‘You sealed my mind?’
‘Just to vision mages; it’s impossible to seal your mind from me, I’m afraid.’
‘You mean that no vision… mage, or god, will be able to see my thoughts again?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Malik’s ass, I could have done with that in the City.’
‘Try not to curse in front of my mother if you can help it. Are you ready? I’ve got an idea. We’ll walk into her office, but I’ll hide you from her. She won’t be able to see you until I say so.’
‘Is that wise?’ said Aila.
Karalyn shrugged, and they approached a set of tall, double doors, which Karalyn pushed open. They walked into a large, high-ceilinged office. The white walls were adorned with a large collection of maps covering almost every part of the Star Continent. At one end of the room, next to a large bay window, was a desk, behind which a woman was sitting, working her way through a large pile of paperwork.
‘Good morning, dear,’ the woman said, without looking up.
‘Good morning, mother. Busy?’
‘Rather. I have a meeting with the Empress via vision in five minutes. Urgent, apparently, so you’ll have to be quick.’ She glanced up, frowning. ‘Did you bring the twins?’
‘Aye.’
The woman sighed. ‘After what we discussed? The more Thorn sees of them, the harder it will be, not just for her, but for you and the children too. It’s not fair. You said…’
‘I know what I said, mother, but I have a surprise for you.’
The woman lit a cigarette. ‘Yes?’
‘You might have to prepare a guest room.’
The Holdfast matriarch frowned. ‘You’ve brought a visitor? Have you found yourself a boyfriend at last?’
‘No, mother, and I wouldn’t hold your breath on that front, if I were you. I know it’s been four and a half years since Lennox died but, to me, it’s only been a few thirds.’ She cleared her thoughts and smiled. ‘Anyway, say hello to your son.’
Daphne Holdfast narrowed her eyes for a moment, then stared as Corthie and Aila appeared before her. She screamed and fell off her chair, sending paperwork flying as she landed on the hard floor. Corthie laughed and strode forwards, leaning over to help her up. She stood, staring at him, then her face dissolved in tears and she threw her arms round him, sobbing into his chest.
‘Hello, mother,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry I took so long.’
‘Five years!’ Daphne cried. ‘Let me look at you. You’re taller than your father was, and almost as broad-shouldered, and just as handsome.’ She glared at Karalyn. ‘Are you trying to give me a heart attack?’ she sobbed.
‘Sorry; I couldn’t resist.’
‘Well, never mind that now. Sit down, Corthie. Corthie…’ She fell into tears again, sat, and wept.
Corthie put a hand on her shoulder. ‘Listen, mother. Kelsey has decided not to come back.’
Daphne glanced up at him. ‘What?’
‘She’s safe, and well. She’s gone to the City where I lived for a while, with friends. She’s a dragon rider.’
‘A what-rider?’
‘Dragon,’ said Karalyn. ‘They’re like winged gaien, only they can talk.’
‘A talking gaien?’
‘We can discuss that later,’ said Corthie. ‘Sable’s also not coming back.’
‘Is she a dragon-rider too, is she?’
‘Aye, she is.’
Daphne sighed. ‘Every time someone returns from Lostwell, they leave someone else behind. My little Kelsey.’
Karalyn placed the Weathervane on the desk. Daphne wiped her face and raised an eyebrow.
‘Keep a hold of this for me, mother,’ said Karalyn. ‘It’s the key to the Sextant; a huge device that can send people between worlds. Corthie brought it back with him. I have a feeling that you might be able to operate it, so, when we have time, I’ll show you, and you’ll be able to see Kelsey.’
‘And why do I have to keep the sword?’
‘The Sextant doesn’t work without it, and it’s an extremely dangerous device. If you keep it here, I can come and take it whenever I need to, but otherwise it’ll remain inactive.’
Daphne nodded. ‘Tell me all about it later.’ Her eyes flickered towards Aila. ‘And you are?’
‘This is Aila,’ said Corthie.
‘I see.’ Daphne composed herself and frowned at the demigod. ‘This is the woman you stayed for? This is the woman who prevented you from coming home thirds ago?’
‘Don’t blame her,’ said Karalyn; ‘it was my fault.’
‘I am perfectly capable of assigning blame on my own, thank you very much.’ She stood and walked to the front of the desk. She was the same height as Aila, and she stared into her eyes. She frowned.
‘I blocked her,’ said Karalyn. ‘I didn’t want you having an unfair advantage over her.’
‘I can see that,’ said Daphne. ‘You did the same with Thorn; you seem determined to undermine me.’
‘It seems fair to me,’ said Corthie.
‘You would think that,’ said Daphne. ‘Well, what are your intentions? I assume it must be serious. Are you married, or are you planning on getting married?’
‘Well…’ began Corthie.
‘Hush, son; I was asking her.’
‘I don’t know,’ said Aila. ‘We talked about marriage once, but things have been a little hectic recently.’
‘I can marry you,’ said Daphne. ‘As Herald of the Empire, I have the authority to do so. That reminds me; I’m supposed to be sending my vision to Plateau City to talk to the Empress. Oh well, she’ll have to wait. Family is family. Right, so, Aila; you’re a god, I believe?’
‘A demigod. My mother was mortal.’
‘And how long have you been alive?’
‘Almost eight centuries.’
Daphne puffed out her cheeks. ‘That’s longer than the recorded history of the Holdings. Eight centuries? By the Creator, you’re positively ancient. How long can you be expected to live?’
Aila frowned. ‘I… I’m not sure, exactly. The oldest gods have been around for over thirty thousand years.’
‘And why are you interested in a mortal?’
‘I love Corthie.’
‘Yes, but you must have been in love before now, surely? Do you have any children? Do you plan on having any? Will you remain young-looking, while we all age around you? What will happen when
