The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  A lean man with salt and pepper hair and chiseled features visited once the drug had worn off. He was polite, even deferential. “You will be held,” he had told her, “until Torgin has given Nissasa Rattori the Compass of Ostradio.” When she expressed only confusion, he had explained further. “The Guardian of Myrrh gave the compass to your son.”

  Myrrh had rung a very distant bell—one that since then had come into focus. The longer she was away from Idronatti, the more memories of life prior to her Induction emerged. As a result, a revelation of sorts had occurred during the past few turnings. Her experimentations as a research chemist should have given her a clue much earlier. She had been working on a chemical spray that could be used to stupefy rats. It inhibited their memories and kept them docile. It helped them to conform to certain criteria within their environment. She now knew that the PPP was using it to control the people of Idronatti.

  This realization had left her shaken and sad. The foundation of her life crumbled, leaving her unsure of herself and furious at the Peoples Plan Protectors and the Five Fathers.

  A large rain drop spattered the bench beside her. She glanced up at the roiling clouds and stood, gathering the coat Bibeed had lent her more tightly around her slender body. Struggling against the push and pull of the wind, she made her way back up the trail. When she reached the top, Bibeed hurried toward her.

  The woman’s frantic expression held a warning. She grabbed Renn’s arm and hurried her down the trail. “We have to hide, Miss Renn. We have to hide and fast.”

  5

  Master’s Reach

  Myrrh & Thera

  A lmiralyn stared at the curve of the ceiling in her quarters. Why am I not in my bed? The narrowness of the cushioned bench hugging her to the wall jarred her memory. Oh yes . She pushed back the blanket that had been thrown over her and sat up. An oil lamp glowed on the ledge near the sleeping alcove, where the diminutive shape of her Aunt Henri snuggled beneath a comforter. The chronometer next to it informed her that she had slept through the night.

  Her guest stirred and pushed up on an elbow. “Good morning, niece.” Henrietta yawned and smiled.

  Almiralyn shook her head. “You put me to sleep, Aunt Henri. And we didn’t decide what to do or—”

  “Hush, my dear. We both needed to rest. Now our thinking will be clear and our decisions in keeping with our needs.” She sat up and slid to the edge of the alcove. “Where does one freshen up around here?”

  “Through there.” Almiralyn pointed at a barely noticeable curtain. “I’ll find us some breakfast.”

  As her aunt padded across the cave, a bell tinkled outside the entryway. Almiralyn pulled the curtain aside. “Good morning, Owae. How did you know we were up?”

  The ancient DeoNyte smiled. “Your aunt let me know when you began to awaken.” She beckoned to a young male holding a laden tray. “Please put that on the table.”

  Keeping his eyes on his burden, he set it down and turned to hurry away. Owae stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “This is Koos, my new apprentice.”

  Almiralyn offered her palm. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Koos.”

  He lowered his eyes and touched it lightly before skittering into the tunnel.

  Owae let the curtain fall back into place. “As you can see, he is very shy. He is also talented, almost as talented as Elae. When he’s grown, he will be a fine healer.”

  Henrietta reappeared looking fresh and tidy. “Ah, Owae, it is good to see you. Will you break your evening fast with us?”

  The DeoNyte gave Henri a gummy smile. “I would be delighted to join you.”

  Almiralyn strode down the tunnel. Hydroponic fruit and the grain-like cereal from the DeoNyte food preparation area had left her replete and smiling. Full bellies and a good night’s sleep had taken the edge off the decision making process. Rounding a corner, she arrived at Nomed’s quarters and rang the bell.

  “Come in, Mira.”

  She smiled at the use of her nickname and entered. “Good morning, Seyes. I hope you slept well.”

  A return smile stretched his scarred cheek taut. “I did, actually. By the looks of you, I’d guess that you did, too.”

  “Aunt Henri worked her magic. I am feeling rested and much more alert. Let me bring you up to date.”

  They sat opposite each other. She laid out her plan and leaned back to observe his reaction.

  “I like it. It takes into account the needs of Myrrh and your personal needs. I think Sparrow will be relieved, as well. When do you tell her?”

  “I am headed there now. Can you be ready to leave in a half circle of the chronometer?”

  “I can. You realize the Cycle of Dovi is almost upon us.”

  “I do. The three moons will line up between the sun and DerTah in less than a moon cycle. The portals will shut down, and we risk being stuck on one planet or the other until the moons resume their orbits and the sun reappears. The Unfolding presses us to be on our way.” She offered her hand. “Thank you, Seyes, for forgiving me and for becoming my ally.”

  He clasped it warmly. “It’s my pleasure. The burden of revenge is a heavy one. I’m glad to lay it down. I’ll see you at the gateway.”

  She smiled as she traveled the tunnels to her quarters. The Unfolding has worked wonders for Seyes Nomed. Let’s hope it will do the same for Corvus.

  Kieel had darted through the Tropal Gateway ahead of Jordett and followed Majeska from The Borderlands to Idronatti. Afraid of the tall buildings and intimidated by the eerie quiet of the wide streets, he’d hidden in a large tree. I wonder what it’s like busy with people and RiaTransports and RiaTrains and Flash Vans? What made me—or Henrietta—think I could be of any help here?

  A noise beneath him announced the appearance of Major Jordett. Henrietta had told him to stick close. When Majeska appeared across the street, he shot to a windowsill in the building behind her. He had managed to follow Jordett to the room where he now regarded two PPP officers with a look of exasperation. Keeping himself out of sight, Kieel waited for Jordett’s next move.

  Anada and Sagus continued to glower. Jordett looked from one stubborn face to the other and gave an inward sigh. “Idronatti and Thera are in danger. You can help, or you can leave. We don’t have much time.” He sat down and folded his arms across his chest.

  Anada glared at Sagus and took a seat. “I want to help. I can forget the past, at least for now, if you can.”

  The young man chewed on his lower lip, removed his cap, and brushed it against his pant leg. “I guess I can but—”

  “No buts.” Jordett kept his expression stern. “You can, or you can’t. We don’t have time to argue. We have to move fast if we want to retake the city.”

  The lieutenant jerked a chair around and straddled the seat. “I’ll help.”

  Again, Jordett scrutinized one then the other. “Trust is vital, or we’ll fail. Your relationship could put us all in danger and jeopardize the whole mission.”

  Sagus looked at Anada and held out a hand. “The future of Idronatti must take precedence over personal concerns. I can let the past go, Anada.”

  She gave him a genuine smile. “Me, too.” They shook and returned their attention to him.

  Satisfied by what he saw, he rested his forearms on his thighs and began. “What I am about to share will put you in more danger than I can say. It has to stay between us, or we are doomed before we start. Clear?”

  A touch of fear tinged their expressions as they affirmed their understanding.

  By the time he had provided a description of events in Myrrh and DerTah, the expressions had changed to incredulous. Although they had been taught about other planets, they had never been exposed to other life forms. They knew intellectually that Rattori’s Brigade was from the planet RewFaar, but their emotions fought against it.

  Finally, Sagus threw his hands in the air. “How are we ever going to win against troops trained on the planet of warfare? They are…” He stopped and smacked his cap agains
t his leg.

  Anada finished his sentence. “…the best in the Inner Universe. But, Sagus, we know our city and our planet. We just have to be smarter and more careful.”

  Jordett smiled his approval. “My experience with the rebels indicates that they are arrogant and, therefore, vulnerable. Let’s look at our options. We need more men.” He glanced at Anada. “And women. Mondago’s soldiers are tied up protecting the Demrach and Tropal Gateways. He can spare a couple, but that’s it. Who can we trust in the Stealth Corps, Sagus?”

  “I know of three who have not succumbed to Rattori’s Brigade. They may know of others.”

  “Anada?”

  She frowned. “Most of Unit 11 has capitulated. We weren’t trained to deal with soldiers from off world. We were trained to put down disturbances in The City or The Borderlands and to hunt down anyone residing in Idronatti illegally. I know of only two who might help.”

  Majeska nudged the door open and meowed. Jordett came to his feet and hurriedly crossed the room. The hall was empty, but judging by her behavior not for long.

  When he turned back to the room, the two young officers had rearranged the chairs and waited, poised for flight. Anada joined him. “I know of a safe house where we can meet.” She shot a questioning look at Sagus.

  “I’m on your side, Anada. Your secrets are as safe with me as mine will be with you.”

  She let out a breath. “Thanks, Sagus.” Speaking in a whisper, she gave them directions. “I’ve also contacted a friend in Myrrh. She’ll bring a band of Myrrhinian’s who are willing to help.”

  Jordett’s jaw tightened. “Name?”

  “Teva Rivan. She knows Sparrow and the twins.”

  Sagus slapped his cap on his head. “I know her. She’s good, Major. Know’s how to appear and disappear at just the right moment.” His eyes held Anada’s.

  The woman grinned. “She still cares, Sag.”

  Jordett wanted to roll his eyes, instead he ushered them down the hall to the entrance where Majeska waited. “Out you go. One at a time. We meet tomorrow at the safe house at mid-turning. Be careful. You’re important, and so’s the mission.”

  Sagus slipped out first. Anada’s gaze followed him, then returned to Jordett. “We’ll be fine, sir. Once he sees Teva, bygones will be bygones.”

  She looked up and down the pass-through and jogged up the stairs.

  Jordett stood deep in thought. Love does strange things to people. He sighed. Wonder how Merrilea is fairing?

  The murmur of voices at the opposite end of the hall propelled him out the door.

  Kieel felt a tremor of fear as he hovered in the hall near the building exit. He glanced around for Majeska. Her absence made him even more edgy. A noise at the opposite end of the hall sent him fluttering after the Major, who had slipped out the door, hurried along the pass-through between buildings, and paused at the next street.

  The Center for Advanced Healing, a tall, pristine building, stood across the way. An occasional RiaTransport skimmed along the street. The Major adjusted his uniform hat lower on his forehead and walked purposefully toward the front entrance. He glanced at the two PPP patrollers guarding the ramp to the Ria-T plaza and nodded. The patroller at the front entrance snapped to attention and held the door wide. The Major passed inside and disappeared from sight.

  Kieel froze in the pass-though. All the strangeness—the Humans and the vehicles—rooted him to the spot. He stared at the Healing Center and shuddered. Gripping his walking stick tighter, he gathered his courage and streaked across the street just as the entrance door swung shut, separating him from the only person he knew in the whole city. Panicked, he dove under the portico and hid in a darkened corner. How am I going to get inside? His answer stepped from a vehicle in the form of a woman about the age of Henri. She leaned on the arm of a man in a brown uniform. On her head was a large hat adorned with a halo of big yellow flowers.

  As the patroller held the door open, Kieel landed on the hat and crawled under a blossom. Peeking from underneath, he gaped. The reception area was circular with a high, domed ceiling and corridors branching in all directions. He swallowed the dismay that threatened to choke him and forced himself to think.

  The woman paused. A voice he recognized sent a wave of relief rolling through him.

  “Excuse me, ma’am, you have something on your hat. May I remove it?”

  “P-p-lease do.”

  Fingers closed around him. “There. Your hat is much too lovely to be marred by a dying leaf. May I help you find something?”

  The woman gave a timid reply. “My man knows the way. Thank you, Major…”

  “Saila, ma’am. Major Saila. Have a good turning.”

  The rhythm of Jordett’s walk told Kieel he was moving away. He pressed his eye to a crack between fingers. The light changed; a door closed. The Major’s hand rose to eye level. His fingers uncurled. Kieel stared.

  Jordett’s expression was quizzical, his tone stern. “What on Thera are you doing here?”

  Kieel fluttered to standing. “Henri sent me. I…well…I wanted to help. She told me to stay close to you because I would be needed.”

  Jordett looked thoughtful. “Henri most often knows what’s best. Still, how will we keep you hidden?”

  “I could crouch under your hat.”

  “How about my shirt pocket? You’ll have to curl up but—” He frowned. “Something is happening down the corridor. We need to go.”

  Kieel slipped into his pocket and made himself as small as possible. The heartbeat next to his cheek quickened as the Major stepped into the hall.

  Squeezing his knees to his chest and gripping his walking stick in a white-knuckled hand, Kieel prayed that he would not be more trouble than he was worth.

  In the quiet of the studio, Sparrow studied the painting of Corvus, grateful for her rescue from Vascorrie and worried about his capture on DerTah. Lifting the completed canvas down, she leaned it against the wall and set a clean one on the easel. More than anything, she wanted to provide Almiralyn with the place where her protector was being held.

  Staring at the blank canvas, she let the calmness of the studio—enhanced by the fact that she would not be the acting Guardian of Myrrh—envelop her. I’m so glad Almiralyn talked to the Galactic Guardians and that she’s staying here, at least for now. I’m even happier that she’ll be teaching me the skills I’ll need if events demand her presence elsewhere . She stirred white and black paint together on her palette and wiped the excess off the brush. A thrill of elation elicited a soft laugh. Sure hope I can learn to shift shape. Alli, Brie, and Ari can do it. Maybe Almiralyn is right…maybe I can. Wonder what it feels like?

  She blinked. The canvas filled her sight. A vague image formed in her mind. Wrinkling her brow in concentration, she painted a wide swath of pale gray diagonally across the stark white.

  Sometime later the sound of footsteps pulled her from what she called her artist’s daze—that place where her surroundings faded and only her canvas and her art existed. Pleased that she had completed the painting, she glanced over her shoulder. Myrrh’s Guardian stood behind her, sapphire eyes glued to the image. Sparrow dropped her brush in a jar of cleanser and stepped back to examine her work.

  Menacing darkness covered the canvas. A single ray of light shot through a hole overhead and pooled around a lone raven on a makeshift perch. Hazy, hate-filled faces gathered around it, their empty eyes staring into the distance. Nothing else could be seen. No hint of place emerged from the dark background.

  Sparrow couldn’t hide her disappointment. “I tried to discover where he is being held. I’m sorry.”

  Almiralyn put an arm around her. “It gives me hope, Sparrow. At least he’s no longer in a cage. Did you sense wards of any kind?”

  Sparrow cast her mind back to her trance-like state. “No, but I might not remember if I did.”

  “But you would have painted them had they been there.” It was a quiet statement. “And people?”

 
“Only ghosts.” She shivered. “So much anger and sadness—and violence.”

  Nomed ushered Merrilea into the studio in front of him. She hurried forward. “Seyes said you needed us, Mira.”

  Nomed tapped his temple. “Got your message.”

  Almiralyn smiled. “Thank you for coming. Please take a look at Sparrow’s latest painting.”

  Merrilea looked from the canvas to Sparrow. “Where on Myrrh is that?”

  “I’d wager it isn’t anywhere on Myrrh.” A thoughtful frown stretched Nomed’s lip taut.

  Almiralyn turned back to the painting. “If you were to guess…”

  “I would guess a deserted prison in the Toelachoc Mountains near the Fortress of LeCur. It once housed the most violent criminals on DerTah.”

  Sparrow grasped Merrilea’s hand. “Fortress of LeCur?”

  Nomed smiled. “The capital of Fera Finnero, the home of the Dreela Gidtuss.”

  Sparrow gave him a speculative look. “I wonder if I’ll ever see DerTah…and my family?”

  Almiralyn gazed at the painting, her thoughts racing. Can this mean Karrew has escaped? “But, Seyes, Karrew was with Nissasa at the desert border when we saw him in the fountain. How would he have gotten to LeCur?”

  He shrugged. “We could ask Elcaro’s Eye.”

  A hatless Henrietta joined them, her eyes magnified by large spectacles. “Or you could leave for DerTah and discover the way of it. Standing around theorizing will not provide an answer.” She shooed Sparrow, Merrilea, and Nomed out the entryway. “Off you go. I need to speak with my niece. We’ll meet you at the portal.”