I was barely awake when Set's face filled my vision.
"Are you alright? That was scary. Everyone was so scared to see Brimagor come through you like that. Did it hurt? Why aren't you talking to me?"
"Because I'm half asleep and you won't shut up long enough for me to respond," I replied, only slightly cross.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just I was so worried and, after stuff like this happens, I can't find you and it scares me."
"It scares me,too. This complete lack of control over my own body is frightening. Let me share this with you so you can understand. Dawn, Bo, Echo, you three as well. Afterwards, you can help my sisters understand."
The four of them got on or near the bed. Connecting with them, I opened my mind to its fullest and shared all the times I had been taken over by Fate or Brimagor. When it was finished, they were all shaking and huddled together and close to me. In the early morning light, we quietly held each other, sorting out everything. When my sisters woke, they stared at us. I explained why we were huddled. Lisa, Sarah, and Gretta wanted to experience the feeling immediately. The rest wanted to wait. Our companions shared my experience. I watched their emotions as they went through it. Once finished, they looked at me differently.
"Kayla," Lisa began in a whisper, "we didn't know. I am not sure I could continually allow such forces to use me like that. To give up control, even to a god, I cannot fathom it."
Sarah and Gretta also expressed their reluctance to allow such. Lisa's channeling of the goddess Danaska was far different. She had been rendered unconscious and had not shared Danaska's ride through Orda. Callie, having channeled Jordsonn and the Court, already knew some of what I felt.
During our conversation, Sarkin and Corina arrived at our door. They said we were needed for a "war council". We went to a different council chamber. There were no seats here. Tables held only maps and chess-piece-like items. Another of the five councilors, called the High General, was the only one of the five present. Several carts in the corner held food and drink. As we all helped ourselves, the High General hushed the assembly and told why we were there.
"The enemy has been named. A nightmare forgotten has returned. A wild King sea dragon by the name of Konfotuta has waken from centuries of hibernation and escaped his imprisonment. He is the master. The saurguin are merely his puppets. It is by his will and power that they break through the coral wall, destroy ships and villages, and kill any whom they encounter. The god of all dragons has told us how to defeat him, but will give no further aid against his errant child. Alas, we are still defenseless. Three hundred lightning strikes is the minimum amount of power needed to even attempt to kill him."
The room erupted in angry shouting. Set pushed hard against me as the noise frightened him. They went on for some time until they became exhausted. The High General continued when it got quiet.
"Since you all appear to understand the problem, we must now seek a solution. Does anyone have any ideas?"
No one spoke. The problem seemed too big for any solution. I perceived Anna tensing and knew Sloth had hit upon something.
"Good people," Anna stepped forward, bolstered by Sloth, "does this city not hold wizards who make wands and staffs?"
"We do," came from many.
"Is it not within the power of said wizards to house great forces within such constructs? Forces like lightning?"
Hope erupted with the voices. Names were given by many as strong wizards, "archmages", and the like. The High General called for these names to be written.
During the quiet of their writing, one called out, "Just how big is this Konfotuta?"
The aquatics stared at each other, not knowing either how to answer or what the answer was.
"Kayla, you can answer," Sloth told me, "Use your vision cloud to show them."
"I will try," I told him hesitantly, "I have yet to do so by choice."
"We shall do it together," Vanity assured me, "We can do this."
"High General," I spoke as I stepped forward, "I believe we can answer this question, if you bear with us a moment."
The assembly looked at me. The High General motioned for me to proceed. I sought the feeling that went with the fog. Soon, from my hands and feet, the fog engulfed me. Upon its surface, I placed the image of the saurguin city with Konfotuta encircling its base. The assembly gasped and began doing calculations. I let the fog and image fade, rejoined my sisters, and sat on a corner of a table to rest. Finishing their calculations, the assembly came to the result that this sea dragon was far larger than any suspected or had recorded. We reminded them that, as a King, he would be much larger than "normal" for either wild or riding dragons. For some, this encouraged the need for action. Others, it increased their doubt and sense of defeat. The High General sent the assembly out to find any and all magical items or beings who could produce lightning. Even the doubting ones went as ordered.
Once they left, the High General came across the room to speak with us.
"Ladies, it pains me to admit this, but we need help. We are experts of wind and waves, not the air and storms. Please, call upon your allies. Konfotuta will not be content to simply master the seas. Any realm with even a small river is in danger."
"High General," Lisa began, "we shall call all the powers we can to prevent him from mastering any realm in or near the waters."
The High General sighed, both from relief and despair. He walked out, a dark cloud following in his wake.
Together and separately, we called to all of our friends. Falcon was distressed by news of an evil sea dragon, but promised to send all lightning-producing dragons to Arvocan. Mattis told us he would gather all that he could from every wizard's guild and maker he could find. Sarvicnal was very angry and pledged the "might and magic of Crialas" to our "noble cause". Gorval was, likewise, angered. While he did not know how much magic he could send, he promised "dwarf ingenuity" to stop "the beast". Droland, Mara, Carmon, Mamar, and Kendar said they would comb their lands for anything we could use.
Famished from our efforts, we headed back to the outpost and found it was just past mid-day. Upon entering, Sarkin found us. He looked a bit pale.
"What's wrong?" Sarah asked, searching for any illness.
He held out two envelopes, "A being walked out of the wall through a silver doorway. He stated that these were for Callie and Kayla. He was unlike any I have ever seen. Eyes of gold, hair like the sun, taller than any of us. While his physique did not look intimidating, his manner spoke of great power," he told us, not looking at us, still seeing him in his mind.
"That is Talris, a Faerie, who guards the doors to the Faerie Realm," I informed him as I took the envelopes.
"Faerie? As in the Faerie Queen?" Sarkin asked, coming out of his stupor.
"Yes, he is a member of her staff. That shining doorway leads directly to the Faerie Realm," I answered.
He quietly walked with us as he processed the information. As we walked, I felt the envelopes.
"Callie, these are from our families. They have chosen to reply," I mentally told her as I handed one to her.
We waited until we sat to eat to open and read them. Our other sisters did not pry as we read them. Mine is enclosed in this journal.
(Letter from my parents)
Dearest Kayla,
We know not if you will ever read this, but we write in the hope it finds its way to you. After receiving your last letters, the Trinity declared you both dead. They made headstones and placed them in the cemetery. We, us and most of Callie's family, protested the decision, but were told to either accept the Trinity's decision or leave Denar. As you are our youngest child, we had no reason to stay. We packed up all we could haul in our cart and left at dawn a few days after the headstones were placed. I cannot say what her family did as we did not see them before we left. We found your dragon's marks and concluded that this was a good place to leave this letter. We do not know where we will end up. Your father has a few friends in Lorkan and Bearser. Who knows? We may go all the way to Thantos. Your previous letters made it sound like a lovely place and Lord Carmon, who came to Denar to praise your deeds, seemed like a good man.
We look forward to your reply. Be well, my daughter. We love you.
Sincerely,
Your Mother <3 font="">
That explained why neither of our families will be in Denar in five years. Since mine wasn't really personal, I let my other sisters read it. Also, inside the envelope was another piece of paper. I pulled it out. It was blank.
"That's odd," Sarah commented, "why is there a blank page inside? Did they think you had no access to paper?"
"I don't think that is it. There is a lot of emotion on this. Give me a moment," I replied.
I held the page to my chest and let myself relax. As if he were in the room, I saw and heard my father.
"Kay-Kay, I did this in secret. There is something you must know. Even your mother does not know this. After your last brother was born, it made four males to just your mother. Every baby girl she saw made her want one of her own. One day, while out hunting, I just stood in the forest and spoke her desire for a baby girl. I stood in silence, not sure what else to do. From somewhere, a voice asked 'What do you give for this child?' I didn't know and replied that I didn't know. The voice told me that they, it called itself 'us' and 'we', needed mortal life to walk as mortals. They said they would exchange ten years of my life for my mate, your mother, to bear a female child. They said they would not take it all at once, but in one day to one month increments. I agreed. They told me to go home, lie beside my mate, but not to mate with her. Within one lunar cycle, during which I was not to mate with her, my spouse would be pregnant with a female child. I did as they said. A month later, she announces her pregnancy. Whatever they were, they made her believe I was the sire. Callie's mother also announced her pregnancy. The two of them were as inseparable as you and Callie. When I saw the Great Dragon open his eyes as you and she were born, I knew you two were special. Don't tell your mom. Hope to see you soon, my dear. Take care."
The paper crumbled and his image faded. Callie had finished her letter. Hers was much more personal and she did not wish, right now, to share. I felt my sisters needed to know what my father had said. We were all surprised by this news and puzzled. Who or what were these invisible forest beings that answered his call and my mother's desire? Why did they need mortal life to walk as mortals?
We asked Sarkin where Talris had made his appearance. Sarkin was a bit nervous, but led us to the spot. It was in the outpost, not far from the sleeping areas.
"Talris, we need to speak with you," I spoke to the "blank" wall.
Sarkin gasped when the doorway appeared.
"Princess? What is it? Nothing wrong, I hope," Talris said as he exited.
"I need to talk to Aloriana," I told him calmly, "I have received information she needs to solve a puzzle."
"Of course. Will it be just you or all of the Sisters?" he asked.
"Just Kayla," Lisa answered, "we are helping gather things to stop Konfotuta."
"Very well, just Kayla, Set, and Vanity. When you are ready."
Talris waited as we quickly confirmed to each other and Sarkin who else to contact for lightning items. With that settled, Set and I walked through with Talris. Aloriana was right there, patient as always. We left Talris in the hallway as we walked and talked.
We stopped and sat in the garden. Aloriana processed my news.
"He must have been very desperate to just call out your mother's desire to the forest. Did your mother ever tell you about finally having a girl?"
"She said she dreamt of me being a girl for the last half of her pregnancy. Others kept telling her not to get her hopes up, having had three boys already. No one spoke of the Great Dragon or his eyes."
"Even those who might have noticed may not have understood its meaning. Most people who look up at him say he is sleeping. The Twin Stars intersect the Great Dragon only two or three times every thousand years. No one ties it to special events or births because only a few races have members who live long enough to see two or more events. Humans, specifically, have a hard time pairing one to the other. That is why I am not surprised no one in the village mentioned it."
"What of the ones he spoke with in the forest? What could they have been?"
Aloriana sighed, "There are many possibilities. Spirits, no matter how many years they take from a mortal, cannot be mortal again, even for a short time. Dryads and like beings do not need aid to walk as mortals. I know of no dragon that does such. Let me take this information to the Immortal Realm and see if they will tell us. My opinion is that they were or are helpful beings. I cannot say they are truly good since they had to make a deal first. I doubt any wholly evil entity would be so helpful and kind. Go back to your sisters and let me puzzle this out."
I agreed. This was something I was not prepared to understand. Bonding with Vanity and Set seemed as natural as breathing. Even the visions and channeling, while exhausting, felt normal. Being told a faceless, nameless group sired me instead of the human male I called Father, that was a bit overwhelming. However, I felt this might explain some of the times I "knew" things that I could not attribute to any god or power. Whether this is or is not the source of my seer skills, at this time, I cannot say.
Aloriana was also concerned about Konfotuta. She remembered the damage and death he and Alkon caused so long ago. Unfortunately, she could not go against Brimagor and provide any aid against him. She did, however, tell me something interesting.
"Talk with the leprechauns. Ask them about the 'Soul of the Sea'. That may answer some questions."
"I shall. Gretta will want to keep them safe from him."
We went back to the Hall of Doors. Set, who had quietly followed and listened to us talk, began sniffing the doors. He focused on one very intently.
"What is it, Set? What is so special about this door?" I asked as I read the name upon it. It was somewhere I didn't know nor had seen before.
"Something wrong here. Bad smell. Burnt food and wood. Too hot."
Aloriana approached it, but did not touch it.
She sighed, "It would seem we must move another door. The volcano near this town has erupted. It has burned and buried the whole town and destroyed the tree that anchored this door. I shall get my crew upon it immediately."
I sighed as well. Volcanoes were not something any of us could challenge. I felt bad for that village and its people, but everyone who builds within the shadow of such takes that risk.
We went back to Arvocan's door. I gave them an hour of my absence to pursue their task.
When I walked though, the Five, Eelly, Corina, and Sarkin were waiting.
"See!" Sarkin shouted, then turned to me, "They did not believe me. They have been groping this wall for nearly an hour. I was about to be taken to the medics to be treated for insanity."
I was speechless. Did they not know such existed or that one was here? The High Cleric, one of the Five, answered my unvoiced question.
"Other races have said Faerie doors could be found scattered across their lands, but we had no idea one was in Arvocan nor in this outpost," she said softly.
"This is but one in Arvocan, " I told them, "Your city has six, three top side and three underwater."
They all gasped. The High Lord called for a city map. He nearly ripped it as he tried to unfold it too fast. He asked me to show him where the rest of the doors were located. With a wave of my hand, six dots appeared, marking the Faerie doors. Again, they were startled to see one resided in the council building.
"We did not commission these," the High Guild Master announced in his monotone voice, "No contract nor proposal has been made for such structures. Tell the Faerie Queen proper channels must be followed. We cannot let such lapses in security within..."
"Oh, hush, you puffer fish!" the High Judge cut him off, "These are secure. They only lead to the Faerie Realm. Kayla, am I correct in stating that one cannot enter nor exit these portals willy-nilly?"
"Yes, High Judge, you are correct. Only the Faeries open these doors and only for just cause. Talris brought us important letters and I went to consult with the Queen. Usually, only emergencies are the reasons for opening them."
Both the General and Judge gave the Guild Master a "so there" look, ending his argument. The Five, followed by the rest of us, went to where my sisters were holed up. In a room full of mirrors, wizard's glasses, and other devices, they were each speaking to someone about what help they could provide.
"Got a batch ready to go," came Mattis' voice from my right.
Gretta replied, "Great, send them to Arvocan. Falcon has a squad of lightning dragons en route. Gorval is sending some device he calls 'The Clapper'. Are there any special instructions?"
"No, no, any wizard can operate them easily," Mattis told her, "Hells, any fool can use them."
"Excellent, thank you, Mattis. We'll let you know how it goes."
"Be well, Sisters, and good luck."
Gretta set aside the wizard's glass. She saw us near her.
"We've got help coming from nearly every kingdom," she reported, "The dragons are carrying some with them. The dwarf's machine is too big and needs a ship of its own. Falcon reports a 'special advisor' will accompany the riders and dragons."
"Good," the High Lord replied, "we need all the aid they can send. Our wizards are not confident that their power can do so much as scratch Konfotuta. It was only with great effort that he was contained last time."
"Gretta," I began, "would you get in touch with the leprechauns? Aloriana believes an item called the 'Soul of the Sea' is housed in their Hoard and a serious prize for Konfotuta."
"Sim may know. That seems like an item of his study," Gretta stated as she faced the wizard's glass again.
The High Cleric touched my shoulder, "Who is Aloriana?" she whispered, "How does she know of the Soul?"
"Aloriana is the Faerie Queen," I answered, also in a whisper, "She remembers Konfotuta's and Alkon's actions and feels the Soul is a key part in his current activities."
The High Cleric paled. Quickly, she repeated this news to the other four. They, in turn, paled. With all the emotions churning around them, I could not identify what was causing their reaction.
The High Cleric returned, again speaking in whispers, "We did not know the Faerie Queen was so old. We admit ignorance when it comes to Faerie and fey. Most deem them land creatures with no tie to our watery ways."
I lightly giggled, "It is alright. Many land folk are also ignorant of Faerie and fey. Do not be hard on yourselves."
She nodded.
Gretta turned and looked at me with great emotion.
"Sister, what is it?" I asked and sat beside her.
"My... my family.... I talked to ... my uncle..." she slowly replied, "Many members of my mother's family guard the Hoard. Sim was talking to my uncle when I called. They are dispatching a full history of the 'Soul of the Sea'. I am invited to stay with him when this task is done."
"That is great," I said as I took her hands, "A real, loving family who truly wants you. That is glorious."
Our other sisters joined me in congratulating Gretta on her news. The Five were puzzled until we explained.
It was now nearly dark. The Five invited us to dine with them. We accepted and followed them to the council building. Here, more frog-like people served us as we talked with the Five. Our companions were treated as equals and given shares of their own. The largeness of Arvocan, they confidently told us, could accommodate the dragons and riders we were expecting. The dwarf ship could find an easy spot to dock as nearly every outside street sloped to sea-level. It was curious that none of these aquatic people could tell us anything about the 'Soul'. They knew nothing beyond that it was ancient and highly prized.
In the dark, we returned to the outpost. The dragon squad was too far away for me to feel. Even Set could not sense them. Gretta had difficulty falling asleep. I understood. After Rose told us of the 'Lost City', we did not expect to find any of Gretta's kin. Finding the brother of her grandfather was truly glorious. As I went to sleep, I heard the lightest of laughs and knew Fate was pleased.
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