The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  Elf flinched as though hit and rose slowly. His hand clutched his throat. Horrified eyes bored into his mother.

  She struggled to her feet. “When you refused to join the League, your memories and your voice were taken in accordance with the laws of the Mocendi. By the time I was told, you had disappeared. It is my hope that the twins can restore both.”

  His hand dropped to his side. Turning his back, he sank to the floor, and buried his head in Ari’s lap.

  The MasTer swayed and smothered a cough. Relevart helped her to sit and handed her the goblet. A shudder ran through her as she set it aside. “I have more to share.” She nodded at Abarax.

  The Astican pulled a curtain aside and ushered Mairin and Lanli Nadrugia into the room.

  Almiralyn started to rise. Wolloh’s hand on her knee stopped her.

  In Veersuni, the image froze. Allynae let out a hoarse cry. “Maman. Papa.” He gripped the fountain. Eyes cemented to the image, he murmured, “Please, Elcaro…”

  Rayn gripped the arms of the throne. Relevart stood beside her. “I’d like you to meet Mairin, my sister’s daughter, and her husband, Lanli. Some of you in this room are related to them and thus to me; all of you carry the blood of the Eleo Preda.”

  Torgin’s hand flew to his heart.

  Rayn smiled. “Yes, Torgin Wilith Whalend, even you.” A cough shook her shoulders. She gulped a breath. “Mairin, please explain.”

  Mairin’s gaze fastened first on Almiralyn, scanned the group, and hesitated on the twins. “Because of our Eleo Predian ancestry, Lanli and I were asked by the Galactic Guardians to discover the true identity of The MasTer and to bring him to justice. The story is long and involved, one we will share another time. Right now the most important thing is that all of us are Eleo Predian, whether full blooded or less. Rayn has gathered us here for two reasons. One is to warn us that the Pheet Adole have not given up their desire to rid the Universe of the Eleo Preda. All of us are in danger. The second is to ask for your help. Rayn’s dying wish is to regenerate El Stroma. Toward that end she has spent time and resources developing the ship El Aperdisa. As my granddaughters and their friends can attest, it is a living organism. Once it touches down on El Stroma, it is programmed to send down roots and to begin the regeneration of life on the planet. In order to bring the dream to fruition, she hopes some of you will volunteer to make the journey, and then remain to oversee the project.”

  Brie could hardly believe that she was seeing her father’s parents for the first time. Wish my parents were here . A sharp pain at the base of her neck made her stiffen. Her eyes flashed to Shyllee. The dog had half risen. Brie jumped to her feet. “Something’s wrong!”

  Shyllee growled. The air in the room crackled. Abarax unfurled its wings and herded Brie with her friends to an alcove at the far side of the room. Chairs vanished. The adults formed lines on either side of the throne. Wards shimmered around them.

  A roll of thunder announced the arrival of a large group of men wearing the purple lined capes of the Mocendi League. One stepped forward. “We have come for The MasTer.”

  Rayn came slowly to her feet. “And what is it you want with him.”

  The man gave a harsh guffaw. “So. It is true. The MasTer’s a feeble old woman.”

  Others laughed. The leader raised a hand. “Silence.” A triumphant gaze traveled the room. “Not only do we find a pathetic MasTer, but a room full of Eleo Preda. Look upon us, vermin of El Stroma. We are Pheet Adole.” He glowered at Rayn. “We have infiltrated your Mocendi. Some MasTer you are.” The wards crackled at his touch. “Do you really believe these wards can withstand our power?”

  Brie nudged Desirol and Torgin. She, Ari, Elf, and Esán surrounded them. At her signal, wards close in around them.

  Blue light flashed around the fragile figure on the throne. A male voice thundered through the space. “I, The MasTer, welcome you to El Soasi, Leader of the Pheet Adole.”

  Brie stared in wonder at a tall, powerful man flanked on each side by a VarTerel. The black curved sword gleamed in his hand. The ruby in its hilt glowed the deep red of blood. The leader of the Pheet Adole showed momentary surprise, recovered, and strode forward. An invisible wall sent him stumbling back.

  Arrogant fury fired his words. “You cannot stop us. You trained us. We know your every trick.”

  The MasTer raised the sword. “But I do not stand alone.” The room quaked with the power of his voice.

  The VarTerels gripped their staffs tighter. As though rehearsed, Corvus, Nomed, Somay, Lenadi, and Lanli stepped forward. The woman moved in behind them.

  Henri withdrew a small, glowing bottle and stepped to Somay’s side. On his palm, Tabagie eyes rested, cold and dark. Whispering a quiet word, she removed the bottle’s lid. Tiny flames licked the rim and grew bigger. Somay stooped and rolled the eyes across the gap between the throne and the Mocendi. A miniature Fire ConDra shot from the bottle and ignited the long dormant embers. Circling high above the Pheet Adole, it grew to its full size and hovered.

  Wolloh called out:

  “Tabagie bring close together

  Pheet Adole that we may tether

  Them to worlds far away

  Do it now without delay.”

  Wolloh’s words ringing through the chamber ignited Torgin’s memory of his conversation with Relevart in Mittkeer. Pulling the flute from its case, he brought it to his lips. With its first vibrant note, a billowing cloud of gray smoke formed around the smoldering ember eyes. A second note, deeper and longer, lifted the Tabagie to its towering height. Note by note, Torgin’s music infused it with life. Long, wafting arms strengthened and encircled the enemy. A Grand Stave flowed from the flute, its ten black lines enclosing the Mocendi like a fence. Treble and bass clefs at both ends locked together. Black notes flew toward the smoke-formed enclosure. One after another, they attached to lines or filled spaces of the stave until the Pheet Adole were trapped. The shriek and the heat of the Fire ConDra pressed them to their knees. A trill of shivering high notes joined with another piercing shriek and the deep boom of the Tabagie’s roar.

  The MasTer held his sword higher. The smoke roiled thicker and thicker. Relevart and Wolloh aimed their staffs. Two rays of light streaked through the room, intersected in front of the enclosure, and exploded, dispatching the Pheet Adole into another dimension.

  The musical fence evaporated. The Tabagie’s eyes fell to the floor and rolled to a stop at Somay’s feet. The Fire ConDra shrieked one last time, shrunk, and shot into the bottle on the palm of Henri’s hand.

  Torgin’s final note floated above the emptied space as the MasTer crumpled to the throne, her male form gone forever, her aged face filled with agony.

  Abarax lifted her and carried her to the bed. Relevart knelt and clasped her hand in his.

  Brie heard a muffled moan and turned in time to see Somay flash to Esán’s side and scoop him up in his arms.

  Eyes glazed over with pain searched his father’s face. “I can’t do any more. I…” Esán’s eyes rolled back in his head and struggled to refocus.

  Somay held him closer. “It’s time to take you home to Tao Spirian and your mother’s love.”

  Wolloh hurried to their side and placed a hand on Esán’s forehead. He glanced at Somay. “I will take you via Mittkeer. We have little time to waste.” He waved Torgin forward. “You have done extraordinary work this turning, Torgin. I need you to do one more thing.”

  “What, sir?”

  “My training as VarTerel has only just begun. You and the compass must guide us through Mittkeer to Tao Spirian.”

  “To Tao Spirian?” Torgin looked from Esán’s pale face to Somay’s, slipped the flute into its case, and settled it over his shoulder. “I’m ready, sir.”

  Esán’s eyes fluttered open. “Thank you, Torgin,” he whispered.

  Elf, and Ari said their good-byes and followed the silent procession of adults from the room.

  Brie kissed Esán’s cool cheek. “I love you, Esá
n Efre. Come back to me soon.” She gave Torgin a quick hug and stepped away.

  Wolloh tapped his staff against the floor. A door-sized portion of the wall melted in midnight sky. Somay carried Esán through. Wolloh and Torgin followed. The portal vanished.

  Brie gazed at the place where it had been. The memory of Torgin’s first meeting with Esán and his childish behavior toward the sick boy made her smile through her tears. I wonder if you realize how much you have changed, Torgin Wilith Whalend? Wiping a tear from her cheek, she tiptoed across the black-ice floor, Rayn’s labored breathing accompanying her quiet retreat.

  Water spilled into the fountain, leaving it empty of images.

  Sparrow led a thoughtful group into the Reading Room. Allynae brushed a tear from her cheek and slipped an arm around her. She nestled her head against his shoulder. “I hope they reach Tao Spirian in time.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “They will. No time passes in Mittkeer, remember. Did I hear Brie say she loved Esán?”

  Sparrow moved from the comfort of his arms and smiled. “I’d say both our girls are in the blush of first love.”

  Allynae’s jaw dropped. “Ari, too? Who?”

  Sparrow brushed his lips with a kiss. “Yes, Alli, Ari, too.” She looked toward the fireplace where friends and family stood in deep conversation. “I have things to attend to.”

  She paused beside Zugo. “I think you need to rest.”

  Elae put an arm around him. “I’ll take him back to the healing room.”

  Merrilea moved to his other side. “I’ll go with you.”

  Momentarily light-headed, Sparrow inhaled a deep breath. Energy rolled through her like a tidal current. A rush of blood to her cheeks left her feeling overheated and flushed. Allynae’s eyes widened. He took a step toward her. Her mother flashed her a knowing look and smiled. Sparrow’s hand flew to her heart. I am the new Guardian of Myrrh . Even had their expressions not confirmed it, the changes flowing through her mind and body would have.

  Squaring her shoulders, she walked to the group gathered by the fireplace. They had questions. Together, they would find the answers.

  In the sanctuary Elcaro’s Eye stilled and a picture formed.

  Relevart looked down at the woman who would, had destiny taken a different course, have been his life mate. He kissed her forehead.

  “Rayn.”

  Her eyes fluttered open and she whispered. “Are they gone?”

  “They are. Your plan worked. This Unfolding cycle is complete.”

  A weak smile lit fatigue-dulled eyes. A shaking hand pulled him closer. “I want to fly.” A cough shook her. When it subsided, she licked blood from her lips and whispered, “I want to fly one last time. I want to fly with you.” Another cough rattled in her chest.

  He uncorked Henrietta’s bottle of healing elixir and held it to her lips. She drank the last of its contents, sighed, and relaxed back on her pillow. Energy revitalized her hair and eyes, smoothed her skin, and erased the age spots from her hands.

  “Bring me the sword.” Her words were breathy and eager.

  He retrieved it from where it had fallen and placed it her hands. For a moment she seemed to draw power from it, and then she handed it back. “This is yours.” She touched the ruby in the hilt. “This gem carries the life blood of El Stroma—the blood of our forbearers—the blood of the Eleo Preda. Only you have the power to wield it, Rethdun. Promise you will take it to El QuilTran.”

  He stood and held it up. “I promise to return this to its homeland.” Laying it beside his staff at the foot of the bed, he helped her upright. “Come, before you grow too tired to fly.”

  With trembling hands, she straightened her shapeless robe. “I have one more request.”

  Relevart sat beside her. “I’m listening.”

  “The Pheet Adole will not give up the hunt. As soon as it is known that I am dead, they will redouble their efforts to find all of you. Promise you will protect Elf. Promise you will have the twins restore his memories and his voice.”

  “I promise, Rayn.”

  She let out a long, raspy exhale. “It’s time to fly. Call Abarax. I don’t want to waste my energy walking.”

  The Astican appeared from the shadows. “I am here, MasTer.”

  Relevart moved aside.

  Abarax lifted Rayn, carried her to the balcony, lowered her with great gentleness to sit on the balustrade, and bowed. “I will be close by.”

  Relevart took her hands in his. “I’ll help with your shift. What is your favorite form?”

  She smiled up at him. “I love the El Stroman Galee.”

  He squeezed her hands. They made the shift together. Lifting into flight, dark green feathers gleaming, golden eyes peering from red masks, they soared over the land. She shot ahead and swooped above blackened fields. Relevart’s sharp raptor eyes picked out tiny green shots poking their fragile stalks up into the light of the TreBlayan turning. She looped higher and streaked toward a stand of charred trees. Here again, new growth pressed the decay away.

  At last, Rayn banked back toward Soasi. Wing strokes faltering, she fought to keep her shifted form intact.

  Swooping to her side, he began to weave a protective ward around her.

  “No, Rethdun. Let me go.”

  Heart breaking, he withdrew his power.

  The wards shimmered into nothing. A spasm shook her body. She floundered between bird and Human, regained her galee form, soared higher, and hovered. Golden eyes sought Relevart. “I always loved you.”

  Green feathers exploded around her. Heavy as stone, her Human body plummeted into the gaping mouth of the blazing pits of death. Feathers floating after burst into flame. Cinders showered like rain, glowing red and then gone.

  Heavy with grief, Relevart flew back to the balcony. For a time, he could not bring himself to move but gazed through tears of devastating loss at the blackened landscape. She wanted me to see the beginnings of life returning to TreBlaya. She wanted me to know she was not all bad.

  The silhouette of an Astican swooped over the fiery pit, its howl of anguish reverberating off the TreBlayan mountains.

  The image in the fountain vanished in a blaze of fire, sending shadows dancing over the velvet curtains. Quiet returned to the sanctuary. Veersuni seemed to hold its breath as the alabaster statue began to change. In the flickering light, a likeness of SparrowLyn AsTar took shape kneeling on the fountain’s rim. As water spilled from the new Guardian’s carved hands into Elcaro’s Eye, the song of the ancients whispered through the room.

  The children of many strove for what’s right.

  They followed where led by their galaxy’s plight.

  The Unfolding defined the direction they’d go

  To bring to fruition its ultimate goal.

  And the Unfolding was complete.

  end of

  MasTer’s Reach

  UnFolding 13

  Epilogue

  The UnFolding 14

  Companion Short

  with illustrations

  Fantasy Fiction

  The UnFolding

  by

  S.K. Randolph

  Copyright © 2016 by S.K. Randolph

  CheeTrann Creations LLC

  14UF-V-29+i

  1

  Epilogue

  TreBlaya

  The children of many, together at last,

  Learn of their ancestry, connections, and past.

  Their destinies blossom; their futures unfold,

  Revealing adventures and stories untold.

  T he immense fire pit gaped wide, a hungry mouth waiting to be fed. Above it, an El Stroman galee hovered, shape shifting from bird to human woman. Protective wards shooting up around her held her motionless.

  "No, Rethdun. Let me go."

  Her voice in his mind broke his heart. The wards shimmered into nothing.

  Reclaiming her raptor form, she soared higher. Galee reverted to Human. Arms flailing, mouth wide in a silent cry, she plummeted
. Flames reaching to snatch her leapt higher. Green feathers in a cloud around her blazed. Cinders showered like rain, glowing red and then gone, their life and hers extinguished by the fiery inferno in the TreBlayan Pits of Death.

  Heavy of heart, Relevart rested weathered hands on the balcony balustrade. The memory of Rayn plunging to her death haunted him. Awake or asleep, feathers sizzling, cinders falling, her silent cry― He squeezed the bridge of his nose and sighed. Death had been her wish.

  An Astican soared skyward from the pit and swept over the blackened landscape. Swooping toward the balcony, it wafted massive wings and landed. Soot smeared on its forehead and cheeks, signs of mourning, surprised Relevart.

  "You grieve The MasTer, Abarax?"

  Rayn's personal servant recoiled. "Not The MasTer." It gazed at the pit. "I mourn the woman who trusted me to guard her secrets." The soft sound of leather on leather whispered around it. Scaled wings quivered and settled. "Have you looked at the journals and paperwork she left for you?"

  "I've done nothing else since you delivered them." He studied the child-like features. "They are most interesting as you already know."

  The Astican narrowed celestial-blue eyes and peered down from its towering height. "How did you―" It sighed. "Never mind. You are her birth-mate. She, too, would have read it in me." It stared unblinking at its homeland. "I have a request."

  Relevart raised thick, white brows.

  Silvery gray wings quivered again. "I wish to go with you to El Stroma. I gave my word to my mistress that I would protect you and all Eleo Preda."