Tanza Read Free Page A

from our departed brethren, but the snowy heights only bring the bleakest silence.’
    ‘Departed brethren?’
    ‘Aye. Oh, there’s so much for you to learn of our history. Many years ago a large number of our people journeyed across the Kiayr Range in search of the Cauldron of Storms, a place of great power similar to that of our Barrier Shield. It is mentioned in the holy scrolls. The chain of heralds lost contact with them during a massive snowstorm and we haven’t heard from them since. Many fear they perished, but the king holds hope. He will ask you to search the waves for them once you are able to wave-speak the minds of skyearls. How far can you reach?’
    ‘I can still reach Jaria,’ I replied, ‘for short bursts.’
    He seemed surprised. ‘That is good news.’
    ‘But that’s with Rada-kin. Sleffion-kin might be very different.’
    ‘You are at the beginning of your learning,’ Tivac said. ‘There is hope.’
    ‘What if I don’t become a Sleffion myself? Will my Anzaii abilities on the waves still extend to other people’s Sleffion-kin?’
    ‘I believe it has happened before, but not within living memory.’
    We rode in silence for a time.
    ‘Tivac, I have a great aunt somewhere here in Tanza named Jaalta. Any idea where I might find her?’
    Tivac craned his neck back and cast his eyes to the sky. ‘I’ve heard of a Rialta somewhere in the Sunbark Cities, but no Jaalta. There are tens of thousands of people in Tanza, Talon. Perhaps if you ask around in the capital, someone will have heard of her.’
    Our conversation slowed when we realised we’d have to move faster to avoid the coming storm. We travelled at a steady trot for a good half hour before reaching Lantaid.
    The gates of Lantaid were purely ornamental: four coloured pillars on each side of the sand-gravel pathway. Further down the lane was a large water-sculpture: a central water fountain with wiggly arms out to other fountains. I couldn’t make out the exact shapes in the gathering darkness.
    Tivac aimed his horse for a large building at the far end of the fountain. Just as the stables came into view, the storm crashed down. An aging stablemaster came out of his quarters at the front of the stables and ushered us inside. The stablemaster moved all three horses into their stalls before untacking them.
    Rekala and Kestric burrowed into the straw at one end of the stable and fell asleep. Sarlice and I both yawned in response and then grinned at each other.
    Tivac lead us through the stable and out the back door to what he called the Hall of Hallows. His explanation of its function went only partially through my mind. In short, the Hall of Hallows served as a sanctum for worship and a hall for public announcements and meetings.
    Most of the wall sconces had been doused for the night so Tivac lit a lamp to lead us through an enormous chamber. I felt relieved that there was no welcoming party or formalities. All I wanted was a quick meal and a long, comfortable sleep.
    My unspoken request was granted when Tivac opened the door to a brightly lit guest room. An elegant lady with long, grey hair stood in the centre of the room near a table of food. Tivac patted her hand as he entered.
    ‘Welcome to Lantaid,’ the lady said. ‘I am Glane.’
    Sarlice and I both performed the fellowship greeting again. Glane smiled and returned the gesture. She pointed out our separate quarters at either end of the living space. I couldn’t bring myself to ask how they knew Sarlice and I weren’t partners, but I presumed the Rada-kin had something to do with it.
    Tivac looked ready to sit down with us and ask more questions, but with all the grace of the experienced hostess, Glane shepherded him out, leaving us to our meal.
    I put down my packs and bent to brush grass off my pants. Rainwater was dripping from my long-sleeved tie-neck shirt onto the brown slate floor so I carefully pulled it off and hung it over a rack by the fire. I was aware of Sarlice