'Upstairs with Bill. He's trying to consult with Houston. He's not having much luck.' Jim checked his watch. 'Two hours before sunrise. Are you fully awake, Lauren? Gary had to shake you hard before you opened your eyes.'
'We Wagners are funny sleepers,' Lauren said, thinking of Jennifer. She pointed out the porthole. 'What about our equipment?'
'We have the jeep and Hummingbird aboard. The rest will have to fend for itself.' Jim shook his head. 'It's incredible, this storm. The Rover didn't detect winds one-fifth this magnitude.'
'How will the Tharsis region be?' Lauren asked.
'It's mountainous, it should be fairly well-sheltered. Of course, we won't know how extensive the storm is until we're in space and looking down.' Jim pressed his face against the porthole. 'It's gone.'
'What?' Lauren asked.
'Our flag. Mars buried it.'
'Maybe the planet's trying to give us a hint to get out of here while the going's good.'
'Maybe,' Jim said softly. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. 'Or maybe it's trying to trick us into going somewhere else.'
BOOKTHREE The Fire
SIXTEEN
Excerpts from Jennifer Wagner's Story
The Sastra were losing. Six days they had battled the Asurians on the open desert, and already half their people were dead. Now the enemy was pushing into the mountains, from where they would be in position to sweep into the Garden and destroy them all. The Sastra were being overwhelmed by sheer numbers, and by a numbing poison the Asurians inflicted through rains of piercing darts. Of the children that still survived, many had been wounded, and carried back to the Garden, where Chaneen tended them with the powers of her mysterious touch. Dread weighed heavily upon her heart. She knew it would not be much longer before Kratine himself came forth and led his army to final victory.
Chaneen knelt by the body of a fallen warrior, her sister Janier standing silently at her back. During the first days of battle, they had cared for the wounded within the palace. But now there were too many. This man had been laid in a nearby meadow. He was unconscious, and his flesh burned with fever. He had a deep gash in his neck, where the Asurians were known to bite. His hastily wrapped bandage was soaked with blood. Worse, Chaneen saw that his right arm was dark and swollen. He had been struck by an Asurian dart. At first the name of the poison had eluded Chaneen. But now she recognized it as nothing more than Asurian water. Water that brought agonizing death to her children. -
Chaneen put her right palm on the warrior's forehead and took his numb arm with her other hand. She closed her eyes, sensing the man's life ebbing away. Summoning her powers, she began to 'take on' his pain, and bring him back. But as his strength grew, her own weakness increased. Where he bled, she hurt. Her own right arm turned cold and lifeless. In her thoughts came the horror of the beast that had chewed at the man's neck, and the memory of how the Asurian, in turn, had perished from an arrow through his chest moments after attacking the man. But it was a scene Chaneen had suffered through too many times in the last few days, and she began to feel faint. Janier caught her in strong arms as she slipped to the ground, and removed her hands from the warrior. Chaneen felt momentary relief. Yet she resisted Janier's help.
'Do not stop me, Janier,' she said. 'He is near death. I must hold him, and bring him back to us.'
Her sister gave her no heed and moved her further away. 'You are weary, Chaneen. You must rest. It is too late for this man, anyway. He will surely die.'
Chaneen nodded weakly. 'But I must help him, if only to ease his pains.'
'Rest first, for a few moments.'
Chaneen sighed and looked to the west. The sky was filled with smoke, the mountain tops invisible behind clouds of ash. The sun could hardly be found. She had sent instructions to Tier to set fire to the trees, with the hope of gaining them more time. At first, instinctively, the Asurians had retreated, and the Sastra had been given a day's respite. But seeing that it was only the fire of man, and not the wrath of the Fire Messenger, they had re-attacked in earnest. At night the mountains burned with red flame, and watching from her palace, Chaneen would be reminded of Kratine's eyes. And every morning came news that the Asurians were closer.
'Has word come from Tier today?' Chaneen asked.
'No, and I worry for him, 'Janier said. 'It is said that he always fights at the front of the battle.' She knelt by Chaneen's side. 'Would it
not be possible, my Queen, to be by his side?'
Chaneen touched the rings on her hand and wondered at the brightness of Rancar's. She was still searching for a meaning in his death. She knew there must be one. 'You wish to fight, Janier?' she asked.
I wish to be by my husband's side when the end comes.'
'But you wish to destroy those who assail us?'
'Yes. 'Janier bowed her head. 'Since seeing Rankar's finger, I have wished for nothing else.'
Chaneen thought of the reasons why she kept Janier close to her side, and then spoke some of them to her sister. 'We are of the same flesh. What power rests in me may also live in you, should I bring it to life. Still, our hearts differ. I do not desire the death of anyone, even the death of those who kill my children. It is the way I am.'
'The Sastra understand, Chaneen. We look for you to heal the scars of the war, not to fight it. None would have you touched by our enemy.'
Long Chaneen had debated allowing her sister to be the arm of the Fire Messenger's flame, recognizing herself as incapable of bringing the fire. But having only a choice between evils had caused her to hesitate. She would still be the ultimate cause of the Asurians' deaths.
Suddenly the wounded warrior opened his eyes. Chaneen moved to his side and took his hand. 'Chaneen,' he whispered. 'Help me! It's dark and cold. I'm so cold.'
'I am here,' she said. 'The cold is going, and the darkness cannot follow you. You are one of my children.'
The man gasped. 'Ami to die?'
And she had thought she was past tears. 'Yes.'
A tremor shook his body. 'I am afraid, Chaneen. Will you stay with me?'
I will always be with you. There is no end for us. We are of the light. The darkness cannot endure before us.' She kissed his numb arm, washing it with her tears. Her warrior relaxed and closed his eyes. Warmth flowed through his flesh. He smiled faintly.
'Then we will be triumphant, Chaneen?' he asked.
'Yes. There is no need to fear. In the end we will win.'
'Chaneen.' He began to cough. 'My name is...'
She put her ear to his bleeding lips. 'Yes?'
He was choking. I want you to know who I am. My name...'
He did not speak again, dying in her arms. Chaneen kissed his forehead and whispered, 'Don't worry, child, I know your name.' She sat back and closed her eyes. 'You truly wish vengeance, Janier?'
'With all my heart, 'Janier said.
Chaneen nodded. 'Come to me in the night, by the pool of waters. I will invoke the Fire Messenger. You will carry the flame I cannot wield. You will have your vengeance.'
The night was filled with filth. The stars labored through a thick smoke. The enemy was at hand. Their shouts could be heard even inside the palace.
Janier knelt by Chaneen's side while Chaneen dived deep into silence, forsaking the limits of her body. She drifted without center, in one place as much as another, hearing and seeing with her inner ears and inner eyes the music of the spheres and the deities of the worlds. Silently she invoked the presence of the Fire Messenger, and he came to her, alighting on the waters. He stood taller than the trees of her Garden, part man, part animal, radiant in her mind like an erupting volcano. Although Janier saw him not, his coming rattled the very foundations of their land.
He spoke, not with words, but with a sharing of thought. 'Chaneen of Earth, I have come at your bidding. What do you desire of me?'
Chaneen answered him in the same silent manner. 'Rankar has been stripped of his body by our ancient foe. Even now the Asurian army fights at my door. Many of my
children are dead. More are dying as we speak. I have called you forth to beg for the alliance of your strength, and for the casting of your flame.'
'Why didn't you summon me earlier, before so many of your children died?'
Chaneen hesitated. 'I fear to be the cause of death to others.'
'The Sun would support your cause.'
'So Rankar instructed.'
'Do you still fear to seek my alliance, Chaneen?'
I have called you forth to ally with my sister. It is she who now kneels by my side.'
The Fire Messenger shifted his burning ethereal form above the waters, staring down upon Janier from a great height. 'She could not absorb my form. It would destroy her.'
I know that,' Chaneen said. I will keep you here in my being, resting in the Garden, while Janier goes into battle and draws your might from me, and through me.'
'The danger would be grave, for one such as her, to possess your power, and in turn, mine.'
I am incapable of wielding your flame,' Chaneen said. 'Our only hope is in the alliance I describe. Will you do it?'
For a long time the Fire Messenger studied Janier. Finally he said, I will stay with you, Chaneen, until the last of your enemy flees your land, but no longer. Then my fire will return to the source.'
'So be it,' Chaneen said. The Fire Messenger vanished from her vision, but Chaneen now felt his special power enlivened in her own self. She opened her eyes and turned to her sister. 'Janier, I have good news. The Fire Messenger has agreed to help us. He will stay with me as long as the Asurians walk on our soil. He will only leave when they have been beaten back.' Janier's eyes were wide. 'You will bring the fire, Chaneen?'
'No. You will bring it.' Janier was confused. 'How is this possible?'
'You are the same flesh as me. Your arm can be my arm, and my arm now holds the fire. You have but to desire where the flame shall fall, and it will fall.' Janier trembled with excitement. 'Can this be so?'
'Yes.'
'We will be victorious? They won't be able to stand against me?'
Chaneen was troubled. 'It is not from you they will flee, but from the gift the gods have bestowed upon us because they feel we have been wronged. Yet there is still danger. We can still be defeated.' Chaneen paused and touched the waters with her finger. She realized now why she had waited so long to invoke the Fire Messenger. Her sister was as dear to her as Rankar. The possibility of losing them both was unthinkable. 'Listen to me, Janier. You can command the power of the immortal Fire Messenger, but you are still human. Go to Tier and our warriors, and bring the fire. But if the Asurian king should come forth to lead his army, return immediately to the Garden. Even with the fire, you are no match for Kratine.'
Janier was concerned. 'Will he come?'
I don't know. He is shrewd. I can't fathom his mind, just as Rankar was unable to. But should you succeed in driving the enemy from our land, you must make no attempt to cross over into Asure. The Fire Messenger would depart, and even I would be unable to reach you there. Do you understand?'
I will follow the wisdom of my Queen,' fanier looked to the west, to the blazing sky, and added, 'None of them shall escape me.'
Chaneen shook her head. 'You don't understand. You are to defend the Sastra, no more.' Janier bowed her head. 'I hear you, Chaneen.'
'Good. Now be close to me. I have secrets to tell you. On the second world dwells another ally of the Sastra. She is unlike the Fire Messenger, but still of great value to us. She is the guardian of that joy which comes between a man and a woman, a parent and a child, a sister and another sister - when there is love. She brings people together. She makes them happy together. But she is here at this time of parting between us. I know you cannot see her, Janier, but I do. She stands before us on the waters wearing a resplendent form. She has jewels of starlight in her eyes, and in her hair shines the moon.' Chaneen removed her own ring and slipped it on Janier's finger. 'She stands as a witness to this bond I forge between us, Janier. No matter where you go, and no matter what dangers threaten you, I will always come to...'
'Chaneen! Chaneen!' came cries from the palace halls. Pastel, her
blind minstrel, was hurrying toward them, his face distraught. The
interruption disturbed Chaneen's invocation. She watched as the
Goddess wavered on the waters and then vanished. Janier jumped to her
feet and grabbed Pastel.
'We were to be left undisturbed, 'Janier said. 'Have you news from the battle? Speak!'
Pastel trembled in Janier's hands and was unable to answer. He had been blind since birth, and Chaneen had yet to discover how to cure him. Of all her children, he was the only one who was handicapped. Nevertheless, what his eyes couldn't see, his mind understood, and arranged in beautiful verse. Chaneen alone knew that Pastel sang his songs mainly for Janier, because he loved her so much.
'Be at ease,' Chaneen said. 'Your company is always welcome. Tell us of the battle.'
Pastel turned in the direction of her voice. 'The guards did not want to bring you this news, but I felt you should know it as soon as possible. Please forgive me, my Queen.' Janier shook Pastel. 'Tell us!'
'The Asurians have all but conquered the mountains,' Pastel said, trembling. 'Already those of us left inside the Garden can hear their flying darts.'
'We're not beaten yet, 'Janier said.
'Yes,' Pastel moaned. 'Forgive me, Janier. Tier has fallen. He was taken on the last wave of attack.'
'Is he dead?' Janier cried.
I don't know,' Pastel said. 'He was alive when our warriors last saw him, but he was badly injured. The Asurians bound him and carried him away.' Pastel lowered his head. 'I fear he is dead.'
'You fear!' Janier shouted. She shoved Pastel to the ground and glared at Chaneen. 'Tier has fought and fallen while I stayed here with you and did nothing. I could have saved him! Why didn't you tell me of your power earlier, Chaneen?'
Chaneen slowly stood and helped Pastel to his feet. 'Do you have to
ask? Now you have your own loss to mourn. I already had my own. I was afraid to lose you along with Rankar.'
'You were afraid' Janier said, angry.
I was afraid for you.' Chaneen tried to take Janier in her arms, but her sister shook her off.
'You area coward, 'Janier said bitterly. 'You wouldn't even go forth to save your own children.'
The change in her sister was frightening. Chaneen shook her head sadly. I couldn't save them. I can't kill. The flame wouldn't come out of me for that reason. Don't hate me, Janier. I'm not the enemy. I'm your Queen, your sister.' She held out her hand. 'I'm sorry.'
'You're sorry! I don't want your sorrow. You could have saved Tier.' Tears streamed from Janier's face and she faltered in her accusations. But then she touched the ring Chaneen had placed on her finger and she grew hard once more. She looked to the west, to the burning mountains, and spoke in a cold voice. I must go. Stay here, Chaneen. I don't need you. I will bring the fire.'
Janier left the palace then, running as fast as her anger.
Janier!' Pastel called. He tried to follow her but tripped and fell. Chaneen helped him up once more.
'No,' Chaneen said wearily. 'Let her go.'
'But I must help her.' Pastel stood and felt his way forward, bumping into a pillar.
'You can't catch her, and you were not born to fight. Stay inside the palace until the outcome of the war is decided. Janier may yet save us, where I have been unable to.' Chaneen sat back down by the waters. 'But leave me for now, Pastel. Janier thinks she doesn't need me, but she is wrong. I must be with her in my thoughts.'
Pastel wept. 'Yes, my Queen.' He bowed and turned away. 'I will pray for her safety.'
'We will pray,' Chaneen agreed. She closed her eyes and meditated. She meditated for days. But whenever she reached for Janier in her mind, she felt waves of heat, and saw the cold eyes of Kratine mocking her.
Janier found her warriors in retreat when she arrived at the front of battle.
One final valley lay between the enemy and the Garden. Janier spoke with the captains who had survived her husband, and found Pastel's information correct. Tier had been wounded and captured, but there was a possibility he was still alive.
Janier gave orders that the Sastra were to retreat to top of the last slope, and to there stand and prevent the Asurian front line from advancing. It was her purpose to allow the Asurians to fill the valley below. Her warriors did as they were told, surrendering the portion of the valley they had fought all day to hold. Thinking that the Sastra were on the run, the Asurians swarmed into the valley, and it was as if a sea of green scales swayed below Janier's feet. How she hated the sight of them!
When Janier deemed the moment was right, she raised Chaneen's ring and called upon the Fire Messenger. From seemingly nowhere, a cloud of incandescent liquid materialized above the valley. Then in a rain of death, it fell upon the screaming Asurians. Their end came swiftly. In moments everything in the valley was turned to ash. There remained not even the skeleton of a tree. On the far side of the valley, the enemy who were left alive immediately recognized what had happened. They remembered Rankar's wrath from the previous war, and turned and fled in the direction of the desert.
Janier stood above the ruin and laughed loudly. She drew her sword.
'See those murderers running in terror back to their master? They are
fools! Even he cannot save them. Come my warriors, and let us put an
end to these snakes. It is Janier who leads you now. And I bring the
fire!'
Accompanied by the remains of Tier's once great army, Janier chased after the Asurians. Yet the latter had always been quick, and now they had a great fear driving them on. It was difficult for Janier to keep up with them. Many times she invoked the Fire Messenger, and each time he responded, laying waste to the land immediately in front of her, and whoever was on that land. But the Asurians had already scattered, and
none of her bolts were as devastating as her first. And little did janier understand the size of the enemy. She killed thousands, tens of thousands, yet thousands remained.