Ilene thought of her flute, which Kaylya would not be able to replace, but said nothing. With a sense of relief she secretly touched Rahlys’ star stone stashed in her pocket. It was fortunate she always carried it with her.
There was a commotion at the entrance, and then Drak entered, probably after a silent invitation from Rojaire.
“I brought you some more colonists,” he boasted boisterously, burdened with a large pack. He was followed by Zaloka, Kiril’s chosen mother, and Wessid, his chosen father, also carrying packs. Kiril jumped out of his seat with alarm, the gasp from his throat masked by Kaylya’s startled reaction to the unexpected arrival of Kiril’s parents. Had they come to stop Kiril?
“Greetings, Provider Wessid and Ceramist Zaloka. How may I serve?” she asked wondering how to handle the new situation. Kiril may not have a chance to go with them after all.
“Relax, Kaylya; we are here to join you, not betray you,” Zaloka huffed. “I’m not letting my boneheaded son slip away without me in his life.”
“Greetings, Rojaire and Kaylya. It is my pleasure to serve,” Wessid said in the more traditional phrasing. “We have indeed decided to go rogue and join you, if you will have us.”
“Are you sure you have thought this through?” Rojaire asked gently.
“Don’t look so condescending, Rojaire,” Zaloka snapped at him. “We know you plan on sneaking out of here and we’re going with you. After all, you wouldn’t want us to reveal your plot.”
“Calm down, Zaloka,” Wessid said. “I don’t think threats are needed.”
“Welcome,” Rojaire beamed. Zaloka and Wessid would be great assets to the colony. “Of course we will have you join us,” he said placing a hand on Wessid’s shoulder. “You won’t regret your decision.”
Kiril couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. Did his parents really decide to walk out of their comfortable established lives to become rogues …sacrifice their status as Accepted Ones …for him? Suddenly he was overcome with love and gratitude and rushed to greet them in a warm embrace.
“Someone else is approaching,” Kaylya said before Zaloka and Wessid could even settle into the last two available carved dark wood seats.
What now? Probing gently with his mind Rojaire found Inventor Sulyan at their portal.
“Greetings, Inventor Sulyan,” Rojaire addressed him, puzzled by his presence, but inviting him to enter.
“Ah, yes, greetings,” the disheveled old inventor muttered, his back slightly hunched under the weight of a pack. Inventor Sulyan was seldom seen among the people and only Rojaire recognized him. The last encounter he had with Sulyan was when he and Theon visited his workshop and were given a compass and a star stone.
Sulyan’s thinning spiky red hair gave him a look of confusion as he gazed about at the gathering. Those gathered around the table gawked back. “So why are you gracing us with your presence, Inventor Sulyan? Is there something we can do for you?” Rojaire asked graciously.
“Oh, yes …,” he said as though trying to remember, “there is.” Another pause. Then he spoke with certainty. “I want to be a colonist.”
After Rojaire’s visit to Alaia Island, Captain Setas stayed busy. Her disdain for the High Council compelled her to give her support to Rojaire’s dream. She had her own plan of resistance. Without the support of the council, the colonists would be in need of provisions; provisions that she could easily supply. There would be risk to her if caught. Rojaire’s warning rang true, but she didn’t fear for herself.
In preparation, Setas filled every available vessel, sack, basket, and improvised container she could conceive of with dried fish, grains, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, roots both for consumption and planting, seeds, and even plant starts. The deck was also loaded with tools, household items, even some building materials that could be used to construct a crude shelter. All the provisions sat ready, neatly stacked and tightly secured on the deck of the ferry boat that would take them across the Golden Sea to Lavender Beach on the southwest coast of Lynnara.
Only small narrow catacombs of space remained for Rojaire’s few followers. Having done all she can to prepare, all that was left to do was wait.
Setas walked her island kingdom with an understandable sadness. Through centuries of Aaia’s revolutions around the sun, Setas’ hard work had transformed the little island into her very own paradise.
I had thought I would spend the end of my longevity here, an end long overdue, but apparently I have one adventure left. Let the High Council come after me if they wish; they will have to reach me first. We just have to make it a short distance beyond the bay to escape. Alaia Island can take care of itself.
That thought brought on a sense of urgency. Where was Rojaire? He should be here by now. As though summoned by her will, Rojaire and an amusing mismatch of characters appeared before her. Setas cackled with dry raspy laughter. “You call these colonist?”
“Greetings, Captain Setas…” Rojaire began, but he wasn’t given a chance to finish.
“You’re late!” Captain Setas croaked. “Get on the ferry before we have a visit by the High Council.” There were a few more bodies than Rojaire had indicated, but she would squeeze them in somehow.
Unwilling to argue, the colonists climbed on board. “What is all this?” Rojaire asked as they sought room to settle.
“Our survival,” Captain Setas replied, releasing the mooring, and engaging the crystal powered drive. By Seaa’s light reflecting luminously off the water she eased the cumbersome vessel out of the bay, slower than she would have liked, but the heavily laden deck gave her no choice. They were too low in the water to go fast. The ferry was leaving the protection of the bay and diving into a gently rolling sea when she detected a faint message from the High Council … which she decided to ignore. They were already beyond the range of teleportation and soon they would be beyond the range of telepathy. Alaia Island receded in the distance. Finally she took a deep tension-releasing breath.
“We made it,” Captain Setas chortled when Rojaire squeezed through covered mounds of cargo, dampened by sea spray, to reach her at the control pedestal.
“Are you sure?” he asked hopefully, watching the ferry’s long pointed prow pierce the rolling waves.
“Absolutely, at least until they can build a boat,” she chuckled.
There could be no doubt about it; Captain Setas had abandoned her island. The extent of her sacrifice nearly overwhelmed Rojaire.
“So tell me about my fellow colonists,” Captain Setas said after the pace and direction had become comfortable to maintain. “I see you’ve added a few since our last communication.”
“There were a few surprise last moment joiners. You didn’t leave much space for passengers,” Rojaire admonished her mildly. He couldn’t help but smile.
“You exceeded my expectations.” Setas’ raspy voice was barely audible above the low hum of the crystal-powered drive and the hiss of rushing water. “I thought new person Kiril was to be left behind.”
“He would not be denied. Also things have changed. Two of the new-comers are Kiril’s chosen parents, Zaloka and Wessid.”
“A rogue family…interesting. And Theon’s Earth daughter returns.”
“Yes, she hopes to see her father again.”
I hope to see her father again, too, Setas admitted only to herself. She lapsed into thoughtful silence, her reflections dancing with the starlight on the surface of the water. Could Theon still be alive?
“Who’s the big muscle woman?” Captain Setas eventually asked.
“Thayla is a warrior princess from Twaka; a friend of a friend. I have to admit I don’t really know much about her myself. Apparently every world produces its ratio of free spirits.”
“High credentials. Do you know more about the older, confused-looking fellow?”
“That’s Inventor Sulyan.”
“Inventor Sulyan!” she barked in surprise. Even Setas had heard of the eccentric recluse. She would have said more except for
the fact that she had also joined the group and was just as unlikely a colonist. “And the other fellow?”
“Drak is a furniture builder, hobbyist historian and cartographer, also from Kiril’s community.” Rojaire did not elaborate on the role one of Drak’s maps had already played in the project. There would be time for that after they landed in their new world.
After repeated refusals by Setas to let Rojaire relieve her at the controls, he slipped back through the cargo to rejoin Kaylya, Traevus, Kiril, Ilene, and Thayla in a protected pocket nearly enclosed by sacks, baskets, and crates of food from which everyone had already had their fill. Zaloka and Wessid had found their own little cubicle of space he was informed, and Drak and Sulyan must have done the same.
“At least we won’t go hungry right away,” Rojaire said biting into a crusty roll after settling in next to Kaylya.
“So Captain Setas is joining us?” Kaylya asked with a hand wave indicating all the freight.”
“Yes, for her own safety, she must.” Rojaire didn’t realize how exhausted he was until he allowed himself to relax.
“Do you think she can make the trip to the valley?”
“Theon made it. Captain Setas is as tough as Theon.”
Kaylya didn’t get a chance to ask another question. With a piece of uneaten bread in his hand, Rojaire fell asleep. Feeling tension and stress ease now they were safely out of the High Council’s reach, Kaylya cuddled up next to him. Through the remainder of the period of darkness and into the dawn of a new day Rojaire and Kaylya slept a dreamless sleep.
Groggily Kaylya opened her eyes to a new period of light. Beside her Rojaire slept still. The ferry moved smoothly through the water. Were they almost there?
“Wake up,” Kaylya whispered gently. Rojaire opened his eyes to bright sunlight and jumped up.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” he asked struggling to get his bearing.
“I just did, love of my heart.”
The others were gone. Rojaire climbed up on some crates he hoped could withstand his weight to get a view. Lynnara loomed before him. He spotted several of the colonists on perches of their own where they could watch the approach.
“What do you see?” Kaylya asked.
“We’re coming into the bay now,” he informed her, and offered her a hand, helping lift her up to him. Leaning over a covered bale of something, they shared a lingering kiss as they entered the calm waters of the bay. Then climbing back down, they made their way to Captain Setas. Lavender Beach stretched out before them. Off to the right the Zayla River rippled into the bay. Beyond the sandy beach an abundance of lush colorful fruit bearing bushes and edible plant life grew thickly, thinning as they moved inland. With astonishing precision, the captain pierced the lavender sand with the ferry’s long pointed prow, then powered the point in and shut off the power.
They had arrived.
The group disembarked from the ferry to stretch cramped limbs with near reverence for the significance of the event. For Drak, Wessid, Zaloka, Thayla, and Inventor Sulyan it was their first encounter with their new home, but for Rojaire, Kaylya, Traevus, and Kiril it was a homecoming. Things were different for Ilene and Captain Setas who looked upon the land with mixed emotions.
Ilene had dreamed of returning to the “Devastated Continent” one day; although she had seriously doubted she would ever have the opportunity. In her dreams, her father was always there waiting for her when she arrived. In reality she didn’t know if she would find him alive. Several years ago when she had joined the search for the lost expedition, she had been promised a safe return home once the mission was complete. This time she had been given a warning that she may never return. Yet, as she looked out over the quiet undisturbed vastness, the landscape tugged at her heartstrings.
Instead of facing inland, Captain Setas stared out toward the little opening that led out to sea. The urge to leave was strong. She forced herself to turn about and study the land. She had been here many times, but never with the intent to stay. The area near Lavender Beach and along the Zayla River boasted a variety of food producing growth. Many of the plant species that now flourished along the coast, she had introduced. So why didn’t Theon settle near Lavender Beach where food was relatively plentiful? It didn’t make sense.
After a quick look around to take it all in, the colonists were ready to get to work. Everyone turned to Rojaire for leadership, so he called a meeting. They gathered in the shade of some shrubbery near the stream. Even though they were in the winter season, it could still get hot in the sun. A rock matted with a covering of dead grass provided Captain Setas a much needed seat.
“Where is the colony?” Setas croaked. “Where are Theon and the others? I think it is time you tell us.”
“Gladly; I have been longing to. I didn’t want to talk about it until we were safely on Lynnara,” Rojaire explained. “It’s a long story with some surprising twists, so you might as well get comfortable.”
“I like stories,” Thayla said, which got a chuckle from the group. Positioning the satchel that held the blade into a position of readiness, she settled cross-legged on the ground. The rest followed suit. Kaylya translated for Ilene. Although Kiril and Traevus had shared the adventure, they sat back and let Rojaire tell the story.
“On our last trip, along the way in route to the Crescent Mountains, we found Ollen, a member of the lost expedition. He was living quite comfortably in a shelter he built in what we now call the Cremyn Valley.”
“You may be interested to learn, Zaloka, that Ollen even built his own crude kiln to fire pottery,” Traevus added.
“Interesting, so is that where we are headed?” Setas asked.
“Yes,” Rojaire said, “but Ollen isn’t there. He agreed to join our mission and went with us to map the passage through the mountains.”
“You found another one!” Ilene exclaimed after Kaylya translated. They had found only Traevus on the journey to find them. “So you must know what happened to Cremyn and the others.”
“He told us what happened to Cremyn,” Rojaire answered in English. “According to Ollen, Cremyn disappeared in the ruins of the Temple of Tranquility. When she was finally found, her mind was totally blank.”
“I hope we aren’t going there,” Sulyan whispered.
“We aren’t,” Rojaire assured them. “Ollen volunteered to take Cremyn back to Lavender Beach for pickup by Captain Setas, but she died along the way. Ollen buried her in the grave we found in the Zayla Valley.” Kaylya translated for the others.
“Ollen’s shelter in the Cremyn Valley is not our final destination, although it could be for some of you. It is quite a substantial shelter as you will see. Our actual destination is in the Crescent Mountains. The route is a long and difficult one. It was particularly hard for Theon, but he persevered.” Rojaire stole a quick glance at Setas and Sulyan; once again they would be slowed down by elders.
“Drak, if I may include you in the story.”
“Of course, Rojaire, proceed.” Kiril had already told him of discovering his great grandfather’s special valley. He assumed Rojaire was about to reveal the discovery to the others.
“Before Theon, Traevus, Kiril, Tassyn, Edty and I left on the mapping expedition through the Crescent Mountains, Drak gave Kiril a map. The map depicted a secret hidden valley.” Faces turned to look at Drak and Kiril with interest.
“Deep in the mountains, we came across a rock slide that had opened up the side of a lava tunnel giving access to a small valley. The small valley lead to a grand valley, the secret hidden valley depicted in Kiril’s map.”
“You found a secret valley? What is it like?” Zaloka asked in amazed wonderment.
“I’m liking the story so far,” Thayla said. “Who made the map you gave to Kiril?” she asked Drak.
“Great Grandfather Vestan, I guess you could say, he was a rogue explorer in his own time,” Drak chuckled.
“Our valley is beautiful … lush … bountiful ….” Rojaire nearly danced wi
th excitement with each word. “Waterfalls cascade down rock cliffs … gemstones sparkle in elaborate cave systems … and living animals graze in open meadows.”
“What? Animals!” Wessid exclaimed in surprise. There were shocked gasps all around. “What kind of animals?” His son Kiril had been part of all this. Was it because of this valley that he so wanted to return?
“Life forms never seen before,” he said with awe. Rojaire could see their excitement grow. He described herds of silver kurpers, tall creatures that ate trees, and delicate flying callelas. He also told them about the large prints they’d found that Theon believes belong to a large carnivore.
“Has anyone been eaten?” Inventor Sulyan asked with concern.
“No, nothing like that.”
“There is no beast I can’t fight,” Thayla assured Sulyan tapping her blade.
“Is my father in this valley?” Ilene asked.
“Yes, and there’s more,” Rojaire said in both languages, drawing back their attention. “We still had our mission to complete, and when we came to the end of the passage through the mountains we found Caleeza, another member of the lost expedition.
“Another one?” Drak couldn’t contain his surprise. Kiril had told him of finding the valley, but had said nothing of Ollen and Caleeza.
“The same Caleeza who visited the Bradley family on Earth?” Ilene asked.
“The same. She told us a bizarre, but fascinating, story of how the members of her expedition vanished in the Crystalline Landscape. She also described her own trip to Earth and back, to find Sarus transformed, melded with the field of crystals.”
“Where is Caleeza now?” Ilene asked. She knew Maggie and Vince would be glad to hear that Caleeza had been found. Then she remembered she would never have the opportunity to tell them.
“Theon, Tassyn, Edty, Ollen, and Caleeza are settled in the valley hidden in the Crescent Mountains … waiting for us to join them.”
CHAPTER 11
Aaia
When Caleeza opened her eyes again she was alone in the little cave dimly lit by the iridescently glowing foliage covering the ceiling and walls. How long have I been out? I have to find my way back and find Ollen. She could picture Ollen desperately searching for her. There was little chance he would find her here …wherever here was.
Interstellar Ruse Page 14
