Powers of the Six

by Kristal Shaff

  “You have no idea how I felt seeing you lying there, not knowing what would happen to you.” He paused. “I told you of some of my experiences with the king, but I’ve not told you all.” He hesitated and his brows furrowed. “You see … I’ve seen Alcandor take a person’s Shay.”

  Nolan propped on his elbows. “Take a Shay?”

  “Aye.” Emery’s mouth drew into a flat line. “When he kills them, he takes their powers. That’s why he’s so incredibly strong.”

  “So you thought I—”

  “I didn’t know what to think, Nolan. When I discovered you had more than one, I imagined the worst.”

  Nolan’s stomach turned. “By Brim, Emery, I’d never do that.”

  “I know. But I had to be certain. I won’t sit by and let my people share the same fate as Alcandor’s victims. You see, those sorry people are neither alive nor dead. They are driven by only one primitive urge: to seek the Shay they’ve lost. And though they kill, their hunger is never sated. Only at night can they emerge, because daylight brings them pain.”

  Nolan’s skin went cold. “Are you saying …?”

  Emery nodded. “These sorry beings are lost to a fate far worse than death. They are Dor’Jan.”

  Nolan stared at the clouds. The Dor’Jan were real, and they used to be men. He wondered how the king did it. How did Alcandor claim a Shay? The more he thought about it, the more he didn’t want to know. There had to be more to it than just killing a man. If that were the case, the Rol’dan would all have multiple powers. He swallowed; no wonder Nolan’s extra powers upset Emery.

  One of the clouds broke from the others, zigzagging around the sky. Nolan froze, gawking. Had Emery seen it too?

  Emery rose and stretched. “I should return and tell them you’re okay.”

  “Them?”

  “Your friends, of course. You have quite a few.” Emery smiled. “I’ll send Jared to check on you later.”

  Emery left Nolan alone with his thoughts. At some point, Nolan must’ve fallen asleep. When he awoke, the lights on the ground had faded, but the strange clouds still darted in the sky. They resembled black mists more than clouds. He blinked hard and opened his eyes wide, but the sight didn’t change. What’s happening to me?

  “Is everything all right, sir?”

  Jared leaned against the wall, his thin arms crossed over his chest. How long has he been here?

  “Emery asked me to tend to your needs,” he said.

  Nolan wasn’t sure what he needed tending. But if it made Emery less guilty, he didn’t mind. He stood, and his legs trembled, much like when Alec worked him hard.

  Out of the corner of his eye, a black mist darted into the temple and out again. Nolan inhaled sharply and looked at Jared. And strangely enough, Jared’s eyes rested on the spot where the mist had been.

  “Did you see that?” Nolan asked, hopeful.

  Jared eyed Nolan, a peculiar expression on his face. “Of course. I’m more surprised you saw the Nass.”

  “The what?” His heart pounded.

  Jared turned toward the entrance. “Come with me.”

  They emerged outside, and Jared searched the ruins.

  “It’s strange for one to be so far away from people,” Jared said. “Ah! There he is.” He pointed to a man standing by himself, gazing into the forest.

  Nolan summoned Perception to examine him closer. It was a Healer from the village, one Nolan hadn’t met. Another dark mist shot from the man, wound in the air, and darted toward the sky.

  Jared smiled. “You saw the Nass?”

  “I … uh …” Nolan stammered.

  “Very good.” Jared turned and walked away.

  “What’s a Nass? And why can you see it too?”

  Jared continued on, walking quite fast for a man his age.

  Nolan followed. “Jared! Stop! Wait!”

  The old man turned, and his eyes glowed with white light. Nolan’s heart stopped. What in Brim’s light is going on?

  “Yes, I can see the Nass,” he said.

  Nolan forced his next words. “Emery said you have no Shay.”

  “I don’t.”

  “But your eyes.”

  He chuckled. “You still do not recognize me, Master, after all of our conversations?”

  This was his first real conversation with the man. Jared’s eyes glowed white. How was that possible? The only time he’d seen white light was … “Greer?”

  He bowed. “At your service, Master Nolan.”

  “You’re Greer?” So they weren’t dreams? How could that be? Nolan searched his thoughts, weighing every possibility. “Did you … possess Jared?”

  He laughed. “Jared is—what you might call—my disguise.”

  “So you’re really a Guardian?”

  “I am.”

  “And you pretend to be an old man?”

  Greer chuckled again. “Effective, is it not?”

  “Quite.” Nolan shook his head.

  They turned to the sound of footsteps on the loose rocks. The Healer came toward them, nodding as he passed. As he walked away, another Nass tore from the man’s torso, turned three times in the air, and whisked at them.

  Greer flung out his hand, as if swatting an insect, and a blast of light flew from his fingertip. The dark mist dissipated into nothing.

  “Annoying things,” Greer said, scowling.

  Nolan gawked at where the Nass had been. “What are these Nass?”

  “Anger, greed, vengeance, lust, fear, and hatred summon the Nass into existence and increase the darkness covering Adamah.” Greer looked into the sky. “It is not so bad here. Travel to Alton—or worse yet, Faylinn—and the skies are full. They block the light of Brim, decreasing people’s powers. That is why the powers of Brim are fading in Adamah. When his light doesn’t reach man, man’s temperament turns fouler, and then man increases the production of Nass tenfold.”

  “But you destroyed it.”

  “There are too many, and the Guardians are too few.”

  “So there are more of you?”

  Greer’s face tightened. “I only have knowledge of one other.”

  “Where is he? Is he here in our village?”

  “She is,” Greer said.

  The dark sky, the Nass, and Guardians were real. And as much as Nolan hated to admit it, he wished he were still ignorant to it all. “But you can unveil yourself if you wish, can’t you?”

  Greer cast Nolan a puzzled look. “Yes, I can. But I have not done so since the wars.”

  “And in my dreams.”

  “Yes, there is that. But I didn’t reveal myself in this world; I hid behind your mind.”

  “You showed yourself when you gave Alec the first stone,” Nolan said. “He saw you when you saved him from the Dor’Jan.”

  Greer stared at Nolan. “I didn’t save him. I have been here at the village for the last six years.” He put his hands behind his back and paced. “Is this how you obtained the first stone? I had assumed the stone drew you, especially with the strength of your Shay power. Never did I suspect another …”

  Greer walked toward the trail, this time quickly. Nolan jogged to stay at his side.

  “Forgive me, Master Nolan. I must leave and investigate this encounter, to find out if another Guardian lives. Where did this happen?”

  “South. In the forest near where the Tournament of Awakening takes place.”

  Greer nodded. “Then I will begin there.” He stopped again as they reached the edge of the woods. “I hope you will forgive me. I will have to abandon Emery’s request.”

  “It’s all right,” Nolan said, “I’ve never liked being waited on.”

  “You sound like Emery,” Greer said, smiling. “Please tell Sanawen where I have gone.”

  “Tell who?”

  “Forgive me. The Guardian you call Bonty. Though I imagine she will be quite surprised when you call her by name.”

  “The other Guardian … is B-Bonty?”

  “It pleased me w
hen she arrived,” Greer said “I had resigned myself to be alone. However, she has chosen to stay close to Kardos. He creates so many Nass she found it easier to be near him and catch them before they got away.

  “She suspected you saw her this morning,” he continued. “I told her it was unlikely, but now that I’ve confirmed it is true, it gives me great hope. The light of Brim can enter Adamah once again. It seems the more powers you gain, the more truth is revealed to you. I imagine soon I will not be able to hide from you anymore.”

  The sun dipped low in the horizon. Out of the corner of Nolan’s eye, a brilliant light began to shine. Nolan watched in awe as Jared transformed into Greer: His stooped shoulders straightened, and his body mass and height grew. The light surrounded him, and when it finally faded, Greer the Guardian Warrior stood in Jared’s place. He was more resplendent than Nolan’s visions. His armor shone more brightly; his light glinted more purely.

  “Remarkable,” Nolan whispered.

  Greer hung his head modestly. “You have no idea how good it is to share my secret.” His mouth rose in a sly smile. “Well, you, Master Nolan, just might.”

  “Greer, before you go. Can you get me home? It’s starting to get dark.”

  Greer backed away, taking his circle of light with him. He smiled broadly, showing a row of gleaming, white teeth. “I believe you do not need my assistance with that particular task.”

  Nolan looked at himself and gasped. His skin radiated with light. It was nothing compared to the Guardian’s, but it still glowed quite well. When he turned his head to comment, Greer was gone.

  Nolan held out his hand, and the light glowed around his fingers. Closing his eyes, he pulled on all of his Shays at once. The light radiated from him, almost as bright as Greer’s.

  How is this possible? I’m no Guardian. The sun dipped behind the mountains, but around Nolan shone the light of Brim.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  SANAWEN, IN BONTY’S stout figure, circled the busy practice field, sunlight reflecting off silver strands in her salt-and-pepper hair. An overflowing basket hung from her pudgy wrist as she continued picking wildflowers.

  She’d hovered near their practice sessions each day this last week. Nolan began to wonder if there was anything left to pick, or what she was doing with all the blooms. Occasionally she would swat at the air as if fighting off a swarm of insects. Nolan was the only one who saw the bugs she fought were actually dark, cloud-like Nass.

  A group drew back their bows like they had done countless times over the last several days. Regret oozed from them for agreeing to the extra practice. An air of mutiny hovered, which increased the Nass in alarming numbers.

  Sanawen cast Nolan a very Bonty-like glare as she shot Nass out of the air with a whisk of her hand. Since Greer had left a week ago, she’d been left with more than her fair share of work.

  And Nolan’s practice sessions weren’t helping.

  “Let’s do it again,” Nolan called as soon as the arrows struck targets.

  “Oh, come on, Nolan,” Daren said. His mop of brown hair clung to his face. “I swear, I’m done with this.” He tossed his bow to the ground. “Why should I do this anyway? I have Perception, for Brim’s sake.”

  “Until you can find a way to smell a man to death …”

  Laughter rippled over the group.

  Daren scowled. “Well, I’m taking a break.”

  The rest grumbled in agreement.

  Nolan sighed. If he pushed too hard, they’d never agree again. “All right. But swords in ten minutes.”

  Another dozen or so Nass tore from them as they groaned complaints. Bonty wildly swatted the air, as if being swarmed by angry bees.

  The group dispersed and trickled to the other practice area, all except Daren who marched toward Nolan, annoyance thick in his emotions.

  “When I said take a break, I was thinking about a swim.” Daren grinned mischievously.

  Nolan moaned. A dip in the lake did sound good. “Emery told us to be ready.”

  “For what?”

  “The Rol’dan,” Nolan said.

  Daren snorted. “How likely is that? They aren’t daft enough to wander the forest in the middle of nowhere.”

  “The stones might lead them here.” Nolan could feel the increase of the stones’ pull. If he had better awareness them, the Rol’dan probably did as well.

  Daren’s smiled faded as trepidation lingered on his emotions.

  “Come on,” Nolan pleaded, hoping his stubbornness would win over Daren’s. “Let’s swim after sword practice?”

  Daren pointed at Nolan in a mock threat. “I’ll take that as a promise.”

  Bonty huffed toward Nolan as soon as Daren left. Her hair hung in wild strands, her cheeks were flushed, and her irritation stabbed his Empathy.

  “Nolan, my dear,” she said. “Are you planning on continuing at this pace?”

  “As long as we can.” He eyed the rowdy group. Rylan leaped at Daren and tackled him to the ground. “We need a lot more practice.”

  Daren looked in Nolan’s direction, scowling, his eyes flaring orange with Perception.

  “Maybe they did need a break.” She patted Nolan’s arm in a motherly way and went off to pick more flowers.

  Nolan sighed. Even the Guardian was turning against him. If the Rol’dan found them, their motley group would have little hope. Nolan had to push them harder. He had no other choice! Though, he’d need to figure out how to encourage them without them revolting and tossing him into the lake.

  The group diminished from their archery session, many already taking up Daren’s idea of a swim. Those who stayed grudgingly paired off with wooden practice swords.

  Branded as the “expert” among his peers, Nolan walked between the rows to check holds and stances. He frowned. Alec should be the one giving advice, not him. But since Alec and Vikas left five days ago, these sorry oafs needed someone to help. Kardos could do it, but with his methods, they’d probably go running away in terror five minutes into practice. Nolan squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. Judging by their pathetic half-efforts, he was their best hope.

  “Let’s try not to use our powers this first round, okay?” Nolan suggested. “Use your skills instead of depending on your Shay. On our second turn, we’ll match according to our Shays.”

  Nolan paired with Daren who glared at Nolan with an evil smirk, ready to dish out some well-deserved revenge.

  “Ready?” Nolan said. “Swords up.” His Shays swelled; he pushed them back down, locking them into place. His Strength could be a little defiant, but he’d mostly gotten it under control.

  Daren dropped his stance and stiffened, his eyes flashing orange.

  “What is it?” Nolan asked.

  “Someone’s coming.”

  Nolan awakened Perception and heard trees rustling; a group ran toward them through the woods. Before Nolan could react, blurred images of people rushed in, whisked between the ranks, and tore wooden swords from their grasps.

  Nolan yanked out his steel sword and sliced through the air.

  Alec ducked and laughed, his arms full of wooden practice swords. “Easy there!”

  The other Speed users smiled with Alec, as if they all enjoyed the same joke.

  “I could’ve taken your head off,” Nolan snapped.

  “Ah, but you need to be quicker!” Alec leaned toward Nolan and whispered, “And we have something to help.”

  “Excellent entrance!” Vikas said. “Nolan, please inform Flann that we’ve returned.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but reached into a pouch and pulled out a stone. “To the temple!”

  The newly returned group disappeared into the woods again, whooping and yelling. Not that Nolan wasn’t glad they were safely back, but they could’ve arrived with a little less flair. Those who’d been disarmed gawked at each other. If it had been the Rol’dan, they would all be dead.

  “Guess we’re done for today,” Nolan said.

  Daren and Rylan had
already stripped, leaving a trail of clothes to the lake. Nolan shook his head and trudged toward the village center. Flann would probably be at the lodge.

  He turned down the first street and ran into Greer in his old man form. At his side strolled a muscular man with a square jaw and cropped blond hair. As the man passed by a group of maidens, more than one turned their head a second time.

  “Nolan,” Greer said, his eyes bright with excitement. “This is … my nephew.”

  “Please, call me Malik.” He offered his hand. “I am more than honored to meet you.”

  Nolan grasped it. His shake was hard, even to Nolan’s Strength-enforced grip. “It’s a pleasure.”

  Malik surveyed the encampment. “I have been enjoying my visit thus far. I have met the man called Flann.”

  “I was just on my way to see him. The Speed users have returned with the stone.”

  Malik cast Greer a side-glance. “Everything is even more than I had imagined.”

  A pair of girls giggled and hurried by.

  “Where is Sanawen?” Malik asked.

  “Over there,” Greer said. “But call her Bonty here.”

  Bonty walked toward them, her face downcast as she concentrated on her overflowing basket. Malik laughed heartily, and Bonty’s head jerked up. She dropped the basket, spilling flowers around her feet.

  “Malik? By the light, it can’t be.”

  Malik’s grin widened. “It is good to see you, Sana—”

  “Bonty,” she cut in.

  “Ah, yes. Bonty, is it?”

  She smiled. “At least right now.”

  The two Guardians closed the distance and met in an embrace.

  “He could have chosen something less … conspicuous,” Nolan said as he watched the shocked and disappointed faces of the group of young women.

  Greer sighed. “He would have nothing to do with it. He didn’t want to take human form at all. I finally talked him into this.”

  Malik spun Bonty around as they both laughed.

  “They know each other?”

  “Quite well.” Greer smiled slyly. “When I told him she was alive, he was very willing to come with me. And after he was informed about you, I couldn’t have kept him away.” Jared glanced toward the direction of the forest. “I believe someone is coming.”