Traps: Chest of Souls, #5

By Michelle Erickson

Talon was born of a woman without a heart and a man without a soul into a world without a conscience. Now he has to fix it. 
Too bad he’s in the Sogoian Barracks, where hope of escape is trapped in the jaws of the hounds, the horns of the stone bulls, and the look in his father’s eyes. 
The Book of Benamii claims there is a traitor among his men. He’s determined to find out who it is, and save as many of his men as he can, while they all train for the blood sport known as Cubes. 

Safe on the other side of time, Brenna is learning things she never wanted to know about the past, present, and future. The past concerns the fact the Five Creators are not myths and they left a deadly surprise beneath the Phoenix. The present concerns what the Forest Wife does to those who disobey, and the future has no guarantees.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Erickson
• Release date: Jan 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781536510201

Book preview

Prologue

If it was hot and gritty in the sixty-million-people city of Sogo, it was hotter and a great deal grittier in the Barracks, the gruesome building that housed men that were training for the blood sport known as Cubes.

The Barracks Commander was Tasut Ryhawk.  He was the reason that Sogoians feared Barracks-trained men; especially those that wore the gold and white livery of the third floor.  They were personally trained by the giant of a man.

He literally stood head and shoulders above them.  His head was shaven and his penetrating eyes were black-as-death.  If that wasn’t enough to make the most hard-hearted Sogoian take notice, the way Tasut became a legend would.  When he fought in Cubes, it ended in fifteen minutes instead of an hour or more – the last man standing; a man full of hate, of vengeance, and of single-minded purpose that the rulers of Sogo, known as the ‘Nine’, did not understand. 

His purpose in life was to see Sogo fall.

His one ally in the forsaken Barracks was the Commander on the second floor, Jarow.  Currently, Jarow was re-checking his gear.  His level of frustration was building. 

Under normal conditions, if Tasut had something to say, he would say it, usually with one word sentences punctuated by his obsidian eyes.  More than one man had felt the black orbs burning a hole in their stomach.

Jarow ran up the stairs to the third floor and up a shorter set of stairs to Tasut’s room, a forbidden place known among the men Tasut trained as the ‘cave’.

As usual, Tasut did not say anything when Jarow entered his room, but his midnight-colored eyes touched on Jarow and slid back to whatever he was watching on the streets of Sogo four stories below.

Well?  Jarow had already spoken to Tasut about his plan to have Tasut’s son, Talon, present for Cubes.  He was well aware that the rule that he wanted broken, for Talon’s benefit, had enormous risks, including death.

It was quiet for a long moment and Jarow felt his nerves complain at the delay, but out of long practice, he held his tongue.

When Tasut spoke, his voice bordered on irritation, uncommon in the man known for his coldness.  In spite of everything Monus said I don’t know if the risk is worth it.

General Monus had been the one to suggest Talon get a preview of what he was going to face in seven years and Jarow agreed.  However, all of that was a moot point if Tasut denied it.

If you had been able to see Cubes beforehand, don’t you think you would’ve done things differently?

They both knew the answer was yes.  Tasut would have been able to save his best friend, and his nephew would not have been thrown in the fire at the Temple of Veesh.

Jarow pushed.  He needs to see it for himself so he’s prepared.  I can run with him to the arena tonight.  If not me, let Tad do it.

Tasut was marble-faced. Don’t involve your brother.  Warn Talon – no exceptions.

It was permission.  Jarow saluted and left feeling victorious.

You better be right, or we all die, Tasut whispered after him.

Chapter 1:  Against Rules

And the cursed shall rise... Book of Benamii

On the other side of time, Commander Jarow was apologizing to Mari who had entered the Forest Wife’s realm, white with fury.

I’m sorry, Mari.  I didn’t know where you were and this seemed to be the best place to bring him.

The Forest Wife, also present, did not apologize.  His wounds could have been worse.

She almost sounded as if she wished they were – to teach him a lesson.  It was a tender mercy that Raen found him and we were blessed that Talon was with Jarow.

Why were you at the Temple? Mari asked Jarow.

Jarow’s mouth turned down.  Nez is trying to court Saro, so he thinks he may find her in the gardens.  His plan was to kidnap Raen and get Saro to come to him.  Lyon intervened and Raen sent a guard to come and get me.

Thank you for bringing him here, she said, glaring at her pale unconscious husband.  Her look softened as Jarow moved to leave.  His was a hard job – made harder by the fact that the Minister of Sogo coveted Jarow’s wife; of course, the Minister didn’t know Saro and Raen were the same people.  If things went well, he never would.

Don’t forget this, the Forest Wife said as she handed Jarow the basket of special salve and other herbs the healers used in the Barracks. 

Jarow looked grim as he took the basket.  Tell Lyon that it was a bad idea for him to come to Sogo and even more dangerous to get near the Temple.  The handsome bearded Commander smiled, Tell him thank you for saving my wife from Nez.

Was he seen?

Jarow shook his head, glancing at the Forest Wife.  I better get back. Raen will want to know what happened.

In cold silence, Mari opened the airdoor for Jarow and he hurried through into the Temple where Raen waited to hear word.

The Forest Wife radiated disapproval and Mari couldn’t blame her.  She had missed Lyon’s bleeding-to-death part and was glad of it, but that didn’t change the fact her foolish husband had nearly been killed. 

If he wasn’t already unconscious she’d likely try to arrange it herself!  Of all the misguided...!  She took a deep breath as the Forest Wife calmly took the bloody bandages out of the room and closed the door. 

Mari lightly kissed him on the forehead, knowing from the rhythm of his breathing that he wasn’t unconscious any longer.  Of all the stone-brained things to do!

I had to try, Mari, he whispered.  It was the perfect opportunity – no witnesses, a clear path... his eyes closed.

There is no clear path to Nez.  It doesn’t change what will be, my love, she whispered, stroking his face.  He fell asleep beneath her touch.

She went out to the library where the Forest Wife was perusing a book about anatomy.

Shorten your husband’s leash, Mari.

He was only trying to protect Brenna, she felt defensive.

"That is not his responsibility."

Mari’s tone was challenging.  It is until Talon’s ready to Champion her!

The starry eyes lifted from the page they had been studying, "We discussed this before - at length.  There are no easy roads until the war ends.  Keep that in mind when Lyon wakes up.  You may want to remind yourself as well as him that Nez can’t be killed by just anyone.  Things are still not in place and nothing and no one can kill him until they are."

Mari ground her teeth in frustration. We already know all of that, but Lyon couldn’t resist trying to end it all so Brenna won’t have to go through so much.

No one can stop it from happening.  The Chest of Souls must be powered.

Stung, Mari leaped to her husband’s defense, You don’t know what it feels like to know what she has to face and not be able to do anything about it!

You may want to ask Tasut about that.

The reminder of the price paid the last time the Chest of Souls was powered doused Mari’s fire of frustration, but not her fear.  I can’t stop Lyon from being a father! I wouldn’t even if I could. 

Then I have a suggestion:  tell Lyon if he gets close to Sogo, you’ll be able to feel it because I’ve used my power to embed a tag on him that will pull you to wherever he is.

A what? Mari had never heard of such a thing.

The alien-looking eyes studied her for a moment. You’re right, it doesn’t exist - just make sure he believes it.

Brenna burst into the library. Wyn said papah was hurt!

Mari emotionally transformed as she gave her answer, He broke the rules about staying out of Sogo.  He was hit by a reverse-target spell.

The Forest Wife explained, What Lyon had tried to do to Nez, rebounded on him and his reflexes had saved him, but only just.  The dagger he threw at Nez split open his scalp.  He’s fortunate to keep his ear. 

Mari added, Raen saw what happened and kept him alive until Jarow was able to get him here. 

Is he going to be alright?

When he learns to obey, the Forest Wife said pointedly.  Brenna was not always obedient.

Brenna faced her mother. Chun said Cubes is tomorrow on Talon’s side of time and I want to go.

Don’t be ridiculous! Mari’s facade slipped.  Nez could feel your power the moment you’re in the city!

Brenna wasn’t swayed.  "What about using decoys?  The kind you use when you go to Sogo?"

Mari looked at the Forest Wife.  Brenna hadn’t come by this knowledge alone.  She had never taught her daughter the magic involved for several reasons. 

The ability to set a decoy that contained an echo of your power was not simple magic.  The person chosen to wear that mantle had to be carefully selected, headed in the opposite direction from where you were going to be, and stay there.  It was also temporary.

I want to know what Talon will have to do when the time comes, Brenna insisted, folding her arms, a sign of stubborn fear.

Mari silently returned to the bedroom as Brenna huffily sat in the nearby chair, her eyes defiant.

Tryk’s uncomely face poked around the libraries doorframe, munching on an apple.  The scientist was one of Brenna’s favorite people.  "I couldn’t help but overhear.  It just so happens that there is a technicality that will allow your power to remain unfelt - as long as you’re on the field."

The Forest Wife left her anatomy book on the table.  Come to the kitchen, Brenna.  You as well, Tryk.  I want your explanation.

At the table, sitting in his wheeled chair was Bastian, the son of the Forest Wife.  He was adding something to the paper on the table.

It’s the metal in the walls, Tryk explained as he studied a diagram that was spread over the table.  It was a drawing of one of the creatures that Bastian had dissected. 

Metal? Bastian asked, looking up from the drawing.

You’re sure? the Forest Wife demanded.

They did it wrong, Tryk gave her a bleak smile that was both defiant and tinged with satisfaction.  The frugal-minded engineer used lead instead of steel.

Wyn, Brenna’s cousin, was at the sink juggling balls of water, one of her unique talents.  She looked baffled, So?

Lead is dense – the densest common metal except for gold.

Bastian’s eyes widened in understanding, his mind making the connection at once. So the walls absorb the energy?

Tryk nodded approvingly, his good eye swiveled to Brenna.  Even yours, my dear.  Everyone will be able to see you, but be unable to feel your power.

You are your father’s son, the Forest Wife congratulated him, handing him a roll slathered in butter.

So my mother said, Tryk laughed, taking a huge bite out of the roll. 

*

Talon finished the desert training with his men.

He signaled to his men, known as the Elite, to return to the Barracks.  As usual, on their return they would bathe and then soak in the large pools of water.  Afterward, they retired to the map room and discussed battle strategies of the past, decisions made by the men in charge, and what could or should have been done to win. 

...the cavalry should have turned back this way, Mal was pointing to a map of the border between Wesvalen and Teris.  The pike men placed here should have been over here and they could have held their ground indefinitely because it was all uphill and the Valenese didn’t have archers with them.  The Terisian Generals thought the Valenese army wasn’t going to be there for at least another day.  They underestimated them and it cost them everything from here to here ... 

Talon let Mal’s comments become a blur in his mind as he looked at the map.  He trusted Mal’s opinion because Mal’s explanations made sense, and even better, Mal passionately hated it in the Barracks. With Cubes as the only option for escape, Mal wanted to survive.  Talon had a nagging feeling there was more to it than Mal said, but Mal didn’t share his personal motivation.

When are we going to discuss Cubes strategy? Zeal asked.

The question had been cropping up more frequently since Cubes was taking place for the men on the third floor.  In a change of policy, the men on the third floor no longer had a free day. Tasut had them tied to their training.  The only relief from that training was if they were called for their guard rotation at the Villa

Mal looked at him and took a step back, allowing Talon space so he could talk to them. 

Talon shook his head, I haven’t talked to Jarow yet.  Let’s set up for Steps.

General Han once told me you actually win or lose Steps in the first three moves, Dom said.

You lost the moment you accepted his challenge, Zeal pointed out.  Joz snickered and Dom took a swipe at him.

Ten on fat boy, Iskar yelled.  He didn’t see Joz until he was in a headlock.

He. Isn’t. Fat, Joz hissed, pushing away.  Iskar’s eyes blazed and he took a step forward.  He knew he could win Joz.

Inwardly cursing Iskar’s lack of tact, Talon held his hand up, saying, Tasut said he’d give personal lessons to whoever breaks the next game board.

That was enough to sober everyone and the men partnered for the game in the mess hall.  Talon tried his best at the game as he faced each of his men; but his success depended on his ability to focus and even more on the person sitting opposite.  He had never won Mal – yet, though he won more than he lost with everyone else.

You have to give him no choice, Mal coached from the side as Talon made a mistake that cost him four men and made Rube smile.  No choice. How to do it in real life?

Mal was showing Talon what he should have done to not only save his four men, but control the board when Talon’s inner sense told him someone had come into the room.

Tasut said from the doorway, Stables.

Silently, the men left the room as quickly as possible, warily passing by Tasut.  Talon stopped in his tracks as his father’s arm barred the doorway.

Pay attention. Tasut said quietly and dropped his arm so Talon could go to the stables.

The warning made his senses tighten.  He had no idea what his father was warning him about, but knew it would be deadly if he missed whatever it was.  He caught up with the others, who were already in the stables.

Men on the first floor learned basic horse care and the men on the second continued in more detail.  Every one of his men was required to learn everything they could about the horses. 

Working in the stables confirmed for Talon that every horse his father owned, all named Harcour, were Phansils.  They were specifically bred to be strong enough for battle.  The stables were full of Phansils, the strongest and most temperamental of steeds.  They preferred one owner and several of the men had nasty bites.  One man in the first section of their floor had been killed when he was kicked in the head.

Zeal, one of a trio of Terisian friends, was one of the trainers.  Once the men were gathered, he asked Talon, How do we avoid getting kicked? 

Stay away from their hooves, Talon said soberly.

There was some muffled laughter, but Zeal nodded, He’s right.

In surprise, the men looked at him and then back at Talon.  Zeal mounted a large grey gelding, whose ears lay flat and eyes glaring until Zeal was in place. 

Follow me to the outdoor arena.

Their group of ninety-nine men walked out to the dirt-covered arena.  Zeal pulled his warhorse to a stop and faced them.  I’m going to use Ento to demonstrate how Phansils use their hooves in battle.  If you want to be in the cavalry I’m the man you have to please. 

Talon hadn’t known that Zeal had been promoted.  Typical of the quietest of the Terisians, Zeal had never mentioned it.  His position was different from that of the other Elite; now he would be spending his time training the horsemen.  Talon had always known his men would promote at different times; it was an idea built into the Barracks.  Those who worked harder and longer developing skills would be promoted first, but those who already had natural talent would be instantly utilized.  Zeal was one of those men.  He just didn’t know how it was going to affect the other kinds of training Zeal was going to need.

I’m going to put Ento through his paces.  While I do, stay away from the hooves. 

All the men quickly moved to the outside of the fence. 

Zeal then commenced to show them how very deadly the warhorses were.  Talon watched Zeal closely, realizing that he would never master horses the way Zeal did without a lot more time in the saddle and even then, there was something more graceful, inbred in what Zeal did.

Zeal was part of Ento as if their minds were linked.  There were two moves that had everyone in awe.  The first, Zeal used his knees to signal Ento who kicked out with all four hooves at the same time, leaping into the air and letting his enormously strong legs kick the heads off four dummies at the same time.

Talon wanted to clap, but like the others, he didn’t dare upset the horse.  The second move was similar to what Talon and others had witnessed on the streets of Sogo the day they were sold.  Ento made a sharp turn and began lashing out randomly with his back hooves, spinning in a circle and then reversing the direction. 

Because he’d seen it firsthand, he didn’t have to watch the horse.  The most amazing thing was watching Zeal, because he looked happy – at least while aboard the horse.  Talon had been too busy trying to survive on the streets of Sogo the day they were sold to really appreciate Jarow’s well-trained cavalry.  He found himself envious of Zeal’s happiness.

A sensation like a fly buzzing around inside his head warned Talon that something was wrong; it felt similar to the discomfort of knowing someone was watching him, but they remained hidden. 

While Zeal continued his demonstration, Talon began to search for the source of the feeling.  The buzzing in his head seemed to indicate the threat was to the right.  His eyes scanned the crowd and rested on a dingy man he knew didn’t belong among the others.  Talon crouched down and backed out of the crowd, circled, and came up from behind.  The man had a quill in his right hand and was tensed, ready to throw it at Zeal.  Talon bent and whispered, Throw and you die.

The man stiffened, turned and pulled a dagger from the back of his neck, intending to plunge it into Talon. Assassin!  Talon recognized the move from the training Lyon had given him before he had come to the Barracks.

Talon stepped sideways, grabbed the man’s arm and using the momentum the man already had, directed the dagger into the man’s throat.  The men surrounding them moved back.  From the corner of his eye, he caught another movement and turned, using the man’s body as a shield as another dagger was thrown; the dagger buried itself in the dead man’s chest.

Zeal kicked Ento and the horse flew over the fence.  Using the horse as a weapon, Zeal guided it to knock the second man to the ground.  The man flew several feet and met with a stone fence where he crumpled and didn’t move. 

Bring their bodies, Jarow barked - his face smooth, but his eyes furious.

Talon, who had never dropped the body, immediately followed the Commander.  Zeal dismounted, gave the reins to Dom, who was scowling, and Joz picked up the other unconscious man’s feet as Zeal took the weight of the upper body.

Go with Dom, Zeal spoke to Ento.  I’ll be back.

Talon hoped it was true.  The buzzing in his head hadn’t stopped.

Dump the dead body in the streets outside the animal pens, bring the dagger and quill to me, Jarow instructed Talon once they were out of earshot.  Then he turned to Joz and Zeal, You two take that assassin to the foyer.  All of you will wait there for me.  Make certain the man remains unconscious.

Carrying the body past the dog pens and out past the animal pens, Talon dropped the body onto the edge of the red cobblestones, his eyes scanning the Sogoian crowd as he pulled the dagger from the assassin’s chest and removed the quill which was embedded into the man’s hand.  Briefly, he looked at the man’s face.  Free of what gave life, the man’s features were waxy-looking. Talon tried to find any emotion within himself over the man’s death.  He was still searching when he returned to the foyer.  Joz and Zeal were talking.

All I saw was him, Joz nodded to the man face down on the ground.

Zeal was standing with his foot on the unconscious man’s shoulder.  If the man did wake, he wouldn’t be able to move.  Zeal asked Talon, Who was the target?

You.

Wrong, Commander Jarow came through the doors and stood between the caged statues and stood by Commander Meade’s side.

Then who?" Talon asked.

Zeal, return to the stables.  Joz, take Dom to the healers and remind them to use oregano oil on his bite instead of the cyenne pepper.

Zeal and Joz looked at Talon, who nodded, and they left.

After training on the Field of Blood, come to the war room, Jarow bleakly ordered.

*

So tired he could hardly move, Talon was surprised his mind was still unable to control its curiosity.  The target that morning, in Talon’s mind, was self-evident.  Commander Jarow’s objection was disturbing.

He heard voices in the war room and paused.

Commander Meade’s voice carried, ...ten times better than most of the others and it’s a waste of his time as well as mine to keep him on the first floor!

Cubes are coming soon enough, Commander Meade’s voice said with distaste.

"I can’t give him what he needs, Jarow.  I don’t want him – especially him – killed because of me."

Talon wondered which of the men they were talking about.  He figured it had to be one of the Elite; two came to mind – Mal and Japh.  Zeal had already been bumped upstairs because of his skill with horses, so it wouldn’t be him.  He knocked on the closed door.

Enter.

Talon opened the door, saluted, and waited.

Jarow studied him, In the stables arena, what made you move from where you were?

I felt something was wrong.

Did you see the assassin before that?

Talon shook his head.

What did you say to him? this time Commander Meade asked the question.

I told him if he threw, he’d die.

Why didn’t you just kill him? Jarow asked pointedly.

Talon had a flashback of another time when he’d been asked this question.  Lyon had asked him why he hadn’t killed the men that had attacked Brenna.  Now, his answer would have been self-evident by the number of bodies.  In the Barracks, they had been taught something different.  The lesson on assassins said they’re more valuable alive.

Why did you think the target was Zeal? Jarow’s eyes became piercing.

Finally!  He was looking Zeal’s direction and just as I got behind him, he tensed for the throw.

Jarow rested his chin on his hands and Commander Meade respectfully stood behind his superior’s chair.

I want you to think back to why you moved in the first place.

Talon wasn’t sure where this was going; I felt... he was at a loss for words.

Describe the feeling.

Talon thought back, It was the kind you get when you’re being...watched.  It clicked together in his mind and he was amazed that he hadn’t seen it.  The man had been watching him, not Zeal.

Jarow grimly confirmed Talon’s assessment, "He tensed because he sensed you behind him.  His throwing path was Zeal’s direction because you had been there.  You were the target."

Couldn’t the second assassin have been trying to save his friend?

Assassins don’t have friends, Commander Meade snorted.

Talon silently disagreed with that.  Of course, Lyon had quit when he got married and became a silversmith.  At least, it looked that way.  Doubt now colored Talon’s memories.

The assassin’s body was not claimed by the Guild.  It’s doubtful the other will live.

Talon knew this meant the assassins were rogues - untraceable. Who could get men into the Barracks? 

Jarow answered without Talon asking, The assassins were hired and then helped by men on the upper floors.

Tasut immediately came to mind and then Talon discarded it.  If Tasut wanted you dead, he would shove a sword through you, not sneak around.

While very unusual for someone on the first floor to get that kind of message, it’s perfectly clear:  you’re a threat, Jarow said into the quiet.

What am I supposed to do about it?  Talon felt his anger and frustration growing.

Alert your men.  They’ll become targets as well.  Listen to your senses, Jarow said as he stood.  And remember, more often than not, assassins are only given a target.  Little if any information will come from men who have enough talent to penetrate the Barracks.  Use any weapon you have.  Now, go get some sleep, you’re going to need it.

This last part made Talon think of Nok and he wondered if Jarow knew about his pet Shee.  If he does, he must approve or Nok would be dead.

Chapter 2:  Lamest Idea

The Forest Wife left Brenna and Wyn alone at her cottage with instructions to continue cleaning.  She didn’t say where she was going, but she was taking Bastian with her.

The moment her trainer left, Brenna used her power to remove the dust from all the books on the shelves, weed three of the many gardens surrounding the Forest Wife’s cottage, and looked for Wyn, who had been in the kitchen scrubbing the floor.  She looked up at Brenna with surprise at the clean floor.  Her smile was grateful, but she looked slightly worried.

Without a word, Brenna gently scooped up Edge, Wyn’s Chent Leaf, from a plate of cookies and put him on Wyn’s head, the place Edge preferred. 

She knew that Wyn wanted to push him off for slobbering on her cookies, but didn’t dare.  Edge had sharply whistled and nicked her finger the last time she had tried.  If he felt threatened, the edges of his leaf body became as sharp and hard as metal.

We’re going to see Talon.

This is the lamest idea you’ve ever had, complained Wyn.  "Do you really think she’s thick enough not to notice we’re missing, again?  I remember what she did to us last time!"

Brenna did as well, but the time had come for her to do something more than levitate, juggle heavy items, and focus on using the different elements.  She had to see Talon.  It had been six long months on this side of time and who knew how long in real time.  She had waited for him in dreams, but he had seldom showed up. 

We’ll be back before she returns, Brenna promised, excitement lighting her eyes that dimmed as she looked at her cousin.  I’ll go alone if I have to. 

Wyn had never told Brenna that she was obligated to follow her out of duty if not love.  It was also more than that.  Brenna’s power of persuasion had not been diluted by living on the other side of time.  If anything, it seemed more powerful, as if there was an echo here that amplified it.

We’ll go to the Temple, wrap in light, and go to the Barracks.

"I take it back.  That is the stupidest idea you’ve ever had."  Yet, she found herself following Brenna into the bedroom and putting on the new clothes Brenna had sewn. Not just sewn, but designed so nothing would get in the way when they needed to fight.  The clothing looked simple - basic black pants and shirt, but somehow Brenna made the material so light it was like wearing air and while loose enough to be comfortable, it fit close to the skin. 

A few days ago, even the Forest Wife was impressed when Brenna had asked her opinion on the design. 

I based it on the maka-makee, Brenna had told them as she spun in a circle to model it, reaching into the pockets and showing how the belt could be used to hold several important items. 

Maka...what?

It’s something they wear in the Ammon Islands, the Forest Wife informed Wyn who had looked at Bastian and noted that he couldn’t even talk he was so impressed.  She had her doubts it has as much to do with the design as who was wearing it.

I think it will help Tassy, Brenna had added, She could carry a lot of food in the pockets.  I don’t think it’d even slow her down.

Well done, the Forest Wife had said, looking at her son, who had grinned and winked at Wyn.  She did not give praise very often and when she did, it was well earned. 

Drawn back to the present, Wyn buckled her belt.  She’s going to do to us what she did to Haddy, Wyn fought the compulsion to obey Brenna.  She had to at least try to convince her beautiful cousin that going to Sogo, wrapped in light or not, was not an intelligent move.

Japh is there, Brenna said slyly.

I only saw him once, Wyn admitted. 

And you haven’t stopped talking about him since.  By the way, don’t bring any cookies, Brenna said as she brushed her hair.

Wyn frowned.  Thoughts about Japh always seemed to cloud her determination to obey as much as Talon clouded Brenna’s.  Was she obsessing over Japh? It wasn’t a welcome thought.

Brenna’s glorious eyes lit up, looking like an angel as she smiled at Wyn.  Her beautiful cousin pinched the air in front of her in imitation of the way the Forest Wife opened doors to other places.  According to Brenna, it hadn’t been hard to figure out how she did it, you just envisioned where you wanted to be and opened the door.

With a long-suffering sigh, absolutely sure she was going to be sorry for it, Wyn followed Brenna through the airdoor to the Temple of the Unknown God in Sogo. 

To their surprise, it was early evening instead of morning.  They immediately wrapped in light. Quickly and quietly they made their way out of the Temple, only to find the way blocked by guards.

Do you smell that? asked one of the guards of his companion.

The girls froze and looked at one another.

Yea, grinned the second.

What is it?

I don’t know, but I want some of whatever it is.

Brenna inched her way past them, ducking under one guards arm as he reached out to playfully punch the other on the arm. 

Maybe that beautiful handmaiden will bring us out a plateful.

They’re all beautiful. 

Wyn tried to angle her way behind one of them, only to be frustrated as they moved back and forth.

I mean the one with skin like dark honey.

The man shrugged, Commander Jarow said hands off all the handmaidens.

What Jarow doesn’t know... the man trailed off.

What was her name?

"Kitty