For a little while, Tharon decided to bask in the light of Sadie’s regard. She’d learn the truth only too soon.
~ ~ ~
Indaran stood at the bow of the Comali, Jasmine on one side, Daria and Khan on the other. Their monkey-bats clung to the rigging, grinning with apparent delight at their swinging perch.
The soldiers and some of the former slaves, such as Tempor, had decided to stay and fight. They walked the deck, talked in groups, or rested in their hammocks. A few practiced their sparring. Indaran glanced back toward the stern. Behind their vessel, the other two ships filled with the former captives receded in the distance, bound for Ocean’s Glory and recovery.
Ahead of them, he could see the gray-shrouded land of Louat. In a few minutes, they’d cross the invisible line marking the boundary of Ontarem’s power.
Indaran glanced above him at the lavender sky and below at the blue-green water, memorizing their beauty. So few of his memories had color, only the times since Arvintor and Jasmine freed him from the Evil One’s temple.
The closer the ship sailed to the dark landmass, the more Indaran tensed. He couldn’t help reliving that fateful day when he led three ships full of trusting people into a trap.
I can’t do it. I can’t go back. He clenched his jaw to keep the words in and grabbed the railing in front of him, gripping the wood as if to anchor himself in place. Images of the last fourteen years of captivity flashed through his mind—black and white, of course, because Ontarem had stolen the color and emotion from them.
But now, with his feelings free and unfettered, Indaran added emotion to the memories—terror, anger, shame, and helplessness—the intensity of which he never again wanted to experience.
He almost reached out to Jasmine to wrap his arms around her, feel her heart beat against his. But he couldn’t. She was in a light trance with Arvintor, the faint connection bolstered by the meditations of Daria and Khan. The plan was to let the Evil One think He controlled them and not have their ship fight the tow to His city. But once they sailed close to the small harbor, Indaran planned to use Arvintor’s strength to change their course. Hopefully, they could anchor, disembark, get up the cliff, and reach the safety of the Che-de-wah before Ontarem’s soldiers arrived to capture them.
I hadn’t thought returning would be this difficult.
The land grew bigger. The gray sky and murky dark-green ocean appeared ever closer. His breath hitched, and his heart began to thump.
Beside him, Daria drew an audible breath and clutched his arm. “I remember, brother, from my othersense dream. I remember losing you.” Her voice quivered. “When we sailed to rescue you, I felt the memory, but not as strong. Then I was focused entirely on finding you. I didn’t know what I was sailing into. Now I do.”
He slipped an arm around her.
Daria burrowed into his hug. “I don’t want to go there, Indaran. I feel like I’m six again, and I’m scared.”
Having his sister put into words what he was feeling helped Indaran lose some of his paralysis and terror. “I know, little bird,” he murmured. “I feel the same way. I’m mustering everything I have to stand here, instead of turning and running the length of the ship, diving overboard, and swimming home to Seagem.”
As he’d hoped, Daria laughed and pulled away. “I was just thinking of heading home, ship and all. Not jumping overboard. Khan’s not a good swimmer.”
Khan pulled his mate toward him. “No, I’m not,” he cheerfully agreed, tucking Daria against his body. “Grew up in a desert, remember? But if I need to keep up with you, habibti, then I’ll grow fins if I have to.”
The steely look in his brother-in-law’s dark eyes belied his teasing tone. Seeing that, Indaran had no doubt Khan meant every word.
The banter held Indaran’s terror at bay and helped loosen his leaden limbs. He gently pulled Jasmine toward him, careful not to break her trance. With his other hand, he took his sister’s.
“Take deep breaths,” he told everyone as the ship rushed into the grayness. He straightened his shoulders and braced himself.
The others followed suit.
“Here we go.”
CHAPTER NINE
Feeling a sense of anticipation, Sadie landed on the other side of the window to Zacatlan with a slight bounce on the balls of her feet. She took a deep breath. The air smelled of citrus, unlike Seagem’s salty breeze.
She heard a swish. Behind her the portal hardened, turning to stone. Except for the pattern in the blocks, outlining an arch, she’d never know the surface was anything but a wall. Certainly not a transportation device worthy of science fiction movies. Sadie turned her attention to the people in front of her.
The crowd stared, making her uncomfortable. They all wore white robes, and most looked similar, no matter their age, with pale complexions, white hair, and silver eyes. Although on closer inspection, however, a few appeared Irish with red or blond hair and green or blue eyes, some with ruddy skin.
Led by the Archpriest, everyone moved closer to Sadie. Devore stepped to her side. He had a narrow, aesthetic face and long white hair pulled back in a ponytail. His silver-gray eyes looked welcoming.
Cheta trotted away from her over to a tall, white-haired man standing in the back of the room.
The man watched Sadie with grave golden eyes in a handsome face.
Cheta sniffed around the man’s legs, her tail wagging.
He must be a good guy. Sadie gave him a friendly smile. Dogs always know.
Although about thirty people observed her, they were dwarfed by their surroundings. Unlike the outdoor temple of Yadarius, Guinheld’s was enclosed, or at least this part was. Sadie stood in a large vaulted room, with curved walls made of big blocks from a stone that sparkled like translucent marble. Some silver-leafed bushes in large urns the same color as the walls waved their branches, although Sadie didn’t feel any wind.
The room curved, and Sadie glanced up, noticing the dome shape of the building, more oblong than geodesic. It’s like being inside a egg. No pictures or decorations hung on the walls, nor could she see any windows. She wondered what lay outside the building.
The walls lightened, crystalized.
The crowd gasped. Whispers buzzed through the room.
Then the stone became transparent like windows, showing an outdoor courtyard with round beds of orange flowers. Distant white-capped mountains thrust rocky spires into the lavender sky. The temple was situated on a small hill, which sloped to egg-shaped buildings dotting the countryside. Although the scene was foreign to her, the surroundings looked very peaceful, and she couldn’t see the cause of everyone’s excitement.
Sadie glanced around, trying to figure out what had drawn a reaction from the people. But instead of looking outside, everyone stared at her, expressions of awe on their faces. She turned to Devore. “What’s going on?”
The astonished look on the Archpriest’s face smoothed away. “You are very powerful, Sadie. The othersense of several of us must combine to change the walls to an outside view.” He gave her an approving smile, which softened his austere face. “The opening ceremony was going to take place soon. You’ve saved us that chore.”
“I don’t know what you mean. All I did was wonder what it looked like outside.”
“That’s all it takes,” Devore said.
Sadie gave a slight shake of her head, not absorbing the information. “You’ll have to explain.”
A woman about Sadie’s age, wearing a white robe, stepped forward. Her strawberry blond hair curled around a square face with a determined chin and sad blue eyes. A gold trident was embroidered on the breast of the gown. The woman gave Sadie an understanding smile. “It took me some getting used to as well. My name is Wenda. I’m a priestess of Yadarius, SeaGod. I’ve only lived in Zacatlan since the invasion.”
That explains the sadness in her eyes.
“The buildings of Seagem are built of greenstone. They don’t change.” Wenda waved her hand to the walls. “These do. There is a quality
in the stone that responds to our thoughts. But only the strongest of us—the priests and priestesses—can do it, and only Devore and Archpriestess Rodna can do it by themselves. And then it takes effort. Not just a stray thought.”
Sadie grimaced. “Where I come from the walls don’t change either. At least, not by mind power.”
Wenda touched her arm. “I think you will have much to get used to here. But we will help you acclimate all we can.”
I’m in a world with seemingly real deities, mind magic, and science fiction technology. What can my sabre—a practice weapon, not even a real one—do against all that?
The tall man Cheta had singled out drew her attention. He had an attractive, careworn face with high cheekbones and a noble brow. He let Cheta sniff his hand, and then he stooped to pet the dog.
Sadie strode over to him. “I just found her.”
The man straightened and gave her a small bow.
“Her name’s Cheta. She was homeless and starving. Her owners were killed in the invasion.”
A pained expression crossed the man’s face. The tragic look in his eyes made Sadie aware he must also have lost loved ones in the destruction of Seagem. Up close she could see auburn roots in his gray hair, and she wondered why he’d bleached it.
The man extended a hand to touch the bony head of the dog. “Another to atone for,” he said cryptically, in a mournful voice.
Before Sadie could offer some words of comfort, he turned and walked through the double doors and into a garden.
With a whine, Cheta gazed after him but didn’t move to follow. Instead, the dog pressed against Sadie’s leg.
She, too, watched the man leave, wishing he’d stayed.
Devore stepped forward. “We are in dark times. The Evil One gains in power. The balance rests on a sword edge.”
At the sound of his words, goosebumps popped out on Sadie’s arms.
“We are eager to hear your story,” he continued. “But first, Priestess Wenda will show you and your companion where you may refresh yourselves.” He gestured to Wenda. “Afterward…” He gazed around the room and lifted his voice. “Peaceful Zacatlan must prepare for war. And we don’t have much time.”
~ ~ ~
Sadie and Wenda, with Cheta following, headed along the outer circle of the temple, the silence broken by the rolling sound of the luggage wheels, the click of the dog’s nails, and their footsteps. Sadie’s mind whirled, thinking about all she’d experienced in the last few hours. But foremost was the memory of Devore calling her a warrior woman.
What good is a sabre against the power of an evil dictator? Withea made a mistake. She didn’t realize my training with the sabre is for sport, not for chopping up people.
Wenda cleared her throat. “I had a difficult adjustment when I came to Zacatlan from Seagem. I can’t imagine what arriving from another world is like. Sometime, I’d enjoy learning about your home…world.”
Sadie gave her a wry smile. “On Earth, we don’t have gods and goddesses who talk to us. Many people believe in their own form of a deity. But others, like myself, do not.”
Wenda’s eyes widened. “I can’t comprehend such a thing. I miss my connection with Yadarius.”
Sadie’s interest quickened. “What happened?”
Wenda shrugged. “Yadarius was silent for weeks—even before Thaddis invaded Seagem. He turned his back on us, and we don’t know why.”
Sadie didn’t know what to make of this business with deities. “My grandmother suffered through an invasion…imprisonment because of her ethnicity and religion. My grandfather, a deeply religious man, died, but my grandmother’s strength carried her through. She lost faith in the God she’d believed in.” A wave of sadness came over her, just thinking about Bubby. “I don’t know if she felt God turned his back on her, or if God doesn’t exist. I never asked. We weren’t a religious family. Just the opposite.”
Wenda looked shocked. “Yadarius exists. He made Himself very well known to us. He loved us—all His people. I’ve felt Him, spoken with Him. He comes…came to us in our dreams. That’s why I can’t believe….” Her voice choked up.
Mass hysteria? Another magical statue? Sometimes people need a god so badly that they make one up. But Withea healed my shoulder, so maybe the deities are real. Thinking about her vision of the man chained to the throne in the ocean, Sadie put a comforting hand on Wenda’s arm. “Perhaps Yadarius didn’t leave you on purpose. Perhaps Ontarem did something to him.”
“That has occurred to us. But it’s hard to know.” Wenda covered Sadie’s hand with hers, giving it a quick squeeze before tilting her head in the direction they were supposed to go.
The two women fell into step.
“We’d never heard of Ontarem until a few weeks ago. Nor of Withea, for that matter.” Brows drawn tight, Wenda’s voice grew fierce. “And Besolet, the Goddess of our former ally, Ocean’s Glory also betrayed us. But She is punished. Deposed by Her own people and Withea accepted in Her place.”
Sadie stopped walking to stare at Wenda in astonishment. “How could you not know about them? Especially with those magical windows. Don’t you communicate between your cities—share your cultures?”
“Yadarius never said anything about either deity. The SeaGod lives in the present, not the past. He was the God of the ocean creatures before He became ours. He doesn’t pay much attention to what happens on land, except for the peninsula that is…was…Seagem.” Her voice trailed off.
“And Guinheld,” Sadie prompted.
“Guinheld is a very withdrawn Goddess. She focuses solely on Her people to the exclusion of the rest of Kimtair. Few visit Her country. Fewer still ever leave. Sometimes our Archpriestess Anza or Archpriest Caifed would talk to Devore or Archpriestess Rodna through the temple window. But I’d never spoken to someone from Zacatlan until I came to this country.”
“That window’s convenient.”
“If that window didn’t exist, I would be dead or enslaved. When Thaddis invaded…when the temple was about to be overrun, we of the priesthood waited until the last moment, beseeching Yadarius for deliverance. Caifed ordered us to flee through the window. Of the three hundred or so priests and priestesses of Yadarius, only a quarter made it through.” She obviously strove for a lighter tone. “During the invasion, many people took refuge in the temple. Early on, Caifed sent them through the window to Zacatlan. There are about six hundred of us total from Seagem—some part of home that’s very comforting when we’re all together.”
By unspoken consent, the two women resumed their walk. The dog followed at Sadie’s heels.
Wenda picked up where she’d left off. “As for Withea, the Goddess was powerless, dead almost—although our Deities can’t completely die—until our Princess Daria and her new consort, another outworlder like you...awakened Her. Like you, those two are very powerful.”
“Another outworlder?” Sadie’s heartbeat quickened at the thought of not being the only person from Earth in this place. “Do you know where he’s from?”
Wenda shook her head. “I gather the outworlder became Withea’s priest. Withea’s the one who told us that centuries ago Ontarem attacked Her city and destroyed Her people, which rendered Her powerless.”
“Why would that make Her powerless?”
“Our Deities receive a type of...energy from the worship of their people.”
Symbiosis. Sadie wrinkled her nose at the idea.
Wanda must have guessed her thoughts. “Our Gods and Goddess don’t take from us. We give to Them gladly.” The priestess paused. “From what we have learned of Ontarem, He takes.”
“How have you learned so much about Ontarem?”
“When Withea punished Thaddis for invading Her realm and trying to kidnap Princess Daria and kill her consort, the Goddess also took his memories.” Wenda’s voice changed when she said the name of the former king. She practically spat out the word. “That’s how we know so much about Ontarem.”
“Thaddis sounds like a m
onster.”
“Yes.” Wenda took some deep breaths. “I must center myself. The thought of Thaddis still brings up so much rage.”
In a silent show of support, Sadie allowed her breathing to deepen, matching Wenda’s.
The priestess noticed and smiled at Sadie. “We also received good news. We thought our princess was captured or dead, and we mourned her along with the loss of the rest of the royal family—King Iceros and our three princes. But Daria lives and is free. She defeated Thaddis. We have rejoiced at the news. We hope someday to vanquish Ontarem and return home, with the princess crowned as our queen.” A look of sorrow crossed Wenda face. “And bring home the ones taken captive by the seadogs.”
“Your family?”
“My husband, Min. He’s a priest. I know he lives because I feel his heartline connection.” She pressed her lips together. “I worry about what he’s enduring. What they’re all going through.”
Heartline connection? Before Sadie could ask, Wenda made a get-down motion with her hand. “It’s almost meditation time.”
“What’s that?”
“When we hear the sound of the six chimes, we stop what we’re doing and sit or kneel on the ground. It’s personal preference. Like this.” Wenda sank gracefully to the ground in a cross-legged position, her robe pooling around her legs. She set the backpack on the floor next to her and placed her hands in her lap, palms up in a classic mediation pose. “Or this.” She moved to her knees and prostrated herself in a low bow.
Sadie set the suitcase upright, laid the travel case on the floor, and lowered herself to sit cross-legged. “Do you face a certain direction?”
“No. The Goddess is everywhere around us. So, we scatter every which way.” Wenda circled a hand around her head. “Toward a statue of the Goddess if we’re near one.”
Cheta dropped to her haunches and licked Sadie’s face.
Sadie laughed, put her arm around the dog, and hugged her. Then she patted the floor and visualized the dog lying down next to her.
Cheta gave one more swipe of her tongue that Sadie ducked away from. Then with a grunt, the dog collapsed to the floor and put her head on her paws.
Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) Page 10
