ConDra's Fire, page 20
Almiralyn landed in the thick foliage of an oak tree at the most distant border of her land. Soldiers in camouflage circled the perimeter of what had been the gardens surrounding her cottage. Large spiders scuttled around their webs in alarm. A snake slithered into hiding. Still unconscious, Grantese Tesilend sprawled where she had left him. Somewhere, a man swore and received a whispered reprimand. A murder of crows swooped above the ruins, soared skyward, and disappeared over the forest. Silence, like an oppressive watcher, settled over the acreage.
Bushes rustling disturbed the hushed stillness. Soldiers crept forward, their weapons drawn. An officer stepped into view and raised his arm. Eight men spaced around the clearing hunkered low. The officer dropped his arm. The men, dodging from tree to ruin to tree, skulked into the open.
Two crouched beside Tesilend. One alerted the officer, who hurried toward them, a medic at his heals. A quick conference sent one soldier disappearing into the trees. The others remained vigilant—on guard—half hidden in the rubble.
The medic knelt next to the prone Grantese and made a quick exam.
“How is he?” The officer scanned the rubble and glared down at him.
“He’s coming around, sir.”
Tesilend’s eyes opened to the sight of his commanding officer. Helped by the medic, he sat up and sipped water from the man’s canteen. As he handed it back, he caught a glimpse of his surroundings. “What the…” With a frantic look around, he struggled to standing. “Where am I, sir?”
The officer flashed him a look of surprise. “We’re at the coordinates for the Guardian of Myrrh’s cottage, but these ruins are all we’ve found.”
Tesilend inhaled a long breath as his gaze darted over the land. “I swear to you, I saw a cottage and a barn…” He hesitated. “The ruins have been here awhile. So have the spiders.” The grimace of disgust ended in a cough. “They weren’t—”
“How did you get here?” The officer interrupted. “You were supposed to return to DerTah.”
“Sir, someone captured me and brought me back to a cottage.” He told what he could remember of his story.
Almiralyn smiled when he made no mention of the Pentharian. Her gentle mind probe had been more effective than she expected. Grantese Tesilend remembered her, Allynae, and Jordett. Paisley was a vague figure he only thought he recalled.
She glanced at the amassing soldiers, her mind full of unanswered questions. Why did Lorsedi send a well-armed platoon? What does he really want? Elcaro’s Eye is only part of it. His granddaughters, Sparrow, and her mother…all are important but—
“Let me go!” A frightened childish voice squawked from the trees.
“Stop kicking, you little brat.” A soldier marched from the woods with a squirming Tiff under his arm and deposited him in front of the officer. “Found this little varmint spying from yonder trees.”
The youngster, glared straight at the officer’s kneecap, straightened his shirt, pushed a tangled brown curl away from his face, and glowered. “I belong here. You don’t.”
“You have a lot of spunk for one so small.” The officer looked down at him with obvious curiosity. “My guess is you’re a Wood Tiff. What’s your name?”
“I’m Sibee, and you’d better let me go or my friend will be angry.”
“I think, Sibee, I’ll take a chance on your friend’s anger.” He turned his attention to the soldier who had discovered him. “Take him and keep him out of trouble. I’ll question him later.”
The soldier grasped the Tiff by the arm and marched him back toward the trees.
“Jordy will save me. You just wait and see.” Sibee shouted the brave words over his shoulder.
Almiralyn ruffled her feathers in despair. Oh, Sibee, you are in more trouble than you know. And how on Myrrh am I going to save you?
End - Chapter 25 of 58
ConDra’s Fire - S.K. Randolph
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26
DerTah
Brie and Esán joined the group at the base of the DerTahan dune, where Nichi, still holding Seval’s hand, pointed at the desert palm fronds breaking up the monotony of the sandy vista. “My home there. I show you Eissua. You see gift from desert spirits to Atrilaasu.”
Hurrying ahead with Seval, she led them along a faint path between thick clumps of tall, stocky trees. As they hiked, the shade of late afternoon wafted cool air through the weave of their kcalos, drying the sweat and drawing the heat from their bodies.
The trees increased in number, shaping a circular border at the top of a rise and casting long shadows across the sun-washed sand. Nichi stopped and pointed. “Eissua Oasis, home of my people, the Atrilaasu Dansmen.”
Brie could only gaze in wonder at the dramatic and beautiful landscape spreading out like a mirage in the setting sun.
“Wowee!” Ira’s exhaled exclamation said it all.
As though a skilled hand had scooped the sand away, a basin stretched from the bottom of the rise to a rocky outcropping on the far side of a glistening expanse of water. Trees and desert shrubs clustered not only along the water’s edge, but in groupings that climbed the rolling dunes on three sides of the oasis. Sprinkled throughout were black tents in varying shapes and sizes. Bright banners on either side of the tent flaps fluttered in the slight breeze, creating a symphony of color.
The sun hovered, round and red, above the rocky outcropping, staining it deep shades of crimson and gold and painting the water with streaks of turquoise, rose, and purple. Flowing from the rocks, a small waterfall glistened in the last moments of dusk. Amongst all this beauty, men, women, and children gathered to stare at the strangers who gazed at their home in awe.
“It is so beautiful.” Torgin sighed. “I did not realize someplace this spectacular could exist in all this sand.”
Nichi, pride shining in her eyes, led them down the slope. Seval clung to her hand, his sadness softened by a smile of wonder. Torgin and Ira walked side-by-side. Yaro in his fox form trotted beside his heart brother.
Brie lagged behind with Esán.” When I read about Eissua Oasis, I didn’t guess I’d ever see it.”
Esán fingered the book in his pants pocket. “Neither did I. I can’t remember if it’s fed by an aquifer or an underground river, but water is sure a welcome sight.”
The group ahead of them stopped. Nichi motioned them to one side and then she turned, her eyes seeking Brie’s. Lowering to one knee, she placed her hand on her heart and bowed her head. Those gathered behind her followed her lead. Seval knelt. Torgin and Ira exchanged glances and joined him. Esán squeezed Brie’s hand, stepped to the side, and knelt.
A lone woman remained standing. WoNadahem Mardree, the headwoman and Oracle of the Atrilaasu, waved her closer. Brie walked several steps and stopped. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared into eyes so remarkable she could not pull her gaze away.
The woman’s hand brushed her cheek. A sudden rush of coolness flooded Brie’s senses. Her heartbeat quickened and slowed as her arms stretched wide and the surrounding air began to shimmer. The sound of rushing water, the luscious feel of it against her skin, and the realization that she had become a fluid and liquid force lifted her with underwater slowness above the oasis into the arc of the red sky. A song of wonder burst from her throat. The notes rained down on the upturned faces of the kneeling Dansmen.
Conscious of her transformation for the first time, she pressed her watery wings against the air and soared over the sands of DerTah. Beneath her, the oasis shone like a star sapphire in an expanse of undulating sand. “Brie, come back!” The words rustled through her mind like a breeze. She hovered above the clear desert lake and gazed from glistening blue eyes at the magnificence of the creature she had become. One word formed in the part of her that remembered Human. “Esán!”
Below her, the Atrilaasu of Eissua Oasis rose, cheering. Esán, in his kestrel form, circled around her. Dwarfed by her size, he escorted her in a wide arc and then flew to land on the hand of the Oracle, WoNadahem Mardree.
“ConDria, shift.” Rang out in her mind.
“How?”
The Danswoman held out her hand. Esán’s kestrel form fluttered to the ground and shifted. He opened his arms. “Brielle, come back to me.”
Her wings stretched wide, she pressed them against the arid atmosphere and glided downward until her water talons touched the sand. The shift to Human was instantaneous. A moment of confusion made her stumble. Esán caught her arm and steadied her. Again, the crowd cheered.
Brie’s gaze came to rest on the headwoman’s face. A tear-shaped crystal hanging at the center of her forehead caught the light of the setting sun, momentarily obscuring her features. The Atrilaasu leader turned her head. Her face re-emerged. Her haunting eyes, where the dark edges of fully dilated pupils encircled two light-filled pools of color, one the yellow of saffron and one glacier blue, glowed. Fire-red hair, held back by an intricately beaded band, flared around her head like living flames. High cheekbones and a long, narrow nose accentuated the planes of her extraordinary face and provided a canvas for thin-lined, blue-black tattoos. Brie found herself unable to look away or to speak.
WoNadahem Mardree smiled, held out her right arm, and tapped the back of her hand. A small, orange serpent slithered from beneath her kcalo sleeve and sniffed the air with its tiny tongue. A series of hisses elicited a nod from the Oracle.
Her strange eyes gleamed. “Welcome, ConDria. The Atrilaasu offer you and your comrades shelter in our home of Eissua. Tomorrow, after the rise of the sun, you and I shall share time.”
The snake hissed again. The headwoman’s strange eyes came to rest on Esán as the crystal on her forehead flared. “We, too, shall meet on the morrow.” Her gaze dropped to Yaro’s fox form. “Join me, red fox.”
She beckoned a man forward, gave him instructions for housing their guests, and turned to her people. Those gathered parted, allowing her to pass between them. Her small serpent hissed. The desert fox walked by her side.
The man bowed. “I, Narrtep, show you a place to rest.” As he led them along the people-lined path, the Dansmen whispered, “ConDria od Eissua, ConDria od Eissua…” and slipped away one by one until Brie and her friends were alone with Narrtep in the glow of dusk’s last moments.
As they walked beside the lake, a cool breeze carrying the scents of water and night fingered Brie’s damp curls and chased the heat from her clothing. Small campfires sprang to life. Laughter and song drifted around her.
The man stopped by a rectangular tent. “This is for young men.” He gave them a toothy grin. “I come for you when the repast is ready.”
Ira looked down at her. “You alright alone?”
She nodded. “See you at dinner.” He hugged her and followed Torgin and Seval into the tent.
Esán put an arm around her. “Rest, ConDria. When we have time, I will share some things to help you with shape shifting.” He gave her a quick hug.
“Thanks. I’d like that.” She watched the flap fall into place and followed Nichi and Narrtep further along the curve of the basin.
Near the outcropping, a round tent nestled between palms trees and within hearing distance of the waterfall. Narrtep touched his heart. “This ConDria tent. You need anything, you tell to me or Nichi.” He bowed and disappeared in the gathering night.
A shy smile lit Nichi’s face. “Atrilaasu honor you. You need me, I there.” She pointed at a tent midway between Brie’s and the boys. “Tonight, big celebration. ConDria rising makes all happy.” She, too, touched her heart. “Thank you for showing ConDria to my people. Many did not believe. Now do.” With a wave, she scurried back toward her tent.
For a time, Brie remained still, gazing over the water, listening to the sounds of tribal life, and reviewing the events of the turning. She filled her lungs with cool desert air and exhaled with measured slowness. Grateful for time alone, she opened the tent flap and stepped inside.
Nomed’s question seemed to repeat itself in the minds of the four people gathered in Wolloh’s sitting room. “So then, what brought you to DerTah?”
Lorsedi’s expression remained inscrutable. A look of intense interest replaced TheLise’s irresistible smile. Wolloh’s good eye, fastened on the Largeen Joram, did not blink.
Nomed sat back in his chair and brought the small crystal glass to his lips. He did not doubt that his question had struck a chord. He placed the glass on the table and observed the RewFaaran leader.
Wolloh broke the silence. “Lorsedi may not be ready to share his plans, am I correct?” His good eye reflected the firelight as he, too, set his glass on the table.
Lorsedi’s long fingers held the brandy halfway to his mouth. Dark brown eyes glistened as he savored a sip. “I have many reasons for visiting DerTah. Not the least of which, Seyes, was to meet you. Rumor has it you discovered the Evolsefil Crystal during your visit to Myrrh. Did you, by chance, run across a compass of rare beauty and design?”
“I did not. Would you care to expound upon its importance?”
The Largeen Joram’s laugh held little humor. “I imagine our host can explain it better than I, can you not, High DiMensioner?”
Wolloh rearranged his maimed body in his chair. His voice when he spoke held a note of mystery. “I believe you refer to the Compass of Ostradio. To my knowledge, no one has seen it in many aeons.”
TheLise leaned forward, her luminous eyes on Lorsedi’s face. “If I’m not mistaken, the Compass of Ostradio and the Evolsefil Crystal are linked. I believe it would be most interesting to find out how. It is said to absorb the patterning and geography of the planet or place in which it resides…a formidable tool for a warmonger.” She gave Lorsedi her intrigant’s smile.
Nomed wondered at her audacity as Lorsedi inclined his head in her direction, a slow, caustic smile showing even white teeth. “I hope, TheLise, that you do not think RewFaarans are warmongers because we enjoy the art and science of warfare.”
Her lips curved into a sardonic smile. “I admire those who pursue the arts and sciences. Those who would destroy for the sake of destroying are the ones I find oppressive. In fact, I chanced to overhear just such a conversation this evening.” She lifted her glass, held it to the light, and drank what remained of the amber liquid prior to setting her glass with studied care on the table.
“A conversation?” Nomed could not help himself, even when Wolloh’s expression told him no.
Lorsedi’s attention remained fixed on the Dreelas. “And why does this overheard bit of gossip color your impression of my world?”
TheLise glanced at Wolloh. His good eye blinked. She returned her attention to the Largeen Joram. “Your son and one of our less intelligent Dreela were engaged in a heated discussion about finding and kidnapping Nomed’s nephew. Nissasa expressed a willingness to help in exchange for assistance in finding the compass…and Elcaro’s Eye.” She paused.
At the mention of Nissasa, Lorsedi’s eyes narrowed. His hands balled into tight fists. An enigmatic expression sculpted his face into a mask. Uncurling his fingers, he rested his hands on his upper thighs and leaned closer to the Dreelas. “I assume, my dear TheLise, there is more?”
Her expression suggested an inner struggle, one Nomed was uncertain existed. When she spoke, it was with surprising candor. “He seems intent on destroying not only Myrrh and Thera but also those who rule RewFaar. Oh, yes. He will leave the Evolsefil Crystal to the Dreelum. I think that rather odd, don’t you?”
Nomed could almost hear her purring as she reclined with catlike grace against her chair. Neither Wolloh nor Lorsedi moved. The fire’s sputtering sounded too loud in the veiled silence.
Wolloh cleared his throat. “It appears we have a situation brewing that could create problems for all of us.” His tone changed. “I am sorry about Nissasa, Lorsedi. It seems he aspires to become the Largeen Joram in your place. I fear he sees both you and me as his enemies.”
The twins’ grandfather rose and crossed to the fireplace. Resting a hand on the rustic wooden mantle, he stared at the flames.
Nomed glanced at TheLise. She had straightened, her eyes fixed on the man whose lifestyle she had challenged. A lift of her chin implied the game had not ended quite the way she had expected. She left her chair and walked to the Largeen Joram’s side. “I apologize, Lorsedi. I should have told you in private.”
He looked down at her, his eyes hooded. “You played the game well. And,” he turned, “both Wolloh and Nomed deserve to know what Nissasa is planning.” He looked again at the Dreelas. “I am a politician, a soldier, and the leader of my people. War is RewFaar’s game, and we are good at it. But we never wage it with a flippant disregard for life or for those with whom we do battle…at least most of us don’t.” He returned to his chair and picked up his glass. “Perhaps another taste of your excellent brandy, Wolloh?”
The High DiMensioner nodded and, when Nomed finished pouring, raised his glass. “I suggest we drink to our mutual enemy and his imminent downfall.”
Lorsedi, the first to follow his lead, held up his brandy and smiled at TheLise. “To a game well played.” He emptied the glass, swallowed the fiery liquid, and held her gaze. “You seem to enjoy taking risks. How willing are you to play a dangerous game?”
She did not look away. “It depends on the game and the goal.”
“The game and the goal are the same…to bring Nissasa to his knees.”
“And what role am I to play?”
“The bait.” Lorsedi poured himself another glass of brandy.
Nomed felt a rush of adrenaline. Wolloh’s hand on his arm kept him silent and sitting. He glanced at the tortured profile of his mentor. Will you truly allow TheLise to put her life on the line for the Largeen Joram of RewFaar?
End - Chapter 26 of 58
ConDra’s Fire - S.K. Randolph
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27
Myrrh & Thera
