Heirs of the Demon King: Uprising (24 page)

The interior was every bit as extravagant and luxurious as their own had been. The air was heady with the scent of sweet jasmine, which made Mathias feel light-headed and dizzy, and the heat from the pot-bellied fire in the tent’s centre was stifling. A hole in the roof kept the air inside clear, but a single thread of smoke trailed out towards the frail figure lying amidst the cushions.

All eyes followed the thread, and all eyes looked upon the face of the man known as the Wanderer. His sun-darkened skin was shrunken with age or illness, but his raisin-black eyes were bright and intelligent. He turned his head from one guest to the other and then he smiled, revealing a mouthful of white, strong teeth.

‘You have come at last, then. Welcome, my friends. Welcome.’ He fell silent, as though the small speech had worn him out.

There was a long pause, and then Eyja took the initiative, moving forward and kneeling beside the ancient, wizened man amidst the cushions. ‘Dearest one,’ she said warmly and carefully embraced him. ‘It has been so long. Too long.’ Akhgar’s wrinkled old hands closed around her and slowly she helped him to a better sitting position.

‘Still so quick to manhandle me,’ he grumbled and for a moment, a smile flickered onto Mathias’s lips. He sounded so very much like old Wyn. ‘You look well, girl. But then, you always did.’

‘I do hope you’re not expecting me to respond in kind,’ she said with a gentle reprimand in her tone. ‘Because I am a poor liar. You should have sent for us sooner, foolish old man.’

‘Why would I ruin my twilight years by surrounding myself with women I can never have, endless complainers and colourful fops? Speaking of which...’ His twinkling, old-man’s eyes took in Warin and Giraldo, who stood a little way back. ‘Ah, there they are. In an ever-changing world, it is good to see some things remain as they must be. Come over here. Let me take a closer look at you.’

It was clear to both Mathias and Tagan that Akhgar was the undisputed senior of the four magi, despite his frail appearance. Even Warin, usually so sour-faced and dour, had a smile on his lips as he knelt before Akhgar, taking the old man’s hand into his own. Giraldo knelt the other side and also laid a hand on Akhgar’s shoulder.

When the four of them touched, a shock of arcane power radiated from them like a wave, all but knocking Mathias from his feet with its sheer might. He gripped onto Tagan’s hand with his own, unable to take his eyes off the scene before him. An amber nimbus played about Warin, followed by glows of red, blue and white from Akhgar, Giraldo and Eyja. The glows expanded, twisting and joining, until the four were bathed in a light so bright that the two young people could no longer look at them.

There was such terrifying beauty in the sight that Mathias could feel tears prickling at the back of his eyes. A low hum began, soft, musical and deeply moving. It slowly built to a melodic crescendo that dragged the darkness out of Mathias’s spirit and gently caressed his soul with the promise that all would be well if he would just let it.

Warin was first to break the bond, stepping back and clearing his throat loudly and perhaps just a little over-dramatically. Giraldo grinned and also stood back, leaving only Eyja embracing the old man amidst the cushions. Eventually, she too rose and for the first time since she had breezed into their lives, tears streaked her cheeks.

‘So soon?’ It was all she said. Akhgar stroked the back of her hand and smiled up at her.

‘You knew it must come to pass in time, little bird,’ he said to her. ‘But do not weep. Do not grieve for me. My time in this life is done, but my time in the next is just beginning. Now dry those tears and help me sit up. I would see these children from the land of the Lion.’

Mathias and Tagan took a hesitant step or two forward, their hands still clasped. Akhghar’s rheumy old eyes peered at them with startling intensity.

‘This is what time brings me?’ He shook his head. ‘They are so young. Too young, yes, for what lies ahead.’

‘They are both proven,’ said Warin. ‘They are both brave, strong of heart and spirit. Youth is a blessing, old man. Or is it so far away now that you forget its wonders?’

‘Mind your tone, Warin,’ said Giraldo, quietly. ‘Remember to whom you speak.’

‘Don’t fret yourself, boy,’ said Akhgar, waving a hand in Giraldo’s direction. ‘I have ever preferred directness. To answer your question, no. I have not forgotten my youth. The world around me has changed. I have travelled so far, but I can travel no further. The spirit is willing. The spirit is
ever
willing.’ He sighed heavily. ‘But the flesh, alas, can take no more. My time on this plane is done.’

Tagan chewed her lip and looked at Mathias. ‘Excuse me, sir? But... but just how old are you?’ Truly, she had never seen anybody so very old and wizened as the tiny, frail figure before her. He turned those berry eyes on her and gave her a crinkled smile.

‘I stopped counting centuries ago,’ he said. ‘I was an old man when that arrogant boy, Richard the Lionheart, marched at the head of his righteous army on the town of Jerusalem. I gave him my aid and I gave him the gift.’

‘Richard the Lionheart?’ Mathias spluttered. The ludicrousness of the suggestion was quelled somewhat by the grave expressions of the magi. It was obvious that they believed the old man’s claim.

‘Yes. A good soul at his core, but filled with pride. He burned from within, driven by outrage at the sacking of the Holy Land. The war between the Christians and the Saracens... ah, it was a sight to behold. Protected by their shields of faith? So the tales would come to say. It has never been my place to question the faith of man. Religion, for good or ill, is its own form of magic and something I do not touch.’ Akhgar fell silent, trying to catch his breath. Tagan let go of Mathias’s hand and moved to the old man, kneeling beside him and lifting up the goblet of water by his side. This close to him, she could smell the sourness of dried sweat on his skin and feel the unnatural heat that radiated from within. She gave him a shy smile. If he was as old as he claimed—and the suggestion was that he was even older still—he deserved her respect. Thus had she been raised.

Mathias’s heart swelled with pride and love. This was the woman he loved. This was the woman he would marry when all this was done. They would go back to Wales, live simply and happily. Maybe raise a family, if things went to plan.

Wales. The rains and the green fields seemed a world removed from this exotic place.

Akhgar took a sip of the water and gave Tagan a piercing look. She did not even flinch, but remained at his side. He took a breath and continued. ‘Protected by shields of faith, yes. But there were other shields in place on that army. Magical shields. Richard saw the value of the gift and he begged me to teach him the secret. The lands of Europe would flourish, he told me.’

‘And so they did,’ said Giraldo, picking up the story. ‘The cities of Europe grew and prospered as the gift spread to them all. Paris. Rome. Madrid. All the great cities embraced the wonders magic had to offer them, and most saw the benefit. Even England flourished for a time. The jewel in the crown of the west; the source of the great gift. But as often happens with such things, the gift fell into the wrong hands.’

Warin interjected next. ‘The gift was meant for all, not just the few who were already rich. Those in power sought to take back that which could not be taken. When they understood, they turned instead to oppression. It was the beginning of what you have come to know today. And it is too easy for power to corrupt. Where corruption finds root, worse things follow.’

‘Demons,’ Mathias breathed quietly.

‘As you understand them,’ murmured Eyja. ‘Henry Tudor bartered for power on the field of Bosworth, but it was not power for himself that he desired. A noble soul, but misguided. Melusine betrayed him when she forged her pact with Richard. Henry’s magi were defeated and the battle lost. To this day, nobody knows what became of Tudor, not even us.’ She smiled. ‘He was extraordinary, in truth. To have the will to deny Melusine’s lure is remarkable. You are very like him, Mathias.’

For some reason, this made Mathias deeply proud. His spine straightened.

Eyja continued. ‘Henry was strong. He was noble and pure of spirit. Without the meddling of the demon, his victory would have been certain. Your home land would have gone on under the rule of a different bloodline. That is important.’

‘The power Melusine wields is tied to the House of Plantagenet,’ said Akhgar, picking up the story now that he had been granted time to catch his breath. ‘The deal she struck with Richard that night has led to this, the birth of her pure vessel, though the word could not be more misleading.’ The old man began to cough and Tagan once more lifted the water to his lips. He took another sip and then waved her away.

‘What does she plan to do?’ It was, perhaps, the first time Mathias had asked the question that had sat at the forefront of his mind since the day Wyn had told him of the demon and its machinations. ‘And how can we stop her?’

‘A demon cannot walk freely in this world. They are creatures of magic, and are sustained by magic. Melusine needs a body through which to wield her power, but no mortal mind can willingly bear such evil. But through the pact forged by King Richard, her taint has been slowly growing in the royal line, and all the while she has whispered in the ears of English kings. For generations she has worked to ensure that the power of the arcane cannot pose a threat to her. And young Prince Richard is the fruit of her labours. He is her perfect vessel,’ said Warin. ‘Through him she will wield the might of a nation and her power will not be fettered by the veil between worlds.’

‘Enough,’ said Akhgar. ‘I must rest again. But I would speak with this one.’ He reached out a hand to Tagan’s cheek. ‘Her kindness pleases me and I would learn something of her skill with fire.’ She started and he laughed throatily. ‘I can smell it on you,’ he said. ‘Don’t be alarmed. Now go on, all of you. Leave us in peace.’

‘Tagan?’ Mathias’s concern could not be hidden from his voice, but she got to her feet, crossing to him and kissing his cheek fondly.

‘I will be fine,’ she reassured him. ‘I will see you soon, my love.’

Reluctantly, Mathias let the others lead him from the tent. His last sight of Tagan was as the flap of the tent fell back into place, obscuring her from view as she knelt down beside the oldest man he was ever likely to meet.

I
CAN SMELL
it on you,
he had said. Strange words, perhaps, but she knew precisely what he meant. There was a distinctive scent to the old man that made Tagan feel comfortable in his presence. It was the smell of the forge, she recognised. The smell of burning wood and coals that she had grown to love over the years. It rolled from Akhgar in waves. It carried every kind of wood smoke, from the pines she had seen in Germany to the leafy woodlands that surrounded the village back home. She felt
right
sitting here with him.

His eyes had closed again and she respectfully sat in silence, not wishing to disturb him. Pouring another cup of water, she took a drink of her own and patiently waited for him to address her. In time, he woke from his brief doze and fixed his watery gaze on her.

‘Tagan,’ he said. ‘That is your name?’

‘Yes, sir,’ she said and she felt a little shy.

‘Tell me what you have learned of my brethren,’ he said. ‘Of

Warin, Eyja and Giraldo. Don’t worry about sparing their feelings, either.’ He added the last with a gentle chuckle, presumably to suggest he was joking. Tagan knew that he wasn’t.

‘The elements,’ she replied without hesitation. ‘Their magic is strong, but it is tied to the elements. Warin told us when we met him that he was a child of the earth, just as Matty... I mean, Mathias is. Giraldo’s magic is stronger whenever he is near water and Eyja seems able to speak with the winds. You smell like the forge. You are like me... or I am like you.’ She flushed slightly and looked down at the backs of her hands. She was startled to realise how dirty she was and fought back the urge to hide her hands behind her back. The years of working in the forge had accustomed her to a griminess that she worked hard to keep away, but now she was reminded how long it had been since she had properly washed.

‘You are most observant, little one.’ Akhgar shifted his position slightly on the cushions and gave her a tired, crinkled smile. ‘Fetch me some of those dried fruits, if you would? There is something we must discuss. I have been waiting for your arrival.’

‘We got here as soon as we could,’ she said, following his pointing finger and gathering up a silver platter laden with dried fruit. She recognised the dates, which she’d encountered in Anfa, but the other fruits were unknown to her. Akhgar urged her to try something and she selected what she learned was a sugared fig.

‘I don’t speak of waiting for all of you now, though I knew you would come,’ said Akhgar, clearly delighted at her response to the delicious sweet treat. ‘I mean that I was waiting for
you
, Tagan. You and your gift. You are my... salvation.’

Fear stirred her to wariness and she did not look up to meet his gaze. Instead, she squirmed uncomfortably beneath his piercing stare. He seemed to be studying her intently, scrutinising her in a way that made her skin crawl.

‘Stop,’ she said, after a few moments. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I have no desire to frighten you, little one,’ he said and the weakness in his voice was gone, replaced by something deep and powerful. ‘I have something to share with you, and I am struggling to find the best way to word it... to give you the gift without you being afraid.’ He gave another of those crinkly smiles as she looked up, puzzled. ‘The four of us are not simply magi. You must have worked that out by now?’

Tagan hesitated, but sighed, nodding. She chewed on her lip for a moment or two. ‘I have,’ she admitted. ‘I think I’ve suspected it ever since we met Warin. I don’t think Mathias has, though.’

‘No,’ he replied. ‘Mathias has a different path to walk from you. It was providence that brought you together; fate that saw you both born to the world at the same time. You are the first child so gifted with fire that I have met since I found Akhgar.’