Talaban had been superbly trained. He could read maps, lead men, sail the oceans, and construct battle strategies at a moment’s notice. But nothing in his 200 years of life had prepared him for the moment he saw Sofarita. It was as if he had been struck dumb.
He had been fine as he approached Ro’s house with Touchstone. They had climbed down from the carriage in time to see Rael and Niclin leaving. The Questor General pulled him aside. ‘Be careful what you say and think, Talaban. She is powerful and can – I believe – read a man’s thoughts.’
‘Is she still under sentence of death?’
‘No. There is a new council being elected. Be at the chamber tonight, at the nineteenth hour. You will replace Questor Ro.’
‘What has happened to him?*
‘She has bewitched him, Talaban. Beware that the same does not happen to you.’
With that the Questor General moved away to his carriage.
Talaban and Touchstone entered the house. Ro himself greeted them. His manner seemed friendly and he was relaxed in a way Talaban had never seen before. ‘You are welcome, my friends,’ said Ro. ‘Come, the lady waits.’
They followed Ro into the garden room. The woman was sitting on a low couch. She glanced up as the men entered. Talaban looked at her, and his pace faltered. Her eyes were tawny brown, with flecks of gold, her hair dark and long, her skin tanned gold. She was exquisite, and he found himself staring at her beauty, unable to think clearly.
‘Welcome, Talaban,’ she said.
Struggling to clear his mind he found himself saying ‘I am Talaban’, which was ridiculous, considering she had just greeted him by name. He took a step forward and his foot caught on the rug, almost making him stumble.
‘And it is good to see you again, Touchstone,’ she added, smiling at the tribesman. Touchstone bowed, but said nothing.
The smile tore into Talaban like a lance. She is bewitching you, he thought. Just as Rael prophesied. Be careful!
‘What… did you wish to … why did you call for us?’ said Talaban, clumsily. Anger at his own stupidity raged through him. He had never before been so inarticulate. He felt foolish and awkward.
‘I am Sofarita,’ she said, ‘and we needed to meet. We have both talked with One-Eyed-Fox, and we both know that this terrible enemy must be defeated.’ She told him of Almeia, the living crystal, the heart of the Almec people. Talaban listened as she described the horror that awaited the peoples of the world should the Almecs conquer.
She also outlined the discussions with Rael and Mejana. The warrior tried to concentrate, but his thoughts kept straying. The line of her neck was beautiful, her shoulders perfect. He looked at her lips as she spoke, trying to focus on her words. Soft lips, full, glistening …
‘Are you well, captain?’ she asked him suddenly.
‘Well? Yes, I am well. Are you bewitching me, lady?’
‘Not by intent, sir,’ she told him, coolly. Touchstone chuckled beside him, the sound washing over Talaban like spring water, easing his tension.
‘I am not usually this foolish,’ he said. ‘I apologize, lady.’
‘You have nothing to apologize for, Talaban. But, tell me, are you not surprised by the turn of events? How do you feel about this new alliance with the Vagars?’
‘I cannot say,’ he replied, truthfully. ‘It has all happened so suddenly.’ He looked into her eyes, and was delighted to discover that he could do so and still think clearly. ‘Once the seas covered Parapolis we were finished. It was only a question of time. That time – it appears – is now upon us.’
‘Does it sadden you?’
‘No,’ he told her. And was surprised to find that he meant it.
‘Good. I fear most Avatars will not agree with you. With no-one being crystal-drawn your dreams of immortality will cease. You will grow old as other men.’
‘Not if Anu completes his pyramid,’ he said. ‘It will draw power from the sun and feed the crystals without need of human sacrifice.’
‘Questor Anu is a great man,’ she said. ‘But he will not finish his pyramid in time to save the cities of the east. That will be left to men like Rael and yourself.’
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