Cianan’s words confused her. Jeryl Jarlyn continued to tell her how rare and precious she was, yet he kept sending her to these hostile worlds. Was every universe going to present some type of risk to her life? No wonder the Troyk people, who did not support the mind control telepathic government, did not leave until they were forced to. Had it not been for the atmosphere on Earth, her former home was The Garden of Eden compared to what she had witnessed thus far.
“Why is this the first time I am hearing I could be targeted on this planet because I am a woman?” Shirl asked. She was sick and tired of having things happen to her. Shirl needed to become the mistress of her own destiny.
Her soul mate looked at her sheepishly. “We did not want you to worry. Strong emotions after recovering from a fever could cause a relapse.” She had never heard such nonsense.
She swore under her breath. Shirl had heard Tarsea do the same in response to something Alex did or said. It actually made her feel better. “Full disclosure in the future,” she ordered. “I need to know what I may be up against before I enter the portal. It may be your responsibility to guard me, but I need to know what I may find when I step into another universe.”
Starc nodded his acceptance at Shirl’s decree. “We better get going.” He led the way, followed by her, and then her brother. They left the meadow where the natural portal existed and entered the woods. The fallen dried leaves that littered the trail made it impossible to travel without making noise.
Anyone close by would know of their existence. As they made their way along the trail, her nose was assaulted by the smell of decomposition. It was nature’s way of dealing with forest debris. She started to pray for wind. A steady breeze would drown out the sound of dried debris shuffling as they made their way to the crystals.
She could not help but notice the number of times Starc looked into the woods. Shirl was tempted to ask him if he sensed anything, but she wanted to keep their telepathic channels clear. It was essential they could hear the approach of any party scouring the forest. A feeling of impending doom germinated within her stomach. No crystal was worth the danger the Prime Ruler’s missions placed them in. If she survived, she was going to have to gather the courage to confront Jeryl Jarlyn. The man was up to something and she was tired of playing the role of an ignorant pawn.
Shirl heard the approaching party before Starc signaled for them to stop. Both men placed themselves between her and the four barbarians who emerged from the trees. The men seemed ready to fight until they noticed her. She saw them shifting as they stood, trying to get a better look at her.
“We are from the Troyk universe,” her brother stated. Obviously they were aware of the portal and the visitors who entered their world through it. “Our only purpose is to pick up rocks that hold no value to you.”
“Everything holds value to us, if it holds value to you.” This world must have fractured from Earth, since these men spoke English. Although Shirl had read articles on string theory, it was Alex who explained why numerous parallel worlds spoke English and other languages that possibly originated on Earth. Drake had explained the people of the Nightshade world had learned English centuries earlier as they sometimes portaled to Earth. “You are free to take whatever you can carry,” their spokesman continued. “However, the woman stays here.”
“Now would be a good time to open a temporary portal, Shirl,” her soul mate communicated through the soul mate channel. She could not agree with him more.
Shirl concentrated on the frequency within her head and worked to increase the volume. She had practiced several times to get the frequency to a high enough decibel to open a portal once she returned from Terra Flora. Practice would make it second nature when a real emergency arose.
It had frustrated her she had not been able to open a portal in that world. She prayed performance anxiety would not prevent her now that they were in danger again.
Once again something was blocking her ability to generate a portal. She could not understand why she had been able to open portals in the Troyk and Nightshade universes, but not here.
“I cannot open a portal. The same issue is preventing me from isolating the frequency as it did on Terra Flora. It is not an abundance of crystals nearby after all. We are going to have to fight Conan, The Barbarian. Maybe if we stun them, we can then make it back to the natural portal before they regain their senses,” Shirl answered. She felt like a failure not being able to open an escape route.
Starc pulled a weapon. It was the same type of device she saw discharged on Terra Flora. The weapon produced energy blasts, powered by the crystal lodged within its base. Her brother stood between her soul mate and the men carrying large broad swords. She had read somewhere that Scottish Claymore’s only weighed about five and half pounds, but these weapons looked massive.
“You wear Allaway’s colors,” her brother said. Her brother was trying the diplomatic approach, rather than fighting. “He is an ally of our Prime Ruler’s. We should be able to work this out without bloodshed.” Cianan did not bother to communicate any covert plans for escape through either the communal or familial channels. Her brother was buying them time, assuming these men were willing to escort them to their leader. She would keep trying to break through the interference and open a temporary portal.
“I do not shy away from a fight, but it is best to know who you are fighting.” The man kept his eye on the weapon Starc had drawn. He obviously did not want to fight any more than they did, especially against more advanced weaponry. His words allowed him to save face. “My name is Aifric Clacher. I will take you to Ervin Allaway. I will be asking for your agreement to act as comrades.” Shirl assumed he warned them not to try and get away while they made their way to the village, or wherever they called home. For some reason, Aifric did not seem as big and threatening as he did before.
“You have our word,” Cianan replied. He motioned for Starc to stand down. Her soul mate did not immediately comply, but ultimately lowered his weapon. The men who surrounded them did not seem eager to take Starc’s weapon from him. “No one touches my sister or I cannot guarantee her mate’s frenzied reaction.” Shirl watched as the men sized up Starc. He was as tall as the men before them and just as muscular. For an instant she could picture him wearing animal skins and brandishing a sword. Heat once again spread through her body. She was going to have to remember that image for a less life threatening time.
Aifric and another of his men lead their way along the wooded path, while the remaining men brought up the rear. They appeared to be as weary walking through the woods as her party had been. Darden had mentioned there were occasional hostilities between clans in this world.
“What do you have planned?” Starc asked her brother through a communal channel. They had made sure that Shirl would be able to link to that particular channel before they left on their first mission. Although Shirl had been able to link into additional Troyk communal channels, they continued to use this one during missions.
“I am trying to maintain the truce Jarlyn established with this clan years ago,” her brother answered. “We should be able to leave with the crystals and Shirl.” Shirl questioned whether or not her brother would have sold her to these men for a handful of crystals had Starc not been present. This was the third mission with her brother and she still did not know if he could be trusted. His behavior was so inconsistent where she was concerned, she did not know how to read him.
They had been walking for twenty minutes and there seemed to be no end in sight. The dense foliage allowed little sun to come through and Shirl could barely feel her fingers anymore. Starc’s jacket had given her some relief, but she was freezing. The pace they set should have generated enough energy to warm her body. She did not want to appear weak to these men by asking her soul mate to wrap his arm around her. Terra Flora did not seem like a bad place all of a sudden, even with the Giant Larma beasts.
After anoth
er ten minutes they came upon a clearing. There were various stone structures scattered in the meadow. Aifric stopped in front of the second building they came to. “The woman can wait here while we meet with Allaway. There be food and a hearth within. Go warm yourself before your shivering wears down your teeth.”
Shirl figured this was a male dominated world and now was not the time to strike out for women’s liberation. The warmth of a fire was too inviting. Even though she had eaten what Tolfer had prepared, she was starting to get hungry.
“I will be fine,” she shared with Starc through their link. “Negotiate us out of here, but don’t trust Cianan. Keep me advised of how things are going and when I should be ready to make a move. I will let you know if I am successful in opening a temporary portal.” She entered the building, as Starc continued with the men to meet with Ervin Allaway.
As promised, there was a blazing fire to her right as she entered. She immediately walked to the hearth and warmed her hands. There was a chair not far from the fire she sat in once her hands were warm. Shirl examined the room about her, trying to identify anything she could use as a weapon. The room was sparse. There was a small bed, a table with two chairs, and a couple of chests. She came from a world of abundance, it was strange to see a people who lived so frugally. Shirl wondered if the Troyk had a prime directive, like the Federation had on Star Trek.
The warmth from the hearth was lulling her to sleep. She found the cracking of the wood as it burned soothing. Shirl was startled awake by someone entering the structure. An old woman carried an arm full of clothing. She placed them on Shirl’s lap and then left before Shirl had an opportunity to thank her.
Shirl barely had the opportunity to examine the garments when an old man came in with what she assumed was a tray of food. He too left his offerings and exited. Curiosity and an empty stomach got the best of her. She rose and went to examine what her nose had already communicated was hearty food.
There was a bowl of what she assumed was mutton stew. The aroma told her there was cinnamon, garlic, and clove seasoning. She took a bite and flavor exploded in her mouth. It would have been perfect with a little salt. Shirl noted that in the future, they could barter salt for crystals. If this place was similar to Earth’s evolution, salt would have been a commodity used only by the very rich. Shirl remembered reading that in one of her historical romance novels. She quickly finished the stew and used the bread that accompanied the meal to sop up the remaining gravy.
Shirl directed her attention to the clothing she had been given earlier. There was a gown made of the softest suede she had ever felt. The garment was dyed a rich green. She could not resist the temptation of having the soft, warm material against her skin.
There was a privacy screen on the far side of the room, not far from the bed. She quickly made her way behind it and changed into the dress. It fit like it had been made specifically for her. The lightweight leather felt sinful against her skin.
Under normal circumstances she would have been thrilled with such a prize. There was a shawl, a similar color to the dress, she placed over her shoulders. There was a large silver brooch she leveraged to clasp the shawl. Shirl felt she was going to a costume party and was waiting for her date to pick her up.
But she was not on her way to a party. They were in a dangerous parallel universe and she had not heard from Starc. She had asked him to keep her apprised of their negotiations. That did not bode well for their chances of leaving this world in one piece. Shirl concentrated once again to open a temporary portal. She grew so frustrated, she threw the bowl across the room.
Starc finished his second bowl of stew, waiting for their negotiations to start. Cianan seemed to understand the customs of these people, so Starc followed his lead. He had not been happy about leaving Shirl behind as they entered the village.
The fact she had not called out for help through the soul mate channel eased his conscience. Since they had not started discussions yet, he had nothing to report back to her. He imagined she had dined and was now warm. Starc had been so focused on the threats present in the woods, he had not noticed his soul mate’s discomfort. It irked him that Aifric had reacted to how cold Shirl was. He just assumed giving her his jacket took care of her chill. Starc had not thought of following up regarding her comfort.
He eyed the man at the head of the table. Ervin Allaway was not what he had been expecting. Allaway was a relatively young man and would turn any woman’s head. He was powerfully built, no doubt had fought his way to being leader of this clan. Unlike his men, Allaway was clean shaven. Starc could understand how such a man would want a woman like Shirl. Ervin would want a woman that gave him stature, as well as strong children. He had his work cut out for himself if he was going to leave with Shirl. Something told him that her wishes were not paramount related to her fate in this universe.
A round of alcohol was served. After he downed the shot, his patience had worn thin. “Start the negotiations already,” he instructed Cianan. His soul mate’s brother did not seem in any hurry. Shirl’s words about not trusting him continued to play in his head.
Starc was not a smooth talker. He was a soldier, a follower. His brother Darden had always been the one who would communicate some grandiose plan when they were growing up. Starc excelled at executing that plan, a talent he brought into adulthood. Being a Crystal Telepath Guard was the ideal occupation for him. A follower.
“Ervin,” Cianan started, “we have had a mutual, beneficial relationship for many decades. Jarlyn first came to terms with your father when they were both young men. You have many enemies that would gladly take everything you have built over the years. The Troyk have provided you supplies to help wage the wars with men who would take what is yours.” Starc would not fault how Cianan started discussions with Allaway.
“Everything you say is true,” Ervin replied. “However, you have never come here with a female. I hear she is very beautiful and would give me many healthy children.” Starc had to hold himself back from the words Ervin voiced. He would keep silent until Cianan failed in his attempts to free his sister.
“The woman you mention is my sister. She is a crystal telepath, like I am. Jarlyn has had her accompany me on my trips to other worlds in order for her to learn to navigate the portal properly. It would be a shame to destroy a relationship both our people have cherished for two generations over a woman. Let me make myself perfectly clear. Any action taken against my sister will negate any agreements our two worlds have entered into.” Starc was impressed with Cianan’s words and forcefulness.
The leader of this village seemed to be considering his options. Women were scarce; however, the trade relationship his people had with the Troyk universe had to be the difference between maintaining their edge against their enemies and losing everything they had. Ervin Allaway’s eyes surveyed the room and fell on Starc.
“What does the woman mean to you,” Ervin directed the question to Starc.
“I am a Crystal Telepath Guard assigned to protect Shirlyn Thork. The woman is also my soul mate and I will not give her up.” Starc decided to lay all his cards on the table. Allaway seemed taken aback when Starc mentioned that he was mated to Shirl. He hoped the man recognized the truth when he heard it. There should not be a doubt in the other man’s mind about what lengths Starc would take to leave this world with Shirl.
“There are tales about the power a mated female crystal telepath possesses. I grew up hearing such legends. My father would tell me about them every night when I was growing up. What can she do?”
Starc should have spent more time with Darden learning all the legendary tales about crystal telepathic women. Hearing legends seemed a waste of time when he had the real thing in his arms. He needed to answer this question very carefully, make it seem that the power came from the mated couple. Otherwise, he would never get off this world with Shirl.
“We have not been mated long,” Starc confes
sed. “What we have discovered is that her additional telepathic abilities only comes about when she has physical contact with me. She is strongest after we have made love.” Course, but true. He hoped he was convincing that Shirl had no additional powers without his presence.
“That would make sense,” Ervin replied. “Such a woman would be worthless to me as a lover, but valuable as a friend to my people.” Starc let out the breath he had been holding. He had hoped it had not been too obvious.
Ervin Allaway snapped his fingers and one of his guards came to do his bidding. The leader whispered into the guard’s ear and then he proceeded to leave the building. “I have called for the woman we have been discussing to join us. We can finish our negotiations with her present.” Ervin had another shot and started to talk to the man on his left. They were almost home free. Shirl’s stature in this community changed once they knew what she was.
Only moments elapsed before Shirl joined them. She had changed out of her tunic, leggings, and overcoats. His soul mate was in a long flowing green dress with a shawl providing additional warmth. Troyk women in their revealing evening wear did not hold a candle to his soul mate before him. She was feminine, soft, and absolutely beautiful. Every man in the room was struck dumb by her presence.
The men’s captivated silence was cut short by the banging of metal outside in the village. “We are under attack,” someone cried.
Shirl felt uncomfortable with all the men in the room staring at her. Her whole life she wanted to be judged on who she was, not how she looked. The green dress molded to her every curve and she had brushed out her hair. She knew she had captivated every man in this room. It was not a stretch to imagine that anything she said would be discounted. She also wondered if her appearance would also add to the challenges to them leaving this world.
Havoc arose when a man yelled from outside that they were under attack. Every man in the room rose, drew their swords and screamed a battle cry as they ran to face their enemy. Shirl dodged men exiting as she went to Starc’s side. He pulled out his weapon, drawing her behind him.
The Crystal Telepath Page 18
