Survivors: Book 4 Circles of Light series by E.M. Sinclair Read Free Book Online

of Olam. She looked at Tika. ‘The
gijan’s hands Tika – the same as Mim’s.’
    Tika nodded, annoyed
that she had not made the connection herself but she said nothing.
She would consider that implication later: for now she needed a
clear mind. They reached the towering female statue and stared. Was
it their collective imaginations or were her wings a little more
extended? Tika bit her lip and made herself bend to the plinth,
pressing her hand against the stone as Kertiss had done. She
straightened, the floor already hissing open.
    They walked more slowly
down the ramp, expecting darkness, but the same amber light
surrounded them all the way down. The floor levelled out, a blank
wall to their right and ahead, but the light beckoned them on to a
left turning. Before they reached it, song rippled to meet them, so
it was with no surprise that they confronted Singer once they
rounded the corner.
    ‘It is so wonderful to
meet new friends,’ Singer called, his music ceasing but his words
still melodious.
    There were several wide
openings off the curved chamber they found themselves in with Star
Singer but as yet no sign of Kertiss and Orla. Ren strode directly
to the Ship, laying his hand against its side.
    ‘Do you feel pain
Singer?’ Ren asked as soon as he felt the Ship’s mind enfold
his.
    ‘Not physical pain
anymore my friend. But I have discovered there is another sort of
pain which may be even worse.’
    Ren flinched back,
breaking the direct contact, and just stared at the Ship, his eyes
magnified with tears. He stumbled back to where his companions
stood even as Singer called aloud to them again.
    ‘Will some of you stay
and talk with me? It would be so wonderful to talk with others
rather than sing to myself all the time.’
    Olam and crimson Brin
moved instantly towards the Ship and were quickly followed by young
Storm, Riff and Pallin. Brin reclined against the wall nearest to
Singer’s curved end, Storm resting beside him. The three men sat on
the floor and Olam spoke first.
    ‘Tell us what the
fields of stars are like.’
    ‘And will you tell me
then of your lands, and your lives?’ Singer asked
hopefully.
    ‘Agreed!’
    They heard footsteps
approaching from one of the passages and turning towards it, Tika
saw pain and rage in Ren’s face. She caught his hand and squeezed
tight. Kertiss appeared then frowning at the two groups in the
chamber.
    ‘Our common armsmen
would prefer to tell tales than accompany us,’ Gan announced
pleasantly before Kertiss could comment.
    Seela chose that moment
to loom above Gan, her face then lowering close to Kertiss’s. ‘The
rest of us look forward to seeing your nesting caves,’ she
said.
    For the first time
Kertiss looked unsure, then he shrugged. ‘As you wish.’
    He turned to lead them
down the passage from which he’d emerged. He hesitated as if to
speak to Singer but Maressa spoke quickly.
    ‘Are there many rooms
down here Kertiss?’
    Navan hid a smile: the
Vagrantian air mage sounded as though she was merely visiting a
newly moved acquaintance. Kertiss stared at her blankly for a
moment.
    ‘There are enough rooms
for our requirements. If more are needed, the local people would
see to it of course.’
    ‘Do you go among the
Qwah often?’ Maressa continued her apparently inane questioning
while they walked behind Kertiss.
    Farn’s chin bumped on
Tika’s head and she slowed to slide her arm across his neck. She
noticed Sket’s hand rested on his sword hilt and his eyes were
never still. They trailed at Kertiss’s heels for some time, peering
into small square rooms: stone floored, stone walled and stone
roofed, all lit by the same steady amber glow. Two rooms were
obviously bed chambers; another they presumed to be a sitting area,
but the impression was of bleakness, coldness, and they quickly
found the constant light becoming tedious.
    ‘There do not seem to
be the things within your caves which most two legs consider
necessary,’ Farn suddenly