Dark Lightning (4 page)

‘Where did you hear all this said?’ Orish asked, his lined face crinkling into a grin when he cackled with laughter. ‘I must be deaf as well as blind. You shouldn’t listen to marketplace gossip, especially when engaged between the sheets. You should keep your mind on the job at hand.’

Hal grinned. ‘My mind is disengaged from my body at such times. Besides, you get to hear useful gossip from between the sheets prattle.’

‘Make sure you listen with your intuition and are not tempted to indulge in anything except the carnal. Be discreet, Hal. Some of these women are paid to pass on anything they hear, so be on your guard. It doesn’t take long for rumor to start, or for it to reach the ears of our rulers.’

Hal snorted with laughter. ‘And what rumor about me would be of interest to anyone? That I travel with my grandfather, who makes jewelry, and I sharpen knives and do odd jobs for a living? I’m hardly a threat to Lord Cynan or his henchmen.’

‘You have extraordinary intelligence, that in itself might interest them. They dismantled the schools, burned the books and slaughtered the teachers.’

‘It’s said the Karshal princess is intelligent and learned. Why haven’t they killed her?’

  ‘The Karshal daughter uses her skills to keep herself alive. Her many charms have kept Lord Cynan by her side, but before too long Cynan will reap what he has sown in Azarine, for she has stayed alive for a purpose.’

Azarine
? Where had he heard the name before? ‘What is that purpose, Grandfather, and how do you know about it?’

Orish looked troubled. ‘I’ve already said too much and you must never mention it again.’

‘You never say too much, only what you think I should know.’

Orish answered with a small smile. ‘Come, let us be on our way. He set out across the plain towards the forest, his purposeful strides heading for the fork in the road that led to Arles. It wasn’t long before he slowed down and Hal caught him up.

* * * *

Azarine had just finished dressing for the evening feast in a gown the color of sunrise, when a servant brought a message from Cynan’s first wife, asking for an audience.

Surprised, for she rarely saw the woman, Azarine allowed her entry. Serica didn’t bow to her, as most women did, but then, why should she? Azarine thought. Serica was small and round, the expression on her face set and determined. She couldn’t keep the envy from her eyes when she took in the splendor of Azarine’s gown and the dark glistening fall of her hair.

‘I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here,’ Serica said.

‘As the mother of Cynan’s daughter you have the right to be in the manor. I’m pleased to see you. Take a seat and tell me the purpose of your visit.’

 Serica looked mollified. ‘It’s Danea.’

‘Your daughter ... is there something wrong with her?’

‘I want you to take her under your protection. I thought she could serve you.’

‘But she’s Cynan’s daughter. Hasn’t he arranged a marriage for her?’

‘He shows very little interest in her. Despite her birth Danea is plain, awkward and clumsy. She's a lump, in fact. Those I’ve approached with sons have shown reluctance. Men tease her and the women laugh at her behind her back. Danea has no graces, and says she won’t wed unless someone loves her for herself. I despair of her.’

Pity for the girl flowed through Azarine. ‘I’ll need Cynan’s permission.’

‘Aye, but he’ll do anything you ask,’ Serica said bitterly. ‘Some say you’ve enchanted him.’

Azarine frowned as she warned, ‘It would be better for them, and for you, if Cynan didn’t hear them utter such a lie. If the girl is here with you fetch her in. I’ll see if we get on.’

Serica nodded and headed for the door. She returned in a short while with a girl dressed in an ugly grey shift. Danea wasn’t as plain as people said, but her pale skin was scattered with a handful of freckles and her mouth drooped in discontent. She had a shapely body, and pale, straight eyebrows over dull brown eyes. Her reddish hair was fashioned into an untidy braid.

‘I understand you have no desire to wed, Danea.’

‘I’ve not met anyone I care enough for, or who even wanted to wed me,’ said the girl a trifle defiantly, and she darted a glance at her mother. ‘I see no reason to hasten into a marriage for the sake of convenience.’

Serica scolded. ‘You’re ugly, and you do not attract men easily. If you’re too fussy you’ll never wed.’

A flush crept under the girl’s fine skin. Azarine could almost feel the misery and turmoil her mother’s words had created in her.

‘There are things I want to do first, places I want to see. I want to learn, know the history of the past.’

‘Pah!’ Serica said. ‘Learning was never part of our way of life.’ A spiteful glance came Azarine’s way. ‘Only the Karshal dabble in the need to know. Look where it got them? In eighteen seasons, despite their intrigue, they have become the slaves of the Arles.’

Biting her tongue, Azarine held up her hand before the words between mother and daughter developed into an argument. ‘Allow me to talk to Danea alone, Serica.’

When Serica flounced off Azarine smiled at the girl. ‘Can you read?’

There was a sudden sense of alarm about the girl, as if she’d pulled a cloak of caution around her. Azarine pushed it aside easily. ‘Come, you can trust me, Danea.’

  ‘Aye, I can read, lady. I was born with the ability and all these years have had to deny it. And I can calculate numbers and know of the stars in the sky, and can tell stories set to music.’

‘Then you’re talented indeed.’

The girl could not hide her flare of joy at being praised. ‘Even though it’s against the law, I have a craving inside me to know more. When I was young I had a nurse who taught me these things. When my father learned of it he cut her tongue out and cast her into the desert to die.’

Gently, she said, ‘But your nurse didn’t die, did she?’

Danea hung her head. ‘No lady, she was found by a group of the followers of the Grand Alchemist and nursed back to health. She is with them still, and comes to me in my dreams. You’re the first person I’ve told. Please don’t tell my father.’

‘Your secret is safe with me. I’m honored by your confidence. Would you consider joining my household, Danea? I think we’ll get along, don’t you?’

The girl nodded, then her eyes slid sideways and she began to cry. ‘You have been good to me Lady, and I don’t deserve your kindness. I’ll risk a beating and tell them you didn’t want me.’

‘Will you tell me why?’

Danea stared at the scuffed boots she wore on her feet and whispered, ‘My mother and my uncle expect me to spy on you.’

Azarine gave the girl a hug. ‘Did you think I didn’t know that the minute Serica walked in? I’m glad you’ve told me. It means you’re honest, and that I can trust you. I ask you for a second time. Will you join me?’

A wide smile spread across the girl’s face and her eyes began to shine. ‘Yes, my lady, and I’ll never let you down.’

Azarine took the girl’s hands in hers and exerted pressure with her thumb. A luminous blue glow appeared and disappeared.

‘What was that?’ the girl whispered.

‘It’s the recognition sign of true-bloods.’

‘I have read of them,’ Danea said, looking scared and excited all at the same time. ‘They carry the genes of––’

Azarine placed a finger over her mouth. You must tell nobody of what you are.’

‘But I don’t understand. How can I be a true-blood, when my parents are not?’

‘The gene is selective. Now ... you cannot attend me at the feast in that gown. There’s a pale green one in my vanity room that will not clash with the one I’m wearing. Esbel will see to your toilette, but we must be quick.’

‘But madam.’

‘Enough ... you smell as if you’ve been tending the pigs. See to her, Esbel.’

‘What will my mother and say if I turn up to the feast in such finery? Besides, I usually sit behind her.’

A cold smile touched Azarine’s mouth. I imagine your mother will be envious, but it matters not, since you’re employed in my household now. Hurry now, and Esbel, make sure her hair is washed for it’s such a pretty color.  

* * * *

A little while later, Serica reported to Penn, ‘The Karshal woman has accepted Danea into her household.’

‘It’s about time Danea made herself useful,’ Penn said. ‘Azarine was considering taking Helise in. She still might. Cynan was thinking of choosing her as a wife for Laek.’

‘The girl is wayward.’

Penn smiled. ‘Yes ... I’m counting on it. It’s not dignified for my brother to be under the spell of the Karshal princess. We need a woman who can distract him.’

Several sub cycles later the recruits on the Isle of Soran presented themselves to their instructors for combat training.

One of the commanders walked along the line, scrutinizing them carefully and pinching their skin for signs of dehydration. A number of the recruits were a sorry-looking sight, their cheeks and stomachs hollowed with hunger, hair dirty and matted. Their instructor pulled them out of the ranks. ‘You need to be restored.’

‘What about the food we were promised,’ the plump youth said, though he didn’t seem quite as good-tempered as he’d been on the boat. His group was made up of three lads smaller than himself, all of whom were in the group of the underfed. They all had a variety of bruises.

‘Like I said when you stepped ashore, Desii, the island is self-sufficient. It’s obvious you can fend for yourself, though your companions look as though a good meal wouldn’t go astray.’

‘They were lazy and didn’t find enough food for all of us.’

‘I see.’ The instructor grunted as he moved on to Laek’s group. ‘You look as though you’re doing well.’

‘Aye, sir. We have everything we need, and more. We’re willing to share what we have with others.’

‘The weak must learn to fend for themselves, or perish.’

‘Why should the weak perish when they could survive if they were helped by those with more than a fair share? They should be nourished and taught survival skills.’

‘Ah, we have an expert in our midst, I see.’

The instructors grinned at one another, then the second one said, ‘Your Karshal blood is rising to the top, Prince of Arles. A soldier must be tough to survive. Your father would tolerate no weakness amongst his troops.’

‘Or show any mercy,’ the other murmured. He smiled at him. ‘Compassion is not such a bad trait to have under certain circumstances and we must remember your youth before we judge your mettle as a man.’

‘But we’re not at war. As for my father, he displayed mercy towards my mother and her servant and allowed them both to live.’

‘He admired her courage. Desire for a woman is a different matter altogether. Lord Cynan is a conqueror, not a defender. He was entitled to your mother as the spoils of war. He did her great honor in taking her for a wife instead of killing her with the rest of her family, though there are some who say she enchanted him.’

‘If you value your life I’d suggest that you do not say such a thing within my father’s hearing.’

‘And what about in
your
hearing ... will you not defend your mother.’

‘With my life, Commander, but not until I’m able to defend her with skill and honor, and with a cool head.’

‘You’re wise Prince of Arles. Your father will want his troops kept well trained and ready for battle, and he will expect your skills to be exceptional.’

‘He’s already conquered Karshal, and the mountains of the great rift are impassable. Those sent there have never returned, and it’s believed that they’ve perished in the fires ... or by other means. What is there left to conquer, Commander?’

‘Truarc.’

A gasp rattled through the ranks of the troopers, and even Laek caught his breath at the thought that the legendary Truarc might still exist. But still, he battled on.

‘I was taught by my history tutor that the Truarcs who refused to leave the edge towns died in the firestorm after the rift came together, and the land beyond became an arid desert. The rift is impassable. Fire rages along its length, and no one knows what’s on the dark side. I’ve heard that Bane guards the mountains.’

The commander guffawed. ‘It sounds as though you were raised on a witch’s teat. ‘That’s all the more reason why Lord Cynan might wish to explore it, to destroy any life form that could threaten our future. Your expression tells me you do not share his views, Laek. Your mother’s blood is showing, I imagine. You’ve reached an age where you need to temper it and be more aware of your father’s influence.’

For a minitix Laek cared not what anyone thought of him, especially his father, Lord Cynan. His blood ran reckless in a way he found hard to control at times. Besides, he was learning that he had extraordinary skills of his own that were nothing to do with his father. Those he must suppress when they tried to run amok.

Tighe placed a hand on his arm and his thoughts entered Laek’s head like a steadying balm.
Be very careful of what you say, Laek, he is testing your loyalty as well as your temper.

Laek lowered his eyes. ‘You are right, of course, commanders. It was not my intention to question your judgment and my Lord father’s views.’ He pitched some enthusiasm into his voice. ‘My pardon, commander. I hold my father in great esteem and will strive to make him proud of me.’

Desii’s snigger turned into a cough.

‘It’s an admirable trait when a man can admit to his failings – and even more admirable when he’s self-disciplined enough to keep his temper in check. Well done, Laek. There will be a merit added to your file. Now, we will begin our training with a warm up. Strip down to your breeches everyone. You will run to the rock at the far end of the beach, then swim out around the buoy before we start hand-to-hand combat.

It was an exhausting day followed by a good meal.

From then on it was all work. Commanders came and went, those with exceptional skills to teach. Beside the hand-to-hand combat there was archery practice and team contests. During this time Laek discovered he had the reflexes of a cat, and he could go without sleep for long periods of time.