The Echolone Mine (48 page)

He caught the
undertone. “Bad, is it?”

“Yes, and out
of our hands, I am afraid. Is there a private place we can talk?
You and me. Your team’s involvement is up to you, although I
suggest you keep the farspeaker out of it.”

Torrullin
finished his brew. “My cottage was completed today. We can talk
there.”

He set his mug
down, called to the others, excluding Rose, and preceded Teighlar
to the small space. It was unfurnished, but the builders had the
foresight to include a hearth, and he snapped a fire on.

Teighlar, with
raised brows, created a rug and a host of cushions. “You can get
rid of them after, but I am too old to sit on a hard floor.” He
sank onto a cushion near the fire and Torrullin took one on the
other side.

Caballa and
Tristan were first to knock and bid to enter. They greeted Teighlar
with pleasure. Quilla came next, studied the Senlu, and grimaced.
Fuma came last and spoke diffident greetings. Torrullin sealed the
space against listeners.

Everyone took
a seat on the floor.

Teighlar
began. “First, what you hear here must be kept private. Only Tian
knows also.” Teighlar shifted. “Allow me to tell you a tale, and
please bear with me.”

Torrullin
studied him with hooded eyes.

“I believe you
have come to the conclusion magic drives this illness. It was in my
mind also, and I went to see Tian … yes, I paid a visit to the
Keep.” He glanced at Torrullin. “Too late to know it as yours.
Tianoman has put his stamp on the place.”

Torrullin gave
a brief smile and Teighlar went on.

“I met
Aislinn, his pretty wife, and Aislinn was the one who set our feet
to a path. She said it was as if titans were at war, as if this
illness is the dust they spill when they clash.”

Torrullin
straightened. “Gods.”

Teighlar
nodded. “Exactly. I shivered inside.”

“The
painting.”

“Sharp as
ever. Yes, the painting.” For the benefit of the others, he
expounded.

Quilla
muttered, “I see where you are headed.”

Teighlar
inclined his head. “Tian and I decided to pay a visit to the
Syllvan. Apparently he used the Digilan site of portal in the past
to make contact, and we went there. What we found was a tree, a
giant, ancient tree where no such grew before, and yet, unless you
knew, you would not regard it as strange. I have never seen any man
lose his colour as much as Tianoman did on seeing that tree - as
you have now, Torrullin.”

“A Syllvan in
our reality?” It was a hoarse whisper.

“Yes, but with
roots, leaves and branches like a real tree; it’s disguise. It was
there as sentinel, mostly to prevent Tian admittance to the grotto,
and to inform us of what was happening.”

“It would be
sacrifice. A Syllvan begins to die when it steps out of
Reaume.”

“It’s a
Syllvan in the painting?” Caballa asked.

“The same
tree. Unmistakable.”

“And the
vine?” Tristan asked.

“I am coming
to that. It could not speak physically and thus told its tale in
our minds.”

Teighlar
closed his eyes and commenced speaking from memory, an exact
repetition.

“
Tianoman, not so long ago you asked
whether there are realms outside of Reaume, and we answered in
affirmative. We further revealed we have an understanding with
those gatekeepers. We told you we asked whether Elianas had entered
their realms. We were too insistent in our enquiries, and we
angered the gatekeepers of Ariann; they have taken umbrage and have
declared war on the Syllvan of Reaume.

“
They are
the Dryads, but do not confuse their name with tree nymphs, for
they are not. They are vine-like, where we are tree-like, and they
are unkind, they judge, they watch not the scales. An angering was
sufficient cause for war - it was judgement.

“
As we
communicate, us three, my brethren fight for survival in the
grotto, in the spaces, and hope to keep the Dryads out of Reaume
even if it means our lives. Know this, you cannot interfere, you
dare not involve yourselves. The only road open to you is to halt
the epidemic; they have shed spores that aid the spread. It works
much like pollen, young Vallorin; tell Elixir, for it will aid him
in bringing it under control.

“
Tell him
also he must not attempt to help the Syllvan. Tell him we have
fought this war before, we know the battle plans, and tell him to
reach for catharsis, tell him that. I am dying, lords of this
reality, and sacrifice life willingly, for this is not my end, nor
will my brothers be lost eternally. We evolve and someday you may
recognise us in another shape in another place. Go now. The way to
the Gatekeepers of Reaume is now shut. Go, and be at
peace.”

Teighlar
opened his eyes.

Silence.

Teighlar
added, “He disintegrated before our eyes.”

Torrullin,
still pale, said, “If Reaume is sundered, reality will be
chaos.”

“We halt the
disease and thereby remove this power from the Dryads. Now is the
time to think, not just heal. What means the Syllvan about
pollen?”

Torrullin
pinched the bridge of his nose. “Pollen leads to hay fever, which
is an attack of the sinuses. It can affect a sufferer as a terrible
cold would, and the cure … well, there is no cure. There is only a
way to build resistance, usually via anti-histamine … can it be
that simple?” Torrullin moved his gaze to Tristan. “Who liaises
with the scientists?”

“Prima and
Ignatius. I’ll get them moving.” Tristan left the sealed cottage
and transported to the Dome.

“The Dryads
are the vines in the painting?” Caballa reasoned. “And the races
dead at their feet are a representation of our current situation.
What else is in the painting?”

“Nothing,”
Teighlar said.

“The images
are on blank canvas?”

“Half green,
half blue background, no nuances,” Torrullin murmured. “Why?”

“Just a
thought. A bird, a sign, something to give more clarity.”

Torrullin
looked at Quilla. “Tell me he isn’t in Ariann.”

“He is not in
Ariann, my friend,” the birdman said.

“My Lord, may
I ask whether you were aware of the existence of the Dryads and
this Ariann?” Fuma asked.

“Yes, although
I was not aware of that awareness until Teighlar repeated the
Syllvan words.”

“You
forgot?”

“For me it
isn’t so strange.”

Fuma gave a
measured bow of his head. “Forgive me.” He straightened. “May I ask
what you know of Ariann?”

“I would like
to know also,” Teighlar murmured.

Torrullin
moved his head as if listening. “Wait. Where is Belun?”

“He went
walking earlier. Did you call him to this meeting?” Caballa said.
“Of course, you did … by god, why didn’t he come? I sense … I feel
…”

She was on her
feet and running. Her swift flight outside took her east and the
others followed as rapidly.

“He went this
way!” she shouted. “Belun! Can you hear me?”

It was
dark.

They searched
the forest, the concourse, the hills behind the camp, looked in
tents as they passed through again, scrounged in gullies, walked
far out, but there was no sign of the Centuar.

The storm had
moved on, but left cloud cover behind. Beyond the camp the terrain
became unfamiliar and they stumbled in darkness.

Somewhere amid
the trees Caballa asked, “What did you hear?”

“An echo of a
call,” Torrullin replied and held a hand up for silence as he
listened. Nothing. “I am going to use Elixir now.”

There was a
moment of expectancy and they saw the shiver pass through him. He
was strangely alien - there, not there. In that same state, he
started walking.

They
followed.

It neared dawn
when the wraith that was Torrullin stopped. They were far from the
camp and the terrain was new. In the grey of the coming day, they
were on the shores of a lake. Nearby a family of deer watched
curiously.

Torrullin
focused. “His tracks end here.”

“Why would he
come this far?” Fuma wondered and searched the ground for
direction.

“In the
water?” Caballa breathed.

Torrullin
shook his head. “No, he is wet, but not due to immersion.”

“You feel
him?”

“I feel
echoes. This is why it took long to track him.”

The deer
vaulted into the trees.

Torrullin
watched them disappear, and resolutely set off after them.

Quilla
frowned. An animal would not escape on a path unless it knew of a
bolthole. He called to the others.

Belun lay
inside the tree line where the deer vanished. He was wet with dew,
and out cold.

Torrullin
knelt. “He is very ill. That is why he could not send, and why he
got lost.” He stroked the Centuar’s brow. Belun had reverted from
humanoid guise. “In this form he cannot be healed.” He tried again,
this time with two hands over the Centuar’s face. When that did not
work, he moved to the creature’s flanks, pressed firmly. He sat
hard in the wet grass. “I cannot help him.”

Quilla’s hand
descended onto a stiff shoulder. “Then we find another way.”

“The epidemic
may take animal life also,” Fuma murmured. “Such deaths will bring
other disease, cause hunger and destabilise the animal
kingdom.”

Torrullin hung
his head. Near him Caballa shook the Centuar, to no avail.

Fuma bent,
stilled her. “Leave him. We shall take him back to camp, see what
we can do.”

Torrullin
rose. “Cancel this day’s session and halt transports. Take Belun
back. I will attempt to get to the Syllvan. Aid them, and we
prevent the spread.”

“The way is
shut,” Teighlar said. “You were asked specifically to stay
away.”

Torrullin
swung around, and then blinked. He stared past Teighlar and put a
hand over his heart. He blinked again.

“What now?”
Teighlar asked.

“I thought I saw …” Torrullin shook his head.
Wish or will.
“Leave
it.”

“Whatever. Now
listen. One, you cannot transport; two, you were told to stay away,
and three, we need you here.” Teighlar was sombre. “Torrullin, we
use our heads and we use our talents, but we do not do the crazy
and impulsive thing right now. Hear me?”

Torrullin
stared beyond them and he nodded. “Yes, I hear you.”

Teighlar gaped
at him. “I have actually changed your mind?”

“No, another
did.” He looked down at Belun. “Let’s get him back.”

Quilla glanced
around, wondering what Torrullin saw.

The session of
healing was indeed cancelled, for Torrullin sent for Tristan and
asked him to bring a team of scientists to Avaelyn.

Tristan
complied, and was soon closeted with Torrullin, Teighlar and the
eight scientists for the rest of the day.

By nightfall
they returned to their laboratories and began experimentation from
the new angle, this time including an antidote that would work on
animals.

Torrullin
slept then, waking again with the new day. He and Teighlar worked
together, binding their wrists, and thus, every time Torrullin
placed his hand on a patient’s brow, Teighlar was there also. The
Senlu could not heal, but every healing Torrullin did from then on
leeched half the energy it did before. He healed the same number,
however, and was rewarded with greater strength at the end of the
day.

Teighlar did
not complain once.

Day followed
day, unchanging.

The tents were
struck, the log house, dormitory and departure centre were
furnished. Work commenced over and around the two healers and the
line of people. Sturdy poles were planted; beams were thrown across
and secured. Waterproofing was laid down, then the roof. The
ceiling followed and, as the summer heat intensified, the new cool
was welcome.

More days went
by, without word from the scientists.

The walls and
windows grew up around the action, more window than wall, for
Torrullin desired natural light. Then came the night the builders
insisted on a day or two to complete their work. Torrullin agreed,
and the next day he and Teighlar laboured in the shade of a tree
away from the main activity.

The floor was
put in, the facade completed, with ramps and stairs. Benches were
screwed down and Caballa brought in two orthopaedic chairs. At last
the facility, in entirety, was ready.

Torrullin
spoke his appreciation and praise, and the builders left. He and
Teighlar commenced work in the new building the following day.

That same day
saw the first Mercy Ship enter Avaelyn’s skies, saw her land
gracefully upon the concourse, and disgorge hundreds of sick
people, and hundreds more in stasis.

Still the team
of thirty brought others in.

Torrullin
called a halt and went down to the ship with Teighlar. He met and
greeted the crew, who were awed by him, and then arranged for those
in stasis to head the line. He healed them first, without Teighlar,
and sent them to the departure hall where they were fed. The line
then resumed with Teighlar.

They worked
until late and slept a few hours.

In the morning
the ship lifted with those healed and headed back to Sanctuary.

The slower
pace of healing continued. Belun awakened, and in awakening found
his guise. Torrullin healed him and sent him off to recuperate.

Two ships
arrived a week later. The pace then was murderous.

A week after,
inoculation commenced on Sanctuary. No animals were reported as
diseased, but a serum was ready for the event. Within two days the
number of ill on Sanctuary declined. It was working and thus
laboratories commenced large volume manufacture. Universal
inoculation was instituted, but the results would only be felt in
another month.