Essence of Chaos

by Marie Andreas

  “I’m sorry, did you say something?” Storm asked.

  “I said,” Keanin said through gritted teeth, “that with friends like you two, I don’t need any enemies.” He reclaimed his pack and joined Redge on the boat.

  Cleric Redge helped them aboard, not appearing to notice Keanin’s tight-lipped face. Or perhaps he was too diplomatic to say anything.

  The boat itself was made of a richly stained dark wood. It was bigger than it looked from the distance, although it was completely flat. Jenna took one look at the raging falls not far enough away from them and forced herself to not panic. The cleric made it out to them fine; obviously the boat didn’t need heavy sides to keep them aboard.

  As the boat began to move, it became clear that its movement was coming from the strange line that now preceded them to the constructed island. The cleric was pushing his staff down, but much slower than their progress. Jenna looked into the water and was surprised at the depth. What was he pushing the pole against? Just as that thought crossed her mind, the cleric reached out with the long pole again and touched an underwater boulder. She hadn’t seen them at first, but hundreds of them lay just below the surface. She looked away, trusting that this man knew what he was doing. In doing so, she found her gaze taken over by the waterfall. It was an eerie, yet wonderful, feeling, pacing along the rim of a fall. Certainly it didn’t compare to anything she’d ever done before. She couldn’t help but lean over a little, hoping to catch the marvelous view below them. She caught herself as she teetered a bit.

  “Easy there. I don’t think I’d want to explain to everyone that you went flying overboard.” Storm caught hold of her waist and pulled her back.

  “Sorry.” Her face went hot. “It’s so beautiful, I guess I got swept away. Almost, anyway.” She noticed that while Storm didn’t seem to think she was going to fly off the boat anymore, his hand lingered on her back.

  They grew silent as they reached the island. The boat followed a small waterway under an alabaster and gold arch. The waterway seemed to run through the entire structure, but Redge took them to the nearest dock. He tied up the boat, then bowed and made a small gesture with his right hand in front of a small, vaguely feminine statue.

  He then turned to them with a bow. “Would you like to rest first or go directly to the seeress?” He paused, cocking his head as if listening to something beyond their hearing. He bowed again and turned back to them, chagrined. “Forgive me. The seeress has said that of course you must rest, and for me to ask was to imply that it was an imposition. Please, if you would follow me, I shall lead you to your rooms.” He started down the walkway then turned with a smile. “She says you will be staying the night.”

  Keanin turned greener.

  “If you don’t watch it, they’re going to think you’re mocking the goddess’s colors,” Storm said to his friend.

  Keanin narrowed his eyes. “You made me come on this trip and you made me come out here against my will. I’ll turn whatever shade I wish to, thank you.”

  Storm chuckled. “Maybe now you won’t make fun of the way I feel during court functions.” Keanin glared and stalked past him.

  The walkway they followed was covered with flat, tiny, glittering white pebbles embedded in its surface. The walls glimmered as they went by, and every once in a while Jenna spotted a hooded cleric in meditation. She couldn’t understand why Keanin felt so ill at ease here, even if he did hear some bad news long ago. The place exuded peace and serenity. Nothing could harm anyone here. Jenna fought a brief, but nearly overwhelming urge to pledge herself to the goddess and stay here forever. Then she thought of Ghortin among these peaceful souls and almost burst out laughing. No, this wasn’t her place.

  Cleric Redge stopped in front of a wooden door. He faced them again with a bow. “Honored guests, here are your rooms. If you need anything, please but ask. And when you have rested, just call, and we shall present you to the seeress.” He bowed again and left as the wooden door swung open of its own accord.

  Storm pushed the door open fully. Jenna followed him, with Keanin reluctantly bringing up the rear.

  The room was airy, but quite plain. Two low couches sat in a corner next to a small table. A pair of simple wooden chairs sat against the far wall. A narrow hallway led to a pair of small rooms, one with a single bed, and the other with two cots.

  Jenna went into her room, meaning to lie down for a second. Ghortin’s internal muttering woke her up an hour later.

  “Thank goodness. I thought I was going to be trapped in here forever. Didn’t you get any sleep last night, child?”

  Jenna tried to shake herself awake. An hour wasn’t enough to sleep, but long enough to disorient. “Not really. I guess I’m not used to this outdoor lifestyle. We’re here, and I still have no reason why.” Speaking out loud was easier than mindspeaking when no one was around to hear her one-sided conversation.

  “Yes, I know. I’ve been rummaging around while you slept. I thought perhaps I could take over and get things done without waking you, but it seems I need for you to be awake. Don’t you think it’s time to see the seeress now?”

  “But wait, I have some questions about this whole thing.”

  “I’m afraid they’ll have to wait, child. We must get to the seeress. Now go wake up your two companions; I’m sure they’re asleep also.”

  Jenna was annoyed at his abruptness. She didn’t feel comfortable not knowing what was going on, and even worse that someone inside her own head did know but wouldn’t tell her.

  She kept her grumbles to herself as she padded into Storm and Keanin’s room. As Ghortin predicted, both kelars were out cold. Obviously she wasn’t the only one who’d been having trouble sleeping. Keanin woke slowly, fighting her the entire time. Storm woke before she touched him, his wide blue eyes sharp and focused. Jenna felt a stab of envy for that immediate awareness.

  “I don’t see why I have to go with you two. Jenna and Ghortin are the ones that want to see her; why should we be going at all?” Keanin said peevishly once he’d awoken.

  “We aren’t going for a seeing, Keanin,” Storm said, finally becoming annoyed. “We’re all going to go in, pay our respects, then leave.” The kelar prince turned and left the room.

  Ghortin spoke before she did. “May I?”

  “Go right ahead, I’ve no idea what to say to him anyway.”

  Jenna felt that strange tingle that told her Ghortin was in charge of her body.

  “Keanin, I know you’re frightened, things are going on that are scaring the hell out of you. Believe me, my boy, you’re not alone. I need to introduce Jenna to the seeress and share some words with her. It won’t take long. Actually, after you greet her, you could probably be excused out of exhaustion.”

  Ghortin was gentler than Jenna would have thought he’d be.

  Keanin took a deep breath. “All right. But I’m leaving after I’ve paid my respects. I’ve nothing against her personally, you understand. I just don’t like what she does.”

  Ghortin/Jenna nodded. “Fine. Shall we?”

  Keanin rose from his cot and started to take Jenna’s arm. He hesitated and looked at them closely. “Ghortin? You don’t mind if I escort the two of you? It’s kind of odd, what with you being in Jenna’s body and all.”

  Jenna felt Ghortin hold out one arm. “Escort away.”

  Storm was in the doorway of the main room talking to a cleric. At first Jenna thought she was seeing Kaytine’s twin. The kelar woman looked almost exactly like her, except that she had wide, brown eyes. And those upswept eyes were fixed on Storm with unmasked adoration.

  “Yes, Prince Corin, I know your sister well. But she never said how handsome you are.” The young woman’s eyes went wider as she realized what she’d said.

  Storm looked down at her kindly, but Jenna noticed a slight crimson blush along his high cheekbones. How someone who grew up both royal and attractive could be so easily embarrassed, Jenna still hadn’t figured out. “Thank you, novice Ljasda.” Sto
rm looked relieved when Jenna and Keanin walked in. “I think we are ready to be presented now.”

  The frantic novice looked from one to another, mortified at what she’d said, and even more at possible witnesses. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t mean—” She put her hand to her mouth.

  Keanin dropped Jenna’s arm and stepped forward smoothly. He took the shaking novice’s hand in his own. “There, there, my dear. What has this wild prince done to you? Corin, you’ve made her cry. For that, I get to walk with her.” So smoothly did he step in and take control, that the young novice forgot her blunder and led them to the seeress calmly.

  25

  The temple of the seeress was elegant in its simplicity. The walls and floor were white marble with gold veins and copper flecks catching the light from triads of glows set around the room. It lacked windows, except for two wide bands of clear glass that ran along the ceiling.

  The seeress herself was not in sight, and the novice disappeared hastily, carefully avoiding looking at Storm.

  The three of them had been standing there for a few minutes when Ghortin moved her to the center of the room.

  “Come on, Sarisa, you’re not impressing anyone.” Jenna was surprised at his tone. Even more worrisome was that it was coming out of her mouth. She didn’t want the seeress thinking it was she who was being so forward.

  From the far end of the room, a faint outline of a door appeared. A tall, slender woman came through it as it opened.

  “So, it is true. You’ve taken over this poor child’s body.” The woman who stepped forward was willowy and graceful. She was neither young nor old, and seemed to be a kelar/human hybrid. Long silver hair flowed down to her ankles, but the amount that was caught up in the elaborate knot on the top of her head made Jenna realize that it was much longer than that. As the woman came closer, Jenna noticed that her wide, semi-tilted eyes were almost clear; their pale blue tint looked like an afterthought.

  The seeress took Jenna’s hands in her own, looking down fondly. “Hello, old friend.” After that, all Jenna heard was some mental whispering, not unlike wind in the trees. A few moments later, the woman spoke to her directly.

  “Greetings, Jenna. I am glad that my friend has you to give him shelter during this trying time.” She froze, tipping her head to one side intently. As Jenna watched, her eyes misted over. When she spoke, it was halting, as if she was working to say it.

  “I see you have come far. There is much to do to fix what has been made wrong. The way will be dark; it was not meant to be, but the path was not intended for you. You must learn quickly and take what help you may receive. Be wary of the rift. Know that Power can destroy with as much ease as it can save.” Just as quickly as she slipped into the trance, the seeress slipped back out. The mistiness of her eyes vanished.

  Jenna was stunned. She hadn’t the slightest idea what the woman meant, but she’d felt a spark trigger inside her. Something she’d said hit a nerve. Jenna wished she knew whose.

  Keanin stepped back a bit as the seeress turned toward him and Storm. Ghortin took over the introductions; which was fortunate, since Jenna wasn’t sure she would be able to sort out her tongue at this point.

  “May I formally present Prince Corin and Lord Keanin?” Both bowed low, and Keanin refrained from any of his normal flourishes. The seeress’ eyes misted over again.

  “I see your path is long, my prince. Your heart longs for two things; one will always be your destiny, the other is already out of your hands. Sometimes we must let go of that which we hold most dear. Other times we are too ready to do that same thing. One must know which time this is.”

  Storm’s face was somber, but he nodded his thanks. Jenna wondered briefly what the second thing was that he wanted. The most important thing to him now was the return of his father. The seeress turned to Keanin as the handsome noble started to shake.

  “Forgive me, gracious seeress. I seek not a seeing. I’ve just come to pay my respects.”

  The seeress’ face brightened and lost some of its otherworldly appearance. “Lord Keanin, you have feared me for too long. Just because you fear something does not mean it is bad for you. All I will say is this; your path doth lay with these three. Be brave and true; many will be depending on this.”

  Keanin nodded, but kept his head down. “Thank you, my lady. May I leave you now? I am not used to long travel.” His voice caught in his throat.

  Sadness filled the seeress’ face. “Go, my son, and try to be in peace.”

  Keanin bowed and left as quickly as etiquette would allow.

  The seeress turned back to them, and Jenna noticed that her eyes had gone back to normal. “Forgive me for sharing your readings. All of you are tied in to something beyond my ability to see the end of, but you will be together. Also, I felt that I should try to soothe young Keanin before he fled.” Her face remained sad for a moment then she took Jenna’s arm, motioning for Storm to come to her other side.

  They were walking outside toward a small patio when the seeress froze. Her eyes went unimaginably wide and, unlike the previous time, a thick white film completely blocked them out. The voice that came out of her now was low and rich, but still feminine.

  “Thy new host does not suit thee, Master Ghortin. I think that thou would be better pleased back in thy original vessel that doth now lie in the Cave of Sorrows. Abandoned there by thine enemy as an empty shell.”

  Jenna felt the shock go through Ghortin’s consciousness at the seeress’ words. Then she realized it wasn’t just the words that surprised him. With a start, she realized this must be the Goddess herself. Before anyone could say anything, the presence was gone, and Storm had to catch the seeress before she crumbled to the floor.

  Storm looked up at Jenna from where he cradled the seeress. “What happened to her? Will she be all right?”

  “I think so,” Ghortin said. However, Jenna felt tendrils of worry crawling through his mind. “Bring her over here.” He led Storm with the unconscious seeress to a cushioned bench.

  “Sarisa? Here you go, dear. Wake up,” Ghortin said as he took her from Storm.

  The seeress stirred, and then finally opened her light eyes. “Ghortin?” She closed them briefly again. After a few moments she opened them with more conviction.

  “Oh my. She hasn’t done that in a long time. Did she say anything important?” She struggled into a seated position.

  “Just where my body is. No wonder I couldn’t sense anything if it is in that tomb of a cave.” Ghortin’s disgust at this mysterious Cave of Sorrows was strong.

  The seeress looked surprised. “She told you where it is? What cave?”

  “Excuse me, but what happened?” Storm interjected gently. He looked as bewildered as Jenna felt.

  “I’m sorry if I frightened you. The goddess spoke through me directly that last time. Something she hasn’t done in nigh on thirty odd years. It took me by surprise. Normally I interpret what I feel from people, and her faint images.” The seeress looked at Jenna with a smirk that she knew was directed at Ghortin. “Maybe you are as important as you’ve always said, old man. She clearly didn’t want to take a chance on any mistakes with that information.”

  “I’m not familiar with the cave she mentioned. Is it nearby?” Storm asked the question Jenna was about to mentally ask Ghortin. She couldn’t help the surge of relief the mention of Ghortin’s body sent through her.

  “It’s very old and forgotten now, but the Cave of Sorrows is located deep in the Scareani Mountains. It will add a week or so to our journey, but my apprentice seems to feel it’s justified.” Jenna shot him the mental equivalent of a dirty look.

  “I see her point. I know I wouldn’t want you lurking about in my head.” The seeress’ smile was wry, but Jenna felt a warmth flow through her. Jenna guessed that, at some point, there had been something more than friendship between the two. Ghortin tried to block his feelings, but she blithely told him it was too late.

  Storm’s face grew serious.
“Do you think my father is there?”

  Ghortin shook his head. “I doubt it. From what the goddess said, my body was left there because the monster who took it decided it was empty.”

  Storm’s face fell for an instant, then he caught himself. “Then the only thing for us to do is to get your body back and get on with our trip.”

  The seeress smiled warmly and took Storm’s hand. “Things are unfolding as they should. Change is necessary for the world to progress. But I know this does not bring you comfort.” She turned and clapped her hands. “I think it is time for old friends to go and tell old tales, and the young to go make memories. At least for tonight.”

  Two novices arrived in answer to her clap. Ljasda looked away from Storm almost immediately.

  Storm looked awkward, but didn’t say anything. He wasn’t as good at handling unwanted female attention as Keanin was. Of course, with Keanin, little of it was unwanted.

  “Please bring me the vase I readied, Karnia. Ljasda, will you please bring me some water?” If the seeress caught the hasty glance the novice shot at the kelar prince, she gave no sign. At least until both novices left on their errands. Then she turned to Storm with a small smile.

  “I see you’ve already captured the heart of one of my novices, Prince Corin.”

  Storm looked more uncomfortable. “If I did, it was not my intent, I assure you.”

  The seeress lifted one perfectly sculpted brow. “Why? Is there something wrong with my novice, Your Highness?”

  Jenna saw through Ghortin that the seeress was playing with him.

  Storm, unfortunately, didn’t see it. “No, mistress, not at all. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go around luring maidens who have given themselves over to the goddess.”

  “I’ll wager you and Keanin will break many such hearts this eve, young Corin.” She was laughing now. A sound that was more like small bells than human laughter. “Fear not. My clerics all have free will; the goddess doesn’t want them to give up their lives. Look at your sister.” She looked up as the derawri novice returned bearing a small gray vase.