Comments of this kind were excruciating to Seel. But it was when Pellaz finally mentioned Flick that the dam broke and Seel revealed all.

The coronation was only a few days away and Seel was in Pell's dressing room, keeping him company while a gang of costumiers fussed over his coronation regalia. At some point in the conversation, Pellaz asked Seel why he hadn't brought Flick to Immanion with him.

Seel knew then that the time for prevarication had past. Just tell him, Just tell him, he thought. he thought. Once it's out, it's out. Tell him everything. Once it's out, it's out. Tell him everything.

So he did. He told it as succinctly as possible, all the time watching Pellaz sink into a terrible despair. He couldn't tell it quickly enough. By the end of the story Pellaz was slumped in a chair, his head in his hands. 'I did that,' he said, over and over. ' did that,' he said, over and over. 'I did that.' did that.'

Seel knew that Pellaz perceived no distance or awkwardness between them, because up until this moment he'd been so enmeshed in the heady experience of being alive in a wonderful new body, about to become Tigron of all Wraeththu. A fairy tale ending to a marvellous story. Now, Seel knew he had shattered it. The first bits of Pell's childlike wonder and innocence had been chipped away. Perhaps it would have been better to keep him in ignorance, but how could he be a true Tigron if he remained that way? Seel thought that if he was to conspire in Thiede's plans at all, it must include teaching Pellaz some autonomy, guiding him to wisdom. He could not embrace Pellaz spontaneously, because of all that had happened, but now he forced himself to cross the room and take the shuddering slender body in his arms. He murmured words of consolation. Pellaz couldn't blame himself for this. If anyhar was responsible, it was Thiede and Cal's insane stupidity or stupid insanity.

'You hate him, don't you,' Pellaz mumbled, against Seel's chest. 'You hate Cal now.'

Seel only tightened his arms around him. It's more than hate, he thought. So much more It's more than hate, he thought. So much more.

Two days later, the whole of Immanion turned out to line the streets for the Tigron's coronation. The holiday would last two days, with continual feasting and parties in all corners of the city. It should have been the best day of Pell's life. He rode through the streets to the High Nayati in a carriage decked with garlands, surrounded by cheering hara. Ashmael's select guard, mounted on glossy sedim sedim, led the procession. Hara threw olive sprigs and flowers into the carriage. They touched their brows in gestures of respect. Some, as they gazed upon Pellaz, wept openly. Pellaz kept a smile upon his face, but even so Seel knew the whole experience was now blighted for him by the bitter knowledge he held in his heart. When he swore allegiance to Wraeththukind in the High Nayati, his voice rang clear and true and perhaps only Seel heard the note of sadness that lay deep within it. At least Pellaz had a cause to which he could devote himself. As Tigron, there would be little time for him to dwell upon the past. Hara threw olive sprigs and flowers into the carriage. They touched their brows in gestures of respect. Some, as they gazed upon Pellaz, wept openly. Pellaz kept a smile upon his face, but even so Seel knew the whole experience was now blighted for him by the bitter knowledge he held in his heart. When he swore allegiance to Wraeththukind in the High Nayati, his voice rang clear and true and perhaps only Seel heard the note of sadness that lay deep within it. At least Pellaz had a cause to which he could devote himself. As Tigron, there would be little time for him to dwell upon the past.

A private feast for the Tigron was held after the coronation in Phaonica. The salons of the palace were crammed with Gelaming dignitaries as well as representatives from many foreign tribes. In the main room, where Pellaz held court, tirelessly being nice to an endless procession of faces, Ashmael took Seel aside. They hadn't met since Seel had returned to Immanion. 'Well?' Ashmael said. 'What do you think?'

Seel shrugged. 'He'll do the job. Anyhar can see that.'

'He's as green as a lettuce,' Ashmael said and took a long drink of wine. He had already consumed quite a lot.

Ashmael had never condemned Seel for not being able to kill Pellaz when he'd had the chance, because he respected Seel's judgement, but he was still not at all happy about Thiede's protege becoming Tigron. Mainly, Seel thought, this was because Ashmael had fancied the role for himself. Thiede was right not have chosen him though. Ashmael had a tendency to be hotheaded and he could easily have become a dictator rather than a Tigron, who deferred to the Hegemony in all matters.

'Give him a chance,' Seel said. 'He didn't ask for this.'

'Oh, I will,' Ashmael said darkly. 'But the minute he starts trying to throw his weight around, he's carrion.'

Seel snorted. 'Oh, for the Aghama's sake, Ash, that's not going to happen. Look at him.'

Ashmael glanced over to where Pellaz sat, a picture of regal splendour. They could hear the Tigron's laughter: spontaneous, warm and genuine. 'Power does things to hara,' Ashmael said in a grumpy tone. Seel noticed his gaze lingered for few moments on the Tigron's aide, Vaysh.

'Doesn't it just!'

Part of the reason Ashmael was, to put it mildly, cautious about Pellaz was because of Vaysh. Pellaz had told Seel that Pell's aide was another protege of Thiede's, one who had been kept completely secret. Vaysh had been an earlier candidate for Tigronship, and had undergone the same traumatic death and rebirth experience that Pellaz had. But Vaysh was one of the less successful attempts that the Hegemony had heard rumours about. Something had gone wrong, and although Vaysh appeared physically perfect on the surface, the resurrection rite had affected his fertility, so he could never produce heirs, either as soume or ouana. This was not desirable to Thiede; his Tigron had to be perfect. Unfortunately, Vaysh had once been Ashmael's chesnari, and perhaps initially Thiede had beguiled Ash into becoming Gelaming for the same reason he had beguiled Seel. As Cal had with Pellaz, Ash had believed Vaysh to be dead, but their story had not ended with happy reunion. Ashmael had only realised Vaysh was alive when he'd turned up in Immanion with Pellaz. Seel could only imagine what Ashmael must have gone through over the past weeks. He was not a har p.r.o.ne to displays of emotion and as far as Seel knew the only har with whom he'd discussed the matter had been Pellaz himself, which was odd given his feelings for the Tigron. Now, it was clear that in some peculiar way he held Pellaz partly responsible for what had happened to Vaysh.

'Pell is a good har,' Seel said. 'Don't let your personal feelings cloud the issue.'

Ashmael cast him a sharp glance. 'Meaning?'

Seel stared at him meaningfully. 'You know.' He paused. 'Why don't you just go and talk to him? Pell told me everything, Ash.' know.' He paused. 'Why don't you just go and talk to him? Pell told me everything, Ash.'

'Charming. That was supposed to have been a private conversation.'

'He didn't tell it like gossip. He feels for you. Have you even spoken to Vaysh since he came here?'

'That's none of your business, Seel. Back off.'

'You're repulsed by him, aren't you, which must be pretty grim because you still love him too.'

'Shut the f.u.c.k up.'

'You have the honeyed tongue of a diplomat.'

Ashmael finished his drink. 'Sorry, that's a sore spot.'

'I know how you feel,' Seel said. 'Pell spooks me too sometimes. He is possibly the most beautiful har in the whole world, but the thought of touching him makes me shudder.'

Ashmael regarded Seel thoughtfully. 'That's the gist of it.' He helped himself to another gla.s.s of wine from a tray carried by a pa.s.sing househar. 'You know, I think it must be because we knew them before. For example, even though I can't help feeling our beloved Tigron is a bit of a dizzy idiot, I could quite easily carry him off for a night of abandoned pa.s.sion, whereas my flesh crawls at the thought of Vaysh. Just out of interest, what do you feel about him?'

Seel grimaced. 'Mmm, difficult. He can freeze blood at twenty paces. If he wasn't so stony, I could probably endure it.'

'He wasn't always like that,' Ashmael said wistfully. 'He was a creature full of joy and love. I hate this thing that has stolen his face. It's not right.'

'It's not his fault, Ash.'

Ashmael sighed deeply. 'I know. Still...' He drained his gla.s.s. 'I'm bored. Fancy coming back to my place for a frolic?'

Seel found he had to glance over at Pellaz to make sure the Tigron didn't need him. He was annoyed at himself for it, but couldn't help checking. Pellaz, however, was still in the thick of an adoring throng and clearly had no need for support. 'Sounds good,' Seel said. 'Let's go.'

Although Pellaz was now Tigron and began to learn quickly how to fulfil his potential, he was also very fragile, because his love for Cal had left a gaping wound in his heart. Seel felt protective towards him, in spite of himself, and never told him the full story of when Cal had returned to Saltrock. There was no need for Pellaz to know. The bare facts were enough to wound him deeply. Still, he was made of sterner stuff than Cal, because he hadn't gone mad or maudlin. Mostly, he kept his thoughts to himself and maintained a cheery face.

Seel watched Pellaz all the time. He saw how certain members of the Hegemony sought to humiliate their new Tigron, yet Pellaz was always gracious with them. Seel had to admit that Thiede had chosen well. Pellaz had dignity and respect for others. He would never lose his temper and end up yelling regrettable things in meetings like Ashmael often did. He had to meet new hara endlessly, as representatives from various tribes showed up in Immanion, wanting to be part of Thiede's new world, and determined to be treated with the esteem they thought they deserved. Pellaz was always courteous to them and gave the appearance of being interested in everything they had to say. His generosity of spirit seemed limitless. In his place, Seel would have lost patience many times. As time went on, Pellaz inevitably became somewhat imperious, but his positive aspects more than outweighed his autocratic manner. The Tigron could not be a grovelling fool. He had to stand tall and proud. And he did.

Occasionally, Pellaz would mention Flick, in a cautious way, and say that perhaps he should look for him. 'Don't you wonder where and how he is?' he asked Seel. 'We are here, living a privileged life, and Flick should be also. He was a good friend to me at the beginning. He helped me through inception, and we don't even know if he's still alive.'

'Let it go,' Seel advised. 'You knew a lot of hara before, Pell. You can't look up every old friend. You are Tigron.' Another thing Seel had kept from Pellaz was that Flick had left Saltrock to look for the Cevarro family.

'Don't you care about him any more?'

'Of course I do, but sometimes, you know, you just have to walk away. It was over between him and me a long time ago. We weren't that close, not really. Flick just grew up, I guess. He moved on.' Seel didn't mention that he believed Flick would have no desire to see him again. He still harboured guilt about the way he'd treated Flick in the past.

Eventually, Pellaz let the matter drop, but Seel knew he was rather puzzled by Seel's apparent lack of concern.

A difficult time arose some months after Pell's coronation when a har named Caeru Meveny turned up in Immanion, claiming to be the hostling of the Tigron's son. Thiede, who had been looking out for a consort for Pellaz, leapt on this glad coincidence with the zeal of a famished tiger. While Pellaz was still reeling from the shock of Caeru's arrival, he found himself bonded in blood to this virtual stranger, who should in Pell's words have remained as nothing more than a one night stand, doomed to be forgotten. Pellaz was furious, because Thiede tricked him into taking Caeru as consort. Seel could not quite understand what had possessed Pellaz to create a pearl with a har he'd barely known, but Pell's excuse was that he hadn't realised how easy it would be for him to do it. It had happened very shortly after Pellaz had left Thiede's ice palace, in a town en route to Immanion.

Now, in an almost indecently short s.p.a.ce of time, Caeru had been installed as Tigrina of Immanion. Although Seel wasn't that impressed by him, and Pellaz would quite happily have wrung his neck, the populace swiftly took him to their hearts. As Thiede pointed out, Caeru was perfect for the job. He had once been a singer in a band. He looked good, was an excellent performer in public and knew how to win over crowds. Pellaz, however, simply regarded him as an adventurer who had effectively stolen a place that was reserved at least in Pell's heart for Cal. Seel had never seen Pellaz be hostile to a har before, nor could have imagined he was capable of it. He had always appeared to like every har he met, so the strength of his feelings, and the uncharacteristic behaviour they inspired, were shocking. His biased but eloquent opinions had a strong effect on Seel, who privately wondered whether his own antipathy towards the new Tigrina was also encouraged by the fact he had white gold hair like Cal's.

Seel comforted and supported Pellaz through the first gruelling months of his bloodbond with Caeru, and it was as exhausting for Seel as it was the Tigron himself. Public appearances were horrific. Caeru was a strange mixture of heart-broken grief and calculating manipulativeness. He was either a besotted wretch or very clever, because Seel never saw him do anything but try to please Pellaz and win him over. Hara noticed this. They witnessed Pell's steely distant demeanour and they did not approve. Seel could tell Caeru loved Pell pa.s.sionately, but for how long? What love could stand up to such repeated battering? Seel considered that Pellaz was doing himself no favours in forcing that strength of feeling to become hate. Caeru would make a tough adversary, and Seel could envisage a day when the veiled hostilities might descend into a humiliating and public popularity contest. One thing was certain: no matter what hara in the street perceived or were shown, Pellaz and Caeru would never be chesna. A bloodbond was supposed to be sacred and hallowed: not to be undertaken lightly. What the Tigron and Tigrina had was the nuptial equivalent of pelki. Not even their son brought them together. Abrimel was closer to his hostling than to his father. Seel noticed the contemptuous way the harling looked at Pellaz, and guessed he'd been subject to some fierce indoctrination from Caeru. Pellaz did little to improve his relationship with his son. Abrimel witnessed some ugly scenes between his parents.

Observing most of the unpleasantness firsthand, Seel made a mental note to himself: don't ever do anything like this. There are no hara in the world who are worth bonding in blood to. There are no relationships of that kind that truly endure. Humans were obsessed with marriage, and that was a sham. As Wraeththu, we have aruna, we are grown up. This is pathetic. don't ever do anything like this. There are no hara in the world who are worth bonding in blood to. There are no relationships of that kind that truly endure. Humans were obsessed with marriage, and that was a sham. As Wraeththu, we have aruna, we are grown up. This is pathetic.

One time, Pellaz said to Seel, 'I don't know what I'd do without you. Don't ever leave me.'

And Seel promised that he wouldn't.

Thiede, however, had other ideas. He waited until Pellaz had settled firmly into his new life and had won round the most intransigent members of the Hegemony. He waited until he knew for sure that Ashmael supported the Tigron. He waited until Seel was complacent and then, with the brutal precision that was his mark, he summoned Seel to a private meeting.

Ever since Seel had moved to Almagabra, the Gelaming had been involved in conflict in Megalithica. They were strongly opposed to warmongering tribes like the Uigenna and the Varrs, and their objective was to oust these hara from power, so that they would not oppress weaker tribes. That was the propaganda, in any case. A cynical mind might suggest that the Gelaming were just as power hungry as the Uigenna and the Varrs, and that this was simply a war over territory. Ashmael was often away for months at a time, supervising the movements of the Gelaming army. When he was home, he often wanted to discuss the minutiae of his campaigns with Seel, but Seel wasn't really that interested. Even the mention of Megalithica's name made him feel uncomfortable, as if there was something important he should have done and he couldn't remember what it was. To Seel, there was no point in talking about it. He took it for granted that Thiede would achieve his aims, whatever they were, and he had no desire to hear about combat. He did not think, for one moment, that eventually Thiede's inevitable success would affect his own life in a colossal way.

Thiede received Seel in the office of his Phaonica apartment, and when Seel entered the room, Thiede was impatiently rifling through a pile of papers on his desk. 'I can never find anything in this place,' he said to Seel. 'My a.s.sistants try to tidy everything away and then things are lost forever.'

Seel waited, but without any foreboding. He presumed he was there to discuss some trifling matter.

'So,' Thiede said at last, having found the particular piece of paper he was looking for, 'I have a job for you.'

'Fine,' Seel said. 'What is it?'

'You will have heard our troops took the Varr leader, Terzian, into custody last week.'

'Yes, I did hear talk.'

'This is a very positive development. Soon, Megalithica's barbarians will be utterly disempowered.'

'Well, that is good news.' Seel paused. 'What has this to do with the job you have for me?' It did not occur to him that there was any threat in Thiede's words. He believed his duty was to be at Pell's side for his entire life.

'Can you put your affairs in order? I want you to go to Imbrilim, our enclave in Megalithica, next week.'

Seel felt his mouth drop open in shock. 'What? Why?'

'Oh, because eventually I want you to become the consort of Terzian's heir.'

'Am I dreaming this?'

Thiede considered. 'No. Even before you came here, I did tell you I had important work lined up for you.'

'Which I have been doing, to the best of my abilities,' Seel said. 'Does Pell know about this?'

'Not yet. Don't worry. It's hardly as if he'll lose your friendship.'

'I don't want to be anyhar's consort. Really, Thiede, this is too much. Do you expect me simply to comply with this outlandish suggestion?'

'No, I expect you to argue and rant, as Pell did about Rue. Don't waste your energy. I've picked well for you. The child will be perfect.'

Seel sat down, before his legs gave way. 'I'm dreaming,' he said. 'A nightmare.'

'You are among the most privileged of hara,' Thiede said. 'Privileges have a price tag. I want you to host a pearl for this har, and I want you to be Immanion's presence in the Varrish n.o.ble house in Galhea. It's a strategic alliance.'

'Why me?' Seel said. 'Pell needs me here.'

'No he doesn't. I need you in Megalithica more. Don't argue with me, Seel. The decision has been made.'

'You are as barbaric as any Varr,' Seel said. 'It's like something out of medieval history, the way you force hara to take consorts, bond in blood and produce heirs. Aren't we supposed to be more enlightened than that?'

For the first time, Thiede appeared stern. 'Seel, you have eaten your dinner off my plate for years, and have lapped up every crumb. You are not a common har, who can fondly dream about living up to ideals. You are part of an administration that has a monumental task on its hands. Humans made alliances like these because they were useful. It has nothing to do with being civilised or enlightened, believe me. The har you will be with is named Swift. He is quite presentable, I understand.'

'And you believe a Varr will be as delighted with this idea as I am?'

'He's barely more than a harling, but he is good stock. I want him to take his father's place, but as a Gelaming governor. There's no point in installing a complete stranger in Galhea. The Varrs can be a belligerent lot, but they adore Terzian and therefore will adore Swift. He doesn't know my plans yet. He is still under the impression he can carry out a mission to save his father. Terzian, of course, is being held here in Immanion. Swift will never find him, but he will will find you. By the time he does, he will have dreamed of you for months and will be like Rue is with Pell, a drooling yearning hound.' find you. By the time he does, he will have dreamed of you for months and will be like Rue is with Pell, a drooling yearning hound.'

'This is disgusting. This is torture.'

'I don't intend to pull out his fingernails. Aruna with you can't be that terrible.'

'I really hate you,' Seel said.

Thiede smiled. 'I know, but it won't be forever. One day you'll thank me.'

Seel uttered a low, gibbering growl, which was the most he had to say to that remark.

'One other thing before you go,' Thiede said. 'Before you conceive the harling, I want you to perform Grissecon with Swift. The elixir will be useful in toppling the Varr archon Ponclast's forces. Quite ironic really, using the essence of a son of Varrs against them.'

The last time Seel had performed Grissecon had been with Cal, years ago. He had started to sweat.

'Don't look so beaten,' Thiede said. 'This is an honour and you know it. Once you get your teeth into Galhea, you'll be in your element. Terzian has done little to change the town since he appropriated it from humanity. It's very old-fashioned by our standards. You know that building communities is your forte. Well, what do you think?'

Seel knew there was no point in saying any more. As had been pointed out to him, he'd willingly accepted all of Thiede's gifts. In the back of his mind, Seel had always been aware that if a price for them were ever named he'd have to pay it. Now, he simply rose from his seat and walked out of the room, leaving the door open. On the way down the corridor outside, he allowed himself the indulgence of kicking over and smashing a priceless vase full of peac.o.c.k feathers that stood on the tiled floor.

'Seel!' Thiede called him imperiously from the threshold of his office.

Seel froze. He was too afraid of Thiede to keep on walking.

'There is another aspect to this task you will appreciate.'

Seel turned, said nothing.

'I never forget a promise,' Thiede said.

Seel felt a chill pa.s.s through him. 'Go on.'

Thiede folded his arms, leaned against the doorframe. 'You should know that during your friend Cal's travels with Pell, he ran into Terzian in Galhea. Terzian was just like most other hara and fell for him like a wounded bird out of the sky. So, after Cal's indiscretion in Saltrock, he had a suitable bolthole primed and waiting. He returned to Galhea. He is still there, Seel, with Terzian's family.'

Seel walked back down the short corridor. Suddenly, all the things Thiede had told him in the office seemed unimportant. 'The Gelaming will arrest him now?'

'No need,' Thiede said. 'Cal will be brought to you in Imbrilim. The Varrish heir will take Cal with him on his fruitless quest and will unwittingly deliver him into Gelaming custody.'

'Does Pellaz know this?'

'No, and you won't tell him.'

'How, in the name of all that's sacred, have you arranged this?'

Thiede laughed. 'Strategic friendships, my dear, how else?' He sobered and narrowed his eyes a little. 'I am very fond of you, Seel. If you want your sport with Cal before he's brought to Immanion in the chains you've dreamed of so fondly, then everyhar will turn a blind eye. You have my sanction to do whatever you please with him. Just don't damage him too much. He must be brought to me alive and intact.' With these words, Thiede stepped back into his office and closed the door.

Imbrilim was not just an army camp, but also a centre for refugees, both human and harish. Because of his prior experience, Seel found his time was consumed mainly with accommodating and organising this horde of helpless creatures, who all looked upon the Gelaming as holy saviours. Sometimes, Seel fell into bed late at night, fully clothed, and was up again in only a couple of hours, dealing with the next influx. It was important to keep disease in the human population under control and sanitation was the biggest project. Various members of the Hegemony were in residence continually to a.s.sist with organisation, and Ashmael's right hand har, Arahal, was the camp commander. Seel depended totally on this capable and tireless har. Without him, Imbrilim might well have fallen into chaos.