He’d thought about going back to a time just after he had first come to Teleria, but Nyala told him doing that could have disastrous consequences here as the timeline tried to adjust. When she’d taken him into the past to train him, she told him she’d learned that even if you change something in the past, events reshaped themselves so that the future was essentially unchanged. Him going back to his world was the only exception, because he would be in a different world, outside the reach of events here. If he went back to right after he left, his father would have never come here, he would have never ran into his father in Gildenfell, or saved his life at Lore’s Haven, blah, blah, blah. She said in that case, the timeline trying to reshape itself could potentially destroy Teleria.
On the other hand, if he went back to that time, his dad also wouldn’t have spent the years that he did looking for Jason, the years that finally caused his mother to leave. Their divorce was my fault. Right there was another thought that kept popping up from time to time. If he’d just stayed in his great uncle’s house in the first place, he’d never have found the old building, he’d never have come to Teleria, and none of what had happened between his mom and dad would have taken place. The timeline on Earth would have to readjust too.
But then again, none of the events he’d been involved in here would have happened either, or if they did, the outcome would have been different. Most likely his ancestor, Bothan, and his army would have defeated the Circle, and Bothan would be in charge now. That is, assuming there was anything left after the timeline adjusted.
Nyala had rambled on and on about paradoxes and stuff like that, things that just gave him a headache if he thought about them too long. The bottom line was, he was pretty much stuck. He couldn’t go back to when he left, because he couldn’t bear to think about what might happen to Teleria, or what might happen to Earth, if he did. On the other hand, if he went back to the current time, he could never let his mother know he was still alive and okay because he wouldn’t be able to explain his youth. In a way, that was almost worse than not going back at all.
Then, on top of everything else, there was Nyala’s strange behavior. When he’d first met her, she’d seemed so nice. Her concern for the people of Teleria, as well as how upset she was at the changes in the other Altered, had been crystal clear. She’d told him the most upsetting thing for her at them becoming Altered was how it had changed them all. Once friends, some even family, their new powers caused them to turn on each other. They had become petty, and sometimes even cruel.
Now it was like she couldn’t wait to get rid of them, even if it killed them. Her impatience and irritation when Seryn hesitated had been something he’d never seen from her. But then again, I’ve only known her for a few weeks. Maybe their original meeting had been nothing but an act, her way of getting him on her side. For all he knew, she might have planned this from the beginning. Adults could be weird at the best of times, and she’d been an adult for over fifteen hundred years. Who knew how that affected a person? But then again, who knew what the Altered might have done to her while they had her imprisoned?
“Jason.” Seryn’s voice interrupted his internal struggles.
“Hmm? Oh, sorry. I was thinking about, um, everything that’s been going on lately.”
“Of course,” Seryn said, sitting beside him. “Forgive me for interrupting, but I need to tell you something while Nyala is not here. Something that happened after our first attempt failed.”
“Yeah? What happened?”
“You remember how upset I was? How I was not sure if I could make another attempt?”
He nodded.
“I must tell you, Jason, that what I saw as I tried to save Haras’ life was more terrible than anything I had ever experienced. And yet it paled next to what Nyala showed me while she was speaking to me afterwards.”
“What she showed you? You mean, like, in your mind or something?”
“Yes. As she was speaking so gently to me, she showed me images of my family being slowly torn apart while I was helpless to do anything to aid them. In my mind, she said the only way you would continue to help her was if I came with you to try to heal the Altered.” Seryn closed her eyes. “She told me if I did not stay, she would kill my mother and sister while I watched, unable to help them.” She opened her eyes. Jason could see tears welling up as she turned to him. “Jason, I heard their screams of agony. I saw their flesh being torn away. I know you respect Nyala, but what I saw is nothing like what you have said about her.”
Jason didn’t know what to say. Nyala had been acting strange, for sure, but this was worse than he could have imagined.
“I can’t believe she’d do something like that,” he said. “I mean, I believe you,” he added quickly, “but it’s just so unlike anything I would expect from her. Something’s not right.”
“If what you have told us of Nyala is true, then I would have to agree. But what are we to do about it? You may be strong enough to challenge her, but I am not and I will not risk my family.”
“But you said you attacked Regor.” Seryn had told him of the forced duel while they were walking to Ekim’s palace.
“That was an act of desperation. Regor already had my family. I had no other way to save them. But Nyala…” She took a shaky breath. “She does not have them yet. But she showed me what she will do to them if I do not do her bidding.” She looked at him with tortured eyes. “Please forgive me, Jason, but I could not risk my mother and sister.”
“It’s okay. We’ll figure something out. One thing’s for sure, before we take on Regor, we need some answers from Nyala.”
*****
Tal turned as a portal opened and Vashni and Denat appeared. He could not suppress a sigh of relief as he saw Vashni supporting Lenai. Then his heart sank as he saw Denat carrying the limp form of Banek. Another loss. As Loremaster Borin stepped through behind them and the portal winked out, Vashni helped Lenai over to a small boulder where she sat down.
“Is Banek…?” Tal asked.
“He fell to the Grithor,” Vashni said. “We will take him back to our teloshta for proper burial.”
Just then, more portals sprang up around the camp and the various Loremasters and other saiken stepped through. Carys ran to him.
“High One! Is Loremaster Reyga here? Is he well? He was acting strangely at the chasm and then he created a portal and left!”
“Peace, Carys. Be at ease. Loremaster Reyga was here. He was not feeling himself. He has returned to his home and will remain there until he is feeling better. As his apprentice, you will serve as the temporary Emerald Loremaster until his return.”
“Meaning no disrespect to Carys or you, High One,” Brin said, “but do you feel this is wise? Should we not be at our full strength at this time? Or at least as strong as possible considering your condition and Seryn’s absence?”
“I understand your concerns,” Tal said, “but after discussing his situation, Reyga and I are in agreement on this. This is the best way.”
“His situation?” Delani asked. “Is there something we should know?”
Tal turned to a guard standing nearby. “Please find Meryl of the Diamond Order and bring her here.” As the guard bowed and left, he turned back to Delani and the others. He was not certain he should reveal the reason for Reyga’s departure, but he had withheld information from them before and had regretted doing so. For them to have any chance at all of prevailing, they must be unified. Which meant nothing held in secret.
“Reyga’s power has apparently been corrupted by the Shadow Lord. He and I both felt it would be best if he left for the time being, until we can discern Regor’s intent.”
“I knew I should have accompanied him!” Brin growled.
“Then Regor would have had two Loremasters to corrupt instead of one,” Tal said, “and we would be in a worse situation than we are now.”
Brin scowled but did not argue the point.
“But he is well?” Carys asked.
; “Yes, Carys, at least for now. The effect of Regor’s influence appears to be restricted to Reyga’s power. Other than being understandably uneasy at this turn of events, he seems to be well in all other ways.”
“Could this be part of Regor’s intent?” Brin asked. “To whittle us down? First you lose your power, then Seryn vanishes, and now Reyga’s power is corrupted. A third of our strength nullified. If this continues, there will be no one left to stand against him or the other Altered.”
“While this is disturbing,” Tal said, “we must not underestimate our apprentices and the other saiken. Although we are the Loremasters, they are certainly not without power.”
Just then, Gatlor arrived, accompanied by Meryl. The warrior nodded when he saw Lenai. “It is good to see you safe and whole.”
She gave him an odd look. “Aye, it is good to be back.”
“Meryl,” Tal said, “please examine Lenai and treat any injuries she may have.”
“No!” Lenai stood quickly.
Tal stared at her, surprised by her refusal. Although she could be stubborn at times, she had never refused something as simple as this, not even after the unfortunate incident in the healing area.
“Forgive me,” she said as she saw them all looking at her. “I am tired and simply wish to lie down. I assure you I am well and have nothing wrong with me that rest will not remedy.”
“As you wish,” Tal said. “If you are certain you are well. I would like to speak with you after you have rested.”
“Of course, High One. Thank you.”
Vashni stepped forward. “If someone can create a portal back to our village for Denat to take Banek’s body, I will show Lenai to our tent.”
“I can create the portal,” Carys said. “With your permission, High One?”
Tal nodded his assent and the Shanthi and Carys left.
Meryl also started to leave. “Meryl,” Tal said, “before you go. A word?”
“Certainly, High One. What can I do for you?”
“In Seryn’s absence, I would like you to take charge of the Diamond Order.”
“High One? Me?”
“You are one of the senior members of the Order, are you not?” When Meryl nodded, he went on. “Since Seryn has not yet named an apprentice, you will not actually fill her spot in the Circle, at least not for now. But you will assume all of her other duties until she returns.”
“Of course.” She bowed. “Thank you for your confidence in me. I will let the others know.” Then she left also.
“Well,” Tal said, turning back to the others, “now that Lenai’s rescue has been accomplished, I believe we need to be about other business. Namely, the retrieval of the Blood Iron.”
“High One,” Jarril said, “intending no disrespect, but considering our depleted state, is it wise to divide our strength yet further?”
“I believe so,” Tal said. “In fact, I believe our depleted state, as you call it, makes this mission even more vital. We must have any tools or weapons we can find, and this staff, if it does what the papers say, looks to be a potent device and one that I believe we must have.”
“Of course,” Jarril said. “Looking at our current circumstances in that way, I see your point.”
Tal held out his hand, palm up, and then grimaced as nothing appeared except the pain in his head. “As I have not regained my powers in spite of Loremaster Seryn’s best efforts, I would be of no use on such a mission.” He paused and scanned the faces of the Loremasters. He could tell Borin was nervous, but he would have to go. His expertise as the Obsidian Loremaster could be needed.
He wondered if any of the others suspected how much he agonized over decisions such as this. Being the High One of the Circle was a blissfully uneventful position in times of peace, allowing ample time for study and research. Unfortunately, this was no longer a time of peace.
As High One, he felt a profound sense of responsibility for every person, Loremaster or otherwise, under his protection and direction. Going over the battlefield in the days after their ‘victory’ had been extremely difficult. Every single body they recovered from the Scorched Plains screamed questions at him: Did you do the right thing, High One? Were we right to trust you? Would we still be alive if you had done something differently? He had spent many a sleepless hour pondering such questions, and had yet to find any answers for them.
The most difficult thing about his position was that he had to weigh every single decision against what was best for Teleria and its people no matter what his personal feelings were. He had fought many a personal battle within himself over what courses of action to take. Had he done right by Jason Bennett when he first arrived? Looking back, he could see possible missteps, maybe a questionable decision or two. And under his leadership, maybe even because of his decisions, one Loremaster had died, and another Loremaster, and a dear friend, was now struggling with the knowledge that his power had been corrupted by the Shadow Lord.
How could he be the High One of the Circle, and yet still feel as helpless as a newborn babe? There was absolutely nothing he could do for Reyga without putting others at risk as well. And the thought of sending any of his people into Manarach lands filled him with a sense of foreboding that weighed heavily on his mind and heart. But if the papers were accurate, it had to be done.
He knew Borin was especially worried about what could happen on the mission, and Tal himself felt just as uncertain and resigned to the fact that their newest Loremaster had to go. He wished there was some way to give the young man more time to adjust to his position, but their current circumstances would not allow it. And he, as the High One, had to put on a confident front so that no one, not even those closest to him, could ever know how unsure he truly felt. Was he doing the right thing? He did not know, but, at the moment, this was the only course of action that seemed to promise any type of reward. He just hoped he would not come to regret what he was about to do.
“Loremasters Brin, Borin, and Delani,” he said, “you will travel to the Cauldron Mountains to find the Blood Iron. Brin and Borin, I think you know why you have been selected. Loremaster Delani, I thought you could use your hawk to scout ahead and then create portals to safe locations. That should be considerably quicker, and hopefully safer, than taking horses.” Delani nodded as he continued. “The rest of us will await you here, hopefully without attracting the attention of the Shadow Lord. Captain Gatlor, please select four of your soldiers to accompany them.”
“Only four, High One?” Gatlor asked.
“Yes. The larger the group, the more likely it is to be detected, and the longer it will take to evacuate should things take a turn for the worse.”
“I will go find them now.” With a bow, Gatlor turned and strode off.
“The rest of you get whatever you need,” Tal said. “You leave at first light. The sooner you get started, the sooner we will have a weapon we can use against the Altered.”
*****
Reyga sat in his front room staring at the crackling orb floating above his hand. A sinuous black streak twisted and coiled through the emerald power. “You will be the instrument of Jason Bennett’s destruction.” The words echoed in his thoughts over and over. What had Regor done to him? A mixture of worry and frustration twisted his insides. He struggled to remember something, anything, of his time after turning away from the table. All that would come were meaningless scraps, whispers of things that might have taken place or might just be phantoms created by his own fears.
He released the globe and sank back into his chair as the power vanished. Until he knew just what had happened to him, he dare not return to Lore’s Haven, and he most certainly must not go anywhere near Jason. If Regor had done the same thing to him as he had done to…
“Lenai,” he whispered.
His eyes went wide as he realized he had left before the rescue was complete. He had no idea whether the plan had succeeded or not. And if the plan had failed, what of the Shanthi that had gone into the caverns? Or the other m
embers of the Circle? At the first sight of Regor’s mark, for that was surely what the black power was, Reyga had fled like a scolded child. I abandoned her. The shock of seeing the black streak corrupting his power had driven all other thoughts from his mind. Now, the knowledge of what he had truly done was like a slap in the face. He had abandoned one whose trust in him was absolute, and he had turned his back on his fellow Loremasters. A vague memory returned of Carys protecting him as he sat at the edge of the abyss, stunned and defenseless. Even my apprentice was more loyal than I. He hoped with everything within him that she had not suffered because of his cowardice. How could he ever hope to atone for such... “Betrayal” was the only word that seemed to suffice.
“Oh, my friends, how have I become so craven?” He wiped his eyes violently as his vision blurred. Tears would avail him nothing now. He must determine what had been done to him and devise a way to undo it. Only that way could he rejoin the Circle for whatever might lay ahead. Only that –
“Loremaster Reyga.”
His jumped from his chair at the voice in his head. Regor? No. This voice was familiar, but it was not the Shadow Lord.
“Loremaster Reyga, can you hear me?”
Crin.
Crin! Is Jason safe?
“Yes, for the moment. He is with the sparkling one and Loremaster Seryn. He wants me to tell you that the dark one has Lenai. He uses the bond between her and Jason to attack Jason. You must free her.”
Sparkling one? That must be Nyala. So Nyala had been the one who took Seryn. Well, that was one question answered. At least Jason was not alone.
We are aware of Lenai’s capture, but we did not know why. The Circle is attempting to rescue her already. Regor holds her in the Grithor caverns.
Altered Intentions Page 18