Chosen (22 page)

Saemus grabbed his sister's hand. He reached down inside himself, grabbing hold of the power. He felt his sister do the same. Without really understanding how, he pushed the power toward the arm that gripped his sister's hand, his power winding around hers, amplifying what each could do alone.

Saemus took charge, as he always did, and sent the power as far as he could go. His magical senses touched on animals and birds. After a few minutes, he broke the connection with Kaelin.

“I didn't sense anyone, Master Brook.”

Brok nodded his head, another possibility pushing its way to the forefront of his mind.

I cannot ask him to do it.

* * *

“Best eat quickly. We need to be in the saddle again soon,” Brok said.

He meant to take a boat, from one of the villages near the shore, and sail across the Sea of Solace for Saguach Port. The sea could be temperamental during cold weather. He had the barest of sailing skills and would need to hire someone who knew what they were doing.

Jon and Saemus put out the fire, burying the embers beneath layers of dirt. Jon seemed a new man. Where once he would have avoided the others in the group, he now could not get enough of their company.

The call of the dark magic was strong. Jon tried his best to ignore the urge to draw on the power, talking incessantly with his classmates, as though their voices would drown out the whispering of the voice insisting it wouldn't hurt to just use it a little bit. Kaelin let him hold Moira, knowing the little creature seemed to help with his mood. Jon wished she would at least look at him or show anything other than indifference at his return.

It's like she doesn't even care.

Jon smothered the thought. It was at times like these that the desire to draw on the forbidden magic was strongest. He ignored Kaelin as best he could and focused on staying close to his other friends.

Brok allowed himself a moment to watch them, filled with love and pride for his Chosen. He hoped that when they finally had to face the Mekans, they would all survive. He could not bear the thought of losing one of his Chosen.

He shook himself, trying to rid his mind of these gloomy thoughts.
I have to trust in their destiny, and mine.
He saw to the final preparations, and then led the party south and west, toward the coast.

The sun climbed, warming the day. Heavy cloaks came off and spirits rose. They ate in the saddle, stopping to walk and rest their mounts. Weariness set in and they all dozed while they rode. As the sun neared the horizon, the Chosen began to catch the smell of salt water and knew the coast was near. Brok found a well-worn trail leading in the general direction they themselves were heading and followed it, hoping it would lead to a village.

They smelled the wood smoke before coming upon the town. The sun sank below the horizon as the group passed the first buildings, lights blazing in the windows and voices ringing out in laughter and good cheer. Brok took them around the village, keeping far enough away so they were only more shadows in the night.

“Oh, what I wouldn't give for a bath and a soft bed!” Kaelin gazed longingly at an inn. The clank of mugs and the sound of music could be heard through the back door.

“We cannot take the risk. We will camp away from the town, and I will see about securing a boat in the morning,” Brok said.

“I know. But I can still wish, can't I?” Kaelin gave the inn one last wistful glance as they passed.

Brok decided to set up camp in a small stand of trees. Jon and Saemus went in search of wood for a fire while the girls unsaddled the horses. Moira helped, though at first the horses were unsure of what to make of this pink, furry helper. She patted their heads, stroked their manes, purring and trilling.

“I wonder what she's saying to them,” Gwen said.

Kaelin watched the little urgit as she fussed over the horses. “Perhaps she is talking of things that are important to animals; good things to eat, drinking clear, cool water, a good scratch.” She shrugged. “Whatever it is, they seem to like it!” Moira jumped from animal to animal, giving them each her attention for a few moments before moving on. The horses looked amused, tossing their heads; mouths open in silent equine laughter.

Kaelin sighed. “I do wish Master Brok would let us stay at an inn, just for one night. Maybe the queen decided that we were not worth the trouble and gave up the search.”

“Or they are still behind us. I miss the comforts of home too, but not enough to risk getting caught,” Gwen said.

“Or Jon's getting caught?” Kaelin asked.

Gwen stopped. “What do you mean?”

Keera came and stood by her Gwen, ready to jump to her defense if it seemed the other girl meant harm with the innocent-sounding question.

Kaelin was amused at Keera's reaction to the question. She had come to understand about the girl's temper and japes better now. She sometimes wished she were as close with the other girls, so that one of them would come rushing to her defense.
They have each other. But I have Saemus.
“It's no secret how you feel about Jon, Gwen. Anyone with eyes can see. Have you told him how you feel?”

Gwen gasped in horror. “No! I couldn't bear it if he didn't return the feelings. After all, look what happened when you…” Gwen put her hands to her mouth. “Oh, Kaelin, I'm sorry!”

Kaelin smiled wanly. “I blamed myself for his leaving too, and for his kidnapping. But what I did was for the best. I do not love Jon.”

Gwen sighed. “I just can't tell him how I feel, Kaelin.” She indicated her twisted form. “I am not what a man wants. Men want beautiful women, with curves in all the right places, and long hair, and sweet voices.” She glanced up at the other girl, misery plain on her face. “Men want women like
you.
” She couldn't keep the bitterness from her voice.

Kaelin did not know what to say to make Gwen feel better. She would not apologize for being born the way she was, just as Gwen should not apologize for being strong in magic.

Keera hugged the dwarf girl. “You will find the perfect man someday, Gwen, you wait and see. He will love you for who you
are,
not for what you look like.” She gave her friend a mischievous grin. “Besides, if he doesn't, you can always put a spell on him!”

Gwen lightly punched the other girl in the leg. Soon the three were in hysterics, contriving all manner of spells and charms they could use to woo a man.

“Well, one thing is for certain. No man will want
any
of us until we have had a bath!” Keera laughed.

Kaelin's beautiful onyx eyes shown with glee as she clapped her hands. “Oh girls, I have just had the most
marvelous
idea!”

“Well, spill it!” Keera demanded.

“There's a stream nearby. We can bathe there.”

Keera rolled her eyes. “Take a bath in cold water? I'd rather do dirty.”

“We can use the power to warm the water,” Kaelin said.

Keera opened and closed her mouth a few times. “Why didn't we think of that before?”

“Who cares? We thought of it now! Let's ask Master Brok,” Gwen said.

Gwen followed the excited girl as best she could on her stunted legs. Moira jumped off Fire's back and scampered alongside Gwen, chittering, sharing in the excitement. Keera tried to match strides with Gwen, but quickly outdistanced her in only a few paces.

Kaelin reached Master Brok first and began to tell him her idea. Gwen looked at Master Brok to gauge his reaction, a flush of excitement spreading through her as she saw him nod in agreement.

“We could all use a bath. We'll go after we finish setting up camp,” Brok said.

They headed for a nearby stream. There were several areas where the water had pooled near the banks. The light of the moons was enchanting, adding to the excitement. Fire bugs danced amongst the brush and grasses, like the stars had come from the night sky to play. Brok dug into his pouch and found two small cakes of soap and gave one to the girls. The three chose a pool that afforded them some privacy.

“Ready?” Kaelin asked, grinning from ear to ear.

The other two nodded.

“
Tepidus aequora.”

All three spoke the words and directed their power to the pool. They kept the flow going until steam rose from the water. Kaelin, Gwen, and Keera stripped hurriedly and slipped into the luxurious warmth. For a moment, the only sounds were the contented moans and sighs as the pressures of the last few weeks disappeared from
tense limbs. The girls passed around the soap and scrubbed from hair to toenails.

Kaelin exited the water and grabbed all of their clothes off of the bank. She sucked in a breath as her skin pebbled in goose pimples. “I thought we should wash our clothing too. I cannot abide clean skin covered in filthy clothes.”

“And no one wants to walk back to camp to retrieve fresh ones!” Gwen laughed.

“The boys would jump clean out of their skin to see us running about the campsite naked!” Keera's green eyes shone with mirth. It was just the sort of thing she would do to get a rise out of someone, or embarrass them.

The water was cooling off rapidly. The girls scrubbed their clothing and reluctantly exited the pool. As they stood shivering on the bank, they heard Master Brok shouting to them from around the bend.

“Time to be heading back, girls!”

“Almost finished, Master Brok!” Gwen yelled.

“Siccus.”

The water spilled from their clothing, leaving the garments clean and dry. The girls dressed quickly and made their way back to camp.

“What
is
that?” Keera pointed to the moons, Ayo and Ayi. Surrounding them both was a perfect ring of ethereal light. Kaelin and Gwen stopped in their tracks, mouths gaping as they stared at the sky.

“I have never seen anything like it!” Kaelin breathed. Her heart raced, though she didn't know why. The rings around the moons did not appear dangerous, yet she was afraid. Her skin crawled and the hair stood up on the nape of her neck.
It's only the chill in the air.
Her breath came faster. Moira trembled and hid behind Kaelin's dark curtain of hair.

“I don't like this.” Gwen pulled at Kaelin's hand.

They found Master Brok was pacing near the stream, hands over his mouth, an unreadable expression on his face.

Saemus met his teacher's eyes.
Everything he said back in Siswae is true!
His limbs shook with the relief that flooded through him.
I'm no longer responsible for such a heavy secret.

“Master Brok, do you know what those are?” Gwen asked, voice tight with fear.

“Yes, I do.” Brok had no idea what else to say.
I am at a loss.
He did not know how to proceed.
Do we leave for the portal now, or wait until morning? Should we go to a larger city and hire a fast ship? Do I tell them of their destiny now, or wait until we reach the portal? Have the signs also appeared to the others?

Questions raced through his mind faster and faster.
I must focus!
He shook his head and saw his Chosen staring at him as if he had grown a second head. He almost laughed but feared it would soon turn to a sob.

Just tell them now. They will have more time to come to terms with everything on the journey to the portal chamber.

“I have been waiting for the rings to appear for some time now. A long time…” When no one spoke, he continued. “What I am about to tell you will be difficult to hear. But you must keep open minds.

“I am not of this world. I come from a world called Gentra. I was taken from my family when I was very young to begin my training as a Guardian. Part of the training included learning the art of magic as well as the languages and customs of this planet.”

Brok told the Chosen of the prophecy, the portals, and the Mekan threat.

“I know what I have told you is a lot to take in, but it will make sense when you view the portal for yourselves. You must trust me.”

This means I am going home.
His enthusiasm vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
It also means that the Chosen are about to face the danger threatening us all.

* * *

Queen Cheye listened as the old man standing before her relayed what he heard in his mind. He was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and his voice shook with the power he wielded.

She wrinkled her nose as she glanced at the prisoners that had been brought for the old man to use. They were lying in a pile of their own refuse, near death, breath wheezing and their limbs twitching occasionally. She preferred to meet with the dark mage in her most private chamber, deep within the palace; too deep to allow
the mage to draw on the life force of the plants and people outside the palace walls.

The old man shuddered and collapsed as the slaves drew their last breath.

“I am sorry, my Queen,” he gasped.

“Just tell me what you heard.” She refused to look at the corpses. She drummed her red-lacquered fingernails on the wooden arm of her chair.

The mage slowly got to his feet, his legs barely able to bear his weight. “He still follows the old man and those with him.” He took a deep breath. “He says the old man knows the meaning of the moon rings, though he would not say what it is. They have taken a boat and sailed for the Western continent.”

Queen Cheye pursed her lips. She had been ready to order Fa' Vel's death warrant for daring to defy her orders. The man had let his desire for vengeance against the old man to cloud his judgment. However, it seemed the dark mage had been correct in following the group.

How is it possible one skinny old man knows the why of the moon rings and yet not one other soul seems to?
This question bothered her and made her more eager than ever to get her hands on the Mystic.

Her personal seers were all but useless since the appearance of the moon rings. The seers and prophets in the city had taken to chanting gibberish and speaking in riddles. What was the meaning of the word “machine”? They talked of strange beings with no mouths, and others who crawled in holes like the burrow rats. They drew strange symbols and yet could not fathom their meaning.

The actions of the seers frightened the people of the city. Many began to wonder if they had some sort of sickness that affected the brain. Petitioners came before the Queen, asking that the seers, fortunetellers, prophets, even magicians and Mystics be taken and quarantined, in order to protect everyone else.