The Witch; Stronghold; Underworld

by Ky Tyrand

  “Are you okay?” the Princess repeated.

  “NOW?!?”

  Ki’ara hoped the blast hadn’t deafened the boy, but otherwise he looked fine. She peeked around the stone column, hoping for any sign of Sylor – evidence that he wouldn’t be back to haunt any of them ever again – but all she saw was smoke and debris. Tempted as she was to go in search of the man, Ki’ara knew that getting her friends away from here, and Je’nna healing, was more important than confirming Sylor’s demise.

  She looked back into the boy’s eyes and nodded. “Now would be good, Petch.”

  He pressed the final symbol.

  38

  “Hey!” Ki’ara’s voice silenced the growling. After once again being exposed to Sylor’s energy-blocking Dark Matter, she could only draw a limited amount of plasma. But it was more than enough to cast a blue glow over the chamber. “They’re with me!”

  The three huge wolves fell silent. At least one of them let out a meek whine as it lay down at her feet.

  Ki’ara helped Petch up. He had never Traveled before, and it was a lot to take in. But the wolves were what held his attention. “Are they… friendly?”

  Ki’ara shrugged. “They tried to eat me the first time I found this place,” she told him. “But they’ve been nice ever since.”

  Petch didn’t know how to respond to that, but kept his hands close to his body.

  “Help me with her,” said Ki’ara, as she took Je’nna by the shoulder.

  With an eye on at least one wolf at all times, Petch got on the other side, and together they slid Je’nna to the middle of the Abnukadin. “Now what?” asked the boy.

  Ki’ara knew the code to activate the device’s healing capability by heart. But when she was here last, Ki’ara hadn’t pressed a thing. Or if she did, she certainly didn’t remember. There was a chance the Abnukadin had done it by itself. But the Princess was convinced otherwise.

  The wolf with the scarred muzzle stood and wagged its tail when Ki’ara’s eyes met his.

  “Can you do the thing – the super-healing thing – for my friend?” Ki’ara had no idea if asking the animal would work, but figured it was worth a try.

  The gray wolf responded with a bark.

  To Ki’ara’s surprise, the other two canines stood as well, and the three began loping around the perimeter of the stone structure.

  With a chirp and a chuckle, Ki’ara dragged Petch from the Abnukadin – quickly so as not to be trampled by the circling wolves.

  From a safe spot off to the side, the pair watched in awe as the animals switched from circling the outside, to weaving between the stone columns – in and out – while continuing in the same clockwise direction. It was a pattern so meticulous and in sync one would have thought it to be choreographed and rehearsed. The wolves appeared to know exactly what needed to be done, and the precise movements required to achieve it.

  And as they circled around and around, symbols from all over the columns began igniting in color and light. Soon the rainbow of swirling energy Ki’ara had encountered earlier was recreated, spinning and dancing between her four-legged friends, the columns, and the girl lying in the middle of it all.

  Ki’ara let out a breath and threw her arms around Petch, squeezing him so hard he let out a sound. “Thank you, Petch.”

  “For what?” the boy seemed confused.

  “For keeping the two of you alive.”

  Petch smiled and looked to the floor.

  “I mean it, Petch. What you did for Je’nna…” Ki’ara let out a breath and forced herself not to cry again. Her eyes went back to the dancing colors within the Abnukadin. “So, you can see the stone circle, and Je’nna inside it?”

  The boy lifted an eyebrow. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be able to?”

  Ki’ara shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably nothing.” She looked into his eyes, but the swirling prism of colors reflecting from the Abnukadin told her nothing, and she didn’t dare turn the lights on while the wolves were working their magic.

  The boy had been through a lot, and if what Ki’ara suspected was true, it would be plenty more for him to take in. The Princess decided she would wait to tell him until she knew for sure. Nevertheless, Ki’ara voiced the one thing she was certain of. “You’re one of us, Petch. And you can’t remain in Stronghold when we leave.”

  Petch nodded. “I know. But I have nowhere…”

  “You’re coming with us,” Ki’ara informed him. “But your aunt…”

  The boy’s head dropped with a sigh, and when it came back up, his eyes were glistening. “She’s gone, Ki’ara.”

  “What?!?” There was no hiding the shock in Ki’ara’s voice. “What happened?”

  “During the attack…”

  Ki’ara’s heart sank. She didn’t need to hear any more to know that it was her fault. That she was responsible for the death of the boy’s only living relative. The Princess struggled for words. Felt her legs go weak. “I’m sorry,” she croaked. Now it was her turn to cry. She fought the pain in her throat to force out the words, “It was because of me.”

  Petch twitched at the girl’s statement. “No!” he snapped. “She was old and unwell, Ki’ara. Lucky to have lived as long as she did, and I was lucky to have her. But it was just a matter of time before her heart gave out. Probably more coincidence than anything that it happened during the chaos of that night.”

  There was no doubt that the boy’s words were meant to lift the guilt from Ki’ara’s shoulders. And, though it didn’t work, the gesture was appreciated.

  Ki’ara hugged him once more as she tried to sniffle away her tears, wishing she could have been here for him. It hurt her to think that he’d been alone after that – tossed into a prison cell, no less.

  When they separated, she spotted the blood on his shirt and was reminded of the nasty gash he’d taken from the spider-bot. Ki’ara pulled his sleeve back to find the gooped-on bandage. “Ma’gy did this?” she asked, surprised that the woman would have such fancy medical supplies.

  “No,” he said. “Je’nna.”

  Ki’ara smiled. “Sounds like the two of you were lucky to have one another.”

  Though the statement made Petch blush, it gave Ki’ara a sense of relief that she’d made the right decision in leaving the two of them in the secret passage.

  “Come here,” she said, taking his hand and pulling him back into the Abnukadin, carefully avoiding the loping trio of wolves.

  It was easy to get disoriented amidst the dazzling aura of light and color, but she led him to the middle of the circle and helped him sit down next to Je’nna.

  After twisting tendrils of energy leapt to his arm, and his eyelids drooped closed, Ki’ara caught his head and gently lowered him to the floor.

  She then sat down beside them and pulled out the metal box Ma’gy had given her, examining it under the magical light of the Abnukadin.

  At first glance, there didn’t appear to be anything special about it. No markings or unusual intricacies. But if Ki’ara had learned one thing over the past few days, it was that things were not always as they seemed.

  A sudden pinch at the tip of her finger confirmed her theory.

  She pulled her hand back to find a droplet of blood at the end of her index finger.

  Light from the Abnukadin leapt to the tiny puncture, while at the same instant the metal box popped open.

  The tendrils of energy she could ignore. The box, she could not.

  Nevertheless, the tip of her finger was healed and the strands of light had already moved on before she flipped the lid.

  Curious, but with no idea what to expect, Ki’ara peered into the little box with eyes wide. There was only one item within: a tiny metallic triangle, barely larger than the pad of her thumb.

  The silver metal was thin, with a circle embossed on the face that’s raised edge touched all three equal-length sides of the triangle. Mounted in the very center was a beautiful smooth round gem; thin, like the object it was mounted
to, but much smaller and far more intense. Even under the ever-changing colors of the Abnukadin, Ki’ara could tell that the stone was a brilliant shade of teal, with a richness that appeared to reflect far deeper than the jewel could possibly be.

  Transfixed by the gemstone, Ki’ara hadn’t even noticed that nothing was holding the small triangle in place – it was actually floating within the confines of the box, not touching a single side. The unusual effect reminded Ki’ara of her G.R., or the silver orbs, and their ability to defy the laws of gravity. Yet, this little object moved in sync with the box, as if fastened securely within the compartment.

  Magnetic, perhaps?

  Whatever technology held it suspended was fascinating in itself, but Ki’ara wanted to know what the triangle was, and why To’mas wanted her to have it.

  A panting in her ear told Ki’ara that the wolves were finished. While the rainbow of colors continued to scintillate, the animals had completed their part and took the opportunity to lie down next to Ki’ara and her friends.

  The Princess thanked them all with pats and scratches before returning her focus to the floating triangle.

  The wolves gave her an idea.

  Asking them to activate the Abnukadin had worked so well that she found herself asking the triangle, “Now, why did To’mas want you to find your way to me…?”

  Ki’ara cautiously put a finger into the box – the same one that had just been healed – and dared touch the small triangle.

  She had no idea what would happen.

  As it turned out, the slightest bump was all it took to send the object spinning, flipping over on itself time and again, while maintaining its position in the center of the box without nearing an edge.

  But something else occurred with that gentle touch.

  Something unexpected.

  In that single instant, Ki’ara saw a flash – a vision of the room she was in at that very moment. The Wolf Room.

  Her view was from a different angle; not of the Abnukadin, but of the illuminated cabinets. One in particular. A shelf holding a single item: a sword.

  But not just any sword.

  Though covered by a weathered scabbard that looked older than time itself, Ki’ara could tell from the impression left in her mind that the weapon inside was special.

  39

  Ki’ara leapt to her feet – causing all three wolves to do the same – and darted to the cabinet she saw in her vision. She had recognized the scabbard the moment it appeared in her vision. An ancient piece of junk in a sea of hi-tech equipment.

  The racks weren’t illuminated, and the girl didn’t dare turn them on. She knew that once she pressed her palm to the console, her four-legged friends would vanish, and perhaps their magic along with them. Ki’ara wouldn’t risk putting a halt to the powerful healing taking place behind her.

  Besides, with her friends both unconscious, she actually enjoyed the wolves’ company. And, between her Niksuru and the dazzling rays from the Abnukadin, Ki’ara had more than enough light to find the shelf.

  But she already knew the sword was missing.

  The ratty old scabbard that had covered the blade was right where Je’nna had found it earlier. And was just as empty.

  Ki’ara reached in and pulled out the leather bound sheath, surprised that anything it once held could possibly be of any importance. With frayed straps, torn bindings, and tarnished trim, it was in no condition to protect a powerful sword.

  Perhaps that’s why it isn’t.

  Her eyes moved back to the box in her other hand. The triangle was still spinning, but much slower.

  Setting the scabbard down where she’d found it, Ki’ara placed the tip of her finger back onto the teal gem.

  Her mind instantly flashed to a thousand images at once; a disorganized jumble of thoughts and visions that she couldn’t possibly make sense of. Fearing all the information being crammed into her head might fry her brain, Ki’ara was forced to pull her finger away.

  Licking her hand, and bumping her with their noses, the wolves showed their concern as Ki’ara caught her breath.

  She smiled at them and worked up the nerve to reach back into the small metal box. But this time she focused her thoughts, and demanded, “Show me what To’mas wanted me to see…”

  Her finger pressed against the triangle, and a vision brought her straight back to the sword in the cabinet.

  Ki’ara flinched when a hand reached out and took hold of the silver and gold hilt. It didn’t occur to her that the hand could belong to her – she’d never worn silvery-white sleeves before – but she could feel the texture of the hilt in her fingers, and against the skin of her palm.

  She could sense how powerful the weapon was.

  Her other hand closed around the tattered leather of the scabbard, which felt soft and crusty at the same time.

  She pulled them apart.

  Though the fit was snug, the sword slid smoothly away. In stark contrast, beneath the ratty old sheath was a blade so clean and polished that it barely looked real. For a moment Ki’ara thought she might have glimpsed a reflection of her own eyes within the depths of the mirror-like steel, but the slant changed too fast to know for sure.

  The sword’s design was simple, with clean lines and sharp angles. There were slight curves in the guard and pommel, but nothing ornate or garish. The weapon was by no means a decoration. It was made to be used. And yet, the blade was in perfect condition, as if it had never seen a single battle.

  Her eyes moved to another cabinet, this one filled with various packs of all shapes and sizes. The only thing they appeared to have in common was the dark mesh fabric, which reminded Ki’ara of Sir Grue’gan’s special storage device. She settled on a small flat one, which made her think of a sheath for a stubby dagger.

  It was odd watching this play out – through her own eyes, yet completely out of her control – but Ki’ara was so curious that she continued to watch things unfold…

  The old scabbard had been discarded – tossed to the very spot Ki’ara had found it a moment ago – and now the tip of the blade was sliding into the short knife sheath. Even having witnessed the inter-dimensional technology held within Sir Grue’gan’s storage compartment, Ki’ara was still surprised to see the long blade disappear into the dark mesh sheath, which barely protruded from either side of her hand. It almost looked like a magic trick – like her hands belonged to a street performer, and she was making something vanish in plain sight.

  With nothing but the handle remaining above the short mesh sheath, she placed the weapon on her waist, surprised to find that she was wearing a silvery white gown that hung all the way to the floor. Ki’ara had never worn anything so beautiful in her life, and wished she could take control and find a mirror. Instead, her Mu’turi morphed the silky dress into leggings and boots, much more like Ki’ara was accustomed to wearing.

  The Princess watched in awe as the vision carried her across the Wolf Room to another cabinet entirely. She took no trinkets from this rack. Instead, she bumped her toe against the front of the base, down near the floor.

  In the blink of an eye, the top half of the cabinet shot upward, while the bottom dropped into the floor. It happened so fast that the girl felt a whoosh of wind from the sudden movement.

  And, just like that, Ki’ara found herself staring at an exit from the room that had no doors.

  Removing her finger from the metal triangle, Ki’ara blinked back to reality, perhaps a little surprised to find herself staring at the old scabbard back at the first unlit cabinet, with the rainbow of colored light still dancing behind her.

  “What is it?” Petch’s voice made Ki’ara jump.

  Her eyes went straight to the boy’s arm when she realized he was standing beside her.

  Petch pulled back his sleeve to show her that the wound had completely healed, leaving nothing but some patches of dried blood. “I don’t know what that thing is, but I feel great!”

  Ki’ara smiled at him. She glanced over at J
e’nna, who was still unconscious on the floor. “I found something,” she told the boy.

  Out of curiosity, her eyes went to the cabinet filled with pouches and packs. The small sheath was there, exactly where she had watched her hand close on it a moment ago. But the mesh pocket was empty, just like the long ratty scabbard.

  Nevertheless, Ki’ara picked it up for a closer look.

  She would never have thought that something so compact could have the same inter-dimensional technology as Sir Grue’gan’s storage device. So if this thingy is here, empty… where is the sword?

  Ki’ara stepped to the last cabinet from her vision, followed by Petch and the three wolves. They watched her curiously as she tapped her toe against the base. It took three tries before getting it right, and the cabinet spread apart, half up and half down, just like it had in her vision.

  The sudden motion and movement of air made Petch jump as it gusted in, lifting their hair and offering a stale smell of damp dirt and stone.

  A dark tunnel lay beyond, the end of which could not be seen from within the Wolf Room.

  “What’s down there?” whispered Petch.

  “I thought I knew every inch of this castle,” said Ki’ara. She turned to Petch and added, “I was wrong.”

  40

  Je’nna had no idea what it was that she was feeling against her cheek and forehead. It was warm and wet and slimy and gross.

  She tried to brush it away, which worked for a moment, but the lapping came right back.

  Her face scrunched up as she tried to cover it with an arm.

  The sliming switched to Je’nna’s ear, making it impossible to hear what she swore had been giggling.

  The girl rolled over, which seemed to solve the problem – until at least the count of three, when it began again in her other ear.

  “Uck!” Je’nna shifted to her back, pushing the huge muzzle from her wet face, while catching the Princess standing over her, chuckling. “How could you let him slobber all over me?”