‘Such as where that person came from, what their affinity with the Flow is, how long they’ve used, if they’re addicted or not, that sort of thing. The rare ones, like our Long Sand, can sift through countless grains of sand blown in by the wind. Eventually, the three or four rare readers, like Long Sand, will find the person sought by interrogating and reading those whose path the tracked granule has crossed.”
“How can they do that? By using the Flow? He seems to have a lot of knowledge of it,” Crystalyn observed.
Hastel stepped upon a slatted wooden front porch in front of a building. “I assume so. They’ve deemed me unworthy of this knowledge, not that I’ve bothered to ask. They are a secretive and touchy lot. You’ll have to inquire it of him when he gets here. For now, this fine establishment is where drink and dinner await,” he said, waving his arm expansively at the establishment’s hinged half-door. “In that order.”
The Quench Quarters looked grander than Staunch the Flow Inn and Tavern back in Brown Recluse or Hastel’s Muddy Wagon Inn at Four Bridges. Though the large sign hanging from the front alcove depicted a voluptuous woman drinking ale from an overhead cask, the décor inside shone with an obvious expensive taste. Crystalyn perused the sturdy, beautifully carved mahogany wood as they strode inside. The dark round tables and high-backed chairs invited groups of eight or less to drink and dine together.
A tall buxom woman late in her middle seasons wearing the low-cut outfit of a tavern maiden stepped in front of Crystalyn, stopping her and Broth from following her three other companions. White locks streaked the woman’s blonde hair, but her face was smooth, free of most lines. “Please forgive such an abrupt interruption, sweet lady, but I have no recollection of meeting a warden outside the Virun border. I had been led to believe they do everlasting patrol only there.”
“Not all of them. Who are you?”
The woman lowered her blonde head streaked with white locks quickly. “I must ask your pardon a second time. Sabella, owner and operator of the Quench Quarters Inn and Tavern, and Happy Fulfillments, is at your service,” she said, dipping with an elegant, though quick curtsy.
“Remain alert, Do’brieni. This woman is more than she seems. A strong power emanates from her, though I detect no outright signs of malice.”
Crystalyn gazed at the woman with renewed interest. Violet flecks raced subtly across her gray corneas. The tavern keeper had used for seasons for such a saturation. “Good, it is fortunate to have met you then. I am Crystalyn, and I require several rooms for the night. This is Broth, my closest companion and advisor,” she said, waving her arm at the warden with a flourish. If the woman wanted to treat her as a lady, she’d act the part.
Extending his foreleg, Broth bowed low.
Sabella laughed with delight. “I love his beautiful amber eyes, are the two of you linked? What does he have to say?”
“He has a great hunger.”
“My appetite is large, though I do not recall mentioning it.”
Sabella’s tinkle of laughter was brief. “Then I shall not keep him waiting. Select any free table and I shall have you served.”
Crystalyn gave a small inclination of her head. “Thank you. I do have one specific requirement.”
Sabella’s eyes brightened as her chin lifted slightly. “I am certain you are aware special demands have further costs.”
“Yes. One of the rooms has to have a vaulted ceiling and come fitted for Valen.”
“Is that all? I carry five Vale-sized rooms as do all the larger taverns,” Sabella said, her chin lowering.
Crystalyn noted the woman’s disappointment; a merchant had to sell extras to make a living. “One of those will do for now. See my child companion for payment. Please add a silver rectangle to your total for the night for your troubles.”
Sabella flashed a quick smile. “The Dark Child has a lifetime tab, I shall be happy to work through her. Please, make your wishes known, and I shall see it done.” The innkeeper turned to Broth. “I am greatly pleased to make your acquaintance, sire.” Nodding a final time to Crystalyn, Sabella sauntered off.
“There is much more to that one than she allows anyone to see,” Crystalyn sent, motioning for the warden to continue deeper inside with the others. Crystalyn followed when he set out.
“Agreed. For one who claims to have never met my kind the innkeeper has an extensive knowledge of us.”
“Sabella only claimed to have never met one of your race outside the border. Perhaps the woman met some of you at the dark border of Virun.”
“Ah, my Do’brieni is right. The human woman is intriguing.”
“Don’t get too enamored, that one has a bite that may equal yours.”
“Yes, my Do’brieni.”
Lore Rayna had halted behind one of several high-backed chairs tucked around a round wooden table though she made no move to sit down. Several water-filled mugs resided near every other chair at the table. “I have agreed to assist Long Sand at the stables,” the big woman said as soon as they neared.
Crystalyn frowned as she selected a chair by the wall giving her a view of the inn’s interior and front entrance. A surveillance habit she’d learned from her dad. “Now you tell me? You could’ve accompanied Railee. Except, I think you don’t care for her much, do you?”
Lore Rayna shrugged, the living dress rippling as it adjusted to cover her shoulders and then pulled back, leaving them bare. Her new emerald hair color went well the dress, a tint that had slowly taken over since the Valen woman’s near death in the dessert. “The Red Rock woman consorted with a Dark User, one with a proven record of malicious intent, which Railee admitted freely. I do not believe she is trustworthy with locating the same User. The stables have access from the back of this inn if you require me soon.” Lore Rayna strode away, moving farther within.
“Wait!” Crystalyn called after her. “What food should I order for you?”
Without slowing or turning around, the big woman vanished through an archway at the rear.
“Great,” Crystalyn muttered.
“I will order for her,” Hastel offered. “Lore Rayna gets meat with her vegetables like the rest of us.”
Crystalyn had no inclination to disagree. Whatever her big friend wouldn’t eat, the rest of them would. Crystalyn’s stomach growled as a wave of irritation pulsed through her at odd intervals, a certain sign she needed to eat before taking it out on everything around her. Where was the blasted tavern maiden?”
A handsome man in a gray robe left Sabella and her too-low cleavage at the end of a long well-oiled bar and wandered toward them. In no mood for flirtations, Crystalyn hoped he would stride by, but he stopped at the opposite side of the table from her. His wide brown eyes looked friendly and wary at the same time.
Crystalyn pushed a lock of her hair away from her eyes. “What do you want?” she asked, not at all nicely. Whatever the man thought to gain, she had no time for it.
“A trade, if you will. A large pitcher of the finest ale available in this wonderful establishment in exchange for simple information.”
Hastel thumped his mug on the table, sloshing water over the side. “I cannot vouch for him, don’t know him personally, I say send him on his way.”
Atoi’s otherworldly voice echoed around the table. “He has not been long on this world.”
Startled, Crystalyn glanced at the little girl. Judging from the way his tongue slid out the side of his large muzzle, even Broth seemed surprised by the unexpectedness of it, losing a little of his noble demeanor.
To his credit, the man proceeded with his plea, though his eyes had drawn wider at the sight of Broth. “Will you allow me to provide some dinner then? I’m a traveler only just arrived, as your young companion has made known. I require knowledge of travel gateways.”
Crystalyn couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Here was someone who spoke of a gateway casually, openly. Crystalyn glanced at Atoi for some indication of the kno
wledge of the Dark Child in the matter. The little girl only gave a small shrug, though big for her.
“What opinion do you have for his request, Do’brieni? Should we let him stay and talk of these gateways? Perhaps we can find one to put us closer to ridding the world of Darwin.”
“All information on the gates, large or small, carries a higher worth than a king’s treasury.”
“Agreed.”
Crystalyn gave Hastel a second chance at voicing his opinion. “Again, I say let him move on. Nothing he’s said has changed my mind.”
Crystalyn had expected as much from the warrior, but she’d already made up her mind. She turned to the man. “You’d better sit down, and get that food on its way. We’re famished. Two of our companions are attending the horses; order for them too, if you will. After we eat, we’ll talk about how gateways are difficult to come by and what you want with one.”
The man signaled to a tavern maiden carrying a tray of filled mugs two tables away. Behind her, a man wearing the black plate armor of the Dark Citadel tried to get her attention with a light touch on her bare shoulder. The woman stiffened, but her eyes remained upon the stranger at Crystalyn’s table.
Satisfied he’d caught the tavern maiden’s attention, the brown-eyed man took a chair. Crystalyn caught a glimpse of something odd about the clothing he wore under the robe. Glowing lines traced intricate patterns wherever she could see. She was intrigued.
Crystalyn waved a hand toward her companions, pointing to each in turn. “This is Hastel, our self-imposed guardian. The girl is Atoi. Beside her is our warden companion, his name pronunciation is too long for human lips. Call him Broth. You should know who you are about to dine with. I am Crystalyn… Crystalyn Creek. Do you still want to remain at our table?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder for the serving maiden. “I’m Trenton Bonner.”
His quick reply surprised Crystalyn. Most Asturans would want to stay as far away from the symbolic User as possible.
Her steps coming in abrupt jerks, the maiden was nearly to their table, drenched from the empty drink tray she carried.
The newcomer frowned at the maiden. “Hey, you’re spilling it!”
Broth growled.
Atoi’s otherworld voice echoed around the table. “It comes, Vessel of Ages.”
Hastel fumbled for an axe. “Blast it! What comes?”
Crystalyn brought out her green symbol with its many spinning cones inside, similar to the radiation funnels that afflicted Low Realm on occasion.
Crystalyn sent it streaking across the table toward the woman, but it caught Trenton first. The concussive gust blew him backward into the woman, pressing them both to the floor as it spun past, dissipating in the center of the tavern.
Trenton reached for the serving woman, the same woman whose robotic movements had spilled their drinks. Something about her was off. “Don’t touch her! There is something going on here. I suspect a flicker is involved,” Crystalyn said.
Trenton frowned, pulling his hand back.
The maiden suddenly moved, snatching his hand into hers.
His back arching with pain, Trenton stiffened.
Crystalyn formed her healing symbol. Stretching it over the rigid man, she attached her awareness to it and sank into Trenton.
Immediately, Crystalyn found what ailed him. A malicious cognitive presence assailed his brain, blowing inside him like black acidic smoke, consuming all it touched, like the darkness behind the flicker that had attacked Jade.
Perhaps it was the same entity. If so, it had grown in power with faster aggression.
Little remained of Trenton’s mind.
Without a second thought, Crystalyn sent her symbol flying into the heart of the darkness.
OUTLANDER
On her knees beside the small down-filled bed, Atoi leaned over the well-proportioned man, staring into his handsome face with interest. The girl’s pale brow furrowed. “He’s stirring,” she said. The tone of her voice was petulant. “You said he was going to stand before Onan, but he awakes.”
Crystalyn moved to the other side of the bed, across from her little guide and companion. “I said it was likely he would meet the Great Father, Atoi. He appears to have made the decision to remain with the living for a while longer, though I cannot say if his neural processes survived fully.”
Her pale face smoothing to her customary one of dispassion, Atoi withdrew, moving behind Crystalyn to gaze out a window.
Lore Rayna took the little girl’s place. “Can he speak?” she asked.
Crystalyn gazed into Trenton’s almond eyes wondering what manner of mind lay behind them. Perhaps she should’ve touched a neural wall while her awareness was attached with the symbol to get a sense of the man. But she’d barely had enough of her pattern to push the darkness out from him like she’d done with Jade. “Can you?” she asked him.
Trenton opened his mouth, but only a guttural grunt came out.
Yet he had opened his mouth, a good sign his lack of vocalizing and movement would be temporary. With luck, the thing’s touch had only numbed his motor facilities and not corrupted them. “There you have it, Lore Rayna. He cannot answer your inquiries, at least for now. And, it’s likely he cannot even move, though the paralysis should pass.”
Lore Rayna sat back, raising her knees. Even sitting on the floor, she was nearly level with Crystalyn standing. “As far as we are aware, only your sister, Jade, and I survived a similar psychic attack. Now, he makes three. Are you certain the tavern maiden was not infected with a mind worm?”
“Positive. My gut instinct says something different pursues us; this makes the second similar evil I grappled with after cleaning it from Jade in the Vale. The attack in Brown Recluse had the strongest power. I nearly succumbed to that one.”
Lore Rayna stood, towering over everyone. Her leafy green dress adjusted of its own accord to cover her upper thighs. “As my mistress believes, so shall I,” she said. Lowering her head under the top of the doorway, she left.
Crystalyn eyed Trenton again. “When you can speak, we will talk. I would like to know how you have in your possession an artifact I’m familiar with.” Reaching into her dress pocket, she pulled out the red crystal orb she’d taken from him and showed it to him before putting it back where she’d found it. “I have put it back in your pocket.”
Then she put on her emperor face. Wear the right emotional mask and people will respond. “Know this, Trenton. I will have the truth from you, or I’ll take it from you using less pleasant methods. I have the capability and the determination. Complete honesty is necessary. There are many lives I hold dearly at stake, one of them my own.”
The man opened his mouth slightly, but nothing came out.
A thump resounded from the direction of the door, followed by two others.
“Should I let her in this time, mistress?” Hastel asked from his customary stance of leaning on the wall by the door.
“I suppose you must.”
A small creak of floorboards preceded the woman who had pestered Hastel all morning for a meeting.
Sabella sauntered into the room, the sway of her hips exaggerated. “He’s awake,” she said. Flashing Trenton a coy smile, she spoke to Crystalyn. “You should rest now, my lady. You’re nearly as pale as your little companion is. My girls and I will attend to his needs.”
Crystalyn’s hands went to her hips of their own accord. “He needs the healing of rest. Keep your... ministrations and those of your girls to assisting him with it, for now. Notify me the moment he’s able to speak.”
Sabella smiled. “He’s with expert care. I’ll send one of the girls to inform you the moment he utters a syllable, if he does.”
Crystalyn folded her arms at her waist, staring at the shorter woman. Finally, she gave a brief nod. “See that you do. Come, Broth, attend me to our rooms. Hastel, take the first watch outside this one.” The soft creaks of four
padded feet and the thump of her two booted feet accompanied her into the hall.
*****
Crystalyn gazed into the mirror, considering the blue dress—one of her trimmest fit— and it looked good on her.
“Your choice of apparel is of no significance, Do’brieni. You make every piece regal.”
Crystalyn giggled. “Why, Broth, coming from a noble like you, that is high compliment, indeed.”
“Keep that one,” Atoi said, appearing beside her in the mirror. Her wide green eyes seemed overly large on her too-pale face. “He will like the way it hangs on your high hips and bare shoulders.”
Crystalyn frowned at her little companion. Dispassionate, Atoi’s emerald gaze gave nothing away. There was no indication if the little girl made sport of her. “I have little care for what he likes, though putting him off guard won’t hurt. He has somehow acquired an artifact I’m familiar with, which means he came from my world of Terra. I’d like to know how he got here and how he came by it. Should I discover his profession as thievery, I will destroy him.”
Atoi’s composure slipped, her eyes widening.
Crystalyn left Atoi gaping there as she made her way into the hall, Broth padding beside her. Three doors down on the left, they stopped at the room she’d had Trenton carried into last night. Lore Rayna arose from a cushioned bench placed in the sitting alcove situated atop the wide stairway leading down to the tavern. With her streaming emerald hair unkempt and needing a brush, Lore Rayna looked tired. The Valen woman had asked for second watch, and Crystalyn hadn’t argued. Trusting Long Sand or Railee wasn’t prudent yet. They were too new to the group.
Though slower than her usual vibrant self, Lore Rayna’s single stride brought her to Crystalyn’s left side.
Lore Rayna removed the sturdy iron key from her bodice, offering it to Crystalyn. “Except for Hastel’s failed attempt to take an added shift even though his eye drooped lower than his scar, the night passed without incident.”
Flashing her biggest companion a quick smile, Crystalyn took the key and put it in the latch, raising her arm in preparation for a thumped warning of her entrance.
Beyond the Dark Gate Page 37