The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  Corvus glanced at her. His dimple deepened. His dark eyes gleamed. This was his first time in Mittkeer.

  She returned his smile and remembered her first time.

  She awoke to the knowledge that the last turning of her girlhood sun cycles had arrived. Her initiation into womanhood and the responsibilities she had been trained to carry out would occur following her meeting with the High Priestess of Mahyinaeh.

  Anticipation drove her from bed. After dressing with particular care, she studied herself in the mirror. The pink highlighting her cheekbones intensified the sapphire blue of her eyes. Her long, silver-blonde hair floated around her like a veil. Her simple blue robe hid her feminine curves and gave her the appearance of a demur young girl. She smiled. Everything would change this turning.

  A knock at the door left the mirror reflecting her back as she hurried to admit the most important person in her life. Corvus gazed down at her, the dimple in his cheek deepening, the corners of his mouth rebelling against the serious expression he demanded they maintain.

  He offered his arm. “It is time, Almiralyn.”

  Nervousness and excitement brought girlish jabber to her lips. She stifled it, placed her hand on the elegant sleeve of his tunic, and walked at his side. Feeling suddenly shy, she watched him from beneath her dark lashes. “I am the only one in the temple who has a protector. I know my role as Guardian of Myrrh is important, but others also have important roles to play.”

  Their arrival at the Temple entry stayed the question that formed as Corvus released her arm and stepped back. She knew he waited as she followed a young novice into the pristine beauty of the sanctuary reception area. She also knew he would be there when she stepped again into the sunlight.

  Her interview had been pleasant and thought-provoking. The reports from her mentors of the past several moon cycles of training brought her praise and the reminder to be humble in the face of her talents. She was then escorted to the initiation hall, where eight other young woman waited. They greeted each other with solemn expressions and suppressed excitement. This turning was the culmination of the first stage of their contest against themselves. More training awaited them. This turning, however, they celebrated leaving their childhood behind.

  The simple temple ceremony left her teary-eyed. she placed her lighted candle at the base of a tall quartz crystal and repeated the oath of SegoSond.

  “I pledge to honor the path of right,

  Equality instead of might,

  To honor diversity in all life;

  To offer peace where there is strife.”

  Once all nine girls had made their pledge, they followed the High Priestess to the transition room. Here they bathed in the cleansing waters, braided their hair and pinned it in an elegant bun, and dressed in a dress depicting their new station within the temple.

  Almiralyn emerged to meet her protector in a gown that matched her eyes and modestly accentuated her natural curves. She knew by his expression that she looked beautiful. Beside him stood a man she had met only once, the VarTerel of the Inner Universe. He offered his hand. The moment his weathered palm touched hers, the temple vanished and she stood in the midst of stars and sky her head spinning and her heart pounding.

  Relevart smiled down at her. “The time will come, Almiralyn, when you will travel MittKeer to meet your destiny.”

  They stood side by side in the intense silence, the glow from the crystal tip of his rowan wood staff in a soft pool around them. He squeezed her hand. The stars blurred; the Temple came into focus.

  She glanced up at the man who had been the guiding hand in her training and wondered if this was the time of which he had spoken. The muscle at the corner of his mouth twitched. He picked up his pace. Almiralyn wished she could see what he saw. His lips quirked. Her head filled with Wolloh’s face. The new VarTerel and his companions had reached Mittkeer.

  The transition from time to no time steeped Torgin in anticipation. A surreptitious peek at Wolloh, Seyes Nomed, Wodash, and Somay filled him with awe. In the normal world, their power was formidable; in Mittkeer it felt overpowering.

  Wolloh glanced his direction and smiled. “We are a talented group. I include you in that statement, young Torgin. I wish I had been in Soprano Narrows to see you in action. You must play your flute for me sometime.”

  Warmth flooded Torgin’s cheeks. His hand moved to grip the flute. The hand dropped. “My flute went down with Melback , sir.” He cast Somay an apologetic look. “I know I promised to return it to you, and now I cannot.”

  Somay put an arm around his shoulders. “We will find another Tirips branch when this is over, and I’ll carve you a new one.”

  Wolloh’s good eye stared beyond the group. “Relevart has arrived. We need the compass, Torgin. Ask it to show us the way to Mittkeer’s center.”

  Torgin held the compass so all could see and repeated Wolloh’s instructions. The needle spun in a golden blur and stopped.

  Wolloh peered at the night sky. “And so it is.” With his staff illuminating the way, he limped forward. Somay and Seyes walked behind him. Torgin tucked the compass beneath his tunic and looked up to find Wodash next to him.

  “I promised to take care of you. Walk with me through this land of no time.”

  Torgin felt a touch of surprise as he fell in step beside the creature who had frozen him in the Tower of Nemttachenn, the creature who had haunted his nightmares for moon cycles afterward. Wodash seems to have grown up as much as I have. Is this, too, part of The Unfolding?

  Wolloh glanced back and favored him with a knowing smile.

  Brie let relief flood her tiny body. Esán had understood and followed. She flew from the vent at the back of the plantitarium and shifted. The instant Esán materialized beside her, she grabbed his hand and stepped through the wall, drawing him after her. She grinned at his look of total astonishment as he knelt to hug Shyllee.

  “How did you find this?” he whispered. His eyes explored it inch by inch, paused on the pool and garden, and traced the roots on the wall to the vents above.

  “I fell through the wall by accident. Elf found the space when he was a young boy training to be a Mocendi. He set it up in case he ever needed a place to hide. When they destroyed his vocal cords and sentenced him to the pit, this is where he hid.”

  “Where is Elf?”

  “He’s rescuing Ira.” Brie tilted her head. “He said he’d construct an illusion that will make the guards think Ira is still in his cell. When Ira is safe, Elf plans to find Desirol.”

  “Mask.” Elf’s message brought their conversation to an end. Esán’s face went blank. Brie dropped a curtain around her thoughts. Neither moved.

  Time passed. A drop of sweat beaded on Brie’s brow, ran down her nose, and dripped onto her chin. A soft tap, tap sounded. Shyllee’s tail wagged.

  Esán mouthed, “Ira.”

  Brie stepped through the wall.

  A wild-eyed Ira gaped at her. The plantitarium door opened. She grabbed his arm and pulled him after her into the hidden space.

  Esán touched a finger to his lips and then his temple and shook his head.

  Ira nodded.

  They huddled together, barely breathing. Shyllee sat with her head cocked to one side and her ears alert.

  “Relax.” The message wasn’t from Elf.

  Esán pressed his mouth shut. Brie tightened her grip on Ira’s arm. She pointed at herself and the vents on the wall. Shifting, she crawled through the mesh. At the ground level some distance below, Thorlu Tangorra stood with Vygel Vintrusie. His gray-green eyes searched. A probe scanned the lower level, glanced over a butterfly, and moved on, leaving a fading image of Esán behind.

  Fear that staying together in a small space made them a huge target sent her darting back through the vent and into Human form. She quickly mimed a plan, muffled Shyllee’s presence with an illusion of invisibility, and in bug form shot through the mesh with Ira and Esán following. The moment they emerged into the plantitarium, they
shifted to butterflies and dispersed in different directions.

  Brie felt Thorlu’s probe brush by her and fluttered lower. The probe moved up to the next level. She hoped Esán and Ira had followed her example.

  Vygel paced the perimeter of the space. A less intense scan made a furtive sweep. Thorlu swung around. “Don’t interfere with my probe, Vintrusie.” The tension between the two Mocendi beat like a drum.

  Vygel’s ugly face grew uglier. “I am The MasTer’s Mocendi. I outrank you. Don’t mess with mine.”

  Thorlu turned his back, completed his scan, and marched from the chamber.

  Vygel stood in the silence for some time, scanning the space. “The lab tech said the boy came in here. There’s nowhere to hide. He must have been seeing things.” With a final glance from floor to the distant ceiling, he strode into the companionway. The door swished shut.

  Remembering Renn’s warning regarding Thorlu, Brie fluttered from flower to flower until she reached the deep shadows of bigger plants. When significant time had passed, she flew to the wall, changed to a small bug, and crawled through the vent. Shyllee sniffing her Human hand reminded her to remove the illusion. The space grew suddenly crowded as Esán, Ira, and her Aunt Henri materialized.

  Ira shot a nervous glance at the elderly woman. “H-how’d you know where to find us? What about Torgin’s mother?”

  Henrietta tapped her spectacles against her palm. “A dupligram of Renn is resting in her quarters.”

  Esán looked puzzled. “A dupligram?”

  Henri sighed, “A dupligram is a double. Corvus taught me to create one when I was much younger.”

  Ira opened his mouth to speak.

  Henri shook her head. “No time. The Mocendi gather. I counted more than thirty aboard the ship already. And Thorlu has Elf. We are all in danger but Elf most of all. You must rescue him. Thorlu plans to use him to find you. Elf also knows that I have taken Renn’s place. His gifts are many and powerful.” She sagged. “I can’t maintain the dupligram much longer.”

  “Where is he?” Esán asked.

  “Thorlu trapped him in dragonfly form and has him in a glass box in his quarters.” She tapped her spectacles against Brie’s forehead and disappeared.

  Brie stared at the spot where she had stood. “She put directions in my head. Thorlu’s quarters are on the far side of the plantitarium.”

  Esán grew thoughtful. “What’s the best shape to take us there?”

  Ira grimaced. “Definitely not a dragonfly.”

  “I’ll rescue Elf.” Brie kept her tone firm. “Thorlu knows your energy signatures. He doesn’t know mine.”

  Ira looked unconvinced.

  Esán started to protest. “You can’t…”

  “Wolloh unlocked my abilities for a reason. I can rescue Elf; I can fool Thorlu. You have to find a way to get him away from his quarters. I’ll need enough time to learn the makeup of the ward and alter it as well as that of the glass box.”

  Brie didn’t give them time to argue. She shifted and crawled through the vent. Perched on a broad leaf near the door to the plantitarium, she reviewed her plan. She knew the risk she took. She also knew Elf would die to keep them safe.

  43

  Master’s Reach

  Myrrh

  K ieel swallowed his fear and focused on his long-time friend.

  Tibin’s ruddy complexion paled. “Sibine and Adin—i-i-n d-d-danger—” He choked and staggered to his feet. “Please help them, Tinpaca Mondago. Please—”

  “We will get them back, Tibin.” The Tinpaca placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. “Kieel, we’ll need the Guardian’s cousin to help. Please bring her here. Reana, you and your team hide in the trees near the Mocendi and keep watch. I want reports every quarter chron on what he’s doing. Don’t get caught. Stee, see if either you or Yuin can get close enough to use your numbing agent?”

  Kieel fluttered to Tibin’s shoulder. The Wood Tiff’s whole body trembled. “We’ll get them back, Tibin.”

  He streaked between trees. Teva would know what to do. Within sight of the camp, he landed and surveyed the area. Nothing suggested danger. Teva ducked from the Mocendi’s tent. Her gaze fastened on his. “Stay.” She said something over her shoulder and walked his direction. “Let’s go.”

  At the tree line, she shifted. A small bird followed him through the woods to the Tinpaca’s camp. Mondago and two soldiers came to their feet as she materialized across from them.

  Kieel hovered nearby, observing the RewFaarans’ astonished expressions with a small smile. Teva was every bit as lovely and as powerful as Almiralyn.

  She touched a hand to her heart. “Tinpaca Mondago, it is a pleasure to meet you. Major Jordett sends his regards. I will make a full report, but first…” She knelt in front of Tibin. As though repositioning a wayward curl, her fingertips brushed his forehead. His eyes rounded. “Fear is a disabler you can ill afford, Tibin. We will need your to help rescue your family.”

  She straightened. “Tinpaca, I understand you have a man injured. Let’s discuss what must be done.”

  Mondago pressed his lips together, fingered the cigar in his pocket, sighed, and gave her a rueful smile. “It is rare for a RewFaaran to deal with women who are in positions of authority. I have met two in as many turnings. Forgive me for taking a moment to adjust my thinking. A group of Nyti watch the Mocendi from a safe distance. Voer and Yuin went to see if they could get close enough to use their stunning—”

  Stee exited the trees, his alien face grim and his tail twitching. Golden eyes came to rest on Teva. He touched his heart, then offered his palm. “Oid eo daizo raa, cousin of Almiralyn.”

  “Oid eo daizo raa, Stee.” Her palm touched his. “Tell us what you have discovered.”

  “Wards surround the Mocendi and his captives. Your man is outside the shields, Tinpaca, but too close for us to remove him unseen.”

  Mondago turned to Teva. “I bow to your expertise.”

  The two soldiers exchanged a surprised look.

  Teva inclined her head. “Tinpaca, I believe a distraction would be helpful. It is vital that you and your men return to camp, so perhaps this could be done with a bit of chaos? Also, while I am here, I will reposition the Demrach Gateway nearer Almiralyn’s land, which will allow you to communicate more easily with DerTah. Right now, I will need two of your men and Stee with me.”

  The Tinpaca addressed the two soldiers. “Asdall, you organize the return to camp.” He nodded to the other man. “You’re with me.”

  Teva nodded her understanding and graced Asdall with a smile. “My protector and comrade will be removing the Mocendi who is at your camp from Myrrh. Please introduce yourself should his return precede mine.”

  The RewFaaran kept his face blank, glanced at the Tinpaca, and left.

  Teva returned her attention to the Wood Tiff. “Tibin, you and Kieel will carry a message to the apprentice Mocendi. He is called Endes. Tell him Almiralyn has been contacted. Tell him she is the only one who can release him from the grove. I will be close by.”

  Reana whizzed from the trees. “He’s becoming more agitated. I think he’s scared.”

  Teva bent down to bring her eyes level with Tibin’s. “You must be steady and courageous. Sibine and Adin need to know you are there and unafraid.”

  Tibin squared his shoulders. “I will do my best, Teva.”

  She straightened. The aura of a warrior settled around her. Her beautiful face became more chiseled, her eyes cold and hard. Stee moved to her side. Mondago and his man exchanged glances.

  Kieel shivered. War knows no boundaries. War turns even the most peaceful souls to warriors when it threatens those they love.

  Paisley stood alone in the Terces Wood, inhaling the cool air of late autumn. One chron circle ago, I breathed desert dryness and saw nothing but sand in all directions. I’ve jumped dimensions and visited another planet . Amazement broadened his grin. “Ya.”

  Stee had dropped him within walking distance of Nemttac
henn and flown off in the direction of the RewFaarans’ temporary camp. Paisley grinned. Never knew how much I’d love flyin’.

  Fallen leaves crackling beneath his feet reminded him again that he had traveled far. He picked up his pace and soon found himself staring up at the rounded-height of Nemttachenn, gleaming and gray in the afternoon sun. Another contrast—night had been closing in on the desert when he jumped into the gateway. Life’s sure changed .

  At the tower entrance he paused, felt the subtle tingle of Evolsefil’s presence, and stepped into the dark interior. A soft blue light wafted up from the tower floor. Dark eyes twinkled in the dim light. A white mustache drooping around a big, welcoming smile materialized below a beak of a nose. CheeTrann stepped free of the light, his feet planted wide apart and his huge fists resting on his hips.

  “It is good ta see ya, Paisley James Tobinette. I’ve been lonely, something I haven’t experienced in many aeons. It is a rare thing to find a good friend.”

  Paisley grinned. “I’ve missed ya, too. And I’ve missed our games of chess.” He crossed to the table and lowered his large body onto a chair. “So much has happened.”

  CheeTrann sat down and peered at the tower entrance. “I believe we have company about to arrive on our doorstep. Your stories will have—”

  “Let me go. You have no right—” The explosion of anger ended in a snarl.

  CheeTrann’s presence filled the tower. Paisley launched his body to standing. A man’s figure darkened the entrance; a second taller figure stepped into view.

  “Who trespasses within my domain?” Nemttachenn shook with the power of CheeTrann’s voice.

  The taller man shoved the first through the entrance. “I am Lenadi, brother of Teva Rivan. I bring you a Mocendi, Protector of Myrrh. The Guardians await his arrival.”