Gorinthians Page 20

  Terrance chuckled. "To the point, I see.” Terrance drew a deep breath as his mirth subsided. "Your parents were members of the Derinian Order. In fact, they were some of the last members. What I am about to tell you is known to very few outside this room. The majority of humans have lost their ability to use yara. Zerans and Talons can sense it, but only a few can still use it. We knew that if we ever had a confrontation with the Enemy again, we would be overcome with little effort on their part. We spent several centuries studying the human host and the link that exists between parents and children. We altered your parents' hosts so that they became what we called a Universal Link. The relationship that usually only exists between parents and children would exist for your parents with everyone.” Terrance shook his head slowly. "Even after centuries of studying this new design, there were still many unexpected surprises, the greatest being that the link would only form on one of their offspring."

  Celdic's head was spinning. "Are you saying that we have a link with every other human alive today?” At Terrance’s nod, Celdic continued, "Then why have I never felt anything?"

  "What is this link supposed to do?” Li asked curiously.

  Terrance raised his hand to forestall them. "First, you haven't felt it because you do not know what you are looking for.” He looked at Li. "The link was created to make it so that the rest of humanity can use yara through you."

  "Through us.” Li repeated blankly. She was staring at Lochnar shrewdly, as if another piece of a puzzle had just fit into place. Lochnar continued to ignore everyone present.

  "Yes, through you,” Thistledown said from his sprawling chair next to Cha'le. He had his mismatched, booted feet resting on an ottoman in front of him with his bushy head resting easily on the chair headrest. "You will need to initiate the link with each person before they become aware of yara."

  Celdic wondered how they would get more than a handful of people to become aware of yara if they needed to meet each person before they could use the link. He said as much and Terrance and Thistledown shared a look before Terrance spoke up.

  "From the moment that we began working toward creating the Universal Link, we approached the ruling class and introduced the concept of having every citizen swear fealty to the leader of their nation. The four of you will have a chance to meet just about everyone on the continent over the next year, once you have assumed your new roles in Shalilayo."

  Celdic was already aware of Terrance’s plan to set the four of them up as leaders throughout the continent, so he was able to enjoy the look of stunned incredulity on the faces of his companions. Cha'le's eyes looked as if they might pop out they were so wide and her lips were slightly parted. Li looked no less stunned as she stared back and forth at Thistledown and Terrance. Lendel only allowed a slight widening of the eyes before regaining control. Selindria just looked satisfied, as if a piece of a puzzle had finally slipped into place. Almost too quick for Celdic to notice, Lochnar glanced at Selindria questioningly. She shook her head so slightly that Celdic was not certain whether he saw the interchange or imagined it.

  Terrance waited a moment before continuing. "I know that you all have a lot of questions, but they will have to wait. We have a long journey ahead of us, with plenty of time to explain all of the details on the way.” He studied them silently for several more moments, his expression a mystery. "Relax for the rest of the day. There will be little time for peace and quiet in the days to come. We will leave in the morning."

  With that, Terrance and Thistledown stood up and walked out the front door. Lochnar stood up and followed the two of them a moment later. Selindria gazed inscrutably at his back as he left.

  Jalorm stood up to walk around and promptly fell flat on his face, followed by an eruption of laughter from Cha'le and Li. It took Celdic a moment to realize that Jalorm's shoestrings were tied together. Jalorm slowly rose to his feet, looking sheepish at being caught unawares. Celdic knew that he was one of the best Guardians, even at his young age, so he knew how ashamed he would normally have been at having someone sneak up and tie his shoes together. It was different when Cha'le was the prankster though. Even the Elders could be caught by surprise by her schemes. In school she was constantly harangued by the teachers for what they told her was wasted talent. She was easily one of the smartest youths of the school, but most of that intellect was channeled into mischief.

  "Very clever, Cha'le," Jalorm said dryly as he untied his shoestrings. "How did you do that? I know you haven't moved since we sat down."

  "I wouldn't want to give away any secrets of the trade," Cha'le replied with a mysterious smile.

  Selindria had been studying Jalorm's shoestrings intently from her chair. "You might want to change your shoestrings, Jalorm," she advised with a slightly amused expression on her face, "otherwise they may just tie themselves together again."

  "Selindria!” Cha'le cried in anguish. "You've ruined it! He might have done it again in a minute."

  Jalorm had just finished retying his shoestrings and sat back down when they began coming apart and retying themselves together again. With a startled oath, he pulled out his knife and tried to cut them off. It took him a moment to realize that there was not a knife sharp enough to cut through whatever it was that Cha'le had done to his shoestrings. Sighing, he untied them again, this time removing them from his boots.

  "So what do you think of what they told us?” Li asked Selindria curiously. "Is it true?” Li was wearing another skirt, black with slashes of blue through it and a high-necked, silk blouse. Celdic wondered where she had come by the new clothing. They certainly did not have those kinds of clothes in Chasel Ri’ Aven.

  Selindria shrugged slightly. "As far as it went, it was true.” She paused. "How much more there is to his plan that he hasn't told us, I couldn't say. But I would continue to caution you to think for yourselves, and not rely on another to do it for you, including me."

  Celdic stood up and walked toward the front door, being careful to check his shoestrings as he stood up. "I am going to go for a walk.” He said to the others, looking at Li questioningly.

  "I think that I would like to get some fresh air as well,” Li said, standing up and walking through the door with him.

  The two of them walked side by side down the trail that seemed to be as wide as the party walking down it needed it to be. Celdic's thoughts tumbled around chaotically in his head as he tried to fight down the sense that he and Li were going to be parted.

  "Celdic?” Li said quietly, slipping her arm through his. "Do you still want to know what it was that I told Cha'le when she stayed the night?” She looked up at him with her dark brown eyes, vulnerable and helpless as she opened herself up to him.

  Trying to calm his beating heart as he stared down at her, Celdic nodded his head slightly. He could not remember a time when she had seemed more beautiful than she did now.

  "I told her that I wanted to give you your first kiss.” Li's dark eyes stared up at him expectantly. "Am I too late?"

  Instead of answering, Celdic leaned forward and pulled her into a rough embrace, kissing her tenderly. The kiss lasted for quite some time before Celdic finally pulled his head back. "Now you're too late,” he replied, slightly breathless. He had often stared at her lips when she was not watching, wondering if they could be as soft as they looked. Now he knew that they were much softer.

  Li smiled at him radiantly, squeezing him tightly. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to make any mistakes with something this important.” Her face was upturned with her lips slightly parted.

  Celdic grinned and lowered his head to meet those soft lips again.

  ---

  Terrance stood next to a small pond with Lochnar and Thistledown on either side of him. The three of them had remained silent the entire way, Lochnar seething with a rage that seemed excessive even for him. The fact that Thistledown kept casting worried looks at Lochnar was enough to alert Terrance that something was very wrong. Lochnar was always difficult to deal with, vol
unteering almost nothing in a conversation while demanding everything. This was different though. Lochnar stood silently, as if unsure where to start.

  "What happened back at that camp with the children?” Terrance asked at last. "Thistledown said that someone that may have been an enemy showed up."

  With a glare at Thistledown, Lochnar finally nodded. "It was Riah."

  Terrance felt as if the ground had fallen out from beneath him. She had been a member of the Derinian Order for two centuries before Terrance had learned her father was Lochnar. He knew Lochnar had been searching for her when Jerard had trapped him and had only survived because Terrance and Thistledown had arrived in time to drive Jerard off and heal Lochnar, however incompletely. Terrance had always been like a second father to Riah, showing her what compassion and mercy were while Lochnar taught her to kill and use her rage as a weapon.

  "She's alive?” Terrance gasped. "Where? Why didn't you bring her back?” Terrance finished in a half-shout.

  Lochnar's glare moved from Thistledown to Terrance. "Because that was exactly what Jerard wanted to happen. He has done something to her spirit that I do not understand, aside from his usual amusements, but I think that if you try to help her, you will be killed or trapped."

  Terrance breathed deeply, trying to calm himself down. He knew what Jerard did for amusement now, torturing a person's body of course, but their soul much worse. The things that he did to their soul became embedded within the matter that made them up, making it impossible to give the person the mercy of erasing their memory. "We have to get her back,” Terrance said firmly. "I will need to study her to find out how to heal her."

  Lochnar shook his head. "That is what Jerard wants, Terrance. I should have killed her when I saw her, but I am glad that I refrained. Jerard has woven a trap for you, but if you use that block that you call a head, you should be able to figure out a way to turn the tables."

  Terrance frowned at Lochnar, his brows lowered over his razor gaze. "You think that we should use Riah as bait for Jerard?” Terrance growled menacingly.

  "Yes,” Lochnar said simply.

  "It could work, Terrance,” Thistledown added suddenly. "The only thing that has kept Jerard from showing himself has been your presence on the continents. If he thought that you were snared, he might make his move now."

  Terrance tried to think about it, but Riah's beautiful face, eager to learn and full of hope, kept appearing before his eyes. "I will need to think about it."

  ---

  Selindria was sitting in a tall-backed chair in the sitting room when Terrance walked in, looking more troubled than she had ever seen him. She was wearing one of the dresses that she had found in the wardrobe in her bedroom. The wardrobe was filled with clothes that fit her as if they had been custom-tailored. Her dress was dark violet, almost black. It was cut low at the neckline to reveal a generous amount of cleavage and a dark moonstone, which reflected the light from the windows. Her midnight-hair cascaded over her shoulders almost down to her waist where she had belted a pair of daggers. Her cat-like eyes caught the light and gleamed as she studied Terrance’s face. He sat down in a chair that appeared across from her, the look of recognition flashing through his eyes once more as he studied her. She felt her pulse quicken slightly as she felt his gaze travel over her body.

  "I need to talk to you about your sister,” Terrance said finally, sighing as if a great weight were on him.

  Selindria straightened in her chair, suddenly alert. She knew that her sister had been a member of the Derinian Order before she died, which was one of the reasons that she had such a hard time trusting any of them. She had always held them responsible for her sister’s premature death.

  "Riah is alive,” Terrance said, watching her closely. "She stumbled into Lochnar's camp the night the others arrived here."

  "Where is she?” Selindria demanded, her gaze sharpening in its intensity.

  "Lochnar discovered that her spirit has been tampered with.” Terrance’s face flashed with pain before he continued. "Jerard captured her and has done something to her to try and trap me. I don't know if we can do anything to help her, but we will need your help if we are to have any chance of success."

  "What do you need me to do?” Selindria asked without hesitation.

  "I will need to use you as directions,” Terrance replied hesitantly. "I will need to study you completely in order to try to restore Riah to normal. She will never be the same as she was. In fact, she will probably have even more in common with you than she did before. Jerard did not know that Riah had a twin sister, so he did not anticipate this possibility."

  Selindria's eyes narrowed. From her years as a teacher, she had a knack for knowing when someone was trying to hide something from her. "And the trap?"

  Terrance took a deep breath. "We will try to use the information that we get from studying you to make it appear that I have indeed been trapped. In truth, I will have to be trapped just as Jerard expects in order for him to believe it. But the trap that I make will dissipate in a couple of weeks."

  Selindria watched Terrance silently, realizing the danger that he was voluntarily putting himself in to help save her sister. Impulsively, she bent forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Whatever you need me to do to help, I will,” she whispered.

  Terrance’s cheeks colored slightly when she kissed his cheek and he averted his eyes as she studied his face. "We will need to go to a special room to do this,” Terrance said, looking at the ground. "There will be some odd sensations during the process, parts of your spirit examined that you were not aware of."

  Selindria just continued to watch him silently, until Thistledown entered the room, stopping abruptly when he sensed the mood. With a sigh, Selindria leaned back in her chair.

  "Are we ready?” Thistledown asked, with one eyebrow arched slightly.

  Nodding, Selindria stood up, followed by Terrance as Thistledown led them through a door that had not existed earlier, near the kitchen corner. As they passed through it, Selindria felt a sudden sensation of weightlessness as her feet stepped out onto nothing and she drifted away from the opening. Thistledown was gliding in front of her without any apparent difficulty and Terrance was just entering behind her.

  "Use your yar to propel yourself,” Terrance instructed behind her. "Just think in the direction that you want to go and you will go there."

  "And where are we going?” Selindria asked curiously. "For that matter, where are we?"

  "We are in a passive realm," Terrance replied from behind her. "Matter is more responsive here than it is in realms that have agents everywhere. The three of us are the only agents in this realm right now. All the other matter is passive."

  Selindria did not respond, but studied the area around her with her yar. Everything that her yar touched seemed to be more supple than anything she had ever felt before. There were more elements surrounding her in this place than she would have believed existed. There were compounds as well, but the vast majority of the matter surrounding her were elements.

  "This is what's known as a drain,” Terrance explained, as if reading her thoughts. "We have filtered all of the agents out so that there are only passive elements left. This is what we call our workshop. We will be using the passive elements to create a new shell for Riah."

  "Let's get started,” Selindria said shortly. She did not want them to notice her nervousness, so she assumed the brisk manner her students were used to.

  "Very well," Terrance said spinning in the emptiness to face her. "What we need you to do is blank your mind of all thought. We will do the rest."

  Selindria nodded curtly and began emptying her mind of all thought. The last image that flashed through her mind was that of Riah laughing as she spun around on the wooden floor in a tavern, teaching Selindria how to dance.

  As Selindria lay motionless in the emptiness around her, she began to feel warmth flood into a part of her body that she could not identify. It was like having an itch under her skin that,
no matter where she scratched, she could not locate it. The warmth flittered around within her, and a moment later she felt her cheeks burning red with embarrassment as the warmth flooded into a part of her being that she had not known existed, but instinctively knew that it was a personal space reserved for intimacy on a spiritual level. The sensation only lasted a moment. Suddenly, she was laughing uncontrollably as a feeling mixed between mirth and euphoria rushed through her in waves. The new sensation departed as quickly as it came, only to be replaced by an ageless sorrow that had her sobbing until she thought her soul would shrivel inside of her. The sensations continued for what seemed an eternity, always changing. Sometimes she thought that her body would not be able to handle the raw strength of the emotions that were raging through her and sometimes all she felt was a light probing that seemed to analyze parts of her being that had no reaction to the strange contact that was examining her. She began to think that this night would never end; that she would spend the rest of eternity floating in oblivion as her spirit was bobbed around like a puppet hanging from strings.

  Finally, it stopped and she opened her eyes. Standing in front of her was her sister Riah, almost exactly the same as Selindria remembered her, even down to her resonance. She was wearing nothing but her skin and her eyes were dull. "Riah?” Selindria whispered questioningly.

  Her sister just floated there, without response or apparent awareness of her surroundings. "She is just a shell,” Terrance said from behind her. "When we find the real Riah, this is the shell that we will be transferring her into."

  Something about Terrance had changed since they had come into this place. Selindria studied him, looking for a clue as to what had happened. When he looked at her, she did not feel like he was looking at a companion any longer, but as a man seeing a woman. He also did not seem to know how to react to this newfound awareness.

  "There is something else that you should be made aware of," Thistledown piped in. "When Terrance begins transferring Riah into this shell, he will need an anchoring point. He will need you to be that anchoring point that keeps his spirit in this realm."