A Mage's Power (Journey to Chaos) (28 page)

“So it's their capital city?”

“In a matter of speaking,” Anuzat said. She rolled up the
map and returned it to her pouch. “I recommend going back to the caves until
dark.” Eric felt a chill at the notion. “That is, unless you prefer to burn up
out here.”

Tiza saw nothing wrong with this. She walked back to the
caves where they almost died, dropped her pack, and used it as a pillow. Nolien
shrugged and followed suit. Eric eventually joined them. When darkness fell and
the stars lit up the sky, Team Four continued their mission. Anuzat ordered
Tiza to use her cloak as a sled for Basilard.

“It'll get dirty,” she said teasingly.

“Why should I care?” Anuzat said.

To Eric's surprise, they chorused, “Only
tents
do
that.” Then, they giggled.

Eric urgently nudged Nolien, unable to take his eyes from
the strange scene. “Since when are Tiza and Anuzat best friends? Just the other
night Tiza called her 'Cranky Client.'”

“Oh, it happened while you were asleep. They have more in
common than they thought.”

As hot as it was during the day, it was just as cold at
night. Soon after their trek began, Eric shivered enough to clatter his teeth.
The crippled mage created a ball of fire in his hands, but it vanished in five
seconds. It was there, he was briefly warm, and then it was gone and he was
colder than before.

“Trust me, it's worse during the day,” Anuzat said.

“Easy for you to say!” Eric shouted. “You have
fur!
”

Tiza and Nolien stared. It made him uncomfortable.

The chill was bad, but the sand was worse. With every step
he took, his feet would sink. It was worse still when they reached a dune. The
sand would pull harder and fall into his shoes. Just one was enough to make all
three novices stop to catch their breath.

Here Tiza proved her endurance. The others carried their own
weight; Tiza carried hers
and
Basilard's. He weighed more than she did
and yet she lasted longer than her companions and still had enough air to brag
about her training. “Spider Daylra made me do this as a warm-up!”

The desert wore her down nonetheless. She sweated bullets,
breathed heavily, and slowed to a crawl. Nolien offered to trade places, but
she shouted him into submission. She was determined to carry Basilard until
she
had to be carried.

Anuzat was hindered by the sand as much as she was by the
temperature. Her large feet acted as snowshoes and her legs were strong from
hopping. Her fur was both insulating and protective gear for handling cacti.
She broke off pieces for later consumption.

 Other animals wanted to get them first, from black-tailed
jackrabbits to scurrying horned lizards.
It was ironic
, Eric thought,
that
stars give life to worlds and yet only in their absence could all these
creatures come out of hiding
. A nocturnal lifestyle would shape their lives
and contrasts with Ataidar excited him. He was sure it was represented in
Kyraan folk lore and Anuzat grabbed his collar before he stepped on a monster.

It was a human-sized grasshopper. Its exoskeleton was slimy
and its forelimbs were metal. Tiza raised her sword but Anuzat stopped her and
pointed. It heaved and tugged but couldn't move an inch. Its limbs weighed it
down.

“Just don't step on them. That would trigger an adrenaline
defense mechanism.”

Five dunes later, they ran into giant deformed beetle-like
creatures. They produced lethal gas, enjoyed breathing said gas, and ate their
dead fellows. As long as the team covered their mouths and avoided bumping into
them, they could walk by in safety.

Shortly after midnight, they ran into a third variety. These
were praying mantis the size of dogs, capable of quick movement, and smart
enough not to kill themselves. However, their forelimbs couldn't cut wet paper.
They were so weak, Tiza challenged her teammates to a kill count game. She won
and lorded it over them for hours.

Fighting pushovers was a relief after the juggernauts in the
cavern. It was so easy, Eric allowed himself a little more scholarly curiosity.
Mana Mutation truly is random if it gives creatures such useless features
.
Limbs
too heavy to move, a sweet tooth for their own poison, useless claws. The xethras
were lethal, but these monsters are a joke.

They walked and fought and walked and fought and walked and
fought, a bird pooped on Nolien, walked and fought and walked and fought. The
only reason they never collapsed was Nolien's humility. Anuzat was driven to
get to the Stone Pile as quickly as possible, Tiza would never admit fatigue,
and Eric didn't want to be a burden, but Nolien wasn't too proud to call a
break. He watched the group and insisted that
he
was the tired one,
which Tiza was eager to believe. When the sun breached the horizon, Anuzat
herself called a halt.

There wasn't an oasis nearby, nor large rocks; not even sand
dunes. It truly was the middle of nowhere. Eric said as much, but she didn't
listen. Fists joined together in front of her chest and her eyes closed in
concentration, she inhaled and glowed with soft brown light.

“Art of the Nomad: Sand Shelter!”

She jumped high into the air then slammed the ground with
glowing feet. Her impact displaced a wave of sand that would have buried the
novices if they hadn't moved out of the way in time. The shockwave still
knocked them off their feet. The sand curved inward and created a ceiling while
pulling air inside. The novices looked from the giant sand castle to each other.
A hole opened at their feet and Anuzat's head poked out.

“Hop in.”

Tiza shrugged and dragged Basilard behind her. The boys
followed. As he crawled through the tunnel, Eric realized they'd be cool all
day.
A desert igloo.
“How'd you make this?”

“Who . . .cares . . .?” Tiza let go of Anuzat's cloak-sled
and collapsed. She was snoring instantly.

“That looked like earth magic,” Nolien said. “
Powerful
earth
magic.” Anuzat shrugged, put her merchandise down, and lay down.

Nolien said he would do a little more work on Basilard's
injuries before turning in himself. Eric told him not to overwork himself and
Nolien reassured him. Too tired to argue, Eric went to sleep.

 His whole body felt stiff, as if he had been in the same
position for hours on end. His wrists, elbows, ankles, and knees all felt as if
he rubbed them against a rock all night. His mouth was dry and breathing was
difficult. His body moved without his command.

I'm in Kasile's mind again! . . . I wish I knew how this
worked . . .Your Highness! Can you hear me?
He, or rather she, stirred and
mumbled . . .
Mumble twice if you can hear me
. Kasile's mumble was loud
and frightened.
I guess I'd be startled too if I suddenly heard voices.
Princess, I'm Eric Watley. We met outside the—
Kasile mumbled twice,
quieter this time
.

How?

So it works both ways.

Well, of course. If you're in my mind, you should be able
to hear my thoughts
.

Princess, do you have any idea where you are?

No.
It was the most amazing thing. Eric could feel
Kasile's fear as if it were his own.
They put me in a sack and blindfolded
me. They only take it off for . . .
Fear.

He couldn't tell what she was going to say which ruled out
mind reading.
If I concentrate hard enough, maybe I can trace the link like
a phone . . .
The only problem was he had no idea how to do that.

Have you been harmed?

No.

Have you heard them say anything?

NO! The only reason they come at all is to force food
down my throat!

Sorry, Your Highness. I didn't mean to upset you.

No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled.

They talked about other things: the state of the kingdom, if
anyone was hurt at the Joust, Eric's missions and popular CV shows. On every
subject, Kasile was calm and polite. It was as if she were entertaining a guest
at the castle instead of being held captive in an unknown location.

“Wakey, wakey,
Your Highness!
Time for breakfast.”
Kasile breathed fresh air as the sack was removed.
Your Highness, what would
happen if you tried to shake the blindfold off?

Evil Eye
.

The gag was pulled out of her mouth and something else was
shoved in. Kasile coughed and sputtered, but the food-of-unknown-origin was
continually pushed in. It tasted
awful
. It might have been garbage. Eric
didn't know what would get her first: disease, malnutrition, or suffocation.

Evil Eye spiritual technique
. By focusing on their
conversation, she could block out the awful food.
Their leader used it on me
at the joust. Extreme hatred, sorrow, or fear are forced into the target's soul
using the practitioner’s eyes as a medium. In short, it is a 'death glare'
taken literally.

I assume it only works when the practitioner’s soul is
stronger than the target's.

Exactly. I would have defeated them all if their leader
hadn't come.

The loosely termed “food” stopped, but before Kasile could
take a clear breath her hair was yanked back and a thermos wedged between her
teeth. The water was even worse.
Only sewer water could taste this bad . . .
So . . . how were you separated from your guards?

Kasile didn't reply. She was busy spitting the water in her
handler's face. To Eric's great surprise, she wasn't struck or even cussed out.
The rogue simply put the thermos back in.

I was going to congratulate Culmus, but the Dark Fog hit
and the Black Cloaks appeared.

You are quite bold for someone tied up in a sack.

Haven't you heard? I'm more than Ataidar's princess; I'm
the descendent of its patron deity.

Really? I thought that was just a national myth.

Fire's Avatar founded Ataidar during the Avatar Alliance
two thousand years ago. She's the reason I haven't been raped or fondled; my
ancestor is a virgin goddess. Sexually assaulting me is like shouting, “Smite
me, oh mighty smiter!”

The generously named “meal” ended and the gag was forced
back in. Kasile didn't struggle as it was knotted behind her head and the sack
retied.

It didn't stop them from kidnapping you.

That was my fault. Fiol has more important things to do
than attend jousts in case a princess can't protect herself. She's too busy to
handle my every little problem! I should've been strong enough to defeat them!
. . . I really should have . . .

The rogue's footsteps echoed as they left Kasile's cell. The
door swung shut and its lock clicked.
I don't know whether to be happy they
don't come often or sad that I'm always hungry
.

 Eric could tell she was forcing a smile so he humored her.
I'd
rather go hungry than be in the same room as that guy. Phew!
She giggled
and Eric patted himself on the back.

If you're staying long, I can call for mental tea and
biscuits.

Eric chose his words carefully. He knew she would be
terrified at suddenly being alone again because he himself would be hysterical

I don't know how this works, Princess, but I would assume
I'll stay until I wake up.

Wake up?! Then this must be—

Princess! How can you be dreaming if
I'm
the one
asleep?

Oh . . .right . . ..
He could sense her blushing. It
was strange; he felt her embarrassment as if it were his own, but at the same
time he felt sympathy for her.

 Soon we'll meet face to face.
The thought escaped
his mind before he realized it had formed.

You mean . . ..
The intensity of the thought, the
overwhelming hope and excitement; it was too much, but he couldn't take it back
now. If he did, then all that hope and excitement would turn to despair. He
couldn't do that. Despite his own problems and having no idea what to do, he
wouldn't
.

Yes. I will rescue you . . . as soon as I possibly can.
The
happiness radiating from Kasile was a warm mental cloud that hugged his
entire being.

Oh Eric . . . Mr. Watley—

‘Eric’ is fine.

Eric, I thank you.

Enjoying her happiness and gratitude made him feel guilty.
Save
your thanks until we meet.

Of course. I will expect you soon.
Once again, Eric
was amazed at her level tone. After a dozen conversations, he felt himself
drifting away. Someone was shaking him awake. He said goodbye and opened his
eyes. He felt great. His mind and body were completely refreshed; not at all
like last time.

“What's with you?” asked Tiza the Shaker. “You've got this
goofy smile on your face.”

“Oh . . . I had a good dream.”

Telling her would cause a disaster. She would insist on
saving the princess right now, which meant abandoning their client and
wandering aimlessly in a desert looking for a princess who may or may not be
there. Even if, by some miracle, she was talked out of it, she would think
about it constantly. It would distract her from her job and that could be fatal
for all of them.

After a head count, Anuzat collapsed the sand castle. Eric
didn't see why; the desert wasn't going to run out of
sand
anytime soon.
He decided it was a nomad thing. Anuzat didn't come out and say it but he could
tell. She knew how to survive here, she only mourned lost merchandise instead
of equipment, and she knew the “Art of the Nomad'.” The jackrabbits waved to
her.

Eric was jarred out of his thoughts by Tiza's laughter. He
glanced in her direction and saw Nolien scrapping something out of his hair.
Tiza jerked her thump upwards and Eric saw why she was laughing. A desert owl
was flying overhead and had pooped on him.