A Distant Tomorrow Page 20

  They went in the opposite direction from the castle. The path was less steep, and led to a sunny meadow overlooking the sea. Dasras galloped joyfully across the grassy lea, slowing finally to a sedate walk. When they reached the edge of the meadow Lara dismounted, and together they strolled along.

  “To think that across that water, Hetar and the Outlands lie,” Lara said.

  “It is a long way,” Dasras said. “The wings your mother gave me did not tire, but I know I did. I actually fell asleep at one point, but the wings kept moving up and down of their own accord. Your mother said if I should ever have need of those wings again I have but to think of them, and they will sprout forth from my body. It was a bit unnerving to see them there, I must say.”

  “I shall want you to use them again, Dasras, but not quite yet, and not to fly over the sea. I want to explore Terah, and I think we can do it faster by using your wings than by traveling afoot,” Lara told him.

  “What do you contemplate?” Dasras asked her.

  “I am not yet ready to speak on it, old friend,” she told him. “First I must see if what I am considering is possible. Then we shall discuss it. And then I must convince the Dominus to do something he will have never considered.”

  “It would appear that you have great plans in mind, Mistress,” the stallion said.

  “I do,” Lara answered him. Then turning she flung her arms about his golden neck, burying her face in his cream-colored mane. “Is it not the most beautiful day, Dasras? And is this land not fair? I have never seen a place so green as Terah.”

  The horse chuckled. “I cannot disagree with either of your utterances, Mistress.”

  “Thank you for joining me, Dasras! I missed you,” Lara said.

  “And I, you, Mistress. Like you I am meant for great adventures. But the child you left me with was not,” Dasras said.

  Lara laughed. “But I will wager my son thought otherwise.”

  “Aye, he did. And I would have remained as you had asked me to, but that your mother told me of your need of me here in Terah. I was only too happy to come. I have actually missed old Verica, and even the beautiful and bloodthirsty Andraste,” he chuckled.

  “I must find the sorcerer’s lair,” Lara said. “I cannot accomplish what I need to accomplish until the men of Terah can once again hear their women. No society can exist successfully unless its inhabitants can hear one another, and exchange ideas, and thoughts. Do you realize that for five centuries the men of Terah have not heard a woman’s voice saying ‘I love you’? Or crying out in joy, or in childbirth? How tragic!”

  “But,” Dasras said mischievously, “they have also not heard a woman’s voice nagging at them, complaining or demanding things from them.”

  Lara swatted at the horse and he danced away from her, chuckling. “We had best get back to the castle,” she said. “While Magnus knows I am capable of taking care of myself, he does worry when I am gone.” She mounted Dasras again, and they turned back toward the castle. Riding through the meadow she was able to see the entire castle, now bathed in late afternoon sunshine. It was a magnificent structure.

  And then something caught Lara’s eye. She stared hard at a northwest tower. There was a small section of stones just slightly different in color than the others. Was it a trick of the light? She pulled Dasras to a stop, and stared hard. But then the tower was gone. She was positive she had seen it. The tower was suddenly there again. How had the tower disappeared one moment and returned the next? No. It had to be the light. As they moved closer, again Lara was certain that some of those stones were dissimilar from the others. The difference was no bigger than a small window opening, and yet it was there. Dasras reemerged on the path above the fjord, but Lara could not keep that northwest tower in her sight. It flickered in and out of view until Lara was forced to abandon her inspection. She would come out again in the morning, and see if she could see a variation in the stones. Stabling Dasras, she kissed him on the muzzle and bade him good-night.

  When Lara reached the Women’s Quarters Sirvat had just finished up with her chores. “Did you enjoy your ride?” she asked.

  Lara nodded. “Aye, I did. I rode through that meadow just above the beach,” she told the other girl. “But you would not know it, having lived all your life within these walls. Ah, Sirvat, there is so much beauty in Terah! I cannot wait until we may ride out together so I can show you what I have seen.”

  “I am more than ready for an adventure,” Sirvat admitted. “And I want one before I marry Corrado and have babies of my own. Of late I find I am more irritated by the dimensions of my world. Will you teach me to ride?”

  “Gladly!” Lara said. “Sirvat, I may have found something while out riding.”

  “What?” the other girl asked.

  “It might have been the way the light was reflecting off of the stones,” Lara said, “but I am not entirely certain. I must look again in the morning. There is a tiny section high in a northwest tower where the stones appear to be a slightly different shade from the stones about it. It is no bigger than a small window opening. But I could not seem to keep the tower itself in my sight. Have you been in that section of the castle?”

  “The northwest section of the castle was the first part to be built,” Sirvat replied. “It existed even before Usi gained his dark powers. My ancestors lived there until the sorcerer dispossessed them. Then he built the rest of the castle, which is why many credit him with the whole structure. Members of my family have added a little bit to it over the centuries, and it was they who created the terraced gardens. The northwest tower is a separate structure, not even connected to the main buildings. No one resided there for many years — I always assumed because it was colder, and the castle holds so many more hospitable places to nest.”

  “If Usi forced your family from their tower, it was probably there he lived while the rest of the castle was being constructed,” Lara said thoughtfully. “It would have been several years in the building — unless he used magic?”

  “No,” Sirvat said. “He used forced labor. Many families were torn apart as their men were pressed into his service. The women had to create the goods we trade. That was when many learned to be artisans, for Usi would tolerate no decline in our commerce with Hetar.”

  “Then the sorcerer must certainly have inhabited the northwest tower,” Lara said. “And if he was like most men, he did not bother to move himself when the rest of the castle was finished. He probably had an official apartment in the newer section, but he would go to the tower to take his pleasures with the women he stole. He would keep his workshop there, and most, except perhaps a trusted servant, would be forbidden entrance to the tower. I am certain that is where we will find his book of spells. Where did he die?”

  “I don’t know,” Sirvat said. “I don’t think I have ever heard anyone say that Usi died in any one particular place.”

  “What happened to his body, and that of Geltruda?”

  “The story is that her brothers took the bodies to burn. Usi’s ashes were taken far out to sea and cast overboard in a sealed clay jar weighted down with iron. Geltruda’s were scattered to the four winds. It is said a flowering tree sprang up on the site where her pyre stood. It is long gone now, of course,” Sirvat said.

  “Then ’tis the northwest tower where we will find what we seek,” Lara replied. “I am certain of it now. We will go in the morning.”

  “Why not now?” Sirvat asked.

  “It is close to sunset,” Lara explained, “and I would not want to enter that tower in the darkness, haunted as it must be by the souls of those Usi tortured. No. We will go tomorrow in the bright sunlight.”

  “We must tell my brother,” Sirvat said.

  Lara nodded. “Aye. Magnus should know.”

  “Will you be able to reverse Usi’s spell, Lara?”

  “I hope so,” Lara said. “I must seek my chamber now, and consider on it.” She left the day room as Sirvat reached for her writing box to communicate with
her brother.

  Closing the door of her bedchamber Lara sat down on the bed, and reached for her crystal. Ethne? Are you yet with me?

  I am here.

  You know all, Ethne. What am I to do?

  You have wisely chosen to enter the tower in the daylight, Ethne said.

  It will be a place of darkness nonetheless, and the evil that took place there will have permeated the very walls, Lara replied. Today when I first saw the tower it disappeared, and then reappeared. Or were my eyes fooling me? Even from a distance I could feel the menace. The Sorcerer may be dead, but I fear his shade is yet strong, and his magic while diminished is still potent.

  Your instincts do not fail you, daughter of the queen. Usi’s body is ashes, but his spirit yet has power. It is that power you must totally destroy in order to lift his influence from Terah forever. When you have reached the tower room, Ethne advised, smash out the bricks that fill the window, and allow the light in to protect you, my child.

  How? Lara asked her.

  With your magic, of course, Ethne responded with a small chuckle. You have but to command the barrier between the light and dark to evaporate, and for you it will. You do not use your magic enough, Lara, Ethne scolded. It is your greatest gift.

  I wish I could speak with my mother, Lara said.

  Your mother’s magic does not extend to Terah, but there is one who can aid you. The Shadow Princes are the greatest powers in all of this world, though they hide it to preserve their way of life. They are strong enough to counsel you in your dreams if you ask them.

  I must call on Kaliq then, Lara resolved.

  A wise decision, Ethne agreed. Mix a small bit of sleeping draught with some wine before you sleep. Otherwise you may be too anxious to slumber deeply.

  If I can remove the sorcerer’s curse on Terah, what will happen then? Lara wondered. I do not wish to destroy their way of life.

  You will know that when you reach the proper time, the crystal spirit murmured.

  Riddles again, Lara laughed. I suppose I should be used to it by now.

  The flame in the crystal flickered, and then faded to just a pinpoint of light. Lara released the crystal, which settled between her breasts above her heart, as it always did.

  Sirvat was knocking upon the chamber door. “My brother is here.”

  “I will come,” Lara replied, and arose immediately from the bed.

  In the day room the Dominus waited. “Sirvat has told me of your discovery,” he said. “We will go in the morning.”

  “Nay, Magnus, you must not go. I will go, for I am protected from the evil that the tower will surely still contain. No mortal must be tainted by it,” Lara told him.

  “I am the Dominus. I do not fear the shades of the past,” he replied.

  “Then you are a fool, for I do. And you should. I will enter the tower quickly, closing the door behind me to keep the evil penned up all these years within it. Please trust me, Magnus. This is not about your position or your bravery,” Lara said.

  “Tell my brother I beg him to heed your advice!” Sirvat said.

  “Your sister agrees with me. She fears for your safety, Magnus,” Lara added.

  “I fear for yours,” he told her.

  “You need not, for I am protected,” Lara assured him. “And tonight in the dream world I will ask the Shadow Prince Kaliq to aid me in this endeavor.”

  “I do not want another man in my bed,” the Dominus said.

  “But I will not be in your bed, Magnus,” Lara replied, “and so you do not have to worry. I must sleep alone with no distractions.”

  “You think me a distraction?” he said, a small grin touching his lips.

  “Yes,” she told him. “You are a very great distraction to my concentration.” Their eyes met, and she blushed even while she smiled at him.

  “Now that I have my women wed and gone, I must consider finding a husband for Sirvat. You will want no other woman of rank in the castle when we marry,” he said.

  “Sirvat has chosen the man she desires, and I am not marrying you,” Lara responded.

  “Yes, you are,” he said calmly. Then, “How is it that my sister has chosen a man she wishes to wed, and yet I know not who he is?”

  “Must you tell him?” Sirvat cried, distressed. “What if he disapproves?”

  “Sirvat fears you will not approve her choice, but I know you will,” Lara told the Dominus. “It is Corrado.”

  Magnus Hauk turned to his sister. “I approve your choice, little sister. He is a good man, and our blood kin. When this matter is settled I will approach him. There is no other in his life, for his duties have kept him from all but casual women.”

  Delighted, Sirvat threw her arms about her brother and kissed him on both cheeks.

  “I believe she is thanking you, Magnus,” Lara said dryly.

  He laughed. “I believe she is,” he agreed. “Go to bed now, Sirvat. I would speak with Lara privily.”

  Sirvat released her hold on her brother and ran from the room.

  “Come and sit with me,” he said, and took her two hands in his as they sat. “I do not like the idea of you being with another man. This Shadow Prince, was he your lover?”

  “Yes,” she answered him honestly. “Once Kaliq and I were lovers. It is he who taught me to give and receive pleasures, for the Forest Lords surely did not. Since you are the recipient of his teaching, my lord Dominus, you should be grateful to him,” she teased him gently. “I owe much to Kaliq, Magnus, but you need not fear him. He is my mentor, nothing more, and he knows that. I need his counsel. I do not believe I can do what needs to be done without it. But if you prefer that the men of Terah continue on as you have been these five centuries past, Magnus, I will cease my efforts on your behalf.”

  “And when this is over you will become my wife,” he said stubbornly.

  “I have no desire to marry again,” she said. “And my children reside in the Outlands, Magnus.”

  “We will bring them here,” he said.

  “They are Fiacre, and my son may one day lead his people. I cannot take them from what is their destiny,” Lara said.

  “Then I will give you other children,” he insisted.

  “That choice is not yours to make, Magnus. You well know that faerie women only give children to those they love,” Lara said.

  “You speak of your destiny, yet you are here in Terah. What if this is your destiny, Lara? I will not push you into marriage, but eventually you will marry me. I am your destiny. Terah is your destiny. Once we can hear the voices of our women again, who knows what we may accomplish? When this is finished, I want you to consider my words.”

  “I will,” she said. “I promise you I will.” She leaned over and kissed him softly. “Good night, Magnus.” Then rising from the pillows, she left him. But she was already considering his words. What if it had all been leading to Terah? What if her destiny was to come here, and lift the curse from the men of Terah? Was it not a good destiny to do such a thing, and have the gratitude of a people for the rest of your life? Where could she go from here? Back to Hetar? To what? She had not lied when she said her children belonged to the Fiacre. They did. They had never been hers. They had been Vartan’s. Entering her chamber she mixed the sleeping potion she had brewed earlier into a cup of wine, and drank it. Then she lay down in her lonely bed to sleep. And to dream.

  Chapter

  9

  SHE WAS SURROUNDED at first by a soft silver-and-mauve haze. The ground beneath her bare feet was solid. Lara sensed something near her, but it was not Kaliq. Then she saw a wraith of dark smoke before her, and froze.

  “You will not defeat me, faerie woman,” a malevolent voice snarled.

  “Who are you?” Lara asked the dark umbra.

  “You know who I am, faerie woman.”

  “If you are Usi who cursed the Terahn men, I will do my best to subdue you!” Lara cried, but her heart was hammering fiercely in her chest. “I am Lara, daughter of Swiftsword and Queen I
lona of the Forest Faeries.” Her throat ached as she forced the defiant words from them.

  “I will conquer you, faerie woman, and you will do my bidding,” Usi’s voice whispered. “Under my guidance your magic can restore me to life. If you do, I will reward you as you have never been rewarded. You will know the secret of life, and pleasure such as no mortal man can offer you. That knowledge alone can make you the most powerful woman in the world of Hetar. Even Gaius Prospero will be in fear of you. Does that not appeal to you, faerie woman? Does not the idea of destroying Gaius Prospero tempt you, Lara, daughter of Queen Ilona and Swiftsword of Hetar?”

  “You have no powers left,” Lara mocked him, feeling the courage seeping back into her veins. “You are naught but a specter, Usi, who can live only in the dream world. Be gone from me!” She raised a single hand, pointing at the shade, and to her surprise a small flash of lightning sprang forth from her finger. The bolt exploded with a roar as it touched the darkness.

  With a horrific shriek Usi disappeared from the dream plane, his mumbled curses ringing in her ears as he fled.

  “Very nicely done, Lara,” she heard Kaliq say, and then she sensed him by her side, but she could not see him.

  “I was afraid at first,” she admitted. “He startled me, and the evil emanating from him was quite terrifying. Now show yourself to me, you wretched Shadow Prince!”

  He laughed, and as he did he materialized before her eyes. “Greetings, my love. You are as beautiful as ever. What think you of Terah?”