He shook his head slowly.
“I am sorry, my friend, the glyphs on your arms prevent this action. When it becomes too much for you to wield it will spill out of you into your surroundings.”
“Like a pressure valve venting a line?” I said.
He nodded. “It explains why there is no poison in my body. The energy from the prism must have healed us both. Chi is life and balance. It sought out the imbalance and corrected it. In your case it was the searing. In mine it was the poison.”
I couldn’t believe it, but he was right. I could feel the energy in and around me. I felt connected. At that moment Meja began to regain consciousness and stirred.
“She’s waking up,” I said.
Meja opened her eyes and stood up, taking a defensive position. She reached for her sword but found her thigh bare of any weapon.
“Who are you? Where am I?” she said.
**********
Kenji felt the thrum of energy enclosing the tré. It would take too long to break through to avoid fighting the bladedancer. It would have to be the bladedancer. Let’s try diplomacy before bloodshed, he thought.
Rory took a defensive stance.
“Do you know why I am here?” said Kenji.
“You mean aside from impeding the capture of an enemy of the Order and permitting them to escape?”
Kenji took his iron staff and held it before him, covering his center to prevent any sudden attack.
“I am here on behalf of Aurora. The ascendants have been taken and she suspects the Harbinger may have a part in it. Is he still secure in your prison?”
Rory changed his stance somewhat. He didn’t lower his swords but he stepped back to the edge of the tré.
“As far as I know, yes,” said Rory. “I told them that was a mistake. That cell couldn’t contain the Harbinger unless he wanted it to.”
“I need to make certain this is the case. If he is aware the ascendants are on this plane…”
“He will continue his hunt,” finished Rory. He put his swords away and dropped the energy around the tré. “I still have to bring in the rogue, but this takes precedence. If the Harbinger is free, things will be complicated. Come with me.”
They headed out of the infirmary and down a corridor. Several of the Black Lotus approached and fell into formation around them.
“I cannot assist you in hunting a rogue. My orders are very clear. Assess the threat the Harbinger poses and return with the warrior,” said Kenji.
“What happened to Dante? He seemed different—I couldn’t sense him. He felt empty somehow.”
“He has been seared. In his state he does not possess access to his chi.”
“I can’t imagine what that must feel like,” said Rory.
“Hope that you never have to find out.”
Groups of Black Lotus ran past the group toward the detention area. Not a good sign, thought Kenji.
“Exercises?” said Kenji.
“Not this close to detention,” said Rory. He pulled one of the men in his group aside and gave him instructions. The Black Lotus ran down the corridor and disappeared around the corner.
Moments later the man returned to the group and spoke in hushed tones with Rory.
“Damn, how long ago?”
The man answered in a low voice.
“How many down?”
“Twenty, sir.”
Rory clenched his fist at the answer.
“Find Monique. Don’t stop for anyone or anything. This takes priority. Go now.”
“What is it?” said Kenji, fearing the worst.
“The Harbinger is free.”
SEVENTEEN
“THE AMNESIA IS temporary,” said Samir. “Monitor, my name is Samir and this is Dante, a warrior. We are your friends.”
“I don’t know you. Either of you,” she said.
“You have suffered from transference of chi on an extreme scale. One of the effects of this is memory loss. We will not harm you.”
Meja stepped back and gathered her chi, manifesting her weapon. A blue-white sword materialized in her hands. It was larger than the sword I had seen her manifest before.
“I will make certain of that,” she said, holding the sword in front of her. The sword gave off waves of energy. I could see her begin to sweat and I felt the heat from where I stood. She wavered slightly as she stood holding the weapon. Her jaw was locked tight and I could see the muscles in her neck strain against the energy coursing through her body.
“Samir,” I said under my breath. “What the hell is that? That is not her weapon. At least not the weapon I remember,” I said.
“You must get her to stop. It’s too soon after the event. If she continues wielding this weapon she will cause herself harm. Use the glyphs before it is too late.”
“Meja—” I started.
“Silence! Who sent you?”
“Devin, Devin sent me. Your brother. He wants you to come back,” I said as I closed the distance between us one step at a time.
“Devin?” She looked dazed for a moment and then snapped back and pointed the sword at me.
“Yes, Devin. He sent us and wants you safe,” I said as I managed to grab one of her hands. Her sword disappeared and I felt a rush of power shoot up my arm. She tried to break my grip but was too weak. After a momentary struggle she collapsed. I caught her before she hit the floor. I placed her as gently as I could in the center of the tré.
“What’s wrong with her?”
Samir looked pensive and checked her vitals before answering me. “This is beyond me, but I think it has something to do with the Rah Ven transfusion she was given. It seems the event caused some reaction to occur. We must see the blood healer.”
“The blood healer in the Rah Ven plane? Great, do you know how to open a portal there? Because I don’t,” I said.
“No, I do not have that ability, but I can show you how if you are willing to learn.”
I looked down at Meja. She shivered slightly and I covered her with my robe. I won’t let you die. Not while I’m still breathing.
“How can you know this and yet not be able to do it?” I demanded.
“My primary ability is to be a syllabist. My power lies in languages and words of power. However, I am also a scholar and have acquired much information about a great many subjects.”
“Isn’t there a word you can use to open a portal? There has to be one.”
“It is not that simple. To open a portal requires using a portion of your chi to create a pathway between planes. The access to my chi does not allow this. I cannot infuse my chi into something outside myself.”
I looked at him with a blank stare and then realized he was telling me he couldn’t do it.
“We’re wasting time. Show me,” I said.
He grabbed my hands and walked me through the gestures I needed to make. I had seen Meja and Sylk make similar gestures in the past so it wasn’t completely unfamiliar. Still, even with help it took several attempts before I felt confident enough to try the entire sequence.
“Again, do it again, warrior. Make it seamless and connected. When it arrives without thought, send chi into it and think of the Rah Ven plane,” said Samir as I practiced the gestures repeatedly.
“I’m ready,” I said, not feeling ready at all.
“Remember to use the power of the tré beneath us in addition to your chi. Focus on the Rah Ven plane and the portal will form before us,” he said.
This time I made the gestures and sent my chi into the motions. Golden light trailed my hands as they moved through the air. When the final gesture was finished a portal opened in front of us. I picked up Meja.
“Let’s go,” I said.
“You followed the instructions exactly?” he said, looking warily into the portal.
“I did exactly what you said. We’re running out of time and she’s burning up. Stay or go, it’s your choice, but I’m going.” I stepped into the portal and the world went white.
EIGHTEEN
THE SEMI-CIRCLE of Rah Ven stared down at Luna as she stood in the center with Kal by her side.
“Very well. As second of this pack and voice of the Alpha I decree you lone wolves and no longer part of the pack,” said Luna. Several of the Rah Ven bristled at her words, their hackles rising.
Kort laughed and then grew serious.
“You have no authority over us, pup. I will be the new leader of the pack. If you submit now I promise to kill you and your mongrel quick,” he said, looking at Kal.
“You align yourself with a traitor to the pack. Cane knew the Mikai were taking our young, killing and enslaving them for profit. A profit he shared in,” said Luna, the anger rising in her voice.
“Don’t be naïve. Cane was thinking of the future of the pack. As I am. There are forces here beyond your comprehension. What is the death of a few Rah Ven to keep our species alive?”
“We have nothing more to discuss. What are your terms?” said Luna as her body transformed. She was a large gray wolf whose coat was streaked with silver hairs along her sides.
The other Rah Ven stepped back, leaving her alone in front of Kort. Kal stepped back but kept her hand on her sword. The healer stood next to her.
“Since you enjoy upholding the old ways we will do this in the old manner. Blood for blood and from two, one,” said Kort.
The healer approached Kort.
“If this be in the old ways then its place is in the circle of claws,” she said, standing in front of Kort. “No blood will be spilled on this sacred ground.”
The next moment Kort and his group shimmered and camouflaged, disappearing from sight.
“In the circle then, ‘second’. Do not keep me waiting,” said Kort.
Luna growled a low sound full of menace.
When they left, the healer let out her breath in a long sigh while shaking her head. Luna reverted back to human form.
“What does that mean, Grandmother?” said Kal. “All that blood for blood and the rest?”
The healer spat on the ground next to her. She was cursing under her breath.
“Blood for blood and one from two. This fight be to the death. The kin of the loser shares the same fate. The whole bloodline is cleansed. We stopped this to save the pups that had no quarrel or fault,” she said as she walked to where Luna stood and put a hand on her shoulder.
“He is insane, Grandmother. One from two I can accept, but blood for blood? That hasn’t been done in ages,” said Luna. “I will not kill innocents.”
“No, you won’t,” said the healer her voice hard. “He knows that and fear he be using against you. You are the second and must deal with this. Do not forget who you are, daughter to Grawl. This must happen and it must happen with blood. If any others think you are weak they will join with Kort.”
Luna nodded. “Summon the pack, even the pups. An example must be made today and I want them all to see,” she said. “Grandmother, if I fall today…”
“You will not,” said the healer. She headed back into the house, and moments later, she came back out with a bag.
“The pack will wait for us at the circle. It be time to go.”
The three headed to the edge of the city where the circle of claws— an old, unused tré— sat as part of the town plaza. The last time it had been used, Sylk had killed Cane in it. Today another Rah Ven would die in it. In its center was the mark of the Rah Ven—a stylized fang ending in the head of a Rah Ven etched into the stone.
Kort and his group waited at the circle. Around them the pack began to gather until the circle was surrounded by Rah Ven in both human and canine form. The healer held Luna back and approached the center of the circle.
Kort, in human form, turned his head slightly and looked at the healer.
“This must not be,” said the healer. “You want to kill yourselves? I heed. You will not touch the—,”
Kort cut her off with a growl. “Quiet, bitch. Once I am done with her you will be next. You defile our race by mixing with two-legged scum. You helped create that mongrel”—he pointed at Kal—“and gave her the blood of the old ones! How dare you? Your death will be slow, old one, to pay for your crimes against the Rah Ven,” said Kort. “You are old and have outlived your usefulness.”
The healer stood unmoved by Kort’s words. She turned to walk back where Luna and Kal stood and then stopped mid-stride and faced Kort again. She spat on the ground before speaking.
“Yes, I am old, one of the oldest. I’m old enough to know when the howling madness has taken over one of our kind. So be it. Life and death are in the blood. On my word, you will sleep before I do,” said the healer as she pulled out a knife and cut her arm, allowing the blood to fall to the ground. The blood pooled at her feet and evaporated. A collective gasp was heard from around the circle.
“Illusions and tricks are the reasons we are such easy prey for those who would destroy us!” said Kort, raising his voice. “We have no need for a blood healer,” said Kort. “I will end that today. Once I am done with this ‘second’ I will deal with the false Alpha and with her father, who turned his back on all of us. It is time for a true pack leader.”
Luna entered the circle. In the center between her and Kort stood another Rah Ven, taller than most, with scars covering his arms and face. In his hands he held a large broadsword which he placed tip down before him as he spoke.
“I am Arnas, and I will be the center of this circle. This is a fight in the old tradition. The terms are blood to blood and one from two. Interference by any other than the two who are to meet in the circle will be dealt with swiftly and without mercy.” He twisted the hilt of sword while turning and looking at the crowd. “Are you in accord?” he asked looking at Kort and then at Luna. Each nodded their agreement.
“Very well. This is a Rah Ven ritual. No weapons, but otherwise no rules. Two Rah Ven enter, only one may exit. The kin of the loser will suffer the same fate through the entire bloodline. Life and death are in the blood. Are you in accord?”
Kort nodded as a smile crossed his lips. Luna, her lips set in a line hesitated.
“Are you in accord?” said Arnas facing Luna.
Luna hesitated a moment longer before nodding. Kort, still smiling, gave Luna a mock bow.
“I will take great pleasure in erasing your bloodline,” he said.
“Or I yours,” said Luna.
Kort laughed and entered the circle.
“Not today. Today begins a new day for this pack,” he said.
Arnas stepped back to the edge and raised his sword. The tip of the sword pointed to the center of the circle.
“Begin!” he said, dropping the tip of the sword to the ground. When it touched the ground, Arnas stepped back and out of the circle.
They circled each other in human form, looking for a weakness. It was the rare Rah Ven who could camouflage or time skip outside of canine form. Each wore the traditional leathers of the Rah Ven, giving them the mobility and flexibility needed in battle.
Behind them the outer circle came to life. It flared for several seconds and then dimmed. Followed by the second circle. It flared for longer and then dimmed. Luna and Kort were too focused on each other to notice. A distraction could be fatal. The third circle flared to life. This time they both noticed and jumped back.
**********
The first thing I noticed when I stepped through the portal was the large group of faces around us. I felt relief when I saw that many of them were Rah Ven.
“We did it. These are Rah Ven,” I said.
We were standing in the middle of a large tré with some kind of design in the center. Around us everyone wore an expression of surprise, fear or anger. I found Kal standing next to the old healer and headed their way when a growl shook the tré.
I turned to see a Rah Ven behind us. Its large black coat bristled with anger. Drool slowly escaped the side of its mouth and its yellow eyes pierced me. It took one step forward and stood still. Everything was silent for a
moment.
“This ritual has been violated!” said the Rah Ven. “Even in our traditions she deals with two faces. You summoned them!”
Four Rah Ven entered the circle behind the speaker. In the center of the tré stood a woman. She stood as more Rah Ven entered the circle. Her silver hair whipped around her face as she turned to face the large black Rah Ven.
“Did you fear to face me on our terms? Is this how a ‘second’ behaves when dealing with pack matters?” said Kort.
“This was not my doing, I had nothing to do—” The black-coated Rah Ven jumped over us and landed next to the woman in the center, knocking her down. “Kill them all!” he yelled.
“Samir, what did we just do?” I said under my breath as I ran to Kal and the old healer. Next to us a large man held a broadsword and struck a Rah Ven down before it could reach us.
“It would seem we interrupted an important Rah Ven ritual. Perhaps there is someone we could explain this all to,” he said as we reached Kal and the healer. The large man with the broadsword caught up to us.
“The time for explanation has passed. They just needed a reason to attack and you gave it to them,” he said as he swung his broadsword and caught a Rah Ven with the flat of the blade, sending it to the other side of the tré.
“Most of these are confused and easily dealt with but those four” —he pointed with his sword at a group of Rah Ven—“will not be convinced with words.”
Meja stirred in my arms. The last thing I needed was her coming to and wielding her chi. I ran over to Kal and the healer.
“Kal, Meja is hurt. We didn’t know where else to take her,” I said as the healer took her from my arms.
“I think she may be having a reaction to the blood she received while poisoned,” said Samir to the healer.
“I be the judge. You leave her with me,” she said as she smelled the air around Meja. “You have bigger troubles right now,” she said, pointing behind me. She stepped back into the crowd with Meja and several Rah Ven gathered around the healer in a protective circle. Kal stepped over to where I was.
Warriors of the Way-Pentalogy Page 44
