The Dark

CHAPTER Fourteen



Isabel


The last time I came to Athens, and stood in this peaceful golden courtyard, was the day of Ethan’s trial, when he thought he was going to be ex-communicated, and ended up being awarded one of the Guard’s highest honours – his wings. It was a day I will never forget for its tumultuous emotions. I have a feeling today will also be full of surprises, but not the kind one looks forward to. Neither Ethan nor I is on trial, yet I’m picking up an uneasy sense to this summons.

We wait for a sign to know where to go or who to see. The sign comes in the form of Lord Penbarin himself, the Lord of Samartyne. A giant of a man, today he wears a floor-length robe of shimmering red – not a good colour or fabric for a man his size. Hurriedly I switch my thoughts, remembering well how all the members of the Tribunal are Truthseers, and I’m not sure if it’s possible to screen my thoughts from them.

‘Welcome,’ Lord Penbarin greets us. ‘Come, good food is waiting.’

‘We’re not hungry,’ I reply, without giving Ethan a chance to say a word. Food, right now, would only make me vomit. ‘My lord, if you please, may we begin?’

‘You’re in such a hurry, my dear, I fear today you’ll be disappointed. Lorian is in a mood fit to kill. Has been ever since …’ He pauses, then continues without finishing his thought, ‘Come, at least partake of a drink while the Tribunal gather.’

Once inside the marble hallway, the temperature drops to something much more comfortable. Lord Penbarin leads us to a table laden with hot and cold food. I sip a glass of wine, but find it difficult to swallow. My heart is pounding with the anticipation I feel inside. I just want to get on with this ordeal.

Finally we’re shown into the Tribunal Chambers. It’s exactly as I remember – circular marble walls, with eight of the nine leaders of their Houses sitting in clock-like fashion. The first is Lady Devine of the House of Divinity. She sits left of the Immortal, while beside her sits Lord Meridian of Kavannah, and Queen Brystianne of the House of Averil in all her gold finery. Next in the circle is Sir Syford, Lady Elenna of Isle, Lord Alexandon of the House of Criers, and the delicate-looking Lady Arabella. Finally, and last to take his seat, is Lord Penbarin. But today there remains one vacant chair, laid out for Veridian’s own King – Richard – who is apparently still recovering in the healing chambers, having been brought here through time, body and all.

Ethan and I are invited to sit side by side on stools provided. As we do, Lorian starts the proceedings, ‘You have been brought here today for two purposes.’

I heave a sigh of relief. At last someone is ready to get to the point!

Lorian’s skin flares for a moment and I remember to curb my thoughts. ‘The first is to reveal the Tribunal’s distress. As you know, Arkarian has been taken to the underworld, held there while Lathenia decides how best to use him now that her plans to eliminate him at birth have failed.’ Lorian pauses, allowing us to absorb these words, or, the thought occurs to me with a shiver, prepare ourselves for what’s to come.

Soon Lorian continues, ‘The second is this: and I say these words clearly so that there will be no confusion, and you will understand my command. Arkarian is aware of his … unfortunate situation, and he understands the Tribunal’s dilemma.’

‘What dilemma is that?’ I ask, without quite making eye contact. The last time I did, the power of the Immortal’s gaze sent me flying backwards with a jolt of blinding heat.

Lorian continues as if I didn’t speak, ‘Without Arkarian the Guard is severely disadvantaged.’

Well, this much I know.

Lorian pauses and stares at me. I gulp deeply, reminding myself to shut off my inner thoughts. After an uncomfortable silence Lorian continues, ‘To risk a rescue mission would be to risk the lives of other members of the Guard, with the very probable consequence of losing them, disadvantaging the Guard to a point that may tip the balance of power in the Goddess’s favour. Our very tenuous hold could slip. Remember, protecting the city of Veridian is vital to our success. It is the Named that are tasked with this guardianship. There are riches within the city walls that cannot be measured in terms of monetary wealth. If Lathenia should take control she will become infinitely more powerful. We cannot let this happen.’

The Immortal’s words are starting to sink in, but I don’t like what I’m hearing, or where I think they’re heading. I swallow down my fear. ‘What exactly are you saying, my lord?’

This time Lorian answers me directly. ‘Any rescue mission planned for Arkarian will not go ahead.’

Ethan and I jump out of our seats. Ethan gets a word out first, ‘But—’ Except one withering look from Lorian has him freezing up fast.

For me it’s clearer than black and white. ‘How can you sit so calmly in your mighty chair and command Arkarian’s death? You must know that’s exactly what you’re doing by denying us the chance to rescue him. If it’s not already too late.’

My words have the effect of bringing a hushed stillness into the Chambers. Lorian stares down at me. I force myself not to connect with the Immortal’s gaze. Right now it would probably burn holes in my head. ‘Do you think this is an easy command I make?’

My head shakes a negative; words have disappeared. I feel, without having to look up, the intensity of Lorian’s glare.

‘Isabel, you have no concept of what it has taken me. What it has taken from me, to make this decision.’

Bone dry right to the bottom of my throat, I try to work moisture into my mouth so that I can form words again. ‘Then I beg of you, tell me why.’

Lorian explains: ‘Lathenia is on a rampage. She has escalated the war between us, unintentionally drawing a final confrontation nearer. It’s as if she doesn’t have a care or concern for her own armies. This is a new tactic. This is what we are up against now – a fearless enemy. An enemy willing to risk all – and I mean all!’

Lorian pauses a moment. ‘I am not willing to risk all.’

And then, ‘You have not thought this through. If you were to go into the underworld, you would not have your bodily disguises.’

‘My lord,’ I say my words quickly, before they dry up again beneath the Immortal’s stare. ‘Arkarian is without a disguise. So too is Lathenia. And I believe the Order are only moments away from discovering Ethan’s identity anyway.’

‘That may well be, but more is at risk than you think. Lathenia is making moves that will prove catastrophic to our world and hers too. She doesn’t live in the underworld. It is a piteous place where men turn into beasts. It is a place for the soul-less.’ Lorian inhales deeply, shoulders expanding and lifting beneath the silver cloak as power emanates from him.

I find the stool beneath my fingers and sit on it. Ethan follows, his breathing harsh and loud. If he were prone to asthma, I’d think he was having an attack.

Lorian continues in our silence, ‘Have you noticed certain changes in your mortal world?’

This has us thinking, remembering that odd day at school, the slip in the uniform code.

‘Have you noticed a hint of darkness in the wind that comes from the north?’ These words have our heads shooting up. I struggle to keep my eyes from connecting with Lorian’s, feeling an urge to search them for a clue. As for the darkness, I haven’t noticed anything … yet.

‘You will,’ Lorian interrupts my thoughts, reminding me how careful I have to be. ‘Members of the Tribunal are reporting failed missions under their control. Several have lost soldiers. It won’t be long before our world changes beyond repair. The situation is so desperate the present is becoming a feeding ground for the advancing armies of Chaos. We cannot let this continue. We cannot risk losing a further two important members of our Guard. We are already reinstating your missing members. Rochelle will return immediately. Neriah, who is still to be initiated, is already in your care, Isabel. So hear my words.’ Lorian’s voice explodes into my brain, ‘Until Lathenia’s rage reduces, and we begin to gain back ground, Arkarian remains where he is. There is to be no rescue mission. I forbid it!’

To the Immortal it is clear this meeting is over. But my heart is crying out to be heard. The very thought of living another day without Arkarian makes me feel desperate inside. And so the words come: ‘I can’t follow your command, my lord.’

Ethan inhales a sharp breath and digs his fingers into my arm firmly. ‘What the hell are you doing?’

I yank my arm out of his grasp and get to my feet. The stool beneath me shoots out and tumbles backwards, making a loud noise in the deathly silence. ‘I can’t obey you,’ I repeat more forcefully. ‘You see, for most of my life I’ve looked after myself. If there was a problem I fixed it – on my own. It’s how I live. Perhaps in my small world these matters are innocent and unimportant, and I’m never in any real danger, but right now there is someone in trouble, someone I care for – we all care for – and I know in my heart that I can fix this. Thanks to Lady Arabella and her gift to me, I only need a drop of light to see. And most importantly, I ask for no assistance. In this way the risk to the Guard will be minimal. If you will allow me to try, I will bring Arkarian back.’

Beside me Ethan groans and slowly gets to his feet. ‘Um, well, I’m with her. And no offence to Isabel, but I think the two of us together have a better chance of rescuing Arkarian.’

I smile at him, and with a little more enthusiasm he says, ‘Arkarian was my Trainer, and my mentor for nearly all my life. When I was a child, he stopped me from losing my sanity. I owe him as a brother and as a friend. Please reconsider your command, my lord.’

Lorian remains silent. Maybe the Immortal will relate to a more logical argument. I wave my arms around to include the Tribunal members, hoping to get some response, some support from them. ‘Look, everything we do while the Goddess is on the warpath is more dangerous than anything we’ve done before. Arkarian is vital to Veridian. Everyone in this room is conscious of that fact. We need all our players to fulfil the Prophecy successfully, so we must take the risk to rescue Arkarian, or all will be lost anyway. Can’t you see?’

Still the Chamber remains silent, and my frustration grows. ‘Why don’t you answer me? I thought you knew everything! How come you don’t know how to get Arkarian back?’

Lorian stands, and the suddenness of it has everyone gasping and holding their breath. I have a fraction of a second to realise I over-stepped my mark.

Lorian’s hands do a wide sweep of the room, and from them explodes a chilling flame of blue fire, hurling and unfolding straight at us with the speed of a rocket in full flight. Every person, Lord, Queen and King alike, dives to the floor. This curtain of pulsing flame hovers threateningly over us for a few seconds, making us shiver with the sudden plunge in temperature. Power surges through our bodies, rocking us, and I understand this is a display meant for us to feel the Immortal’s strength, and not just see it.

In a flash the flame retracts, and everyone breathes again, murmuring to each other. Lorian speaks inside our heads, as if speaking verbally is beyond the Immortal’s own capability at the moment.

The room falls silent as each of us receives this message. None of us is left in doubt of the Immortal’s command. Arkarian remains in the underworld. I have spoken. Now everyone leave me. Everyone!