A far off tapping stirred me to consciousness. Enjoying the steady thump under my cheek and the silky hairs beneath my fingers, I floated in a sleepy haze and curled closer to Kaaluk.
The knocking became more insistent.
“Just a moment.” I pulled away from Kaaluk’s body and slipped out from under the bedclothes. He groaned softly as the cool air rushed beneath the gaping blankets, but he settled when I dropped them back into place. I draped a clean sheet around my body just as the door opened.
Leika peeped into the room. “I'm sorry to intrude, but I was worried when you didn't answer.” She glanced at her brother and back at me. “How is he?” She entered and shut the door behind her.”
I held the overlapped ends of the sheet against my chest with one hand, while I pushed the fingers of the other through my tousled hair. “He had a fever,” I blurted, embarrassed by my state of undress. “But it’s passed.”
She glanced around the room. Her eyes lingered for several seconds on the small unused bed against the wall before noticing the chair draped in my clothing. “How is the wound?” She moved toward the bed.
I hurried to her side and gingerly lifted the blankets. “It's not as fiery as it was last night, but I'll continue to apply the herbs.”
“Did you get any sleep?” The strange undertone in her voice made my body stiffen.
“A little,” I answered, forgetting the unused bed.
We exchanged glances. Hers was curious, mine defensive. I’d been in bed with Kaaluk and she knew it.
I took a deep breath, prepared to defend my actions, but there was no condemnation in her face, only acceptance that I had done what was necessary to save her brother’s life. “Thank you again, Brynna.” Her face crumbled and tears filled her eyes.
I moved forward and wrapped one arm around her. “I’m glad my skills can help.”
She sighed deeply and swiped a hand across her wet eyes. She squared her shoulders as she spoke. “You must need a break. I'll stay with Kaaluk while you dress and get something to eat. Jarryd's found more exotic food for you to sample.” Her lips twitched into a grin. “Some of it’s even palatable.”
I laughed and gathered my clothing. Ten minutes later I emerged from the washing area. As I passed the bed I checked Kaaluk's pulse and then pressed my hand to his forehead. Leika raised her eyebrows and waited for my response.
“His pulse is still weak. His color is better, but he’s still warm. I won't be gone long. I'll apply a new dressing when I return.”
She leaned forward and took her brother’s hand between her own, gently stroking. I understood the sisterly love and concern she was feeling. I'd felt the same when Jarryd had been wounded. But when I looked at Kaaluk, the reactions that surged inside me were far different.
“How long do you think we’ll need to stay here at the compound?” Leika asked.
I turned in the doorway. “I haven't experienced an injury like this before. The tissue has sustained extensive damage. I can't say for sure, but it could be several days.”
“Shouldn't he have regained consciousness by now?” Her voice trembled, her posture stiff.
“His body’s resources are depleted. He needs rest, but he's healthy, and as long as there’s no further infection, I expect that he'll soon be giving orders again.” I offered a smile. “Try to relax.”
Leika’s shoulders softened as she nodded.
I maintained my smile as I entered the common area. Jarryd waved and strode toward me.
“You must have good news.” He beckoned to me before nodding toward a square table. “Grab some food. While we eat, you can tell me how Kaaluk is doing.” He selected a plump red fruit from a plate piled high with exotic edibles.
From the appetizing spread, I filled a plate and joined him at an oversized table across the room. At Jarryd’s nod, other men flocked to join us. I understood their curiosity about Kaaluk's recovery. They remained quiet until I'd swallowed several bites of food.
Jarryd poured me a cup of water then pitched the question I suspected the others were eager to ask. “How’s Kaaluk?”
I started to answer when Leika burst from Kaaluk’s room. “Brynna, come quickly!”
My body tensed, but fear gave me speed.
I tossed my cup to the floor and raced toward the sickroom with Jarryd on my heels.
Inside, Leika pressed her brother’s shoulders to the bed. His arms and legs thrashed under the blankets. “He's burning up. I can't get him to settle.”
I felt his brow. “He’s feverish. Jarryd, get a few men in here. We need to hold him down, so he doesn't reopen his wound.”
Four men arrived and restrained Kaaluk as he twisted and writhed in the bed.
“Leika. Remove the blankets.” I dampened the sheet I'd used earlier to lower his temperature and laid it over his torso.
“The wound.” Leika gasped and pointed to Kaaluk's side.
The herbal dressing had slipped. From underneath a blistering flap of necrotic skin, a trail of scarlet snaked along his thigh. The infection was spreading.
I forced back a wave of nausea. “Leika. I need fresh herbs.”
As she ran from the room, I beckoned to Jarryd and asked for his knife. His jaw flexed nervously as he pulled the blade from its sheath. Our eyes met when he offered it to me.
When I sat beside the bed, the men holding Kaaluk looked away, but I knew my brother was watching over my shoulder.
My hand shook as I removed the old dressing. I concentrated on my task, willing the blade to remain steady as I sliced off the blackened skin.
Suddenly lightheaded, I closed my eyes and took several long breaths. When I looked again, green pus oozed from the rotten hole. I covered my mouth with my free hand and choked back the bile that soured my tongue.
Please help me be strong.
Jarryd’s hands pressed my shoulders.
I dropped the knife to the bed. My nostrils flared as I sucked in another full breath. I rolled my neck and stiffened my back. Grabbing clean cloths, I wiped away the putrid discharge.
Kaaluk continued to struggle.
I forced out a song.
Leika returned with a new dressing. As I applied the herbs, her brother’s body went limp.
“Brynna!” Leika's eyes widened, her face drained of color.
I stopped singing and grabbed her arm thinking she might faint. Jarryd pulled her to his side. She exhaled loudly. Anxious silence filled the room.
I checked Kaaluk's pulse. It was very weak. The men backed away from the bed as I moved to his head. Slick sweat covered his skin. I flicked up an eyelid, but there was no response.
When I glanced up, Leika started to tremble. As she fought back tears, Jarryd folded her into his arms. The faces around me reflected sadness, bewilderment, and helplessness.
I felt the burden of their vulnerability as everyone stared at me. I wanted someone to hold me and tell me everything would be all right, but I knew that the responsibility for Kaaluk’s survival was mine alone.
Your voice is your power.
Mother’s words drifted softly into my senses, provoking a burgeoning awareness, a blossoming of strength. My childish weakness fell away like a broken cocoon. The stumbling uncertainty fled, replaced by an energizing power.
“Jarryd bring me my food and more water. Leika, find more sheets and clean cloths. We need to keep him cool. You men can go, but stay nearby in case we need you again.” Turning away from the others, I returned to the bedside chair and started to sing again.
I had no privacy. People came and went throughout the day. After a while, I stopped noticing. Even if I did, what could I say? I couldn’t tell them to leave. It would be unfair to keep them out when everyone was concerned for Kaaluk’s well-being. They needed to know how their leader was doing.
They came and went quietly, never venturing too close, always being respectful while I continued to sing.
Occasionally, I paused for a mouthful of food and water. My voice was raspy,
but I knew I couldn't stop. At one point, Leika came in and massaged my neck and shoulders. The love and concern in her touch helped boost my flagging body.
As time went by, visitors were less frequent.
Jarryd entered alone. “Everyone’s asleep or at least trying. How is your patient?”
I stood and stretched then checked Kaaluk's pulse and forehead.
“His skin feels cooler and his pulse is steadier. Tell Leika his breathing is normal.” I wanted to give her some hope she could take to bed. “I think the worst is over.”
Jarryd nodded. “I’ll check on you later. Can I get you anything right now?”
I shook my head. “Get some sleep. I might need someone to relieve me in the morning.”
I lost track of the time. I wished it was morning. My body ached from my vigil. My throat was raw. To revive my dwindling energy, I revisited thoughts of home, but the sadness of all I’d lost weakened my spirit further. I instinctively reached for my necklace.
My fingers traced the outline of the falcon and the oracle stone. I intoned of Mother's favorite songs, bolstering the melody to intensify the healing vibrations. As I flattened the pendant to my breast, I yearned for the strength to continue.
The stone heated under my palm. My chest expanded. The warmth spread, I felt invigorated.
For the remainder of the night, I clutched the stone. My throat no longer ached as I sang. Energy and power surged through my body. I sensed that my healing was strong and true.
Kaaluk would live.
19
The Joining
I was straining against fatigue when Kaaluk started to toss and turn. I stroked his brow with cold compresses and hummed softly trying to settle him. He was on the mend, but I feared for the fragile tissue forming over the wound. I decided to lie beside him as I had the previous night, hoping my presence would calm him. I tiptoed to the open doorway. No one stirred in the darkness beyond. I quietly closed the door.
I removed my clothing and then slipped between the blankets. As I pressed myself along his length, Kaaluk stilled. I stroked his chest with my hand. His heart was racing, but as my fingers skimmed his skin, I felt its pace slow. I hummed quietly until his body relaxed into slumber.
I didn't allow myself to fall asleep. I was too conscious of what Leika would think if she found me in bed with her brother a second night. I was awake, dressed and sitting in the bedside chair inspecting the dressing when she opened the door the next morning.
“How is he?”
“Improved.” I said.
She lingered at the head of the bed. Her fingers raked her brother’s thick hair as if attempting to tame it into submission. “I think he looks better too. How was he overnight?”
I didn’t look up but continued checking his wound. “He was restless for a while, but it didn't last long. I think the herbs are doing their job. The redness down his thigh has receded and the damaged tissue is knitting well.”
“The herbs may have helped, but I'm sure it's your healing gift that saved his life. I’ve never forgotten how you healed my friend in the laundry in Hypor City.”
“Her injuries were far less severe than Kaaluk's. In both instances, I'm glad I could help. I prefer to think of the positive aspect of my power.”
Leika walked around to where I sat and placed her hand on my shoulder. “I know you're concerned about the dark side of your gift, but in nature there is a balance. Everything has dark and light.” She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I’m grateful that the power resides with you.”
I put my hand over hers and looked up. “Thank you. Can you take over? I need to rest.”
“I'll stay with Kaaluk. I promise not to wake you unless it’s urgent. I've freshened my bed for you to use. I told the men to vacate the main room. It’s not very private, but it should be quiet.” She gave me a final hug. Her warm friendship was another treasured gift.
The last man was leaving the barracks as I headed for Leika’s bunk. The open sheets beckoned invitingly. A sprig of fresh lavender lay on the pillow. I removed my shoes and clothing, and climbed into bed. I tucked the lavender beneath one corner of the pillow, enjoying its familiar scent. Memories of Mother’s greenhouse shimmered like ghosts in the waning moments of consciousness.
The room was dark when I woke. A low murmur emanated from the far end of the room. Jarryd and the other men huddled, talking quietly. Clasping a sheet to my chest, I sat up in bed. One of the men glanced at me then spoke to Jarryd. He left the group and joined me.
“Did you sleep well? You’ve been out for hours.” He perched on the end of the bed. “At one point, I checked your pulse to make sure you were still alive.” He grinned and squeezed my leg through the bedclothes.
I started to speak but was forced to silence by a jaw-breaking yawn. I wanted to stretch my arms wide, but couldn’t without exposing myself. “Yes, I feel good, but I could use some exercise. How are things outside now?”
“The day is bright and extremely hot if that’s what you mean, but we’ve sighted several landers and a couple of drones hovering outside the compound. Weyland says they came from the north.”
My gut tightened. “The Genetrix.”
Jarryd nodded. “That’s my guess. Unless Tarvek had other allies that we don’t know about. Whoever it is has sophisticated technology, but they haven’t attempted a flyover, or threatened to attack.”
“Didn’t the Genetrix support Delio’s decision to order spaceships from Tarvek to get off-planet?” I asked. “She might have been waiting to hear from him, or Tarvek. If there’s been no contact, she’ll be wondering what’s happened. Has she tried to contact the compound?”
“Weyland says there’s been no communication from Prima Feminary or the landers. Apart from the absence of marching androids, from the air the complex looks much as it did before we arrived. I even have Kaaluk’s men standing guard where Tarvek’s were positioned. There is nothing to indicate that the situation here has changed.”
“Unless she they saw us attack.”
Jarryd shook his head. “Their appearance in the sky is recent. Earlier, the sandstorm would have prevented any drones from penetrating the area.”
“I forgot about that.” I wrapped the sheet around me. “If a walk outside is out of the question, I’ll have breakfast and relieve Leika.” I grabbed my clothes, then stopped and whispered. “Jarryd. There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
My brother sent me a bashful glance.” Is it about my relationship with Leika?”
“No, it’s about Marta.”
Pain flashed across Jarryd’s face.
I probed lightly. “She’s your fiancée. What if she’s still alive?”
His gaze dropped to the floor. He didn’t answer.
“Are you being fair to either woman?”
The anguish in his eyes when he looked up was like a dagger to my heart.
“I thought I loved Marta. When I met Leika, I realized what Marta and I had was something we drifted into because we were confined to Hypor City. My life has changed dramatically, and so have my needs in a partner. I feel like I’ve aged ten years with all that’s happened. I’m not the same man I was on Hypor.” Jarryd looked up. “What I share with Leika is profoundly different than what I felt for Marta.”
I nodded my understanding. My heart ached for Marta, but I understood. I was no longer the naïve teenager arguing with Father over having to work in the city. I’d survived imprisonment and death threats. Forced to protect myself, I’d used my vocal gift to take lives. The events of the past few months had altered both of us immeasurably.
His lips twisted into a half smile, but it didn’t dispel the sadness in his eyes. His shoulders rose and fell with a deep sigh. “I’m off to see Weyland. Get Leika to call me on the communicator if Kaaluk wakes up.”
“Has Weyland discovered anything new about the spaceships?”
“No. He’s been monitoring the solar flares. He thinks the apogee might come sooner t
han originally thought.” He shook his head. “I’m heading to the control room to sort through his data. Until we know for sure, it’s best that we all continue with our tasks.”
The news was disturbing. Once Jarryd had gone, I closed my eyes and breathed slowly to calm my uneasiness. I had to focus. My responsibility was Kaaluk.
Leika was lying on the spare bed when I entered the sickroom. Her eyes opened immediately and her body performed a graceful feline stretch. “He was a little restless, but it didn’t last.” She stood and stretched again. “I hope you had a good sleep.” She moved to the bed and stroked her brother’s forehead. “I checked his wound. The new tissue has grown over the hole. I’m amazed it has healed so quickly. Now we just need him to regain consciousness. That worries me the most.”
“It’s part of the process.” My hand drifted over his chest and head for the hundredth time. “I don’t sense any damage. I’m sure he will be talking soon.”
“I hope you’re right. I hate seeing him like this.” Her shoulders sagged as she sighed.
I understood what she was feeling. “We’re doing all we can. The fact that he has a strong body increases his chances of a full recovery.”
Leika flicked away a tear then pushed her fingers through her dark hair. “I’d better go. I’ll check with you later.”
I dressed and sat by the bedside, singing on and off during the day. Much later, Leika returned carrying a platter of bread, cheese, and water.
“Kaaluk’s been quiet all day,” I responded to Leika’s raised brows. “Thanks for dinner.”
“Make sure you empty the plate. You hardly ate anything yesterday.” She waited for my nod then continued. “Jarryd’s still with Weyland. I’m going up to check on their progress. I’ll probably head to bed after that unless you need anything more.”
“No. I’ll be fine,” I picked up a square of cheese when she nodded toward the food and raised my hand. “I swear I’ll eat it all.”
The Lost Prophecy Page 15
