Free Freewalker by Dennis Foon Page B

exactly why. That in itself should disturb her. How much of what she reveals to him does he pass on to Darius?
    Willum reaches into his pocket and takes out a velvet bag. “Today we will work on changing your composition in the Dreamfield.”
    Stowe smiles at the concept. “Sounds intriguing.”
    â€œYou are aware that the form you have is temporary, a kind of interim body. But it can be manipulated to serve you in different ways. For instance, as a form of protection.”
    â€œLike armor?”
    â€œExactly. You choose a substance, and with proper concentration it can be called upon to replace your clay form.”
    â€œHow do I do it?”
    Willum hands the velvet bag to her. Stowe tips the contents into her hand. A diamond the size of her thumb tip glistens in her palm.
    â€œContemplate it. Take in every facet. Feel the weight. Find its internal resonance. You need to imprint the diamond essence on your consciousness.”
    Stowe rolls the gem between her palms. Squeezing it between thumb and forefinger, she sits down in her glass travel chair, and raises it to her eye. She submerges herself in the light reflecting off each facet. Her breathing becomes shallow, her vision fixated, her entire being engaged with the stone. She’s unaware of the passage of time, of where she is. All is one with the diamond.
    A tone, barely discernible at first, purrs against her fingers, then the hum increases in intensity. She lets it in, allows the pulse to spread through her organs, her bones, her marrow, until her entire body is filled with its ephemeral vibration. When every cell is touched, the essence of the crystal is available to her. She opens her eyes and hands the diamond back to Willum.
    â€œI won’t need this anymore.”
    Willum nods approvingly. “When you enter the Dreamfield you have simply to recall the resonance for it to manifest. The process can be painful, but if you do not falter, you will be successful. There is no other way to accomplish the tasks set before you.”
    The door opens and a grating voice contaminates the air behind her. “It’s time we began. You’ve been at this for the best part of the afternoon. We’ll see now if the time’s been wasted.” Kordan lifts the silver lid from his bowl of Dirt. “Is Willum joining us today?” He sneers as he offers Willum the container. “Worried over how well you’ve done?”
    Willum disregards the remark and, taking a tiny pinch, settles serenely into his chair. Kordan takes the same amount for himself, then turning so that his back shields her from Willum’s view, he slips a heaping spoonful to Stowe, who eagerly gulps, then holds her mouth open for another. Kordan, grinning, obliges.
    W AVES SPLASH AGAINST THE SHORE OF THE SANDSWEPT ISLAND. N O MORE THAN A LEAGUE AWAY, THE VAULTING BEAMS OF THE R AMPARTS RISE FROM THE SEA. T HE FIRST OF THE SIX C ONSTRUCTIONS, IT IS AN IMPENETRABLE BARRIER DEMARCATING THEIR EASTERN BOUNDARY FROM THE E ATERS.
    A FALCON PERCHED ON S TOWE’S TERRA-COTTA SHOULDER WHISPERS, “B EGIN THE PROCESS NOW. ”
    S TOWE FINDS THE TONE AND NURTURES IT LIKE A TINY FLAME, LETTING IT RISE AND BUILD INSIDE HER, DIRECTING THE VIBRATION. A TERRIBLE PAIN STABS INTO THE SOLES OF HER FEET AS DIAMOND ERUPTS OVER THEIR SURFACE. S HE CRIES OUT, AND THE TRANSFORMATION STOPS.
    T HE VULTURE LOOMS OVER HER. “T HERE, YOU SEE! I T IS BEYOND HER ABILITY,” SNEERS K ORDAN.
    W ILLUM, THE FALCON, GENTLY ENCOURAGES HER. “J UST A LITTLE AT A TIME. M AKE THE PAIN SERVE YOU. F ORCE IT TO DRIVE THE CHANGE. ”
    S HE RETRIEVES THE TONE AND RECALIBRATES HER ANKLES, HER CALVES, HER KNEES TO ITS RESONANCE. B ENDING HER LEFT LEG SLIGHTLY, AN EXPLOSION OF PAIN SENDS HER REELING TO THE SAND.
    â€œR IDICULOUS !” MUTTERS THE VULTURE, BLACK EYES MOCKING.
    B UT THE FALCON’S CLAWS, STEADY ON S TOWE’S SHOULDER, REMIND HER TO SWALLOW THE PAIN, USE IT AS