Still gripping Jace’s hand, Narine shuffled along with her other palm against the wall, testing each step before committing. Ahead, Hadnoddon’s glowing orb bobbed up and down, as if floating along of its own volition. After a few hundred paces, they entered another tunnel, this one no more than two strides wide but tall enough for everyone to walk upright. It felt far safer. In the narrow tunnel, the dim light was more effective, reflecting off the uneven surface, specks of metal sparkling as she walked past. Still, the light was far less than she would have liked, her companions nothing more than dark silhouettes. She did her best to avoid thinking of what else lurked in the shadows.
The tunnel opened into a large, natural cavern with stalagmites below, stalactites above, some of which dripped water. A small pool stood to the lower side, and other than the opening they had just come through, Narine could see no way out.
Hadnoddon continued across the cavern until he reached the farthest corner on the upper side. There, he reached into a shadowy recess. An audible click echoed in the chamber, followed by the rumble of rock grinding against rock. A hidden door swung open to reveal another tunnel.
“On my first visit here,” Salvon said, “I sat in this cavern for hours, shouting for someone to come find me.”
Xionne chuckled. “You are now aware we rarely allow outsiders into our city.”
“Then why force us to come here?” Jace challenged.
She turned toward him. “I told you already. We are blinded to the future and cannot see the path for survival. The fate of the world depends on the Seers. We had no other choice.” Xionne then spun and followed Hadnoddon through the open doorway.
The light ahead faded, and Narine hurried to follow Adyn. She suddenly fell forward when her foot dropped down onto a step. Her momentum drove her into Adyn’s back, only Jace gripping her hand saving her from falling past and down the dark stairwell.
“Sorry,” she said as she regained her footing.
“Your gracefulness is going to hurt one of us someday,” Adyn said as she turned and continued her descent.
“Someday?” Narine muttered, thinking of all the times she had tripped in the past, skinned knees and bruised hands coming to mind.
“Don’t worry about it,” Jace whispered into her ear. “I have your hand, so let’s keep moving along.”
Following the dark, curving stairwell with nothing but Hadnoddon’s distant light below and Algoron’s shining orb from behind, they continued. In that dark stairwell, she began to think of all the rock above her. An entire mountain. What if it were to collapse? We would be crushed. Her heart began to race as they continued their descent, heading deeper and deeper into the abyss. Just when she thought the panic might be too much, the people ahead of her disappeared. She gasped.
The floor leveled. In the distance, beyond Hadnoddon’s glowing orb, she saw a dim light. Eager to leave the darkness and tight quarters behind, she dragged Jace past Adyn, pushed beyond Hadnoddon, and rushed ahead until she burst out of the tunnel and skidded to a stop, completely unprepared for what she found.
Jace stood beside her, the others gathering as they emerged from the tunnel. Every one of her companions stopped and stared, attempting to come to grips with the view before them.
The party stood upon a rocky shelf overlooking a massive, circular cavern, easily a half-mile in diameter, much of the cavern floor covered by a city made of stone. Dots of purple light shone from the walls and rooftops of each and every building, as well as the streets. A massive building, circular in shape, occupied the heart of the cavern. The top of the building was adorned by narrow pillars connected by arching, stone bridges. It was a fantastic, impossible structure that seemed to have popped out of the pages of legend. Above it all was a dome of rock, the apex a thousand feet above the cavern floor, the surface of the rock sparkling with the same purple lights as the city. The appearance was not unlike a starlit sky.
“It’s breathtaking,” Narine breathed out in awe.
“Welcome to Kelmar,” Salvon said. “The secret city of the Seers.”
With his spectacles in his pocket, Rawk followed Hadnoddon down a stone staircase, toward the city below. He had removed the eyewear before journeying through the dark tunnels, having no need for the tinted glass. Even with the sparkling purple lights filling the immense cavern, there was no need to don them again. Neither those lights nor the strange, glowing orb Hadnoddon and Algoron had used, both surely some sort of magical gem, affected his sensitive eyes. From what Rawk could tell, the light surrounding the city was sufficient for even the humans to see, although it was a far cry from the intensity of sunlight. Somewhere in the distance, the soft hum of a gemsong called to him.
As they neared the bottom of the stairs, he spied a bridge made of rock, arching over a rushing river. At the far side of the river were orchards of fruit trees and fields of vegetables, stretching out beyond the city. Farther out, near the far end of the cavern, animals grazed in fields of dark grass and small shrubs. It reminded him of the Caverns of Life within Ghen Aeldor, but somehow, this life existed without the refracted sunlight. It left him wondering what magic resided in the purple-hued gems illuminating Kelmar.
They crossed the bridge and followed a path through an orchard. The trees gave way to buildings made of interlocking, black stone blocks, each embedded with sparkling purple specs. The structures varied in shape and size, some simple and blocky, others with ornate pillars and cantilevered overhangs that appeared to defy gravity.
The work of Makers, he thought to himself. The craftsmanship was distinct and undeniable. Residents occupied the street. Not so different than the cities of man, except for the citizens themselves.
Dwarven men and women dressed in drab gray walked the streets, worked in shops, and filled jugs at a bubbling fountain. Children played in the square, tossing glowing orbs to one another. Here and there, Rawk spotted human men. However, not one human female was visible, save for those in his own party. The human men, arms loaded with goods or pulling carts, followed dwarves. Those men were shoddily dressed compared to the others, their clothing worn and stained. It left Rawk wondering why.
At the sight of Rawk and his companions, the citizens stopped and stared, their expressions unreadable. Every one of them had black hair, something he had never seen from a dwarf until he met Hadnoddon in Illustan. He then recalled his days in Ghen Aeldor, the looks of disgust from his own people.
Are these Makers also repulsed by Rawk, the hairless freak? Will they reject me and cast me out when they discover my weakness?
The line of thought made his innards quiver, his eyes seeking the smooth stone streets rather than meeting the gaze of those he passed.
The street ran in a straight line, directly toward the massive building in the heart of the cavern. At each intersection, Rawk noted the streets in both directions rounding a curve and realized everything had been built around the building in the center, the main streets running toward it. A gemsong came from somewhere within that building, calling to him, enticing him.
They then came to a cluster of single-story buildings, the road running between a pair of pie-shaped, six-foot deep pits. In those pits, dwarves trained, hacking away at each other with grunts and the clangs of their blunted weapons. Even that noise could not overcome the haunting aria tugging on Rawk’s thoughts, tempting him and demanding his attention.
With the training pits behind them, only the building at the core of the cavern remained, towering over all else. Rawk counted six rows of windows above the entrance level. He stared at the columns at the top, connected by arches crafted from the same sparkling stone as everything else. The shape of the entire city was an oddity, everything built around the big building like the hub of a wheel, but the top of the building was the strangest of all.
“What is this place?” Rhoa asked.
“There is something inside,” Algoron said. “Something powerful.”
Rawk looked at his uncle, the man meeting his gaze in a
silent exchange. He heard the gem calling, as well. How could he not?
Salvon replied, “This is the Temple of the Oracle. It is the home of the Seers.”
“Let us go inside. I must meet with my sisters,” Xionne said. “You may rest in the guest quarters until we are ready to receive you.”
Hadnoddon opened the tall, arched, double doors, and Xionne walked past him. A cluster of women waited inside, perhaps sixty of them, standing in a perfect half-circle. All wore white gowns similar to the one covering Xionne. However, none wore a blindfold.
The woman in the center stepped forward, her white hair tied back in a bun. Lines on her face marked her age, her skin pale, eyes so dark it seemed as if each iris had been consumed by the pupil. “Welcome home, Mother. We have anticipated your return.”
Xionne approached the woman and took her hands. “I am thankful to be home, Sister Zhialta. I trust nothing has changed.”
“The circle is incomplete without your presence, our power limited.” She shook her head. “The future remains a mystery.”
“What of the prophecies? Have you been able to determine which is true? Or, at least, been able to eliminate any that have proven false?”
Again, Zhialta shook her head. “I am sorry, Mother.”
After a moment of silence, Xionne said, “I have found the tools of destiny. As foretold, the Weaver was among them.” Salvon bowed his head as Xionne looked toward Rawk and his companions. “I pray their presence will enable us to determine which path to follow and which to avoid.”
As one, the women began humming, an eerie sound that gave Rawk a chill. Just as quickly, the humming stopped.
“Sister Yinette, Sister Jionna, Sister Cathionne, Sister Iolla,” Xionne said. “Will you please escort our guests to their rooms? It has been a trying journey and rest is required.” She then walked straight through the cluster of women in white, splitting them as she crossed the hall. Most of the others followed in pairs, all walking in sync as she led them to a black door, opening it and disappearing from view.
Four seers remained, each young with dark hair and disturbingly dark eyes.
“I am Yinette.” She was a striking woman with a long, lean build and pale skin. “If you will please follow, we will show you to your rooms.”
Along with the others, Rawk followed, but his attention was drawn to the gemsong coming from somewhere nearby.
14
Doppelgängers
Jace waited while Salvon, Narine, Rhoa, and Rawk were each shown their rooms, their doors locked behind them, before it was his turn. Jionna walked off and entered the stairwell, while Yinette showed him to his room. She opened the door and stepped aside as he entered.
A bed large enough for two, a nightstand, a table, two chairs, a copper tub, and a wardrobe occupied the space. There was no lamp, and no need for one, the area illuminated by a purple-tinted glow from the sparkling dots on the ceiling, floor, and walls. A single, curtainless window graced the outer wall, while the others were blank slates of sparkling stone.
When Jace turned toward Yinette, he noted the thoughtful expression on her face as the tall, pretty brunette stared at him.
He chose to pose the question that had been burning in his mind as he waited in the corridor. “Why are you locking us in our rooms?”
The woman’s full lips curled up in a smile. “We do so for your own safety.” She turned and closed the door, remaining in his room. “I like the look of you.” Her gaze swept his body as she stepped close, gripping his jaw and turning his head while scrutinizing his face. “Good bone structure.” She released her grip and ran her hands down his torso. “Lean and fit. Our daughter would be quite fetching.”
Jace blinked and backed away. “What?”
Yinette reached behind her head to fiddle with the back of her dress. “I would bed you. The timing is ideal, my cycle at its peak.”
He blinked in surprise. “Bed me?”
“Yes. I have been chosen among those to give birth next season.” She slipped her dress down, exposing one shoulder, then the other. “You should be proud. It is a great honor to sire a seer.”
The woman tugged her dress down, dropping it to the floor and leaving her completely naked. Despite her long, lean build and narrow hips, she had a full chest. Not to the extent of Narine’s, but easily enough to hold his attention. Still, he backed away as she advanced.
When his legs struck the bed, he fell onto the mattress. Yinette surged forward, climbing up and straddling him while she unlaced his tunic.
“Wait.” His heart raced, his body responding to her advances. How could it not? “I can’t do this.” Somewhere inside, a part of him screamed to shut up and enjoy it.
She stopped, her brow furrowed. “What is wrong?” Before he could reply, she took his hand and placed it onto her soft breast. “Do you not find me attractive?”
The effect made his blood boil. He yanked his hand away, albeit reluctantly, worried about where things might otherwise lead. “No. I think you’re stunning. Trust me. If we had met just weeks ago, I would have been thrilled by your offer.”
She is gorgeous. What is wrong with me?
Her eyes grew wide. “Are you not capable?” Again, she reacted before he could reply, her hand slipping down his breeches, her mouth turning up into a smile. “Oh, you are quite capable.”
Flustered by her unexpected aggression, he spluttered, “Yeah. Um… Of course I am capable.”
She withdrew her hand and leaned in close, her face inches from his own. “I will do anything.” The words came out in an urgent rush.
“What?”
“I will do anything you wish.” She gently raked her nails down his check and across his chest. “Ask it of me, and you will have it, so long as I receive your seed.”
By the gods, woman, you are making this difficult. He choked out, “I still… I cannot.”
Her disappointment evident, she sat upright and shook her head. “I do not understand.”
I don’t, either. “I have feelings for someone and…I cannot do this because of her.”
“A woman?”
“Yes. She is here, just down the corridor.”
“I still do not understand.”
“In truth, I don’t understand it myself. Please know this is among the most difficult things I have ever done, but I must ask you to get dressed and leave.”
Pouting, Yinette did as he requested, standing and retrieving her white gown. Turning away while she dressed, he tried to think of something else, anything else. Try as he might, the image of her naked body remained affixed in his mind.
“All right,” she said, opening the door. “I will leave you until dinner. If you change your mind, I will remain fertile for a few more days. The offer remains open during that span.”
He shook his head, still not looking at her, fearful he would break if he did. “I am flattered by the offer, but I will not change my mind.”
Only after the door had closed and the lock had clicked into place did Jace turn toward the door. He stared at it for a full two minutes before blowing out a breath, rising to his feet, and peering out the window in an attempt to take his mind off of the lost opportunity.
The city below appeared innocuous, but something about this place felt off, giving him the impression of a threat lurking in the shadows, ready to strike. Being locked in the room, whether for his own good or not, had Jace aching to escape.
“I miss Narine,” he said to himself as he sat on the edge of the bed. It would be wrong for me to see her while my blood remains heated by another woman.
Lying back on the bed, arms behind his head, he stared up at the ceiling, the sparkling dots reminding him of a starlit sky. His thoughts drifted to the previous weeks and the startling series of events that had led him to Kelmar. If someone had told him three wizard lords would die in succession, he would survive an attack by a dragon and another by a group of wyverns, and he would then find himself in a secret city built inside a mountain, h
e would have labeled them as daft.
“Perhaps I am the one who is crazy for agreeing to come here,” he muttered.
Despite him and his companions being locked in their rooms, their weapons had not been confiscated. More importantly, he still possessed his lock picks.
Rising from the bed, he crossed the room and put his ear to the door. Nothing.
He knelt and drew his picks from his coat pocket. After some effort, the first tumbler clicked. Another pick and pressure in the right place triggered the second tumbler. The third tripped a moment later. He used one of his blades to turn the lock before pocketing the kit.
Jace eased the door open and peered into the corridor. It was quiet, nobody in sight. Stepping out, he pulled the door closed behind him.
He considered going off on his own, but chose another path. It had been well over a week since he had been alone with Narine, which was enough to convince himself to free her, as well. That, and a longing stirred by Yinette’s invitation.
The thief crept down the corridor, passing two doors before stopping outside her room. He knelt, picked the lock, and slipped inside.
Lying on her bed, Narine sat up in a flash. “What are you doing here?”
He eased the door closed before he replied. “Will you keep your voice down?”
Narine grimaced. “Why are you always telling me what to do?”
I gave up an entertaining evening for this?
He rolled his eyes. “Why are you always so difficult?”
Her eyes narrowed, and he realized they were headed down an ugly path.
“Listen.” He held his hands up as he approached her. “I don’t want to fight. I missed you and wanted to see you.”
The hardness in her eyes softened. “We have been together every day, you know.”
He drew closer and put his hand on her shoulder. “Yes, but never alone. Sometimes I find that worse than not being around you at all.”
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