"What was this message he wanted you to share?" Bauleel asked.
Tiine ignored her question. "This special task force you're on, dealing with Terem Zebio... Does what I've described sound like your man?"
"It does. And from what I've seen of this place it looks like Terem's style too," Bauleel replied.
"Can I assume your recent and not yet altogether healed injuries are also due to a previous encounter with Terem, and perhaps this mission is a bit personal for you?" Tiine asked.
Bauleel clenched her jaw, causing pain to radiate across her face from the still-healing fractures webbing her bone. "They are, and you can." Bauleel already had their respect, but now sensed waves of awe layering into the intense emotions around her.
"Understand this: nothing we used had any effect on him," Tiine replied.
Bauleel felt everyone's eyes on her. "I appreciate your candor, but I'll be leaving today to track him down."
"He wants to live a normal life. Just to be left alone like any other average person. He said if anyone interferes with him again that he'll kill us all. And he didn't mean all of us Guardians. He deliberately twisted the pike in my chest as he explained himself. He meant all Az'Un."
Bauleel felt a righteous rage rise within her belly. Who did Terem think he was--threatening everything she'd worked all her long life to accomplish? She would never allow his threats to be realized. "Thank you, Captain Tiine. Let me assure you I'm not on some petty vendetta. The Chieftess and Commander Graeber and I are all of a like mind that Terem needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible." More importantly, Bauleel knew how the Core would want things resolved. Terem's desire to 'just be left alone' would never be enough for the Core.
"I hope you're right about that, Lieutenant Commander."
"And I hope your recovery is a speedy one. Thank you again for your generous hospitality, but we need to get going."
"Private Jarua," Bauleel addressed the short man. "Please ready two horses for Corporal Rilte and myself. We'll leave within the hour. Make sure and pack some extra grain in the saddlebags for them too."
"Yes, ma'am," Jarua inclined his head and then left.
"Master Sergeant Baryu, could you please include my departure in your message to Chieftess Raza?" Bauleel asked. "I'm not sure when I'll get the opportunity to write her again."
"Yes, Lieutenant Commander," Baryu agreed. "Is there anything else you'd like me to include?"
"Copy Commander Graeber. I'll catch his ire if he has to hear it from the Chieftess second hand."
"Will do, Lieutenant Commander," Baryu replied.
"Corporal Rilte, you're with me. Good day, Guardians." Bauleel marched into the still open medicinal supplies pantry and filled her backpack with various vials. Rilte stood by. Once she had a reasonable variety and quantity of everything she could imagine needing, she exited the pantry, pausing only long enough to nod at Master Sergeant Baryu and Sergeant Taine.
They got to the base of the staircase on the main floor when Rilte stopped her. "Can we talk about this?"
Bauleel glared at him. "You will not question my authority!"
"I'm not! I'm questioning your sanity. Didn't you hear what the Captain said? Nothing they used worked on Terem. Nothing even slowed him down. Shouldn't we at least wait and see how Chieftess Raza wants to handle this?"
"Trust me, I know what she'll think of the message Baryu is about to send."
"And what are we going to do when we find him? It's not like your superior negotiating skills are going win the day!"
Bauleel barked out a laugh, and pain sparked across her face. "You don't know that."
"Yeah, I think I do," Rilte exhaled, his voice sounding strangulated by his frustration. "Seriously, what's the plan?"
Bauleel glimpsed Baryu hiding at the top of the stairs around the doorway, attempting not to be seen. "I have a secret weapon," she stated and then strode off to the kitchens to locate the travel rations.
A few seconds later she heard Rilte run to catch up with her. He muttered a soft "You have got to be kidding me!"
Except she wasn't.
Chapter 6
From: Selector Brague
To: Princess Qwell
Latne: Perith Prime-Latne of the Dark Trine
Revered Transmitter of the Hegemony Princess Qwell:
I am pleased to announce that the Evaluation of possible candidates has been going more quickly than expected. The team I've assembled--including your gracious additions to my staff--to aid me in this task has exceeded my expectations by identifying inconveniences that might otherwise hinder your divine plans.
I will share for your Grace's amusement the disposition of the last two planets Evaluated. The second planet on our list, Bawna of the Bawna Minas system, had developed sudden electrical storms since our last routine planetary survey some few hundred cycles ago. Unfortunately, these storms were too erratic and powerful to ensure a safe haven for your purposes, so we had to immediately disqualify Bawna from our Evaluations.
Surveyor Garron proposed the possibility that these storms could be caused or influenced by a newly identified species of avian whose cries seem to incite electrical storms. This may sound ridiculous, but nonetheless, I have ordered a full scientific survey of the planet and the avian creatures, just in case something of value could be weaponized for the Hegemony.
Then, upon traveling to Taloos of the Manchas system, the third planet on our list, we regrettably discovered Taloos had been strip-mined by scavengers in the not-too-distant past. Be assured that we all share in the Hegemony's horror over this atrocity. We were glad, however, for the fortuitous luck that we'd discovered such villainy so quickly after the crimes had been committed. I have sent two ships from my fleet to track down the fleeing vermin who've destroyed the previously pristine Taloos. I have also ordered a full scientific survey to determine whether the planet might yet be restored to some semblance of its former glory via current terraforming technology. You can expect their report within one cycle.
By Hegemonic law, I have attached documents to place under protection all species previously known and cataloged on Taloos. Hopefully, this will avoid a total loss of the genetic history on Taloos. Happily, I have located some specimens in my own personal lab that will be set aside for this very purpose.
I have also included documentation to start the sentencing process on the scavenging thieves, including all necessary documentation currently available. I can only hope the Hegemony will take swift and public action on this matter, with punishments that might give future aspiring raiders due pause.
On a more positive note, we are now in transit to the next planet on the list, Az'Unda of the Pleos system. After three unacceptable Evaluations, I am looking forward to a new planet to sink my scanners into. I am confident your perfect Selection will be established in short order. Be assured that my next report will yield more real candidates.
I have attached my updated schedule so you can remain informed on my progress. You will note that the unfortunate condition of the last few planets has sped up the timeline for Evaluating new planets. As always, I eagerly await any questions you might have.
Eternally indebted to be in your divine service,
Selector Brague
Upon returning to camp, Rai had gone to bed for the night, as she wanted some time to herself to process all of the new information she's learned from Guardian Graeber. She'd laid there alone in the dark of Laan's wagon for what seemed like hours, listening to the Durmah men's voices around the campfire.
The worst part was that, after trying for months to feel at home with the Durmah Sept, Rai no longer felt like she was one of them. Rai accepted that the daunting reality of her past was something she had to keep hidden from them. Knowing there was a death sentence on her head was sobering, and she feared for the safety of Jesse and Ponar and the other Durmah, should they ever discover her secret.
Unable to sleep, Rai fished out a packet of faown, the animal sedative Jesse had
given her, and listened to the forest trees eerily creak and moan as she drifted off to sleep. Predictably, a double-dose of the faown swept her away into a dreamless sleep.
Rai woke the following morning feeling more confused than she had the night before. Her head felt filled with pillow batting. Would anyone notice if she just laid there and slept the day away?
Knock, knock knock. Apparently, they would.
"Hey Rai, you awake yet?" Laan's voice came from the other side of the door, at a much more piercing volume than Rai remembered it usually being.
"Uh, yeah," Rai answered. "Just give me a second to finish dressing." Rai pushed back the bedcovers and realized that she hadn't even changed into her nightclothes last night. At least she hadn't slept in her boots.
"Sure, but the Guardian wants us to get rolling right away. We let you sleep through breakfast, saved you some even, but I'm afraid there's no more time to spare," Laan explained.
"That was sweet of you," Rai replied, pulling on a fresh tunic and pair of pants. "How far out are we from Resounding Cliffs?"
"Two, three days, depending on the weather. The Guardian says the entire eastern coastline is about to get hit hard."
"That should make Ponar happy," Rai replied as she pulled on her boots. "Perhaps those shawls of his will fetch a better price with the poor weather." Rai ran her fingers through her curls, hoping her hair didn't look too wild. Rai grabbed her travel cloak and then unlocked and opened the door. The diffuse morning sunlight shone down in a patchwork through the forest trees, still bright enough to give Rai an immediate headache.
"Are you feeling okay?" Laan asked, lending her an arm down the three-step staircase off the back of his wagon.
"Yeah, yeah," Rai replied. Evidently, the faown had some side effects Jesse had forgotten to mention, like feeling disconnected and emotionally flat. "I'm just exhausted today for some reason."
Laan gave her a critical look. "Ponar filled Meik and me in last night while you were gone. Were you able to find anything before the Guardian caught up with you?"
Rai had to stifle a groan. "No," she lied. "I looked around, but there wasn't anything there."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Laan replied, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder. "I know that had to be a huge disappointment for you."
Rai shrugged. "I think those dreams are messing with my head. I need to just forget about them and move on, you know?"
Laan nodded. "Well, do let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
Rai nodded.
"But right now I've got to get the horses hitched if we're to get moving," he continued.
"Of course," Rai replied. "Would you like some help?"
"I'll be okay. Why don't you go and eat some breakfast before we have to leave?" Laan said and then got to work readying the wagon for their daily journey.
Rai sauntered over to Ponar's wagon, noting that both his and Meik's horses were hitched and ready to go. Rai felt guilty, knowing she'd held them up.
Meik walked over from his wagon, carrying a plate laden with food. "Here's your breakfast, sleepyhead," he said, offering her the plate.
"Thanks," Rai replied, gratefully accepting the plate. She could barely smell the food due to taking faown the night before. However, she realized that she'd skipped dinner the previous evening and so must have an empty stomach.
"Not a problem," he replied. "Say, how did things go last night?"
For a moment Rai couldn't figure out what he was referring to. "Uh, fine," she replied, taking a bite of scrambled egg. "I was just tired and so decided to hit the sack early."
Meik looked confused but kept smiling. "You know, while you were asleep last night Ponar filled Laan and I in on some things," he confided. "And you must know how eager we all are to hear about what you found."
Rai felt her stomach clench. How much of the story had Ponar confided with his Uncle and cousin? It wasn't a good sign that the first thing each one of them had brought up with her was the search for clues by the lake.
"Then I'm sure you'll understand how disappointed I was to find nothing," Rai said, lying for the second time that day.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Rai. I take it that the Guardian wasn't able to confirm anything for you either?" he pressed.
Now, why would Meik, who would do almost anything to avoid talking to a Guardian himself, ask her that?
"No, we didn't even talk, if you exclude him barking orders at me to hurry up. Honestly, that guy creeps me out," Rai added.
Although her head was still foggy from the faown, and Rai now realized her enhanced senses were also a bit muted--no doubt from it as well, she sensed Meik didn't believe her. But why would he doubt her?
Meik shifted uneasily, rubbing his chin with his hand. "Yeah, he gets on my nerves too." He paused and then got a somber look on his face. "He hasn't threatened you, has he?" Meik asked quietly.
Could he have witnessed part of her interaction with Graeber? Certainly not ...
"No, no, of course not," Rai replied. "He's an absolute ass, but I doubt that's personal." Meik laughed, but Rai knew she was missing something.
As if on cue, Guardian Graeber chose that exact moment to walk around the front of Ponar's wagon. A hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth belied his otherwise stern glare.
"Oh good, you're finally awake," he said to Rai. Without waiting for a response, he turned to Meik. "I trust we're ready to go now?"
Meik nodded. "Laan should have his wagon ready to roll."
"And Ponar?"
"He's filling the last of the water bottles at the stream. It shouldn't be much longer," Meik explained.
"We can't dally any longer. Go and get Ponar. Now." the Guardian informed him.
"But we need the water. Most of our supply is exhausted," Meik replied.
"There isn't time for it. We have a long trip ahead of us today if we're to make it to the next protected camp by nightfall. You can refill your bottles when we stop to rest the horses at lunchtime."
Meik shrugged in defeat. "Fine, whatever you say. I'll go help him get the water loaded."
"Would you like me to help?" Rai offered.
"You finish eating. I'll be right back," Meik replied and then walked off towards the stream.
Guardian Graeber stayed, scrutinizing her carefully. "Is there a problem?" he asked.
Rai took the last bite of her eggs. "No, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?" she replied cheerily, shaking the last bits of food off of her plate for the forest creatures to feast upon.
"You skipped dinner and then slept late. Are you ill?"
"Don't be an ass," Rai replied and then walked off towards the stream to wash her plate. She suspected her response wasn't appropriately deferential to the average Guardian, but irritation wasn't a rational creature.
Chapter 7
They were well into midday before Ponar dared break the silence. "So?"
Rai had been riding alongside him for miles, still trying to work out what her encounter with the Guardian all meant. The road had been curvy and the pace swift, making it seem like the forest was flashing by in a series of picture scenes to some grander story, except Rai couldn't decipher the meaning. Although they'd left the shelter of the massive trees in the grove far behind, vast, dense forest yet surrounded them.
"You can't just say nothing, Rai."
He was not going to just drop it, was he?
"Like I already explained to all of you, there is nothing to say."
"I don't believe you."
Rai sighed. "And why not?"
"Because you've been sitting there with a confused look on your face for hours, and whatever is rattling around in that head of yours doesn't seem to be getting any easier for you. Admit it, I know you well enough to know when you're struggling with something. Why don't you open up about it and let me help?"
Rai met his earnest gaze and the temptation to be honest was undeniable. And then she remembered Graeber's warnings. Anyone who knew the truth wo
uld also be in danger. She broke eye contact, unable to ruminate further what risks she could bring to the Durmah.
"Things aren't that simple, Ponar." She stared ahead at Meik's wagon in the lead.
"Then explain it to me." He smiled, his relaxed posture an open invitation.
What could she share that would stop him from asking questions? "My water flask is empty. Can I have some from yours?"
"Sure," he answered, deftly fishing his flask out from behind his seat and passing it over to her. "You've been drinking a lot of water this morning."
Rai nodded. "I took some the faown Jesse gave me last night when I couldn't sleep, and I guess it kind of walloped me." Rai gulped down the water, downing nearly the entire contents.
"How much did you take?"
"Just one of the packets. And do I ever feel fuzzy and mellow right now. I swear, a Terror could come barreling down on us right now, and I'm not sure I would even care."
He shivered at the image, casting at her a concerned frown. "Well, no wonder you seem so out of it! You're only supposed to take a spoonful, not the entire thing! Didn't Jesse explain the dosing?"
"I'm sure she did, that doesn't mean I remembered it, as distracted as I've been. Overdoing it explains why my head hurts so badly today."
"And why you overslept. And possibly also why you're so confused."
Rai felt the weight of his regard settle upon her like stone pavers, and her breath caught in her throat.
"That must be it," Rai coughed, breathless.
Dreams Manifest (The Depths of Memory Book 2) Page 5
