The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,86

visit, he turned up with Thiede. Seel was not surprised, although would have appreciated some kind of prior warning. It annoyed him that Thiede clearly thought he had won, but he swallowed his pride. It would be stupid to reject what was being offered to him. The glamour of Ashmael’s visits had served the purpose of highlighting Saltrock’s limitations. His talk of life in Immanion hadn’t failed to make an impression. Seel found himself dreaming of living an idyllic life in the sun, which was filled with potential and promise. Thiede had the grace to appear that he thought he still had a lot of convincing to do, so Seel played the game also.

At lunch, Thiede said, ‘Will you ever come to Immanion, Seel? Must Ashmael forever be absent from the Hegalion coming here to you?’

‘It’s a big move,’ Seel said. ‘There are many things to consider.’

‘I know the harder I push you, the more you’ll dig in your heels, but even so…’ Thiede shrugged. ‘It all seems a little pointless and tiresome now.’

‘I’ll need a month or so to sort out my affairs,’ Seel said, gazing at his plate. He could feel Thiede’s immediate tense stillness across the table.

‘Whatever time you need. You know that. Any help I can offer…’

‘And I want to see Pellaz before I make up my mind for definite.’

Seel could sense Thiede swapping a sharp glance with Ashmael. He could imagine Ashmael’s insouciant shrug, but he didn’t look up. Not until he said, ‘You said you wanted me in Immanion for Pell. Prove to me that’s the real reason.’

Thiede’s silver grey eyes were like glittering stones. He was not pleased, but also knew he was cornered. ‘I don’t expect you to take my word for it. Of course, you may see him, but he won’t be as you remember him. The process is far from complete.’

‘If I can recognise him, that’s enough,’ Seel said. ‘I want to do this before I move from Saltrock.’

‘Am I right in assuming Lord Ashmael’s curiosity is at work here, as well as your own?’

‘This is personal,’ Seel said, wiping his mouth on a napkin. ‘Ash can’t influence my decisions in this matter.’

Ashmael raised his hands. ‘I wouldn’t intrude on such a delicate situation.’

‘Very well,’ Thiede said, ‘although I would have preferred you to wait a little longer until you saw Pellaz.’

‘Now or never,’ Seel said. ‘You didn’t produce Cal in chains, but at least you can grant me this.’

‘The first matter is not forgotten, I assure you,’ Thiede said. ‘And I promise you I will fulfil my promise. We had a deal. But as a mark of trust, I will grant this request also.’

‘Thank you,’ said Seel. His heart was beating too fast, his ears zinging with white noise. Soon, there would be no going back.

The journey to the place where Pellaz was kept would take no time at all, not in the otherlanes. Thiede assured Seel he could be back at Saltrock in time for supper. Seel was unnerved. This was all too quick. He would need time with Pellaz, and it was clear Thiede wasn’t prepared to give it. When Thiede went to the bathroom, Seel couldn’t even discuss it too openly with Ashmael, because both of them were aware that Thiede was too close for comfort and might eavesdrop on them psychically. ‘You’ll be fine,’ Ashmael said. ‘Don’t worry.’

‘I’m not looking forward to what I might see,’ Seel said. He felt cold, although the room was warm. His jaw ached. ‘If this is for real, every instinct inside me is screaming for me to keep away.’

‘You don’t have to put yourself through this,’ Thiede said. He stood at the doorway.

‘I do. For Pell,’ Seel said. ‘Will he know me?’

‘No,’ Thiede said. ‘That’s impossible.’

‘What am I going to see?’ Seel asked.

Thiede smiled cruelly. ‘Squeamish? I wouldn’t expect that from a har who once ran with the Unneah.’

Ashmael reached out and gripped Seel’s cold hands, which were knotted together on the table. ‘I will be waiting,’ he said. ‘Zephyr will take care of you.’

The sedim broke through into the world in a place that was as icy as the otherlanes. It was clearly a far northern country, hardly touched by human or harish hand. Snow covered the ancient pine forests and sound was muted. A short distance away, on a sheer hillside, a castle of white stone nestled at the edge of a forest. Lights glowed in the windows. It was nearly dusk.

‘This is where I conduct my