The Eyes of Bel Nishani

Chapter 6

Chapter Four

The Trial

Andel gazed blearily at a series of incomprehensible shapes … rounded red blobs, gilded yellow lines, mottled patterns … and slowly their meaning registered. Not flowers on grass and weathered red boulders, but a broad soft rug on the floor and a red divan with yellow tasseled cushions against a pale blue-green wall. She was warm, swathed in soft creamy sheets that smelled so clean … and she was smiling. Then the lean body beside her nestled closer and she remembered why.

When it came time to register for their accommodation, Casco had seen them hesitating.

“For Breath’s sake!” he said. “You two haven’t had a moment’s privacy since we left Went. Take the double room and be done with it!”

How her cheeks had flamed!

Sari had made a point of sitting her next to Huldar at the refectory. Bush and Topper’s food ‘accidentally’ formed into ribald shapes. There’d been lots of elbow-bumping and jokes in broadly rhyming Lethian dialect that she’d found quite impossible to unravel and which Huldar had refused to translate.

Then, when they returned to the Guild-Hall, Huldar whisked her from her feet and carried her up the stairs.

“You’re full of surprises!” she said.

He shut the door with a backward kick. You have no idea!

She grinned as she remembered landing on the bed, her head submerged between mounds of plump cushions.

“Ah! That’s the answer,” she patted them. “More than two pillows!”

She’d attacked him with one in each hand, and in the ensuing wrestle she was sure she’d never laughed so much – her sides actually hurt – but it had ended in the wildest, most care-free s*x she had ever experienced. She smiled again, remembering. The joy of it had surprised them both.

He stirred, and she felt him waking. His hand moved slowly over her bare shoulders. Fingers roughened from outdoor work vibrated against the smooth skin of her bicep. Desire tingled against her haze.

Don’t turn over, he murmured. Not yet …

She let his voice play her. Soft at first, it rippled over her senses like molten honey, then as she became more aroused it flicked pleasure like a whip, goading her toward ecstasy. She arched her rear toward him, and in one smooth motion felt herself impaled. There was no structure to their love-making, no explanation or thought to the rules of touch. Only instinct and answer, hunger and desire.

Afterward, they dozed again, reveling in the warmth and softness after so many months of sleeping rough on a planet that was rapidly freezing over.

He brushed loose strands of hair from her face. “W-a-a-n-t some food?” he said.

She rolled her eyes. Isn’t that joke a little tired?

Huldar grinned. I know I am! And hungry.

As they finished their meal, Andel looked with dismay at the growing crowd in the refectory. After years of isolation, the pressure of many hazes bore down on her, and ether thickened with psychic exchange seemed oppressive.

She raised her voice to be heard over the noise. “Is there a way out that doesn’t go through the bays?”

Huldar nodded toward an alcove across the room. “The long way round.”

“How long?”

His eyes twinkled. “ … Is a spinner’s song?”

“As long as it has to be!” She laughed.

“Well,” he said, “we’re used to walking, so about fifteen minutes.”

She pushed her empty bowl aside. “Better get going then.”

But I haven’t finished my drink!

“Don’t want to be late, do we?” she retorted.

Huldar took a last mouthful and hurried after her, weaving through the crowds as he made his way toward the refectory’s back door.

As they spilled out onto the street, she turned her face to the sun and breathed deeply of the balmy morning air.

“It can affect you like that,” Huldar said. He tipped his head to the right. “The Guild is this way. I thought you didn’t want to be late?”

“I don’t, but there’s no rush just yet, is there? This architecture, such massive buildings! That one across the park there, the one with the plaited columns, what is it?”

“You’re pointing like a tourist,” he chided. “Never seen the sights of Giahn, the wondrous Imperial City?”

“Exciting, isn’t it?”

“So, lords and ladies,” he said. She laughed as he postured like a tour-guide. “Here we are in Sadir, the ancient and magnificent district of the Guilds. If you look there,” he indicated a tall pink building with frond-like minarets, “you’ll notice the spires of the Weavers’ Guild, and there,” he directed her attention to an open-sided structure with swathes of greenery spilling down from a dozen gardened tiers, “the bureau of the Gardeners’ Collective. They share most of the office space out,” he commented, “but it’s surprising how many gardeners there are, and someone has to represent them. And in the heart of the building is a massive conservatory with a fantastic collection of rare plants.”

Andel turned on the spot. “It’s so beautiful,” she said, “and grand, but there’s something forbidding about it too, don’t you think?”

Huldar hesitated then started walking. “Too many Tiamäti, for one thing.” He shrugged. “And too many Faythans. But there are some beautiful places, and the palaces are remarkable. I’ll take you to the Palace of Winds if you like. It’s on Ilanath, the western continent – the most amazing building I’ve ever seen.”

He shared an image of a multi-tiered edifice clinging to the side of a vast precipice in a series of pavilions so delicate they seemed to have grown, like flowers, from the rock itself. The colors of the strata, pale pink and white, were continued in the bands of stonework.

Andel sighed. “Ephemeral … like lace. How did they shape the stone so finely? I can’t wait to see it. Isn’t that where the iskilatu gates are?”

“The iskilatu gates? Yes. The Imperial Palace has a pair too, but I don’t know anyone who’s ever seen those. They say they lead to the inner sanctum, where the God-Emperor holds his most important meetings and such.”

“But we can see the gates at the Palace of Winds?”

“Yes, but you can’t touch them of course. You can even go up to the turret where the God-Empress and Ziquarudjan Ulisharu used to meet – where the greatest of scryers once ranged the skies.”

“Oh! Is that the turret you showed us in Casco’s story of the Terric?”

Huldar frowned. “Not so loud,” he whispered. Remember, the Terric have been expelled.

He pointed across the street to a broad portico supported by translucent yellow pillars. “Ah! There it is.”

Gento moved from the shadows and waved them over.

Casco ushered them up the steps. “Took the long way round?”

Topper and Bush peered up at the sky. “Day’s a heatin!”

Andel stroked one of the columns. “This stone is only found here on Giahn. Spectacular, aren’t they? And what stories they could tell!”

Nachiel put his ear to the stone. Refracted light lit up his face. “Nothing to say just yet.” He winked at Ronnin. “Can you hear anything?”

“Only that them beds be mighty comfy if Lord Huldar here be late.” Bush laughed.

Sari frowned at him. “Pay no attention to their teasing, Lady Andel.”

Huldar gestured to the imposing doorway. “Shall we?”

Inside, the noise of the street faded. Across a floor of polished yellow stone was a round-edged desk that looked to have been fashioned from a single giant seed-pod.

An officious receptionist looked them up and down. “Shamkarun Huldar of Leth?” He pointed to the passage on the right. “Third door on the left. Wait for the usher, please.”

As the Uri’madu followed their escort down the cavernous hall, their feet echoed conspicuously on the polished stone. Crystal globes cast a web of muted shadows.

“You’d think there’d be a rug,” whispered Nachiel.

The third door opened into an alcove lit by a window in the ceiling high above. They were met by a tall archangel in the flowing robes of a court official. Silently, she indicated for Huldar to follow and led him through to the chamber.

As the doors parted, Andel bobbed forward to glimpse an older archangel, plainly dressed, flanked by two taller officials also wearing Imperial colors.

She turned to Casco. “Is that the Guild Lord?

Casco leaned closer. “Arien Leth’s uncle,” he murmured.

“I’ve heard Arien Leth is a real firebrand,” Andel remarked, “or at least that’s the word everyone seems to use.”

“Aye, well, his mother was Ashik,” Casco said.

“Ashik?”

Casco nodded, smiling at her surprise. “Ekarät Ashik became Ekarät Leth. Not what anyone would expect, yet the match was well made by all accounts.”

“Is she still alive?”

“Alive? No, she died long ago,” said Sari. “I was barely come of age.”

They settled on cushioned benches to wait, but before long the door opened again.

“Tsemkarun Andel of Trianog,” the usher said firmly, “come forward please.”

“You’ll be all right,” Sari said. “We’ll be waiting right here when you’ve finished.”

Andel took a deep breath and followed into the next room. To calm her nerves, she focused on Huldar. His bright blue eyes sent a message of reassurance. His fair hair was uncharacteristically tidy, a fourth-level braid in a distinctively Lethian style, close and practical with a bun at the back. Lit by an oblique shaft from the skylight above, it shone in stark contrast to the deep brown of the wood-paneled walls.

She echoed the usher’s formal bow to the Guild-Lord. Huldar nodded faintly as she was escorted to her place beside him.

“Greetings, Tsemkarun Andel.” The master’s voice was warm and fluid. “It is good to meet you,” he continued. “By all accounts your work on the planet Went was outstanding.”

She bowed politely. “It is my honor, Lord Shamkarun Pieru of Leth.”

When she looked up, he searched her face as if seeking confirmation of something, then came to stand in front of her.

“Please, if you will permit a level of sharing?” he asked calmly. His gnarled hand opened.

Andel nodded automatically, though this was not what she’d expected.

“I sense your misgivings,” he said, “but this will be the best way for me to see exactly what you saw.” He smiled gently. “If you don’t wish to connect, I’ll certainly understand. Perhaps Huldar can vouch for me?”

Huldar smiled at her. “I’m sure it will be all right.”

Again, Lord Pieru held out his hand.

Andel had a moment to feel the rugged texture of his skin, then his mind swept into hers with the coolness of a wave to the shore. She was surprised to sense he was not more powerful than she, but vastly more skilled, and very competent with this kind of link.

I have had to become so, he said. As Master of the Explorers’ Guild I deal with many individuals of varying strength and intention.

Intention?

You’d be astounded, Lady Andel, and Lucaät of Faytha is not least among them. Now, show me Lind. Take your time. Do not be ashamed to reveal your emotions. I will filter them as best I can, but they are important too. We will pause if the memories become too much to bear.

Andel was amazed by the small details that came to light under Pieru’s scrutiny: Lind’s expressions, the tone of her haze, subliminal messages revealed while her veil was still imperfect, then details of its strengthening and repair. But when she revisited the sight of her counting her toes, the pain became overwhelming.

It was the only way she could be sure she was still alive. Andel’s breath caught in her throat, and tears slid down her cheeks. She couldn’t tell any more what was dream and what was real – even after we found her. No one has ever been so alone.

She felt Huldar’s arm around her. We should pause, he said.

Pieru gave her hand a gentle squeeze. You are not to blame for Lind’s death, he said. You interpreted her earlier distress as the result of her interaction with Huldar – and afterward? You did the best you could. The difficulties of interpersonal relationships can cloud even the most acute of minds, and Duvät Gok hid his tracks remarkably well. He paused. We will stop now. I have seen enough.

Andel shook her head. I am strong enough to go on.

I have no doubt of it, Lady Andel, but truly, I have seen enough. Thank you for your trust.

He disengaged smoothly and turned to Huldar.

“In this matter, Shamkarun Huldar, my initial impression is that your judgment was sound – although I have yet to speak to the Naghari. I am also keen to speak with Casco. As a half-breed, he may have been underestimated and seen or heard things while Duvät Gok was incautious.”

Huldar frowned. “Casco is invaluable to the Uri’madu. He is highly skilled and talented.”

“I meant no disrespect,” Pieru assured him. “The same Breath blows though us all.”

“His heritage has no bearing on his importance to the team,” Huldar insisted, “or as my friend.”

“Understood.”

Pieru looked into their faces as if he saw through them to Went itself. “Poor Lind … and her death-cry, ‘Duvät Gok has eyes’ – he must have followed her every move – his gaze haunted her. And if that were not enough, she faced the absolute terror of being trapped in Qalān.” He shook his head sadly. “No wonder we lost her. May she rest sweetly in the Breath,” he said reverently.