“And Jasmine managed to forget what I pointed out before. I saw movement in the trees, though the scene was small and brief enough that I wasn’t able to get much detail. I suspect dryads were involved,” Xandra added, giving Jasmine a sharp look which made her blush.
“Don’t be a brat, Xandra. The poor dear has been through a lot in the last few days, forgetting details is only natural,” Nef replied, her voice incredibly kind, and yet at the same time Jasmine couldn’t help marveling at the woman. She’d never seen Xandra back down from anyone before, yet Nef managed it without any apparent effort. The redhead tapped the side of her teacup rhythmically, her head tilted as she thought.
“Um, do you think you can help us? Xandra said that you probably could determine where the creatures came from… or something like that, anyway,” Naomi asked, sounding slightly anxious.
“Almost certainly. I know of seventeen other planes with residents which could fit your invaders. The main issue is narrowing down the possible factions. You said that a fair folk hired bandits to capture Jasmine?” Nef asked, looking at Xandra curiously, her tone slightly more brisk and businesslike now.
“That’s right,” Xandra said, nodding. “The bandit said that he looked like a wolf in the shape of a man. Not unusual for fair folk, unfortunately.”
“Ah, but that tells me something!” Nef said, standing abruptly as she almost knocked her chair over. “You’ve given me a number of clues as to the nature of your invaders, and all without knowing it.”
The elf began to pace energetically, gesturing as she spoke. “First is the darkness that shrouded Loth. The darkness wasn’t absolute, which rules out five of the realms I was thinking of, but it exists, which means that the invaders aren’t from nine of the planes, as those realms don’t care about daylight. Right there, we have reduced the number of potential invading realms down to four of those that I’m aware of. While it is possible that there are other planes I don’t know of, I consider it unlikely. The second clue is the dryads, tree-portals, and wolves. That eliminates another two possibilities, as those planes are primarily home to fungus-based life, and as such dryads and trees are not likely, because of which wolf-like fair folk likely wouldn’t live there.”
“Two possibilities? Well… that’s better, I suppose, but I don’t know how we’d figure out which it is,” Jasmine said, relief beginning to cautiously well up inside her.
“Oh, I can do better than that! One moment,” Nef said, ending her pacing abruptly as she stepped over to a bookcase to pull a tome off the shelf unerringly. She flipped through it rapidly, the crisp sound of pages turning filling the air, then turned the book around, stepping toward them. “Tell me, did the plants that attacked you look like this?”
Jasmine focused on the page, which took a moment of adjustment with how suddenly Nef had shown it to her. Then she looked more closely and blinked. On the right page was a black and white image of a thorn-covered plant with several arms, one which looked rather familiar as she looked at it. The biggest difference was that the plants she’d seen attacking them were colored, which meant she hadn’t seen as many details, especially since she hadn’t wanted to die.
“That looks pretty close to me. What do you think, Naomi?” Jasmine asked, hesitating before she admitted, “The lack of color makes it hard for me to say for sure. I was trying to stay away from them.”
“We both were. I think they’re close, at least. They threw poisoned thorns at us, too,” Naomi agreed. Xandra just took a sip of her tea, watching all of them impassively.
“Then we have our invaders. Loth is being invaded by residents of Nocturne, which is quite unexpected,” Nef said, turning the book back around to look at the image. “I never thought I’d see a thorn soldier on the face of Kavarn.”
“Why might that be?” Xandra asked quietly, just as Jasmine’s mouth was starting to open.
“Nocturne isn’t connected to the standard transitive planes, nor is it coterminous with our plane,” Nef replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “It takes at least two planar shifts to reach it, or an exceptionally powerful portal designed for such things. I’ve never been there personally, but I’ve read about the natives some during my studies.”
“Transitive planes? Coterminous?” Jasmine asked helplessly, confusion overwhelming her at the unfamiliar terminology. “What does that mean?”
“Oh, something I can answer for once!” Naomi said, her eyes brightening as she sat up quickly. “Well, I think I can, anyway. We learned about it when preparing for your rescue!”
“Ah, excellent. Let’s just hope your teachers weren’t bumbling as much as they did when choosing a rescue party,” Xandra said dryly, causing Naomi to flush.
“We succeeded! Mostly,” Naomi shot back, her cheeks still red, and Jasmine felt herself blush as well when Nef gently bopped Xandra on the head with the book she was holding, giving her a chiding look.
“Let her speak, Xandra,” Nef said simply. Xandra looked up at her, rubbing her head, then sat back, giving a permissive gesture.
“Right, um. So, not all planes are next to one another. The way it was explained to me is that ‘coterminous’ means that things overlap. Like, Lothden is part of Loth, they overlap, so our plane overlaps with some others, which allows us to punch holes between them and move back and forth,” Naomi explained slowly, her brow furrowed with concentration. “When they don’t overlap, though, they use something called transitive planes. The instructor said that each plane is like a ley line node in those cases, and the planes that connect them are like the ley lines, linking one plane to the next. He didn’t say why only some planes could be used that way, though.”
“Close enough, I suppose,” Xandra murmured, then yelped as Nef bopped her on the head again. The elf twisted to glare at the Karakar, who ignored the look.
“It’s because those planes allow people easy access through them, and they’re largely empty of anything to stop you from moving past via magic,” Nef commented, her voice smooth as she did so. “That isn’t to say that they’re empty, though! Some of them are home to fascinating societies like nothing you’d ever see in our world. It’s a shame they’re so hard to find, though… the immensity of those planes is like nothing you could imagine.”
“I think I understand,” Jasmine said, nodding slowly as she tried to grasp the idea. Fortunately, she’d learned about how the ley lines worked, and souls traveled along them to reach their afterlives as well. It gave her some understanding, even if the little they’d told her was hard to fully grasp in an instant. “So, if they are that far away, how did they even reach Loth? Like you said, the planar borders are incredibly strong in Loth.”
“My question is, why are the planar borders strong there? I wasn’t aware of that, though it isn’t as though summoning or teleportation are my specialty,” Xandra said, setting down her teacup at last.
Nef grinned, glancing at Jasmine as she spoke. “Ah, but that’s a subject directly applicable to the church of the Phoenix Queen. Do you care to explain, Jasmine? It’s so rare for Xandra to express ignorance.”
“I’m perfectly willing to admit when I don’t know something. It’s when people pretend to know things that they’re clueless about that I get irritated,” Xandra retorted, glowering, then admitted, “Though people irritate me in general, so that doesn’t take much.”
Jasmine decided that she should cut off their brewing argument, no matter how fascinating she found it to watch the two interact. She just didn’t understand why Xandra tolerated Nef’s actions.
“Loth was founded about seventy years ago,” Jasmine began, only for Naomi to interrupt.
“Sixty-eight years,” the younger priestess said, prompting an exasperated look from Jasmine.
“It really doesn’t matter the exact time! Xandra was in the Domain of Ashen Hopes anyway,” Jasmine told Naomi, who blushed slightly, shifting in her chair. “Anyway, the high priest of the Phoenix Queen at the time was Andrew Loth, and he was a particularly powerf
ul priest who’d reached the eighth circle of fire magic, possibly the ninth… we’re not entirely sure. Where Loth is now was a country controlled by a variety of demonic cults that had allied together, and they sent out slaving parties as well as privateers across the sea to capture others for their dark rites. The church couldn’t abide that, so they decided to cleanse the land. There were thousands of deaths.”
“Ah, crusades. How predictable,” Xandra murmured, reaching up to rub her forehead. “I assume we’re getting to the point?”
“Well, yes. The battles grew too pitched, and the cults kept summoning demons as reinforcements using their sacrifices. So… the high priest used an artifact called the Dawnstone to lock the dimensions across the entire country. Abruptly, all the demons that had been summoned were trapped, and the cults couldn’t summon more. While they were confused, he led the charge on the biggest stronghold of demon worshippers in the country,” Jasmine told her, a little embarrassed at Xandra’s reaction. She didn’t understand it, really, but she tried not to dwell on it. “He died killing the gathered leaders of the cults, as well as the most powerful demons. High Priest Quentin was there, and it had an influence on him, from what he’s said. Unfortunately, the Dawnstone burnt out from overuse, but even after the cults were purged, the barriers between Loth and other worlds are harder to breach. Not impossible, as I was kidnapped, but harder.”
“Ah. An interesting story, that… and it tells us why the borders are stronger. It doesn’t tell us how they breached them, however. Particularly not from a plane so far from our own,” Xandra murmured, tilting her head.
“No, it doesn’t. To tell you that, I would have to study the portal itself, and I sincerely doubt that we’d be able to reach it, which is a shame,” Nef said regretfully, causing Jasmine’s heart to sink. Then Nef paused, tilting her head. “On this end, that is. I doubt they would guard it nearly as heavily on the other end, as far-flung as their plane is. Yes, approaching it from Nocturne itself… that might be far more feasible!”
“Um, how would that help?” Naomi asked, confusion in her voice.
“Help? Oh, yes, you’re talking about stopping the invasion, my sincerest apologies,” Nef replied, bowing her head slightly, a note of chagrin in her voice. “I simply get caught up in my research at times. That said, reaching the portal on the other end could quite effectively end the invasion. See, the creatures that form the bulk of the invaders are considered part of trees native to Nocturne. They’re extensions of them, and controlled by the dryads which are bonded to the king of thorns, a type of tree. However, should you break the portal which connects the worlds, that will also cut the link between the soldiers and their trees. This would instantly cut the invasion off at the knees. Besides which, perhaps you’d be able to find out why they are invading. That would be quite useful, and I’ve read that some inhabitants of Nocturne are quite friendly. Perhaps overly friendly, in fact… one must ensure that they’re resistant to the advances of affectionate fey who aren’t shy about using charm magic.”
“Be that as it may… I think that sounds incredibly dangerous,” Jasmine said, though hope kindled inside her anyway.
“Of course it’s dangerous! That’s why I’m coming with you,” Nef replied breezily, tapping her lips. “Hm, I need to send a message back to the library, and arrange for them to pick up the next shipment of tomes, then properly lock down the planar gate here… that should take a few minutes, no more.”
“You’re what?” Naomi yelped. “But… but you’re an archivist!”
“I’m an adjunct archivist,” Nef replied, as though that were all the explanation that was needed, a bright gleam of excitement in her eyes. “And even if this weren’t directly related to my field, which it is, the Library of Current Events would never let me hear the end of it if I allowed you to leave and didn’t properly record subsequent events.”
“Don’t bother arguing,” Xandra said in resignation, sitting back in her chair. “When she gets like this, there isn’t anything you can do to stop her. You’d have to tie her up and trap her here, and that is just asking to have yourself humiliated. Isn’t that right, Nef?”
“Of course it is. You’re a skilled mage, but you’re far too close for your own good if it came to a fight,” Nef replied absently while she thought. “The bracelet that allows you to teleport could make it a touch trickier, but you’re not wearing it and are in my home, where it doesn’t work. Besides which, all of you are obviously in need of a motherly touch. I’ve heard about Xandra’s cooking, and I doubt that priestesses spend a lot of time studying the culinary arts.”
“Um, well… in that case, I suppose I ought to thank you for your assistance?” Jasmine said questioningly, reeling slightly at the sudden change.
“It isn’t an imposition at all! Besides, I’m not in that much danger, relatively speaking. If I die, the library will just raise me from the dead. I’d hate to have that happen, though. They might revoke my adjunct status, and it’s also the ultimate indication of failure,” Nef said, bouncing on her toes now.
“I hate to throw a bucket of cold water on your mood, but unless Jasmine, Naomi, or you can shift between planes… how are you expecting to get to Nocturne?” Xandra asked dryly. “I certainly can’t get there. My skillset is primarily focused on destroying things.”
“Not a problem at all. While I can’t shift between planes easily, particularly not in as short of a time period as we’d require, I know precisely where we can find a portal that can take us there,” Nef replied breezily, smiling broadly. “Now, let me go pack and write a few notes, hm?”
With that the woman headed for the door, and Jasmine stared after her in shock.
Nef was a force of nature, she decided belatedly.
Chapter 31
The next few minutes were a whirlwind, and Xandra spent many of them coming to terms with the fact that Nef was going to be accompanying them. It was something that both relieved her, as Nef truly was brilliant, and gave her a headache. She ate her biscuits and drank the tea while she was waiting, watching as the Karakar bustled about the house.
Nef wrote a note and set it on a stack of books that she arranged on a side table, wrote another note in a book that she slipped into the backpack she was filling, and bustled about with brisk efficiency that had to be seen to be believed. Not that Xandra was surprised, especially not after Nef’s comment about fighting one another. She’d suspected that Nef was quite skilled for a while, but that had confirmed it for her. It might not have been absolute confirmation, but it was close enough for Xandra.
“Xandra, dear? Would you mind stepping around back with me?” Nef asked at last, looking up from her backpack. “I really do need to deal with the mess the slaughter fiends left, and I don’t have time to clean it up properly.”
“Maybe we could—” Jasmine began, only for Xandra to interrupt quickly, a flicker of annoyance rushing through her.
“No, Jasmine. She said that you’d need a strong stomach, which means you shouldn’t go out,” Xandra said flatly, mostly irritated about Nef’s request. Worse, Jasmine and Naomi being here meant that she couldn’t argue properly, not without getting a lecture from Nef.
“Precisely. You two just enjoy the rest of your meal, hm? I doubt we’ll get such good food while traveling, so it’s best to savor it while you can. Other planes can have truly odd food,” Nef replied, smiling broadly at them.
“Well, if you’re sure…” Jasmine said, looking between the two of them in confusion while she settled back into her chair.
“I’m mostly curious about how we’re going to get there,” Naomi said, picking up the teacup after a moment, and Xandra rolled her eyes, stepping out the front door, with Nef right behind her.
For a moment both of them were silent, and Xandra examined the Karakar skeptically for a few seconds, then asked, “Why are you coming with us, really?”
“I’m accompanying you because this is a priceless opportunity for research, and I can’t leave t
he three of you to commit suicide if I can help it,” Nef replied promptly, giving Xandra a warm smile. “As I said, you’re a good mage, but you don’t have the knowledge to anticipate the dangers you’re walking into.”
“Why do you assume I’m going with them?” Xandra demanded in irritation, following Nef as the woman led her around the edge of the cabin. “I could just leave them to you.”
“Lying doesn’t become you, Xandra,” Nef replied, clicking her tongue chidingly. “You may be good at hiding your emotions from most people, but not from me. I doubt anyone still living has seen you cry as much as I did when interviewing you, and I got a good idea of your personality at that point. You care about Jasmine, and possibly a bit about Naomi. I’m not sure if you’ve realized how much you do yourself.”
Xandra stopped in place, outrage rushing through her, and as her temper flared, she snapped, “How dare you? I’m not some child, Nef, and your assumptions are entirely off-base.”
Nef stopped, turning to study Xandra for a moment, then smiled sadly, shaking her head. That caused Xandra’s temper to flare again, but the other woman spoke first.
“Deluding yourself isn’t healthy, Xandra,” Nef scolded gently, looking at her with an understanding gaze that irritated Xandra still more. “I know you’ve been hurt badly by your time in the Domain of Ashen Hopes. I recorded everything you remembered, after all! However, you need company. You’ve refused mine, as well as my offers to stay here and recover, so you need to find another way to come to terms with living in a more forgiving society once more. You need to live, not simply exist, and I’m concerned about you.”
Xandra inhaled, then paused, taking a few seconds to calm herself. This was the problem with Nef, in her opinion. The woman was nice, yes… but that same aspect of her made Nef interfere in things which weren’t her business. Xandra just… it frustrated her to no end.
Dusk Gate (Soul Bound Book 1) Page 23