The Khot Connection

Chapter 8 of Alternities

Montfort Abbey

Immediately on arrival at Montfort, Sylea opted to teleport directly to the floating city over the Cloudsea. She could return at any time, but hadn't stated such intent. Six people gathered in the sorcery office above the outfitting arena. Old Master Baltus, who looked like a nosferatu, was on hand in the cluttered space, but yielded the small study table to Team Dan and the Montfort administrator, Sisra. The wizardress had risen from scullery maid to the mightiest in the land, having by sheer force of will created the required brain structure needed for magic. She still remained as wizardress of Team Hathor, though not having as much time for missions these days. Dan sought her expert counsel because she had actually been to the Cloudsea. He hoped Kara returned from Earth in time to join the effort; she needed to update friends there, friends who were sworn to secrecy about Outworld's existence.

Sisra had tamed her abundant black curls, now wore a more businesslike shoulder-length style, and preferred a black dress to portray authority. She spread a map on the table, touched her nose to avoid a sneeze. The space was quite dusty owing to being surrounded on all sides by books. The usual sorcerer's paraphernalia buttressed these on shelves: black candles, deformed skulls from the maze far beneath the castle, various crystal talismans. The Dans were less interested in the map than in hearing her recount the mission.

Sisra sat back in the decoratively-carved chair. "Very well, as it might bring up things you need to know. You recall how the Fringians had reassembled a demon portal on the west coast. The super-wizardress Elvira, who discovered my magic link, summoned a dragon elemental to attack it. I rode along, since I was already involved in a feint from the north, and needed a way out. Well, rather than attack through all the defenses, Elvira merely flew right into the portal ring, and attacked it from the other side—the demon plane."

Zena rubbed shoulders as if cold. "I remember how you described that place. You had to fly out fast, before the demon lords caught you there. There's a gateway that enters the bottom of the Cloudsea. Once the dragon brought you out, Elvira left you at the floating city, since it has a teleport. She hasn't been seen since."

Fond memories seemed to flood over Sisra. "She's very mercurial. I must tell you the tragic story of how she came to be." She shook her head to clear such thoughts. "It wasn't hard to fly up through all the floating octoids. They not only have stingers, but energy rings directed from their domes that can stun you. Then they like to settle on you and use sharp beaks like an octopus has. Not a fun way to go."

Dan used a wood pointer at the edge of the floating city. "Obviously we can't use glider suits to go down there, since it's too foggy to see. I understand it's like an undersea cavern, with sloped sides having ledges. The flying ship is resting on one of them."

Sisra nodded. "We saw it, but were in no position to explore it. All of us, including the dragon, were suffering from the poisonous air of the demon plane. We needed to reach fresh air, and it's in short supply in the Cloudsea. It smells like a hot, cloying laundry house."

"Then how do we get down there?" Bonnie asked. "And back out again?"

"Got it covered," Dan said. "We can get back with my canister—we'll just need Kara again to fly us down over Rotbone Island. But I'm open to ideas on how to get in."

Master Baltus suddenly hovered behind Sisra. "Historically, they rappelled down from the badlands. But getting to the shore of the Cloudsea entails getting down from the floating city. The Red Claws frown on casual use of emergency glider suits. Perhaps they will make allowance for Team Dan." He kept his gangly hands tucked into the sleeves of the black robes.

Sisra smiled up at him. During her initial induction to the academy, she had yet to even cast a simple animus, or spell precursor. His advice had been invaluable. That glorious event happened one cold morning upon getting out of bed. The team sorceress, Orchid, had joined her on the carpet for an intense last-ditch session. Sisra had belatedly achieved a faint blue glow about her fingers. There followed a spirited shopping trip to the trading post for weapons and outfits, financed by an amused rich mercenary. "It isn't an easy task. Some have fallen to their deaths on the slippery edge. The first thing you'll want is a very long rope."

"How about backup?" Ed asked. "I know it's asking a lot, but—"

"But," Zena said, "especially after our bonehead trip to the Tower of Sorcery!"

"Boogity," Pete said, pointing to her in agreement.

Dan watched with his usual slit-eyed way. "I remind you, we need some capital. That villa rent isn't cheap, and Master Oro isn't about to sell it to us."

Sisra was thoughtful for a moment. "Of course Team Hathor will be delighted to stand by at the floating city. It may even be possible to accompany you a short way down, and establish an upper-level base. The ship is halfway down, so you can use it to shelter against the octoids. I don't know what threats may be inside, though, or if it will even fly."

"Then we're on." Dan smacked the table. "If nothing else, I'm gonna find some kind of swag, even if I have to pry off part of the ship."

Bonnie, the team's bookworm, remembered some of her research. "Speaking of Elvira, she started out with Team Ullor. There was the time they got trapped down on sub-level nine, and she did something really desperate to escape. It's still talked about today."

"What's this?" Pete had hands behind his head, letting the others strain their brains.

Master Baltus nodded with a display of mangled teeth, furthering his nosferatu look. "Make it back alive, and we shall have a special reading of the history books. The tavern goers over at the Commons so love a good yarn." He referred to the fenced-off tavern where visitors could cheer on their favorite teams as they outfitted for a maze mission.

"Done!" Dan chuckled. "And so we get ourselves in another fine mess!"

Metropolis

In Perry's office, Kara was on the phone with her mom, assuring her that no real danger had presented, while leaving out details—like a fight with a vampire lord gargoyle. Lois waited patiently for the good word: would she be going back with Kara or not? She even had an outfit appropriate for the description Kara had furnished about island fashion.

Perry leaded forward behind the desk, practically pulling out hair. "It's too fantastic for words. Dimensional portals; vampires, floating cities . . . Supergirl, you must let us go public with some of this at least."

Kara had since hung up. "You said it yourself, Perry—the public would have you committed."

Clark and Jimmy were having an early lunch on the sofa. The food vendor tarried with his cart and its coffee urn, hoping for some last minute sales. He got one, as Lois treated herself to danish and coffee. Clark had said in private that he was averse to the risk for Lois, but even Superman wasn't going to stand in the way of a determined woman. "I'd tag along, Kara, but Perry needs someone to write articles."

"Well, I like that," Lois said. "As if I'm lollygagging around on paradise island. I'll be hard at work, too, because I intend to write down everything! If anyone finds it, they'll just think it's notes for a fantasy novel."

Jimmy was halfway through his Reuben. "Jeepers, Miss Lane, that's a great idea! You could be a famous novelist!"

"And meanwhile," Perry groused, "here on planet Earth, the rest of us carry on our dull lives putting out a newspaper." He noted the curious looks. "Don't think I want to go—not on your life! I'll keep my feet on terra firma instead of a cloud sea or disappearing floors in sorcery towers! Great Caesar's ghost!" He scowled at all the laughs that earned him.