Reality's Plaything 5: The Infinity Annihilator
Page 64
“There I must agree,” Marna said with a grim voice. “All we can do is assume the worst and prepare ourselves as best we can.”
Daena looked around at all the people. “So, what do we do?”
Still staring at the cell Koass sighed, his broad shoulders rounding down. To see a creature of truly cosmic power in a display of helplessness made a cold shiver go through Bannor. “Go home,” the Eternal said. “Go home and enjoy yourselves. Make your lives as full as you can. It will be a few turns of the seasons before these creatures are ready to move.” He turned and looked around. “In the interim, those of us who intend to fight, who aren’t already training, should start.” His glowing eyes fixed on Bannor and he realized the remark was aimed at him. His gaze shifted to Daena. “You too, young lady.”
Daena put a hand to her chest. “Me? Haven’t I been doing well enough?”
Koass folded his arms. “And how well would you fair in a fight against your sister?” He nodded toward Wren.
Daena blinked and looked over at the blonde savant. “That’s not fair! Train is about all she does!”
The eternal shrugged. “It’s your skin. Remember, you work for me now.”
Daena’s green eyes went wide.
“I think you can sneak some training in between parties and school,” Ziedra said with a grin.
The auburn-haired girl snorted. “Getting sweaty and being punched is not my idea of fun.”
“Ena, I’ll train with you,” Janai said. “It’s not that bad.”
“You will?” Sarai said, jaw dropping.
The elder sister waved a hand in front of her face. “I like being a Shael Dal. I want to stay a Shael Dal. If that means getting sweaty,” she sighed. “That’s what I will do.”
“So, yer ready to do missions, is it?” Tal said with a raised eyebrow.
The dark-haired elf rolled her eyes. “What has all this been? One long grueling mission! Anything else should seem like a bloody picnic! If there’s anything I’ve learned—service to the Protectorate is not about how hard you can smack something. A shaladen is quite a bit more versatile than that.”
“Is that so?” Koass said with a shake of his head. “Who did you learn that from? I know it wasn’t Falor.”
The burly warrior snorted.
“Levity aside,” Koass said. “I plan to arm every trustworthy and resourceful candidate with a shaladen. Shaladens will be created for each of Gaea’s trusted children for when you are called to active duty. As I said earlier, we will be inducting members of the Kriar and Chosen above and beyond the Sabre-wings, as long as they are willing to abide by our edicts.”
Bannor tried to imagine creatures like Quasar and Eclipse armed with shaladens. He couldn’t wrap his mind around it. Koass was taking a big chance. What if the Kriar decided to turn on the eternals?
He glanced to Gaea. The green mother was his insurance. Of course, the Kriar truly had bigger worries if they were indeed targeted as Senalloy said.
“So, am I understanding that this is a stand down order?” King Jhaan asked, stepping forward.
“Yes,” Koass answered. He continued, his powerful thoughts rolling out through the shaladens and probably out to the minds of all those that had been involved in the conflict.
Koass straightened and blinked his glowing eyes. “I wish I could be more happy about making that announcement.”
“It could be worse,” Gaea said nearby.
“Aye,” he agreed. “Far worse indeed.” He turned to the elf lord. “Jhaan, you were going to request temporary housing for the court of Kul’Amaron while the clean up proceeds, yes?”
The King bowed. “Yes, Sir, we were.”
“Granted. You have a lease of three score-days. Please see eternal Culavera to see to the securing of the space, we don’t want any kiters using your portals to gain access to Eternity’s Heart.”
Jhaan nodded and saluted. “Thank you.”
Koass nodded. He looked around. “Thanks for all your work everyone. As a thank you to those that helped, we will be tendering access permissions and temporary use of the paradise powers in Eternity’s heart.” He looked to Marna. “The day after tomorrow at seven bells please come to my quarters.”
The Vatraena nodded.
He swung a hand to Gaea, Aarlen, and Elsbeth. “This concerns you three as well.” He frowned. “Though it pains me, I must include Vulcindra as well.” He leaned to one side and caught the eye of pantheon lady Idun. “Lady Idun, I would like you to attend as a representative of the pantheons. I will invite some others of your peers, but without your presence and confirmation of recent events, I doubt our words will be given much credence.”
Idun brushed back her hair. “I understand. As lady Senalloy said, the powers of the realms must all join in this. I will commit to getting as much support as possible from the pantheons.”
“My gratitude,” Koass said. “Well, that’s it. Let’s go home.”
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* * *
Chapter Thirty-Nine
I was just glad for a reprieve. Never for
a moment did I think the nightmare was
over…
—Kalindinai T’Evagduran,
Queen of Malan
The return to Kul’Amaron was more than a little surreal to Bannor. They were returning home to their own living space and their own bed. The Felspars and Kergathas had become so accustomed to living in the citadel that they probably considered it as much their home as any other place they lived. Tarkath Chauser, who had provided them their ride back, walked arm and arm with Kel’Varan Damay. Though the elder lady made a show of acting aloof, it was easy to tell she doted on the attention. The Queen, Cassandra, Euriel, Dorian and Desiray were in good spirits, smiling and relaxed for the first time in a long while. As they chatted and talked about things other than the next skirmish, the bond that had formed between them showed in the familiar way they spoke. They were all strong women with powerful passion and a deep love for their families. He felt Sarai squeeze his hand and he looked down.
“Bath,” she said.
He looked down at his burned clothing and soot blackened skin. He nodded. “Bath.”
“Sarai?” Kalindinai said from behind them.
She turned. “Yes, Mother?”
“Breakfast,” she glanced to Cassandra and Euriel. “Your quarters? Chauser informs me the main dining hall will need cleaning up before it is suitable for dining again.”
“I think we can accommodate, provided we get a little assistance moving things around.”
“Done!” Cassandra said. “That’s what children are for.” She winked and smiled.
“Really?” Ziedra said, floating up behind them. “I thought they were for grand-children.”
Cassandra raised an eyebrow. “Grandchildren are an obligation quite separate from chores.”
“I see,” Ziedra said with a shake of her head. “Just the same, I’ll help move furniture around to get some of the fine dining provided by Sarai’s cooks. Last time was very good.”
Sarai rubbed the back of her neck. “We’ll have to fetch them in from town.”
“Arminwen,” Senalloy said. “Let’s wait on call
ing back the servants until I’ve had a chance to make sure Malbraion hall is safe. It’s well away from the main citadel, but there’s a chance it might have been compromised.”
“She makes a good point,” Loric said. “Much as I would simply like to fall down in a bed, we need to make a sweep of the citadel to make sure what areas are safe to move around in.”
“Lady Ziedra,” Kalindinai asked. “Can you accompany Janai and Daena to their quarters?”
“I’d be happy too,” Ziedra said with a nod.
“I will assist my young ones,” Idun said.
“I can’t remove those wards, Kal,” Cassandra said. “I can find them for you though.” She tapped her temple next to her shining black eyes.
“Leave us move on these things quickly,” King Jhaan said. “I know I am not the only one longing for the embrace of bed linens.”
The groups split up, the Felspars and Kergathas accompanying the King, Queen, and Ryelle into the back halls of Kul’Amaron. Gaea, after a short consultation with Wren, beckoned Ziedra, Radian, and Damay. Chauser tagged along with Damay and the ten person group made their way toward the outside and Green Run.
They stepped out of the citadel proper into the muted daylight. Clouds hung in thick sheaths overhead, like rumpled gray blankets strewn across the arc of the sky. Golden shafts of sunlight stabbed down into the surrounding forest through holes in the heavy overcast. The group of them stopped at the top of the causeway leading into Green Run and turned their faces into a breeze heavy with the scent of impending rain.
“Ah,” Gaea said. “The outside. I finally get to see and experience it.” She sighed and took a deep breath.
“Though I have been back in the flesh some summers,” Damay said, brushing back her hair. “The novelty has yet to wear off.”
The Kriar tarkath, Chauser, squinted up at sky, gold skin glinting in the glow from the clouds.
They turned and headed down into the arched corridors, footsteps echoing on the stone. To Bannor’s ears, it seemed loud in the stillness.
“I trust there’s space,” Gaea said in a wistful tone, smiling. “I favor Wren so much I think she needs some time away from me once in a while.”
“We don’t mind having you for company, Mother,” Janai said, her voice echoing.
“It will be nice to just spend a little time and do nothing,” Daena said with sigh.
“Don’t count on that,” Sarai said with a shake of her head. “We have thousands of things to do. Mother isn’t going to let us rest all that long.”
“Great,” Daena said with a roll of her eyes.
Janai rubbed Daena’s shoulder. “It won’t be so bad.”
In Green Run’s central courtyard, Bannor, Sarai, and Senalloy took their leave from Janai, Daena, and the others. Inside Malbraion hall, the stillness seemed eerie. The three of them made a circuit of all the chambers while Bannor and Senalloy searched for magic. After a half bell of searching they determined it to be safe.
Sarai picked a sizeable suite that wasn’t in use and offered it to Senalloy. The Baronian lady accepted with a smile, promising to take a long bath and meet them later for dinner. Sarai promised they would do the same.
The three of them had a quiet dinner of basic staples pulled from Sarai’s pantry. They sat at a small breakfast table situated on the balcony overlooking the river. The sun was just setting, casting a tangerine glow in the darkening sky. The first few stars had just started to show in the east.
Little was said, and in truth, little needed to be said. They had come to know one another so well in such a short time. It was testimony to the elder lady’s straightforward charms that she had earned Sarai’s respect, her trust, and thereafter her friendship. In some ways, she seemed more at ease with the silver haired Baronian than she did members of her own family.
Senalloy swirled the wine in her goblet and stared up at the far away stars. Her violet eyes had a far off look.
It was Sarai that reached across the small table and touched the big woman’s hand. Senalloy’s gaze came down and met Sarai’s. She made a little smile, acknowledging the gesture and putting her hand on top of Sarai’s.
She drew a breath, her face turning serious. Her tone dropped. “Sar.”
His wife-to-be straightened up, violet eyes widening. “Sen?”
“I won’t let them hurt Vhina,” she said in a dark tone. “Kell, our blood, yours and—mine—” There was the barest flick of her gaze at him, before she continued. “He sacrificed his reality to make sure she stayed free. We, you and I, have to do the rest.”
Sarai’s eyes narrowed, showing she took Senalloy’s words seriously. “Sen, what can we do? Even in ten summers she’ll just be a baby…”
The Baronian leaned forward and patted Sarai’s arm. “Trust her blood. This girl…” She shook her head. “I just have a feeling.”
“Well, we already know she’s one tough little scrapper,” Bannor said, reaching out and giving Sarai’s arm a squeeze.
“Sen, I will not let my daughter become a monster,” Sarai responded with a flat tone.
The silver-haired lady brushed back her hair and fixed Sarai with a stare. “Can any creature that fights to protect freedom be considered a monster?”
***
As he and Sarai napped after dinner, the sound of the Baronian lady’s voice played in the back of his head, making his skin prickle. Though Sarai had not directly responded to the statement, he could tell it bothered her. Senalloy asked hard questions. No mother willingly risks her child even for the grandest of goals. It was another ludicrous thought like many others they had entertained in recent times. How could their child represent a force able to thwart the Chyrith invasion? What was Senalloy basing that on? If anyone could smash back their enemies, Wren and that crazy sword Mon’istiaga seemed the likely candidates.
They awoke a little before seven bells. Sarai decided to go into the city to fetch the staff of Malbraion hall. Dressing in a simple green shift and tying back her hair in a tail, Sarai reviewed herself in the mirror for barely a heartbeat before pulling on his arm. For himself, he had pulled on a pair a black breeches and white tunic. He, like Sarai, wore his shaladen clamped on his wrist like a large gold band.
Retracing their steps through the entry hall, Bannor flinched when a figure stepped out of the shadows into their path.
Sarai sucked a breath in surprise as the silhouette loomed over them. After a single step, the bright silver hair gave away who it was. Dressed in the dark gray of Malanian Nightslash Elite Senalloy was almost invisible in the dark.
His wife-to-be put a hand to her chest and sighed.
“Sen,” Sarai protested. “It’s just a walk into town. I’m a Shael Dal now.”
The Baronian lady shook her head. She raised a book that she must have been reading, and laid a felt strip between the pages and closed the thick volume. She placed the tome on a table and came to stand by Sarai with folded arms.
“It’s for appearances and it will discourage trouble,” Senalloy said in a firm tone. “Besides I can handle situations without killing that you can’t. We do want to avoid killing, right?”
Sarai hung her head, defeated in one swift slash. “Yesss.”
“On another note, what were you planning to do about him?” she gestured to Bannor.
He frowned.
His wife-to-be scowled. “What about him?”
“Sar, he’s huge and scary.”
“He is not, he’s—oh…” she stopped and looked up at him. “Oh, I’ve gotten used to you being like this.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and raised an eyebrow. “Which part—huge or scary?”
“Sen is right, you will scare them. It’s too bad you can’t change your shape like Daena does.”
“Well, I can’t. So, do I have to hide until Wysteri can change
me back?”
“Why can’t you?” Senalloy asked with an arch expression.
He rolled his eyes. “That’s a silly question. I can’t because I don’t know how.”
“Oh really,” Senalloy responded. “And did you know how to warp phase when you beat the stuffing out of that Chyrith?”
His brow furrowed. “Well… no.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was just mad.”
Senalloy tilted her head and folded her arms. “Huh.” She blinked violet eyes. “You get mad and suddenly you can do things you don’t know how to do. I wonder what that’s all about…???”
He winced and held up his hands. “Okay okay, the body probably does have the ability. I just haven’t tried to figure it out.”
“Here, hold out the shaladen.”
Brow furrowing, he held out his left arm that had the band of the shaladen clamped. “Xersis, allow Senalloy to touch you.”
The elder lady touched his arm. She closed her eyes and he felt a tingling go through him. “Now,” she said. “You are wizard with shaping your shaladen. Think of your body as a separate but distinct part of Xersis. Like its hilt or its blade. I’ve seen you divide the shaladen into pieces. Think of yourself as one of those parts.”
This made sense to him. Whatever she was doing made his body feel like a part of the shaladen. This was certainly an easier exercise than shaping metal into living tissue as he had done with the Kriar’s mangled arm. He fitted the image of himself over what he knew to be his body, the face and stature that he remembered from the mirror some many days ago. He pushed into the tracery of the shaladen and willed the whole to assume the configuration envisioned.
A warm tingling shot through his limbs, a bubbling sound gurgled from his flesh. A bluish glow surrounded his body as he changed. The world grayed out and became blackness as his eyes reformed, sounds dulling to a slushy ring as his ears melted and reassembled. After a few moments, he stood next to Sarai, with her almost looking straight into his eyes.
His skin felt itchy and there was still a tingling in his scalp. He rubbed a hand through his hair. It felt different. His clothes now hung loose on him like hand-me-downs from an older sibling.