The Anarii Chronicles VII
The Mastering
Using the Forbidden, Morgana begins her journey away from the Mirii, accompanied by the Lii Starrynn and the Kir-Latt Darkness. Kellander fails mid-teleport due to Kirr's abuse, but in doing so the Aza Har Elder's treachery against the Mirii Visioners is found out. Drek'h, after his grandmother Kadeer'h tells him her vision of his crossing into the Forbidden, leaves his Vondarii clan to begin his journey back to Morgana at Zerren's Gate Hold.
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A Glimpse of
The Children of the Anarii VII
The Mastering
from Chapter 6
A cold hand gripped his chin harshly, a sharp voice following, startling him awake. “Aza Kellander! Get up now! The morning is passing and we must leave soon!” He groaned, his confusion blanketing his mind. Morning? How could that be? How had he lost a day and night so quickly? he wondered as he opened then closed his eyes to too-bright sphere light, his hand quickly moving to shield them from the glare.
Kirr shouted again, her anger making her voice shrill. The command block tightened, lancing him with a stabbing pain between his eyes. He pushed himself upright, wincing when he tried to use his frozen left hand. “I'm up,” he mumbled, only glancing down, avoiding her furious stare as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He was dressed as the day before, his clothing now very rumpled. A letter fell out of his hand to his lap as he rubbed and worked his stiff fingers open and he stared at it in bewilderment.
The Elder Aza Har stood before him, her aide at her side. “Aza Kellander, you have half an hour. Be in my quarters by then,” she commanded, then Kirr reached down and snatched the note from his lap, drawing his shocked stare as she opened it in front of him and quickly scanned the contents. His rage leaped at her intrusive act and he started to stand, anger creasing his face. Kirr put out a hand, lightly touching his chest and easily pushed him back, her Aza skills making him nauseous. She smiled smugly as she leaned over him. “Kellander, you will obey me. Your will is mine, remember? If you try that again I will be forced to punish you. Severely,” she added, implying worse to come than he had already experienced under her controls. Then she dropped the letter to the floor as if it were unworthy of her notice. “Be ready in half an hour,” she repeated and turned away, her aide following at her heels, leaving him in his anger.
A little over his allotted time Kellander entered his Elder’s quarters, Morgana’s letter once more concealed in the hidden pocket of his coat, close to his heart. Verryth was already merged in his aura, his morning preparations—minus breakfast—done hastily with her borrowed strength, helping him focus while his mind struggled for cohesion, his heavy thoughts worrying his Azerii. At his tardiness Kirr’s glower deepened, her eyes holding long on him as he stopped just inside her door. Observing his strained appearance she revealed a momentary spark of doubt but quickly pushed her concerns from her face. “You're late,” she snapped then ordered him to her side as she stood between the couches, her packs beside her. He stepped toward her, suppressing the urge to strike back, knowing it useless. With all her years of experience she would simply block him before he could act. When Eannon appeared from her sleeping room, her journey packs slung from her shoulders by their straps, he let his anger fall back to focus on his task. She joined them, moving to his left side, a nervous look darting in her eyes when she met his gaze.
“Where to?” he asked lowly, resignation deepening his voice. He called Verryth to extend their combined auras, his Azerii hesitating as his mind continued struggling. The room seemed to be pulsing while strange rainbow-colored lights danced at the edge of his sight. He ignored the distortions, lowering his gaze to the floor.
“We’re going to Lasah,” Kirr returned, her voice still edged with reprimand. She picked up her packs and stepped closer, her glare punishing him when he glanced up. “Aza Kellander, are you capable of this?” she demanded, narrowing her eyes as she studied his face.
At the Elder’s words of their destination a wave of relief lifted through him, surprising him. Home…Lasah used to be my home. “Yes, I'm able,” he replied, then thought privately, Just barely able, after all this time, and under your wrecking controls. He was certain he could do one more leap, but only with the hold Teleports’ assistance. After that, only the Lady would know.
“Then let’s go. Now, Aza Kellander,” she commanded. He raised his hands to her shoulder and Eannon’s, noting a faint tremble in the younger Aza Har's body. When their own Azerii lights began to shimmer bright around them, he closed his eyes, ignoring the strange dancing lights still edging his field of vision. He contacted the hold’s Teleports, then grabbed their link to Lasah Hawk Hold, north of Tasken, still in the Coumar range.
Picturing the distant Teleport landing room in his mind, and faintly aware the rainbow lights still glimmering at the fringes of his inner-sight, he began the teleport. Verry, take us to Lasah. He started to feel his body vibrate faster and faster until it shifted to light as he and Verryth gathered Kirr, Eannon and their Azerii to send them on their way. Not as far to Lasah, easier, much easier, he thought idly just before they leaped what would have been several days journey on horseback. Then, just as the floor fell away from under his feet, something touched his awareness, sliding up eerily about his being. Something cold, dark, and Mad. He vaguely heard Verryth shriek his name then his awareness crashed into something hard and unyielding before the darkness engulfed him completely.
And the journey continues...
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