by Dana Kelly
“Uh, yeah! Where did you think the inspiration for Campfire Dreamer and Marshmallow Lancelot came from?”
Eridani groaned. “Fine.”
“Really?” asked Thuraya, and she beamed.
Eridani nodded. “But I want Torsha to come too. If we run into any myco-rats or beetle bears, she’s the only one here right now that could drive them off.”
“Deal!” said Thuraya. “You go ask her, and I’ll start packing.”
Back inside the mansion, Eridani quickly found Torsha, and she readily agreed to Eridani’s request for company. They spent the rest of the morning getting ready and returned to the kitchen for lunch. “It’ll take us about an hour to get there,” said Thuraya, and she showed them the map on her phone. “That leaves us more than enough time to set up camp before it gets dark.”
“I packed some extra food and water for you,” said Torsha, and she lifted Eridani’s backpack. “Just in case. If it gets too heavy, let me know, and I’ll carry it for you as long as you need. Is that what you’re wearing?”
“Yes,” said Eridani. “The long coat blocks the sun, and it’s too hot for jeans or a long-sleeve shirt. Don’t worry, I packed sweats for tonight and a more rugged change of clothes for tomorrow in case we want to do any hiking.”
“We’re hiking through the woods to get to our campsite,” said Thuraya. “You sure you don’t want to change into jeans, like… now?”
“I’ll be all right,” said Eridani.
Torsha shrugged and glanced at Thuraya. “It’s cool. I’ve got the first aid bag if we need it.”
“Thanks,” said Thuraya.
“Hey Gabs,” said Torsha.
Gabriela glanced up from her phone as she sat at the kitchen table, still in the clothes she woke up in. “Mm?”
“You’re welcome to join us, if you want,” said Torsha.
With a slight shrug, Gabriela returned her focus to her phone and leaned forward.
Torsha laughed. “Didn’t think so.”
“I believe we’re ready,” said Thuraya, and she shouldered her backpack.
Eridani, Torsha, and Thuraya bid the others farewell and followed the river east. A warm wind blew against their backs, and birds sang in the distance. They soon arrived at a roaring waterfall, and Thuraya guided them slowly along the trail leading down, careful to avoid slick rocks and loose mud.
“Did you bring your bathing suit?” asked Thuraya, and she turned around to help Eridani make the last hop to level ground. She sprayed mud as she landed.
“No!” Eridani shivered at the thought. “Swim in lake water? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Depends on the lake,” said Torsha. “No one else is here, so we should be safe.”
“I don’t know,” said Eridani.
“Maybe next time,” said Thuraya. They picked their way carefully along the muddy banks, to a tree-lined path that followed the river. Rounding a bend, they soon stood before a moss-covered bridge. Across the way on the northern riverbank, a shaded forest bower invited them into the sun-dappled woodlands beyond.
“They definitely took the southern trail,” said Torsha, and she pointed to a huddle of muddy footprints. “Martin and your dad, I mean.”
“I bet they’re headed for the misty lagoons,” said Thuraya. “It’s only a quarter moon tonight, but it’ll still be very pretty.”
“What’s through there?” asked Eridani, and she pointed across the bridge.
“It’s a surprise,” said Thuraya. “But trust me, it’s worth it.”
They resumed their trek over the coursing river. Heading north, the path rose and fell, sometimes steeply. Halfway to the campsite, the trees gave way to a grassy glade, and several small creatures scurried away at their approach, keeping out of sight.
“Hold on,” said Torsha. Branches snapped, and the forest fell quiet. Shadows stirred to their left, and a trio of large, glowing eyes appeared in the darkness. Torsha extended one hand to block Eridani’s advance and tugged on Thuraya’s backpack with the other. “That’s a varkhane wolf. Try to look big, don’t break eye contact, and don’t turn your back on it.”
Leaves rustled as the wolf stepped past the edge of the clearing. Afternoon sunlight fell upon its thick, mottled-brown fur. It stood upon six powerful legs, and a bushy tail remained curled halfway up from its haunches.
“Everyone back away very slowly,” said Torsha.
“Right,” said Eridani.
Step by step, they retreated backward from the clearing. After a moment, the wolf turned away. It lowered its tail and vanished into the trees.
“What do we do now?” asked Eridani. “Where are we supposed to camp?” She shifted under the weight of her pack.
“Same place,” said Thuraya. “Probably. I think it was only curious, so we just need to be patient.” In time, several birds chirped sharply, their notes bouncing between trees as each of the birds answered. Volleys of bounding chirps soon filled the air, joined by a chorus of shrill cries.
“The birds are back, so the wolf’s probably gone,” said Torsha.
“Good enough for me,” said Thuraya. “All right, let’s go.”
Staying alert, they crossed the glade and followed the path until it stopped at the edge of a marsh. “This is it,” said Thuraya. “Let’s put the tent up over there.”
Wincing, Eridani stumbled a few steps along a patch of soggy soil, turned around, and shrugged off her backpack. It landed with a quiet squelch, and she hunched over her knees. “You two… can pitch the tent… without my help… right?”
“We got it,” said Thuraya, and she cheerfully glanced at Eridani. “Why don’t you take it easy and—oh no!” She rushed over and pulled Eridani’s pack from the cradle of mud it had partially submerged into. Muck dripped slowly from the lower half as Thuraya carried it over to a broken log. Opening the flap, she sifted through the backpack’s contents. With a sad look, she pulled out Eridani’s grime-soaked sweats.
Eridani caught her breath and rolled her eyes. “Of course. Did everything get wet?”
“Everything I can see,” said Thuraya. “Oh, wait!” She retrieved a freezer bag covered in mud. “Your socks and underwear made it, and your sleeping bag looks fine.”
“Well, it was tied to the top,” said Eridani, and she walked over to the log. “Great. That’s just great. I’m so glad I did that.” One by one, she removed her items and set them out on the log. “How cold does it get here at night?”
“Not that cold, but I’ve got an extra blanket if you need it,” said Torsha.
“Thanks,” said Eridani.
Torsha and Thuraya pitched a large dome tent, and Eridani moved their belongings inside. Dragging in her backpack last, she unrolled her sleeping bag and flopped down atop it. She turned onto her back and stared at the ceiling as Torsha and Thuraya got a campfire going.
“You ready to roast some marshmallows?” asked Thuraya, and she leaned into the doorway.
“Isn’t it kind of early for that?”
“It’s never too early to roast marshmallows,” said Thuraya, and she feigned offense.
Eridani met Thuraya’s gaze, and she smirked. “You’re right.” She climbed out of the tent, and they shared a quick kiss. “Too bad we can’t make s’mores.”
Thuraya gestured to a tin plate. A stack of graham crackers filled one side, and a stack of chocolate squares filled the other. “Way ahead of you!” They joined Torsha at the fireside and impaled marshmallows on the ends of their skewers.
As the sun set, fireflies began to glow, and the frogs began to croak. Crickets soon chirped in unison, filling the woodland air. “That’s the surprise,” said Thuraya, and she hugged Eridani from behind. Eridani kissed Thuraya’s hand and held onto it as they watched radiant motes dart and bob above the marsh.
“I love you,” said Eridani. “We can do this again.”
Thuraya grinned and squeezed Eridani tight. “I love you, too.”
Torsha warmed a pot of baked beans, and they ea
ch cooked their own kabobs. Thuraya strummed a soulful song before lightening the mood with some of her folk standards. Eridani and Torsha sang along.
Chapter 27
Lake Front
Zipped up inside her sleeping bag, Eridani woke up shortly after sunrise with damp hair and a sore back. She sat up, took a moment to work the aches out, and tied her hair into a ponytail. Leaning over her knees, she smiled slightly, reached over, and took a sip of water from her canteen.
“You’re up,” said Thuraya, and she leaned into the tent with a smile. “Good morning! Torsha’s cooking breakfast, and I’ve got some coffee heating over the gel burner.”
“What’s she making?”
“Pancakes and veggie links,” said Thuraya. “But she offered to cook up anything we brought, if you wanted to add something.”
Eridani scanned her foodstuffs. “I’m good. I have yogurt and granola if the pancakes are undercooked.”
“I never undercook the pancakes,” said Torsha.
“You heard that?” asked Eridani, and she leaned out of the tent.
Torsha regarded her with a sly smile. “There’s not much I don’t hear.”
“I’m going to leave that one alone,” said Eridani, and she zipped up the tent. “Be right out.” She changed her undergarments and put on the same clothes she had worn the day before. As soon as she emerged from the tent, they pulled their folding camp chairs closer to the fire and sat down to eat.
Torsha devoured a wedge of pancakes and gulped down some of her water. “Did you guys hear anything strange last night?”
“I didn’t,” said Thuraya.
“I assume you don’t mean all the forest life,” said Eridani. “What did you hear?”
Glancing back down the trail, Torsha shook her head and shrugged. “I’m not sure, to be honest. I don’t know if I dreamed it or if I woke to a flash of light, but I definitely heard this high-pitched whining sound for about ten minutes.”
Eridani and Thuraya looked south as well. “What do you think it could’ve been?” asked Thuraya.
“No clue,” said Torsha.
“How loud was it?” asked Eridani.
“Very loud at first, but it got really quiet and stayed that way until it stopped,” said Torsha.
“Strange,” said Eridani. “Something to be alert for on the way back, I suppose.”
Before long, they finished breakfast, buried the fire, and struck camp. As the wayfarers finished loading and securing the last of their gear, several wolves bayed, their mournful cries echoing from nearby. “I thought that was a nocturnal behavior,” said Eridani.
“It usually is,” said Thuraya.
Torsha shivered. “That sound gives me the creeps. I’d like to get out of here as soon as possible. You guys ready?”
Eridani shouldered her backpack and pulled the straps tight around her waist. “Yes.”
“Let’s go,” said Thuraya.
They headed south along the path, accompanied by birdsong and a gentle breeze. Intermittent baying continued until they neared the clearing. “What’s got them so worked up?” asked Eridani.
“It’s usually to rally the pack,” said Torsha.
“I hope it’s not for a hunt,” said Thuraya.
Torsha glanced her way. “Actually, yeah. That’s usually why they do it, so everyone stay on your toes, and remember what I told you yesterday—if you see one, try to make yourself look bigger, maintain eye contact, and back away slowly. Never turn your back on a wolf.”
They followed a steep curve in the path and stopped short of crossing into the clearing. Torsha's heart raced. Directly before them stood a massive luxury shuttle, painted blood red. “I think I know this ship,” said Torsha, and she set down her backpack. She crept around the side and followed the curve of the vessel’s avian wings to its nose. Returning swiftly to her friends, she spoke in a hush. “That’s Bloodtusk’s Starwind!”
“Bloodtusk?” asked Thuraya, and she placed her backpack next to Torsha’s. “Who’s Bloodtusk?”
“He was involved at the Battle of Rocksaugh, as I recall,” said Eridani.
“He’s Blacktusk’s kid brother,” said Torsha. “What the hell is he doing here?”
“Nothing good,” said Thuraya. She pointed to a patch of bloodied grass near the back of the shuttle. “I think I see what they were howling about.” Flies circled the varkhane wolf’s corpse, darting in and out of the large hole in its chest. Dark red soil surrounded a mound of spilled viscera.
Torsha crouched at the slain wolf’s side. “It goes straight through the spine, and the bones look burned.”
“Sounds like a blaster wound,” said Eridani. She put down her backpack and studied the remains. “She was a mama-wolf. Judging by the angle, someone shot her from behind… Her poor pups.”
“They’ll be fine. The pack will raise them,” said Torsha, and she started counting footprints.
“Good God,” said Thuraya. “Someone gouged out her middle eye. What’s the point of that?”
“Maybe they’re superstitious,” said Eridani. “The third eye figures prominently in a lot of religions.”
Thuraya stared at her flatly. “Just because you’re religious, it doesn’t make you automatically superstitious. You don’t think I’m superstitious, do you?”
“Most people don’t pause for a three-count after they sneeze,” said Eridani. “Or do that hand-biting thing.”
“Okay, maybe I am a little superstitious, but that has nothing to do with my faith,” said Thuraya. “I got those habits from my mom.”
Torsha stood up and brushed off her hands. “There’s thirteen of them. Twelve are most likely human, and the thirteenth is melephundan.” She regarded her comrades. “It’s Bloodtusk. I’d bet my whiskers on it.”
“I’ll call Martin,” said Eridani. She retrieved her phone and dialed his number, but it went straight to his message center. “He’s not answering. I’m trying my dad next.” She dialed Oliver but couldn’t reach him either. “Can someone call the denshies?”
“I don’t have either of their numbers,” said Thuraya.
“I don’t think they have numbers,” said Torsha.
Eridani pocketed her phone. “So, what do we do now?”
“It’s too risky to break into his ship,” said Torsha. “Let’s see where the tracks lead.”
They gathered their backpacks and continued across the clearing. In time, they returned to the moss-covered bridge, and Torsha gestured for everyone to halt and be quiet. Crouching low, she pointed to the top of the waterfall, where two camouflaged sentries stood within the overgrowth on either side of the river. “We’re stuck,” she whispered. “That’s the only way home that isn’t a two-day hike back to the ocean!”
Eridani tried calling Martin again, but he didn’t answer. “Why isn’t he picking up?”
“Because it would give away our position,” said Martin. He appeared from behind a thicket with Oliver at his side. “Come on,” he whispered, and he waved the others over.
They kept off the path, crouching as they crept close and soon joined Martin and Oliver.
“Hey, kiddo,” said Oliver, and he hugged Eridani. “Ya’ll doin’ some sunrise hikin’?”
“Camping, actually,” said Eridani, and she cast an affectionate smile toward Thuraya. “She talked me into it.”
“Guys,” said Martin. “Please?”
Oliver grimaced and nodded. “Sorry.”
“Those two up there are actually Mike’s denshies,” said Martin. “From what they’ve been able to gather, Bloodtusk is here for Orin, and he’s working with Dark River Auxiliaries to do it. That’s an elite mercenary group. Obviously, he won’t be able to complete his mission, and when he realizes that he’ll try to take as many of us hostage as he can to leverage Orin’s surrender.”
Eridani shook her head. “It won’t work. Orin’s stuck in the nightmare for three weeks. He went in yesterday!”
“It’s a good thing he won’t be taki
ng any hostages, then,” said Martin.
“Is my mom safe?” asked Torsha.
“Perfectly,” said Martin. “I have fireteams in position throughout the cavern—including the mansion—and my sharpshooters have sights on everyone except Bloodtusk. For a big guy, he’s surprisingly stealthy.”
Torsha crossed her arms. “If you can’t find Bloodtusk, how do you my mom is safe?”
“Brittany’s moving everyone into the basement as we speak,” said Martin. “There’s only one way in and out, and it’ll be locked up tight. Also, it’ll be heavily guarded.”
“Okay, that sounds pretty safe,” said Torsha.
“Where are the guys the denshies replaced?” asked Eridani.
Martin glanced at the base of the waterfall. “Off to the next adventure.”
“Good,” said Thuraya. “They deserve it.”
“Not sure about that,” said Oliver. “But they were soldiers, so they knew the risks.”
“What now?” asked Eridani.
Martin smiled. “We wait. If Bloodtusk doesn’t show himself before his assets get to the lake, my sharpshooters have orders to engage. If that doesn’t flush out Bloodtusk, my marines will sweep and clear until they find him.” He turned on his phone just long enough to scan his text messages. “Nice! Everyone’s in the basement, and my marines are in position.”
“You’re surprisingly calm in the face of all this,” said Thuraya. “Me, I’d be freaking out.”
“I was a member of Falcon Frontline Command during the Pegasi War,” said Martin. “This is just a skirmish. There’s nothing to worry about.” He dug around in his backpack until he found a plastic bag. “Dried fruit, anyone? I’ve got mangos, apricots, and this magenta stuff. I think it’s Koren kiwifruit, but it might be dyed regular kiwifruit.”
“Uh, sure,” said Eridani.
“Thanks,” said Thuraya.
Torsha made a face. “I’m not big on sweets, but I’ll take some jerky if you’ve got any.”
Martin tossed her a plastic pouch. “Is kippered beef okay?”
