Seven Swords

Chapter 61

Irissa and Kendric, Javelle and Thane, all sat together

on the ground like play-worn children, beaming at each

other in vacuous self-congratulation. Briarwhip kept a disconsolate vigil at the place Eeryon

had last occupied. The sword lay where it had fallen with

Kendric, forgotten. Javelle smiled in the circle of her

family, the circlet upon her brow missing. That, too, had been forgotten. "Danger always threatens most in the moments just after one rests from danger, Felabba the Elder noted

sagely.

'Quite true.' Felabba the Younger looked up. 'Shall we

tell them?'

'When have they listened?" On occasion."

Felabba the Elder's ears flattened and its gaze shifted sharply to the backdrop of trees on which the outlines of gates still scintillated.

'My ancient eyes spy a disruption in the gate from Without. Geronfrey still craves the sword.' "Why?' The younger cat gave its bib a long, luxurious

lick.

'He must have something to show for his trouble.' Felabba the Younger twisted an agile head over its shoulder. "Surely he is no longer able to enter this world! Yon Wrathman has battered him back with the newly reinforced sword.'

'Being f*******n something has never stopped Geron frey before.'

'How true. I suppose we should alert them look, the

sword's hilt-glow dampens as the dark draw of Geronfrey's

shadow falls upon it! And they do not even notice

are too busy gawking at one another.'

they

'I've warned them of that very thing again and again.' Old Felabba yawned. Lengthily. 'No, let them enjoy their false sense of security. At my age, one mellows." 'But-'

'Fear not, young one. Geronfrey cannot come forth here in full form any longer.'

'Perhaps not. But I remember or rather, I believe you remember - an occasion in Rule when he reached through a rock pillar in the Oracle of Valna to seize Irissa. His hands and arms actually penetrated f*******n space and time."

'And he paid for it, for did not his flesh shrivel to

bones? Why do you think he went gloved to the elbows ever after? Felabba the Elder scrubbed her back foot vigorously against her neck. 'Must be one of Geronfrey's cursed moth-things your tender portions." - teeth like a bat's, I tell you. Watch Thank you so much, but I must confess I do see a

presence pushing at the door Without and the

sword's light has dampened utterly. Do you not see the

weapon edging over the grass to the door as if drawn by

some unseen line?'

Felabba the Elder squinted at the sword. 'It is quite still now. Though my eyes may deceive me.' 'We really should warn them. Why else have we been

summoned - 1 from my shard in Rengarth and how exactly did you rebirth yourself?' you from "Through a tapestry depiction of my old self. The

Wrathman thinks he had something to do with it, but of course, it was all my doing, as usual.' 'A tapestry? That is a remarkable method. We are very

clever.' Yes, I think so. Old Felabba stopped grooming to stare

pointedly into the distance. I think you are right; the

sword has moved almost to the door."

Felabba the Younger arched her back as she rose. 'Really, I can't permit them to go unwarned. All our hard work, and then it should be undone so easily 'Be patient. I have seen much more than you. Geronfrey

may have lured the sword within reach, but he cannot levitate it through the door. I know his limitations." 'Indeed. The weapon appears to lie still. Yet... I see

hands- black-gloved hands - pushing through the flaccid skin of a Dark Mirror. He will reach through the gate in defiance of the elements to seize the sword-!'

'Calm yourself.' You may be my older self, but my conscience is fresher born than yours. I cannot let these poor fools lose the object of all their conjoined quests simply because I

forbore to mew b****y murder-!' Felabba the Elder boxed her younger edition lightly on the ears. 'Enough hysterics.'

But I see Geronfrey's thieving arms reaching through! In an instant have the sword-!' will have

rand *Watch a bit longer you will see that in an instant something else will have him.' Enough command drenched Felabba the Elder's voice

to freeze young Felabba in mid-spring.

Both cats hunkered down in the grasses, tails and ears flat, faces extended like striking snakes' heads, whiskers twitching. Young Felabba's hindquarters waggled its impatience; the animal seemed a spring about to unwind, no matter its senior self's advice.

Under the watching cat's intent eyes, a pair of dark gloves stole soundlessly toward the dormant sword. Young Felabba crouched lower, all the better to spring higher and farther and faster.

Then gloved fingers curled around the hilt. A silver flash came bounding from the long grasses, hurling at a small bit of sleeve just above the gauntlets.

There it fastened like a gleaming pin. The dark arms tried to retreat back within the plane

of the doorway, behind the mirrored curtain that hid

the owner of the arms. For a few moments the arms

flailed and the silver object clung despite being violently shaken. Then the silver arrow fell away and the arms retreated.

'You see?' Felabba the Elder hoisted a rear leg over one shoulder and began wetting the pantaloon of hairs on her upper leg. 'Nothing to worry about. Geronfrey has received a dose of his own medicine - and then some.'

"The serpent circlet.' Felabba the Younger sounded suitably admiring. 'It was waiting to discharge the venom it leeched from Kendric.'

'Exactly, my dear lesser half. Observe and learn from your elders.' The younger cat stared at the sword, lying untouched now, and the closed doorway to Without. 'Did Your

Excellency predict that as well?' 'What? Felabba the Elder froze as a sound keened through the clearing, the sound of a massive door being driven open.

Felabba the Younger looked very smug. "That.'

'What was that?' Irissa's magical instincts jolted her from a state of delirious happiness. Around her, Kendric and Thane stirred uneasily.

'Something's been nagging at my composure,' Kendric

admitted, but I didn't want to cast a sour word into the sweetness of our reunion.' 'I felt something, too,' Thane agreed.

Javelle considered. Despite the ordeals they had passed

through together, she still remained the odd unmagicked

one out. 'I felt a sudden headache,' she contributed. Irissa stared at Javelle's n***d forehead as if just notic ing it. 'Of course you do you miss the circlet. We must

find it.'