You are with me now. You're safe. When you leave, I'll show you how to close the seal. But the fact that it was left open by the trauma of what you did means we have made astounding discoveries. Now listen to me. Tonight, I will summon the dehara through the cauldron. You are on the inside of Fulminir. I think you might be able to work with me and manifest them within the walls.

Moon simply stared at his hura, and Pellaz could tell he was not too happy about the idea.

There's no reason to be afraid, Moon. I will be there. You must trust me.

I do... Moon's expression was anxious. But we have to help Aleeme and Azriel. We can't leave them. They're in great danger.

Hara are ready to bring them out of Fulminir, Moon. You must trust me on that, too. Our task is to pull Ponclast's claws, and leave others to deal with everything else.

I'm not sure how much I'll be able to help. I've never done this before.

Pellaz reached out and touched Moon's face. You are strong, Moon. You are the son I should have had.

Pellaz... Abrimel is in Fulminir. He's with Ponclast.

I know.

Cal found out... He took us to Fulminir to try and rescue the Parasilians.

The mere mention of Cal's name affected Pellaz greatly. He became acutely conscious of where he was and what he was doing. I can't speak of this now, Moon. It's not appropriate.

Before Moon could respond to this, Lileem's voice shot into the garden like an arrow. We are coming!

Who's that? Moon asked. He's not har, I can tell.

It is Lileem, she is Kamagrian...

I know of her. Tyson knows her.

Yes. Just before you got here, she picked up a trace of another our family. I think it's Snake. She must be guiding him here.

No! Moon said. I mean, he mustn't see me here. He'll be...

Hush! Pellaz commanded. He is har, as you are. You're an adult, Moon. Stop behaving like a harling and he won't treat you like one.

Even in etheric form, Moon appeared dazed and a little sick. I feel very strange. This is like a dream... or a nightmare, not sure which.

It's real, Moon. You are privileged, an explorer, an architect of inner s.p.a.ce!

Moon smiled at that.

At that moment, a pinp.r.i.c.k of deep green radiance manifested beside them. It pulsed like a star for several seconds and then expanded with a flash to reveal the forms of Lileem and Snake. In this reality, Snake appeared undamaged, his limbs strong and straight. He was a commanding presence: Pellaz could feel his strength. For a moment he perceived Snake as Dorado, the boy he had once been. They had never been that close as humans. Pellaz was glad that had changed.

Welcome, Snake, Pellaz said. Who would have thought we'd ever meet like this? The boys we used to be could never have conceived of a life such as this, meeting as shades in a realm of the imagination.

Snake shook his head. Pellaz, this is a shock. Your friend has explained some of it to me, but it's almost too incredible to believe. Only the evidence of my senses persuades me this is not a hallucination. He looked at his son. It appears your education has progressed in leaps and bounds, Moon. I do wonder, however, how you and Pellaz are here together.

We are not here together, as you put it, Pellaz said. Moon is with Tyson, inside Fulminir.

What? Snake's form began to pulse with angry colours.

I'm safe, Moon said. Ty and I are helping the Gelaming. We know what we're doing.

Who are you with, Snake? Pellaz asked. I presume you are in the process of taking aruna? What are you doing? Making a pearl?

I am with Cobweb, Snake replied, but we are not making a pearl. We are healing my physical body. As you have learned things, so have I. This is no idealised vision of me you see before you, brother. This is how I am now.

Cevarros, said Lileem. You are one and the same. It's no coincidence all three of you have had these experiences.

Will you help us tonight? Pellaz asked Snake.

I feel I have the strength to take on Fulminir single-handedly, Snake replied. So, yes. He eyed Moon speculatively. However, I want explanations as soon as possible. Moon in Fulminir? He shook his head. The explanations had better be good.

They are, Pellaz said. I wish we'd made these discoveries earlier. Terez could have joined us. There is not enough time for him and Raven to learn this technique now.

Pellaz perceived a flex in Lileem's essence: it had been caused by the mention of Terez. She would not ask about him, but Pellaz guided a private message to her: he is chesna with a har named Raven, yes. You should know this. It is the har who incepted him.

Pellaz, Lileem said. I sense that Moon will leave here shortly. Tyson is losing control. You must tell him what he needs to know.

Moon's appearance had become insubstantial, a glimmering outline.

Moon, leave your seal open for now, Pellaz said. It shouldn't harm you for this short time longer. I will contact you very soon, by mind touch. Be ready to enter this state again.

Pellaz sensed Moon hesitate.

I am with Tyson and Snake is with Cobweb, Moon said. Who are you working with, Pellaz?

Galdra, Pellaz replied. Galdra har Freyh.e.l.la.

Chapter Thirty-Eight.

Shortly before sundown, the air within Fulminir's walls changed colour. It was not something that could be perceived with the physical eye, but more like a miasma of otherness that settled over the ruins. Moon, still sitting with Tyson in the courtyard, was filled with dread. 'Something is coming,' he said.

'Yes,' Tyson agreed. 'I can sense great activity, everywhere. I still feel weird, as if all my perceptions are more acute.'

'Me too.'

Strange noises impinged upon Moon's inner ear; heavy, snorting breath, a rumble like thunder.

'Whatever it is, it's hideous,' Moon said.

'I wish Pellaz would get us out of here,' Tyson said. 'I wonder whether we're capable of doing what he asks of us. He just says, 'oh, keep aruna going', as if that's easy. It really isn't. While you were communing with him earlier, it felt like I was holding the entire universe on my back and at the same time had to resist the urge to breathe! Holding back on aruna is like that you have no idea. The ouana partner is responsible for sustaining the state, and it hurts. It's like suffocating. I have to remain utterly still, yet also charged, so aruna can continue. Do you understand what I mean?'

'Sort of,' Moon said. 'You make it sound like my part is the easier one.'

'I think it is. And Pellaz wants us to manifest dehara while I'm like that, hanging on to sanity and existence with my bare hands? Aruna has peaked, yet it has gone beyond itself, as if reaching for a higher peak. My instinct is to let go, which presumably normally involves creating a pearl.'

'But you managed it, Ty, and you've never done it before. That says a lot.'

Tyson pulled a wry face. 'Yeah, that's true. Weirdly enough, once we'd started I knew exactly what to do and how to be, but I'm not sure how long I can sustain it for. I'm still shaken up from the last time. Moon, this is dangerous. We're not trained for it. I'm only of Acantha level.'

'I know we're not trained,' Moon said. 'I'm the same caste level as you. But I don't think we have any choice. We have to help, if we can.'

Tyson rubbed his face for some moments, then laughed uncertainly. 'By Aghama, I know I said that making pearls wasn't the whole focus of intense aruna, but I had no idea it'd be like this. I wish I'd kept quiet. I don't want our union to be simply this: some kind of machine or vehicle. It feels equally wrong. I have a desperate desire to be sentimental and romantic, go back to the ways things used to be between hara. Knowledge isn't always good.'

Moon reached out and touched Tyson's arm. 'I promise you, we'll have the good things too.'

'I hope it's possible, after this.'

Moon took Tyson in his arms, but was disturbed by a sound behind him. He looked round and saw Cal standing at the threshold to the yard. Cal appeared tense, slightly distracted.

'Where have you been?' Moon asked.

Cal shook his head. 'It doesn't matter. Moon, I need you to come with me now.'

Moon pulled away from Tyson. 'Where?'

Cal raked a hand through his hair. 'It's time to get the Parasilians out of here. Things are about to start happening. I can take one other with me into the otherlanes. It has to be you, Moon.'

'Why him?' Tyson snapped.

Cal looked his son in the eye. 'Because he is Pell's sori. Because I can connect with him in a certain way. I've a feeling I'll need that.' He gestured at Moon to get to his feet. 'I know Azriel and Aleeme's locations and for the first time Ponclast's guard is down. He's occupied with other things, but I can't do this alone. I need your help.'

'I... I can't,' Moon said. 'There's something we have to... Cal, we've been in touch with Pellaz. He has a job for us.'

A strange expression flickered briefly across Cal's face. 'The point of us being here is to help the Parasilians,' he said, in a flat tone. 'Pellaz does not need you. Azriel and Aleeme do.'

'Aren't you curious about Pell?' Tyson asked. 'He dragged Moon into the cauldron of creation. He made us do this bizarre aruna.'

'I'm sure,' Cal said, dismissively. 'Listen, Ponclast has put me into confinement. I've slipped away from my guards, using the otherlanes, but they'll keep a check on me. Also, some of the ent.i.ties floating around here will pick up on my activities. We don't have much time. Once Aleeme and Azriel are safe, I'll get you out too.'

'We can't...' Moon said.

'Shut up, Moon. Come to me. Now. I hope this won't take long.'

Cal's violet gaze was compelling. He appeared calm on the surface, but it was as if he could explode into violence at any moment. Moon realised he was too frightened to disobey. He got to his feet and went to the doorway, despite a sound of distress from Tyson.

'I'll look after him, Ty,' Cal said. 'Don't fear. We'll be back before you know it.'

Cal put his arms around Moon's body. 'Hold tight,' he said, 'this might be a b.u.mpy ride for you.'

It was. When a har travels the otherlanes without the use of a sedu, the experience is far from smooth. Strange winds buffeted Moon's body. He sensed mighty, ferocious presences all around him, streaking past, leaving trails of black flame.

Teraphim Cal told him. Pay no heed. They are engrossed in preparations to confront their enemies, the sedim. We are no more than insects to them.

There were screams upon the ether, terrible cries of rage. It was as if a great battle was about to start, all around them, but which they could barely perceive. The journey took mere seconds, but it felt like an eternity.

When Cal and Moon squeezed back into earthly reality, they were in a dank cell, where the only light came from an ancient oil lamp on the floor. The glow it gave off was weak, as if the oil was about to run out. There was a close feeling to the air that advised Moon they were far underground.

A har was chained to the wall, in an uncomfortable position that was half sitting, half standing, his arms above his head. Once he noticed Cal and Moon standing before him, the har moved feebly and turned his face against the wall. He had seen them manifest like spirits. He must be terrified.

'Azriel Parasiel,' Cal said, in a clear ringing tone. 'Don't be afraid. We are here to help you. Look at us. Moon's here. You know Moon, remember?'

Moon put a hand over his mouth, swallowed thickly. The air stank of excrement and rot. Now that his eyes were adjusting to the dim light, he could see that Azriel had been left to squat in his own filth. The Parasilian was barely more than a skeleton, covered in rags. Cal went to his side, but Moon hung back. He was extremely reluctant to approach the prisoner, because what he saw before him hardly resembled the Azriel he knew. It was obscene.

'Moon, here!' Cal commanded. 'Now. Hurry up.'

Moon obeyed, averting his eyes from the pitiful mask of Azriel's wasted face, in which it appeared very little intelligence remained.

'We have to break the chains,' Cal said. 'I need your energy, Moon. Link with me. Give me your hands. I'll direct the blast.'

Azriel whimpered and struggled in his bonds, as Moon hunkered down beside Cal. Cal's hands, when Moon took them in his hold, were dry and extremely hot. He felt Cal's mind brush against his own, alien yet strangely familiar, perhaps because of Tyson.

You're familiar too, Cal said in mind touch, and for a moment Moon experienced a white hot arrow of emotional pain from him, which Cal crushed at once. He drew energy from Moon's being and melded it with his own, to form a spear of intention, which he directed as a pyrokinetic blast to the bonds around Azriel's wrists. There was a flash of bright orange light, and the air filled with an acrid smell of metal and burning. Azriel slumped to the ground.

'Wait for me,' Cal said. He picked Azriel up and, without further words, pa.s.sed into the otherlanes.

Moon was left alone, stunned. He could hear liquid dripping onto stone somewhere, a thick slow sound. He was surrounded by the fetid stench that seemed to crawl through his hair and slither down his throat. He could not imagine how Azriel had survived this place for so long, but maybe he was mad now, lost forever. Moon felt faint. He was sure his own sanity was beginning to trickle out of him, simply by being there.

Then, with a m.u.f.fled pop, Cal stepped out of the air beside him. 'You ready?'

'Yes, where did you take Az?'

Cal smiled in a cold manner, his eyes were bleak. 'To the edge of the Gelaming camp. I delivered him into the hands of a rather startled har. Never mind that. We have to move fast.' He grabbed hold of Moon roughly, twisting them into the otherlanes, where nothing was real, where unseen presences snickered like demons and plucked at their clothes, but which still felt far better than Azriel's wretched cell.

Ponclast will feel this Cal said. Soon, he will have my room checked. Then you have to leave.

What about you? What are you going to do?

Cal did not answer. At that moment, he pushed them out of the otherlanes. Moon took a deep breath involuntarily, and immediately wished he hadn't. This time, they were not in a cell, but this did not make it a better place. It was a tower room, with windows that had no gla.s.s. Outside, all that could be seen was sky, the first stars appearing in the deepening blue. The immensity of the sky, that glimpse of heaven, contrasted starkly with the contents of the room. There was a mattress on the floor, on which lay a har, or the body of a har. The smell in this place was worse than that of excrement.

As Cal approached the bed, Moon heard a mewling sound. He saw a very young harling crouching among the dirty coverings, and it wept with terror, or perhaps pain. It was emaciated, its head too big for its body.

Moon took a few steps toward the bed. He hardly dared look at what else must lie there. Cal pulled back the filthy sheet and Moon gagged and turned away. 'He's dead,' he said, 'Sweet Ag, he's dead!'

The sight he'd glimpsed would remain with him forever: Aleeme's withered body unrecognizable, covered in dried blood, discoloured. A pearl lay between his splayed legs, its covering ruptured. The harling within it was dead and rotting. It looked like its hostling had died delivering it, his soume-lame and lower body were black. Moon had to vomit, he couldn't prevent himself. His stomach convulsed again and again. He wouldn't have been surprised to discover he was bringing up dead flies or metal pins. Nothing about this situation was ordinary.

After some moments, Moon wiped his mouth and straightened up. He felt light-headed, hardly there. Cal was just standing before the bed, staring. He appeared to be in shock, but surely Cal could never be shocked. Then, he leaned down and touched Aleeme's body lightly in several places. 'Moon,' he said. 'Come here.'

'No,' Moon said hoa.r.s.ely, shaking his head. 'Let's just take the harling and get out of here.'

Cal did not look at him. 'We can't', 'he said. 'Aleeme is not yet dead.'