Book 7: Chapter 17: Prying Eyes

Book 7: Chapter 17: Prying Eyes

The door to the suite clicked open, and Leshs voice boomed out, Fosterling!

Darren jumped, startled more by the volume than the sudden return of the giant, reptilian man. Was that right? Were dragonkin reptiles? Were dragons? Darren decided it would be best to guard his words and thoughts about the subject on the off chance that labeling them such would be considered an insult. He clambered to his feet and cleared his throat, Here, Elder. Hed been lounging in front of the windows, lying on the carpetthe hospitality staff had come in with dimensional containers and removed all the furnishings. Lesh had been pleased by the wide-open feeling of the room, but Darren found it strange; it felt hollow, and sounds seemed to echo and bounce off the naked walls.

I have regained the information device. No, better; I have acquired a new one. We no longer have to worry about returning this to Lord Victor.

Oh? Thats excellent news! May I see . . .

You will take this and find the location of the Genesis Building. Is that not the name of the place the steward of the portals whispered in your ear?

Um, right, Elder. Genesis Center, actually. Darren hurried over to Lesh, as always daunted by the fact that his head only reached the enormous warriors waist. Holding the device between a clawed thumb and finger, Lesh handed it down to him. I cannot make myself small as Victor does to use this comfortably. I may require you to navigate here and there, depending on how long we stay in this city.

Darren took the tablet, nodding, as he tapped the screen. When it didnt light up like the first one, he said, Elder, I think you need to activate it. Lesh grumbled a sound, half sigh and half tsk, as he reached out with one of his three, clawed fingers, each as wide around as Darrens wrist, and pressed it into the glass. A half second later, it flared with amber light, and the map of the city appeared. Thank you, sir, um, Elder.

Good. As your education advances, I will teach you a proper honorific in the tongue of the dragons. For now, Elder will continue to suffice. Will it take you long to find the center? Ive half a mind to bask in the afternoon sun. Lesh eyed the bright, sunny section of blue carpeting in front of the windows.

Only a moment, but we can wait to go if . . .

No. We will go now. I cannot condone your Coreless existence for a moment longer than necessary. If this grove or nursery cannot help you, I will guide you through the process, painful as it may be. First, however, we will give the teachers of children a try.

Im not so sure its a place for children . . . While he muttered his half-hearted objection, Darren scanned through the listing of businesses and public buildings. Somehow, it was organized alphabetically in words that looked just like English to him, and for the millionth time since waking up on Fanwath, he wondered how the System could do that. It had to be a complex spell or something that existed in their minds. Is that what skills granted by the System were? Could it take them away as easily as grant them? He tapped the name of the business and selected the map option, and then he saw, just like his GPS back on Earth, a faint golden line leading away from the hotel on the map toward the destination. It didnt look far. I have it, Elder.

Good! You see, fosterling? Your mind is quick; there may be a useful Class for you.

As Lesh turned toward the door, Darren fell into his shadow, following behind. Um, thank you. When they reached the sidewalk outside the hotel, Lesh paused and turned to look down his short, tooth-filled snout at him, narrowing his mossy green eyes in the dark hollow beneath his prominent, scaled brow.

You will lead us. Fear notI will be close behind.

Darren nodded and continued down the cobbled walkway past the park. Just as before, he was nearly dumbstruck by the sights, sounds, and smells of the magical city. The smell was a big one; it was clear from what they could see through their hotel window that the city was massive. It sprawled to the horizon, and its downtown, with the giant crystal towers, was easily the size of skyscraper zones in the big cities of Earth. That said, it didnt smell like New York. Darren had been there a few times for seminars, and the thing he always noticed, provided the weather was warm enough, was the ever-present underlying stench of urine. The air is fresh, Elder, he said over his shoulder.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Should it not be?

Well, I dont know why, but Id often find cities smelled of garbage and waste on my homeworld. Darren shrugged; he really didnt know why. He supposed that when lots of people gathered, you got all kinds, and some of those would rather pee on the side of a building than find a restroom.

Shameful. One who cannot dispose of their own waste should be banished. Lesh rumbled his proclamation offhandedly, and when Darren looked back at him, he saw that his big mentor was busily staring at a procession of veiled, feminine figures. They were larger than humans, had four arms with blue and purple skin, and beneath their veils, bright lights shone from where their eyes should be. Darren tried not to stare as the twelve figures sauntered by, studiously staring at his map while he hurried.

What interesting ladies, Lesh said after theyd rounded the corner. Something about a hidden face makes me want to see it more. Do you feel the same, fosterling?

I suppose. The allure of the unknown or the mystery of what we cannot see . . . Darren trailed off as he rounded the last corner and saw his destination ahead. It was a domed, crystalline building occupying something like four city blocks. The afternoon sun shimmered on the structure, making it appear bright white, painful to the eyes, near the top, and gradually darkening to a glimmering orange-red near the street level. Beautiful, he breathed, beginning to walk again.

Indeed. Thats an edifice worthy of a visit, even if the services within are meant for the youth of this world. Leshs cocksure certainty that the place was for children was almost amusing to Darren. He couldnt argue, though; he figured most adults whod been born in a System world would have developed their Core and whatever other services the Genesis Center provided. It didnt help matters when, as they approached, a group of childrenpointy-eared, colorful folk who reminded Darren of fairy storiessurged out of the central doors, corralled by a floating, cloud-like being as they laughed and jumped, running with the exuberance of youth, toward the sidewalk.

Darren didnt wait around for Lesh to comment, hurrying up the steps to the enormous glass, or maybe crystal, doors. When he approached, they swung open quickly and noiselessly, and Darren stepped into an oval reception area constructed of the same crystal substance as the buildings exterior. It was domed and almost cave-like, with a dozen oval passages leading away in every direction. The lighting came from the crystal walls, ceiling, and floora soft blue-white glow that permeated everything. The air was remarkably crisp and fresh, and Darren folded his arms, gripping his shoulders as he registered the temperature, bordering on cold.

He was about to turn to Lesh to ask him for advice on where to begin when a cloud of misty light coalesced in front of him. It pulsed with a soft glow as a pleasant, masculine voice asked, Darren Whitehorse, welcome to the Genesis Center. Are you here to begin your journey toward Energy cultivation? Before he could answer, the misty ball of light floated over to Lesh and said, Leshrozellan, welcome to the Genesis Center. Is Darren Whitehorse your charge?

He is my fosterling.

The misty light bobbed up and down, then moved back to Darren. In his peripheral vision, Darren could see other such lights, speaking to other people in the hall. Darren? Will you learn with us today?

#

The strange-looking man hurried out from behind his counter and ushered their party over to his couches. Lam and Edeya sat in one, while Victor and Valla took the other. The couches were accommodating but still a bit small for comfort. Victor wanted to reduce his size further but knew it would probably irritate Valla, so he sat there, knees as high as his chest, and watched as the long-eared, cat-eyed man alternated staring at him and Edeya. Quite a surprising visit! Sir, have you embarked upon your test of steel?

My, uh? Victor frowned, looking at his companions, wondering if hed missed something.

Your test of steel. Are you yet in the iron ranks?

He is. Valla smiled at Victor, sighing almost wistfully as though longing for a day when someone wouldnt be impressed by him.

Very good! The man smiled, exposing too-large teeth, and wiped at his brow. I was afraid Id have to mind my manners to an absurd degree, but we iron-rankers can speak frankly, no? My name is Erd Van.

That we can, Lam said, leaning forward. I am Lam, there are Valla and Victor, and this is Edeya. Shes in a bad way, Erd Van. Can you help her?

This poor soul? He stepped close to Edeya, peering into her listless eyes. A moment! he bustled around the counter, the tails of his patchwork coat flapping with his rapid movement. Victor heard bottles clinking and drawers opening and slamming shut, and then the man reappeared, hurrying forward with a disc-shaped, blue lens. He stood before Edeya, peering at her through the lens. Victor felt a small surge of Energy, and then the lens began to sparkle with silvery light, throwing off rainbow sparks as he moved it around, peering at Edeya from every angle. After a while, he put the lens into his breast pocket and stood there, scratching the very short, very pink hairs on his chin.

Well? Lam prodded.

Well, Im sure youre aware that shes being made to appear far better than the reality of the situation. That circlet around her brow is giving her body some appearance of vibrancy, but were it taken away, I fear shed wither and die.

Thats right. Victor leaned forward and gestured to Edeya. Can you tell us anything we dont know? Can you help her? He didnt mean to sound short with the guy, but something about his smug assessment rubbed him the wrong way.

Only a fragment of her spirit is there! What happened? Was she attacked on the Spirit Plane? Was she attempting a breakthrough with a Khalnav infusion? Did she do battle with . . .

A Death Caster, Lam said, frustration and hopelessness creeping into her voice. She was attacked by a traitorous Death Caster who fled our world when confronted.

Ah! That makes much more sense. Someone was trying to take her spirit, then, and was interrupted?

Yes. Lams eyes filled with tears, and Victor knew she was reliving her encounter with Catalina. He wanted to sit beside her and offer her some comfort, but there wasnt room on the little couch.

Do not despair! Erd Van said, moving close to Lam and resting one of his small, wiry hands on her shoulder. The thing about spirits is that they yearn to be whole. The greater part will constantly tug at the lesser fragments. This one would have fled this vessel if not for your stalwart vigil! You being here, he gestured to them all, your spirits, along with the pull of her body, a familiar vessel, are providing a counterbalance. With a strong enough influence, you might be able to use the innate tether all soul fragments have with each other to snatch the rest of her from the clutches of that Death Caster!

Really? Lams eyes sprang tears at his words, but they seemed to be tears of relief or joy. Victor felt his eyes watering up in sympathy. Can you do that?

Me? Erd Van held a hand to his chest and chuckled. Oh, no, dear. Im afraid not. Even your friend here with the mighty furnace of rage and fear in his Core wouldnt be able to, even if he had the know-how. No, I fear youll need to find a patron whos completed their Test of Steel and moved into their Lustrous Veil. Someone of that level of power could probably overcome the enormous imbalance between your friends larger spirit and this fragment. They may be able to exert the force required to help her spirit break free and find its way home to her. Of course, there are risks, but there is hope. Sojourn is just the place to find the right patron!

While Lam and the others absorbed his words, he turned to Victor and narrowed his eyes, staring at him for a long minute. Do you not have a powerful patron already, sir?

Not exactly. Victor shrugged, not sure what he was getting at. Could he sense Khul Bach? Was there something about his Core? It rankled Victor that the guy could apparently see his Core. How was he doing that? Was it just that he was very sensitive to spirit Energies? Maybe it was a skill or ability with his Class . . .

I only ask because I can see wispy remnantstendrils of left-behind powerof spirits that have touched yours. Their connections to you seem tenuous, but it seems they are still there, as though great beings are connected to you through the Spirit Plane. I wonder if . . .

Something came over Victor at that moment, and he felt his rage begin to seep into his pathways. He surged to his feet and glowered down at the man. When he spoke, it was him, his voice, his mind, but he felt the firm comforting influence of his ancestors guiding his tongue. You may cease your ogling of my spirit! I am Quinametzin, and my ancestors walk with me. Be wary of insulting them with your prying eyes. Instinctively, he reached out with his will, grabbed ahold of his aura that hed been dutifully squeezing into submission, and pulled it closer still, drawing a curtain of the furious, potent stuff around his Core.

***Congratulations! You have learned a new skill: Aura Veil Basic.***

***Aura Veil - Basic: Using your will, you have learned to obscure your Core and affinities from the prying eyes of others. Your veil is only as strong as your aura, and those whose will is greater than your own can pierce your concealment.***

My apologies, sir! Erd Van fell to his knees, pressing his forehead to the carpet.

Victor might once have felt embarrassed at the obsequious display, but in his current state, bolstered by the haughty presence of his ancestors, it felt just right. He nodded to the man, ignoring the looks Lam and Valla were giving him, and said, Your insult was innocent. You may relax. Tell us, Erd Van, can you direct us to someone who might be able to pull Edeyas spirit home?