Pool of Radiance - James M. Ward [109]
Shal's words jarred the two men from their stunned silence. Tarl rushed to Shal and wrapped his arms around her. The big woman's muscular body went completely limp, and Tarl could only slow her collapse to the ground.
"I've-I've never seen anything quite like that," Ren said simply. "Will she be okay?" Ren looked to Tarl, and in his eyes he could see the fear that blanketed his friend's face. "Can you help her?"
"I-I don't know." Tarl responded numbly, and he shook his head. "My god, she's powerful!… But even as strong as she is, her body wasn't ready for that kind of expenditure of energy."
He closed his hands around both of hers and uttered a prayer of restoration and rejuvenation. In moments, he could feel a pulse of warmth and renewed strength building in Shal's exhausted body. As with the other times he had healed Shal, he was nearly overwhelmed by the bond that flowed between them. He felt as though he were only a whisper away from sensing all of her emotions, and for the first time, he was certain that she shared the bond. When she opened her eyes and stared directly at him, he knew she did.
"Are you okay?" asked Ren, stooping down beside Shal.
She nodded, and he cuffed her gently on the shoulder. "I don't ever want to be on the other side of a fight with you, woman. I never felt so helpless in all my life. My swords and daggers could've been butter knives for all the good they would've done me against you or Yarash."
Shal sat bolt upright. "We've got to find him! He won't stop making those creatures, those abominations. He's obsessed. It's the generation of those perverse creatures that pollutes the river, and he thrives on their creation. I'm no mind reader, but during the battle, I could feel his presence, his essence. He's crazy-completely chaotic. And his obsession doesn't end with the Stojanow River."
"Can you get us out to the island?" Ren asked. "I know you've probably already used your quota of magic for at least the next week, but-"
"For a month or more, I think," interrupted Shal. "I don't think I can do it."
Tarl reached out and gently helped her to her feet. "Take your time," he said.
Still shaky, Shal slowly walked over and patted Cerulean. "I don't think I'd have come through that without you, big fella. Thanks."
Cerulean stamped one hoof but kept his thoughts to himself until Shal held out the Cloth of Many Pockets.
I'll stay right here, thank you! Cerulean sniffed.
"No, please. I have an idea. I know I don't have the strength to teleport all of us to the island, but I believe I can teleport myself."
"You can't go out there alone!" Ren and Tarl spoke as one.
"Shush." Shal waved her hand at the two. "Cerulean, you have to tell me something. Are you able to go in the cloth because you're magical, or can anybody do it?"
It has nothing to do with me, Mistress, though it does take a certain amount of concentration.
"How's that?"
I could walk right up to that cloth and bump into it. Unless I was planning to go inside, I wouldn't. I have to kind of get myself prepared for it-mentally, I mean. I dislike going in there, so I always pretend I'm going to land so hard in there that I'll rip the pocket, and then I won't have to do it anymore. Do you follow me?
"Yes… and I think it'll work," Shal said aloud.
"What?" the two men exclaimed together.
"I don't have the energy to transport all three of us across the river, but if the two of you can get inside the cloth with Cerulean, I think I can fly myself over."
Cerulean folded his ears down against his head and pawed the ground thoughtfully. Since you put it that way… Tell the two gentlemen to observe me closely. Be sure to explain what I just told you about getting prepared mentally.
Without a sound, Cerulean leaped forward and poured into the cloth, where he immediately proceeded to expound on the virtues of a well-lit environment.
Tarl and Ren both looked at Shal skeptically