The UnFolding Collection Two

by S. K. Randolph

  Nichi and Seval stopped near the top of one of the myriad of dunes they had been climbing for what seemed like forever. They all gathered around her. “We at camp. I go down. Talk to WoNadahem. You hear horn blow, you come.” She hiked the last remaining distance to the top of the dune and descended the other side.

  Esán could feel the tension mounting in his companions as they waited in the coolness of late afternoon. Strain lined Seval’s face. Ira and Torgin started to bicker. Only Brie and the red fox seemed unconcerned. He slipped his hand into Brie’s and let his senses scan the far side of the dune. Nothing alerted him to danger.

  The sound of a deep horn blowing announced the acceptance of their presence. The fox trotted up the dune and paused at the top, ears twitching and nose sniffing. Torgin and Ira followed. Seval held back. Brie took his hand. “It is safe here, Seval. I can feel it, and so can Esán. We won’t let anything happen to you—I give you my word.”

  Ira’s excited voice urged them to hurry. “Hey, you three, come see what’s on the other side.”

  Esán placed a hand on Seval’s shoulder. The muscles beneath his palm contracted. “Don’t you want to see where Nichi lives?”

  “I…”

  Nichi appeared at the top of the dune and waved.

  Seval’s tension vanished as he waved back and climbed toward her.

  “That is interesting.” Brie smiled. “You must tell me about Seval as soon as we have some privacy. He is so sad and frightened.”

  Before he could respond, they reached the top and gazed down at the first touch of green they had seen in the desert.

  24

  ConDra’s Fire

  Thera

  O ne Man pondered his options. The horror of Vascorrie Cavern had taken its toll on Sparrow and Merrilea. Time was short, too short for escape on foot with two fatigued women. How close were the soldiers who tracked him? Had they made the sound in the underbrush? Grateful for the gifts of the Seed of Carsilem, he tuned his ears to the sounds of night and his eyes to the gloominess of predawn. Even so, he didn’t detect the approach of two sleek, black panthers that melted out of the tall ferns and evergreens and took the form of Pentharian, one blue and one green.

  “Well, I’ll be…” His arm steadied Merrilea as she gasped in surprise.

  Voer’s blue braids tumbled over his shoulder as he bowed to the women. Sparrow placed her hand on his palm and on tiptoes touched her forehead to his. Surprise registered on the alien face.

  “SparrowLyn, oid eo daize rao.” The guttural greeting was so soft One Man’s ears strained to catch it.

  “Voer, oid eo daiza raa.” She stepped back. Her own surprise tugged her lips into a half smile. “I didn’t know…”

  The Pentharian placed a tattooed hand on his heart. “It is good, Mother of Twins.” He turned to One Man. “We must leave this place. Many soldiers move this way.”

  Stee, his face still registering his astonishment at Sparrow’s grasp of his native tongue, joined the group. “We can’t fly in trees this close. Neither can we carry more than one Human adult on our panther backs.”

  One Man’s senses pick up a vibration in the ground that urged action. “Take the women. I’ll follow. Hurry. Merrilea knows the way. I’ll meet you at Singtil Pass.”

  Merrilea started to protest. He touched her face. “I’ll be very close.”

  A subtle shift in the forest sounds made everyone fall silent. A soft, whistled note sent them into a nearly soundless flurry of activity. The Pentharian melted into panthers. The women mounted. Quiet paws carried them into the predawn shadows of the forest.

  One Man set his course to lead the soldiers in the opposite direction. Like a deer startled into sudden flight, he shook the hip-high ferns and dashed through the trees. He felt the soldiers catch his sound and focus their search in his direction.

  Intent on leaving a clumsy trail, he dodged over the rough terrain. Ferns slapped at his legs. He slid down a rock-strewn hill and circumvented a large boulder. His goal—to give Sparrow, Merrilea, and the Pentharian a substantial lead—took him to the edge of a swamp in a long, narrow gully. With luck he could set a course through it that would bog down his pursuers.

  Tearing the bottom of his shirt, he ripped strips and shoved them in a pocket. Eyes on his target, he teleported to a bush a short distance over the sodden ground. He draped a scrap over a bare branch. Another short trip…a broken twig…a footprint…another scrape…all marked his journey. Finally, he reached the far side of the swamp and stood silent, listening.

  An uneasy quiet settled over the woods. Birds ceased their song; a small creature stood on its hind legs, ears twitching. One Man stretched his awareness until he found the soldiers grouped at the other side of the swamp. Would they take his bait?

  Teleporting above the rancid water, he made his way to a tall, leafy beech tree. Shimmying up, he wrapped his arms around a large limb, swung his legs over, and pulled himself up. The climb from there was easy, and although he could have teleported, he savored the feel of rough bark beneath his hands and the physical exertion that brought sweat to his brow. Close to the top but still hidden in the foliage, he stopped and pressed his body against the trunk.

  Eyes narrowed against the sun’s encroaching brightness as he searched the surrounding terrain. A flash of light bounced off the swamp’s murky surface. Muffled expletives reached his ears. A soldier slogged his way through the hip-deep water. He stopped and held up a scrap of shirt.

  “Over here.” His shout was cautious but loud enough to reach the men who skirted the sloping walls of the gully.

  One Man settled more comfortably on the branch. Now, patience would be his best friend. The soldiers had no dogs to follow his scent, so he could observe their activities and listen to their orders without fear of discovery. If he waited long enough, they would tire and return to camp. Even if they stayed until nightfall, they would be forced by the dark to discontinue their search until morning.

  Not far from the beech tree, an officer standing at the edge of the swamp, ordered his men into the tepid water. “Search for anything that will lead us to him. He can’t have gone far.”

  RewFaaran soldiers and PPP patrollers slogged through foul-smelling mud and stumbled over submerged roots. Frustrated expletives tainted the air. Two men paused beneath his hideout and looked toward the officer issuing the orders. “Guess he doesn’t want to get his shiny boots wet. We don’t even know for sure it’s our guy leaving a trail so easy to follow.”

  The second man took off his cap and mopped his brow. “How soon will he call it quits?”

  “You’re talkin’ about Old-Never-Give-Up. He could keep us here until DerTah freezes over.” The first soldier waded toward the opposite side of the swamp.

  “Shite.” The second man slapped his arm with his hat. “Da’amit, I don’t wanna be eaten alive.” He swatted his cheek with his hand and examined his palm. “The little bugger drank half my blood.” Wiping his hands on the seat of pants, he labored through the muck after his comrade.

  On his perch, One Man was suddenly alert. A subtle change in the air left him tingling with anticipation. He peered up at the forest canopy. An almost imperceptible current rustled through the trees, heading in the direction the Pentharian had taken the women. The faint scent of smoke escalated his uneasiness. Casting his senses outward, he searched for Sparrow’s mental signature.

  A shout from the far side of the gully reminded him to pay attention. His present circumstance continued to put him at risk. As much as he wanted to teleport to Sparrow’s side, every instinct warned against it. An answering shout told him the soldiers moved back in his direction.

  The sun already rode high, erasing the shadows between the fallen and tangled trees scattered throughout the swamp. Soon there would be no cover. He climbed down from his high branch, landed soundlessly at the base of the birch, and shifted.

  Across from him, a soldier stepped from behind a tree and drew his weapon.

  One M
an unfurled his heron wings and lifted into flight. A shot rang out. The bullet whizzed by him, cutting a trajectory through a radiant flash of sunlight.

  Sparrow’s chin quivered. she shuddered and clung to Voer’s panther back, welcoming the warmth and power of the muscles rippling beneath her hands. Letting her exhausted body soak in both, she gave herself a mental shake. Memories of her close call in Vascorrie clung to her like the web of a spider to a window frame. Flashes of primavers tearing her hair and tarwish slobbering on her face and body made her cringe. Who carried me away from sure death? One Man carried Merrilea. Powerful arms lifting me are all I can remember . Hugging Voer’s sides with her knees, she peered ahead through the trees. Although the Pentharian could not converse in panther form, they could still understand their riders. Merrilea’s whispered directions to Stee had helped to put distance between them and the soldiers who hunted One Man.

  Up ahead, Merrilea leaned low over Stee’s back. His ears twitched. He slowed, then stopped. She dismounted and stretched. Voer’s easy gait decelerated to a standstill. Sparrow swung a leg over his back and slid off. Both Pentharian shifted, their lizard-gold eyes inspecting the woodlands around them.

  Voer touched her arm. “Daughter of KcernFensia, can you feel anyone in pursuit?”

  Sparrow closed her eyes and stretched her sensory skills. “Nothing follows. Birds sing. Small animals forage for food. A predator close by stalks an unaware rabbit.”

  Voer’s expression eased. “One Man has done well. How far are we from Singtil Pass?”

  “We will be there by nightfall if we can keep up this pace.” Merrilea sighed and leaned against the broad trunk of an ancient tree. Her eyes drifted shut, then opened slowly.

  Sparrow’s hand rested on her stomach, where uneasiness churned for no apparent reason. Seeking to understand, she wandered a short distance from her companions. Something in the distance moved toward them, something not of the planet of Thera. Her eyes widened and flashed to the faces of her companions.

  Voer closed the gap between them in one long stride. He held her gaze, understood the urgency he saw there, and nodded. Signaling Stee to shift, he followed suit. Without a word, Merrilea mounted. Fear flashed over her face. She shook her head, clearing it, and whispered directions to Stee.

  Sparrow took one more moment to ascertain her discovery. The strangeness traveling through the forest could not be mistaken. Grabbing the fur at Voer’s neck, she leapt onto his back. “Odi dimenic!” she whispered close to his ear. A growl told her he understood. She crouched lower. The muscles in his back engaged, and they were in motion.

  Trees blurred by as Voer raced through the forest. Catching up to Stee, he growled a message. Merrilea’s frightened gaze fastened on Sparrow’s for an instant before her mount picked up speed.

  More quickly than Sparrow expected, the foursome reached the U-shaped bottom of Demrach Canyon and stopped in the trees flanking the flatlands. Voer and Stee stood together in natural form, speaking in low, guttural tones. Merrilea remained quiet and watchful.

  Sparrow scanned the width and breadth of the canyon. Her brow furrowed. Is it safe to continue to Singtil? Or will I be taking danger to my parents’ door? Again, she searched the flatlands for any sign of movement. Nothing stirred. Is that good or bad? She scrutinized the sky where the sun continued its descent to the horizon. It’s taken most of the turning to get this far. Will waiting for its disappearance to drape darkness across the valley be the safest way to traverse it?

  A blue heron soared overhead, skirted the tree line, and landed some distance away. Voer moved to her side as it strutted toward them. Stee placed himself near Merrilea.

  Sparrow’s mouth rounded and then curved into a smile. “I should have known.” She stepped free of the trees.

  The heron unfurled its beautiful wings. Merrilea gasped and grabbed her arm as the bird disappeared in a flare of light and One Man appeared in its place.

  “Sparrow, back in the trees .” His telepathic message was a command.

  As she moved to retreat into the forest, Merrilea jogged across the distance that separated her from her brother-in-law. Silent sobs shook her shoulders as One Man’s arms wrapped around her. He said something. She nodded and moved out of his embrace. Taking her hand, he pulled her back to shelter of tall trees and the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

  Relieved to have Sparrow back in his care, One Man directed his focus to whatever followed through the trees like an arrow to a bull’s-eye. Unable to identify their stalker, he debated the wisdom of investigating it.

  Gathering the group into a huddle, he explained his concern. “I don’t know what it is, but I feel certain we’re its target.”

  Voer pursed thin, red lips. “We must discover what tracks us. Sparrow tells me it is not of Thera.”

  One Man looked at the twins’ mother. “You can feel it?”

  “I began to experience a strangeness in the forest—something that made the trees cringe as it skimmed their tops—when we took a break at midday.”

  Not for the first time, One Man found himself impressed by Sparrow’s rapidly growing gifts. “Any idea where it’s from?”

  “None. I only know it’s closing in as we speak.”

  He turned to Voer and Stee. “If I can get close enough, I’ll be able to tell what we are dealing with, but I need to maintain Human form to do so. Would one of you be willing to carry me?”

  “I can do this,” responded Voer.

  Stee nodded his agreement. “I will remain with the women.”

  One Man caught Sparrow’s knowing gaze. She understood the danger. “Sparrow, do you know how to set up a screen to diffuse your scent and obscure your whereabouts?”

  “I’ve never had the occasion to try. Tell me how, and I will do my best.”

  “Time is too short for an explanation. May I place the knowledge in your mind?”

  She nodded. “Of course, One Man. I trust you.”

  Placing two fingers on her temples, he shut his eyes. When he opened them, Sparrow smiled.” I understand.”

  One Man put an arm around Merrilea. “Promise me you will stay hidden and quiet.”

  “I promise, Somay. Please be careful.” She hugged him and moved closer to Sparrow.

  With Voer at his side, he stepped from the trees into the open canyon land and looked up at the tall Pentharian. “You understand the danger? If it senses us, I may not be able to destroy it.”

  Voer’s golden gaze held his. “The choice is made, my friend.” He shifted form.

  One man mounted and pressed his chest against the broad vulture back. One powerful movement launched them skyward. Voer’s wings sliced through the air as One Man tried to imagine all possible scenarios. But without knowledge of their stalker, he couldn’t plan an attack. What if I made the wrong decision? What if we should have pressed on to Singtil?

  25

  ConDra’s Fire

  Myrrh

  T he trip via the Intersect with Paisley had been quick and uneventful. Almiralyn left him settling in at Nemttachenn Tower, shifted to her bird form, and flew toward Allynae’s cottage, where the Crystal of Novissi sat, unprotected. Its link to Elcaro’s Eye would enable anyone finding it to locate the fountain.

  For eons, The Unfolding had been anticipated—a change that would shift power and shake up worlds in an unprecedented scope. Eagerly awaited and equally dreaded—depending upon one’s point of view—it had begun on Myrrh as she had always known it would. Her domain, all that remained of the planet Earth from the Milky Way Galaxy, had been hidden in a different dimension to protect it from predators. Seyes Nomed was not the only one who sought to destroy it and to claim the powerful Evolsefil Crystal. Soaring high above the Terces Wood, she contemplated the events that had led her to this place at this moment—this life-and-death struggle to keep her home intact, a place of peace and a refuge from tumultuous intergalactic affairs. One in particular played out in her mind.

  When the Galactic Guardi
ans visited the Temple of Mahyinaeh on KcernFensia, excitement had spread with the speed of a wildfire. Whispered voices filled the dining hall. From person to person the tale found its way around the room until the buzz vibrated the walls and the custodian shook his head.

  Almiralyn had arrived late after an extensive training session. Tired and hungry, she filled her plate from the bountiful buffet, found a secluded corner, and plunged her fork into roasted red fish and steamed sea vegetables. The flavors filling her mouth elicited a rumble of pleasure from her stomach.

  A sudden hush in the hall stalled her fork midway to her mouth. Tearing her eyes from her plate, she looked up. The fork clattered to the floor.

  “Almiralyn?”

  The tall man smiling down at her made her gulp. His lapis-blue eyes glinted with humor. His golden hair curled softly around his face. The hand he held out to her felt strong and supple as it grasped hers. “I have a proposition for you.” He led her across the interminable length of the hall, a walk she hoped never to make again.

  That had been the beginning of almost endless hours of instruction and long and rigorous examinations. The end result—her stewardship of Evolsefil, the most powerful crystal cluster in the Inner Universe, and all other crystals mined from the cavern in which it had been discovered. Only she and the Galactic Guardians knew the truth of Evolsefil’s power and the web of connectivity that existed between it and all crystals in the solar system.

  From childhood, she had been trained to become Myrrh’s Guardian. When she accepted the additional stewardship of the crystal web, she had known a time would come when her role would be challenged. Now was that time. She understood the ramifications of failure; it was out of the question. She was responsible for the crystals’ safety and their secret. They must not fall into Lorsedi’s hands—or any others. I must hurry! Dropping lower, she skimmed the trees. Soldiers prowled everywhere. Even though their goal was her cottage, they would search anything they discovered along the way. Allynae’s cabin, midway between Demrach Gateway and what remained of her barn, lay squarely on their path. She swooped through an opening in the forest canopy and landed on the branch of a Tirips Tree.