Machine, page 14
part #1 of The Peradran Legacy Series
At the door she paused, hands on the latch behind her back. “We shouldn't stay out long. He'll probably call for us soon, ok?” Somehow she read me, I was going to make a move. I canceled the idea and resigned myself to a short stargaze only.
She turned when I shrugged my response and opened the door. The air was cool and a gentle breeze drifted over us. Eagerly she went straight to the escarpment and leaned out, kicking back her legs and balancing on her hands. “I just love this balcony!”
I looked up for the moon. It rested just above and behind the Keep. It was just starting to wax, nearly full save for a sliver cut from the edge. It was much larger than Earth's moon and tinted brightly with pastel blue. The pre-dawn glow diluted the blackness to indigo. It was definitely beautiful in an alien sort of way. It gave me butterflies to behold it.
From the corner of my eye I noticed Cohiri glancing over to see if I was watching her, then returning her attention to the valley below.
The Peradra moon glowed bright in the sky. It loomed immensely before me, dwarfing my memory of the moon on Earth.
We remained on the balcony long enough to exchange glances once more, then she led us off without a word. I closed the door behind us. The latch closed with a dull clack. Cohiri was already around the first corner before I began my descent. She met me at the bottom.
“It wasn't as chilly as I thought it would be. Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day. I hope we have time to go up again.” Without another thought she turned toward her room and walked away from me. From down the hall she spoke without turning. “I'll come get you for breakfast, ok?”
“Sounds good, see ya'“ I returned to my room. I felt energized after our night sky exploration. I paced the room, choosing to remain nearby in case I was needed so Cohiri could find me quickly. Besides, there was nowhere to go. I had no business in any other room and the library was useless. I found the half empty goblet of fruit-essence and sipped at it.
Lena drifted into my mind. The image there was one of discontent. I could see her frowning as if she knew of my attraction to the beguiling Cohiri. Guilt found its way in and I regretted flirting, even casually with her. The encounter in her bedroom was cheeky, it made me feel resilient in an uncertain situation. My lack of control over the current events left me apprehensive. Perhaps I was just looking for a chance to initiate something on my own accord. I decided then I would lay off flirting and concentrate on getting home without mishap.
Invariably my memory of Cohiri's naked form pushed aside my apprehension. I became filled with the urge to pay her another visit. To find her vulnerable, exposed. Adrenaline rushed in my gut at the thought. A childlike nervousness took over and I anticipated even more.
Suddenly she was at my door, it swung open. She stood in the skimpy under clothes. From her posture I read similar intention to my own. She walked in and closed the door with her foot.
“Eric...” She stopped, uncertain what to say next.
She waited for my response. All I could do is move to her. We stood inches apart. I could smell her breath and our lips met. We embraced firmly; our hearts pounded together.
I lifted her from her feet and carried her to the bed. We fell together and rolled in search of a position that allowed the most contact. I felt as if we were reading each others thoughts; our every movement was met by an complementary response.
I thought I had felt love before, but in those precious moments we lay together I realised that nothing preceeding it could compare. Her very form; haloed by the firelight and from that moment on was completely integrated into my heart.
I woke to Cohiri's voice, rushed and nearly panicked. “Wake up!” At first I failed to comprehend, my mind free of prophetic dreams. “Come on, wake up... Eric!” She shook me and I regained my facilities.
“What?....Now?” I assumed Morbannon had summoned us for this morning's session in the lab.
“Yes! Now! Get dressed. I don't know how long he's been calling.” She rushed from the room. I rolled out of bed and found my clothes which lay scattered around the bed. Quickly I pulled them on and went out to the hall.
“Cohiri!” I called out for her, I didn't know if she went downstairs or to her room.
“In here!” Her voice came from down the hall. In a few moments she rushed out of her room, still fastening her armor together.
She strode past me to the stairs, I followed. We went straight to the lab where we stood outside the door until Morbannon let us in.
Without greeting he led us to the rostrum. Immediately he began examining various scrolls, setting aside the appropriate selections. Once he finished his selections he handed each of us one of the selected scrolls.
“Eric, on your scroll there is a diagram. Study it while I explain to Cohiri her role.”
I opened the scroll and on it was a simple design; a circle with a triangle inside, points touching the circle's edge. Inside the triangle was another circle with a diamond inside it, not touching. In the space below the triangle was a symbol which looked like the infinity symbol; an eight on its side, slightly flattened. As I studied the diagram and committed it to memory, Morbannon was demonstrating Arcane gestures to Cohiri. She mimicked each gesture and Morbannon would approve or correct her as they went.
When I was confident I had memorized the diagram I rolled up the scroll and held it at my side. Morbannon ignored the motion and continued to tutor Cohiri for the next thirty minutes or so.
Finally she was able to perform the entire routine. Satisfied Morbannon took the scrolls and set them aside. Then he went to a shelf and collected a few vials and what looked like a paintbrush. He handed me the largest vial and the brush, the other vials he set on the rostrum.
In a firm tone he explained what I should do next. “Eric, inside that vial is special dye. I need you to duplicate the diagram here.” He indicated the area where the previous circle was, now blank. “Try to be precise, the geometry is crutial.”
“How big, like the other one?” If so I would just trace the blurred outlines.
“Exactly. Begin when Cohiri starts her intonation.” He nodded to her to start.
She spoke loud and clear, pronouncing each word exactly. She spoke Arcane dialog and I understood none of it. I dipped the brush and started with the outer circle. It took longer than I thought because the dye was thin and didn't go very far from each dip. When I finished the triangle, Morbannon opened one of the vials on the rostrum and emptied its contents within the circle. Immediately the Arcane presence manifested itself. I recognized Cohiri's lyric was being repeated as I went. The rhythm of Cohiri's dialogue began to guide my motions; dip, scribe, define - dip, scribe, define. We continued like that for over an hour. When at last I placed the infinity symbol, Morbannon imbibed the contents of another vial. Cohiri continued her chant. Arcane energies filled the room and Morbannon entered the finished circle holding the last vial. I stood back and observed an incredible transformation; the rhythm of the chant overlaid the phenomenon. Slowly at first, then more rapidly; his every feature was transformed into something like marble or stone. First his skin grew rigid then his clothes, followed by his belt and boots and finally his eyes.
The immobile form became translucent, hollow. Then in one rush the vial emptied itself and his likeness became like glass. At that moment Cohiri stopped chanting, the Arcane presence subsided distinctly but remained none the less. After a cool moment the glass suddenly shattered into tiny dust particles, clouding the air.
“I guess that's it.” Cohiri seemed to understand what just happened. I chose not to ask. “Lets go.” She left me standing there in amazement. Momentarily I followed her out the door which stood open behind us.
“Shouldn't we close it?”
“No, I don't think so. Just leave it the way it is.” We retired to the usual place; the kitchen.
Once there, we gorged on anything we could find. Together we finished a full bottle of the heady wine. Drunk and elated after the final preparation, the chemistry between us began to show itself once more. Likely due to the spontaneity of our behaviour the previous night. We started to clean up before I realised that there was no need. We left the mess behind to retire to our rooms. Once within the room that had been previously chosen for me by Cohiri, I kindled the fire to a healthy blaze. Cohiri declared a bath would insure our ease . I agreed emphatically.
She led me to a door we hadn't explored yet. Beyond it was an ornately finished spa, complete with a steam table and a marble pool filled with aromatic water. I dipped my toe to test the temperature; just hot enough to soothe away the dirt.
Polished brass dishes held soap, shampoo and sponges. Folded towels lay near the dishes in various sizes and colors. We hung the remainder of our clothes on conveniently located hooks near the foot of the pool.
Cohiri pumped a small bellows to heat the steam rocks. Soon they glowed red and she added water, a cloud of steam flowed out, quickly filling the room in a few short minutes. Meanwhile we climbed into the balmy pond, inhaling the gentle scents with satisfaction.
The pool was rimmed with a contoured bench set so that one would be submerged to their chest. The bottom was concave, starting at three or four feet and sloping toward the center from all sides to around eight feet. I waded out and dunked my head. Cohiri sat on the bench lathering a bar of soap.
The pool was not quite big enough to really swim around much, so I dog paddled around, then back to Cohiri's side. I sampled a couple of different soaps and chose an agreeably scented bar.
We didn't toy with intimate overtures, instead casual conversation passed the time.
“What is your last name Cohiri?” I realized that many passions had governed our relationship so far and some familiarization would be appropriate.
She said, “Last name? What do you mean?”
“It is a formal way of addressing someone. My last mane is Trayden, Eric Trayden”
“Oh, last name. I am just Cohiri. My family, not being of Nobility doesn't carry such a formal title. At one time, though, my Uncle had one. I think it was Tanner; denoting his title of GuildMaster. Now that title belongs to his oldest son, Dollar; the current GuildMaster. He succeeded my Uncle when I was a child of seven years. Its Dollar that manages the Guild's funds and governs its policies, also he chooses the new apprentices; non related that is. I am unofficially a member under my Father's supervision - was.” She stopped there in reflection. Her eyes fixed on nothing. Then she focused again and looked at me. “You can guess why, can't you?”
“Guess what? That you left the Guild to become a Wizard?”
“Yes. No one even knows where I am or what I'm doing or even if I'm alive.” She looked for support, for me to make a judgment on her choice of destines.
I began thoughtfully. “You had no choice. You followed the only path you could. If you didn't you might have fell prey to inaction. Believe me, your family would understand if they knew. They would want you to be happy and safe over all.” She seemed to absorb my consolation. She brightened and splashed off the soapy lather.
With water running off her face she agreed with a smile. Then she grabbed my shoulders and turned my back to her and lathered up the scented soap. With massage like motions she lathered off the past two days. I wasn't tense but her hands felt great.
When she finished she said, “Do mine, won't you?” She turned her back to me and handed me the bar of soap over her shoulder. I took it and duplicated the process she had done for me.
Finally her tension ebbed. We climbed out and dried each other off. Suddenly I was curious. I sensed the Arcane presence, yet I wondered.
“Will this room function like the kitchen and clean itself?” I regarded the soap-film on the water and the condensed steam on the walls.
“Of course. I used it before and we found it nice and tidy didn't we.”
“He must have told you, no?”
“Yes, he said not to bother but he didn't explain. I just figured it out.”
“With magic or logic?”
“Both.”
We donned our clothes and left. Steam lingered in the hall, I hadn't realized how dense it was in the spa. It curled around our feet as we moved. The air seemed chilly after our steamy bath, it was refreshing.
“Lets go to the balcony.” I noticed she was shivering. She answered with a shake of her head. “Your cold. My room should be toasty, lets go there instead.”
“Lead the way Eric Trayden.” She pronounced my name in English, like it was special.
I took the lead and opened the door for her. She bowed as she passed me in mock formality. I bowed back, exaggerating the gesture.
I wondered what time it was. Without my asking she reflected my thought.
“It must be midday, we spent quite a while bathing.” Then as an afterthought she added, “I feel like a nap, how about you?”
“That wine has wore off, I do feel a bit sleepy.”
Without another word she drew off the bed covers and fell onto the mattress. She fluffed the pillows and became comfortable.
I almost remarked on what kind of intentions we might be sharing, but instead I added another log to the fire before climbing in next to her and resigning myself to napping in silence. I promptly submitted to unconsciousness.
I woke to a gentle nudge accompanied by Cohiri's motivated voice. “Eric! He's called us again! Its time!”
I knew exactly what she meant, it was time for the Ritual. Readily I jumped from the bed, straightened myself and strode to the door.
I made my fastest pace. Cohiri followed at my heals. At the polished door we waited a mere moment before Morbannon was facing us. Simply, he said, “Let's go.” He brushed past to lead the way to the Summoning Chamber.
At the brass bound door he muttered Arcane commands. Once said the door opened by itself.
Almost cautiously he passed the portal. Strangely, without fear I followed.
Our footfalls echoed coldly across the all but empty chamber. The curtained partition was gone. The Suit stood in the open, in the center of some fifteen red candles set in a circle about it. Each candle was freshly lit, no wax dripped from the sides. They were about two inches in diameter and nine or ten inches tall. The flames seemed to dance in Arcane synchronicity. The Arcane presence grew intensely as we approached.
At the edge of the circle Morbannon turned to face us. Side by side we stood, waiting for instructions.
“Cohiri,” He began. “You will use these,” In his hands materialized two scrolls and a vial. He held them out to her. Ceremoniously she accepted and stepped back to my side.
He continued, “You are familiar with the scrolls; you must read them on cue from me, the big one first.” Cohiri examined the items in her hands and nodded. “Eric, you will simply remain at my side at all times, your presence will help attract the soul. If I should suggest anything other than that, do not listen. Remain fast and steady. This might get tense for you and I, emotionally. More so, any doubt you emote will only intensify itself. Remain focused on freeing the soul. It must sense your confidence.”
The shared presence of the Suit and myself must have been strong. For Morbannon to stress the point so thoroughly suggested the Void's fusion factor reached into the realm of Human consciousness, if not only the realm of Morbannon's soul. Without a moment passed, I imagined the Void as a machine, evolved to the point of self awareness linked with boundless non-existence. The combination resulting in dimensional ascension.
With Cohiri ready and me at his side, Morbannon began the Ritual. First by performing what looked like an oriental coda; methodically stepping and swinging his arms in quick, abrupt movements. As a final motion he signaled Cohiri, who began to read the larger scroll; Arcane phonetics flowed forth. Immediately the candles began to melt as if accelerated in time. Wax pooled like molten blood on the marble floor.
Tension flowed from the Suit, without looking I knew that each of us felt it in unison. A link began to form between all present; Cohiri, me, Morbannon and the Suit. In unison we responded to the Arcane flow.
Morbannon began to speak, his words clear and in English. “Now we are bound in Astral balance. As one we combine to rejoin soul and host, freely and openly.” Then in Peradran he continued, “Soon, as one, I will possess my essence, whole and willing, together eternally. We will ascend to immortality, as our destiny unfolds.” He glanced at Cohiri, now finished with the first reading. She imbued the potion and he nodded. Without looking away he nodded again. She unrolled the smaller scroll and began speaking aloud, in English.
“Morbannon, your soul is free now, to choose its host. Stand ready.” Then glancing to the scroll she recited its contents; Arcane chants.
Above the Suit a nimbus coalesced, forming as a cluster of electrically charged motes of pulsating light. It flowed from the Suit and swirled high above, funnel-like.
Morbannon began his own chant. Louder and louder until Cohiri had to shout to be heard. Together they rivaled each others Arcane mantra. Soon their words began to form as one voice. The nimbus spun and spun like a vortex. The motes formed into shimmering blades of crystalline, spinning and spinning. All the while the candles melted fast forward, the wax came together in rippling pools to outline the circle. As the flames came to rest on the molten wax they extinguished, one by one, counterclockwise from Morbannon's point and back.
In virtual darkness, the only light came from the shimmering nimbus of crystal. The circle of red wax began to cool and harden, geometrically perfect.
Morbannon continued his mantra/chant while walking clockwise around the circle. I stayed at his side, brushing his elbow with mine. Static flashed between us. It grew in intensity as we went, becoming painful then agonizing. One quarter of the way around the static flashed in thick arcs like a Jacob's Ladder, foot to head. The pain followed each pass, still growing as we went. At one hundred eighty degrees we brushed again, an explosive discharge resulted, forcing us to move apart. The arc broke and shards of crystal flew out randomly, falling about us and dissolving without sound on contact.
