*
Derren and Katheryne entered the Quorum chamber. Koron and the others were taken completely by surprise, and he raised his hand to summon assistance.
“I wouldn’t bother, mate.” Derren indicated the guards lying on the ground outside the open door. “Somebody seems to have broken those ones. And the others downstairs are being taken care of as we speak.”
The color drained from Koron’s face. “Who are you people? What are you doing here?” He turned to face the other Quorum members. “You see? I was right all along. None of us are safe from Sanctuary’s forces.”
Derren laughed, but it was Katheryne who spoke next. “We’re not from Sanctuary, Koron. But then, you already know that.”
A flash of golden light illuminated the chamber as Chran appeared, thankfully at a size which suited his surroundings, beside Derren and Katheryne. Gasps and screams filled the air as he walked over to stand in front of Koron.
‘Well, well, if isn’t my old friend. How are you, Koron? I trust you’ve been well since we last met?’
All color drained from Koron’s face as he took a pace backwards, clearly terrified of the visage approaching him.
As if reading his mind, Chran addressed the assembled leadership, ‘Some of you may be aware a few days ago, I was murdered in this very building.’ There was a collective intake of breath and several muttered curses as the Quorum members realized who the dragon was talking about. ‘My name is Chran, and I stand here today to confirm this fact. I was indeed, murdered. I did die, but my soul was reborn inside this form you see before you. What you may not know, or perhaps, may not correctly know, is who organized that murder.’
Every face on the benches lining the chamber turned to Koron, who stood unable to move, his face a mask of denial.
“It can’t be you. I saw your body. You were dead.” As he spoke, his words jarred him out of his stupor, and he turned to address the assemblage. “Lies, my friends. All this is some clever ruse. An attempt to discredit me and bring an...what?”
His sentence was cut off by the vision which appeared in his mind, in all of their minds, in fact. It was of the still form of Chran laying bleeding on the ground with Koron standing over him. Everyone heard Koron as he raged at his subordinates. They watched as he wrecked the hall in his temper. But it wasn’t the wanton destruction which convinced them of the authenticity of what they watched. They felt Koron’s rage, felt the fear in his subordinates, several of whom they recognized as guards, as he criticized their actions.
Any final doubts were banished by the look of horror on Koron’s face. It was clear to them he was guilty of everything they had just witnessed. The Chancellor, a large heavy-set, bearded man called Thonal, stood up and looked in disgust at his deputy.
“Koron, why have you done this?” Koron began to shake his head and whimper something, but Thonal cut him off with a thump to the table with his large fist. “Enough of your lies! It is clear to me, to all of us, that you have committed this act of barbarity. You murdered who we thought you considered a friend; for what? To convince us to surrender to Sanctuary?” A murmur of ascent greeted his statement.
He stepped out from behind the polished wooden bench and walked up to face Koron.
“Tell us why, or by the great Maker, I shall have you thrown in the deepest, darkest cell on the coldest moon in this system until you do.”
The golden dragon approached silently, and Thonal jumped when Chran gently laid a huge clawed hand on his shoulder.
‘I may have the answer to that, my friend.’
Thonal turned round and looked up into the ruby-colored eyes. He hadn’t been as close to Chran as Koron had ‘appeared’ to be, but they’d known each other well. The initial uncertainty gave way to a look of dawning comprehension and delight.
“It’s really you, isn’t it, Chran?” Thonal reached a hand out, and Chran took it carefully in his talons. “I must admit I found your tale of reincarnation a bit farfetched. I’m sorry I doubted you.”
Chran chuckled his throaty dragon laugh. ‘Thonal. I’m a dragon. A creature such as this hasn’t been seen for thousands of years, outside of stories and legends. I cannot blame you for your lack of trust.’ A flutter of amusement went through the gathering, ‘But as for Koron’s motives, I’m almost sure they had to do with your ships.’
Thonal drew his brows together, but a sigh and a slump of Koron’s shoulders confirmed Chran’s suspicion.
“But why would Sanctuary need our ships? They can travel on a whim to wherever they need to by using their portals?”
“Not everywhere, Chancellor,” replied Derren, “This world is a perfect example. With the scramblers operating, there is no way for them to travel here via portal. And I’m afraid we have become a bit of a thorn in their side these last few months.” He nodded for Chran to continue.
‘We have been supplying scrambler devices to any world which was receptive to our warnings. Already, hundreds of the major spurs of commerce have been cut off from Sanctuary. This world, as you know, is a junction point which Sanctuary used to travel to many worlds in this sector. While it is true they can create portals to wherever they wish, they require the complex machines, like the one in the plaza below, to maintain the rifts large enough to transport anything larger than people.’
Thonal’s expression darkened. “So they need their own space navy, to take these worlds back by force?”
Derren nodded. “That’s one of their goals, yes. The other is they need a force to blockade Sanctuary.” Thonal’s confused face prompted him to continue. “It’s our belief the leadership of Sanctuary intend to close all portals into their world.”
A murmur of shock arose from the Quorum members before Thonal raised a hand to silence them.
He turned to Derren and the others. “I suggest we retire to a more suitable place to discuss these matters in detail.” He looked at Derren and inclined his head while extending his hand palm upwards.
Derren smiled and bowed as his sister and best friend entered the room. Neither had a mark on them. “Forgive us for our tardiness, Chancellor. My name is Derren. These are my friends, Toshi, Krista, and Chran, whom I believe you already know.” He crossed and took Katheryne’s hand. “And this is Katheryne. Quite possible the greatest weapon we have against our enemies.”
Thonal’s eyes widened briefly before he smiled. “I am honored to meet you all, especially you, Katheryne. Though if you don’t mind me saying so, I can’t imagine someone as pretty as you being a threat to anyone.”
Katheryne blushed. “Thank you, Chancellor. I’m afraid I’m still coming to terms with it myself.” She seemed to shift her attention briefly. “But, for now, it might be a good idea if you sent someone to head off the small army which is about to assault the building. I warn you, there were several among them who were involved in Koron’s plan.”
Thonal waved at two of the senior members of his cabinet, and they rushed out the doors to sort out the mess. He turned back with a quizzical expression. “What do you mean, there were, several of Koron’s allies among them?”
Derren nudged her gently, whispering out of the corner of his mouth. “You didn’t kill them this time, did you?”
Katheryne nudged him back, smiling enigmatically, before replying to Thonal’s question. “I can perceive evil in others, Chancellor. When I sensed their arrival, I probed them and identified our enemies. They are currently unconscious outside. You might want to put them under guard.” Another smile, “No rush, however, they’ll be out for a few hours.”
Thonal’s eyes opened in wonder as he looked at Derren. “Indeed, my friend, your Katheryne is a mighty weapon.”
Derren smirked, “Which is why I endeavor to keep on her good side, sir__OOF! As you can see she has a bit of a temper.” He smiled at Katheryne as he rubbed his ribs. “But, for now, let’s find somewhere to talk shall we? We have a lot to discuss.”
Chapter Twenty Six
Presidents Fall
Senator Celia Alvarez smiled evilly as she looked at the reflection in the mirror, at the form of the leader of the free world, lying sprawled and spent on her bed. Even now, only weeks after first bedding him in his own wife's bed, she grew tired of him. He was, as she suspected, a weak man, easy to use and manipulate; but he had been useful.
Her campaign for presidential candidate in the upcoming elections had been effectively rubber stamped by her own party, due to his backing. She was just a few steps away from having a backing majority, and from there, it would take just one, unfortunately fatal accident to occur, and she would become the new vice president of the USA.
And from there, after a few months of mourning, another ‘unfortunate accident’ would make her the first female president. Only it wouldn't be of the USA, or its allies. Her master had promised her the world, and steps were already underway to gain control of the infrastructure that actually ran those nations. The power and knowledge she had been provided with had revealed indiscretions unheard of among the world's leaders. Secrets which many of them had succeeded in hiding for decades were known to her.
This leverage granted her entry to plant her own people in key positions throughout these governments, and along with her other friends, she was confident she could covertly influence, or indeed control, whole countries.
She chucked as she went over in her mind some of the secrets revealed to her. If only the subjects of her blackmail knew how mundane those indiscretions were, in comparison to her own tastes.
Over the last few weeks she had drawn poor, unsuspecting Harvey slowly into her desires, but the ambition, the greed for power which her master stoked within her blackening soul, manifested itself in other ways. Her appetites had always been voracious, but now one man was not enough.
She grinned as the naked form emerged from the bathroom and bent over to kiss her. Celia leaned back, reaching up to grab the long blonde hair and draw the girl into her embrace. Her vacant eyes were evidence of the spell her master had taught her, but unwilling or not, the girl had proven to be quite attentive to her needs. Celia lay back and groaned.
All this, and the world too, she thought as she ran her tongue along her parted lips.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Perri’s doubt
Perri lay on her back, looking up at the dark ceiling of her bedroom. She glanced sideways, at the source of the gentle breathing that lay next to her. A shaft of moonlight broke through a crack in the curtains, falling across Krista's face. Perri's breath caught in her throat. She was so beautiful, so peaceful as she slept. Her pale blonde hair glimmered as it framed her perfect features. Her eyelids hid her dew colored eyes that only a few hours ago had pierced Perri’s heart when Krista told her she loved her.
Unfortunately, this was at odds with the persona she projected to the outside world. To everyone else, Krista was a robot. An unfeeling, efficient, killing machine, and she was incredibly good at it.
But then, Perri had attempted to do the same, to hide her true persona for as long as she could remember. Lying here, next to this wonderful, amazing girl, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was in love. In love, for the first time in her life.
She thought back, remembering the years spent lying to herself and everyone else. At the time, as recently as a few weeks ago, even she'd believed them. All the guys she'd thrown herself at. She smiled. Some of them became friends, good friends, but some of them were things she used, to try and deny her true being.
As she watched Krista sleep, she reached out and saw her dreams. A tear ran down her cheek. She and Krista were running and laughing down to a beach, through the eaves of a jungle. They were happy, truly joyous in the company of each other. The dreams were Krista's true desire, and Perri reached out and touched the pale cheek with her palm. Krista stirred and smiled, but her eyes remained shut. She was in the dream still, and Perri flushed, as the vision of two bodies entwined in passion flooded her brain.
Tonight had been their first time, her first time, ever, with another girl. But what they had shared lifted her soul even as she remembered that first tender touch. All those guys. She giggled. It wasn't about sex . It was about love.
Krista stirred, and Perri knew she sensed her emotions. She opened her eyes, reaching to gently caress the back of the hand on Perri’s cheek. She turned her head to kiss the fingers. A second later they were entwined, but the need was for the touch of souls, and they lay silent, just being with the other.
In minutes they were asleep, and the glow of their souls would blind the sun.
Chapter Twenty Eight
The Beast’s Plan
The beast watched the two souls, from the ether between the physical and spiritual planes. Its mind had been drifting here for days, searching for the essence it tasted months earlier. At that time it had sensed a fear and doubt, which it intended to twist and exploit. It examined the soul now, seeing its strength bolstered by the bond between it and one of the cursed Liberi.
Before anger could grow, however, it smiled as the weakness within flared briefly. The fear of rejection, of being alone, was buried deep down inside the unconscious, but it was still there. The beast laughed. This human had a fledgling power as well. Perfect, it thought.
This was no Liberi, and it had not yet developed any offensive or defensive talent. The beast had learned from the failed attempt to usurp the consciousness of this one's friend.
No, this one was weak still, but its power, once under its control would be very useful.
The beast laughed again. These humans, for the most part, were so easily manipulated. Its plan for bringing about the return of the master was progressing well. This Senator, thought the beast to be the dark God she worshipped in all the secret and depraved ceremonies she took part in; if she only knew who she truly served.
It enjoyed letting her think she had control, enjoyed her feeling of power over others when she cast the spells her master taught her. The Senator's tastes and desires would sicken many on this world, but it was willing to indulge her. And what did it mean if a few minds were ruined in the course of its plan. The girls and boys she consumed, in an ever increasing number, were nothing compared to the suffering to come.
Once its master was free, this world would provide the beginning of his new army. And perhaps, if he was feeling generous, master might give the beast a soul or two of its own to play with.
The shard of innocence within its own mind had been silent for weeks but it was still there, hiding deep within. The beast could never tell the spark’s thoughts, but could normally perceive its feelings. Right now there was nothing.
It shoved these concerns to the back of its mind for now. It smiled, and concentrated on the task in hand. It was time to have some fun.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Fire and Ice
Filumé huddled as deep into the fissure as he could, but the razor sharp wind still sought to dislodge his footing, and dash him to the teeth of the rocks below.
Perhaps this bet hadn't been the best idea, he thought. Then he smiled, imagining the look on Kore's face when he returned with the prize.
Snow and ice caused his eyes to tear as the wind assaulted his body, but he wedged his back against the wall of the chimney, and pushed up with his legs. Inch by inch he climbed. Every muscle in his body protested his efforts, but the top of the channel was only ten feet above. He was so close, that in his haste, his reaching hand disturbed a krails nest. The creatures flooded outwards, screeching and clawing his face and hands.
Filumé lost his view of the top of the fissure as his footing slipped. He slid on his back for an endless time, clawing with bleeding fingertips. His gloves were in shreds as his legs plunged out into emptiness. A last desperate grasp gained a handhold, and he swung outwards into open space, dangling by the tips of his fingers above the certain death hundreds of feet below.
The wind tore at him, and it was only a supreme act of will which allowed him to hold on, but will was something Filumé
possessed in abundance; at least, according to his mother, the Queen. He exerted this now, and swung his right hand round to grip an outcrop of rock. More secure, he let go with his aching left hand, and swung his body downward so his feet could reach a tiny ledge. Adrenaline pumped through him, but Filumé forced his breathing to slow, and his heart to stop racing. He’d come close to death before, usually on this very mountain, but at this moment he felt more alive than ever before. The mountain and he respected each other, and he looked up and smiled.
He pulled his gloves off and examined his fingers. He’d lost two fingernails on his left hand, but otherwise he was unhurt beyond a few cuts. He looked down. A descent from this point would be as difficult as ascending the chimney, so he steadied himself for a second, before jumping upwards and grabbing the lip at the base of the fissure.
Within an hour he passed the point where the nest had been, and reached the top of the fissure. He pulled himself onto the ledge at the mouth of the cave, and breathed deeply as he looked into the darkness.
His battle with the mountain was over, for now at least. Now came a battle of a different kind. He stepped across the threshold of the cave. The winds dropped to a whisper as the dimness enveloped him. Even the light coming from the noonday sun didn’t penetrate the gloom, and the hairs on the back of Filumés neck stood on end. He remembered the warnings the Dwelven people had given him and his mother, when they’d moved to the mountain Kingdom, over a century before.
Darkness had taken root in this world, they’d said; in the forest, in the rivers, and at the root of this mountain. And as far as Filumé knew, this cave was the only one which led to the root. Though he was over a thousand years old, his mother still insisted he had the impatience and curiosity of a youngling. As the oppressive darkness grew around him, Filumé began to regret losing his temper at Kore’s taunts.
Worlds of the Never: A book with Dragons, Faeries and Elves, mixed with Science Fiction and Time Travel, for Young Adults and Teens. (Tales of the Neverwar 2) Page 11
