Soldiers of the Heavens

by Stephen L. Nowland

  Aiden lifted her in his arms and shook her gently, trying to bring her around. He was momentarily relieved when she finally stirred, but when she opened her eyelids, he gazed upon pupil-less eyes staring up at him, glowing white with power.

  Chapter Six

  Sayana gazed around the room and took in the scene while trying to focus. The last thing she remembered was the piercing pain of needles jabbing into her spine, mixed with the unrelenting agony of her burned skin. The pain was now gone. Instead, she felt vibrant and light, so light as to be almost weightless.

  Her vision was still blurred, but she knew Aiden was holding her in his arms, for she recalled the feeling of them lying together years ago. This time, he was cradling her as though she were about to die, but he was mistaken. She had never felt more alive.

  It was difficult to speak, as there seemed to be differing images swimming together, one atop the other. Sayana concentrated and focused on Aiden’s concerned face. She was startled when everything around her snapped into stark clarity like she’d never before experienced.

  The sorceress gasped as she looked upon Aiden, seeing not just the curious young man she had met in the forest years ago, but a dragon surrounded by the husk of a mortal, yearning to assert itself and be free. Sayana had once surmised that Aiden had died in the Akoran Mountains, and the man before her had been remade by Salinder into a sort of composite being. Looking upon him now, she realised how accurate her assessment had been.

  Aiden could not have known the full extent of the change he was undergoing. He was more dragon than human now, and every invocation pushed the transformation further and further. More than that, his very thoughts were probably being altered, and he was no longer able to discern the line where his own thoughts ended and the dragon’s began.

  Sayana’s enhanced sight could almost see the ephemeral stitching on Aiden’s soul, where Salinder had attached part of his own in order to save the young man. Was it altruism on the dragon’s part, or perhaps an attempt to cheat death? Sayana could think of no other reasons and felt a pang of loss at the confirmation that Aiden had indeed not survived that fateful day in the mountains.

  More of their companions burst into the room, shouting in alarm as they stared down at her in growing concern. Sayana could feel their emotions vibrating in the air, rippling across her skin like a tremor through the earth. Her senses were on fire with stimulation. The light was too bright, their shouts too loud. They mixed with the echoing of random thoughts coming from within their minds, battering Sayana’s consciousness with their inner most feelings.

  She cringed for a moment, and with the slightest thought of retreat the noises vanished and the room was calm but for the silent gesticulating of her friends. Realising she had full control over her senses, Sayana gradually allowed some of the noise to grow until she was comfortable. Feeling more confident, she stood without Aiden’s help and looked down at their disbelieving faces.

  Unsure what they were gaping at, she glanced at her feet and saw she was effortlessly hovering twenty inches above the ground. More than that, her skin had been completely covered in tattoos, rendering her dark blue in appearance. She looked up again and saw Robert staring at her, unsure what to make of this sudden change.

  “Stand aside,” Terinus instructed as he entered the room, gazing up at Sayana in wonder.

  “What happened?” Criosa asked, staying near the doorway, most likely out of fear.

  “She has undergone the augmentation procedure, despite already having gone through it as a child,” the wizard rasped. Reaching out to his mind, Sayana was surprised to feel a wall of resolve blocking her entry.

  “This is my fault,” Nellise groaned. “I fell asleep instead of keeping watch over her during the night.”

  “There’s no way you could have known she would do this,” Pacian responded. Sayana could sense his feelings for the cleric, twisted like a knot within grief, guilt and pride. He truly was as broken as he seemed, but there was something else deep inside, something she couldn’t quite understand. Sayana attempted to probe further but a wall of thought suddenly appeared before her, much as it had with Terinus.

  “Stop that,” the wizard instructed her. He reached for a small device on a nearby bench and pointed it at her. It made a curious chirping noise, and although his expression did not change, the vibrations surrounding his body seemed to become agitated.

  “Her body has accepted the additional augmentation,” he rasped. “Remarkable. Sayana, how do you feel?”

  I am well, whole in mind, body and spirit, she replied, startling them once more for some reason.

  “Oy, ‘ow did ya speak wiv’out movin’ yer mouth?” Lucas mumbled, having entered the room, all but unnoticed along with Saffron.

  “She has become something else,” Terinus answered in awe. “Something greater. A dual augmentation was never attempted. You probably should have died, Sayana. I will have to run some tests… no, what am I saying — we simply don’t have the time.”

  “Is she going to be okay?” Robert asked insistently.

  “It hasn’t killed her, and is not likely to,” Terinus postulated. “The question you should be asking is ‘who is she going to become’, for the woman you knew is effectively gone.” Robert came forward and looked at Sayana with uncertain eyes. She descended until her face was level with his and smiled. This did nothing to reassure him.

  “Why did you do this?” he asked quietly.

  So I can protect you.

  “But you risked everything,” he hissed. “You could have been killed. This was a stupid idea.”

  I was broken anyway, she explained impassively. Nellise passed out trying to mend my injuries, for they were beyond even her abilities. I didn’t want my weakness to put Aiden or anyone else in jeopardy, so I took a chance on gaining even more power. Now we have the benefits of the augment without Aiden risking his life. Finally, I can protect you all and make up for the mistakes I’ve made.

  “You never had to do that,” Robert chastised her. “We forgave you for dragging us into this tower. We should have talked about this first. This was reckless and foolish of you.”

  Her smile faded as she looked at him closely. She hardly noticed his words as she peered through his rugged exterior and saw within a gentleness she had only guessed at until now. Sayana had never seen this side of him before, and just as she was about to delve further, the wall of resistance came into being and blocked her egress.

  “You shouldn’t be doing that, Sayana,” Terinus warned. “Ask permission first.”

  How are you stopping me? she asked in exasperation.

  “I am not unfamiliar with powers of the mind,” the wizard explained briefly. “You will learn how to control your abilities with time and I can guide you, but you must respect the privacy of your companions.”

  As you wish, she replied, unconcerned about the trepidation she felt in his voice.

  “Well, this is an unexpected development,” Aiden remarked with an inhuman detachment she had never before noticed. “Can I still undergo the procedure?”

  “That was the last one,” Terinus answered without emotion.

  “… What?” Aiden inquired. A storm of anger welled up within him only Sayana could sense. She resolved to be very careful around him, now she understood his true nature.

  “The device has been dormant for centuries, and the material required to create the augment was in short supply, given it was seized from the sa’quaarin by my people eons ago. Of all the samples I had remaining, this was the last viable dose. Sayana represents the last of this ancient science, and possibly its greatest achievement.” There was collective silence at this thought while they all considered the implications.

  “So, I’m right back where I started,” Aiden grumbled eventually. Criosa took his hand and squeezed it. It was less about providing comfort, and more about silently informing Aiden she was unhappy about something, judging by the level of vibration coming from her body.

&nbs
p; “I have given some thought to our predicament,” Terinus answered, moving past Sayana to a large object concealed by a dusty drape on the far wall. “In little more than a week, the sa’quaarin will learn of our efforts and obliterate this region rather than risk their presence becoming public knowledge. We must move forward.”

  “So, we’re okay with all this?” Robert asked mildly, hiking a thumb at Sayana.

  “The augment was designed to turn my people into living weapons for the sa’quaarin,” Terinus explained. “She is, if nothing else, the most successful example of this. So yes, we are ‘okay with this’, for she may well be a match for what we must face. As to your question of last night, Robert, I have formulated an answer. We need equipment, and we cannot find it on this world.”

  “How is that an answer?” Pacian pointed out derisively. Terinus responded with a nod to Lucas and Saffron, who pulled down the drape covering the large object, revealing a twisted metal square, two yards in height and across. It was a familiar sight to all of them.

  “A portal to another world?” Aiden remarked as they stared in dismay at the ancient device. “The last one we came into contact with was filled with demonic monsters.”

  “You speak of the portal in the ruins of old Acadia,” Terinus remarked. “I understand that device was beyond their ability to shut down? Fear not, for I have complete control over this portal.”

  “So, you could have helped them?” Aiden mentioned with subtle accusation. “We went through hell trying to close that thing.” The wizard seemed to ponder this for a moment. The stir of feelings amongst the others that mentioning the portal generated was a symphony of sensation to Sayana, but with a dark twist. Criosa still harboured deep feelings about her brief time on the other side, but Nellise remained a figure of lightness amongst her companions.

  The energies suffusing her body were refined and harmonious, and completely unlike that of the people surrounding her. While it was possible the cleric’s faith and meditation over the years may well have developed her spirit to such a high level, Sayana sensed an element to her being that went beyond simple humanity. She was entranced by the interplay of light, and found herself staring at Nellise. The cleric returned Sayana’s inquiring look with a steady gaze, as if she knew she was being analysed beyond the surface.

  “I didn’t know of its activation until the acadian elves came to Highmarch,” Terinus answered, oblivious to Sayana’s discovery. “As a traitor to my people, I never once considered returning home, and they were unaware of my continuing existence, something I was taking great care to keep hidden. Let us focus on the present, for the past is beyond our ability to alter.”

  “What exactly do you have planned for us?” Pacian asked, the distrust evident in his voice.

  “We will travel beyond this world and seek the power we need from others,” Terinus explained. “It has been centuries since I last used this device, and never before with such audacity. I will spend today researching some likely destinations, and tomorrow we shall embark.”

  “Good, because it’ll take more than one night to get over the beating I took yesterday,” Robert grumbled, gingerly touching the side of his chest.

  “I know the feeling,” Aiden added in sympathy. Criosa put her arms around him, causing him to wince and smile at the same time. “Before we head out, we’ll need some equipment for Criosa, too,” Aiden continued. “It’s a nice dress but I suspect the places we’ll be going might require more practical attire.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” the princess said with a shake of her head.

  “Take it from me,” Nellise counselled wryly, “You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of a war zone in a confining dress.”

  “You misunderstand — I won’t be coming with you,” Criosa answered simply. “Osric may be on the run, and God-willing his brother might just be able to depose him completely, but Aielund is still under the control of the Tulsone army. I am the rightful heir to the throne and I must return to Fairloch at once and wrest control back from them. I would ask you to help, but Aiden has explained the magnitude of what Aielund is facing, and I cannot pull you away from such an important task.”

  “You can’t do it alone,” Aiden protested. “Wait until we’re done here and we’ll go to Fairloch together.”

  “It can’t be delayed,” Criosa said, pulling back from their extended embrace. “The longer I wait, the harder this will be. Don’t worry, I won’t be alone. Captain Sir Denholm Sherrard and Ronan are still in the city, and I don’t think Maggie Fairweather has departed yet either. We’ll manage. Having said that, finish your work as quickly as you can, in case we can’t manage.”

  “Alright, I can see you’ve got your heart set on this,” Aiden responded. “We’re both working for the future survival of Aielund, after all.”

  I will help, Sayana said, drawing their attention once more with her curious new way of speaking. When you are ready, Criosa, I will take us directly to Aielund and make sure you will be listened to.

  “How?” the princess inquired, attempting to maintain an air of authority while speaking to something quite beyond her understanding.

  I think a demonstration of power on your behalf will cower those who would oppose you, Sayana offered.

  “Interesting,” Criosa mused with a slight smile. “I assume you are going to teleport us directly to Fairloch? Let me take care of a few things here first, and then we will depart.”

  “What things?” Aiden asked. Criosa answered with a sly grin as she led him back towards their chamber.

  “Is this really the time?” Terinus muttered, glancing at the departing lovers briefly.

  “Love is fleeting,” Pacian answered blandly. “Let them enjoy it while it lasts.”

  “It escapes me how you can be simultaneously poetic and gloomy,” Nellise remarked pointedly.

  “Years of practice,” Pacian quipped as he headed towards the hall. “I’ll be resting up, let me know when you’re ready to do something more productive.” Nellise watched him go, then caught Sayana looking at her inquisitively.

  “I don’t particularly want to hear any insights you might have,” the cleric advised as she came closer. “Anyway, are you fully healed under all that… stuff?”

  The word you are looking for is ‘conduits’ and yes, I am. I can feel the essence of my body regenerating even now, constantly renewing itself.

  “Fascinating. I wonder where the energy is coming from,” Nellise mused thoughtfully.

  Outside.

  “Outside where?” Nellise asked curiously.

  I believe it is coming from another dimension, another realm of existence, though I cannot be sure at this early stage, Sayana explained with a tilt of her head as she analysed the flow of energy through her body. It is not dissimilar to your own energies, Nellise.

  “What does that mean?” she responded, perhaps a little defensively.

  When I look at the flow of energy around your body, it seems to be more than a human would normally produce. You seem to be more than you appear.

  “I don’t quite know how to respond to that,” Nellise said, taken aback. “You can see all of this? Perhaps you are noticing my connection to God.”

  Only if God has altered your metaphysical form, Sayana postulated. This goes beyond simple faith, Nellise. Who did you say your parents were?

  “We’re not getting into that now,” Nellise replied abruptly. “I’m simply too tired to have a discussion on ‘metaphysics’? Goodness me, where did you learn such language?”

  It’s all flowing into my mind, a constant stream of knowledge far beyond anything I’ve ever known, Sayana answered, staring past Nellise into nothingness as her mind processed the change within. She dwelled on this for a moment before snapping back to reality. Tend to the injuries of others, for I have no need of your ministrations.

  “You heard her Nel,” Robert grunted, “get to work on these ribs. Some of us are still mortal.”

  “A little gratitude wo
uld be nice,” Nellise admonished him. “We will talk of such things again soon, Sayana. I think you have gained a unique insight we should explore.” As she and Robert left the room, Sayana remained hovering in place with a thousand thoughts going through her mind.

  “I feel I have done something wrong,” Sayana mused aloud.

  “You think so eh?” Lucas scoffed as he and Saffron walked past. “Power doesn’t equal wisdom, apparently.”

  Thank you, I think, Sayana answered as the two raelani scurried off to continue their duties elsewhere. Terinus appeared to be entirely focused on his research, leaving Sayana with little else to do for the moment. She was free from injury, brimming with energy and full of ideas, which is more than could be said for Robert. She decided to talk with him further after Nellise had a chance to mend him.

  Dismissing her concerns and marveling at the power surging around her, Sayana went to the living area and spent the next few hours experimenting with minor invocations, testing out her capabilities and becoming used to her new limitations.

  She lifted the small objects and pieces of furniture set before the fireplace with ease, startling Lucas when he came through and saw the entire contents of the room perched upside down on the ceiling. Sayana lay on the couch, looking down at the astonished butler until he hurried out of the room.

  When she had time to herself in the past, Sayana often enjoyed creating pictures with whatever materials she had handy. There wasn’t anything she could use to paint with in the tower, so she created motes of coloured light in the air with a subtle application of energy. Feeling the power cascade over the conduits upon her skin was a tantalising sensation, and she guessed that the markings had always been a method of gathering power to be distributed by her will.

  There were times when sending out energy was an arduous task, but it came to her so easily now that the slightest thought could create startling effects. She pictured an image in her mind and began to create more misty streams of light with waves of her hands, slowly ‘painting’ in mid-air. She had done this years ago, but never with such detail.