He poked his head out of the narrow opening into the night and his low spirits plunged even further. Nira, Renna, and Guyrin were nowhere to be seen.
Chapter 17 The Chaos Shard
It was gratifying, after everything the old man had thrown on her recently, to see Gamarron looking so distressed and confused. Nira had come to depend on the monk’s stability and calm, and had thought of him as some kind of wise elder, almost like a father. Having that comfort stolen by his admission that she was only his tool – not even a tool, just a basket to hold his new toy – hurt more than she cared to admit. Let him fret for a moment. It’ll do us both some good.
But then Kest slithered out of the tree, and she lost interest in her little game. She patted Guyrin on the shoulder and gestured for him to stop as she stepped forward. Gamarron and Kest jerked in surprise as their companions appeared out of thin air, and relief painted their faces. Strangely, Gamarron’s relief pleased her nearly as much as Kest’s.
The powerful young Beast Rider crossed to her, taking her by the shoulders. “What did you do? It was just the tree, and then… Was that you? I didn’t know you could do that!” He kept his voice low and scanned the area even as he spoke to her.
She gave him her cockiest grin. “There’s lots you don’t know about me, mister.”
Gamarron drew near. “Tell it quickly. We shouldn’t stay exposed like this.”
She stifled her irritation. He was right. “We heard Naga coming out and didn’t have time to hide. I asked Guy to hide us.” She shrugged at Kest apologetically. “Wasn’t me. I didn’t know what he did at first, but they went right past us, less than two meters away.” She shook her head and shrugged. “If I’d known he could make us invisible, I’d have been nicer.”
Gamarron frowned, looking from her to the chaos wielder. “You should not be the one to decide when he uses his power.”
Her anger flared up, stealing her breath. “Maybe I should have let them kill us, huh? So sorry to disappoint!”
“That’s not what I meant,” he said, looking unhappy. “Any use of the Chaos is dangerous – he told us so himself. He spoke of discord, of build-up. It harms him, and it might harm us.”
“I am a tree,” Guyrin whispered deliriously. He was slumped against the tree at his back and didn’t seem to notice anyone else. Nira felt a pang of fear, and maybe a hint of sympathy for the little man. She crossed over to him and pulled him upright.
“Everything about this is dangerous,” she said, trying to sound callous. “That’s why we brought a chaos wielder.”
“As much as I hate to say it, she’s right,” whispered Renna, looking around for other Naga. “Can you think of any other way to search this whole island without being caught? When you have a tool at hand, you don’t put it away just because it might break.” Nira blinked at the old Weaver, surprised by her support. Renna saw the glance, rolled her eyes, and looked away.
Gamarron chewed his lip in an unusual display of indecisiveness. “Can you keep doing it?” he asked Guyrin.
The chaos wielder didn’t respond. Nira gave his arm a jiggle. “Hey, Guyrin. Guy!” He snapped his gaze on to her, his eyes suddenly focusing. “Think you could keep doing your little hidey-hole trick?” His mouth worked for a moment, but he said nothing. “Hey, are you okay?”
He nodded. “Grand,” he said, clearing his throat. “It’s just bending light, no problem. I mean, the more observers, the more difficult it becomes, because you’ve got to pretzel the light, you know? But yes, I can do it.” He looked to Gamarron. “Should I?”
“Can you keep it up while we’re moving?” the old man asked.
Guyrin cocked his head. “Yeah. Harder, but… I’m at least eighty-five percent sure I won’t kill us.”
Nira’s guts clenched. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“Compared to a one hundred percent chance of death any other way,” Renna rasped, “I’ll take the odds.”
Gamarron nodded to the chaos wielder. “Do it.”
He grinned brightly, obviously glad to be of use, and spread his hands, making a grand gesture. He held it there for a long moment in silence.
“Did you do it?” Kest whispered.
Guyrin lowered his hands, sighing. “Of course. I was just waiting for somebody to say something momentous. Seemed like the right moment.” He gave the Beast Rider a miffed look. “It’s spoiled now.”
“Let’s go, then,” Gamarron said.
“I guess that’ll do,” the chaos wielder replied. “It’s awfully functional.”
Renna flicked him with a forefinger. “Enough. How far can we range?”
“Stay within five meters of me,” he said, rubbing his arm. “Further than that, and it gets a lot harder.”
They ventured out from the roots of the tree, creeping softly and feeling terribly vulnerable. They’d gone no more than two steps before Guyrin staggered to one side. Nira caught him by the elbow before he pitched himself to the ground.
“Oh, wow,” he muttered, weaving on his feet. “That’s new.”
“What?” demanded Gamarron. “Is it too hard?”
“No,” Guyrin said slowly. “It’s no harder than it ever is, I’m just… phasing.”
“What is that?” Kest asked, sounding uneasy.
“It’s… never mind, I can’t explain it. There’s something weird about this place. I’m drifting from – mmm, you won’t understand that either. I need someone to hold on to me. An anchor.”
Nira was right there, and she didn’t hesitate to wrap her fingers around his elbow. He sighed and nodded. “Don’t let go.”
Now her brain caught up with her hands,
