Deals and Dangers

by Kay L. Ling

  Kaff took out the Outcast’s gem pouch. “Hand me the lightgem.”

  “I thought we buried everyone’s pouches,” Eneff said.

  “We did.”

  “Then whose is that?” Eneff asked as Barney passed down the lightgem.

  “Where did you get that?” Olissa asked, sounding alarmed.

  “I found it on the ground.”

  “They probably dropped it on purpose,” Olissa said. “Don’t touch any of the gems. They might be negative energy gems.”

  “I thought of that,” he said, emptying the bag on the floor. Did she think he was stupid? He probably knew as much as she did about Dark gems, and unlike her, he had used a few. Most had unpleasant side effects in addition to giving him a cold, queasy feeling when he touched them.

  Olissa came over and let out a low whistle when she saw the assortment. “I take it back. They didn’t leave these on purpose. The transparent red one with the silver flecks is rare and valuable. It’s a transformation gem. The black ones are for strength. We could use them. They’re not Dark gems. The mottled yellow ones are negative energy gems, deadly to anyone who hasn’t been trained to use them. We’d better leave them here.”

  It was possible to project the negative effects onto someone else and not suffer any ill effects. Sheamathan had described the process when Kaff had studied under her, but he hadn’t actually tried it. No one besides Ertz knew what he had learned from her, and he hadn’t confided much in Ertz, either. He wasn’t proud of that period of his life.

  Kaff left the mottled gems on the floor and scooped up the rest. He gave Eneff and Olissa a few strength gems and put the transformation gem and a strength gem back in the pouch.

  “We’re lucky they didn’t use the transformation gem,” Eneff said.

  “That’s for sure,” breathed Olissa. “I don’t ever want to go through that again.” She pushed the negative energy gems toward the wall with her foot.

  “I bet they lost the pouch early in the fight.” Kaff said.

  The Outcasts had used negative energy gems—not this variety, but ones that caused pain. He shuddered at the memory. The waves of pain had kept coming and coming, and it had been impossible to think, much less fight. If he was completely honest, no one, including Olissa, could function effectively while experiencing that kind of pain. But she had tried. He had to give her credit for that.

  He, Eneff, and Olissa spent a few minutes infusing the strength gems. Then, disregarding the old laws about not sharing powers with Nopes, Olissa touched the breghlin and passed strength and energy to them. The team needed to find their gem pouches. Their infused powers had all been drained during the battle, and now they were all but defenseless.

  The group set out, alert to potential danger. They reached the stream without incident and filled their canteens. Kaff took a few sips of cool water and began to relax. Aside from insect noises and the sound of water flowing over rocks, the land was silent.

  “Ready to go?” Olissa asked the group.

  Eneff’s limp had gotten worse. Kaff offered his arm for support, and Eneff didn’t refuse.

  “We traveled a distance while fighting the Outcasts, then hid in the cave network for a couple days. It may be hard to find the pouches,” Eneff said, keeping his voice down.

  “It would help if the cart was still there as a landmark, but I’m sure it’s gone,” Kaff said gloomily. “The Outcasts wouldn’t leave something so valuable behind.”

  The sun was peeking over the horizon by the time they saw cart tracks. Kaff looked around, hoping to see loose dirt to indicate where Olissa had buried the gems, but there was no sign of digging. Either the soil had been smoothed so effectively there was no trace, or they were in the wrong place, and these were someone else’s cart tracks.

  Olissa closed her eyes and frowned, rubbing her forehead.

  “Trying to picture the spot?” Eneff asked. He looked haggard in the early morning light.

  Olissa didn’t answer. When she opened her eyes, she shook her head as if trying to clear her thoughts. “No, it’s not that. The strangest thing happened a moment ago. It felt like someone was inside my head.”

  “Do you think it was one of the Outcast gem masters? Maybe Eldra?” Kaff asked.

  “I hope not. Let’s keep moving.” She looked around. “If the Outcasts are still here, they’ll expect us to look for the cart, so keep a sharp eye out. They could be hiding, waiting for us.”

  “There be more tracks over there,” Barney said. He went off to investigate.

  Just then, a voice called, “Looking for something?”

  In the distance, a figure appeared from thin air. Kaff stiffened in alarm. It was Eldra!

  She held something up and shook it triumphantly. “Don’t bother looking. I have your gems. Thank you for your generous donation.”

  How had she found them? The spot shouldn’t have been noticeable to anyone but themselves. In that moment, he knew that none of them would be going home. Eldra was merciless. They’d end up food for wild animals like poor old Ferdinand and Danny. His sense of helplessness was so overwhelming that he didn’t look up when Clyde pointed skyward and warned, “A pythanium!”

  “As if things weren’t bad enough,” Eneff muttered. “Maybe it hasn’t seen us.”

  Kaff finally looked. He watched the pythanium with a strange sense of detachment, too numb to care whether the creature had seen them or not.

  “It’s headed this way,” Olissa said, her attention shifting from Eldra to the pythanium.

  “I was going to kill you myself,” Eldra taunted, “but since the Watcher is coming, I’ll let him have a couple of you.”

  “Even with two good legs, I couldn’t outrun a pythanium,” Eneff said, sounding resigned that one way or the other, their end was near.

  Kaff shook off his despair. No one deserved to die here, least of all Eneff. Eneff always looked out for everyone, and he’d been a faithful friend when no one wanted anything to do with Kaff. “Eldra is a bigger threat than the pythanium. We should have kept the negative energy gems and used them on her.”

  “For years, I resisted using any gems,” Eneff said, “but now, I’d use Dark gems if it was that or die.”

  “Me too,” Kaff said, belatedly remembering the transformation gem. He had used Dark gems before. That made him the most qualified to try this one, didn’t it? Olissa had been the victim of a transformation gem, but that wasn’t the same as using one. Kaff took it out and drew its power before he lost his nerve.

  A chill settled over him. He felt dizzy and nauseated, but he wouldn’t let that stop him. S had talked about envisioning and projecting. An image of a holedigger came to mind, probably because there were so many in this area. He’d gotten pretty good at projecting gem powers, but Eldra was a long way off. Envision and project, envision and project, he told himself over and over. He pictured a holedigger and projected the image toward her. When it reached Eldra, she disappeared, and a holedigger—a real holedigger—appeared. It stood up on its hind legs and looked around.

  Kaff blinked. “I can’t believe that really worked.”

  Eneff said, “You did that?”

  “Quick! Our gem pouches!” Kaff cried and took off running. Their pouches should be on the ground, and Eldra’s, too, if she’d been wearing one.

  Eldra-the-holedigger started running.

  Kaff felt a surge of relief when he saw the pouches on the ground, and as he’d expected, there was an extra one. He scooped up his own, and when Eneff and Olissa arrived, they retrieved theirs.

  “Thank you for your generous donation!” Olissa called after the holedigger, holding up Eldra’s pouch.

  The breghlin laughed, and Peter told Olissa, “She won’t be needin’ gems no more.”

  “Gather around,” Olissa said, taking a gem from her own pouch. “I’ll turn us all invisible.”

  “Best hurry,” Barney said, looking at the sky.

  Kaff had almost forgotten about the pythanium. If he’
d had any doubt it had seen them, he had none now. It was coming straight toward them.

  A moment later, Kaff could see his teammates’ wavy forms, but anyone outside the invisibility field would see nothing at all. If the Watcher found them, it would be through its sense of smell.

  “Let’s go,” Olissa said. “Stay close. By the way, good job, Kaff.”

  Normally, Kaff would have swelled with pride at the compliment, but he felt it had been more luck than skill. Elias had a saying: “Great need produces great gem powers.” In this case, it had been true.

  The sound of flapping wings was louder now. Kaff looked over his shoulder. His stomach lurched when he saw the pythanium diving. Maybe it really could track them by scent. He heard a shriek of terror.

  “Eldra!” he said, grabbing Olissa’s arm.

  The entire group turned to see the pythanium chasing the fat holedigger. Eldra needed to find a hole in the next few seconds.

  The pythanium landed, opened its jaws, and swallowed her whole.

  Kaff stared in stunned silence, not sure how he felt. War meant killing your enemies, and Eldra was the enemy, but he wouldn’t wish that end on anyone.

  The pythanium looked around and then flew away. Apparently, it had satisfied its hunger and lost interest in the group. Kaff let out a long breath.

  “Well, we’re still stranded, but at least we’re alive,” Eneff said, clapping Kaff on the back. “I think our luck just took a turn for the better.”

  Chapter 59

  Tyla’s raaka was getting cold, but she was so absorbed in the Aberell City News that she barely noticed. An article claimed there was dissention among the ranks at Aberell Fortress. Officers were asking Pentar to step down, and some of the public said an older, wiser officer should have taken over for Finnack. Tyla frowned when she read that comment. She and Pentar were about the same age. She hadn’t heard a word of this from Pentar, but that wasn’t surprising. Now that their relationship was strained, he wasn’t likely to admit he was having problems.

  Pentar wasn’t the only commander fighting a public relations battle. Last night, Commander Onott had contacted Tyla to tell her there had been an Outcast uprising yesterday morning in Pantirek City, just like the one in Mierek City. Outcasts had robbed and killed shop owners and set buildings on fire. He and his officers had remained at the fortress in case of an Emanicus attack, and the militia had fought the Outcasts. As of last night, there had been no attack on the fortress, and Onott was worried that he and his officers would look like cowards, remaining at the fortress while the militia fought Outcast mobs. It was a valid concern, Tyla told herself, setting down the newssheet and leaning back in her desk chair. She wouldn’t want to be in Onott’s place . . . or Pentar’s, either.

  Her rizumen pendant grew warm, and she touched it reluctantly. The last thing she wanted was a summons to the Pedestal Room to learn about a new disaster.

  Tyla. Sorry I haven’t contacted you, Olissa said, taking Tyla completely by surprise.

  Olissa! We were so worried! Are you all right? Where are you?

  Stranded in the barrier zone. We were ambushed by Outcast-led breghlin forces. Ferninand and Danny are dead, and Eneff has a serious leg injury.

  That’s terrible! I’m so sorry!

  Needless to say, we’re scrapping our mission, but it will take awhile to get home with no transportation. The Outcasts took our cart and maraku.

  Do you still have the map that shows the location of gnome and breghlin clans?

  Yes.

  Visit the nearest gnome clan and see if they’ll give you a cart. I could send someone to get you, but that would take longer. When I didn’t hear from you, I knew something was wrong. Zeetha used oracular powers, and—

  Zeetha’s there?

  She came when Marrid left.

  Marrid left? Why?

  I’ll explain later. Zeetha said you had run into Outcasts and were looking for lost gems, probably the rizumen gem.

  I’m impressed she knew all of that.

  She was in your head for a minute.

  “So it was her! That explains a lot. I felt a presence and was afraid it was an Outcast gem master.

  Zeetha’s been a big help. Marrid asked her to come.

  Couldn’t Marrid wait for me to get back?

  No. It’s a long story. A lot has happened since you left.

  We’ll bury Ferdinand and Danny and set out for the nearest clan. I’ll let you know when we arrive.

  Be careful. Tyla broke the connection and went to find Zeetha.

  Marrid had told Zeetha about some of Elantoth’s fascinating historical books, and now Zeetha wanted to read them. She often spent mornings in the library. Tyla was surprised woodspirits were interested in books about gnomes.

  Zeetha was in the library, but she wasn’t reading. Tyla found her staring blankly, an open book on her lap. Arenia was sitting across from her, so engrossed in whatever she was reading that she didn’t hear Tyla come in. Tyla sat down in the chair next to her and whispered, “Is Zeetha okay?”

  “She’s been like that for several minutes. Maybe she’s using oracular powers. She told me she spoke to Marrid this morning. Darrath and several officers have infused rare gems, and they’re planning to fight the vines while Marrid tries to sneak into the fortress.”

  “When are they going?”

  “This afternoon.”

  Zeetha took a few deep breaths and came out of her trancelike state. “Tyla. When did you come in?”

  “Just a minute ago.”

  “I didn’t hear you. I was . . . concentrating.”

  “Is everything all right?”

  Zeetha frowned. “I had one of my confusing visions. Marrid usually helps me interpret them, but even if she were here, I wouldn’t tell her this one. It involves her, and it might frighten her.”

  “Maybe we could make sense of it. Do you want to tell us what you saw?” Tyla asked.

  “I think I should keep it to myself for now, but thank you.”

  “Arenia told me Marrid is going to the fortress today.”

  “Yes, and we will watch her again, but in some ways, I would rather not.”

  Tyla knew what she meant. Marrid and the officers would be walking into danger, and in light of Zeetha’s ominous vision, which she refused to disclose, Tyla was afraid of the outcome.

  Zeetha took out her pocket watch. “I’m already sick with worry, and they don’t leave for another six hours.”

  “We have other things to worry about as well. I just heard from Olissa.”

  “You did?” Arenia cried. “Is she all right?’

  Tyla explained the situation and finished by saying that Zeetha had been right about Olissa looking for gems. “She contacted me as soon as she could. It breaks my heart that we lost Ferdinand and Danny on what should have been a peaceful mission.”

  “I hate Dark Gems, but they can be an advantage,” Zeetha said. “If Commander Darrath has any, Marrid should use them. Unlike you gnomes, she won’t feel sick or get deformities afterward.”

  “Maybe Darrath did give her some,” Arenia said. “Mierek is the most powerful and well-equipped fortress. They definitely have rare gems, and some may be Dark ones.”

  “Where do you suppose they’d keep their gems, Sister Dear?” Tyla asked in a meaningful tone.

  “Well they—” Arenia broke off when she got Tyla’s point. “In the fortress. The fortress they can no longer get into.”

  “Right.” The enemy now had access to Mierek’s rare gems. That was a disturbing thought.

  “I hope Darrath warded the gem supply.”

  Zeetha laughed without humor. “The fortress was warded, and Outcasts got in anyway.”

  “Only because Emanicus gnomes used the Focal Gem to get them in,” Tyla said.

  “Who’s to say The Emanicus won’t break other wards the same way,” Zeetha said.

  Tyla nodded. “It’s hard to know what they can do from a distance.”

  “If Marrid c
an get inside and oust the enemy, she’ll set up her own wards,” Zeetha said. “If you’ll excuse me, I don’t feel very well. I’m going outside for some fresh air.”

  When Zeetha was gone, Tyla said, “Marrid has the Guardian, but that doesn’t make her invincible. I’ve never figured out which dangers the Guardian responds to, but Marrid created the spell, so she must know.”

  “It seems odd that she never educated you about your Guardian.”

  “It’s a complicated spell. It might be hard to explain everything the Guardian can and cannot do.”

  “I suppose. And you’d never develop defensive skills if you thought the Guardian would always save you.”

  “If anything happens to Marrid, Zeetha will be devastated,” Tyla said. They’re like sisters.”

  “Don’t worry. Marrid is prepared this time, and she has help. She’ll be fine.”

  Tyla wasn’t so sure. If she’d learned anything at all, it was that nothing involving The Emanicus ever went as planned.

  That afternoon, Tyla told the staff that she, Arenia, and Zeetha would be in the library for a couple hours, and they weren’t to be disturbed for any reason. The trio met at the appointed time, closed the doors for privacy, and gathered around the zannamap. Tyla provided a close-up view of the back of Mierek Fortress. Marrid and the officers would be coming from that direction. Marrid would be invisible, but the officers wouldn’t be.

  “There they are,” Tyla said. “I hope eight officers are enough.”

  “That seems like a good number,” Zeetha said. “They can try various gem powers to disable the vines.”

  The officers approached the fortress, then stopped and conferred, probably trying to determine where the perimeter ward lay. Marrid had come from the opposite direction before, so they were covering new ground. When they continued, they moved slowly and cautiously, casting occasional glances behind them.

  “They must have crossed the perimeter ward by now,” Arenia said. “The vines aren’t moving. You said they planned to battle the vines, not immobilize them, right?”

  “That’s what Marrid said,” Zeetha replied. “I’m glad they’re meeting no resistance, but it does seem suspicious.”