Maleena moved to the front of the cell and eased herself down to sit on the floor. “All of this self-accusation helps no one. We can’t change what is, we can only deal with it.” She sent the other woman a small smile of reassurance, careful not to open the scab that had formed over her split lip. “So did you bring the food just for me to smell, or do I get to eat it, too?”
Taela raised her eyes to Maleena’s. “You are unlike anyone I have ever met. Alone, injured, locked in a cell and used as bait, yet you still find humor.”
“I may be locked in this cell, but I’m never alone. My dragon, Nydara, she is always with me.” Maleena held back saying anything about Mckale and Tellnox in case someone listened to the conversation somehow. No need to give them any more leverage. “The food smells delicious.”
“Forgive me for talking and not giving it to you. And for not bringing it sooner.” She slid the tray through the space at the base of the bars. “If I could have brought it days ago, I would have. But I’m not fully trusted here. Paki struggles to maintain the insipid personality of a Shadow Dragon. If it were not for your Nydara maintaining a connection with her throughout most of this, I think we would’ve been caught already. I’m not sure how we are going to make it until the time she can fly or how we will get away if we do.”
Maleena took the tray. She pulled away the bit of cloth covering it and found a piece of bread and a small bowl filled with a thick stew of unrecognizable meat and vegetables. She didn’t care what the stew was made of. Using the bread, she eagerly scooped it into her mouth. The scab on her lip broke open a little and the stew stung, but she didn’t care. There was a cup of tea on the tray and she gulped it down.
When she had scraped the last of the stew into her mouth and eaten the last crumb, she slid the tray back to Taela who remained quiet while she ate. It hadn’t been much and she still felt desperately hungry, but she was grateful for it.
“Do you think there is a future for Paki and me?” Taela asked.
“If there is a way to get you out, yes. But there are no guarantees. Once Sadira and the others know for sure you and Paki are not one of them, you will both be in as much danger as the rest of us.”
Taela nodded her head. “I know, but there will be no way we can pretend to be one of them once your friends arrive. I will not raise my hand against any of you.” She bent and picked up the tray. “I have to go. If I linger much longer, someone will come looking for me. I wish I could leave my torch, but Sadira has said you are to remain in the dark for now. No one really argues much with her. Most of them, as evil as they are, are afraid of her.”
Maleena’s eyelids felt heavy. Her stomach, shrunken from the days without food, finally decided it was happy with what she’d given it. Now her body wanted sleep. She waved away the other woman’s concern. “Do not worry yourself. My light will come soon enough. Go in peace, Taela.”
Maleena watched Taela go, the light diminishing until she sat in total darkness once more. A shiver ran through her as she crawled toward the sound of the trickling water. She shivered again, despite feeling too warm. More tired than she could ever remember, she curled up on the floor next to the little pool and fell asleep.
Kellinar sat in his saddle on Shryden’s back with Loki strapped in front of him. The other riders, their dragons, and the mages of the six towers ranged around the crater floor. A thin layer of cold fog clung to everything. He looked down at Bardeck and Mckale. “Shryden will Slide me there, land, let Loki and I off, then Slide back. If the chosen Weather mage is intrepid enough, she can ride Shryden alone through the Slide when I call.”
Mckale reached up and clasped arms with him. “Fly safe, my friend, and return.”
The pain in the man’s eyes weighed on Kellinar. “Be ready when I call. Something tells me they are going to be rather burnt when they realize we’ve lifted not only the Ka’ti, but their prisoner as well.”
Mckale nodded and backed away. “We will be ready.”
Nydara reached her wedge-shaped head out. Kellinar laid his hand on her snout. “I will bring her back to you.” The silver pulled her head back and the trust he saw in her violet eyes brought a lump to his throat.
Serena handed up a small bag. “You aren’t a healer and I don’t know what you are going to find when you get there, but this might help. You can always contact me through our dragons if you need to.”
Kellinar slipped the strap over one shoulder so the bag hung on the opposite hip. “Thank you.” She nodded, worry clear in her dark blue eyes as she backed away.
Kellinar glanced at Anevay. She stood several paces away, her hands clasped tight together. A mixture of fear and concern filled her large, dark eyes. He flashed her a reassuring smile as Shryden launched himself into the air. The dragon climbed only far enough to ensure the opening ripple didn’t harm anyone before Kellinar saw the detailed picture form in the blue’s mind. It was the image supplied by Mernoth, who had seen the Kormai from a distance. The ripple spun open in the air in front of them and he felt the now familiar tug as they were pulled in.
The world around them swirled into a blur of indistinct colors. One moment the cold air above Galdrilene was turning his face slightly numb and the next suffocating heat slapped him. Sweat beaded on his skin and dried immediately. Dark clouds boiled overhead, shutting out the rising sun.
Ahead in the distance, the Kormai reared out of the desert floor. Narrow, jagged rocks punched up through the sand like broken fingers reaching for the sky. Shryden lowered himself to the ground on the opposite side of the mountain from the canyon. Kellinar undid the straps on Loki and himself and they slid to the ground.
“Go back quickly. I will call as soon as we need you,” he sent.
The dragon paused. “I do not like leaving you here alone.”
“I will be fine. Now go before they realize you are here.”
He and Loki backed out of the way and Shryden lifted himself into the air once more. As soon as he was a few paces off the ground the ripple formed and the dragon Slid.
The wind whipped over the desert, peppering them with sand. Kellinar led Loki past the tall, black, rock formations. The ground rose and fell in small plateaus and canyons. It provided good cover for them as they slipped like shadows toward the Kormai.
By mid-day, they were high on the side of the mountain. Piles of large, sharp rocks littered the sides and they stayed as close to them as possible to avoid the stinging wind that clawed at them. Lightning continued to flicker around the edges of the sky although Kellinar sensed no hint of rain in the wind.
He stopped near a pile of rocks and took a long drink from the leather water bag. He handed it to Loki and stared across the barren landscape. In the murky light, his bond enhanced eyes picked out what he’d been looking for.
A faint trail wound its way past where they rested. It ran up the side of the mountain, ending abruptly several paces away at another pile of rocks. If it wasn’t for his improved vision he would never have seen the path.
Loki handed the water bag back. “What do you see?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“I see what we’ve been searching for.”
He started along the trail with Loki close behind. When he reached the rocks, he found a dark, narrow opening between them and the side of the mountain. He sensed no wards set around it. It was just as he thought. So convinced the back way in was secret, the inhabitants of the Kormai didn’t bother guarding it. He remembered a lord in Trilene, who had done this very thing. Kellinar and two of his associates walked off with his wife and daughter. The lord had paid handsomely to get them back and then paid more to buy a revenge kidnapping.
The narrow opening led into a small, rough-walled space with a heavy door on one wall. Kellinar put his hand on the handle and looked at Loki. “Let’s see if the hinges creak, shall we?”
The latch lifted and the door swung open without a sound. Beyond, a long corridor led into the mountain. It was unlit save for a dim orb glowing far down its lengt
h. Even for Kellinar’s eyes it was dim, but he could still see well enough. Loki pulled the door shut behind them and they moved on silent feet down the long, dark hall. Kellinar kept a careful watch for any recesses in the wall or rooms that would provide a hiding place if they should need one. There were none.
The hall ended at the light where it intersected with another running crossway to the first. This hall was better lit in both directions although the orbs were spaced far apart. Kellinar held very still and allowed his mind to quiet.
At one time the air would have felt completely still to him, but now it was alive with currents. He felt them moving through each hall in the Kormai. The currents were curious about him. They approached and touched his face ever so lightly. When they were done he could feel them waiting to see what he would do.
He reached out to them, requesting their help. The currents were surprised to be asked. Used to being pushed and forced, they were happy to help one who thought to ask. They shifted around him and he felt them pulling at him.
“Kellinar, what are you doing?” Loki whispered.
“Feeling the air currents.”
“What air currents? The air is as still as death.”
Kellinar fed a little magic into the air, sending a request to the currents.
“Kellinar? What is going on?” Loki asked, worry in his voice.
“Do you feel them now?” he asked, his mind still focused on the air.
“Yes, and it feels strange.”
“You can feel them because I asked them to make themselves felt. Listen when they pull at you and follow them. They will lead you to the book. I’m going to find Maleena.”
Loki looked up at him. “We aren’t going together?”
“It will be faster if we split up. Don’t worry, the currents won’t abandon you and they will warn you of the approach of any of the inhabitants if you listen. From what Maleena said the book is in an alcove in the main chamber. It’s going to take someone small to slip in and get it. The currents will remain behind when you cross into the cavern so no magic surrounds you to alert anyone. They will be waiting for you when you exit the cavern and they will lead you back here. If I’m not back when you arrive, I want you to go ahead and leave. Wait for me by that last pile of rocks where we stopped for a drink.”
The boy nodded. “Be careful, Kellinar.”
“You be careful too, Loki. Listen to the currents.
Kellinar watched the boy disappear down the hall. When he could no longer see him, he turned and followed the currents in the opposite direction. They led him through several twists and turns, each taking him deeper into the Kormai. He passed several halls, well lit with marble floors and opulent decorations. Kellinar avoided those.
He walked another dimly lit corridor when the currents around him hummed with warning. Who would be in this hall? The rough walls and dirt floor combined with an air of disuse. He slipped into a dark doorway, waiting for the danger to pass.
A woman walked down the hall toward the doorway where he hid. He backed further into the room and hid behind a pillar. Her dark hair hung straight down her back and her blue eyes sat slanted in her round face. She was almost past the doorway when she stopped and turned toward it.
She crept into the room, searching the darkness as if she knew he hid there. In a voice barely more than a whisper she said, “I know there is someone in here. I can feel you. Who are you?”
Kellinar let out a careful breath; he was going to have to kill her. In one swift movement, he pulled one of his many knives and leaped at her, planning to clamp a hand over her mouth and slice her throat.
She moved in the same instant he did and danced beyond his reach, producing a knife of her own. “Who are you?”
Why didn’t she raise an alarm? He made another move and she dodged it again. How did she do that?
She smiled at him. “You are broadcasting your next move so loudly, I can’t help but see it.”
He eyed her warily and tried to think of his next move without actually thinking about. It wasn’t working too well. “You can read my mind?”
She kept her eyes on the hand he held the knife in. “No, you are well blocked. I can only read what is on the surface. You don’t belong here, who are you?”
Although she had a knife in her own hand, she hadn’t tried to harm him. Her moves were purely defensive. Who was she? The woman Maleena had connected with used Spirit magic. “Are you Taela?”
Her eyes turned guarded and she shifted toward the doorway. “Yes, I’m Taela. Why do you ask? Who are you?”
He felt a mixture of relief and irritation. “So you are the one who caused all of this. I’m Kellinar and I’m here for Maleena.” No sense saying anything about the book. At least if she decided to alert the others to his presence, she wouldn’t know anything about Loki. The currents would lead the boy back out. Loki would be safe.
Pain and sorrow chased each other across her face. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. Maleena tried to warn me. She tried to help me. She doesn’t deserve what Sadira has done to her.”
“Do you intend to let anyone know I am here?”
She shook her head, making the knife disappear up her sleeve. “I won’t tell anyone. I doubt it will do you much good, though. The only way out is through the main cavern. You will never make it past them with her. I can’t believe you even made it in.”
Taela seemed sincere enough, but he didn’t put his knife away. “Every place has more than one way in and out. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
She shrugged. “They don’t trust me. My dragon, Paki, isn’t black and Sadira doesn’t think I have what it takes to be a Shadow Rider.”
“What do you think?”
She looked at him sadly. “I think she is right.”
His eyes narrowed. “And this makes you sad?”
Tears swam in her eyes and her expression held utter devastation. “I’m not sad I can’t be a Shadow Rider. I’m sad because I can’t save Paki. She can only fool them for so long. When they find out she has her own soul, her own thoughts, they will kill her. I will do everything I can to protect her and in the end I will die, too.” The open pain in her eyes stunned him. “If there was a way I could give my life to make her safe without it killing her, I would do it.”
Kellinar stared at her. Taela wasn’t a Shadow Rider. A Shadow Rider would never sacrifice themselves for another. Everything they did had some sort of personal gain behind it. Maleena wanted to rescue Taela and her dragon. Perhaps that could still happen. It complicated things, but he had to try.
He slipped his knife back into its hiding place. “Is there a way you can get Paki out of the main cavern?”
Taela’s brow furrowed, confusion in her expression. “Yes, she leaves the cave to eat. She’s already foraging beyond the canyon for food.”
“Tell her to circle around to the small canyons behind the Kormai. Tell her to wait there.” He allowed his wishes to communicate to the air currents. The look of surprise and wonder on her face told him she now felt the feather light touch of the air.
“What is that?” she asked.
He smiled. “Those are the air currents that flow through the Kormai. They have agreed to help me. Follow the currents. They will guide you out.”
He moved to the door and she asked, “Will you be able to find Maleena okay?”
Kellinar nodded. “The currents will lead me to her.”
“Watch out for Sadira. All of them are bad, but she is the worst.”
He nodded and started to step into the hall. Her voice stopped him. “Kellinar.” He looked back. “Thank you. Even if you aren’t able to get Paki and me out, thank you for trying.”
Kellinar cocked a grin at her. “I have to try. Maleena would kill me if I came all the way to the Kormai, met you while I was here, and then failed to try to get you and your Paki out.”
He slipped out into the hall and began following the air currents again. After meeting Taela, he sincer
ely hoped he could help her. She didn’t belong here anymore than Maleena did.
Kalila sat in the main chamber. Out the corner of her eye, she watched Sadira leave through one of the small doors. With Sadira gone, she was alone with her sisters. She looked out through the ornate mouth of the cave.
The canyon beyond beckoned her. The striped walls provided a backdrop to the oasis created by the narrow waterfall and stream. Flowers and small trees grew in abundance along the edge of the water. On the other side of the canyon from the stream, potted plants hung from the walls and stone benches sat on the broad paving stones.
Ironic that such beauty led to so much evil.
Kalila kept her fear under tight control. If she let it overwhelm her, she would end up like Larna and Drisa. Kalila glanced at her sisters. They huddled together, their eyes vacant. Kalila looked away. No matter how much Sadira threw at her, she would not be broken and would escape from here somehow.
She allowed her eyes to travel upward to where that ugly, black creature rested. Ranit stared at her with dull, red eyes. There would be no escape right now though. Not with that thing watching. Sadira had given the dragon permission to eat them if they tried to escape. Kalila, would use that as a choice of last resort. One way or another, she would be free of this place. But for now, she held on to her patience. A day would come when Sadira and Ranit wouldn’t be here to stop her.
Her thoughts traveled to the woman Oksana had captured. Maleena...that was her name. Kalila felt sympathy for the woman. Perhaps a distraction would arise from that and she would have her chance at escape. Maybe she could even find a way to take the woman with her.
A prickle ran through her as a strange sensation flooded her body. Something touched her all over. She looked around, but saw nothing. A light breeze caressed her. Was that it? No, it reminded her of the breeze, yet it was different. It felt like air currents, separate from the breeze, flowed all around her.
Embers at Galdrilene Page 35