Lacuna - N.R. Walker Page 0,55

.”

“They went to Aequi Kentron,” Maghdlm said. “The arrow points to the centre. If the inner point circle arrow pointed north, that would be their destination.”

Crow let out a relieved breath. “So, how do we move the inner circle?” he asked. “I need to get a message to my people. How do we make the arrow point north?”

“Well,” Maghdlm said. “That is the complicated part. Setting the compass is a forgotten magick. I read about it once, a long time ago.”

“Can you do it?” Crow asked.

She gave a nod. “I will try.”

Tancho was studying the compass. “The outer circle. What is its purpose?”

“It is incoming, I believe,” Maghdlm answered. “From where the gate opens.”

Now Tancho stared at her. “You mean anyone, at any of the remaining three points, can just decide to open the doorway and appear here? Uninvited?”

“Yes. If it begins to move, you would know someone comes. There was a way to lock it, but I would need to remember . . .” Maghdlm said, blinking slowly. She was clearly tired. “I will try to remember.”

“We can take up a tile,” Karasu suggested. “Surely if the compass isn’t intact, it cannot be used. A key cannot open a door if the lock is broken, no?”

“Let’s hope,” Tancho said. “Then we can slide it back into place when we are ready.”

Karasu put her sword in between some tiles outside of the compass, so as not to damage the circle or points, but couldn’t get any leverage. Kohaku joined in, as did Soko, and it took a lot of work and one slightly damaged tile, but once it was removed, they could lift the tile next to it much easier. It took both Kohaku and Soko to lift the large stone tile, but they did and left the outer circle of the compass missing a piece between the north and the east.

“Should that be enough?” Tancho asked Maghdlm.

“I cannot say for certain,” she replied. “Too much is unknown to me. Tancho, I trust you have a library here? Archives, perhaps?”

“Yes, of course.”

“A keeper of such records? Someone who may be able to help me search the old tomes.”

“You think we have something here about the compass? I’ve not heard of any such thing.”

“You wouldn’t,” she replied. “For you did not know to ask.”

Asagi came forward, his head bowed. “I can help. I know the archives. I’ve not encountered any such records myself, though there are sections with old, old books and scripts I’ve not yet read.”

“No one would be better suited,” Tancho said with a grateful bow of his head. “If you are willing. Take some guards with you for climbing ladders and heavy lifting.” And to watch over you, Tancho thought but didn’t say out loud.

Asagi seemed to understand and he gave a thankful bow in return. “You must be tired and hungry after your long journey. You said before it’s been a long week,” he said. “Eat and rest. If I find any mention in any book, I shall return at once.”

“Maghdlm, do you feel well enough?” Tancho asked.

“There isn’t time to waste,” she answered. “The eclipse is almost upon us.”

Tomorrow . . . the eclipse was tomorrow, if he’d counted the days right. It all seemed so blurred together, Tancho wasn’t even sure what day it was.

Asagi and three guards led Maghdlm in her push-chair from the large room, leaving everyone else in silence. Tancho sighed. “The eclipse is tomorrow, before sunset.”

“Then we should rest while we can,” Crow said.

“I’m going to my quarters,” Karasu said, “where I can bathe in peace and rest on my own bed without these two stinking up the place.” She waved in Kohaku and Soko’s general direction before she walked to the door at the far end without another word.

Soko looked to Crow, unsure of where he should be. Kohaku put his arm around him and led him out the same door. “You come with me, little Northlander. I’ll show you to your room, but we’ll visit the kitchen for food first, yes?”

Soko mumbled something that made Kohaku laugh, and both Tancho and Crow smiled.

But then they were, for the first proper time, alone. “I’m not sure where you wish me to go,” Crow said quietly.

“With me,” Tancho replied. “Our choice is removed, but I’m sure you’ll find my quarters adequate.”

Tancho led the way and Crow fell into step beside him, and they walked in silence through the corridors. Tancho stopped at the large, red wooden door, suddenly uneasy. He’d never