Altered Intentions Read online

  Plots and Plans

  Lenai shoved the last of the provisions into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. As soon as the others were done packing, they could get started. She had chosen her companions carefully, only asking warriors whose skills would be most useful and who were among the stealthiest, and deadliest, of her people. None had refused, knowing that if one of their number were held by the Grithor, there may yet be more.

  In spite of his injuries, Dokru insisted on accompanying them. “He saved me. What else would you have me do to repay such a deed?” he asked her when she suggested he stay behind.

  She could not argue with him, even though privately she worried that he would hinder them, or perhaps even get them captured. But she knew, as did all of her people, save for the contemptible rishna kel, the value of honor. She would not deny any Shanthi the opportunity to repay a debt, especially a life debt such as what he owed her brother.

  “Lenai,” Sura said, “we are ready.” Sura was the best tracker of their telosh. Even when they were young, he had always been able to track them when they played the hiding game. Behind him, Vashni nodded, shifting her shortbow on her shoulder. In the yearly games between the clans, Vashni had been victorious in the bow competition three years running.

  She jumped when Naruk whispered in her ear. “For what do we wait?”

  She heard him chuckle at her reaction. He was along for his stealth and scouting abilities, for which she sometimes felt like punching him. He never tired of sneaking up behind other Shanthi and startling them. Whenever she was here, she was one of his favorite targets. But even as infuriating as he could be, he was too good natured and charming for anyone to stay angry with him for very long. She grinned as a well-placed elbow and an answering grunt reported that her opinion on his current prank had been delivered successfully.

  “Save it for the Grithor,” she said. “We must—” She stopped talking and her eyes went wide. “Jason!” His presence was gone from her. She searched for any feeling, any emotion, that would prove the connection, but there was nothing.

  “Lenai, what is it?” Naruk asked.

  “Jason,” she gasped. “He is gone!”

  "What do you mean?” Vashni asked.

  “I no longer feel him. He is gone from me.”

  “Aye? Good riddance,” Sura said. “The only good human—” He stopped as Lenai’s dagger flashed out to hover a hair’s width from his throat.

  “Do not!” she warned. “He saved my life and more, and we are Bonded. Speak ill of him at your peril.”

  He raised his chin. “A Shanthi should not be Bonded to a human.” Then he softened. “But I will honor him for the sake of what he did for you. My apologies, Lenai. It is strange to think of a human doing such for one of us.”

  She nodded and replaced her dagger in its sheath. “I have learned that Jason Bennett is no ordinary human. It would serve you well to remember that.”

  Vashni stepped forward. “Lenai, if he is gone, is the Bond broken? Are you...?”

  The rest of her words remained unspoken, although Lenai knew they were all now thinking the same thing. If her ch’nai was dead, would she survive? Puzzled, she searched her feelings. She could not sense him at all. Everything she had ever been told of Chai na said she would feel a rending in her soul. There was no feeling of desolation, but no sense of her ch’nai either.

  She shook her head slowly. “No. I do not feel him, but I believe that he lives.” She looked at them. “How is this possible? How can he live and yet not be with me?” The looks on their faces told her they had no answers.

  “Perhaps because he is a human?” Naruk's levity was gone, replaced by a look of concern. “Mayhap Chai na does not hold between human and Shanthi.”

  “No, the Bond holds,” she said. Of that, she was certain. She dropped her bag to the ground. “I must return to Lore's Haven. Loremaster Reyga wi—”

  “Lenai!” a voice called.

  She turned to see one of the watchers approaching accompanied by Carys, Loremaster Reyga's apprentice.

  “She says she is sent by your ch’tasa with a message,” the watcher said. Then he turned and walked away. Carys gave her a formal bow.

  “Apprentice Carys,” she said, “I could have saved you the journey. I was just about to return to Lore's Haven.”

  “That is why Loremaster Reyga sent me. You must not. The Altered have returned. Regor holds Lore's Haven now.”

  An icy fist gripped her heart. “What of Jason Bennett?”

  “He has left Lore's Haven at Loremaster Reyga's bidding. Regor demanded that Jason Bennett be brought to him. Loremaster Reyga made Jason leave before he could be found.”

  The constriction in her chest eased slightly. “Where is Jason now?”

  “No one knows. Loremaster Reyga would not allow Jason to tell him where he would go so that the information could not be forced from him later. Regor tortured and took Loremasters Delani, Borin, and Kalen, along with the High One.”

  “What do you mean, took?”

  "He holds them to ensure the Circle's cooperation. Regor's saiken occupy their positions now.”

  “Where are they being held?”

  Carys shook her head. “Again, no one knows.”

  Lenai turned away, her eyes searching the ground for answers to questions that she barely understood. Regor in control of Lore's Haven? The Altered controlling Teleria? What of Nyala, Jason's advocate? Was she part of this? And where was Jason? The empty place his absence created now felt like a bottomless pit. Not the tearing pain of loss, just a strange hollow place inside. How was she to find him if she could not feel him? How was she to even know if he was whole or hurt? She looked at the other members of her party in helpless frustration.

  “What am I to do?” she asked. “My ch’tasa is under the sway of an Altered, and I do not know the whereabouts of my ch’nai or even if he is well or ill.”

  No one answered at first, and then Dokru stepped forward. “Lenai, if I may?” When she remained silent, he went on. “I regret what has happened with your ch’tasa, and I hope your ch’nai is well, but it would appear that you cannot do anything at the moment to resolve either situation. Perhaps, then, you should turn your attention to something that you can change, that being the imprisonment of your brother.”

  “Am I to forget what is taking place with Loremaster Reyga and Jason? Is that what you are saying?”

  “Oh, no,” he said. “Even if such a thing were possible, I would never suggest it. I merely point out that, with nothing else to occupy you, your days will be spent with endless anxiety about things you cannot change. If you continue your quest to save your brother, at least then you will be accomplishing something, and from time to time may gain a brief respite from your worry.”

  She looked to the others for their input.

  Sura spoke first. “While I still do not believe a Shanthi should be Bonded to a human, I do not wish ill to befall your ch’nai. But Dokru is right. There is nothing you can do to aid Jason Bennett or your ch’tasa for now. However, you can do something for Kelsu. The decision is yours, but I believe we should continue with our mission.” Naruk and Vashni nodded as he finished speaking.

  “I will accompany you,” Carys said from behind Lenai.

  She turned to the apprentice. “Baruun has commanded that our mission be a Shanthi matter. We require stealth and quickness, not power and blades. Meaning no offense, but your skills would serve no purpose on such a quest.”

  “I understand, but Loremaster Reyga has ordered me to stay by your side. Inasmuch as is possible, I intend to do just that until such time as he bids me otherwise.”

  Lenai shook her head. “I will not allow you to endanger our chances of rescuing Kelsu. Although he is my ch’tasa, neither Loremaster Reyga's nor the Circle's orders are binding upon the Shanthi.”

  “That is true, but they are binding upon me.”

  “Then we appear to be at an impasse unless I have you held here until we return.�
�

  Carys raised her chin. “I believe you know that any such attempt would be unsuccessful.”

  The other Shanthi moved to stand beside Lenai, although no one spoke. After a few tense moments, Carys shook her head.

  “Where do you go, Lenai? I must know at least that much if I am to face Loremaster Reyga in failure.”

  Lenai sighed. There was more than just her own honor involved here. She knew Carys to be a very capable apprentice to her ch’tasa, and would one day make a very good Emerald Loremaster. She had to give her at least this much information.

  “We go to the Scorched Plains, and from there to the domain of the Grithor. This man, Dokru, has informed us that my brother was taken by the Grithor after the battle.”

  Carys stared at the ground for a moment, then looked up at her. “Lenai, I know that Loremaster Reyga would not wish us to be at odds. I know that he cares deeply for you, and I believe you know that his orders to me were intended for your protection.”

  Lenai nodded without saying anything.

  “Therefore,” Carys continued, “let me propose this compromise. I will create a portal to the edge of the Scorched Plains where our forces first gathered. Then I will make camp inside the forest and wait for your return.”

  Lenai started to shake her head, but Carys went on before she could say anything. “If you are successful and retrieve your brother, it may be that he or even one of you could be injured. I would be able to bring you back here quickly. Also, should something go wrong on your mission, you may need my power. This way, you will know where I am should you find that to be the case.”

  Lenai opened her mouth to respond, and then hesitated. What Carys suggested made sense. If Kelsu was still alive, it was doubtful the Grithor had been gentle with him. And although they planned a covert mission, having Carys ready to aid them might be prudent.

  Finally, she nodded. “Very well. There is wisdom in your words. If nothing else, it will shorten our travel time so that we will be fully rested when we enter the Grithor domain.”

  She looked at the others. “Are you ready?” When they nodded, she turned back to Carys. “Unless there are preparations you wish to make, we are ready to go.”

  Carys nodded and began opening a portal.

  *****

  “There must be something we can do other than sit here!” Gatlor fumed.

  Reyga understood the warrior's frustration. “I am afraid, Captain, that, for the moment at least, just ‘sitting here' is our best course of action,” he replied.

  They were standing in the empty training yard. Seerka and Calador, two of Gatlor's most trusted warriors, were with them. The only sound came from a couple of smiths working at one end of the yard.

  “Until we know the whereabouts and condition of the other members of the Circle,” Reyga added, “we dare not take any action that may endanger them further.”

  “Aye, perhaps,” Gatlor said, “but I have never been good at waiting.”

  “You should be more like we Ferrin,” Seerka said, his amber eyes bright with amusement. “Patience is one of our strongest virtues. Besides, pointed ears might look good on you, and I am constantly surprised you do not already have fangs.”

  Gatlor favored the Ferrin with a scowl. “What you call patience, some would call indolence.”

  “Why quibble over terms?” Seerka returned with a wink. Reyga suppressed a smile as he watched the interaction. Even in such a time as this, the cat-man's irreverent demeanor was irrepressible.

  “Is there anything that we can do?” Calador asked. The giant Dokal warrior's stony features reflected his concern as he looked down at them. Gatlor and Seerka turned to Reyga, leaving their banter for another time.

  “Actually, that is why I asked you all to meet me here,” Reyga said. “While we cannot do anything overt, we can take other action so long as we are discreet.”

  “What would you have us do?” Gatlor asked.

  “What you and I can do, Captain Gatlor, is very limited. We are conspicuous figures in Lore's Haven.” He looked at Seerka and Calador. “The Ferrin and Dokal have ever been steadfast allies of the Circle. We may need that support again in the not so distant future. We must begin marshaling forces in the event that this becomes yet another armed battle. Also, if you would, quietly spread the word to the other races that are friendly to Lore's Haven.”

  “Where would you have our people gather?” Calador asked.

  “For the moment, just begin preparing,” Reyga said. “Once we find the other members of the Circle and determine a course of action, we will try to send word. I do not know how or when that will be, but we may need your aid at a moment's notice, so be ready.”

  He turned to Gatlor. “Captain, we need to have the people of Lore's Haven quietly begin leaving. The less people we have in the keep, the less people Regor can harm. Once they reach their destination, they too should discreetly begin preparing, along with any others they can rally. I abhor the thought of another fight so soon after the last, but we may have no choice.

  “The departure must be gradual, so as not to attract Regor's attention too soon. Have the Warders and Circle Guard remain. The stronger saiken will need to stay as well. The other Loremasters and I will speak with them.”

  “Loremaster Reyga,” Gatlor said, “how do we know we are not sending the people of Lore's Haven into even greater peril? We do not know which Altered may hold sway over their destinations.”

  “This is true, Captain. However, while we have no knowledge of the other Altered, we do have knowledge of Regor. Although I may be wrong, I find it difficult to believe that any of the other Altered would be worse than he.”

  Gatlor nodded. “We will begin at once.” He and the others turned and walked toward the door leading out of the training yard. Before they reached it, a young man walked in, nodding to them as they passed. He stopped and bowed in front of Reyga.

  “Loremaster Reyga, I have been searching the whole of Lore's Haven for you.”

  “Greetings, Brelt. What can I do for you?”

  “I have a message for you.”

  “A message? From whom?”

  Brelt reached into a pocket in his robe and pulled out a small rat. “From Loremaster Delani.”

  ~~~

  “So let me see if I have this aright,” Reyga said, his thoughts racing. He and Brelt, Delani’s apprentice, were sitting in a corner of the training area underneath one of the balconies running around the yard. What Brelt had told him was fantastic, almost beyond belief. “Loremaster Delani is controlling this creature, and you are able to speak with her through it?”

  “That is correct, Loremaster Reyga.”

  “I did not realize such a thing was possible.” Reyga studied the rat. “I am amazed at the power of the Amethyst Order.”

  “We did not know it was possible either, Loremaster,” Brelt said. “I was walking one of the lower corridors when this rat ran out in front of me and stopped, almost as if trying to get my attention. When I reached out to it with my power, I realized it was being controlled by Loremaster Delani. Then when I heard her voice in my head, I thought I must be going mad. It was quite a shock. I—” He stopped suddenly and cocked his head, as if listening. He gave Reyga an odd look, almost fearful, and then nodded slightly and closed his eyes. After a moment, his eyes opened again.

  “Loremaster Reyga,” he said. There was something different about his voice. It had a more authoritative quality, more formal. And the expression on his face. Reyga had seen that expression before. He gasped as the realization hit him.

  “Delani? Can this be? Am I speaking with you now?”

  Brelt inclined his head. “Indeed, Loremaster Reyga. I am speaking to you through Brelt.”

  “This is astounding!” Reyga was at a loss for words. “Are you now able to control people as well?”

  “Only with Brelt’s consent,” Delani said. “It is quite stressful, and Brelt could assume control of his body if he chose to do so. In fact, I am
not certain how long I can maintain this so we must speak quickly and leave the implications for another time.”

  “Of course,” he said. “Do you know where you are?”

  “I have used this rat to explore. It would appear that we are deep underneath Lore’s Haven, although the room we are in does not have any doors or windows. Regor may have created it specifically to hold us.”

  “How can we find you?”

  Brelt's head dropped, his eyes closing briefly. Then he straightened. “I cannot hold my link to Brelt. The strain is too great. If he will maintain his connection to the rat, I will guide it back to our cell. That way, he will be able to aid you in your search for us.”

  Brelt slumped against the wall, and then roused himself. He raised a hand to his head with a groan. “I hope we do not need to do this very often,” he said. Reyga could tell by the change in demeanor that Delani’s control had ended. “It is rather painful.” Then he stood. “I can still speak with Loremaster Delani through the rat for the moment, but the effort of speaking through me has drained her. We must hurry while her strength holds.”

  They left the training yard, moving deeper inside Lore’s Haven. “Loremaster Delani tells me they cannot use dimsai to escape. They are unable to create a portal, and the walls appear to be proof against their power.” His eyes widened slightly. “The High One has been injured. He can function, but cannot use his power.”

  Reyga frowned, remembering the sound of the High One’s head striking the wall. I hope it is not permanent, he thought. Then Brelt stopped.