The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,254

couldn’t go anywhere? While Ulaume groaned in pearlbirth, Flick paced around praying to all the dehara. ‘I want to go,’ he said to them. ‘I really want to go.’

The pearl was delivered without hitch and a short time later, the pearl hatched. A new Sarestes was born. They named him Orien.

A couple of days before the journey to Galhea, Pellaz arrived at the Sarestes house with a companion – Cobweb Parasiel. Cobweb, aware of the past friction between Flick and Seel, felt it would be a good idea for Flick to meet somehar from Galhea prior to arriving there. Flick appreciated this gesture. Cobweb made a great fuss of the new harling and treated Aleeme like an adult. In a very short time, the household took him to its heart.

Lileem, as usual, felt uncomfortable around the cosy domestic scenes and asked Pellaz if they might speak in private. An idea had been brewing in her head for some days. She’d debated whether to act on it or not, but now, on impulse, she decided she had to. She took Pellaz out into the garden, into the last of the evening.

‘I haven’t thanked you properly for what you did,’ she said.

‘That’s OK,’ Pellaz said. ‘Everyhar’s been preoccupied with other things. I don’t need thanks. Glad to help.’

‘There’s one more thing I want to ask you,’ Lileem said.

‘Ask.’

‘When we go to Galhea, it’s not Shilalama, is it?’

‘Well no, of course not.’

‘So you wouldn’t really be breaking any promises to Opalexian if you took your brother there.’

‘Lee…’

‘No, don’t just refuse. I want to talk to him, Pell. It’s unfinished business. I don’t intend to do anything stupid.’ She didn’t know what she intended. She dared not think.

Pellaz stared at her, but she could not meet his eyes. ‘Are you sure about this?’ he asked. ‘You don’t look it.’

‘I’m sure. Please ask him.’

Pellaz rubbed his face. ‘I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. I can’t make a decision now.’

‘It’s important to me. Very important.’

‘Very well. I’ll think about it. You should know that, despite everything, and the way Terez seemed when he left here, he would like to speak to you too.’

‘Has he asked you something similar?’

Pellaz didn’t reply. ‘Don’t get your hopes up. You’ll have to wait and see.’

The next morning, Lileem went early to Exalan’s office and requested an audience with Opalexian. The Kamagrian leader consented to this, perhaps imagining Lileem wished to discuss her forthcoming new role. Few hara or parazha could simply walk into Opalexian’s quarters and ask to see her, but the Sarestes were exceptions. Lileem reflected that Opalexian had become a lot more accessible in general since they’d first moved to Shilalama. That could only be a good thing.

Opalexian received Lileem in her morning room and there Lileem made her request. She asked for the bowl she had brought back with her from the otherworld.

‘Why do you want it?’ Opalexian asked.

‘Because I’m leaving Shilalama soon, and I want to take it with me,’ Lileem said. ‘I know it’s an important artefact, simply because of where it came from, but I need it to remind me of things, that’s all.’ She risked a smile. ‘If ever I’m tempted to be bad, I can look at that cracked old thing and count my blessings. It has sentimental value.’

Opalexian regarded her keenly. ‘Are you happy now, Lileem?’

‘Yes. I’m grateful for everything you’ve given me. I want to work for Kamagrian to the best of my abilities. I won’t disappoint you.’

Opalexian continued to stare at Lileem for several long, excruciating moments. Then she went to a cupboard in the room, took a key from the pocket of her robe and unlocked the cupboard door. She took from within it the cracked stone bowl.

Lileem swallowed with difficulty. The sight of the artefact made her head spin. She could remember everything so well.

‘I know you are bright,’ Opalexian said, holding up the bowl before her and turning it in her hands. ‘I wish more parazha were like you, Lileem. Many are troubled and damaged and afraid. You are something else, and I think it’s because the good hara who brought you up gave you such love and care. Many of your sisters do not enjoy such fortune. You are what they all should be, I think.’

‘I know I’m lucky,’ Lileem said. She licked her lips. They felt as dry as shed snakeskin.

Opalexian turned to her and held out the bowl. ‘Take it,’ she said. ‘Tel-an-Kaa speaks well of you too, you know.