Chains of Mist Read online

  As if the Jo’ma’s voice had broken a dam within her, Lerana felt her strength leave her in a rush. Exhaustion swept over her; her spirit form wavered, and she was pulled back towards her body. The world blurred and fuzzed before her waking eyes. She had just enough awareness to feel a tingling in her fingers and to note the faint aroma of charred flesh.

  Then the world melted away.

  -5-

  The Tellarian cutter Dormant Sea—which was no longer disguised as a personal transport like it had been for the voyage to Leva and Hilthak, and instead bore its military markings and corresponding armament in all of their magnificent glory—dropped out of u-space as smoothly as a grav-train moving from one section of magnetic rail to the next. The whirling kaleidoscope of colors outside the main aft viewport was replaced by a single planet and two moons, looming in front of the ship. “There it is,” said Drogni. “Espir.”

  Silence greeted Drogni’s words, as he was quite alone at the moment. Austin had joined him in the cockpit for the first part of the thirty-five hour voyage from Tellaria to Espir, and the two of them had made rather awkward small talk for a while. But both men were too focused on the mission ahead of them to find any comfort in conversation, and eventually Austin had taken leave to one of the ship’s sleeping cabins, where he had stayed for the remainder of the trip. Meanwhile, Makree had spent nearly the entirety of the time secluded in another cabin; on the few occasions that he had emerged, he had said nothing, and a haunted, introspective look had clouded his face. Clearly something about Espir was troubling him, but Drogni had not pressed him. He’ll have his wits straight when things start to get messy. Good soldier, that one—one of the best. He proved that on Leva, and on Hilthak…and now, on Espir, he’ll prove it again.

  Physically, the planet Espir was quite stunning. Its surface was a brilliant combination of blue, green, and white, its atmosphere as clear as crystal. It bore none of the scars of pollution, deforestation, or other industrialization—it was as pristine as a goddess’s jewel. But Drogni knew that beneath that idyllic appearance lurked a creature of evil. Strapped across his back, the Mari’eth blade Ss’aijas K’sejjas burned with inner heat. Whatever magical properties the sword possessed appeared to have recharged since his battle with Rokan Sellas on Hilthak, for which Drogni was exceedingly grateful. Not that I actually know how to use any of its powers, but even if it only blunts Rokan Sellas’s abilities a little, then it’ll be more use than pretty much anything else we’ve got. He stared down at Espir, picturing himself finally finishing what he thought he’d ended fifteen years ago. I know you’re down there, Rokan Sellas. And I’m coming for you.

  The soft sound of footsteps interrupted Drogni’s thoughts. “Quite a sight, isn’t it?” said Aras Makree, his voice equal parts awe and sadness. “In all my years, I have seen few worlds so…untouched.”

  Untouched, yeah. In Drogni’s experience, ‘untouched’ meant dangerous. Usually nasty critters big enough to eat you in one bite, just like that. “Yeah, well, looks can be deceiving. You know what’s down there.”

  Makree was silent for a moment. “All too well,” he said finally. Something in his voice told Drogni that he wasn’t talking just about Rokan Sellas. Again, Drogni wondered what was going on in the Sergeant Major’s mind. He had assumed from what he knew of Makree that the veteran soldier would, over the course of their voyage, come to terms with whatever was bothering him; that he had apparently not done so made Drogni uneasy. The odds were against them as it was; the last thing they could afford was for one of their number to go into battle without a clear head. We can talk about it once we touch down, he decided. We will talk about it, in fact.

  The ship flitted between Espir’s two moons—the first small and rocky, the second much larger and sparkling with a rolling ocean that the ship’s instruments determined to be mostly methane and nitrogen—and then passed through the planet’s atmosphere as easily as it had transitioned from u-space to realspace. Drogni found himself looking down at spacious green and orange fields and thick, soaring forests peeking through dense low-hanging clouds. Giant birds with hooked bills winged ponderously around them, eyes fixed on the tiny figures of various herbivores feeding below, and Drogni had no doubt that more predators lurked hidden within tall grasses and in the shadow of looming trees. “I’m not picking up any readings of advanced technology,” he said. “That’s not surprising; Espir’s officially off-limits to anyone except for Federation-sanctioned research missions. But since the last one of those was about fifty years ago, I’d say we probably don’t have to worry that we’re technically breaking the law by being here. There’s no need to push our luck, though, so I’ll go ahead and put us down as close to Nembane Mountain as I can. We’re about three hundred klicks away, so we’re looking at about ten minutes.”

  “Yes, of course,” replied Makree, but the reply seemed mechanical, as if he had barely heard Drogni. His gaze was fixed intensely on the planet below, his jaw tight. “I will tell Austin that we have arrived,” the Sergeant Major continued, and then he was gone.

  In the distance, a single mountain loomed from the earth like a watchtower of death, its snow-capped peak reaching up to pierce through the clouds. As they drew closer, Ss’aijas K’sejjas began to vibrate and emit a faint high-pitched whine. The heat emanating from the Mari’eth blade intensified, burning colder and fiercer until the pain forced Drogni to tear the weapon from his back.

  In that moment, the sword suddenly went silent.

  In the same moment, all the ship’s instruments went dark.

  Instantly, Drogni was on his feet and moving, dashing from the cockpit like bottled lightning. As he ran, he instinctively counted down seconds in his head—five…four…three… If the emergency systems didn’t activate before he reached zero, they weren’t going to activate at all…and in his gut he already knew that they wouldn’t. Two…one…zero. Time to evac—now!

  Drogni reached the emergency hatch doors to find Austin and Makree already there. Without a word, Makree tossed him a parachute harness and survival rucksack; the Sergeant Major had already donned his, but Austin was still securing his straps. Drogni slipped into the harness, the weight of the rucksack across his back oddly comforting. Damn, but I’ve missed this. Simulations just aren’t quite the same as the real thing. He glanced over at Austin, whose face had turned very pale. He hoped that the Ambassador remembered his training briefs—at this point there wasn’t much that Drogni could do to help him but try to keep an eye on him as he was falling. “Austin, Sergeant Makree will jump first, then you’re next, and I’ll be last. We’ll join up on the ground, but if we get separated just head for the mountain. Understand?”

  Austin nodded, his eyes very wide. He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, “I hate heights.”

  Drogni smiled inwardly, thinking back to his first jump, thirty-two years ago. I hear you, kid. I wasn’t too fond of them at first either.

  Makree moved to the door release. “Ready, Admiral?” he asked, his voice curt but calm. Drogni nodded, and the Sergeant Major pulled the lever. With a hiss that was almost immediately lost as the howl of the wind filled the room, the door slid sideways into the hull. As Drogni looked out at the trees, so tiny below them, and felt the power of the wind shake through his bones, he felt suddenly young again. No aching joints or tired bones in freefall—nothing except you and the rush of freedom.

  A sudden burst of wind shook the ship, and Drogni, mesmerized by the beauty of the view, nearly lost his balance. Beside him, Austin was pitched from his feet, arms flailing for some kind of purchase but finding nothing. Drogni reached out one hand for Austin, bracing himself against the deck plates with the other, but his fingers grasped air.

  Another blast of turbulence struck them, and Austin was pitched towards the open door. Sliding past Makree’s outstretched arms, the Ambassador tumbled out into the sky, a tiny shape that was visible for only a moment before it vanished among the clouds.

>   The two soldiers exchanged a glance, and then without a word they jumped after Austin, even though Drogni knew that it was already too late to help him. As high up as we are, the wind will toss us around like corks—and with the clouds as thick as they are we’ll never see him even if by chance the winds blow us the same way. Austin, I hope you remember your training—I’ve already lost five soldiers, and I’ll be damned if I lose another. When we land, I’ll find you—I promise.

  And Drogni rocketed through the clouds.

  * * * *

  As Roger brought his new ship out of u-space, he felt a sudden ripple of unseen power pass over him. He tasted bitterness in the back of his throat, so powerful that he nearly gagged. Beside him, Talan flinched, and Roger knew that the old man had felt it too. “What the hell was that?”

  Talan drew a deep, shuddering breath. Whatever had happened had obviously affected the old man much more than Roger. That seemed strange, though admittedly Roger didn’t really have any frame of reference to determine what was ‘strange’ in the realm of ripples of unseen power. “It is the planet,” said Talan, his voice strained. “Its power burgeons. Forces that have long lain dormant are now awakening and reasserting themselves over a world that has all but forgotten them. The magic of this world, and others like it, is strong beyond anything else…strong, and dominant. In the presence of such power, all other magic—and magic-wielders—must eventually submit…or die.”

  “Submit?” Roger didn’t like the sound of that. Roger Warbanks submits to no authority but his own. “Back up there a moment—are you saying the planet itself is hostile? As in, the whole planet—sticks, stones, trees, oceans—actively working to kill me?” He reached for the ship’s controls, preparing to turn it back around and jump straight back into u-space. “If you think I’m going down there, you’ve got another thing coming. I can and will fight just about anything that runs, flies, or swims, but I draw the line at planets. Got it?”

  Talan—despite his still-apparent discomfort—seemed amused. “Calm yourself, Roger. The planet’s energies are not hostile, and there is nothing active about the way they operate. Think of them instead like gravity—pervasive and constant, but neither sentient nor actually dangerous. Moreover, the process I describe is hardly instantaneous; a powerful enough individual—which, by virtue of the ring you wear, you are—can resist the control for months, even years, especially if they are aware of what is happening. I can assure you that you are in no danger.”

  Roger still wasn’t entirely convinced, but he reluctantly kept the ship on course to Espir. I suppose he knows what he’s talking about. Besides, I’ve got a bad feeling that I’m going to have to get used to this sort of thing happening way too often from now on. “Fine—but let’s make this fast, alright? Just land, do…whatever it is you need to do…and then we get the hell outta there.”

  Talan did not reply. Roger shot a glance at the old man, to see him staring very intently at the planet that now filled their viewport. They passed through the planet’s atmosphere without difficulty. Talan’s features were set, his skin slightly pale. No danger—yeah right. You look like a man getting dragged towards the executioner’s chair, and you’re the one of us who’s supposed to know what the hell he’s doing. So forgive me if I don’t relax just yet. “Where exactly are we going?” he asked to break the tense silence. “It’s kind of a big planet down there.”

  “Nembane Mountain,” replied Talan. “Or, as the natives of this world call it, Kil’la’ril.” He extended one frail arm, pointing at something ahead of them. “There it is—the focal point of this world, reaching high into the clouds…and extending all the way down to its heart.”

  Roger followed Talan’s finger and immediately found himself wondering how he had ever thought they could be going anywhere besides where the old man was pointing. Nembane Mountain was huge, impossibly huge and appearing even larger because it did not exist within a range of other massive peaks but stood alone. Even from this distance, it seemed close enough to reach out and touch, and Roger felt simultaneously awed and very uneasy. If that was the source of Espir’s power, then Roger had no trouble imagining it as hostile, no matter what Talan said. It might as well be a giant focusing rod, gathering all of its energy together in one place…and we’re going to just walk right up to it. That’s a red flag, Roger, a serious red flag. Time to turn around now—cut your losses and get out while you still can.

  However, against his better judgment—or maybe in accordance with it, he wasn’t sure—Roger kept the ship on course for the massive peak erupting from Espir’s surface. Talan pointed him towards a small clearing partway up the peak. As they drew nearer, the ship’s instruments all went momentarily dark, then flickered back on just as quickly. “Another side effect of the planet’s awakening,” said Talan, before Roger could even ask the question. “Do not worry; I have taken care of it, and we should be safe from further emanations.”

  Again, Roger was less than relieved. ‘Should be safe’ is not good enough; if the power goes off again and he can’t turn it back on, we crash…and then we both die, prophecy or no prophecy, magic or no magic. Again, however, he kept his silence. I’m gonna trust that you know what you’re doing, old man. For now.

  Still silent, he brought the ship into a smooth landing. He dropped the landing ramp, then turned towards Talan. “So, what now?”

  Talan rose to his feet—still somewhat shakily, Roger noted. “There is a vast network of tunnels beneath Nembane Mountain. These tunnels lead to a chamber, within which is located the conduit to the planet’s power. The confrontation that I have foreseen will take place there.”

  Talan fell silent. Roger waited for the old man to continue what seemed to be a deliberately truncated explanation, but then realized that no such thing was forthcoming. Leaving me, once again, without the full story. This is getting annoying. In other circumstances, he might have demanded that Talan explain himself, but something stopped him. He didn’t get the feeling that Talan was purposefully trying to keep him in the dark. Maybe he keeps forgetting that I don’t have a damn clue what’s going on here, but if I were to bet on it I’d say that he’s still preoccupied with fighting off that pervasive corruption he was talking about before. I’d also bet that some of his attention is focused on keeping me safe from that corruption, and that’s the reason why I don’t feel as bad as he looks. And if he’s doing that, it’d be a good idea for me not to break his concentration. Roger shot a glance at Talan and saw no trace of subterfuge in the old man’s face. He’s been forthcoming with me so far, if in a sometimes meandering and roundabout way. Since I’ve come this far, it looks like I’ve decided to trust him, and that means I’ve got to trust that he won’t let me walk into this confrontation blind.

  Still, he checked to make sure his par-gun was fully charged before following Talan out onto the surface of Espir.

  “There are several entrances to the tunnel system,” said Talan, his voice stronger than it had been aboard the ship. Being on solid ground seemed to have revitalized him somewhat, and he moved with vigor and purpose. “The one nearby leads to the most direct path to our destination.”

  “How convenient,” muttered Roger. Being outside was having the opposite effect on him. The ship had been a sanctuary of familiarity, a technological haven within which he could at least pretend he was somewhere else. Docked in the deepest slums of Vellanite, maybe; you know, somewhere safe. The untamed forest unnerved him; he could practically feel the eyes of a dozen different predatory beasts locked onto him. And, to escape them, I’ll be plunging headlong into a dark hole leading to a conduit of immense power so strong that its mere proximity will eventually corrupt me. What a terrific idea!

  Out of habit, Roger checked the par-gun’s charge again. He doubted that conventional weaponry would do him much good once they got wherever they were going, but it would at least let him pretend that he wasn’t totally outmatched.

  Perhaps Talan sensed Roger’s trepidation, for his str
ide suddenly slowed. Turning back towards Roger, he said, “Do not be afraid, Roger Warbanks. We will—”

  A whirlwind of chaos tore away the rest of his words. A dozen individuals of nearly as many species appeared as if from thin air, forming a ring around Roger and Talan. Garbed in identical red uniforms with black trim, they each gripped a sleek, deadly-looking assault rifle.

  All of which were pointed at Roger.

  Roger dove for cover, bringing up his own weapon as he fell, but he already knew that it was too late. Before he had a chance to defend himself, he felt a hundred tiny impacts strike him simultaneously.

  He never even felt himself hit the ground as darkness closed over him.

  * * * *

  Talan watched Roger fall. Instinctively, power rose to his fingertips, but he let it die away unharnessed. Some battles cannot be won with force alone. Yes, I could overpower them…but the effort would leave me weak. Too weak to survive what is to come.

  Too weak to fight my true enemy.

  So Talan forced himself to watch, motionless, as four of the crimson-uniformed warriors ran forward to gather up Roger’s unconscious body. Roger Warbanks, I wish there were some other way. Someday, I hope you will know how truly sorry I am that I cannot help you this day. And someday, I hope that you will forgive me for what is still to come.

  I hope that you will forgive me…even though I do not deserve forgiveness.

  Another of the attackers, a massive male Valancian, stepped forward. “If you want your companion to live, you will come with us,” the snake-headed alien said, his words emerging in a baritone rasp through the environment mask that allowed the methane-breathing creature to survive in Espir’s oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. “The Admirals would like to speak with you.”

  Talan cast one last look at Roger, now being hauled away to places unknown. They do not intend to kill him, or they would have done so already. Wherever they are taking him, he should be safe. But, although Talan knew that his reasoning was correct, he could take no solace from it. Roger trusted me with his life by coming here, and this is how I repay him?