Trillian views Earth

  “Connect me to Violet’s power,” Trillian said. “I’m impressed you learned to reach for the nexus. I could have taught you, but you realized on your own.”

  “The nexus is the center?” Cole asked.

  “Yes,” Trillian said.

  “Can I reach your nexus?” Cole asked.

  “I created a nexus in this version of me,” Trillian said, placing a hand over his heart. “It will suffice.”

  Cole connected to Violet with no problem. Finding the center of the power in Trillian was not complicated either. It didn’t feel like the immeasurable ocean of power inside Ramarro. It had boundaries.

  “Ramarro felt different,” Cole said.

  “You met Ramarro in person,” Trillian said. “This is a limited version of myself, designed to interact with you.”

  Cole connected Violet to Trillian.

  A huge, round wayport opened, the edges hazy.

  “I need to send someone through the Pilgrim Path,” Trillian said. “Not you or Violet—you would not be able to return. But if a servant connected to my power goes through, I should be able to feel exactly how going to Earth would affect my power. Any objections?”

  “You servant would be stuck there?” Cole asked.

  “Cut off from me and from this realm,” Trillian said. “That is the nature of the Pilgrim Path.”

  Cole supposed that going to Earth would be better than staying Trillian’s servant. “Do it.”

  A man appeared on the beach. He was tall and muscular, with a closely trimmed brown beard that followed his jawline.

  “Fenrel, I need you to venture to another world,” Trillian said. “A world without shaping. You will not be able to return. But your adventure will provide information that I need.”

  “You are releasing me from your service?” Fenrel asked, unexcited.

  “This great and useful deed will end your service to me, yes,” Trillian said. “You will build a new life in a world full of opportunities and conveniences. I trust you will do well.”

  Fenrel bowed. “It has been an honor.”

  “Farewell, Fenrel,” Trillian said.

  Fenrel stepped into the wayport. Unlike other wayports, he did not immediately vanish. He proceeded down it like a tunnel until he faded from view.

  Trillian turned to Cole. “We are in what you would consider a dream state. The actual path I opened was on the Red Road. Fenrel’s actual body passed into it there. I have lost all contact with him, but not before I got the briefest of glimpses. Your world would utterly strip a torivor of his powers. My only question is whether a torivor would survive.”

  “You’re sure?” Cole asked.

  The Pilgrim Path closed.

  “Ramarro would be rendered powerless by going to Earth,” Trillian said. “As would I. No doubt.”

Chapter 28