Widderkin Interlude - 8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8.

 

Merge/Nathan shuttered his Power Eyes against the blinding flow and release of power in the sky above. Now comfortable, he studied the explosive growth of the storm.

Was so much power a show of strength? Rhys's comment about Maurice and Kieran making storms registered and, after locating the memories, Nathan kind of laughed at himself.

The incredible display above was puny compared to the violence released when Kieran called his White Power. What a pity it wasn't available.

Hmm! Grabbing that power would make a handy reserve. No – leave that for Kieran to decide.

Okay! Trick her into using more? Yes, but warn everyone first.

Nathan directed a thought to Rhys.

"Hi, Rhys. Lightning can't get through, but warn everyone that it's going to look like the Ward’s failing. It's not. It's me playing tricks to con the Usurper into using lots more power – then I’ll grab it off her."

"You can do that? How come?"

"This Nexus is a disaster and Kieran’s concentrating so hard he’s put me in charge of watching everything else."

"Wow! Was it you sent the birds away?"

"Kind of. I have the ideas, then use Kieran's abilities to make them happen."

"Gods! That must be an unreal merge?"

"Rhys, it sure is. I feel like a God or something and it’ll be weird going back to my normal self.

I have to go. The Usurper’s sending extra power, like I hoped, and the storm’s about to go crazy.

I’ll get back to you whenever I get a chance. Remember, the Ward’s not collapsing. It’s me making it look like it is."

For a moment Rhys sensed Kieran's total concentration and wondered what Ranevargar would make of a fourteen year old having control of a Realm Lord’s skills.

The moment shattered. The darkening pall flared with incandescence and lightning jagged between earth and sky.

A nearby tree disintegrated and the instant thunderclap sent primal fear coursing through his body.

"Holy hell! The damn Usurper might frighten us to death."

Gathering his wits he took in the various stunned reactions of his friends and wished he'd had time to warn them.

"Whoa! That was scary. I’ve just had a message that it's going to look really bad but it can't hurt us."

"Can't hurt us? Rhys, most of that tree was blown apart. Are you sure?"

"Absolutely, Arthur. They’re tricking the Usurper so they can grab her power."

"They? You mean Kieran don't –"

Lightning flashed, further away this time, and the thunder sounded as part rumble, part clap.

"It’s complicated, John. Nathan’s part of it because of his Power Eyes."

"He doesn't look like part of it. He’s too busy calming Rom."

Rhys turned from Gwen to see what she meant.

Oh boy! Rom, cowering against Nathan, looked awfully unhappy.

That changed while they watched and Gwen, clearly surprised, slipped an arm around John's waist.

"Kieran must be helping. Rom hates storms and thunder."

Suddenly confident herself, she took in the smiles and steady looks and couldn't help her own smile.

"He’s helping us too, isn't he? I'm usually a bit like Rom."

***

Nathan, feeling strange because the group assurance he’d just applied included himself, returned his attention to the storm and watched a power conversion send a torrent of energy against the Ward.

Whoo! Scary! – Except it wasn't.

Another bolt struck, the Ward brightened momentarily then, by command, dimmed before resuming its steady shimmer.

A third bolt blazed and this time the flare was brighter and the dim dimmer.

Two more bolts struck and each time the flare and fade was more pronounced.

Interesting. Was the Ward like a natural lightning rod? Power Eyes joined Keiran’s advanced ability to understand power flows, studied the chaotic power roiling through the storm and the ordered power arriving from the Usurper.

Whoo! The steady inflow of power was building the strength of the storm system.

A ribbon of power, ordered power, reached to press lightly against the Ward.

What? Pointless! It hardly registered.

New power discharged, followed the guiding ribbon and exploded violently against the Ward. The Ward flared, dimmed, and before resuming its soft shimmer, reduced in size.

Nathan locked the ribbon pattern in memory so Kieran could study it when he was ready, and turned his attention to the Usurper. He smiled.

She was getting close, only about a kilometre away, but the power flow to the storm was increasing. She was taking the bait.

***

"This is insane. Every time the lightning strikes, my brain and body freeze in shock, and then a wave of confidence makes me relax."

"Do you have any idea how long this will keep going, Rhys?"

"I haven't a clue, Mr B. I hope it's not much longer because watching the Ward go dim and then shrink gives me the heebie-jeebies.

It's meant to seem like it's failing but it looks too real."

Woorawa, his hands protecting his eyes, made a quick check above.

"The storm’s changing. The black’s got a weird green tinge and the sheet lightning’s flickering faster and brighter."

Gwen, who’d been keeping a watch on Nathan and Rom, gasped.

"Look! Nathan’s moving."

And indeed, one of the buddhas had come to life and, with one hand resting on Rom's head, was looking at the buildings and the watchers on the other side of the Pest Barrier.

His free hand lifted, and with a dramatic gesture his finger pointed at the sky.

The Ward sprang back to its initial size and, just above its apex, a globe of light appeared and began a steady ascent.

Lightning struck and, without faltering, a bigger, brighter globe continued its rise.

A massive bolt struck, disappeared, and the globe, now glowing with what everyone recognised as Kieran’s signature blue, slowed and, several hundred metres above, came to a halt.

Tendrils of lightning, dozens at first, lanced from every section of the storm, struck, and were absorbed. Several minutes later a single, feeble bolt heralded the globe’s steady descent.

Nathan's hand lowered and, with a cheeky grin and a happy wave, he turned to Kieran and Makelan – and became a buddha again.

"Sheba! I don't –"

Rhys broke off because his Ruby, as well as all the others, was glowing through his shirt.

***

"Great work, Nathan. That should give the Usurper something to think about."

"Kieran, are you having a break from the Nexus?"

"Not because I meant to. That storm and the attack on the Ward was enough to wake the dead, and then I couldn't help adding a few touches of my own.

Now that she knows we can grab any power she throws at us she’ll probably have a good think before trying something else."

"She knows we respect the truce flag, so what’ll I do if she uses her Warden Gate?"

"I don't think she will. - Make a mini Ward around her, tell her we’ll speak to her when we’re ready, then move her outside the main Ward and let her go."

"Neat! She’ll head for the buildings and have to go through the Pest Barrier."

Kieran pointed at the HeartStone and an intricate power structure appeared.

"This is the section that works through Makelan's Pearl.

I’m going to try and strengthen it with some of the energy we grabbed. If that works I’ll see what I can do for the other sections."

"What’s happened? It's far more intricate this time."

"It is isn't it. We’re looking at a deep level that other Realm Lords can't see."

"What? Not even Ranevargar?"

"The Oracle only showed my father and me. Other Realm Lords can’t see this unless we share."

"The Oracle? Through Tan?"

"Check my memories for yourself if you get a chance, and you’ll understand better. Keep an eye on the buildings too. It looks like something’s happening"

Like a switch flipping, Kieran's local awareness was gone. Nathan checked the minor surge of power near the buildings, saw some kind of interaction between the big man and the two Wardens, and dismissed it as inconsequential.

The Usurper would arrive soon and they were probably in conference.

He checked his friends and stopped sending assurance.

Every head turned in his direction but that changed when all the Rubies stopped glowing. The blue glow above wafted gently down through the Ward, hovered above the trio for a few seconds then disappeared.

Power Eyes saw the transfer to Kieran's Opal which for some reason hadn't been glowing.

Rom nudged his head against Nathan's leg and pressed the other leg with his paw.

Whoops! The assurance was gone and memory of the storm was still in his mind.

"Good boy, Rom. Stay with me."

A tail wag and another nudge said that staying with the boss was eminently sensible.

A little sound from Makelan demanded attention and Nathan watched apprehension build then suddenly cut off.

Power was flowing from Kieran's Opal, through the Pearl, and bathing the newly revealed section of the HeartStone.

What on earth?

Nathan reached to the active part of Kieran's mind and saw that Kieran was controlling a unique part of Makelan's Pearl to interact with the HeartStone.

Power flowed steadily from Opal, to Pearl, then to HeartStone, where it seemed to disappear.

Kieran's awareness flicked on again.

"It's not disappearing, Nathan. It's more like it's being absorbed. My idea to build strength is definitely doing something positive, but, at this rate, it's going to take time and quite a bit of power. Makelan’s finding it hard to cope while I control his Pearl though, so I’ve put him in a gentle trance."

Kieran knelt and rested his hand on Rom's head.

"You’re a wonder dog, Rom. That storm was scary but it's over now."

Merge/Nathan watched something pass between them.

"You used your affinity with him?"

"Just quickly, to tell him he’s special."

Rhys’s mental call interrupted.

"Yo, Kieran! You’re with us again?"

"Just for a moment. I’m using some of the power Nathan grabbed to strengthen Makelan's part of the HeartStone, Rhys, and I’m taking a break while that happens."

"You know how to strengthen a Nexus?"

"Not really. I wondered if extra power would bolster the deep control lines and they’re sucking it in like crazy."

"Power comes out of a Nexus and you’re putting it in instead?"

"This Nexus is almost gonked, Rhys, and so far this is the only thing that's given me a good vibe."

"Okies!

Why were our Rubies glowing? We thought you might be putting energy from the storm into them."

"Yes, that's – hang on! Something new is happening. We have to go."

The merge refocused attention and watched in wonder as a strange aura built slowly and steadily round the HeartStone.

"What is it, Kieran?"

"I have no idea. It's a power build up, but it's not a normal one because we’re only seeing it through your Power Eyes. It's the whole HeartStone too, not just the section we’ve been strengthening."

"There’s power transferring from Makelan's section to all the others?"

"Yes, that's been happening ever since I started the strengthening."

The aura, or whatever it was, suddenly disappeared. Power Eyes showed the associated energy flowing to a distant location.

"We should have tracked it, Kieran."

"I know. It caught me by surprise – it didn't go to the Usurper. She’s calling every bit of free energy she can, but that's different."

"Look! The aura’s started building again. I'll be ready this –!"

A great shout and an insistent shake of Kieran's arm broke the merge’s concentration.

"Snap out, Kieran. You have to listen."

Kieran's eyes opened, well so did Nathan's, and registered the force of Michael's determination.

"The orcas are singing. It's like the call song but different. You need to be with us in case it's a Wild Gate starting."

Instantly, Kieran was in Michael's mind, and because of the merge and sharing, so were Nathan and Makelan.

Nineteen orcas singing their protection had been unforgettable.

One thousand orcas, shared through Michael's unique connection, was staggering.

The first glimmer of understanding came from Nathan.

"I think that’s where the aura power went. It’s the right direction."

It was too, and possibilities came rushing.

The HeartStone was calling to the orcas?

Had the strengthening through Makelan's Pearl set it off?

Was it the start of a Wild Gate? If so the strengthening power would have to be cut.

"What’s different, Michael? The orcas sound the same to me."

"It’s nearly the same, Kieran. They’re stressed, like it’s a big deal, but without much alarm."

"They’re not alarmed? Are you sure?"

There was a pause.

"It’s more like concern, rather than alarm."

"Are they expecting two more calls and then something happens?"

"Yes, that’s part of their concern."

"Okay, I think I started this, so tell the orcas I'm going to stop it while I have a think about what to do."

"That sounds good to – gods! Pod Momma says it has to keep going."

"Has to? ... Are you sure?"

Michael’s orca connection strengthened and for a few seconds his thoughts were unreadable.

"We have to finish our song, Kieran."

Michael shook his head and came to himself.

"Woo hoo! That was so deep I was Pod Momma for a moment. It is a calling, Kieran, but there won't be a gate. They’re already here."

"Do you know what the calling’s for?"

Michael had another think.

"Not exactly – help of some kind, and our song’s the answer."

He blinked and gave a funny look.

"I mean the orca's song. I keep losing myself."

By now everyone else was gathered close, trying to make sense of Michael's dramatic actions.

"You’re talking, Kieran. Have you got time to tell us what’s going on?"

"Just quickly, Corey. The orca's are singing and it looks like the HeartStone started it. I was going to stop it, but Michael’s learned from Pod Momma that it needs to go ahead."

Michael nodded vigorously.

"It has to, Corey. It’s in every orca mind."

"You mean our earth orcas don't you? The rest were practically mindless till Kieran freed them."

"Our orcas started the singing, then the rest picked it up."

"Could this come from the Usurper, Kieran? She is the Keyholder for the HeartStone."

"No way, Corey! I’m strengthening Makelan’s part of the HeartStone so it’s really coming from me."

"Okay, when the HeartStone gets stronger it makes a call and the orcas respond positively?

That’s a tentative go ahead."

"Tentative?"

"Yes, but keep a close watch, Kieran, and take action if there’s any sign of a negative.

Can you stop the calling if you need to?"

"Um – yes! I can grab the call energy before it gets to the orcas, or stop sending power through Makelan's Pearl."

Discussion ended abruptly. The aura build up discharged, the orcas song strengthened and Michael gave an exuberant yell.

Simultaneously the HeartStone tingled with the familiar resonance of a Warden Gate and, hard on the heels of Michael's yell, Nathan pointed to the figure standing on the dais.

The merge acted instantly.

Kieran/merge, prepared this time, verified that the discharge had indeed gone to the orcas, watched and felt their excited reaction, then registered an increase in the transfer of power from Makelan's section to the HeartStone in general.

Nathan/merge, also prepared, built a person sized ward round the angry lady waving a large white flag in front of her.

With Rom at heel he walked through the stunned group of friends till he reached the mini ward.

"Guard Rom! Guard!"

Rom, with hackles risen and a deep rumble sounding in his throat, moved in front of his master.

The Usurper gestured at him but whatever was meant to happen didn’t.

"We are too busy at the moment, Warden. We will talk with you when we’re ready.

Rom, take her safely through the wards."

Rom did exactly that.

He lifted his head for a direct stare then, quite deliberately, touched the mini ward with one paw.

When that dissolved he turned and trotted to the group ward where another touch made an opening in the blue shimmer.

The Usurper watched with a strange unreadable expression before hurrying through and heading to the buildings.

"My brain’s pickled! What just happened, Nathan?"

"We liked Woorawa’s idea, Rhys. Giving her things to think about makes her more cautious.

You couldn't see it from here, but we gave Rom magic eyes."

"You what?"

"We gave them a purple glow, and just before he dissolved the wards, we turned his paw bright blue."

"Oh my God! Did Rom know what he was doing? – It looked so real."

"Of course not, Rhys. Every one of his movements and expressions was guided."

Corey came close and added a pat to the ones Rom had already received.

"Clever boy! You showed the bossy lady where to go.

– Nathan, she’s a power master, at least the equivalent of Makelan. She’d see the power being used."

"She could only use an ordinary person's senses, Corey. The mini ward blocked everything else. You saw her try to do something to Rom."

"Did she say anything? You didn't give her much of a chance."

"That was blocked too. We made the mind-talk one way so she could hear the message but not answer.

Corey, we’ll explain more later. Kieran’s working through Makelan and Michael. and he needs my Power Eyes big time at the moment."

Rhys laughed.

"You should be getting used to it, Corey. Getting left in the dark’s the story of our life."

When Nathan's eyes closed, everyone followed Rhys to the dais.

***

"Look what’s happening, Nathan. It’s like the orcas and the HeartStone are feeding off each other. The singing got stronger after that second call and now the aura’s drawing even more power."

"You mean through that link?"

"What link?"

"Coming from the orcas, see? Like a very faint power bridge."

And, through the merge, there it was, a connection like nothing Kieran had ever seen, a connection only visible with Power Eye perception.

Through Michael, the merge shared Pod Momma’s view of many orcas, heads raised in jubilant song.

Through Michael the merge felt massed purpose and anticipation. Corey’s tentative positive assessment became a certainty.

"The aura’s building for the third time, Nathan, so let’s see if adding all the power we captured from the storm is a help."

"All of it? That’s an awful lot of power."

"Not really, but this Nexus isn't functioning properly so we’ll play safe and build the supply gradually."

"Does the power have to go through Makelan’s Pearl? Wouldn't it be easier to send it direct?"

"I tried, but it doesn't work. The Pearl and Makelan’s section of the HeartStone have to do their own thing first.

Watch while I step up the power."

The energy flow increased and the structure became more active. Nathan couldn't understand any of it and looked for clarity

"The section’s getting stronger and the transfer to the rest of the HeartStone’s growing, but I haven't got a clue how it’s happening."

"Try more power, Kieran. That first increase is already sucked in."

The flow increased, again, again, and again. Power kept transferring and the aura kept building.

"We’ll have to start using your Ruby, Nathan. The storm power’s nearly finished, and look at the aura. It’s still growing."

Kieran, very conscious that the energy transfer from the Ruby now matched the storm energy, was starting to wonder why the aura hadn't triggered, when it did just that.

The link between HeartStone and orcas strengthened and the aura shrank noticeably.

A wave of excitement surged from Michael.

"What happened, Kieran? The singing’s stopped and they’re listening instead."

"The HeartStone triggered, Michael, but it’s a different pattern to when we were on the boat."

"Wow! Link into their minds through me, Kieran. I’ve never seen them like this."

Kieran/Nathan, surprised by his directness, paused before answering.

"Not at the moment, Michael. We’ve got too many other things happening. Monitoring a thousand extra minds would be too much. Sharing with you will be enough till –"

The dolphins were singing again and, for a moment, Michael's mind became unreadable.

"Kieran, the link between the orcas and the HeartStone has reversed direction"

The merge watched the HeartStone respond. The aura brightened and, in another reversal, power transferred to Makelan’s section and mingled with the power coming through the Pearl.

Power Eyes joined with special Realm Lord ability to watch in amazement as life and vigour steadily increased.

"The orcas singing does this, Nathan."

"Kieran! Do something. We need help."

Michael’s forceful demand ended the careful scrutiny and the merge was instantly with him.

"Look at them, Kieran. They’re singing their hearts out and it’s going to be too much for them."

Through Michael, a mind net of a thousand orcas formed.

Purpose, jubilation and determination flooded the merge, along with increasing weariness.

Michael was right. The wonderful singing would have to end or the orcas would collapse from exhaustion.

Nathan/merge gave a mental grasp of dismay.

"Look, they’re drawing on their Life Force. That’s what’s making them tired."

Kieran/merge kept his own dismay from Michael.

How long could the singing continue? – Six or seven minutes at the most. They’d have to stop the singing.

"Can we do that, Kieran?"

"Yes! Lots of ways."

"What about rebuilding their Life Force. We practised that plenty of times."

"What would we do without you, Nathan. Yes, but we’ll need a source."

The orca mind net revealed that four pods had been feeding on one of the giant swarms of squid creatures, and with practised ease another mind net formed.

Life energy transferred and physical well-being started to rebuild.

"That's wonderful, Kieran! They’re feeling much better."

"Only for a while, Michael. We’re helping their bodies but the singing’s still straining their minds."

"They’re getting better and worse at the same time?"

"It’s body versus mind. Michael, they probably won’t like it, but we’ll have to stop the singing if the stress builds too much."

Michael went into one of his unreadable communication moments.

"You can't stop them. Pod Momma says you’ll have to do something else."

Kieran felt helpless and, on top of that, Nathan's worry and empathy for the orcas was starting to stress the merge.

Kieran controlled that.

"Steady, Nathan. We can't help if we lose our cool."

"Sorry! ... What are we going to do?"

"I don't know. The squid Life Force has given us extra time though, so let's get thinking."

Thinking hit a blank wall. Ranevargar’s recovery trances used time, rest, and protection from mental stimulation. Rhys's healing was physical only and, needing touch, was impossible to use with any orca, let alone 1000 at the same time.

The stress levels kept rising and Kieran, increasingly concerned for the orcas’ well-being decided to override Pod Momma and bring the singing to an end.

"Michael, I’m going to stop them. They –"

A hand grasped his shoulder from behind. Jolting from the surprise of no mental warning, Kieran turned - and stared.

Tan calmly replaced his hand.

"Use the Speaker to call the orcas of Earth, Kieran. Link them to Pod Momma and exult in the fulfilment of purpose."

The merge stared. Tan’s nod and shoulder squeeze passed a message of affirmation and imperative for action.

Kieran opened his mouth to speak but the hand fell away and Tan blinked.

"I blanked out. What did I do this time?"

"You helped us – I think."

"Michael, you heard. We’re meant to connect with orcas back at home. Can you do that?"

"I don't think so. I never have, except for that first time when the White Power came and you said they were stored in your Opal."

That was right but Opal action was blocked and no calls would work.

"He said to go through Michael, Kieran. Have you tried that?"

"No, it’s – yes, I have. Once, when we were in the Realms.

Oh my God! Remember, Michael? We connected to Norkus and Pod Momma to show Ranevargar."

"Yes, but Rane said I was just the medium. The rest was all you."

The moment flared in Kieran's memory.

"I’ve got it. Go into connection mode."

Michael looked amused.

"I’m always in it, Kieran, but I only know our orcas."

"... Call up your memory of the orca looking at the icebergs in Antarctica. There might be a link you don't realise you’ve got."

The memory was vivid but a memory wasn't a link.

"I can see the giant chunks of flowing ice but that's not – hey! She’s helping another orca look after its baby. Unreal!"

Kieran hardly noticed. There was now an unobstructed path from his Opal net to the big female. A rapid test showed his own connection was still blocked.

What was different? The pathway pattern for the big female had a simple overlay. Could it be that easy?

He grabbed a random earth orca from his Opal net and applied the overlay. Wow! This orca, a male, was hungry and looking for food. Make it surface. Yes, he had full control.

"Hurry, Kieran."

What now? He needed to link them with Pod Momma, and that was easy.

The two orcas stopped in their tracks to listen, then rose to the surface and began to share the ancient song.

"What did you do, Kieran? They’ve joined the singing."

Nathan/merge answered because Kieran was too busy.

"Kieran’s worked out how to connect them to Pod Momma, Michael – all of them – all the earth orcas."

***

A party of whale watchers at Bremmer Bay off the Australian coast watched in wonder when a pod of orcas surfaced close to their boat and began singing.

Just twenty kilometers away, three marine mammal researchers shared a goosebump moment when the speakers of their audio equipment sounded with a joyous group ululation.

A hundred and fifty visitors rose from their seats in mutual appreciation when two captive orcas ignored their keepers and filled the display aquarium with beautiful sound.

***

As the power bridge from orcas to HeartStone pulsed with vastly increased activity, the merge watched vigour and form steadily return to the debilitated Nexus.

Structures firmed and the complex web of internal connections hummed with new and vibrant life.

"This is amazing, Kieran. The HeartStone’s changing."

"It’s starting to look like a proper Nexus, Nathan. Ranevargar’s going to be amazed when he sees all this."

"How long will we keep Makelan in his learning trance?"

"As long as possible. There’s so much happening it needs to be imprinted in his mind as strongly as possible."

What about Michael? It’s not exactly a trance but he’s sure lost in the singing."

"That’s his orca brain connection, Nathan. We won't interrupt that."

"His mind is smiling.

Kieran, we should be relaying the singing to mum and dad and everyone else."

"You do it, Nathan. Makelan’s Pearl has started taking extra energy from your Ruby and I need to keep watch."

***

"Yo, everyone! A quick update. Tan and Michael helped Kieran connect to every single orca back at home and they’re singing to help the HeartStone."

"More singing? Tan said he might have helped, but you didn't have time to tell him how."

"We still haven't."

Related sound and image banished a barrage of questions.

***

"Another few minutes and your Ruby will be drained, Nathan. I don't really understand how the energy’s being used, but the whole HeartStone is humming with life."

"Look at the aura thing, Kieran. It's stronger than ever and it’s spreading."

The aura continued to strengthen, and when Nathan’s Ruby was drained Kieran switched to the energy stored in his Opal.

"It’s almost covered the whole six sections, Nathan. I wonder if that means it's going to send another trigger to the orcas?"

"Another one? I can't..."

The aura flared and disappeared.

The orcas stopped singing.

Energy flowing from the Opal, no longer accepted, discharged in a flash of Kieran's signature blue.

The HeartStone itself pulsed with transformation and healing for several seconds then settled into balance and harmony.

The friends, startled by the blue flash, watched Kieran squish Nathan with a giant hug, then turn toward them and raise both arms in victory.

"Sheba! Look at that smile!

Come on everyone."

As the group moved closer the smile spread.

Nathan was kneeling on all fours and barking and grabbing at Rom in some sort of doggy game. Michael was chanting and stomping a version of the happy dance, and Makelan, the odd one out, was staring at Kieran with a totally gobsmacked look.

"They’ve gone crazy, Corey. What if it's catching?"

"Too late, Rhys. I'm already caught."

Rhys didn't answer. A wild dervish had come bounding and was in the process of hugging him to pieces.

The moment finished and Rhys caught his breath.

"Something sure worked. Have you fixed the HeartStone?"

The duo took in the huge smiles of those surrounding them and calmed – a little.

Rhys gave Kieran a ‘please explain’ nudge. Kieran acknowledged the smiles and gave a very emphatic nod.

"Watch this everyone."

He lifted his hand and pointed. A glowing white sphere materialised, grew to nearly a metre in diameter, then held steady.

Gwen’s exclamation brought the upward attention down again.

"Nathan’s chest is glowing. All the Rubies are glowing."

Corey caught on.

"You can access your White Power? Kieran."

"Everything, Corey. The orca singing healed the HeartStone and my Opal’s not blocked any more."

Gwen’s exclamation was pure excitement this time.

"We can go home?"

"Yes, Gwen.

Not straight away. We’ll have to confront the Usurper first, and I suspect I’ll need a special session with Makelan as well.

Before I do that I’ll contact Maurice and Ranevargar for advice and help, and then we’ll get word to Rory and Burrimul that we’re okay."

"It’s three days now, Kieran, and Uncle Rory and the security people will be panicking, especially if they’ve found Michael's boat with no one around."

John nodded.

"The sooner we contact Rory the better, Nathan, but we can't leave Makelan to face an angry Usurper all by himself.

Do you have any idea of a time-frame, Kieran?"

"Not really. Depends on what Ranevargar and Maurice have to say. Give me fifteen minutes and we’ll have a plan."

"Fifteen minutes to the Realms? Kieran, you’ll flake out. You've been in buddha mode ever since we got here."

"Give me a zap, Rhys, and I’ll have a gonk as soon as I get a chance.

Nathan, your gonk time starts now. You can stay in trance recovery till I need your Power Eyes again."

Gwen showed her concern.

"It's no big deal, Mum. Remember how quickly we recovered yesterday from the same kind of thing?"

"I suppose, but you have been under more pressure than anyone except Kieran."

"It's not that bad. Kieran watches closely and if I get stressed or scared he gets me through."

"It works both ways, Gwen. Nathan's initiative and enthusiasm is pretty special and I'll explain how much it helped when we get a chance.

Nathan, sit on the edge of the dais with your mum and dad and they’ll keep you close for a while.

I’m planning to do the same with Rhys as soon as I finish talking to Maurice and Ranevargar."

***