“Taushin is crafty.” Magnar’s eyes pulsed. “He is not hiding like a cowardly child. He is merely waiting for all the pieces to fall into place while he is away. He wants a Starlighter, and his absence will make everyone feel safe enough to come to the village, including either Koren or Cassabrie.”
“An interesting theory,” Edison said. “I had planned to march straight for Frederick’s refuge in the wilderness before launching a search for the dragons, but if a Starlighter comes to the village, shouldn’t we be there to protect her? When we saw Koren fly overhead with Alaph, I thought she might be heading there, but finding the cloak made me think otherwise. Now I’m not sure either way.”
Magnar wagged his head. “It is folly to try to protect a Starlighter. The stubborn girls choose their own course, and there is nothing you can do to stop them. Since Cassabrie is within Exodus, and Koren is with Alaph, they are not vulnerable to Taushin. I suggest following your original plan.”
“Even though the soldiers are probably contagious?” Elyssa asked.
Captain Reed scratched his chest through his tunic. “Not merely contagious, I’m afraid. We will keep our distance and see if we can lead the children to safety.”
Jason scanned the soldiers. Many were scratching here and there, and some grimaced as they paced. “Elyssa and I will sneak into the village and look for Koren and Cassabrie. I’d feel a lot better if we knew they were all right. When you collect the children, we can meet in the forest just past the grottoes, and we’ll let you know what’s going on.”
Edison nodded. “The men will make signs here telling the second company to go to the meeting place as well. When they arrive, we can all invade the village at the same time.”
“What about me?” Wallace asked. “I know this place better than any of you.”
Jason grasped Wallace’s shoulder. “Stay with us until we get near the village, then you can mingle with the other slaves and find out what’s going on while we search the Zodiac or the Basilica. If we can’t find each other, we’ll meet in Arxad’s cave before we go to the forest.”
Wallace nodded. “Sneaking around is my specialty.”
After saying their good-byes, Jason, Elyssa, and Wallace marched toward the forest. “I’m impressed,” she said as they strode over rocks and old cart ruts.
Jason kept his focus on the rough path. “Why?”
“What we’re doing is probably more dangerous than going to the wilderness. I mean, if the Benefile are killing humans, it’s like walking into a death trap.”
“I suppose it is.” He gave her a quick glance. “What’s your point?”
Smiling, she faced straight ahead and marched on. “Just an observation. Lead the way, warrior.”
“If you say so.” Jason broke into a medium-pace run, Elyssa at one side and Wallace at the other. When they entered the forest, Jason slowed and hacked at brambles and vines with his sword.
Soon they broke into an open span of flat, arid ground, some parts covered with sparse heather and some parts completely lifeless. The grinding mill basin lay in the center of the expanse. As they skirted it, Jason peered over the edge. Neither Mallerin nor Julaz stalked the floor, and the cage embedded in the wall was still open, its gate charred and broken.
They jogged to the village from behind the Zodiac, a safer route than the street out in front, and slowed to a walk. Without a word, Wallace broke away and strolled boldly into the street. Seconds later, he was out of sight.
As Jason and Elyssa skulked around the Zodiac’s left side, keeping close to the wall, they passed a broken cart partially covered with hay. Human boot tracks led to the front of the building.
Jason stopped at the corner and peered around. Elyssa pressed close, her arm against his. Hundreds of people stood, sat, or lay in various positions under and around the Zodiac’s portico, all motionless except for hair or clothes flapping in the light breeze. Closer to the corner, several ice-covered objects lay in a row, and Randall stood like a statue between the corner and the portico, his sword clutched at the end of his stiff arm.
“Psst! Jason!” Something tugged his sleeve.
Jason froze. A tingling sensation rode up his arm.
“Over here! It’s me. Deference.”
Shaking off the shock, he turned. The shining girl waved a hand. “Follow me,” she said. “I think Koren’s in trouble.”
“Koren’s here?” Jason followed Deference into the open, Elyssa close behind. When they passed Randall, Jason gave him a quick scan. Although bruises and cuts marred his chin and cheeks, he appeared to be relatively unharmed. He had the look of a hypnosis victim, so it seemed that a Starlighter had been here. But why would he be in a trance if the Starlighter was no longer present?
Still following Deference, Jason and Elyssa ran up the portico stairs and stopped at the Zodiac’s entry corridor. At the far end, a light flashed on and stayed bright for several seconds before slowly dimming.
Deference dashed into the corridor, hissing, “Come on!”
Jason whispered to Elyssa, “Quietly now,” then walked in on tiptoes. Once well inside, his heavy exhales echoed. He held his breath, stifling the noise, but his trousers, dampened by sweat, swished with every step.
When they reached the dome room’s doorway, they flattened themselves against the wall to its right. Jason leaned and peeked inside. Elyssa laid her hands on his shoulders and watched from behind.
At the Reflections Crystal, Koren and Taushin stood facing each other, Koren to the left of the crystal and Taushin to the right. Deference glided in, stood behind a column, and peered around it. With the dome wide open, Solarus’s rays filled the chamber with light.
Koren locked her gaze on Taushin, her green eyes glowing. “If fewer than half of the remaining slaves fail to go Darksphere alive and healthy,” she said, “you will release me from your service.”
“Under those conditions, I will release you.” Taushin’s blue eyebeams danced across Koren’s chest. “Immediately.”
The crystal brightened, almost too radiant to behold.
Jason’s face stung as if tiny needles pricked his skin— irritating but not too painful.
As the sphere slowly dimmed, Koren glanced at it before continuing. “All the released slaves and the humans from Darksphere will be allowed to leave without resistance from you of any kind.”
Taushin nodded. “That is correct.”
Again the crystal flashed, verifying the dragon’s words.
Koren walked around the sphere and stood in front of Taushin, her back to the doorway. “What do I do now?”
“Let me look into your eyes. Allow me to connect more fully than I ever have before. In the past, you have successfully resisted. Now it is finally time for our union to be complete. No chains. Only trust. You will walk freely in my service.”
The crystal flashed brightly yet again.
“I understand.” Heaving a sigh, Koren bowed her head. “Allow me one moment to search for news of my friends from Darksphere. Before I seal our covenant with a final vow, I want to know that they’re safe. If they are all dead, then the slaves’ rescue will be impossible.”
“Very well. I, too, will be interested in a report on their well-being.”
Koren closed her eyes. “I will decide whether or not to let you know.”
Elyssa grabbed Jason’s arm and shook it, whispering, “We have to put a stop to this!”
“Right.” Jason drew his sword. “Never make a deal with the devil.”
“Are you going to attack Taushin?”
“That was my plan.”
Elyssa raised the cloak’s hood. “If he’s using Koren’s eyes, he’ll see you coming.”
“Only if she’s looking this way.” Jason bent over and padded in. While near the perimeter of the room, the partial roof shaded his progress, so he stayed close to the wall and circled to the right side. Now able to see Koren’s profile, he halted. Any farther and he would walk into her field of vision.
He crouched and took in the scene. Why would Koren do something so foolish? It didn’t make any sense. Might it be better to wait and see whose side she was really on before attacking? But waiting too long might be just as dangerous. Once Taushin had her in his grasp, it might be too late.
Koren lifted her head. “I am ready.”
“Did you see the Darksphere humans?”
She nodded. “An army has breached the barrier wall, and they are approaching the wilderness refuge. It seems that a rescue is at hand, as we both had hoped. All we need now is to find a cure.”
The Reflections Crystal brightened once more.
“Excellent. Now open your eyes fully. I am coming in.” Taushin’s beams flashed brighter. The blue shafts struck Koren’s chest and began shifting upward. She trembled. With a look of panic, she rotated her head as if searching for something. When the beams rose to her chin, her stare locked on Jason’s. She mouthed the words, “Help me!”
Jason leaped up and charged with his sword. Just as he made ready to swing at Taushin’s neck, Koren thrust out her arms. “No!”
A wave of bright light flew from her hands and slammed into Jason’s face, sending him flying backwards. He landed on his bottom and slid until his head smacked against the wall.
Elyssa grabbed his sword, fire in her eyes as the cloak fanned around her. Jason reached to stop her but pulled back. With his world fuzzy and twirling, he wouldn’t be able to stand, much less fight.
As Elyssa stalked toward Koren and Taushin, the sword quivered in her grip. “How dare you! Jason has done so much for you! He would die for you!”
The Reflections Crystal pulsed with brilliance. Needlelike radiance flowed across Jason’s face, again stinging his cheeks, worse than before. He blinked to keep the needles at bay. It had to be far more intense where Elyssa stood.
Taushin shook his wings and roared, “What is happening? Koren, give me a report.”
“In a moment.” Koren extended her hand and spoke in a soft tone. “Give me the cloak, Elyssa.”
Elyssa touched the clasp in front. “Why?”
“Because it’s mine.” Koren gave her a pleading look, an expression that didn’t match her demanding tone.
After eyeing her for a moment, Elyssa took the cloak off and tossed it to her. Koren caught it and threw it over the crystal.
“Taushin!” Mallerin flew into the open dome and landed next to him.
Jason cringed. More trouble. But with his head swimming, he could do nothing but watch.
Taushin slapped his tail against the floor. “Finally. Now I will be able to see.”
“I returned as quickly as I could,” Mallerin said. “I saw Magnar helping the invaders from Darksphere, but I saw neither Fellina nor Xenith. I told a drone to bring a report to you if he saw either of them.”
Taushin growled, “Did you tell him to come to the dome room?”
“No.” Mallerin’s wings drooped. “I apologize for my lack of foresight.”
“Well, your foresight is lacking, but your timing is convenient.” He cast his eyebeams on her. “We have intruders who have interrupted the establishment of a covenant between Koren and myself. If not for them, I would be seeing through Koren’s eyes by now.”
“Koren’s eyes?” Mallerin drew her head back. “Are mine insufficient?”
“Your eyes are perfectly suited for one task and Koren’s for another.”
Koren spread out her arms. “There is no need for concern, Mallerin. If you will listen to me, I will explain everything.”
“Please do.” Mallerin stared at her, her head swaying.
Jason tried to scoot to a higher sitting position against the wall. What was Koren up to? It seemed that everyone needed an explanation.
“Mallerin,” Koren said, “you might not be aware of this, but one of these intruders, Elyssa by name, saved your life. When you were at the grinding mill, one of the Darksphere warriors was about to strike you, but Elyssa had pity on you and blocked his blow.”
Mallerin said nothing more. She just stared directly at Koren, her back to the crystal.
“Congratulations, Koren,” Taushin said, “You have again neutralized my defenses.”
“Yes, but you can see me through Mallerin, and now it’s safe for us to talk without risk.”
“Talk?” Her face reddening, Elyssa pointed the sword at Koren. “There’s nothing to talk about! You can’t make a covenant with that monster. You can’t turn away from the people who are sacrificing everything to rescue you. We trusted you. We were all in this together.”
Koren spread out her arms. “We’re still all in this together, but I couldn’t let Jason kill Taushin. He’s going to help us.”
“Help us?” Elyssa let the sword droop. “You can’t trust Taushin!”
Koren’s eyes glowed. “But he says he’s changed.”
“He says? Have you gone out of your mind?”
“She is in her right mind,” Taushin said. “She has decided to give herself to my service, and now she protects me. Since Jason attacked without warning, Koren had to respond instinctively. There was no time for explanation.”
“We’re still friends,” Koren said, extending her hand toward Elyssa. “Give me the sword as a sign that you trust me, and you will be free to go out and help our cause.”
Elyssa looked Koren over, as if probing. “And Jason?”
Taushin shook his head. “Jason attacked me. Until he has an opportunity to prove his trust in our new alliance, he will stay here.”
Jason gazed at Elyssa. With her hand clutching the sword’s hilt tightly and her feet set apart, she appeared ready to fight both Taushin and Mallerin, but her contorting face expressed worry.
“Elyssa,” Koren said as she withdrew a small, capped bowl from her pocket, “you can be a lot of help right now. I’ll look after Jason while you try to make the cure for the disease at Arxad’s cave.” She lifted the bowl. “This is a crucible filled with stardrop material, and I have the other ingredients and instructions as well. When you make the medicine, you can distribute it to the people. Since you’re immune, you’re the best one to do it.”
Elyssa edged closer and looked at the bowl.
Taushin’s eyebeams brightened, still resting on Mallerin. “We cannot risk that,” Taushin said. “If Arxad is there, he will learn about your covenant with me and will interfere.”
“Not as long as you’re holding Jason.” Koren nodded toward Elyssa. “If she trusts us, she’ll do exactly what we ask. If she doesn’t, she’ll be worried that you’ll hurt Jason if Arxad tries to interfere. Of course, we won’t hurt him, but until she decides to trust us, she won’t believe it.”
Elyssa fumed. “How dare you negotiate about me like I’m a —”
“Excellent logic.” Taushin waved a wing toward the dome room’s perimeter. “Zena told me there are chains and manacles in a box near a wall, the ones they use to bind victims to the crystal. Put Jason in irons, and we will let Elyssa go.”
Koren nodded. “That sounds like a good idea.”
Rolling her eyes, Elyssa let out an exasperated sigh but said nothing.
“Before you do …” Taushin’s ears flattened. “Have you tried to locate Cassabrie? You should be able to conjure an image of her recent past.”
“No.” Koren looked up at the sky. “I think I’m too weak to extend very far right now.”
Jason studied Koren’s expression. What was that look? Misdirection? Deception? Was she intentionally keeping her eyes pointed away from Mallerin to hide her aspect?
“She will eventually arrive,” Taushin said. “It would be good, however, to have some warning. Perhaps Elyssa’s talents can find her.”
“You want me to find Cassabrie for you?” Elyssa laughed. “Even if I did stoop to that level, why would you want her to come? She would never help you, and she’s more powerful than Koren could ever hope to be.”
While Elyssa talked, Jason rolled to all fours and began a slow crawl toward the door.
It was time to escape while they were distracted.
“You continue to think of me as your enemy,” Taushin said. “I am now your ally. We need Cassabrie to help us with producing a cure. The paltry amount of raw materials in Koren’s crucible will never produce enough medicine for hundreds of sick humans. When Cassabrie realizes this, she will become our ally as well.”
“Is that so?” Elyssa began to pace in a short circuit in front of Taushin, gesturing with her hands. “Not if she knew you were holding a hostage to get her to comply.”
Jason passed a column. Only two more before the door. But with Mallerin’s eyes aimed this way, these last two would be the most dangerous.
“A hostage?” Taushin said. “Your terminology is so dramatic. Jason is simply surety, a pledge of cooperation. I will provide his freedom in exchange for Cassabrie’s help. Since I need him for this purpose, you can be assured of his safety.”
“Surety? Pledge?” Elyssa stopped pacing and growled under her breath. “Blackmail is another word that comes to mind.”
“Blackmail is designed to take something for selfish purposes. We are trying to heal the slaves and send them to freedom.”
Jason crawled over the threshold to the corridor leading out. Keep talking, Elyssa. If I can make it to Randall, maybe—
“Stop!” Taushin shouted.
Jason looked back. Taushin flew toward him. Elyssa swiped at Taushin with the sword but missed.
His claws extended, Taushin swooped, grabbed Jason by the seat of his trousers, and sailed into the corridor. He made a sharp turn and flew back into the dome room. With a heave, he tossed Jason into Elyssa. He rolled into her legs, making her topple over and drop the sword.
His head pounding, Jason watched as Koren picked up the sword and helped Elyssa rise. While they stood close together, Koren pushed the crucible into Elyssa’s hand as well as a couple of other items, whispering as she made the transfer.
Taushin landed next to Mallerin, smoke puffing from both nostrils. “You are fortunate that I am your ally. Otherwise, I would have killed you.”