Elements (Tear of God Book 1) (34 page)

“This is no time for jokes,” Theen said in his trademark lisp, setting off a new wave of chuckles, including more puppets. Now, he had all of their attention.

Mink had to capitalize on this opportunity. “A dead weight,” Mink answered his own self-deprecating riddle loud enough for everyone to hear him. The Elementalists were visibly upset by his apparent lack of seriousness, but he had played into the Reeks’ dark sense of humor perfectly. The laughter rolled for many long seconds. The cloak embracing Mink clapped him on the shoulder while cackling, its flesh glove making a horrible flapping sound. It was difficult to distinguish the separate laughs at first, but as they died out, the sounds became clearer. Mink managed to double check his count.

“Fifteen Reeks!” Mink yelled in the direction of Tolrin and Jannri. “There are fifteen of them.” Puppets and Elementalists gazed in unison at Mink while Tréa confirmed his count.

Grinning, Mink felt like he had just proved himself in the presence of geniuses. The puppet squeezed him a little tighter and tilted its head closer to Mink’s face, which caused him to pull away, revolted.

“Prouds of yourselfs, boy? I would loves to extinguishes yours exuberance.”

Knowing that Reeks respected resistance to taunting, Mink put his own arm around the puppet and patted its rigored shoulder. “Not today, friend,” Mink replied.

So few Reeks against this many Elementalists would be a suicide mission. As much as the Reeks celebrated death, they never needlessly pursued their own end. Their careful approach to the Team must have been to disguise the fact that the Reeks in control wielded too many at once, and therefore weren’t capable of much dexterity. That made their ambivalence to having puppets destroyed more understandable. Had the Elementalists taken out enough of them, the Reeks might have stood a better chance of coordinating an attack, using their remaining forces more deftly.

Now that the conflict had eased up, Tolrin spoke inside Mink’s mind, “I got a puppet talking to me. Asking what we’re doing here, and how we plan on paying for their losses.”

Mink remained silent, not sure how to respond. The cloak clung to him, completely inanimate, although Mink knew it could see and hear him. Gyov maintained Clay Pot, but the rest of the Team had calmed down quite a bit.

Tolrin continued after a pause, “Jannri is talking to them now. What you did was really foolish. I’m glad the big gamble paid off, but I was pretty close to killing you myself.” Mink flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Tolrin went on, “That said, impressive strategy. I don’t think I could have ever come up with that. You may have saved us all.”

“Thanks, Sneak.” Somewhat relieved, Mink’s thoughts now turned toward his parents. He may not have discovered his affinity yet, but he wanted to tell them how, probably for the first time, he actually felt in his Element.

T
HE REEKS’
negotiation process essentially amounted to looting the Elementalists’ belongings. Cloaks stood lifeless as the Reeks controlling them shifted focus from one to another, exploring through dead eyes what the Team had on hand. The Reeks never did show themselves, preferring to handle everything through their puppets. Much to everyone’s dismay, they insisted on escorting the Elementalist “campers” safely to their destination, seeming to accept the group’s cover story. Even though the Reeks agreed to maintain a distance, it was clear that the Team wouldn’t be rid of them any time soon.

Gyov finally Dispelled her Clay Pot. The Penbik twins hurried into the dust cloud it produced before completely dissapating, taking what energy they could from the Soil. Everyone was exhausted, especially Gyov. Mink worried that she had spent too much time on Tralé’s scooter earlier, leaving barely enough energy for her Clay Pot effect. The guilt of his selfishness at the expense of her safety sank his heart, darkening his joy of having her travel beside him.

If Obyr still had his Demolition effect active, he could fully restore Gyov with one punch, considering how well Body augmented Soil. But he didn’t seem the kind of guy to do favors, despite his tending to Alré’s Materialized skin. Mink would have asked Pulti to replenish Gyov’s energy, but she still wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He wanted to hold Gyov and apologize, but the couple of rotheads between them had their eyes locked on Mink and were leaving her alone. He figured it best to keep it that way until the negotiations were concluded.

In stark contrast to their slow en masse approach, the puppets rushed back up into the northern forest individually once each of their bartering requests had been honored. The Elementalists scarcely moved, and only spoke briefly when necessary. Just because the Reeks hadn’t fought back, didn’t mean they felt any better having them around. As far as Mink was concerned, everyone should be extremely glad affairs hadn’t gotten any worse. From his studies, he could count on one hand the number of Reek encounters survived in the past hundred years.

By the time the last of the dark visitors headed up the slope of the valley with their pilfered provisions, the Team had Dispelled their Elemental Armor and Attack effects. The Penbik twins returned their Impenetrable Bark armor to scooters. Clearly fatigued, Gyov hung close to Mink with her head down and hadn’t made eye contact with him since she Dispelled her Clay Pot. Mink wanted to engage her in some way, misconstruing her exhaustion for resentment toward him. But nothing he could come up with sounded right in his head. A simple apology didn’t seem like enough.

“You,” Gyov began, halting to maintain her composure, “were great. All I could do was hide. I was so afraid.”

“Trust me, I would have rather been able to hide.” Mink gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I’m glad you were safe.”

Gyov looked away from Mink and watched her Scout Cell gathering around Corporal Ankrim. “I should get back. Let me clean up and regain some strength. We can talk later.” She shuffled away.

“Yeah. It was nice to be able to ride with you for a while, I’m sorry it took so much out of you,” Mink called out to her back before rejoining his Guide Cell.

As the sun rose high over the hills, an uncomfortable heat settled heavily over the group. It certainly didn’t make the residual stench any more bearable. The trees of the surrounding area were no help, still submerged in the ground up to their tops. No one looked up as Mink came within reach of Tralé.

“I have never been more embarrassed by anyone in my command,” Alré brow beat Mink upon his arrival in the angriest version of her raspy voice. “There will not be a next time. I will take you out myself. Do you understand me?”

The twins and Sapo sent looks of disbelief and insubordination to Alré, but all of her attention was aimed at Mink. “I understand, Coporal Alré, ma’am. There will not be a next time.”

“This is exactly why we shouldn’t have brought kids out here.” Alré wouldn’t let it go. “You have no idea that what you do affects the rest of us. Kids only think about themselves. It costs lives.” Mink couldn’t help but take another look at Alré’s Materialized skin on her right side, which only made her angrier. “Eat your lunch quickly, silently, and then be ready to move out. All of you.” Alré spun on her heel and marched alone along the trail toward the bend ahead, fists clenched.

Tralé led Mink by the shoulder over to his scooter. “Come on, Mink. Let’s—”

“I said ‘silently’!” Alré roared without looking back.

Having a quick lunch was not a problem. With the lingering stink and emotional hangover, no one could find much of an appetite. Corporal Ankrim fully restored Sapo with Spear, so she could pay it forward to the twins using the Area of Effect chant, Washout,

“Torrents of rain descend from high.

The greater area be soaked.

Water falling relentlessly.

All things become saturated.

Cloudless, the rain falls forever.

Eternsa’s essence be my fuel.

The wrath of Floth herself take form.

Cover with rain upon my spit.”

Sapo spat and managed to keep the rain isolated to the Guide Cell. Mink could have stepped away to stay dry, but he wanted the Water effect to snuff out the Silent Signal Fire Tolrin had put on him. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm rain, relieved to know his thoughts were all his own. Apparently, everyone was angry that he had talked directly to the puppets. Was Gyov upset with him too? She did compliment him, but what did she mean by “talk later?” Mink knew it was partly his fault that she got so worn out. He rested his chin on the back of Tralé’s scooter and worked on his apologies.

Using Quick Legs, Pulti finally made a much appreciated appearance beside Mink. “Can’t stay long. Sergeant Holph is being a real rothead about everyone keeping with their Cell right now.” It only took a second for Sapo’s rain to drench her.

“I can understand that,” Mink admitted, wondering how she planned on explaining her sudden soaked appearance.

“Just wanted to congratulate you on saving everyone’s hide. After lights out tonight, I’ll find you. We can spend some time together then.”

Mink smiled. “That would be awesome. We might even join my parents, if we can make it to Rift Ridge.”

Pulti shrugged with a half-smile. “We’ll see. Gotta run.” Just before she disappeared, she kissed his cheek.

Sapo’s Washout canceled all at once, leaving Mink feeling suddenly quiet and still. Alré returned to the Cell from the path ahead without a word and sat on the back of Mouké’s scooter. No one looked her way, instead focusing on the valley ahead to the west, all still dripping.

“Move out. Quickly,” Alré said in an eerie calm. “We are going to try to make camp at Rift Ridge tonight.”

Mink’s heart lept in anticipation of their imminent arrival. Perhaps the encounter with the Reeks put a Fire under everyone’s feet to complete the mission. A clear sign of their somber focus, Tralé removed Mink’s music crystal and handed it back to him.

“You’re some kind of genius, Mink. I like the way you handled yourself.”

Mink appreciated the endorsement and tucked his crystal away as Tralé embedded his thumb and finger, Sledding them away on his scooter.

Not a word was uttered the rest of the day other than the chants necessary for removing obstacles along the valley floor. They made good time, and ascended the slope to approach the northern plateau before the sun completely disappeared behind the ridge. There were fewer trees at this elevation, but still enough to feel adequately hidden between the valley walls. The occasional waft of the Reeks’ puppets were the only indication of their dark escorts, hiding among the trees to the northwest.

Alré held up a hand and whispered hurriedly, “Stop, stop, stop. Halt!”

The twins and Sapo froze and looked at her. Alré held a finger to her lips and put her forehead on the back of Mouké’s scooter.

“Mink,” Tolrin’s voice came so soft at first through Silent Signal Fire that Mink thought he imagined it. “First, let me say your parents seem to be all right.” Mink’s throat tightened and his heart skipped a beat. “But scouts on the hilltop report that it looks like the Machinists have surrounded the opening above the cavern.”

“What?!” Mink involuntarily shouted in his mind.

“From what we can tell, your dad has most of them under the Hibernation effect and your mom is preventing the rest from entering. We’re formulating a plan to help them.”