‘Place your offering beside me and then sit opposite the flame,’ the Oracle said in a soft, whispering voice.
Dion unclasped his chain to remove the amulet with the trident of Silex. He placed it on the cavern floor, beside the Seer, then refastened the chain around his neck. Circling the white fire, he settled himself and looked at the Oracle through the flame.
He saw her place her fingers on the amulet.
‘You are . . . You are . . .’ she said.
The Seer suddenly shrieked, a piercing sound that echoed through the cavern, shrill and filled with pain.
Dion frowned. He knew little about the Oracle, but he knew enough to know that something was wrong.
He heard footsteps and saw a white-robed magus rush into the cavern. He had the same sunken cheeks and deep-set eyes, but Dion didn’t know if this was a new priest or one of the three men from the beach.
‘Priestess . . . What is it?’
The Oracle had her head down but she now raised it as the white fire between them ebbed. Dion saw through the flames that she was a young woman, beautiful and pale, with smooth skin and an oval face. She gazed at Dion with piercing green eyes, revealing a troubled expression.
‘This man . . . The materia does not respond to him.’
‘What do you want us to do?’
‘Take him away from me. He interferes with my abilities.’ She moaned. ‘I want him to leave.’
‘Do you want us to kill him?’
‘No,’ the Seer said sharply. ‘I cannot say that his future is dark . . . only that it is beyond my ability to see. Killing him could be a blessing to humanity, or it could lead us all to darkness. The gods decree that we do not seek to alter another’s destiny without knowing the consequences are clear.’
Dion was confused. His eyes went from face to face. ‘Please,’ he said. ‘I need to consult with you. Let me explain.’
‘Tell me nothing,’ the Oracle hissed. ‘Nothing!’
‘What do you want us to do?’
‘I want him gone.’
‘But, Priestess . . . He has no way from the island.’
‘Then give him a boat.’
‘Without provisions we would be killing him just the same,’ the magus said.
‘Then give him provisions,’ the Seer said. ‘I want him gone!’
The magus came and hauled Dion forcibly to his feet. He handed Dion his amulet. ‘Come,’ he said harshly.
‘Take him!’ the Oracle wailed.
Her voice followed Dion as he was hauled out of the cave.
‘Take him!’
When Dion returned to the beach, unsure about what had actually just happened, he saw with surprise that there was now a small boat, bobbing in the shallow water, anchored to the beach with a trailing rope that led from its bow.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. He had seen the magus with him make no communication with any other, yet here was a boat, evidently a reluctant gift to him from the magi.
‘Your vessel is here,’ the magus said after leading him down from the cave. ‘You will find provisions inside, along with your weapon. The Oracle has given you a generous gift, but there is a condition.’
Dion turned and met his dark eyes.
‘Never return to Athos. The gods are powerful, and the Oracle is their representative in the world of mortal men. Never return to Athos, on your life, and on your soul.’
‘I understand,’ Dion said.
He stepped slowly down the beach, leaving the emaciated man behind. Suddenly he couldn’t take his eyes off the boat.
It was small, not designed to carry more than three men, but wondrously proportioned, sleek as a cat, rakish and lean. Its hull was decorated with alternating horizontal stripes of blue and gold and the unpainted timbers of the interior glistened in the sun, polished to reveal the beautiful grain of the wood. A solitary mast sprouted from her center and there was no line for a headsail, but the material of the white sail rolled on top of the boom appeared as lustrous as silk, and the mast was so tall that Dion knew the slightest puff of wind would send it leaping.
Sailing across the Maltherean Sea meant crossing the open ocean, and typically a vessel of this size would be far too small. But this boat was a gift from the magi of Athos. Dion would trust it more than he would trust a vessel three times the size.
‘Her name is the Calypso,’ the magus behind him said. ‘She is yours.’
‘I’m traveling to Lamara, capital of Ilea—’ Dion began, preparing to ask the magus for guidance.
‘Do not tell me of your quest,’ the magus said, holding up a hand. He turned to depart, speaking over his shoulder as he left Dion alone on the beach. ‘Just never return to Athos.’
23
The reddish land ahead grew larger with every sweep of the bireme’s many oars until it came to dominate Chloe’s vision, revealing rust-colored cliffs, rocky bays, and promontories that jutted out into the water like fingers.
The sea had changed color, becoming a pale blue similar to the hue of the sky, indicating a shallower depth. Kargan ordered the sail lowered as he took the warship into a wide bay that became a series of smaller inlets.