by Arwen Jayne
24
Sakla looked at the sweat on Smith’s brow. The man was standing there at attention, nearly dripping. “What is it Smith?”
“The Russian woman Sir. We think she’s still alive.”
Sakla slammed the desk with his fist. Smith nearly jumped in the air with a start. “What the hell do you mean she’s still alive. The Russians sent their best agents. I even willed a snake to attack her if all else failed.”
“Well, um, Sir. She was still alive last night when she sent a brief message to her martial arts instructor. It reads, if I may..” He gulped when he realised Sakla was waiting. “Arrived okay, some hassles at the airport and on the way here plus an encounter with the local wildlife but all’s well. Safe now. The food here is a bit strange but I guess I’ll get used to it. My stomach it is suddenly telling me it’s what it wants me to eat anyway. The people on the other hand are undoubtedly wonderful. I feel like I belong Levi. My sister is here and while I don’t know a lot yet about the new guy in her life he seems quite capable. I think I’m finding my purpose. The new genetics laboratory they are building here is state of the art. I’m sure I can contribute and do a lot of good. Plus, I know this will sound odd coming from me but I think I’ve met someone. Early days but...what can I say, there’s something there when I look at him. Something that wasn’t there before. On a more mundane level you’d like the warriors here. They call themselves a security agency but they’re a damn sight more than that. You’d like it here. Hope you’re settling in okay now you’re back home. Love to your family. Warm regards. Lena.”
Sakla fumed. “Get Bates on the moon connection. Now! I want that asteroid ready to launch. Now Smith!”
“Yes Sir! Right away Sir.” Smith near shouted as he gave a stiff salute and scurried out as quickly as he could to save his skin. The boss was on the war path. Again.
25
The mountain cave dissolved. It was just a point in space. There was no space, no time, just a limitless, boundless expanse filled with unquestioning, unjudging love. Then they were spat out the other side. The Jota found road beneath its wheels. Helena shook herself then took turned the key. “Where to?”
Simon turned within for a moment then his eyes flashed open. “Turn left. We’ll find the others at the bottom of the valley.”
Yaguar watched from the darkness of the trees. No one saw him. He knew this was the spot. He felt it in his guts.
He felt torn. At first light he’d seen bulldozers on truck trays heading deep into the jungle. He’d been watching for weeks as geologists and surveyors from the mining company had roamed noisily through the terrain. He was sure the owners visiting the silver tin mine was part of it too. Something was up. He feared for his people. He should be out investigating, seeing if he could piece together what they were up to. Yet he’s given his word.
So he peered into the glade, waiting. A streak of sunlight splashed the ground. As if from within the very air itself people appeared. Four guys carrying guns. He hoped they were the good guys because from the looks of them he wouldn’t want to take them on in a fight. They walked like warriors, strong, assured, eyes scanning the woods, taking in the lay of the land. Two looked Asian. Wiry, finely muscled guys but they moved nimbly with the grace of dancers, dangerous dancers. The other two were different to say the least. One tall with long fine blue black braids that brushed his shoulder blades. He held himself like he was the commander. The other had sun bleached shoulder length hair that he wore loose. He looked like he’d be more at home near the ocean than in the jungle but he was undoubtedly a warrior. He moved away from the others to scout the perimeter, keeping one eye on the commander. The fifth being was a small Asian woman, clad in black cotton pants and a wrap over top belted at her waist. She carried no weapons that he could see but Yaguar had no doubt she was armed. She oozed pure menace but not evil and as she turned her eyes focused and targeted him. Shit, he’d been made. No use taking any more of their measure. Stepping forward into the light of the glade he greeted them. “Welcome, the great spirit has sent me to guide you.”
The smaller of the Asian men stepped forward to offer his hand. “Hi, I’m Doc. We’re just waiting on two others to join us.”
The sound of an approaching motorbike confirmed his statement. A tall, blond helmetless woman brought a huge bright orange bike to a stop within the centre of the group. A man of power stepped off from behind her. Yaguar recognised the man as a powerful mage. Lightning white light infused with violet and gold surrounded him. Yaguar averted his eyes.
The man came straight towards him, reaching out to lay a hand on top of the crown of his head. Light and power washed through him. He wobbled for a moment and then stared straight into the piercing grey eyes of the man who had just touched him. He could see him clearly now. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve been up with the Shang. It’s harder to keep my energy on the this plane when I’m around them. Their chants tend to raise the vibrational frequency of anything around them.”
Yaguar felt less swamped by the mage’s aura. “So you’ve wound it back down?”
“No, I tweaked yours up. You’re the only unaltered human I should have to deal with today. I need to maintain my current level for what’s ahead of us. Lead the way.”
After hiding Helena’s bike, as much as it was possible to hide something that color, they made their way up a narrow twisting trail through the jungle. Half an hour later they climbed the steep descent to Yaguar’s cliff overhang, to the entrance to the cave behind.
“He’s down this way. Mind the rocks. They get slippery with an algal slime that grows near the entrance. Once we’re further in it gets dryer.”
They followed in Yaguar’s steps as the cave tunnel continued to narrow. Helena wasn’t enjoying the cave experience much. She had no plans of making a hobby out of caving. Taller than the even Thex she was starting to get a crick in her back from bending over as she tried not to bash her skull on the ceiling above. They finally reached a small hole. “You’ve got to be joking. I can’t fit through there.”
“You might just have to pull your boobs in a bit.” Arion joked.
Helena didn’t particularly see the joke. “What’s on the other side Yaguar?”
“A large cavern. It’s not totally dark. There’s a little bit of light that comes through a fissure. There’ll be room for all of us once we’re through.”
“Well in that case...” She disappeared, teleporting herself to the chamber beyond.
Yaguar just shook his head as the others followed suit. “Well I suppose that’s one way.” He crouched down and wriggled through the hole to join them.
Helena stood before the giant crystal who was Zex, trying to get her mind to encompass what it must be like for him. Trapped like that for so long. Only learning in the last blip of that time how to astral travel and experience any kind of freedom. “How did your people first find him Yaguar?”
“His spirit called to us. In the records of our astronomers and astrologers it is written that even before the condor first appeared the crystal’s presence guarded our tribe. We’ve simply returned the favor. The job of guarding it always falls to the shaman of my people. Can you help him?”
“That’s the question isn’t it? How am I supposed to do this Simon?”
“Well usually there’s a mating ritual and a sacrifice. A human who has progressed far in developing their compassion offers their heart’s blood to the earth goddess.”
“I’m not that compassionate Simon.”
Simon sighed. “No, not yet. You have yet to fully heal from the negativity you carried and even when you do I think your strengths will be other. That is why I took you to the Shang. On a conscious level you may not be aware of it but you learnt all you need there. We don’t have a lot of time. I can talk you through it if you are willing.”
Helena knew Simon was trying to avoid telling her what to do. He seemed wary that her dislike of men having power over her might sti
ll be in effect. Yet turning within she found only peace. “It’s okay Simon. Tell me what to do.”
Simon smiled, as if greatly relieved and pleased. “Place your right hand over his heart. Here.” He indicated a place on the stone that looked no different to any other. “The crystal in your ring will amplify the power you need to tap and your hand will transmit it to him. You just need to find the right sound frequency to activate the ring. Close your eyes and visualise an electric blue field of energy around you. Let it seep into you, through the pores of your skin, around every cell of your being, entering into those cells. You are that light. Holding that image open your throat to the urge you are now feeling to intone a sound from within the depths of your soul.”
A high pitched sound filled Helena’s ears as she opened herself to the light. An impulse rising from below her belly button rose through her, touching her courage and her heart. It streamed to her throat and she let it out. A great resounding Aum that filled the chamber of the cave with its vibration. The vibration became her being. With what little awareness she had left of her own body she felt her hand throb and warm, energy streaming out through a point in the middle of her palm. The cold stone beneath her touch warmed until it was as hot as her hand. Then suddenly it was flesh. Shocked by the change Helena’s eyes sprung open. There before her was the beautiful man of her dream. Thex caught him and lowered him as he groaned and collapsed to the ground.
Simon looked to be in a hurry. “Good, now that’s done we’d best be gone. Helena, would you mind staying here with Zex until he recovers. Kit...?”
“Yes I’ll stay too.”
“Yaguar, once Zex has recovered go to your tribe. They have need of you but all is not lost. I’ll send more help.”
Yaguar bowed in acknowledgement. “Thank you once again.” He still couldn’t get over their disappearing act as they quickly vanished from his sight. Kit tapped him on the shoulder to bring him back to himself. “I think perhaps we should give these two a moment. Don’t suppose you’ve got anything to drink in the cave shelter of yours? I could do with a cuppa while we wait.”
Yaguar thought of what he might offer his guest. “I could heat us up some mate de coca. It’s the drink in these parts. The people in the higher plains have a particular liking for it because it helps with altitude sickness. It’s slightly bitter. Mildly stimulating but no worse than tea or coffee. I am told it’s not dissimilar to something called green tea.”
Kit hadn’t had a decent cup of tea since leaving Japan. “Sound perfect. Shall we?”
Everything had happened too fast for Helena to take it all in yet. She opted instead for cradling the head of the man who lay against her lap, gently stroking his brow. “Come on Zex. Come back to me.”
“You want me”, he murmured.
“No” she lied, “I want to finish our conversation from before. You never told me why you thought the idea I had was important.” Helena really did want him but she wasn’t ready to admit it. She prefered to keep him at bay for a bit. She worried when she felt a rumble in his chest. “You alright?”
“Just trying to contain a laugh. You know I can read your thoughts and emotions don’t you?”
“Bloody hell?” Swearing in Russian but that was the gist of it. She extracted herself from beneath him and stood up, moving to the other side of the chamber. “Look Zex. What we did the other day in the dream. That was fun but don’t start getting ideas already. I’m not looking to be your possession.”
Zex slowly stood. His feet feeling the solid ground beneath him. All-spirit he’d missed that. That and breathing. He leisurely strolled over to where Helena watched him like a rabbit watching a fox. Or maybe a lioness looking to swat a male she didn’t want claiming her. “I don’t want you as my possession Helena. It is not the way of the Malakim. I simply want to be with you. To enjoy your companionship. To share your heart and soul. Oh, and your body.”
“Such a way with words.”
“I prefer to speak plainly Helena. I might be a diplomat but I’ll leave the weasel words to the politicians.”
“A diplomat?”
“A peace maker, a troubleshooter of sorts. They send me into the war zones around the galaxy to try and get opposing sides talking. I told you a little of this before. Do you remember from your dream?”
“Oh I remember everything. As clear as day.” She blushed. “But that was a dream and now here you are, flesh and blood.”
“Helena”, he chided. “I know you are not a coward. Anything but. You know we have a connection. I will never try to put your heart in some prison, requiring you to only love me. That’s just plain silly. It is a folly promoted by men who fear their mortality and who think their only chance of a legacy is to have a son of the blood and an inheritance to pass onto them. It’s a philosophy that also suited the Din who promoted the idea that marriage was only between one man and one woman and that sex was only to provide the next generation of slave workers. Sex is a sacred act. Love is the heartbeat of the universe. Love as much as you can, in as many ways as you can, wherever your heart directs you. I’ll be there, right alongside you.”
It almost sounded tempting. Like she would be a spirit he would never try to cage. “What about if I want things you may not want to give me.”
“Like what your friend Kit can do for you? Helena I only want your happiness. I will never stand in the way of you getting what you need. As I hope you would never stand in mine. I would only ask that you explore some of your lifestyle with me as well. I’m intrigued by what I’ve seen of your life.”
Helena relaxed a little, not fully but a little. “Okay then. Let’s see where this goes but for now let’s go and help Yaguar’s people. It sounds like they’re in some kind of trouble.”
“They are but first things first.” He finished stalking up to his prey. He held his arms wide offering embrace but not forcing his will on her. He would never do that. She sighed and stepped into his arms then lowered her mouth to his. What started as a tentative exploration quickly became plunder.
Zex was the one to finally pull away. “You’re right. We must go save Yaguar’s people. Then I’m mating you. If you’ll have me?”
In their minds and souls they might know where this was heading but Helena wanted to hold on to her options. “I’ll think about it.”
Zex’s eyes sparkled with some hidden knowledge. “Let’s go see if Yaguar’s still got any tea in his pot. Then we’ll head out and meet his people.
Yaguar led them down another trail, this one ending at a small group of huts. Women in what looked like black bowler hats and brightly coloured clothes were sorting baskets of produce, hanging clothes to dry, stirring pots of stew. Some children chased after a few stray llamas, trying to ride their backs. Old men sat in the shade, talking and watching. The younger men were nowhere to be seen. An old wizened woman hobbled out on a walking stick to greet Yaguar as he came down the trail. “Thank Inti, the sun god, you are back. Those mining folk were here. They came for the young men, to take them away to work but they hid in the forest as the outsiders came. The miners say they will be back tomorrow to bulldoze the town. We’ll be moved into some shanty town they’ve set up on the edge of Potosi. What are we to do Yaguar?” She looked warily at the strangers. “Who are these people?”
“Abuela. I’d like you to meet Zex. He is the ancient spirit of the condor who has watched over us and guided us through the centuries. This is his mate Helena and her friend Kit.”
Grandma looked over the trio, making no attempt to conceal her scepticism. “Are you sure? Two of them look like rich americans and one is asian. How do we know they’re not with the miners?”
Zex had long ago learned their language. “Maybe a small demonstration is needed.” He found a reasonably comfortable piece of ground and lay down, closing his eyes.
Grandma eyed the stranger curiously. “Why is he lying in the dirt?”
“Shush abuela, watch!”
A faint shadow seemed to coalesc
e, hovering over the body of Zex. Slowly it took shape, the shape of a great bird. The condor took flight, winging its way up on an updraft. It flew in a great arc, surveying its domain and the location of everything in it, intruders included. Sweeping back down it shimmered back into a formless shadow that hovered back over Zex’s body and disappeared. Zex came out of his trance. Standing, he shook the dust from his back. “They’ve left their dozers not far from here. There’s only a few guards watching them. It looks like the majority of the miners have left for the day.”
Kit looked thoughtful. “I could take the guards on the dozers out and help the town set some traps for tomorrow. A bit of guerilla warfare. They wouldn’t expect it, wouldn’t see it coming.”
Zex shook his head. “Even if we avoided a bloodbath they’d just keep coming. If not tomorrow then next week, next year. As long as the minerals are here they will want them.”
Kit didn’t look convinced. “What then?”
“I think my mate has the answer. Helena, could you call your fairy friends to you. I plan to put your good idea in motion if they are willing.”
Her curiosity piqued. Helena wished she could already read Zex’s mind but Anya had said it would take some practise. Time for that later. She retrieved her birch pendant from under her blouse, closed her eyes and called. She opened them again expecting to see Eadaoin but instead a man appeared. As much as you could call any fairy by gender.
The androgynous winged being raised his palm outwards in a show of greeting. “I am Oghma, mate of Eadaoin. Your sister’s town is in great peril. She has gone there to help, so I came here to stand for her and our kind. If the people here are willing we will allow you to join this patch of jungle with the land of faery but it will require an act of union to seal the pact. Only two beings of great power consummating their love can work the magic your idea requires.”