The UnFolding Collection Two

by S. K. Randolph

  All evening he had waited for Wolloh to announce his plans for the boy and had wondered at one point, whether his mentor was purposely tormenting him with his silence on the subject. He thought back over the night.

  When the dessert plates had been cleared, an after-dinner cordial smelling of fire and roses was served in small, shimmering, crystal glasses. Wolloh turned his handsome face to the gathered company and stood up, holding the delicate glass in his uninjured hand. “To an enjoyable evening.” He took a sip, savored its robustness, and held up his glass again. He turned his head—his sightless eye staring directly at Esán. The glass and the eye gleamed. “And…to my new apprentice.”

  “Here! Here!” chorused around the room. Everyone drained their glass and threw it with relish against the wall behind the new Tyro. Everyone except Esán, who stared silently at the disfigured face, set his glass down carefully on the table, and walked, tall and proud, out of the room.

  Nomed sighed. Wolloh merely laughed and continued his charming discourse with the Dreelum as they disbanded for the night. Most of them would be leaving in the morning. TheLise, he hoped, would remain for a few more turnings.

  After the dining room had emptied, Wolloh turned to him. “You have done well to bring the boy to me. He will be a challenge but…” He rubbed his hands together. “What spunk he has! He reminds me of you when you first arrived in DerTah. You were older, but filled with the same self-righteous rebellion, and what a temper you had! I don’t sense the temper in Esán, but he is most certainly his own person. My job will be to make him mine. Tell me…what is his bloodline? Is he, like you, of mix-blood?”

  Nomed had felt his stomach clutch. Remembering Esán’s mother always brought with it a flood of emotion. “His mother, Tianna, was from Myrrh.”

  Wolloh hid his face in the shadows as he turned to pour a final drink. “That explains much. It will be interesting to see what other gifts the boy carries.” He handed Nomed Esán’s untouched cordial. “To you and your nephew.”

  They downed the fiery liquid and hurled the glasses against the wall.

  Nomed struggled with the mixed emotions that surged through him. I’ve gotten exactly what I wanted, haven’t I? Esán will be trained by the master High DiMensioner of the Inner Universe, and when his training is complete…what then? Will he be more powerful than me?

  Esán stripped off the scarlet robe. “Did it ever occur to anyone that it might be nice to ask me whether I wanted to be a Tyro?” He wadded it and the gold sash into a crumpled ball. “I realize I don’t have a choice but…” He pitched them into the corner and glowered. “I would still like to have been asked.” Scrambling into his own clothes, he continued to mumble under his breath about the stupidity of adults…well, not all adults, but certainly Wolloh and Nomed.

  From his window, he watched the moons of DerTah parade across the desert sky. Buttercup yellow and full to bursting, the largest and most distant moon had begun its disappearing act below the western horizon. A turquoise moon arcing overhead, its fullness cradled within a glowing double corona, cast cool light over silhouetted taccus trees and buildings. The tip of the third moon, white and crisp as the snow in the Central Mountains, pushed its crescent phase above the ranch as though straining to catch up with its companions. The immenseness of the scene awed him.

  He grabbed his cloak and threw it around his shoulders. “Perhaps a brisk walk will cool my temper.”

  Esán loved the smell of night, the chill of the air against his skin, and the stark beauty of the sky. The myriad of stars was so different from those on either Thera or Myrrh. I wonder if any of them are the same. What are my friends doing? How is my father? Aunt Merrilea must be so worried. Will I ever see any of them again?

  The crunch of a footfall made him pause in the shadow of a tall taccus tree. Careful not to touch the sharp quills that covered its surface, he ducked behind it and waited. A low voice whispered—another answered. Esán caught his name and strained to hear more. The footsteps and the voices came closer.

  “Do you think we can coax the boy away from Nomed?” Esán did not recognize the voice.

  “Maybe we just kidnap him. He’d be a great bargaining chip.”

  That’s Gidtuss. I’m positive . Esán crouched lower, wishing he dared to use telepathy.

  “Do you honestly think Wolloh would care about the boy’s life?” asked the unknown party.

  “We don’t bargain with his life. We bargain with his talent. He’s loaded with it, and when he’s trained…Look out ’cause we’ll all be in trouble.” Gidtuss and his companion stopped to look up at the night sky. Esán could just make out their silhouetted figures.

  “Will anyone else be interested in helping?” Heads bent close together, they continued their conspiratorial stroll into desert night.

  Esán’s thoughts raced. Who owns the second voice? What do those two want that Wolloh will not give them without a “bargaining chip”? How do I dodge what amounts to a speeding bullet? He smiled at the colloquialism he had learned from Major Jordett. The smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. By the Fathers, I need help, or I might be kidnapped a second time and by enemies much more dangerous than Nomed.

  The rustle of fabric behind him kicked his heart into his throat. He turned ready to fight.

  “Corvus!” His relief was instantaneous. “How did you know…”

  Corvus put a finger to his lips. Moving closer, the man whispered, “Teleport back to your quarters. I’ll join you there when it’s safe.”

  In the time it took to snap his fingers, Esán arrived in the middle of his small room.

  “Don’t move,” a soft voice hissed in the dark. The lock on the door clicked into place.

  6

  ConDra’s Fire

  Myrrh

  A lmiralyn took A moment to organize her thoughts. Clearing her throat, she began, her eyes on Sparrow.

  “Your mother, Gerolyn, was born and raised in the Temple of Mahyinaeh on the planet of KcernFensia. The summer of her eighteenth sun cycle, she received an invitation to become a priestess in the temple and was initiated. That same summer, a delegation from RewFaar arrived and with it the Largeen Joram and his son, Lorsedi.

  “It is important to understand that KcernFensia is essentially a matriarchy. Although it is not unheard of for a man to lead, most often the rulers are high priestesses of Mahyinaeh. RewFaar, KcernFensia’s antithesis, is a patriarchy ruled by its military leaders. Women on RewFaar are raised in a cloistered setting known as LaTenge Famele and remain separate from the male population, except when required for official functions or to join with a man. RewFaarans would never accept or tolerate a woman as their ruler. The delegation that summer came to KcernFensia in search of new breeding stock.”

  “You mean they were there to get women?” Brie’s eyes widened.

  “They were, and not just any women. They wanted women raised in the temple, women who were well educated and trained in the healing arts. As you can imagine, the delegation was not terribly popular. Glenet Evol, the high priestess, welcomed them only because she had no choice. They had threatened war.”

  Allynae’s brow knitted. “RewFaar is a military dictatorship whose whole society and government are based on waging war. Warfare is their aim, and raw fear is their game.”

  “No wonder she had to let them visit,” Torgin said.

  Almiralyn continued. “Glenet knew that the Largeen Joram’s threat was real and that he had set his sights on a high priestess to join with his son. Before their arrival, she sent all but three priestesses into the hills to hide. Gerolyn’s twin sister, Tissent and two other young priestesses had volunteered to give up their lives in the Temple to save the planet they loved.”

  Excitement lit up Brie’s face. “My grandmother is a twin? Maybe that explains why we’re twins. Maybe it runs in the family.”

  “Maybe.” Ari nodded. “That was really courageous. What happened next?”

  “Unbeknownst to anyone, Gerolyn had ret
urned to support Tissent. Disguised as a visitor from an island down the coast, she entered the temple grounds. By accident, she and Lorsedi ran into each other. It was love at first sight. They were smitten, and they were doomed to live their lives apart. Gerolyn was destined to rule and had already taken her oath to serve. She refused to leave with Lorsedi and betray her temple vows and her planet. Lorsedi, contrary to the traditions of his culture, did not wish to share her. For the duration of the RewFaaran visit, they kept their love, and Gerolyn’s presence, a secret. As negotiations were completed and the three young priestesses prepared to depart with the delegation, Lorsedi and Gerolyn were secretly sealed in the ways of KcernFensia and consummated their love.”

  “How did Glenet plan to keep KcernFensia safe?” Torgin asked. “I mean, couldn’t RewFaarans come back and demand more women?”

  “They could have,” answered Almiralyn, “but as the gateway swallowed the delegation, Glenet sealed the path from RewFaar to KcernFensia for time and eternity. There would be no bloodshed and no threat of another visit from the men of RewFaar, at least not though the most direct route—dimensional travel.

  “Not long after, Gerolyn realized she was with child. She asked immediately for an audience with Glenet Evol. Both women realized that Lorsedi would know and that he would find a way to come back to KcernFensia to claim his child and the woman who bore it. Gerolyn was sent to me. Since she had been married by sacred ceremony, she could not remarry nor could she bear another man’s children. Standin agreed to be her protector and to raise you, Sparrow, as his daughter.”

  “He has always been so good to us.” Sparrow shook her head. “What a sacrifice.”

  “Did Lorsedi ever return to the temple?” Brie asked.

  “He did…many sun cycles later. Business had taken him to DerTah, and he used a gateway there to make a visit to KcernFensia. Needless to say, he was upset to find Gerolyn gone and furious that Glenet refused to tell him where she could be found.”

  “So why are you so worried about him now?” Sparrow asked.

  “Because I received word that he is searching for you and your mother.” She looked over at Brie. “Today, he learned he has a granddaughter.”

  Ari squirmed in her chair. “Why is that so bad?”

  “The men of RewFaar have, for far too long, been breeding within the same bloodlines. They are desperate for a new strain. With your KcernFensian blood and the fact that you are two generations removed from Lorsedi, you are the perfect potential mate. Also, you have the red hair of the ruling class.”

  “Well , I’m not the least bit interested in living in RewFaar with a bunch of other women. And I have no intention of being a breeder!” Ari sat back and folded her arms across her chest. The expression on her face dared anyone to contradict her.

  Almiralyn smiled. “I doubt that you need to worry about that just yet, Ari.” She stood up. “If you will excuse me, I need some time to reflect.” And I need some answers .

  On the way up the stairs, her mind grappled with the issues that faced her and the group gathered in the kitchen. At the top of the list was the Evolsefil Crystal. The longer it remained in Nemttachenn, and not in the Cave of Canedari, the greater the risk to it, to Myrrh, and to this solar system. According to ancient law, the person who removed it from the cave must return it. Esán’s rescue, therefore, headed the list of what had to be accomplished. The squeaky fourth step made her pause. Esán’s gifts also made him a target for the Dreelum od DerTah. Their lust for power could turn him into a battleground. She continued up the stairs. Now, we also have to deal with RewFaar.

  Curiosity , she thought entering her sanctuary. Curiosity has just put Myrrh and Thera and even KcernFensia in jeopardy. She rested her hands on Elcaro’s rounded rim. “You show what we need to know, so perhaps all is not lost. I must contact Standin.” Slowing her ricocheting thoughts, she passed her hand over the Eye.

  Lorsedi’s face flashed to the surface. The fountain quaked as Almiralyn dodged out of his line of vision. Focusing her power and her intent, she fought him for control. With all the formidable strength he possessed, the Largeen Joram tried to wrench it from her.

  The water roiled, foamed, and shot up into the air where it froze, suspended in a splashed arch above the bowl. In the shallow puddle remaining on the bottom, fiery red hair caught the light and eyes as deep and dark as the pits of Sedah blazed with desire and frustration.

  Almiralyn made her last stand. Swirling her hand above the fountain, she clapped three times. The face disintegrated into the bubbling return of the water to the bowl. With exhaustion threatening to overwhelm her, she cried,

  “Evil comes—cease to flow.

  Empty now Elcaro’s bowl.

  Water turn to air and light,

  Until recalled when all is right.”

  The carved woman on the edge stopped spilling water from her open palms as steam rose up from the bowl to fill the sanctuary. Almiralyn clapped three more times. The steam vanished, leaving the fountain empty on its carved pedestal and the tip of the Vesen Crystal exposed at the bottom of the bowl.

  “Lorsedi,” she murmured, “how, in the name of Emit, did you manage to gain control of Elcaro’s Eye?”

  Discussion around Almiralyn’s kitchen table continued after she was gone. Allynae could hardly believe that Sparrow, his chosen life companion, was not only KcernFensian but also carried the royal bloodline of RewFaar. And his daughters, whom he had only just met, were the granddaughters of the Largeen Joram, no less. They were royalty on both planets. Life had become decidedly more complex. Rescuing Esán had been a big enough challenge and now… He glanced up as his sister reentered the room. Her eyes spoke volumes. So did her pallor. No one in the kitchen spoke as she sat down at the head of the table.

  Brie leaned close to Ari. “She's seen our grandfather.”

  Ari nudged her and flicked her gaze toward their father.

  Allynae sat next to Sparrow, his impatience to know tangible around him. His cool blue eyes found his daughters and snapped back to his sister’s drawn face.

  “Tell us, Almiralyn.” Sparrow’s voice was soft but urgent. “We can help only if we know what we’re up against.”

  Brie felt Torgin press next to her and slipped her arm through his. Ari tensed. Jordett looked on with interest, while Merrilea remained wrapped in her sense of personal sadness. One Man, a silent spectator, rested a hand lightly on her shoulder. Paisley faded into the background.

  When Almiralyn began to speak, the words seemed muffled by the tension in the kitchen. “I’ve shut down…”

  Brie strained to hear.

  “I shut down the fountain,” she repeated with more force. “Lorsedi fought me for control.”

  Jordett broke the stunned silence that followed her announcement. “Does he know who you are?”

  “Could he tell where you are?” Allynae’s concern flared and sputtered.

  “How did he get control of your fountain?” Merrilea asked.

  Ari jumped to her feet. “How will we know what’s happening if Elcaro isn’t working?”

  Sparrow remained silent. One Man’s intent gaze rested on the Guardian of Myrrh.

  “Are you alright?” Brie’s question brought all eyes to Almiralyn’s face.

  “I’m frustrated but fine, Brie.” Her gaze traveled the concerned faces around the table. “We have much to decide and not much time. Lorsedi did not see my face, but he won’t take long to trace the path he forged to Elcaro’s Eye.”

  Torgin leaned forward. “He cannot find you if you shut it down, right?”

  “I did what I could to erase the connection, but he has obviously spent time tracing it, or he wouldn’t have had such a strong hold. Had I not used Elcaro’s Eye when I did, he would have taken complete control.” Her eyes narrowed. “Lorsedi may prove to be a fearsome enemy.”

  Jordett cleared his throat. “Lorsedi is a military leader. His strategies were in place long before he saw you in the fountain. My guess—h
e’s already on the move.”

  “The major’s right.” Almiralyn’s voice regained its authority. “We have two primary goals. One is to rescue Esán. He is the only one who can return Evolsefil to the Cave of Canedari.”

  One Man’s throaty voice entered the conversation. “I also believe the Dreelum od DerTah will attempt to turn Esán into a pawn in their power games. We can’t allow that to happen any more than we can allow Lorsedi to find Sparrow’s family.”

  Almiralyn acknowledged her agreement with a nod.

  “Moving quickly on both fronts is vital,” Jordett said. “I suggest we contact Sparrow’s parents as soon as possible. Lorsedi may have already sent soldiers to Thera.”

  Brie felt Ari’s hand tighten on her arm as their mother’s face paled.

  “Aren’t they safe in Singtil?” Sparrow asked.

  Jordett and Almiralyn exchanged glances. “Not if Lorsedi discovers Myrrh,” he said brusquely.

  Allynae hugged Sparrow and then turned to his sister. “What about Novissi, my crystal? Can we use it to contact them?”

  Almiralyn shook her head. “Its connection to Elcaro’s Eye will make it Lorsedi’s next target.

  Paisley tugged at his mustache. “Do Sparrow’s parents need t’ come here, so we can protect ’em?”

  Hope flooded Sparrow’s face. “Then we could all hide together.”

  Allynae frowned. “I don’t think having any of you in the same place is safe. Not even the twins.”

  Ari folded her arms across her chest. Her brown eyes snapped beneath half-closed lids. “You want to separate Brie and me?”