***
Preegha led the way through the palace. Something was wrong, he could feel it. The Elders behind him had the same disruptive sense. When they'd come out of the dungeons their sense of where their warriors were had suddenly become disrupted. It was disorienting.
They'd stopped briefly, trying to feel their way but it was no use. Then knowing they couldn't just stand there, Preegha had picked a direction, hoping it would lead them to the outside of the palace and started off as fast as he dared. It was small comfort that at least he could still feel his brothers next to him.
They'd all taken to the fading defense. He could sense his skin, muscles and blood all adjusting to the different surroundings. They were moving so fast it was taking a toll on their bodies’ energy. Yet they needed to open the gate, and couldn't afford to be stopped by anyone. The Mulda’ fi were counting on them. They had to succeed!
Preegha turned a corner then a wave of pain hit him. He reeled against one of the other Elders. He couldn't even tell who it was. Something in his mind flashed an alarm. There was a spinning in his mind and in his belly.
They all had to a stop, their vision blurred, and they had to come out of the fading. Low laughter came from the far end of the hall. Preegha strained his eyes and saw a group of black uniformed men moving forward.
"Come," he commanded his brothers, and turned to go back the way they'd come. Another group of guards were coming up from behind, blades drawn, cutting off their only avenue of escape.
The disorientation, the spinning in his mind, grew. He turned back to the first group. They continued to move closer. Through the haze in his mind . . . and his eyes, he could see one of them held something out in his hand. It was a crystal pyramid about the size of his fist glowing red and pulsing in time with the waves of nausea that swept over him. It was physical; it was mental; affecting everything, especially his feeling, turning it every which way. Preegha tried to concentrate, tried to bring his senses together, to fight back . . . somehow. The Mulda’ fi needed them!
"See. It works just as Yah' Winn said," the one holding the crystal said to another. Preegha could faintly make sense of what they were saying. He heard then had to concentrate to assign meaning to the words.
"Yah' Winn is false!" Preegha struggled to get the words out. He had to convince them. To make them see. "The real Mulda’ fi is with us. He will help you. You must let us go!"
"What's this?" another said. He moved forward, motioning for the one with the crystal to come with him. "Who's this Mulda’ fi you're talking about?"
Preegha had to really struggle to focus as the crystal neared him. Pain started to gather in the back of his eyes, pressure pushing outward. He heard a groan from one of the other Elders.
"Jah'Vinn!" Preegha gasped as he finally spit out the name.
"Javin?" The sound echoed along with the blood pulsing at Preegha's temples in beat with the searing pain. "Javin is here?" It was the man holding the crystal who spoke. There was something in his tone.
Preegha couldn't think clearly. They had to believe. The pain! He couldn't stand it. His mind felt like it would explode from within. Everything was growing dark. In desperation he continued. "You must trust him. The other . . . you follow . . . That one is evil. You must see!"
"Where is he? Tell us now!"
Then the other voice. "Is he inside? Nemesis must know!"
Preegha heard the voices and the words slid into his mind painfully. Nemesis! They know he is evil and serve him anyway!
"Answer me!"
Preegha reeled with the pain.
"Answer now or forfeit your life right here!"
Preegha bit down on his lip and sank to his knees. If I die, so be it!
Nothing happened. His head swam, darkness boiling in his mind. He couldn't see. The pain seared and pulsed. He struggled to hang on to consciousness.
"I’ll secure these. You take the men and go find Javin! I must get word to Nemesis!
“When you find Javin, don't waste time. Kill him! With your own hands if necessary, but make sure he's dead this time!"
Preegha struggled to hang on, to stand up and fight. I must warn the Mulda’ fi! The pain was too intense. As the last bit of his strength fled, the darkness overwhelmed him.