Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 25.1

The door opened, and Seuréa hurried in, looking excited. Aurora stood and offered her chair, but Seuréa declined it with a wave that reminded Sabrina of Mara. "Shariara and I managed to contact Kashmia! We told her what happened. She promised to send help."

Baldaran sat back with a relieved smile. "I didn't think I'd be grateful for her determination to return to Avestar, but I am. She will be able to get in touch with our troops in normal phase, through Katiri if nothing else. So at least Mother will know what has happened."

Sabrina asked, "Have you been able to contact any of the minds in the Crystal?"

Seuréa shook her head. "Nothing yet. But listen! Kashmia said she already knew what happened. She was part of it. All Miahns know. So Mother already knows. She'll be here as soon as she can, I'm sure."

Sabrina didn't say what she was thinking: that if Mara were able to help them, they would already be in touch. She should have been easier for the girls to reach than Kashmia. Aurora and Baldaran were thinking the same thing, to judge by the glance they exchanged.

"Excellent news," Baldaran said. "And good work, Seuréa. You and Shariara both. Please keep us apprised of your progress with recharging the Crystal."

Seuréa started to turn, then looked back, suspicion in her expression. "You're hurrying me out of the room," she accused. "Why? What's wrong?"

Baldaran blinked, the only sign he was taken aback. He turned to Sabrina. "I can't say I'm impressed by her protocol training."

"I will review it with her," Sabrina assured him.

Seuréa stamped her foot. "Who cares about protocol at a time like this?"

"This is precisely the time when it is most needed," Baldaran said. "You are taking up these people's valuable time with this awkward scene. We will speak later, but for now, please return to Giandrah where your expertise is most needed."

Seuréa opened her mouth to retort, but something in his expression stopped her. She glanced at Sabrina, who gave a subtle nod toward the door, and then she pursed her lips and left the room.

"Sorry about that," Sabrina murmured.

Baldaran grimaced. "She is still a child. It's unfortunate that we have been forced to demand more of her than she is perhaps ready for. And we may need to ask even more before this is over. Do you believe she is capable of bringing in supplies from the other phase?"

"Perhaps, if we knew where they were with some degree of precision," Sabrina replied. "Shariara could help with that, I hope." She frowned. "We would need to test it, of course. I'm not sure how the Crystal's current state is affecting her."

Aurora said, "Until the Crystal begins to normalize, I would not count on the Inheritor being able to perform anything major."

Baldaran nodded. "Does anyone have anything to add to the topics we have discussed?" No one spoke, so he said, "Then we will focus on resource conservation and finding a way to restore the Great Crystal. We are adjourned."

He stood, along with everyone else. Stecklan murmured a good-bye to Sabrina before leaving, which almost made her miss Baldaran's hand signal that he wanted her and Aurora to stay.

When the room had emptied of everyone but the three of them and their staff members, Baldaran sat again, gesturing for everyone else to do the same. "What are our chances of restoring the Great Crystal?"

Aurora sighed. "We have no idea how to even begin. It has never been understood how the Crystal maintains its energy, though I believe the minds stored within it may contribute upon entry."