The Cypher Wheel

by Alison Pensy

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Faedra felt better having all three of her friends around her. They sat in a circle on the floor of the room she had just carved out, hidden away from prying eyes and ears. Ideas about how to stifle Arawn's plan were flying back and forth. One thing was certain, they had to warn Todmus before they 'introduced' him to his long lost wife and daughter. However, they were still a little sketchy on what to do after that. Maybe Todmus himself would have some ideas of his own. Faedra knew that he practiced magic and now she was pretty sure he was much more powerful than any of them ever suspected.

  Jocelyn had reported, when she joined them, that Allora was busy with the ovates who were holding her in endless conversation about her time in captivity. So she was not likely to be gatecrashing their little soiree anytime soon. Faedra found that her newly developing powers were more and more useful as time went on. She ramped up her senses so she would be able to tell if anyone was coming down the corridor. Short of a person turning off all emotions, she could 'feel' when anyone was close. She couldn't necessarily tell who it was unless it was someone she was close to and was used to their particular energy. Faedra was getting to the point of being able to tell where any of her three close friends were within a hundred foot radius.

  Jocelyn's eyes widened in horror as she listened to what Alyssa had divulged to the Custodian earlier that day. Allora had been so friendly to her, and all the while she was being taken in by none other than Faedra's arch nemesis.

  “Okay, so we all agree we have to warn Todmus before we take Allora and Skylar into Azran,” Faedra said, looking round at her three cohorts. They each nodded.

  “My next suggestion is sending Alyssa back to Arawn.”

  “What? No!” Etyran spouted. “You can't send her back to that monster.”

  Jocelyn put a calming hand on Etyran's forearm. “Listen to what she has to say first.”

  Faedra could feel his protective energy explode proving what she predicted, that it wouldn't take long for him to bond with his own kind. Not that she was surprised, and she certainly couldn't blame him. If there was one thing she loved about her friend, it was his fierce protectiveness of those he loved.

  “Hear me out, Etyran,” Faedra said, trying to sooth his angst.

  “This better be good.” Etyran huffed, throwing a scowl at the Custodian for good measure.

  “Well, Arawn doesn't know that Alyssa has been discovered. He will be expecting a status report on his plan. He will also expect Alyssa to be going back and forth between him and us with progress reports. If she doesn't report back to him today, he'll know something is wrong and we'll have lost the element of surprise.”

  “Okay, then I'm going with her,” Etyran said.

  “No way, it's too risky,” Faedra responded.

  “You're expecting her to do it,” Etyran shot back indignantly. “So, don't even think you can try and stop me.” He crossed his arms over his chest to send the message home.

  Faedra looked at the Lightbender for a moment, took in a deep breath and admitted he had a valid point.

  “Can she be trusted?” Faen asked,

  Faedra turned to face her Guardian, thought about his question for a moment, then responded. “I believe she can, yes. She wants her freedom from Arawn and she sees us as her way of getting that freedom. He was holding Etyran over her head all these years, that's why she has been doing his bidding. He threatened to kill the only other Lightbender alive. Now that she knows who that other Lightbender is, and that he's safe, this is her chance to escape and live a normal life.”

  “Another good reason I should go, just in case she can't be trusted,” Etyran said.

  “Okay, hands up. I admit you have a good point,” Faedra conceded, garnering her a smug smirk from her friend.

  “What about Allora...I mean Vivianna?” Jocelyn asked. “She knows Alyssa's cover has been blown.”

  “That's easy,” Faedra said, a wry smile curving her lips, allowing a slight pause for effect.

  Faen, Etyran and Jocelyn looked intently at the Custodian, waiting for her to continue.

  “She escapes, of course.”

  Jocelyn screwed up her forehead at the reply and looked at Etyran who responded with a shrug.

  “We cause a commotion in the main chamber and make sure everyone sees us discussing the fact that Alyssa has escaped. She will approach Allora and tell her that she has escaped and that she's on her way to Arawn to give him a progress report. Allora, or rather Vivianna, will not suspect a thing.”

  “So who goes to warn Todmus?” Jocelyn continued.

  “Faen and I will go. We can use the guise that I can sense Alyssa and we are going after her to try and cut her off before she gets to Arawn's castle. Allora will be expecting us to do something; she would be suspicious if we didn't try and find her,” Faedra explained. “Jocelyn, I need you to stay here and explain what is happening to Vivianna, I mean Allora, urgh, I'm getting all confused now. Anyway, try and keep her occupied. We don't want her leaving the cave until everything is in place.”

  Jocelyn nodded her agreement.

  Faedra had to give Jocelyn her dues. She could sense the sadness enveloping her friend like a blanket, but the young fairy was doing an excellent job of putting on a brave face.

  “Okay, Jocelyn. You go out into the cave with Etyran. It will look suspicious if they haven't seen us all for a while. I'll come and join you in a bit, leaving Faen to...” Faedra motioned some in-the-air quotation marks with her fingers. “...stand guard.”

  “Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road,” Etyran said as he pushed himself up from the ground.

  “I just hope Alyssa will go for it. We haven't told her the plan, yet.”

  “Oh, she will,” Etyran said with an air of confidence Faedra hoped wasn't premature.

  “And you know this from spending five minutes with her after having just wrestled her to the ground the night before?” Faedra said, trying hard to keep the sarcasm at bay but failing miserably.

  Etyran scowled; there was no other word for it. He pulled a face like a five year old and scowled.

  “Sorry, that was uncalled for,” Faedra apologized. “I'm finding it harder to keep nasty thoughts out of my head just lately.” She was relieved when Etyran gave her a smile of forgiveness.

  It was becoming a problem for her, though, and she knew it was one of the side effects of having Savu's power. More and more she would find herself thinking mean things about people, something that was alien to her. She just hoped it was something she could keep under control. She would hate to say something that would really upset someone, especially someone she loved.

  Faedra brought herself back to the task at hand. “Faen, let's go and find out if Alyssa will help us.”

  Faen nodded and stood up, holding out a hand for his charge, which she accepted with a smile as he helped her up off the ground.

  “Thank you.”

  “Pleasure.”

  Etyran rolled his eyes at the pleasantries.

  “Don't knock it, Etyran. Girls love a bit of chivalry every now and then,” Faedra said with a smirk. “You'd do well to remember that.”

  Etyran blushed a little before turning to offer his hand to Jocelyn, only to find she was already standing. “Guess I'm going to have to brush up on those skills.”

  Jocelyn gave him a smile. “It wouldn't hurt.”

  As the four wandered down the corridor, they saw Carina heading towards them.

  “You wanted to see me?” she asked when they came together outside Alyssa's cell.

  “Yes, thank you for coming,” Faedra said. “We have a...situation.”

  Carina's eyebrows rose with interest.

  “In here.” Faedra opened the door to Alyssa's cell and motioned for Carina to enter before she and Faen slipped in after her, leaving the others to continue on to the main cave.

  ***

  A little while later Faedra was sitting on the floor teaching Skylar, and
Jocelyn for that matter, how to play 'pat-a-cake'. Both girls were enthralled with the clapping game, which put a big smile on Faedra's face. Her mum used to play it with her when she was a child. The warm memories associated with it came flooding back. After a few more minutes, Faedra noticed that along with the happy memories, the meanness she'd been experiencing dissipated. She realized she was so relaxed playing with the little girl, whose trust she had now earned, that she almost forgot she was in the middle of a plan to thwart an enemy sitting right next to them on one of the benches in the main cave. Etyran stood watching the three girls, chin in hand, giving them strange looks at the clapping game they were playing.

  Prickles ran down Faedra's back a few minutes later, a shift in the atmosphere that was undeniable. She could feel a wave of nervousness flow around her just before Allora sat up with a start and stared straight ahead. Faedra turned her gaze from Allora, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Good, Faedra thought. Alyssa must have 'escaped' and was now whispering her plan to Allora.

  She sent a subtle glance in Jocelyn's direction to let her know the plan was unfolding, garnering a barely discernible nod of acknowledgment from the young fairy. Etyran's energy and attention also shifted behind her; she knew that Faen must be entering the cave to start the show.

  “Faedra,” Faen said with an urgent tone, as he reached them.

  Faedra put on her best acting face and feigned concern at her Guardian's worried expression. She got up off the floor, leaving Jocelyn to play with Skylar.

  “What is it?” Faedra asked, as Faen pulled her and Etyran to one side.

  They stood in a huddle and pretended to whisper for a moment.

  Faedra broke from the huddle and whispered to Jocelyn, who faked a great shocked expression. Fairies, it was turning out, were talented actors.

  Skylar's happy expression dropped. Faedra hadn't expected her to have such good hearing. Jocelyn's excellent mock-look of worry cemented the act even more.

  “That lady got away?” Skylar cried. “She will tell him where we are. He will take us back.” Skylar's eyes started to glisten with unshed tears and deep-seeded fear etched itself onto her innocent features. Faedra took one look at her and felt awful. She didn't stop to think of the effect their plan would have on the little girl.

  Faedra kneeled down in front of Skylar and took hold of her shoulders. “Now don't you worry. We won't let that happen.”

  “You promise?”

  “I promise.” Faedra gave the little girl a reassuring smile that shone all the way up to her eyes.

  Skylar nodded and smiled back; trusting what the Custodian was telling her. Faedra was relieved when she felt the little girl relax.

  Faedra stood up and addressed Jocelyn. “You stay here; she couldn't have got very far. We should be able to find her.”

  “But she's invisible, how will you find an invisible person in a forest?” Jocelyn was acting the part to perfection.

  Faedra could see Allora in her peripheral vision. The smirk planted on her face was undeniable but quickly vanished when Faedra turned to talk to her.

  “We have to leave for a while. When we get back, I promise we'll make our way to Azran and reunite you with your husband. I just have to make sure it is safe first,” Faedra said.

  The last thing Faedra heard as she was leaving the hall with Faen and Etyran was Jocelyn explaining what was going on to Allora. Faedra's smile widened with the knowledge that she was finally one step ahead of her vengeful half-sister.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Faedra and Faen exited the cave along with Etyran and Alyssa. They traveled down the path far enough that they could be sure they weren't being followed. Alyssa unwrapped herself while Faedra pulled the cypher wheel from its pouch.

  “So you know what to tell Arawn?” Faedra asked Alyssa.

  Alyssa nodded, her nervousness quite apparent in her expression.

  Faedra put a hand on her shoulder. “You'll be fine. Etyran will be with you the whole time. He's not going to let anything happen to you.”

  Alyssa looked up at Etyran and gave him a weak smile.

  “She's right,” Etyran reiterated. “I won't let anything happen to you.”

  “We'll meet back here before going to the cave to continue the plan, okay?”

  “Okay,” Etyran and Alyssa answered.

  “Faedra, we should be going,” Faen said.

  Faedra nodded. “Yes, you're right.” She turned to Etyran and Alyssa just before they wrapped the light around themselves and disappeared from view. “Good luck, guys.”

  “You, too,” replied a bodiless chorus.

  Faedra returned her focus to the cypher wheel and the piece of parchment Carina had given her with the reverse coordinates written on it in Ogham. She hoped it would work and take them back to the last place they were in the World of Men.

  Faen linked his arm with his Custodian's, ready for when she turned the dial for the last letter.

  “Ready?” Faedra asked.

  “Always,” Faen replied with a smile.

  “Here we go, then. Faedra turned the dial. The flash of light was blinding, then, complete darkness.

  ***

  “It must be night time, I can't see a thing,” Faedra said, feeling around her. “Hold on a minute. Urgh, I don't believe it. The cypher wheel dumped us in a cupboard?” Her hands felt the wooden walls surrounding them. “I can't find a door. Do you have a door on your side?”

  “I do not believe it is a cupboard,” Faen said.

  “What else could it be? It's cramped enough to be a cupboard.”

  Faen moved around trying to find a way out.

  “Faen, watch where you're putting your elbows,” Faedra grouched when Faen lifted his arms and bumped her on the side of the head.

  “I do apologize, Faedra. Like you said, it is very cramped in here.”

  Faedra started rapping on the wall with her knuckle. “It sounds hollow. Is it hollow on your side?”

  Faen rapped on the wall. “Yes, it sounds hollow here, too.”

  “Well, maybe I should just blast us out, then,” Faedra mused.

  “That might not be the best solution. We have no idea what is on the other side.”

  Faedra sighed; she was starting to enjoy blasting things to pieces. “Good point. Much as I want to get out of here, I would hate to hurt anyone standing on the other side.”

  Just then, Faedra heard a creak from above and was momentarily blinded by the light that poured in over them. Faedra blinked a few times, letting her eyes adjust to the sudden brightness. It was then she noticed the light wasn't the only thing that poured over them. Several pairs of eyes belonging to some very bewildered owners were looking down at them. One pair, in particular, belonged to someone she recognized. A tour guide. He still had hold of the latch on the lid he just lifted up.

  “Err, hi.” Faedra gave the onlookers a sheepish smile as Faen quickly jumped out of the treasure chest, forcing the wide-eyed tour guide to take a hasty step back. He leaned over and held a hand out for his charge.

  True to the ovate's word. They had been transported back to the place from whence they came; the treasure chest in the cellar at Dragon Hall. Only Faedra hadn't expected Carina to be so literal.

  “What...? How...?” the tour guide stuttered, pointing first at them, then at the treasure chest.

  “Sorry, no time to explain, we've got a bus to catch,” Faedra said, grinning at the bemused tourists. “Excuse us, coming through,” she continued, as she and Faen pushed their way through the stunned gathering who were taking a tour around the ancient building. The confused tourists parted to either side, letting them through.

  “Faen, we really should remember about the whole glamour thing before dropping in on anyone else, don't you think?” Faedra asked, as they left the cellar and the tourists behind.

  Faen couldn't help but notice the wry smile curving her lips. “Yes, Custodian. It was very remiss of me. Although, considering you made enough
noise to wake the dead, glamour would not have done us much good.”

  Faedra stopped. “Faen, was that an attempt at sarcasm?”

  “I thought I might give it a try. What do you think?”

  Faedra looked thoughtful for a second then shook her head. “Not really you.”

  “No, I thought not.” Faen gave his charge a cheeky grin, which she returned.

  A wave of confusion hit Faedra straight between the shoulder blades, followed by some urgent muttering. She turned. At the other end of the corridor, some of the tourists were poking their heads around the archway from the cellar, watching her and Faen intently.

  She turned back to her Guardian, stifled a giggle, and said. “Come on, we better get out of here.”

  Faen and Faedra picked up their pace and carried on down the corridor to the exit, leaving several sets of curious eyes in their wake and a befuddled tour guide standing over the empty treasure chest scratching his head.

  Faedra burst out of the door onto the path outside, causing an older lady, who was laden down with shopping bags, to side step around her.

  “Oops, sorry,” Faedra apologized, but all it garnered her was a hard glare as the lady continued on her way down the street.

  “I said I was sorry,” Faedra shouted after her. “What more do you want? Blood?”

  The lady gave her an uneasy sideways glance and picked up her pace.

  “Faedra!”

  Faen's reproving tone caused the Custodian to turn and wrinkle her eyebrows at him. “What?”

  “I have never heard you talk to anyone like that before,” Faen said, concern etched on his face.

  “Yeah, well, she gave me a dirty look,” Faedra countered, dismissing his words with a swipe of her hand.

  “Because you nearly knocked her into the street.”

  Faedra gave him a thoughtful look for a moment. “Whatever. Come on, we need to get to the church and find Todmus.”