The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence (55 page)

Unlike Loki, Darq was confident with the procedure of opening portals and traveling through them. He became proficient at it far more quickly. Once he knew how to do it, he was surprised he hadn’t discovered it by accident before. He could travel both physically and astrally, and over the next few days experimented with otherlanes journeys, both with and without his physical body.

Despite Cal’s constant requests, Velaxis was insistent that Loki could not be prized from the grip of the Aasp, or more accurately their agents, the Hashmallim. Darquiel, heady with success, felt he was more than competent enough to try and breach the barriers around Thanatep.  Both Velaxis and Cal were adamant he should not attempt it.

‘The Aasp failed to kill you once,’ Velaxis said. ‘Don’t be so foolish as to go wandering alone into a realm they control. I doubt they’d fail if they got another opportunity to get rid of you.’

‘Why don’t they just come here and do it, then?’ Darq said. ‘I’m not in hiding any more. I don’t think they’re as powerful as you say.’

‘Darq, you must wait,’ Cal said.

Darq blew out his cheeks. ‘Why? So they can poison Loki against me even more? Has it occurred to you that he might be the tool they could use to destroy me?’

It obviously
had
occurred to Cal, who appeared pained. ‘We’ll return to Immanion soon, and talk things over with Pell.’

‘Immanion is full of
sedim
,’ Darq said. ‘I wonder whether I should go there yet. I’m surprised Lurlei hasn’t turned up again here, to be honest.’ He frowned. ‘I accept your counsel, but I’ll have to decide myself what I should do next.’

‘By Aru,’ Cal exclaimed, ‘there’s a lot of Pell in you! Don’t you think so, Vel?’

‘Indeed, there is,’ Velaxis said, grinning.

‘What do you mean?’ Darq asked.

‘Never mind,’ Cal said. ‘We should break for the day now. I’m hungry. Don’t we have another formal feast to attend this evening?’

Left alone, Darq went to his room and was pleased to find Ookami wasn’t there. He had at least an hour of spare time before dinner, and although he didn’t really intend to try and visit Thanatep, he thought he could do a bit of sniffing round. He could try to discover where its boundaries were, at least, and he could remain alert for otherlanes signatures that resembled his own. Part of him yearned to present Loki triumphantly to the older hara, but he wasn’t stupid, and knew it would be folly to take senseless risks. Still, nosing around wouldn’t hurt.

     Darq composed himself cross-legged on the floor beneath the window, and decided he’d project his consciousness into the otherlanes rather than visit them physically. He presumed this was a safer option. Like Loki, he could control the appearance of the otherlanes, but had far longer sight than his brother did within them. He could visualise them as an immense shining web, upon which nodules of different colored lights represented potential exit points to other realms. Cal had already taught Darq how to recognise the signature that represented the physical and psychic makeup of a member of his family. He extended his sight to search for such signs, not really in the hope he’d find anything. Therefore, it was a surprise when he stumbled upon an energy signature that was as familiar to him as his own being. He found it in a small realm, the security for which was not that intense. He did wonder about this. Surely, if Loki was there, he’d have more protection? Still, Darq’s excitement at his discovery overrode any caution and he formed a portal to exit the otherlanes.

Beyond the portal, Darq found a young har who looked so much like Cal it had to be Loki. His essence also felt familiar. But it was clear at once that Loki did not perceive Darq’s true form. Darq could see himself through Loki’s eyes: a manifestation of aggressive energy. He could tell that Loki’s indoctrination, some of which was subtler than he knew, had taken over. His purpose for being, carefully groomed by the Aasp, swung into action.

Darquiel was confronted by a murderously hostile force and he could do nothing but react defensively. In the moments before they made contact, he tried to communicate with Loki, but there were barriers in place he could not breach. Their conflict began to destroy the fabric of the realm, which was not that stable. Then there were strange forces shooting in from all sides, and everything became utterly confused. When the
sedu
appeared, Darquiel fled. He was disorientated and shaken; it was extremely difficult for him to return to his home realm. When eventually he pulled his consciousness back into earthly reality, he lay exhausted and trembling upon his bedroom floor. Then he wept. He had to admit he was not as strong or as clever as he’d thought.

Velaxis found him in that state. He came into the room and said, ‘I felt something was distressing you, I had to come. What have you done?’

Darq raised his head. He was incapable of speech.

Velaxis came to kneel beside him and placed a hand on Darq’s back. ‘Where have you been?’ he asked. ‘I know you’ve been somewhere. What happened?’

Darq could only shake his head. Velaxis sighed through his nose, stood up and went to the bathroom. He returned carrying a glass of water, which Darq accepted gratefully. He drank it all, and wiped his mouth.

‘Better?’ Velaxis asked.

Darq nodded and put the glass down on the floor. ‘I found Loki,’ he said.

Velaxis raised his eyebrows. ‘What? You’d better explain.’

Darq told him all that had happened. ‘I didn’t expect to find him. I wasn’t prepared.’

‘You were warned,’ Velaxis said. ‘Darq, don’t do that again. It’s just not safe.’

‘Loki hates me,’ Darq said. He closed his eyes. ‘It’s such an unreasoning and mindless hatred.’ He stared at Velaxis. ‘We
have
to get into Thanatep. Before it’s too late.’

‘It might already be too late,’ Velaxis said softly.

Darq felt emotion welling within him and decided to let it spill out. He wept again. To come face to face with such unjustified loathing as Loki felt for him was shocking. What had he ever done to his brother? It didn’t make sense.

Velaxis made a wordless, soothing sound and hauled Darq into his arms. Together, they sat on the floor, while Darq vented his confusion and bewilderment. Velaxis stroked his hair. ‘We must go to Immanion,’ he said. ‘I agree that we must take action. Thiede told me that Pellaz is also trying to get to Loki. He might already have discovered things of use.’

Darq rested his head on Velaxis’ chest, wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands. ‘Has Cal told Pellaz about me yet, do you know?’

‘I don’t think so. Everything’s been so hectic. You have to prepare yourself for Pellaz, Darq. He’s a mighty force.’

‘I like Cal,’ Darq said. ‘That’s a relief.’

‘He’s not a typical Gelaming,’ Velaxis said dryly.

‘Neither are you,’ Darq said. He hesitated. ‘Was your name once really Zu?’

Velaxis laughed softly. ‘Bizarrely enough, yes. I supposed you’d picked that up from me.’

‘Maybe I did. I think I met family of yours in Helek Sah. A man called Nimron.’

Velaxis rested his chin on the top of Darq’s head. ‘My father,’ he said. ‘I knew he was still alive.’

‘Why don’t you go to him?’

Velaxis sighed, deep in his chest. ‘If you want the truth, it’s because I can’t bear to see what’s become of my people. I have to put it behind me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t fight for them out here in the world.’

‘I think you should go,’ Darq said. ‘I’ll go with you, if you want me to. When all this is over.’

Velaxis was quiet for some moments, and then said, ‘Darq, do you resent what I did to you?’

Darq pulled away from him. ‘No. I was annoyed at first, but you ended up being a kind of lifeline for me. I’m pleased we can be together like hara now, in a normal way. I prefer it. Was Thiede angry with you?’

‘Impatient,’ Velaxis said. ‘He thinks I should have kept him informed, and maybe I should have done.’ He smiled wryly. ‘The fact is that I wanted to communicate with you alone. I spend so much time paying lip service to other hara’s needs and demands. I have to act continually in Immanion, playing whatever roles are required of me or are appropriate. With you, I lived out a kind of fantasy. I enjoyed it. You were my private escape.’

‘Despite our strange beginnings, I look on you as a friend,’ Darq said. ‘That won’t change.’

Velaxis inclined his head. ‘Thank you.’ He frowned. ‘Pellaz will be furious with me. We don’t exactly get on. It’s fortunate that Cal and I do, because otherwise Pellaz would gladly use my behavior with you as an excuse to get me out of the Hegalion. I’m your hostling’s best friend, though. You’ll like Rue. He’s easy to be with.’

‘A lot of hara to meet,’ Darq said. ‘I’m not looking forward to it. I can’t do what you do, Vel; pay lip service. I’m bound to say all sorts of things that I shouldn’t.’

‘Just be yourself,’ Velaxis said. ‘Remember, the Aralisians thought they’d lost you. They want you to return.’

‘It’s not so much my family I’m worried about,’ Darq said, ‘but everyhar else. They’ll think I’m a freak, or too full of myself because of what I can do… or something. Anyway, I’m just not looking forward to it.’

Velaxis kissed the top of his head. ‘Don’t worry. You have Thiede and Cal behind you, and you have me. It won’t be as bad as you think.’

Darq rested his head on Velaxis’ chest once more and closed his eyes. He hoped Velaxis wasn’t just humoring him. He wished Tava-edzen would be with him, but knew that would never happen. Soon they would spend their last night together, if not for a long time, then perhaps forever.

Chapter Thirty

Early one morning, five days after Cal had come to Nezreka, Darquiel har Aralis left the realm of snow and wolf magic and emerged from the otherlanes with Thiede, Cal and Velaxis into the far more balmy winter season of Almagabra. Darq had spent his last night alone with Tava-edzen. Their parting in the morning had been brief yet poignant. All Tava-edzen had said was, ‘Come to me when you can.’

Darq resolved he’d keep away from Nezreka until he felt events had come to a proper conclusion. His reward for whatever tasks lay in the future for him would be to lie once more in Tava-edzen’s arms.

At Cal’s suggestion, the party arrived at a hilltop outside Immanion, which was a favored area for otherlanes portals. A chill wind fretted the dense branches of cypress trees, but there was no snow. In summer, sheep and goats would roam these high slopes, but most were safely in their stables during the winter season. Below, the city glowed white, even though the sky was overcast. The ocean beyond it was the color of iron.

Darquiel had never seen the sea before. Its immensity stirred him, even from a distance. Its smell swept inland, bringing a taste of salt to his mouth.

‘As soon as we get a chance,’ Cal murmured, leaning close, ‘I’ll take you there.’

Darq glanced at him askance. ‘I was always told it was rude to pry.’

Cal grinned. ‘Your eyes speak as eloquently as your mind.’

‘The sea is new to me,’ Darq said. ‘I want to get close to it.’

Cal nodded and draped an arm around Darq’s shoulders. The wind blew Cal’s hair over his face in shards of silky spikes. ‘It’s a bit of a walk into the city, but I thought you’d appreciate the time to gather your thoughts and take a look around.’

Darq reflected that in only a few days he had become completely comfortable with this stranger who’d simply arrived and announced paternity of him. Cal had an easy way with him. Darq had watched him carefully and had noted how Cal could drop the casual demeanor in an instant and become the wily diplomat instead.  

Darq looked down upon the domes, tiered roofs and spires of Immanion and thought:
They conceived me there. They did the impossible and now here I am, coming back.

Cal pointed out the hill in the center of town, which was like a piece of countryside in the middle of sprawling buildings. ‘That’s our home,’ Cal said. ‘That’s Phaonica.’ The building on top of the hill looked like something from a dream. It seemed alive to Darq. He shivered.

Thiede came to walk on Darq’s other side. ‘Be assured that we’ll
both
be greeted with surprise,’ he said. ‘Cal banished me from Immanion once, and the last thing anyhar expects will be for me to walk back into it at his side.’

‘Why did he banish you?’ Darq asked. At this question, he sensed a certain reserve creep into Cal’s aura.

‘A long story,’ Thiede said. ‘You’ve a lot of history to catch up on, Darq. So much to do! Family, friends and oily-tongued hegemons to meet!’

Darq was consumed by weariness at the thought of that. ‘Do they know we’re coming?’ he asked Cal.

‘No,’ Cal replied. ‘I like surprises.’

‘Tell them,’ Darq said. ‘
Please
.’

Velaxis was trailing behind. Now he sent a mind touch message to Darq.
Never mind Cal’s games. I’ve contacted Rue. He knows.

Thank you. I’ll say nothing.

Cal, meanwhile, only laughed. ‘It’ll be a joy to see their faces!’

Thiede joined in with this laughter. Whatever bad history might exist between them, it was clear why they had become friends.

When they reached the city gates, Thiede pulled up the hood of his traveling cloak. Darq saw no reason to do likewise, since nohar knew who he was. The guards on duty made gestures of respect to Cal and Velaxis, but paid little attention to their companions. Clearly, Thiede had cast a glamour around himself. The gates were dragged open and the party passed through.

‘This is the way your father Pellaz came into Immanion,’ Thiede said to Darq. ‘It was such a long time ago.’

Darq wondered about Tigron Pellaz: what would his other father think of him? What would be his first words? Was he as beautiful as Cal? And there would be Darq’s hostling, Caeru, as well. Hara didn’t speak much of him. Darq wondered what he would be like too.

The areas Darq passed through on his way to Phaonica were mostly residential. The city seemed enormous and so clean. There were no chickens or animals running about, as there were in Samway. The hour was still early, so few hara were out in the streets. Now that Darq was here, in the city of his creation, he felt disorientated. He had never been in a place where so many hara lived together, and the psychic residue of a multitude of souls pressed upon his being. He realised that, should he let it, that feeling could easily descend into panic.