C. J. Barry - Unearthed 01, page 26
Cohl frowned at the “we” references. She was speaking as if she were one of the Demisians. What had happened? Where was his Tess?
He cast a glance around. The hard, ugly faces of the Trakas had been transformed into the wide-eyed stare of a child. Gone was the hate that twisted features and minds. The power of the amulet was working, captivating and controlling. But why was she talking as if she were a Demisian?
“This is your future, your fate.” Tess’s words rang out and carried in the wind. “Open your eyes and see the truth before you. Open your ears and hear the cries of death. Open your heart and listen to your people. Today, you must choose the path you will lead them down. Do you choose the beginning or do you choose the end?”
Her final word echoed into silence. Why was she giving them a choice? She had the amulet. Why hadn’t she just told them what to do?
The troops on both sides began to shuffle, looking around in confusion and at the dead bodies of their former leaders.
Cohl waited, watching the Trakas watching Tess. Maybe the amulet wasn’t as powerful as the legend foretold.
She looked so fragile standing there. All she had for protection was that amulet and he doubted that was going to stop a laser blast. She was obviously in no condition to defend herself. Cohl crouched, coiled, ready to leap forward and block any laser fire on Tess with his own body. Then he heard a metallic thunk. Then another. He glanced over as Traka-Nor and Traka-Sou began dropping their weapons to the ground.
One by one, they disarmed themselves and kneeled before her, heads hung low until Cohl and his father were the only ones left standing.
The wind died and the ground stilled. Tess’s arms lowered as a smile crossed her face.
“You have chosen the beginning. You will need a new leader. A voice that is true, eyes that are clear, a heart that is pure.”
She spoke to Nish. “You are the Guardian. It is too late for our planet.”
Nish nodded in agreement.
“But you are not here for Demisie. You have the opportunity to save another world. A world you love where our blood runs warm. Will you honor these people until your death?”
He bowed his head slowly. “I will.”
Tess addressed the Trakas. “Will you honor your leader for all your people’s sake?”
The answer was, “We will.”
“Then go. You have a long journey ahead of you.” Tess turned and disappeared back into the dark tunnel.
“Now there’s a woman who was born to rule.” The familiar voice spoke behind Cohl. He spun around to find his father approaching. He looked tired and dirty but well, his restraints removed.
“That’s not her,” Cohl replied with a deep frown. He glanced up at the TrakasNor and Souwho were slowly surrounding Nish and listening to his quiet orders.
“Come with me,” Cohl said to his father.
They found her just inside the entrance, sprawled unconscious on the ground with the amulet by itself several meters from her. Cohl’s blood chilled. He knelt down next to her and felt her pulse. Weak but there. He administered his single dose of Aritrox and turned to his father.
“Help me get her back to the transport.”
Tess watched Cohl pace the med center before her like a big cat prowling his lair. She smiled. Even through the foggy, happy haze of Aritrox, she knew he hadn’t left her side since they had arrived back on Speculator. By then she had regained consciousness and felt fine, but Cohl insisted she be checked out.
Witley was taking his time examining her and Cohl looked ready to feed on someone. He strode restlessly like a panther circling its domain. God, he looked so good, she thought. So powerful and dangerous and intense. She nearly hugged herself. He was hers. If she had a solid bone in her body, she’d jump him, here and now. The thought sent a giggle through her. What would Witley think of that?
Finally reaching his limit, Cohl stopped directly in front of the medic. “Witley, is she all right or not?”
The medic’s head snapped up from his data pad as if he’d just realized they were there. “She’s fine. She just needs some rest.”
Cohl reached out and scooped her carefully off the med table. “Thanks,” he muttered, carrying her out the med center.
Tess smiled a drunkard’s smile, happy and feeling fine in his arms as Speculator’s ceilings and walls floated by her. The whirlwind settled when Cohl deposited her gently on the bed in his quarters. She watched like a detached observer as he gently removed her clothes and then stripped off his own. He lay down next to her and pulled their naked bodies together. She folded into him with a small sigh, feeling safe and secure and loved.
“I thought I’d lost you.” His words sounded so sweet in her ear. “Life without you I can’t imagine. I’d die for you, Tess.”
So he did love her. He wanted her. She sighed, reveling in love that only he could give her. She should tell him now. Yes, now would be perfect. I love you, Cohl. She smiled, proud of herself. She’d finally said it. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Funny, he didn’t reply. Maybe he was dead tired, too.
Instead, his arms enveloped her, a balm to her scattered senses. His heart pounded in his chest, music to her ears. His breath caressed her, massaging her tender skin. This must be heaven was her last thought before sleep slipped over her.
Cohl found them in his office, huddled together like two conspirators, while in the holodeck, Earth glowed blue and white. His father laughed heartily at something Tess had said. Cohl could tell she had already worked her magic on Montral Trae Salle. His blue eyes were twinkling as brightly as ever. Even after all these years, he looked healthy and robust. His full, gray hair was a little shaggy but still regal. He had shaved the rough beard he’d grown during captivity, revealing the stubborn, square jaw Cohl remembered only too well.
They glanced up in unison as he entered.
“Cohlman,” his father started with a booming greeting. “About time you showed yourself. This remarkable woman has been filling me in on your adventures in coming to my rescue.”
Cohl cast Tess an inquisitive look as he walked up behind them. She batted her eyelashes innocently.
His father continued with a shake of his head. “I must say, I’m most impressed by your efforts.” He winked at Tess. “And by this ravishing woman. She was just telling me about her home planet. Sounds a lot like Yre Gault.”
Tess laughed. “You’re just saying that because I said Earth is so beautiful.”
“Of course,” Montral replied. Then he leaned in close. “But Yre Gault has better-looking men.”
Cohl shook his head and dropped into a seat next to Tess. “Remind me never to leave you two alone for very long.”
“So where have you been?” Montral asked, folding his arms over his chest.
“In communications,” Cohl said, leaning forward over the table to address them both. “Trying to find out how the Trakas are reacting to their tentative peace agreement.”
“And?” Tess prompted.
Cohl glanced at her. “So far, Nish is holding everything together. The battle was between the brothers, not between the people. However, if it had carried on for more than a generation, it would have become the people’s battle, too. Luckily, they want peace. Demisie left quite an impression on the troops that landed there. They seem genuinely determined to escape that fate.”
“So there’s hope,” Tess sighed.
Cohl nodded. “There’s hope.” He looked at his father. “They could use some financial and humanitarian help.”
Montral smiled. “They’ll have it.”
“Nish has promised general elections as soon as things have settled down,” Cohl continued. “I expect it to be soon. He realizes that his time is limited but until then, he’s the appointed leader.”
“He’ll be a good one,” Tess added quietly. “At least, there was one candidate for Trakas in that bunch. The little girl showed Nish to me. When I wore the amulet, I could see a clear light around him.” She smiled at Cohl. “Like you and your father. All the others were dull.”
She tilted her head and frowned. “But whatever happened to the amulet? Did you give it to Nish?”
Cohl shook his head. “We decided it was too dangerous in anyone’s possession. And we couldn’t put it back in the cavern. It wouldn’t take long for someone else to steal it. So I dropped it from the transport into the middle of Demisie’s largest ocean. Right now, it is lying buried in a few thousand feet of water and silt. There isn’t a sensor built that can locate it through Demisie’s magnetic interference.”
Tess gave him a little smile. “The Demisians would be pleased that their amulet is safe.”
“And no one will ever wield its power again,” Cohl added gnmly.
Tess shifted in her chair. “It never held any power.”
“What?” Cohl and his father said in near unison.
She looked from one man to the other and shrugged. “There was no power in the amulet. It only amplified voices and cast light.”
“But we saw you use it to bring peace to the Trakas,” Montral blurted out. “They were ready to battle.”
Tess shook her head. “It was only words. They believed the words because they believed the amulet had power.”
“You can’t stop a planetwide war single-handedly with a few words,” Cohl said in disbelief.
She cast him a long look and tapped her chest. “It’s here, in your heart.” She tapped her head. “Here, in your mind.” She held out her hands. “Here, in your hands. That’s all the power you ever need. If you follow your heart, you will not fail.”
Cohl stared back at her in amazement and admiration. She had saved a planet all by herself because that’s what had to be done. As usual, she had taken the responsibility because she knew it was the right choice.
His father chuckled low and worked up to a full-belly laugh. “My dear,” he finally managed, “you are quite the performer. The Demisians were lucky that you got to the amulet first.”
“Speaking of the Demisians, what about the rest of the planet?” Tess asked Montral. “Will it be protected?”
Montral reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’ll make sure it is. From what I could see, the archeology is a treasure in itself. And the entire culture, haunting yet beautiful, especially your descriptions of what you saw through the amulet. Those have been documented and will be retained as historical record.”
Tess shook her head. “I only saw a small portion of their lives. Perhaps you could talk to Nish, also. After all, he is a direct descendent of the Demisians. I’m sure he’d be happy to record what he knows so their way of life will not be forgotten.”
Montral smiled and patted her hand. “Excellent idea. I’m still impressed about the brilliant way he maneuvered the brothers to a face-to-face confrontation. I doubt it would have ever happened had he not taken the initiative.”
Cohl interjected, “Using us as bait, remember. I don’t know how much I trust Nish.”
“His convictions run deep. If his plan hadn’t worked, he would have been executed. He took a great risk to save Trakas.”
Montral nodded and added, “She’s right. His methods may have been devious but it wasn’t his idea to abduct me. That was that idiot Rommol. Nish did his duty for Trakas.”
Tess shook her head. “It wasn’t duty that drove Nish.”
Cohl frowned. “Then what was it?”
She looked at him. “Love. He loves Trakas. It’s only duty if your heart isn’t in it.”
Their eyes locked and Cohl understood. She hadn’t stood vulnerable in front of them because she had to. She’d done it because she wanted to. Just like everything else in her life.
Montral looked from Cohl to Tess. “I think everything worked out very well for you two.”
Tess gave Cohl a challenging look. “Any more complaints?”
He looked at her, committing every part of her to memory. Yeah, he had only one complaint. She was going home.
Montral broke the silence. “How much longer before we arrive at Yre Gault?”
“About an hour,” Cohl replied. “Pitz will rendezvous with us there.”
Cohl glanced at Tess. “Pitz did try to send a warning that Gothyk was tracking us.” Then he pinned his father with a glare. “Because security was so bad on the Yre Gault docking station, Gothyk’s men were able to plant a tracker beacon aboard Speculator while it was being repaired. That’s how they followed us to Demisie.”
“Pitz,” Montral slapped a palm to his forehead in mock drama, clearly ignonng Cohl’s reference to the infiltration. “Imagine my surprise when I thought he was abducting me. I may have to tighten up our security.”
“What security? I told you ten years ago that your security net was too lax. If you’d listened to me then, none of this would have happened. Instead, you trusted Logen, of all people. Do you know that he’s the one who planned your abduction? And Tess’s. He nearly killed her.”
His father looked at Tess in concern. “I apologize, my dear. I had no idea.”
“But I didn’t have much choice,” his father said to Cohl. “You were gone.”
“I wouldn’t have left if you’d listened to me,” Cohl said, unable to stop the bitterness from his words.
There was a long silence before Montral nodded. “You are right. I didn’t listen. I didn’t do a lot of things I should have.” He looked at Cohl. “Did you take care of Logen?”
“I did,” Tess said in a small voice. “He’s dead.”
His father gave a sigh. “Then I am doubly sorry.” He leaned back and raised his hands. “What do I know about security? I want to be accessible to my people, not live in a prison.”
“If you don’t want to end up in another prison, you need to implement a real system and I’m going to set it up,” Cohl stated flatly. “I can’t spend all my time coming to your rescue. Besides, Mother has already agreed.”
Montral frowned deeply, a look that Cohl had seen many times. He braced himself for the inevitable battle. Too bad. This one was his. This time his father was going to listen.
“Went over my head, did you?” Montral said seriously. Then he turned and winked at Tess. “Now you know who really runs Yre Gault.”
Cohl sat stunned while Tess grinned and said, “I can see why Ad is so anxious to have you back.”
Montral wiggled his eyebrows. “She’s crazy about me, you know.”
Tess tilted her head back and laughed. Cohl couldn’t believe it. He had never seen his father crack a joke or make anyone laugh or care enough to even try. What had happened in the past ten years? And who was this man impersonating his father?
Tess caught Cohl watching his father and her eyebrows went up. She pushed back from the table. “Well, if you’ll excuse me. There’s something I need to do in the VirtuWav.”
She looked directly at him, and there, in her green eyes, was love. It was the most beautiful thing he could ever recall seeing and the memory of it would surely haunt him forever.
Tess stood up and he watched her disappear out the office door. When he turned back, Montral was looking at him.
“Don’t let her go,” he said succinctly.
Cohl groaned. The last thing he wanted to discuss with his father was Tess.
“She has a life on Earth. One that I rudely yanked her away from to save your ass. She belongs there.”
Montral harrumphed. “Is that what you think? With the way she just looked at you? You won’t find another woman like her,” his father continued. “Not anywhere else in the universe.”
“You don’t understand,” Cohl explained, staring at the Earth hovering in the holodeck. “She already postponed her dream to help her parents. Then to help us. She deserves her shot.”
“Even if it hurts,” Montral prodded.
Cohl glanced over at him. “Yes.”
“And she feels the same way?” Montral asked, tapping his fingers together under his chin.
There was a long silence.
Montral leaned forward and came nose-to-nose with his son. “She feels the same way, right?”
Cohl took a deep breath. “I don’t know.”
“You didn’t ask her?”
Cohl shot out of his chair and began pacing the room with all the extra energy he had suddenly acquired as frustration gnawed at him.
“If she loved me, she would have said something by now. Obviously, she doesn’t. Or if she does, it’s not enough to give up her old life for.”
“Did you ever think that maybe she might want to make that choice herself?” Montral said. “It can’t hurt to ask.”
Cohl stopped in the middle of the office and hung his head. “Yes. Yes, it could hurt to ask. Especially if she says no.”
“More than losing her forever?”
Cohl glanced up at his father. The man was relentless but he also had a point. Nothing could hurt more than losing her forever.
He dared to hope and just that little glimmer was more than he should risk. He had taken worse chances in his life. Risks that nearly got him killed. But this was the first time he’d ever wagered his heart. Only for Tess would he take such bad odds.
Cohl turned and headed for the door. “If you need me, I’ll be in the VirtuWav.”
Tess breathed in the pine scent, so familiar and sweet. A cool breeze rattled the thick forest around her. These were the mountains she had visited as a child and loved as an adult.
This was what home felt like, smelled like. This was Earth.
She wrapped her arms around herself and gazed out over a body of water that could be any lake in the Adirondacks. A blue heron cruised by in slow motion and made a perfect two-point landing in the shallows not far from her. Earth’s yellow sun cast its brilliant path across the gentle ripples of waves.
A single tear slid down her cheek.
This was one of the places she would miss but as long as the VirtuWav could replicate it so perfectly, it would always be just a virtual world away.
It was all so strange, these new worlds with their aliens and customs. Yet at the same time, exciting and wonderful. But not like home. They would never be Earth, never come close.
