Crystal Fire (36 page)

Still, to guard against the possibility, she watched him far into the nocte. One way or another, Marissa meant for Brace to have at least another sol's rest before reembarking upon the quest. Ferox and the Knowing Crystal could wait a while longer. Finally convinced that Brace would have his uninterrupted sleep, Marissa dozed off.

It seemed, however, that Brace had other ideas. He was gone when Marissa and Rodac awoke the next morning.

Sol rise found Brace several horas due north into the mountains. For a time as he slogged awkwardly along, his multitude of aches and pains kept his mind off other, more unsettling things. With one arm useless at his side, an eye still painfully swollen shut, not to mention the condition of his bruised, wounded body, it required all of Brace's powers of concentration just to traverse the snow-covered terrain.

As the horas passed, however, he grew numb to the stiff joints and protesting muscles. His forward momentum became automatic, freeing his mind. And then the memory of last nocte's dream terror once again returned.

For some reason it hadn't been as powerful as the others, as if the influence of the Knowing Crystal had struggled through additional barriers. Perhaps Ferox had chosen to place the Crystal back in its box for a short while. It seemed the only explanation for the episodes of respite Brace had experienced so far. The geode box at least seemed to prevent the stone's more active, painful effectseven in his dreams. Though the dream had been identical to the last onethe murder of Marissathis time Brace had managed to fight past it and waken on his own. Wakened, panting and dripping with sweat, to find Marissa and Rodac both asleep.

He had lain there for a long while, willing his pounding heart to slow and his breathing to even. Lain there, watching Marissa. And, as he'd watched her, once again felt the inexplicable urge to kill rise within. Brace fought against it until he trembled with the effortand the realization that the Knowing Crystal was once more influencing his conscious mind.

Finally he could bear it no longer. The sound of his movements muted by the howling winter winds, Brace rose and stealthily gathered up his backpack and blaster. With one last, tender glance at Marissa, sleeping so cozily before the fire, he left the windbreak and headed north.

They'd find him gone in the morning. Even with several horas' lead, however, Brace knew that Marissa and Rodac would quickly be on his trail. It was to be expectedthey were now as committed to the quest as he. And in his weakened state, he would soon need their help.

In the meanwhile, Brace meant to confront the Knowing Crystal alone. Marissa had given him everything she could. He'd not risk her further. To do so would play right into the Crystal's plans.

The stone's attempts to influence him to kill Marissa had a twofold advantage if they suc- ceeded. Brace saw that clearly now. Not only would her death eliminate her potential threat, but it would also destroy Brace's abilities as a Crystal Master. That realization had come to him as he'd set out in the dark, lonely horas before sol rise.

Teran's words had teased his memory, finally forcing their way back to conscious recognition.
Once your powers come to fruition, you can never kill again without destroying forever your ability to commune with the Knowing Crystal
.

Angry frustration filled Brace. The Knowing Crystal was a crafty foe, always seemingly one step ahead. It had been that way from the start, from the first time he and Teran had attempted a joint communing. Both had thought it strange even then, that the Crystal refused to permit Teran's entry. Now, the malevolent intent was obvious.

Two Crystal Masters would have been more than the stone could have handled. It had simply manipulated them, and the events, to separate them. Alia's vision of the monastery at Exsul had been but another part of the Knowing Crystal's plan. The stone hadn't accidentally gone awryit had deliberately planted the scene in Alia's mind to lure Brace there. Lure him there to a father dying of the same malady Brace so desperately feared.

Divide and conquer. Undermine your foe's self-confidence. Two of the most elementary military tactics. Tactics that now pitted Brace as a solitary warrior against the might of a nearly omnipotent stone.

Despair welled within. How could he possibly hope to defeat a foe with a computer-like mind capable of analyzing and choosing from hundreds of logical outcomes, then plan for every action Brace might take? To outguess the stone seemed impossible.

Yet outguess it he must. His leaving the others was but one attempt to do so. It wasn't logical to split forces at a time like this. The Crystal had to know he was hurt and needed his friends. The Crystal had probably also reasoned that Brace had realized by now how vital Marissa was to the success of his quest. Brace hoped that, for once, his highly unorthodox plan would take the stone by surprise.

It seemed to work for a time, gaining him valuable ground. But the mental link could not long be ignored. The humming began anew, rising to a pounding, harmonic intensity. Brace fought it, gritting his teeth against the throbbing agony, but his weary, battered body could not hold out for long.

The sun rose to gild the sol in a golden glory. The frigid winds died, soothed to a gentle, nearly warm breeze that wafted through the mountains. Sunlight glinted off the fallen snow like tiny, twinkling stars. Beauty, serene and silent, surrounded Brace, mocking him with an illusion of the peace he craved so desperately.

And still the cacophony in his mind contin- ued, until he thought his skull would explode. Finally he could go on no longer. Brace sank to his knees, his head clutched in his one good hand, and groaned out his agony.

Time lumbered by as he fought to master the pain, fought against the awful fear that he'd either soon die or at last go mad. Voices rose through the tumult, to shriek and wail in his head. Brace fell to the ground. Gods, he couldn't take much more!

Then, suddenly, the noise and excruciating pain were gone. Brace lay there, tense with anticipation, not daring to hope the onslaught wouldn't return. And, as he waited, footsteps drew near, then halted around him.

With his last bit of strength he raised himself to one elbowand gazed up into the triumphantly grinning face of Ferox. Behind Ferox was his usual entourage of armed men.

In his hand, the black-clad man held the metallic-sheathed geode. ''It doesn't like you anymore, does it?" he inquired slyly. "And you'll obey me at last, or I'll turn the stone upon you again. You wouldn't like that, would you, Ardane?"

Despair welled in the pit of Brace's stomach. He squelched it quickly. This was not the time for weakness or indecision. This was the time for action.

The situation seemed virtually hopeless, but there might never be another chance. For the moment the Crystal was contained. If Brace killed Ferox, he'd lose his Crystal powers if not his life, but it was worth the sacrifice. Teran would just have to finish the quest. But at least Ferox's more immediate threat would be over.

Brace eyed the blasters pointed at him, mentally calculating the odds. They were very poor, but he had to gamble that Ferox still needed his Crystal powers and wouldn't harm him. He climbed to his feet.

Then, with a wild cry, Brace sprang at Ferox.

"Curse his arrogant, stubborn male hide!" Marissa cried as she shoved her bedding into her backpack. "That ignorant sandwart is determined to get himself killed, sneaking off and leaving us behind! Why did he do it, Rodac? Why?"

The Simian glanced up from his banking of the fire.
Brace has his reasons
.

"But he's badly hurt, weak and exhausted!" Marissa protested, fiercely blinking back the tears. "He may not have been thinking clearly."

Then all the more reason to catch up with him as soon as possible
. Rodac rose and slung his backpack and blaster over his shoulder.
In his weakened condition, he can't travel fast and his trail will be easy to follow. We'll catch up with him soon enough
.

"Yes, you're right, of course."

Marissa clamped down on her emotions and climbed to her feet. She graced him with a grim smile, then shouldered her own backpack and blaster. "Lead on, partner."

Two horas later they reached the spot where Brace had been captured. Signs of a large troop of men and a brief struggle were evident in the windblown snow. Rodac glanced at Marissa.

Ferox has Brace
.

Marissa's eyes hardened. "Then we've not a secundae to waste. There's no telling what he plans to do to Brace this time."

They followed the trail all sol, taking care to avoid sites of possible ambush. The going was arduous, both mentally and physically, as Marissa fought to maintain a dispassionate warrior's perspective. Near sol set, they found Ferox's camp.

Brace's captors had taken haven for the nocte in a large cave, guarded heavily from the outside. Nearby sat several large skim crafts. Extra men must have arrived later, bringing the crafts with them.

More reinforcements, Marissa thought as she scanned the discouraging scene from the shelter of the distant rocks. Just what they needed. Finally she sighed and glanced at Rodac.

"There's nothing easy about this quest, is there?"

He shrugged.
Acquiring wealth beyond your wildest dreams never is
.

Marissa eyed him consideringly. "You know, I seriously doubt that Ferox carries all his ill-gotten gains around with him. And if we take him out, who's to say we'll ever find the secret hideout where he's stashed all his loot. Your dreams of great riches may be just that, Rodac. Dreams."

This long ago ceased to be a treasure hunt, Marissa
.

She started at his use of her name, then at the realization of what his words implied. Tender regard for the tall alien filled her. By the Crystal Fires, how rapidly things had changed!

Marissa had never imagined it was possible to develop such feelings of trust and affection for Brace, much less Rodac. Yet here she stood, her heart torn with fear and concern for the man held captive in the cave, while she marveled over her newfound feelings for a Simian. It was all so very amazingand wonderful.

"Well, treasure hunt or no," she muttered, taking herself firmly in hand, "we've got to find some way to get to Brace. Preferably," she added wryly, "with minimal physical damage to either one of us."

Stay here while I scout the backside of their hideout. I'll return soon
.

Marissa nodded her acquiescence and watched as Rodac stole away. An hora later, he returned.

"Find anything?" she demanded immediately. "If not, we'll have to make a frontal assault."

Personally, my choice is the smoke hole atop the cave
.

"By the Crystal Fires, not another smoke hole!" Marissa grimaced. "Well, it's not the most thrilling thing to contemplate, climbing down into another choking chimney of smoke, but I suppose it
is
the best of all options. Did you get a glimpse of Brace when you looked down the hole?"

Rodac gaze shifted from hers. "He's alive."

Unease fluttered through Marissa. "Why doesn't that sound overly encouraging?"

It seems he's the nocte's entertainment
.

"You mean they're torturing him."

The Simian nodded.

Anger hardened her resolve. "Then let's go. I've had about all I can take of Ferox!"

Under cover of darkness, they made their stealthy way to the smoke hole. As they neared the opening, the sounds of raucous male laughter and cruel taunts floated up to their ears. Marissa choked down her fury, willing her emotions into icy determination. It was the only way to save Brace, she reminded herself repeatedly. The only way.

The smoke hole was wide, affording them a full view below. The cave held about twenty men standing in groupings of three or four in a rough circle around Brace and Ferox. Brace knelt in the center, bare-chested, his hands bound tightly behind him. His head was bowed and sweat glistened on the corded planes of his back and shoulders. Nausea coiled in the pit of Marissa's stomach.

Rodac tapped her on the shoulder. She glanced over to see him secure their rope around a large boulder and then unfurl it carefully. The rope fell, dangling to almost reach the nearest rocky outcropping.

Let's head on down for a closer look
.

She nodded and watched as the Simian lowered himself over the side and slid down the rope. Marissa followed quickly. They paused at the ledge, about seven meters above the gathering. The position afforded them a view of the faces of the two men in the circle.

"Well, what'll it be, Ardane?" Brace's captor was mockingly demanding.

Casually Ferox tossed the geode box from one hand to the other. "Will you obey me or shall I turn the Crystal upon you again? For a time longer it's still your choice, but you and I both know you can't take much more."

Brace's head lifted slowly. "II've told you before," he rasped in a pain-constricted voice. "The Crystal will no longer obey me. Itit's gone awry. To tamper with it further is destruction for us all."

"Liar!" Ferox snarled. "Thanks to you and that little Traveler's manipulations, however incomplete they were, I gained an even greater ability to commune with the Crystal."

At Brace's look of surprise, a grin of evil triumph spread across Ferox's face. "You're so stupid, so easily manipulated. Both you and your brother."

His grin became pitying. "And you've never known, have you'? Never been told the full story?" "Wh-what story?" Brace croaked. "What are you talking about?"

"Why, the story of how I gained my partial Crystal powers. How I always knew your location no matter how far you were from me, how I tracked you to that hut in the mountains, and why at times I turned the Crystal upon you and at other times chose not to."

Ferox arched a dark blond brow. "Didn't you
ever
stop to wonder about that, Ardane?"

"How do you have powers?" Brace demanded. "It's not possible, save through inheritance . . ." He paused. "Who were your parents?"