Mumshu slapped him on the back. “We did it.”
Ashor flitted back to the paper. “We have more to do, Mums. We can celebrate later.”
After dumping several more into the bucket, they returned to the ashtray. Faint smoke still curled upward from the cigar’s tip.
Mumshu gave Ashor a knowing look. “It needs another draw, Ash.”
Ashor assumed his stubborn stance and shot his friend a fierce look. Mumshu scowled but flew to the tip. The ash flared to life.
“Good job, Mums.” Ashor thumped his back while he coughed. “Always knew you were full of smoke but no fire.” Mumshu’s coughing turned to laughter. “Can we just get this done?”
They rolled the smoking cigar across the tabletop and pushed. Like a miniature missile, it nose-dived into the bucket. Ashor grabbed his bag and dumped it and its contents in after it. “Sure glad Reana brought these fire poppers.”
Mumshu zipped beneath the cot and retrieved a similar bag, which he also tossed in. “We’d better make our escape.”
Ashor shot to the entrance. “All clear.” With Mumshu close behind, he whizzed to the edge of the Terces Wood and landed on branch in a tall pine.
Kieel had managed to cut through the rope around Sibee’s wrists. While the Tiff untied his feet, he stood watch. Laughter at the center of the camp enticed him to take a closer look. Hovering beside the cook tent, he peeked around the corner.
A soldier on the far side of the fire hoisted himself to standing and tossed his plate in a tub. “Better check on the Tiff.”
Grateful the sun was well past setting, Kieel whizzed to Sibee’s side. “Sit back against the tree and look pouty.” Quick as a shot, he tightened the knot Sibee had worked loose at his ankles and flew into the leafy branches of the tree.
The soldier strode around a tent and stopped in front of the small boy. He snapped on a lite-stick and flashed it in Sibee’s face. “Bet you wish you had some dinner.” He glanced at the ankle ropes and back at Sibee. “You’ll be glad your stomach is empty when the Tinpaca gets hold of you. A word of advice…spill everything you know. He might even let you go.”
A loud pop issued from the big tent. A second brought a shout from the far side of the camp. With a final glance at the Tiff, the man rushed back the way he had come.
As soon as he was out of site, Sibee untied the knots at his ankles and yanked the gag from his mouth.
Kieel flew to his side. “Run, boy. Stay hidden. There are soldiers on guard in the woods.”
“Thanks,” he whispered and dashed behind a big tree. Ducking into high ferns and brush, he made his getaway.
Kieel, with Ashor and Mumshu close behind, zipped through the encroaching darkness and made their way to Almiralyn’s tree.
From her vantage point, Almiralyn could hear the sharp, sporadic pops and see smoke billowing from the big tent. She had warned Tibin of Sibee’s capture. He and Tuper were close by. They would snag Sibee and make sure he made it home safely. She felt certain the young Tiff would be confined to his TreeOm for some time to come.
Running feet came to a halt. “Hey, the Wood Tiff’s gone.” Soldiers quickly spread out combing the woods behind the tree where Sibee had been tied. Reana’s band of Nyti was primed to lead them in the opposite direction.
Kieel landed on Almiralyn’s bird back with Ashor and Mumshu. Taking flight, she headed for Nemttachenn and landed in a tree near the clearing. As soon as the Nyti had dismounted, she flew to the ground, shifted, and held out her hand.
Kieel zipped to her palm. “That was too close, my lady.”
“I am grateful to you and your people, Kieel. I’m afraid Sibee has put all the Wood Tiffs at risk. I’ve warned Tibin to keep everyone hidden until you deliver a message that it’s safe to come out.”
The Nyti leader tugged at his small goatee. “I will station Nyti around the camp and keep you informed about what’s happening there. We are small to be your army, my lady. But we will do our best to be your eyes and ears.”
“Thank you. As soon as Major Jordett and Allynae return from the Dojanacks, they can help. And there are two Pentharian hidden near Demrach Gateway.”
“Are they the same ones who helped with the DiMensioner?”
“Yes. If you need help, find them. One is called Yuin and the other is Jeet.”
She held out her other hand and called softly, “Ashor. Mumshu.”
They flitted to her palm and chorused in unison, “At your service, my lady.”
“You did well today, and I thank you. But you must not do anything else without conferring with Kieel first. Do I have your word?”
Ashor’s big smile lit his face. “Of course, my lady. I’m glad Sibee escaped.”
“Me, too.” Mumshu touched his head as if to remove his top hat, looked around frantically, and frowned. “I lost my hat.”
Kieel laughed. “We’ll find you a new hat, Mumshu.” He darted into the air. “Come on, boys. We have things to do.”
Almiralyn stood in the quiet of early evening. A breeze rustled the leaves and cooled her cheeks. It's been a difficult turning. Thank goodness for the Nyti. She sighed. I feel so trapped. How can I protect my people when I dare not show myself? I miss Karrew. How is he faring…and Sparrow and Merrilea and One Man? And what about the twins and Torgin? Have they found Esán? So rarely did she give in to morose feelings that she felt a moment of shock. I’m feeling sorry for myself. She gave a quiet laugh. Well, Paisley will just have to cheer me up.
She ambled across the clearing. At the entrance to the tower, she paused. Two figures sat at a table, a chessboard between them. Paisley’s hand hovered over the board. It retreated to rub his chin and hovered again. Making up his mind, he moved a rook.
The figure opposite him chuckled. “You are a formidable opponent, Paisley James Tobinette.” He looked at the black man, moved his queen, and grinned. “Checkmate.”
Almiralyn smiled to herself. So, CheeTrann, you have found a friend .
31
ConDra’s Fire
Thera
S oaring above the Demrach Valley on Voer’s vulture back, Sparrow scoured the land below. Head winds tugged at her hair, yanked the turmoil of chestnut tendrils behind her, and whipped tears to her eyes. The landscape blurred. She blinked. Demrach River came into focus, its meandering curves cutting the valley in two. They were almost halfway across.
She searched with her mind for One Man and found nothing. Her greatest fear—the Tabagie would become the hunter. Could Esán’s father defeat it? She hoped he would not have to try.
Peering to her left, she strained to see Merrilea and Stee. The Pentharian had made the decision to fly separately. If the Tabagie gave chase, it would have to choose. Tasseled strands of hair whipped across her line of vision. Impatient fingers yanked them away. She could just make out a vulture’s shape in the dimming light. On its back Merrilea was barely visible. It was her knowledge of the Central Mountains that had gotten them this far. Soon, it would be Sparrow’s turn to be the guide. But prior to traveling any closer to Singtil, they had to rid themselves of the danger that pursued them. She extended her senses, searching again for Esán’s father.
One Man’s blue heron form circled over the forest. Scenting a trail of smoke, he allowed it to dictate his course. The Tabagie’s reputation as a killer made him cautious. Something about the creature’s behavior, the pattern of its hunt, and the fact that it could have scorched him to death long before now made him wonder at its goal. Was it here to kill? One Man thought not. It was time to end the chase. He closed the gap, shot beyond the smoky form, and swooped around to meet it head on.
The oncoming cloud of gray dodged and soared higher. Streaking away from the trees and over the valley, it headed straight for the women and the Pentharian.
The heron floundered in a sooty haze that left its throat burning and its vision impaired. Swooping lower, it pressed its powerful wings against the air. Even so, it was no match for the Tabagie’s speed.
<
br /> The sunset staining the sky with color left the land below shadowed and provided the Tabagie with the means to maintain its form and to hide from its pursuer. A breeze dispersed its scent and left the heron with no means of tracking it.
Aware that the gap between it and the Pentharian who carried the women narrowed with each wing stroke, One Man landed in Human form and prepared to teleport. A quick mental search brought Sparrow’s patterning into focus. She was almost at the river. “Sparrow! Down by the water, now. ” He squinted, peering through the fading daylight. I can feel her. Why doesn’t she answer? “Sparrow?”
Intense heat sent sweat dribbling down Sparrow’s brow and compromised her ability to concentrate. Afraid of what followed, she pressed her belly against her mount’s back and clung to its neck. The power of the vulture’s muscles straining to carry her to safety told her Voer knew the Tabagie had found them.
A faint mind touch dragged her from fearful imaginings. She calmed her breathing and forced herself to relax and focus. Picking One Man’s words out of memory, she positioned her head near Voer’s ear hollow. “Down by the water, now.”
Beak pointing earthward, the huge bird swooped toward the river. A smoky cloud shot beyond them. The vulture landed. Sparrow slid to the ground, her eyes searching the dusky terrain. Voer materialized beside her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Stee pull Merrilea into a stand of trees a short distance away.
A sputtering hiss mingled with the sound of the river’s lazy summer current. No birds sang. Nothing moved but a tower of billowing smoke, wafting and waning in the sun’s diminishing light.
Voer placed himself between the cloud of smoke hovering, not five arm-lengths away, and the mother of Almiralyn’s nieces. He had no idea what he would or could do to keep her safe, but he would do his best. Using his keen Pentharian sight, he kept the amorphous body in his line of vision.
Making no effort to hide, the Tabagie floated closer. A sound by the shore of the river halted its progress. It remained motionless, its glowing, ember eyes fixed beyond his shoulder.
“Don’t move.” The whispered words sent a thrill of relief through Voer. Sparrow’s hand on his arm lost some of its tension. Thanking the gods of ReTaw au Qa, he took his eyes off the Tabagie od Ro-ec. One Man arrived at his side. Their eyes met briefly and returned to the undulating smoke.
One Man spoke quietly. “If it wanted us dead, we would already be burned to a crisp. I believe it is here for some other reason.”
Voer nodded. “I agree.”
Sparrow joined the conversation. “I think we should approach it and ask what it wants.”
One Man eyed the Tabagie. “I’ll go. Stay here.” He took several steps and stopped a short distance from the creature’s oscillating form.
It crackled and sputtered, “I mean no harm. I come as messenger.”
“Whom do you seek, Tabagie od Ro-ec?” One Man said.
“I seek SparrowLyn, the mother of twins, and also the father and aunt of Esán.” Smoke puffed from its lipless mouth. Its ember eyes blazed brighter.
“Who would send a Tabagie so far from home to deliver a message?”
The smoky mass diffused and reformed. “Wolloh, High DiMensioner od DerTah is my master. For him I followed your scent, and for him I will fade when the message, the warning, is given.” The tower of smoke billowed and doubled in size. “I swear on the heart of my creator and the Netherworld od DerTah that I will not harm you or yours in this lifetime or the next.”
One Man’s response filled the night. “I hear your oath and honor your presence. I am Somay, known as One Man, the father of Esán. Do I have time to confer with my friends?”
The creature shrunk to its normal size. “The fading will not begin until the warning has been given.”
Voer marveled at the exchange. A Tabagie as a messenger… He glanced down at Sparrow. Only eyes were visible in a face hidden in shadow.
One Man returned to his companions. “I believe it speaks the truth. What do you think?”
“I think we must listen,” responded Sparrow as Merrilea and Stee joined them.
“Wolloh is Seyes Nomed’s mentor. How do we know we can trust him?” Merrilea whispered.
Voer glanced over his shoulder. “We don’t. But if it is true that the Tabagie brings his warning, then he has gone to a lot of trouble.”
“Are we in agreement?” asked One Man.
Nodding their assent, they faced the DerTahan messenger.
Again, One Man took the lead. “Tabagie od Ro-ec, we are of one mind and would hear your message.”
Sparrow stepped to the front of the group. “I am SparrowLyn, the mother of the twins. By fading, do you mean you will die?”
“I do not know death as you know it, Mother of Twins. Tabagie disintegrate into nothing, leaving only their eyes behind. When I expire, you must keep mine. Should you have need of my protection, place them in fire, and I will come to you.” The hot coals in his eye sockets burned brighter. A hazy arm lifted, a fist formed, and a finger pointed at Merrilea. “You are the aunt of Esán?” The hand puffed out of existence.
“I am Esán’s Aunt Merrilea. Do you have a name?”
“Not in the way Humans are named.” The Tabagie wheezed a series of sounds. “That is my calling.” He faded in and out. “I grow weaker. Who remains unknown?”
Voer answered, “I am Voer, the Pentharian, and this is my comrade and blood brother, Stee. We are protectors and friends of these Humans.”
The Tabagie drifted closer. Voer’s nose twitched at the potent acid smell.
“It is good. Guard them well for Wolloh has charged me to give these words.” The Tabagie’s raspy voice changed to that of a Human. “I, Wolloh, High DiMensioner od DerTah, send this warning. Beware Nissasa Rattori, the son of the Largeen Joram of RewFaar. Hide and protect the twins’ mother and grandmother and the aunt of Esán. Fathers must find a way to DerTah if they are to save their children. But beware the portal at Fera Finnero.”
The creature of smoke diminished as they watched.
Sparrow ran forward. “Thank you, Tabagie.”
A faint voice replied, “I am honored to serve.” When the sound of the last word had faded, Wolloh’s messenger vaporized, leaving behind the smell of volcanic smoke in the cool dusk air and two glowing embers at Sparrow’s feet. The glow dimmed to a pinpoint and blinked out.
She picked up the two porous black coals, stared at the spot where the Tabagie had been, and gave a sad sigh. Returning to her friends, she showed them his gift.
Merrilea touched one and shook her head. “I can’t believe that Wolloh would warn us.”
One Man looked thoughtful. “We can’t judge a man we don’t know. What we can do is listen.”
“He certainly sent a strange messenger,” Stee observed. “What now?”
Sparrow pocketed the coals. “We must go to the farm and get Gerolyn and Standin.”
Voer sniffed the air. “How far to Singtil?”
Merrilea pointed up valley. “It’s over that ridge. Less than half a turning’s walk.”
“If we fly,” he said, “we can beat the sun. Arriving in the dark will give us an advantage.”
Stee stepped forward. “We also put more distance between us and the soldiers who pursue us.”
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I need a snack.” Sparrow held up her backpack. “We’ll think better after we’ve eaten.”
Voer accepted a piece of fruit and smiled. “Snack is good. It has been long since our last meal.” He walked to the river’s edge and let the sound of water soothe his heart. When he looked ahead, he could not foresee the end of this adventure. One turning at a time is the most anyone can manage, he thought. One turning at a time…
The lengthy flight to Singtil ended at last. Sparrow and her companions touched down on the forest floor and crept to the edge of her parents’ land. The Pentharian shifted to barn cats and prowled the perimeter, scouting the area for soldiers. One Man’s blue
heron flew above the farm and down the road toward the village. Merrilea leaned her tired body against a tree and stared into the predawn darkness, her fatigue emanating from her like early morning mist. Sparrow understood. She stretched her aching limbs, wishing for a hot shower, hot food, and a comfortable bed.
A tabby cat’s meow announced Stee’s appearance in his natural form. “All is quiet. No sign of soldiers on this side of the farm. The outbuildings and barn are both clear.”
The dim light caught the fluttered-movement of a large moth. Voer materialized beside Merrilea.
“Oh!” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, Voer, you startled me. Weren’t you a cat?”
Thin red lips curved into a smile. “I change form as needed, aunt of Esán.” He grew serious. “All is quiet in the house. Man and woman sleep in separate rooms. I found no one else. I suggest we hide in the barn, while Sparrow goes to wake her parents.”
“What about One Man?” Merrilea’s expression mirrored the worry in her question.
“He will join us soon. You and Sparrow keep low. Stee and I will be barn cats and stay close by.” The Pentharian shifted.
Merrilea gasped. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to shape shifting. Can you shift, Sparrow?”
“Never tried. Almiralyn says I can.” She shrugged. “I guess I’ll find out if a need arises. Better go. Ready?”
“Ready.”
They dodged from tree to tree until they reached a hedgerow across from the barn. An open field stretched between them and their goal. Sparrow scanned the area. Nothing moved. “Stay close.”
Side-by-side, they sprinted over the rough ground. Merrilea tripped, caught herself midway to her knees, and stumbled forward. Sparrow grabbed her arm and hauled her through a small open door into the barn.
The UnFolding Collection Two Page 25
