Homequest: Separation: Tales of Roumanhi

By JE Browning

A land in ruins, a trust broken, and a ruler at breaking point in a world where nothing is quite as it seems.

All Cail has ever wanted to do was serve his people. Steadfast, honourable, and loyal, he was born to rule, but he has seen his world torn apart and watched others playing the hero while he was doomed to failure. Now the cracks are showing.

Fighting to retain his sanity, Cail becomes lost to his people, a lurking shadow, separated from those he loves. Can he ever come back from his despair? Has he gone too far to redeem himself? And will the interference of the mysterious Aeryn hinder all attempts to restore him?

Feats of great courage and sacrifice dominate as Cails friends try to unravel dark mysteries and save his life. But Cails path home is paved with agonising loss, betrayal, and torture soon everything he cares about is put in jeopardy.

1. Homequest: Liberation
2. Homequest: Decimation
3. Homequest: Separation

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477242179

JE Browning

JE began writing the Tales of Roumanhi, Homequest series in 1992 when living and teaching in Greece. Unable to stop writing, the lives of T’skya, Hollam, Cail, and all the other characters and creatures from Roumanhi and beyond can be explored in Homequest: Separation, the third volume of the Tales of Roumanhi series: Homequest: Liberation Homequest: Decimation Homequest: Separation Following time as a police officer, JE now trains and exercises people to respond to major emergencies, helping keep the public of Wiltshire, England, safe. JE is also a martial arts instructor, keen traveler, scuba diver, nature lover, science fiction/fantasy fan, and artist. For more information about JE and the Tales of Roumanhi series, please see this website: www.homequest-liberation.com.

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© 2012 by JE Browning. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/12/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-4216-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-4217-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

www.homequest-liberation.com

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Ackowledgements

What has gone before

1. Facing the truth

2. The A’eryn

3. Powerless

4. Olin

5. Search and ye shall find

6. A short trim

7. Broken

8. Sweet and sour

9. Becoming Kházakh

10. A myth dispelled

11. The music of the A’eryn

12. Rebirth

13. Diagnosis

14. Trials and tribulations

15. Decisions

16. Separation

Reviews of Decimation

• Another great book from a talented author, the story of Decimation is darker and more menacing than the first. Decimation draws you in with its compelling plot. Indeed, as the story progressed and the tension mounted, I found it an emotional ride; it brought tears to my eyes at the end!

• After reading the previous book in the Tales of Roumanhi, my expectations were really high. With Homequest: Decimation, they were surpassed with ease. The characters are still, if not even more, realistic, as they face harder trials and tribulations.

• A heartbreakingly beautiful and deeply emotional tale, as good and engaging as the first and leaves you eager for the next.

• JE Browning is brilliant, after reading Liberation and loving it thoroughly I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Decimation and I wasn’t disappointed, even better than the first, and the first was amazing!

JE Browning, author of the Tales of Roumanhi series:

1. Homequest: Liberation

2. Homequest: Decimation

3. Homequest: Separation

Homequest: Separation

is dedicated

to

my dad

10th December 1932-19th November 2011

ar’oma var,

Ackowledgements

Thank you to Teresa Goddard for her hard work assisting me with marketing and for patiently teaching an old dog new tricks through social networking.

My fans also have my gratitude for their continuing love and support, and for their patience whilst waiting for each Tale to be published.

Caelcáladrim dakrit louis!

What has gone before

T’skya, a young environmental technician, is sent from her decaying Mothership, the Homequest, to find her desperate people a new home. Heading for a city on a strange planet, she crashes in a hostile desert and is mysteriously transported to the edge of the ancient forest where she is taken prisoner by native Roumanhi scouts from the Wilderwood Clan, Cail and Hollam (‘brothers’). She is astonished to hear her own language spoken, little knowing some of her people were expelled from her home world for being imperfect and villainous in the eyes of their genetically perfect leaders and that these outcasts, known locally as the Kházakha, have now enslaved the Roumanhi people.

On witnessing Kházakha cruelty, learning how they murdered the King (Castan) and his family and are decimating the land, T’skya decides to help Cail. She grows ever closer to him, much to the disgust and jealousy of the fierce warrior woman, Raven, who has a passionate hatred for the Kházakha and an obsessive love for Cail.

However, the enemy may be about to discover T’skya’s craft, forcing the Roumanhis to set out to find her ship first. After several dangerous adventures Cail and T’skya find the ship has been destroyed by the secretive and mysterious creatures the Grish-Grish-Gûri, who implant knowledge into Cail and T’skya, but temporarily prevent them from remembering their encounter.

Some of the ship’s equipment is salvaged and T’skya distils a highly concentrated sleeping potion from wild fungi. The peaceful Wilderwood Clan hatch a plot to contaminate the Kházakha water supply, hoping they can overcome their captors without bloodshed.

Hollam, having fallen in love with Breeze, a Jaidus (empathic abilities) from Kalkassa, is mortified when she returns to her homeland, taking Briar, the head of Wilderwood, with her. He volunteers for the dangerous mission to drug the water tanks alongside Cail and T’skya, knowing it could be a one way trip.

But disaster strikes. Cail is captured and taken to the Kházakha leader Santovin’s Palace in the city, where he is tortured. Devastated by the loss of Cail, his ‘mother’ Negram confesses to T’skya that Cail is the true heir to the throne of Roumanhi. She swapped her own baby (Hollam’s younger brother) with the Prince to keep the Castan line alive, but no-one living, except Briar, knows the truth.

T’skya and Hollam continue the mission, but when T’skya is betrayed by Raven and also captured, Hollam is forced to head for the water tanks alone.

Raven travels to the Palace and bargains for Cail’s life, but Santovin betrays her and forces Cail to fight in the Arena, a gladiatorial battle to the death. He makes T’skya and Raven watch Cail fight where he is apparently stabbed to death. Raven is beside herself and takes her own life.

Commander Travis, Santovin’s right hand man, disgusted by the acts he is forced to carry out, finally rebels and rescues Cail; his survival carefully planned. Cail realises that Hollam has succeeded in doping the water.

People start to fall unconscious throughout the city and Travis leads a rebellion to overthrow Santovin with the aid of the Roumanhi city slaves. T’skya manages to escape captivity with the help of a Palace android, Vigour, and is reunited with Cail. Together they confront Santovin, only to discover he had taken the baby Prince from the murdered King’s arms. Negram’s youngest son has now grown into a wild man, dehumanised, tortured, abused, and mute—his tongue cut out to still his noise. T’skya names him Kylian.

Santovin is killed by Vigour and T’skya uses skills implanted by the Grish-Grish-Gûri to block some of the horrors from Kylian’s mind. T’skya then announces Cail’s birthright and the knowledge implanted by the Grish-Grish-Gûri is remembered. They seek to rescue Hollam from the water tanks with the help of one of Travis’s senior officers. They find Hollam seriously wounded, having been shot and fallen from one of the water tanks. He cannot reconcile his brother’s suffering or the knowledge that his own mother gave her own son away to preserve the monarchy. Despite Cail’s best efforts, a deep rift develops between the men.

Cail and T’skya finally bond—a sexual union linking them spiritually and physically so that they are ever aware of each other—and eventually Hollam deigns to bless Cail’s position and he is crowned.

Almost a year since T’skya landed in Roumanhi, Commander Talmana of the Mothership arrives and, to T’skya’s grief, tells her they have found a group of islands they intend to inhabit far distant from Roumanhi. Reluctantly Talmana agrees to relocate the worst of the imprisoned Kházakha from the city.

Hollam and Cail remain in dispute. Hollam leaves with no farewells to reunite with Breeze in her homeland of Kalkassa. However, on route he is followed by Kylian and confronted by a Faerine, an ancient and ethereal creature that insists Hollam is the Amun-Pur, the one chosen to fight The Void—an evil, destructive entity that will destroy everything they know, and in which the Faerines are imprisoned. Hollam disputes the claim, but the Kalkassians have foreseen the coming darkness and Hollam’s entry into the land is unwelcome, and his life is put in jeopardy.

Breeze rescues him but at first rejects him. Her father Raatian, the Kalkassian Premier has commanded she bond with a fellow Jaidus, Captain Ohriiel. But her love for Hollam wins through and they convince Raatian to let Hollam seek aid from Cail and T’skya against The Void.

He returns with Breeze and Ohriiel only to discover that Roumanhi is in trouble, with a terrible drought and forest fires raging. Despite their best efforts, Cail and T’skya are unable to find the help Hollam needs.

Everything begins to conspire against him and Hollam soon becomes demoralised and desolate. Kylian is possessed by the Krule—an evil entity that works on behalf of The Void—and he turns against Hollam and the Roumanhis, almost killing Breeze and Hollam’s best friend, Tarn.

The newly named Navennán city (Santovin’s former stronghold) is in the path of the coming storm, The Void approaches in the form of a massive tornado, and the city and most of its inhabitants are destroyed. Commander Travis manages to escape, but is badly injured.

As Roumanhi is torn apart, Hollam is left to face the challenges of The Void and a confrontation with his brother. He endures terrible pain and is given such impossible choices that he attempts his own life, but is brought back. Hollam’s selfless choices eventually weaken The Void. The Faerines are released from their imprisonment, together with the warrior race called the Harouks.

However, The Void can only be destroyed by the most selfless sacrifice. Hollam does not hesitate and returns Kylian’s ability to speak, ignorant of what he must give in exchange. Instantly his eyesight is taken from him, a fatal disability for a Roumanhi. His life forfeit, Hollam makes a last ditch effort to save his life by returning to Kalkassa in the hope the Jaidus can restore his vision before it kills him. Cail and T’skya, themselves battered and bruised, are left to try and restore order to a ravaged land.

FORTEXTREFEREFERENCE.JPG

ONE

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Facing the truth

Master Raatian sat with his old webbed hands folded over his robed lap, staring across the expanse of carved stone which separated him from his fragile daughter. His expression was kind but solemn and a carefully hidden anxiety sat behind his steel grey eyes; she remained so pale and the beautiful shimmering colours that should have adorned her face were absent; and she was still too thin.

Breeze sat calmly, fixing a positive picture on to her face, determined to let her surety speak for itself.

‘Three turns of the moon, Tialla daughter, has he remained with us and yet shows no sign of improvement. How much longer can you hold him here before you must concede defeat?’

‘There is no defeat to concede,’ she replied stoically. ‘Hollam does not ail and he will regain his sight given time.’

Raatian’s bushy white eyebrows drew downwards and he rubbed his chin. He knew his words could drive a wedge between them.

‘The Amun-Pur does not ail because you sustain him at great cost to yourself, and your friends.’ Breeze sought to interject, but Raatian was not finished. ‘Do not deny it Tialla daughter; I know Azleth and Tanshasta, and even Vaala your mother have aided you in this, and though I do not condemn your efforts, they only serve to delay the inevitable.’

‘There is nothing inevitable about Hollam. He will survive this; he will see again.’

‘By whose command? He made the choice willingly, with honour and compassion, and knows his own fate. Do not take away such honour by holding him here against his will.’

Breeze looked stricken. ‘I do not force him to remain. He is free to leave if he so chooses. And what is honour if you are dead?’

Raatian heaved a sigh. Her conviction radiated like the sun, but beneath it laid a troubled heart. She knew Hollam was slipping away despite her best efforts and that soon he would wish to return to the land of his birth. She had promised to take him home, to leave him to his fate if indeed his blindness was permanent and his life forfeit, but she simply could not contemplate deserting him in Roumanhi. She dared not admit she would lose the man she loved.

‘My most precious daughter, Hollam stays because he would not hurt you by asking to leave. He struggles to hold his desire inside and has hinted to Briar of his wishes. He is desperate that you should let him go. He knows the effect his failings are having upon you and it is breaking his heart as much as the failure itself.’

Breeze gasped and her defences dropped. Raatian honed in on her, making the most of the rare chance to read her unshielded emotions. The impact made his skin pale and he despaired.

‘Why would he tell Briar instead of talking to me? There are no secrets between us,’ she asked reproachfully.

‘He sought her advice, as he has always done, but I felt it prudent to forewarn you and to allow the word to be yours. You must talk to him Tialla; you must give his will your blessing so that he may leave with some solace in his heart. He has shielded his pain from you with aid from both from myself and Captain Ohriiel, and he has learnt more quickly than I ever imagined. He would make a fine Jaidus and no greater honour, other than your hand, could I reward him with, if such a thing were possible.’

‘Then if he were to overcome, you would allow the bonding gladly? I thought you still objected.’

‘Do not grasp at hope little one, but yes, I would have welcomed him into this family openly and with joy, despite his somewhat reckless ways and the breaking of our traditions. Ashathollam Allonas has proven his worth, and his devotion, but alas, he is going to die and there is nothing we can do about it.’

‘Do not condemn him, father, I beg you. Hollam is strong and he knows I carry a son. He will not give up the chance for a child.’

Raatian leant across the broad expanse of table, his sadness for Breeze splashed across his face. He hated destroying her fragile hopes. ‘Then daughter, if that is truly his strongest desire, and if he believes he will recover, why has he chosen not to bond with you and sire this child; not chosen to end the tortuous wait he has endured? You know the child will survive scant longer if the bond does not occur. He seeks to protect you, to preserve you by ignoring his own heart, and for this I respect him.’

Breeze hung her head, knowing her father spoke the truth. Hollam’s desire for her and for a family was palpable; she could feel longing emanating from him even at a distance, and when they were together it was as if the very air were charged with his yearning and need. She would weep for him; it caused him so much pain. She had not even told Hollam their unborn son was in danger; how could she burden him with such news?

Breeze realised that she had prolonged Hollam’s agony too long. She would have to keep her word and let him go back to the forests and the life he knew and loved, there to waste away as if starved of food. Roumanhis did not survive blindness; they just gave up and died, their spirits broken and their desires quashed. Hollam would push almost everyone and everything away and fade like a sunset until his life was extinguished in a gentle breath. And yet there was no physical reason the Jaidus could find to prevent his eyes from seeing the world. He simply lived in darkness, a terrible sacrifice for the sake of his brother’s speech.

The Faerine had not told Hollam what he must exchange to give Kylian back the power of speech, but still he had chosen to do it. Breeze could not bring herself to believe the Faerine had intended to take Hollam’s life as part of the bargain. Therein lay her strength and conviction. Hollam had fought The Void and triumphed, freeing the Faerines from their imprisonment and freeing the Harouks to people the land once more. He had preserved the world from the evil manifestations of the Krule. He was a hero; a hero condemned to die.

Now Hollam’s frustration was growing and he was intent on challenging himself in reckless pursuits. His latest endeavour was to jump from the cliffs into the deep azure sea, testing his courage and seeking thrills he could not have in other ways.

After many demands he had been escorted to the diving platforms where a deep pool lay beneath intimidating cliffs. There were plenty of levels to dive from, different tests of nerve and skill. Hollam was now venturing towards to highest points where only the finest divers in Kalkassa dared test their talent. Breeze almost died every time he did it. It was hard enough sighting the water, but blind it was insane. Judge the distance wrongly and you could hit jagged rocks. Judge the water wrongly and you could break bones or worse.

Hollam was entering a level where it was too dangerous to dive and had taken to landing in the water feet first, but not without putting in a somersault or two to add to the thrill. He was the subject of much debate amongst the sea-people. Some considered him a fool for daring his life, although they admired his skill. Others were astounded by his prowess and courage. Many simply strove to outdo him.

Breeze considered Hollam both foolish and brave. She admired his determination to succeed, to push the boundaries of safety and rejoiced in his exuberance when it went particularly well, and he did look astoundingly handsome in his skimpy trunks, but Breeze feared for Hollam’s life and wondered whether he truly cared what became of him. It would have been a more honourable death than waiting for it to creep up upon him.

Breeze stared at the table unseeing, unable to find the will to look at her father or to speak. She had been so sure; so positive her presence and Hollam’s desire to make her his would be enough to cleanse his soul of the horrors blocking his vision. She could see no other reason for his lack of sight, save for the despair and the scars of betrayal that lay behind their hazel beauty. He had endured so much and been so wounded, it was almost as if he had gone blind to hide from the world that had caused his dismay. But she had no proof, only the same logic that made his brother Kylian adamant he could be saved; if only they could find the way.

And now her father, the Premier of Kalkassa, was demanding she send Hollam home in keeping with her promise, demanding she send Hollam to his certain death and demanding she give up her dreams of bearing his child. Raatian knew what he was asking, how cruel the choice and how desolate she would be without Hollam in her life.

‘Tialla daughter, I know what you are facing and how grievous it is to you. I would not have you wasting your life mourning his loss. The Ri-Kalli-Nan, though not without great risk, can still be performed to spare you from this. Please, my child, cannot a father seek to preserve his only flesh and blood as fervently as you seek to preserve Hollam’s?’

Breeze raised her eyes and they were tear filled. ‘I would rather grieve a thousand lives than have him taken from my heart. I could not dishonour him so.’

‘Even if that were his wish?’ Raatian asked softly.

Breeze stood on trembling legs. ‘He wishes that?’

‘He does not wish you to suffer at his passing. He loves you too much to think of himself in this matter. He told me so himself.’

‘Why? Why would he tell you such things?’

Raatian wearily got to his feet and approached her, gently taking her shaking hands in his. ‘You know why.’

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Hollam was sitting on a rock dabbling his bare toes in the cool waters of the Kalkass Sea. His ornately carven walking stick was hooked over a nodule, a gift from Master Raatian. It was strong but light, highly polished down the shaft and curved at the top in the form of a serpent, gilded and inlaid with two vivid blue gems for the eyes. Hollam could not really appreciate the beauty, but his fingers had grown sensitive enough to appreciate the skill that had gone into its making.

He was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and his broad muscled chest was now darker than feasible for Roumanhi skin. He had a golden glow that made him look to be in the peak of health. Only grazes down his shins where he had slipped on the perilous rocks denoted injury and were it not for the absence of focus in his eyes, no-one could have told he was afflicted with a malady that was killing him.

He kicked his feet and listened to the splash, enjoying as best he could the feel of the sea as it ran over his legs. He longed to be able to see the sunlight glittering on the rippling water, to see the myriad of coloured fish that swam about his toes searching for food, to find shapes in the lazy clouds that sometimes drifted across the sun and more, to see the trees that grew beyond the shore. But most of all he longed to see the love behind Breeze’s eyes and to look upon her startling beauty, for then he could claim her as his own and unite in a bonding he had yearned for since he first beheld her in Wilderwood. But he knew in his heart it was not to be. He could feel himself fading, slowly and remorselessly like the sands of time and no matter what he did he could not reverse it. Hollam also knew the Jaidus were doing all in their power to delay his passing. He could feel it when they bent their powers his way, like a drink after a period of thirst, refreshing and invigorating, but it did not last and each time they rested he slipped further away. Now it was time for them to stop.

Hollam was no fool—although his antics often left people wondering—and he understood the cost of their endeavours. His hearing had sharpened considerably and he had not missed the rumours, nor failed to sense that Breeze had not regained her strength as she should. Her will was so focussed upon him that she left little for herself and had never regained her colours or webbing, despite full access to the nutrients she required. And he could feel that she was still as slender as a reed, although he did his best to avoid physical contact. It was torture to deny his hot blooded needs and his control was perilously close to failing; only his passionate love for her held him in abeyance. To give in to his yearning would have condemned her to feel his despair as if she were inside him and he was not willing to place his own suffering upon her, nor to leave her widowed.

He sighed mournfully and kicked at the water in temper. He had to tell her; had to make her understand he needed to return to the forest. He had only left his land to please her, but it was hopeless and he remained as blind as if his eyes had been ripped from his skull.

His malcontent growing with his frustrations Hollam snatched up his stick and hurled it as far as he could, cursing loudly. He then howled his stupidity to the air as he realised what the impetuous action had done. Now he had thrown away a precious gift and left himself with no way to safely traverse the shores and Denashka Keep.

Without thinking he hurled himself into the sea, heedless of the fact he had no idea how deep the water was, how strong the current or even exactly where he was. He could only gain his bearings by listening to the waves splashing against the shore line and by the flow and ebb of the tide.

He tried to stand, but the bottom was out of reach and he trod water for a moment, undecided whether to head back to the rock or to search for his cane. With any luck it would float and he had an idea where he had thrown it. With a powerful stroke he headed into deeper water, sweeping his hands from side to side, but he could not locate the cane.

Hollam set his jaw and listened for the shore, but he had drifted further than he thought. Everything seemed eerily silent and he began to get nervous, remembering there were creatures with rather large teeth and nasty stingers inhabiting the waters. But that was not his only worry. The water was bobbing him about and he could not tell which way led back to the safety of the land. Even the sun had deserted him, nestling behind a billowing cloud.

He raised a long arm above his head and yelled, hoping a Kalkassian would glance his way, but knew it was unlikely. He had taken himself to one of the more remote points and no-one knew where he was.

His one chance lay in Breeze. She had heard his pleas as he neared death, condemned to drown by Captain Ohriiel all those months ago. Perhaps now she would sense his danger and again come to his rescue. And then he would have to endure her rebuke, and rightly so; he was berating himself as he poured his soul into reaching her.

Indeed before many minutes had passed Hollam heard the cries of his rescue party and the safe hands of Kalkassian divers enfolded his arms and dragged him back to shore.

‘Amun-Pur what is this recklessness? Why did you venture out alone? Drift but a little further and you would have breached the abyss and met currents too strong even for us and there met your fate,’ they chastised.

‘I lost my cane,’ he mumbled, after duly giving his thanks.

‘Is a cane worth risking your life for?’

Hollam shrugged. ‘It was a gift from the Premier.’

‘Then we shall retrieve it for you if it is not beyond our reach. The Premier does not give gifts lightly and they should not be lightly cast aside.’

It was evident they knew the cane had not headed into the sea unaided, but they said no more about it and before long it was safely back in his hands. A Kalkassian walked him back towards the Keep, determined he would not endanger himself again.

‘How did you know I was there?’ Hollam asked at length.

‘We were passing and saw you.’

Hollam hummed his disappointed, although relieved Breeze had been spared the worry and that he would be spared her berating tongue. Evidently, however, word of his recklessness had spread and a crowd had gathered by the Keep to survey him.

Breeze was amongst them and she hurried to his side. He smiled dourly as she aired her thoughts, allowing her to guide him back to his room where at least he could not get up to any more mischief.

He found a cloth and rubbed at his hair whilst she watched him quietly with growing anxiety and sorrow. There stood the strappingly handsome man she adored, half naked with his hair bushing wildly as he roughly dried it. She absorbed every inch of his being, gazing as the muscles tensed in his long and loving arms and rippled across the back that had endured so many burdens.

He abruptly stopped what he was doing and turned towards her, sensing that something other than his foolishness was absorbing her. Hollam dropped the cloth on to the table and slowly seated himself. He knew his own room intimately and could now traverse it without knocking his shins or catching his hips as first affronted him. The chair was wooden and comfortable, cushioned on its seat and high backed, but he leant forward, his hands on his knees and gazed in her general direction, a slight frown marring his still youthful looking face.

His large hazel eyes searched for her and she stared into them. They looked exactly the same: soulful and kind, the warm eyes of a mischievous and loveable rogue, of a man who lived life to the full and was ever exuding joy and exuberance, but the focus was off and behind them, deep within his soul, still lay a hurt beyond the reach of anyone except Hollam himself.

‘I am sorry for worrying you. I had no thought to endanger myself, I was . . . well it does not matter, I am safe now.’

‘You were angry and frustrated,’ Breeze added quietly. ‘I felt it.’

‘From so far?’

‘It is not difficult when I attune myself to you. Your feelings are very loud.’

Hollam smiled grimly. ‘Everything about me is loud; or at least it used to be.’

‘Hollam,’ she said, and then paused, not quite knowing how to begin.

Hollam remained quiet. He guessed the cause of her dilemma.

‘I need you to be honest with me now. I need to hear from your lips that I am wrong in my belief you will recover. I need to know that my hope is in vain,’ she said breathlessly, as if uttering the words had taken all her energy.

Hollam hung his head, and his strong shoulders drooped. ‘I have done everything I can, sweet Breeze, to make our dreams come true. There is nothing I would not give to see again so that I may share your life; that I may father our child, but I have nothing left to give.’

‘Then you wish to return to the forest? You desire I uphold my vow?’

Hollam moved from his chair and slid across the floor on his knees, stopping just short of her feet. Heedless of the pain he fumbled for her trembling hands and held them, at once shaken by the intensity of his desires, at once shaken by the intensity of hers. ‘It is not a wish, beloved. It is my need. I need to feel the soft earth of my forest home, to be in the company of my compatriots and my champion before the end. I belong in Roumanhi and there I must remain until I die. I know the burden this places upon you; I know the sacrifice you must make to let me go; it is no less than my own.’

He heard her sob and reached up to wipe the tears from her eyes. She did not object as his long fingers gently caressed her face and his own tears began to fall. ‘I have only ever wished you happiness my sweet, sweet Breeze. I cannot stomach the thought that my passing should leave you bereft of joy. You know what I would have you do.’

‘I cannot. No, please do not ask this of me,’ she pleaded mournfully.

Hollam raised himself closer to her face, taking her cheeks in his hands and staring as best as he was able into her face. She could feel his breath on her skin and she looked down at his lips hovering so enticingly close to hers. ‘You must save yourself,’ they whispered.

‘No!’ she replied vehemently, but did not pull away. ‘I will not have you banished from my heart. I will not make our love meaningless.’

‘Even if refusal sends me to my grave with guilt in my conscience, more guilt than I already endure to have afflicted you with this grief?’

Breeze’s face withered and her whole body was racked with tremors. ‘That is not fair. Please do not say such things.’

‘But I speak the truth as you have asked me to do. I cannot leave you to grieve until the end of your days for a man so full of failings. The thought of you with another is like a knife in my heart, but I would rather suffer this than to cut your life short and have my Breeze walk the earth bereft. I am not worthy of such a sacrifice.’

Breeze clasped his chin firmly. ‘There is no man more worthy. If I can find the strength to set you free then please find the strength to let me grieve in the manner of my own choosing. Would you cut me from your heart in such a way; would you forget me so readily?’

‘I would not, unless it was to save you further harm. Please, Breeze, reconsider. Let my death be peaceful.’

‘Do not speak of your death. It is not yet upon you,’ she said sharply, distraught to hear the words spoken so calmly.

‘I want you to stop helping me, for all the Jaidus to withdraw their aid.’ Breeze tried to pull away but he held her firmly. ‘Leave me to my fate as befits my title.’

‘You are cutting me to pieces!’ she exclaimed, howling her torment.

‘No, Breeze, do not bewail my pleas. I do not mean to hurt you in this way. Forgive me, for my words must wound you to the core. I say them to you now only because I must. You cannot save me and I cannot save myself. I love you more than life itself but must find my own path in the time I have left. I must.’

‘Hollam, my love . . .’

Hollam did not permit her to protest further. He leant forward and his lips found hers, savouring the softness of her skin and the salty tang of her tears where they freely flowed down her face. His kiss was long and passionate, as if he would never hold her against him again. Fire burnt his body as he fought his urge to lay her down and unite with her, but with what remained of his self control he pulled away, panting and racked with terror at the thought of giving her up and demanding her compliance with his wishes.

Breeze sat silently, stirred by his kisses and numb with grief. ‘I will do as you wish,’ she said at last, her voice quivering. ‘I will let you be free to follow your path, but I will grieve for thee. I will grieve as is our custom and then I will endure the Ri-Kalli-Nan, but not a moment sooner.’

Heart broken, Hollam squeezed her hands, grateful that in time she would be free of his influence.

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Hollam’s departure was soon common knowledge and was set for three days hence. He had a stream of well wishers at his door, all full of sorrow that his health had not improved, all saddened for their leader’s daughter, and all a trial for the man.

His only solace was the knowledge that he was going home, even though he would miss the sea and the hospitality his hosts had freely provided. There was unfinished business to attend to in Roumanhi; business with the Castan.

Only brief news from his homeland had reached Hollam over the past month. The Kalkassians had given what aid they could to the ravaged land, but they had withdrawn their services when the worst was over and little of consequence now passed his way.

Hollam understood that very few Navennáns had survived the destruction of their city and the land it stood upon was now back in the hands of the Harouks, although they had been dismayed by what they had found there. He also knew that Wilderwood and the surrounding enclaves had survived the fires, whereas the central forests had almost been obliterated by the raging flames. Now Roumanhi was almost split in two. Food was still in short supply and there were problems finding room for the displaced, but the people were rallying and the Castan and his Queen were working tirelessly to preserve what was left.

It was a relief to know that Lily had survived and was now at his best friend Tarn’s side. Commander Travis’s family had also been spared; all of them surviving in the basement of his larger than average house and they were now helping to establish a Navennán stronghold further to the north. But Hollam knew little else and all inquiries into his brother’s welfare were met with silence. It appeared Kylian had taken a leave of absence and no-one was quite sure where he was. Hollam was unquestionably disconcerted by the news, but did his best not to worry. Kylian was a survivor and surprisingly adaptable considering he had been imprisoned most of his life.

Whilst Hollam ruminated, he was blessed with a visit from his former Clan leader. Seeking retreat in the land of the Great Divide, Briar had established herself as Roumanhi councillor to the Premier and remained as brusque and forceful as she ever was in her own land.

She was one of the few who still treated Hollam the same, ignoring his blindness just as she had ignored Kylian’s lust for blood, a trait repugnant to her race. She still berated Hollam for his foolishness, and she still nurtured him and gave advice. For all her apparent harshness she was one of Hollam’s greatest advocates.

She sat drumming her fingers on the table, watching Hollam through wise old eyes as he carefully poured her a drink. He took his time and wearily drew up a chair beside her.

‘Are you ailing today?’ she asked, searching his face.

‘I asked the Jaidus to withdraw their aid. I had not quite realised how much they bolstered me until today. Suddenly I feel drawn, if you understand me.’

‘I understand, but am glad to hear it. Their help, though noble, is not the answer; it is not the natural process. You have shown much strength in what you have chosen to do, and much