Gathering Storm (The Salvation of Tempestria Book 2), Gary Stringer [classic children's novels .TXT] 📗

that probably wasn’t his fault in the first place. Then he comes in here and takes a chunk out of himself, his training centre or, in this case, both.”

Cat nodded, pensively. “He told me he doesn’t like to think of himself as a hero, but it’s a bit difficult to avoid labelling him that way when he plays the part so well.”

“This fight you’re preparing for on your world, fighting this Kullos bloke. It’s a pretty big deal, right?”

“We think Daelen’s going to save our world, or possibly destroy it, or both,” Mandalee replied. “The jury’s still out, as you say here.”

“Hey, you’re getting pretty good at those,” Jessica grinned, then she grew serious. “Anyway, yeah, I get that. Really, I do, but I think it’s more than that this time. I reckon, this time, he’s not planning on coming back. Sara says not to worry, that I’m imagining it, but I don’t think I am. He hasn’t said anything – he wouldn’t – but I’ve noticed things. Little things.”

“Like what?” Cat asked.

“Well, like throwing us together, for a start. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s great having you here, like proper mates. Sara’s not looked that shade of purple for years.” She broke off and explained that basically meant she was looking healthy and happy. “Look, all I’m saying is, I think Daelen’s thinking about what we’re gonna do if he’s not around anymore.”

“Well, whether that’s true or not,” Mandalee reassured, “you and your sister are welcome on Tempestria anytime.”

“Definitely,” Cat agreed. “You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I was hoping you’d say that. Cheers, loves. You go sort out Kullos, and me and my sister are coming over for a visit. For sure.”

As they were speaking, they heard the sound of a trolley being wheeled down the corridor, getting closer. From the doorway, Sara called out for Cat to smooth out the floor where the doorway used to be, so she could get the trolley in and out. Cat obliged her.

“Your voices were drifting down the corridor,” Sara told Cat. “and I think you should know, there’s another thing that drives Daelen to do this, from time to time. I think he’s pining for his lost loves.”

“Loves?” Cat asked. “Plural?”

“He slipped up once,” Sara nodded. “Tried to cover it up quickly, but I wasn’t convinced. No idea who the other one was, but I do know he loved Rose with all his heart, and I think your research into your staff in the library the other day brought it all back.”

“Thought so,” Cat grimaced. “If I’d known where it was going to lead, I would have found another way.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” Sara admonished her as she and the others lifted Daelen onto the trolley. “It would have happened sooner or later, anyway. Especially since you remind him of her so much.”

“I know,” Cat sighed. “Still, it’s pretty tough, competing with a ghost,” she remarked, dryly. Three pairs of wide eyes turned towards her, and a blushing druidess, realising what she’d said, tried to cover it. “That is, I would be competing with a ghost if I had any intention of returning his feelings, which I don’t, which is fine since his feelings aren’t really directed at me at all, but that other girl, not that it bothers me, you understand, I mean…” she trailed off. “I’m really not convincing anybody, am I?”

Three heads shook as one.

“Fair enough.”

They began wheeling the trolley, continuing their conversation.

“Thing is, you’re wrong,” Sara insisted. “He does love you, not just the memory of Rose. Believe it or not, I think what Daelen did today was his idea of therapy. Trying to get over Rose finally, after so long, so he can focus on his feelings for you without them being tainted. I think he was trying to finally bury his lost love deep underground. Underneath his training centre.”

Abruptly, Cat stopped wheeling. “What did you say?” she gasped.

“I just said—”

“—No!” she cried quickly, holding up a restraining hand. “That was just rhetorical. Now is really not the time for another one of those, thank you.”

“Another one of—” Sara began, confused.

Jessica whispered something in her sister’s ear and Sara’s eyes widened.

“Oh!” she gasped, understanding. “Another one of those.”

“What are you planning, Cat?” Mandalee asked.

Catriona grinned. “Well, you know me. I’m always one for study, brain over brawn, and all that. Sometimes, though, I will admit there’s something to be said for Daelen’s brute force.”

Mandalee shook her head, not getting it. “Not with you,” she admitted. Then with a wry smile, she added, “No change there, then.”

“‘The Red Cat and Twin Tiger gangs have to unite’ and ‘go back to Training School,’” she paraphrased from The Assassin Peacemaker. “I have to use my druid magic but also use Daelen’s approach of brute force and power. Not careful, controlled shaping like I’d normally do, but really rip the place apart like he would,” Cat explained. “And in case that’s too cryptic for you, the dedication gives it to me straight: ‘Dig deep in your training, and you will find the keys to success.’ Literally, dig deep underneath the training centre, and I’ll find something I need. You three sort out Daelen. I think this house needs a new garden.”

Explaining no further, she shifted to her falcon form and flew back to Daelen’s training centre.

Reverting to her natural form, she stepped inside and stood in the middle of the training centre. Along one wall, there lay some technology: monitoring equipment, security systems, lighting.

Facing that wall, she remarked, “That lot can go for a start.”

Holding out a hand, she called for her staff, which obediently appeared out of her pocket dimension. She was less reticent about using the staff to focus her magic, now that she’d realised the staff itself and the power within it were entirely separate. She pointed it at the electronic mechanism and spoke a word of magic. The crystal flared as it sent forth a bolt of lightning, shorting out the wiring and circuitry. Her next