Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [63]
‘See not what is, but what you desire.’ Her voice filled his mind as if she were standing next to him. ‘It’s easy, if you know what you want.’
He let her words sink in. When he opened his eyes he ignored the solid wall and imagined the portal instead. He saw its glowing purple light, the zapping tendrils of the Entity reaching towards him. He dismissed the barrier and saw instead what he wanted to see—a way out. The one he knew could be there, the one that moments ago had been. Exhaling, he stepped forward, not smacking into a solid object but gliding through, into the portal, the plasma tickling his hand as he passed. ‘Tensar, please,’ he said, and he imagined the palace courtyard in the time of spring.
‘Thank you, Rosette, wherever you are.’ He smiled and the Entity locked onto his vision of gratitude—including his memory of Rosette, the joy in her voice, the smile on her face, the softness of her touch. It locked on and it took Shane straight to her, straight into the driving rain of Corsanon’s quarry road.
Shaea ditched Teg, but she didn’t know for how long. The handsome young man who’d tailed her from the temple had gone up the quarry steps, checking the runoff levels. She’d suggested he climb a few flights first, before they both ventured up, explaining how the downpour could bring a wash of water fit to drown them both. It was true. She’d seen it happen and, in her frock and fancy new boots, he didn’t question her suggestion. Of course, Shaea could climb twice as fast and high as any boy, but she saw no need to tell him that. She wanted a word with the Entity and she had no intention of giving away her secret to Teg, no matter how beguiling he was.
She made her way back to the pothole in the ground; barely distinguishable from the rest of the road, it was half buried in mud and rising water. She knew the place, though. She recognised it immediately and stood right over it like it was really there, the portal to another world. ‘I got Rall out of the city but there’s been a bit of grief. She’s not with me at the moment. Do you really mind? I’d much appreciate you letting me through, so we can talk about this face up.’
The ground shimmered and a rippling wave of energy blew her hood back, pasting her wet hair to her face. From the edge of the road a wall of rock emerged, the portal opening. It quickly became a gaping maw glowing with purple light. ‘Get in here then, girl, before you’re washed away.’
She slipped into the shelter of the corridors without a second thought, letting out a scream when she bumped into a man, lean and rugged, with startling blue eyes and a long thin plait at the back of his neck.
‘Entity?’ She made a little bow. ‘Thank you for letting me in.’
The man laughed, a delightful sound, and held out his hand to steady her. ‘Entity? Not hardly. The name’s Shane MacVenton, bard of Tensar and second marshal of the border scouts, though soon to retire that position.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘Have you seen a lad? He’d be attached to a woman, no doubt with a sour look on her face but otherwise beautiful.’
‘You’re not the Entity?’
‘Not me, lass.’
‘Name’s Shaea. But, you didn’t ask for Rall?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t know anyone by that name.’
She took a step back. ‘You didn’t speak to me the other day—the day of the battle?’
‘It wasn’t me, Shaea. I’ve only just arrived.’ He looked out into the driving rain. ‘Where are we, anyway? This isn’t the T’locity courtyard in spring, and you are speaking in the tongue of Gaela. Don’t tell me I’ve gone askew.’
‘I don’t know where you’ve gone but spring’s long past and I’ve never heard of T’locity.’
‘Not again.’ He grumbled before giving her a half smile. ‘I best look around in any case. The Entity makes these choices for a reason.’
‘You’re welcome to it, Shane. I’m staying put. The only thing out there is an oncoming flood, putting out the fires of Corsanon and washing away its filth.’
‘Corsanon?’
‘Where did you think we were?’
‘Anywhere but Corsanon.’
‘Why do you say