Ilse Of Illusion Part 5

11 - Arach.

Without hesitation, Lief caught Jasmine in his arms and tumbled with her into the weed-filled water.

Surfacing, he heard Barda splas.h.i.+ng and shouting somewhere behind him. He shouted back, then, holding Jasmine tightly against his chest, he struck out, kicking aside the sodden cloak that clung around his legs, fighting his way through the weed.

Jasmine was gasping, choking, trying to speak.

aI know what you want to say, and you can save your breath,a Lief panted. aI will not leave you.a Barda came up beside him. Supporting Jasmine between them they clawed through the matted growth, struggling forward with painful slowness.

aWhat are you doing? Make haste!a screamed Penn from the dimness beyond the weed. Then, amazingly, she was leaving safety, plunging towards them, cutting through the water and weed like a fish.

Her head bobbed up in front of them, pale eyes wide with terror. She reached for Jasmine.

aWhere is she injured?a she demanded.

aNot injured. Cannot swim!a Lief panted, and saw the history-keeperas jaw drop in stunned amazement.

Then she was swimming away, pulling Jasmine expertly along with her. And Lief and Barda were thras.h.i.+ng behind, hearts pounding, chests aching, through the weed and, at last, out into the open sea.

There Penn stopped and turned, treading water, supporting Jasmine easily with one arm.

aWhy have you stopped?a gasped Barda.

aWe are safe here,a said Penn. aArach do not hunt beyond the weed. The dome waters are their territory.a Then her face twisted with pain. aAh, no!a she wailed. aAh, what wicked waste!a There was a sound like crackling dry leaves. Panting, the breath rasping in his lungs, Lief turned himself around in the water.

The Arach had halted at the edge of the seaweed band. One of them had seized the boat. It was lifting it high into the air, crus.h.i.+ng it like paper. The other was fighting for a share, tugging at the frail craft, scrabbling inside it, looking for prey.

Lief stared, dumbfounded. The Arach were like vast, deformed spiders. Their bloated bodies were covered by glossy black sh.e.l.l, as though plated with armour. Their long, thin legs looked like wires of steel, p.r.i.c.kling with spurs and spikes. Their armoured heads seemed nothing but greedy red eyes and dripping fangs.

With a dull, angry roar, the second Arach jerked violently, tearing the boat in half. Provisions, buckets, the lantern, and two small objects that Lief realised were the cages of the fighting spiders, sailed high into the air, scattering and falling with dull splashes.

Furyas cage plunged into the water just in front of Lief. Fury was scrabbling desperately inside. Lief grabbed for the cage and lifted it up, gasping as he worked at keeping himself afloat with one hand.

This is madness! he thought. I cannot save myself, let alone this spider. But he could not bring himself to let the creature drown before his eyes.

Neither, it seemed, could Barda leave Flash to his fate. Barda was floundering towards the other cage, reaching out for it as though his life depended upon it.

aThe Arach have had enough,a muttered Penn.

Lief looked up and saw the monsters creeping back to the dome. The shredded remains of the boat lay scattered on the weed bed.

Without warning, Penn plunged her head under the water. Jasmine, still clasped firmly in her arm, spluttered in panic. Bubbles rose in a great stream around Pennas head and Lief thought he could hear a strange, m.u.f.fled cry.

aWhat is she doing?a shrieked Jasmine. But Penn was already lifting her head, shaking it to clear her eyes.

In moments there was a swirling movement in the water around them. Then Lief, Barda and Jasmine were shouting in shock as four giant eels surged up from the depths, wicked mouths gaping horribly.

aTake hold of their necks,a said Penn. aThey have come in answer to my call. They will carry us home.a In a shorter time than Lief would have believed possible, they were back at the rafts. Never had he felt such speed. Never would he forget that journeya"the spray beating against his face, the desperate clinging to the slippery neck of the eel.

To his shame, he had to be hauled off the eelas neck and onto the platform by the guards. He could do nothing to help himself. His legs and arms would not move. His head was spinning. The children who ducked and played like fish in the water at the platformas edge stared and giggled. The workers mending nets and weaving rope nearby sniffed in amused contempt.

Barda was in the same state as Lief himself, and Jasmine little better. Together, bedraggled, unsteady on their feet and sick at heart, they shuffled after Penn to her hut, trying to ignore the sharp-faced, silent crowd which had gathered to watch them.

The hut door was standing open. Inside, a bent figure in long robes and a tall silver head-covering stood waiting. So old, wrinkled and toothless was the face below the head-covering that if Penn had not already spoken of the Piper as ahea, Lief would not have known if he was facing a male or a female.

Penn ushered the dripping companions into the hut, and closed the door behind them. aDo not mind the water,a she murmured. aThis floor has been drenched more times than you could count.a Jasmine darted at once to where Kree sat by the stove. She knelt down and lifted poor, s.h.i.+vering Filli from her shoulder to share the warmth. Lief and Barda took the cages containing the motionless spiders over to her, then returned to Pennas side, trying to stiffen their trembling legs.

aWell?a asked the Piper. And even in his exhaustion Lief thrilled with wonder at the sound of the voicea"smooth, rich and sweet as wild honey.

Penn folded her hands, then spoke flatly, as if delivering a report. aTall and brave they may be, with weapons of steel,a she said. aBut in the water the males, Lief and Barda, are helpless as new-born babes, and the female, Jasmine, cannot swim at all. They would have no hope of taking the Arach by surprise, or evading them.a She turned away. aI have done all you require of me, Piper, and it has cost me dearly,a she muttered. aBut you must abandon your hopes.a The Piper closed his eyes as though in pain. aDid you tell them of my belief, Penn?a he asked softly.

Lief and Barda glanced at one another, then at Penn. What was this?

Penn was hesitating. aNo,a she said at last. aOnce I saw that they could not swim, I felt there was no need to torment them further.a aTell them now,a said the Piper. It was not a request, but a command.

Penn moved restlessly. aThe Piper believes that if you could reach the dome, the mouthpiece of the Pirran Pipe would give you entrance,a she said, without looking at Lief and Barda. aHe believes that the stem of the Pipe within would call to it and draw it through the magic screen. The Piper hopeda"a aI hoped many things.a The Piper opened his eyes and fixed Penn with a steely stare. aIt seems my hopes were in vain.a But Lief had clutched Bardaas arm. And Jasmine had jumped up from the floor and hurried over to them, her face alight with hope.

aWhy did you not tell us this before, Penn?a she demanded. aIf we can penetrate the dome we cana"a aYou cannot reach the dome!a cried Penn. aYou saw the Arachs! And there are many more! Their webs net the waters of their territory. The moment you enter it, the moment you touch a web, they will sense you.a aThere must be a way,a growled Barda. aThere is alwaysa"a aThere is no way!a shouted Penn, eyes blazing. aIn a boat, should we be so mad as to give you one, you would last only a few moments. To have any hope at all of reaching the dome you would have to swim to it underwater, beneath the webs. And you are not capable of that! Nothing is more certain.a aThe eels!a Jasmine exclaimed. aThey could surely tow us beneath the webs. We could hold our breath for that time. They swim so fast aa Penn sighed. The Piper smiled thinly. aIt could be done,a he admitted. aIf the eels could be persuaded to enter Arach territory. But they cannot. It has been tried many, many times. They will not do it.a He shook his head in disgust. aWe knew that you would not be able to swim as we can,a he muttered. aIt is written that Doran could not defeat even our youngest children in a race. But never did we consider such weakness as this!a He glanced back at Jasmine. aAnd one of you cannot swim at all! It isa"beyond belief!a aI grew up in a forest where the only water was a shallow stream,a snapped Jasmine, heartily sick of being criticised for something she could not help. aHow could I learn to swim? Any more than you could learn to climb a tree, Piper! Or Penn could learn to swing on a vine!a Lief gave a sharp exclamation. Jasmine swung round to him, scowling. aI do not care what you say, Lief!a she raged. aPalace manners might do for you, but they will not do for me. I will not be polite to these people any longer!a But Liefas face was alight with excitement. aJasmine, you have it!a he exclaimed. aDo you not see? You have told us exactly what we must do!a

12 - Suspicion.

It did not take long for Lief to explain the plan that had suddenly come to him. aYou see?a he finished triumphantly. aWe do not use our weaknesses, but our strengths!a aIt isa"incredible!a the Piper exclaimed, his cold eyes s.h.i.+ning. aIt would never have crossed my mind that such a thing could be done.a aI am not surprised. A more hare-brained idea I have never heard!a snorted Barda.

aWe can do it!a Lief urged.

aWe can try. And it is worth the chance,a said Jasmine. aUnless, of course,a she added dryly, athe Piper is wrong, and the mouthpiece of the Pirran Pipe will not allow us to penetrate the dome.a Penn buried her face in her hands. The Piper gripped her arm. aYou must not weaken now, Penn,a Lief heard him muttering. aThey can do what we cannot. They could be our salvation!a He turned to Lief, his hard, ancient face wearing a mild expression that Lief could not quite believe in.

aWe will give you what help we can,a he said. aIf you gain the stem of the Pirran Pipe, it will be yours to keep for as long as you need it. All we ask in return is that you use your best efforts to convince the dome-dwellers to return the light to the caverns.a It will be yours to keep for as long as you need it a Those words were carefully chosen, Piper, Lief thought, studying the cold face. You speak the truth, I am sure. But for how long will we need the stem of the Pipe, once it is actually out of the dome? Once it is where you can lay your hands on it? No-one needs anything after they are dead. Is that your plan?

He moved his gaze to Pennas bent head. The Piper told Penn to make friends with us, he thought. So that we would want to help her people as well as ourselves. And of course she succeeded. In spite of herself.

Penn had carried out her orders reluctantly. That had been plain from the start. Perhaps she did not believe that the dome could be penetrated by the mouthpiece of the Pipe, and feared encouraging the visitors to go to their deaths.

Or perhaps Penn knew very well that once they had gained the Pipe, they would be betrayed.

aPlease do not blame yourself for our decision, Penn,a he said aloud. aWe are doing only what we must.a Penn did not raise her head.

aYou accept my terms, then?a the Piper asked.

Lief met his eyes squarely. aWe will do all we can to help you once we are inside the dome, Piper. We cannot promise success. But I swear that we will beg the dome-dwellers to return your light as earnestly as we beg them for the stem of the Pirran Pipe.a The Piper bent his head. aI ask no more of you than that,a he murmured. He remained utterly still for a few moments, as though in the grip of strong feeling. Then he looked up, his face calm again aYou must dry yourselves, and rest,a he said. aI will have a boat prepared. Penn? A moment, if you please.a Penn scurried after him as he swept to the door. They went outside, and Lief saw them speaking in low voices.

aThat Piper makes me uneasy,a said Barda, walking to the stove to warm his chilled hands aHe reminds me of people I knew in the Palace, in the old days. He is a schemer, and he is bending Penn to his will.a aI think he is using us to gain the stem of the Pipe for himself,a Lief said. aThe raft-dwellersa magic, the magic that should be the birthright of every Pirran, is trapped inside the dome. But the stem of the Pipe has its own powera"power which would light the caverns and do much more.a Barda nodded agreement. aIt must seem to the Piper that fate has brought us to him, as once it brought Doran when he was needed most.a aI agree, buta"a Jasmineas brow was creased in thought. aBut why bother to deceive us, when surely there is a simpler way to gain magic? Why not seize the part of the Pipe we already have?a Liefas hand rose, almost without his willing it, to touch the piece of k.n.o.bbly wood beneath his s.h.i.+rt.

aI suspect that the Plume part of the Pirran Pipe is of no use to Aurons,a he said. aThey have shown no interest in it, and its power does not seem to affect them. Yet as we approached the dome, and the Auron part of the Pipe was near, Penn was clearly as moved as I was.a Wearily he pulled off his sodden cloak, and sank down beside Kree. aWe must pretend to trust them for now, in any case,a he murmured. aWe need their help. Our first task must be to gain the stem of the Pipe. After that, we will deal with what comes.a Penn hurried back into the room loaded with bundles and baskets. Her face was tense, her lips were strained into a smile that had no meaning.

aHere are rugs to keep you warm while you rest,a she chattered. aAnd breada"freshly bakeda"with hot Molisk patties. I am sure you are hungry.a She put down a basket of flat speckled rolls and a bowl of steaming objects that looked like green meatb.a.l.l.s. Suddenly aware that they were ravenous, the companions helped themselves.

They ate with relish. The bread tasted of the sea, but was crisp and warm. The patties were delicately flavoured, and melted on the tongue.

aThis meal pleases you more than the soup?a Penn asked.

aMuch more,a Barda agreed, with his mouth full.

Pennas smile became a little more real. aIt is written that Doran enjoyed Molisk patties also,a she said. aThey are our festival dish. The Piper ordered them to be prepared in honour of your visit. I am glad you are having them now. Before aa Her voice trailed off, and she turned away.

Lief, Barda and Jasmine looked at one another, the delicious food suddenly dry in their mouths. It was quite plain that Penn thought that the Molisk patties would be their last meal.

Meanwhile, in Del, Sharn and Marilen looked down at the small body lying in the bed. Carrying Jinks back to his own chamber had been a grim task, but they had agreed that it was necessary.

aOnly we know he was not as ill as he claimed,a Sharn said, covering the terrible face with the sheet. aPeople will think that he died of his injuries.a aThe poisoner may guess the truth,a Marilen said soberly. aAnd now we must try to think who that person may be. A person who knows I am here, and somehow knows who I am. And who had the opportunity to poison my food. The cook, Amarantza"a aAmarantz does not know you exist!a Sharn broke in. aShe thinks your trays are for an old palace servant who can no longer manage the stairs. And in any case I would trust her with my life. She would never serve the Shadow Lord.a Marilen looked doubtful, but finally nodded. aThen it must be one of the guards on this floor or the library floor,a she said. aThe guards must know that I am a special, secret visitor, for I never go downstairs.a aBut they do not go downstairs either, Marilen,a Sharn pointed out, her heart sinking as she realised how few the suspects actually were. aBarda refused to risk them gossiping or being drugged, as happened once before. They are living on camping rations and sleeping in turns on this floor.a Marilen shook her head in frustration. aThen who can the spy be?a she demanded. aDoom brought the tray to me. But Doom cannot be suspected. And nor can Josef, surely, though aa Her brow creased.

aWhat?a Sharn demanded. aTell me!a aJosef was a different, in the library this morning,a Marilen said hesitantly. aHe looked cross and anxious. He rushed out, telling Ranesh to meet him in the kitchen to discuss an important matter. He has never done such a thing before.a Sharn hesitated, unwelcome thoughts rus.h.i.+ng through her mind.

aMarilen,a she said at last. aDo not take this amiss, but I must know. You and Ranesh have become a good friends. Is it possible that you have given him a hint of the reason for your presence here?a Marilen blushed to the roots of her hair. aNo, I have not!a she cried angrily. aRanesh knows I am of Tora, certainly, but anyone who looks at me must know that.

He has never asked why I am here, or what my future might hold, and I have never told him.a She lifted her chin defiantly. aI have every reason not to do so!a Those last words ringing in her ears, Sharn looked into the hurt, troubled eyes, and knew the girl was speaking the truth. She sighed, her heart very heavy.

aI am sorry to have caused you pain, Marilen,a she said quietly. aBut we must face the truth. Of all the suspects, Ranesh and Josef are the only ones who know you are here, and who were also present in the kitchen when your tray was being prepared.a aThen however difficult it may be to believe, Josef must be guilty,a said Marilen in a hard voice.

aIt cannot be Josef, Marilen,a whispered Sharn.

aWhy not?a Marilen snapped, suddenly reminding Sharn vividly of Jasmine. aBecause he is old and frail? Because he says he saved The Deltora Annals? Surely we in Deltora have learned by now that wickedness can wear a smiling, deceiving mask?a Indeed, thought Sharn, as they left the room of death, locking it after them. But I fear, Marilen, it is a lesson that your own heart has made you forget.

As they turned towards the stairway, they saw one of the library guards hurrying towards them. In his hand he held a folded sheet of paper, heavily sealed with wax.

aWhat are you doing away from your post, Follin?a Sharn asked sharply.

aIt is my rest period, maaam,a said the guard. He thrust the paper into her hand with an air of relief.

aThe old fellowa"the librariana"gave me this soon after you left the library with the young lady, maaam,a he said, bowing distractedly in Marilenas direction. aHe said it had to be delivered to you urgently.a Marilen stiffened. aA message from Josef?a Sharn said faintly.

The guard nodded. aHe has been plaguing the life out of me ever since, maaam, to carry it to you. But, as I told him again and again, I could not leave my post until my replacement came. Those were the orders, maaam.a He looked at Sharn anxiously, plainly worried that he had made the wrong decision.

aQuite right, Follin,a said Sharn, forcing a smile. aThank you. Go to your rest now. You have earned it.a The guard made a clumsy bow, turned and lumbered away. With fingers that felt stiff and cold, Sharn broke the seal on the note and unfolded it.

13 - Treachery.

Sharnas heart was beating painfully as she ran up the stairs to the library. She dreaded hearing what Josef had to tell her.

Marilen was close beside her. Marilen had read the note also, and would not hear of being left behind. aIt could be a trap, Sharn,a she had said fiercely. aYou must not go alone! And in any case, I want to face him.a There was no help for it. Whatever Josef had to say would have to be said in front of Marilen.

And perhaps it is for the best, Sharn thought despairingly.

She found Josef hovering by the library doors, watching for her under the stern gaze of the guards on duty. The old manas face crumpled in relief as he saw her approaching. And at the sight of Marilen, tears sprang into his eyes. He did not seem to notice how coldly the girl answered his greeting.

aI have set Ranesh a task on the other side of the library,a he whispered, leading the two women through the huge, echoing room. aI would prefer that he did not hear us.a He ushered them into his own small chamber, and closed the door. His hands were trembling as he turned to face them. Plainly, now that the moment had arrived, he did not know how to begin.

aWhat is troubling you, Josef?a Sharn asked quietly, though her mind was boiling with fears.

Josefas mouth quivered. He took a deep breath. Then he said the last thing Sharn expected to hear.

aI have betrayed my trust,a he muttered. aI let my pity for an old friend and protector sway me. And in doing so, I did great wrong.a He bowed his head in misery.

aWhy, Josef! What do you mean?a exclaimed Sharn, very aware that Marilen was holding her breath.

aI wished only to comfort poor Amarantz. To tell her that Lief was sure to return to the palace,a whispered Josef. aSoa"I wrote upon her slate that he would certainly return, that he had to return, because his Toran bride was here.a Marilen made a strangled sound.

aWhat?a gasped Sharn, gripping the girlas arm.

Josefas eyes suddenly filled with tears. aThe message was only for Amarantz,a he choked. aBut thena"suddenlya"the giant, shaved-head woman, Lindal, burst into the room with the man, Jinks. They might have seen the message. I think they did.a aRanesh was in the kitchen too, Josef, was he not?a Sharn asked quickly.

aRanesh?a Marilenas face was scarlet.

Josef looked confused and fearful. aDo not blame Ranesh for concealing what I did, madam,a he cried. aRanesh knows nothing of it! I had wiped the slate clean by the time he arrived, and I did not tell him later. I was too ashamed, and fearful of his anger at my betrayal of our precious secret.a He bowed his head. aIt is unforgivable,a he mumbled. aWhy, Lief himself entrusted us with the lady Marilenas care. He did not say who she was, of course. But the palace was buzzing with the news that he had gone to Tora for a bride, and naturally, when Ranesh and I met her, we put two and two together.a aNaturally.a Sharnas head was spinning. Palace gossip. Of course! How could they have left this out of their calculations?

The blush had slowly faded from Marilenas cheeks, leaving her deathly pale. aI am going to my bed chamber,a she said stiffly to Sharn. aI have a tidying to do, as you may recall.a She bowed shortly to Josef, and left the room, walking very quickly.

Josef looked after her with anguished eyes. aWill she fleea"back to Tora?a he whispered.

aPerhaps,a said Sharn slowly. aShe has had a great shock.a aAh, I would give anything to take back what I did!a Joseph moaned. aI have been in torment, in terrible fear that some harm would befall her. But that, at least, has not happened.a Sharn made no reply. She was too occupied with her own thoughts.

aI am ready to go,a Josef added miserably.

Sharn looked up. Josef was standing before her, a small cloth bundle in his hand. For the first time she noticed that the little room had been stripped of every personal possession.

aJosefa"a she began.

The old man hung his head. aIf you feel you can trust me not to disgrace myself again, I will return to my old home,a he mumbled. aI would prefer it to a dungeon, though there is not much to choose between the two. But I will do whatever youa"a aJosef, do not be absurd!a cried Sharn. aThere is no question of your going away.a He stared at her in disbelief aNo question!a Sharn repeated. aYou made a mistake, certainly. But surely we can all be allowed one slip?a Josefas lips trembled. aThe results of my a slip a could be grave,a he said. aThe man Jinksa"I do not think he can be trusted. And Lindal aa aJinks is dead,a said Sharn abruptly. aLindal is with Doom. There is only one person I must see to settle this.a Josef gaped after her as she hurried out of the room.

Sharn was panting when she reached the kitchen door.

She stood quite still for a moment, her hand on the k.n.o.b, trying to calm herself. Then, to her surprise, she heard the m.u.f.fled voice of Amarantz, and the sound of her own name.

aSharn is upstairs, but she will be back at any moment. Wait here for her, I pray you. And try one or two of these, to please me. They are a new recipe. No doubt you are hungry from your journey.a aIndeed we are,a boomed another voicea"a voice Sharn knew well. aI could eat my old horse, if we did not need him to pull the caravan. Come on, girl!a There was a loud sc.r.a.ping of chairs.