Fire Within: Book Two of Fire and Stone (Stories of Fire and Stone 2) (22 page)

As they followed Orvanis down the stone tunnel, it struck Esset that the passageway should have felt similar to the descent to Salithsa, but it didn’t really. The look, smell, and feel of the place were too different. He wondered if this place felt homey to Tseka or as alien to her as it did to her human companions. He was suddenly conscious of all the stray thoughts that crossed his mind at totally random intervals; did Orvanis think them odd for that, or were his people like that too? Come to think of it, did Tseka's thoughts “sound” different from his or Toman’s? He wondered if Nadran thoughts differed from human thoughts on some fundamental kind of level. It wasn’t something he’d considered before.

Orvanis led them to the end of a tunnel, which seemed to be another dead end until he caused the stone to fold back, much like before. Then they stepped into a great hall. Great crystal pillars ran up the obsidian walls and supported the tall arched ceiling. The room was cavernous, featuring great platforms with steps leading up to them and wide aisles between. Esset guessed it could hold at least a couple hundred Ashiier, if they were all similar in size to Orvanis. Right now, however, only one other crystal creature was in the room.

A great stag, similar in size to the crystal bear, stepped down from one of the platforms to greet them. Like Orvanis, the stag seemed to be made of crystals, but instead of being tinted ochre in color, the stag was a faint peach shade.

*Welcome to Myzavere.* The voice was masculine, but different from Orvanis’s—this was the stag’s voice then. *I am Eskeer. Orvanis told me of you as you traversed the tunnel. It is a pleasure to meet you.* He inclined his head to them, and all three bowed in response; it just seemed appropriate.

“The honor is ours,” Esset replied. He was usually the one to speak for himself and Toman, and Tseka seemed fine with him being spokesperson as well.

*You have many questions; that is to be expected. But please, there will be time in plenty to ask them. If you would wait but a moment,* Eskeer requested.

“Of course,” Esset responded, and the stag turned to Orvanis. To Esset, Toman, and Tseka, it looked like they just stared at each other for a moment, but of course telepathic communication was taking place. Orvanis turned and nodded to them briefly as he walked back the way they’d come.

*Orvanis must return to his duties,* Eskeer explained. *And we but wait on Verett. I apologize if we seem to move slowly to you. There is not usually call for us to move around overmuch.*

“There’s no need to apologize,” Esset replied. “We’re just grateful you didn’t dismiss us out of hand.”

*As Orvanis said, anyone worthy of the phoenix’s blessing is worthy of our attention,* Eskeer replied.

“I’m not sure what we did to get her blessing,” Esset replied frankly. Tseka frowned at him like she thought he was crazy for saying so. What she’d failed to consider was that since the Ashiier read minds, honesty was their best course of action.

*Those deserving rarely do,* Eskeer replied cryptically, humor in his tone. Esset was perplexed by the answer; he supposed Eskeer was right, but still. When the phoenix had first told him what to say to the Ashiier, he hadn’t thought much of it. He’d just hoped that the Ashiier would know what he was talking about and not dismiss them outright. But now he saw that the phrase carried far more weight than he’d imagined.

*We hold the phoenix in very high regard,* Eskeer replied to his thought. *And her goodwill is notoriously difficult to win. But here is Verett.*

Another Ashiier emerged from an entryway behind one of the platforms and came down to see them. His shape was that of a weasel or ferret, except he was many times too large—he wasn’t as large as Eskeer or Orvanis, but he was close. His proportions simply made him seem smaller, Esset guessed. The crystal that seemed to make up his body was tinted blue.

*Hello, I’m Verett.* Verett’s voice was far less solemn than Orvanis or Eskeer’s.

“Pleased to meet you, Verett,” Esset replied. He felt like he should add some title before their names, as a sign of respect, but he honestly had no idea what title that would be.

*Yes, there is a correlation between form and character,* Verett said. To Esset, the statement seemed somewhat out of the blue, but then he realized that he must have responded to something someone else was thinking. A quick glance at his two companions had him guessing that it was Tseka’s curiousity, since she was grinning ruefully. Toman was keeping his thoughts and emotions under a neutral mask.

“I’m not used to guarding my thoughts,” she replied.

*There is no need. If anything, it’s refreshing for us to have mortal minds visit,* Verett replied. *Now, I’m to be your host. Eskeer wanted to meet you. By your standards, he is something of a leader, but he was working on a project when you arrived.*

“We apologize for interrupting,” Esset said politely.

*It is no trouble, but I must take my leave. I hope I will be able to speak with you again before you depart.* Eskeer inclined his head, looking briefly at Verett—presumably some exchange took place there—and walked away sedately.

*I confess I am terribly curious about the three of you. When I heard of your arrival I immediately volunteered to host you. Unfortunately I was also among the furthest away. Moving physically is terribly troublesome—it is much simpler to just move one’s mind, but such is the mortal coil, yes?* Verett chattered.

“I suppose it would be,” Esset agreed, liking the crystal ferret so far. Orvanis and Eskeer had been so, so—
stately
that they’d been a little intimidating. Verett was far more personable.

*Won’t you come with me? I’ll show you where you’ll be saying,* Verett said, turning back towards the steps of a platform. He led them up it and through the passage behind. *I’ll also introduce you to the Farri. They’re a little shy.*

“The Farri?” Toman asked.

*Yes, they are…hm, I suppose you could say servants, but it’s a more symbiotic relationship than the word implies. They live here with us. They are mortal—and rather short-lived, honestly—but they are able to lead safe, productive lives here with us. They are incredibly clever, but not intelligent like you or me. They are animals, however clever and useful,* Verett explained.

The psychic explanation, while conveyed in something like words in their minds, was shaded with nuances of meaning and additions that verbal language could never convey. There was something of emotion behind them, and even faint impressions like images. Had Verett said what he had aloud, there would have been room to misinterpret his words; as it was, it was clear that he had a great deal of respect and affection for their simpler, mortal counterparts despite his frank description.

“I’m curious to meet them,” Esset admitted.

*I apologize if this comes off as rude, but I find it remarkable how powerful the phoenix’s aura is around you. It seems to have gotten rather a lot stronger since you arrived,* Verett remarked. Toman and Tseka immediately looked to Esset, all three alarmed. Tseka went and placed a hand on Esset’s cheek.

“You’re warm,” she said, moving back again. Esset knew he needed to explain why he was here, and fast.

“Ah, yes. About why we came here. I have something of a stronger connection to the phoenix than most people, but she said the bond is unstable, and I’ve been having trouble controlling fire. In fact, I’ve kind of, uh, exploded with fire a few times. I don’t always know it’s coming, either,” Esset explained rapidly.

*Fascinating,* Verett replied, turning to peer at Esset. He sounded totally unconcerned. *You are correct about the bond being unstable, now that I look closer. But you needn’t worry about causing a calamity here. We are capable of containing even the phoenix’s power. She was right to send you here.*

“That’s…good to hear,” Esset replied, although he’d been hoping for more.

*Don’t worry, we’ll do more for you later. We’ll need to speak to the phoenix, of course, but that can wait as well, for when we hear your full stories. Come, let us resume walking. It’s not much further.* Verett began leading them again.

Esset was both relieved and concerned; relief came at the remark that they intended to help him, but anxious because now he knew he was about to lose control again. He wasn’t too keen on that particular experience, and he wasn’t sure what Verett planned to do about it. No answer seemed to be forthcoming, either.

*Here we will meet one of the Farri.* Verett stopped at an adjoining passage, and a small figure peeked around the corner at them. It gave them one furtive glance, hid, peeked again, then finally emerged.

The Farri was small, about half the size of an average human. It looked something like a monkey, which Esset had seen in wandering circuses and exotic courts before. It had long limbs and a short torso ending in a long, winding tail. Its eyes were wide and curious and it had two small, rounded ears atop its head. Its fur was a surprising shade of sky blue, except for a pale cream underbelly and black markings on its face and sides. It scurried up to them on all fours, then sat back to study them and be studied back. Esset was distracted from his own concerns by the charming creature; it—no,
he
—had hands instead of feet, both front and back.

*Farri,* Verett said succinctly. *They have some limited psychic abilities. They will know from your mind what it is you need, and by doing so, they will ensure that you are comfortable. Speaking to them is pointless except to clarify your thoughts and let them know your needs and wants. As I said before, they are quite clever in their duties, and more than happy to help.*

“Remarkable,” Toman said. He crouched to get a better look at the Farri, who automatically went towards him, then skittered away as if spooked by something. He stared at Toman, then rushed up to him and wrapped his arms around his arm in an unmistakable hug. Tseka, Toman, and Esset were all rather surprised.

*They’re also rather empathetic,* Verett added. His “voice” had a rather dry tone. The Farri looked at him, then let go of Toman so Toman could stand up again.

*Come, I will show you to your quarters. We always keep some ready in case of visitors, no matter how rare such visitors may be.*

“What’s his name?” Toman asked as the Farri walked four-legged alongside him.

*I don’t know,* Verett replied. *They are individuals, clearly, but they don’t tell us their names, and we deemed it disrespectful to name them. They aren’t pets, after all. They help us, and we help them.*

“Fair enough,” Toman replied. Esset found himself still wondering.

*Here we are. I hope these accommodations are satisfactory.* Verett brought them to a hall with a series of regular-looking wooden doors, but the nearest opened without being touched. Inside was a simple but pleasant room; there was a bed, a small dresser and end table, and a table with two chairs.

*All the rooms are identical. You are free to come and go as you please. We only discourage wandering as it’s easy to get lost.*

“Thank you,” Esset replied as they looked in the room.

*You are most welcome. Now I’m afraid I must leave you for a short time. There is a discussion to be had among the Ashiier. We may share our minds, but we are not always of one mind, so to speak. But don’t worry, reason always prevails among the Ashiier, and I will be back as soon as the discussion is concluded. Please, make yourselves comfortable.*

“Thank you,” Esset said again, and Verett took his leave. His gait had grown spryer since he’d first met them—if what he’d said were true, and they had little call to physically move, then his increased mobility now was likely simply due to practice.

“Well, I’m exhausted,” Esset said. “I think I’m going to risk a nap. Hopefully what he said about not worrying about exploding is true.”

“I think we could all use some sleep,” Tseka replied. She hadn’t had to fly them anywhere, but staying on whatever flying mount they’d been using at the time had been more difficult for her than them—Nadran bodies weren’t well-suited to riding other creatures. In fact, they were remarkably
ill
-fitted for it.

“Hopefully Verett doesn’t mind waking us when he returns then,” Toman remarked, and they divided themselves up and claimed their rooms.

Toman woke to one of the Farri gently but persistently tugging his sleeve. He blinked groggily at him, attempting to identify him—the same one as before, he was fairly certain—then realized the Farri must have a reason for waking him and sat up. The ambient light in the room slowly grew to its normal level, and Toman realized that the light must have dimmed as he slept. Bizarre.