ConDra's Fire, page 16
Lorsedi’s eyes narrowed. He acknowledged the man with a nod. “This is my son, Nissasa Rattori.”
With a cool bow, Nissasa acknowledged Wolloh. Holding TheLise’s hand to his lips, he gave her a lascivious smile, which the Dreelas did not receive with her usual charm. Finally, he shook Nomed’s hand. “Was that your nephew? The one everybody is so excited about?”
Esán did not stay to hear Nomed’s reply. Instead, he masked his thoughts and made his way unobtrusively from the inner garden. Where can I go to think? Not my room. Not the library. He kept his conscious mind focused on the drop of the sun behind a dune and the gradual diffusion of light. Ahhh.
In a heartbeat, he arrived in the small, dark room he had discovered during his training that morning. An oil lamp softened the edges of a rough-hewn table, where a pitcher of water and a small glass glowed in its warmth.
He pulled out the wooden chair and sat down. His mind, unbound, ran a speculative race through recent events. The Largeen Joram wants very much to find the twins. Elbows on the table, chin resting in his hands, he stared at the flame in the lamp. Do they want to be found? His instincts shouted no. He reviewed his time at the party. Nissasa Rattori was the man with Gidtuss, the man who wants to kidnap me. Clarity hit like a blast of cold air. Lorsedi was a threat to the twins, but Nissasa was the greater menace. Danger bristled around him—danger for anyone who got in his way and extreme danger for himself and for Ari and Brie. That certainty left him breathless. I wish I knew more about RewFaar. I wish I knew why the Largeen Joram is interested in Elcaro’s Eye. More than anything, I wish I knew Nissasa Rattori’s game.
His hand traced the crown of his head. The prickle of short hair on his palm arrested the movement. He still looked gaunt and far too thin, but he felt healthy. Since his arrival on DerTah, the disease that had tormented his body seemed in remission—at least for now.
He sat back in the chair and tapped his lips with a finger. What’s my next step? I sure wish Corvus were here. A long sigh lost itself in the shadowy interior of the room. He reached for the pitcher of water. Beneath his hovering hand, an envelope materialized on the aged wood of the tabletop. He traced the four hand-printed letters…ESÁN. Curious but cautious, he picked it up and opened the flap. Inside, he discovered a single folded sheet of parchment. Pulling it free, he opened it and read… WARN YOUR FRIENDS. TAKE SEVAL. DISAPPEAR. After he read it a second time, it shredded into tiny pieces and vanished.
Who do you suppose—? Breathing in the darkness behind him made him jump to his feet. A hand clapped over his mouth.
End - Chapter 19 of 58
ConDra’s Fire - S.K. Randolph
* * *
20
Myrrh & Thera
In Vascorrie, cackled ravings and murderous mutterings chased Karrew higher as he led the winged-ones away from Sparrow and Merrilea. I have no desire to be dinner for a batch of Primavers. These tiny, humanesque creatures with bat wings and a rat’s tail and ears had razor-sharp teeth that could devour a man’s flesh in no time. He didn’t think about how fast they could feed on a raven.
Behind a stout stalactite, he landed on a ledge, where darkness formed a curtain of protection around him. The Primavers began a gradual resettling. When sounds in the cavern had returned to the drip of mineral-filled water, he flew in silence to where Sparrow and Merrilea crouched in the dark.
A muffled caw warned them of his return. “I’m here a short distance in front of you. If you want to escape alive, don’t use the lite-stick.” He hopped closer. “Follow my exact path—no deviations. These pools contain their own set of nightmares.”
“Karrew, I can’t see you.” Panic tinged Merrilea’s breathless whisper.
Sparrow murmured in her ear. “I can see him, Merri. Just hold on to my pack.” She sidled in front of her friend and prepared to follow Almiralyn’s raven.
Relieved Sparrow had discovered her ability to see him against the black of the cavern, Karrew hopped between pools. Keeping them on track was vital. One false step…
“Karrew, can you hear me? It’s Sparrow.”
He peered back at her with one shiny eye. “So you’ve discovered your telepathic voice, too.”
“How long?”
“If we don’t keep moving—too long.” He could hear the distant murmuring of Primavers preparing to take flight.
“I hear it, too. Hurry!”
Karrew picked up his pace. Open air, their only salvation, seemed too far away.
A splash…a muffled oath…
“Sparrow, what was that?”
“Merrilea stumbled. She’s fine.”
“Did she disturb a pool?”
“Yes.”
Karrew ruffled his feathers instead of a groan. “What rotten luck.”
“Karrew?”
“Move away from that pool.” He led them around a group of smaller stalagmites to an open space where he hoped they would remain safe. “I don’t want to leave you, but I need to scout ahead.”
“Something’s following us.” Merrilea’s whisper shook. “It sounds like it’s sniffing.”
“Got any food in your pack? Smelly cheese or something with a strong odor?”
“Mira packed goat cheese. Will that do?” Sparrow fumbled around in Merrilea’s pack. “Found it.”
“Scatter it on the ground and follow me.” He half flew, half hopped in front of them for a good distance and stopped. “Let us hope the cheese obscures your scent.”
“Karrew, the primavers are on the move.”
“So, my dear, are the tarwish, and I’m not sure which is worse.”
At the RewFaarans’ camp, One Man pretended to sleep as a soldier entered the tent. A tentative hand shook him. He yawned and opened his eyes.
Inexperience clung to the young man like a cloud. He cleared his throat, began to speak, and cleared it again. “I-I am…” He coughed. “You will answer my questions.” The lack of authority in his bluster made him blush.
Sitting upright in his chair, One Man raised dulled eyes to his face. “I took a walk through my memories and look where it got me. There’s nothing to tell.” He made himself seem small and tired.
The soldier rubbed his chin. “How many were with you?”
A crooked, almost dreamy smile played across One Man’s face. “Just me, son, me and my past.”
An officer marched into the tent. “What have you learned?” He addressed his underling but glared at One Man.
The young soldier snapped to attention. “Only that he says he was alone, sir.”
The officer studied One Man’s placid countenance.
“The boy’s right, sir.” One Man babbled away. “I can only tell what is. ‘Specially, I can’t tell you what’s…”
A hard stare shut him up. He painted a harried expression across his face and slumped against the chair.
The officer strode to the door. “Don’t let him out of your sight.” He glared, then exited.
The young soldier stared after him. When he turned back, relief made his features appear even younger and more inexperienced.
One Man remained non-threatening. “You must be pretty good, since he trusts ya to watch me.” His voice held just the right degree of awe.
The soldier bristled with self-importance and sat down on a chair inside the tent flap. “Don’t try anything.” He gave him a fierce look and stifled a yawn.
“Since I’m trussed to this chair, I imagine I won’t go far.” One Man dropped his chin to his chest. Through half-closed eyes, he watched the soldier slip into sleep, jerk awake, and finally settle into a comfortable, rhythmic snore.
Sloughing off the ropes at his wrists, he made quick work of the knots at his ankles. Silent as a cat, he padded to the soldier’s side and placed hands on his temples. The boy’s breathing slowed. Deep sleep carried him into oblivion.
With a quick mind search of the camp, One Man located its headquarters. A thought propelled him through the dusk-lit trees to a large tent, where he listened to the three-way conversation taking place inside.
“All the men are back. They found nothing to prove he’s lying.”
A younger voice interjected. “I found this fabric caught between a couple of rocks. It doesn’t appear to belong to the prisoner.”
One Man’s quick mind assessed his options. If his luck held, they wouldn’t check, at least not immediately. He continued to listen.
“Did you find anything else to suggest a companion?”
“No, sir. Nothing. The tunnel was empty, and we found no one on or near the rockslide.”
A murmured conversation ended in the dismissal of the younger man.
After he departed, the voices continued. “Although he may not be who we’re looking for, let’s keep him under guard. Tell your men to stay alert. It never pays to fall into disfavor with the Largeen Joram.”
One Man felt a faint mind touch. “Sparrow?”
“Primavers. Help!” The urgent appeal faded in and out.
One Man dissolved into shadow and slipped through the trees. He knew of Vascorrie, the den of the Primavers. He hoped he could reach it in time.
Paisley rested his arms on top of the wooden gate. At the back of the stall, the RewFaaran Grantese sat tied to a chair. He seemed unafraid. Bloodshot eyes were the only sign he had experienced stress of any kind.
Paisley’s curiosity got the better of him. “What’s RewFaar like?”
“It is a planet of great beauty. Our mountains are wilder and more desolate than your Dojanacks. There are many rivers and lakes. Rainforests cover large portions of the planet’s lower hemisphere, while open plains stretch across the north. It is much bigger than Thera, with less ocean and more land mass.”
“I always lived in Myrrh.” Paisley twisted the end of his mustache around his finger. “Traveling from dimension to dimension isn’t somethin’ I’d care to try.”
Tesilend shrugged. “You get used to it.”
A peaceful silence settled between them. Paisley broke it. “Can I get ya some water?”
“I could use a drink.”
“I’ll get you a bite to eat as well.” Paisley tested the knots at his ankles and wrists before exiting the stall. Not wanting to leave his post for longer than necessary, he strode through the barn into the garden. Gooseflesh prickling up the back of his neck made him stop to survey the area. Unsatisfied and even more uneasy, he scanned the blue sky. A vulture reached the apex of a high arc and dropped toward Almiralyn’s cottage. Its silent speed bespoke trouble.
Almiralyn crossed the garden to stand at his side. “Well, our moment of respite is over, my friend. I imagine we have company.”
Yuin materialized as soon as his vulture talons touched the ground. “A platoon of infantry soldiers came through the portal. They’re on foot and traveling this way. They mean business, Almiralyn. You can’t stay here.”
“I’m ready to leave. I have one thing to do with Grantese Tesilend before we go. And we need to release the animals.”
“How much time do we have?” Paisley glanced beyond Pentharian. His lip gave a nervous twitch.
“Moving at their current pace, they should be here in less than a quarter turn of the chronometer.” Yuin sniffed the air.” We must be gone when they arrive, so we need to hurry.”
Almiralyn led the way toward the barn. “Yuin, check on the Grantese. We’ll be with you shortly. Come on, Paisley. Let’s get the animals moving.”
Paisley followed. How will I escape? Can’t shift shape…can’t outrun ’em…He pushed his fear to the back of his mind. It wouldn’t help him face what was to come.
At the barn door, Almiralyn stopped. With a hand shielding her eyes, she searched the thick border of trees at the edge of the Terces Wood. Unusual stillness heightened her sense of urgency. Nothing moved. No birds sang. Even the trees stood tall and silent.
Where are Lorsedi’s men? How can I keep everyone safe? A glance at Paisley’s worried face sent her at a brisk walk to Gemlucky’s stall. Strength and intelligence gleamed in the big stallion’s eyes. She patted his side. “You, my friend, must take care of the other horses.”
His ears twisting in her direction, he snorted.
She ran a hand along his muscled neck. “Take them into the foothills and hide. Avoid the soldiers in the woods at all costs. I’ll call you when it is safe to return.”
He nuzzled her shoulder before trotting into the paddock where Paisley had assembled the other horses and the pony, Tam.
“Open the gate, Paisley.”
The big man swung it wide.
Gemlucky whinnied and galloped along the edge of the Terces Wood. Passing the main trail into the forest, he led his charges down a little used track that would take them away from the Demrach Gateway.
Satisfied Gemlucky would keep them out of harm’s way, she hurried back to Grantese Tesilend’s stall. “Yuin, please wait outside. Keep your eyes open. We’ll be right with you.” She nodded to Paisley. “I’ll need your help.”
The Grantese watched them with wary eyes.
“You will soon rejoin your fellow soldiers.” She halted in front of him. I must perform a mental block.”
Rigid with resistance, he jammed his feet against the ground. A quick push propelled his chair backward. It crashed against the wall.
“Paisley, please help Grantese Tesilend hold still.” She spoke with quiet authority. “This won’t take long. If you fight me, it will be painful. I suggest you remain calm.”
With Paisley negating the RewFaaran’s ability to pull away, Almiralyn placed her hands on the man’s temples and blocked only those memories pertaining to the Pentharian. Lorsedi must not know of their presence in Myrrh. They must remain her secret weapon.
Finally, she whispered a quiet word and removed her hands. The RewFaaran’s eyes closed and a series of small snores mingled with barn dust and hay. She looked down at her prisoner. “You are well trained, Grantese Tesilend. May your battles be great ones and your sun cycles long.”
She looked up at her loyal friend and protector. “Untie him and lay him on the ground. His comrades will wake him when they arrive.”
She exited the stall and walked into the sunlight, Paisley, a shadow behind her.
Yuin emerged from the gloomy interior of the barn. “What are your plans?”
“Fly back to the gateway. Send Jeet through with a warning to return to Nemttachenn. You stay on guard. I’ll send word as soon as everyone is safe in the tower.”
“What about you and Paisley?”
“We’ll take the Intersect. Paisley can wait at the tower for Jordy and Allynae while I warn the Wood Tiffs and the Nyti to stay hidden.” She smiled at the ruby Pentharian. “Thank you, Yuin.”
Yuin returned her smile. “It is an honor to fight by your side.” He bowed and shifted. Vulture wings carried him over the Terces Wood, high above the advancing enemy.
End - Chapter 20 of 58
ConDra’s Fire - S.K. Randolph
* * *
21
DerTah
After greeting Yaro, Ira stepped apart from his friends to catch his breath. Unable to shake the nagging feeling that he was forgetting something important, he looked down at his body, felt the weight and the breadth of it, and ran a hand through his short, cropped hair. He closed eyes as blue as Almiralyn’s. When he opened them, Yaro studied him from across the way. As though the Pentharian understood his thoughts, he blinked. The strange pupils in the gold eyes dilated and narrowed. The corner of his red mouth turned up momentarily.
Ira studied the shape of his hands and frowned. Their sturdy squareness seemed strange to him, but he wasn’t sure why. He shoved them in his pockets and forced himself to focus on Brie as she explained to Yaro what had occurred since their arrival on DerTah.
The Pentharian’s tattooed face showed no emotion as he listened. Ira marveled at his alien beauty. Intricate tattoos covering his face, torso, and arms depicted his clan and lineage. Gold and silver loops ran from the tip of his ears to his jeweled lobes, signifying initiations and successes in battle. A carved stone ring piercing the cartilage of his nose symbolized his passage from Penthary to full Pentharian, from adolescence to adulthood. His eyes traveled from Yaro’s mass of long braids down his humanesque torso to his scaled legs and tail, the tip of which twitched as Brie talked. Ira pulled his hands from his pockets, gave them a speculative stare, and looked back at Yaro. Does it feel strange to shift form? Brie did it. Maybe I should ask her what it’s like to be a ConDria.
Yaro seemed to sense his confusion. The Pentharian’s slight nod and brief, thin-lipped smile made Ira feel less alone.
Brie, her expressive face displaying a mix of emotions, listened to Yaro. RewFaaran soldiers gathered in Myrrh’s Terces Wood. The Pentharian’s comrades had traveled to Myrrh to assist Almiralyn.
Lorsedi’s soldiers march in Myrrh. The drop of the sun below the horizon compounded the cold that crept into Ira’s body. He tugged his kcalo closer around his broad shoulders and glanced at Torgin, who watched his heart brother with admiration and relief. Yaro made the world seem less frightening for the boy from Domlenah Uptown Blue in the city of Idronatti. Standing apart and timid, Nichi tried not to stare. Ira understood. He would never forget his first meeting with a Pentharian.
He studied Brie’s face. She has changed so much I hardly recognize her. And the ConDria—he found it hard to believe Brie could shape shift a water creature that sang with a voice like ringing crystals. He tugged at a short curl. Why am I so confused? I can shift shape, can’t I? Uncertainty chased his thoughts back to the start of this strange adventure.
