Maia and the Xifarian Conspiracy (The Lightbound Saga Book 1) by S. G. Basu Page B

from an ancient past, an abode that was not to be disturbed by the presence of ordinary mortals. Such was Herc’s veneration of the legends that, in spite of Maia’s persistent begging to see the Troughs ever since they had moved to Appian, he steadfastly avoided the area. That was one benefit of going to Xif, Maia thought, in that she would finally be able to see the Troughs.
    The sun was barely up when they reached the pockmarked fields. The pale light made the damp green of the moss look velveteen. There was an ethereal feel to the scene that stretched before them, and a wave of respect swept through Maia at the sight of the countless, perfectly-formed circles that surrounded them. Herc pointed toward the southeastern corner. In the distance where the green expanse disappeared in a shroud of rising mist, something shimmered. Squinting hard, Maia detected the glistening surface of a glass orb that hunkered in one of the depressions; it looked oddly comfortable in the eerie landscape. Maia wondered why the Xifarians chose this particular place. Was it because of its quiet and secluded location, or a deliberate disregard for the beliefs of the Solianese?
    “There’s no road to there, miss,” Herc whispered.
    “Maybe we should walk across the field?”
    “Walk ’cross the Troughs?” Herc exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief at the absurdity of the idea.
    “Yes, Herc,” Maia replied. She did not have the luxury of choice; she had to cross the grounds whether she liked it or not. “Why don’t you wait here while I go and take a peek?”
    “No, I’m comin’ with yeh,” Herc replied in haste.
    Soon Herc had stationed the carriage at the side of the road. Maia stopped to pat the horses good-bye. Bander whinnied softly and pressed his muzzle against Maia’s palm while the shy Jolt simply shook his head and stared with doleful eyes. Maia suppressed another sigh as she stepped onto the mossy fields with Herc. The ground was soft and wet, and by the time Maia reached the vicinity of the orb, her toes tickled from the moisture that had soaked through her shoes.
    The sphere that looked small from the distance was actually large enough to hold an entire house. Silvery bands encircled its body in a tight mesh; a small flight of stairs ran upwards into its belly. Maia had only taken a few hesitant steps toward the small white tent that stood next to the orb when a person emerged from it and strode toward them. He wore a dotted white smock with very short sleeves and drummed his thick, stubby fingers incessantly while studying Maia.
    “You want?” he spoke in a high-pitched tone and eyed Herc suspiciously, who glared back at him with equal distrust.
    “We . . . I was asked to come here for my passage to Xif,” Maia explained.
    “Pass-key?” he inquired curtly, pulling a pronged rod out of his robe.
    “Pass-key . . . yes,” Maia reached into her coat for the cube Dada had given her and held it out for him.
    The small piece of metal came to life as soon as she opened her palm. For a brief moment it shuddered, then gave out a low whine and sped off her outstretched hand toward the pronged rod, which now glowed with a peculiar green light. As Maia and Herc continued to stare in amazement, the pass-key suspended itself in the space between the luminous prongs, gradually assuming a similar green sheen, all the while spinning in an intricate motion. Then it started to morph, slowly, until it flattened itself into a transparent oval plate. Maia stumbled backward in surprise when the plate flew back and attached itself to the lapel of her coat. V87243M was etched on it, which Maia assumed was some form of identification.
    “You shall keep apparel on you until you receive regulation uniform. Now, enter Holding Pod and wait. We take off momentarily.”
    “I’ll get her belongin’s from the carriage.” Herc turned, heading back toward the road where the wagon was parked.
    “Halt! No personal belongings other than