The Ancient Ones (The Legacy Trilogy Book 3) (60 page)

Samuel raised a finger to his lips. ‘None of our words are private here. This is Poltamir’s domain, and everything we say is within his capacity to hear. Even your thoughts would be open to him if he had his way. Suffice to say, we will only do what we must. I am sure he realises that already. He has said as much.’

Their guide led them up stairs and across bridges, through hollow halls and across vacant, echoing courtyards and gardens of stone, leading them into a grand chamber set at the side of the hill.

As they entered, Leopold caught sight of more figures on the hillside, climbing up and over the crest. He could not glimpse what was waiting there to meet them. A shiver ran along his spine. All going up ... none coming down. What could be up there?

Inside, the room was comfortable, decorated as if in use. Padded chairs and rugs faced another raised platform, and again, they were met by a figure draped in a shroud of black—presumably, Poltamir. They had moved quickly all the while, so it was a surprise to find him already waiting for them, standing idly, unhurried. Then again, magicians relished such confounding acts.

‘Is it him?’ Leopold whispered and Samuel nodded in reply.

They remained standing despite the presence of chairs, facing their host and awaiting his address.

‘So,’ the voice of Poltamir rumbled. There was no hint of a face or features beneath that hanging cowl. Everything, as before, was hidden. ‘You have come.’

‘Where is my son?’ Samuel asked fiercely.

‘Not so quickly, oh father of Marrag Lin. First, there is a bargain to be made, an exchange of favours to be laid.’

‘I am not fond of bargains. Speak up, and I will hear it.’

‘I do not know where your son is. I only know that Lomar let him escape. But Lomar will surely know where he is, even if he cannot recapture the devil himself. I will tell you where Lomar is hiding if you only promise to kill him for me.’

‘That goes without saying,’ Samuel admitted. ‘I would kill him anyway.’

‘Why don’t you kill him yourself?’ Leopold piped up.

The faceless cowl turned towards him. ‘I would if I could, brave one, but I have built this city—my tribute—around me and I cannot leave without causing its destruction. I have not grown that desperate ... yet.’

‘You know, you have changed much since we last met, Poltamir,’ Samuel stated. ‘You were not so enamoured with mystery. Has Lomar really caused you so much pain for it to come to this, hiding yourself away in this empty palace? Ruling over a city of dust and decay?’

‘He caused me great pain,’ rattled the voice. ‘He stole your son from me and ruined a plan ten thousand years in the making. When Lin returns he will spare me no vengeance. He will take everything I have worked so tirelessly to accumulate, and I will be born again to start from scratch. I cannot hide from him like this! Everything shall start over. Do you know how hard it is to escape from the devil, Samuel? It is very hard indeed.

‘Now, I celebrate my loss here, awaiting my master’s punishment; but at least I can end my days with the cold comfort that Lomar is dead. And he shall not be reborn. Lin shall devour his soul. I shall have that small victory, thanks to you, Samuel ... and perhaps one other modest pleasure. But now, you have come far and although you have changed, young Magician, your companions are still very much mortal. They need to rest. You will have your lunch and then we shall discuss further the man who has become the bane of my very existence.’

‘I think rather we should conclude our business,’ Samuel told their host. ‘Your offer is hospitable, but I find our surrounds rather ... unaccommodating.’

‘Oh, really?’ growled the voice, saturating the room. The man in the black cowl wavered to and fro like an unsettled candle flame. ‘I find my palace to be most beautiful, a triumph of architecture. It reflects my mood precisely. I want you to enjoy it ... to savour it. Perhaps you can learn from my mistakes ... from the greed and vanity that tortured me during its design. I planned its creation for a thousand years and it contains the qualities of every culture that has graced this world that I can still recall.

‘But in truth, I understand what you say. Somehow with every stone I added, my castle only became emptier. I must admit now that bricks and mortar alone do not make a home. A palace needs a princess, after all. Ahhh ... No, stay. Bathe in my hospitality. I would not have it any other way.’ His final words ground together like great rusted cogs in a titanic, yet failing machine.

Samuel was annoyed, but they were left with little choice. Their guard raised his hand and signalled for them to follow yet again. His eyes were rimmed red. He had not slept in days, or was desperately holding back tears, but he led them without complaint.

They traversed an empty, echoing hall and entered a stately dining room. The head of the room was hidden behind a lush velvet curtain, hanging as if to soon draw back and reveal a stage, perhaps a performance with it.

The smells of cooking were wafting in from an adjoining kitchen and as they sat, serving staff in immaculate costumes filed in one after another and presented a feast. The men and women were groomed to perfection, every strand of hair in place, their clothing tailored precisely, each lacking emotion. They set the platters and dishes on the table, then the majority departed, leaving some waiting at the side of the room with their hands clasped neatly before them.

‘This is horrifying,’ Daneel whispered.

‘Is it safe?’ Captain Orrell queried, eyeing the food suspiciously.

‘It is,’ Samuel said with a solid nod.

‘Come. Dig in,’ came the echoing voice of Poltamir. The heavy curtain slid aside, pulled on unseen strings by unseen hands, revealing the cloaked man, again standing on a rounded platform. The drawn-off section of the room lacked doorways and exits. It was impossible for Poltamir to arrive without using his magic.

‘Please ... eat,’ Poltamir bid them. He never moved more than to sway about, never raising an arm or taking a step. It could have been anyone hiding under those folds of cloth. ‘These are the delicacies of a dozen lands, cooked to perfection. There is no need to worry. Everything is delectable ... and safe. There is no deceit on my part. I would not poison you. This sorry excuse for a man only wants to see someone benefit from what I have done. Otherwise, my entire existence has been for nought, and I am as hollow and porous as I feel.’

They waited for Samuel’s assent. Daneel was first to grab hold of a baked chicken leg, covered in colourful garnish and flavourings. It squirted juices as he plucked it free and the fluid ran down his chin with each enthusiastic bite. Leopold picked up his fork and skewed a slice of meat from a nearby side of pork and joined the one-eyed man in the feasting.

‘It’s good,’ he said, biting down eagerly, for he had not eaten anything so delicious for as long as he could remember, and he was starving.

The others also began to dine, while Samuel sat patiently, sipping only water from his cup.

Kali was ravenous, lifting dishes to her mouth and shoving the food in, munching loudly, slurping at her drink. She happily shovelled everything into her mouth with her fingers, ignoring the fine cutlery. It was a disturbing sight, clashing with her beauty.

How could you? Leopold thought, watching on. The poor woman is doomed and all you think about are her table manners!

All the while, the servants stood like statues behind them, only stepping in to refill their cups or replace empty dishes.

Poltamir hovered, observing them quietly from his dais, hidden within his robes, muttering all the while as they dined. ‘Yes ... yes. Good. Eat up! Eat up!’ His whispers crept along the walls.

When they were full, the table looked exactly as it had at the start, every finished plate replaced with another fresh from the kitchen, spilling over with excessive delights. Every spilt crumb and dropped bone had been quickly gathered away, removing all evidence a meal had taken place.

‘Well ...’ the voice of Poltamir rumbled. ‘Tell me. How was it?’

‘Good,’ Leopold said, being the first to speak up.

‘Delicious,’ Daneel agreed with a burp.

Captain Orrell said nothing, keeping close watch on their host. He had only picked at his food, his eyes roaming restlessly between the entrances and windows.

‘Ah,’ Poltamir purred, full of pleasure, and his deep voice reverberated in their chests. ‘That warms my heart. What a terrible fortress I have built around myself, and how it pleases me to finally have appreciative guests. I always imagined this palace would be my temple, dedicated to love and happiness; but I sit here ... alone and made wretched by my failed ambitions.

‘But forgive me. I apologise for being so morose. How could I dampen the tone of such a wonderful feast? Come ... celebrate!’ The voice broke down into long and chuffing laughter, leaving everyone wondering what madness had overcome him. ‘It is only unfortunate that you did not eat, Father of Marrag Lin, but I suppose the food would only sit in your shrivelled stomach and rot. Like myself, your magic has changed you and there is little that is human remaining. I have tried to fill myself with humanity, but it is like trying to fill a bottomless pit with cherry pips. The more I try, the emptier I feel. So terrible is my longing. We are so different from these lovely people that we surround ourselves with, are we not, Samuel? Can you even remember being alive?’

‘Magic changes us all,’ Samuel said. ‘But speak for yourself. I am still alive.’

The terrible voice of Poltamir boomed with laughter, but the cloaked figure at the head of the room remained utterly still, unattached to the voice that issued forth. ‘Come, I have many questions for you,’ he stated once his laughter had subsided. ‘You are an interesting creature, Samuel. Who are these companions you have brought with you into my lair? I would know which mortals have gained your interest. Two men, handy with the swords at their sides, I can tell. You must enjoy their company to bring them willingly into such danger, knowing that blades could never harm me. Still, that is your choice. And that one beside you—I am intrigued. He has the smell of Thann, but I know that Thann is now dead, consumed within you. I must be wary of you, Magician, if you are capable of such a thing, but tell me what has happened here?’

‘This is his son,’ Samuel informed their host.

‘Oh!’ the voice rumbled with interest. ‘How times have changed! Our master’s grip must indeed be slipping for Thann to sire a child. I have never heard of such a thing in all my time! Marrag Lin is getting lax, or perhaps his reign is nearing its end? Could Lomar really have done what I could not and wrestle his power away from him? No, I am sure we would both know if he had. And that gloating fool would surely appear to tell us himself. Perhaps Lin has something shrewd in mind for us, who can tell? And the young woman—have you chosen her as a mate to continue the line of Thann?’

Leopold was unhappy to hear such talk, and Kali beside him shifted uncomfortably at the suggestion.

‘I have not,’ Samuel responded.

‘Wonderful lies!’ Poltamir boomed with what sounded like glee. ‘I see the inklings of your plan already, Magician. Like father, like son. I will be eager to see how your schemes progress.’

‘You look into things too much, Poltamir,’ Samuel said darkly.

‘Perhaps,’ the voice conceded. ‘So my brother Thann has been defeated, and you have taken his strength, Samuel; but what of Rei? You have her potency—I can feel it within you—but, strangely, I also feel her presence nearby. I smell her; she is not far. Ah, yes ... on your ship.’ The last three words could not hide the longing in his voice.

‘Her stubborn essence survives,’ Samuel explained. ‘I could not stamp it out, as much as I tried.’

‘Bring her to me, and anything can be yours!’ Poltamir blurted. The pitch rose in his voice, abandoning its resounding bass.

‘There is nothing I would want that much, Poltamir. She is my cousin. She is mine.’

‘You want your son!’ boomed the voice, again in full force. ‘Bring her to me, or I will tell you nothing!’

‘So,’ Samuel said, ‘I see the gracious host shows his true intentions. Tell me, what would you do with her, Poltamir?’

‘Nothing ... love her,’ came the conflicting reply.

‘Are you even capable of love?’ Samuel asked sceptically.

‘We three servants of Lin were not rent of our emotions like you, Magician. Your lack of feeling was your son’s attempt to save you from despair, but all it did was cause you further grief. He left us with ours so we could remember the strengths and failings of humanity, so we would never forget our cause, but time can sour all things, Samuel. Even the purest and greatest of intentions attracts resentment, given long enough. I should know. Now, bring her to me!’

‘You cannot control me like your puppets, Poltamir. I will not do as you say. Rei is gone and the woman that remains is not her. I will never give her to you.’

The air crackled with anger, and the walls themselves trembled with ire. The tension in the room slowly subsided as Poltamir forcefully regathered his patience. ‘I am a tolerant man.’ Somehow, his chortling continued in the background, sounding over his own voice, as if he had two throats from which to speak. ‘I will give you one day to rethink this matter. Return to me with her, or I will tell you nothing.’

‘It seems we have reached a stalemate,’ Samuel announced. ‘The one thing you want most is the one thing I will not release. Very well, we will retire to our ship to consider.’

‘You can leave your companions in my good care, if you wish,’ said Poltamir, wavering on his platform, perhaps unaware of how obvious was the deception in his voice.

‘I will take them with me, Poltamir,’ Samuel replied. ‘Just to be safe.’

‘Do not think of trying to escape me, Samuel. Your ship lies within my reach and I will not allow it to leave. I trust you will return on the morrow. I would hate to be forced to come find you. I have not left my beautiful palace since I first commenced its making. I would be loath to do so, but I would—if you made me. I would do anything to get her. I have done anything, and nothing will get in my way, given she is now so close ... so close I can taste her scent as if she were standing beside me now. There must be a trade for your son, Samuel. Rei by my side and Lomar in his grave. That is the cost.’