Serrah was delighted. Caldason seemed less amused.

Kutch and Wendah headed for the stern, engaged in discussion.

‘The young have such reckless vitality, don’t you think?’ Mahaganis said, as though he’d seen what had happened. ‘Just like you as a youngster, Reeth.’

‘My youth was a bit out of the ordinary, if you recall.’

‘Granted. But I think there are similarities. You and I had something in common, in that we were outcasts; and they have a bond too.’

‘So I heard. Not that anybody’s explained it to me.’

‘It’s unlike you to neglect intelligence gathering,’ the old man rebuked. ‘I understand Kutch is a spotter. Rare as that is, Wendah happens to have a similar talent. It’s good for them both, I think, to find another like themselves.’

‘She can see the magic, or whatever it is spotters do?’

‘In a way. What she does subtly differs from spotting. You might call it accessing.’

‘What’s that?’ Serrah asked.

‘He’s talking about accessing the Source,’ Caldason said. ‘That’s right, isn’t it, Praltor?’

‘Yes. But don’t get too excited. Wendah’s ability in that respect is very limited.’

‘But you can connect with this thing you say is inside you?’

‘Connect’s too strong a word. Any direct link would be more than a human could bear. I’m not sure a legion of first-rate sorcerers could safely plumb its depths.’

‘So what do you draw from it?’ Caldason persisted.

‘I don’t draw anything,’ Mahaganis retorted, anger flaring. ‘It’s the exact opposite. What Wendah allows me is a defence.’

‘Defence?’

‘Some ease of the pain. A shield against this torment in my head. Her talent’s nothing compared to the power of the Source, but it’s kept me sane.’

‘I don’t understand. And shielding you against what?’

‘Where Kutch only sees, Wendah…obstructs. She has the ability to deflect magical energy to some extent, and she’s used that gift to help guard my reason. As to what she’s guarding me from; have you any idea of the Founders’ malevolence? What am I saying? You of all people should appreciate that.’

‘There you go again,’ Caldason grumbled, ‘implying something without being specific.’

‘Let’s just say we’re both labouring under our own singular curses.’

‘No, let’s not say that. How about the truth instead?’

‘There are some things you’re not prepared to hear just yet.’

‘I’m not a child anymore, Praltor. You don’t have to look out for me or worry about my feelings.’

The old man said nothing.

‘Did whatever you’re hinting at have anything to do with the way we parted?’ Caldason pressed. ‘Because I’ve no memory of how we went our separate ways.’

‘As I said, your recollection’s bound to be patchy.’

‘Why?’

‘It was a difficult time. There were battles, skirmishes-’

‘What happened to split us?’

‘We got to the point where there was little more I could do to help you.’

‘You’re lying.’

‘Reeth!’ Serrah exclaimed. ‘Show some respect.’

‘No,’ Mahaganis told her, ‘he’s right. The fact is, Reeth, that I…left you.’

‘You did what?’ she said.

‘He could look after himself by then, believe me. And there were circumstances.’

‘What kind of circumstances?’ Caldason demanded, his voice dropping and edged with menace.

‘I’d come to fear you,’ the old man confessed.

‘You were afraid of me?’ The Qalochian was genuinely taken aback. ‘Why?’

‘For what you are. And for what you’re capable of.’

‘More riddles. Just once, could you have enough respect for me to explain what you mean?’

‘Reeth, I…’

‘Please.’

Mahaganis sighed. ‘Very well. But you must try to understand what I’m going to say, and to keep a grip on yourself.’

‘Tell me.’

‘It’s your ancestry that worries me.’

‘My being a Qalochian, you mean?’

‘No.’

‘Well…what, then?’

‘What frightens me, Reeth, is your Founder blood.’

The pit was a simmering cauldron. In its depths a hoary, foaming stew effervesced.

‘It’s getting worse, brother.’

Felderth Jacinth nodded. ‘Further justification for the action we’re taking, if such were needed.’

‘Even action as unprecedented as this?’

‘In the present situation, Rhylan, any step is justified.’

‘There are many on the council who have doubts about that.’

‘Not a majority, I think. And the dissenters have no real alternative to offer.’

They resumed staring at the gummy, silverish liquid churning at the pit’s bottom.

‘I’ve never seen it so agitated,’ Rhylan said.

‘Nor have I,’ the Elder confessed.

‘Which makes me wonder if concentrating on this rebel horde on the Diamond Isle could be to the detriment of our response to the warlord.’

‘They’re one and the same, effectively. We’re not neglecting any threat Zerreiss presents, but equally we need to deal with the dissidents. Bearing in mind the danger of them joining together, tackling both carries the same weight in my mind. In any event, you’ve left your objections a bit late,’ Felderth said pointedly.

‘It’s not an objection. Just an observation.’

‘Well, my observation is that we have no choice but to follow the course I’ve chosen.’

There was another moist eruption in the pit. Energy flushed through the tinted power lines that criss-crossed the floor of the immense chamber. Its angry vigour lit up the great council table, setting the Rintarah eagle emblem crackling. And, for all the Jacinth siblings knew, the surge carried on to sear through the channels running beneath Jecellam’s bustling avenues.

‘We’re making history, Rhylan,’ Felderth remarked.

‘That’s what worries some people.’

‘How so?’

‘Your critics see this as some kind of capitulation to Gath Tampoor. At the least they regard it as moving closer to them, which would be unacceptable, of course.’

‘There’s no danger of that. How often must I say it? We’re simply acting together on this occasion because it suits us both.’

‘And you don’t see the risk of setting a precedent?’

‘That won’t be allowed to happen.’

‘How can you be so sure? Because if you’re wrong about this, brother, it could place a strain on the veracity of your leadership.’

‘You’re saying there could be some kind of rebellion? A coup? It would be the first time in our history if there was.’ The Elder seemed totally unconcerned.

‘I’m not suggesting anything so dramatic. But there are factions on the council who would welcome an opportunity to obstruct your rule, as you well know.’

‘They’ll come round when they see us emerging stronger from this crisis.’

‘Many are mindful that the council’s most important function, the duty that overrides all else, is to ensure the continued survival of our kind.’

‘You think I’m unaware of my responsibility? If any other than you had implied negligence in that respect, Rhylan, they’d have felt my wrath.’

‘I’m implying nothing. But you know the argument. By the very act of seeming to aid Gath Tampoor, we potentially weaken our own security.’

‘But they’re equally aiding us. It’s a trade-off. In the end it doesn’t change the balance; it just rids us both of an irritant.’

‘And what happens the next time a threat appears? Do we cooperate with the enemy again, and slowly erode the differences between us? Indeed, brother, some believe that’s your aim.’

‘They can believe what they like,’ the Elder said coolly. ‘But note that, despite the unpopularity of my stance, the council didn’t vote against it.’

‘As you say, they have no alternative to offer. And perhaps…’

‘Yes?’

‘Perhaps they intuit a deeper motive on your part.’

‘Which is what?’

‘That once Gath Tampoor has ceased to be of use to us, we’ll be in a better position to take advantage of their naivete. A blow has added weight when struck under a supposed truce.’ His conspiratorial smile was returned. ‘Though of course I appreciate that a leader’s intentions can’t always be plainly stated.’