Eighth Fire

by Curtis, Gene

  Keith and Ralph shook their heads slowly. It was obvious they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

  Slone said, “Trust me.”

  Keith asked Mrs. Shadowitz, “What’s going to happen to Ricky?”

  “Ricky committed suicide and tried to pin his death on Mark. Even if Mark were to ask for those charges to be dropped, Ricky will stand trial for other things discovered during the investigation that I’m not at liberty to discuss.”

  Mark blurted, “I didn’t know I could ask for the charges to be dropped.” It had unnerved Mark that Ricky had even considered such lengths to get back at him and felt somewhat guilty about Ricky’s fate. He never intended for anything like that to happen. He remembered, Intentions have no substance…

  Mark looked at Slone, then at Keith and Ralph before turning back to Mrs. Shadowitz. Even if Slone were lying about everything else he was right about one thing; this feud needed to end here and now. “Ma’am, I’d like the charges dropped.”

  There was the sound of mild surprise from some of the people in the room.

  Mrs. Shadowitz frowned, closed her eyes and nodded.

  Grinning, Slone approached Mark with his hand extended. “It’s a done deal then, we have a truce.”

  Mark felt a wave of deep foreboding as soon as he touched Slone’s hand. He thought it couldn’t feel any worse than if he was shaking hands with Benrah himself. He pushed the thought from his mind and offered his hand to Ralph and Keith in turn. They both shook his hand haltingly as if they were in shock, not realizing exactly what was going on or what they were doing.

  Slone said before turning to leave, “We’ll keep our end of the deal as long as you do.” Ralph and Keith followed him out the door.

  Mark knew that as soon as the door closed behind them and they were out of earshot Ralph and Keith would start hounding Slone for an explanation. He doubted they’d get a straight answer. He wondered if it were really possible that he had misconstrued what was going on when he saw Ralph, Keith and Ricky taunting Nick on the first day at The Seventh Mountain. Could his instincts have really been that wrong?

  He watched as most of the people in the healing ward started funneling out onto the balcony and disappearing. A few left through the main door that led back into the interior of the school.

  “Hon, why didn’t you tell us you were going to do this?”

  Mark glanced up at his mother who was now standing beside the bed along with his father and friends, except for Nick. Her face was red and puffy. He could tell she was struggling to hold back the tears. He spotted Nick off talking with Mrs. Shadowitz, Mr. Young and Mr. Diefenderfer.

  How could he tell his mother and not hurt her more. She was his mother after all and the last thing he wanted to do was to alienate her or start severing that special bond they had developed over the course of his life. But he knew that if she had been told she would have tried to stop him and that would have caused grief too.

  He saw her lose the battle with her tears. She nodded and held a tissue to her nose. “Hon,” she got down on her knees and cradled his hands in hers, “please don’t leave me out of your life again. I promise; I’ll try not to interfere anymore. I beg you; don’t just throw me away like an old shoe.”

  Mark slid from the bed, put his arms around his mother and stood her up. He tasted the salt in the back of his mouth from his own tears. “You will always be my mother and I will always love you. But you must understand… you cannot always be at my side to protect me.” He drew her close and squeezed her tight. “I will make you this promise though, one way or another I will always try to keep you informed about what’s going on in my life.” He tentatively released his mother watching to make sure she could stand.

  His father put his hand on his shoulder and said, “I know how traumatic what you’ve been through has been, and maybe this isn’t the best time, but I have to agree with your mother. You should have told us.”

  Mark thought that a little bit hypocritical coming from a US Marine, a group that prided themselves on self-sufficiency. But at the same time he knew his dad’s concern was that of a father who loved his son and his wife.

  “I’m sorry dad. I’ll try not to let it happen again.”

  His dad’s hand tightened on his shoulder and gave him a little shake. He knew that was all the understanding they needed between them. The subject would never be brought up again unless he proved absolutely untrustworthy in keeping his promise.

  LeOmi stepped up in front of Mark with her hand extended. “I’m impressed. I thought you did great, but if it were me, I’d have come out with the power source. I want the whole story when you feel up to it, not just snippets from here and there either. I want the whole story.”

  From anyone else this would have been a left-handed insult, but when LeOmi said she was impressed, that was high praise indeed. He had learned from experience she held herself to very high standards when it came to what she could accomplish. She and Cap’n Ben were two-of-a-kind. Neither would give up on a task, even if it meant certain death.

  Mark extended his hand, smiled and nodded. “I just did what I had to do.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m impressed. Still, you could have sidestepped the ice.”

  “If I’d sidestepped the ice I’d have been trapped on the other side.”

  “True, but you’d still have had the power source.” She grinned.

  He knew she was teasing him a little; he could feel her emotions. He gave her a brief chuckle and shook his head.

  “It’s good to see you smile.”

  Mark turned when Jamal said, “You’ve got to be hungry. You want to go get something to eat?”

  Mark had started to answer when he saw Mrs. Shadowitz, Mr. Young, Mr. Diefenderfer and Nick walk out to the balcony. They disappeared as soon as they were out. Instead of answering Jamal he asked, “What’s Nick up to?”

  Jamal said, “I don’t really know. He said something wasn’t right and he had to talk to Mrs. Shadowitz.”

  “That doesn’t sound like Nick. I wonder what’s up?”

  The door to the healing ward swung open revealing Slone wearing a grin and carrying four drink pitchers. He was followed by Ralph and Keith both carrying food trays.

  Slone said, “Breakfast anyone? We’ve got bacon, sausage, ham, sausage biscuits, hash browns with bacon and scrambled eggs with ham.” He sat the pitchers on the table next to the wall. Ralph and Keith sat the trays beside the drinks then removed condiments from Aaron’s grasp. They turned and smiled at Mark.

  Mark looked shocked. After a gesture like this how could he tell them that eating pork made him sick? Well, that wasn’t the whole truth of the matter; he’d never eaten pork, just the mere smell of it made him sick to his stomach. As soon as the smell reached him, he made a dash for the trashcan beside the bed.

  He heard his mom say, “Oh, I guess you didn’t know. Mark can’t tolerate the smell of cooked pork. He’s been like that all his life. Sorry.”

  Mark willed the dry heaves to stop, sucked in a breath and started quickly walking to the fresh air of the balcony. He didn’t want to chance an oxy-cap in case the dry heaves started again. It would be all too easy to suck it down his windpipe.

  He heard Slone say as he passed, “That doesn’t make sense. Plenty of people eat pork around him in The Oasis.”

  He heard Shana’s reply. “The air handler in The Oasis pretty much sucks all the smells toward the ceiling.”

  Just as the door was closing he heard Keith shout, “Sorry Mark.”

  Another wave of heaves hit him just as he reached the edge of the balcony. He thought, Look out below, but nothing came up. There was nothing to come up.

  He heard the door open behind him followed by Shana’s voice. “Here’s a glass of tea.” She sat the glass on the ledge next to him. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with some steak and eggs.”

  He took a gulp and felt the cool liquid soothe his throat all the way down. He tipped the glass toward
her just before she disappeared and said, “Thank you.”

  A few more breaths and he began feeling normal again. The doctors had told his parents they had no clue why he reacted to the smell of pork the way he did other than maybe he had a very sensitive nose. And that could be it since smells were something he was keenly aware of all the time. Even as an infant he cried for hours on end whenever his mother cooked any pork product.

  A moment later Slone pushed the door open and held it while Ralph and Keith carried the table out to the balcony. Others carried the food, drinks and chairs out. Slone said, “You can sit upwind.”

  Shana was back just after the table was sat up and placed a box on the table in front of Mark. “I must say I’m glad to see you guys working things out.”

  Mark opened the box and said halfheartedly, “Me too.”

  Slone helped himself to a double handful of biscuits, squirted some mustard on his plate and dipped a biscuit in, coating fully half of it. “Maybe your group would like to join us for sword practice. I don’t mean to sound rude, but you need some help.”

  Mark cut a piece of steak and pointed to LeOmi. “I’ve already promised LeOmi I’d start training with her.”

  “That’s all right, the more practice the better. You’re welcome to join us any time you like. You already know when and where we practice.”

  That was true, but Mark thought Slone was making a point of it. “I’ve already apologized to everyone in your group that wasn’t a part of our feud for last year’s, um…bird bombing.” Everyone at the table snickered, including Slone.

  “That was actually pretty good. It was Nick’s idea, right? Hey, where is Nick?”

  Mark’s unease kept growing. It just wasn’t natural for Slone to be so nice. What was he up to? “I think he had some personal business to take care of. He didn’t say exactly.”

  “Man, I wanted him here for this. No matter, you can give him his.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Well, I’ve already told everyone that the only way our feud could end is if you join our group.” Mark started to get up but Slone held up his hand. “You really are one pig headed poke. I know you’re not going to join our group, so I’ve come up with a compromise.” He looked around the table. “I’ve made your whole group honorary members.”

  Chenoa stood and said, “I don’t want to be a member, honorary or not,” and started walking off.

  LeOmi stood and said, “I second that,” and followed Chenoa.

  Jamal kept his seat, “Me neither.”

  Slone said, “I figured you’d react this way, but I ask you to hear me out.”

  LeOmi stopped, turned and cocked her head.

  Chenoa turned and said, “I’m listening.”

  Slone stood and said, “I really don’t want this feud to continue and as far as I’m concerned it’s over. But I need to maintain credibility with my group to maintain influence. It’s as simple as that. The only way I can maintain credibility is to stay true to my word. I’ve already given my word that the feud would end when Mark joined my group.”

  LeOmi cut him off. “Or when Mark beats one of your minions.”

  “Minions?” Slone frowned. “There’s no need for slurs. My group is no different than your group.”

  Chenoa raised her voice, “I beg your pardon. You’ve got your people so brainwashed they’d do anything you say without thinking about it.”

  LeOmi said, “Your group is a formal group, you even named it Summus; like supreme elite or something? We’re just a group of friends, no name or anything.”

  “Summus, more properly means to strive for the best that you can be. Surely you understand that concept. And just because your group doesn’t have a name doesn’t mean anything. Anyone of you would have entered the labyrinth last year to save Mark. What was it that Mrs. Young,” he nodded at Mark’s mom, “called the labyrinth last year, ‘the very gates to Hell’? Your group is much more devoted to Mark than my group is to me.

  My point is, we don’t have to be friends, but we don’t have to work against each other either.”

  Chenoa marched up to Slone and put her palms on the table while she leaned into him. “You were the one that caused Mark to fall into the labyrinth and I think you did it on purpose.”

  “I can’t change what you think Chenoa, but events like that and what Ricky did is all the more reason to solidify this truce. Things will get worse if we don’t. That’s why I decided to make all of you honorary members of Summus. Members will not respond violently to other members regardless of the provocation. That includes honorary members.”

  “What if we don’t want to be members?”

  “That’s a moot point; it’s already done. Think of it like a ‘hands off’ designation for your group.”

  LeOmi walked back to the table and said, “Why didn’t you just say that in the first place? You could have just said something like, ‘I’ve designated your group off limits’, and that would have been fine.”

  “I could have done that, but there are a lot of people in my group and it’s growing all the time. I needed to make sure everyone knew not to mess with you. The only way I could do that was to make you honorary members. Anyone could say they were an honorary member,” he reached into Aaron’s Grasp and removed a small box, “I need to give each of you our group signet to prove you’re honorary members.” He opened the box and showed the rings.

  As soon as LeOmi saw the emblem of the crossed scimitar and quill over a scroll her sword was at Sloan’s throat. Shana and Jeremy jumped up and in a flash Shana had LeOmi’s sword and Jeremy had her arms pinned to her sides with one of his massive arms.

  Shana said, “No fighting in the healing ward.”

  LeOmi struggled in Jeremy’s arms and tried kicking out at Slone. “That’s the signet of the Neo-Phylum! He’s a part of the group that killed my mother and tried to kidnap me!”

  Jeremy pulled her away from Slone and squeezed her just enough for a little of the fight to leave her. “That’s enough!”

  Slone asked, “Neo what?”

  That was the first time Mark had ever seen Slone look the least bit perplexed.

  Shana picked up one of the rings. “Slone, where did these come from?”

  “I had them made for my group. We all have one. What’s a neo… whatever, what she said?” He flicked a finger toward LeOmi.

  “Neo-Phylum—”

  Jeremy blurted, “More like nephilim if you ask me.”

  Shana smiled at Jeremy, “That’s an apt description,” and turned back to Slone. “The Neo-Phylum is a group of former Magi that have abandoned the ways of the One True God in favor of more worldly pursuits. They use their powers for monetary gain, power and lust, much the same way Balaam did. It is speculated that most of them follow Benrah directly. Where did you get this design Slone?”

  “I saw it in the museum last year. I wanted to study it but Mr. McGraw said I had to choose something else; it was beyond my level of study. I liked the design, so I copied it.”

  “And no one in the signet shop told you of the significance of this design?”

  “I didn’t have them made in the signet shop. I sent the design to an online jeweler and they made it for me. They’re just cheap pewter.”

  “I see. I expect Mrs. Shadowitz will want them all confiscated. I think you’d do well to round them all up and turn them in before she has to ask for them. If you make another design, I’m pretty sure she will authorize the signet shop to replace them, but that will be her decision.”

  Slone took his ring out of Aaron’s Grasp and held out his hand for Ralph’s and Keith’s. They plopped their rings into his palm and he handed them to Shana. “I’ll have the rest by tomorrow afternoon.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Nick’s Discovery

  Nick’s mind was spinning. Time travel was possible! Not only had he just seen proof, he’d seen proof that he’d actually traveled two thousand years into the past, or at least something he
had made had. What everyone thought to be the power source was actually something he had developed over the past several weeks. The prototype was lying on his workbench in the Engineering building. This was something the Council of Elders needed to know as soon as possible.

  The instant he had seen it from what Mark had remembered he told Mrs. Shadowitz he needed to talk to her in private about the power source and what they had just seen. Mr. Young and Mr. Diefenderfer went with him and Mrs. Shadowitz out onto the second level balcony and remanifested to the Engineering building after he explained.

  His small lab was on the third sub-level in the Engineering building. Mr. Müeller, head of the Engineering Section had okayed his request to work independently instead of attending the Introduction to Engineering class he had chosen as his elective this year. He still had to submit a weekly paper about the projects he was working on and his teacher Mr. Novak dropped in several times a week to check on his work. This project had received the maximum of one hundred points each in concept and implementation.

  Nick picked up the device. It was no accident it was shaped like a sword; after all he had designed it for Mark to use whenever one of Slone’s crew attacked him.

  He explained to Mrs. Shadowitz, “This is what Mark found in the cave. It is not the power source for the sunstone. It’s something I invented for Mark. It’s actually quite simple, just an overgrown stun gun. Two ultraviolet laser diodes fire a brief pulse to ionize a path for the electric discharge.” He pointed it at the wall and a lightning bolt erupted from the tip.

  All three elders looked quite startled. Mr. Diefenderfer said, “It would be prudent… I think… to exercise… caution.”

  “It’s not dangerous. It’s just designed to intimidate, not injure. A small stun gun has more power.”

  “Be that… as it is… Please refrain from… further demonstrations… without notice.”

  Nick looked all three elders in the face each in turn. “I’m sorry. I thought you would be expecting it after what Mark showed us.”