Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [180]
The grounds were active with gardeners tending the vegetable, fruit and herb plots. Horses were being exercised and riding lessons under way. A small group of archers practised at the edge of the sword grounds, several artists sketching them as they slowly drew and released their bows. It was much like Treeon, save for the surrounding lands. They were a barren moonscape compared to most of Gaela. He sighed. Would they have enough time to establish this temple, if the portals kept running askew?
He laughed at his question. Time wasn’t a commodity to have enough or not enough of. It didn’t measure in volume, not in grains of sand or celestial motion. It didn’t exist at all outside of an abstract, and peculiarly individual, perception. Why he still processed information from such an artificial reference point, he didn’t know. Because it’s so convincing? he asked himself. That might be it.
He dressed and entered the central room, spotting signs of a hasty breakfast.
‘Everyone rested?’ he called out. ‘Well fed?’ He felt immediately that the place was deserted, but he called again anyway. ‘Shane? Selene?’
Their cloaks were missing, their packs and swords gone as well. I had hoped for a final word. He turned to the door. ‘Enter, Kreshkali.’
She knocked at the same time he spoke. ‘Did I make that much noise coming up the stairs?’ she asked as she opened the door wide.
‘You’re as quiet as a cat. I just happen to have exceptional hearing, as you know.’
‘Ha! I do know.’ She kissed him on the cheek and breezed into the room, a tray of fruit, hot chai and blueberry muffins balanced in one hand.
‘What’s this?’ he asked.
‘I brought myself breakfast, though you’re welcome to join me. I know you like to eat sometimes.’
‘I wouldn’t mind a bite.’
‘That’s news,’ she said, looking him up and down. ‘Maybe the electricity did you some good.’
‘One never can get enough of that.’
‘Electricity?’
He laughed. ‘I meant good. How’s Rosette?’
Kreshkali chuckled, sweeping the empty cups and bowls aside to make room for her tray. ‘Fit and saucy as ever. It’s as if she never died.’
‘More good news, then.’ He beamed a smile.
‘You’re in fine form today yourself.’ She poured tea and sampled the hot muffins. ‘Rested? Refreshed?’
He sat opposite her and took a tentative sip from his mug. ‘Nearly perfect. Thank you for the tapping last night. It got me back in alignment.’
‘It helped me too. Always does.’ She looked around the room.
‘They’re on their way back to Tensar, I suspect,’ he said, answering her silent question.
‘On their own?’ She frowned. ‘That’s a risk. It’s just such travellers that are distorting the Entities’ signal. I wish I’d kept an eye on them.’
‘You had other things on your mind.’
‘As did you.’
‘At least their intentions would be united. That may keep them on track.’
‘I’m actually more concerned about the long-term effect on the portals than their smooth travel.’ She took another bite. ‘So they finally kissed and made up?’
He nodded. ‘Seems so.’
‘And did you solve things on Tensar as well?’ she asked.
His eyes shifted.
‘Don’t play coy with me. I know you didn’t stay put last night.’
Jarrod hedged. ‘It’s more or less unravelled. The Caller is a trickster, though. She enjoys her little games.’
Kreshkali frowned. ‘Example?’
‘Mostly she plays with words.’
‘You mean she lies?’
‘Pretty much.’
‘That’s frustrating, though you would