Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies

by Robynn Sheahan

  “Will Leathan help once we’re there?” Erynn’s focused purpose toward Shan bolstered her determination and confidence.

  “Leathan can’t wait to see you. He’s ready and waiting, and so are the children. They’ll do everything they can for you. But don’t underestimate Shan. We’ll keep your arrival secret. Don’t want to give her time to devise a strategy to keep you from seeing Jaer, or worse.”

  Erynn couldn’t restrain herself. She’d had enough of Shan’s intimidation. A threatening tone colored Erynn’s distinct words. “I think it’s time Shan learns a little more about me.”

  Aven chuffed. “I’m looking forward to that. In the meantime, don’t worry about anything but getting to Jaer, Erynn. Everyone’s safe—here at home and in Glaskra. Tiar and Whill evacuated all of our people and most of the equipment.” He stopped for a breath. “Gaden may have taken the base, but it won’t be of much use with limited transports, minimal personnel and damaged aircraft. He was so busy planning the new order of Arranon with his cohorts he didn’t have a clue what was happening right under his nose. Until it was too late. Gaden is dangerous, power mad. His belief that Dhoran has returned to his full strength has made him bold. Right now, your allies are scattered. If Gaden discovers Dhoran is not who he thinks he is . . .”

  Erynn brushed her hair from her eyes, her hand resting on her forehead. Anger boiled inside her. “I get it. Believe me—I am aware of our uncertain situation. We can take care of Gaden later, after . . . after we have Jaer back. Right now I need a way to get to Glaskra.”

  Distracted, Aven’s tone sounded annoyed. “Cace? What?”

  “Aven. Talk to me. This is my only chance. Time’s running out.” Erynn’s voice rose. “Aven?”

  The old man turned onto his side, snoring softly.

  “Cace wants to talk to you.”

  Cace’s excited voice carried over the COM. “Erynn, listen to me.”

  From the bed, the old man stirred. “What? Who’s Erynn?” He sat up and glanced around the room with rheumy brown eyes. He shrugged and lay back down, his breathing slow and regular as his head hit the pillow.

  Erynn pressed the COM tight to her ear and whispered, “Cace. Please. Be quiet.”

  “Okay. I will. But listen. Can you get to Taiystill? It’s an old military air base just outside Tamaagra, from the Korin-Arranon war. Mostly used as a museum now. They have some great old aircraft, and their pilots hang around giving talks and tours—”

  “Cace!” Erynn hissed.

  “Right. Sorry. The point is I know them. And I’m sure they’ll help you get to Glaskra. Tell them I sent you.”

  Erynn smiled. “I should have known. If anyone would have a connection with pilots, it’d be you, Cace.”

  Aven came back. “Can you do what Cace said? Can you get to the airfield?”

  “Yes.” She thought about Vars, waiting just outside. “When this is over, I owe you, and everyone else that has helped us a huge debt.”

  “I’m afraid I haven’t done much, Erynn. I’ve been watched. So has Tam. We all have. Anyone considered your friend has. It’s been like walking a thin line between two sides of a raging fire. Go. I’ll see you in Glaskra, at home.” Aven spoke in a whisper, his words coming fast. “Listen to me, Erynn. Go straight to Leathan. Do not try to see Jaer without first meeting with Leathan.” The connection ended.

  Erynn removed the COM, and instead of returning it, she slipped the earpiece in her pocket. A nagging voice in the back of her mind insisted she keep the COM. “Might need it again.” She slipped out of the room and hugged the wall until she was back in the reception area for the Emergency Unit.

  The outside entry opened and four security officers blew in with the snow. They stepped inside, toward the desk, stomping their boots and brushing ice from their coats.

  Erynn moved closer, staying tight to the wall behind the u-shaped desk.

  A woman looked up from her work. “Can I help you?”

  One of the officers produced a pocket computer, held it in his palm, and activated the screen. “Have you seen these people?” He shoved the device toward the busy woman. Erynn’s face followed by Nev’s, as he’d appeared before Dhoran, cycled in short intervals on the small screen.

  The woman glanced at the display and then around the crowded space. She shook her head and scowled. “No. Try admitting.” She pointed to a side corridor, dismissed the officers, and returned to her work.

  Erynn hurried to the stairwell, pulse pounding in her ears. She slipped the COM around her ear and whispered earnestly, “Please work, please, please, please.” She stated in a certain tone, “Trent Medical, room 837, connect.” The COM buzzed and clicked.

  A female voice answered, “Hello?”

  “Kira?”

  “This is Kira. Who—”

  “Kira. Get out. Security is here looking for us. You and Nev meet me in the parking level outside the staff lift. Hurry.”

  “Where? Erynn, I—”

  Nev’s voice came over the COM. “Erynn, where are you?”

  “Security’s passing our photos around.” Erynn paused, closed her eyes, and willed her voice to stop shaking. “Try to get the antidote. Get out. Use the staff lift. Meet me in the parking garage.”

  “We’re leaving now,” Nev whispered. “Erynn, if we aren’t there in five timnents, leave. Get to Glaskra.”

  “You’ll make it. I’m not leaving without you.” Erynn bit at her lower lip. “Hurry.” She stuffed the COM in her pocket and continued down the stairwell to the first parking level. Her ragged breaths echoed dully against the walls. “The door won’t be locked going out. I hope.” Erynn pressed the handle and shoved, and the door flew open. She stood in the glaring lights of a security transport, rounding the corner, speeding down the ramp. Erynn grabbed the stairwell door and yanked. The lock snapped tight. She gasped. “Don’t panic . . . Think . . . He didn’t see me . . . Just the door opening and closing . . . Chamelaren, remember.”

  Erynn opened the door enough to peer out the crack. Two more vehicles, red and blue lights flashing, squealed down the curved ramp. She closed the door, making sure the lock engaged. Pressed into the corner, Erynn waited.

  From above her, a door slammed, and rapid boot steps hammered against the stairs. Light bounced across the gray walls, heralding the patrol’s descent.

  “Beirig din!” Erynn muttered and eased out of the door. One transport, emergency lights flashing, sat unoccupied less than three meters away. She surveyed the immediate area and backed into deep shadows under the stairwell. “I hope you made it to the staff lift, Nev.”

  Snow swirled in a powerful gust from the street level. The stairwell door banged open. Two of the four security officers burst through. One ran up the ramp, joined by an officer from the far left of the parked vehicles. They hunched against a sustained blast of wind. The other searched between transports, making his way to the far right side of the garage, where he met with a fourth officer.

  Erynn stayed hidden. Her frantic heartbeat steadied. “They’ll make it,” she whispered, trying to convince herself. She slumped against the wall. “I shouldn’t have left them. Nev needed my help with Kira and to get the antidote.” She stiffened at a transport door slamming across the lot. “Doesn’t matter. Aven knows the poison. Byan Skye will have an antidote.” Her mood lifted and she smiled. “Jaer may be awake by the time we get there. And I’m not leaving without Nev and Kira.”

  A soft tone sounded from across the garage. The irritated voice of a female officer echoed through the cavernous space. “What? Yes. I copy, dispatch. Discontinue search. Return to station.” She walked back the way she’d come, meeting with the two returning down the ramp. She shook her head. “What the daheln was all this about? A drill? Great night for it. Our unit’s up on the street. Give us a ride?” All four hurried back to a transport and eased out of the parking area.

  Erynn waited.

  Gusts screamed and wailed, whistling down the ramp.

  Two mor
e security vehicles, emergency lights dark, eased up the ramp from the lower level and drove out into the storm.

  “Nev and Kira will make it. They have to,” Erynn whispered.

  Ice ticked against the ramp’s solid pillars. Wind howled with a constant mournful cry.

  Erynn’s breath plumed in front of her, swirling into dancing flakes and disappearing. “Nev. Where are you?” She tapped the COM still in her pocket, but without Nev having one, he couldn’t answer.

  A transport passed the entrance to the ramp above, moving slowly down the street.

  Erynn’s stomach lurched, and she envisioned Vars leaving. “No. He’ll be there, waiting for us.” She inhaled and then exhaled through pursed lips. “I hope.”

  The lift door whooshed. White light spilled over the black tarmac, but no one emerged.

  Erynn stiffened and flattened against the wall.

  “Erynn?” Nev’s quiet plea was nearly swallowed by the roar of the wind. He stepped cautiously from the lift, searching the garage.

  “Nev. I’m here.” Erynn’s ears popped, and the tingling sensation stopped. She dashed from the shadows, hurrying to Nev and Kira. “What happened? Why did they stop searching for us?”

  “Who? Security? I didn’t see anyone. Never mind. Doesn’t matter. I was able to get what we needed. Borrowed a scrub top and found the pharmacy. They never questioned me.” He smiled, pulled a small vial from his pocket, and returned it quickly. “Let’s go.” Nev had his arm around Kira, half carrying her.

  Erynn supported Kira from the other side and they hurried up the ramp into the storm, to the side of the building, and out onto the street. After a last check for security transports, they dashed across the two lanes and found the space where Vars had parked.

  Empty.

  ***

  “Did they get away?”

  “Yes, Agent Beal.”

  Agent Beal stood behind three subordinate agents at the console studying the displays. The concentration in their faces reflected in the monitors they watched. The monochrome gray and black of outside surveillance footage from the Medical Unit bathed the dark room in a silver radiance.

  “Make sure security understands. They are not to obstruct Captain Yager’s progress until the order comes from me.”

  “Yes ma’am. Should I advise Captain Erac they’re headed to Taiystill?”

  Beal tipped her head, staring at the flurry of snowflakes, mesmerized by the hypnotic effect. “No. They can’t leave in this storm. Tomorrow morning will be soon enough.”

  The door into the darkened room slid open, and light from the hallway spilled inside.

  Beal turned. “Well?”

  Vars entered and shook his head. “Erynn never showed any sign of special abilities. But Nev did let slip something about camouflage and time. Don’t know what it means, though.”

  Beal nodded. “We’ll keep the pressure on her. She’ll show her true self. She’ll have to use her abilities or risk failing to reach Jaer in time.”

  Chapter 25

  ERYNN HUNCHED HER SHOULDERS AGAINST the wind whipped snow. She rubbed her forehead and squeezed her eyes tight. “What do we do now?” She glanced up at Nev. “Looks like we’re on our own again. And Vars has our packs.” Her tone raised in pitch. “With all our stuff.” Erynn stared up at the falling snow. Flakes danced and fluttered, drifting to settle gently on the ground. “I’m beginning to wonder if Vars ever really intended to help us. Or if he had a friend with a transport, or a COM, or a component, or a business, or anything he claimed.” Her voice sounded soft and far away. “Sad.” She shook her head. “And no ride to Taiystill.”

  Nev frowned. “Taiystill?”

  A gust blasted up the canyon of buildings, knocking Kira against Erynn and Nev.

  “Never mind,” Erynn shouted over the snarl of wind. “I’ll tell you about Taiystill after we get out of the storm.”

  Nev grabbed Kira’s arm and steadied her. “We don’t need the packs anymore. You still have the credits, though. Right?” He stiffened, his eyes wide. “Tell me you still have the credits.”

  “Yes. I have them.” Erynn patted her pocket.

  Nev relaxed and nodded. “We’ll be out of here and in Glaskra soon.” He searched the streets. “I suggest we find a guest service for the night and arrange for transportation first thing in the morning.” Nev looked at Erynn. “By the way, did you contact Aven?”

  “Yes. And better—I talked with Cace.”

  Nev smiled, his affection for Cace evident in the tone of his voice. “Cace? I’m glad you talked to him, but . . . Wait. Taiystill? The old airbase?” He chuckled. “Perfect. Cace. I should’ve known.”

  “Uh, could we discuss this later? Like someplace inside and warm?” Kira’s teeth chattered and she swayed unsteadily.

  “Come on,” Nev shouted. “There are usually guest services close by for family visiting patients.”

  Kira’s voice shuddered. “There is. I saw one from my room.” She gestured up the street, her hand shaking. “That way.”

  ***

  A golden sunrise burst over a snowy landscape.

  Erynn squinted and handed the driver a credit. “Keep the change.”

  “Thanks.” He nodded absently and drove away.

  Erynn turned toward the massive building, shading her eyes. Sunshine glinted off snow piled deep on the scramble pad. Two older men, one on each side, pushed rattling bay doors apart on rusty tracks, opening the spotless interior of the hangar to reveal several aircraft—fighters at the front, all polished and shining as though they were brand new. No Interceptors, nothing that grand, but they were an encouraging sight to Erynn. Something here could take her, Nev, and Kira to Glaskra. Now, if there was a pilot on hand to fly them, they’d reach Glaskra in just a few huairs.

  Erynn’s heart felt light. The disappointment of the last couple of days slipped away. She gazed at the aircraft, focusing on an old Herk in excellent condition occupying the far corner. She muttered, “Jaer. You’re going to be okay. We’re on our way.” Erynn smiled. “You’re probably already awake, complaining about the fuss being made over you.”

  One of the men stopped, his hands gripping the doorframe. He stared at Erynn, his long gray hair fluttering in the chill breeze. “Erynn Yager,” he said, a little too much awe in his gruff voice. He chuckled. The sound rumbled from his chest. “Could you answer a question?”

  Erynn took a step back. “You know who I am?”

  “Course we know who you are. Even if Cace hadn’t called, telling us you were coming, I’d know you. Now, about that question.”

  “Sure.” Erynn dipped her head and bit at her lower lip. “What do you want to know?” She looked into his twinkling blue eyes.

  The old man grinned. “Is it true you fried a simulator?”

  Erynn’s face grew hot, the warmth creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. “Oh, that. Well. Um. Yes. I pushed the computer in the simulator past its ability and caused it to short.” She shrugged. “Screen went blank.” She ducked her head. “Control panel sparked.” Her voice lowered. “Lots of white smoke.” She crossed her arms and kicked snow with the toe of her boot. Erynn looked up and grinned.

  The old guy laughed—loud. His friend joined him. “Heard as much. Thought it was just some crazy rumor.” He turned, stuffing bare hands in his pockets. He nodded toward the other man standing across the open bay door from him. “That’s Hijak. I’m Boss.” He added, “Not our real names—our call signs.” Boss tipped his head, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening. “What’s your call sign, Yager?”

  “Me? Call sign?” Erynn’s eyes widened and she shrugged.

  The two men laughed again.

  “Well, consider this your birthday, Sparky.” Boss motioned them inside.

  Nev chuckled. “Let’s go, Sparky.”

  Erynn glared at Nev.

  Kira frowned. “Sparky? I don’t get it.”

  Hijak snorted. “Yager fried a sim.” He put his hands together and then quic
kly apart. “Sparks a’ flyin’.”

  “Cace contacted me last night. That boy knows more about aircraft and pilots than anyone I know.” Boss glanced at the fighters. A distant wistful expression clouded his eyes. “Which one do you want?”

  Erynn’s gaze darted from Boss to Hijak to the interior of the hangar. “Which one?”

  The two old men pivoted toward her, both of them smiling.

  Boss swept his arm, gesturing to their aircraft. “Which one do you want to fly to Glaskra?”

  Erynn stared at him. “You aren’t flying us?”

  Boss waved his hand. “No. We’ve been grounded. The government has an issue with our age.” He stared out at the pristine snow, and grumbled. “They tell me I’m too old.” Boss shook it off. “And speaking of the government.” he stared square at Erynn, “a CIB agent is on her way here. Don’t know whether her intention is to stop you from leaving or to wish you luck. Best you three aren’t here when she arrives.”

  Erynn stepped forward, shaking her head. “What about you and Hijak?”

  “Don’t worry about us. We’re too old to stop you three from taking what you want.” Boss gazed up at the closest fighter, its blue skin brilliant in the morning light. “It would be an honor if you would choose one and take it.” He glanced around at the pristine aircrafts. “It’s a shame for them to stay here and never feel the wind or touch the sky.”

  Erynn’s attention darted between them, catching their eager nods.

  A siren sounded in the distance.

  Nev tapped Erynn’s shoulder. “Erynn. Time to go.” He stepped forward. “Thank you. We’re grateful.”

  Erynn raced around the chosen aircraft to perform the quickest preflight check she’d ever completed—on an immaculate four-passenger T-Twenty-Seven. She’d flown one plenty of times—in a simulator. Once inside, she marveled at the flawless wood and leather interior, while strapping in and performing a quick systems check. She started the engines. A rumbling vibration answered the throaty roar.

  Boss and Hijak trotted beside the aircraft as Erynn maneuvered out the wide hangar doors and through the snow onto the scramble pad.