Diviner (22 page)

Orion shook his head. “I can’t be sure. I can pinpoint obvious similarities, but I was so young, so enthralled, I’m not sure the details are clear.”

Jason nodded. If Orion were still fanatical, he would have answered with certainty and accused Cassabrie without question.

“You told me you ended your crusade,” Randall said. “You invited Elyssa to come home without any further persecution. What changed?”

Orion glanced at Elyssa. “My perspective changed. I saw Marcelle quite some time before she captured me in the forest. I knew then she had become one of the same sort of devils I had seen that night in the forest long ago. Elyssa is not that type. She has strange abilities, to be sure, but she never exhibited an icy, corpse-like body. I decided it was foolish to chase and investigate every abnormal girl and instead focus on obvious witches like Marcelle and Cassabrie.”

Elyssa linked index fingers with Jason again and whispered, “Are you believing this?”

“Not really. Don’t worry. I won’t let him hurt you.”

She tightened her grip on his finger and said nothing more.

“Okay,” Jason said, again addressing everyone, “so Cassabrie is a mystery. We’ll just have to let her do what she will.”

“It’s not that simple.” Randall shifted his weight from foot to foot. “She asked me to give her the crystal peg that opens the portal.”

Jason’s eyebrows shot up. “And you gave it to her?”

“Yeah. As much as I hate to say it, I think I’m starting to agree with Governor Orion. She kind of charmed me out of it. You know, the Starlighter gift.”

Orion gave a firm nod but, to his credit, kept silent.

Edison clasped Randall’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Cassabrie wants the troops to come, so she will likely return it. If not, we’ll have to look for her. Someone has to open the portal for the troops.”

“Arxad might have one,” Elyssa said.

Jason looked at her. “What makes you say that?”

“If Arxad went to Major Four with Magnar, they must have gone through the Southlands portal. I seriously doubt that they would leave it open for anyone to pass through, so he must have taken the crystal with him.”

Randall touched his stomach. “Arxad has it. Cassabrie wedged it between his scales.”

Petra pulled on Jason’s sleeve and spelled out a message.

Jason squinted. “Dragon coming?” She nodded.

They turned toward the entry. Deep in the shadowed corridor, the form of a dragon took shape. Seconds later, Arxad wheeled around and called out, “Meet us at the foyer. We cannot land here.”

As he flew back into the shadows, the breeze from his wings buffeted their bodies. Everyone jogged toward the entry. Jason began lagging, his side still aching, and Petra did as well, her body apparently not yet accustomed to exertion.

Elyssa dropped back with them. As the trio slowed to a quick walk, the group ahead also decreased their pace, but the distance between them kept Orion out of earshot.

“Maybe Arxad knows where Cassabrie is,” Elyssa said.

“True, but we shouldn’t ask him in front of Orion.”

“Right. I hope Orion doesn’t ask.”

By the time they arrived at the foyer, Arxad and Fellina had already gathered the others — Orion, Uriel, Edison, and Randall—in a semicircle. Jason, Elyssa, and Petra joined the line at the far end from Orion.

Fellina’s wings drooped low, and she let her body sag to the ground. She drew in deep, rapid breaths, but her eyes were clear as she stared at the humans, seemingly evaluating each one.

Arxad spoke in a low, even tone, without a hint of exhaustion. “It appears that events are coming to a climax in my village. Koren has flown there inside Exodus. Fortunately, she is no longer under Taushin’s control, so she will likely try to use her influence over the humans to create a rebellion or perhaps convince the dragons to release them. In either case, I believe she will have to make many attempts before she is successful, so I think we can rest here for the time being. Since we flew much of the night, we should probably get some sleep as soon as possible.”

“There’s a problem,” Jason said, raising his hand. “We think Taushin —”

Deference ran in from the stairway room, calling, “It’s gone!”

“Correction,” Jason continued. “We
know
Taushin has the spear that punctured Exodus. I assume he intends to use it in the same way.”

Arxad’s facial features sagged. “This is most troubling. We cannot rest. We have to leave as soon as possible.”

“Right,” Jason said. “Koren might be in big trouble, so —”

“Koren as well as every man, woman, and child on Starlight. Even if we leave now, it will likely be well past dawn by the time we arrive. I have had enough pheterone to allow me to travel without weariness, but Fellina does not have the same advantage, so we will have to go at a pace she can endure.”

Fellina rose to her haunches. “For the sake of Starlight, I will do what I must.”

Arxad smiled at her. “My mate is a most excellent treasure, but I think she downplays her fatigue.” He turned back to the others. “I am not sure how we will pass the barrier wall guards with humans accompanying us, so we will have to face that obstacle when the time arrives. For now, we must decide who will be coming with us and who will be staying here.”

Edison raised his hand. “I suggest that I stay here to conduct the army on the march southward. I have been there before, so I can find my way again.”

“If you march quickly and rest only when necessary,” Arxad said, “you will make it to the barrier wall in one day. Since your army is unacquainted with fighting dragons, it would be unwise to assume that you will be able to pass the wall easily. You will need whatever weapons your world can provide.”

“I trust Marcelle will prepare them adequately.”

“But how will we open the portal?” Randall asked. “Cassabrie took the crystal that controls it.”

Arxad’s brow lifted. “She did?”

Randall nodded. “She used her … uh … charms, I guess you might say.”

“Interesting.” Arxad looked at Fellina. She reflected his worried expression. “Opening the portal for the army is of no concern. I still have the crystal you returned to me.”

Jason glanced at Arxad’s underbelly. Indeed, it seemed that something sparkled in the midst of his scales.

“If they are interchangeable,” Elyssa said, “why didn’t Magnar demand that you bring one to him a long time ago?”

“Because he does not know they are interchangeable. And, in reality, they are not. A center peg is interchangeable with another center peg, but not with any of the others. Long ago, I brought one from the end of the Northlands portal line, but since the Southlands portal required a center peg, it did not work.”

“So you deceived Magnar,” Orion said. “You played the rebel’s role instead of obeying your king.”

Arxad swung his head and cast an angry stare at Orion. “To keep him out of your world,
Governor.
If you are displeased with my efforts to keep your world safe, then continue to question my actions. You might learn more about me than you really want to know.”

Orion turned his head, his face flushed. “Very well. I grant your point.”

Randall let his shoulders sag. “Well, at least we can open the portal. That’s a relief.”

“It is a relief regarding that problem,” Arxad said, “but I am quite concerned about Cassabrie’s activities. She is unpredictable. I provided her transport to the Southlands, but she did not have the crystal. In the spirit state, humans cannot handle objects for more than a few seconds.”

“What could she use the crystal for if she had it?” Jason asked. “To open the portal at the mine?”

“Not likely. There is another lock the crystal can open, and if she knows about it, I am sure she will use it. Yet her movements puzzle me. Why would she obtain the crystal and then leave the Northlands without it? She would need a physical transport to get it to the Southlands.”

Jason spread out his arms. “There’s no one else here who can help her. We don’t even know where it is.”

“We have to assume that she believes she has a way. Otherwise, she would not have asked Randall for it.”

“Arxad,” Fellina said. “She is very aggressive and bold. Her courage knows no bounds. She will try to use the crystal on that lock.”

Arxad brought his head close to Fellina’s and looked at her eye to eye. “If she succeeds, everything will change.”

“For the better,” Fellina said, “or for the worse?”

“That depends on Cassabrie.”

Fellina nodded. “And Taushin.”

“True. If Taushin finds her, all could be lost.”

“It is all well and good,” Orion said, “for you good dragons to conduct a discussion in a covert manner. This is your world. But it seems to me that we humans have a large stake in these matters. Perhaps you would like to share your insights with us.”

Arxad gave him another fiery stare. “No, I would not. As you indicated, this is our world. You are on Starlight, not Darksphere, and you will have to be satisfied with not being in control.”

“Is that so?” Orion straightened his tunic. “We shall see about that, won’t we?”

Arxad growled, sounding like an angry mountain bear. “If you think your army will be able to conquer Starlight, then you will be deeply disappointed if you try. They are coming to dispose of Taushin, and that is all. You have no idea what kind of power I can unleash on humans, so I advise you to erase all thoughts of taking control of this land. At this time, for the sake of your people, I suggest that you listen and obey.”

Orion took a step back, but a cocksure expression remained on his face. “I surrender, Arxad. I await your orders.”

Arxad shifted his head and scanned one end of the semicircle to the other. “Jason and Randall will ride on me to my village. Fellina will carry Elyssa. Edison and Orion will set up a shelter near the portal and await their army. I will give those two the crystal, take them to the portal, and then return for Jason and Randall. Deference, you will also ride with Fellina. If the worst happens, we will need your medical expertise. Everyone must be aware that there exists a high risk that everyone who travels to the Southlands could die. Do you all understand?”

Each traveler nodded. “I’m ready,” Randall said. “I thought I was going to die several times on my way here. I’m already living on borrowed time.”

Jason clasped Randall’s shoulder. “We all decided before coming here that we would risk death, Arxad, but we appreciate the warning.”

Petra clapped her hands, then spelled out
me
with her fingers.

As Arxad looked at Petra, a sympathetic smile crossed his face. “I am sure there is an interesting story that explains your presence here, but no one has taken the time to deliver it to me.”

She again began to form words, but Arxad covered her hands with his wing. “Tell me later. For now, I want you to stay here. Resolute will see to your comfort.”

Petra frowned and let her shoulders slump. She spelled out words so fast, Jason couldn’t keep up.

“What did she say?” he asked Elyssa in a whisper.

“Something like, ‘People with tongues often speak about courage and then won’t let others live it.’”

“I feel bad for her,” Jason said. “She seems like a brave girl.”

“Yes, but she’s better off here. Maybe she can help prepare supplies for your father.”

Jason lifted his brow. “Would
you
be satisfied with that job?”

“No, but there isn’t much we can do about it.”

“I will gather sufficient weaponry for you,” Arxad said. “Then when everyone has put on warm clothing, we will leave.”

Petra signed, “I will get cloaks.” Pumping her arms, she ran into the corridor leading to the healing chamber, angling toward the right. After about fifty paces, she grasped imperceptible handholds on the wall, scrambled up, and disappeared through a hole in the ceiling.

“Arxad,” Fellina said, “Petra is small. I think I can carry her.”

“You are already exhausted. We cannot risk any extra weight.”

“But you are not tired; maybe you could take three.”

“Simply flying with her is not the issue. It was easy to get past the barrier wall guardians without passengers, but it will not be so easy when we go south. If we have to employ avoidance tactics, any rider will be in danger. I will not risk Petra’s life just to satisfy her desire to contribute.”

Uriel cleared his throat. “Not that I have any death wish, but I also have a desire to contribute, and you did not mention a role for me.”

“If Taushin uses that spear,” Arxad said, “I will need you to work on a solution to the problem he will create. I have stored some research books deep under this castle, and I need you to study them right away. It will not take long for me to return with the most important volumes.”

Uriel gave him a firm nod. “I look forward to the challenge.”

“And what of Cassabrie?” Fellina asked.

“When we arrive at the village,” Arxad said, “you should drop off Elyssa and Deference and check to see if Cassabrie is trying to do what we suspect. If so, you can ask her about her plans and motivations.”

Fellina bobbed her head. “I understand.”

As Arxad took wing and headed toward the stairway to the star chamber, Jason drew close to Elyssa and whispered, “What’s all this talk about Cassabrie?”

“I was hoping you knew. The dragons are being very secretive.”

“That’s what worries me. Arxad says we’re all going to face death, and he won’t let us in on some of the risks. That’s not exactly comforting.”

Elyssa turned to him, linked her ring finger with his, and looked him in the eye. “Will you make a covenant with me?”

“A covenant?” He glanced at their fingers. Strange. She had switched from the usual index finger link. “What kind of covenant?”

“If I die …” Her whispered voice began to crack. “If I die, don’t leave me here on Starlight. Take my body home to my mother.”

“Elyssa, I’m not going to let you d—”

“Promise me.” Her lips quivered as she spoke. “Just promise.”

Jason gazed into her tear-filled eyes. She was so sincere, so passionate. Of course he wouldn’t leave her behind. “Okay, I promise, but —”