The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,168

yourself in danger?’

‘No. I’m not afraid of anyhar, not even Thiede, and he knows enough about me to respect me.’

‘What about Swift? Will he back Seel’s attempt to pursue us?’

‘Swift, my beloved son and a great leader, is in many ways still an innocent,’ said Cobweb. ‘He fits comfortably around Seel’s little finger on many occasions.’

‘I have a suggestion,’ said Tel-an-Kaa, speaking for the first time.

‘Yes?’ Cobweb said.

‘Ulaume and Flick can travel with me. I can take them to a safe place, if you can provide an escort through Parsic territory.’

‘That sounds a good idea,’ said Cobweb. He turned back to Ulaume. ‘You have other companions, yes?’

‘We do,’ said Ulaume. ‘They went to a party in town, but I expect they’re back at the boat by now.’

‘Find them and go to the old oak on the east side of town.’ He turned to Tel-an-Kaa. ‘You know this place?’

‘Yes. I can take them there.’

‘Good. Wait in the shadow of the tree and Flick will be brought to you, with horses. How many, my lady?’

‘Five. I’ll take none of my people with us.’

‘That’s settled then. Go at once.’ Cobweb shivered. ‘There are wolves in the wind. A fell time.’ He stood up and left the summerhouse, lost almost immediately in the screaming elements.

‘Come,’ said Tel-an-Kaa, taking up the lamp. ‘There are many currents mixing and roiling this night, and Lileem has been hidden among them. This is good. Let us go to her.’

‘One thing,’ Ulaume said. ‘Thiede is all powerful, right?’

‘Very powerful,’ said Tel-an-Kaa.

‘If he wants all these hara under his control, why hasn’t he come for Flick before?’

Tel-an-Kaa pulled a face, rocked her head from side to side a few times. ‘Mmm, well, let us say that there are other powerful influences in the world that pay just as much attention to events as Thiede does. Those powers can hide things from him sometimes. If he knew of Lileem, for example, he’d want her very much, but he doesn’t, so that’s good. Come on. Let’s not waste time.’

As Ulaume had anticipated, Mima and Lileem were already back at ‘Esmeraldarine’. Lileem was quite drunk and was dancing around on deck, being buffeted by the winds. Ulaume jumped aboard and Lileem threw herself upon him, hiccupping. Tel-an-Kaa stood on the bank, watching.

‘Settle down,’ Ulaume said to Lileem, unwrapping her arms from around his neck. ‘Where is Mima?’

‘Below deck,’ Lileem said. ‘She’s moody and has sat with a black face all night. I had a good time, a very good time.’

‘Gather up some clothes,’ Ulaume said. ‘We have to abandon Ezzie.’

‘What?’ Lileem stood swaying before him. ‘Why?’

‘I’ll explain later. Sober up, Lee. We’re in trouble.’ He hurried below deck and could hear Lileem stumbling after him. Mima was lying on the bunk in her cabin and he shook her, thinking she was asleep. But she raised her head at once and wiped her face. She’d been crying. ‘We’re leaving,’ Ulaume said. ‘There’s trouble. I’ve met a human who will help us. Get some stuff together. I don’t think we’ll be coming back.’

Mima just stared at him. ‘Pell?’

‘No. I can’t explain now. Help me get Flick’s stuff too.’

She sat up. ‘OK.’

Lileem found it difficult to gather her belongings. She couldn’t decide what to keep and what to take. In her drunken state, she couldn’t think too much about what might have happened. She trusted Ulaume and if he said they must go, then they would. But where was Flick? If something bad had happened to him, she was sure she’d feel it, but maybe she was too drunk to notice.

With a bulging bag, from which the arms of garments dangled, Lileem went back on deck. She saw the tall silent figure standing on the bank. ‘Hello,’ she said.

‘Lileem.’

It was a woman, or appeared to be. But maybe…? ‘Are you like me?’ Lileem said. She staggered over to the side of the boat, wondered if she could get ashore without falling in the water.

‘I am here for you,’ said the woman. ‘I am Tel-an-Kaa.’

‘Are you my voices?’

‘One of them.’

‘Great.’ Lileem jumped awkwardly onto the bank and Tel-an-Kaa steadied her. ‘They won’t make my head ache any more, then?’ Lileem asked in a slurred tone. ‘The voices, I mean? Not if you’re here.’

‘No, your head won’t ache. We will go east, for I have wonders to show you.’

‘All of us?’

‘Yes, all of you. You and your guardians.’

Chapter Twenty Five

As if being locked up against his will wasn’t bad enough, Flick found the room he was staying in