Richard Parker - Elsewhere

“You are to be commended,” Tabernas added.

“Lonogan gets the credit. I’ve been on something of a joy ride through my country.”

“Your country…yes,” Tabernas answered, feeling happy for the young man despite the recent loss of his own country.

“Gwaynn!” Laynee yelled dancing from one foot to the other, ignoring the look of exasperation she was getting from the High Zarina at her side. The young girl was geared up and excited about something despite the lateness of the hour. “I’m a Traveler Gwaynn! I did it! Just like you,” she said and hugged him at the waist then stepped back, blushing a bit.

“I knew you would be a Traveler,” Gwaynn said smiling slightly at the girl’s obvious embarrassment before raising his gaze to the High Zarina, who stood just behind Laynee. Gwaynn was surprised at the Zarina’s small stature, but he could see strength in her eyes.

“A Traveler,” she said, one eyebrow raised slightly.

Gwaynn bowed. “High Zarina.”

“Our enemies are growing strong,” she said and returned his bow with a slight one of her own.

“We still have a few friends,” he answered, choosing to ignore her pessimism, and the older woman was surprised at the young man’s calm manner. She glanced briefly at na Gall, who was wearing a smug expression. “Do you need to rest?” Gwaynn asked thinking of his own warm bed with Samantha already in it. “I can show you to your rooms.”

Monde shook her head. “It’s too late for that now. I’m wide awake from the excitement, perhaps later,” she answered. “If I could, I would like to have a word in private with you.”

Gwaynn nodded, suddenly wary. “Of course,” he said, curious, then turned to Marcum, who was becoming one of his chief aides as well as a trusted advisor. Gwaynn would miss him when he sent the Captain on to Lynndon to command the town’s defenses. But they must be ever vigilant with the eastern border, the Deutzani were not to be trusted. “Could you see to the others?”

“Of course M’lord,” Marcum answered.

“This way then,” Gwaynn added and indicated that Monde should follow.

“Jess,” was all the High Traveler said and the three of them headed inside one of the newly built bailey fortresses. It was not quite finished but would be within the week; however the lower courtyard was completely done and held a large barracks, a stable, and a center keep with a great hall for dining plus a few private rooms. Gwaynn was currently quartered in the largest private room, but he led the Travelers to the dining hall where a small fire was burning in the central fireplace. Everything still smelled strongly of newly cut timber. The large room was dominated by two long, plain but sturdy tables, accompanied by four equally long benches. Near the central fire was a group of perhaps half dozen simple wooden chairs otherwise the room was empty and unadorned; after all it was a fighting fortress and needed few luxuries. Such things may come in time, but for now, function was far more important than form.

Gwaynn led them to a small cluster of chairs and they took their seats without a word.

“Tar Nev trained you,” Monde said, though because it was not framed as a question, Gwaynn simply sat quietly and made no answer.

Monde pursed her lips and glanced once more at na Gall.

“I can assume he is also a Traveler,” she added, needing to know, needing to be sure. If Nev could Travel, he might be the explanation to the High King’s sudden and deadly attack on the inhabitants of the Isle of Light.

Gwaynn shrugged.

“I would like to know,” Monde insisted.

“He never Traveled in my presence, nor trained me in the art of Traveling during my time with him. What I know of Traveling I learned from Zarina na Gall,” Gwaynn answered.

Monde frowned. “The High King tried to wipe out the Travelers. He killed many of us including the High Zarina Aleecia. I need to know why. If Tar Nev can Travel…”

Gwaynn remained silent for a time and cursed his moment of weakness with na Gall all those weeks ago.

“Jess tells me you’ve admitted that Tar Nev can Travel, perhaps other Tars from Noble can as well,” Monde continued. “It would explain why they never allowed any Travelers to stay on their island until…”

Gwaynn grimaced, not wanting to lie outright to the High Zarina, but he promised Nev that he would keep this secret close. “Tar Nev never Traveled in front of me.”

“But he can Travel?”

Gwaynn shrugged once more. “You will have to ask him that question.”

Monde frowned once more and drummed her fingers on the table.

“I would like you to Travel for me,” she stated, shocking Gwaynn, and he thought for a moment to simply Travel by means of the twenty-nine steps of concentration. She would be able to garner no information by that.

“Please,” Monde finally said going soft. It was the perfect tactic with Gwaynn, who groaned inwardly, feeling suddenly shameful. If not for Jess na Gall’s help, Samantha might not be alive today. He felt a great deal of loyalty to Tar Nev but he also wanted to help the High Zarina.

“We have helped you and Massi,” the Zarina continued as if reading his mind. “We will continue to help you and Massi.”

Gwaynn smiled ruefully and nodded. “We appreciate and honor your aid,” he said, meaning it. “If you wish, I will Travel,” he added, deciding on the spot to manipulate time to give this woman a true measure of his ability…and therefore Tar Nev’s. “But if I do, I would like you to do something for me as well.”

Monde smiled for the first time, then laughed and touched Jess na Gall’s hand which was resting on the table. “You are right about him,” was all she said and made no attempt to explain the statement to Gwaynn.

“What is it you wish?” the High Zarina asked.

“I would like you to take me to Noble Island.”

Monde blinked in surprise and gave another nervous laugh.

“I think we need a few more allies on our side,” Gwaynn explained, “and I think it’s past time.”

This time na Gall laughed, and Gwaynn turned his eyes on her. “I would like you to go to Parma. I need the Cassinni as well.”

Jess’ mouth popped open for a moment then she snapped it shut and looked to her High Zarina. “I warned you…I told you,” she insisted.

Monde chuckled softly. “Come Gwaynn. We will trust you with the strategy. Please show me how you Travel.”

Gwaynn smiled and stood up, but as he did so his mind accelerated and his concentration focused on slowing time. In the moment it took for him to fully rise up and stand before the two Travelers, time was already beginning to shift. The women’s movements were becoming sluggish, seconds later all was quiet and still. Gwaynn took a moment to admire Jess na Gall in the firelight. She was truly a beautiful woman, made even more so by the soft light. He smiled and then went to work. He raised his hand and began the twenty-nine steps to create a bridge, but this time, only to the other side of the room. When all was ready he released time, popped open the bridge and moved through.

The two women gasped loudly in astonishment, Gwaynn could hear their shocked breathing clearly though he was now on the far side of the room. He began to walk back toward them, ignoring the pangs of hunger rumbling in his mid-section and was acutely aware of the wild look of wonder in their eyes. To the two Travelers, the entire process was instantaneous. One moment Gwaynn stood before them and then he was across the room. The bridge appeared the split second after he stood; there was no delay and no twenty-nine steps. He was with them and then he was through the bridge and gone.

“You never said…”

“I never knew,” Jess insisted.