'They can't do that,' Pellaz said. 'That's my decision. He is my consort.'

'A lot of talk goes on behind your back, Pell. You've proved yourself to be a worthy ruler, in countless ways, but the Hegemony still believe they have the power. You are the figurehead, but brace yourself. I think you might find yourself facing a united front.'

Pellaz remembered what Caeru had said to him about opposition in the Hegemony. 'What is your opinion of Velaxis Shiraz?' he asked.

'Why?'

'Something Rue once said. Velaxis has heard rumors too, or at least he told Rue he had.'

'Velaxis serves nohar on the Hegemony,' Ashmael said. 'Don't misread our little spat back there. I admire him greatly, but I have his measure. I sometimes wonder who he does serve.'

'That's interesting.'

'I know the Hegemony is making plans,' Ashmael said. 'Or at least some of them are, but it is extremely clandestine. I don't know what goes on in your private world, Pell, but be careful. It's not beyond possibility that members of the Hegemony have already had talks with certain other hara. I trust you know what I'm speaking about?'

'I hope I don't,' Pellaz said. 'Would you speak to Velaxis for me, try to find out more? Rue has tried, but came up with nothing.'

'He'll only tell me anything if it is useful for him to do so. Just think on this: many tribes resent the Gelaming's power. Some might see it of benefit if one of their own was part of our administration, somehar who could perhaps make changes from the inside. I'm not saying this is of malign intent in their position, we would no doubt do the same. But you should be aware of any potential for manipulation. Don't let anyhar pull a fait accomplis out of the hat. Understand?'

Pellaz hesitated, then said carefully. 'How do you know, Ash? Has something been said?'

'Not overtly, but discrete departures from certain Phaonican gatherings were noticed with shall we say relish?'

's.h.i.t.'

Ashmael smiled. 'Quite. It might be that certain hara are innocent, so don't jump to conclusions, just be aware.'

'Your advice is noted. Thanks.'

Chapter Thirty-Three.

Pellaz was relieved to be able to take lunch with Herien and Rarn of the Kakkahaar, to tell them what he knew of Lileem. They went to The Epadocia, a hotel in Imbrilim which was renowned for its cuisine. After they were seated in the elegantly understated dining room, Pellaz told his companions to order whatever they pleased. He was amused to see how true to type they were, with their Kakkahaar love of luxury: they ordered the richest dishes on the menu. It was a pleasure to enlighten these apparently gentle hara, even if they were Kakkahaar and probably not gentle at all. The conversation took his mind off other matters.

'Once we learned about the Kamagrian,' Herien said, 'I asked Lianvis if we could search for Lileem among them. I knew it would be difficult, because of the Kamagrians' reclusive nature, but wanted to try.'

'Lianvis wouldn't allow it,' Rarn said. 'To be honest with you, tiahaar, part of the reason we're here with Lianvis now is to try and find information about our lost son. It is known Immanion has close links with the Kamagrian. We're delighted our search has been so easy.'

'Not that easy,' Pellaz said. 'Nohar can find her where she is now.'

'I'm just relieved to know somehar cared for her,' Herien said. 'When she was taken from us, it was hideous. We were comforted only by an irrational belief on my part that she would be safe. I can't explain it.'

'The Kamagrian call to their own,' Pellaz said, 'but if it hadn't been for Ulaume, it's doubtful she would have been found in time.'

Herien smiled wistfully. 'I find it hard to imagine him as a nurturing type.'

'I think Lileem helped change him for the better,' Pellaz said. 'I hope you'll be reunited with her one day.'

Rarn ducked his head. 'Your kindness will not be forgotten.'

As they were drinking coffee at the end of the meal, Lianvis joined them, having taken lunch with members of the Hegemony. He sat down in a flamboyant swirl of robes and hair. 'I am a celebrity here. I could get used to it.'

Pellaz laughed. 'I bet.'

'I can see why you stayed with the Gelaming, Pell. What a life you must lead.'

'It has its advantages.'

Half an hour later, Herien and Rarn excused themselves to use the bathroom, and once they were out of earshot, Lianvis adopted a more serious expression. 'There is something I must mention, which I hope is not indelicate.'

Pellaz took a sip of his coffee, holding the cup in two hands before his face. 'Go ahead. Shock me.'

'The discussion concerning the previous destruction of Fulminir. If Grissecon is required again, I offer you my services.'

Pellaz smiled widely, nodded slowly over his coffee cup. 'How generous of you. I will remember it.'

'I am not being facetious. Kakkahaar essence will be of use to you.'

'I know. You might be right. We'll have to see.'

'Please don't let past episodes colour your judgment.'

'I won't. Perhaps we should spend some time together.'

Lianvis raised his eyebrows and said sardonically, 'The starry eyed young har is dead. Long live the Tigron.'

Pellaz shrugged. 'You addressed the subject of aruna before I did. That is what we're talking about isn't it, continuing that training you once offered me?'

Lianvis looked the closest to fl.u.s.tered it was possible for him to get. 'And you are no longer terrified of or repulsed by us?'

'No.' Pellaz put down his cup. 'It will take some time to reach Fulminir, because we don't have enough sedim for everyhar. Also, if the sedim are in this realm, they are able to use their energy to protect rather than convey pa.s.sengers. We will speak further during the journey.'

Lianvis narrowed his eyes. 'Looking at you, I see Pellaz; listening to you, I hear somehar completely different.'

'That's because I am,' Pellaz said. He knew it sounded bitter.

Tharmifex had offered an invitation to the Kakkahaar to dine at his residence in Imbrilim that evening, and Pellaz was also invited. He knew he should accept. Whether Ashmael really knew anything about him and Galdra or not, the next day the Gelaming and their allies would begin the journey to Fulminir and Pellaz should have a clear head for it. He was now unnerved by the way he could not get Galdra out of his mind, even while he'd been speaking with Lianvis. Memories of the previous evening had kept flashing through his head. They made him slightly euphoric. The long afternoon, as he showed the Kakkahaar around the Hegemony areas of Imbrilim was a torment, but also exquisite, because of the potential that lay ahead. All day, Pellaz told himself he would not go to The Silver Eye at eight o'clock, even though he knew in his heart he had no intention of staying away. Strangely, what Ashmael had said to him had only fired his inner determination. He wasn't sure why. It also inspired a kind of recklessness.

At six o'clock, having said his goodbyes to the Kakkahaar, Pellaz went back to Abrimel's house. Vaysh was worried because Abrimel still hadn't appeared, but Pellaz could barely register his anxiety. 'I'm going out tonight,' he said.

'I heard Tharmifex had invited you to dinner,' Vaysh said. 'Ashmael is in conference with the rest of the Hegemony about the final plans for tomorrow. Perhaps you should be there instead.'

'They will tell me their decisions,' Pellaz said. 'I need to relax tonight.'

'Rue has sent you a message. I made a transcription. He wants to know how things are going.'

'I'll look at it later. I'm going to take a bath. Keep everyhar away.'

Vaysh appeared suspicious. 'Are you sure you're all right, Pell? You don't seem yourself.'

'Of course I'm not all right. I'm going on a h.e.l.lish journey to h.e.l.l tomorrow!' He rolled his eyes. 'For the Ag's sake, Vaysh, let me be!'

'I'll run your bath.'

'Thank you.'

Pellaz wandered into the bathroom as Vaysh was finishing up laying out the towels for him. 'You know,' Vaysh said, 'this is going to sound strange, but I keep getting flashes of dej vu.'

'Oh?' Pellaz said, not wishing to enquire further.

'Yes, of Ferelithia, when you met Rue. I wonder why that is?'

Pellaz looked Vaysh in the eye. 'I don't know. Perhaps you pay too much attention to gossip.'

'Perhaps it's more to do with how well I know you?'

'Perhaps it is. Enjoy Ferelithia, Vaysh, it had its moments.'

'And some of them you bitterly regretted. Might be worth remembering that.'

'Oh, I will.'

'What time will you be back from Tharmifex's?'

'Don't wait up.'

Pellaz adopted a cursory disguise, knowing that if he swathed himself too deeply in a cloak and hood, he'd appear more suspicious than if he just sc.r.a.ped up his hair and hid it beneath a wide brimmed hat. It was doubtful anyhar in The Silver Eye would expect the Tigron to patronise such an establishment. Nohar would recognise him.

When he arrived, the bar was already full. Many of the patrons were Ashmael's warriors: they clearly had no wish to retain clear heads for the morning. The atmosphere was tense and rowdy. Although the warriors swaggered around, enjoying the attention they attracted, Pellaz could tell they were also anxious. Nohar knew what would happen at Fulminir. There were no guarantees the Gelaming had superior force. Pellaz observed groups of hara who would remain in Imbrilim making toasts to those who wouldn't. It was extremely likely that some of them would not return. Everyhar was so intent on their own activities, hardly one of them paid Pellaz attention as he approached the bar and asked which room housed Flick Sarestes.

The pot har barely glanced at him. 'You're his visitor, right? First room on the left at the top of the stairs. You taking a drink up?'

'I'll take a flagon of your best wine; red, if you have it.'

The pot har looked at him then, and grinned lasciviously. 'You leavin' tomorrow?'

'Yeah.'

'Best of luck, har. Guess you'll need it. Get in all you can tonight.'

'That's my plan.'

Pellaz shared a conspiratorial and somewhat bawdy laugh with the pot har: it was blissful to be free of his Tigron mask, to talk like an ordinary har, instead of weaving a complexity of formal words. He took the dripping flagon that was offered to him and went to the stairs, which were situated behind a curtain at the back of the bar. Halfway up the staircase, he stood still for some moments. He couldn't a.n.a.lyze his feelings. At the top of the stairs he knocked on the door and heard Galdra say, 'It's open.'

The room was lit only by a dim lamp, next to the bed, where Galdra was lying, fully clothed, his long body stretched out.

'Am I late?' Pellaz asked, putting the wine flagon down on a table by the door. He took off his coat and hat, let his hair tumble down, knowing what a spectacle that must make.

'I don't know. I've been here a while. Took the room late this afternoon.'

'You were helpful this morning at the Hegalion,' Pellaz said. 'Hara look up to you. I think you have more influence over the majority than we do.'

'I'm one of them,' Galdra said.

'I know that.' Pellaz remained by the door, and poured himself a cup of wine. When he tasted it, its consistency was thick in his mouth, like blood. 'Want a drink?'

'I already have one,' Galdra said. He sounded defensive.

Pellaz came further into the room and stood at the foot of the bed. 'I think a member of the Hegemony has spoken to you, perhaps more than one of them. Am I right?'

'Many hara have spoken to me, including some of your Hegemony. As you said, hara look up to me. Your government sees the uses in that.'

'I'm sure they do.'

'Are you trying to tell me something?'

'No. I just want you to be aware I know, that's all.'

Galdra frowned quizzically. 'You're not making sense. What's the matter?'

'I wonder why you haven't asked me what Ashmael Aldebaran meant this morning, when he made those rather inflammatory remarks.'

'You've just got here! One foot through the door and you're all spikes and growls. Okay, here's what I think: what Aldebaran said made sense to me. Why should I question it? I imagine that a host of hara would be eager to take Cal's place, if it were an option.'

'Are you one of them?'

'I don't want his place, Pell. I'm not that stupid. What I want from you is beyond political jostling and intrigue. I thought you knew that.'

'What do you want?'

'Your body against mine. Whatever we can enjoy, for however long. It's all on your terms. I've accepted that.'

Pellaz sat down on the bed and Galdra reached for one of his hands. 'Hey,' he murmured. 'Forget them all for a while. It's not why you're here.'

Pellaz drank the rest of the wine, grimaced and put the cup on the floor. 'You have been with me all day. You're inside me.'

'Am I? I thought that was forbidden.' Galdra's tone was light.

Pellaz lifted Galdra's hand, kissed it. 'No. It's all I've thought about. I shouldn't be here, for several reasons, some of which you don't even know about, but for tonight, I just want you, Galdra. I will be with you in heart and soul, as well as mind. I am so empty. You can fill me. And I need that for what I must face in the weeks ahead.'

Galdra squeezed his hand. 'Lock the door, Pell. I think you should.'

Pellaz nodded. He rose from the bed and went to turn the key. Then he picked up the wine flagon and returned to the bed. Galdra was undressing beside it, his hair startlingly pale against his tanned skin. His body looked so much like Cal's it was uncanny: lean and sculpted and perfect. Pellaz pressed his cheek in the hollow between Galdra's shoulder blades. He curled his arms around that warm body from behind and inhaled deeply. The smell of a har, so beautiful, like soft, sunlit fur. 'Take me back,' Pellaz said.