The Spell of Rosette (47 page)

‘My bloodline…’ She took a step back. ‘Have you always known this about me?’

‘That’s the surprising thing. I haven’t. Must be your Gaelean half.’ He touched her hand. ‘Come. I’ll explain more on the way.’

They followed Kreshkali, skirting the lagoon until Rosette stopped, pulling Jarrod to a halt with her. ‘What about me?’

He cocked his head to the side. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

She searched his face. ‘You don’t, do you…Never mind.’ She clucked to the mountain horse and moved on.
Drayco, do you know where we’re going?

As long as there are no boats and no oceans, I don’t care.

I wish I could say there won’t be, but how else are we going to get off this island?

Portals, I suspect.

Rosette let out her breath. ‘The shipwreck was no accident, you say. What was it?’

‘The storm was natural enough, a blessing really,’ Kreshkali said.

‘A blessing? I doubt the rest of the passengers and crew think so.’

‘There was a witch-tracker on board, Rosette, scanning for your signature. When you released the
spell to calm the seas, they had you. The spell backfired to save your life.’

‘You talk like the spell itself was sentient.’

‘Everything is sentient, Rosette. No exceptions.’

She held the mare back, letting Drayco lead. The trail was narrowing, crowded on both sides by dense palm fronds and flowering hibiscus.

‘I brought it on myself? All those people…’

‘What you did saved them,’ Jarrod said as they wound their way to the back of the waterfall. ‘If the trackers were to get us, everything would cascade.’

‘Cascade?’

‘The many-worlds, like a stack of cards.’

‘Seems like there might have been an easier way,’ she said. ‘Like simple detection. I would have spotted the tracker, if I’d been informed, and we could have paid the captain a few extra coins to drop a dinghy over the side and set them afloat. That captain’s dead now, by the way. Remember?’

‘Rosette,’ Kreshkali said, her eyes bright, not hearing her comments.

‘There’s more?’ She felt like she would be sick.

‘Remind me to give you back your sword when we get to the next portal.’

‘You’ve got it?’

‘Of course. And An’ Lawrence says to try to keep track of it this time.’

‘The Sword Master knows?’

‘He does now.’

The portal behind the waterfall shimmered at their approach.

‘How long will it take to get to Corsanon?’ Rosette asked. Purple light reflected off the edge of the entrance as she passed, sending tingles through her fingers.

‘We’re going to Dumarka first.’

‘Dumarka?’

‘I’m not leaving the horses here, and where we’re going, they can’t follow.’

Rosette nodded, strapping on her sword. When she looked up, Jarrod and Kreshkali were leading the horses out into the Dumarkian Woods, slipping their halters off and setting them free. Jarrod lingered a moment, speaking softly to Wren before the mare shook her head and nickered.

‘Now, to Corsanon,’ Kreshkali said, brushing horsehairs off her cloak.

‘That fast?’

‘You’ve got some things to learn about time, don’t you?’

Rosette closed her eyes, opening them to an expansive view of a pastoral valley and gorge she’d never seen before.

‘Passillo?’ a voice howled desperately from the distance. ‘Passillo!!!’

‘I think I’ve been discovered,’ Rosette said. She felt her blood pulse through her body in an orgasmic rush. ‘I’m here, lost one,’ she answered instinctively before the others could speak, linking empathically with the sundered Entity. ‘Passillo is here. Rosette is here. Come to me. This is where you belong.’

Rosette stepped out of the portal into the rocky alcove above the Valley of Corsanon, and the dissipated energy of the Entity flew to her, embracing its other half as she realigned the portal with her presence. Warmth flowed from the walls around them, and a humming sound echoed as if the entire mountain was singing.

Rosette took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her face glowed.

‘That was easier than I thought,’ Kreshkali whispered to Jarrod. ‘Come on, Rosette. This is only the beginning. You too, Jarrod.’

‘Where?’ Rosette asked.

‘Earth.’

‘I can’t,’ Jarrod said, stepping back from the portal. He blanched. ‘The worm.’

‘We’ve got a plan for that, trust me.’

Jarrod paused a moment before following them in.

They emerged in the sewers beneath the crumbling city of Half Moon Bay. The air was thick and difficult to breathe, like smoke from a burning rubbish heap.

‘This is like my dream,’ Rosette whispered before she started coughing. ‘I feel like I’ve been here before.’

‘We call that
déjà vu,
’ Kreshkali said.

‘What’s the horrible smell?’ Rosette wrinkled her nose.

Drayco sneezed and wiped his face repeatedly with his front paws.
Death, Maudi—the world smells of sickness and death.

‘It’s not a pretty place, Rosette, but we can change that.’ Her face was set, firm and direct. She looked at Jarrod. ‘We don’t have long, and we have to keep you hidden.’

Jarrod nodded. ‘No argument there.’

‘Why hidden?’ Rosette asked.

‘Because, in this world, he’s a wanted Entity.’

‘Entity?’

‘A Juxta-quantum Arranged Rad-Ram Operating Determinate, to be accurate,’ Jarrod said. ‘There’s a worm out to get me. I’d say we have thirty-six hours, wouldn’t you, Kali?’

‘Sounds about right.’

Rosette went pale. ‘I don’t know what you said, but I think I’m going to be sick.’

‘When we shut down the solar shield, we can start thinking about widespread hydroponics, ion-based
energy sources and reforestation, but we’ve got to resuscitate the oceans first.’ Kreshkali stared at the figures in front of her, speaking her thoughts aloud.

‘That, and balance the O
₂
so we can establish mass water purification systems,’ Jarrod added.

‘The trick is getting clean water into every home. How do we do that when it’s been the only currency for the last hundred years? People don’t think of it as natural or free.’

Jarrod lifted his face. ‘We have to take the charge off it. Get people thinking, knowing, that there is enough to go around, enough for everyone.’

‘Can you do that?’ An’ Lawrence asked. ‘Change the way people think about it?’

‘It’s up to them, but we can lead the way. Show them how,’ Kreshkali said.

Rosette tipped her cup towards herself, looking at the last few drops in the bottom. ‘I don’t understand half of what you’re talking about.’ She looked at Drayco. If he’d been the least bit hesitant, she’d have snuck out to join Zero in sword practice hours ago, but her familiar was relaxed, calm and curious. She trusted that. She could get this.

‘It’s a lot to take in, I know, but we can’t wait for your cognition. We have to start right now.’ Kreshkali reached out her hand. ‘Come on.’

‘Where are you taking me this time?’

‘Not far. A little trip to the sea.’

I’ll wait here, if you don’t mind,
Drayco said without moving, his eyelids opening halfway as he dozed by a rat hole.

‘We won’t be long.’ Kreshkali tossed Rosette a cloak.

They made their way down the metal fire-escape to the abandoned street below. Looking both ways, Rosette followed Kreshkali to the seawall, the roiling
swell crashing on the rocks in front of her. She gagged as she inhaled the fetid mist rising from the wave.

‘What now?’ she asked, holding her hand over her nose.

Kreshkali drew a black-handled dagger from its sheath. The blade glinted blue when the lightning flashed.

‘We need a bit of DNA, Rosette, and a bit of the spell.’

‘We do?’ Rosette took a step back.

‘Just a few drops.’

‘How many’s a few?’ she asked, clasping her hands behind her back.

‘Thirteen will do. One for each lunar month.’

‘Lucky thirteen?’

‘Let’s hope so.’

Rosette raised her index finger. Kreshkali grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the wall when the next wave crashed. ‘Stay close. I don’t have to remind you what would happen if you fell in.’

‘Stripped to the bone, I think, is the phrase you used.’

‘Just keep it in mind.’

‘I am.’

They dashed forward as the sea pulled back. Kreshkali pricked her own finger and then her daughter’s, and they counted together as the drops fell silently into the sea.

‘This is crazy. How can such a small amount have any effect at all?’ Rosette asked as they ran back to the wall before the next wave broke.

‘Potency is a mysterious thing, Rosette. Sometimes it is based on how much, and sometimes on how little. The alchemy of this spell is activated by the greatest possible dilution. Ultimately, we want a solution that is so highly diluted that there is no longer any trace of our DNA present.’

Rosette stared at the brown water swirling with yellow foam as it rushed back. ‘I suspect that’s the case already.’

Kreshkali nodded. ‘It’ll take time for this cure to spread, years, perhaps generations, but the deactivation of the sea-devils has begun.’

They both ducked when a gunshot sounded in the distance.

‘Let’s get you home.’ Kreshkali took her hand again. ‘Send a message to Drayco. Have him and Jarrod meet us at the portal. They can escort you.’

‘I can find my way.’

Kreshkali looked at her without blinking until Rosette swallowed.

‘Right. I’ll have them meet us.’ She let out her breath when the older witch released her.

‘This world’s treacherous, Rosette. Keep that in mind before you think to go strolling down the lane. From now on, wear your sword under your cloak at all times and make certain you are never seen. They burn witches here.’

She nodded. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Back to Treeon. There’s one more thing I need to do.’

‘
A
n’ Lawrence sent you?’ Clay eyed the witch slowly. ‘In the middle of the night?’

‘He did, so best not delay. And keep your voice down. You’ll wake the whole dorm.’

‘I doubt it, after all they drank tonight.’

‘Just be quick.’

‘You’re Nell, right?’

‘Nellion Paree.’

A cloud crossed his face. ‘Rosette’s Nell?’

She nodded. ‘Get your gear.’

‘My guitars?’ he asked, looking under his bunk. ‘Flutes, whistles and pipes?’ He squinted at Nell in the candlelight. ‘It’s a festival performance? I don’t feel much like entertaining. I told him that.’

‘You might change your mind when we get there,’ Nell said, tossing him his cloak. ‘Bring as much as you can carry. Tuning forks, strings, picks, the lot,’ Nell directed, ‘and bring your sword. Do you remember how to use it?’

‘I do.’

He screwed up his face when they got to the portal. ‘Why are we taking so much water?’

‘You’ll see.’

Kreshkali had to slap his face to wake him.

‘What happened?’ Clay asked.

‘You passed out. Feeling better now?’

‘I’m okay.’ He gripped his sword hilt. ‘Who are you?’

‘I thought we went through that.’

‘You sure as demons aren’t Nell.’

‘Aren’t I?’

He got to his feet. ‘Is it a glamour?’

‘Not really. Nell, Kreshkali, take your pick. We’re one and the same, though I’m sticking to this for now.’

‘Kreshkali? You’re the witch that killed Rosette?’

‘Hardly, lad, so take your hand off the sword. An’ Lawrence will explain, if you haven’t worked it out by then.’ She ran her hands through her spiky hair and shouldered the instrument bags. ‘Can you manage those?’

Clay’s face was red. He picked up his guitars and followed her. ‘Where are we?’

‘Earth.’

‘Why?’

‘Ah, here comes the Sword Master. I’m going to let him fill you in on the way.’

An’ Lawrence helped them through the manhole and out into the dark street. Clay listened for a while, his eyes getting wider.

‘Put it this way,’ Kreshkali said, ‘you’re here to teach—to bring music to people who’ve forgotten what it sounds like.’

Clay’s mouth was open, but no words came out.

‘Jarrod safe?’ Kreshkali asked as they crossed the street.

An’ Lawrence nodded.

‘And I trust my daughter’s well?’ she said, handing An’ Lawrence an instrument bag.

‘She’s waiting to see you.’

‘Temper?’

‘I’d say fierce describes it best.’

Clay looked up. ‘Daughter?’

‘You know her, Clay.’

‘I do?’

‘Rosette.’

Clay’s face contorted.

‘Sorry, lad,’ Kreshkali said. ‘We had to let you believe she was dead.’

‘She’s not?’

‘You’ll see for yourself in a moment.’

Tears welled and spilled down his cheeks. He pulled up his hood and spoke no more. They arrived at Kreshkali’s apartment building at sunset, the glowing strip of rose on the horizon signalling the end of the day. The sky turned a dull, starless mud-black as they trudged up the steps, rain pounding the tin overhead.

Rosette opened the door, light flooding the hallway. Jarrod stood from the table, moving to take wet cloaks, instruments and gear. Rosette stepped aside as he ushered them in.

Drayco flicked his tail.
Go easy on him,
her familiar cautioned.
He’s standing on a precipice.

Clay?
When she looked up, she met Clay’s eyes. Everyone went silent, staring until they all suddenly busied themselves with tasks.

‘I guess I have some explaining to do,’ she said at last.

Clay stiffened at the sound of her voice. He looked over at the Sword Master, who gave him a nod.

‘I do as well. I haven’t been completely honest, Rosette.’

‘None of us have,’ she answered.

‘You’re not even part Gaelean, are you, Kreshkali?’ An’ Lawrence asked as he walked about her large studio, examining the shelves full of strange books and unfamiliar trinkets. Some he recognised, some he did not. The others were at the kitchen table, talking in hushed voices, a tentative peace working its way out between Rosette, Clay and Jarrod. Zero’s enthusiasm was affecting them all.