The Crystal Keepers, An Overseers Novel
Page 50
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Draevil fumed all the way to the lower cave. He stood before the pool of liquid that clearly reflected the flames from the burning candles surrounding it. He hadn’t even dropped any powder into the pool to bring it to life. He didn’t need to. The wild cat served him and him alone.
He closed his eyes and recited the spell. The liquid responded immediately. It churned and bubbled, a mist formed above it and turned dark. The entire panther crawled out of the liquid and sat beside the pool, facing Draevil, its long black tail swishing back and forth as though it could leap into action at any moment.
There was a low, guttural growl and then it spoke. “Yesssss, Massssster.”
Draevil opened his obsidian eyes. “Show me what occurred with the Brethren at the Great Mountains when I sent them after the crystal.”
The cat‘s eyes flashed gold but its elongated pupils were red. It hissed, baring its fangs, and it nodded. With another swish of its powerful tail, the mist disappeared above the pool and the shiny liquid was visible again.
Draevil lowered his eyes to peer into it as the events played out. He watched Bortundo and Carlos engage in combat with a Guardian who entered the area. He saw the fog move in and observed the person creating it…Elwyn. He saw all the interaction between the Brethren, the Guardians and Elwyn until Elwyn suddenly vanished. The scenes that played out agreed with Bortundo’s story.
Draevil asked the panther. “Is she alive?”
The cat gazed at him. “Yessss, Masssster.”
“Did she get the crystal?”
“No, Masssster.”
“Do the others have it?”
“No, Masssster. They no longer exist.”
“They’re dead?”
“Vaporized.”
Vaporized? Had the Guardians learned how to vaporize someone? This news was a bit disturbing. At least he knew that the Guardians hadn’t obtained the crystal or his spy would have informed him. Then no one has it, he deduced.
“Where is Elwyn?”
The panther closed its eyes and appeared to be pondering the answer. “She issss near. In a village on the edge of the desssssert.”
He knew that it was futile to ask but he did it anyway. “Where is the crystal?”
The cat pursed its lips tightly and scrunched its eyes. It slowly shook its head from side to side. Then its eyes opened and looked at Draevil. “I cannot tell you, for I do not know. It issss hidden from even my eyesssss.”
Draevil thought for a moment. He wished he could see ahead, into future events, but the cat was only good for showing him past and present events. There was no point in asking. He’d simply get another shake of the head. He sighed in frustration.
“Then return from where you came.”
In one fluid movement, the cat slunk into the pool without disturbing the surface.
So, he thought, Elwyn is nearby. There will be time for her later. In fact, Bortundo’s retribution will be to find her and bring her to me. If he fails, then I will deal with him!
First: the crystal. If no one has it, thought Draevil, then it remains to be claimed. He knew what needed to be done next. He usually sent his men to do his dirty work, however, after seeing how the events unfolded at the Great Mountains, it was obviously too much for them to handle. Of course, they would still be useful, but he concluded that he needed to involve a stronger force. A force not easily intimidated by simple tricks. He would lead them himself and ensure that the crystal was obtained, once and for all.
FIFTY THREE
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Loki, Overseers
Great Mountains
“The last fragments aren’t moving anymore. What does it mean? They’re in a straight line over her body.” Loki sat in the chair next to her mother’s bed. Her legs were bent with her arms wrapped around them, as if she were creating a barrier to protect herself from the words she knew Morten was about to say.
Morten sat beside her. “She’s gone, Loki. Her spirit left. She has moved on to her next experience. That’s what it means.”
Loki stared blankly at her mother. She was exhausted. She had spent the past few days sitting by her mother’s bed, watching Overseers come and go as they all paid their respects to Gwynn. Even Adele came up to the caves for a day. Loki didn’t attend any of the meals in the dining cave. Out of concern that she wasn’t eating, Waysu and Kado brought meals to her. She went back to her room each night but had been sleeping only a little.
Morten stood. “I’ll give you some time with her. I’ll be back later.”
Suddenly, Loki was totally aware of the silence in the room. Even though there was a body lying on the bed, her senses knew there was no life left in it. It was simply a vessel that once housed her mother’s spirit but was clearly empty now.
She looked at the space above her mom and her eyes roamed, as if she were looking for her mother’s spirit. She spoke to the air. “I love you.”