Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice

by Robynn Sheahan

  Grame chuffed. “It doesn’t mean anything. Temperature fluctuations can occur for many reasons, the most common being seismic activity.” He glanced at the hologram. “As for the corresponding high EMF, it’s a coincidence. It’s just, well…it’s science.” Grame frowned, his head tipped. He turned from Cace to glare at Cale. “You’re talking about the myth of Dhoran and his portals between the surface and underworld? Really, General, a man of your intelligence and rank can’t possibly believe in ancient tales told to scare and entertain children.” He glanced at Cace again. “You’re relying on information gathered from unproven relics, based solely on this boy’s interpretation. Do you think this is some prophecy of the end of the world? It’s a disruption of our real work this evening. And for what? Certainly nothing to go all doom and gloom over.”

  Cace spun on Grame. “You’re wrong. It is the end of the worlds. If we don’t stop the potential imbalance…” Cace bit back the remainder of his retort and faced the monitor again, uncertain how much he should share outside of Cale and Aven.

  Cale squared his shoulders. “I happen to trust Cace. If you’re unhappy here I can see to it that you receive a transfer. Tiatac on the upper pole, perhaps?”

  Grame’s jaw tightened, but he kept silent.

  Aven put his hand on Cace’s shoulder and squeezed. “We believe you, Cace.”

  Cace mentally shook off his uncertainty. Long dark hair now shiny and thick flowed across his back and over his shoulders. “I haven’t been able to accurately translate all the symbols. Some of what I have deciphered seems…crazy. The plates tell of an equilibrium between the realms of Arranon’s underworld and the surface. Korin is mentioned as a vital part of this stability as well.” Cace frowned and stripped off his coat, even though the room was kept chilled. He turned in his chair to the computer. His fingers flew across the keyscreen. A similar three-dimensional view of Korin cleared before them. “There is a coordinate that doesn’t match any on Arranon.” Cace placed the overlays and stared up at the three-dimensional image floating before him. An anomaly of high EMF and uncommon heat glowed from the surface of Korin. “There’s a fifth portal on Korin?” He turned to Cale. “I need answers to these questions and more. Much more. I need access to information my personal computer can’t give me. I need to talk to Erynn. She knows more than any of the rest of us do about the portals. Erynn’s seen two of them.”

  Aven nodded. “We can contact Jaer. He’s with Erynn. I’ll take a transport with a team of Anbas.” He straightened and fisted his hands. “We’ll go get them.”

  Grame gazed from Cale to Aven and back. “General Athru, you aren’t seriously considering this analysis to be true? Even the boy says he’s not sure of the translations and that some of this doesn’t make sense.”

  Cale ignored Grame. “No, Aven. Travel in this storm is too dangerous. I’ve never seen a blizzard of this magnitude so early in the season.” He turned to Grame. Cale’s intimidating tone left no room for debate. “Cace is to be given free access to this unit—to any equipment and assistance he needs. Have I made this request clear?”

  Grame swallowed and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  Cale faced Cace. “What do you need?”

  “If I could use one of these computers, my analysis of the plates and their symbols would go much faster.”

  “You got it. Anything else?”

  “Well, I could run the plates through the scanner here and have them filed in the computer. That would give me a basic start to compiling a reference record and building a vocabulary.” Cace pulled the e-pad out of his pocket and set it on the desk. “I have one started on this, but it’s not very sophisticated.”

  “I’ll go back and get the plates.” Aven turned and hurried out of the Science Unit.

  Grame stepped forward, addressing Cace. “Do you need any help?”

  “Not yet. But as the file grows, someone entering correlations between the symbols and their meaning would be good.”

  “Let me know when you’re there.” Grame nodded and walked around the circular desk to his seat on the far side.

  “Cace, I know you’re excited. Running on adrenaline. But I don’t want you spending all your time here.” Cale leaned over Cace’s shoulder. “I’ll contact your mother and tell her you’ll be back in…sixty timnents. If you get sick, we’re lost.”

  Cace tipped his head, his voice low. “The plates don’t just focus on Arranon’s history, they refer directly to Dhoran. A lot. I didn’t know how much I should say in front of…well, the Science Unit techs.” He watched Cale for a reaction. “And I feel great, Cale. When Erynn visited me in the Medical Unit that first time I met her, something happened. She says she didn’t do anything. But she did.”

  Cale smiled and leaned in to Cace so he could whisper. “Well, that should be our little secret. Yours, mine, and Erynn’s.”

  “I won’t tell Byan Nev.” Cace frowned, turned from Cale’s scrutiny, and stared at the desk’s surface. “I appreciate all he’s done for me, but…”

  “But what, Cace?” Cale’s voice was quiet, tense.

  “I don’t know. There’s something different about him lately. Something’s off.” Cace shook his head and sighed. “I don’t know, Cale. It’s nothing I can pinpoint—just a feeling.”

  Cale nodded. “Follow your instincts, Cace. And if you come up with anything more specific on the byan, I want to hear about it.” He patted Cace’s shoulder. “Anything.” Cale straightened. “Remember, sixty timnents—no more. You can return tomorrow after you’ve slept. When you’re comfortable with more of your translations, I want you to come to me with a full report. Just between us for now, okay?”

  Cace nodded and turned his attention to the work before him. He had sixty timnents to convince Cale. Storm or not, Erynn needed to get back to the base now.

  Dhoran shivered and pulled the blankets tighter around his neck. His time spent back underground was all too short, reminding him of how much he disliked the cold of the surface.

  The COM next to his bed chimed.

  He withdrew his arm from the warm covers and depressed a switch. He cleared his throat. “Yes.”

  Maire’s sleepy voice sounded muffled through the COM. “Nev, I’m sorry to disturb you. Grame from the Science Unit is here. He’s having one of his headaches again. I’ll handle it, if you want.”

  Dhoran sat up and rubbed his eyes. “This better be good news,” he whispered and his voice cracked. The words were nearly unintelligible, more growl than speech. This was happening more often now. He found it necessary to concentrate on speaking, being careful to articulate. Dhoran wasn’t upset by these occurrences. His true self was taking over, growing dominant. The body he inhabited was changing to conform. Soon, nothing but the suppressed consciousness of Nev would remain. He pressed the switch. “No. I’ll be right there, Maire. Give me five timnents.”

  Dhoran’s time on the surface was running out. This encouraged him. He would only have to hold out until Erynn returned. A few more days, and Jaer would no longer be an issue. He would see to it that Erynn witnessed Jaer’s fall. Dhoran’s lips turned in a sneering smile. Shan had been more helpful to his cause than he had first anticipated. Dhoran could then take Erynn below. She would either adjust to this or not. It didn’t matter to him. She was a tool, nothing else. If she could be controlled, he would allow her contact with their sons and daughters. If not, other women would willingly raise his children in the manner he dictated.

  “We’ll be in exam one. Is there anything you need?”

  “No, Maire.” Dhoran chuckled, the laugh light and cheerful. “Have I told you how much I appreciate you?”

  Dhoran left his quarters and entered the bright wide hall. He turned left at the end of the corridor next to reception and pushed through the door to exam one.

  An overhead light glared down on Grame. He rested in a narrow bed, a moist towel over his eyes. “Sorry, Byan. I tried to wait it out till morning. The pain just kept getting worse.” He pu
lled the towel aside and squinted up at Dhoran.

  “That’s all right, Grame. Byan Skye got the unit running so efficiently while I was gone, it practically takes care of itself. Leaves me very little to do anymore.”

  Maire frowned, hands on hips. “That’s not true. You do all the important things, like saving lives and easing pain.”

  Dhoran smiled, careful not to show the elongated incisors forming in his upper jaw. “You can go back to your quarters, Maire. I can handle this.”

  When the door slid shut, Dhoran spun on Grame, grasping his throat. “What was so important you would risk coming to me in the middle of the night?” Menace edged his tone—a husky, low, gravely rumble, much like a recording played at half speed. Dhoran’s nostrils flared. The scent of Grame’s fear was strong.

  Grame sputtered and choked, speaking around the strong fingers squeezing his neck. “My Lord, I know where Erynn is.”

  Dhoran released his hold and shoved, bouncing Grame against the thin mattress.

  The cot creaked and groaned with the force.

  “Where?”

  Grame jumped off the bed and bowed. “My Lord, she is with Jaer. When this storm moves through, they will return.”

  Dhoran stood to his full height, stretching Nev’s clothing to the ripping point. “Jaer.” The name of his rival rolled from his tongue, a foul taste to be spat out. Eyes narrowed, he leaned over Grame and growled. “This doesn’t tell me where Erynn is.” The lights in the room flickered.

  Grame stayed in a low bow. “No, My Lord. There is more. Cale believes he has found the location of the portals.”

  Dhoran pounced, pressing Grame against the wall. “This is nothing new. Better men than Cale Athru have searched the far reaches of Arranon and died for their efforts. The only one to come close sacrificed himself to trap me in death.” Dhoran bared his teeth and pressed his forehead against Grame’s. “I think you see how well that turned out for him.”

  Grame sucked in a breath, his eyes wide. “Y-yes, My Lord. B-but…I saw the proof.”

  Dhoran frowned, stepped back, and dropped Grame. “Impossible.”

  Grame scrambled to his feet, rubbing at his neck. “I tried to belie the data.” He cleared his throat. “My Lord, the boy, Cace, has translated some ancient tablets brought from Deanaim. They clearly mark the whereabouts of the portals. There was other information from the inscriptions, but the boy wouldn’t talk freely in front of me.”

  “The Olas Imian.”

  I killed the man who made those tablets and destroyed them myself. How…?

  Grame backed toward the door. “There is one more thing, My Lord. I know what Erynn has been doing.”

  Dhoran stared at the blank wall where Grame once cowered. “Go on.”

  “She’s been seeking the whereabouts of the portals and closing them. They believe Erynn’s succeeded in closing the portal at Deanaim.”

  If those plates do tell of the locations of the other portals…I recall the plates I destroyed also gave away some of my most guarded secrets. Could they have been reproduced without my knowledge?

  “I’ll need you to recover the plates, Grame. Bring them to me.”

  “I anticipated this, My Lord. They are safe in my quarters. But, My Lord, they have already been scanned into the computers. The boy, Cace, can translate the symbols from the copies.”

  Dhoran nodded. “Go get the plates. Bring them to me. Access to the main computer is possible from this unit, from my private office. You can spend the rest of your shift there, altering the copy files.”

  Grame shriveled at this new order. “Yes, My Lord. But…I…The symbols mean nothing to me. The results would be—”

  “I will assist you.”

  Grame appeared to sink in on his already deflated posture. “Yes, My Lord. What about the boy?”

  “I’ll take care of Cace. Now go,” Dhoran commanded in a low threatening growl.

  Grame was gone before Dhoran finished the order.

  Dhoran fisted his hands. The sleeves of the jumpsuit split to the shoulders, revealing the smooth, shining red-gold scales of his powerful arms. “I believe it’s time Byan Nev made a house call to see how Cace is doing.”

  With a final sparking pop, the lights in the exam room went out.

  Chapter 30

  OUT OF A STORM-DARKENED sky, the massive stone lodge appeared nestled in a dense forest. Trees dusted with an icy glaze swayed, bending in the strong wind. Snow swirled, grasped at the gray rockwork, and stuck to outside walls. A deep blanket of white clung precariously to the tall, sloping roof. Pale smoke rose from chimneys dotting the pristine space.

  Jaer pulled up to the stone steps below the entry, and the speeder’s soft whine stopped. The two men following on the smaller vehicles continued around the long building to the right.

  Erynn shivered. Her teeth chattered despite the heavy jumpsuit, coat, and full helmet. Even Jaer’s warmth with her arms wrapped around him couldn’t keep out the chill. The thought of a warm fire, a hot shower, and a decent meal had her ready to jump off the speeder and run to the lodge’s wooden doors.

  Jaer tugged off his helmet and helped Erynn with hers. “Come on. I need to get you inside.”

  “What about the speeder?” The words came out muffled as she shuddered, her jaw clamped tight so her teeth wouldn’t clack. Snow was already filling in crevices and layering on the vacated seat.

  “You first,” Jaer said, whisking her up the stairs and through the doors. “The vehicle is not freezing. And if it were I would not care.” He pushed through a second set of heavy double doors into a large room. Luxurious dark-brown and green chairs surrounded a blazing fire in a great stone hearth, the centerpiece of the opulent space. A faint scent of wood smoke permeated the air.

  Erynn pulled off thick gloves and pushed her hood back with shaking hands. Heat blasted her icy face and fingers. “Wow,” she whispered through chattering teeth. Full windows allowed an unobstructed view of the escalating storm beyond the four-meter-wide porch that ringed the building. Inside, along the perimeter, more plush furniture sat in cozy groupings under hanging lights that bathed each section in a soft golden radiance.

  People in quiet conversation from many of these seats watched the storm. Beyond the hearth, dark hallways ran from both sides of a long, polished wooden counter set in deep shadows.

  Out of the gloom from the left-hand hall, a woman emerged, hurrying toward them. “I believe you made it just in time, Jaer.”

  As if in punctuation to her statement, a blast of wind shook the windows, sending snow to hug the structure’s edge. Deep drifts would soon form.

  The woman shivered despite the heavy gray-green sweater she wore and the warmth of the room. “This storm is going to be a bad one.” She turned to Erynn. “Hi. I’m Wilo.”

  Wilo had a petite build with short light-brown hair and gray-blue eyes. She appeared to be only a few years older than Erynn. “Your room is ready. Would you prefer a chance to clean up and get into dry clothes before I send up a meal?”

  Erynn was sure the heady scent of maejen still clung to her. She took a small step back from Wilo. “Don’t make extra work for yourself. Whatever is easiest.” Erynn glanced around at the others in the great room. Some watched openly. Others chanced quick peeks. Curiosity fluttered like soft centinent wings around Erynn.

  Wilo reached out and touched Erynn’s arm. “Don’t mind them. They’re just nosey. Locals come here when the big storms hit.” She glanced out at snow tapping the windows and shrugged. “For safety, but mostly it’s an excuse to get together and stay at the lodge.”

  Jaer’s expression was serious, his eyes dark. “Everyone is here? No one has been overlooked?”

  Wilo took in a shuddering breath. “We didn’t have to ask twice. They all came when the warning was issued.” She stared out the windows again. “This is only the beginning.” She turned to the left and motioned for Erynn and Jaer to follow. “We’ll be using the stairs. When the power goes, and it will,
the generator isn’t enough to run the lights and the lift.” Wilo chuckled. “If we normally had guests during late fall and winter, we’d have to upgrade the generator.” She glanced back at Erynn and smiled as they started up the first set of stairs. “Jaer said you were about my size. He was correct. I raided the boutique’s storage room and picked out some clothes for you.” They reached the landing and began to climb the next flight. “When you’ve rested, I’ll take you down, and you can choose some for yourself.”

  Erynn started to say that her dad would repay this expense and stopped. Her dad was dead. There were still times when she forgot this horrible truth. She bit her lip. “I’ll see to it that you’re reimbursed for all this.”

  Wilo didn’t glance back as she rounded yet another landing. “No need. General Athru has covered everything quite generously.”

  Erynn frowned. “Cale? He knows we’re here?” She glanced to Jaer, and he smiled.

  Wilo chuckled again and nodded. “Your coming here was his idea. From where you were found, this was closer than trying to return to the base. You may not know this, but Cale owns this place—the lodge and all the surrounding land.”

  Erynn’s mouth dropped open. She closed it quickly.

  Cale owns this incredible lodge?

  At the top-most landing, Wilo stopped and opened the access to a long hallway. She walked to the first door and swiped the lock with a key card. Pushing the door aside, she swept her arm, indicating the space. “The best room in the lodge.” She beamed.

  Erynn took two steps in and stopped, gazing around. A huge wall of windows before her looked out on and over the property. Snow skittered, boughs waved, and tree tops swayed. The wind whistled and moaned along the eaves. Comfortable furniture, a tan-colored couch, and two matching chairs faced the view. The paneled wall on the left held a stone fireplace complete with a roaring fire. The hearth opened through to an adjoining bedroom. A raised area to the right of the main room held a dining nook of polished wood in front of a small kitchen.