by B. J. Beach
The feeling of well-being which Karryl had experienced in the sphere had by now completely dissipated, and he began wondering whether, in a situation like this, he actually had a ‘best foot’. Feeling slightly silly, he grasped Dhoum’s outstretched hand. The Grrybhñnös pulled, and Karryl found himself standing on nothing as Dhoum placed two fingers on another plate on the shaft wall. With a shimmer, the door panel reappeared, closing access to the shaft, and the two occupants started moving sedately downwards. Suddenly realising he was still gripping Dhoum’s hand, Karryl gave his companion an embarrassed half smile as he pulled his own away. He rode the rest of the way down with his hands clasped firmly behind his back. Without the slightest jar or jolt they alighted on the base of the shaft, as another panel in front of them shimmered and vanished. The pair stepped out into a broad circular concourse. Sunlight shone through wide archways onto the elaborate mosaics of the floor, where small groups of men and women were engaged in quiet discussion. From a point directly opposite, a man and woman in purple and another man in white approached them.
Dhoum seemed to stare at them for a long moment before turning to Karryl. “Have to leave you now. Done my bit. See you later though.”
Giving one of his rare slow blinks, he turned to his right and set off in his rolling amble towards one of the far archways. No-one in the vast concourse appeared to take any notice, so Karryl assumed Dhoum must be no stranger to them. He watched his fellow traveller until he was out of sight then turned his attention to the small group heading with an unhurried grace towards him. They stopped to speak to two other white-robed figures, giving Karryl a few extra moments to observe, and to collect his thoughts. Trying not to be too obvious, he studied the people gathered in their little groups, most of them in earnest conversation, their voices never rising above a low murmur. Without exception, they were all very tall, easily matching him for height. Fair-skinned, their hair colour ranged from silvery-white through various shades of blonde to a naturally golden-tinted russet. Karryl felt very conspicuous as it occurred to him how noticeable his own thick black hair must be.
The purple robed man left his two companions to their conversation and approached Karryl, a smile of welcome on his finely chiselled face. His eyes were a startlingly bright blue and Karryl guessed his age as about forty, but it was hard to tell. As the man held out his long slender hand Karryl noticed that on his middle finger he wore a wide gold ring set with a large amethyst cabouchon.
His handshake was firm and warm. “Welcome Karryl to our city. I trust your journey here was comfortable?”
Karryl’s dark eyes met the other’s startling blue. “Thank you. Yes it was, once I’d got over the initial shock. It’s certainly a different way to travel.”
The other laughed softly. “I’m sure you’ll soon get used to it. I am Solen, by the way. My colleagues and I will set you on your way to join Master Symon if you are ready.”
As if on cue, Solen’s two companions finished their conversation. They came to join them and Solen made the introductions. “Karryl, I would like you to meet my sister Janar, and my colleague Tukrin.”
As they shook hands Karryl noticed that each of them wore a ring identical to Solen’s, and he found himself wondering about their significance as Solen led them out through an archway in the opposite direction to that which Dhoum had taken. At the end of a long wide cloister, a broad flight of white stone stairs led upwards, following the curve of the building. The light, airy mosaic-floored corridor to which they led continued to follow the curve, the warm grey stone of the wall punctuated by a series of painted doors, some white, some purple. Solen stopped outside a white painted door. Just above centre was a small metallic purple plaque bearing a half dozen curiously formed characters. Karryl took them to be letters and as he scrutinised them, they seemed to move, weaving around and through each other. Just as he felt he had a grasp on their meaning, Solen opened the door with a pass of his hand, and gestured for Karryl to precede him into the room beyond.
The whole panorama of the city was spread out in front of him, the view barely obstructed by wide unglazed window openings. He hurried forward, resting his arms on the deep windowsill as he took in the magnificent sight.
While Janar and Tukrin arranged chairs upholstered in soft white leather, Solen joined him at the window. “What do you think of our fair city of Torgaard?”
Karryl continued to gaze, left and right, up and down. “It’s quite breathtaking, but why do all the buildings have domed roofs?”
Solen smiled, as if the question was one he had often heard before. “The simplest reason there can be; because we like them.”
Karryl straightened up and folded his arms. “I rather think I do too. But where are we? Dhoum brought me here to see Master Symon, but he didn’t actually say where ‘here’ is.”
Janar moved to stand beside him, her long white-blonde hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders and down her slender straight back. There was a twinkle in her light blue eyes as she spoke.
Her voice was soft, clear and easy to listen to. “That is because our dear friend Dhoum doesn’t know where ‘here’ is. Although we have taught him how to get here, he only knows it as Torgaard, as will you. You see, Dhoum has not only brought you to a new location. He has also brought you to another world.”
Karryl swallowed hard, his brain assimilating the amazing implications of what Janar had just told him. He stood pondering for a few moments, letting his gaze drift out to the far distance where a bluish haze hinted at mountains far beyond the city.
Looking a little over-whelmed he turned to Janar. “So, I’m not on my own world at all? If I was in Vellethen and visualised this city, or rather the hillside overlooking it, would I actually get there?”
Tukrin, who so far hadn’t spoken, crossed the room to stand beside Janar. He looked Karryl squarely in the eye. “No, you would not. That is why Dhoum has accompanied you. He already has an impressive command of our discipline of magic and can travel here at will. When you move on from our world it is hoped you will acquire that ability, along with many others.”
Karryl frowned, his brain buzzing with a hundred questions. “But they won’t be any use back on my own world, will they?”
Solen answered without turning. “I wouldn’t say Dhoum has any difficulty, would you?”
Janar seated herself on one of the white leather chairs and waited while Karryl and the others settled themselves before she spoke. “Did Dhoum tell you anything while you were coming down?”
There was a hint of petulance in Karryl’s voice. “Only that my magic wouldn’t work here, and that I would be considered to be a novice.”
Solen and Tukrin chuckled, while Janar put her hands to her cheeks and gave a gasp of amused astonishment. “I’m sure what Dhoum meant was that you would be a novice regarding the kind of magic we use. But he is correct in saying that yours wouldn’t work here.”
“Why is that?”
“It is a different kind of magic. The discipline you use depends almost entirely on the forces of nature. You draw on the life-force itself for your power, utilising carefully crafted spells. We have no need of spells. However, you will be taught this and much more besides.”
“Will I be working with Master Symon?”
“Not for a while. He is already far ahead of you, but if all goes according to plan you will work together eventually.”
Karryl’s brow furrowed and he stared at Janar. “How can he be far ahead of me? He’s been here for less than two days!”
Janar’s smile was enigmatic, but she did not reply as she stood and crossed to the table. Solen appeared lost in the contemplation of a delicate glass ornament. “If you are ready Solen, it is time we left.”
Her brother’s smile was an image of her own as he gathered his thoughts. “I think it would be best if we took transport.”
Janar nodded. Walking over to the window she touched the jewel in her ring against a large purple dot set into the frame. At
the same time, Solen duplicated his sister’s action with another dot further along. He then walked to the far end of the room to stand in front of what appeared to Karryl to be a blank wall. It shimmered and gradually disappeared, revealing a shaft identical to the one in which he had arrived with Dhoum. This time he did not hesitate. They all entered the shaft, and soon he found himself once again on the deserted upper floor, watching two spheres gliding swiftly towards them. Janar and Solen boarded the first and were soon soaring away over the city, leaving Karryl to follow with Tukrin.
Fascinated, Karryl watched as the shining gangway transformed into a swirl of rainbow colours before gradually vanishing, then settled himself on the floor of the sphere where Tukrin already sat, his arms clasped round his knees.
For a few moments Karryl watched the seemingly endless city pass by below him, then turned to his companion who was staring intently in the direction they were heading. “How far are we going?”
The silver-haired man turned to him and smiled. “Quite a long way. I suggest you lie down and sleep.”
Karryl grinned and shook his head. “Sleep? I couldn’t sleep. There’s too much to look at, too much to see.”
Tukrin nodded and gestured towards the floor. “Well, try it anyway. If you lie down you can view through the bottom of the sphere.”
Deciding to take his advice, Karryl eased himself onto the warm floor. As he settled, it seemed to mould itself to the shape of his body, adjusting almost instantly as he moved his limbs in search of optimum comfort.
CHAPTER TWENTYTWO
He woke under a deep blue, star-filled sky. Tukrin was inches away, lying on his side, his head resting on his outstretched arm. Just a few feet below, Karryl’s eyes caught the cold glint of water, its slow swell reflecting a pale, newly risen moon. He peered out, hoping to catch sight of the other sphere. He just glimpsed it, a small shining spark, before it streaked away below the horizon. Deciding there was nothing to see except ocean and sky, he lay down again. The soft warmth of the sphere’s floor moulded itself to his body, and he fell once more into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When he next woke, the sphere was hovering alongside a wide and strangely angular portal. The moon rode high and far across the sky, shedding enough light for him to see the ground three storeys below. There was no sign of Tukrin, although Karryl could see the other sphere hovering a few feet away to his right. He stood up, stretched and yawned, then stepped out onto the glassy gangway and through the portal. Emanating from square niches in the angled walls, a soft blue-white light enabled him to see that there was no-one about. He decided to return to the comfort of the sphere and wait for someone to appear, and turned just in time to see the two spheres speeding away into the distance. Leaning against one of the curiously fashioned walls, he began to weigh his options. A section of wall opposite shimmered out of sight and Tukrin stepped into the room.
He hurried across to Karryl. “Welcome to Thermera! I came as soon as I saw the spheres leaving. Thank you for waiting so patiently. It seemed a pity to disturb your rest, so we went down to attend to one or two things. Now, I expect you’d like something to eat.”
Karryl didn’t need any thinking time. He grinned at Tukrin. “Well, now you come to mention it, I think I would!”
Following Tukrin into the shaft, Karryl stared. This one not only seemed a lot deeper than the previous ones, it was also square rather than round. He decided to count, and had reached twenty-five before they set foot on solid ground. Like those in Torgaard, the floor was set with an intricate mosaic, but instead of purple and white, this one was in full and glorious colour. Before Karryl had chance to study it in detail, Tukrin was ushering him along a small gallery, and out into a large, brightly lit square. Feeling fairly certain that the night was well on, Karryl was surprised at how comfortably warm it was. A considerable number of people were still about, despite the apparent absence of playhouses, inns or dining rooms. He then realised that most of them wore normal clothes rather than robes, and of those that did, very few were in white or purple. The only sounds were the subdued murmur of voices and the tinkling splash of water from a nearby fountain.
It was there that Tukrin stopped. “We will wait here. Perhaps you would like to take the opportunity to have a look around?”
Karryl looked up at the globes suspended from the cavern’s ceiling far overhead, casting a white shadowless light. “Excuse me Tukrin, but how far underground are we?”
The purple robed tutor raised an eyebrow and smiled. “A very long way. Now, we will wait here for a while. Look at whatever interests you, as once you leave us it is not likely you will return.”
Feeling strangely drawn to a wide two storey building standing slightly apart from the others on the far side of the fountain, Karryl began to walk slowly towards it. As he drew closer he could see the architecture and manner of construction was very similar to that which he had seen on the surface when he arrived. Other buildings round the square were apparently cut from the solid rock, but this one was built from massive angular blocks, set against each other in a neat but rather irregular formation. Seeing no sign of any kind of mortar, he ran his fingers incredulously along some of the close tight joins between the blocks.
Turning his gaze to one of the other buildings, he noted the plain simple architecture, regular entrance portals and long first floor galleries with their wide rectangular unglazed windows. He then looked back to the structure in front of him. The single doorway had at least two feet extra clearance above his own head and he wondered why it and the window openings were such a curious shape. Quite wide at the bottom, the straight sides tapered gently so the top was only about two thirds the bottom width, forming a large truncated triangle.
Intrigued, Karryl ran his hand once more over the skilfully dressed stone before making his way back to Tukrin. “Why is that building different to all the others, apart from not being carved from the solid rock?”
Tukrin turned to look, and for a moment or two said nothing as he gazed at the strange building. “The reason for it is lost. Its story and the history of its builders goes back far beyond the memory of our race. All I can tell you is that it may have some connection with the task for which you are preparing.”
Karryl pursed his lips and frowned as he gave the strange building one more brief glance, then cocked his head to one side. “You said you doubted if I would be here again. I presume that means I shall be moving on to somewhere different.”
Tukrin smiled and nodded before clasping his hands together in front of him and giving Karryl a long look. “That’s quite correct. This is to be a very brief acquaintance. The beings who inhabit the place for which you are destined, have powers and knowledge far beyond anything we could even aspire to. It is only once in many lifetimes that we have the privilege of acting as a stepping stone to one such as yourself.”
Karryl looked about him and thought for a moment. “Will Master Symon be coming with me?”
For a short while Tukrin seemed to be studying Karryl’s face. His gaze grew distant as he appeared to be listening to something. As he waited, Karryl became filled with the overwhelming certainty that the next stage of his journey would be undertaken alone.
Tukrin turned towards him and smiled. “Master Symon is on his way. When you have had a meal together, I would like to show you something which may help you to understand our way of life. It may even enhance your understanding of your own magic.”
Karryl fell in beside him as the purple robed tutor slipped his hands into his sleeves and started to walk slowly across the square. “Everything on the island of Thermera is reliant on a source of natural power which we refer to as thermal energy. That’s how the island got its name.”
Karryl raised an eyebrow. “When I was in Torgaard it was obvious that a kind of magic was being used, although I couldn’t sense it the way I can ours. Here, you seem to be using science, and I was always led to understand that magic and science are not compatible.”
Tukrin stopped and gave the young magician a long stern look. “That depends on the discipline of magic you employ. Tell me, do you not consider the use of magic a craft?”
Karryl thought about that then nodded slowly. “Yes. When you put it like that, I suppose it is.”
Tukrin nodded. “So, what we use is the science of craft. You have the ability to conjure the elements of nature, which you do in your own unique way. We also do that, but we depend more on the harnessing of resources which are freely provided, and utilising them. The most useful and readily available of these are vast lakes of hot water and steam, trapped within the rock formations deep below us. We exploit these to provide us with all the heat and power we need. Also, although to a lesser extent, we use energy from the sun. You won’t be with us very long, so before you leave us I will take you to see our power sources in action. I think you will be impressed.”
Looking about him, Karryl tried to locate some indicator of these amazing power sources. He failed to notice that Tukrin was continuing to walk ahead until he turned to ask him a question.
His long legs caught him up in a few paces. “Master Tukrin. Does this thermal energy have anything to do with our kind of magic not working here?”
The silver-haired tutor smiled as he turned to his left and began to walk slowly along the far side of the square. “It may well do, but so far, although many theories have been expounded, no-one has yet come up with a plausible and conclusive answer. As you may have seen, we also use magic and it works very well, but the magic from your world is totally ineffective here.”
He touched Karryl briefly on his forearm. “Perhaps when your unique talents have been further enhanced, you may be able to finally come up with an answer. I think friend Dhoum was pretty close when he said something to the effect that it isn’t what you do that counts, but rather the manner in which it is done.”
Karryl grinned. “Sounds like Dhoum. He disappeared just after we arrived and I haven’t seen him since. Do you know him well?”
