The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  “Yes, sir, I am.” A touch of pride echoed in the statement.

  Laughter shook his shoulders. The first since— Tiny hands pressed against his chest. Kieel’s level of impatience was building. He smiled at Anada.

  “I have someone I want you to meet.”

  “Meet?”

  Kieel peeked around the edge of his jacket lapel and fluttered out to his palm.

  “Oh my.” Astonishment and delight replaced the strain in her expression.

  Kieel executed a formal bow. “Kieel, the Matrés of the Terces Wood Nyti, at your service.”

  She grinned. “I’m Anada. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kieel. I’ve read about Nyti, but never expected to see one. How do you like Idronatti?”

  “I miss my forest.”

  “I bet you do.”

  The Ria-T slowed. Anada tapped on a touch screen. “What’s happening?”

  “RewFaaran soldiers up ahead.”

  Jordett held his pocket open. Kieel zipped into hiding. “Can we turn?”

  “Too close. Too obvious. Better to tough it out and hope.”

  Anada donned her uniform cap and sat up straighter.

  Jordett assumed the posture of a ranking officer. He shot Anada a reassuring look and forced himself to appear relaxed.

  Almiralyn listened to Zugo describe what he had seen in the fountain to Wilith Whalend and Elae. The MasTer was closing in. He had read Zugo’s mind, but the crystal had kept him from being seen.

  Wilith looked puzzled. “What is this fountain? How could this MasTer see Zugo?”

  She provided him with a brief history of Elcaro’s Eye and pushed back her chair. “I think the best way to explain it is to show you. We’ll all go. Stay well back until I give the word. If something happens to me, get out fast.”

  She paused at the sanctuary door. “Remember to stay back.” She heard Wilith gasp as he followed her into Veersuni. The stained glass window glowed. A snap of her fingers sent vibrant colors flying from the window to the velvet curtains. Captured in the panes of clear glass was the vastness of space. Stars and moons, galaxies and planets sailed past.

  Beside her Wilith stared and shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Reverence infused the words. Awe radiated from his dark eyes.

  Another snap of her fingers sent the color back to the window. She pointed at the fountain. “That is Elcaro’s Eye. It is linked to a series of crystals that form a web of connectivity throughout the Inner Universe. I am charged with its safety as well as the safety of the crystal web. Elcaro is all-seeing. It shares what it feels is important. Right now it’s shielded. The fact that The MasTer has traced it and attempted to use it is an indication of his power. Stay here.”

  She moved closer, tested the strength of the wards surrounding the fountain and commanded it to deflect anything or anyone whose energy was not embedded in the shields. The water spilling into the bowl ceased. She beckoned her companions into a grouping around the bowl.

  Wilith gazed into the fountain. “Will it show us Torgin and Renn?”

  Mist rose to the surface, then evaporated, leaving behind a forest with giant trees and foliage. Tiny in comparison were five small figures scrambling over huge roots and sloshing through puddles as big as a pond. The fountain zoomed closer. Torgin held a compass in his hand. His companions gathered around him. The image scattered and reformed.

  Two women, one blonde and one brunette, sat by a small fire deep in conversation. The blonde leaned forward. “We can’t let them find us Bibeed. I would rather die than let The MasTer learn my formula.”

  Wilith gasped. “Renn.” His pleading gaze flew to Almiralyn’s face. “We have to rescue her before The MasTer finds her.” He wrung his hands. “I know her. She will never give them what they want.”

  The water in the fountain eddied. No image formed. A harsh laugh made the surface quake. Another and another echoed through Veersuni, growing softer and softer until only horrified silence held those at the fountain in its thrall.

  Elae glanced from one face to the other. “Was that The MasTer?”

  “Did he hear Torgin’s mother?” Zugo demanded.

  Wilith wrung his hands again. “Can he trace her? By the fathers, I have to find her.”

  Almiralyn motioned for silence. She led them away from the fountain. Back in the library, she closed the door and preceded them to the far end of the Reading Room.

  Wilith folded his arms across his chest. “You have to take me to DerTah.”

  “Wilith, please don’t let The MasTer goad you. You cannot go to DerTah. Esán and the twins are on the way to rescue Renn. I need you to finish your research. The more we know about The MasTer, the better chance we have of saving our loved ones.”

  Elae moved to his side and laid her small hand on his arm. Her pale eyes, one blue and one green, searched his face. “I’ll work with you non-stop to find out everything we can.”

  Merrilea walked briskly into the Reading Room. “Sparrow said you needed me. I’d like to help. Research is something I enjoy. With three of us, it will go much faster.”

  “Four.” Almiralyn looked at Zugo. “I’d like you to take a break from Veersuni until I redo the wards.”

  He started to speak, seemed to change his mind, and nodded.

  “Thank you, Zugo. I’ll be as quick as I can. Perhaps you could research Trinuge for me? I’d like to learn more about where your friends are.”

  Zugo’s face brightened. “I’d be happy to.”

  Almiralyn scrutinized Wilith’s tired face. “Do you need to rest?”

  Rubbing his forehead—an indicator, she realized, of his anxiety level—he produced a weary smile. “I won’t rest until Renn, Torgin, and his friends are safe.” He watched Elae, Zugo, and Merrilea disappear down the stairs to the research levels and then met Almiralyn’s steady gaze. “The last thing I want to do is make things worse. I give you my word that I won’t do anything without your advice and permission.” He strode after his research team, his broad shoulders a bit straighter, his stride purposeful.

  Almiralyn understood how hard it had been for him to make that promise. He’s terrified for his wife and son, and he’s a very proud man.

  Matching Wilith’s sense of purpose, she paced the length of the Reading Room and stepped into Veersuni. She needed answers. Once again, she hoped The MasTer was focused elsewhere.

  Four uniformed members of Rattori’s Brigade and four PPP Patrollers spanned the width of the Avenue of The Lornton in the Benisuss District of Idronatti. Other than their ominous presence, the street was empty and so quiet Jordett could hear Anada’s tension building in each breath she took.

  “Relax, Anada. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it.”

  She attempted a smile. The Ria-T slowed to a stop. The windows whispered open. RewFaaran soldiers surrounded the vehicle. PPP patrollers formed a Human blockade. The ranking soldier stepped up to the driver’s window on Jordett’s side of the Ria-Transport.

  “Destination?” he demanded.

  Sagus sat as straight as a post. “The Five Towers.” His less than respectful reply elicited an arrogant response.

  “That would be The Five Towers, sir ,” the RewFaaran growled.

  Sagus hesitated. A white-knuckled hand gripped the steering mechanism.

  Jordett straightened his general’s cap and inched toward the door.

  Sagus looked the RewFaaran up and down. “The Five Towers, sir .” A note of sarcasm penetrated the partition.

  “ID,” snapped the soldier.

  Sagus handed it over.

  The RewFaar fumbled, flipped the card in the air, and grinned as it hit the pavement. “Oops. Sorry, PPP garbage. Guess you’ll need to get out and pick it up.”

  In one fluid motion, Jordett opened the door and stepped from the vehicle, his rank and the power it represented wrapping around him like a DiMensioner’s cape. His gaze swept from the startled RewFaaran to his equally startled comrades.

  He held out his
ID. “We are due in a meeting with your superiors in a very short time. You can clear us through the road block now or later. To me it matters little. Your ranking officer, however, may not appreciate the delay.”

  The man’s lips thinned. He snatched the ID, gave it a cursory glance, and handed it back. “General Hedi, have a good meeting.”

  “Thank you.” Jordett bent to pick up Sagus’ card. The RewFaaran’s foot jerked back. Jordett glanced up. “I wouldn’t if I were you.” He straightened and handed Sagus the ID. “Who knows how important we might be?” He ducked into the back seat and closed the door.

  The RewFaar held his gaze a long moment. With a mock salute, he waved his men aside. The windows hummed up and the Ria-Transport thrummed into motion. The PPP patrollers separated and moved to opposite curbs. At a moderate speed the Ria-T glided down the empty street. Two blocks, three, a left turn, and the partition lowered.

  “Where to?”

  Anada answered. “The safe house, and for the love of the Fathers, don’t call attention to us.”

  “I won’t. Long or short way?”

  “Long in case we’re followed. Keep your eyes open.”

  She pressed an icon on a touch pad. The partition closed. When she faced Jordett, her eyes were uncertain.

  “Do you think they’ll follow us?”

  “I think they will track us.”

  Anada smiled. “They can’t. We disabled the tack beam so it will lead them away from us.”

  Jordett felt himself beginning to relax. His companions were young but smart. There was hope—hope that with their help they could take back the city. And then what? If they released the Five Fathers, would they reestablish The Plan and the PPP and the subjugation of Idronatti’s citizens? The very thought made him wince.

  16

  Master’s Reach

  DerTah

  T he Demrach Gateway could take you several places, depending on the Key you used when you entered. One Man, in the form of a red desert hawk, soared above the destination point in the Desert of Fera Finnero. Keen raptor eyes searched for the almost invisible spin of the portal at the top of a dune double the height of a man. Not a great place for Mondago’s men to land.

  He flew the short distance to the RewFaaran camp. Well-situated in a wide trough between dunes, it was protected by wind-formed mounds of sand on two sides. The third opened onto a hard flat area with deep indentations One Man knew to be sand traps. The fourth was the continuation of the trough. Some distance from the center of camp, it intersected with another trough that ended near the portal.

  One Man landed on the shaded peak of a tent well-hidden from interested eyes. The camp’s position impressed him; the men manning it did not. Nissasa’s lack of discipline showed glaringly in his choice of followers.

  Projecting his senses in subtle outward circles, he scanned the area. Twenty men resided in the camp, four of whom were true to Lorsedi. Two were imprisoned near the camp’s center. The other two bided their time in their tent. Fourteen men gathered in the shade provided by a large tarp, acting as though a holiday had been declared. From a tent on one side of the camp, two men watched the antics of their comrades. One Man’s gentle mind probe told him they were loyal to Nissasa but disgusted with their comrades’ lack of discipline. He completed his reconnaissance. No one guarded the perimeter. The end of the trough closest to Demrach Gateway was unattended.

  The power of hawk wings carried him into the air. He arrived at the destination point in time to see another hawk exit the spinning vortex into the red DerTahan sky. Swooping lower, One Man landed and shifted at the base of a dune a short distance from the portal.

  Jeet materialized beside him and touched his heart. “It is good to see you, father of Esán.”

  “And you, Jeet. Are Mondago’s men ready?”

  “We wait only for word from the Largeen Joram.”

  Using the code he and Gerolyn had developed, One Man informed her via a telepathic message that Mondago awaited Lorsedi’s signal. After sharing what he had discovered about Nissasa’s men with Jeet, he glanced in the direction of the camp. “Either they’re playing a game with us, or they’re unprepared for battle.” He shook his head. “What on DerTah made Nissasa run?”

  Jeet gazed down at him, his alien eyes gleaming. “It does seem odd that he would leave his men without leadership. This does work in our favor.”

  “Good time for a chat.” Gerolyn’s message rang like a starting bell in One Man’s mind.

  “Be there soon.” He pointed at the portal.

  Jeet leapt into its spinning center. The time differential between planets made his return seem to happen almost before he had disappeared. One by one, Mondago’s men leapt free, slid down the side of the dune, caught themselves, and spread out on either side of the gateway. Jeet greeted a well-built man in full battle gear.

  “Grantese Tesilend, this is One Man.”

  The Grantese didn’t waste time on formalities. “Tell me what you’ve observed.”

  One Man provided a concise report, finishing with his discovery of the four Lorsedi supporters.

  “Good work.” Tesilend pulled the bill of his cap lower. “One or two strong men could pull the rest of the traitors into line either direction, Nissasa’s or ours. Anyone in the remaining sixteen men stick out as a potential leader?”

  One Man cast his thoughts back to the camp. “A couple of guys weren’t joining in the festive atmosphere. Both seemed more alert and more worried than the others.” He described their location.

  Jeet touched his heart. “With respect, Grantese, may I speak?”

  “Of course. Your input is most welcome.”

  “One Man and I can neutralize the two possible leaders. We can also free the two prisoners.”

  “Go.” Gerolyn’s succinct message came through like a war cry.

  One Man caught Tesilend’s eye. “It’s time.”

  “Good. You two go first. My men and I will circle the camp. We’ll wait for a signal from you.”

  One Man shifted to a hawk and followed Jeet’s bird form. The camp came into view. One Man’s hawk heart beat faster. Life had not prepared him for battle. He hoped his skills would be of value.

  Esán teleported himself and his companions away from the Tinga Forest, leaving the Mindeco and the winged monster behind. He surveyed the rolling hills extending as far as the eye could see. He knew the Mindeco would be on their trail the moment he realized they were gone. Glancing at his companions, he pressed his lips together. Cradled in Brie’s arms, Desirol remained unconscious. Kneeling next to Ira on Brie’s opposite side, Torgin clung to the Compass of Ostradio, his eyes darting from it to the rolling hills.

  Esán edged closer to Torgin. “See if the compass is still malfunctioning, or if it will tell us where we are. Ira, stand guard. Brie and I will try to wake Desirol.”

  Ira moved away from the kneeling group.

  Brie bent over the RewFaaran. “Des, wake up.”

  He did not respond.

  Esán touched his forehead, jerked his hand back, and frowned. “There’s—”

  “I know where we are.” Torgin held out the compass and pointed southeast. “Atkis is just over those hills.” He pointed east. “The ocean is that way.” He looped the thong over his head and tucked the compass beneath his shirt. “West is farmland and a river. The compass worked fine. I wonder what interfered with it in the Tinga?” He indicated Desirol’s prone form. “Why doesn’t he wake up? He didn’t hit his head when he fell.”

  Ira stared into the distance and frowned. “He was unconscious before he hit the ground.” Almiralyn-blue eyes widened. “That’s not good, is it?”

  Esán frowned. “The Mindeco left his mark on him in Nesune Ruins. It had time to leave more than its mark in the Tinga. After helping WoNa to restore his memories, I know his mind almost as well as I know my own. When I touched his forehead, I felt something alien in his thoughts. If we wake him, it might take root.”

  “And if we
don’t?” Brie whispered.

  “I don’t know, Brie. It could take root anyway, or it could drift—lost and ineffective. I’m not experienced enough to tell.”

  She appeared to mull over what he had said. “Can we remove it?”

  He shook his head. “We don’t know how. Corvus would be the best one to pluck it free.”

  Torgin edged closer. “What do we do, Esán?”

  Ira answered for him. “We teleport.”

  “We can’t.” Esán rubbed the new growth of hair on his head. “I’m surprised the Mindeco hasn’t already found us. Not only can he follow our energy trail, but now he knows Desirol’s energetic signature.”

  Ira pushed up from his knee. “Sounds like we’d better get a move on. I for one don’t want to meet up with that Mindeco ever again. What do we do with Des? If I didn’t feel sorry for him, I’d say leave him here but…”

  Esán got to his feet and scanned the sky. Dawn was breaking. “We make a stretcher and carry him. Glad we have a bit of light.”

  While the boys searched a small stand of trees for fallen branches, Brie cast her senses a short distance outward. Nothing alarmed her. It’s odd that the Mindeco isn’t here already . Sending her mind probe further afield, she tracked their energy trail back to the Tinga Forest. The last whiffs of battle—the enhanced scents of animal sweat and rage and fear—faded into mist and rainforest smells even as she explored the small clearing. No sign of which monster had won or lost remained. In fact, it was almost as though the battle had never occurred.

  Withdrawing her probe, she inspected every inch of the teleported path she and her friends had taken. I’m over halfway back. Nothing followed. We’re— A sigh of relief froze in her throat. She stifled the desire to shout and masked her thoughts.