The Embroidered Serpent (The Crystalline Source Book 1)

by M. Woodruff

  “Who says we’re going to Silver Persia?” Nels asked a bit gruffly.

  “Why, I do. You’re certainly not ready to go back to The Kingdom, yet, are you Nels? No. I thought not. So, Silver Persia it must be. Unless you’re holding out worlds on me, Casandra?” Javin asked jokingly, but not quite jokingly enough to hide the fact that he wasn’t totally unconcerned that she very well could be.

  “No, you’re right, Javin. Silver Persia it is. And, where’s that breakfast? I’m starving this morning with no breakfast served in bed,” Casandra answered, keeping the mood light.

  “Ah, here it comes now. Right on time, as always, Sans.” Javin gestured to chairs placed around the light sculpture, which was just beginning to gain some height as the sun slowly rose. “I thought we might enjoy watching the light rise instead of the sun. It is still a bit chilly outside. I trust you stayed warm enough on the canipilad last night, Nels, with just a blanket? Casandra refused to wake you. I think she was quite taken with your snores.”

  Nels hid a grimace as he seated himself on one of the black leather chairs. Sans placed a silver tray laden with food over his lap. It took Nels but a second to realize he felt no pressure from the weight of the tray. It was hovering on its own, unsupported by any type of legs.

  Javin, noticing Nels’ leaning side-to-side, trying to peek under the tray, explained, “Recently, some of our silver workers noticed they, too, had the same talent as many of our esteemed architects—their works levitate all by themselves. For the silver artisans, it hasn’t been quite the boon as for the architects, but they did find some use for floating silver, I’m glad to say.”

  Nels felt slightly chagrined as he realized he had never gotten over the fact there were floating buildings to even wonder how such a thing could be possible. But, Javin continued on as if he understood, “You might compare it to your Black’s Hand ironworks. Years ago, a new, young architect built a small shop for a ladies’ boutique—his first commission. The next morning, after it was complete, it was found floating in the air. Needless to say, it caused quite a stir. Especially from the architect. He had no idea how it had happened; he had used a proper foundation, but foundation and all had somehow managed to lift from the ground.

  “Oh, it wasn’t so far up as the buildings we occupy now. It was only high enough so that a ladder could be used to get inside. The architect offered to try to use ropes and weights to pull the shop down, but the owner refused, saying it would be a great draw for business. And she was right. In fact, soon everyone wanted his or her shops to float. So a series of ladders and bridges were constructed to enable patrons to be able to stroll between shops instead of having to climb up and down.

  “The young architect became quite wealthy after that, I might add. He began hiring apprentices and had them build small huts to test and see if they might have the same talent he did. Many did. And as the architects’ empire and fame grew, he reached new heights along with the increasing altitude of the buildings. Soon he expanded to private dwellings. Many people saw the value of being able to have a house that was impenetrable to walk-by thefts. They would raise the ladder at night, you see, while they were tucked safely away in bed. But, it was pretty soon after that, that the carpet makers discovered they too had the floating talent. And well, the rest is history,” Javin concluded taking a sip of steaming coffee.

  Nels finished chewing a sausage link before taking a drink of his own glass of Nectar of the Gods, which he then raised in salute to Javin’s thoughtfulness. Apparently, not everyone was appalled at the idea of having the beverage for breakfast. “I do thank you, Javin Bone, for your hospitality. Even though my stay here has been brief, I can honestly say, I have never been treated so…differently. And I mean that as a compliment. It’s just this has all been so…unexpected. I am at a loss for words as to even begin to describe my experience. But, it has all been quite pleasurable, I assure you.” Of course, that was easy to say, now that he was leaving.

  “And I thank you too, Javin, as always,” Casandra said as she raised her cup of coffee in salute.

  “My pleasure, and I do trust you will stop by again, soon. You both are always welcome. I hope, too, Nels, that in the future we may have a chance to talk further. But, I do think it is important you meet the Jouel, first. She will be able to explain to you about your…awakening…so to speak, which will undoubtedly help you on your path to fully utilizing your gift within the context of your own specific abilities. That, only you can do. It’s a process of self-discovery in learning the art. Not something one can teach readily or by rote, as Casandra and I have learned.”

  Casandra blushed and said, “Yes, that is true. That’s why I haven’t been more forthcoming with explaining the gift to you, Nels. It seems to operate differently for everyone who has it.

  “Javin tried teaching me to build a small cave, like he did, using pebbles instead of large rocks, but nothing would work. I only seem to be able to make faint colored lights.” She looked down quickly in embarrassment and continued in a mumble, “I guess because I think they’re pretty.”

  “No worries, my dear,” Javin soothed. “You are just starting and it does take time. I am testament to that. I haven’t learned my art overnight and I’m still learning. I’m sure it will be good for you too, Casandra, to see Grayson again. Silva Persia is immersed in the gift—the whole land is infused with it—not like here in Sandrid, which I believe makes its operation more difficult.

  “So, yes, both of you go, and I expect you to come back and show me all you have learned.” Javin stood, swiping his tray out of the way. “And give my regards to the Jouel.”

  Nels and Casandra walked out to Javin’s courtyard under a red sunrise. Even the golden cone took on a crimson glow that made Nels hesitate, reflecting at its tip the sun marked by a ruby aura. The water jets were silenced, the only noise coming from their boots meeting the stones, in the still morning air.

  “Do we have to travel from here?” Nels whispered, hoping there might be a more auspicious embarkation waiting for them elsewhere. He could even do with a little fanfare now that they were about it. He wasn’t sure he was ready for another Sandrid…or something worse.

  “Not technically, no. We would just need to find another energy reservoir, a natural Portal, would work just as well. I’m sure there are more around—Javin says they’re everywhere, but I’m not experienced enough, yet, to detect them. Well, at least none I’m sure of anyways, and he hasn’t shown me any others.”

  “You mean they don’t have to be marked? I could just bungle into one?” Nels asked, imagining the horrible possibilities that could entail.

  “Yes, I suppose you could just fall into one…” Casandra laughed, obviously imagining the humorous implications. “…because, no, they don’t have to be marked.”

  “So, you don’t have to travel through a pool of water, and Javin doesn’t need to have a portable gold cone with him at all times?”

  “No. That’s what was thought at first. But since then, it’s been discovered that anyone can travel through any Portal, and they can occur anywhere there’s a natural energy spot. But, to first establish your right to use the energy paths, you must imprint your spiritual essence on the physical plane. And that’s how we did it, me with my pool, and Javin with his cone. I don’t know what yours is yet, you won’t know until Grayson shares it with you. She’s sort of like the Keeper of the Portals—she has all the keys to unlock them. She knows what physical act the person did to unlock the energy patterns, which opens up the door to the gift. You then have to ground yourself to the physical so you can travel through the non-physical world.

  “You can travel with me because you do have the gift—you have unlocked it, by something you did, only Grayson knows what—you just can’t travel alone, yet. You won’t be able to do that until you’ve established your claim within the spiritual world and you do that by grounding yourself with a mark on the physical world.”

  Nels grinned. He actually though
t he understood what she was saying—the gist of it anyways. His reservation now almost completely gone, he pulled Casandra towards the gold cone. Best get this over with quickly. “Well, since you’re flying this spiritual carpet, dearie, I hope you know the way!”

  Casandra pulled a face as Nels shrugged lamely.

  7

  Nels and Casandra stepped into a small octagonal room made of pale gray-green stone. The floor was made of a deeper green marble, and they stood upon a plush green eight-sided carpet. The ceiling disappeared into a dim viridescent light that made Nels imagine it was lit by a glowing emerald far above. Pale green, coarse silk draperies paneled the walls, under which no windows were present, Nels noticed, after taking a quick peek. The flickering flames in the wall sconces added to the unreal atmosphere of the room. What kind of room was this? Was it built just to house a Portal? It certainly seemed that way, as there was no furniture present.

  “I’ve never been here before,” Casandra murmured, looking slightly concerned they might not be in the right place. “But, I’m sure this is the palace. It has that feel to it, at least.”

  Everything had a slow-motion quality to it. Even Casandra’s words seemed to float on the air to his ears, and as she moved around the edge of the rug looking up into the green duskiness, Nels felt as if he too were floating around in circles even though his feet never moved.

  “Maybe we should leave?” he asked, even though part of him wanted to stay—there was a certain comfort here in the strange light hanging in the air. He looked at Casandra still circling the carpet as he stepped towards the dark wooden door, shiny even in the low light. He reached out to grasp the golden doorknob and sharply pulled his hand back with a gasp when he saw that in its center was a very life-like green eye.

  “Casandra…” He half-strangled a cry as the eye suddenly looked up at him upon hearing his voice.

  “What is it?” Casandra took a moment to stop her circling and give Nels a quizzical glance, as if surprised to find him there.

  “It’s…there’s…” He was having trouble getting the words to leave his mouth, so settled with pointing instead.

  Casandra walked over holding the skirt of her simple brown linen dress out as if she were wearing a grand gown of silks. Even her bearing seemed to grow more graceful and confident with each step. She smiled, a trifle condescendingly in Nels’ opinion. “Why, it’s just an eye. You do know there are eyes and ears all over a palace, don’t you?” She let out a slight hmph, grabbed the doorknob—Nels could’ve sworn he saw a nonexistent eyelid close—and opened the door.

  Eyes and ears? He hoped he wouldn’t find severed ears hanging on the walls—eyes were bad enough. He shivered at the thought.

  The hallway proved to be clear of ears at least. It was done in the same green tones complete with plush runners down the seemingly endless expanse of corridor. There was interspersed placement of furniture here, though. Dark wood, glossy tables and chairs, accented with yellow silk brocade. The chandeliers hanging from the smooth ceilings were rather low as to make Nels feel the need to walk to the right of center. As he passed one such piece, he noticed that the simple glass globe held not a flame, as expected, but instead an emerald that pulsed as if it were trying to imitate a flickering candle.

  “It must be day,” Casandra said, noticing Nels’ gaze. She nodded toward the lit sconces on the wall. “During the night the gems glow brightly, but during the day they don’t let off as much light, so regular candles are used to supplement the gemlight.”

  “Huh,” was all Nels could think to say.

  “I don’t know where we’re at exactly, but I’m sure if we keep walking we’ll eventually run into someone or somewhere I recognize. I know the Jouel is aware we’re here. Maybe she’ll send someone to escort us. It is strange though…I’ve normally always arrived outside by a small pool in the gardens. I’ll have to ask Grayson about that,” she said, not sounding convinced she should or wanted to know the answer.

  As they continued walking down the hall, Nels began to wonder if they should open one of the side doors—those doors didn’t have eyes on their knobs, he noticed, thankfully. There were no side corridors that intersected this one long hall, and he still couldn’t see the end of it, only a grayish-green gloom that never seemed to get any closer, even though the furniture changed so he knew they were making progress. He suppressed a shudder at the thought, and quickly opened a door to his right without consulting Casandra. The room was exactly like the one they had traveled into to begin with. He shut it just as fast as he had opened it.

  Casandra asked, “What did you see in there?”

  Nels sighed. “It was just like the original room we were in. I know we’re making progress…but…”

  Casandra reached out and opened a door to the left. She shut it just as quickly as Nels had. “Same.”

  Nels ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “What are we going to do?” Suddenly stopping, he sat on a chair. “We can’t keep walking around like this. I know we haven’t been walking long, but still. It just seems pointless.” As much as he hated the idea, he added, “Maybe we should go into one of the rooms and wait. You said she’d know we’re here. If we stay put where the eye can keep an eye on us maybe that’ll speed things up.” He couldn’t help but thinking, too, that maybe an ear on the wall wouldn’t be a bad idea right now. He certainly wouldn’t mind yelling in it, if it would get them recognized and out of this hallway.

  “You’re right,” Casandra agreed. “That’s a good idea. Maybe we shouldn’t have left in the first place.” She stepped into the room beside Nels and walked to the center of the carpet. He hoped she wouldn’t start her circling again.

  “I wonder if all of these rooms are Portals,” she mused, staring up at the darkness.

  Nels, realizing he was going to have to shut the door and not wanting to touch the doorknob was about to ask if he should just leave it open, when it shut itself with a click. Nels grimaced, but tried to open it anyway. It was locked.

  “Locked?” Casandra asked.

  Nels nodded, feeling his mouth go dry; he didn’t like locked doors, even his own. It wasn’t something people did in The Kingdom, unless they had something to hide. Or something they didn’t want to escape. Was this all an elaborate trap? Grayson’s visitation to him in the stars, just a lure? Casandra and Javin, both, had spoken so highly of her, but to lock them in? That wasn’t the best way to greet an invited guest. Even he could think of better, unless your intentions were bad to begin with. Maybe Casandra could travel them out of here; even Javin had never incarcerated them.

  “Don’t fret about it, Nels,” Casandra soothed, noticing the way his hands were clenched into fists. “I’m sure we weren’t supposed to leave in the first place. The hallway’s too disorienting, besides. It’s best we just stay here and wait.” She reached over and took one of his hands in her own, straightening out his fingers then massaging them between her palms.

  He had to admit he appreciated the gesture. She was right—there was no reason to start thinking the worst just because things didn’t get off to the start he’d expected. Of course, he hadn’t really known what to expect to begin with. Best just to take it all in stride, and not play the nervous-old-grandmother type. Not in front of Casandra, anyway.

  Back to being his regular debonair self, he gave each of Casandra’s hands a kiss, and even flirted with the idea of asking her to dance when a woman’s low cough suddenly intruded.

  “Casandra and Nels, I must apologize for my unseemly entry and your rather confused arrival.”

  Nels turned, still holding Casandra’s hands to his lips, to see the Jouel of Silver Persia with an amused smile playing on her porcelain face. She was just as he had seen her in his dream. Her long white, silvery hair flowing in waves over a silver satin gown with the widest skirt Nels had ever seen. Smoky gemstones were sown heavily over the bodice and tapered lightly onto the skirt and sleeves. Her cat-green eyes were accentuated by black kohl so th
at even though they held nothing but merriment, he still felt their penetrating gaze. He would hate to see those eyes flashed at him in anger.

  “Jouel Grayson,” Casandra exclaimed with a start as she removed her hands from Nels’ and quickly bent into a curtsey. Nels performed what he was sure was his best imitation of a courtly flourish and bow before taking a quick peek to see how it was received.

  “Please rise, and be seated,” Grayson said as she gestured behind Nels and Casandra with long, glittering nails.

  Nels was about to protest there were no seats unless the Jouel wished them to sit on the floor, when out of the corner of his eye he saw Casandra sitting on a green high-back velvet chair. He turned around to find an empty one waiting for him. After taking his seat, he looked up to see Grayson was now seated upon a much more elaborate chair made of crystal and…feathers?!

  “Some refreshments are in order,” Grayson said as she gave a slight wave of her hand.

  A silver tray, with emeralds carved to look like leaves around the edges, appeared out of nowhere diagonally beside Nels. He knew enough from his experience in Sandrid not to gape at its levitation, but it took all of his poise to remain nonchalant at its sudden appearance. He looked over at Casandra and saw she had an identical tray floating beside her as well.

  “Is there a particular beverage you would care for?” Grayson asked Casandra.

  “Mint tea, if you please,” Casandra responded politely.

  Grayson turned her gaze to Nels.

  “Uh…” He knew he certainly didn’t want any tea. Vile liquid. To ask for anything distilled would probably reflect poorly on his character, he supposed. Ale was quite common, but that was the problem—maybe it was too common to drink in front of a jouel. Asking for plain water would just be rude and Nels was quite sure water was not what Grayson would consider a proper refreshment in her presence. So, he settled on a drink sure to make him appear well traveled and maybe even a touch exotic, “Nectar of the Gods, if you please.”