Uthas hung his head in shame. He had lost the cup, or at least had been in charge of the column in possession of the cup as it had been evacuating from Dun Taras. They had been ambushed in the marshlands further north; the wain the cup had been kept in sank into the swamp. He had returned so many times, his shame driving him, sending him hunting for the lost Treasure, but never with any success.
A flapping echoed about the cave and Fech appeared through the glamour that sealed the entrance. The bird searched out Uthas and alighted before him. It walked in a small circle, then ran its beak through the feathers of one wing, regarding Uthas with its shiny eyes.
‘Well?’ Uthas said.
‘Eremon is old, he is scared of change.’
‘So what are his plans?’
‘He did not say. He is idle. He did little more than watch women.’
‘Good news, then,’ Uthas said.
‘Not all good. Rath is coming.’
‘What do you mean, coming?’
‘He found the dead, in the north. He is on your trail. He is hunting you.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CORBAN
It was still dark when Gar shook Corban awake. Without speaking, the two of them slipped into the sword dance. Dawn crept over them soon after, picking out Vonn standing on watch, the others rising and setting about the ritual of breaking camp.
Others were sparring about them with cloth-covered weapons as Corban finished the dance.
‘Where are Halion and Marrock?’ Corban asked, noticing their absence.
‘They left in the dead of night with Camlin,’ Vonn answered his question. The young warrior had been withdrawn and silent since the book had been taken from him. ‘My guess is another visit to our pursuers. Maybe just scouting, though I guess at more.’
Gar grunted an agreement.
Corban didn’t know how to feel about that. He had hated the last night attack, especially the killing from shadows. Even though he knew it was an act driven by survival, it had still felt like cowardice. But there had been a sense of camaraderie that had grown amongst them because of it, of risks taken, danger shared. Part of him felt disappointed at being left out this time.
‘Do not look so disappointed,’ Vonn said with a bitter twist to his lips. ‘I offered to go with them but they refused me. Perhaps they do not trust me.’
Being Evnis’ son will not help you, and keeping the book a secret did you no favours, either.
‘Trust has to be earned,’ Gar said.
‘Aye. As does honour,’ Vonn replied, then walked away.
Corban shared a look with Gar.
‘Corban,’ Brina called him, hovering close by with Heb.
‘It’s time we started,’ Brina said.
He saw she had the book they had taken from Vonn in her hands.
‘Learning to be an Elemental, you mean.’
‘Yes, Ban.’
He felt scared suddenly, as if he were standing at the opening of a dark tunnel. ‘Why do you want to teach me?’ he asked suspiciously.
‘Because you’re expendable,’ Brina snapped. ‘If something goes wrong and you end up melted it won’t matter too much.’ She strode away.
Heb sighed. ‘It’s a compliment, Corban,’ he said.
‘Is this something to do with what Gar said – about me being chosen.’ There had been a number of silent stares at Corban since Gar’s shocking confession. He’d even caught Dath and Farrell looking at him oddly. ‘You should pay it no mind, you know. Gar’s clearly confused . . .’ he trailed off, knowing that Gar did not seem the type to be confused about anything.
Heb regarded him silently. ‘Not for Brina’s part.’
‘Then why me?’
‘Brina likes you, Corban.’ Heb smiled, Corban snorted. ‘You must understand: there is a gateway to great power contained in that book, something that must be guarded. In the wrong hands untold damage could be done. Brina trusts you. Do you think she would want to teach just anyone – Dath, for example, or Farrell?’
‘I don’t know,’ Corban said.
‘Not even Edana or Marrock. You are the only one she will consider teaching. Brina trusts you.’
He felt strangely pleased at that thought. Honoured, even. ‘All right, then,’ he said to Heb. Together they followed Brina into the cover of the trees.
‘I’ll take the risk of being melted,’ Corban said to her, ‘though my mam may have something to say about that.’
Brina’s lips twitched.
‘We’ll start with a lesson,’ Heb said.
‘Of course you will,’ Brina muttered.
‘Once all were Elementals,’ Heb continued, ignoring her. ‘It was part of the All-Father’s design; giants and men were the overseers or guardians of creation, and so they were gifted a certain authority over that creation – specifically the elements of fire, water, earth and air.’
‘That is how we summoned the mist, during our escape from Dun Carreg,’ Brina interjected.
Corban nodded thoughtfully. ‘How did you learn these powers? Were you born with them?’
‘It is not something that just happens, like clicking your fingers,’ Brina said. ‘A bairn is not just able to wield a sword.’
‘No,’ Corban said, ‘but some take to it better than others.’
‘There may be something in what you say,’ Heb conceded, frowning. ‘This book talks of two paths to power. One is the way that Brina and I know a little of. The other . . .’