Voice of the Gods

:You’re all fools. If she—

:Jade?

They all fell silent, surprised to hear Auraya’s voice.

:Yes, it’s me, Emerahl said hastily, when the silence began to lengthen.

:Or is it Emerahl?

:That’s my oldest name.

:Mischief just started barking names in his sleep. There was Mirar and you, then “Wins.”

:The Twins.

:So one of you was dream-linking with Mischief?

:Yes, Mirar said. I did.

:Who are the rest of you?

:We are The Twins.

:The Twins, eh? I thought you were long dead.

:Not at all. I am Surim.

:And I am Tamun.

:Hello, Auraya said. Not every day one meets a myth. There was another name. Sounded like “Gill.”

:That would be me, The Gull.

:Ah. Another living myth.

:You’ve escaped, I see, Tamun said.

:Yes. Partly due to Mischief. He brought me the key.

:What are you going to do now? Mirar asked.

:I don’t know.

:We could use your help.

:Are you in trouble?

:Not exactly... and none of us would blame you if you refused.

:Tell me.

Emerahl explained about the voids being places where gods had died.

:I know. Mirar told me. The Circle killed the other gods by drawing away the magic, didn’t they?

:Yes. Did he tell you that?

:No. I had an interesting experience with Huan earlier.

:Oh?

:She attacked me. I remembered what Mirar said about voids and decided to test a theory I came up with during those long hours chained up in one.

:Huan is dead? Surim asked excitedly.

:No. She dodged. But I guess that’s why you need me. You need six in order to stop them escaping.

:Yes, Emerahl replied. Will you help us?

:Yes.

There was a long silence. Emerahl felt excitement growing as she realized what this meant. The chance had come. It was going to work.

:What about Chaia? Tamun asked.

:What did you have to go and ask that for! Surim exclaimed.

:Because we don’t want her changing her mind at the last moment, Tamun replied.

:Chaia tried to kill me, Auraya told them. He’s the same as the rest. If I can’t trust him, then I’m just like any other Wild... Not that that’s bad...

:We know what you mean, Surim assured her. None of us like the prospect of hiding like criminals for millennia. That is why we’re here.

:Tell me your plan.

As Tamun began to explain, something - the sound of a horn - nearly dragged Emerahl from sleep.

:I must go, she began.

Then Emerahl started into consciousness to find Arleej leaning over her.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted something,” the woman said. “But the White’s messenger is at the door, asking why we haven’t joined them yet.”

49

Unable to stifle a yawn, Danjin covered his mouth. He hadn’t slept well despite Ella’s orders. Frustratingly, when the horn blew to rouse the army, his relief that the night was over had relaxed him just enough to fall asleep. By the time he woke again and reached Ella’s tent, she had left. A servant told Danjin where she would be. That news had shaken off all lingering sleepiness.

She had gone to join the White at the Isthmus.

Leaving the tent, he had jogged to the start of the Isthmus. There he found, to his relief, that the White hadn’t yet left. Ella smiled when she saw him, then beckoned.

“I didn’t want to wake you,” she told him. “You needed a rest after last night.”

“Hmph,” he replied. “I know the truth. You were trying to sneak away without me.”

She grinned. “Ha! You are too smart for me.” Then she sobered. “Are you sure you want to come? We are taking only a small group of witnesses with us. There are powerfully Gifted priests and priestesses among them, and Dreamweavers, but they may not be able to protect you if the Voices attack at full strength.”

Danjin felt a stab of apprehension. He shrugged it off.

“War isn’t without risks, and you may need me.”

He didn’t say why. There was a small chance that, if Auraya had joined the enemy, his presence might make her change her mind. It was a very small chance, but it was worth being ready for.

Ella nodded. “We might.” Her gaze shifted behind him. “And here are our Dreamweavers. I doubt they have a reason for sleeping late as good as yours.”

Danjin turned to see several men and women in Dreamweaver vests approaching. He recognized Dreamweaver Elder Arleej and Dreamweaver Adviser Raeli. The pair left the rest and approached Juran. When their short exchange ended, Ella smiled.

“Time for us to meet our adversaries,” she said. “Be careful, Danjin.”

“I will,” he assured her.

As she joined the White he moved to stand beside Lanren Songmaker. The military adviser smiled grimly, then they both started walking as the White set out along the Isthmus.

All were silent. Danjin alternately watched the white figures before him, their circs swaying as they walked, and squinted at the road beyond them, trying to see the enemy. Time dragged by. The sun rose higher, its rays delivering a heat that promised a hot day ahead. Water lapped at the sides of the isthmus in a gentle but relentless rhythm.

They must have been walking for over an hour when Lanren made a small noise of satisfaction. “Here they come.”

Danjin stared into the distance, but saw nothing. Perhaps there were dark specks in the haze ahead.

“You have good eyesight, Lanren.”

The man shrugged.

Several more minutes passed before points of darkness in the distance became moving shapes. By the time these had resolved into figures Danjin was sure he had been walking for another hour.

Slowly more details became clear. There were six figures. Five wore black. The other almost blended with