Part 5 (2/2)

Sajin gave an apologetic smile. ”So I realize Thana is unstable, but I know of no one else who could lead you there. Given the circ.u.mstances she would be foolish not to help.”

”Do you think she will refuse?”

”We won't know until we ask.”

”That is acceptable. Where do we find her?” I was anxious to get on with my mission.

”I will have to bring her to you. She will most likely want to meet in a public place, perhaps in the square.”

”That will be fine. Lead the way.”

The town square was bustling with merchants and peasants. Anything and everything was for sale and barter was alive and well. Sajin was unsure how long he would be but I told him not to worry, I would amuse myself.

The alleyway in which I found myself was filthy, but I paid no attention; I was engrossed in my conjuring. The fragile blue threads glowed around me, filling the air with a web of blue. I waved my hands through them and the strands became brighter. The power created by my thoughts spoke to the threads in a language which communicated need and imagery. From thought came energy, and from energy, substance.

I pictured a balloon in my mind and with a subtle s.h.i.+fting of perception the web responded to the thought. The threads filled the air with their ghost-like essence and at once began to bend and form to the shape of my desire. A solid frame appeared before me, balloon-like, but empty inside. I knew as soon as I added texture to the glowing frame the balloon would become real. I willed the balloon shape toward me. It responded.

My intention was to test the theory behind the threads. First was a test for substance. I made the balloon solid rock and it fell hard into my hands. It had the look of a bright red balloon but was heavy and solid with a rough stone surface. I studied it for a moment before stripping the texture, returning it to a hollow wire frame.

Next I turned it into an actual balloon. It was much lighter and the surface appeared smooth and s.h.i.+ny. I let it go and tried to keep it afloat with my mind. It did not respond. Apparently once the texture was applied it reacted to the laws of physics governing this world. I thought back to the magic carpet. How did it work? Perhaps in order for an object to have magical qualities it needed to be created with special material which would react to thought energy.

I started from scratch and applied a new texture to the balloon frame, a material that was an approximation of what I thought flying carpet threads would look like. It was ugly but would it function? When I let the balloon go it floated awkwardly. When I willed it to move, it did. Quite pleased with myself I moved on to the next test.

I wanted to know about an object's inner s.p.a.ce, whether it was solid or hollow, after the outer material was added. I stripped away the magical texture of the balloon and brought the wire frame back to my hands. How about a balloon apple? How about a balloon apple? I mused. The texture became red and glossy and its weight seemed correct for an apple of its size. I lifted it to my mouth and took a bite. It was sweet and juicy. I mused. The texture became red and glossy and its weight seemed correct for an apple of its size. I lifted it to my mouth and took a bite. It was sweet and juicy.

I examined the reaction of the threads to my physical influence. New threads formed to make up the shape of the bite mark and a new texture appeared, simulating the apple's interior. Carefully I turned the apple around and stripped away the skin opposite the bite mark. I peeked inside. Nothing but darkness. The apple was hollow. Without the threads glowing on the surface the large balloon apple looked looked real but I now knew, that it was not. It seemed this entire world was made up of material being simulated by an unknown source. It gave me chills to think about it. real but I now knew, that it was not. It seemed this entire world was made up of material being simulated by an unknown source. It gave me chills to think about it. Hollow apples. Hollow apples.

I continued fiddling with the threads and time went by. Then something very odd happened. A thread pa.s.sed by very close to my face and suddenly I was aware of something. Something was inside inside the thread! I pulled it closer and examined it. the thread! I pulled it closer and examined it. Amazing! Amazing! Inside its dark center, so tiny and easily missed, something was moving. I squeezed the thread between my fingers and it flattened. I looked closer but still could not make out what it was. I needed to stretch it to increase its surface area. But Inside its dark center, so tiny and easily missed, something was moving. I squeezed the thread between my fingers and it flattened. I looked closer but still could not make out what it was. I needed to stretch it to increase its surface area. But how? how? I visualized the thread becoming flatter and thicker and with much reluctance it reacted to my desire. I pulled at its sides until it was finally wide enough for me to make out the object of my interest. My jaw dropped. It wasn't possible! It I visualized the thread becoming flatter and thicker and with much reluctance it reacted to my desire. I pulled at its sides until it was finally wide enough for me to make out the object of my interest. My jaw dropped. It wasn't possible! It just wasn't possible! just wasn't possible!

A hand touched my shoulder. Quickly I willed the threads to vanish and blinked up at the two figures standing above me. Slowly I got to my feet, gathering myself on the way up. ”That was fast,” I said, brus.h.i.+ng the dirt from my pants.

”I did not mean to startle you.” Sajin looked at my hands and down to where I had been crouching. ”What were you looking at?”

”Nothing.” I offered no further explanation. Apparently he could not see the web. ”You must be Thana,” I said, offering my hand to the young woman at Sajin's side.

It was refused.

She was obviously not interested in sharing pleasantries. ”Right then! Where do we start?”

”Thana has agreed to be your guide as long as you agree not to use your powers.” Sajin's expression was one of apology.

”If that's what it takes then I agree.” I smiled at Thana.

The smile was not returned.

”You will be traveling on horseback. Humphrey's is about a day's journey from here.”

An entire day on horseback did not sound like my idea of a good time. I would have to tell the others my mission was going to take longer than expected. ”Would you excuse me for a moment? I must use my power one last time before we begin our trip.”

It was impossible to miss the annoyance on Thana's face as Sajin turned her toward the street.

I brought Kitaya's image into my mind.

”h.e.l.lo, Jason.” Her thoughts where warm. Her thoughts where warm.

”How are you faring?” I asked. I asked.

”Tiko does not stay in one place for long. That makes it difficult.”

”I'm experiencing some complications as well. I don't have time to explain but it looks like I'll have to finish my journey without using my powers, so it's going to take awhile.” I don't have time to explain but it looks like I'll have to finish my journey without using my powers, so it's going to take awhile.”

”Oh that does not sound good.”

”I know. If things get too hairy, I'll use them but only as a last resort. --Well, I guess I have to go. --I look forward to seeing you again. I... It's nicer when you're around.”

I felt her giggle. ”I miss you too.” ”I miss you too.” Her words were so light and innocent. Her words were so light and innocent. ”Take care.” ”Take care.”

”Thanks. I'll do my best. You take it easy on Tiko. Okay?”

”Alright.”

As much as I hated to, I pushed her from my mind. I stood for a moment, letting her words wash over me. She missed me. I felt like a little kid.

Now to check on Corel. ”Corel?” ”Corel?”

”Yes, Jason?”

”This is going to take more than a day to finish up. How are you and Armadon faring?”

”Not sure. Armadon is very meticulous. Could take hours before we depart from here. Do the best you can, Jason. I will try to inform you if things change.”

”Good luck then.” I broke the link. I broke the link.

While Thana was out of sight, I took the opportunity to consider my situation. It was difficult enough trying to combat Gaza's minions using the power of the web. Without it, it would be much more difficult-- if not impossible.

I needed a weapon.

I remembered my discussion with Armadon. I had asked him why his troops used primitive weapons such as bows and arrows and swords. He had replied that he didn't know how to make a firing mechanism. He knew what a gun looked like and how to use one, but he didn't know how they functioned.

Fortunately for me, I did. It was odd how my memory was fragmented. I could remember intimate details of pistol firing mechanisms, but I had no idea who had taught me, or where I was when I'd learned it. I brought up the web and created the items I would need for my trip including a pistol and a holster, which I neatly hid under my s.h.i.+rt. Last of all I made a backpack in which to carry everything.

”Well, I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be,” I said, emerging from the alleyway. ”Thank you for your help, Sajin.”

”My pleasure, sir. Good luck.” He backed away as we moved past him and mounted the horses waiting patiently nearby.

I looked at my quiet partner. ”Lead the way,” I said, trying to sound cheerful.

<script>