that they were to return to the Citadel. The fragile cheerfulness that had permeated the fortress had been replaced by a sense of optimistic anticipation. The Harshini preparing to leave were so buoyant, R'shiel was surprised they didn't whistle while they worked. Some of them were heading for the Citadel; others for Fardohnya and Hythria. Shananara had also called for volunteers to fly to the aid of the relieving army that was heading for Medalon.
“They're going home.”
“To the Citadel? I didn't realise it meant so much to them.”
“The Citadel is part of the Harshini, R'shiel. It's been very trying on them being away from it for so long.”
“Don't they realise what's waiting for them there? The Defenders... the Kariens...”
“Of course they do. But you've assured them they'll be safe and they trust Tarja to keep his word.”
She noticed his smile and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“You remember what I said about the Citadel reclaiming the Harshini?”
“Yes.”
He laughed softly. “I can't wait to see what happens when they arrive.”
“Is this another one of those vital details you neglected to mention?”
“The Citadel has been hibernating for two hundred years, R'shiel. He's liable to wake up when the Harshini come home.”
“What do you mean?”
“I'm not certain myself,” he told her with a grin. “But it's bound to be interesting.”
Annoyed with Brak's smirking, R'shiel turned her attention back to the departing Harshini. They were sitting on the balustrade of the same terrace they had landed on, watching the demons melding. Dranymire and a dozen other prime demons were fighting for space on the crowded terrace, trying to pull their brethren into their melds. Occasional squabbles broke out among the younger demons, but they were put down swiftly and sharply by the older ones. They reminded R'shiel of unruly children.
“Look at them!” she scoffed. “Their King just died and they're being kicked out of their homes. You'd think they'd spare a thought for poor Korandellan, at least.”
“Grief is a human emotion. Besides, the Harshini are delighted. Korandellan didn't die. Death came for him personally.”
“Oh? You mean there's a difference?”
“Of course there's a difference. Death took Korandellan body
“He's still dead, Brak.”
“Yes, but you saw him before he vanished. Death restored him. And there's always the chance that he'll come back.”
“
“It's happened before.”
“When?” she demanded sceptically.
“Well, it's a theoretical possibility.” He smiled at her doubtful expression. “Put it this way: if you die, and Death only takes your soul, then that's the end. You're gone. It's the reason your people cremate their dead, did you know that? Pagans believe in burial, so that Death can still claim the body if he has a mind to.”
“But if you burn the body, then there's no hope of resurrection?” she asked, nodding in understanding. She had never wondered why Medalonians practised cremation, or really cared why the pagans preferred to be buried, but it made sense now she knew the reason.
“That's right. If your soul ever comes back, it'll have to be in another body. But if Death takes your soul
“And does it?”
“Not often. He doesn't like to disturb the natural balance of things. He's a real stickler for the rules.”
“He seemed to know you pretty well.”
“We've had dealings in the past,” Brak said abruptly. She could tell he did not want to elaborate.
“What did he mean about —”
“Here comes our new Queen,” Brak cut in, before R'shiel could frame the question she was certain he did not wish to answer. There was an inexplicable edge in his voice. “We'd best say goodbye.”
Shananara approached them, dressed in dragon-rider's leathers, her long-legged stride and easy grace marking her as Harshini, even more than her totally black eyes. She smiled as she neared them, then glanced over her shoulder to check on Dranymire and the demon-meld before turning to R'shiel.
“As soon as we have reached the Citadel, I will send Dranymire and Elanymire back for you both. Do you know what to do?”
R'shiel nodded. Although the Harshini were abandoning Sanctuary, they had no intention of leaving it empty to be pawed over by the Kariens and defiled in the same way the Citadel had been defiled by its new tenants. Shananara had shown R'shiel how to remove it from time, but on this occasion there would be nobody inside to suffer from it. The fortress would be completely empty of life. Every animal had fled. Every Harshini was preparing to leave. Even the insects had been advised to move out. Once the Harshini were gone, she would send Sanctuary so far out of time that only she or Shananara would have any hope of retrieving it.
“Then let the Kariens come. There will be nothing here for them to find.”
“I hope I do it right,” R'shiel said, suffering a momentary pang of uncertainty.
“You will,” Shananara assured her. “Korandellan was right about you, you know. You are not nearly as unreliable as I first thought.”
“Thank you... I think.”
“Things are as they should be, R'shiel.”
“Even though Korandellan is dead?”
“My brother was honoured by Death. There is no greater reward for a lifetime of service. Now, I must bid you farewell. I will try to ensure that our return does not wreak too much havoc on the residents of the Citadel.”
Shananara and Brak exchanged a look that was full of amusement.
“You both keep saying that! What are you talking about?”
“You'll see,” Shananara replied with a cryptic smile. “Will I see you again, Brak?”
“Yes. It's not over yet.”
“Then there is no need for goodbyes. I will see you both at the Citadel. Hopefully, Tarja will be a little more reasonable than the last time we met.”
“He wasn't unreasonable, Shanan. He was under a geas.”
Suddenly serious, Shananara nodded. “I know. And now the geas is gone. It's strange, but when we sat around that fire beside the Glass River trying to coax the demon child home, I never imagined that a couple of years later I would be returning to the Citadel as the Harshini Queen and Tarja would be the Lord Defender. Even destiny can play tricks on us at times.”
“Go easy on him, Shanan,” Brak advised. “He's had a rough time lately.”
“Never fear, Brak. I know how to handle humans, even testy ones.” She turned to R'shiel and hugged her briefly. “As for you, little cousin. Do this thing for us then return to the Citadel to fulfil your destiny. I will help you locate the Seeing Stone.”
“Why not use the Stone here?” Brak asked. “Now that Sanctuary is back in real time, does it matter?”
“Korandellan told me that only the Seeing Stone of the Citadel is capable of what I need. I must find that or find another way, I'm afraid.”
“We'll find it, R'shiel. The High Arrion was right. No human could have destroyed it. If it's still in the Citadel, we'll locate it eventually.”
Shananara then turned on her heel and walked back towards her dragon. She leapt aboard with practised ease and the dragon lifted into the sky with a powerful beat of his massive wings. Her departure was the signal for the other Harshini to take off, and within minutes the sky was dotted with dragons climbing towards the red-tinted clouds. There were too many for R'shiel to count. She watched them dwindle into the distance until they were little more than specks in the sky. The sight both cheered and saddened her. The Harshini were abroad once more, but they were facing a world they had been removed from for centuries and it was radically different from the one they
