D. MacHale - The Pilgrims of Rayne

Moman asked, “You are saying you have no memory of anything before you were attacked by the bees?”

I had one more card to play. If I was lucky, it would confuse them a little more.

“I do have one other memory,” I answered. “It’s a name, I think.”

“What is it?” Genj asked.

I knew exactly one thing about Ibara. I knew the name of the Traveler. He was lured to Quillan by Nevva Winter and killed playing Tato, one of the deadly Quillan games.

I hoped he would be able to reach back from the grave to help save my life.

“Remudi,” I answered.

The effect on the tribunal was instant. All three sat bolt upright. Even the big guy who arrested me stiffened. I didn’t know why it was such a shock, but it definitely had an effect. I continued to pour it on by saying, “I can’t get that name out of my head. Remudi. Who knows? Maybe that’s my name and I’m not Pendragon. Do you know who I am? Do you know someone named Remudi?”

They looked off balance. That was good. I needed them to be confused and curious enough to want to keep me around to find out more.

Genj looked to the big guy who arrested me and asked, “Is the report we just received correct?”

“I’m afraid so,” the big guy answered.

“Bring him to us right away,” Genj commanded.

The big guy backed away respectfully and jogged off. I was left standing there with my toes on the red line. What report was he talking about? Who was being brought in? The three members of the tribunal stared at me. I felt like I was standing in my underwear. I’d done what I set out to do: I confused them. I didn’t want to say anything else that might mess that up.

“You nearly died,” Genj said. “It’s possible that amount of venom effected your memory.”

Awesome. If they thought a thousand bug bites caused my amnesia, cool.

“Do you have other injuries?” Drea asked.

“I don’t think so,” I said, keeping the possibility open. Though I knew I was fine. “Telleo told me I was saved by some fishermen. She really helped me, by the way.”

“Telleo has a gift,” Moman said kindly. “Her calling is to help people. She would even give aid to a Flighter in need.”

“I don’t know what a Flighter is,” I said honestly.

The three of them exchanged looks. Did they believe me? Probably not. I wasn’t so sure

I believed me either. I had no idea what a Flighter was, so how could I be sure I wasn’t one?

“You are not from Rayne,” Genj stated. “That much we are sure of. But you may be from another part of Ibara. The fact that you know the name of Remudi makes us believe that is possible. A Flighter would not know that name.”

Remudi’s name may have saved my life. But Genj said he thought I may be from some other part of Ibara. What did that mean? If I didn’t come from another part of Ibara, where did he think I came from? Did they know about other territories?

“There is someone you should meet,” Genj said. “Perhaps it will bring light to a confusing situation.”

I sensed someone walking up behind me. I didn’t dare turn around to look. To be honest,

I was afraid to. I heard the voice of the big guy who had arrested me. “Don’t cross the line,” he ordered. I thought he was talking to me, but realized it was intended for the person he was bringing in.

“He stole some clothing and some tools,” the big guy announced. “There were two of them. The other thief escaped.”

Stepping up beside me was the big security guy. With him was the dark-haired thief, the one I’d seen being tackled earlier. The young guy pulled away from the thug’s grip and angrily snarled, “Relax. I’m not going anywhere.” He looked at me and said, “What did they get you for?”

The young thief wasn’t intimidated by the tribunal. Or me.

“This is becoming a habit, Siry,” Genj said to the young guy. “A bad habit.”

“I didn’t do anything,” the kid named Siry boldly shot back at the man. “Those clothes were ours. We worked for them. That lady was crazy.”

The big thug poked Siry in the back. “Show some respect,” he ordered.

“Hey!” Siry protested. “I’m not the guilty one. Talk to that lady. She was supposed to pay us.”

The kid was cocky. From the scowls on the faces of the tribunal, they didn’t believe a word he said. I had the feeling they’d been to this dance before.

“Look at this young man/’ Genj ordered Siry while pointing to me.

Siry gave me a quick once-over. His eyes were blank. I meant nothing to him.

“Yeah, so?” he asked, annoyed.

Drea asked, “Have you seen him before?”

“Why?” he asked without looking at me again. “Is he blaming me for something too?”

“Answer a simple question for once, Siry,” Genj said, growing impatient.

“Don’t know him,” Siry said dismissively.

Moman added, “He says his name is Pendragon. Have you ever heard that name?”

“I told you,” Siry said, still annoyed. “I don’t know the guy”

“Yet he knows the name of your father,” Genj said. I snapped a look to Genj. Did I hear right? “This is Remudi’s son?” I blurted out. “Does that stir memories?” Drea asked. Oh man, did it ever. Not the kind I wanted to share. “Maybe there’s more than one Remudi,” I offered, my mind racing.

“There was only one Remudi from Rayne,” Genj answered. “Jen Remudi. This is his son. Look at him. Does he look at all familiar?”

I focused on the guy. He looked bored. He had the attitude of a street-tough kind of guy. I had only seen Remudi on the big screen on Quillan when he fought in the Tato match. The match that killed him. I tried to see a resemblance in Siry, but there was nothing about him that reminded me of Remudi. Then I remembered. Remudi was the Traveler from Ibara. As far as I knew, none of the Travelers knew their biological parents. Did it follow that the Travelers wouldn’t have biological children of their own? Siry might have been adopted, which meant there would be no resemblance.

It also meant something else. Something I needed to know. Badly. Siry’s arms were folded across his chest in a show of boredom and defiance. I couldn’t see his hands. I grasped the handcuff cord I had been holding and tossed it at the thief.

“Catch,” I barked.

Surprised, Siry caught the cord, revealing his hands. On his right ring finger was a familiar gray band. I had found the new Traveler from Ibara.

(CONTINUED)

Siry didn’t fit the profile. Each and every Traveler was special in some way. Even before they discovered the whole Traveler thing, they each had proved themselves to be smart and competent, and above all else, honorable. I can’t really speak about myself that way, seeing as I was pretty young when I left home, but I think I was a pretty good kid. I’m not sure I could say the same about Siry. At least, that’s what I thought after knowing him for a total of two minutes.

He looked at the handcuff cord I tossed him as if it were infected. “What was that for?” he barked angrily, and threw it back at me. He took a step toward me, ready to throw a punch. I didn’t move. The big security goon grabbed him. Good thing. I’m not so sure I had the strength to defend myself.

“That’s enough!” scolded Genj.

“What?” bellowed Siry, complaining. “He threw it at me! You saw it! Are you going to say that was my fault too?”

Genj sighed. I got the feeling that he was tired of dealing with Siry. He stood up and paced, thinking. He had two problems: an obnoxious thief and a semiobnoxious, mystery guy with amnesia and scabs. The two women joined him and they stepped away to discuss the situation. At least, I assumed they were discussing the situation. I didn’t think they were deciding on what to have for dinner. The big guy stayed between Siry and me, making sure we behaved.