Dark Lightning (7 page)

Hal felt sorry for the pair.

Within two days Hal was familiar with every laneway and building. If he’d hoped to see the princess Azarine he was disappointed. As strangers in town they drew attention, but only one of the troops wandering the streets questioned their business in being there. He asked for a permit, which Orish provided from a pocket inside his sleeve.

Orish had never been out of Hal’s sight, and he asked him, ‘Where did you get that permit from?’

 ‘Didn’t you see? I got it from inside my sleeve,’ he teased.

‘But how did it get in your sleeve in the first place?’

 He laughed. ‘Mind your own business.’

 Their stories, of which Orish seemed to have a never-ending supply, began to draw crowds. ‘I should do them a wizard show,’ he said. ‘It always draws in the people in the other towns.’

One evening, Orish took up position in the marketplace and began his tale.

‘Long ago when our world was young, there lived an alchemist who thought he could turn dirt into gold. Due to a miscalculation on his part, he blew the world into two pieces.’

A murmur went through the crowd.

Uneasily, Hal realized that Orish was orating a tale that was forbidden. He could be arrested.

A cry of astonishment and alarm came from the crowds when Orish clapped his hands and a loud flash and multi-colored smoke came from him. This was followed by nervous laughter and applause when Orish came out of the smoke in a bright green robe twinkling with stars, and a pointed hat. When he lifted the hat, half a dozen birds went winging in all directions, attracting more laughter. The doves would soon find their way back to the stable.

‘One half of the world was called Truarc, and the other Cabrillan. The mighty warrior Kavan was ruler of Cabrillan, and he took for his bride, Tiana, a young Truarc maid of great beauty. His quest was to reunite the world before the two halves of the world collided, thus avoiding a catastrophe ...’

Standing in the shadows Hal allowed his gaze to wander over the audience. It was a mixed one and they all seemed enthralled by this basic display by Orish.

Three women stood at the very back of the crowd, and caught his attention. One had hair as dark as midnight, he saw before she pulled on a concealing cowl, and she wore a long cape. The other was a companion, he thought. He made out a quiet, resigned face. Although she was ordinary, something about her attracted him. When Orish did one of his tricks, she clapped her hands and laughed. Her smile was extraordinary, making her appear almost beautiful. The third was small in stature and there was a faint luminosity in her eyes. She had watcher blood in her.

The one with dark hair seemed familiar to him. He began to work his way around the back of the crowd. The watcher must have seen him, for she whispered something to her mistress, who turned her face his way.

Orish chose that moment to let off another thunderclap, and in the flash of light he saw her face clearly. It was as beautiful as the night and framed by her raven hair. The glistening blue of her eyes was so dark that the color appeared to be as purple as the dusk. Puzzlement filled them. Her smile came, and then went, uncertain. She turned away, and in an instant the three of them had melted into the crowd.

Azarine,
he thought.

A trooper pushed through the crowd, bringing rumbles of discontent from the audience, so they began to push and shove. In the middle of the audience a lad and a girl stood. They began to run.

The crowd got to their feet and began to mill around, booing and hissing, allowing the pair to escape. Hal lost sight of them.

‘They went that way,’ someone shouted, and pointed. Soon the crowd went galloping after the trooper to see if the pair would be caught.

‘The time has come for us to leave,’ Orish whispered, and he unhurriedly began to pack items into his bag. There was a large wicker basket into which he usually threw the heavier items. He threw his wizard’s outfit into it and said, ‘Help me carry this.’

It was heavier than usual, and Hal frowned. ‘What have you got in this basket.’

‘This and that.’

Uffo was waiting for them, already attached to the cart. Sharn stood nearby. Smiling, he whispered, ‘It was a good story, but one that’s been banned from reading in public. You must go before Cynan finds out and sends someone to arrest you. There’s a pot of stew and some bread for your supper. Till we meet again, and he gave a small bow before slipping away into the crowd.

It wasn’t until they were well on their way that Orish brought the cart to a halt. Turning, he lifted the lid from the basket. ‘The pair of you can come out now.’

A head popped up, belonging to a young woman with large eyes and an indignant look on her face. ‘How did you know we were in there?’

‘I could hear you breathing.’

‘You have keen ears then. Where are you going?’

‘To Karshal.’

‘So are we,’ the boy said swiftly, climbing out of the basket and helping his sister to follow.

Hal sent the old man a smile. ‘Then you might as well travel with us.’

The girl slipped the cowl from her head and grinned, though the grin was directed towards her brother. Her hair was braided, and was full of dried mud ... obviously an attempt at disguise, for it was as fair as spun silver where the mud was wearing off, and gave off a slight luminosity.

‘You have moonlight in your hair, and it’s enchanting,’ he said, wondering what the hell had come over him.

Beside him, Orish chuckled.

She blushed, and snapped at him for his trouble. ‘You have a glib tongue. Do not say such things when I just want to look ordinary, like everyone else.’

‘My pardon,’ Lady Disagreeable. ‘Yes ... you are ordinary. Not that I was going to tell you any different. In fact, was just being kind to you; your hair is filthy and it stinks of river mud. I imagine you’ll attract all the flies. When we get to the lake, remind me to dunk you in it and give you a good wash.’

Now she looked downright furious. ‘Lay one finger on me and I’ll bite it off at the knuckle.’

‘Do shut up, Jynx, unless you want to walk,’ the lad said, and held out a hand. ‘I’m Remy, and this is my sister, Jynx.’

‘Why was that trooper after you?’

‘Our mother discovered that Jynx heals easily. She thinks Jynx might be a follower of the Grand Alchemist, and said it’s unnatural. Also, I have some magic in me, so our father has ordered us to be euthanized. That trooper is our brother, Emry’s, and he’s the best tracker in Cynan’s service. What are your names?’

Falcon Darkwater slipped into his mind. ‘Hal,’ he said, slightly befuddled by the effect the girl was having on him. He liked women with flesh on their bones, but this little maid was small. However, she was perfectly proportioned, he noticed. A delicious morsel, in fact, despite being dressed like a lad. He’d like to see her in some flowing garment with her hair unbound.

‘Why are you staring at me if I’m so dirty and ugly?’ she hissed. I’ll a poke a finger in your eye if you’re not careful.’

‘Then I’ll be forced to tan your backside you disagreeable little wretch.’ He’d intended to apologize, but thought: Damn her! ‘This is Orish, who raised me.’

‘Are you a real wizard, Orish?’ Remy asked.

‘Those were tricks I used in the market place,’ he said vaguely Are you hungry? As soon as we reach the lake we’ll make camp and heat up our dinner.’

 Her stomach gurgled at the thought of food. 

Hal said no more to her until they reached the lake, when he helped her down from the cart she kissed him on the cheek. ‘I’m sorry. You’ve been kind to us, Hal, and I was rude.’

‘You’re young, you’ve been through a lot and we will say no more about it.’

‘Remy and I don’t know what to do or where to go to escape from Emrys. Remy said that he and I have a destiny, but he doesn’t know what it is or how to go about it yet. He’s not aggressive and he wonders if his fighting skills will be sufficient to protect me from a foe such as Emrys. Remy is a dreamer, and he ponders on such things often. It’s always a pleasure to him when he finds an answer.’

Her naivety was refreshing, and Hal smiled at her. ‘Then we have much in common. Perhaps our destiny converges in some way. We will try and sort it out. But first we must go to Karshal, and then I must go into retreat for a while. Only then will I know who I am and where I’m from.’

* * * *

Azarine smiled as Helise asked to be excused from her chamber. The girl’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes glittered. Cynan had noticed Helise today, and she had simpered and smiled and cast flirtatious eyes his way.

Helise had taken great care with her gown, considering she’d said she was making a visit to her parents, Azarine noticed. It was cut low across her breast. She had threaded her lustrous dark hair with a red ribbon to match the clinging fabric.

Yegan Colban’s eldest daughter was ambitious. She wasn’t going to wait for Laek to return, but intended to ensnare his father and usurp Azarine from his affections and her exalted position of Lady of Arles.

Let her, Azarine thought, for the girl had played straight into her hands. Helise’s triumph would be short-lived. She would even help her with her quest; give her an excuse to see Cynan in case he was strong enough to refuse her entry to his chamber.

‘You may go. Deliver that note to Lord Cynan personally.’

‘Thank you, Lady.’

So demure, she was ... s
uch an accomplished liar!

Azarine shrugged, and thought as she turned to her servant – enough of nurturing her own bitchery though, however satisfying. ‘Esbel, follow her. Tell me if she goes to Cynan’s chamber, and if he rejects her.’

‘He won’t. The potion you slipped into his drink will make him so rampant he’ll be unable to resist her charms for several days to come.’

 Danea shrugged. ‘She will not resist his advances if she values her life. By the time he comes to his senses we’ll be well on our way. I almost feel sorry for Helise.’

Esbel gave an impatient huff. ‘That which she’s set in motion will come to pass. Helise has schemed to usurp Azarine from Cynan’s affection. Now the girl must face the consequence.’

Azarine gazed at her reflection in the mirror. For a moment she glimpsed an image of someone deep in its depths, and felt a stirring inside her. He was powerful and his eyes were deep red and glowing. One blink and he was gone, leaving behind a faint odor of sulphur in her nostrils. ‘Cynan will suffer remorse after I’ve gone because he truly came to love and trust me.’

‘Don’t feel sorry for him, Lady. Remember how your family suffered at his hands, especially your lady mother,’ Esbel said, before she sped off after Helise.

How could Azarine forget? Not a day passed by when she didn’t think of the male child they’d cut from her mother’s womb, and wonder how he fared. He’d be fully grown now and soon coming into his mental maturity. Would he have learned of his secret name yet, or of the destiny that was his? Had that been him in the market place with the wizard?

Yes ... no other but herself and her son Laek had such eyes. Soon it would begin ... had in fact just been set in motion.

‘Cynan will hate Helise when the potion wears off, but she will have brought it about by flaunting herself,’ Danea said fiercely, but mostly because it was expected of her. There were some aspects of Azarine’s service that didn’t sit well with her, and deceit wasn’t a natural part of her nature. ‘Half of Cynan’s guard pant after her like rabid dogs.’

If he allowed his nature the upper hand, he’d share Helise’s favors with those guards, Azarine thought with a twinge of guilt. ‘But the other half are true-bloods and will be my escort to Karshal. Helise’s nature is written on her face, and in the way she acts, walks and talks. That’s what attracts the male. It will be her downfall.’

Danea sighed. ‘I don’t want to be wed for dowry and position, so I don’t think I will ever wed at all. I’m too ugly to be loved.’

Taking the girl’s face between her hands Azarine gazed into her eyes and saw the disappointment written there. ‘You’re not ugly; your beauty is all inside you. You have a quiet face and it reflects what’s in your heart too easily. When you experience pleasure you shine, and when you think ill of someone then you have a sour expression that is truly disagreeable. What does that tell you, Danea?’

The girl laughed. ‘That I should strive to always be pleasurable and charitable, even when it’s hard. I was envious and I let it show on my face. I’m sorry, Lady.’

‘It is natural to feel envy, but all of us have to learn to live with the body and nature we were born with. You are good and you’re sensible, and one day your heart will be filled with love for a man. He will sense the goodness and beauty inside you and he will love you true. This I promise. His eyes will see no imperfection in you.’

‘How will I know this man when I meet him?’

‘You will know.’ Azarine kissed the girl’s forehead and released her. ‘Now, let’s start to pack. Take only what we need and are able to carry on a small cart that will be left for us outside the manor walls. We will leave via the usual tunnel, so we won’t be observed. We must wear something sensible. I’ll don my dark blue robe. And I’ll take my ceremonial dagger. It once belonged to my father and has the name of his enemies engraved inside the steel. Cynan will be the first one to feel the blade of the avenger.’

The dagger sang as she drew it from its sheath. Azarine’s lips touched against the blade ‘See how sharp you’ve kept, my dear. Be patient a little longer and we shall have our revenge, you and I.’

Cynan had taught Azarine how to hate, and he’d shown her how to kill without remorse. She had learned fighting skills from watching him with his troops, and the best way of making a man suffer while keeping him alive as long as possible, from executions she’d been powerless to stop.

She’d absorbed the knowledge while she had fed him with honeyed lies, so now her tormented soul would never rest until his life was taken from his body by her own hands, and she was absolved.

From the direction of Cynan’s quarters came a muffled yelp of pain, and the sound of Helise sobbing. Accompanied by the guilt of his betrayal, Cynan was being rough with the girl in his lust. He would not thank Helise for enticing him from his chosen path and Helise would learn a valuable lesson.