by Drew Wagar
‘Get up, slum,’ she called, angrily, prodding her with the kai. ‘Get up. This is not over.’
Kiri rolled over on to her hands and knees, her head bowed, trying to stop it spinning.
‘Up slum, now!’ Rihanna roared. She swung the kai, hitting Kiri in the side with enough force to send her sprawling again.
‘Rihanna, that’s enough …’
Kiri couldn’t tell who was speaking. She turned her head to see Rihanna had swung the kai, twirling it around. She was preparing a head-strike. The other acolytes were too far away to stop her. The kai descended in a swift deadly arc, heading straight towards her. The blow would break her neck.
Kiri held a hand up in a futile gesture of defence …
The crisp metallic tang buzzed through Kiri, unpleasant and forceful, as if she’d been struck by lightning. Unbidden, the precepts of the sixth element buzzed through her mind. Warriors that could use their gift to subdue their enemies, cause pain, inflict damage …
No, not supposed to … why won’t they just leave me alone?
The metallic tang flared into a searing rage.
Leave me alone!
In her mind Kiri saw Rihanna turn the kai on herself.
And so it happened.
Before her she saw the kai stop abruptly in mid-flight and saw Rihanna’s arm’s lock in place. Rihanna stared, bewildered, as she turned her kai back upon herself and then dealt herself a frightful blow on the head. Rihanna crashed to the floor.
Kiri rolled over, hand still outstretched, her arm gesturing towards the other acolytes, who’d run halfway toward the pair of fighters.
And as for you cowards!
Kiri closed her fingers, wrath still consuming her mind in a frenzy. Jessie and Joyce screamed, tried to protect their heads and stumbled away, but neither could evade Kiri’s mental assault.
They screeched in fear as Kiri’s rage echoed in their minds.
Leave me alone!
‘This time she has gone too far, I told you she was dangerous and that you couldn’t tame her. Did anyone listen to me? No. Now we’re all paying the price.’ Merrin was in full flow.
‘Let us inspect what has happened first.’ Charis tried to keep her voice level, but she was unable to stop the worry creeping into her tone.
‘She just put my daughter in the halls of healing, the vindictive guttersnipe!’
Charis and Merrin arrived at the entrance to the changing hall and quickly went inside. Nerina was already there, talking to Jessie. Joyce had already gone, having alerted the priestesses to what had happened and taken the injured Rihanna with her. As Charis and Merrin entered, Jessie scuttled off quickly.
Charis saw Kiri was huddled against the wall, her knees drawn up tight to her chest, her arms wrapped around them. Charis went to her immediately, seeing the bloodied cut on her head and the bruises on her arms.
‘Kiri?’
Kiri was staring down at the floor, apparently unaware that Charis was there. Charis touched her gently. Charis could see she was trembling violently.
Kiri?
Charis could sense nothing but a barricade of silence. Charis probed gently, trying to find a way through the mental wall. Kiri moaned slightly, shuffling away from the contact.
‘Kiri? What happened? Kiri!’
All Charis received was a sudden fierce glare. Kiri’s eyes were dark, brooding; almost malevolent. Charis recoiled in dismay.
‘Charis.’
Charis looked up. Nerina had summoned the guards, two of them stood flanking her petite frame. Nerina gestured to Kiri.
‘Bind the girl’s hands and feet. Take her to the lower cells of the temple and secure her with ropes.’
‘Nerina, no!’ Charis lamented. ‘She was pushed to this, she needs care …’
‘She is a danger to us and to herself, we cannot take the risk,’ Nerina interrupted and held up a hand at Charis’ continued protestations. ‘Enough!’
The two guards pushed past Charis and hauled Kiri to her feet. She squealed at their contact, her features contorted in pain, her eyes staring wildly at something the rest of them could not see. Her body was stiff and tense, contorted at a strange angle. The guards wrestled her towards the exit.
‘Charis, Merrin, with me. Now.’ Nerina’s voice had an edge like obsidian.
‘Physical manifestations of power, far beyond anything she has been taught. The other acolytes’ accounts agree on the details,’ Nerina recounted. ‘She was able to inflict pain at range and turn weapons upon the bearer.’
‘The girl is a menace and a threat,’ Merrin added. ‘My Rihanna is in the hospital wing …’
‘With nothing but a bruised head and battered pride,’ Charis said.
‘Your slum girl set upon her …’
‘She was pushed to it!’ Charis snapped. ‘By all the other candids and led by your precious Rihanna! They brought it on themselves. They’ve been taunting Kiri from the moment she arrived, a sustained campaign of intimidation and cruelty. It’s hardly surprising she lashed out in response! They cornered her and attacked her …’
‘She should never have been brought into the temple in the first place,’ Merrin countered. ‘A girl of her breeding …’
‘Just because she has more talent than your own daughter! She has a gift …’ Charis fired back. ‘Yes, it needs to be controlled, but we’ve seen nothing like this in generations. It’s precious, it’s …’
Nerina held up her hand and the other priestesses quietened down to look at her.
‘The girl has a power, unchecked and unrestrained. It would seem she has abilities which may already surpass our own. The question is, what do we do with her?’
‘She’s too dangerous,’ Merrin said, glaring at Charis. ‘She’s already harmed Rihanna. Somebody will be killed next. Mark my words. She’s broken the law twice. It’s clear. The punishment is written in law, she should be put to death.’
‘She is of age now,’ Nerina added.
‘No! You can’t!’ Charis shook her head. ‘She’s just a girl, she doesn’t know, I don’t understand how she could have learnt these hateful ways …’
‘She’s only going to get stronger,’ Merrin continued. ‘Can we control what she does next? What if she takes it into her head to be vindictive, setting out to destroy? We should remove her now, it may already be too late.’
‘We can’t lose this gift,’ Charis argued. ‘She will learn the control she needs, I will teach her …’
‘You? You’ve already failed to teach her,’ Merrin said. ‘It’s too late. She’s a liability. We should deal with her now.’
‘I can control her …’
‘It’s evident you can’t!’ Merrin replied. ‘Remove her, it’s the only choice.’
‘Where has this come from?’ Charis asked, distraught. ‘She has not trained as a warrior and she knows the use of the seeing for such things is forbidden …’
‘It’s clear enough to me,’ Nerina said. ‘Kiri has read the sixth element and applied it.’
‘No, she doesn’t know of it. How could she? It’s banned, illegal! That accursed book …’
Merrin took a book out of her robes. ‘She was found with this.’
Charis’ expression dropped in horror. ‘No … Where could she possibly have got that from?’
‘And the book is now an essential guide,’ Nerina sighed. ‘There are ways to deal with such as her. The sixth element tells of those with uncontrolled gifts.’
Merrin frowned, but Charis’ face blanched.
‘No Nerina,’ she said in hushed tones. ‘That hasn’t been done since the days of the war. None of us knows how, it would be horrible, reprehensible! The sixth element is not something we should bring back. It’s gone, forgotten. From a time when …’
‘These are exceptional circumstances,’ Nerina answered. ‘They call for exceptional measures.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Merrin demanded.
Charis looked away, but Nerina answered cal
mly.
‘It’s called the tearing. The gift can be … removed …’
‘Leaving the unfortunate victim just a husk of their former selves!’ Charis said. ‘It’s barbaric, it has no place today. It is torture! It was barely excusable in a time of war, to consider it now …’
‘That sounds perfectly sensible,’ Merrin said. ‘The slum girl remains alive, we can put her to use … as a skivvy perhaps.’
‘I will not allow this!’ Charis cried. ‘Let me try again, please! Let me take her away from the temple, anything but this!’
Nerina held up a hand. ‘I will not make a rash decision. In the meantime we have another issue to consider. There is open rebellion in Varda. Launa has left us with a legacy of inaction and impotence. We are about to reap what she has sown.’
‘We should teach them a lesson,’ Merrin answered. ‘How dare they refuse the search?’
‘We have treated them with arrogance for rounds,’ Charis said. ‘They rightly resent us taking daughters and wives with no explanation, no recompense …’
‘There is no choice,’ Merrin said. ‘We had an excess of those with the gift not so long ago. Now the cloisters stand empty and echoing. It is the first duty of the lands to provide. Would you have the priestess-ship collapse, Charis? Everything plunged into chaos and destruction? It would be war again.’
‘We need to reason with the people of Scallia, not force them. Explain the problem, tell them why this needs to be done, not just demand …’
Nerina looked at her. ‘Then you’re prepared to travel to Varda, Charis?’
‘And leave Kiri?’ Charis shook her head. ‘I will not abandon her to an uncertain fate.’
‘Take her with you,’ Nerina replied.
Merrin was about to say something, but it was cut off in a splutter of indignation.
Charis composed herself. ‘And take a message of reconciliation? That we will listen to their demands and try to find an accommodation?’
Nerina nodded. ‘You have always upheld peace above all. If you can persuade them …’
‘This is ridiculous,’ Merrin said. ‘We should send in our forces and make an example of them. It makes us look weak.’
‘On the contrary,’ Charis said, her head held high. ‘It gives us the advantage. I can stop this before it becomes a conflict. No one need get hurt.’
‘Take two of the junior priestesses, Mira knows the way well.’
‘And what of the crimes the slum girl has committed?’ Merrin snapped. ‘She carried a banned book, assaulted other acolytes! What of that? She should be punished, not rewarded.’
‘Charis says she can tame her,’ Nerina said and then looked at Charis. ‘You will prove it. Satisfy us that she can be brought to heel.’
‘Varda is a delicate situation,’ Merrin said. ‘It’s not wise …’
‘Charis has vouched for her, Merrin,’ Nerina replied. ‘She is Charis’ acolyte and Charis’ responsibility.’
Charis nodded.
‘Make it clear to her she’s on probation,’ Nerina said, ‘If she serves you well, all is good and she can become a priestess. If she fails, understand that we will take the alternative.’
Charis pursed her lips. ‘She will not fail.’
Nerina nodded. ‘Find me a peace then, Charis. Secure understanding and bring those with gifts back here as it should be. Show us all that diplomacy will work.’
‘I will leave as soon as I can. Will you release Kiri to me?’
Nerina nodded. ‘It will be done. Be quick, time is precious.’
Charis bowed and retreated, her footsteps sharp upon the marble floors. Nerina and Merrin watched her go.
‘This is a mistake,’ Merrin said. ‘Scallia will not accept a peace.’
A faint smile touched Nerina’s mouth. ‘No, I fear not.’
Merrin looked at her. ‘You want a conflict with them?’
Nerina looked surprised. ‘A conflict is inevitable. I want my warriors well trained.’
Charis went directly to the lower levels of the temple. The guards escorted her to one of the cells, barred by thick wooden beams. Charis looked through to see Kiri huddled in the corner, her wrists and ankles secured by rope bound fast around them. Charis could see bruising and cuts on Kiri’s arms and legs. She was shivering in the cold.
‘Release her immediately,’ Charis ordered. ‘Send for the healers and bring clothes and food!’
One of the guards turned smartly and left, the other pulled back the heavy wooden bolts and remove the beams. Charis followed inside.
‘Kiri …’
Kiri didn’t react as the ropes were cut by the guard’s knife. Her body seemed almost lifeless, her hands flopping to her sides as they were released.
‘The healers are coming, I’m sorry, this dreadful thing should never have happened …’
Charis sensed a wave of emotion, a burning halo of intense feeling boiling up around her. It washed past, anger so intense it made her skin itch.
Leave me alone.
‘Kiri …’
More emotion burst across the link. Anger followed by bitterness, betrayal and, throbbing and painful, a loss of trust.
You said you’d keep them from me! I tried to do what you said, but you lied! They sought me out, they tried to kill me …
Kiri’s eyes were dark and hard.
‘They will be censured, Kiri. Nerina understands the truth now …’
Charis saw Kiri give the tiniest shake of her head.
No. You promised, you broke your promise!
The emotion was so raw Charis almost saw it ripple across the room. Truthfully she’d never felt anything so powerful in all her time as a priestess. The sheer volume of it alarmed her in a way she’d never experienced before.
Kiri, I’m sorry …
Kiri turned to look at her.
Merrin wants to tear me, take my powers. Don’t try to hide it, I can hear her, all of you. I’ve always been able to hear you! You’re all scared of me. Don’t try to hide it Charis, I can feel it around you like a dark cloak. You’re here to tame me, offer me a second chance …
Charis fought to keep her own feelings under control.
They won’t take your powers, I won’t let them! Kiri, I’m trying to help you. Believe me. You’re right to say your presence causes concern, it’s all envy and politics – it’s not your fault …
You LIED!
The anger caused Charis to flinch as if she was caught in a burst of flame.
Kiri …
The sixth element? You told me it didn’t exist. You lied!
Regret and remorse washed over her. Charis tried to school her thoughts.
This is my fault. I did lie …
Glowing red-hot angry satisfaction burst from the girl.
I know you lied!
…but believe me, I only did it for what I thought was right for you …
Charis felt Kiri pull back from her, their link dissolving.
‘Kiri, don’t …’
‘You told me it didn’t exist. I trusted you,’ Kiri shouted out loud. ‘I became a healer because of you. I read it, Charis. I read it! It told me that people like me are supposed to be warriors. Elena herself wanted us to exercise our powers.’
‘It led to war!’ Charis argued. ‘Destruction, death, flame and ash. Elena was misguided, her teachings from a time of war when we were threatened. She was killed for what she thought. We can’t go back there, we need you here. I don’t want to see you waste your gift on death when it could be used for life …’
Charis reached out again, the link swamped with vivid emotion.
You’re precious to us … precious to me …
A burst of love and fondness surged across the link, catching both of them by surprise with its intensity. Unbidden, tears came to both of them.
I kept it from you because I didn’t want you to follow that path …
…it’s horrible, I wish I’d never read it. I don’t want to do those things again.
Kiri’s eyes were bright and clear, despite burning tears.
We will make sure it is destroyed. Where did you get it from?
It was in my room. Merrin must have put it there for me to find …
Charis’ own fury burst across the link. Fury at the conduct of others, frustration that she couldn’t prove it and determination to ensure they didn’t succeed in their aims.
… I should have told you, but I … couldn’t …
‘Because you couldn’t trust me,’ Charis said, speaking once again. ‘Forgive me for my short-sightedness, Kiri. It’s my fault.’
‘No more lies?’ Kiri said, her voice barely above a whisper.
No more lies, no more secrets. I’m so sorry, Kiri. I should have trusted you with the truth.
There was no immediate answer. Kiri’s face crumpled and then she was sobbing her heart out. Charis pulled her into a close embrace, feeling the girl’s body shuddering against her. Swirling currents of affection, bittersweet joy spiralled around the pair.
I love you, Charis!
Charis pulled her closer still, her own eyes clenched tightly closed yet wet with tears she couldn’t stop, nor even wanted to.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Off the Coast of Scallia
Round 2306, Eighth Pass
Meru faced into the stiff breeze, marvelling at the rapidity of their travel. The Mobilis was cruising through the Straithian Sea faster than a herg could gallop, leaving a sparkling wake behind them, arrow straight, disappearing over the aft horizon. Ahead, the sea, calm and smooth today, stretched ever onwards. Spray flecked up from the bow, the ship undulating gently as it surged on, its engines a reassuring throbbing through the decking.
Nearly half a round. He could hardly believe it had been that long. Seven passes since he’d left Amaris, as a novice timekeeper aboard the Bethany. Seven passes since he’d been picked up by the mysterious crew of the Mobilis.
Seven passes since running away …
This ship, with its remarkable engines, its strange motive power drawn apparently from thin air by means unknown, continued to fascinate him. He had spent his time well and knew how to operate the various devices aboard the ship.
Only one still eluded him. There was a large squat box next to the timing and navigation equipment just inside the bridge. It was festooned with dials and switches. Meru had figured out how to switch it on easily enough, it was clear it consumed ‘tricity from the accumulators. The dials glowed softly, rewarding Meru with an apparently endless stream of numerals. A hiss came out of the box, occasionally punctuated by crackles and strange whistles that rose and fell as if directed by some strange ethereal musician. Meru’s first guess was that it had been some kind of musical device, perhaps for entertaining the crew, but it seemed unable to generate much in the way of a pleasing sound. One dial marked with a pair of arrows pointed in opposite directions caused the volume of the hiss to increase or decrease, but the other one seemed to do nothing at all other than elicit a mundane variety of pops, crackles, whistles and strange sliding notes. It was marked with three letters; a large ‘M’ and a small ‘h’ and ‘z’. The rest of the crew had long since given up trying to make sense of it. Meru eventually switched it off again, none the wiser.