Sins of Calate: BOOK II OF THE FOUR REALMS SERIES

Part VII | Theodan

At the foot of the Balck rock, Ismene performed some illusory deception on the guard so that he'd appeared not to see him at all. He'd watched with interest as her instruction to leave the prisoner in solitude until the Isdar sent for him was met with only a meek nod and the words, 'Yes, Visier.'

How far did such a skill stretch, he wondered? He knew abilities varied between Visier's; their strength and mastery dependent on the mind that wielded them. Some Visier's were cursed as he was, with only visions. Others had the faculty of influence, rarer still was the aptitude for illusion. Had his own abilities altered with the High One's succession? He felt the same.

After dealing with the guard Ismene allowed him to help her up into the saddle behind him, and she moved to hand him the strap of the harness. Nux was pleased to see him, whinnying softly as he ran his palm over her forelock and whispered a gentle greeting against her ear.

Ismene held onto him less forcefully than Fara, even as they'd raced at speed toward the lip of the stone island and took to the air over its blustery black coastline. When they were high above the trees of Qias he turned Nux south toward the capital.

It was not long before it appeared ahead of them, its lights flickering like candles against the night sky. Guiding Nux slowly into land, he chose a stretch of field east of the large villa, riding south to the edge of the Sacress grove which enclosed the Isdar's land. He had to hope that Orrin remained at Court. He had the Ceremony of The Rites to oversee, Panos of Calate to interrogate, his own trial to arrange. But if he was not...

'Who resides here?' Asked Ismene as he climbed down from the saddle.

'A friend I hope,' he told her. 'It is best you stay here with the Varveh, I do not know what I may encounter inside.' They were far enough away from the stables that the other Varveh should not scent them and whinny-- he'd chosen a precise spot beyond the pungent sacress field for this reason-- but it meant a sprint to the terrace at speed, which Ismene could not hope to match him in.

'Then it is best you best take me with you,' she said, already unfastening herself from the saddle. 'My assistance may be all that saves you from a return to the Balck Rock.'

He could not argue against her logic. For if Orrin was inside then Ismene's presence meant he would not require any kind of force.

'You would be prepared to confront the Isdar to save me?'

She slid down from the saddle and froze, glancing behind him. 'This is Orrin's residence?' She looked uncertain for a moment as she took in the large estate.

'It is.'

Some look of steely resolve settled on her face as she nodded. 'All the more reason why I should accompany you.'

'Why are you doing this?' He asked again, studying her closely. 'Why are you assisting me?' For it was about more than freeing her from her gilded cage, of this he was certain.

She averted her eyes from his and smoothed out the creases of her gown. 'I told you, I have my reasons.' When she caught the look on his face she narrowed her eyes. 'I am certainly not here because I enjoy your company, warrior, if that is what you are inferring.'

'Gods, certainly not. My mind has not gone yet to madness.'

She made a 'hmph' noise but he was sure he caught a small sliver of a smile tug at one corner of her mouth before it disappeared.

'Let us go,' she said impatiently. 'There is no way to know if the weave I placed upon the Balck guard will hold; each mind is a different landscape. Or mayhaps the Isdar will send for you before it fades.'