Keleon and Mary ran into the room. “What’s going on?” they asked in unison.
Colli looked from one to the other. “I know why he did this.” The words came out in a harsh whisper. She leaned over and righted the chair, then stood to face the others.
“Who?” Mary asked.
“It’s Skad, Skad Elig,” Colli spit the words out.
“Who’s Skad Elig?” Mary’s whisper was barely a softer version of Colli’s.
Keleon shrugged, disbelief evident in the stiffness of his shoulders.
“He is… uh, he was one of my classmates.” Colli frowned. “He had the blanket power, but he liked to use it on helpless creatures.”
“I remember now, he’d just entered training when I graduated.” Keleon sat in the chair next to Colli. “He seemed pretty harmless.”
A whistling sound drew their attention.
“That’s the tea. Mary, stay with your sister, I’ll get it.” Keleon left the room.
Mary remained standing, her confusion evident. “What happened to him?” she asked.
“He was the only one who ever got kicked out of training,” Colli shivered. She thought of her friend Marcus. When Skad was finished with him, the only thing that could be done was make him comfortable until… Colli put her face in her hands. There were no more tears, only the guilt she could never be rid of.
She looked up when Keleon returned with a tray, three cups and a steaming pot. When he sat it on the table, Mary took over. They remained silent, sipping the spicy liquid. It did nothing to dispel the chill that infused the room.
Colli was the first to speak. “I know where he is.” She put her empty cup on the tray. Fragrance of cinnamon lingered. It brought the clarity Colli had been missing.
“There’s only one place.” Keleon nodded, and stood. “Let’s go.”
“Where?” asked Mary.
Neither Colli nor Keleon answered. Instead, they both walked out the front door, leaving Mary to close up and follow.
“Come on Mary, I’ll explain on the way.” Colli felt guilty, but they didn’t have much time. If Skad was true to form, he was getting ready to destroy something. Colli couldn’t guess what that might be, but she knew innocents would suffer.
Mary and Colli climbed into the backseat of the car.
“Get us there as fast as you can.” Colli instructed Keleon with a command strength she’d never before experienced. She looked at the ring. It glowed as brightly as a sapphire gemstone. Power grew.
“Are you alright?” Keleon’s worried voice carried from the front. The vehicle started with the usual odor that repulsed her.
“Yes. Just get us there, as quick as possible.” She didn’t have to say more. The soft hum that took over the engines, confirmed this. The pungent stench cleared.
Exterior windows darkened. Keleon was in charge of his precious vehicle.
They were on their way by the time Colli turned to Mary. “We’re going to the fortress.”