by John Corwin
During my other classes, I waited impatiently, hoping Shushiel would let me know she'd successfully delivered the message, but by the end of the school day I still hadn't heard from her. I went back to the keep to get ready for dinner with Liana and her family. As I changed clothes, my thoughts wandered to Cora. Since I had time to spare, I decided to take a side trip and see if Evadora was in the Fairy Gardens.
I had low expectations. That made it easier to climb on the broom and fly out to meet her. If I didn't have any hopes to dash, then they couldn't sink any lower. It was a lie I kept telling myself—that so long as I kept my emotions in check I wouldn't cry like a baby when Evadora told me Cora's memories weren't on the Soul Tree.
Evadora was back to dancing among the stumps again when I reached the gardens. She smiled and waved happily when I circled in for a landing. I couldn't help but feel optimistic. Why else would she be so excited?
"Yoghra said he will search the tree," Evadora said. "If anyone can find her, he can."
My optimism evaporated, but I felt relieved not to have an answer right away. It would only postpone the inevitable disappointment, but at least I wouldn't have to deal with it today. "Thank you."
She touched the tender shoots of a newly formed branch and accelerated its growth. "I also asked him to find more memories of Juranthemon. He said he would look."
I didn't have time to talk much longer so I told her goodbye and flew back to my room in Moore Keep where Max was just getting dressed.
"Where did you go?" he asked.
I told him. "Yoghra still doesn't know if Cora's soul is on the tree."
"I'm sorry." He shrugged into a gray shirt. "I really hope she's there."
I put on a brave face and tried not to think about it.
When Max was ready, we flew out of our window and around the keep to Ambria's. She waved, climbed on her broom, and flew outside.
"Do boys always take so long to get ready?" Ambria looked us up and down. "You're certainly not wearing anything special."
I flashed a grin. "Blame Max. He takes the longest showers."
"Do not!" Max shot back.
"You were in there twenty minutes!"
Ambria giggled. "I must say your hair looks particularly silky, Max. Did you condition it?"
"Bah!" Max waved us away. "Don't be jealous just because I look fabulous."
We burst into laughter.
The Dancing Pig sat in the far northeast corner of town in one of the districts hardest hit by the economic downturn in the Overworld. The restaurant was easy to find since it was the only place with lights on outside, and also the only one in town with a giant pig dancing on its hind legs, a mug of beer on its hoof. The other buildings in the area looked rundown, peeling paint and crumbling brick on a rutted road where the cobblestones hadn't been repaired in some time. Most of the glowballs in the street lamps were out.
"What an awful place for a business," Ambria said. "I'll bet the vampires pick off people as soon as they leave at night."
"Yeah, bad location." Max surveyed the streets below. "We'd better stick close together when we leave."
A burly man with a thick beard and shaved head waved when we came inside the otherwise empty pub. "Welcome to the Dancing Pig. I'm Jack Lamont, the owner." His American accent sounded out of place, but no more so than a restaurant in this part of town. "What can I do you for?"
"We're meeting friends," Ambria said in a businesslike tone.
"Gotcha." He pointed to a door in the back of the bar. "They're in the back room."
"How would you know?" Ambria said.
He chuckled. "Because they're the only other people here right now."
We went into the back room and found Liana, Gwyneth, and an older but attractive woman sitting at a large round table. Liana laughed at something Gwyneth said, and didn't look the least bit upset that her mother was fawning over the older sister.
Gwyneth stood and walked over to meet us, hands outstretched. She shook Ambria's hand first. "It's a pleasure to meet you all." She gave my hand a firm shake. Despite the businesslike demeanor, my knees felt a bit weak when she smiled at me. "Nice to meet you, Conrad."
"Likewise, I'm sure," Ambria said in a knowing voice before she and Liana burst into giggles.
Max grinned stupidly at Gwyneth when she took his hand, and seemed to forget that a handshake was only a temporary thing by holding onto her longer than was necessary. "Hi," he said in a dreamy voice.
Gwyneth smirked and looked at the other girls, looking rather girlish as well. She turned to the older woman at the table. "This is our mother, Janice."
"Pleased to meet you," I said, trying to recover control of my body. Esma had certainly been right about female magic—there was no way to counter it.
We took seats around the table and Jack Lamont appeared a moment later to take our orders. The food was mostly American fare: hamburgers, corn dogs, and a variety of fried dishes. I chose a hamburger with chips—French fries—on the side.
I didn't know when it was polite to start grilling Gwyneth about Jura, so I simply started after the small talk died down a bit. "What can you tell me about the Relics of Juranthemon?"
Gwyneth smiled as if expecting the change in subject. "They are considered the golden standard for relics in power, versatility, and rarity. There are at least a twenty related relics that are known, though it's suspected there are close to a hundred total."
Max choked on his water. "A hundred?"
She nodded. "The Reliquisti have studied many of them, the least valuable. They believe a magical explosion several magnitudes greater than nuclear bombs is what infused the artifacts with enchantments in the first place." Gwyneth leaned her forearms on the table. "Any people caught in the blast were petrified before their bodies were smashed to pieces."
Ambria's mouth dropped open in horror. "How could their bodies become petrified?"
"Probably had the life force sucked out of them by the initial implosion." Gwyneth balled up her fist. "Something at the center of the attack most likely absorbed all the energy until it collapsed in on itself and burst."
Gwyneth's assessment seemed to mirror what Evadora had told me, but I was a little disappointed she didn't know more. "What relics are there?" I asked.
"Most relic hunters have heard of the map and key," she replied. "The less known ones are the sandal, plate, chair, and even a silver hairbrush."
"What in the world do they do?" Max asked.
"The sandal leaves no footprints and allows you to walk on nearly any surface." Gwyneth smiled sadly. "By itself, it's a bit useless because hopping on one foot up walls just looks silly."
Ambria laughed. "How do you even stand upright while walking up a wall?"
"The sandal makes it easier." Gwyneth squeezed a lemon in her water and stirred with her finger. "The plate never needs cleaning because nothing sticks to it, the chair can start fires, and the hairbrush makes your toenails grow."
"Eww." Ambria tucked her feet under her chair. "Why would a hairbrush do that?"
"The plate sounds handy," Max mused. "You're saying I could eat off it all the time, but never have to clean it?"
"Of course you'd like that, Max." Ambria pointed to the discarded lemon peel from his water. "You're always making a mess."
That brought a round of laughter from the others.
"Delightful children," Janice said. "I do miss having the girls around the house."
"Even me, mother?" Liana smiled hopefully.
"Of course, dear." Janice held up her water. "To delightful children."
We raised our glasses to the toast.
The food came and conversation died down. After the meal was done, Gwyneth stood. "Conrad, might I have a moment in private?"
"Ooh," Ambria said. "Do go gentle on him."
Liana giggled when she saw the look I gave Ambria. "Behave yourself, Conrad."
Max frowned. "Where are you taking him?"
Gwyneth pointed to a door leading
into the bar. "Just up there."
Ambria leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Shout if you need help."
I didn't think Gwyneth posed a threat, but I didn't plan to let my guard down. I followed her into the bar section. She took out a small brass key and unlocked a door. It seemed strange she'd have a key to the bar, but I assumed she'd borrowed it from the owner. We stepped into a small office and she closed the door behind us.
The door on the opposite side opened and a lean man with a deep scar running down his cheek entered. He flashed a predatory grin and walked around the desk in the middle of the room.
"Good day, Conrad Edison." He held out a hand. "My name is Underborn."
Chapter 17
I shouted for help, spun around and pounded on the door.
Underborn didn't seem the least bit concerned by my cries and sat on the edge of the desk. "I'm not here to hurt you, young man."
The door wasn't locked so I opened it and was shocked to see a closet with a broom and mop. Gwyneth held up the key she'd used. "This is the Key of Jura. We're thousands of miles from your friends right now."
"I knew I couldn't trust you!" I felt for my wand, but it wasn't in its holster.
Underborn held it up, a smile on his face. "I don't expect you'd be able to do much to me, but there's no need for nastiness." He set the wand next to him. "I would like to propose a deal."
There didn't seem to be any immediate danger to my wellbeing, so I closed the closet door and leaned against it, mind searching for avenues of escape.
Listen to him, Della said. Use him to get what you need.
Will he harm me? I asked.
No, because he needs you more than you need him. She sounded confident in her assessment, so I took a deep breath and tried to lower the rush of adrenalin in my veins.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"I would like the Heart of Jura," he said. "I know where it is, but unfortunately, you are the only person who can reach it."
Several questions sprang to mind, but Della interrupted. Do not speak. Let him continue. Everything the man does is a test. I wondered how she knew that, but remained silent and tried to look patient even though I was eager to know more.
Underborn raised an eyebrow and looked at Gwyneth. "It seems our young guest is smarter than he looks."
"I told you," Gwyneth said. "He has a depth to him most children his age don't have."
"Yes, well you're barely an adult yourself." Underborn chuckled. "Ah, to be nineteen again."
I didn't know if I should say anything or not, so I just kept quiet and waited.
"The relic is in the Glimmer," Underborn said. "It was taken there by Ezzek Moore."
I sensed surprise from Della.
What is it? I asked.
The old man was full of surprises, she said. What better place to hide something than in a realm most don't even know exists?
I had more questions for her, but remembered I was also talking to Underborn in the real world. I wasn't sure what to say, but Della gave me cues. "What's in this for me?"
"I will help you find the Broken Relic," Underborn said. "I have information that will greatly narrow your search."
If that was true, then it would make finding the relic much easier than if I had to rely solely on the Nose of Jura. "What does the heart do?" I asked, at Della's urging.
"An excellent question," he said. "It is rumored the heart can heal scars." Underborn traced a finger down the scar on his cheek. "I received this trophy from the war. It is a magical wound with an ache that never subsides. I hope the heart can heal it."
I wondered if it was because he was vain.
Yes, he is vain, but magical wounds can cause lasting pain as well. Della went quiet a moment. It seems beneficial to help him. Perhaps he can speed your search for the Broken Relic.
Why do you care? Della had never shown such concern.
The perfect moment awakened something in me. Della sighed softly. It is as if the darkness was sifted away. I—I want you to be happy.
Does my real mother—does Delectra want the same thing? I asked. While Della was a fragment of Delectra's soul, I hoped they shared a similar sentiment about me.
"Your answer?" Underborn prompted.
"Can the heart heal other wounds? Can it heal bad illnesses?" I asked.
He held out his hands like a half-formed shrug. "I don't know. It may be limited to only scars."
I was certain he knew far more than he was telling me, but it didn't matter. If he could make finding the Broken Relic easier, I'd help him. "I'll help," I said. "And then you promise to help me find the Broken Relic?"
"Absolutely." He unrolled a parchment and placed it on the table. "We will sign this agreement and bind ourselves to the terms set forth within. This way we can both be sure neither of us will betray the other."
Do not sign, Della said. Underborn is a man of his word even if he is a vile assassin.
I read the contract so I could clarify what Della meant. So I just take his word for it? The wording was simple and brief, essentially reiterating what Underborn had said:
Conrad Edison hereby agrees to provide assistance to Underborn and his proxies in securing the Heart of Jura from its location in the Glimmer. Upon receiving the heart, Underborn will provide assistance to Conrad Edison and help him locate the Broken Relic.
Della's answer was curt. Shake his hand instead.
What's the harm in signing? I asked.
Spoken words are form, Conrad. They can be molded into other shapes. She scoffed. A contract is not as pliable.
I decided not to question her wisdom on the matter. "I don't see a need to sign, Underborn. I've heard your word is good." I held out a hand.
Underborn raised an eyebrow, but took my hand and shook it. "Deal," he said. He picked up my wand and handed it back to me. "I trust you won't try to use that now."
I tucked it away as my answer.
Gwyneth frowned. "How do we know your word is good?"
"If it isn't, a piece of paper won't change anything." Della didn't tell me to say that, but a smug sensation from the back of my mind told me she rather liked the response.
Underborn chuckled. "As you said, Gwyneth, he's more mature than he looks."
I tried not to be overly pleased by the flattery, but it was difficult to control my emotions. I compensated by asking another question. "Where in the Glimmer is the heart?"
"We don't know precisely," Gwyneth said. "You have connections that might help us."
"Even my connections might not help us get past the rift guardians." I also didn't think a journey through the reflected world was worth the risk. What if Naeve waited just on the other side? What if she could control the trees in the reflected realm?
"Getting us into the Glimmer is your primary part of this endeavor." Underborn rolled up the contract and tucked it away. "What can you tell us about it?"
Della gave me a counter question to ask. "What do you know about it?"
Underborn pursed his lips and gave me an unsettling stare before answering. "Very little. I knew of its existence from my research into the Relics of Jura, and that it is a broken realm filled with dangers."
"It's the anchored world," I told him. "It keeps the realms from drifting apart."
Gwyneth's eyes glittered. "How do you know this?"
Tell him about Cora and Naeve, Della said. Make him realize there is no hope of gaining entrance without you.
I didn't know exactly what to say, so I answered simply. "My foster mother was once the Glimmer Queen. Her reflection, Naeve, took control of the Glimmer and her name before I banished her to the reflected world."
Even Underborn's eyes flared at this. "The reflected world truly exists?"
I nodded. "It isn't safe to use now, not with Naeve trapped there." My hands trembled at the thought of her, so I folded my arms to keep them still. "Cora's daughter, Evadora, is now queen of the Glimmer. She is like a sister to me."
Gwyneth's mouth
hung open, her mature mask replaced by open curiosity. In that moment, she looked nearly as young as Liana. "How did you banish Naeve? What sort of powers does she have?"
"She controls nature," I said. "If you fight her, trees and plants are also your enemy."
"Remarkable." Underborn eyes shone with excitement. "I would love to know more."
No more, Della said. Information is valuable to him. You have given him a taste and now he wants it all. Tell him there is much more, but it will have to wait until the mission is complete.
"My information is valuable," I said. "I can't just give it away for free."
Underborn's forehead creased with disappointment. "Very well. I'm sure we can work out an arrangement at a later date." He nodded at Gwyneth. "In the meantime, I suggest you return Conrad before his friends grow suspicious."
"One more thing," I said. "What led you to believe the heart is in the Glimmer?"
"Ezzek Moore was a clever man," Underborn said. "He hid the heart and tucked away the clues in a place he thought no one could ever reach."
The vault. I kept my thoughts to myself since I didn't want him to know I'd been inside the Moore's vault.
Play to his ego, Della said.
I gave him a disbelieving look. "You outsmarted Ezzek Moore?"
Underborn flashed a grin. "Indeed. I found one of the secret entrances to his vault and realized that only one of his blood could open it. It took me a while, but I tracked down one of his descendants and bribed them to let me inside."
I shrugged as if unimpressed. "Sounds easy enough."
"For me, perhaps." Underborn gave me a smug look. "I could have spent months inside that wonderland. I discovered his small cache of relics, particularly those pertaining to Jura and discovered that the heart was missing. I took the clues he'd left, unaware at the time that I would be wounded in the war and consequently, desire to track down the heart."
"Have you been back since?" I asked.
Underborn held out his hands in a helpless gesture. "Alas, the next time I tried, the entrance no longer worked. I suspect Jeremiah Conroy must have discovered the intrusion and locked down the vault."
I felt relieved that he couldn't waltz in there at any time, but I kept my expression stony. "So you followed the clues he left behind."