When the snowflakes settled, a wall of ice ran the length of the bunker and beyond. Meladee’s tower rose from the snowy landscape, and inside were buried organic and synthetic thralls. Limbs poked out, and faces stared. From the ground, frost covered tentacles sprouted. The battlefield looked like a winter scene, complete with towering castle and leafless trees. The bodies of Lurriens past littered the land.

Camellia thought she might see it in her dreams.

While Rooks’ people cleaned the battlefield and handed out medicine, Camellia headed for the bunker. She found Commander Rooks already there. The Commander nodded at Camellia and knocked on the bunker door. No sound came from within, and the bunker remained locked.

“Who’s in there?” Camellia asked.

“Alim, two assistant scientists, and tons of repair bots.”

Camellia wondered if an android snunk inside and held their people hostage. Or, maybe, the robots had malfunctioned, and Alim and the others were not okay.

Rooks called to the people inside. “All clear. Open up.”

Nothing.

Camellia and Rooks exchanged a look. Camellia opened her mouth to share her anxieties.

The door banged, and the lock spun. Rooks jumped. The Commander looked a bit sheepish, but Camellia had jumped too.

Alim pushed the door ajar, and hundreds of toys and repair bots peered around him.

Alim gazed at the destruction, and his eyes narrowed. “All the specimens, they’re...destroyed. How are we supposed to get more out of that?” Alim gestured to the tower of ice.

Rooks stiffened. “Right now, I need you to treat our people. The ones who just fought to save your life and hold our position.” Rooks gestured for Alim to get to work.

Alim cast his eyes down and exited the bunker. He headed in the direction Rooks pointed. Camellia looked after him and gasped. Several bodies lay under blankets. Alim arrived at the row of former comrades and lifted one sheet. He dropped the sheet and passed the dead by.

“People have already died?” Camellia asked. She didn’t see how that could be. She, Eva, and Meladee made it through alive, and they were only three.

Rooks gave Camellia a sad look. “Yes, we’ve lost people. Many more are injured. From what I understand, we all risk infection at this point.”

Camellia wondered if she knew anyone among the lost. She probably did. But, she wouldn’t be the one to truly mourn them. That job belonged to the people they’d left home, whether those people resided in Iruedim or Girandola.

Camellia imagined an Iruedian family receiving the news that Ul’thetos had killed their lost family member. The families in Girandola would never know. Maybe, they already counted the Lurrien colonists as dead. Camellia didn’t know which was worse: knowing or not.

Rooks touched Camellia’s arm. “Anyone who is not capable of fighting will journey to the beach for a quarantine period. New troops have already landed, and they will serve as replacements.”

Camellia got the impression that some of those words were directed at her, but she turned to find a large group gathered. It included her friends and the rest of their specialists.

Rooks looked at the Ferrans. “I know you’re our bomb experts, but I’m sending you to the beach.”

Inez stepped forward. “We handled ourselves well, and without our spells, you would have lost.” Inez glared at Eder and whacked him on the arm to back her up.

“I wouldn’t mind going to the beach,” Eder admitted.

Inez gaped.

“No, no.” Meladee wagged her finger. “We need them. You don’t win fights like these with one mage.”

“It’s true. I don’t really know how to use mages…yet,” Rooks said. “But, there has to be a better way than sending children into battle.”

“They’re not kids!” Meladee objected. “In Tagtrum, once you turn twelve, you’re an adult. They’re like twenty. They’re here. They’re going to work.”

“How old are you really?” Rooks asked.

“Late teens,” Eder answered.

Inez scowled.

Rooks shook her head. “Where I’m from, that’s a cadet. You’re kids.”

Inez growled, “What if something happens to the bombs, and they need repairs? You need us to do those repairs.”

Meladee jabbed a finger in Inez’s direction. “She’s right. I can’t fix the bombs.”

“We have the bombs in sealed containers.” Rooks waved at the little repair bots that had carried the bombs away.

Once the fighting ended, she’d called them back, and now, the confused bots wheeled on treads towards Rooks’ impromptu council. Each clutched a large crate.

Camellia was torn. She thought they needed mages, but she also saw the Ferrans as young.

Eva spoke with calm. “You need three mages. The soldier mages will not be enough. I never dreamed that Ul’thetos had so many automatons left, and I am convinced that magic will be a deciding factor in this mission.” Depending on each Ferran’s point of view, Eva either spoke in their defense or persecution.

Rooks frowned. “For now, they stay. Meladee, you need to look after them.” Rooks gave Meladee no chance to answer. She turned her attention to the archaeologists. “As for you three, I really only need two of you on this mission. One of you should return to the ship. Since Adalhard has some military experience, Cernunnos will return.”

“I beg your pardon!” Cernunnos gestured at Camellia and gave her a sorry look. “If any of us should return, Camellia is the more obvious choice.”

Camellia’s eyes widened. What was he thinking? Camellia expected that kind of remark from Adalhard, but Cernunnos? No, he should be on her side. Camellia burned with indignation. She wouldn’t take this from Adalhard. She wouldn’t take it from Cernunnos.

Fortunately, Rooks agreed. The Commander shook her head. “I need her to communicate with the creature. She’s the only one who can do so with some degree of safety. Speaking of which, Camellia, prepare to give our friend a call. Come up with a couple puzzles for distractions if you think it will help.”

Camellia nodded, glad of Commander Rooks’ less emotional approach to her state of mind. If the Commander knew she kept the mirror, Rooks might side with Cernunnos. Camellia felt a touch of shame, but regarding that mirror, she would do right. She’d turn it in. Before then, she would do right by Commander Rooks.

“I cannot believe you’re sending me away. I am the most experienced archaeologist here.” Cernunnos crossed his arms.

“Prepare Adalhard and Camellia because we won’t risk all three of you. I don’t need to toy with the lives of three scholars.” Rooks waved for Camellia and Eva to follow her.

Adalhard stepped forward. “If I may...I think we should keep Cernunnos with us. He’s right. He has a great deal of experience. I also think you should have an archaeologist with you at all times, and we already plan to split up. Two of us should scout. That would leave you with one.” Adalhard gestured at himself, Camellia, and Cernunnos. “Besides, none of us are injured.”

Rooks sighed and grumbled, “Not another one.”

Camellia doubted anyone else heard the complaint.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Rooks turned away and over her shoulder, called, “Alright. Stay with us. But, if things become more dangerous, one or more of you will have to go.”

Again, the Commander waved to Camellia and Eva. They followed. Meladee joined the group on her own initiative.

They gained some distance and stood away from the force.

Rooks instructed Camellia, “Give Eva your handkerchief, and talk to the creature.” She glanced at Meladee but did not object to the mage’s presence. “The damn thing already knows where we are. I want to have some idea of what it plans to do next. Because we are not walking in there when it could move its body and squash us all.”

Camellia nodded. “I may accidentally let it know where we’re going.”

“I know, but lucky for us, we don’t know where we’re going. I want to know what that creature is thinking. Take the risk and contact it.”

Camellia handed her handkerchief to Eva and stepped away from the group.

Hello? She called.

She expected to wait, but a telepathic rumble began immediately.

So, this is the way it’s going to be? You’re going to help them kill all my converters.

Sorry, we don’t want to be converted, Camellia said. What do you plan to do next?

In hindsight, Camellia wondered if she could have been clever. She had to have a better idea than asking Ul’thetos to divulge all its plans. Either way, Ul’thetos could probably just peek inside her mind and find out what she wanted. Might as well save some time – and some sanity.

Ul’thetos gave her only silence, but she could feel it hovering on the edge of her mind, like a hundred snakes slithering in the dark.

Camellia tried again. Are you going to...move yourself? We don’t want to be squashed.

SPLAT! Ul’thetos sent Camellia an almost comical sound coupled with an image of their entire mission, squashed like bugs, looking like splatters on the ground. No, it growled. I need you. Convert.

Ul’thetos showed Camellia its thinning ranks, thinner now that they had reduced the number of thralls. In her mind’s eye, Camellia saw the sun travel through the sky, over and over, as Ul’thetos illustrated a series of days. Thralls left the fleshy tendrils and roamed the land, temporarily free of their duties. She understood. Ul’thetos would thrive during the summer but needed more caregivers come winter.

So, you won’t grab us? Camellia asked.

No delicate, puzzle maker. You are much too delicate for that.

Camellia only half believed the creature. She knew they could hide from Ul’thetos. As long as they stayed out of sight, with their handkerchiefs, Ul’thetos could not see them.

Yet, if Ul’thetos wanted to stomp on them, it didn’t need to know their whereabouts. It could just move around and drop itself randomly.

It needed thralls, and it was sick. But, desperation could be a powerful motivator and a force against logic.

Camellia sighed. She needed something to tempt Ul’thetos from moving – something to convince Ul’thetos to stay put.

And, I know just the thing…

Listen, Camellia called into the silence. We’re coming to visit to you. Stay put and don’t attack us.

Visit me? I haven’t had visitors in centuries. Ul’thetos sorted through its previous visitors, all viewed through the walls of a glass box. You won’t hide from me like those cowards, will you?

I don’t imagine we’ll be able to. Camellia studied the memory of the box, but Ul’thetos yanked it away.

I stay put. Ul’thetos conceded.

Camellia grasped a faint tremor of relief.

I will still attack you. Here is my puzzle. Find me before I absorb you.

Camellia saw an image of herself sinking into the flesh with a smile on her face. The creature’s large grin overlaid the image like a shadow.

I will attack and capture you, but I will use automatons alone. The rest of me will be as sedentary as the landscape. I promise.

Discomfort crept over Camellia’s skin, not because the promise seemed empty but because this game pleased Ul’thetos more than anything Camellia had yet done.

Camellia ventured a question, What happens if I win?

I absorb you.

The little reel replayed, and Camellia watched herself sink into the creature again.

So, I get the same thing either way. Why not just let us come close?

WE WILL PLAY, Ulthetos’ voice boomed. I solved your puzzles.

With that statement, Camellia had the distinct impression that Ul’thetos spoke with many voices, and those voices rattled on in several unknown languages.

I made those puzzles for your entertainment... she began to object.

PLAY MY GAME.

Alright, alright. We will play, Camellia thought.

The voices whispered all around her; one sounded distinctly like Cahir.

Camellia waved a hand for her handkerchief. Goodbye for now.

With the cloth in hand, the whispers ceased.

Camellia and Eva returned to Rooks and Meladee.

“So, what’d it say?” Meladee asked.

“Ul’thetos has agreed to remain sedentary. However, we will be attacked.” Camellia fingered her handkerchief, preparing to stow it back in her bodice. “I made a bargain. We visit Ul’thetos, and Ul’thetos won’t move. It’s something like a game. Find Ul’thetos before it can kill or capture us.”

“You trust it?” Rooks asked. “Be sure.”

Camellia thought for a moment. She had no doubt that Ul’thetos wanted to play this game. It seemed, however, that Rooks looked for assurance that their path forward would be somewhat safer because of the deal. Camellia doubted that.

She nodded anyway. “Yes, we’re playing the game.”

“Okay, then that’s good news.” Rooks’ eyes roved over her crew. She seemed tired. “So, basically, you made a bargain to do exactly what we planned to do before? Minus some dangers.”

“Yes,” Camellia agreed. “I have to give Ul’thetos some of the credit though. It was eager to play.”

“Very original of this monster.” Rooks shook her head.

“Great.” Meladee threw her hands up. “That thing is going to throw everything it has at us.”

Camellia frowned. Aloud, she neglected to agree. Technically, Ul’thetos wasn’t going to throw itself at them. That was something.

Though night fell, the camp bustled as everyone prepared to split into their teams.

Camellia’s team consisted of Benham, Adalhard, Eva, Sten, and four men. Their team planned to press forward to find Ul’thetos’ head.

Rooks and most of her men secured the shuttles and bunker. Three volunteers would remain at the base; the leftover eighteen would follow Rooks and her team of Alim, Cernunnos, and the three mages. Every android agreed to follow Rooks as well.

Rooks needed to wait for her reinforcements and send injured to Faustina’s base. Due to the dangers of their current location, she planned to meet the reinforcements halfway. The bunker should seem deserted.

While preparations buzzed around them, Camellia and Cernunnos stood at the center, saying goodbye.

“I can’t believe you tried to get me sent to the beach,” Camellia hissed.

Cernunnos shrugged. “I’m sorry. Not my most shining moment. I’m very sorry.” He offered his hand in apology.

She batted it aside. “You tried to make me look incompetent in front of this entire mission. What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking I really wanted to stay, and I knew I couldn’t get Adalhard out.” Cernunnos sighed. “Camellia, I’m very sorry. That was out of line. I didn’t think.”

Camellia turned her back on him.

“Please, let’s not part like this.” Cernunnos put a hand on her shoulder. “Please. If it makes you feel any better, I think my outburst colored their opinions of me more than you.”

Camellia faced him. “You’re supposed to be better than…him.”

For a long while, she’d thought of Cernunnos as an imperfect but improved alternative to Viorel, her father. From her teenage years, she accepted Cernunnos as a father figure, a male role model. Yet, she never told him.

“Him?” Cernunnos frowned and narrowed his eyes. He glanced around and spotted Adalhard. “You mean Adalhard? I can’t be better than him. The man is a pinnacle of moral...”

Camellia cut him off, “I’ve been meaning to ask you. What did you say to him? Did you show him what I wrote to you? If you convinced him to pursue me or show interest, it certainly seems to have worked.”

“Great!”

Camellia sighed. “So, you did? You convinced him?”

“I convinced him of nothing but his own feelings,” Cernunnos denied.

Camellia shook her head. “I cannot believe you.”

“Camellia, he’s always liked you. He just mistook your...state of mind for disinterest. Then, he had some weird idea that you should be left to heal or what not.” Cernunnos tried to catch her eyes. He bent to reach her level. “Look, at me.”

Camellia looked up.

Cernunnos continued, “You and Adalhard are just right for each other. I’ve always thought that. Don’t second guess it.”

Camellia exhaled. “You have not always thought that. Why can’t you just let me...” Camellia paused. “...let me live and make my own mistakes?”

Cernunnos straightened. “I let you make plenty of those. I let you make a big one.” He gave her a stern look.

Camellia knew he referred to the Obsidian Mirror. She stared at him. “You have made plenty of mistakes yourself.”

“What I did – trying to get you kicked off the mission – that was wrong. Everything else before that, aside from my anthropological teachings – likely wrong too. But, talking to Adalhard, that overly cautious stone of a man, that was right.” Cernunnos put a hand on Camellia’s arm. “Why don’t you go ahead and let yourself live? Don’t think about how you got here. Just enjoy it.”

Camellia took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m going to take your advice. Maybe, it’s selfish to do so, but I don’t know.”

Cernunnos stared and gave her a short nod. “Good. We’ll both do a little better. Day by day.” Cernunnos pulled Camellia into a hug and squeezed her as hard as he could. “Now, be safe.”

I will, Camellia promised.

Peeeeeeep. Cernunnos suddenly let go. “What’s that?”

“Spring Peeper.” Camellia knelt and scooped up the little spring. “He’s just a toy. Can you take him with you?”

Cernunnos held out his hand. “He should have headed to the beach a long time ago.” Cernunnos’ hand remained steady, waiting for the toy.

Spring Peeper just stared.

“Go with him,” Camellia instructed.

Reluctantly, the toy hopped to Cernunnos’ palm.

Cernunnos tucked the Spring into his pocket and turned to go. “Northwest, but not too far.”

Camellia nodded.

Meladee and Benham also had a goodbye to say. Both stood by each other. Meladee kicked the dirt, and Benham leaned against the side of the bunker, opposite Ul’thetos’ limbs.

“I’ll miss you,” Meladee admitted.

“I’m really glad to hear to that. I’ll miss you too.” Benham glanced around at the men. “Should we just shake goodbye, or can I touch you more? I know this is public.”

Meladee looked at Rooks’ force. “We can do the...hug thing.”

Benham laughed and gave her a hug.

She warned him, “Don’t die.”

“I won’t. I’ve got Eva and Sten. And, I’m not stupid. I survived the Finial.” Benham stepped back.

“The Finial is nothing compared to this,” Meladee said.

“The Finial is just like this. It watches you. It tells you what you can do. It punishes you for misbehavior.” Benham started in the direction of the scouting team. “The only thing it doesn’t do is infect you. So, I’ve got one new element to deal with. I’ll be okay.”