The Scrivener's Tale #2

THIRTY-ONE

‘Are you all right, my son?’ the kind voice asked.
Gabe stirred awake. He hadn’t realised he had drifted into sleep. He stammered a response.
‘No need to apologise. You’ve been here a while. I just want to know that you are not sick or in trouble? After those terrible deaths in the cistern, I’m worried about everyone.’
Gabe cleared his throat and rubbed the sleep from his face. ‘Forgive me. I am a traveller,’ he said. ‘Very tired. My name is Gabriel.’
‘Welcome, Gabriel. I am Canon Petrus. This beautiful vessel of Shar’s love is my responsibility,’ he said, gesturing to the cathedral’s nave. He smiled warmly in the low light and Gabe realised suddenly that it was night and the oil in the cressets on the pillars had already been lit. ‘First visit to the Pearlis Cathedral?’ the man asked.
‘Yes, it’s overwhelming,’ Gabe admitted. ‘But in a good way.’
Petrus smiled. ‘That gladdens me. You have not eaten?’
‘You’ve been watching me, father.’
‘Indeed. Would you care to share some bread and cheese? It is only a light supper but I’m happy for you to join me. It seems we are the only supplicants this eve.’ He lifted a small bundle from the pew where he sat and watched Gabe. ‘Shar will not mind if we munch in his beautiful nave.’
Gabe grinned. ‘Shar is a modern thinker, then?’
Petrus gave him a quizzical smile in return, and Gabe reminded himself of where he was and the times he was now living through.
‘Help yourself, young man. I eat very little these days but Mistress Lyme, who looks after us clergy of the cathedral, seems to believe we all need endless fattening.’ He tapped his small paunch. ‘I have more than enough.’
Gabe stood gingerly and stretched. His spine gave a satisfying click and he sighed.
‘That should tell you how long you’ve been in that one spot,’ Petrus said, gesturing at the food and for Gabe to help himself. He did, taking a hunk of the bread and a wedge of the cheese. There were two apples, another linen filled with nuts and dried fruit, and he noticed only now the small flagon of wine with two beakers. He didn’t think that Mistress Lyme had set up supper at all. He suspected that Petrus had prepared his own and included Gabe in his calculations, but he sensed no guile.
‘Thank you, that’s kind.’
‘I admit I’ve been keeping an eye on you, Gabriel. You looked a bit lonely. You’re not lost?’
He shook his head and gave a rueful smile. ‘I’ve never felt more at home,’ he admitted.
Petrus regarded him with another frown, more bemused this time. He turned and poured them each a wine. ‘I told you a fib. I did ask Mistress Lyme to include enough for two.’
‘I guessed,’ Gabe said, as he took the proffered beaker and raised it. ‘To spiritual release,’ he said, not really understanding why he said it.
Petrus gave a low chuckle. ‘Yes, I’ll drink to that,’ he agreed and they touched beakers. Gabe watched his new friend take the first sip. Satisfied he was not to be poisoned he began to sip companionably.
‘So which is your beast?’
‘The unicorn,’ Gabe answered quickly, looking away but careful not to appear or sound suspicious. ‘It called to me the moment I set foot inside the cathedral,’ he lied.
Petrus shrugged. ‘That’s the thrill of the first visit,’ he admitted. ‘I remember mine like it was yesterday?’
‘What’s yours?’
‘Canis.’
Gabe tried not to look unsure. He waited, hoping the priest would clue him in.
Petrus sighed. ‘Yes, the humble dog,’ he replied and grinned.
Gabe shrugged, relieved to know to which beast he referred. ‘Everyone loves dogs,’ he said.
‘Nicely said, Gabriel. And you’re right. When I was young, I wished it had been Lupus who had chosen me. A wolf — wild and dangerous — appealed so much more. As a child I tried to convince myself it had been Lupus who’d called my name, but it was Canis who knew me.’
‘Dogs are faithful. Dogs are loyal. Dogs are true because a dog doesn’t lie,’ Gabe said, smiling. ‘Its tail gives it away every time.’
‘I like you, Gabriel,’ Petrus said, lifting his chin with a sense of pride. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s the least I can do for someone who shares his supper.’
They sat in a friendly silence, chewing on their food and listening to the soft splutters of the burning oil.
‘If you’re Unicornia, why were you sitting beneath the king?’
Gabe was ready for this, having guessed the wily canon might ask. ‘I suppose, like you, I was pretending for a moment. I wished the Dragon had chosen me. I wanted to see what it felt like to touch him. I really didn’t mean to fall asleep.’
‘You looked very comfortable in his embrace. And he looked …’ Petrus searched for the right phrase, ‘… very protective of you.’
‘It’s always helpful to have friends in high places, don’t you think?’
At this remark, Petrus laughed and the sound of his amusement echoed around the cathedral.
‘Petrus, would you mind very much if I remained here for a while … I mean, in the church?’
‘Why should I mind, son?’ the man said, his dark eyes twinkling with humour.
‘I don’t see anyone else remaining after dark.’
‘Oh, you’d be surprised. This is just a quiet night. You are welcome to stay. Everyone is welcome. No traveller is ever turned away. Where are you headed ultimately?’
‘Salvation,’ he said and immediately wished he hadn’t at the way the canon’s eyes widened.
‘Gabriel, have you a troubled soul? Can I help?’
He shook his head. ‘Not troubled. I have felt trapped. In here, I feel safe but not imprisoned.’
‘You are looking for release?’ the older man asked carefully.
Gabe realised what the man suddenly feared. ‘I am no danger to myself. I simply want quiet time away from others, alone with my thoughts, a time to reflect and be close to my spiritual beast.’
His companion visibly relaxed. ‘Stay as long as you wish. I must leave you now to attend to my duties.’
‘Thank you for the food.’
‘Commune with your beast, Gabriel. Find peace,’ Petrus said, standing and sighing as his hip creaked. ‘I’ll look in on you from time to time.’ He left Gabe with an avuncular smile after gathering the linens, flagon and beakers into the small basket he’d brought in.
Gabe watched him leave, returned his attention to the dragon and remembered how it had welcomed him as his son. He was confused, needed to understand more. If the beast could speak with him, then surely he could in turn speak with it … if he could find the way.
And then it occurred to Gabe that he already knew the way. He left where he was and sat in a pew close to the dragon but not on it as before. When he reached out he could still touch the dragon, which was comforting. He stared at it. And its stone sculpted eyes appeared to stare straight back at him … almost daring him to try.
He dared.
Gabe closed his eyes, as if in prayer, and reached for his mental haven. This was not for an exam. It wasn’t for escape from the darkness of losing his family. It was to learn.
He easily saw it in his mind’s eye. There was the nave of the cathedral from his vision, and it was identical to the architecture of where he sat … down to the pattern of the flagstones his feet were upon. He took a deep breath and privately marvelled. How could he have known this place?
Suddenly he felt as though he were travelling but not moving anywhere. The image in his mind shifted, became skewed and suddenly he was in a place he didn’t recognise.
He wasn’t in it physically. He knew his body was anchored to the pew in Pearlis Cathedral, but his spirit seemed to have found a very strange plane. There was nothing around him … just a neutral space that was neither misty nor clear, neither dark nor light. It was devoid of colour and he could not describe the hues — black, white or grey — that surrounded him. It was nothing. It wasn’t air. It wasn’t water. It had no smell, no taste. It had no sense of distance, but it wasn’t claustrophobic either. It was baffling.
‘Where is this?’ he asked nervously. He didn’t anticipate an answer.
But a voice did answer. ‘You are in the Void, Gabriel, but you are protected. Do not be afraid while you are with me.’
‘Who speaks?’ he demanded, not frightened but not feeling entirely comfortable. ‘Please … show yourself.’
He hadn’t known there were shadows until the man appeared, walking slowly but purposefully, gradually acquiring definition. He wore a grey robe. His hair was silvered, and though Gabe sensed he was old, he had a genial quality about him.
‘Who … who …?’
‘I am Fynch,’ the man said.
‘Should I know you?’
He shook his head. ‘More’s the pity.’
It was an odd response. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Why should you? It’s me speaking in riddles to defend myself against something you will understand soon enough. Suffice to say I am not your enemy, Gabriel. Far from it. May I call you Gabe?’
‘Yes. How do you know me?’
‘I knew your mother.’
Gabe had to repeat Fynch’s words in his mind to fully grasp the enormity of what he’d just said.
‘My mother? She had this skill?’
‘No.’
‘Then how does a mother who lives in the village of Poynings in Britain come to know a man called Fynch from another world … another plane, it seems?’
Fynch chuckled softly, but the sound seemed sad to Gabe’s hearing, as though regretful. ‘The woman who raised you and the woman who birthed you are different, Gabe. I’m sorry, I’m sure this will shock.’
Gabe was certain his heart skipped several beats.
‘How can you say that so heartlessly?’
‘There was nothing but heart in what I’ve just told you, son. You were loved, but you had a role. I had to take the precaution of sending you far away from Morgravia. You were taken to a place we could trust you would never be found.’
It felt like a jigsaw piece slotting into the right spot in his mind. ‘Until the right time,’ Gabe finished, his mind scrambling to catch up with his instinctive response.
Fynch nodded. ‘I knew you would be found.’ He shrugged. ‘Time moves differently here.’
‘I was born here?’ Gabe exclaimed, the shock beginning to sink in. Fynch nodded gravely.
‘Because of how time moves, I had to hold you back in the Wild, where I live — it’s complicated. If I’d let you go immediately, you would have returned too old. The Wild kept you safe and … hibernating, for want of a better word. It has immense magic that I don’t question.’
Gabe felt like he’d been punched in the softest part of his belly. He felt sick.
‘When the time was right, you were still so young. You were given to a lovely family as I understand it, with parents who loved you deeply. Did you not know you were adopted?’
‘No. I bore an uncanny resemblance to my mother. It was never questioned.’
Fynch sighed. ‘You do bear an uncanny likeness to your birth mother too, so your adoptive parents were chosen well. There’s never a good time to tell a child something like that. Maybe they just found it easier to live life with the secret intact.’
‘Who is my mother … my birth mother?’ he demanded.
‘A truly beautiful woman by the name of Jetta. As her name suggests she was dark haired, dark eyed … like you.’
‘Why did she give me up?’
‘Because your father asked her to … no, because he insisted.’
‘Tell me about my father.’
‘Little is known of him. He was a traveller, rarely seen. People thought your mother invented him. She became labelled a whore.’
Gabe blinked as if slapped.
‘She was no such thing,’ Fynch continued gently with affection in his gaze. ‘She loved your father fiercely and did not question his motives. She did as he asked.’
‘Did she know where I was taken?’
Fynch shook his head. ‘It was thought best she didn’t.’
‘Who thought this?’ he snapped. ‘My father?’
‘That’s right. It was his choice alone.’
‘So my father knew I would one day return like this, my body stolen, my life threatened, my whole existence turned upside d—’
‘Gabriel, he knew only that you would return and that you would bring strength, power, skills … and goodness to the war against Cyricus.’
‘He knew! How? Tell me how he knew about Cyricus or that any of this would occur?’
‘He didn’t. He suspected the threat existed —’
‘So on a whim … a hunch … a vague feeling that Cyricus may take an interest in Morgravia, my father — a traveller — ripped me away from my family and sent me to a new world?’
Fynch didn’t blink at Gabe’s rising tones or the steps that he’d taken toward him, almost in threat. ‘He was right, though. Cyricus always had a need for revenge against the empire. It was just a matter of time before he directed that revenge. You had to be the innocent party. Your father had to believe that Aphra would find you.’
‘When, in fact, it was the other way around.’
Fynch nodded. ‘The man you knew as Reynard was Chancellor Reynard, who trusted me and knew that you existed. He gave his life to find you and send you back, but he needed Aphra’s magic to make it happen. He was clever and brave and above all, he was a loyal man of Morgravia. Don’t think badly of him.’
It seemed Fynch had the answers he had sought then. ‘The raven?’ Gabe asked, suddenly remembering how unnerved he’d been made to feel by the silent, staring bird.
‘Another friend of our world, loyal and brave. In a way, he gave his life for our cause. He will be irrevocably changed through it, but he will survive because of his magic.’
Gabe felt the weight of years, of never quite feeling he belonged, crushing on his chest. ‘Fynch … who am I?’
‘You are one of Morgravia’s precious sons and, together with Cassien and Hamelyn, you may save many lives and the land itself.’
It was too much. His voice cracked as he spoke. ‘Fynch, whoever you are, you know so much. Perhaps you know this. Is Cassien my brother?’ Ever since their likeness to each other had been mentioned, it had been playing on Gabe’s mind. Cassien was probably just as disarmed by the suggestion.
He noticed that Fynch hesitated, but only briefly. ‘Yes, you are brothers. But he barely knew you.’
Gabe let out a groan of pain — he felt it physically, as much as emotionally. ‘I dreamed him.’
‘Yes, I have no doubt. You are connected to this world, Gabe, and you possess a magic that allows you to roam.’
‘Roam?’
‘Your mind is an incredibly powerful tool. You have memories of the cathedral. Am I right?’
He nodded dumbly.
‘It was the last place you saw, your last stop before you were sent away. It is burned into your memory. Your memory is your power, Gabriel, because your mind is so strong. How else would you have been able to survive possession by Cyricus and Aphra if not for that robust mind of yours?’
‘How do you know about that?’
‘I know because I watch you and protect you as best I can.’
‘I want to understand the roaming that you speak of.’
‘Roaming magic is rare and can show itself in different ways. Cassien roams too, but his magic takes his spirit out of his body. It is very dangerous for him and equally dangerous for those around him. Each time he roams, he kills. It chooses the victims, not him. It is random and ruthless. Luckily, if it chooses not to kill you, it never will.’
Gabe was not paying attention. ‘And mine?’
‘Your magic is contained within you. By not pushing it beyond yourself, no-one suffers the consequences of the power. You have more constraints on you than Cassien, as a result. You have taught yourself to roam in your mind to one place only — the cathedral. It was a safe place for you. Your memory told you it was home.’
‘Has my roaming created this place?’ he said, looking around.
‘This place, as you call it, is real. It is the Void. It offers nothing. Your roaming skill is powerful enough to lock onto the Void. Most people, even sentients — as those with magic are called — would not be able to touch it because it is so secret, but you reached it easily. Remember its trace now so you can recognise it and move away when you have to. I need you to remain here, in the Void.’
‘Why?’
‘Because this is where the battle with Cyricus will be fought and you are its facilitator.’ Gabe groaned but Fynch quietened him with a soft sigh. ‘Hear me now, I have things to tell you. Things about you and about me that we must share.’
‘Cassien, am I imagining it, or is there a wolf flanking us? And did you lift your hand in acknowledgement to it a moment ago?’
‘You’re not imagining it, your majesty. She is a friend — more than that in fact. Her name is Romaine.’
‘She has a name?’ she said, slightly breathless from the gallop they were now slowing from. ‘My life gets stranger by the moment.’
He nodded with a grin. ‘Shar, but it’s good to be back here. I wasn’t sure I’d feel that way,’ he said, smelling the forest that loomed ahead. Thin woodland had been their neighbour on either side for a while, gradually thickening into the dark blur of true forest. ‘I feel as though I’ve come home,’ he added.
‘And in contrast, I feel entirely out of my depth and scared by the lack of buildings,’ Florentyna admitted. ‘Plus a wolf with a name is following me.’
‘Romaine is my wolf. She would not hurt you — she is protecting us, guiding us in.’
Florentyna smiled. ‘You seem so much more carefree now you’re here.’
‘Carefree?’ he shrugged. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way, but I feel much safer.’
‘Can I meet her?’
‘Only Romaine will answer that question. She may be my soul mate, but she is also a wild beast.’
‘Is that what you are, Cassien? Wild?’
He shrugged. ‘That’s a valid question, your majesty. I possess a wild magic and I like being in the Wild of Morgravia. I essentially grew up alone. Yes, I’m wild,’ he pronounced with a grin.
‘Tell me how you came to be in the Brotherhood,’ she asked, hoping it would help pass the time and take her mind off her insecurities.
So he told her what he knew of himself.
‘You have no memory of parents?’
‘Not really, no. I often feel there was a sibling … an elder one, but I lose that feeling as soon as I lock onto it.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m told I look very similar to my mother, other than my eyes. Hers were dark.’
‘So you get your very blue eyes from your father.’
‘I suppose. I know even less of him. They say he was a traveller.’
‘A merchant?’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t really know.’
‘And yet we all agree you look so similar to Gabriel. You could easily be his younger sibling.’ Their horses had slowed to a walk. Romaine was nowhere to be seen. ‘Do you really believe that you were taken from your parents and raised, first in all-male monastic life, and second, thrust into the forest to raise yourself, amuse yourself, teach yourself for the past decade? And then, with no warning, you are wrenched away from that strange life by an even stranger man called Fynch and told you were the one would save the realm?’
Cassien opened his mouth to speak, but Florentyna continued, cutting him off.
‘What’s more, you have a powerful magic at your disposal. You meet Hamelyn, who seems to have an array of skills equally baffling. He himself is an enigma, don’t you agree?’ She paused only to take a breath, not waiting for his response. ‘Along comes Gabriel into the fray in the most extraordinary manner, I’m sure you won’t deny. And although he hasn’t demonstrated his magics to us, I’m sure they are there … or tell me how in Shar’s bright light that man could not only travel here from another world — or so he says — but carry with him a demon’s servant? Beyond that, he gets himself possessed by the true demon, and in the process has the wits about him to not only return me my quill, letting me know he is not an enemy, but somehow hide within his own body in a spiritual form, only to resurrect himself and his body, which the demon believed was dead.’ She stopped and let out a snort of disbelief, pulling on the reins to pull up her horse. ‘Now I ask you, Cassien. Can you honestly look me in the eye and say this is all coincidence?’
It was the first time Florentyna had put everything she knew into one series of events — as best as she could. It was daunting and she rather wished she hadn’t done so. Nevertheless, she held Cassien’s gaze in the moonlight and awaited his answer. ‘Well, can you?’
He shook his head. ‘No. It is implausible that these events are unrelated coincidences.’
‘Then you can accept that Gabe’s similarity to you may not be a coincidence also … especially as he’s involved. He’s been “orchestrated” to be here at the same time as you were “orchestrated” to keep me safe. You have been brought together to use your skills against Cyricus by Fynch.’
‘Brothers.’ He rolled the word in his mouth. To him that meant his family at the abbey; blood family was a stranger to him.
She was frowning. ‘Fynch knows so much more than he let on to me.’
‘Or to me,’ Cassien admitted. ‘Although in his defence I heard that he did not have a willing audience in you, your majesty. And I was more interested in my role when I met him, rather than knowing his.’
Florentyna knew Cassien was right. She nodded. ‘I didn’t sense any dishonesty. I’m sure if I’d asked more questions he would have answered them candidly.’
‘Yes. We just didn’t ask the right questions.’
‘What would you ask him?’
‘Who my father is. The problem begins there. Why would a mother give up her son?’
‘Both her sons,’ Florentyna corrected and gave him a smug smile.
‘That only makes the situation more intriguing and baffling. If you’re right and we are brothers, she gave us both up to a cause.’
‘The same cause, Cassien,’ Florentyna said, confident now. ‘There is no way that Fynch is not pulling the strings and you are both his puppets. I don’t mean that to sound as cruel as it does. I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Fynch didn’t convince your mother to give you both up. He is behind this.’
‘For the right reasons,’ Cassien said, and Florentyna was sure he was trying to convince himself of this fact.
‘Well yes, you’ve saved my life. Gabe saved it again by telling us what we needed to wary of, or I would now be under the control of Cyricus through my sister.’
‘My head is spinning, your majesty, and even though you seem to have found a second wind, I would like to get you into the cover of the deep forest before daybreak.’ He nodded to where the trees formed a perfect gateway and before it stood the huge she-wolf. ‘Romaine awaits us.’
Florentyna blinked in surprise. ‘It looks like a mouth waiting to swallow me into the dark.’
‘Nothing to fear in the forest,’ he assured her.
They come, she said softly over their link.
Fynch had his back to the forest entrance, thinking deeply about what was ahead. Mmm, I know. I can feel Cassien’s presence like an ache.
And the others?
Gabriel … yes. Hamelyn most of all.
Hamelyn is more than worthy, the Dragon had whispered sadly into his mind.
The she-wolf seemed to sense his thoughts shifting to the dragon.
I hope our king does not believe I have defied him by letting you come back into the Forest. You are not meant to leave the Wild.
No, Romaine, the Dragon King would never believe such a thing of you. He is clear that it is I who defy him.
You will pay a hefty price. Why must you do this?
Because I was once mortal. He knew it was not a helpful answer but it was all he had. Instinct was driving this and somewhere deep and visceral, he knew that while he was disappointing his twin soul, the dragon, this was the right way to proceed.
He turned to greet the sovereign of Morgravia, leading her horse alongside Cassien. Fynch emerged out of the darkness of the trees to stand beside Romaine, whose fur was silvered beneath the moonlight.
Cassien saw him first.
‘Fynch!’ He ran to him. ‘I am relieved to see you well.’
‘Hello, Cassien, my boy,’ he replied, his spirits lifting as Cassien pulled him into a bear hug. ‘I could say the same to you.’ He shifted his gaze to the tall, slim woman who held herself back while the men enjoyed their reunion  . ‘Your majesty,’ he now said, bowing, ‘it gladdens my heart to see you safe.’
Florentyna stepped forward and held out her hand. He took it and kissed it gently. ‘Master Fynch,’ she said and he heard the slight tremble in her voice. ‘It is I who am the more glad. Forgive me for not paying your warnings enough heed.’
‘That is the past, your majesty. Don’t look to it now. Worry only about staying safe while we rid the land of the curse that has come upon it.’
‘No, but if I’d listened, Chancellor Reynard might still be —’
‘Even if you had taken my warnings to heart, I believe Reynard would have followed the pathway he took and it is only because of Reynard that we have Gabriel with us, my queen.’
‘You know Gabriel?’ Cassien chimed in, looking up from where he knelt by Romaine, stroking the wolf.
‘He and I have spoken.’
‘Spoken?’ the queen and Cassien repeated together.
Fynch smiled. ‘I will explain. Come. You have made a long journey. Let us return to your old hut, Cassien, and give the queen a place to rest her head for a while.’
He turned and his companions fell in step, following the wolf into the forest.
‘Ride like a demon is chasing you,’ Tamas roared over his shoulder, laughing bleakly at his own dark humour.
Ham was grateful for it, though. It made him feel more secure if Tamas presented confidence. He’d seen death before but not like that: not cold, calculated and so very cruel. But as the wind tore at his hair and turned his horse’s mane into a wave of undulating gold, Ham was reminded that the woman who had died was not Princess Darcelle but merely the puppet of a demon that had stolen her corpse. It had to be done and he admired Tamas for his resolve; the courage it took for him to destroy Cyricus and Aphra and give Darcelle’s body to Shar’s keeping, where it belonged. He wished the corpse had not been dragged behind its horse, but there was no point in worrying over that now, especially with Morgravian riders giving chase in the firm belief that the heir to the throne had just been murdered.
Tamas had been right. The men had no idea where the arrow came from and had scattered in various directions, including theirs. If Ham’s last glance had been correct, three had headed their way, which was easier to stomach than thirty-six angry legionnaires. No doubt the Cipreans had been forgotten and left to get to their ship without another moment’s thought.
He urged his horse forward. ‘Where are we going?’
Tamas shrugged in his saddle theatrically. ‘I’m just trying to get us away. You get to choose where we go.’
Ham was not as familiar with his realm as perhaps the king presumed, but he knew Tamas couldn’t be expected to make the most informed decision either.
There was only one direction to ride. ‘We head north, back the way we came.’
‘Where in the north, though? Not that it matters to me … I have no idea where I am even now,’ Tamas admitted.
Ham wanted to say the Forest. But the Forest was huge. He wouldn’t have any idea where to start looking for Cassien even if they did make it to the Great Forest. He frowned and it occurred to him that apart from Orkyld, there was one other place that he and Cassien had shared and that Cassien may think to go to as a meeting point.
‘We’ll head for Rittylworth Monastery,’ he finally yelled as they galloped, knowing he sounded more confident than he felt. ‘It’s a direct route northwest. We can avoid Pearlis too.’
‘You’re in charge, Ham. Lead the way,’ Tamas said.
Gabe was holding to the Void as instructed but was relieved that he could still sense the familiar grey stone of Pearlis Cathedral. He knew he was sitting by the great dragon and that his hand was still placed against one of the huge toes of the beast’s clawed foot and it reassured him.
What Fynch had told him had been startling, but there was no time to reflect on his past, the discovery that he had family in this world, or the identity of his real parents. He was now part of a triumvirate of power that had to link together in order to destroy Cyricus and he wouldn’t let his companions down.
‘Everyone will be counting on each other, none more important than the next … but you, Gabe,’ Fynch said, fixing him with a stern look, ‘you’re the eldest brother and without you we have no means of fighting Cyricus. We need your skills alone to entice him into the Void. You must commit to memory how to get here, how to stay here and how to design the architecture in your mind to allow others to travel to it. You will have to be strong — you will be tested like never before.’
‘Eldest,’ Gabe murmured. ‘Tested like never before,’ he added. Surely the loss of a child and a wife was more than proof of his mental strength? Maybe that’s why he had been chosen. ‘No,’ he whispered, alone in the nave, ‘you were chosen long before then.’
It was all coming back to him now. Memories that had been so deeply buried that he’d needed the shock of learning that his father wasn’t dead to retrieve them.