by TR Cameron
Her phone’s vibration jarred her from her thoughts and made Bryant cross the space between them and stand beside her. She looked down, and her eyes widened. Wordlessly, she showed it to him, and he read it out loud.
“The lady requests that you come to the fountain at your earliest convenience.”
She took it back and verified her initial impression that it had been sent from an unknown number, then raised her eyebrow in an unspoken question.
Bryant shrugged. “I suppose we should have expected this, given the news. The only person in town whom I know of who’s referred to as ‘the lady’ is the leader of the Kemana.”
Diana looked at her jeans and T-shirt, which were a poor match for his sartorial splendor, and said, “Give me five to change.”
They pushed through the main doors of the lobby six minutes later and turned left toward the park. The green space nestled in the triangle where the rivers narrowed the city’s land to a point. A tall fountain stood on the spot, which had just been restarted after its long winter break. She had her doubts about the decision to run it so early in the Spring, but she didn’t control the city, so she let it drop. Besides, there were more important matters to attend to.
They walked briskly along the path. She kept an eye on her side of the park while Bryant’s experienced gaze roved the other. She kept her voice low so it wouldn’t carry.
“Is there anything I need to know?”
“Think of it as a magical version of the city. All the things you see up here, expect to find similar versions down there, minus our ubiquitous technology.”
“It’s underground?”
Bryant nodded. “It is. We’re not sure how far. We tried to check a few times in different places, but nothing we used would detect them. The Kemanas were built on magically active sites so those who wished to do magic on Earth would have a place to draw power from.”
She’d known that much, at least. “Why Pittsburgh?”
He shrugged as they made their way under the raised highway access ramp that separated the front and back sections of the park. “There must’ve been a reservoir of energy here that they found useful. Maybe it’s tied to the rivers—some magical version of hydroelectricity. I have no idea, and the leaders of the various Kemanas haven’t seen fit to share that information with us.”
They abandoned the meandering walkways and cut across the grass toward the fountain. Aside from a few wanderers walking near the river, the area was deserted. The clouds diffused the late afternoon sun to impart a vague sense of sameness to the atmosphere. The water jetted straight up, seemed almost to hang in midair, then crashed down as if the flow were driven by currents, rather than streams.
When they stepped onto the pavement that surrounded the basin, her bracelet grew cold against her skin. She looked at Bryant, and he nodded. They slowed and drifted their hands toward their holsters. Hers was at her lower back and his rode under his left arm. She flicked her boot to verify the comforting weight of the Ruger holstered inside.
Casually, she swiveled her head to provide her glasses with a good view of the area, but they didn’t identify anything on the initial pass. After several moments of slow walking, though, they identified strange deflections in the falling water and sketched the pattern on her visual field. It revealed a rough cone shape, similar to an umbrella. She turned toward it, and a being stepped free from its illusion. The liquid continued to flow around him but not touch him. His hands were held at a forty-five-degree angle to each side as an indication of his peaceful intentions.
As if you need a weapon in your hand to be dangerous.
Neither agent altered the position of their own hands as they vectored to intersect with him. He was midway between their heights, with straight brown hair pulled back from his face and gracefully pointed ears. When they reached speaking distance, he spoke in a cultured voice with an Elven accent.
“I did not wish to alarm you, but nor did I wish to be seen by a casual passerby.” He waved at the couple that disappeared from view along the closer of the two river walks. “I am the lady’s emissary, and I am sent to inform you that she will grant you an audience at noon tomorrow.”
Bryant inclined his chin toward Diana, and she turned to face the elf. “Please tell the lady we are happy to attend.”
The elf nodded. “Seek the hourglass for entry. Your friend will know the place.” With his message delivered, he vanished as seamlessly as he’d appeared, and the illusion of water droplets danced yet again. Diana turned to Bryant, who shook his head and made the sign for silence, followed by the one for surveillance. They walked back without speaking. Despite the persistent feeling that events conspired to limit her options in every direction, a contrary part of her mind refused to be discouraged. That tiny voice of wonder and adventure sang ever so softly.
We’re off to see the wizard….
Chapter Nineteen
Diana had decided, and Bryant agreed, that she should be the contact person for the Kemana. Only she, Tony, and Cara descended the stairs from the main street level to the parking lot that ran along the river. The nearby wharf was now open and housed an assortment of poorly parked cars filling every available space—one more reason to appreciate their personal underground garage.
Tony looked uncertainly at his boss. “Where’s Rath?”
She pulled her coat a little tighter around her neck against the chill breeze coming off the river. “I thought bringing him might not be the best first impression, and I’m hesitant about the reception we’ll find. I feel better having him safe at home.”
Cara grinned. “Of course, safe at home is a questionable description with him, isn’t it?”
“Hopefully, he and Max aren’t getting into too much trouble.” She chuckled as she led the way to a darkened section of the wharf. “He told me there’s someone at the University who wants to talk to him. I’m sure nothing can go wrong there.” She rolled her eyes, and her teammates laughed.
They stopped at a metal gate that led into a small alcove. Its purpose was unexplained, and she wondered what others thought of it. Spray-painted icons surrounded it. Her bracelet felt chilled but not freezing, which suggested the presence of an illusion but not a particularly powerful one.
She whispered, “What is hidden, let it be found,” and a clearer set of etched runes appeared, looking for all the world like those around Tolkien’s Doors of Durin.
Diana touched the image that resembled an hourglass made of triangles, and the gate glowed briefly before it opened far more smoothly than its appearance would suggest was possible. She checked to ensure they hadn’t been noticed, then motioned the others inside and pulled it shut behind them. The area behind the gates was difficult to make out and seemed to be somehow diminished. Given the fact it was beyond an illusion designed to protect this entrance, it made a certain amount of sense.
Ahead, the brick wall that had been the back of the alcove had vanished to reveal a large staircase leading downward. Cara and Tony both stood aside to let her lead, and her lips twisted in a smirk. “Cowards.”
“Privilege of rank,” he replied.
“And age,” the marshal finished.
“You are both insufferably rude.” She raised her chin and descended. After what felt like three or four flights of stairs, they reached a heavy wooden door. A panel slightly higher than Diana’s eye level—why am I surprised?—opened, and a Kilomea lowered his head to peer at her. The guard didn’t speak and opted instead to wait patiently.
“We come at the invitation of the lady,” Diana said with as much formality as she could muster.
The massive being spoke in an unexpectedly soft and cultured voice. “Names.” She gave herself a mental smack for assuming it would be otherwise.
If anyone knows not to stereotype, it’s you, shorty.
“I am Diana Sheen. With me are my two subordinates and escorts Cara Binot and Tony Ryan.”
The Kilomea nodded and the panel slid shut. The door opened with a lo
w creak to reveal more of the tunnel and additional stairs. He sounded almost warm as he intoned what struck her as a formal greeting.
“Be welcome in the Kemana of Stonesreach. Do no harm, and no harm will be done to you, by the word of Lady Alayne You will find the lady in the palace.”
Cara stepped closer to speak softly into her ear. “And we trust this?”
Diana gave the signs for silence and surveillance and advanced without a reply. It would have been rude to wear comms, and the danger of their hosts noticing was too high.
Still, I wish we had them.
They walked for about ten minutes before the Kilomea led them through another gate. Diana’s legs burned after five. She tried not to think about the fact that they would need to walk up these same stairs to leave. Finally, they stepped free of the tunnel and slowed to a stop. She almost pitched headlong out of sheer wonder.
Bryant had described it as another downtown, but her mind hadn’t grasped the sheer size involved. It was undoubtedly the largest cavern she had ever seen in person or on television, let alone heard of. It stretched for at least a mile ahead. She performed the eye sweep that would call up her glasses’ display to find out for sure, and they failed to respond.
Of course, no signal. I bet our phones don’t work either. Still, it was worth a try, and now we know for sure.
Two varieties of stalactites hung from the ceiling. One looked like traditional stone generated by the vagaries of moisture and minerals. The others were comprised of glowing faceted gems that emitted a purple light that spread across the entire ceiling. She heard an indrawn breath behind her and echoed it as the magical potential of the place washed through her. She hadn’t noticed the emptiness inside her until the crystals’ power filled the hollow space. It felt incredible.
So that’s what Bryant meant about magic fuel. Wow.
The lower portion of the cave formed a bowl, and she grimaced at the number of stairs that lay between them and the bottom. The layout resembled a child’s drawing of sunbeams. Streets of varying widths flowed away from the semi-circle that held the palace grounds and reached all the way to the sides and back. Terraces climbed the slopes everywhere, except behind the palace, and each was dotted with what appeared to be small houses. She noticed a shimmer of motion below and realized it was foot traffic. Again, she reevaluated the scale of the place and shook her head. “We should’ve brought an energy bar or five.”
Tony moaned. “There has to be an elevator to take up, right?”
Cara slapped him on the shoulder. “Not to worry. It's probably an Uber-like service, only made of people who can fly.”
Diana laughed. “Dragon express. Fifty percent discount if you get burned on the way.”
Their escort raised a skeptical brow but otherwise, remained silent. She took a deep breath and resumed the descent. Groans sounded behind as her team followed.
The stairs were precarious enough that they had to go slowly, but they finally reached the bottom twenty minutes later.
It gives credence to Cara’s idea, really.
The staircase ended at the widest street, which carved the bowl into two equal halves. It appeared to run unbroken to the palace. People flowed in both directions, and Diana took a moment to recover her breath and her wits before moving on. The revelation of the Kemana equaled the surprise of the discovery of her magic so many years before.
She turned to her team. “Okay, this is far, far beyond my experience. I presume it’s beyond yours as well?” They both nodded. “Right. Here’s what we’ll do. We walk straight to the palace, so we don’t lose our way. A reasonable speed should get us there about fifteen minutes before noon, assuming no time or distance-altering magic are employed between here and there.” She grinned. “I know, that’s a huge assumption, but we have to start somewhere.”
Cara squinted at the ivory building across the cavern. “It seems there’d be no need for it, except as a defensive measure, and then you’d think it would be active, not passive.”
Tony nodded in agreement, and Diana chuckled. “We have two priorities. First is to get a sense of this place, as we’ll probably visit fairly often, assuming things go well. The second is to not tick anybody off. I know that might be hard for you, so I’m officially asking you to dial it back a little.” The offended looks the comment inspired warmed her heart, and she spun to lead them on before they could muster a counter-insult.
They merged carefully into the foot traffic on the right lane of the main street. People walked far enough apart to avoid bumping into anyone and so they would have time to react to unexpected actions committed by those in front of them. Despite this, the total number of travelers still doubled or tripled what she’d estimated on the city streets above. She identified beings she was familiar with—dwarves and elves walking alongside wizards and witches. She also noticed goblins, Kilomea, and several other creatures she didn’t recognize.
Trees and other plant life, some green and some vibrantly hued, filled the gaps between the shops that extended along the side of the street. They appeared to fill spaces that would otherwise connect one road to the next. Diana assumed the foliage would be thin enough that they could cut through, if necessary, but it would probably be frowned upon. Every so often, a narrow footpath would thread through the flora, and she guessed that would be the authorized shortcut.
She studied those walking toward her from behind the anonymity of her glasses, which she had polarized to appear dark from the outside. They wore sharp suits and attractive professional dresses. It was odd to see pointed ears and long hair combined with business attire, but she imagined they would go to the surface from time to time, and it might be easier to use partial illusions, rather than full ones. As far as she knew, all these people were on their way up, although there didn’t seem to be anyone actually climbing the stairs.
Diana stepped out of the flow of traffic and onto the sidewalk to admire a store window. Swords taller than she was made up the left part of the display. They descended in size and type to the throwing daggers on the far right. The metal gleamed in the white light emitted by a gem that hung above them, and all appeared to be exceptionally well-crafted. Each bore etchings and symbols in a language she couldn’t recognize.
The next store was filled with food, and a display outside held what seemed to be fruit in colors and shapes she had never seen. The diamond-shaped one that reflected the purple light from above especially caught her eye. She turned to make sure her team still followed. Cara stared into the blade shop with what came close to adoration, and Tony kept his hands planted in his pockets while he carefully avoided getting too close to anything or anyone. She met each of their gazes in turn and tilted her head in a question. They nodded, and she faced forward and continued to their destination.
They’re fine. Quit worrying, the mental voice that popped up at such moments argued.
Yes, but first impressions matter, she countered.
We’re making a fine first impression. Also, shut up.
She was certain she imagined the snickering as her internal conversation fell silent.
At the next window, she paused and peered inside. At that point, her brain slipped into a vapor lock. The space held an assortment of boots made from materials she didn’t recognize and fashioned in gorgeous styles she had never seen. One pair was tall enough to reach her thighs, while another looked like it would be as soft as silk. That pair’s material somehow managed to look tough and luxurious simultaneously. She'd lost track of how long she had stared when Cara bumped into her gently. “Keep a move on, boss.”
Diana sighed. “We need to find out what kind of money they use down here. And I need to go back to that shop.”
The three rejoined the flow and walked abreast. Cara shook her head. “Sure. That won’t be a telltale or anything.”
She frowned. The other woman had a point, but she wasn’t willing to give up on the idea either. “Okay, maybe only in the evenings when the light isn’t good. And at
home, of course. Oh, and the office would work.”
Her voice trailed off as she identified a gathering of some kind up ahead that caused the steady movement in the street to become unpredictable.
That could make us late.
It looked innocent enough, but who could say? She led the others down the footpath to the right. They merged onto another street so dramatically unlike the previous one that she could hardly believe they existed so close to one another. The artificial light didn’t seem to penetrate as well. Only two people could walk abreast, and the shops seemed somehow sinister, less welcoming, and more intimidating.
She turned left and increased her pace. Halfway toward the next big intersection, a throaty laugh carried to her, and she couldn’t resist turning to find the source. A tall woman leaned in a nearby doorframe.
Correction, a tall elf. The pointed ears are a dead giveaway.
Diana’s eyes widened as her brain connected the dots. Not only was it an elf, her dark skin and pure white hair marked her as a Drow—one of the more dangerous Oriceran races according to everything she’d read and heard.
The woman said something in a language Diana didn’t understand, and when she failed to respond, the Drow rolled her eyes. “Oh, very well. I will speak your simple tongue. Welcome to Stonesreach, humans.” Her voice made it seem as if they were anything but welcome.
She put on her most polite face and banished the frost from her tone. “Thank you. I am Diana.”
The elf nodded with a small smile that transformed her features from neutral to predatory. “It is foolish to give up information so quickly, Diana. Although it is true, I already know so much about you.” Tony and Cara stepped near, one behind each of her shoulders. She sensed their willingness to act if it became necessary.
