Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [203]
She followed his gaze across the gorge to the sheer slopes of Los Loma Prieta. ‘I wanted to bask in our achievement.’ She turned back the way they’d come; the mountain track was fringed in gold poppies and deep purple violets. ‘I want everyone to bask. Are they coming?’
‘Bards, scribes, mentors, apprentices, elders and toddlers, they’re all on their way.’
Timbali Temple is crossing the pass and Treeon’s right behind them, Maudi. Bangeesh is already here. Everyone’s ready to celebrate.
‘It will take their breath away, Drayco. I know it does mine.’
They walked to the edge of the gorge, the breeze rippling across the grass like an invisible hand. A herd of grunnies dotted the valley, black specks on a golden carpet. Across the way, carved from the side of the mountain, stood Temple Los Loma Prieta in all her glory.
‘We did it,’ Rosette said.
Jarrod turned her face to his and kissed her. ‘It’s magnificent,’ he whispered, not letting her go.
The cliffs were terraced, the wide steps sprouting tall maples, crimson in the early autumn. Birch, elm and cherry trees hugged the slopes and hanging baskets of late-blooming orchids and fairy ferns lined the archways. The temple itself formed a relief out of the side of the mountain, the towers, balconies and spiralling steps cut from white granite and blue-veined marble. On top of the turrets, flags snapped in the wind—orange and yellow, black, red, purple and green. The main windows were two storeys high, the bell tower twice as tall.
‘And that’s only the entrance,’ Rosette said, finding his hand and lacing her fingers in his.
The catacombs of Los Loma lay beyond the cliff face, lit to the depths with mirrors, the long hallways and many rooms refurbished—a place of reverie, craft, initiation and apprenticeship.
‘Temple Los Loma is the star in Gaela’s crown,’ he said.
She squeezed his hand and brought it to her lips.
Music floated on the wind and they turned. Clay was setting the bards up at the base of a knoll, and tunes echoed through the mountain valley. She smiled then her hands lifted over her head and she started clapping and dancing. Clay joined them, still strumming his guitar while he chatted. ‘Perfect acoustics up here,’ he said, beaming.
‘I see that.’ Rosette smiled. ‘Not the same without Shane, though.’
‘I miss his flute already. Any word?’
‘No, but I escorted him back myself,’ Jarrod said. ‘He’s safe and sound in Tensar.’ He chuckled. ‘Selene and a young fiddle player were there to meet him.’
‘The right Tensar then?’
Rosette gave Clay’s shoulder a playful shove. ‘I think so. And don’t complain. If we sent you back to your right time, you’d be dead.’ She laughed.
‘I’m not complaining!’ He slapped the guitar as he strummed, shifting the bards into a driving syncopated rhythm. Rosette surveyed the festival grounds. ‘Where’s Annadusa? Grayson?’
Maluka’s head came up. ‘They’re coming.’
‘Will there be enough food? Are the tables here?’ Rosette shaded her eyes and looked up the path. ‘I don’t see them.’
‘Relax, my queen.’ Jarrod kissed her cheek.
‘Our first equinox as a fully recognised temple! If Kreshkali and Teg don’t get back in time…’
Behind, Maudi.
Rosette spun around.
‘You keep grinning like that and you’ll burst,’ Kali said as she came up the pathway. Teg was at her side, his face serene, eyes dancing.
‘You’re back! I was worried you wouldn’t make it.’ She hugged her mother, kissing her soundly.
‘And miss the first official celebration? No chance.’
Rosette leaned towards Teg, kissing his cheeks, one and the other, and his lips. ‘Anything?’ she whispered. ‘Could you get through at all?’
Kreshkali shook her head. ‘It’s sealed off.