Fadin gave him an awkward pat on the back. “Well, Dom, will ya take ’im to Almiralyn?”
“How do I know he isn’t a spy for the PPP? How do I know any of his story is true?”
Wilith Whalend lifted his head. “You do not know. All I can do is to swear on my life that what I say is true. I must find Torgin and soon.”
Dom picked up his crystal paperweight and tossed it from hand to hand. Sure wish the fountain were up and runnin ’. He placed the paperweight on top of his favorite book and studied the man across from him. The tailored blue uniform said a lot. Whalend was high up in the PPP. Dare I show him the way into Myrrh? He isn’t sharing something. Something too difficult to face, I’m guessin ’. The strain in the man’s expression and the intensity of his plea for help might not have been enough had Fadin not caught his eye and nodded. Fadin saw stuff most folks missed. If he trusted the man, Dom figured he could as well.
“I’ll take ya, but you’ll have to wear a blindfold, and you’ll need to do exactly what I tell ya. Agreed?”
“Of course, but I do remember the way to Myrrh through the mirror. I even recall some of my visits. I met Torgin’s mother there.” His voice tightened and the panic reignited in his eyes. “I’ll do whatever. Please…”
Dom handed the man his mug. “Finish your coffee and let’s make a plan. There are RewFaaran soldiers all over Myrrh.”
Fadin smiled. “You’re a good man, Dom. Take care of yourself. These soldiers are playin’ for keeps.” He chugged the rest of his coffee and stood up. “I’ll let myself out.” He looked down at the man beside him. “Good luck finding your son.”
Dom watched Fadin’s back merge with the shadows in the dark hallway. With too many questions and no good answers, he looked at Wilith Whalend. “You gotta name you prefer?”
“Wilith would be fine. How soon can we leave?”
“Here’s the challenge. Soldiers are camped on Almiralyn’s land. Tropal Gateway sets us down right at the edge of her front garden. If we can find a Pentharian, we might get it to take us to Nemttachenn Tower.” He removed his spectacles, cleaned them with a wrinkled handkerchief, and replaced them on the bridge of his nose. “I’m imagining that we need to sneak you past the soldiers…” He stuffed the handkerchief in his pocket. “Sure wish I knew…”
A clipped meow interrupted him and brought a grin to his face. “Well, I’ll be. Just the cat I was wishing for. Wilith, this is…”
The man’s expression stopped him. Surprised bewilderment played on his handsome features. Recognition lit his eyes and curved his generous mouth into a smile. He held out a hand. “You’re Majeska. I remember you.”
She crouched and jumped to his lap, her purr rumbling and her amethyst eyes fixed on his face.
“Well, just ignore me, Jeska,” Dom picked her up and held her next to his chest while he rubbed her belly. “What’s the news from Myrrh?”
With a meow and a wiggle, she squirmed free, landed on all fours at his feet, and leapt effortlessly to the top of the desk. She looked at him, and swished her tail back and forth, then lowered her nose and nudged his crystal paperweight into sight.
He scuffled to the desk and picked it up. “Well, I’ll be darn. Elcaro’s Eye is back in business.” He peered into the crystal and frowned. “Looks like I’d better find my boots, Wilith. We have a journey to make.”
Tinpaca Mondago stood over the soldier tied to a chair in his tent. Cantruto and his other cohort had been quietly escorted to different tents at the far edge of the camp. Guards had been set and warned that the prisoners were to see no one except himself and that, if they escaped, retribution was to be immediate. This man, the least experienced of the three, would be questioned. Mondago was in a foul mood. His answers had better be good.
“What is your name, soldier?”
“Dupits, sir.”
Turning away from his would-be assassin, Mondago held out a hand. A large dragonfly landed on his palm. “You plotted with Cantruto to kill me, Dupits. You forget your pledge to the Largeen Joram. Why? Answer me!”
The soldier remained silent. Mondago walked behind him. Dupits’ muscles tensed. Mondago circled the chair to look down at the stubborn face. “Tell me what I want to know. You will fare much better at my hand than at Nissasa’s.”
Dupits’ eyes flew to his face.
“I will make sure Nissasa hears that you are my informant. He is a cruel man with little regard for Human life. And he is merciless where traitors are concerned.”
The man’s Adam’s apple rose and fell. His face remained blank. His eyes reflected the beginnings of fear. Mondago brought his face level with his. “I want a list of all the men here, at Shu Chenaro, and in RewFaar who are involved with Nissasa. I want to know everything you know about his plans, Dupits. Now!”
Staring straight ahead, the soldier pressed his mouth closed.
“Perhaps I can entice you to respond positively to my request.” He held up his hand. “I have something here that is as deadly as they come. It is something even I would hate to deal with if I were its enemy.”
Dupits gave a nervous laugh. “You threaten me with a dragonfly, and you expect me to shake with fear?” Arrogance leaked into his voice. “A dragonfly will not make me talk, sir .”
Mondago backed away from the chair. “Then perhaps this will.”
The dragonfly disappeared and a panther appeared in the middle of the tent. Dupits’ face lost its color. His eyes bulged. The panther sniffed at his face, threw its head back, and snarled. A rough pink tongue appeared between its huge teeth and licked Dupits’ cheek.
“Second thoughts?” Mondago asked.
Dupits jerked his head away. The panther’s paw shot out. Blood warmed his cheek. It opened its mouth. Large incisors flashed in the light. The huge predator stretched its mouth around his neck.
“Death or talk. Your choice, Dupits. The panther will do as I say.”
“I have nothing…”
The mouth began to close; the teeth clamped down on his throat. He shuddered. “I’ll talk. Just get it away from me.”
Mondago ran a hand along the feline’s sleek side. “If you fail to answer even one of my questions, I will not hesitate to let my friend end your miserable life, Dupits.”
The panther tightened its grip.
“I’ll tell you everything, upon my honor.”
Tinpaca Mondago glared down at him. “You have no honor, Dupits. Swear on your life.”
“I swear on my life, sir, to answer all questions to the best of my knowledge, sir.”
“Back, my friend.”
The panther released its hold, licked its lips, and sat back on its haunches.
For the next hour, Mondago grilled Cantruto’s man. The panther listened. Dupits spilled his guts, his eyes darting from one to the other. When Mondago was satisfied and Dupits had been taken away, he addressed the panther. “Did you get all that?”
Voer materialized. “Every word. It seems I should make a trip to DerTah by way of the Dojanack Mountains.”
“How soon can you reach Lorsedi?”
“Almiralyn will provide me with an introduction. I will leave as soon as we have spoken.” He gave a low whistle. A miniature man darted into the tent and landed on his hand. “This is Kieel, the Matrés of the Nyti. He and Stee will continue to keep watch and let you know of any other traitors or strange activity here or at Demrach Gateway.”
Mondago acknowledged Kieel with a smile. “Thank you for your assistance.”
Kieel tapped his walking stick on Voer’s palm. “My pleasure. If you need me, whistle and I’ll come.” He levitated and zipped out the entrance.
“I’ll report back as soon as I can.” Voer bowed his head and shifted. His dragonfly form buzzed after Kieel.
Tinpaca Mondago stood in the center of his tent for some time after the Pentharian had departed. Things had certainly become interesting. He opened a box on his table and picked up a cigar. Letting his thoughts wander, he rolled it
absently between his fingers, touched the tip with a match, and drew in a deep breath. The exhaled smoke formed a cloud of whitish-gray. He squinted through the haze, thinking how apropos it was. An impatient shake of the head cleared his thoughts. He had things to do, not the least of which was to put an end to Nissasa Rattori’s infiltration of his platoon.
46
ConDra’s Fire
DerTah
N omed cursed under his breath. WoNa’s capture meant a shift in the balance of power. He saw Wolloh’s face, ashen at the best of times, turn even paler. Narrtep’s stricken look confirmed the seriousness of the situation.
Stebben pulled another chair to the table and offered the Dansmen a tumbler of water. When he had quenched his thirst and tossed his kcalo aside, Narrtep slid onto the proffered seat and looked to Wolloh for guidance.
Wolloh raised his good hand and indicated those gathered at the table. “Allow me to provide you with the names of my colleagues: TheLise, the Dreelas od Trinuge; Gerolyn AsTar, the Guardian of Myrrh’s emissary and grandmother of the twins; Lorsedi Telisnoe, the Largeen Joram of RewFaar and grandfather of the twins, Seyes Nomed, the DiMensioner and uncle of Esán; and of course, you know Stebben.”
Narrtep acknowledge each introduction with an interested nod and again looked at the High DiMensioner.
“I believe it is best if you share your story. Then we can decide how to proceed.”
Narrtep composed himself. “As you know, WoNa called up a storm to hide the departure of the children from Eissua. It raged across the entirety of the desert and successfully confused Nissasa’s troops. However, when the wind began to howl and the sand blinded man and beast, Dahe Terah, the head of the Sebborr, called his tribesmen to a halt, gathered them into a tight formation, and led them forward. With unerring accuracy, he maintained the correct course, and while the RewFaaran soldiers hunkered down to wait out the storm, Dahe and his men inched closer to their target.”
Lorsedi leaned back and steepled his fingers. “You seem to have a very clear picture of what you did not actually see.”
Narrtep gave Lorsedi a tight-lipped smile. “The Oracle Stone kept us informed on the progress of the storm as well as the whereabouts and actions of Nissasa, the Sebborr, and the children. What the Oracle Stone did not show was Dahe and six tribesmen leaving formation to circumvent the oasis. Swirling sands hid their approach. When I left WoNa to make my rounds of the oasis with three of my fellow Atrilaasu, we were jumped and knocked unconscious. My attacker was in a hurry and made a poor job if it. Even so, I was unable to reach WoNa before they had disappeared with her into the storm, which by the way, dissipated soon after she was taken prisoner. I did not waste time, but rode post haste to Shu Chenaro.”
Wolloh placed a clawed hand on the man’s arm. “You are lucky to be alive, my friend.”
Narrtep touched his heart. “There is a saying in the desert: ‘Kill the Oracle’s Dansmen and burn to death in SeDah.’ There are few who would ignore it. Dahe knows the touch of WoNa’s fire. He will do his best to disarm her, to make her harmless—helpless.” His voice broke, but his face remained stoic.
Wolloh’s expression hardened. “This is a serious blow to our defenses. Lorsedi—” Wolloh’s grip on his cane tightened. He hoisted himself to standing. Stebben arrived at his side in an instant. The High DiMensioner steadied himself. A slight smile touched his lips—a malicious spark ignited in his good eye. “We have good news and bad. I have just received a telepathic message from Corvus: Four children to raptor center. Stebben, meet them. Desirol tracked by Mindeco. Off to rescue.”
The Largeen Joram pushed back his chair and surged to his feet. “If the Mindeco captures Desirol—” He gave Wolloh a hard look. “Corvus had better be as good as you say.”
“He is, my friend, but…”
Lorsedi’s leadership persona slammed into place. “I can only trust that he will do his job, Wolloh. I must meet with my staff and secure the boarders of Shu Chenaro. When Nissasa discovers the children are beyond his reach, he will turn his focus here. We will be ready.” He marched briskly from the chamber.
All eyes returned to Wolloh, who rested both hands on the crystal head of his cane and surveyed the room. A glint in his good eye told Nomed he had arrived at a plan.
“Stebben, go at once and obscure the energy trail left by the children. Beware the Mindeco. It will not worry about the flames of SeDah. Be quick. I need you back here as soon as possible.”
With a slight bow, Stebben vanished from sight.
“You didn’t tell us he could teleport.” TheLise’s face showed her surprise.
Wolloh twirled his cane between clawed fingers. “I did tell you I trained him…” He left the question hanging. “Gerolyn, meet the children and bring them to my hidden study. Do you teleport?”
“I’m rusty, but I can make it happen.”
“Good. I’ll put an image of the study in your mind. If you need assistance, Esán can provide it. You’ll know him by his energy and his almost-bald head. Now go. And don’t let anyone see you or them.”
“I’ll be quick. See you in the study.” She stood up and was gone.
Wolloh smiled at the Dreelas. “I have a task I know you will thoroughly enjoy. Find Tissent and ask her to help you distract Roween Rattori. Keep the woman occupied for as long as you can. We’ll see you at dinner.”
TheLise’s face reminded Nomed of a cat after prey. She planted a quick kiss on Wolloh’s withered cheek and slipped from the room. Nomed observed his mentor with interest. “And you need me to do what?”
Wolloh looked down, his thoughts cloaked by the scarred profile. When he finally raised his head, his face registered a touch of surprise. “Almiralyn has reinstated Elcaro’s Eye.”
Nomed’s eyebrow shot up. “How do you know that?”
Wolloh tapped the round crystal in his cane and limped to the middle of the room. “Crystals from Evolsefil share a connection. Come. We have children to see, and then…” He winked his good eye.
Nomed bit. “And then…what?”
Wolloh rested a hand on his arm. “You are going to pay a visit to the Guardian of Myrrh.”
Brie’s retina retained the flash of light from the Statues of Sinnttee for several long moments after she and her friends arrived in the raptor center at Shu Chenaro. When it faded and she could finally see, her heart jumped to her throat. As rude as it was to stare, she could not tear her eyes from the woman who smiled down at her.
She was tall with chestnut curls piled on top of her head and eyes the color of sun-drenched emeralds. The lovely face reminded Brie of someone. Her brain scrambled to find the answer. It settled into a vague image that refused to come into focus.
The woman drew them into a close huddle. “I’m Gerolyn AsTar. Wolloh sent me.”
Gerolyn …the name reverberated in Brie’s head. “You’re my grandmother,” she whispered.
The woman nodded but pressed a finger to her lips. That and the ominous sound of feet marching through the barn to which the raptor center was attached kept Brie’s many questions at bay.
Her grandmother spoke to Esán. “You can teleport?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” She took hold of his hands. “I’ll put a picture of a room in your head.” She motioned everyone closer. “Ready?”
Esán nodded again. The raptor center vanished. They arrived in a small but comfortable room. Gerolyn looked relieved. She smiled at Esán. “Thanks for the help. I’m a bit rusty.” Her gaze transitioned to Ira. A curious look was quickly replaced with a question and an offered hand. “You are…”
“I’m Ira Raast. You’re Sparrow’s mother, aren’t you?”
“That I am. It is nice to meet you, Ira. Very nice indeed.”
Ira’s tanned face reddened as he nudged Torgin forward. “This is my friend, Torgin.”
Gerolyn smiled. “You’re the musician. I can’t wait to hear you play.”
For Brie, it felt like several sun cycles passe
d before her grandmother’s smile enveloped her. When Gerolyn put arms around her, she relaxed against her and sighed. “I have wanted to meet you for so long.”
A swish of air announced the arrival of two men at the room’s center. Seyes Nomed looked from one of the room’s occupants to the next and raised an eyebrow at Esán. “Hello, nephew.”
“Hello, sir.”
Nomed’s companion rested his hands on the crystal knob of a cane; an unreadable expression masked his thoughts.
Brie found herself staring at the face with its two very different aspects. This was the High DiMensioner, Wolloh od DerTah…Nomed’s mentor.
“Hello, Brielle .”
The words in her head startled her. She closed her mind with a slap.
Wolloh’s smooth profile angled her direction. The dark, intelligent eye gleamed and the mouth curved upward. “Good girl.” He adjusted his body to bring his eye in line with Ira. For a long moment, he said nothing and then, “Brielle, please introduce your friends.”
Swallowing her desire to know more about him, she said, “This is Ira Raast and Torgin Wilith Whalend. Both are from Idronatti.”
He inclined his head. “Welcome to Shu Chenaro, Ira and Torgin. And Esán…we are glad to have you back.” With calculated slowness, he lowered his body into an overstuffed chair. “Take off your packs and kcalos and get comfortable. Boys, please arrange the chairs in a circle. We have much to discuss.”
Brie moved to her grandmother’s side. “Mother looks like you.”
The UnFolding Collection Two Page 38