know where they are?”
“Not exactly. I can sense them and know what general direction they lie, but I cannot tell how far away they are.”
The Tunnels connected worlds and were strictly controlled by the High Guild of Aviara. The Guild employed knights of the Charl to protect both the Alliance of planets and the structural integrity of the Tunnels. Within the High Guild itself, the Tunnels were under the absolute domain of the revered House of Sages.
Since this world was an outlying one and not a member of the Alliance, the Tunnel points were limited in their connections to sponsoring worlds who wished to open trade and commerce.
Familiars could sense the presence of Tunnels, but they could not call them forth. Only certain mystics of the Charl could do that. On this non-Alliance world, the portals would not be maintained by the Gatekeepers of the Charl. Most likely the Tunnel points would be left open in stasis, as was the one Gian had used to enter this world.
Often on barbaric worlds such as this, Tunnel points were initially kept closed until farther exploration could be made by a Familiar. The Familiars, who were naturally inquisitive and had a zest for adventure, were the perfect candidates for such tasks. In exchange for such services, the Guild rewarded the Familiars with certain privileges and protection.
However, Guardian of the Mist had not come to this world as a seeker for the House of Sages or the High Guild. He had come as a hunter for Dariq.
In any event, it would be a long and dangerous journey back to Aviara. They would have to travel world by world until they reached Alliance space. From there all Tunnels connected to Aviara.
“The closest and most active one is in the royal village, a day’s journey from here. Over this hillock is a pathway that should lead us directly to the Traveler’s Path. It will take us straight to the center of the village where the Tunnel lies.”
That was the Tunnel that Gian had used to enter this world. “No, Jenise. Karpon will expect us to go there and will have both the path and the Tunnel entrance heavily guarded. We must try for another of the Tunnels. How far is the next one?”
“It is about five days’ journey from here.” A day on this planet was slightly shorter than a standard Alliance day. Gian noted that his step here was slightly lighter as well.
“And the other?”
“Fifteen days’ journey.”
Gian speculated a moment, weighing his alternatives. “We will attempt the one that is five days’ journey. Karpon will be expecting this as well, but the risk of staying on this planet longer outweighs the danger of the choice.”
“That Tunnel lies in this direction, but we mustcircumnavigate those hills in the distance.” Jenise pointed to some hills far ahead.
Gian’s innate tracking ability told him different. “It would be quicker to travel in this direction.” He indicated a route that would take them right through the valley between the far hills.
“Quicker if it could be done. We cannot go that way.”
“Why not?”
“Because the valdt will kill us.”
“What is the valdt?”
“Do you see the vines covering the entire valley before us?”
“Yes; the plants continue as far as I can see across the vale.”
She nodded. “Well, they are not plants.”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“That is the valdt. It is a flesh-eating plant that crisscrosses the terrain for miles.”
Gian said hesitantly, “What do you mean by flesh-eating?”
“Just that. It is carnivorous, Gian.”
He paused. “I sense no danger from it.” He frowned in puzzlement. “How can that be?”
“No one is sure what it is—plant or animal; or a combination of the two. Perhaps that is why you cannot sense the threat?”
That, or the residual drug in his system was still affecting him.
“What else do you know of it?” He listened to her intently.
“It sleeps by day but awakens at night. See the spines?” She pointed.
He
“Not exactly. I can sense them and know what general direction they lie, but I cannot tell how far away they are.”
The Tunnels connected worlds and were strictly controlled by the High Guild of Aviara. The Guild employed knights of the Charl to protect both the Alliance of planets and the structural integrity of the Tunnels. Within the High Guild itself, the Tunnels were under the absolute domain of the revered House of Sages.
Since this world was an outlying one and not a member of the Alliance, the Tunnel points were limited in their connections to sponsoring worlds who wished to open trade and commerce.
Familiars could sense the presence of Tunnels, but they could not call them forth. Only certain mystics of the Charl could do that. On this non-Alliance world, the portals would not be maintained by the Gatekeepers of the Charl. Most likely the Tunnel points would be left open in stasis, as was the one Gian had used to enter this world.
Often on barbaric worlds such as this, Tunnel points were initially kept closed until farther exploration could be made by a Familiar. The Familiars, who were naturally inquisitive and had a zest for adventure, were the perfect candidates for such tasks. In exchange for such services, the Guild rewarded the Familiars with certain privileges and protection.
However, Guardian of the Mist had not come to this world as a seeker for the House of Sages or the High Guild. He had come as a hunter for Dariq.
In any event, it would be a long and dangerous journey back to Aviara. They would have to travel world by world until they reached Alliance space. From there all Tunnels connected to Aviara.
“The closest and most active one is in the royal village, a day’s journey from here. Over this hillock is a pathway that should lead us directly to the Traveler’s Path. It will take us straight to the center of the village where the Tunnel lies.”
That was the Tunnel that Gian had used to enter this world. “No, Jenise. Karpon will expect us to go there and will have both the path and the Tunnel entrance heavily guarded. We must try for another of the Tunnels. How far is the next one?”
“It is about five days’ journey from here.” A day on this planet was slightly shorter than a standard Alliance day. Gian noted that his step here was slightly lighter as well.
“And the other?”
“Fifteen days’ journey.”
Gian speculated a moment, weighing his alternatives. “We will attempt the one that is five days’ journey. Karpon will be expecting this as well, but the risk of staying on this planet longer outweighs the danger of the choice.”
“That Tunnel lies in this direction, but we mustcircumnavigate those hills in the distance.” Jenise pointed to some hills far ahead.
Gian’s innate tracking ability told him different. “It would be quicker to travel in this direction.” He indicated a route that would take them right through the valley between the far hills.
“Quicker if it could be done. We cannot go that way.”
“Why not?”
“Because the valdt will kill us.”
“What is the valdt?”
“Do you see the vines covering the entire valley before us?”
“Yes; the plants continue as far as I can see across the vale.”
She nodded. “Well, they are not plants.”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“That is the valdt. It is a flesh-eating plant that crisscrosses the terrain for miles.”
Gian said hesitantly, “What do you mean by flesh-eating?”
“Just that. It is carnivorous, Gian.”
He paused. “I sense no danger from it.” He frowned in puzzlement. “How can that be?”
“No one is sure what it is—plant or animal; or a combination of the two. Perhaps that is why you cannot sense the threat?”
That, or the residual drug in his system was still affecting him.
“What else do you know of it?” He listened to her intently.
“It sleeps by day but awakens at night. See the spines?” She pointed.
He
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