A Girl From Nowhere

by James Maxwell

  It wasn’t just those in the nearest tiers who were crying out. Rather than heckle him, people were shouting encouragement. He was surprised when he heard his name called from the crowd.

  “Show us what Abigail taught you!”

  “Taimin! Fight for your freedom like she did!”

  Taimin raised an arm and the roar swelled even louder. He then tried to forget about the crowd as he swung his sword with wide strokes to loosen his muscles. As he stood under the burning rays of the golden sun, his head turned when he heard a scraping sound.

  He faced the portcullis as it started to open, suggesting he would be fighting one of the other prisoners. He wondered who it would be, and why the guards had taken so many pains to ensure they entered the arena separately.

  Rathis emerged into the sun.

  Taimin’s mouth dropped open. The crowd collectively gasped. They knew that Rathis was a leader among the skalen, a prized prisoner of the Protector. Now Rathis would face Taimin, and only one of them would leave the fighting pit alive.

  Rathis walked toward Taimin until he came to a halt just a short distance away. He held three javelins bunched in his left hand, leaving his throwing arm unencumbered.

  “So, young warrior,” Rathis said, “it seems we are to face each other. The guards are cruel.”

  Thoughts whirled through Taimin’s head. Looking up at the crowd, he scanned the faces on the upper tiers until his eyes rested on Galen. The commander’s face was twisted in a wry smile.

  Taimin turned back to Rathis. “It isn’t the guards who are doing this. It’s Galen.”

  “You are young,” Rathis said. “If you can survive and find your woman, you have a life of promise ahead of you. I am old. I plan to let you defeat me. Make it quick.”

  Evidently trying to goad Taimin, Rathis swung one of his javelins like a club. The slap against the bare skin of Taimin’s arm made him wince. But rather than respond, Taimin put distance between himself and the skalen. As he walked away from Rathis, he lifted his chin and faced the crowd.

  He remembered the first time Selena had made him think about the other races differently. Taimin had come to know and even like Rathis. And confined together as they all were, it was impossible not to encounter bax in the prisoners’ quarters. The bax knew of the enmity between Taimin and Galen, a man they all despised. Some of them had been almost friendly.

  His head held high, Taimin directly addressed the crowd.

  “This skalen,” he called as he pointed, “is a clan leader. He is beloved. Can you tell me, any of you, why he is here?”

  “Fight!” a red-faced man cried.

  Taimin reminded himself about everything he had learned from Vance, Rathis, and the bax among the prisoners. “He is here because the Protector wants you to see him as an enemy. Not just him, but all of his race. The Protector wants you to fear those who live outside this city. He raids the Rift Valley and provokes conflict. The invasion he warns you about is part of his plan. As long as you are afraid, he remains in power.”

  “Give us blood!” a well-dressed older man shouted from the upper tiers.

  But the roughly dressed laborers in the crowd, the poorer and skinnier people, weren’t calling for blood. They were listening.

  Taimin knew that any change in the city had to come from them. “When I first came here, I thought Zorn was a place of hatred. But looking at your faces, I can see that isn’t true. You know as well as I do that humans can’t survive as one race against all others.” He thrust out an arm to point at Rathis. “He and his kind mean us no harm. I am not speaking to the commander up there, I am speaking to you. Out in the wasteland, people tell stories of the incredible white city. A haven. A place of peace. You can make the stories true.”

  Meanwhile Rathis called out imploringly. “Fight me, Taimin,” he hissed. “Live!”

  Taimin spied movement and looked along the perimeter fence to see that in addition to the prison guards, dozens of Galen’s uniformed soldiers stood on the other side.

  One of the soldiers stepped up to the fence and called out, “Prisoner, you must fight.”

  “No!” Taimin pointed his sword at the soldier. “I will not.”

  He threw down his sword. The gesture was unmistakable.

  As soon as he did it, the gate in the fence crashed open. The soldiers in crimson uniforms poured through. While the crowd watched in horror, the vicious beating began.

  29

  Selena explored the Rift Valley. Speeding from place to place, flying as fast as thought, she searched a landscape filled with wrinkles, like the palm of a hand held up for close inspection. She traveled over deep ravines and wide valleys, always casting with a power that wasn’t hers to control.

  She knew that back in the tower her body sat erect in the hard-backed wooden chair, and that the young woman’s eyes were glazed and unfocused. Her consciousness was here, separated from the city by a journey that would take days on foot. Arren and Merin directed her attention. Their constant presence would be with her until fatigue meant she couldn’t farcast anymore.

  She scanned the terrain and looked for movement. Her vision swept over the rust-colored rock and paused as she focused on the occasional hardy cactus or spindly tree. No matter what she found—warriors or innocents, young or old—when Arren and Merin reported back, the city guard would venture into the wasteland, and bloodshed would follow.

  The mountains loomed overhead. Areas that Selena had explored previously were becoming familiar. She was made to descend. What came next would be hours of searching the individual seams of the Rift Valley.

  Arren and Merin had now become accustomed to their role. They even allowed her to communicate with them. But if she protested, they caused her pain, or prevented her from re-entering her body for a time as punishment.

  As she descended into a wide gully with a dried riverbed along its base, she tried to think of a way to fight back. How did Arren and Merin know how to control her the way they did? Perhaps they had a teacher, someone with even more power.

  Someone who might be able to help her.

  She ventured a question. Who taught you to do this? She mentally held her breath but Merin seemed happy enough to answer.

  Arren and I were lucky. We met as children and learned that what we lacked in other areas, we made up for with our shared talent. We have practiced on each other over many years. Everything that we do to you, we have also done to each other, many times over.

  Enough, Arren said. We have work to do.

  The search continued.

  Hours passed as Selena explored the mazelike chasms of the Rift Valley. As always, Arren and Merin discussed places to search in dry, dispassionate tones.

  Should we look closer to the mountains? Arren asked.

  When Merin agreed, Selena was made to travel to the base of the peaks, where previously she had found both mantoreans and skalen.

  Nothing here either. Where are they?

  Back to the canyon?

  Even as she was directed back to the Rift Valley, Selena felt fatigue like a crushing weight on her senses. She knew that her body in the tower would be tensed with hands formed into fists. When she returned, she would feel wretched.

  Wily creatures, Arren said. They were following a passage between two tall cliffs. Look, you can see signs of them everywhere.

  They are learning, Merin replied. They know we can’t see anything at night so they hide during the day.

  Galen thinks Blixen must have a mystic of his own. The bax often flee before he arrives. He says it’s the only explanation.

  Selena instantly thought of Rei-kika. She was glad that the mantorean was out there, working to prevent Galen’s raids.

  After another hour of fruitless searching, Selena was made to hover in the middle of a low valley, where scorched circles marked out past campfires. A piece of cloth had snagged on a pricklethorn bush and fluttered in the breeze. As with many of these places, splits in the sides of the cliff formed natural hiding
places.

  Arren sounded irritated. There must be thousands of caves.

  And some are deep.

  I suppose we’re going to have to search them one by one.

  Unless Blixen has finally fled the Rift Valley?

  It’s possible.

  Selena was directed to travel into one of the larger caves, but could only penetrate a short distance before the darkness become absolute. The two mystics cursed, realizing it was impossible to see anything, and then she was turned back to the exit.

  The caves can’t be searched, Merin said.

  The Protector isn’t going to be pleased.

  Not necessarily. If he wants them gone . . . well, it looks like they are.

  Just because we can’t find them doesn’t mean they aren’t here, Arren said.

  Selena climbed the sky. She again swept her gaze over the entire Rift Valley. Arren and Merin were always with her, peering down into the bewildering complex of gullies and ravines.

  While the two mystics formed plans, Selena thought about Blixen. She had seen inside his mind. She knew he would never give up the fight. And Group Leader Vail wouldn’t stop until she had rescued her clan leader.

  Unbidden, Taimin’s face came to her. After a life spent with no one to look out for her, she had trusted him. She missed him. She wondered if she would ever see him again.

  Meanwhile the two mystics discussed their options. They had no choice. They would have to return another time to find something for the commander.

  While Arren and Merin conferred, Selena’s fatigued mind continued to wander. It was then that she spied movement in the distance. Four tiny figures were walking on the plain, a few miles from the Rift Valley. They were too lean to be bax, and with both suns high in the sky it was too bright and hot for skalen to be traveling. They definitely didn’t have the insect-like frames of mantoreans. Trulls had thicker bodies and broader shoulders.

  Look, Merin said.

  Humans, said Arren.

  Selena’s perception gave a sickening lurch as she was pushed beyond endurance to speed toward the four figures heading away from the Rift Valley. The humans on the plain grew in her vision. She now saw that there were two adults—a man and a woman—and a pair of children.

  She hovered directly above them while Arren and Merin inspected the group. The adults—she assumed they were husband and wife—were burdened by heavy packs. Even the children, a boy and girl, clutched straps on their shoulders to carry water sacks made of stitched leather. The group looked tired and careworn, in the middle of a long journey.

  Look at the markings on the water sacks, Arren said.

  Selena turned her attention to the black symbols written with charcoal on the two sacks. The intersecting lines were sharp and aggressive.

  Bax markings, Merin said. He came to a conclusion. They’ve been trading with the enemy.

  Undoubtedly.

  Selena couldn’t help herself. She had to speak up. You don’t know that.

  Arren snorted. Don’t be a fool, girl. The water sacks are full. They’ve just left the Rift Valley. It’s as clear as day.

  Well, at least we found something for the commander, Merin said.

  Mark the location, Arren instructed.

  Selena couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Why?

  Use your eyes. They’re traitors, Merin said, speaking as if she were a child.

  You can’t— she began.

  Arren interrupted curtly. Silence. No one asked your opinion.

  Selena experienced a sharp jolt of pain. The two mystics could hurt her mind at will. But when she saw the two children struggling under the weight of the water, and the bowed shoulders of the man and woman, she knew she had to do something. The girl was about the same age as the girl that Borg had held up by her hair.

  It’s time to go back to the tower, Arren continued. The commander won’t have any difficulty finding them. Selena, we will deal with you when we return.

  Selena began to panic. The family she was looking at didn’t deserve to die. In desperation she turned to look back at her lifeline, the connection between her awareness and her body in the tower. The white line was fainter than ever before; she had been casting for a long time.

  She remembered sitting in a cave full of skalen, across from Rei-kika. She again heard Rei-kika’s clicking voice. If you go too far or stay out of your body too long, your lifeline will bring you back. But be careful. The connection gets weaker the farther you are from your physical form. If you panic and pull too hard it can break completely. With no connection at all your body will stop breathing. You would have very little time to find your way back.

  Selena’s fate was already sealed. She might not be able to save herself.

  But she could save this family.

  She focused on her lifeline and took hold of it, which was what the two mystics were expecting her to do. Their guard was down. They had control of her casting, but her lifeline was hers alone.

  Summoning her courage, she pulled on her lifeline. Hard.

  Part of her screamed at her, telling her that what she was doing was wrong. She felt like she was putting a knife to her own throat.

  Stop! Merin cried.

  You fool! Arren shouted.

  Selena’s lifeline pulled back. It wanted her to return to her body. The tension increased. She fixed herself with one clear goal. She was going to break it. The already weak connection pulsed and wavered. She put all of her strength into her objective and heaved.

  The lifeline snapped. The white line vanished immediately.

  We have to get back! Arren shouted. Now!

  She saw the two wavering figures fly away, making all speed across the plain as they headed for their bodies. She prayed that they wouldn’t make it back to the tower before the lack of air killed them. If Arren and Merin died, the family below would live.

  Meanwhile, Selena could no longer sense any connection with her body at all. The experience was unlike anything she had felt before. She knew that something was badly, terribly wrong.

  But she had tried to do what was right. Forgetting the city, forgetting her body in the tower, she watched the family, who continued their journey utterly unaware of the sacrifice she had made. The mother turned her head to say something to her daughter. The little girl laughed.

  Despite Selena’s plight, the sight made her happy.

  All of a sudden, Rei-kika was directly in front of her.

  The shadowy silhouette of the mantorean appeared so swiftly that Selena almost cried out. Rei-kika’s body was ethereal but her triangular head was tilted as she regarded Selena with her black, multifaceted eyes. Her antennae twitched in agitation.

  I have told you before, Rei-kika said. Your casting announces itself to the world.

  It’s you, Selena said. You’re the one helping Blixen avoid the city guard.

  I know what those two humans are doing to you, but you must return to your body or you will die.

  My death will save lives. Selena looked at the mother, father, and their two children as they walked away from the Rift Valley. If not today, then tomorrow.

  I heard them call you a fool. Is that what you wish to be?

  I have no other option.

  Look, Rei-kika said. Come quickly. You don’t have long.

  Rei-kika climbed the sky and Selena traveled with her. The mantorean’s hazy form flew swiftly, urgently, until she was at the height of the tallest mountains, gazing far beyond where Selena usually searched.

  Look between the peaks. Do you see?

  Fixing her sight between two of the triangular summits, Selena saw the region where Taimin and Lars had escaped the skalen. There was something there . . . dark shapes swarming across the land.

  She realized she was looking at a multitude of figures, tiny as ants, heading toward the mountains and the Rift Valley beyond. Despite how far away they were, the hunched posture of bax was unmistakable.

  Blixen will soon have the numbers he needs, Rei-kika
said. I tried to warn you about Zorn. You have now experienced the Protector’s evil, as we all have.

  Selena knew that so many bax warriors could change the fate of the entire city. The soldiers of the city guard were deadly, but there were fewer than a hundred of them. But the people of Zorn . . .

  Blixen is not a butcher. Live, Selena. We will come. Your suffering will not last forever.

  Selena turned away from the mountains and stared in the opposite direction, toward the city.

  Fly. Fly faster than you ever have before.

  30

  Selena gasped. She took in a series of deep breaths while stars sparkled in her vision. As she tasted bile in the back of her throat, she coughed and tears formed in her eyes. One by one, the stars faded.

  Her vision was blurred but gradually her eyes refocused. The first thing she saw was Arren and Merin, seated across from her, both red-faced and panting as if they had run a race. Arren stood and reached down to his waist. A moment later a knife was in his hand.

  “You almost killed us,” he snarled. “You would have killed yourself too. And for what? Some traitors.” He shook his head. “Look at you. You’ve come back. You didn’t even have the courage to go through with it.”

  Round-faced Merin climbed to his feet and glared down at her. “She must suffer.”

  “I agree.”

  Selena was still weakened from her ordeal. There was nothing she could do as Arren clamped his palm over her wrist, holding her hand flat against the arm of the chair. Fear shot up her spine.

  Merin grabbed hold of her shoulder to pin her in place. Arren then pressed the blade of the knife to her wrist. Sweat broke out on her brow. The wiry mystic grimaced as he began to bear down. The sharp knife edge broke skin. The first drops of red blood burst free. Selena cried out.

  Loud footsteps made a clatter on the stone floor. “What’s happening here?” A strong male voice spoke curtly.

  Selena’s head jerked round. Arren and Merin were both startled to see Galen approaching. The commander’s angular face was stern and unyielding. Tall and athletic, wearing a crimson uniform emblazoned with a white tower on the breast, he looked every inch the soldier.