Arrows of Time (10 page)

‘This isn’t a philosophical debate; it’s a medical decision. Get her off my ward, now.’

He clasped his hands together. ‘You’ll need an order from Admin for that. I’m going to fight you on this one. I’ll keep trying to revive her until I see the paperwork.’

‘You’re pushing it too far.’

He exhaled. ‘I’m aware of that.’

‘So move her!’ She held his eyes for a moment before heading down the hall.

Not until I have to.
He straightened his shoulders and returned to his patient. ‘Hally, we need another complete set of diagnostics, and get me Lucy J in Labs.’

‘Are we running out of time, Dr Kelly?’

He listened again to Jane Doe’s heart. ‘It would seem so.’

A
n’ Lawrence didn’t move. His eyes were unfocused, and though he was aware of each sword pointed at him, front, back and side, his shoulders were relaxed, his body fluid. Stripped to the waist, his weapon in a guard position, he felt the serpent tattoos on his arms come alive, as if they too were watching, waiting. The thunder eagle protecting his back was all but screaming defiance. He kept his eyes hooded and drew in a breath. Sweat poured down his chest, mingling with the red dust, streaking his skin.

‘Again,’ he said, bellowing the command.

Four students rushed in at once, their war cries filling the air. He took a small step to the side and allowed three of them to pass. Their practice swords swung wide of the mark as they struggled to avoid colliding with each other. The fourth, a Lupin named Teg, had more cunning. Waiting a fraction of a second, he had attacked with a right-handed strike, his blade aiming to slice from above the left clavicle to the right
hip. An’ Lawrence dropped to one knee. He thrust his sword arm up, his blade becoming a horizontal block. The Lupin’s strike hit near the hilt, sliding down the length of his sword to the ground. As it glanced off, An’ Lawrence stepped forward, swinging his arm in an arc and striking downward. He stopped as the wooden practice blade cracked the top of his student’s shoulder. Teg dropped to both knees, his sword arm out of control, the blade digging into the ground

‘That was your block, lad?’ An’ Lawrence asked. He sheathed his sword and signalled his students to do the same. The Lupin picked himself up and stepped back into line. He didn’t wince, though An’ Lawrence knew that his shoulder would sting like demons after that blow. ‘Is anyone still confused as to why we are using practice swords today?’

The class was silent, their collective gaze fixed ahead. Although none of them made eye contact, they were completely attentive.

‘You did well, all of you. Maluka, your work is exemplary, though you need to think further ahead.’

A Lupin girl squared her shoulders and gave a slight nod.

‘Teg, your initial move was smart. Where was the follow-through?’ He didn’t wait for an answer. ‘I’d like all of you,’ he said, raising his voice, ‘to practise moving from block to cut to block this afternoon. Focus on each action completely, and when it is executed shift fluidly to the next. There is always a next move, even when your opponent is lying at your feet. Questions?’

Maluka stepped forward, her eyes resting on his. They were a deep teal blue and lined with black lashes. Her hair, held back in a short ponytail, was red as sunset—strange colourings for a Lupin. But the potency in her gaze alone gave her away—it was
beyond human. ‘Sword Master,’ she said, her voice melodic, sweet, ‘when will we be working more with energy forces?’

There was a murmur of approval from the other students. He smiled. This one will have to meet Rosette.

‘You mean magic?’ he asked.

The entire class nodded, eyes bright.

‘When you can protect yourself without it,’ he answered.

Some of the faces fell, but Maluka dipped her head, her eyes never breaking contact with his. It was a challenge. He felt a fire rise up his spine, and he gathered it, blazing it back to her. She didn’t look away. The breeze fluttered loose strands of hair across her face and she relaxed, brushing them aside. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I look forward to it.’

He exhaled. In the distance a bell tolled, indicating the noon break.

‘Done, and well done,’ he said to the class. ‘And, Teg, get some cold packs on that shoulder.’

The other Lupin met him with much the same look as Maluka before turning away. As his students cleared the practice arena, forming small groups as they headed towards the manor house, he smiled.
They’ve got talent
, he said to his familiar.

Some more than others.

He turned to find Scylla sitting under a willow tree, her eyes glowing like amber jewels in the shade. She was framed in the weeping branches, a curtain of green tendrils wafting in the breeze.

You think so, Scylla?

I know so. Watch out for the male.

‘Are you warming to the Lupins, Rowan?’

He hid his surprise at Kreshkali stepping out from behind the tree.
Thanks for the warning
, he said to Scylla.

She gave what felt like a mental shrug.
I thought you’d have sensed her.

I didn’t.
He took the towel Kreshkali tossed him and wiped the sweat and dust from his body. ‘They’ve got potential. They all do.’

‘And they fit in?’

‘Maluka, definitely. Vivacious girl, much like Rosette.’ An’ Lawrence searched for Teg, but he’d vanished.

‘And Teg?’

‘Talented.’

‘In the group?’

‘He’s a loner, though the others respect him.’

‘Good enough.’

An’ Lawrence ducked under the rail, then took a long drink from his waterskin. ‘What’s up, Kali? I know you didn’t come out here to chat about my students.’

She’s got news, Rowan.

Good news?

Not really. She’s worried.

He didn’t react to his familiar’s insights, his face remaining smooth and placid.

‘I’ve not heard a word from Rosette since they left the Isle of Lemur. I thought perhaps Scylla or you…’ Her voice trailed off. ‘But no, I can see you’ve not heard from her either.’

‘Scylla can’t reach Drayco mind to mind. The distance is too far, wherever he is.’ He watched his familiar preening herself for a moment before she returned to her statue-still pose. ‘She’s not perturbed.’

‘Well, I am. They’ve been gone three months now.’

‘Three months our time. No knowing how long it’s been for them.’ He headed for the manor.

She fell into step with his long stride. ‘I can’t shake this sense of concern, Rowan. I’m crossing over to Treeon to see if there is any word there.’

‘Makee may know something?’

‘I’m hoping she will.’

‘She wasn’t there last time you checked.’

‘Sabbatical. She’d be back now. She’s never far from the Dragon Bone Chair.’

‘Even with the new High Priestess, La Teeka, there?’

‘Makee remains principal adviser, though she’s free to come and go, as she desires.’ Kreshkali frowned. ‘I wonder just how far she’s exercising that freedom.’

‘The coming or the going?’

‘Both.’

An’ Lawrence draped his arm over her shoulder. ‘When are you off?’

‘As soon as you agree on the name.’

He tightened his grip for an instant before letting his hand slide away. ‘You’re dead set on Los Loma?’

‘Temple Los Loma,’ she said. ‘It suits.’

He looked at the landscape. Beyond the surrounding oasis were endless barren plains, rent with cracks and tumbled red rocks, a desert without visible signs of life, though much dwelled there.

‘Doesn’t Loma mean “hill”?’ He opened his arms wide. ‘You may have noticed that there are no hills, dales or mountains of any kind here. It’s mostly as flat as my blade outside of this valley, and there certainly aren’t any snowcapped peaks, save leagues to the north. I don’t see the connection to Los Loma, Gaela.’

‘The name honours the Lupins, for one.’

He ground his teeth. ‘Anything else?’

‘The numerology fits.’

‘How so?’

‘Fives and nines,’ she said.

‘Please refresh me on the relevance, witch.’

‘Freedom, unconventionality and the gift to adapt and change as need be. Also, the skill to stand alone.’

He looked into the distance again. ‘We’ll certainly
need that. There’re no other temples on Earth, are there?’

‘Not any more. None that I can detect, anyway.’

He exhaled a long breath, tapping his lips. ‘The lack of boundaries?’ he asked. ‘How will that relate?’

She glanced at him sideways. ‘So you do know your numbers, after all.’

‘I’ve had need to understand the nines,’ he said, a smile curling his lip. ‘It’s given me great comfort to study that one in particular.’

She cleared her throat. ‘Have you? It’s not necessary to walk you through it, then.’

‘Would you mind, though? I’m curious how it applies to a place as opposed to a person.’

‘Person, place or thing, all have an identity, an energy. You know this.’

‘And the number nine in Temple Los Loma?’

‘I see it as the link to the portals more than a loss of centering. We are in a fixed position here, but we travel to and fro via the corridors.’ She swept her arm towards the courtyard, empty now as everyone else sought shelter from the blistering midday sun. ‘We are a mix here, unlike any other. We come from different lines, different worlds. Our boundaries are truly blurred, mingling to create something new, something unique.’

He put his arm back around her shoulder and drew her close. ‘Let’s hope you’re right,’ he whispered in her ear.

‘So you agree?’

‘When you put it that way, Temple Los Loma it is,’ he said.

‘Thank you.’ She beamed, looking up at the sky. ‘I won’t be long.’ She stepped back, energy swirling towards her like a dust storm.

He felt a rebound wave hit his chest and when he blinked she was gone—a black falcon shooting up
above the tree line and heading for the gates. Three ravens, squawking a reprimand, flapped after her.

‘You best not be,’ he said, though she disappeared as he spoke.

Scylla pushed her head under his hand, the purr in her throat vibrating his fingers.
She manipulated you well.

What do you mean? It was my choice. She wouldn’t use the name if I didn’t agree.

That, Rowan, is true.

He roughed her neck. ‘Come, lovely, let’s find some food. I’m famished.’

And a cool spot? I can’t feel my full appetite in this heat.
She panted as they walked out of the sun.

‘I know just the place. You’ll love it.’ He headed towards the shaded pool, his temple cat by his side.

R
osette reached out into the darkness, taking small, cautious steps. The ground was uneven, the rock wall crumbling at her touch.

‘I can’t see a thing, Drayco,’ she whispered, keeping one hand on the hilt of her sword. ‘How about you?’

There’s a light ahead.

The voice of her familiar felt like a soft blanket that comforted her in this dry atmosphere, but the words made her shiver, chills prickling her spine. ‘Whoa. Hang on.’

What is it, Maudi?

‘I just had a massive déjà vu.’

He leaned against her.
I don’t get those.

‘I know, but I do, and it was a big one. Can you sense Jarrod ahead?’

There was a pause as her familiar considered.
He’s not here.

‘What do you mean? He has to be.’

She cupped her hands to her mouth, tipped back her head and started to call out, ‘Jar—’ She stopped herself short. ‘This is really weird. I feel like…’

It’s okay, Maudi. You know how time can play tricks. He may have come through well before us.

‘That’s not what I meant…’ She strained into the distance, cupping her ear. ‘Do you hear that?’

Those birds?

‘It sounds like a flute to me.’

A bard?

‘Maybe.’

Bards, birds. Not much difference really.

She laughed before calling again. ‘J-a-r-r-o-d!’ Her voice echoed through the cave. Before it completely died away, pebbles trickled down the walls. The mountain answered with a deep rumble of its own. Rosette held her breath.

I wouldn’t be yelling until we are out of this hole. Besides, it’s not Jarrod. He doesn’t make the bard music. Why is that?
Drayco rubbed his ear on her thigh as he sent the thoughts.

‘I don’t know.’

It’s someone else, Maudi. He’s strangely familiar.

‘I thought you didn’t get déjà vu.’

I don’t.
Drayco’s hackles went up and she gripped her sword.

‘Whoever’s out there may know where Jarrod is.’

Of course, we will ask.

‘They might…’ She stopped short and drew her sword. It sang as she released it from the scabbard, the edge glinting in the dull light. ‘What’s that?’ A tremor ran up her legs; the ground beneath her rolled like the sea.

Earthquake?

‘Run!’ she screamed above the sound of tumbling rock. She sprinted towards the opening of the cave,
Drayco loping by her side, the ground churning. Torrents of pebbles and dirt flowed down the walls, turning into rock slides. Dust swirled, grating her eyes and stinging the back of her throat. She couldn’t breathe. The ground cracked, splitting open. She ran hard to stay ahead of the rifts. The light increased, and beyond the mouth of the cave a landscape of dead trees and mire appeared. ‘Keep going!’ she said as they rushed out.

She sheathed her sword and hit the swamp, muck saturating her boots and caking her bare legs. Deeper into the mire they ran until the ground firmed up at the base of a huge oak tree. She turned in time to catch the thunderous clap from the mouth of the cave, which was suddenly obscured by boulders, rock and rubble. Dust rolled upward, plumbing above the newly reshaped rock face. Within seconds, the landscape went deathly still.