A distant horn sounded from beyond the fort.
“Entry’s made, the path is in place. God’s strength to you both.”
• • •
More archers appeared, more arrows cut the air. Trees and their roots made for treacherous footing. Every step seemed his last, a fated arrow surely in flight. Austin knew that if one were to stick they would have him. He zigzagged towards the wall-high thickets some twenty yards away. He cringed as he neared the vegetation. To scout for an opening would leave him exposed so he built momentum and aimed for the bushes, bracing himself.
He barreled into the thicket and abruptly halted in a flurry of green – only now, the branches and vines were replaced by two sets of hands holding him in place.
He stood in a clearing, instantly familiar as the one seen during the cab ride through Epping Forest. Looking beyond the entrance, he saw no roads or buildings – just trees and sunlight dancing with shadows on wild grass. The two men holding him wore battle robes made of leather armor inlaid with metal studs and rings. One of the men was infinitely old, not so much by appearance but by aura. They looked like old world druids.
“Calm, Austin, be calm. We’re here to guide you from the dream.” Jumping ahead of the suspicion forming, he said, “Keywords to authenticate: trainer Marcel, protector Meng, knightly Edward, Kaiya love, missing father, wise Javier, dead Jacob. Now, can you align with us?”
Still catching his breath, it took a moment to process what he’d heard. “Yes, yes, I see, I get it. Now how do I wake up?”
The druids relaxed their grip but still held his arms. “We’re doing what must be done. We hide in the spaces between their own creation, pacing them. It should end soon.”
“Who are you?”
“Korda. Nothing more until you awaken. Do nothing but relax.”
He tried to empty his mind and just stood with the two men, waiting. Breathing slowed. His eyes wandered. Such a beautiful land; an unavoidable thought. The grass was untrodden, the trees clustered to form a private court with one entrance. A calm saturated the clearing and held all the magic and history he’d glimpsed before. He could imagine a night here, stars and moon overhead, where the spirits might appear to converse with the living. The earth’s voice seemed to rise from the silence, a rumbling force that spoke directly to his soul. The next moment, the druids tightened their grip as the rumbling voice became the thundering approach of horses.
Both druids looked alarmed and pained. The younger druid shook his head.
“I can’t....”
“Nor can I. Be brave, Mug. Come!”
The older druid led them towards the trees just as mounted soldiers appeared through the grove’s entrance. One stood in his stirrups, balanced a long pole, and hefted it with all his might. Mug turned and deftly palmed the pole midflight to direct its force into the ground. Shouts erupted from all directions. Soldiers appeared from between the trees and filled the gaps. The clanging of swords on shields created an unnerving cacophony. The elder druid halted. They were surrounded.
A gray-bearded rider in elaborate armor stayed his horse and shouted over the din, “Aha! Yes! Yes! Quiet!”
The sword beating and shouts fell away.
“Cathbad, leader of the Runa Korda! I am honored at your presence. Simply delighted. You’ve made this foot chase much more interesting. And why are you here?” He appraised Austin visibly. “I cannot wait to learn of the youngster’s abilities. Do you care to share them with me here, in a pleasant space? Or would you rather wait for the hell I’ve designed especially for you?”
• • •
Sean gave the warning.
“I know, I know.” Edward rose and removed the glasses. “Better to submit him to Gwynvyd where he might one day come again.”
“What? You’re going to kill him?” Anki asked.
“Look for yourself. He doesn’t realize his power, he isn’t mastering the dream. If Cathbad can’t help him escape they are worse than dead. Would you have him become a puppet? A weapon against the world?” He looked back to the screen. “They have them, it is unmistakable. Now leave, go. Bràthair are losing ground.”
Johan stood. “I don’t believe it. There is a way, I feel it. Put me in. Sean, give me one of those dream pills. I can get him out.”
Sean brushed him off. “You’ve not the skill for this. Leave now or witness the death.”
Johan crossed to stand in front of Edward.
“Listen, old man. Something’s telling me I can save them. I just know I can. Put me in now, while there’s a chance. If you need to, if I fail, then kill me, too. If Austin is the Change, if he’s the only chance to beat these devils, then I have to try. You have to try. Give me the damn pill and take me there, now.”
Edward scanned then, searching for Johan’s motivation. Indeed there was certainty there, and a coiled, familiar energy. Above all else there was altruism, pure selflessness, beyond what he could imagine even from himself.
“Send word to Cathbad’s carriers and raise more for this one.” He silently blessed Johan. “Deliver him to the dream, quickly.”
• • •
Blood flowed in a steady trickle above Austin’s swollen right eye. His hands tingled numb from the wrist bindings. Rib fractures made breathing difficult. No longer a dream or a nightmare, reality had been recast. Edward’s warning traveled across time. This is not a job. This is a life choice. This was happening. Troops encircled the clearing. Their long shadows darkened its grass. The Runa Korda leader, Cathbad, knelt nearby, tied and held by soldiers. The younger man was strung up to a makeshift gallows. The Roman general’s droning litany completed the elaborately staged scene.
He looked away. The agony of his body couldn’t compare to the suffering at knowing he’d failed everyone that mattered, including the world itself. Somewhere across the kaleidoscope of reality, Kaiya waited for his next email, ignorant of his impending death. Somewhere his father existed, aware or unaware of the events unfolding. He grieved for life and for what it could have been, for everyone.
“Young man!” The general called to him. “I sense you could use a shot in the arm. The guest! Make way for our guest!”
A black horse emerged from the other steeds at the opening of the clearing. Sitting atop, wearing armor similar to the general’s, was a vision of Kaiya, her hair drawn back in a regal manner to emphasize the graceful lines of her face. Her beauty complimented the original nature of the glade and accentuated the evil soiling it. She guided her horse next to the general’s and looked at the dark-souled bastard in a familiar way.
He gloated. “I’m sure they didn’t tell you, boy. Shortly after you spoke with her on the phone we saved her from the death her body met. She has since learned what real living is about. In fact, she helped us reach you. Don’t be too critical of her. She wants the best for you, just as we all do.”
Captured? Body dead? Fear and rage filled his core.
Nearby, Cathbad muttered, “Just a dream.” A guard kicked him in the face.
“I’m sorry, Austin,” she called out. “I know this is a shock, but it’s amazing, just amazing what’s coming. Just don’t resist and everything will be okay. Trust me, babe, it’s amazing, just amazing what’s in store. Say you’ll give me a chance to show you.”
He glanced at Cathbad. His face was half-buried in the ground under the weight of a soldier’s knee. Mug, rope tied about his neck, stood perched on a shield held up by a pair of soldiers, awaiting his fate. All the world’s a stage and we are merely players. The druids were likely the only chance of rescue yet were helpless. Bargaining felt pointless but seemed the only way of controlling the outcome.
“Only if he allows these two to live and go free.”
“No! No!” Again the soldiers beat Cathbad silent.
The general appeared to weigh the offer. Too soon, he nodded. “Agreed. Let the laundry down.” The soldiers complied and lowered Mug to the ground.
Kaiya turned to ask the general somethin
g. Receiving a nod, she bowed her head in thanks and dismounted to join Austin. She approached and knelt before him. As in the basement of the bar, she filled his senses. Her eyes searched his. In a low, quick voice she said, “Break free now, babe, now.”
In response, she was flung backward the distance to her horse. Before she struck the steed, she vanished, leaving her clothes to flop to the ground.
The sky exploded in billowing clouds that stole the sun and turned the air cold. The general’s voice echoed to the heavens.
“Find her! Find the ignorant whore who might have been queen!”
Thunder pounded the air so it seemed about to shatter. “Prepare to die Cathbad, leader of druids. But first, behold.” He gestured to the guards surrounding Mug. In a uniform movement, they pulled back on the rope and propelled Mug into the air by his neck. His body recoiled wildly as they jerked the rope. “There hangs the second most powerful of the secret family. His attendants have done the deed for us.” The general turned to Cathbad. “Bring him to me!”
“No,” Austin shouted, “Don’t do this.”
The guards lifted the old druid and dragged him across the ground. Hope left at last. The forest clearing would be his last memory of life. He cringed as they dragged Cathbad by.
The druid turned his head and said, “It’s coming.”
A scream pierced the gloom, the wind suddenly rising. The scream sounded again, a banshee seeking souls. Soldiers turned outward as one to form a shield around the clearing. The general swung about on his horse to seek the source. The guards bearing Cathbad dropped him and drew their swords.
“Come one, come all!” The general yelled. “Yes! Come find your leader! He’s awaiting your rescue!”
The wind. He closed his eyes and focused only on the wind. It played across his face, rising and falling, as if probing. I need your help. Please, hear me, understand me. Dream or not, you are the force I seek. Help us.
Rising in response to every word, the wind rushed through the trees and flowed in ever stronger gusts until it became a howling force, tearing leaves from trees and pageants from poles. The soldiers looked to their general. His own bluster receded, the biting concern clear in his eyes. The scream sounded again, unnatural above the roaring wind. The general panicked.
“Kill them, kill them both now! Now! Now!”
The nearest soldiers prepared to hack.
The scream exploded once more. Bodies flew away from a shimmering outline, the shape unclear until it ran headlong into the line of horses just behind the general. Suddenly visible, a large white horse rammed them. Its squatting rider launched into the air on impact. Adorned in black leather armor, the rider soared over the general and landed in a tumbling roll in front of Cathbad.
Johan shouted, gripping the sword hand of the nearest soldier. He plunged the blade into the Imperial’s groin and issued a hell kick to drop a pair of soldiers. He grabbed Cathbad’s collar and heaved him towards Austin ahead of the attackers. Troops rushed to close the circle while others notched arrows and drew to fire.
Lightning crackled and forked in the air above Johan, lancing out to strike the nearest soldiers dead. With another soul-piercing scream, he reached for Austin as a volley of arrows let fly from the rim.
His palm braced his head and the madness ceased.
Silence carried echoes of the violence in a dizzying stillness. Light from attic windows revealed an old man at the head of a stairwell, staring on in approval.
Cathbad slowly stood, taking in the scene. “Vincent?”
“Cathbad. A battle, then?”
He nodded. “A friend has fallen.”
“Fallen from their grip, I pray the Wild Wood. It was close for you, no?”
“Aye, it was. None closer. Your son saved us.”
Johan strode forward. “Father, you were right. It is a noble fight.”
“And you are learning. I’m proud. So very proud, Gerrit.” He turned to Cathbad. “It has begun?”
Cathbad confirmed. “The Words are once more correct but in an imprecise way.”
“How is that?”
“Your son, and this one,” he indicated a still-shaken Austin on the floor with his back against a trunk. “They are the Change.”
PART II - Conflict
Chapter 14
Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.
- Friedrich von Schiller
Austin surfaced to the murmur of conversation. Memories trailed from the dimness of sleep. A stab of loss and panic shot through him upon recalling news of Kaiya’s death. He shifted his head to find Anki sitting next to him. Johan and Edward stood with Sean by the French doors. Conversation halted.
“Is she alive or dead?” he asked them. “The truth this time.”
Edward neared. “Forgot to take your pills, did we?”
“God damn it, tell me.”
Edward leaned in close, eyes sharp as daggers. “Before you dare raise your voice, you will consider what your desires have cost us this time. One of the greatest druids ever to advance the Family is gone, having tried to save your life. What I choose to tell you is this: I sorely wonder now if it was worth it.”
The bite of Edward’s words paled compared to what followed. Edward jammed the true meaning of Mug’s life hard into his mind, obliterating ego and birthing a guilt that threatened to consume him. Mug had helped pioneer technology, avert wars, cured diseases, created new defenses in the dream world, and most lately discovered the quantum-physical mechanisms behind telekinesis. A legend in time had been forced to sacrifice everything simply because he’d wanted to see Kaiya again. Mug’s death was his fault.
He recoiled when released, battered by the knowing.
“We don’t know her fate,” Edward answered. “They may have her or they may not. But yes, her body was lost at the safe house. The same with Mac and our brothers.”
He pushed up onto an elbow. “You knew? All this time? Is that what the future holds with the Korda? Lies? Games within games?”
“She may still be alive, Austin,” Anki said quietly, “just not with a body.”
“The ‘game’ is to prepare you, to preserve your continuity,” Edward said, his vibe narrow and sharp. “Your progress is vital, the timing everything. As for Kaiya, we don’t know. There is a chance she escaped their hold when Johan broke into the dream.”
“You never mentioned they could do that. Stealing souls from their bodies? That’s a hell of thing to leave out, don’t you think?” He shook his head, struggling to keep up. “Look, you have no idea how sorry I am about Mug, but why lose both? We have to find her.”
Sean stepped forward. “He said there’s a chance she escaped. It’s more likely they have her still. If so, there is little we can do. Then again, she may have gone on to Gwynvyd. There are fates much worse, Austin, though we hope she is within reach. There’s no telling at this point.”
“And if you do find her?” he asked. “What then?”
“Hopefully we’ll cross that bridge. You need to focus on the here and now.” He went to unplug the monitor cart.
“Will she have a body again?”
Edward crossed his arms. “You wanted the truth and that is we will do our best.”
He looked to Johan. “You’ve got the power. Edward just said it. You can help find her and bring her back.”
“He already offered,” Edward replied. “His success tonight was due in part to the element of surprise. Until we better understand his abilities, he won’t be out on anyone’s behalf.”
“If she’s free then she’s just wandering. I have to go back to find her. I have to.”
“You require much work before you’ll be allowed back.”
“Really? And what if she’s running out of options?” He imagined her swimming under a sheet of ice, just visible but unable to break through the surface. “I need to find her. She needs me, I can feel it.”
Sean shook his head. “Meta contact is only half the battle. There is the m
atter of binding her to a body again. Not an uncomplicated matter.”
Edward pressed his displeasure into the moment. “Understand, too, your girlfriend is not the only life we are trying to save.”
He stifled a stream of replies born of desperation and frustration. Yes, there was much more at stake than just Kaiya’s life, but it was maddening to know Johan could help find her and wouldn’t.
“We’re not giving up, Austin,” Sean said. “We’re already working on a plan.”
Edward headed for the door. “We will resume briefing an hour after sunrise. Also,” he looked to Austin, “until further notice, we will meet every night to take the pills.”
Anki stood and squeezed Austin’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Everyone but Johan left the room. He crossed his arms and said, “Looks like we’re on the hook for saving the world.”
“Right. I couldn’t save Kaiya. Hell, I couldn’t even save myself.”
“Bullshit. You did what you were supposed to. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have learned what I did. And listen, I may be some kind of dream weaver but you, man, you’re going to turn their world upside down. We’ll do this together. You heard him. It’s prophecy. Have a little faith.”
He couldn’t help but recall Meng’s instructions on forming an island in his mind to call home: If you don’t, you will drown in the pain of loss and of memory.
He drew a sharp breath and let it out slowly. “I’m trying.”
“You are right, Austin,” Edward said when they gathered again in the library. “No one told you about soul stealing. It is not easy to do and does not happen that often.”
“So what does it mean?” he asked.
“Subjugation. The bond of meta is severed from the body and the essence captured. The latter step is difficult and requires specific knowledge to perform. There are only a handful of us that can do it and for good reason.”
“You’ll be able to recapture Kaiya then? What about a body?”
System Seven Page 25