Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [49]
Maudi, what’s going on? Is she really our Nell?
I’m not sure. Did you sense it?
Total surprise to me, but you better talk to her. She’s looking quite confused and sending some rapid messages back to the temple.
What’s she saying?
Various things.
Such as?
Help. Danger. Strange witches.
Great.
Rosette returned her attention to the girl, subtly indicating to Shane that his sword would not be required at this point. ‘What is your full name, if I might ask?’
‘Nellion Sophia Paree,’ she said, her words formal. ‘Do I know you?’
Rosette shook her head and blinked.
‘You okay? What’s happening?’ Shane asked. He put his hand on her shoulder, steadying her.
‘I’m fine,’ she said to him, not taking her eyes off the girl. ‘Your hair is so red…’
The girl smiled. ‘Henna! Isn’t it fabulous?’
‘Pardon?’
‘I got a whole tub of henna powder from the markets at Morzone last week. We never get any here. It suits, don’t you think?’ She all but giggled as she twisted in the saddle to offer a better view of her long tresses. She seemed to be over her suspicions, whatever they were.
She’s stalling. Half of Treeon’s guards are on their way now.
Rosette didn’t speak.
Pull it together, Maudi. It’s okay. At least we know ‘when’ we are.
But we don’t, Drayco. Nell didn’t cross over as a child…I mean, Kreshkali didn’t cross over as a child. She was never here then, before…I mean…
Calm down, Maudi, and say something to her. She’s about to ride away.
Rosette took a deep breath. ‘It’s quite vivid. Really lovely, Nell.’ She turned to Shane. ‘This is my travel companion, Shane…’ She looked at the man, frowning as she searched for words. She had no idea how to present him.
‘Shane MacVenton, master bard and left-hand rank of the T’locity border scouts.’
Rosette nodded before turning back to the girl. ‘We just met.’
Nell winked back. ‘Sure you did.’
What a cheeky little imp.
Sounds like she’s our Nell then, even if she can’t be.
‘Tell me, Nellion.’ Rosette beamed a smile at the girl. ‘Who’s presiding High Priestess of Treeon Temple now? La Kaffa?’
The girl wrinkled her nose. ‘You mean High Priest, don’t you?’
‘High Priest?’
‘Corvey, High Priest Rosh Corvey.’
That can’t be right, Rosette said.
Nothing is. There are no familiars about at all, Maudi. I’ve tried contacting. It’s silent down there. Not a peep from feline, raptor or serpent, and we know La Kaffa had one—a temple dog from Corsanon—and there were always a few Lemur ravens about.
I’m glad you remember your history, Drayco. This is strange. I feel the silence too.
‘Mistress Rosette?’ Nell said as her mount started pawing the ground. ‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course.’
Nell dropped her voice to a whisper and urged her horse a little closer. ‘Where did you get the sword?’
Rosette frowned. That was definitely not the right question—not one that made sense anyway. Her sword was forged at Treeon and sported the serpent-entwined tree as a crest. It was a traditional design. Unmistakable, even half a century ago.
Especially half a century ago. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘I’ve never seen one up close. Never on a woman, of course.’
‘Never on a woman?’
Maudi, may I suggest you move the conversation to a close now? There are more riders gathering at the gates below. They’re armed. Aggressive.
You’re right. We may not be quite where we think we are, Dray. I’m starting to wonder if this is even Gaela.
Is it Nell?
So it seems, but there never was a High Priest at Treeon, Corvey or otherwise, and everyone from Morzone to Lividica would have seen swords on men and women and teens, all the time. It’s commonplace, now or then—at our Treeon Temple.
So where are we?
I have no idea.
One way to find out.
How?
Ask.
Rosette smiled, as she realised that Nell was still talking to her.
‘I’ve always been fascinated by the weapon, though it’s banned for females, of course.
Rosette kept her face a mask. ‘Tell me, Nell. What do you call this place?’
She scrunched her face. ‘Where are you from that you don’t know?’
‘Just answer the question, missy-miss,