But Tan was insensible to all that and had no part in it. In any event, Karr arranged for her to be taken to Kinsel without delay, while Goyter cared for an exhausted Teg and Lirrin.
Tanalvah was put into a carriage bound for the central redoubt and made as comfortable as possible, given her condition. She endured the short, bumpy journey in a mixture of anticipation, confusion and fear, and too soon found herself delivered to the island’s grim-walled fastness of last resort.
A small, wood-panelled chamber, sparsely furnished, was hastily made available. Its windows had been boarded for defence, so it was lit by candles and a lantern, despite the daylight outside. Tan was installed on the only decent chair, and her beaming well-wishers withdrew.
She was grateful for the room’s half light. Its shadows gave her haven, a veil to hide her shame. The silence was less welcome. It meant she had only her thoughts for companionship, and she was loathe to be in that company.
On the voyage over she had determined to be rid of her intolerable burden once and for all, and to confess, but only to Kinsel. There were many whose forgiveness she craved, but none as greatly as his. So, much as she longed to see him, she dreaded the prospect in equal measure.
Alone with her dark reflections, time dragged interminably. Perhaps a minute passed, perhaps an hour, before there were sounds in the passageway outside. Footfalls. A loose board creaking. The soft rattle of the door handle.
Tanalvah got up, awkwardly, meaning to move to the opening door, but she could do no more than stare at it, blood pounding in her ears.
Then he was there, outlined by the frame.
She was shocked by his appearance. He’d lost weight and looked haggard. He was hollow-eyed and his complexion was pallid. Kinsel was equally as shaken at seeing her, and by how heavy with child she was.
They stood numbly, taking in their respective states, until, as though at an unspoken command, and as one, they flowed into each other.
They hugged, caressed, sobbed. Finding their voices at last, their tearful outpourings would have seemed nonsensical to an eavesdropper. When some kind of coherence came, they mouthed endearments and devotions, and spilt their fears.
At length, eyes glistening, they drew back from each other, hands linked.
Kinsel smiled, nodding at the swell of her belly. ‘Look at you. You’re twice the woman you were.’
‘And you’ve been wasting away.’
‘Nonsense. I’m better for it.’
She gave a laugh that sashayed into a wheezing sob. ‘I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.’
‘I was afraid I’d lost you, too.’
‘And the baby. Our baby. I didn’t think-’
‘I know.’ His arms were round her again. ‘It’s all right,’ he soothed. ‘We’re back together. Tell me about Teg and Lirrin. They’re well?’
She nodded, moist eyes blinking. ‘They’re fine. Growing so fast. Missing you.’
‘I can’t wait to see them.’
He talked on, supportive and affectionate, making her feel good in a way no other man ever had, so that any thought of confession began to fade. It could wait until later. Tomorrow, perhaps. Why spoil this?
‘…and our friends from Bhealfa?’ Kinsel was asking. ‘Dulian, Quinn-’
‘They’re all right,’ she replied a little brusquely, less than pleased to be reminded of the Resistance. Then she checked herself, her mind turning to other faces. ‘What about Serrah, and Reeth and Kutch?’ she said. ‘I didn’t see any of them when we landed.’
‘Reeth finally got his way and went off in search of the Clepsydra. Serrah and the boy went with him.’
Tan was relieved that they weren’t on the island. She wasn’t proud of the feeling, but it seemed trivial in light of her greater crime.
‘You were wrong about him,’ Kinsel told her softly.
‘Who?’
He smiled. ‘Reeth. You doubted him. But he was the one who freed me.’
That was more than she could bear. Gratitude and guilt swept over her. ‘I feel ashamed,’ she said.
‘Don’t be silly,’ he gently chastised. ‘What have you, of all people, to be ashamed about?’
‘I misjudged him.’
‘You made a perfectly rational assessment of Reeth’s character, based on the little we knew about him. Misjudgment’s not a major sin, Tan. But that isn’t important now. All that matters is that we’ve been reunited. We can start anew, be happy again with the children and-’
‘It’ll come to grief.’
‘There’s no need to be so pessimistic, my love. We’ve been given a second chance. Let’s seize it while we can.’
‘A Gath Tampoor battle fleet’s on its way here. And for all I know, Rintarah’s sending one, too.’
‘You’re sure?’ Kinsel looked shocked.
‘We barely outpaced it.’
‘We always knew it would be dangerous here,’ he said, collecting himself. ‘But whatever comes, at least we’ll be together.’
‘You don’t understand,’ she whispered. ‘We may never have-’ Pain creased her face and she gave a silent gasp. Her hands went to her abdomen.
Kinsel was alarmed. ‘What is it?’
‘Nothing. Just…a twinge.’
He helped her back to the chair. She sank into it with a sigh.
‘Shall I get a healer?’ he asked, tightly clasping her hand.
‘No. I’m…I’m all right.’
‘What’s happening, Tan? Is something wrong?’
She managed a feeble smile. ‘Not wrong, my love; natural.’ She placed his hand on her swollen belly. ‘It means it won’t be long now.’
Serrah took a sharp intake of breath. Grimacing, she clutched her stomach.
Caldason said, ‘You all right?’
‘It’s just a…stitch or something.’
‘Sure?’
‘It’s nothing, Reeth.’ She straightened, the pang fading. ‘Probably the lousy rations we’ve been eating.’
‘You look pale.’
‘So do you. None of us are exactly at our best after weeks in this tub. I don’t know how regular sailors cope with it.’
‘We should be back on the Diamond Isle soon.’
‘I can’t wait.’ She returned to gazing at the dismal horizon.
They were on deck, well bundled against the cold, and the packet was rolling in the current. Not brutally, but enough to make the footing uncertain for land dwellers. A light spray fell constantly.
Fifteen paces away, sheltered by a sailcloth awning, Kutch sat with Mahaganis and Wendah. The blind old man wore a stoic expression, while his young companion, finding her tongue at last, was engaged in an earnest, whispered conversation with Kutch.
‘They seem to be getting on well,’ Caldason noted a little icily.
‘Since they realised what they have in common, yes,’ Serrah replied.
‘Which is?’
‘You’ve not been paying much attention lately, have you, Reeth? Apparently Kutch and the girl have a similar power. It’s a magic thing. You wouldn’t be interested.’
‘Seems you know more about what’s going on than I do.’
‘Only because I’m actually talking to them.’ She nodded Mahaganis’s way. ‘The old man’s getting under your skin, isn’t he?’
‘He won’t tell what he knows. About me.’
‘You should be grateful to him.’
