Outcast Chronicles - Sanctuary Part 65

One of the scraelings screamed in terror as something streaked over the lip of the dune, s.n.a.t.c.hed it and dragged it out of sight.

The others screamed in horror, sharing its pain as it was devoured.

One scraeling tried to run back to Imoshen. Something moved under the sand like a wave, catching the creature. Sand slid towards Imoshen, as the scraeling struggled briefly and was engulfed.

Shrill cries from the others, cut off abruptly, one by one.

She stayed to see the last one dragged off and devoured.

Then, as the remaining predators turned their attention to her, she reached for Egrayne.

And found her; found herself cradled in her voice-of-reason's arms.

*You're back. Good.' Egrayne's voice was hard and no-nonsense, in direct contrast to the tenderness Imoshen had felt a heartbeat before. *You need to purify yourself.'

*What?' She had no idea where she was, or even who she was. She knew only that she could trust Egrayne.

*Your gift has been tainted. You need to purify yourself.' Egrayne helped her sit up.

They were alone on the deck.

*Where is everyone?

*Watching the horizon. The lookout just sighted land.'

Imoshen scrambled to her feet, then had to bend double as she fought a wave of nausea. At last, she lifted her head. A dark shadow lay across the silvered sea, dividing it from the stars.

*Ivernia,' Imoshen breathed.

And she remembered her vision. Her beloved choice-son would turn his back on her.

No, the scryer's gift was corrupted. It had plucked her deepest fear from her mind and presented it as the future to make her suffer.

Or so she told herself.

She had to believe it, because if Iraayel ever turned against her, it would break her heart.

Chapter Forty-Seven.

IMOSHEN'S FLEET ARRIVED in Port Sorvernia mid-morning. As they sailed through the headlands, she studied the Sagoras' Halls of Learning. She had seen etchings, of course, but the reality was much more impressive. Golden sandstone glowed against the rich blue of the southern sky. And below the ridge lay the port, red-tiled roofs bright in the winter sunshine.

The harsh cry of a seagull made Imoshen look up. It landed on the ship's rail not far from her, watching hopefully. It was said seagulls made their own luck. Her people were going to need to be like the seagull, quick and adaptable.

Imoshen beckoned her hand-of-force. *As soon as we drop anchor, send word to the harbour-master. Let them know that the causare is here and wishes to see the Sagoras. Arrange a meeting before this evening, if you can.'

Kiane hurried off.

*What are you going to do if they refuse us sanctuary?' Egrayne asked softly.

*Now that we're here, it will be much harder to refuse us in person. The Sagoras are philosopher-scholars; their coin is knowledge. They know what it is like to come to a new land looking for a home. I hope a"'

Saffazi came running up the steps, eyes bright with wonder. *You have to see this.'

She led them down to the mid-deck and over to the ship's side. As their fleet dropped anchor, two long rowboats navigated between the ships. Both boats were laden with children, mostly Malaunje, a sprinkling of T'En and... *Sorne?'

Imoshen turned to Saffazi. *Quick, fetch Ree.' Then she beckoned the ship's master. *Drop the rope ladder over the side and prepare the sling.'

As this was done, Imoshen noted rowboats being lowered from the other T'Enatuath ships. It seemed the all-fathers and All-mother Athazi would be joining them for an impromptu all-council.

*This is not good, Imoshen,' Egrayne said. *This will be the first all-council since Melisarone's death. There are only three sisterhoods left and six brotherhoods. If the brotherhoods force a vote...'

Meanwhile the children clambered over the side and ran about the deck, calling out for their loved ones and their all-fathers or all-mothers.

*Imoshen!' Healer Reoden came running over with a T'En girl of about ten years of age. Tears of happiness spilled down Ree's face as she hugged the girl. *Look, it's Yosune, Parazime's daughter. We thought her dead, but she was captured and sold, only to be rescued by Sorne.'

*You poor things.' Imoshen's heart went out to them.

Yosune nodded. *Then our boat sank and the Sagoras pulled us off our raft. It was lucky we were with your amba.s.sador, or I don't know what would have happened to us.'

*Amba.s.sador?' Egrayne repeated, as Sorne climbed aboard.

*Amba.s.sador Sorne,' Imoshen greeted him.

He gave a wry grin. His hair had been shorn and his eyebrows had been all but burned away but he was richly-dressed and he'd delivered these children unharmed, despite their ordeal.

*I met with the Sagoras last night.'

Before he could say more, the children clamoured for his attention. They'd found their all-fathers and all-mothers, and now they dragged Sorne along to present him as their saviour.

The all-fathers and their seconds, who had been so dismissive of Sorne at the all-council in Shifting-sands Bay, soon discovered they were now in his debt.

Gradually, the chaos subsided as the children were sent below, or to their ships, to be with their loved ones.

Frayvia appeared at Imoshen's side with a tray of spiced wine, and this time no one protested when Sorne was served first.

Imoshen accepted her gla.s.s with a kiss of thanks. *To Amba.s.sador Sorne, who rescued our children from the sea-vermin and returned them to the T'Enatuath.'

Her words were repeated and the toast drunk.

But not by All-father Dretsun. *Since when do we appoint a Malaunje as an amba.s.sador for our people?'

*Imoshen appointed me because I've had so many years dealing with True-men, and she thought the Sagoras would find a half-blood less threatening than a T'En,' Sorne replied.

*Dealing with True-men?' Dretsun repeated. *Last we heard of you, you were riding to battle a rebel baron and save Chalcedonia. Next thing we know you've been captured by sea-vermin. Is that how you deal with True-men?'

*Baron Eskarnor had been dealt with. His army was defeated and I executed him on the battlefield. I was on my way here to act as amba.s.sador when I was captured by the raiders.'

*I have no objection to Sorne speaking at an all-council,' Reoden said.

*You would accord a Malaunje the stature of a brotherhood leader?' Dretsun asked, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

*Sorne is an amba.s.sador,' Imoshen said. *He's already spoken with the Sagora Seven. He a"'

The T'Enatuath leaders interrupted her. They wanted to know if the Sagoras had given them sanctuary. Before Sorne could answer, Kiane returned.

She gave Imoshen the causare's obeisance. *The Sagoras invite you to meet them within the Font of Knowledge, when the large moon is four fingers risen. They will accept no more than three delegates.'

On hearing this, there was celebration. Then the advice flooded in. Her hand-of-force wanted Imoshen to take two bodyguards, and offered to organise it. Hueryx claimed his background as a historian and an interest in the history of the Sagoras ent.i.tled him to a place at the meeting. Dretsun insisted, since he had compiled the list of inventions suitable for trade, he should attend the meeting.

*The Sagoras are wary of us,' Imoshen said. *I'll take Amba.s.sador Sorne and a"'

*Me. I have the list.' Dretsun patted his robe.

*Excellent.' Imoshen held out her hand. *Give it to me.'

*I compiled it. I should go with you.'

*Because you have already met the Sagoras and have insights into them, like Amba.s.sador Sorne? Or, perhaps, because you've studied their history, like Hueryx?'

*No,' he conceded. *But I a"'

*What else can you contribute to the negotiation? Can you speak Sagorese?'

*Who speaks Sagorese?' Dretsun snapped. *They don't even use a civilised script. Only the most learned scholars of the seven kingdoms have bothered to study their obscure language.'

Imoshen inclined her head. *You honour me.'

*You speak Sagorese?' Dretsun snorted. *I don't believe it.'

*I am not in the habit of lying,' Imoshen told him, her voice cold.

Silence fell as Dretsun took a step back. He should apologise, but it was clear he had no intention of doing so.

*You amaze me, Imoshen.' Hueryx smoothed over the awkward pause. *When did you learn the Sagoras' private language?'

*I started taking lessons from Merchant Mercai nearly five years ago. At one point, I planned to come here to study. I've had work published in Sagora treatises, so I am known to their scholars and I've made a study of their history. I'll take Amba.s.sador Sorne, who can scribe for me, and one more person. If there was someone able to understand Sagorese while appearing not to, that would be helpful.'

The T'Enatuath leaders glanced to each other.

*Do none of you speak the Sagoras' language?' Imoshen asked, knowing full well that only one person present could speak it.

Ardonyx whispered something to Tobazim, whose eyes widened.

*My voice-of-reason speaks Sagorese,' Tobazim announced.

*What?' Dretsun lifted his hands as if he could not believe what he was hearing. He turned on Ardonyx. *He's a sea captain, not a scholar.'

*An explorer needs a facility with language,' Ardonyx said. *I speak five languages fluently and I can get by in another three.'

Imoshen hid a smile. *Very good, Captain Ardonyx. You will accompany me.'

*As you wish, causare.' He stepped back into place at Tobazim's side. For a fraction of a heartbeat his eyes met hers. She had to look away before she betrayed herself.

*Promise the Sagoras nothing until we have discussed the terms,' Dretsun said. *On no account must you give them access to the higher plane.'

*He's right,' Reoden said. *The Mieren cannot be trusted with the dangers of the empyrean plane. That sea-vermin power-worker called down a fiant. Sarodyti sacrificed her life to destroy it and restore the balance.'

But Dretsun was remorseless. *No access to the higher plane, Imoshen.'

She met his eyes. *I will negotiate the best possible outcome for the T'Enatuath, under the circ.u.mstances, All-father Dretsun.'

Would he insist on more?

He reached into his robe. Imoshen tensed, gathering her gift.

*The list you requested, causare.' He presented her with a scroll.

But his eyes were mocking. She read him. He'd meant to alarm her and he intended to challenge her. Maybe not at this all-council, but...

*We could deal with these Sagoras,' All-father Saskeyne said. *They are few in number and their province is full of Mieren used to serving a powerful elite. We could replace the Sagora leaders with a"'

*Leaders of our own, and invite the wrath of the mainland kingdoms, not to mention the other Ivernian provinces.' Imoshen's voice was sharp as a lash.

Silence fell.

*Does anyone else harbour secret plans to turn on those who have offered us the hand of friendship?' Imoshen asked. No one spoke. She turned to Saskeyne. *Then I will hear no more of this.'

*All-father Saskeyne speaks sense,' Dretsun said. *We need a defensible homeland, and an island is more defensible than Chalcedonia ever was. Where will your causareship lead our people, Imoshen? To a home of our own, or to extinction?'

*All in good time. First we must secure sanctuary, then a"'

*Is that all your causareship will be, stop-gap measures?' Dretsun demanded. Then he strode off before she could counter by asking him what his plans were.

*I call an all-mother-council,' Athazi announced, stepping into the silence. *We must deal with Melisarone's survivors.'

At this, the rest of the brotherhood leaders left.

When the sisterhood leaders were alone, Athazi turned to Imoshen. *Now that we have sanctuary, I should take in Mel's survivors. I'm a"'

*Let's deal with the Sagoras first. Then we can organise the sisterhoods,' Imoshen told her.

Athazi's mouth tightened, but she said nothing, stalking away with her seconds.