The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  Gregos steered Melback into the Strait of Eschems and adjusted her heading toward Trinuge’s southern coast. Elf looked back. A picture flashed in Brie’s mind—Brubger sniffing the air like the Mindeco that possessed his body. He picked up a spy glass, scanned the anchorage, and tossed it aside in disgust. Sniffing again, he called to the Astican.

  Gregos swore. “Can’t see us, but we’re upwind. Da’am, he’s got our scent. Elf, get Tamosh. And bring the chart of Eschems.”

  Tamosh climbed on deck with Torgin close behind, the compass map hovering above Ostradio’s face.

  A quick conference left both men looking grim. Brie sensed nothing but trepidation in Elf’s mind. She looked from one brother to the other. Tamosh took the wheel.

  Gregos gathered his crew together in a tight huddle. “Torgin’s compass shows only one way to lose Possession . Soprano Narrows. Not where I’d go by choice. Brubger lost a boat to the rocks in the Narrows. Almost died. Sure wish I could say it was different, but the Narrows is our best hope.”

  Desirol’s dark eyes darted to the shadowy shape of Bockettle Island and back to Gregos. “What’s so bad about the Narrows?”

  “It’s narrow and rocky. The waters are unlike any I’ve ever experienced. The one time I sailed it, I was about your age. Almost didn’t make it. Dumb luck is all that saved me.” He peered back through the muted light of dawn and then at his crew. “Esán and Ira, do a sweep of the deck. Make sure everything is secured. Torgin and Desirol, I need ya below. Stow everything ya can. Take Shyllee with ya. Elf, do your magic. I need to know when it’s slack tide. Pray it’s sooner than later. Brie, females have a better chance of making it through the Narrows than men. Memorize everything Ostradio knows about the Narrows and get back up here. We’ll be at the entrance in half a chron circle.”

  Shyllee rose to her feet, wagged her tail, and padded after the boys as everyone scurried to carry out their assignments. Brie settled at the table in the cabin, the compass glowing in her hands. Soprano Narrows . The Star of Truth shot a warning current over her skin.

  Henri found herself in a dim passageway. The faint aroma of cooked shellfish hung in the air. An opening up ahead, flickered, indicating a fire. She sat her spectacles on her nose and peered through the crystal lenses. Her unobtrusive scan picked out three individuals. A smile played at the corners of her mouth. Relevart had sent her to Geran, the Island of ZaltRaca, unless she were mistaken.

  A man appeared in the opening, a shotgun raised. He wore the look of a harried watch dog. Suspicion and a touch of fear lit his eyes.

  Henri raised her hands. “Please don’t shoot. I’m a harmless old lady.”

  Two women crowded behind him. The darker of the two call out. “What’s your name?”

  “Henrietta. I’m sorry to intrude, but I was sent by—” She paused. Will they even know of the VarTerel? “Relevart sent me.”

  The man clutched the gun tighter. “Don’t know any Relevart.”

  “Lower the gun, Cay.” The dark woman edged around him. “I know of Relevart. He’s the VarTerel of the Inner Universe.” She walked to Henri and offered an arm. “Please, Henrietta, come in.”

  Henri stepped from beneath a low overhang and stared in surprise and delight. What she assumed would be a cave was instead the inside of an older sailing vessel. She removed her spectacles and smiled at a slender blonde woman whose summer green eyes held intelligence and caution. “Hello, Renn Whalend. I am Henrietta. My friends call me Henri.”

  The caution did not fade. “You are the mysterious woman who lives across the hall from Torgin’s friends, Ari and Brie. Are you a friend or an enemy?”

  Cayled gripped the shotgun, ready to raise it. Bibeed’s face, so like her brother’s did not lose its welcoming expression.

  “It is my hope you will consider me a friend. Relevart thought I might be of assistance, or I would not be here.”

  Welcome changed to worry on Bibeed’s face. “Are they here? Have they found us?”

  Henri sank onto a stool. “Please, may we sit? I will answer as many questions as I can.”

  Cayled laid the shotgun on the table and sat down across from her. Bibeed and Renn pulled up stools on either side of him. Henri smiled to herself. Guess I’m on trial.

  Renn found herself liking Henrietta but worried that she was missing something important—something that she would regret later. Still, the elderly woman had answered all their questions. Even Cayled’s natural suspicion faded by the end of their discussion. Bibeed had never doubted Henri’s authenticity. Renn sat by the fire, watching them prepare breakfast as though they had known each other for many sun cycles.

  She stirred the coals in the fire pit with a stick. At least I know Wilith is safe in Myrrh. And Torgin— Henri had told her that he sailed to her rescue, he and his friends. They were in the Sea of Trinuge. Their journey would take them all the way around the Cape of Trinuge, along the coast of TheDa, and across Triple Moon Strait. What she needed was a map.

  Henri glanced up and smiled. The next thing Renn knew, Cayled joined her, unfolded an old, faded map of DerTah, and smoothed it out on the table. For a man who fished for a living, he certainly knew a lot about the planet. The scientist in her wanted to know how the moons affected the tides; how the planet’s shorter orbit of the sun impacted the growing season; how DerTah responded during the Cycle of Dovi, the time every thirteen sun cycles when the planet’s moons and sun lined up.

  She and Cayled were deep in conversation when Henri snatched her purple rimmed specs from her pocket and perched then on her nose. Magnified eyes scanned the boathome, then seemed to see through the rocks overhead to the sky above. Frowning, she motioned Renn and Cayled to join them.

  “The MasTer’s Reach searches. A Mocendi of great strength flies within it. He is using the eyes and ears of his master to seek you out, Renn. Listen carefully. Bibeed and Cayled, I am leaving Renn in your care. Keep her hidden until her son and his friends arrive. Do not leave this cavern until you’re certain nothing hunts the cliffs and beaches.”

  Renn folded her arms across her chest. “And you?”

  Henri met her gaze with cool violet eyes. “I am about to become you. But I will need your help. If I am to successfully fool the Mocendi DiMensioner, I must fully become your likeness, which means that we must, you and I, share a mind link.”

  “Which means?”

  “It means that for a moment we must mingle our thoughts and memories. I must obtain from you enough of your scientific knowledge to fool the Mocendi and The MasTer, if necessary, but not enough for them to use the information successfully. I will take nothing from you, only impressions.”

  Renn hesitated. “How can I let you or anyone take my place?”

  Henri removed her spectacles and put them in a hidden pocket in her shirt. “You have a son and a husband. You are vital to the development of the citizens of Idronatti. Without you and your research, what has been done cannot be undone.”

  “And if it is discovered that you are not me?”

  “If that bridge appears, I’ll figure out a way to cross. Quickly, I must be in the cottage by the time the black cloud reaches it.”

  Still, Renn delayed. Bibeed whispered, “The longer you wait, the bigger risk for Henri. Let her save you, Renn.”

  Henri offered her hands. Renn clasped them. Memories flowed from one woman to the other, thoughts, feelings, images interwove. Renn gasped as the connection broke, leaving her alone in her own mind.

  Henri released her hands. “Thank you. I am honored to share a bond with you. Now, I must shape your likeness. Is there anything I need to add other than what I see? A birth mark, a mole, a scar that’s hidden?”

  “I have a small red birth mark in the shape of a butterfly here.” She touched the side of her left thigh. “It’s about the size of the end of my little finger.”

  The elderly woman began to shift. Renn gasped. Blonde hair, green eyes, a serious mouth replaced the soft white curls, violet eyes, and lightl
y lined cheeks. Age spots melted away. Renn could only stare at her identical twin. Feeling somewhat taken aback, she reached out and touched a strand of blonde hair. “My goodness, you look just like me.” She shook off her sense of non-reality and became serious. “If you’re going to fool them, we’d better change clothes. Women in Idronatti never wear pants. Also, my clothing carries my smell and energy and that should help you.”

  Bibeed shooed the astonished Cayled out the door. “Don’t wander far.”

  The exchange was made. Renn removed a small locket clasped it around Henri’s neck. “It has a picture of Wilith and Torgin, a bit old fashioned, I know, but I love it. Bring it back to me, Henrietta.”

  Henri touched it, kissed her cheek, and vanished.

  Renn stared at the spot where she had been. Please be careful, Henrietta .

  Henri arrived at the top of the Cliffs of Tymine as the MasTer’s Reach topped the trees on the far side of a field of erika that edged a forest of thick-trunked pines and wind-blown, gambelii oaks. The black cloud hovered. She could feel the senses of The MasTer first stretching to catch a scent, then listening, then straining to see in the brighter atmosphere of DerTah. Wrapping Bibeed’s, baggy coat around her limber younger body, she moved with ghost-like invisibility to the cottage, slipped in the front door, and hurried to the room Renn had described as hers.

  Black vapor covered the window. The scent of burning flesh tickled her nostrils. The door flew open. The gaunt figure of a man blocked her exit. Bulging, bloodshot eyes swept from her blonde head to her toes. A mind probe lacerated her thoughts.

  “Coala Renn Whalend, we meet at last.” The voice was as disfigured as the man, tattered and lacking in anything warm or humane.

  Henri held herself still. Outside wind scattered The MasTer’s Reach. Opposite, the man lost a vestige of his power. With effort, he fought to regain it.

  She did not move. “Since you know my name, it would be polite to share yours.”

  The bulging eyes, blinked. A triumphant smile, more chilling than the raw cold of a winter wind, twisted thin, bloodless lips. “Vygel. Vygel Vintrusie.”

  31

  Master’s Reach

  Myrrh & Thera

  T he quiet of Veersuni soothed Sparrow’s overwrought nerves. Almiralyn dozed on a bench, recuperating from the transfer of Demrach Gateway to the Grove of Mehloc. Color from the stained glass window patterned her with red and blue and gold. One Man, hands clasped behind his back, gazed out the cleared glass at the magnificence of the star-sprinkled sky.

  Sparrow pulled a small leather pouch from her pocket and fingered the round objects inside. Her mind resumed its incessant, worried buzz. The MasTer had stolen her visual memories of the twins. Mocendi had invaded Myrrh. It seemed as though Allynae had been gone for many moon cycles. The twins were on a boat somewhere in the Trinugian Sea on DerTah. She let out a heavy sigh and made a decision.

  Joining One Man in front of the window, she let her gaze follow the path of a shooting star. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  Esán’s father smiled down at her. “More than we even begin to imagine.”

  She held out the pouch. “I want you to take this with you.”

  He tipped the contents onto his palm. “The Tabagie’s eyes. You’re certain?”

  “You have far greater need, One Man. Please take them. Use them to save our children.”

  He tucked the pouch in his pocket. “Thank you, SparrowLyn AsTar. I am honored by your trust.”

  For a time they remained silent. Sparrow thought back to the Demrach Canyon and the creature made of smoke that Wolloh had sent to warn them. It had delivered its message and begun to fade when it told her to keep its eyes. If added to fire, it had explained, they would bring the Tabagie back to aid her. She touched her heart. Thank you, Tabagie.

  Across the room, Almiralyn sat up. Nimble fingers flicked her hair into a braid. “I think it’s time to share some memories, don’t you?”

  One Man escorted Sparrow to the bench. “We do.”

  Sitting with her friends, each holding a hand, Sparrow closed her eyes. Relief made her light-headed as identical faces, red curls, a sprinkling of freckles, and dark brown eyes enlivened the faded remembrances she had retained.

  When they had finished, she turned to Almiralyn. “The MasTer knows what the twins look like. That can’t be good.”

  The Guardian didn’t mince words. “He already knew what they felt like. It’s his minions that their likeness will help. All we can do, Sparrow, is hope that he is too busy to pass the information along.” She stood up. “Let’s discover how TheLise and Nomed are doing and see if we can keep his focus elsewhere.”

  Almiralyn waved a hand above the fountain. The dripping water calmed. One Man moved to her side.

  Sparrow ignored a growing reluctance to use the fountain and placed her hands on its cool, rounded rim. A blurred image steadied.

  A funeral wagon pulled up to the back door of a mansion. Accompanying it were Seyes Nomed and the Dreelas TheLise. Solemn servants removed a swaddled body and carried it into the house. Nomed and TheLise followed.

  The scene changed. The body lay on a bed. A tall, dark-haired woman stared down at it. When she turned to regard her hostess, her narrow, homely face wore an accusatory scowl. “What did you do to my son? Why is he so…” She wrinkled her nose and cough delicately into a hanky. “Why does he smell?”

  TheLise looked from Nissasa to his mother. “Your friends in the Mocendi League left him to die, Roween.”

  “They wouldn’t do that. He is important, a DiMensioner, the future Largeen Joram of—” She caught sight of Nomed’s arced brow, clamped her mouth shut, and redirected their attention. “What’s wrong with him? He’s hardly breathing.”

  “He foolishly used Souvitrico to discover the whereabouts of the Evolsefil Crystal. His essential life quintessence is being stored in a charnockite jar on another planet. A certain level of power is required to keep his body alive until it is reunited with his essence. It appears The MasTer decided Nissasa had ceased to be useful. The Mocendi protecting the body is gone. Had Seyes and I not found him, he would be dead.”

  Roween bristled with rage. “This is all your fault, Dreelas.”

  TheLise replied in an icy tone. “No, Roween Rattori, this is your fault. Had you not craved power, your son would not be in this situation. I suggest you clean him up. When he is ready, Seyes and I will do what we can to preserve his physical body.” She started to leave, but paused. “If you are wise, you will not call attention to Nissasa’s presence here. We brought his body in a hearse. It would be best if it were thought he died. Also, it would be best if you remain in your quarters until Nissasa is back on his feet.” She strode from the room.

  Roween grimaced at the silent body of her son. “How could you have been so foolish !” She crossed to the bell rope and pulled. Her personal maid appeared.

  “I didn’t ring for you.”

  The woman curtsied. “The Dreelas’ staff are all busy, my lady.”

  Roween’s eyes glinted with hatred. “Get me water, cloths, towels.”

  The maid hurried to the door.

  Roween called after her, “Bring me one of your dresses and an apron and find a change of clothes for my son.”

  The maid disappeared. Roween stormed around the room. “I will make you sorry, TheLise of Trinuge.”

  Water trickling from alabaster palms dispersed the image into foaming flecks of color. Sparrow looked at her companions. “Will Nissasa’s essence withstand teleporting?”

  One Man gathered his long hair over his shoulder. “No. I believe it will manage a portal jump, but teleporting can disturb delicate molecules. I’ll have to carry it overland.”

  Almiralyn calculated travel time from the desert portal to Shu Chenaro. “That will take too long.”

  Sparrow gazed into the Eye, and then back at her friends. “Allynae can take you, One Man. He can shape the flying horse. You will be there in no time.”
>
  “Of course. What a good idea. I’ll send Gerolyn a coded message to bring him to the desert portal.” He kissed Sparrow lightly on the cheek. “You’ve done good work today. Try not to worry about the twins. They have many strong protectors watching over them.” He patted his pocket. “Including the Tabagie.”

  Almiralyn walked him to the door of Veersuni. “Yookotay has the jar, and you know the rhyme of release and re-entry. Take care, and send us word as soon as you can.”

  Her expression when she returned to the fountain was speculative. “I think we should check on the twins, don’t you?”

  Sparrow took up her position by Elcaro’s Eye. “Indeed I do.”

  Almiralyn took a deliberate breath.

  “Elcaro’s Eye, your knowledge share;

  Show us how the children fare.

  Help us understand their fate,

  And where their adversaries wait.”

  The water churned into effervescent colors that slowly began to coalesce.

  Kieel’s conversation with Jordett had been limited to the details most important for Mondago to hear. Kieel had made mental notes in his methodical way. By the time they were through, night had settled over the city. He bid farewell and darted out the door in the wake of the Guardian of Myrrh’s gray cat.

  Majeska padded from shadow to shadow through the eerie streets of the deserted city. Occasionally, she would pause to sniff the air or to dodge into a darkened doorway as a PPP RiaTransport skimmed past. Jordett had ordered patrols to continue. PPP military in RewFaaran uniforms made the rounds as well. It would appear to anyone paying attention that Nissasa’s Brigade controlled Idronatti.

  Kieel flitted above Majeska and below the first floor windows of the buildings lining their route. They had gone a substantial distance when his guide stopped in an alley across from the tallest building in Idronatti. The Sun Spire glowed ruby red in the diffused shafts of light that shot up from the ground, bathing its magnificent height in a warm wash. The Sun Spire, Jordett had told him, was the danger point.