When I started to finally wake up, I knew I was in a lot of trouble right away. There was a lot of pain, and I was heavily drugged. Being drugged meant I couldn't focus, and that meant the pain was not going to get better. It also meant I couldn't fold space and leave. I was trapped, and things quickly went downhill from there.
It was all I could do to lift my head up and look around. I was tied to a chair, and when I moved, it hurt a lot more. I decided moving was a bad thing.
"He's awake," a deep male voice said aloud. A man grabbed my hair, and violently pulled my head back. The pain was tremendous, and the man slapped me twice for good measure. Then he released me, and loudly demanded, "Who are you? Where did you come from?" Before I could say a word, he slapped me again. I thought my head would fall off.
"You're not a very nice person," I mumbled. The man laughed, and it gave me chills.
"No! I'm not a nice man," he whispered. His voice raised to a scream as he again demanded, "Who are you? Where did you come from?"
"I am Kaltar Farsara, from Remaca, South America," I answered, giving the response I had been taught long ago.
The man slapped me again, and yelled, "There is no Remaca in South America. Where are you really from? Are you American, or are you from Russia?"
"I'm from Remaca," I repeated as I started to pass out again. "Where are my friends?"
"You’ll all be dead soon if you don't answer my questions!" the man insisted. "Who are you?"
In the distance, I heard a woman begin screaming. I was heavily drugged, but I was willing to bet the woman screaming, was Cindy.
I managed to say, "If you let my friends go, I will answer your questions."
"You will answer my questions no matter what!" The man said in a guttural voice. "I promise, you’ll tell me everything, and beg for death." He punched me in the face with his balled fist. The pain was incredible, and I started to black out.
"You have a madness! It makes you do bad things!" My words came out sounding like a whisper.
For a moment, the room was silent. Then the man grew very angry, and yelled, "Don't talk nonsense! Where does your friend Carl, get all his money?"
"He is very smart, and earns it," I responded truthfully.
"That's a load of crap!" The man yelled. "Nobody makes a billion dollars in a year honestly!"
"Carl does," I answered. My response earned me another extremely hard slap. The ground shook, and the sound of another scream could be heard in the distance. It was a man this time. A door behind me opened, and closed. I heard footsteps, and two men speaking in hushed voices. I was too drugged to lift my head.
The ground shook again, and the sound of screams came closer. One of the men spoke in Russian, saying, "I'm getting out of here!"
The room had been dark till now. The sound of thick metal being ripped apart could distinctly be heard, and light flooded into the room. My eyes closed tightly, but I could hear screams and gunfire all around me. Then a hand was on my shoulder.
"I have him here!" Tersa called out. There was an edge to her voice I had never heard before. The ropes holding me were cut, and I fell forward onto the floor.
"We have found other people!" A male voice said urgently. "Urla Tiller is dead. Vandahar is badly injured. Dona Carter, the Earther girl, Cindy, and her brother, will survive. But Kaltar is dying."
Tersa's face appeared looking down at me as I lay on the floor. Through the drugs, I heard her say, "Kaltar will live!" Her hand spread out on my chest. Fighting to stay awake, I managed to lift my hand, and grab her arm.
"I've been poisoned!" I muttered. "Leave me alone Tersa."
An odd smile crossed Tersa's face, and she whispered, "I love you, Kaltar Farsara!" There was more gunfire, and another scream. The room darkened, and I passed out again.
Chapter 3
Return to Drevins Spraug
I woke up on Remaca in my own bed. April was asleep next to me, and I reached out and touched her arm to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Her eyes popped open, and she loudly blurted out, "You're alive!"
"Please be quiet," I requested. "My head hurts!"
"You're lucky to be alive!" April informed me. "Some bad people from the Russian Mafia grabbed Carl and Cindy, trying to get at Carl's money. You and the other Magi walked in, and the Russians bagged you as well."
"All except Tersa!" I managed to say weakly. I suddenly remembered my last moments with Tersa, and blurted out, "Is Tersa alright?"
"She'll be fine." April quickly noted. "You do realize she saved your life again, don't you?"
"Yes!" I agreed quietly. "I will speak to her about it."
"I'll be angry if you do!" April informed me. "The other Empaths say she saved you by reacting so quickly. She saved you, and you will be grateful, or I will be very irritated with you." It was obvious she meant it, and I listened.
Exhausted, I soon fell back asleep. Some time passed, and when I woke up this time, I could hear voices in the hallway outside my room.
"Who's there?" I called out in the dark room. The door opened, and Tersa stepped in as light flooded the room.
"It's just me, Kaltar," Tersa said softly. "Go back to sleep! April will be back in a few minutes."
As she turned to leave, I said, "Thank you for saving me!"
She paused in the doorway. Then she quietly said, "I would do anything for you, Kaltar." She closed the door as she stepped out, and I was in the dark again.
I could see I was going to need to have a talk with Tersa.
After some trouble standing, I managed to stagger to the shower, and got cleaned up. I was badly beaten, but now that I was drug free, would soon start to heal. I walked out into the hall, and could hear voices downstairs. Moments later I found Vandahar talking to April and Tersa as they all sat in the kitchen.
When the door swung open, both April and Tersa stood up. "You shouldn't be out of bed!" April noted as she moved towards me. Taking me by the elbow, she gently helped me into a chair at the end of the table.
Vandahar's arm was wrapped up, and I could tell in a basic scan that he had been burned. "Are you okay?" I asked.
"I'll be fine now that I can heal again," Vandahar replied, smiling slightly. "I've suffered far worse injuries in the past."
"Did I hear we lost Urla Tiller?" I wondered aloud. The answer was obvious as April's face went pale.
"Urla was killed in the first seconds of the attack." Tersa confirmed. "Both Cindy and Carl were badly tortured, but will recover."
"What happened to the people who did this?" was my next question.
"We turned them over to Dona Carter, and the Chosen," Vandahar responded. "They will be exposed to the enzyme, and cured of the Madness. I suppose after that, they’ll be released."
I just nodded my understanding. Still slightly drugged, and in a lot of pain, my mind kept showing me flashback images of Urla's face as she laid dying. I had led her to her death. It was my fault.
Seeing my thoughts in the link. Tersa said, "Don't blame yourself, Kaltar. It wasn't your fault."
"I talked to both Carl and Cindy," Vandahar informed me. "They wanted me to say thank you for the rescue. They're aware of what you did to help them."
"What I did, was get Urla killed," I quietly observed. "If it wasn't for Tersa, I’d be dead too."
"Urla was killed in a surprise attack!" Tersa stated forcefully. "By its very definition, you can't foresee a surprise attack. Even those of us who see the future timeline didn't see this coming."
April suddenly leaned forward, looking closely at my left side, and said, "You’re bleeding Kaltar! Your wounds have opened up again." I could feel the warm blood trickling down my side. Both April and Tersa stood up, and started to hover over me. I flinched as they touched my shirt, and realized my entire back was a series of painful bruises.
Tersa laid her hand on my shoulder, and I leaned away slightly. She gave me a dirty look, and said, "Sit still!"
"Leave me alone!" I instructed her as I stood up, stepping
away from her. "I'll heal in a few days on my own!"
April grabbed my elbow tightly as I stepped past her, and I screamed as pain flooded my mind. Everyone in the room jumped, and after a moment, April softly said, "Please go back to bed Kaltar. You need to rest."
"Or let me help you heal," Tersa continued.
"I'll go back to bed," I replied. Staggering slightly, I wandered back up to my room, fell back into bed, and passed out again.
When I woke up the next morning, I did feel better. The pain was subsiding quickly, and I awoke to find April dozing next to me. I hugged her close to me, and for just a moment, everything was perfect. Then she got up, went to the bathroom, and got sick. She had told me the morning sickness was getting better, but I couldn't imagine her being any more sick than she sounded right then.
After about ten minutes, she returned, and seemed to feel better. We laid there and talked for at least an hour. Then I decided it was time for me to get up. As soon as I got up and moving, the pain woke up, and I realized I still had some healing to do. April scanned me in the link, and I could sense her concern.
"Tersa would help you if you let her!" she scolded me. "You're the only person she's willing to help! You're also the leader of the Magi Council! You need to be at your best, and Tersa can help you!"
Feeling confused, and in pain, I said, "Tersa could die helping me like that, and I won't have it!"
It was obvious April didn't see it that way. I saw the irritation build in her for a moment, and then it passed. She quietly said, "I'm going to go out, and talk to Al for a few minutes. Do you want to go with me?"
Of course, I did. Al saw us walk out of the house, and came over with the obvious excitement of a large dog. He was as big as a truck, so we’re talking one really big dog. I've gotten to where I just close my eyes when he runs up. If he ever steps on me, I'm going to be the flattest Magi in history
Al skidded to a stop in front of us. April reached up, and stroked his face in a loving fashion. I could sense them talking in the link. Then, April said, "Both the wolves, and Tiny, have adapted well. They are all in the mountains to the North."
Al looked directly at me, and said, "Vermiscumas watches over them. They are happy to be here." I felt an odd sense of completion. At least I had helped these few animals.
"What of the elephants?" April asked.
"The birth is still almost a year away in Earth time," Al replied. "The female is healthy, and the male is nervous."
"I know how he feels," I mumbled to myself. April giggled, and even Al seemed to appreciate the humor.
At that moment, for the first time, I became aware of the twin's minds in the link. They were reaching out mentally, as a baby on Earth might reach out with its fingers. It was just for an instant, and then they were gone. April saw the look on my face, and said, "They've been doing that for a few days. It just lasts for a few seconds, and then they withdraw. I'm kinda getting used to it."
It was a wonderful sensation. My pain seemed to subside, and I felt a little giddy. From some distance, I saw Tersa walking toward us from the direction of the house. Al leaned close to April and I. Then quietly said, "She looks angry!"
As Tersa stepped up to us, I could see what Al meant. "The students at the school almost turned me to stone an hour ago, and my legs still hurt!" she grumbled.
April burst out laughing, and said, "I warned you it was a bad idea to teach them how to do that."
We all laughed for a moment, and then Tersa said, "The Rock has been asking about both of you. He said to send his best wishes." The comment sobered me at once.
"Is everything okay?" I asked. "Have they hit a snag?"
"Everything’s fine, Kaltar," Tersa noted, frowning slightly. "I would tell you at once if they needed you."
"The war will go on fine without you, Kaltar," April observed. "Try to calm down! You seem very jumpy!"
I started to deny it, and then realized she was right. I was wound up tightly, and had been ever since I returned home. I tried to calm my mind, and after a moment, Tersa asked, "Have you been to see Bitsy since you returned home?" I shook my head no, and Tersa said, "I need to check on her tomorrow. Would you care to visit Drevins Spraug for a few hours? It might help you focus a little better."
Nodding, I said, "It would be good to see Bitsy."
Al was oddly silent. After a few seconds, he quietly said, "I miss Drevins Spraug!"
"You could go back and visit." I suggested.
"My duty is here as long as April is with child." Al stated dryly. "I will return home when she is safe."
"You could go home if you wish." April told him. "I’ll be safe with Bonnie and Clyde watching me."
"I will go home when my task is complete!" Al insisted. "I can wait till then."
That seemed to resolve the issue. For the rest of the day, I simply spent time with April. Her telepathic abilities had expanded greatly, and much of our time together was spent with us tightly linked to each other. On several occasions, I could tell as the twins reached out, mentally reaching beyond the womb. Each time, April would just smile. I could see that even when the twins weren't reaching out, April was very aware of their minds. She was closely monitoring them constantly.
That evening, I was in the kitchen talking to April. We were alone sitting at the table, and April suddenly said, "I wish I could do more. Everyone is in turmoil all around me, and I feel a little left out of the loop."
"It's not safe for you to leave Remaca as long as you're with child," I replied. "It's important to me that you're safe. I can't stand to think of you being injured."
"I've been scanning your memories for hours Kaltar," April informed me. "I can see where you've been. Staying here safe is difficult to do as you risk your life for all of us." I understood her perspective, but couldn't stand thinking of her in any danger. I quickly realized I would never be willing to risk any harm to April, even if she wasn't pregnant. Seeing my thoughts, April said, "You can't protect me forever, Kaltar. Risk is part of being alive."
"If you think for a moment I would allow my beloved to take such risks, you're mistaken," I commented quietly.
"If you think I will stay here safe, while you go out and get killed, you're the one that's mistaken," she informed me. I could sense the irritation in her thoughts, and hear it in her voice. I paused, and tried to think this through.
"Would you risk the children?" I asked. "They will need your protection."
"Whoever harms you, or our children, will feel my wrath!" she responded coldly. "I'm not the helpless girl you found on Earth any longer."
"I'm aware of that." I admitted. "I just can't stand to think of you in danger."
"As long as the war continues, we're all at risk," April noted quietly. "You can't do it alone, Kaltar. We all must share the risks to succeed."
For the first time, I was upset with April. I had no intention of allowing her to be taking any risk. The longer we sat there, the more irritated we each became. I finally stood up, saying, "I have no intention of discussing this any further. You and the children will remain on Remaca till the war is over."
As soon as I voiced the words, I regretted them. April’s voice turned cold, as she asked, "So I'm a prisoner here?"
"No! Of course not!" I replied. I could see I was in trouble by the look in her eyes. I also realized how stupid I was sounding.
"I'm going to bed!" April announced as she stood up. "I'll see you tomorrow!" She walked away, extremely angry. I guess you could say we had our first fight. I found myself angry without understanding why. As I thought the conversation through, I couldn't see what I said that was so bad. I love April, and wanted her to be safe. I would do anything to protect her.
I slept alone that night. April went to her own room, and I didn't try to follow. She was already angry at me, and I didn't want to upset her any more than I already had. As I laid there waiting to fall asleep, I kept trying to understand why she was so mad at me. I love her.
The next m
orning, I woke up to hear Tersa calling my name from the open door to my room. I sat up in bed, and felt very disorientated as I tried to wake up.
"I'm getting ready to leave for Drevins Spraug!" Tersa stated flatly. "Get up if you're going with me!"
Ten minutes later I stumbled out the front door of my home, to find Tersa talking to Al. They had become good friends, and considering how Tersa used to dislike dragons, it was rather amazing.
"Are you finally ready?" Tersa asked as I walked down the front steps to the house.
"I'm ready," I replied. "Have you seen April this morning?"
"She left some time ago with Selena Zanthros," Tersa responded. "When I asked where you were, she seemed rather angry."
"I said something stupid last night," I replied. "I'm still not sure what I said, but she's pretty angry with me."
For a moment, Tersa seemed deep in thought. Then she asked, "Are you ready to go?"
I debated for just a moment. Then quietly said, "I'm fine. Let's go."
We folded space, and arrived on Drevins Spraug. A large volcano was roaring in the distance, and a steady stream of smoke and ash were rising up to the sky. We were standing on the open ledge in front of Bitsy's cavern. A large male dragon stood guard just inside the mouth of the cave. As soon as we appeared, the giant dragon leaned out, and inspected us. He quickly smiled, and bellowed, "Kaltar and Tersa are here!"
From deep in the cave, I heard the rumble of dragons moving toward the cave entrance. The dragon on guard stepped out, walked to the cliff, and jumped off. Instead of falling, the huge creature seemed to float effortlessly. His gigantic wings easily held him aloft as he moved away from the cave entrance to make room.
Tersa placed her hand on my chest, and gently pushed me up against the cliff wall. Just as my back touched the cliff, the dragons began to exit the cave. Each of them came out at a gallop, and sprang into the air. They looked like images I’ve seen of bats on earth as they exit their homes all at once in a swarming mass. In seconds, dozens of dragons filled the air, and I heard Bitsy yell out, "Wait for me!"
The Books of Kaltar Farsara Boxed Set - Books 1 through 3 (The Kingdom Kaltar Farsara Built) Page 32
