Balmythra

  Chapter Eight

  Saironalis

  "Heavens to Hollywood!" Matt stared as the columns quivered to life, fluidly expanding here and contracting there as they rose ever higher. Gradually they transformed into white marble etched in intricate patterns that snaked gracefully outward to connect one support to the other. Though I'd witnessed similar architectural events, I still watched in astonishment as someone's mental blueprint came alive.

  One second later, everything simply melted away. As one, the group slumped to the grass, some of them sprawled on their backs and breathing as heavily as a runner's.

  "I told you there were too few of us to get that detailed." An elderly man struggled to rise. "We only need a simple shed for the eitapi harvest. It's not even going to be permanent."

  "That’s a grain," I whispered to Matt by way of explanation.

  "But I can do this, Cadrow." A slender young man with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes leapt quickly to his feet and reached down to assist his elder. "It’s Barnos. He's not concentrating."

  "We should have waited for Ervos to return from Nodyra." That came from a panting middle-aged man, most likely the Barnos in question. "Mandaus exhausts our energy for nothing."

  The man named Cadrow, tall with a twinkle in his green eyes, looked up at that moment and saw us. He left his group and walked over.

  "Hello, everyone." Cadrow smiled and raised his hand in the usual Balmythran way until he really zoned in on me. Then he bowed low. "We're honored to welcome the daughter of the Houses of Cassiopeia and Orion."

  Cheeks burning, I thanked him and introduced Matt, who seemed a little dazed. Most of the Balmythrans standing and sitting in the grass briefly gave us their attention; several raised their hands in greeting. Mandaus and Barnos, however, continued to argue.

  Cadrow sighed. "Don't mind them. Our usual architect is visiting Nodyra with Jor's father, Corel." He clearly said that for Matt's benefit before shifting his attention to Jor. "I see your journey was successful."

  "It was. I don't want to take you away from your work, Cadrow, but we're in desperate need of hospitality."

  "No apologies." Cadrow smoothed his short gray beard. "We can use a rest, and Mandaus needs to relax. He's much too intense...typical for a fledgling architect." He studied the scowling young Sairon in question. "Mandaus doesn't understand you must crawl before you can walk."

  "So that guy's an architect?" Matt was surprised. "He can't be much older than us."

  "Probably isn't," I said. "Balmythrans learn things at a younger age than Nodyrans. By that, I mean earthlings." Matt nodded, which I took to mean he'd already guessed what the word meant. "Sairons are especially dedicated. As for Mandaus, he designs a building and then directs his mental energy with the help of several others to create it. That’s how it’s done here."

  Matt turned eastward to the colorful rooftops of other structures, just visible beyond a grassy knoll. His eyes widened slightly. "And all those were built out of thin air, too?"

  I saw where he pointed and nodded.

  Matt reached out and quickly pinched my arm. I naturally yelped in surprise and pain, which made him shake his head in wonder. "Guess I am awake, after all."

  "Of course you are." I rubbed the red spot on my arm. "And you're supposed to pinch yourself, idiot."

  Matt shrugged. "That worked just fine."

  "Yeah, well, you're asking for another black eye."

  Cadrow turned with a chuckle and motioned for us to join him as he walked down the pebble path to a cobblestone road leading into the city. In a matter of minutes, we reached the buildings.

  "Saironalis, Sairon capital." Cadrow's sweeping gesture encompassed a large square surrounded by buildings of all shapes and sizes. Though grayish marble seemed to be the most common construction material, stucco, rock and even brick structures also abounded. Surprising splashes of vivid trim gave everything a festive air, as did the bright clothing of the citizens milling about. It was a lot like stepping into a time warp.

  Matt took in each detail. I could imagine how he felt. We walked past an enormous sculpture of a swimming dolphin, suspended midair and sparkling in the sunlight. On first glance, it appeared to be made of ice. I knew it wasn't, of course, since I instantly recognized the style of Jor's mother, a renowned water sculptress.

  "Dostinya's work?" I asked Jor, pointing. Matt naturally gazed in that direction, too. I heard his sharp intake of breath.

  "Yes."

  "Is that ice?" Matt stepped closer and reached out to touch the dolphin's tail. It flipped back in his face, splashing water into his eyes. "Trash-talkin' tadpoles!"

  Even Jor laughed at that.

  Matt wiped his face with the bottom of his shirt. "You want to explain?"

  "Later, I swear." I realized that there was just too much to say about Balmythra at the moment.

  Motioning for us to continue our walk, Cadrow led us to a building that resembled an ancient Greek temple. He stepped between the huge marble pillars that rimmed the front steps and terrace. We followed him inside. I instantly noted how light from the high windows illuminated the cool interior and splashed off statuary lining the massive central room.

  Murals of brightly colored forest scenes covered the walls. I loved the memories they evoked: unicorns playing in a field; dragons soaring through the skies; centaurs clustered in a grove of bagowan trees. I hadn't seen any of these creatures since the age of six except in my dreams or maybe a movie.

  With a wave, Cadrow directed us down one of the many halls that emanated from the central foyer like spokes on an enormous wheel. In seconds, we reached a smaller room where we found a low table surrounded with large red pillows fringed in gold. On the table were plates, eating utensils, goblets and a stack of folded linen napkins.

  Cadrow motioned for us to sit on the pillows. "I'll ask someone to bring talapanis juice." He bowed and left the room. Matt and I settled in.

  "Is he a Sairon top dog?" Matt asked the moment the three of us were alone. "And why is he treating you like an adult?"

  "Cadrow is the eldest member of the Council that guides us, and he's simply giving Alleana the respect she deserves." Jor moved nearer to the door and continued to stand.

  Matt heaved a sigh. "You do realize that I feel like a character in that Inkheart book of yours, don't you?"

  "Yes." I touched his shoulder in sympathy. "I'm actually out of place, too, but everything will be okay once I get in touch with my mother. Here, have another wani-nut." I took one of the nuts from my pocket and handed it to Matt, along with a xox I picked up from the table. I then showed him how to peel it using the customized tool.

  Just as Matt popped the nut into his mouth, Cadrow and two young helpers returned carrying trays heaped with local delicacies and an ornate silver pitcher. The helpers set it before us on the table. It pleased me to see bread and cheese, food that Matt would recognize. I guessed Cadrow had done it on purpose. He was a Sairon after all, well-traveled and wise in the customs of earth. I remembered a Balmythran custom I hadn't thought of in ages.

  "Stand up," I whispered to Matt as I got quickly to my feet. He did, and watched with obvious curiosity as Jor and I stepped toward Cadrow. Jor raised his left hand, touching it briefly to the elder Sairon's raised right hand.

  I started to do the same, then caught myself. "Oops. I have no duenoar."

  "I didn't expect any," Cadrow said. "You've been in exile, after all." He included Matt with a smile. "Nodyrans are routinely exempted, of course. Besides, you're both my guests. Now sit and enjoy."

  Matt and I did, but Cadrow and Jor began a low conversation near the door. More than once, I felt their gazes on me and guessed Jor might be talking about his trip to Nodyra or maybe requesting a thought net for our safety.

  Matt, seated next to me on the floor, leaned close. "Want to tell me what that was all about?"

  "I'll try...." I thought for a second about how to say it. "In Balmythra we use duenoar when giv
ing or receiving hospitality or any material thing. It's like an exchange of mental credits. Normally, I'd have received my first duenoar from my parents when I turned twelve, based on my accomplishments up to that point. Since I wasn't around then, I missed the ceremony. Luckily, Jor took care of us."

  "So they don't use any kind of money around here?"

  "No, though trading isn't uncommon. Nodyran visitors have to have some way to buy things."

  "So, I'm not the first earth visitor?"

  "Not even close. Our ancestors migrated from Nodyra, so some of us actually have relatives there."

  I picked up the pitcher and filled two pewter goblets full of the amber liquid inside it. I handed one to Matt, who sniffed it before he took a cautious sip.

  "Not bad. Kind of like cherries and almonds. I could get use to it." That said, he dug into the food.

  Once Cadrow left, Jor joined us at the table. I tried to read his mood, but couldn't, and knew that even if I had complete Eniywan he'd probably remain a mystery. Sairons were like that.

  "Time to talk, I think." My words were a little muffled by my mouthful of freshly baked eitapi roll.

  "Time to talk." Jor poured himself a drink and took a long swallow. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Things are not good here in Balmythra. The Dagonel—"

  I stopped him right there. "Who are they? Why are they a problem for my mother? And why would they want me?"

  "Last question first: the Dagonel do not want Balmythra to have a Guardian, and we desperately need one."

  I froze, my own goblet halfway to my lips. "Why? Where's Mom?"

  "She disappeared the same day I pushed you into the Stream." Jor swallowed audibly. "That's why I did it. You were in danger."

  My goblet crashed to the table, splashing talapanis juice everywhere. Unable to believe my ears, I simply stared at Jor for several long seconds. "But that was eleven years ago. She’s been lost all that time?"

  He nodded.

  "And my dad?"

  "He went missing three weeks ago."

  My heart stopped. Stunned to the core, I couldn't breathe, much less talk. "B-Balmythra has no Guardian?" No wonder Petria had changed the subject earlier.

  "That's why we had to find you. Not that we hadn't already looked...."

  "But you didn’t know where I landed when you pushed me into the Stream." I didn't even question this knowledge, supplied from another memory not my own.

  That explained why Eniywan had arrived so early. The powerful mental connection of the Ionians, who needed a leader, had caused it. Like bees that lost their queen, they'd created another. Soon...too soon...more than memories would flood me. I felt guilty for dreading that even as a strong sense of responsibility tried to assert itself. Guardians couldn't consider their own feelings.

  "I don’t know exactly what a Guardian is, but if you mean a leader, what about Rocc?" Matt sounded confused. "Couldn’t he take over the job? I mean, he is your big brother."

  "Rocc can never be Guardian." My voice sounded flat, even to me. I saw the questions in Matt’s face, but just shook my head. "It’s way complicated."

  Could I find my parents? I thrust unwanted, disturbing details of their likely fate from my mind. Though I tried to shut them out, other people's worries slammed me. My eyes filled with tears.

  At that moment, I felt Jor’s mind reach out to mine, and I finally let down my guard. Warmth instantly suffused my body as a result of the mental bonding, more intimate than a hug. I gratefully accepted its strength, but couldn't meet his gaze.

  Thankfully, Matt remained quiet as if sensing my mood. Would I know if they no longer lived? Was it too late to save them from the Dagonel? That evil word already sent a chill down my spine, and I knew next to nothing about them. But Jor would supply the necessary information soon enough.

  Did I have what it took to be a leader? And how would I know unless I tried? Most important, could I lead my people and look for my parents at the same time?

  I had no answers.

  That told me I was so not ready for this.