The Seeds of Dissolution

by William C. Tracy

  “But you can make a portal across the universe with no problem?” Sam asked. His mentor nodded agreement.

  “Ah, here is our other member,” Councilor Ayama said, gesturing. Sam looked to see one of the hugely tall Etanela lugging a hard leather case half as tall as he was in one hand and a small bag in the other. He set the bag down on the ground, as he neared them.

  “Councilor, majus,” he said, nodding to the maji. “I assume these are your apprentices?” He peered down through little glasses. Even with the Nether translating, his speech slurred together. “I am Professor Riteno.”

  Sam swallowed again. He hadn’t talked to one of the Etanela yet. What if I say something stupid? He tried to think of a greeting, but the bluish alien was already engaged in strapping the hard case over his shoulder. Sam looked to Enos, but she was staring the other direction. He needed to talk to her about the night before, at some point.

  Majus Cyrysi was already at the wrought iron fence. The Methiemum inside came toward them.

  “Good morning, ah,” Majus Cyrysi paused for a moment.

  “Alphonse, sir,” the man said. “You were at my raising to full majus, three cycles ago.”

  “Of course,” the Kirian said. “I was thinking you looked familiar.” Alphonse was a large man with a sad, drooping face, and a scraggly moustache. “We will be needing a portal to Methiem. If you are not minding, I will handle it myself.”

  Alphonse frowned, but opened the iron gate. It was wide enough for three to pass through. Is this where they make portals to other worlds? Sam’s hands were sweating. Where is my bag? Did Majus Cyrysi pack something for me? Light struck his face and he glanced up the length of the column, blinking it away. It was a clear morning, but as usual, he couldn’t see the top of the Nether. For once, that was a lesser concern.

  “Come on, Enos,” Rilan said. The maji and the professor were inside the fence, and Sam forced one foot in front of the other, looking down at where the iron fenceposts pierced the ground. The blades of purple grass curled around the black metal. Enos was fiddling with her own, smaller bag.

  I really hope he has a least a change of my clothes packed.

  Sam’s mentor paused near the center of the clearing, one hand to his head, crest fluffing as if in a breeze. “Have you got it?” Councilor Ayama asked him.

  “Yes. It has been several cycles since I was in this part of Methiem. I am simply remembering details.”

  “Don’t put us in a tree or anything,” the councilor shot back. Majus Cyrysi took the time to glare at her before returning to his concentration.

  “Will the transition be safe?” the Etanela said, nervously rubbing a hand over the case he held. Their voices were tinny, like they were talking at a great distance.

  We’re leaving. We’re leaving the Nether.

  “It’ll be fine,” the councilor assured him. “Ori does some of the best portal work I’ve seen.” She turned around. “Come on, Enos. Stop dawdling. It isn’t like you.”

  “Yes, Councilor,” Enos said from outside the gate, only just loud enough to be heard. “I am checking my bag. I may have forgotten something.”

  “Aha.” Sam swiveled back to his mentor, heart racing. Majus Cyrysi’s feathery hair was slicked back now. He opened his hands wide and rings of color surrounded them, orange and yellow.

  We’re going. We can’t go. But we have to find the Drains. I knew this would happen. I should be ready. He closed his eyes, trying to hear what the majus was doing. Anything to keep from thinking about traveling to a different planet. Something low buzzed at the back of his mind, a harmony, and then a fractal of harmonies. A new theme entered, as if from a separate piece of music, and Sam’s eyes flew open. In front of his mentor, a hole formed, pitch black, ringed in shifting orange and yellow. It grew to Majus Cyrysi’s height, and then taller, until even Mhalaro could fit through without ducking. Sam took a step back, hand grasping for the solid iron of the gate. I have to do this. This is the only way back to Earth and Aunt Martha.

  “I will be needing to go through last to close the portal,” Majus Cyrysi said.

  The councilor was still watching Enos. Why is she out there? Why isn’t she here, helping me? Sam reached a hand for her, but Enos had her bag closed, looking back toward the other side of the circle of houses.

  “I am ready,” she announced, and walked through the gate into the portal ground. She moved close to Sam, rubbing his shoulder. “You can do it,” she whispered. Behind her, he saw two other people, one running, and one moving slowly and methodically, legs pumping like pistons. The first figure resolved into Inas.

  “I was able to convince Majus Caroom only at the last moment,” Inas said, puffing slightly.

  Sam felt Enos’ hand loosen on his shoulder. Both of them, and they’re not pulling away. They can both keep me steady, keep me sane, on this field trip. Sam’s knuckles were white on the gate post.

  “You told your brother where we were going?” Councilor Ayama was not smiling. “Shiv’s bloody eyes, girl, this is supposed to be a secret. How many others know?”

  “None,” Enos said, no trace of apology in her voice. “I told you before, I must keep close to my brother.”

  The councilor looked a question to Majus Cyrysi, who shrugged, his crest rising in anticipation. “I am only happy to be going,” he said.

  “Fine.” The councilor crossed her arms, then one hand strayed to her belt knife. “I should send you all back home, but it’s too late. I hope you like sleeping under the stars.” Her face was pinched like she’d bitten something sour.

  “I am sorry to be late,” Inas said. “I slept in after last night.” He reached out, and Sam grabbed his arm as the other man came closer, the prospect of camping raising his anxiety level even more. Bolstered by both twins, he made his way toward the portal. “I was unable to convince Majus Caroom to run.”

  His heart rate slowed a little, surrounded by his friends. Shame Rey is missing this. Sam looked back as the final person stumped up to the group. They—the Nether pushed the non-specific gender into his head—were the first of this species he had seen up close. Majus Caroom was large, and wide—almost three times as wide as Sam, but no taller. The skin on their arms was craggy and dark, like driftwood polished to a shine. Gnarled toes, pointing several directions, gripped the ground. Sam wasn’t sure whether they were wearing pants, but a faded, no-color shirt covered their torso.

  “Rilan, Origon,” Majus Caroom rumbled, nodding with a creak. “This one was, hmm, persuaded to come here for the sake of my apprentice.” They made an odd breathy sigh when they spoke, like wind gusting through a tight spot.

  Sam let go of Enos long enough to hold his watch to his ear, and Majus Caroom’s bare head, like burnished mahogany, twisted to him. There was a sound like straining wood, and their tiny eyes bored into Sam. They were solid green, without pupils, and glowed with some inner florescence.

  “You have, hmm, not met one of the Benish before, have you?” they rumbled. “We are an old species, but not often, hmm, seen around the Nether. We prefer our own homes.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Sam breathed. He shivered in suddenly chill air. I will not have an attack here. Caroom’s eyes dimmed for a moment in acknowledgement.

  “Caroom is something of an adventurer among their people,” Majus Cyrysi said.

  “Are we going to chat here all day, or get on with it?” Councilor Ayama said. She moved to the portal hanging in the air, and disappeared through it. Mhalaro went next, hugging his case to one side with one elbow, his bag dangling carelessly from a loose finger. His mane of hair just cleared the top of the portal.

  Enos pulled at Sam’s hand. “We are both here for you,” she told him. “I’ll go through first. It’s easy.”

  Don’t leave me. Enos gently disengaged his hand, went to the portal, and through.

  “It will be good to see Methiem again,” Inas told Sam, squeezing his hand. “Our positions may be reve
rsed when we get to our destination. I may need your assistance.” Sam let him go, his hand trailing Inas’ motion as he went through, Caroom stumping after him without a word.

  It was just Sam and Majus Cyrysi. “Well, on with you, boy,” the Kirian said. “I cannot be holding this portal open all day.” He looked pale, nearly as short of breath as Sam.

  Sam stepped forward, hesitated. I can’t see where it goes. It could end up in the air, or in space. How does anyone use these things? The air felt thick.

  He turned back to the majus. “I can’t,” he said. His knees were jelly, and he stretched a hand to catch himself against the grass if he fell.

  Majus Cyrysi looked him over, crest spiking, then lying flat. His clawed hands shook, yellow and orange still flowing across them. “I am realizing this is soon for you.” He breathed in, then out. “You have lost much recently, but if you wish to find your home again, you will be needing to step outside of what is comfortable.”

  He can’t hold it open much longer, Sam realized. If the majus lost control of the portal, Sam would be stuck here, without Enos or Inas, without a way to learn about the Drains. I have to do it, no matter the cost. Sam met Origon Cyrysi’s eyes, nodded his head. He straightened his knees with an effort, and shuffled toward the dark hole, ringed with yellow and orange. Don’t look at it. He made himself inhale deeply and closed his eyes.

  I can’t. I can’t take that step. Sam cursed his brain for failing him. If I can’t take a step, then— He leaned forward, purposefully off balance. A little farther. A little more.

  Sam fell forward into the portal.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Of Caravans and Drains

  -The economy of the ten species balances on the backs of the merchants and traders. In their domed caravans, these travelers are responsible for bringing rare and hidden goods through portals to worlds which have never seen such things before.

  From the notes of the Effature, approx. 763 A.A.W.

  Sunlight hit Sam’s face for the first time in weeks. He began to shake.

  Not here. Not now. He crouched down, looking across grass—green grass—which edged up to another fence. He had his watch at his ear, but his heartbeat was too fast.

  Too new. A new world.

  He saw Enos’ shoes next to him. Inas’ hand gripped tense muscles in his shoulders, squeezed. “We are here for you,” his friend said. Then he’s still willing to be near me.

  “I’ve got to go back. I’m not ready.” Sam spun in a tight circle, still crouching. The blackness of the portal behind him disgorged Majus Cyrysi, then shrank to a pinpoint, collapsing in a ripple of orange and yellow. “No! Keep it open!” he called.

  The majus shook his head, crest limp. There were no clues here to say what that meant. Not in the Nether anymore.

  “One cannot be going the other way through a portal,” Majus Cyrysi told him. “It will be a time before one can again be opened to the same place.”

  “But I have to get back. I have to—” Sam clung to Enos’ arm, knowing he was putting all his weight on the smaller woman. She’ll hate me for it, leave me here. Why can’t I do anything right?

  To one side, there was a flash of white and olive, then the cool touch of Councilor Ayama on his forehead. She must have pushed Inas aside. Sam could still hear him, breathing, not far away, barely audible over the beat of his heart, pounding through his head.

  “I can apply the same patch to your thinking again.” the councilor said. She smoothed his hair, an oddly maternal gesture. “It’s your choice. Your thinking will be fuzzy.”

  Sam pushed her hand away. “No,” he panted. He knelt down on the grass—getting my new pants dirty already—and put one hand down, flat, feeling cool, damp blades bend beneath his fingers. The other hand held time, chopping seconds off near his ear. One breath, one beat. One breath, one beat.

  He couldn’t tell how long he knelt there. At some point, his breathing equalized, his heart slowed. Sam raised his head, swallowed, gasped for air. There was still a hand on his arm, and he looked up at Enos. “Thank you.”

  She stared back, eyes wide and worried. Slowly, Sam stood back up. It’s like Earth. There were trees, just outside the portal ground fence. He let his eyes rest on an oak. Like in the yard back home. Except that triggered thoughts of frost, and Aunt Martha, lying cold—

  He shook his head, trying to get rid of the vision. There were buildings nearby, a rural city, well-kept but obviously not wealthy. The structures were predominately wood and stone, only two or three stories.

  “Are you able to come with us?” Inas asked. “They need to open another portal and cannot with us still here.” he pointed to a man standing near the fence gate. There was something about him that told Sam he was the majus working this ground. Maybe it was his blue vest and matching pants, like a uniform. Behind him stood three men and two women, looking impatient. Behind them was a woman with a little boy hanging on one hand and a traveling pack in her other.

  The rest of their party was gone. How long did I take? I’m holding everything up.

  “I think I’m ready,” Sam told the twins. “Thank you for staying with me.”

  “We are not eager to be here either,” Enos said, and Sam realized her eyes were not just wide with worry for him.

  It’s not all about me.

  They exited the portal ground, and behind them another dark hole appeared at the majus’ gesture, this one ringed in blue and magenta. The first group of Methiemum gave a pouch to the majus, and stepped through, either to some other homeworld, or according to Majus Cyrysi, to the other side of Methiem. Sam wondered where the woman and child were possibly traveling to. Off to see someone she knew in the Nether? Visiting a friend or family member on one of the other homeworlds? The scope of the ten homeworlds drove Sam close to Enos and Inas, marking trees as they followed a stone path to a collection of one-story buildings. It’s like Earth. It’s not so new. Keep it together.

  There were differences. His steps felt heavier than in the Nether. The ambient light was like Earth, though the sky was bluer. Soon they got to ChinRan proper, and Enos and Inas kept his attention by pointing out odd buildings, or adding little bits of history. A few times someone passing them exchanged greetings as if they knew the twins.

  Sam only saw Methiemum here, jarring after the riot of species in the Nether. Though it had been morning when they left, here it was closer to noon, from the length of the shadows. The air was crisper too, and Sam burrowed within his vest. Did Majus Cyrysi pack me any clothes, or am I stuck in these for however long we’re here?

  Soon they caught up with the others, standing outside a low building with parked carriages and a large fenced area to one side. Professor Riteno seemed almost as confused as Sam, nervously curled around his case, and both he and Caroom drew stares from the inhabitants. Majus Cyrysi and Councilor Ayama were bargaining with a teller in a little office.

  Sam’s breathing was getting faster again, and he stared at the maji in the office, his watch clutched in one hand. Where were they going?

  “Can we talk about something?” he asked Inas. His friend’s head snapped around from where he had been contemplating the town.

  “Are you going to—”

  Sam shook his head, cutting Inas off. “Just…I’d like to talk. It helps to distract me.”

  Inas pointed to the fence, where several sturdy horses had their heads down in a trough. Four others had the shape of oxen, but were hairless and made of wood. Polished dark wood gleamed in the sun. A handler walked to them, lifting a smooth board from one side and flipping a sequence of toggles. The ox tossed its head, then followed him, and the three others followed the first. The handler led them in front of the building.

  “See those System Beasts?”

  Sam nodded. He had seen some of them in the Nether, made of metal, wood, or even stone, in all sorts of shapes. “What are they?”

  “Majus Cyrysi has bought us an expensive r
ide,” Enos said.

  “I don’t think he cares much about money,” Sam said, and she turned her hands palm up in a shrug.

  “System Beasts are constructions of the House of Potential,” Inas said, “and expensive to maintain. Maji from the other houses must permanently contribute notes from their songs to propel and fuel the creatures, and to allow them to take instruction.”

  “Why would they be so wasteful?” Sam asked. He put his watch back in a pocket.

  “They are a sign of prestige, though the maji use them more often than others,” Inas said. “Our parents—” he paused, “they used living creatures to pull our caravan, but wealthy merchants use them to pull loads far heavier than a normal beast of burden might. In richer cities and in the High Imperium, there are other, smaller forms of System Beasts, used to guard dwellings and shops, or even just to look pretty, though it is hard to imagine being wealthy enough for that.”

  “Are they worth it?” Sam asked.

  “Are you ready? We cannot be waiting around all day.” Majus Cyrysi strode by, heading for the largest carriage parked in front of the store. The wooden oxen were being hitched to the front. The professor was already loading his case, tying it carefully to the top of the carriage.

  “You will see.” Inas gave his half smile.

  “Still alright, Sam?” Councilor Ayama asked as she passed. Sam nodded. I am, for the moment. Strange.

  Mhalaro folded his tall frame to fit through the door, Caroom pulling up jerkily afterward.

  “The owner was telling us where the site is,” Majus Cyrysi called back, as he threw his bright yellow bag on top of the carriage. “It has attracted attention from both ChinRan and TaiRapa. I am hoping no one has disturbed the site too much.” He waved an arm forward. “We are wasting daylight, as it seems a long way off.”