by Linda Palmer
Chapter Thirty-One
Secrets of the Umbrae
I hadn't begun to figure out what I'd just witnessed when Jor's beautiful mother ran up to me.
"Alleana!"
Though I hadn't seen Dostinya Antorius in years, I would've known her even if she hadn't spoken.
"Cadrow tells me Jor is alive."
I nodded. "I believe he is, though I haven't really sensed him the way I have my parents. But Tirafalen agrees."
Intense blue eyes—so like Jor's—looked out at me from a face framed by ringlets of brown hair. Dostinya's earnest gaze begged for hope, and I was glad I could provide at least a little in the midst of the craziness. Rather than trying to explain the horror of the Void, I simply transmitted to Dostinya my memory of Koann and Ceedrill, helplessly thrashing about in it.
Dostinya suppressed her cry of dismay with elegantly shaped fingers. Without warning, she leapt psychically from my memory into the actual Void, dragging me along with her. For a split second, I witnessed the chaos and emotional turmoil. Then we were out again, giving me no chance to sense my parents or Jor. Aftereffects of the abrupt reality shift were the same as before. Gasping and doubled over, I realized that Dostinya had evidently made the transition without any ill effects. But she was a Sairon, after all.
I grabbed her arm with a decidedly shaky hand. "Did you find him?"
"I did."
"Oh thank goodness!"
"Yo, Leah!" Matt’s yell brought me back to my surroundings. I saw that Sairons and Ionians were working to round up the men, women, and youth who were the Dagonel. They seemed dazed and very surprised at finding themselves on the ground in a fantasy land. I also saw that Kenny, John, and some teenaged Balmythrans were collecting discarded weapons under Cadrow’s careful watch. As for Rocc, I spotted him sitting on the ground and looking decidedly shaken, a reminder of our new psychic link. I felt bad about that even though our last, quick visit to the Void wasn't my fault.
Matt ran up to me. "We found Mad Matilda! Would you believe she thinks we kidnapped her?" He chuckled. "Doesn’t have a clue what’s been happening or where she is. And Cadrow’s talking about um-bruh, whatever they are."
"That's their name for the shadows."
Matt's smile vanished. "Do you think he's expecting another attack?" It was then Matt noticed Dostinya for the first time. "Oh, um, sorry. Didn't realize you were talking to someone."
I ignored his apology and introduced them to each other. "Don’t worry about more invasions. Right now we need to save Jor and my parents."
Dostinya came to life at the sound of her son's name. "Yes, we do." Her quick smile included Matt. Then she touched my shoulder. "Your amazing nexus overcame the Dagonel. I believe it's what we need now to rescue everyone."
Duh. "Of course!"
"I'll talk to Cadrow about it, but before I go, I want you to know that I never believed you'd murder Jor. I still remember how you adored him when you were little." Dostinya shared a horribly embarrassing story about the two of us getting into mischief when we were younger. A sculptress, she used her hands when she talked, so they tended to flutter, reminding me of butterflies.
Suddenly self-conscious, I tried to interpret Matt's stony silence. Was he still worried that I had a crush on Jor? And why was I wondering that now, with so many real problems to solve?
Though it was only fair to tell Dostinya that Cadrow hadn't lied, I never got a chance before she nodded a kind goodbye and left us.
Glad to have Matt to myself, I caught his wrist in my hand. "I have tons to tell you. The Void is full of Umbrae, and I'm really worried that some will escape while we’re getting everyone out."
"So where do these things come from?" asked Matt, just as John and Kenny joined us.
"I don't know anything for sure," I said, "but here's what I think." I shared my idea about the origin of the shadows. "Something—possibly radioactivity—messed up the division between earth and Balmythra, and the Umbrae escaped and started looking for host bodies, just as we thought."
Matt nodded. "Makes sense so far."
"And I think when the shadows take over Nodyrans, they lose it and become what Balmythrans are calling Dagonel."
"That would explain why our prisoners are so confused." Matt flicked a glance their way. "They've been possessed for no telling how long."
Kenny spoke up. "Are Balmythrans immune to them, then?"
"Well, Ionians sure aren't," I said. "That’s how Jor ended up in the void, remember? An Umbrae possessed me."
John shuddered. I guessed my words had resurrected some creepy memories. I wished I could change the subject, but we had to find answers, and the sooner, the better.
"I saw them everywhere in the Void. They're totally negative, which is probably why we've been able to break free by being positive."
Matt wasn't so sure. "We've done that, yeah, but do you really think that's what happened today? I mean, we know Ionians and Nodyrans are particularly susceptible, yet somehow we magically defeated a whole horde of shadows."
"The only reason we defeated the Umbrae today was because the Sairons helped us. Period. So maybe our victory has something to do with them. They're definitely able to shake off Umbrae. I just wish I knew why."
"Because they're part of our very essence." Cadrow joined us. Dostinya was with him. "Once we cast them off, they can't return." He gave me a wry smile. "Excuse me for listening in on your conversation."
"It's okay." That was nothing compared to what I'd done.
"We assumed they couldn't escape the Void," he said. "And though I still don't know how this could be possible—they've been secured there for centuries—I accept that it has somehow happened."
"But if they're part of you, why didn't you feel them in the people who'd been possessed?" John's thoughtful question made a lot of sense.
"Perhaps because they'd become something we're not—Dagonel. That's an ancient word that means 'evil ones' by the way."
Matt clearly had his mind in high gear. "So how do you tell the difference between a Nodyran who's been possessed and one who hasn't? They sure look the same to me."
Cadrow agreed with a nod. "Yes, but as a race they have a distinct psychic imprint—"
"A sort of personal scent," said Dostinya by way of explanation.
"Exactly." Cadrow continued his explanation. "Some Nodyran imprints were decidedly evil. There were so few at first that we weren't as concerned about them as we should've been. The young ones kept warning us. Jor especially...." Cadrow's voice trailed to silence. He gave Dostinya a look of regret.
She nodded and took up the narrative. "Jor was with Ceedrill right before she was taken. And though young, he understood the threat. Apparently she transmitted the nature of the danger to him, and that's why he sent you to Nodyra."
I got that. "So I'm right about the origins of the Umbrae."
"Yes, you are," said Cadrow. "Such darkness exists within all races, of course. But eons ago, we Sairons actually developed a means of eliminating it. That makes us responsible for all that has happened on Balmythra. We owe you and your people as well as the Nodyrans a great apology."
I waved that off. "Later. What’s important now is to rescue everyone from the Void as quickly as possible."
"I quite agree." Cadrow turned to Dostinya. "Corele hasn't returned from Nodyra?"
She shook her head. "I haven't been able to connect with him since you put up the barriers on the Xephyr Streams. He doesn't even know what's happened here."
Matt caught my eye and mouthed, "Who?"
"Jor’s dad," I said. "So what’s the plan?"
Cadrow turned to me. "I was hoping the Guardian had one."
Double duh. I felt my cheeks go hot and cleared my throat rather self-consciously. "Well, Dostinya mentioned another mass nexus, which sounds pretty smart to me. But how do we get everyone out of the Void without letting the Umbrae out too...?"
"During the cleansing ceremony, we create a barrier that is removed just lo
ng enough to cast them into the chasm. Once they're in, we reseal the surface. Though this takes mere seconds, it's quite difficult, which is why I'm afraid we might not be able to contain the Umbrae long enough to remove all the prisoners of the Void."
"You might if we reinforced your efforts." My ring radiated an energy that infused me from head to toe, almost like an idea bulb, shining brightly above my head. "My people could all focus on something really positive until everyone is rescued and the Void is resealed. We've found that kind of thinking effective. It might work now."
Cadrow considered my plan for several seconds and gave me a slow smile. "It's worth a try. I'll assemble my people for the rite. But before I do, I want to speak to this young man." He nodded toward Matt. "I regret having to put you through my mind search. You were very brave to volunteer."
Matt smiled. "Thanks."
Pleased by the apology, I turned to my friends. "All Nodyrans must stay out here, of course, and all Ionians, too. We can't risk possession if there's an escape."
While Cadrow gathered the Sairons, I watched Tirafalen, who'd shifted into dragon mode, easily corral the prisoners, Mad Matilda included.
"They seem to have a healthy respect for our Tir."
I turned at those words and found Lucianis standing just behind me. "Well, who wouldn't?"
He grinned in response, then kicked a rock with his boot rather self-consciously. "I think I should defend the Rite of Gilmarden. It was never intended to be something bad. Typically Sairon youth are cleansed for the first time when they've accumulated enough negativity, around eighteen years old. It's the first rite of adulthood and greatly anticipated."
"Have you done it?" asked Matt.
"Yeah, and I must admit it was cool ridding myself of all the bad stuff inside me. Once we've had our initiation, it's only necessary every year or two unless someone faces evil as often as Jor, who's had dealings with the Dagonel." He took in the group of Sairons that Cadrow now assembled. "You're coming with us, right Guardian?"
Matt shook his head even as I nodded. When he saw what I was doing, he opened his mouth as if to argue, but then clamped it shut. He could tell I meant to go through with it. I gave him a thumbs-up and blew an air kiss his way before deliberately walking with Lucianis to where the Sairon procession had formed.
Cadrow motioned for me to take the lead, and, heart pounding, I did. The elder Sairon stepped immediately behind me. As before, drumbeats dramatically punctuated our every step.
My ring flamed outward as I passed through the entrance of the cave, lighting the way for everyone. Solemnly we encircled the abyss in the center of the vast cavern. The drumbeats grew ever stronger, mesmerizing me and aiding as I opened my mind for the nexus.
Then a brief vision of Rocc distracted me. Reminded once again that my brother currently shared my mental experiences, I briefly panicked. Almost instantly, however, I pictured him surrounded in a thick blue mist and knew it would be okay.
I let the steady beat of the drums soothe my troubled psyche once again. My ring grew brighter with each passing second, its beam pulsing rhythmically. Under Cadrow's guidance, the Sairons visualized the Umbrae barrier and then peeled it back, something I saw in my mind, too. Instantly, I directed my people to quell all negative thoughts and focus on the single most positive concept of all: peace.