About the glowing trans-mat, Connal saw his elite warriors shivering with the strain of their guard duty. With faces gray-gaunt, they looked unto death, much the same as Liandra had done when he had found her in the alien prison.
“Let us through!” The older Asarian demanded.
Connal and his warriors were swept aside as the League contingent raced into the chamber. The Asarians formed a circle around the trans-mat and again using their rod devices they aimed a stream of rainbow-colored light at the machine. Sparks flew and colors flashed. Slowly, slowly, the trans-mat became encased in a beam of light.
Connal felt the hair on the back of his neck rise, not from fear, but from the powerful emanations in that room. The battle was silent, yet deadly. The Asarians were not having an easy time of it, if the expressions on their faces were anything to go by. Glancing down at Liandra, she, too, had that strange far-away look, combined with pain. He liked it not that she fought the invader when he could not.
“Quickly! The Stasis!” In response to their leader's command, two Asarians at the side of the chamber placed a silver box on each trans-mat console. A shimmering luminescent screen sprang into life, instantly blanketing the trans-mat. The electric tension in the room vanished and Connal let out the breath he had been holding.
Liandra turned to him. “It's over."
“It is?"
“The trans-mat is held in a stasis field. Nothing can escape it, nor can any use it again."
“I will have the accursed thing destroyed."
“You mustn't do that,” Liandra said.
“Do not tell me..."
The older Asarian stepped forward. “You will not. The aliens are trapped in the dimensional rift, which your machine created. You must take some responsibility for what has occurred. You have to help find a way for them to be returned to their home. Therefore, you can't destroy the machine. I won't allow it."
Connal folded his arms and regarded this man. “And just who be you to order me about in my own Castle?” he demanded.
“Con. This is Alleron Tavor. My father."
Connal felt his face flush as the Asarian stepped forward, fingertips outstretched. It was not the greeting that worried him. This man was Liandra's father! A hundred thoughts rushed through his mind. How much did he know?
Liandra's hand rested on Connal's arm, her fingers searing his flesh, further discomfiting him.
“Since you be her father, I do owe you an apology for what has been done to her,” Connal said, stiffly.
Alleron Tavor made a curious hand gesture. “Your clansman Garris has explained much. I feel I know you already.” He smiled at Connal and then at Liandra. That smile unsettled Connal even further.
For a moment the eyes of father and daughter became remote. Connal caught a faint whisper. Alleron Tavor knew everything in that instant of psychic sharing, of that he had no doubt! Damn mind-reading aliens! Connal turned on his heel and stalked back to the hall, Liandra, to his chagrin, hot on his heels.
Connal paused. People had come out of hiding and although still distressed, they were setting all to rights. Pride surged within him for the steadfastness of his household. He scanned the crowd, seeking his clan-friend.
Garris met his gaze, and in long strides the two men met in the center of the chamber and embraced long and hard.
Connal held him out at arm's length. “I thought I would never see your ugly face again!"
“I missed you too, Con!” Garris laughed. “It was a near thing for me, I owe everything to Alleron, if..."
“Garris!” Fianna flew into the hall and flung herself between the two men, laughing and crying. She kissed Garris and then slapped him hard across the face.
“Ouch!” Garris put a hand to his stinging cheek.
“That for going off-world without me. Oh my beloved. Beloved!” Sobbing, she threw her arms around him.
“Maer Garris. At last we meet,” Liandra said, joining Connal's side.
Garris extricated himself from Fianna's embrace, and bowed low before Liandra. “Aye.” He touched her fingertips in the traditional Asarian greeting. “I owe you much, Maera Liandra. Con, by the Seven Stars, the wonders I've seen! You won't believe me when I tell you."
Connal raised an eyebrow. “You speak like a damn off-worlder!"
One of the huge reptilian creatures joined their company, its claws on Liandra's shoulder. To Connal's horror and amazement she pressed her forehead to the monster's massive, scaly chest.
“Elexxessrr. I'm glad to see you,” she said.
The reptile answered in a noise that sounded very much like the hiss of a snake. Connal's fingers twitched, wanting a dagger or sword in his hand, just in case the monster turned nasty.
“We'll sweep the Castle and lands. Make sure no other aliens are trapped. I've got med-tecs ready to see to the injuries of your people,” Elexxessrr said, his slitted, glowing gaze resting upon Connal.
“Thank you,” Connal said. What else could he say to such a creature?
“Anything else, Garris?” the reptile asked.
Garris grinned. “Best ask Lord MacArran."
The creature bowed. “Maer? How can we be of assistance?”
For the first time in his adult life, Connal felt dwarfed, finding it necessary to crane his head back to meet the eyes of another. Only that someone was a thing—a giant lizard-thing, eight feet tall.
“Please, just carry on as you have been. Will you excuse me? I have personal business to attend,” Connal said. “Garris, can you tear yourself away from Fianna for a few moments?"
“Aye,” his friend said. “A few moments. I'll be back soon, darling."
Liandra watched as they stalked away, soon lost from view amid the swarming crowd in the hall.
With a squeal Bronnia launched herself into Liandra's arms, laughing and sobbing. “They said you were dead. I not believe! Not!” she cried, and then with the resilience only a child could display, Liandra thought, the little girl half turned and stared up at Elexxessrr, wonder and delight shining in her huge eyes.
“What be you?” Bronnia asked.
“My name is Elexxessrr. I'm from Saurus.” The reptile bowed formally to her.
Bronnia allowed him to lift her, so they could regard one another, eye to eye.
“You be quite a creature,” Bronnia said. She reached out to gently stroke the blue-scaled hide.
“Elexxessrr and I are old friends,” Liandra said. Turning away, she froze as she saw Connal and her father in deep conversation. What they were saying to each other? Connal had the air of a man sorely discomfited. Well, he probably had every right. Her father knew exactly what had occurred from the time of her abduction to the present moment. Even if she hadn't told Alleron he would know. She could never disguise from him the flood of emotions spiraling through her body every time Connal was near, every time she thought of him.
“Bronnia, Fianna, please come with me. I have someone for you to meet."
Liandra went to her father. “Excuse me a moment, Con.” She smiled at him, ignoring his frown at her interruption. “Bronnia, Fianna, this is my father, Alleron Tavor. Father, my friends Bronnia and Fianna MacLeod."
Her father bowed to Fianna. “Garris has spoken often of you, Maera.”
Liandra saw Fianna flush deeply as Alleron's eyes held hers in his perceptive gaze. He knelt before Bronnia and they exchanged the traditional Asarian greeting.
“Little Maera, it's my pleasure to meet you.” His eyes widened in surprise as her gaze met his. “She's an empath! A very strong one!” he said.
“She is?” Liandra asked. “I hadn't noticed."
Standing up, Alleron Tavor laughed. “She blocks herself very skillfully for one untrained. Sensing never was one of your strong points, daughter. Besides, perhaps you had distractions?"
Liandra blushed and Connal coughed as Alleron Tavor turned his piercing blue eyes on him. Connal blushed all the way to the roots of his hair.
“Are many of your people
empathic?” Alleron enquired.
“No,” Connal said.
“I disagree,” Liandra began. “Some have faint traces of it, I've sensed that much."
“Come with me, Maera Bronnia, you and I must talk.” Alleron Tavor held out his hand and Bronnia slipped her hand in his. Side by side, they left the hall.
“Now, friend, you owe me an explanation...” Connal began, turning to Garris.
Like a man coming out of a deep trance, his kin-brother regarded him with heavy-lidded eyes. Exasperated, Connal swore beneath his breath. Always the same, when Garris was with Fianna, he could get little sense out of his companion.
“What did you say, My Lord?"
“I want to know what happened to you! Why you brought these aliens to Caledonia. That for a beginning!"
“Once they freed me from that alien prison, I had no choice other than to lead them here,” Garris said. “Forgive me for that Con. Either I showed them the way, or doom Caledonia."
“You have betrayed the sacred trust put upon us by Arran himself."
“I don't think Arran would have minded, all things considered."
Connal pursed his lips. He felt like throttling Garris, but the damage was done. Somehow he had to salvage something out of the accursed mess he and his clan-brother had caused.
“How did they pierce the planet-shield?” Connal asked.
“That was the easy part. Alleron mind-linked with me..."
“He what?"
“Mind to mind, it wasn't unpleasant. The planet-shielding isn't breached, we merely bent it for a time. Through another of Alleron's mind-links, that's how the rescue party learned Caledonian so quickly. He's an amazing individual—what he can do!” Garris grinned lopsidedly. “Though having his daughter here as your guest, I've an idea you might have an inkling about Asarians."
Connal folded his arms and glared at his kinsman. “You have changed somewhat, brother."
“Aye.” Garris laughed. “I'm not the only one to change, so have you, chieftain."
“I do not know what you mean."
“Is that so? Then you surprise me."
“Not half as much as you have surprised me. Walking in here as bold as day leading these aliens to our home."
Garris’ smile faded. “It was that or have the aliens invade the League, starting with Caledonia. Our world for hundreds. Besides, ‘twas meant to be."
“It ... what?"
“You remember when you received the gift of the trans-mat? As Lord MacArran it was your place to use it first, as instructed. Only I entered it in your stead, and because of that I received a message that was meant only for you. It came from Arran himself."
Liandra looked from one man to the other, thankful that her presence had been forgotten for so long. Now, she was getting some answers.
“Arran? Arran has been dead seven hundred years."
“That's right. But the message was there. He told me that we must come out of hiding. We had our place in the galaxy; it was time for us to take it. That's why your grandfather received the star-ship and you were gifted with the trans-mat. The message was that, in secret, we must seek out Dream-weaver Tavor for help. I guess for a message that's been hanging around for seven hundred years, it was bound to go a bit awry.” Garris shrugged.
“But how was it that you heard about the Dream-weaver, Liandra Tavor?” Connal demanded.
Garris smiled. “Her reputation was well known. The trans-mat dimension had already begun to infiltrate the dreamscape. When I asked about Dream Weaver Tavor, the entity I encountered told me about Liandra."
“Entity? What entity?"
“It was a signpost, not a living being Garris encountered,” Alleron said.
“Signpost?"
Alleron spread his hands. “It's difficult to explain.” He paused. “It is a message placed in the dreamscape to give directions, or other assistance. Asarians are responsible for them."
“But how is this possible?” Connal demanded.
“Do you truly wish to hear an exhaustive analysis of the procedure? Suffice to say, Lord MacArran, that anyone entering the dreamscape and making enquiries is instantly referred in the right direction, regardless of time and space. Except the referral was to Liandra and not to myself. Yet, even though Garris was directed to the wrong Dream-weaver, I wonder whether the outcome would have worked out so well.” Alleron's gaze was all-seeing, all-knowing.
Connal shook his head. Asarian mind-readers and magic! What next?
Garris smiled. “Asarians do take some getting used to, Con. But once I received the message, I couldn't tell anyone, even if I wanted to. Arran compelled me to do this! I couldn't fight it. I didn't much enjoy his mind-control! I managed to write that letter to you. It was the hardest thing I've ever done—not to tell you, or Fia, the whole truth! So I used the trans-mat to reach the ship, only I never made it. The aliens intercepted me. And the rest, you know.” Garris shrugged.
“Are you telling me that this infernal mess was a plan?"
“Yes."
“How could Arran guess the events of the future?” Connal asked.
“Alleron and I've talked that one over, Con. We believe that for any species capable of building a trans-mat, or shield an entire world from discovery, looking into the future wouldn't be difficult. But of course, there were variables no one, even Arran, could account for. That's the way of the universe."
“I can hardly make out your Caledonian, ’tis so tainted. And you look like an Asarian in that blasted robe."
Garris scratched his head and laughed. “Aye, well the clothes I had on me when I was rescued were near to indecent. They loaned me this thing, though I'll be glad to get back into my kilt. Or perhaps—not so soon.” He glanced down at Fianna who blushed crimson. “Now, if that's all, will you excuse me? Fia and I have some catching up to do.” He and Fianna left the hall arm in arm.
“I suppose you heard everything?” Connal asked, looking at Liandra.
“I did, and some of it makes no sense."
Connal ran his hands through his hair. “Nothing today makes any sense. And now I have a headache."
Liandra smiled and stroked his arm. “I have just the thing for that."
“No you do not, My Lady Witch.” Hastily, he stepped back from her; away from the bittersweet memories of the time she had wrought her healing upon him. He could not let her touch him again. No telling what might happen if he did! “I have one question for you, counselor. Garris used the trans-mat, as you did. Each time the aliens intercepted the one making the transfer. I used it, and I arrived safely at your apartment. Why wasn't I intercepted, too?"
“It is because of who you are, Connal, I think."
“I do not understand,” he said tersely.
Liandra spread her hands in a gesture to placate. “You are MacArran. The aliens did not reckon on your strengths."
Connal shook his head. “I cannot believe that I countered the aliens when your own kind were ambushed."
“There you have it, Connal. Before we knew of the menace, we entered the dream-scape without fear, without barriers. You used the trans-mat as a last resort; you loathed it and were defensive of it, even before you stepped into the machine. Your mind blocks are formidable."
“I find your explanation simplistic."
“Sometimes explanations are just that simple.” Liandra shrugged. “Luck, too, played a part in this. And I think that when they intercepted Garris and then me, they were waiting for us. Your transfer to my apartment was unexpected. They may have tried to intercept you. Remember, they were awaiting us in force when we first dream-searched."
Connal frowned at her. “Very well, I was lucky.” He paused. “If you will excuse me, now, I have work to do and people to tend. And there be aliens in my Castle!"
Liandra watched him stalk away. As she went to follow, her father's hand on her shoulder restrained her.
“Our arrival here was not planned. They're bound to feel over-loaded. They need time to ass
imilate. And no less that man of yours."
“He's not my man,” Liandra said.
“Is that so? You can't deceive me, Liandra. Ever you have been easy for me to read when you are emotional. In that respect you are very much like your mother."
“How is she?"
“Worried sick. Especially after your message."
“I tried to reach you many times."
“I know. We tried to contact you, too. We searched and searched and that's how we found Garris. We dragged him and the other survivors out of the dimensional rift. No easy thing, it took a circle of minds to do it and Garris was more dead than alive after it was over. This man of yours, Liandra, you and he have bonded?"
“Not fully."
“Will you?"
“I don't know."
“You don't want to?"
Liandra blinked back the tears. “Of course I want to! But he does not want me!"
Alleron Tavor's eyes darkened as Liandra raced from the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
With Fianna, Garris and her father at her side, Liandra tapped on Connal's open door.
“Aye, enter.” Connal turned from where he stood at the window. He closed the curtains against the view of his people outside, swarming over the League ship.
He ushered his guests to a semi-circle of chairs arranged around the hearth. “All is set to rights?” he asked, and listened in silence as they made their reports. “And my people, the ones who were controlled by the enemy?"
“Jenna, Vanora and Fraser are quite recovered,” Liandra said.
“I find it a strange coincidence that your worst tormentors, Liandra, were those under alien control.”
Alleron Tavor spread his hands in a gesture, almost Caledonian. “Their natural dispositions made them susceptible to domination."
“How did they come to be infected?"
“Jenna was the first,” Liandra said. “Unfortunately, she can remember very little."
“Lord MacArran, many of your people have telepathic abilities. Some in greater measure than others. When the rift occurred, the aliens reached out and touched the first mind able to help them escape their prison. They chose Jenna, because her powers, although untrained, are quite powerful. Through her, others were enticed into the alien web. Now, Elion has made it his special life assignment to act as her mentor, among other things.” Alleron laughed.
Crystal Dreams Page 31
