Deals and Dangers

by Kay L. Ling

  “The Pedestal Room is an extension of the basement, with nothing but dirt overhead,” Tyla said. “That might make it safer, too.”

  “They’ll have to come out eventually,” Marrid said. “I wonder what The Emanicus—”

  “No!” Lant cried. Something on the zannamap had caught his attention. Tyla looked down and saw what it was. Outcasts were marching toward the fortress—a hundred or more, with weapons. They would try to seize the fortress while it was understaffed.

  “Go warn the officers,” Tyla said. “Hurry! They have to come out of the Pedestal Room and fight!”

  Lant raced off.

  “The mist was meant to disable them,” Marrid called after him. “It may have cleared by now.”

  Tyla watched the scene with increasing dread. The mob was approaching the fortress. Some might be gem users with Dark gems.

  “Surely some of the staff members have gem powers. They’ll help the officers,” Marrid said.

  “But they aren’t trained for this.”

  Marrid didn’t answer. The situation was bleak and they both knew it. In addition to the Outcast mob, there might be more long-distance attacks. The Emanicus wouldn’t care if Outcasts died. They’d gladly sacrifice them to gain control of Mierek.

  “At least we warned them,” Tyla said, hoping the gnome on duty in the Pedestal Room wouldn’t learn when the battle was over that he was the only survivor.

  By now, the Outcasts were nearing the front doors, so The Emanicus must have disabled the wards. Tyla had never been fond of Mierek Fortress officials. They had meddled in Amulet business and banned gnome-human interaction, but given a choice between Mierek officials and The Emanicus, Mierek was the lesser evil.

  The Outcasts climbed the steps to the massive front doors and congregated there while their leader tried to open the door. After a moment, he shook his head and motioned them back. The air shimmered briefly as if from an energy blast, but nothing happened, which wasn’t surprising since the doors were made of iron. Everyone set off to find another way inside. The rear doors were made of wood. They’d give way eventually, and Tyla didn’t want to watch. “Let’s see what’s happening in the business district.”

  Marrid shifted the scene to that part of the city.

  “Oh no,” Tyla breathed. Officers lay on the ground, many with visible wounds and bloodstained uniforms. Two didn’t look injured, but they weren’t moving, and Tyla knew all too well that gem powers could kill. What had become of the rest of the officers that had been here a few minutes ago? Were they pursuing Outcasts? Were they hostages?

  A few of the Outcasts were sprawled on the ground, their limbs in unnatural positions, so they had suffered losses, too, Tyla noted with grim satisfaction.

  Marrid moved the map, and Tyla was shocked to see how far the fire had spread. Several more buildings had caught fire. It was hard to see much through the smoke.

  “Some of the fortress officers left. Let’s see if we can find them,” Marrid said. She moved the map slowly. They scanned the streets, but everyone had evacuated, and there was no sign of Darrath’s officers.

  After searching several minutes, Marrid moved the scene toward the river, and when she neared the commercial docks, she said, “Look at the sky. That’s not smoke.”

  A single dark cloud hovered low over the river. “It looks like a rain cloud,” Tyla said, “but how can there be only one?”

  “That’s not a normal cloud. I think it’s drawing water from the river.”

  Before long, the cloud rose and headed toward the burning buildings. Marrid shifted the map to follow it. “I wonder who’s doing this.”

  “Mierek officers. Outcasts would let the city burn.”

  “There’s a third possibility. Other gem users may be getting involved.”

  Tyla hadn’t thought of that. In a city this size, there would be gem users with rare gems. “I hope you’re right.”

  “In a crisis like this, even Nopes can find ways to help,” Marrid said.

  “I suppose so. What will it take to get woodspirits involved?” The question might offend Marrid, but so be it.

  Marrid continued to watch the scene, and Tyla didn’t think she would answer. Finally, she said, “I don’t know. Nothing seems to motivate them.”

  “It’s not fair that woodspirits write poems and paint pictures while we fight Outcasts and Emanicus gnomes.”

  “Woodspirits are peace-loving,” Marrid said as if that explained everything. “They assume the conflict will blow over eventually, and they’re willing to wait.”

  There was a difference between peace-loving and spineless, Tyla thought, but she didn’t say so.

  When the cloud reached the burning buildings, it began dispersing water. Tyla watched, fascinated, as the cloud combatted the fire. It might take a few trips to the river for more water, but she believed it could extinguish the blaze.

  “I suppose we should check the fortress again,” Marrid said.

  “By now, the Outcasts are probably inside.”

  Marrid shifted the map until they had a good view of the back of the fortress. As expected, there was no sign of the Outcasts. Tyla was afraid to think what was going on inside.

  “Anatta is in Mierek City. Maybe she could do something,” Marrid said.

  “I’m sure she could, but would she get involved? Any of The Eight should be able to beat an Outcast mob.”

  “Not if the mob is working with The Emanicus, and The Emanicus uses the Focal Gem.”

  “Do you think these Outcasts have a communication gem?”

  “Yes, they must. This looks like a coordinated attack. Keep an eye on the fortress while I go to my room and contact Anatta.”

  While Marrid was gone, the vines stopped moving but clung persistently to the walls. Tyla heard footsteps and looked up. She expected to see Marrid, but it was Lant.

  “Outcasts forced their way into the Pedestal Room. I lost the connection with my contact. Where’s Marrid?”

  “She went to contact Anatta.”

  “Why?”

  “To see if Anatta can help.”

  “You’re kidding. Anatta wouldn’t help fortress officers. She looks down on gnomes.”

  “Yes, but this is a desperate situation. If we lose Mierek Fortress before the war even begins, our side is likely to give up, thinking it’s hopeless to fight. That would be disastrous for gnomes and woodspirits alike.”

  “What’s happening in the city?”

  Tyla told him about the fight between Outcasts and fortress officers, and then told him about the cloud fighting the fire. She moved the scene to the commercial district so he could see for himself. The fire was under control now, but the buildings would smolder for days. She was starting to wonder what was keeping Marrid when the woodspirit returned.

  “We won’t be getting any help from Anatta,” Marrid announced.

  “What did I tell you?” Lant muttered. “I knew she’d refuse.”

  “She didn’t refuse. She . . . isn’t herself.”

  “What does that mean?” Tyla asked.

  “When I mentioned The Emanicus, she didn’t know who they were. Worse, she doesn’t remember she has a sister named Sheamathan.”

  Tyla let out a long breath. The new wards Anatta had tried hadn’t worked. She was missing more memories—all the most important ones.

  Marrid looked at Tyla, and then looked away, as if about to say something she knew Tyla wouldn’t like. “I’m leaving in the morning.”

  “You’re leaving?” Dread settled over her like a wet cloak.

  “I have to see Anatta. Maybe there’s something I can do for her. And if Darrath’s officers haven’t driven out the Outcasts and reclaimed the fortress by the time I get there, I’ll offer to help.”

  “I’m not sure they’ll trust you, but at this point, they have nothing to lose. Lant believes Outcasts defeated the remaining staff and are controlling the fortress now.”

  “They broke into the Pedestal Room, and I lost
contact with the gnome on duty, so we can only guess what’s happening.”

  Tyla was heartsick. The world was shattering around her. After talking to Lana, she had vowed to be more optimistic, but she couldn’t help feeling discouraged. “I don’t want you to go, but I see why you need to,” she said, trying to be brave. First, she had given up Ertz. Now Marrid.

  “Olissa will have to come back,” Lant said.

  “If we can reach her. It’s strange she hasn’t checked in.”

  “I said I’d stay as long as you needed me, but I didn’t expect something like this to happen,” Marrid said. “Still, I feel responsible, so I made arrangements to compensate for my absence.”

  “Arrangements?” Something in Marrid’s tone made Tyla apprehensive.

  “I asked Zeetha to come, and she’s agreed to stay until I get back.”

  “Zeetha?” Tyla and Lant exchanged worried glances. This was not a good solution.

  “Don’t underestimate her. She may seem unbalanced at times, but she’s very clever. And her oracular powers may come in handy.”

  Zeetha’s visions were often too vague to be useful, and her predictions might come true, but not in a way anyone expected. Tyla wasn’t happy about trading Marrid for Zeetha, but she couldn’t bring herself to say she didn’t want Zeetha to come. This was another opportunity to look for the bright side, she told herself ruefully.

  “That was very thoughtful of you,” she told Marrid, giving the woodspirit a smile that felt none too convincing. Like it or not, they would all make the best of it. Zeetha was coming to Elantoth.

  Chapter 55

  Tyla hated to ask Olissa to cut the mission short, but Marrid had left this morning, and Elantoth seemed terribly vulnerable. It was a great burden to be responsible for everyone’s safety. If there was another Emanicus attack, or some other crisis, Tyla and the handful of gem users left at Elantoth would have to deal with it.

  She went out to the garden where no one would bother her and tried to contact Olissa. When she got no response, she began to worry. Olissa would answer if she could. What could have happened? Already shorthanded, Tyla couldn’t send officers to look for the team, but she had to do something. Maybe consulting oracular gems would give her insights into the team’s fate.

  Drawing on infused powers, she emptied her mind and concentrated. After several minutes, she had received no useful impressions, just a vague sense of dread. Why hadn’t she tried oracular gems before Marrid left? Marrid could have joined in the attempt.

  Tyla went back inside and used the zannamap to see what was happening in Mierek City. Vines still clung to the fortress. The fires in the city were out, but the streets were deserted. Newssheets would cover these troubling events, and residents would fear that conditions would only get worse if Outcasts controlled the city. Merchants wouldn’t do much business if folks were afraid to travel. There was no telling what state the city would be in when Marrid arrived. Tyla tapped the bottom of the map, and the scene disappeared. If only she could banish her worries so easily, she told herself as she left the library.

  Zeetha would be here in a few days. Tyla supposed she should be grateful. At times, the quirky woodspirit might be more trouble than help, but she was one of The Eight, and Marrid wouldn’t have asked her to come unless she believed Zeetha would be useful.

  Over the next few days, Tyla and Arenia worked on strengthening their gem powers and tactical skills. They thought up dark power attacks and looked for defensive solutions. It was like a game, but it taught them to think creatively and find the most effective way to counter an attack.

  One day, in the midst of a training session, Loud Mouth returned from a surveillance run and announced someone was coming. “I’m pretty sure it’s the woodspirit you’re expecting. The carriage is small, and two erum wearing clothes are pulling it.”

  Tyla blinked, thinking she couldn’t have heard him right. “What did you say about the erum?”

  “You heard me,” Loud Mouth said. “They’re wearing clothes.”

  “This I’ve got to see,” Arenia said.

  Loud Mouth accompanied Tyla and Arenia to the end of the driveway, and before long the carriage came into view.

  “They’re wearing something green,” Tyla said, shading her eyes.

  “And they have something on their heads,” Arenia said.

  “A circlet of brown feathers,” Loud Mouth said in disgust, “I hope she doesn’t see how colorful mine are and get ideas.”

  As the carriage drew nearer, Tyla could make out more details. A green cloth hung over each erum’s back, decorated with tassels, and there were four brown pant legs attached to it that covered the erum’s legs. The feathers on their headdresses waved in the wind.

  “They look ridiculous,” Arenia said, keeping her voice down even though Zeetha couldn’t hear her from that distance.

  “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever seen,” Tyla agreed. “I’d love to know why she dresses them, but we had better not ask. She might take offense.”

  Loud Mouth squawked with laughter. “If she isn’t helpful, at least she’ll be entertaining!”

  Tyla jumped when Zeetha said telepathically, Don’t be alarmed. It’s me, Zeetha. Let me in.

  Tyla disengaged the wards so the woodspirit could come in, then they followed the carriage down the driveway. Breghlin staff always tended to any visitor’s animals, so Xenon and Oliver hurried out of the barn, but they stopped short when they saw the erum.

  “Better warn them not to make rude remarks,” Arenia told Tyla.

  “I’ll tell them,” Loud Mouth said and flew away.

  Zeetha got out of the carriage. She wore a green gown that reached her ankles, gem-encrusted bracelets on her wrists, and pendants hanging from multiple gold chains around her neck. She opened the carriage’s rear door, and three traveling cases sailed out and hovered in midair as if waiting for instructions.

  If Marrid or Kitana had done this, Tyla wouldn’t have blinked an eye, but this was Zeetha, and Tyla had assumed Zeetha wouldn’t have sophisticated gem powers.

  “Don’t wait for me,” Zeetha told the bags. “The door guard will let you in.” The luggage floated away.

  Xenon and Oliver had barely gotten over their shock at seeing the erum. Now, they gawked at the luggage. Tyla cleared her throat to get their attention and gestured toward the erum.

  “I’m glad you arrived safely,” she told Zeetha with a polite smile.

  “Not as safely as you might think.” Zeetha waved a hand, and the carriage door swung shut.

  “What happened?” Tyla asked as they walked toward the fortress.

  “Outcasts and breghlin happened. Shortly after I entered the Amulet, I encountered a regiment of breghlin marching down the road. Their leaders, Outcast gem users, tried to stop my carriage.” Zeetha made a strange whining noise in the back of her throat, and Tyla and Arenia exchanged worried glances. Maybe they shouldn’t ask disturbing questions. Tyla was curious how Zeetha had gotten past the troops, but she wasn’t sure she should ask.

  The door opened, and Tyla noticed that the door guard looked distracted, probably because Zeetha’s traveling cases were hovering behind him, bumping into each other with dull thuds.

  “Good day. Welcome to Elantoth Fortress,” he said as Zeetha passed by. The traveling cases drifted dutifully after her.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the office,” Arenia said. “We left it somewhat of a mess. I hope you enjoy your stay here, Zeetha.” Arenia escaped, leaving Tyla to deal with their unusual guest.

  “I’ll take you to your room,” Tyla said. “Once you’re settled in, come down to the dining room and have some refreshments. I’ll meet you there.”

  Zeetha arrived about a half hour later, escorted by one of the Anns, wearing a white gown whose fabric shimmered like sunlight on water. There was no need to wear such finery at Elantoth, but maybe she saw herself as a poor substitute for Marrid and felt she needed to make a good impression.
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  Tyla wasn’t hungry, but she poured tea for both of them and nibbled a piece of fruit while Zeetha helped herself to an assortment of vegetables.

  Still curious about Zeetha’s adventures on the road, but hesitant to bring up an unpleasant subject, Tyla made small talk, but her mind kept wandering. It was frightening to think Outcasts had already created breghlin regiments and were drilling them at this moment. Could that be why Olissa hadn’t made contact? Had the team encountered an Outcast-led breghlin force?

  Zeetha stopped eating. “You look worried. What’s wrong?”

  “I haven’t heard from my head of security in days. She took a few officers to the barrier zone, and I’m afraid they may have run into enemy troops like you did.”

  “It’s becoming quite dangerous there. Why did they go?”

  “As you noticed, The Emanicus is recruiting breghlin to fight for them. Some clans want nothing to do with The Emanicus, but they’ve seen what happens to those who refuse. Olissa will tell them to hold out. If The Emanicus wins the war, they’ll be little more than slaves, and life will be unbearable.”

  “Do you think they’ll listen?”

  “We hope so, especially if Olissa tells them she’ll get gnome gem users to ward breghlin clans.”

  “Gnomes defend breghlin?” Zeetha asked in surprise. “Haven’t you been bitter enemies until recently?”

  “Yes, but now we face a common enemy. And don’t underestimate Olissa’s ability to get what she wants. She’s very persuasive.”

  “You said she hasn’t contacted you. Have you tried to reach her?”

  “Yes, and when I got no response with the rizumen pendant, I used oracular gems, hoping to learn what was wrong, but all I got was a sense of dread.”

  “Shall I try?”

  “Would you? That would be wonderful.”

  “Take my hand, close your eyes, and relax,” Zeetha said, closing her own eyes and holding out her hand.

  Tyla hesitated. Would they be linking minds? If so, was that safe? Zeetha’s mind was, well . . . unstable. Not only did she make strange noises, she dressed her erum. It would be rude to refuse, so Tyla took Zeetha’s hand and hoped for the best.