Relevart nodded. “His attachments to the past. Everyone but Arienh and Elf form a circle around him. Ari, Elf will tell you where the cords are; you will cut them away.”
Brie slipped her hand into Esán’s. Henri and Almiralyn joined them. Elf drew Ari down next to him. Methodically, they moved around the still body. He pointed. She cut. Small snake-like cords appeared, hit the star-speckled atmosphere of MittKeer, and vanished. At last, he helped Ari to her feet.
“We’re done.” Ari slipped Efillaeh into its scabbard.
Relevart motioned Elf into the circle. “Ari and Brie, you carry the imprint of Desirol’s family. Please hold the Remembering Stone together. Blank your minds. It will find what it needs to return.”
Brie tipped the stone onto her palm. Ari covered it with hers.
Relevart tapped their hands with Froetise. “Torgin, please put the compass on his heart.” He waited until it was done. “Twins, when I tell you to, place the stone on his head and step away. Esán, you know his mind better than anyone else. Kneel and place your hands on either side of his head. You will know when to open your mind to his.” He took Marji’s pouch from his pocket, set it at Desirol’s feet, and nodded. Brie placed the Remembering Stone at the center of his forehead and joined the circle.
Wolloh limped to stand at Desirol’s side opposite Relevart. They began to recite:
“Compass of Os-tra-dio
Help this boy return to whole
With the stone, please guide him hither
Do not allow his soul to wither.
Shape a path of memories
That tie him back to his stories.
Return him to us filled with life,
Leaving behind his recent strife.”
The compass needle began to spin, a blur of gold above the face. The Remembering Stone glowed. Tendrils of cobalt blue light encircled Desirol, traveled up Esán’s arms, and spun a web around his head.
Esán’s labored breath, the only sound in Mittkeer, made Brie wish she could take his place. Nothing else moved. All eyes were fixed on Desirol Telisnoe. Wolloh and Relevart laid their staffs on either side of him. The crystals in their tips gave off a slight glow.
Esán’s breathing slowed. The blue light faded. His eyelids fluttered open in a wide-eyed stare.
Brie started forward. Relevart shook his head. She remained in the circle.
Desirol’s first hint that he had not died—a subtle tingling in his chest—brought with it a tiny spark of hope. He attempted to formulate a thought around this sensation. It faded from his consciousness. Something touched his forehead. A vague memory of a similar event misted into nothing. Slight pressure on the side of his head sent a jolt of energy coursing through him. The familiar touch ended any doubt that he lived. His heart thumped. Blood pulsed through his veins.
Memories leaked into his mind like water into an empty glass—the gentle face of a woman with chestnut hair and a beautiful smile… Maman! A man with flaming red hair… Papa! Icy blue eyes sent goosebumps racing over his skin. Nissasa . Memories flowed faster, poured one after the other until he felt as though he were swimming in a sea of people and events. Wolloh, Relevart, the twins, Torgin, Shyllee, Elf, Esán… He caught his breath. Esán! He focused his attention on his arms, laughed with delight when they moved, wrapped his fingers around slender wrists, heard a quick intake of breath. His eyes opened to an upside down face hovering above his. “Esán.” He exhaled a long breath and let his arms fall to his sides.
The hands moved from his head. The sound of shuffling… He laughed. I can hear!
Esán’s face came into focus, right side up. “Welcome back, Des. How do you feel?”
He wanted to sit. His line of vision filled with Wolloh’s odd face. Again, he laughed. Not odd—beautiful.
“Lie still, young friend. The Mindeco is gone, but he took his toll. Let your body and mind catch up with each other.”
Wolloh moved away. The twins took his place. He furrowed his brow. How to tell them apart? Memory filled the gap.
He whispered, “Say something.”
One twin gave him an impish grin. “You sure scared us.”
The deep voice made him smile. “You’re Ari. I know by your voice.” He felt a wave of pride. “I remembered.”
She laughed.
Brie leaned down and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you’re back.”
Torgin appeared next to Esán. “Hello.” He held up the compass. “Ostradio helped to bring you back. Guess you can hold it whenever you want now.”
Relevart loomed over him. “Help him to stand. We are about to have company. Don’t leave his side. Wolloh, beside me. Everyone else behind us and stay close.”
Desirol struggled to sitting. Torgin and Esán hoisted him to his feet. A rush of blood to his head made his stagger forward. Strong arms caught him. He glanced from side to side. Corvus and Nomed held him steady.
I am surrounded by friends and the Mindeco is gone. I am safe for the first time— He gasped.
The curved, black blade of a sword sliced through the middle-night sky.
51
Master’s Reach
Myrrh
A llynae put his arm around Sparrow. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to reveal your secret.”
She sighed. “I’m actually glad. I’m not very good at artifice and very uncomfortable with deceiving people I care about.”
Merrilea entered Veersuni ahead of Elae. “You need me, Sparrow?”
Wilith moved to make room on his bench.
Sparrow stepped away from Allynae. “Please sit down, and I’ll explain.”
Merrilea looked puzzled. “Explain?”
Almiralyn appeared in Sparrow’s place. Sparrow rematerialized. “Relevart took Almiralyn with him to help the children. He asked me to take her place and not to tell anyone except Alli. I am asking you to keep my secret. I apologize for not trusting you.”
Elae gave her a quick hug. “You’re doing a good job.”
Merrilea frowned. “When will Almiralyn be back?”
Wilith stared into space. “The real question is will she be back at all?”
Allynae cleared his throat. “Something’s happening in the fountain.”
Sparrow hurried to his side. Wilith, Merrilea, and Elae gathered around the bowl.
An aerial view of a coastline slid by on the water’s surface. Inland, a large town reflected light from the late morning sun and tossed it skyward. Beyond it, the shoreline curved into a shallow bay where a fishing trawler sat at anchor. A rickety dock with a dinghy suggested the occupants of the boat had gone ashore. Further still, the fountain zoomed in on a small cove and steadied.
Wilith leaned closer. “I don’t see—”
“Look.” Elae pointed.
As though a curtain were being drawn, SeaBella slowly inched into view.
On shore, a woman with salt and pepper hair lowered her arms. “There you go.”
A laridae swooped in for a landing and Yaro appeared. “They’re all at the portal, except the captain of the fishing trawler. He’s onboard his boat.”
Gregos Senndi put an arm around the woman. “You’re sure you want to do this, Marji? We can figure another way.”
“Of course, I’m sure.” Marji’s bright laugh eased the tension suffocating the group. Bibeed grinned. Renn lost the nervous look she had worn as SeaBella became fully visible. Cayled remained somber. Yaro studied her with a slight curve to his lips.
Tamosh hugged her. “Good girl, sis.”
Gregos scrutinized the tall Pentharian. “You’re sure you can fly through the illusion, Yaro?”
“I watched four men walk in and out of it. We’ll be fine.”
Marji looked from one brother to the other. “Don’t get yourselves shot. I expect you both to be healthy and alive when I see you next.”
Gregos checked his rifle. “We won’t start trouble unless they do. Six of them. Three of us.” He shrugged. “We can take ’em.”
Bibee
d set the butt of her air rifle on the ground. “Four of us.” She patted a pouch at her waist. “Yaro gave me darts dipped in his stunning serum. Besides, I’m a good shot.”
Cayled managed a small grin. “She’s better ’n good, Gregos. Wouldn’t leave her behind if I was you.”
Gregos gave her an appraising look. “Do ya shoot as well as ya sail?”
She shouldered her rifle. “Better.”
He looked at Yaro. “Your serum… It’ll knock ’em out for how long?”
“A turning plus, Captain.”
Gregos grinned. “Good. Bring Marji back safe, ya hear.”
“I’ll bring her as soon as I can. Be vigilant, my friend. We won’t make the run for the portal until you have their complete attention. Give us time to reach the other side of the illusion.” He nodded to the women. “You had better make your farewells.”
Renn hugged the brothers and Cayled. “Thank you for everything. Please be careful.”
Bibeed caught her up in a big hug. “Take care of yourself, Renn Whalend. Don’t forget us.”
Renn brushed a tear from her cheek. “I will never forget you.”
Gregos chambered a cartridge. “Let’s get this done.”
Yaro shaped a vulture. Gregos and Tamosh helped Renn and then Marji to climb on his back.
A soft coolness settled around him.
Cayled shook his head. “Marji, you’re something else. Can’t see ya at all.”
On Elcaro’s surface, the group grew smaller. Landscape took over the image.
As though seen through Yaro’s eyes, treetops came into view. Nestled amongst them, three small tents surrounded a campfire, where a man sat on an upturned bucket cleaning his weapon. Another knelt nearby washing out an iron kettle in a narrow stream. The men from the boat sat on a dead tree trunk in deep conversation. The remaining two stood watch.
Yaro’s vulture form landed on the top of the hill opposite the portal; the women dismounted. He materialized beside them. “Tell your brothers we’re in place, Marji.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It’s done. They’re on the move.” She inclined her head, her concentration complete.
Yaro’s tail switched back and forth. He squinted into the distance. “I wish I could see what you see, sister of Gregos.”
A picture flashed in his mind. Beside him Renn gasped. “I see them.”
Marji nodded.
The image on the fountain became indistinct. At the center, it began to sharpen and grow bigger.
Gregos came into focus, then Tamosh, Bibeed, and Cayled. Leaving Tamosh hidden in a copse of trees, Gregos and the others crept up the side of a ridge and spread out near the top. Below, six men went about the various tasks required to run a well-ordered camp. Gregos’ goal—to draw them into the woods and away from the portal. He figured they’d leave two men on guard. Bibeed caught his eye and pointed upward. He raised a hand in response. With the skill of someone much younger and lighter, she climbed a tree, found a sturdy branch, and disappeared into autumn golds and reds.
At his signal, Cayled let out a muffled yell and scrambled down the ridge in the direction of the small cove. In camp, the men grouped together. Two trotted away in the direction of the sound. From the trees where Tamosh hid, a gunshot echoed through the morning. The remaining men grew more agitated. Two grabbed weapons and skulked toward the copse of trees.
Once they were behind him, Gregos crept closer to the camp. The MasTer’s men stood guard on either side of the portal, their attention fixed on the woods. Circumventing the gateway, Gregos worked his way around to the front side. The snap of a twig shouted a warning. In one movement, he swung around, plowed into his assailant, and sent him crashing to the ground. Gregos ducked the butt of a rifle. His fist connected with the man’s chin. A blow to the shoulder knocked Gregos sideways. The man lunged, caught Gregos around the hips, and sent them head over heels down an incline. The muffled sound of fists finding their mark mixed with their grunts and groans. Gregos landed a blow to the man’s windpipe. He went limp beneath him. A shadow fell across them. The muzzle of a rifle nestled at the base of Gregos’ skull.
His assailant growled, “Don’t even breathe.”
A shot fired. The man’s hand flew to his neck. He groaned and toppled, unmoving.
Water in the fountain frothed blood red, eradicating the image. Sparrow snapped her fingers. A new picture gradually formed.
Renn’s eyes grew round in a face gone pale. “Not…”
Marji shook her head. “Let’s go, Yaro. No time to waste.”
The moment the Pentharian’s vulture flashed into being Marji urged Renn forward. “Hurry. We got company.”
The tall Spanilman Yaro had described as the leader lumbered up the hillside, eyes squinted, intently searching.
Scrambling onto his back, Renn settled between Yaro’s wings and reached back for Marji. Their hands clasped.
“Don’t move. I knows ya’re there.”
Renn’s frantic gaze fastened on the rifle pointed their direction.
Marji called softly. “You’re still invisible, Yaro. Go!” Her grip released.
Yaro lifted into the air and flew straight for the portal.
Below, Marji became visible and sprinted for cover. The man captured her in his sights. She vanished as two shots fired simultaneously. He jerked sideways and fell. She appeared behind a tree, her gaze glued to the portal. Around it, the illusion shimmered and vanished. Renn and Yaro were safely on their way.
In Veersuni, Allynae watched Yaro and Renn become visible as they entered the portal. Flashes of color streaked the water’s surface. The image went to black.
Wilith gripped the rim with trembling hands. “Does this mean she made it?” He looked at Sparrow. “Please tell me she is safe.”
Sparrow laid a hand on his. “They made it into the portal. Nothing suggests that they didn’t make it to Fera Finnero.”
Frowning, Wilith rubbed his forehead. “It will show us more. I know it will. It has to.”
The door to Veersuni flew open. Across the fountain from him, Merrilea broke into a wide smile. Allynae’s mustached tilted around a lopsided grin.
Wilith glanced over his shoulder, pivoted, and took an awkward step forward. The next instant Renn was in his arms, her head pressed against his chest, her breath warming his heart. “Oh, Wilith, I thought I would never see you again.” She hugged him harder, and then smiled up at him. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“I…” He glanced around and realized the others had slipped away. She stood on tiptoe, placed her hands on his damp cheeks, and kissed him. Surprised, he smiled down at her. “You’ve changed.”
She laughed, “So have you. Sparrow has promised us time to catch up later. Come and meet Torgin’s heart brother.” She pulled him toward the door.
He stopped her, lifted her to eye level, and kissed her one more time.
Sparrow led the exit from Veersuni. At the far end of the room, Yaro looked up and smiled. Voer bowed, hand on heart. The two Humans with them turned. Her mother waved and linked arms with a tall, dignified man in a RewFaaran uniform. Nervousness fluttering in the pit of her stomach, Sparrow reached for Allynae. He took her hand. With him by her side, she made the longest walk of her life and stopped a short distance from her parents.
Her mother looked so different—more self-assured—glowing with happiness. Gerolyn opened her arms. “Sparrow, it is so good to see you.”
They hugged. Gerolyn held her at arm’s length. “The role of Guardian of Myrrh suits you.”
Sparrow laughed. “It’s only until The Unfolding is complete, Mother. What made you come to Myrrh?”
Gerolyn motioned Lorsedi Telisnoe to join them. Sparrow tensed. Allynae rested a hand on her back. His presence gave her courage to gaze up at the chiseled features, the red hair, the brown eyes so like the twin’s.
“Hello, SparrowLyn, it is a pleasure to meet you at last. You are every bit as lovely as your mother said you were.” His d
eeply accented voice carried assurance and authority.
Sparrow offered her hand. “I am glad to meet you, Lorsedi.”
He took it between his. “It is my hope, Sparrow, that when The Unfolding reaches its conclusion, we can get to know each other.” He released her hand as Wilith and Renn emerged from Veersuni and traversed the length of the room to where Voer and Yaro talked in quiet voices.
Sparrow caught Elae’s eye. The young priestess slipped into Veersuni and closed the door.
Yaro smiled at Renn and acknowledged Wilith with the bow of his head. “I am honored to meet the father of Torgin and mate of Renn Whalend.”
Wilith, looking slightly taken aback, held out his hand palm up. “I do not yet know how to greet you in your language, but I will learn. I am grateful to you for your care of my companion and my son.”
Sparrow introduced Merrilea to Gerolyn and Lorsedi, spoke briefly to Voer and felt a sense of relief when Elae appeared in the sanctuary doorway. She addressed the group gathered around her. “I believe we are needed in Veersuni.”
She slipped her hand into Allynae’s and led the way. Once inside, everyone gathered around the fountain. She studied each face. It was a large group and a diverse one. Her instincts told her those who needed to be present were. She gazed into the bowl. The glitter of stars appeared on the glassy surface.
The light from Relevart’s staff glinted off the black blade slicing through the fabric of Mittkeer. Behind the VarTerels and Henrietta, Brie’s grip on Esán’s hand tightened. Somay remained close to his son’s side. Next to her, Torgin clutched the flute case. Elf stood next to him with a protective arm around Ari. Corvus and Nomed continued to support Desirol. Almiralyn, Teva, and Lenadi formed a rear guard. Shyllee sat at Relevart’s feet, ears twitching. No one made a sound.
The sky parted. An Astican stepped through, the sword held high, a ruby in the hilt glinting in the subdued light. “I am Abarax,” it announced. “I come in peace at the request of The MasTer. I mean you no harm.” It lowered the sword.
The UnFolding Collection Three Page 58
