Catfantastic II

All unknowing he surpassed her, became in truth Belldancer and led the way.

Pain! He staggered. The unity of the dance shattered. Jariel moaned at the loss. Pacer's voice broke through the agony. Open your eyes. Immediately following her words, hands gripped his shoulders, then he was embraced.

"By the One," shouted Sanja, "I'd like to know how you did that!"

Jariel leaned heavily on his friend, then pushed away. "Oh, it was just something my teacher suggested I try." He was surprised to see full darkness, relieved only by firelight and the rising moons. The aroma of stew was like a lance point in his belly. "My lord," he said, ignoring his hunger. He bowed to Davan standing a little beyond the wizard. "We have a problem." In a few words he told what they had learned in the cave.

Awe tinged Davan's voice, "All these many years the lost pair were only a two-day ride from Fort Duval." He shook his head, then turned, calling out in his usual crisp, decisive ma

"Marcan, bring our horses. Belldancer and I ride to the Pierdon's valley."

A beautiful voice interrupted. "That won't be necessary, my lord. We are here." Three Pierdon came into the firelight, two supporting a third between them. None were amazed they had not heard the Pierdon's approaching hoof beats or sensed their presence. These immortals were the embodiment of pure magic and could pass unseen among a crowd. Their deer-shaped bodies bore the wings and tails of great birds and were as beautiful as their voices.

Pacer, why didn't you warn me they were near? he asked, hurrying to meet them.

She laughed. I do not hold the power to know when they are near. I'm as head blind as the rest of you two-footers where the Pierdon are concerned.

Jariel bowed deeply before the trio. He had no idea that the color brown came in so many shades. Some of their feathers were even tinged with a bronzy green-brown. But when he met their eyes, he faltered. They were a blue so bright that it seemed to him he was pierced by three pairs of swords.

"Belldancer, I am the speaker Myatin. Indeed, you can help us, but for now may we bring our companion to the fire? Nytira needs warmth."

Jariel stepped aside, gestured for them to precede him and saw on the ground three shadows, one a woman writhing in torment. Instinctively he called to Pacer. Look, the shadow.

I see, Minddancer.

It's thick, the weight's so great the Pierdon can hardly walk.

And it will grow heaver, gaining more substance until…

Jariel was surprised to hear hesitancy in her voice. He had never known her to be unsure about anything. Until? Instead of answering him, she headed toward the fire. Not pushing the issue, he followed her.

Lord Davan crouched down by Nytira, who lay near the fire. "Is there anything we can do for him?" he asked.

"Yes. You can lend us your Belldancer." said Myatin.

Davan met Jariel's eyes and at the slight nod said, "He's yours."

Myatin asked, "Jariel, would you introduce me to your teacher?"

Jariel touched the big cat lightly, wondering how the Pierdon knew. "This is Pacer, much more than teacher."

"It is good you know that." Myatin touched noses with the camilacat, then reached out and nuzzled Jariel's forehead. "Pacer agrees to help us, too. But you are both tired. Eat while we tell you what we know."

Sanja brought them both food and drink, then sat down beside them. He leaned over and whispered, "Why do you get all the excitement?"

"Its my nose." Jariel said, pulling on it. "It's so long, it's always getting me into things."

You can say that again, said Pacer.

It's my no…

Enough! The Pierdon waits.

Jariel apologized, "I'm sorry, Myatin."

"No, do not. Laughter causes even fear to flee for a space of time."

"Please," said Lord Davan, "We'd like to hear what you can tell us of the problem facing us."

"When Baltaz was defeated in the War of Sorrows, she was forced to free the Pierdon she had imprisoned along with their human counterparts. It was not until too late that we realized one of our kind was still missing. Many years after the war we found him wandering in the Hills of Bramare Duval. He had lost all memory of where he had been and only knew his shadow-mate was somewhere here in the North." Myatin nodded in Davan's direction. "The lord of that time gave us Blue Valley for our own. The Pierdon who made their home there continued the search. For two hundred years Nytira's human shadow remained a light burden."

"Until," Sanja exclaimed, "Tabler and Marian broke the balance of power."

"You are correct, Wizard."

"Will you," Sanja asked with great humility, "allow me to watch you unravel Baltaz's spell?"

"I am sorry, that will not be possible. We ca

With the rest of the group, Jariel looked. The barrier now glowed with a nacreous yellow light. He subvocalized to Pacer, Who sees the problem gets it. Shall we?

Yes.

"Myatin, what would you have us do?"

"First tell me all you know." The Pierdon listened intently to all Jariel said. "The wave you saw travel both ways was not just her life force, but Nytira's as well. Her rebirth is at the price of his life. When she burns, he suffers. When she dies, Nytira learns of death. If she and his shadow are ever retrieved, the human and the Pierdon will be forever changed. She will experience a touch of immortality, he humanity, and ultimately death.

"But that is not what is important here and now. If they are not rescued and soon, there will be let loose on this land indestructible entities."

Lord Davan leaned forward. "Just what threatens my land."

"Baltaz's doom." Myatin looked at each of them in turn. "Pierdon are immortal. We are a living form of pure magic. Baltaz wanted this for herself. When she could not get it, she set this trap. The power in the woman, the Pierdon, and that which Baltaz bound into the spell, will bleed into the shadows until they take on life themselves. Soon it will reach a saturation point and they will break free of their hosts. These shadow entities will not have the ability to reason, they will experience only one thing, hunger. And to live they must feed. Their food is the life energy given off by all creatures. Even the earth itself will be stripped. There is no known power that can defeat them once they are free."

"How can Pacer and I stop this?"

"I am sorry, Belldancer, I do not know. But if you can bring the woman to us, whole, I think we can return to them their own shadows. In the process we hope to dissipate Baltaz's spell causing the life force exchange happening between them."

Jariel knelt down before Nytira, Pacer sat so close to his side he could feel her side rise and fall with her breathing. It was even, strong, just the opposite of the spellbound Pierdon's. The velvet skin around the creature's mouth was turning gray. Jariel leaned forward and spoke softly. "May I touch the shadow?" then he nearly wept when he heard the Pierdon's broken whisper in reply. The beauty was destroyed, he was sure, by screaming.

"Yes. It is safe at this moment."

Jariel gently laid his hand on the woman's shadow. It felt sticky, and icy-hot, both at the same time. The fine hairs on his body rose in response. Pacer?

No use waiting. Let's go. No one stopped them.

This time it did not take so long to reach the orange cave. Jariel paused, Pacer, I'll wager anything you want that Baltaz bespelled the plinth. The moment I pull the woman off, poof! goes Baltaz's Doom.

What are you going to put in her place?