The White Road - Lynn Flewelling [61]
And then I could unlock the secrets of the use of a rhekaro, perhaps even make one for myself! Of course that would mean possessing young Alec, as well.
"Do you think the books are still there?"
"Ilban never allows anyone to touch them. I think his servant Ahmol and I are the only ones who know about them."
Ulan sat there for some time after Ilar went back to his room, pondering deeply. Ilar was the only one who knew what the books looked like. If they had been moved, only he could identify them. It seemed Ilar might be of use after all.
He'd had no word from Elisir in weeks and had to assume that Seregil and Alec, and therefore the rhekaro, were still safely in Bokthersa.
"Patience," he whispered as he gazed out over his beloved city and the harbor below. No, he was not ready to give up all this.
But patience had its limits.
Returning to his library, he settled at the desk there and began a letter to his nephew. Alchemists were not the only ones to use code.
CHAPTER 14
Moonlight and Snow
IN SKALA, the last night of Cinrin--the longest in the calendar--was celebrated with Mourning Night, when the Immortal, Sakor, died, to be reborn the next day. Here in Aurenen, it was a celebration of the first moonrise of the new year. Bokthersa everyone gathered in rooftop colos to watch the full moon come up over the mountains.
Bonfires were lit a few hours before sunset and people gathered around them to drink cold tea and a special sweet soup, served by the older children. Adzriel gave everyone gifts of jewelry made out of silver, many of which had been fashioned by Akaien. In addition to two torques set with polished garnets, Adzriel presented Alec with a fine cloak pin and Seregil with a small traveler's harp inlaid with shell pearl.
"Think of your people whenever you play it, Haba," she told him. "And I'll expect you to play at the dance tonight."
Later, Alec and Micum stood in silence with Seregil and his family in the central colos of the clan house and watched the first pale glimmer of moon glow appear over the eastern peaks. He truly felt like he belonged here now; that he was really part of this clan, this family, even though they were leaving soon. Sebrahn stood between him and Seregil, holding their mittened hands and looking up at the night sky. Alec had explained the event to him, hoping he'd understand at least some of it.
The glow over the mountains slowly brightened expanding into a gauzy nimbus so bright Alec could even make out the trees on the peaks.
As the edge of the moon appeared over the mountain, everyone began to sing.
Blessings of Aura descend in the moon's glow.
People of Aura, bathe in the light.
Blood of the Dragon runs in our veins,
Shed on our land in the long-ago night.
Blessings of Aura, reborn in our sight
Blessings of Aura, the Lightbearer's gift.
The verse was repeated over and over, and echoed among the peaks, doubling and trebling, almost harmonizing with the voices.
Blood of the Dragon runs in our veins--A chill ran up Alec's spine. He was not a dragon! The dragon had said so.
"Alec, look," Seregil whispered, jarring him out of his dark thoughts.
Something dark moving against the stars.
"Drak-kon," said Sebrahn, his eyes like silver coins in the moonlight. Raising his arms, he sang a single clear note, the same one he'd sung to Tyrus's great dragon. Startled looks came their way, and Alec wondered uneasily if Sebrahn was calling the dragons down from the sky.
Little dragonlings fluttered into the colos to light on Sebrahn's shoulders, and Alec's, but the ones overhead remained in the sky, a huge one surrounded by countless others of all sizes.
"Is that Tyrus's dragon?" Alec asked, amazed and delighted. This must be the surprise Seregil had spoken of.
"It is," Seregil replied, smiling. "I wanted to watch this with you. And you, too, of course, Micum."
Micum