The Warrior Woman

by Evelyn Lederman

  “Raine Narmouth is here,” he communicated through the familial path, alerting both Tarsea and Alex. Simultaneously he also communicated through the warrior channel. It was a closed telepathic pathway between his brother, their friends, and others that linked in over time. The warrior channel, until recently, was yet another legendary pathway that had existed only in stories he grew up listening to. Only those loyal to the true ruler of the Troyk universe could enter the channel. It originally opened between Darden and Benko Jarlyn. He knew that by leveraging this channel, he was letting Starc and Shirl know as well of Raine Narmouth’s presence.

  “I will stay with Candy and Shirl,” Starc joined the telepathic communication. “Tarsea is on his way into the kitchen to protect Alex. Remember, Alex cannot communicate through this channel due to the pregnancy. Tarsea will have to communicate through his familial channel any further directions.”

  Tolfer saw Candy’s face change from enjoying the conversation to concern as soon as her eyes fell on Raine Narmouth. Shirl grabbed Candy’s wrist as she started to stand. He saw Raine Narmouth surveying the common room, no doubt looking for Alex. Shirl had released Candy’s arm and Tolfer’s soul mate was on her way to confront Raine Narmouth. Tolfer knew he had to do something to stop Candy. There were too many people in the room who would question Candy’s protectiveness related to Alex.

  Tolfer met Candy half-way and grabbed her hand. He knew there would be a reaction the first time he made skin to skin contact with his soul mate. Tolfer just did not expect the magnitude of the soul mate channel opening. It felt like every cell in his body had been electrocuted. Tolfer had to think fast to explain to Candy what she felt and make sure no communication came through the soul mate telepathic link that had just opened.

  Candy felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Every blood vessel in her body felt like they were boiling. The shock to her body was over almost before it started.

  Tolfer tightened his grip on her. “Wow! That was some blast of static electricity. Were you rubbing your ass up and down the couch?”

  Was he for real? That was more than just an electrical shock that traveled between people. That bolt could have brought down a power line. Candy became aware of people staring at her. She felt normal again, no residual impact. Could she have possibly over-reacted to a little spark of energy between Tolfer and herself? She was attracted to Tolfer to a degree she had never felt before. Maybe her mind was just playing tricks on her, making something out of an insignificant contact.

  “Maybe I got up too fast.” It was a weak reply, but everyone must have fallen for it. The group seemed busy welcoming the newcomers. That brought Raine Narmouth back to her attention. She tried to move on, but Tolfer still held her hand. It felt like her hand was caught in a vise.

  “Is Alexia here?” Raine Narmouth asked. By this point Shirl and Starc had made their way to Narmouth. He seemed clueless to the hostility that surrounded him. “You cannot keep her away from me.” The man was making a scene. It was imperative that Alex go unnoticed as much as possible to protect her cover. Narmouth was now drawing the attention of the other CT Guards in the room.

  Still holding her hand, Tolfer addressed the group. “I hate to break up the party, but my parents are expecting company. A number of you are also heading out to Terra Nova tomorrow. It would be a good idea to make it an early night anyway.” Tolfer had diffused the situation.

  Everyone made their way to the door as two middle-aged women and Solfa arrived. Candy figured the ladies were Norri and Pattrice, as each woman embraced Shirl. Alex did not appear until Raine Narmouth was gone. Candy imagined Solfa’s presence eliminated the desire for any of the men to loiter after Tolfer politely asked them to leave.

  After introductions were made, Tolfer, Alex, and Norri headed to the kitchen. Everyone else returned to the common room. Candy would have liked to have joined the group in the kitchen and avoided Pattrice’s continual crying. Candy knew she was a deplorable cook so stating she was going to help with dinner was not going to fly.

  “This is part of your initiation into the Troyk universe,” Shirl informed her through their closed link. “Pattrice will settle down once she is less emotional. You are now part of her extended family. Darden still hasn’t shared anything about your Troyk family, so in the meantime, soak in the love. This woman will adore you until her last breath. Our parents left behind a lot of collateral damage.”

  As if conjured by magic, Darden and Koel arrived. Darden was going to join them on their trip to Terra Nova tomorrow. In case they got separated, Cianan wanted another crystal telepath along. They had a brief conversation about the logistics of tomorrow’s trip. Koel made a couple of recommendations regarding the tactical aspects of the operation. The group went back to socializing after a couple of additional questions about Terra Nova were answered. It felt like they were preparing to go to another country, not a parallel universe. It took some getting used to.

  “What can you tell me about my Troyk relatives?” Candy asked Darden.

  “How about us discussing that over dinner so everyone can hear and ask questions? Alex will want to know everything that is said and Norri may have actually known them.” Candy knew that Darden was right. She did not like how he used the past tense when referring to her family. Candy had been alone her whole life except for Alex and Shirl. It appeared nothing had changed.

  Tolfer set the last of the dishes they had cooked on the massive common room table. His friends and family were all seated at the table, but he could not take his eyes off his unclaimed soul mate. Raine Narmouth had been a convenient excuse to get all the men out of the house, away from Candy.

  “Have some of Tolfer’s chicken and keen dish,” Alex said as she spooned some of the contents of the bowl onto Candy’s plate. “It is a grain that is only grown on this planet. I know it’s purple, but it is really quite delicious.”

  He watched as Candy took a bite of the dish. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply after she swallowed. “That is so good. Don’t be stingy, Alex. I’ll take some more.”

  Alex did as her friend instructed and then passed the dish to Solfa. “It is so annoying that Shirl and Candy can still use contractions and I have to continue elongating my speech.” Tolfer had never known there was another way to say certain words by collapsing two words into one. Alex particularly suffered with saying “let us”, versus “let’s.” She always complained that it sounded funny.

  “It is too late to change our story about your past, my little pixie,” Tarsea commented. At first Alex complained about him calling her a name that described her size. Alex was a bit vertically challenged compared to her two friends. The first time Tarsea had used those words to describe her short stature, Tolfer laughed. Candy was pushing six feet tall and Shirl was probably fewer than two inches shorter than Candy.

  “I don’t know,” Shirl commented. “I remember when I was in Texas for a seminar. I was saying y’all within two days of my arrival. Maybe after spending time with Candy and me in this universe, Alex can start picking up some of our poor speech habits.”

  Koel shook his head before he joined the conversation. “There are times you still want to blend into the shadows, Alex. If you start speaking differently than most Troyk citizens, it will draw attention to yourself.” Alex had started to work as an intelligence officer for Solfa. Her ability to blend into her surrounding made her a valuable asset. It also did not hurt that she could read people’s thoughts.

  “Crap, you are right, Koel. I did not think about my new vocation. It is time I start talking like a Troyk citizen even in private discussions.” Alex took another bite and proceeded to attack the rest of the food on her plate. He loved that Alex had a healthy appetite. So did Candy, it appeared. Only Shirl picked at the food on her plate. Tolfer imagined she was nervous about returning to Terra Nova.

  “What can you tell me about my Troyk family, Darden?” Candy asked. “I just know their names from my birth certificate. Based on what Alex
and Shirl have told me recently about their parents, I assume the names listed were made up.”

  “Brad and Laura Phillips were really Bradsk and Shelaura Phildrum,” Darden informed Candy.

  There was a loud gasp further down the table. Everyone’s eyes went in the direction of the sound. Soon all attention was directed at Pattrice Theffar.

  “I knew your grandmother, Candy,” Pattrice said. “Alaura Ketore and I use to play cards together. We both fell apart when my cousin Starta, Alex’s mother, and Shelaura left with Benko. I withdrew within my family, while Alaura went looking for trouble.”

  “What sort of trouble?” Candy asked. His soul mate had lost some of the color his food had placed on her lovely cheeks. Tolfer knew the story and tensed, preparing to hear Pattrice tell Candy the horrific fate of her family.

  At this point Pattrice broke into tears. Solfa took her mother’s hand and continued the story. “Alaura joined an anti-government group. They wanted a quick revolutionary change to unseat the mind control members from our government. Various explosive devices were planted within The Palace. When they exploded more than a dozen people were killed. Among the people that had been rounded up were Alaura and her son. Your uncle was sentenced to death and Alaura was condemned to spend the rest of her life in the penal colony.”

  Tolfer looked at Shirl. It was her right to tell her friend what happened to prisoners who were sentenced to death. He imagined if she did not have the strength to tell Candy, Starc would do it.

  Shirl rose and walked over to pour herself a stiff drink. Tolfer imagined she needed the alcohol to help numb her nerves. “Candy, your uncle was sentenced to die in the Nightshade universe. It is a world populated by vampires. Our Prime Ruler traded their blood for the crystals that are mined there.”

  You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Tolfer wanted to go to his soul mate and take her in his arms. Unfortunately, he knew he could not do that without outing the truth about their relationship.

  “You are telling me vampires exist and my uncle was murdered by them?” Candy’s voice was shaky, filled with contained rage. “I want to know what exactly happened to him.”

  “No, you don’t, Candy,” Shirl answered. “I have to live with what I witnessed in that universe. I’ll be damned if I am going to sentence you to the same nightmares. If you are truly my friend, don’t ask me.”

  Candy sat quietly for a moment. No one offered any oral comments, although there was a little discussion in the warrior and Tolfer’s familial channel. He concentrated on Candy, not the telepathic conversations. Different expressions crossed her face as she continued to digest all she learned.

  “Where is this penal colony?” Candy asked. “Can I visit my grandmother if she is still living?”

  “It is off-world,” Darden answered her. “Only convicted felons enter that universe. The crystal telepath sets the frequencies. The prisoners are forced into the portal alone. Once someone enters the colony, they never come back.”

  “This just gets better and better,” Candy said under her breath. “Every prisoner sent to this colony spends the rest of their lives there? How long has this charming practice been going on?”

  “Twenty years or so,” Darden said. “Supplies are sent monthly.”

  “I assume they include diapers?” Candy asked. Tolfer saw her look at the faces around her and the realization that the people around her had not thought about the prisoners’ behaviors after they left the Troyk universe. “If they have women there as well as men, babies are the normal outcome. Your people have sentenced future generations to a life in exile.”

  “I cannot believe I did not think about that,” Alex said. “My brain just concentrated on a sentence without parole. I guess it is not dissimilar to how Georgia and Florida were first settled, as well as Australia.”

  “Great, my uncle was someone’s lunch and my grandmother is living with a bunch of murderers and rapists,” Candy concluded. “Shirl, can I have one of those drinks? You can tell me about Terra Nova tomorrow. I have heard all I can take for one day.”

  Tolfer sat back as his mother and Alex cleared the table. His soul mate was nursing her drink. He longed to communicate with her within their own private channel, but he could not. She took the news about the Nightshade universe and the penal colony better than he had expected.

  Candy had not fallen apart, but he doubted at this point she ever did. Wracking his brain trying to find an excuse to travel to Terra Nova with her tomorrow, he came up with nothing. How would Candy stand up to what Shirl would tell her about what she had unleashed in that universe? Everyone had their limits and he suspected Shirl’s confession would be the catalyst for Candy’s eventual breakdown.

  Chapter 6

  Terra Nova

  Leaves crunched under Candy’s feet as they made their way to Ervin Allaway’s village. She had been briefed that Allaway was the Terra Nova chieftain the Troyk Universe had their alliance with. The wind cut through the lightweight jacket Candy wore. Shirl tried to convince her to dress with warmer layers, but Candy did not want to be weighed down with material. She needed to be able to defend herself and Shirl physically if the three blasts the crystal weapon she carried were used in defense. There was a tremendous amount for her to prove on her first time out protecting Shirl.

  Terra Nova was an iron-age world with fighting clans. A battle had raged the last time Shirl was here and she left without the crystals. Something bad had happened here, but Shirl would not talk about it. Candy did know that for a time, Shirl had been separated from the men during their mission. Shirl would still not discuss with her what had occurred that had shaken her so badly. Candy had her suspicions.

  This time they had come with a small army of CT Guards. Candy did not know if their numbers were so large to protect Shirl or guarantee they returned with the crystals. What did the Prime Ruler do with the crystals each crystal telepath gatherer returned with?

  Those thoughts would have to wait. A group of men were approaching. Candy did not know if they were friend or foe. Whoever they were, they dressed in animal skins, carried large swords, and were built. They could be on the covers of the romance novels Shirl read.

  Cianan stopped the procession and greeted the man who led the party. “Aifric Clacher, it is good to meet you well.” Candy assumed that was an expression used in this world. “We have come to trade with you.”

  Aifric surveyed the group. His eyes first came to her, and he devoured her with his stare. Candy was not used to men looking at her in that fashion. As if they had a mind of their own, her legs shifted out of discomfort. Shirl had told her Terra Nova was short of women and they would have to do some additional trading for both of them to be able to leave the universe. After Aifric’s gaze went up and down her body several times, it continued on to Shirl. Aifric came forward and fell to his knees in front of her friend.

  “We are once again blessed with your presence, goddess,” Aifric addressed Shirl. Candy saw his eyes focus back on her. “I also see you bring another woman with you. Perhaps you will gift her to Allaway. She will produce strong sons.” Cianan grabbed Candy’s arm before she had a chance to walk forward and set the man straight. She was not anyone’s gift!

  “The woman is valuable to me, Aifric,” Shirl replied. “I learned the last time I could not travel alone to different worlds without a female accompanying me. You must see the worth in that. Please, take us to see Allaway.” Candy was proud how well her friend handled the situation. She had kept her cool and answered the man in a way he would understand.

  Shirl had changed in the short time she had been in the Troyk universe and traveled to other parallel worlds. There was a new confidence in the way Shirl presented herself. Candy was impressed with how her friend had matured.

  Aifric led them through the woods to a clearing where a small village was situated. “We are going to be separated from the men. It is their way. Don’t fight it, Candy,” Shirl informed her using their closed telepathic channel.


  “The goddess and her female will stay here while we do business,” Aifric informed the group. “They will join us in celebration after we have finished bartering.”

  Candy did as Shirl instructed; she did not object to being separated from the rest of their party. It was the perfect opportunity to find out the whole truth behind what had happened to Shirl. They entered a small stone structure. Thankfully, there was a fire blazing in the small building. Candy and Shirl immediately gravitated to the fireplace to warm themselves.

  “All right, Goddess,” Candy said, using the same name Aifric had called her twice. She could not help putting a little sarcasm in her voice. “What happened here that causes you to lose color every time Terra Nova is mentioned?”

  Before Shirl had time to reply, an old woman entered with a tray. “I bring you food, as I have done before, my lady.” Candy noticed the woman’s hand was crippled from old age and arthritis. How she wished she had some Glucosamine Sulfate she could give this suffering creature. That was assuming the woman was not allergic to shellfish, the medicine’s base ingredient. It hurt just looking at her poor hands.

  Shirl walked to the old woman and took her burden from her. “It smells wonderful, Peigi. You honor me with your cooking. Thank you.” Old Peigi curtsied and then left the building. “Candy, come here and have some mutton stew.”

  “What exactly is mutton?” Candy asked. It smelled wonderful. Her mouth watered as she picked up the relic they called a spoon in this world.

  “Older sheep. You’ve had lamb before. This is just an older lamb, it’s a bit gamier than what you are accustomed to.”

  Candy actually liked lamb as prepared in Greek restaurants. She took a spoonful of the stew and was surprised how much she liked it. “It could use some salt, but other than that, it’s wonderful.”