Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [156]
Corsanon still marches on us?
We have plans to turn them back.
Plans are fine but what happens if they break through?
That’s what I’ve come to discuss.
Saphon led her to the inner chambers. Mint tea and honey sat ready on the table, steam rising from the copper pot. A young woman brought them a loaf of nut bread, apple jam and cheese, setting out plates, smiling as she worked. Saphon waved her away, serving Kreshkali herself.
‘Delicious,’ Kali said and explained her plan.
Saphon hadn’t taken a bite. Her hands shook slightly when she poured more tea. What you suggest is extreme, perilous perhaps.
It is the only way to protect Temple Dumarka, and the felines, if Corsanon breaks through our defence.
How can you be certain it will succeed?
I can’t. ‘Are there any litters about?’ Kreshkali asked aloud. ‘I would dearly love to see the kittens.’
Saphon held her eyes. You’ve none, have you? In your future? There are no more temple cats. I can see it in your face.
‘I’ve been blessed to participate in the rearing of one, but am always thrilled to see more.’
One temple cat? Is that all?
There’s more than one.
In Dumarka?
They’re hidden.
You mean we’re hidden…Saphon put her cup down without taking a sip. ‘Come then. Let me show you the younglings.’ Tell me, Kreshkali, does Temple Dumarka lie in ruin because I didn’t follow your plan, or because I did?
Kreshkali smoothed her cloak, loosening the clasp around her neck. She looked into Saphon’s eyes, black in the shadows. ‘I believe it is because you did not, High Priestess.’
‘Can you be certain?’
Kreshkali cleared her throat. ‘I can’t.’
CHAPTER 20
CORSANON, CUSCA PLAINS, PRIETA FOOTHILLS & GOREGAN RIVER, GAELA & TEMPLE LOS LOMA, EARTH
Rosette sat close, the warmth of the fire barely penetrating her bones. She held her cloak around her tight, visualising a small flame in the base of her spine. A gust of wind blew it out. This is absurd, Drayco. I can’t even get my visualisation to light.
Drayco leapt to his feet, hackles up, ears pricked. Someone comes!
She put her hand on his back. Still deaf, she couldn’t hear him growl but the vibration was palpable. How close?
Above us.
Makee?
Drayco’s tail lashed once as he sniffed the air. He sat on his haunches, his mouth slightly open. It’s a black falcon, whistling her head off. The Three Sisters, too.
Nell!
Drayco was on his feet again. Can’t you hear her? Run! Water’s coming. Makee’s made a flood.
A flood?
She’s cracked open Lake Drid!
What?
She’s going to blow the banks of Corsanon gorge. Drayco dashed forward.
Wait, Dray. The fire.
Run, Maudi! Fly! The fire will be washed away, and us too. A torrent comes!
Rosette leapt over the rocks, shape-shifting into a wolf before she cleared them. Her head throbbed, ears ached, but the urgency had finally lit the fire in her spine and the flames grew. She and Drayco ran hard, cutting across the cliff until they were forced to turn down the only track. The ground shook, boulders vibrating. They reached the valley and shot straight for the higher hills, the black falcon leading the way.
When Rosette crested the edge of the woods above Temple Corsanon, the falcon landed, morphing into Nell, the Three Sisters circling above. The shock wave smacked into her own as she shifted at the same time. Drayco squeezed his eyes shut.
Nell! She fell into her mother’s arms.
Are you all right?
I’m having a little trouble communicating, but I hear you fine now. Just stay in my head.
As they watched from the elevated position, Rosette realised the magnitude of Makee’s action. The witch had released a rush of water about to crack the gorge, draining it out, revealing the spell’s cairn, or at least placing it within reach. She must also have planned an even more ruthless tactic—the destruction of Temple Corsanon.
The temple! Nell, they spotted us.
Before Nell could respond, a wall of water crashed down the face of the mountain, plummeting into the gorge. It took with it trees, grass and boulders, the spray shooting up above the valley. The weight of the water cracked the