Merrilea stiffened beside her. “What was that?”
One Man laid a finger on his lips, straining to hear.
Almiralyn surveyed her cottage, her garden, and her barn. She would not allow the soldiers of RewFaar to denigrate them. The Pentharian had disappeared over the Terces Wood. It was time for her to take Paisley and do the same.
“Paisley, wait for me by the barn.” When he reached his post, she faced her cottage. Lifting her outstretched hands, she whispered an ancient spell.
“Time is illusion—something but not.
It holds things together. I untie the knot.
Delude those who trespass, a trick of the sight.
The spell holds unbroken ’til I make it right.”
She clapped her hands. Her beautiful cottage flickered in the late summer light and crumbled into an antediluvian ruin where ivy and moss crept over a heap of stones that now housed a myriad of insects. The garden disappeared into forest trees and underbrush. Large spiders spun webs that glistened with sticky spittle in the waning sunlight. She walked to where a nonplused Paisley stood shaking his head.
“How’d ya do that?” Puzzlement made his expression solemn. “Can ya bring it back?”
“When the time is right, it will return to normal. This way, Paisley, we must be gone. The soldiers draw near.” She led him through the barn to the tack room. Rummaging behind a stack of leather goods, she pulled out a pair of saddlebags. “Take these. They will supply you with everything you require to remain hidden at Nemttachenn for as long as need be.”
Paisley draped them over his shoulder while she pulled the lever behind the rack of bridles. The door to the Intersect gaped open.
“What about the barn. You leavin’ it standin’?”
She gave him a tight smile. “No. I’ll join you on the platform.”
The cottage and surrounding gardens had been her home for many sun cycles. It tore at her heart to leave, knowing they would soon be overrun. She sighed, waved a hand, and whispered her spell. A quick glance assured that Grantese Tesilend was safe. The sound of rubble settling followed her down the stairway. At least the RewFaaran soldiers would not ransack her cottage and barn, nor would they find Elcaro’s Eye. Only the memory of what had been would greet them. And then what?
Allynae and Jordett had journeyed to the Dojanack Caverns and now waited in a small meeting chamber in Meos for Yookotay, the DeoNyte ReDael. Yookotay and his son, Zugo, had been instrumental in helping to save Myrrh from the DiMensioner. Surely, they would come to their aid in this new crisis.
Glad for the flames blazing in the fire pit, Allynae soaked up its warmth. More ancient than Old Earth, the DeoNytes had lived in deep caverns within the Dojanack Mountain range for time untold. Until Seyes Nomed’s attempt to destroy Myrrh, they had rarely ventured into the outside world. Even then, only Yookotay and Zugo and the DeoNyte healer, Owae, and her granddaughter, Elae, had dared to leave the caverns.
A male DeoNyte of medium height and build entered the chamber. Like the majority of his people, Yookotay was lithe and lean with startling light blue eyes and white fur that covered skin as black as night.
“Welcome to Meos, my friends. It is good to have you visit our community.” The blue eyes lost their welcoming smile and hardened. “I understand trouble plagues our land once again. Please tell me how the DeoNytes may help.” He sat down on a bench on the opposite side of the fire.
Leaving Jordett to lay out the details with the efficiency of his military training, Allynae stewed over his sister’s recent choices.
Yookotay listened intently to Jordett’s description of events. When the Theran major had finished, he looked at Allynae. “Life, like clouds in Myrrh’s sky, changes shape and forms new patterns with each new decision. It is the Time of Unfolding. Choice equals change equals transformation.” He studied the weary face of Almiralyn’s brother. “It is good that you came to me. We will prepare a safe place for Merrilea, Sparrow, and her mother.” The look on Jordett’s face at the mention of Esán’s aunt told him much. Life is indeed complex .
“Soldiers from RewFaar already fill the Terces Wood.” Jordett held his hands over the fire. “How do you intend to keep them from invading the caverns?”
“We allow them to enter at select spots and let the labyrinth and the Giests that still roam take care of them. They will not find Meos. Almiralyn has already secured the boundaries of the city and the surrounding area, including the Cavern of Tennisca and the Cave of Canedari. And you say the twins and Torgin are in DerTah? And Esán? How does the Guardian track them without the help of Elcaro’s Eye?”
Allynae barely heard the conversation. Anger at Almiralyn for putting his daughters in danger still rankled him. His heart told him Sparrow needed him, and here he was, a world away from her. Has One Man escaped and rejoined her?
“Allynae…”
I’ve only just found her again. What if she’s hurt or imprisoned or… Pain rose from his heart into his throat.
A hand squeezed his arm. “What?” He looked from Jordett’s understanding expression to Yookotay’s dark face.
The ReDael’s white fur glowed in the firelight as he stood up. “You worry about your Sparrow. I have something to show you.”
Opening a wooden door, he led them into a room where a carved map of Dojanack Caverns covered one wall. At its center, a sapphire, twin to the one he wore around his neck, gleamed. Yookotay touched it. Blue light flooded the map. The topography faded leaving a silvery mirror in its place. A mist roiled up, obscuring the surface, and flowed onto the chamber floor.
Jordett gasped beside him.
Almiralyn’s face shimmered into focus.
“Hello, Alli.” She nodded to Yookotay and the major. The serenity in her face belied the sorrow in her voice.
“Sparrow? My daughters?” His voice shook.
“One Man has escaped and rejoined Sparrow and Merrilea. They continue their journey. The twins are still in the desert. Yaro has joined them. They live out their destiny, Alli. Know that they have the resources to succeed.”
“But they are children, Almiralyn. And you sent them alone to a foreign planet.” The understanding in her eyes brought him to the realization that she, too, was concerned. The anger dropped from his voice. “What do you suggest we do?”
“We wait. So far the soldiers’ focus is the cottage. Paisley is at Nemttachenn. Meet him there, and I will join you when I can.”
Jordett interjected, “What of Esán?”
“I have no word.” The image began to dissolve. “Take care of yourselves.”
The map reappeared.
Yookotay laid a hand on his arm. “Sparrow is safe, my friend.”
Allynae rubbed the fatigue from his eyes. “But for how long, Yookotay?”
The three men stared silently at the map.
In the Terces Wood the soldiers of RewFaar surrounded Almiralyn’s land. Predatory and silent, they began to close their ranks, constricting the perimeter like the tightening of a hangman’s noose. The Largeen Joram would not tolerate another mistake. Their very existence depended upon their success.
23
ConDra’s Fire
DerTah
W olloh’s sitting room welcomed him with warm colors, the fragrance of a fresh-lit fire, and his favorite chair. He paused in the doorway, enjoying the comfortable silence but aware that it would not last. Leaning heavily on his cane, he limped to the chair and sank into its leather-smooth softness. The cane’s crystal knob glistened as he propped it against a small table. Staring at the fire, he forced himself to relax.
The evening had been a success, at least from the point of view of the majority of those in attendance. His good hand smoothed dark hair away from the uninjured side of his face, then plucked at the feathery strip of white on the disfigured forehead before coming to rest on the arm of the chair. He shut his eyes and allowed the quiet to pull the fatigue from his body.
Stebben’s arrival on the other side of the
door brought an end to his rest. The Major Domo entered, carrying a tray laden with the brandy, desert fruit, and the four glasses he had requested. “Your guests will be here shortly. Is there anything else, sir?” He set the tray on the low table in front of him and waited.
Wolloh’s eye wandered from the fire to the tall, elegant man in the burgundy and black uniform, who would remain standing with patient respect until he answered. Stebben’s heavy-lidded eyes gleamed with a touch of humor. His full-lipped mouth twitched.
Wolloh indicated a chair. “I require just one more thing.”
“Sir?”
“You, Stebben. Please sit. Tell me what you learned of the boy? Did you feel his power?”
“I agree with your assessment, sir. Esán is indeed extraordinary. He carries dual seeds of Carsilem. With time and training, he will become a force to be reckoned with. Were any of the Dreelum, the Largeen Joram, or Nissasa Rattori to gain control of him, havoc would ensue.”
Wolloh shifted his body to ease the agony in his deformed hip. “And what of Nissasa? Were you able to read him?”
Stebben rubbed his chin and, for a moment, turned his gaze to the fire. Intelligent eyes blinked and refocused. “Anger, fear, guilt…hate, all boiled around him like the bubbling mud in the fire pits of DerTah. His power reeks of the Mocendi League.”
“Good work, Stebben. Few would have picked up on the subtleties of his training. The Mocendi League…” Wolloh rubbed his hip and frowned. “Hatred taints it—hatred and ambition.”
“He is danger personified, Wolloh. You and Lorsedi are targets for his wrath.”
“We are not the only ones in danger…”
A knock interrupted him. Stebben rose and crossed to the door. Wolloh nodded. With a slight bow, the Major Domo ushered three guests into the room and departed.
Brie followed Nichi up the side of a low dune with Ira at her side. Something about him haunted her, something just beyond her mental grasp, something important… Peering up at him from under her lashes, she studied the strong profile. Who do you remind me of? He grinned down at her. She smiled back, liking the ease of their friendship. Her heart told her they shared more than either of them knew. The effort to match his long stride began to take its toll. He slowed his pace and allowed her to take the lead. She wiped sweat from her face and trudged onward.
Sand dragging at her feet made her calves ache. At the Atrilaasu’s camp, there would be water and food and hopefully a tent where they could rest. It had occurred to her that she and her friends might not be welcome. Time will tell .
Torgin growled behind her. She swung around in time to see Ira’s fist hit him in the gut hard enough to double him over.
“What is wrong with you two now ?”
“He won’t let me be. He always has to make fun.” Torgin glared at Ira, his fists poised ready to do battle.
Nichi looked from one to the other. “WoNadahem make you fight. Then you be done with it.”
Torgin didn’t need any urging. His fist shot out and clipped Ira’s chin. Ira lunged, caught him around the waist, and knocked him off his feet. Red sand flew around them as they kicked and rolled, fists flying, smacking, thunking against flesh—
A flash of light froze everyone in place. Astonishment turned to exclamations of wonder and excitement. Esán stood in the midst of them, grinning. Next to him, a strange boy gaped in horror as Yaro changed to his natural form. Nichi fell to her knee, her face hidden in her hands. Ira grabbed Torgin and yanked him to his feet.
“Esán!” Brie’s relief at the appearance of her friend made her lightheaded. “You found us. I am so, so glad.”
The boy beside him cowered, his expressive face a picture gallery—fear, awe, confusion, sadness… It was the last emotion that brought Brie to his side. “I’m Brie. We won’t hurt you…” She glanced at Esán.
“This is Seval.” The compassion in Esán’s voice made her look at the boy more closely.
“Esán, it’s so good to see you.” Ira thumped him on the back.
For a moment, their eyes met and held. Esán’s expression shifted from curiosity to understanding. Again, Brie’s memories stirred then wafted into nothing. She sighed.
“It’s good to see you, Yaro. Hey, Torg.” Esán grinned, then turned to Nichi. “You’re an Atrilaasu Dansmen, aren’t you? What’s your name?”
Shy interest replaced her initial look of suspicion. “I Nichook. You know of my people?”
He smiled. “Your people are ancient and wise. Are you headed to your camp?”
She nodded and touched Brie’s arm. “I take ConDria to WoNadahem Mardree. Others follow.”
“ConDria?” Esán’s eyebrow arced a question. His fingers traced its curve and then stopped. Brow and hand dropped. Ugh. Nomed does this .
Brie intertwined her fingers though his. “You aren’t like your uncle. You are you, Esán. ”
He smiled his thanks. “You are the ConDria? ”
“I can shape shift .”
“It was you who killed one of Gidtuss’ Fire ConDra. I should have known. It is good to see you are discovering your talents.” His gaze sought out Ira and then returned to her face. “A Water ConDra. Boy, I would have liked to have seen that!”
Yaro interrupted. “I think it would be wise to continue this conversation later. The sun will set quickly, and the night will catch us unprepared.” His shift to a fox brought a gasp from Seval.
Nichi moved to the boy’s side. “We take good care of you, Seval. Not worry. Just come.”
Like a wilted flower drenched with cool rain, he grew taller. Nichi offered her hand. Seval’s smile transformed his face as he grasped it and proceeded to walk beside her.
Torgin and Ira, with the desert fox trotting between, trudged after them.
Esán’s eyes followed Seval and Nichi. “That’s interesting. Very interesting, indeed.” He squeezed her hand. “I have so much to share. And we have so much to do.”
Brie shivered. Was it the sun sliding toward night or the message in Esán’s words that chilled her to the bone?
Nomed allowed TheLise and Lorsedi to precede him into Wolloh’s sitting room. The Dreelas shot him a questioning look as she swept past. The quizzical widening of her gold-flecked eyes elicited a cautious smile from him. Lorsedi’s craggy, impassive features matched the rigid set of his shoulders.
Wolloh did not rise but postured his good side to greet his guests. “I apologize for not getting up. My hip keeps me stationary after long hours of standing.” He indicated three chairs opposite him. “Please, be seated. It has been a long turning. I thought a nightcap might be in order.”
With sultry grace TheLise sank onto the middle chair, forcing Nomed and Lorsedi to flank her on either side. Nomed took his seat and wondered at her game. The Largeen Joram gave the High DiMensioner a slight bow before joining them at the table, where brandy and fruit waited.
Wolloh angled his face to present the smoothness of its uninjured cheek. “Seyes, would you be so kind as to pour?”
“Of course.” He turned to Lorsedi. “Wolloh has an exceptionally fine wine cellar. Holding up the decanter, he swirled it. The light of the fire added its warmth to the deep honey color of the brandy. “This was aged in barrels made from the Tirips trees on Myrrh. Would you care for a glass? I think you will find the taste most delicious.”
“You have piqued my curiosity, Nomed. I would love some.”
“And you, Dreelas?”
TheLise picked up an etched crystal glass and held it out. “Brandy from Myrrh. A rare treat. Thank you.”
He filled her glass, passed one to Lorsedi, and another to his mentor.
As Wolloh accepted his, he cleared his throat and allowed his good eye to survey his guests. “A toast…” The gleaming eye came to rest on Lorsedi’s striking features. “To the achievement of our goals.”
Four glasses were raised and held for a moment. Firelight caught the amber light and flickered it from face to face, just as Wolloh turned his i
njured side toward them. The sightless orb burned golden; the scarred landscape of his profile absorbed the warm color, deepening the anguished grimace. He shifted in his chair, the handsome side of his face eclipsing the tortured profile.
Lorsedi blinked. “To our mutual success.”
The glasses lifted higher and touched with a soft clink. Murmurs of appreciation followed the first shared sip.
Lorsedi took a second. “Lovely, Wolloh. I must have a bottle to take back to RewFaar.”
“Consider it done, Lorsedi, a gift from the wine cellars of Shu Chenaro. Shall we discuss our goals? You asked about Elcaro’s Eye. Tell me what you know.”
The Largeen Joram settled back in his chair, took another sip, savored it, and swallowed. “It is a fountain of unimagined power. The seven-faceted Vesen Crystal encased within its pedestal, when connected to Evolsefil, makes its reach galaxy-wide. Almiralyn is its steward. It is in Myrrh. That is how I discovered my granddaughter.” He smiled at Nomed. “Seyes has since informed me that I have two, identical twins whom he has met. They sound quite extraordinary. I want them. I want their mother and grandmother, and I want Elcaro’s Eye.”
Nomed studied the older man. “So then, what brought you to DerTah?”
The question hung in the air.
Plodding along beside Brie, Esán felt a deep sense of relief and a touch of wonder. The image of her face flashing through his mind had enabled him to teleport to her side with Seval, saving them from discovery in Wolloh’s arena. Will I ever get used to the power I carry? He glanced at the girl beside him. And you, Brielle, what is the power you wield without even realizing it?
Ahead of him Seval walked with Nichi. Something about her had calmed his fear. Yaro in fox form trotted between Torgin and Ira, who climbed the dune as they shared some tidbits of information, friends at least for the moment. Esán’s delight at seeing Yaro was almost overshadowed by his curiosity regarding Ira. Had Almiralyn’s spell not warned him, he would have exposed Ari’s secret and put them all at risk, in particular Brie. Were she to attempt a lie, the Star of Truth would burn her to her core. Thank the Fathers, the Guardian set the spell to warn me.
The UnFolding Collection Two Page 18
