by Chris Fox
“Very well.” Drakkon gestured with a single delicate finger, and the swirling galaxy of magical energy spun closer and closer to Voria’s chest. She shivered as it neared her, but nothing prepared her for the icy shock.
The magic crashed into her like a universe being born. It rippled outwards from the impact point, and surged through every atom in her body. The water flowed everywhere, infused all of her. It was quite unlike previous Catalyzations, which had merely deposited magic into her chest. This magic was becoming a part of her, a vital part of her.
“I—”. She had no words. Nothing she could say to express the wonder. “This is…amazing. It’s so much.”
The energy wasn’t totally unfamiliar, as she’d already touched Marid when she’d clashed with Nebiat—what felt like a lifetime ago. This was so much…more. She could reach out to the stars around her. Could bring life-giving rain to the entire world of Shaya. She was…more than mortal, but still less than a god.
“It pleases me,” Drakkon said suddenly, a smile creasing his fine scales, “Mother would have been pleased as well. May her strength aid you in your battle with Krox.”
Ikadra pulsed in protest. “So, uh, Drakkon, what are you gonna be doing, man? ‘Cause we could definitely use your help. I mean magic is great, but that kung fu stuff you do is pretty impressive. You could, like, karate chop Krox and Voria could, like, hit him over the head.”
Drakkon gave an affectionate sigh. “I must return to mother, to safeguard her, and to nurture the drakes that have come to bask in her radiance. Already they grow larger and stronger. Soon the day will come when they are able to ride to war, but until then my place is with them.”
Voria nodded. “I understand. You’ve done enough. With Marid, and with Shaya…I will find a way to defeat Krox.
“Ma’am,” Pickus’s nervous voice came from behind her, and she shifted to face the scry-screen. A Fissure had begun to vein across the umbral shadow. Aran had finally arrived.
37
Reunion
By the time Voria reached the conference hall there was a flurry of activity. Pickus stood at the edge of the room giving orders to an army of white-clad servants. A team of drifters began rolling in small casks of beer, which they set up on the far side of the room, away from the conference table. A few moments later, baskets of life apples arrived, and then pitchers of wine.
Voria picked a path through the organized chaos until she reached Pickus’s side. The mousey tech no longer seemed quite so mousey. He waved off the last of the servants, then focused on her. “I think everything’s taken care of, ma’am. I’ve got Ducius escorting Governor Austin, and he’ll keep him entertained while you speak with Captain Aran. There’s a small room through that door over there. The captain should be up any moment.”
“You never cease to amaze me, Pickus.” She gave him a warm smile, then turned to the room he’d indicated. “I’ll keep the meeting brief, and then we’ll come in to meet with the governor.”
Pickus nodded, but he was already surrounded by a trio of servants clamoring to have their specific needs addressed. More waited beyond them, not quite as bold, but equally persistent.
She hurried from the conference room, and into the adjoining office. Three hover couches lined the walls, but the room was otherwise empty. An antechamber, perhaps? Its original purpose didn’t matter, and she knew she was just distracting herself. What was she even going to say to Aran? Him being here meant that her vision was that much closer to fulfillment.
Krox would arrive soon, and that was the part she was trying to avoid.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway outside the door opposite the one Voria had entered from. She squared her shoulders and wrapped a hand firmly around Ikadra as the door opened to admit a quartet of familiar faces.
Aran stood in the lead, wearing a quiet confidence she didn’t remember. His serious face split into a smile, and he snapped a confederate salute. “Major, it is damned good to see you.”
“It’s okay,” Bord said, muscling his way through the doorway and past Aran. “You can tell everyone how much you missed me, Major.” He struck a pose, but lost it when Kezia elbowed him in the ribs. “Oww, I was just—”
“Being disrespectful.” Kezia frowned up at him. “You owe her your life, literally. The least you could do is give her a salute.”
“Aten-shun,” Crewes barked. The company snapped to, just as they’d always done. All them faced her, their hands clutched before their hearts, just as they had been the first time she had gone into battle, and every time since.
“At ease.” She smiled at Aran. “You’re also a welcome sight, Captain. We’re sorely in need of any aid we can get, even those ships.”
Voria noticed a fifth person lurking behind the others, and realized it must be Rhea. The girl seemed to want to keep her distance, so Voria pretended to ignore her.
Aran gave a visible shudder. “I get that we need allies, but being inside one of those ships was the worst experience I’ve ever endured. Worse than the mindwipe. Worse than anything Nebiat has put us through. Evil doesn’t begin to cover it. As terrible as it is to say out loud, it might be best for everyone if there are heavy casualties in the Ternus fleet during the coming battle.”
Voria gave a heavy sigh, and moved to sit on one of the couches. She placed Ikadra in the air, where he hovered under his own power. “We have precious little time before we need to go out there and put on a circus for the Ternus dignitaries. Can you catch me up? How did Yanthara go? And the Skull?”
She realized Nara wasn’t present, and nearly simultaneously realized her mind was flitting about like a humming bird. This must be the euphoria Drakkon had warned her about. It was magnificent, even if part of her realized just how little she could afford it.
Aran’s face grew more serious, and the expression paired with the thick, black beard made him look the new rank. Every bit of him was the consummate commander, and the way he walked promised swift death to any who challenged him. He’d well and truly become a master war mage, and goddess knew what powers he now possessed.
“I’ll try to sum it all up quickly,” he began, pausing to lick his lips. He gestured at the woman at the back of the room who’d yet to speak. “This is Rhea, the newest member of Aran’s Outriders.”
“So it did go well.” Voria nodded respectfully at the young woman. Well, young Wyrm, she reminded herself. “Welcome. Your aid is timely.”
Rhea nodded back, but said nothing. She looked a bit uncomfortable with the attention.
“The Skull went…less well,” Aran continued. He heaved a sigh, then shook his head sadly. “We met the Guardian, a demon named Malila, and learned some troubling things. Anyone who’s been touched by Xal is a conduit. Malila can see through their eyes, and distance doesn’t seem to matter. Everything I’ve done, and everything Nara has done…she saw it all. The Guardian doesn’t seem hostile, but I have no idea what her motives are in the long term.”
“What does your gut say?” Voria asked. Sometimes it was the only reliable weathervane, when logic failed.
“I think she’s on our side. She certainly has no love for Krox, or for Nefarius.” Aran stroked his beard, and his eyes took on a far-away look, then refocused on her a moment later. “I debated telling anyone this, but it seems pertinent. Xal has given me the same ability to sense void and thus, those touched with his magic. Krox took a piece of him during the war, and I might even be able to use it to spot Krox’s advance.”
“Don’t risk it,” Voria replied. “Such magics can be traced, and if you peer into the mind of a god, you must expect them to peer back.”
“Fair point.” Aran looked toward the doorway leading into the conference room. “Austin comes across as a decent leader, but I’m already seeing that when he’s pushed to the wall he’ll screw people over without a second thought. He’s been spending a lot of time with Skare, and with, ah, well, with your mother.” He finally met her eyes when he said that last word.
&n
bsp; Voria closed her eyes, and wished she could banish the euphoria. It was eroding her focus, and she needed that right now. She opened her eyes, and took in the company, who were all still watching her. “She’s been compromised. Kazon warned me.” It hurt to say, but she kept most of the emotion out of the words. “Right now I am more concerned for what it means regarding our new allies. If Ternus is also compromised, do we need to fear them stabbing us in the back in the middle of the battle? We cannot afford a second front, not right now.”
Aran rubbed at the bridge of his nose, as if relieving stress. “I’d like to think they’re going to support us today, at the very least. No one wants Krox to win here, and Ternus is even worse off than we are. But I think we should treat them as potential hostiles, starting right now. We need to be ready in case they turn on us. I hope it doesn’t come to that, and I know that’s the last thing you need to hear right now. But it’s the truth.”
“Shit,” Crewes interjected with a proud smile. “Major can handle the truth.”
“All we can focus on is tomorrow,” Voria said, the euphoria stuffing her brain with cotton. She shook her head to clear it. “There’s one other pressing issue.”
“Nara,” Aran said.
Voria nodded. “And her companions. Can they provide actionable intelligence?” She didn’t dare get her hopes up.
“No.” Aran shook his head. “Not because they aren’t willing, though. You can perform whatever divination you like, but I suspect you’ll find is that none of them are bound, and that all three are willing to help you against Krox. Kaho has no love for Nebiat, and is more than happy to tell us everything he knows. Trouble is, none of it seems relevant to a god assaulting our world.”
“Ma’am?” Pickus’s head poked through the doorway. “The governor is getting a little antsy, and doesn’t seem to want to talk to anyone but you.”
“I can do you one more favor, Aran.” Voria decided suddenly. She glanced at the doorway he’d entered through. “I can spare you this farce. Take your Outriders and bring Nara to the Spellship’s brig. See that she and the others are safely ensconced, and then get some rest for tomorrow. I’ll deal with my mother and our friends from Ternus.”
Aran gave her a grateful nod, then twirled his hand in a circle. The company responded as one, and threaded through the door, back the way they’d come. Kezia gave Voria a little wave, and Bord gave her a big, stupid grin.
Voria could only smile back. She’d missed them so much.
She didn’t know why, but somehow she knew to her bones that she’d never see them again. Not in this life anyway.
38
Prisoner Transfer
Aran was relieved to have avoided dinner with the governor. It wasn’t as if the guy would have anything to offer strategically, and other than having his ego fluffed Aran couldn’t think of what the dinner could accomplish. He deeply appreciated Voria diving on that grenade.
By the time they reached the Talon, Pickus was already there, his chest heaving as if he’d run the entire way. He stood next to the shimmering, blue ramp, his cheeks flushed and making him look a bit like a tomato under that red hair.
“Been a while, Captain.” Pickus offered a hand, and Aran shook it.
He clapped Pickus on the shoulder, then released him. “Good to see you, man. I’ll never forget how you saved our asses when the second burl blew up.”
“Captain’s right,” Crewes agreed. “You did right by us, and now you’re doing right by her.” He gave Pickus an approving nod, which triggered a scandalized squawk from Bord.
“Well, today you’ve got a chance to pay me back.” Pickus gave a buck-toothed grin. “Voria said you needed to transfer some prisoners, but she didn’t say who. I can help you get them to the brig, and then if you need anything else for the coming combat I can have it arranged. I’m kind of a big deal now.”
“Administrator Pickus.” Bord gave a snort and rolled his eyes, then turned to Kezia. “Yer not impressed by fancy titles, are you, luv?”
“The only title I want out of you is husband, and if you’re lucky, maybe father.” Kez gave him a coy smile. “Seeing as how a god’s gonna be arriving and we have to play bouncer, why don’t we spend the last of our free time relaxing?”
“Sir?” Crewes asked, raising an eyebrow and indicating Bord and Kez.
“I don’t see why not. This is the last R&R anyone is going to see, and you and I can handle escorting Nara down to lockup.” Aran walked up the ramp, crossed the cargo bay, then started down the ramp that led to the brig. Crewes fell into step beside him, but said nothing as they approached.
Pickus trailed after them, though he seemed more interested in inspecting the Talon’s internals than he did in following Aran to the brig.
They reached the base of the ramp, and Aran’s skin tingled as he passed through the sound barrier. Nara, Frit, and Kaho all lounged on their respective benches, though they rose as soon as he entered. Only Nara approached the bars of her cell. Frit looked ready for a fight. Kaho had a half-curious expression, as if he couldn’t quite summon the interest.
“Everyone up,” Aran said. He moved to stand before Nara’s cell. “We’re moving you to the Spellship’s brig.”
Nara’s entire posture tightened, and he could feel her tension even through the crackling bars. “Letting me out of here is dangerous, Aran.”
Aran nodded in the sergeant’s direction. “Crewes still has the control rod, and we’re aboard the most heavily fortified ship in the sector. We’re going to take a little stroll, then get you settled in, nice and quick. Voria’s got other matters to attend to, but we talked a little, and I’m confident you’re in good hands. She’ll help you, Nara.” He tapped the blue button next to the cell, and the bars winked out.
Kaho shuffled out, his wingtips brushing the ceiling. “I will offer no resistance. Frit, please grant them the same courtesy.”
Frit’s eyes narrowed, and wisps of smoke rose from the corners, but she gave a curt nod and strode from the cell, shoulders proudly squared as if she were choosing to be there, and not a prisoner. “Fine. I’m past hoping for fair treatment from Shayans, but maybe they’ll surprise me.”
Aran nodded at Crewes to take point, and the sergeant did so. Nara, Frit, and Kaho trailed after, and Aran brought up the rear. He kept his hand on Narlifex, just in case.
She will not betray you, Narlifex said, his tone confident. Circumstances have put us at odds, but she cares for you. She seeks the same things.
He nearly released the hilt of the blade. Narlifex had evolved more than he’d wanted to admit if the blade was capable of reading human social situations. He hoped it was right. Nara kept glancing over her shoulder, as if expecting to find something terrible there. She looked so distracted, and even stumbled once. Nara was one of the most graceful people he knew.
Pickus led them through a maze of corridors, and then took them into a lift. The doors slid shut behind them, and he moved to a panel with the Circle of Eight emblazoned on it. Pickus tapped the void sigil, then tapped three numbers on the neighboring panel.
A bright flash of light rippled through the lift, and there was a moment of vertigo that Aran had come to associate with teleportation. The doors slid open and Pickus stepped out.
“Come on,” the fiery-haired tech mage said, “We’re almost there.”
The company followed him down a narrow corridor with smooth, grey walls. It emptied into a room of three-meter-by-three-meter cells that had clearly been designed by the same people who’d built the Talon’s brig. The crackling blue bars were identical, as were the benches. The ceilings were higher though, which would likely help Kaho.
“Well at least they’re just as luxurious as the last ones,” Nara quipped.
Kaho make a noise that might have been laughter, while Frit delivered an annoyed stare.
“At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor.” Aran tapped the blue button next to the cell and the bars winked out. “See, safe and sound.”<
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Nara, Kaho, and Frit each entered their respective cells. Aran was about to tap the button again, but hesitated. “Frit, would you prefer to share a cell with Kaho?”
Surprise flashed across her smoldering features. “That—I’d really like that.” She walked from her cell and moved to stand in Kaho’s. “Thank you, Captain. I’m not used to small kindnesses, but I should remember that you aren’t Shayan. You’re different than the rest of them.”
Crewes barked a harsh laugh. “Lady, you know less about us than you think. It sucks that you had to live in that ivory tower with an ass-clown like Eros—no disrespect to the dead or nothin’—but that don’t mean the rest of us are the enemy. The major is the best person I know, and she is most definitely Shayan.”
Frit’s expression grew somber, though she didn’t reply. Maybe Crewes had scored a point.
He turned to Nara and lowered his voice a hair. “Listen. I know you’re worried. Krox is going to be here soon. Even I can feel it, like a—I don’t know, a pressure that’s building. I have to believe we have a chance to win, and if we do…this Talifax isn’t unstoppable, and we’ve got some powerful allies. Voria’s about to get a whole lot stronger.”
“I know,” Nara whispered. She eyed him searchingly. “I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m going to do something terrible. I know it isn’t logical. There’s no way out of this cell, and Talifax seems unable or unwilling to come here. It should all work out, but Aran, somehow I know it won’t.”
Aran gave a sympathetic nod. “I can’t promise it will. But I can promise we’ll do our best to help you.”
“Count on that,” Crewes echoed, giving Nara something resembling a sympathetic nod. “I may not like you, but I’m starting to understand that maybe you ain’t the traitor I thought you were. We’ll save your smug, elitist ass, and you can go back to hanging out with the major and drinking tea and doing rituals and shit. But first we’ve got a god to kill.”
