'I regret I have not.' Taita looked enquiringly at Meren. 'Have you seen anybody matching that description, Colonel?'
'I have not.' Meren was not the best of liars and Onka peered into his face suspiciously. 'You might have waited until morning before disturbing the magus and his household,' Meren blustered.
'I apologize once more,' said Onka, without any attempt to appear sincere, 'but the matter is urgent and cannot wait until morning. May I search this house?'
'I see that you will do so, whatever I say.' Taita smiled. 'But do it swiftly, then let us be in peace.'
Onka strode to the door of the inner chamber and threw it open, then marched in.
Taita followed him and stood in the doorway. Onka went to the pile
of sleeping mats and fur blankets in the middle of the floor. He turned them over with the point of his sword. There was nobody beneath them.
He glared around the room, then crossed quickly to the cubicle and peered into the nightsoil pot. He grimaced, then returned to the sleeping chamber, and looked around it again, more carefully than before.
Meren stepped into the doorway behind Taita. 'It's empty!' he exclaimed.
'You sound surprised.' Onka rounded on him.
'Not at all.' Meren recovered himself. 'I was merely confirming what the magus has already told you.'
Onka stared at him for a moment, then switched his attention back to Taita. 'You are aware that I am only doing my duty, Magus. Once I have searched the rest of the house, I have been ordered to conduct you to the citadel where the oligarchs will receive you. Please be ready to leave immediately.'
'Very well. At this hour of the night it is not convenient, but I will bow to the dictates of the Supreme Council.'
Onka pushed past Meren, who followed him.
As soon as they were gone Taita opened his Inner Eye. Immediately he picked up the shimmer of two separate auras in the far corner of the chamber. As he concentrated on them the shapes of Fenn and Sidudu appeared. Fenn was holding the girl protectively in the crook of her left arm. With the other hand she held the gold nugget of the Talisman of Taita. She had suppressed her aura to a pale glow. Sidudu's danced and flamed with terror, but in spite of that Fenn had been able to cloak them with her spell of concealment. Taita gazed into Fenn's eyes and sent her an astral impulse: 'You have done well. Remain as you are. When it is safe to do so I will send Meren to you. He will take you to a better place than this.'
Fenn's eyes opened wider as she received the message, then narrowed again as she replied: 'I will do as you tell me. I heard Onka say that the Council have summoned you. I shall hold vigil for you while we are apart.'
For a few moments longer, Taita held her eyes. He exerted all his powers to conceal from her his fears for her safety, and instead to convey to her his love and protection. She smiled trustingly and her aura took on its usual fire and beauty. With the talisman in her right hand she made the circular sign of benediction towards him.
'Stay concealed,' he repeated, and left the chamber.
Meren was waiting alone in the living room, but Taita could hear
Onka and his men rampaging at the back of the house. 'Listen well, Meren.' Taita stood close to him and spoke quietly. 'Fenn and Sidudu are still in my chamber.' Meren opened his mouth to speak but Taita raised his hand to caution him to silence. 'Fenn has cast a spell of concealment over them. When Onka and I have left for the citadel to answer the summons of the oligarchs, you may go to them. You must pass a message through Bilto to That. Tell him how precarious the position of the girls has become. He must find a more secure hiding-place for them while I am away, which may be a long time. I believe that the oligarchs intend to send me back at once to the Cloud Gardens.' Meren looked worried. 'I will only make astral contact with Fenn in case of dire urgency, or when our purpose has been achieved. In the meantime, you and That must continue to make preparations for our flight from Jarri.
Do you understand?'
'Yes, Magus.'
'There is one other matter, good Meren. There is every chance that I will not prevail against Eos. She may destroy me as she has done all the others she has sucked into her thrall. If that happens I shall warn Fenn before it is over. You must not attempt to rescue me. You must take Fenn with the others of our band and fly from Jarri. Try to find your way back to Karnak and warn Pharaoh of what has happened.'
'Yes, Magus.'
'Guard Fenn with your life. Do not let her fall alive into the clutches of Eos. You understand what I mean by that?'
'I do, Magus. I will pray to Horus and the trinity that it will not be necessary, but I will defend Fenn and Sidudu to the end.'
Taita smiled. 'Yes, my old and trusted friend. Sidudu may be the one for whom you have waited so long.'
'She reminds me so strongly of the Princess Merykara when first I fell in love with her,' Meren said simply.
'You deserve all the joy Sidudu can bring you and more,' Taita whispered. 'But hush now. Here comes Onka.'
Onka stormed into the room. He was making no attempt to conceal his annoyance.
'Did you find her?' Taita asked.
'You know I did not.' Onka went back to the doorway of the bedchamber and stood there for a while, glowering suspiciously into the empty room. Then, with an angry shake of his head, he came back to Taita. 'We must leave at once for the citadel.'
I I
'I will need warm clothing if the oligarchs send me to the Cloud Gardens.'
