Golden Age (The Shifting Tides, #1)(52)

‘Priestess . . . What is it?’

The Oracle had her head down but she now raised it as the white fire between them ebbed. Dion saw through the flames that she was a young woman, beautiful and pale, with smooth skin and an oval face. She gazed at Dion with piercing green eyes, revealing a troubled expression.

‘This man . . . The materia does not respond to him.’

‘What do you want us to do?’

‘Take him away from me. He interferes with my abilities.’ She moaned. ‘I want him to leave.’

‘Do you want us to kill him?’

‘No,’ the Seer said sharply. ‘I cannot say that his future is dark . . . only that it is beyond my ability to see. Killing him could be a blessing to humanity, or it could lead us all to darkness. The gods decree that we do not seek to alter another’s destiny without knowing the consequences are clear.’

Dion was confused. His eyes went from face to face. ‘Please,’ he said. ‘I need to consult with you. Let me explain.’

‘Tell me nothing,’ the Oracle hissed. ‘Nothing!’

‘What do you want us to do?’

‘I want him gone.’

‘But, Priestess . . . He has no way from the island.’

‘Then give him a boat.’

‘Without provisions we would be killing him just the same,’ the magus said.

‘Then give him provisions,’ the Seer said. ‘I want him gone!’

The magus came and hauled Dion forcibly to his feet. He handed Dion his amulet. ‘Come,’ he said harshly.

‘Take him!’ the Oracle wailed.

Her voice followed Dion as he was hauled out of the cave.

‘Take him!’




When Dion returned to the beach, unsure about what had actually just happened, he saw with surprise that there was now a small boat, bobbing in the shallow water, anchored to the beach with a trailing rope that led from its bow.

He couldn’t believe his eyes. He had seen the magus with him make no communication with any other, yet here was a boat, evidently a reluctant gift to him from the magi.

‘Your vessel is here,’ the magus said after leading him down from the cave. ‘You will find provisions inside, along with your weapon. The Oracle has given you a generous gift, but there is a condition.’

Dion turned and met his dark eyes.

‘Never return to Athos. The gods are powerful, and the Oracle is their representative in the world of mortal men. Never return to Athos, on your life, and on your soul.’

‘I understand,’ Dion said.

He stepped slowly down the beach, leaving the emaciated man behind. Suddenly he couldn’t take his eyes off the boat.

It was small, not designed to carry more than three men, but wondrously proportioned, sleek as a cat, rakish and lean. Its hull was decorated with alternating horizontal stripes of blue and gold and the unpainted timbers of the interior glistened in the sun, polished to reveal the beautiful grain of the wood. A solitary mast sprouted from her center and there was no line for a headsail, but the material of the white sail rolled on top of the boom appeared as lustrous as silk, and the mast was so tall that Dion knew the slightest puff of wind would send it leaping.

Sailing across the Maltherean Sea meant crossing the open ocean, and typically a vessel of this size would be far too small. But this boat was a gift from the magi of Athos. Dion would trust it more than he would trust a vessel three times the size.

‘Her name is the Calypso,’ the magus behind him said. ‘She is yours.’

‘I’m traveling to Lamara, capital of Ilea—’ Dion began, preparing to ask the magus for guidance.

‘Do not tell me of your quest,’ the magus said, holding up a hand. He turned to depart, speaking over his shoulder as he left Dion alone on the beach. ‘Just never return to Athos.’





23


The reddish land ahead grew larger with every sweep of the bireme’s many oars until it came to dominate Chloe’s vision, revealing rust-colored cliffs, rocky bays, and promontories that jutted out into the water like fingers.

The sea had changed color, becoming a pale blue similar to the hue of the sky, indicating a shallower depth. Kargan ordered the sail lowered as he took the warship into a wide bay that became a series of smaller inlets.

Soon, Chloe knew, they would arrive at Lamara.

They had spent the previous night beached near Koulis. Although they had never ventured into the city, remaining camped on the shore just below, she had gained an impression of white columned temples of glistening marble, and men and women wearing surprisingly Galean costumes. The palm trees and baked yellow walls had marked Koulis out as different from Chloe’s home, but when she asked Hasha about it he explained that the city once saw itself as closer to the Galean nations than those of Salesia.

The sun king had dominated Koulis for several years, however, and yellow flags flew from the towers at the corners of the walls. Kargan had sent a trading party into the city, but kept Chloe under close guard. She had watched them leave enviously, trying to remember what it felt like to be free, but she hadn’t complained when they returned hours later with fresh meat, fruit, barley, and bread.

She had crossed the Maltherean Sea, and she was now on the Salesian continent. Soon she would meet Solon, the sun king of Ilea. The thought filled her with dread.