by Gin Hollan
"I'll see what I can find out." Arabeth turned toward the door, hoping she could touch it, the same way she had taken the book when Gregor offered it.
It would be her luck for them to suddenly remember Melanie and come drag these two away. Arabeth shook her head. No. She had to find them first.
She reached the door and extended her hand to the doorknob. She couldn't take hold of it. She tried again, concentrating, not sure why she thought that would help. Her hand passed through it again and she thought about the purple crystal. This could be good.
Arabeth reached her hand out toward the door itself. Her fingers passed through. Interesting. Stepping forward, she thought about slowly placing her face through to see what was outside. A chill ran through her at the thought. No, if she was going to do this, she would have to make up her mind and go.
With a deep breath, she did lean forward, but startled when she bumped into something she couldn't see. Holding her hands up, she felt for it. Tree. She'd hit the edge of the copse. That was fine. She didn't have to use the door. Walls ought to be as easy to get through.
Slowly, she felt her way around until one spot seemed likely. She stepped forward into daylight and sand, not unlike where she'd gone in one of her 'dreams.' Following the outside, she nearly screamed when she felt a hand on her arm.
"Arabeth, I hope you found out what you need to know, because it looks like we're going to have company," Sam's voice came through.
"I need another minute. I can't tell where they are. I need two water flasks, a knife, some rations, and... well anything you can think of to help them escape a large storage shed."
She went back inside, intending to untie them, give them enough to survive on and hope they could get help.
"Why did they do this? And who?" Arabeth asked. She felt water flask being pressed into her hand. "Remove the purple stone, if you can," she said, turning to where she hoped Sam stood.
"Done," Sam said. "We have about ten minutes."
"I have an idea, but it might be risky. Gregor was able to give me the book. That means these places are physically connected in a way. Can you walk through? Take my hand and I'll see if that bridges the gap, so to speak."
"Hurry Arabeth," Sam's urgency came through plainly. "Andun is already mounted up and staying out of sight."
"Good. You do that too." She pulled off Melanie's blindfold and untied her hands before moving to untie Gregor.
"Not without you," he said.
She felt something bumping into her arm and reached for it. She pulled the small bag into view, dropped it beside Melanie. She'd untied her feet and was hurrying to help Arabeth with Gregor.
"If this works, it means you could get stuck here, too. Don't take any chances," Melanie said. "You go when Sam says it's time."
Gregor roused more slowly and came to his feet with a struggle.
"Take my hands, both of you," Arabeth reached out. Their hands firmly in hers, she backed up to where she imagined the border between the areas was.
"Sam, see if their hands become visible and pull them through."
"You're crazy. Hurry up," was his only response.
"There's no change. Maybe a different crystal needs to be in place," Arabeth said, forcing her nerves to settle. A racing pulse impairs thought.
"I'm trying different ones. You all keep walking around."
"Sebastian is behind this. We suspected him, or a group he is part of, but it really is just him and Grace, running around causing trouble," Melanie said. "He helped us get Graham home, telling Clare to assist, so that Graham would come back, ready to blow up anything Sebastian suggested.'
"That doesn't make sense." Arabeth walked over to untie Gregor. "How would he know to come back to Owen?"
"All part of the plan, apparently. The cave-in was us walking into his trap. Now that he has us, the only foil has been my being a Seer and you being a... whatever it is you are, now."
"Crystal Mage has been bandied about."
Melanie moved slowly, as though she were made of rust.
"I have to go. Can you two work out a plan?"
"I need a crystal. Any colour," Melanie said. "Maybe a few, if you have that cache still."
"Sam, I need a handful of the crystals for Melanie." She turned to face Melanie again. "I'm not sure they'll transfer, but we have to try."
A few moments passed and there was no indication Sam was coming back. Fear gripped Arabeth, thinking she'd taken too long and now he was in danger.
Suddenly she felt someone rifling through her satchel and she turned to pull it away.
"It's me. We need something to put them in. They interact otherwise, pushing themselves out of my hand," Sam said.
The sound of horses grew louder outside. Were they at the shed, or the copse?
Sam pressed a small container into her hand. "Try," he said.
Arabeth took them and handed them to Melanie. "Good. That worked," she said, relieved. "I have to go Mel. I'll be in touch."
Melanie opened the case and took a crystal out sighing as she did. On a hunch, Arabeth took her by the hand and pulled her. Melanie stumbled forward, and fell, landing near Sam. She'd managed to grab the bag with the water and supplies. Quick thinking.
"Mel, hide in the trees. They won't be looking for you," he said.
Arabeth saw Gregor pull a crystal out as well and pulled on his hand, imitating what she'd done with Melanie. There was no change.
"Melanie, what colour did you grab?" Arabeth wanted to yell, but held her voice down.
"Orange."
"Gregor, hold an orange one."
The sound of horses coming to a stop outside divided Arabeth's focus. "Gregor, now." She grabbed his hand, whether he was ready or not. He scrambled out behind her and scrambled into the trees as quickly as he could. Arabeth led out a deep breath of air, not realizing she'd been holding it.
A moment later grass crunched as someone new walked into the copse.
Arabeth turned and put the crystals back into her pocket, severing the portal. Several men stood behind Grace, each holding a pistol.
"Well, then. Our exile is also a Crystal Mage. I have heard that's as good as a death sentence. I wonder what Sebastian will say." Grace said.
Sam moved to stand in front of Arabeth, thinking to shield her if possible.
"Relax," Grace sneered. "Sebastian wants to assess the potential uses of the Lyar. My instructions are to keep you here."
From what Melanie said, the Advisor was the lesser evil.
"I don't think I'm showing you anything," Arabeth said.
"The hard way it is, then." Grace raised her pistol. "We will just wait for Sebastian, then. He'll be here shortly."
Arabeth's mind was pulled to the book in her satchel. She was not out of options. It would be foolish to randomly run her fingers over some text in there, but with time... she could find something familiar.
As wide as the copse was, the air seemed to close in on Arabeth. Melanie and Gregor rested in the shadows of the trees, but they needed help. They probably needed medical attention. How could Arabeth help them with Grace hovering like this?
// Chapter 37 //
Arabeth stood, her fists balled at her side. Sebastian wouldn't reason. The air around her felt cold, and she returned his stare. All she wanted was his guarantee that Graham would be pulled off whichever project he'd been sent to that involved explosives. In exchange, she would freely demonstrate the Lyar. It seemed fair to her.
Instead, his stubborn need to prove his power over the situation, over her, wouldn't let him compromise. He was the megalomaniac version of Harbertrope.
"Miss Barnes, as much as you seem to want to help your friends, you exhibit a startling lack of responsibility. You can't deny your part in this outcome. Until you accept responsibility for your friends, you can't expect to influence the outcome of their lives."
It was a simple lecture, and she'd heard it before. "They don't need a babysitter. I think you're dodging the larger concern. This is about
what's right and wrong."
"That's where you're wrong. You must see, none of us are truly independent. We influence those around us based on our both given and implied power, consciously or not. You are throwing away your own status and any associated leverage you may have by hiding your identity, and you do it without regard to the benefits and protection you could offer your friends and associates. To be honest, that's childish." He made a tsking sound before continuing. "Working for me, you will get all that back. I don't have time to earn your trust, and I'm not going to promise you something when I know you are fickle."
The word hit her like a slap to the face. She'd hidden her identity on good advice. Clearly this man was a little power-mad. Maybe more than a little, she conceded.
"Follow me," he ordered.
He'd known her how long? A few days. Harsh conclusions for someone who'd barely even talked to her. She relaxed, keeping her pulse calm. Her head needed to be clear.
He thought that way because he saw who he wanted to see, who he needed her to be. That didn't bode well for him, she smirked.
She stepped forward to follow. His attitude was designed to throw people off-balance, to erode their confidence. Thankfully, she'd had a sister that used that tactic constantly. It didn't work on Arabeth anymore. She'd analyse his organization, find his weak spot.
Outside the copse, his camp was already standing. Six smaller tents lined on either side of a large on in the middle. His soldiers made Arabeth pause. They didn't look human. No, they were smaller versions of the Automaton that had invaded Blastborn. How common were automatons? If only she'd asked Andun.
One of them held a flap open leading into the largest tent. As they walked in, Arabeth frowned. It was furnished? A table, two chairs, some lamps.
"I couldn't stop Mr. Halister, even if I wanted to. He wants to know who attacked Blastborn, and in trade, he's going to do that little job for me. It's a vacant castle. Where's the harm?" he sneered.
"Even if it turns out it was you," she muttered under her breath. Graham was an idiot sometimes. "If it's meaningless, why bother?"
"I wouldn't say it's meaningless... they royals have fallen. It's time to tear down their relics."
"I'm sure Prince Andun would disagree."
"That boy? Even his Advisor thinks he's unfit to rule."
Arabeth bristled at that. "He's been well and thoroughly trained. He only lacks experience and time will fix that. His advisor is supposed to provide that guidance. No King rules alone."
"You... you've met him, have you? What did you think? A little green around the edges, wasn't he."
She refused to answer, hoping Andun had made it away safely.
Suddenly Sebastian looked straight at her and walked over, stopping inches away as he leaned down to look in her eyes. "You... are loyal to the King, the same as Seers, aren't you?" He stood upright. "Yes. Yes, of course. Then, to save your king, you will show me the Lyar. To save his castle is meaningless. His staff have already moved to that little mansion in the desert. But to save the Monarchy should be a compulsion for you."
Arabeth made herself cough. "Back up," she coughed again. "When is the last time you brushed your teeth?"
His hand snapped out and he grabbed the hair on the top of her head, pulling her onto her toes. Instantly Marble climbed up and snapped at his hand, biting him and causing him to jerk away, tossing Arabeth spinning to the ground. Angry, he looked for Marble and drew his pistol. Would a full change at a small animal kill her? Arabeth wasn't about to find out. She scooped Marble up and curled around her.
"You are dangerously close to the end of your journey," Sebastian snarled, rubbing the bite mark. "Where there was one Crystal Mage, there will be others. Don't think you're indispensable," Marble hadn't drawn blood, but part of Arabeth wished she had.
Now there were two nails in his coffin, Arabeth decided. He'd threatened to hurt Marble and he'd warped Graham. One more and she'd close the lid on him forever. If he touched Sam or Andun, it was a done deal.
There were six other tents. Who was he expecting? Grace had three men with her, and they'd probably share one.
Arabeth sat up, keeping Marble in her lap. The back of her head stung like crazy, and she really wanted a mirror to see if he'd done any damage. Getting out of this situation wouldn't be easy.
"Planning how you'll run away, again? That's always your big solution," said a woman's voice she shouldn't recognize here. Arabeth's head whipped around to see Maralise. "You'll abandon everyone, and just run away. Is this how you help, the way you helped Blastborn by running away?"
"What are you doing here?" she stared and she stood up, still holding Marble safely against her.
"I'm the real reason Sebastian is here. He wants to me to use the Lyar. We don't actually need you," Maralise gave a loud, barking laugh. "But I thought it would be fun to play with you a bit." She looked at Sebastian and winked.
He chuckled but was holding his sore hand under his other one in front of him.
"For a sealed mountain cave, there sure is a lot of traffic," Arabeth muttered.
"That insignificant tunnel? That was a decoy, dear sister. Wasn't the lack of guards a good enough clue for you?" She rolled her eyes. "Well, let's get on with this, then. Have someone tie her up, would you? And Sam, her ever-present love-sick shadow needs to be tied up, too. Not in here, though. There's no sense letting them plot."
"You're here to see if you can work the Lyar?" Arabeth stared at her sister as her heart skipped a beat. If Maralise could use Lyars, no one would be safe.
"Why not? Apparently you can. I'm guessing it's a family thing," Maralise flipped her long blond hair, taunting.
Arabeth closed her eyes and said a quick prayer that Maralise would fail. In the meantime, Arabeth had to get out of there. If the Lyar responded to Maralise, there was nowhere she could hide. It'd be better to wait and see.
"Wait, can I come? I've never seen it from the outside." Arabeth stood, putting Marble on her shoulder.
The man that approached her with a long rope turned to see Sebastian's response. He scratched his chin. "Yes, let's keep you handy, just in case."
// Chapter 38 //
Maralise looked at Arabeth. "Tell me what to do."
Blinking, Arabeth held back a laugh. Sebastian cleared his throat and looked away.
"Seriously, neither of you know?" She shook her head. She could tell them anything, and they'd never know the difference.
"It's a crystal device, so we'll use the crystals," Sebastian said.
Somehow he seemed shorter, smaller as he said this. He waved Grace over. "Do you have them?"
"Yes, sir." She held out a small, wooden box. The crystals in there were smaller than the ones Arabeth had been packing around. Were hers growing as they healed, or were these young ones, fresh from his field? Would that matter?
"Okay... now... set it in that centre ring on the ground, there," he pointed. "It should be automatic after that."
If it was Arabeth, it would have been.
Maralise eagerly set the crystal in the middle. He'd given her a purple one. What did purple do? Marble whimpered and nudged Arabeth's cheek.
Suddenly the crystal started crackling and popping. Arabeth turned to run out, remembering what happened when Marble ran in with the green crystal. Apparently the fireworks had nothing to do with the colour used, and soon everyone was running out behind her.
Stopping outside the trees, Arabeth stared as she watched guards hurrying to put out a small fire that had started on the side of Sebastian's tent. It served him right, but now she was properly scared. They'd threaten Marble, Sam, and anyone else they thought they could use to make Arabeth a slave to them. She'd have to get them away first.
Her mind came back to the task at hand. What had they heard these Lyars could do? She wouldn't let them use it as a gateway. Ever.
The sparks died down a moment later.
"Alright, your turn," Sebastian said to Arabeth. He didn't even look at M
aralise who fussed over her singed hair and clothes.
"Untie Sam and let him come out first." She stood back on her heels, arms crossed.
Sebastian pulled his pistol out and held it at her.
"Really? You want me to use the Lyar in my sleep," she scoffed.
"Fine, bring out the other one," he said to a guard, lowering the gun.
Arabeth nodded and her nerves calmed a bit when Sam came into view.
"Alright, let's say I need to talk to someone specific. How would you find them?" he asked.
"I've only been able to reach people I've met." She stopped short of saying that it was visual. She'd seen the people she communicated with before. "I can try a name, or a location, but I can't guarantee it'll work."
Graham came to mind. She'd wanted to talk to him anyway, and this might be her one chance to contact whomever she wanted. Stepping forward, she rested a purple crystal in the circle. As it started to glow and rise up, hovering in front of her those around her gasped and some muttered. She ignored them, concentrating on Graham. He came into view, looking like a ghost. He spotted Arabeth and froze in place. "What... Arabeth, what are you up to now?" A smile eased across his face. "This is quite a breakthrough. How are you getting the signal down here?"
"It's a local technology. You have to stop your experiment. Trust me, okay? I know what happened back home, but you've been lied to."
Sebastian walked up beside her. "Mr. Halister, how goes the work?"
Graham looked puzzled. "Arabeth, what do you mean?"
Arabeth looked at Sebastian. Graham hadn't heard him, couldn't see him.
This is what it means to be a Crystal Mage? I'm a conduit? She thought.
"You have the wrong target. Finish your bombs but don't place them until I can confirm," she said softly.
Sebastian grabbed her arm and pulled her away, out of the centre. "What are you saying?"
She blinked. "You couldn't hear me?" That had to be wrong.
"You're speaking in a different language. Speak this one," he snarled.
"Arabeth!" Graham called out. "Explain."