examined another memory.
Blixen stood beside the burned-out remains of a tiny village. The stench of char was in his nostrils. His mouth tasted of ash.
“Humans did this,” a voice said.
Blixen seethed with anger. He knelt down and stroked the cheek of the infant bax. “Why do they hate us so much?” he asked.
“It’s their way,” came the response.
Blixen spoke again. “But why burn them alive?”
Selena shuddered; the outpouring of emotion that accompanied the memory was overwhelming. There were countless experiences around her, a lifetime to behold, but there was one remembrance that stood out above all others.
Blixen, the Warden of the Rift Valley, stared in futility at the city of Zorn.
“She is in there,” a voice said. “Your wife was only taken three days ago. We will do everything we can to get her back for you.”
Blixen’s response was slow in coming. “You know she is gone. I will soon be fighting humans wearing her skin as armor.”
For a moment Selena didn’t know where or who she was. Blixen’s pain and rage still filled her. The grief that accompanied the loss of his wife was overwhelming.
His wife is the true reason that he is gathering an army to attack the city, Rei-kika said.
I’m sorry, Selena replied, but it has nothing to do with me. If I can get away, will you come with me?
The danger is too great. My eggs are safe here.
Selena wondered what she could do. She turned away from the memories and focused on the whirl of thoughts. She knew from Blixen’s mind that the conversation with Mugrak was coming to a close.
Rei-kika sighed. Try this.
The mantorean formed a thought of her own and tossed it into the maelstrom. Selena looked on as it joined the other potential thoughts, spinning around with them, able to be formed yet not something Blixen would choose to think on his own.
Something else bubbled up instead. Time to test this new mystic, Blixen mused.
Quick, Selena, Rei-kika said. I don’t have the power, but if you are going to do something, you need to do it now.
In desperation, Selena wondered what to do. She discarded one plan after another, until she had an idea.
Copying what Rei-kika had done, she formed a thought and tossed it into the storm inside Blixen’s mind. It began to disappear, but she concentrated, pouring all her effort into keeping track of the one thought she wanted Blixen to bring to the surface and make his own. It was something close to his own heart.
“Well, mystic? Answer!” Mugrak was shaking Selena’s arm.
With a sickening lurch Selena re-entered her body and looked around. Mugrak was glaring at her while Blixen leaned forward. All eyes were on her.
“The warden has asked you a question,” Mugrak said through gritted teeth.
“Yes, I am ready to cast for you,” Selena said, meeting Blixen’s gaze.
“Good,” Blixen said. He rubbed his wrinkled chin. “I am giving you a challenge. Two months ago someone close to me was captured by the humans, who took her, along with others, to the city of Zorn. I accept that in all likelihood she is dead, but perhaps I should not be so certain. I want you to cast for me, mystic. Dead or alive, I want you to find my wife.”
Mugrak opened his mouth to protest. “Great Blixen, even for her, to search inside the city . . .”
Selena held her breath. She had encouraged Blixen’s natural desire to discover his wife’s fate, but the next part . . .
“She will need to be closer to Zorn, yes,” Blixen said. “Which is why, Mugrak, you are to take her to where she needs to go. Be wary of the city guard. Your gift is appreciated. Use it to give me that which I want most.”
Mugrak scowled, but he nodded. “Your will, Warden.”
“And, Mugrak? I heard a rumor, something about a human girl-child. I trust it is not true.” Blixen’s voice became a low, ominous rumble. “The humans may murder our young, but we will not descend to their level.”
A brief look of fear crossed Mugrak’s face. “Of course.” He dipped his head and gave something close to a bow.
Selena experienced a surge of triumph. She had found a way to get herself far from the canyon, and the army of bax.
Once she was close to the city, she just needed to once again find the mystic in the tower.
This time, she would ask for help.
20
“It’s the city guard!” one of the refugees cried. “By the rains, we’re saved!”
The men,