Bridgeworlds: Rise of the Magi (13 page)

Two of the six flew away as fast as they could.
Four left, and only three bullets.
Kasey wanted to save bullets, so she put the .38 back in her boot as the other four Kalat advanced on her. She had bested five Kalat at one time with just her sword so she wasn't worried about the odds.

In one fluid motion Kasey came up with her katana, striking one Kalat on the chin and came back down, striking another in the head. She saw a sword flicker behind her, spun around, but was too late to avoid the sword that pierced her side. A Gabad with white paint on his face peered down at her. Gabad were known to be even faster than Kalat. She realized that she was about to pay for underestimating her enemy.

Kasey gasped for air. “War…you’ve brought war to Musterion, Gabad. Moluno will have your hea—”

“Somehow, I don’t think so. Who do you think hired us?”

The Gabad pressed his sword against Kasey’s throat. Kasey glimpsed a large stick that appeared out of the air behind the Gabad and clubbed him to the ground. A man with short, ragged blond curls and an unkempt blond beard stood over Kasey. His naked torso bore many abrasions and scars and his trousers were shredded up to his knees.

"Nekar!" Kasey choked.

He smiled at her and whispered, “An unlikely savior, I know. But next time you go shooting a gun in Musterion, just expect me to show up.”

“But you—”

Nekar lifted Kasey and held her against his chest. “All right, Ragal, or whatever your name is. I know the One who can save your life. But you must be willing. Are you willing?”

“Why would you want to save my life? I tried to get you killed.”

“I was never worried. Your time is short now. Will you accept help or die of your own pride?”

Kasey managed to whisper before she lost consciousness. “Yes, I’ll accept your help.”

~*~

The city was now a chaotic mess with people running in every direction. Some headed toward the smoke. Some hurried to leave the city. Others behaved in classic Kalat fashion and were fighting in the streets. By the time Myles arrived at the scene of the fire, however, it had already been put out.

Myles tried to catch his breath from running while Sebastian and Omar caught him up on what they had learned. A guard reported that Nekar had lured Ragal and several other Kalat to the top of the building. He had killed all the other Kalat and kidnapped Ragal. When Omar asked how they knew it was Nekar, the guard handed them a note.

Magi,

I’ve restored to you that which was taken by Ragal. Look for it where it was and there you’ll find it. Proceed with your plan, and I’ll come for you soon. —Nekar

“I’ll come for you soon,” Myles repeated aloud. He looked up at Omar. “Is that a threat or a promise?” Omar just shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment.

~*~

Kasey came to, feeling like a sack of potatoes over Nekar's shoulder. “Hey, thanks for the ride, but I’d really like to walk now. I’m not as bad off as you think.” She realized no one would suspect a ragged man carrying a burden of being Nekar, nor would they suspect the indomitable Ragal of being that burden. Still, she wanted to get her feet on the ground again. They had left the city and reached the tunnels.

Nekar slowly put her down. He smiled and started to hike again. He didn’t even look back. Kasey wasn't sure exactly why, but she fell into step behind him.

After a few minutes, he turned to her and asked, “Are you sure you don’t need me to carry you? After all, you were stabbed in the side with a sword.” Kasey chuckled. “Gabad know nothing of Earthly martial arts. They are such simple fighters that they don’t even notice what their opponents are doing.”

Nekar peered back at Kasey. “So you are from Earth? Well, of course you are. I forgot that you had a gun. Are you telling me that there’s a martial art on Earth that makes you invincible to sword wounds?”

Kasey lifted her shirt. Where a gaping wound should have been, she had only a scrape. “Invincible? No, not really. But am I durable? Yes. It’s a Russian form of combat called
Systema.
My body moved with the blow rather than against it.”

Just then, Nekar stopped and began to shift some bricks in the wall of the tunnel. The opening revealed a crawl space that led to a hidden tunnel. Kasey followed Nekar down it without questioning him.

“Ah, you’re a Russian girl. You hide your accent well.”

“You know, for a mysterious man who has all the answers, you know little, Nekar. My father was an Egyptian and my mother an American Jew. I learned the Russian martial art when I was in Egypt.”

Nekar stopped dead in his tracks, an almost child-like look of hope on his haggard face. “Do you mean the Jews—they lived?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just answer the question. Are the Jews still a race on Earth?”

Kasey gave a nervous laugh and answered, “Of course they are, in Israel and throughout the world.”

“In Israel? Did you say in Israel? I knew it! Praise God in heaven, my people have returned home!” Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks.

Kasey, on the other hand, didn’t know whether to laugh or make a run for it. “I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t the Jews have lived?”

An angry look swept over Nekar's face. “Hitler,” he spat, as if it were too vile a word to even be spoken.

Kasey almost laughed.
How long had it been since that name had even been used?
She saw that this was serious to Nekar, however, so she asked, “Do you mean the Holocaust?”

“Don’t call it that! You might as well spit in my eye! Do you know what that word even means?”

“Yes, I know Greek. It comes from
holokauston,
which means wholly burned. That’s why they called it that. People were wholly burned. But why are you so insulted?”

“No, no, no! You may have studied Greek but you don’t know the meaning behind that word! It means a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire; in other words, a whole burnt offering. Who do you think my people were sacrificed to, and for what reason? Do you think it was to God?”

Kasey tried to calm him down. “Wait, Nekar. I don’t believe your people were sacrificed to God.” She paused for a moment. “In fact, I don’t believe it even happened. I think it was all just an excuse for the United Nations to give Palestinian land to the Jews and call it Israel.”

“You’re an idiot! You have no idea what you’re talking about!” Nekar pointed to a scar on his temple and began to lecture Kasey. “A Nazi shot my parents right in front of me for refusing to go with him. Then he shoved the hot muzzle of the pistol into my temple. He gave me the option of dying like a dog the way my parents did, or dying with other children being rounded up. I chose to go with them, hoping that I could escape somehow. This scar came from what you dare to call ‘The Holocaust’, and so did this tattoo.” Then Nekar turned his arm over to show her the faded numbers he’d received in the death camp.

Kasey had been told by her father that the Holocaust was a lie, but Nekar’s passion made her believe that he was telling the truth.
Maybe Nekar isn’t crazy at all.
“Say you’re telling the truth. Why do I have that tattoo on my arm too? I wasn’t even born when you went into the ovens.”

“It’s because you have Jewish blood. The Master has allowed only those of Jewish blood to pass through Musterion and not be trapped here. But all of that has changed now.”

“So are you telling me that I have this master of yours to thank for being stuck here for over four hundred years? And what do you mean ‘all of that has changed now’?”

“You could’ve left a long time ago, but you haven’t learned what you were put here to learn. And there are others who’ve come to Musterion from Earth, but they’re nowhere near the Core yet.”

“Oh is that why you’re still here?” Kasey sneered.

“No, I’m still here because I have tasks in Musterion that must be done. And one of those tasks is getting you to my Master alive, so let’s keep walking while we talk.”

Kasey followed Nekar but her mind was racing faster than she could control. This wasn’t even close to the plan she’d had when she stole the motorcycle from Omar and Myles. Instead, her whole world was turned upside down.
Who is this Master that Nekar is taking me to see?

How was it that Nekar had explained the tattoos? Omar and Myles both had one. What did that mean? If they were not trapped in Musterion, then why set up this new order? Was it possible they didn't know Nekar's explanation, either? She had questions for them, too, and wondered how they were handling her disappearance.

12

Damsel in distress

Ischus had successfully gathered both councils together after the event at the Coliseum. He had to walk the tightrope of politics, but managed to keep their discussion focused on the Order of the Magi. In spite of all the arguing over this new intrusion into their traditions, in the end they were able to come to an agreement. Moluno persisted in being difficult, but with the rest of his council starting to question his authority, he chose to drop his effort to condemn Myles and Omar for the murder. Even voting on the Order gave them a legitimacy that he didn’t want, but he decided that he could exact his revenge in other ways.

Once there was a decision, Ischus sent for Omar and Myles, asking that they return to Pneuma Karpos immediately. Since their plan to meet Ragal had gone so terribly wrong, they had no reason to stay in Sarx-Ergon. The streets were filled with angry Kalat, and Myles and Omar feared they could become the scapegoat for the fire. They hurried back into the tunnels to head for "home". They wore out the subject of the note from Nekar, without figuring out if it was friendly or ominous. Either way, their anticipation of meeting with another person from Earth was destroyed.
Why had Nekar interfered? What was his interest in Ragal?

The message from Ischus hadn’t told them the decision of the council, so they didn’t expect the fanfare they received in Pneuma Karpos. Hundreds of Musterlings lined the streets begging to join the Order of the Magi. Probably because of Omar’s present form, many of the potential candidates were Akana.

As tempting as it was to begin interviewing recruits, but they decided to press on to meet with Ischus. Myles and Omar made their way to the town hall through the crowd, curious to know why Ischus' message had sounded so urgent.

Ischus met them in his library. Though he seemed anxious, he insisted that they sit down and have a servant bring tea before discussing any serious matters.

Once the servant was finally out of the room, Myles leaned forward in his chair. “So? I mean…uh... Sir, why did you summon us here?” Myles’ impulsive ways rose to the surface. He was not about to finish his tea.

Ischus stifled his initial anger, and instead burst into laughter. He reached over and patted Omar on the back.

“Omar warned me that you might be rude and oafish, but he said it only comes from your ignorance of the royal etiquette. He was so right about you!”

Myles tolerated the laugh at his expense for just a moment. “The truth is I’m just impatient to a fault.” A sober look came over his face. “Now, sir, can we get to it?”

“Indeed.” Ischus cleared his throat. “I have good news, and I have bad news, so which would you like to hear first?”

Omar and Myles said in unison, “The bad news.”

Ischus quietly said, “I’ve already heard about the fire and how Ragal disappeared. More importantly, I know Moluno. I’m sure that he’s going to try to pin Ragal’s disappearance on you, Myles.”

Myles was caught off guard. “What? Why me?”

“Quite honestly,” Ischus replied, “it’s because the two of you made him look like a complete idiot in front of both councils and all the Musterlings who were there. When we met, he kept trying to turn the discussion back to the murder to see if he could stir them up against you. You bested him, and his pride will not let him accept that without retaliation.”

“Great! Well that was definitely the bad news,” said Myles. “So how about some good news, your Majesty?”

Ischus sat up straight. “I’m delighted to inform you that the councils have approved the Order of the Magi!”

Omar had already been fairly certain of that from the way the crowds had pressed in on them when they arrived. It was still nice to hear it formally from Ischus. His plan had really worked. Myles fretted about the potential threat from Moluno. He’d already gone toe to toe with a Kalat and absolutely did not want to do that again.

Ischus reached across the table and slapped him with one of his gloves. “Don’t just sit there pouting like some insolent child! Go and rescue the damsel!”

“Do you mean Ragal? You’ve got to be kidding! From what I've seen and heard, she's hardly a damsel.”

“I really want you for a jester," Ischus chuckled. "You could be the brunt of all my jokes.” He turned serious. “Go find Nekar. Speak to him and ask him to return Ragal. He might listen to another Adam.”

“Didn’t you say he’s crazy? He’s more likely to deny Ragal’s existence than hand her over to me.”

“Would you prefer to deal with another murder accusation?”

“No I definitely don’t want that! I really don’t mind saving Ragal, but I think she might mind me saving her. She strikes me as ... stubborn.”

“Omar told me that you’re looking to begin a new life, to do some good. Well, this would be a way to start. Saving a friend is easy; saving an enemy ...well, that takes a special kind of person. I believe that’s in the Book.”

“Do we even know if Ragal is an enemy?”

Ischus put his hands on Myles' shoulders. “All the more reason for you to agree. I'm glad that's all settled. You’ll leave first thing tomorrow!”

“I guess I’ve been volun
-told.”

“Ha, ha! Volun-told, I like that.” Ischus slapped Myles on the back. “You might make a decent court jester yet!” Ischus departed, rehearsing in an undertone what he might have Myles do for him as the court jester. Omar smirked at Myles.

Myles glared at Omar. “Yeah, thanks. You were no help. What have I gotten myself into?”

Omar put an arm around Myles. “Let’s talk about recruiting methods.” But Myles wasn’t smiling.

~*~

As Nekar and Kasey walked along through the tunnels, Kasey kept asking more questions of Nekar.

“So, how did you get here?” was her next one.

Nekar continued to be tolerant of her inquisition. “I and the twelve others your people called elders were all in the death camps together. One day it was our turn to be killed, and we were taken from our homes. I still had it in my head that I would be able to escape somehow, despite the older ones telling me to forget about it. As smoke filled the barn, I frantically crawled around, trying to find a weak spot in the flooring in the barn they had locked us in. Finally I found a loose plank. Under it was a hidden passageway that led me to the tunnels of Musterion.”

Kasey’s questions kept coming as fast as Nekar answered them.

“Are you saying you came here straight from the Holo -- I mean the genocide?”

“Yes, that’s correct. So how did you get here?”

“You may not like this, but I was attempting to assassinate the prime minister of Israel when I stumbled into the tunnels.”

Nekar just laughed.

Kasey shook her head, thinking that he didn’t believe her. “I’m not joking.”

Nekar laughed even harder.

“No, really I did. It’s the truth.”

“I believe you, Kasey, and now I know why the Master has held you here so long.” Nekar just kept on laughing.

“Did you just call me Kasey?”

“Uh-oh.”

“You did! You just called me Kasey!”

“Yes, I did."

"How did you learn my real name? No one in Musterion knows my name. I’ve never told a soul!”

“Ah, but it was my Master who told me your name.”

Who is this Master of his that knows my real name? He must also be from Earth.

“What about Alicia? What did you do with her? And why did you take her from me?”

“Alicia was put in good hands. She has gone on to fulfill her own destiny in Soterion with her new parents. I took her from you because I was following orders.”

Following orders? Who was it that ordered him to kidnap Alicia?
“Who is this Master you keep speaking about?”

“He’s the same person who will heal you. You’re going to die from that poison soon.”

Kasey had forgotten about that and shuddered. “How do you know he’ll be able to heal me?”

“It’s all up to you.”

“What does that mean? Stop talking in riddles!”

“If you’ll accept Him as your Master, He’ll save you. At that point all you need to do is turn from your evil past, ask for forgiveness, and follow Him as your Master.”

“I ought to kill you right here,” Kasey shouted. “How dare you trick me? You said that you were taking me to someone who could heal me. You didn’t say anything about selling me into slavery. I bow my knee to no man! I’d rather die.”

“Then you die. After all, pride does come before a fall.”

Kasey pushed Nekar away from her. “You idiot! How dare you call me proud just because I want to live and be free? You’re just some Jew who’s gone mad because all the other Jews left you here! I bet this Master of yours doesn’t even exist! You’ve wasted enough of my time, you crazy old man! I’m off to find that assassin and get my revenge before I die!”

“And die you will, Kasey.” Nekar shook his head as Kasey stormed off.

~*~

Myles, Omar, and Sebastian waited until after it turned dark and carefully made their way through the city. In the middle of the night they found the place where they’d originally dropped down into the city, and Sebastian helped Omar carry Myles as they flew up through the hole.

Myles landed on his knees and kissed the floor. “You couldn’t pay me to do that again. You guys fly like drunken astronauts!”

Sebastian walked along the hallway and peered back to where the motorcycle was. “What I want to know is, how could both Ragal and Nekar move that thing, first out of here and then back again. It’s quite large isn’t it? Is that some form of chariot?”

Myles sat down on the cold brick floor and peacefully sparked up his pipe. “Yeah, you could say that. It's just that all the horses this chariot has are built-in.”
Sebastian has no idea what it is. He'll be shocked when Omar starts it up. It’s almost as good as flying, and probably faster too.

Omar joined in the laughter. Sebastian said, “I’ve been patient up to this point, but I begin to believe that you’ve only shown me a small portion of the knowledge you could share, and —”

Omar broke in to reassure him. “Sebastian, it’s not that we’re hiding anything from you. It’s just that there’s so much to tell you that we don’t even know where to begin. You have more than earned our trust by now so we’ll try to do a better job.”

Myles could appreciate Sebastian’s frustration as he remembered when he had first met Omar in the tunnels. Omar could likely still spring some surprises on him with all his weird science. So he stood up, brushed off his long coat, and said, “I think I know a way to show you just how much we’d have to explain to you. Watch this.”

Myles pulled his silenced 9mm from the inner lining of his coat. He brandished a piece of fruit. Myles threw the fruit in the air and fired off three rounds.

Sebastian at first stared at the gun in Myles’ hand because he didn’t understand what had just happened. He walked over to where the fruit had fallen and picked it up. He found three holes in it, arranged in the shape of a triangle. He turned to Myles. “That was dangerous.”

“I agree,” said Omar.

“Maybe if I hadn’t grown up on a farm and handled a gun since I was eight, it could’ve been dangerous. Experience and skill always trump danger. Anyway, now go look at the brick wall in the other room over there.”

Sebastian went over and looked more closely where he found three holes in the brick. Omar saw the bewildered look on Sebastian’s face and took the opportunity to enlighten him on the point of Myles’ demonstration. “To explain how that was possible would take at least a full day. But you’ll start to understand more quickly as I gradually teach you the secrets of science.”

By the end of the night, Sebastian was beginning to grasp the vast differences between their world and his. When they eventually overloaded Sebastian’s brain, he began to doze off, unable to take in any more information.

After Sebastian had fallen asleep, Omar and Myles moved out into the hallway again and spoke quietly with each other.

“I know what you’re up to, Omar, and I won’t allow it.”

“Excuse me? What are you talking about?”

“You told him that the Earth was billions of years old. You plan on teaching him evolution don’t you?”

“Of course I do, Myles. Why wouldn’t I? I’m going to teach him science, aren’t I?”

“But it’s religion that you’re really teaching him. You’re trying to defeat his beliefs from within.”

“No, Myles, I’m just trying to open his eyes to the world of science.”

“Let me put it this way,” Myles insisted. “If you teach him that trash, I’ll have no part in the Order of the Magi.’”

“That is utterly ridiculous! Why are you so upset about this?”

“I’m a former con-man, and I’ve always had a knack for knowing a lie when I hear it. What’s funny to me is that the way you teach it reveals to me that you don’t even believe it.”

Omar reddened. “What? You watch your words!”

“Sorry to insult your religion…wait, that’s right, aren’t you a Jew?”

“Yes, I am.”

Myles threw his hands up, “Then why would you abandon what the religion of the Jews teaches?”

“Because, Myles, those are just stories to teach lessons.”

“Aren’t the Jews God’s chosen people?”

“Yes they are, and a chosen people who you would say crucified the Messiah.”

“No, I wouldn’t! Christ would not have gone to the cross if it hadn’t been His will. He could’ve called a thousand angels from heaven if He’d wanted to. But He didn’t! He chose instead to give His life for us. No one made that choice for Him.”

Myles' anger subsided a little. Taking a deep breath he continued, “Besides, it would be more true to say that we all crucified Him. You and I would’ve been no better than the Romans or Jews of that time. For your information, my great, great grandmother was a Jew who disappeared in a Nazi concentration camp. So I’m not inclined to make accusations against Jews.”

“But aren’t you Irish?”

“Yeah…mostly. But I’m a small part Jewish too.” His adrenaline was subsiding so he adopted a more conciliatory tone. “Look, I know that there’s no reason for you to believe what I’m saying. It’s probably strange to hear me argue so intensely in favor of Christianity since I’m not a Christian.”