by Kay L. Ling
Zeetha touched the ball and spoke Kitana’s name. Kitana appeared a moment later.
“Zeetha. Hello,” Kitana said. “And Tyla,” she added, looking perplexed. “I can’t imagine why the two of you are together, but I’m sure there’s an interesting story behind it.” Her tone wasn’t sarcastic, merely curious.
“A very long story,” Tyla said, “but here’s your headline: Emanicus gnomes and Sheamathan have been defeated.”
Kitana’s eyes narrowed. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Hardly,” Tyla said. She held up the leebstone book and showed Kitana the image of the Amulet forming. “We created a micro-Amulet and trapped Sheamathan and Emanicus gnomes inside.”
“I had no idea such a thing was possible.” Kitana studied the image. “You’re sure they can’t get out?”
“Positive.” Tyla showed Kitana the next two images. “Feel free to reproduce this in Woodspirit News and Views. Then, when you have time, come see the site in person. Maybe Sheamathan and the gem masters will give you an interview.”
“Ha,” Zeetha said. “Not likely. But she’d better hurry if she wants to try.”
“What’s the hurry?” Kitana asked.
“We don’t expect them to live long,” Tyla said.
“Why? Is there something dangerous about the Amulet?”
“Yes. Their food supply consists of poisoned vegetables.”
“What? You left them with nothing but poisoned food?” Kitana looked from Zeetha to Tyla, clearly shocked that either of them was capable of such a thing.
“No. Sheamathan did it,” Tyla said.
Kitana looked confused.
“She poisoned the vegetables, expecting us to eat them and die,” Tyla explained. “I’m sure she bitterly regrets that now.”
“Apparently, I misjudged her. I thought she’d reformed,” Kitana said. Tyla heard the sound of someone pouring liquid, and a voice from behind Kitana said, “Here’s your raaka. Extra strong, as requested.”
“Thanks.” Kitana took a long drink and set the mug down. “For the last few hours, I’ve felt rather strange. I can’t describe it. I just feel off somehow. I’m hoping a strong mug of raaka will cure whatever’s wrong with me.”
It occurred to Tyla that the timing was oddly coincidental. Could it be that now that Emanicus gnomes were sealed in the Amulet, the spell they’d laid on Kitana was broken?
Tyla showed Kitana the last image. “Please include this in your article.”
“Who is he?” Kitana asked.
“Rimwick, an Emanicus operative from Mierek City. Other operatives should recognize him. Up till now, we didn’t want them to know he was here, but at this point, I want them to know we have him in custody.”
“If you found more operatives, could you create another micro-Amulet to contain them?”
“Theoretically, yes,” Tyla said. “And it would be good if you printed that in your newssheet, too.”
“How do you make an Amulet?” Kitana asked.
“That secret must remain with us,” Tyla said, expecting Kitana to argue that the public deserved to know, but Kitana let the matter drop. The normally argumentative woodspirit seemed oddly agreeable today.
“I’ll have a special edition out in a matter of hours. In a few days, I’ll come with my staff to interview you. If Sheamathan and the gem masters agree to speak with me, I’ll consider that a bonus.”
“We look forward to seeing you,” Tyla said, and actually meant it. For once, a visit from Kitana would be useful.
Zeetha ended the communication and shook her head. “Is it my imagination, or does Kitana seem . . . different today?
“It’s not your imagination,” Tyla said, “and I’ll explain my theory later.”
“Who else should we contact?” Zeetha asked.
“The rest of The Eight. Starting with Anatta.”
“Yes. Anatta may want to pay her sister a last visit.”
“I’ll take care of other business while you contact them,” Tyla said. “Show them the leebstone images. Ask them to spread the word among the woodspirit population. The sooner all of Ahmonell knows what happened the better.”
Tyla went to check Arenia’s progress in the Pedestal Room, but Arenia was just returning, and they met in the passageway.
“I reached all the commanders, including Pentar. Despite the hard feelings at Aberell, he hasn’t resigned.”
“I’m glad,” Tyla said. “I’ve always liked Pentar.”
“Every commander will contact newssheets owners and other local news sources. Pentar says the public will believe the news, but Outcast forces may question the story.”
“They won’t once Woodspirit News and Views prints an article complete with my leebstone images.”
“Kitana agreed to run the story?”
“Agreed?” Tyla laughed. “She jumped at the chance, and she plans to come here with some of her staff. She’s always been sympathetic to The Emanicus, so Outcasts and Emanicus operatives will believe what she writes. The other newssheets will pick up the story from her, as they usually do. Everyone will want to cover this story.”
“What’s left of The Emanicus will crumble. Fortress troops should have no trouble restoring order with help from the militias.”
“I hope so,” Tyla said, “but Outcasts still have Dark gems, and that’s a problem.”
“Sooner or later they’ll decide dark powers aren’t worth the price. There are too many negative side effects.”
“You sound like Ertz,” Tyla said, grinning. “You’ve listened to too many of his lectures.”
“When things settle down, I hope he’ll come for a visit,” Arenia said.
“Me too. I miss him more than ever now that Elias has left.”
“There you be!” cried a familiar voice. Tyla turned to see Tina Ann and Ben.
“Ya did it again!” Tina Ann said. She came up to Tyla and gave her a teeth-rattling shake.
“Did what?” Tyla asked.
“Save the world,” Tina Ann said. When Tyla opened her mouth to protest, Tina Ann held up her hands. “I know, I know. Ya had help.”
“Kaff went an’ fetched Tina Ann an’ some of the others,” Ben said.
“Mos’ of us kitchen staff be back, an’ we be havin’ a cellybrashun,” Tina Ann announced. “Come on.”
“I have things to do,” Tyla said.
Tina Ann planted her hands on her hips. “Nuthin’ that can’t wait.”
“You’re right. And come to think of it, I am hungry,” Tyla admitted.
Tina Ann took Tyla’s arm. “Well, hurry up then, ‘fore Loud Mouth eats all the seed rolls.”
Chapter 70
Once Outcast troops neared Elantoth, Tyla successfully turned them away, and she, Olissa, and Zeetha killed all three pythanium. That became front-page news in Woodspirit News and Views and other publications. No one knew how many pythanium The Emanicus had created, but with their masters gone, Tyla hoped the creatures wouldn’t pose a threat.
The inhabitants of the new Amulet definitely posed no threat. Tyla was surprised when Olissa said she wanted to keep them under surveillance. Olissa wasn’t afraid they’d escape. She was curious what S and the gem masters would do during their last days, and she wanted someone on hand to record their deaths.
Olissa had so many volunteers to watch them that she created short shifts to give everyone a chance. At the end of each shift, she noted anything important in a logbook. Tyla found the daily records fascinating.
The gem masters had been quite resourceful in obtaining water. They collected dew and rainwater, but they couldn’t produce food. After the first couple days, tempers flared. The older gem masters, weak and in poor health, were no problem, but the younger ones got into fights. Sometimes they used dark powers, other times they physically attacked each other. Felith was foolish enough to attack Sheamathan, and she counterattacked with an energy burst that sent him flying into the barrier, disintegrating him. After that, the gem maste
rs plotted against her, and when she appeared to be asleep, they gathered to use the Focal Gem. But she wasn’t sleeping or else her gems warned her. Before they could do her any harm, she immobilized them, ensuring they would never try that again.
On day six, when Anatta and Kitana arrived, they found Sheamathan with a group of gnome “statues.” Kitana had hoped to interview the gem masters, but S refused to restore any of them. Left in that state, they would die in a couple days, but S didn’t care.
Kitana tried to draw S into a conversation, but S ignored her, and Anatta had no better luck. Eventually, they gave up and went back to the fortress.
The next morning, a Monitor raced back to the fortress, saying Sheamathan appeared to be dead. Tyla, Kitana, and Anatta hurried to the site and found her on the ground, her skin a strange shade of green.
“When woodspirits die, their skin turns that color,” Anatta said.
“So, it wasn’t from eating poisoned vegetables?” Tyla asked.
“No. This is normal,” Kitana said.
“She was fine yesterday. Do you think she took her own life?” Tyla asked.
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Anatta said. “Having your people watch her was humiliating enough, and then we came. I don’t think she could bear it.”
Kitana took a few notes and recorded the scene in her leebstone book. Tyla didn’t need a leebstone book to remember this. She would never forget S lying on the ground among the poisoned vegetables, the gem masters sitting in a circle, never to move again.
“Most everyone will be relieved that the infamous Sheamathan is dead,” Kitana said. “The gem masters will be dead, too, in a day or two.”
Kitana had to be disappointed that she hadn’t gotten an interview, but at least she’d been here for Sheamathan’s death, and that would sell a lot of newssheets.
The next day, Franklin stopped to tell Tyla he would be in the Fair Lands for a week or two.
“I’m thinking of moving back permanently, and I want to discuss it with Lana and Jules. I hope Elias is still alive so I can see him again.”
“They’ll be happy to hear that S and the gem masters are dead,” Tyla said. “Elias believed we’d find a solution, and we did.”
When Franklin returned ten days later he told Tyla he’d shared the news with Lana, Jules, and Elias. All three had been impressed with the clever ploy of creating an Amulet and were stunned to hear Sheamathan was dead. “Elias found it delightfully ironic that he had outlived her,” Franklin said. “Three days ago, he died peacefully in his sleep, and I helped Lana and Jules bury him in the Fair Lands Amulet.”
Tyla could hardly believe both Elias and S and were gone. Truly, it was the end of an era.
A year ago, when the delegation from Mierek had arrived at Elantoth, she had wondered whether life in the Amulet would be better or worse, and in many ways, it had been worse. But now, the newly formed Elantoth Council would have a hand in shaping a new government with sensible laws. The High Council was coming here next week, and the other fortresses would take turns hosting future meetings. Mierek would no longer be the dominant power.
The day of the meeting, Tyla sprang out of bed and ate breakfast with Lant and Eemie. Then, wanting to be alone for a while, she took a mug of raaka to the terrace.
This would be a historic day, she thought with nervous anticipation. All the commanders would be here and a number of Council members, too. What would they think of her? She hoped to make a good impression, but no matter what they thought of her, Amulet residents believed in her, and she valued their opinions most of all.
The warm morning air and bright sunshine seemed good omens. The last few days had been dark and dreary. Tyla sat in the arbor, listening to bird songs while she drank her raaka, and before long she heard the terrace door open. A voice called, “Okay if I join ya?”
Tyla looked up to see Tina Ann, hair combed neatly, dressed in her best tunic and pants. For someone who cared very little about her appearance, Tina Ann looked very respectable today.
Tina Ann sat down with Tyla, and Tyla could tell there was something on her mind. “Tell! Tell!” Tyla said, imitating Tina Ann so well that Tina Ann smiled.
Tina Ann hesitated as if gathering the courage to speak. “All them important folks be comin’ today, an’ I ‘spect yer nervous. Jus’ remember, wasn’t none of them what saved the world. Ya got more sense than all of ‘em. So speak yer mind. There. That be all I had ter say.” Tina Ann started to get up but Tyla placed a hand on her arm.
“Somehow, you always know when I need a pep talk. You have remarkable intuition. Are you sure you don’t have gem powers?”
Tina Ann grinned. “Don’t need gem powers ter know what a friend be thinkin’.”
The clatter of hooves on stone put an end to their conversation. They leapt from their seats, ran to the edge of the terrace, and leaned over the balustrade to look up the driveway.
A glossy black carriage pulled by four erum came into view, and as it neared, Tyla could see a stylized “M” for Mierek within the image of an opalescent, faceted gem. Right behind it came a dark green carriage with an “A” for Aberell.
“They’re early!” Tyla cried. “Why do officials always arrive ahead of time?”
Tina Ann laughed. “Olissa be there to greet them. An’ I ‘spect them folks from Mierek gonna be s’prised ter see her. Last they knowed, she be a rat.”
That was true, but Tyla wasn’t worried about it. The leaders who had turned against Olissa were gone, and the atmosphere at Mierek was quite different now. They had suffered a humiliating defeat, temporarily losing their fortress to Outcasts, and they were much humbler now.
Tyla saw another carriage, smaller than the other two, and she gasped in delight when she recognized it. “Ertz is here! I didn’t know he was coming.”
“I knowed,” Tina Ann said with a smug grin.
“How did you find out? And why didn’t you tell me?” Tyla shook her head. Why was it that the kitchen staff always knew everything before she did?
“Didn’t tell ya ‘cause it was supposta be a surprise,” Tina Ann said. “I miss that sneaky gnome spy.”
“So do I. Let’s go see him and greet the others.”
“Better go by yerself. Them erfficials ern’t used ter breghlin.”
“Then they’d better get used to them, because there are plenty at Elantoth, and some are my best friends. Come on.”
They hurried from the terrace to greet their guests.
THE END
A Note From the Author
Thank you so much for reading Deals and Dangers! If you enjoyed it, I hope you will spread the word by posting an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. You don’t need to write anything lengthy or profound. Even a simple statement like, “I enjoyed this book and I think you will too,” will encourage readers to pick up Deals and Dangers.
If you haven’t read the Gem Powers Series (Beyond the Forest, Shadowglade, Runes and Relics) it contains characters you met in Wards and Wonders, Myths and Mentors, and Deals and Dangers and provides the backstory to the Gem Lore series.
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Acknowledgments
My sister, Marie Clapsaddle, my biggest fan, provided invaluable feedback and spent more hours reading and editing this book than either of us can count. Thanks!
Lowell Ling, my wonderful husband, provided daily motivation by asking, “Do you have another chapter yet?”
Mark Gardner, my formatter, got my book ready for publication on short notice and added all the extra touches that make it look awesome.
I’d like to acknowledge the “noblebright” trend, which is the opposite of “grimdark.” Reading tastes differ, and one style of book isn’t inherently better than the other, but for those of you who enjoy main characters who have heroic hearts, this book is for you.
About the Author
Kay L. Ling began writing fiction at an early age
. In grade school, her stories evidenced a sense of wonder and love of adventure. In one, mythical creatures lived and traveled inside a rainbow, and in another, a bored sixth-grader turned her teacher into a maroon sofa and then teleported herself to London. As she grew up, Kay never lost her ability to imagine strange and wondrous peoples and places, and now she would like to share her unique fantasy adventures with others.
www.kaylling.com
Afterword
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