Sephrenia murmured in Styric, her fingers weaving the spell, and Talen rose with a curious fluttering movement, flaring from side to side like a kite on a taut string as Sephrenia pulled against the force of the gravity that was trying to dash him to the rocks below. When he had reached the edge of the cliff again, he scrambled across the wind-tossed grass on his hands and knees for several yards and then collapsed, shuddering violently. Aphrael, all unconcerned, continued her stroll across the emptiness.
Youre getting fat, Sparhawk, Kurik said critically. You need more exercise.
Sparhawk swallowed very hard. Do you want to talk about this? he asked his old friend in a choked voice.
No, not really. Youre supposed to be paying attention to Aphrael right now. He looked out at the Child Goddess with a faint smile. Shes showing off, but shes only a little girl, after all, so I guess its sort of natural. He paused, and a note of yearning came into his voice. Hows Aslade been lately?
No, not really. Youre supposed to be paying attention to Aphrael right now. He looked out at the Child Goddess with a faint smile. Shes showing off, but shes only a little girl, after all, so I guess its sort of natural. He paused, and a note of yearning came into his voice. Hows Aslade been lately?
She was fine the last time I saw her. She and Elys are both living on your farm, you know. Kurik gave him a startled look. Aslade thought it would be best. Your sons are all in training now, and she didnt think it made much sense for her and Elys both to be alone. They adore each other.
Thats fine, Sparhawk, Kurik said, almost in wonder. Thats really fine. I always sort of worried about what was going to happen to them after I left. He looked out at the Child Goddess. Pay close attention to her now, my Lord. Shes coming to the hard part.
Aphrael was far out over the surging waves, and she had begun to glow with a brilliant incandescence. She stopped, hardly more than a glowing spark in the distance. Help her, gentlemen, Sephrenia commanded. Send all of your love to her. She needs you now.
The fiery spark rose in a graceful little arc and then shot smoothly down through the murky air toward the long, lead-grey waves rolling ponderously toward the rocky shore. Down and down she plunged, and then she cut into the sea with no hint of a splash.
Sparhawk held his breath. It seemed that the Child Goddess stayed down for an eternity. Black spots began to appear before the big Pandions eyes.
Breathe, Sparhawk! Kurik barked, bashing his lords shoulder with his fist. You wont do her much good if you faint. Sparhawk blew out his breath explosively and stood gasping on the brink of the precipice.
Idiot, Kurik muttered.
Sorry, Sparhawk apologized. He concentrated on the little girl, and his thoughts became strongly jumbled. Aphrael was out there beneath those endlessly rolling waves certainly, but Flute was there as welland Danae. That thought caught at his heart, and he felt suddenly icy-cold.
Then that glowing spark burst up out of the sullen water. The Child Goddess had been an incandescent white when she had made her plunge, but when she emerged from the sea she glowed a brilliant blue. She was not alone as she rose once more into the air. Bhelliom rose with her, and the very earth seemed to shudder with its re-emergence.
All glowing blue, Aphrael returned to them, bearing that same golden box Sparhawk had cast into the sea a half-dozen years ago. The little girl continued her stroll and reached solid ground once more. She went directly to Sparhawk and held up the gleaming golden box. Into thy hands, for good or for ill, I deliver up the Bhelliom once more, Anakha, she intoned quite formally, placing the box in his hands. Then she smiled an impish little smile. Try not to lose it again this time, she added.
6
He looked well, Khalad said in a tight, controlled voice.
Arent you being just a little blase about all this? Talen asked his brother.
Did you want me to go into hysterics?
You saw him, then?
Obviously.
Where were you? I couldnt see you around any place.
Lord Vanion and I were right over there, Khalad replied, pointing toward the far side of the trail. We were told to just keep quiet and watch. We saw you all come riding up the hill. Why did you jump off the cliff like that?
I dont want to talk about it.
Sparhawk was not really paying very much attention to the others. He stood holding the golden box in his hands. He could feel the Bhelliom inside and, as always, it was neither friendly nor hostile.
Flute was watching him closely. Arent you going to open the box, Anakha?
Why? I dont need Bhelliom just now, do I?
Dont you want to see it again?
I know what it looks like.
Isnt it calling to you?
Yes, but Im not listening. It always seems to complicate things when I let it out, so lets not do that until I really need it. He turned the box over in his hands, closely examining it. Kuriks work had been meticulous, though the box was unadorned. It was just thata box. The fact that it was made of gold was largely irrelevant.
How do I open this?when I need to, I mean? There isnt any keyhole.
Just touch the lid with one of the rings. She was watching him very closely.
Which one?
Use your own. It knows you better than Ehlanas does. Are you sure you dont feel some sort of... ?
Some sort of what?
Arent your hands aching to touch it?
Its not unbearable.
Now I see why all the others in my family are so afraid of you. You arent anything at all like other humans.
Everybodys different in some ways, I suppose. What do we do now?
We can go back to the ship.
Can you get in touch with the sailors?
Yes.
Why dont you ask them to sail across the gulf and pick us up somewhere on this side? That way we wont have to ride all the way back to Jorsan again, and well be able to avoid any chance meetings with Rebals enthusiasts. Some of them might be sober enough by now to recognize the fact that were not Edomishmen.
Youre in a strange humor, Sparhawk.
Im a little discontented with you at the moment, to be honest about it.
What did I do?
Why dont we just drop it?
Dont you love me any more? Her lower lip began to tremble.
Of course I do, but that doesnt alter the fact that Im put out with you just now. People we love do irritate us from time to time, you know.
Im sorry, she said in a contrite little voice.
Ill get over it. Are we finished here? Can we mount up and start back?
In just a moment, she said, seeming suddenly to remember something. Her eyes narrowed and began to glint dangerously. You! she said, leveling a finger at Talen. Come here! Talen sighed and did as he was told.
What did you think you were doing? she demanded.
WellI was afraid youd fall.
I wasnt the one who was going to fall, you clot! Dont you ever do anything like that again!
Talen could have agreed with her. That would have been the simplest way, and it would have avoided an extended scolding. he did not, however. No, Flute. Im afraid its not going to be that way. Ill jump in every time I think youre in danger. He grimaced. Its not really my idea. I want to be sure you understand that I havent completely lost my mind. Its just that I cant help myself. When I see you do something like that, Im moving before I even think. If youre really serious about trying to keep me alive, dont do things like that when Im around, because Ill try to stop you every single timeregardless of how stupid it is.
Why? she asked him intently.
I guess its because I love you. He shrugged.
She squealed with delight and swarmed up into his arms. Hes such a nice boy, she exclaimed, covering his face with kisses.
They had gone no more than a mile when Kalten reined in sharply, filling the air with sulphurous curses. Kalten! Vanion snapped. There are ladies present!
Take a look behind us, my Lord, the blond Pandion said. It was the cloud, inky black, ominous, and creeping along the ground like viscous slime.
Vanion swore and reached for his sword.
Vanion swore and reached for his sword.
That wont do any good, my Lord, Sparhawk told him. He reached inside his tunic and took out the gleaming box. This might, though. He rapped the band of his ring against the box-lid.
Nothing happened.
You have to tell it to open, Sparhawk, Flute instructed.
Open, Sparhawk commanded, touching the ring to the box again. The lid popped up, and Sparhawk saw the Bhelliom nestled inside. The Sapphire Rose was perfect, eternal, and it glowed a deep blue. It seemed strangely resentful as Sparhawk reached in and lifted it out, however.
We all know who we are, he told the stone and its unwilling inhabitants. Im not going to speak to you in Trollish because I know you can understand me, no matter what language I use. I want you to stop this nonsense with that cloud, and I want you to do it right now. When I turn round to look, your little patch of private darkness had better be gone. I dont care how you do it, but get rid of that cloud!
The Sapphire Rose grew suddenly hot in his hand, and it seemed almost to writhe against his fingers. Flickers of red, green, orange and purple, all interspersed with streaks of white, stained the azure petals of Bhelliom as the Troll-Gods trapped within the gem fought to resist. Bhelliom, however, appeared to exert some kind of over-control, and those ugly flickers were smothered as the jewel began to burn more brightly. Then there was a sudden, violent jolt which numbed Sparhawks arm to the shoulder.
Thats the way. Kalten shouted with a sudden laugh.
Sparhawk turned in his saddle and saw that the cloud was gone. What happened?
It sort of flopped around like a fresh-caught eel, Kalten laughed again, and then it flew all to pieces. What did you do, Sparhawk? I couldnt hear what you said.
I let our blue friend and its tenants know that the cloud was starting to irritate me. Then I sort of hinted at the fact that I get ugly when Im irritated.
They must have believed you.
Flute was staring at Sparhawk in open astonishment. You broke all the rules! she accused him.
I do that sometimes. Its quicker to cut across the formalities once in a while.