Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies

by Robynn Sheahan

  Angry shouts from several apartment windows resounded against tall walls flanking the street. “Who’s there?” “Quiet your mahdra down.” “Hey, what’s going on out there? It’s the middle of the night.” “You kids up to no good again? I’m calling security!”

  Nev glanced at Erynn. “Time to run now?”

  Erynn nodded. “Yes.”

  He took Erynn’s hand, leading her quickly down side streets, zigzagging into the heart of the city. Nev squeezed her fingers, urging and impelling her to continue.

  Erynn kept up, but the constant pace throughout the day and lack of food was starting to wear on her. She stumbled and tripped, wanting to just sit and not care anymore. But she did care, so she dug deep, found a reserve of strength, and kept going.

  They slowed when they were well past disturbed and irritated residents. Small businesses and shops, dark at this huair, lined the street. Nev didn’t release her hand. He walked ahead, pulling her quickly along the sidewalk beside storied stone buildings wedged against each other. Stark lighting from spaced lamps overhead pooled in watery puddles, only partially illuminating the area. The black emptiness of side alleys between sets of buildings and connecting parallel streets left yawning gaps into dark shadowy spaces.

  Erynn’s irrational impulse to run by these openings made her feel childish. Her panting breaths caught at imagined dangers with every sigh of wind or scurry of meerat.

  An occasional transport whirred past, briefly casting the area in a welcome radiance.

  Foot traffic on the sidewalks increased as they entered an entertainment district. Couples glanced over, giving Nev and Erynn a wide path as they passed.

  Erynn pulled back on Nev’s hand. “Slow down. And tighten your hood,” she whispered, grimacing when a calf muscle twitched in protest. “Just in case. I’m not sure how much your appearance will call attention to us. We don’t need to get noticed.”

  Nev nodded and pulled the hood low over his forehead.

  The aroma of cooking made Erynn’s stomach growl and her mouth water. “Let’s find a place to eat. I need to rest.”

  Nev’s sudden stop at the entrance to an alley caused Erynn to skid into him.

  His head tipped, and his hand tensed around Erynn’s. He stared at a single light shining with a dim, sickly-yellow glow at the far end above a black metal door. “Dhoran.” The name came out in a muffled growl.

  Her heart rate jumped. “What?” Erynn stepped away from Nev and reached for a staser that wasn’t there. Her hand touched the dagger tucked in a pocket inside her heavy coat but didn’t pull the weapon free. She searched the gloomy space, peering wide-eyed into dark corners next to trash compaction units. “Is Dhoran here?”

  “No. Not now. But your question about whether I can sense Dhoran’s presence? I don’t just think I might be able to anymore.” Nev glared down at her. “I know I will.”

  She let her breath shudder out between open lips. “Good . . . Okay . . . You’ll give me a heads up? When he’s near?”

  “Yes.”

  “So what now?” Her adrenaline surged, hunger and fatigue forgotten. They were close. Dhoran was here, in the city—just timnents ahead of them. Her mind raced.

  Now to find him—convince him to name the poison used on Jaer. To turn himself over to the authorities. He’ll never do that. But the authorities may be Dhoran’s followers. Some of them, anyway. Will he surrender, knowing they may help him? How will we know who to trust?

  Thoughts looped, coming full circle to the only priority at this moment—find Dhoran. “Shouldn’t we go after him?” Erynn waited, catching her breath, giving Nev time.

  Nev continued to stare toward the pale yellow light. “Come on.” He tugged Erynn through the alley, opened the heavy door, and pushed inside, hurrying down a dark narrow hall.

  Loud conversations and raucous laughter competed under deafening music blaring from DVSLs placed in the four corners of the room. Muddy amber light filtered through a drifting haze.

  Erynn wrinkled her nose at the overpowering scent of stale beoir and rancid frying oil. The maejen den didn’t seem so bad now.

  Nev sustained his forward drive. He thrust his way against the crowd, keeping Erynn slightly behind him and tucked under his arm.

  A strapping, broad-shouldered man, his manner abrupt, shoved his way to the bar, bumping into Nev. He spun, steely eyes narrowed, jabbing a finger into Nev’s chest. “Watch it, asul . . .” The insolent remark faded, his voice silenced. He held his hands up, palms toward Nev. “Sorry . . . friend.” His ruddy complexion blanched and he backed away, gesturing Nev and Erynn past him.

  Nev glared at the man a brief moment, his head tipped, lips curling into a sneer. He nodded toward the man and tugged at Erynn, racing straight to the door and out onto the sidewalk. He turned right, half dragging her up the slight slope.

  “Wow. Nev. That’s not like you—”

  “I was terrified, Erynn. I’m still shaking. What if he’d challenged me?”

  “But he didn’t. We’re fine. Can we . . . slow down now?”

  Nev stopped, and released Erynn. The rumble of his voice softened. “I’m not anything like Jaer, am I?” He scanned the face of a five-story building, his gaze travelling upward to the top floor.

  Erynn bent forward, hands on her knees, breathing deeply. “No. But he’s nothing like you, either. Jaer’s a warrior, and he’s good at what he does. You’re a healer, gentle and compassionate. Both of you care deeply about Arranon and her people. You just show your devotion in different ways.” She straightened and wiped sweat from her forehead. “Is Dhoran here?”

  He glanced from the door back up to the fifth level, his expression perplexed. “I don’t know. Maybe. I can’t sense his presence now—not like at the bar, anyway. The impression of his lingering aura was strong there.” Nev tipped his head and grimaced. “What happened? Why did I lose him?” He paced in front of the steps leading to the apartments. “I—” Nev jerked to a stop, his eyes staring, unfocused. “He changed—took another host body.”

  Erynn limped to a short stone barrier next to the steps and dropped. She sat there, rubbing at the cramp in her calf. She exhaled with a shudder. “We’ve lost him? We’re too late?” Her voice was high with emotion, and a tremble threaded through her words.

  Nev shuffled over and sank down beside her. “No. I don’t think so.” He glanced behind. “I think once he is securely in the new body, I’ll pick up his presence again. That process can take several huairs. We could go door to door—check the inhabitants of each apartment.” Nev shook his head. “No. Not a good idea. Someone would surely call security.”

  “Then we just wait.” Erynn slumped and stared at cracks in the sidewalk.

  “No. We’ll come back in the morning.” Nev stood up and stretched, reaching for Erynn’s hand. “Let’s find someplace to eat and a guest service to get a few huairs sleep.”

  Erynn allowed him to help her stand. They walked slowly back toward the bar in silence. Nev’s dark brooding tapped relentlessly at her. His conflicting emotions—fear, anger, and relief—bombarded her fragile restraint. She narrowed her exposure, reducing contact. She stared down at the passing of smooth stone, too disheartened to comfort him. Erynn continued to remind herself that Nev wasn’t a warrior like Jaer.

  A loud group of young partiers wearing thin halos of colorful blinking bands around their heads rushed forward, shouting and laughing.

  Erynn stepped to one side, out of their headlong path. She felt numb, done in, and at her limit physically and emotionally.

  We were so close to finding Dhoran.

  This part of the city seemed to be waking as the heart of the night began its reign. Transports whooshed by in both directions on the street. Bright red, green, blue, and yellow lights on windows in every direction caught the eye and tempted the senses. Loud music, the constant whirr of transports, and wild laughter filled the air, swirling against vivid colors embedded in the night.

  A restaurant�
�s glowing sign boasted, “The Best Bovie Steaks in Town.” Another bar across the street heralded the return of a legendary band, “Tonight Only.” In a jewelry storefront, The Gem Authority, a flashing notice in the window declared, “The Purest Diamonts on Arranon.” These images called to passersby, rising along the fronts of buildings for blocks, enticing with their flashing colors, promising pleasure, escape, and excitement.

  Erynn walked on slowly, smiling at the advertisement for diamonts. She knew where there was more pure diamonts than every man, woman, and child on Arranon could ever want. But then the precious gem would not be worth what it is now. Her smile faded. The days with the Socar Batah, with Tine and his family in their trialath below the surface of Arranon seemed like ages ago.

  More transports skimmed past in both directions accompanied by the soft whirr of engines. Escorted by men in long black overcoats, women in sparkling gowns under fur wraps walked by chatting quietly among themselves. Careful not to get too close, they glared toward Nev and Erynn, avoiding eye contact.

  Nev leaned in and whispered, “I think we’re being noticed. We should find a guest service to stay for the night.”

  Erynn glanced first up and then down the street. “Come on.” She took Nev’s hand and with a burst of renewed energy, hurried to the right. She pulled him into an alcove with a double door that slid open as they approached.

  The large room was dimly lit with a soft golden glow. Tables filled with patrons occupied the center of the space, and booths lined the walls on the long sides.

  “This will do,” Erynn commented as she slipped out of her backpack.

  A young woman in a long black skirt and white tailored top walked up and asked, “Two?”

  “Yes, please,” Erynn answered. “A booth, if you have one. Please.”

  “Certainly.” The woman glanced at Nev and turned away.

  “Is this place a good idea?” Nev whispered at Erynn’s back.

  The young woman gestured to a dark booth in a back corner. “Your server will deliver your selection.”

  Erynn pulled off her jacket and threw it in ahead of her. “Thanks.” Erynn smiled up at the woman as she slid into the plush seat.

  Nev tossed his pack over and scooted in opposite Erynn.

  A light haze hung in the warm air, bringing the aroma of grilled cuisine wafting to Erynn. Her stomach growled again. She searched through zipped pouches inside her pack and found a roll of green-and-blue paper credits. “Good,” she muttered. Whill had thought of every need . . . or Cale had. She stuffed the wad into her pocket.

  “Good?” Nev leaned across the table. “I still don’t think this place is the best choice. One of the open food stands where we could get something and move on might have been a better idea.”

  “Don’t worry. Places like this are used to . . . visitors.” Her hand poised over the small menu screen at the rear of the table next to the wall. “Know what you want?”

  Nev nodded, his blue eyes shining beneath the hood of his jacket. “Anything. Everything.”

  Erynn chuckled. “Me too.”

  The screen glowed to life, and they made their selections.

  One of Erynn’s choices was her favorite since arriving on Arranon—the tender chunks of achcear cooked with sweet red berries and crunchy sliced nuts in a light cream sauce.

  From an enclosed room to their left, a man carrying a tray laden with heaping plates pushed through a swinging access. He walked with purpose to their table, distributed the sizzling assortment in front of them, turned, and hustled away.

  Nev scanned the table. “Perfect.”

  They scooped food onto their empty plates.

  Erynn glanced up. “You can take off your coat. They won’t pay any attention to us now.”

  Nev stripped out of his jacket and dug in to the meal. “Don’t think I’ve ever been this hungry,” he said around a mouthful.

  They ate until the plates were empty and their stomachs were full. The food wasn’t gourmet fare—a little greasy—but it was unquestionably better than meal bars.

  “Now to find a place to stay.” Erynn pulled some of the paper credits from her pocket and slid them into a receptacle under the screen. She left the change, three paper credits, on the table and glanced at Nev. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” She scooted out of the booth, slipped on her coat, and approached the young woman who had first greeted them. She asked, recalling what Nev had called them, “Is there a guest service close by?”

  “Sure.” The woman only glanced in Erynn’s direction. “Go three intersections up.” She pointed right. “Turn left.” She pointed the opposite direction with her other hand. “You’ll see it on the next corner.”

  “Thanks.” Erynn walked back to the booth and grabbed her pack. “Put your coat on and secure the hood. There’s a place not far from here where we can stay.”

  Nev nodded, stood up, and shrugged into his coat, his pack hanging from one shoulder.

  Erynn pushed through the sliding double doors and back out into the icy night. They hurried up the three intersections, breath pluming, winding their way around clusters of people standing outside eateries, bars, and theaters.

  Groups of revelers moved up and down sidewalks along the lengthy procession of establishments adorned with colorful flashing lights. The area seemed even more crowded than before they’d entered the restaurant.

  The building was where the young woman had directed—on the corner—a large four-story building of red stone and dark-blue glass. Erynn pressed into the poorly lit lobby. The carpet was a deep green—shaggy and frayed. The air was musty, stale, and nearly as cold as outside. “Stay behind me.” She glanced back at Nev, making sure his hood was low, and moved with confidence up to a polished gray stone counter. The top was cracked and had deep gouges chipped from the edges. “I need a room for two.”

  The man behind the counter wore a heavy tan sweater far too small for his bulk, the elbows thin from wear. Several days’ worth of coarse brown stubble darkened his cheeks and chin. He nodded without looking up from the game on his monitor and tapped on the keyscreen. “That’ll be seventeen,” he croaked in a bored voice.

  Erynn passed him some of the paper credits from her pocket.

  He glanced up and with a well-practiced performance, his lips lifted and curved showing yellow teeth. At the same time, his pudgy fingers held out a small blue disk marked with white symbols. There was no warmth, no emotion in his expression. “Fourth floor, room 488 at the end of the hall on the left,” he recited in the same flat monotone.

  “Thanks.” Erynn took the disk and motioned Nev toward the lift.

  “Nice place,” Nev remarked sarcastically. “Do you think it’s safe?”

  Erynn hit the button to call for the lift and watched the indicator counting down to one. “Yes, safe enough. I know it’s not much, but it’ll do.”

  When the door glided open, Nev followed Erynn. The cramped colorless space jerked in an upward motion, bouncing to a stop on level four. The door parted onto a dim, narrow hallway. A pale beige carpet peeled from the wall at the edges. Only about a third of the overhead lights were functioning. The strong odor of disinfectant filled the air. Long thin windows at both ends allowed a faint yellow radiance from the streetlamps below to gather in pallid rectangles on the wall.

  Erynn shuffled to the last door on the left and swiped the card through the lock. With a faint buzz and a click, the door opened. The scent of disinfectant followed her into a tiny, musty room, carpeted in the same shabby deep green as the lobby. Off-white walls decorated with cheap landscape prints bordered a wide curtained window over a small table and two chairs. A dresser stood next to the washroom door, the bottom drawer hanging loose in its frame. A DVSL hung above the dresser across from a single large bed.

  Erynn groaned. “I should have been more specific regarding sleeping accommodations.” She flipped on a low overhead light, turned on the heat, and locked the door after Nev entered. She shook off the pack, happy to
be free of straps that cut into her shoulders, and tossed the bundle onto a chair.

  Nev surveyed the tiny space while removing his backpack and stripping off the heavy coat. “I can make a bed on the floor.”

  Erynn peeled out of her jacket and flopped down on the bed. “No, we can share. The floor looks . . . hmmm, not so clean.” She grimaced, sat up, and kicked off her boots. “We’ll unroll the caitni bags on top. There’s room for both of us. Won’t be much different than last night, except softer and warmer.”

  Nev dropped into the empty chair, his pack on his lap. He stared out at the night through partially open, tattered brown drapes.

  Erynn rolled onto her side, facing him. “Think we’ll find Dhoran again?”

  “He’ll find us,” he whispered. “He knows I’m here, searching for him.”

  Erynn sat up, her feet barely touching the floor. “He knows? He can sense your presence the same way you feel him?”

  He nodded, still staring out the window. “There is still a strong connection between us.”

  She slid off the bed. “I’ll take the washroom first—if that’s okay with you.” Erynn flipped a switch on the wall, and a light over the mirror glared in the stark-white room. She stared at her reflection. A tangle of deep-red curls tumbled around her face and over her shoulders. Ice-blue eyes shone bright against fair, dirt-smudged skin. She traced a finger along the four thin scars across her cheek from ear to chin. Jaer had said little about them. To him they were a testament of her courage. She was a warrior now.

  Erynn stepped into the shower letting powerful jets of the plentiful hot water relax aching muscles. Steam filled the tiny space, condensing on cool surfaces. She turned off the water, wanting more but knowing Nev waited his turn. Erynn climbed back into the white flightsuit she’d been wearing for a couple of days. They needed to get fresh clothes first thing tomorrow. Their bulky jumpsuits stood out, making them too noticeable.

  The sweet scent of shampoo and soap wafted after Erynn and she smiled, feeling less grubby.