The Entean Saga - The Complete Saga

by C B Williams

  “So will Little Sister,” said Wren. “Especially because Eloch’s disappeared again. When one is gone, she likes to be near the other. Sniffers like to be with their pack.”

  Thanks to the lighting provided by Genji, the huge cavern was as bright as day. Spellbound, the two off-worlders and the two Nuri gazed in silence. “Living history, Wren,” Genji said breaking the silence.

  “I’ve never seen ships this large,” Wren said.

  “That’s because there are so few in the fleet. They’re meant only for colonization. They’re modular. See? Designed to be taken apart and turned into a little town while the colonizers are getting established.”

  “You could fit a lot of people in there,” Wren said. “How many do you think?”

  Genji rubbed his chin. “I’d guess about ten to fifteen thousand.”

  “That all? I thought there’d be more.”

  “It contains everything they’ll need to live.” He began ticking the needs off with his fingers. “Solar greenhouses for vegetables and the protein farms. Tools. Equipment. Med tech facilities. Everything.”

  “Aiko and Spider should see this. How do we get down there?”

  Kalea looked at Pika, “Pika and I can shift and carry you down.”

  Genji held up a hand. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea just yet. Look at the far ship, towards the middle.”

  The sharp intakes of breath confirmed his suspicions.

  “Someone is living in there,” Wren said.

  Genji glanced back at her. “More like somebodies.”

  “But that’s impossible. Those ships have been buried here in the dark for at least a thousand years.”

  “Not impossible at all. They were created with survival in mind. Survival under all conditions.”

  “But you said solar greenhouses and protein farms. Wouldn’t they need the sun for that?”

  “Not at all. Thermal energy can work. These ships are masterpieces of survival technology.” He rubbed his palms together. “Can’t wait. Just can’t wait.”

  Wren narrowed her eyes at him. “How do you know so much about the colonization ships?”

  Genji looked at her, eyebrow cocked.

  She groaned. “Yeah, right. You’re Genji. I forgot for a second.”

  “Are you saying there are Ancestors still living on those ships?” Kalea broke in.

  “More like their descendants. Just like you,” Genji answered, his voice tinged with warmth.

  “But in the dark for thousands of years? Those poor people!”

  He put an arm around her waist and drew her closer. “Not inside the ships, Kalea. Within, it would be as light as if above ground.”

  Kalea looked over at Pika and frowned.

  “I want to meet them,” Pika said. “I think the Goddess told me where the ships were so I could meet them.”

  “Why would the Goddess be so cruel as to keep them here, inside a cave?” Kalea wondered.

  “A good question that will have to wait,” Wren said. “And I think you’ll need to wait too, Pika. We’re going to need to come up with a plan. These people will be cautious, perhaps frightened, and technologically advanced enough to defend themselves. Even against Nuri.”

  “Fire sticks,” Pika stated.

  “And more.” She glanced down at Little Sister, who was growling low in her throat. “I think we should leave now.”

  Mink steepled her fingers and tapped her lip as she met her cryo partner Wade’s look. “What’s your opinion?”

  “Just as Longwei has said. It’s time.” He grinned, ran fingers through his short, dark hair, and then threw his arms wide. “And during our twenty-year stint! Can you believe it?”

  She grinned in return, barely suppressing the urge to get up and dance around the cabin. “And soon, based on what we just witnessed.”

  “And we understood them! The natives and the ones called Wren and Genji. Wren and Genji spoke the language of the Ring. Correct me if I’m wrong, but those accents sounded like they’re from Spur.”

  “I don’t think you’re wrong. Perhaps we should have greeted them.”

  Wade shook his head. “They’ll be back. It’s good to be cautious.”

  Mink clasped her hands to her chest. “Wade, did you see? Genji had the look of us. And Wren, SubCity all the way.”

  Wade nodded. “SubCity. Our people after all this time. It will take some getting used to.”

  Mink dropped her hands to the arms of her chair and sat back, eyes still on the monitor, following the small party as they left the cave, taking their light with them. Once more, their ships were swallowed in darkness.

  Wade cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Mink? How do you think we should proceed?”

  “Hmm? Oh. Pull everyone out of cryo, of course.” Her gaze went dreamy. “At last, to be on the surface again. To breathe fresh air, to feel a breeze.”

  Longwei took Eloch to the same lava cave as before. “Sit,” She told him. “We have much to discuss.”

  Eloch sat and kept silent, knowing his questions would be answered faster if he waited.

  “Something comes,” Longwei said as She sat across from him. “I have felt it.”

  “Yes,” Eloch agreed. “Entean has felt it as well. And Spur.”

  Longwei nodded. “I have spoken with Entean.”

  Eloch straightened. “You have?”

  “I have.”

  “Do you know what it is that comes?”

  Longwei shook Her head. “But I’ve been scanning other galaxies and reconnecting to other Sisters. Some have become...” She paused, searching for the words. “They have become not as they were, a subtle shift. Recently I’ve felt something turn its attention towards us, the Sisters of this galaxy. I have decided it is necessary to work together to deal with this threat. Even I must set My disputes aside.” She gave him a sly look. “I can always take them up again once danger has passed.”

  Eloch grinned and leaned closer. “What can I do, Longwei?”

  “It is why I spoke with Entean. I asked for Her permission to remake you so you can speak with Her wherever you go.”

  His stomach fluttered. “It is what I have desired. It is very difficult to communicate with Entean through Spur by way of Her Champion.”

  “Yes, it would be. We need you to speak with all Sisters as We do―at a distance. Of course you will still be able to communicate with a Sister as you do now when you are upon Her surface. But it is too limited. In the times to come we will all need to hear what you have to say.”

  Eloch leaned forward. “I agree.”

  Longwei nodded. “I can do this, but there is a cost to you,” She stated gravely.

  He found it difficult to swallow. “And the cost is?”

  Her pity washed through him. “Part of Me will be within you. Much like Entean’s plant. You will be neither Hers nor Mine. You will belong to Us both, which means...”

  Again Her pity flooded him. He suddenly felt the urge to run. Escape.

  “...you will never truly be Entean’s Champion again. You will never have a home.”

  All the air escaped from his lungs in a whoosh. “But Spur’s gift―“

  “Spur gave you power. She did not interfere with your making, with your DNA.”

  “And the Nuri? Aren’t they both a part of You and Spur?”

  She shook her head. “I completely modified their making and made them Mine. Gave them a home. You, Champion, would truly be homeless.” She studied his expression. “I am sorry. It is the only way you will be able to communicate at a distance with Entean and with the rest of the Sisters.”

  Eloch looked at the ceiling and took a steadying breath. “What does Entean wish?”

  “With great sorrow, She wishes to speak with you. Directly.” Longwei crossed over and sat beside him. “It is a sacrifice, but also a blessing. No other Champion has ever been able to speak as Sisters speak with one another. And I will give you more power. My gift to you. What I give to you and wh
at has been given by Spur....”

  She took his hand. “Champion, you will nearly be as powerful as I. You will need this. Where We’re sending you, you will need as much power as your body can contain. When I remake you, I will ensure your body is able to contain a great deal of power.”

  “And where are you sending me?” He had already guessed, but he needed to hear Her say it.

  “To Vela Kentaurus, the galaxy from whence something comes.”

  Eloch swallowed, kept swallowing until his vision was clear and his voice was strong. “How long will it take for You to alter me?”

  “Not long. A day or two, not more than three.”

  “I thought it would take longer.”

  “No, but it will be painful. I will cause you to sleep so you will not feel my fire.” She sighed, “But I’m afraid you will remember the pain. My Nuri had frequent nightmares when I made them Mine.”

  Eloch nodded. “Thank you.”

  A small cot appeared before them.

  She held out Her hand for his staff and nodded toward the cot. “Would you lie there, please?”

  “Before we begin,” he said as he handed Her his staff, “may I let Wren know what is happening?”

  “I will go Myself.”

  Chapter 19

  Uninvited Guests

  For more than a month, Haku kept to himself, too angry and embarrassed to see anyone. The Ancestor woman had humiliated him. If word spread to other tribes, it would destroy his plans. He prayed to the Goddess the news didn’t reach King Akamu. Haku’s weakness would jeopardize everything and endanger his tribe. He knew Akamu. The man wanted land and power and was completely ruthless.

  He felt his pulse pounding in his temples and his eyes begin to get the familiar scratchy feeling as they slitted. He swore he would get even with that woman. She would know humiliation. Somehow he would make it happen. He would play at being humble, and when he found his chance, he would strike her down.

  In the meantime, he would learn from his mistake and not depend upon his Nuri form as much. It made him powerful but not invulnerable. He would practice his warrior skills and his aim with the fire stick. Ujarak was a solid and skilled warrior, and had been teaching him.

  He thanked the Goddess for Ujarak. He was the only person Haku trusted to see him in his weakened state. Since the fight, his friend had come daily with food, news, and to spar. When he was king he would be sure to reward his trusted friend for his faithfulness.

  Glancing at the sun, Haku noted Ujarak would be there soon. He rose and stretched before he began his series of warmups.

  “Makini wants to see you,” Ujarak told him as they prepared to spar.

  “She always wants to see me. What this time?”

  “She won’t tell me, although I suspect it has to do with her marriage. It’s in three days. You’ve been putting her off, and now that it’s nearly here....” Ujarak shrugged. “You know Makini. She’s starting to make threats.”

  Haku nodded and pulled on his lip. “She wants me to save her from her wedding,” he said after a few moments. “Which I can’t allow to happen anyway, since I’ve promised her to Akamu.” He stared into the distance, still pulling on his lip. “Oh!” he said, then looked at his friend and clamped a hand on Ujarak’s shoulder. “And I’ve just had an idea that will solve all our problems!” he said, shaking Ujarak’s shoulder. “Can you get a message to King Akamu?” He laughed.

  Ujarak nodded once and cocked his head. “What do I tell him?”

  “Tell him he and his men are invited to a wedding.” He crossed his arms, enjoying the tingle of anticipation radiating through him. “As uninvited guests.”

  Ujarak’s forehead wrinkled. Then an admiring look spread across his features and he nodded. “Well played, Haku, well played.”

  “And on your way, send Makini to me.”

  It didn’t take Makini long to arrive, her face a typhoon. “I have tried everything, Haku. Mother promised I had a year. And then it was a month. Now it’s just a week. The only way I can get out of this marriage is to kill myself, which of course I would never do.” She jabbed his chest. “You owe me, Haku. I helped you with the off-worlders. Help me. Now.”

  Haku caught her finger before she could jab him again and winked at her. He felt his confidence returning in a rush at his sister’s neediness. “I’ve got this, Makini. Don’t worry.”

  “What should I do?”

  “Go ahead and marry him.”

  Her eyes slitted. She stamped her foot. “Haven’t you been listening to me? I won’t marry that grunting pig. I now think perhaps I would rather kill myself.”

  Haku put his hands on her shoulders. “I promise you, Makini, even if you marry him, he won’t be alive to consummate it.”

  She went still. Her eyes narrowed. “Why? What are you planning?”

  “My plans are my own, as you are well aware. The less you know the better, little sister. Just continue to be a dutiful daughter and make our mother proud. I’ll take care of the rest.”

  She looked at him doubtfully.

  He brought his forehead to hers. “I’ll take care of it, Makini. I promise you, I’ve got this. Just trust me for once. I’ll take care of you.”

  Kalea leaned curled against Genji whose back rested against the trunk of a palm tree, his legs, crossed at the ankles, stretched out on the sand. The breeze off the ocean was cool as they watched the sun set behind clouds. She felt the warmth of his arm encircling her shoulders and his body against hers and sighed. Genji called these times stolen moments, and they felt like that. Little bits of time that they snatched during the day when neither had responsibilities. They were few, and now, with the approaching wedding, getting more so. At least they could count on their nights together.

  “The moons will be nearing their fullness, soon,” Kalea commented.

  “That’s all the time it’s been?” Genji asked. “I feel I’ve known you forever.” He pulled her even closer.

  She shifted in his embrace so she could look at him. “It does seem a long time.” She stroked his cheek. “The sadness from your eyes is gone.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe because I’m no longer sad?”

  “The sadness. Where had it come from?” She noted a shadow of it return with her question. “Was it a woman?”

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “No, Kalea. It was me. I’m an outsider. I’m different from most people and it makes me feel lonely.”

  “It makes me feel admiration. But, I understand. Most people don’t have burning questions inside seeking answers. Questions can rule your life.”

  “Exactly. And since they don’t for most people, I found I had very little in common with them. Had very little to say to them. With women? Even less. They grew tired of me.”

  “So you felt sad and lonely.”

  “I did. And worse. I’d lost hope I would ever feel a sense of belonging. Ever. I believed all I’d ever experience in love would be vicariously.”

  “Vicariously?”

  “As an observer. I’d only experience love by observing others.”

  She pulled her hand from his so she could wrap her arms around him. “But not anymore.”

  “No. Not anymore.”

  His breath tickled her ear.

  “I love you, Genji.”

  “And I you. More than words.”

  “The sun is gone,” Genji stated after a time.

  Kalea sat up and brushed her hair back from her face. “People will be preparing the evening meal. We should go back to the village.”

  “Not yet.” He reached for her. “I have a question that’s been troubling me.”

  “What is it?” she prompted.

  “The first time we were intimate. I thought I had hurt you. But I think it was something else. Kalea, had you ever been with a man before?”

  She shook her head and looked down, felt her cheeks burn. “You were the first, Genji. My only.”

  He gently raised her chin. His eyes
filled with concern. “Why didn’t you tell me? I should have been gentler.”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t want you to stop. I thought if you knew, you’d stop.”

  He looked at her with a half-smile. “You’re right. I probably would have. I didn’t know your culture well enough to assess what this type of decision would do to you. You’re a priestess, Kalea. Perhaps you were supposed to a virgin.” He paused, looking sick. “Were you supposed to remain a virgin? Have I ruined you?”

  She laughed. “It is nothing like that, Genji. I just hadn’t found anyone I loved enough to be with. That is all. Come. Let’s return to the village. I’m hungry.”

  She jumped lightly to her feet and pulled Genji to his. They stood forehead to forehead. “I want you to know I regret nothing. No matter what the future brings.”

  She felt his arms tighten around her and sighed into him.

  “And I want you to know I will never leave you, Kalea. Ever. “

  She drew back to look into his eyes. “But—“

  “I’m never leaving you, Kalea. How could I?”

  She put her forehead against his again. All she saw were his lovely, kind eyes. “This is good, because I’m never leaving you.”

  Where is Eloch? Wren thought for the umpteenth time. She had hoped he would be back by now. And, since he wasn’t, she was standing with Little Sister at the back of the crowd hoping he would slip up next to her at any moment.

  It surprised Wren when Longwei visited in Her guise as the old woman. Surprised and humbled her that the Goddess Herself had cared enough to deliver Eloch’s message and explain what was going to happen to him.

  At first Wren had thought it an excellent idea, was happy Eloch would finally be able to communicate with Entean as he had wished. But when Longwei explained further, a chill ran up her spine. To never be a Champion again! She ached for him, for the aloneness he would feel. But she would be there to support him and share his challenges. After all, to a lesser degree, she could understand. She had learned to come to terms with being a KinLord without a KinLand.