Gorinthians Page 17
Pulling herself over the edge, she turned back to the lake and began pulling the rope up that her Prenium sandals were tied to. By the time that she had them over the edge, she was panting with exertion. Being an explorer was hard work. As she began pulling her leather sandals back on, a voice cleared behind her, causing her to whirl around in shock.
---
Ferrich felt as if every muscle in his body were on fire. He was not exactly unfit, having climbed up and down the Pit on a regular basis, but the forced pace that Morindessa had set since leaving Shalilayo four days past would have exhausted even the hardiest infantry soldier. They slept only long enough for him to regain enough energy to continue. Morindessa did not seem to be showing any signs of fatigue, a fact that distressed Ferrich more than he liked to admit, even to himself. She kept a constant watch of their surroundings, as if she expected the king and his guards to come rushing out of the brush beside the road.
They passed a small town called Laketown when the sun set and Ferrich suggested they stay the night at the hostel. They had spent the last two nights sleeping under bushes; the first night, they had not stopped at all.
"Ferrich, where do you think your father is going to send his soldiers to look for you?” Morindessa asked patiently. "You do know that the hostels are subsidized by the crown, don't you?"
Sighing regretfully, Ferrich nodded in resignation. "I just miss having a bed beneath me.” He looked at Morindessa wryly. "That's what happens when you are raised in the royal palace. You get pampered, whether you like it or not."
Morindessa chuckled softly. "That's what I like about you Ferrich," she said smiling at him in a way that made his cheeks redden. "You admit your weaknesses and move on. That's a rare trait in a man."
Ferrich cleared his throat. He was uncertain of how to reply, or even if he should reply. He had come to know Morindessa to a small degree on their hasty journey from Shalilayo. At first, he thought that she might be setting him up for some kind of ransom, thinking his father would pay for his return. As he talked to her while they traveled, she told him of the pair that raised her and her life after they left. He was amazed at her knowledge in the Arcane Arts, though she had laughed when she heard him call it by that name. She told him there were places in the world where people were raised learning to use their yar shortly after learning to talk. Ferrich was still not certain if she was exaggerating. The longer he traveled with her, the less he was able to concentrate. He had not dealt with women very often, spending all of his time studying the Arcane Arts, so he had no idea how to act around her. When he heard her laugh, it made him feel warm inside and he began trying to think of something else that would make her laugh, tripping over his tongue as often as not, whenever he made an attempt at light banter. As tired as he was, he did not look forward to sleep, because it meant he would not be able to hear her laugh or see her smile with a look of delight in her eyes that he did not understand.
"I was thinking that we would find a secluded place next to the lake," she said, her eyes scanning the distance for a trail that would lead them around the town and to the lake. Ferrich felt his cheeks heat up again when she mentioned the word secluded. He was not certain if she knew the effect that she was having on him, and enjoying it, or if she was oblivious to it.
Her slight frame slipped silently off the road, appearing ghost-like as she slipped through the thick foliage without a sound. Ferrich hurried to follow, trying not to lose sight of her as the last light of the sun faded.
They continued through the trees, eventually finding a well-made game trail that led toward the lake. As they broke through the edge of the trees to the lakeshore, Ferrich gaped in awe as, for the first time in his life, he saw both moons cresting the horizon, completely full. Morindessa stopped as well, gazing at the rare phenomenon with a small smile on her lips. They stood at the edge of the lake for some time, just gazing at the pale spheres that lit the night until it was almost as bright as noon-day and reflected the lake's black water peculiarly.
It took several moments for either of them to notice the small log in the water with a piece of bamboo sticking out that was slowly moving toward them. A moment later, they noticed that there was a pair of leather sandals and a bag lying on the shore. He looked at Morindessa questioningly as the log bumped into the shoreline. He felt her yar rush past him, aiming at the log.
"Someone is breathing through that bamboo!” she said with a sharp intake of breath. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him back into the trees, until they were hidden from the lake.
"Wait here,” she commanded quietly. "If you hear me shout, run."
Ferrich opened his mouth to argue, but hesitated. He knew that she would be much safer if something went wrong without him there to get under foot. He could still remember vividly the ease with which she had overcome Captain Kerns and his soldiers. Still, shame filled his face once again as he found he was completely useless.
As if reading his mind, Morindessa reached out and squeezed his hand. "We all have strengths in different areas, Ferrich," she whispered softly. "Your time will come to be brave, but not yet.” Her eyes held his until he nodded reluctantly before turning and disappearing into the brush.
---
Morindessa slipped silently through the underbrush back to the lakeshore where a woman was just emerging from the edge. The stranger dripped water as she pulled herself onto the shore, immediately turning to pull a rope up that was dangling in the water. She had to be one of the more unusual sights Morindessa had ever seen, and she had seen some very unusual things. Reaching out with her yar, she studied the woman inside and out. She was impressed in spite of herself at the extraordinary device that the woman had used to breath under water. As her yar passed over one of the pouches hanging at the woman's side, she almost gasped aloud in surprise. There was an object of immense power inside the pouch, a power she had only felt once before. The woman was panting slightly as she pulled what appeared to be steel sandals over the edge of the shoreline. As the sandals caught the moonlight, and held it, Morindessa realized the sandals were made of Prenium. Where had the woman come up with the money for something so expensive? Had she just found them on the bottom? Questions whirled through Morindessa’s head as she studied the strange woman who was just fastening her leather sandals to her feet.
Stepping forward, Morindessa cleared her throat slightly to announce herself. Whirling around in shock, the woman stared at her. Her look was an odd combination to be sure: part fear, but part annoyance too. "I am sorry to intrude, but I was not certain if you needed help or not.” Morindessa watched her carefully, sensing her with her yar for any kind of threat.
The woman was quite lovely, if you looked past all of the abnormal paraphernalia that adorned her, but she seemed completely unaware of the fact. She watched Morindessa warily, her eyes glowing a strange green color that Morindessa recognized as the after-effect of Everglow. Her shoulder-length brown hair dripped down a smooth face that could not have seen more than thirty years.
"Who are you?" the soaking woman asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I am called Morindessa.” At the last moment, she had decided to tell the stranger the truth, hoping that it would invoke a little more cooperation.
Eyes widening in fear, the woman scrambled backword in a crab-like walk, putting as much distance as she could between them. She stopped only when her back thumped into a tree. She sat breathing heavily as Morindessa slowly walked closer.
"I am not here to kill you," Morindessa said dryly. "If that were the case, you never would have seen me before you died. What is your name?"
Licking her lips nervously, she replied "Seranova.” She looked over Morindessa's shoulder, toward the village. "Who sent you? If they can't have me, they want me dead, is that it?” The fear was completely gone; only hate filled her voice now.
"I already told you, I am not here to kill you.” Looking over her shoulder toward the village, Morindessa frowned slightly. "And to whom are you
referring?"
"Never mind,” Seranova replied, letting out a shuttering breath. "If you are not here to kill me, then why are you here?” She sat with her back against the tree and stared defiantly at the newcomer as if daring her to do her worst.
"Just passing through, actually," Morindessa replied with a shrug. "I came over here to avoid going through the village. I did not expect to see anyone out here at this time of night.” She paused, examining Seranova's peculiar clothing with pursed lips. "Did you create all of these contraptions?” She gestured at the misshapen coat that Seranova wore and at the air hose that was piled up on the lakeshore.
Seranova nodded slowly but still watched her warily, as if she did not believe her. She started shivering from the cold, now that her adrenaline had abated. Her eyes drifted over to the Prenium shoes that were lying on the shore. They represented a small fortune, even to a noble. Morindessa glanced at them too, before turning back to Seranova.
"I think that I am in the wrong line of work," Morindessa said dryly. "What's it like down there?"
"Vast," Seranova said through chattering teeth. "I think that it used to be an underground city."
Morindessa nodded, "that's what I've heard.” Reaching out with her yar, Morindessa began drying Seranova by changing the properties of the water until it turned to steam. Seranova gasped in amazement as the moisture evaporated from her in a matter of seconds. "You'll catch a cold if we leave you in those wet clothes,” Morindessa explained lightly.
"Thank you,” Seranova said in surprise. She stared at Morindessa with a puzzled expression, as if unsure what to make of her. "Your reputation had led me to expect an entirely different person."
Rolling her eyes, Morindessa sighed, "Expectations are always so hard to live up to."
They both laughed and Morindessa offered her a hand to help her up. Without hesitation, Seranova accepted the offered hand and rose to her feet with one smooth motion.
"I have to warn you about one of the objects that you are carrying in your waist pouch," Morindessa said as they moved back toward Seranova's pile of contraptions. "I have only seen one other like it. It was used as a weapon, and has some serious side effects if you are not careful."
Seranova glanced down at her pouch with a small frown. "What kind of weapon?"
Glancing at her sideways, Morindessa wondered how much to tell her. Most of it she would not understand, being raised in this provincial village. "To put it shortly, it was made to sever the connection of a Gorinthian and it's human host by burning the Tramnel from the skeletal structure."
As she had expected, Seranova stared at her blankly, not understanding a word she had said. Sighing, Morindessa started from the beginning, explaining how the Gorinthians had been created in the war before the end of civilization, almost taking control of the world before weapons were created that could fight them. She gave a short summary of what Tramnel was and how the spirit used it to attach to a host.
"This particular device is called a Chasel,” Morindessa said, gesturing at Seranova's pouch. "If you hold it for longer than a few seconds, it will begin burning your Tramnel. If you hold it longer than that, your body will die."
Seranova nodded her understanding, "Is it safe to carry like this, in a pouch?"
"I am not entirely certain," Morindessa replied displaying a small crease in her forehead. "Do you feel anything with it in your pouch?"
"No," Seranova said shaking her head, "only when I touch it."
"I think that you are safe then.” Looking back into the clearing where Ferrich was waiting, she cleared her throat, "Well, I won't keep you out all night. I need to cover a little more distance before the night is over."
"It was nice to meet you," Seranova said sincerely, "I will remember you as a friend."
"And I you," Morindessa finished the traditional farewell of close friends. Turning back to the tree line, she made her way into the thick vegetation to where Ferrich lay dozing. Bending down close to his head, she blew into his ear softly.
With a start, he sat up and looked around wildly. "He's coming!" the prince whispered hoarsely. "He knows where we are!"
Looking at him carefully, Morindessa rested a hand on top of one of his. "It was just a dream Ferrich. We're safe."
Far from being reassured, he stood up, peering back the way that they had come. "I saw him coming, like a tornado spinning across the water!” Ferrich stood breathing heavily. "I can feel him drawing nearer."
Morindessa felt a chill run down her spine as she remembered the stories Riah had told her about the Elementals. Some of them came in the form of tornadoes, traveling much faster than a ship could sail. Where there were Elementals, there were always Gorinthians.
"How far away are they, Ferrich?” she asked calmly, trying to keep the urgency out of her voice.
"Maybe five miles," he replied nervously, still peering back the way that they had come.
Morindessa did not believe in fate, but several things were beginning to occur that stretched coincidence a little far. "Follow me,” she said urgently, turning back to the lakeshore and racing out to where Seranova emerged from the lake. Morindessa could just make out her dark form in the distance, moving toward the town.
"Hurry!” Morindessa urged Ferrich, stretching her legs into a dead run. Within moments, she had caught up to Seranova, showing her hands to assure her that she meant no harm.
"I am sorry to trouble you again, but I am afraid we are going to have to ask you to use the Chasel shortly.” Morindessa glanced back to make sure that Ferrich was still coming. "There is an Elemental and possibly some Gorinthians following our trail. They should be here any second."
Seranova looked from her to Ferrich, who was just arriving, and then back again. "What do I do?” she asked hesitantly.
"When they get close, just pull it out and hold it,” Morindessa replied, glancing back at the trees that were beginning to stir in a sudden breeze. "It will do the rest."
The three of them stood in a small cluster, watching as the trees began to bend almost double in the gale that came roaring down the path that Morindessa and Ferrich had traveled. A moment later, Morindessa could see what looked like two giant glowing coals in the middle of the cyclone, just above a line that looked like a mouth. A five hundred foot wide path appeared behind the monstrosity as it destroyed everything in its path. Following close behind it was none other than the king himself, with fifty soldiers accompanying him.
Seranova began reaching into her pouch as the giant black funnel drew closer, but Morindessa seized her wrist, warning her to wait until it came closer. Morindessa reached out and jerked Ferrich and Seranova down to the ground as a tree flew over the place they had been standing. For several more seconds, Morindessa held them to the ground with a grip-like a vice, before shouting above the howling gale, "NOW!"
Not needing a second prompting, Seranova jerked the Chasel from her pocket and held it over her head. It immediately lit up like the sun, banishing the small shadows that the two full moons had left behind. With a sharp detonation, the Elemental spun a few more times and fizzled out, leaving a wide swath of destruction all around it.
As the light touched the king, his body crumpled and he fell limply to the ground, followed by about thirty of his men. The remaining twenty slowed down to a walk and approached the trio warily. Morindessa gestured at Seranova to put the Chasel away. Seranova’s face was twisted in a pained grimace and she hurriedly stuffed the Chasel back into her pouch, casting the night back into moonlit shadows again.
"The rest of you are free to go,” Morindessa called out, her voice booming as she used her yar to enlarge the wavelengths. "Otherwise, your fate will be the same."
The reduced party of armored men looked at each other uncomfortably for a moment, before turning and running back the way that they had come, some of them glancing fearfully over their shoulders as they ran.
"Would this have killed them too?” Seranova asked curiously.
"No," Mori
ndessa replied shaking her head, "but they didn't know that."
For some reason, Ferrich thought that was very funny, and started laughing.
Looking at Seranova sympathetically, Morindessa gestured at the village, "I don't think that it will be safe for you to return to Laketown. Those soldiers will certainly have your description circulated."
Seranova looked at her in astonishment. "But what will I do? Where will I go?"
Sharing a look with Ferrich, Morindessa took a deep breath, "You can come with us or you can try to find a new place to live. I don't think that you will have much luck finding a safe place after tonight, though."
Chapter 14
Seranova stood staring at Morindessa in shock at her declaration that she had to leave her home. She had always wanted to travel to some of the strange places her father had always told her existed outside of the small village she had grown up in, but it had always been a distant time in the future that she would leave.
“What about my parents?” Seranova demanded, feeling more agitated the more she thought about it. “What about my inventions, my things?”
Morindessa studied her silently for several moments before replying. “We can make a short stop at your home, so that your parents know what is happening, but you will still need to leave if you want to live.”