Free What Lies Within (Book 5) by Martin Ash Page A

conclude, within Orbelon,' Triune went on. 'And we are hoping to snare it.'
       Issul was nonplussed.
       'What you are looking at is an inter-dimensional Portal,' Orbelon said in explanation, even as the scene changed yet again. This time it revealed an oak-shaded corner of a fallow field. The now familiar faint discoloured smear hung at about shoulder-height beneath the oak's ancient boughs. 'In concept it is broadly analagous to a Farplace Opening. However, the Farplace Opening is a product of Enchantment, generated by sorcerous means. Once created it is fixed and may not be re-sited. And it only functions between two locations in this world, be they within Enchantment, the formed world or both. An inter-dimensional Portal, on the other hand, comes from beyond. It is semi-living. Its formation requires the assistance - nay, the participation - of entities and agents from beyond both this world and this dimension. It is less easily controlled, more easily interfered with. Temperamental, one might say. And it is sometimes unfixed. Though the head end may be stable, the tail is often wild. Hence, insofar as precise location is concerned, transportation may be somewhat haphazard. But it has two distinct advantages. Once constructed, its maintenance costs are minimal. And it can forge a way between any two places - upon the same world, from one world to another, or between worlds or planes of existence in separate dimensions.'
       Issul's eyes had not left the scene before her. 'And we are looking at the 'tail' of this Portal, which is moving from place to place, presumably at random? Is that what you are saying?'
       'Exactly so.'
       'And where is the head? Do you know?'
       'The head, we are virtually certain, is wherever Urch-Malmain is,' said Triune.
       Issul gave a start. 'Urch-Malmain has created this Portal?'
       'There can be little doubt.'
       'But why?'
       'Is it not obvious? He finds himself trapped within Orbelon's world.'
       'By all the gods!' breathed Issul. 'He's trying to come home!'
       'Yes. And we are trying to welcome him.'
       She turned away for a moment, taking all this in, then said, 'Urch-Malmain is Orbelon's enemy. Do you consider him yours?'
       'Oh, we do, we do.'
       'Then what kind of welcome are you preparing?'
       'We would wish it to be one that he will never forget. But we speak perhaps a little prematurely, for we are in fact beset by a problem. The tail thrashes here and there as though with its own mind, and our efforts to arrest it have so far come to naught. Ah! Gah! ' Triune uttered a mild imprecation, for the scene had again changed as the tail of the portal leapt to another location. In harmony, the three children made subtle modifications to the positions and angles of the golden disks.
       As Issul watched, one of the disks glowed suddenly red.
       'Pish! ' protested Triune. 'This is not right.'
       All three children peered hard into the haze, then the tallest one declared in an offended tone, 'They have introduced an anomaly!'
       'Who?' Issul asked.
       'The entities who, at Urch's behest, have created the Portal. Yes. . . ' Triune paused. 'Yes! Such audacity! They have introduced a transient obturation!'
       'Are you sure?' asked Orbelon.
       'It is what the disks indicate.'
       'Is it active and effectual?'
       Triune studied the reddened disk, which was slowly shifting back to gold. 'We see no reason why it would not be. But who can tell until the Portal is used? Ah, this is interesting indeed!'
       'An obturation . . .' Orbelon grew thoughtful. 'Urch-Malmain is nullifying the Reciprocity. Why?'
       'What are you saying?' demanded Issul. 'What does all this mean?'
       No one replied. She grew angry. 'Orbelon!'
       'Yes, I am sorry. Forgive me, but, as Triune says, this is most interesting.'
       'I am aware of that. Now explain it to me.'
       'A Portal of this kind, linking separate worlds and/or dimensions,