Part 15 (1/2)

CHAPTER 14.

DEEP IN THE HEART.

001001011001110.

What was that principle? The more you learn, the less you know? As my perception of Vrin increased, my confusion increased along with it. But as much as I wanted to wake from this agitating dream world, I couldn't help but have a fascination for its diversity. Its complexity was far beyond anything I could possibly imagine. The computer system holding the data generated by this world must have been immense. immense. So I decided, if I ever did find my way back to the world on other side, I would definitely apply for a job. So I decided, if I ever did find my way back to the world on other side, I would definitely apply for a job.

Arganis returned from upstairs carrying a map in one hand and a lantern in the other. ”This is a map of the castle. It has taken us a very long time to gather the information for its design. I'm sure it is not completely accurate, but it is the best I have to offer.”

”It will do splendidly!” I said, taking it from him and laying it flat on a dirty crate. ”I'll need to create a tunnel, the straightest point to the dungeon. And it'd be nice if I didn't have to deal with too many guards, I don't want any chance that word of my presence will get back to Rath.”

”How about here?” He pointed. It was a remote spot between some bushes on the left side of the castle. ”You would only have to make a tunnel fifteen or twenty feet deep.”

”Very nice.” I grabbed his arm with approval. ”Can you get me there undetected.”

”I'm fairly certain.”

”Then let's waste no time,” I said, pulling up my hood. ”We can use the evening mist to conceal our efforts.” I rolled up the map and stuck it in my belt as Arganis went to a corner to retrieve a small backpack.

We mounted the narrow stairs and walked through the dusty room to the door. He slid back a small piece of wood and peered out. ”Looks clear.”

There were no soldiers in sight as we stepped out into the busy street. The denizens were loading wagons with supplies. Old and young alike labored over the tasks.

Arganis scooted off toward the castle. I followed close on his heels. Our journey took us through side pa.s.sages and under wooden overpa.s.ses. All of the damaged buildings had been rebuilt. I couldn't help but admire Rath's handiwork, he had an eye for beauty. We pa.s.sed many townspeople on our way. All were clad in finely crafted clothing, but not one looked happy. These people possessed great riches, but Rath had taken away their peaceful existence.

At last we reached our destination. Between several bushes a small clearing lent easy access to the side of the castle. Arganis stood back and I went to work. I pushed the ground down twenty-five feet to the lower level of the castle wall, then removed my robe and tossed it in.

Arganis had never seen wings on a human before, and curiosity got the best of him. He reached out and ran his hand down the soft white plumage. ”Very nice,” he said br.i.m.m.i.n.g with excitement.

”Thank you.” I gestured to the pit. ”Shall we?”

He nodded.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind and lifted him into the air. Together we descended deep into the earth. Once we had our footing, I stripped away the texture of the wall and peered inside. It was a dark hallway, and it looked deserted, so I created a large hole.

Arganis gingerly stepped in as I retrieved my cloak. Once inside, I filled the empty s.p.a.ce with dirt, and applied the gra.s.s covering as I'd remembered it. It was nothing to replace the wall. And within seconds, I was finished.

Up and down the pa.s.sageway there were no recessed areas to hide in, so we would have to make our way down before anyone came through. We listened. Then quickly stole down the slanting hallway until we reached a T intersection at the bottom.

”This way,” said Arganis. The dark corridor ended at a large wooden door. ”This leads to the dungeon area,” he whispered. ”If they are here, that is where we will find them.”

I removed the texture of the door and peeked through. ”One second,” I said over my shoulder. ”There's a guard.” A nearby thread went through the door and stopped near the man's neck. I applied my influence and watched as the end twitched then attached itself behind the soldier's ear. I attached the other end to myself.

It was time to make an impression.

”YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!” I p.r.o.nounced forcefully into his mind. I p.r.o.nounced forcefully into his mind.

A startled burst of thought came through the thread, allowing me to gather what I could about the man's temperament.

”I AM REASON!”

”What do you want from me?” There was a quiver in his thought. There was a quiver in his thought.

”Spell your name and count to ten,” I ordered. I ordered.

”What?”

”Do it-- or face the consequences!”

I realized the statements were far fetched, but it was my intention to confuse him and keep him off guard. If he was allowed even one second to think about his allegiance to Rath, I probably wouldn't get any information.

”J, A, F, U, S-- K, E, N, R, A, one, two, three, four...”

I breathed the name to Arganis. He shook his head, he wasn't one of ours. What could I do with this guy to put him out of commission? Scare him into silence? I whispered to Arganis, ”I'm going to need one of your special light displays. Can you do it through the door?”

”No. There must be a connection between my voice and the energy cloud.

”What if I made a sliver of an opening?”

”That should work.”

I went back into the soldier's mind. ”YOUR SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED!” ”YOUR SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED!”

”They are already spoken for.” He was feigning loyalty; I sensed the indecision in the vibrations of his thought. This was not one of Fyousa's men, but there was doubt in him. He was feigning loyalty; I sensed the indecision in the vibrations of his thought. This was not one of Fyousa's men, but there was doubt in him.

”Rath will never give you what you desire. His path leads to darkness, and all who follow him will be swallowed by the pit. I offer you a chance to join the forces of Ethral. Think hard. I will not offer again.” I could feel his anxieties. He feared Rath, but was uncertain of I could feel his anxieties. He feared Rath, but was uncertain of my my validity. validity.

”Time for a light show,” I whispered to Arganis. I examined the door and chose the section I would remove. With the appropriate fireworks, my emergence would be very convincing. --But first I needed a little more presence. I focused on my internal structure and began to grow in size until my head was almost touching the ceiling. Now I'm an Now I'm an even match for Armadon, even match for Armadon, I mused. I mused.

”Start your chant,” I said to Arganis. ”I will open a section here in the door. What I need from you is some swirling colored smoke and a blinding flash of light. When you do this I will step through and convince the man to join us. I hope.”

Arganis nodded and began the guttural vocals of his chant. I sent a buzz into the soldier's mind to distract him from the noise. The energy from The Circle of Ghosts began to glow around us, and I opened a small sliver in the door. Faster than my eyes could follow, the energy vanished inside. I opened the hole, quickly stepped through, and closed my eyes.

When I opened them, I was standing over the guard who was frantically rubbing his eyes. I reached out and put a firm, kind hand on his shoulder. He squinted up at me.

”Be not afraid, my son. If you join me, you will no longer have to do the bidding of darkness.” As his vision returned, his eyes fixated on my wings. Arganis was generating a glowing light behind them. Nice touch Nice touch, I thought.

The guard's chest filled with resolution. ”I will join you Sam' Dejal.”

”Good. Then help us now. We are looking for a woman and a girl child.”

He nodded. ”Yes. They are in the isolation chamber.”

”Is that far?”

”No, I can bring you there.”

”Lead us then.”