Plasma Frequency Magazine: Issue 13 Read Free Page B

settled down, I shall begin my tale.” 
    There was a shuffling sound as those assembled, perhaps 70 or more children and adults, adjusted themselves and a general shushing flowed from child to child, eager for the telling.  The old man put a hand to his salt and pepper bearded chin.  “Now if I could just recall which story I wanted to tell you all tonight.”
    The adults in the room were wise to this tried and true ploy, having endured it many times before, and remained silent, knowing smiles upon their faces.  The old man was not forgetful, though he was crafty and had a certain flair for showmanship.  The children, even those who were in on the ruse, were too eager for the telling to call the old storyteller’s bluff.  Besides, that would be disrespectful.  A young girl’s hand reached skyward and she squealed “The great exodus! You promised to tell us all about it!”
    The old man jabbed one finger into the air.  “Ah, so I did.” He seated himself cross legged upon the dais.  “The great exodus. This is the story of how all of us came to be in the city of New Kona. It is a tale not only of importance, as it is the history of how we came to be, but one of high adventure and moral conviction.”  The old man made a show of clearing his throat.  “Now, here is how it begins.”
    ~
    Venil Orlin was an exile who made his living doing odd jobs for the Relnak in the city of Solara.  Despite his status as a scavenger of the wastes, Venil commanded a certain amount of respect from the Relnak.  He once was a warrior who lived within Idastil’s walls, defending and protecting the city with his very life.  His skills were well recognized as a result and thus, he was often called upon to perform jobs for the Relnak that were deemed unfit, or beneath the city’s esteemed warriors.  Venil specialized in jobs that called for trips outside the city.  Much like this one.
    The Relnak often moved their Sensers from one city to the next like living chess pieces.  There were several reasons for this.  Chief among them was the fact that each Senser had differing mental abilities and those various abilities might be more in need in one city than another.   This is why Venil had been tasked with ferrying the young girl, Kelsey, from the city of Idastil to Solara.  Naturally, he was being paid to do so, for a scavenger had to make a living somehow.
    Venil turned to Jade, the female initiate of the priesthood in Idastil who accompanied the girl.  It seemed the Senser was too important to trust to the singular care of one such as himself.  The Idastil priesthood had insisted the woman join them in their trek.  “We must be extra cautious,” he warned her.  “The Artemise roam this area freely.”
    The initiate spat upon the ground at the mention of the wild women.  “Can we not circumvent their lands?”
    “They have no lands,” he explained.  “They move from place to place, camping wherever is most convenient for their present purposes.”  He knelt, studying the trail.  Best to do so now, before they lost all of the day’s light.  “Nomadic though they be, certain tribes of the Artemise seem to prefer this general area.”
    “You must get us to Solara,” Jade told Venil.  “The Artemise will do anything to possess Kelsey. Especially with the New Moon so near at hand.”
    Venil looked to the girl and then back at Jade.  “I am aware that her abilities are nullified during the New Moon, but she will remain safe with us during that time. The Artemise will present no more danger to us than usual.”
    “I don’t think your employers provided you with all the particulars of this detail.”
    Venil’s eyebrows scrunched up in vexation.  “What do you mean?”
    “In four day’s time, the New Moon fills the night sky.” Jade put her hands to her waist. “Aside from nullifying Kelsey’s telepathy, the moon also heralds an Artemise  ritual, for which they require a virgin Senser.” She