CHAPTER 16

SAIRA RELEASED that timeline and continued following the strand further backward. When she finally found the one intersecting Constance's, she switched strands and followed it forward until it again intersected with Sabnock. From there, she traced the historian's essence to the barrier protecting the Great Beyond. Two small golden orbs blocked her path.

"You don't belong here, traveler," one of them said, gently.

"I'm searching for someone," Saira replied, hunting for the strand that would lead her past them.

"We don't live in your time. You won't find who you seek here."

"Maybe not, but are you so sure? There are always strands or remnants of them lying around. It's only a matter of time before I find what I'm looking for."

The orbs flickered as if suddenly nervous and then vanished.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Saira examined the strand she had followed. After close scrutiny, she noticed it tapered slightly when it neared the barrier until it seemed to disappear. The Traveler suspected it was an illusion. If the thread ended at the barrier, it would hang loose instead of being stretched so tightly. The question now was did she really want to see where it led. The two orbs reappeared before she had an answer.

"You can't cross over. It's forbidden."

"Forbidden by whom? I don't want to enter your world, but I must locate the owner of this strand. If it means breaking your rules, then sobeit. I'm not bound by that which lies beyond your wall."

"You don't understand. Once you pass through the barrier, you can't return."

"So you say. It obviously isn't stopping you," Saira reasoned.

"We are the guardians. We're allowed to go where we want, when we want."

"Are you saying the others don't have a choice?"

"Of course they do. This isn't a prison. Those who come here may leave after their initial transition or they can stay of their own free will."

"Good. Then I see no reason why I can't enter, find the historian and return here with her if she wants."

One orb sighed. Saira smiled at the very human response.

"You don't belong here. The historian does. Please just go away," it pleaded.

"I will, but only if you tell her I need to see her. If she refuses to talk to me, then I'll leave."

One of the orbs disappeared and was immediately replaced by another. Saira was surprised that she could see a difference, but then realized that they were as individual as the essence they held.

"What do you want, traveler?" the newest orb demanded.

"You are Constance?"

"I am."

"I've traveled a great distance to speak to you. Dis asked me to find you."

"Dis? The Underlord? Why?"

"Apparently he's concerned about one of his subjects. A demon named Sabnock."

The orb's light began to shimmer. Saira recognized the reaction now as agitation.

"What about her? Is she well?"

"No. She has been hunting for you. She even threatened Dis because she thought he was holding you hostage to force her to rejoin his legions."

Constance laughed.

"That's definitely Sabnock. She isn't afraid of anything, an endearing flaw in her, I have to admit."

"True, and it will lead to her destruction unless you stop her. If she discovers where you've gone, she'll find her way here."

"She can't! No one comes here unless it's their time and even then..." Constance exclaimed, but didn't sound very convincing. Although she would have chosen life in the Underworld if it meant being with Sabnock, she was in transition and not yet allowed to choose where she would spend eternity. The reasons weren't quite clear but had something to do with the life she had led. The Great Beyond was for those who were neither exemplary nor extremely bad. Only the Chosen were allowed entry. With great sadness, she had accepted her fate and adjusted to her new existence. Transitions took a long time due to the unusual adjustments the individual had to make to adapt to their new life. Occasionally one of the inhabitants would leave, but very few journeyed beyond the barriers of the Great Beyond... unless the situation was extremely dire.

"I'm not so sure. Her love for you drives her beyond reason. She's not one to give up, once she makes up her mind about something. That's what made her such a powerful leader in the Underlord's Legions."

"And the strength of her convictions."

Constance knew she had to stop the demon from tracking her to the barrier. If she found it, she would do her best to force her way in and possibly be destroyed. The rules of the Great Beyond did not allow for exceptions.

"Take me to her."

"Now?" Saira asked, surprised.

"If you have the time."

"That's all I do have," the apparition replied. "How do we do this?"

"Hold out your hand."

Doing as she was told, Saira was surprised when the orb rested gently on her palm.

"Now, close your fingers, but don't squeeze. These vessels are delicate."

"What happens if it breaks?"

"I don't know. It's never happened before. I'm not too anxious to find out, though."

"Me neither."

The trip to the present was instantaneous.