happy being dependent on thisring. He was a friend to both of us, but there’s nothing I can do.’
‘I’m just tired of your secrets, Samuel,’ Eric said with disdain. ‘I mayhavekeptmy Great Spell from the Order, but I’ve never kept anything from you.’
With that,he doubled his pace and strode away, leaving Samuel frustrated and furious inhis wake.
They continued,dipping up and down the valleys, diving into the moist forest and back up into the chill air many a time. The next night was spent in a vacant lodge, with Daneel and Balten again slipping out into the night air together as the others huddled for warmth, before returning late and shuffling into their blankets to sleep. They breakfasted over the stove the next morning before heading out again early. Soon they had left the mossy trees behind and found themselves on barren hills, covered only with rocks and the occasional puffs of spiny,yellow grass.
‘It’s quite invigorating, isn’t it?’ Sir Ferse said, striding along the icy mountain path.
‘What is?’ Samuel returned without enthusiasm.
‘Here-the ice, the snow, the mountains.’
‘We would probably die here in a moment if Daneel left us,’ Samuel stated.
‘I suppose wewould, but I don’t think we will. That’s the benefit of having magicians, isn’t it? You can support us with your arcane powers in times of need. Still, one or two of them may not make it, even with your spells,’ and he gestured over his shoulder with his thumb towards the Koians struggling along behind. The attendant, Lady Wind,seemed to be laggingfarther and fartherbehind.
‘And that wouldn’t bother you?’ Samuel asked.
‘Not greatly, no. We can continue without her. In fact, we would probably be better off.’
‘And I thought you were different to the average Turian, but I see I am mistaken. Empire over all, yes?’
‘That is what they say, isn’t it? Well, I guess I should learn to be more empathetic. I’ve been trying. Change can be difficult.’
‘How terrible that you should have to grow some compassion, Sir Ferse. What a terrible burden.’
The man seemed unworried by Samuel’s sarcasm and continued marching merrily. ‘Don’t be the first to start throwing stones, Samuel. I could remind you that you are not quite the golden saviour that some make you out to be. As I recall, you did actually kill the Emperor of Turia, who was by most accounts the greatest man in the world. That sort of thing can put a stain on your reputation in certain circles.’
Samuel gave the man a sidelong glance. ‘I thought you weren’t going to mention that?’
‘Actually, I said I would not tell anyone. I can mention it to you as much as I please.’
‘Well, I wish you wouldn’t. People do have ears.’
Sir Ferse laughed aloud and Samuel wondered if Master Celios’ madness was catching, for the man seemed to find amusementinthe strangest of things. He swore under his breath, for this journey seemed cursed to become worse with each step.
‘Oh, don’t curse at my laughter, Samuel. I have lived years at times without laughing, so please let me enjoy my small freedoms. I will tell you something. Given that I have a secret of yours, as a sign of mutual trust, I willshare withyou a secret of mine.’
‘That sounds rather childish. I’m not sure I really want to hear any secrets you may have.’
‘Come now, Samuel. I know you are a magician, but you don’t need to be so stubborn. I will keep your secret, and you will keep mine. It sounds like a charming agreement.’
‘I don’t agree.’
‘Very well, then. I will tell you anyway. Our secrets are really the same. It’s just that you don’t know it yet. I am sure you will find it vastly entertaining once you realise.’
‘Oh?’ Samuel responded, for Sir Ferse was building it up to sound quite intriguing, after all.
‘You see, it seems that, by your own admission, you are responsible for the death of the Emperor by somehow manipulating the Staff of Elders. Correct?’
Samuel looked about for eavesdroppers, but the others were spreadoutalong the trail. ‘As you say.’
‘Then how would you feel if you were also responsible for my death?’
‘I must admit that I liked you more before you actually spoke to me, but I cannot say I would like to see you die. Therefore, I guess I must say that I would be upset if I was responsible for your death.’
‘But you were.’
Samuel stopped in his place and Sir Ferse halted beside him, still smiling knowingly.
‘What do you mean?’
‘You killed me, Samuel. Isn’t it clear?’
‘How could such a thing be clear? I cannot possibly have killed you if you are here.’
‘Can’t figure it out?
‘We could freeze to death before then.’
‘Then I promise I will tell you just before we die, so you won’t have to expire in frustration.’
With that, Sir Ferse marched off, leaving Samuel utterly confounded.
They continued on, across the rocky heights,beneath the silent gaze of the mountain peaks that huddled above them like a collection of stubborn old hermits. Mostly, it was quiet, save for the constant crunching of their boots upon the gritty stones. Occasionally, a mumbled voice would attempt a conversation, before deciding it was easier to trudge along in silence and concentrate on just moving one foot after another. Soon enough, Daneelcalled a halton a stony rise that gave them a spectacular view of the way they had come, with the valleys spread out below them like an opened map,coloured in greys and greens and white.
‘What a miserable lot you are!’ Daneel called out, as they sat chewing their biscuits and drinking from their flasks. ‘I bring you to this glorious spot and all you do is munch away like goats. Look around! It is wonderful!’ He called out to the valleys in a trilling song and his voice came bounding back to him in chorus. ‘Welcome to Highmeadow. I spent my childhood roaming these blessed spaces and few are lucky enough to visit so near to heaven.’
Everyone chose to ignore him and he looked decidedly disappointed.
‘How much further is it?’ Lady Wind asked him, hobbling over to him with her arms folded for warmth. She pointed to the rise to which they were headed. ‘Is that the top of the mountain?’
Again, Samuel had to translate and,at hearing her words, Daneel guffawed. ‘Oh, my dear lady. That is but a lump. When we get to the top of this mountain, you will see another is built upon it. Abovethat, three mountains fall together to make a higher mountain. That mountainyou seeis but a pimple, for upon that place the real mountains are founded and they stretch on in every direction for as far as the eye can see and beyond. All of these we must traverse before we will once again stand on flat ground. By that time, you will be so sick and tired of all things white and all things cold, you will vow never to come back this way in your life. So, to answer you,no, that is not the top of the mountain and I hope that is the last time I shall hear that question, for it bothers me greatly.’
Samuel considered translating the whole answer for her, but finally just told her ‘no’.
Lady Wind
‘If it was so easy for us to cross these mountains, it would be just as easy for the Paatin army to come skipping over into Turia, now wouldn’t it?’ Daneel called aloud, teasing her, but of course she had no idea what he was saying and simply ignored him.
‘You are a man of much intrigue, Daneel,’ Balten called up from his meal, ‘but at least these cold days will not be without entertainment.’
Samuel caught sight of the Koian god giggling to herself, hidden away in her hood where Lady Wind could not see her and it made Samuel think that at least some small part of her was human.
After their short rest, they began away again. As Daneel had foretold,whenthey neared the stony rise to which Lady Wind had referred, another greater rise began to grow. With each step towards it, this greater obstacle appeared to drag itself up, until the hill they had just climbed was under their boots and the next lay far above them.
