Hara stepped aside when they realised who had pushed among them. Cal stared at Pellaz for some moments, then hunkered down beside him. He brushed Pell's hair back with one hand. 'Pellaz,' he said, and let his hand rest against Pell's head. 'Hear me. Let him go.'

He did not have to speak those words aloud, and perhaps did so merely to inform or remind the hara present of who and what he was. All was silent as Cal remained crouched at Pell's side. Even the sounds from beyond the circle seemed hushed. Then Pellaz uttered a sound that was half gasp, half cry, and his head jerked up.

Cal withdrew his hand. He stood up and turned to Lianvis. 'Lift him,' he said, and walked past Tyson and Moon back toward the site entrance.

Lianvis gestured at two hara dressed in similar attire to himself, who must be fellow Kakkahaar. Moon had to watch in ghoulish curiosity as they separated Pellaz and Galdra. He knew he should really look away, but it was too fascinating.

'That,' said Tyson, 'is unreal! No wonder Pellaz used that har for this Grissecon. Did you see...'

'Ty, shut up,' Moon interrupted. 'We should go after Cal.'

Chapter Forty-Two.

They found Cal at the healing pavilions asking earnest questions of harried healers about Azriel and Aleeme. Moon wasn't deceived. Behind Cal's focused concern, panic was fluttering like a trapped bird. He didn't feel good at all. He didn't know what had happened to his world. Reality and truth had just reared up and slapped his face. The blow had obviously dislodged some scales from his eyes.

Moon wandered into the crowded pavilions, leaving Tyson to stand by his hostling at the entrance and wonder why Cal was babbling. Moon walked between long rows of beds in the dim light of the tents, where the smell of crushed gra.s.s mixed with the stench of blood. Teraghasts and hara of other tribes lay side by side. The Teraghasts in that place were in no condition to attack or try to escape. Most lay motionless. Moon knew he should offer to help, because it was clear everyhar there was worked off his feet, but Moon caught glimpses of the injuries and couldn't bring himself to look closer. Walking through those long tents was like a sickening nightmare, being too scared to look anywhere but straight ahead. Still, he made himself do it.

The healers wouldn't let Moon near Aleeme, who was in a sectioned off area for critical cases, but he found Azriel lying on a low pallet, staring at the gently swaying ceiling. Moon spoke, but Azriel didn't appear to hear him. The healers had cleaned him up, but he wasn't there. Moon hoped that Azriel was deep inside himself and would one day come back. He didn't want to think about the alternatives.

The Gelaming had set up a large canteen tent where food and drink was available for all personnel. Once Moon came out of the healing pavilions, Cal decided they should go and eat. In the aftermath of the conflict, warriors with minor wounds ate breakfast jovially together. Looking at their faces, Moon realised many of them were surprised to find themselves still alive. In the camp around them, tents were already coming down as the tribes made preparations to return home. At some point in the future, there would be a big victory celebration in Immanion, but by that time many hara would be immersed once more in their everyday lives and would tell themselves they hadn't got the time to travel. Relations with the Gelaming would never be the same again, because the Gelaming had proved their point. Moon could sense that some hara were already thinking about that and that it made them uncomfortable.

Cal found them an open air table near the edge of the crowds and sent Tyson and Moon to fetch trays of food. This required lengthy queuing, and by the time they returned to Cal he had a companion. Moon recognised the long-haired Kakkahaar who had spoken to Cal at the Grissecon site. 'This is Lianvis,' Cal said, gesturing across the table.

Moon and Tyson sat down, each uttering a muttered greeting. Moon could tell the Kakkahaar was attracting a lot of attention from hara nearby. He must be here simply because he'd been looking for Cal. It struck Moon as odd then that a Tigron of Immanion could wander among ordinary hara, as Cal was doing, and not attract attention. Blending in was one of Cal's talents.

'This must be your son,' Lianvis said to Cal, while looking at Tyson. 'You are very much alike.'

'And this is Moon,' Cal said, 'Pell's sori.'

'Again the family resemblance is stunning.' The Kakkahaar smiled at Moon. 'Thank you for all you did last night.'

Moon felt embarra.s.sed. He had a feeling this har had seen everything. 'How's Pell?' he asked, then regretted it. The question turned to ice in the air, fell heavily, and then shattered over the table. Cal cleared his throat.

'He'll be fine,' Lianvis said lightly. 'It'll take him a few days to balance himself, but that's only to be expected. It's a small price to pay for victory.'

'Victory?' Cal said flatly. 'All we did was buy some time.'

'Really?' Moon asked. 'I thought...'

'You're right, Cal,' Lianvis said. He began to eat from the plate of food in front of him. 'Ponclast's allies over-estimated his readiness, and underestimated the Gelaming's, or rather Pell's, resourcefulness. I don't know for sure if this is the last we'll see of the problem. It might be that future skirmishes will take place elsewhere. We might not notice them, or even know they've happened.'

'I hope that's the case,' Cal said.

Lianvis looked up at him. 'Ignorance is bliss, eh? Strange, I wouldn't have thought that would be your philosophy.'

Cal shrugged. He'd barely touched his food. 'It's becoming so.'

Lianvis wiped his mouth fastidiously with a corner of his napkin. 'What Pellaz did was simply work,' he said, in a meaningful tone. 'Don't let it get to you,'

Cal fixed Lianvis with a stare. 'Get me to him,' he said, in a voice that sent a chill down Moon's spine.

'Pellaz?' Lianvis said. 'You don't need me for that, surely...'

'No,' Cal said. 'You know who I mean. Where is he?'

Lianvis put his hands against the table and regarded Cal thoughtfully. 'I am in two minds whether to tell you. I've heard quite a lot about you since making contact with the Gelaming.'

'What do you care? You've done far worse in your time than I ever have, I'm sure.'

Lianvis frowned, as if debating why he should care and perhaps surprised because he felt the need to do so. 'You and Pellaz mean something,' he said at last. 'Conflict with Galdra har Freyh.e.l.la and a possible unpleasant outcome is not how it's supposed to end, either for you or for Wraeththukind in general.'

Cal laughed coldly. 'I won't kill him. I just want to meet this paragon who everyhar thinks can take my place. Wouldn't you, in my situation?'

Lianvis grinned and began to eat once more. 'In your situation, my dear Cal, I most probably would kill him, but that's why you are a Tigron and I am not, nor ever could be. Very well, I'll take you to him later.'

'I want to meet him too,' Tyson said, the first time he had spoken to the Kakkahaar.

Lianvis shook his head in amus.e.m.e.nt. 'Poor Galdra! Perhaps I should consider selling tickets for this event.'

Before they left the table, a member of Tharmifex Calvel's staff approached them. He bowed to Cal. 'Tiahaar, there will be a meeting of the Hegemony at mid-day. You are invited to attend.' He turned to Lianvis. 'You also, tiahaar.'

'Tell Tharmifex I'll be there,' Cal said. 'I'll be with my companions here, so make sure they have places.'

The messenger bowed again, a.s.sured Cal this would be attended to and departed.

'You know what I think?' Lianvis said.

'What?' Cal asked.

'Don't visit Galdra har Freyh.e.l.la before the meeting. If I were in your position, I think I'd simply act my best before the Hegemony. The Freyh.e.l.lan will have heard you're here by now. He must be... anxious about it. Anyhar can see he'd lay down his life for Pell in an instant. Show the Hegemony what you're made of and show Galdra also. He'll be well enough to attend the meeting and in fact I doubt he'd miss it, whatever his condition. It could be the opportunity you need. Two birds brought to earth, lifeless, with one well-aimed missile, don't you think?'

'Thank you, tiahaar,' Cal said. 'I'll bear that in mind.'

'Pellaz won't be at the meeting,' Lianvis said. 'I can tell you that much. He won't be doing anything of consequence for the next few days. But I think I'll recommend to Tiahaar Calvel that the Tigron is returned to Immanion today. He should be able to take a journey by sedu and I think he should be... removed from play, don't you?'

Cal narrowed his eyes. 'Why this show of devotion to me, Lianvis?'

Lianvis shrugged. 'I always liked you, despite what you might have thought. I liked the whiff of danger about you. You see, I have my romantic fancies about you and Pellaz also. In my fond imaginings, you walk off together, into a rosy Almagabran sunset, hand in hand.'

Cal laughed. 'You are amazing!'

'Don't worry. The Freyh.e.l.lan's no match for you.'

Until the meeting, Cal, Moon and Tyson walked around the camp, so that Cal could exercise his role as Tigron and speak to whoever mattered, as well as many who didn't. He made no move to go and find Pellaz, which Moon found interesting, although he dared not comment on it. When they came across Ashmael Aldebaran, who had just supervised the removal of Abrimel har Aralis from Fulminir, Ashmael embraced Cal spontaneously. 'Not before time,' he said. 'I'd almost given up on you.'

Moon noticed hara observing Ashmael's hearty and clearly sincere greeting. He also noticed Cal didn't let Ashmael go too quickly.

'We have much to discuss,' Cal said. 'I've been with Thiede.'

'Much to discuss!' Ashmael agreed. 'Will he return to us?'

'Not in the same way as before,' Cal said. 'I need to speak to the Hegemony about it.'

Ashmael nodded, released Cal and patted his arms. 'I'm glad you're back,' he said, then grimaced. 'So who is the enviable har to tell the Tigrina about his son?'

'Not me,' Cal said. 'I have another matter to deal with.'

'You do,' Ashmael said. 'Take care of it.'

Cal smiled widely in response.

A makeshift Hegalion had been created at the Grissecon site. When Moon and his companions arrived there, many hara of high rank were finding places for themselves on the mats that had been laid out as seats in concentric circles. Moon saw Tharmifex, Ashmael and Velaxis sitting together, along with Swift and Seel har Parasiel, but there was no sign of Galdra har Freyh.e.l.la. Perhaps he wouldn't attend. The air around the site felt different now, no longer oppressive. Presumably Gelaming Nahir Nuri had cleaned it of residue of the Grissecon and its aftermath.

Cal pushed his way through the crowds to take his place next to Tharmifex, as if he'd never been absent from these gatherings. Many hara had their eyes fixed upon him, including Seel har Parasiel, whose expression was grim, to say the least. Ashmael was grinning, although Tharmifex was tight-lipped. Moon knew of the history between Seel and Cal, because Tyson had told him. He wondered what would happen now, but guessed the next hour or so was going to be filled with excruciating moments.

Swift got to his feet immediately and wrapped Cal in a fierce embrace. 'I heard what you did for Aleeme and Azriel,' he said. 'I can't express...'

'Hush,' Cal said, kissing Swift on the lips rather pointedly, Moon thought. 'They are family. I only did what any of you would have done.'

Seel had also got to his feet and now stood with folded arms next to Swift. Cal ducked his head to him. 'Seel,' he said politely, as if nothing bad had ever happened between them, although the mere politeness of the word could also indicate a life time of bad feeling. 'I hope Aleeme will be all right.'

'We don't know yet,' Seel said stiffly. 'He'll live, but... I suppose I must thank you too.'

'I suppose you must,' Cal said.

'Ty!' Swift said, in a voice that was rather too jovial. He dragged Tyson toward him, effectively placing him between Seel and Cal. 'It's good to see you too. Once we get home, we'll have the biggest celebration Galhea has ever known. It'll be the best medicine for Azriel and Aleeme.'

From these words, Moon gathered that Swift had not yet seen his son and his chesnari. He felt sick with sorrow for the Parasilians. He expected the healers had kept them away from the pavilions, fabricating some excuse. In their place, he'd want peace and quiet to relay the devastating news of Azriel and Aleeme's conditions.

Everyhar sat down, and Velaxis came to sit beside Cal, who had now dismissed Seel from his attention. Seel, sitting back by Swift, appeared greatly stunned by the whole business.

Velaxis touched Cal on the arm. 'Are you well?'

'Yes, tiahaar,' Cal replied.

'You must speak for Abrimel. He has no champions here.'

'And I do?' Cal said. He and Velaxis locked gazes and Moon had the strong impression some unspoken dialogue took place.

'We needed the Freyh.e.l.lan,' Velaxis said at last. 'It was necessary. You couldn't be here. He was the nearest we could get.'

'You were not one of those who suggested he become Tigron, then?' Cal said acidly.

'I never suggested that. I merely reported to certain hara what I had heard.'

'As always,' Cal said. 'The perfect agent.'

'You are here now,' Velaxis said. 'When we return to Immanion, we must talk.'

'Oh, we will!'

Something about this conversation unsettled Moon, mainly because he had never heard that Velaxis and Cal were particularly well known to one another. Their exchange had involved an unexpected intimacy. But before Velaxis could say more, Tharmifex got to his feet and raised his arms. Conversation around him died away.

'Tiahaara,' Tharmifex said, 'our combined efforts have negated the immediate threat against us, and for this we must congratulate ourselves, not just on the skill of our warriors, but the fact that we were able to work together for a common purpose. I hope we have all learned from this. I hope that those of you who suspected Gelaming motives in this alliance appreciate we are not bent on accruing power, only co-operation. Soon, we will all return home, to our friends and families and our everyday work, but I hope that in some ways we remain allied. For in unity, there is strength.'

Tharmifex paused for a moment, and the silence around him was absolute. 'It would be wrong to a.s.sume this is the end of the problem. Whatever grounds impelled Ponclast's otherworldly allies to act as they did still exist. In Gelaming opinion, we should continue to investigate the phenomenon, and every tribe should have Listeners working closely together, to create a network of etheric protection around the globe. The Hegemony does not intend to plant Gelaming agents within every tribe. We will simply provide training in etheric navigation for those tribes who do not have it. This program should begin immediately. I have already been in contact with Eyra Fiumara, who heads the Listeners' Project for the Hegemony, and arrangements will be made at once with those who need his a.s.sistance.' He gestured toward Lianvis har Kakkahaar. 'Now, before opening this meeting to questions, tiahaar Lianvis will speak to you concerning intelligence gathered by the Kakkahaar during last night's conflict. Tiahaar...'

Lianvis got to his feet and fastidiously arranged his robes. 'I will be as succinct as possible. We now know that factions beyond this realm compete for resources to be found here. They have hitherto relied upon our ignorance in this matter, in order to conduct their operations without resistance. However, it is now clear that we are, or will be, affected by this compet.i.tion and we can no longer afford to be ignorant. In Kakkahaar opinion, the Tigron, Pellaz har Aralis, is our most useful and potent resource against any threat posed by the struggle between these factions. The mere fact Pellaz was attacked in the otherlanes some time ago is testament to that. Therefore, whatever our feelings for the way Thiede instated the Tigron, he is a resource we must protect. We should also apply ourselves to discovering what this realm provides to those who seek to harvest from it. We should explore the new realms that Pellaz and his kin have opened up to us. As each tribe should have Listeners at work, so they should also have hara engaged upon investigating the inner realms via the cauldron of creation....'

At this point, there was a stir at the entrance to the site, and Lianvis fell silent. Moon saw the crowd part to let some latecomers through. It was Galdra har Freyh.e.l.la and several of his hara. Lianvis remained silent while the Freyh.e.l.lans came toward the Hegemony. Without speaking, Galdra sat down, his hara around him. He looked only at Lianvis. Moon could see now how similar Galdra was to Cal. His hair was much longer, and he lacked a certain sharpness to his being, but the similarity was unmistakable. Moon glanced at Cal. His skin looked sallow, but his face was expressionless. He stared directly at the Freyh.e.l.lans.

Once the Freyh.e.l.lans were settled, Lianvis inclined his head to them. 'Much of what I have said, you already know, tiahaara,' he said. 'There is little more to say.'

'Have you spoken of the sedim?' Galdra asked.

'No,' Lianvis replied. 'That sphere of investigation belongs to General Aldebaran and the Hegemony.'

'Would you care to speak on that matter?' Tharmifex asked Ashmael.

Ashmael didn't get up. 'The sedim fought alongside us. We have always known they are more than a useful method of transport. We must conclude they know more about what is going on than we do. As to how we persuade them to communicate with us about that, I don't know. It might be that they can't. I'm simply grateful that they were there with us. They lost several of their number during the conflict. We have received news from Immanion that more sedim have appeared there. This might suggest the sedim are aware this matter is far from finished. If they see fit to augment their ranks in this realm, well...' he shrugged, '...we can only suppose they need reinforcements.' He gestured at Lianvis. 'Of all hara, the Kakkahaar are renowned for their magical abilities. I admit that when Tiahaar Lianvis first came to us I was sceptical about what he told us. Now, I have seen inexplicable things with my own eyes, and have revised my opinion. I suggest that the Kakkahaar send hara to Immanion to attempt to work with the sedim. '

Tharmifex looked around the crowd. 'Does any tribe have objection to that? I'm sure tiahaar Lianvis acknowledges that the Kakkahaar have always held a somewhat dark reputation, but I think his hara have more than proved themselves to be part of our alliance. I, for one, am happy to comply with Tiahaar Aldebaran's suggestion. Can we have a show of hands in favor?'

As far as Moon could see, very few hara did not raise their hands.

'There is one other matter,' Ashmael said. He looked directly at Cal. 'You have something to say to us, Calanthe, I'm sure.'

Tharmifex turned to Cal also. 'Do you wish to speak now, tiahaar?'

Cal waited some seconds, his hands braced against his knees, before he got to his feet. 'Yes, I'll speak,' he said.

Tension came into the site like a whiff of acrid smoke. Moon held his breath. He almost couldn't bear to hear what Cal might say.

'As you all know, I have been absent from the Pell's side for considerable time. The reason for this is that I have been with Thiede.'

Cal waited to let this fact sink in and for the soft ripple of murmurs to die down before continuing. 'Thiede cannot return to this realm, simply because if he does, he would be in great danger. He knows, more than any of us, that higher beings are currently in conflict and that part of it involves our own realm. He knows about our genesis, how and why we are here. This knowledge is what has endangered him. He has intimated some of this information to me, and eventually I will reveal what I know to everyhar. Thiede has taught me certain skills he's learned, one of which being how to travel the otherlanes without the use of a sedu. It's possible this skill can be learned by other suitably trained hara too. We need to utilise this talent, because it's clear that Ponclast's hara have it, and presumably it could be given to others who are opposed to us. The main purpose of my training was to a.s.sist Pellaz last night, which I did. My absence from this realm was unavoidable, but essential.' He smiled savagely at Galdra. 'I can only extend my grat.i.tude to those who were able to take on part of my role when I was unable to do so. To echo Tiahaar Calvel's words, we have learned it is important for us to work together. I thank you.' Galdra did not even flinch. He held Cal's gaze steadily, expressionless. Cal inclined his head to Galdra, then turned back to face the main company. 'Now that I can once more fulfill my duties as Tigron, I intend to apply myself to furthering this aim. The Teraghasts must be shown compa.s.sion, as should all remaining Uigenna and Varrs on this continent, and other tribes of similar nature further afield. Tiahaar Calvel spoke of strength in unity, and he is right. But with unity should come tolerance and empathy. We must put aside petty squabbles, stand back, and see our situation from a higher perspective. We are not human; we have been given many privileges. It is time to stop abusing and misusing them, and to fulfil our potential. We are Wraeththu, unique and splendid. I have the greatest faith in my own kind.'

Once he'd finished speaking, hara began to applaud him. Moon didn't blame them. Swift har Parasiel stood up and many other hara did also, including Seel, which was rather a surprise. Hara from the more ebullient tribes cat-called and whistled. Cal merely smiled and bowed. His clear musical voice, perfectly pitched, had been that of a great leader. He hadn't said much, but he'd inspired confidence and courage, through intention rather than words. He inspired hope for all that could be, standing before everyhar to display the wounds he'd received in battle. He could reach hara from other tribes far more easily than Pellaz could, simply because he was closer to them in spirit. He spoke with sincerity and nohar present could be under any illusion that he would shrink from helping them or speaking for them, if they wanted him to do so. He was their champion in the Hegemony of Immanion. Moon glanced at Galdra, and saw that the Freyh.e.l.lan looked utterly defeated, as so he was.

Tyson wrapped an arm around Moon's shoulders. 'I want to go home,' he said.

'Oh, me too,' Moon murmured. 'The sooner we get started on the journey, the better.'