The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  An elated laugh rumbled up from his chest. He drew her close. "I am more happy than I can put into words."

  She swallowed a girlish giggle. "So, what's next?"

  He turned her to face the fountain, retrieved his staff, and placed it between them. "Please hold onto the staff."

  As he spoke, water ceased to drip from the statue's hands. The surface grew silky smooth. Chealim's angelic countenance steadied. "You have made a wise choice, Avlin Enus and Henrietta Avetlire. The Galactic Council is well pleased. With your permission, we will recite the psalm of joining."

  Henri drew in a breath and nodded. Relevart bowed his head.

  Chealim's voice began softly and grew louder.

  "This man and woman once apart

  Now make a promise of the heart:

  To honor each and share their lives,

  To stand together through all divides.

  We join them now that they may fight

  To help the Universe reunite

  Their strengths and talents thus define

  A partnership that is divine.”

  A rush of heat whirling through Henri's body created the sensation of skin pulled taut, of muscles strained to the point of tearing, of blood boiling through her veins. A blaze of color robbed her of sight. A deep, continuous hum canceled all other sound. Clutching the rowan staff, she fought to absorb the information surging through her mind like spring melt-off over a waterfall. Giving herself up to the process, she focused her attention inward and waited. When at last coolness stole over her skin and goose flesh tingled up her spine, she opened her eyes. Relevart filled her line of vision. Youth gleamed in his eyes. Hers sought the fountain.

  Mirrored on the surface, a reflection of herself in her prime smiled up at her. Her gaze darted to Relevart's face. Fine lines around his eyes had replaced the deep wrinkles of moments ago. Dark chestnut hair streaked with silver fell in waves to below his ears. She looked again at her reflection: smooth skin, bright blue eyes, pale golden curls, a charming smile that she knew could quickly become an impish grin. Laughing out loud, she released the staff and spun around. No aches, no pains, no weakness in her right knee left her shaking her head in astonishment.

  "How long?" she asked.

  "Our bodies and minds will retain this level of health and vitality. The illusion of aging will return to our skin and hair. The important thing to remember is that our soul essence is eternally youthful." He held out a staff. "The Guardians are happy to have another female VarTerel. With you and Almiralyn, they believe the Universe has the potential of attaining balance much faster."

  She accepted her staff, a replica of Relevart's but for the crystal contained by leaves and tiny branches on the top. Hers glowed the pink of rose quartz. He clasped her hand. Together they watched age etch fine wrinkles in their skin and silver-white replace the youthful color of their hair.

  Henri glanced up at Relevart from beneath her lashes. "Nothing like growing old together to cement a relationship. Do you think anyone will notice the difference in us?"

  Relevart guffawed. "I believe everyone will, my dear. You look more radiant than I have ever seen you. Shall we join our companions?"

  Brie reclined on a bale of hay in the loft where Ari, Elf, Esán, and Torgin teased and laughed and exchanged stories. Unable to make herself join in the fun, she chewed a piece of straw and pondered the ramification of the past two sun cycles. I'm different. Ari's deep chortle rang out. Brie couldn't help but smile. Twirling the straw between her fingers, she reminded herself that all of them had grown more powerful. Esán moved Evolsefil from Nemttachenn to the Cave of Canedari. Elf carries more untapped power than anyone I know. Torgin creates magic with his flute, not only musical magic, but power strong enough to imprison the Pheet Adole. She studied her twin. And you, Arienh, have more talent than you even begin to realize. Flipping the straw into the air, she picked up another piece, worked it through her fingers, and thought back to the discovery of the amethyst cavern in the Dojanacks, where she sat upon a tourmaline throne. The Throne of ReNin RepPosu showed me the Ari of the future. I wish I could remember even part of it. She sighed. Like most of what it had revealed, she only remembered subtle imprints of people and events.

  Another chortle amplified Brie's perplexed thoughts. I am here with my peers, all of whom have talents equal to my own. Why do I feel estranged and alone?

  Ari shot her a smile, punched Elf in the arm, and pushed him down in the hay.

  Torgin grinned and stood, brushing bits of straw from his pants. "I think I'll go find my parents. We don't have much time. Tomorrow, I leave with Nomed and Wolloh to return to DerTah."

  Ari sat up and regarded him with surprise. "I knew Zugo was going with them. I thought you were going back to Idronatti. I didn't know you were going to DerTah."

  "You don't know everything, Arienh Lynae. You only think you do."

  She launched herself at his legs, knocked him down, and straddled his chest. "Tell me where you are going, or I'll tickle you until you squeal."

  "Get off, and I'll tell you."

  She tumbled off and pulled him to sitting. "Well?"

  Brie noted the confidence he exuded. He looks so alive.

  "My parents have given Nomed permission to take me to ReTaw au Qa to be part of Yaro's Venerat initiation. Nomed and I are cousins, you know."

  Elf touched Ari's arm. She nodded. "Elf thinks that is pretty great. He says the ceremony is supposed to be beautiful."

  Torgin scrambled to his feet. "We leave early, so I might not see you in the morning. I'll miss you." He looked around. "All of you, please take care of yourselves."

  Elf helped Ari to her feet. Hands on her hips, she looked Torgin up and down. "You sure have changed, Torg. You're definitely not a Drotti anymore. Take care."

  He laughed and hugged her. "And you never were a Drotti, Ari." He winked. "Except maybe once in a while." He offered his hand to Elf. "She's a handful. I wish you the best."

  Elf grinned. Ari laughed. "He says he knows just what to do."

  Esán looked up at him and smiled. "Take good care of yourself, cousin. Don't forget me."

  Torgin sobered. "Never. Get well. I mean really well. By the time you come out of seclusion, I'll be conducting the symphony. I hope you'll attend a concert or several." He gave Esán a quick embrace and whispered, "Take care of Brie."

  "I will. Tell Yaro I said hello."

  Brie hugged him good-bye. He kissed her lightly on the cheek. "I can't wait to see where life takes you." Not waiting for a reply, he descended the ladder.

  Ari nudged Elf toward it. "See you two later."

  In the sudden quiet after their friends left, Esán pulled Brie down on the hay bale beside him.

  "I leave tomorrow, Brielle. I don't know when we will be together again, but we will be. I promise."

  She plucked at the hem of her tunic. "Do you know how long it will take for the Seeds of Carsilem to mature?"

  He put an arm around her. "I don't know. Father says The Unfolding has given them a kick start and the CoaleScent Cycle will escalate the process. His took fifteen sun cycles. I'm hoping for less than half of that. But they will mature in their own time."

  Brie brightened. "My training will be done by then." Doubt assailed her. "How will we find each other, Esán? It's a huge Universe. I may be in El Stroma. You'll need to return to Tao Spirian. I―"

  He put a finger on her lips. "Shhh. How can you believe for a moment I won't find you? Leave the worrying to others, Brie. Tonight is beautiful. Look at that moon!"

  Brie snuggled closer, gazing in wonder at Myrrh's creamy white moon framed in the loft doors. She thought about Fasfro, Calegri, and Lunule, DerTah's three moons, and the two that orbited TreBlaya. Will I ever see them again? Will I truly see El Stroma and its moons?

  An autumn breeze tangled her hair. Esán blew a curl off her forehead and pulled her down to the hay-strewn floor to recline against the bale beside him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and watch
ed the huge white orb rise higher and higher until only the night sky with its sprinkling of stars remained framed in the arched opening.

  Realization washed over her. Someday, I will travel back through time.

  The silence of middle-night wrapped the cottage in a protective cloak. In the upstairs room, the alabaster statue gleamed on Elcaro’s rim. The fountain’s surface glistened like a moonlit mirror. At the bottom of the bowl, an image took shape and, in slow motion, began its journey upward.

  The finished Unfolding leaves questions behind

  For those who fulfilled it to sort and unwind,

  But forces of evil will not let them rest.

  They now must prepare to persist in their quest.

  end of

  Epilogue

  UnFolding 14

  Jaradee’s Legacy

  The UnFolding 15

  Novel

  with illustrations

  the last book in the

  Fantasy Fiction

  The UnFolding

  by

  S.K. Randolph

  Copyright © 2017 by S.K. Randolph

  CheeTrann Creations LLC

  15UF-V-29+i

  Map of El Stroma

  El Stroma

  1

  Jaradee’s Legacy

  Part 1 - Birth

  J aradee scanned the flatness of Los Ateed el Rida. Despite the heat radiating from the sun-parched ground, a chill crept up her spine. The Klutarse, the RomPeer’s trained assassins, continued their unrelenting hunt. The chill turned into a shiver. They would never stop searching for the birth-mates, the infants they had been sent to exterminate.

  She pressed a hand to her flat belly. The future of her people, the Eleo Preda, depended on the survival of the two babies she had birthed three moon cycles earlier. Rethdun and Rayn were the only hope separating them from annihilation.

  A slight tremor traveled from the sandy soil up her legs. Her gaze darted over the vast plains. Only tundi sage stirred in the early evening breeze, only sage and the Klutarse racing to capture their prey.

  She scrambled onto a rickety wooden ladder, lowered the heavy trap cover, and descended to an underground tunnel. Yanking her face covering into place, she made her way to a cave where three masked figures gathered around a small, smokeless fire.

  Floree, her friend and birther, acknowledged her arrival. Amber-flecked blue eyes peered through the holes in her mask. “What did you discover?”

  “The Klutarse travel this way.” Jaradee sank onto a folded sleeping mat and glanced at the backs of her protectors.

  The two female Vasrosi focused on the fire. They dared not look her way; nor did they know her name or the names of the birth-mates. Were they caught, their minds must not hold names or images amongst their memories. Jaradee understood.

  The muffled pounding of horses’ hooves traveling fast on the plains above, shook the cave and loosed small pebbles and dust from the roughed-out ceiling. Floree tensed. The protectors exchanged glances. One pulled a dagger, tested its balance on the palm of her hand, and slipped it back in its sheath.

  Jaradee climbed to her feet. Her eyes sought the two women. “They seem to have passed us by. You don’t have to stay. Our danger is not yours.”

  The shorter of the two spoke over her shoulder. “You and yours are the future of the Eleo Preda. We pledged to follow where you lead.”

  Her companion continued to stare into the fire. “I suggest you rest while you can.”

  Even though Jaradee knew they could not see, she touched her heart. “I am honored to have you by my side. Sleep in peace.”

  Floree led the way along a low passage to a small cave. In nested blankets, Rethdun and Rayn slept, their arms wrapped around each other. Jaradee knelt to touched a rosy cheek, brushed a dark curl from a pale forehead, and sat back. “You are so beautiful.”

  After making preparations should escape be necessary, she stretched out on a tattered mat.

  Floree curled up beside her. “If the Klutarse do not find us tonight, we will leave in the morning. Try to sleep.” Soft snores fluttered through the cave.

  Jaradee’s desire to keep her babies safe warred with her need for sleep. Memories of how it all began assaulted her psyche.

  Wrapped in night’s dark mantle, she crept along a dingy back alley on the outskirts of Tahellive and ducked into a recessed door opposite her Uncle Kamer’s two-story hovel. A soldier’s shout prompted a quick sprint to the back door. Dodging inside, she jogged up the rickety steps and slipped into the narrow hallway outside the attic rooms she and her siblings shared with their mother.

  A sob choked her. Oh, Momee. She inhaled a ragged breath, used her shirt sleeve to scrub away her tears, and tiptoed into the darkened room. Pressing an ear against the closed door, she listened intently. No one follows . Relief almost buckled her knees. Boots pounding down the main street erased it.

  A soft feminine gasp drew her to the front window, where her younger brother, Daar, and sister, Katareen, huddled, riveted to the scene below.

  Jaradee peered between their dark heads. Rompeerial soldiers marched two by two. Shouldered weapons gleamed in the cool, blue light of the descending moon, Dyad. Horses snorted, clanked, and blew smoke from their nostrils. A purple and black clad rider swiveled in his saddle. Klutarse-sharp eyes searched the darkness.

  Pushing her siblings into the shadows, she reached for the open curtain.

  Daar grabbed her wrist. “If it moves, he’ll see and know someone is here.” He nudged her and Kat away from the window.

  “Where will this all end?” Katareen’s voice quivered. “Do the RomPeer and his council not care what becomes of El Stroma?”

  Daar snorted. “Rumor has it genocide is the goal. Soon, the Eleo Preda will cease to exist. The continent of El QuilTran will belong to the RomPeer.”

  Katareen stifled a sob. “Why us? We have done nothing to harm him or the Pheet Adole.”

  Jaradee put an arm around her sister. “Our differences, our longevity, and our mystic talents make them afraid. As long as the Eleo Preda live, we are a threat to the RomPeer. We must leave Tahellive, or our lives will become fodder for the Pheet Adole.”

  Daar scowled. “What of Uncle Kamer and Momee?”

  “They won’t be returning.” Jaradee swallowed a lump in her throat.

  Her brother’s gray-blue eyes narrowed. “Where are they?”

  Jaradee’s gaze telegraphed a message she hoped he could read. “Their spirits reside with the ancestors.”

  Katareen stifled a cry of dismay and sagged. Jaradee steadied her.

  Fists clenched at his sides, Daar glared. “You mean they’re dead.”

  The flatness in his voice frightened her almost more than his anger. “Yes.”

  “When?”

  “Today at Market.”

  Katareen’s hand flew to her heart. “What happened?” The whispered words held a sob.

  Jaradee set her jaw. “Two soldiers caught Momee. Uncle Kamer tried to save her.” She kept her voice steady, refusing to cry or to fan Daar’s anger into a blaze.

  “You were there? You saw?” Katareen’s voice trembled.

  Jaradee gave her a gentle push. “Go. Grab what you need. Time is short.”

  Daar waited until she was out of hearing. “Momee?”

  “They took her away. I didn’t want Katareen to hope or to imagine the worst.”

  Cold fury bared Daar’s teeth. “The soldier’s…they’re hunting you, right?”

  She nodded. With an angry snarl, he strode from the room.

  Sighing, Jaradee moved to the shadowed side of the window. Alkina, El Stroma’s second moon, would rise soon. Capable during its fruitful phase of giving night the semblance of dawn’s brightness, it could provide the enemies with their victims. Tonight, it would rise in its barren phase, the perfect time to escape.

  Urgency turned her away from the window. Abandoning her long skirt and top, she scrambled into a clay-splattered shirt and a pair of he
r uncle’s work pants. Cinching the waist tight with a piece of braided hemp, she pulled on heavy socks and a pair of his boots and turned to find Katareen, red-eyed and frightened, in the doorway.

  “I’m scared, Jaradee. What if they know we’re Eleo Preda? What if they catch us? I don’t want to die or to be a host mother or…” She sniffed.

  Jaradee hugged her and held her at arm’s length. At thirteen sun cycles, porcelain skin; large, honey-colored eyes; and blue-black hair shouted her lineage like a barker at the Pheet Adolan slave market. “Let’s do a little camouflaging. Turn around.”

  Working quickly, Jaradee braided the long, black hair and wound it into a tight coil. Deft fingers secured it with pins and covered it with a tan bandora. Turning Katareen to face her, she studied the effect. Although the hat’s wide brim cast a shadow over her face, her paleness screamed. Jaradee’s gaze darted around the shadowy room and came to rest on her uncle’s potter’s wheel. A container of brown clay the consistency of thick cream provided the perfect solution. Dipping her fingers, she smeared it on her sister’s cheeks, chin, and forehead. Next, she wound a scarf around her pale neck. The overall effect made her nod. “Alright, Kat, you do my face. Where’s Daar?”

  “Here.” He stepped into the dim light. Shoe black camouflaged the fair skin of his face, neck, and shaved head.

  Katareen gaped. “What did you do to your hair?”

  Defiance overflowing with hatred etched Daar’s expression into an angry mask. “As soon as you’re safe, I’m joining the rebels.” He tossed her a pair of pants and a shirt. “Change. Hurry up!”

  Lips pressed together, Jaradee swallowed a sharp retort. Daar, seventeen sun cycles and strong-willed, knew how to take care of himself. After the murder of their father, his quick thinking had saved them and gotten them and their mother to Uncle Kamer’s on the continent of El SyrTundi. She hoped his luck would continue to hold.