“How long will I glow like this?”
“Oh, I can't be sure, it will depend upon your own actions.”
“Well, are we talking hours, days, weeks?”
“Years, decades? I don't know, child. For as long as necessary. You have much to do while it lasts. Look on the 'bright' side, you are quite beautiful this way – walking art! Relax, try to get some rest.”
“But my body is filled with energy!”
“Ah yes. Well, just this once.” She places her hand on my brow and all goes dark.
Chapter 22
Coming Out
Someone bursts through my door.
“Are you alright, Shi'… ahh.”
It is difficult to rise through the darkness; I slowly become aware of Lucian staring down at me, mouth still slightly open after having not quite completed my name. I jump out of bed.
“How dare you come barging into my bedroom – what do you want?” He stands there, not uttering a word. “What's wrong with you? Answer me!”
Many emotions flit behind his eyes, but he does not outwardly acknowledge them. He shakes his head almost imperceptibly, “I called out to you several times but you did not respond. I was… concerned.”
“Don't give me that, I know you far to well. What is so important that you find the need to barge in here?”
“I have been sent by the Emperor to bring you to him – you are all to meet with him this morning, and… you didn't answer your outer door. Finally I realized there was shielding around your rooms, I feared something further had happened to you.”
“Oh, I see. Leave me, I need a few minutes.” I don't give him the chance to protest my lack of manners, I place my hand against his chest and push, forcing him backwards. It's far easier than I had expected, and his expression… it reminds me of my people on Shiral. I close the door behind him and head to my bathroom to quickly freshen up. The vision in my mirror takes me by surprise – Cailli must have dressed me, my light nightgown really does nothing but add a softness to my glowing figure – oh dear. I had better be sure to wear sturdy, dark clothing from now on. Unfortunately, nothing in my closet is made for such a situation. I choose something nice yet modest and use Harmony to increase its solidity, robbing another dress of necessary matter until only a vague glow escapes my clothed figure, not a complete glowing outline of my every feature. I walk back to the main room and catch a look of disappointment in his Lucian's eyes, quickly replaced with concern.
“My question was serious, Shi'ahn, are you… all right? You looked terrible the last time I saw you, and now… what happened?” He seems to be trying to return to our previously friendly relationship – what kind of fool does he think I am?
“I'm fine, no thanks to you. Shouldn't we be going?”
He stretches his arm out to me and I look upon it with disdain. “You yourself have lectured me quite effectively on the foolishness of allowing personal contact; don’t worry, I have learned the lesson.” I see a brief flash of deep disappointment, so quick that I must have imagined it; he turns away. “Then come with me, Shi'ahn – my father is unaccustomed to being forced to wait for those summoned to him.” As he continues to escort me we pass occasional servants who all seem to go into shock. Some merely quit moving, while others drop things; some even run away. A few faint. So, my current condition is rare to say the least. Just wonderful – one more reason for people not to like me. I find myself actually anxious to get the walk over with and reach the Emperor.
Lucian's voice seems slightly odd as he addresses his father, as though he is repressing anger. I don't understand, this isn't my doing. “Your Majesty, as you requested; the Lady Shi'ahn.”
As we approach Emperor Augustus trains an oddly appreciative yet at the same time disapproving eye upon me, as though he is viewing a beautiful yet utterly deadly snake. “Shi'ahn, I should not have to point out that your current condition is highly unusual. What happened?
I pause momentarily, but in all honesty, what can I say? “I was really upset with…” I glance over to Lucian, and see a look of unmitigated hatred in his eyes – directed not at me, but at the Emperor. My anger slips away as water through my fingers, “Well, I was angry. I decided to lighten my mood by doing some investigating.”
“What kind of investigating?”
“I was only trying to learn about this wondrous place!”
“How – what method did you use?” I glance down at my power siphon ring and his eyes follow. He blinks oddly and seemingly strains to focus upon it, and then his expression floods with suspicion. “How did you come by that, and why are you hiding it?”
“Cailli gave it to me, and what do you mean, I’m not hiding it?”
“Cailli? Ah yes, the old hag. I remember you calling her that before.” I can’t help the look of disapproval that shadows my face with his disrespectful words, but I say nothing – he is the Emperor, after all. He ignores my reaction and reaches out, “Give me the ring, I would have a closer look at it.”
I try to remove it, but it does not come off. He continues to hold out his hand, so I reach out and accept his vice like grip. It’s strange; he looks both nearly enraptured at my touch and yet, at the same time, revolted. “Yes, this is the ring I thought it was. What have you been doing with it?”
“It can be used to connect to power sources, but I mostly use it to investigate, by mentally riding the power seeking tendrils. That’s how I was injured. I was investigating the boundaries of our universe when I was attacked by… something from… outside.”
His gaze becomes intense, “What do you mean, from outside?”
“Just that – something from outside our universe. I know it sounds impossible, but it was a creature not of this universe that injured me. It tried to consume me!”
He looks unimpressed, “You mean, it bit you?”
“No! I mean it… tried to tear out my soul!”
Calling his expression one of disbelief would be a vast understatement; Lucian steps forward, “If I may, Father; I intercepted Shi'ahn and the old one before this apparent ‘healing’ took place, and I can attest to the fact that Shi'ahn was indeed torn apart, on the metaphysical level. Her belief that something tried to consume her is not at all out of the realm of possibility.”
The Emperor still looks displeased. “So you are saying that the Old Hag made her an Avatar to repair the damage she took from this creature from ‘outside?”
“That does appear to be what happened.”
The Emperor returns his displeased and now also disturbed gaze to me. “Did she give you any indication as to how long this effect would last?”
“She said that would depend on me – that it would last until I had done all that I need to do with it.” My answer does not appear to please him.
~~~
Approaching footsteps distract me - William! All else ceases to exist as I run toward my brother.
“William!” He takes me in his arms and hugs me fiercely.
“Shi'ahn, I was so worried about you, but never mind that, what's happened to you? You're…” He is at a loss for words.
“I know – pretty strange, isn't it? This is what Cailli did to heal me of the damage I had sustained from… well; I'll explain it later. On the bright side, I've ascended The Path. You could have at least told me about the forest!”
He looks very confused, and responds to my mind. 'Forest? The Path is a staircase, Shi'ahn.'
'I know that, but beyond – the metaphysical part!'
'I only ascended a third of the staircase, and even that seemed to surprise Cailliach.'
'Oh, ah, let's discuss this later.' He nods in agreement and changes the subject.
“Lucian said you had not returned to Lumina. What happened?”
“He lied. Imagine that. I don’t know how it happened – one moment we were holding hands, the next I stood alone in the throne room. I was so scared for you! I would have tried to come for you, but… I was detained.” Finally I pay attention to the na
sty smell nagging the back of my mind. “Oh yes, you have also been detained – and in not particularly nice accommodations. Here.” I cast a cleaning spell on him, intending to remove the dirt and smell, but… all he is left with is his dragon scale underwear.
He looks down in surprise, “Gee, thanks sis. I feel lots better now.”
“I'm sorry! That shouldn't have happened.” He does look good in iridescent gold, though.
~~~
The irritated voice of Emperor Augustus booms into my awareness, “This is all very touching, but would you mind?” The words are not discourteous, but his tone is of steel.
Oh no, I just ran off and ignored the Emperor. Will I ever stop messing up? I almost begin to apologize, but the look in his eyes tells me he doesn't want to hear it. Head bowed, I return to my place before him, William at my side. The others are there already, and what a variety of expressions they turn toward us! Cas, even though filthy, looks almost radiant as his eyes drink in my condition. Alma looks suspicious, Gwenllian angry, and Celeste seems intrigued as she smiles. Nero is not present.
The Emperor sighs resignedly, and from people's reactions, uncharacteristically. “Someone get this boy some clothes.” A servant rushes up with a loose robe, then the Emperor's voice returns to its normal, cold tone.
“I'm not going to ask you for any explanations, I already know you don't have any. I know that none of you wielded the blade, and similarly none of you were in collusion with the guilty party. However - every single one of you failed to detect the plot and the fact that one among you was not whom he appeared, and so all of you are at least partially responsible for what is now happening. So what is the result of your incompetence? Magni Dominar Ra Ab Val al Draconae is dead and we are at war. This is not a strategic war intended to punish the guilty party, it is a war intended to take over or possibly even destroy our realm. The conflict is still in its early stages, but never before have we seen those of Chaos unite in a single purpose – the situation is serious. At this point, if there are planets that are particularly important to you, I suggest you do what you can to improve their security – or simply move those things you care most about to safer locations. I recommend you devote only one Lumina day to this endeavor, less if possible. Your next priority will be to raise armies to fight on our behalf - while it is true that we are superior to our enemies, they are exceedingly numerous. Return as swiftly as you can, with as many troops as possible.”
He turns his icy gaze to me, “And you, Shi'ahn, are not to publicly cast any more spells until you have yourself under proper control. I will not hold naked courts.”
Chapter 23
Exiled
William and I start heading to my rooms, but Celeste catches my arm, joining us. “What happened to you, Shi'ahn? Were you injured?”
How insightful… “Yes, I was attacked by something terrible, something from beyond the confines of our universe.”
She doesn't look disbelieving at all. “What was it like?”
“Dark, terrible, jagged. It was… all the pain and anguish that has ever been, condensed into a single, astoundingly hungry creature.”
She looks concerned. “So Cailliach did this to you, to heal you?”
“Yes, she did.”
“Very interesting indeed. I suspect that we will soon be living in very… interesting times. Well, I'll leave you and your brother to your reunion, I'm sure you have a lot to discuss.” She smiles warmly into my eyes and pats my hand. I hear her thought, 'I knew there was something special about you, Shi'ahn. I believe you will do our line proud.' She leaves us without another word.
William and I remain silent until my door closes behind us.
“Well, that was interesting – I wonder why she is so much more accepting of this than anyone else?”
William doesn't seem surprised. “Remember, she is also Nebulaean – and she is far older than our cousins. She looked to me like she knows something. I have noticed that not everything about Lumina's history shows up in books here – Cernunnos, for one, is a curious omission.”
“Yes, that does seem odd. I can't help but wonder how many things are being kept from us – from everyone.”
“Well, I'm not going to worry about it now, we finally have permission to leave – to return home!”
“You're right, we do! And while there I'll have plenty of time to figure out how to compensate for my… condition. Shall we be going?”
“Not just yet – I'd like to bring along some things to help. Just little things, you know, shield generators, a lab… it should only take a few hours.”
“Oh, OK. I'll just spend some time re-grounding myself. I've been away from my own things for too long.” As I speak I lovingly caress my mother’s instrument display shelf.
“Well that's turnaround for you – you go ahead and play around while I get some serious preparations taken care of.” He smiles as he leaves, laughing under his breath.
He may think it is funny, but I really need this. I lovingly take Mathair's flute from the concealing drawer and play. Calmness embraces me as the notes circle round, bringing peace to my body and soul. I haven't felt this good for quite a while – until I'm startled by knocking on my door. William enters.
“I'm ready, are you?”
Rats, first I missed breakfast and now lunch. In fact, I haven't eaten a thing since breakfast with Lucian yesterday. “Oh, sure. We should have plenty of provisions still in the cottage. I'm sure we've been gone for a long time, but the government was ready for that. Oh wait!” I call out through my ring, 'Computer.'
Nothing, there is no reply whatsoever.
'Computer?' “My computer is not responding.”
“Perhaps you have changed too much for it to recognize you?”
“That's a possibility.” I listen to it, to see if the processors are running properly. They are not! They're… fried, for lack of a better descriptive. “Damn that Lucian, I'll bet he nearly succeeded in breaching my security. The processors are nearly destroyed. Fixing this will take hours in the least; it will have to wait until we get back. Maybe Gaea can give me an idea of what happened, they have been 'talking' to each other ever since before we went to Chaos.”
“They have? You didn't mention that before.”
“As you keep pointing out, a lot goes on around here.”
He smiles the same smile he usually wears when I make reference to his perfumed evening. “Yea. So, are you ready to go now?”
“Yes, though perhaps we should use your crystal?”
William laughs, “Yes, maybe that would be wise. I don't want to end up nearly naked again, or entombed in the center of the Shir.” He concentrates on his crystal, and we shimmer into Shiral.
Almost immediately I hear a tremendous scream. “NO!!!!! You must not be there in your condition!” I shimmer again and appear… somewhere else.
~~~
Where am I? It looks like a tropical island? Except the variety of trees is too great, palms growing next to cedars? That's not right. I concentrate on my transport crystal, but it remains dark, not a single image comes to mind. “Cailli? What have you done?”
She shimmers to my side, “Ah child, I had assumed you would understand.”
“Understand what?”
“The importance and limitations of your condition. You must not travel to places that should remain unseen – you are like a beacon to any who seek us.”
“But that means…”
“Yes, Shiral may now be discovered. But it's OK, you are in a safe place now.”
“Then I must - no, I can't go back. Please help me; protect my world!”
“No, I'm afraid Shiral now has a different destiny.”
“What about William, is he on Shiral?”
“Yes, he is - it will be up to him to defend her.”
“Help him! If I can't be there for him, you can.”
“No, I cannot - I have other duties. William and Gaea must now do what they can for themselves. The best thing
you can do, for both Lumina and Shiral, is to learn how to compensate for your current condition.”
“You did this to me - teach me how to compensate!”
“I'm afraid that isn't how it works. Harmony is a highly individualized power – it works for the wielder in the manner in which they envision the universe. I see the universe through mathematics, whilst you hear it through music, which in a way is a more pure interpretation - you must teach yourself; compose your own song.”
“But what about William, is he in danger?”
“Very much so, but he is far from helpless, this may actually be good for him, in the long run.” She shimmers out of sight, but I'm not finished asking questions.
“Cailli? How long must I stay here? Where should I go? I'm Hungry, Cailli. Cailli? Grandmother?”
Her face appears huge in the sky. “Child, you talk too much. Acquaint yourself with the area, I'm sure you will find all you need.”
“How long must I stay here?”
“Until you have learned all that you must learn here, and done all that you must do, of course.” With that her face seems to pull away, becoming undetectable in the distance; the sky dims almost imperceptively. How can she leave me here when my brother and my world are in danger? It lies so close to Chaos, if they detected me… Oh Gaea, I'm so sorry!
Gaea! I try to contact her through my ring, but the connection is no longer there. None of my Shiral connections remain – neither do any to Lumina; it maintains only the link to the black sun. Cailli again, no doubt. I wonder if the connections alone could have endangered Shiral? I hadn't checked the link since before I contracted my glowing condition. Were the connections severed yesterday and I just didn't notice? Was my transport crystal also shut down? Were the clues that I shouldn't travel always there but I failed to notice them? How many will die because of my carelessness? Will William survive? I couldn't live with myself if he died because of me.
~~~
The utter desolation of my music shocks me back into reality, I sound as though I have given up all hope. That won't do – if I can't be there for William and Gaea now, I must do all I can to prepare myself to help them when I can. So - first thing first. If I'm to get any food, I'll have to find it myself; it's time to explore my most recent prison.
Between Darkness and Light Trilogy Page 30