Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [59]
‘Agreed.’
Merriment fell from her face. ‘Did you go there alone, Selene?’
‘Shane MacVenton came too. He’s the…’
‘I remember him,’ the Caller said, cutting her off. She glanced behind Selene. ‘Where is he, then? You didn’t have to leave him on the steps, you know.’
‘I didn’t. I left him at the foot of Mt Pelt.’
‘What in the world for? Punishment?’ Waving to Selene to be silent, the Caller closed her eyes again. They popped open seconds later. ‘I see. That makes sense.’
Jarrod raised his eyebrows. The Caller appeared to be using her inner vision to scan the surrounding lands as easily as one might glance about a room. Impressive.
‘Go on, now.’ The Caller motioned Selene away. ‘But not too far. I want you to collect this one after we’ve had a little chat. I’m sure he’ll need your assistance.’
If Selene was surprised at the dismissal, she didn’t show it. She left the room with only a nod, ignoring Jarrod. The Caller’s voice brought his attention back. ‘You said we followed the thread of your call. Not alone, then?’
‘I am accompanied by two others.’
‘Really? Where are they?’ She studied him as if they might suddenly jump out of his pockets.
‘I don’t know where they are, at this point.’
‘You lost them?’
‘Temporarily.’
‘Why in the world did you let that happen?’
‘It wasn’t intentional, I assure you. We were separated somewhere along the way.’
‘And you left Shane to wait?’
Jarrod parted his lips but didn’t respond. The Caller closed her eyes again, motioning to him to be silent.
Jarrod was uncertain whether she was immersed in the inner landscapes of her mind or searching further afield. That she had gone elsewhere was obvious, the withdrawal of her energy palpable. She disappeared, leaving her body like a place marker in a book. Jarrod suspected that she was scanning far beyond her own thoughts. He waited until she returned. Her eyes opened slowly, green gems reappearing. ‘That can’t be,’ she whispered.
Jarrod gave her a quizzical look.
‘Never mind. Your companions aren’t here. I’ve checked.’
‘With respect, Caller, I do mind. Can you tell me where they are, if not here on Tensar?’
‘I cannot.’ She rubbed her forehead. ‘They are beyond my sight.’
‘But you know something about it.’
‘Yes, I do.’
‘Can you please share it with me?’
She stared until he wanted to look away, a new sensation for him. ‘I’ll make you a deal.’ She smacked her lips. ‘You attend to my concerns first and then we’ll unravel yours.’
So that’s your game, is it? Hide and seek? You best hope you’re not the one who has hidden Rosette and Drayco from me. ‘Fair enough,’ he answered aloud, his voice smooth. ‘I came to help, if I can.’ I’ll play your game, as long as you play fair.
She didn’t respond to his mind speech; he had kept his shield up. There was more to this woman than she let on, he was certain of that. He crossed his arms. ‘How can I assist you, Caller?’
She glanced towards the entrance, holding out her hand for silence. ‘Not here.’
There were two guards standing sentinel, silhouettes in the afternoon light. Another pair stood at a side doorway, armed with polished wood javelins and metal blades. They were so still they looked to be carved from hardwood; smooth, refined and determined. A breeze wafted through the door, causing the red tassels on the javelins to dance, but nothing else moved, not even the rise and fall of the guards’ breath.
The Caller snapped her fingers, and one of the guards broke free. His heels clicked on the tile floor, tapping out a rhythm that echoed to the ceiling.
‘Escort this traveller to the tearoom, will you, Jayk? See that he’s comfortable.’ She turned to Jarrod. ‘I won’t be long.’
The guard bowed, then gave Jarrod a brief nod. ‘This way.’
Jarrod followed him through a side entrance and across a covered breezeway. It was lined with dwarf palm trees in large clay pots and baskets of ferns hanging from the eaves, their long air roots nearly touching the ground. From this elevation he could see much of T’locity, a colourful