The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  Keelyn hugged them goodnight. “Don’t worry, Rasiana, you’ll do fine. There will come a time when you’ll be grateful for your training. Sleep well.”

  Rasiana stared after her. Self-doubt robbed the color from her nutmeg skin. “Oh, Rayn, I’m not prepared for this. What is Arden thinking?”

  Rayn pulled her to her feet. “You are one of the strongest women I know, Rasi. You’ll be fine. Besides, I won’t have to worry about you as much.” Linking arms, she escorted her friend from the room. “We’d better get some sleep. I have a feeling my granddah is a task master.”

  Alone in her room, Rayn let out a soft whooped of excitement. Kuparak was her idol. Now, she would train to be just like him. “I will help to save our people and defeat Lusktar Rados and his Pheet Adolan army,” she announced to Alkina’s glowing orb.

  Several moon cycles later, Rayn arrived for a session with Arden to find the practice ring empty and a note on the board: Please review what you have learned.

  Walking to the middle of the ring, she recited the list of things that their practice sessions had taught her.

  “Make eye contact and keep it. Protect from your collar bone up. Do not expose your neck to the enemy. Keep your chin down. Keep your hands up, wrists inward. You have large blood vessels on the inside of your thighs. Protect them. Keep your legs close to the body. Remember, the palm is stronger than the fist. If you are unarmed, use it.”

  She flexed her hand, remembering the soldier at the farmhouse when she slammed her palm into his nose.

  “Most important: If there is no choice, do not hesitate. It is your life or your enemy’s.”

  The list was endless. Arden had taught her to kill with quiet efficiency. Keelyn had taught her to do so with respect for the life she took. She felt more ready than ever to fight for her people.

  The eerie hush in the practice area chaffed on her nerves. “Where are you, Granddah?” Pacing a restless circuit, she attempted to ignore her growing disquiet. “I have come a long way since our first day in the ring.” She paused, then continue to contemplate her Animilero training.

  Arden had pushed her to the brink of quitting. His demand for perfection outstripped anyone she had ever known, even Kuparak. At times, she hated him. Even so, her respect for his skills and his knowledge only grew. She ran her hand along the rope defining the ring. I was so spoiled when I arrived here. At Cimondeli everyone treated me like I’m special. She curled her fingers around the rope. Arden and Keelyn drive me hard, and I’ve learned to love it.

  Running footsteps amplified her escalating apprehension. Rasiana dodged into the ring. “Arden sent me. Trouble just landed on Osullini. We’re to create a time-fold and hide until—”

  Rayn folded her arms. “If there’s trouble, I’m staying.”

  “He said to tell you an order is an order. If you disobey, you won’t like the consequences.”

  “Is this a test?” Rayn put her hands on her hips and glared. “Or is there a real threat?”

  Rasiana returned the glare. “If it’s a test, do you want to fail it?”

  “No, but if it’s real—”

  “Then Arden has a good reason for telling us to hide.” Making an about face, she walked to the outside door, yanked it open, and glanced back. “Are you coming or not?”

  An angry retort caught in Rayn’s throat. Why am I reacting this way? She scowled. I’m afraid—for us and for my grandparents. Running from the ring, she grabbed the door as it swung shut, jerked it wide, and raced after her friend.

  They reached the center of the orchard and climbed an apple tree, where Aquila and Oha perched in the uppermost branches. When their breathing normalized, they clasped hands and focused the way Keelyn had taught them. A mist roiled around them and faded.

  Rayn examined the reality through which she wandered and tensed. The apple orchard waved. Undulating light dispersed into blue and gold sand. Rasiana squeezed her hand and pointed.

  Several rowing boats skimmed the water between a large steam ship anchored in the bay and the golden beach. Two had been dragged onto the sand. Uniformed men helped unload three SorTech Boxes and place them equidistant along the shoreline. A third boat crunched to a stop. A soldier jumped out, waded ashore, and helped a comrade to pull it higher. The remaining passengers disembarked. Three men in the gold and black uniforms of the SorTech hurried to individual Boxes and began to prepare them for use. More boats landed. Round containers were unloaded, hauled over the sand on canvas skates, and positioned in a line. The soldier in charge checked with each SorTech in turn and signaled them to begin.

  The tingling surge of SorTechory flooded the island. Rayn squeezed Rasiana’s hand. Holding the time-fold steady, they merged into blue sand, their minds blank. One after the other, waves of energy washed over them, seeking to find the presence of life. The leader shouted an order. The barrage of SorTechory ceased.

  Rayn rippled into Human form, felt the roughness of bark beneath her hands, glanced at Rasiana, then back at the men on the beach.

  An argument ensued. Voices rose and fell, some angry, some calmer. At last, the Boxes were loaded into a boat. The SorTechs crawled over the port gunwale and pushed away from the shore. Three soldiers worked with the round containers. The rest ran to the rowing boats, climbed aboard, and raced for the ship. A shouted command and the three soldiers sprinted to the last boat and scrambled aboard.

  “Hold the time fold steady. Fly, now!” Keelyn’s cry rang in Rayn’s head. Her tether to Aquila snapped into place. Rasiana’s hand pulled free as she shifted and soared after her tukoolo. Clinging to the time-fold’s illusion, Rayn shot after her.

  An explosive blast rocked the world. Concussed currents quaked through the atmosphere. Rayn tumbled head over tail. Galee wings snatched at the air, pressed against it, fought for balanced flight. A second blast flung her upright. The third catapulted her away from Osullini as the time-fold floundered, and she shot into real time.

  “Calm.” Aquila’s mind touch diffused her panic. His appearance in front of her reestablished her equilibrium. A red-tailed whak soaring in the smoky light close to her side brought a wave of relief. Rasiana flew beside her. Banking after Aquila, Rayn circled back to the island.

  Where the ship rolled in heaving waves, blinding white light pooled under it, closed up around it like a draw-stringed bag, and lifted it domeward. Rocketing higher, the ball of light and its contents exploded into glinting sprinkles of white, which rained down on Osullini’s obsidian sand. Where it touched, veins of burnished gold criss-crossed the land and bled into the sea.

  As the ocean calmed and the smell of acid smoke faded, Rayn flew a wide curve above the island. Aquila landed and whistled an all clear. She swooped over the beach and descended beside her compeer.

  Rasiana touched down beside her. “What just happened?”

  Rayn knelt and scooped up a handful of black sand. “I think Arden and Keelyn worked their magic.” The sand funneled between her fingers. She stood and brushed the remaining particles from her palms. “Anyone looking at Osullini will think the explosions destroyed whatever might have been here.”

  “And you, Rayn, what do you think?” Arden’s bodiless voice floated on ocean scented air.

  She rotated, seeking her granddah and mentor. “I think you should show yourself so we can stop worrying.”

  The garden and house replaced the sand and sea. Keelyn greeted them with a tremulous smile.

  Rayn exhaled. “I thought we had lost you.” Her grandmameen’s expression made her heart sink.

  Arden’s image blurred and refocused. “You almost did. It was close, Rayn. Too close. The island is safe. Everyone survived the explosion.” He took Keelyn’s hand. “When I dispatched the RomPeer’s ship and passengers to another dimension, I trapped your grandmameen and me in a time-fold from which we cannot return.”

  Keelyn blinked back tears. “We wanted to say goodbye.” She began to fade and steadied. “The battle to save the Eleo Preda is coming to an
end.”

  Arden’s features hardened. “You must not be killed, Rayn. You must find a way to save our ancient bloodlines and preserve the diversity and beauty of El Stroma.” Their image blurred. “Our home is your inheritance.”

  Keelyn’s cry penetrated the dimensional barrier, “We love you, Rayn.”

  39

  Jaradee’s Legacy

  Part 3 - Conflict

  S orrow blanketed the house and yard. Rasiana had gone to check in with Ceri and to see Mati and his maman and sister. Rayn wandered the house, absorbing the loss of her grandparents and considering what to do next. She unlatched the window in the main salon, pushed it wide, and breathed in apple-blossom-scented air. “I can’t stay on Osullini and accomplish the goals Arden laid out for me: Preserve ancestral bloodlines and the diversity of El Stroma. “How do I—”

  A harrier hawk swooped through the window and landed at the center of the room. A tall, muscular man materialized. Short, dark hair bristled on one side of his head. Tattoos covered the other. His resemblance to her mother and Aunt Katareen made it hard not to stare. The jagged scar running from chin to brow and into the tattoos on his scalp didn’t help, nor did the feelings she observed beneath his self-disciplined calm.

  Astonishment cocooned her in emotion-filled stillness.

  After a protracted silence, he sank onto the window seat. “I’m your Uncle Daar, Rayn. You look like your maman but even more like Katareen.” Gentleness softened the metallic glint in his blue-gray eyes. “The last time I saw you, you were only a few turnings old. I have wanted to come to you for a long time, but Vasrosi business has kept me in El SyrTundi.” A flicker of amusement softened his wounded visage. He patted the seat. “Please sit.”

  Her paralysis melted. “I have always wondered about you.” A memory made her smile. “I’m told I have your temper.”

  A laugh changed his warrior’s unyielding countenance, making him seem younger, more Human. “I expect that means you’re stubborn, too?”

  Loneliness almost choked her. “Arden would definitely agree.”

  Keen interest replaced levity. “Where is your esteemed granddah? I have news for him.”

  Rayn let her gaze wander the garden. Sunlight on apple blossoms soothed the ache in her heart. She considered the man opposite her, ordered her thoughts, and described the events of the last two turnings. When she completed the tale, an agitated prowl carried Daar in a circuit of the room. He ended looking down at her. “Kup told me you and Rasi have been training as Animilero’s. Is that true?”

  “That’s correct. Why?”

  “I think Rasiana should be part of this conversation. Please get her.”

  Rayn glanced at the door. “She’s on her way.”

  Daar’s brows arced. “Telepathy. I can still only use it when I’m tethered to Rangi.”

  Rasiana jogged into the room and slid onto the window seat. “Good to see you, Daar. Rayn said you have news.”

  Returning to his seat, Daar massaged the scar bisecting his hairline. “I’ve been staying close to Tic Calag. Prior to coming here, I witnessed a conversation between two Pheet Adolan workers. One, a messenger newly arrived from Chunarrie, shared the latest gossip. A Rompeerial ship, its crew and three SorTechs had vanished. It was last seen making for Mer â Chi Strait. I knew when I saw the changes in Osullini, it must have been headed for here. I’m sorry about your grandparents, Rayn. I will miss their counsel.” He pursed his lips. “I’m just glad it wasn’t worse.”

  “Worse.” Rayn glared in disbelief.

  “They could be dead, but they’re not. From what you’ve said, they’re somewhere alive and well. And knowing them as I do, I predict they will make wherever they are work for them.”

  Rayn lowered her gaze. “You’re right, Daar.” She looked up. “I miss them.”

  Rasiana sighed. “They’ll be missed by many. I understand few shameenu remain on El Stroma.”

  Daar rubbed the coarse, bristly hair on the side of his head. “We have managed to smuggle a few off planet. The rest have been massacred. We believe Arden and Keelyn were two of the last. The Pheet Adole are winning. We press them back, and they redouble their efforts. El QuilTran will soon be theirs. To make things worse, the Vasrosi are divided. One side is focused on helping people escape. The Vasro rebels have declared that if the Eleo Preda cannot live on El Stroma neither can the Pheet Adole.”

  A jolt of understanding shook Rayn. “They want to destroy El Stroma?”

  “They do. Kuparak sent me to seek Arden’s advice. Since he is beyond reach, I’m not sure what to do.”

  “Arden told Rasiana and me the Eleo Preda were losing and to preserve the ancient bloodlines and the diversity of El Stroma’s ecological systems.”

  Interest animated Daar’s expression. “Kuparak is procuring a ship, one that can handle a cryogenics lab and storage. I’m to meet him in Chunarrie to help arrange for the selection and transport of all Eleo Predan specimens.”

  Rayn recalled a conversation with her grandmameen. “Keelyn had a vision, one that prompted her to prepare for the worst. She has been collecting and preserving seeds and cuttings from El Stroman flora as well as microorganisms from dirt, the ocean, rivers, and streams for the past two sun cycles. A group on El QuilTran adapted the technology developed at the Protariflee Center and has collected samples from as many animal species as they could. Looks like we have a good start.”

  Rasiana curled her legs under her. “Now, we have to find a way to move everything to the ship without alerting the RomPeer and his followers.”

  Daar whistled. His tukoolo swooped to the windowsill. “Rangi and I’d better go. Kup should be in Chunarrie by mid-turning tomorrow. I’ll know then if he found a ship.” He scratched Rangi’s chest. “I’ll be back when I can.”

  Rayn launched to her feet. “I’m going with you, Daar.” Excitement made her feel giddy. “It’s time I did more than while away my time on Osullini.”

  Her uncle folded his arms. “Kuparak wants you here and safe.”

  “How do I help our people if I’m stuck here? If I were a man, I would already be in the fight. I trained to be a warrior. After my last workout in the practice ring, Arden told me I was ready.” She planted her feet and glared. “You can’t stop me.”

  Profound quiet cloaked him. “Don’t test my resolve, Rayn. Stay here. Help prepare—”

  Anger shot up the back of Rayn’s neck. Daar’s voice faded. Memories of her mother’s final moments, Kia dead in a pool of blood, cycles of confinement, the loss of her grandparents, Mati’s village burned to the ground, and men burned alive in a sacred hall gushed through her body. The geyser of emotions whipped her head back. A howl rose in her throat. Baritone deep, it burst forth. Her head jerked up. She glowered at Daar. Saw the disbelief in Rasiana’s upturned face. Neither spoke.

  Unfamiliar strength rippled from muscle to muscle. She clenched a fist, raised it, and uncurled large, battle-scarred fingers. Pivoting, she strode to a mirror at the end of the room.

  Dark, haughty eyes in a masculine face locked onto her startled gaze. Thick black hair brushed broad shoulders above a broad, muscular chest. Clarity hit with such force she doubled over. I shaped a man . She straightened. Her nostrils flared. She marched back to her uncle.

  “I am going, Daar Palmira.”

  “Rayn, shift back.” Rasiana’s voice held a note of panic.

  A devious laugh snapped to a growl. “Why should I? I like the feel of this male body of this masculine mind. I may never—”

  The cry of a smoky galee heralded Kuparak’s shift to Human. Serenity poured from him. Cool, cleansing calm squelched the flames of her rage.

  Suspicion snaked through her mind. She stepped back. Her fists came up.

  He did not change his stance. White teeth flashed. Warmth and charm strangled her dubiety. “You make a handsome man, Rayn. Does your male form have a name?”

  Arrogant pride welled up inside her. “I am The MasTer. I will conquer the Phee
t Adole and give the Eleo Preda back their homeland.”

  “Ahhhhh. I see.” His knowing nod almost reactivated the snake in her head.

  “Come back to me, Rayn.” The gentleness of the feminine voice touched a chord. “I miss you, my sis…ter.” Emotion cracked the word in two.

  A memory swam the currents of The MasTer’s pride. “Rasiana…” The world dipped. Haughtiness ripped recall to shreds. Disdain coated his laugher, stabilizing the world, the room, and the place.

  A forest galee swooped to a landing on Kuparak’s arm.

  The MasTer wrinkled his brow. “I distrust your pet, Charnlandian.”

  Sweetness caressed Rayn’s mind. Partnership, sharing, and love warmed her heart.

  The MasTer guffawed. “I do not need this scavenger of lies, this eater of garbage—”

  Rayn surged into being. The MasTer thwarted her attempt to gain control. Using her love of Aquila as a foothold, she fought to return. War between masculine and feminine, lion and lioness, tore her confidence to shreds and devoured her dignity. Dropping to one knee, she cradled her breasts in her hands. Her shoulders quaked from the depths of the battle to remain in her own body, to hold to her femininity and her power as a woman. She lunged to her feet, dagger in hand. “Leave me or I will end your existence and mine.” A shudder ran through her. A breath hissed between her lips. She sheathed her weapon and collapsed as Kuparak’s arms closed around her.

  Rayn traipsed the terrace of her subconscious in a hunt for self, her ego riveted to the maleness of The MasTer. In her sleep-induced trance, she luxuriated in the power of his presence. He walked beside her—tempted her to change again. Seduced her with promises of successes beyond her wildest dreams. He would win the war, recover El QuilTran from Rompeerial troops, and save the Eleo Preda and El Stroma. Buried in the background of this land of dreams, an undercurrent of truth shredded his façade and exposed him for the peddler of power he was.