Cameron smiled.
His gaze traveled to Nolan, who had been a major supporter since he was a child. Another person that made him feel capable of dealing with anything, even initiate-eating-dragons.
Would he have felt as confident if Shaka-uma had consumed Emmet and Tristan?
He suspected not.
In fact, he was certain that if she had devoured one or both of them, he would now be too distracted for rational thought.
However, his only reaction to the loss of Varlet and Dirk was that he realized Nimri had a valid point. And as long as he was being totally honest with himself, he admitted that he was actually secretly pleased at having the Varlet problem eliminated.
"The strange energy emission is coming from the skull," GEA-4 said.
While Cameron blinked in surprise, a babble of excited conversation broke out in the galley.
And still, Saphera and Kazza remained motionless.
"So, it does more than simply link myst-energy," Larwin said.
Nimri, who had also been studying Kazza and Saphera, nodded. "It obviously works on feline-energy, which I should have realized years ago. I mean, it is the skull of a cat, after all."
Intrigued by her comment, Cameron went the three steps into the room and asked, "Years ago?" She nodded. "But you just arrived today."
"Thunder and I each have an identical one."
"Impossible!"
Without a word, Thunder left the room and headed back to their strange craft.
Nimri shrugged. "Unlikely, since we thought ours were the only two, but obviously possible." Her attention moved to a place beyond his left shoulder. "I have a staff of power, too."
He already knew that and could see how something like that could be duplicated, whereas it would be impossible to duplicate the skull. For one thing, where would anyone find the material to make another one? And for another, where would they get the tools?
Had Tem-aki brought to him the staff Draco Shakura had used?
She'd never claimed it was Draco Shakura's. He had made that assumption. In fact, now that he thought about it, when Tem-aki arrived, she didn't seem to know anything about Draco Shakura, that dragons were beneficial or even that they deserved to be venerated.
Before he decided what questions he wanted to ask, Thunder returned with a huge translucent skull under each arm. He carefully placed them on the counter, so that the eyes looked out the window.
At a loss for words, Cameron quickly sat down at the table. So did Nolan, who looked as if he would have fallen down if he'd tried to stay on his feet.
Oblivious to his reaction, Larwin said, "Even if they are creating this protective shield, they can't do this indefinitely."
"True," Raine said. "For one thing dragons are very long-lived. If that is in fact the same dragon that Cameron said his ancestors followed here, it's over a thousand years old."
"So, this solution can only be temporary," Nolan said.
Cameron stared at the cats and wondered what would happen when they got hungry or tired.
"We need to figure out a permanent solution," Larwin said.
"She has probably grown a lot since she came through the Star Bridge," Raine said. "That's probably why she fit."
Interesting, but irrelevant.
"We need to figure out a solution that will allow Cameron's land to become more fertile, yet still protect the inhabitants," Tem-aki said.
While he appreciated her loyalty, Cameron didn't think both goals were an option in this case, but he didn't have the heart to tell her so.
~o~
"So what we need to do is figure out how to emulate the vibration that triggers the barrier, except on a larger scale," GEA-4 said.
Amazing how the odd little woman always seemed to make complex problems sound simple, Tem-aki thought.
"I am sure you can figure that part out," Larwin said.
"What about the fertility part?" Tem-aki asked. "How would the agriculture workers get access to that?"
"Good point," Nimri said. "Would it be possible to increase the size of the barrier, so the workers didn't need to get so close to the beast?"
Who would be crazy enough to get inside that barrier? "Why not make it big enough to cover the island's fields, so they don't need to deal with it?" Tem-aki asked, hoping to shut Nimri up.
Nimri's gem-like emerald eyes widened. "Do you think that would be possible?"
GEA-4 said, "Perhaps if we triangulated the skull with the two staffs of power."
Sounds of interest reverberated throughout the room and soon, Cameron was rolling out the maps on the table while Nolan was weighted down the corners with crude metal utensils. A lively discussion ensued about the ideal locations to place the skull and two staffs.
What had just happened? How dare they take her sarcastic comment seriously! Despite the fact that she had failed to put down Nimri, Tem-aki couldn't help but feel proud that her remark had had the unintended result of providing a potential solution to their problem.
~o~
Nimri studied Cameron's map as she tried to imagine what the actual land looked like. Larwin and GEA-4 were enthusiastically discussing how they could position the skull and staffs to protect the land, but the long, foreign words they were using confused Nimri. Though tempted to ask them to explain, she realized that she didn't need to understand why certain locations contained 'too many vulnerabilities' or why other spots were considered 'in proximity to a high population density'. What mattered was that this strategy-stuff was something Larwin and GEA-4 knew how to do, so the best thing to do was let them do it.
She was good at healing, she could help, as long as they weren't consumed by the dragon, but seeing the two mouthy ones simply vanish like that had been unsettling. Though for some reason, Tem-aki's obvious dislike for her bothered her more.
A lot more.
Probably because it was aimed at her and no one else.
Larwin's finger stabbed the map. "This is a high spot and therefore, an ideal placement for the skull. It's also near the town, so Cameron, or whoever he designates can go out there and turn off the tricorder when the workers need to go in and tend the fields. BUT," he nearly shouted, "I must stress that they be allowed through the shield and the shield must be turned right back on."
"Field workers should be tested for myst-energy," Nimri said. "It would be irresponsible to allow anyone with myst ability in there."
Nolan nodded, "It would be like waving a red flag at a bull."
Nimri blinked at his description, which made no sense to her.
"I can turn it on and off. At least, I'm sure I can learn how," Cameron sounded confident. "But I don't know how to test anyone for this myst-stuff."
"Nimri and I can do that," Thunder said.
"Excellent," Cameron said. "What still worries me is that with the barrier up, what will happen inside? Won't everything dry out?"
"The harmonics of rain, not to mention the size of the droplets should pass through," GEA-4 said. "However, I am unsure how a lightning storm will affect it, since I have never worked with this particular frequency, before and I am unsure how the two forms of energy will interact."
"But the rain will be able to get through to the crops?" Nolan half-asked, half-stated.
"And these locations should be ideal to triangulate the staffs with the skull." Larwin jabbed two other areas, which would give the dragons a large area triangular to roam.
Assuming Larwin and GEA-4 were correct about how the staffs and skull could work together with a tricorder, it sounded like it might work. Still, it all sounded very complicated to Nimri, but when it came to methods like this, Larwin and GEA-4 had always had good advice.
"So, how do we place things so far apart and know when to activate them, or even if they are in the best place?" Cameron asked.
"Since we have three skulls, we should send one of them with each staff-bearer, but first, we should situate a staff and temporary skull here," Larwin tapped the closest area, "and
see if Kazza will move there, which will allow us to move the one they are using."
"Why?" Cameron asked.
"So we can communicate with each other via myst-energy. If you really think about it, this is kismet. Have you noticed that we have everything we should need? And better yet, in addition to needing three points, we have three individuals capable of using the skull's frequency?"
Cameron frowned. "Why can't the cats stay where they are?"
Larwin raised a brow. "Okay, let's say we do that." Larwin gave Cameron a piercing look, which he had probably perfected in his years as a Shadow Warrior, but had given up trying to use on her. "How many centuries do you think they can maintain this control?"
"Centuries?" Cameron echoed.
Larwin nodded. "You told us that the mother is over a millennium old and obviously, she's still alive. One hatchling is out and soon there should be two more. How long do you think your cat and Kazza can maintain their concentration?" Larwin gazed at the cats as he cracked his knuckles. "Frankly, I'm impressed that they've managed it this long and even if they could continue this for a few thousand years, do you think this boat would last?"
Cameron crossed his arms over his stomach. "You're right. This is temporary." He cleared his throat. "But how do we know your plan is permanent?"
"We don't. In fact, the only permanent solution is figuring out a way to kill the beasts, but you don't want to consider that, do you?" Cameron shook his head. "Fine. In that case, Thunder, you can head here to set up the other staff." Larwin jabbed his forefinger at the farthest one. "While Nimri and Tem-aki head here." He tapped the closest one. Why was he partnering her with his sister? Her question must have shown on her face because Larwin's expression softened. "She can set up my tricorder to emit the frequency Kazza is using, but you GEA-4 and Thunder are the only ones who seem capable of reliably using the skulls to communicate."
He had a valid point.
~o~
Tem-aki couldn't believe her ears. Her gaze darted between her brother and the woman, who had obviously brainwashed him. "I would prefer to be part of your team."
Larwin gave her a hard look. "I can handle a tricorder just fine, Nimri can't." Tem-aki opened her mouth to protest, but Larwin raised a warning hand, then said, "If you want this operation to be successful, you will do as I say."
"This is Cameron's island, not yours. Why do you think you get to say who does what?"
Cameron cleared his throat. "Your brother seems to have a plan that could work and obviously has more experience with planning this sort of thing than I do." He gestured toward the map. "I have no problem with what he has proposed or the way it will be executed."
Unbelievable!
"Why should Thunder go on his own?" Tem-aki asked.
"I would be honored to go with him," Nolan said, as he gave Larwin a hopeful look.
Larwin nodded. "If you can keep up." He turned his attention to the tall, dark one, who was so still that the only movement seemed to be the fluttering of the tiny blue feather, which was woven into one of his thin braids. "I know you can carry both the staff and a skull, position the staff, then contact us on the skull." Thunder inclined his head. Larwin turned his attention back to Nolan. "Even with his burdens, Thunder is younger and moves fast, but if you wish to accompany him, it is fine with me."
"The land looks different from the ground than it does in a map." Nolan touched an area about two-thirds of the way between their location and where Larwin wanted the staff planted. "This area is unstable. Many have been lost in the shifting sands. I believe I can help."
Larwin and Thunder both nodded in agreement. Then, Larwin's attention shifted to Cameron. "I would like you with me to set up the skull, which we will utilize with the two staffs. I know you don't know how to use a tricorder, but since you will be responsible for the shield, you need to learn how to operate it."
Nolan tapped the map with his index finger. "Since the population lives in the town and would need to go to the fields from there, it seems wise to place the controlling skull there."
"Perhaps we could even make the activation of the system part of the Solstice Ceremony," Cameron said.
Tem-aki listened and watched as the remaining plans were made, then she, Nolan, Thunder, Raine, Mica and Nimri moved aboard the strange craft. First, they took Thunder and Nolan to the shore, then they sailed across the harbor to the spot Larwin had deemed most desirable for the other staff to be placed. As Nimri dug a hole to plant her staff, Tem-aki input the code into her tricorder and leaned it against the back of the heavy skull, which was seated on a large, flat rock. It lit up.
Raising the binoculars, which Larwin had loaned her and adjusting the focus, she saw a second, somewhat larger shield shimmer into view.
Shortly after that, the remaining gold-garbed boys hurried to Sirocco's bow and began tugging on a thick rope and Kazza emerged from the galley, leaped overboard and began swimming toward them. As The Sirocco exited the harbor, the staff slipped from Nimri's fingers and went bouncing and rolling down the mountainside.
Tem-aki rushed after it, Nimri on her heels. With a flying leap, Tem-aki grabbed it, but she landed wrong and felt her ankle snap. Despite the jolt of pain, she didn't let go of the staff. How could Nimri have been so clumsy that she dropped it? No wonder her brother had told her she needed to help the incompetent woman.
~o~
Nimri slid to a stop next to Tem-aki, who had the staff clutched so tightly that her knuckles had already turned white. Her face looked white and in pain, too. Had she gotten hurt? Kneeling next to her, Nimri allowed her myst-energy to flow over Tem-aki.
In the distance, Shaka-uma roared.
It didn't take long to learn that the flowing golden robe covered a broken ankle. Lifting the fabric aside, Nimri studied the way the foot lay at an L angle to the leg. Nimri looked into Tem-aki's eyes. "You have a bad break, but I can heal it. Please breathe deeply because the oxygen will help."
"Fine, set it," Tem-aki barely moved her lips to speak.
Nimri firmly took the injured foot between her hands and repositioned it. She didn't need to hear Tem-aki's gasp of pain, to know she'd hurt her, but sometimes doing something painful was the only way to get to the point of healing.
When she glanced back at Tem-aki, her pale face was covered in perspiration. "I'm sorry for hurting you, but that was the worst part. I still need to mend the sinews and bone, but that won't hurt so much." Assurances said, Nimri began to use myst-energy to heal the torn bone and tissue. Though she was concentrating on her task, she also knew that Shaka-uma's bellowing had increased and that the ground even seemed to be trembling.
By the time the last damaged muscle had been mended, the ground seemed to have developed a steady shake.
Nimri sat up and stretched her back to ease the tension, then she looked around. Under the shield, Shaka-uma was lashing her scaly tail and stomping the ground, but now that the healing process was done, she should start calming down.
She didn't.
Tem-aki sat up, dried her face on her sleeve and looked toward shore. "Do you think it finally realized it was trapped?"
"It is reacting to the myst-energy I used to heal your foot."
Tem-aki gave her a look normally reserved for those who had consumed too much fermented juice. What had she ever done to Tem-aki to make her detest her so much that she couldn't even act appreciative after being healed?
Suddenly, there was such a large thud that not only did the earth shake, but small stones began to roll downhill. Nimri twisted to see what Shaka-uma had done. The madrox slashed her tail against the ground again. The earth shook.
More rocks bounced downhill.
Worse, the shield began to flicker, as if it had weakened. Then, abruptly, it totally winked out.
A backward glance showed that the skull was no longer illuminated. Nimri gasped, then pulled Tem-aki to her feet, "Quick, grab the staff and run to the boat. You must use it to protect Raine and Mica."
&nb
sp; "You expect me to use that against a madrox?"
"The staff is our only hope." Nimri thrust it at her. "Please, protect your brother's son."
"And what are you going to do?"
"Try to fix whatever went wrong with the shield." Tem-aki opened her mouth, but Nimri had had enough talking. "Just go to Raine, both of you hold the staff and maybe you'll survive." With that, Nimri sprinted up the rise to the skull.
The lumpy black box had fallen off the rock and the skull had moved. She grabbed the box, adjusted the alignment of the skull and put the box back where Tem-aki had placed it, but the skull did not glow. Had the box gotten broken or had she arranged things incorrectly?
She bit her lip and looked from the skull to the dragon.
Released from its mother's warmth, the hatchling toddled around the shore, purposefully moving inland, in the same direction the mother had gone.
With a start, Nimri realized the baby dragon was going toward the rock with the large hole in it.
She heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that the hatching of the second one could have been what made the mother frantic.
Perhaps her use of myst-energy had not caused this problem, but it was still her responsibility to make it right.
Chapter 32
Tem-aki sat next to Raine on the deck of the flimsy craft and held onto the staff, as if it was the only thing that could save her. Not because the great and mighty Nimri had told her to do so, but because Cameron had considered it to be so important.
'I wonder where it's going," Raine said, as the mother-dragon soared into the low-lying clouds.
"Who cares, as long as it isn't coming our direction?"
"I care." Raine glared at her over Mica's head. "Thunder and Nolan headed that way."
Tem-aki jerked her head in Nimri's direction. "She told me this staff would protect us. Thunder had the other one. Won't that protect him, too?"
Raine visibly brightened. "I'd forgotten that. Thanks for reminding me."
Surprise rippled through Tem-aki. "You really believe this skinny piece of wood can protect us from a madrox!" More likely it would burst into flames.
Fire Island: Book 3 of The Chatterre Trilody (Chatterre Trilogy) Page 24