Slithering Maze 42: One Last Great Plan

Medilus 16, 1278: Port Side District. City of Ishnanor. Setting something right that was so very wrong…

Author’s Note: Kingdom of the Slithering Maze is a serialized fiction story that is a part of a collection called the Windtracer Tales. It follows the adventures of Tela Kioni and her crew dealing with expeditions in and around the world of Awldor. There they hunt down lost, and possibly lethal, relics of the Ancient Order, a near-mythical kingdom lost to the centuries old cataclysm, the Great Collapse.

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Previously: With the crisis at the Council building done, Tela setting down for a little peace and quiet. Something that lasted only as long as her patience allowed, and a summons from the chancellor of the Council of Seven. A long walk confirmed Tela’s worst fears, she was both heralded as a hero—and a kingdom-breaker—in equal amounts for her role in what happened. Neither a a title or position she wanted. But the discussion was brief, settling debts and scores leaving Tela one last task to handle involving the ancient Iraxi crystals…

Medilus 16, 1278: Port Side District. City of Ishnanor. Setting something right that was so very wrong…

The long ride from Arth Prayogar to Ishnanor was like a long exhale of breath I didn’t know I held. It was close enough to relief that I felt it counted.

A gray dawn kept me company as I walked out of Ishnanor’s Port Side along the shores of Embercrest Bay. Waves lapped at the yellow-white sands, steaming with sea foam and a haze from the newborn sunrise. The humid air was rich with the whisper of old rain. Amber-gold pinpricks of lantern bugs fizzed in the cypress underbrush, while a marsh squirrel squawked from a branch overhead.

Really, it was just another morning in Ishnanor. Shame I was about to do something pretty stupid to rattle it.

I’d sent word to Skarri where to meet me—a fallen log next to a narrow tidal pool, one hundred Ancient Order meters outside the city. That felt far enough away that no one, myself excluded, risked getting hurt.

She smiled and waved as I walked up, worry creasing the scales around her eyes. That was nothing compared to the person standing next to her. Kiyosi was the portrait of pained concern. My best friend stood with his arms folded, blue-skinned tail slapping an irritated tune against the feather-leaf ferns behind him.

They made a great set of bookends for the topic of ‘things Tela shouldn’t do with ancient relics’.

“I wish you had let me weave a few spell threads to try to crack the crystals open,” he said. “It wouldn’t have taken even an hour to check.”

“How about no,” I deadpanned, rummaging in my shoulder bag for the crystals in question. “Last you told me, no one knows how to really make portals. At least ones that didn’t cut people in half.”

Kiyosi’s face went through four kinds of frustrated before he replied. “There’s jumping out of windows, Tela, then there’s this. It was barely a year ago you nearly killed yourself stabbing a lich with a mind magic storm.”

I pulled the crystals out of my bag, waving them at him.

“This won’t be a mind magic storm,” I snapped. “… probably.”

Kiyosi threw his hands in the air with a wordless grumble, then paced around the log.

Resting on the log, Skarri tugged at her forest-green tunic, war-kilt pleats fanned out below her waist. Slowly, she’d dug a nervous furrow in the sand with the end of her tail. Silent through my argument with Kiyosi, her inner commentary staged a rebellion the moment he started pacing.

“Tela? I want the crystals made harmless as bad as anyone. But…” A sigh escaped in a low hiss. “… you make terrifying tactical choices.” Skarri shook her head as a flush darkened her scales. “I know your improvised plans usually work, but… this time… just how are you planning to do this?”

I drew a long breath. She had a good point. Old me would’ve been angry at the comment about my plans, but I wasn’t old me. They were worried. We’d seen what these elemental-filled crystals could do—which were memories that were going to gleefully haunt me for some time. I knew they didn’t want me to get hurt, and if my guess was wrong? I’d get hurt really badly.

But we needed to take the risk. Idly, I jiggled the crystals in my right hand, making them clink.

“I know this’ll be a shock, but I did think this through. It’s still risky, but this isn’t one of my ‘make it up as I go’ ideas.” I stopped rattling the crystals like dice, clenching them in a fist. “Instead of cracking the crystals—which I don’t think would work—my idea is to draw the elemental out using mind magic threads. Channel them in the way the bracer did, I think.”

Skarri squinted as Kiyosi stopped pacing.

In all fairness, I had left out some of the ‘what ifs’ of my idea.

My threads could fray trying this, or the elemental inside might not see, or care, about what I’m doing. Of course, the fire elemental might care a lot, then try to possess me by following those threads right back into my head.

Still, I’d explained the important part.

“That’s,” Kiyosi paused, nodded thoughtfully, “actually an interesting idea.” He glanced over at me, arching an eyebrow. “It gives the fire elementals a path out that isn’t through you.”

“Thank you!” I replied with a little sass under my words. “I may not practice like I’m supposed to, but I have been paying attention.“

Skarri pursed her lips, eyes tight. “What she catches fire? That’s raw elemental power.”

Kiyosi nodded, staring at the middle distance. “Then you yank her back as I weave some healing salve. It’s not perfect, but it’ll help. Still, using mind magic is a really clever approach… provided you don’t catch fire.”

I raised my eyebrows with a thin smile.

“These are fire elementals. So I’m betting it’ll get as hot as an open oven when I start.” I waved a hand at the water in the bay. “Which is why I pulled a favor or three to send word to a friend who can help.”

Kiyosi frowned at the bay, curious. Skarri simply smiled.

“Oh. That’s why we’re all the way out here,” she said.

I winked at her. “Exactly.”

Moments later, Azure’sella drew up out of the emerald-blue water, then walked to shore. As she did, the robe of jellyfish-like material she wore melted into a modest sky-blue tunic and black trousers. Water cascaded from her cobalt hair, running off her and into the water at her feet. By the time the water elemental reached shore, her long hair and magic-spun clothes were dry.

“Saint’s quiet tides, Tela,” Azure signed to me, smiling brightly.

I grinned, signing back. “Saint’s quiet tides, Azure’sella.”

“Azure is fine,” she replied, cheeks flushing a darker blue. “I was surprised when I got your message.” Her smile faded to a frown, concern flickering over her sea-green eyes. “It mentioned the Bargain, and that you needed help. You haven’t been bound, have you?”

Kiyosi and Skarri exchanged a glance that landed between confused and concerned. I shook my head for everyone’s benefit. Then replied to Azure with sign language, but also aloud for the others.

“No, thank the Lady Deep. I’m not trapped in some mystic Bargain; it’s nothing like that.” I paused, hands caught in mid-sign. “It’s the Iraxi. The crystals can’t be broken, but I’ve an idea how to make them harmless—free the trapped fire elementals.”

Azure stiffened.

“I’m not saying don’t do it, but they’ve been there for centuries. Even elementals feel the pain and passage of time,” she quickly signed. “Are you sure about this?”

After a deep breath, I repeated what Azure said to Kiyosi and Skarri.

“She has a point,” Skarri replied, pushing upright off the log. “Could you…” she hesitated, glancing between Azure and myself. “She can understand us?”

I nodded. “Mostly. Signing is more natural for her. Her name is Azure’sella, or just Azure.”

Skarri inclined her head in thanks, then faced the water elemental and bowed.

“Azure’sella, it’s a valid worry. Tela makes,” she slid a brief look at me, lips slightly curled, “interesting tactical choices.”

Kiyosi snorted softly, while Azure’s grin returned. I lightly rolled my eyes, then gave them all a deadpan look. There’s nothing like close friends to keep you honest. Skarri ignored me and pushed on.

“But that’s why Kiyosi and I are here,” she explained, gesturing at Kiyosi. “He’s a very skilled spellcaster. I’m a warrior. Between the two of us, we could hold off a fire elemental for a short time if we have to.”

Azure listened silently, then signed back as I translated.

“That would make sense. What’s my part?”

“Keep me from catching fire,” I replied. “Also? I’m hoping that when the fire elementals are free, seeing you will keep them from going on a murder spree.”

“I’m a water elemental,” Azure replied dubiously. “They’re fire. It isn’t like they’re a part of my water-clan.”

“Yes, but we look way too much like people who put them in there,” I countered. “You don’t.”

“Fair point,” she replied.

“So when—and how—do we start?” Kiyosi asked, looking at the rest of us.

I held up one of the crystals in question, gesturing with it at the shoreline.

“Easy. I kneel down, pull mind magic threads while you three get ready to grab me, the fire elemental, maybe both.” I grinned at them. “Let’s free some elementals.”

The first part was easy. I knelt down in the sand, then pinched the air in front of my forehead. Like always, I felt that warm push behind my eyes a second before silvery-blue threads trailed off my fingers. Quickly, I wrapped the glowing threads around the pulsing red crystal, like winding thread around a spool, leaving a long trail for me to pull. What I’d wrapped around the crystal sank like melted butter into bread.

“Is it supposed to do that?” Skarri asked, looking over my shoulder.

“Maybe?” I replied. “First time jail-breaking a fire elemental.”

A bright orange light flared from the crystal in my hand. Heat followed a second later. Shoving the stone partway into the sand, I slowly pulled at the silver threads. Fire sparked as the magic threads slid out of the crystal. Sparks turned into tiny gouts of flame before tendrils of molten fire spilled in all directions. It was like what happened with Marius’ lich crystal, only with primal fire—I wasn’t sure which was worse.

But in the end, my idea worked.

While I pulled the threads, the air turned savagely hot. My lungs burned as if they were on fire, but I wiped sweat off my face and kept at it. Time warped like white-hot metal, steam rising as if I were being cooked alive. Maybe I was. I couldn’t tell. In that soup of moments, I felt Azure summon water to keep me cool. Kiyosi wove his own spells to heal me, or draw off as much excess light and heat as he could.

One crystal was swapped for another. I wondered idly, hands and body trembling, if this was how I would die. Maybe so, but roasting alive while freeing two victims from a crystal prison felt worth it.

Finally, I toppled over as both fire elementals took form on the shore. It was a man and a woman. They were tall and human-looking, with sun-yellow hair and broad-shoulders. Both had skin like polished brass and deep orange eyes. Most importantly, they didn’t go on a rampage. If anything, they looked overcome with emotion, eyes filled with an ancient relief as they looked around.

I noticed a tendril of gravedust snake out of my bag while the others dove to haul my battered body out of the sand. It was the gray, powdery mist from the third crystal with the lich spirit inside. I might have been beaten to hell, but I still managed a glare that stopped the tendril cold.

“Not. Now,” I rasped, throat raw.

The gritty tendril recoiled like a snake, hissing before it vanished back into my bag and the third crystal. I would’ve warned the others, but that was when I passed out.

Minutes mixed with hours until time turned into gravy. I woke later—hours, maybe—with Kiyosi arguing nearby with someone about whether I was allowed to walk. Once I got my wits back, I cleaned up, slipping on a fresh blue linen shirt and brown trousers, both soot and blood-free. Boots on, I grabbed my bag, limping out of the Windtracer Company compound before anyone could stop me.

Naturally, I was caught less than an hour later at the Saltwind Tea House, overlooking the bay. Atha walked up with a huge grin on his face as I sat down, dropping my journal next to a cup of tea.

“There hyu are,” he chuckled. “Healer will be so happy. Hyu haven’t gone out to kick over any new kingdoms.”

I shot him a glare; he ignored it. Atha pulled over a chair and sat across from me.

“Ki worries too much. I didn’t burn alive.” I held out an arm, showing off my bronze-dark skin, dotted with bruises. “See? Nothing melted. I’ll be fine.”

Atha chuckled again as a server dropped off a large cup of tea, placing it in front of the minotaur.

“Jasmine?” I asked.

He nodded, sipping with a look of contentment.

I watched him for a moment, then shook my head. “So, Ki’s staying here. Mikasi and Skarri are here for a few days, then off to Banye. What about you?”

Atha gently set down the cup, staring off across the bay.

“Probably collect my brothers, then head to the northern lands. See if aunt has found new laws to break.” He shrugged. “It’s too quiet here… too boring.”

“Too boring?” I snorted. “Liar. You make out like a bandit, but I’m pretty sure I know better. You’re going to find something to fix or someone to help.”

The minotaur’s deep laugh rattled nearby windows.

“Maybe so,” he said with a wink. “Don’t spread it around. What about hyu?”

I sipped my own tea, then shrugged.

“Rest. Recover. Study the Iraxi bracers and spent crystals.” I tapped my journal with a finger. “You know, the more I uncover about the Ancient Order… it feels like the less I know.”

Out in the bay, water churned like a geyser. Fishermen in small boats frantically paddled, did anything to get away, as a certain threadmarrow basilisk broke the surface with a series of playful burbles. The fishermen cut loose with a torrent of curses, but a pack of local kids dove into the water. Both kids and basilisk were delighted. The fishermen, not so much. Atha and I laughed.

“Also, I need to figure out what to do about him,” I said.

Atha shrugged, finishing his tea. “Looks like he already figure it out. But I should go, and hyu have Windtracer things to do.”

I tapped my journal again, nodding. “Good journey, Atha.”

“Until we meet again, Windtracer,” he grinned.

I was quiet for a long time after Atha left, remembering Arth Prayogar, Deepland Hollows, even the odd things with that lich-possessed crystal I carried. Then there was Rima Nimad. I had a feeling she wasn’t gone, but was out there waiting.

Quietly, I pulled open my journal to collect my thoughts. After another sip of tea, I dug out a pencil from my bag, turned to a blank page, and wrote.

“Basysus 12, 1278: City of Osidore, Belari Trade Alliance. River Junction Inn. Where I had something like a plan.”

“It really was a great plan.”

Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. For everyone that is reading Windtracer Tales: Kingdom of the Slithering Maze, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope you enjoyed the ride every step of the way. This story is dedicated to each and every one of you.

But!

Make no mistake…

Tela Kioni WILL return in

Windtracer Tales: Blood from a Stone

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Windtracer Tales is a work of pure, unashamed fiction. In fact, it considers itself rather fancy and quite proud of itself. Names of characters, places, events, organizations and locations are all creations of the author’s imagination for this fictitious setting. Any resemblance to persons living, dead, or reanimated is coincidental. The opinions expressed are those of the characters and should not be confused with the author’s, since the characters and the author tend to disagree a lot.

Also! Windtracer Tales and Windtracer: Adventures in Awldor is written with much respect to Starfarertheta and their work on the other half of Awldor.