by West, Shay
“What has happened? We saw the other villages, and the people…” Kaelin couldn't finish. Her mother shushed her, telling her she was safe now and that that was all that mattered.
“A lot has happened, I am afraid. And it involves all of you,” Rome said, giving the children a hard look. They no longer look like children. This observation shocked him. They were tougher, stronger, and their eyes held a maturity that can only come from enduring hardship.
The Chosen knew that they had to tread very carefully. Gerok had managed to meet the eyes of most of the Astran Chosen and was relieved to see that their looks were guarded and their posture tense. He had been afraid that being back in the relative comfort of their families’ arms would loosen their tongues.
“We are not to blame for what happened in the villages. The Queen took Jon and held him prisoner. She would not give him up so we had to take steps to rescue him….” Gwen stopped as the village council leader shook his head. She was startled to note the plethora of wrinkles that had appeared on the man's face, and how his eyes had sunken into deep pits.
“The one who did the killings is a man named Fa’ Vel.”
The Chosen gasped. They recognized the name of the dark magician who had sold Jon to the Queen of Siswae.
“The Queen must have sent him after us. But why kill the people in the villages? Why hang their bodies to rot? She could have found another to perform magic for her,” Gwen said, frowning. What Rome had told them made no sense.
“I don't know anything about a Queen or kidnapping. But you obviously know Fa’ Vel. He has been roaming the Continents for years, ranting about the end of days, killing and terrorizing people in the Tarrows and Plains Territories, trying to find out where you were from. He claims that he saw the lot of you pass straight through solid rock and disappear.” Rome saw them jump at the mention of this feat and shivered in fear.
“Years? Is that how long we have been gone?” Kaelin's face grew even more pale. She had been showing Moira to her little sister, Malory, and Rome's words had caught her off guard. After careful scrutiny, she reluctantly admitted to herself that Malory looked a little older than she remembered. She had been so excited to see her and to introduce Moira that she hadn't really noticed how much her younger sibling had changed.
Rome glared at the group, his stance becoming threatening. “I want to know where you have been and what is going on. Now.”
The Volgon Chosen reacted to Rome's anger by taking up both defensive and offensive positions. Gerok felt things spinning out of his control. He looked helplessly at the Astran Chosen, hoping they could diffuse the situation.
“We will tell you where we have been, but we can't do it now.” Saemus held up a hand when Rome began to interrupt. “You have to trust me. There is more at stake here than you realize. Much more.
“We need to know the details of what's happened here. We also need to know who the men are that attacked us and where they could have taken Master Brok,” Saemus said, his tone both quiet and commanding.
Rome opened his mouth to argue but stopped. All of a sudden, he was filled with dread, a heavy weight crushing the fight out of him. His instincts told him to trust Saemus.
“It started about two years ago. Word reached us of this man, Fa’ Vel, and the rumors he was spreading about a white-haired old man and five young people who'd disappeared into a wall of rock. He ranted and raved, saying that this was connected to the mysterious rings that had appeared around the moons, and that the people who had disappeared into the rock were going to bring about the downfall of Astra.
“People harrumphed and brushed off what the man said, at first. But they were already scared, first by the appearance of the moons’ rings and then by the telling of the prophets, seers, and bone-readers. They all said the same thing: that something was coming to Astra. Something that would destroy us all.
“It didn't take long for the fear to become hysteria. The Patriarchs tried to quell the fear, but the people were caught up in the frenzy. Once word spread of what Fa’ Vel had seen, people acted on their fears, fueled by a need to protect themselves and those they loved.
“Fa’ Vel began to take on devout followers. They formed the Tribunal, a jury of people whose sole purpose was to try and convict those that they felt were a threat to the people of Astra.” Rome looked to the Chosen, a haunted look in his eyes.
“Fa’ Vel had convinced the people that those who possessed magic, those who could make potions or charms, or read the bones, were to blame for what was coming. The Tribunals ordered their deaths. Fa’ Vel's men, those with the tattooed faces, scoured the land in search of all who could touch the power. He claimed that the spirits had given him the ability to sense in others the facility to use magic, and that he would kill them where they stood.”
“But that's preposterous! The man is a dark magician! He's using magic to detect the ability in others.” Jon fumed. His mind wandered for a moment to the book Brok had given him about Mystic Anali using the dark magic on Lord Lucian. Fa’ Vel will be as dangerous as Mystic Anali, but I'll never get that bad. I can control the magic.
Rome shook his head sadly. “That is news to me. No one ever suspected him of having magic. And even if someone were to say something, he would have them killed.”
“How can he have such power? Didn't the Patriarchs fight him?” Saemus asked.
“Patriarch Mordaen tried but was unsuccessful, and is imprisoned in Faerow. Patriarch Seldon hides in his fortified castle on Tranquility Island and does nothing.” Rome spat. “Fa’ Vel and his men have recently taken to killing the families of those who practiced magic or herb lore.”
“We saw the bodies and the burned villages between here and the Stroh Hills.” Kaelin shuddered.
“He came to Enisae a few weeks ago. He demanded information on Brok and those that traveled with him. When the villagers told him that they did not know any such man, he put them all to death.
“He traveled with his minions, killing people as he went, always demanding to know where you all were from.” Rome's voice hardened. “We got word of what was happening, but we didn't believe it. It didn't sink in that bands of roving men were putting people to death to find you all. It wasn't until he put Ashford to the torch that we realized the truth of it.
“We got most of the people to the mountains before he came. I do not know why he didn't follow. It would have been easy for him to follow and kill us all,” Rome frowned. “Maybe he realized that the killing wasn't helping him to get his hands on you.”
“He had a trap set for us. He was waiting,” Jon said.
“Then he used us as bait, hoping you would come back home,” Rome said.
“So where did Fa’ Vel take Master Brok?” Gwen said, covering her mouth in horror at what Rome had just told them.
Rome gave her a sympathetic look. “He has most likely been taken to Faerow. That is the seat of the Tribunal.”
“What will happen to him?” Keera asked. The memory of the grinning skull of the half-buried child flooded her thoughts.
“He will be tried before the court, found guilty, and hanged, or burned at the stake,” Rome said.
“We have to do something!” Gwen cried out. The thought of her teacher, lying dead, was more than she could bear. What will we do without him?
“There is nothing you can do, child. The city is overrun with Fa’ Vel's men. They now live in the home of Patriarch Mordaen. He has taken to using the Patriarch's soldiers to patrol the city. Even if you managed to get Brok out of the jail cell, you would never make it out of the city alive.”
Gwen looked to the Volgons and her fellow Astran Chosen and grinned. “I think you underestimate us.”
ASTRA
“OOO! These are the worst contraptions ever invented!” Martha groaned as she slowly stood. Her body hurt so badly that she barely remembered she was naked. She was delighted to find that the physical form on this world was the same as on Earth. I wonder if I look the same as I do bac
k home? She was curious and a little frightened to see her reflection. She looked at Brad and Robert, who were surveying the cave. She sighed in relief as she recognized their familiar features. And yet they did not look exactly the same as they did on Earth. Their features were—softer—somehow, less angular and harsh.
--I can sense that the others are far from this place. Number 5 said. The Kromins were bald and did not have the outward sexual characteristics that the others had. The Earth Chosen and even Mirka and Forka stared at them, their mouths gaping in disbelief.
“And I thought that the form of the Gentrans was strange,” Mark mumbled.
“While I would love to sit around and gape at our sexless comrades, I think we need to find something to wear,” Martha said.
“Are you too good to be naked like the rest of us? I never took you to be the shy type,” Robert said, winking.
“That's not the point. It's chilly in this cave,” Martha said primly.
“I agree. We need clothing,” Mirka said, holding her arms in front of her chest. She was baffled by the large appendages that she found attached there. Martha noticed her perplexed look and took the Guardian off to the side for a quick lesson in anatomy.
“Well, it certainly would have been nice to have been warned about this!” Mirka said.
“We will have to travel at night. We don't have the magical capabilities of the Astrans to make us invisible. People of this planet do not walk about naked. We do not want to call too much attention to ourselves.” Forka gave the Kromins a sidelong glance. “Although there isn't much we can do about them. We will have to think about a story to explain their physical appearance.”
“I vaguely remember the location of a few towns from our training. Brok showed me where his home village was,” Mirka said, her voice tinged with sadness. She hoped that nothing was amiss, as the Masters feared.
“That's a good place to start,” Forka said.
The Chosen and their Guardians waited until dark to leave the cave. Their breath misted in the nighttime air. They began trotting to try to keep warm. The light from the twin moons showed the way so that they could keep up a decent pace. Mirka took the lead and tried not to wince as her bare feet hit a sharp rock or a branch. The village had better be close. My feet can't take much more of this.
Enisae was as the others had left it, except that the night kept them from seeing the worst of the damage that had been done. The first things the Earth and Kromin Chosen tried to find were shoes. The Earth Chosen had to show the Kromins how to put on the footwear.
“These will protect your feet,” Robert explained.
--I can see the need for such attire. The ground here is quite rough. Number 3 said, standing awkwardly in the leather shoes. The shoes that the Chosen and their Guardians had managed to find were not a perfect fit, but it was better than going barefoot.
The Chosen and their Guardians managed to piece together a hodgepodge of outfits from clothing taken from several homes. They had to assist the Kromins and Mirka, who seemed quite at a loss as to what to do with the shirts and leggings and dresses they were given. Since the Kromins had no outward sex, the Earth Chosen simply gave them clothing at random. Numbers 1, 2, and 5 were dressed in men's clothing, while Numbers 3 and 4 were given dresses.
The telepaths looked out of place in their new garments. It was something that all of the Earth Chosen felt but could not put their finger on.
“They don't look right!” Martha said, giving them a sidelong glance. As a Protector, she couldn't wear dresses. She usually wore leggings and a tunic, the same as the men.
In a fit of creativity, she ordered the others to strip the beds and bring her the sheets. Baffled, the men did as she asked, wondering what she had planned. Martha grabbed a pair of scissors from the goodwife's sewing basket and went to work on one of the sheets. She cut here, trimmed there, sewed a bit there. She waved Number 1 over.
“What are you up to? What was wrong with what they were wearing before?” Mark asked.
“You'll see. Just give me a minute.” She put the finishing touches on the new, longer tunics and turned to the Kromins. “Okay. Now, undress and let's put this on.” She took the sheet and tugged it down over Number 1’s bald head. She showed the Kromin where to put its arms and tied a strip of sheet around the Kromin's waist. Martha stood back and surveyed her work, her face breaking out into a grin.
“They do look better,” Mark admitted.
The Kromins all stood together, draped in white sheets that were belted at the waist. The sheets were tucked in at the shoulders so that their arms were bare, and the garments fell to the ground, hiding the Kromin's feet.
“Should we stay here for the remainder of the night? There is at least a little time until dawn to get some sleep,” Forka suggested. Traveling through the portals was exhausting. After adding half a night's jogging to the mix, he was ready to fall asleep where he stood. I'm too old for this.
His idea was met with a resounding cry of affirmation. The Chosen dispersed through the house, the Earth Chosen taking the beds while the Kromins chose to sleep on the floor.
“Are you sure you don't want to sleep in the beds? I am sure that if we squeeze, we can fit,” Martha said.
--We prefer to sleep on a hard surface. Number 3 answered from the floor.
“Right, I forgot.” Martha remembered their stay on Kromin. She had been most unhappy when she found out that Kromins slept on hard, metal surfaces. It had felt so strange to lie on the unyielding bed. However, since Kromins fell asleep when the sleep cue came, she didn't have time to be uncomfortable. “Suit yourself.” She lay back and snuggled on her side, her arms curled beneath her head.
--What does the sleep cue for this world feel like? Number 3 asked from the floor.
“They don't have one. They just fall asleep,” Martha mumbled.
--Much like Gentra. Very well. We will lay here until we enter sleep.
The next day, the Kromins awoke, looking groggy and disoriented. They stood slowly and stretched, working out the kinks in their backs.
--This body is stiff. Perhaps sleeping on the floor was not a good idea. Number 5 said.
“Perhaps not.” Martha squinted as she opened her eyes to the bright sunlight streaming through the bedroom window. “I could sleep another few hours.” She groaned and forced her body out of the bed. She stood and stretched so hard that she felt a little dizzy.
“Why would you be so stiff? You are used to sleeping on hard surfaces,” Robert said.
--We are used to sleeping on hard surfaces in our native form. This body is different in many ways.
The Earth Chosen found it a little disconcerting that the Kromins did not display any outward sign of emotion. Their faces remained smooth as stone, with nary a wrinkle around the eye or even a twitch of the mouth. Only the blinking of their eyes gave indication that they were alive.
“I think we need to work on facial expression. Your deadpan looks will draw attention and questions that we are not prepared to answer. Let's try some basic expressions so that your faces look more natural,” Mirka suggested. She had been worried about her Chosen, who were so very different than their comrades from Earth, and how they would fit in here.
“See if you can copy what I do.” The Earth Chosen watched with bemused expressions as Mirka demonstrated smiling. They broke out into guffaws as the Kromins tried to emulate their Guardian.
“No, no! You look like you are quite mad. You don't need to widen your eyes all the way, and you don't need to keep your jaw so stiff,” Mirka said. She gave the Earth Chosen a withering look, hoping to stop their laughter.
--This is quite complex. There are a great deal of nerve impulses that must be coordinated. Perhaps if you told us how you learned to do such things, we could learn more quickly. Number 3 said.
“I don't really remember learning how to do them. I just do it. For us, there isn't much thought involved. It's automatic. Like how you blink your eyes. When we are happy, we smil
e. Or laugh like idiots.”
--Since we do not feel the emotions perhaps we can't make these expressions.
“You have the muscles, and you have the nerves. You just need to be able to fake it so that we can avoid questions,” Mirka said. Perhaps we should just leave them be and make up some story. But as she watched them sit there, their identical faces showing as much life as a sculpture, she knew they had to try some more.
Mirka worked with her Chosen well into the night, ignoring the snores of the Earth Chosen. The Kromins managed to make a convincing close-mouthed smile. An open-mouth grin proved too difficult. They could look somewhat angry, though the expression resembled someone who was bored more often than not. And when Mirka drew down her eyebrows, the Kromins would squeeze their eyebrows down so hard they ended up closing their eyes.
Mirka yawned and rubbed her eyes. “That is enough for now. We'll have to hope people don't ask too many questions.”
ASTRA
“STRANGERS HAVE COME.” Rome Collins strode up to the group that was going over a tentative rescue plan. Some of the men of the village had helped the Chosen use rocks, sticks, and other bits of forest flotsam to create a model of the city of Faerow. The Chosen had been too busy looking at all of the people in their strange clothing to pay attention to the layout of the buildings the last time. Besides, Master Brok was being held in the jail that adjoined the Patriarch's castle, and they had not gone anywhere near it.
The Chosen and their Guardians looked up in confusion as Rome stood aside. The first thing the Chosen noticed was that the five people walking up all looked identical, down to their bald heads. After them came eight others, looking nervous.
Everyone got to their feet, smiles brightening their faces. The other Chosen from Kromin and Earth had arrived.
Keera met Sloan's eyes, and the two began moving toward one another, almost as if they were drawn, like a magnet to an iron filing. Keera walked slowly, her eyes never leaving Sloan's face. All she could see was his green eyes, pulling her in.