Unexpected dread sent a chill up Floree’s spine. A glance at Mylos told her he had experienced a similar flash of emotion. He stood up and pulled her to her feet.
“Alkina enters her resplendent phase tonight. Her bright light will expose us to detection if we wait too long. Kuparak, you, Jaradee, and Rayn leave first. Stay within the trees for as long as you can.”
Stubbornness bloomed in Rayn’s expression. Her eye’s flashed, and her small mouth pressed into a thread-thin line.
Jaradee reached for her hand. “I need you to come with me.”
Rayn pulled it away and hid it behind her back. “I fly with Rethdun.”
Her mother knelt. “We need to go ahead and make sure everything is safe. You and Rethdun can fly together in Tahellive.”
Rayn clung to her birth-mate. “Promise.”
Jaradee spoke with conviction. “When we are safe, you will fly together again.”
Rethdun gently removed his hand from Rayn’s. “Go with Momee and keep her safe. I will take care of Aunt Floree.”
Rayn, tears streaming, kissed his cheek, hugged Floree goodbye, and tethered to her tukoolo.
Toa launched upward. Puna and Kia followed.
At a sign from Kuparak, three birds lifted into the cool light of the moon, soared over the trees for a short distance, and then dropped into forest shadow, fleeting memories slipping away through the night.
Rubbing her arms to chase away goosebumps, Floree turned to Mylos. “How long do we wait?”
Rethdun gripped her hand. “Go now. Aquila says the broticos come.”
“Aquila is right.” Mylos squeezed his shoulder. “ReRe says the SorTech will soon reach the river.” He handed Rethdun a leafy branch. “Use this to help erase our presence.”
Rethdun took the branch. Mylos buried the fire and scattered the pine needle bed. Floree cleared away the remains of their meal, and then helped Rethdun to sweep away footprints on the shore. While they worked, their tukoolos flew in opposite directions, gathering information.
Images formed in Floree’s mind: shadowy figures lurking near the far side of the falls; broticos launching into the air. She hurried to Mylos’ side.
He glanced at the falls. “I saw. We need to go, and we can’t fly.” He scooped up Rethdun, helped him to settle on his back, and hustled her ahead of him into the velvet dark of the night woods.
Puna shot after them, landed on her shoulder, and sent her a series of images: a brotico landing by the river, a second joining him, hand lamps chasing up and down the shore, then darkness; both broticos launching into flight, one searching the course of the river, the other gliding over the trees.
Her attention glued to Rethdun’s small back, Floree pressed onward.
Dyad’s cool radiance did little to illuminate the way. Cold blue shadows spattered the ground. The trees, resembling carved obsidian statues, reached toward the moon, their upper branches glistening in the icy light.
Floree stubbed her toe, swore at herself for letting her attention wander, and glued her gaze to the uneven ground. The terrain’s gradual ascent, now steeper and rockier, became harder and harder to navigate. Mylos turned, helped her over a sizable rock, and muttered a series of profanities under his breath. Kneeling, he helped Rethdun to the ground and stared back the way they had come.
“We’re not moving fast enough. ReRe reports that (delete) the broticos are closing the gap.”
“Either we find a place to hide, or we fly.” Floree rubbed her knee. “Dyad sets soon, and Alkina’s dazzling light will help us and them.” She peered beyond him. “Rethdun, where are you?”
Mylos swung around, squinting through the darkness. “Rethdun?”
“I’m here.” Awe infused his whisper.
Hurrying around a tree, Floree froze. Mylos joined her, sucked in a breath, and gripped her shoulder.
In a fading patch of cool blue, Rethdun and Aquila stood beside a silvery-white wolf. “This is Forêst. My grandsire sent him to help us.”
ReRe flew to Mylos and perched on his shoulder. Puna alighted near Floree. Mylos put a protective arm around her. “How can Forêst help us, Rethdun?”
Floree felt Aquila and Rethdun tether. Rethdun flashed from view. His name caught in her throat and died. Two wolves, one large, one small, sat on their haunches, eyes glowing. Rethdun materialized in human form. “We can be wolves. Forêst will lead us to safety.”
A desire to gather him into her arms impelled her forward. Mylos stayed her with a hand on her arm. “How do we know this is not a SorTech’s trick, Rethdun?”
The small boy’s serious expression changed to a knowing smile. “SaHal sent him. Forêst belongs to him.” He ran a hand over the wolf’s silky fur. “My grandsire explained that the SorTech does not know my identity. He only knows a boy has been born who will become the ConServator of the Eleo Preda, and the boy must die. My grandsire does not wish me to join him so soon.” Seriousness aged his youthful features. He looked from one to the other. “We must hurry. Aquila says change now or be caught.”
Mylos rose. “Do we tether to our tukoolos?”
Rethdun nodded. “Tether to ReRe first. ReRe will tether to Forêst. Then make the shift.” He walked to Floree. “Don’t be afraid, Aunt Floree. Being a wolf is…” He laughed. “Wonderful.” A frown wiped away his delight. “Hurry.” He shifted.
Floree took a breath and tethered to Puna. The change, both subtle and ancient, flooded her with an earthy groundedness so unlike her bird form that it took her a moment to assimilate it. Woodland smells bombarded her. The feel of the ground under four paws radiated power up her legs and along her spine. Surprise left her shaking. Forêst’s presence in her mind warned her to remain calm.
A soft growl brought her around to face Mylos in wolf form. Flecks of gold glinted in blue eyes surrounded by grey fur. Wonder flowed from him through her.
Above them, wings wafted the air in a silent warning. Aquila, Puna, and ReRe flew in three directions. Forêst trotted up the mountain, glanced back, called his pack to heel, and continued a soundless climb.
Floree marveled at the sinuous power of her wolf body, its acute hearing, exceptional sight, and agile mind. Giving herself up to its magnificence, she moved through the night unhindered by the terrain. Forêst’s scent made him easy to track. Rethdun ran close at his heels. Next to her, Mylos, moved with power and vigor. Above them, Alkina’s rose sphere arced across the night dome. In the moon’s resplendent light, she followed Forêst on fleet feet from one shadow to the next.
22
Jaradee’s Legacy
Part 2 - Escape
R ethdun reveled in the beauty of the wolf. Nothing in his short life, except tethering to Aquila, had brought him so close to his true nature. The ancient wildness coursing through him tempted him to howl at Alkina—the shameena moon—the moon of his ancestors.
Forêst’s huge head swung around. Silver-blue eyes, their message explicit, silenced him. The head swung back. The powerful wolf leapt effortlessly onto a smooth, flat rock. Rethdun jumped, fumbled, and slid backward. Strong jaws fastened on the fur at the nape of his neck, lifted him, and set him down. Floree and Mylos arrived on the rock beside them. Forêst panted a welcome.
For a time, they sat together in the quiet. Overhead Alkina’s descent stole its rose and topaz light from the world below one shimmering ray at a time. The night had passed, and dawn crept ever closer. Two broticos made a sweep of the trees at the foot of the mountain, circled, and flew back toward the distant sound of falling water.
Predatory vigilance held Forêst motionless, his nose lifted. He jumped to the ground on the far side of their rocky perch, jogged around a smooth-barked tree, and into a hole beneath piled rocks and mountain brush. When everyone had crowded inside, he curled up in the center of the shelter, cautioned his pack against conversation of any kind, suggested rest would be appropriate, and slept.
After shifting shape to insure a strong connection to their humanness, Floree, Mylos, and
Rethdun returned to their wolf forms. Floree and Mylos lay side-by-side and slept. Rethdun sat for a time, his ears twitching, his nose sniffing. Restless energy carried him around the enclosure. Forêst raised his head and growled a soft command. Rethdun curled up next to the alpha leader. Slumber soon quieted his busy mind.
He awoke to a stomach hungry for food and tongue thirsting for water. Yawning a wide-mouthed yawn, he stretched his lithe, little body, and clambered to his feet. Four feet. I am a wolf. Happiness shook him like a dog with water-soaked fur.
Looking around told him two things: he was alone in the den, and the others were close at hand. An urgent need to shift to Human carried him into the open. Floree and Mylos sat in the afternoon sun deep in conversation. Forêst was not present.
Mylos beckoned him. “Change, Rethdun.”
The shift left him momentarily confused. Aquila swooping to the ground nearby steadied his nerves and helped him to anchor in his humanness. He stroked his tukoolo’s glassy side. “Thank you, Aquila.” Tilting his head, he listened to his compeer. “I honor you, too.”
“Come and eat.” Floree offered a handful of berries. “Forêst will be back soon.”
Mylos scanned the dome. “As soon as the sun sets, we’ll continue our journey. Forêst suggests we rest in our wolf forms so our human thoughts do not give us away.” He yawned. “I believe I will take his advice.” He shifted and padded into the den.
Rethdun climbed onto a rock beside Floree and accepted more fruit. “Do they still search?”
She nibbled a dark red storm berry. “Let’s just say they haven’t given up.” Curiosity prodded her. “How do you like shaping a wolf?”
He finished chewing, swallowed, and licked his fingers one by one. “I love it, Aunt Floree. I just wish Rayn were here. Do you think she’s safe?”
“As safe as you are—as safe as you will ever be. I’m sorry we had to separate you.”
Rethdun studied a stain on his thumb. “I believe it was a right choice.”
Her soft chuckle made him look up. “How old are you, Rethdun?”
Furrowing his brow, he counted. “One, two, three…almost four. But my grandsire’s memories and knowledge are much older than that.” He yawned. “I will nap now.”
He tethered to Aquila, shaped a young wolf, and loped into the den. Clearing a spot with his front paws, he circled into position and, tucking his tail around himself, slept.
Three turnings passed in a similar fashion. The pack traveled by night and took human form at dawn to gather berries. When their appetites were satisfied, they shape shifted to wolves and slept in preparation for the night’s trek.
Rethdun learned everything he could from Forêst. He tried raw meat, caught a small rodent and let it go, and became comfortable with his wolf body and his grandsire’s memories. The fourth morning of their trek, he woke to a rough tongue licking his wolf face. Forêst stood over him, a warning in his gaze. “Follow. Stay close.”
Rethdun climbed to his feet, shook himself free from sleep, and sought out Mylos and Floree. A question rose in his mind.
“Safe.” Forêst’s brusque reply ended with a quick nip on the ear and sent Rethdun from the den, his mind blanked of all human thought.
Clouds obscured the night dome and cast a dense darkness over the terrain. Forêst loped along an animal track that meandered higher up the mountain and ended on a ridge traversing the tops of three connected peaks. Avoiding the openness of the ridge, the silver-white wolf skulked over tundra lichen into taller brush and finally into a tree-covered ravine. A zigzagged course took them up the other side and down a slope ending beside a small lake. After quenching his thirst, Forêst lifted his nose to sniff the cool night air.
Rethdun slurped water until his thirst demanded no more and sat with his tail curled around his rump. Mind still and attention focused on his mentor, he waited.
A night bird called. Insects chirped. Water kissed the shore in a rhythmic lap, lap, lap. A sudden breeze chased over the lake’s surface, ruffling Rethdun’s fur. Distant thunder rumbled. The smell of Human flared his nostrils.
Forêst growled, waded into the lake, and began to swim. Rethdun reached out a tentative paw, touched the water, and snatched it back. After a moment of panic, he jumped in. Legs pumping, he strove to stay afloat and to keep Forêst’s bobbing head in sight. Fatigue and cold threatened to overpower him. He floundered. Jaws fastened on his nape. His mentor waded through shallowing water and released him on solid ground. Rethdun yipped, shook sparkling droplets from his fur, and flopped down on damp leaves and grass.
Forêst again lifted his nose. Nostrils flared, he swung his head one way and then the other. Seeming to be satisfied, he nudged Rethdun to his feet and led him into a brake of trees bordering the lake. When they had traveled some distance, Forêst stopped, snuffled the air once more, curled around himself, and slept.
Rethdun sat and licked a paw. The urge to assume his human shape overwhelmed him. The tether to his tukoolo strained to release. Aquila alighted in a nearby tree. Shifting left Rethdun panting and slightly stunned. Gulping a breath, he calmed his thumping heart and let the night’s stillness relax him.
Mylos walked from the trees and stood looking at him. “It is good to see you, Rethdun Vilandree.”
Floree dropped to her knees and hugged him so hard he thought he might smother. Holding him at arm’s length, she examined him from head to foot. “Are you alright? I know the shift to wolf is a hard one for you.”
Rethdun pondered her statement, then smiled. “It is not the shift to wolf, Aunt Floree. Returning to Human is…” He threw his hands up. “It makes me feel lost.”
Forêst rose, stretched his back in a rounded arch, and yawned. He sat on his haunches, his gaze resting on Rethdun. “You will not lose your wolf shape, young pup. Do not be afraid. It is part of you now as it is part of Aquila.” His ears twitched. His blue gaze darted over the landscape. “You are close to Tahellive. Mylos and Floree will take you there. Stay safe.” Loping into moon-glow and night dark, he faded from sight.
The impulse to shape shift, to run after him, to stay beside him always left Rethdun panting. He gripped his knees and fought for air. Love for Rayn and Jaradee, for Mylos and Floree coursed through him. The desire to know more of Kuparak and to be certain of Rayn’s safety kept him stationary. Love of his tukoolo and his galee form warmed him. He turned to find Mylos and his aunt watching him.
Floree offered her hand. “I thought we might lose you.”
Rethdun took it. “Let’s go find Rayn.”
Mylos searched the dome, where rain clouds roiled and churned. “Alkina’s return to its direct orbit is whipping the planet. We’re near the safe haven. I suggest we hurry. The storm is about to break. ReRe tells me it is safe to fly. Tether up and let’s go. Stay in a tight group.”
He shifted and flew to a tree branch. Rethdun felt the tether to Aquila snap into place. He made the change and came to rest on a branch next to his tukoolo. Floree observed him for a long moment, made the shift, and soared domeward. Mylos shot to her side. Rethdun and Aquila lifted into the air. Delight in the freedom of flight sent him spiraling upward. Aquila streaked past him. Rethdun shot after him, marveling at his good fortune. Wolf and galee! Who could ask for more?
23
Jaradee’s Legacy
Part 2 - Escape
R ethdun raced between Mylos and Floree along the copse of trees and into woodlands bordering the fields west of Tahellive. A small boy’s delight in flying, interrupted by Aquila’s warning cry, brought his conscious awareness to the storm brewing overhead. Pinning his attention on ReRe and Mylos, he glided deeper into sturdy pines, skimmed along a rushing creek, and landed near a small, rustic cabin tucked at the back of a small clearing.
Kuparak jumped from the narrow stoop and strode to meet Mylos and Floree.
Unsure what to expect, Rethdun clung to his galee form. Nothing moved in the cabin. Only the fast-fading presence of his mother and birth-m
ate indicated they had ever been there. Controlling his rising panic, he fluttered to the stoop and materialized.
When Kuparak finished his discussion, tears spilled down Floree’s cheeks. Mylos, his expression hard and stricken, embraced her. Reined-in emotions propelled Kuparak to the cabin.
Rethdun studied the ebony features, the amber eyes, the full lips and held his breath.
Sitting on the edge of the narrow porch, Kuparak gazed at him from behind a mask of adult calm. “The soldiers have captured Rayn. We were outnumbered, Rethdun. I tried to save her but…”
Rethdun saw the pain and anger, the huge sense of loss. Sorrow clamped around his throat. He pushed one word between quivering lips. “Momee?”
The urgent question, ragged with dread, lost itself in a loud clap of thunder. Wind shook the cabin. Bulging clouds dumped their watery burden. Lightning threw a jagged banner across the night dome. Thunder crashed and rumbled, fading into the sounds of wind and rain.
Mylos urged a distraught Floree ahead of him into the cabin. Numb from cold and shock, Rethdun barely felt Kuparak scoop him up.
Musty dimness enclosed them. A rickety table, two chairs, and an upturned box were the only furnishings. Mylos tossed a threadbare cushion at Floree’s feet and lowered his lean body to the floor next to her. Kuparak sat cross-legged. Floree sank onto the cushion and opened her arms. Rethdun walked to her side and rested a hand on her shoulder. She lowered her arms and sighed.
Wuthering wind shook the cabin. Tree branches scratched and clawed the outer walls like monsters trying to enter. Rain pounded the roof. No one in the cabin moved.
Kuparak inhaled a rugged breath. His long fingers clenched. He exhaled.
“When we arrived here, Rayn, still angry because Rethdun had been left behind, threw a temper tantrum and swore she would find him. When she finally calmed down, Toa and I left to discover the way of things in Tahellive. I returned to a frantic Jaradee. Rayn had waited for her mother to fall asleep; and when she did, shifted and flew with Kia to begin her search.
The UnFolding Collection Three Page 81
