At this point, seven RewFaarans were under lock and key in Tower Four, four were dead, and three were under guard in the infirmary in Tower Five. A small group remained at large in the city. Jordett had called a meeting of those PPP patrollers and military assigned to the Towers by Orittra and offered them the opportunity to join JOF. The end result had been the deployment of three new groups—two to search out and bring the remaining RewFaarans in and the third to spread the word that Idronatti was back under the control of the PPP, at least for the moment. All this was to be done covertly. It was vital that the Mocendi and The MasTer believe Nissasa’s Brigade continued to hold the city.
Kieel stifled another yawn and noted the worry on Jordett’s face. Although Teva’s probe of Orittra’s mind had provided a minimal amount of information, she found nothing regarding The Five Fathers. Either Orittra was extremely good at evading the probe, or he did not know their whereabouts. Their personal staff, she had discovered, was imprisoned in a cell in Tower Four, but of the five leaders there was no sign.
Jordett glanced his way. “Kieel, join us.”
Stifling yet another yawn, he flew to the table where the major sat with Teva, Lenadi, Anada, and Lavir, who had an arm in a sling and a bandage on his cheek.
Teva’s understanding expression warmed him. “You look tired, Kieel.”
He touched down in front of her and noted the fatigue in her eyes. “It has been a rather difficult turning.”
Jordett smiled. “It’s about to get fuller. I need to you to return to Myrrh and report to Mondago all that has happened here.”
Fatigue vanished, leaving him invigorated and happier than he cared to admit. “Myrrh? You want me to go to Myrrh?” He wiped the grin from his face. “I don’t know the way. How will I get there?”
A gray shadow moved from under Anada’s chair and leapt to her lap. Amethyst eyes blinked at him.
“Majeska!” He fluttered forward, stroked her nose, and looked at Jordett. “When do we leave?”
“As soon as we’ve talked.”
Everyone else stood. They had their assignments. Kieel almost tap danced on the table top. And I have mine .
30
Master’s Reach
DerTah
W hile Yaro’s mourning dove shape perched in a tree at the edge of the Atkis Harbor, Corvus discovered all he could about Brubger and Possession , talked to the master sailor about possible places to anchor, and learned more about Gregos and Tamosh. What he heard about the brothers eased his apprehension to a small degree.
When he had unearthed as much information as seemed forthcoming, he left the waterfront and strode through the village to the small church near the outskirts.
Behind an ancient mausoleum, Yaro shifted to his natural form. “I believe our charges are headed for the southeast coast of Trinuge. It sounds like the shortest and least dangerous route.”
Corvus nodded absently. “Soprano Narrows.” The two words, like the softest zephyr, rustling through his thoughts left him frowning. His mind, still recovering from his long stay in raven form, failed to reveal the reason for his unease. He picked up a small pebble and rolled it between his palms. Why does the name sound an alarm?
Tossing the pebble aside, he glanced up to find Yaro regarding him with a question in his alien eyes. “You are worried about…”
“I suggest you shift again, and I’ll take us back to the harbor. We have to discover as much as we can about Soprano Narrows.”
A short time later, he strode from the trees in the direction of the master sailor’s small, cluttered office. The man shared valuable knowledge regarding the Narrows. Corvus left with a roughly drawn chart in his pocket and an urgent need to be on the way.
Once back in the churchyard, Yaro materialized; then flashed from sight with such speed, Corvus did an immediate about face.
A man in a purple-lined cape stepped onto the path from behind a gnarled and ancient tree. “So, Corvus Karrew Castilym, you have recovered from your…” A dangerous smile twisted his handsome features. “…adventure?” He glanced around. “Come out, Pentharian. I know you’re there.”
Corvus kept his mind masked and his demeanor easy. “Hello, Thorlu. Isn’t Atkis a bit banal for your tastes?”
“Like you, it’s not the village that interests me.”
“Really. So, what brings you out of the Pits of TreBlaya?”
“More things than I have time to share.” He took a step forward.
Corvus flicked an invisible speck of dust from his black tunic. “I wouldn’t press your luck, Thorlu.”
“Oh, I won’t.” He began to withdraw a hand from beneath his calf length cape, yelped in pain, and collapsed to the ground.
Yaro appeared and nudged the fabric enshrouded body with a toe. “I used my stunning agent. You know this man?”
“From a long time ago.” Corvus knelt by Thorlu’s side. “Hold onto me.”
The instant Yaro touched his shoulder, Corvus teleported them inside the mausoleum. Settling the Mocendi on the stone lid of a crypt, he proceeded to imprison him with a binding rhyme, one he hoped would contain him for at least a turning or two.
Yaro observed his actions with interest. “You, too, are a DiMensioner?”
Corvus finished his task and led the way outdoors. “My talents are of another lineage, though some are similar to the Arts of DiMensionery. We must hurry. I suggest you shape a raven.”
The next instant Corvus soared into the air, encased in the body of Karrew for the first time since his healing. The sheer delight of flying left him breathless. His fear of shifting melted into the recesses of his mind.
Nomed and TheLise reached her home by late afternoon. They had chosen to shift and fly rather than teleport, thus obscuring their thoughts in the wildness of nature. Neither wanted to alert Vygel Vintrusie of their approach.
They were surprised, therefore, to arrive in TheLise’ personal suite to find Tissent, Gerolyn AsTar’s twin, waiting with a message from, in her words, “a person you both know well.” She delivered it, told them she would continue to keep Roween under control, and left them to discuss its contents and what to do next.
“Vygel and Nissasa at Esccery Inn. Make Haste.” TheLise patted her short hair into place. “I’d say we have work to do.”
Nomed agreed with some misgivings. “Vygel Vintrusie, from what I understand, is The MasTer’s right hand, imbued with more power than any other of his chosen few, and loyal beyond belief. We must tread with care, or we’ll lose Nissasa before we begin the search.”
At TheLise’s request, horses were saddled and brought around to the side door. They rode in silence the short distance to the forested-grounds of the inn. Hidden within the trees, Nomed examined the rustic charm of the building, the welcome it exuded, and the bustle outside the front door. Since he had stayed there on occasion, he knew the general layout.
“I’m betting he’s in one of the suites on the ground floor. I could shift and fly closer.”
“We can’t use DiMensionery, Seyes, or we will alert Vygel. I suggest we ride up to the inn, and we go inside. I will explain to Quipe, the Innkeeper, that I am here to pay a visit to my house guest’s son. My excuse—his mother is unwell. You have kindly escorted me. I will make small talk while you discover his room number. Then I will make the acquaintance of Vygel Vintrusie.”
“I don’t like it, TheLise.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“No.”
Her minx of a smile almost made him laugh. “Alright, but keep your wits about you. Vygel is every bit as smart as you and much nastier.”
They rode from the trees to the drive and ambled up to the front doors. Nomed helped the Dreelas to dismount, instructed the stable boy to keep their horses close at hand, and escorted her into the reception area. Innkeeper Quipe sprang to his feet and hurried to meet her. TheLise explained her mission and gave the man Nissasa’s name.
Quipe blanched and stuttered, “DiMensioner Telisnoe
’s friend has instructed me to allow no one into his rooms. I am so sorry, Dreela TheLise.”
Her expression innocent, she linked her arm through his and walked with him toward the desk. “Friend? His mother assured me he was here on his own.”
Quipe grew even paler. “It appears Telisnoe is ill. His friend is attending him until he recovers.”
TheLise motioned him to sit. While he rounded the counter, she flipped casually through the guest book, caught Nomed’s eye, and leaving it open, moved to the opposite end of the counter across from the Innkeeper’s desk. “How can I tell his MaMa that he’s ill and can’t come to her without at least checking with his friend to see if they need anything?”
“I will let DiMensioner Vintrusie know that you called, and that if he needs anything—“
With all the dignity of her station, TheLise held up a gloved hand to stop the effusive flow. “If I did not know you as a man of integrity, I would command you to take me to the room. As it is, please let me know when Nissasa is receiving guests.” She joined Nomed who struggled to keep his face in gracious lines, and together they left the inn.
Once outside he chuckled, “Poor man. Thought he might have a heart attack. I do believe he made the right choice. You are much less frightening than a Mocendi DiMensioner.”
TheLise laughed and shook her head. “Did you get the room number?”
He smiled. “Ground floor, Suite One. I’ve stayed there.”
The stable boy came forward with their horses and received a handsome tip from Nomed and a gracious smile from his Dreelas. Once beyond view of the inn, they cut back through the woods, tied their horses to a bush, and slipped back inside via a side door. The empty hallway led directly to Suite One. Nomed remained out of sight. TheLise knocked. At the fourth knock and still no answer, he motioned her back and turned the knob. The door opened inward. Nomed gagged on the smell of urine and feces.
Covering her nose with a hand, TheLise moved toward the bedroom. Again, Nomed motioned her aside, pushed the door ajar, and with an exclamation of disgust, stepped inside. Nissasa Rattori lay on the bed fully dressed in a pool of his own bodily fluids. There was no sign of Vygel Vintrusie.
Nomed felt for a pulse in his neck, lifted an eyelid and let it drop, and turned to the waiting Dreelas. “He’s alive, but not for much longer unless we get him some care.”
TheLise became all business. “Obviously, he became excess baggage. I can’t believe they left him to die.” She pulled a bell cord by the bedroom door. “We have to transport him to my house, Seyes. Teleporting will kill him. One Man will have to bring his essence to us.”
A maid appeared at the door, choked, and covered her mouth.
“I want Innkeeper Quipe now.”
The girl bobbed a curtsy and trotted down the hall. Within minutes, Nomed observed Quipe hurrying toward Nissasa’s room. Moving aside, he prepared to watch the Dreela of Trinuge in action.
TheLise greeted the man with a cold smile. “I cannot believe this has occurred in an inn in my province. I hold you responsible, Quipe. You will send word to the undertaker that you have need of a hearse. Tell him a friend of mine has passed. Have him meet us at the side door. You will personally bring clean blankets to wrap Nissasa in. No one is to know that he lives. As far as you are concerned, I am taking him home to have him prepared for burial. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Dreelas TheLise, very clear.” Quipe bowed himself from the room and hustled away.
“A hearse. How clever, my dear.” Nomed waved a hand in Nissasa’s direction. “Aren’t we going to clean him up first?”
TheLise met his gaze, her expression hard. “No. Roween Rattori needs to see what her meddling has brought to her son. She will clean him up; she will attend to his every need until we rejoin his body and quintessence.”
Nomed tipped a make believe hat. “I’ll get the horses, my lady.” He walked briskly along the hall, musing to himself. There is nothing more deadly than a Dreelas’ scorn.
Aboard Melback, Esán found Brie’s hand. Her eyes found his. The pursuing boat contained the Mindeco. They both knew it. The other energy on the sailboat had to be the Astican. Esán started to speak.
Gregos put a finger to his lips and motioned everyone below deck. The hatch whispered shut. He pitched his voice low. “Sound carries over water, so keep it down. We don’t want them to know we’re here. Keep your thoughts masked. Elf will be our scout. Your enemies don’t know his energy signature.”
Ira looked Gregos in the eye. “You sure know a lot.”
“Marji’s a good teacher. Tamosh and I both have a bit of talent, not enough to train in DiMensionery but enough to help us in a jam.”
Torgin whispered, “What now?”
Gregos chewed his bottom lip. “We’ve got options.”
“You have to be kidding.” Desirol’s statement, though quiet, sounded like a shout. “We have to leave right now or the Mindeco with find us—all of us—and he’ll take me—and—”
Gregos’ blue eyes turned steely. “Settle down, young man. Melback , and you, are my responsibility. Elf, show us the name of the boat and who’s aboard.”
In rapid succession, Esán received mental pictures of the name Possession on the bow of the small, sleek sailboat, a stocky, middle-aged man at the tiller, and a monkey cowering in the corner of a bunk.
Tamosh fingered the earring in his left ear. “Brubger. Glad it wasn’t someone we liked.”
Gregos frowned. “What my brother means is that Brubger is a mean man.”
Elf touched his arm.
The Captain’s grim expression eased. “They don’t know we’re here—at least not yet. By the time they round the end of the island, we won’t be. This is what we practiced for. In a quarter chron, we need to be underway. No noise. Elf, help Ira with the anchor. Tamosh and Torgin, find us a route Brubger would avoid at all costs. Brie, with me at the helm. Des and Esán, man the sails. Shyllee, you’ve got the watch.” He opened the hatch. “Go!”
Desirol held back. “I’m t-t-too t-tired. I can’t—”
Gregos raised bushy brows. “I’ll tell ya when ya’re tired, boy.” The brows came together over the bridge of his nose. He squinted knowing eyes. “Or scared. Now go.”
In total silence the crew of Melback went to work. Esán expected to hear the clank of the anchor chain or the soft click of the lines against the mast. Not one sound disturbed the night quiet.
Torgin studied the rudimentary chart Tamosh spread on the table. Like others he had seen, it contained notes and symbols in the margins to indicate hazards or safe places to anchor. Staring at the rough sketch of Eschems Strait and Marauder Passage, the expanse between Aksala Island and the primary coast of Trinuge, he frowned. Nothing indicated another way to go, unless they backtracked.
Tamosh donned a pair of silver-rimmed spectacles, then removed them to rub his eyes. “Sure wish I had more detail on this chart. Gregos told me a passage cuts through Aksala, but I’ve never sailed it.”
Torgin fingered the thong around his neck. “Maybe this can help.” He withdrew the Compass of Ostradio from inside his shirt and offered it to Tamosh. “Almiralyn gave it to me.”
Spectacles back in place, the man stared at the device in his hand. He gave a low whistle. “No need to explain, young friend. Never expected to see Ostradio, let alone hold it.” He handed it back. “How’s it work?”
Torgin balanced it on his palm. “Show me the passage across Aksala Island.”
The needle jumped and began to spin. It came to a stop pointing northeast. A chart rose above the compass face and enlarged to an easily readable size. Melback’s position glowed green. A red dot showed Possession , the vessel in pursuit of them; and a blue line indicated a thin, rocky passage listed as Soprano Narrows.
“Not the Narrows.” Tamosh swore under his breath. “Can you make it bigger?”
Torgin touched the name. The image zoomed in until every detail of the Narrows could be seen.
“Ask if
there’s a safer way.” The compass remained static and the chart, visible. “For sure Brubger won’t want to follow us—no sane man would,” he muttered.
Why’s Tamosh so reluctant? Torgin squinted and looked closer. The passage appeared to be narrow and rocky with some tricky currents, but surely it could be navigated by an experienced sailor. Otherwise, Ostradio would not have shown it as a viable route.
Brie watched her friends make silent haste, readying the boat to weigh anchor. The heartening presence of Gregos beside her calmed her growing sense of foreboding. She had grown to trust him.
He beckoned her closer. “I need ya to put an illusion of invisibility around Melback .”
She swallowed. “I don’t know how.”
He gave her an encouraging pat on the back. “Sure ya do. Think what Wolloh would do.”
Trying to recall the times an illusion had been created in her presence left her drawing a blank. Wolloh? Not that I remember… WoNa! WoNa put an illusion around Eissua Oasis . She closed her eyes and tried to remember what the Oracle had done. Finally, she whispered a simple rhyme and envisioned the boat enveloped in a filmy curtain that reflected the surrounding area like a mirror.
“Hide Melback from prying eyes,
From anyone who seeks or spies.
Illusion wrap us in your charm
That none may frighten or alarm.”
She opened her eyes to another pat on the back and a knowing smile from Gregos. “Elf says it’s in place. See, ya do know how.”
Before she could reply, Ira turned and held two thumbs up. The anchor was aboard and secured. Gregos signaled Esán and Des to raise the sail and prepare to slip away from Bockettle Island, leaving the Mindeco and Astican behind.
The gusting wind calmed to a brisk breeze that caught Melback’s sails and sent her slipping soundlessly through the water. Clouds swallowed the crescent moon, leaving the anchorage in the deep shadow of pre-dawn as Possession rounded the end of the island, sailing straight for them.
The UnFolding Collection Three Page 33