The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  She whispered through the blackness. “He doesn’t know where we are.”

  “ReRe will lead him here.” The certainty in Kuparak’s voice calmed her panic. He lowered Rayn to the ground. “Stay here. Toa and I will explore the river and see what we can discover.” The sound of galee wings melted into the rumbling rush of water.

  Jaradee gripped Rayn’s hand. Next to her, Rethdun’s small ball of light began to glow. Not daring to wander far, they huddled together, faces tense and alert in the soft blue light.

  Rayn turned. “Uncle My.”

  The soft words, almost lost in the splash and roar of water, left Floree’s knees weak.

  A hand torch illuminated the hollowed space. “Where’s Kup?”

  Floree pointed the direction of the water’s roar. “He’s exploring.”

  “Stay here.” Illuminating the descending arc of the ceiling, Mylos walked to the drop off, stared down the river, and strode back to the group. “We can’t wait much longer for Kup. The soldiers are bound to discover the overhang. Once they do, it’s only a matter of time before they find the crevice.”

  Jaradee edged forward. “Can’t we hide it?”

  Mylos tugged at his beard. “Only by destabilizing the spillage and that would trap us.”

  Floree grimaced. “Aren’t we trapped anyway?”

  “No, we’re not.” Kuparak walked into the beam of the torch. “The flight down river will be tricky, especially for the children, but we can make it. I suggest we make a run for it.”

  Mylos passed the beam of his light over the crevice. “How about the broticos? Can they follow us?”

  Kuparak shook his head. “They’re too big. The galee is a tight fit in a couple of spots.”

  Floree shot a nervous glance at the crevice. “Puna says they’re closing in.”

  Mylos knelt in front of the birth-mates. “You must do exactly what Kup says. Promise?”

  A solemn nod from both and Kuparak took his place. “I will lead because I know the way. All of us have raptors as our chosen compeers. That means we have good vision in the dark, but you will need to pay attention. Rethdun, you will follow me with Aquila, then Floree and Puna, then you, Rayn. Kia will be by your side the whole way. Your maman and Karia will be right behind you.” He rose. “Jaradee, stay close to Rayn. Mylos, you and ReRe will come last.” His eyes narrowed. “The water is filled with turbulence, protruding rocks, and swirling eddies. Stay as close to the ceiling as you can. The channel gets lower the further we go and narrows prior to widening at the end. Do your best to imitate everything I do. Stay close together.” He looked at Mylos. “Any other instructions?”

  “No. How far?”

  “About the distance from overhang to the outer mouth of the gorge. Let’s make the shift, so I know everyone is ready. Rayn, you first.”

  Jaradee gripped her daughter’s hand. “Tether with Kia. When you change, stay close to me.”

  “I will, Momee.” Two falcons alighted on a rock nearby.

  ReRe swooped from the crevice and landed.

  Mylos shot a glance over his shoulder. “They found the wagon. Let’s move.”

  Kuparak’s shift to galee triggered the change for Rethdun. Floree gave Mylos an encouraging smile, shifted, and shot after the woodland galee. Rayn and her tukoolo followed. Jaradee and Karia flew after them. Like a mural of raptors, they soared above the raging water.

  Floree shot along the subterranean riverbed, her attention riveted on Rethdun’s shifted form. Water tumbling and churning far below, inched closer. The ceiling pressed her hawk body lower and lower. Shimmering droplets showered around her, soaked her, left her shivering from the wet cold and her growing fear. Rock walls, like a fast-closing vice, grabbed at her wing tips. In front of her, Rethdun flew onward, his compeer close behind.

  The shrill shriek of a whistler hawk ripped through the waterworn tunnel. A terrifying image—Rayn’s falcon form caught in the surging current—flashed through her mind. Spreading her wing tips, she hovered ready to dive. Another horror-filled shriek sliced through the river’s roar. The flailing bird bobbed into view. Floree dove. Roiling water pitched the small falcon beyond her reach. Fighting to avoid the surging current, she arced upward. Below her, a woodland galee swooped, clasped the floundering strelke in its talons, and lifted above the gushing river. Two whistler hawks streaked by, forming a rear guard behind the galee and its precious burden. Floree shot after them.

  The riverbed curved, then straightened. Flickering brightness highlighted a jagged opening. Ahead, smoky galees angled to accommodate the narrow exit and glided through, woodland galees in their wake. Two hawks soared after them.

  Floree floundered, forced herself to follow, and swooped through the opening into a thunderous roar. Frothing mist and sudden light blinded her. Rethdun, where are you? Panic pressed her onward. The world dropped from beneath her. Trapped in the sound and fury of cascading water, she plunged out of control. Mist reached for her fatigue-drained body. Her will to fight fled. A shadow loomed. Awareness dissolved.

  Consciousness returned in a flash flood of memories which prompted her to shift. Magnified human senses flooded her awareness. Puna perched on a branch above her. Hard ground juxtaposed the comfort of her head resting in Mylos’ lap. Gurgling fluid rolled up her throat. Strong hands helped her to sitting. Water and bile gushed from her mouth. A series of choking coughs shook her. A hiccuped breath, and then another eased her rebellious stomach. The magnificent waterfall pounding down the steep side of the mountain tipped her reality back in time.

  She fought the desire to vomit. “The waterfall almost—”

  “You’re safe, Floree.” Mylos’ arms around her eased the panic churning her stomach.

  “Rayn?” Her frantic gaze darted over the landscape.

  Jaradee sat cross-legged, cradling a sodden falcon in her hands. Rethdun knelt beside her, kissed Rayn’s tiny bird head, and whispered her name. “Rayn. Rayn, come back to me.” The strelke shuddered and blinked. The small body quivered. Rayn materialized, threw her arms around her mother’s neck, and sobbed.

  Kuparak gave Rethdun a pat on the back. “Good work, Rethdun. She heard your call.”

  Floree wiped her mouth on a sleeve. “Did you save her, Kup?”

  Kuparak grinned. “I did not. Aquila snatched her from the river.”

  “Did you save me?”

  He smiled again and shook his head.

  Rethdun planted a kiss on her cheek. “I saved you, Aunt Floree. Aquila told me what to do.”

  Tears streaming, Floree hugged her young rescuer. “Thank you, dear Rethdun.”

  He wiggled from her grasp. “I’m hungry.”

  A surge of normalcy made her smile. She looked at Mylos. “Is it safe to build a fire to dry off and cook?”

  “It is. ReRe is standing guard. Toa is fishing, so we’ll have food soon.” He unfastened his shirt and handed it to her. “Here. Take off your wet things and put this on. Rethdun will help us build the fire.”

  Floree led the way into the trees, undressed, and slipped on the big shirt. Jaradee, who had somehow managed to remain dry, took off the blouse under her tunic and wrapped it around her daughter. By the time, they returned to the shore, the men had collected wood and built a pit, where a fire crackled merrily.

  Rethdun threw his arms around Jaradee. “See the fire, Momee. I helped.” He grinned at Floree. “Uncle My and Kup are patrolling to make sure we’re safe. I’m the guard.” He picked up a stick and marched along the shore.

  Jaradee called after him. “Don’t fall in the river.”

  He laughed and waved before straddling a rock and draping an arm around his tukoolo. Tossing the stick in the fast-moving current, he watched it bob out of sight, whispered something to Aquila, and pointed. Boy and bird gazed from the top of the plummeting waterfall to the hazy mist created where it crashed into the plunge pool.

  Satisfied Aquila would keep him safe, Jaradee brushed pine needles into a pile, arranged witch hair
and moss on top, laid down, and nestled Rayn into the warm curve of her body.

  Floree arranged wet clothing around the fire and scanned the dome. “Let’s hope the clothes dry before the broticos see the blaze.”

  Kuparak strode from the woods, his bare chest glistening in the sun, his bundled shirt bulging with secrets. “I found tubers and torrac roots to have with our fish.” He spread the shirt out on the ground next to Jaradee. “And I collected a few herbs along the way. Nature is good.”

  Floree gazed again at the cloudless dome. “Where are Mylos and ReRe?” She glanced around. “And Toa?”

  “Mylos and his compeer flew back to the canyon to see what has transpired. They return soon. As for Toa…” He pointed. “My tukoolo seems to have caught our meal.”

  The smoky galee swooped along the shore, hovered, and released a large fish into his waiting arms. Kuparak held it up. “Rethdun, look. We have a fish to prepare for cooking.”

  Aquila flew to a tree branch. The boy scrambled off the rock and ran to examine the fish. “What kind is it? Is it good to eat? Can I help clean it?”

  Kuparak grinned. “It is a river rockeye. See how big the eyes are? It is very good eating. Yes, I will teach you the art of cleaning a fish and honoring its life.”

  Boy and man walked to the shore and laid the fish on a flattish rock. After explaining the importance of honoring all those who gave their lives to provide for human life, he taught Rethdun a prayer of gratitude. They stood side by side and repeated it in unison.

  “I release this life to the great beyond,

  Where it came from and all life dawned.

  Honor, love, and deep thanksgiving,

  I offer now for this gift of living.”

  Floree marveled at Kuparak’s ease with so young a child. More than that, I marvel at Rethdun’s grasp of difficult concepts. Shifting to a galee is not easy for an adult to manage. He saved my life. I bet the next time he catches a fish, he’ll know how to clean it and cook it.

  She scanned the dome and sighed. Where are you, Mylos? Are we truly safe?

  While Rethdun and Kuparak took care of the fish and Jaradee and Rayn napped, Floree busied herself preparing a small pit to bake the tubers and torracs. She covered the bottom with rocks heated in the fire and covered them with a thin layer of dirt. Next, she placed the vegetables on top, scooped in another layer of dirt, and placed more rocks. By the time she finished, Kuparak and Rethdun had cleaned the fish and wrapped both it and the herbs Kup had gathered in large burdock leaves. Small rocks arranged in rows on the top of the pit created a grid to hold the fish. Leaves and branches piled over it marked the spot and added another layer of insulation. Dinner was in the oven.

  Floree washed her hands in the river and scanned the dome. The sun skimmed the horizon and still no Mylos. Fretting won’t help She brushed her hair back from her face and turned to find Kuparak behind her.

  “He’ll be here soon, Floree.” He knelt and drank from cupped hands. “You did a great job with the cook pit.”

  “My granddah taught me the ways of my ancestors. I didn’t realize at the time the importance of his lessons.”

  “Sometimes we forget to give our elders respect for the knowledge they hold. I, like you, learned at my granddah’s knee. He was a great man and a good leader. I miss him.” His gaze swept upward. He pointed. “There. See. Two hawks fly this way. Hide the birth-mates just in case.”

  Jaradee jumped to her feet as Floree hurried toward her. They collected the dry clothes. Each grabbed a child by the hand and dodged between trees into the woods. Jaradee donned her blouse and dressed Rayn while Floree scrambled into her clothes

  Rethdun peered from behind a tree. He clapped his hands and smiled. “It’s Uncle Mylos. He looks happy.”

  Floree kissed Rayn. “Stay here with Rethdun and your maman. I’ll take Mylos his shirt and make sure it’s safe to come out.” Skirting the bushes along the shoreline, she ran into the open.

  A smiling Mylos accepted the shirt and slipped it on. “Why don’t you get Jara and the children. The smell of fish and herbs is making my gut rumble. I’m bettin’ it’s done. Kup and I will check, and then I’ll share what I learned.”

  Rethdun walked from the trees. “We’re safe.”

  Mylos knelt. “How did you know?”

  “Aquila told me. He and ReRe are friends.”

  Mylos rose and gripped his small hand. “Go on, Floree.” He winked at Rethdun. “The men will check the fish.”

  Grinning at Rethdun’s delight, she turned to find Jaradee and Rayn emerging onto the shore. “Please, Momee, can I go to Uncle My? Please?”

  Jaradee laughed and released her hand. “Go, but don’t get in the way.”

  The words were lost on the little girl. She ran over the sandy ground straight into the arms of her uncle, who picked her up and spun her around.

  A rush of happiness left Floree realizing it had been some time since she had felt anything but fear.

  Jaradee shot her an amused look. “Better enjoy it while we can.”

  Floree linked an arm through hers. “Were you in my head?”

  Jaradee laughed. “No. My heart felt your joy. Come on, dinner smells great, and I want to hear what Mylos learned.”

  Floree ambled beside her friend, a moment of dread clouding her happiness. “I’m not sure I want to know what he discovered.”

  “Why not? It can’t be all bad, can it?”

  “I guess not.” Floree tried to squelch her uneasiness.

  21

  Jaradee’s Legacy

  Part 2 - Escape

  I n the comfortable aftermath of tender fish, succulent root vegetables, and lighthearted conversation, Floree and her companions watched Rayn and Rethdun collect and stack small stones into the semblance of a fort. When they finished, the children stepped back to admire their creation. Rethdun grabbed Rayn’s hand. They exchanged glances and, in a moment of unfettered spontaneity, kicked the walls of the fort, scattering the stones over the shore. Giggles of childish delight filtered through the waterfall’s unending song. A game of chase brought the birth-mates back to the fire, but only long enough to hug Jaradee and Floree. With more delighted giggles, they raced back to the river, plopped side by side on the gritty sand, and gazed at the beauty of Dyad’s rounded blueness inching above the treetops.

  Mylos cleared his throat. “We need to leave here soon, so let me tell you what I learned.” Stroking his beard, he let his gaze drift to the children and back. “ReRe and I arrived in the canyon to find a cavalcade of horsemen, soldiers and Klutarse, exiting the gorge. They dismounted and spread out. The first thing they discovered was the wagon.” He gave Jaradee an affirming nod. “Not only did Jaradee cover it with branches, she pulled a couple of boards loose, threw witch hair and dried leaves in the bed, and tucked moss into the corners. If nothing else, her quick thinking made them question how long it had been there. A search of the overhang gave the soldiers nothing to make them suspect it had been occupied. When they found the crevice, they crowded through like curious children. ReRe flew after them and transmitted mental images.

  “The soldier in charge took one look at the river and made the decision that no one in their right mind would attempt an escape that direction, especially with two small children. When they discovered nothing else of interest in the cavern or the canyon, they remounted and rode back through the gorge. On the other side, they divided into groups. Soldiers on foot and horseback searched the immediate area. The broticos were sent to explore along the river on the off chance we’d found a way to navigate it.”

  Kuparak tossed the remains of a tuber into the fire. “How did they miss us? We were right here in plain sight?”

  “ReRe and Puna tethered and created an invisibility curtain.”

  Jaradee looked surprised. “I didn’t realize tukoolos could do that.”

  Kuparak picked up a stick and poked the sizzling tuber. “They can do what their compeers can do. Once they experience someth
ing, it becomes part of their knowledge base.” He tossed the stick in the fire. “What else did you learn, Mylos?”

  “A SorTech rides with the Klutarse. ReRe flew close enough to listen to him explaining that The Box has been updated to detect mental activity within a defined radius.”

  The dawn of understanding left Floree nodding. “That’s why Puna didn’t respond when Mylos asked me to create a curtain around the wagon. When she knew it was safe, we tethered and it formed. How did she know?”

  Kup smiled. “Tazio implanted a small learning chip in each tukoolo’s brain. Puna detected the change and understood what she had to do. Speaking of tukoolos, Toa says we need to leave here soon. What’s the plan, Mylos?”

  “We split up.” Again, Mylos caressed his beard. “Kup, you take Jaradee and Rayn to the safe haven near Tahellive. Floree and Rethdun will come with me. We’ll meet you there.”

  Rayn jerked awake, looked at her maman, and whimpered. Her bottom lip quivered. “Please, Momee, don’t make me fly.”

  Jaradee started to speak but stopped as Kia flew from the trees to perch on Kuparak’s arm. He held the beautiful strelke in front of Rayn. Fluttering to the birth-mate’s shoulder, the female falcon whistled softly.

  The child blinked, nodded, and wiped a tear from her cheek. “When I fly, Kia will take care of me.” She bit her lip to stop the quivering. “I am afraid.” She scrambled from Jaradee’s lap. “Kia says I must try.”

  Her tukoolo lifted into the air. Rayn hesitated.

  Rethdun walked to her side. “I will fly with you, Rayn.”

  Aquila soared upward and hovered.

  The birth-mates shifted and shot over the forest. The larger galees soared off the wing tips of the two smaller falcons. Four silhouettes swept over the trees and swooped above the river. The children landed in human form by the fire; their compeers alighted in a tree nearby.

  Rayn clasped Rethdun’s hand and gazed at the stars. “I love the night dome.” She smiled at her birth-mate. “I love flying with you.” Determination set her jaw. “We will always fly together.”