Deals and Dangers

by Kay L. Ling

  Tyla had been thinking the same thing. Maybe it was just nerves, but something felt wrong. Last time, the vines had detected Marrid once she crossed the perimeter ward, and they had gone into attack mode. Why would they remain dormant this time when there was a whole group of intruders?

  The door opened, and three black-robed gnomes came out.

  “Emanicus gnomes,” Arenia hissed.

  A group of Outcasts followed, armed with deadly old-fashioned weapons—swords, spears, maces and flails.

  “Eight officers against three gem masters and all those Outcasts,” Tyla said. “Let’s hope the vines don’t attack. Our forces will have all they can do to fight the Outcast force.”

  “Come on, Marrid,” Zeetha breathed, her eyes locked on the scene. “Slip by everyone and get inside.”

  The Outcasts formed ranks, facing the officers. One of the Emanicus gnomes stepped forward. First, he gestured at the Outcast force who lifted their weapons and shook them menacingly, and then he gestured at Darrath’s officers and made a shooing motion, mocking them, telling them to go home.

  Tyla wondered where Marrid was at the moment. With the Outcasts’ attention focused on the fortress officers, it might be easier for her to get inside. Once she got in, there might be Emanicus gnomes, but—

  A beam of pink light cut through the sky, and Marrid appeared, bathed in pink light.

  Tyla gave a startled cry. A chill ran through her.

  “Is she doing that? The pink light?” Arenia asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Zeetha said in a tight voice. “Why would she turn visible? “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “I have,” Tyla said, numb with dread. One of the Artifact Gems, a pink stone, produced an energy beam. The Amulet Team had used it in conjunction with the Focal Gem to overcome the malfunctioning Amulet barrier. She was about to say she feared this was an Emanicus attack when Marrid’s Guardian appeared, removing all doubt. Marrid was in danger.

  The Guardian stood with its back to her, shielding her with its body. It lifted its arms, and white sparks flew from its hands. Its form became brighter and brighter. Soon, it glowed with such a blinding intensity that Marrid covered her eyes. The pink light faded as if losing power, but it didn’t disappear. Tyla held her breath, willing the Guardian to defeat the artifact gem.

  The Outcasts had covered their eyes, but one of the gem masters braved a glance and raised a triumphant fist when he saw that the pink beam remained.

  Marrid swayed and sank to her knees.

  Zeetha let out a horrified wail. Tyla was too stunned to make a sound. Zeetha’s ominous vision might be coming true, and there was nothing any of them could do about it.

  Arenia grabbed Tyla’s arm. “They’re attacking.”

  The Outcasts were charging at Darrath’s group. Their primitive weapons could be as deadly as gem powers if Darrath’s officers had to defend themselves against so many at once.

  The scene quickly became so chaotic that Tyla could hardly take it all in. Both sides were using immobility gems. Here and there, Outcasts and officers stood in awkward poses, frozen in place. After a few seconds, someone freed them or they overcame their immobility, and they attacked again.

  Fireballs flew through the air, aimed at Darrath’s officers.

  Holes opened in the ground in front of Outcast attackers.

  A wild beast charged toward several Outcasts. Tyla had used illusions before so she recognized it for what it was, but it worked, scattering the Outcasts who weren’t taking a chance that the beast wasn’t real.

  The air shimmered briefly, and two of the enemy flew backward, knocking over three others.

  “Energy blast!” Tyla said.

  An Outcast swung his sword at an officer, but the officer’s personal shield stopped the blow. The officer immobilized the Outcast, took the Outcast’s sword, and ran him through.

  Unnerved by the gore, Tyla turned her attention back to Marrid and the Guardian. The Guardian wasn’t as bright as before. That couldn’t be a good sign. Worse, Marrid was no longer kneeling. She was lying on her back. The pink light continued to envelope her. Tyla’s stomach clenched at the sight of Marrid reduced to this helpless state.

  “The Emanicus is doing this, aren’t they,” Zeetha sobbed. “They discovered she was here before, and this time, they were ready for her.”

  “It has to be them,” Tyla said. “They must be using the Focal Gem.”

  Tyla had been afraid they’d retaliate if Marrid got involved, but she hadn’t expected anything like this, and she hadn’t expected it so soon. It was small comfort to think The Emanicus couldn’t stop Marrid without combining their powers through the Focal Gem and using an energy beam. Marrid might have second thoughts about fighting The Emanicus after this, but she’d survive, Tyla thought with desperate hope. The Guardian would save her—somehow. It just had to.

  “Move the scene closer,” Zeetha said in a trembling voice. “I want to see her face. Oh, Marrid. You shouldn’t have gone there to help.”

  Tyla shifted the scene and looked down at Marrid through a haze of tears. The Guardian was becoming dimmer, its form less and less distinct. Then it was gone. Tyla felt her last shred of hope dissolve.

  Marrid tried to lift her head but was too weak. She winced and opened her eyes, and it seemed she was looking right at them. They had promised to watch, so she knew they were there. Her lips moved, and Tyla could see she was saying over and over, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Marrid thought she had failed them, and that broke Tyla’s heart.

  When Marrid’s eyes closed, and her head lolled to the side, Tyla knew she was gone.

  “No!” Zeetha screamed, gripping the table. “Marrid!”

  Then, as if The Emanicus knew they had won and Marrid was dead, the pink beam disappeared.

  Darrath’s officers were still fighting, but Tyla couldn’t watch. They were outnumbered, Marrid was gone, and they had no chance of taking back Mierek Fortress without her. They’d be lucky to survive.

  Tyla reached for Arenia, and they held each other, tears streaming down their faces. It was hard to believe this was happening, that Marrid was gone. There would never be another woodspirit like her. Tyla felt empty inside. How could she go on with her duties? But she must. Marrid would expect her to put on a brave face and keep fighting The Emanicus, no matter how hopeless it seemed. “I won’t give up. I won’t let them win,” Tyla whispered. Even with Marrid’s help, it had seemed almost impossible. Now, they must try to defeat The Emanicus without her.

  Chapter 60

  The next morning, as Tyla was on her way to the office, three pieces of luggage sailed by. She turned and found Zeetha coming down the passageway, dressed in a somber brown gown.

  “You’re leaving?” Tyla asked, stunned.

  “The answer should be obvious,” Zeetha said coldly. The traveling cases stopped, waiting for her.

  “I hadn’t expected—I mean, I—”

  Zeetha blinked back tears. “If Marrid hadn’t gotten involved with you gnomes, she’d still be alive.”

  “I know, we’re—”

  “And I’ll be next if The Emanicus learns I’m here.”

  “We have wards,” Tyla said weakly. A few days ago, she hadn’t wanted Zeetha to come. Now, she didn’t want her to go. Despite the woodspirit’s quirks, Tyla had come to like Zeetha, and from a practical standpoint, they needed her. Olissa wouldn’t be back for days, and if there was an Emanicus attack in the meantime, Elantoth would surely fall.

  Zeetha wasn’t as brave as Marrid. Tyla sympathized with her for not wanting to take undue risks, but she couldn’t let Zeetha leave without trying to change her mind. There was too much at stake. “You wanted Marrid to help us. She said it was your idea to give me the guardian spell.”

  It was Zeetha’s turn to stammer. “W-well I—”

  “She said you believed I’d play an important part in this crisis, and you didn’t want anything to happen to me.”

&nb
sp; “Y-yes, I did say that.”

  “Look, I know it’s more dangerous now, but there’s nowhere safe for any of us, and once The Emanicus gains full control, it will be even worse.”

  Zeetha let out a trembling breath. “I-I want to help, but I’m afraid.”

  “I’m afraid, too. Everyday there’s some new disaster. So far, we haven’t seen as much trouble as other regions, but our day may come.”

  Zeetha’s eyes took on an unfocussed look. “Someone is calling me. Where did I pack my dendrite ball?”

  The traveling cases sank to the floor, and the lids opened, revealing the contents.

  Zeetha found the ball and took it from its protective bag.

  “Stone walls!” a female voice said in surprise. “Where are you? It looks like you’re in a fortress.”

  “I—it’s a long story, Anatta.”

  “Never mind. I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’ll just come out with it. Marrid was killed at Mierek Fortress. I should have talked her out of going. She told me what she planned to do, and it was madness to attempt such a thing.”

  “H-how did you find out? That she’s dead, I mean,” Zeetha asked.

  “Outcasts put her body on a cart and left it in front of The Mierek City Reporter building.”

  “That’s horrible! How could they do such a thing?”

  “They’re monsters. The editor contacted Marrid’s family, and they came and took her away. Before the mission, Marrid left a few things at the High Council building—a dendrite ball, a special woven bag, and a leebstone book. She said if anything happened to her, these items should go to you or me. You were closer to her than I was. Where are you? I’ll send them.”

  Tyla wondered if Zeetha would admit where she was. She could have the items sent elsewhere.

  After a long pause, Zeetha said, “I’m at Elantoth.”

  “Elantoth! What are you doing there?”

  “Marrid was here helping the gnomes, and when she left for Mierek City, she asked me to come as her replacement.”

  “Of all the—well, I hope you have the good sense to leave after what’s happened. The Emanicus is stronger than we believed. If they’re able to alter my memories and kill Marrid, you don’t stand a chance. After all, you’ve never been the most, er, stable of the group. Forgive me for being so blunt.”

  Tyla heard three thuds—the lids on Zeetha’s luggage slamming shut. The luggage rose and started back up the passageway toward the woodspirit’s room.

  “Thank you for your concern, but I’m staying,” Zeetha said. “Marrid would have wanted me to. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to.” Zeetha broke the connection and gave Tyla a determined look. “It looks you’ll be putting up with me awhile longer after all.”

  Felith went for a walk to get away from everyone. The others were sitting outside by the corrustone pit, congratulating themselves that Marrid was dead. Sheamathan was inside, happy that Marrid wouldn’t be able to interfere anymore, but annoyed that she’d had no hand in her demise. The less access Sheamathan had to gems the better, Felith thought, frowning. Using the Focal Gem was tiring, but it didn’t produce witnesses or make them ill unless they used Dark gems at the same time.

  Felith liked to sit beside the small pond near their hideout when he wanted to be alone. Tonight, as the sun lowered in the sky, he tossed stones into the pond and mulled over the events of the day.

  With Marrid eliminated, Emanicus operatives and their Outcast allies should be able to hold Mierek Fortress. Darrath had lost so many officers he was relying on the militia now. He’d never retake the fortress. Soon, the other fortresses would fall, and that should convince the militias to surrender. The last thing Felith wanted was a second Great Upheaval with full-scale battles requiring him to be there in person, supporting Outcast forces with the Focal Gem.

  The conniving woodspirit was hoping for battles like that. The strain would become so great they would have to include her in their circle. He threw another stone into the pond and watched it sink, his fears multiplying like ripples on the pond. Sheamathan was clever. She wouldn’t take advantage of them at first. No, she’d wait till they’d vanquished the enemy. Then, with no further need for them, she’d seize control, and they would become her servants.

  He had seen it in her eyes—the lust for power. He knew that look too well. And he had seen contempt in her eyes, too. She thought gnomes were inferior beings who shouldn’t have gem powers. Why couldn’t his fellow gem masters see that she despised them? Dark gems impaired their judgment, but if he could see through her, why couldn’t they?

  Hearing the sound of wings, Felith looked up. A Watcher was returning with a report, and Felith should be present when it landed. Reluctantly, he started back, wondering which one it was. There were dozens of the new invisible variety, and they all looked very much alike.

  When he got back to the cave, he found Sheamathan outside talking to the Watcher. “All reports should be delivered directly to me,” Felith told the Watcher. “Sheamathan, you overstep your bounds.”

  “I was only asking a few questions,” she said in her most innocent tone. “The Watcher has not delivered his report yet. We waited for you.”

  Some of the group looked at Felith reproachfully, thinking he was being unkind to Sheamathan and overreacting. They didn’t understand the dangers of letting her ingratiate herself with the Watchers.

  Felith imagined he saw displeasure in the Watcher’s eyes, but he refused to be intimidated. “You may give your report now.”

  “The gnome and human are no longer traveling together. The human is not well. The gnome travels alone to deliver your edicts. I heard—”

  “Elias is not well?” Sheamathan cut in, sounding positively gleeful. “He is very old. I can hardly be—”

  “Sheamathan! Be still or go back inside.”

  For an instant he saw pure hatred in her eyes, then she smiled, and he could almost believe he’d imagined it. “I beg your pardon, Felith.”

  “Go on,” he told the Watcher.

  “Outcasts are training breghlin to fight, as you ordered. I have seen them drilling. Gnome clans are drilling, too, and their numbers include gem users as well as Nopes.”

  “How could you tell?” Felith asked.

  “They set up targets a long distance away, and they made stones fly through the air and hit the targets.”

  “Not much of an offensive strategy, but I suppose it’s the best they can do without rare gems,” Hoy said, chuckling.

  “The fellow who gets knocked senseless won’t be laughing,” Felith said. “I wish the clans would disband their militias and accept the inevitable. The Emanicus will rule Ahmonell.” From the corner of his eye he saw Sheamathan flinch at that comment. She wanted to rule, and with every passing day that was becoming more apparent.

  “Never mind the gnome clans,” she said. “There are more important things to think about. Did you not hear what the Watcher said? Elias is not well. This is your big chance!”

  “What are you talking about?” Lanimore asked.

  “I am talking about my gem collection, of course.” While she didn’t actually say, “You fools,” she might as well have.

  A few in the group gave her blank looks. The rest made the connection immediately. Elias was reputedly holding her rare gems at Elantoth’s request. Their eyes lit, and their expressions of pure avarice were comical.

  “What are we waiting for?” Narrod asked. “Let’s go get them.”

  Some of the others murmured their assent.

  “We have plenty of rare gems now, and we have other matters to attend to,” Felith said.

  Sheamathan’s eyes flashed. “You miss the point. Those gems could be used against you, and now that Elias is not well, we stand a much better chance of retrieving them.”

  “We?” Felith said pointedly.

  “Yes we. I will help you. After all, the gems belong to me, and you are fortunate I am willing to share them with you. W
e should leave immediately.”

  “Hold on,” Felith said. “Doesn’t Gem Master Jules, known as The Challenger, live with Elias?”

  She waved his concern aside. “He is not as powerful as Elias.”

  “And what about our wards? You seem to forget they’re difficult to maintain while traveling.”

  Sheamathan laughed. “Difficult for you but not for me. And I can protect you in a number of ways.”

  “How? We’ve only given you a few gems.”

  “Simple. We give her more,” Yevin said, and a few of the group laughed.

  “That’s right,” Hoy said. “It’s not a problem. I say we go. All in favor?”

  Felith could see he was quickly losing control, and there was no mistaking the look of victory on Sheamathan’s face. If he didn’t agree to go, the others would go without him, and she knew it.

  “If you’ve finished your report, go away,” Felith told the Watcher.

  “Where will I find you to deliver my next report?”

  “Somewhere between here and Strathweed,” Sheamathan said, not waiting for Felith to reply.

  Chapter 61

  Tyla was relieved when Olissa and the team finally returned. Instead of the customary three days, it had taken a week. Olissa said once there had been a tree in the road that looked like an intentional roadblock, and fearing another ambush, they had turned around and taken a different road. Another time, they had seen Outcast-led breghlin troops and had decided to hide the cart in the woods and wait until it was safe to leave. They had also stopped along the way to visit Morodin’s clan, knowing they’d receive a hot meal and the latest news, and that proved fortuitous. Morodin had just learned from breghlin informants that Elantoth was The Emanicus’s next target. Enemy troops would gather at Last Hope, and Outcasts from Aberell’s O.D. would join them. Then, the combined force would set out for Elantoth.

  “We can’t wait for them to attack,” Olissa told Tyla and Zeetha in a closed-door meeting. “We need to send the militias to intercept them. Outcasts and breghlin will have to travel on foot or by cart. It shouldn’t be hard to find them. The militias can Walk with the Wind and emerge from the trees, taking them by surprise.”