The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence (41 page)

Zu hunkered down once more. He seemed more at ease again. Darq realised the har had been unnerved by Darq’s request for aruna. This was odd, given their previous encounters. ‘Yes,’ Zu said. ‘I know about the girl. I had… agents observing you during that time. I heard about most of what happened.’

Darq experienced a surge of relief and asked hurriedly, ‘Do you know what happened to Amelza. Did she live?’

Zu nodded. ‘She did. I was interested in the outcome myself. You didn’t kill her, Darq. You’re different to any other har.’

‘Where is she?’

‘In Roselane, which is a country of Jaddayoth.’

‘Is she angry with me?’

‘I have no idea, but seeing as you have given her the greatest gift, I doubt it.’

‘Could you bring her to me some time?’

Zu laughed softly. ‘Does Darq the Invincible, who stands alone, miss his friend?’

Darq pulled a sour face. ‘Yes. I miss everything, not least ignorance. Well?’

‘Not yet, Darq,’ Zu said softly. ‘You’ll find your solace in other ways. When you meet Amelza again, it will be because you’ve summoned her or found her.’

‘But she is safe?’

‘Yes.’ Zu stood up again. ‘Return to your bed. Sleep. You’ll feel better now. We’ll talk again, but our meetings must be secret for now.’

‘So many secrets,’ Darq said. ‘I’m used to them. Thank you for telling me the truth.’

‘You had only to ask,’ Zu said. ‘I wouldn’t tell you until you summoned me.’

‘Be with me again some time. You know when. I miss you too.’

Zu laughed. ‘Next time, Darq, the last person you’ll be thinking of is me.’ He leaned down and kissed Darq’s head. ‘Now go. It’s cold out here. Look forward to Natalia, for that is the time of rebirth.’

Darquiel walked slowly back down the hill. He couldn’t think of anything other than a new mantra:
I am Darquiel har Aralis.
His parents were great rulers, greater than hara like Tava-edzen. It was too much to take in.

Just outside the town walls, he saw an amazing thing. At first, he thought it was a trick of the starlight, a sifting of powdery snow falling down from a high tree branch, but then he really saw what it was: the most beautiful white horse. Its eyes were dark and intelligent, its mane falling thick as hara’s hair down its neck, and over its brow. It was watching him. Was it wild?

Darq approached the horse slowly. It didn’t appear to be afraid. He held out his hand to it and the animal stepped forward daintily, placed its soft nose in his outstretched palm. Darq ran his free hand up the horse’s neck, beneath its mane. Like Zu, it was very warm, as if it had just traveled to this spot from a hot country. ‘Beauty,’ Darq said to it. ‘Whose are you?’

I could be yours, if you desire me.

‘Zu?’ Darq said aloud, glancing round. The voice had been in his head. The horse stood motionless, its nose hovering just above Darq’s hand. Then it raised its head and kissed him on the cheek.

Darq took a step back. Horses don’t kiss, and yet it had been unmistakable. Had somehar trained it to do that?

You know me, Darquiel. You met a brother of mine once, who carried Thiede to your side. We did not know you, then, for he shrouded you well.

Darq laughed and said in mind touch.
Am I talking to a horse?

It would seem so. If that is what you see. The senses of creatures of earth are primitive, after all, yet you are superior to most.

You’re a
sedu
.

The creature tossed its head.
Yes. I’m a leader of
sedim
. You may call me Lurlei. Nohar travels with me, but I will take you traveling, Darquiel, if you desire it.

Why?

The
sedu
studied him for a moment before answering.
Because I wish to work with you. I can show you many wonders, bestow you many gifts. I can take you to Immanion, to your kin. I can take you to other realms. Whatever you wish is available to you.

Darq couldn’t help but feel skeptical about this apparently generous offer.
In what way do you want to work with me? What do you want in return?

The
sedu
snorted.
The
sedim
have cared for Wraeththu since the beginning. It is our wish to protect you now.

Darquiel rubbed his face, wondering if he had dreamed the entire night’s events and would soon wake up. He was talking to a horse! This was ridiculous. And yet not.
If I’ve learned one thing, Lurlei, it’s that nothing is without a cost. Why have you come to me now? Is it because I’ve come into myself, and claimed my identity?

The
sedu
stamped a front foot and turned its head to the side, regarding Darq with what appeared to be some amusement.
Perhaps it could be that. A perfume came to me through the ethers, which was your awareness. I came to you at once.

You’re from one of the factions, then. I’ve been warned of you. You want Wraeththu, through me, to take your side.

Naturally. It’s the best way for you. If our rivals took control, things would change. There’s nothing wrong with the way things are. If you pledge your allegiance to me, you’ll ensure the future safety of your kind, for we can protect you.

Darq uttered a scornful laugh.
If you’re that powerful, you don’t need me. I might be potential, Lurlei, but that potential is yet unknown, even to me.

Climb on to me, Darquiel. Let me show you wondrous things.

Darq considered. The temptation was great. But first, he felt he should discuss this development with Zu, if he could. Zu had said no faction would be able to reach him here, which had now been proved wrong, but Darq was sure that the
sedim
couldn’t coerce him. They could only attempt to seduce him. Also, Lurlei hadn’t mentioned Zu, which surely it would have done if it had known about him, if only to try and discredit him.
I will think about your offer,
Darq said at last.

The
sedu
bowed its head.
Think wisely. If you wish to communicate with me, do so beyond the walls of the Nezreka. And do so only when we can be alone. You should know that the Nezreka are not impartial. Be careful among them.

I am always very careful.

Others might come to you, Darquiel. Their offers no doubt will be appealing, but remember who are the friends of Wraeththu. We will speak further.

Darq felt a strange shudder throughout his flesh and then he was staring at an empty space, where once the
sedu
had stood. For some moments, he continued to stare. Then he laughed. ‘I am Darquiel har Aralis,’ he said aloud.

When Darq returned to his bedroom, he found that Ookami was awake. ‘Where have you been?’ Ookami asked.

Darq sat down on Ookami’s bed. ‘I know who I am,’ he said. ‘And I’ve spoken to a representative of one of the factions interested in me.’

Ookami sat up. ‘What? Tell me.’

So Darq told him. He didn’t mention Zu, but implied the
sedu
had told him his identity. ‘So I’m a kind of prince,’ Darquiel said. ‘That’s insane. What do you think?’

‘I think you should
not
wander about on your own at night,’ Ookami said dryly, ‘although this is an interesting development and wouldn’t have happened if I’d been there. At least the
sedu
didn’t attempt to harm you.’

‘I don’t think he can,’ Darq said. ‘He needs my co-operation. So, now I know who I am, what should we do?’

Ookami looked thoughtful. ‘I must try to communicate with Thiede. The
sedim
are his allies.’

‘I know, but I don’t think he trusts them entirely.’

‘Perhaps the time has come for our travels to end,’ Ookami said. He stared at a point on the wall beyond Darq’s shoulder. There was a strange fire in his eyes.

‘It seems a bit of an anti-climax,’ Darq said. ‘I want to stay here until after Natalia. I think that’s important.’

‘Why?’ Ookami’s tone was sharp.

Darq shrugged. ‘I don’t know. But tell Thiede that. Tell him I
know
it’s important.’

‘It could be dangerous for you to stay here. If the
sedim
have become aware of you, so will others. Thiede might want you to go to Immanion now.’

‘Yes, well, I also have my own opinions, and I won’t let Thiede make all my decisions for me. Or you, for that matter. Or anyhar else.’ Darq sighed. ‘There’s something that’s meant to happen to me. I know it. I’m not quite ready to become who I’m meant to be. And I’m not scared of the
sedim
or anything else that might manifest in front of me. They can all put their cases forward. It’s amusing.’

Ookami appeared skeptical. ‘Thiede wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble with you if there wasn’t the potential for danger,’ he said. ‘We know the
sedim
are benevolent – apparently. Others might not be so cordial with you. You mustn’t go out alone. If you wish to speak to the
sedu
again, I’ll go with you.’

‘Fair enough. You are my bodyguard, after all.’ Darq flopped back on the bed, lying across Ookami’s legs, his arms outflung. ‘I feel different,’ he said. ‘It feels good.’

‘Don’t become drunk on it,’ Ookami said, then softened. ‘Enjoy this heady feeling now, but tomorrow forget who you are again. I’ll get information for us as soon as I can. Get off my legs. I need to get up now.’

Darq sat up. ‘You’re going to talk to Thiede now? Can’t it wait?’

‘No. Go to bed. Give me silence.’

The last thing that Darq wanted was for Thiede to show up in Nezreka, not least because it would complicate his communication with Zu, but first thing the following morning, Thiede arrived without the agency of a
sedu
, right in the middle of Nezreka. He didn’t bother with a polite request outside the town for an audience with the phylarch. His appearance naturally sent hara into a state of panic. It was the noise of this that drew Darquiel and Ookami outside. Jezinki was there also, shouting demands at Thiede, who was apparently unaware of the commotion going on around him. He spotted Darquiel on the steps to the Drudehall and brushed past Jezinki to approach him. ‘Well, well,’ he said. ‘Events have moved along!’

Jezinki followed Thiede up the steps. ‘You know this har?’ he snapped at Darquiel. ‘This is an affront. You know we guard our privacy.’

‘Be at peace,’ Thiede said to him mildly before Darq could answer. ‘I’m no threat to you. I’ve come to speak with my protégé here. It is none of your business.’

‘Who is this?’ Jezinki demanded of Darquiel.

Darquiel couldn’t resist saying, ‘It’s the Aghama, Jezinki. Don’t worry about it.’

Jezinki made a kind of gibbering sound and swept back into the Drudehall, no doubt to speak with Tava-edzen.

Thiede laughed. ‘That was uncalled for. He won’t believe you, anyway.’

Darquiel folded his arms. ‘I know. That’s why I said it. You’d better come inside.’

Darquiel thought it would be best to introduce Thiede to Tava-edzen. He was pleased this gave him a genuine reason to speak to the phylarch. Ookami made his excuses and left, saying he had tasks to attend to. Darq knew the har removed himself because he sensed that Thiede wished to speak to Darq alone. Thiede certainly didn’t insist that the Ikutama should remain with them.

‘He was a good choice,’ Darq said, once Ookami had left. ‘He has cared well for me, and taught me much.’

‘I know,’ Thiede said. ‘He’ll be with you for as long as you wish him to be. Darq, I felt it when you became aware of who you are. What I need to know is: who told you?’

‘I’ll tell you everything soon,’ Darq said. ‘Let’s just talk to Tava-edzen first.’

Thiede gave him a caustic glance, but did not pursue the matter.

As Darq led Thiede through the passages of the Drudehall, he wondered what the Weavers had made of the tremors of Thiede’s arrival. He had no doubt they had sensed it.

‘Is this really necessary?’ Thiede asked as they paused before the door to Tava-edzen’s private office. ‘We have a lot to discuss, you and I. I can’t be bothered with all this petty ego-pandering to little phylarchs.’

‘Tava-edzen is our host,’ Darq said. ‘He’s been good to us. Please be courteous to him.’

Thiede sighed. ‘Oh, if you insist. I take it he’s on your list?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You know very well.’

Darquiel laughed. He knocked on the door, and could hear voices inside the room. He waited for permission to enter. Eventually, Jezinki opened the door. His expression was grim. ‘You will have to leave,’ he said. ‘You have abused the hospitality of Nezreka.’

Darquiel ignored this. He saw Tava-edzen sitting in one of the chairs before the hearth. He looked hunted, or haunted, or perhaps both. When Darquiel came into the room, he stood up.

‘Tiahaar, please excuse what has happened,’ Darq said hurriedly. ‘Something occurred and it was vital I speak to my mentor. His arrival was unconventional, I know, but he means no harm to you or your hara. We will depart, if that’s what you wish.’

Tava-edzen made a gesture. ‘Come in. Both of you.’

It was at this point that Darquiel saw Thiede staring intently at Tava-edzen. His expression hovered between a frown and a smile. Thiede knew the phylarch, then. Darq hadn’t thought of that, but if Thiede was the first Wraeththu, he must have known all of the other early leaders. He probably made them.

‘Now, this is a surprise,’ Thiede said.

Tava-edzen smiled somewhat grimly. ‘I have concealed myself from every har for a great many years. Now you turn up in my sanctuary. I knew it was you, Thiede, even before Jezinki told me
the Aghama
was here.’ He rolled his eyes.

Thiede shook his head. ‘So, here you are, alive and well. I can appreciate why you let the Uigenna think you were dead, rather than simply vanquished. An embarrassing business. Still, I really did think Wraxilan killed you.’

‘He nearly did kill me,’ Tava-edzen said. ‘Fortunately, or unfortunately, my Sulh Weavers saved my life. I am still unsure whether to thank or damn them for that.’