by Heidi Skarie
When Onolyn got out of the car, an uneasy feeling came over her. “This place is so isolated,” she said as she reluctantly followed Hendora and Zac to the house.
Zac knocked on the door. When no one came, Onolyn wondered if the man at the shop had lied. Finally, she heard shuffling footsteps.
The door opened and an old, white-haired woman peered out. She was bent nearly double with age and her haggard face was etched with wrinkles. “What do you want?” she snarled in a cracked voice.
“We’ve come to talk to Seetva,” Zac said.
“She’s not here.” As the woman tried to slam the door shut, Zac shoved his booted foot into the opening and forced the door back open.
“Where is she?” he demanded.
“None of your business.” The woman’s eyes flashed like poison spears of light and Onolyn shuddered.
“Look, old woman, we’re in a hurry,” Zac said. “Tell us where she is!”
“You dare raise your voice to me! I’ll tell you nothing!”
“Seetva will want to see us,” Zac said. “We’re prepared to pay well for something she has.”
The woman narrowed her eyes and looked at Zac with greedy suspicion. “What is it you want?”
“We’ll only speak to Seetva,”
The woman stuck her scrawny neck out the door and looked past Zac at Hendora and Onolyn. Onolyn recoiled backwards, feeling the hag’s power. “Just those two women with you?”
“Yes,” Hendora said.
“You have money?”
“I told you already we do,” Zac said, sounding impatient.
“Seetva’s down by the swamp.” She pointed a gnarled finger toward the woods in back of the house.
Zac withdrew his foot as the door banged shut. “Friendly, isn’t she?” He jumped off the stoop. “Let’s go.”
They walked down a stone path that ran alongside the house. A heavy fog rose up from the swampy land as they entered the woods. Onolyn nervously clutched Zac’s arm, not wanting to go further. “I’m frightened.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Zac said.
“There’s something wrong . . . I can feel it.”
“What would Seetva be doing in a swamp?” Hendora asked. “I hope that old woman wasn’t setting us up. Everyone keep on guard.”
“Who is this Seetva anyway?” Onolyn tightened her grip on Zac’s arm.
“Probably another ugly old hag,” Zac said.
“Did you see the way that woman looked at you?” Onolyn said. “Her eyes were so . . . so cold and demon-like.”
“Would you be quiet? You’re making me nervous.” He drew his blaster out of its shoulder holster.
“Quiet, both of you,” Hendora said, also taking out her blaster. “Keep alert.”
The ground was boggy and Onolyn sank into it with each step. A swarm of insects started buzzing around her head and she began brushing the biting creatures off her face and bare arms.
The fog had grown so thick she couldn’t see more than a short distance in front of her.
At last, Onolyn spotted a faint glow to her left. “Look! There’s a light.” She pointed in its direction.
“Seetva!” Zac yelled. The light disappeared. “Seetva, we need to talk to you.” There was no reply just the sound of frogs croaking and some kind of creature howling off in the distance. Onolyn waited with Zac and Hendora, uncertain what to do.
Suddenly a woman appeared before them like a mirage. A mist rose up around her so only her head and upper torso were visible. She held up a lantern to get a better look at them.
The lantern lit up her face eerily. Onolyn stared at her in surprise. She’d expected another old hag, but this woman was exquisite. She had flawless white skin, luminous dark eyes, a refined nose, high cheek bones, and long bronze hair that fell in a thick mass around her shoulders.
“I’m Seetva,” she said in a fluid, silvery-smooth voice.
Silence followed. Onolyn looked at Zac, expecting him to take charge as he had with the old hag, but he was staring at Seetva totally mesmerized. Alarmed by his reaction, her dread increased.
Hendora broke the silence. “We were told you have an antidote for the poison put on Borithon swords.”
Seetva gave her a haunting cold smile. “So, you’ve come. I knew you would.”
“Do you have it?” Hendora asked.
“Yes, I have it, but why should I help you? King Zanton Duborginact wants your friend dead. He’ll be angry if I help you.”
“We’ll pay you well,” Hendora said.
“With what?”
“International currency or dockras,” Hendora replied.
“I want gold.”
“We don’t have any gold!” Onolyn exclaimed.
“Then you have nothing that interests me—he must die.”
“No!” Onolyn wailed. She looked desperately at Zac and Hendora. Seeing no help from either of them, she twisted off her ring with clumsy, nervous movements. Then she unclasped her necklace and pulled off her earrings. “Here take these. They’re made of gold.” She extended the jewelry with a trembling hand.
Seetva set down the cage she carried and held the lantern over the jewelry. Onolyn glanced down at the cage where she could just make out some small animals. She wasn’t sure, but they looked like frogs, lizards, snakes and other reptiles she didn’t recognize. She felt a wave of nausea and leaned against Zac.
Seetva took the jewelry and said in a seductive purr, “These are valuable, but they’re not enough,”
Hendora slid off her heavy gold upper armbands and handed them to Seetva. “These are valuable. They are handmade on my home planet of Alonquil. You won’t find better craftsmanship anywhere. The jeweler was a master of an art form now lost in this technological age.”
The woman held them up to the light. “They are indeed beautiful, but still not enough.” She looked at Zac. “What do you have to offer?”
“I don’t wear jewelry, but my watch is an expensive aviator’s watch.” He held out his wrist so she could see it, squirming uncomfortably under her hypnotic gaze.
Seetva glanced at the watch, then her gaze returned to Zac. “I’ll accept the jewelry in exchange for the antidote.” She continued to hold Zac’s gaze with her eyes. Onolyn felt a tremor go through him, sweat formed on his brow and his hand slipped from hers. In a bewitching voice, Seetva continued, “I have no use for your watch. I will get something else from you.”
“Whatever you desire,” Zac said. “No price is too high to pay for our friend’s life.”
A silvery laugh erupted from Seetva’s lips. “Well-spoken.” She reached into the folds of her cloak, brought out a vial and held it up. It gave off a reddish-brown radiance.
“I can’t promise this will save him; it might be too late already. Without it, he doesn’t have a chance. It must be injected into the muscle.”
“Thank you.” Hendora took the vial and slipped it into her pocket, then started back toward the road. Onolyn began to follow when she realized Zac hadn’t moved. His eyes were glued to Seetva.
“Come on, Zac.” Eager to be away from Seetva and the swamp, Onolyn grabbed his hand. Startled, he jumped, then followed her like a child being led. He hardly seemed aware of where they were going.
Upon reaching the road, Zac seemed to recover and he put his arm around Onolyn. “You’re shaking, Onolyn.” She felt the tension running through his lean body and realized he needed her strength as much as she needed his. “You okay?” he asked gently.
“I . . . I don’t know why the encounter with Seetva was so upsetting.”
Zac shrugged. “You’re just worried about Erling and that swamp was creepy.”
“No, it’s more than that!” Onolyn exclaimed. “Seetva said she knew we would come. She must know King Zanton Duborginact. How can we trust her? The vial could contain poison, not an antidote.”
“We’ll test it before giving it to Erling,” Hendora said.
They started back to town. Afte
r awhile Zac said in a strange voice, “She wasn’t what I expected.”
“Not exactly an old hag,” Onolyn replied.
“No, she’s the most perfect woman I’ve ever seen.”
“She wasn’t that great!” Onolyn snapped, feeling a twinge of jealousy. “I noticed you never took your eyes off her.”
“She moved like a goddess.”
“A witch, you mean. I think she cast her spell on you.” Then the significance of what she’d said hit Onolyn, making her feel sick. Had the woman cast a spell on Zac? Would whatever was in the vial kill Erling, rather than heal him?
“She didn’t look like a witch to me,” Zac said. “I remember every detail of her lovely face.”
“I think you’ve been around Erling too long,” Hendora said, sounding disgusted. “If they’re good-looking and sexy, nothing else matters.”
Onolyn looked at Hendora surprised. “Erling’s not like that—neither is Zac.” Onolyn admired Hendora and wondered why she didn’t see Seetva had some sort of hold on Zac when he’d spoken to her. Onolyn hoped Seetva’s power was broken now that they’d left her.
Hendora quickened her pace. “You never see anyone’s faults, Onolyn. Someday a man will break your heart and then your sandcastle will wash away.”
“Onolyn won’t have her heart broken,” Zac said. “No man in his right mind would ever hurt Onolyn.”
Onolyn wished Zac wasn’t so shy. When it came to women, he was all talk and no action. She wondered if he even thought of her as more than a friend.
“Enough!” Hendora said. “We’re not discussing Zac’s crush on Seetva or Onolyn’s idealistic view of the world. Now that we have the antidote, your mission is to find out what King Zanton’s plans are. I’ll check back with you once I get to The City of Silver Light and deliver the antidote. Then I’ll leave to deliver the matrix crystal to the Coalition space station.”
“We’ll fulfill our mission,” Zac said. He got into the driver’s seat of the aircar this time. “We’ll take you back to the spacecraft, Hendora, then Onolyn and I will check into a hotel.”
“I hope it’s not too late to save Erling,” Onolyn said, getting into the back as she did before. She felt uneasy knowing Hendora was leaving with the Jaiparian ship they’d flown in on. If things went wrong, it would be harder to escape Haklute without it.
Koriann awoke when Toemeka whispered her name. “What is it?” She felt thickhead from lack of sleep. She glanced at the clock and saw it was still the middle of the night.
“Erling’s breathing is more labored. Michio went for the doctor.”
Alarmed, Koriann asked, “Do you think he’s going to die?”
Tears glistened in Toemeka’s eyes. “I don’t know.”
Michio entered the room with Dr. Tenzing.
After examining Erling, Dr. Tenzing shook his head. “There’s nothing I can do. His condition is rapidly deteriorating. His eyes are fixed, his pulse weak, and he’s having trouble breathing. I don’t know what type of poison it is and anything I do might only make it worse. We just have to hope there’s an antidote and Hendora can get it here in time.”
“I’d like to talk to Koriann alone,” Michio said. “Toemeka, why don’t you get some rest; you’ve been up all night. I’ll come get you if there’s any change.” Michio drew Toemeka into his arms and held her close for a moment, then she and Dr. Tenzing left.
Once they were alone, Koriann asked, “What is it?”
“I need to organize Jaipar and the rest of the planet’s defenses. I’m leaving for the space station today to meet with your generals.”
“Thank you. I should probably go with you, but I don’t want to leave Erling.”
“I understand. I don’t like leaving with Erling so ill either. The seriousness of his condition is partly why I want to speak with you. I’d like to take you to the Inner Worlds to see Erling.”
“I’m too upset to cross over on my own. Will you help me, Michio?”
“Of course, we’ll go together.” They sat on the settee and Koriann took a few deep breaths, focusing inwardly. She felt Michio’s inner presence as he drew her out of her physical body. She floated upward in a shimmering body of light.
“Come with me,” Michio said. He took her hand and they flew over tall buildings in the City of Silver Light and into the starry worlds.
They stopped upon reaching a lush garden shrouded in a blue mist. Together they walked along a jeweled sidewalk with fragrant gardens on both sides. The sidewalk led to a temple composed of white marble with threads of silver and gold running through it. A double row of tall pillars surrounded the structure. They climbed the wide marble stairway and went through an arched entry.
A feeling of peace poured over Koriann. She felt a part of this world more than she’d ever felt a part of the physical world. Illusion after illusion fell away from her and she was pure Soul with none of the body’s limitations. Koriann looked around in awe as they walked past beautiful paintings hung on the walls. Melodious music filled the air and rebounded through her being. Her body was near translucent and she wore a flowing, white gown of light.
They entered a room and found Erling and the Master inside. Erling smiled upon seeing her and Koriann’s heart leapt with joy. She ran to him and he enfolded her in his arms. Love flowed between them. Still in his arms, Koriann raised her eyes to him. He looked strong, healthy and handsome in his Light Body.
“Kori,” he said telepathically. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“It’s time for you to decide, Erling,” the Master said.
Koriann and Erling walked hand-in-hand onto a balcony. Beneath them lay a splendid panoramic view of a rugged mountain range.
Koriann felt the coursing emotions that flowed through Erling. He looked out across the vast mountain range, then back at her again. She knew the decision was difficult for him.
At last he said, “I love you, Kori. Nothing will ever change that. But I don’t know if I can stay in my physical body any longer. My life force is almost gone and the Inner Worlds strongly call to me.”
21
Antidote
Early morning light splashed color across the City of Silver Light. Exhausted, Koriann glanced out the window and saw the ground covered with a blanket of white, the first snow of the season. She’d been awake nearly all night, afraid Erling might die in his sleep. His life seemed to be slowly ebbing away.
“Bakka! Bakka!” she wailed. “Where’s the antidote? I know Erling wants to come back to me, but he can’t if they don’t find it soon.”
A knock on the door preceded Toemeka and Michio entering the room. “Koriann,” Toemeka said. “We heard from Hendora. She has the antidote and will be back to Jaipar in a few hours.”
Hope rose for a moment within Koriann, then vanished as her gaze returned to Erling. “He doesn’t have a few hours.”
Michio embraced her. “Don’t give up. The Master is watching over Erling. I have to leave. Samrat Condor’s space fleet will reach planet Borko soon. I’ll stay in touch from Jaipar’s military space station.”
Koriann watched Toemeka accompany Michio to the door, envious they had each other when she might lose Erling. “You have to be brave for Koriann,” Michio said.
“I know. Be careful, Michio, you’re my heart and Soul.”
“I will. I wish I could be with you and Koriann. I know this is hard for both of you; the pending attack just adds to it.” They kissed and clung to each other for a moment, before Michio left.
Toemeka walked over to the bed and hugged Koriann. Feeling Toemeka’s compassion, Koriann felt herself choking up with tears and she stepped away. She knew if she broke down weeping, she wouldn’t be able to stop.
Koriann sat on chair near the bed and watched Erling in silence. His hold on life was weakening and Koriann knew the end was near. Every breath was labored. She watched helplessly, almost glad his suffering would soon be over. He was pale with an unnatural bluish cast to his skin, his eyes were vacant
, and even his hair seemed lifeless.
At last, she heard the final death rattle and Erling lay still, no longer struggling for air or life. Koriann kissed his still-warm lips, then buried her face in his chest and cried, heartbroken. Why hadn’t Hendora made it back with the antidote in time?
Toemeka put a comforting hand on Koriann’s shoulder. Koriann went into her arms and this time gave into her tears and wept until she felt totally drained. “I miss him so much,” Koriann said with a heart-wrenching sob.
“I can’t believe he’s actually dead.” Tears streamed down Toemeka’s cheeks. “It happened so fast. I never got a chance to say good-bye.”
“Neither did I. Michio took me to see him in the Inner Worlds, but it’s not the same.” Koriann began to cry again. “How can I go on and serve my country?”
“You will because you have to. Remember the moments of love and happiness you had with Erling and know they can never be taken away. You and Erling will never be truly separated.”
“But I want him here with me now!” Koriann cried, her face wet with tears. “I want to feel his love, his strength, his arms holding me. I want to hear him laugh, see him smile again, and feel his warm, sweet lips on mine. He will never be Erling again: that jaunty, loving, special person I planned to spend my life with. He’ll never look at me again with his vibrant blue eyes filled with light and love.”
Toemeka wiped her eyes on a tissue and blew her nose. “I know. I know . . . he’s been my best friend for seven-and-a-half years. He’s like a brother to me. He rescued me from Samrat Condor and has been there for me ever since.”
“But you have Michio. I don’t have anyone.”
“I love Michio dearly, but Michio can’t replace Erling. I’ll always miss Erling and have a special place in my heart for him. All of Michio’s love cannot fill the part of me that feels empty.”
“I feel empty, too—abandoned.”
“Erling didn’t abandon you. His body gave out.”
“I know, but I feel so alone.”
Toemeka put her hand on Koriann’s arm and looked her in the eye. “You’re not alone.”
