Below her the Atrilaasu of Eissua Oasis rose to their feet 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.”
Stretching her wings, 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. Holding out her right arm, she 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 brought saffron and glacier pools to rest on Esán. 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. The serpent hissed. The small desert fox walked at her side.
The man bowed. “I Narrtep. I show you 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 final moments.
As they walked beside the lake, a cool breeze carrying the scents of water and night fingered her damp curls and chased the heat from her clothing. Around the oasis, small campfires sprung to life. Laughter and song drifted around her.
The man stopped by a rectangular tent. “This for young men.” He gave them a toothy grin. “I come for you when repast is prepared.”
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 about shape shifting that will help you.” 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 make all happy.” She, too, touched her heart. “Thank you for showing ConDria to my people. Many 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 this 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. TheLise’s irresistible smile was replaced by a look of intense interest. 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. Taking a small sip, he placed the glass on the table and scrutinized the man on the other side of TheLise.
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 his half way 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 as well?”
“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 do believe you refer to the Compass of Ostradio. To my knowledge it has not been seen in many aeons.”
TheLise leaned forward, her luminous eyes on Lorsedi’s face. “If I am not mistaken, the Compass of Ostradio is linked to the Evolsefil Crystal. Although I don’t know how, I think it would be most interesting to find out. It is said to absorb the patterning and geography of the planet or place in which it resides…a formidable tool for a war monger.” 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 simply 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 so negatively?”
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, which 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 is willing to 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 cle
ared 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 that 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 for some time at the flames.
Nomed glanced at the TheLise. She had straightened, her eyes 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 the table 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. “That 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?
27
ConDra’s Fire
Myrrh & Thera
V oer, the Pentharian, carried One Man high above the Theran forest. Hoping to spot the creature that followed Sparrow and Merrilea before it spotted them, he pressed his wings up and down with an urgency that matched his rider’s tension. A sudden blast of heat warned him of a change below. Banking to obtain a better view, he swooped downward. Like a dissipating cloud of smoke, a filmy shape skimmed the forest canopy. Voer circled. Maintaining a course above and slightly ahead of whatever it was in the hopes of remaining undetected, he pursued the almost invisible entity.
Focusing his attention on the hazy presence, One Man sent out a gentle telepathic probe. The thing’s insubstantial consciousness diffused at his touch. A second probe following on the heels of the first discovered sadness and anger, a third…the urgent need to fulfill its directive. As quickly as these thoughts surfaced, they wavered and melted away.
Pressing his knees into the vulture’s sides, he squeezed a prearranged signal. The big bird dropped through a break in the canopy, landed, and folded it wings. One Man slid off.
Voer appeared, his tattooed face worried. “Is that what I think it is?”
One Man frowned. “If you think it’s a Tabagie od Ro-ec, you’re correct. How close are we to Stee and the women?”
“As the panther runs, only minutes.” He shifted.
In one movement, One Man jumped on his back, and they bounded through the forest. As the panther rounded a clump of short-needled pines, their companions came into view. One Man slid off and hurried to the spot where Stee waited between the two women. Voer, in Pentharian form, followed.
Sparrow watched one Man advance toward them. Clearly, he was not happy. Voer’s expression confirmed her fear. “Did you find it?” she asked as they joined her, Merrilea, and Stee.
“The creature that follows us is from DerTah.” One Man sounded even less happy than he looked.
Merrilea tensed beside her. “What is it, Somay?”
“It is from the netherworld of DerTah, where it resides at the planet’s core. I’ve never seen one, but I know them by reputation. What I don’t understand,” he said looking from Voer to Stee, “is how on Thera it got here?”
Voer shrugged his thick braids behind his shoulder. “I have always thought the Tabagie never ventured far from their home. It requires heat generated by the planet’s core to maintain itself.”
Stee fingered the jewel in his earlobe. “Unless it was captured and pressed into service, I can’t imagine it risking a trip to the planet’s surface, let alone a journey through a portal to Thera.”
“What do we do now?” The strain in Merrilea’s voice had intensified.
One Man put an arm around his sister-in-law. “The Tabagie will not attempt to cross the valley in the daylight unless it sees movement it believes to be its prey. I will try to lead it away from you. Voer and Stee, what are your thoughts?”
Voer walked to the edge of the trees and peered at the sun, where it floated like a ball of pale butter above the horizon. His face, when he turned to retraced his steps, was serious. “The Tabagie dislike daylight, and they dislike open spaces. They’re most comfortable in the dark.”
Sparrow couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Why did it fly above the trees, then?”
Stee tipped his head back and scanned the forest canopy. “It would have started a forest fire had it flown through the woods. Staying close to the treetops was no doubt preferable to the open sky.”
One Man released Merrilea. “And …provided it with a means to maintain its insubstantial body. In the daylight it struggles to hold itself together. The trees beneath it helped it to define itself. Besides, it was tracking you. We need to move. Voer, can you make it across before the sun sets.”
“It will be close, my friend. But I see no choice. Staying here is as dangerous as being out there. My fear is night on the other side.”
“I’ll do my best to lead it far enough away that you’ll have time to hide. I can’t imagine you can make it to Gerolyn’s before tonight.”
“We don’t want to lead it to the farm. What are we going to do?” Sparrow didn’t even try to hide her concern.
One Man prepared to shift. “One step at a time. Who knows what the next moment will bring? Take care of each other. I’ll see you on the other side.” He kissed Merrilea on the cheek and changed form.
The blue heron lifted into the air, its extended legs trailing and its long neck an arrow pointing toward the Tabagie od Ro-ec.
On Myrrh, Almiralyn flew deeper into the Terces Wood, landed, and shifted in a small clearing. “How on Myrrh am I going to rescue Sibee without creating a furor?”
Two tiny voices whispered, “Almiralyn, we can help.”
The voices and the murmur of miniature wings made her turn. Holding out her hands, she waited for two small figures to land. “I thought you were told to stay hidden,” she scolded.
The Nyti fluttered and descended, their sandaled feet tap dancing on her palms. “We want to help Sibee,” one with a thatch of unruly, reddish hair explained.
The second tipped his thimble-sized top hat. “Mumshu at your service. Please, my lady. He’s our friend.”
“How do you propose to help? The soldiers have him well guarded, and you are very small.”
The copper-haired Nyti’s grin broadened. “Beg pardon, Almiralyn. I’m Ashor.” He bowed from the waist and straightened. “We can warn Sibee not to do anything silly. Later tonight, when it is dark, we can create a diversion so he can sneak away.”
Almiralyn studied the boys. The Nyti were the smallest folk of the Terces Wood. Four to seven inches in height, they had gossamer wings and hands and feet that seemed too big for their bodies. They were fun-loving and enjoyed a good frolic, but they were also quick and smart. If their leader agreed, they might be able to keep Sibee from getting himse
lf killed or worse…tortured.
She held the tiny boys at eye level. “Does Kieel know you’re here?”
Ashor’s infectious grin shrunk to a self-conscious smile. “Of course…well we…”
Mumshu coughed. “Ah, no, my lady.”
“How quick can you be?”
“Super quick, my lady.”
“Then go and bring Kieel here. I can’t allow you to become involved without his permission.”
The Nyti darted away. If their leader was willing, they might be able to help. One thing for certain, she couldn’t risk capture. Too much was at stake.
The covert tread of footsteps among the trees alerted her to the presence of Human company. Soldiers? Who else could it be? Pressing against an ancient maple tree, she matched her molecular structure to its trunk and melted into bark. Only her eyes remained unchanged. She lowered her lids.
“I’m telling you, I heard a woman’s voice.” A soldier ducked behind a tree and crouched at the edge of the clearing.
His companion shot him a doubtful scowl and began a cautious search of the area. “There’s no one here. From the look of the ground, only animals have passed this way. We’d better keep moving. You know how cranky the Tinpaca can get.”
“Yeah. Especially since the Guardian and her cottage and barn have disappeared. Tesilend swears he sat in her kitchen and was questioned in a stall in the barn.”
“The man’s confused, that’s all.” The second soldier traversed the clearing, his weapon drawn.
From beneath half-closed lids, Almiralyn observed the first man pause at the tree line. His body tensed; his head slightly turned to listen. He swung around. Narrowed eyes darted around the clearing, locked onto hers, and widened in disbelief. By the time, he reached the maple, Almiralyn’s eyes had snapped into invisibility. The man swore under his breath and ran a hand over the bark.
“What in SeDah are you doing?” demanded his comrade from the shelter of the trees.
The UnFolding Collection Two Page 21