The Echolone Mine (58 page)

“Am I not
right?” Elianas asked, amused.

Quilla sighed.
“You may well be, yes. But I also think you are lying about your
desire for kinfire.”

Elianas stared
at the box. “Of course I am.”

“Why?”

“Had I not, he
would move Aaru and earth to make it happen, and he is not
ready.”

Quilla stared
up at the beautiful man. “You are a clever soul, Elianas.”

“And twisted,
guilty, insane and weary of this war. So tired of always thinking
and acting two, three, twenty moves ahead. I wish he told me about
Kalgaia, damn it.”

“A lie takes
on life. It is hard to break when time goes on flowing.”

“I know.
Besides, I should thank him; he probably saved my sanity.” He
tapped the box. “Read it. I am going out for air.”

Quilla took the
map into the library to spread it on Torrullin’s desk.

He stood over
it, referring to a thick atlas he had to hand.

Elianas found
him there. “He is gone. We hurt each other tonight.”

Quilla nodded
absently. “He will not go far.”

Elianas peered
at the map, barely seeing it. “He said we have a rare opportunity
to choose differently.”

Quilla smiled
privately.

“I have
examined the options. It seems to me the choice is unchanged.”

Quilla looked
up. “Not the act of choice, perhaps.”

“Ideals have
no place,” Elianas said.

“They do, or
the universe would not function long, but that is not what I
meant.”

“The thought,
the feeling? Again, where is the difference?”

“Want
something enough, and it will be,” Quilla murmured.

“What about
wanting someone enough?”

Quilla pulled
a face.

Elianas
laughed. “Quilla, the prude.”

The birdman
gave him a beady stare. “The Q’lin’la had certain rules of conduct.
I am not a prude.”

“What rule
governed same sex partnerships?”

“Like the
Valleur, the Q’lin’la were all sorcerers. It was taboo. We had the
line as you have it. In other cultures where magic is absent, it
isn’t frowned upon, except perhaps for religious reasons, but that,
too, is a form of magic.”

“Is it the
same for women?”

“Anatomically
there is no invasion, therefore no line.”

Elianas sat
behind the desk and rubbed at his face.

“I read the
letter. That was the bed of expediency you referred to. There is a
way to circumvent it and you two may have found it.”

A swift
reaction. “What?”

“We do it
bodiless.” Torrullin’s voice. He entered with measured tread. “We
leave our physical forms in stasis and couple in the ether, sunder
the two powers there, and go on to enter Lethe in spirit form.”

Quilla nodded
first. “It is a solution.”

“How effective
would spirits be in Lethe?” Elianas asked.

“Most cross
over as spirits. They function.”

“The Syllvan
and Dryads are not spirits.”

“Are we not
merely to view the situation?” Torrullin raised an eyebrow. “This
way all we can do is view.”

“When we
return, hopefully wiser, will the line actually be crossed?”

“The answer
will be known then. If we did cross, I would not have a blood
brother and you would not have a lover.” Torrullin paused. “This
unholy desire will no longer be.”

“Thus, the
prospect of change will be after Lethe. Is it your choice,
Torrullin?”

“I see no
other way.”

“Then let us
do it.”

Quilla
wondered why he was filled with dread.

Same sex
partners are as ancient as time. Many frown upon this and others
are not affected. The truth is no one has the right to judge and
there is no wrong where love is supreme. And now the codicil,
reader. High rank sorcery is dangerous to wielder and bystander,
and should thus ever be contained. But who are we to judge? Step
forward, however, when two powers seek to meld, whatever the ideal
or purpose, for then the danger is manifold. Unfortunately, for
manipulators of the realms of sorcery, this means keeping same sex
partners apart.

Book of
Sages

Grinwallin

Q
uilla called the meeting and again it was himself,
Teighlar, Caballa, Tristan and the two men.

This time, for
this meeting, Teighlar was on his game. He insisted it be held in
the Painted Chamber, as the cavern of paintings was now called. It
was frequently visited by the Senlu, for that secret no longer
needed kept. Teighlar made it known, however, for this meeting
strict privacy was required.

Quilla
preceded Torrullin and Elianas in, the map rolled scroll-style
under his arm.

Teighlar
installed islands of armchairs in the huge chamber for his Senlu
and other visitors to study the paintings at leisure, and he was
talking with Caballa and Tristan at one such island.

A low table
sat between the armchairs, which suited Quilla. He greeted everyone
and unrolled the map, weighing each corner down with little stones
he always carried with him.

Elianas flung
into a seat near Caballa, stretched his long legs out, leaned back
and closed his eyes. His fingers knitted over his abdomen.

Torrullin’s
lips thinned and then he was onto Teighlar. “This place?”

“It has
relevance.” Teighlar was amused.

“There’s the
painting of the vine and tree,” Caballa pointed, her finger
indicating left.

Torrullin did
not have to look. Every painting was known to him. “There is the
river filled with stars.”

Elianas opened
one eye, looked, then closed it again.

Teighlar
studied it. “A mystery, that one.”

“Lethe, River
of Oblivion,” Torrullin said, and sat. “And Lethe, the collection
of realms bordering both Ariann and Reaume. Our destination.”

Elianas smiled
without opening his eyes.

“I told you it
has relevance.” Teighlar murmured.

“How do you
know?” Tristan asked.

“Krikian
entered Lethe accidentally while with Lowen on Cèlaver. That
knowledge was what he left behind.”

It did not
explain the manner of departure two days ago, but Tristan let it
slide. “How does Lethe help you?”

“From it we
can view Reaume and Ariann safely.”

“And you know
where to enter?”

Quilla
gestured at the map. “Krikian left us the location of two
portals.”

“Convenient,”
Teighlar murmured.

“Very,”
Torrullin said.

Again Elianas
smiled.

Caballa spoke.
“There is something more, or you wouldn’t have requested this
meeting, my Lord.”

He looked at
her. “My Lord?”

She gazed
steadily back. “Yes, for it is better to place distance between us
when you are like you are now.”

Elianas opened
one eye to send Caballa an appreciative look.

“How am
I?”

“Cold.”

“A
veneer.”

Elianas’ eye
flicked to Torrullin, and then he closed it.

Caballa
nodded. “I know that well, and I know you well enough to not be too
concerned. However, this studied indifference beside me I do not
trust.”

Torrullin
grinned and dipped his face out of view before Elianas opened both
eyes. Elianas gazed at Caballa. “You are good.”

“I am a
seer.”

“Bully for
you.”

Tristan,
bristling, forced calm. “Elianas, may I ask what is your family
name?”

Torrullin’s
head lifted, and Teighlar, noticing, leaned forward.

“It is not
relevant to this meeting,” Elianas said. And just the other day he
saw his full name on the deed. The fact Torrullin had dared do so
proved how much dual ownership meant to him.

“I am merely
curious,” Tristan murmured.

“And you will
remain curious.”

Tristan
transferred his gaze to Torrullin. “How come Elianas isn’t
mentioned in the Oracles, considering he was Nemisin’s
son-in-law?”

“He is
mentioned,” Torrullin said.

Tristan leaned
back and his eyes took on a distant cast as he mentally reviewed
the Oracles.

Teighlar
chuckled.

Torrullin
moved on, hoping to distract. “We concluded the safest way to enter
Lethe is ethereally.”

“Why?” Caballa
latched on.

“Elixir and
Alhazen must remain behind. This way we are able to separate
power.”

“You refer to
long term stasis,” Teighlar murmured. “That is a great danger.”

Quilla sighed.
“Someone sees my concern.”

Torrullin
said, “The crucible chamber.”

“The crucible
itself?” Teighlar frowned. “It leaves an open portal.”

“Not if you
cage us and then seal the chamber.”

Teighlar
blanched and Elianas sat up, saying, “Any demon of the underworld
can play fast and loose with our bodies.”

Torrullin
pressed his lips together and leaned back. He gestured. “Raise your
objections now.”

Teighlar was
first. “Elianas has a valid point. Even caged, you would be at the
mercy of undesirables, particularly considering the state Reaume is
potentially in.”

“Physical
form,” Torrullin refuted, “is not sentience. We will not be home.
An uninvited guest can do little.”

“Something
will be home,” Elianas said. “Alhazen and Elixir.”

“Gods, you
would leave your power vulnerable?” Teighlar burst out. He threw
his arms wide. “Look at what happens when power is not protected!”
He meant the chaos paintings.

“Let anyone
dare steal Elixir and … what is Alhazen exactly?” Torrullin flicked
a glance at the dark man.

Elianas
wiggled his fingers as if to say someone else could do it.

“The High King
of Orb desired to find Alhazen ... fine, yes,
I
instituted a
search for a legend.” Teighlar said.

“Why?”

“Because,
according to legend, Alhazen controlled the power of energy, an
elemental power that could stem an inundation.”

Elianas
murmured, “Energy can be a barrier also. A force shield against
rising water.”

Torrullin
stared at him. “You can do that? How long can you maintain it?”

Elianas pulled
a face. “Forever.”

“The legend of
Alhazen was first told by Aldari,” Quilla said. “At least that is
where the name started ; others have similar tales, including the
Q’lin’la.”

“And the
Diluvans,” Teighlar said. “We could not find you.”

Elianas
shrugged. “I did not broadcast my power. I will not ever broadcast
it.”

“Why not?”
Torrullin demanded.

Elianas stared
at him. “I do not need a pedestal.”

“Don’t bait,”
Tristan snapped. “And let’s get back to the point. Your powers
would be vulnerable in the crucible.”

“No one can
touch that,” Torrullin stated.

“Your bodies
can be harmed,” Caballa said.

Torrullin did
not bother to respond.

Teighlar edged
forward in his seat. “Ethereal form has little impact.”

“We do not
intend joining the war.”

“Goddess,”
Tristan suddenly said.

Elianas and
Torrullin turned in his direction instantly.

“Do not say
it, Tristan,” Torrullin said.

“My name is a
word of power,” Elianas added with an edge to his voice.

Tristan was
ashen. “Therefore the warning? Never say it aloud?”

“Do not even
send it to another,” Torrullin warned. “Tristan, for god’s sake,
put it out of your mind.”

“It’s written
as a mythical parable,” Tristan whispered, and as he said that,
Caballa gasped.

“Nothing
mythical about it,” Torrullin said.

“I assume it
is not Alhazen,” Teighlar said.

Tristan glared
at Torrullin. “I’m not a fool; I can guard my thoughts and tongue.
You belittle me by not trusting I can keep this to myself.”

“That’s why
Kalgaia was sundered,” Caballa whispered.

Elianas was on
his feet. “Torrullin, I came here to play your little niche game,
but this I shall not stand for. Kalgaia must be left out of
this.”

Torrullin
folded his arms. “The responsibility is yours.”

Teighlar
leaned back, preparing to enjoy himself.

Quilla, more
aware of the truth behind Kalgaia, said, “Elianas, let it
rest.”

Elianas licked
his lips. “You are right.” He lowered to a seat.

Caballa
reasoned, “It’s a race name, and you, being the last, became known
by it. The Oracles weren’t started until second or third cycle,
were they? Nemisin as
we
know him knew only
one
dark
Valleur. It’s the myth of Kalgaia that scared him.”

“It is not
relevant,” Elianas said.

“It is now,”
Tristan said. “Speak of the danger or it could get loose.”

Elianas
glanced at Torrullin. “My responsibility, you say?”

“I know my
part in it.”

“Very well.
Allow me to tell you why I am known by a name that is a word of
power. It will explain why I remain in the shadows, and why
Torrullin keeps me from the Golden.”

Students of
magic will have heard of a line, a magical concept no one will
explain. There is a line, yes, but the student needs become a
master of masters to also become aware of its truth.

Steps of the
Magical Condition

Grinwallin

Painted
Chamber

E
lianas was hyper-tense on the edge of his seat.

He tucked his
long hair behind his ears and when he spoke it was in an
emotionless tone, almost as if he spoke by rote.

“In the
beginning, when the Mother was still quite young, she created a
race of amazing bipedal creatures. They were clever, talented,
swift and beautiful. The Golden, the Valleur, Masters of the
Universe, or thus it was written by Nemisin. However, as the lady
seer says, Nemisin did not put quill to parchment in the first
cycle, and he was not lying either; he did not know better. Thus,
let me start again.