The rebel leader’s eyes narrowed in thought. “They might even separate.” He sucked in a long, deep breath, let it out, then straightened. “Let’s go see.”
Tyen recognised the look on Baluka’s face. Excitement and impulsiveness. “Just because I can travel fast doesn’t mean we’ll beat them in a fight,” he reminded him.
“I know.” Baluka nodded. “But some risks are worth taking, for a bit of inside information.”
His tone was that of someone whose mind was made up.
“You want to catch one,” Tyen guessed.
Baluka nodded, and held out a hand.
“Not Javox,” Tyen advised. “The others are probably weaker.”
“There’s no point if it isn’t Javox,” Baluka replied.
Tyen sighed. “Did you catch any of Javox’s thoughts?”
“No. But you did. You said his name.”
“I recognised him. That’s all.”
“Do you think he’s stronger than you?”
Tyen shook his head. “We wouldn’t have got away if he was.”
“So, what are we waiting for?”
Tyen took them in a circle that placed them back on an earlier stretch of their own path, several worlds back. Others had passed that way. The allies in pursuit most likely. They followed.
Soon two paths split from the main one. Tyen continued along the older one, and when they surfaced in the next world, in a market square, they searched minds nearby to see if anyone had been watching the arrival place. It was not uncommon. Even if the local rulers did not have someone noting who used their world’s common arrival places, ordinary people often did so out of curiosity and in the hope of recognising someone famous.
“We’re lucky,” Baluka said. “Javox continued along our trail.”
Tyen had seen the same memory in the mind of a young boy, who’d been amused by Javox’s strange clothing.
Baluka’s grip on Tyen’s arm tightened and they plunged into the place between again.
“Take over,” he ordered.
Tyen obeyed, and they caught up with Javox three worlds later. The ally sensed them in the whiteness and turned to confront them. Baluka swooped in close and grabbed the man’s arm, trying to drag him back into the nearest world. The ally snarled, his face set in a grimace as he resisted. Their path changed and, guessing that Baluka was losing the fight, Tyen took hold of the ally’s other arm and pulled him in the direction the rebel leader had wanted to take him. When it was clear they were about to arrive in a populated courtyard, Tyen skimmed away, searching for a more private place to confront the ally. Diving downwards, he found a dimly lit basement.
Baluka drew magic as soon as they arrived. As Javox reached further, Tyen quickly took all that was within the man’s reach. He kept hold of the man’s arm to prevent him leaving the world.
The ally glared haughtily at Tyen, but his thoughts were panicky. He fought the urge to fight, knowing that the rebel who held him was stronger. The magic he still held might be better used in other ways–ways these rebels did not understand. And if I delay long enough Iphet and Nale will find me, he told himself. But would their combined strength be enough against these two rebels? Perhaps all they needed to do was scare his captors into letting him go.
“Javox, isn’t it?” Baluka said. The ally turned to stare at him. “Ever been to the Raen’s home world?”
The ally’s eyes widened slightly, and his arrogant expression became a little stiffer. He said nothing.
Baluka turned to Tyen. “Has he?”
Tyen shook his head. He dared not reply, in case he betrayed his excitement. In Javox’s mind he saw a cavernous hall and richly decorated corridors and rooms.
Baluka turned to the ally. “You’re not so important after all, then, if you don’t know the way there.”
The man’s gaze slid to Tyen, and a crease appeared between his brows. He knows I know, the man thought. Why doesn’t he say? There must be some advantage to him pretending otherwise. Well, if I can stir up some strife among the rebels before Iphet and Nale get here…
“Seven worlds,” Javox said, watching Tyen. “Begin at the ruins of Diomal palace, atop the tower, then move through six uninhabitable worlds. Water, fire, earth, air, light and darkness.”
Tyen opened his mouth to claim Javox was lying, then stopped as he realised that Baluka would realise Tyen had deceived him if he ever learned that Javox had been telling the truth.
“Tyen? Is this true?”
“He believes it to be.”
Baluka considered their captive. “Perhaps there is something else you can tell us in exchange for your release.”
The ally looked at Tyen. “What would you like to know?”
“Who lives at the palace?”
“Nobody.” Javox frowned. “Just servants.”
“Be more specific.”
“Cooks, cleaners and the like.”
“Musicians? Performers? Artisans?”