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Authors: Kelley Grant

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BOOK: The World Weavers
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“I believe we will succeed as well,” Master Anchee said. “This is what we were born for. We will make the One whole again.”

“But at what cost?” Ashraf asked softly.

“Whatever the cost, we must be willing to pay it,” Palou said. “For our families and for the future of all beings in our world.”

“The moon is beautiful tonight,” Lasha said, turning the conversation. “A light in the blackest night. I guess that's what we are for each other.”

Sulis put an arm around her friend. “I will never regret the journey that brought us together,” she said, leaning against Lasha. “No matter where it takes us.”

 

CHAPTER 17

K
adar waited patiently on a bench outside the hall the warriors of the One were using for meetings at this depot, petting Amber, who arched against him. She purred and nipped his hand with little love bites. The warriors of the One had abandoned the Hasifel warehouses to come to this staging area. Most of the warriors were camped out in tents. The Tigus were setting up beside their camp, combining forces with the warriors of the One. Inside the hall, commanders of both the warriors of the One and the Tigus met to decide on who would guide the deities to the Obsidian Temple and how they would get the deities to accept their guide.

“Kadar?” Abram came and sat beside him. Amber transferred her attentions to him, leaving cream fur over his blue robes. “Have they spoken to you yet?”

“Not yet. I think they're debating my plan. It's obvious I'm the one who should be sent. But they're reluctant to block my memory as I've requested.”

“Because they might not be able to unblock it.” Abram gave a little shiver. “Doesn't that worry you?”

Kadar shook his head. “Grandmother set blocks in my mind years ago that would prevent the acolytes of the deities from finding out secrets. But the deities could easily read my surface feelings and tell that I'm lying when I tell my story to them. Unless I don't believe that I am lying.”

“But what if they try to dig more deeply like they did with my father?” Abram asked.

“I hope they will have learned from his death,” Kadar said. “I will appeal directly to Parasu. I know his Voice and I think he will be reasonable. I will be careful. I want to come home to my daughter.”

“Unlike my father, who will never come home to us,” Abram said sadly. “We've already lost so many good ­people. Who will be left?”

Kadar opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Turo pushing back the door flap and motioning for Kadar to follow him. Kadar squeezed Abram's shoulder once and rose, following Turo into the building. Amber trotted at his heels. She leapt up onto the planning table, causing the ­people around it to snatch up valuable maps and diagrams. Kadar sighed as the little cat settled on a sheaf of papers and curled up, still purring.

“Kadar, we have discussed your plan at length,” Master Gursh said. “The warriors approve, but Master Sandiv wants you to know the full dangers you face.”

Master Sandiv's dark face was concerned as she looked at Kadar. “Master Ursa was our prominent mind healer. Her experience and skills far eclipsed mine. We have lost the greatest energy user our generation has known.”

“Not lost,” a warrior said with a frown. “Her sacrifice will be sung about generations hence. Her sacrifice has saved hundreds of lives.”

Master Sandiv dipped her head in acknowledgment. “I can block your memories. I can make you believe that your sister and grandmother were sacrificed at the waymarker to change the wards. I can implant the routes the warriors of the One wish you to take the deities on after we spring our trap for their army. However, I'm not certain I can bring your true memories back.”

“But if I see Sulis is alive, that should trigger my real memories to return, shouldn't it?” Kadar asked.

Master Sandiv shook her head. “It might. But you might not believe she is real. It could break your mind. I will do my very best to put in a trigger, but a mind shield thick enough to stop deities could be too great to release. The longer it is in place, the greater the hold will become. If I am still alive, I should be able to release the shield—­but my first duty is stopping Voras's army.”

Kadar swallowed hard. “I'm willing to take that chance,” he said.

Master Sandiv gazed over at Master Gursh, who nodded for her to continue.

“We would also need to block your twin bond with your sister,” she said. “The deities would be able to sense through it that Sulis is not dead, and it could break the mind blocks I set. Again—­I don't know if the block could ever be removed. Have you spoken with any of the Chosen about this idea? If they have plans for you to aid Chosen Sulis in defeating the deities, this might destroy that choice.”

“I need to talk to Sulis,” Kadar said grimly. “I had hoped to save her worry so she could remain focused on her tasks. But if you block our bond, she will feel that.”

“If you choose to continue, we will leave today and take you directly to the oasis. We will set up a tent, leave a humpback and supplies as you requested. We will block your memories and implant new ones, and you will wake up disoriented and believing your sister and grandmother were sacrificed by the warriors of the One.”

“There is barely enough time to set this plan in motion before the army arrives,” Master Gursh added. “We will leave you at the oasis alone, so you will not be confused by our presence when you wake. The Voices and the army should arrive soon after.”

“If the Chosen do not object, do you have any other objections?” Kadar asked.

Master Sandiv shook her head. “None. If you are willing to take that chance, we will honor your courage. We will seek our midmeal and leave you here to speak with the Chosen.”

“And we honor your sacrifice, the risk you are taking,” Master Gursh said, slapping him on the back as the others filed out.

Kadar nodded and settled cross-­legged on some pillows. Amber “murrped” and stood, stretching her front and then back legs. She leapt from the table to his shoulders, nibbling on his ear.

“Stop that,” he grumbled and put her on his lap. He winced as she kneaded his legs through his thin robe. He reached out with his mind.

Sulis,
he called.

Kadar, can it wait? We're doing some energy work,
Sulis sent, responding to him instantly.

No,
Kadar said.
The warriors of the One want a decision from the Chosen about a course of action I've proposed.

Kadar felt her concern.
I will link to Grandmother and she can speak for the others,
Sulis sent.

When did you learn to do that?
Kadar asked.

His grandmother's voice answered him.
We have been training hard. What do you need us for?

Kadar explained his plan and the possible outcome. He concluded by saying,
They want to know if the Chosen need my skills in the final battle before they put the blocks in.

There was a moment of silence, and then Sulis burst in.

No! Kadar, you can't do this! It could damage your mind. This is too dangerous.

This is the only way to fool the deities, Sulis. If I do this, I can save lives—­possibly even yours. It's a chance I must take.

What would Onyeka say?
Sulis asked.
She wouldn't want you to risk your mind. What about Datura?

Onyeka helped me come up with the plan,
Kadar told her.

Sulis sighed.
Bloodthirsty Tigu,
she said.

Grandmother interrupted them.
I have conferred with Master Anchee and Amon. Neither sees a place for you in the final battle. You have found your path and we will not stand in your way. I am so very proud of you, grandson. May the One be by your side. I will see you after the final battle.

One be with you as well, Grandmother. Please take care of yourself,
Kadar answered. He felt pressure on his forehead, as though she'd kissed him, and then she was gone.

Onyeka thought of this plan,
Sulis said.
Did she know it might permanently take away your memory?

No. But she would approve anyway.

But what would your life be like after, if you could not regain it?
Sulis persisted.

Onyeka is part of the plan. She will guide us after I separate the deities from the rest of the army. The only ­people who would be erased are you and Grandmother,
Kadar said, regretfully.

So you could still have a family,
Sulis said.
You and Datura and Onyeka. Then that's okay, even if you never remember me and have to live away from me so your mind doesn't go crazy. I could live with it, as long as you could still be happy.

Sis, if something happens, and I don't come back, I need you to look after Datura.

What about Aunt Raella?
Sulis asked.
Should I take Datura from her? Raise her as a Hasifel?

No, but make certain that she is being loved and cared for.

I will, Kadar. But you need to make sure I don't have to. I can't be whole without my twin.

I feel the same about you, sis,
Kadar sent, touched.
Stay alive. I want a future where Aunt Sulis, Datura, and Onyeka boss all us hapless men around.

Love and misses, Kadar.

Love and misses, sis.

Kadar sat for a moment after he'd said goodbye, thinking of his twin bond. He knew there was already a good chance the bond would be severed by one of their deaths. He prayed that neither of them would die and he could regain his connection with Sulis. Kadar knew with certainty that this was his path. He set Amber on his shoulder and rose to find Master Sandiv. It was time for them to take him to the oasis, put the blocks in, and leave him to his destiny.

“I
know what you are,” the Mother Superior growled at Tori, blocking her in the meal hall as she tried to put her tray away. “I know you are one of those traitorous Descendants of the Prophet. Ivanha knows of your treachery. We are watching you and will remove you if you try to harm our deity.”

Aggie shoved the Mother Superior out of Tori's way. Aryn's former riding master sported a gold cloak and a no-­nonsense attitude to match Tori's. “Humans harming deities?” she said over her shoulder as she escorted Tori away. “You'd better check what your acolytes are putting in your tea. It's making you more paranoid than usual.”

Tori shook her head as Aggie and Shane flanked her. She wasn't surprised by the antipathy the heads of the deity altars held for her, but she was surprised that they were this openly hostile.

“That's your third threat this ten-­day, isn't it?” Aggie said as they walked to the Temple of the One.

Tori nodded. “The only altar that hasn't threatened me is Parasu's.”

“The Magistrate would consider that unlawful,” Shane said. “He might be thinking it, but he would never act on it.”

“Act on what?” Counselor Elida asked as they came abreast of her.

“More threats for our leader,” Shane said. “This time from Ivanha.”

Elida snorted. “I'm surprised it took her so long,” she said. “They can't miss the energy we're raising here. It's must be terrifying them.”

“I'm not your leader,” Tori protested. “Elida is senior to me.”

“Seniority doesn't matter,” Aggie said. “You and your Northern friends are the ones teaching us how to channel the One's energy into shields to protect the city and the other acolytes from the deities draining their energy. None of us had tried to use it this way.”

“It's true, Descendant Tori,” Elida said. “We've never had enough Counselors to try this type of energy sharing. And the ability to cut others off from the energy of the deities is not one I've seen before your ­people came to Illian. In this, you are my leader and I am content to follow.”

Tori glanced around the Temple of the One. It was a different place since the One had chosen her new Counselors. It was no longer a dim, quiet meditative spot. Candles lighted every corner as Counselors broke off into small groups to practice raising energy and blocking each other's ability to channel energy from their
feli
. They were working with Descendants who had traveled south with Tori—­the best shielders she had. It was bright enough in the Temple with the candles that Tori could see a dozen or so curious eyes of the
feli
watching from the ledges around the dome. There were more
feli
than humans in the Temple, as their chosen
feli
mingled with the unattached ones.

“We need to make certain no Counselor walks alone,” Aggie said. “Especially Tori. Threats can easily escalate to violence if the acolytes of the deities think they can get away with it.”

“I'd like to see them try,” Tori said. “With my training, I can fry them before they get a single blast of energy off.”

“But you can't ward off a knife in the back,” Aggie said. “And that's what this lot would do. They know you're leading this transformation.” She looked over at Tori. “It's funny—­you were the quiet one in your pledge group. Sulis was the rabble-­rouser.”

“Sulis was a great foil,” Tori said. “With her attracting all the attention, I never had to hide what I was.”

“I wonder what happened to her,” Aggie mused as they walked over to one of the small groups.

“This is confidential, so keep it to yourself,” Tori murmured, and Aggie bent her head closer. “She's one of the Chosen in the desert,” Tori said. “Along with Alannah, Dani, and Lasha from my pledge year. Everything we do here gives them a chance to win the final battle, which will be held in the middle of the desert. If the Chosen fall in that battle, if they fail, everything we worked for is gone.”

“Whiskers!” Aggie said, stopping in surprise. “I should have realized. She is a Hasifel, granddaughter to that powerful desert witch.”

“Those desert witches may have to sacrifice everything to subdue the deities,” Tori said. “When the deities reach for their acolytes' energy to escape the trap the Southern witches have laid, we need to put a shield up between the acolytes and their
feli
so the deities find no energy is available. We also need to make certain the final spell doesn't drain the Northern Territory of life by shielding all living energy.”

BOOK: The World Weavers
13.4Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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