Chapter 10: The Nowhere Sphere
In a nowhere place, everything is possible.
At the time of Tianoman Valla’s Naming, a blue sphere hoversin the scrying bowl, along with a silver cathron in an ebony floor. The timefor that future is due, for beyond realms and the known universe, a mightymanipulation commences, and it assumes the form of blue spherical space.
This is a Nowhere Sphere.
Tianoman is kidnapped by an enemy believed dead, and takento the place where a silver cathron knocker lurks in the darkness of a polishedsurface, where also a crucible swirls in vapour, creating within an entity thatcannot be permitted life.
An entire planet is vaporised, and souls scream for releasein the aftermath. As Torrullin Valla’s memory returns after the event onEcholone, his ability to forgive is buried in the layers time has laid down, andnow he needs to care, to feel again, to forgive. He must travel the voidcreated by anti-matter to find not only Tianoman and the other Vallas, but alsoElianas Danae, for he will suffer most.
In Nowhere, everything that moves in hearts, minds and soulswill become the answers Torrullin requires to again known himself. It will alsounmask the Danae.
CHAPTER 10
There are many viewing platforms in the universe, and eachoffers a mighty vista. There are many viewpoints in the universe also, butthose offerings range from the small and mean to the great and calamitous.
Max Dalrish
~ A speech made in Beacon’sparliament, upon invitation ~
Avaelyn
TORRULLINSURPRISED HIM. “What, Elianas, did you expect abattle?” He wandered over to the counter and started to make coffee. “Do youthink I aim to live up to expectation? You should know me better.”
Elianas straightened and closed in.“It pays to be prepared.”
“True, but I wonder how prepared youare. You thought a storm would bring it on, didn’t you? Well, surprise.”
Elianas shivered. “How long?”
Busy with the scoop and groundbeans, Torrullin murmured, “A few days, with much speculation before. Youshould have hidden my black clothes.”
Elianas snorted. It was a thought healready had. “Why keep quiet?”
“I was watching you.” Elianas swore.Torrullin slapped the spoon down. “And today you broke pattern at last. Whomdid you see out there? Who was important enough to take you away from yourself-appointed task?”
Elianas folded his arms. “Lowen.”
Torrullin flinched. “Why?” Silence.Torrullin waited.
Again, Elianas swore. “Tian andAislinn.”
“What about them?”
Elianas closed his eyes briefly. Hisarms loosened. “Tianoman and his wife have been kidnapped.”
“Whothe fuck would dare?”
Elianas breathed in and out deeply.“I do not think anyone knows yet. No one knows much at this point.”
Torrullin was expressionless, andElianas knew that lack of expression hid simmering fury. The man’s rage wouldintensify now, having heard this news. “It is time to find out how thishappened,” Torrullin said. “I don’t want to hear your excuses.”
Elianas swiped at the counter,sending coffee, honey, milk and mugs to shatter and mess upon the floor. Hegrabbed Torrullin’s wrist. “I have no excuses to offer. All I have are factsand the facts are, you were shattering. I had to stop that. I swore to you along time ago I would not allow it to happen.”
Torrullin’s gaze silvered. “And yourgreatest fear was that you would not succeed.”
“I succeeded. You are talking to mewith all of you in place.”
“Elianas, given what happened to us,I think I wish I had shattered.”
The dark man cursed. “Then I wouldbe bereft.”
Those eyes silvered even further. “Iknow.”
Elianas closed his eyes. “I do notknow how to proceed now. I have battled my conscience since the moment I madethe decision to take even trace memories away, knowing it was the only path Icould safely choose, and then I battled the elements to keep storms at bay longenough to give you time before it came rushing back. I even battled the silentaccusations from those who love you.”
“They did not understand.”
“No, and who can blame them?”
“And here I am talking to you as iftoday is an ordinary day. You must be … concerned.”
Elianas released his grip on thebeating pulse under his fingers. “Yes.”
“It is no ordinary day.” Torrullinreached out. “Stand still. I hit you hard.” He touched a finger to Elianas’broken lip.
The dark man turned away. “I amgoing out for air. When you are reasonable again, we can talk about findingTian.”
“Elianas. It is storming,’ Torrullingoaded.
“Bugger off.” He kept walking andmocking laughter followed him.
ITWAS INDEED STORMING, a mother of a weather pattern.Rayne-Torrullin had brought forth something extreme. Elianas swore again as hewent out into its fury. Torrullin had known exactly what he was doing. Who hadbeen the one prepared, then?
He walked along the stone pathwayleading into the forest; the last thing he needed was the vista of an ocean inangry motion and the glowering mountain was not desirable either. Wind scuttledaround and against him, and rain soaked him through to his skin until heshivered, and he kept on walking. Torrullin would attempt the barriers, but theword of power could not be undone. A branch lashed out at him, and he cursedit. It tore and fell alongside him. He felt vindicated. A footfall behind himhad him whirling around. He had not expected Torrullin to follow, not yet, buthe should have understood his punishment had already commenced. He halted onthe path and braced himself.
The din through the trees wasimmense and Torrullin thus dispensed with verbal communication. It made theentire situation worse; it made it terribly intimate. How long can you hold out, Elianas?
As long as it takes.
Torrullin paced forward. He was assoaked, his tunic sticking to his bones like a second skin. I hear you.
Torrullin, you forget I hear you also.
I am counting on it.
How dare you punish me for helping you?
I did not ask for this much help.
Would I have to ask before you would help me with everythingyou have? Elianas demanded.
The silence in their minds wasdeafening. Then, No.
Do you see now?
Taking away what was for a time did not take any of it awayforever. I remember everything. If you had left me, I would now know nothing.Sometimes trauma is best left to obliviousness.
And I would know everything still. Which is worse, Lorinin?
Fuck you, Danae.
Your anger is for what happened to Tymall. Be honest.
You killed him. Yes, I have an issue with it. You shouldhave left me shattered.
Elianas went on walking. Never. Your son deserved death. If you seekto punish, know from the outset it does go both ways.
Excellent. It seems we are now even further from ourdestinies, our so-called noble purpose. How many do we hurt this time, mybrother, before we call a ceasefire?
If we battle it out here, we hurt only each other.
Neither of us has that kind of strength. Neither of us canstay out of it.
Elianas swung around.
Torrullin was directly behind him. I am leaving. My living grandson needs my help.
Elianas flinched. No. Not yet. Think first.
If it means I must destroy our home to force it, I shall doso.
That has been foreseen. Do your worst; it will not help you.
Torrullin barked a laugh. Lowen, I assume. Elianas did not reply.Torrullin smiled. The lady seer has seen.She has vanished now, I think. Grey eyes glittered. You should have slept with her when the opportunity was there.
Elianas knew when he was beinggoaded. He responded in kind. I shouldhave, yes. Another little twist we would then share.
Baiting me is childish.
Elianas grinned and lifted aneyebrow.
Torrullin changed direction. Have you spoken with Caballa?
I have no need of others’ visions. I already know we shallgo beyond our usual boundaries this time.
Where are those boundaries, Elianas?
Touché.
Silence, and in it Torrullin glancedskyward. They come.
Elianas blinked. They know?
They felt the reverberations of Elixir. No barrier youdevise can prevent that. A frown appeared. What are they afraid of?
You.
My wrath?
Something like that. We know you.
I aim to disappoint all of you.
You defer it to allay us, hoping I shall release thebarriers. I am not a fool, Torrullin.
What use a fool in battle? Thank the gods for your mind.
Elianas frowned in irritation andbrushed past Torrullin to return home. Torrullin stepped into his path, forcinghim to a halt. He shoved him aside and continued walking, and was then hauledabout. And slammed up against a tree. Branches reached out to them gleefully.Grey eyes impaled dark. Neither moved a muscle.
Until Elianas twitched.
Torrullin’s lips curved in a smile, the kindthat signified nefarious intention. Elianas gripped the man’s wet tunic.Twisting the fabric in his hands, he used the man’s weight to propel them backonto the path, and there he released. The next instant his fists smacked intoTorrullin’s gut and, as he doubled over, Elianas strode purposefully back tothe dwelling. He did not look back.
