Firemancer Collection (Fated Saga Box Set Book 1) (48 page)

“You are correct, Colin.”

“Would it be okay if I were to hop over to the shop? I ran out of note paper,” he lied.

“Sure, that would be fine. There probably isn’t anyone minding it right now, so take what you need. Last I saw, the mercantile was set up near the bookstore. Good to see you’re keeping up with your studies.”

Colin did not answer but raced down the tunnel. He knew the Flummer family was staying in a small apartment over the bookshop.

He wondered how to broach the subject. The family was still grieving over Balloch, and
he
wanted to talk about Catrina, who is sick. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the entrance. He walked in and as expected, it was deserted. He went to the staircase, which led to the apartment upstairs and stopped.

“They’re going to think I’m nuts!” whispered Colin. A voice startled him from behind a nearby bookshelf.

“They might, but
I
wouldn’t.”

Colin spun around searching for the source of the voice. He froze as a ghostly body floated through a nearby bookshelf.

“But… But you’re dead!”

“Ah, alas I am that.”

The ghostly body of Balloch Flummer hovered just a few feet away from Colin.

“Listen to me carefully now, I don’t think I have much time. I was pulled from Grimble to here, which means you must be my unfinished business.”

“Me. But …” All Colin could do was stare in bewilderment.

“Ah, boy, you gain so much knowledge after you die. There’s so much truth in death.”

“What do you mean, Mr. Flummer?”

His ghostly body rushed forward, stopping in front of Colin’s face.

“I know you can help my granddaughter,” he said, his voice now frantic. “In fact, you are the only one who can help her, Colin Jacoby.” He backed away adding more calmly, “But I dare not say too much.”

“Do you know where she is?” Colin could not believe his luck! Confirmation. The Flummers’ sick Catrina
was
his Catrina.

“I know that she is somewhere deep in Eidolon’s Valley. As to how she got there, that is still a little hazy.” Balloch appeared lost for a moment, floating in circles, and as he came around and noticed Colin again he blurted out, “You are not the only one looking for her! You must hurry!”

“Not the only one! What do you mean?”

“So much truth in death,” Balloch repeated. “Oh the horrors to come,” he whimpered softly, floating out of the bookstore. Colin followed him into the small courtyard, which was still empty as the SLC had not yet reconvened. Balloch floated higher and higher, just as his Uncle Eddy had months before with Timothy. Balloch’s voice echoed down to Colin.

“Trust no one Colin Jacoby! That is all I dare say. Things are happening now that cannot and should not be undone!” Balloch’s ghostly body faded as it melded with the red rock ceiling.

Voices of initiated Svoda began to emanate from the tunnels; they were returning to their meeting.

Colin was not sure what his next move should be.

“Catrina is real, and here, somewhere in Eidolon’s Valley,” he mumbled to the cave walls. Of this, he was now certain. Why would others be searching for her, though? Perhaps once he had found her she would be able to explain.

He headed down an empty tunnel pausing for a moment, watching the SLC gather. He watched the Flummer family come out of their apartment from over the bookstore. Rehearsed smiles poorly hid their obvious sadness. Perhaps one day, if he could save Catrina, he would be able to relieve some of their grief.

Then, as he made his way through the tunnel, other thoughts began to cloud his mind. If he had actually seen Catrina back in Grimble, that meant there was another way to go from world to world! Wouldn’t Juliska know this? Or was someone else responsible? This line of thought led Colin down another path of thought. One that took him back home, to rescue Uncle Arnon.

Another disturbing thought raced through Colin’s already full mind. If he had to make a choice, that very minute, on saving one of them, he suddenly was not sure which person he would choose. Catrina or his uncle? His uncle should be his top priority, but then Balloch’s warning rapidly overwhelmed him. He was the only one that could save Catrina!

For now, he concluded, he would focus on this. After all, even though it did seem likely that there were other doorways, or ways to use the ones supposedly closed, he still did not know where or how to use them. That was something he would have to work on, once he had saved the girl who haunted his dreams.

Chapter Three

Ivan Crane finished the steep journey to Banon Blackwell’s stone castle with one deep breath. He wiped a single bead of sweat from his brow before knocking. Pantin Hollee answered before he could get one knock in, and showed him into a small sitting room. Ivan noted four stone chairs, carved from the same stone as the castle, along with a similarly carved table.

What caught Ivan’s eye was the view beyond the castle. He stepped to the back wall, gazing through a rectangular opening. The view was impressive, spanning miles upon miles through the valley of red rock formations and towering canyon walls: the vast empire of Eidolon.

“Ah, Ivan.”

He spun around, bowing slightly.

“You wished to see me,” he said.

“Yes, Ivan. It is time for you to know what your task is,” Juliska paused, adding, “Meghan will arrive shortly, but I wanted to speak to you alone, first.”

Ivan nodded that he understood and waited for her to speak.

“We both have something in common, Ivan. Well more than one thing I’m sure, but the quality I admire the most in life is frankness.
Honest frankness
.”

“Well, as you have said before, Banon Blackwell, it is what keeps us alive. I see no other prudent method.”

“And I stand by that!” she replied heartily. “This is why I tell you the following, Ivan. I hope, for your own good.”

Ivan’s eyes widened. Had the Banon had some vision of him? One she would be eager to share. Regardless, it did not sound like good news.

“I have great visions of your future, Ivan,” she began, “however, there is one thing that worries me.”

Ivan stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he continued to listen.

“In my visions, you are always … alone. Now, when I say alone, I mean that you have no confidant, no single person that you trust above all others. Every great man, or woman,” she winked, “needs to have a confidant. Like I have Hollee, for example. A woman I can trust with
anything
!” She emphasized the last word heavily, while placing a hand on his shoulder.

He felt inclined to defend himself.

“Banon, with all due respect, I feel it is sometimes wiser for me to be, as you say, alone. There are fewer distractions in my work. It allows me great… flexibility in giving my life wholly, to the Svoda cause.”

“I understand your feelings on this subject, and it is certainly noble to give yourself so fully. I only ask that you reconsider this one part of your path. Having that one person you can trust, with your utmost secrets, desires or fears … someone you know you can trust without question. This will only help you bear the burden of such a noble life.”

Ivan stumbled for words for only a second and then regained his normal composure.

“I will consider this, Banon. I appreciate your candor,” he told her.

“I knew you would. That is why I like you, Ivan Crane. No Bull. No ego. Get to the point and get the job done!” she said vivaciously.

Ivan nodded firmly.

“I will leave it up to you, to follow the path you see fit. If you choose to find a confidant, choose wisely. Follow your instincts, Ivan, for I have seen that your instincts are very keen.”

Ivan narrowed his eyes again, wondering what the Banon had seen of his future.

There was a knock at the door.

“Meghan Jacoby, ma’am,” announced Pantin Hollee. Meghan sauntered in, raising her eyebrows in a cold hello to Ivan, but smiling widely at Juliska.

“Ah, good. We can get down to business now,” said Juliska, motioning for the two to sit.

Meghan’s eyes could not leave the back of Juliska’s head, where Pajak, her pet spider, slept with one eerie, glass-like eye remaining open.

She attempted, poorly, to ignore it, and listen to what Juliska was saying.

“The task I put before you, Ivan, will be the most difficult I have ever asked someone to do. I do not ask it lightly, and I will even give you a chance to say no if you feel you are not ready for this challenge. It will take great skill, but I feel you are ready, or I would not ask.”

Ivan sat on the edge of his seat, eager to understand his mission. Meghan grew anxious. Did Juliska truly believe she was up to this task, too?

“I will also add that no matter the outcome of your task, that I already consider you an Initiated member of the Svoda, Ivan. Because I already know that you will not say no, and I know that failure is not a word you are fond of.”

How well she knows Ivan,
thought Meghan.
Failure is so not his style!

“So now, I lay it bluntly before you. A man, from the previous Svoda group that visited here, wandered into Eidolon’s Valley. He never returned. And although Eidolon denies any knowledge of this man, I believe he is being held prisoner, or that he may be dead.”

Meghan could not believe what she was hearing. Juliska stood and paced three times around the room before continuing.

“What I need from you, Ivan, is to venture into Eidolon’s Valley and seek out this man. If he is alive, I want you to break him out and bring him to me. If he is dead… well in that unfortunate case, there is something on his person that I need you to recover. Something that cannot be left in the hands of Eidolon.”

Ivan soaked this information in.

Meghan frowned.
Sneak into the valley and find a prisoner? How? And won’t that upset Eidolon even more?

Juliska guessed her questions.

“First, let me say this, Ivan. I chose you for this most delicate mission because you are qualified. Moreover, people know you will be on your Initiation task and will not wonder where you have gone. If I were to send the Viancourt or Balaton, questions and worries would spread like wildfire. I would like to avoid this. Plus, well, let’s just say my Balaton, they are the muscle, but not so much the brains.” She smiled and raised her eyebrows jokingly.

“I also fully realize,” she continued in a more serious tone, “that our actions in this matter could upset the delicate nature of our relationship here. Nevertheless, I simply cannot leave behind an innocent man if he is yet alive, no matter what mistake he made by wandering into the valley, or what this man possesses, if he is not. I have prepared a backup plan should things…go badly.”

Ivan read her implication well. “You mean if Eidolon is guilty of holding this man prisoner or killing him, then discovers us and wages battle...”

“See what I mean, Meghan. I hardly need to explain myself at all with this young man,” delighted Juliska.

Ivan had practically been sitting on air while listening to the details of his mission. He leaned back now, inhaling and exhaling deeply. After a few minutes of hard concentration, his face turned from calculating to acceptance.

“I agree that we cannot leave a fellow Svoda behind, Banon Blackwell, and I accept your task. When does the journey begin?”

“In three weeks time we celebrate the Feast of the Blest Arcane. This will keep the people pleasantly occupied, while you two enter the valley.”

Meghan wondered what exactly she could do to assist Ivan on this task.
I suck at magic. He remembers that, right?

“Meghan, I have a special favor to ask you,” Juliska said presumptuously. 

“Yes,” she answered.

“I want you to be as ready for this journey as possible. I realize you have much left to learn. Being a Firemancer is a lifetime of learning. However, Ivan will need your talents on this journey. I request that you move in with me for the remainder of our time here in the valley. This will make it much easier for me to train you.”

Meghan’s face lit up brightly. She need not speak her answer aloud. She had already begun packing in her mind
. Oh drat! What about Colin. Well, it’s just for a few weeks. He’ll live.

“Good. That’s settled then. I will expect you later tonight, Meghan. We need to get started right away. Now, Ivan. You do not need to be here for all of Meghan’s training. However, I will ask that you be here sometimes. It is vital you are able to work together, and understand her limitations.”

Ivan smiled upon the Banon’s last word.

Meghan scowled.

Why did this great event, of her being able to spend extra time with Juliska, also have to be mired with spending extra time with weirdo boy, Ivan? Then, the reality of what she was training for set in. Just the two of them, on a journey, possibly for days … her heart sank.

Ivan agreed on times to come and train with Meghan, and then bid his goodbye. Meghan remained behind, looking overwhelmed. Juliska sat down across from her.

“I have one other request for you, Meghan,” she said. Meghan gave Juliska her complete attention. “I realize this situation is not one you ever thought you would find yourself in, but I trust Ivan explicitly. I would not allow you to follow him on this journey if I felt it were too dangerous for you. In addition, I fully realize your dislike for him. I cannot change your mind on this, you either like someone, or you don’t. I am sorry to have to make you spend so much time with someone you absolutely loathe.”

“Is it that obvious?” mumbled Meghan.

“Honestly, it’s quite apparent to see that when the two of you are in a room together, the tension is thicker than a knife, and not in an ‘Oh they’re so cute and will grow to love each other some day’ kind of way.”

“Sorry. I do find him infuriating. But I will… persevere,” Meghan answered weakly.

“Good. Because I think, like it or not, Ivan is bound for great things, and I would like to see you in this direction, too.”

I could be great!
She knew she would never defy a personal request from Juliska, regardless.

“I will leave you to go home and pack now,” said Juliska.

As Meghan arose to depart, Juliska stopped her.

“Oh, one other thing, in regards to your brother. I understand this may be difficult, but I need this task to remain a secret. You can tell him you are moving in with me for additional training for Ivan’s Initiation.”

Meghan nodded that she understood and left.

What would Colin say when he discovered she was moving out? He would probably have a fit. But he would have to get over it, because she was moving in with Juliska Blackwell whether he liked it or not!

##

##

“What are you doing?” asked Colin, walking in on Meghan, packing a suitcase. She sighed, unsure of how to break this news to him.

“It’s only for a few weeks, Colin.”

“What is?” he asked.

“Jul…Banon Blackwell feels I need some full time training, in order to assist
Ivan
,” she puckered her nose, “on his Initiation.”

“Okay. Still don’t understand why you’re packing.”

“I’m moving in with the Banon, upon her request, so we can train more often.”

Instantly Colin disliked this idea, and then almost as instantly, he accepted it.
I can spend more time searching for Catrina this way.

Meghan saw his face change from anger to acceptance and wondered why. But still, she could not nudge past the seemingly permanent block surrounding his thoughts.

“I guess that makes sense,” said Colin. “It’s just for a few weeks. I’ll be fine here.”

Meghan was about to question him when Jae walked in. She gasped, stunned by his appearance. Colin followed with a gasp of his own.

“What happened to you?” she asked, concerned.

“Yeah, I guess I should go to the doctor, huh. I… fell, slid down a rock,” he explained. “Stupid really. Clumsy. It looks worse than it is. If we were allowed to do magic, I’d just heal it, although, I feel so drained lately I probably couldn’t even do that!”

“Bad day?” Meghan asked, grabbing a damp cloth.

“You could say that,” he said, wincing as she dabbed at a large bump on his head. Jae used another cloth to wipe off bloody bits of dirt, which had ground its way into the side of his scraped up arm.

Meghan’s nightmare sat at the edge of her thoughts. When would she figure out what was going on with Jae? She felt Colin’s mind trying to link with hers and she accepted his thoughts.

“Maybe he did just fall?” suggested Colin. Meghan frowned, pondering his injuries. They did seem plausibly caused by a fall down a rocky surface.

“I dunno, Col. Maybe.”

Colin grabbed the bloodied cloths used to clean Jae’s wounds to dispose of them. Meghan’s thoughts entered his mind again.

“I only know I can’t worry about it right now, Col. I have too much on my plate, already.”

Colin secretly agreed with her there. Once again, Jae’s problems would have to wait.

Jae popped out from behind the dressing area with a stack of torn and bloodied clothes.

“Here, add these to the trash too, Colin. They’re ruined at this point.” Just as he tossed them to Colin, both boys jumped in surprise.

“Nona! Nona!” Meghan was shouting fearfully.

Nona had just entered the room, clearly not her usual, well-balanced self. Her head bent to one side, and she stumbled while attempting to jump onto Meghan’s bed.