“Who was the man?”
“DerTah’s High DiMensioner, Wolloh Espyro.”
Gregos climbed on deck with Elf at his heels. “We’ll take over. Go get some sleep.”
Tamosh patted Esán on the back. “Go on.”
Esán descended the two steps to the upper cabin and stood for a moment deep in thought. Behind him, Tamosh updated Gregos on the heading and the distance they’d traveled. The murmur of voices trailed off until only the sound of the wind and the slosh of the water against the boat could be heard. Tired, yet exhilarated, he stretched out on his berth.
Tamosh knows the High DiMensioner. It sure is a small Universe.
He yawned and rolled onto his side. With the rocking of the boat and slapping of the lines against the mast singing a lullaby, he drifted into dreaming.
The Astican set the Mindeco on the ground at the outskirts of Atkis and landed beside him.
Rikell rubbed his shoulders and shot it a nasty sneer. “Thought you didn’t need me. But then, some say the Astican are afraid of water.”
Abarax growled. “Not afraid. Water scalds the flesh from our bones when we are in this form. Don’t worry, I’ll shift and be right by your side.” It sniffed the air. “I picked up the faint scent of the children earlier. They were in an alley near here. Didn’t find another trace. We need to discover where they went, and we need a small, fast boat and the knowledge of how to use it. Let’s find you a victim. What do you need?”
“A reprobate with the know-how to do the job, and a private place to take him over unobserved.”
Abarax moved from one tree to the next with Rikell skulking behind. Midway through the village, it paused. The smell of stale ale and food permeated the air.
“Stay put, Mindeco. Be back as soon as I can. Don’t let anyone see you, or we’ll have panic to contend with.”
Its shift was instantaneous. On rat feet, it scurried in the half-closed door of a bar and under a table, nose twitching. A foot wedged the inner door open. The rat sprinted though. Concealed beneath a low wooden bench, it probed the minds of the clientele.
A smallish man with a greedy gleam in his eye leaned on the end of the bar, a tankard in hand. The rat dodged from barroom to kitchen. The perfect victim had been found. After returning to its natural form, Abarax found Rikell hidden beneath a rickety staircase behind a pile of empty barrels and crouched beside him.
“Found our man. One of the best sailors in town. Also one of the most unpopular. Seems he’s a bit of a skinflint. Name’s Brubger. His boat is Possession . He’s headed down to the dock later to check on her. You can take him there.”
“How do you plan to be on the boat when you can’t stand water?”
“I’m about to become your pet monkey. Don’t make me shift on the water.”
“And if I do?”
“I won’t die alone.”
Rikell kept his thoughts well-concealed as he followed the Astican’s monkey form to the harbor. Possession , the only vessel tied to a dock some distance from the main waterfront, turned out to be a small, sleek single master with a keatwood deck and trim. Brubger might be stingy in other ways but not when it came to his boat.
While Abarax climbed to the top of a stack of boxes and barrels, ready to give the signal when Brubger appeared, Rikell wedged his large body behind a pile of fishing net and blown-glass floats. The Astican’s close proximity made him edgy. The business of taking over a body needed his complete concentration. A wrong move could destroy the important neuro connections in the brain that linked him to the memories of the man. If he was to sail this boat, he’d need every memory he could acquire.
A small barrel rattled, toppled, and rolled to a stop. A short, sturdy man swore and dodged around it. He smoothed thinning, dark hair away from an unpleasant face and cast a cautious look over his shoulder. Close-set eyes narrowed. Pulling out a parchment packet, he peeked inside. A soft, gleeful guffaw accompanied its return to his pocket. With a cheerful whistle, he continued along the dock.
Rikell did a quick survey of the area. All clear . Stepping behind Brubger, he wrapped an arm around him, covered his mouth and nose with a hand, and pulled him hard against his chest. The man went limp.
Rikell steeled himself for immersion into the body. The initial pain of shrinking to Human size always left him gasping. He gulped a mouthful of air, shoved his protruding jaw against the man’s occipital bone, and extended his neck forward. Everything blurred. Momentary confusion—the merge was complete.
He took a tentative step on rubbery legs, ran a hand through sparse hair, and blinked eyes that fought to focus. His new legs steadied. His mind cleared. He threw back his head and laughed. A Human body! Walking briskly toward the sailboat, he savored the taut-muscled power of his new acquisition. Pulling the packet from his pocket, he studied the bill of sale for a small farm. Memories told the rest of the tale. Brubger was a cheat and a scoundrel.
Possession nudged the jetty with her bow. A thrill ran through Rikell as he stopped to absorb the beauty of the small craft. Brubger adored her.
Abarax jumped aboard and stared at him from the top of the small cabin. For the briefest of moments, Rikell considered tossing the creature overboard. “I won’t die alone” thrummed in his mind. With a shrug, he climbed onboard and began to acquaint himself with Brubger’s personality and his boat.
27
Master’s Reach
Myrrh
S tee and Paisley sat in a small room off the conference chamber in Meos. A young DeoNyte had met them at the Intersect entrance and taken them to Yookotay. The Redael had sent his assistant, Sitrio, to fetch Almiralyn. At Stee’s urging, Yookotay had gone to seal the Intersect entrance. Now, they waited.
Paisley tugged at his mustache. “What was that darkness in the Intersect? Do you think it followed us?”
Stee gazed at the charnockite jar sitting in the middle of the table. “I don’t believe it had anything to do with us until we decided to use the Intersect. It may have something to do with the contents of the jar.”
He stood as the Guardian of Myrrh entered the room. Paisley lumbered to his feet.
Almiralyn smiled. “Hello, Paisley. Stee. I understand you’ve had quite an adventure.” She relaxed onto a chair. “Please sit, and tell me what happened.”
Stee signaled Paisley to begin.
“CheeTrann and I were playing chess. I was winnin’, Mira. Evolsefil began t’ hum and the invisibility charm t’ fade. Before I could move, Nemttachenn started t’ shake, the chess pieces flew t’ the ground, and CheeTrann vanished. Things grew quiet. I started t’ pick up the pieces. Something made me look at the crystal. Ice blue eyes stared into mine. I knew it was Nissasa. I knew I was in danger, but I couldn’t move. I think I might have stopped breathing.”
Stee picked up the narrative from his entrance into the tower and finished with the darkness in the Intersect.
Almiralyn ran a finger around the lid of the jar. Her serious expression spoke volumes. “I can read Nissasa’s essence. He is a servant, albeit against his will, of The MasTer. It’s too bad his mother’s greed placed him in jeopardy. He is not particularly bright and chose not to tell The MasTer’s emissary that he was in possession of WoNa’s Oracle Stone. A choice that I believe may precipitate his undoing.” She glanced again at the jar. “He has infused the stone with the ConDra’s fire and renamed it Souvitrico.”
Paisley look confused. “I thought the stone was in the jar.”
Almiralyn nodded. “It is.”
He gave her a quizzical look. “Can you retrieve it?”
“At this point, only Nissasa can retrieve it.”
“You mean we have t’ find his body and bring it here?” Paisley rubbed his stubbly chin.
Stee grunted, “How long does he have before his body begins to decompose?”
“With the help of Vygel Vintrusie, The MasTer’s Mocendi, maybe half a moon cycle. We must alert Nomed and TheLise. They are the closest to his position. If they ca
n get him to Shu Chenaro, One Man can take the jar there and help to reconnect Nissasa’s essence with his body.”
“What about the Intersect. Can we use it?” Stee asked.
“I believe the cloud you saw is what the Mocendi call The MasTer’s Reach.” She shared a quick explanation and concluded with the supposition that it would dissipate over time. “My question is how it was released in the Intersect in the first place. Did Nissasa have an ampule with him? Was the cloud able to escape between the molecules of the jar? Or is there a Mocendi in Myrrh? We need the advice of Wolloh or Relevart. You can’t use the Intersect until we discover the answers and ascertain it is safe.”
Stee fingered a dark green braid. “But we can leave via more conventional means, correct?”
She glanced from him to Paisley. “You can.”
He smiled. “It would not be good to worry Tinpaca Mondago. He has enough to concern him. I will shape a vulture, and Paisley can ride on my back. I believe he would like to return to his comrade, CheeTrann.”
Paisley choked. “I’m too big. Never flown before. Might fall off…”
Stee touched a fist hand to his heart. “My vulture form is very strong. I will not let you fall.”
Almiralyn stood. “I have a better idea. Sitrio will take you both to the Nervac Gateway. You can make the jump to DerTah and tell One Man what has occurred and that I need him here. The less we use telepathy between dimensions the safer we are. When you’re done, you can return through the portal to Nemttachenn.”
Paisley stared at her. “You mean—me—to DerTah—another world.”
Almiralyn’s gaze remained steady. Her sapphire eyes held the hint of a smile.
He stopped sputtering. “Of course, my lady. Your will is my will.”
She strode from the room and returned with Sitrio. “Lorsedi’s men hold the gateway. Tell them I sent you. Be careful. Stay alert. It seems The MasTer’s influence grows stronger.”
She flashed from view.
Paisley sighed. “I like her better as Mira.”
Sitrio escorted them to the portal, taught them the Key for DerTah, and stepped back.
Stee put a hand on Paisley’s arm. “Are you ready?”
“Ah, what’s it like, flying between dimensions?”
“Like nothing else in the Universe. On three, run and jump into the vortex. Ready?”
Paisley clenched his fists. “Ready.”
Stee counted.
Velvet blackness engulfed Paisley, stifling sensation and sight. He gulped a soundless breath and blinked against the darkness. The next instant vibrant bands of color—greens, yellows, reds, and blues—streaked past him on all sides. Like a RiaTrain, he shot forward. Currents of air tugged at his hair and clothing. A small circle of white light appeared in the distance and grew bigger and bigger. Increased speed cannoned him toward it, blasted him through it, and dumped him in red-orange sand under a burgundy sky studded with stars. On the far horizon, the crested curve of a saffron moon washed the sky with a warm glow. The chill in the air sent gooseflesh skipping over his skin.
Stee’s lizard-like eyes observed him with interest. “How was your first jump?”
“My what? Oh…jump.” He grinned. “My heart’s pounding like a smithy’s hammer. It was good.” He laughed. “It was great!”
Stee climbed to his feet and offered a hand. Paisley gripped it. He arrived at standing as two soldiers appeared, drawn weapons glowing in the moon’s light. Their expressions were cold and grim.
Stee took the lead. “Almiralyn sent us with a message for One Man. I am Stee. My companion is Paisley. You know my comrade, Jeet.”
The two conferred, lowered their weapons, and motioned them to follow.
The trek over the sand left Paisley panting and trailing behind. Sure hope we get there soon. He mopped the beginnings of sweat from his brow and picked up his pace. As he rounded a dune, tents silhouetted against firelight and moonbeams came into view. His escort stopped to speak with a soldier, who looked them up and down. The portal guards plodded back the way they had come. The new man shepherded them through the camp to a tent bearing the flag of RewFaar.
“Wait here.” He ducked inside. Voices murmured. He reappeared. “The Grantese will see you.”
Stee preceded Paisley. Jeet and the Grantese both rose.
Tesilend greeted them with a hearty hello. “You have news?” He indicated two camp stools. “Please take a seat.”
Stee flipped his tail to one side and sat. “I thought One Man was with you.”
The Grantese nodded. “He’s on patrol. We’re expecting him any time now.” He smiled at Paisley. “Jeet tells me this is your first time off Myrrh. How’d you like your first jump?”
Paisley felt his cheeks grow warm. He swallowed his natural shyness and answered. “Never experienced anythin’ like it. Hope t’ do it again.”
Tesilend grew serious. “I have no doubt you will. What brings you to DerTah?”
Stee began to describe what had occurred in the tower. Paisley’s attention wandered. I’m on another planet—in the desert—in a RewFaaran camp . He pinched his arm to wake himself up from the unbelievable dream. I’m really here.
Jordett excused himself for a few moments of private thought. Kieel had eaten his fill, then proceeded to provide details regarding The MasTer’s plan for Thera. He continued to be amazed at the small man’s ability to assimilate detail, analyze it, distill it down to the essentials, and present it.
Mocendi were being amassed from throughout the Inner Universe. They would take up positions on Thera with the largest contingent in Idronatti. As soon as they established control, the portal Almiralyn had shut down upon her arrival in Myrrh—one with an anchor point in her garden and a destination point in the inner sanctum of the Five Towers—would be reopened. Once Mocendi controlled both dimensions, Thera’s surface would be prepared for The MasTer and the League. All life would be destroyed. The centralized position of Clenaba Rolas, Thera’s solar system, would provide the Mocendi with access to a majority of galaxies in the Inner Universe. That and the wealth of information stored within Myrrh’s geological composition and its Galactic Library would give The MasTer a strangle hold that would be almost impossible to break.
Jordett tried unsuccessfully to suppress a shiver. Well, that’s for the future. What matters now is removing Nissasa’s Brigade from power. Once this objective is accomplished, the next will be to shore up the city against a Mocendi attack. Don’t know quite how to go about that, but I imagine the KcernFensians will.
Teva’s appearance at his side ended his inner discourse and his solitude.
“Sorry to interrupt, but we need a decision. Do we call off the offensive and reschedule or proceed.”
Jordett reviewed his teams and the plan they had laid out. “We have seven teams and seven objectives.” He ticked them off on his fingers. “Team 1…secure and lock down the Dissemination Center. Team 2…secure the Transit Center. Team 3…secure the perimeter of the Five Towers. Team 4, secure Tower One and find the Five Fathers. Teams 5, 6, and 7…secure Towers Two through Five. All teams but number 7 have a KcernFensian leader. Kieel will fill the gap as our go between.”
Teva nodded her approval.
Jordett squared his shoulders. “We go as planned. Give the signal to take up positions and await the go.” He studied her face as she made telepathic contact with the team leaders. The resemblance to Almiralyn was uncanny. Give her blonde hair and brows and lighten her complexion—
She caught his eye. “Done.”
Walking into the sub-level, Jordett motioned his two patrollers to join them. “It’s time. Tower One is our objective. Once the perimeter is secured, move in. It’s full light, so take care. Kieel took a quick look around. Guards have been posted at all entrances. Other than that, we don’t know for certain what we’re going to find inside the compound.”
The patrollers gathered their equipment, slipped from the sub-level, and took up their assigned positions
. Jordett, Kieel, and Teva left last.
The streets surrounding the Five Towers had been constructed like the spokes of a wheel. Six streets intersected with Tower Avenue, the street that encircled the compound. Two of the spokes housed the Transit and Dissemination Centers. Seven teams skulked the length of the mid-block pass-throughs that brought them to the avenue and their assigned vantage points. Leaders checked in. Team 1 was given the order to go. No one else would move until the Dissemination Center was secure.
Sweat trickled down the back of Jordett’s neck. The waiting was the hardest, the waiting and the not knowing.
Teva closed her eyes. “I’m receiving a vague image from Falind. They’ve bypassed the exterior guard and entered the building. I can’t see. She must be occupied. Wait. They’ve reached the control center. Holins enters and hands the Grid Keeper a note. He follows her into the corridor. Sagus is talking to him. A RewFaaran steps into the hall. Grodan snaps to attention. Falind attacks from behind.” Teva frowned. “Lost the connection.”
Jordett shook his head. “How do you do that?”
“It took long sun cycles of practice.”
“I thought you had the gift naturally.”
“One of the first things you learn is that a gift has to be tamed, trained, and honed to perfection or it’s worthless. Hold on.” Her eyebrows bridged her nose, her eyes closed in concentration. Air whistled from her mouth in a satisfied exhale. “It’s done. They have control. The Grid Keeper is onboard and his men with Grodan are off to secure the exterior of the building.”
“Alright, Teams 2 and 3, go.” Jordett turned to his small group. “We’re next.”
“They’re away.” Teva grinned.
Jordett looked up at the Theran sky. Sure hope they’re as successful .
Almiralyn materialized in the Cave of Canedari and stared at the spot usually occupied by Evolsefil. The Unfolding moved toward its conclusion. She and her comrades had much to accomplish in order to prepare the way for the crystal’s return. She hurried down the Hall of Priestesses and entered the Reading Room. Wilith, Zugo, and Merrilea gathered in a group at the far end. Sparrow and Elae, at her request, had remained with Elcaro’s Eye.
The UnFolding Collection Three Page 29
