Despite the terrifying sensation of helplessness that shuddered through her, and the gripping tightening of her abdomen, she forced herself to lift up her head and focus on the objects that surrounded her. There had to be something in here that would provide an answer to keep them both alive, and together.
Faded, lace-fringed curtains billowed in the fresh spring breeze through the slightly jarred window. A ceramic washing bowl lay on its side, that she had dropped and left abandoned in the shock of her first contraction. One of Johannes’ felt brown hats hung on the back of the dark wooden chair she had taken to reading in. And next to it lay a neatly folded woollen kaross. That was it! The sign she had been searching for.
“Ka…gi...so!” Tiegal whispered, barely able to form any words between her desperate gasps for air. She remembered Johannes saying the kaross had belonged to Kagiso. It was drenched in her scent, and it appeared to be releasing her vapour, an intoxicating, but pleasant smell, that was so strong it overrode the sweet, musky odour of Tiegal’s birthing water, that had gushed out between her legs only moments before.
Come on, Tiegal. Why can you smell Kagiso so vividly now!
Squeezing her eyes shut she breathed in the strong scent, determined to empty her mind from the distraction of her physical pain. There had to be a connection.
An image of Johannes holding the kaross to his face filled her mind. In this vision, he was younger, perhaps of an age between childhood and early adulthood? And he appeared to be burying himself into the wool, whispering tearful words into the soft texture, in a voice that had not quite broken into the lower tone she was so familiar with.
“You promised you would never leave me! You promised me you would always be here. Even if I can’t see you. But you’re not here, are you? You’re dead! How can you be here if you’re not even in this world anymore!” the younger Johannes wailed.
His anguished cries made her body spasm in sympathy, only to be followed by another contraction across her front and back; a sharp reminder of Cezanne’s imminent arrival.
Despite the double onslaught of jolting pain, she opened her eyes, navigating her way over to the chair in a stumbling, awkward crawl.
Johannes’ desperate cries for his mother in her vision had given her the clarity she had been vying for. The kaross must have belonged to his mother, before Kagiso had worn it. It carried the scents of them both. And it represented a connection between the two women who had cared for Johannes, before she had come into his life.
Ignoring the extreme tightening of her stomach, and the discomfort of Cezanne’s foot pushing outwards against her skin as she moved further down towards the birth canal, Tiegal grabbed the kaross and rubbed it all over her arms, neck and under her breasts – anywhere where her scent would be absorbed most easily.
A plan had started to form in her mind. The chance of it working was slim, but she had to try, for Cezanne’s sake – and Johannes.
And, if it didn’t work, at least she could leave them both a part of her, for them to hold on to, until she could find a way to get back to them again.
“Right then, where are you,” she groaned, crawling back over to the bed. “Because this really is the only way we can do this.”
Although her dream version two had shown her that by wearing her Derado she could generate enough energy inside her to deliver her baby safely, it had also shown her that this energy release would take her away.
“Okay, think!” she ordered herself. “If I locate the Derado now, I could save Cezanne and still have enough energy to keep us both alive without overdoing the release. I just need to take it off before it gets too much!” she reasoned out loud.
The key was to time it right. She knew that if she didn’t remove the neckpiece from around her throat before it released too much of her colour energy, she risked being transported away. The prospect of that happening made her body shake violently. She couldn’t bear the thought of her baby being born and then left on her own.
But even if that did happen, she knew Annarita and Frederick would be back soon and that they would engulf her baby with their love, as her beautiful father would when he returned too.
And if that did happen, then she would just have to endure whatever journey was laid out in front of her. Whatever that was, she would find a way to get back to them again, as soon as was humanly - and Tandroanly - possible.
Another contraction sent a searing pain across her lower back. It knocked her sideways, but she managed to steady herself straight again. She could feel herself building up. If she was going to do this, she had to make it happen now.
The box containing her Derado was under the bed. She knew she had to crawl over to it; she only hoped there was still enough time.
It took every ounce of her willpower to shuffle herself back across the floor. The dusty rug scratched her knees. The wooden slats cut splinters into her arms. She didn’t care. Nothing could distract her from her mission. She was full of determination now. The nearer Cezanne came to releasing out of her, the more convinced Tiegal was that she needed to borrow some of her previous energy supply in order to survive the ordeal to bring her daughter safely into this human world.
At last, she rounded the corner to where the bed she shared with Johannes loomed above her twisting, bloody body. She grabbed the cotton sheets in a bid to relieve some of the pain from her right arm and used her left hand to pull out the box which lay dusty and abandoned under the bed. The Derado was inside it. It was their only chance.
It took every last bit of strength she had to maneuver her body into an upright position, so that she could lean against the bed and push the collar around her neck. It felt cold at first, so long rejected and out of use. Yet she knew what she had to do.
It was all happening so fast. Cezanne's head crowned and tore at her bright pink, wet opening as she spread her legs further apart. Tiegal screamed in agony, reaching her hand down to feel in between her legs. Then she cried out in relief as she felt her daughter’s hair, full and remarkably long atop new skin and bone. Her daughter was ready to arrive.
But where would she, her mother, be when she did? Here on Earth? Or, back on Tandro?
Part Three
Tandro
2066 - 2067
Earth 1867 - 1869
29. Sacrifice
The conditions in the cave were perfect. The air was that delicious balance of both frigid and humid and the lagoon water lapped around her skin in an icy, teasing dance. Her entire body was tingling with excitement.
Parador had waited an entire year to return here. Twelve wasted months spent enduring the obligatory pilgrimage to the rest of the islands, the journey that all Tandroans must take once they receive their Derado. But now she was finally back on Kimberaggo. She was back where she was meant to be. In her birthplace. This secret lagoon, where it all began.
And, she was finally getting close to becoming who she was meant to be, the most powerful Tandroan that had ever been made.
Submerging herself below the surface of the water, she allowed her hands to explore her body. The delicious sensations it conjured through her made her moan and exhale little bubbles around her face.
This was exactly how she had imagined returning to her lagoon, an exquisite few hours where she could honour her precious body on her own again - her precious island.
And, even more importantly, where she could absorb the power of the diamonds that lived within it; the precious stones that still contained the memory of her three secret sisters - along with their incredible powers.
“And they don’t even remember a thing about it?”
Her laughter exploded around her as she twirled around in circles, absorbing the energy from the diamonds that illuminated the lagoon. Her body vibrated as the memories of her sisters’ powers transferred from the luminescent light of the diamonds and filled her Derado. She could feel the magic rushing through her veins.
“Hmmm…” she moaned loudly. Feeling dizzy, she reached out to the st
ony edge of the lagoon to steady herself. The power that now raged inside her was almost too much to bear.
She growled in frustration. The energy was building up too fast. She needed to release some of it before she hurt herself.
Her Derado burned around her neck, warning her of the risk she was posing to her body. With great reluctance, she pulled herself out of the water and pressed down hard on the turquoise diamond in her pendant. Within seconds, her energy mist released in a thick burst of colour around her.
“There you are!” she breathed out in relief and then smiled as she saw the colour spectacle that danced around her. The unusual combination of her colour energy now gloriously tinged with the energies of her sisters. The tangerine orange from Indramia, the chocolate brown from Ochrani and that deep, rich pink of Tiegal.
“Okay, then, show me what you have.”
Leaning back on the cave flooring with her hands stretched out flat behind her she watched in amazement as the colours became stronger and faster in their swirling frenzy.
“Show me what you can do!” Her impatient demand echoed around her.
A picture was already forming from the colour release. Leaning further back, she squinted her eyes.
“There you are!”
Delighted by the euphoric feeling conjured by this new power, she stared, transfixed by the scene before her as it transformed into an image of Tiegal, in her bubble, hovering over a river. The image entranced her to such an extent, that she failed to detect the heavy breathing nearby.
“What have you done?”
The angry male voice that boomed behind her made her jump in alarm. She swung around to face him, her naked frame still dripping wet from her dip in the lagoon.
“Jovil! What are you doing here?”
The lagoon master’s eyes were ablaze with fury. His eye-lights pulsated so brightly she could see tinges of blue around the reflections.
“I could ask you the same thing Parador!”
She scowled at him and then swung back round to check if the image was still visible. When she saw it was now merely a faint vapour whispering over the water she walked over to him and pushed him hard in the chest.
“You ruined it!”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you Parador.” His voice was calm and even.
“How did you know to come here?”
“You mean, how did I get my memory back?” he hissed.
His calm composure unnerved her. There was something about his anger that was too controlled for her liking. It made her breathing feel laboured and her nose twitch from irritation. All the power she had gained before had already drained.
“What’s the matter? You don’t look so good.” He crouched down in front of her and beckoned for her to mirror his action. “Really…you look like you may faint. And, you really should put on some clothes.”
Her legs wobbled, as though responding to his words. Everything was wrong about this. Why was the lagoon master here now? He was supposed to be getting things ready for the forthcoming Jarm Match. And, how had he regained his memory from the last time they were here?
Sighing, Jovil stood up and took two strides towards her. She could smell his warm breath. It wasn’t unpleasant, just too close, too overpowering. She needed some of her mint, but she had left her clothes at the other side of the lagoon.
“I think I have what you need to feel better.” He flipped his black cloak out of the way and then reached into the pocket of his dark grey silk trousers and pulled out two large sprigs of mint.
Without thinking, she grabbed it from him and shoved it into her mouth, chewed on the softer leaves, and then spat out the twigs on the floor.
Jovil’s eyes widened as he watched her.
“Well, now you really do need to sit down.”
As soon as she swallowed, she realised her mistake. Her body was already going into shock. Her throat was so tight she could hardly catch her breath and her heart banged so violently against her chest she felt the need to press her hands against it to hold it in.
“What have you done?” she stammered. Her hands flung out in what she imagined was the direction of his head. She yelped with pain as he caught her wrists in his hands and then yanked her down onto the floor.
Her body immediately started to shake. Already delirious, she was only vaguely aware of his cloak being wrapped around her arms and of being pulled onto his lap so that her back was against his chest.
“Calm down. I have the antidote. You’re not going to die. Or, at least you don’t have to. I just need you to tell me what you saw just now. In that vision you summoned.”
She heard his words, but she couldn’t bring herself to register that he had actually used the word ‘die’. No one died on Tandro!
But she didn’t have the strength to protest, or even to speak. Instead, she let her eyelids drop and her thoughts flow.
You poisoned me! Why would you do that? Do I mean that little to you? Are you only interested in the other daughters you made in this lagoon?
Jovil pulled her tight to his chest. She could sense he was still angry, still dangerous, but she knew he could hear her thoughts. And she could hear his.
Parador. We don’t have time for debating which of your sisters I prefer. It’s not a game, even though you seem to think it is. You all possess incredible powers, but you have to be careful how you use them. And right now, time is of essence for you. So, if you want that antidote just tell me what you saw in that vision.
She tried to twist her hipbone into his lap, to hurt him in any way she could think of, but whatever he had used to lace that mint had rendered her completely useless.
“It’s not a nice feeling being paralysed, is it?” he said into her ear.
Shut up! None of the others can do what I can. Even you have to use chemicals to overpower me. I can do it with my mind, over all of you! And how do you remember what happened in here? You were supposed to forget it all, forever.
“You used the energy you manifested from all of them to manipulate our minds. But what you failed to realise is that it only works when we are all near enough to this lagoon. You have all been on pilgrimages this last year. Tiegal has too, even if hers was somewhere much further away. Your magic will eventually wear off on them, as it did on me. So, now tell me what you saw before your body gets into real trouble!”
With every bone in her body she tried to muster the energy to fight him off her. She was too weak. Her throat was now so tightly closed she was rapidly losing consciousness.
“Okay…I saw her…” she managed to splutter. “She’s coming back. And soon…”
“I knew it! I knew she would come back. When?” Jovil cried. “When? Where?”
“The Pyramid… on Release…” She choked, grabbing at his arm.
“Release Day? But…that’s tomorrow!”
It was the last thing Parador heard before a honey tasting liquid filled her mouth and she let herself fall asleep.
The hand of a male broke through the sac, her bubble, and grabbed at Tiegal’s arm. His fingers slipped through her body, wiggling like he was trying to tickle her. It seemed her body had not yet transported enough for him to take hold. Although she had identifiable limbs her body was still only a buzz of vibrating atoms bonding together to bring her back to her existence in this world, the one where she had been made, but had never truly belonged.
Tiegal knew she had returned to Tandro again. Every essence of her old world engulfed her with one intake of breath. But this return was different. This time she sensed there was a much larger audience waiting for her. She stilled her struggle to allow the sound of muffled voices to reach her:
“Quite extraordinary! My hands travel right through her. It’s as though she is rebuilding herself, in front of us!”
“I was just thinking the exact same thing Atla. Quite magical!”
“Magical it is Jovil. When you see it up close, it really is! But then, so is this incredible magic you’ve been hiding from me a
ll this time. This ability of yours to foresee when something great will happen.”
“Ah, it wasn’t magic on my part Atla. I just had an intuition that she would return here today. You see, I think Tiegal’s ability to transport is linked to two key conditions.”
“Which are?”
“Well, looking at the history, I think she has to connect to powerful energy releases. Either from her own release, or a release coming from wherever she transports to. And if I’m right about this, then a Release Day provides the most ideal conditions for this to happen.”
“Spoken like a true Lagoon master! You have always had a knack for understanding energies Jovil. That’s why I consider you such a valuable asset to my Team.”
“Well it’s nothing special where Tiegal is concerned. Everyone can see and feel the energy she has conjured in here. Look at how all the Derados are lighting up on everyone. They all seem to be gaining more energy! Which… makes me wonder…if, well, perhaps Parador was mistaken in how she advised you, Atla? The last time she returned you ordered the prison cabin and the experiments. All worth trying, of course, but I now wonder if such confinement was too oppositional to Tiegal’s energy.”
“What exactly are you proposing Jovil? And where is Parador anyway?”
“Ah, yes, I asked Parador to help with the preparations for the next Jarm Match. She sends her apologies. And, I guess what I am proposing is that we change our approach this time. That we place Tiegal in more agreeable conditions. That we make sure she is happy being back here in Tandro. That we make sure she doesn’t leave us again.”
Although Jovil’s words filtered through to her they did nothing to calm her frantic struggle. Nor did they convince her that what Jovil was proposing could possibly come true.
Release Page 29