Free Crystal Doors #1 by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta Page B

“In other words, concentrate on the big picture?” Gwen smiled at this cultural simplification and admitted, “Chemistry sure would have been easier with only five elements.…”
    After the Pentumvirate members had taken their places on the stone benches, Elantyan workers erected poles across which they stretched dyed fabrics to form an awning that shaded the virs from the sun. The crowd that had gathered was anxious to hear Tiaret’s story, and the survivor seemed eager to tell it, but the Pentumvirate would not be hurried.
    Tiaret gratefully accepted the fresh water and soft blanket brought to her, but when the virs offered her a spot in the shade, she chose to sit in the open. She folded her long legs and held her staff in both hands, propped like a scepter between upthrust knees. Its round, polished stone head glinted like a bloodshot dragon’s eye in the bright light. “I have been cold and wet for far too long. I prefer to be out here on the smooth stones, soaking up the warm sun. I feel my bones may never be dry again.”
    Tiaret had long hair twisted into ropy strands, bound and decorated with beads and tiny pendants of copper and polished stone. Prominent cheekbones above a delicate chin gave her face the appearance of being heart-shaped. Her lips were generous, her nose strong, her teeth white and straight.
    “I must tell you, and I must tell you all of it,” the girl began. “Among my people, storytelling is an important skill not to be rushed. Every person plays a part in the Great Epic and, whether we see it or not, the Epic is a part of us, as well.” Her voice was rich and resonant, made to carry beneath open skies, across whispering grasses. “Kundu was one of our greatest warriors and talespinners. In spite of my youth, I fought by his side in the Grassland Wars, and he taught me everything he knew. He is gone now. His storyline in the Great Epic has ended.” Her breath hitched. “And so this duty falls to me.”
    Tiaret turned her gaze to the five council members under their awning, then to her rescuers Sharif and Vic. When Gwen’s cousin grinned, obviously proud of what he and Sharif had accomplished, Gwen resisted the strong urge to elbow him in the ribs.
    “My Master Kundu was coming to Elantya to teach self-defense techniques, veldt magic, and storytelling. I was his best student. In my village out on the savannahs, he had already instructed everyone in his skills. Since the Grassland Wars were over, he felt that Elantya — and all the worlds through the crystal doors — needed his knowledge. He brought me along to become a student at the Citadel.” She maintained her composure with a visible effort.
    Gwen hoped Vic wouldn’t get distracted and start whispering to Sharif before Tiaret had finished. Gwen wanted to hear every word of the story.
    “One bright, warm dawn, Master Kundu and I caught a pair of horned zemus — stallions who wanted to see the world beyond the wanderings of the herd. After Kundu convinced the zemus of our need, the stallions allowed us to climb onto their striped backs. We rode for three days across the hot grasslands to the coast, where caravans brought regular shipments of star aja from mines in the mountains. Trading ships came to the coast. Master Kundu was sure one of the ships would give us passage through the crystal door to Elantya.
    “When we reached the seaport village, the horned zemus began to snort, unsettled at being too close to so many humans. So we dismounted and turned them loose, then walked barefoot the rest of the way to the town. Master Kundu was old, but very strong. He could walk for days if he needed to.
    “In the village we met Captain Argo, who agreed to take us aboard, provided that we helped him load his ship with aja crystals. So we labored for two days, carrying cartloads ofrock.” She grinned. “Kundu and I shamed the captain’s own workers out of their laziness, and the vessel was loaded in half the normal time. We set