torg 01 - Storm Knights (34 page)

When it was burning, he placed it back in the creation. He tapped it with his finger, causing it to move within the globe, giving the creation Day and Night.

The oak thrived in the Light, giving birth to all manner of trees, and grass, and flowers.

The bird thrived in the Light, giving birth to all manner of beasts and fish.

The dwarf thrived in the Light, giving birth to many sons and daughters.

Well content with their creation, the Creators rested.

Soon, however, they became dissatisfied. "It's fine," said Errog, "but I'm not really happy with the limits. Perhaps something could be done with infinity ..."

"You know," added Terrin, "I don't quite like the flatness. Maybe a round world ."

Movin and Weeble began excitedly discussing the possibilities of continental drift. "Let us try again!" they demanded.

The others agreed. Their creation was very nice and all, but they were sure they could do better next time. Shouldering their packs, they cheerfully set off to try again elsewhere.

"... and since then," Gutterby exclaimed, "the dwarves have survived on their own, without the help of any gods!"

"Except for the spark of Life that Harp gave us," Toolpin corrected.

"Who's telling this story?"

"Sorry."

"Where was I? Oh yes, we have survived without the help of any gods — and that's the way we like it!"

Tom O'Malley smiled. "What a wonderful story."

Toolpin jumped up. "Now teach us how this magic flying machine works!"

"Teach us! Teach us!"

It was going to be a long flight, Tom decided.

113

Aboard Air Force One, President Jonathan Wells was en route to Houston. He was resting, trying to catch up on some much needed sleep when his aide entered.

"Sir, I have a call from General Powell."

Wells opened his eyes and returned the chair to its upright position. He checked his watch. We should be in Texas soon, he noted.

"Very well, Carter," the president said. "Put the call through."

The light on the phone in front of him started blinking. Wells cleared his throat and lifted the receiver. "Yes, Clay?"

The voice on the other side sounded far away, but Wells could hear it. "John, I've just received reports from a number of refugees. New York isn't as dead as we thought."

"What are you saying, Clay? What have you found out?"

"There are still people alive in there, John. From reports, they've set up a small government in lower Manhattan."

Wells was completely awake now. A dozen possibilities raged through his mind.

"What does this mean, Clay?"

"I'm not sure, John. But it does mean that there are people alive. It could be just wishful thinking, but if some form of government can exist in the zone of silence, then maybe Douglas Kent survived as well."

"Let's keep this between ourselves for the time being, Clay. I'll talk with you soon."

The president hung up the receiver. He needed to find someone to take another trip for him, someone he could trust. Decker was already off on one mission. Wells thought for a moment, then remembered an agent from his days as head of the CIA. If he was still available, he would be perfect for the job. If he would even talk to Wells. If, too many ifs.

Wells called for his aide.

"Carter, I have to place a call," he said. "Find out how we can reach Quin Sebastian."

114

The Chinook helicopter approached the Grand Canyon from the north as the sun was setting. As usual, a number of delays had postponed the group's departure from Fort Riley, and now as the day was drawing to a close they were at last reaching their destination.

Tolwyn sat at a window, watching for the first sign of the image from her dreams. Perhaps with the sign would come the rest of her memories. They were flying over flat country of familiar-looking fields and forests. Occasionally a picturesque gully broke the land, but nothing that resembled the canyon in her dreams.

Father Bryce sat beside her, watching her reactions at the sights. "This is truly new to you, isn't it?"

"Yes, Christopher," she replied. "Never have I seen a world from such a vantage point. The magic of your world is remarkable. And the sun works differently than I remember. Are you sure it does not move through the center of the world?"

"I'm sure."

She turned her attention to the sights below, trying to see everything before darkness covered the land. Then, suddenly, the canyon was there. The size of it astonished her, and the sunset painted the canyon walls with bright reds and oranges. The stark formations, silhouetted against the sky, were breathtaking.

"Christopher ...?" she stammered, trying to find the words she wanted to say.

"Yes, Tolwyn. That's the Grand Canyon."

A park ranger met the army helicopter when it landed. He had been advised of the group's arrival by General Talbot in Fort Riley, and he arranged accommodations for the party.

As he spoke to Decker and the pilot, Tolwyn slowly stepped to the edge of the canyon. It was dark now, and the few lamps that provided light along the paths did not even dent the night beyond the canyon's brink. She could feel the open space beyond the edge, even if she could not see it. The air was different, something. It was like looking into a star-filled sky and realizing your insignificant size as compared to the majesty. She wanted to step back, to get away from the maw.

Maw . suddenly memories overwhelmed her. She saw a raging battle. She saw the terrible beast cutting through the other warriors on a course to reach her. She heard the chant her comrades sang, heard the words that sent her out of her body just before the claws struck. But she still felt a burst of pain. But the image passed. She would dwell on what it meant later. For now, she let the scope of the canyon overtake her. It was truly grand. She could not wait to see it in the light.

Then she heard the song from her dreams. It called to her from far below. "I am coming," she whispered.

115

Morning came late because of the planet's slower spin, but finally the sun rose and the canyon was drenched in wonderful light. Tolwyn was out to greet the dawn, and the others soon followed. She watched her companions approach, feeling good about their company. She knew there was tension between Kurst and some of the others, but she believed that that would work itself out. He followed the dream, and he had even been spoken of in her own. He belonged, she decided. Let any of them try to tell her otherwise.

She tested the weight of the saber, then sheathed it as the ranger appeared with mules for the entire party.

"The cave you're looking for, it could be anywhere," the ranger explained. "The canyon is two hundred and seventy-seven miles long. It's four to ten miles wide in places, and five to six thousand feet deep. The cave could be natural, or it could be an Anasazi granary. Those chambers are all over the canyon. You could look forever and never find what you seek."

"I will find it," she said, swinging herself onto a mule.

Decker smiled at the ranger. "You heard the lady."

"Well, I'm going along for the ride," the ranger said as the others mounted up.

The mules — and the ranger—were nervous around Tal Tu, but both seemed to get used to him relatively quickly. Then they started down into the canyon.

Some hours later the group had made it past the mid way point to the bottom of the canyon. Tolwyn still seemed to know where she was going, and she was content to stay on the provided trail for a little further into the canyon.

"Are you sure about this, congressman?" the ranger asked.

Before Decker could answer, a loud crack echoed through the canyon. Red began to soak the front of the ranger's shirt. He stared at it, then looked at Decker. "I think I've been shot ."

The ranger fell from the mule. Decker leaped down to examine him while the others sought cover. Bryce appeared next to Decker. "How is he?" the priest asked.

"He's dead," Decker said with finality. "Stay down everyone."

They waited for almost an hour, hiding behind rocks or trees, or lying flat against the ground. But no further shots were fired. Tolwyn, tired of waiting, flung herself back atop the mule.

"I am going," she stated. "I am going now." And she rode off down the trail.

The others, with nothing else to do, followed her example, each hoping that another shot would not claim them as well.

116

The sun grew hotter as the day advanced. Tolwyn had turned off the main path and was now leading the group along a ridge that overlooked the Colorado River below. The water raged through the canyon, filling it with a constant noise. It was beautiful, but none of the party could enjoy it.

Sweat poured down Father Bryce's face, and he wished they could stop to rest. But he knew that Tolwyn would not wait for them, and he wanted to be with her when she reached her goal.

"We are being watched," Kurst said. He offered no further details.

The nine rode in silence for a time, letting the sway of the mules provide their rhythm. There was little shade along the trail once the sun reached its zenith, and the pounding rays were wearing on the priest. He knew the others weren't faring much better.

Then another shot sounded.

The party leaped to the ground, seeking cover. Bryce quickly spotted everyone visually, checking that no one was hit. Everyone appeared to be all right.

"Welcome to my canyon," echoed a voice from somewhere nearby. But the way the sound bounced, it could be coming from any direction. "I am Malcolm Kane, and you are about to become shrines to my art."

Father Bryce recognized the voice, but he couldn't place it. The name, however, was the one the refugees in Flat Rock had used. This was the man who had taught them to murder people like the edeinos did.

"I told you we would meet again, priest," the voice called. "Now is the time when we see which of us serves death better. Did you like the message I left you in Flat Rock, Father? What did you think of my work?"

"Show yourself, villain!" Tolwyn called.

A long, evil laugh was the only response she received.

"I have a group, too, Father," the voice called again. "They are my disciples, learning my art so that they can carry it throughout the world."

As though on cue, a lizard man leaped down from a ledge above them. He wielded a long spear that he drove through Tal Tu's stomach and into the tree behind him. Then it whirled to attack Rat.

Mara, however, was there to defend the boy. She stepped in front of Rat, brandishing her laser pistol. She did not even wait to see what the lizard was going to do. Three quick bursts exploded from the gun and the edeinos fell.

"There are more of us, priest," the voice called one final time, "and now there is one less of you."

Then the voice was gone.

117

The group continued cautiously ahead after making Tal Tu comfortable. He was not dead, but he was badly wounded. He demanded that the others go on though. It was important for Tolwyn to find the stone. Reluctantly, the others agreed.

As they continued the trek, Father Bryce told them of his brief meeting with the man he assumed was Malcolm Kane. It had occurred beyond Newark, in a demolished liquor store. "I knew he was mad then, now I believe he is insane," the priest declared.

Up ahead, Tolwyn brought her mule to a halt. She pointed to a ridge just above them.

"There. That is the cave that holds the blue and red stone."

Decker dismounted. "We can't take the mules up there. We're going to have to walk."

The group started climbing the narrow trail. Tolwyn was in the lead, followed by Kurst, Decker, Bryce, Mara, Alder, Rat and Coyote. After they had gone a few dozen feet, Kurst tensed. Then he leaped forward, slamming into Tolwyn and knocking her to the ground. Bryce moved to help her when suddenly the world shifted.

A net rose up from its hiding place beneath dirt and stones, capturing the group and lifting them into the air. Suspended, with no means of leverage or escape, Bryce and the others could only watch as a man in a

soldier's uniform emerged onto the path ahead.

The soldier held a rifle. Beside him was a large blonde man in work boots. He had a tattoo of a cobra on his arm, and a wicked smile played across his lips.

"Be careful, Tolwyn," Bryce called from out of the net. "That's Kane."

Faster than the soldier could react, Kurst was upon him. They wrestled for the gun that the soldier carried. Kane turned to assist his minion, pulling a large knife from a hidden sheathe. He raised the blade to strike at Kurst's exposed back when another blade knocked the knife from his hand.

Tolwyn stood before him, her saber ready to skewer the madman. "This is for the people you had killed, villain," she swore. But before she could deliver her blow, strong tentacles dropped from above and pinned her limbs. She glanced up to see a starfish-shaped creature, but she looked away so that she could watch Kane. But in the split second, he had vanished.