The Crystal Curse

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The Crystal Curse Page 25

by Gin Hollan


  Every time she'd used the book, she'd been dreaming. If Sam and Andun hadn't noticed odd things happening, she wouldn't believe it was usable.

  What if it was different in reality? What if they were like the pistol or Lyar, needing a specific item or place to work? Her already nervous system nearly went into overdrive at the thought. She was a tinker, sure, but she was no Gyver. She couldn't just pull out four random items and make a crystal device.

  She couldn't do this on her own, and she hated the idea. Still, she had to stop the bombs somehow. Arabeth turned and ran back in the building, not caring who saw her.

  "Melanie, help. I found them." She called out. A few people nearby gasped but didn't get a chance to point as Arabeth ran back out with Melanie right behind her.

  "The bombs - can you see them? They're small."

  "Yes, what do you want me to do?"

  "The book Gregor gave me - hold it open so I can read it while directing the rain."

  "Oh," she sounded relieved. She took the book from Arabeth. "Which page?"

  Arabeth's mind went blank. "I... I'm not sure. Look for these symbols - a herd of bison, rain drops, and a lightning bolt." She needed to close the circuits on that page, and start whatever process brought rain.

  Melanie flipped to a page and held the book up. "This one?"

  It looked right. "Let's give it a try. Stay still."

  With one hand, Arabeth ran her fingers along the words, repeatedly glancing from there to the sky and back. She used her other hand to stay steady. She imagined the rain they needed, coming in a fast, hard sheet and hitting the wall in a wave, washing the bombs away.

  As she did, Melanie gasped. "It's working. I see clouds starting."

  Suddenly someone snatched the book away.

  "What are we up to, then," Sebastian said.

  Melanie screamed and grabbed for the book. "Give that back."

  "Thank you for the heads-up, Arabeth. That little ghost act inside was perfect."

  Arabeth didn't let him distract her. She had the rain started but she still had to focus. The book wasn't full of chants and repetition. It was a recipe book and now she had to stir the pot. She pulled out one of the crystals she kept in her pocket and held it up, looking through it.

  Melanie screamed again but was quickly muffled. Arabeth looked. Sebastian held her with one of his hands over her mouth and a gun pointed at her head.

  All of a sudden, Sebastian started to twitch. Letting Melanie go, he collapsed to his side, convulsing. Andun stood behind him, his expression fierce as he held a pistol not unlike Arabeth's.

  Arabeth turned away. She couldn't let this distract her. "Melanie, get inside." It was time to bring the lightning. The bombs now sat a hundred feet away. Not knowing how powerful these were, Arabeth hoped that was enough.

  "Arabeth, move them further away. There are tunnels there. The castle will still collapse." Andun yelled over the storm that was now in full force.

  How could she do that? There was nothing to rush the water against to cause a wave. She was about to start the lightning when she saw Andun and Melanie both running out through the storm to the bombs. Picking one up, Andun threw it as far away as he could, then ran to the next one past Melanie. Melanie did the same. Arabeth couldn't move, she couldn't get there. Her mind was here, but her body was trapped in the Lyar.

  As the last bomb lobbed away, it exploded. Who had thrown that one? Were they far enough away? Would the heavy rain have protected them?

  "Someone help!" Melanie yelled. "Arabeth, get help. Andun is hurt."

  She was a ghost running for help. Once people stopped fainting, running, and screaming, hopefully someone would listen. The Advisor. He'd help. He had to. He had been inside. Wait, he'd been sitting with Sebastian. Arabeth hadn't registered that thought until just now. She'd seen them as she ran out. Still, someone would have to help.

  Looking across the crowd, she spotted Gregor. He was here? Of course he was here. Arabeth ran over, having to dodge the startled people who saw her coming.

  "Gregor, get help. Andun is outside, and he's hurt."

  Gregor jumped to his feet. "Show me where."

  Moments later Andun was laying on the floor of the main hall’s ante chamber with a medic working as fast as he could. Gregor stood at his side, acting as a nurse.

  Arabeth backed into a dark corner and took the moment to sit down on her heels, waiting and praying his wounds weren't life threatening.

  "Wait, Sebastian is still out there," Melanie said, grabbing a guard by the arm. "Get some men. The one who attacked him is outside. Arrest him."

  As Melanie led them out, Arabeth stayed. She should pull the orange stone but if the medic needed another hand, she wanted to help. The room was empty except for Andun, the medic, Gregor, and her.

  Already, the stories of Andun's heroic act spread among attendees, and was met with varying degrees of surprise and pride. He would be a good King, if he lived.

  // Chapter 40 //

  Sam ran into the room and went to Arabeth when he spotted her against the wall, not really looking at anyone. As he sat, she rested her head on his shoulder. His arrival gave her the sense of peace she'd been waiting for.

  "When did you eat last," he asked, opening his backpack.

  She shook her head. "Andun's collar bone is fractured and he is going a have a handsome scar on one arm. Other than that, he's fine."

  "I'm talking about you," he said, handing her an apple.

  She sighed. She didn't like talking about herself, but he'd guess anyway. "I can't move. Between the storm, the Lyar, and the workout from Sebastian yesterday, I'm drained." She couldn't even summon the will to pull the stones and break the connection. She "How are you? Don't lie to me. The rope burn on your wrists and bruises on your face mean you have bruises elsewhere too. You should have the medic check for broken skin and the like."

  "Not until we get you fed. You look weak as a kitten. Where are you?"

  "Back near the tunnel."

  "Can you pull the stones and stay on this side? Probably not, I guess." He took one of her hands in his. "Pull me through to your side. Andun will be fine and Mel will contact us when things settle down."

  "I need to see this through."

  "You've taken more than your share of responsibility. Don't let that narcissist get to you. It's time to let someone else look after you for a while."

  Arabeth stood and walked over to Andun.

  "It looks as though you'll be okay, your highness."

  "Things must be serious if you're calling me that."

  "No, but things have changed."

  "Not too much, I hope. You'll be back to visit?" he asked.

  Arabeth smiled, nodding. "I'd like that."

  "Long live the King," Sam said, patting Andun on the arm. "I'll be back in the fall, as promised."

  "Promised?" Arabeth asked him.

  "I've agreed to come back and help organize a national justice system."

  "That's perfect for you!"

  A man walked in wearing a guards uniform and saluted Andun. "Your majesty, we have the people in question locked up, but they want lawyers."

  "Let them try. I can't imagine a lawyer on this planet that will touch that case," Arabeth chuckled.

  "Right, let them try," Andun smiled.

  "There's always one that wants their name in newsprint," Sam shrugged.

  "Oh right, guess what job I've given our Seers," Andun was smirking.

  Arabeth shook her head. "Seer?"

  He laughed. "You'll see when you leave. I think it's the perfect stop-gap until Sam gets back."

  "I'll take that as my cue," Arabeth smiled. "Take it easy while we're gone, kid. I know you'll make your parents proud."

  "Three months?" Andun looked at Sam.

  "I need to do some research, but three months should be plenty."

  As they walked out, Sam took Arabeth's hand, smiling. "Why are we walking. Just pull the stones."

  "Oh, right," Arab
eth blushed and walked to the spot where the crystals hovered. As the castle dissolved and her mind came back to the copse, her weariness doubled and she sank to the ground with a sigh. "It's been a long month, you know."

  "A long month," Sam echoed.

  Arabeth lay on the ground, putting her head on her satchel. "I could sleep for another month."

  "Let's get you home first, then we can talk about other things. You can sleep until your next birthday, if you want."

  Arabeth rolled over and looked at him sitting nearby. "Birthday?"

  "Happy birthday, Arabeth. The day snuck up on us, didn't it?"

  "Wait, that means we missed yours too. Yours is three weeks before mine."

  "No, that was the day you accepted my proposal. I think that counts as a gift."

  "But I didn't remember."

  "I think we were a little distracted."

  Arabeth nodded and closed her eyes. "Just a short rest, then we should get going."

  "A short rest," he agreed.

  When she opened her eyes next, she couldn't tell if it was sunrise or sunset. Looking at Sam, it must be sunrise. He was sprawled out over a thin blanket and she was wearing his jacket. That meant she'd slept at least twelve hours. How soon after they got home would he be coming back? Maybe he should stay. She'd be fine going home on her own. Standing, she looked over at Davin.

  He'd find his way. This was for the best.

  As she checked the saddlebags for the third time, she heard him rouse. She couldn't look at him, knowing her plan was to leave him behind again. Not again.

  Sam walked up beside her and checked Davin's cinch.

  "Did you sleep?" he asked.

  "Well enough. With that kind of exhaustion, I could have slept on broken glass."

  "You said this place is near the gypsy town. Let's see if they sell breakfast before we find Maralise's route. Did she give any hints?"

  "No, but Melanie is trying to find out for me."

  Sam took one of her arms and turned her to face him. "For us. Is that so hard to say? She's looking for us."

  Arabeth felt her face heat up from the shame of it. She should love him enough to want to stay with him. Instead, she kept leaving him behind. Until now she said it was for his safety, but this time she was headed home. There was a lot of work to do there, but it wasn't dangerous. Why leave him this time? Was it just a bad habit?

  "For us." That made her face flame hotter and she reached up to cover the tips of her ears.

  Sam chuckled. "I know I'm only back for a short time. Long enough to see you settled."

  "Then you're gone again." She nodded.

  "But only for another short time."

  "You don't know that. Things happen. What if there is a revolution, like Sebastian was trying to start?"

  "I won't leave you, or betray you. I stayed faithful to you, even when you were a married woman. Who does that?"

  Arabeth looked up into his eyes and didn't see regret, or anger, or any of the things she thought meant she owed him this. She only saw affection. Love. Smiling she raised her arms up and wrapped them around his neck. "I suppose you're right. If you stay, and start his police force now, you'll be back sooner, right?"

  "My plants are probably all dead by now, but I need to go home for a couple reasons." His arms rested around her waist, but there was no demand. Just comfort.

  "You don't sleep well outside your own home."

  "Unless I'm on your chesterfield. You must have a calming herb rubbed into it once a week."

  Arabeth laughed lightly. They both knew that wasn't it. "I need to return the pistol."

  "And see if they sell breakfast. A nice, hot plate of pancakes, eggs, maybe a bit of bacon... that would really hit the spot." Sam's stomach growled at the thought. He stepped back and took one of her hands. "Is there a path where Davin can get out?"

  "This way." She pointed to a narrow gap she'd found the day before. Reaching down, she put Marble on the saddle. Was the fox lazy, or just used to being packed everywhere? Arabeth scratched behind Marble's ears a moment and was suddenly very keen on getting life back to their kind of civilization.

  // Epilogue //

  Arabeth knocked on her father's door before letting herself into the massive space he called his study. She had a few things he needed to know, not the least of which was Maralise's part in the events in Vensay. He was the regional Chancellor and thus needed to know, but somehow it felt like tattling, though.

  Graham was a traitor to the crown now, which meant if he left Blastborn his own country would turn him over. Relations between the two countries had never been stronger and everyone wanted to please the new King of Vensay. Arabeth had to hope Clare got him out via shuttle.

  Sam had been with Sebastian's people, but as a prisoner. When he was freed, he began the long process of designing a country-wide policing and prison system for Andun, although he admitted he'd need plenty of consultation with foreign countries on how they managed a system that ranged hundreds of kilometres. He went back to Blastborn long enough to get ideas from Police Chief Harbertrope and see to it that Arabeth's parents knew she was engaged.

  Melanie and Gregor were back to work as Seers. That would help everyone, Arabeth knew, but how would she explain that to her father. It was akin to witchcraft, by the local way of thinking. Tinkering was almost taboo. Ah well, the crystal fields would be restored, with an immediate cease to the yearly plowing under that kept them from growing. Arabeth would use that time to start her own field and plant the seeds of knowledge at the same time.

  Melanie had contacted her earlier in the day - the Lyars had stopped working. No one knew why. The fires were not extinguishing with water or dirt. Not until this rain. They still drew her, though. Even with the fire out, she felt drawn back.

  Andun's rule seemed secure. Letters had started pouring in from every country on the continent, congratulating him and making arrangements for official visits. Andun asked her to stay as a tinker, offering her a workshop and unlimited resources. He wanted to find other uses for the crystals. Arabeth promised to share what she learnt while working on the same puzzle back home in her own workshop. It was enough to know that peace had been restored to the continent. For as long as it lasted, Arabeth vowed to mind her own business. Adventure turned out to be different than she'd imagined while reading novels and listening to her grandfather.

  She would have to figure out a way to tell this story, she realized. It was a good thing the ride home would take a couple weeks. She was no word smith. She pulled a crystal out of her pocket. One of the orange ones. Somehow, she felt more solid with it in her hand. Their pull on her hadn't diminished, she knew. Her pack had three of each shade. She wanted to see if they'd grow on the other side of the mountain, in their rich, agriculture-based soils. That was her kind of adventure.

  'I just have one request,' Melanie's voice came into her mind through the crystal. 'Be careful with that book.'

  Unable to part with it, Arabeth kept it tucked in her satchel and never spoke about it. She'd find the language it was written in and figure out how it worked. Magic. Not a word she dared use out loud, either here or at home. Maybe the book had a name for itself. She'd find out.

  She sat down, wondering where to start. "How are you, father?"

  "As well as can be expected when one daughter returns a hero, and the other captured as a traitor. The paperwork involved is many and varied. Your mother has gone to stay with Betsy's parents, for her nerves."

  Arabeth nodded. "I thought she might." It wasn't nerves, it was pride.

  "You have a report for me?"

  "I'll write something out. I wanted to see how you were holding up and share my personal news."

  "Oh?"

  Just then Sam walked in and bowed. "Good afternoon, sir."

  "Come in. You're just in time. Arabeth has news."

  "We share the news, sir. I'm happy to report that she has accepted my offer."

  "Ah, and I gave you my blessing, what...
eight years ago? Are we going to wait that long again for grandchildren?" Her father's sudden thaw caught her by surprise. He'd never been an affectionate father, but he had his moments. His care was never in doubt. Still, this was almost out of character. He needed grandsons, apparently.

  "Yes, sir. I'm afraid the delay is entirely my fault. I'm heading back to Vensay. Please keep an eye on her for me while I'm gone."

  Eldon chuckled. "Of course, of course. She should move back here, anyway, with her mother being gone, and sister... well, you know."

  "I am not moving home, and quit talking about me like I'm not here," Arabeth stood up, pretending irritation.

  "There's my girl," her father said. "Don't you dare go all domestic on me. It never suited you."

  "Don't worry, father. We haven't set a date. Sam's going to be very busy for the next six months to a year, out of country."

  "Don't take too long, son. You two deserve some happiness, even if you hadn't become the most famous people our city has ever known."

  Sam's ears went red and he nodded.

  There was one last thing Arabeth needed sorted before she went home. "Father, I'm confused. Why did Graham say all of Blastborn was under attack and that a third of the city had been destroyed? I see no evidence of it."

  "He said what? I can't be sure why he'd say that."

  Arabeth and Sam exchanged a look. Mind tampering. He'd suggested it with Andun, when he thought he was a fake. He'd have to learn how Sebastian did it, so they could come up with a detection method.

  Eldon stood up and walked them to the door. "I'm glad you're back, safe and sound." He smiled, patting Arabeth on the shoulder. "Come for dinner some time. It gets dull around here when your mother is away."

  Arabeth made a pained face. Her mother should run a drama company, not a spy guild. To be associated with her theatrics was distasteful at best.

  "You know what I mean," he chuckled.

  "Yes, father." He wanted to hear the story. All of it. She cringed. Magic. That would re-define how he thought the world worked. It had for her.

  It wasn’t magic, per se… but it raised a question she had to answer – how did it work, really? The book was paper and embedded circuits… and needed silver to operate. Who made the book, why, and how? Were there more like it?

 

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