by Brandon Barr
“But everything before will be the same?” asked Aven.
“Yes. As I understand, they only mind wipe down to the origin of the problem. There’s usually one defining moment that led to a chain reaction. Erasing down to that first moment is all that’s needed. And when I say erase, I mean stored in a locked region within the brain.”
A terrible thought occurred to Aven. Did Pike’s new memories reflect the reality that his family was gone?
“Will he know about his parents and his sister and what happened to them?”
Arentiss' eyes narrowed. “You mean the—”
“They were killed this year,” said Aven quickly.
“Yes. They will remain dead in his new memories, as well.” Arentiss reached her hand across the table and placed it on top of Aven’s. Her eyes held a glimmer of sympathy, even though everything else about her face was blank and emotionless. “Karience told me last night about Pike’s memories. About all the deaths.” She withdrew her hand. “Karience had the physician make those largely suppressed memories. Before the mind wipe, Pike was obsessively accessing those memories, and they were driving his emotions. But now, although he knows his family has passed, he does not want to think about it because of the pain.
“As for you and Winter, you have been removed from any significant part of his life in the last five years. Including the deaths. I advise you to avoid talking about your past with him. Instead, keep the conversation on the present. It’ll be easier on all three of you if you do.”
Mulling through her words, Aven realized with relief that this was ultimately a gift. Even though Pike was relieved of the consequences and the guilt he should face, the fact was that Pike, the monster from yesterday, was gone. It wasn’t a perfect trade, but in the end, Aven could take comfort in his and Winter’s safety.
Arentiss' eyes were again moving over his face. Only, this time, they showed a hint of emotion. “Your lips are shaped beautifully,” she said, brushing the fork lightly on her chin. “Do you mind if I—”
A voice interrupted from the ceiling. “All Missionaries and Emissaries, Karience requests that you please report to the portal. Thank you.”
Arentiss set the fork down and stood. “Everyone is meeting at the God’s Eye. Come, I’ll lead you there. We all want to observe your first time stepping through.”
Aven’s thoughts were a jumble of questions.
“Stepping through?” asked Aven. “You mean…?”
Arentiss' wry smile and a raised eyebrow indicated that, yes, that’s exactly what she meant.
Chapter Ten
WINTER
Winter stepped out of the lift and immediately noticed the smell. The air was heavy with scents she had never experienced. She inhaled deeply and slowly, savoring it.
Before her, a pathway lined by scrubby trees wound its way between sandy spires dotted with rocks of varied color. Beyond that was the deep blue sea that disappeared into the horizon. It was strange thinking that, not too long ago, she had been momentarily part of the world under the water, in the exotic base where they docked their starship.
In the distance she heard an unusual crashing noise, followed by a hissing, rushing sound, like the sound of a brook rippling over a shallow rocky strait. There was a moment of quiet, and then the crash sounded again, followed by the hissing sound. Again and again the pattern repeated. The cadence was inescapably soothing.
Winter placed her hand on her chest, feeling the outline of Whisper's vial. She took it out and opened the lid. Whisper crawled to the lip, spread its wings, then took to the sky.
Karience stood beside her, watching, as did Daeymara and Zoecara.
“Why do you carry a butterfly around with you? Is it a pet?” asked Daeymara.
“Sort of. But it’s free to leave me if it wants, though.”
The butterfly drifted down on a current of air and came to rest on a loose tangle of hair above Winter’s ear.
Zoecara appeared to be watching with amusement. “Some people don’t like the sea,” she said. “What do you make of it, Winter?”
“It’s wonderful.”
“Many primworlds paint the sea as a place of chaos and evil,” she said, her eyes drifting up to look at Whisper. “But I agree with you. It is wonderful. I see only beauty and mystery.”
“The sea is unpredictable,” said Daeymara. “That is why some cultures fear it.”
“Some people are drawn to monotony,” said Zoecara. “I prefer to be surprised once in a while.”
“As do I,” said Winter, turning toward the three women.
“I’ll second that,” said Karience, “Especially the monotony of bureaucracy.”
Winter turned back to look at the great circular spire of the Guardian Tower. It was even more impressive from her viewpoint, standing at the base of it. It was elegant, beautifully designed. It was still hard to imagine that such a structure existed. The only large building she’d ever seen before was the Baron’s fortress, and it was squat and ugly by comparison.
There was so much to take in. Everything was so new. So fresh and exciting.
The lift doors in the base of the tower opened, and Arentiss and Aven stepped through the door, followed by Pike and Rueik. Winter noted Pike’s expression. There wasn’t a trace of the old malice tugging down on his lips, or the smoldering anger behind his eyes. Instead he wore an excited, boyish grin, and his arms swung loosely at his sides, unreserved and unburdened.
Winter heard whispering behind her. She slid her hair behind her ear and tilted her head to hear better.
“Who? Pike?” giggled Zoecara.
“No. The handsome one,” said Daeymara. “Shhh…”
Winter smiled covertly and felt a strange sense of pride and duty. She would have no trouble finding Aven a mate.
Karience led them down the dirt path. Aven quickly found Winter’s hand.
Has Pike tried to talk to you yet? tapped Aven.
No.
It’s so strange. He’s so friendly. But it seems so fake.
When did you talk to him?
Aven tapped furiously. Arentiss and I were coming here when we ran into him and Rueik. Remember how goofy he used to be…before the Baron got his hands on him? He’s like that. It’s like talking to a puppet from the past.
At least he won’t hurt us anymore…don’t make trouble.
I won’t, tapped Aven.
Winter shared Aven’s dislike. She planned to avoid Pike as much as possible. Though he looked as placid as a milk cow, she would never forget the murderous look in his eyes as he held a sword to Aven’s throat.
“The God’s Eye is at the end of this path,” said Karience. “This area out here is guarded by the men and women of the Shield Force. The only way to reach this path is through our facility.”
“Why are they guarding it?” Winter asked. “Are you worried people will try to go through the God’s Eye?”
“No,” she replied, a grim look on her face. “We’re worried about what might come through the portal. The God’s Eye is a great threat to your world. One never knows what might appear suddenly. The Shield Force ensures that your world is safe from invasion, as per the charter’s promise.”
“You keep mentioning the charter. What is it?” asked Winter.
Karience stopped and turned to her. “It is an agreement allowing a world the protection of the Guardians. We promise protection against Beast worlds in return for meeting certain criteria. For instance, once your world is fully a chartered member under the Guardians, Loam will be held to certain human rights standards. Your former Baron will no longer be allowed to extort the farmers under his employ. The Watch will be held to account for those they kill.
“Another facet of the charter is a set of strict rules regulating portal travel to protect against Beast worlds. These rules are already in place, but until you are chartered, all travel is restricted. Once your world gains membership, Loam’s citizens will be able to travel to other worlds within the Guardian’
s protective web—but only to worlds that are at the same level of advancement. Blind travel through the portal is prohibited, unless of course you are a Missionary. This is to protect your world from Beasts.”
Winter felt herself drawn to the Missionaries. She recalled Karience’s brief tutorial aboard the starship. If one traveled through the portal unaccompanied, they wound up on a random world. She imagined how dangerous this could be, but also felt its excitement.
Another question entered her mind. “Where were the three Emissaries murdered?”
Karience seemed surprised by her question. “At Anantium’s Royal hall. There.” She pointed to the towering castle jutting from the northern horizon.
“But we’re safe here?” asked Winter.
“Yes,” smiled Karience. “This is protected space. You are safe here. Come, it’s time to see the God’s Eye.”
Ahead, the path emptied into a large circle of dirt rimmed with scrub brush and haggard, wind-beaten trees.
“What was here before you arrived?” asked Winter.
“Nothing,” said Karience. “The Royals left the portal unguarded. Anyone could walk through at any time. In the three thousand years of their rule, no one had ever come through the portal, so they were not aware of the danger. When our three Missionaries stepped through, they walked into the city unnoticed.”
“How can three Missionaries all go to the same world?” asked Aven. “Wouldn’t each go to a random world?”
Winter was glad to find Aven showing interest.
“Remember the idea of a person’s wake? Once the first person enters, they leave a wake behind that anyone can follow, and that wake is sustained for as long as people continue to enter one after another. This is also the reason we have the Shield Force, since an entire army can come through because of one person’s wake.”
The idea of an army arriving on Loam was rather disturbing to Winter. All those hundreds of years, the Royals had never known of the danger.
Karience came to a stop at the edge of a cliff. Winter could see the source of the unusual sounds. They were caused by the waves striking the shore. Suddenly a memory caused her to take a step back. She’d remembered the vision she had when the Baron threw her off the pavilion. In the vision she fell from a great cliff, and below was a beach with crashing waves.
What’s wrong? tapped Aven.
Nothing…too close to the edge.
“We are here,” said Karience. “This is the God’s Eye. The portal to other worlds.”
Winter searched her surroundings. Nothing looked like a portal. Nothing appeared unusual. Aven looked just as confused.
“What did you expect it to look like?” came a voice from out of a rock. Suddenly part of the rock moved, and Nephitus’s face appeared as if a mask was taken off. Several other figures came out from different places. They wore clothing that perfectly mimicked the surroundings they’d stepped out from, their faces covered in a cloth material that had the design of brush or rock.
Nephitus came up beside Winter and Aven. Only then could she see the strange object in his hands. Some form of weapon that blended perfectly against his body.
“Are you ready to go through?” Nephitus asked.
“Go through what? I still don’t see it,” said Winter.
“There.” He pointed. An old, bent tree with a few scraggly leaves clinging to it was the only thing she saw. It hung over the edge of the cliff.
“Come,” said Karience, putting a hand on Winter’s shoulder. “The portal is similar on every world. It always looks like part of the natural landscape. An old tree, a cave, a pile of rocks, a shallow pool.”
Winter stared at the bent tree. It was hard to believe that anything which looked so ordinary could be so extraordinary. Her heart was filled with an awe that tingled all the way down to her fingers. She sensed that there was something different about this tree. In one sense it was only an ordinary tree, yet there was a mystery about it. She felt herself drawn to it. The Makers were calling to her. Calling her toward her destiny.
Karience turned to the others. “One of you can take Aven, and another, Pike.”
“I’ll take Aven,” said Arentiss quickly, before anyone else could speak up.
“I’ll take Pike,” said Zoecara.
Karience nodded. “We will meet you on Bridge world shortly.”
Winter followed Karience up to the tree.
Karience said, “Hold my hand this first time. It will be more comfortable that way. Don’t let go. Once I go through, you have only a few moments to follow me to my world.”
Winter took her outstretched hand, and in a step, Karience’s body was gone and Winter felt as if she were simply walking beneath an old tree, about to step off a cliff. Her knees locked up at the sight of the edge, with the rocks and sea so far below. But Karience was still holding her hand and, with a tug, Winter was pulled over the cliff.
BIRTH
Chapter Eleven
AVEN
Only a moment ago, Aven had stood on Loam and watched Winter pass through the portal with Karience. Then, after waiting for their wake to still, Arentiss had maneuvered him to the cliff’s edge. Now he found himself in a vast cave encircled by lights. The ceiling was as high as a cloud and, in length and width, it was the size of a valley.
“Big, isn’t it?” Arentiss walked him forward, keeping hold of his hand.
“What is this place?”
“We call it the dome. Six hundred years ago, our world came under attack from a Beast world. After three years of fighting, we regained the portal, but six major cities were destroyed. It took another two hundred years to root out the Beast’s followers, the Shadowmen, who’d hidden themselves in our society in small collectives. That was a dark time in our history. We built this place in response.”
“Built? How is it possible to build something this large?”
“It was a feat. But remember, this is an upworld. We are quite advanced.”
“What is your world called?”
“We are Birth 4 to the Guardians, but if you’re a local, it is simply Birth. In more ancient times, we believed our world was the child of two heavenly lovers. Birth One, Two, and Three have similar origin stories.”
Aven looked down at the floor. It was made of some kind of gray, rock-like material. But it was too smooth and uniform to be stone.
Arentiss led Aven toward a blinking red light attached to a tall pole. Ten men and women stood there with weapons similar to what he’d seen Nephitus holding. They nodded to Arentiss and Aven as they passed. Under the blinking light was a moving walkway. Stepping on, he nearly lost his balance, but Arentiss' hand in his steadied him. As they moved along, Aven noticed their speed increasing. Wind began rushing by his ears. Towers appeared in the distance and grew closer. They flew past them on the moving walkway. It was as if the towers were game pieces pushed along by giant, invisible fingers.
“Those towers are weapons. Part of our defenses in the event of another attack from a Beast world.”
Past the towers, they saw buildings, small at first, and then growing larger as they drew closer. The platform began to slow and then came to a stop. The buildings that had seemed so small were now large and imposing. There was a wall around them. It appeared to Aven to be a walled city.
Arentiss led him toward a large archway that seemed to serve as a gateway into the city. Hundreds of oddly dressed people walked the streets within. A soldier at the entrance held a small black box up to Arentiss' face. A red light flashed across her eyes.
“Haut lo,” said the soldier to Aven. Almost instantly, Aven understood what had been said. “You’re next.”
He held the box up to Aven’s face. The red light flashed his eyes. The soldier nodded and Arentiss led him inside by the hand.
Aven realized she hadn’t let go of his hand since they’d stepped through the God’s Eye.
“I can follow you just fine, you know,” said Aven.
“What do you mean?”
&n
bsp; “I mean, you don’t have to hold my hand.”
“Your hand feels good in mine,” said Arentiss, stopping to address his statement. “Your touch sends endorphins to my brain, and that triggers good feelings inside me. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I can release you.”
Aven wasn’t sure how to respond as the bizarre concept of endorphins slowly began to take form. Arentiss' face held no emotion, and her voice was just as unreadable. Was she flirting with him in some strange cultural way, or was he simply providing her some kind of friendly, practical use? Either way, her odd personality was becoming more and more endearing.
“No, I don’t mind,” said Aven.
“That is good. Your touch produces more endorphins than any I’ve held. I think likely due to your pleasant disposition and attractiveness. Now, let’s get going. We’re meeting the others on Bridge. That means we need to acquire a Bridgeworlder. Bridge is the center of the Guardian's activity. It is the world that connects to every other world.”
“How is that possible?”
“Bridge has Emissaries from every world. And every chartered world has at least one Emissary from Bridge.”
They passed through a large metal door into a tunnel lit by green lights. People in uniforms of various colors hurried all around them.
“Is there an Emissary from Bridge back on Loam?”
“There was,” said Arentiss. “Have you been told what happened?”
“You mean the murders.”
“Yes. Two of the Emissaries killed were from Loam. The third was from Bridge. We are bringing an Emissary from Bridge back with us. Under normal circumstances, a non-chartered world such as yours needs only three Emissaries, but things have changed.”
More new faces, tapped Aven.
“Were you trying to communicate with me by hand just now?”
Aven laughed, and felt his face and neck tingling. “I’m so used to telling my sister what I’m thinking. I guess I forgot whose hand I was holding.”
“You mistook my hand for your sister’s?”
“Yes, that’s what I said.” Aven glanced at Arentiss and found her thin lips scrunched into a sort of rueful smile. She was clearly amused.
