by Drew Wagar
Esurio spun before her, its entirety on display.
‘Look, you can see the frozen wastes,’ Meru said. A ragged line of whiteness encircled the globe around the sunlit edge.
‘And the vortex,’ Kiri said, turning the image so they could see the other side. A vast swirling tumble of clouds could be seen, twisted around a small, clear spot.
‘That must be where we are,’ Meru said. ‘I wonder if we can make it bigger …’
A gentle tone sounded in the air and the image expanded before them, rushing outwards in a dizzying fashion. In a moment it was as if they were poised in the air above the Obelisk, looking down on it from a great height. They could see the swirling cloud banks, the lakes, forests and seas. At the centre they could make out the walled compound and the Obelisk itself.
‘There,’ Meru said. ‘It’s so clear, you can see …’
He turned to look at her. He could see her face had gone pale, her jaw clenched.
‘Kiri?’
‘Your friends, in their ship,’ she said, her voice a whisper. ‘They’ve come through the storm. They’re here.’
‘That’s …’
Kiri looked up with a shudder, her eyes haunted. ‘She’s coming.’
* * *
Coran led the way up the roadway, but turned to look at his ship as he did so. As per usual, Daf and Creg stayed behind to mind it. They seemed to have little interest in the vast structure before them and had retreated within the ship to see to the bilges and general upkeep of the vessel. The Mobilis did look rather forlorn, still listing to one side, some of its structure battered and twisted. The two men had promised to tidy her up as best they could.
Fitch was alongside him, rifle gripped in both hands. Coran had his ready too, though both had the safeties engaged for now.
Zoella had retrieved Ira. The girl looked even more pale than normal, but was relieved to be on dry land. Mel stood alongside them.
‘All set?’ Coran asked.
‘Please don’t take the weapons,’ Zoella said again.
Fitch scoffed.
‘No way are we giving that little bitch the upper hand,’ Fitch said. ‘If she starts acting up, she’s going down, Meru or no Meru.’
‘You’ll fire only on my order,’ Coran said, giving Fitch a look. ‘That’s the deal.’
Fitch inclined his head.
‘But Fitch is right,’ Coran said, turning to Zoella. ‘She may have tricked Meru, we don’t know, do we?’ He patted the rifle. ‘This will make her think twice.’
Coran saw Zoella purse her lips, but she didn’t say any more. Mel also looked undecided. Ira’s expression was indecipherable.
‘You three stay behind us, understood?’ he asked. The three women exchanged a look with each other.
He turned about, gesturing to Fitch and they walked up the roadway.
‘How do you want to play this?’ Fitch asked, under his breath. ‘If it were me I’d just blow her away the moment we lay eyes on her. We’ve already got two of these snuttin’ witches, we don’t need three.’
Coran smiled and shook his head. ‘If Kiri raises a hand against us, kneecap her. I know you’ve got a score to settle with her, but I want to hear what she has to say for herself first.’
‘As you say, Captain.’ Fitch said, a grin forming on his face.
* * *
‘We have to go and meet them,’ Meru said.
Kiri nodded.
‘I won’t let them hurt you,’ Meru said.
‘What are you going to do?’
‘I’ll go first,’ Meru said. ‘You stay back until I call you. Coran said he would hear us out. I hope he’ll keep his word. If not …’ Meru picked up the rifle. ‘They’ll have to come through me first.’
‘This is about me and Zoella,’ Kiri said. ‘I don’t want anyone hurt. They’re your friends.’
‘Until I know they aren’t going to shoot you,’ Meru said. ‘And until I’m sure Zoella is under control, you must stay back. Promise me.’
Kiri looked worried.
‘Alright.’
* * *
The Obelisk grew in front of them. A set of steps led up towards a tall wall that encircled it. Mel squinted into the light. She could see a figure standing at the top, waiting for them. It too was holding a rifle.
‘That’s close enough.’
‘Meru!’ Mel said, recognising his voice and stepping forward. Coran held up a hand.
‘What’s the gun for, Meru?’ Coran asked.
‘I might ask you the same question,’ Meru called back.
‘That girl, Kiri, is dangerous,’ Coran replied. ‘Killed a lot of our folk if you recall.’
‘I also recall her almost being killed when in your care,’ Meru said. ‘I’m not going to risk that happening again.’
Mel saw Coran look across at Fitch. Both unlocked the safety catches on their rifles. Zoella and Ira stood behind them. Both looked scared.
‘What are you doing?’ Mel asked.
‘We don’t know where she is,’ Coran said.
‘Likely a trap,’ Fitch agreed.
‘Will you all just stop it?’ Mel shouted at them, pushing between the two men and pushing the barrels of the rifles down. ‘It’s Meru! Put your stupid guns away before someone gets hurt.’
She saw Meru lower his gun. Mel glared at Coran until he signalled to Fitch and both of them did likewise.
‘Drop them,’ Mel insisted, calling up so Meru could hear her. ‘All of you. Bloody stupid men!’
Coran nodded and placed his rifle on the ground. Fitch grunted and did likewise. At the top of the stairs, Meru followed their example.
‘Now step back,’ Mel scolded. ‘I’ll talk to him.’
She waited until Coran and Fitch had obeyed her instruction. Then she ran forward and up the stairs.
‘Come here,’ she said, her arms outstretched.
Meru smiled and she pulled him into a hug.
‘So good to see you, are you alright?’ she demanded, pulling back and looking at him. ‘I’ve missed you, you troublesome little rogue!’
He smiled. ‘It’s good to see you too.’
Mel looked past him. ‘Is she …?’
Meru nodded. ‘A little further up. I told her to wait.’
Mel sighed. ‘This is all about the two of them, isn’t it?’
Meru nodded.
‘Then let’s get it over with. You keep an eye on Kiri, I’ll do the same for Zoella. If it starts going funny, we’ll whack ’em on the back of the head with the rifle butts. Agreed?’
Meru nodded.
‘Wait here then.’
Mel walked down the stairs and signalled to Zoella.
The girl was hesitant, but did as she was told. Mel saw her swallow as she approached.
‘Give me the rifle,’ Mel said to Coran. He picked it up and handed it to her. Mel flicked the safety on.
‘You sure you know what you’re doing?’ he asked.
‘Trust me,’ she scolded. ‘We’ll do this without blowing anybody’s head off.’
Mel held the rifle in one hand and took Zoella’s with the other. She led Zoella up the flight of stairs to Meru.
Meru and Zoella stared at each other, but neither said anything.
‘This is between the two of you first,’ Mel said, with a sigh. ‘And then the three of you. You two better start talking or I’ll bang your heads together.’
‘I’m …’ Zoella began. ‘I didn’t mean to … what I did … it was wrong. I’m so …’
‘I didn’t want to hit you,’ Meru stuttered in return. ‘You’re alright?’
Zoella nodded, a faint smile showing on her face. ‘Yes. You?’
‘A bit … hot,’ Meru said.
Mel shook her head and rolled her eyes.
‘Give the snuttin girl a hug, boy!’ Mel snapped.
Zoella ended up taking the initiative. She pulled Meru into an embrace. Mel heard sobs from her, saw Meru hesitate for a moment before responding, pulli
ng her into a tight hug.
‘Zoella …’
‘I need to see her.’ Zoella pulled back, wiping her eyes. ‘Talk to her. We need to end this. I promise I won’t do anything to hurt her.’
Meru backed away, looking at Mel.
Mel nodded. ‘Go get her.’
Meru walked up the stairs until he got to the top. Zoella and Mel saw him beckon.
After a few moments Kiri stepped up next to him. Mel heard Zoella gasp from beside her. Mel gripped the rifle hard.
‘Keep breathing,’ Mel said to Zoella, her voice just a whisper. ‘Just keep breathing.’
Meru led Kiri down the stairs by the hand until they stood just a few paces away from Mel and Zoella. Mel saw Kiri run her gaze over her, seeing the rifle, before she turned her attention to Zoella.
Mel watched the two young women stare at each other.
Sisters. They don’t look very much alike. Blue eyes versus brown. Kiri looks scrawny like she needs a decent meal … and those scars … she’s had a hard life. Zoella looks so much younger, though she’s taller …
‘My name is Mel,’ Mel said, breaking the silence. Kiri looked at her. Mel stared into her blue eyes, finding them mesmerising.
So intense …
‘I know,’ Kiri answered. ‘From the ship. Meru has told me all about you.’
Kiri’s voice was flat and matter of fact. Her expression was a strange combination of haughtiness, wariness and distance.
‘Kiri …’ Zoella’s voice shook as she spoke Kiri’s name. Mel saw Kiri shudder, looking at Zoella with wide eyes.
She’s actually afraid, this relentless warrior woman we’ve heard so much about … she’s scared!
‘I’m sorry for what I did,’ Zoella said, holding out her hands towards Kiri. ‘I don’t expect you to forgive me, I don’t … I don’t want anything from you. I just want …’ Her voice cracked. ‘I just want the hatred to end …’
Kiri didn’t move. She didn’t say or do anything.
Zoella burst into tears.
Still Kiri didn’t move.
After a moment Mel reached out to Zoella as she sobbed, pulling her into an embrace. Zoella buried her head against Mel, crying her heart out. Mel looked up at Kiri, a glare on her face, expecting to see the same impassive face as before.
‘You going to stand there or–?’ she began.
To her surprise she saw that Kiri’s eyes were wet with tears of her own. Mel saw Kiri’s bottom lip tremble.
Then …
‘Zoella,’ Mel said gently. ‘Zoella, look.’
Zoella raised her head.
Kiri was holding her hand out towards Zoella. Mel could see it was shaking. Zoella looked at it, straightening as Mel released her. Meru was standing just behind Kiri, looking at her.
‘Go on,’ Mel said softly.
Neither of the two women said anything. Zoella stretched out her fingertips towards Kiri’s as they stared into each other’s eyes. Their fingers slid alongside each other. Both flinched at the touch, but continued to move.
Hands closed together. A grasp. Mel saw them both draw a sharp breath, staring at each other in shock and surprise.
* * *
The memories they had shared before over their mental link now swirled about them in exquisite detail. The fragmentary recall of their childhood, shadows from the distant past; their upbringings and the tragedy of what happened to their family. The shared experiences of Viresia, Drem and Amar, now seen from each other’s perspective though the connection between them.
There was hatred, there was anger, but it was coupled with regret and horror for assumptions made and misunderstandings compounded.
Zoella saw the genuine love Kiri had for Meru, how she had saved his life, more than once. She saw the life lessons she had taken from Charis and the agony as she watched her mentor die in her arms. Kiri saw Zoella’s own love for Ren, for Ioric, felt the fury and the rage, saw her kind and gentle spirit trying to find a way through all the chaos in the world.
And the gift, the mysterious gift that empowered them, but which had twisted and changed them too.
Their hands let go, but both continued to stare at each other, barely aware that Mel and Meru were standing alongside them.
‘I have wronged you,’ Kiri managed to say. ‘Over and again. For my part in all that hurt … the boy …’ her voice quavered and she shook her head. ‘I so wish I could undo it.’
The raw emotion crackled between them, but neither could retreat from it.
‘I hated what I became because of it,’ Zoella answered, her face wet with tears. ‘And what I did to you. Can we let this be an end to it?’
Kiri nodded.
‘An end.’ Kiri pursed her lips, her own face tear-streaked. She nodded, wiped at her eyes and then held out her hand again. ‘Sister.’
Zoella gave a short cry, almost stumbling. ‘Yes …’
The pair moved towards each other, tentatively, still wary. Then something broke between them, the barriers built over long rounds crumbling in a torrent of regret, remorse and hope.
Zoella pulled Kiri into a hug. After a moment Kiri’s arms closed about her, holding her tight.
‘My sister!’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Daine, Capital of Drayden
Round 2307, Eighth pass
Merrin ensured that Nerina’s message was posted and communicated around Daine. The priestesses under her supervision were subdued and pale as she gave out her instruction. She rebuked two of them when she caught them whispering in hushed tones.
‘Accused?’ one asked. ‘What of proof …?’
‘Nerina’s directive is clear,’ Merrin said. ‘Bring them to the piazza.’
The priestesses nodded and withdrew.
It did not take long. Four troublemakers were hauled into the piazza before the temple, more were gathering at the limits of the temple area, shouting and calling abuse at the priestesses.
The priestesses found themselves confronted with a baying mob, many armed with farming implements, or the tools of their trade, others just brandishing fists and yelling insults. The priestesses formed a line, barricading the crowd from entering the piazza, their kais out and ready. The group of prisoners that had been assembled were further in, guarded by another set of priestesses.
The priestesses held their line, the prisoners were on their knees, kais at their throats. The yelling grew, turning to a chant of fury.
‘No more deaths, set them free! No more deaths, set them free!’
The crowd pushed forwards, the priestesses drew back ready to strike.
CEASE!
Nerina’s imperious mental command shocked through priestesses and commoners alike. She appeared at the entrance to the temple, striding outwards, her own kai in her hand. She approached the prisoners, glaring at them as she passed, before moving towards the crowd.
Then she stood before them, behind the line of priestesses, pacing up and down, staring at the crowd, her face twisted with fury as she saw some of them were men.
HOW DARE YOU TURN ON YOUR BETTERS? HOW DARE YOU ASSAIL THIS HOLY PLACE? MEN ARE NOT PERMITTED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES! LACAILLE’S WRATH LIES POISED TO DESCEND UPON YOU FOR YOUR INSOLENCE.
Silence reigned, Nerina’s mental words echoed throughout the minds of all present, deafening but inaudible. Nerina continued to pace, none could face her gaze.
YOU WILL LAY ASIDE YOUR WEAPONS. GO BACK TO YOUR HOMES AND YOUR PLACES OF WORK.
‘What of those arrested?’ someone shouted.
Nerina turned to find them, but their voice was lost in the crowd.
THEY HAVE DEFIED ME. THEY ARE MINE TO DO WITH AS I WISH.
The chant, led by those from the rear of the crowd, began to reassert itself, until it was strong once more.
‘No more deaths, set them free! No more deaths, set them free!’
The priestesses were looking at each other.
Nerina turned, gesturing to the prisoners behind her. Now her mental comm
and was only heard by the priestesses.
KILL THEM.
The priestesses guarding the prisoners hesitated.
High Priestess …
KILL THEM!
The priestesses were shaking their heads, stepping away. The prisoners got to their feet, punching their fists into the air. They pushed past the priestesses and ran towards the crowd.
Nerina stood between them and their freedom.
She raised her kai, stepping forwards.
The prisoners paused, one gesturing towards Nerina.
‘Just let us go …’
Nerina spun her kai and struck him across the neck. The man fell forward to lie still upon the ground. Nerina moved in upon the next one, a woman, who raised up her hands in defence. Nerina struck her too, and she fell back, twitching on the flagstones. Two remained.
The crowd was yelling, but it was to no avail. Nerina killed them both with her kai in two swift strikes. Behind her, the line of priestesses failed and was forced back. They fled, running up the piazza towards Nerina, the crowd at their heels.
Nerina turned, her hand outstretched.
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE.
The crowd surged to a stop, some folk at the front stumbling to their knees.
Nerina, defiant, walked back towards them, twirling her kai.
KNOW YOUR PLACES.
She gestured at them. Those at the front screamed, clutching their heads and flailing around for a moment before casting themselves on the ground. Nerina swept her gesture left and right, more folk felt her powers slash into their minds.
For a moment the crowd surged forward, but as Nerina’s powers cut down another line of them, panic set in. Screams of fear and terror rent the air as people pushed and shoved to escape.
Nerina did not relent.
Even as they turned she struck again and again, people falling before her, her face a twisted mask of hatred and anger. The crowds fled the piazza, their anger replaced with blind panic, running into the city, trying to flee her wrath.
