by Frank Morin
He directed the water up to the floor, forming the perimeter of a square. He made it a bit bigger than the opening to the stairs, the border about as wide as his outstretched hand. Then he parted that border, forming a narrow, dry line down the middle of it.
His father had laid that floor, and it took a moment to find a crack big enough to slip water through. Connor formed a similar double square outline on the top side of the floor, positioned directly over the one underneath.
"All set," he said.
Verena joined him and lifted a piece of marble to the exposed underside of the floor, aimed at that dry strip in the middle of his square border. An intense but narrow jet of blue fire erupted from the little stone as she pressed it to the flooring.
The flames burned through in seconds. Connor kept the waters in place on either side, draining away the heat so the flames did not spread.
Verena moved her stone along the open track, quickly cutting through the floor, using the flame as a saw. She grinned. "It's working."
He hoped the minimal damage would make it easier to repair, even though there would be a blackened streak marring the beautiful floor. They even had to cut through one of the heavy beams that supported the structure. It was still better than curse-punching their way through.
As Verena began cutting the third side, footsteps sounded above them and little Wallace's voice called out, "Dad, why is the floor leaking?"
"Wallace, back up. It's me, Connor, and I'm coming in."
Wallace shrieked, "Dad! Connor's turned into a puddle."
"What are you shouting about?" Hendry asked, and his footsteps echoed on the floor. "What is going on in here?"
Connor spoke louder. "Dad, it's me. Keep back. We're coming in."
"Connor! Why'd you come back? Dougal's here with soldiers."
Lilias entered from the kitchen. "Did you say Connor?"
"He's here. Under the floor."
"Connor's turned into a puddle," Wallace wailed.
"I did not. Just stay back and you'll see."
Verena finished and Connor heaved, pushing the severed section of flooring and following it up into the living room. His family was all gathered, and they stared in astonishment.
They gaped even more when he reached down to help the fully armored Verena, then Jean in her battle clothing, then Aifric in her Healer's coat into the room. Even though they'd seen everyone just days before, Connor had to admit they made a pretty impressive entrance.
Hamish bounded up last of all and grinned, "Did you save us any bacon?"
As Connor set the square section of flooring aside Blair said, "Connor, you know the door works, right?"
Connor laughed. That set off everyone else. His mother gave him a warm hug, and Connor felt like he had come home. He felt tears building, but quickly blinked them away. He needed to be strong and decisive, not emotional. It would be hard enough to convince the villagers to flee into the night.
He wanted to hug his mother for a month, but he was quickly surrounded by the rest of the family. They all hugged, while their father repeatedly warned them all to be more quiet.
His parents hugged Hamish and Jean, then Lilias gave Verena a tender hug. "It is so good to see you, dear. Are you all right?"
Connor was stunned to see tears in Verena's eyes as she stammered something he couldn't hear. His mother glanced at him with that reproving look she used when he'd done something particularly stupid. Usually he knew what he'd done and had excuses ready.
"There, there," Lilias said, patting Verena's shoulder. "We'll talk it through in a minute."
Little Wallace tugged at Connor's battle jacket. "Did you bring me that squirrel, Connor?"
"I'll make it for you as soon as I get a minute."
Wallace's eyes widened in wonder. "You can make squirrels? Live ones?"
"Sort of. It's got big feet, so you can't laugh at it."
Wallace nodded with absolute sincerity. "I won't. I promise."
Hendry extended a welcoming hand to Aifric. "Welcome to our home. We were never really introduced in Altkalen."
"I'm Aifric, a Healer and friend of Connor's," she said, making a graceful curtsy. Connor was glad she hadn't introduced herself as an Assassin. His family wasn't ready to know everything.
His father then glanced down into the dark staircase cut into solid stone. "Not a single chisel mark. I didn't know you could cut stone with your curse."
"Only when it's power-grade stone. We figured sneaking into town quietly would be best for everyone."
Lilias said, "I should think so. We don't want another pitched battle here. We've only just managed to rebuild."
Connor said, "We might not have a choice. The town's in danger. We believe that Dougal came here to set a trap. He wants to kill Kilian, Hamish, and Verena and enslave me to Shona again."
Hendry scowled. "The man's a smooth liar."
"We heard. We were listening from up on Lookout Rock. Everything he said was lies or half-truths. We have to get everyone out of town before he comes back."
"You mean to fight him, don't you?" his mother asked.
She still had one arm around Verena's shoulders. Blair handed her little Fiona, who stared at Connor cautiously. She seemed nervous by the many plates and straps of his battle jacket.
"We have to. If we're right, he could destroy the entire valley. The future of Alasdair is at risk. We have to stop him."
Hendry frowned. "Worse than we figured. We told everyone to act like they believed him. Had to for their sakes, although after his fancy speech, some of them might really believe his pack of lies. He's done a lot of good for the town in recent months, after all."
Lilias muttered, "What a waste. And he chastised Isobel for poor management."
"Even if people don't believe everything, they should be ready to hide in the bolt hole if they know there'll be fighting by morning," Connor said.
"Wish we had a couple more weeks for finishing touches, but it'll do, if we can get there," Hendry said.
"We'll get there," Connor assured him.
Lilias glanced down the stairs plunging into the dark tunnel. "Is that why you came in this way? You think we can escape out the same way?"
Aifric grinned. "I see where you get your cleverness. This is definitely a good location to craft another me."
At his parents' quizzical looks, Connor said, "You really don't want to know. And yes, we can get out this way."
When he explained his plan, their eyes widened with wonder. Of course Wallace wanted to go down immediately and see if he could catch a big fish from inside the river.
Hendry shushed him. "We put an evacuation plan in place even before we started rebuilding. Blair, you and Roderick can start spreading the word. We'll evacuate through the tunnel in the established run groups."
"We'll stop by Hamish's house and get his family to help," Blair said.
Hamish said, "Don't bother. I'll tell them."
"Better borrow one of Hendry's coats," Lilias said, glancing meaningfully at his suit.
"I'll go get Gran," Jean said, and accepted a wrap from Lilias to cover her very non-villager attire.
The group slipped out through the kitchen door, and Connor hoped they were careful. The boys wouldn't attract attention, and as long as Hamish and Jean were careful, they should be fine.
Hendry said, "The bolt hole is the first gathering place. If that's still too close, we'll move into the mountains."
"It may come to that," Connor said. "For now, let's focus on getting everyone to the bolt hole. Load up with all the provisions you can there, then move up the mountain. If we all make it that far, we can figure out what to do next."
"I agree." Hendry gripped Connor's shoulder and gave him an approving smile. "It's good to have you back."
"I need you and mom to lead everyone. Hamish's family and Mhairi will help."
"But how can you hope to fight Dougal and all his Petralists?" Lilias asked.
"You saw a little of what I
can do at Altkalen. We have more help on the way, but I want you all safely away before the fighting starts. It could get ugly."
Lilias asked Verena. "And you'll fight beside him, dear?"
Verena nodded. "We're a team."
"Don't worry about Verena," Connor assured her.
Aifric added, "She's considered one of the most dangerous people in Granadure for a reason."
"I have to worry. I'm your mother. I worry about you and about your girl, and Hamish. And poor Jean. A battle's no place for her."
Verena said, "You'd be surprised. She single-handedly saved hundreds of people in my home when Dougal sent an elemental monster to destroy our valley."
Lilias's eyes widened. "How is it possible?"
Connor said, "The world is a dangerous place. More than we ever knew, and Dougal is at the heart of most of it."
Hendry sighed. "I hate that such a burden has fallen to you, Son."
"There's no one else who can stop him."
"Then you must." His father gripped his shoulder, his expression grave. "If you've got the strength to help others and to fight for what's right, you have the responsibility to do so."
"Oh, Hendry." Lilias passed Fiona to him, then drew Connor into another hug, holding both him and Verena close. She spoke in a soft but fierce whisper to them. "If you must do this, know our blessing and all our hopes are with you."
She stepped back a pace and her expression turned hard. "Kill that man if you must, but don't become a monster to destroy one."
Again her strength helped bolster his confidence. Without her confident conviction that he spare all who could be spared, he would have killed many more people at Altkalen. He was so grateful he didn't carry that additional burden.
"I'd rather not kill anyone, but he hasn't given us any alternative."
She placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Stay true to each other. Let nothing come between you, and together you are so much stronger than either of you alone."
Connor glanced at Verena, moved by the strength of his mother's words. He did want to stay true, but Verena's gaze looked troubled. There was something holding her back.
Could she still be that hung up on his promised kiss to Shona? He had to find a way to reconcile with her, but he couldn't believe that the answer to any disagreement was to just surrender completely to her wishes. They needed an equal partnership, or it would never work.
Hendry said, "People will start arriving soon. Lilias can lead the first group, Peigi the second, and Mhairi the third. What else do you need from us?"
"Well, for starters, we need the rest of the bacon," Connor said.
"I don't see how that's important," Lilias said with a frown.
"It is to Connor and Hamish," Aifric said with a smile.
Connor nodded. "Psychological advantage."
"I'll make sure we have every other possible advantage," Aifric said. She removed her Healer coat and skirt, revealing dark slacks and blouse, with daggers belted at her waist. A little shudder rippled through her, and her expression turned harder as she assumed her persona as Student Eighteen.
"What do you have in mind?" Connor asked. A handful of Boulders were unlikely to pose much of a threat against a Mhortair, but he didn't want any fighting to start until the villagers escaped.
"For now, just scouting the opposition. Trust me." She gave him a reassuring, but predatory smile, then slipped out the kitchen door and disappeared into the night.
Lilias rubbed her arms as Connor closed the door. "Why do I suddenly feel nervous around that young woman?"
Connor said, "Aifric is complicated, and she can be very dangerous when she needs to be."
"Strange quality in a healer," Hendry said.
"But she fits right in with our group," Verena assured him.
"While we're waiting, I need to return something to you, Dad," Connor said.
Verena drew from her satchel the precious Ashlar hammer and handed it to Connor. He hefted it and presented it to his father.
"This village needs you, and you need this."
Hendry took it with reverence. "Thank you, Son."
With that hammer in his dad's hands, Connor suddenly felt a renewed sense of confidence. Everything was going to turn out alright.
Chapter Eighty
"Reason at times may be found in the depths of shocking distress."
~Anton
While they waited for townsfolk to arrive and begin the secret exodus of Alasdair, Lilias drew them all to the long couch on the far side of the room. They sat together, little Fiona on his mother's lap, and Wallace prowling around the room, pretending to be a stalking pedra.
Lilias patted Verena's knee. "I am sorry you have to deal with so many of our problems, dear."
Verena glanced at Connor, and he was relieved when she gave him a warm smile. "We're in this together to the end."
"Don't you worry that one of you will get hurt again?" his dad asked.
Connor said, "It's possible, but we've made it this far."
Verena added, "And we've saved each other's lives more than once."
Lilias gripped her hands. "You've been through such trials. I hate it."
"They've made you strong," Hendry said in an approving tone.
Connor shrugged. "We haven't had much choice, but together I think we can save a lot of lives. We have to try."
His father nodded. "Stay true to each other, and to what's right. I'm a firm believer that right will always win out eventually."
"I agree," Verena said, but a frown flickered across her face and Connor wondered if she was thinking about how wrong he was to keep his word to Shona.
Lilias rose and paced away, hands clenching. "I hate liars. To think, High Lord Dougal ate food with us, helped us rebuild, even complimented us on the job we were doing."
Connor said, "He's a complicated guy. He was probably acting genuine with you. That doesn't mean he won't sacrifice us all for what he considers a more important cause."
Wallace jumped onto Connor's lap and gripped a couple straps of his battle jacket. "Where's that squirrel, Connor?"
"Now's probably the best time to make it, actually."
"Can you really?" his mother asked.
"Captain Ilse taught me how it's done."
His father shook his head, a wry smile on his lips. "I still find it hard to believe that those people who invaded our home and threatened our lives turned out to be your best friends."
Connor wasn't sure he would call Ilse a best friend. Half the time he'd spent around her, he'd worried she was planning to assassinate or kidnap him. If circumstances required it, she would still kill him to protect her homeland.
True friends were like that, he supposed.
"Just one example of how crazy life has been this past year." He dropped to one knee on the floor beside Wallace, who regarded him with eager expectation. "Now, about that squirrel."
"With big feet," Wallace reminded him.
"Can't forget that."
Fiona spoke for the first time. "Feet!"
While his mother shushed her, Connor withdrew a little piece of marble from his belt pouch.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Verena asked.
Connor considered the little stone. "It should be fine. This isn't sculpted, and I'm not planning to ascend. Those were the things Kilian warned me about."
"What does it do?" Lilias asked.
"This allows me to control elemental fire."
Wallace's eyes widened and he reached for the stone. "Really?"
Lilias snatched his hand away, as if the stone could burn him.
When Connor slipped it into his mouth, under his tongue, Wallace said, "Hey, don't eat rocks. They're bad for you, right, Mom?"
"Right."
"I won't eat it, I promise. Only Hamish does that."
Tapping his granite and slate again, Connor drew some mud from the distant riverbank, drained the water out of it with soapstone, and pulled the resulting clay up the stairs to th
e living room, balling it at his feet.
It was possible to perform a summoning using only an element and granite, but that consumed far more of the precious power. Using clay to form the body, wrapping it in granite strength, and powering it with elemental innards made the process a lot easier.
Then he got a sudden thought and glanced at Verena. "I wonder if I could use sweetbreads. Or bacon!"
"You don't really want to give the rampagers more reason to find it and eat it, do you?"
"Probably not," he admitted, but decided he'd have to try it some time. He easily imagined Hamish chasing a tiny, summoned creation made of bacon.
Connor sucked on the marble and savored the spicy explosion of flavor before it intensified into a steady burn. A ball of flames appeared in front of him, growing until it was about the size of his cupped hands.
"Wow!" Wallace reached out to touch it again, but Hendry scooped him up.
"Just watch, Son. Don't touch."
His voice was soft, and they all stared at the flames in fascination. To them his curse was still mostly a mystery, an unexplained wonder.
Tapping granite, he focused on the image of the squirrel with the big feet that he had created at the Carraig. With the image firmly in mind, he willed it over the small pile of mud, then drove the ball of flames into it too. Concentrating the power of granite in the center of his chest, he pushed it out toward the burning, muddy mixture.
With a muted thunderclap and a spray of rainbow light, the flame-filled mud snapped into the correct shape. Its skin faded under an outer shell of granite. A second later, a perfect little squirrel stood on the floor, facing Wallace.
"I love it!" Wallace shrieked, squirming off their father's lap and reaching for it.
"Is it safe?" Lilias asked as she restrained Fiona from following.
"It only does what I make it do."
The squirrel occupied part of Connor's mind. He could look through its eyes, hear through its ears, and even smell through its nose. Again he was struck by how odd it was that the little creature had sharper senses than he did.
With a thought, he sent the little squirrel scampering up Wallace's arm to sit on his shoulder. Wallace shrieked with delight and snatched for it. Connor sent it scurrying across the room, with Wallace in hot pursuit. He grinned as he ran the squirrel just fast enough to keep ahead of the eager child.