“I know.”
“It terrifies me in a way that you can’t possibly understand.”
“That’s . . .” but Po cut her off.
“Jax’x, I could disfigure you with a thought. I can make you disappear forever. There is no limit to the evil I can rain down on you. And when I’m done, Jay’gar would only have me. Do you understand why that scares me?”
“Of course I do. You could let your feelings take control. You could be utterly selfish at my expense. But that’s not who you are.”
“You still don’t get it. I could wake up grumpy one morning and lash out at you from jealousy. In a moment of weakness I could do the unthinkable. No one should have that much power. It’s so very wrong. I love Jay’gar and will do anything to get him back . . . even if I can never have him. That motivation is so strong I can almost taste it. But, below that, and only a little less intense, is the feeling that we Divine Ones must be stopped. Well, if not stopped, be controlled in some way. I have no idea what that would mean. But, at the very least, the non-gifted need to be free of the everyday threat that we, the Divine Ones, pose.”
“Oh Po, I do love you. My life would be so much less without you in it.”
The girl forced a small smile. “So what do we two lovelorn girls do now?”
“First, we need to get your message and the communication’s device to Hay’gar. On Ziz’s back you’ll see a latch. Press it and a small lid will pop up. You can place both items in there. Be sure the communicator has the same frequency as the one you gave me.”
“Your dragonetta is getting to be a full member of our little revolution, isn’t he?”
“Wait till I show you what else he can do. But that can wait till later.”
Po created a communications device with a thought and put it and the recipe inside the mechanical bird. “Now what? How do I get the Sisters to make contact with Hay’gar?”
“You can far sense, can’t you?”
“Far sense?”
“Use your powers to scan the space above the planet. When the Sisterhood arrives they will go into orbit. My guess is that they will send down a smaller craft to land. When you sense this lander, use your power to mask the planet with a false landscape . . . one that would suggest to the pilot that the best place to land is in the northeast, outside of the city. The only passable road from there will take them by the market that Taysen frequents. That will give us the best chance of finding them. If that doesn’t work, I’ll send Ziz to scout for them.”
“Jax’x, I would never in a million years have thought of that. Then what?”
“Can you leave your room?”
“No. I’ll try to make an appointment with my Absolute. Maybe she will release me. But, the fact that she hasn’t yet, scares me.”
“Why?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she uses me as a bargaining chip in her little game of power.”
“Then don’t go see her. I’ll figure out a way to free you.”
“What about the Sisters?”
“Have Hay’gar keep them there. I’ll use Ziz to make contact and maybe we’ll be able to formulate our next move.”
“I hate being trapped in here. I won’t be able to help in any of this.”
“Not true. When I send Ziz, I want you to link your mind to his. Then we both can talk, and see, through him.”
“Jax’x, you make a better Divine One than I’ll ever be. My imagination is like a child’s compared to yours.”
“You’ll get the hang of it, I promise. In the meantime, just stay safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Losing Jay’gar has been horrible. Losing you, too, would be devastating.” With that, the image of the Librarian faded away. Ziz let out a mechanical squawk, took to the air and flew out the way he had entered.
Chapter 2 – I am the Librarian
About a week later
Hay’gar was in the kitchen listening to his wife describe the odd behavior of their two guests.
“I don’t think they are Divine Ones despite their red clothes.”
“Truly?”
“First, though they wear red . . . they’re not wearing the hood and cape of their kind. Second, they wanted directions to the Library, as if every Divine One doesn’t know that. Third, they act much too polite . . . saying please and offering to help an old woman. You need to find out who they really are.”
Hay’gar smiled in wonder. Had Po actually succeeded in bringing help? “My love, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Hay’gar, didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“I did. That’s why I need you to go visit one of your friends for a few hours.”
“What are you talking about, you foolish old man?”
“I can’t tell you. You’ll just have to trust me.”
“And leave you alone with two attractive women? Not likely.”
Hay’gar laughed . . . out of pure love. “Look at me. I’m old enough to be their great grandfather. Why would they have any interest in this rundown excuse for a man?”
His wife tried very hard not to smile. “I’m not worried about their interest in you. It’s your interest in them that worries me.”
“Ah. Good point,” he teased.
She punched him good-naturedly in the arm – then turned serious. “Why can’t you tell me what’s going on?”
“It’s for your own good . . . and Jay’gar’s.”
Taysen stared at the man she had been married to for more than a half century. “You’re not just saying that, are you? I couldn’t forgive you if you’re telling me a falsehood.”
He pulled her into an embrace and whispered, “I would never lie about my grandson. Now, you need to go. But . . . say nothing to anyone about our visitors. You must promise me.”
“For Jay’gar’s safety, my lips will speak of none of this. But what of Kr’eep? He met them.”
“I can’t undo that.” He kissed her gently on the cheek. “Go out the back door. You can return in two hours.”
“Will they be gone by then?”
“No. They will be our guests for a little while.”
“They can share Jay’gar’s room.” She started towards the door, but stopped and turned to her husband. “They are not from this world.” It wasn’t a question.
“They are his only hope. As far as you and I are concerned, they are from heaven.”
*****
Hay’gar reentered the living room and joined his two guests. He had to make sure that these young women were who he thought they were. It could be a trap set by the Divine Ones. Until he was sure, he didn’t want to contact Po.
“My apologies, honored guests, but my wife ran out of some ingredient that she swears is absolutely required for the meal. As you well know, at this hour there is no one at the Obelisk to assist her. So, as desperate as she is to provide you with a modest feast you will relish, she’s gone to see friends in hopes of finding the herb. Dinner will be delayed until she returns.”
A Divine One would be displeased that dinner would not be served as promised . . . regardless of the reason. At the very least, they would conjure the required spice so that the meal could be prepared. At the very worst, they would leave . . . but not until they showed their displeasure in some nasty way.
They would certainly not respond as Egg did. “Sorry to put her to so much trouble. Anything she serves would be fine with us. Can you call her back?”
“Sorry, unless she gets the proper ingredient, she would just feel terrible. Would it be too much to ask . . . that is to say, for the sake of a timely meal, could you do this unworthy household a kindness and conjure the spice?”
Egg stole a look at Bl’azzz who was pretending to examine the ceiling. “Um . . . actually, we’re really not that hungry. Please apologize to Taysen for the trouble we’ve put her through. We really need to go. If you could just tell us how to get to the Library, we’ll be on our way.”
And now Hay’gar was convinced. These two were definite
ly not Divine Ones and certainly not from Spell ‘Bound. “I’m sorry to have put you in such an awkward position. But I had to be certain that you were not from this world.”
“Say what?”
“Po told me to expect you. Now that you’re here, I’ll contact her.”
“Who is Po? Is she the Librarian?”
Now Hay’gar was confused. “Po is the Divine One that talked to you. Oh, I’m sorry. Her name is actually Pond Ripple.”
“Pond ripple? I know what that is, but I don’t know who that is.”
“She’s a friend of Jax’x.”
That didn’t clarify anything. “Who is Jack?”
“Jack? No, no . . . Jax’x. She’s the Librarian.”
“Okay, let’s start this again. A person who called herself the Librarian asked for our help. She didn’t give her name. For that matter, she didn’t tell us to look for you.”
“Well of course not. I’m not part of what’s going on.”
“What exactly do you think is going on?”
“I have no idea.”
Egg turned to Bl’azzz who was trying not to laugh at this inadvertent comedy routine. “I think the wine is making me loopy. Are you as confused as I am?”
“You know darn well that I don’t need wine to make me loopy. I’m just a dragon-brained dragon.”
“You’re a dragon?” asked Hay’gar with a shocked look on his face. “I thought dragons were ugly creatures with wings and sharp teeth and big feet with claws?”
Egg had to giggle at the absurdity of the conversation. Bl’azzz, on the other hand, got defensive. “Hey, who you calling ugly?”
The poor man turned red from embarrassment. “You’re not ugly. Quite the opposite. You’re very attractive . . . for a dragon.”
Before Bl’azzz could respond with something totally unhelpful, Egg interrupted with, “Hay’gar, why don’t you contact this pond person? Maybe she can tell us what’s going on.”
“It’s Pond Ripple but I’m sure she’ll let you call her Po.”
“That’s great. Please, call Po.”
He nodded and went to his bedroom and retrieved the communicator. When he finished, he returned to the girls. “All set. Since Jax’x cannot leave the Library and Po is under house arrest, they’re sending Ziz. He should be here in a few minutes.” Then a thought struck him. “He’s a dragonetta. I’m sure you’ll like him.”
Not surprisingly, Bl’azzz asked, “What the heck is a dragonetta?”
“A small dragon, of course.”
Again Egg interrupted her friend. “Let’s just wait and see.”
*****
“Jax’x, they’re here. I just heard from Hay’gar.”
“Did he say how many?”
“Just two. Egg, their leader, and Bl’azzz.”
“Human I’m guessing.”
“Actually, he said Bl’azzz was a dragon.”
“NO!”
“That’s what he said.”
“That doesn’t make sense, but it is what it is. I just sent Ziz. He should be passing your window in about two minutes. Be sure to link your mind to his.”
“When that happens, you and I can talk to each other?”
“Yes. And we’ll both hear and see what he does.”
*****
Hay’gar had left the window open so that Ziz could fly in. About ten minutes later, the mechanical doohickey did just that. Once again he flew around the room then came to rest on the fireplace mantle across from where the girls were sitting. Hay’gar had retired to his room as directed by Po.
The bird sat there staring at the two girls. Jax’x asked her friend, “Do you recognize them?”
“No. And obviously neither of them is a dragon.”
“Listen, if I think they’re a threat, Ziz has the power to immobilize them.”
“What good would that do?”
“No idea . . . except to show them we’re as powerful as you led them to believe.”
“Okay. You do the talking.”
Egg and Bl’azzz had been sitting there, staring at the bird . . . waiting. Finally, Jax’x said, “I am the Librarian. To whom do I have the honor of addressing?”
Instead of answering, Egg asked, “What are you?”
“This is Ziz . . . my pet dragonetta. Both Po and I are unable to leave our respective homes. So, we’re both using Ziz to communicate with you. We can hear as well as see using his senses.”
“Which one of you contacted the sisterhood?”
“It was me, Pond Ripple,” the bird answered in her voice.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you do it and not . . . um, Jax’x? That’s your name, right?”
“Yes. I am the Librarian and Po . . . Pond Ripple . . . is my friend and a Divine One.”
“I thought they were the bad guys?”
“Not Po.”
“You still didn’t answer my question. Why did Pond . . . Po . . . make contact and pretend to be you?”
“I asked her to contact you since I didn’t have the means and she did. It wasn’t meant to deceive you. For that I’m sorry.”
Egg just loved polite, honest people. “No problem. Anyway, I’m Egg and this is Bl’azzz.”
“No you’re not.” That was Po, of course.
“I’m pretty sure I know who I am.”
Then in her head she heard Serenity say, “You look a lot like Sera’Fina to me.”
“What? Oh, right.” Then to the bird she explained, “Sorry, these are not our bodies, they’re avatars.”
The bird’s mouth actually dropped open.
“I think the cat got its tongue,” teased Bl’azzz. “By the way, I think I want a dragonetta as a pet. They are way too cute.”
“I’ll buy you one for your birthday.” To Ziz, Egg said, “One of the sisters, her name is Serenity, has the ability to grow bodies like these. Then, we can control them with our minds. She can also use our personalities to make the avatars work independently . . . but that’s neither here nor there.”
Inside the bird, Po said to her friend, “Do you believe her?”
“I have no reason not to. At least, not yet. But if it’s true, you found us some awesome help.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
Egg continued, “So, we obviously need to know a whole bunch more about what’s going on and exactly how we can help. But, talking through your bird is going to make this a bit awkward.”
“The story I need to tell is actually very long. And you’re right . . . this type of communications is not the best way to proceed. Let me tell you what the most pressing issue is. I am being held prisoner in the Library and Po is under house arrest in The Crypt . . . that’s the home of all the Divine Ones.”
“So why don’t we break you guys out?”
“First, if the Divine Ones found us gone, they would be on alert for trouble. Right now, surprise is our biggest asset. No one knows you two are here. Well, other than Hay’gar and Taysen . . . but they can be trusted unconditionally.”
“Actually, that’s not true. When we first arrived, there was some other guy here. I think it was a neighbor.”
“Not Kr’eep,” exclaimed Po.
“Yeah, that’s his name. Is that a problem?”
“Possibly. But we’ll deal with it when and if we have to.” Egg liked that cool, unemotional response from Jax’x.
“What’s the second problem?”
“Po is in a bunker surrounded by . . . by the bad guys who could make you disappear with a thought. And, I’m held prisoner with a force field that they conjured. As importantly, there are a lot of artifacts and books here that I can’t leave behind.”
“You’re not going to make this easy, I take it?”
“Where you expecting ‘easy’?”
Egg laughed which totally surprised the girls inside Ziz. “I promise you, for the Hameggattic Sisterhood, nothing is ever easy. Not ever.”
Both Jax’x and Po were immedia
tely enamored with this Egg. It was obvious why she was the leader of her group. “Any suggestion?”
“Let me talk it over with my friends. How do we make contact with you? Through Hay’gar?”
“No, that’s too dangerous for him. Po is going to conjure a communicator. With it, you can contact both of us.”
A moment later the device materialized out of thin air and dropped into Egg’s hands. “Neat trick.”
“How will you get back to your ship? Do you need to rendezvous where you were dropped off?”
“Nope. We’ll just fade away,” and on cue, Serenity activated the transporter and the two avatars slowly dematerialized in front of a stunned Ziz.
“Neat trick,” said Po.
“Yeah, it was.”
*****
When the two avatars were back on the ship, the girls were helped out of their control hoods. Egg shook her head to unsmoosh her helmet hair. Bl’azzz watched her friend and rolled her eyes . . . a little jealous she couldn’t do that.
“You all heard what happened. Let’s get some food and we can talk about a plan. But first, I need to find the bathroom.”
“Did you know that we dragons go to the bathroom about once a week”?
“Did you know that’s too much information?” asked BreeZee.
“Just saying.”
Ten minutes later they were sitting around the table noshing and kibitzing. The babbling was getting out of hand so Egg called for quiet. “So how do we spring these two without the bad guys finding out?”
“Don’t forget that the Librarian wants to bring the library with her,” Serenity reminded the others.
“Well, the solution is pretty obvious . . . to the first part anyway,” announced Tee’ka.
“Do tell.”
“Avatars. Replace them with avatars. Serenity can program them with their own personalities.”
“Tee, you’re brilliant,” complimented Egg.
“Looks and brains . . . I guess I have it all.”
“Don’t forget modesty,” teased Spirit.
“Anyone want to argue against Tee’s suggestion?”
“Can’t argue against genius,” replied Bree. “The problem, of course, is how do we make the switch?”
“I can analyze the force field around the library. Maybe I can find a weakness we can exploit.”
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 12