Part 13 (1/2)

”You're right.” She sighed.

Armadon spoke. ”We need to rescue the woman and child and bring them to Gaza.”

”Yes, but someone needs to tell Gaza they are being held. He has to know they're alive or he might go ahead with his plans.” I paused and looked down at the floor. ”And there is still the matter of Kitaya. It concerns me we haven't heard from her.”

”We suspect Tiko has her detained,” said Corel.

I began moving toward the door. ”Then I'll go after her.”

”No.” Corel was quick to respond. ”I'll do it. No one knows Tiko better than me.”

I wanted to object-- but realized she was right. ”Okay, but let us know as soon as you find her...” I started to say more but stopped before inadvertently revealing my feelings for her.

”That leaves two tasks,” said Armadon.

”Which do you prefer?” I asked.

”I've had my fill of Rath.”

I nodded. ”Understood. I'll try to locate the woman and child. You go to Gaza.”

Corel stepped between us. ”What about the war?”

”I'll fight it,” came a voice from above.

Startled, our heads turned up in unison. A hole had been cut through the top of the tent and the face of a beautiful dark-skinned woman looked through. Her angelic smile was matched only by the loveliness of her vibrant blue eyes. ”May I join you?”

”Who...?”

She slipped through the hole, landed solidly on the wooden table, then hopped to the floor. ”I'm Lorna, the tenth. Sajin came to me this morning and explained what was going on. At first I thought he was a fruit, but since he was right about these weird powers-- and after seeing the battle ground out there my att.i.tude has changed a bit.”

”Did he explain about the war?” I asked.

”No, just basically good versus evil stuff, right?”

I smiled and nodded, then allowed my mind to reach secretly out into the web. Sajin was waiting for me.

”Greetings, Lord Tardin,” came the thoughts of Sajin Barrows. came the thoughts of Sajin Barrows.

”Did you send Lorna to us?”

”Yes, I did.”

”Thank you. I will be in touch.”

His presence faded away into the void.

”Right. Well then,” I said. ”Welcome aboard, Lorna. I'm Jason. This is Armadon.” I pointed. He bowed slightly. ”And this is Corel.” They shook hands.

I looked at Corel and Armadon. ”Sajin says he sent her. That's good enough for me. Anyone have any objections?” I looked to one then to the other. ”Okay then,” I smiled at Lorna, ”let's fill you in and get you trained.”

CHAPTER 12.

THE SOUL OF A PEOPLE.

001001011001110.

Lorna was a quick study and the kind of woman who spoke exactly what was on her mind. I liked that about her. She was as bright as she was beautiful; within an hour she had picked up all the tricks we could think to teach her.

Preparations were made for our separate ventures. I helped the others by creating two pistols. Armadon was pleased with his. It was his first firearm since coming to this world. The weapon was dwarfed in his ma.s.sive hand, but a look of satisfaction played upon his broad features. Corel, however, held her weapon like a diseased handkerchief. After I showed her how to hold it properly, and explained that it was a low caliber weapon, she appeared more at ease, but not much.

We headed out, thanking Lorna for her help, and fate for her auspicious arrival. On the tops of the walls weary soldiers stood guard. There was an eye in every direction and a sense of apprehension in the air. At any moment an attack could come. We were fortunate to have such brave, alert men fighting with us. When this war was over, we planned to reward them generously.

Behind the cover of the wall, Armadon and Corel disappeared in a flash of blue. I paused at the entrance to the compound, looking out onto the misty battlefield-- at the bodies of the dead cooling in the evening air. Soon it would be nightfall. It would be easier to hide in the dim blue light of the moons so I sat and began tossing stones, waiting for the darkness.

Behind me the sound of footfalls approached. They slowed as they neared, then stopped. ”Sir?” said the voice belonging to the feet.

”Yes?” I said without turning.

”I know I'm not supposed to talk to you, but something weighs heavily on the minds of my men.”

”Come then,” I said kindly, ”sit with me.”

”Oh, no, lord. I could not.”

”Sit with me, or I shall be offended.”

He came around my side hesitantly then placed his helmet on the ground and perched on it. Weariness showed on his dirty young face, but he held himself up, I a.s.sumed, with a strength fueled by the cause. His chest was proud through his tattered uniform, his rank, all but melted off.

”What can I help you with?” I said, continuing to toss stones.

”Has Gaza turned his back on us?”

What an interesting question. I looked at the boy and was again struck with curiosity about these people. For the most part I was too caught up in the events of the moment to consider the implications of this world's existence, or to pay much attention to its residents. But once again I found myself in awe of their diversity. Who Who was asking this question? I could sense this boy's apprehension-- but computer simulations don't feel nervous. This boy, like Thana, appeared to be a complex living being, possessing all the strengths and frailties which make up human existence. But he wasn't was asking this question? I could sense this boy's apprehension-- but computer simulations don't feel nervous. This boy, like Thana, appeared to be a complex living being, possessing all the strengths and frailties which make up human existence. But he wasn't real! real! If this world was an induced dream state, then If this world was an induced dream state, then who who was responsible for this boy's question? was responsible for this boy's question?

”Sir?” prompted the boy.

”No. Gaza has not turned his back on your people. Kric' tu is the one responsible for this conflict.”

”Kric' tu?” The boy's face whitened. He knew the name, and he feared it. The boy's face whitened. He knew the name, and he feared it.

”Do not fear. We will defeat him. Our forces are strong.” After a short silence the boy began getting to his feet. But I stopped him. I wanted to get a better understanding of his design-- and pa.s.s the time before my trip. ”Do you have a family?”

”Yes.” He hesitated, then settled back down. ”My mother and father wait for me with my youngest brother. I'm the oldest. My other brother, Finton, is here, but he is under another command.”