Chapter 34

“Keep an eye on the bird lizard,” she heard Hammer say. He really did not like Rajin, with good reason.

“Don't give us any trouble,” she told Rajin.

Never. Came the reply.

Rain thought that was an interesting response, but she trusted the creature for now. At any rate, it could not easily harm either of them.

They left Rain's rooms, headed out into the complex proper. The halls were dim and empty of human life. Being empty was normal, the halls were not the epitome of a social space, but the dimness and unearthly quiet put an edge on the atmosphere. The echoes of their footfalls seemed more pronounced; even Rajin seemed more alert than normal, though Rain was surprised that was possible.

Emerging into the daylight, their eyes took a few seconds to adjust. People sat around uncomfortably, their places of work being inaccessible with the ferries not working and entertainment sources unavailable as there was no power. Only the most necessary of shops were open.

Birds could be hear calling from over the wall, and monkeys screeching in response. For some reason, these things were noticed now, by all in the courtyard, where they had been never noticed before.

But the noticing passed over the trio's notice as they basked in the glory of a bright new day. There was something about this simplicity, the absence of technology, that calmed the soul. It was obvious that electronics would not suddenly begin working. If it was just a case of running low on power, then battery-powered devices would still function. This was clearly the new state of things, and though people knew they would have to find a new way of living, things seemed... right.

Rain was the first to move, stepping down the short set of stairs to ground level.

A black-clad Foldian was preaching his religion from a makeshift dais to her right, positioned in such a way that the view was blocked from those in her group still in the doorway. She almost scoffed, but then she noticed something strange about the man. He was radiating Shar. Not Haze, Shar. She hadn't realised before, but they were different things. Haze brought things into being, but Shar, did it grant things life?

That couldn't be right. The Foldian was doing something with a notepad, making it somewhat functional, Shar spurting from it in uncontrolled bursts. It screen was lit up, but she couldn't see much more than that. Impressed, she made her way over, Rajin and Hammer in tow.

Rajin drew eyes, and had some effect on the preacher; he paused for a full second, gaze resting on the birdish thing, before continuing with his sermon. Rain wasn't really paying attention to what he said. Instead, she focussed on Rajin. What was different about her? Something was different. For the first time, Rain realised that there was a similar field surrounding Rajin as surrounded that preacher. There was one surrounding all the people here, in fact. Different strengths, but all with the same quality. Except for Rajin. Rajin's was mercurial, moving quickly and violently, not the calm of the others'. Like a hammer to her head, it hit her. Rajin's aura was Shar mixed with electricity. Rajin came from Tera's realm. Somehow, she had dragged something across. A small space where the laws of Vinidan Same applied. Was this what the members of The Fold had seen everywhere? Had they foreseen the freeing of Tera? How?

She went up to talk to him.

“Excuse me!”

He didn't hear.

“Excuse me!” She called again louder. Hammer readied himself behind her, hand on sword. He was amused no-one had commented on that, though there were a a few gazes that quickly glanced away. Rajin crouched down on her hind legs, arms falling to rest on the floor in preparation for a mighty leap.

This time the priest heard. He turned their way. “I've been over this before, I can't answer everyone's questions individually. You'll have to wait your turn.”

She saw that there was some sort of order to the audience. One half clumped together, rapt in his words. The other formed a wavy line. That half didn't pay as close attention; they had their own questions.

Maybe it was the long night and short sleep. Perhaps it was hunger. There was a possibility that she was just in a bad mood. Whatever the reason, she lost her temper. She lashed together a framework of Shar and Haze, wincing a little. She made the framework out of equal parts of each and let it just hang there in the air.

The priest stood agape. “Not even the high priest...” He was speaking to himself.

Members of the crowd, oblivious to the event, looked quizzically at him as though he had lost his mind. The chances are that they afforded him that anyway. That was often tolerated, or even expected, from members of the clergy.

“Something has come to my attention.” The priest called out. “I should be back shortly.”

He got down from his platform, and bustled through the crowd, over to the three companions.

“Can we go inside somewhere?” He asked quietly.

“Yes, of course.” Rain replied, leading him back to her rooms, Hammer and Rajin following silently again.