“Biyu,” I said.
She glanced up, her usual smile right back in place. “Yes?”
“How are you feeling? You keep repeating that phrase.”
“That’s my chant for when I’m trying not to be anxious or sad,” she said matter-of-factly. “I memorized it when I was learning my letters. Don’t you think it’s good?”
“It’s okay to occasionally be anxious or sad. You don’t need to force the happiness.”
Biyu frowned and folded her arms. “It’s called being optimistic. That’s what Karna said. She said I’m optimistic.”
My thoughts drifted to my home island. The Pillar—a 112-step staircase—had bits of wisdom for aspiring arcanists on every step. I half-smiled, reminded of one when Biyu spoke.
“Optimism,” I said. “Without it, we lose ourselves to misery.”
Biyu’s eye lit up, and she somehow smiled wider, even though I thought that impossible. “Yes! Exactly.”
“Are you sure it’s good to tell her things like that?” Fain asked. He shoved his frostbitten hands into his pockets and exhaled. “It’s foolish to skip around like a jester drunk on joy. If she realizes now how dark the world can be, she won’t be as sorrowful in the future.”
“I’m lucky I can get sad,” Biyu said, her voice never losing its pep. “It means I have things I care about—things I don’t want to lose. If I couldn’t get sad, it would mean I didn’t care anymore.” She had said everything like a mother lecturing a child, but her cute voice and waggle of a finger made her seem more child-like than ever.
Fain shrugged, his expression telling me everything I needed to know. He didn’t believe her, and he certainly didn’t care for the advice from the Pillar.
As long as Biyu wasn’t crying, I was content for the moment. I could always speak with Fain later.
We returned to the Sun Chaser without any other words between us.
Scarlet soaked the sky by the time we returned. The bells chimed, warning of the impeding cold, and the deckhands quickly loaded the airship with our new supplies. They avoided me as I walked by, and I didn’t blame them. Perhaps it was best.
The moment we stepped onto the deck, Karna ran to meet us. Biyu locked up, frozen in place, her one eye wide. Had the others become worried about our disappearance? Would they yell at Biyu, like she feared? Or worse?
Karna didn’t even look at Biyu. She grabbed my elbow and pulled me close.
“Vethica, Adelgis, the captain, and Jozé are all waiting in the captain’s quarters,” she said. “Come with me. You need to hear this.”
I motioned for Fain to follow, despite Karna’s quick look of irritation. She didn’t voice her protest, though, which meant Fain’s presence would be tolerated.
“Watch the girl,” Fain said to Wraith.
His wendigo nodded his wolf-like head. Biyu took the moment to wrap her arms around his neck, half-burying her face in his fur. She trembled, but only slightly. Under her breath, she chanted the same thing she had used earlier to calm herself.
Convinced Biyu would be okay, I followed Karna down the stairs and below deck. She took me straight to the captain’s quarters without delay. She offered nothing in the way of conversation, not even a whisper of explanation. Why had all the arcanists gathered? Were they changing their minds about helping me? Or were they fearful of the plague?
Karna opened the door to the captain’s quarters and guided me inside. I thought it would be a bedroom, much like Karna’s, Jozé’s, and Vethica’s quarters, but it was actually a sitting room with two glass cabinets filled with books, a large map table, and two couches. I suspected the door on the opposite side of the narrow room led to Captain Devlin’s sleeping quarters, but I wasn’t certain.
The two portholes allowed the red glow of sunset to invade the room. It affected the colors of the space, giving the place an almost sinister feel. Combined with the serious expressions of everyone already in the room, I found myself growing nervous.
Captain Devlin, Jozé, and Vethica sat on one side of the map table while Adelgis sat on the other. The map didn’t have any markers, nor did it have the texture of the terrain. It was a simple map drawn on thick paper, the topography, latitude, and longitude all marked, but lightly.
I took a seat next to Adelgis, and right before Fain could sit on the other side of me, Karna slid onto the couch. Fain sat on the other side of her, his posture stiff.
“I’m glad Karna finally found you,” Jozé said, his attention on me. “Vethica has some interesting news.”
Before I could ask what, Vethica stood and threw down two pieces of paper across the table. I recognized the first—it was the map I had given her, the one I had taken from Theasin’s lab. The second was a similar map, nearly identical, and officially labeled: MAP OF THE GROTTO LABYRINTH FOR THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
“I know why no one has found the khepera,” Vethica stated. “It’s because no one has actually made it to the center in over two decades.”
Only Fain and I seemed shocked by the statement. The others didn’t even react with raised eyebrows.
Vethica continued, “You probably don’t know this, but the labyrinth isn’t a fixed maze. It’s constantly moving with timed rotations. There are over a hundred sections that spin and realign. Look here. This map shows how the walls connect, disconnect, and then reconnect when everything moves.”
I sat forward and examined the maps. There were drawings that included latches, similar to doors that indicated the walls could move and then attach together.
“I don’t understand,” I said. “The entire labyrinth moves?”
Vethica nodded.
Clever. That would prevent people from easily finding a path through and would probably result in trespassers getting stuck.
I rubbed at my neck. “But… this map says the Grotto Labyrinth is nearly half the size of the city. That’s gigantic. What powers the maze’s movement?”
“The Lion’s Tail River,” Jozé said. “Look here, boy. This is where the river connects with the main power wheel for the maze. The flowing water keeps the walls and rooms spinning.”
I stared at the drawings, surprised to see a detailed explanation of how the water was used to keep everything functioning.
“Wouldn’t it need to be repaired?” I asked. “Or oiled, at the very least?”
“There are oil chutes in most of the temples around the city,” Jozé said. “New Norra’s caretakers are the ones who continue the labyrinth’s maintenance.”
While this was all fascinating, I didn’t understand why it was so important. “Why does this mean no one has made it to the center? Wouldn’t a path open eventually?”
Vethica pointed at both the maps. “Look. Can’t see you see the differences? The governor’s map contradicts Theasin’s map. If you used the official map to make it to the khepera, you would end up in the wrong final chamber—at least, if Theasin is to be believed.”
“My father doesn’t make mistakes,” Adelgis muttered.
“Which means the individuals who went to bond with a khepera never made it to them. And if you compare the turning of the maze with a calendar, you’ll see that the maze is now always impassible whenever they hold the bonding ceremony in New Norra. Someone intentionally changed the flow of the maze to ensure people would never find the mystical creatures.”
“How do we fix this?” I asked. “Do we tell someone? Damage the water wheel? Or stop the priests from doing their maintenance?” If the maze broke, it would eventually need to be repaired and recalibrated.
Vethica shook her head. “We should use this to our advantage. With Theasin’s map, I can determine a path to the center. Since certain sections are spinning, the maze is impossible to solve the majority of the time. The correct path to the khepera nest is passable infrequently, but fortunately for us, one will open in three weeks’ time.”
“Three weeks?” I balked.
That wasn’t long, I knew that, but when I had a limited amount of time
, it felt like a life sentence. We would have to wait around in New Norra for twenty-one days? I didn’t know if I could handle it. I already felt antsy, and we had only been here for half a week or so.
I turned to Adelgis. He stared at his lap, his long hair tied back, revealing his neutral expression.
“How long do you think it’ll take you to find your father?” I asked.
“I think we should try this,” he said. “Honestly, if we have a khepera, there’s a chance Jozé could help create a trinket to keep you from succumbing to the negative effects of the plague.”
“But—”
“Volke,” Adelgis spoke telepathically. “I’ve discovered complications about my father’s location. I don’t think we can get there, not even with this airship. This option, while not guaranteed, is worth the risk.”
I wanted to argue with him, protest his assessment. Hadn’t we broken into the labs to get to Theasin? Hadn’t we done everything to this point to find Adelgis’s father? Why would we delay now? What had Adelgis found that caused him so much doubt, and why wouldn’t he tell me?
“I know you’ve shown me a lot of trust already, Volke, but please give me this last little bit. I think it’s wiser to find a khepera than to head to my father.”
The situation seemed less than ideal on many levels. Then again, finding a cure in three weeks would be a boon. Perhaps I had to just trust that we could do this.
“What about the Watch Battalion?” I asked. “How will we get into the maze when all the entrances are guarded?” And it wasn’t just the guards. If any citizen in New Norra saw us going into the maze, they would alert the authorities. It was a sacred place, after all. How could we hope to avoid so many prying eyes?
“I’ve ventured into the Grotto Labyrinth before.” Vethica turned to the captain. “Do you think you could distract the guards of the city like you did before?”
Captain Devlin relaxed back on his couch, weariness in his expression. Then he rubbed at the bridge of his nose and exhaled. “Probably. I could create a sandstorm again—it always keeps the locals preoccupied.”
“Wait, what?” I asked.
The captain half-chuckled. “Roc arcanists can create a hurricane aura. It disturbs the winds and when used in a desert—like this—kicks up the sand.”
“Isn’t that a bit extreme? Sands caught in gale force winds can shred a person’s skin or scrape through an eyeball. You could kill someone.”
Captain Devlin held up a hand. “Calm down. New Norra has climate crystals built into the outer wall that calm the winds once they reach the city. My hurricane aura is strong, but those crystals significantly dampen the effect. Last time we did this, sand got everywhere, and it was a pain, but no one got injured. It’s the perfect distraction.”
I mulled over the new information and then asked, “You won’t get caught?”
“Well, since the hurricane will be magical in nature, I’m sure it’ll clue the Watch Battalion in on the fact an arcanist is creating it. If I’m caught causing the trouble, it’ll mean more than a slap on the wrist, I guarantee.”
Vethica sat back down on the couch, next to the captain. “You’re willing to do it, though, right?”
The room remained silent as Captain Devlin considered her question. He stroked his chinstrap beard and then stared at the ceiling. “I’m willing,” he said with an exhale. “But this’ll be a risk, lass. If we want to make sure we don’t get caught, I’ll have to stop it within an hour or so—any longer than that and I know the Watch Commander will find me. Can you solve the whole damn maze in that time?”
“With the map—and Karna’s help—I’ll be fine.”
Karna placed a hand on my knee and squeezed. “I told you my magics aren’t useful for traps and puzzles. I think we should take Volke and his associates, just in case.”
Although we weren’t members of the crew, I understood why she wanted Fain, Adelgis, and me. My father’s bum leg would prevent him from moving with any sort of haste, and if Captain Devlin had to maintain his hurricane aura, I imagined he had to remain outside—or else the hurricane would occur inside the maze.
There were no other arcanists on the Sun Chaser. The duty of helping Vethica acquire a khepera fell on the rest of us.
Adelgis and Fain turned their attention to me, inquisitive looks on both their faces.
“We’ll help,” I said.
The two of them seemed content that I had answered on their behalf. At least I assumed they hadn’t secretly wanted me to refuse.
“All right, then,” Captain Devlin said. “We’ll do it.”
24
The Mother Of Shapeshifters
Dreaming.
I had to be.
The cold gloom of a strange forest enveloped me. Whereas I could see in darkness, Zelfree could not. I saw the dream-memory through his eyes, so now I could barely see anything. I stumbled down a rough path created by woodland creatures, the roots of trees trying to trip me at every opportunity. Fragments of moonlight pierced the canopy above, but just barely.
I stopped and leaned against a thick trunk, the bark sharp enough to poke at my skin through my coat. It took a few moments, but I managed to yank off my right boot and rub at the sole of my foot. The soreness told me I had been walking for a long while.
“What’s wrong?”
Lynus.
I recognized his voice now more than ever.
Or should I call him Calisto? They didn’t seem particularly similar, but the voice was unmistakable. They had to be one and the same.
“Nothing’s wrong,” I said. “How much longer until we reach the Mother of Shapeshifters?”
Lynus stepped close, but the absence of light made it difficult to notice details. His breath came out as warm fog, and when he pointed, all I saw was the silhouette of his arm and finger.
“Brennis died over there,” Lynus said. “And Renk died a mile back. This portion of the woods is the beast’s temporary hiding place.”
“How did they die?”
Lynus lowered his arm and stepped closer to me, mere inches separating us. “Brennis had been fanged by something. His neck was swollen, the flesh purple. Seemed similar to a snake bite, but from something larger, like a bear. Renk looked as if his head had been smashed against a rock. They found bits of his brain a good ten feet away.”
He spoke of the gore without any feeling or emotion—not even apathy, just matter-of-fact.
“Two different causes of death?” I asked. “How do you know the Mother of Shapeshifters was responsible?”
“Simple.” Lynus chuckled. “Their clothes had been taken and skin from their chests, arms, and legs had been flayed off. Captain said it happened after they had died. He’s sure of it—handiwork of the Mother of Shapeshifters.”
“Is there anything else you can tell me?”
“’Bout what?”
“How they died?” I slipped my boot over my foot and laced it tight. “Any detail, no matter how insignificant you think it is, could be helpful.”
“Tsk.” Lynus opened his canteen and took a swig of his alcohol. After he gulped down a few mouthfuls, he exhaled and secured the cap back in place. “You and all your damn questions.” He rubbed at his face. “I dunno. What kind of details?”
“Did you find footprints around the bodies? Something to indicate the Mother of Shapeshifters’s size?”
“No.” Lynus mulled over the question a bit longer. “Nothing around the bodies.”
“Were there any broken twigs? Tousled shrubs? Cracked tree branches?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“So there wasn’t a struggle,” I muttered. “Interesting.”
I had never heard of the Mother of Shapeshifters, and the conversation fascinated me. I wished I was still in contact with Master Zelfree, just so I could question him about the incident. Obviously, since he was a mimic arcanist and not a Mother of Shapeshifters arcanist, this plan had to end in failure, but he also wasn’t dead, so…
Lynus chortled. He kept my pace, but slightly behind me. “No rock. His skull was just flat on one side. Like… it had come from one strike.”
“Or perhaps he fell?”
“Maybe. If he had gone head-first, like diving into the top of a boulder.”
We walked for a few more minutes until a dense fog crept between the trees and overtook the narrow pathway. Lynus slowed his steps, and I did the same. Somehow, through the darkness and the mist, I knew something was nearby. Watching.
“Lynus,” I whispered. “I’ll handle it from here.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“It’s a trial of worth, right? I need to do it on my own.”
Lynus shifted around in the darkness, a low growl on his breath. He eventually placed his large hand on my shoulder. Then he gripped tight.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” he whispered.
I placed my hand on his and met his gaze as best I could through the fog. “What is it?”
The direct question seemed to unnerve him. He jerked his hand from my grip and murmured a curse under his breath.
“Just know that… if anything happens to you, I swear I’ll kill this creature even if it’s the last thing I do.”
This time, I laughed. “No need for poetic vows of vengeance just yet. I’ll return as an arcanist. You’ll see.”
Although I spoke with utter confidence, the quick beat of my heart told me Zelfree wasn’t as confident as he presented. And I could understand. What were we dealing with here? I had no idea, and it seemed failure resulted in a gruesome death, so there wasn’t much time to piece together the puzzle.
I patted Lynus on the shoulder and then headed deeper into the forest. The fog thickened, and ambient noises of life increased in frequency, as though the creatures all around us were agitated. Owls hooted, crickets sang screeching songs, and bushes shook with the quick movement of small creatures.
Plague Arcanist (Frith Chronicles Book 4) Page 23