“You don’t understand,” Takarus said. “They wouldn’t let him become a Valier. Sage fought Father. He and Reysha have been jailed.”
“What?” She sat up at once. “When did this happen?”
“Just now,” Takarus said. “I think they’re going to exile them.”
Kirana’s sorrow and her self-loathing seemed to fade. Her heart almost sung as she got out of bed and opened her chamber door. “You’re not messing with me, right?”
Takarus shook his head. He looked confused, wounded. “No.”
“Let’s go,” Kirana said.
“What?”
“I want to see for myself!”
“They’re not going to let you see him,” Takarus said.
Kirana dodged around her brother and rushed down the staircase and out into the city anyway.
The torchlights lit the bridge that led into the city. She turned for that path that would lead her to the jail cells.
Takarus came rushing after her.
The Tower of the Guardian was specially positioned to guard against the rare Sulekiel prisoner who might escape. It was sandwiched between the jails and the path leading to the cavern containing the Council’s homes.
The guards were sitting in front of the cavern opening leading to the jails. One of them, a man she knew as Taliki, looked up.
“I want to see them,” Kirana said, trying to sound authoritative.
Taliki and the woman next to him chuckled.
“The orders were quite specific, I’m afraid,” Taliki said. “High Elder Geidra wants them to rot down there until they’re summoned for judgment.”
“What are you thinking?” Takarus asked, catching up to her. “You can’t just enter the jail cells.”
“I...” Kirana clenched her fists. “I wanted—”
“To gloat?” the woman said, sneering beneath her hood. “The stories of what happened in the Trials are spreading through the city. Everyone knows that you failed in the third trial. And that the son of Kyrties nearly won the tournament at the end.”
“He what?” Kirana said. “How?”
“He’s quite a skilled fighter,” the woman said. “I should know. I bandaged his wounds before the battle royale myself.”
“Well, not for long,” Taliki said, chuckling.
“Yes, a shame, though,” the woman said. “He would have made a fine Valier, had he not been so rebellious.”
“Run along now, girl,” Taliki said.
“Girl?” Kirana said.
“You two are to start your new assignments soon,” the woman said. “The High Elder’s orders were quite specific. All those who failed must remain in their homes until they are summoned.”
Kirana sulked, tears threatening to explode from her eyes. Was she really so worthless that even these lowly guards mocked her? Would Father really allow her to be forced to live some meager, pointless life?
Why couldn’t she just go back to lessons? Why couldn’t she try the Trials again after training?
Takarus fell in with her as they crossed the bridge. “I know how you feel.”
She stopped, her fists clenched so tight that her blood circulation was cut off. “You know nothing, brother! Passing the Trials meant everything to me! It was my purpose! My destiny!”
“And what about me?” Takarus said. “I wanted to become a Valier too, you know! It’s not always about you!”
“Then why is it that you seem so calm now?” Kirana asked. “It feels as if my entire world has come apart, and if you don’t feel the same, then you never wanted it at all!”
Takarus’s teeth clenched; his silver eyebrows furrowed as tears spilled down his cheeks. Then he stormed away, sobbing like a fool.
He couldn’t understand. He was too far tainted by the son of Kyrties’ influence.
She sulked back to her father’s tower, content to hide beneath her soft linens, to let the moons come and go, never to leave her bed again.
If the messenger came with her new assignment, she’d send them away.
She wanted no part of a commoner’s life.
When she returned, Padros was waiting for them. Takarus was staring at a parchment, and Padros had another one, rolled up in his hand.
“I don’t want it,” Kirana said, brushing past him.
“You’re to start your new duties at first moon tomorrow,” Padros said, thrusting the parchment at her as she scrambled up the staircase.
She would not! She would not be told what lay ahead for her! She was the daughter of Kiel, Commander of the Valier! She deserved to be fighting right alongside him!
Kirana reached the top of the spiral staircase and slammed the steel door to her room shut.
Padros’s footsteps reached the door, but he did not open it. “If you will not take the parchment from me directly, I will simply leave it at the foot of your door.”
“Go away!” she screamed, covering her head with her linens.
“You are acting like a child!”
“If being an adult means feeling like this, then maybe I’ll stay a child!”
“No, you don’t get a choice. Whether you like it or not, entering the Trials marks you for adulthood. So, start behaving like it. None of us can avoid reality. You’ll learn soon enough that there is no such thing as destiny in this world. Only a slow, agonizing path to oblivion.”
His footsteps fell away.
Kirana snuffed out her candles, bathing herself in darkness, and consoled herself by screaming and sobbing into her pillows for what seemed like hours.
She wanted nothing to do with a world where she couldn’t honor her mother’s memory.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CORY
The ground came rushing up to meet them. The plane touched down on the runway in Nome, Alaska.
Kurt relaxed his death grip on the chair’s arm and looked out the window next to him to see a rolling blanket of white snow stretching on for miles in every direction. The plane turned until he could see the airport. It was a bland piece of architecture composed of plain vanilla-colored buildings with rectangular windows spaced at even intervals. Sal and Linda grabbed their things from under their seats and held them close, anticipating the ceasing of the plane’s momentum.
Kurt rose as well.
The pilot greeted them near the door, extending his hand to Kurt.
“You let me know if you want to go anywhere else,” the pilot said. Kurt begrudgingly shook his hand.
“We will be in touch,” he said.
The stairs on the private plane extended down to the runway with an electric whine. A blast of freezing air rushed into the cabin, causing his companions to shiver and hold themselves. Linda and Sal stepped out first, but Kurt remained in the doorway a moment longer and turned to the pilot.
“I trust, if you’re asked about our exchange, that you’ll be discreet?” Kurt said.
The pilot smiled and scratched at the graying stubble that grew around his neck. “As much money as you threw down, my lips are sealed, mister.”
Kurt smiled and made his way down the stairs. “Good answer.”
When the hatch finally closed back up, Linda spoke up. “I don’t understand why you need me here. I’ve never been to Alaska in my entire life.”
“He wants to keep tabs on you,” Sal said.
“Sal speaks the truth. I can’t have you running away now, can I? You’re the only one who knows where the other artifact is.”
“Keep that in mind,” Linda said.
“And also keep in mind that my people are very long-lived,” Kurt said. “It is not out of the question that eventually I would be able to find this temple in South Africa without your help, so don’t test me.”
She crossed her arms, glaring at him.
The air was cold and dry on Kurt’s skin—fresh, with a mild scent of the local trees. Besides the scent, the feeling reminded him of Mount Paronis on his own world. All that was missing was the constant view of the gas giant to the north.
> “So, what’s the plan, Indy,” Sal said. “Are we going straight to Mount McKinley?”
“We’ll stay here for the night,” Kurt said, approaching the vanilla buildings in the distance. “I know how much you Masku enjoy your rest.”
“Yes, screw us for needing sleep,” Linda said.
“Indeed,” Kurt said, grinning joylessly.
The town was small, sporting a population just above three thousand people and aggressively average buildings. The residents of the town seemed to sit and gawk at the group from their porches, like zombies, as they made their way to the nearest hotel.
The inn was homely as well, and thankfully devoid of security cameras. Something told Kurt that if he kept destroying them, sooner or later, someone would put the pieces together. Not that it would matter for much longer.
Sal set his things down, a question clearly quivering on his cracked lips. Linda approached the window, saying nothing.
“What is it, Masku?” Kurt asked.
“I don’t get it,” Sal said. “Why land here? Wouldn’t it be easier to land in Anchorage instead?”
“We’re keeping a low profile,” Kurt said.
“You think someone’s after you?” Sal asked.
Kurt nodded. “I had a vision the night before we set out.”
“A vision?”
“A dark shape scouring across the land,” Kurt said, glaring at his stumps. “It was coming from Delaware. Then I saw this place, and the great, snowcapped mountains.”
“Is that all?” Sal asked.
Kurt shook his head. “I saw an ancient city surrounded by a massive cavern deep beneath the mountain. A black triangle that swallowed the light offered by that ancient city, beckoning me to a doorway at its base across a great bridge.”
Sal shivered. “Sorry I asked.”
“If someone’s after you,” Linda said, “I hope they put a bullet in your head.”
“I’m sure you do,” Kurt said.
“What’s our next move?” Sal asked.
“We are going to go out into this city’s drinking establishments to find a discreet means of transport to this mountain McKinley.”
“No one calls it that anymore,” Linda said. “It’s called Denali now.”
“Whatever,” Kurt said. “Both of you get your things together. We’re going out.”
The nightlife here was surprisingly vibrant for such a small town.
Sal led Kurt to a saloon called the Board of Trade. It was located in an old wooden building next to something called a casino and featured weathered signs which boasted live music.
It was late, the moon was rising high into the sky.
The racket inside ceased the moment Kurt crossed the threshold.
“Smells like one of your toilets,” Kurt said, approaching the bar.
“You have a real way with words, you know that?” Linda said, following after them.
The bartender was a young white woman with bags under her eyes. She approached them and asked, “What can I getcha?”
“You paying—er—Cory?” Sal asked.
“I shall pay,” Kurt said, nodding. “This world isn’t long to exist, anyway.”
“What’s he mean by that?” the woman asked.
“He’s joking,” Sal said, putting on his friendliest grin. “Just get me a whiskey, neat.”
“I’ll take your house red,” Linda said.
“And for the big guy?” she asked.
It took Kurt a moment to realize she was talking about Cory Johnson. “Ale.”
The woman nodded and poured him a beer from a can with a brown logo on it, sliding the glass over to him. The liquid was refreshing, far better than most of the ales that the Masku had offered on his world. The bartender poured glasses of whiskey and wine for Sal and Linda, then leaned over the bar.
“Y’all aren’t from around here, are you?” she asked.
“How did you guess?” Kurt said, rolling his eyes.
“I got a sense for people,” she said. “What brings y’all to Nome?”
“We’re looking for someone to take us to Mount Denali,” Sal said.
The woman laughed. “Hell, should have touched down in Anchorage. We’re four hundred miles away from the preserve.”
“We’re not looking to join a tour group,” Kurt said. “We want a more...rural approach, if you will.”
“Well,” the woman said. “I might be able to talk to Old Man Noah. He conducts tours of the old gold rush sites out here. Might be he’d be willing to go a bit farther for the right price.”
“Money is no object,” Kurt said.
“Naturally,” the woman said.
More patrons entered the bar, distracting the woman from their business.
“Money’s no object?” Linda said. “You sound like a Bond villain.”
“Hold your tongue,” Kurt said.
The woman came back some time later, pouring them another round of drinks. “When was y’all thinkin of making your way up the mountain?”
“Tomorrow,” Kurt said.
“Hell, you might have better luck stealing a helicopter and flying that way. There’s a whole host of rivers between here and Denali, you know?”
“We’re going tomorrow,” Kurt said, glaring at the woman.
She backed up from the bar, no doubt sensing that he was in no mood for games.
“Ma’am,” Sal said. “Would you be able to put us in touch with this Noah?”
She nodded. “I could do that. He’s a regular here, might be I could set something up. You just relax, and make sure you pay your tab, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Very well,” Kurt said, sipping his beer.
The woman walked away.
“I guess we’re in for a wait?” Sal said.
“I guess so,” Kurt said.
2
The one they were waiting for showed up close to eleven pm. He came in already stinking of liqueur. The bartender introduced them and soon they were sitting at their own private table.
“Rena says you need a way up to Mount McKinley?” the old man said, sipping on a tall glass of beer the color of piss. “I’m afraid we’re a long way from there.”
“I’m sure you could figure something out,” Kurt said.
“Well, it ain’t impossible,” Noah said. “Just a pain in the ass, and a lot of off-roading. Why can’t you just fly down to Anchorage?”
“Because our dear old leader here had an apocalyptic vision telling him to come here instead,” Linda said.
“Don’t listen to her,” Kurt said, leaning in. “Will you be able to do this for us or not?”
“It’ll be nearly a ten-hour drive,” Noah said, scratching at the white stubble on his neck. “If not longer. Gonna need extra fuel and supplies too. Hope you got deep pockets.”
“As I instructed the bartender, money is no object,” Kurt said.
“Then I believe we’re in business.” The old man extended a weathered hand across the table—confusion ghosting across his face when Kurt reached a barrier hand, even though he still kept the guise of Cory’s hands.
It is difficult to describe the exact sensation of touching someone’s barrier. It is soft, like mist, and yet intangibly hard.
The old man shook his head and stared into his drink.
Kurt rose from the table. “We’ll meet in the morning.”
Old Man Noah nodded. “I’ll be waiting. Bring cash.”
Kurt paid the tab for the meals in cash and retreated to the motel room, where he spent the next eight hours watching Sal and Linda sleep as the moon slowly disappeared beneath the horizon.
Tomorrow, he’d be one step closer to the end of his mission.
3
The jeep the man drove rattled as if the carriage that sat atop the wheels would come loose at any moment as they tore through the dry, frozen landscape. They rode in silence for most of the way. For a long time, they stuck to the main rode out of Nome, before the old man finally took the vehicle
into the grasslands and wilderness that stretched for miles upon miles.
The block of cash that Kurt had handed him seemed to keep this Old Man Noah mostly quiet. That was, until the snowcapped peaks of the mountain crept into view.
“Why you want to go here anyhow?” Noah finally asked.
Kurt glanced back at Sal and Linda. Both of them shook their heads.
“Hiking,” Kurt said.
“Really, now?” The old man spat out the side of the moving jeep, then bit down on fresh chewing tobacco. “Because, you look like a man of purpose. I know a face like that when I see it.”
“How amusing. I think perhaps your eyes deceive you.” Kurt pointed to the ropes and backpacks that they’d brought with them. “Or, perhaps you didn’t see our hiking gear?”
“Yes, but what that stuff’s for is another question,” he said, shaking his head. “We been getting a lot of folk who come round here asking about some Dark Pyramid, ever since some jackass went and spilled this nutty rabble about some place out here. A place the government don’t want folk like you or me going. All this secrecy tells me you might be up to no good out here.”
“I suggest you keep your questions to yourself,” Kurt said.
“Well, what the fuck kind of talk is that?” The man shook his head. “You may have paid me to take you out this way, but I can just as easily leave you right here and go my way. The last thing Nome needs is a media circus out here cause some group of idiots got themselves killed up in them mountains!”
Kurt turned his head, staring into the man’s eyes, and dropped his mental illusion. “I’m going to say this as nicely as I can, since I’m so close to my goal. If you utter one more word, I’m going to crack open your skull, bury your body in the wasteland that surrounds us, and take this jeep the rest of the way myself. Is that understood?”
The man’s face went ghost white and he turned his head toward the growing snowcapped peaks on the horizon. He didn’t say another word for the rest of the drive.
Why must they be so difficult? Kurt thought.
When they finally arrived at the agreed-upon place, the man drove off as soon as Kurt turned his back—kicking up a cloud of snow in his wake. The peaks loomed before them.
“Great,” Sal said. “Just what I fucking wanted, a goddamned hiking trip.”
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