by West, Shay
Brok then reached into his herb box and pulled out a smooth, black stone suspended from a length of rawhide. “This charm is called a Linking charm. It takes the essence of an object and links it to the stone. As the charm gets closer to the essence it is linked to, it gets warm.”
“How is this different than the locator spell you used?” Saemus asked.
“They are similar in many ways.” Brok settled into a cross-legged position. “There are also many important differences.
“First, the Linking charm can only be used if the object of interest is in very close proximity to the stone. The magic does not work over long distances.
“Second, it takes much more power to perform the Linking charm than it does to do the Locator spell. It is for this reason that I require Saemus and Kaelin. I have the power to create the charm but doing so would leave me too weak to do the spell to separate my spirit from my body.
“Third, the Linking charm, when worn by a person performing the Separating spell, will work, though the person's spirit is no longer in their body. It is powerful magic that allows this charm to work for both a live person and a spirit.
“Last, a spirit cannot perform any magic once it has left the body. If I did the Separating spell, I would not be able to perform the Locating spell. The Linking charm will enable me to be in spirit form, and still be able to locate Jon quickly.”
Brok motioned Saemus and Kaelin to come in closer. “I need you to link your powers and allow me to link partway with the two of you. I need to direct your power.”
Saemus and Kaelin clasped hands and linked their power. Neither one could explain exactly how they did it. The other students had tried on numerous occasions to link with the twins and each other but to no avail. A faint glow radiated from the two astheir powers mingled, suffusing the room with light. Brok placed his hand over theirs and drew on their power to create the Linking charm.
The Chosen let out gasps of wonder as a red-gold aura began to coalesce into a small glowing ball, hovering a few inches above Jon's robes. It slowly ascended until it covered the black stone, dangling in Brok's outstretched hand.
The aura seemed to infuse the black stone, creating red-gold waves on the perfect onyx smoothness.
Saemus and Kaelin sighed as Brok took his hand away from theirs.
“You need to eat and rest so you will be at full strength when I get back.” Brok placed his herb box and Jon's robes back in the saddlebag. He tied the rawhide around his neck, allowing the now black and red-gold stone to slip inside the robes and lay against his bare chest.
“Keera, Gwen, I need you to keep watch while the others rest.”
“What do we do if someone comes? How do we wake you in case of trouble?”
“You can't, child.” Brok looked at Keera with sympathy in his blue eyes. “You four will have to handle anything that arises until my spirit returns to my body.”
“Don't worry, Master Brok.” Gwen grabbed Keera's hand in a fierce grip. “We will be fine. You just hurry and find Jon.”
* * *
Master Brok came back to himself slowly. He yawned and blinked his eyes, trying to get them to focus.
“I think he's back!” Saemus' voice sounded far away to Brok.
“How can you tell? He's just lying there!” Keera sat in a chair by the door, chin in her hand, looking sulky.
“He yawned, Keera,” Saemus answered calmly. He had learned not to take Keera's outbursts too seriously. One minute she was biting your head off, and quick as lightning, she was smiling and laughing.
“Well, if he was waking up, I wish he would hurry. Dawn is fast approaching and I don't fancy letting that horrid queen chop off my head!” Keera had one of her red curls in her mouth, worrying the hair between her teeth.
Brok opened his eyes and sat up. “Can someone fetch me some food please? And some water?”
Brok enjoyed a quick meal of hard cheese and bread and a large drink of water. The Separating spell did not drain much energy from the user but it often left one hungry and thirsty. He felt his strength returning.
“Did you find Jon?” Gwen bounced up and down with barely suppressed anxiety.
“Yes, I did.” Brok got up from the bed and began to gather the saddlebags together.
Saemus crossed his arms and frowned at Master Brok's back. “What is wrong?”
“Jon's quarters are situated near an unused portion of the palace, close to the outer wall. There is a window nearby that I can use to enter.”
“Okay, so we sneak over the wall, through the window and rescue Jon.” Keera looked at Brok and frowned at his expression. “What?”
Brok sighed. “It's not that simple, child. Jon's door is locked.”
“So? We use magic to break the lock.” Keera stood with her hands on her hips.
“The lock is protected by magic. Only the key will open it. Her Grace has the key on a nightstand in her room. No person may pass any entryway within the Queen's chambers without setting off alarms that would bring hundreds of guards to this area in seconds.”
Brok had not a clue how he would by-pass the ensorcelled lock nor did he know how he could get past the magic protecting the Queen's rooms. One hurdle at a time. First he had to get past the outer wall, through the window, and to Jon's door without being seen. Those were challenges enough. If I make it to Jon's door, there will be time enough to worry about the lock.
What do I do with my Chosen?
It was his sacred duty as Guardian to protect his Chosen at all costs, even his own life One of them had been taken, for reasons as yet unknown, and he now had to decide if he would take the remaining Chosen on a dangerous rescue mission or go alone.
Leaving them here could be just as dangerous. What if I do not return?
“What are we waiting for? We came here to rescue Jon, so let's get to it,” Keera said.
“Give me a moment to think, child.”
Brok turned away, his thoughts whirling n his head. He longed for the advice of his fellow Guardians or the Masters. I don't know what to do!
If he took the Chosen along, they may be caught and would surely be put to death, or perhaps be killed in the rescue attempt. Leaving them behind would certainly be safer, so long as they leave the city by first light.
There was only the problem of his returning.
If I do die, my Chosen will be lost.
The Masters had a plan should any of the Chosen or their Guardians not return to Gentra in a timely fashion. One of the other Guardians would be sent to retrieve them. There had been much arguing among the Masters and Guardians about whether or not this was even possible.
You are wasting time, old man.
Brok took a deep breath and looked at the faces of the four standing impatiently in the middle of the room. He closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer to the good Spirits.
“Saemus, I must speak with you alone.”
He held up his hand to stop the protests. “The rest of you stay here. We will return momentarily.”
I pray I am making the right decision!
* * *
“Saemus, what I am about to tell you, you must swear on the Spirits of your ancestors that you will never repeat to anyone. I take great risk in trusting you with this information, but my hand has been forced.
“You are the eldest in the group. Should something happen to me during the rescue attempt, you must lead the others out of the city.”
“Why don't we come with you? Maybe all of us together can find a way to rescue Jon.”
Brok shook his head emphatically. “You don't understand.” Brok let go of the boys shoulders and began pacing in the hallway outside the room. “It's not supposed to be like this. I am supposed to reveal to you the secret only when the signs appear.”
“What are you talking about, Master Brok?”
“You and the others, you are special, different…” Brok floundered, unsure of how to tell this young man everything about his destiny. It seemed so cruel to p
ut this on his shoulders, a burden to be borne alone, without the support of the others.
“Different how?”
“What I tell you will be difficult to hear but you must believe me. The lives of everyone on this world, and those of many other worlds depends on it.”
“Other worlds? What are you talking about?”
“Yours is not the only world out there,” Brok pointed toward the sky. “There are countless other worlds out there.
“And something comes to destroy them.”
Saemus stood with his brow furrowed, as if absorbing what Brok was telling him, but Brok could see that he was having a difficult time grasping the truth of it.
The rest will be harder still.
“I am not from this world, Saemus. I came here ten years ago, through a portal that leads to many different worlds. My job was to watch over and train the five of you. It is your destiny, along with others on three other worlds, to stop the threat that is coming.”
Saemus shook his head, unable to speak.
“I know this is a lot to put on your shoulders and there is no way for me to prove to you that what I say is true. You five are not supposed to know anything about your destiny until the signs appear. At this time, I am to take you to the portal and thus will be able to prove that what I saw is truth.”
“Why are you telling me this? Why not tell the others as well?”
“I could be changing the future by even telling you.” Brok ran his hands through his hair. “Then again, I am not supposed to even be here at all.”
Saemus gave him a questioning look.
“The Guardians were not supposed to come to their worlds until after the signs appear. But the Masters thought perhaps we should come early, to watch over you and begin training you early in skills that might be useful in bringing down the enemy.”
Saemus pinched the bridge of his nose. “I am not sure I can believe all that you are telling me…”
“I know I am putting a terrible burden on you.” He gripped Saemus' shoulders tightly. “But I wouldn't have done it had I not thought you could handle it. This next part I am going to tell you will also be hard to hear but you must swear to me that you will carry out my orders to the letter.” He fixed Saemus with a piercing blue gaze.
Saemus could only nod.
“If I do not return before daybreak, you and the others must leave the city. Make your way back home.”
“I can do that.”
“There's more. If I do not return, it will be up to you to take the others to the portal so they can go to my planet. When the twin moons are encircled by ghostly rings of light, you will know the time has come. Take the others to the Stroh Hills, where you will find a cave. Once inside, the portal will activate and you will see the symbols for all of the worlds. Touch the symbol that shows a circle inside a triangle and you will be able to pass through the portal and you will be on my world.
“It is vital you follow my instructions. There is more at stake here than you realize. The fate of the entire galaxy rests on the shoulders of the Chosen. Can you remember all I have told you?”
Brok made Saemus repeat the instructions until he was satisfied the young man wouldn't forget it.
“I will do as you say, though I don't understand it. Nor am I sure I believe it,” Saemus said.
“You will. When the rings appear around the moons of Astra, you will.”
* * *
“You four stay here. Saemus knows what to do should I fail to return by daybreak.” Brok fixed Saemus with a knowing gaze. The boy nodded and held his chin higher.
Brok peeked out the door and, finding the hallway of the inn deserted, crept down the stairs to the common room. It was silent and dark but for shafts of moonlight from the twin moons shining through the windows.
He made his way toward the wall surrounding the palace, staying to the shadows, breath held, unwilling to make even that little bit of sound. The streets of Siswae were silent, save for the crunch of their footfalls, the occasional barking of a dog, and the cry of a gull. The buildings stood dark and lifeless.
Brok crept to an area near the wall that was well clear of the main gate. He could barely make out the silhouettes of the men standing guard. They stood unmoving, like statues flanking the great wooden gates.
He spoke the words to focus his power. “Navi in aer.”
He floated silently over the stone wall.
His heartbeat sounded loud in his ears. Brok was sure that a guard would appear in the window, having heard the sound of his heart pounding in his chest. His legs were beginning to cramp badly. He made his way silently to the wall of the palace, trying to control the breath threatening to explode forth from his tightened throat. The rough stone brushed up against his back as he hunkered down, forcing his whirling thoughts to focus. There wouldn't be many guards in this part of the castle but closer to the Queen's quarters would be another story.
I'm an old man and ill suited for this kind of work.
Brok sent up a prayer to the good Spirits and made his way into the palace.
* * *
“So we're just supposed to sit here and wait for Brok and Jon?”
Saemus pinched the bridge of his nose. Keera's outbursts were getting more frequent and more shrill by the minute.
“That's what Master Brok said and I mean to follow his instructions. Why don't you try to get some sleep? I'll wake you when it's time to head for the stables.”
“Why don't we just go now? You heard what Brok said about the lock on Jon's rooms. No person can get past it. I mean, he's strong in the power and everything, but what if he can't get through quietly? He'll have the Queen's guards down on our heads and then she'll chop them all off!”
“I trust Master Brok to get Jon back. He wouldn't have gone alone if he couldn't do the job.” Saemus turned so the others couldn't see his face. Lying to the others was difficult but lying to his sister was taking its toll. She knew him better than anyone and it wouldn't be long before she would be able to see right through him and demand he tell her his secret.
Can it possibly be true?
Saemus looked to the night sky, eyes picking out a few twinkling stars against the radiant glow from the twin moons.
Could those really be suns like the one in the daytime sky?
He tried to picture what those worlds might look like. Master Brok had told him so much and it was difficult grasping the strange information he'd been given. Others planets, portals that alter body forms, signs, destiny, something called the Mekans that were coming to kill them all…
“Moira! Come back!”
Saemus turned, his thoughts interrupted by his twin's cry.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Moira just went out the window. She was playing with Gwen, then all of a sudden, she looked out the window and just jumped out.”
Saemus went to the window. “I don't see her. Maybe she was just hungry or something.”
“Not a chance. She's been stuffing her face with the bread and cheese left on the plate,” Keera pointed to the now empty plate.
“She'll be okay, Kaelin. She's been on her own for longer than she's been with us,” Gwen said.
“I know, it's just…I don't know. It's like she knows exactly what we're saying and just can't talk back to us. And why would she choose to come with us anyway? It's strange.”
“Who cares about the little urgit? We--” Keera gestured to the group making a big circle with her hands. “Are going to die if we are here at daybreak. Shouldn't we be worried about that instead of where Moira ran off to?”
“We'll be long gone before the Queen's guards come to take us away.” Saemus glanced at the sky. “Still, maybe we should just go to the stables early so we can make sure we are well away from the city before dawn.”
Saemus turned back to the window and gazed at the empty streets, peering deep into the shadows, as though he could make Master Brok appear with his will alone.
This is too big for
me to handle. You've got to come back.
* * *
Brok crept silently down the deserted halls of the Queen's palace, eyes darting left and right, alert for any sign of movement, listening for the slightest sound. The sound of his feet on the marble floor made him wince.
He stopped behind a large column, peering around its massive girth to look at Jon's door. The lock mocked him, sparkling in the moonlight filtering through nearby windows.
I'm all that stands between you and your Chosen, old man, the voice said with a cackling laugh.
A snarl erupted from his throat. I'll not let this damn woman win! He pulled deep from the wellspring of his power, knowing he was getting dangerously close to drawing so much power that he would extinguish his life force. Brok paused for a moment, magic surging through his veins, begging to be released.
My life for my Chosen, if it comes to that. Jon must live and escape. He will find the others.
Brok was about to bombard the door to Jon's room with the strongest spell he knew when he heard Moira's strange trilling purr at his feet.
“Moira?”
He bent down and the little creature hesitantly climbed into his outstretched hand. Her tiny body was trembling in fear. He brought his hands up close to his face and nearly laughed out loud in sheer delight.
Brok caught the glint of something gold nestled in her tiny paws.
* * *
“Fool woman!” Queen Cheye slapped the seer across her face, leaving an angry red print on her left cheek. “Do you have anything of use to tell me?”
“Forgive me, your Grace!” The woman huddled before the queen, her hand pressed to her burning cheek. “That is all I know! The bones reveal the same thing no matter what I ask. There is something coming, your Grace. Something dangerous.”