Chapter 27

Ley was glad to see Bracken and Chepa as they stepped through the door of Roon's house in Oak Forest. Duvalla let them in, only after she was sure they were not someone else. Undoubtedly, they were expecting other visitors not nearly as friendly.

Ley offered them a seat near himself and the others. "Have you heard what's happened in Accad?" he said despondently.

"What do you mean?" wondered Bracken as he took the glass of beverage Duvalla offered him. "I came around the Bay side on my way back, so I have no idea what's taken place since we parted."

Ley looked bitterly down into his glass. "It's the Fathers again," he muttered, swirling the liquid in his hand. "The same night the Pirax broke into my home, they raided most of the others who are influential in the Community. The Central Council wants us out of Accad, and I guess they have decided to use whatever measure it takes." Ley looked up, an angry burning in his eyes. "What they don't understand they hate, and what they hate they want to destroy." He wanted to destroy them in return. He felt a growing sense of rage along with his fears. "I'm sure they'll trace us here, and if they can they'll find some reason to confine us till the Community falls apart."

"Well, what can we do? There's got to be some place we can hide." Bracken was becoming desperate. He thought of Malchag, but that would never work with Ley. First Silas' death, now the Pirax breathing down their necks. Then there was the question about the Mingus source. He looked at Ley discouraged, yet hopeful that he had the answer. Os always had the answers, he thought. He had better have one now. "All it would take is a couple of weeks, then this would all blow over. Got any suggestions, Ley?"

Ley stood up and walked to the window. Staring out, he thought quietly for a moment. "I have an acquaintance in the Valley of Raka. He's not a friendly man, but if we do a little work for him, I'm sure he'll help us in return. We can probably hide there for awhile."

"That sounds good. Of course, the way I feel now, anything does."

Chepa placed his drink on the table beside his chair. He was depressed in spite of his Sojourn in Malchag. The re-entry to Nerkush was a shock. "Why don't we use the Gem? I'm sure we'll have a much better outlook when we're through."

"Agreed, " echoed Roon and the others nodding.

Ley reached for the Pouch on the floor at his feet. "You're right."

Bracken watched Ley remove several cases from his sack. "I've a favor to ask you" he said as Ley placed the burnished boxes on the table top in front of him.

"What would that be?"

Bracken felt an anxious rushing in his heart and mind. He had to find the source of the Gem's power even if it meant losing his mind. "I want to use the most powerful Gem you have," declared Bracken boldly.

Os looked reluctant. "I'm not sure you're ready for it yet."

"I'm ready," said Bracken firmly, staring straight into Ley's eyes. "Silas wasn't and I want to find out why."

Os seemed to recognize that Bracken's determination could not be denied. "All right," he acknowledged. "But you do so at your own risk. Here's the Stone." Bracken took the silver case containing the stone from Ley's hand, and paused momentarily as the others passed milder variety between them. Soon they settled back blissfully, completely unaware of the struggle going on in Bracken. Now that he had the stone of power before him, he felt hesitant. He wanted to throw it down and run from the room. He wanted to leave, to hide, and to forget it all. But he knew he couldn't. The struggle was over, he had decided. With a look of determination, he opened the case, removed the glowing jewel and passed it across his forehead. He smiled only once and then vanished.