Glimpses: an Anthology of 16 Short Fantasy Stories: An exclusive collection of fantasy fiction

by Kevin Partner

  Tebo shivered. His mouth worked. "Outside. Lead."

  Peering into the interior darkness of the cave, Rue brightened the beam of his hand torch, squared his shoulders, and stepped beyond the barrier.

  Desty shot Tebo a reassuring smile and followed. Moving air stirred her short, black hair and tickled her nose. She nudged Rue toward a second barricade. He skirted it and paused at the bottom of a narrow, steep trail. Tebo edged closer. A soft gulp pulled Desty to his side.

  Rue stared up the trail. Resolve evaporated around him. His shoulders drooped. He started to turn.

  "Tebo and I are right here, Rue."

  Still, he hesitated.

  Desty kissed his cold cheek and stepped around him. Leading the way between rough walls to man-piled stones forming a border between the safety of their domicile and the unknown, she inhaled a breath to calm her erratic pulse. Her nose wrinkled, seeking the familiar aromas of Humans packed together in an enclosed space. She laughed softly, pulled off her helmet, and stood for a moment, savoring the freshness of the air, before hiding the breather behind a large stone. She glanced back. Rue and Tebo had stopped midway up the trail. Waving them forward, she stepped into the open.

  Caught in a wash of wonder and incredulity, she blinked tears from eyes unused to light stronger than a lantern's glow. Nothing in her sixteen sun cycles had prepared her for Outside, for the magnitude of a world without walls. Taking a tentative step, she gazed up at swaths of pale turquoise and magenta, colors she had seen only in books, streaking the blue of the late afternoon dome. In contrast to the muffled sounds of life beneath stone, the sharp rattle of dislodged pebbles scattering beneath Rue's scrambling feet sounded crisp and distinct in the quiet blanketing the cliff tops.

  Rue gripped her arm with a trembling hand. A dazed Tebo shuffled closer to the cliff edge. His crooked shoulders tensed. He turned, his dark eyes rounded. Distorted lips formed the words 'so big'. Rue and Desty walked to his side.

  The view from the uppermost Cliffs of Cimondeli robbed Desty of thought, speech, and air in her lungs. She sank to her knees, hugging herself as though her arms would protect against the vastness.

  Tebo lifted his face to the dome. An inhale shook his slender body. The stub that was his right hand rested on his heart. Whispered words floated around him. "Immense." He blew out a long, shuddering breath. "Massive."

  Rue stepped closer to the edge. Desty sensed nausea spiraling through him and stood. Tebo's hand on their friend's shoulder brought a grunt of thanks. Stepping to Rue's side, Desty gazed in awe at the barren breadth of what had once been a forested land. Curiosity urged her further along the cliffs to a patch of fading sunlight. Pivoting one small step at a time, she gazed at the blackened, treeless vastness stretching between the top of Cimondeli and the silhouetted mountains in the distance. Brushing tears from her cheeks, she gave her friends a tremulous smile. "It's so enormous and open." She hugged herself. "I feel vulnerable without walls surrounding me."

  Rue squeezed her hand. Tebo limped to her other side. The boundless world of Outside pressed them closer together.

  A wild screech bounced off the cliffs and hit the trio like an open-handed slap. Desty flipped around, amber eyes searching the terrain. "What . . ."

  Rue hurried her back toward the haven entrance and pulled her behind the rock wall.

  Tebo hobbled down the trail to the haven and came scrambling back, his face contorted in disbelief. "Night shield closed. Stuck Outside."

  The screech repeated in long and short blasts one time, two times, three and then echoed into silence. Tension blistered the air. Dread squiggled up Desty's spine. She glanced at Tebo's trembling lower lip and clutched his hand. Next to him, Rue's death-white skin intensified the honey-gold eyes staring in terror at a silhouetted shape circling in the dome above the cliffs. It trumpeted a final screech and landed a short distance from where they hid.

  Heart thumping as loud as a ceremonial drum, Desty stared at the most wondrous creature she had ever seen. Nostrils flaring and a long tongue whipping, it lifted its scaled head. Taller than two men, it rose on hind legs and wafted huge, vein-webbed wings. Flame-orange eyes searched, came to rest on the border wall, and blinked.

  Rue groaned. "It found us."

  Desty inched around him. "She's not after us."

  He pulled his gaze from the creature. "She?"

  "She's telepathic. So am I."

  Rue studied her, his expression stricken. "Why didn't you tell me you're a shameena?"

  Desty stepped away from him. "Fechi told me to keep it a secret." She eyed Tebo. "There are those in the tribe who fear the gifts of the Eleo Preda, those who would rather kill me than let me live."

  Tebo's misshapen features worked through a mix of emotions. He tapped his chest. "Never betray friend. Pheet Adole . . . my people . . . see I deformed. Not see me." He looked from Rue to Desty. "You see me."

  Desty gave him a quick hug. "Oh, Tebo, I'm sorry. I trust you! I know you would never tell my secret." She stepped back and searched his face. "Friends?"

  His features softened. "Always friends."

  She smiled. "Good. Now, we must focus on Zildra. She has an urgent message."

  Returning her attention to the creature, Desty gazed at the large eyes fixed on the huddled trio and strove to reconnect. A telepathic tether snapped into place. Images flowed through her mind. The tether withdrew. Flicking her long, red tongue, the creature lifted into flight and vanished in a dome bereft of the sun's illuminating presence.

  Tebo gasped.

  Rue gripped her arm and stared after it. "What did she tell you? I felt her transfer thoughts to you."

  Desty scrubbed her short, blue-black hair with a hand until it stood on end and took a steadying breath. "Renthu are real. They live in caves on the far side of the Cimondeli Mountains bordering the Plains of Los Ateed el Rida. A trio of hunters has found their way to the foot of the cliffs. One is hurt. Zildra came to warn us and to ask for help."

  Tebo's dark eyes brimmed with questions. He shaped his mouth around words. "Renthu Human?" A visible tremor shook his boney shoulders.

  Rue explained. "The searchers say the Renthu are a humanoid species who, like the Dendih, managed to survive the pandemic of Tanijourni. That's all I know." He shot a nervous glance at the night dome.

  Desty walked a short distance from the border wall. Cool darkness washed over her, soothing the agitation of the last few hours. Gulping in a startled breath, she stared in wonder at the distant horizon, where a rounded curve sent beams of frosty blue light over the charred landscape. "Dyad." She whispered the name of the first of El Stroma's two moons to rise each evening and laughed softly. "I never expected to see you. Sure hope I get to see Alkina, too." The planet's second moon, a rose orb in a topaz haze, would soar above El Stroma later in the evening.

  Behind her, Rue and Tebo conversed in low tones. The sound of feet grating sand against stone accompanied their arrival at her side.

  "Dyad beautiful." Tebo's exhaled breath on her cheek made her shiver.

  Rue muttered under his breath and pressed closer. "Moon watching isn't on our list of necessary actions. We have to warn Fechi and the others that Renthu prowl nearby."

  Desty did an about face and gazed at her friend from narrowed eyes. "Zildra says we are not in danger."

  Rue folded his arms. "They're the enemy."

  "Really?" Desty frowned. "How do you know they aren't friendly?"

  "I-I . . ." He coughed and dropped his gaze. "I just assumed. That's what we're taught . . . Anyone different from us is the enemy."

  Tebo rested fists on his hips. "I different." His mouth worked. "I not enemy."

  A shaft of moonlight shot along the top of the cliffs and bathed Tebo in blue. Rue studied his face. "I know that, Tebo. You're my friend."

  Desty gazed into Rue's moon-flooded eyes. "If one of the Dendih were hurt, what would you do?"

  "Help. What do you think?"

  "Good. Zildra showed me the
image of a young boy. His leg is injured. His companions left without him. He's alone and bleeding. I think we should try to help."

  "Right." Rue shook his head. "We're up here, and he's down there."

  A blast of air whirled around them as Zildra landed. A long hiss filled the night. Desty gazed up at the beautiful reptile's moonlit scales. Her friends huddled behind her. One orange-gold eye blinked. The long red tongue shot out, flicked her cheek, and vanished between scaly lips.

  Tebo's mouth worked. "Trust it? M-m-maybe we dinner."

  Turning, she took his hand and kept her tone even and firm. "First, Zildra is female . . . a she not an it. Second, the Nalmochee don't eat Humans. She will take us to the injured boy. Her nest mate is patrolling the area. He'll warn her if the boy's companions return."

  Rue stepped to her side. "Just how does she plan to get us down to the forest floor?"

  "She'll carry us on her back and fly us down." Excitement made Desty dance from one foot to the other.

  "Whoa!" Rue gaped. "Fly!" He shook his head. "I don't think I can."

  Tebo draped an arm around his shoulder. "Yes. We help."

  Zildra inched her massive body backward. Remaining on all fours, she unfolded her wings and stretched them flat above the ground. Her long tail slapped the cliff top.

  Desty urged her friends to hurry. "Climb the wings like a ladder, straddle her back, and use her dorsal spines to hang on." She scanned the dome. "Zildra says the second moon rises soon. Good light tonight." Without waiting for them to reply, she strode to the Nalmochee's side and tipped her head back. A quick scan of the creature's immenseness left her shaking. Gulping back a tremor of misgiving, she scrambled onto the webbed wing and began to climb.

  Her darkness-trained eyes picked out rounded webbing, veins for handholds, and places for her feet. Cool scales bit into her palms. Her knee rested on the membrane of the wing. A thrill of wonder surged through her. Excitement twittered. She kept climbing, crawled along the backbone, straddled the creature close to its front legs, and glanced down.

  Rue and Tebo stared up at her, their uncertainty flaring like the on and off of a hand torch. Tebo shook his head and pointed. Rue scowled, scrabbled his way onto the wing, and began to climb. When he reached the top, he scooched over the bronze and gold scales and wrapped his arms around Desty's waist. With spider-like skill, Tebo, eyes glowing, scaled the webbed membrane and perched behind him.

  Wings lifting sent a gentle quake through the Nalmochee's body. Desty gripped a thick dorsal spine. Rue's arms tightened around her middle. Tebo let out a soft cry of excitement. Airborne before she could take a breath, Desty watched the world falling away below her.

  Mighty wings carried them in a wide circle. A spiraled descent brought them to the base of the cliff near scattered rocks streaked with the marks of chemical rain. Zildra pressed her belly to the ground and lowered her wings. Rue descended first and helped Tebo and Desty to the ground.

  Zildra's head swung their direction, an unblinking eye stared, her tongue flicked the air.

  Desty squinted into the darkness. "Alkina rises soon. We are to wait here. Zildra will make sure it's safe and come back for us."

  The huge creature squawked and flashed from sight.

  Tebo slipped a hand into hers. Rue searched the dim landscape. "My granddah told me this is what hatred looks like―black and barren and desolate." His eyes widened. He pointed. "Look!"

  The moon Alkina glided above the horizon and cast warm, rosy-topaz light over the landscape. An occasional splash of green or pale yellow broke the black monotony of what had once been lush forest. Sprinkled here and there, water-filled puddles shimmered.

  Desty absorbed the majesty of the dome, the moon, and the stars. Struggling to take in the enormity of it all, she felt a wave of relief when Zildra flashed into sight, obscuring her view. Images poured into her mind: a gash filled with blood, the slow leaking of life from the injured boy, and the stealthful approach of a herd of dumabrates―creatures Fechi had described as masses of darkness that fed on negative emotions. She shuddered and decided not to tell the boys.

  The Nalmochee shrank to the size of a small dog.

  Tebo gaped. "W-what the . . .!"

  "She'll lead us to the boy. We will take him to Fechi. Come on. We don't have much time." Desty didn't wait, but jogged after Zildra, her eyes straining to pick out obstacles in the rough terrain.

  Scuttling along, the base of the cliff face, Zildra led her to a barrier of scarred bronze stone. Hidden behind it, a boy of perhaps twelve sun cycles sat with his back against the cliff. Dazed eyes sought her face. Fear scurried over ravaged features. Dark hair hung limply around shoulders tensed in pain.

  The boy moaned and raised a blood-covered hand in a gesture of self-protection.

  Desty touched her heart and bowed her head. A tear glistened on her cheek when she raised her eyes to his face.

  Tebo stepped up beside her. Anguish gurgled in his throat. "Bad hurt. Needs us."

  Rue joined them. "Will he let us near?"

  "Let's find out." Taking a tentative step, Desty pointed at herself and then at the boy's leg.

  Deep blue eyes darted to her companions and back. A slight nod sent a tremor through his body.

  Slow, nonthreatening steps took her to his side. She knelt, pulled out her hand torch, and switched it on dim. Blood leaked a steady stream to the boy's skinny ankle and puddled round his heel. The gash itself ran from mid-thigh to mid-calf. She rummaged in her pack until she found a length of leather hide her father had given her. Holding it up for the boy to see. She mimed what she planned to do.

  He nodded.

  Grateful for her training as a healer, she created a tourniquet above the gash. The bleeding gradually changed from a stream to an ooze.

  His gaze glued to her face, the boy seemed to come to a decision. He pointed at himself. "My name is Pori."

  Desty smiled. "You speak Pheet Adolan. So do we. I am Destiny." Tebo and Rue had moved closer. "These are my friends Tebo and Rue. We need to take you to safety."

  Pori lowered his eyes. "It is the custom of my people to let the wounded join the ancestors. I have nowhere to go."

  Zildra's smaller form scuttled from the shadows. Desty nodded. "Zildra will take us to the cliff top. We will take you to our healer when the night shields open."

  The boy seemed to shrink. "Won't your leader kill me? Mine would kill you."

  Desty placed a gentle hand on his arm. "We are not Renthu, Pori. We are Dendih. Our people believe in the sanctity of life. I promise that Fechi, our leader, will not harm you."

  Rue tapped her shoulder. "The moon will set soon." He helped to stuff the med kit into her pack and pulled her to her feet. "The searchers told me the darkness before dawn is not a good time to be in the open. Let's hurry. Crowcocks are carnivores, and they come out of hiding in the lightless cycles prior to sunrise. We do not want to meet one." He shot a sideways glance at the dome. "Besides, I'm not sure I'm ready for the brightness of the morning sun."

  Zildra grew to half her true size. Pori sucked in a breath. "I can't ride that."

  Desty walked to the Nalmochee's side and ran a hand along the bronze and copper scales. "She says to help Pori on. I will sit behind him. When she has achieved her full size, you will climb up." Her gaze darted over the battered scenery. "Hurry. We're about to have company."

  Rue and Tebo exchanged glances and, ignoring Pori's half-hearted attempts to resist, helped him to mount. Desty climbed up behind him. "Stand back. Pori, hold on." One arm encircling his thin body, she clutched a dorsal spine and gasped as the Nalmochee's back widened beneath them. The ridge of the backbone rounded. Pori gave a yelp of astonishment and grew quiet. Desty patted Zildra's back. Again, she searched the panorama. A group of dense, shadowy shapes detached themselves from the scattered rocks and loped their direction. Zildra's head swung around. Huge jaws opened and scooped up the boys. Wings thrust her massive body into the air. Deep, angry howls followed the Nal
mochee's ascent domeward. The loping shadows and the danger they represented melted into the moonlit landscape.

  Aware only of the beauty above, Desty let her eyes feast on the moon Alkina, the sprinkle of sparkling light surrounding it, and the glow of bronze on the cliff face where weather had worn away the last remnants of chemical rain. As the ground rose to meet them, she experienced a moment of regret. Zildra's presence in her mind erased it. I will fly again!

  The Nalmochee touched down with the gentleness of a feather, lowered her massive head, and deposited Tebo and Rue near the haven entrance. Shrinking to a smaller size, she turned an orange eye on Desty and her patient. Rue hurried forward and helped to lift Pori down. Tebo supported his other side. Together they helped him behind the border wall.

  Desty slid to the ground and pressed her check against Zildra's scaled side. "Thank you." She stepped back, expecting her new friend to vanish domeward. The Nalmochee brought her nose in line with Desty's face. Orange-gold eyes gleamed. A soft light flared. Zildra shrunk to the size of a small lizard. Desty knelt and rested her hand on the ground. Four tiny feet tickled her palm. Zildra scurried up her arm and onto her shoulder. Giddy with delight, Desty laughed out loud. The telepathic message in her mind was clear: "Zildra and Desty friends."

  Rue appeared at the wall. "The night shield is open. Fechi guessed . . ." He paused. "She didn't guess, did she?"

  Desty smiled. "I sent her a telepathic message when we found Pori. How is he?"

  "They've taken him to the healer. We can go and see him after we eat." He shot her a quizzical look. "Fechi wants to see you. She says to bring your new friend with you?"

  When she only smiled, he shrugged and vanished beyond the border wall.

  Dreamtime memories stirred. Desty inhaled the clean aroma of the approaching dawn and turned for a last look at Alkina's rose orb slipping behind the distant mountains. Change has begun. A tremor of anticipation accompanied her down the trail and into the haven.