Corvus smiled. “My father has discussed the idiosyncrasies of the female with me, sir. I also have two sisters.”
“Ah, but sisters are one thing—daughters, companions, lovers, wives—are another.”
“I don’t understand, sir. Almiralyn will be like my sister.”
Lanli lounged back in his chair and fingered his fair mustache. “You have given your heart already, Corvus. I saw it when I entered the room. What if she can never return your love? What if she falls in love with another?”
“Sir, I am only thirteen sun cycles. Your daughter is less than half a moon cycle. I believe time will be the decider of these things. Until then, I will simply protect her.”
The man’s expression softened. “You are as wise as they told me you would be.” He grew serious. “Swear that you will love and protect her always.”
Corvus tipped his head to one side. “I have already sworn to do so, or I would not be here today.”
A firm hand squeezed his shoulder. “Thank you, Corvus Karrew Castilym.”
The bedroom door opened and the nurse stuck her head in. “My lady would like you to come to her, sir.”
Lanli followed the nurse. From the hallway a high-pitched laugh heralded the arrival of Almiralyn’s Aunt Henri. The door flew open, and a petite blonde woman glided into the room. She was as lovely as her sister Mairin and her newly born niece, and Corvus adored her. Seven sun cycles his senior, she never looked down on him, treated him as an equal, and always invited him on exciting escapades that he knew could get them in trouble if they were caught.
She plopped in the chair vacated by Lanli and pursed her mouth in a petulant pout. “You’ve seen her, haven’t you? I’m her aunt, and I haven’t seen her yet. Is she beautiful? What color are her eyes. Do you like her?”
“I think she is the most spectacular baby I have ever—”
A gurgle of delighted laughter cut him short. “You love her already. I can see it in your face.”
Heat flooded his cheeks. “I-I- she. Henri, don’t tease.”
She put an arm around him and gave him a sisterly squeeze. “You are the cutest boy. And I do love your dimple.”
He was saved from a reply by the door opening and the nurse beckoning. “Please, Miss Henrietta, your sister would like to see you.”
With a prim nod, Henri disappeared after her, leaving Corvus to recover. He shook his head and laughed. “Dear Henri! You do make things more interesting.”
Over time Corvus found that his affection for his charge intensified. Almiralyn’s laughter filled him with delight. Her tears plucked his heart strings like a harp. Her intelligence intrigued and captivated him. And her enthusiasm for life enchanted him. By the time he matured to full manhood, his feelings had changed from a boy’s adoration to a man’s passionate love of a woman. He would never love another.
He leaned against the doorframe and observed her bow to Chertea, her trimala instructor, and take a fighter’s stance. Blow by blow; move by move, they performed a set of choreographed passes. The warm-up came to an end. Almiralyn bowed.
Chertea stepped back and met her gaze. “You have mastered level nine. I do not need to explain the importance of the final two. Few achieve ten and eleven. Let us begin.”
Again, they bowed and Chertea executed a complex series of passes, which Almiralyn watched with unwavering attention.
As the lesson progressed, Corvus marveled at his charge’s dexterity, mature responses, and quickness.
His mind inventoried the number of times he had watched her in a learning situation, then slid into memory.
He sat at a table, books about Old Earth scattered around him. Thoughtfully, he thumbed through the pages of an Atlas and wondered how much, if any, of Earth’s geography remained on Myrrh—mountains and lakes, grasslands and forests. His studies had informed him that Myrrh’s connection to Thera’s oceans provide for that aspect of the small world’s bio-chemical needs. The two planets were symbiotic in many ways. Maintaining the portals between them was vital to both.
A child’s footsteps interrupted him. The door flew open and a pink-cheeked Almiralyn ran to his side. At five sun cycles, she was serious one instant and filled with girlish giggles the next. In this moment, her rounded eyes overflowed with concern.
“Corvus, look.” She held out small hands in which she cradled a tiny bird. “It fell from a tree. We must put it back so the mother won’t worry.”
Corvus came to his feet and guided her to the door. “Show me the tree, and we shall see what can be done.”
Their trip across the garden was accompanied by her story. “I found it, Corvus. It must have just fallen because it was too scared to move. It didn’t even try to get away. I picked it up and hurried to you.” She looked up at him. “I knew you would know exactly what needed to be done.”
The earnestness and trust in her expression touched him more than he liked to admit. He knelt beside her. “We must remove your scent from the baby, or the mother will reject it.”
“Oh dear. How do we do that?“
He patted the grass. “Put it here.”
She knelt and placed the bird on its feet. “Now what?”
Whispering a soft word, he sprinkled several blades of grass on the babies back. “Do you see its nest, Almiralyn?”
She pointed. “Yes, it is there.”
“Keep your eyes on the bird and in your mind see it back in its home. I will count to three. Are you ready?”
Her serious gaze held his. “Will it hurt it?”
“No, dear one. It won’t feel anything. One… Two… Three…”
The bird vanished. Almiralyn gasped. “Where is it?”
He pointed at the nest. “Up there.”
She frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure.”
“I want to see. Send me up there.”
“You’ll frighten the mother bird.”
Stubbornness crept into her voice. “I want to see. I want to make sure the baby is safe.”
He eyed her steadily. “I can send you up there, but you must come directly back to me. Promise.”
Silver blond braids tied with blue ribbons bounced with the vigorous nod of her head.
“Alright. Picture in your mind something small that flies.”
A smile lit his eyes as he monitored her thoughts. “Good. Keep the picture clear.” He touched her forehead. In the flash of soft light that followed, Almiralyn shifted. A blue and yellow butterfly fluttered upward. Just above the nest, it landed on a leaf.
Corvus kept his thoughts focused on his charge. Satisfaction flooded through her. She lifted into the air and flew straight to his outstretched hand. A second later she stood in Human form in front of him.
“Ohhhh, Corvus! That was sooo wonderful! Can I do it again?”
Corvus stepped back. Light flashed around him. He looked through raven eyes at his young charge. It was the first time he had shifted shape in front of her.
Her mouth formed an astonished O. She dropped to her hands and knees and stared at him. “Corvus?”
He croaked. “I am Karrew in this form.”
She sat back on her heels and laughed. “Oh my goodness. You talk.”
“I do.” He reappeared in his Human form. “It is a gift that comes to me from my heritage. It’s one of the reasons I was chosen to be your protector.”
“Can you teach me to change shape, too?”
Seriousness infused his expression and his words. “I can, but unlike me, you won’t be able to speak. So once we are in our shifted forms…” He switched to telepathy. “We must communicate telepathically, something you do very well.”
She settled comfortably next to him. “What must I do?”
And thus the lessons began. She had been an apt pupil. Over the course of the next few turnings, she looked through books about birds. She memorized the habits of her favorites and learned bird anatomy. With total recall, she sketched each bird he asked her to draw. Unlike m
ost young children, she never asked when she could try to change shape or why it was taking so long. One turning he placed a book in front of her.
“This is the story of a bird named Golden Wing. When you can read the book all the way through and when you can draw her picture from memory, it will be time for you to take her shape. Promise me you will not shift without me to guide you, Almiralyn. I don’t want to lose you. Understood?”
Her cheeks flushed pink as she laid her hand on the book. “I understand, Corvus.”
He left her and crossed to his chambers. A subtle mind probe kept him apprised of her progress. A soft knock on his door informed him she had achieved her goal. “Come in.”
She walked primly to his side and laid a sketch of Golden Wing soaring above the sea in his lap. “You have done well, my dear. What did you learn from reading her story?”
“I must never forget that I am Human. If I forget, I will be like Golden Wing’s older brother and remain a bird forever. I must always honor my shifted form, and I must return to Human form before the wildness of the bird captures me.”
“Do you promise, Almiralyn, to remember and obey these rules?”
She laid a hand on her heart. “I promise.”
“Then I believe we are ready.” He took her hand and led her into an enclosed garden. “Picture every detail of Golden Wing in your mind. When I say so, see her, feel her, be her. Stay within the walls of the garden. When I call, come to me immediately. Do you understand?”
Her face was a study in solemnly contained excitement. He watched as she steadied her concentration. She pressed her lips together and nodded.
“See her, Almiralyn. Be her…now.”
The change was instantaneous. Light flared and a white bird with gold-tipped wings soared upward, circled the garden, and when he called, landed at his feet. Her Human form flashed into being. Sapphire eyes gleamed. She pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks. “Oh my.” She sank onto the grass and remained quiet for some time. She finally exhaled a deep breath and looked up at him. A parade of emotions filled her face: wonder, surprise, astonishment, awe. “Can we check on the baby bird now?”
He laughed out loud. “You never forget a thing, do you?”
“No. I do not. I wish to see how much it has grown. Please fly with me to the nest.”
They shifted together and landed several branches higher than the bird’s home. Almiralyn observed it, swooped down to the ground, and shifted with no help from him.
“Thank you, Corvus. May we fly together tomorrow?”
“We can fly now if you like.”
She tugged at a braid. “I would like some time to think. Today has been magical. I don’t want to lose even one memory.” She walked toward the house and disappeared inside.
At five, she had been an apt student. That never changed. His love for her overflowed as he observed her execution of the complex patterns of trimala.
She caught his eye and winked, stepped forward, arrested a blow from Chertea, performed a move he had taught her, and brought her teacher to a standstill.
Chertea threw him a sideward glance and faced her student. “I see you have been practicing with Corvus. Well done. Your next lesson is in two turnings. Work with your protector to perfect level ten.” She bowed and swept from the room.
Almiralyn removed her soft leather gloves and joined him, grinning. Sweat gleamed on fair skin flushed pink from exertion. “I need a cleanse and food. I’m starving.” She linked her arm through his and nudged him out the door.
He smiled down at her. “You did well today. I liked the move at the end.”
Her musical laugh filled the air. “I couldn’t resist trying it, especially since it fit so naturally into the pattern. Thanks for teaching it to me, Corvus. Someday, I hope to be as good as you are.”
“You’re almost there, my dear. Ah, here we are. Enjoy your cleanse. I’ll meet you in your suite with enough food for at least three.”
Another laugh preceded her disappearance. Greetings and girlish giggles drifted after him as he made his way through the elaborate gardens.
Feeling fresh and invigorated, Almiralyn stepped from the drying stall, donned a fresh pale blue robe, and slipped on her sandals. Hunger sent her jogging along a manicured path and up a wide marble stairway. She entered a corridor and walked toward her rooms. Midway, she paused at a window to enjoy a moment of quiet and her favorite view.
To one side, the alabaster spire that marked the entrance to the temples central sanctuary gleamed in the final moments of dusk’s passing. The gardens laid out in a circle around it were in full flower, and beyond them the vastness of the Sea of KcernFensia glistened aqua. She inhaled the sweet scent of summertide and sighed. Her training was almost complete. In the fall she, Corvus, and her brother Allynae would leave for Myrrh.
A gleaming pale gray bird swooped low, and then shot upward, caught an up drafted, and soared. The temptation to shift form and fly was hard to resist. Her smile changed to serious as her thoughts turned a different direction. Corvus. How do I tell you how I feel about you? We are such good friends.
“Awfully serious, aren’t you?” A tall, blond man grinned at her.
Masking her thoughts, she returned his smiled and spoke with a lightness she didn’t feel. “Thorlu, how are you?”
“Better for feasting my gaze on your beauty.” Lust glowed in his gray-green eyes and sent a chill creeping up her neck.
“Ah, thanks…I think. If you’ll excuse me, I am meeting Corvus for evening repast.”
He put a hand on her arm. The light grip stayed her departure. “I was hoping to dine with you myself. I have had an exquisite meal prepared.”
She removed his hand. “You should have spoken with me sooner, Thorlu. I just told you I already have plans.”
A spark of anger ignited in his eyes. He blinked it away. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me, Almiralyn. I have had a meal prepared just for you.”
“And she just informed you that she had other plans.” Corvus’ voice from behind him was pleasant but firm.
A scowl replace Thorlu’s smile as he pivoted. “This is a private conversation. I suggest you go back to wherever you came from and allow us to finish it.”
Almiralyn moved around him and linked elbows with Corvus. “It is finished, Thorlu. Have a lovely evening.” She allowed her protector to escort her down the hall and sighed with relief when they stepped inside her suite. Throwing herself down in her favorite chair, she frowned. “Thank you, Corvus, for coming so quickly. I never seem to be able to extricate myself from that man without a fight. Why does he not see that I am uninterested?”
Corvus handed her a goblet of sparkling water. “I believe his ego gets in the way. Soon, my dear, you won’t have to worry about him.”
She sipped her water. Bubbles tickling the back of her throat made her smile. “Let’s eat and then fly over to the mainland and back.”
“I would love to take an evening flight.” He pulled her to her feet and led her to the table.
The meal, prepared by the temple chef, smelled and tasted divine. When they finished, they stepped to the shadowed balcony, shifted, and took flight—Corvus in his raven form and she as a white bird with gold tipped wings.
The journey took them beneath a star sprinkled sky. They landed and strolled along a sandy beach. Low tide netted them shells and other sea trinkets which Almiralyn slipped into her pocket. Their return trip followed the arc of the rising moon and ended with a walk through the garden.
At her rooms, Corvus bid her good night. She listened to his receding footsteps. With a sigh, she stepped onto her balcony. Moonlight washed the temple grounds with silver and turned the alabaster spire into a shimmering shaft of light. A bird’s silhouette soared past. She wondered if her protector had other places to be…if he had a true love that he visited when he was not at her side. Melancholy settled over her. Can I truly expect him to accompany me to Myrrh if his heart belongs to someone here?
The un
familiar scent of musk pressed her into the shadows. A dark form shot toward her. She whipped around and swung her elbow hard. It slammed into the firm, muscular mid-section of a stocky man. He gasped. She dodged away. A well-placed kick brought a groan of pain and a curse in a language she did not recognize. Ducking into her darkened chambers, she inched her way toward an area uncluttered by furnishings. Heavy breathing pursued her. Booted feet halted. Silence followed. Anticipation gripped her. She shook it free, fixed his position in her mind, and waited. The rustle of fabric gave him away. Aiming at the height of his knee, she struck out with her foot. A curse accompanied the loud crack of bones breaking. A howl of pain preceded a dragging retreat.
The soft wafting of wings alerted her to more company. Crouching and ready, she waited. Corvus stepped into her line of vision. With a flip of her wrist, she ignited the lamps in the room. A male figure sprawled unconscious on the floor.
Her protector knelt at his side and rolled him over. “Haven’t seen this man before.”
She joined him. “Neither have I. Thanks.”
He glanced up. “You didn’t need me. But it seemed prudent to assist in case. Good work. I think you broke his knee.”
“A lucky strike. What do you suppose he was after.”
“You. Let’s get the temple guard to put him in a safe place. Then we can talk.” He pressed a buzzer by the door and faced her. “I got a message tonight that my help was need on the mainland. When I arrived, no one was around. I immediately headed here.” He pulled the door open.
The head of the temple guard entered with two men. A quick explanation brought a look of concern to the man’s face. “So they’ve found you. I’ll post a guard.”
Almiralyn waited until the men had cleared the room. “Who has found me?”
Corvus escorted her to the settee and sat beside her. She studied his face. “Well?”
A frown erased his dimple. “Until recently the Guardians have managed to keep your existence and your role in The Unfolding nothing more than a rumor. During the past several moon cycles, there have been indications that the Mocendi League has pinpointed your whereabouts. When Thorlu showed up on KcernFensia, we all realized the rumor had become fact and you, my dear, had become an immediate target of the League. Few in the Inner Universe have achieved your degree of expertise in the Order of Esprow; and although you have chosen not to join the Order, were you to do so you would enter at the level of a High DiMensioner.”
The UnFolding Collection Two Page 65
