Condras fire, p.37
ConDra's Fire, page 37
“What is your name, soldier?”
“Dupits, sir.”
Mondago held out a hand. A large dragonfly landed on his palm. “You plotted with Cantruto to kill me, Dupits. You have broken your pledge to the Largeen Joram. Why? Answer me!”
The soldier remained silent. Mondago circled the chair. Dupits’ muscles tensed. Mondago glared down at the stubborn face. “Tell me what I want to know. You will fare much better at my hand than at Nissasa’s.”
Dupits’ eyes flew to his face.
“I will make sure Nissasa hears you are my informant. He is a cruel man. And he is merciless where traitors are concerned.”
The man’s Adam’s apple rose and fell. His face remained blank. His eyes reflected the beginnings of fear. Mondago brought his face level with his. “You will provide a list of Nissasa’s traitors—those here, at Shu Chenaro, and in RewFaar. I want to know everything you know about his plans, Dupits. Now!”
Eyes straight ahead, the soldier pressed his mouth closed.
“Perhaps I can entice you to respond to my request.” The shimmering silver-blue dragonfly on his hand fluttered its wings. “This insect is as deadly as it is beautiful. Were I its enemy, I would tremble at the sight of it.”
Dupits gave a nervous laugh. “You threaten me with a dragonfly, and you expect me to shake with fear?” Arrogance leaked into his voice. “A dragonfly will not make me talk, sir.”
Mondago backed away from the chair. “Then perhaps this will.”
The dragonfly disappeared, and a panther materialized in the middle of the tent. Dupits’ face lost its color. His eyes bulged. The panther sniffed at his face, threw its head back, and snarled. A rough pink tongue appeared between its huge teeth and licked Dupits’ cheek.
“Second thoughts?” Mondago remained at a distance.
Dupits jerked his head away. The panther’s paw shot out. Blood warmed his cheek. It opened its mouth. Large incisors flashed in the light. The huge predator stretched its mouth around his neck.
“Death or talk. Your choice, Dupits. The panther will do as I say.”
“I have nothing…”
The mouth began to close; the teeth clamped down on his throat. He shuddered. “I’ll talk. Just get it away from me.”
Mondago ran a hand along the feline’s sleek side. “If you fail to answer even one of my questions, I will not hesitate to let my friend end your miserable life, Dupits.”
The panther tightened its grip.
“I’ll tell you everything, upon my honor.”
Tinpaca Mondago glared down at him. “You have no honor, Dupits. Swear on your life.”
“I swear on my life, sir, to answer all questions to the best of my knowledge, sir.”
“Back, my friend.”
The panther released its hold, licked its lips, and sat back on its haunches.
For the next chron-circle, Mondago grilled Cantruto’s man. The panther listened. Dupits spilled his guts, his eyes darting from one to the other. Satisfied at last, Mondago ordered him taken away, and addressed the panther. “Did you get all that?”
Voer materialized. “Every word. I must travel to DerTah via the Dojanack Mountains.”
“How soon can you reach Lorsedi?”
“Almiralyn will provide me with an introduction. I will leave as soon as we have spoken.” He gave a low whistle. A miniature man darted into the tent and landed on his hand. “This is Kieel, the Matrés of the Terces Wood Nyti. He and Stee will continue to keep watch. They will warn you of any other traitors or strange activity here or at Demrach Gateway.”
Mondago acknowledged Kieel with a smile. “Thank you for your help.”
Kieel tapped his walking stick on Voer’s palm. “My pleasure. If you need me, whistle and I’ll come.” He levitated and zipped out the entrance.
“I’ll report back as soon as I can.” Voer bowed his head and shifted. His dragonfly form buzzed after Kieel.
After the Pentharian departed, Tinpaca Mondago stood at the tent’s center, wrapped in thoughtful silence. Things had certainly become interesting. He opened a box on his table, picked up a cigar, and rolled it between his fingers. Deep in thought, he clamped it between his teeth, touched the tip with a match, and drew in a deep breath. The exhaled smoke formed a cloud of whitish-gray. He squinted through the haze, thinking how fitting it was. An impatient shake of the head cleared his thoughts. He had things to do. Nissasa Rattori’s infiltration of his platoon must end—now.
end
End - Chapter 45 of 58
ConDra’s Fire - S.K. Randolph
* * *
46
DerTah
Nomed cursed under his breath. WoNa’s capture meant a shift in the balance of power. He saw Wolloh’s face, ashen at the best of times, turn even paler. Narrtep’s stricken expression confirmed the seriousness of the situation.
Stebben pulled another chair to the table and offered the Dansmen a tumbler of water. When he had quenched his thirst and tossed his kcalo aside, Narrtep slid onto the proffered seat and looked to the High DiMensioner for guidance.
Wolloh raised his good hand and nodded to those gathered at the table. “Allow me to provide you with the names of my colleagues: TheLise, the Dreelas od Trinuge; Gerolyn AsTar, the Guardian of Myrrh’s emissary and grandmother of the twins; Lorsedi Telisnoe, the Largeen Joram of RewFaar and grandfather of the twins, Seyes Nomed, the DiMensioner and uncle of Esán; and of course, you know my Major Domo, Stebben.”
Narrtep acknowledged the introductions with an interested nod and returned his attention to the High DiMensioner.
“I believe it is best if you share your story. Then we can decide how to proceed.”
Narrtep composed himself. “WoNa called up a storm to hide the departure of the children from Eissua. It raged across the entire desert and succeeded in confusing Nissasa’s troops. However, when the wind began to howl and the sand blinded man and beast, Dahe Terah, the head of the Sebborr, called his tribesmen to a halt; gathered them into a tight formation; and led them forward. With unerring accuracy, he maintained the correct course, and while the RewFaaran soldiers hunkered down to wait out the storm, Dahe and his men crept closer to their target.”
Lorsedi leaned back and steepled his fingers. “You seem to have a clear picture of what you did not see.”
Narrtep gave Lorsedi a tight-lipped smile. “The Oracle Stone informed us of the storm’s progress. It also showed us Nissasa, the Sebborr, and the children. What the Stone could not show were Dahe and six tribesmen circumventing the oasis, camouflaged by curtains of swirling sand. When three fellow Atrilaasu and I left WoNa to make our rounds of the oasis, the intruders jumped us and knocked us unconscious. Even though my attacker made a poor job if it, I did not reach WoNa before they took her prisoner and disappeared into the dissipating storm. I rode post haste to Shu Chenaro.”
Wolloh placed a clawed hand on the man’s arm. “You are lucky to be alive, my friend.”
Narrtep touched his heart. “There is a saying in the desert: ‘Kill the Oracle’s Dansmen and burn to death in SeDah.’ There are few who would ignore it. Dahe knows the touch of WoNa’s fire. He will do his best to disarm her, to make her harmless—helpless.” His voice broke, but his face remained stoic.
Wolloh’s expression hardened. “This is a serious blow to our defenses. Lorsedi—” Wolloh’s grip on his cane tightened. He hoisted himself to standing. Stebben arrived at his side in an instant. The High DiMensioner steadied himself. A slight smile touched his lips—a malicious spark ignited in his good eye. “We have good news and bad. I have just received a telepathic message from Corvus: Four children to raptor center. Stebben, meet them. Desirol tracked by Mindeco. Off to rescue.”
The Largeen Joram pushed back his chair and surged to his feet. “If the Mindeco captures Desirol—” His expression hardened. “Corvus had better be as good as you say, Wolloh Espyro.”
“He is, however—”
Lorsedi’s leadership persona slammed into place. “I can only trust that he will do his job. I must meet with my staff and secure the borders of Shu Chenaro. When Nissasa discovers the children are beyond his reach, he will turn his focus here. We will be ready.” He marched from the chamber.
Wolloh gripped the crystal knob of his cane and surveyed the room. A glint in his good eye informed Nomed he had arrived at a plan.
“Stebben, obscure the children’s energy trail. Beware the Mindeco. It will not worry about the flames of SeDah. Be quick. I need you back here.”
With a slight bow, Stebben vanished from sight.
“You didn’t tell us he could teleport.” TheLise’s expression showed her surprise.
Wolloh twirled his cane between clawed fingers. “I told you I trained him…” He left the sentence hanging. “Gerolyn, meet the children and bring them to my hidden study. Do you teleport?”
“I’m rusty, but I can make it happen.”
“Good. I’ll put an image of the study in your mind. If you need help, Esán can provide it. You’ll know him by his energy and his almost-bald head. Now go. And don’t let anyone see you or them.”
“I’ll be quick. See you in the study.” She stood and was gone.
Wolloh smiled at the Dreelas. “I have a task I know you will thoroughly enjoy. Find Tissent and ask her to help you distract Roween Rattori. Keep the woman occupied. We’ll see you at dinner.”
TheLise’s face reminded Nomed of a cat after prey. She planted a quick kiss on Wolloh’s withered cheek and slipped from the room. Nomed observed his mentor with interest. “And you need me to do what?”
Wolloh looked down, his thoughts cloaked by the scarred profile. When he finally raised his head, his face registered a touch of surprise. “Almiralyn has reinstated Elcaro’s Eye.”
Nomed’s eyebrow shot up. “How do you know that?”
Wolloh tapped the round crystal in his cane and limped to the middle of the room. “Crystals from Evolsefil share a connection. Come. We have children to see, and then…” His good eye twinkled.
Nomed bit. “And then…what?”
Wolloh rested a hand on his arm. “You are going to pay a visit to the Guardian of Myrrh.”
Brie’s retina retained the flash of light from the Statues of Sinnttee for several long moments after she and her friends arrived in the raptor center. When it faded and she could finally see, her heart jumped to her throat. She could not tear her gaze from the woman who smiled down at her.
She was tall with chestnut curls piled on top of her head and eyes the color of sun-drenched emeralds. The lovely face reminded Brie of someone. Her brain scrambled to find the answer. It settled into a vague image that refused to come into focus.
The woman drew them into a close huddle. “I’m Gerolyn AsTar. Wolloh sent me.”
Gerolyn…the name reverberated in Brie’s head. “You’re my grandmother!”
The woman nodded but pressed a finger to her lips. That and the ominous sound of soldiers marching through the barn attached to the raptor center kept Brie’s many questions at bay.
Her grandmother spoke to Esán. “You can teleport?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” She clasped his hands. “I’ll put a picture of our destination in your head.” She motioned everyone closer. “Ready?”
Esán nodded again. The raptor center vanished. They arrived in a small, comfortable room. Gerolyn looked relieved. She smiled at Esán. “Thanks for the help. I’m a bit rusty.” Her gaze traveled to Ira. Curiosity sparked as she offered a hand. “You are…”
“I’m Ira Raast. You’re Sparrow’s mother, aren’t you?”
“That I am. It is nice to meet you, Ira. Very nice indeed.”
Ira’s tanned face reddened as he nudged Torgin forward. “This is my friend, Torgin Whalend.”
Gerolyn smiled. “You’re the musician. I can’t wait to hear you play.”
For Brie, it felt like several sun cycles passed before her grandmother’s smile enveloped her. When Gerolyn put arms around her, she relaxed against her and sighed. “I’ve wanted to meet you for—”
Two men materialized at the room’s center. Seyes Nomed looked from one of the room’s occupants to the next and raised an eyebrow at Esán. “Hello, nephew.”
“Hello, sir.”
Nomed’s companion rested his hands on the crystal knob of a cane; an unreadable expression masked his thoughts.
Brie stared at the face with its two very different aspects. The High DiMensioner, Wolloh od DerTah…Nomed’s mentor—
“Hello, Brielle.”
The words in her head startled her. She closed her mind with a slap.
Wolloh’s smooth profile angled her direction. The dark, intelligent eye gleamed, and the mouth curved upward. “Good girl.” He adjusted his body to bring his eye in line with Ira. For a long moment, he said nothing. “Brielle, please introduce your friends.”
Swallowing her desire to know more about him, she smiled. “May I present Ira Raast and Torgin Wilith Whalend, who are both from Idronatti.”
He inclined his head. “Welcome to Shu Chenaro, Ira and Torgin. And Esán…we are glad to have you back.” With calculated slowness, he lowered his body into an overstuffed chair. “Take off your packs and kcalos and get comfortable. Boys, please arrange the chairs in a circle. We have many things to discuss.”
Brie moved to her grandmother’s side. “Mother looks like you.”
Gerolyn smiled down at her. “And you bear a resemblance to her. I understand you have only recently met your father.”
The sudden appearance of a tall man produced a hushed silence in the room.
“Well?” Wolloh’s impatience flickered in his good eye.
“It is done, sir. I also erased the trail from the raptor center to here.”
“Good work, Stebben. Any sign of Corvus and Desirol or the Mindeco?”
“None. The ruins were empty.”
Wolloh’s good eye sought Torgin. “I believe you have someone to introduce.”
Torgin gave Nomed a challenging look before he placed his flute case on the floor. A small brown spider scuttled onto the polished tile. Yaro materialized beside him. “My heart brother, Yaro, Pentharian from ReTaw au Qa.”
Nomed’s eyes narrowed. Gerolyn smiled an interested smile. Stebben put a protective hand on the back of his master’s chair. Wolloh eased to standing. With his clawed left hand on his heart, he extended his right hand palm up. “Oid eo daize rao, Yaro.”
The golden Pentharian placed one hand on his chest and the other palm to palm with Wolloh. “Oid eo daize rao, High DiMensioner. I honor you heart to heart.”
“And I you. Join us in our council. Your thoughts are most welcome.”
Yaro hesitated with his focus on Nomed.
The DiMensioner frowned. “So we meet again, Yaro. As I recall, you switched loyalties on a whim.”
Ira and Esán exchanged glances.
Yaro’s alien features did not change. “I know not this whim. I supported my heart brother.”
Brie caught the edge of a thought. Wolloh’s sightless eye rested on her face. The disfigured cheek transitioned to smooth as he turned his head and locked his good eye on Nomed. The DiMensioner relaxed, stood, and extended his hand. Yaro bowed his head and touched the offered palm with his. The tension in the room dissolved.
Wolloh sank back into his chair. “Tell us what happened in Nesune. Esán, please begin.”
Brie listened with only half her mind. The other half speculated about Wolloh, The High DiMensioner od DerTah, the man she had seen on the Throne of ReNin RepPosu when the future rolled out before her like a saga on a V-Screen.
The rising sun had not yet begun to erase the shadows from the desert landscape when two DerTahan hawks shot from the portal into the pale orange dome of the DerTah sky. One Man noted a dozing guard with a sense of relief. To his left, Allynae pressed hawk wings against the chill of dawn’s first light. The shift had gone against the grain for the twins’ father. One Man respected his willingness to put his personal preferences aside.
Banking to the northeast, he set a course for Eissua Oasis. He considered landing and teleporting but thought better of it. The Mindeco could follow the energy trail left by teleportation, and there might be others who could, as well. Glad for whatever remained of the tepid temperatures of early morning, he forced his mind into stillness and pressed ahead.
Allynae relished the feel of his wings against the air, of the wind skimming his feathered body, and of the beat of the hawk’s heart. Conscious of the need to keep his humanness ever present, he trained hawk eyes on One Man and his mind on the reason he had chosen never to practice the Art of DiMensionery. Too many initiates succumbed to the dark side of the art and used it for their own gain. Not even Almiralyn’s strict adherence to the rules of service and good works had changed his mind. Need had caused him to forsake his self-imposed abstinence. His daughters’ well-being meant more to him than life itself.
He banked and soared after One Man. Some distance ahead, silhouetted palm fronds rose above the horizon. Each wing stroke brought them closer to Eissua Oasis and the Atrilaasu Oracle. Almiralyn revered WoNadahem Mardree. Allynae looked forward to meeting her.
One Man picked up speed. Allynae followed suit.
One Man’s hawk eyes searched the desert below. Something had activated the Seed of Carsilem, something dangerous and unseen. Caution made him swoop behind a towering, wind-blown dune and land in Human form. When Allynae materialized beside him, he sent a telepathic message. “Can you hear me?”
Allynae’s eyes narrowed. “It’s been a while.”
“Danger at the oasis. Fly in low. Not too close. Right?”
“Got it.”
They shifted. Soaring just above the dunes, they streaked toward a group of palm trees on the outskirts of the oasis. From the top of the tallest tree, they studied the terrain.
