The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,194

we did begin our journey with a substantial amount of Parsic currency. You are welcome to that if you find it.’

‘Any ship that founders upon our shores is our property,’ said Tyr. ‘Therefore, your currency is ours anyway.’

‘Then I hope that in the spirit of kinship, and a mutual respect for freedom, you will lend us your aid regardless,’ said Tel-an-Kaa.

Lileem was greatly impressed by her courage.

Tyr appeared slightly stunned by the Zigane’s forthright approach and perhaps found himself agreeing to help without realising it. ‘We can provide a boat to take you upriver,’ he said. ‘Will that suffice?’

‘We would also appreciate supplies,’ said Tel-an-Kaa.

Tyr nodded. ‘Galdra will see to it.’ He stood up. ‘You may leave.’

Once outside the council chamber, Lileem and her companions praised Tel-an-Kaa for her handling of the situation.

‘We need to be straight forward now,’ she said. ‘We cannot waste time. The Gelaming could reappear at any moment. I trust you are all ready to resume our journey?’

Lileem was disappointed they must move on so quickly, because she’d have liked to explore Freygard and learn about the Freyhella, but she could see the sense in Tel-an-Kaa’s words.

Galdra, as Tyr’s chesnari, was second in command of the Freyhella, even though he was quite young. He was as interested in their temporary guests as they were in his tribe, as he was second generation har, and liked to hear about harish life in other countries. He knew the language well because many hara had joined the Freyhellans fleeing from Varrs, Uigenna or Gelaming. While some of his hara prepared a boat for the travellers, Galdra took them all to a feasting chamber in the Great Hall. Here, he offered them a meal and for a few short hours they could enjoy good company in comfortable surroundings.

While Galdra was still supervising the dispersal of food, at a distance from his guests, Mima cocked her head towards him and said, ‘Well, is anyhar here going to state the obvious?’

‘What do you mean?’ Tel-an-Kaa asked coolly. ‘And do I take it Lileem and I are included in that request, seeing as you put it to “anyhar”?’

Mima gave the Zigane a narrow glance. ‘Just a word,’ she said, then turned back to her companions. ‘Who does Galdra remind you of?’

Flick shrugged. ‘Nohar. Although he’s quite a stunner.’

‘He looks like Cal,’ Mima said.

Flick glanced over to where Galdra was issuing orders to the serving staff. ‘No… You’re wrong.’

‘I’m not. I’m talking physically, nothing else.’

‘She’s right,’ Ulaume said. ‘He does.’

‘Another Tyson?’ Flick mused. ‘Did Cal pass this way once?’

‘Who knows?’ Mima said, ‘but the similarity is uncanny.’

‘When you look for it,’ Tel-an-Kaa said. ‘Personally, I find Galdra a far more attractive har, in every sense. Cal is diseased.’

Mima laughed at this remark, and even Flick was moved to smile.

‘I’m the only one who’s never met him,’ Lileem said. ‘Now I feel like I’m missing out!’

‘At least we can laugh about him now,’ Ulaume said. ‘A welcome change.’

Tel-an-Kaa grimaced, and when she spoke her tone was enigmatic. ‘Don’t laugh too long.’ She stood up. ‘I want to speak to our charming host. Please excuse me.’

‘Now what did she mean by that?’ Mima asked.

Flick and Ulaume seemed eager to discuss it, revelling in the chance to indulge in idle gossip, but Lileem had other matters on her mind.

Tel-an-Kaa monopolised Galdra for the entire meal, which gave Lileem the opportunity to speak to Flick away from the Zigane’s ears. She beckoned to Flick and led him to the hearth, which was some distance away from the table where all the others were sitting. ‘There’s something I have to tell you,’ she said, ‘but I don’t want Mima to hear it.’

Flick glanced to where Mima sat talking with Ulaume. ‘That means Ulaume can’t hear it either,’ he said. ‘He won’t like that. He already thinks you confide in me too much. It’s not really fair, Lee. He cares for you deeply.’

‘Oh, do shut up!’ Lileem said. ‘This isn’t about my relationship with Lormy. This is important. You can tell him everything later.’

‘Well, what is it?’

Lileem took a deep breath. She anticipated an unfavourable response. ‘I think Pell helped us escape the Gelaming.’

Flick’s eyes seemed to glaze over with a film of ice. ‘Now what makes you think that?’

‘I called upon him. And he came. He told me we should invoke Aruhani.’

Flick exhaled long and slow. ‘Lee, Pellaz knows nothing of the dehara, and knows nothing of you. This is not a time for games or fantasies.’

‘And I am