James Barclay - Rise of the TaiGethen

‘She returned to Loshaaren yesterday. Her flock is growing there. The ClawBound took seventy freed slaves there two days ago, not long after you left to seek Takaar.’

‘Then at least some of our supposed allies are still fighting for us,’ said Auum. ‘Unlike you, who has let us waste two days seeking an elf who never left Aryndeneth. Because he didn’t, did he? We cannot find his tracks because there are no tracks to find.’

‘Auum, I swear, I don’t know-’

‘Your words mean precious little to me right now. You know, it took me a while to work out the truth. Like an idiot, I assumed the enemy were ignoring Aryndeneth because they were tracking Takaar. But then they stopped, and I was so slow to realise why.

‘Because if Takaar was not in Aryndeneth two days ago, he most certainly returned here. And do you know how I know that? Because the humans already know Aryndeneth and it is not the place they are looking for. So they are waiting for him to move on. They’ve cut him loose knowing he will lead them straight to Katura. He’s going to betray us all.

‘So, Onelle, you have one final opportunity. Where is he?’

The six priests, gathered in two groups in front of Elyss and Ulysan at the sides of the pool, were plainly getting anxious. Auum glanced to both sides then back to Onelle. Her face crumpled and her lower lip quivered.

‘You must let him act, Auum. Please. He will save the elves, not betray them.’

‘Elyss, Ulysan, search the temple. Open every door. Go, I’ll catch you up shortly.’ Auum’s eyes never left Onelle’s face. ‘Don’t waste any more of my time. Tell me.’

Onelle shook her head. ‘He has to get to Katura before the humans do. We cannot risk the new Il-Aryn.’

‘He isn’t just risking them, he’s going to get them all killed, can’t you see that?’

Auum turned and ran around the pool, shoving priests aside on his way to the clutter of rooms, chapels and prayer cells.

‘Don’t harm him!’ Onelle shouted at his back. ‘His ways are the future. He will save us! We will not let you stop him.’

More voices were raised in anger. Priests and acolytes were clashing with Ulysan and Elyss. Auum heard Ulysan barking something followed by the sound of a door slapping against its hinges. Auum raced to join him.

‘Anyone harbouring Takaar and the Il-Aryn is working for our enemies against the elves,’ said Auum. ‘Stand back.’

A senior aide of Lysael’s stood square in the central passageway, others at her side, blocking the way. Auum knew her well. She was an old Ynissul who preferred to shave her head rather than admit how white her hair had become. Her face was lined with age and her eyesight was fading. How many thousands of years had she lived, only to be faced with such trials now?

‘Your actions are an affront to Yniss. Step away from your path, Auum.’

‘This is not of your doing, Ainaere,’ said Auum. ‘Lysael’s generosity and trust allowed the Il-Aryn to live and train here. Her trust has been betrayed. Don’t hide Takaar through a misplaced sense of loyalty.’

‘The devoted are at prayer and at peace within these chambers you wish to throw open. You have no right to disturb them.’

‘Then tell me where he is,’ said Auum. ‘I have no wish to disturb the faithful. I am Arch of the TaiGethen. I am charged with the protection of this forest and all who dwell within it. Right now Takaar threatens our survival.’

‘I will not betray him, though I swear to you he is not in the temple,’ said Ainaere. ‘Ix has blessed him. He has powers which he can awaken in many of our people, and Ix is the daughter of Yniss, who presides over us all. What greater path is there to follow?’

‘Then the priesthood acts against all reason too,’ said Auum quietly. ‘Stand aside, Ainaere, or I will be forced to move you out of our way. Tai.’

Elyss and Ulysan came to Auum’s shoulders. Weapons remained sheathed but that scarcely lessened the threat. Ainaere stared at Auum and her fortitude had clearly not withered over the centuries. She did not move. Auum spoke again.

‘We are both vassals of Yniss. My faith is unsullied by the promise of new weapons and I will not stand by and allow the questionable pursuit of magic to lead our enemies directly to Katura.’ He paused. ‘The humans are tracking him through his magic. Thousands of them are in the forest right now, waiting for him to show them the way. The tragedy is of course that you, like him, do not believe that, do you? Stand aside.’

‘Even if I did believe you, it merely makes his mission more urgent. Trust me now,’ said Ainaere. ‘Turn from this path. Return to the forest. Fight as you know how. Come no further. I cannot stand aside.’

‘Then I am sorry,’ said Auum. ‘Yniss forgive me. Tai, we move.’

Auum strode forward. In deference and respect, he did not raise his hands, choosing instead to use his shoulder to force a path between Ainaere and her entourage. One laid a hand on Auum’s right arm, and Auum stopped and stared into the young Ynissul’s eyes.

‘Your honour, such as it is, is already secured. Much good will it do you,’ he said. ‘Your hand is touching my shirt. Drop it or I will remove it.’

Auum marched on, feeling the young priest’s fingers relax and fall away. He moved on towards the rear doors, motioning his Tai to continue their search within the temple. He felt sick and betrayed by those who stood at the head of his faith. Only Lysael, it seemed, had not been beguiled by Takaar’s words. Worse, they would not listen to any other voices.

The rear doors of the temple stood closed and bolted. Behind him, the temple’s workers, priests and acolytes were emptying into the central passage, following the lone TaiGethen cell. He heard shouts designed to shame him, turn him, accusing him of acting against his god. He heard threats of retribution from Yniss, from the Il-Aryn and from the whole of the elven race.

‘And for this, we are trying to save our people,’ he said to his Tai when they reached him. ‘He’s out there, isn’t he?’

Auum unbolted and threw open the doors to the temple village. He walked into the light.

‘You know that, if I chose, I could pin you and your precious warriors to the walls of the temple and there slowly crush your bodies until you beg for my mercy,’ said Takaar.

‘Then do it,’ said Auum. ‘And see how fragile your following really is.’

Takaar loved nothing if not the dramatic. So it had been throughout his life, his spectacular and tragic fall from grace and his rise back to some semblance of honour. Here he was, standing in the centre of the village with his Il-Aryn followers spread around him in an arc. Temple workers were gathered in groups at the sides of the village or peered out from the half-open doors of their dwellings.

‘What are you doing here, Auum? I thought we said all we needed to say at the borders of Ysundeneth.’

Auum walked further away from the temple, happy to allow those clustered behind him to come and hear what was said. Elyss and Ulysan followed him, never more than a pace behind. Ulysan had his eyes everywhere, searching for any hidden threat. Elyss’ fingers rubbed at her palms and her breathing was too fast and shallow.

‘Your great human friend has betrayed you, Takaar. Garan has only sent you to Katura so you can lead his warriors to the gates. You’re like a firefly, showing him the way through the darkness. And your light will bring the flame and ice and horror of human magic down on our people. It will bring human steel down upon the helpless and the innocent. It will signal the end of the elven race.’

Takaar applauded. His handclap was slow and contemptuous.

‘You should really save such speeches for your own people. Very impressive, Auum, but your words, as I have sadly come to expect, are full of nothing but lies and scaremongering.’