When Heroes Fall

by Andrew Q. Gordon

  “Damn it to the Eight Gates of Neblor,” Miceral said. When everyone turned to him, he threw his hands out. “Why attack a child? What do they hope to gain?”

  “There are many things I could think to do if it were me.” Kel shook his head. “Let’s focus on ending the threat before we speculate on what they hope to accomplish.”

  Farrell put his hand on Miceral’s back and rubbed it. “Easy. Nerti and Klissmor won’t let any harm come to Bren.” He said it as much to reassure himself as his partner.

  “Rothdin is here. We are ready,” Nerti said.

  “Are you by the Door?”

  “Yes.”

  “Step back,” he told them as he found a spot to open the Door. “Nerti and Klissmor are coming with Rothdin.”

  “And Hesnera,” Nerti added.

  He scanned the room and hoped everyone would fit.

  “Everyone but Miceral and Farrell should step out,” Kel said. “Even you, Zenora. I’m as close to them as anyone, and I include myself in this. The room is too small for everyone, and their parents should be here.”

  Grateful for Kel’s help, Farrell remembered to make the Door big enough for a peregrine. When he’d locked in the points, he needed a moment to clear his thoughts so he could picture the other side.

  Nerti led the way after the Door flared to life. She and Hesnera went to Geena’s bed while Rothdin and Klissmor attended Bren.

  “Hesnera and I will guard the girl while Rothdin finds the one behind this,” Nerti said. “Klissmor has a link with Bren, so they are better suited for that task.”

  He watched anxiously as the two bent over Geena. Hesnera spread her wings as if to block something and Nerti touched her horn to Geena’s cheek. His daughter shuddered and gulped a lungful of air. Instantly, her face relaxed. She rolled onto her stomach and grabbed her pillow.

  “Nerti and I diverted the hurtful thoughts into my mind to ease her suffering,” Hesnera said. “It won’t alert anyone to our presence.”

  Farrell heard her but had already turned his attention to Bren. Klissmor was attempting to get between the bed and the wall. Without asking why, Farrell extended his arm and slowly moved the wooden frame.

  He couldn’t see Bren, so Farrell moved to the foot of the bed with Miceral at his side. Without thinking, he reached for Miceral’s hand and entwined their fingers. His father lowered his beak until it was inches from the sleeping child, and Klissmor did the same with his horn. They stayed there for several seconds until suddenly they dipped their heads at the same time.

  Bren convulsed and Farrell stifled a scream. Miceral did the same and squeezed his hand. When Rothdin and Klissmor moved away, Bren smiled happily and rolled onto his side.

  “What happened?” he asked, hoping he wasn’t disturbing them.

  “It is done,” Rothdin said. “The presence is gone.”

  “I left him dreaming of riding on my back,” Klissmor said. “Your son has the heart of a Muchari warrior.”

  “But what happened?” Miceral asked. “Who was it?”

  “A priestess of Neldin had a connection to my grandson.” Rothdin sounded angry. “I followed the link back to the source and terminated it.”

  “Priestess of Neldin?” Zenora asked. “How is that possible?”

  “The night of the coronation in Trellham.” Farrell glanced at Miceral. “Geena said Bren had a bad dream. She woke us and half the palace guard.”

  “That is a great deal different than a priestess with a way into your son’s mind,” Zenora said.

  Farrell nodded. “I agree. When it happened I thought it something from when Trellham was overrun. No one had lived in the palace since the start of the war. I assumed it was just an echo from those dark days.”

  “The palace was the first place Neldin’s creatures attacked,” Kel said. “A spawn of Neblor could have survived this much time, but not a priestess.”

  “The priestess used the creature of Neldin’s to find an unprotected mind,” Rothdin said. “She found my grandson and soon realized his significance. She was trying to get to Geena as she is old enough to be useful. The perceived attack she was fighting when we arrived was the priestess trying to get to her. It is good we caught it now.”

  “Is she gone for good?” Miceral’s voice betrayed his angst.

  “She will not bother either of them again,” Klissmor said.

  “How can you be so sure?” Horgon asked. “No disrespect, but they found a way inside his mind once. What’s to prevent them from doing it again.”

  Rothdin’s feathers puffed in a way Farrell couldn’t read. “The witch of Neldin is dead.”

  “She’s….” Farrell looked from Rothdin to Klissmor and then to Nerti and Hesnera. From their expressions, something had happened they didn’t want to talk about. “How… how do you know?”

  “Once I found the source, Rothdin and I raced across the link and attacked the mind of the tormentor.” Klissmor avoided looking at Farrell.

  “Did you…?” Zenora asked. “Is she…?”

  “She’s dead, Mother,” Farrell said. “The witch deserved nothing less.”

  “I’m confused. How could they kill her from here?” Miceral asked.

  “They overpowered the priestess’s mind,” Farrell said. “While she was using it to feed Bren nightmares, the link left her mind defenseless.”

  “Entering the mind of another is not something we do lightly,” Klissmor said.

  “Anyone who would torment a hatchling deserves nothing less.” Rothdin sounded defiant. “She paid the price for harming my family.”

  “How did you…?” The rush of excitement that they made her suffer turned Farrell’s stomach. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t want to know.”

  “I do!” Miceral said. “I want to know how you can be sure the children are safe.”

  “As your mate said, we shattered her mind.” Rothdin spoke without the usual exuberance a peregrine displayed after a fight. “We reflected the fear she inflicted on Bren, only many times stronger.”

  “You scared her to death,” Kel said with a grin. “That’s a fitting end to a servant of Neldin’s.”

  “I take no pride in my actions.” Rothdin’s feathers moved to show his anger. “Such an act is an abomination. Only because the priestess was an extreme danger to Bren did I do that which Honorus has forbidden.”

  “We did this together, old friend. If Honorus judges you harshly, Lenore will do the same to me.”

  “Wait.” Farrell held up his hand. “The Six forbade you to do this and you did it anyway? Won’t Honorus and Lenore be angry?”

  “I’m certain They are already angry with us,” Rothdin said. “The witch, however, tortured two younglings. Such cowardice does not deserve the protection afforded others.”

  “You are floating on thin air,” Kel said. “I’m not sure a forbidden act is forgiven if the reason behind it is honorable.”

  “Should the Holy Father seek to punish me for my deed, He will let me know.” Rothdin still sounded angry. “There is nothing more to say.”

  Urana returned with Master Heather and another healer in tow before Kel could reply. Zenora and Miceral explained the situation to her, and Farrell used the opportunity to approach his father.

  He spread his arms wide, and Rothdin surrounded Farrell with his wings.

  “That… what you did, Father. I’m grateful beyond words, but you should not have put your lives at risk like that.”

  “I tire of Neldin and His servants ignoring the rules they expect us to follow.” His voice lacked any hint of remorse. “I’ll accept any consequences for my actions today. So will Klissmor. We cannot win this war if we do not meet force with a like action.”

  “I….” Farrell feared if he gave in to his base desire to hurt those who attacked his family and friends, he’d give Neldin a path into his soul. But his father’s words resonated with his core belief. They couldn’t win the war if they didn’t fight back with every weapon they had
. If two opponents were equally matched, the one willing to cross a line usually won. “I agree, but that’s a dark road to go down.”

  “I understand your fear, Farrell, but this is not the same.” Rothdin pulled his wings tighter. Another presence came closer, and Farrell realized Hesnera had joined them. “Had I taken control of her mind and used her to harm defenseless members of her family, then I would be no better than she. I turned her weapon back on her and no one else.”

  “What you say is true, but the distinction you make is thin.” Farrell waited for a rebuke, but it never came. Instead Rothdin shifted enough to allow Hesnera to join them.

  “You are correct to fear flying into a place with no room to turn around,” she said. “But you must not be afraid to set foot on the road. Every being comes to a moment like this in their lives. Often there are many. Each one will change you. But if you fear to raise your talon in defense of one who cannot fight back, you allow evil to win.”

  “Even if saving them means losing myself?”

  “It is not the act of saving another that will cause you to turn your back on who you are,” Rothdin said. “It is the methods you use. Did you hold your enemy down and cut him slowly until he died? Or did you use a sharp talon to pierce his heart cleanly? Both use the same weapon, and reach the same result, but the journey is different.

  “I know your fears, youngling, and you are right to be vigilant. But caution does not mean inaction. If it did, you’d give Neldin what He wants, but by a different route. The result, however, would be just as terrible.”

  Had that been Neldin’s intent? If Farrell wouldn’t join Him, He’d sow the seeds of doubt to prevent action? It would be in keeping with what he knew of Neldin. “I will remember that, Father. I won’t give Him what He wants by any method.”

  Bren twisted in his bed and opened his eyes. “K’ssmor.”

  He stood up and pointed toward the subject of his dream. Klissmor moved closer and lowered his head slowly until his nose touched Bren’s cheek. The toddler giggled and grabbed the unicorn’s head with both hands. Klissmor stood patiently as Bren kissed him on the nose.

  “It would appear your son has suffered no lasting effects,” Rothdin said.

  Relieved, Farrell laughed as did others around him. He’d have gone to collect his son, but he heard Geena rustle behind him. She sat up in bed, looking around.

  “Are you okay, sweetie?”

  “Bren had a bad dream and he gave it to me.”

  “Is it gone now?”

  “Mhmm. Nerti and Hesnerka made it go away.”

  “Hesnera, sweetie, not Hesnerka.”

  “Leave the little one alone,” Hesnera said, pushing Farrell over so she could stand by the bed. “She came close enough.”

  Heather appeared at his side. “I want Master Jina to examine the girl. I’ll go see to the boy.”

  Farrell looked at Miceral, who rolled his eyes so far back he could practically see what was behind him. Farrell struggled to keep from laughing. “Their names are Bren and Geena, not Boy and Girl.”

  “Boy, Girl, Bren, Geena. What does it matter? You knew I meant your daughter when I said, ‘the girl.’ Why waste time trying to remember the correct name.”

  “I’m glad to note you don’t reserve your friendly side for everyone else but me.” Farrell stepped back so Master Jina could see Geena. Heather never answered as she went to examine Bren.

  Geena clutched the rag doll she brought with her from Kel’s house. Looking at the old, worn doll, Farrell realized his “children” were older than every human in the room save Kel. He smiled at the thought of being a father to two thirteen-hundred-year-old children.

  “What’s so funny?” Miceral came behind him and put his hand on Farrell’s shoulder.

  Keeping his attention on Geena, he said, “Do you realize our children are older than we are?”

  “They’re older than… by the Six!”

  Farrell turned toward his partner and kissed his cheek. “It just occurred to me when I was looking at her doll.”

  Miceral slid his hand off Farrell shoulder and grabbed his hand instead. They watched Jina check for any lasting effects. He thanked the Six he’d put Geena in training before he left. Her familiarity with Master Jina kept the stress of the moment to a minimum. Finally the healer touched Geena’s nose with a finger, and the two smiled at each other.

  Jina scooped Geena off the bed and pushed her toward Zenora and Kel. They each took a hand and walked her toward the playroom.

  “She’s fine.” Jina turned around, and Farrell let out the breath he’d been holding. “It is well you are so attentive to her powers. She is strong, but I’m not sure she could have held out forever. Had the witch gotten a link to Geena, she could have used your daughter to tinker with everyone’s emotions.”

  “There are no lasting effects?”

  “None.” Jina sounded surprised. “To her it was just a dream.”

  “Nerti and I made certain that is how she remembered it.”

  Jina’s eyes opened wider. “You altered her memories?”

  “Of course not.” Hesnera’s feathers moved, signaling her annoyance. Nerti didn’t look pleased either. “Nor did we try to manipulate her emotions. We told her it was a dream and she believed us.”

  “Oh.” She nodded. “That would explain it. I had expected her to have some recognition of what happened. Her ability to comprehend things on an instinctual level is amazing.”

  “Speaking of that,” Farrell said. “How did she project her emotions into me?”

  “She did what?” Master Heather appeared next to him. She exchanged a look with her colleague. “Are you certain?”

  “I have the pain echo to prove it. It was so painful it woke me from a healing sleep.”

  “She shouldn’t be able to do that,” Jina said. “Your shield ought to protect you from an empath’s talent. Especially that of a barely trained five-year-old.”

  “We will spend more time with the…. Geena.” Heather gave him a look daring him to say something. “That she can get into your mind concerns me.”

  “She didn’t get into my mind, but she was able to make me feel her pain.”

  “Though she did not get into your thoughts, had you tried to ease her mind, you would have opened yourself to your daughter,” Nerti said.

  “And to the priestess.” Of all the issues he expected as a parent, having to be afraid to comfort his daughter wasn’t one of them. “I’ll be certain to be wary if something like this happens again. But we need to find out how she got to Bren.”

  “I agree,” Nerti said. “If everything is back to normal, I would like to return to my quarters.”

  There was a hidden message in her words, but Farrell didn’t understand. He tried to make eye contact, but she avoided looking at him. “I left the Door open.”

  “There is no lasting harm to either child,” Heather said. “I’ll check them both again tomorrow to be sure.”

  As Heather spoke, the peregrines and unicorns moved as one toward the open portal. They disappeared without a word.

  “That was strange,” Miceral said.

  Farrell nodded. “It was. It probably has to do with killing the priestess.”

  He didn’t believe that, but it seemed to satisfy the others. Whatever the reason, he knew they’d tell him soon.

  Chapter 2

  FARRELL DISLIKED leaving the children with the healers, but Nerti had been insistent he meet her in Trellham. That Miceral stayed with Geena and Bren and would let him know of any problems only partially helped. Events pulled him different directions and left him stretched thin and uneasy.

  The assurance from Rothdin and the others that they’d severed the only link to Bren didn’t change his concern. If something survived that long, it would report back to Meglar. No, it almost certainly had reported back to his father. Something he could have prevented had he checked for enemies.

  They had stopped to get Kel at Nerti’s request and now wal
ked in silence. His short answers to his grandfather’s questions truncated the conversation. Even the normally gregarious Greigel kept quiet.

  No one could explain how a being from Neblor could connect a priestess to his son. Until yesterday Farrell had believed Neldin’s creatures had all died after the first war. His fight with the harpies ought to have been proof enough that some had survived.

  “Lieutenant Greigel.” Kel’s voice snapped Farrell from his thoughts. “Stop here for a moment.”

  Greigel called the guards to a halt, and Farrell searched his grandfather’s face for a reason. Kel stared at him as if reading his thoughts and tapped his staff once as he blinked.

  “You must stop this, Farrell.”

  “Stop what? I’m—”

  “You’re chastising yourself for allowing a creature of Neblor to escape your notice.”

  “I….” He checked his mental guards to make sure Kel hadn’t been reading his thoughts. “How did you—”

  Kel closed his eyes, exhaled, and opened them. “In the short time I’ve known you, I’ve learned what you are like. You are also not the first great wizard who blames themselves for every evil they fail to prevent.”

  “This is different. This being hid right under my boots and I didn’t see it.”

  “And neither did I, nor your mother, Heminaltose, or Sanduval.” Kel put his hand on Farrell’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “You are a wizard, not a god. When even the Six have made mistakes, how can we expect to be better?”

  Kel’s logic was sound, but it didn’t erase the image of his children suffering. “I… I understand, but I still need to be more careful.”

  “We must all strive to do better, Farrell.” He squeezed Farrell’s shoulder and let go. “But you also need to accept you will fail sometimes.”

  “I know I’ll fail, but I don’t like it.”

  Kel laughed softly and motioned for the guards to start walking. “No one likes it, but what’s important is you don’t dwell on it. That will sap your attention from more important things, like preventing a reoccurrence of what happened last night.”

  “How do you stop it when we can’t even tell it’s there?” After his grandfather’s lecture, he hadn’t meant to sound so defeated.