“Begin now,” instructed the interrogator.
“Alright,” nodded Rhoda as she lifted her arms perpendicular to her torso. “Watch my hands closely. See how my arms are perpendicular to my body? Put yours out just like mine. Good. Now cup your hands like mine.”
The interrogator watched her hands closely and saw the beginnings of a vortex forming.
“You should be able to see the winds circulating now,” Rhoda said. “Note the circulation pattern. It must always go in the same direction.”
The interrogator nodded as he watched the vortex grow. “How do you use it to communicate?” he asked.
“In a minute,” replied Rhoda as she concentrated on her spell. “First the vortex must be fully formed. Only then can it be directed to the proper target.”
Suddenly, the tall shelves of the storeroom began to vibrate. Items on the shelves bounced around and began to lift off the shelves. The interrogator did not notice the storm-like winds that were rotating fiercely around the room as he stared at the small vortex within Rhoda’s hands. Soon the articles on the shelves began flying around the room. Tins, bottles and piles of cloth circulated the room like a small tornado. When the tall shelves loudly snapped away from the walls, the interrogator’s head snapped up to discover what was happening.
“What is going on?” he demanded to know. “Is this part of the air tunnel?”
“Oh,” smiled Rhoda as she twisted her hands to make the tornado collapse in on itself, “did you want an air tunnel? I thought you wanted something much more powerful. I know that I am ready to die. Are you?”
The tornado spiraled inward as the interrogator’s mouth opened in horror. The first obstacle to strike was a small tin filled with nails. It smashed into his head with the force of a strong punch from a burly krul. The interrogator swayed from the blow as the tornado collapsed inward.
Rhoda watched with glee as the flying debris descended on her and the interrogator. She saw a sharp piece of broken shelf plunge into the interrogator’s body. She could barely hear his scream over the howling of the wind. Then she felt the articles striking her body. She closed her eyes and prepared to die.
Chapter 8
Qubari Jungle
The Khadoran ship slid alongside the dock at Ghala, the morning sun just rising over the eastern sea. Two old men stood apart from the dockworkers that were securing the ship’s lines. Rejji grinned broadly as he saw the two men.
“Plesy! Copi!” smiled the Astor. “How good to see you again.”
“I didn’t think you would dare show your face around here any more,” grumbled Copi. “You turned our village into a city and ran away.”
“Stop your grumbling, Copi,” chuckled Plesy. “The smile hasn’t left your face since Ghala mushroomed into a city.”
“Some things never change,” laughed Rejji as he marched down the gangplank and greeted the city elders. “How is Riktor? I thought he would be on the dock.”
“This ship is unscheduled,” Plesy replied. “My son is off hunting this week. He will be back in a few days.”
“Too many unscheduled ships these days,” groused Copi. “Another arrived just yesterday. Don’t those Khadorans know how to keep to a shipping schedule?”
Rejji flushed with embarrassment as Emperor Marak stepped off the gangplank and stood alongside him.
“We were scheduled to arrive this day to honor the death of one of the city’s founding fathers,” Emperor Marak replied brusquely. “Hasn’t the one called Copi died yet?”
Copi’s eyes grew wide and his mouth hung open as he watched Halman and Gunta come down the gangplank and flank the Torak. He returned his eyes to the Emperor’s face and saw Marak grinning broadly. There was a twinkle of mischievousness in the Torak’s eyes.
“Bah,” grumbled Copi. “Don’t do that to an old man. My heart can only stand so much.”
“Your heart looks like it has been caring for you well,” smiled Emperor Marak. “Tell me of yesterday’s ship.”
“It just dropped off four people,” replied Plesy. “A young woman who calls herself the Star of Sakova and three fellow travelers. She is staying at the Ghala Inn.”
“The old man is alright,” interjected Copi. “He has been demanding to hear all of the old stories of the village.”
“What Copi means is that he has found someone to sit and listen to him tell all of those old stories,” chuckled Plesy.
“Those stories are our history,” retorted Copi. “Temiker is wise to seek out such knowledge.”
“Temiker is wise,” smiled the Emperor as the rest of the travelers filed off the ship.
“Mistake! Bakhai!” greeted Plesy. “You are all back together again. I remember the day the three of you arrived at our small village.”
“That is one of my stories,” grinned Copi, “but I will save it for people who care to gain knowledge.”
Plesy gazed at the other passengers as they disembarked. He did a double take when MistyTrail walked onto the dock, but the man with the hood covering his head held the old man’s interest the most. As soon as the passengers were on the dock, the captain called for the gangplank to be removed. The ship was untied and started to depart.
“Everyone is staying then?” asked Plesy.
“No,” Rejji shook his head. “We will be leaving Ghala as soon as practical.”
“Then we must have a gala festival tonight,” Plesy said. “It is not often that the Astor and our favorite Khadoran lord come to call upon us.”
“He is the Emperor of Khadora now,” Bakhai interjected softly.
“If the Sakovans are well rested,” the Emperor stated, “I think we should leave immediately. We have a full day available to us. Why waste it?”
“No festival?” frowned Copi.
“Not this time,” Rejji smiled as he placed a hand on Copi’s shoulder. “Maybe we will have a new story for you when we return.”
“It better be a good one,” grumbled Copi, although his eyes betrayed his delight at the thought of another tale for his audience.
Rejji led the group to the Ghala Inn. When they entered the common room, the Sakovans were already seated at a table eating the morning meal. Rejji led the group to the table and introduced his party. Lyra introduced Temiker, DarkBlade, and LunarSigh. DarkBlade was an imposing figure. He towered over the Star of Sakova as he stood to greet the newcomers. His rugged face showed no emotion as he nodded slightly to each of the newcomers. He never said a word.
LunarSigh was short and fair. Her eyes twinkled with excitement as she said hello to each newcomer by name. She joined DarkBlade as he moved from the table in response to a nod from Lyra. The two Sakovans took their plates and moved to an adjacent table where they were joined by Gunta and Halman. The four elves joined them, leaving Lyra’s table for the others. The newcomers ordered a meal, and they all discussed the upcoming trip to the Qubari Jungle. Within an hour the group left the city of Ghala and headed towards the jungle.
* * *
Mobi halted the column when they came to a narrow footbridge crossing the deep gorge. The bridge was narrow and composed of old wooden slats. Two ropes ran across the bridge to use as handholds. The roar of a nearby waterfall made normal conversation impossible. Mobi shouted for the riders to dismount and tether their horses.
“The last part of the journey must be on foot,” Mobi instructed loudly. “We will cross in a single file. If you do not care for heights, I would advise against looking down.”
Mobi nodded to Rejji, and the Astor started the procession across the gorge. A great mist rose towards the bridge from the waterfall below. Rejji remembered the day he first crossed the bridge leading to the hidden Qubari city. He had looked down that day as well. Rejji halted momentarily and closed his eyes as the queasiness hit his stomach. He felt the bridge swaying beneath his feet. He inhaled deeply and opened his eyes. He continued walking across the bridge, but he no longer let his eyes wander from the opposite side of the gorge.