Free Drogoya: Book 3 Circles of Light series by E.M. Sinclair

mind: of the place I am
at present, and of the place I wish to transfer to. Absolutely
clear – every small detail of both places, whilst saying a chant
and moving round as though I stood on a real circle.’
    Lashek was leaning
forward: he had known nothing of this.
    ‘It is less dangerous,’
Thryssa sent a brief smile towards Kwanzi. ‘If one of the locations
is a real circle, as is the one here Emla.’
    There was a silence
while Thryssa’s words sank into her audience.
    ‘But neither you nor
Elyssa knows the Asataria building,’ Kwanzi said
finally.
    ‘No, but Emla does. An
image from her mind to mine, would work satisfactorily.’
    ‘How many could you
move in this manner Lady Thryssa?’ enquired Soran.
    Thryssa shrugged.
‘Probably twenty five at most. If I took one group through, Elyssa
could follow with the same number. But I think twenty five would be
the maximum at one time.’
    ‘If I had even just
twenty men and we could reach Lady Kera’s rooms, we would have a
good advantage, even over the sixty Guards Fayet now commands.’
Soran looked to the Golden Lady for her opinion.
    ‘Sixteen Guards on the
first transfer and sixteen on the second then,’ Emla decided
firmly, giving herself no chance to have second
thoughts.
    ‘When?’ Thryssa
asked,
    ‘During the night.’
Soran’s reply was crisp. ‘Lady Kera’s rooms are near the top of the
Asataria. We will be going down – it is much more difficult to
fight trying to climb up stairs. Many if not most will be asleep –
they believe they are unassailable. All points are in our
favour.’
    Bagri nodded, his face
alight. ‘I shall accompany Elyssa,’ he said. It was half statement,
half question as he turned to Thryssa.
    A slight smile tugged
at her mouth. ‘I suspected you might,’ she agreed
mildly.
    ‘Shan and I will travel
with you first Thryssa. Soran, begin selecting the Guards and tell
them what you think they need to know of this plan.’
    Soran hurried from the
hall, his thoughts busy running over each of his Guards’ merits
among those he would pick for this action.
    ‘As soon as we reach
the room you select Emla, all of us must stand against its walls,
leaving as much space as possible for Elyssa to envisage her circle
therein.’
    Emla nodded her
understanding. ‘You and Elyssa must come back here at once after
the transfer,’ she said.
    ‘I think not,’ Thryssa
replied. ‘If the Lady of the Asatarians is fighting there, then the
High Speaker of Vagrantia, new allies though we may be, will remain
in the room chosen as the transfer point.’ She raised a hand to
prevent argument from both Lashek and Kwanzi. ‘If wounded are
brought there, it will be much easier to bring them through with a
proper circle at this end to focus on.’
    ‘Then I come too.’
Kwanzi insisted. ‘I am a healer Thryssa, at least I can offer first
treatment.’
    ‘I would join you too,’
Lashek pleaded.
    Thryssa reached across
to catch the earth mage’s hand. ‘No Lashek. You are the next most
senior Speaker. You take my place if needs be. And you will give
strength to Jilla here.’ Thryssa turned to look up at Nolli and
Ryla. ‘Jilla is a gifted air mage. And she has been to your City
and within the Asataria. She will easily find Emla’s force and will
watch what befalls. You can see what she sees quite simply by
linking your minds to either her or to Lashek.’
    Nolli and Ryla nodded,
Ryla’s transparent skin flushed with excitement.
    ‘Have you any questions
regarding my part in this? If not, perhaps you have a room where
Elyssa and I may get some rest. It is tiring work we will be doing,
hard though that may appear to any who watch us.’
    Jilla smiled. ‘Use my
room. I will show you the way.’
    ‘It would be best if
you rested too Lady Emla,’ said Lashek gently. ‘And I do not know
if anyone has discussed with you our abilities with the power?
Although long unused in this kind of context, I can assure you we
will help as we