by A F Kay
Rami didn’t respond for a few seconds. I guess it was foolish to think you wouldn’t figure it out eventually. But you’re wrong about Io and me. While she created us both, I am biological. I hatched from an egg.
Oh.
So I think part of this is to stay closer to me, although she would never admit that.
Do you think she wants to raise Fractal because she misses you? Like an empty nest thing? That is sweet.
I’m one hundred percent sure if you say that out loud you will die painfully.
Ruwen smiled. I’m not that stupid.
Welllll…
“You in there, Dumb Dumb?” Blapy asked as she tapped her helmet against his face.
Ruwen took a step back from the centipede helmet and shivered. He really hated those things.
“I’m here. Just talking it over with Rami.”
“Well?”
Ruwen stuck out his arm. “I agree.”
Blapy grabbed his arm with her own tiny one. “Now hurry up and use your coins. I have a dungeon to raise.”
Chapter 35
Ruwen removed the four coins from an inner pocket of the Aspect and stared at them.
“Did Sift and Io give you their coins?” Blapy asked and then narrowed her eyes. “Now they’ll have to spend extra time with me.”
Ruwen tried to minimize the damage. “I think they just wanted to help me.”
Blapy glared at him, and he quickly changed the subject. “What are these for? What are other people doing with them?”
“I’m talking to over sixty people right now. The vast majority want advice on breaking through to their next level. Some want access to the dungeon, some advice on hiding from a god, and a couple wish a small token from me.”
Rami do you have any ideas? All I care about is finding the Iris, but she can’t tell us that.
Not directly.
What do you mean?
Mom emphasized the word ‘couple’ when she said “…and a couple wish a small token from me.” She might mean us.
Ruwen considered that. It is an odd thing for anyone here to request. Their bodies are just Spirit here, and any token they get, they couldn’t take back to the Material Realm.
Ruwen focused on Blapy. “What type of tokens do people want?”
Blapy shrugged. “Something personal that they can turn to in difficult times. Something to help give them direction.”
Ruwen spoke to Rami. I think you’re right. She’s trying to tell us something.
Definitely. But she can’t just tell us where to go. Eventually, the gods will know you were the Scarecrow. They’ll want to see what she gave you. That’s why she made the fight difficult and why she isn’t directly helping us now.
Ruwen let Blapy’s words swirl in his mind. A few words and phrases jumped out at him: personal, turn, difficult times, direction. When he thought about those words, the answer seemed obvious.
Rami, I think she wants to give us books. They are important to both of us. You turn their pages. And growing up, I used them to escape.
You’re right! And she knows all the books I already have. Which means she might know I don’t have enough information to find the Iris. Oh my, she is so clever. Not only did her appearance and coins force a more challenging opponent on you, but it also allowed her to pass us information.
Ruwen took a coin, placed it on top of his thumb, and flipped it in the air.
Blapy never moved, but a heartbeat later, she held the coin. She walked to the table, placed the coin on its edge, and then flicked it, sending it spinning across the surface. “Greetings fellow traveler of the true path, how can I ease your journey?”
Ruwen bowed. “Thank you for this opportunity, Companion. I have spent more time here than I intended, and I’ve read all the books I brought. Do you have anything I could read to help pass the time?”
Blapy smiled, and a book appeared in her hand. She held it up like a pie. Four fingers thick and the size of his forearm, Ruwen used both hands to take it from her. He read the title: The Complete Collector's Guide to Resources in the Oblivion Peaks of the Desolate Range, Volume Six (Unabridged).
The Desolate Range ran down the eastern part of the continent. Uru’s area of control nestled in the north between the mountain range and the Frigid Sea. Ruwen had no idea where the Oblivion Peaks were located. The mountain range stretched for two thousand miles, eventually disappearing into the sea, and he had never learned all the names of the peaks.
The coin wobbled, and Blapy flicked it again to keep it spinning.
“Thanks. This should fill a day or two,” Ruwen said.
He didn’t like putting books on the floor, so he set it on the table.
“You’re welcome. The Oblivion Peaks are in the southern desert, which is a splendid place to see Dune Centipedes. Magnificent creatures.”
Ruwen grimaced under his hood. He had no desire to see a Dune Centipede, and he certainly hoped they wouldn’t need to travel so far south. The desert would take them two weeks to reach walking. And an even worse thought occurred to him. What if the Iris turned out to be on the west coast, three thousand miles away? And how long would it take them to cross the Sea of Tears that cut the continent in half?
Ruwen held out another coin. “This is Rami’s, and she would like something to read as well.”
Blapy tilted her head and raised her eyebrows.
Ruwen sighed and flipped the coin into the air. Almost immediately, Blapy had the coin spinning next to the first one. Ruwen watched as they danced across the table, and then Blapy pushed a book into his face.
Ruwen took it from her. Only two fingers thick and the length of his hand, it felt feather-light compared to the last one. He read the title: The Barren Universe: How Myth and Legend Replaced Truth in the Age of Despair.
“Seems like a cheerful book,” Ruwen said.
“Yeah, that book is pretty depressing, even for me. I’d wait for the rain to stop before reading it. Some things are better seen in sunshine.”
Ruwen set the book on top of the first and removed another coin.
Blapy held up her hands. “I’m out of books.”
“Good,” Ruwen said. That meant the two books she’d already provided would contain the information they needed, which made him wonder about after they escaped this place. “Will these coins still summon you if we return to the Material Realm?”
Blapy nodded.
That made these coins priceless. The ability to summon Blapy in a time of need could be the difference between life and death. He needed to save at least one of them. The truth was he should save both coins. He hesitated, not sure what to do.
“Flip it,” Blapy said. “I know your parents. Do you want to know how? How about the knowledge to create your own Gate Runes? You’re gifted in dimensional math and could teleport around the world in no time. I know Uru’s ultimate goal, and that coin is all you need to know it too. Are you interested in essence recipes? How about when your body transitions from Metal into Gem, you’ll experience unbearable pain. I know a substance to ease the passage. Oh, I even know where Hamma’s father is. I wonder if your relationship will survive it.”
The last statements about Hamma shook Ruwen. Once Blapy had said there were no more books, he’d immediately thought of another question. And while he desperately wanted to know everything Blapy had mentioned, none of them were as important as the question he already wanted to ask. Except now he had a chance to help Hamma, although Blapy made it sound ominous. He didn’t want to make the same mistake he’d made with Lylan’s memory ring.
Ruwen spent another few seconds thinking. He decided to ask his original question, and then discuss with Hamma what Blapy said. They would decide together what to do with the last coin.
Ruwen flipped the coin in the air.
Blapy smiled and snatched the coin again without moving. She put the coin on the table, flicked the other two to keep them spinning, and then spun the third coin. Ruwen watched them, sure they would hit
each other as they rotated around the table, but none of them did. The sound of their movement added to the pressure Ruwen felt.
“What secret shall it be?” Blapy asked.
Ruwen mentally cursed Blapy and her games. He knew better than to play, as she had far more secrets than he had coins. He let out a deep breath. “How can Sift make his Air Meridian work?”
“You’re no fun Ruwen Starfield.”
“I’m trying to be a good friend.”
“What about Hamma’s dad?”
Ruwen sighed. “I will talk to her about it as soon as I leave. So you might get your last coin yet.”
“Before you ask her, I also know where your parents are.”
Ruwen stopped breathing, and pain filled his chest. The desperate need to know, to understand what had happened, or at least where to go to find answers, made his whole body tremble.
“Now you’re just being cruel,” Ruwen whispered.
“Am I? I think my offer is a mirror, reflecting your true nature. And you can’t get a good look unless the decisions are painful. I’m helping us both understand you better.”
Anger burned through Ruwen’s mind like a raging fire, and he immediately dropped into the level three meditation state. He relaxed as his senses disappeared, and his Core consumed the anger, sadness, and pain. He stayed in level three another few seconds before rising back into level two.
The echo of the anger lingered like the scent of burned wood, but Ruwen kept calm. “How can I help Sift?”
Blapy stuck out her lip, but Ruwen knew better than to fall for that. He ignored how adorable she looked and tried to picture the large black dragon from the reception.
“Fine,” Blapy said. “There is no guarantee, but there are three things Sift can do to increase the odds of connecting his center to his Air Meridian. First, he should wear the Sky Clan Aspect through the portal. That Aspect increases the efficiency of the wearer's Air Meridian. If Sift had even the smallest of connections to his Air, he could fly with the armor’s aid right now.”
“I’ll convince him to wear it when we leave.”
Blapy nodded. “Second, he should ask the Elder to be his companion. If it accepts, it might help shape the connection.”
“Elder? That keeps coming up, but the only thing it could be is that turtle, Shelly. What makes it so special?”
Blapy smiled mischievously. “For your last coin, I’ll tell you.”
Ruwen shook his head. “You’re like some crazed Jini.”
“Not even close. Those demons will twist your wishes into nightmares. I prefer my nightmares straight.” Blapy paused for a moment. “I’m less sure about the last thing to try, but it might be the most helpful. Before you leave, slice Sift open and place a portion of the portal between his center and Air Meridian. The portal is a bridge between realms, and it might serve a similar function in his body.”
“I don’t have enough Portal Chalk to draw a doorway, only enough for the five runes. I’m assuming the Iris is a larger version of the Blood Gate, with doors ready to accept runes. Are we supposed to chip out a section of the stone?”
Blapy flicked the three coins again, keeping them moving. “Do you want to use your last coin?”
Ruwen placed a hand over his chest where the last coin hid in an inner pocket. “No.”
“Then hopefully, you can figure it out when the time comes.”
Ruwen nodded. “The Aspect, the Elder, and the Iris. I pray it will be enough.”
Blapy tilted her head. “Praying isn’t a bad idea. Some deities listen. And some are experts on this type of thing.”
Ruwen knew the truth of that since Uru had done that exact thing to him, which Blapy must have also figured out.
Blapy scooped up the spinning coins. “It looks like your time is up, Mr. Starfield. I have two old friends to torment. How dumb do you have to be to think you can avoid me?”
“I’m going with very dumb.”
“Exactly. See you soon,” Blapy said and then disappeared.
Chapter 36
Ruwen shook his head, picked up the small book, and placed it against his right ear. Rami immediately vibrated and absorbed its contents. He repeated the process with the second larger book, using two hands to hold it up.
Thank you, Rami said. I’ll index these and then see if I can find the connection Mom gave us.
I hope it's obvious. I really want to get out of here.
She played games like this with me all the time. It’s like a treasure hunt.
Good luck. I’ll leave you alone until you’ve found it.
Ruwen left his stage two meditation and stared at the table. Curse Blapy for bringing up Hamma’s dad and then Ruwen’s parents. He knew the disappearance of her father had left a deep scar on Hamma’s life. She wanted to understand that mystery as much as Ruwen needed to know what happened to his parents. Now he had a choice to make.
He could just not tell Hamma what Blapy said. Then he could use the coin to ask about his parents or save it. But he knew how that would end. The look on Sift’s face when he realized Ruwen had hidden Lylan’s ring still haunted him. He would be foolish to think this would end differently. When he thought about it, there was only one choice.
All the backpacks, along with his cloak, had disappeared. He placed the two books under his arm and left the tent. Circling around the structure, he found ten medium-sized tents. The closest one had a chair beside the entrance, and his cloak sat on it.
Ruwen stuck his head inside and found a cot, table, and chairs. He put the books on the table, and then went back outside.
Ruwen put on his cloak and heard Sift complaining in the tent across from Ruwen’s. He definitely didn’t want to get sucked into that mess. Walking to the tent next to his, he called out in a low voice. “Hamma?”
Hamma stuck her head out and waved at him to come in.
Ruwen stepped into her tent. Hamma moved the backpack off the table and onto the cot. She sat in a chair and placed the wrapped Portal Chalk on the table.
Ruwen sat on a chair next to her. He took the chalk and placed it in one of the cloak’s inner pockets. Then he removed the coin from his Aspect and sat it on the table between them.
Ruwen cleared his throat. “So Sift gave me his and Io’s coins, and Rami and I each had one as well.”
“That’s all you have left?” Hamma asked.
“I used two for books that should help us get out of here, and the third to help Sift.”
Hamma picked up the coin and studied it. “What are you doing with this one?”
“Well, I meant to save it. I thought it might come in handy someday. It summons Blapy after all.”
Hamma sat the coin down and stared at Ruwen. “That is really wise.”
Ruwen shrugged. “I’m trying to think ahead more. Trouble seems to find me, and I need to be better prepared.”
“Then why are you here showing it to me?”
Ruwen sighed. “Because Blapy must not want these coins lying around. She tempted me with a bunch of secrets.”
“And?”
Ruwen cleared his throat again. “She brought up your dad.”
Hamma stiffened, and Ruwen wondered if he’d made a mistake in telling her. But after a moment she relaxed a little.
“What did she say?” Hamma asked.
“That she knew where your dad was,” Ruwen paused and then forced himself to finish. “And that she wondered if our relationship would survive it.”
Hamma tilted her head. “That is a weird thing to say. Do you know anything about my dad?”
“Of course not. If I did, I would have told you.”
Hamma bit her lip. “I know.” After a moment, she continued. “Why are you here?”
“I want to offer you the coin. So you can find out about your dad.”
Hamma sat back and stared at Ruwen. After twenty seconds, Ruwen wondered again if he’d made a mistake.
Finally, she spoke. “I hate that hood. I wish I could see your f
ace.” She leaned down and put her head in her hands.
Ruwen put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Hamma looked up. “You didn’t upset me. You made me really happy.”
Ruwen couldn’t tell that by looking at her. She looked miserable. Women didn’t make any sense to him.
Hamma placed a finger on the coin and slid it toward Ruwen. “Did Blapy offer up your parents?”
Ruwen stomach twisted as he nodded.
“And you still offered your last coin to help me find my dad?”
Ruwen nodded again.
“Why?”
“Because my parents disappeared a year ago. As soon as I fix this latest catastrophe, I’m headed to the Grey Canyon. I’ll pick up their trail and find them.”
“I hope that’s true, Ruwen. But High Priest Fusil and his son spent a lot of time looking, and they couldn’t find them. You shouldn’t dismiss using the coin.”
“I know. But your dad’s trail is sixteen years old. We don’t even know where to begin.”
“We?”
Ruwen looked down, embarrassed, and happy his hood hid his face. “I just thought maybe I could help you find him after all my nonsense ends. I know what it’s like to live without the truth of things.”
Hamma leaned forward and hugged Ruwen. “You really are the best.”
She leaned back, removed something from her pocket, and placed it on the table next to Ruwen’s coin.
Two identical coins sat side by side on the table. Ruwen should have guessed she wouldn’t have spent hers.
“Now we both have a decision to make,” Hamma said.
She sighed and stared up at the ceiling for a few seconds. “There’s something I’m hiding. I almost used my coin to ask about it, but, because I’m wise like you, I decided just to keep the coin for the next disaster instead.”
Hamma lifted her right hand and slowly unwrapped it. She took a deep breath and then placed her hand on the table, palm up. A tree blazed brightly from her palm. After a few seconds, she clenched her hand into a fist and placed it on her lap.
“I’m sorry for not showing you earlier. It scared me. But I just can’t keep it hidden anymore. Especially if it is endangering us somehow.”
