by Kay L. Ling
“Are you still practicing Fair Lands powers in your free time?”
“Yes. But I’d rather be here learning about Ahmonellian gems.”
Elias steepled his fingers. “Has it ever occurred to you that you can use Ahmonellian gems at home?”
She gave him a puzzled look. “How? I can’t take them home with me.”
“Not in the literal sense, but if you infuse their powers, aren’t you essentially taking them through the Amulet?” He gave her a moment to think about that. “I could have infused gem powers here, used them all I liked at home, and returned here to restore my depleted powers. Instead, I ruined everything by using Dark gems that changed me so much the Amulet viewed me as an outsider and wouldn’t let me go home. As long as you only infuse good gem powers, you won’t suffer any ill effects.”
She thought back to the mishap with the shovel. “If I infuse Fair Lands gems, and then a volatile Ahmonellian gem, will that be a problem?”
“Infused powers are dormant while not in use. If you draw incompatible gem powers simultaneously, make sure incompatible powers are ones that produce safe reactions.”
“There is so much to learn, and I’ve only scratched the surface,” she said.
Elias smiled. “At times, I feel the same way, and I’ve been studying gems all my life.”
“When we get back from the mission, I want to make more knives with gems,” Jules said. He removed his from its sheath and set it on the desk. Gems in the hilt gleamed with various colors, and the blade had an unusual sheen from ground gems in the metal. “Elias, you once said that my knife is powerful not only because it has gems, but because I’m a gem master. Taking that idea a step further, would it make a difference if you and Lana helped make your knives?”
Lana said, “It might create a stronger link with the user.” She picked up the knife, thinking back to the first times she’d used it. She had been forced to figure out its abilities as she went along, and eventually discovered it could read her subconscious thoughts and produce the gem powers she needed.
“It’s possible,” Elias said, “but there are too many confounding factors to know for sure.”
“Ahmonell has so many problems to solve, making knives seems like a low priority, but if Lana’s and yours turn out well, I should help the gnomes make some for themselves. If they’re trapped here forever, they’ll need every advantage they can get.”
“Gem experimentation is never a waste of time,” Elias said. “My next field of experimentation will involve spells. We may need a spell as well as the right combination of gems to defeat the barrier.” He glanced at the spell book and added, “I hope our formerly schizophrenic friend will assist me.”
“Gnomes on the other side must know how to use spells. Why haven’t they found a way to break the barrier?” Lana asked, setting the knife back on the desk.
“It does seem odd, doesn’t it?” Jules agreed. “We speculated once that they were afraid S would come back and try to take over again, so they didn’t try too hard to repair the malfunctioning Amulet or break through the barrier.”
“I guess that’s possible, but it’s sad if so,” Lana said. “S killed the Mydorians after the battle of Last Hope, so there was little chance of another takeover attempt, but the gnomes on the other side wouldn’t know that.”
“Even without an army, S was still a formidable foe. She terrorized the gnomes over here,” Jules said.
“Gnomes who fled their homes within the Amulet and couldn’t return were surely heartsick, as were families with members in the militia who were trapped here,” Elias said. “The rest may have become resigned to it. The first generation would have felt the loss most keenly, subsequent generations less so. Life goes on, and folks ignore history, particularly when it suits them.”
“I see your point,” Jules said. “Each generation may have become less interested in reclaiming this region.”
Elias nodded. “If they didn’t make a concerted effort to break through the barrier early on, I doubt they would have later.”
“In any case, it’s up to us to find a solution now,” Lana said. “Do you think any of the gems in the throne could help?”
“Probably not or S would have broken the barrier herself, but I’m sure they’ll be useful in other ways. Would you like to learn about a few today?” Elias asked.
“Sure, why not?” Lana said, always game for trying new gems.
Elias took the cover off a gem tray and handed her a large, violet stone with jagged veins of white that reminded her of lightning bolts. “Let’s start with khadesh.”
“What does it do?”
“It uses your body’s energy to form a protective shield. Don’t practice this too long or you’ll find yourself in bed for a day or two.” She waited for more instructions, but Elias only smiled enigmatically and said, “Close your hand around the stone, relax, and let your mind show you how to use it.”
She drew infused intuition and foresight. She’d tried this method with unfamiliar gemstones before and had been none too confident of her results. Today, her impressions were clear and unmistakable. She saw herself directing energy from within her body out to her skin, and then pushing it even further until it formed a second skin of shimmering energy. Would that really work?
Elias cleared his throat. “When you’re ready, we’ll test your shield.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready, but I guess we’ll find out.” She held the stone in her right hand, her arm resting on the chair arm.
“Don’t get distracted and drop your shield,” Elias advised. He came around the desk, pencil in hand, and slowly brought the pencil point toward her hand. She looked away because if she watched him she knew she’d lose her concentration.
“Look now,” he demanded. Reluctantly, she looked from the corner of her eye. The pencil was a quarter inch away, and his hand was shaking as he tried to touch her.
“Not bad for a first try,” she congratulated herself, immediately losing her concentration, which of course dissolved the shield. “Ow!”
“Sorry,” Elias said as she rubbed the puncture wound. He returned to his chair. “As you can see, the skill isn’t easily mastered.”
“But it’s one worth practicing,” Jules said.
She handed him the stone. “Your turn.”
Being competitive, she hoped it took him some time to figure out how to form the shield, but he had a knack for using gems, and before long he turned to her.
“I may be sorry I asked, but hit me.”
She figured he was tough enough to survive her punch, so she put some energy behind it. Her fist connected with something unyielding—apparently the shield since he was still smiling. Her hand hurt, but she tried not to show it.
Sounding a bit smug he asked, “Want another try?”
“You bet. I was holding back that time.”
He laughed. “Sure you were. Try again and don’t hold back.”
This time, she screamed as she swung. He jumped at the unexpected noise, and her fist connected with his arm this time.
“Hey, that’s cheating!” he protested rubbing his arm.
“All’s fair in love, war, and gem shields,” she said sweetly. “What else have we got?”
Elias took out a black stone with red flecks. “Most of the gems in the throne weren’t rare. This one is. Considering the monstrous creatures S created, this gem—renth—must have come in handy.”
“What does this one do?” Lana asked.
“It protects the user from dangerous beasts.” Elias thought a moment and said to Jules, “Maybe she put this in her throne to protect her from you.”
Jules laughed. “I was probably a greater threat than her monsters. During full moons, when my human mind returned, I was tempted to go for her throat, but I would have paid dearly for trying.”
“I wish we’d had renth when we were fighting crocodillos and brontskellers,” Lana said.
“It will still be useful, even though S’s monster
s are gone,” Elias assured her “There are dangerous animals between here and the barrier. We’ll take this with us.”
“Don’t take all the good gems and leave me with phorish.” Everyone poked fun at phorish for its relatively unremarkable power. But a gem that could make you happy was actually pretty cool.
Elias took out another gem. “Here’s an interesting one. Foruvia—memory stone.” He tilted the clear, crystalline gem, and light flashed from its facets. “Some memories are better left in the dim recesses of one’s mind, but at times one wishes to recall something in minute detail.” He handed the gem to Lana. “Think about a place or event you don’t remember clearly. See what happens.”
Lana had no idea what memory to resurrect. Maybe the sleepover when she had invited the new kid at school, Emily Sanders, who had become her best friend—and was to this day. Or her first kiss with Tom McIntosh, a geeky but really sweet kid who had fallen in love with her in the seventh grade. On the other hand, maybe she should choose something traumatic—a memory she had purposely tried to bury. Like the weekend visit to Aunt Hazel and Uncle Pete’s cottage. She had been four, and while she couldn’t remember the details, something had frightened her so badly she had screamed and cried until her parents had taken her home. She faintly recalled the cottage with its peeling white clapboards and green trim. That day would be a good test for the memory stone.
She remembered walking up the front steps with her parents, so she closed her eyes and concentrated on that. A minute passed. How long was this supposed to take? Fidgeting in her chair, she held the stone tighter. Another minute passed. You’re resisting the memory because something frightened you. Relax.
And then it came to her, in vivid detail. Aunt Hazel came to the front door and let them in. Lana and her parents walked into the living room. The walls were pale green, and there was a red brick fireplace on the end wall. The furniture was boring but indestructible—a green tweed couch and a matching chair with a crocheted afghan draped over the back. The only other chair was a recliner covered with an ugly brown slipcover. On its seat lay a beige, corduroy pillow, belching stuffing. The room smelled like dogs.
A gigantic black dog raced into the living room, heading straight toward her, barking madly. She stiffened, terrified. The dog jumped up onto its hind legs, and its huge paws came down on her shoulders, knocking her over. She fell hard, banging her head on the hardwood floor. Above her, the monstrous dog barked and pranced for what seemed an eternity. Its fur was wet and muddy from swimming in the lake, and it smelled awful. Finally, Aunt Hazel grabbed its collar and hauled it away.
Lana dropped the foruvia and opened her eyes, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Jules was rubbing her arm, looking worried. “It’s all right, now. You’re safe.”
“Foruvia works,” she said weakly. “Maybe a little too well.” Her hand was trembling as she set the gem on the desk.
“Do you want to tell us what you saw?” Jules asked gently. “You should have picked a happier memory. Like our first kiss,” he added, trying to lighten her mood.
That coaxed a smile from her. “I remember that perfectly without any help.”
“This is a good reminder never to try unfamiliar gems by yourself,” Elias said. “Have Tyla or someone with you.”
“I hate to say it, but that’s probably a good idea.” She took a deep breath. “I finally understand why I’ve never liked dogs.”
“Your memory involved a dog?” Jules asked.
“Yes, a big black one. No wonder I was so afraid of you in your wolfhound form.”
“It attacked you?”
“Well, not exactly, but when you’re four and a gigantic, barking dog knocks you down, it feels like an attack.”
“Yes, that would be frightening.”
“It was probably just a big, overexcited lapdog that meant no harm, but I nearly got a concussion, and that soured me on dogs.”
“I think we’ve tried enough new gems for today,” Jules said.
Elias put the foruvia back in the tray.
“I agree,” Lana said ruefully. “Where’s the phorish?”
Chapter 4
Jules checked to make sure he had tucked his knife into his belt, and then lifted his heavy backpack and headed down the passageway to the back door. Most mornings, Parcune, a gnome in his early fifties, stood guard there. Today, Parcune would be outside, loading supplies onto the Amulet Team’s cart.
This was no time for second thoughts, but Jules couldn’t help himself. Had it been a mistake to include Parcune? He was a dependable, even-tempered sort who was good with weapons and followed orders without question. But he wasn’t fond of breghlin. And he didn’t try to hide it. Aside from putting on superior airs, he bristled anytime Jules or Elias praised breghlin for deeds of strength or bravery. Jules had pointed all of this out to Elias, but Elias had shrugged it off, so Jules had deferred to his judgment.
Kaff, the other gnome on the team, was a young fellow of about twenty, with the added distinction of being Raenihel’s nephew. But unlike Raenihel, he had remarkably strong gem powers. Enthusiastic and full of youthful idealism, he seemed better suited to the team than Parcune.
Jules went outside, paused on the rear stoop, and smiled with relief. No sign of rain. Wispy clouds drifted high overhead in a pale blue sky. Now that the plague-like rains had ended, sunny days should be common, and today was a fine day for travel.
He stepped off the stoop, nervous anticipation running through him. How far was the barrier, how long would they be gone, and what would they discover along the way? This would be an historic adventure, and the only thing dampening his excitement was the fact that Lana wasn’t coming. He would miss her . . . more than he cared to admit. Sunday evening they had said goodbye at the portal, and her cheerful tone hadn’t fooled him any more than his had fooled her. He didn’t need foruvia to recall that moment—the look in her eyes, the scent of her hair, and the feel of her arms around him. He sighed and willed himself to concentrate on the mission.
Ahead, Ben and Parcune were loading the second of two carts. The way they were flinging sacks and crates onto the cart told him that an unspoken competition had already begun. Jules went over and set his backpack on the ground near a beer keg. “Need a hand?”
Ben jumped down from the cart, grabbed the beer keg, and hoisted it onto the cart. “Doin’ fine,” he grunted, and went to get a crate of tools.
Parcune bounded out of the cart, gave Jules a quick grin on the way by, and came back a moment later with a bushel of turnips.
Wondering which would tire first, Jules watched them try to outdo one another.
“Thanks for asking me to go,” said a raspy voice behind him.
He turned to see Tina Ann holding a bundle that probably contained all her worldly goods. “Glad to have you along.” It hadn’t been easy to convince Elias to take a female on their otherwise all-male trip, but after all, Tina Ann was a breghlin female. She wouldn’t expect any special treatment, and she wouldn’t notice—much less care—about rough language or crude behavior.
Tina Ann was more intelligent than most breghlin, and not only that, she had a fascinating ability to sense dark powers. Elias had wanted a gnome with gem powers on this trip and had chosen one. Well, Tina Ann was the breghlin equivalent. The second breghlin on the team was Ben, and Elias hadn’t objected when Jules suggested him. Having single-handedly attacked a brontskeller, Ben could look after himself and should be a useful member of the team. It was an interesting mix—two humans, two gnomes, two breghlin. Jules hoped to reach the barrier without any serious conflicts.
Hearing stone crunch underfoot, he looked around and saw Elias and Kaff. Kaff’s reddish-brown hair was well groomed and his short beard neatly trimmed. His round face beamed with pride as he walked alongside Elias. On his left wrist, he wore a bracelet with colored gemstones that Elias had probably lent him. Elias was decked out in one of his typical green robes, with stacks of bracelets encircling his wrists and pendants
on chains around his neck. He could spare a bracelet for Kaff, Jules thought with an inward grin.
Elias stopped to talk to Jules, but Kaff hurried to the passenger cart to drop off his backpack, and then went to help Ben and Parcune.
“Where’s all your gear, Elias?”
“They’re loading it now.”
Jules glanced at the supply cart and said dryly, “Shouldn’t take long at this rate.”
Parcune and Ben were still working at a feverish pace. They ignored Kaff completely. After trying unsuccessfully to get their attention, the young gnome took it upon himself to carry a couple sacks.
“A little friendly competition is healthy,” Elias said as Ben and Parcune jumped off the cart and raced each other to the supply pile.
“Let’s hope it remains friendly.”
Elias said quietly, “I have the means to ensure that it does.”
Jules eyes dropped to Elias’s pendants. “I hadn’t thought about that. I suppose you do.”
Elias looked around. “I see everyone is here—Ben, Parcune, Kaff, and Tina Ann. As soon as everything is loaded, I’ll say a few words and then we’ll be on our way.”
“I thought Franklin would be here to see us off.” Jules looked back at the castle.
“As far as I know, we said our goodbyes at breakfast. He’s disappointed that he’s not going, but he’s making a valiant effort not to show it. I hope we haven’t forgotten anything,” Elias said. “Food, water, beer, cookware, tools, weapons, corrustone, and canvas and poles for the shelter. If we’re missing anything, we’ll have to improvise.”
“I think they’ve finished loading,” Jules said.
Ben, Parcune, and Kaff were up on the cart rearranging supplies to make sure everything was stable. “Who’s driving?”
“Parcune will drive the passenger cart, and Ben the supply cart. You and I will take a turn if they need a break.”
“Looks like Ben has company,” Jules said. Tina Ann sat on the driver’s box, waiting for Ben.