‘You are an administrator,’ said Takaar, moving steadily around the table towards Drech. Auum could see Kerela was desperate to intervene but at a loss as to how. ‘You organise the timetable of lectures and the menu in the refectory. You are no leader, you are no commander. You are no visionary. Who do they look to when they need inspiration or spiritual help? Not you, Drech, never you. You are closed; I am open.’
‘It really is amazing how little you see, perched in your hut at the top of the hill,’ said Drech. ‘We all admire your insight and your teachings. You are the one who understands most about the energies of the Il-Aryn. And while you can impress the young, wrap them in the stories you weave, they would not follow you into a stream to go for a paddle. They boarded ship because I asked them to. You are here because they love you, as they would a charming but infirm grandparent. But they do not follow you. You lost that honour on Hausolis and you will never get it back.’
Auum felt the crushing weight of magic across his back and shoulders. Tension filled the chamber. Kerela was out of her chair and running around the table towards Takaar.
Drech was staring at Takaar, fear on his face. Takaar pushed a hand towards him and he flew back, crashing into Ulysan, who caught him before he fell to the floor.
‘Takaar, no!’ screamed Kerela.
‘We shall see where the strength really lies,’ spat Takaar, continuing his march around the table.
Drech was scrambling to his feet, his hands held out in front of him, desperately trying to form something to protect himself.
‘This chamber will not see magic cast,’ roared Sipharec.
‘Takaar, stop!’ said Kerela, laying a hand on his arm.
Takaar stared at her and Auum saw her courage wither. She stumbled back a pace, and Auum surged from his chair and onto the table, heading for Takaar.
‘Gilderon!’ he called. ‘Help me.’
Takaar had eyes only for Drech. He stopped, appeared to be gathering something in his hands and then slowly began to close them into fists. Drech clutched at his head and shrieked. Auum dived across the table and took Takaar about the chest and shoulders, bearing him onto the floor to slide into a wall.
Drech’s agonised cries ceased. Auum looked into Takaar’s eyes and punched him on the chin, rapping his head against the stone floor and knocking him unconscious. He felt a hand on his shoulder pulling him up.
‘Get off him!’ hissed Gilderon.
Auum spun as he stood. ‘You were too slow, Gilderon. You failed him. Don’t let it happen again.’
‘You do not touch him,’ said Gilderon.
‘The next time he threatens an elf I’ll do more than touch him. Get him out of here and keep him calm. See that he behaves.’
Gilderon stared at Auum, the muscles in his face at war as he debated deep inside whether to obey. He put a hand on Auum’s chest and pushed him away from Takaar, who was groaning and muttering on the floor. Gilderon stooped and picked him up, placing him over one shoulder. He turned and strode from the chamber.
Auum ignored the Julatsans and Kerela, who stared at him, demanding answers. Drech was sitting up, rubbing at his temples while Ulysan held a cup of water for him.
‘How are you?’ Auum asked, kneeling by the Il-Aryn master and noting the tremors running through his body.
‘I’ll live,’ said Drech, but the eyes he turned to Auum betrayed his fear.
‘What did he do this time?’ asked Auum.
‘He’s so fast,’ said Drech, half to himself. ‘Impossibly fast. He made the air hard as stone to push me over. And he was trying to drag the blood from my brain. He’s dangerous, Auum.’
‘I warned you. Whatever he is to his beloved students, his ego cannot handle the merest bruise. If you challenge him, he reacts like a child. He cannot contain his emotions.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Drech. ‘I thought this would focus him, give him a role he could play and be content with. His talents are so great and he has apparently shared so little. Just look what he can do when he puts his mind to it.’
‘I saw the ship destroyed and I heard about the clay wall. But I saw this too. He acts on pure impulse. None of us can afford that. If you can’t control him, he’ll have to go. I’ll see the Senserii get him to Korina,’ said Auum.
Drech reached out a hand and Ulysan pulled him to his feet.
‘I’ll speak to the Il-Aryn. Tell them Takaar needs rest and help. I’m sure I can make them understand.’
Auum took Drech’s face in his hands and kissed his forehead.
‘I’m sorry it came to this. I’m sorry you couldn’t control him. No one can.’
‘Still, it makes you part of the exclusive club of those Takaar has tried to kill,’ said Stein.
Drech almost smiled. ‘I’d rather not be a member.’
Sipharec cleared his throat. ‘I think you owe the council an explanation.’
‘We cannot afford to lose Takaar,’ said Kerela. ‘His powers could change the course of any battle.’
‘You can’t afford to pay the price of those powers,’ said Auum. ‘You’ve seen the precipice he flirts with. It is like that with every breath he takes. He might destroy a thousand enemies in one moment and murder the finest of us the next. He must go.’
‘And what of us?’ asked Sipharec. ‘What of Julatsa and the war against the Wytch Lords?’
‘Well I don’t know about you, but to my mind the only way to get Takaar out of here and away to Korina is to break this siege. It’s one thing getting in and quite another getting out. Tomorrow we fight.’
Chapter 14
Clarity from confusion, light from darkness, focus from fog. The Il-Aryn mind is conflicted. The more conflicted, the greater the potential. Mine is the most conflicted of all. Rarely do I wish it was not so.
‘I said what needed to be said.’
And did what needed doing?
Takaar, sitting on the side of his bed, dropped his head to his chest.
‘I should not have lost my temper.’
And with it whatever authority you thought you had.
‘I still have that! The Il-Aryn will not desert me.’
The Senserii will not let you leave your room. And they are supposed to do your bidding without question.
‘Gilderon will not betray me,’ said Takaar.
But you are not on the walls. You have no influence.
Takaar listened to the world beyond his luxurious bedchamber. The dull thump of spells and the crackling sound of black fire picking at the city walls dominated the hubbub of anxious ordinary people that filtered through his windows. Out there plans were being made.
‘They will come to me when they need my advice. They cannot do without it.’
Remind me. When was the last time Auum asked for your advice? Or Drech?
There was a knock on his door.
‘Come,’ said Takaar.
The door opened and Kerela walked in. ‘Please excuse the intrusion.’
‘Kerela, your presence is a blessing. Tell me, how goes the training of our people?’
‘I must tell you something.’
‘It can wait.’ Takaar held up a hand. ‘Sit with me. Tell me of your successes.’
Kerela nodded and sat on the bed next to Takaar. ‘We lost some, but we knew we would. The mana bowl is a dangerous place, and some could not open their minds to the human magic despite its similarity to ours. But you were right. Even those with limited Il-Aryn ability have found strength in the lore and magical structures of the Julatsan approach. Some have turned from the Il-Aryn and I for one will never leave here. This is my home, as it is to hundreds of those you sent here.’