Dark Lightning (8 page)

One thing was for certain. Her son would never be wed to Helise now. She smiled as she thought of Laek. He was about to be invested with his true power and knowledge ... as was her brother, Falcon Darkwater.

She went into a meditative state and her mind sought them both out. She saw the aged storyteller in the market place and she scrutinized the shadows behind him. Her gaze settled on a young man and their eyes met. His had no definite color to speak of. It was as though they had a barrier across them to limit his vision. He began to make his way towards her. She couldn’t remember meeting him before, yet she knew him.

She wondered, perhaps he was one of Cynan’s spies, and panicking a little she’d turned and hurried away, Esbel and Danea on her tail.

Shaking her head to clear her vision she concentrated on Laek. But his mind wasn’t on her. He was seated on a rock overlooking a lake and gazing into the water, where the moon was reflected. She heard someone giggle, and her son smiled and trailed his fingers through the water, turning it into moonlit ripples. The giggle belonged to Jynx.

Azarine had accidently intruded into Laek’s private reflections. She was glad to learn that, despite her troubles, Jynx’s irrepressible spirit had not been quashed by the troubles she and her brother now faced.

She was about to let the scene go when Laek looked up from the water and smiled at her. She blew him a kiss, knowing he’d sensed her thoughts and had allowed her into his. 

Esbel slipped inside the room, jerking her out of her reverie. ‘The deed is done, Lady. Cynan is completely absorbed with his new discovered prowess.’

‘Then we’re also done here. Let’s prepare to depart.’

* * * *

The moon was showing its dark side when they emerged from the tunnel.

The true-bloods left Arles on foot in the dead of night, unobtrusively in ones and twos. Melting into the crowds, Azarine and her party walked unnoticed past the guards when they conveniently turned the other way.

The cart they’d hidden was still there. They placed their food and chattels in it and trundled off through the lanes. 

They discarded Cynan’s badge of office, exchanging it for a badge in the shape of a silver peregrine from some of the street vendors.

* * * *

Emrys hesitated. He’d been aware of the exodus but unable to inform Cynan, who’d made himself unavailable to everyone.

He had no peregrine insignia to wear on his cloak.

No matter, it didn’t take him long to get one, and with hardly a squeak. He left the lad’s unconscious body in an alley, and then, slinging his travel pack on to his back he joined the exodus.

After the last true-blood had gone through the guards closed the city gates with themselves on the outside.

Laek’s group was near the end of their training.

They were being closely observed. The commanders came and went between the three islands, and combat strategy was staged. Afterwards they were called together and informed that in the next seven days the groups would be broken up and they’d be sorted into regiments.

‘They will not separate us,’ Laek said, throwing fiercely protective arms about the shoulders of Iago and Jon. We’ve been together since we were born. And I won’t let them take you, Tighe. You’re one of us.’

Tighe shrugged. ‘I’m a hesp, and they may think I’m an unsuitable companion for a prince.’

Two of them looked at him in dismay, the third laughed. ‘They haven’t so far; besides, I choose my own companions unless they happen to choose me first – like you did in the very beginning.’

 Tighe laughed. ‘I thought you hadn’t noticed. Being apart doesn’t matter in the long run. If we take a sacred oath to love and protect each other it will bind us together for the rest of time.

He gazed at Jon and Iago. ‘I can endow you both with the ability to mind contact in case the need ever arises. It’s a handy skill to have.’

The pair grinned at each other.

‘To you, Laek I must offer more, the knowledge of your true identity. It may prove to be a burden to you.’

Laek wasn’t surprised. ‘I wondered when you’d get around to revealing your true purpose. Am I not the true son of Cynan, then? I have often had doubts.’

‘You are your mother’s son. I’ll be bringing you into your blood inheritance, Laek. The truth will be painful. If you didn’t have the bodily strength or maturity of mind I would have had to wait longer. If you can place your trust in me the transference will be successful, otherwise it could kill you.’

Laek didn’t hesitate, just nodded.

‘On the other hand, you may try to kill me.’

Laek grinned at him. ‘I’ve controlled that urge in the past and can do so again.’

‘We will take the sacred oath first and then you will be ready for what comes next. Sit in a circle, two facing in and two out.’ He waited for them to accept the solemnity of the moment then said, ‘Now ... place your palm on your neighbor’s heart and close your eyes. Feel our hearts begin to beat in unison and repeat after me ... We, Jon, Iago, Tighe and Laek take a sacred oath that whether together or apart, we will support each other in the protection of goodness and justice, and for the rest of time.’

‘So it be sworn,’ they all said in unison.

Tighe placed each of his palms against the foreheads of Iago and Jon. ‘Allow your ears and minds to open to that which was previously closed to you. Use the power wisely and deny its existence not, for it will abandon you if you do.’

The pair looked at each other and began to laugh, obviously practising on one another.

Tighe stopped them with a wave of his hand. ‘Tonight, when the moon is full, Laek and I will undergo the transfer of knowledge. We will both be vulnerable when this is going on, so you must guard us carefully. Whatever happens and whatever you hear you must not disturb us or try and break the bond.’

‘Not even if Laek tries to kill you?’

‘Especially not then. I must trust him as much as he trusts me.’

While Jon and Iago patrolled their lair, Laek and Tighe joined hands and closed their eyes. They floated out over the water and were bathed in the light of the moon.

So it took place. Laek allowed himself to drift as Tighe showed him a story without words.

He was in a world that shifted from scene to scene.

He saw Cynan, taking the palace at Karshal, slaughtering men, raping women and cutting the throats of children ... people who couldn’t defend themselves. The scene sickened him.

‘I don’t want to see any more,’ he murmured.

‘You must.’

Outside the city of Karshal was a row of poles. Bodies hung from them. He saw his own family, a man and woman, and two small boys, trying not to show their fear as they were used for target practice ... the woman was with child. Laek cried out when a spear was thrust into her belly. But still she lived, by will alone. Azarine appeared, barely out of maidenhood, her eyes coursing with tears.’

‘Lady mother,’ he murmured, feeling her pain so his heart squeezed painfully in his chest.

 It moved on, the scenes becoming more rapid as he accepted what he was being shown. Esbel cutting open the stomach of the woman and removing the child in all its gore. His mother talked to the infant, kissing the child’s face. Himself? No. He’d been born to Azarine. The infant was a boy, he saw before the child was wrapped and placed in the pouched beak of a bird. Bats descended and blotted out the scene, adding to the carnage.

It moved on. His mother was in a chamber. She took something from a box, a capsule of some sort. He averted his eyes when she began to insert it inside her.

‘You must watch ... you must know it all.’

‘It is my mother and I owe her my respect.’

‘Yes ... and this is the moment when you were conceived and must respect that.’

‘The capsule?’

Laek felt his hatred of Cynan growing as the man forced himself on Azarine. How she could bear, it he didn’t know. She didn’t struggle or cry out though tears glistened on her eyelids.

There was a moment when he was carried into the darkness. For a time all was peace inside the capsule. He grew in its warmth, felt his mother’s heart beat above him, experienced her love surrounding him. Then he was being born, in a rush of agony and fluid.’ She smiled down at him, whispering, ‘It is done, my little Lord.’

‘Who am I?’

‘Search your mind.’

A flight soared across the moon and came down from the sky. Its magnificent, glossy black wings outstretched, it skimmed across the water and hovered. There was a man astride its back, powerful to look at, and dressed in leather breeches and a dark top. His dark fall of hair was as black as a raven’s wing and was swept into silver rings set high on his head. His eyes were a dark purple.

‘Who are you?’ Laek whispered, hardly daring to ask.

‘Lord Kavan of Cabrillan. I am your blood father. Azarine wanted a true-blood warrior to be born, one who would have the leadership and skills to strengthen hers when she faces Cynan to take her revenge. From now on I will be with you always.’

‘Am I supposed to be grateful?’ Laek said, and harshly, for he’d been shocked to discover Cynan was definitely not the father of his blood. ‘A man needs to act on his own decisions, not rely on some dead father he’s never known.’

Lord Kavan gave a great booming laugh. ‘You’re as arrogant as I was, Laek, my blood son. You will not even know I’m there. Kneel before your father for your blessing.’

‘I will kneel before no man.’

‘Do it,’ Tighe said.

 Laek dug in his heels and glowered. ‘Let the apparition kneel before me.’

‘Look into the reflection of the moon on water, Laek.’

Despite his resolve not to, his gaze was drawn to the reflection. He saw Jynx standing there. Her figure was now womanly, though it was still slight. Suddenly, a jagged streak of black lightning speared across the moon and struck at her.

Flames licked around her. ‘Release her,’ he shouted, his heart pounding.

‘Kneel.’

 Instead, Laek drew out his sword. ‘Release her, I said!’

The weapon spun from his hand into Lord Kavan’s. When the warrior lord gave a big booming laugh thunder rumbled in the distance. ‘You would take me on, mortal, and with this sword? It wouldn’t cut through a candle wick.’

Which wasn’t exactly true, Laek thought.

Tighe’s voice intruded into his mind, weak and from a distance. Stop trying to prove yourself, Laek. You can’t beat him because he has no substance, and you’re killing me ... trust me ... trust him. Do as he says, and Jynx will be all right. I’m bleeding energy trying to keep her safe as well as you.’

Laek fell to his knees. Now was not the time to lose two friends he loved. Kavan was in front of him then. His flight pawed at the lake and made soft snuffling sounds. A hand came down on each of Laek’s shoulders. ‘Good, Kavan said. ‘You’re no coward if you were willing to take me on, but you listen to sense when it’s offered. Laek’s body grew in strength, and his mind in resolve as Kavan’s hold strengthened on his shoulder.

A woman’s laughter tinkled and he opened his eyes and saw Jynx in the moon’s reflection. Arms outstretched, she had a single black flame on her palm, and tossed it back and forth between her hands. She was with a man, strong and lean of body. His eyes said nothing, but the smile he gave Jynx was intimate as he took the flame from her and threw it into the sky. Laek didn’t know his face, yet he seemed familiar. When the flame changed into a star Jynx clapped her hands.

 Laek heaved a sigh of relief that she was safe, and gazed up at the warrior lord. ‘You’ve spared her, and for that I thank you.’

‘It was a trick, nothing more. She didn’t feel a thing. Why would I want to harm the maid, when she’s descended from the fair Tiana, a woman I loved beyond life? Besides, she has a powerful protection around her.’

Laek felt foolish when Kavan smiled and leaped astride his flight. The spirit’s image began to fade. ‘Walk in my memory son of my blood. I have left you a gift, a sword tempered in the fire of the gods. It’s the sword of justice, and will serve you as long as you serve it.’

‘Wait! There’s much I want to ask you.’

 ‘There is nothing I can tell you. Fate made Azarine chose me from the gene bank for a reason. You must forge the path destiny has made for you. Now, see to your mystic. He’s exhausted himself and can no longer lift himself from the water.’

 ‘Tighe!’ Laek saw his friend floating face down. He dropped into the water, slid an arm under Tighe’s shoulder and swam back to shore with him. Laying him on his back he applied pressure to expel the water from his body.

Throwing him over his shoulders Laek then climbed up to the cave, and laid him on his mattress. He placed his palm against Tighe’s heart, gradually encouraging his ragged heartbeat towards normality before gently slapping his face.

Tighe groaned and opened his eyes. ‘That was close.’

There was no sign of Lord Kavan but Laek felt his strength inside him. That a man should have such a splendid blood father ... his mother had chosen the best. Pride bubbled up inside him like water in a well. He grinned, wondering if the man could read his thoughts. He’d meant, of course, that a father should be proud to have a son such as himself.

His legs shot out from under him and he found himself flat on his back. He picked himself up. ‘You have no sense of humor, Lord Kavan.’

Tighe began to cough up water and Laek turned him on his side. ‘I don’t know how many frogs you’ve swallowed, but it would be best if you coughed them all up Tighe.’

Laek gave a little bird-like call, and Jon and Iago appeared to climb up to the cave. They gazed down at Tighe, concern in their eyes. ‘Is he all right?’

‘He’s exhausted now, but he will be.’ Stripping Tighe of his wet clothes, he wrapped him in a heat-retaining blanket. ‘Sleep till morning, mystic, I’ll take your watch as well as my own.’

Jon handed him his sword belt. ‘I found this on the way up. Something odd has happened to it.’

Laek drew it from the belt. The sword blade now had a streak of dark lightning shining on the surfaces of the blade. Minute flecks of red, jade and gold sparked up and down it, as though crystals were caught in the dark depths. They were almost too fast for the eye to follow, like reflections of light buried in black ice. He gently rubbed his thumb along the zigg-zagging blackness and it began to ring.