The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,253

discuss the past in any way, but I can be cordial, if that’s what it takes.’

‘I’m delighted to hear it,’ Pellaz said. He braced his hands on his knees. ‘Now, I’d like to speak to Lileem. I have good news for her.’

‘What’s that?’ Flick asked. ‘What did you discuss with Opalexian? Will she allow Terez back here?’

‘No,’ Pellaz said, ‘but she has agreed to allow Lileem to work overseas with Tel-an-Kaa, as a kind of apprentice. She’s confident Kaa can keep an eye on Lee. Lileem asked me to help her in this matter, and I have. After her experiences in the otherworld, she needs to travel, to spread her wings.’

Flick had no idea Lileem felt that way. She clearly talked more with Pellaz than she did with her own family. That hurt. ‘So, it seems you’re arranging for most of our household to flee the nest,’ he said, sharply.

‘Oh, come on,’ Pellaz said. ‘It’s obvious you and Lor will eventually have this big old house overrun with harlings! You won’t lose anyhar, Flick. The world is a different place now. It’s easy to keep in touch.’

Flick harboured a faint hope that Seel would object to Azriel taking part in Aleeme’s feybraiha. This was not just because of the aversion he still had to Seel, but also because once events were set in motion, it would be the beginning of Aleeme leaving home. It would be a great wrench for Flick to lose his firstborn son, not to be able to see him every day, even if Aleeme did deserve everything that Pellaz could give him.

Once Flick had given his consent, Pellaz wasted no time, perhaps concerned that Flick would change his mind. He returned to Shilalama only two days later to say that the House of Parasiel would be honoured to help with Aleeme’s feybraiha. The Tigron came with a written invitation from Cobweb in his hand: Flick, Ulaume and Aleeme would be welcome in Galhea as soon as was convenient. Azriel was pleased he had been chosen, and Cobweb wanted to supervise contact between his grand-harling and Aleeme for two weeks before the feybraiha ceremony took place.

After the invitation had arrived, Flick then hoped that Opalexian would intervene, because she disapproved of her citizens interacting with the world of Wraeththu. Annoyingly, she gave her blessing. She trusted Flick and Ulaume, and she trusted the Tigron. This alliance might help Kamagrian’s position when the time came for them to reveal themselves to the world. The only stipulation she made was that Mima should not go to Galhea, not just because she was Kamagrian, but because it was obvious she was related to the Tigron. For the time being, it was preferable for Mima to keep a low profile. This disappointed Mima, not least because she was very fond of Aleeme and wished to be part of his coming of age rite, but she accepted Opalexian’s decision. She already knew that she was lucky Opalexian allowed her to visit Pellaz occasionally. Lileem, however, would be permitted to attend to feast day of the rite. Tel-an-Kaa, as a good friend of the Parsic family, would be invited, and Lileem could be present as the Zigane’s new assistant. Tel-an-Kaa would teach her how to disguise herself, because she’d need this skill in order to carry out Kamagrian work in Megalithica. A gathering at Galhea, amongst friends, would be a good opportunity for her to practice appearing like a human female.

Finally, Flick turned to his son, harbouring the faintest hope of all that Aleeme would be upset or frightened and would refuse to go to Galhea. No such luck. Aleeme was nervous about aruna with a stranger, but excited about the prospect of going abroad, of travelling the otherlanes with Pellaz.

It’s going to happen, Flick thought glumly. I should know by now that life never stays the same.

While Flick was brooding over his forthcoming meeting with Seel, Ulaume invented a second name for their family: Sarestes, taken from the names of both Saltrock and Colurastes. He didn’t think Kakkahaar should be included.

The date was named, the arrangements finalised. The Sarestes family would travel with Pellaz to Megalithica as soon as Ulaume’s harling was born and had hatched from its pearl. The household staff would look after the harling while its parents were away. Flick hoped he had not invoked dark gods in trying to prevent the visit to Galhea. What if the universe intervened by harming Ulaume or the harling, so that they