The UnFolding Collection Two

by S. K. Randolph

  Stebben beckoned him from the doorway. Shoving his plate away, he stood up and followed him from the room. He had seen Brie and Ira leave with Stebben and couldn’t imagine what Wolloh would want with him.

  The rhythm of their feet on the tile floor almost dispersed his nervousness, but not quite. When the Major Domo held a door open, he steadied his breathing, squared his shoulders, and walked into the sitting room.

  Wolloh leaned against the mantle of a large fireplace, gazing into remnants of the morning’s fire. When he turned, the two different aspects of his face were momentarily hidden in shadow and then emerged in the light from an oil lamp on a table beside the hearth. “Thank you for coming, Torgin.” He tapped a chair with his cane. “Please join me.”

  Torgin sat on the edge of the proffered chair and folded his hands in his lap. The High DiMensioner, who would have scared him to death a few moon cycles ago, inspired respect and curiosity. Unsure what Wolloh expected of him, he waited. So did Wolloh.

  When at last Wolloh broke the silence, he spoke gently. “I am very sorry about your mother, Torgin. How do you feel about helping to rescue her?”

  “I want to very much, sir, but don’t know what to do.”

  “First, I need to see your compass.”

  Torgin knew his face went blank. Everyone wants the compass. Can I trust this man?

  “I promise to return it. I want to shield it so Nissasa cannot track it, and I would like to add to its information base.”

  “What do you want to add?”

  “I would prefer not to say at the moment. You will discover it when you need it.”

  Torgin studied his hands. His brain ran a quick inventory of potential reasons for secrecy. He looked up. “You don’t want anyone to read my mind and find out what you did, right?”

  The odd mouth turned up in a smile. “You are a bright young man, Torgin.” He held out his hand.

  Torgin placed the compass on the High DiMensioner’s palm and watched with interest as he held it face down over the crystal knob on his cane. Seconds ticked into minutes. Finally, he flipped it, tapped the face, and handed it back.

  “That should do it. You are the perfect person to carry this. Guard it with your life.” He sat back in his chair and studied Torgin’s face. “Since Yaro will be helping Lorsedi at the front, I am sending Corvus to help you find your mother.” His good eye seemed to sparkle. “If that’s alright with you, of course.”

  The burden that had weighed Torgin down since he had been told of the kidnapping eased. “Oh, sir, thank you. I trust him almost as much as my heart brother. But can you spare him?”

  “I can for a time. Please ask Stebben to bring Desirol to me.”

  “I will, sir. Thank you for your trust. And for helping me to find my mother.”

  When he returned to the conference chamber, Ira, Brie, and Esán sat together at the end of the table. He withdrew enough to watch them unobserved. He couldn’t believe how much they had changed—how much he had changed since the beginning of their adventures several moon cycles ago. He wondered what was next, and then decided it didn’t matter. As long as they were all together, they would manage.

  Desirol did not trust the High DiMensioner, and he couldn’t understand why his father did. The last thing he wanted to do was meet with him alone. He glared at Stebben’s broad back. When he opened the door to the study, Desirol was tempted to walk away.

  “Desirol, please come in.” Wolloh’s voice held an edge of authority that he dared not ignore.

  Standing awkwardly by the chair next to his, Desirol tried to hide his dislike and his discomfort. The odd face made him nervous.

  “Sit down, boy. I don’t bite.”

  “I’d rather stand.”

  “Sit down, Desirol. I am not going to get a crick in my neck because you have decided to dislike me.”

  Desirol rubbed his flushed cheek and sat ramrod straight in the chair. He tried not to look at the face.

  “You will be accompanying your friends later today. I have a few things I would like to share before you go.”

  “I am staying here with my father. You can’t make me leave.”

  Wolloh placed his cane between them. “As I recall, your father told you to do as I asked. You are not safe here. The Mindeco is at the border, sniffing to find you. Since you chose to leave your drango tunic behind, he was able to leave his mark on you at Nesune Ruins. His goal, Desirol Telisnoe, is to take over your body. Do you know what that means?”

  He gulped. “Yes. But my father won’t let him get me.”

  “Your father’s responsibilities preclude his protecting you. He needs you to go.”

  “Well, I won’t.”

  Wolloh tapped the crystal knob with his forefinger.

  A light shot from its center. Desirol’s forehead began to burn. The room blurred and came back into focus. “What did you do?”

  “Helped you relax. Before you go, I have a couple things to share.”

  “Go? Oh. With Esán.” He rubbed his forehead and wondered if he had forgotten something. Unable to track down what it was, he shrugged and prepared to listen to the High DiMensioner od DerTah.

  When Desirol finally left, Wolloh sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. The desire to give in to the fatigue that made every bone in his body ache—to take to his bed and rest—was almost as overpowering as the need to put shielding wards up around the ranch and to send the children out of harm’s way. At this moment, he wanted nothing more than time unfettered by the demands of The Unfolding. I need quiet, my house emptied of people, and time to regain my strength. I know this is not to be, however…

  A soft knock made him sigh and grasp his cane. “Come in, Stebben.” He watched the man he had rescued so many sun cycles ago enter and close the door. “What have you discovered?”

  “I can find no trace of Corvus. You may need to send the children on their way without him.”

  Wolloh cupped the knob on his cane in unsteady hands and peered into its depths. “It seems that Nissasa has been able to interfere with my crystal. I can feel him closing in. I can feel the Mindeco pacing the borders. I can sense Lorsedi and his men, but I cannot find Corvus anywhere.”

  “Could he be in the oasis caverns? They would obscure his whereabouts.” Stebben sat down in the leather chair vacated by Desirol.

  A tremor ran the length of Wolloh’s left side. He flinched and massaged a muscle cramp in his shoulder.

  Stebben leaned toward him. “You are far too tired to put up wards. You need to rest. We can hide the children a bit longer.”

  Wolloh straightened and fixed his good eye on his Major Domo. “I don’t have the luxury of resting just because I’m tired. We have far too much to accomplish before I can take time for myself.”

  “At least take a short nap, Wolloh. I’ll wake you in one chronometer circle.”

  “Half a circle…and I’ll nap.”

  Stebben nodded his agreement and prepared to leave. He paused and shot Wolloh a stern look. “I’ll keep everyone at bay. Rest.” He exited and shut the door without a sound.

  Setting his cane aside, Wolloh leaned into the comfort of his chair and closed his eyes. Too many tangles to untangle…too many… He yawned, blanked his mind, and slept.

  58

  ConDra’s Fire

  Myrrh & DerTah

  A lmiralyn stood in the serene quiet of Veersuni. The colored pieces of light from the window still floated in front of the velvet curtains. Beyond the emptied panes of glass, stars scattered across the panoramic expanse glittered. A crescent moon gleamed in the vast heavens.

  The image of the Mindeco in Elcaro’s Eye had sent both Merrilea and Sparrow into a panic. Almiralyn had done her best to calm their fears. None of them knew who was reflected in its eye. She had tried to assure them it wasn’t necessarily one of their boys. They weren’t convinced, and they knew she wasn’t either. When the fountain refused to show anything more, Elae and Zugo escorted them back to Meos.

>   A sense of dread she could not explain, and had not mentioned, kept her from returning with them. Why am I so uneasy? WoNa is safe. Allynae is safe. He and One Man are at Shu Chenaro. The children are with them .

  She turned her back on the window and stared at the fountain. What I need to know requires looking into the enemy’s camp. Dare I try it without Nomed’s support?

  The door from the Reading Room opened. A man’s silhouette paused, then moved into the light. Almiralyn smiled. “Seyes, I am glad you’re here.”

  He crossed to the fountain and met her gaze. “When Merrilea and Sparrow came back without you, I felt you might need my help.”

  She joined him beside the fountain. “I believe there’s trouble in DerTah. I was just about to use the Elcaro’s Eye. You must have felt my need. I didn’t want to use it against in without your help. You can monitor the wards while I see what the Eye is willing to share.”

  Nomed gave her a worried half-smile and placed his hands on the bowl’s rounded rim. “I’m concerned about Esán. Perhaps it will show us where the children are.” He closed his eyes. His breathing deepened. Finally, he looked up and nodded grimly. “The wards are solid, Almiralyn, but something strange vibrates at their outer edges. Do you think Nissasa is attempting to break through?”

  “I believe he is trying. Let’s hope he’s too distracted by events in DerTah to pursue it. Please let me know if you need help to maintain the wards.”

  She waved a hand over the fountain. “Show us the events unfolding in DerTah.” Almost before the question was formed, the water swirled and grew calm. On the surface an image took shape.

  Corvus and a young Dansgirl knelt at the top of the outcropping at Eissua Oasis. Below them at the water’s edge, three Sebborr warriors hid near WoNa’s cave entrance.

  “That must be Nichi,” Almiralyn said. “Karrew told me Corvus was on the way to rescue her.”

  The girl darted across the top of the sandy ridge and disappeared into a group of oragasu trees. Corvus followed.

  Rippling water erased the image and stilled to a mirror-like finish. Wolloh’s face, infused with fatigue, focused and faded into a close up of the children clustered at the center of a large, round arena. The scene blurred.

  Worry filled Nomed’s voice. “Wolloh looks ill. He should be resting.” He summoned a small smile. “I’m glad to know Esán is with his friends.” An emerging image claimed his attention.

  One Man, Allynae, Gerolyn, and Stebben gathered in a group near the children. The picture reeled out, showing Wolloh in conversation with Torgin.

  “We can’t wait any longer, Torgin. Nissasa is on the move. He is much stronger than we anticipated. The wards have to go up.”

  “But, Wolloh, you promised. How can we find my mother by ourselves?”

  Brie put an arm around him. “Ira has Efillaeh, and you have the compass. We’ll be fine.”

  Wolloh raised his cane to stop further discussion. “It is time. Please take your positions.”

  The crystal knob flared golden. Like shafts in a wheel, light shot from its center to form five pools on the ground in a tight circle around Esán and his companions. The High DiMensioner stepped into a pool. The remaining adults followed suit, their backs to the arena’s center. With arms raised, they began a whispered chant.

  Almiralyn watched a shimmering curtain of light rise from the ground, enclosing the arena and its occupants in a humming, luminous circle. Wolloh traced a sign in the air. The curtain shot upwards to form a dome high overhead. Moving within their pools, the adults began a measured pacing toward the outer walls of the arena. Their chanting grew more insistent. The space within the wards expanded. Barely visible, it moved beyond the arena walls.

  The image scattered, reformed, and sharpened.

  For the second time, the Mindeco’s hideous face filled the bowl. The image pulled out. Behind it the wards glowed in the intense light of the DerTahan sun. Nostrils flaring, it rose from all fours to its full height and howled. Nissasa’s soldiers fought to steady their frightened mounts. On the ranch side of the shield, Lorsedi’s men moved silently into a long narrow gully that ran parallel to the border of Fera Finnero. Flanking the Largeen Joram were Voer and Yaro.

  Almiralyn glanced at Nomed. “I’m glad the Pentharian have joined forces with Lorsedi. He will need their help.”

  Nomed leaned closer, peering intently into the water as a kestrel swooped into view, hovered above the wards, and streaked away. “That’s Esán. He must be scouting for Wolloh.”

  Elcaro’s Eye followed the course of the kestrel. A wide arc carried it east, where the wards stopped at the Sea of Fire. On it flew until the Plains of DoOlb could be seen beyond the shimmering curtain. In the distance, a coach led a caravan through the deep green of the rain forests of Trinuge. The kestrel made a final pass along the desert boundary, soared above the dome, and dropped through the central opening. Esán appeared in the midst of the children and signaled Wolloh. “It is done.”

  A series of different scenes flitted across the water’s surface. Warriors lined both sides of the border, preparing for battle; a red sun beat down on the translucent light dividing them; and the Mindeco prowled the perimeter of the wards, its single eye focused intently on the almost invisible curtain. It lifted its head and sniffed the air. A frustrated howl churned the water in the fountain. White waves crashed against its alabaster sides. Frothy spray misted the air with fine droplets of water. The creature crouched. With a powerful leap, it landed part way up the wards. Clinging with its massive claws, it began a labored climb.

  With the back of his hand, Nomed wiped the water from his scarred cheek. “Why didn’t the wards repel him?”

  Almiralyn leaned over the fountain and studied the beast. A glint of light caught her eye. “Look, it has a crystal around its neck. Not just any crystal. That’s the one WoNa carried in her medicine bag. It’s from the Evolsefil Caverns. Thank Emit, it’s not strong enough to damage the wards.”

  The water swirled and stilled. Wolloh’s arena snapped into view. The High DiMensioner’s voice called out, “Seal and secure. Protect all who reside within. Allow no one to enter whose intent is to harm.”

  He made a sign in the air. The chanting ceased. The golden pools coalesced, enclosing the children in light. The adults turned to face them.

  “Shoulder your packs, everyone, and make sure you are connected to me,” Esán instructed. He closed his eyes.

  Elcaro’s Eye rocked on its pedestal. The water roiled and quaked. Nomed gasped. “Help me, Almiralyn!”

  Joining forces with the DiMensioner, she fought to reconstruct the protective wards. When they were in place, she backed away from the fountain, drawing him with her.

  For an instant the hazel eyes looking down at her gleamed with the wildness of the Great Horned Owl. He blinked. “What happened?”

  She fingered the weave of her braid. “Nissasa, or someone equally as strong, tried to break through. I redesigned the wards. Hopefully, that will slow them down. Let’s see what else we can learn.” Winding her braid into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, she returned to her place by the fountain, snapped her fingers, and whispered a single word.

  Quiet filled Veersuni. Elcaro’s Eye remained calm and empty. Almiralyn clapped her hands. Small white caps appeared, turned into a seething whirlpool, and steadied. An image formed at the bottom of the bowl and spiraled upward.

  Nissasa Rattori’s face slammed into focus. Anger flushed his complexion. Cold blue eyes focused on a cowering Fire ConDra. Soldiers scattered. Sebborr huddled to one side, their dark eyes following Nissasa’s every move. The ConDra cringed away from his fury.

  “How could you let WoNadahem Mardree and her rescuers escape?” He bellowed. A flip of his wrist froze the flaming bird in mid-flight. Removing the Oracle Stone from the black pouch at his throat he chanted,

  “Oracle Stone, torch your bier

  And be filled with ConDra’s Fire.

  Burn into my heart sublim
e,

  Burn there ’til the end of time.”

  “Brosba!” he yelled and lifted the crystal above his head. “Brosba Nerofin!”

  The ConDra roared in terror as flames fled its body. Sucked into a twister, its fire spiraled downward, infusing the Oracle Stone with the deep red-orange of an inferno. Blackened bones fell, shattered into brittle shards, and scattered over the plateau like pieces of glistening obsidian.

  Clutching the crystal in his hand, Nissasa called, “I claim thee for my own and christen thee, Souvitrico, the Stone of Fire.” He returned it to its black pouch.

  Almiralyn tensed, her eyes glued to the water. Beside her, Nomed murmured under his breath. “The man grows stronger by the minute.”

  Nissasa threw his arms wide and shifted form. A DerTahan bearded buzzard lifted into flight on blazing wings and swept over the desert. At the border between Fera Finnero and Shu Chenaro, where the wards held his army at bay, he landed and resumed his Human form. Throwing his head back, he laughed. His men exchanged questioning glances and backed away from the venomous sound.

  He turned. His shout pierced the air. “Guardian of Myrrh… I know you watch! High DiMensioner od DerTah, you know not with whom you are dealing. I, Nissasa Rattori, have stolen the ConDra’s fire. Fear me! I shall burn your heart and all you love in the furnace of my desire.” He strode forward, raised the crystal, and rent a gaping hole in the wards. The Mindeco’s howl echoed through time and space as it flashed from sight.

  Shu Chenaro’s arena burst into view. Wolloh flung his arms wide. A cry of despair broke from his lips as the children vanished. Body rigid and face convulsed in a spasm of pain, he crumpled to the ground. Around him, the adults struggled to maintain the wards.

  Almiralyn glanced at Nomed’s ashen face and back at the fountain. “Show me the children.”

  The water rolled and splashed. An explosion of light on the surface brought a dark, dank forest into focus. The children knelt in ferns that towered high above their heads. An animal’s predatory roar shook the ground. Torgin crouched lower. “What was that?”