Eyes of the Alchemist

by Janet Woods

  Then she spied her wishing dish on a shelf. Filling it with water from the ewer she gazed into its depths. Someone must have shaped her hair whilst she slept. She touched the delicate, tendrils that curled around her face and neck. It reminded her of the flower’s petals.

  Her eyes glittered in the faint light, like ice. She shivered, remembering how cold she’d been in the tomb. Fear stroked a bony finger against her heart. Where was Kavan? He must have gone after Finn.

  She touched the water, sending ripples scudding across. Her mind concentrated on Kavan. When the ripples cleared she saw him. His back to the rocks, he’d drawn his sword to fend off some mountain cats circling him.

  It looked like the foot of his dreaming place – but no, it couldn’t be. The rocks were not solid, she could see darkness through them. He’d found a way into the chimera world and was going to deal with Finn on his own territory.

  “My dear, brave idiot,” she whispered. “You don’t know what forces you’re up against. A thrill of horror shot through her when one of the mountain cats launched itself from the rock above him.

  He was not quite quick enough. He cut it in half, but not before it had raked sharp claws down his face. Before the other cats had time to attack she wished them away. A black, ragged hole appeared at his feet. He teetered on the edge for a few moments then stepped backwards to safety.

  Blood poured from his wounds. If she was there she could heal them. If she was there she could add her own poor magic to his bravery to defeat Finn . . .

  She made another wish, and a few tix later was dressed like a trooper. She hoped she wouldn’t have to use the sword. What had seemed easy in Kavan’s hands was clumsy in hers, even in a scaled-down state. She patted the hilt of the dagger, feeling uneasy at the thought of a blade sliding into flesh.

  Everything seemed to jingle and clink as she moved towards the door. She clicked her fingers under the guard’s nose and walked past him. Gaining the outside courtyard was easy. Challenged by another guard, she mesmerized him too. He opened the side gate and allowed her through.

  The warning half-light was evident on the horizon. It looked as though it had come to stay. Tiana liked the thought of a softer approach into day and night – and hoped the sibling gods did indeed use it to catch up with news of the other.

  She didn’t notice Javros detach himself from the shadows to follow after her. The village was quiet, the occasional snore or the cry of a baby needing to suckle were the only sounds to be heard. She quickened her pace, leaving the village behind, and had just reached the lake when she stumbled over a fallen body.

  The dim light showed her the face of Torma. He was alive and breathing normally, but no amount of shaking would awaken him. A pity, he could have given her news of Kavan. She left him there, skirted the lake and began to climb, intuitively aware now that she was being followed.

  Let them follow, she thought. Nothing anyone could do would keep her from Kavan’s side, and she had a perfect place in mind to set her ambush.

  Behind her, and as silent as a cat, came Javros, who paused for a moment to relieve Torma of the stun-gun. He’d just gained entrance to the cave through the tunnel when sharp, cold steel pricked against his jugular.

  “Make one move towards your weapons and you won’t live to regret it,” she hissed.

  “How did you know when I made no sound?” he queried, sounding more amused than alarmed by her ferocity.

  “I sensed your presence, Javros.” She could hear her voice shaking – but clearer still came the message from his mind, and there was no hostility or threat in him.

  “Lady, you do not have the will to kill a man”

  “You possess the high sense, Javros?”

  “Aye. I’m no threat, I seek only to protect you.”

  When she removed the dagger he bowed before her, his hand pressed over his heart. “My life is yours, Lady Tiana. Kill me and I will go to my grave loving you.”

  “You must have known I was aware of you following me if you have the high sense.”

  “Truly, you’re a wonder at concealing yours.” Laughter filled his voice. “Do I have your permission to straighten, little trooper? My neck is beginning to ache.”

  “You do not have permission to tease me, Javros.”

  “You have my promise.” He straightened and gazed into her eyes, smiling at her attempt to mesmerize him. He was impervious to it. “My lord would not like you to be abroad without protection.”

  “He’s in the chimera worlds. I go to find him.”

  He nodded. “I know of the place. The alchemist took me there once when I was small. He wanted me to join him.”

  “Why didn’t you, Javros?”

  “It didn’t seem right, and I quite liked my own world. Besides, I knew I’d miss my family and friends and wanted with all my heart to be a trooper.”

  “Have you regretted it?”

  Smoothly, he said. “Of late, when I was foolish and headstrong and chose to believe only half the truth.” He shrugged. “My Lord spared my life because of your intervention.”

  “I’m glad,” she said. “There’s something you should know. The spirit of the alchemist is really that of Finn, the apprentice. He means us all to perish.”

  Javros seemed unsurprised by her revelation. “Then we will not allow him to proceed with his plan.” His glance touched on her hair and his smile was more intimate than it should have been. “It suits you well, lady.”

  “You are too much admiring of me, Javros. Your Lord would not like it.”

  Javros’ smile lit his face up with mischief. “My Lord is not here to admire you himself, so I do so on his behalf. Besides, my admiration stems from an affection of great purity. It emerges from my heart as if we were kin, and joined by a blood bond.”

  She felt it also, but thought it better not to encourage him along his line of thinking. Instead, she laughed. “You’re incorrigible, Javros. Now, let’s not waste time on any more pretty talk, but let us try and get into the chimera world.”

  Javros took her hands in his. “It’s easy, little trooper. Look into my eyes. We’ll join forces and be twice as strong.”

  Green eyes met green, his with a darker, disturbing core. His high sense was more powerful than hers, she discovered, as together they melted through the rock.

  Chapter Eleven

  The chimera worlds had no substance. The castle Finn had created was missing a turret, the space filled by an ominous blackness that made Tiana uneasy.

  She clutched the hand of Javros a little tighter as they set off towards it. Yet the sound of their voices comforted her in this shifting landscape.

  “Can you feel the pull of it?” she asked.

  “The gravity makes the black hole strong, but there’s something beyond that, a pull on the senses as if someone knows we are here and is trying to make contact.”

  “I wonder if it’s Finn.”

  “No . . . I can sense him in another world.”

  A smile came and she surged forward, pulling him along after her. “Then it’s Santo. He must be meditating.”

  He jerked her to a halt. “Santo?”

  “He went into the chimera to be apprenticed to the alchemist. Once he learns about Finn he’ll join with us and make us stronger. Kavan may have already been in touch with him.”

  “His loyalty will be sworn to the pretender.”

  “No Javros. His allegiance lies with the Grand Alchemist, as does mine.”

  His eyes touched against her, almost defensive. “You give your trust too easily.”

  Her smile gently teased him. “Kavan said exactly the same thing. There is much of the cynic in both of you.”

  Sadness touched his eyes. “He’s been betrayed by those closest to him, as have I. You should listen to our Lord. He is wise.”

  “Too wise to execute you Javros. He listens to his instinct, and so do I.” She squeezed his hand, wondering what it was about him that pricked uneasily at her. Was it the easy way he had,
so she felt she was linked to him at a deeper level? She couldn’t really read him, yet found much to admire and like in him, as if he’d woven a subtle spell around her. She wondered . . . had he?

  He turned and smiled, his eyes steady against hers. She was being foolish. His eyes were sincere, trustworthy. There was moment of understanding between them. He read her mind, that was all. Her smile mirrored the shame she felt for doubting him.

  He suggested. “Let’s err on the side of caution and test Santo’s allegiance. Can you enter into his meditation and make our presence known to him?”

  “I can try, but people meditate a different levels and Santo has abilities beyond the normal range. In fact, Santo was deeper than she’d ever imagined, and it was a struggle to reach him. Her heart pounded against her chest, her eardrums vibrated from the pressure and her lungs were so constricted she found it difficult to take a breath.

  Pain pounded against her head and blackness edged in on her. “Santo?” she gasped, her head feeling as if it were about to shatter. “I need help.”

  “I’m going to push you back up, Tiana, there’s danger for you here.”

  She found herself in a comfortable place and rested. Gradually, the pain left her.

  “Who is the one with you who thinks so well of himself?” Santo said, a few heartbeats later.

  She started. It was an accurate observation. “It must be Javros.”

  “Hmmm . . . he has a powerful aura and his high sense comes from a genetic link to your sire. The stealth he used to enter into the meditation could have robbed you of your wits. Hold fast while I eject him.”

  She felt slightly intimidated, and disappointed by the small deceit. “I’m surprised Javros used my mind.”

  “An easy trick, but dangerous in the hands of the layman. Go back to him, I wish to observe his reaction.”

  Javros was rubbing his neck. He stared at her, pale-faced and contrite. Examining the reproachful expression she wore he knelt to kiss the hem of her cloak. “Your pardon, lady. Kavan wouldn’t have liked you to go in unguarded on this occasion. What did Santo mean about genetic link? Related in what way?”

  Startled when Santo materialized before them, Javros leaped to his feet, shielded her body and drew his sword.

  Tiana pushed him aside. “It’s not necessary to attack everything that moves, Javros.”

  Javros was subjected to a slim smile from Santo. “Tiana has nothing to fear from me, but if you do that to her again I’ll send you somewhere you won’t enjoy.”

  “I didn’t know it was dangerous until you ejected me. That was a powerful jolt you gave me. My ears nearly exploded from it. I think I’d rather have you as friend than foe.”

  The two touched hands and smiled.

  “You feel the pull of kinship, but you cannot believe what your eyes and heart tell you. You must ask your mother the truth of your relationship.”

  “If I wait that long I may never know. I’m here to rescue my Lord and protect his lady. It’s possible I may perish in the process.”

  Santo grinned. “Probable, if you stay in that spot.” Ignoring the sword he pulled them forward. A hole opened up where they’d been standing. Joined, their combined high sense was powerful force that surged back and forth between them. Thoughts darted between them like quicksilver until it became a contest. Soon, they were all laughing.

  “If only we were one body,” Tiana said.

  They exchanged glances and grinned when Santo mused. “It wouldn’t be hard, but whose body? Finn will know I’m his adversary by now and will be watching out for me so he can regain control.”

  “Kavan doesn’t trust me and he has a mighty sword arm.” Javros winced at the thought. “He will welcome Tiana, though, and strive to defend her.”

  “Finn has a sneaking regard for her, he’d not expect physical force from her.”

  “That cringing cur left me to die,” she snapped.

  “Finn could have killed you with one spell. He knew Kavan would eventually rescue you. Yours will be the best body to use. It will give us the element of surprise. Join hands and close your eyes. It won’t hurt.”

  Tiana found herself standing alone, her body experiencing a strength it had never possessed. Clearly in her head, three minds operated. It was a novelty.

  Which way do we go, Santo?

  To the left, always go to the left.

  She started out, taking long strides that covered the ground quickly, but which soon robbed her of breath. After a while she called a halt and bent double to ease the stitch in her side. She laughed. You must remember this is a smaller body than you’re used to, Javros. Slow down, we’ve had no practice at being one and I've had no practice at being a trooper and cannot stride as fast as you. You are wearing me out.

  * * * *

  Kavan washed the blood from his face in a nearby stream. He gazed around him. The road he’d travelled had decayed and the gap was too wide to cross. To his left, his dreaming mountain loomed upwards. It was reputed to be unassailable. He grinned to himself. He’d scaled it on several occasions when he’d been growing up. His stepfather had known the secret ways of it, and had revealed both the dreaming place and his quest to him.

  As was usual, he reveled in the exercise of climbing, but when he had reason to look down he quaked at the sight of the mountain crumbling behind him. The darkness rotated into a core so dense the pressure of it crushed heavily against his body. Redoubling his efforts, he reached the summit and scrambled recklessly down the other side, side-stepping the decay with an adroitness born from necessity. He reached a crossroad and as he took the road to the left the mountain disappeared into the void. It sucked at his heels like the mouth of a hungry leech.

  The road curved to the left, and soon the chasm was left behind. The gap to the next world was taken in one stride. He paused to take a breath. In front of him stretched the northern reaches, stark and beautiful. Here, was where his toughest troops patrolled.

  His anger against the youth all but spent, Kavan thought. A shame to send Javros here. It was natural he would feel upset about his sire’s death – and a coward wouldn’t have even thought of challenging him. He shrugged. To overlook such a flagrant act would be bad for discipline. The rest of the troop would resent it and might carry out retribution on the recalcitrant trooper. Banishment would not be forever, and like Torma had said, it would make a man of Javros.

  He took another left fork and broke into a comfortable jog. All the same, Javros had made a good impression on the Truarc with his fine ways – impression enough to be accepted as an advisor to The High One from what he’d overheard when they’d come through the portal. A frown furrowed his forehead. The youth’s vanity was still intact and he had become almost intolerable. Guided by his mother, Javros had formed too high an opinion of himself.

  Deep in thought, Kavan didn’t see the dark patch in the road ahead until his leg gave under him. Pitching forward, he sprawled across the gap. His leg felt as though it was being twisted from his body. Without much effect he pitted his strength against the gravity. Small pieces broke away from under him to fly off into the darkness. He swore loudly.

  A mocking cackle came from above him. “You’re not so strong as you thought, are you, my mighty Lord?”

  Gritting his teeth, Kavan pushed his hands against the surface of the road. Blood pumped into his arms, his muscles swelled but his trapped leg remained firmly gripped in the void. His boot was gradually inching down his calf, too.

  Finn came to squat beside him. Beard-bells jingling, he cocked his head to one side and regarded him gravely. Gravity pulled at his beard, so it was tugged towards the hole. “You really are a nuisance, Kavan. I wasn’t quite ready to leave Cabrilan, but now I shall have to.”

  Risking his tenuous grip, Kavan grabbed the end of the beard and pulled Finn’s head down. He stared into Finn’s eyes with all the ferocity he could muster, impervious to the other’s attempt to gain control of his will.

  “What manner of man
are you?” Finn whispered.

  Kavan ignored his question . . . that the augur had yet to reveal to him. “You leave and you’ll take me with you. I’ll follow you until the end of time.”

  Fear flickered in Finn’s eyes, then his nails lengthened into sharpened claws. They hooked towards Kavan’s eyes.”

  “Don’t you dare,” Tiana shouted, and her sword slashed down across Finn’s wrist. The severed hands crawled towards her and started to claw their way up her legs. She shuddered and danced backwards, slapping at them. The hands disintegrated into shreds of slime. Finn cackled with laughter and sprouted a new pair.

  She looked wonderful, but fear for her safety pushed the smile from Kavan’s face. “What are you doing abroad dressed as one of my troopers? Go home, woman. It’s dangerous here.”

  Her body still shuddered at the act she’d just performed. Her face was bone-white. “Javros,” she whispered, “You shouldn’t have done that, I think I’m going to be sick.”

  “Javros?” Kavan glanced about him. Either she was hallucinating or she was a figment of Finn’s mind brought in to distract him.

  But Finn seemed to be just as confused as he. A pink tongue darted out to lick nervously at his lips when Tiana seemed to split into three. Santo and Javros appeared and Tiana dry retched.

  A small glass of liquid appeared in Santo’s hand. “Drink this. It will strengthen you.”

  She swallowed it in one gulp. Suddenly her eyes widened, she gasped and gave a violent shudder. Color returned to her face in a rush. “Son of a mud-sucking toad! Sting of a rapier wasp! That was the most disgusting concoction I’ve ever tasted,” she shouted at Santo. “You could have warned me.”

  Santo grinned, and Kavan, glad he wasn’t on the receiving end for once, grinned twice as widely, until his boot slid from his leg and went flying off into the darkness.

  He felt as though his leg was being torn off from the hip, as well. The beard grasped in his hand gave way. Under his body a piece of road broke off. His other leg was sucked into the hole. He began to slide. Finn did a backwards flip and disappeared. Javros threw himself flat on his stomach and caught him under the arms, stopping his downward motion. “What the hell are you doing here?” Kavan growled. “You’re supposed to be on your way to the north.”