Empress Unborn

Chapter Eight

“What’s wrong with her?” Wicket asked.

“Wicket, what have you found?” Pyrrhus demanded.

“Lady Lilith. Master Clement’s Reading her.”

“Why can’t you talk to her through her Readers?”

“They’re unconscious. Let me concentrate! I’ll tell you as soon as I know anything.”

“Her energy is draining away!” Aradia recognized.

Master Clement said. “She must be stopped!”

“If only someone could wake her,” Aradia fumed.

“Everyone is asleep. Some are dead. Aradia, could Lilith drain away to death?” Master Clement asked.

“A Lady Adept should not to be able to. Oh, Clement, what can we do against a Lord Adept powerful enough to use Lilith this way?”

“Surely not only one,” the Master Reader reassured. “It has to be a circle, and they have gone to great pains to prevent us from completing our own. Once we have Lilith here, we can combat them. We have done it before.”

Master Clement searched for Readers among Lilith’s entourage. He recognized two, both frozen to death. Adepts he knew by healing sleep, their bodies warm despite the hideous cold. There were five, but no way to contact them. Besides… “Aradia?”

" I agree-it’s not merely healing sleep to survive. It’s restorative sleep, as if they’ve used their powers to the limit. In that cold, with a continued drain on their energies, they may never wake.II Wicket continued reporting to Pyrrhus, his soft voice tense with fear of things he didn’t understand.

“We must waken Lilith,” said Master Clement, and turned his attention to the nearest Watcher’s post.

There were two men in it, a Dark Moon Reader and a minor Adept.

The Adept was not certain he had the strength to keep them both warm-alive-on a five-mile walk, but the moment he learned it was to waken Lady Lilith from a life-draining trance, he said, “We’ll wake her-or die trying!”

It took them nearly two hours to reach the blue pavilions. Once they found Lilith, all that was necessary was a finger touched to her forehead.

She woke, frowned, and asked, “Who are you? Where are my people?” She tried to sit up, and fell back in exhaustion, putting a hand to her head. “Why am I so weak?”

“Master Clement sent us to wake you,” the Reader explained. “The cold…”

Even as he spoke, the cold was beginning to dissipate, the spell broken with Lilith’s waking.

But what had the spell been?

Awkwardly, they communicated with Lilith through the Reader, then sent a message along the Watchers’

route for more of Lilith’s people to protect her, and others to care for the dead. “The attacks in Zendi stopped,” Master Clement noted, “as soon as our Readers began watching for them, our Adepts ready to counter.”

Lilith had no choice except recovery sleep, but with the cold gone it would restore instead of draining her. Once she was safe, they broke the rapport.

Losing touch with Master Clement’s powerful mind- and the incredible experience of being beyond one’s body-was always disorienting.

Aradia glanced at Wicket, who started as if a support had gone out from under him. Although they were seated, Pyrrhus put a hand under his elbow as if he had stumbled. “Your body feels cumbersome when you return.”

” I wasn’t out of my body,” Wicket said.

“If I know Clement,” Pyrrhus told him, “he made you feel as if you were.”

“Yeah,” Wicket whispered with a soft smile.

Not allowing Wicket time to spoil his experience by remembering that Pyrrhus could not share it, the ex-Reader turned to Aradia. “And you, Lady Aradia?’

She smiled. “I’ve experienced it before, with both Master Clement and my husband.” She took a deep breath, stretching, and then frowned. “But it’s never been so long. I didn’t think to ask Master Clement if it was safe for him to leave his body for that long.” She couldn’t help remembering the time they had almost lost him forever.

“It was,” the Master Reader’s mental voice told her. “I am back and quite well. The city will warm quickly now. We must do as you instructed Lilith: gather as many Readers and Adepts as possible. We know what can be done with large numbers in cooperation.”

They all knew: topple a nation.

It was three days before Lilith arrived in Zendi. The dark circles about her eyes testified that although she had perforce succumbed to recovery sleep, she had had little ordinary rest.

Aradia welcomed her, but without the relief she had anticipated in having Lilith’s strength to rely on. That evening they met with their circle-so few people to combat… what?

Julia sat in her room, Portia’s scrolls on her lap, feeling left out. Aradia no longer needed her, a Reader.

Now she had Lilith, an Adept.

But then Aradia had never wanted Julia. She wanted her own daughter, Lenardo’s daughter. When Lenardo returned, Aradia would turn him against Julia. Aradia’s child would be his heir, to rule lands Julia had risked death to conquer.

Portia was right. People were stupid, selfish, and easily led-even by poor leaders. Merely being the eldest son of the Emperor made an Emperor. Portia’s grandnephew followed his father on the throne in Tiberium, less lecherous, but no less foolish.

The previous Emperor had died in the battle for

Zendi, when the tide of victory had turned. Under the power of Drakonius, the walls of the Empire were driven back and back once more, and Portia’s advice was given less and less credence. More was demanded of Readers, while they were accorded less respect. Portia began again to rely on bribery and extortion.

She discovered an Adept secretly living within the Empire. Vortius the Gambler. There was little wonder that he was successful at his profession, and it was not difficult to persuade him to work for her rather than risk exposure. Especially when she could throw lucrative deals his way, make him feel that they were partners.

When age touched Portia, Vortius’ healing powers kept her body from deteriorating. It gave him a hold over her, and she wove her threads of power throughout Tiberium to be sure she could squeeze him from many directions, should it become necessary. She dared not be dependent. She could not need anyone.

Other people were simply to be used.

She yearned for Adept powers of her own. If she had been born with those powers instead of Reading, she would have made herself Empress by now! But the only effective powers she could command were money and influence, and she sought voraciously after both.

And then one day she discovered-

“Julia!”

Master Clement’s mental voice was angry. Julia dropped the scroll.

“Oh-I’m late,” she realized. “I’m coming, Master.”

“Bring those scrolls with you. Why did you take them from my office without permission?”

“What? But you told me to Read Portia’s scrolls.”

“I gave you a selection-I did not tell you to immerse yourself in Portia! I am sorry I ever gave you that assignment.” But his anger was gone; he accepted that she had misunderstood, and now he blamed himself.

Closing her mind to Reading, Julia smiled. She had fooled the Master of Masters. She knew he had not meant her to Read beyond the first set of scrolls, but once introduced to Portia’s inner feelings, Julia had felt compelled to know everything about her.

She had learned much. Now she could protect herself from Aradia, from Aradia’s child, and if necessary from Lenardo as well. She tieiup the small bundle of scrolls, and went to join Zendi’s inner circle.

What a feeble group they were. Master Clement, growing old, so trusting that she could fool him without even trying. Aradia, pregnant and half mad. Lilith, once proud and strong, now frightened of the force that had used her own powers against her. Decius, crippled in body by Drakonius and in mind by Master Clement’s naive teaching. Wicket, half clown, half simpleton, unable to stand without someone to lean upon-and Pyrrhus, Wicket’s crutch. Julia understood Pyrrhus least of all. When he first came to Zendi he had seemed strong, using his powers to fight and kill. Now he was no better than the rest-weaker, for he actually allowed himself to be used by Readers, by Wicket of all people.

Julia hid her contempt, handing the scrolls meekly to Master Clement as she took her place with a sweet smile.

Lilith began, unable to conceal her fear. “Why didn’t you warn me?” she demanded. “You left me helpless!”

“We did not know” Master Clement explained. “How could we anticipate a Lady Adept’s being used that way? We told you everything that had happened here.”

“It is forming a pattern only now,” added Pyrrhus. “Our attacker uses Adepts who cannot Read. First people with small powers, like the weather controllers. Lords Adept have strong shields against such influence.”

“The attacker is learning to get around them,” said Master Clement. “It must be implanted commands again, for surely no one can control an Adept exercising power.”

Lilith studied them. “You are saying that at some time when I was not using my powers… someone put in my mind a command such as ‘When you make camp near your border, you will fall asleep and cause cold weather’?”

Aradia nodded. “I fear that that is what happened.”

“But I live surrounded by Readers!”

“Either it was done by an Adept, unReadable while using his powers,” said Master Clement, “or else by a Reader out of his body. Then he could not be Read unless he touched another Reader’s mind.”

“I feel better,” Aradia said. “This is all within our own scope of power-simply unthinkable to us to use Adepts so. For a time I felt as if we were dealing with the Ghost King!”

“But who’s doing it, and where’s he hiding?” asked Wicket. “Every Reader’s been alert for weeks, and we still haven’t a clue.”

“Perhaps,” Master Clement said softly, “Aradia just gave us one.”

“I did? What?”

“The unthinkable. Aradia, may I have permission to Read your library?” asked the Master Reader.

“Of course. What do you expect to find there that isn’t in the Academy library?”

“Let me pursue it first,” he replied. “I am hoping to prove my suspicions wrong.”

“What if they prove right?” asked Pyrrhus, the hard edge back in his voice.

“Then,” replied Master Clement, “we will rely on what has always been our best skill: dealing with new situations in new ways.”

Wicket looked at Pyrrhus with a grin. “I guess we fit right in then, don’t we?”

Julia remained silent, disdainful of the pitiful camaraderie. Whistling against the darkness.

“Since I am not an Adept,” Master Clement continued, “I would like a Lord Adept with me until we resolve this situation. Aradia, you also need protection. Lilith, stay with her. Pyrrhus- “

“I’m not a Lord Adept.”

“We don’t have tests, as Readers do,” said Aradia. “You will prove yourself in action soon, Pyrrhus. I have no doubt of it. Master Clement will be safe with you. Wicket-”

“I know. Pyrrhus doesn’t need me when he has Master Clement, so I’ll keep up our regular duties.”

A few days later, Julia found Pyrrhus alone in Master Clement’s outer office. He still went fully armed, she noticed, although Adepts did not normally wear even a sword.

“I’m afraid it’s Master Juna for you again,” Pyrrhus told her. “Clement is treating a child they brought in an hour ago, suffering from hallucinations. None of the other Masters could help him.”

It was the third day in a row that some emergency had kept Master Clement from his appointments with Julia, and it seemed recently that most lessons they did begin were interrupted. Master Juna would be ready for Julia in a few minutes. So she sat down and asked, “Pyrrhus, why did you first become partners with Wicket?”

“What?”

“After you saved his life, why did you team up with him? He couldn’t even read-I mean, he was illiterate.”

“Wicket’s a survivor,” Pyrrhus replied, as if that were sufficient explanation.

When he did not elaborate, Julia asked, “What do you mean?”

He studied her face, an odd look in his eyes. Then, with a smile that was more a grimace, he said, “Let me tell you something about revenge, Julia. It gives you a reason to stay alive, to stay healthy, to gain skills. But if that is all you live for, once you achieve it there is nothing left.

“After the fall of Tiberium-after Portia’s death- I had nothing left. I wasn’t a Reader anymore. I had no plans, and only one skill that did not depend on Reading. ” The smile became self-deprecating. “I had learned a hundred ways to kill someone with my hands, and then helped kill my target with my mind.

“When it was over, I had no idea what to do with myself, until I rescued Wicket. When you save someone’s life, you take responsibility for him. Did you know that?”

“It’s an Adept law,” Julia replied.

“Yes,” Pyrrhus murmured. “It doesn’t have to be taught, like the Readers’ Code. It just happens. So there I was, suddenly responsible for Wicket.” He grinned sardonically. “Until you gave him the confidence of his powers, Julia, that was a heavy responsibility. Wicket tends to attract trouble. Like it or not, I had something to live for again. Eventually we developed some plans together, and you know the rest.”

“Why do you stay partners with him now, though?” she asked. “He’s got a good job, and money. He doesn’t need you to take care of him anymore. And you’re a Lord Adept. “

His eyes narrowed. “Why do you stay with your friends?”

Julia shrugged. “Maybe I won’t, after I outgrow them.” Just then, Master Juna called her to her lesson, so she left with the feel of Pyrrhus’ eyes trying to pierce through to her meaning. But she was safe with Pyrrhus; he couldn’t Read.

Aradia hated her clumsiness, her constant fatigue, in the last days of her pregnancy. Lilith spent hours just sitting with her, talking of her own pregnancy, and of Ivorn as a baby, happy memories of a doting mother.

Aradia clung to hope. Although her powers were severely diminished, she was still able to Read-especially through a stronger Reader-and perform minor Adept functions. Her mother, she had been told, had lost everything.

No. She would not think about her mother, her madness. Aradia was not mad. Master Clement reassured her that strange dreams were nothing to fear.

Devasin came to tell Aradia and Lilith that Master Clement and Pyrrhus were there to see them. It was spring now; they met in the courtyard amid soft warm breezes and the fragrance of first blossoms.

“Aradia,” said Pyrrhus, “I had a very strange conversation with Julia today. It seemed almost as if she were trying to drive a wedge between Wicket and me.”

Aradia frowned. “I don’t understand. She’s been so… good, so caring, since Galerio died. As if with Lenardo and Wulfston missing, and then losing her friend, she had learned the value of close ties.”

Master Clement said, “I wonder if she is developing an unflattering snobbishness. Possibly because her association with minor Adepts got her into such a frightening situation.”

“I will talk to her,” said Aradia. “Now, have you turned up anything in your research, Master Clement?”

“I am not certain. We both have copies of Torio’s and Melissa’s reports of events in Madura.”

Aradia smiled. ‘“We all had the same thought. Lilith and I have studied them-but the cold we experienced could not be the cold white fire they told of. That was a life-devouring energy from the planes of existence, and uncontrolled it threatened to consume all life in Madura.”

“The cold created through me,” Lilith took it up, “simply disappeared the moment I stopped generating it.

It could not have been the same thing.”

“No,” said Master Clement. “And yet somehow what happened to Torio and Melissa seems to hold a clue, if I could only see it.”

“Torio and Melissa?” Pyrrhus asked.

“Four of our friends, Torio, Melissa, Zanos, and Astra, traveled north to Madura to look for Zanos’

family,” Aradia explained. “They found the land in possession of a sorcerer who tapped a source of destructive power.” She went on to tell how the sorcerer Maldek had allowed Melissa to die forcing that power back onto its own plane, and Torio had gone to rescue her from the plane of the dead.

“Melissa stayed in Madura,” she finished, “to… contain Maldek, as it were. We don’t know where Torio went; he was a Reader, but his Adept powers wakened in Madura.”

“What happened to Zanos and Astra?” Pyrrhus asked.

“They went with Wulfston, to rescue Lenardo,” Aradia replied.

“So… everyone who might help you is spread all over the world,” Pyrrhus mused. “Divide and conquer.”

Aradia stared at him. “Pyrrhus, surely events in

Madura and Africa could not all be part of one gigantic plan.”

“You are carrying the heir to the Savage Empire,” he replied. “Your husband is gone, your brother is gone, your best friend’s powers are used against you, a Reader/ Adept mysteriously disappears, other Readers and Adepts who have worked with you before are flung to the four winds. Coincidence?”

“When you put it that way…” Aradia admitted.

Pyrrhus smiled kindly. “There are times,” he said, “when paranoia is a survival trait.”

“You are the target, Aradia-or your child,” said Lilith. “We must protect you.”

“Lilith is right,” said Master Clement. “Can you provide me with a room here, Aradia?”

“Of course.”

“Pyrrhus, call Wicket. You two work best as a team-I don’t want you separated anymore. Julia will take her lessons here, with me. Until the child is born, let us offer Aradia the best protection we can.”

That night, Aradia dreamed again of her daughter, the young woman with the beautiful face, until she opened eyes filled with hatred.

This time she said, “Mother, I am taking your powers, just as you stole your own mother’s, for I am ready to be born, rightful ruler of the Savage Empire.

“You cannot fight me. Without your powers, you are nothing. You are going to die, Aradia- diel”

Aradia woke to Devasin’s touch on her forehead, and in moments Lilith was there. It was light in the room- the sun was up.

The two women soothed Aradia. “She said I was going to die,” Aradia sobbed, hating her weakness but unable to control it.

“Hush,” said Lilith. “It was only a dream. You’re not going to die. Your friends are here to protect you.”

Devasin and Lilith helped Aradia get up and dressed, but she was still shaking. “Here,” said Devasin, “just lie back on the lounge now. I’ll open the curtains to the courtyard, so you can enjoy the fresh air while I get your breakfast.”

But before Devasin reached the door, Julia was there with a tray. “I brought your breakfast, Aradia.

Didn’t you Read me telling you?”

“Read-?” Aradia tried, panic stabbing as she opened to Reading and met… nothing! “Julia-let me Read through you, please.”

“Of course.”

There was still nothing. “I can’t Read. She is taking my powers.”

“Who is?” asked Julia.

“My baby!” Aradia answered furiously. “She said she would take away my powers and kill me-just as I did to my mother!”

“Oh, my lady, no!” exclaimed Devasin. “You did no such thing, and you mustn’t think it of your poor little baby.”

Shuddering, Aradia forced herself under control. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I must not let dreams affect me that way.”

“Eat your breakfast,” Lilith said gently. “It won’t be long now-only a few more days.”

But the food had no appeal. Aradia managed only to drink her tea. Then she sat with her feet up, looking out at the courtyard, and tried the test she had been putting off.

A tree branch swayed gently in the spring breeze. It should take only a modest Adept effort to make it swing farther on each stroke. She applied the effort. The branch continued to move exactly as it had before.

Aradia looked toward the candelabra, and willed fire. A child’s trick.

Nothing happened.

Lilith saw where she was looking. “Aradia…”

“It’s gone, Lilith. I’m helpless.”

Lilith took her hand. “It’s temporary. All your energies are going into producing a healthy child. Try to sleep some more. Then maybe you’ll be able to eat.”

“No-just give me some more tea.”

Lilith poured her another mug from the pot Julia had brought, reheating it with Adept power. Yesterday I could have done that for myself, Aradia thought morosely.

Master Clement came a little later, to reassure her that her baby was fine. Of course the baby was fine! It was Aradia who was weakening, dying.

The Master Reader frowned. “Aradia, you mustn’t think that way.”

“Oh, no,” she whispered, hot tears stinging her eyelids. “I cannot even shield my thoughts anymore.”

“Oh, child,” he began, “if you can just think of…” He broke off, eyes unfocused for a moment, and she knew he was Reading something. Then he looked at her, and his ancient face crinkled into a grin.

“Aradia! Lenardo is home!”

“Home?” she cried, grasping his arm to sit up. “Where is he?”

“No, no-he’s not in Zendi. But he and Wulfston have landed safely at Southport, taken on supplies, and started up the coast toward Dragon’s Mouth. They’ll be here within two days!”

“Lenardo-safe! I’ve worried so about you. And Wulfston-oh, little brother, I’ve missed you, too.

Please, Master Clement, send them my message.”

“Already done,” he assured her. “Now, with that good news, surely you can eat something. I will have Julia bring you a fresh tray-if she can stop dancing for joy long enough to carry it.”

Julia sparkled with happiness. “Father will be here soon-and by tomorrow he’ll be in range for Reading!” Then, “Oh-I’m sorry, Aradia.” Somehow, her apology didn’t sound sincere. Perhaps she was just too happy to be sorry for anything.

So was Aradia. She just smiled at Julia, and found that food suddenly tasted delicious.

After she ate, she felt sleepy. In the courtyard, Master Clement, Julia, Decius, Pyrrhus, and Wicket were talking. “Go join them, Lilith,” she said. “I’m falling asleep, and certainly the group of you can protect me from twenty paces away!”

To warm thoughts of Lenardo’s being home for the birth of his daughter, Aradia drifted off to sleep.

And dreamed.

She saw herself, on this very couch. Out in the courtyard, her friends shared stories of Lenardo and Wulfston with Pyrrhus and Wicket. Wicket leaned back after a time, staring over at Pyrrhus, but he didn’t say anything.

The dream turned to the disorienting sensation of looking down at her own distorted body. Did she really look that terrible, lips and eyelids puffed, jaw slack?

She was dead!

In the dead woman’s womb, the child squirmed. It was dying-and its pain communicated to the Readers in the courtyard.

Everyone dashed to Aradia’s room. “She’s dead!” exclaimed Master Clement. “But the child is alive.

Lilith?”

“I’m trying-her heart won’t beat. What are we to do?”

“Save the baby!” said Julia.

“Keep the child alive, Lilith,” said Master Clement. “Pyrrhus, give me your sharpest knife.”

He slit her clothing, then her flesh, lifting the living child from the dead mother. The babe gasped and wailed like a normal child-and then suddenly opened hate-filled eyes and stared at the Master Reader.

“I have won, Clement,” she said in the voice of a woman grown. “Now I have both powers-and as Lenardo’s daughter I will rule at last! How fitting that I rule the Savage Empire!”

Aradia woke, feeling death in her veins. There was poison in her blood! But it came from her womb, where harbored that thing of evil, seeking its revenge.

She might die, but she would take that creature with her.

Fighting for every movement, Aradia rolled off the lounge onto her knees, crawled to the chest which held her clothes, and dragged herself to her feet.

Outside, Aradia could hear the murmur of conversation, but she did not let her attention wander. No Reader must know what she was doing until it was done.

Hanging on the wall over the chest were spears, swords, and knives. Aradia chose a large, sharp blade.

She could barely lift her arms to take it from its scabbard. Finally, though, she fumbled it into position. It must impale the child. If only she could Read how it lay…

In the courtyard, Wicket’s voice rose above the others. “Pyrrhus, what are you using Adept power for?”

“Adept power? I’m not-” And then a shout, “Blessed godsl” and it was as if someone grasped Aradia’s arms, pulling them up and away as she tried to plunge the knife into her womb.

“No!” she wailed, struggling. “I must kill her! She’ll kill us all!”

But Pyrrhus and Wicket were on either side of her, prying the knife from her hands.

“She’s been poisoned!” exclaimed Master Clement. “Lilith! Pyrrhus! Decius!”

Healing fire flowed through Aradia’s body, purging her blood. Pyrrhus and Wicket caught her as she collapsed, and laid her on her bed. She fought to remain conscious.

“The baby?” Lilith asked anxiously.

“Unharmed,” said Master Clement. “Someone protected the child while the poison worked on Aradia.

Thank the gods you saw her, Pyrrhus!”

“If Wicket hadn’t said I-“Pyrrhus went pale, and put his hands over his face. “I was protecting the child!” He lowered his hands, eyes burning. “Someone used me. Clement-”

“Portia,” Aradia and Master Clement said with the same voice.

“In Aradia’s baby?” exclaimed Lilith.

“Yes!” said Aradia. “Kill her, Lilith! Use your powers- kill her now!”

“No, Lilith!” Master Clement ordered.

“Why?” Pyrrhus’ voice grated with fury as he stepped forward.

“Pyrrhus, please,” begged Aradia. “Kill her!”

“No!” Master Clement said again.

Wicket threw an arm across Pyrrhus’ chest to pull him back, as if his physical strength could affect Adept power.

“Portia is not in the child!” the Master Reader continued. “Wicket-Read with me. Tell Pyrrhus Aradia is wrong!”

“She’s there!” Aradia insisted, tears of weakness sliding down her cheeks. “She’s killing me-can’t you see? Does she control you all?”

“It’s just a baby,” said Wicket. “Pyrrhus, it’s an innocent little girl. Please trust Master Clement. Don’t harm a child!”

“They’re lying!” said Aradia. “She’s fooled them.”

“No!” said Master Clement. “I know Portia. She is here… but she is not in Aradia’s baby.” Suddenly he demanded, “Who poisoned Aradia?” Glancing at the abandoned tray on the chest, he said, “The tea-there is poison in-”

He whirled, scarlet cloak flaring, and Aradia saw Julia behind him.

Lenardo’s daughter had not joined the circle around Aradia’s bed. She looked up at the Master of Masters in round-eyed innocence-but there was something about those eyes.

“Oh, blessed gods!” the girl cried. “She used me, too. She made me poison Aradia!” But there was not a single note of sincerity in the performance.

“That’s not Julia!” Wicket said in a horrified whisper. Why would Portia poison Aradia?” Pyrrhus flung off Wicket’s arm and stalked Julia, who did not back off. “Why did you? I can see you, Portia, even if I can’t Read.” He smiled-the smile Aradia had not seen since he had first come to Zendi, colder than the freeze Portia had brought upon their lands.

Julia’s young face responded with an equally cold smile, her eyes empty of warmth and humanity. “Go ahead, Pyrrhus-kill the daughter of the Lord of the Land. Lenardo is on his way home now. When he arrives, you can explain why you killed me!”

Pyrrhus raised his hands, clenching them into fists- but the gesture was one of frustration, not threat.

“No,” he said. “Not because of what might happen to me, but because of Julia. You almost made me harm one child- but I will not. You will never use me again, Portia!”

He put his hands on her shoulders, staring into those cold, dead eyes. “Julia! Julia-fight her! Master Clement, help Julia.”

“He is,” said Wicket. “So are you, Pyrrhus-Julia’s there! She’s afraid. Come on, Julia:-you can do it!

Fight her off! Portia’s got no right to take over your life! Fight her-”

Cowering in a shadowed corner of her own mind, Julia huddled in terror as Portia controlled her body.

She could hear Pyrrhus and Wicket, but could not respond.

I don’t deserve to live. I got Galerio killed! I tried to kill Aradia and her baby!

“No, Julia-you were used,” Master Clement told her. “Portia played on your strengths and weaknesses, turned your courage against you. Don’t let her do it now, Julia. Fight her-drive her out.”

I cant. I’m evil. I don’t deserve to live.

“Die, Julia!” said Portia, pushing at Julia’s presence.

“Julia!” It was Wicket. “Don’t let that evil woman have your body-remember what she did to people.

To Pyrrhus. She’ll hurt more people if you let her live!”

I can’t fight her- I don’t have the strength.

“Use my strength,” said Master Clement.

“And mine,” said Wicket.

“Mine, too,” added Decius.

Julia rallied, focusing on Portia’s evil. She must not live again! But despite the support from the Readers, she didn’t know how to fight.

Evil laughter mocked her. “You are weak, Julia, lost! Let go now-before I must kill even your consciousness!”

Portia’s poisonous mind pushed blackness at her from all sides. She struggled desperately, but each attempt to push back the void allowed it in from another direction. She was being squeezed into nothingness!

A ray of warmth pierced the void. Like a spring sunbeam, it offered life and hope. She followed, feeling now that it was… love. Master Clement, Lilith, Decius, even Pyrrhus and Wicket were pouring love for her into that void, and buoyed by it she struggled, resisted until she finally felt-

“Father? Father?!”

Her mind leaped eagerly, training on that communion of family, strong and whole and determined.

Before the combined power, Portia fled. Julia’s knees gave way, and Pyrrhus caught her. She opened her eyes. “Where is Father?” she asked.

“On his way,” replied Master Clement. He smiled at her. “Julia, Lenardo is too far away to Read us, even with his great powers. What you felt was not your father’s love. It was your mother’s.”

Tears leaped to Julia’s eyes. She pushed away Pyrrhus’ support, and went to kneel beside the bed, taking Aradia’s hand. “I tried to kill you, and yet you…”

Aradia managed a weak smile. “It wasn’t you, Julia, any more than it was me trying to kill my baby. As soon as I understood what Portia had done, how could I help lending what strength I have?”

“Sleep now, Aradia,” said Lilith.

“Yes,” Aradia agreed, drifting off.

Julia stayed where she was, Reading turmoil among the other Readers.

Pyrrhus said, “Portia won’t give up that easily. Now that she has escaped from the plane of lost souls…”

Master Clement said, “We must find her, prevent her from taking over someone else.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to look very far,” said Wicket.

“What?” asked Master Clement. Then, “She might…”

Pyrrhus stared at Aradia. “Wicket,” he demanded, “Read the baby!”

Julia raised her head with a start. “That’s why she made you protect the baby until she thought she had me! She would have had power right away, because I’m almost grown up. In a baby she would have to wait for her powers to manifest.”

“But an infant has no will to fight her,” said Master Clement.

They Read the baby again, finding nothing but a normal, healthy child almost ready to be born. She slept peacefully in her private ocean, emblem of innocence.

“Too obvious,” observed Master Clement.

The hand Julia held tightened almost imperceptibly, and she perceived a thrill of wicked glee.

Leaping up, she said, “Portia’s in Aradia! She knew we’d Read the baby, so when Aradia went to sleep she entered her mind.”

“She’s been in all our minds,” said Pyrrhus.

“While we slept,” said Lilith. “That is when she implanted her commands-and caused Aradia’s dreams.”

“Lady Lilith,” said Pyrrhus, “I’m afraid she has learned to manipulate Adepts who cannot Read at any time, hiding from Readers behind our shields. ‘

“That is why our Readers could not discover her,” said Master Clement.

“Protect Aradia physically,” Pyrrhus advised Lilith. “I do not think she can manipulate you while you are using your powers.”

“If she seeks to return permanently, the child is her only refuge now that we know her intentions,” said Master Clement. “Julia, Decius, Wicket-defend the baby. Pyrrhus, lend them strength. Portia must act now, before Lenardo adds his strength to ours. She is desperate-and very dangerous.”

“As dangerous as the Ghost King,” said Lilith. “We always thought those stories were pure legend.”

“The Ghost King was defeated. We will defeat Portia as well,” said Master Clement as he lay down on the lounge by the window. He would have to fight Portia beyond the body, as she was beyond it.

Julia, Decius, Wicket, and Pyrrhus sat on the floor, joining hands. The three who could Read consciously

“borrowed” and guided Pyrrhus’ power, forming a mental barrier against Portia.

Even so, Portia’s strength of will almost overpowered them before Master Clement’s mind touched theirs.

Portia retreated.

Evil laughter taunted them. “Clement, you have grown old and dull-witted! Why should I take this child?

You would simply kill her-and I would move on, take someone else, or remain out of body. But perhaps I should take her over, merely to force you to kill Lenardo and Aradia’s child!”

Her presence made another feint at the babe in Aradia’s womb, but this time it did not test their strength.

“I do not underestimate you, Portia,” said Master Clement. “How could I, when you managed to follow Torio through the planes of existence?”

“That fool! Oh, he took pains that I should not follow him to the plane of the dead and thence back to this world-but he never thought that I would backtrack along the path he followed on his way to the plane where we met!”

“However you did it,” replied Master Clement, “you must go back now to the plane of the dead-and this time I will see that you pass beyond the portal.”

“Oh, no. I like it here. I can control people, kill my enemies, enter anyone’s body I please to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, and escape onto the planes of existence when I encounter opposition. And no one can stop me-not you alone, Clement, and not any pitiful circle you can muster, no matter what powers they claim!”

Master Clement ignored her boasting. “Portia, I will guide you.” His mental presence urged Portia’s.

Julia, never having experienced anything like this, had no idea what Master Clement was trying to do, and neither did Wicket, who was trying to explain to Pyrrhus what they Read.

“He’s trying to force her to another plane,” Pyrrhus interpreted. “One Master Reader can’t do that alone, especially not to another Master Reader!”

Decius was holding Julia’s left hand. At Pyrrhus’ comment his hand suddenly went limp in hers, and she realized that he had left his body to try to help Master Clement.

“Decius-you fool!” hissed Pyrrhus. Then with the power of his mental “voice”: “Decius-you haven’t the experience to help. Portia will use you against Master Clement!”

“She is,” Wicket said tightly, trying to describe how Portia had seized upon Decius’ intrusion, putting the young Reader’s presence between herself and the old Master.

“Decius-go back!” ordered Master Clement.

Decius broke free of Portia’s manipulation and joined his strength to Master Clement’s. “There is no one else to help you.”

Portia cut Decius off from Master Clement, surrounding him with darkness. He fought valiantly, but he was no match for the woman who had been Master of Masters.

Master Clement projected through the cloud of darkness, providing Decius with a focus, but as the young Reader struggled-

“Master Clement-Portia’s getting away!” Julia warned. But he could not abandon Decius!

“Pyrrhus, no!” Wicket’s voice shouted in Julia’s right ear, his hand jerking convulsively as in the “world”

they were Reading another presence blocked Portia’s way.

The fury radiant from Pyrrhus wavered for a moment, overshadowed by a rush of ecstatic pleasure-away from his nerve-burned body, he could Read).

But his need for revenge quickly overshadowed all else. More menacingly cold than Julia had ever Read him, Pyrrhus advanced on Portia. From the opposite direction, Master Clement closed in.

Decius was free now, observing, for the darkness disappeared when Portia’s attention shifted to Pyrrhus.

Instead of retreating, she moved toward him, her presence growing stronger as she approached.

Heartless laughter underscored her words. “So you would kill me again, Pyrrhus? Fool! You have killed only yourself!”

Wicket’s start of fear for his friend stabbed through Julia.

Portia, though, seemed to grow and flourish as she absorbed Pyrrhus’ rage, Wicket’s fear.

Despite their bodiless state, Julia felt that same menace Pyrrhus projected when he stalked someone-but again Portia only drew upon the anger, the frustration.

Suddenly Julia recalled something Pyrrhus had told her. “Pyrrhus-remember what you told me about revenge?”

“It’s sweet!” asserted Portia. “Go on, Pyrrhus-take your revenge! It’s all you have left, now.” Her power flared as she absorbed his fury.

“Pyrrhus-” Master Clement began.

“I see it,” Pyrrhus replied, his mental voice soft with amazement. Julia could feel him Read what Portia was doing. His will to revenge faded. Ill had my revenge, and it was not sweet. Such feelings are pleasant only to a creature such as Portia has become. She gains strength from fear, or hate, or anger.

“We don’t fear her.”

Julia felt Wicket struggle to control his fear, felt Portia weaken slightly as the negative feelings faded.

“But you hate me!” Portia snapped.

“Oh, I did,” Pyrrhus agreed. “It is amazing how much energy I wasted hating you, Portia. While you fed on that energy! That, and the fear and pain you generated with the storms and accidents and cold-oh, yes, you gained strength, but it fades quickly, doesn’t it? To gain permanent power in our world again, you must have a body. But we won’t allow that, now that we know you. You are nothing but a poor dead woman who won’t accept that she’s dead.”

“I’m not dead!”

“Portia,” Master Clement told her gently, “your time is over. Now you must rest. Come-let us escort you to the plane of the dead. It is your rightful place-you will find healing there for all your suffering.”

“No!”

But together, Master Clement and Pyrrhus surrounded Portia, radiating pity.

Portia shrank from that feeling, but the two Master Readers held her inexorably within it.

Julia Read an unspoken question from Pyrrhus. “I know the way,” said Master Clement. “I escorted Portia there once before.”

“And I will escape, as I did before!” Portia asserted.

“No, not this time,” said Master Clement.

Portia replied only with a defiant moment of wicked glee.

Julia’s curiosity surged in frustration. Master Clement and Pyrrhus were about to move to another plane, where she could not Read them-it infuriated her to be too young to leave her body. It wasn’t fair!

Determined to Read everything she could before they moved beyond her perceptions, Julia focused her power on Portia, Master Clement, and Pyrrhus.

The universe shifted with a sickening jolt!

Chaos whirled about her.

She wanted to scream, but she had no voice, no body.

Sheer terror gripped her as she was whipped endlessly through formless darkness.

She staggered, and was caught by strong hands. She was in her body, on a plain, Decius beside her-standing on two healthy legs. It was his hands that steadied her.

There were other people on the plain, walking toward a gateway through which Julia saw a welcoming warm light, much like the warmth of love that had guided her from the darkness where Portia had tried to trap her. She wanted to go toward it.

“Julia!” Decius whispered sharply. “You shouldn’t be here! I shouldn’t be here,” he added in wonder.

“Shhh!” she said, her fear completely gone.

Just ahead of them, Master Clement and Pyrrhus walked with a woman between them, their arms linked through hers. It must be Portia, but not the shriveled crone Julia had known. This woman stood tall and strong, and her hair was unsilvered.

But she struggled, twisting in their grasp, and Julia recognized her face-a face marked with frustration and determination. Portia when, with all good intentions, she had first turned from the Reader’s Code, thinking the ends would justify her means.

“Look behind you, fools!” Portia spat. “Take me into death, and you take them as well!”

Even together, the two men could not hold her from forcing them to turn around.

“Julia! Deems!” exclaimed Master Clement. Julia could Read his dismay, and realized that Portia had used the insatiable curiosity of young Readers to bring hostages with her to the plane of the dead.

“Julia, let them take me and you are dead,” said Portia. “I will take you back to your world, give you my power-together we will rule!”

“You influenced me through your scrolls, Portia,” Julia said. “They made me accept you then-but they also made me know you. Now I see what your life made you. I will never become like you.”

“You’ll never have the chance. Clement is about to abandon you. Neither Decius nor Pyrrhus can take you home. If you would live, you must help me to live again!”

Julia stared at Master Clement. “Is it true?”

“I must take Portia through the portal,” he replied. “Otherwise, she will not go.”

“But what about us? Do we have to die too?”

“Yes!” Portia hissed. “Pyrrhus is dead already-he can never return to his body. You will die unless Clement takes you home.”

“No!” said Decius, taking Julia’s hand. “I’ve moved from one plane to another before. I’ll get us home.”

Portia laughed. “You’ll be lost on the planes of existence!”

Master Clement, for all his experience, had become lost when he brought Portia here before. How could Decius find the way?

Portia drew strength from Julia’s fear-and Decius’.

Pyrrhus said, “Portia is right. Take them home, Master Clement. I will take Portia through the portal.”

“No,” said Master Clement. “I must complete the task I failed before. You will take Julia and Decius home, Master Pyrrhus.”

Julia Read Pyrrhus’ shock. “I can’t be a Master Reader,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to Read once I returned. If I could return.”

“Then be a Lord Adept,” Master Clement replied. “My work in that world is finished. You have much to do yet, Lord Pyrrhus.” He turned away as if the matter were settled, and spoke to Decius.

“Decius, learn to use both your powers well. You may be both a Master Reader and a Lord Adept one day.”

“Yes, Master,” Decius said uncertainly.

“And Julia,’ her teacher told her, “your powers are great for one so young-I underestimated you, child.

It never occurred to me that you could leave your body, let alone follow us here.”

“You see, Julia?” said Portia. “Clement did not appreciate your powers-and now you will die for it!”

Despite herself, fear swelled in Julia. Portia fed upon it, and broke free of Master Clement’s grasp. “I am your only hope, child,” she said, reaching for Julia’s hand. “Let me take you safely home, teach you to use your powers, not deny them!”

Julia shrank from the grasping hand. “I’m afraid of being lost-but I’m much more afraid of becoming like you!”

Master Clement recaptured Portia. “You won’t be lost, Julia,” he told her. “Pyrrhus will take you home.

You will study, and gain control of your powers. Your father will aid you to use them wisely, as will your mother-and you must help them with your little sister.”

“Yes, Master,” Julia said helplessly.

They turned and moved toward the beckoning light once more, only Portia struggling futilely. The rest were drawn to it-Julia wondered why she should want to go back when the promise of joy and peace lay ahead, through the portal.

The first rays of light touched them.

Portia screamed and writhed as if she were burned!

Both Master Clement and Pyrrhus had to exert their full strength to hold her. She was burning. They could Read her pain, see flames engulf her struggling form.

Portia’s agony was transmitted to the two men holding her, but they would not let her go, let her escape.

Master Clement moved ahead, pulling Portia with him, reaching across her to disengage Pyrrhus’ hands as he moved farther into the brightness.

The old Master was almost blotted out by the brilliance. Julia squinted against it, seeing Portia still writhing, trying to seize the advantage when Pyrrhus let her go-but she could not escape Master Clement’s grip.

And then, to Julia’s amazement, the woman’s struggles ceased.

The flames were washed away by the brilliance of the pure light-and Julia understood that they had been Portia’s last defense. As they faded, the brilliant light increased. Julia could not be sure of what she saw in that blinding light, but it seemed to be Portia as she had been when she first became Master of Masters-young, bright, honest, and determined to use her powers for good. She stared into the light, and it seemed to Julia that a warm smile made her unutterably beautiful.

And then the two forms disappeared in the blinding light.

Instinctively, Julia and Decius stared to follow-but Pyrrhus grasped their arms. “It is not your time,” he said. “You must go back now.”

With gentle firmness, he turned them away from the beckoning light. “Read with me.”

They did-and all light was gone!

Again the sickening twist, chaos, darkness, whirling winds.

The illusion of a physical body gone Julia struggled to stay in rapport with Pyrrhus and Decius as they r

plummeted and twisted through the planes of existence.

Pyrrhus in control of his Reading was a clear, strong force-no question that he was a Master Reader.

He brought them to a halt in a starry void, peaceful and beautiful. But they were not on the ground looking up at stars; they were disembodied minds floating, with the stars around them in every direction.

“Picture our physical world,” Pyrrhus instructed, “the room we left-now!”

There was that odd twisting feeling again-and they were minds floating in nothingness. Even the stars were gone. Julia could not control her thought: “This isn’t home!”

It was a vacuum that sucked at her as if it would draw her mind out into millions of separate bits, out of contact.

“Julia!”

Pyrrhus was there, and Decius. “It’s the plane of privacy,” said Decius-although in the naked clarity of thought here she perceived that he merely hoped that was “where” they were.

“Again,” directed Pyrrhus. “Aradia’s room, our bodies in the circle.”

But Julia had forgotten what it was like to have a physical body. She shared Decius’ and Pyrrhus’

attempts to reach out for their bodies, but they were as unsuccessful as she was. Panic ruined her concentration. She began to fear they would never get home, but Pyrrhus’ strong, gentle intelligence insisted, “We will get there. You will return, even if I cannot. Read for-ah!”

Julia felt it, too-the sweet, silly, frightened but brave presence that was Wicket’s unmistakable mental aura. Clumsy but determined, he sent out a wordless call to Pyrrhus. They followed it.

For one moment Julia hung above the scene, looking down at herself, Decius, Pyrrhus, Wicket, still holding hands, Wicket’s mind desperately searching for theirs.

“You’re back!” his mind shouted in glee, and with a jolt, Julia found herself, stiff and sore, in her own body on the floor of Aradia’s bedroom. Wicket looked over at her in relief, glanced at Decius as he opened his eyes- but across from Julia Pyrrhus’ body remained slumped, unconscious.

“Pyrrhus?” Wicket questioned.

“Yes-I’m here, Wicket”

“Come back, Pyrrhus, please.” Wicket pleaded. “I don’t mind translating for you-you can always leave your body again if you want to Read. But come back now, please?”

Ill can’t… find the way. 11

It was as Portia had said: he could not return to his body.

Julia Read his problem: he could not “feel” his body through the destroyed nerves that should have made the connection between the mental and the physical. Wicket Read with her and choked down panic.

“What can we do?”

“I don’t know,” she told him, feeling sick now that she once again had a body capable of reacting to her emotions. Master Clement should have known this would happen!

But the old Master had seemed so certain that Pyrrhus could return. Oh, surely Portia could not be right and Master Clement wrong!

Then she remembered. “Master Clement said to be a Lord Adept, Pyrrhus!”

“What? I can’t use Adept power without-” As if to demonstrate, he attempted to brace for Adept power- and they all felt the shock as he fell back into his body. With a gasp, he opened his eyes. Then he blinked, and laughed. “Not graceful, but effective. Thank you, Julia.”

“Yes, thank you,” said Wicket. “I don’t think any of us were ready for anther ghost hanging around!”

He turned back to Pyrrhus, who was stretching with a wince. Then his Adept powers automatically began to ease his cramped muscles, and the headache from his abrupt transition to the physical. Decius also exerted Adept strength to relieve his discomfort, but all Julia could do was stretch, with a grunt as her mistreated body protested her leaving it in that position on the cold floor.

Lilith had come over when Pyrrhus first spoke. Now she put a hand on Julia’s shoulder, and healing warmth eased away her misery. “What happened?” the Lady Adept asked.

“Portia is where she belongs,” said Julia. “Master Clement…”

Lilith’s eyes darted to the still form on the lounge by the window. “Oh, no,” she whispered, paling.

“Lilith,” said Julia, “he took Portia, knowing he would have to go with her. But-it’s beautiful. I can’t tell you…”

They were all climbing to their feet now, Wicket sniffing as a tear escaped his control. “Poor old man,” he said.

“No,” said Pyrrhus. “If you had known him longer, Wicket, you would not grieve. If any man ever fulfilled his life, it was Master Clement.”

Lilith nodded. “Pyrrhus is right. We all miss him, but if we grieve it will be for our loss of his strength and wisdom, not for the unfulfilled potential that causes our grief over most deaths.”

And Julia felt no grief at all-only a deep determination to pattern her own life after that of the Master of Masters.

Aradia wakened to a cramping pain. After a few moments she realized that she was in labor, and that her body had been coping with such pains for some time. At least to the extent of suppressing pain, her Adept powers were back!

She Read, and found her child in position for delivery, but it would be hours yet. It was not quite dawn.

She should try to get some more sleep before-

Suddenly she remembered-when? Yesterday afternoon. Portia possessing Julia, threatening to possess her unborn child.

“Julia! Julia-wake up!”

But it was Wicket who answered her call. “Aradia! You’ll wake up every Reader in the city. Julia’s all right. Everybody’s all right, except-”

Wicket was too upset to verbalize it, but even with her weakened powers, Aradia caught the knowledge.

“Master Clement… is dead.”

“He took Portia to the plane of the dead, Pyrrhus says. Aradia, should I wake Lady Lilith for you?”

Then: “Hey! You’re Reading!”

“I’m all right,” Aradia said, realizing that although she would miss Master Clement deeply, she did not feel the shocking grief she had when they had thought him dead before.

“You are all right,” a familiar “voice” suddenly spoke in her mind, “but you are also in labor, Aradia.”

“Lenardo! Oh, Lenardo-where are you?”

“On the fastest horse from Wulfston’s stable-except for the one he’s riding.”

“We’ll be there by this evening, Big Sister,” came another familiar “voice” although she had never Read it before.

“Wulfston! You’ve learned to Read!”

“And that’s not all the news-but we’ll tell you when we get there. If my new niece arrives before we do, tell her hello for me.”

“Father!” Julia suddenly joined the conversation. Aradia let her ask questions, discover Wulfston in the rapport, while she coped with another contraction.

But Julia was too alert. “Father,” she said, “we have so much to tell you-adventures, new friends. But right now, my little sister is trying to get born. So I’m going to go be with Mother till you get here!”

A few hours later, Lilith laid her newborn daughter in Aradia’s arms. With Adept help, the birth had been easy, and she smiled as she touched the baby’s incredibly soft skin, felt the tiny fingers curl around hers.

And then-the baby opened her eyes.

Violet eyes, like Aradia’s own, like her father’s-and nothing in them but newborn innocence. Her heart seemed to overflow with love at the sight.

By evening Aradia’s husband and her brother were there to greet the new arrival and present her with an unexpected bonus: Wulfston had found a wife in Africa! Aradia liked Tadisha at once, although she was too tired to do much more than rest in Lenardo’s arms and listen, half asleep, to their adventures-all, indeed, brought on by Portia’s desire to separate them as she tried to take over the Savage Empire. It was she who had inspired the witch-queen Z’Nelia to the deeds that had sent Sukuru to seek Wulfston, and to kidnap Lenardo to force Wulfston to come to Africa.

“But all Portia did in the long run,” Julia said, “was to bring us even closer together.”

The next day, after a night of healing sleep, Aradia was able to attend Master Clement’s funeral. Not only was the entire city there, but people had flocked in from many miles distant to pay their respects. Even Zendi’s huge forum could not hold them all, and so they trooped out of the city, to the area where the summer fair was held.

Hundreds of people came forward to speak for the beloved old Master-but like Aradia, everyone who had known him well felt peace and joy, not sorrow, at his passing. Even her own father might have achieved much more had he lived longer; no one felt that Master Clement had left anything undone.

Readers from all over the Savage Empire were there in spirit if they could not come in person, creating such a massive group-mind that Aradia suspected even nonReaders could feel their presence.

Afterward, they shared a feast with family and friends, old and new. Lenardo and Aradia, Julia, Wulfston and Tadisha, Lilith, Decius, Pyrrhus and Wicket, all gathered around the table in the dining hall in Lenardo and Aradia’s villa for the traditional celebration of life.

Wulfston’s entourage had caught up with the three who had ridden on ahead, bringing with it another unexpected addition to the family: a rather vague young man named Norgu, who was some sort of relative to Wulfston. Aradia determined to get the story straight as soon as possible, remembering something about a battle by a volcano on another plane of existence from the stories she had listened to so sleepily last night.

Norgu appeared to be a victim of that Adept/Reader battle, healed in body now but badly scarred in mind. But if anyone could help him find himself, she was certain Wulfston could. In the meantime she welcomed the boy to the family, and gave him a place at the table.

There were people missing-not only Master Clement, but Astra, too, was dead. Zanos had stayed in Africa. She wondered if Torio would ever come back, or Melissa.

But if their circle had lost some members, it had gained others, and this was a time for celebration. “Lord Pyrrhus,” Aradia announced, “I promised you property here in Zendi. And Wicket… Lenardo, we must think of some appropriate title for people who may not be either Lords Adept or Master Readers, but who join both powers. Meanwhile, Wicket, you also will have your reward, for both of you risked more than your lives to protect our daughters.”

After the toast had been drunk to Pyrrhus and Wicket, Lenardo rose as Devasin brought their infant daughter in. “Aradia and I have thought long about what we should name our child,” he said. “Today we decided. In honor of the renewal and growth of our circle, we vow again our dedication to peace and cooperation throughout the Savage Empire. And in remembrance of that sacred pledge, we name our daughter Arlana.”

And the toast rang out: “To Arlana, daughter to Lenardo and Aradia, sister to Julia, and sacred pledge to the unity of our Savage Empire!”