Shifting Isles Box Set Page 13

  And, again, the dream came.

  Chains, chains, chains, his dreaming mind chanted, teasing him with the cold bite of iron wrapped around his body while temptation was dangled before him. Naught but chains.

  Vorena stood in the shadows of the right fork, beckoning him to join her, but Garl yanked him back, forcing him to his knees.

  Chapter 18

  WHEN BENASH arrived at the prison the next morning, his fellow officers were oddly silent, and all looked up at him with concern.

  “What?” he snapped.

  The clerk shifted aside his records book and lifted an envelope from his desk, handing it across to Benash.

  The note bore the Elders' seal.

  Benash swallowed hard as he broke the seal and unfolded the letter. He quickly scanned the lines, then kept his expression blank as he folded up the letter and tucked it into his coat.

  “I've been summoned to the capitol,” he announced. “I'm to leave immediately.”

  His fellow officers exchanged looks—a summons from the Elders themselves could be either very good or very, very bad—but the clerk finally nodded and made a note in his records as Benash turned on his heel and strode away.

  He hurried home, surprising his wives with his return, but said nothing to them as he grabbed a bag and stuffed in a change of uniform. It was a waste of precious minutes, but arriving at the Council chambers in Vhais with a twice-worn uniform could be worse.

  He'd have to make up for the delay on the road.

  As he had no other means of transportation, Benash set out on foot, crossing the city and continuing on the main thoroughfare that eventually led to Vhais. The road occasionally meandered near the Pascatin, the water racing him as he made his way south toward the capitol.

  He found a local guard station along the way and scarfed down a hasty lunch, then continued on until he simply couldn't go any farther. Footsore and tired, he opened a random door and demanded food and a bed from the citizen who lived there. The man of the house didn't hide his displeasure well, but he complied nonetheless.

  A proper, well-behaved citizen, Benash thought, surprised at his own scorn. He half-wished the man would have refused him, something he never would have considered before meeting Vorena.

  After a bath, a large meal, and a decent night's sleep, Benash was on his feet again and reached the capitol a full hour before he was required to arrive. He found a guard station, took a quick, though much belated, afternoon meal, and presented himself at the chambers for the Council of Elders.

  It was a surprisingly elegant structure, compared to the plain, square, unadorned grey buildings that gridded the cities. The façade was a clean white color, with columns holding up an intricately carved balcony that spanned the entire front of the second—and, of course, highest—floor.

  The Chamber was quite old, something the Agori had helped design and construct back when visitors from that Isle had been permitted. Despite the assurances of the Agori engineers that a much taller structure would be perfectly safe, Tanasian law dictated very strictly that no structure rise more than two storeys. So, instead of rising gracefully, the effect was marred by the building's squat invasion of an entire city block. The rise of the columns and the detail of the façade would have looked much more proper on a narrower, taller structure.

  But Benash's thoughts on the incongruity of the building's exterior were forgotten as a boy led him down a hallway and deposited him in the midst of an immense room. The ceiling was two storeys high, and the floor so expansive that the echo of his footsteps as he entered the room was noticeably delayed. The boy spoke a meek request that Benash wait there, but he barely heard the child, too awed by the sight laid out before him.

  Dominating the very center of the enormous room was a starglass Gate.

  His jaw dropped in awe.

  He'd never seen one before, but knew immediately what it was, having heard the description innumerable times over the years. It was easily twice his own height and three times the breadth of his shoulders, and held so much presence that it seemed to fill the cavernous space, dwarfing the officers of the Eagle troops that guarded it.

  The framework of it was gold, a color and a substance that Benash had heard about but never personally beheld. Within the frame was something akin to an enormous mirror, but though it was called starglass, it didn't look like any sort of glass he'd ever seen.

  The substance glittered and sparkled and seemed to produce its own light, as though the stars and the second sun had been pulled down from the heavens and molded into this flat surface. It seemed to shimmer and move, and didn't reflect anything placed before it, and even though it was a portal to some other location in the world, neither did it offer a glimpse of what was on the other side.

  Benash stared at it, utterly speechless.

  They still exist! he thought as soon as he was able to get his mind to function again. Gods, they said they'd all been destroyed!

  He took a step closer and heard the echo of his step skitter around the empty room. The Eagle guard glared at him and tightened their hands on their weapons, a silent threat for him to stay back.

  Ranking below them, Benash had no choice but to obey. He bowed his head and retreated, but still kept his eyes on the fantastic, glittering structure.

  “Officer Benash?”

  He tore his eyes away from the incredible sight and saw a clerk rapidly approach.

  “The Elders will see you now.”

  Resisting the urge to swallow nervously, Benash nodded and followed the man.

  Though smaller, the Council chamber was even more impressive than the Gate room. The illumination was dim, but still lent the marble a marvelous glow, though it left the dais upon which the Elders sat cast in mysterious shadow.

  The clerk bowed himself out of the room as Benash approached the dais, a wide, curving table dominating the raised structure, all seven Elders arranged behind it and looking down at him. Benash came to a stop at what he hoped was a respectful distance and dropped to one knee, bowing his head.

  Officer Benash, an aging voice came to him. Thank you for obeying our summons and coming so promptly.

  Benash nodded but kept his eyes trained on the floor, trying to keep himself as still as possible under the seven-fold gaze that studied him. I live only to serve, my lords.

  You may stand.

  Benash rose and planted his feet shoulder-width apart, clasping his hands behind his back.

  We have been receiving favorable reports about you from your chief officer, another voice said, and Benash resisted the urge to wince, wishing the conversation could be audible rather than mental. You have an excellent record, and the chief highly recommends you for his position when he gets transferred. He informed us, in his latest report, that you took decisive action in a quarantine situation. Very commendable of you.

  Benash nodded his thanks but didn't say anything, overwhelmed as he was with relief that he was receiving praise instead of punishment.

  As your superior officer will be leaving Sonekha shortly, and you are likely to take his place, we have deemed it prudent to pass this assignment directly to you rather than having your superior turn it over when he leaves. The voice paused, and Benash heard the sound of paper shuffling. We have been receiving word for years that there is a treasonous rebel force on the Isle, working to undermine our power.

  The voice paused again and seemed to be waiting for some sort of response, so Benash replied, Surely, nothing could stand up against the might of Tanas and your benevolent leadership.

  Indeed, the voice said, sounding impressed. Yet the effort continues, nonetheless. We have reason to believe the force is moving across the Isle, and may even now be within the region of Sonekha. Officer Benash, if you can find any of these traitors and bring them to justice, or at least provide us with evidence of their whereabouts so they can be stopped, we are prepared to make such effort greatly in your favor.

  Vorena, Benash thought, but kept that name to hims
elf, safely locked behind his mental defenses. A gut instinct told him that Vorena was part of the rebel force to which the Elders referred, and he inwardly cringed at the thought of dragging such information out of her.

  Benash tightened his clasped hands and said, I would be honored, of course, to assist in any way possible. Our way of life must be protected. Rebels and traitors are not to be borne.

  Precisely, Officer, a new voice spoke up. And should you be successful in this endeavor, you will be promoted not just to Chief of Sonekha, but right into the Eagle guard.

  Benash's eyes widened at the news. He could be free of the prison! He could work and breathe in the free, open air, and under the light of the suns! No more confinement below ground!

  It sounded too good to be true.

  I am honored, my lords, he finally said. I will, of course, do my duty and exert my best efforts in this task, for the glory of Tanas.

  We're sure you will, Officer, the first voice returned. We'll expect regular reports.

  Of course, my lord, Benash said with a nod.

  You are dismissed.

  Benash dropped again to one knee, bowed his head, then rose and spun around in one fluid movement, never letting his gaze drift up to the level of his superiors. He felt them watching him as he strode across the cavernous room and let himself out.

  By the gods! he thought, letting his breath out in a whoosh as he stepped outside the building and stood once again under the light of the Fathers' suns. The Eagle guard! I never imagined…

  The miles melted away behind him as Benash turned his steps toward home, all the while contemplating the glorious promotion that had been dangled before his eyes.

  No more headaches, no more confinement, no more eternal darkness, no more shouting prisoners, no more plain fare on my table, no more risk of being trapped underground…

  The list went on and on as Benash dreamt up all the advantages to which he'd be elevated if he were to gain such a lofty position.

  It wasn't until nightfall, when he was lying quietly in bed in another citizen's apartment, that a darkness finally settled upon his new-found buoyancy.

  No more fork in the road, he thought, surprised at how much the potential loss of that hit him, even though it was nothing more than a game he played with himself every morning.

  And thinking of the fork, of course, brought the woman to mind.

  Gods, I'll have to torture the information out of her. She must be part of this rebellion. I would almost swear to it.

  He thought of the burnt page again, and how she'd reacted at the sight of it the day he'd brought her to the prison. Considering the panic in her eyes that day, Benash was certain he had sufficient leverage to get information out of her but, if necessary, he'd have to resort to physical torture.

  But then…

  A nagging voice rose up in his mind, but he tried to force it down.

  She is a means to an end, he told himself. I can use her to gain this information, gain this promotion, and move on with my duty. Simple. Easy. He paused, frowning. Right?

  The nagging voice rose up again, and Benash squeezed his eyes shut as he let it fill his mind and kill his joyful mood:

  And then you'll never see her again.

  Chapter 19

  BENASH ARRIVED home two days later, hurried through his dinner, and went straight to bed. When the call to prayer woke him, he stayed where he was, idly drumming his fingers on the sheets while he waited for the half hour to pass before he could safely leave his room without raising his wives' suspicions.

  Not that they could legitimately report anything against him—no one would believe the word of a mere woman—but the more protection he had against his treasonous behavior, the better.

  As soon as prayers were over, Benash jumped out of bed, scarfed down his breakfast, neither recognizing nor caring what passed his lips, then hurried to the prison. All the way, he told himself his hurry was merely to perform his new duty, and shoved down the little voice in his head that kept trying to taunt him with the real reason he was letting himself arrive early once again.

  The officer he relieved looked dead on his feet, and he heard the man yawn loudly as he left for home while Benash let himself into the cell cavern.

  Forcing his steps to be slow and methodical, he made a circuit of the room, stopping once to shout at a prisoner who was being obnoxious, and again to snap a retort at a man who was hurling insults at the officers in general. It seemed an age before he finally reached Vorena's cell, all the while eager to start questioning her about the page and his suspicions of her involvement in the rebellion.

  He found her sprawled on the cot, freshly bruised and bleeding, and it took every ounce of restraint to keep himself from openly reacting. The unexpected sight sent his intended interrogation to the far recesses of his mind.

  Amazing, her inner voice came to him. A Hawk with a heart.

  What do you mean? he asked her, then forced his voice into a stern tone as he asked aloud, “Misbehaving again, were you?”

  I heard that little mental shout you made at the sight of me, she told him, then answered his spoken question: “Misbehavior is a relative term.” She laughed, and mentally added, Don't worry, I don't think anyone else heard it.

  Are you alright? “Relative, how?”

  I'm feeling quite splendid. I think I'll get up and go for a swim later. “There are parts of the world where I would be applauded rather than imprisoned.”

  Don't be cheeky. Who did this to you? “I take it you skipped the prayers again.”

  A few of your cast. Does it really matter? They were angry about the quarantine. “How'd you guess?” And you skipped them, too.

  How do you know that? “Well, short of exposing yourself to an officer, I can't imagine what else you could do to earn a beating, considering how quiet you've been.”

  I can see it in your eyes. You've had a taste of freedom, and you're practically drooling for more. “Oh, you might be surprised just what I can do. I could get myself into all sorts of trouble if I felt like pushing my luck.”

  You can see it? He almost gasped aloud, wondering if anyone else had noticed—or would notice. “How much trouble could you possibly cause while stuck in that cage?”

  You've got this subtle look of awe on your face and a light to your eyes that wasn't there before. You've finally had a hint of what it means to live, and not just be. “Would you like a demonstration?”

  What kind of demonstration? he asked, no longer sure to which thread of their dual conversations she was referring, but something about her tone made him think that her question applied to both.

  Vorena closed her eyes, and Benash heard a chorus of gasps all around him as a vision slammed past his mental defenses and filled his mind.

  He saw a wooded area, blurred at the edges of the vision, and between the trees, nestled on a bed of soft grass, he saw a man and woman with their limbs entwined, completely naked and crying out in pleasure.

  It was blasphemous. It was shocking. And it was the most exquisitely beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

  Benash turned slowly as his eyes roamed the cavern, seeing officers at the gate and prisoners in their cells all with various expressions of shock. Some were gasping and flushed, with closed eyes and smiles on their faces. Others clutched their heads with their eyes squeezed shut, like they were trying to force the image away. Some clung to the bars of their cells, looking around wildly for the source of the vision.

  He turned back to Vorena. With bruised and bloodied lips, she smirked at him.

  “You did that?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper as the vision began to fade.

  She nodded.

  “To all of us? At once?” he asked, and she nodded again. “How?”

  Vorena struggled into a sitting position and grinned. “If I told you that, Hawk, I'd have to kill you.”

  Benash raised an eyebrow at her, then glanced pointedly at the bars and back.

  “Oh, don't think those woul
d stop me,” she told him. “I could reach inside your mind and stop your heart with just a thought.”

  Benash took a step back. “You couldn't.”

  “I could.”

  He opened his mouth to argue, but considering the power she had to send a vision to so many minds at once, he wondered if she in fact could do such a thing.

  Your defenses are good, she told him, but not that good. I'd work on that if I were you.

  Benash crossed his arms and stared at her for a long moment, then asked, Just how many of us do you think you could kill before someone stops you?

  That's easy. She grinned. All of you. 'Course, I'd need to get some keys within reach or it'd all be a waste of time, now, wouldn't it? I can beat any Elder at telepathy, but my telekinesis still leaves something to be desired.

  He almost laughed out loud. Telekinesis! You must be joking.

  She narrowed her eyes, and Benash felt his badge pull just slightly away from his chest.

  Slapping a hand over the badge, he looked from it to her and back again several times, unable to keep the startled expression off his face.

  “Better keep an eye on your keys there, Hawk,” she told him. “I've got nothing but time in here. I might have to start practicing.”

  Benash rapidly patted himself down, making sure his keys and weapons were all where they ought to be, all the while picturing his own sidearm floating in the air right behind his head.

  Careful there, Hawk. You're giving me ideas.

  Benash threw up his defenses, wondering how much he'd accidentally let her see, and he knew he was going to be having nightmares for a week, just thinking about the implications of telekinesis being used in the prison. He scowled down at her, but Vorena only giggled in response.

  And you stop calling me Hawk, he growled. I do have a name.

  Vorena shrugged. Stop being the badge and I'll stop calling you one.

  I'm not letting you out of here, he told her, crossing his arms over his chest.