Widderkin Interlude - 6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6.

 

Relaxed and satisfied after sharing a steaming hot meal of interesting and very tasty food, Kieran watched Mr B and Tan carry a big log from the stack that four of Makelan’s helpers had built while everyone was eating.

Evidently there was a settlement of some kind close by for people associated with Makelan, and different groups had arrived with supplies to make the visitors welcome.

Nathan, obviously recovered from his brain fade, was talking excitedly with Woorawa and Rhys about something – aha, the story Woorawa had lumbered him with.

What about the rest? Yes, Gwen and John were watching Nathan. Arthur and Samuel were carrying another log to the fire, and Corey and Ban were in conversation with Makelan.

Bantellar nudged Corey, said something, and all three turned to look then move to join him.

"Feeling better, Kieran? Makelan’s been telling us how all these helpers work with him. There’s a nice rapport between them, but they only come here when Makelan specifically asks them to. He doesn't like distractions while he’s communing with his Hexulate."

"Communing? That’s a good word, Corey. Is it yours?"

"Well, Ban’s been facilitating our mind talk and it's the meaning that comes through. So it’s my interpretation of Ban’s interpretation of Makelan’s mind message. Technically speaking it is my word."

Kieran smiled, pulled his mind into gear, and took over the facilitating.

"Corey likes to be accurate, Makelan. – Communing is one of my gifts and I’m keen to know what it means to you."

Makelan nodded rather seriously.

"It means everything, Kieran. It’s how I manage my Hexulate. My talents with plants and animals are quite unusual and the reason I was given charge of this sanctuary Hexulate."

"We’re in a sanctuary? So, what are the other Hexulates like then?"

"They’re physically quite similar, with large oceans, island aggregations, and a number of greater landmasses. All managed according to the wishes of their rulers."

"Are their management wishes similar to yours?"

"Not at all, Corey. My purpose is to maintain the unique harmony and balance my guide and mentor developed. The other rulers vary greatly, with purposes linked to their ambition and their facility with their Power Stones."

A hint of sadness came through to Kieran.

"Your mentor was special?"

"Very special, Kieran. He is long passed, but while he controlled the HeartStone the Hexulates functioned with rare cooperation and friendly tolerance."

"And that’s gone?"

"Yes, the Usurper is over ambitious and abuses the HeartStone to demand fealty from all six Wardens."

"Abuses it? What does that mean?"

"The HeartStone is the source that powers the Hexulates but there is a discretionary portion under her control which more and more she directs to her own purposes."

Kieran turned to Bantellar.

"That sounds like Free Nexus energy, and it’s an awful lot of power if she’s keeping it for herself. Makelan, have you ever seen your HeartStone?"

"Of course. Every time our Council meets. It’s the destination for all six Warden Gates. There – What is it. Is something wrong?"

Three pairs of eyes were fixed on him.

"Gates! You have a way of travelling to your HeartStone?"

"Yes, it’s a legacy from the earliest times. Each Warden is given a focus which allows instant travel to the HeartStone.

We only use the gates for a Council or if there is a pressing need, as they require a substantial use of power and only work in one direction. The return –"

Rhys arrived, rather wide-eyed, and close behind him, Mr B.

"What’s happening, Kieran? Excitement vibes exploded in my brain."

"Makelan’s got a gate that takes him to his HeartStone."

"A gate? Like a portal?"

"It sounds like the emergency one that Ban discovered. It’s our next step, Rhys. If I can get close to the HeartStone I might be able to figure out what’s blocking my Opal access. I’d like to go tonight but we need to get a better understanding of what's going on first."

Makelan was shaking his head.

"If I could take you tomorrow I would, but it’s not possible. Warden Gates will only transfer their assigned Warden. Beyond that, it would take several days for my Power trees to rebuild their energy, and beyond that would be the reaction from the Usurper."

Corey gave Kieran a positive nod, then turned to Makelan.

"Makelan, how do you initiate your Warden Gate?"

"Initiate? Well, it’s a combination process with my Pearl, a Focus Tree, and enough power."

Corey turned to Kieran.

"Focus Tree? That’s different.

What part does it play, Makelan?"

"I’m not sure. My mentor said it was a feature unique to my Power trees."

"? - Your Power trees? Where your Green Fog comes from?"

Makelan gestured to the thick treeline surrounding the clearing.

"Yes, there are forests of these unusual trees in every Hexulate, but I’m the only Warden who can interact with them."

"Kieran, this does sound something like the Realm trees."

"Do the trees store energy for you, Makelan?"

"Not really, Corey. The energy maintains their health, and stimulates growth when there is an excess. If this forest wasn't so vast my sea creatures would have far less protection."

"How can it be vast? Isn't this an island?"

"A rather large Island, Rhys. We are at the end of a long arm jutting into the ocean from a greater landmass."

This was of general interest and might be a help some time, but right now the specifics of a Warden Gate were far more important. Kieran pointed to the treeline just fifty metres away.

"Can you use one of those for a Focus Tree?"

"I could, but it would take time to become properly attuned. I have a favourite tree close to my dwelling which I keep close to readiness."

"Take me to see it please."

"Right now? Aren't we about to start Woorawa's storytelling ceremony?"

"How far is this Focus Tree?"

Makelan indicated the gap which led to his dwelling.

"A few minutes. But, Kieran, your people are gathered and waiting."

Kieran passed a quick general message.

"They’re relaxed and ten or fifteen minutes is no big deal. They can watch Samuel teach Rhys defence tricks, or Woorawa can get them ready for Nathan's story.

Come with me."

"As you wish."

***

Kieran liked the tree.

"It’s bigger than the rest, Makelan. Is that why you chose it?"

"Not really. It was much smaller when my mentor used it to demonstrate the Warden Gate skill, and it’s that association that keeps me using it. That divided bole gives it character too."

"Start your gate process, Makelan. I want to check how close it is to a process I use myself."

"No, Kieran. I need to be here."

"I don't mean to use it. I mean get ready but don't commit. Isn't there a final trigger that makes it actually happened?"

"Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, I could do that, but only when my trees have recovered. It’s quite a call on them."

"Go ahead, Makelan. We’ll share the experience the way we did when I showed you the new way to link with your animals, and I’ll provide whatever energy you need."

Makelan nodded and rested his hands on the bole of the tree.

"Contact isn't really necessary. I just like the feel of it."

Kieran experienced everything, exactly as Makelan experienced it, and watched the formation of a structure involving not just this Focus Tree but many many more. He watched Makelan connect with his Pearl and, in an oh so familiar way, strengthen an already existing link with the far-off HeartStone.

"This is as far as I can go, Kieran. The gate is ready and all it needs to activate is energy. Have you learnt anything?"

"You won't believe how much."

Collapse your structures and watch while I recreate them."

"You can't, Kieran. The Gate will only work through my Pearl."

"I can, Makelan. It is only the actual Gate translation that needs your Pearl. I’m very curious though. How long have you been using this process?"

"Ever since I became one of the six. Nearly three hundred years. Why?"

"Do you understand that only half of what you do is directed to the Warden Gate?"

"I follow the steps my mentor taught me without question, Kieran. His knowledge and capability was extraordinary."

"What did he say about your connection with all these trees?"

"Very little. The connection barely existed at the time, but then I saw its value and worked to strengthen it. Kieran where are all these questions taking us?"

Kieran smiled to himself because it could, quite literally, be a long, long way.

"I suspect your mentor recognised your potential.

Makelan, does this path continue far into the forest?"

"Yes, though once we pass my dwelling it becomes narrow and winding."

"Good! We're going to try an experiment and we need to distance ourselves from this Focus Tree."

"Now! With everyone waiting?"

"Trust me. They won't mind."

For ten minutes they walked and talked, with Kieran providing a gentle glow to show the way.

"This little clearing has a nice aspect and we’re well beyond the influence of your first Focus Tree."

"First? You want me to build a second Focus Tree?"

"That’s exactly what I want you to do, and then I think I’ll be able to show you something very interesting."

"It will take longer this time, while I make myself familiar with this new location. Yes, that larger tree has a good feel."

Makelan rested his palms on the smooth bark and closed his eyes in concentration.

Kieran, sharing the process, felt a rush of excitement as all his conjectures were confirmed.

Makelan opened his eyes.

"It is going well, Kieran. I’m ready to use my Pearl."

"It’s not going well – it’s going perfectly - but forget your Pearl for now and come with me."

"Again? You want to make a third Focus Tree?"

"Not at the moment. But I do feel like a bit of drama, so close your eyes and don't open them till I tell you to."

Makelan gave a look then placed a hand over both eyes.

Kieran adjusted for some slight differences, called the right amount of stored power, and applied it in a well-known pattern.

"We’re done, Makelan. Open your eyes and tell me what you think"

"What I think? Well, I closed my eyes for a few moments and now they’re open. Was I supposed to notice something?"

Kieran strengthened the glow and twisted his head with an exaggerated ‘look round you movement’, then fixed his stare on the divided bole of a nearby tree.

"The tree configuration seems different ... What? Is that –, Kieran, are you putting images in my mind?"

"No. I can hardly believe it myself, but we’re standing by your first Focus Tree."

"You made a gate?"

"No, Makelan, you did, and I knew how to activate it."

"But there was no disorientation, no momentary loss of equilibrium or sense of adjusting to a new location?"

"I’ve had lots of practice with this type of gate, Makelan, and we’ve got a theory about the mangle tangle from certain types of gates."

"Mangle tangle?"

"That’s just a description we’re in the habit of using.

Now, watch very carefully while I teach you how to do this yourself."

Outwardly, Makelan went still and silent. Kieran was sharing though, and watched a whole gamut of thoughts and emotions.

"You seriously believe I'm capable?"

"I know you are. The first stage, you call it making a Focus Tree, is to fix a number of exact locations firmly in your mind.

The next step is to link them, and I know you can do this because you already have your own way of linking to your special trees."

Ten minutes later Makelan made a carefully supervised tree portal.

In half an hour the process was independent and completely competent.

***

"Yo, Kieran! You took so long we started making up stories about what was going on.

Mr B reckons you were doing stuff with the Green Fog energy. Woorawa thinks you might have been swapping Realm Lord information about the Realms and the Hexulates.

Corey wouldn't say because there were too many possibilities.

Nathan’s the weirdo. He reckons you were talking to the trees."

Nathan made a rude sign and pointed.

"Bite the goose, Rom. Bite him!"

Rom bounded, and in what was becoming a pattern, got patted and then hugged.

"You might think it’s a weird idea, Rhys but Nathan’s right. So are the others really, but Nathan’s the closest."

"Talking to trees? You’ve got to be kidding."

"No kidding. It's like my affinity with animals, except for Makelan it's with trees.

It’s how he gets his Green Fog energy, and why he can build Tree Portals."

"Tree Portals? You said you were going to watch how he sets up his Warden Gate."

"I did, Rhys, and he can do both."

"Sheba! That’s incredible, but how can he? There’s no Realm Trees."

Kieran made a sweeping gesture at all the surrounding forest.

"They get the same result. It takes stacks more, but they all get tuned to a central tree that he calls his focus."

"Amazing, but what about the Warden Gate? Can you access that?"

"Not directly. It’s tuned to Makelan's Pearl and we're going to work on that tomorrow."

"Tomorrow’s going to be busy then, because Pod Momma wants our help and she’s bringing all the orcas back in the morning."

This was news to Kieran and he turned to Michael.

"You were in a strong buddha mode with Makelan every time I went to contact you. I would’ve had to shout to get through."

"So, what’s happened? What kind of help does she need?"

"I'm not exactly sure. The new orcas need so much care she’s decided she has to stay here with them unless they can all go back home. As far as I can figure she’s looking for our blessing."

This was major and Kieran reached to check Michael's new understanding.

Wow! Pod Momma was in charge overall but the nine senior females were now acting as pod leaders. Norkus, the other five males and the three youngest females were still with Pod Momma.

What would happen to the pod was now a full on issue, but background in everyone's minds since Corey's insistence that discussion was meaningless when even if Kieran's abilities were all working he still couldn't help them.

"Michael, you’ll still be with them, even when we get back home. Going to the Realms made no difference to your special link, and this place is the same Nexus set up."

"I hope so, but we’ll miss the games with Norkus and the rest of the pod."

Corey turned to Makelan.

"Do you know anything about the Wild Gate that brought us here? If we could reverse that we might be able to do something."

"No one does. All the Wardens have stories of creatures arriving in their Hexulates but it’s a rare occurrence. I think that very early in my Wardenship it might have happened here because miniature versions of my Eagle friends sheltered in the cliffs you passed."

"Okay! Then how is the Usurper involved?"

"There is conjecture that she uses any arriving orcas for breeding purposes."

"That’s interesting but I was really asking if she has some sort of control or direct involvement."

Makelan went thoughtful.

"I doubt it. She meddles with the HeartStone but the Wild Gates have always existed. As far as I’m aware, the HeartStone and the Wild Gates are quite separate."

"A portal system like the Wild Gate can't work without power."

"For sure, Rhys, but power doesn't have to come from a HeartStone. Kieran uses White Power. Makelan uses power from his trees, or there’s even the Lifeforce power that Nathan helps Kieran with."

"I suppose, Corey.

Boy! I wonder why we get into so many complicated situations."

Corey nodded and continued.

"You’ve faced a lot more than me, Rhys, but I feel the same way. Another possibility is that the Wild Gate might be a natural occurrence."

"No way! You reckon it's a fluke that hundreds of years after the last one, it happened at the exact moment when we were at the island with our orcas?"

"Think it through, Rhys. That does imply even more possibilities. There does seem to be a connection between the orcas and the gate, a very general one because a whole range of creatures have been called. Maybe it was even our fault for taking the orcas to a place where callings can happen."

"Stop! Stop! My brain’s going to explode."

Kieran grabbed Rhys's arm.

"Corey’s right, Rhys. He's pointing out that thinking about it’s good, but overthinking’s pointless without more facts.

Corey, I’m feeling more and more strongly that studying Makelan's HeartStone should be the priority."

"I agree, Kieran, but what about Makelan?

It’s a one-way trip, and if he takes us he has to make his own way back."

"I’ve been thinking and there might be a way."

Kieran turned to Makelan.

"You did say there were forests of these trees in every Hexulate. Are there any growing close to the HeartStone itself?"

"That’s where they all originated. There’s an ancient Grove in the HeartStone precinct, and way before my time they started spreading through every Hexulate."

"And did your Mentor encourage that spread?"

"Why yes! He did."

"Well, I reckon he saw your potential and was setting things up for you."

Makelan saw what Kieran was getting at.

"You think this spread was planned so that I would be able to gate between forests?"

"Yep! I do. Except that it would’ve been for him too. He taught you the procedure so he must have known what it was."

Corey shook his head.

"Not necessarily, Kieran. He might have learnt it by rote, the same as Makelan, and passed it on automatically."

"This is amazing.

Corey, my Mentor had a reputation for turning up unexpectedly and this tree gating would explain it. I wonder why he never spoke of it. – Kieran, there’s still the problem of calling enough power to activate the gate."

"Not a problem, Makelan. I’ll teach you a few tricks and eventually you’ll have access to stacks of power."

"Are you sure?"

"Every forest of these special trees, wherever it happens to be, is a potential source of power. All you have to do is duplicate the system you use here and collect the power every now and again. You said they’re everywhere. Do you know how many forests of them are in your Hexulate?"

"Not exactly. Every major landmass and all the larger islands."

"There you are then. Just set up Focus Trees and use them as connection points. I’ll show you how to keep a dedicated pool of energy in your Pearl, and if you’ve got any rubies I know how to set them up as well."

"Kieran, I don't know what to say. You gift me with so much amazing knowledge."

"It is not completely a gift, Makelan. Examining your HeartStone might be critical for helping us find a way home, and that means using the Warden Gate. A Focus Tree in the glade near the HeartStone should let you return here in an instant."

"Astonishing. But, Kieran, a Warden Gate only carries its associated Warden."

"That’s not a problem. You already know the group pattern for Focus Trees and I’ll show you how it works with the gate process."

Rhys laughed, a friendly laugh, at Makelan’s look.

"Yep, astonishing’s right, except it’s the norm when you’re with Kieran.

We’re ready for Woorawa and Nathan though, so no more plans or experiments till tomorrow."

Makelan turned to see Kieran's reaction.

"Time to relax. The boss has spoken."

***

Sound and motion ceased and Rhys tightened his arm link with Kieran.

"What happened this time, Kieran? I couldn't tell if it was Nathan and Rom leading Woorawa or the other way around. It’s –"

Makelan, along with every one of his helpers, had come to their feet and spread their arms wide. With a coordinated gesture they touched hands to hearts and called a single sound.

Three times this happened, then they all sat and stared.

"Storytelling’s a big deal with them, Rhys. I checked Makelan's mind when he had that strong reaction about Woorawa and Nathan, and they have storytellers who travel all over the place."

"Really? Like bards in old times at home?"

"I don't think they sing. The way Woorawa helps Nathan's story with chants and movement has blown their minds."

"Kieran, is Gwen all right?"

"... She’s overwhelmed. It’s the first time she’s heard Nathan tell his magic eyes story directly."

"Wow! Now I’m kind of overcome myself."

***

"Meeting Pod Momma’s making Makelan nervous? How come? The orcas are total fun."

Everyone was back at the jetty, marvelling at the incredible sight of a thousand happy orcas cavorting in the bay, while Michael and Makelan had this important meeting with Pod Momma.

"It’s his Hexulate, Rhys, and because they’re staying that makes him responsible for their care. He’s wondering how that will work because the meeting’s showing him how clever she is."

"Of course she’s clever. Why get nervous about that? It’ll be a big help."

"Remember how astonished Ranevargar was when he first met the orcas? Makelan’s seeing some of the same things, and after thinking of orcas as mindless beasts, he’s starting to suspect that Pod Momma might be cleverer than he is.

Michael and I are telling him it doesn't matter because it’s a different kind of thinking."

"How’s Michael taking it all? We’ll have to look after him if this Gate thing works."

"No, we won't. Pod Momma’s doing that. Well, the whole nineteen of them are really.

He’s been talking to them since early this morning."

"Does he talk to the new ones?"

"That’s complicated. We’re not really sure."

"What?"

"Yesterday he could only communicate by a kind of relay through our orcas, but that seems to be changing. He’s getting vibes."

"Vibes?"

"Yeah! That’s Michael's description. I can't look at what's happening because his orca talk’s a total mystery to me.

All our orcas our keeping a particularly close association with two or three new orcas, and they’re the ones he gets the vibes from. They’re the quick learners, or natural leaders, or important for the new pod structures."

"Will they all stay together when they’re back in the open ocean?"

"They’ll be like one massive pod until the new ones learn everything they need to know."

"Well, I suppose the schools of fish and other food are so big they won't need to separate to find enough.

How’re you going to protect them all? Makelan said the Usurper lady would try and get them under her control again."

"They’re all shielded, Rhys. I did that yesterday."

"I know, but she controls the Free Nexus energy and that’s endless."

"You are a sleep guts, Rhys. I had a big session with Makelan while you were dreaming your life away. I showed him how to gather power from his trees and store it in his Pearl, and watched while he made the new Focus Tree."

"Is it good enough? Ranevargar said you and him were the only ones in the Realms who could manage tree portals."

"He’s as good as I am, Rhys, and with more practice he'll be even better. Trees are his special thing."

"So you’ve decided to trust him completely?"

"For sure. He totally opened his mind to me, Rhys, which was a big surprise, and he really is a good guy."

"Surprise? How come?"

"Well, I told him I couldn't do the same and he didn't mind at all."

"What if he’s controlled and doesn’t know it, like Lady Narello was?"

"I had a look, and I couldn’t find any sign of a hidden control net like the one Maynor used."

"Neat! Have you told Corey?"

Kieran laughed.

"I haven't had a chance. – Rhys, get down to the water. Michael and Makelan have finished with Pod Momma, and Norkus wants a meet up before we go."

"To say goodbye?"

"Not really. Our orcas feel like we’re with them all the time, even if we’re physically somewhere else."

"Wow! I like that."

All the earth orcas were now close but, for whatever reason, Norkus was doing the interaction.

Nathan pointed.

"Sing/talk to Norkus, Rom. Sing/talk!"

The special moment turned to chaos when a calculated tail flick drenched Rom and everyone close.

Kieran waved his arm dramatically, every set of orca eyes focused on him, and orca song built as benison flowed to every massive friend in the bay.

Makelan staggered and turned to Kieran.

"Every orca is singing. What are you doing, Kieran?"

"I learnt it in another place, Makelan, and it’s a blessing I use when I have a special association with a group of creatures."

John, who had moved to avoid the spray of water as Rom shook himself, nodded.

"It’s always beautiful, Makelan. We’ve heard it with penguins, seals and orcas so far, and every time it’s been the sound of joy."

Conversation turned to silence while coordinated orca movement emptied the bay.

"Grab your packs, everyone. It’s time to get moving with our own journey."

The new Focus Tree had been set close to the bay to facilitate orca interaction, and after a short walk everyone watched Makelan rest his hands on the trunk of a rather gnarled and stubby tree.

"It’s a very old tree, Rhys. For some reason the focus process seems easier with older sections of forest."

"That might be practice. – Is there a limit to how many you can make?"

Makelan glanced at Kieran.

"We discussed that this morning and Kieran thinks the only limit is how many I can hold secure in my memory."

"Ha! If there are groves in all the Hexulates I hope you've got a good memory."

"I’m not even considering the other Hexulates, Rhys."

"Well, you should. Except for your Warden Gate there’s no other portal system, and Focus Trees in other Hexulates will let you meet with other Wardens any time you feel like it."

Corey interrupted.

"I agree with you, Rhys. That would broaden Makelan's options considerably, but at the moment we need to prepare ourselves for this Warden Gate.

What’s the physical set up, Makelan? The Warden Gate we know ends on an underground dais barely large enough for all of us."

"The HeartStone is above ground, with a raised pavement area to one side – Kieran my memories are clear. Share them with your friends."

Kieran did that and there were immediate questions.

"What’s all that other stuff?"

"That other side is where the Usurper holds formal court, Rhys. The Council rarely meets because when will's clash she takes advantage of her position as keyholder.

Kieran, A Warden Gate affects the HeartStone in some way, and she will be aware it’s been used."

"What do you think she’s likely to do?"

"I expect a confrontation. Personal if she’s close by, or channelled through subordinates otherwise.

By convention the HeartStone precinct is a safe place for any visiting Warden, but a group arrival, especially with me, will cause great consternation and suspicion."

"You say confrontation, Makelan. What exactly should we expect?"

"Challenge, Corey, a demand for submission then a relentless effort to impose it. The HeartStone precinct is the centre of her power and influence."

Corey turned to Kieran.

"This could be disastrous, Kieran. She controls three Hexulates as well as the Free Nexus energy, and if she drains them like your father had to when he was desperate, the Hexulates might take ages to recover."

"We don't want her power and influence, Corey. We just want to find a way home."

"She is very wilful, Kieran."

Kieran sensed that Corey's assessment, logical and accurate, was worrying some of the group.

"We’ll soon see ... Makelan, stand next to me. Everyone else, there’s too many for our normal totem pole so make a circle with your arms across your neighbours’ shoulders. Nathan, come inside the circle and hold my hand while you keep Rom close with the other."

"Not part of the circle?"

"Yes, I want access to your Power Eyes as a precaution."

Kieran said more on a private level.

"I think we need to make a merge, Nathan. I want to have as many options as possible when we get through the gate. With your help we can act much faster."

"For sure! Go for it!"

Kieran smiled at Nathan's eagerness.

"Not yet. Going through a gate like this will probably dissolve a merge. We'll merge as soon as we get there and then I’m giving you two priorities. First is to rebuild and check everyone's shields, and second is to make a Pest Barrier."

"I haven't got a clue what that is."

"You will as soon as we’re merged, and while you're doing that I’ll be using your eyes to help check the whole power situation."

"Wow! I use your abilities while you use mine."

All this was said while everyone got into position. Rhys spoke through his own private channel.

"You were talking secret talk. I could tell."

"I was getting Nathan ready, and merging is one of the things I'm not sharing with Makelan."

"What you want me to do?"

"Nothing, I hope, but when we get there I’ll boost your healing pool with energy from your Ruby. Just in case."

"Okies!"

Rom, surrounded so closely by his people, made a questioning little throat noise and lifted a paw to Nathan's arm. Kieran sent him a smidgen of assurance, then realising it was appropriate, did the same for the whole group.

"Okay, everyone, we’re almost ready.

When Makelan finishes getting his Warden Gate set up there’ll be a short wait while I change the setting to include all of us.

This portal works through Makelan's Pearl so we have to be locked to him instead of me, and I’ll have to fiddle till I'm sure we’ve got it right."

"There’s a lot of us, Kieran. Will we need to be ready for a mangle tangle?"

"I have no idea, Rhys. But since we’re so squished together it makes sense.

When we get there I’ll be in buddha mode for a while, so just stay close and I’ll get you up to date as soon as I can."

For everyone except Makelan the buddha mode started there and then.

Makelan, one hand on the pouch containing his Pearl, and sharing with Kieran, instituted the gate steps, then, under guidance tried to apply the group lock.

"Something’s different, Kieran. Did I miss a step?"

"No! That was perfect, but you’re right. Let me think."

Kieran called up his own Nexus portal pattern and studied it carefully.

"Okay, I see what's going on. The gate works mostly through your Pearl, Makelan, so lock us all to that as well as yourself."

"How do I do that?"

"Hmm! I’ve been doing it automatically. Use this pattern. – Yes, that’s it, and here’s the power. Activate the gate."

***