by David Wind
Mikaal pressed his lips together in an effort to stop their tingling. You’re welcome, Princess. He stood, caught Areenna’s hand and helped her to her feet.
“Now that we know controlling our magic is something we must do for each other, let’s figure out how to get out of here.” He moved to the center of the outline, braced his legs wide, and pressed his palms to the wall.
Areenna watched, puzzled. “What are you doing?”
“Preparing to use your ability to lift and move.”
This time Areenna laughed. “You understand better than any other man how women think, but you still know so little.”
Lowering his hands, he turned to face her. “What does that mean?”
You are still thinking like a man. You would use force when you know not what lies on the other side.
You would do… what?
Smiling, she stepped passed him, found the center of the frame and, still looking at him, knocked several times. “Ask to be let in, of course.” He stared at her and waited.
When a full minute passed, he stepped close to the wall. “Can we do it my way now?”
Before she could answer, the sound of metal clicking on metal rang in the chamber. A heartbeat later, the door swung outward. Twenty feet away, two armored women stood with drawn swords.
<><><>
Seconds after the Master grasped her shoulder, and the swirling gray mist cleared, Lessig stood near the shoreline that bordered the badlands separating Llawnroc from Aldimor, on the Aldimor side. Gathered behind her were several thousand of her short, long armed creatures, each holding weapons. Whatever they had once been—whatever mutation had turned them into what they were today—made them easy prey for Lessig to control and manipulate.
Off to the western side, waited three thousand exiles under her control, led by a dozen Women of Power she had trained for this purpose. She’d spent a decade hidden from everyone except her Master, collecting both the creatures and the exiles in order to bring this moment to reality. Ten years was part of the price paid to be elevated to the Circle of Afzal and to eventually control all of Nevaeh in the name of Afzal.
Spread out on the water for a half mile, the second fleet of the Dark Masters vomited out its cargo of ghazi warriors who, after sliding down the ropes, raced from the shallow landing waters to form ranks on the dry section just beyond the landing site.
As The Masters of the southern fleet had, two of the three Masters controlling this part of the fleet flanked her, while the third remained on the flagship, overseeing the disembarking of the soulless ghazi.
Well done, Lessig. At her right side, the Dark Master nodded toward the fighters the Afzaleem had provided. In five days, our armies will enter Freemorn. You will take your fighters and join them. From there to Tolemac will you go. You are a vital part of the Circle, for your role is one of importance in destroying Tolemac, and ending the reign of Roth.
<><><>
Mikaal stared at the two women. Tall and broad, their swords held in two-handed grips, Mikaal knew they were battle ready. Their eyes were on him alone. A second later, there was a strike at his mind. He raised his shield instantly, stopping whomever was attacking him, and drew his sword.
The sound of the metal leaving its sheath was loud in the narrow space. He took a step forward. I sensed a… probe. One of them? Did you feel it?
Areenna heard him, but as she stared at the two women, a shock of recognition rippled through her. Recognizing the woman on the left, she stopped dead in her tracks. Impossible! She shook her head, trying to clear the unimaginable sight.
Mikaal’s words broke through her consciousness and she grasped his forearm. I sense nothing… Wait! Think of what you do. Sheath your sword.
Mikaal glanced from Areenna to the two warriors and closed his eyes. He dug into the memories of the tests he had passed the first time. What was it?
The memory surfaced, reminding him of the warrior he’d faced in the ruins, at the tip of the Island, almost a year before. In that moment, he understood the true meaning of The Speaker’s warning when she’d opened the passage across the glass surface.
Mikaal sheathed his sword and stepped back to allow Areenna to lead the way. When Areenna took the first step, the two warriors lowered their swords and sheathed them. Each turned and put their backs against the wall. The entry they guarded opened and a light, more powerful than any nightmoss, illuminated the passageway.
Areenna reached back for Mikaal’s hand and, grasping it, started them forward. I could not tell you what I knew instinctively, for like the first time, you had to do this yourself.
If I had not?
Areenna kept her eyes still on the warrior on the left. Of that, there was no chance.
You have much faith in me.
More than faith.
When they reached the women, Areenna stopped. She turned to the woman she knew, and looked into her dark blue eyes. “I have missed you much, Nosila, these past years.”
The woman stared as if she had not heard her. Mikaal squeezed Areenna’s hand, and at the pressure, she turned from the woman to face the opening before them.
You know her?
I grew up with her, she went to the Island two years ago, but never returned. She recognized me not.
Or she could not respond: We will learn more.
“Yes, we will.” Areenna squinted and, as she adjusted to the brightness, gasped. The walls rose from the floor in a smooth perfect curve, meeting in the center above. Not unlike the entrance to a snuck’s nest, this was an almost circular tunnel with the center of the floor, the only flat area.
At the exact same instant, the two woman blinked out of existence and the probe struck Mikaal. This time, with such force he staggered, his hands went to his head when the probe broke through his shield. “I…”
Next to him, Areenna felt the attack as deeply as Mikaal and created her own block, drawing Mikaal into it. Work with me.
Mikaal, his eyes shut, his hands balled into fists digging against his temples, fought against the probing mind as he joined with Areenna. He gasped a breath as the block solidified. My shield failed.
“I—” The world exploded in a blast of red and yellow, lifting and slamming them backwards into a darkening whirlpool until, seconds later, a curtain closed over their minds.
<><><>
“You are absolutely certain?” Roth asked the two women.
“We are,” Enaid said, while Neleh looked closely at the map spread across the table.
Roth shook his head. “If this is their plan, then Freemorn cannot stand against them. How did you learn of this?”
“Three Women of Power came from Aldimor with a message from Areenna. The second fleet will land near the border between the wastelands and Aldimor. Lessig has thousands waiting there, both her creatures and exiles.” Enaid pointed to where the women had come from, and where the landings would be.
“Sirod uncovered a spy in Freemorn. A woman of low power. She was able to probe her mind. The woman’s mission was to relay all the defenses of Caymir. Sirod learned they will attack Freemorn with the forces of the first fleet and with Lessig’s creatures as well.”
“Freemorn will not survive a day,” Roth’s fist slammed into the table. “We’ll lose Nosaj and all his people.”
“They will not fall so quickly.” Neleh’s voice was low, but something in it made Roth look at her.
“How can they survive an army of twenty-five thousand?”
Neleh held Roth’s gaze for a few seconds before she divulged, “Because The People will be there. They will hold the keep safe for many days. They will slow this dark army.”
“How can they possibly—”
Enaid slapped the table with an open hand. “How can you ask? Twenty-five years have you lived in Nevaeh. Twenty-five years have you spent becoming who you are. Have you not learned that what happens in Nevaeh does not follow your laws old of nature?”
“Enaid…”
“No! Nele
h, explain what you have in mind.”
Neleh’s tongue flicked out to moisten her lips. She took a preparatory breath. “My people were sent here with a single purpose, to await the time they would be called forth to aid and to defend this world from what is happening.”
“My mother began my training as Woman of the Village, five years ago. For the past years, I have been learning the history of my people, from the time of the elder, who led The People from our original home to where we were found by Mikaal and Areenna, as was written.”
Neleh closed her eyes for a moment. “There are five hundred adult men and women of The People. Each one knows what they are to do in the defense of Nevaeh. Half of The People will stay in Freemorn, half go to Tolemac. Those who remain in Freemorn will hold off the dark army for as many days as possible.”
“Neleh, it will be impossible to stop a horde such as the ghazi will bring.”
Neleh met the high king’s gaze without blinking. “They will not be able to stop them; but they will be able to hold them occupied. It will not be the first time my people have done this.”
Roth straightened, he looked at Neleh for so long that Enaid reached out to touch him and change his focus. The instant her fingers touched his hand he shook himself.
“If what I believe is correct, then I know they have done so, Neleh, for I have heard the stories since my childhood.”
Her eyes took a deeper yellow glow with his words. “I know not why you do, but I believe you. It is your time to believe my mother and me. The People will hold Caymir for as long as possible. The Dark Ones will not find it easy to overrun the keep.”
Roth turned to his wife, who was staring at him, a strange look on her face. “You must send a message to Nosaj, tell him he has to send everyone: every man, woman, and child to Tolemac, leave but The People and his guard.”
“I will send such to Sirod. She will give the details to Nosaj. You know he will not leave?”
“I know,” he whispered. “Send the message, quickly.”
“I leave in the morning,” Neleh said.
Again, Roth stiffened. “Where?”
“To meet Areenna and Mikaal.”
Before he could question her further, Enaid interrupted. “I will explain later.”
Roth shrugged. “What else could I expect? Neleh, you are to take one of my Sixes.”
Neleh looked at Enaid, and, without a word, left the chamber.
“What just happened?”
Enaid chuckled. “Neleh happened. She takes no one with her, other than the aoutems. Solomon, this is the way it must be.”
“We’ll discuss all of this later, when we need not worry about interruption.”
Enaid nodded. “As you say, My Lord.”
Roth shook his head. “What of this barrier Jalil spoke of? Have they done this?”
Enaid closed her eyes and pushed her senses outward. She met no resistance. “No. Neleh said we have four days remaining. Perhaps five.”
He glanced at the map. “If you and Neleh are correct, four or five of the upper domains’ fighters will reach us before the barrier closes, and Elyl will bring the exiles...if he can. Do you think Neleh’s people will hold them long enough?”
Enaid met her husband’s eyes. “They must.” Her eyes widened, she turned, and looked out the window. “I need get word to Layra. She must be here, and Ilsraeth. We must have them with us before the attack.”
“Atir?”
“Never will she leave Namron alone to face The Masters. But her daughter Laira… perhaps.”
“Send the messages; be sure they comprehend the need to move quickly.”
“I will make certain.” Enaid stiffened suddenly. Her brows furrowed and then straightened. She exhaled softly and smiled. “The block on Noslen and the Six held. Nylle and Theron are here.”
Roth smiled for the first time in hours. “Have them brought here. We need to know what’s happening in Llawnroc.”
CHAPTER 29
PAIN ROARED THROUGH her head. The air smelled burnt; at the same time, there was a fresh clean scent. She reached out with her mind, seeking Mikaal.
A strange voice pushed back. Wait.
She sent her senses outward, but found a blank space where he should be. Reaching out with her right hand, she swept her arm back and forth until she touched Mikaal’s arm. She opened her eyes and she looked to her right. Mikaal lay unconscious next to her.
Wait!
She grasped Mikaal’s arm, wrapped her hand around it. Who are you?
Wait for him to wake.
What have you done to him?
Curious. You are more concerned for him than yourself.
Areenna built a block. What have you done to him?
Waste not your energy on blocking me. You cannot.
She turned on her side without taking her hand from his arm. Mikaal lay on his back, his breathing barely perceptible. What have you done?
Enough! Pain flared through her head. When the pain eased, the voice in her head returned. Hear me, Areenna, Daughter of Inaria, of the line of Ailish. You have entered a forbidden place. You have risked your life and his to find me. Why?
Before she could answer, she sensed Mikaal awakening. Be careful.
Move not, Son of Enaid, Son of Roth.
Beneath her hand, Mikaal’s muscles tensed. He joined her, and together they created the blocking shield Enaid had taught them.
Stop! I seek not your destruction. We must talk.
Who are you? As she asked the question, she squeezed Mikaal’s arm. I sense no one near.
Mikaal sat up, drawing Areenna to a sitting position with him. Where are we?
On the heels of his question, their unseen captor attacked and shattered their shield. In the same instant, Mikaal released his fire, which flew from Areenna’s hands in two powerful streams.
No sooner had the fire erupted than it disappeared.
You cannot defeat me; fighting me will only cause your deaths. Answer me. You are here for a reason. Speak it now!
Areenna stiffened at the command. You know so much. Surely, already you have the answer.
Look at the walls. Mikaal’s thoughts drew her eyes to the walls. She squinted to cut back on the glare. Covering the walls were what appeared to be vines, but no leaves grew on any of them. The vines emerged from different areas on the walls, to weave through and between each other before going back into the walls. She looked up at the ceiling, and saw the same. Then she looked at the floor, and realized the brightness rose from beneath them.
Where are we?
It is time to stop these games, said the voice.
Mikaal reached out to the closest wall and touched one of the vine-like things. Its touch was cool and smooth, unlike anything he had ever felt before. When his fingers moved, the vine fell apart, dissolving beneath his skin, leaving thin twisted metal-like threads. He looked back at Areenna and shook his head.
Who are you, woman? Mikaal pushed the thought as he would a slap.
Because you hear a female voice, you think I must be a woman, yes?
We have not the time to play your game. Either do what you will to us, or let us go. We have much to accomplish.
You consider yourselves important. Why do you believe you are so important?
Areenna spun on her knees and stood; Mikaal moved at the same time. On her feet, she turned in a circle, looking at everything. She stared at the floor, which was alive with bright, pulsing colors.
The rhythm—Mikaal, feel the rhythm.
Mikaal went to a knee and placed his palm on the floor. It took a moment to understand the enormity of what he was feeling. A heartbeat…
Ah… perception dawns
Areenna closed her eyes. Who are you?
Mikaal took her hand. No, what are you?
Good. I will answer both questions after you tell me why you have violated my being.
We seek a power to save Nevaeh.
What power?
All we know is that w
e have come to find the power to stop the Dark Masters and their armies from destroying Nevaeh and all who live upon her.
Such cannot happen. The struggle is unwinnable by either; thus is the reason I created The Eight of the Island.
Areenna blinked once as her breath whooshed from her lungs. You created—
—You are wrong. Mikaal cut in, ignoring the enormity of the statement. We have but days to stop them. If we do not, the Dark Ones will overrun Nevaeh and consume all. Ailish and Jalil foresaw this and it was they who sent us here.
There was a long pause. Areenna glanced at Mikaal, her brows arching over her eyes in question. Mikaal grasped her shoulders gently.
Then, the voice returned. What did he tell you about… me? Jalil.
Mikaal shook his head. Nothing, only that the power to stop the Circle of Afzal lay here, beneath the Island. If The Masters find it, all will be lost.
Sit, both of you, in the center of the room.
When neither moved, the voice came back, this time softer and less demanding. We have much to discuss if what you say is happening, for I did not see this, not once.
Areenna looked into Mikaal’s eyes for several seconds. We must do this.
Mikaal nodded, accepting both Areenna’s words and those of their unseen captor.
I will join you now. Five feet from them, came a shimmering of lights, and the figure of a woman emerged out of the air. She wavered, flickered several times, and solidified. Her skin was tawny, her hair long and black. She wore a cloth-like robe, which wrapped in loose folds about her torso, and fell to the floor. A piece of the material rose over one shoulder, wrapped under, and then folded over her forearm. There was a small jewel embedded in the side of her nose. Every few seconds, she rippled from head to foot.
She moved closer, and sat across from them. Stop trying to raise your shields and blocks, you waste energy and I will impose no control.
Areenna and Mikaal, dropped their defenses, and the entity went on. You asked who and what I am. The answer is not simple. I am part of what you call Nevaeh. I am part of the very core of this world.