Coil of Worlds

Although Audren kept talking, Skye tuned him out. Why did the word “reflect” keep circling around the forefront of his thoughts? The lake in the hidden ceremonial chamber came to mind, but why? He brought his hand up, silencing the two teachers in mid-conversation.

He looked down at Eiren. “Why won’t the image of the lake go away?”

Send me the image, perhaps I can make sense of it.

Audren asked, “What—”

Skye cut him off again with a grim look. Turning back toward Eiren, he sent her the image of the water. Sensing her sudden excitement, he asked, “What do you see that I don’t?”

It isn’t the water. You remember the reflection of the insects on the water.

“Reflecting off the water,” Skye murmured, his thoughts racing.

“Do you both have an idea we can explore?” Audren asked. “If you do, tell us. We can discuss how best to use your idea with your magic.”

With Eiren staring up at him in anticipation, Skye nodded and explained, “Your comment earlier about the magic reflecting our natural abilities brought up a memory of how the lake’s surface was a mirror image of the ceiling in the cavern chamber. What if I don’t block the information as much as deflect the details in such a way that allows me to process exactly what I want or need.” Full of energy, Skye paced back and forth until he paused in mid-stride. “On Earth, Lara’s people have amazing mirrors. We have mirrors, but nothing like what Earth has. The mirrors, there, provide an exact replica of the image it reflects.”

Scratching his jaw, Audren stared up at the clouds in thought. “If you can harness the mirrors, it would override the defensive countermeasures we have already discussed. You could use the mirrors to block the information you do not need, reflecting it outward. But this does not help you with the information you do want.” Audren’s gaze dropped down to Skye’s sword. “I’ve seen you while you train with your sword. You are able to calculate directions and angles for the best position and attack.”

Skye tried to understand what the Kurite meant, but he couldn’t visualize it.

Audren is right, Tryvor agreed. If you can turn the mirrors to reflect the incoming information with precision, then you might be better able to process details at a faster rate. Think of it as bouncing sunlight from metal tray to tray.

“You mean that I have specific details bounce off the mirrors that are angled in such a way that I receive that information, and only that information.” It would take practice to best learn how to arrange the mirrors to his benefit.

Eiren shivered with suppressed excitement. My Lord, we might have finally found the answer to controlling your magic.

“We must test the idea first. It might not work,” Skye cautioned. Even so, he couldn’t keep the grin off his face.

Audren said with a clap of his hands, “Eiren and I will go to the other side of the field. Skye, take your time. Even if you have the idea of mirrors in your mind, you must determine how to position them for the best effect. It will take some effort on your part, so do not despair. Remember to use your knowledge of angles.”

Skye rubbed his hands down his pant legs, a bout of nerves making him perspire. His companions were counting on him, on his magic.

Calm yourself, young Skye. We have the afternoon to work on the technique. If you are not calm, your mind will not be able to do what needs done. Take a deep breath. Tryvor waited until Skye inhaled. Now, release it and clear your mind of everything but your task.

With the paka’s help, he fell back on the meditation skills he had learned as a Pyranni trainee. After years of practice, it took only a few breaths. He focused on his breathing, on each inhale and exhale, relaxing each large muscle group until he felt more in sync with his body. Once he was prepared, he brought forth his magic. As if awaiting for his command, the second sight settled around him like a second skin.

Immediately, information slammed into him, and Skye clenched his jaw. Taking another slow breath of air, he began wielding the imaginary mirrors as blades, positioning each one so that the details regarding the stationary objects—the rocks, trees, and ground—reflected away from him. Surprised at how quickly his mind emptied of the trivial information, he almost lost the imagery.

The children were more difficult. Every time the trainees moved, the mirrors had to be tweaked. He felt as if he spent more time adjusting the mirrors than processing the information. Ah, of course. He didn’t need to turn all the information away. Much like his regular sight, Skye could ignore them and look for the people he wanted to find. Without all the details bombarding him at once, he could easily process what remained.

There she was, Eiren. Turning his head so that he could look across the field, he waved at her.

Now, find Audren, Tryvor demanded.

As if his mind waited for the command, he found the Tal’Ai teacher by the fence, opposite Eiren. Skye jerked his head to let Audren know to walk back toward them.

“It took me too long to set the mirrors in place. If I was in a battle, I’d be dead ten times over,” he admitted to Tryvor once they were all in a circle again.

Sure, but like any skill, you must practice until the mental technique becomes second nature.

My Lord, Eiren cut in, I think there are any number of ways to use the technique to your advantage. While waiting for you to find me, I wondered how the mirrors could be twisted. Eiren paused until Skye relayed her thoughts to the others. She searched their features before she continued. Think of the mirrors like gems. Instead of using multiple mirrors to deflect an image, a multi-faceted gem could allow you to refract the information as well as enhance the view.

After repeating what she said for the others, it took a moment for Skye to understand what she meant. He squatted down to give her a hug. “Eiren, as Lara would say, you are a genius.”

Her purr rumbled through their bond. He looked up, saw the Tal’Ai teachers’ confusion, and chuckled.

“In my mind, the mirrors were flat surfaces, similar to how I first saw the lake’s surface. What My Lady hints at is the fact that mirrors are not always flat surfaces.”

I think I understand, Tryvor murmured. A curved mirror warps the image. The same can be said of gemstones.

“Yes,” Skye said with a nod. “It is rare for our mirrors to be entirely flat. The older the mirror, the more the surface changes, which alters the image. The mirrors on Earth grabbed my attention for the very fact they provided an exact replica of the image they reflected. Eiren believes that once I hone the ability to fit my needs, I can bend the image of the mirror or gem.”

Audren added, “Truly, the possibilities are unlimited. As a warrior, I am certain you’ll find ways to use the technique to assist you while fighting. For now, you need to practice.” He tilted his head in the direction of the young Tal’Ais before finding a spot to sit down under a tree. “Before the weapons trainers join us, work on processing the information from the children and kits at a faster rate.”

¤ ¤ ¤

Against the wall of the cabin, Lara made herself as small as possible. Every time the ship creaked beneath her, seasickness sent tendrils of spasms through her stomach. She refused to groan and draw the attention of the two men standing over a map of the coastline.

Her right arm and leg were chained to the wall, making it impossible for her to move. Last night, a Malirran had knocked her out with a dart.

Unconscious from the drug, Lara had lost her watery shield, and the emotions of those on the ship slipped under her skin. She had woken up with a hangover to end all hangovers. Before she opened her eyes, her magic had warned her she was surrounded by men with a proclivity for murder. Cold sludge had already taken residence in her veins, and she felt as if she stood at the edge of a cliff.

It had been hours since she’d woken up. She still couldn’t wrap her shield around her. Between the headache and the seasickness, Lara struggled to concentrate long enough to draw the image necessary to protect herself. Her Tal’Ai magic brought her everyone’s emotions, and without the shield, she internalized them. She was the equivalent of an empath, and her body acted out those emotions that touched her.

Unfortunately, the imagery was only half the problem. With her inner eye, Lara looked around herself. Distaste made her swallow again. The cold sludge in her veins had spilled out around her. The little water she could settle around her had turned into a muddy brown. She shuddered. Somehow, Lara knew she couldn’t let it touch her. There were times in the past when her friends had thought she’d gone insane from the strong emotions around her.

This was something far different from what she’d faced before. This was dangerous, perhaps irrevocably so. What she thought was true evil pervaded the ship’s atmosphere.

Lara shuddered again, watching the two men talk quietly back and forth, speaking in their native language. They thought she couldn’t understand them. If she didn’t fear for her life, Lara might have smirked. Although it had yet to save her from this specific situation, the coil gave her one advantage over everyone else. No matter the language, she understood every word.

The Malirrans had no idea the danger they were in, the evil hovering around them all. Had they willingly chosen to bind themselves to such darkness? Lara couldn’t accurately quantify the amount of horror she felt at the thought.

Flashes of the Malirran assassin who hitched a ride with Skye and her to Earth passed before her eyes. One man had murdered a handful of women before Skye killed him. For an entire army to have the same dark intentions, for men to choose evil over honor, well, the Kurite people were in a fight for their lives and their souls.

Oh God, the nausea. Forget about the headache and seasickness. This was worse, far worse. She didn’t want the Malirrans to shred her into strips of meat. Lara remembered all too well the screams of the one woman they weren’t in time to save. If this was her fate, then someone could put her out of her misery now.

The chain rattled when she moved her hand to cover her stomach. The man who had captured her turned to study her with a malicious grin. He switched to the common, merchant tongue. “The Kurite is awake.”

Despite her decision to act meek, the cloudy water swirling within and around her wouldn’t let her. It tempted her to loosen her moral restraints. The only reason she kept pushing the temptation away was that she knew it was a lie. Enticing her with the peace she would feel by welcoming the evil with open arms revolted her on a level she couldn’t explain, even to herself. It hadn’t taken over her soul; she wouldn’t let it. It did run through her veins to a small extent.

Her next move was dangerous. Oh, so dangerous. But it was the only weapon she had against a ship full of Malirrans. Dipping a figurative toe into the brown sludge was enough to give her the ability to stare at the man with a maliciousness that surprised both Malirrans in jumping backward.

A dark chuckle bubbled up, filling the cabin with the sound.

Wait, she had to pull back. Lara mentally shook off the mud sprinkled over her, giving her the ability to think again.

Her captor stalked closer and leaned over her. His threatening demeanor hit her full force, growing as he inched closer. She bared her teeth when the sharp blade of his dagger drew a thin line across her throat. “You were captured for a reason. If you don’t help us, you are of no use. At that time, I will take you, use you. Then, I will hand you over to my men. Do you understand?”

Yes, his intent was more than clear. Helpless rage and fear threatened to throw off the one advantage Lara had, and she couldn’t let that happen. She grabbed onto the mud a little more, and she felt it cover her hand. She growled long and deep, and she had half a thought that Chion would have been proud at the sound.

It didn’t escape her attention when the Malirran’s eyes widened in shock. Ah, a slither of fear snaked up and down her spine, and it wasn’t hers. Thank God. She might have a chance, but she couldn’t come across as a psychopath. They might just decide to kill her.

Her voice raspy from dehydration, she asked, “What do you want?”

The Malirran tapped the flat side of the dagger against her cheek before straightening to his full height. Satisfied he had her attention, he lifted his eyes and nodded at the captain.

Captain Harto cleared his throat. In the Malirran language, he asked her captor, “Tave, are you sure we need her?” He studied her with wary eyes. “I have a bad feeling about her.”

Lara had a difficult time keeping her face free of any emotion. She could do this. They really didn’t think she understood their language.

Tave snorted. “She is mediocre at best with a weapon. She is dead if she tries anything. If she is an example of the Kurite people, then King Lukar will conquer their kingdom with little problem. Our king commanded us to gather information on the Kurites. What better way than to use a Kurite? Besides, Captain, she is a woman.”

Lara almost laughed aloud. The joke was on them if they expected her to give them intel regarding the Kurites.

She silently cursed. They wanted information, but the Kurites were a secretive bunch. It made sense the Malirrans sought out their weaknesses. They needed to understand the Tal’Ai bond, how it worked, and the dangers of meeting a Tal’Ai pair.

Her mind raced, and adrenaline flooded her bloodstream. The mud backed off a little, giving her more room to breathe. God save her. Essentially, to stay alive long enough to escape—and her chances were growing slimmer by the second, she’d have to lie her ass off. Could she do it? Could she keep them at bay while feeding them false intel?

It felt as if her heart broke in half, a chasm as deep as the Bithon. Going home was but a dream. She knew she’d never see her parents again. She’d never see Earth. Oh God, her parents thought her safe, surrounded by friends. She pictured Chion’s feline face. Her white paka. What had she ever done to deserve such a horrible fate?

Her fingers shook, but her determination strengthened. If she couldn’t save herself, she’d protect the Kurite people with everything in her. A ridiculous idea formed. What if she shuffled information about her home world into the mix? She really didn’t know that much about the Kurite culture or government, but she did know about the United States. Mixing facts about Kureto with facts about Earth would make it nigh impossible for them to tell if she lied. She was telling the truth, just not the truth they wanted.