Beyond the Forest

by Kay L. Ling

  Stopping at her chamber door, she gave a mental command to the lock. In response, the tumblers clicked and she opened the door, revealing the comforting darkness of her private sitting room. Urns with wilted flowers and stalks of dead weeds stood along one wall. In the center of the room stood a low couch of brown leather stretched over a frame of animal bones. Two matching chairs faced the couch. Books, maps, and stacks of sketches filled several freestanding bookcases. A few of her favorite sketches hung on the stone walls. She frequently sketched images she had seen in humans’ minds: houses and tenement buildings, stores and factories. Many human cities had regions that were delightfully squalid. She would need to destroy the human transport devices, which allowed them too much freedom of movement. People could travel well enough on foot, or they could use animal-drawn carts, as they did here.

  The sleeping room, beyond her sitting room, held a writing desk and her vault. A soft, fabric webbing, that encompassed her like a cocoon, hung from the ceiling. Neither room had windows. She preferred semi-darkness. Oil or candles shed enough light to enjoy her sketches and gems.

  As she went to get the morgul from her vault, Elias came to mind again. When I lay claim to his world, he will not care. After all these years, the Fair Lands are just a distant memory.

  It had been easy to corrupt him and trap him here. With little effort she had goaded him into using dark powers. Cut off from the Fair Lands and unable to use its gems, he was less of a threat. Even still, she kept an eye on him. He comes when I call, just like the breghlin.

  An uncomfortable thought occurred to her. As the blight progressed she would be able to travel further into the Fair Lands, but so would he. An icy hand squeezed her heart. He wants to rule! That is what he is hiding! She should have suspected it sooner. He will help me fight Jules and the woman, and when they are gone, he will demand a share of my kingdom. He grows bored, and wants power. She raked her fingers angrily through her long black hair. Elias had lost his ability to use Fair Lands gems, but he had accumulated powerful native gems, and surely he knew how to use them. Her upper lip rose in a snarl. “I will share nothing with him!”

  She commanded the vault to open and reached inside for the deep blue morgul stone. I do not need his help. I am more powerful than ever. I will crush Jules and the woman Lana, and then I will eliminate Elias as well.

  * * *

  Lana sat with Jules, leaning against the wall near Elias’s front door. They had arrived at Strathweed over three hours ago, and she hadn’t stopped worrying since. Had Franklin been able to spy on Elias and Sheamathan? If so, would the bird return with a message? She had held her gemstones briefly several times, but all she had gotten were vague, disturbing impressions.

  The unmistakable sound of Franklin’s powerful wings pulled her from her thoughts and she jumped to her feet. She ran to the door, calling breathlessly when she saw the bird, “How is he? Is Elias safe?” Her own words caught her up short. She had always called him Folio. Jules motioned for the bird to come in.

  “I spied on their meeting,” Franklin said. “Sheamathan believes you and Jules are working together. She asked Elias to form a temporary alliance with her, to defeat you.”

  Jules asked, “Is Elias coming back soon? Did he send instructions?”

  Franklin bobbed his head. “Yes. Sheamathan will come through the portal tonight, and Elias is coming with her. You need to get there first and wait for them.”

  Lana and Jules exchanged worried glances. Jules said, “That’s a change of plans. Elias is supposed to be with us when she comes through.”

  Franklin regarded them with intelligent black eyes. “Elias told Sheamathan she should check the Amulet, and she insisted that he come with her.”

  “Why?” Lana asked.

  “She wants Elias to see for himself that you and Jules haven’t interfered with the blight.”

  Jules gave a sarcastic laugh. “I see. She’s not worried, but she’s checking the blight just to humor him.”

  “Elias gave her something else to worry about. He says you’ll find a new way to keep her from using the portal. She looked alarmed about that.”

  Lana rubbed her forehead and frowned. “It sounds like the meeting went well, but when I used my gemstones, I got the impression that Elias is in danger.”

  “What? Why didn’t you say something?” Jules demanded.

  She gave a helpless shrug. “What could we do about it from here?”

  “I hope you’re wrong!” Franklin said and let out a mournful screech. “Everything seemed fine between them.”

  “I want to be wrong, believe me,” she said, shaking her head. “He might not be in immediate danger, but I can’t dismiss what I felt. I won’t relax until Sheamathan loses her powers.”

  Franklin asked, “How can she lose her powers?”

  Lana was reluctant to explain in detail, even though she trusted the bird. “It’s complicated,” she said, pausing to find the right words. “We learned how to strip Sheamathan of her powers, but when we do it we’ll lose our powers, too.”

  Jules added hastily, “It’s not a permanent condition. Once she’s defenseless we’ll need to neutralize her, as Elias would say.”

  Lana stared at the cave floor. “I have a feeling something will go wrong. I only wish I knew what.”

  Franklin flapped his wings in agitation. “Tell me how I can help.”

  Jules said, “Elias suggested that we have armed gnomes on hand in case Sheamathan brings breghlin along. Can you ask some of Raenihel’s clan to come?”

  “Yes. I’d be happy to do that. I know Raenihel quite well.”

  “Make sure they don’t run into Sheamathan and Elias on the way,” Jules cautioned. “Once they come through the portal, they’ll need to hide and watch from a distance.”

  “I’ll deliver your instructions.”

  “I can’t thank you enough,” Jules said. We’ll gather up our gear and head to the portal.”

  * * *

  “You should have told me about your impressions,” Jules scolded her as they walked.

  “It seemed pointless. What could we do? And I’m not even sure anything is wrong, so why should I worry you?”

  “Because we’re working together, and you don’t need to shelter me,” he said, sounding a bit irritated. “You did the same thing this morning. You weren’t going to tell me that something was bothering you, but you’re too transparent to hide it.”

  “Transparent as glass, that’s me,” she said with a half-hearted grin.

  In a gentler tone he said, “No more secrets, all right?”

  She nodded. “No more secrets.”

  Half way to the portal, she said, “Let’s stop at the obelisk. I don’t want to go back to the Amulet yet. I know Elias wants us there ahead of time, but Sheamathan won’t go through the portal before dark. We should have plenty of time.”

  Jules ran a hand through his wind-blown hair and gave her a puzzled look. “I don’t mind the side trip, but why don’t you want to go back?”

  She said quietly, “Think about it. As soon as we go through the portal, we’ll lose our powers. We’ll be defenseless. We won’t even get premonitions of danger.”

  He nodded. “I should have thought of that. You’re right. My knife will be nothing more than a sharp blade in a jeweled hilt. I’m so anxious to get this over with, I’m not thinking straight.”

  “Wouldn’t it make sense to use our gems for a while before we cross? The obelisk amplifies their powers, so that seems like the best place to do it. Maybe we’ll foresee something about Elias—something that explains my uneasiness.”

  “I’m willing to give it a try.”

  For a while they walked in silence. Was her growing affection for Elias the reason she was worried about him? Was she imagining danger where there wasn’t any?

  The forest looked deserted as they approached the obelisk, but they scanned the woods for any sign of movement before they left the protection of the trees. She followed J
ules into the clearing and looked up, taking in the full height of the shimmering black obelisk. “It’s really impressive!”

  “It is,” he agreed as they stared at it.

  “Can you feel it—the energy vibrations?”

  “Yes. That’s how Elias discovered the obelisk.”

  “He felt the energy?”

  “From a long way off.”

  As they walked closer, Jules drew his knife. She had used the knife so many times it felt like hers, and seeing him hold it gave her a twinge of envy. The inlaid gems in the hilt and the gem-infused blade were more effective than her handful of gemstones.

  “Let’s hope this works,” she said as she sat on the ground and took aquamarines and sapphires from her gem pouch. Jules sat down a few feet away. She clasped the stones tightly and closed her eyes. Telepathy, clairvoyance, foresight.

  For a moment nothing happened. Then a cold shiver ran through her. An image flashed in her mind: Sheamathan and Elias at a table, somewhere with vines overhead. Everything seemed fine. Neither one looked angry or upset. Lana deepened her concentration. She didn’t get any disturbing impressions, but even so, she felt edgy.

  Next, she saw Sheamathan walking down a dark passageway, scowling. Something was definitely wrong. Lana tensed as emotions slammed into her—anger, bitterness, and distrust. She frantically searched for a reason to explain this sudden change. Could there be a connection between the two visions? Elias had been sitting with Sheamathan and everything seemed fine until Sheamathan was alone. Now the woodspirit was angry—furious! But why?

  Lana pushed herself deeper, reaching out with her mind, hoping to make sense of it. Maybe that wasn’t wise. Violent emotions surged through her, more intense with every passing moment. She started to shake, but even so, she held tightly to the stones.

  Cold, unreasoning hatred exploded in her mind. Hatred so intense it took her breath away—a vicious malevolence, incapable of guilt or remorse—malice so deep, nothing but death would satisfy it.

  Lana realized dimly that she had to break the mental connection and sever herself from these emotions. She wanted to let go of the stones but her hand had gone numb and her fingers wouldn’t open.

  An evil presence, dark and depraved, enveloped her. She couldn’t relate to the entity’s depraved feelings, but she understood its emotions. It couldn’t comprehend love. Noble sentiments were repulsive. It hated cheerfulness and laughter.

  She felt herself sinking further into that terrible, festering blackness and tried to scream, but there wasn’t enough air in her lungs. Once more, gasping for air, she tried to let go of the gemstones.

  When she opened her eyes she was sitting on the ground, dizzy and nauseous. Jules sat beside her, propping her up with a steadying arm around her shoulders. She managed to say weakly, “What happened?”

  He let go and shifted position to face her. Tension showed around his eyes and mouth. He looked nearly as pale as she felt. “You cried out and started shaking all over. I came over, but I didn’t know what to do. Maybe you didn’t want me to interrupt you. I had no idea what you were seeing and feeling. Your lips were moving, but I couldn’t hear anything. Then you started gasping for air and you dropped the gems and fainted.” His eyes searched her face. “I’m really sorry. I should have broken in, shook you—stopped it somehow. Are you all right?”

  She took several deep breaths. “Yes, I think so. And it’s okay. I’m glad you didn’t stop me.” He looked relieved that she wasn’t upset with him. She managed a faint smile. In his place, she wouldn’t have known what to do, either. The obelisk had amplified her gem powers, all right—maybe a little too much. In a minute or two, when her head stopped spinning, she’d try to remember what she’d seen.

  Before he could question her about what she’d seen, she asked, “How about you? What happened? Did you get any impressions from the knife?”

  “Yes—what you sensed earlier—that Elias is in danger. I got one particularly strong impression, but it didn’t make sense.”

  “What was it?”

  “Jealousy.” He gave her a look that suggested she might be able to make sense of it.

  “Jealousy,” she repeated. “Why would Sheamathan be jealous of Elias?”

  He shrugged and shook his head. After a moment he said, “Maybe the word I’m looking for isn’t jealousy. Maybe it’s rivalry.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “You mean, he’s not her equal, but she sees him as a rival, anyway.”

  “Yes. Thinking back to my own case, she knew she was more powerful than me, but she didn’t want any competition, and I was a potential rival.”

  “Right. She had to be pretty worried—or insecure. She agreed to wear a dog collar.”

  He smiled at that, and then grew serious again. “One thing still doesn’t make sense. She asked Elias to form an alliance with her. Why would she do that if she sees him as a rival?”

  “Well, it sort of makes sense. He’s the only one who can help her.” She tried to put herself in Sheamathan’s place. “It must be unsettling to think she needs an alliance. It’s like admitting she’s vulnerable. But Elias has gem powers, and she needs him right now.”

  “So, anyone powerful enough to help her is powerful enough—”

  “To be a rival,” Lana finished for him.

  “Okay. That makes sense. You know, I think you understand what goes on in Sheamathan’s mind better than she does.”

  Those words touched a nerve. Yes, I understand her. I was inside her mind. Now she remembered. She had glimpsed the utter blackness of Sheamathan’s soul and felt the smothering weight of pure evil. No one could understand who hadn’t felt it. Cold sweat beaded on her face and arms, and she started to shake again.

  Jules reached out to steady her. “Lana, what’s wrong?”

  It was hard to get her breath. “I remember now,” she said in a tight voice. “What I saw. What I felt. Mostly it was emotions—her emotions.”

  Jules said gently, “Tell me.”

  “Anger. Distrust. Then vicious, unreasoning hatred.” She felt dizzy as she relived those emotions. “Evil. A smothering, hungry darkness that feeds on pain and despair.” She looked at Jules and swallowed hard, afraid to tell him what she had learned at the end, as she passed out. But she knew she had to. No secrets, she had promised.

  “She wants to kill us, Jules. Not just you and me—Elias, too.”

  Chapter 36

  Lana and Jules hid in the woods near the portal, waiting for Elias and Sheamathan. Raenihel’s clan had arrived just after dusk, armed with knives, swords, clubs, pikes, and crossbows. After speaking briefly with Lana and Jules, the gnomes had fanned out into the woods to watch the portal from a distance, and Franklin was with them.

  Lana hadn’t been sure the gnomes would come. If something went wrong with the plan, and Sheamathan didn’t lose her powers, the woodspirit could paralyze them. For that matter, how did they know this wasn’t a trap? The gnomes had newfound respect for Elias after the mining camp rescue operation, but Lana wasn’t naïve enough to think he had completely won them over—not after decades of mistrust. Until recently, Elias and Sheamathan had appeared to be on friendly terms, and it might be hard for the gnomes to believe that Elias had always hated her.

  Lana chewed her lip. They should be here soon. The tension of waiting was almost unbearable. Her heart raced every time she heard a noise. She couldn’t stop worrying about Elias. Sheamathan wanted to kill her and Jules. That was no surprise, but why had she turned against Elias? What had happened between them, and more importantly, did Elias know something was wrong? That last question chilled her to the bone. If he didn’t know, he was far more vulnerable. After touching Sheamathan’s mind, and feeling the depth of her hatred, Lana was even more afraid of her than before. The only comforting thought was that Sheamathan needed Elias, at least for now, so he might be safe for the moment.

  Jules hadn’t said a word in the last half hour. Lana glanced at him. She didn’t need to read hi
s mind to know he was as nervous as she was. He and Elias had been friends for a very long time, and few friendships had survived so many hardships.

  She glanced at her watch. Another fifteen minutes passed. What if Sheamathan didn’t come? No, she told herself sternly, Franklin was sure they were coming tonight. Whatever had happened between Elias and Sheamathan, Lana could only hope it hadn’t jeopardized the plan. She shivered, frustrated and miserable. There was nothing worse than waiting. Jules wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a futile attempt to warm her. “It’s getting colder,” he said quietly. “You’re shivering.”

  “It’s mostly from nerves.”

  “I thought they’d be here by now.” He looked as tense as a bowstring ready to fly. He’d burst into motion the moment he saw Sheamathan.

  “I’d feel better if I knew what to expect,” she whispered. “You and Elias were supposed to overpower Sheamathan together and pin her down, hold her at knifepoint, knock her out if you had to, and then sedate her. Now Elias is coming through the portal with Sheamathan. That bothers me. We don’t know what he’ll do. Will he pretend to be examining the Amulet so we have time to move in? Or will he attack her right away by himself?

  “I don’t know. I’ve thought about that, too. All I know is, we’ll have to act fast or we’ll lose the element of surprise.”