averted his eyes.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’ve no magic left.” His eyes changed, becoming softer and more human. Slowly he let her go and hunkered down in grass near her. “We’re just going to have to wait it out.”

“Arguls.” She knew it without even thinking, and that one, clear word struck terror into the very depths of her heart. The scars on her back itches and heated up; now she wished they’d been left to heal by themselves. Marn’s eyes went wide at the word, and for the first time Tehal was aware of faint scars covering his entire face, puckering the flesh. He twitched, wrinkling his nose.

“Are you sure?” She could tell that he knew as well as she did, though neither wanted to believe it. What was going on if arguls were in the Shenan Valley?

Close by they heard a snuffling; for a moment Tehal thought they would get away with it, and then she remembered the blood running off of Marn’s face.

“You have to stay here. I’ll draw them off, you have to get back to the valley, tell Orion.”

He took her hand, eyes wide, “No, you can’t, you mustn’t.”

She brushed his hand off and stood. Barking started, howls sent back and forth. Tehal sprinted off like lightning, using her magic to track the arguls and dogs close on her heels. Marn watched her go and buried his head in his hands. The grass rustled as a dog sped past.

Gingerly he pushed himself up. His shirt stuck to his shoulder blades, but at least the scars on his face didn’t itch as much as before. The meadow seemed quiet, but Marn didn’t trust it. For a moment he almost considered going back, and then he remembered the last time they’d met arguls; and then there was Orion. Tehal might have told him to go back, but he wasn’t going to leave her. Arguls meant Temple Guards, and that meant that by herself she wouldn’t survive.

Searching his person for a weapon, he drew the long hunting knife; that would do for those dogs. A horse whinnied nearby and he ducked down, crawling though the grass.

“Marn, it’s Dilwyn.”

The half-dragon stood and cast about for the white horse, confused to see nothing, just an empty meadow.

“Dilwyn? Where are you?”

“Here.”

“That is not…” he trailed off as he spotted his faithful horse standing beneath a tree, partially hidden in the shade. They greeted each other quickly and soon they were off as fast as they could. They kept silent as they rode, Marn scraping the last dregs of his magic to muffle Dilwyn’s footfalls.

The forest was dark and watchful, Marn had a feeling that it had only one purpose, to stop anything passing through unscathed. Dilwyn snorted, tossing his head and paused.

“Where are we going?” He looked from side to side and decided that right looked promising.

“Ahead.”

“How can you tell?” Dilwyn wasn’t quite so sure about that way; dark, almost black.

“Trust me.”

Tossing his head in dislike, Dilwyn followed the instructions. He stepped cautiously now, watching every shadow and listening to every sound. They reached the edge of a clearing and Marn gestured for the white stallion to stop.

“Can you see her?”

The horse shook his head, making to move off.

“She should be here.” Marn dismounted, wincing as his weapons rattled and stepped out into the clearing. Somewhere a horse snorted, but when he turned Dilwyn shook his head and started to back away.

Gently, he sheathed the hunting knife and drew the broadsword; the pommel caught his eyes, it was the green stone with the gold wire inlay, he could have sworn that he’d left that behind. He stared at the stone, momentarily distracted.

A figure leapt silently from the trees, landing on Marn’s back and pushing them both to the floor, the sword was prised from his hand. The figure stepped back, and then put a foot on Marn’s head.

“Stay still and you don’t get hurt.” A voice hissed. The dark figure turned the blade over carefully, studying it. He too noticed the pommel, but stayed focused.

“I think you should be very careful what you do.” The man said as he gestured to the shadows. Marn closed his eyes, though he knew that even with his sword he’d never be able to fight; magic was beginning to take its toll. He would have to remember this: being a dragon was useful, and powerful, but it used all of his strength. He felt hands force his wrists together; and it was with a hazy, dreamlike consciousness that he felt himself being picked up and slung over a horse. A hand touched his momentarily, soft, slight and small. His fingers searched for the other hand again, but they found only the coarse coat of a horse and then nothing but air.

#

It was cold, wet, dark and he’d been there for hours; a water droplet landed on his nose, he twitched and tried to twist his hands free of the bonds. The rope rubbed painfully against his skin and he gave up; he’d already cut himself before that way. Magic was coming back, but slowly; he’d never before not been able to touch on magic, it had been the one thing that he could rely on. But now, now it had deserted him; he felt vulnerable. He missed magic, magic was safe and comforting, it was part of him. Not being able to use it was like losing a hand.

He wondered how he could have let things go so wrong; why hadn’t he simply let his emotions rule him, let the dragon inside of his heart take over? He knew the answer instantly, it would have killed him.

He sighed, fretted over where Tehal was, she could be still in the valley, or she could be here somewhere as well. Ever since she had taken his soul he had always been able to sense where she was, but now there was nothing.

He wished he could sleep, if he could then he might actually get some of his magic and energy back. But he couldn’t, his scars were itching again, hot and uncomftable. He turned his head and tried to rub his cheek against the wall, it didn’t help. He sighed, he might have been grateful to Orion at one point for healing the argul inflicted wounds, but at the moment he wasn’t. At least the itching gave him advance warning that someone was coming.

The usual snuffling sound came from outside the door, and then a scratching as if an animal was pawing at the wood. The door opened slowly and Marn had the distinct impression that the guards were frightened of something. Two guards walked in, carrying a slumped figure between them. They left quickly, relighting the dim lamp.

The soft light was the first Marn had had in hours, and to him it offered a wealth of warmth, depth and colour to the small cell. He could see now that nowhere was dry and it would have been a vain struggle to find anywhere day. Gingerly, he crawled over to see who had been put in the cell this time; there had been quite a few, but none had stayed long, this place seemed to be more of a holding pen.

At first he thought they were male, but the long hair and slight body quickly changed his opinion. He rolled them over, and froze. It was Tehal, complete with both Orion’s and his soul about her neck. It was strange he hadn’t sensed her, ever since she had taken his soul he had always known where she was.

Careful to use as little magic as possible, he checked her over for injuries. It seemed as if she’d been cared for well, no bruises or cuts, not even a scratch; but they had drugged her, recently, she could be out for hours.

He sat back and flexed his painful fingers. Looking at her now she didn’t seem like the vulnerable girl she did when she slept; he had a feeling that that look would be a rare one from now on. The lamp was already starting to fade and now that it came to it, he couldn’t bare to lose the light.

Gathering the last dregs of his magic he cast a small light just as the lamp died. He lay down on the stone and watched the soft light. His eyelids closed, even tat little bit of magic had drained him. Another drip had started up, this time landing on his chest; but he was too tired to move. He slept.

#

Fabian Brocavich put a restraining hand on his son’s shoulder and shook his head gravely. “I’m sorry, but the answer is no.”

The leader of the Temple Guards gathered up his black robes and sat down. Slowly, he scratched his nose,

“Mr. Brocavich,” he said, slowly and carefully, “it is the duty of every citizen of the Tormdarian Empire to pay service to the temple. It is an honour to be chosen to join the ranks of the Temple guards.”

“The answer is still no.”

“The Temple does not take no as an answer.”

“It will have to now.” Fabian was defiant on the point. In previous years he had lost two children to the Empire, he was not about to loose the last child of his own blood.

The leader of Temple Guards, an old, white haired man with long skeletal fingers studied Brocavich carefully. He had always had trouble with families in the extreme west and east; anywhere else parents practically begged for their children to be chosen. Yet it was in the east and west that most of The Talent lay.

He had met Brocavich several times before, and he had fought hard each time. On previous occasions he had always convinced the child, but this boy was as adamant as his father on not joining. He decided that a bargain would have to be struck; and luckily for him he had the perfect bargaining tool. He scratched his nose again.

“I will make a deal with you Brocavich, you’ll not like it but it is the only one you will get. Now listen carefully. A few weeks ago the Temple of Shana’dun burned down, all bodies were recovered except one. Later that day, we spotted the missing person. We pursued them for several days, and eventually we claimed them back for the temple, along with their accomplice. You may recognise our runaway, she is a daughter of the Temple and a daughter of your family.”

“Tehal?”

The boy looked up at his father, confused. The leader of the Temple Guards smiled to himself, she must have been a secret.

“Our deal is this: You can have you daughter back, if you son stays here.”

Brocavich scowled sharply, “No deal! Alec! Come along, we’re leaving.” The young man stood, submissive and excited all at once.

“What about you daughter, Brocavich?” crooned the leader of the Temple guards. Fabian turned his dark eyes on the old man,

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back for her.”

Outside, Fabian hurried Alec along, waiting until they were half a mile from the House on the Hill. He called a rest, pointing to bee that had just landed on a flower; it would probably be the last one they saw for that year, this far north it stayed warmer for longer, but autumn was still coming.

“Tell me where that honey bee came from, Alec.”

Alec, young, brown haired and athletic, looked up at his father and sighed. Fabian always asked these types of questions, he knew that whatever answer he gave would not be wrong, but his father would encourage him to explore other ways, explain his answer.

“I would say that he came from his hive, his queen.”

“Ah, but where did the queen come from?”

Alec scratched his head, “The previous queen?”

“And that one? Where does any of this come from?”

Alec smiled, he knew the answer now, “Tormder, he created two of everything and shaped the landscape for them.”

Brocavich leant against a tree trunk and tapped his middle finger slowly on the bark. “Do you realise what you said? You just told me that every single human is from an incestuous coupling, most likely mother and son if we are to believe the Temple.”

Alec let his mouth drop open, disgusted by the idea. “But then, where?”

His father smiled kindly; he did not smile often and Alec felt privileged to receive the expression of affection. “You know about The Talent. Where did that come from?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“It all comes from the same place, the raw energy which is channelled when you use The Talent, you can sense it in everything if you try. There are some people who can access that energy in its pure form, its called wild magic.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Rather, we’ll talk about it on the way back; but now I want to talk to you about the girl he mentioned.”

“Tehal?”

Brocavich nodded and sat down on a mossy lump of earth. “I think I need to explain things, why don’t you ask questions?”

Alec sat opposite and frowned. “What I don’t understand is why you didn’t tell me?”

Fabian sighed, “Do you remember when we went to Shana’dun? You came back with a black eye on day, you wouldn’t tell me where you got it; so I asked around. Eventually the horse master, a man named Lederai, told me that the girl did it. Do you want to know who that girl was? That was Tehal; do you see why I kept the two of you apart?”

Alec scowled suspiciously, “Wait a minute. Her? She’s my sister?”

“Well… adopted. I was visiting the Temple with your mother a few years after you’d been born, we woke up one morning and there was this toddler sitting on the step; your mother took one look at her and wanted to keep her. We arranged it, but before we could she… well you know what happened there. I couldn’t look after five of you by myself; it had been difficult enough with four of you and your mother for help. So I left Tehal at the Temple, I thought she’d be in good hands there, I thought that in a few years when Peter found a place of his own and when Carla was older that I could bring her back home, but somehow things went… wrong.”

Alec leant backwards, “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to see if I can find a horse in the village, I’ll ride to the High Priest, he owes me a favour.”

“You’ll never get there and back before they change the rules again.”

“You’re not the only one with skills.”

“What am I going to do?”

“Get yourself back home.”

“But…”

“Do it, now, keep yourself hidden, but don’t use your talent.”

Fabian walked away before Alec had a chance to say anything. The village wasn’t far, but Tormder was, he’d have to keep focused.

Stepping into the village he instantly saw the horse he was looking for. Four men were hanging onto him as he bucked and reared, trying desperately to restrain him. Fabian smiled and wandered over. He took one of the ropes, followed back to the horse.

It reared, baring its teeth. The other three backed off, leaving Fabian standing there, holding down the white horse with all of his strength. The horse snapped at him, snorting and foaming at the mouth. With no ideas left, Fabian risked everything to stretch a hand forwards and place it on the horse’s muzzle.

It quietened automatically, eyes claming, legs falling still and nuzzling into his palm. Fabian smiled,

“Who owns this horse?”

The men shook their head and started to back off. Fabian realised his mistake, he’d used magic openly.

“Who owns this horse?” he asked again, but still got no answer. He swore quietly to himself and told the horse to take him to whoever owned him. The horse shook his head and Fabian sighed; great, a horse who didn’t know who his master was.

A man appeared at a door, “What are you doing with my horse?”

Fabian turned, smiled. “Is it yours?”

“I found it yes. What do want with him?”

“I’d like to buy him.”

“Have him, he’s no use to me, there’s not a soul who can ride him.”

Fabian smiled and bowed slightly, magic really was useful today.

#

Marn took her hands softly, “Hey, can you hear me?”

She moaned and rolled over; Marn allowed himself to smile a little, she was coming round. It couldn’t have been a material based drug, otherwise she wouldn’t have woken for at least another four hours; he was pleased, she must have been strong in will and mind.

“It’s time to wake up.”

She moaned again. “No, I can’t, it hurts.”

“You have to, your father’s here.”

“He’s not,” she replied, voice unclouded by the drugs, “He’s gone.”

Frowning, Marn rolled her over and put a hand either side of her head. Her dark pits of eyes met and equalled his gaze. “What do you mean?”

“I saw. He left, along with my brother.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Now let me sleep.” She closed her eyes, turning away from him.

“Tehal?” She refused to move. He tapped on the check but she kept still and silent. He hit her and she turned her wild, hard eyes on him,

“What was that for?”

“We have to go, now.”

“Why?”

Marn sighed. “Because…” he said very carefully and slowly, “we… are… going… to… die.”

She pushed him away with both hands and pushed herself up. “I know, but there’s nothing I can do.”

“There is.” He took her shoulder, spinning her round. For a moment he saw a vulnerable girl who was willing to give up, but the look was gone as soon as he caught her gaze and she was back to her hard eyes; but they lacked their fighting spirit, the one he knew and loved.

“I’ve no magic, but I can still fight, let me guard your back. You can combat the Temple Guards, I know your magic, it’s strong and powerful, you said yourself you know their ways. Please, we cannot give up. Think of your father, and if that doesn’t help then think of me. Because… because I love you.”

She looked up, there was still no fight in her eyes, but they weren’t desperate anymore. “You’ve no weapon.”

He smiled, flicking his wrist, and there was one of the hunting knives. She frowned at it,

“Where…?”

“My sleeve, it wasn’t just the bag that you could fit things into. Come on, let’s go.”

She smiled, the skin of her lip splitting slightly, a slow trickle of blood falling down her chin. “I love you.”

“And I you.” He kissed her, licking the blood away, and took her hand.

¹ – Alkual -->Never

² – Evelc el --> Be Gone