by Dale Furse
She pulled two white tissues out of the box and blew her nose. No, it was better she be like her father. She sniffed. Her new family might like her better then. She sighed loudly and pushed up from the coffee table.
Of course. That’s what the croc was talking about. He knew. He said she had to embrace who she was or who she would become, something like that. Huh. He really was some sort of guardian.
‘I wonder what other weird powers Dad meant Phibs have.’ She threw the wet tissues into the paper basket beside her father's desk and shrugged. ‘I suppose I may as well find out. If I can’t stop it, I should at least know what it is.’ She hurried to the dining room.
Sam came from the kitchen carrying a tray of glasses and a large bottle of sarsaparilla and grinned at Nell. He placed the tray in the middle of the table next to a plate of bread rolls and sat opposite Dar-Seldra and Cay-Meka.
Nell sat down next to Sam as he raised an eyebrow at her.
She realised her eyes were probably puffy and red from crying, but her answering shrug said she didn’t want to talk about it.
Over lunch, she learned Phibs could speak with animals. Her excitement nearly banished the knot in her stomach.
‘You mean if this prawn was alive,’ Sam said, dangling a prawn over his plate, ‘You could speak to it?’
‘Of course not,’ Cay-Meka snapped. ‘We don't talk to our food. We only converse with higher animals.’
‘What do you mean, higher animals?’ Sam asked.
‘I mean,’ Cay-Meka said in a haughty tone. ‘Animals with brains enough to allow us to link with their minds.’
Sam made a face at Nell.
Feeling safe beside her friend, she giggled.
‘We call intelligent animals, higher animals,’ Dar-Seldra offered. ‘Although we don't talk to them as we do each other. We see images and gain impressions of their state of mind. Of course, being so connected, we don't eat those animals. I'm not certain what Earth animals are higher, but I have read your elephants are intelligent. All mammals would probably fall into that category, but I am certain no connection could be achieved with your cold-blooded reptiles.’ She smiled at Sam's plate. ‘Or prawns.’
Nell wondered if she really had connected with her horse that morning. But crocodiles were reptiles so she had more proof of her animal guardian.
Dar-Seldra continued. ‘There are mid animals, those we can only gain vague impressions from. Their minds are haphazard to our way of thinking. I think your birds would be amongst these. We prefer not to consume their meat as we believe it is tainted with an obscure intelligence.’
So that's why Nell and her father only ate seafood.
‘I'll never look at a steak the same way,’ Sam joked.
Cay-Meka glared at him with open contempt. ‘That's not funny. It's disgusting.’
‘Now, Cay-Meka,’ Dar-Seldra said. ‘The way of Humans is alien to us and we have no right to judge. It is their way.’
Nell let out a laugh. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘But it's strange to hear Humans called alien.’
Dar-Seldra smiled. ‘I suppose it would be.’
‘Are there other types of aliens like ones that look like crocodiles or maybe make themselves look like animals?’
‘There are other species, Nell. However, I have never seen or heard of any like you describe.’
Nell hoped she would see the croc again. He was the only one who could answer some of her questions.
‘Okay then. Can Phibs talk to horses?’ Nell asked. She thought about her mare that morning, sure she knew what Shrewdy was thinking and feeling. ‘Can I talk to them?’ she asked.
‘If indeed you are Phib, you may be able to connect with them, but as I said, we don't talk in the normal way of things. It is not words you will hear.’ Lines appeared between Dar-Seldra's perfect, arched eyebrows as she spoke.
Nell wondered at the change in her new-found aunt. Did something Nell had said upset her?
With her mind turning to her mother's people, she asked, ‘Can Wintars talk to animals?’
Cay-Meka snorted.
‘No,’ Dar-Seldra replied absently, as if she was deep in thought.
Perhaps it was just her growing intuition, but something in Nell’s mind told her not to continue in that vein. She decided not to say anything about the crocodile. Maybe she shouldn't say anything about her visions … hallucinations … whatever they were.
‘I'd like to go check the horses out,’ Nell said to Sam.
‘Can I come?’ Cay-Meka asked, her eyes bright. ‘We don't have horses on Linque and I'd love to ride one.’ She turned to Dar-Seldra. ‘Do you think one would let me, Mother?’
‘I'm sure the horses would let you ride, but not this trip. Perhaps another time,’ Dar-Seldra said with a patient smile. ‘Nell, I'd like you to stay here too. I have something to show you.’
Cay-Meka pulled a face at the plate of bread rolls in the centre of the table, folded her arms across her chest and slumped back into the chair.
Nell's curiosity pushed aside her disappointment at not seeing Shrewdy.
‘Can I swim then?’ The whine had returned to Cay-Meka's voice.
‘You can't swim here. There’re stingers, not to mention sharks and crocodiles,’ Sam warned.
‘I don't know what is in your oceans, but our aura would keep anything primitive and dangerous at bay,’ Cay-Meka said in a condescending voice.
‘Is that true?’ Sam asked Dar-Seldra, as Cay-Meka glared at him.
‘Yes,’ Dar-Seldra said. ‘We emit a protection aura when in water.’
Nell, tired of hearing Cay-Meka's voice, wished she would go swimming. A small smile played on her lips. Maybe Earth's sharks don’t know about the aura. Immediately, she was sorry for the thought. How many times had she wished she had more relatives? Even though Cay-Meka was spiteful, she didn’t really want to see her hurt.
After lunch, Dar-Seldra took Nell and Sam into the library. She withdrew two large books out of the safe in the wall that separated the library from the kitchen.
‘These are for you,’ she said to Nell. ‘They will help you understand your bloodline.’ She placed the books on the coffee table.
They were the size of Annet's heavy cookbooks. The bottom book had a green binding, the top one’s brown cover was padded and had the words Book of Gramlax etched in gold. That was the name of her mother’s home planet. Underneath was a picture of a giant bird-man. She gasped. He looked just like the ones in her dreams, except he wasn't ugly. He had short black wavy hair and open friendly eyes. They were bird-people?
Nell stared at the books on the coffee table.
Dar-Seldra’s voice broke into Nell’s consciousness. ‘Your father asked me to give them to you. They are your birthday gifts. One is from your mother's world, Gramlax, and the other is from our world, Linque.’
‘Can I look too?’ Sam asked eagerly.
‘You may as well, young man, though I fear you know too much already.’
‘Could Mum fly?’ Nell pointed to the bird-man.
Dar-Seldra nodded.
Sam picked up the book and studied the cover. ‘Wow,’ he said.
Dar-Seldra still had the same slight frown when she left the room.
‘I know I connected with Shrewdy this morning and I know I felt your mind when you pushed me out of the way of the coconut.’ Nell looked over Sam's shoulder at the book. ‘I'm pretty sure I’m going to be Phib. I’m glad because I really don't want to be one of those.’ The picture made her shiver, as though someone had pushed ice down her back.
‘They’re cool.’ Sam took the book. ‘I’ll check this one out first.’
They sat on the floor on opposite sides of the coffee table and studied the covers. Nell's book looked as if it was made out of dark-green seaweed. It smelt a little fishy, like the sea too. The words Book of Linque was written in silver leaf. Underneath, also in silver leaf, was a picture of two girls wearing diving suits. They rode on the back of a giant, stubby-nosed fish.
A wave of exhilaration broke gently in Nell's chest. The picture reminded her of the only pleasant dreams and visions she had had.
The afternoon vanished in hoots of laughter from Sam and sighs of wonder from Nell. ‘You should see this,’ one would exclaim. The other would say, ‘Wow! Check this out.’ They often swapped books for a better understanding of what each was trying to explain.
Periodically, Nell's thoughts turned to all she had learned that day. She watched Sam's enthralled expression and decided it would have been much better if his family told him he was an alien from another planet. He seemed to love the idea and was openly envious of her change in fortune. No. Change of circumstances. She didn’t feel fortunate. If the croc was right, she was in danger. And the Wintars were the first on her list of suspects.
‘That's enough.’ She closed the book of Gramlax. It was wonderful, all those people and their amazing abilities, but she didn’t want to be anything like either race. She wanted to be Human. What if she got all their abilities, Phib and Wintar? No, that wasn’t possible. Her father had told her she could only take after one parent.
She eyed the books, back and forth, and chewed the side of her bottom lip.
‘What's up?’ Sam eyed her as he closed the book of Linque. ‘You should be excited. I know I would be.’ He rested his hand on the cover of the book. ‘What I'd give to see those planets.’ For the hundredth time that day, he said, ‘I'd exchange places with you in a split second, if I could.’
‘That's easy for you to say.’ Nell regarded the books. ‘You haven't had your world turned upside down.’ She sighed. ‘This morning I was just a normal girl and now I'm some sort of magic alien and I'm supposed to just go with it, like it's normal, like I’d just been told I was going to get a puppy or something. Did you see Linque? It's covered in water and they swim for hours without coming up for air. I can't even swim.’
‘Maybe you can and you don't know it.’ Sam flopped back on the sofa.
‘Well, what about the mountains on Gramlax? They're so steep and high you'd think nothing could live on them. If I go there, how do I get from one mountain to the other? I know I'll get Dad’s Phib abilities, so I won't have wings like Mum.’ She screwed up her nose. ‘And believe me, I don't want them. I guess they'll just haul me around by their ugly talons like they do their kids. I hate heights.’
‘I think they're terrific.’ A look of rapture crossed Sam’s face. ‘I wish I could fly.’
Nell hit the table. ‘Well, you can't! I just wish it would all go away.’ She pushed the book of Gramlax so hard, it toppled off the coffee table. ‘And I thought starting uni would be scary. I want Dad to come home. I need him with me.’
‘Stop whining, will you?’ Sam reached out and retrieved the book and placed the tome reverently back on the table. ‘You're starting to sound like Cay-Meka.’
‘Thanks a lot.’
‘Look at it this way. It's not as if you just turned into an alien. You've always been one.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE RAIN STOPPED AND SUNSHINE FLOWED INTO THE library through the gaps in the wooden blinds, but the golden rays didn't brighten Nell's mood. She closed her eyes and instantly wished she hadn't because more images appeared. In her mind, she stood outside the doors to the foyer just as she had earlier that day. Again, the muffled voices floated through the heavy wooden door, but this time Nell made out what they said clearly.
Words emerged from within the muffles: first, her father's voice. ‘I don't believe Nell is in danger. Brarb is still confined and his family had pledged to speak to me before contacting Nell.’
The gentle, accented voice spoke. ‘That might be true, old friend. However until those who seek Nell make themselves known, the shield should stay. It is not only Wintars who might cause a problem for Nell. You have been called to stand before the councils and explain why you have taken your daughter away. You know they expect mixed children to be watched.’
The voices and images faded. She stared blankly at Sam, wondering who could cause her problems and why the council people wanted to watch her. Whatever the reason, it couldn’t be good if her father had refused to take her with him.
As if on an impulse, Sam took Nell's hands. ‘Come on,’ he said. ‘Don't fight with me. I'm on your side.’
Overwhelmed by the many feelings and thoughts that flooded her mind; she pulled her hands free and pressed them to her aching temples. ‘It's touching!’
Sam raised his eyebrows. ‘Huh?’
‘I can read people’s minds when I touch them.’ She rubbed the sides of her head. ‘It hurts.’
‘So what did mine have to say?’ Sam grinned but it wavered as if he was worried.
‘I didn't get anything specific,’ she lied. ‘Just jumbled images. But in future, don't touch me.’ She thought for a moment. ‘Apparently I can control it with practice.’ Before Sam could ask, she added quickly, ‘And don't ask me how I know that.’
‘Okay. I'll believe you. Let's go.’ He jumped up and hurried out of the room.
She knew he didn't. Thank goodness he didn't press her. As she trailed after him, she noted, his usual easy gait appeared stiff and self-conscious.
Knowing his feelings ran deeper than she could ever have imagined, Nell thought about him in that light. He was cute, at least the girls who went riding with him thought so. They shamelessly flirted with him and he was never self-conscious around even the prettiest girl. He had never acted the same way with Nell. She thought of him more as a bossy big brother, always telling her what she should or shouldn't do.
She didn't want things to change between them. She'd just have to convince him by her actions that she didn't learn anything. Anyway, he was only a boy, and feelings change. They might be changing already. Her nose wrinkled as she thought about how he blushed every time Dar-Seldra smiled at him.
Nell caught up to Sam by the time they arrived on the veranda.
Dar-Seldra sat on the porch swing. She smiled warmly as they approached. ‘I really like this,’ she said with a delicate laugh, as she swung her long legs up under her. ‘I think I'll take one of these back to my house.’ She looked from one to the other. ‘Do you have any questions?’
‘Hundreds,’ Nell replied.
‘Mother! Mother!’ Cay-Meka shouted as she ran up the stairs. ‘You must come!’
She rushed at the swing and Nell had no choice but to move out of her way. Drops of water fell from Cay-Meka's hair and skin, but her dress appeared to be dry. A wide-eyed wonder filled her cousin's face.
‘Mother, it is incredible. I’ve seen all different creatures and they are so wonderful. I swam with bottle-nosed dolphins and grey nurse sharks and I so wanted to meet the humpback whales swimming south, but they were too far out.’
‘Yes, yes, I have read about them.’ Dar-Seldra's laugh was melodic.
Nell realised her cousin was still a young girl. She began to soften towards her until Cay-Meka spoke in that whining voice of hers.
‘You should see if Nell can swim. I could, weeks before my birthday.’
‘That's true. It's still light, maybe we should go.’
‘Me?’ Nell gasped in astonishment ‘No way. There are lots of nasties out there.’
‘You have to! Mother said.’
‘Nell, it's one way to learn if you are indeed gaining Phib traits.’ Dar-Seldra stood up. ‘Come with me and I will provide you with the correct apparel.’
Nell glanced at Sam who gave her a ‘what-are-you-waiting-for’ look. She rolled her eyes before she followed her aunt back into the library.
Dar-Seldra went over to one of two small blue cases. They looked more like large handbags and Nell thought they couldn't possibly hold very much. Dar-Seldra opened one. She reached in and withdrew a long, bright yellow dress, sleeveless and similar to the fashion she and Cay-Meka wore with its scooped neckline and flowing fabric. It had a luminous quality and looked much too big for Nell.
‘It will fit perfectly,’ Dar-Seldra said wi
th a smile.
Nell made a doubtful face.
‘You will see,’ Dar-Seldra said, as she left the room.
Nell didn't think so, but she tried the garment on anyway. The material immediately shrank until it was a perfect fit. She looked down and felt front and back. ‘Wow,’ she whispered, shaking her head.
When Nell re-emerged, heat rose in her cheeks at the admiring look Sam gave her. She returned a shy smile, ignoring Cay-Meka's look of contempt. Usually she preferred to wear jeans or shorts; nevertheless she liked the silky feel of the material.
‘Come along, Nell.’ Dar-Seldra led her to the water. ‘You are a child of Linque.’
‘And of Gramlax,’ Cay-Meka hissed, as she ran past and onto the wet sand.
Nell disregarded Cay-Meka's spitefulness. She felt like a princess in her dress.
Sam came up behind. ‘Can I come too? That is … if it's safe?’
‘It is safe, but we don't have clothes for you,’ Dar-Seldra said.
‘That's okay,’ Sam said. ‘If you can swim in those dresses, I can go in these.’ He tugged the sides of his jeans.
Dar-Seldra started to shake her head.
Nell grinned as Sam pleaded with his eyes, but jerked her head back when Dar-Seldra spoke.
‘Once we know if Nell can swim, you can hold her hand but you cannot let go,’ she said.
The two friends stared at each other. Sam looked as horrified at the idea as Nell felt.
‘A problem?’ Dar-Seldra said. ‘I think I understand. Did Nell touch you and your thoughts?’ Sam nodded and Dar-Seldra looked at Nell. ‘But you couldn't control it?’
Nell also nodded.
Dar-Seldra glowed. ‘That is definitely a Phib ability. Your father will be pleased.’
Nell was glad, although she didn't like the thought that her father wouldn't be happy if she gained Wintar traits. After all, her mother was a Wintar and he had loved her.
‘You will hold my hand, Sam,’ Dar-Seldra said.
