Three ConDria touched down and shifted. Brie ran to Esán’s side. Almiralyn shook water from her hair and hugged her cousin. Lenadi, who had remained at Desirol’s side, joined them. Elf materialized, a broad grin on his face.
One ConDria remained in flight.
Henri leaned down and tapped Brie’s shoulder. “We’ll care for Esán. This is your only opportunity to fly with Ari.”
Brie’s instantaneous shift left Henri brushing dampness from her face and hair. The Water ConDria soared upward.
Esán regained consciousness, and Somay assisted him to sitting. Torgin and Elf moved to Desirol’s side. Everyone gazed upward.
Henri lifted spectacles to her eyes and followed the two ConDrias in their joyous cavorting. “Another gift of The Unfolding.”
Relevart smiled, his eyes never leaving the shimmering creatures. “And there is much, much more to come.”
The idea that Ari could shape a ConDria had never crossed Brie’s mind. The fact that Relevart held her twin to the shape and was willing to give them time to share the experience of water and flight filled her with exhilaration.
Ari’s fluid blue eyes met hers with so much love, understanding, and wonder that Brie thought she might burst. In tandem, they created shimmering loops and circles. Brie burst into song. Ari joined, her alto voice harmonizing perfectly with her twin’s sweet soprano. Below them, Torgin pulled out his flute and began to play. A melody of pure joy accompanied them as they soared around each other in interweaving patterns. Wing tip to wing tip, they rocketed straight up, made a loop, and side-by-side nosedived through the star-spangled night of Mittkeer. Flying in opposite directions, they soared in a wide arc, met at the top center, and swooped lower. The deep, swishing wha wha wha of their powerful wings filled the air. Wind whipped their companions’ hair and garments and brought looks of astonished delight to their faces.
Relevart raised his staff. Torgin played a final trembling note. As the ConDrias landed, wings wafting and wide, Ari and Brie flashed free of their shifted forms. Tears streaming down their faces, they fell into each other’s arms.
Ari wiped shimmering droplets from her cheek. “Now I understand why you love the ConDria so much.” She threw her arms around Relevart. “Thank you!”
Surprise brightened his eyes. “You are most welcome, Arienh.”
Brie knelt and grasped Esán’s hand. “Are you alright?”
His smile, though weak, warmed her. “I’m just tired.” He squeezed her hand. “The ConDria is wonderful.”
A sharp bark cut through Mittkeer. A growl followed. Desirol stumbled forward. “I can’t hold it…I…”
Lenadi reached his side first and put an arm around his waist. Desirol clung to him, gasping. Relevart touched his temple. Everyone gathered around as Lenadi lowered him to the ground.
Fear for her friend throbbed in Brie’s chest.
Trembling drops spilling into the water erased the image. Four pairs of eyes remained fixed on the alabaster bowl.
Alli released a deep, noisy breath. “Weren’t our girls gorgeous? What a treat for Ari to shape a ConDria.”
Elae’s gaze lifted to Almiralyn’s face. “I knew something was different about you.”
Sparrow materialized. “Merrilea is in Ephos. Please fetch her, Elae, then I’ll explain.”
Elae nodded and hurried from Veersuni.
Wilith sank onto a bench, folded his hands, and stared at the floor.
50
Master’s Reach
DerTah
Y aro stood watch on the deck of SeaBella . From the stern, he observed the three moons of DerTah. Tri-Nular, DerTahan’s call it, when all three light the heavens . His gazed traveled the arc from the pearly crescent in the east to the glacier blue Calegri at its zenith to Fasfro's’ saffron yellow orb where it kissed the western horizon. Surrounding them, stars glistened. With the end of Marji’s storm, the world had regained its calm beauty.
Marji—an interesting woman . The plan they had developed satisfied his warrior instincts and used her gifts in ways she could embrace. They would leave at first light, an illusion of invisibility cloaking their journey. In the meantime, all was quiet aboard SeaBella . Sleep had come easily. He needed little and thus he stood the watch that would take them to dawn.
The slow passing of time gave his mind time to question. What is happening in the desert? Is Voer still with the Largeen Joram? Stee, Jeet, Yuin, where are you and what adventures enrich your lives? Heart brother, are you safe?
The hatch slid open, and Marji climbed on deck. She smiled. “You’re a noisy thinker, Yaro.” She shut the hatch.
“I try to see the future, Marji Senndi. It has been too long since I have been with my comrades. I worry about my heart brother. I am ready for this Unfolding to achieve its goal. My home calls.”
She joined him and leaned on the railing. “Your clan awaits your return. If I understand correctly, few are hatched under Nep Rin Tese, the sign of the serpent, and even fewer carry the wisdom of the water snake as you do.” She paused and tipped her head to observe him more closely. “At your next hatching ceremony, it will be time for you to assume your duties as a Nep Rin Tese Venerat. How do you feel about leaving your life as a warrior behind?”
Yaro met her questioning gaze. “I am a good fighter, but I have never embraced it with the zeal of my comrades.” He tracked the descent of Calegri and thought about the role he would soon play. “My heart is more gentle. Although I will miss my warrior brothers, I look forward to the solitude of the Venerat, to the time when I may serve my clan in a different fashion.”
Marji nodded and raised her eyes to the heavens. “Lunule rises high. Soon it will be time to wake everyone.” She offered her palm. “I am honored to fight by your side, Yaro.”
He took her small hand between his. “Een dimo a den, Marji Senndi. The honor is mine.” He bowed his head and pressed her palm to his heart.
Gregos clearing his throat made them both turn.
Marji grinned. “Morning, brother.”
“Mornin’, Marji. Mornin’, Yaro. Time to get to work. Bibeed put some breakfast on the table in the galley. Soon as ya’ve eaten, we’ll set sail.”
Marji smiled at Yaro and climbed below.
“Your sister is a good woman.”
Gregos stared after her. “Lucky ta have her aboard. Ya ready?”
With a chorus of good mornings, Tamosh, Cayled, and Bibeed clambered on deck.
Yaro shaped a laridae, soared through the bottleneck, and explored the strait. Nothing raised an alarm. He swooped back into the cove and materialized next to Gregos.
Marji and Renn sat at the stern. Bibeed manned the watch perch, Tamosh and Cayled were ready to haul the anchor and hoist the sails. At a sign from Gregos, Marji stood and recited:
“Illusion surround us; hide us from sight.
Until I release you, conceal our might.
Nothing sees in, yet we can see out
To follow our heading with nary a doubt.”
With the raising of her arms, a filmy curtain hugged SeaBella , formed a dome overhead, and faded into invisibility. She lowered her arms. “It’s done.”
Gregos shouted orders. Anchor chain disappeared below deck. The anchor was secured for sea. The sails caught the wind, sending the boat gliding through the water and into Triple Moon Strait.
Renn sat in the stern, solemn and watchful. Yaro joined her. “You are quite somber, Renn Whalen.”
“They are heading into danger because of me. I wish it were not so.”
“It is their choice to protect you. Like me, it is an honor.”
“But, Yaro, what if someone gets hurt or…” She shuddered. “Dies? How will I live with that?”
“Be now , Renn Whalen. Living in the future steals from this beautiful moment, and it will not come again.”
She sighed and tipped her chin up to catch the wind in her face.
He stared ahead, trying to follow his own advice.
A
grim-faced Abarax marched along the corridor, leather wingtips dragging on the black ice floor. The MasTer would dislike its news. It paused at her door and stroked rosebud lips with a talon claw. Gathering its courage, it knocked.
A harsh voice called out. “Enter, Abarax.”
Inside The MasTer’s room, it again paused, awaiting her command. It watched her from beneath thick, long lashes, sitting on her throne staring at her hand.
“When I was young, my hands were smooth-skinned and strong, not a mass of veins, wrinkles, and aching joints.” She gripped a mirror with clumsy fingers, lifted it, and frowned at the reflection. “Once upon a time on the planet of El Stroma, I was considered beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, that the RomPeer coveted me for his personal harem.”
Unbidden, Abarax took a step forward. “How did you escape him, my master?”
She laid the mirror aside and raised sunken eyes to its visage. “I, Abarax, became a man. I learned to fight like a man, to make decisions like a man, to take what I wanted when I wanted it. You are the only one who knows my true gender.” She pursed wrinkled lips. “Unless the Guardian of Myrrh has discovered it.”
Accusation saturated the room, soaked into the black curtains, hovered in the space between them. Abarax froze. Cherub eyes did not blink. The inhale and exhale of its breath made no sound.
A long, dry cough wracked her body. Abarax did not move. She sagged against the back of the throne, sucking in shallow breaths. Another bout of coughing brought blood to her lips. She wiped it away on the sleeve of her robe and struggled to remain upright.
“You don’t look happy, Astican. Tell me what makes you quake before you have even made your report.”
It bowed. “I hardly know where to begin.”
Another tortuous cough left her gasping. Abarax filled her chalice. “Drink, MasTer.” Its head remained bowed until she set the goblet beside her.
A cruel gleam lit her eyes. “Tell me of your friends Thorlu and Vygel. Have they found the children?”
“Thorlu and Vygel are gone, MasTer.” It strove to hide its delight.
“Gone ? What on TreBlaya do you mean by gone ?”
“As you instructed, I sent seven Astican into Mittkeer to intercept the VarTerels.”
Her hand went to her throat. “VarTerels-s-s?” The s hissed through the room.
Abarax cringed at her tone. “We have learned that the Galactic Guardians raised Relevart to the level of Universal VarTerel and Wolloh Espyro to VarTerel of the Inner Universe. They are both here—in Mittkeer.” It rushed on. “The children managed to capture Thorlu and Vygel. The VarTerels teleported them all into the place of all time and no time.”
She smacked the arm of the throne. The goblet clattered to the floor. “And your band of Astican—” A cough cut her question short.
It waited until she regained her composure. “Only one Astican returned from Mittkeer, MasTer. It told me Relevart banished Thorlu and Vygel to another time. All the Astican, except the one that returned, are dead.”
Using the arms of the throne, she pushed to standing, eyes riveted to his face. “We still have Renn Whalen?”
It took several steps back and kept its eyes on the floor. “It appears we never had her. An elderly woman took her place.”
Rasping breath changed to a yowl of fury. El Soasi rocked on its foundations. Abarax dropped to one knee and covered its head. When quiet returned, it peeked from beneath its lids.
A steel-hard gaze bored into it. “You will bring the VarTerels to me. And the children. And the elderly woman. You will do so with such speed that I will hardly miss your absence. You will—”
A cough ripped up from her guts bringing with it blood that dripped down her chin and spattered the front of her robe. She touched it, stared at her bloodied fingers, and back at Abarax. “Bring me Relevart.” A gurgling sound choked the breath from her tired body. She slipped to the floor unconscious.
Relevart knelt beside Desirol’s prone body. “The time has come to rid the boy of the Mindeco.” He looked at Esán. “Your power is needed. Do you have the strength?”
“I do, Relevart.” Somay helped him to his feet and put a supporting arm around his shoulders.
“The Mindeco’s first move once we pull him from the body will be to find a new one to inhabit.” He waved the death shadow forward. “This is your time, Wodash od DerTah. If you overpower the Mindeco to save the lives of this boy and those who stand with you, your stay in the land of death will come to an end.”
Wodash hovered closer. “And I will be forgiven?”
“You will have the opportunity to be with your wife and daughter, but only if they open their hearts to you.”
The death shadow seemed to grow smaller. His sad expression transitioned to utter hopelessness.
Torgin looked at the devastated face. “When we first met, Wodash, I could not see beyond my fear of you. Now I am not afraid. I see you as a friend. Your wife and daughter will not turn you away.” He touched his heart. “I feel the truth of this.”
A spark of hope returned to the death shadow’s pallid face.
Desirol moaned. Relevart placed a hand on his shoulder. “Almiralyn, on his heart side; Teva, opposite. Arienh and Elf, at his head with Henrietta. Have Efillaeh ready. Torgin and Esán, at his feet with Brie between you. When we help him to stand, he will be facing you. Place your left hands on his heart. Wolloh, behind Brielle. Corvus, protect Almiralyn. Lenadi, join Teva. Nomed and Somay, with me at his back. Shyllee, heel.”
Everyone moved to their assigned positions.
“We are forming a wall through which Rikell cannot pass. When I give the word, Somay and Nomed will help Desirol to stand. If the Mindeco tries to exit his body before I call him forth, Arienh, you will insert Efillaeh at the base of the occipital, and keep it there. When I tell you to remove it, step into line with Somay. Those of us at the back will form an exit tunnel. The moment the Mindeco steps free. Almiralyn and Teva will close the gap behind him, blocking his retreat. Wodash, be ready.”
Relevart released Desirol’s shoulder and stepped away.
Desirol tried to hold his fear in check. His mind told him he fought a losing battle. His heart, the Remembering Stone, and Marji’s pouch reminded him that he could—would—win.
The Mindeco surfaced and squeezed the air from his windpipe. He gasped and gripped the blue velvet pouch. His eyes flew open. A tortured exhale hissed through Mittkeer. Relevart tapped his chest. The beast retreated. Somay and Nomed hoisted him to his feet and held him steady. A circle of bodies closed around him. Hands pressed against his chest.
Again, the creature stirred. Mindeco fists beat against his ribcage. Desirol felt his jaw tense and protrude. His mouth opened in a scream that was not his. His brain throbbed. Tears streamed from unblinking eyes. The creature stilled. Then an explosion of movement jerked and twitched and pitched him from side to side. The muffled sound of Relevart’s voice, a sharp sting at the back of his neck, and the battle came to an abrupt halt.
Desirol blinked. Brie, Esán, and Torgin filled his line of vision. Wolloh stood behind them. The tiniest hope flared. The Mindeco rebelled; then grew quiet. Desirol knew it waited its chance.
The words of the Universal VarTerel began as a whisper and grew louder. One by one, voices added their strength.
“Mindeco from Trutore, RewFaar
Release this boy without a scar.
With healthy body and mind secure,
Leave him healed, alive, and pure.”
The sacred knife withdrew. Desirol gasped. Piercing pain crumpled him to his knees. A stabbing explosion out the back of his head left him shattered and shaking. The pounding in his brain blurred his vision. Bodies encircled him, caught him as the world went black.
Ari had removed Efillaeh and backed away. When the Mindeco burst into Mittkeer, her first instinct was to run. Her second—to hold very still. His single eye frantically searched, Ari felt sure for another body. He lumbered forward, his gaze fixed
on Relevart. His massive bear jowls opened in an ear-slitting howl. He crouched. Relevart held his ground. The Mindeco lunged. At the final instant, Relevart stepped aside.
Wodash od DerTah caught the Mindeco in a two-armed embraced. Cold, white eyes peered into the single dark eye of his salvation. Rikell’s huge fists plummeting the frigid body came away covered with frost, then ice, and finally shattered into shards that melted as they hit the blue of Mittkeer. His struggle to break away froze him bone by bone until only his head remained mobile. He thrust his pointed jawbones into the neck of the death shadow. Two creatures flashed in and out of each other, in and out of time, into focus and out. Relevart and Wolloh lifted their staffs. A ball of light formed over the heads of the battling creatures. A word from the VarTerels and it enveloped the Mindeco and death shadow in bright white light. Blinded watchers covered their eyes. Another word and the light faded. Ari peeked between her fingers. Gentle rain fell to the ground in a crystal, clear pool. The shape of a kneeling man solidified. Sad, dark eyes moved from one face to the other and came to rest on Relevart. A heavy sigh shook his body. “Thank you.”
The Universal VarTerel touched the tip of his staff to the water. The pool shrank and disappeared, taking the man with it.
Ari clutched the sacred knife, found she had forgotten to breathe, and inhaled a huge gulp of air.
Brie clasped Desirol’s hand and examined the pale face. A subtle brain scan showed nothing. Neither Desirol nor the Mindeco remained.
“I can’t feel him at all.” She moved to make room at Desirol’s side.
Relevart knelt and laid a hand on his heart. “Desirol is here, but we must help him to return.” He removed the Remembering Stone and handed it to Brie. Marji’s pouch went into his pocket. “Elf, what do you see?”
“Writhing black cords searching for a place to attach.”
The UnFolding Collection Three Page 57
