Liyanna tried to transport herself to a safer location but something blocked her. She braced herself. Her three attackers moved in unison. She listened closely and found that they followed a rhythm. They drew closer until she was surrounded on all sides. From the left, an arm was drawn back and shot towards her face. At her right, a fist aimed her kidney. She twisted in midair. Kicked the person to her right and landed her punch at another earning her precious seconds to make a run for it.
The third attacker had not moved. Yet.
The first two recovered and pursued her. By then, Liyanna’s eyes had adjusted to the darkness. She was in a large cavern with weapons decorating the walls. Most of these were deadly but too cumbersome for her to use effectively. At her right, a glimmer caught her eye. She sprinted towards it.
The man who had hung back headed towards the same direction. Her two pursuers were gaining on her. She turned sharply towards them and ran head on. One of them had his torso open. She pretended to take the bait but twisted away at the last second. Before the other man could hit her, she was already where she wanted to be.
The staff’s size and weight was just right that it seemed to have been designed for her. Its roughness was caused by the symbols etched on the weapon. This mesmerized Liyanna which the enemy took advantage by throwing a knife at her. The effect of the blade in the air caused her to look up and sidestepped a moment too late. The sharp blade nicked her cheek before it struck the wall. The man advanced on her, his hands wielding four daggers each. The other two joined him.
Calmly, Liyanna placed her staff between her and her enemies. More than her life was at stake.
She cannot – would not let them win.
Chapter 26
Liyanna
An odd sense of detachment overtook her. The weapon became an extension of her arm. She fought three men, her defense almost perfect. If she left an opening and one of her opponents attempted to use it, Liyanna was quick to counterattack. At the back of her mind, she worried over her opponents’ inability to tire. In a while, she would slow, someone would notice, and the fight would be over. It angered her when she thought of what would happen if she lost. Kelor-dan’s deceit and Pellinor’s betrayal fueled it further. Her movements became sharper and faster. Symbols engraved on the staff glowed bright red matching the haze in her eyes. Her enemies were retreating but she continued to harass them. A voice ordered her to stop but it seemed so far away and she was too numb with anger to listen to it. She felt them panic as she knocked one of them senseless. The one at her right left his chest open, she raised her weapon… Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground. She struggled to break free.
“Liyanna, stop!” Her head whipped to the side and saw Reno. The numbness receded but the anger remained as she realized: It was a test?!
“Reno. Put me down,” she said, keeping her anger at bay.
“Your weapon is still glowing.” Liyanna looked at her staff. He was right but it was gradually turning orange.
“I told you this was a mistake.” Pellinor materialized from the shadows. He flicked a speck of dust from his shoulder.
“Whose idea was this?”
“Not mine,” Pellinor said at the same time Reno admitted: “It was mine.”
“Why?”
“I needed proof that you can defend yourself.”
“Did I pass?”
Reno studied her.
“Uncle, put her down!” Mindy demanded.
Reno turned to look at his niece. “How did you get here?”
“By walking,” she said sarcastically. “It doesn’t matter how I got here. Put my best friend down.” As soon as Liyanna’s feet touched the ground, Mindy hugged her. “I’m sorry.”
The show of affection made Liyanna forget her anger. “I’m sorry, too.”
“I hate to break this heartfelt reunion, but time’s a-wasting,” Pellinor said, effectively breaking them apart.
Liyanna saw her former opponents near the doorway as Reno gave one of them instructions. The person she had knocked unconscious was awake. He had his arm around one of his fellow fighter’s as they left the training room.
“Don’t go after them,” Reno approached Liyanna’s company. She wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or to Pellinor, whose eyes were a little too bright.
“Who’s going after whom?”
“Captain—”
“Control your pack, Halfling,” Pellinor said and walked out.
“What’s his problem?” Mindy asked.
Liyanna’s hand went up to the scratch on her cheek. She had caught Pellinor staring at her face when Mindy barged in.
Reno’s office resembled a sci-fi movie when Liyanna and Mindy entered an hour later. A Tiger’s eye stone spun at the center of the table emanating a wave of energy which manifested into images and code hovering around the long table. Half of those in attendance were Black Guards while the other half consisted of Pellinor and his men. None of them were in uniform but they had come heavily armed judging from the two piles of weaponry stacked in a corner.
Everyone stood the moment they walked in. A chair was vacated for Liyanna. Once she was seated, everybody settled down. Meanwhile, Mindy occupied the chair at the Comms area with round glass mirrors held together by a metal frame. The control was a crystal ball which Mindy seemed to be familiar with as she confidently moved her hand over it.
A Guard officer who was in the middle of delivering his report when Liyanna and her friend came in resumed. One out of ten in Merleina was illegally travelling to the third dimension in search of missing family members and friends. The Council kept the information under wraps while it investigated how these civilians were still able to cross to the third dimension. The Elders would completely lose control of the situation in a number of days.
“They have already lost control when they let their fear rule them,” Liyanna said. Sara’s prophecy was still fresh in her memory. She extended her hand to Reno. A stone disk materialized and dropped on her palm. She pushed the vision into the stone and released it. The disk replaced the first stone on the table. The images played before them. The audience grew silent at the sight of the glass tanks Reno called stasis chambers.
“How did you come by this information?” Reno asked.
“The necklace.”
Reno retrieved the disk. “We’ll continue in an hour.” The Guards and Sentries filed out. Those who stayed behind were Liyanna, Mindy, and Pellinor.
Reno tapped the table with two fingers in a tap-tap-tap tap-tap pattern. A door behind his desk slid open and Arturion’s impostor walked in.
“S7504, meet–”
“Liyanna. I know.” The impostor plopped on the chair, earning Pellinor’s glare.
“S7504 has been very helpful in giving us intel about his employer’s activities and on how to deactivate the drones used for abducting our people. He will be leading a squad to destroy the data they’ve collected about us.”
“I’m going with S7,” Mindy said.
“No, you’re not. Pellinor and I have discussed how we’ll divide our men. He brought out a miniature globe. It was a map of the third dimensional Earth with lights marking specific areas. Reno pointed at the green light. “The Sentries will rescue those in facilities near forested areas and unchartered islands.” He pointed at the red. “My men will take care of the facilities in more populated areas. Their system is centralized. Once the main server is out, we move in then move out quickly. How long do we have before the generator revives the whole system?” Reno asked the impostor.
“Sixty seconds max., including boot up.”
“We’ll make it work.”
“You don’t have to. I can delay it for a little while,” Mindy butted in.
“How do you plan to do that?”
“I have a program that could trick the computer into thinking it needs a system update. It’ll shut itself down without triggering the generator.”
“Clever, except you forgot one tiny detail,” S7 said. “
To install this program, you’ll need to override five biometric scanners.”
“Mindy,” Reno warned.
“Why should I stay when Kristina’s going?”
“Liyanna,” Reno corrected, “is staying in HQ.”
“She can’t,” Pellinor said. Liyanna was aware he wanted nothing more but to agree with Reno. She assumed the Captain was just following Kelor-dan’s orders.
“Captain, she is vital to our people. I can’t risk her neck out there.”
“She is not powerless. She can fight. You have seen it. Your stray dog can vouch for it.” Pellinor glanced at S7, who rubbed his neck absently. The skin beneath the collar showed blue-black. It didn’t take long for Liyanna to recognize how he acquired the discolored stripe on his neck. She couldn’t help stare at the damage she had inflicted; a few centimeters more and Liyanna could have broken his collar bone.
“What are you not telling me?” Reno’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“We’ve agreed to take Liyanna with us after you have seen her fight.”
“You’re evading the question.”
“Kelor-dan sent you his best warriors to help you in your mission.”
“I am merely asking why Liyanna has to join us.”
“You gave your word that you would ask no questions regarding Liyanna’s purpose for joining us,” Pellinor said tersely.
“I did under the assumption that she has relevant information to share. Her safety is our first priority and you want me to allow her, Their target, in the field. Again, why?” Reno’s voice boomed.
“Because I’ll die if I don’t,” Liyanna said.
The two men turned their heads to her. They seemed to have forgotten she was present in the room.
“There’s more chance of you dying out there.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I do. You want to look for him as much as I do. But it’s impossible to trace someone who left part of his Self in that” – he pointed at her necklace – “to become completely human and take on a new identity.”
“What do you mean?”
“Arturion buried his memories of Merleina in that crystal. As member of one of the most influential families, he knew too much. It was the price he paid to protect us.”
“And me.” He neither agreed nor denied it. “Then, I’m your only chance of finding him.” My soul is bound to his.
He would never compromise your situation.
He didn’t. We did. We formed the bond in the past.
Where’s your proof?
My memories will have to be enough. You won’t find it in your records. The first Liyanna had asked the few people who knew to keep it secret. She would’ve survived the Shift if her bonded mate didn’t die. “Nevertheless, you can’t stop me from going.”
“She’s a big girl now, Commander.” Pellinor interjected. “Besides, you have your dogs, me to lead the best fighters of my kingdom, and Kelor-dan’s resources. We’ll make a formidable force against your sworn enemies.”
“They’re your enemies, too.” Pellinor studied the map intently seeming not to have heard Reno. “Alright. I want her protected at all times.” To Liyanna, he said: “Stay with your group.”
“My people will protect her,” Pellinor said.
“My men won’t like it.” Reno shook his head. “How many of the Sentries will guard her?”
“Eight.”
“I suggest half of it come from my Order.”
Pellinor didn’t look pleased with the idea. “Very well, my second-in command will lead them.”
The Captain and the Commander discussed contingency plans with S7. From Mindy’s thoughts, Liyanna learned that S7 offered his full cooperation in exchange for asylum in Merleina. But what surprised the Guards most of all was the man’s ability to adapt quickly to the energies in the fourth dimensional plane. He was considered the first in his line of work to enter their world and still move normally after a week.
“Assembly is in twelve hours. I suggest everyone retire and prepare before then,” Reno declared.
“Uncle, I’m going with you,” Mindy said.
“You are staying here.”
“I won’t be a liability. I can help.”
“Child, be reasonable.”
“I am not a child. I’m twenty-five.”
“In this world, you still are. And you are acting like one. You’re staying here. That is an order. Or, should I have you confined to your room with a Guard posted at the door?”
Uncle and niece stared down each other. Eventually, Mindy stormed out of Reno’s office.
“Fiery, that one,” S7 murmured in amusement.
Reno and Liyanna glared at the ex-spy.
Chapter 27
Liyanna
The room held minimal furnishings, a small table and chair, a bunk bed, and a cabinet. Its sole luxury was the private bathroom and it belonged to the Liyanna. The perks of her position included having Mindy as her roommate once the girl stopped moping in the dorms. There were five hours left before they traveled to the third dimension.
The smells of the forest seeped through the doorway. Pellinor slipped inside and left the door ajar. He examined her from head to toe and commented, “You look very human.”
She wore a black shirt, jeans and sneakers. The outfit would allow her to blend in crowded areas and disappear in the dark.
“How much did you tell him?”
“Enough to change his mind.” She pulled her hair into a loose bun. It would have been the best disguise if its color didn’t stand out too much. There was also the chance that those who had been after her would link her to the person she looked like.
“What did you tell the Commander?”
“I told him about my bond with Arturion.” From her mirror, she could see Pellinor shake his head. “Can you think of another way to have him agree to your plans?”
“Yes, if you didn’t interrupt our discussion.”
“You were taking so long to convince him I had to step in.”
“I was trying to—” He closed the door. “His office is designed to compel people to speak truths. There is a way to bend it without its caster knowing, which is what I was trying to do when you decided to “step in.” Your bond with that Halfling must not become common knowledge to my people and theirs.”
She turned from the mirror as realization hit her. “You knew.”
“The Prince knows, too. He has always been a strong supporter of the first Liyanna and a key player in her rise to power.” He paused. “I, on the other hand, was a less eager pawn in the Prince’s plans for her. Thus, I was left much in ignorance until it was too late.” Liyanna felt real emotion emitting from Pellinor before he snatched it back behind the cold exterior he persisted to show toward her.
Suddenly, the door swung wide hitting the Captain at the back. Mindy offered a quick apology and pulled Liyanna outside.
“Mindy, where are we going?” She couldn’t make sense of the jumbled thoughts her friend was broadcasting in the ether.
They were two floors down when Mindy responded, “They’re going to take Fred.” She continued to drag Liyanna along.
You can hear us. Liyanna stopped walking, forcing Mindy to look at her.
“Please don’t tell anyone.” Mindy tugged at her hand. “You have to stop them. He said that Alfred knows. If Fred is really part of this, Uncle might be walking into a trap.”
“Who said—”
“Arty. He left a message with your necklace. Uncle Reno thinks Fred knows where Arty’s being held. Uncle’s planning to lead you away from the action. He says he’ll secure Arty himself. He doesn’t want the both of you getting hurt any further than this.”
Mindy rapped at the door and pulled Liyanna inside. S7 sat up from the bed. His shirt lay on the floor haphazardly, giving the women full view of the bruises on his neck, stomach and arm.
“What do you want?” he said in a bored tone.
“You know where Fred is,” Mindy
said.
“So what if I know where he is?” S7 lay on his back and stared at the ceiling. “Your uncle knows. Bother him.”
“Where is he, S7?”
“Go ahead, throw a tantrum. You can even ask warrior princess there to thrash me. The hell I care.”
“Just tell me.” Mindy stomped her foot.
“Leave me alone.”
While she fumed in frustration, Liyanna saw S7’s mental projection of a lake and the vivid sounds of nature in morning. “Mindy, why don’t you leave us for a few minutes, I’ll talk to him.”
Liyanna studied S7 as she followed Mindy’s progress outside. When no one was within earshot and mental range, she said: “You’ve changed.”
“Must be the fresh air.” Mindy’s face popped in his head which he quickly replaced with the vision of the lake.
“How long has she been coming here?”
He didn’t answer.
“She’s the first person to befriend you. And,” she paused, “you know her secret.”
“Everybody knows her secret.”
“Not like we do.”
S7 stared at her. Finally, he said: “You don’t know what you’re up against. Let the “adults” handle it. This isn’t a war you can win, princess. Their leaders are older than your lot. Much, much older.”
“If you’re so sure they’ll win, why are you here?”
“I was taken.”
“You’re helping us.”
“In exchange for my freedom. They can’t take me back if they can’t enter this dimension. Besides, I never really liked Them.” The imagery in his mind did not waver. “And I’m not keen on giving my ex-bosses free tickets to this place by giving you ideas.”
“I’m not going to get caught and I have people protecting me.”
He looked her in the eye and considered. “Fred probably knows what happened in Arturion’s house by now. His next move would either be to go into hiding or to act as if nothing’s changed. If the latter, he’ll be attending the midnight conference with Peter’s father.”
The Realms of Ethair Page 18