‘Sire?’
‘You adepts have spent far too long on this. I’m minded to set a date for deploying your handiwork.’
‘May I ask when, Your Majesty?’
‘I’m thinking that around the time of the new moon would be suitable.’
‘That’s…just a few weeks, sire.’
‘Yes.’ Melyobar’s face cracked into a gleeful grin. ‘Wonderful, isn’t it?’
19
The sun hadn’t risen high enough to burn off the mist clinging to the ocean.
Despite the hour, the quayside was buzzing with activity. Three ships were at anchor; one was the packet that had brought Caldason to the Diamond Isle, the others were similar sized vessels. A line of men chained provisions to them.
Further along the quay, five people were gathered: Caldason, Serrah, Kutch, Darrok and Pallidea.
‘Do you really think this is going to work?’ Serrah said.
‘It should,’ Darrok replied. ‘It cost me a small fortune.’
‘Then it’s good of you to contribute it.’
‘I was keeping it for emergencies. I guess that’s what we can call this.’
‘How will it know where to go?’ Caldason wondered. ‘The Resistance are hardly going to be using the same hideouts, are they?’
‘It’ll be attuned to a person, not a place. As I said, it’s a top-quality glamour.’
‘Who’s it going to search for? Karr?’
‘With the best will in the world, he wasn’t in good health when we last saw him. So I thought we’d go for someone younger, fitter; and in a position to pass on the message. Quinn Disgleirio seemed a good choice.’
Caldason nodded. ‘Makes sense.’
‘Ironic, though,’ smiled Darrok.
‘Why?’ Serrah asked.
‘I don’t think Disgleirio’s overly fond of me.’
‘He’s a traditionalist,’ Caldason explained. ‘Not the kind to approve of somebody with a reputation like yours.’
‘He wouldn’t be the first to think ill of me. It goes with the territory.’
‘So what are we waiting for?’ Serrah said.
‘Phoenix. This isn’t the kind of glamour anybody can prime. It needs a sorcerer.’
‘He’ll be here,’ Kutch volunteered. ‘He was finishing off his studies when I saw him earlier.’
‘Well, I wish he’d get a move on.’ Darrok shivered. ‘It’s damn cold out here.’
‘You won’t freeze,’ Caldason told him. ‘Here he comes.’
A wagon arrived, depositing Phoenix. He swept up to them with the vigour of a much younger man, robes whipping in the wind.
‘You have it?’ he said without preamble.
‘Here.’ Darrok held out a cube on the palm of his hand. The cube was reddish, and made of no easily recognisable material, though it most closely resembled a soft wood. Its surfaces were inscribed with intricate symbols.
Phoenix took it and cupped it in his hands, as if warming wax. When he opened his hands, it was malleable. He produced a thin black strand and began gently working it into the softened material.
‘What’s that?’ Caldason said.
‘A lock of Disgleirio’s hair,’ the sorcerer replied.
‘That was something you just happened to have, was it?’
‘I’ve quite a collection of body-sheddings from Resistance members-hair, nail clippings, flakes of skin-against an eventuality like this. It ensures the glamour homes in on the right target. I can see what you’re thinking, Reeth. Don’t worry; I haven’t got anything of you filed away.’
‘Glad to hear it.’
‘Now, if you don’t mind…’
They fell silent while Phoenix continued with his preparations. Once he had the strand of hair embedded, he conjured a spell with hand gestures and a short bout of chanting.
‘It’s ready,’ he said, holding up the cube between thumb and forefinger.
‘You’ve lodged the message?’ Darrok asked.
‘Of course.’ Phoenix looked slightly offended. ‘Just as you dictated it.’
‘Then let’s get it done, shall we?’
Phoenix went to the edge of the quay. The others followed, Darrok gliding in on his silver dish.
‘Ready?’ The wizard said.
‘Do it,’ Caldason told him.
Phoenix tossed the cube into the grey water lapping the dock. There was an eruption of bubbles, and colours flashed beneath the waves. Slowly, a bulk rose out of the water.
It proved to be the upper part of a marine creature. Blue-black and sleek, it had whiskers and an elongated snout, while its hands were paddle-shaped, and its eyes large and dark as coal. It vaguely resembled a cross between a seal, a dolphin and an otter. The pseudo animal stared at them.
‘Go!’ Phoenix ordered.
The beast sank and turned at the same time, flowing gracefully. It circled once, moving like a knife through the water, then swerved and headed out to sea. They watched until it dived and disappeared.
‘Gods speed,’ the sorcerer muttered.
Darrok floated his dish away from the water’s edge. ‘That’s that. It’ll either get there or it won’t. We may never know either way.’
‘That’s a cheery thought,’ Serrah said.
‘Just the truth. I suggest you forget about it. You’ve got plenty to occupy you this morning.’
Caldason glanced at the ships. ‘How’s the loading going?’
‘Let’s ask Cheross, shall we?’ Darrok directed his disc towards the crowd of stevedores. The others tramped along behind.
As they walked, Phoenix fell in beside Caldason. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask,’ he confided in an undertone, ‘how are the visions?’
‘I’m still getting them.’
‘Are they of the same nature?’
‘They seem more to the point, whatever the point might be, and they’re usually shorter. Why?’
‘I can offer you a draught that could alleviate their effect. Something that might put you in a deep, non-dream state.’
‘Could. Might. What am I, Phoenix, a rat for testing your potions on?’
‘I only make the reservations because we’re talking about you. An ordinary man would succumb to the draught. With you, there’s no telling, but it’s worth trying. It wouldn’t harm you whether it blocks the visions or not.’
‘Whatever I get isn’t dreams, so I can’t see how the depth of my sleep would make any difference. Besides, I don’t want them blocked.’
‘You don’t? After all you’ve done to be rid of them?’
‘Since they started changing in character they’ve become more interesting than vexing to me.’
‘And there speaks the man who loathes magic so much.’
‘Of course I’d rather be without them. But it seems there’s some kind of meaning in what I see.’
‘I thought you couldn’t understand the visions,’ said Phoenix.
‘I’m not saying I can, only that they’re trying to convey something. And they have an incredible vividness, as real as being awake.’
‘You know, there’s an old sorcerers’ adage that goes, “Who’s to know which is real, our waking lives or our so-called dreams?” The Craft has always believed that the realms of the unconscious communicate with us. So maybe these visions are telling you something.’
‘You make it sound as though I’m causing this to happen myself.’
‘Are you saying you aren’t worth listening to? That you’d turn a deaf ear to your innermost fears and hopes?’
‘None of it’s coming from me, Phoenix. This is from outside.’
‘Then I won’t try to persuade you about the draught. If you’re sure.’
‘I’m sure.’ Kutch and Serrah were walking well ahead, with Darrok in the lead, Pallidea at his side. ‘Right now,’ Caldason said, keeping his voice down, ‘I’m more concerned about the boy. Do you think he’ll be able to handle this voyage?’
‘Kutch’s young and inexperienced. He can be rash. But you of all people should know that he has heart and spirit. Above all, he has a natural affinity with the Craft. I think he’ll cope.’
‘It’s putting a lot on his shoulders.’
‘Weren’t you even younger when you had to face the world on your own account? Nevertheless I take your point, and to be on the safe side I’ve had glamoured detection devices installed on board. Kutch’s aware of this, and knows how to interpret them.’
‘What do these things detect, exactly?’
‘In essence they’re a crude form of the ability Kutch has naturally. They detect magical activity. That could prove useful in your search.’
They arrived at the crowded end of the quay at that point, ending any further questions Caldason might have. When he saw them, the packet’s skipper, Rad Cheross, hurried over.