CHAPTER ONE
The books are missing!
How can that be?
The glass-fronted bookcase lies in ruins, as does the rest of the Keeper's home.
Broken glass. Bits of furniture.
A gaping hole in place of the wall of special screening that shut out the relentless sun.
The Keeper shrinks back to the far corner of the hut to escape the glare. The destruction of his home means little. He has lived many places in his centuries of existence.
But the loss of the books is cataclysmic.
* * *
Llyr opened the door to the Ritual Ground and stepped inside. Moving quickly to the altar, he cast a magick circle. He didn't wait for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. He spent plenty of time alone in Ritual Grounds - probably more than anyone other than the High Priestess.
He prostrated himself, barely restraining a wince when his naked flesh hit the bare rock floor. Was this Ritual Ground colder than others around the Balance?
No, they were all kept at the same temperature, one that would start out as only a mild discomfort to bare feet or knees. Bare bodies were another matter, especially when pressed full-length against the floor. Llyr had come to Goddess' service with nothing. It was fitting to worship Her the same way.
"Goddess, I come to You for worship, and to once again give You thanks for choosing me as Your servant. My life, now and always, is dedicated to Your cause and is Yours to command."
He'd created this private ritual in the early years after becoming a Mage, and he performed it at least once each week. Few Mages ever performed private rituals, and he hadn't heard of any others who did it even semi-regularly. But then, how many other Mages had originally been Stronghold Rats?
His practice was to begin with this greeting to Goddess and then to meditate on his current assignment. He had no delusions of advancement. He had no lifemate, and wasn't suited to be a Guardian, in any case. That was perfectly fine with him.
Being a Mage was both a huge honor and an almost impossible challenge. He was a foot soldier in the battle against evil, and only with Goddess' assistance could he hope to succeed.
His current assignment might seem unimportant to some. The Balance relied on the combined magick of each Guardian and his region's Bedrock. Together, they could protect whole Strongholds from penetration by evil, and to a lesser extent, they could protect the rest of their regions. So why study Bedrocks?
Llyr's question was how could the Balance not study Bedrocks? He'd made a case to the Council that it was irresponsible to know so little about something they relied on so heavily, and the Council had agreed.
Because of that, he was here, at Ocean Magick in Rhode Island, learning from Adept Diana. She was the only person ever known to communicate with more than a single region's Bedrock. She was also driving Llyr crazy.
"Goddess, I understand that Adept Diana has amazing powers. I believe You've sent her to us at this time because her talents are desperately needed. But Goddess, why does she have to be so disrespectful of our customs?"
He waited a long time, desperately hoping that this time, Goddess would speak to him.
She didn't, and eventually he went on. "Are You trying to make me understand that what I perceive as disrespect is actually something else? Something healthy for the Balance? If so, please help me see how that could possibly be the answer."
He waited again, but wasn't surprised when She stayed silent. He sighed. "No, I guess that would be too easy. You always want me to work it out for myself."
He thought for several minutes about what Her purpose might possibly be. He was unsuccessful, but felt sure he was on the right track. Goddess always had a purpose. "I promise I will do my best, Goddess. I will strive to see Adept Diana as a blessing You have bestowed on the world at this time."
It wouldn't be easy.
* * *
The dream came again...
Janus loomed over her, his ugly pig-face contorted with rage. Somehow she was glued to the chair she sat in.
Her bikini vanished, and goose bumps roughened her sweat-damp skin. She told her hands to lift, to cover her bare breasts, to hide her genitals, to conceal herself from his hungry, yet curiously impersonal gaze. But her arms hung like dead things from her shoulders.
Janus' face changed, his eyes gleamed, and his wet tongue moistened his lips. She read lust, a sick, perverted lust that made her want to vomit until her stomach was empty.
"Open your legs!"
She tried to fight his command, but her body had no more will than a puppet's. She spread her legs, baring her most private self to his avid gaze.
Oh, Goddess! I don't want to. Help me! Let me die!
Instead her shoulders moved in a seductive lift, thrusting her breasts upward.
She fought to close her eyes, to hide herself from him. To stop watching him.
Instead they grew dryer and ached as she wondered what he would make her do next.
Sulis jerked upright on the bed and wrapped her arms around herself. Would she never stop dreaming about that scene?
But another part of her knew she deserved every second of torment. She'd been a fool. A very lucky fool, as it turned out.
Her brother Win had defied the Council's orders and come after her. He'd rescued her and sent her to safety, then he and his mate Diana together had destroyed Janus.
If Win hadn't saved her, she'd still be with Janus, and her mind might well have been destroyed.
She felt grateful to him, and thankful to Grandma and Grandpa for being so supportive and caring.
But sometimes she wondered. Having her mind destroyed might have been more pleasant than re-living this same scene every time she shut her eyes.
* * *
"Guardian Brendan, I'm sorry, but you and the other Guardians will just have to get used to it. The Bedrocks tell me they've been waiting as long as they can remember to have an Adept to talk to." Adept Diana's tone of voice might not be out of place if she was scolding children. But she wasn't. She was lecturing a Guardian many years her senior!
Llyr bit the inside of his cheek. He'd made a promise to Goddess, and he intended to fulfill it. But how could he excuse her rudeness?
Guardian Brendan and the rest of the Council appeared as images on a stacked set of monitors in Adept Diana's office. Her office had been a library until a few days ago, and a number of lovely club chairs and ornate tables had simply been shoved against the book-lined walls to make room for her desk and worktable. The monitors were stacked on an elegant library table, and Llyr hated to think of the damage that might cause.
Guardian Brendan objected, "The Bedrocks each have a Guardian. Why can't they talk to us?"
Adept Diana actually rolled her eyes in response, and not discreetly, either. "I'm sure they can and do, Guardian. But for some reason, they seem to be able to communicate more freely with me."
She shifted in her chair, her impatience obvious. "In any case, Guardian, I fail to understand why you've brought up the subject. This communication is a fact of life, not something we can change."
Guardian Brendan was not one to endure an undeserved lecture meekly. His jaw tightened and he said, "A number of Guardians have contacted me privately over the last few days. They feel that all communications with Bedrocks should go through the appropriate Guardian."
"And why is that, Guardian?" she demanded.
He bristled at her rudeness. "The Guardian-Bedrock link is an integral part of our religion, Adept Diana." His emphasis on the word religion made it clear that her recent and sudden conversion to the Balance hadn't convinced him of her sincerity. "Guardians are in the best position to understand and interpret the communications of their Bedrock."
"Is that so? Then why is it I was the one the Bedrocks taught to defeat Janus' web of evil magick? Was the Guardian of that region not listening to his Bedrock?"
High Priestess Sarasvati spoke up, her voice and manner smooth as always. "Excuse me, Adept, Guardian. Allow me to remind us all that Goddess sent Diana into our midst now because her skills are needed. We've already seen how important some of those skills are, and more will become obvious over the years to come."
Llyr knew the High Priestess' words were true, and he renewed his determination to appreciate Adept Diana, despite what he saw as her failings. He wasn't perfect, himself.
The High Priestess continued, "But Guardian Brendan's point is valid, too. The Guardian-Bedrock link is a sacred one in our culture and our religion. It's not surprising that some Guardians feel uncomfortable about sharing the ability to talk to their Bedrock with Adept Diana."
Llyr glanced at Adept Diana, wondering how willing she'd be to concede that point. But it wasn't clear she'd even heard the High Priestess. She was bent forward, her hands cradling her head as though it hurt unbearably.
"Are you all right?" he asked. "Should I call Guardian Gwynvid?"
She shook her head. "A Bedrock...It's speaking like...I don't...have a link...with it."
Llyr knew what that was like. Guardian Taranis had allowed him to communicate with the Outback Magick Bedrock once. He still could feel the pressure in his head. It had felt like his brain would burst out of his skull.
Adept Diana took several deep breaths and carefully sat upright. She spoke on top of something Guardian Brendan was saying, her voice weak and breathy. "Excuse me, Guardians, Priestess. I...I just received a communication from a Bedrock I don't know. It says, 'Help. Send Healer.'"
* * *
Sulis stood outside the door to Grandma's office, biting her lower lip hard enough to draw blood. She forced herself to knock on the mostly-open door.
Grandma looked up, then broke into a huge smile. "Sulis dear, come in!" She hurried across the room to hug her. "Have a seat. I'll make us both a cup of tea."
So that Grandma would realize why she was here, Sulis knelt and touched her forehead to the floor. "Priestess, I come to beg for an honor I do not deserve, but that I pray Goddess in Her infinite kindness will grant me."
Grandma sighed softly and closed both doors to the office with magick. She reached down and took Sulis' hand in hers. "Come, child, and tell me what you seek."
Sulis let herself be raised up and led to the corner of the room where Grandma counseled all who came to her. Sulis didn't deserve the comfort of the easy chair, but she took it. Rumor said comforts were slim in her chosen path.
Once they both were seated, Grandma gave her a good look from head to toes. "You haven't slept much, dear, nor have you eaten enough. But still, you look much better today."
It was time to say it. Sulis swallowed hard. "I...I want to join the Daughters of Goddess."
Grandma reeled back as though Sulis had slapped her. "The Daughters of Goddess? Certainly not!"
Sulis understood her shock. The idea still somewhat shocked her, and she'd been thinking about it since the last dream. "Yes, Priestess, I do. I...I wish to devote my life to worshipping Goddess." Then, because she couldn't just decide to join, she added, "If the High Priestess will accept my application, of course."
Grandma closed her eyes for several moments, and Sulis wasn't sure if she was praying to Goddess or mind-speaking with Grandpa. In any case, when she opened her eyes, she appeared calm again. "It occurs to me that you likely know little about the Daughters of Goddess. No one who isn't a Priestess learns much about the order, and to be frank, even Priestesses are unaware of what their day-to-day life is like."
Sulis felt light-headed, as though the room had only a small bit of air and she had to struggle to breathe. "I know enough. I know I'll have to serve an Apprenticeship, and even during that, I won't be allowed to leave the High Priestess' wing at Castle Magick. The only time I'll see any outsiders is when I serve at ritual."
Her belly quivered, but she added, "And I know my head will be kept shaved." That would be awful. Her hair was her best feature, and she loved to brush it before bed every night.
Grandma's eyes glistened with tears. "Those are the basics, certainly. But Sulis, why would you even consider such a thing? I understand your embarrassment over the situation with Janus, but surely -"
She shook her head. "It's not embarrassment, Grandma! At least, not most of it. I betrayed my Healer vows by letting Janus treat Guardian Gianni, and I abandoned my assignment."
"You did both of those things because Janus manipulated your mind and disrupted your reasoning ability."
"Then why haven't you been able to prove it? I've let both you and Healer Ganesha examine my mind several times already."
Grandma pressed her lips together and sighed. "Sulis, you know the answer to that as well as I do. Healers know little of how the brain functions. We haven't been able to determine what damage remains in Gianni's mind, either."
That would be the easy answer. She could accept what Grandma said - and what the High Priestess seemed to believe - and go on with her life. She could continue her life as a Healer, and never pay for what she'd done.
Except if they were right, Janus had changed her brain somehow. They had no hope of reversing it, or even discovering what he'd done.
That meant she couldn't in good conscience continue to serve as a Healer. Who was to say that someday she wouldn't cause irreparable harm by doing just exactly the opposite of what a good Healer should do?
"I'm sorry, Grandma," she said, addressing her words to her grandmother rather than to her Priestess. "I know you want what's best for me, but I've made my decision." Before she could say any more, Grandma raised her hand for silence.
Sulis hated having to wait, now that she'd made up her mind. She'd hear Grandma out, but her decision wouldn't change.
* * *
"Adept Diana -"
"Excuse me, Adept -"
"Pardon me -"
Every member of the Council was trying to get Adept Diana's attention, but they simply drowned out each other's questions. After about thirty seconds, she raised her voice and said, "I'm sure you all have questions, and I assure you that I do, too. But first, let me tell you what I do know."
The voices subsided gradually, and she continued, "The Bedrock that contacted me is definitely not one I've had contact with over the past several days. That's not too surprising, since I haven't spoken to more than ten or fifteen Bedrocks in all. But this Bedrock didn't use the normal mind-speaking technique the others do. It spoke as if we didn't have a mind-link."
That brought another bout of overlapping questions, but after a few moments, the Council fell silent and waited for her to continue. "Before Win linked with the Ocean Magick Bedrock, communicating with it was quite painful, as though it had to push its words into our heads. That's what this felt like."
More questions, and this time Guardian Bel quieted them. "Adept Diana, do you have any idea which Bedrock spoke to you just now?"
She considered the question for a number of seconds, and finally nodded. "I'm not sure exactly how, but I have an impression that may help. It doesn't mean anything to me, but perhaps one of you will recognize it."
She looked off to the side, and Llyr realized she intended to do a playback. It normally took Mage Apprentices three or four years to learn the technique, and the thought that she'd learned it in a matter of a couple of months astounded him. Perhaps her emergence as Adept was truly as miraculous as people said. The image took shape quickly, and with a crispness that half the Mages Llyr knew couldn't manage.
The image showed a rocky, weather-beaten island, populated only by sea birds. The island showed no sign of human habitation, now or in the past.
Llyr knew that location all too well.
California Magick!
* * *
"Something's happening in the Council meeting," Grandma said, already on her feet. "Come and watch with me."
Sulis followed Grandma to her desk, surprised to see Grandma rearranging the monitor and chairs with magick. She rarely used magick for such mundane purposes, and Sulis felt jealous that Grandma had so much Mage magick.
Not that it mattered to her future, how little magick Sulis had. Daughters of Goddess were forbidden to use magick for any reason.
"Diana's had a communication from an unknown Bedrock," Grandma said quietly. "It says, 'Help. Send Healer.' She's talking about it now."
An unknown Bedrock? How could that be? Despite her new-found purpose, Sulis was curious. She couldn't help remembering the Daughters of Goddess were told nothing about the outside world. Joining them would be a bit like being sealed into a box for the rest of her life.
She looked at the screen and immediately gasped. Diana was playing back an image of the island where California Magick was!
The California Magick Stronghold had been blown up about two years ago. She'd seen images of the Bedrock Vault after the explosion. The Bedrock had been in pieces, and the Mages who'd been there after the explosion found no signs of life.
She stared at the image, only vaguely aware of a discussion going on in the background until the High Priestess spoke to Grandpa. "Guardian Ogma, if my guess is correct, you've anticipated my request and asked Priestess Aradia to join us."
Grandma pressed a button on her desk. "Yes, High Priestess. I'm here."
The High Priestess smiled, and even though her smile wasn't directed at Sulis, she felt warmed by it. The High Priestess was a wonderful woman, a true reflection of Goddess' grace. It would be an honor to assist her in serving Goddess, if Sulis was granted the privilege of joining the Daughters of Goddess.
The High Priestess nodded now, and her eyes moved as though she was looking around the table at the Council members present in person. Then she focused on what must be one of the monitors where other Council members' images appeared. "Adept Diana, on behalf of the Council, I thank you for bringing this important communication to our attention. I cannot help but believe that this is one of the many reasons Goddess sent you to us now. Our Bedrocks are vital to our ability to guard the Balance between good and evil. For that reason, I propose that we immediately send a Healer to the California Magick Bedrock, as it has requested."
Someone, perhaps Guardian Brendan, said, "How do we know that the California Magick Bedrock is still alive? My Bedrock has not heard from it, and Adept Diana admits that she has little knowledge of which Stronghold is which. Perhaps she's misinterpreted a communication from some other Bedrock."
The idea that Diana would make a mistake like that! Sulis was glad she wasn't at the Council meeting in person. She'd say something rude to that man.
High Priestess Sarasvati simply pressed her lips together and nodded. "Guardian Brendan, you may be correct, of course. But why not look at it this way? We've relied on the Bedrocks for many hundreds of years of well-documented history, and for untold years before that. In all that time, the Bedrocks have asked us for nothing. Today, one has asked us for help. Can we possibly sit here and debate the matter while it may be suffering?"
Guardian Brendan's jaw tightened and he looked down at the table. Finally he said, "Of course not. I..."
Guardian Bel cleared his throat and spoke softly but with authority. "Your points are well-taken, Brendan, and we needn't stop considering this issue even after we dispatch help to California Magick. Sarasvati, do you wish to be excused to locate the appropriate Healer?"
The High Priestess shook her head. "I don't think that's necessary. Aradia, is Healer Sulis available for assignment?"
No! The High Priestess couldn't even consider sending her! She'd make a mess of everything.
But Grandma answered immediately, without even looking at Sulis. "Yes, she is, High Priestess. In fact, she's here with me now."
Her image appeared on the monitor, looking just as horrified as she felt.
* * *
Llyr couldn't believe it. Of all the Healers in the Balance, the High Priestess wanted to send the infamous Sulis to Heal the Bedrock?
Did she think the Bedrock was looking to get its rocks off with a traitorous tramp?
But wait. Maybe this was a political move by the High Priestess. It couldn't be easy to throw a member of two of the best-known Balance families out of the Balance. Not only was Sulis a Sayre, granddaughter of Guardian Ogma and descendent of Goddess-only-knew how many Council members, but through her grandmother, she was a Strong, an even-more-famous name within the Balance.
So maybe the High Priestess was giving Sulis an impossible assignment, one she was almost certain to botch. A failed assignment on top of her current notoriety couldn't be ignored - no matter that she was Guardian Ogma's granddaughter.
At least Llyr didn't think so.
One of the monitors was showing Sulis now, and she didn't look much like he'd expected. She had dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, and she was definitely petite. Her face was pale except for dark circles under each eye, and she frantically chewed her lower lip.
This was the woman who'd had a dozen-and-a-half lovers in the past couple of years?
He realized suddenly that Guardian Bel was speaking. "...efficient as usual, Sarasvati. We shall seek to be equally decisive on the matter of which Mage should be sent with Healer Sulis."
They were going to send a Mage with her?
Of course. They had to. She was a Healer, and probably had little or no Mage magick. It would be foolish to send her into an unknown situation without protection.
Guardian Ogma said, "I suggest that the Mage be sent to California Magick in advance of Sulis - and not simply because she's my granddaughter."
The High Priestess said, "Yes, I think that's wise. As I recall, the Stronghold was cleansed after the explosion, but it hasn't been monitored regularly since then."
"Not in the sense you're meaning," Guardian Ogma said. "I have a Watcher that covers that area, of course, but it can't see what's happening underground in the Stronghold itself."
Guardian Bel nodded. "It also occurs to me that whatever Healing is necessary is unlikely to be a quick process. If the Bedrock wasn't killed by the explosion, as we all thought, yet is only now capable of asking for help, its injuries are likely to be major. Living quarters will need to be prepared for a significant stay."
Llyr's stomach twisted in sympathy for the poor Mage who got the assignment. With its isolation, bad weather, and underground living, California Magick had never been a pleasant assignment. It would be unimaginably worse now, even for someone without Llyr's memories.
Guardian Brendan said, "I have the ideal candidate in mind. Someone who is already familiar with California Magick, whose current assignment is far from urgent, and who has specialized knowledge of the Bedrocks."
Oh, Goddess! Llyr swallowed hard. Certainly Guardian Brendan couldn't mean...
Guardian Bel nodded his agreement. "Excellent suggestion, Brendan. Adept Diana, is Mage Llyr still at Ocean Magick?"
Only his pride allowed him to stay seated and speak calmly. "I'm here, Guardian Bel."
Guardian Bel's manner changed as he issued the Council's orders. "Mage Llyr, the Council bids you to proceed with all haste to California Magick. Once there, you are to secure the Stronghold and find an area to use as your base of operations."
Adept Diana interrupted to say, "I'll be glad to help Llyr get living quarters set up and supplied."
Guardian Bel acknowledged her offer with a nod and not a hint of annoyance at the interruption. "As soon as possible, Healer Sulis will be sent to join you, and you will assist her in Healing the Bedrock in whatever way is necessary." He paused for several seconds, then asked, "Do you have any questions?"
Only how he could stand to spend even a single minute at California Magick.
Had the Council forgotten about Pietra?
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