Powers of the Six (35 page)

“Let’s do it again,” Nolan called as soon as the arrows struck targets.

“Oh, come on, Nolan,” Daren said. His mop of brown hair clung to his face. “I swear, I’m done with this.” He tossed his bow to the ground. “Why should I do this anyway? I have Perception, for Brim’s sake.”

“Until you can find a way to smell a man to death …”

Laughter rippled over the group.

Daren scowled. “Well, I’m taking a break.”

The rest grumbled in agreement.

Nolan sighed. If he pushed too hard, they’d never agree again. “All right. But swords in ten minutes.”

Another dozen or so Nass tore from them as they groaned complaints. Bonty wildly swatted the air, as if being swarmed by angry bees.

The group dispersed and trickled to the other practice area, all except Daren who marched toward Nolan, annoyance thick in his emotions.

“When I said take a break, I was thinking about a swim.” Daren grinned mischievously.

Nolan moaned. A dip in the lake did sound good. “Emery told us to be ready.”

“For what?”

“The Rol’dan,” Nolan said.

Daren snorted. “How likely is that? They aren’t daft enough to wander the forest in the middle of nowhere.”

“The stones might lead them here.” Nolan could feel the increase of the stones’ pull. If he had better awareness them, the Rol’dan probably did as well.

Daren’s smiled faded as trepidation lingered on his emotions.

“Come on,” Nolan pleaded, hoping his stubbornness would win over Daren’s. “Let’s swim after sword practice?”

Daren pointed at Nolan in a mock threat. “I’ll take that as a promise.”

Bonty huffed toward Nolan as soon as Daren left. Her hair hung in wild strands, her cheeks were flushed, and her irritation stabbed his Empathy.

“Nolan,
my dear
,” she said. “Are you planning on continuing at this pace?”

“As long as we can.” He eyed the rowdy group. Rylan leaped at Daren and tackled him to the ground. “We need a lot more practice.”

Daren looked in Nolan’s direction, scowling, his eyes flaring orange with Perception.

“Maybe they
did
need a break.” She patted Nolan’s arm in a motherly way and went off to pick more flowers.

Nolan sighed. Even the Guardian was turning against him. If the Rol’dan found them, their motley group would have little hope. Nolan had to push them harder. He had no other choice! Though, he’d need to figure out how to encourage them without them revolting and tossing him into the lake.

The group diminished from their archery session, many already taking up Daren’s idea of a swim. Those who stayed grudgingly paired off with wooden practice swords.

Branded as the “expert” among his peers, Nolan walked between the rows to check holds and stances. He frowned. Alec should be the one giving advice, not him. But since Alec and Vikas left five days ago, these sorry oafs needed
someone
to help. Kardos could do it, but with his methods, they’d probably go running away in terror five minutes into practice. Nolan squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. Judging by their pathetic half-efforts, he was their best hope.

“Let’s try not to use our powers this first round, okay?” Nolan suggested. “Use your skills instead of depending on your Shay. On our second turn, we’ll match according to our Shays.”

Nolan paired with Daren who glared at Nolan with an evil smirk, ready to dish out some well-deserved revenge.

“Ready?” Nolan said. “Swords up.” His Shays swelled; he pushed them back down, locking them into place. His Strength could be a little defiant, but he’d
mostly
gotten it under control.

Daren dropped his stance and stiffened, his eyes flashing orange.

“What is it?” Nolan asked.

“Someone’s coming.”

Nolan awakened Perception and heard trees rustling; a group ran toward them through the woods. Before Nolan could react, blurred images of people rushed in, whisked between the ranks, and tore wooden swords from their grasps.

Nolan yanked out his steel sword and sliced through the air.

Alec ducked and laughed, his arms full of wooden practice swords. “Easy there!”

The other Speed users smiled with Alec, as if they all enjoyed the same joke.

“I could’ve taken your head off,” Nolan snapped.

“Ah, but you need to be quicker!” Alec leaned toward Nolan and whispered, “And we have something to help.”

“Excellent entrance!” Vikas said. “Nolan, please inform Flann that we’ve returned.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but reached into a pouch and pulled out a stone. “To the temple!”

The newly returned group disappeared into the woods again, whooping and yelling. Not that Nolan wasn’t glad they were safely back, but they could’ve arrived with a little less flair. Those who’d been disarmed gawked at each other. If it had been the Rol’dan, they would all be dead.

“Guess we’re done for today,” Nolan said.

Daren and Rylan had already stripped, leaving a trail of clothes to the lake. Nolan shook his head and trudged toward the village center. Flann would probably be at the lodge.

He turned down the first street and ran into Greer in his old man form. At his side strolled a muscular man with a square jaw and cropped blond hair. As the man passed by a group of maidens, more than one turned their head a second time.

“Nolan,” Greer said, his eyes bright with excitement. “This is … my nephew.”

“Please, call me Malik.” He offered his hand. “I am more than honored to meet you.”

Nolan grasped it. His shake was hard, even to Nolan’s Strength-enforced grip. “It’s a pleasure.”

Malik surveyed the encampment. “I have been enjoying my visit thus far. I have met the man called Flann.”

“I was just on my way to see him. The Speed users have returned with the stone.”

Malik cast Greer a side-glance. “Everything is even more than I had imagined.”

A pair of girls giggled and hurried by.

“Where is Sanawen?” Malik asked.

“Over there,” Greer said. “But call her Bonty here.”

Bonty walked toward them, her face downcast as she concentrated on her overflowing basket. Malik laughed heartily, and Bonty’s head jerked up. She dropped the basket, spilling flowers around her feet.

“Malik? By the light, it can’t be.”

Malik’s grin widened. “It is good to see you, Sana—”

“Bonty,” she cut in.

“Ah, yes. Bonty, is it?”

She smiled. “At least right now.”

The two Guardians closed the distance and met in an embrace.

“He could have chosen something less … conspicuous,” Nolan said as he watched the shocked and disappointed faces of the group of young women.

Greer sighed. “He would have nothing to do with it. He didn’t want to take human form at all. I finally talked him into this.”

Malik spun Bonty around as they both laughed.

“They know each other?”

“Quite well.” Greer smiled slyly. “When I told him she was alive, he was very willing to come with me. And after he was informed about you, I couldn’t have kept him away.” Jared glanced toward the direction of the forest. “I believe someone is coming.”

Even though Jared had warned Nolan, he jumped at Alec’s appearance.

“Nolan,” Alec said animatedly. “You won’t believe it. It’s amazing.”

“Slow down,” Nolan said. “Take a breath.”

Alec took a few short breaths. “By Brim, Nolan, I was fast before … but now … And it’s so much easier. It gave me some type of agility. If we leave now, we can get you in there—” Alec stopped; his eyes darted toward Greer.

“It’s okay,” Nolan said. “He knows.”

“He d-does?” Alec stammered. For the first time since he’d reappeared, he was speechless.

Malik and Bonty approached, walking arm in arm. Alec’s mouth dropped open.

“This is my nephew, Malik,” Greer said. “Malik, this is Alec Deverell.”

Malik released Bonty’s arm and examined Alec with gleaming eyes. His lips spread open to a wide grin. “Alec, is it? I am honored.” He grabbed Alec’s hand and shook it.

Alec’s gaze caught Nolan’s with a “who is this guy?” expression.

Malik released his hold. “You are well, then?”

“Very well, thank you,” Alec said, puzzled. He opened and closed his palm, trying to regain circulation. “Do I know you?”

Malik opened his mouth to speak, but Greer quickly positioned himself between them. “Malik, you can stay with me until you get your own place.” He pulled the brawny Malik away. “I’ll check on you later, sir,” he said to Nolan over his shoulder.

Bonty followed behind them.

“Who is that?” Alec asked.

“Jared’s nephew, I guess.”

“Huh? When did he show up?”

“Today,” Nolan said. He wondered how Greer had explained Malik’s appearance to Flann.

“I’ve seen him somewhere.” Alec tapped his finger against his chin. “And what’s with him and Bonty? Now that’s just not right.”

“Bonty is a grown woman—”

“It’s not that. It’s something else.” He snapped and held up a finger. “What if he’s Rol’dan? Maybe I saw him at the tournament.”

“Don’t you think I would’ve recognized him, if that were the case?”

Alec nodded. “I’ve seen him somewhere.”

“You’ve got a lot more to worry about than Bonty,” Nolan said. “Don’t you have to meet Emery and his group?”

“Yes, but I’m supposed to rest before I leave. Don’t worry, I’ll catch up with them. But while I’m here, you can have a go at the stone.”

Nolan cast him a foul glare.

“Think of the fun we could have,” Alec said. “Think of the possibilities.”

Nolan grabbed Alec’s arm.

“Ow!” Alec said, grinning. “Crows, Nolan!”

“Sorry.” Nolan pushed down his Strength and directed Alec through the busy path, away from watching eyes behind a grouping of small trees. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Even
if
I did step into the light, I wouldn’t do it in front of anyone. Mind you,
if
I were to go, I’d wait until morning before sunrise and beat anyone coming early.”

“You mean travel while it’s still dark?” Alec gawked. “Let me remind you that the Dor’Jan are still out there. We saw them in the high country just last night.”

“Don’t worry. The Dor’Jan wouldn’t dare come near us this time.”

“And why’s that?”

Nolan smiled. “Wait and see.”

***

The dark roads were deserted as Nolan headed to the armory. He concentrated on the crunching of his feet against the packed earth, blocking the subtle sounds of sleep in the homes nearby. He’d augured with himself all evening, unable to eat, unable to think. Part of him wondered if the Shay powers were turning him into an arrogant twit like Kael.
Isn’t four Shay powers enough?

He inhaled quickly and released it in a long sigh. If they wanted to defeat Alcandor, if they wanted to free all the Rol’dan—including Kael—then Nolan wanted to help.

He’d become a pretty good swordsman. But no matter how hard he trained, or how much Perception and Accuracy and Strength he put behind his blade, he’d still be dead from a Speed Rol’dan before he even drew his sword. Nolan
needed
Speed.

Nolan cringed, remembering his last transformation. So much pain. But he’d seen others transform. Strength was always the worst. Speed would be easy—in comparison.

Unless it killed him.

Wiping sweaty palms on his breeches, he pushed his fears into the box with his Shays. It
could
kill him. Or … he’d gain Speed, save Kael, and—most importantly—beat the pants off Alec in their next sparring session. A smile crept to his face. Definitely worth the risk.

Summoning Perception, he heard both Alec and his father snoring softly in the armory.

He rapped lightly on the door, but Alec didn’t answer.

Nolan knocked a little louder and finally someone stirred inside. The door creaked open, and Alec’s head poked out, his hair sticking up in sleep-mangled clumps.

“Nolan?”

“I thought you were meeting me at the field.”

Alec scratched his head. “You weren’t joking?” He blinked, trying to focus.

“Hurry up!”

The door closed softly, and Nolan waited only a few seconds before Alec reappeared, fully dressed, hair combed, and wide awake.

“Let’s grab some torches from the armory,” Alec said, his eyes glowing with Speed.

“We don’t need them.”

Alec crossed his arms over his chest, scowling. “What do you mean, we don’t need—”

“Just come on,” Nolan said and stepped off.

They walked across the field, their steps crunching against the dry grass. Stopping next to one of the protective lanterns, they waited.