Considering her response, Chasmatu continues to scowl at Sash. As I replay her explanation in my mind, I realize how carefully Sash chose her words. She implied that it was an errant throw, which I know it wasn’t, but never said anything that was a flat out lie.
“What is that creature behind you?” Chasmatu asks.
“A child of the Delta,” she answers.
“Not that one!”
“A Traveler of Krymzyn.”
Chasmatu shoots a scathing stare in my direction and examines my face. “His eyes are an unnatural color. He was not born in this world. A creature from another plane of existence has no place in Krymzyn.”
“The Tree of Vision disagrees,” Sash says evenly.
“The Tree of Vision has no bearing on my existence,” he says gruffly, keeping his eyes fixed on me. “The Origin’s vision for this world is my covenant.”
“If The Origin doesn’t want him here,” Sash says, “The Origin can return from the Infinite Expanse and say so. But the Tree of Vision has made it clear that this man has a purpose in Krymzyn.”
Apparently angered by Sash’s argument, Chasmatu’s wings flutter and the muscles in his arms strain to the point that his veins look like they’re about to explode out of his skin. Tightening her grip on my shirt, Maya buries her face in the center of my back.
“I’m Chase,” I say to Chasmatu, trying to be polite, “Traveler of Krymzyn.”
“I care not what your name is!’ he retorts. “Thousands of Travelers have passed through my Gateway over immeasurable time. Names are of no consequence to me.”
I want to tell him that I was just doing what I’d been instructed to do when meeting a Guardian, but before I can reply, Sash holds a hand up in my direction to silence me.
“We came to seek your help,” she says. “It’s a matter of great importance. Your many gifts may prove beneficial to us.”
Chasmatu glowers at me for another few moments and then snaps his head to Sash. “What matter?”
“A young female Traveler has been lost in this area of the Barrens, although she probably looks like a Murkovin now. Perhaps you or the other Aerodyne have seen her near your domain.”
“I see an occasional Murkovin, but none have stood out.”
“You might recognize her,” she says. “I know she chose your Gateway for her journey to the Infinite Expanse. Her name is Tela. Larn, the tallest of the Travelers, was her guide to the Expanse.”
“Did you not hear what I told the Traveler about names?” he grumbles.
“I thought you might have heard their names in passing,” she replies. “It’s customary for them to announce their names to you at the Stone of Passage. I know your memory is without flaw.”
For the first time since he arrived, probably from Sash’s gentle ego-stroking, Chasmatu relaxes his muscles. “I do recall those two entering the Expanse, but I have not seen anyone who resembles her since.”
“I’m grateful for your information,” she replies.
Sash suddenly looks up as another winged creature descends from the sky. Maya peeks around my side and gazes up at him. With broad, effortless circles, he glides down on fully extended wings. When he nears us, he elegantly flaps his wings until his feet touch the ground with a much softer landing than Chasmatu’s. Standing a few feet from Chasmatu, the Aerodyne retracts his wings and bows to Sash.
“Greetings, Hunter,” he says. “How can I serve you.”
The second Aerodyne’s voice, like Chasmatu’s, is so deep and rich that it sends tremors through my body. But unlike Chasmatu, his tone is absent of any hostility. I’d describe him as cordial, an obvious contrast to Chasmatu’s menacing demeanor. Sash returns his bow.
“We’re honored by your presence, Angelicusepte,” she says as she returns to upright. “We’re in search of a missing Traveler.”
“The only Traveler I have seen since the last who journeyed to the Infinite Expanse is standing behind you now.” Angelicusepte looks in my direction. The kaleidoscope of colors in his eyes is almost hypnotic. “Greetings, Traveler. Greetings, child of Krymzyn. I welcome you to the edge of our domain.”
“Greetings,” I reply. “I’m honored to be here.”
“Hello,” Maya timidly squeaks.
In the same way that the Serquatine all look like sisters, Angelicusepte and Chasmatu are almost identical in appearance. The only distinct difference between them is that the plume of feathers on Angelicusepte’s head is canary-yellow instead of red. Just as each of the Serquatine has one of the seven colors of the rainbow illuminating the ends of their hair, the feathered crests of the different Aerodyne must be the same seven colors. Based on how polar opposite the personalities of Chasmatu and Angelicusepte are, I assume these creatures display different dispositions in the same way as the Schorachnia.
“The Traveler may now be a Murkovin,” Sash says to Angelicusepte. “She had no choice but to survive on wild sap. You might recognize her since she used your Gateway for her journey to the Infinite Expanse.”
“I occasionally see a Murkovin from the air,” he tells her, “but few ever venture near our domain. I have not seen the one you mention.”
“She may have had a steel transport with her,” I say. “I doubt many Murkovin would have one with them.”
Angelicusepte looks at me again. “You are correct. Rarely do the Murkovin we see near our domain have items of steel, but I did see something rather curious. It was a female Murkovin with a steel transport. From my vantage point in the clouds, I could not make out the detail of her face, but she had no blue in her hair.”
“Where did you see her?” I ask.
“East of the river,” he answers. “She was about a third of the way to the eastern barrier and a few miles north of our domain.”
“How long ago?” Sash asks.
He returns his attention to her. “At least forty Darknesses have passed since I saw her.”
“Your information is extremely helpful,” she says. “Thank you for sharing it with us.”
“I hope it helps with your
