Andoran's Legacy

by M. Gregg Roe

  Audrey was beginning to regret telling the crystalloids so much about herself. After slowing her breathing, she tried again. And it worked, though not perfectly. She flexed her knees as she thumped down onto the carpet from a height of nearly a yard. But it was the right spot. She was smiling as she turned to face the table where Renata was perched.

  “At least you didn’t come in low,” said the crystalloid. “Altitude is also important.”

  “I realize that. Let me try again.” This time she imagined herself standing on the carpet next to the table and facing it. The transition was startling, but also exhilarating, because it had worked perfectly.

  “Much better. Now try the bedroom.”

  Seconds later, Audrey was standing in the bedroom, unable to suppress her cry of delight. Next she teleported herself to the kitchen and then back to the sitting room. “Now can I go get food?” she begged.

  “Only if it’s somewhere where no one will see you,” insisted Renata. “This ability needs to be kept secret. What about your home?”

  Audrey shook her head. “That would set off all kinds of alarms.” It might even summon the elementals. “What time of day is it?”

  “Early evening.”

  The more Audrey thought about it, the more frustrating it became. She couldn’t think of any place where she wouldn’t be at risk of running into someone she knew. Teleporting to some wilderness location would be safe, but then she would have to forage for food, and this wasn’t the best time of the year for that. Then it came to her: Glasston. She had been there once, but only briefly. And if she was recognized by someone, so what? She could just lie. They had stayed at a place called the Crystal Inn, and one time she had accidentally opened the door of a closet where they stored cleaning supplies. That was perfect.

  Audrey carefully formed the image in her mind, aiming to arrive just inside the door because that would have to be clear. Suddenly it was dark, which wasn’t really surprising. And it definitely smelled like the right place. After some fumbling, she found the door handle and cautiously pulled it open. Then she stared in disbelief at the person standing just outside.

  “Hello, Audrey,” said Aliva, her smile as lovely as always. “I’ve already reserved us a table with a view of the lake.”

  Audrey jabbed a finger at her friend. “After I eat, you are going to explain this. And you are buying.”

  Flying the over sixty miles from the Witch’s City to Glasston had taken most of the day. And, of course, Lasrina had given her no advance warning. Aliva had barely had time for a quick breakfast, and no time for lunch, so she was hungry too. Although not nearly as hungry as Audrey obviously was.

  “I haven’t had real food in days,” said Audrey, between bites of bread liberally spread with butter. “And I’m buying food to take back with me.”

  “Take back where?” asked Aliva, as she buttered her own piece of bread.

  Audrey finished chewing, swallowed, and then took a sip of wine from her glass goblet. “How did you know to be waiting for me here?” she countered, already tearing off another chunk of bread. She waved the piece of bread. “This is really good. I remember eating it when we were here before.”

  That had been when they both took part in the operation to kill Morton. Aliva’s role in that hadn’t gone exactly to plan, but they had succeeded in the end.

  “I was told to come here,” she explained. “Actually, I had to wait a while. And I felt a magical surge. Did you teleport?”

  Audrey nodded, because her mouth was full again. “Maybe I should slow down,” she said, then took another drink of wine. She held up her right hand and wiggled her fingers. “Behold my shiny new ring of teleportation.”

  Aliva held out her left hand, but she couldn’t sense any magic coming from it. “How can that work here?”

  “Andoran made it. It only works here.” Audrey leaned forward. “Aliva, how could you possibly know to be here?”

  Aliva had already been told that she was permitted to share her secret with Audrey, which was a huge surprise. “Lasrina told me. I kind of work for her.”

  Audrey looked dubious. “Lasrina the goddess? The one I worship?”

  “Yes.” Aliva found herself wondering if that was a coincidence or something more.

  The waiter arrived with their bowls of fish stew, and Audrey promptly grabbed her spoon and attacked hers. Aliva ate more slowly, trying to figure out just what was going on. When Audrey finished, she promptly ordered more bread and wine, but she finally looked relaxed. Then she began speaking just loud enough for Aliva to hear above the surrounding conversations, describing what had happened to her. Aliva found it rather amazing. She had heard that there was something going on with Audrey, but nothing specific.

  “I think I’ll take this back with me,” said Audrey, staring at the untouched loaf of bread. “I’ll ask them to wrap it up. Maybe I can get some butter too.”

  “We can also buy some cheese and sausage,” said Aliva. “I know a place.”

  Audrey nodded. “I’d forgotten about that. You and Isadora were here longer.”

  Aliva signaled their waiter, and it wasn’t long before they were outside with Audrey clutching a paper-wrapped package that included two loaves of bread and a small crock of butter. The small food stand was sandwiched between two stores that sold a variety of glass items. The proprietors even remembered her. Audrey insisted on paying, but Aliva carried the package as the two of them strolled away.

  “Now I need to find somewhere private,” said Audrey, looking upward at the clear sky where stars were just beginning to appear. “It’s a beautiful evening, but I promised to return.”

  “How about the beach? There are secluded areas away from the docks.” During her previous visit, she had explored the entire town thoroughly.

  “Lead on,” said Audrey.

  It really was a lovely evening, and there weren’t that many people out. Aliva was enjoying herself until the unwelcome voice sounded in her head.

  Go back with her, ordered Lasrina.

  “Lasrina says that I’m supposed to go back with you to … wherever.”

  Clearly startled, Audrey didn’t reply immediately. “I don’t know if the ring can carry other people.”

  It can convey up to six other people. Tell her that.

  Aliva did as she was told. They came to a sizable hole in the cliff above the beach and entered it. After glancing around one last time, Audrey’s face relaxed in concentration. And suddenly they were in the sitting area that Audrey had described. There was even a crystalloid sitting on the table. Smiling happily, Aliva walked over to examine it.

  “Audrey!” rang a voice in Aliva’s head that sounded odd and yet human. “What have you done?” Two legs rose up and jabbed at Aliva. “Who is this?”

  Aliva found the way that the crystalloid moved fascinating. “My name is Aliva. I serve the goddess Lasrina. She told me to accompany Audrey, but I don’t know why.”

  “I’ll explain,” said Audrey. “But first we need to put this food away.”

  The explanation took a while, especially since it was given to over a dozen curious crystalloids. Prompted by Lasrina, Aliva was able to convince them by revealing details about their pasts. It was Audrey who finally put an end to their questions, complaining that she was tired. But Renata had one last thing to say.

  “We are honored that Lady Lasrina has blessed our efforts. She is the weaver of fates, and it is the fate of Andoran’s Realm that concerns us. We will gladly work with both of you to assure the continued prosperity of the Realm.”

  Audrey waited to speak until the crystalloids had all departed through the magical portal. “I’m really glad that you’re here,” she said in a tired voice. “This was becoming overwhelming.”

  Aliva shrugged. “I do what Lasrina tells me to do, but I’m happy to help.”

  Audrey stood up and stretched. “There’s only one bed, but it’s large.”

  “Then let’s go to bed. I’m exhausted.” She ha
d never flown so far in one day.

  Aliva woke up at one point when Audrey cried out in her sleep, but a stroke of her hand across Audrey’s cheek quieted her. After that it was all blissful slumber.

  Audrey found herself visualizing what might happen if Renata were, say, to be hurled forcefully into a wall by an angry teenage girl who was stronger than she looked. Would the crystalloid body break into individual pieces, or just shatter like glass? Or were they tougher than they looked? Renata might just bounce off. It was shameful to be thinking about such things, especially since her own mother was now a crystalloid, but it was better than actually losing her temper.

  Aliva was off being given the same tour that Audrey had been through. Or maybe the crystalloids just wanted her out of the way. No matter what they said, the revelation that Aliva was part demon had obviously shocked them.

  Glaring at where she thought there should really be eyes, Audrey said, “I would rather just tell people the truth. Your story isn’t going to hold up. I’m not a very good liar.” Actually, that last statement was somewhat of a lie itself.

  Lying flat on the table, Renata lifted the end of one leg and then let it drop. “We aren’t good at lying either. It’s usually not necessary. In the past, if something secret leaked out, Andoran would send an Eye to deal with the situation.”

  That probably meant simply killing everyone who knew about the secret. “Well, all you’ve got now is me. Why aren’t there any Eyes left? I thought they could live for centuries.”

  “They could, but most chose to end their own lives after only decades. That was a problem we never were able to solve.”

  That sounded ominous. “Look, I just want to tell a few people that I’m close to. Most people wouldn’t believe the real story if I told them. I’ll just tell them something simple. Okay?”

  A spasm seemed to pass through all of Renata’s legs. “Very well. Be aware that your friends will be unable to speak about most of what happened after you set out from Fisherton. You were unaffected because you departed here by unusual means. That is why you were able to tell Aliva all of our secrets.”

  She had a feeling that they would never be happy about that. “Where are my friends now? Did they go home?”

  “We did observe them,” admitted Renata. “They traveled to Fisherton, but only stayed one night. They are now at that temple that seems to have been designed by someone who was overly fond of right angles.”

  Audrey laughed and was surprised to hear Renata join in. “I always wondered about that.” But it did give the temple a unique look.

  “There is a caravan headed that way. Perhaps they will use it to return home.”

  “That temple is Siljan’s home, but the other three might. Aliva and I could also go home that way. I know you don’t want me teleporting everywhere.”

  Renata didn’t breathe or have vocal cords, but she could still sigh. “We will discuss it. You will still need to return here regularly since we have no way to communicate with you.”

  An idea suddenly popped into Audrey’s head. “If the mansion can detect where you’re looking, then maybe you could use it to signal me. Then I’d know to come here.”

  “That is a remarkable suggestion. We will certainly investigate it.”

  The rare praise made Audrey smile.

  Renata waved a leg languidly. “We spent years planning for this, but we always assumed we would be dealing with an uneducated peasant, because that is what nearly all of us were originally. You may have started that way, Audrey, but now you are better educated then even most city dwellers. It’s rare for anyone here to know Andoran’s real history, or to believe that there’s anything outside of the Realm. And, instead of being frightened by magic, you’re accustomed to it. We were also worried about how our agent was going to protect herself, but that’s not an issue either. Even before you returned here with a half-demon that serves a goddess, we had counted ourselves fortunate. We had planned to spend months training someone, but you are nearly ready.”

  “Thank you,” said Audrey, feeling warm inside. “And thank you for restoring Karin and Marilee. It means a lot to me.”

  Renata rose up with a twisting motion. Then she tilted her body forward briefly—her version of a bow. “They are family, and so are you. We are all of us descendants of Andoran.”

  Audrey rose to her feet, then bowed formally to Renata. “I’m happy to be part of your family. And I promise not to run around blabbing all of your secrets.”

  Renata laughed. “We have no way to stop you. We will simply have to trust each other.”

  Audrey found herself nodding. Trust really was the heart of it. “So, how much longer do I have to stay here?” She might need to make another food run.

  “A day or two? We have some additional things to tell you. And show you.”

  “Okay.”

  Renata spun off the table and headed for the magic door. “That will suffice for now. I need to speak with the others.”

  Not knowing when Aliva would return, Audrey did a few Shorinken exercises then went to lie down. She wasn’t sleepy, but she had a lot to think about.

  Aliva enjoyed her brief talk with Marilee. She had always liked Audrey’s mother, and she thought that the woman was doing well at adapting to her new and rather strange situation. What was it like to have seven legs, to be able to see and hear without eyes or ears?

  The highlight of her tour had been the observation room. They were able to show her Stanley’s house. And then, when she had them move the view to the confluence, she was even able to spot Stanley! The crystalloids, however, were more interested in the giant lizards used to power the ferries, and they asked her all about them.

  “Is that you, Audrey?” was the first thing Aliva heard as she crawled toward Karin’s room. “I need help. I’m getting dizzy.”

  “My name is Aliva,” she said as she entered the room. “I’m a friend of Audrey’s. Let me see if I can help.”

  Karin was on the other side of the room, and the reason for her distress was clear. Aliva scooted forward and examined the tangled mass of crystalline legs. Karin’s “head” was nearly inverted. That was probably why she felt dizzy. It took a while, but she managed to get Karin vertical again with all of her legs separated.

  “Thank you,” rang Karin’s voice. “I keep getting all tangled up. You’re really pretty.”

  Aliva decided to let Marilee be the one to tell Karin about her being half succubus. “Thank you. I’ll bet you were pretty when you were young.”

  “Not that pretty. But prettier than I look now.”

  “I like the way the crystalloids look. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

  “How d'you meet Audrey?” asked Karin.

  That was complicated to explain properly, so she kept it simple. “We had mutual friends. We ended up traveling together. Then we became friends.”

  “That sounds nice. I still barely know my oldest granddaughter, and I’ll probably never get to meet Berna’s girls. On the other hand, I’m not dead anymore. That’s something.”

  After laughing, Aliva said, “Maybe the twins will eventually come to visit you here.”

  “Not until they’re older. They’ve had enough shocks, from the sound of it. I wish Berna’d been saved like Marilee and I were.”

  Despite the fact that she had serious reservations about Almera raising them, Aliva did her best to reassure Karin that the girls were in good hands. Then she excused herself, saying that she was hungry, which wasn’t a lie. She had to ask directions twice in order to find her way back to the magic portal. The sitting room was empty, but she soon found Audrey sitting in the dining room eating her lunch.

  “We should have bought some wine or something,” said Audrey, gesturing at the food in front of her.

  Aliva fetched herself a cup of water from the kitchen and then seated herself in the other chair. Audrey soon finished, but she simply sat quietly as Aliva ate her own meal. Aliva had no sooner finished herself when the voic
e of Lasrina sounded in her head.

  “Audrey, you can’t tell anyone about my connection to Lasrina.”

  “Great,” said Audrey, rolling her eyes. “Another secret I have to keep.”

  “I know what you mean.” Aliva had an incredible number of secrets now

  Audrey stood up and began picking up things from the table, so Aliva did the same. In the kitchen, Aliva put away the remaining food while Audrey washed the cups and plates. It was strange to think that Andoran himself had used those same items. They seemed so ordinary.

  “They said I was free to go,” said Aliva as they returned to the dining area. “Can you teleport me to Stanley’s house? He’s at work this time of day.”

  Audrey smiled eagerly. “Can I get some more food while I’m there? I’m going to be here another day or so.”

  Aliva laughed delightedly. “Of course you can. I’ll even give you a jug of rice wine.”

  Minutes later she was home. Teleportation was wonderful.

  37

  ‡ Reunited ‡

  Audrey was on a shopping spree in Glasston. Tonight she would be staying at the Crystal Inn as a paying guest, eating their delicious food, and sleeping on a mattress that wasn’t old and musty. And it was a lovely day, sunny and pleasantly warm, with a gentle breeze. It seemed like everyone was out enjoying themselves.

  Getting the crystalloids to agree hadn’t been easy, but she wanted something in exchange for the concessions she had made. Instead of teleporting to the temple as she had planned, she would now be meeting the caravan during its return journey to Rohoville. From a secrecy standpoint that did make sense. Lying to Alessandra and Isadora would have been impossible.

  Audrey had ended up with an unexpected ally during her negotiations with the crystalloids. Marilee still moved clumsily, but she had made it to the sitting room without assistance. Having her mother there to lend support had been comforting. And then Marilee had asked how much they were going to pay her daughter for her services! It turned out the crystalloids had a sizable stash of coins and precious gems that they hadn’t bothered to mention. They hadn’t even tried to argue, simply agreeing to pay Audrey three gold pieces per month after Marilee suggested that amount. Audrey was thrilled, but she also felt like an idiot for not having thought of it herself.