by Reiter
“You okay?” Kethgeegan asked.
“Tumbled into a wall,” she explained. “Could’ve been a harder landing. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re that already!” Kethgeegan countered.
Their shared smile was interrupted by the photons Quilori sent into Yorlson’s body. She kept firing until a shudder washed over them as energy passed through the corridor. They could hear and feel the lock on this side of the aperture breaking.
“Well, he could still have a contingency in the works,” Quilori stated. “... but our mission has been accomplished. We can attack this side of the breach and destroy it.”
The two rode in the direction they had been directed, and it was clear where they were going. The amount of activity increased the further they went down the cave.
Valian cried out unexpectedly and the illusion he had been projecting fell.
“We will have none of your illusions here, mortal,” a voice projected to their minds. “This is MoGo! Mortals have no power here. But we will feast upon your flesh!”
“Argh!” Valian grunted, barely managing to stay on his mount. “Damn! They can see us now!”
“You got us in further than I thought we could go, Valian,” Annodia smiled. “We might as well make this–”
A wave passed through the tunnel and everything in it could feel the wave moving over and through them. The origin was the breach, and it traveled down the cave to a large cylindrical building that shimmered for a moment. The construct was off to the right, down another tunnel from where the two were headed.
“What was that?!” Annodia asked.
“They did it!” Valian said, turning his horse. “They got to Yorlson. Their anchor is done and I think it just signaled to us where the other anchor can be found. Another time, Baron.”
“Another time indeed,” Annodia agreed, turning her mount to follow Valian.
“Stop them!” a voice called out, sounding like the one they had heard in their minds.
“Now I wonder why it would want to go and do that,” Annodia quipped as the two approached the building.
Valian looked down to see the roof of the building was made like a large bowl. He smiled and looked back at Annodia.
“Jump!” he commanded. “You first.”
“About time,” she huffed, throwing her leg over her mount and dropping down.
The two landed on the upper edge of the bowl and slid down toward the center. Annodia yelled out in delight at the ride she was on.
“Ready your best punch!” Valian directed, drawing both Witch and Warlock.
“Aye,” Annodia called back, tapping her ability with Power as it formed around her hand. She combined that with another power she had come to be proficient with.
“And thank you for the example,” Valian thought, cueing Jack to read and duplicate the energy pattern building around Annodia’s body. He had already mapped Power, but he had forgotten to try and map Chi. Combining the two, Valian aimed Warlock and fired. The kick from the burst was incredible, but he maintained his grip on his weapon.
The blast struck the center of the thick crystal ceiling, cracking it in one location.
“Perfect,” Annodia thought as she set herself. She stamped her heels down, knowing it would not be enough to stop her descent. It instead lifted her from the surface of the ceiling and she flew, in full control of her body as she drew back her glowing right hand.
“Kesurgi!” she shouted as she punched down, striking the same point as Valian’s blast. The ceiling gave and the two of them fell inside.
“Uh, Valian?!” Annodia yelled as they dropped.
“What is this?!” Valian thought, beginning to drop down a wide column of open air. His mind slowed everything that was happening as his eyes took in everything around him. They fell past floor after floor of cells filled with bodies trapped in crystalline cubes. “Who are these people?!
“Like that matters!” he scoffed, holstering Warlock. “Find a way to catch us!
“And thank you, 3Ts, for sharing,” Valian thought, calling for Thomas’ control of vibrations. He knew that the studs in his armor were still making sensor sweeps of everything around him. “The enemy of my enemy just might be my friend!
“Rargh!” he cried, thrusting his sword up. Witch sent out a burst of hyper-sound.
“Thank goodness this is a solid column,” Annodia thought. “We’re traveling the wrong way down the barrel of a gun!”
Thrusting her hands down to the ground, Annodia fired two bolts of Power. The concussion of the explosion came up and slowed their descent... enough so that it was not fatal. Annodia could hear her leg and Valian’s left arm snap like twigs.
But that was not all they felt. The Power bolts also caused another wave to move through the area. The other anchor had been destroyed.
Sheathing his sword, Valian winced in pain as he rolled over, trying to remove his shoulder strap.
“No!” Annodia protested. “I won’t take it. Fly yourself out of here!”
“I am not leaving you here!”
“I feel the same way about you,” a voice said as a woman dropped down to the floor. She was barefoot when she reached the floor, but the tile cracked underneath her feet and roots pushed through, growing around the woman’s body. She stepped out of them clad in a brown silk robe. “I can’t very well leave my savior in the hands of the demons now, can I? Not when Hevana can provide wind enough for us all to fly.
“I summon the fiercest winds,” the woman called out, her voice now echoing as gusts of wind started to blow. “Deliver us from these depths!”
A bolt of lightning signaled the arrival of the wind and the three bodies were immediately lifted from the floor. Climbing up the column and out of the building, the three could see where others among the newly-liberated had begun to show their hosts how much they appreciated their captivity. One in particular was a Shatter Caster who did not seem pressed by the cost of his incantations. Every gesture he made resulted in an explosion along the capacity of Annodia’s Power and Chi strike.
The three of them flew away from the building and Valian projected to the woman the path they need to take to get back to the breach... one they could see was quickly shrinking.
“Close your eyes and hold your breath,” the woman directed, calling for even more power from the element of air. A woman’s giggle could be heard as their bodies accelerated, producing a boom just before they reached and passed through the aperture.
“Oh my,” the woman gasped. “I fear I have not brought you to a better place.”
“Perhaps not, but you have brought us home,” Valian winced, setting his sling for his arm. “Annodia?” There was a slight snapping sound and Annodia grunting before she responded.
“The leg is set and bound, my Lord,” she huffed. “I am ready to continue.”
“Oh my indeed,” the woman said, looking at the two of them. She smiled and looked back at the demon-infested coastline. “Oh well... why not. My Lord, you have gained a third to your party. Let us embrace these demons while we–”
A strafing beam of light came down from the sky, ripping through the ranks of the demons clamoring to get through the cracked dome. Each one touched cried out in pain before exploding. A second beam fired, cutting the ranks down even more. Looking up into the blackened sky, the three could see Imperial fighters and a transport making their way to the Jhormynn Estate. Standing atop the transport, holding a brightly glowing rod, was TrenGal, the Emperor of the Inner Rim. Beside him was his wife, the Empress, who looked to be working her own spell. TrenGal pointed the glowing battle wand toward the demons and fired a third beam of incredible power. It was enough to have the remaining demons conclude this assault was a lost cause, and they turned to flee.
Pelania shouted words into the sky as the darkened coverage dissipated. A gigantic net formed in front of the transport, stretching out over the mass of demons. Only the ones inside the dome and some three dozen outside managed not to get snared
in the net. TrenGal’s battle wand made short work of those not captured with a lightning spell that jumped from target to target until there were no more enemies in sight. Then the lightning jumped back, taking all it had struck into TrenGal’s wand.
The Jhormynn Family were emerging from the Estate House as the transport made its final approach. Sandra was off the ship before it landed, sprinting over to Bef’Lurro who sat beside a slightly tattered Kolinkar. He lifted his arm as if to protect himself, but it was moved out of the way and Sandra hugged him. She did the same to Hugh, pinching him on the cheek. She smacked Fessural before hugging him.
“Don’t ever fire out of sequence again, you hear me?” she said while clutching him close.
“I hear ya, Chief.”
Simio stepped off the transport, stepping around the Imperial couple and rushing over to his friend. “Okay, we need to get triage started.”
“Nonsense,” TrenGal stated, tapping his battle wand to the ground. “Imperial grounds, Imperial citizens... be restored!” From where the wand had touched the ground, the burnt earth became lush green grass. “For such is the power of the Star of Primuson to those loyal to its light!”
Valian stepped back, feeling his arm restored. Annodia did the same for her leg. The spell returned the grounds to the condition they were in before the siege, but the uniforms, armour and equipment remained as they were.
“Your Majesty,” Vaiyorl said, kneeling. TrenGal noticed that Valian’s knee touched the ground at the same time, while others were only slightly behind the first two.
“Rise, Champions of the Empire!” TrenGal directed with a bright smile forming on his face. “Rise and realize your glory!” Nothing further was needed for the men and women to begin cheering.
Valian turned to look at the woman who had made their escape possible. He took her hand and pressed his forehead to her knuckles. “My lady, I am Damsur, this is Damsel... of the Distress Estate,” he said, motioning to Annodia. “... and we are in your debt.”
“Consider it a debt paid in full... uhm...
“Sir Valian Styrke,” Annodia informed. “The First KnighT of the House of Jhormynn.”
“Oh my, what an honor,” the woman smiled as she bowed. “I was actually save by a KnighT. I am Torasettia, Silver Witch, and at your service, Sir KnighT.”
“A Witch well graced in ElemahntiA,” Valian noted.
“I am graced in many strides, my Lord, but you will come to know more in time.” She smiled, backing away from the two as she started to fade. “For now, do as your Emperor bids you. We will have so much time to speak in the near future. Until then, KnighT and able Squire.”
“Now that was a nice exit,” Annodia noted.
“Indeed it was,” Valian nodded before taking hold of Annodia and pulling her close. She gasped in surprise, looking up into his eyes. “But it’s an entrance I have in mind,” he said softly before kissing the woman.
When their lips parted, it was a moment before Annodia’s eyes opened. She licked her lips first, savoring the moment and the taste of him. “And what of Karlia?”
“What of Desh?”
“He’s got his triage,” she said dismissively.
“Good, I know where Karlia can go to mend her broken heart!” They kissed again and the celebration was only getting started.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Guysorla said, taking hold of her husband’s hand. “Letting your son show you how you’re supposed to–” Vaiyorl’s lips prevented the Duchess from saying any more.
Snorting in indifference, the Emperor was not to be outdone. Pelania smiled when her husband turned to sweep her up from the ground. They ascended as they kissed, a glow emanating from their embrace.
We don’t stop going to school when we graduate.
Carol Burnett
(VI)
(Rims Time: XI-4911.28)
As it drew closer to Winter, it grew colder in the castle in the mountain. Snow would be falling any day. To fend off the growing cold, another log was tossed onto the fire. Embers quickly embrace the wooden offering, and the fire crackled in delight.
“Tell me this gets to last,” Annodia purred, her head tucked snugly against Valian’s chest.
“Any particular ‘this’ you and I have a say at maintaining has a pretty good shot at being maintained,” Valian answered. “If not improved.”
“Ohhh, that was very good,” Annodia weighed as she moved to straddle her man. “I think you might be finally be getting a handle on this poetry thing.”
“Well, at least you’ve grown from using spiders as your signal word,” Ulreejun remarked.
“And you could knock, old man,” Annodia said, getting up from Valian with her blaster in hand. It was a smaller version of Warlock, but with matching capability.
“I can remember when it was Praeceptor or Master,” the Elder KnighT said as he walked further into the room. “Where is your Counsel?”
“Upstairs and slightly indisposed,” Valian replied.
“Actually, I am neither,” Kethgeegan said softly, coming visible with a blade tucked under the chin of Ulreejun. “Welcome to Belrayne, Master. You remember Champanna, don’t you?”
Keeping his chin still, Ulreejun shifted his eyes to see the woman half-immersed in the floor, a thin chain wrapped around Brick.
“I can see that Quilori has herself a new pupil,” Ulreejun stated.
“Spin kicks and acrobatics only get you so far in this group,” the young woman replied. “How might we be of service, Master?”
“Alright you two,” Valian chuckled. “I think the point’s been made. I am sure our Praeceptor is more than pleased with his students.”
“Damn right I am,” Ulreejun said as the weapons were removed. He leaned over to Kethgeegan to show the young man his metallic neck guard. “And remind her that chains conduct electricity just about all the time,” he whispered. Kethgeegan snorted a laugh and started shaking his head. He bowed before stepping back.
“And it happens, I came for the lot of you,” Ulreejun explained. “Well, the starting three... but I get the feeling you’re part of that package now,” he said, looking at Champanna. When she nodded to the affirmative, Ulreejun smiled. “Trust me, it would be all too easy for them to do worse.
“I need you to come to the Odelree Dominion with me.”
“The Dominion?” Valian returned. “What do I need to go there for?”
“Why, to accept the invitation of course. The one being offered to you by the Sixth Haven Order of KnighTs. That invitation comes with the properties which at one time belonged to a Master KnighT we both knew.”
Kethgeegan and Annodia gasped.
“They want to give Valian everything that used to belong to Evard?” Champanna asked.
“Everything save the title Master KnighT,” Ulreejun clarified. “That you will have to earn. And before you even try, I’ve already spoken to the Duke and the Emperor. They have both given you their blessing. In case you are wondering, neither of them said anything–”
“Because you asked them both not to,” Valian stated. He looked around the room, especially at Annodia. To say yes meant he would have his own property and not just the one consigned to him by the Duke. He would be in a better position to make his proposal then. It had been four months of bliss sharing in her love, and Valian wanted it be a lifetime. “And furthermore, if you are here to deliver the invitation, I know where you stand on the matter.
“Perhaps we should go and get dressed,” Valian said to the others as he moved toward the stairway. “Give us a moment, please, Master.”
“Take your time, Phytos,” Ulreejun smiled, reaching to the small of his back as he turned to approach Annodia. He came forward with a garnet-jeweled bracer. “I have been asked by the Duchess to deliver this to you.”
“What is this?” Annodia asked, accepting the device.
“It is an enchanted bracer,” Ulreejun. “A weapon collected in the field, I’m told. The wearer can make
constructs of garnet or even direct a beam that will imprison a target in a garnet crystal. The Duchess thought you might want to have something available to you with a lighter touch than Power Bolts.”
“I will say it again, it was her idea to go all out in our sparring session.”
The Elder KnighT chuckled. “So that was the precursor. Suddenly everything is made clear. Well then... hurry along and get dressed. We have presentations to make.”
Ulreejun walked around to the fire while the others rushed off to their rooms. He stood in front of the blaze wondering if Valian would be allowed to enjoy something so simple as a fire in his castle ever again.
** b *** t *** o *** r **
Kantren stepped back from the scrying mists, eager to know why his Mistress was smiling. “I bow to your greatness. You are oh-so-pleased and I am confused. Have we drawn closer to reclaiming the Rims or not?”
“You simply haven’t put the pieces together, Kantren,” Lirtelzi explained. “We have one major stone that is attuned to the light of MannA... we have another attuned to crystalline petrification... and we have a third locked away in a hidden place, building the power to combine the other two stones into the fool that next touches that stone.”
“And what will that do?”
“Well, thanks to the lead given by the necklace of dark shards, the one who touches the stone will have their body slowly converted into the living stone of MannA.
“Bridgestone?!” Kantren gasped. “How is that possible?!”
“Small strides, my Powerkin,” Lirtelzi smiled. “Small, precise steps, and of course... the meddling of Terrans. “Do you know what a Terran SpellCasteR would do to possess a fragment of living Bridgestone? They will destroy one another just to possess this poor fool. Their castings will leave a trail that spans every corner of the Rims! Think of what we can do with that. They will fight to possess the living form and when it becomes a thing of Bridgestone, we will use the necklace of the dark shards to cause it to explode. That explosion, woven together with all of the ambient MannA dedicated to the finding and procuring of the living stone, will create for us a doorway that we can use at will! Only sources of MajiK not involved in the search for the stone will even be able to approach it. That is our master stroke, Kantren. That is how the Vythe shall make their return!”
