The UnFolding Collection Two

by S. K. Randolph

  “And if they catch on?” Allynae unwrapped the rags from his injured feet.

  One Man tossed him a pair of soft leather boots. “One step at a time. We’d better go.”

  He pulled them on, stood up, and walked gingerly around the tent. “Narrtep was right. The boots help. The pain is manageable. He told me they are really tough and would protect my feet. Drango, I think he said.” He gave a brisk salute. “Thank you, Narrtep.” He faced Corvus. “I’m ready to go. What happens once we find WoNa?”

  Corvus pushed the tent flap aside and made a cautious inspection of the oasis. “We’ll know when the time comes. All clear.” He shifted and shot upward, banking to the east. Allynae made the shift and followed.

  One Man examined the crystal one last time, stowed it in his pouch, and shot into the late night sky. Their challenge was formidable. The desert spirits had better be on their side.

  Wolloh swooped into his inner garden and shifted from osprey to Human. Urgency tempted him to push his crippled leg faster; prudence kept his pace unhurried. Stebben met him at his sitting room. “You have visitors, sir.”

  “I know. Gerolyn has returned with a Pentharian.”

  “The Pentharian’s name is Voer. They have information for the Largeen Joram.”

  “Bring them to me and fetch Lorsedi. Nissasa’s men are stirring. No teleporting and no telepathy. Omudi and Thaer are most likely monitoring our every move.”

  Stebben withdrew. Within minutes the panel by the fireplace slid silently open. He ushered Gerolyn and Voer into the room and left. The panel clicked shut.

  Wolloh remained sitting. “I would rise to greet you, but I must conserve my strength. Good to see you, Gerolyn. Welcome to DerTah, Voer. I am most glad to have a second Pentharian in our ranks. Battle is imminent.”

  Voer made the ritual bow of his people. “I am honored to meet the High DiMensioner od DerTah.”

  As he straightened, the panel by the fireplace reopened. TheLise preceded Stebben into the room, followed by Lorsedi and Tinpaca Granier. Lorsedi’s face softened at the sight of Gerolyn, and then shaped the masked efficiency of his military training. “This is Tinpaca Granier. I have asked him to join us. I hear trouble heads this way and that you have important information for me.”

  Wolloh spoke from his chair. “Gerolyn, kindly make introductions, and then I want everyone to join me.”

  “TheLise, Dreelas of Trinuge, may I present Voer, the leader of Almiralyn’s Pentharian from Myrrh.”

  TheLise held out a hand, palm up, upon which Voer placed his. “Welcome to DerTah, Voer.”

  The sapphire Pentharian removed his hand and bowed. “Thank you. I have always wanted to visit your home.”

  With a graceful motion of her hand, Gerolyn shifted focus to the Largeen Joram. “Lorsedi…Voer. He has a message to you from Tinpaca Mondago.”

  Lorsedi eyed the Pentharian with interest. “I am anxious to hear your report.”

  When everyone had taken their place in the chairs Stebben had arranged, Wolloh shared a truncated version of his meeting with Allynae and One Man. “They are, as we speak, preparing to rescue WoNa.”

  “And are they equipped to do this successfully?” Lorsedi asked.

  Wolloh angled his uninjured profile toward him. “There are none better. Corvus will join them. One Man is a man of many talents and Allynae is Almiralyn’s brother.”

  “I have heard that he chooses not to embrace his training in DiMensionery.”

  “He has set aside his bias to help protect his daughters and to support our cause,” Gerolyn explained.

  Wolloh chose to add a postscript to her statement. “Although his power is different than Almiralyn’s, it is nonetheless something to be reckoned with. He will serve us well. I have one more thing to add before Voer makes his report. Nissasa’s troops are preparing to advance this direction. They are one perhaps two chronometer circles away. Stebben’s contacts will let us know when they are on the move.”

  Lorsedi’s face grew hard. “My men are positioned and ready.”

  Wolloh picked up his cane and placed the tip between his feet. “Voer, please make your report.”

  Voer allowed himself a brief moment to examine the members of the small group. “I would like to suggest that Yaro be included in this meeting. If he is to be of assistance…and I know he will want to be…he needs to be part of the discussion.”

  “Are there any objections?” asked Wolloh.

  When none were forthcoming, he dispatched Stebben to bring Yaro to the sitting room. Refreshments laid out on a table by the window prior to the beginning of the meeting provided a welcome respite from talk of war. Gerolyn and Lorsedi moved apart. Granier sipped a cup of tea and perused the bookshelves. Wolloh leaned back and closed his eyes.

  Voer noted the signs of fatigue in the tremor in the High DiMensioner’s clawed hand and the crescents of smudged color under his eyes. He poured a cup of tea, put a few tasty tidbits on a plate, and set them down on the table next to his chair. “I’ve brought you a snack, Wolloh.”

  “Thank you, Voer. I am conserving my energy for what is to come.” He picked up his cup and sipped. “It is good that Yaro joins us. I believe you have news…”

  The panel opening cut their conversation short. Voer greeted Yaro with a nod and a hand to his heart.

  Wolloh set down his cup. “Thank you for joining us, Yaro. Please help yourself to refreshments, and then we need to continue our meeting.”

  When everyone had returned to his seat, Voer introduced his fellow Pentharian to Gerolyn and Granier and began his report by describing the assassins’ attempt on Mondago’s life and what immediately followed.

  “Cantruto has created difficulties in the past,” Lorsedi said. “He is a stubborn man. How did you entice him to provide information?”

  “Once we broke one of his younger men and threatened to send Cantruto to you for questioning, he decided to talk.” Voer paused and looked directly at Lorsedi. “Nissasa’s goals are to take over DerTah, Thera and Myrrh, and RewFaar. With the Evolsefil Crystal and the fountain in his possession and Wolloh, Almiralyn, and you, Lorsedi, neutralized, he feels certain he can do this and eventually gain control of the entire solar system. I have a list from Mondago of all the traitors who are in his platoon, the men in your regiment here, and those he is aware of on RewFaar. We are certain there are others.” He handed over a courier’s folder with the list and other documents Mondago had felt were important.

  Lorsedi withdrew the papers and selected the list. No emotion showed as he read. When he was done, he turned to Granier. “I appreciate your loyalty. Nissasa must have been hard to withstand.”

  “He did not approach me, sir. My allegiance to you is well known.”

  “And did you know of his treachery?”

  “There were vague rumors when you and Nissasa arrived at the ranch, but nothing I could substantiate. The talk stopped almost as fast as it began. I would have alerted you immediately, sir, if I had possessed any proof.”

  “Do you know who is loyal to me and who is not?”

  “I know who definitely supports you, but not who remains neutral or sides with Nissasa, sir.”

  “One more thing. I understand you were an ungracious guest when you first arrived at Shu Chenaro.”

  Granier colored. “I was, sir.” He turned to Wolloh. “There is no excuse for my lack of courtesy, High DiMensioner. You intimidated me, and I responded by behaving like a boy. If there is a way I can make amends…”

  “Your apology is accepted. Remain steadfast in your loyalty, Granier. We need all the good men we can find. Lorsedi, what is your first move?”

  The Largeen Joram quickly outlined a plan for gathering up Nissasa’s supporters, one that would not allow anyone to slip away to sound a warning. When his instructions were complete, Stebben and Granier left via the hidden passage to carry out his orders.

  Voer waited until the panel slid shut and then continued his report. “There is one more compl
ication you need to be aware of. Nissasa has taken over the Five Towers in Idronatti and put the Five Fathers under lock and key. He will kill them one at a time unless Torgin Whalend returns to Thera with the Compass of Ostradio. And if that isn’t enough to bring him running back, they have kidnapped Coala Renn Whalend, Torgin’s mother. She is being held somewhere on DerTah.”

  Voer observed Yaro’s face change from interest to controlled anger. As Torgin’s heart brother, it would be his job to explain to Torgin that not only was his mother at risk, but that he could not trade the compass for her life.

  Ira squirmed in his chair. Ever since his arrival at Shu Chenaro, he and his friends had remained hidden in Wolloh’s secret study or rooms adjacent to it off the underground passage. I hate not knowing what’s happening. And I really hate feeling like a prisoner. He changed position again and grimaced. Although no one said anything, he knew his friends felt the same. Esán paced one direction, rubbed the new growth of hair on his head, and tromped back across the room. Brie flipped through a book without stopping to read. Desirol had joined them and apologized for his behavior at the ruins. Now he sat tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair. The only one unaffected was Torgin, who played a passage on his flute and then scribbled on paper Stebben had provided. Totally engrossed in his music, he seemed unaware of anything else. Ira watched him with growing envy. Wish I had something like music to keep my mind busy.

  He propped his feet on a footstool and put his hands behind his head. Sure would like to spend more time with Brie’s grandfather. What an interesting man. During their conversation, he had been intrigued by the strategies of warfare, and he really wanted to learn more. He glanced across the room where Desirol rested—his face in repose so like his father’s. I wonder what it would be like to have Lorsedi as a father—or a grandfather.

  When he thought about his own family, his father, he couldn’t quite pin down his memories. He knew he had parents and a sister but… There it is…that disconnect…that feeling that I’ve forgotten something really important. What on Thera is it?

  Brie flipped through the pages of a book, her thoughts in turmoil. I can’t sense WoNa anywhere in the Desert of Fera Finnero. I feel like a part of me is missing . She set the book aside and closed her eyes. The details of the map from her Aunt Mira’s book on DerTah were indelibly etched in her memory. I know Wolloh said no telepathy, but… With great care, she had made a subtle mental search. WoNa, where on DerTah are you? Are you hurt? Please help me to find you.

  Although she found no trace of the Oracle, she did discover her father and One Man on DerTah. What are they doing here? She opened her eyes and tracked Esán’s restless pacing. I think I’ll wait to tell you until we’re alone.

  Torgin’s music penetrated her thoughts. The melody’s dreamy quality made her smile. He glanced up, gave her a distracted nod, and submerged himself in the transcribing of notes to paper. Another musical passage, more dissonant this time, made him smile to himself. Finally, he put the stylus down, looking satisfied and a bit bemused.

  “Play for us, Torg,” Esán said. “We could use a few moments of beauty.”

  When he hesitated, Desirol added his plea. “I’ve never heard you play, Torgin. I would like to very much.”

  “I will play what I just composed. It’s rough, but I believe it is a good beginning.” Lifting the flute to his lips, he closed his eyes and began.

  Like the blowing desert sand, notes flitted around the study. Allegro and light with a quick, repeated passage that linked sections of changing melody, it was infused with sunshine and heat. Lower notes pushed the lightness away and burdened the air with a tremor of fear that ended in a series of high-pitched phrases. A transition to a fluid, rippling adagio, reminiscent of water and flight, filled the room with its beautiful refrain, trembled, and then skittered into a short repeat of the opening allegro before it finished, one note sliding into the other until the room was silent.

  Brie sighed. “It’s about the Water ConDria, isn’t it?”

  Torgin studied the flute in his hand as though he had never seen it before. “I…” He gripped it tighter. “That wasn’t what I wrote. I was thinking of you and the whole piece took on a life of its own. While I played, I saw the Fire ConDra and you rising to meet it.”

  She crossed the room and hugged him. “It was so beautiful. Thank you.”

  “You’re really good, Torgin,” Desirol said. “I’ve never heard anything like the melody you just played.”

  The panel slid aside, and Wolloh stepped into the room. Yaro ushered Gerolyn ahead of him.

  The High DiMensioner’s face was grim. “Brielle, you must come with me. Stebben will disperse our energy trail.”

  An image flashing through her mind made her hurry to his side. She linked her arm through his. “I’m ready.”

  Room and friends flashed out of sight, replaced by red dunes caught in the diminishing, dimness of the night’s last moments.

  54

  ConDra’s Fire

  DerTah

  I n bird form, Corvus, Allynae, and One Man soared in opposite directions above Nissasa’s camp, searching the landscape for any signs of Fire ConDra. Although Corvus had dealt with the great flaming beasts in the daylight, he had never encountered one at night. Swooping lower, he caught an updraft slightly warmer than the cold night air. Continuing his search, he discovered three more places at the perimeter of Nissasa’s camp where a tepid temperature suggested a ConDra.

  A wide arc carried him to the rendezvous point he and his comrades had agreed upon earlier. Allynae squatted at the northwestern side of the plateau, where only the most discerning eye would pick out the tented-darkness of his kcalo. Corvus materialized beside him and whispered, “Found four possible ConDra. You?”

  Allynae reached out of shadow and sketched the plateau in a patch of moonlit sand. He pointed at three spots. Corvus nodded, indicated the fourth, and drew a circle to represent the cave entrance.

  The softest whoosh announced the arrival of One Man. He crouched by the sketch and added one more X to the map. “This ConDra roves the entire area. It sticks to the same pattern. Once it passes here,” he pointed to a place at the western edge of the plateau, “we can slip through. There are soldiers and Sebborr patrolling the inner perimeter, so we’ll need to stay alert.” He shed his kcalo and straightened his RewFaaran uniform.

  One Man handed him the crystal. “This will help you find WoNa’s prison. She knows you, so you take the lead. Allynae and I will be close by in one form or the other.”

  An expression of concern registered on Allynae’s face. “I’m not sure I can shape anything but the hawk. It’s been a long time…”

  Corvus shoved the crystal deep in his pocket. “You will do what must be done, Alli.” He pointed at the white moon hanging overhead half way to full. It had begun its descent toward the western horizon. “Time is running out.” He shifted and flew a low trajectory around the end of the plateau. Skirting one ConDra, he landed by a clump of desert brush in bird form. Two hawks landed nearby. A ConDra’s night-cooled heat passed overhead. When Corvus was sure it was gone, he shifted to Human form and made a cautious approach to the encampment.

  His circuitous route to the entrance to the caves beneath the plateau gave him an opportunity to learn the layout of the camp and find where Nissasa resided. No sign of Dahe alerted his senses. Careful to keep his mind focused on the innocuous thoughts of a soldier taking an evening walk, he ambled by the camp’s headquarters and paused behind a tent pitched a short distance away.

  He could feel Nissasa and realized with a jolt the breadth of his power. What surprised him the most, however, was the subtle tremor within it. Something made it unstable. He filed the information away for later. Moving at a leisurely pace, he circled the next several tents and stopped to observe the cave entrance.

  The tingling touch of a mind probe made him look to the sky, where the third moon was preparing to disappear behind the plateau. He remained motio
nless, allowing only the moon and the heavens and the sudden feeling of discomfort as a Fire ConDra flew overhead to infuse his mind with images. When the tingling ceased, he dulled his thoughts and strolled back the way he had come. Once he was beyond Nissasa’s tent, he veered toward the plateau’s vertical rise and obscured his thoughts with a sense of deep slumber.

  A Sebborr sauntered in his direction. Corvus adjusted the angle of his hat, nodded as the man passed by, and moseyed past the next tent. Surveying the area around the entrance to the caves, he noted two hawks perched on a parched, barren bush near the edge at the top of the plateau. Tents, pitched to create a wide semi-circled barrier left an open space between them and the rise of the plateau. Anyone trying to approach would be seen.

  He was straight across from the cave entrance when a young soldier walked briskly up to the guards. A short, agitated conversation ensued. One of the guards motioned him forward. He tilted his brim down and joined them.

  “Need you to stand guard ’til I get back. Won’t be long.” The guard and the other soldier hurried back through camp.

  Corvus exchanged a curious glance with the remaining guard. “What’s all the fuss about?”

  “Something about an intruder.” The guard shrugged. “Rattori is pretty paranoid.”

  “I’ve noticed.” Corvus jerked his thumb toward the caves. “Anyone looked in there lately?”

  “She hasn’t moved a muscle since they brought her here. Go ahead and check on her.”

  Corvus nodded. “Guess I’ll take a look. Wouldn’t want anything to happen to her on my watch.” He ambled into a roughed out tunnel that ended with piles of rubble on either side of a man made cave not much taller than the average man. Nissasa’s wards shimmered in front of the opening. Beyond them an oil lamp glowed beside a mat on the ground. WoNa lay unmoving, her arms crossed over her chest like a body prepared for burial.