Altered Intentions Read online

  He understood Reyga's reasoning for wanting him to escape, but he didn't know how he was going to be able to help stuck out here. It's not like there's an army out here waiting for me. Even if there were, they wouldn't be much help against the power of the Altered.

  A grating screech jerked his attention outward as he crested a small rise. A hundred yards away, in front of another rift, two creatures unlike anything he'd ever seen slashed and snapped at each other. One appeared to be a cross between an eight-foot cockroach and an octopus, tentacles slashing out from underneath the sand-colored carapace. The other looked like a lab monkey for a mad scientist intent on creating ten-foot tall nightmares made of teeth and claws. Wow, octoroach verses monkeysaurus rex.

  “Jason Bennett.”

  He spun around, but realized that, once again, the voice was in his head. Was it Nyala? No, it didn’t sound like Nyala. This voice had a shifting, swirling quality that he had never heard from her.

  Who is this?

  “I can’t say, and I can’t talk long, so listen carefully. The Altered have imprisoned Nyala. They don’t want her interfering in their plans.”

  How?

  “None of us can stand against the combined powers of the others. It’s why we agreed to leave Teleria alone. Now that agreement is over.”

  We? So you're an Altered? Which one?

  "It doesn't matter. What matters is that Teleria is about to change.”

  How?

  “The Altered will divide Teleria up, each Altered ruling over a different part. Some won’t be so bad, but for those living under the others, life is about to become a nightmare.”

  Why are you telling me? What can I do? If Nyala can’t stand against all of you, I sure can’t.

  “You have to free Nyala. You’re the only one that has a chance.”

  Why can’t you?

  “I can’t let the others know that I don’t agree with them. They would do the same thing to me that they did to Nyala. I had to go along with it, at least long enough to tell you.”

  So how am I supposed to free her? I don’t even know where she is.

  An image of a glowing sphere in a small, rocky valley surrounded by jagged mountains flooded his mind.

  “She’s here. You have to find this place and figure out some way to free her. It’s the only chance the people of Teleria have. And before you even try it, you can’t create a portal to her.”

  But—

  “Free Nyala.”

  Without warning, the voice was gone, leaving Jason with more questions than answers. He still didn’t know where Nyala was, not really. He glanced around the horizon. Jagged mountain peaks like broken teeth stared back at him from a half dozen different directions. As he slowly turned, surveying the possibilities, a patch of sand in front of him began to glow. Then the glow shot into Riftlands. Naturally, he thought with a slow shake of his head. Always gotta be the hard way. He stared into the distance. A couple of rifts pulsed and twisted near the path the glow had taken.

  Another screech grabbed his attention. The nightmare monkey had won the battle and was tearing strips of flesh from the other creature. As if feeling his gaze, it stopped eating and turned to look at him, entrails hanging from its mouth. It bared bloody teeth, and then screeched again. Oh my, look at the time, Jason thought, I really must be going. He started walking at a brisk rate deeper into the Riftlands, away from the creature. Don’t let me interrupt your lunch, big guy. Seeing Jason moving away, the victor turned its attention back to its meal. Jason's feeling of relief vanished as he turned back to the Riftlands. This day wasn’t getting any better.

  As he made his way deeper into the Riftlands, he noticed that the areas in front of the rifts were different from the surrounding desert. Each looked as if a little patch of some other world had been dropped in front of the rift where whatever existed at the other end had gained a foothold in Teleria.

  A skittering sound to his right startled him. He scanned the ground until he saw a creature the size of a large rat, glowering at him from under some wiry scrub brush. It hissed at him and then turned and ran. Before it made ten steps, a whip-like tentacle shot out, wrapped around it, and dragged it squealing and clawing at the dirt to a depression in the ground where it vanished under a patch of pulsing sand. One last muffled squeak, and then the only sound was the wind.

  “Jeez!” Jason's head snapped back and forth, looking around for any more of the depressions. He didn’t see any nearby, but some in the distance looked a bit larger than the one that had just had his late companion for lunch. Oh yeah, this was a genius idea, he chided himself, still scanning the nearby ground for any other potential threats.

  “Jason, where have you gone?”

  Crin. In his haste to leave, he had left his friend behind. Crin, I had to get out of Lore’s Haven. Regor was looking for me. I’ve gone to the Riftlands. I’m hoping the Altered won’t be able to find me here.

  “I am coming. Be careful. Many dangerous things live in the Riftlands.”

  Yeah, tell me about it.

  As he walked, he held his hand out and tried to create a dimsai orb. Sometimes he succeeded. Other times he didn't. He noticed that it didn’t seem to matter whether they were anywhere near a rift for the power to work or not. There didn’t seem to be any set pattern that he could see. I just hope I have it when I need it.

  *****

  Reyga watched as Tal Vardyn, the High One of the Circle of Nine, struggled for breath, caught in the grip of Regor's power. The Shadow Lord had demanded a meeting of the Circle and was trying to force the Loremasters to reveal Jason’s whereabouts. Delani Morn, the Amethyst Loremaster, Kalen Dristal, the Topaz Loremaster, and Borin Kaltos, the new Obsidian Loremaster, lay unconscious on the floor of the Circle chamber, having already been questioned by Regor. The remaining members of the Circle watched impotently as Tal fought for air.

  "You will tell me where Jason Bennett is, or I will watch you beg for a death that will not come,” the shadow hissed at Tal.

  “I tell you the truth,” Tal managed to gasp. “We do not know where Jason has gone.”

  Regor threw the High One across the room. Reyga heard his head slap against the wall, and then he was as motionless as the others.

  “I grow weary of this,” Regor said. A portal opened up beside him and a steely-faced man in a charcoal colored robe stepped into the room. After raking them with a sneering glance, the man knelt in front of Regor, and then moved to stand behind and to the side of the shadow. “There are going to be some changes made. This is Erid Tannan. He will be my Chancellor to the Circle. For now, I will allow you the pretense of leadership, but Erid will be in charge. He will ensure that you demonstrate to the people your loyalty to me in every way I demand.”

  A smile that clearly had nothing at all to do with good will slid across the man's face.

  “And if we refuse?” Brin Jalasar, the Ruby Loremaster, glared at Regor. A vein throbbed at his temple and a thin scar ran along his jaw line, the only visible reminder of his battle at the Scorched Plains.

  Erid's smile widened into a bloodthirsty leer. He looked as if he would like nothing more than to rip Brin’s throat out, but he remained where he was.

  “I assure you, that would be unwise,” Regor answered, “unless you are fond of pain.”

  “Pain is meaningless,” Brin returned. “I do not fear you. You threatened my sons. I will oppose you in any way that I can.” He did not appear to notice as Seryn laid a gentle hand on his arm. Although her touch was light, her eyes echoed the defiance in Brin's voice.

  “Bear in mind, stone master, that your sons are still not beyond my reach. However, if you need further convincing…” Regor motioned, and the High One’s limp body floated up from the floor, moving until it hung suspended in front of the dark form. Another gesture and the bodies of the other three Loremasters joined the High One. “I will keep these for now. If you wish to see them again, you would do well to eliminate even the slightest thought of defying
me. But, lest your Circle be incomplete…” Three more saiken, two men and a woman, emerged from the portal. Reyga noticed that they all wore the same dark robes. The pattern in the fabric appeared to shift and swirl as they moved. “These will fill the empty seats.”

  Then a silent explosion of darkness flashed through the room, and Regor and the four unconscious Loremasters were gone, leaving the remaining members of the Circle with their new companions.

  One of the dark-robed men stepped forward, his oily smile not quite reaching all the way up to his eyes. He regarded the Loremasters with the same unblinking scrutiny as a snake observing a potential meal.

  “Greetings,” he said, in a voice that seemed to crawl up the back of Reyga's neck, “my name is Hern Baerys, and I will be holding the seat for the Topaz Loremaster until his return. Let me say how much I will truly enjoy working with you all.”

  Brin scowled. “Let me tell you what I would enjoy.”

  “Loremaster Brin,” Reyga stepped between Brin and Hern, “may I speak with you?” He glanced at the dark-robed figures. “Perhaps in my quarters?” There was no need to provoke a confrontation, especially not until they could evaluate the situation. Regor had given his power to Bodann before, without the knowledge of the other Altered. Now that they had all returned, there was little doubt that his followers would be sharing in his might. The Circle, or what was left of it, would need to be cautious.

  As Brin's glare snapped to his face, Reyga tried to put as much meaning as he could into his expression. After a moment, the Ruby Loremaster appeared to understand. He looked once more at Regor's saiken, and then turned to Reyga.

  “Of course, Loremaster Reyga. I have some matters I would like to discuss with you as well.” He looked at Erid. “If you will excuse us?”

  Erid inclined his head. “Of course, Ruby Loremaster.” As Reyga and the other Loremasters moved toward the door, he added, “I will summon you for the next meeting of the Circle.”

  After an instant's hesitation, Reyga answered, “We will await your summons.” Then he and the other Loremasters walked out into the hallway.

  “Reyga,” Seryn said.

  “Not here,” he stopped her. “Come to my quarters, all of you.”

  ~~~

  Reyga closed the door as the last Loremaster entered his quarters.

  “So, what do you propose we do?” Jarril Breth, the Amber Loremaster, asked when Reyga turned to them. His Ferrin ears swiveled forward, and the feline slits of his pupils widened, giving Reyga his full attention.

  “Nothing,” Reyga answered.

  “Nothing?” Brin sounded incredulous.

  “Nothing,” Reyga said, “At least for now.” He scanned their faces. “We dare not take any action until we know what has been done with the High One and the others.”

  “And how do you propose we determine that?” T'Kel Sho, the Sapphire Loremaster, asked. While her people, the amphibious F'aar, were known for their composure, a constant twitching of the gills on the side of her neck betrayed her agitation.

  “By keeping our eyes and ears open, while making Regor and his saiken believe that we will not resist their rule.”

  “They will be suspicious if we meekly accept the situation,” Seryn said.

  “Then we will not meekly accept the situation,” Reyga answered.

  “This is not the time for riddles, Reyga,” Brin growled. “Speak plainly so that we may understand the wisdom of this course.”

  “They will expect us to resist,” Reyga said, “and so we shall, but only to a point. We must appear to be reluctantly accepting the situation, but not so easily that they suspect that we are merely biding our time.”

  “Biding our time,” Seryn said. “Until what?”

  Reyga sighed. “Until we know what to do.” It was the only answer he had to give at the moment. Regor and his saiken would expect resistance, so the Loremasters would provide it, but not too much. They would have to tread a fine line. If their defiance went too far, someone would pay the price for it, of that he was certain. I just hope Jason returns before we get to that point.

  *****

  Jason took another bite of bread as he walked, dividing his attention between scanning the distance ahead, and keeping an eye on the surrounding ground. He'd been walking for over an hour with no idea where he was headed. The occasional chittering, hisses, and quickly cut off squeals coming from the surrounding landscape had his nerves screaming like the last stratospheric note from a guitar solo. The terrain itself couldn't decide whether it wanted to be sandy or rocky, switching from firm to shifting and back again without warning. He almost choked as a panic-filled shout from behind the next rise made him try to inhale the chunk of half-chewed bread.

  The remainder of his meal fell from his hand as he sprinted to the crest of the hill. What he saw drove all other thoughts from his mind. Below him was a depression like the one that had claimed the rat thing, but hundreds of times larger. Several tentacles as thick as his waist emerged from the center of the bowl harassing a man who slashed at them with his sword as he tried to evade their grasp.

  The tentacles surrounded him, preventing his escape. Although there were several wounds on the waving appendages, Jason could see that it was only a matter of moments before the man lost this battle. Hardly realizing what he was doing, Jason ran down the hill toward the pit.

  The man had managed to open a small space around him as his sword drove back the beast. As he took a step back to attempt another escape, his heel caught a rock and he fell backwards. Please work for me now, Jason thought as he thrust his hand forward to throw a bolt of power at the waving tentacles. The feeling of relief he felt as he saw the blast leave his hand almost made him dizzy.

  A guttural roar shook the air and the sand at the bottom of the pit erupted in a storm of rage as Jason's power struck. As the cloud of sand settled, it revealed another of the roach-like creatures, this one twice as large as the previous one. The beast raised itself out of the sand, and Jason saw a row of eyes set on short stalks rolling wildly as they searched for the source of the attack. Two sets of vicious fangs snapped constantly and the tentacles hammered and tore at the ground, its would-be meal temporarily forgotten.

  As the man struggled to his feet and started to stumble away, his movement attracted the monster's attention again. A tentacle flashed out, wrapping around his legs and jerking him high into the air. Jason threw another blast as the man slashed at the tentacle holding him. Dimsai scorched the beast's flesh again, causing it to drop its prey. The acrid smell of charred meat filled the air accompanied by another bellow of fury from the creature. The man cried out as he fell onto a jagged boulder and rolled to the ground, leaving a splash of red on the serrated edges of the rock. He tried to stand, but fell back.

  Jason reached him and slipped his arm under his back to drag him away from the pit. The sand underneath was already sticky and clumped with red. As the tentacles waved overhead, he threw another blast. At least he intended to. No power answered his call.

  “Are you serious? Right now?” He couldn't believe the bad timing. He dropped to the ground as a tentacle swept overhead, losing his grip on the injured man, who groaned as he struck the ground again. Jason rolled to the side and tried another attack. This time he was gratified to see his power strike the creature directly in the eyes, leaving behind a mass of shriveled, smoking flesh.

  The shuddering cacophony that answered his blast made the ground tremble. The creature wrapped its tentacles around its injury and vanished into the earth. The bottom of the pit became a sea of boiling, whipping sand as the beast thrashed underneath the surface, its grotesque wail filling the air. Jason didn't know if the battle was over, but he didn't want to stick around and find out. Plus, there was no telling what might come to see what was causing the commotion. He got to his feet and moved over to the injured man.

  “Come on,” he said. “We've got to get you out of here.” The man's eyelids sagged, but he tried to focus on Jason. />
  “You...you are saiken.” It wasn't a question.

  “I guess so,” Jason answered as he got his arm around the man's back and helped him stand up. “I'm a Far Planer.”

  “Far Planer? Yet you use dimsai,” the man said. “Are you Jason Bennett?”

  Wow, word really gets around here. “Yeah, that's me, but we can talk about it later. We need to move.”

  He thought about going back to Lore's Haven, but he didn't know if Regor was still there or not. The immediate need was to get away from this pit in case the monster's hunger overcame its pain. His original starting point just outside the Riftlands appeared to be the best option for now. They could figure out where to go from there once they were safe. He focused the picture in his mind and stretched out his hand to open a portal.

  Nothing happened.

  Oh, come on! He shook his head and urged the man to walk a few steps, then stretched out his hand again. Still nothing.

  “What are you doing?” the man whispered. He was beginning to sag in Jason's grasp as the loss of blood weakened him.

  Jason moved them a few more steps. If nothing else, they were putting distance between them and the pit. “I'm trying to open a portal to get us away from here.”

  “You cannot.”

  “I know,” Jason answered. “That's why I keep moving. I'm trying to find a spot where the dimsai will work.”

  “It will not work,” the man wheezed. “Leave me be. I must go to…to my village.” His labored breathing was becoming shallower by the moment.