WIP – Unraveling Mysteries: Elara’s Journey in Technomancer
Continuing to share the opening scenes from my current work in progress, Technomancer.
Finn was surprised when Elara reappeared, clean and in a different though similar dress. She also had sandals on her feet. His breath caught at the sight of her. He felt nearly invisible in her presence. His normal clothes were functional, not fashionable. He was still in the gray and charcoal plaid shirt and dark pants with the many pockets he had worn for the past three days. He had taken off his regular shoes while making tea and donned comfortable slippers before sitting at his small table to look at his notes.
“Thank you,” Elara said as she joined him. She eyed the cup of tea he had prepared for her and then lifted to smell the aroma.
“It’s a herbal blend,” Finn said. “I didn’t think caffeine was needed. I don’t know about you, but I need some rest before tackling next steps and figuring out how to help you.” He took a sip from his mug and was pleased when Elara copied him.
“You don’t believe my story,” she said after enjoying the first sip of the floral and citrus tea. She could feel his wariness at her assertion. The goddess had not abandoned her completely. Her lunar intuition was still with her. He required proof.
She reached out with her mind and canceled her moon weave once more.
Finn blinked as her dress disappeared, and nearly dumped his hot tea in his lap. Even with damp hair and no makeup, she was stunningly beautiful. A moment later, she was clothed once more.
“I am to be a priestess of the Moon Goddess,” Elara said. “That is one of my gifts. I am not of your world, Finn.”
“I, I believe you,” he stuttered. “But why are you here? How did you get here?”
Elara nodded, then told what she recalled. She ignored her rape, not wanting Finn to look down on her or send her away. Such shaming and casting out would be expected back in Elysia. No woman should put herself in a position to be taken as Elara had been. At least that is what most of her folk believed.
Finn was nodding when she finished telling of her awakening in the alley and the suspicion she had of being under a compulsion. “A quantum tunnel could explain your transport from one dimension to another,” he said. “I don’t know about this geas you mention, but it’s possible some sort of entanglement was used to override your sense of connection and will.” He shook his head again. “If that is what has been done to you, it’s evil worse than I’m fighting.”
“What do you mean?”
“The men I was fleeing are protecting evil here. They use the technology I helped make to watch and influence everyone; to wield their power. Worse yet, they use it to hide their own evil actions. If they had the power to control free-will, like what was done to you, they would be unstoppable.”
Elara paled at his words. The magician could already control her. Did he want someone from this world to do the same on a much larger scale? If the powerful here that Finn mentioned could watch the masses, how much worse would it be in Elysia when she completed her quest?
“What will you do?” she finally asked.
Finn sighed. “I need to turn over my proof to someone who can announce it to the world. If enough people are aware, the people will demand change.”
Elara felt unease with his plan. “You have such powerful bards here that can talk to the whole world?” Elara asked.
“No, but we have a few journalists who retain some integrity. They have the connections to broadcast what is going on. At least, I hope they do.” Finn stifled a yawn. “I need to sleep on it. I think I know who I can trust, but it’s been a long few days for me.” He eyed his couch. “You can take the bedroom, and I’ll stretch out here,” he said.
“You only have one bed?” Elara asked, suddenly tired as well. She had been unconscious, used, and abused, not asleep and resting.
“Yes. The second room is my office. I never put a bed in there.” He chuckled to himself. “I’ve never had a guest here before, for that matter. This has always been my refuge from the world.”
Elara sensed the honor in him as he thought. He would only bring a stranger here whom he had sworn to aid and protect. Finn may not be a powerful man in this world, but he was a good man. For now, that would have to be enough for her. She prayed the geas would agree.
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