by David Wind
I can’t feel my powers. Can you?
Areenna dove into herself, drilled deep into the place within her, and found nothing. For the first time since she’d discovered her powers as a child, Areenna was powerless. A heavy sadness caught her, spread through her, pressed down upon her until she cast the emotion aside. Our connection, our joining works, but our power, our magic...it’s gone.
BOOK II
TRANSFORMATION
CHAPTER 27
MIKAAL WIPED SWEAT from his forehead and looked up at Areenna, still on the ladder and illuminated by the low light of the free growing strings of nightmoss. “How many have we gone down?”
Areenna jumped off the last step. “At least forty, maybe more.”
“It’s hot. The armor makes it more so.”
“Until we know what we face below, I leave mine on.”
Mikaal almost laughed, almost. “As will I, Princess. I prefer sweat to blood.”
“Why think you we will fight?”
“Fight or not; I prefer being prepared.”
The sound of metal upon metal reached them and both froze. Mikaal leaned into the next opening and waited. When there was no further sound, he stepped on the ladder’s rung, and continued the descent. Areenna followed closely behind.
Mikaal, I wonder about this… power we seek. Have you any thoughts?
Too many. I try not to think on it. I sensed fear from The Speaker. I cannot imagine what would make her so, other than the coming of The Masters and their ghazi.
Nor I, she told him as she stepped onto the landing.
When he reached for the railings of the next descent, the metallic sound came again. This time louder. We are closer. We must be quiet.
And careful. The steps of these ladders weaken with each level we pass.
<><><>
Shortly before mid-day, seven days after Mikaal and Areenna’s departure from Tolemac, Duv lay on his back, while Charka stood above him, the kraal’s large snout pressing into the rantor’s belly. A low purring vibrated from Duv’s throat while Gaalrie perched on the top of the corral fence watching them.
After a startling dream had woken her, Neleh had spent the morning in her chamber, trying to locate Mikaal and Areenna. When she’d finally accepted the reality that she could not, she’d come outside to be with the aoutems. Five minutes later, Enaid joined her.
She looked at Enaid, and read the same emotions reflected on the high queen’s face as were running through her own mind. “Mikaal…” Enaid drew her into her arms and held her there for a long minute.
Releasing Neleh, Enaid stared at the small Women of Power and nodded once. “They have disappeared.”
She shook her head. “No. They are beneath the Island and somehow cut off from everything. It is the time I was told to wait for; the time for me to do what comes next.”
“What do you mean?” Enaid stared at Neleh, her brows furrowed.
“Before he… died, Master Jalil told me that when I lose the feel of Mikaal’s presence, it will be time for me to bring the aoutems to the place he told me of, to meet Areenna and Mikaal.”
Enaid could only stare at Neleh. “Where?”
She shrugged. “It is a mountain between here and a place he called Dees.”
Can you show me?
Neleh brought up the mind picture of the area that Master Jalil had planted in her memory, a mountain where she was to wait for Mikaal and Areenna.
I know this place. It is just inside the Aldimore border with Northcrom. “It will take four days to reach. You will need an escort who knows the area—several of them.”
Neleh shook her head. “The Master showed me.”
“Neleh…”
She gazed at Enaid, her large, yellow tinted eyes held the high queen’s for several seconds. No soldier, no guard can protect me better than I can protect myself. I would have to protect them. You know the truth of this. Then she smiled and pointed to the three aoutems who had stopped playing and were all staring at her and Enaid. “I have them, do I not?”
Enaid couldn’t stop her short snorting laugh. Indeed, Little One, I would not want to be the one they turn their might against. “I will inform Roth that you leave tomorrow.”
Neleh continued to hold Enaid’s gaze. She blinked once before saying, “Just before I woke this morning, I saw them.”
“Mikaal?”
No, the ships. They are near. When Enaid stiffened, Neleh put a hand on her arm. They have not yet landed. We have time.
We must tell Roth, now.
<><><>
Three hours after they’d started, Areenna stepped off the ladder and took a deep breath. “I’m starving.”
Mikaal slipped their pack from his shoulders and set it on the floor. He looked around the small landing; the nightmoss was bright enough to show every crack and crevice. “See you a rabt anywhere?”
Areenna cocked her head and stared at him. “Funny you are not.”
He smiled, sat, and patted the floor next to him.
With a shake of her head, Areenna sat. Three hours and we have not reached the bottom.
Mikaal scanned the small landing, which was no different from the ones above it. Square, perhaps ten feet across, the walls were made of some sort of metal. Corrosion was everywhere, yet when he brushed his fingers across the surface, the rust fell, revealing solid metal behind it, unmarked by anything. However, the joining of the ladders and the floor showed the joints pitted with rust and weakening; this in itself was confusing.
How long do yo— She froze as a probe touched her mind, instantly raising a block.
Next to her, Mikaal sensed the touch and joined with her. They rose to their feet, all thought of food forgotten. Your block works?
Areenna paused, tested, and nodded. Yours?
Yes, but nothing else.
At least we have something. While she tried to ease his anxieties, she knew her words were empty for she too could draw no power. “We must be close.”
“Perhaps,” Mikaal whispered. He unwrapped some of their dried meat and, when Areenna sat next to him, he handed her a strip. “We’ll eat and rest, then go down. We will find that which we have been sent for. However, we will do so with food in our bellies and our wits about us. We may have no magic, but we have our weapons and we have no equal in that!”
Her heart swelled with his words. As foolish and empty as they might sound to anyone other than herself, she understood exactly what he meant. Together, no matter what they faced, they would stand before it, and defeat it, or die. Unbidden, a single tear escaped her right eye. She ignored it and took a bite of meat.
They ate silently, and then drank some water. When they finished, Areenna leaned against Mikaal, who put his arm around her and drew her close. She rested her head on his shoulder. She stayed like that for a full minute before pulling back. “I’m ready.”
“And I.” They stood. Mikaal put away the water skeins and slipped on the pack, shifted it so it settled into the small of his back, and strapped on his sword, Areenna put the quiver’s strap over her head, hooked the bow to it and strapped on her own sword. Moments later, they stepped into the next circular stairwell.
Nightmoss was everywhere, on the ceilings, walls, and even the staircase railings, but fortunately, not on the steps themselves. When Mikaal stepped on the first one, there was a slight give and he pulled back.
Careful, Areenna warned.
Rather than respond, Mikaal tested the step and although it gave a little, it held and as he went down; he tested each step before descending further. They went down five more staircases before they heard the noise again—closer.
Areenna followed his gaze. “How far have we come?”
We do not talk aloud. He looked at her, his eyes questioning. When she nodded, he said, How far, I don’t know for sure, at least a thousand feet, perhaps more. Then he went to the next staircase. When he looked down, he saw light, but not light from nightmoss. Something is down there.
Pe
rhaps it is what we seek.
Areenna shrugged, but when he started forward, she grabbed his arm.
Let me lead. Follow close.
Why?
I know not… a feeling. She gazed into his eyes. Something she… Ruth had said about remembering the first time we came to the Island.
Her warning was to me.
Possibly to us both.
Mikaal thought about it and stepped back to allow her to go first.
Thank you, My Lord.
Mikaal stiffened. For his entire life, he had heard his mother call his father, ‘My Lord’, and for his entire life, he had heard his father tell her to stop calling him that in private. He’d always thought it a game they played. He’d not understood why his father always reacted that way, not until this moment.
“Areenna. Never again call me that in private.”
She froze and stared at him. I don’t understand.
He could think of no way to explain his feelings, not here, not now. I am not your Lord. I am not more than are you. Now, go.
She continued to gaze at him for several moments before tearing her eyes away and putting her foot on the first step. The instant she did, something inside her twisted, and a moment later, the heat deep within her belly exploded.
My powers— A screech of metal cut off her thoughts as the step she was on crumpled and she plummeted to the landing ten feet below.
“Areenna!” Mikaal shouted, not bothering to even try for a step, he jumped into the opening.
<><><>
Gray clouds and the constant falling mist obscured the ships far below the southwestern Palisades. Like a brown tide awash with seaweed, the fleet of the Dark Masters bobbed at anchor, stretching for a half mile. Twenty thousand ghazi stood at the ready, awaiting their transport to the shore.
Above them, standing on the edge of the palisade, was Lessig and two of the three gray-cloaked Dark Masters who commanded this section of the fleet. The three watched the small boats ferry the dark soldiers to land, while the third Master oversaw the ghazi, sending the thousands of ghazi up the winding trail from shore to the top of the palisade. There, they formed ranks in the open spaces of the badlands, prepared for them weeks before.
The smallest of the Dark Masters, who stood but a foot taller than the Afzaleem sorceress nodded solemnly. “You have done well, Lessig. You have control of Fainhall?”
Lessig met the open stare of the Master. “Master, I have control over King Nomis and Queen Etaak. Prince Samot was taken by… by him, before I could prevent it.”
The Master’s eyes flared with a reddish haze. He reached out and put his hand on her head. The connection was instantaneous. Lessig fell to her knees as the Master probed her mind, drawing up the full memory of the events. A half minute later, he released her.
She gasped when the connection ended, taking in several gulping breaths.
You have done well, Lessig, you have added thousands to our army. We see it was not through your fault the prince escaped.
I but did what My Master asked, she replied as she stood.
Five days hence do we move on Freemorn. Seven days hence, we build the barricade across Nevaeh, cutting off the upper five dominions. Then we march on Freemorn. It is time for me to take control of Nomis. You are ready?
Lessig smiled in response.
The Master turned to the Master behind him. This Master stepped next to the first. Each placed a hand on Lessig’s shoulder and, as one, pushed their energy into her. A sudden gust of wind whipped about, swirling the misting air around them. Ten seconds later, she disappeared.
CHAPTER 28
MIKAAL LANDED HARD but solid, his knees flexing to take the weight of the landing. He steadied himself, his thoughts on Areenna.
Here!
Turning, he found her lying on the floor, struggling to stand. He went to her and drew her to her feet. Joined, he felt the pain shooting through her ankle as if it were his own. How bad?
Not broken. She grimaced and let him lower her back to the floor.
He eased off her boot to examine her ankle, which was swelling even as he looked at it. Not broken, but not good. We need to wrap it tightly. He stood, unhooked his upper armor, and then lifted off the padded leather to get to the under tunic. Pulling a section free, he tore a strip from the bottom, which he used to wrap her ankle as tightly as he could without cutting off her circulation.
“You won’t be able to use the steps.” Although he kept his voice low, the words vibrated from the walls.
There is no choice. I will make it. Areenna looked around for the first time, and stiffened. She looked from wall to wall, across the floor and then up at the ceiling. The staircase was gone, the pieces scattered on the floor. The floor itself was solid. They’d reached bottom.
“We’re trapped,” she spoke aloud, and then shrugged. “I made enough noise in my fall. If anyone is here, they heard. We can speak.”
Mikaal traced each wall from ceiling to floor, seeking something, but unsure of what. “There is a way!” Even as the words passed his lips, his hopes faltered. There has to be.
Areenna followed Mikaal’s example and inspected every inch of what had become their prison. We would not be here if we were not supposed to be. Jalil would not have sent us on a fool’s mission with his dying breath.
Mikaal said nothing as he re-inspected the landing.
“My powers,” Areenna half-whispered. “I felt the heat build just before…” She gripped Mikaal’s arm. “Help me up.”
Without word or thought, he brought her to her feet and, with one arm about his shoulders, hopped toward the wall. Pressing her free hand to the wall, her palm flat, her fingers extended, she traced every inch of the wall, pushing her senses to her hand, using it to feel anything. The wall was made of a metal, one that had neither dulled nor corroded over time. When she finished the first wall, she repeated the process on the second, and then the third. Halfway through, a small vibration rumbled across her skin.
Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the wall, pushing against the metal, forcing herself to sense whatever it was that had touched her hand. There was nothing. She sighed, the sound a sibilant echo in the small chamber.
What?
She shook her head and continued moving her hand. A moment later, something rubbed her palm. She moved her head closer to the wall and found a thin, almost invisible line, no wider than a single hair.
She squinted and focused and the thin line showed itself. She traced it up and to the left when it turned horizontal, and then down. Here. Look closely.
Mikaal bent to within inches of the wall and saw the line. He put one hand on the wall and pushed. Nothing happened. “There’s no way to open it.”
“There is! Perhaps I was wrong earlier about The Speaker’s warning ‘…because your magic, will not you control below.’ She didn’t say we could not use magic, rather, we couldn’t control it.”
“I don’t un—”
Areenna cut him off. “Bring up your power. Create fire, now!”
Mikaal reacted instinctively. The heat erupted and burst upward, he opened his hands and fire exploded… from Areenna’s hands. He closed off the ability and the fire went out.
Are you—
—fine. We knew we still had our power, but could not call our abilities. However, it seems we now have our abilities, but not control.
He frowned. Kneeling by her injured foot, he studied it. “Except for The Masters, no man has ever had abilities.”
“That we know of.” Areenna gazed at him, studying the intense lines of concentration furrowing his forehead. What is it?
“I’m going to ‘hide’.” He closed his eyes and pulled up the ability. When he opened his eyes, Areenna was gone. He smiled and released the ability. Areenna became visible.
“You went nowhere.” When he smiled, she frowned. “Why are you smiling?”
“Use the ability. Hide now.”
Areenna concentrated on her power and, when it rose
, she accessed the hiding ability and pushed. Mikaal disappeared. She released it instantly, and he returned. “Oh…”
“Do you understand?”
She nodded, unable even to create a thought to send him. A moment later, she shook her head. “This still does not help us get to the other side.”
“Patience, Princess. First, we must heal your ankle. But to do so you need to heal mine.”
Areenna shook her head. “There is nothing to heal.”
“My right ankle, Princess, heal it!”
“Mikaal, this is crazy.”
Like a hundred hammers, Mikaal’s laughter pounded against the metal walls, bouncing back and forth until finally fading out. When he caught his breath, he struggled to get his words out. “Crazy…you said crazy… Look around! Where are we? We’ve spent months journeying to the Frozen Mountains. We fought wraiths and wolf creatures, only to find two twenty-five-hundred-year-old people who were still alive. We battled the most powerful of the Dark Masters, and lived. We found people who had waited for us for thousands of years...us, you and I! We stepped into a wormhole and had our minds controlled by the Dark Masters, and we escaped. You sit in a metal box, a thousand feet beneath a glass bowl, with a man who has the abilities of a woman and our only chance to save Nevaeh is to find whatever Jalil sent us after… and asking you to heal my ankle is crazy?”
“But your ankle is not—”
Do it Areenna, now!
She arched her back, her anger at his command ripped through her. The fury lent speed to her power and her body turned molten. She called up the healing ability, reached out and grasped his ankle between her hands. The healing blindness took her sight, allowing her to see the area that was injured, and she began to heal it. A quarter hour later, she released his ankle and opened her eyes.
“How feel you?” Mikaal asked, still bent over Areenna’s ankle, his hands wrapped securely around it.
Once again, she had no words. His face was but inches from hers. She leaned forward and kissed him. When she pulled back, she smiled. “Thank you. I did not see it this way.”