The Echolone Mine (47 page)

“Who made the
weapon?”

“Excelsior,
but the magic isn’t theirs.”

“Damn it,
Excelsior again.”

“It has been
contained,” Teighlar said.

“Why didn’t
you inform us?”

“I heard this
morning, and I knew you were coming.”

“Who told
you?”

“Dalrish of
Xen. I was in Shangai Metrop. He claims he cannot reach the Kaval
at present. I told him I would be meeting with you.”

“The
Gatherer’s Circle is unattended,” Quilla muttered.

“Never mind
that. We must find the magical source.”

“Teighlar,
Torrullin needs you with him.”

“First the
magic. Cut that off, and his task is made automatically
simpler.”

Quilla nodded.
“What do you suggest?”

“At this point
I have not the foggiest.”

“Then speak
with him; maybe Torrullin knows something he is unaware of.”

“I will not
burden him with this unless I have no choice.”

Quilla ate
more grapes. “Tell me, Emperor, are you able to heal?”

“I have never
tried.”

Quilla wiped
his hands on a napkin. “I suggest you do so. When can we expect
you?”

“Give me two
days.”

“Very well.”
Quilla rose. “Thank you for the grapes and wine.”

“Quilla,
wait.” Teighlar led him to a nearby crate. “Fresh fruit from
Grinwallin’s orchards.”

“Thank you, my
friend. Yes, we need it.”

“Then take it
with our blessings, and I will be with you in two days along with
more of the same.”

Quilla bowed
over folded hands and laid a hand to the crate, and was soon gone
with it.

Teighlar
stared at the empty space, frowned, called to Dechend, told him
what he intended, and was gone from Grinwallin also.

Valaris

The Keep

It was summer
on Valaris.

Tianoman and
Yiddin sat in the cool of the courtyard and nearby Aislinn dangled
her feet into the mosaic pool. She neared seven months and was
decidedly rounded. Tianoman smiled at her and then bent his head
back to Yiddin. Papers lay in piles on the table between them.

The dragon
doors were open to allow the evening breezes in, and through that
door walked a man Tianoman had not expected to see at the Keep. His
eyes widened, and he rose.

Teighlar, with
a lopsided grin, came to rest before the table.

Tianoman found
his manners. He clasped arms, bade Teighlar sit, and called for
refreshments. Yiddin was wide-eyed in his surprise. Aislinn
approached, one hand to her belly.

“Meet my wife,
Teighlar,” Tianoman said. “Aislinn, this is Teighlar of
Grinwallin.”

Teighlar rose
and she bowed. Laughing, he said, “No, no, we are like family, my
dear.” He kissed both her cheeks, then asked, “How long do you
carry yet?”

She smiled,
liking him. “Seven weeks to go.” Valaris weeks were longer than
standard. “Then we greet our son.” She smiled at Tianoman.

Teighlar, ever
the gentleman, pulled a chair out. She perched awkwardly, giggling
over her difficulties. Teighlar sat and greeted Yiddin. He glanced
at Tianoman, who sank down more slowly, his gaze watchful.

Teighlar
offered a smile. “You will be a great Vallorin, Tianoman. Your name
will be remembered.”

The younger
man frowned. “Why would you say that?”

“It is in your
eyes. For a young man, you are remarkably sharp.”

“Thank you,
but I do not believe that is why you came.”

“My Lord?
Perhaps I should leave?” Yiddin murmured.

“No need,
Elder,” Teighlar said. “I am here to discuss what you discuss. Are
you aware the disease is now on Luvanor also?”

“And Valaris,”
Tianoman affirmed. “We have a quarantine camp. Luvanor has one
also.”

“That will not
contain it.”

Yiddin
sighed.

Aislinn’s
hands tightened on her stomach.

Tianoman
pushed papers out of his way and leaned his elbows on the table.
“What swirls in your mind?”

Teighlar
grinned and then was serious. “The magical source.”

“I had word
from Xen’s Peacekeeper about Excelsior’s accident.”

“Now another
factor aids it.”

“It’s as if
titans are at war,” Aislinn murmured. “This is the dust they spill
when they clash.”

Teighlar
jerked to her. “Aislinn, you might be right.” His mouth worked as
he thought about what she said and then he faced Tianoman. “There
is a painting in Grinwallin, one of the prophetic paintings, and it
images a mighty tree locked in struggle with a sinewy vine. At
their feet lie the dying races.” Teighlar drew breath. “I always
thought it signified the dangers of misusing nature, but Aislinn
painted it fresh.”

Aislinn and
Yiddin stared at him, and Tianoman asked, “How so?”

“What if the
Syllvan are fighting an enemy, Tian?”

Tianoman
slammed back in his seat. “Dear god.”

“Damn, it is
possible, isn’t it?”

“It might be.
But I have conferred with them twice recently; they may not be too
happy to see me again.”

Teighlar
sucked at his teeth. “At the drop of a pebble, you can see them?
Convenient.”

Tianoman
remained calm, sensing a degree of envy. “It’s not like that. It’s
because of my father.”

“Whatever I
think, we should confer with them.”

After a moment
Tianoman nodded. He rose, saying, “Yiddin, we’ll pick this up
later. Tell Shedo he can make payment tomorrow.” The Elder nodded
and began to gather the papers. Tianoman helped Aislinn up. “Rest a
while. I’ll be back shortly.”

She kissed his
cheek. “Be careful.” She smiled at Teighlar, with more reserve, and
headed up the stairs to their suite.

Teighlar
murmured, “You love her.”

“I do.”

“I am happy
for you. It remains a rarity for kings to make happy
marriages.”

Tianoman
inclined his head. “Shall we?”

“Lead the
way.”

Avaelyn

Quilla
deposited the crate outside the stores tent and headed to the
fire.

Only Tristan
was awake, staring into amber glows.

“Teighlar will
come in two days.”

Tristan looked
up. “Good. And?”

“He does not
know if he can heal.”

“He cannot,”
came Torrullin’s voice, and the man himself entered the firelight.
“Teighlar is too afraid of the power of healing, afraid he may make
a mistake.” He sat. “Quilla, you have not been hearing me.”

“I hear you,
Enchanter, but I also know you are being stupid. This is an
admirable thing you are engaged in, but it is bound for failure
without decent aid. Teighlar can help.”

“Teighlar will
question everything,” Torrullin said, “and I will be forced to
throw him off Avaelyn.”

Tristan made a
sound in his throat. “Gods, what is wrong with you?”

“Would you
like a list?”

“Yes, lay it
out for me.”

“Um …” Quilla
began, but was ignored.

Torrullin
said, “I refuse to humour you, but I shall say this, the future
remains dark.”

Tristan
snorted and looked away. “Some answer.”

Quilla muscled
in. “Torrullin, apparently Excelsior had an accident with a
biological weapon. It is the source of the disease.”

“Nuclear and
biological? Excelsior needs a thorough cleansing.” Torrullin
glanced at Tristan. “Your duty.”

“It will be
done.”

“I assume
there is no antidote?” Torrullin said next.

“The disease
mutated,” Quilla murmured. “It became airborne.”

“It spread too
fast. Something drives it.”

“Teighlar says
it is not the void you caused, nor is Elianas to blame.”

“Void?”
Tristan echoed.

“You thought
Elianas was behind this horror?” Torrullin questioned Quilla.

“Accidentally,
Enchanter,” Quilla said.

“How dare you
think it, never mind repeat it?” Torrullin’s voice lowered
further.

“A product of
energy loss, but not deliberate.”

“That makes
him evil by default. Elianas may be many things, but evil he is
not.”

“What fucking
void?” Tristan burst out.

Dead silence
ensued and in that silence it became apparent the entire camp was
listening.

“Too many
‘accidents’ at work presently.” Torrullin addressed the camp at
large. “An accident on Excelsior, the accident of a void when
Elixir withdrew, and even the accidental accusation of a friend. I
say to all here, there is no such thing as a string of
coincidences. I further say to you there will be an ending, and all
will return to normal. Now get some rest. We continue in the
morning.” He rose.

“Not so fast,”
Tristan said. “What are you intimating?”

“That magic
has lent wings to this disease.”

“Teighlar says
the same,” Quilla murmured. “He investigates.”

“Good for him.
I appear to be stuck here.”

“Torrullin, I
am sorry for what I said about …”

“Do not
apologise to me,” Torrullin interrupted. “Tell Elianas when you see
him.” He walked off into the dark.

“A void?”
Tristan demanded of the birdman.

Torrullin was
tight-lipped and barely acknowledged the appreciation each healed
individual extended.

He was,
however, calmer in pace, healing steadily rather than frantically.
Around midday he called a break, saying they would take an hour
daily, a decision that sat well with Caballa.

She headed to
him with a plate of food and, when he had eaten, massaged his neck
and shoulders. It would become a daily ritual, one Tristan would
fume over, but not say anything about.

That day the
landing area was completed and Torrullin broke from healing to
investigate. The plain was cleared of stones, stumps and shrubs,
and the ground compressed by giant rollers until it was hard as
concrete. The Valleur threw a mixture of clean sand and metal
particles over the flattened area. This would prevent it becoming a
pit of mud when it rained.

Torrullin
walked the concourse and personally thanked every man who worked
backbreaking hard to make it happen. He clasped arms with each of
them, and sent them home to Valaris.

He returned to
his chair and the day wore on.

The next day
the women moved into the completed kitchen facility.

It was a
sturdy wooden building with a store in back, a large scullery, a
toilet, a giant cooking range, and long low tables to serve and
prepare food upon. They completed the move with many smiles within
an hour and started the fires.

Again
Torrullin investigated, and spoke with the women, and then took a
long walk with the builders to check the rest of the facility. A
log house neared completion. This would have internal partitions
when done, and house the permanent staff, Quilla, Caballa, Tristan,
Belun, Fuma and Rose, as well as the ladies doing the cooking.

A separate
cottage was being built for Torrullin, set away from the general
hubbub.

Also, a
dormitory rose in a large clearing for overnight patients and a
smaller complex neared completion beside the concourse for folk
returning home. The former would have beds; the latter would have
chairs and the like.

The builders
explained they would begin on the actual healing centre once the
tents were struck and everyone started using the other buildings.
They estimated they would be at that point within three days.

Torrullin
thanked them for their efforts, checked only young trees were
felled, pronounced himself pleased, and returned to his chair.

The next day
it stormed and transports were halted for hours.

For once
everyone finished while it was daytime and many chose to take the
opportunity to walk. Caballa, Rose and the women took the time to
clean up.

Torrullin
remained nearby, because Teighlar was expected.

When the man
came, he shook the foundations of a world with his news.

Chapter 38

Titans,
friend, are dangerous.

Unknown

Avaelyn

T
eighlar homed in on the beacon as
the storm moved over.

He walked up
the slight rise and paused to study the activity. Rudimentary, he
thought, but knew of Torrullin’s insistence on semi-permanency.
Still, he hated the thought of sleeping with bugs.

Torrullin
waited with arms folded, standing beside a blazing fire for warmth.
The storm chilled the summer air.

“Seems you
have to stick your finger in.”

Teighlar
grinned. “You know me.” They clasped arms and sat on the logs.
Teighlar gave the campsite a cursory glance. “I cannot think you
are enjoying this.”

Torrullin
snorted a laugh, and was glad the Senlu came. “No, it’s not quite
my style.”

“That is a
relief. Thought you had gone native.”

Torrullin’s
stern face relaxed. “I am glad you came … now. I gave them hell
earlier.”

Teighlar
winked. “I admit I wondered over the welcome. Can a man get coffee
around here? Man, it is cold.”

Torrullin
headed to the kitchen, asked for and received two mugs of fresh
coffee - the women knew he enjoyed the dark brew - and returned to
the fire.

Teighlar
accepted his mug, saying, “I brought more fruit and vegetables,
down there on the concourse.”

“We thank you.
I hope you put some Senlu red in also.”

“Never go far
without a bottle or two.”

Torrullin
laughed, and in the kitchen the two women on clean-up detail smiled
at each other. It was good to hear him laugh again.

“I guess you
heard about Excelsior, and that I was off to investigate the other
factor.”