Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [176]
‘If it’s who I think, I underestimated her.’
Their food came and the bards set to it like famished pups. Kreshkali ate lightly, keeping an eye on the front and back doors. Clay stopped before taking a huge mouthful. ‘Are we being watched?’ he whispered.
‘That’s always a good question to ask,’ she said. She pushed her bowl away. ‘And where is Rosette, if you were meant to be sticking to her side?’
‘She and Teg were running straight to the Dumarkian Woods.’
‘And Drayco, of course,’ Shane said around a mouthful of bread. ‘They’d be there now.’
Kreshkali downed her wine. ‘Look at me, both of you. I don’t want you to misunderstand any of this.’ She had their attention. ‘Stay here. Stay put.’ They were about to protest and she held up her hand. ‘There’s a wave about to break that’ll wash the land clean. I don’t want you caught in the undertow.’ She picked up her staff, nodded to them and left.
Shane resumed chewing. ‘We’re meant to sit on the sidelines? Is that it?’
Clay folded his arms, slowly shaking his head. ‘Not on your life.’
This way, Maudi.
She could see Drayco’s tail in front of her but not his body. He disappeared into the fog. Wait up, Dray. There’s water nearby. I can smell it.
Is it the creek beside the temple? Teg asked.
Both are here. Temple and creek. Drayco snapped his tail and she followed him to the water’s edge, the railing of the bridge just visible above the mist. They crossed it, the arch rising high over the clearing, the outline of the temple grounds before them.
Ruins, Maudi. They are gone.
‘I’d hoped to see them but it’s too late.’
Teg took her hand and squeezed it. ‘As planned, I think,’ he said.
She turned to him, touching her ear and shaking her head.
As planned, I said.
She nodded.
The wind picked up, the tips of the trees swaying like paintbrushes against the starry sky. The crescent moon gleamed, winking in and out behind trailing clouds. A white light illuminated the ruins, the steps discernible only on one side, the other having given way to erosion. They rose up out of the mist, like the edge of an ancient coastline. Where the steps were still intact, moss and leaf covered them, the stones protruding like bleached jawbones. Trees grew in the centre of the grounds—tall redwoods and a single weeping willow near the other side of the bridge. She let her eyes rest long upon the willow. Tears fell down her cheeks.
What’s wrong, Maudi?
I don’t know. She brushed her cheeks. Everyone’s gone.
Not everyone.
They crossed to the other side and the vibration of their boots clicking over the stones ran up her legs. A faint echo of the rhythm sounded. She rubbed her ears, wincing.
You okay, Maudi?
I’d be better if I could hear. It’s eerie in this silence, with only some tones coming through.
I listen for you.
Thank you, lovely.
She explored. A huge slab lay on its side, the monolith once a central support. Vines crisscrossed its surface, brambles growing where sacred fires had burned. Rosette pointed her nose at the night sky, sniffing the breeze. A bird of prey whistled. She heard that shrill call clearly enough. It circled high above. ‘Kreshkali,’ she whispered. ‘She’s here.’
She held out her arm, noticing Teg do the same. He lowered his, taking a step back. The black falcon landed, back-winging onto Rosette’s forearm. She perched there for a moment, tilting her head, wings not quite folded over her back. In a burst of energy she leapt off Rosette’s arm, shifting into human form before her feet touched the ground.
Rosette shut her eyes, opening them slowly when the gust dissipated. Kreshkali and Teg were staring at each other, a silent exchange. Drayco’s tail snapped, and Kali turned to her. ‘You made it here in good time,’ she said.
Rosette cupped her hand behind her ear.
We made it in good time, Teg repeated.
We did, but has anyone else?
Hotha comes, Kreshkali said, using her mental voice.
With how many Lupins? Teg asked.
His voice sounded different. It was low and smooth—a new confidence. He must have passed some test he didn’t tell her about. Good.
With more